I saw the following quote on a church sign today:

The Bible is the foundation of liberty.

Not bad, assuming you’re a Christian.

Only one problem – the quote was attributed to Thomas Jefferson.

You know, our third president.

Now, I believe Jefferson was one of the greatest presidents in U.S. history, and there are many good quotes attributed to him; but considering he was a deist and even removed portions of the Bible with which he did not agree, how am I supposed to take the above quote seriously?

Oh, wait, that type of thinking screws up the whole God and country sermon they were planning, doesn’t it?

Seriously – if that’s the direction you’re wanting to go, there’s better quotes to use.

A rather humorous look at trends in the church, thanks to the church many would call a trendsetter, North Point Community Church. This was played earlier this week at their annual Drive Conference. I think the message here is quit copying others and do what God told you to do.

“Sunday’s Coming” Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo.

I was checking Facebook this afternoon and noticed a link that Scott Thomas (Acts 29 director) posted with the caption,

John Piper is taking 8 months off to examine his ministry, marriage and family. Pray for Pastor John.

Now, I don’t know about you, but the first thought that came to mind (God forgive me) was moral failure.

Thankfully, I was wrong.

After reading the entire blog post from Pastor John, I’m actually speechless. Here’s an excerpt:

I asked the elders to consider this leave because of a growing sense that my soul, my marriage, my family, and my ministry-pattern need a reality check from the Holy Spirit. On the one hand, I love my Lord, my wife, my five children and their families first and foremost; and I love my work of preaching and writing and leading Bethlehem. I hope the Lord gives me at least five more years as the pastor for preaching and vision at Bethlehem.

But on the other hand, I see several species of pride in my soul that, while they may not rise to the level of disqualifying me for ministry, grieve me, and have taken a toll on my relationship with Noël and others who are dear to me. How do I apologize to you, not for a specific deed, but for ongoing character flaws, and their effects on everybody? I’ll say it now, and no doubt will say it again, I’m sorry. Since I don’t have just one deed to point to, I simply ask for a spirit of forgiveness; and I give you as much assurance as I can that I am not making peace, but war, with my own sins.

By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: desiringGod.org

Wow.

I don’t always agree with Piper’s teachings, but those differences are with secondary issues. I pray God raises up more pastors and leaders like John Piper. Leaders who aren’t ashamed to admit they are human and as such have flaws that they allow God to reveal to them and then work out of them.

Click here to read the full article.

This is something that’s been gnawing at me for awhile.

Years in fact.

But seeing how violent some of the Obamacare protestors have become, I feel like I have to say (or write) something.

Hate for your fellow man or woman = SIN.

That being said, I realize that sinners sin (seeing that “sin” is the root word of “sinner”). But Christians are called to love.

Ed Young once said,

We don’t confuse acceptance with approval.

Acceptance, NOT approval.

I mean, that’s what Jesus did, right?

He met sinners where they were at; not after they had changed or “cleaned up” or “gotten right with God”, but where they were at. (Mark 2:16 & 17, Luke 5:27-32)

He accepted them for who they were, but He didn’t approve of their lifestyle.

Nor did he condemn them for their lifestyle. He knew how to cut to the heart of the matter without judgment or condemnation. (John 4:1-42, John 8:2-11)

In fact, the only times we see him being judgmental in the gospels are in His encounters with wayward religious leaders. (Matthew 15:1-3, Matthew 23:13-39)

So, if Jesus was able to show love and accept those around Him, even when they differed in opinion, lifestyle, choices, beliefs, etc., why can’t we?

Earlier today I tweeted the following;

Hatred = sin. God created equally so why hate? Black/white, conservative/liberal, gay/straight, Mac/PC, etc. (Matthew 5:21-22)

Take, for example, conservatives, liberals and this past weekend’s healthcare vote.

Is it wrong to voice your opinion? No.

Is it wrong to protest peacefully? No.

But when you start dragging people through the mud, when you make derogatory jokes about those who you’ll “end up buying insurance for”, when you claim Obama is the anti-Christ and the end of the world is at hand, are you showing Jesus through those actions?

Does anyone reading this really believe God was surprised by how the vote turned out?

I’m not telling anyone to stop making their opinions known, or to take a back seat. Ignorance is not bliss.

But if you call yourself a Christian, remember who you represent.

If you’ve got something to say, say it in love. (1 John 4:20-21)

Another example – homosexuality.

I don’t care what you believe concerning homosexuality and sin. That’s another post for another day.

But reread 1 John 4:20-21 real quick.

Know any gays or lesbians?

Are you showing them love, or do you love to make fun and belittle them?

I could go on; racism, classism, education, etc., but you get the point.

There’s a song on the latest North Point CD called “Everything” which pretty much sums up my point in the first verse.

God in my living
There in my breathing
God in my waking
God in my sleeping
God in my resting
There in my working
God in my thinking
God in my speaking

Be my everything (4x)