Biblical Politics

20 Tuesday Nov 2012

Posted by Seeking Peace in Christian Living, Faith

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Jesus came to be a political leader, right? Oh, OK. Well, He came to be an example of proper political ruling, right? Oh, OK. Well then, He was an advisor to political campaigns, right? Really, none of those?

I think one reason I am so far removed from my old interest in politics is because of any talk that God is into politics. Would Jesus have voted for Mitt?
I don’t know. I’m not sure Jesus would have even voted based on the amount of time he didn’t talk about politics. That said, here are a few suggestions to help us all be better Christians regardless of who holds the office of President.

Let me suggest that abortion isn’t a legislative issue but a heart issue. Would Jesus ask the government to change their ruling on abortion or would He ask His followers to love more, show more grace, be more compassionate and treat people with much more respect? Can you imagine someone Jesus came in contact with having an abortion after being in the presence of His love? I think He has called us to be like Him.

Let me suggest that our focus should be on the poor and downtrodden more than on our tax rate. Jesus didn’t call us to create jobs and save more, He called us to help those who needed help. The church in Acts 2:42 didn’t teach better financial planning, they sold all they had and gave to those in need. What did God tell His people when he sent the manna they needed? Those who tried to save more than their daily allotment found maggots in it the next day.

Let me suggest we should spend more time with people of opposing viewpoints than arguing against them. Jesus didn’t hang out at the country club with the people who voted like He did. He was with the sinners, the poor, the lame and blind. No, I am not suggesting that one party is full of sinners, poor, lame and blind. For those who think that, be wary you are not in the party that is full of pride (that leads to destruction). We can argue with people or we can love them. What do you see in Jesus’ actions?

Let me suggest the breakdown of the family unit isn’t caused by the allowance of gay marriage or any other rule by government or legislative entities. The breakdown of our home stems more from the TV shows we spend time watching, the movies we spend time watching, the computers we spend time on, the committees we invest in our time in and many other time killers while the Bible goes unread and unstudied in the home, prayers are not said in the home and Jesus isn’t discussed much or modeled in the home.

Let me suggest this is not a Christian nation. Who said it was in the first place? Certainly not God and He is the authority, right? Look at what goes on in this nation of ours and tell me what is so Christian about it. The number of homeless? The number of oversized houses? The number of poor? The number of wealthy? I think China may be more of a Christian nation than the USA is today. Who looks more like the Christians in the Bible, those who thank God for the freedom to worship or those who worship knowing they may be killed for their choices? Sobering.

Let me suggest politics is not the problem in our country. The lack of love, the lack of understanding, the lack of mercy, the lack of grace, the lack of patience, the lack of compassion – these are the issues that has our country in the state it is in today.

If you are living a life that looks like Christ, I commend you. I am still working on it and all the things written above have or do apply to me. I am a work in progress and I am asking daily that God permeate every inch of me day by day so that I can look more like His son and less like the person I have been for so many years. God wants so much more for me and for everyone in this country. I hope we all grab hold of His vision.

Grace and peace.

Selling It

13 Tuesday Nov 2012

Posted by Seeking Peace in Faith

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faith, grace

“You cannot keep selling something you are not convinced you (personally) need to buy.” – Todd Wagner, Watermark Senior Pator, at RightNow Conference

I had spoke similar words to a close friend just days before. “I can sell God’s love and grace, I just have trouble buying it for myself.” Very insightful words. i woke up today scared of what the future holds. I have found myself in tears in recent days hurt by recent events, hurt by my past mistakes, fearful what it means for my future and wondering why I don’t completely trust God.

I can sell it. I have time and time again. When I’m talking to others who are struggling, I hear my words and think “wow, if I can grasp it and feel it within myself.” I see God at work in others, I see what God has done through and in me in the past and yet I worry and am afraid that His promise has run dry for me.

I used to be able to quote the 23rd Psalm in the King James Version. Today, I have filled my mind with so many things that don’t matter to push out things that do matter. I stopped typing for a moment to go read it again on Biblegateway.com and will re-memorize it. It is something I need to repeat to myself daily. More than that, I need to be ready to buy it for myself. The Lord is my shepherd. He is all that I need. If I can buy it and believe it, I wonder how I different I will be in my actions, both internal and external.

I hope He keeps putting me in position to sell it. More, I want to buy it in the deepest and most intimate parts of my being.

A Slow Start

07 Wednesday Nov 2012

Posted by Seeking Peace in Faith

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faith, forgiveness, patience, trust

My blogging is off to a slow start but not because I haven’t thought about a bunch of things to say. I have been going through some dramatic changes in my life and maybe the shock, the fear, the wonder, the hope and many other emotions have collided to both make me stop, make me think and make wait. Ah, waiting. I’m not great at waiting. And forgiving myself. Not good at that either. And trusting God. Well, I trust Him with some small things but job hunting is all dependent on me. Right?

Forgiving self is one of the greatest battles I have. Typically, I don’t forgive myself and I have junk I have been carrying with me for a long, long time. A good friend said something to me the other day that really struck a chord. “Failing to forgive yourself is denying God’s child a gift God wants to give him.” Wow. It’s the story of the prodigal and I love the story…right up to the point where I fill in the rest of the story with the returning son living under a cloud of his sins.

Another great comment I heard recently deals with my faith and patience. “The God who says He has plans for you, that you are His workmanship, is the God you are now doubting because things aren’t the way you want them?” That hits me right between the eyes.

That’s a start. I hope this blog evolves into a lot more praise for my glorious Father and less about my doubt, self-doubt and failings. In the meantime, I’ll deal with some things I need to deal with and see where it leads me. And where He leads me.

Grace and peace.

Running on Empty

25 Monday Jul 2011

Posted by Seeking Peace in Faith, love, myers-brigg, personality, stress

≈ 3 Comments

It’s been tough to blog lately…as you’ve probably noticed.

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Same sex marriages in New York. A murder spree in Norway. Oh yes, now I remember why I have quit reading the paper and watching the news. Burying my head in the sand, you say? In all honesty, I think I have been more focused on my Father’s business since I went without “news” for awhile. Sadly enough, I can find enough problems in my own yard without hearing from around the world. I’m not advocating for all people to quit listening to the news, I just feel like it has been a good thing for me for a season.

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I’m taking an Organizational Behavior class for a Master’s program right now. One assignment was a Life Stress Inventory Test. A score of 0-100 indicates you have low stress, 100-200 indicates reasonable stress that a person should be aware of and taking steps to reduce, 200-300 indicates high stress that can result in a 50% chance of a major health issue within 2 years, 300 and up indicates extremely high stress that can result in a 80% chance of a major health issue within 2 years. I scored a 485 the first time so I took it again and got a 520. Maybe that’s why I feel exhausted all the time. Silly tests.

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I also took the Myers-Brigg Personality Inventory and found out I’m a INFJ. I still don’t know all that means but my personality is the same as Martin Luther King, Jr., Mother Teresa and Nelson Mandela – not bad company. It’s also the same as Billy Crystal and Mel Gibson (that may explain some of my outbursts at times). Fascinating stuff.

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I got into another faith and works conversation the other day. I’m still confused why anyone would try to separate the two. I do stuff for my kids because of love. God gave his son for me because of love. Love is unseen (faith) until manifested in something I do for someone but what I do isn’t done for proof, it’s done out of love. So is my work for God, not something I do for proof but something I do because of love. It seems so simple to me.

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Grace and peace to you.
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Perseverance

21 Thursday Jul 2011

Posted by Seeking Peace in Faith, hope, James, perseverance

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How long does perseverance last?

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I know it’s wishful thinking. I know trials will never end and some are on a loop it seems. I know my timing and God’s timing vary slightly and I know His timing is the one I want to be aligned with (I’ve seen what doing things my way looks like – YIKES). I’ll keep praying for strength and courage and wisdom to persevere and to take joy in knowing and seeing how my trust in God to get me through the rough times always looks and feels much better than what I would do on my own accord. And, I want to revel in the hope that comes from persevering in faith.

Grace and peace to you.

4-0, UConn and 1 Loss

05 Tuesday Apr 2011

Posted by Seeking Peace in death, Faith, questions, Rangers

≈ 1 Comment

I’m sitting here thinking how exciting it is that the Rangers are 4-0 behind real good pitching and a bunch of homeruns. Honestly, I wish the Rangers were grinding out runs instead of hitting bombs because the bats will cool off but, hey, I’ll enjoy it while I can.

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I’m sitting here after just watching One Shining Moment which is played at the end of every Final 4. I love the videos and good for UConn and their big win. I wish Butler could have pulled one out, similar to Texas Western many moons ago, except without the racial overtones.

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I’m sitting here wondering how the parents of a 14 year old boy who was found dead Sunday morning are coping because I cannot fathom what they are going through.

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The Rangers are 4-0, UConn is the National Champion for a brief while and the Sitzman family will not see their young son grow up. Two of those things make me happy but it’s fleeting and one of those things just gnaws at my gut while I wonder why.

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It’s a question I won’t know an answer to but it upsets me all the same. It makes me ask God “why?” without expecting an answer. It makes me want to touch my kids, to see their smile, to hear their voice. I’m fortunate to only be separated from them for brief periods but they are excruciating periods of time.

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I wonder if God feels that way about me. I wonder if he wants me in heaven with him as soon as possible or if he’s content because he can see me here and now. Another question I won’t have an answer to anytime soon. Nor do I need one.

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However, it’s times like this when my faith is shakier. It’s times like this when I have more questions than contentment. Still, I know that God’s ways are not my ways and I cannot begin to comprehend all his thoughts. I hope I will wake up in the morning and simply be willing to follow his direction.

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Grace and peace to you.
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Open My Eyes

28 Monday Mar 2011

Posted by Seeking Peace in Faith, Final 4, Opening Day

≈ 1 Comment

There are things in life I will never understand. Maybe I’m not supposed to but I sure wish I did at times. Then again, not knowing everything leaves alot of room for faith to work.

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One of the joys I have found in life is to know with certainty where God is leading me and how he is using me. It makes me want to tune into him more, to hear him more clearly, to feel his presence and direction more precisely, to see the things he wants me to see with clarity. I pray that the days to come will allow that to happen more and more.

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I checked back in at Twitter after a long absence and still find it to be the container for many spur of the moment thoughts. I don’t see it being a tool for good information and will be surprised if they can find a way to monetize it at the rate it will likely need to keep it functioning long-term. Of course, I never though Apple would make it either.

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Kansas got beat by VCU? I almost missed a meeting at church watching that game. It will be a strange Final 4 to watch and I hope it will be as entertaining and full of surprises as the past 2 weekends have been.

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T-4. Opening Day…and I’m not going for the first time in either 5 or 6 years. Usually, no one in my season ticket group ever wants a day game. Naturally, Opening Day went first, Saturday went second (when they give rings to the players and replicas to the fans) so I got the Sunday afternoon game. Now the question is whether Texas will have any healthy pitchers to start the season with.

I hope this is a week that God will use me to help someone. My prayer is to simply know his will for me.

Grace and peace to you.

What’s Up?

19 Monday Jul 2010

Posted by Seeking Peace in Colorado, David Terry, Faith, Patience

≈ 2 Comments

I’ve been away for a bit. I spent a week in Colorado with my kids and while the trip was hampered by some severely painful back issues, I cherished the time with them in the beautiful landscape that God created. I still think that God put South Fork, Colorado on earth so I would have a small glimpse of how wonderful Heaven will be.

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While there, I finished a book co-authored by a good friend, David Terry, entitled The Original Sanctuary. I was struck by the idea that South Fork has been my original sanctuary, the place I felt I could go that was safe, where I could feel God’s presence. My dream would be to spend a summer or own a house there. It might never happen but it is the place I always feel closest to God.

I continue to struggle with what God is doing in my life. A dear friend has reminded me of the saying “what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.” I don’t feel stronger but maybe, like working out, it takes time and perseverance to become stronger. I keep asking God where he is and what, if anything, he is doing in my life. I read David’s words in the Psalms and can understand his questions so clearly. All the while I experience support and love from so many people and I know it comes from their heart and desire to by the hands and feet of God for me. Sometimes I can’t help but think I need to spend more time exploring my belief that I would have made a great Israelite, someone who keeps seeing God do things and then turning around and wanting more from God done the way I want things done. He gives me manna while I try to demand prime rib.

Today, I am so very grateful for God’s patience with me and His overwhelming forgiveness.

Grace and peace to you.

Faith

02 Wednesday Jun 2010

Posted by Seeking Peace in David, Faith, Patience

≈ 1 Comment

My son recently presented a lesson on David and his faith. It really got me thinking about my faith and how shaky it is at times. There are circumstances in my life that are less than optimal and I wonder where God is in them and begin relying on myself to have the answers. While these times can be painful, I am not hiding for my life in a cave. I am not being sent into battle with a giant who could crush me in one hand. I am not fending off wild animals. No, I’m just going about my life, showing up at work, going to baseball games, catching a movie now and then while my faith seems to drift in and out.

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I’ve pointed out time and time again how our Bible heroes suffered but the beauty that shows through in their suffering is their incredible faith, their unfailing knowledge that God is with them, that He will protect them and provide for them. The kicker is…He will do that for me if I exercise faith and maybe a bit of patience too. I want to be a man of faith. I want to trust that God will give me what I need and overcome my enemies. I want to live in the knowledge that the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

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Grace and peace to you.
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