There will always be room...
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Thursday, January 02, 2014 | |
You’d have thought it was a grenade. Instead, it was only the Bible. That's all Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty was using as he offered a Scriptural perspective on homosexuality. A national firestorm followed. But in the thunder of ideological gun shots, a curious scene played out in the neighborhood where my friend Jack lives. For a couple of years, now, he's been trying to build bridges into the life of a friend across the street—let's call him Stephen. Jack relates how it's been a slow go, getting to know Stephen, trying to build into his life. Stephen is gay...and is aware of Jack’s Christian faith. They’re friendly… wave at each other...chat in the street while collecting the mail. But that's about it. Then a year ago when some heavy snow fell, Jack—at the urging of his wife—went over to Stephen's house with a snow blower and blew out his driveway. Stephen seemed most appreciative...and returned the favor for Jack. More snows have provided more opportunities for Jack to reach out and care for Stephen's driveway. But meanwhile...the conversations between the two of them have grown longer...more comfortable. So there we were—as a nation—in the middle of this cultural battle over Phil Robertson. And Jack is sitting at home when someone knocks on the door. It's his neighbor, Stephen. Jack and his wife welcome him inside enthusiastically. Of all things, Stephen has brought with him a plate of homemade...extra butter...original toll house chocolate chip cookies—Jack’s favorite. They had a great time talking together, admiring that plate of big cookies…building an even stronger bridge. In a world grown skeptical—critical—of Christians, there will always be room for the man or woman who loves people like Jesus did. Throwing aside the labels. Throwing aside the caution…and showing real care. Can’t wait to hear the next chapter in Jack’s story. I’ll keep you posted. |
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The Most Disappointing Day?
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Thursday, December 26, 2013 | |
With Christmas now past, allow me to play Scrooge for a moment as I suggest that for many, December the 25th might just be one of the most disappointing days of the year. |
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Soft Spot for Christmas Carols
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Thursday, December 19, 2013 | |
Christmas—it’s under assault. No question about it. From manger scenes evictedfrom public property to schools refusing to use the word, “Christmas.” But I’m not here to complain. No, I’d like to pause…and celebrate. I wish to celebrate the fact that even as Uncle Sam rushes with sickening speed toward a pluralistic—even pagan--persona, traditional Christmas carols are still heard…virtually everywhere. It’s true, isn’t it? We were at a public high school Christmas concert this weekend. What did we hear? Silent Night…The First Noel…Do you hear what I Hear? We’re shopping at a major suburban Chicago mall, and I’m hearing, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let earth receive her king!” At a restaurant, the strains of Hark the Herald Angels Sing plays boldly over the speakers. Christmas—or make that—“Holiday” TV specials still sing overtly Christian Christmas carols. References to Christ, Jesus…King…they’re everywhere—on national television. More than 11 million people have now seen the Wordless Monks on YouTube performing the Hallelujah Chorus. Amazing. Absolutely amazing. Now, admittedly, for the vast majority of folks, the music is nothing more than wallpaper. It’s as traditional as egg nogg and the abominable snowman. Yet still, it ought to give us pause. Pagan America. America that long ago kicked God out of the schools and out of the courts and—increasingly—out of the public square…still has a soft spot for Christmas carols…if only out of habit. With all that great theology in all those great carols playing to hundreds of millions of people…these lyrics have to get through to someone. Somewhere. No more let sin and sorrow grow The Lord is come! |
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Good Day at the Office!
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Thursday, December 12, 2013 | |
It's been quite a day at the office. Okay. So maybe Hyderabad, India isn't my usual work space. But it was today. One of our morning objectives was to visit a slum and capture some compelling images illustrating what life is like for a disturbing number of India's lowest caste, the Dalit’s. Shooting pro grade video is tough enough under optimal circumstances, much more so walking through unimaginable filth, inhaling wretched smelling air. Then you set up the tripod, unpack the audio gear (regretting the wires trailing lazily in the human muck) and realize you've left a critical filter back in the van. Running to fetch the gear, you're suddenly aware of the many eyes peering out at you from under blue tarps and the shadows of crude huts. There were concerns that our presence was unwelcome by some in the slum. So we got right down to work. Then it was time to shoot “B-roll”--the various “cutaway” shots that editors use to spice up a video. This is the stuff I love to shoot best. But the moment I started shooting, my “slum guide”--a fellow believer--introduced me to a little girl who was blind. She couldn't have been more than 10 or 11. Would I please stop and pray with her? Of course, I did. We barely got off another shot of some pigs roaming the slum when a woman came up and requested prayer for the cancer that she was battling. We prayed. We were guided into another hut where we prayed for still another. It was touching...but troubling at the same time. I had come to gather images...but was called upon to give prayers. Later that afternoon, I had the rare opportunity to interview two women who were formal Hindu temple prostitutes. When we were done...we prayed together. Same with two Indian pastors we interviewed, both of whom have been persecuted. A lesson God seems to be teaching in all of this? Perhaps just this: the extent we are willing to be “interrupted” to share another's pain--if only in a prayer—is the measure of a day well spent. Come to think of it, it's been a good day at the office. Praise God!
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A Glimpse of Heaven
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Thursday, December 05, 2013 | |
I saw a glimpse of heaven this week. We're in India, looking at the power that a school run by Christians can have in impacting the problem of human trafficking. In a nutshell, India's Dalit caste—the lowest of the low--represents the vast majority of sex slaves in India. Because the Dalits are so poor, they are often unable to afford schooling for their young. Lacking the social network (safety) a school experience provides, these girls, whose parents are out working, become easy prey for the traffickers. Enter the Good Shepherd Schools—a growing network of English Medium Schools. Operated by Christians, these affordable schools make possible an education for children who would otherwise not have access. With an education, girls learn valuable business skills. They are much less prone to be caught up in the ugly web of human trafficking. So we were visiting one of these schools that Friends Church of Yorba Linda, California has helped sponsor. Getting out of the van, we were met by a drum corps and small band. Our team walked a corridor flanked by girls in festive dresses, showering us with orange and yellow flower petals. There was applause, confetti—even fireworks--in this tribute of thanks recognizing what Friends Church has done. The thought struck me almost immediately in the hot sun of a Bangalore morning. This is a picture of heaven! This is a small taste of what it will be like to join the crowd of witnesses we read about in Scripture. The music, the pageantry the colors....surely this is a preview image of the heaven we will someday enjoy. The only dark cloud in this otherwise sunny picture? The sobering question: Exactly how much am I investing my life now in causes that heaven will celebrate? The Bible tells us, “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” the things God has prepared for those who love him—“ So...how much do I love Him? How much do you love Him? How much of a celebration will be yours and mine in heaven? |
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