"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
Is is not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter---
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I" (Isaiah 58:6-9, NIV).
The Christian Chronicle contains several good articles and columns about the current global food crisis. Here are a few:
http://www.christianchronicle.org/article2158357~A_global_food_crisis%3F
http://www.christianchronicle.org/article2158356~Generosity_needed_in_tight_economy
http://www.christianchronicle.org/article2158355~Throwing_more_than_crumbs_at_the_hungry
If you would like to help the poor internationally, you may contact the Christian Relief Fund (http://www.christianrelieffund.org) at
crfinfo@christianrelieffund.org
1-800-858-4038
P.O. Box 19670
Amarillo, TX 79114-1670
If you would like to help the poor in Tulsa, you may contact the Contact Church of Christ (http://www.contactchurch.net) at
mph2157@yahoo.com
(918) 447-1130
1529 W. 49th St.
Tulsa, OK 74107
Monday, May 26, 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Winning Isn't Everything
"You are the salt of the earth" (Matthew 5:13, NIV).
In the late 1990s, I saw an interesting statistic. In Russia, two-thirds of pregnancies were ending in abortions. In the United States, one-third of pregnancies were ending in abortions.
What could explain the vast differences between the statistics of the two countries? Both had virtually unrestricted legal access to abortion. Both promoted contraceptives to their respective populations. Their public policies were practically identical.
The American pro-life movement had helped in electing pro-life politicians, but the policies of the nation were only marginally changed. Abortion continued as an unrestricted right.
Although the pro-life movement looked like a loser among American political movements, I believe it made a significant difference in the culture. Russia lacked a significant pro-life movement, while America's pro-life movement possessed a determined vibrancy. The statistics reveal the results.
Since the pro-life movement never gave up, fewer children died from unnecessary abortions in the United States than in Russia. Thousands of pro-life pregnancy resource centers sprang up to offer pregnant girls and women the pre-natal and post-natal care needed when they had no one else to help. Pro-lifers continued to press the argument that pre-born children were human beings; as a result, most Americans came to believe that unnecessary abortions were murder even though they did not want to outlaw the procedure. Simply believing that abortion was unethical played a role in keeping the abortion rates lower.
Winning is good, but even losers can make a difference for good. Don't worry too much about winning and losing. Don't get worked up about being popular or unpopular. Simply continue to do good, and you will be a winner even when you lose.
In the late 1990s, I saw an interesting statistic. In Russia, two-thirds of pregnancies were ending in abortions. In the United States, one-third of pregnancies were ending in abortions.
What could explain the vast differences between the statistics of the two countries? Both had virtually unrestricted legal access to abortion. Both promoted contraceptives to their respective populations. Their public policies were practically identical.
The American pro-life movement had helped in electing pro-life politicians, but the policies of the nation were only marginally changed. Abortion continued as an unrestricted right.
Although the pro-life movement looked like a loser among American political movements, I believe it made a significant difference in the culture. Russia lacked a significant pro-life movement, while America's pro-life movement possessed a determined vibrancy. The statistics reveal the results.
Since the pro-life movement never gave up, fewer children died from unnecessary abortions in the United States than in Russia. Thousands of pro-life pregnancy resource centers sprang up to offer pregnant girls and women the pre-natal and post-natal care needed when they had no one else to help. Pro-lifers continued to press the argument that pre-born children were human beings; as a result, most Americans came to believe that unnecessary abortions were murder even though they did not want to outlaw the procedure. Simply believing that abortion was unethical played a role in keeping the abortion rates lower.
Winning is good, but even losers can make a difference for good. Don't worry too much about winning and losing. Don't get worked up about being popular or unpopular. Simply continue to do good, and you will be a winner even when you lose.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Take Your Child to Work Day 2008
This is a picture from last month when Christopher came to help me at the Post Office.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Justice and Injustice
"You trample on the poor...
I know how many are your offenses
and how great your sins.
You oppress the righteous and take bribes
and you deprive the poor of justice in the courts" (Amos 5:11-12, NIV).
Sometimes the biblical concepts of justice and injustice can be confusing. Christians may believe they are pursuing social justice when they provide food for the poor or tutor at-risk children in an after-school program. Such activities are noble and necessary, but they are ministries of mercy rather than justice.
Christians may believe they are suffering an injustice when they are in a hurry to pay at the local convenience store and the customer in front of them is playing scratch and win lottery games without regard to the people in line behind him. It is annoying and inconvenient, but it is not an injustice.
In the Bible, injustice is the abuse of power. It is using power to deprive someone without power of something needed or deserved (such as money, dignity, or sexual innocence). In the recent past, we have seen the injustice in America's segregation and South Africa's apartheid. In our contemporary society, injustice may look something like this:
*A husband beating his wife
*An employer falsifying paperwork in order to defraud his or her employees of their wages
*A police officer taking bribes
*A teacher or minister raping children
*A mother spending her money at the casino while her children starve
Biblical justice is the proper use of power to protect people from the abuse perpetrated by those who would rob others of what God has intended for them to enjoy. A ministry of social justice goes beyond benevolence; it involves confronting violent liars; it involves risk; it involves uncomfortable situations; it may involve personal loss and heartache.
However, when Christians engage in acts of genuine social justice, they demonstrate the heart of God for the oppressed. They knock down a few barriers of unbelief between the abused and God. They make it easier for victims of injustice to believe in the God who cares about them personally.
I know how many are your offenses
and how great your sins.
You oppress the righteous and take bribes
and you deprive the poor of justice in the courts" (Amos 5:11-12, NIV).
Sometimes the biblical concepts of justice and injustice can be confusing. Christians may believe they are pursuing social justice when they provide food for the poor or tutor at-risk children in an after-school program. Such activities are noble and necessary, but they are ministries of mercy rather than justice.
Christians may believe they are suffering an injustice when they are in a hurry to pay at the local convenience store and the customer in front of them is playing scratch and win lottery games without regard to the people in line behind him. It is annoying and inconvenient, but it is not an injustice.
In the Bible, injustice is the abuse of power. It is using power to deprive someone without power of something needed or deserved (such as money, dignity, or sexual innocence). In the recent past, we have seen the injustice in America's segregation and South Africa's apartheid. In our contemporary society, injustice may look something like this:
*A husband beating his wife
*An employer falsifying paperwork in order to defraud his or her employees of their wages
*A police officer taking bribes
*A teacher or minister raping children
*A mother spending her money at the casino while her children starve
Biblical justice is the proper use of power to protect people from the abuse perpetrated by those who would rob others of what God has intended for them to enjoy. A ministry of social justice goes beyond benevolence; it involves confronting violent liars; it involves risk; it involves uncomfortable situations; it may involve personal loss and heartache.
However, when Christians engage in acts of genuine social justice, they demonstrate the heart of God for the oppressed. They knock down a few barriers of unbelief between the abused and God. They make it easier for victims of injustice to believe in the God who cares about them personally.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Mourning
"Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted" (Matthew 5:4, NIV).
This morning, I was reading John Dobbs' blog just before I went to work. He had posted that his 18-year old son had died on Wednesday morning, just 2 days before his high school graduation. He had been hit by a truck as he was walking a dark street because his car had broken down. I did not have time to post this at that time, but I want to let people know about the grief of the Dobbs' family. John preaches for a Church of Christ in Monroe, Louisiana. Janet, Christopher, and I met him and his wife just 2 months ago at the International Soul Winning Workshop. Please pray for all the loved ones who are mourning today.
While I was working today, I heard a report on the radio that singer Steven Curtis Chapman's 5-year old daughter also died yesterday in a car accident. Her older brother ran over her in their driveway. Maria was one of the Chapman's daughters who had been adopted from China. He and his wife have been tremendous supporters and advocates of Christian adoption. Please pray for them also. I do not know them personally, but Steven wrote the song that became "our song" at our wedding; and I have heard him interviewed numerous times on radio programs like FamilyLife Today as he was advocating adoption.
John Dobbs' blog may be viewed at http://johndobbs.wordpress.com/. Steven Curtis Chapman's official web site is http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/. Bobby Ross has written an article about these stories (and one other) for the Christian Chronicle at http://www.christianchronicle.org/article2158361~Tragedies_strike_churches_in_Michigan%2C_Mississippi%2C_Tennessee.
for they will be comforted" (Matthew 5:4, NIV).
This morning, I was reading John Dobbs' blog just before I went to work. He had posted that his 18-year old son had died on Wednesday morning, just 2 days before his high school graduation. He had been hit by a truck as he was walking a dark street because his car had broken down. I did not have time to post this at that time, but I want to let people know about the grief of the Dobbs' family. John preaches for a Church of Christ in Monroe, Louisiana. Janet, Christopher, and I met him and his wife just 2 months ago at the International Soul Winning Workshop. Please pray for all the loved ones who are mourning today.
While I was working today, I heard a report on the radio that singer Steven Curtis Chapman's 5-year old daughter also died yesterday in a car accident. Her older brother ran over her in their driveway. Maria was one of the Chapman's daughters who had been adopted from China. He and his wife have been tremendous supporters and advocates of Christian adoption. Please pray for them also. I do not know them personally, but Steven wrote the song that became "our song" at our wedding; and I have heard him interviewed numerous times on radio programs like FamilyLife Today as he was advocating adoption.
John Dobbs' blog may be viewed at http://johndobbs.wordpress.com/. Steven Curtis Chapman's official web site is http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/. Bobby Ross has written an article about these stories (and one other) for the Christian Chronicle at http://www.christianchronicle.org/article2158361~Tragedies_strike_churches_in_Michigan%2C_Mississippi%2C_Tennessee.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
The Contact Church is Featured in the Christian Standard Magazine
Jennifer Taylor has written an article about Christian Churches and Churches of Christ that are helping people in need around the United States at http://www.christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=917. The Park Plaza and Contact Churches of Christ are mentioned for their work here in Tulsa. Thanks for the nice article, Jennifer!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Because You Didn't Give Up On Me...
Her quick smile masked a troubled heart. After several months of disgrace and shame, she was being allowed to return to her job.
It had started with a bad relationship growing worse. Her angry ex-boyfriend had threatened to post pornographic images of her on the Internet. Embarrassed at the prospect of being exposed to the world, she had broken into his house to find the disc containing her photographs.
After she was caught committing burglary, she was charged with a felony. When her employers found out, she was suspended from her job.
Her world had collapsed around her. She had been humiliated. Her secret had become public knowledge. She had lost her job and her dignity.
As far as she knew, her only future consisted of time in prison.
But then, she received a phone call. A Christian with whom she worked wanted to let her know that he and a few other believers were praying for her. He also let her know that his local church would be willing to provide some food and some help with paying a few bills. She cried.
Several months later, after having the charges reduced to a misdemeanor and being placed on probation, she was allowed to return to work. She found her co-worker and confided, "Before you started calling me and offering to help with your church, I was just about to give up. Then you called. I couldn't believe that you and your church would want to help someone like me. Nobody else even called to see how I was doing. Because you didn't give up on me, I began to feel like maybe God had not given up on me either. I don't know if I would even be here today if you hadn't called. I know I've made a lot of bad choices, but God has given me another chance and I don't want to blow it again."
Sometimes small acts of kindness can make a difference. "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16, NIV).
It had started with a bad relationship growing worse. Her angry ex-boyfriend had threatened to post pornographic images of her on the Internet. Embarrassed at the prospect of being exposed to the world, she had broken into his house to find the disc containing her photographs.
After she was caught committing burglary, she was charged with a felony. When her employers found out, she was suspended from her job.
Her world had collapsed around her. She had been humiliated. Her secret had become public knowledge. She had lost her job and her dignity.
As far as she knew, her only future consisted of time in prison.
But then, she received a phone call. A Christian with whom she worked wanted to let her know that he and a few other believers were praying for her. He also let her know that his local church would be willing to provide some food and some help with paying a few bills. She cried.
Several months later, after having the charges reduced to a misdemeanor and being placed on probation, she was allowed to return to work. She found her co-worker and confided, "Before you started calling me and offering to help with your church, I was just about to give up. Then you called. I couldn't believe that you and your church would want to help someone like me. Nobody else even called to see how I was doing. Because you didn't give up on me, I began to feel like maybe God had not given up on me either. I don't know if I would even be here today if you hadn't called. I know I've made a lot of bad choices, but God has given me another chance and I don't want to blow it again."
Sometimes small acts of kindness can make a difference. "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16, NIV).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
