Loving ISIL

A troubling trend has been happening for many years with American Christianity. The trend is disconcerting as American Christianity (in general) is being seen as an extreme right wing fanatical, judgmental, political and even militant cult. How many readers have I lost already? Seriously. To be honest, it is not just here, it is a brand of Christianity that is popping up in various parts of the world including the middle east this past week. This brand of Christianity is obsessed with guns, jail and prison time for law breakers, the death penalty, the increase in funding for the war machine, and of course the death of any terrorists. See the violent trend?


I may be seen as a little rough on American Christianity and I do admit that I am. There is a growing number of Jesus followers who I am reading of every day that are saying "enough." We do not want to be seen as a part of this group. Why? Because none, and I emphasize none, of these beliefs are in line with the teachings of Jesus. None. As a matter of fact these beliefs are considered immoral.


Of course the current focus is on ISIL. Otherwise, it would still be on the "illegal" children, Benghazi, Obama's fake birth certificate, or the evil of providing health insurance for our own people.


Don't get me wrong. I understand how serious of a situation that it is in that part of the world right now. It calls for a lot of deep thought and soul searching, and a measured response. But when Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty says "Convert them or kill them" red flags should go everywhere. Americans Christians are crying for the same thing that the enemy is crying for: death of the other side, of the enemy.


My own soul searching has shown me some things about Jesus that I think are important to note. He lived in a time when his country was being ruled and even oppressed by an outside terrorist nation, namely Rome. Rome often killed those who opposed them as she had to keep total control. Jesus in fact was considered one of those troublemakers and his own religious leaders made sure that He was taken care of, not through beheading, but through the agony of crucification. Because of this I would think that it is important to look and see what he thought.


Jesus gave fair warning that there would be hard times. He stated firmly that people would even die at the hands of their enemies. He said to expect it.  So what should we do as Jesus followers if an enemy does find us? Here is what He said:

• Love your enemies.
• Pray for them.
• Bless your enemies.
• Meet your enemies' needs.
• Loan them anything that they need.
• Don't expect anything in return.
• Carry their belongings for them if so asked.
• Do more for them than what they asked for.
• If they hurt you, do not return the favor.
• Be a peacemaker.

Wow. Almost sounds like pacifism, but it's not. It's a radical way too bring your enemy over to your side without violence or destruction. For the individual Jesus follower this is a radical way to live one's life. Especially radical when one considers that if we were there right now, living and breathing in the midst of that terror, we are called on by Jesus to follow those teachings. He elsewhere says that after his death there would be many deaths of early followers. He never told them to stand and defend themselves by pushing violence of the enemy. He told them to run from city to city practicing these radical truths.


I have high praise for the organizations who are "fighting" ISIL right now, not with the violence of weapons, but by love and service. These organizations like Samaritan's Purse have people on the ground helping those who seeking to avoid being killed. God's love is being shown in a dark place. I have high praise for the two journalists who voluntarily went to the part of the world to serve and yet to then be beheaded. They put themselves in the midst of a grave position and they paid the ultimate sacrifice.


There are no easy answers to how our country should respond. I appreciate the fact that our President has taken a slow line in building a coalition and in thinking out a strategy. I pray for him and our leaders daily. I enjoyed listening to President Clinton 2 days ago as he spoke of countries building interdependence with each other as this would slowly force out the troublemakers without violence.  Do I believe that we should kill the enemy? No. I believe that we must continue to help those who want to find safety to do just that and there are many good people doing just that.


But for the gun carrying American Christian, I encourage you earnestly to look at the teachings of Jesus again. Consider your response to any enemies that you might have. Have you done anything good for that enemy lately? Have you loved on them, prayed for them, gone above and beyond to meet some need that they might have? How would you respond to an enemy who might threaten you? Hopefully not in the same way as a "Christian" family recently did in Alaska.


Yes, American Christianity disturbs me greatly. But again, I bring it back to myself. How have I responded to my enemies? I've had a number of them - some who have brutally attacked who I am. I know that I have not always responded well, but hopefully I will do better in the future as a result of today's spiritual musing.


Blessings,
David

AA is Church? Not Quite.....

As a part of my job, on a semi regular basis, I get to attend and observe meetings of the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). These are meetings that I look forward to, but today's was a little different. Today I was able to attend and observe a 4 hour Service meeting. I was able to hear about the many services that AA has nationally and then for the second half I enjoyed seeing different services showing of what they do to small groups of individuals. They do so much in the prisons and the schools along with their regular meetings. A part of recovery is giving back so that others can also find recovery.


The group that interested me the most was the one that sought to meet the needs of those with any type of disabilities. This group allowed attendees to try wheelchairs and crutches in miniature races (which turned out to be quite entertaining!). They also spoke of helping those with dyslexia, those with mental illness, and even those who had hearing or seeing difficulties. They spoke of safety within the groups and of course anonymity. It was all about meeting the needs of the individuals who would walk into the rooms seeking help in times of desperation. They strive to create a warm and safe environment.


It got me thinking about church, real church. I'm not sure that I know of many congregations that go to the extent that AA goes to in order to accommodate and help people, but I do know that many churches do try. Many for example reach out to the orphans, the developmentally challenged, those that are in wheelchairs, and even the hard of hearing with earphones. Mental illness, not so much, but on many issues they do a great job.


But in my heart, I knew that there was something more to AA than what I find in many congregations. When I attend the meetings I feel at home. I feel welcomed. Quite frankly, even though it is strictly not a religious organization, I feel like I am in a true Church. There are two reasons on why I feel so comfortable there.


First, everyone is welcoming. It is inclusive and they strive to be that way. Newcomers are welcome and the old timers continue to come.  Many of these folks meet on a daily basis for meetings and share snacks and coffee.There are people of every color. There are females and males. There are people of every sexual orientation. People of every religious and political belief attend, There is no hierarchy - everyone is on the same level and everyone shares the duties that need to be done. Anyone is allowed to share and none is allowed to interrupt. When the stories are shared everyone nods their head and they laugh and sometimes they cry. This is family.


Second, and more profoundly for me, everyone is broken. People have come and they continue to come because they know that they are powerless over the alcohol, or drugs or some other addiction. Each person comes because they know that for that day, they need their "Higher Power" to help them once again. They need the power of the group to be of an encouragement to not go back to that addiction again. And because they are all seeking the same thing, there is no pride, no hierarchy, no condemnation. In fact, one of my favorite things to see is a man or a woman coming back to a meeting and sharing that they fell - they picked up the drink again after a time of sobriety. It is a blessed time because that individual is welcomed with open arms, is given a new 24 hour chip, is loved and encouraged. No condemnation for failure, only love.


People know of my disdain for the American politicized Church. Of course I am speaking in general. There are some fine congregations out there serving Jesus faithfully. But the overall Church in America is in trouble. Many congregations are not inclusive and welcoming. Certain perceived sins will keep individuals from being welcomed. Certain colors of skin will keep one out. If one does not have 100% compliance with theology or political beliefs, they are shunned. Most congregations do a terrible job with mental illness.


When I attend different churches I see so much religious pride. Homosexuality is the issue of the day and that is only for one reason: so that individuals do not have to look at the sins of their own lives. Sins of gluttony, pride, drunkenness, sexual immorality, lust and envy. We come to church with that holier than thou attitude where at least "we are not like them" and so God must be better pleased with us. The individual who falls into sin often times is not loved and welcomed and encouraged. They are condemned or shunned. At least most places that I have been.


Which brings me back to AA. I love to attend when I can. I feel God's presence in these meetings. I need that presence for I am a broken person in so many ways just like every other individual there. People know why I am there and they welcome me as I observe and as I listen. I nod with the group as we hear a story of brokenness. It may not be our exact story, but we know. There is no pride thinking that anyone has attained recovery. It's one humble day at a time. The individual with one day of recovery and the one with 20 years of recovery are both seen as equal, because either one could fail that very day. But even if they do fail, they are welcomed back the very next meeting. They are loved, encouraged and hugged. They receive their 24 hour chip and they continue on.


That is Church, not in the religious sense of course. And yet, that is where I feel more intimately in God's presence. In the middle of brokenness, He can be found. God looks for the humble, broken spirit and contrite heart, for the one that acknowledges without hesitation that they are powerless over whatever addiction of the brain that they may have. Psalm 51:17.


Blessings
David