Just another reminder for me that I can often wish I had what I don’t understand.  The fame that I was idolizing eventually tore his life apart.  The wealth that I was jealous of bought him into a world of drug use that he never meaningfully shook.

I am saddened that he couldn’t pull his life together and for the consequences of that lack.

So many times I have been angry at life or God for not giving me more.  So much of my twenties was spent struggling to understand who Christ is and who I was in all that.  It was very difficult and at times I handled that difficulty well and other times very poorly.  But that tough decade was a blessing.  I learned to turn to God for my strength, I learned that my failings were evident to most people that were paying attention, so I should stop trying to hide them.  I learned to be who God made me to be and to stop wishing I was something else.

I continue to struggle with seeing myself the way God does.  But as i walk closer to him, I see the wisdom of his approach more.

Now, I wish Corey’s life had been a bit more like mine.

Evolutionary psychologist Satoshi Kanazawa at the the London School of Economics and Political Science correlated data on these behaviors with IQ from a large national U.S. sample and found that, on average, people who identified as liberal and atheist had higher IQs. This applied also to sexual exclusivity in men, but not in women. The findings will be published in the March 2010 issue of Social Psychology Quarterly. — Elizabeth Landau CNN

Take a look at the rest of the study here.

It takes just a couple of minutes to see how skewed the interpretations on this study are.  You cannot be sure that it was intended to slam those with a belief in God.  But, we can be sure that the data was analyzed by someone who didn’t understand Christians.  Some of the quotes in the article are just silly.  Fun, fun, fun…

Should We Fire God? – Trailer from Robbie Poff | Highland Films on Vimeo.

Maybe our world is violently spinning out of control and those of us with faith in God are just the last ones to get the memo. Maybe there really is no one in charge. Maybe we are like kids in the back of a car careening down the highway with no one at the wheel, frustrated at all the swerving but confidently telling ourselves that someone must really be up there. How could there not be? Maybe April 16, 2007, is and should be the final nail in a coffin full of them already: the final example of a God who either doesn’t exist or is so impotent at his job, he’s hardly worth following. — Excerpted from Should We Fire God?

Please feel free (and encouraged) to share this video with anyone that you think might resonate with the above quote. Whether they, or you, are like me; an apprentice of Jesus who has questions about the amount of suffering in our world, or are someone that is not a follower of Jesus but is curious about those answers. Anyone that you think reflects on these issues…share away!

BTW – I forgot to ask Robbie to include the fact that the book will be out April 8, but is available for pre-orders on Amazon.com and other sites right now, is being offered for the Kindle and will be available as an audio book as well. Could you mention that when you share it?

If you are willing to post the video to your blog, facebook page…you name it. Help a brother out, eh?

Many, many thanks, props and spirit fingers to Robbie Poff at Highland Films for doing a fantastic job on the trailer. If you need, or would benefit, from video work but don’t have the capacity to do so…cannot recommend him highly enough.

There are also people in [nlcf] that will be frustrated by Matt’s belief that homosexuality isn’t something that lines up with God’s plan for us, and as such, he is working to shift to a heterosexual orientation. They would see that plan as unwise and the issue of his sexuality to be a neutral one. And they will share that frustration with Matt as well.

Those of you that have been following the thread about my friend who struggles with his homosexuality… this is the friend. Those that have been reading the blog will notice I changed the title of this thread. Both Matt and (I believe) Curtis made the point I should change it. So…viola…

I thought Matt spoke about his life in a very open, honest and thoughtful way.

I asked if I could share his story.

He graciously agreed.

Matt? Take it away…

Jim, I really think you should find some more controversial topics to cover on this blog. You’ve really been playing it safe here.

I’m also torn on this topic, Jim. We went through a time of not having enough money to handle health care costs for our family even though we both have college degrees and I was teaching full time (being a teacher was pretty much the main reason we couldn’t afford it!) so I have a little personal experience on “the other side of things.” Most of the people who are making the decisions and the people that are most upset about it have never had to make the decision whether or not to visit the doctor or get the medicine because of money or insurance coverage. Not everyone that struggles financially and has inadequate health care is a lazy bum taking advantage of welfare and government services. On a teacher’s salary in NC, our family qualified for medicaid services for our kids! I know the government is not the answer to all of our woes, but I think that many people screaming for no health care reform are a bit out of touch with reality in some ways.

I don’t have a solid opinion, but I fall somewhere in the middle wanting a balance of government intervention combined with accountability combined with private charitable help combined with good old-fashioned get out there and work to provide for your family. I guess that means I would be a lousy politician since I want a little slice of everything.

But seriously, Jim, let’s hit some serious topics soon…like puppies vs. kittens. Hope you’re enjoying the snow!

The experience of Tracy and I our first five-ish years of marriage was very similar.  I had a college degree and was working with a church, and for at least a few of those years, was WELL under the poverty line.  Please know that my wife and I are hard workers and responsible, I even did a stint as medical test subject for extra money, that is dedication eh?   That is where we were.

I don’t believe it is the government’s responsibility to step in because the job I felt God was leading my into wasn’t supplying enough income.  But I do still very much feel for those that are in the position that I no longer am in.

What are your thoughts on this?

Now, I have friends that say that they are confused just so they don’t have to take a side. You know who you are.

This isn’t that. I really feel torn.

As a follower of Jesus and someone that believes in the guidance and illumination provided by the scriptures, I go to them to help me understand both the events that are occurring in our world today, and how I can increasingly reflect the heart and intent of Christ.

There is a sentence in the letter that James wrote to a large number of Christians that had been spread out, primarily through the persecution they had been receiving. They had received this persecution because they were followers of Jesus and they would have had a large number among them that would have needed help. People would have needed housing, food, and shelter. The basics. James wrote his letter in a very clear, very challenging manner to a group that need both clarity and challenge.

Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us. James 1.27

“We must care for orphans and widows in their troubles…” That isn’t the only way that we demonstrate our trust in the way of Christ, but it is an important one. God seems to care a great deal for those who are disadvantaged in our world.

When I line those words up against the reality that we have a lot of people that don’t seem to have adequate health care, I can start to see the value of expanding the health care system to accommodate as many of those people as we can. Even if it is at a personal cost to me, I am willing to look at that.

There are also numerous, equally valid, scriptures in the book of Proverbs that would state that it is foolish to walk into a dangerous situation as if it were not so. Seeing that Danny Williams, who would have the ability to truly assess his options, would opt to leave for care is disturbing. Knowing that he chose to do so in spite of the outcry it would cause makes it even more so.

What am I missing in this?

I have been angry at components of the Haitian government that have slowed the rescue efforts so many are risking their lives to be involved in.

I have been angry at myself for being able to do so little of value in the face of such suffering.

I have been angry that for every wonderful and miraculous rescue, there are probably twenty who aren’t.

I have been angry at how the death toll is guaranteed to continue to climb as lack of access to medicines, food and clean water will undoubtedly usher in who knows how many diseases.

I have been angry that child sex traffickers are using this as an opportunity to literally steal children and make them sex slaves.

I have been angry at God for not stopping this gigantic earthquake.

And I have been angry at Pat Robertson.

There are probably quite a few of us that became angry when we heard what he was quoted to have said. In such a time of anguish and desperation, the very suggestion that there is some communal Haitian fault for this — that they brought this on themselves — seems unconscionable. It seems cruel and wrong.

More than that, it is cruel and wrong.

Yes, I agree that God is sovereign, and as such has the capacity to do whatever he feels is best for our world. Yes, I agree that there are times when our very limited amount of insight can make it possible for us to totally miss the bigger picture that God, by necessity, works with all the time. Yes, I agree that there is a demonic realm that is very real and that can bring physical consequences.

But it is very hard for me to see how a God that  would respond the way he has regarding the reconciliation of our world with himself, would seemingly karate-chop a major fault line in Haiti because of some vagely alleged, century old, decisions. A God that would take the penalty for all of the rebellion caused by humanity on himself. A God that would voluntarily decide to simultaneously experience the horrific pain of a Roman cross and the crushing weight of our cumulative rebellion – while also experiencing the sensation of watching his son be tortured and killed as an innocent – while also experiencing the pain of having to watch the whole thing unfold, all the while knowing that he could stop it, but knowing that he must not. I don’t think we can touch that level of suffering in our experience.

He took it all, voluntarily. So that we could be with him. Willingly. Lovingly.

A God like that doesn’t karate-chop fault lines.

I do believe that evil caused what happened.  Our world has plenty of demonstrations of the evil the the scriptures point to being more than just a theological or philosophical construct. The greed that caused the Duvalier family to set back what could have been a much more advanced Haiti, by decades. Crushing poverty that forces people to simply exist and all but prevents them from thriving. Fear that helps to turn one person against another. That helps gangs, and not coalitions, be formed.   And I believe that what we see everywhere on the social level is represented in the physical one.  It would seem that even the creation, the planet, isn’t working in sync like it should – fault lines included.  I don’t believe that earthquakes were ever the intention of God.  I think that our relational brokenness with one another and the planet’s brokenness go hand in hand.  We all await a re-creation.

But, ugggh, to the issue of my apology.

There is a part of me that has come to expect Pat and others to say what he did. Things that not only do not represent my view of how scripture reveals the character of God, but they even make my task of representing Christ in our world much more difficult. I have to deal with what they say more often than I would prefer. It is often assumed that their views represent mine, that because we both would share the label, Christian, we look at the world through the same lens. I have often said that it seems like I seem to walk into other peoples’ issues with God, I think views like what Pat shared, create a lot of those issues.

So, my heart has grown a bit cold to Pat and so many others. Granted, in my cluster of friends, church planters and thinkers, going after some of those guys is pretty common. We joke about them, roll our eyes, maybe mock them a bit.

But mouthing off wrongly about how he mouths off wrongly doesn’t seem to be the right way to go.

The reality is that Pat has done some good things over the years. The one I personally feel best about is Operation Blessing, a non-profit that has provided disaster and hunger relief for over 192 million people in over 90 countries, and in its history has provided over one billion dollars worth of goods and services.

The reality is, Operation Blessing has helped a lot of people. People have eaten as a result of Operation Blessing that wouldn’t have without it. Homes have been rebuilt. Those people matter.

So, that helps. At least me. At least some.

It helps me see him as more of a three dimensional person, not the cranky personality he seems to have become. It helps me see him as a man that has done some good and some bad, like me. And it makes me reflect a bit more on Romans, chapter two.

“But if you think … you can point your finger at others, think again. Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself… Judgmental criticism of others is a well-known way of escaping detection in your own crimes and misdemeanors. But God isn’t so easily diverted. He sees right through all such smoke screens and holds you to what you’ve done.” Rom 2.1,2 Message.

In this section of Paul’s letter to the church in Rome, God is saying that all of us can claim the moral high ground, but it is rarely deserved. And even if we are actually on the right side of an issue, we cannot allow that to cause us to become arrogant.  God sees through our charades, he sees our heart…  This section doesn’t tell us we cannot talk about what is right and wrong in our world, it simply reminds us that while we do, remember that we are every bit as in need of God’s grace as anyone else.

It makes me think about me, making fun of Pat Robertson. I condemn myself.  Yes, I think what he said was wrong.  But I spoke out of anger, not to help him — but to have some fun at his expense.

Dang!

It doesn’t change the fact that his words were unthinkable. It doesn’t change the fact that any hope of Pat having a lasting semi-mainstream legacy seems to ride on someone from his inner-circle telling him in love that he needs to apologize and then to be quiet. He was irresponsible and his words were cruel.

But it reminds me that any of us are capable of the same thing.

You may know some relief organizations that are working in the area or that can mobilize quickly. If you do, give to them, if not, here are some options that we know about. Please post in and add to our list.

American Red Cross — you can text HAITI to 90999 and your cell account will be billed $10

Beyond Borders –

Project Esperanza — actually located in the Dominican Republic, but works extensively with Haitian orphans in the DR, will have useful connections on the ground.

Partners in Health –

Haiti Emergency Relief Organization –

Baptist Haiti Mission — 100% of donations go to the relief effort. The BHM hospital in Fermanthe, Haiti is the only hospital serving the surrounding mountain villages.

Compassion International

Here are some additional agencies that I ran across on Bread for the World, a group that I am just starting to learn about, but that I really like so far. I only have a minute to post this, so no hotlinks.

* Catholic Relief Services
* Christian Reformed World Relief Committee
* Church of the Brethren
* Church of the Nazarene
* Church World Service
* Covenant World Relief
* Episcopal Relief and Development
* International Orthodox Christian Charities
* Lutheran World Relief
* Presbyterian Church USA
* Reformed Church in America
* Salvation Army
* United Methodist Committee on Relief
* World Hope International
* World Relief
* World Vision

Please add to this list or give feedback on what is already listed.

God seems to have a very important place in his heart for widows, orphans…people that are in desperate positions. We are called to love them and help them. We simply must do this now.

Micah 6.8 tells us this. “… the Lord has already told you what is good, and this is what he requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” This isn’t the whole story between us and God, but our care for those who need that care is a part we simply cannot afford to pass over.

Please do something, and post your ideas here for things that we can do as well.

Peace

Here is the link for the New York Times article, and the photo is courtesy of Suzanne DeChillo/The New York Times.

Partially because I am a people guy. I really like them. I believe that each person I meet is a very important and individual creation of God. That makes each of them far more important than they or I can imagine. So…I am a big fan.

But I also am in ministry. I am a pastor of an amazing and flawed church everyone calls [nlcf]. Granted, it isn’t a very traditional church and I may not be the most traditional pastor, but one thing that being a pastor predicatably brings is you talk with a lot of people.

I mean A LOT of people.

This is not a problem, because I am a fan, remember?

One of the things I talk with a lot of people about, whether they are followers of Jesus or not, is God. Again, predictable. When I talk with people about God obviously there is a range of things we discuss, but one thing comes up more than most.

The list.

Now almost no one uses that term, but that is what it is. It is the list of the things that make getting closer to God harder. The times that we tried to trust him and it didn’t work out, the times that we asked for something and it didn’t happen. Various relationships that might have fallen apart even though we desperately didn’t want them to. The people in our family or beyond them, that suffer from debilitating illness or have lost the fight to that illness. Jobs that have been lost or cannot be found. Unfairness that seems to be everywhere. So often, those that don’t deserve to win do, and those that could really have used that win, don’t.

Here is what can happen. I say can because it doesn’t happen all the time to everyone, but in my experience it does happen to almost all of us at some point. What can happen is that we take those times where we feel that God didn’t step in as he should and we add many of them to our list. The times God has not been predictable or has not handled things the way we would want him to. We take them, remember them…and when the times comes to really step out in trust with God again, we don’t.

In fact, that is one of the best tests for the presence of the list. Think of the last time you thought God might be calling you to do something scary. Serve someone you were uncomfortable with, risk and give something away and make do with less yourself. Go somewhere, do something. (If you cannot remember the last time that has happened-take a month or so, and ask God each day to help you see a risk you can take for him, it will happen). Now think of what you think when that thought came up (great sentence, eh?).

What did you do in that moment? Go for it or hold back? Personally I have done both. The times I hold back, I usually am thinking “God, I just don’t know what you are going to do if I do this.” We doubt, and we don’t risk anymore. We start to see ourselves as people who don’t do that sort of thing. The problem is, we were made to do exactly that sort of thing.

So… how about we start the year a little differently? Sure, we can make our resolutions about losing weight, getting our finances in order (my wife and I are doing that one), but let’s do something about our lists too. What do you say?

How about this? I’ll show you my list if you show me yours. Nothing too deep if you aren’t ready, but let’s share a bit. What do you hold against God? What has frustrated you about him? What makes you hold back?

Some of you might just want to vent a bit, get it out. If that is what you want, let us know, and we will let you vent. If you have questions that you would like input on, ask for that as well and we will try to answer what we can. I say we because I hope this will be a collaborative discussion.

In a few days I will post mine… but don’t wait for me. Have at it…