Entries Tagged 'Radical Living' ↓
October 15th, 2008 — Radical Living, Volunteering, Walk 57
He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the garbage pile in order to seat them among nobles… Psalm 113:7
Today is Blog Action Day 2008. Thousands of bloggers around the globe are focusing their attention on Poverty to raise awareness for the poor and downtrodden. The eradication of global poverty seems to be a gargantuan task, but there are little things that each of us can do to help out a little bit at a time.
“OK, OK,” you say, “hold up right there, dude. How can I (and heck, why should I) help with poverty when I’m on the verge myself? My stocks just crashed through the floor!” Well hang on there, cowboy; I’m about to tell ya.
I know that many of us are feeling the pressure of the economic downturn of the past couple of years. Gas is still (relatively) astronomically-priced, nobody can get a mortgage loan, and new jobs are seemingly a thing of the past. But believe me, God has blessed us tremendously and we have a responsibility to help those who are less fortunate. So, without any further ado, here are a couple of ways you and your friends can help combat poverty both in the United States and around the world:
So there you go, tons of ways you can help fight poverty by doing something little. Don’t sit back and wait to do something. Go now and spread the love of Christ through your actions.
He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses. Proverbs 28:27 (NIV)
October 9th, 2008 — Politics, Radical Living, Walk 57
OK, is anybody else sick of the political junk that the two parties have been spewing forth in an effort to earn our pen-stroke on a tiny piece of paper? If you are like me, you just jumped up and yelled “Yes!” at the top of your lungs. The red and blue propaganda has somehow fused together into an unintelligible pile of purple crap. If that sounds like you then pay attention; I’m about to break this down better than a pre-1991 rapper.
I hate to break this to everyone, but I don’t think that Jesus is a Republican or a Democrat. I’m not even sure he’s registered to vote in the United States, but I’ll check and get back with you later. “Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s” was not an endorsement…in fact, when I read that passage I hear a twinge of sarcasm in his voice. I seriously doubt that God is worried about who is going to be in the White House for the next 4 to 8 years. It’s not like we are going to throw God a curve ball and He will have to change His swing to make His plan happen. No, God will put into power whomever God wants in power.
Now, that is not to say that Christians do not have a responsibility in the election process, because we do. Our votes need to align with the teachings of Christ so that his kingdom may come to earth as it is in heaven. I know, I know, that’s a tough one. Vote Democrat and the Freedom of Choice Act gets signed. Vote Republican and the poor of the country have a good chance of getting marginalized and ignored. How are we supposed to make that kind of judgement call?!
We aren’t. God is. Just pray. I promise that if you truly seek the will of God during the next several weeks, He will direct your path to the polls.
This article is the first of several being written about a Christian’s responsibility during the election season. I would love to hear your thoughts and feelings about political matters.
September 25th, 2008 — Radical Living, Walk 57
I was flipping through USA Today on Tuesday, and a tiny article buried on the 3rd page caught my eye. Apparently, the borough of Brookville, PA, is suing the First Apostles Doctrine Church for providing shelter to the town’s homeless. Rev. Jack L. Wisor has already been fined $500 in the months-long legal struggle. Another hearing is scheduled for the beginning of November to try and bring some closure to the disagreement. You can read the full, original article in the Pittsbugh Post-Gazette.
It truly pains me to see a pastor entrenched in a legal battle over something so simple as providing aid for the homeless. But at the same time, it is very encouraging to know that there is someone in this country who is willing to stand up and shout: “My God’s laws supersede those of your township, and I will live my life in accordance with His plan and vision!”
This is a perfect example of Acts 5:29 in action. The Sanhedrin walked in on the apostles preaching and demanded that they cease immediately. “But Peter and the apostles replied, ‘We must obey God rather than men’” (Holman CSB). Yes, God commands us to obey those He has placed in authority over us, but His law is greater. We cannot sit idly by and watch our nation become so corrupted and secular that it becomes illegal to love! In Matthew 22, Christ commands to love the Lord our God and to love our neighbor as ourselves. He even goes on to say that all (not some, not most) of the Law depends on these two commandments. If we fail to show God’s love to each and every one of our fellow humans, it is all for naught. Never forget the love that God has shown all of us, and never forget to share it with your community.
What do you think? Should churches be allowed to house homeless even though it may go against city zoning ordinances? Where should the line be drawn for civil disobedience?
