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I’m a Christian and my house just burned down
And so this is where my mind comes to rest- not so much at questions of goodness or of power, but at questions of plan and of purpose. If God does not exist or if he is a distant deity unconcerned with the world of people, then the events of the past couple of days are nothing less and nothing more than a simple tragedy. If on the other hand there is a divine plan and purpose behind all that we see, then the invitation is opened to us to also take on a greater perspective which recognises both God’s sovereignty over all things and the great plan he has for his creation. It is in this perspective that I have come to find the peace and hope that transcends the parochial materialism that characterises our culture and have been drawn into a deepened understanding of who God is.
When Rich Westerners Don’t Know They are Being Rich Westerners
- When the rich westerner doesn’t need to actually get involved with those in the developing world because they can simply buy a cool t-shirt.
- When the rich westerner filters a cross-cultural experience through their own lens.
- When the rich westerner views or presents the local as an object lesson not a relationship.
- When the rich westerner sees and shares what they expect to see.
- When the rich westerner comes away after spending a week or a month in a country and claims cultural competency.
- When the rich westerner believes they are here to save people.
- When rich western Christians impose their theology on a local fellowship.
- When the rich westerner talks about Africa but not Nigeria.
- When the rich westerner presents a single story.
- When the rich westerner presents the other as victims.
- When the rich westerner presents the other as holy in their suffering.
What the Church Can Learn from Chick-fil-A
Let this much be clear: The church doesn’t need Chick-fil-A. We don’t need successful Christian businesses, athletes, films, and reality shows for the advance of the gospel. The tip of the spear is the local church. But when we can glean a few pointers from another body reading our Book, we might as well take notice.
Why I don’t leave, even though…
Finally, I stay because churches are bad at change. They don’t know how people and groups actually change. Many use violent processes and leave casualties on both sides. In my mind, I can see faces of ministers who were bloodied and who were bludgeoned out of ministry over this issue. This doesn’t have to be that violent. We can do this hard work better and with more care. And this will make us better regardless of outcomes. And I am committed to that.
When We Don’t Feel Like Loving Our ‘Loved Ones’
Up until his passing, I believed I was “honoring my father” by not telling him what I thought of him. My rationale for not calling him every week was that distance was important in order to keep a destructive person out of my life. I had to “guard my heart,” aware that if I let him back into my life one day, it could allow him to bring it down the next.
But in the stagnant days following his death, I have been left with a searing question: what if I had relied more on Jesus? What if, instead of putting in place relational roadblocks, I had depended on God to help me truly love my father each day, and let Him worry about what comes next?
There is no way I can say these are the three biggest lessons I have learned here as a leader over the past twenty-seven years. Yet, I can say they are three big lessons! What I do know is that I have so much more to learn. I am so glad I love to learn!
5 tips for a happy Christian Halloween
It’s not always obvious, and I am not alone—many Christians are baffled at what to do with Halloween.
So what are we as Christians to do with Halloween? Here are a few things to take into consideration as you discern how you, your family, and your church should handle Halloween.
Duck Dynasty Slammed for Its Treatment of Animals By PETA
The animal rights group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animal (PETA), has criticized the A&E hit reality television show, “Duck Dynasty,” for promoting and popularizing hunting.