National News story: Indianapolis Woman turns away robber through prayer
Watch here: http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?cl=16228041
In August 2004, the Lord accosted me with a question out of Isaiah 66:1-"Heaven is my throne, the earth is my footstool.Where is the House you will build for me? Where will my resting place be?"
I remember answering..."YES LORD! I'll build your house!" Since I was in Nashville serving in a broken community on the east side, I assumed it would be there. I never thought that it would be a physical building and I always viewed the "resting place" as one found in human hearts and the homes in which they live.
In April 2007, I was invited to speak at the Sunday morning service of a church in North Carolina. As I was seeking the Lord's direction about what to say, His spirit gently whispered, "Look at the Star." As I responded to this direction, I began to look outside of the windows and up at the sky. The only "star" that I saw was the sun and I thought, "Well, I don't really see any stars but that one is big!?" Again I heard the whisper, "Look at the Star." In wonder, my eyes landed on a copy of our local newspaper "The Indianapolis Star." Suddenly, as if I had popped on some 3-D glasses and commenced to watching a three dimensional Disney creation, the words underneath the title of the Indy Star LEAPED to the forefront of my vision: "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty." 2 Corinthians 3:17.
WOW!I grew up in the Bible belt and moved to Indy from a place known as "the Buckle of the Bible belt", but I have NEVER seen a scripture printed under the title of a local mainstream newspaper, much less the largest publication in the state! I was completely and utterly astounded. THEN the Lord said to me, "SEE, I have placed My Name on this city." He then began to show me many other signs and miraculous wonders that point to the reality of this fact. The newspaper heading is a literal sign that the Lord of Heaven and Earth has chosen this city (among others) to be known among the nations as a city where the Lord actually DWELLS.
Another sign was when the Indianapolis Colts played one of the most astounding playoff games in NFL history (or at least that I had ever witnessed) and orchestrated a miraculous win over the New England Patriots to advance to the Super Bowl in 2006. A close friend of mine who was on the field playing in that game, shared with our church that he could literally feel the prayers and the power of God on the field at a certain point. Is it possible that God would use a bunch of overpaid men in tights, who are worshiped and idolized by nations, to bring everlasting Glory to His Name? Upon accepting the prized Vince Lombardi trophy, Tony Dungy exalted the name of the Lord. Not only that, but the city of Indianapolis and the name of the Lord was used in the same sentence, on the stage of the world's largest sporting event. He has placed His name upon this city.
In 2008, I had another undeniable encounter with the King. In fact, I had one encounter that set forth a series of completely unexpected and humanly indescribable confrontations with the Eternal One. Encounters that would FOREVER change the lens through which I view life, ministry, and eternity. During one of these, Jesus asked me very clearly, "Jonathan, will you contend (fight,labor,spend oneself) for My Name in this city?" Moved to tears and gripped with His burning desire for a place, a whole city as a dwelling or "resting place", I responded with a groaning "YES"!
His voice then boomed through Jeremiah 29:7, challenging me to contend for His name -
"Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."
As I began to learn how to operate under this new command through an intense season of fasting and prayer, the Holy Spirit began to teach me innumerable mysteries.
He would lead me to certain areas of the city to share and proclaim the Gospel.He gave me blueprints to begin rebuilding the devastated places in our city, starting on the East Side. He would set up appointments for me to meet with prominent individuals, city, church, and business leaders. But in the midst of this season of intense biblical revelation,accelerated establishment, and unmerited favor; one thing began to resound clearly, GOD IS RAISING UP WHOLE CITIES UNTO HIMSELF and INDIANAPOLIS IS ONE OF THEM. While clarifying my mandate as a builder, He confirmed our corporate destiny even more by showing me what the name of this city will be called when it's all said and done: "And the name of the city shall be called, "The Lord is There". Ezekial 48:35
Just in the past four weeks I have witnessed incredible wonders. In Broad Ripple, I watched as an 18-year old boy came back from a drug induced "trip on acid" and into the urgent reality of his dire need for a Savior. My friends and I witnessed him fall to the ground and get set free under the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, vowing Himself to be a Son of God forever, and chucking every other entanglement that he had in his pockets, away and into the McDonald's parking lot in which we were standing. I saw him under the influence of Jesus, check himself into rehab the next morning.I also just witnessed him break up with his girlfriend, be reconciled with his mom, move back in with his family, and hear a clear Word directly from the Lord about what to do with the rest of his life.
I have witnessed a single mother of five girls, having played the role of both mother and father, walk one of her daughters down the aisle for the first time, and give her away in marriage to a true man of God. I could feel God's pleasure as the two openly shared the fact that they were celebrating their virginity and had chosen to let God be glorified in their bodies until marriage, so that He could be glorified in their union.
Finally, we have witnessed a robbery take place that turned into a moment of salvation for two individuals, that has now gone before the eyes of the nation. Again proclaiming the Glory of the Lord and announcing the placement of His NAME and His FAME upon this City. This is not a news story to be taken lightly or written off as another feel good, warm-fuzzy. Just like the story of a police officer who was shot in the head back in 2008, but survived miraculously, as the city held prayer vigils on the hospital lawn...this story is a clear wonder from the Lord and a clarion invitation to the body of Christ in Indianapolis to spend ourselves in the place of prayer. Never before has a city been so poised for a measurable move of God. This is happening, and it is real. God is raising up this city to be a light among the nations for what happens when God breaks in and chooses a whole city as a dwelling or "resting place".
This reality does not replace the fact that Jerusalem is the Holy City of the Lord, but these cities are to be a prophetic sign; foreshadowing the quickly approaching King and the Kingdom that is coming to be established eternally on the earth. As the Church at Indianapolis, we cannot continue to work without a clear understanding and agreement of what our work is unto. Therefore, let us pray and ask the Giver of Life for eyes to see, and ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church in this hour. May the power of God loose the enemies hold on the hearts of the broken in this city and may His fame continue to spread throughout the land. Amen.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
What Moves God
Recently during a large worship meeting, a series of interactions occurred between me and Holy Spirit that eventually led to a pastor who had been sitting in the row behind to ask me a powerful question. He simply asked me, “What moves God?”
At that particular moment, I was deeply under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Before I could really even pause and consider the question, what burst out of my mouth was: “LOVE!” The pastor, in a somewhat startled state of confusion, muttered: ”No..No…that’s not it. What REALLY moves God?” I replied, ”Faith? You’re expecting me to say faith? THAT’S IT.. he replied zealously.. FAITH MOVES GOD!”
Although this idea is popularly preached and extensively written about, it ultimately reflects our gross misunderstanding of the Father and the very foundation of His ways. Now don’t get me wrong, faith is essential. But the more important faith question that must be asked before we can determine what moves God is, “What do we have faith in and who or what does faith move?” Most everyone has heard the most quoted faith scripture in Christendom found in Matthew 17:20 about the mustard seed and moving mountains. If anything, this is referring to the Mt. Kilimanjaro of fear/unbelief that separates us from trusting in God’s zealous desire to move on our behalf. It’s not enough to believe that nothing is impossible for God to do. We have to crush the mountain of doubting that He actually delights in moving on our behalf! This is precisely why this verse instructs us that after you’ve spoken to that mountain...”nothing will be impossible for YOU!” We will then be compelled to walk daily with Jesus on top of the sea that the mountain was cast into.
Hebrews 11 is a powerful narrative of what faith has empowered man to do. But faith has never been described scripturally as the source of empowerment for God. The scripture that most clearly reveals the source of God the Father’s motivation in any action toward humanity is found in the first phrase of the most memorized verse of the Bible:
“For God so LOVED the world, that He gave His only begotten Son…” (John 3:16)
WOW! It’s the LOVE of God that moves Him to act on our behalf in times of trouble! We see this theme of immutable love established throughout the old testament (such as Psalm 44:26) and up through the book of Revelation, culminating in the beautiful marriage of the Bridegroom and His Bride! LOVE moves HIM while our FAITH in that unmatched and unfailing LOVE (Goodness, faithfulness, kindness, etc.) moves US!
6And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:16-18)
Passages of scripture such as Matthew 7:5-13 where Jesus heals the centurion’s servant and Luke 8:43-50 about the woman who was healed from twelve years of bleeding are all indications of faith in the goodness or LOVINGKINDNESS of God, not in any action or measure of faith that the human possessed. The centurion knew that if he could simply make Jesus aware of the situation at his home; He would be moved with compassion and could simply send a word of healing to his servant. The woman knew that if she touched him, the overwhelming supernatural force of God’s love would move on her behalf.
One of the places where this is most commonly misunderstood (and therefore preached in error) is in the areas of finances and physical healing. This errant preaching is often recognized by the emphasis of our ability to move God through our human actions, sacrifices, vows, seeds, etc. as opposed to the preaching of God’s unfailing and unconditional love towards us.
For example, the large meeting that I mentioned earlier was with a very well known “faith healer”. The message that he preached was out of Psalm 66, about making vows and bringing a “burnt offering” to the Lord in order to show your faith and initiate the move of God on your behalf. As he gave an altar call, he began to encourage the people to fulfill their vow by giving $10k, $5k, $1k, or $100 donations to his ministry. As I watched these people who were in desperate need of healing, move to the altar…I heard the Holy Spirit say, “the price has already been paid. Isaiah 53.” Righteous anger gripped me because I knew that faith in Jesus…the sacrificial lamb and the one who was sent from the Father because of love, and slain to become the last “burnt offering” on behalf of humanity, had not been preached. What HAD been preached, was that our act of faith is what would cause God to be moved to bring healing or deliverance on our behalf. The foul spirit of extortion had entered the meeting..the same one which turned the house of God into a den of thieves,and the same spirit that Jesus addressed in Matthew 21:12-14.
God in His great love has warned us that this type of misunderstanding and manipulation of biblical doctrine, would be commonplace in the last days and that men “would not suffer sound doctrine”(2 Timothy 4:3). Many would argue that this man must not be in error because people were still miraculously healed. But what we understand about God is that He uses mankind in spite of themselves, not BECAUSE of their greatness or how “anointed” a particular person may be. This is how a scripture like Matthew 7:21-22 can be fulfilled:
22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
God moves and heals because He is ravished with love and He answers those who call on Him regardless of man. This is why men like a Ted Haggard or a Todd Bentley, can be used of God mightily for years…being celebrated by the Church, and yet be living in unprecedented moral compromise. What would have happened if those with a check in their spirit would have prayed for the exposure of sin and for repentance to happen BEFORE they were completely fallen?
Therefore, we are to be vigilant and watchful….correcting, exhorting, rebuking, and giving opportunity for men to repent (or change their mind/actions) while there is still time. Futhermore, when we have repented and examined our ways (Matt. 7:1-3), we must not be afraid to call out sin and call others to repentance no matter what platform this person may have. 1 Corinthians 2:15 says, “He that is spiritual, judges ALL things…” .Therefore, we are commanded to judge or “discern” rightly and to pray earnestly for this man and for other spiritual leaders in the earth to be preserved in the way of truth. Pray for the purification of the Bride and for the fear of the Lord to be established in our hearts, lest the lampstand be removed. Finally pray for a generation who will be bold and without compromise, to rise up in the authority of Christ and to have roots that grow deep into the soil of God’s jealous love. Let He who has an ear, hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying to the Church.
At that particular moment, I was deeply under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Before I could really even pause and consider the question, what burst out of my mouth was: “LOVE!” The pastor, in a somewhat startled state of confusion, muttered: ”No..No…that’s not it. What REALLY moves God?” I replied, ”Faith? You’re expecting me to say faith? THAT’S IT.. he replied zealously.. FAITH MOVES GOD!”
Although this idea is popularly preached and extensively written about, it ultimately reflects our gross misunderstanding of the Father and the very foundation of His ways. Now don’t get me wrong, faith is essential. But the more important faith question that must be asked before we can determine what moves God is, “What do we have faith in and who or what does faith move?” Most everyone has heard the most quoted faith scripture in Christendom found in Matthew 17:20 about the mustard seed and moving mountains. If anything, this is referring to the Mt. Kilimanjaro of fear/unbelief that separates us from trusting in God’s zealous desire to move on our behalf. It’s not enough to believe that nothing is impossible for God to do. We have to crush the mountain of doubting that He actually delights in moving on our behalf! This is precisely why this verse instructs us that after you’ve spoken to that mountain...”nothing will be impossible for YOU!” We will then be compelled to walk daily with Jesus on top of the sea that the mountain was cast into.
Hebrews 11 is a powerful narrative of what faith has empowered man to do. But faith has never been described scripturally as the source of empowerment for God. The scripture that most clearly reveals the source of God the Father’s motivation in any action toward humanity is found in the first phrase of the most memorized verse of the Bible:
“For God so LOVED the world, that He gave His only begotten Son…” (John 3:16)
WOW! It’s the LOVE of God that moves Him to act on our behalf in times of trouble! We see this theme of immutable love established throughout the old testament (such as Psalm 44:26) and up through the book of Revelation, culminating in the beautiful marriage of the Bridegroom and His Bride! LOVE moves HIM while our FAITH in that unmatched and unfailing LOVE (Goodness, faithfulness, kindness, etc.) moves US!
6And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:16-18)
Passages of scripture such as Matthew 7:5-13 where Jesus heals the centurion’s servant and Luke 8:43-50 about the woman who was healed from twelve years of bleeding are all indications of faith in the goodness or LOVINGKINDNESS of God, not in any action or measure of faith that the human possessed. The centurion knew that if he could simply make Jesus aware of the situation at his home; He would be moved with compassion and could simply send a word of healing to his servant. The woman knew that if she touched him, the overwhelming supernatural force of God’s love would move on her behalf.
One of the places where this is most commonly misunderstood (and therefore preached in error) is in the areas of finances and physical healing. This errant preaching is often recognized by the emphasis of our ability to move God through our human actions, sacrifices, vows, seeds, etc. as opposed to the preaching of God’s unfailing and unconditional love towards us.
For example, the large meeting that I mentioned earlier was with a very well known “faith healer”. The message that he preached was out of Psalm 66, about making vows and bringing a “burnt offering” to the Lord in order to show your faith and initiate the move of God on your behalf. As he gave an altar call, he began to encourage the people to fulfill their vow by giving $10k, $5k, $1k, or $100 donations to his ministry. As I watched these people who were in desperate need of healing, move to the altar…I heard the Holy Spirit say, “the price has already been paid. Isaiah 53.” Righteous anger gripped me because I knew that faith in Jesus…the sacrificial lamb and the one who was sent from the Father because of love, and slain to become the last “burnt offering” on behalf of humanity, had not been preached. What HAD been preached, was that our act of faith is what would cause God to be moved to bring healing or deliverance on our behalf. The foul spirit of extortion had entered the meeting..the same one which turned the house of God into a den of thieves,and the same spirit that Jesus addressed in Matthew 21:12-14.
God in His great love has warned us that this type of misunderstanding and manipulation of biblical doctrine, would be commonplace in the last days and that men “would not suffer sound doctrine”(2 Timothy 4:3). Many would argue that this man must not be in error because people were still miraculously healed. But what we understand about God is that He uses mankind in spite of themselves, not BECAUSE of their greatness or how “anointed” a particular person may be. This is how a scripture like Matthew 7:21-22 can be fulfilled:
22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
God moves and heals because He is ravished with love and He answers those who call on Him regardless of man. This is why men like a Ted Haggard or a Todd Bentley, can be used of God mightily for years…being celebrated by the Church, and yet be living in unprecedented moral compromise. What would have happened if those with a check in their spirit would have prayed for the exposure of sin and for repentance to happen BEFORE they were completely fallen?
Therefore, we are to be vigilant and watchful….correcting, exhorting, rebuking, and giving opportunity for men to repent (or change their mind/actions) while there is still time. Futhermore, when we have repented and examined our ways (Matt. 7:1-3), we must not be afraid to call out sin and call others to repentance no matter what platform this person may have. 1 Corinthians 2:15 says, “He that is spiritual, judges ALL things…” .Therefore, we are commanded to judge or “discern” rightly and to pray earnestly for this man and for other spiritual leaders in the earth to be preserved in the way of truth. Pray for the purification of the Bride and for the fear of the Lord to be established in our hearts, lest the lampstand be removed. Finally pray for a generation who will be bold and without compromise, to rise up in the authority of Christ and to have roots that grow deep into the soil of God’s jealous love. Let He who has an ear, hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying to the Church.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
The Chorus for Change vs. the GROAN for LIFE
I recently participated on YouTube in taking a very bold, unpopular, and controversial position in regards to the upcoming 2008 Presidential elections. This stance has been met with an intriguing mix of vehement opposition, thoughtful dissent, curious questioning, and solid support. I have found myself smack dab (a southern term!) in the middle of violating a number of societal “no-no’s.” Let’s face it; “political correctness” was tossed out the window months… if not years ago! Today, everyone has an opinion and through the technological prowess of inventions like MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, etc.; we have more ways to blast our mouths...with no protocol or strings to tie ‘em shut. But my aim in writing this is not to add my spice to the intellectual soup from which we’ve gotten a belly ache while eating at the political table. I hope to move our dialog past the realm of pure human reason and into the reality of heart conviction, moral substance, and eternal perspective.
Let me qualify what I am about to write by clarifying for you that I am not a Republican, Democrat, or anything in-between. I am a follower, a disciple, and a lover of Jesus Christ. This means that my citizenship is in heaven and that His eternal Kingdom is where my foremost allegiance lies.
20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;”--- --Philippians 3:20
I am well aware of the fact that a statement like that instantly causes eyes to roll, and stirs the disgust of anyone who doesn’t profess Christianity, as well as a few professing Christians who are disgusted with much of the Church’s inability to engage secular culture in a relevant and meaningful way. But I am not writing this dissertation in expectations of changing or influencing the unbeliever. What I am about to share, are spiritual truths that were not taught by a human wisdom but rather are mysteries which have been brought to my understanding by a wisdom that comes from God through the Holy Spirit. Truths that can ONLY be understood through the enlightenment of the Spirit of Truth that IS Christ. Consequently, the unspiritual mind or even the un-renewed mind of a believer would be forced to render these dispositions as foolishness due to their lack of understanding.
As a nation, as a society, as a culture, as a people of faith, as a generation, as a matter of plain old fact; any way that you slice it or dice it...We have issues! So many issues in fact, that I am constantly and repeatedly being reminded of the absurdity or lack of reasoning that one must employ in order to be a “one issue” voter. The truth is--EVERYONE at the end of the day IS a ONE ISSUE VOTER. As I observe the political madness that has engulfed our society and dominated the airwaves, there is no denying that we are more polarized today as a nation than ever before. When I ask most people why they are voting for whomever they have chosen, there is inevitably ONE ISSUE that is driving their decision above all other reasons. For many Catholics and strong pro-life advocates, the clear and decisive answer is: McCain/Palin because of their strong Pro-Life position. Many of my peers under 30 have indicated supporting Obama because “we can’t afford eight more years of the same policies as the Bush administration.” Many folks in news interviews are choosing Obama primarily because he has effectively convinced Americans that his economic plan will rescue us from the present collapse. Veterans hail McCain because they feel he understands what they’ve been through. Finally, most of my Black American family and friends simply cannot shake the excitement and the possibility of a (half) black man in the presidential office…feeling that he understands what they’ve been through.
But let me cut to the chase. My issue is not with George Bush and his failed policies, John McCain and his stunning inability to inspire through annoying reminders of being the original maverick, or Barack Obama and his clearly powerful gift of inspiration through eloquence and poise. My issue is with the people of God and our willingness to compromise our belief in the infallible word of God, in order to “reconcile our faith with the ever-changing needs of our modern pluralistic society.”
This is also the number one issue that I have with the Obama Campaign. An alarming amount of leaders in the black community, believers in the body of Christ, and genuinely hurting people in our culture at large, have dangerously positioned Obama as a “Messiah” figure during these times of chaos. Through the reassuring promises of HOPE and CHANGE, Barack has effectively mobilized millions to harness what faith they may or may not possess, into his ability to bring change and reformation as a leader. While I am well aware of God raising voices of righteousness, truth, and change throughout human history…I am challenged to weigh any and every voice upon the same scales that I and every other person are being weighed: Righteousness.
While many spiritual leaders have been eager to put Obama in the same league as such beacons of hope as Martin Luther King, Jr., they have neglected the spiritual discernment necessary to weigh Obama’s ideology objectively upon the scales of God’s living Word. MLK, dreamed of a nation that would one day judge a man strictly upon the content or substance of his character and not the color of his skin. He received and articulated this dream from the fundamental core conviction that in Christ men are no longer distinguished as Jew or Gentile, Roman or Greek, Black or White. That Christ had not only created all men equal, but that EVERY man’s NEED to be blood-washed through Christ in order to enter eternity…was the greatest equalizer of all. Rich or poor, black or white…we would all have to go by way of the cross. MLK’s biblical conviction on inequality was so deep, it drove him to challenge the created order of the day and force the issue of racial inequality to the forefront of a society that possessed as many issues and crises as our present day reality.
A week or so ago, me and a dear friend engaged in discussion via email after he had felt compelled to share some of his thoughts with me as to why he would be voting Obama on November 4th.Interestingly, this friend falls into a number of demographics that are relevant to this dissertation and to the “one issue voter” discussion in a variety of ways. He is:
a. A Black American.
b. A Christian Pastor.
c. A former supporter of the Republican Presidencies of Reagan, Bush I, and Bush II
d. Pro-Life
e. Supporting Barack Obama for President.
After a brief exchange of very lengthy and thorough responses, I think him and I were both appreciative and challenged by our conversation. He then sent me a link to the keynote address that Barack Obama delivered at the “Call to Renewal-Building a Covenant for a New America” Conference back in June of 2006: http://obama.senate.gov/speech/060628-call_to_renewal/index.php
In Obama’s address, he articulated some very powerful and accurate truths concerning the present intolerance, suspicion, and divisions between people of faith and secular America. I couldn’t have agreed more with many of his observations concerning how Christians have inaccurately engaged their faith in society, as well as how liberals and progressives have inappropriately labeled religion in the public arena as fanatical, inherently irrational, or intolerant. I was impressed to see him challenge secularists to stop “hatin’” on religious folks and for politicians to stop acting like they have faith when they really don’t. Equally impressive, was his call for us to come together and address the religious/ideological divides head on…something that you rarely hear from a politician’s mouth. But despite all the many great and redemptive truths that were espoused in this speech, there was a growing undertone throughout the message that ultimately set up the exposure of Obama’s true worldview.
Worldview is something that we all have whether we know it or not. It is the foundational lens through which every human being sees, processes, and interprets life. According the website asa3.org, “A worldview is a theory of the world, used for living in the world. A world view is a mental model of reality — a framework of ideas & attitudes about the world, ourselves, and life, a comprehensive system of beliefs — with answers for a wide range of questions.”
Obama’s worldview is one that ultimately hails the wisdom of man’s ability to reason and intellectually attain peace, above the reality of God’s ability to communicate in a manner that is powerful enough to be relevant to our modern day pluralistic society. According to his own confession, He believes that our faith must be “reconciled with the modern pluralistic society”, rather than reconciling the modern pluralistic society with the Sovereign Lord. Although he is a strong advocate of allowing religion into the corridors of public discourse, he ultimately believes that the Bible offers wisdom for personal application and guiding a congregation; but must be modified or altogether set aside when it comes to informing public policy. Even if this were true, the simple fact that Barack has presented himself to this nation as a Christian; instantly subjects him to the standards that the Bible commands every believer to be vigilant and mindful of when discerning the character of another man of God. If Barack did not claim to be one, it would not be fair for him to be measured by that standard. But as it is...Obama has clearly exposed the true content of his character in his actions, well as in excerpts such as this which was spoken after a moving recount of his “road to conversion”:
“51 “Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; 52 for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. 53 “They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
Jesus did not come to bring peace. He brought a sword that divided everything that could be divided. In other words he came to bring a split in the earth, a distinction between the nature the Holy nature of God and the unholy nature of man. A divine confrontation between the temporal world of darkness, and the eternal glory of His coming Kingdom. An atheist can’t even study history without having to navigate the measurements of B.C. and A.D...testifying to the fact that Jesus was actually born, walked the Earth, and died. Jesus' very life, split human history in half. But the bottom line is, when the sword of God’s truth confronts a modern pluralistic society…one of two things are going to happen. Either the pluralistic society bends the knee in submission to the authority and the love of Christ, or society rejects and violently opposes the authority and love of Christ. The true peace that comes from Heaven always brings conflict, confrontation between light and darkness, and decision. 2 Corinthians 2:14 says:
We live in a death culture where wearing skulls is hip and fashionable as a frill to be found at chic designer clothing boutiques. On any given night, we can turn on the television and witness a horrendous murder or three on primetime television. With eyes glued to the screen, we barely flinch as the dismembered body of a dead teenager rests with crime scene investigators scour the scene. We’ll pay $9.00 to see a blood, guts, gore, demons, and the demon-possessed at the local movie cinema. Enthusiastically encouraging filmmakers through our patronization, to keep pumping out movies about murdering puppets, like Saw FIVE. Moreover, at any given moment we can turn on the radios in our car, download mp3’s, and listen through the convenience of our iPods to songs about being a murderer, a girl kissing a girl, and licking a man’s lollipop. What this does to the human heart, is slowly but surely de-sensitizes us to the reality and the urgency of the spiritual depravity and the death that grips our culture. What’s more, it hardens us to the murder that is happening in the real world around us. As a result the willful slaughtering of tiny living human beings has become accepted as an “undesirable” but necessary and normal part of modern society. The North American Slave Trade was also accepted as a lawful, necessary, part of American society for over 200 years before the Lord rose up a generation of deliverers. The Jewish Holocaust normalized the open rape, pillage, and slaughter of 6 million Jews while displacing millions more, before a generation of deliverers from America and Great Britain demanded justice. Finally, segregation and blatant discrimination ruled the Jim Crow states of America for decades before God raised up a generation of deliverers less than 50 years ago. Does not the innocent blood of 50 million crushed, burned, and dismembered babies demand the same justice?
Think about this. The first sentence in the entire Bible, the Supreme authority on all matters concerning life and death is: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” This means that the chief desire and priority of the Majesty in Heaven, was to reveal Himself to humanity FIRST as a CREATOR. “Created” being the fifth word in the entire Bible is no coincidence as this reveals the primary characteristic of humanity’s shared DNA with God. God created us in His image, meaning that he placed in us His very image! Thereby he has given us the ability to create what he values the most… human life! This is our inheritance from the Lord as a human and where the line between humanity and immortality grows quite thin because our earthly lineage extends beyond the endurance of our heartbeats. GOD LOVES LIFE! This is a non-negotiable Biblical standard, but as mentioned earlier, compromise on Biblical standards is why we’ve lost our voice in the culture and our authority to see the captive set free. There are churches on almost every block in every inner-city in America, but the fruit is minimal and/or rotten, relative to the widespread debauchery that has gripped our culture. As a result we should not be surprised that Obama is “personally opposed to abortion” BUT doesn’t have the conviction or fortitude to take a stand against it in the public policy arena. This fact alone is a stunning sentence of blighted character, considering his strong campaign of justice on every other human rights issue. We are nation who has lost our ability to fear the Lord, mainly because we don’t fully believe ALL of His Word and we certainly don’t believe that He will do anything about it. Moreover, the gatekeepers of our spiritual communities are willing to rationalize, justify, and overlook the spiritual principles that Jesus has clearly commanded us to use as a measuring stick for righteousness during times like these; for the sake of putting or anybody but Bush in the presidency. This is idolatry and for this, our nation will surely be judged. This year, we have experienced only the birth pangs of God’s judgment and His “shaking of everything that can be shaken.” Unless we REPENT(which means to turn away from, and have a change of mind and action) as a church, and as a nation, we cannot comprehend the confrontation between Heaven and Earth that awaits this nation within the next four years.
Finally, I do not believe that McCain is blameless or perfect in any way. I know that he does not have the perfect record or the perfect solution and answer to every problem. But he has chosen to take a stand on the very issue upon which Kingdom judgment is being weighed.
I cannot conscientiously cast my vote for those who have chosen to consistently wage war against the very decrees of God to “Choose Life.” Therefore, out of biblical obligation, I will not vote for Barack Obama. A.W. Tozer once said, “True religion confronts earth with heaven and brings eternity to bear upon time.” Historically, God in his mercy has always given His people warning of impending judgment and rarely have they actually repented. I pray that you will consider, pray, and allow the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom and insight into His heart concerning these matters before you cast your vote on November 4th. And while I WILL cast my ballot for the McCain/Palin ticket, it will have very little to do with their physical ability to lead this nation. As Christians, our FAITH must NOT be in the Kingdoms, parties, or institutions of this world. But our FAITH MUST BE in these three spiritual realities:
1. In the present day work of Christ. In other words…His Sovereignty, and His Supremacy in all things. 2. In the future COMING OF CHRIST. In other words…In the reality that He will subject all things under His feet in due time and vindicate the injustices of the world as a righteous judge.
3.In the PRESENT DAY WORK OF HIS PEOPLE to bring the injustices of this world under the rule and reign of CHRIST as peacemakers and those who have been given authority in the earth to cast down every argument and vain imagination that sets itself up against the knowledge of God. In other words, having true belief in our commission to reconcile ALL things TO Christ---THROUGH Christ! Without apology or compromise; as REAL ambassadors and REAL vessels of an unshakeable Kingdom and a Government that knows no end.
I am putting my hope and trust in God to meet all of my needs (physical, financial, emotional) according to His glorious riches in heaven, just as He has done and has said that He would do. Meanwhile, the lives of millions who are not even on the Earth, hang in the balance.
Let me qualify what I am about to write by clarifying for you that I am not a Republican, Democrat, or anything in-between. I am a follower, a disciple, and a lover of Jesus Christ. This means that my citizenship is in heaven and that His eternal Kingdom is where my foremost allegiance lies.
20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;”--- --Philippians 3:20
I am well aware of the fact that a statement like that instantly causes eyes to roll, and stirs the disgust of anyone who doesn’t profess Christianity, as well as a few professing Christians who are disgusted with much of the Church’s inability to engage secular culture in a relevant and meaningful way. But I am not writing this dissertation in expectations of changing or influencing the unbeliever. What I am about to share, are spiritual truths that were not taught by a human wisdom but rather are mysteries which have been brought to my understanding by a wisdom that comes from God through the Holy Spirit. Truths that can ONLY be understood through the enlightenment of the Spirit of Truth that IS Christ. Consequently, the unspiritual mind or even the un-renewed mind of a believer would be forced to render these dispositions as foolishness due to their lack of understanding.
As a nation, as a society, as a culture, as a people of faith, as a generation, as a matter of plain old fact; any way that you slice it or dice it...We have issues! So many issues in fact, that I am constantly and repeatedly being reminded of the absurdity or lack of reasoning that one must employ in order to be a “one issue” voter. The truth is--EVERYONE at the end of the day IS a ONE ISSUE VOTER. As I observe the political madness that has engulfed our society and dominated the airwaves, there is no denying that we are more polarized today as a nation than ever before. When I ask most people why they are voting for whomever they have chosen, there is inevitably ONE ISSUE that is driving their decision above all other reasons. For many Catholics and strong pro-life advocates, the clear and decisive answer is: McCain/Palin because of their strong Pro-Life position. Many of my peers under 30 have indicated supporting Obama because “we can’t afford eight more years of the same policies as the Bush administration.” Many folks in news interviews are choosing Obama primarily because he has effectively convinced Americans that his economic plan will rescue us from the present collapse. Veterans hail McCain because they feel he understands what they’ve been through. Finally, most of my Black American family and friends simply cannot shake the excitement and the possibility of a (half) black man in the presidential office…feeling that he understands what they’ve been through.
But let me cut to the chase. My issue is not with George Bush and his failed policies, John McCain and his stunning inability to inspire through annoying reminders of being the original maverick, or Barack Obama and his clearly powerful gift of inspiration through eloquence and poise. My issue is with the people of God and our willingness to compromise our belief in the infallible word of God, in order to “reconcile our faith with the ever-changing needs of our modern pluralistic society.”
This is also the number one issue that I have with the Obama Campaign. An alarming amount of leaders in the black community, believers in the body of Christ, and genuinely hurting people in our culture at large, have dangerously positioned Obama as a “Messiah” figure during these times of chaos. Through the reassuring promises of HOPE and CHANGE, Barack has effectively mobilized millions to harness what faith they may or may not possess, into his ability to bring change and reformation as a leader. While I am well aware of God raising voices of righteousness, truth, and change throughout human history…I am challenged to weigh any and every voice upon the same scales that I and every other person are being weighed: Righteousness.
While many spiritual leaders have been eager to put Obama in the same league as such beacons of hope as Martin Luther King, Jr., they have neglected the spiritual discernment necessary to weigh Obama’s ideology objectively upon the scales of God’s living Word. MLK, dreamed of a nation that would one day judge a man strictly upon the content or substance of his character and not the color of his skin. He received and articulated this dream from the fundamental core conviction that in Christ men are no longer distinguished as Jew or Gentile, Roman or Greek, Black or White. That Christ had not only created all men equal, but that EVERY man’s NEED to be blood-washed through Christ in order to enter eternity…was the greatest equalizer of all. Rich or poor, black or white…we would all have to go by way of the cross. MLK’s biblical conviction on inequality was so deep, it drove him to challenge the created order of the day and force the issue of racial inequality to the forefront of a society that possessed as many issues and crises as our present day reality.
A week or so ago, me and a dear friend engaged in discussion via email after he had felt compelled to share some of his thoughts with me as to why he would be voting Obama on November 4th.Interestingly, this friend falls into a number of demographics that are relevant to this dissertation and to the “one issue voter” discussion in a variety of ways. He is:
a. A Black American.
b. A Christian Pastor.
c. A former supporter of the Republican Presidencies of Reagan, Bush I, and Bush II
d. Pro-Life
e. Supporting Barack Obama for President.
After a brief exchange of very lengthy and thorough responses, I think him and I were both appreciative and challenged by our conversation. He then sent me a link to the keynote address that Barack Obama delivered at the “Call to Renewal-Building a Covenant for a New America” Conference back in June of 2006: http://obama.senate.gov/speech/060628-call_to_renewal/index.php
In Obama’s address, he articulated some very powerful and accurate truths concerning the present intolerance, suspicion, and divisions between people of faith and secular America. I couldn’t have agreed more with many of his observations concerning how Christians have inaccurately engaged their faith in society, as well as how liberals and progressives have inappropriately labeled religion in the public arena as fanatical, inherently irrational, or intolerant. I was impressed to see him challenge secularists to stop “hatin’” on religious folks and for politicians to stop acting like they have faith when they really don’t. Equally impressive, was his call for us to come together and address the religious/ideological divides head on…something that you rarely hear from a politician’s mouth. But despite all the many great and redemptive truths that were espoused in this speech, there was a growing undertone throughout the message that ultimately set up the exposure of Obama’s true worldview.
Worldview is something that we all have whether we know it or not. It is the foundational lens through which every human being sees, processes, and interprets life. According the website asa3.org, “A worldview is a theory of the world, used for living in the world. A world view is a mental model of reality — a framework of ideas & attitudes about the world, ourselves, and life, a comprehensive system of beliefs — with answers for a wide range of questions.”
Obama’s worldview is one that ultimately hails the wisdom of man’s ability to reason and intellectually attain peace, above the reality of God’s ability to communicate in a manner that is powerful enough to be relevant to our modern day pluralistic society. According to his own confession, He believes that our faith must be “reconciled with the modern pluralistic society”, rather than reconciling the modern pluralistic society with the Sovereign Lord. Although he is a strong advocate of allowing religion into the corridors of public discourse, he ultimately believes that the Bible offers wisdom for personal application and guiding a congregation; but must be modified or altogether set aside when it comes to informing public policy. Even if this were true, the simple fact that Barack has presented himself to this nation as a Christian; instantly subjects him to the standards that the Bible commands every believer to be vigilant and mindful of when discerning the character of another man of God. If Barack did not claim to be one, it would not be fair for him to be measured by that standard. But as it is...Obama has clearly exposed the true content of his character in his actions, well as in excerpts such as this which was spoken after a moving recount of his “road to conversion”:
“Now this is going to be difficult for some who believe in the inerrancy of the Bible, as many evangelicals do. But in a pluralistic democracy, we have no choice. Politics depends on our ability to persuade each other of common aims based on a common reality. It involves the compromise, the art of what's possible. At some fundamental level, religion does not allow for compromise. It's the art of the impossible. If God has spoken, then followers are expected to live up to God's edicts, regardless of the consequences.”
He said it himself. “Religion does not allow for compromise. It’s the art of the impossible. If God has spoken, then the followers are expected to live up to God’s edicts, regardless of the consequences.” This statement is chillingly true. But the glory of the Good News and the hope that we have in Jesus Christ, is that His Spirit is ALIVE on the inside of us once we choose to live a life of total surrender to Jesus as Lord. He Himself empowers the true believer through the supernatural power of Grace through faith, to do the “art” of the impossible on a daily basis. Regardless of the consequences!
Barack not only has NOT known the measure of that kind of faith in Christ (which would compel him not to compromise his character on the issues that Heaven has clearly outlined as abominable for the sake of cultural peace), but is a compelling symbol of the current condition of the American church at large. We are a people who have negated our voice in the culture because of our blind willingness to compromise in order to please men. Because we have not fully believed in the word of the Lord, we have allowed compromise to fill our minds and effectively strip us of our ability to fear God. Proverb 1:7 informs us that:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom.”
The fruits of a Christian people that lack the fear of the Lord, is a contingency of religious folks that are scared to stand on the truth of God because of what secular society may say or do. We are afraid of being labeled a “Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, or Alan Keyes”, because that would mean that we are out of touch with reality. Like Obama, I believe that there needs to be real and honest discussion between people of all faiths, sexual orientations, ethnicities, etc. in the public arena. And I believe that the true Christian should be able to engage differing worldviews with language that speaks to the “common” longing inside of every human. However, the representative of Christ, must not compromise, overlook, or be afraid to speak the whole truth…regardless of the consequences. My pastor friend, along with a great chorus of people in the faith communities and people in the secular culture; have been inspired by Obama’s ability to bring a certain transcendence to our society for the “greater good.”
Indeed, Christians have increasingly become one of the most mocked, ridiculed, and hated people groups in America for taking a stand on issues like abortion and gay marriage. Admittedly, the media always seems to interview Christian spokesmen who are idiotic in their responses. But Barack has succeeded in getting the very people groups who hate the Biblical worldview, to champion his policies and sing his praises by leaving his “personal faith” at the door, instead of standing on issues that “further divide.” But in Luke 12:51 Jesus said:
“51 “Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; 52 for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. 53 “They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
Jesus did not come to bring peace. He brought a sword that divided everything that could be divided. In other words he came to bring a split in the earth, a distinction between the nature the Holy nature of God and the unholy nature of man. A divine confrontation between the temporal world of darkness, and the eternal glory of His coming Kingdom. An atheist can’t even study history without having to navigate the measurements of B.C. and A.D...testifying to the fact that Jesus was actually born, walked the Earth, and died. Jesus' very life, split human history in half. But the bottom line is, when the sword of God’s truth confronts a modern pluralistic society…one of two things are going to happen. Either the pluralistic society bends the knee in submission to the authority and the love of Christ, or society rejects and violently opposes the authority and love of Christ. The true peace that comes from Heaven always brings conflict, confrontation between light and darkness, and decision. 2 Corinthians 2:14 says:
"For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; 16 to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life.
This means we will be either received or rejected just as Jesus and all the Apostles were received or rejected with absolute obedience…even unto death. Jesus passed the ministry of reconciling man to God first and THEN man to man, to His church. That is the order and the definition of true peace. Any other peace, a peace that is built upon compromise and allowing humanity to stay content in a darkened worldview, is a pagan peace. Pagan peace is what the body of Christ is buying into with alarming assurance, and this is my chief concern with the upcoming elections. This leads me to the abortion issue.
As stated earlier, I am not ignorant of the fact that we face many crises as a nation which must be addressed by the next administration with great zeal, wisdom, and expedience. However, abortion has consistently been marginalized and trivialized as a lesser issue in the grand scheme of all the other issues that we face as true crisis. Obama has successfully fashioned and implemented a campaign that positions him as a true “voice for the voiceless”, a messenger of hope during turbulent times, and a freedom fighter for “the least of these.” I would be a rich man if I had a dime for the many times I have heard him say that he is fighting for the marginalized, the oppressed, the working class, the middle class, etc. However, he refuses to acknowledge and take a stand against what is the most destructive practice of human indignity in the history of mankind, under the banner of “women’s rights.” Does that not speak volumes about this man’s character?
A friend of mine sent a link to a site called, “prolifeproobama.com”. After a 60 second review of the first page, it simply confirmed what I’ve always said about abortion being foundational to hundreds of societal issues such as health care, the economy, welfare, etc. The legalization of Abortion in the early 70’s was a logical response to the decade that preceded it. After the sexual revolution of the 1960’s, where millions of teens and college students cast off any semblance of restraint under the banner of “free love”; the fruit of this new-found freedom would inevitably lead to a confrontation with the consequences of their sexual actions. So this is what we do. We create laws that enable, empower, and ensure our ability to rebel against the laws of God.
Though ideas are noble and necessary, all of the other solutions that have been proposed to "drastically reduce the number of abortions"... simply side-skirt the most blatant and obvious approach in drastically reducing the number of abortions...outlaw it! Make it inaccessible, and take away the federal funding of over $300 million annually of tax payer money that goes to Planned Parenthood. Why does it cost $300-$500 dollars maximum to have an infant burned, dismembered, or it's brains sucked out of it's skull...But $18,000-25,000 MINIMUM to adopt a living child? If Obama really cared about the sanctity of life, maybe he wouldn't just propose more preventive education, but actively pursue re-directing that $300 million dollar fund into the broken foster care system. Increasing Sex education helps, but most eight-year olds are more educated about sex in today's society than I was at 16. All these other strategies are totally necessary, but like putting a band-aid on a bullet hole. There will be no healing until you take out the bullet and sew up the hole! Sites like this are just one of thousands that continue to divert our attention toward all the peripheral solutions, and away from the reality and the severity of what abortion really is: Legalized Murder. In my opinion, are the thoughts purveyed on this site rational? Totally. Truly Reasonable? No.
We live in a death culture where wearing skulls is hip and fashionable as a frill to be found at chic designer clothing boutiques. On any given night, we can turn on the television and witness a horrendous murder or three on primetime television. With eyes glued to the screen, we barely flinch as the dismembered body of a dead teenager rests with crime scene investigators scour the scene. We’ll pay $9.00 to see a blood, guts, gore, demons, and the demon-possessed at the local movie cinema. Enthusiastically encouraging filmmakers through our patronization, to keep pumping out movies about murdering puppets, like Saw FIVE. Moreover, at any given moment we can turn on the radios in our car, download mp3’s, and listen through the convenience of our iPods to songs about being a murderer, a girl kissing a girl, and licking a man’s lollipop. What this does to the human heart, is slowly but surely de-sensitizes us to the reality and the urgency of the spiritual depravity and the death that grips our culture. What’s more, it hardens us to the murder that is happening in the real world around us. As a result the willful slaughtering of tiny living human beings has become accepted as an “undesirable” but necessary and normal part of modern society. The North American Slave Trade was also accepted as a lawful, necessary, part of American society for over 200 years before the Lord rose up a generation of deliverers. The Jewish Holocaust normalized the open rape, pillage, and slaughter of 6 million Jews while displacing millions more, before a generation of deliverers from America and Great Britain demanded justice. Finally, segregation and blatant discrimination ruled the Jim Crow states of America for decades before God raised up a generation of deliverers less than 50 years ago. Does not the innocent blood of 50 million crushed, burned, and dismembered babies demand the same justice?
Think about this. The first sentence in the entire Bible, the Supreme authority on all matters concerning life and death is: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” This means that the chief desire and priority of the Majesty in Heaven, was to reveal Himself to humanity FIRST as a CREATOR. “Created” being the fifth word in the entire Bible is no coincidence as this reveals the primary characteristic of humanity’s shared DNA with God. God created us in His image, meaning that he placed in us His very image! Thereby he has given us the ability to create what he values the most… human life! This is our inheritance from the Lord as a human and where the line between humanity and immortality grows quite thin because our earthly lineage extends beyond the endurance of our heartbeats. GOD LOVES LIFE! This is a non-negotiable Biblical standard, but as mentioned earlier, compromise on Biblical standards is why we’ve lost our voice in the culture and our authority to see the captive set free. There are churches on almost every block in every inner-city in America, but the fruit is minimal and/or rotten, relative to the widespread debauchery that has gripped our culture. As a result we should not be surprised that Obama is “personally opposed to abortion” BUT doesn’t have the conviction or fortitude to take a stand against it in the public policy arena. This fact alone is a stunning sentence of blighted character, considering his strong campaign of justice on every other human rights issue. We are nation who has lost our ability to fear the Lord, mainly because we don’t fully believe ALL of His Word and we certainly don’t believe that He will do anything about it. Moreover, the gatekeepers of our spiritual communities are willing to rationalize, justify, and overlook the spiritual principles that Jesus has clearly commanded us to use as a measuring stick for righteousness during times like these; for the sake of putting or anybody but Bush in the presidency. This is idolatry and for this, our nation will surely be judged. This year, we have experienced only the birth pangs of God’s judgment and His “shaking of everything that can be shaken.” Unless we REPENT(which means to turn away from, and have a change of mind and action) as a church, and as a nation, we cannot comprehend the confrontation between Heaven and Earth that awaits this nation within the next four years.
Finally, I do not believe that McCain is blameless or perfect in any way. I know that he does not have the perfect record or the perfect solution and answer to every problem. But he has chosen to take a stand on the very issue upon which Kingdom judgment is being weighed.
Deuteronomy 30:19 says:
“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, 20 by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”
“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, 20 by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”
I cannot conscientiously cast my vote for those who have chosen to consistently wage war against the very decrees of God to “Choose Life.” Therefore, out of biblical obligation, I will not vote for Barack Obama. A.W. Tozer once said, “True religion confronts earth with heaven and brings eternity to bear upon time.” Historically, God in his mercy has always given His people warning of impending judgment and rarely have they actually repented. I pray that you will consider, pray, and allow the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom and insight into His heart concerning these matters before you cast your vote on November 4th. And while I WILL cast my ballot for the McCain/Palin ticket, it will have very little to do with their physical ability to lead this nation. As Christians, our FAITH must NOT be in the Kingdoms, parties, or institutions of this world. But our FAITH MUST BE in these three spiritual realities:
1. In the present day work of Christ. In other words…His Sovereignty, and His Supremacy in all things.
3.In the PRESENT DAY WORK OF HIS PEOPLE to bring the injustices of this world under the rule and reign of CHRIST as peacemakers and those who have been given authority in the earth to cast down every argument and vain imagination that sets itself up against the knowledge of God. In other words, having true belief in our commission to reconcile ALL things TO Christ---THROUGH Christ! Without apology or compromise; as REAL ambassadors and REAL vessels of an unshakeable Kingdom and a Government that knows no end.
I am putting my hope and trust in God to meet all of my needs (physical, financial, emotional) according to His glorious riches in heaven, just as He has done and has said that He would do. Meanwhile, the lives of millions who are not even on the Earth, hang in the balance.
Monday, October 20, 2008
My position.
Life is truly a wonder. It’s this incredible odyssey of experiences and encounters that uniquely build upon the next to shape who we do or don’t become, and what we do or don’t believe. In my short 27-year life experience, I have been blessed to meet and build relationships with some of the most genuine people on the face of the earth; from homeless teens and lesbian bikers, to art-loving CEO’s and overpaid professional athletes. Interestingly enough, this season of my life has been filled with a unique blend of stunning excitement, crushing frustrations, humbling mistakes, exceeding joys, startling revelations, and great uncertainties. One of those uncertainties is the inescapable reality of the times and the season in which we as Americans are presently living.
As if there weren’t already enough dissertations, theologies, blogs, and commentaries to thoroughly confuse even the most versed political scientist, let me first qualify what you’re about to read on this blog by sharing with you that I am not and have never been a political junkie. Like most Americans before this election cycle, I have historically distanced the topic from my mind, will, emotions, and (most especially) my conversations, at all costs! However, I recently participated on Youtube in taking a very bold, unpopular, and controversial position in regards to the upcoming 2008 Presidential elections. This stance has been met with an intriguing mix of vehement opposition, thoughtful dissent, curious questioning, and solid support. This prompted me to ponder and articulate my response to a question posed by a dear pastor friend of mine…one that every Christian will inevitably be forced to answer on November 4th: “Can a Christian vote for Barack Obama.”
For some of you, the reading stops now. You’ve already settled quite concretely upon the candidate that you hope to celebrate with while watching the inauguration. You’ve prayed, pondered, reasoned, and reconciled any potential arguments or inward conflicts with the moral, spiritual, cultural, and political compass that directs all of your decisions. But for others, there is still an unsettling amount of indecision. You’ve prayed, pondered, reasoned, and tried to reconcile arguments and inward conflicts with the moral, spiritual, cultural, and political compass that directs all of your decisions…only to find yourself more perturbed than when you began! It is for this reason that I am publicly sharing which way I will vote in the 2008 Presidential election.
I do not write this in the assumption that my position will move you to choose as I have chosen, but rather in the hope that the written articulation of my conviction, may help give language to and resonate with what you too may be feeling, but cannot explain. There are an astounding number of ways that I could approach this highly sensitive and emotional moment, but let me start by clarifying the fact that I am not a Republican, Democrat, or anything in-between. I am a follower of Jesus Christ, which means that my citizenship is in heaven and my allegiance is first and foremost to His Kingdom.
“For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;”
-- Phil. 3:18-20
Secondly, I am the son of a female preacher and a blue-collar factory worker who was the first black person in the history of my hometown to have a new home built. I am also the grand-nephew of an international music and cultural, who was all but kicked out of the U.S. during the Civil Rights Movement for being such an unconventional political voice during turbulent times…Dr. Nina Simone.
“And while you imitatin’ Al Capone…I be Nina Simone, defecatin’ on your microphone…”
--Lauryn Hill
As such, the ground-breaking waters of reformation and revolution constantly rip through my veins in waves that I have yet to fully comprehend. Through this lineage, I inherited a big mouth and strong vocal chords. But what once was a source of embarrassment in my days of unbridled youth, causing me to say the wrong things at times that I would regret; has now been harnessed into what I’ve come to accept as a mandate from God to be a voice. As such, I am forcefully compelled by the Spirit of the Lord to be a voice for truth, without compromise or apology during this critical hour of great spiritual turbulence, economic crisis, and decision.
"But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."--Eph. 2:4-6
My position is as one who is seated with Christ in heavenly places. This means that while living as a stranger in the earth, I am daily striving to “be not conformed to this world”, but rather to “be transformed” by renewing my mind in the things of heaven. It is when I allow myself to meditate on that reality…that I am given ears to hear what God says, and eyes to see what God sees. From this perspective, meaning a Biblical one, I take my stand.What will follow in the coming posts, are spiritual truths that were not taught by a human wisdom, which are consequently incomprehensible by the unspiritual or unrenewed mind. Therefore I will speak authoritatively to the believer; that which I have seen and heard from God concerning our present times. I will expound upon the mysteries that have been brought to my understanding through a wisdom that comes from God through the Holy Spirit. Grace and Peace.
“ He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches.”--Revelation 2:29
As if there weren’t already enough dissertations, theologies, blogs, and commentaries to thoroughly confuse even the most versed political scientist, let me first qualify what you’re about to read on this blog by sharing with you that I am not and have never been a political junkie. Like most Americans before this election cycle, I have historically distanced the topic from my mind, will, emotions, and (most especially) my conversations, at all costs! However, I recently participated on Youtube in taking a very bold, unpopular, and controversial position in regards to the upcoming 2008 Presidential elections. This stance has been met with an intriguing mix of vehement opposition, thoughtful dissent, curious questioning, and solid support. This prompted me to ponder and articulate my response to a question posed by a dear pastor friend of mine…one that every Christian will inevitably be forced to answer on November 4th: “Can a Christian vote for Barack Obama.”
For some of you, the reading stops now. You’ve already settled quite concretely upon the candidate that you hope to celebrate with while watching the inauguration. You’ve prayed, pondered, reasoned, and reconciled any potential arguments or inward conflicts with the moral, spiritual, cultural, and political compass that directs all of your decisions. But for others, there is still an unsettling amount of indecision. You’ve prayed, pondered, reasoned, and tried to reconcile arguments and inward conflicts with the moral, spiritual, cultural, and political compass that directs all of your decisions…only to find yourself more perturbed than when you began! It is for this reason that I am publicly sharing which way I will vote in the 2008 Presidential election.
I do not write this in the assumption that my position will move you to choose as I have chosen, but rather in the hope that the written articulation of my conviction, may help give language to and resonate with what you too may be feeling, but cannot explain. There are an astounding number of ways that I could approach this highly sensitive and emotional moment, but let me start by clarifying the fact that I am not a Republican, Democrat, or anything in-between. I am a follower of Jesus Christ, which means that my citizenship is in heaven and my allegiance is first and foremost to His Kingdom.
“For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;”
-- Phil. 3:18-20
Secondly, I am the son of a female preacher and a blue-collar factory worker who was the first black person in the history of my hometown to have a new home built. I am also the grand-nephew of an international music and cultural, who was all but kicked out of the U.S. during the Civil Rights Movement for being such an unconventional political voice during turbulent times…Dr. Nina Simone.
“And while you imitatin’ Al Capone…I be Nina Simone, defecatin’ on your microphone…”
--Lauryn Hill
As such, the ground-breaking waters of reformation and revolution constantly rip through my veins in waves that I have yet to fully comprehend. Through this lineage, I inherited a big mouth and strong vocal chords. But what once was a source of embarrassment in my days of unbridled youth, causing me to say the wrong things at times that I would regret; has now been harnessed into what I’ve come to accept as a mandate from God to be a voice. As such, I am forcefully compelled by the Spirit of the Lord to be a voice for truth, without compromise or apology during this critical hour of great spiritual turbulence, economic crisis, and decision.
"But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."--Eph. 2:4-6
My position is as one who is seated with Christ in heavenly places. This means that while living as a stranger in the earth, I am daily striving to “be not conformed to this world”, but rather to “be transformed” by renewing my mind in the things of heaven. It is when I allow myself to meditate on that reality…that I am given ears to hear what God says, and eyes to see what God sees. From this perspective, meaning a Biblical one, I take my stand.What will follow in the coming posts, are spiritual truths that were not taught by a human wisdom, which are consequently incomprehensible by the unspiritual or unrenewed mind. Therefore I will speak authoritatively to the believer; that which I have seen and heard from God concerning our present times. I will expound upon the mysteries that have been brought to my understanding through a wisdom that comes from God through the Holy Spirit. Grace and Peace.
“ He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches.”--Revelation 2:29
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