Suffering

In inputting some of my library on LibraryThing.com, I noticed the subtitle to one of my books: "What Christians today would survive persecution?" It is a book about the centuries of persecution in Russia and the former Soviet Union.

The reality is that thousands of Christians around the world today are facing persecution. They are imprisoned, tortured, separated from family, beaten, losing money and jobs, and being killed. Visit the Voice of the Martyrs website to read a few of their stories.

Persecution does not exist in America, thank God. Despite what some whiny leaders talk about manger scenes being banned from public spaces, there is no systematic persecution in America. Some of us may have people make fun of us for being Christian. Americans freely go to church. Americans freely shop in Christian bookstores. Americans freely tote Bibles around. Americans freely affix corny Christian bumper stickers to their cars. Americans freely where Christian t-shirts. Americans are not imprisoned for their faith. Churches are not burned to the ground, at any greater rate than any other building. Bibles are not burned.

I wonder though, what would happen to the American church if persecution did break out? Just because it is not a present reality, it could be a future reality. Would so many nominal Christians recant their faith? Or, would they stand up for their faith? It is easy to be a Christian when there is no real opposition. It is quite another thing when faced with difficulty: beating, loss of a job, loss of family, loss of security, or death.

Americans are rather soft. We do not like any inconvenience. We cannot stand a little pain. We hate to wait in line. We hate to have to go out of our way for anything.

What would happen if persecution did break out in our land?

Is this what the gospel is about?

Here is a snippet from an article in the local rag:

Officers were keeping an eye on a group of about five street preachers who were drawing a hostile reaction from some of the crowd.

When one speaker started railing against rap music, drugs and sex, some in the crowd starting throwing cigarette butts and pens at him.

"This is so wrong ... he's a false prophet and needs to get out of the street," said Tristin Pickens, an Elizabeth City State University student who traveled nearly three hours with friends to enjoy the festivities. "He can't say we are going to hell then cuss and call us whores and tell us we are going to die."

A downtown business owner who declined to give his name was upset that police didn't remove the group.

"Right now they are exercising their freedom of speech," Phipps said. "We're not going to let anything escalate ... that's what our guys are here for."

Halloween is a big deal here locally. Downtown is flooded annually by numerous party goers. Apparently some preachers thought it their duty to rail against the revelers.

As ministers of the gospel are we supposed to be so obnoxious that people will not even listen to us? I understand that Jesus said (in John 15:18), "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first." Our message is often one of discomfort, as the Holy Spirit deals with whatever sin exists in someone's life. Is it our job to be the Holy Spirit?

I think one of problems, as a church, is that we try to usurp the role of the Holy Spirit. We are eager to condemn sins in the lives of others (smoking, drinking, dancing, whatever). We often ignore our favorite sins (gluttony, gossip, and whatever). In addition to what Jesus said above, he also said (in Matthew 7:3-5), "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

It's God's job to point out sin in people's lives, not ours.

Serving the Needy

Today, was our church's Sunday to serve a meal at the homeless. It always amazes me when someone from the church goes the first time. We try to take some kids or teens every time we go. Today, I asked the grandmother of one young girl if it would be alright if her granddaughter went with us. She said that it would be great because the granddaughter needed to see that part of life.

She went in wide-eyed. She jumped in mixing drinks (kool-aid) and serving the people.

I was walking through the sleeping room that had 70-80 beds crammed in it. My mom remarked how thankful she was to have what she had.

It never ceases to amaze me the power that serving Christ has on those who serve him.

Wasteful Christians

One thing has always bugged be about some attitudes within the Christian community. One of those attitudes is wastefulness. My mom works at a Christian daycare. She is constantly bringing food home from the daycare that they were just going to throw away. It ranges from cereal bars to sweet-and-sour chicken (not sure why they get that for a daycare) to baked beans to bread. If she would not take it, it would wind up in the dumpster.

The sad thing is that there is a homeless shelter not too far from the daycare (5 miles or so) that is always in need of food. I guess we have forgotten about the biblical command to feed the hungry.

What's our goal?

There is an interesting article on TheOOZE that talks about how the moment of salvation has become the end goal for many. Here is a salient quote:

Christians too often present the moment of salvation as the finish line. Pastors, camp counselors, concerned friends and church programs place so much emphasis on that moment that everything else seems unimportant by comparison. Then we wonder why so many people treat Jesus like fire insurance. If we present salvation as the finish line, how can we act surprised when people feel like they can take it easy after that? They think, “I followed all the rules. I said a prayer. I’m good. I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing and wait for Jesus to come back.”

We make the beginning the goal. It's like watching a basketball game and turning it off after the tip-off.

Jesus said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Mark 8:34, NIV). He doesn't stop after taking up the cross. We must follow him wherever that takes it. He may ask us to serve AIDS patients, move across country (or around the world), feed the hungry, etc. There are any number of things he may require of us. Our job is to do it. One thing is certain about becoming a Christ-follower. Your life will change. You will change. The moment of salvation is only the beginning, the tip-off of the game.

Overweight Christians

My fellow blogger, recently blogged this. He talks about the focus of food in church fellowships. Here is an article in the same vein.

I admit that I struggle with food sometimes. It just tastes soooooo good. I find myself trying make the buffet restaurant lose money when I eat there. So, now, I try to avoid such places.

We, as Christians, avoid the awful "vices" of the world (smoking, drinking, etc.), but eating, no way. We eat every time we get together. Donuts for Sunday school. High fat stuff at potlucks. Pancake suppers. Men's breakfast at McDonald's. The list could go on.