I just reblogged a post on Islamophobia. I agree with the facts related in the post and with the contention that many people fail to call out the misdeeds of Muslims out of fear of backlash or worse. However, I would not say that Islam is ultimately to blame for the evils committed by some Muslims around the world. Islam just provides a convenient palate upon which the sinful hearts of humans mix the blood-red hues of their hatred. Other convenient ideologies have been churchianity, Communism (rational atheism applied), nationalism, and racism to name a few. For the real issue check this sermon I delivered on November 11th.
Time Management Jesus Style
For anyone who’s tired of spinning plates, Jesus will give you effortless productivity – AKA rest.
Time Management
Testimony
In Bill Hybels’ book, Just Walk Across the Room, he challenges his readers to write out their faith story in 100 words or less. Here is my 105-word attempt:
As a young person I dreamed of growing up to become a doctor. Then, I saw a “20/20” special on successful people who had attempted suicide. Their reason: Once they had reached their goal in life, they still felt empty. I projected myself into their shoes. I thought, “If this is all there is then life is meaningless.” So, I began reading the New Testament. Within those pages I met a man who transcended the vanity of this mortal coil. His name is Jesus. He invited me to train under him and so to become like him. I accepted and have never regretted that decision.
Resolution in Conflict
Conflict need never hinder the progress of the gospel. This message unpacks the way the early church dealt with three types of conflict in three different ways all with the same result.
Resolution in Conflict
One Rule
When discussing morality and ethics, atheists are wont to say that they are actually more moral than theists because they do what is right because it is right, not out of fear of punishment or hope for a reward. While I will grant that higher morality transcends personal interest, I take exception with anyone, atheist or Christian, who depicts Christian morality in terms of rules enforced through threat or bribe.
The New Testament presents but one rule to govern the lives of Christ’s constituents. The various biblical writers express it in different ways. Here is my favorite expression of the one rule:
“Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God.” (Galatians 6:15-16 NIV)
The problem with the “right for the sake of right” ethical formula is that it requires every adherent to be “right.” Sadly, we’re not all right. Many of us are very broken. Sitting here right now I can’t think of anyone who has done wrong because it is wrong. That being the case, how on earth could we ever expect that humans would ever on a large scale do what is right because it is right?
Since we can’t count on others to do right, we’ll need to limit human behaviors through laws enforced by duly appointed officials. Which means that people will do right because they fear punishment. On an interpersonal level, we’ll need social norms and societal approval or censure to bring people into conformity. In other words, humans will do what is acceptable in order to be accepted and not rejected – in order to gain reward or avoid punishment.
Who can deny that these forces inhibit genuine individual liberty? Given this complex set of incentives, who can claim high morality? I submit that only genuine Christians are truly free and therefore truly moral. They have been remade in the image of God demonstrated in the person of Jesus Christ. In Christ ,doing and being have become one. We have become whole. Our behavior is driven by our inner life. When human laws or expectation coincide with right we transcend those motives. When they conflict, we defy them. Followers of Christ observe the one rule, “the new creation.”