I’ve been thinking. It’s too bad that the Native Americans didn’t have a tough immigration bill to keep all those Europeans from invading their land. And they sure could have used a tough police force in the Old West to “profile” any rider that came over the ridge.
The immigration bill passed recently in Arizona does not reflect the Christian values upon which we say our nation was founded….
The land in which we live is God’s land. We do not own it. God owns it. We are, as it were, borrowing it. It is a gift from God while we sojourn here. In Leviticus 1:33-34 the Bible reads:
When an alien lives with you in your land do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.
The word of God makes it clear that we are to love the aliens who come within our borders. As a matter of fact, we are all aliens on this earth. God is not partial to America. America doesn’t need protection from further intrusion of those who, like all of us, seek a better life or just some kind of “daily bread” for themselves and their families.
If we truly believe that safety and security are issues, then let’s find just ways to govern our borders. Let’s find fairer ways to assimilate folks into our labor system, medical system, and our way of life.
The new law in Arizona calls for people to carry identification papers. It also says that if anyone is caught driving an undocumented immigrant, say to church for example, the driver will be arrested. This is Caesar’s law, not God’s.
In the last judgment Jesus will say to us that whenever we welcomed “the stranger” we welcomed Him. Let’s not turn Christ away or mistreat Him.
Pray that Congress will find a compassionate, Godly way to address the issue of immigration.
I invite your responses. Use the comment feature.
Sincerely,
George
4.27.2010
4.21.2010
Bondage
Have you ever been stuck in some life circumstance ... an illness, a job, a relationship (or lack of a relationship), a routine that has turned into a rut? It can feel like prison or some kind of bondage.
Circumstances have a way of enslaving us. So does sin. It’s like we can’t get away from it no matter how hard we try. We fall back into the old ways of thinking.
The Jews in Egypt knew about bondage, being "stuck" and oppressed – for a long time. And they also, thankfully, discovered that God had a way out for them (although only God knows why it took 400 years). God sent Moses as their savior who, by God’s grace, would free them, lead them, and give them guidelines as how best to serve God.
Sometimes God sends a person into our lives (though not always in our time frame) to show us the way out and into better circumstances. It’s why Jesus came - to lead us out from bondage and slavery to sin and the dead-end roads of life into a full relationship with God, one with a purpose and a plan. It’s Jesus who can free us from slavery to sin and open the way to freedom by his love and guidelines or, as we like to call them, disciplines.
This Sunday we will begin a series of sermons on the Book of Exodus. It’s a great read. It parallels so well the New Testament story of salvation. The first message is "Into Egypt" - how we got into this mess in the first place. Read Exodus chapter one.
Yours in Christ,
George
Circumstances have a way of enslaving us. So does sin. It’s like we can’t get away from it no matter how hard we try. We fall back into the old ways of thinking.
The Jews in Egypt knew about bondage, being "stuck" and oppressed – for a long time. And they also, thankfully, discovered that God had a way out for them (although only God knows why it took 400 years). God sent Moses as their savior who, by God’s grace, would free them, lead them, and give them guidelines as how best to serve God.
Sometimes God sends a person into our lives (though not always in our time frame) to show us the way out and into better circumstances. It’s why Jesus came - to lead us out from bondage and slavery to sin and the dead-end roads of life into a full relationship with God, one with a purpose and a plan. It’s Jesus who can free us from slavery to sin and open the way to freedom by his love and guidelines or, as we like to call them, disciplines.
This Sunday we will begin a series of sermons on the Book of Exodus. It’s a great read. It parallels so well the New Testament story of salvation. The first message is "Into Egypt" - how we got into this mess in the first place. Read Exodus chapter one.
Yours in Christ,
George
4.14.2010
To Baptize . . . Or Not To Baptize
So today I’m struggling with the issue of baptism in the church. We have probably all been baptized as infants and I’m wondering why. Is it from tradition? Is it because we think we will go to hell if we don’t get baptized soon after birth? Is it for children, infants, or only for adults? Have we honored God with the way we practice baptism? Should we be immersed, sprinkled, or dry cleaned?
And what passages from the Bible help you to understand the meaning and practice of baptism? Some folks say that adult baptism is the only way and that children should be dedicated, but I’m not sure where we find that in the Bible.
The Presbyterian church explains that baptism in the New Testament is like circumcision in the Old Testament. It’s a covenant sign and promise by believing parents. Who knows? I’m not really asking you. Who out there really knows?
Recently I’ve been thinking that we should practice only adult baptism, or require lots of training for parents who desire their children to be baptized. How many people have their children “done” and then don’t raise them in the Christian faith?
Anyway, I’d be interested to read your thoughts on this matter. Some Sunday morning in the not too distant future, we will have a lively discussion/debate on this subject. I believe it really matters to God.
Yours in Christ,
George
And what passages from the Bible help you to understand the meaning and practice of baptism? Some folks say that adult baptism is the only way and that children should be dedicated, but I’m not sure where we find that in the Bible.
The Presbyterian church explains that baptism in the New Testament is like circumcision in the Old Testament. It’s a covenant sign and promise by believing parents. Who knows? I’m not really asking you. Who out there really knows?
Recently I’ve been thinking that we should practice only adult baptism, or require lots of training for parents who desire their children to be baptized. How many people have their children “done” and then don’t raise them in the Christian faith?
Anyway, I’d be interested to read your thoughts on this matter. Some Sunday morning in the not too distant future, we will have a lively discussion/debate on this subject. I believe it really matters to God.
Yours in Christ,
George
4.07.2010
The Leash
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13
OK ... so we now have a dog, a one year-old mix of beagle, shepherd, coonhound... you figure it out. Her name is Lucy. And I have observed my first theological lesson from her.
All of her outdoor activity is governed by "The Leash", which we shall call, "The Law". She knows the leash and tolerates it - it means a walk or some other kind of fun adventure. She would, however, like to be free of the restraint of said leash. I would love to give her that freedom - just to hang with me, run loose, and come on my call. But Lucy, like us human sinners, is not that smart. I'm afraid she would use that freedom to run away, perhaps meeting a large automobile on Route 25.
If only she understood that freedom, with responsibility, would be so much more satisfying than the temporary rush of running away. Perhaps some of you have canine friends that have learned that lesson. Lucy hasn't learned it yet; nor have some of us humans.
We are free in Christ, but that freedom should not lead us away from God; instead it should cause us to be more in love with our Father and to respect and obey Him, lest our freedom lead us into harmful ways. Reading scripture, worshiping, loving one another - all are ways of staying close to the Master while enjoying freedom from the "leash".
Some of us, like Lucy, don't get it. And so the spiritual disciplines are given to teach us how best to use our freedom. Please take advantage of those classes as they come your way on Sundays and Wednesdays.
Yours in Christ,
George
OK ... so we now have a dog, a one year-old mix of beagle, shepherd, coonhound... you figure it out. Her name is Lucy. And I have observed my first theological lesson from her.
All of her outdoor activity is governed by "The Leash", which we shall call, "The Law". She knows the leash and tolerates it - it means a walk or some other kind of fun adventure. She would, however, like to be free of the restraint of said leash. I would love to give her that freedom - just to hang with me, run loose, and come on my call. But Lucy, like us human sinners, is not that smart. I'm afraid she would use that freedom to run away, perhaps meeting a large automobile on Route 25.
If only she understood that freedom, with responsibility, would be so much more satisfying than the temporary rush of running away. Perhaps some of you have canine friends that have learned that lesson. Lucy hasn't learned it yet; nor have some of us humans.
We are free in Christ, but that freedom should not lead us away from God; instead it should cause us to be more in love with our Father and to respect and obey Him, lest our freedom lead us into harmful ways. Reading scripture, worshiping, loving one another - all are ways of staying close to the Master while enjoying freedom from the "leash".
Some of us, like Lucy, don't get it. And so the spiritual disciplines are given to teach us how best to use our freedom. Please take advantage of those classes as they come your way on Sundays and Wednesdays.
Yours in Christ,
George
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