August 17, 2017

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." Matthew 10:16

Still another dangerous but unreported sinister force at work in the Charlottesville melee was a favorite tenet of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama mentor, Saul Alinsky. One of his teachings was, "Never let a crisis go to waste".

I believe time will reveal that this "spontaneous" rally turned riot was not spontaneous at all but highly organized and orchestrated to create the sort of outrage and uproar that ensued.

Did they plan on people getting killed? I am not indicting them on that. They got enough mileage out of it without the fatality. But they are not above using that tragic death to their benefit.

This is what community organizing looks like. Take careful notice because there will be many more of these "random" and "spontaneous" outbreaks of violence across our nation.

If the term "Community Organizing" sounds familiar it may because this is what our former President did prior to entering politics in Illinois and then on the national scene.

Some of the groups that supported his election and sought to advance his agenda while in office were in fact, community organizing groups. That's what ACORN was. Its illegal activities were exposed and it was forced to disband. That usually means they reorganize under a new name and resume their shady business.

A couple of other community organizer groups that are also violent are Occupy Wall Street and Black Lives Matter.

My purpose is not to defend President Trump. He is far from a perfect man but is duly elected as the President and represents the will of a majority of Americans. He should have a chance to fulfill his term as he sees fit and according to the promises he made.

Even a casual observer has to be aware of determined efforts by the Washington insiders, political opponents, the liberal media and many in his own Party to oppose him and his agenda. Some want to make him ineffective while others want to oust him and overturn an election.

It is important to understand the various factions, their tactics, their agenda and their key leaders. You cannot depend on the mainstream media to give you an accurate unbiased report of the news. They are more involved in making the news and spinning the news than than in journalism.

My purpose in commenting on the Charlottesville incident is to give you a current example of how their version of the story is not the whole story.

These are dangerous days and they call for people who love truth and freedom to be well informed. The truth sets you free. 

Catering To Hyper-Sensitivity

"Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good." Romans 12:21

We received some very encouraging news today but you may not have heard it reported as the news media stayed focused on President's Trump handling of the fatal protests that erupted in Charlottesville Saturday.

What was the good news?

The good news is that North Korea has backed away from their threats to launch missiles at Guam. Though it won't portrayed as such it is a nice foreign policy win for President Trump.

In my previous two posts I have commented on some dangerous ideologies that helped fuel the violence in Charlottesville Saturday but were missed in the reporting by the media.

History revisionism and intolerance are two dangerous factors contributing to the chaos of that fateful day.

A third factor at play in the riot was hyper-sensitivity. What do I mean by that term? I mean someone who is easily offended or, in this case a group of people, who often feel threatened by people and by ideas or images they disagree with.

This is closely related to intolerance and may be another form of it. 

If they hear an idea that is new to them or they disagree with, and rather than engage it with a discussion or debate they protest against it and seek to get it outlawed, banned or destroyed so they don't have to deal with it.

These are the people who where in Charlottesville demanding the removal of the Confederate statues because they we offended by what they represent.

The effective result is a tyranny of the easily offended. They demand that others must understand how they feel and insist they not offend them. At some point the fear of offending others has a paralyzing effect. You have to be very careful of what you say and what you do and to some extent what you think. That's a lot of power to hold over others!

As you watched the horrific events unfold on Saturday you saw what happens when society caters to the whims of the hyper-sensitive minority. Allowances are made that aren't in the best interest of the mainstream or, for that matter, those who are being catered to.

There was a day that society didn't give that much power to easily offended people. For most of my life the majority made the rules and those who disagreed or where offended were expected to adjust.

Unless we see this trend reversed we will continue to so ugly events like the chaos in Charlottesville. 

God help us.

August 15, 2017

"No, the Lord has told us what is good. What he requires of us is this: to do what is just, to show constant love, and to live in humble fellowship with our God." Micah 6:8

President Trump came out today with what he meant to be a much stronger condemnation of the radical racist groups in Charlottesville by specifically calling out the names of several hate groups involved in the violence Saturday. As strong as it was the statement was criticized as being 48 hours too late by his detractors. 

Perhaps the President will realize some day there is no pleasing his critics. Such is the job of President these days! Critics criticize! It's what they do! Leaders need to lead. It's what they do!

The evil of racism reared it's ugly head in Charlottesville last Saturday and was universally condemned as it should have been. But there were several other dangerous ideologies in play that seemed to go unnoticed by the media. I mentioned one of them in my previous post and that is the destructive idea of history revisionism. If you missed that post you can click back a day or scroll down to read it.

Yet another dangerous ideology that contributed to the violence in Charlottesville is intolerance. Everyone who showed up to demonstrate had a First Amendment right to be there and state their views. Freedom of Speech gives people the right to be idiots and say stupid things just as it gives me the right to preach and teach the Gospel. To protect that First Amendment right I must tolerate dissenting viewpoints because I want the freedom to speak my ideas and be tolerated.

A phrase I often heard while I was coming through high school and college was, "I may disagree with what you are saying but I will defend your right to say it!"

That is what tolerance looks like! It was a respected value in those days.

We don't see that much anymore and we certainly didn't see it Saturday. As repulsive as the racist, supremacist and Nazi groups are, if their protest would have been ignored (the proper way to tolerate it) by the counter protesters there would have been no violence.

I am not defending these despicable groups but simply acknowledging it takes two to fight. And all it takes for a fight to be avoided is one group to decide they will tolerate the distorted views of the other group.  

Those groups branded racist should have tolerated the views of those desiring to revise history by removing the statues. 

Perhaps you are thinking, "Brad, are you saying racism should be tolerated?" 

It should be vigorously opposed, debated and debunked by better ideas. Where laws are needed to protect people from discrimination those laws should be implemented.

But we should not revoke the First Amendment on someone who wants to publicly espouse that view.

If you want to counter the views you disagree with you can schedule a press conference and make the case for your viewpoint.

In a free society there must be a tolerant debate of opposing viewpoints so that ultimately the best ideas win out. That is how America has worked for over 200 years. It is how we became great. And that is why what happened in Charlottesville Saturday was far from great. 

Actually, it may be possible to oppose the removal of historic statues and NOT be a racist. But an intolerant attitude would not be willing (or able) to make that distinction. 

When you demand tolerance but refuse to tolerate others you are under-minding your own cause. That was dramatically demonstrated on Saturday. And that is a direct threat to free speech.

That happened on Saturday in Charlottesville and was totally missed by the media and much of the public. The most dangerous threats are the ones we don't see coming.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

August 14, 2017

"Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life." Ephesians 4:26-27

It's Monday morning and the appropriate outrage over the violence that erupted in Charlottesville on Saturday has been expressed. Those were despicable actions from detestable people that lead to senseless deaths and injuries.

Having consented to the obvious and appropriate outcries against the violence and hatred that stoked it, there are a couple of equally troubling factors contributing to the chaos that erupted Saturday morning in that beautiful city. I have heard no one call out these dangerous ideologies so I will be the one to do it.

You won't hear the media talk about history revisionism but it is a major factor in instigating the rally that resulted in violence.

What is history revisionism? It is the ideology that if something from the past offends you remove the things that remind you of it. As you remember, it was a movement to remove the statues of Confederate Generals that initiated the furor that precipitated the gathering on Saturday.

Now don't misunderstand me, that in no way justifies the violence that was committed but it did provide a motivation for these racist nationalistic thugs to show up.

Slavery marks a regrettably dark period in American history. Every sane reasonable American deeply despises this evil dehumanizing system that existed in our nation for over a century. It breaks our hearts every time  we think of it and the statues of those who fought to preserve that way of life force us to reflect on the shameful past. Honestly, I don't like to be reminded of it, either.

If removing those statues could actually remove that part of our past I would be first in line to endorse it. But it doesn't. And it shouldn't because the pain of this moral evil from our past motivates us to make sure it never happens again!

It has been wisely stated that, "Those who fail to remember history are doomed to repeat it." I believe that and do not want that evil visited upon America ever again!

What could and should happen when an American views a statue of a Confederate General or a Confederate flag is to remember the U.S. is the only nation that fought a war and suffered the loss of 600,000 citizens in order to correct a moral wrong within its borders. See those images and remember that we struggled through this painful period but managed to preserve the Union and with a century rise to become the most powerful and prosperous nation on earth! When you have a proper perspective that only comes from history you can bear the shame but distill the hope from it!

We have seen efforts by some insidious groups to deny the holocaust. Again, another racist atrocity that is agonizing to remember but can never be allowed to  be forgotten. We pray to God it never gets repeated!

So, history revisionism was indeed a contributing factor to the chaos and violence in Charlottesville on Saturday. You won't hear the media mention it. Few, if any commentators will decry it. But it is real. It is dangerous. It exists. And it must called out, debated and resisted just as we have done with racism.


America is far from perfect and never will be the utopia many hope for. But she is still the best hope for our weary world. And we are better than we were because we learned from our past and rejected it's evil. If we erase our past we may become more comfortable but we won't become greater.

In tomorrow's post I will identify another troubling trend that contributed to the melee in our back yard this week-end.

August 13, 2017

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate." Luke 15:22-24

Some might be tempted to wonder, "Why would you give up church for a Sunday to have a meal in the park?"

It may surprise you that eating together as believers is just as Biblical as worshiping together! Often the two activities happen together! Both are powerful parts of a healthy and growing fellowship.

Actually, we will do both tomorrow!

But the tone of the church is to be one of celebration and joy! That tone should permeate both the worship and the fellowship.

Last Sunday it certainly did at FredWes! There was joy in the sanctuary! And it happened for the same reasons as in the Parable above! Lost sons had come home!

I believe that will carry over as we gather today under the pavilion in the park! I pray that becomes the norm at FredWes no matter where we meet! That is our heritage and our DNA!

As we learn the five healthy habits and they actually become habits we learn to live out we will "love people to LIFE" and regularly have reason to celebrate!

Worship is more a function of who we are than where we are. God shows up anywhere and everywhere His people are prepared to meet with Him!

As we are reminded of the spiritual impact of eating together why not make a commitment to cultivate the habit of eating together with at least three people every week for the purpose of evangelism and fellowship.

Let's come prepared to MEET for worship and then EAT for worship!

Let's not just label it a Summer Sunday Celebration let's make it one!

August 12, 2017

"Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Luke 7:44-48

Jesus and I have at least one thing in common. We have both led people to a personal faith decision over a meal.

Meeting for a meal to discuss faith is an effective way to share your faith in Christ. It was a common strategy for Him. It needs to be more common for me.

You ought to try it some time if you haven't yet. 

Meeting over a meal gives you common ground with anyone because everyone eats. People generally arrive for a meal in a good mood and conversation is easier than usual.

Nearly all important meetings happen over a meal. Sales meetings often involve a dinner. Interviews often happen over a meal. Staff meetings can happen during a lunch. Dates almost always happen with a dinner. Award ceremonies are hosted around a dinner.

Don't underestimate the power of eating together!

When you share a meal together there are good social connections that develop during the discussion that is shared during a meal. 

In addition to good social connections that form during a meal there are strong emotional bonds that can form while eating together. Many a friendship began or grew deeper while sharing a meal on a regular basis.

Spiritual bonds can be formed or deepened over meals. We see Jesus leading people to the table for the purpose of reaching them with faith.

Never underestimate the power of the table! Jesus didn't! He made the most of meals and meal times using them to form bonds of friendship, bonds of fellowship and bonds of faith!

Anything that has that much power and influence in people's lives should be used to love people to LIFE! Will you give Jesus a chance to work through you over a meal? Will you establish the habit of eating with at least three people each week?

Eating To Remember, Eating To Give Thanks

"For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes." I Corinthians 11:23-26

Some people drink to forget shameful or painful experiences.

Jesus teaches His people to eat to remember His shame and His pain.

We call it "Communion". Some call it "The Lord's Supper". A few refer to it as "The Eucharist". It is considered a Sacrament by every Christian denomination.

As we have been discussing the power of eating together this week, I find it significant that when Jesus chose one way for His Church to remember and celebrate His suffering He framed it around a table.

It makes sense though, doesn't it!

Eating is something we have to do to survive.

Eating is something we enjoy doing.

Eating is something want to do.

Eating is something we do every day!

Rarely do we forget to eat.

As believers, every time we eat we stop to thank God. So, in that sense every time we eat a meal we are reminded of the goodness of God! And if we Christians pause before each meal to give thanks and remember just think how much more powerful and meaningful that makes it when the believers from a church gather together and take Communion together!

In addition, memories are powerful! You take pictures of every memory you make so that later when you look at them you experience again the emotions of that moment!

So, once again I marvel at the wisdom of God! When He instituted the Sacrament of Communion He combined two very powerful loves in our lives - the love of eating and the love of memories!

And it reinforces our strategy of using meals together as an evangelism tool!

Isn't God amazing!

As you eat your breakfast today or break for lunch and gather for dinner would to take time to remember and be thankful!