John Newton, a former slave trader turned Christian, penned words that are still powerful and resonating today. "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found; was blind but now I see." I cannot read or write these words without seeing an older African-American lady in a nursing home in Kansas City where I used to live. I did a church service at that home and we often sang that great hymn. I can still see her; eyes closed, head back, voice clear and strong. I think Mrs. Stuckey has gone to be with the Lord now and I believe she still sings powerfully of his grace.
We sing a lot about grace and many books and lessons have been written about grace. It is a topic that all of us want to know, grasp and understand. After all, it is important. "For by grace you are saved through faith, not of yourselves; it is the gift of God so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8). Ephesians 2:5 also notes that "by grace you are saved." The Greek word for grace is "charis" and is found over one hundred times in the New Testament. The Biblical writers pray for "grace and peace." Christians are told to let their conversations be "always with grace." Paul admonishes Christians to "grow in grace." Grace is mentioned a lot. The key question, as I see it, is what does it mean? What is "grace?"
A definition that I have heard often is that grace is "unmerited favor." I think that's a good definition, but it seems to lack some power or force. Grace may be better seen than defined. Grace is Barabbas' story. He deserved death. He was spared and set free. Grace is recognizing that you can't stack enough rocks to reach heaven. It means realizing that you don't have to DO anything to earn God's favor or love. You simply don't. You can't. Grace is getting it all, not because of what you did, but because of what he did.
Why is this important? I think there are some people who are still mired in the idea that they have to do something to gain God's approval. Of course, because we are saved by grace, we act. That's another blog for another day. For now, though, if you've worried that you haven't done enough for God to go to heaven; if you're concerned that someday God is going to send you to hell for what you didn't accomplish, this GRACE is for you. Receive it. Drink it in. Amazing grace...how sweet the sound.
Thanks for reading....
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Political Musings
I have avoided the area of politics in this blog, not because I don't like it, but because I do not think that I have an opinion that is necessarily interesting or noteworthy. I think, though, I am going to break my vow not to write about it for this second blog today. I will write about it this time because I think what is happening politically is intersecting with spiritual things ( a topic far more intriguing for me).
There is a lot of discussion about the "Tea Party" and the influence it exerts on the electorate. Though not explicitly a Christian group, there are a lot of evangelical Christians invloved in this conservative movement. As I understand it, there is no "official" leader of the Tea Party, but the most notable national figures have been Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin. I want to give you this disclaimer before I go much further. I consider myself a conservative and a Christian. I am active politcally and even ran for local office in another life. Having established that, I want to say that I am bewildered and shocked at how Christians have embraced Beck and Palin. I have serious concerns with both.
Glenn Beck is an accomplished journalist and I agree with many of his ideas (though I find him a bit "over the top"). A few weeks ago, though, he led a march to Washington that was really a call for spiritual renewal. It was time for America to get back to God. I watched that rally and was impressed with what was said. It did seem that Beck was calling the nation back to God. It was like a Promise Keeper event in my mind. It was later that day that I discovered that Glenn Beck was/is a Mormon. Now, as far as that goes, he has a right to be what he chooses and there are a lot of good Mormon people. He could run for office or commentate on the news and be a Mormon as I see it. However, in my opinion, what he can't do is call the nation back to God and pray to God because his God and the God of Christianity isn't the same one. Beck doesn't seem to bother me as much as the hypocrisy of those on the right. Mitt Romney was rejected by many evangelicals because he was Mormon, but many of those same folks accept and endorse Beck. I just don't get it.
Sarah Palin is the "mama grizzly" for the Tea Party and its members. She has become a media star and political power. I voted for Palin and McCain in 2008 and I would consider voting for her again. However, my confidence in Palin has wobbled a bit lately. In this week's senate primary in Deleware she bucked the party leadership and backed Christine O'Donnell against veteran congressman Mike Castle. In doing this, she opposed Karl Rove, the architect of conservative victories in 2000 and 2004. Again, she has every right to do this and she should do as she sees fit. However, Palin bills herself as a Christian woman. She cites her faith readily and often in her book. I believe her. She knows Jesus Christ. To endorse O'Donnell, as I see it, violates that faith. O'Donnell has several issues for which she must give an answer. Some of them are in the area of character and values. There were/are areas of dishonesty and lying. I guess it is possible that Palin may not have known about all of these, but if she didn't, she should have. I find it hypocritical again for conservative Christians to stand for "the values of faith" and support candidates who so clearly fall short.
I am not sure that Christians mix very well in the arena of politics. I would be a fool (more than you already think) to deny that they are already in the same pot, however. What is a Christian to do? I think the same thing Micah 6:8 advocates. That's a good beginning.
Thanks for reading....
There is a lot of discussion about the "Tea Party" and the influence it exerts on the electorate. Though not explicitly a Christian group, there are a lot of evangelical Christians invloved in this conservative movement. As I understand it, there is no "official" leader of the Tea Party, but the most notable national figures have been Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin. I want to give you this disclaimer before I go much further. I consider myself a conservative and a Christian. I am active politcally and even ran for local office in another life. Having established that, I want to say that I am bewildered and shocked at how Christians have embraced Beck and Palin. I have serious concerns with both.
Glenn Beck is an accomplished journalist and I agree with many of his ideas (though I find him a bit "over the top"). A few weeks ago, though, he led a march to Washington that was really a call for spiritual renewal. It was time for America to get back to God. I watched that rally and was impressed with what was said. It did seem that Beck was calling the nation back to God. It was like a Promise Keeper event in my mind. It was later that day that I discovered that Glenn Beck was/is a Mormon. Now, as far as that goes, he has a right to be what he chooses and there are a lot of good Mormon people. He could run for office or commentate on the news and be a Mormon as I see it. However, in my opinion, what he can't do is call the nation back to God and pray to God because his God and the God of Christianity isn't the same one. Beck doesn't seem to bother me as much as the hypocrisy of those on the right. Mitt Romney was rejected by many evangelicals because he was Mormon, but many of those same folks accept and endorse Beck. I just don't get it.
Sarah Palin is the "mama grizzly" for the Tea Party and its members. She has become a media star and political power. I voted for Palin and McCain in 2008 and I would consider voting for her again. However, my confidence in Palin has wobbled a bit lately. In this week's senate primary in Deleware she bucked the party leadership and backed Christine O'Donnell against veteran congressman Mike Castle. In doing this, she opposed Karl Rove, the architect of conservative victories in 2000 and 2004. Again, she has every right to do this and she should do as she sees fit. However, Palin bills herself as a Christian woman. She cites her faith readily and often in her book. I believe her. She knows Jesus Christ. To endorse O'Donnell, as I see it, violates that faith. O'Donnell has several issues for which she must give an answer. Some of them are in the area of character and values. There were/are areas of dishonesty and lying. I guess it is possible that Palin may not have known about all of these, but if she didn't, she should have. I find it hypocritical again for conservative Christians to stand for "the values of faith" and support candidates who so clearly fall short.
I am not sure that Christians mix very well in the arena of politics. I would be a fool (more than you already think) to deny that they are already in the same pot, however. What is a Christian to do? I think the same thing Micah 6:8 advocates. That's a good beginning.
Thanks for reading....
Cotton Candy Dangers
"He has shown thee, O man, what is good and what the Lord requires of you; but to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8). I like that Old Testament verse (praise chorus, too, but that highlights my age and advancing years). In its context, the prophet is speaking of how he should come before the Lord on behalf of the wayward people. Burnt offerings, calves, rams and rivers of oil are not really adequate. What the Lord desires is a changed heart; one that does what is just, merciful and walks humbly with its Creator. The prophet in this text, I believe, is speaking of genuine faith as opposed to its common counterfeit, shallow or superficial faith.
I have heard and read quite a bit lately about a resurgence of spirituality. It seems to cut across geographic and denominational lines. I am always excited when people are motivated and inspired to live Godly lives and I hope to do that as well as I am able. My concern, you knew it was coming, is about what is motivating this renewal of spiritual passion.
I have been reading and have almost finished Sinclair Lewis' novel Elmer Gantry. I am sure that many of you have seen the movie with Burt Lancaster. It is a classic in American cinema. The concept of "Elmer Gantry" has been around since the novel and the movie. Whenever someone attracts a large crowd; is perceived not to have much substance; and is questioned about his/her motives; the label applied to them is "Elmer Gantry." I understand that. Certainly a large part of the book and all of the movie focuses on Elmer Gantry and his amazing ability and his dumbfounding hypocrisy. There is, though, in my opinion, a different message in this controversial novel. It is clear to me that Sinclair Lewis was an unbeliever who wrote this novel to ridicule and mock evangelical Christians of his day (possibly most directly Dwight L. Moody). It was interesting that Lewis did research for the book in Kansas City and set the fictional Bible College that Gantry attended in Kansas. The book, when it came out in the 1920's, generated much controversy and churches derided it from the beginning. As I read it now, nearly ninety years after it was penned, I am stunned by two things. First, Lewis does an amazing and painfully accurate job of describing the hypocritical and mean things that Christians do to each other and to the "non-Christian" world. He writes scathingly of hypocrisy, double-standards, stirring passion through emotion without any real substance, greed, indecency and just plain ugliness. It is obvious to me that he can't stand Christians (of that stripe anyway). I would dismiss it as the writing of an atheistic individual if there wasn't so much truth in it. I am convicned that many in the church today are being caught up in the same "show" that produced "Elmer Gantry." Second, Lewis misses what really ignites renewal and revival. It is never a part of the novel because, I think, Lewis never understood it. What is this "it?" Real change and the ability to live in it come from Jesus Christ. Lewis seems to view God and Jesus as creations of man to advance a scheme. He doesn't consider the possiblity that they may be real. As I see it, that's where we find the power to live effective Christian lives. Christians have, continue to, and will continue to do hypocritical things. Do not, though, measure Christ through the Christian. Though we fail from time to time, he remains what he is and the more that we are connected to him, the greater our chance of success.
I can hear you as you are reading, I get that. So what? Let me respond by sharing with you an observation. About a month ago I attended the Washington Fair and Fair Parade. It is a pretty big deal here in Franklin County. As I watched the floats go by, I noticed how the kids were excited for candy. One of the most popular treats on that hot, August day was cotton candy. It was pink or blue. It looked soft, fluffy and, well, delicious. No, I didn't eat any; I just looked at it. I thought about cotton candy again recently. Reading about Gantry's "stirring, emotional revivals" and about how the people were "carried away with him in the spirit" made me think of cotton candy. Gantry was excellent at stirring up the crowd and creating a moment of excitement, passion and ministry. Looking at what he actually said to the crowds, well, that was less than inspiring. For Gantry it wasn't what was said that mattered, but simply how it was said and what was generated from it. Cotton candy looks pretty and tastes sweet but it has no lasting nutritional value. I pray that the spiritual renewal that seems to have hit many people across the nation has substance to it. I pray that it is rooted in something deeper than emotion and passion. I pray that we, as a people, will return to Jesus Christ and become people of the book. In my opinion, that's when we'll be renewed.
Thanks for reading....
I have heard and read quite a bit lately about a resurgence of spirituality. It seems to cut across geographic and denominational lines. I am always excited when people are motivated and inspired to live Godly lives and I hope to do that as well as I am able. My concern, you knew it was coming, is about what is motivating this renewal of spiritual passion.
I have been reading and have almost finished Sinclair Lewis' novel Elmer Gantry. I am sure that many of you have seen the movie with Burt Lancaster. It is a classic in American cinema. The concept of "Elmer Gantry" has been around since the novel and the movie. Whenever someone attracts a large crowd; is perceived not to have much substance; and is questioned about his/her motives; the label applied to them is "Elmer Gantry." I understand that. Certainly a large part of the book and all of the movie focuses on Elmer Gantry and his amazing ability and his dumbfounding hypocrisy. There is, though, in my opinion, a different message in this controversial novel. It is clear to me that Sinclair Lewis was an unbeliever who wrote this novel to ridicule and mock evangelical Christians of his day (possibly most directly Dwight L. Moody). It was interesting that Lewis did research for the book in Kansas City and set the fictional Bible College that Gantry attended in Kansas. The book, when it came out in the 1920's, generated much controversy and churches derided it from the beginning. As I read it now, nearly ninety years after it was penned, I am stunned by two things. First, Lewis does an amazing and painfully accurate job of describing the hypocritical and mean things that Christians do to each other and to the "non-Christian" world. He writes scathingly of hypocrisy, double-standards, stirring passion through emotion without any real substance, greed, indecency and just plain ugliness. It is obvious to me that he can't stand Christians (of that stripe anyway). I would dismiss it as the writing of an atheistic individual if there wasn't so much truth in it. I am convicned that many in the church today are being caught up in the same "show" that produced "Elmer Gantry." Second, Lewis misses what really ignites renewal and revival. It is never a part of the novel because, I think, Lewis never understood it. What is this "it?" Real change and the ability to live in it come from Jesus Christ. Lewis seems to view God and Jesus as creations of man to advance a scheme. He doesn't consider the possiblity that they may be real. As I see it, that's where we find the power to live effective Christian lives. Christians have, continue to, and will continue to do hypocritical things. Do not, though, measure Christ through the Christian. Though we fail from time to time, he remains what he is and the more that we are connected to him, the greater our chance of success.
I can hear you as you are reading, I get that. So what? Let me respond by sharing with you an observation. About a month ago I attended the Washington Fair and Fair Parade. It is a pretty big deal here in Franklin County. As I watched the floats go by, I noticed how the kids were excited for candy. One of the most popular treats on that hot, August day was cotton candy. It was pink or blue. It looked soft, fluffy and, well, delicious. No, I didn't eat any; I just looked at it. I thought about cotton candy again recently. Reading about Gantry's "stirring, emotional revivals" and about how the people were "carried away with him in the spirit" made me think of cotton candy. Gantry was excellent at stirring up the crowd and creating a moment of excitement, passion and ministry. Looking at what he actually said to the crowds, well, that was less than inspiring. For Gantry it wasn't what was said that mattered, but simply how it was said and what was generated from it. Cotton candy looks pretty and tastes sweet but it has no lasting nutritional value. I pray that the spiritual renewal that seems to have hit many people across the nation has substance to it. I pray that it is rooted in something deeper than emotion and passion. I pray that we, as a people, will return to Jesus Christ and become people of the book. In my opinion, that's when we'll be renewed.
Thanks for reading....
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