When faced with the hatred which emanates from members of the organization which calls itself the Westboro Baptist Church, there are three basic responses: ignore their actions, react inkind (or even with violence) or respond with love and forgiveness.
It is difficult to ignore these hate-filled loudmouths with their obnoxious placards and venomous words, but refusing to acknowledge them or give them the attention they crave is a better option than sinking to their mean-spirited level and "returning evil for evil." However, the best option is to respond with love, and it seems to me, for the most part, that is what happened last Sunday at the funeral of Pfc. Warren England in Gainesville, a small community not far from where I live.
Even though some angry words were exchanged between the Westboro group and other funeral attendees, area residents were standing up for what is right and acting out of concern for the grieving family. Love does not always mean we will hold hands and sing "Kumbaya" (which is what a friend of mine recently said seems to be my approach in dealing with our enemies). Love is not an emotion; it is an active, powerful force, and Jesus, who was the master of love, had harsh words for religious people who had lost their focus and misplaced their priorities. He did stand up to them.
But he also forgave them, and that is key. He prayed they would see the error of their ways and turn back from evil. Extending forgiveness toward the Westboro group should be our ultimate goal. Not forgiveness which gives them the green light to continue their misguided rants or approval of what they're doing, but forgiveness which hopes they will repent and change.
That is an unlikely scenario in this case, but praying for them is our calling as believers, and if we follow the teachings of Jesus, love is our only choice. We can't control the behavior of others, but we do have the choice to control our own actions. The forgiveness we extend is not for them (because they are not asking to be forgiven); it is for us. We must not let the Westboro group win by becoming like them. Love in the face of evil is the ultimate victory, because it transforms us, even when our enemy never changes.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Thoughts on Father
I realize how truly blessed I am to have had a dad who loved me, cared for me and would have done anything in his power to help me in any way and make me happy. I know not everyone is so fortunate as I am to have had a father who made it easy for me to believe there is a heavenly father who has my best interests in mind and loves me beyond measure.
No one I have known has had a greater influence on my life and my beliefs than my father. He died two years ago, but his words and his ways are always with me. I often marvel at how his early life was, in so many ways, sad and tragic, but his conquering spirit made him an overcomer, not bitter or resentful about his past, but grateful for what he had been given and able to move on.
The youngest of four children, he never knew his mother. When he was just two months old, in 1918, she died in the influenza epidemic. From there, his situation went even further downhill: passed around amongst relatives, ending up with an abusive stepmother, running away from home, working on an uncle's ranch and not getting the share he was promised, serving in WWII, his brother killed in action, lost love and more. He didn't ask, "Why me?" Moving from his beloved Colorado to the Ozarks after the War to be near my mother's parents, he also never asked, "What's in it for me?" He was loving and giving, and willing to put the needs and wants of others ahead of his own.
He was not perfect by any definition, but he is the best example of Christian love I can point out. Even though I know he had a temper, he did not speak angry or hurtful words. No one was allowed to call anyone else "stupid" in his presence. Insofar as it was up to him, he was a friend to everyone he met. He was the least judgmental person I have ever known; I never heard him point out anyone else's faults or mistakes or even speak an unkind word. He simply did not gossip. Ever. He was honest, generous, and he loved to laugh and sing.
He also never quoted Bible verses to make a point, never told me (or anyone else) what God did or did not have to say about a particular matter, kept his religious leanings to himself and at many times wasn't even a regular attendee at church services. But everything about him made me want to be a better person, and he is still my inspiration.
My thoughts on Father's Day: All of the religious things you'll ever say will never be as important as the example you set for your children every day. Talking about Jesus will never have the impact of doing your best to live the way he taught us we should.
No one I have known has had a greater influence on my life and my beliefs than my father. He died two years ago, but his words and his ways are always with me. I often marvel at how his early life was, in so many ways, sad and tragic, but his conquering spirit made him an overcomer, not bitter or resentful about his past, but grateful for what he had been given and able to move on.
The youngest of four children, he never knew his mother. When he was just two months old, in 1918, she died in the influenza epidemic. From there, his situation went even further downhill: passed around amongst relatives, ending up with an abusive stepmother, running away from home, working on an uncle's ranch and not getting the share he was promised, serving in WWII, his brother killed in action, lost love and more. He didn't ask, "Why me?" Moving from his beloved Colorado to the Ozarks after the War to be near my mother's parents, he also never asked, "What's in it for me?" He was loving and giving, and willing to put the needs and wants of others ahead of his own.
He was not perfect by any definition, but he is the best example of Christian love I can point out. Even though I know he had a temper, he did not speak angry or hurtful words. No one was allowed to call anyone else "stupid" in his presence. Insofar as it was up to him, he was a friend to everyone he met. He was the least judgmental person I have ever known; I never heard him point out anyone else's faults or mistakes or even speak an unkind word. He simply did not gossip. Ever. He was honest, generous, and he loved to laugh and sing.
He also never quoted Bible verses to make a point, never told me (or anyone else) what God did or did not have to say about a particular matter, kept his religious leanings to himself and at many times wasn't even a regular attendee at church services. But everything about him made me want to be a better person, and he is still my inspiration.
My thoughts on Father's Day: All of the religious things you'll ever say will never be as important as the example you set for your children every day. Talking about Jesus will never have the impact of doing your best to live the way he taught us we should.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Marking the End of the Easter Season
Today is the official end of the Easter season for this year; it is the celebration of Pentecost, a holy day commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Jesus. In observing it, I am reminded of what happened in the lives of those first believers in the days following the resurrection of Jesus, concluding with Pentecost. Days which present some of the most compelling reasons why I've chosen to be a follower of Christ.
After Jesus was crucified, a transformation took place in those who were closest to him which changed them forever. Prior to the crucifixion, we see a group of followers -- especially the twelve disciples, who had been learning daily from him for three years -- who consistently demonstrated a lack of understanding of his message. There were constant questions. Doubt and confusion were common. They never seemed to "get it."
For example, John and James (the "sons of thunder" who wanted to call down death from above on the Samaritans) argued about wanting to be seated in a place of honor in Heaven, even though Jesus said his followers were to be humble servants, not concerned with power. And, as we see from the story of how Peter denied Jesus three times after his arrest, the disciples were, initially, timid, to say the least, about stepping forward in defense of Jesus. But something happened to change that.
There was no compelling reason for the disciples to perpetuate the story of a risen savior unless they believed it was true. They had not been living in luxury or occupying a place of power or influence as followers of Jesus, so there was no worldly reason to want to continue teaching the Way which he proclaimed. In fact, what happened to Jesus would suggest, that for their own safety, they should just go back to their day jobs and be quiet. But they didn't. They left behind their old lives and carried the words of Jesus to faraway places, planting seeds of faith which would eventually take the message around the world.
Something happened to those early followers which can only be explained if they believed Jesus is who he says he is. A ragtag bunch of misfits don't change the course of history unless they are transformed by a power much greater than themselves. For me, their witness provides overwhelming evidence to believe in the power which changed them.
After Jesus was crucified, a transformation took place in those who were closest to him which changed them forever. Prior to the crucifixion, we see a group of followers -- especially the twelve disciples, who had been learning daily from him for three years -- who consistently demonstrated a lack of understanding of his message. There were constant questions. Doubt and confusion were common. They never seemed to "get it."
For example, John and James (the "sons of thunder" who wanted to call down death from above on the Samaritans) argued about wanting to be seated in a place of honor in Heaven, even though Jesus said his followers were to be humble servants, not concerned with power. And, as we see from the story of how Peter denied Jesus three times after his arrest, the disciples were, initially, timid, to say the least, about stepping forward in defense of Jesus. But something happened to change that.
There was no compelling reason for the disciples to perpetuate the story of a risen savior unless they believed it was true. They had not been living in luxury or occupying a place of power or influence as followers of Jesus, so there was no worldly reason to want to continue teaching the Way which he proclaimed. In fact, what happened to Jesus would suggest, that for their own safety, they should just go back to their day jobs and be quiet. But they didn't. They left behind their old lives and carried the words of Jesus to faraway places, planting seeds of faith which would eventually take the message around the world.
Something happened to those early followers which can only be explained if they believed Jesus is who he says he is. A ragtag bunch of misfits don't change the course of history unless they are transformed by a power much greater than themselves. For me, their witness provides overwhelming evidence to believe in the power which changed them.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
A Simpler Way
This week, when I was thinking about writing my column for the West Plains Daily Quill, I was at a bit of loss for words, so I did what I sometimes do in that situation, rely on inspiration from the classic devotional book "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers. The scripture reference is, "Look at the birds of the air. . . . Consider the lilies of the field . . ." (from Matthew 6:26, 28), and I share it today.
He writes: "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin -- they simply are. Think of the sea, the air, the sun, the stars, and the moon -- all of these simply are as well -- yet what a ministry and service they render on our behalf. So often we impair God's designed influence, which He desires to exhibit through us, because of our own conscious efforts to be consistent and useful. Jesus said there is only one way to develop and grow spiritually, and that is through focusing and concentrating on God. In essence, Jesus was saying, 'Do not worry about being of use to others; simply believe on Me.' In other words, pay attention to the Source, and out of you 'will flow rivers of living water' (John 7:38).
"We cannot discover the source of our natural life through common sense and reasoning, and Jesus is teaching here that growth in the our spiritual life comes not from focusing directly on it, but from concentrating on our Father in heaven. Our heavenly Father knows our circumstances, and if we will stay focused on Him, instead of our circumstances, we will grow spiritually -- just as 'the lilies of the field.'
"The people who influence us the most are not those who detain us with their continual talk, but those who live their lives like the stars in the sky and 'the lilies of the field' -- simply and unaffectedly. Those are the lives that mold and shape us."
It often takes an effort of our will and way of thinking to concentrate on the beauty around us and the joy of simplicity. But when we do, we free ourselves to grow spiritually, and our witness to others is likely to be far greater than many sermons combined. When we focus on activities and the world racing by around us, it is easy to become agitated and distracted from God's best for us. Instead, we discover his character and nature in the quiet times, when we allow ourselves simply to rest and breathe in the depth of God's love.
He writes: "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin -- they simply are. Think of the sea, the air, the sun, the stars, and the moon -- all of these simply are as well -- yet what a ministry and service they render on our behalf. So often we impair God's designed influence, which He desires to exhibit through us, because of our own conscious efforts to be consistent and useful. Jesus said there is only one way to develop and grow spiritually, and that is through focusing and concentrating on God. In essence, Jesus was saying, 'Do not worry about being of use to others; simply believe on Me.' In other words, pay attention to the Source, and out of you 'will flow rivers of living water' (John 7:38).
"We cannot discover the source of our natural life through common sense and reasoning, and Jesus is teaching here that growth in the our spiritual life comes not from focusing directly on it, but from concentrating on our Father in heaven. Our heavenly Father knows our circumstances, and if we will stay focused on Him, instead of our circumstances, we will grow spiritually -- just as 'the lilies of the field.'
"The people who influence us the most are not those who detain us with their continual talk, but those who live their lives like the stars in the sky and 'the lilies of the field' -- simply and unaffectedly. Those are the lives that mold and shape us."
It often takes an effort of our will and way of thinking to concentrate on the beauty around us and the joy of simplicity. But when we do, we free ourselves to grow spiritually, and our witness to others is likely to be far greater than many sermons combined. When we focus on activities and the world racing by around us, it is easy to become agitated and distracted from God's best for us. Instead, we discover his character and nature in the quiet times, when we allow ourselves simply to rest and breathe in the depth of God's love.
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