Pause. Wait. Be silent. Hold it…, hold it…, wait…. Wait a little more. Don’t move. Don’t talk. But don’t hold your breath. Go ahead and breathe—in and out, slowly, slowly. Relax. Stop! You’re moving. Don’t move. Just BE.
Don’t have time to stop. You can’t relax. You can’t slow down for nothing, no one, no how. Too much to do, falling behind are ye?
What’s your pace of life like? Are you in control of your time or does time control you?
Is there a secret to managing one’s time?
Time is rhythmic. It runs in cycles. Notice the clock’s hands. They go round and round, cyclically. Notice the seasons of the year, same thing—round and round: Summer is winding down, fall is just around the corner; yet, we have no doubt that summer will come around once again.
Catch your own rhythm. Do things in small rhythmic ways—daily, weekly, monthly, seasonally. Learn to cycle your must-do activities within the larger rhythm of nature’s recurring time piece. Learn from nature’s own life-cycles.
But, time is also linear. We are born and we grow, from childhood to adulthood. We grow old. Then we die. There is a beginning and there is an ending to life, our particular life. And there is no returning. This is the linear aspect of time. Time has a trajectory.
Thus, time is both cyclical and linear. The cyclical aspect of time allows us to pace ourselves, to catch a rhythm, to hold off from doing everything at once, to wait in order to return to, and then continue where we’ve left off. The linear aspect of life requires us to set goals, establish deadlines, to measure progress and mark our advancement, to avoid going round and round in circles accomplishing very little.
We are finite creatures. When we move from space to space, we must expend time to do so. When we stay put and spend our time in one place, doing one thing, we lose the experience of being elsewhere, doing other things. A simple truth: we cannot be in two places at one time. We are limited by our bodies in space and time.
Thus, one who controls his/her time is one who learns to work within one’s space/time limitations. When he/she says “yes” to one thing, it means an automatic “no” to another. I choose to be here and not there, at this time. I choose to do this and not that with the time I have. I accept the fact that I cannot do both.
Advertisers would have us believe that we can have it all and do it all. We can’t. That’s Reality. We must make choices and accept our limitations. It’s simply a matter of being aware, being in touch, being mindful of Reality, and then being responsible, accepting the responsibility of having to make tough choices, having to prioritize, and having to plan accordingly.
First and foremost, pace yourself. How? Whether you’re estimating commuting time or the time it’ll take to complete a task, avoid underestimating the time you think you’ll need. Stop getting yourself all worked-up in a tizzy because you’ve “suddenly” run out of time by learning to be consistently realistic about actual time parameters and begin to pace yourself accordingly. Always overestimate, never underestimate the time you think it will take… to go somewhere, to do a job, to complete a task, etc.
Secondly, stop making empty promises respecting time commitments. Quit right now. Reality check: You know very well whether you really can “get there” on time, or finish a job within a requested time period, or complete a task according to the allotted minutes given for it (which you yourself most likely set). Take the stress off yourself (and others) by being straightforward about unrealistic time expectations. It is easier on your nerves, on your working relationship with others, and on your own sense of integrity and self-esteem, to say, up front, what the actual realistic time expectation will be, than to constantly be apologizing and trying to save-face with lame excuses as to why you failed to meet the supposedly agreed upon time expectations—yet again.
Thirdly, protect your significant special times (with family, spouse, kids, hobby, self, or whatever) with a simple but straightforward “no” to those who would encroach upon those precious times. You need not explain or defend or justify your “no” with little more than a simple, “Sorry, I can’t join you then, because I have another commitment at that time—a commitment I cannot break.” Note: If you do break it, know that it is because you yourself willingly chose (and therefore wanted) to do so.
Finally, positively remember that you are finite. Never will you have the time to do everything you’ve always wanted to do. An immature person, a child, may think so. A mature person knows better. Therefore, pick and choose accordingly. You cannot do everything, but you can and will choose to do certain things. You cannot go everywhere, but you can and will choose to be somewhere. That is, become conscious about your use of time. You are a finite person living within the constraints of this space/time continuum on earth. Take note and intentionally live and plan your life and time accordingly.
One more thing: don’t forget to prepare for Eternity (see Hebrews 9:27-28 and John 17:3).
Monday, August 25, 2014
Monday, August 18, 2014
Why Pray?
I suppose there are several reasons we could give as to why we need not pray. For one, we could assume that God already knows what’s best, and therefore requires no human urging to encourage Him to do what He should already be-about-doing to save humanity and the world from its ills.
Another reason that can be given as to why we need not pray is that we humans tend to be frivolous and selfish in our prayers, praying for things of which God has little concern. If I am a quarterback for my high school football team, is God really concerned about my plea to win the game—even if I say it is for His honor? By the same token, will God answer a young woman’s plea for clear skies and no rain on a particular Saturday in June, so that her outdoor wedding plans can go off without a hitch?
Is prayer then useless and empty, all in vain?
There is the argument that prayer is communion with God. It is not about the asking for and the getting of—it is about relating to and connecting with. And that is a good start in understanding what prayer is. But, does that mean that the ideal prayer never asks God for a thing—unless of course it has to do with one’s relationship with God, “O God, I pray to have more love for you”? That is, is it a waste of time to pray that one gets the job that one has just interviewed for and so desperately needs and wants, or is that going too far with God in the exercise of our prayerful communal relationship with Him?
We work. We organize, plan, and do—to make things happen. For example, we want shelter so we build. We want clothing so we weave. We want food so we plant crops. Simple truth: We do not, and we cannot afford to just sit-around waiting for things to fall into our laps without applying ourselves to the matter, to meet a need.
But neither can we do these things without the help and participation of others, requesting and inviting their help and participation—be it the help of friends, family, or neighbors and beyond. That is, it takes a cooperative family, tribe, village, and society to make things work in the world—everything from the production of food, water, and shelter, to the development of the arts and sciences.
Thus, think of prayer as a form of work, an extension of what we do to get things done. And, think of God as a key player/participant/helper in aiding us to accomplish the work we are doing to obtain the goal(s) that we’re aiming for. Furthermore, let us assume that we are in fact lining up our goals and desires with God’s higher will and purposes. Prayer now becomes a dynamic interplay between humans and their Creator, wherein God and humans are engaged in creative accomplishment—the doing, the making, the meeting of needs and wants and dreams and desires, here on earth and beyond.
So, why pray?
We pray to relate, to connect and to commune with God. It is an act of spiritual intimacy, an expression of devotion and love for and from God.
We pray in order to become co-creators with God. We, the human race, participate in the writing of our story by writing-in whole paragraphs, as it were, within the chapters of God’s book of life on earth, as it unfolds in this world. That is, prayer is an act of engagement with God in causality. In an act of causality, we pray, “O Lord, give us our daily bread,” then we plow the ground as co-creators with God, to put food on the table.
We humans change or modify nature all the time. Why should it be so strange to think that God could or would do the same, only at a higher level? Still, it goes without saying that God must use His discretionary power in response to our prayers. As it is, God has given us extraordinary power over nature, in our capacity to work, which has had both very good and very bad results. We have learned how to harness nuclear power, for example, for both good and ill. So, imagine the sad state we’d be in if God literally “granted” every request we’ve ever prayed for. Let us pray, but let us also be wise and mindful of what we’re really asking of God when we do pray.
(Note: I am indebted to C. S. Lewis’s thoughts for the core idea of the efficacy of prayer here: See God in the Dock, the chapter called “Work and Prayer”.)
Another reason that can be given as to why we need not pray is that we humans tend to be frivolous and selfish in our prayers, praying for things of which God has little concern. If I am a quarterback for my high school football team, is God really concerned about my plea to win the game—even if I say it is for His honor? By the same token, will God answer a young woman’s plea for clear skies and no rain on a particular Saturday in June, so that her outdoor wedding plans can go off without a hitch?
Is prayer then useless and empty, all in vain?
There is the argument that prayer is communion with God. It is not about the asking for and the getting of—it is about relating to and connecting with. And that is a good start in understanding what prayer is. But, does that mean that the ideal prayer never asks God for a thing—unless of course it has to do with one’s relationship with God, “O God, I pray to have more love for you”? That is, is it a waste of time to pray that one gets the job that one has just interviewed for and so desperately needs and wants, or is that going too far with God in the exercise of our prayerful communal relationship with Him?
We work. We organize, plan, and do—to make things happen. For example, we want shelter so we build. We want clothing so we weave. We want food so we plant crops. Simple truth: We do not, and we cannot afford to just sit-around waiting for things to fall into our laps without applying ourselves to the matter, to meet a need.
But neither can we do these things without the help and participation of others, requesting and inviting their help and participation—be it the help of friends, family, or neighbors and beyond. That is, it takes a cooperative family, tribe, village, and society to make things work in the world—everything from the production of food, water, and shelter, to the development of the arts and sciences.
Thus, think of prayer as a form of work, an extension of what we do to get things done. And, think of God as a key player/participant/helper in aiding us to accomplish the work we are doing to obtain the goal(s) that we’re aiming for. Furthermore, let us assume that we are in fact lining up our goals and desires with God’s higher will and purposes. Prayer now becomes a dynamic interplay between humans and their Creator, wherein God and humans are engaged in creative accomplishment—the doing, the making, the meeting of needs and wants and dreams and desires, here on earth and beyond.
So, why pray?
We pray to relate, to connect and to commune with God. It is an act of spiritual intimacy, an expression of devotion and love for and from God.
We pray in order to become co-creators with God. We, the human race, participate in the writing of our story by writing-in whole paragraphs, as it were, within the chapters of God’s book of life on earth, as it unfolds in this world. That is, prayer is an act of engagement with God in causality. In an act of causality, we pray, “O Lord, give us our daily bread,” then we plow the ground as co-creators with God, to put food on the table.
We humans change or modify nature all the time. Why should it be so strange to think that God could or would do the same, only at a higher level? Still, it goes without saying that God must use His discretionary power in response to our prayers. As it is, God has given us extraordinary power over nature, in our capacity to work, which has had both very good and very bad results. We have learned how to harness nuclear power, for example, for both good and ill. So, imagine the sad state we’d be in if God literally “granted” every request we’ve ever prayed for. Let us pray, but let us also be wise and mindful of what we’re really asking of God when we do pray.
(Note: I am indebted to C. S. Lewis’s thoughts for the core idea of the efficacy of prayer here: See God in the Dock, the chapter called “Work and Prayer”.)
Monday, August 11, 2014
Businesses Want Return Customers? Just be Nice!
It was time for my semi-annual doctor’s check-up and the accompanying annual blood tests that goes with it. However, my doctor’s office switched to a different lab for doing the tests. I had to go online, find its location in my area, call to see if an appointment was necessary (thank goodness not so) and make my way to the lab for the routine blood test. New lab, new office-location, and a new set of office people (receptionists, file clerks, lab-technicians, etc.) to deal with; I was nervous…, why?
Every business office has its routine expectations and demands for receiving new clients—especially medical offices—sign-in sheets, first time entry forms required by the receptionist, including membership card id’s, and so-on and so-forth. The particular details of an office’s expectations as to steps and procedures can sometimes be a bit staggering if not befuddling to new clients.
Thus, how one is received by the office-people makes a huge difference to a client. Their attitude, posture, manner of greeting, and welcoming spirit (or lack thereof) will say a lot about the business.
I have often gone into medical offices (to continue picking on this particular business genre) where the reception is cool or indifferent if not down-right rude. Everything from being ignored for minutes on-end, from when you first walk in the door, to short, curt, and impatient answers to your questions, by an irritated receptionist who seems annoyed by the fact that you even have a question to ask.
Thus, I was greatly and pleasantly surprised when, upon entering this new blood-testing lab, I was not only greeted with a pleasant and positive spirit, I was immediately asked if this was my first visit, and upon clarifying that it was, I was promptly told what I needed to do with kind, polite, and gentle clarity. But here’s the clincher: as it turned out, my doctor’s office failed to provide me with the appropriate paper-work, the lab-test order, describing what kind of testing was required. I half expected the receptionist to say, “Sorry, you don’t have the appropriate forms. We can’t help you. Go back to your doctor’s office and get the necessary paper-work. We will help you then…, NEXT!”
That’s not what happened. I politely asked, “Can you call the doctor’s office and get what you need.” The receptionist said, “Sure I can.” She called. She was put on hold. After a few minutes, she told me, “Mr. Meneses, I called your doctor’s office. They’ve put me on hold, I’m still waiting.” She said this to reassure me that she was indeed following up on getting the necessary paper-work that I needed to get my lab test done—a reassurance I greatly welcomed as I was actually sitting in the waiting room wondering, “Will she call, will she get through, am I wasting my time waiting here?” I relaxed and was grateful for her reassurance. She did get through and they did provide her with the necessary paper-work, via fax.
Only a few short minutes later, the same receptionist called me, “Mr. Meneses, you’re next. Please follow me, please step through here and wait in this room, the lab technician will be with you shortly.” It turned out to be an overall pleasant experience—notwithstanding the needle piercing my arm to fill three tubes with my blood.
Pleasantness, being welcoming and polite and courteous, and especially being willing to assist, to fix a problem, to make it all work out in the end, that is what makes all the world of a difference. Businesses, if you want happy customers who will return again and again, train your employees to be pleasant, courteous, considerate, and helpful—no matter what the disposition of your clients may be. If you do, I have no doubt that your business, of whatever type, will shine and will thrive.
Every business office has its routine expectations and demands for receiving new clients—especially medical offices—sign-in sheets, first time entry forms required by the receptionist, including membership card id’s, and so-on and so-forth. The particular details of an office’s expectations as to steps and procedures can sometimes be a bit staggering if not befuddling to new clients.
Thus, how one is received by the office-people makes a huge difference to a client. Their attitude, posture, manner of greeting, and welcoming spirit (or lack thereof) will say a lot about the business.
I have often gone into medical offices (to continue picking on this particular business genre) where the reception is cool or indifferent if not down-right rude. Everything from being ignored for minutes on-end, from when you first walk in the door, to short, curt, and impatient answers to your questions, by an irritated receptionist who seems annoyed by the fact that you even have a question to ask.
Thus, I was greatly and pleasantly surprised when, upon entering this new blood-testing lab, I was not only greeted with a pleasant and positive spirit, I was immediately asked if this was my first visit, and upon clarifying that it was, I was promptly told what I needed to do with kind, polite, and gentle clarity. But here’s the clincher: as it turned out, my doctor’s office failed to provide me with the appropriate paper-work, the lab-test order, describing what kind of testing was required. I half expected the receptionist to say, “Sorry, you don’t have the appropriate forms. We can’t help you. Go back to your doctor’s office and get the necessary paper-work. We will help you then…, NEXT!”
That’s not what happened. I politely asked, “Can you call the doctor’s office and get what you need.” The receptionist said, “Sure I can.” She called. She was put on hold. After a few minutes, she told me, “Mr. Meneses, I called your doctor’s office. They’ve put me on hold, I’m still waiting.” She said this to reassure me that she was indeed following up on getting the necessary paper-work that I needed to get my lab test done—a reassurance I greatly welcomed as I was actually sitting in the waiting room wondering, “Will she call, will she get through, am I wasting my time waiting here?” I relaxed and was grateful for her reassurance. She did get through and they did provide her with the necessary paper-work, via fax.
Only a few short minutes later, the same receptionist called me, “Mr. Meneses, you’re next. Please follow me, please step through here and wait in this room, the lab technician will be with you shortly.” It turned out to be an overall pleasant experience—notwithstanding the needle piercing my arm to fill three tubes with my blood.
Pleasantness, being welcoming and polite and courteous, and especially being willing to assist, to fix a problem, to make it all work out in the end, that is what makes all the world of a difference. Businesses, if you want happy customers who will return again and again, train your employees to be pleasant, courteous, considerate, and helpful—no matter what the disposition of your clients may be. If you do, I have no doubt that your business, of whatever type, will shine and will thrive.
Monday, August 4, 2014
Central American Kids Emigrating to the U. S. w/out their Parents—an Insider’s Perspective
Barbara Rowe is a Missionary in El Salvador. Below is a letter (dated July 28, 2014) that she has written to her supporting churches and her fellow Christian Brothers and Sisters here in the U. S., giving us an “insider’s” perspective as to why many children and teens are leaving their families and homeland and escaping to north America, without their parents, only to become despised and unwanted “illegal aliens” here in the U. S.
The content describes an actual account as it has played out in El Salvador. This true story is the kind of truth and reality-check that we need to keep in mind as we debate and determine how we Americans ought to respond. (Note: Barbara Rowe has given me permission to publish this letter. However, before my publishing of her letter in this blog, Barb Rowe did remove some “identifying details” changing some names in order to ensure the safety and protection of individuals mentioned in the letter.)
The Letter:
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
I realize that the situation of teen immigration from Central America has been much in the public eye there in the U.S. The issues are complex, highly politicized and there are no easy answers. I have written this letter to share from a different perspective. In my view, these teens are very similar to war refugees, only the war is not between nations but rather between highly organized gang organizations.
As a missionary, I attend a local church, and am on their pastoral team. We now find ourselves in a somewhat precarious position and are in need of your prayers. Let me explain. The church operates a school that provides a Christian education to children from kindergarten through high school. On July 9, one of the 9th grade students, named Jose, disappeared on his way home from school and is now presumed dead. We have been able to determine that Jose’s brother is in one of the gangs, and Jose himself was beginning to get involved. They live in one gang’s territory, and our school is located in the territory of the opposing gang. It is a commonly known fact that any teen boy caught in the opposing gang’s territory is a target and may be murdered.
Jose’s family, in their pain and sorrow, have falsely accused one of our very active church youth group members, Julio, of being responsible simply because he was the last one to see Jose. Ironically, Julio had befriended this student because of his own faith commitment and a desire to share God’s love. Though the accusation is completely unfounded, we know that the rule of the gangs is vengeance. In the gang culture, “someone will have to pay,” and they do not necessarily care if that someone is innocent. They came to the church looking for him, and accused Pastor Miguel of protecting him. They also posted men outside the school, waiting for Julio to return to classes. Knowing that he was in danger, Julio hid until a safe plan could [be] made for him to leave the neighborhood, and the country.
I spent some time with him before he fled the country, praying with him and assuring him that God is our protector and provider. I read Psalm 27 to him, and encouraged him to read it over and over. Julio was scared, and in a state of shock over these events. Overnight his whole life had changed. He could not go to the youth center to say goodbye to his friends. He has had to leave behind his studies and hopes for a professional career, as future studies may not be possible. He was not able to attend the church he loves so much, to say goodbye to his beloved church family. Most of all, he wept at having to leave his mother and brothers, from whom he has never been separated. Fleeing from danger, into danger, the best we could do is to assure him that we would be praying for him, and that God will be protecting him as he seeks refuge elsewhere.
Julio is just one of the kids that has had to flee for their lives this past year. Five Christian kids participating in another youth center left the country late last year under similar conditions. That neighborhood is known to be one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the San Salvador metropolitan area. Recently a teen was killed there because he fell asleep on the bus and got off past his normal bus stop in opposing gang territory.
Your prayers are much needed at this time, not just for the safety of the youth and those of us who are working with them, but for the continued courage and faithfulness of the church and missionaries amidst the pressure cooker of this situation.
As I mentioned before, the issue is complex, involving not only recent events but the history of the Salvadoran civil war and U.S. involvement in the war. The Salvadoran gang phenomenon itself is considered to have originated in Los Angeles, and exported to El Salvador in the 1990’s, when the United States government began mass deportation of undocumented immigrants, including teens who were members of gangs. More recently, these gangs have become linked to the Mexican drug cartels, making them even more powerful and violent.
In closing, I want to emphasize that amid all of the media banter about what to do, we need to remember that first and foremost we are Citizens of God’s Kingdom. We need to consider what Christ would have us do in this complicated situation rather than blindly falling in line with one or another political camp. Would He ask us to turn these children away to face a dangerous and uncertain journey back home? In the Old Testament, the Jews were instructed to accept and take in foreigners in their land (Deuteronomy 10:19), and in the Gospel of Matthew Jesus says that "whatever you do for the least of these, you do it for me" (Matthew 25:40).
Finding the right Christian response is not easy. This is where we can seek the counsel of the Holy Spirit to determine what we should do to live out our Christian values. Maybe it would be good for churches to visit these children and youth where they are being detained, as a way to get to know them and share God's love with them. It's a start, anyway.
Love in Christ,
Barbara Rowe
The content describes an actual account as it has played out in El Salvador. This true story is the kind of truth and reality-check that we need to keep in mind as we debate and determine how we Americans ought to respond. (Note: Barbara Rowe has given me permission to publish this letter. However, before my publishing of her letter in this blog, Barb Rowe did remove some “identifying details” changing some names in order to ensure the safety and protection of individuals mentioned in the letter.)
The Letter:
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
I realize that the situation of teen immigration from Central America has been much in the public eye there in the U.S. The issues are complex, highly politicized and there are no easy answers. I have written this letter to share from a different perspective. In my view, these teens are very similar to war refugees, only the war is not between nations but rather between highly organized gang organizations.
As a missionary, I attend a local church, and am on their pastoral team. We now find ourselves in a somewhat precarious position and are in need of your prayers. Let me explain. The church operates a school that provides a Christian education to children from kindergarten through high school. On July 9, one of the 9th grade students, named Jose, disappeared on his way home from school and is now presumed dead. We have been able to determine that Jose’s brother is in one of the gangs, and Jose himself was beginning to get involved. They live in one gang’s territory, and our school is located in the territory of the opposing gang. It is a commonly known fact that any teen boy caught in the opposing gang’s territory is a target and may be murdered.
Jose’s family, in their pain and sorrow, have falsely accused one of our very active church youth group members, Julio, of being responsible simply because he was the last one to see Jose. Ironically, Julio had befriended this student because of his own faith commitment and a desire to share God’s love. Though the accusation is completely unfounded, we know that the rule of the gangs is vengeance. In the gang culture, “someone will have to pay,” and they do not necessarily care if that someone is innocent. They came to the church looking for him, and accused Pastor Miguel of protecting him. They also posted men outside the school, waiting for Julio to return to classes. Knowing that he was in danger, Julio hid until a safe plan could [be] made for him to leave the neighborhood, and the country.
I spent some time with him before he fled the country, praying with him and assuring him that God is our protector and provider. I read Psalm 27 to him, and encouraged him to read it over and over. Julio was scared, and in a state of shock over these events. Overnight his whole life had changed. He could not go to the youth center to say goodbye to his friends. He has had to leave behind his studies and hopes for a professional career, as future studies may not be possible. He was not able to attend the church he loves so much, to say goodbye to his beloved church family. Most of all, he wept at having to leave his mother and brothers, from whom he has never been separated. Fleeing from danger, into danger, the best we could do is to assure him that we would be praying for him, and that God will be protecting him as he seeks refuge elsewhere.
Julio is just one of the kids that has had to flee for their lives this past year. Five Christian kids participating in another youth center left the country late last year under similar conditions. That neighborhood is known to be one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the San Salvador metropolitan area. Recently a teen was killed there because he fell asleep on the bus and got off past his normal bus stop in opposing gang territory.
Your prayers are much needed at this time, not just for the safety of the youth and those of us who are working with them, but for the continued courage and faithfulness of the church and missionaries amidst the pressure cooker of this situation.
As I mentioned before, the issue is complex, involving not only recent events but the history of the Salvadoran civil war and U.S. involvement in the war. The Salvadoran gang phenomenon itself is considered to have originated in Los Angeles, and exported to El Salvador in the 1990’s, when the United States government began mass deportation of undocumented immigrants, including teens who were members of gangs. More recently, these gangs have become linked to the Mexican drug cartels, making them even more powerful and violent.
In closing, I want to emphasize that amid all of the media banter about what to do, we need to remember that first and foremost we are Citizens of God’s Kingdom. We need to consider what Christ would have us do in this complicated situation rather than blindly falling in line with one or another political camp. Would He ask us to turn these children away to face a dangerous and uncertain journey back home? In the Old Testament, the Jews were instructed to accept and take in foreigners in their land (Deuteronomy 10:19), and in the Gospel of Matthew Jesus says that "whatever you do for the least of these, you do it for me" (Matthew 25:40).
Finding the right Christian response is not easy. This is where we can seek the counsel of the Holy Spirit to determine what we should do to live out our Christian values. Maybe it would be good for churches to visit these children and youth where they are being detained, as a way to get to know them and share God's love with them. It's a start, anyway.
Love in Christ,
Barbara Rowe
Monday, July 28, 2014
ISIS and the Islamic Threat to the West
According to Samuel Huntington, in his book, The Clash of Civilizations, Some Westerners…, have argued that the West does not have problems with Islam but only with violent Islamist extremist.” Huntington is quick to add: “Fourteen hundred years of history demonstrates otherwise” [my emphasis]. Huntington makes a good point. Huntington goes on to say, “The twentieth-century conflict between liberal democracy and Marxist-Leninism is only a fleeting and superficial historical phenomenon compared to the continuing and deeply conflictual relation between Islam and Christianity.”
Do we get it? A core dynamic within the Islamic faith is the spirit of jihad, which gives rise to Islamic activist such as ISIS. Viewed as yet one more minority party of radical Islamic extremists, we may overlook the real potential threat that ISIS represents. If one considers the fourteen hundred years of conflictual history between Islam and the West, as Huntington suggests, one should not be surprised by the rise of militant Islamic groups such as ISIS, seeking to reestablish a hegemonic Islamic rule in the Middle East and beyond—to regain their old glory days. There is a consistent pattern here.
Islamic states and parties are often very quick to remind Christians of the Crusades that took place in the 11th and 12th centuries, to make Christians feel guilty and become apologetic for attacking and forging into Islamic territory, cruelly killing and plundering along the way. What is never mentioned is the Islamic jihad that took place in the reverse direction some five hundred years before the Crusades during the 6th and 7th centuries. And later, in the 15th century, Islamic forces conquered Byzantium (when Constantinople became Istanbul).
ISIS wants to reconquer the old territories that the great Islamic Ottoman Empire once held. (For example, there was a day when the Ottoman Empire was powerful enough to besiege the Austrian city of Vienna smack in the middle of Europe, back in 1683.) Whether ISIS, as ISIS, succeeds or not, in this lofty goal of recreating an Islamic Empire, is not the issue. The issue is that ISIS is acting on a consistent understanding of an Islamic worldview: The historical and ideal Muslim worldview for Islam is that Islam should be a transcendent all-encompassing social-political-religious and earthly power ruling over all others, where sharia law is the law for all.
That is, in answer to the question, “who is to rule,” their answer is: “Muslims are to rule!” Or, put another way, “who is to define right and wrong, good and bad, in effect who is to define reality?” Their answer: Islam! Hence, there will always be an ISIS kind of movement within present day Islamic territories—somewhere, and in some form or other, by whatever name—as long as the Islamic vision and worldview is upheld by staunch fundamentalist Islamic believers. And whenever they believe that they have enough power and the means to possibly succeed in that endeavor, they will take action and become active militants toward that end. Thus, it should not really be surprising that, in the midst of Iraq’s instability, a group like ISIS has taken a foothold in the area and is taking militant action to realize such a vision.
This is why it has been and continues to be extremely difficult, if not next to impossible, to establish peace and stability in Iraq, Afghanistan, and in the Middle East in general. As Samuel Huntington has already pointed out so well in his 1996 book, we are facing a clash of civilizations—a conflict arising out of opposing worldviews, contradictory visions for human society, and a clash between core-faith values and principles. It is a battle for the very definition of government, society, and culture—for its ownership and control.
I sometimes wonder whether we in the West really grasp the depth of this truth. Note: In Iraq, in areas where ISIS is in control, ISIS jihadists have given three options to Christians and other non-Muslim people groups: (1) convert at gunpoint (2) leave your home and all your belongings and flee the country, or (3) stay, be executed and die. This is historical Islamic jihad at its worst.
Do we get it? A core dynamic within the Islamic faith is the spirit of jihad, which gives rise to Islamic activist such as ISIS. Viewed as yet one more minority party of radical Islamic extremists, we may overlook the real potential threat that ISIS represents. If one considers the fourteen hundred years of conflictual history between Islam and the West, as Huntington suggests, one should not be surprised by the rise of militant Islamic groups such as ISIS, seeking to reestablish a hegemonic Islamic rule in the Middle East and beyond—to regain their old glory days. There is a consistent pattern here.
Islamic states and parties are often very quick to remind Christians of the Crusades that took place in the 11th and 12th centuries, to make Christians feel guilty and become apologetic for attacking and forging into Islamic territory, cruelly killing and plundering along the way. What is never mentioned is the Islamic jihad that took place in the reverse direction some five hundred years before the Crusades during the 6th and 7th centuries. And later, in the 15th century, Islamic forces conquered Byzantium (when Constantinople became Istanbul).
ISIS wants to reconquer the old territories that the great Islamic Ottoman Empire once held. (For example, there was a day when the Ottoman Empire was powerful enough to besiege the Austrian city of Vienna smack in the middle of Europe, back in 1683.) Whether ISIS, as ISIS, succeeds or not, in this lofty goal of recreating an Islamic Empire, is not the issue. The issue is that ISIS is acting on a consistent understanding of an Islamic worldview: The historical and ideal Muslim worldview for Islam is that Islam should be a transcendent all-encompassing social-political-religious and earthly power ruling over all others, where sharia law is the law for all.
That is, in answer to the question, “who is to rule,” their answer is: “Muslims are to rule!” Or, put another way, “who is to define right and wrong, good and bad, in effect who is to define reality?” Their answer: Islam! Hence, there will always be an ISIS kind of movement within present day Islamic territories—somewhere, and in some form or other, by whatever name—as long as the Islamic vision and worldview is upheld by staunch fundamentalist Islamic believers. And whenever they believe that they have enough power and the means to possibly succeed in that endeavor, they will take action and become active militants toward that end. Thus, it should not really be surprising that, in the midst of Iraq’s instability, a group like ISIS has taken a foothold in the area and is taking militant action to realize such a vision.
This is why it has been and continues to be extremely difficult, if not next to impossible, to establish peace and stability in Iraq, Afghanistan, and in the Middle East in general. As Samuel Huntington has already pointed out so well in his 1996 book, we are facing a clash of civilizations—a conflict arising out of opposing worldviews, contradictory visions for human society, and a clash between core-faith values and principles. It is a battle for the very definition of government, society, and culture—for its ownership and control.
I sometimes wonder whether we in the West really grasp the depth of this truth. Note: In Iraq, in areas where ISIS is in control, ISIS jihadists have given three options to Christians and other non-Muslim people groups: (1) convert at gunpoint (2) leave your home and all your belongings and flee the country, or (3) stay, be executed and die. This is historical Islamic jihad at its worst.
Monday, July 21, 2014
On Suing the President: US versus US
We have plenty of critical issues on the table as it is: immigration, a crumbling infrastructure, a severe drought in the Southwest, a potentially explosive international crisis in Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Israel/Palestine. And what! Instead of rolling up their sleeves to cooperatively work towards finding positive solutions in the face of these challenges, the big people in congress are busy trying to work up enough steam and momentum to sue the President. This is our government hard at work!?
Suing President Obama is NOT a political move, says Boehner. How about those calling for the impeachment of Obama? Are we to believe that the call to impeach Obama is also neutral, unbiased, and objective—a nonpolitical move as well? Really! Are we idiots? Is that what our political leaders think of the American people?
We have a lot of politics with little substance, much posturing with little real work getting done. Aren’t you tired of this? I am. How is it that we cannot seem to decide what is best for America in the face of the many local and global crises that confront us?
What will unite us? Do we have a common purpose? Is there a common cause we can rally around? Do we no longer share a common vision or destiny? If we do, what is it? Where exactly are we heading? And, wherever it is, do we see ourselves getting there together… in one piece?
We’re splitting apart at the seams. What is the big picture here, the overarching vision that holds us together as a people? We are fracturing: Red States, Blue States, North and South, the Haves and the Have-nots, Black and White! We are divided by varying cultural values (hence the term “culture wars”), divided by race, social-economic class, religious faith (or lack thereof), and ideology—to name a few obvious dividing lines.
So, what unifies us? Well, we all seem to have the same materialistic goal: obtaining the American dream—the Almighty Dollar! That is what brings, and has brought, immigrants from all over the world to America—the promise of economic prosperity.
However, the desire for prosperity, the Almighty Dollar, is actually our greatest divider. How so? Because, at the national level, we are immediately divided by questions of who shall control the national coffers, by how and who shall be taxed, by how it is to be distributed, by who gets to keep most of it, by how and where it is to be spent, and by how it is to be sourced and resourced. All special-interest groups want the biggest and best piece of the American pie, while at the same time no special-interest group wants to pay for the rest of America’s needs or interests at the national level.
We have become a nation of personal self-interest, seeking to satisfy personal wants and desires. As a nation we no longer seem to have a collective interest, seeking to do what is best for the whole, the collective US—so we are fracturing and dividing and fighting among ourselves. And we are forgetting that a house divided against its self will not stand. These are old wise words, now a cliché, but still truer than ever.
Suing President Obama is NOT a political move, says Boehner. How about those calling for the impeachment of Obama? Are we to believe that the call to impeach Obama is also neutral, unbiased, and objective—a nonpolitical move as well? Really! Are we idiots? Is that what our political leaders think of the American people?
We have a lot of politics with little substance, much posturing with little real work getting done. Aren’t you tired of this? I am. How is it that we cannot seem to decide what is best for America in the face of the many local and global crises that confront us?
What will unite us? Do we have a common purpose? Is there a common cause we can rally around? Do we no longer share a common vision or destiny? If we do, what is it? Where exactly are we heading? And, wherever it is, do we see ourselves getting there together… in one piece?
We’re splitting apart at the seams. What is the big picture here, the overarching vision that holds us together as a people? We are fracturing: Red States, Blue States, North and South, the Haves and the Have-nots, Black and White! We are divided by varying cultural values (hence the term “culture wars”), divided by race, social-economic class, religious faith (or lack thereof), and ideology—to name a few obvious dividing lines.
So, what unifies us? Well, we all seem to have the same materialistic goal: obtaining the American dream—the Almighty Dollar! That is what brings, and has brought, immigrants from all over the world to America—the promise of economic prosperity.
However, the desire for prosperity, the Almighty Dollar, is actually our greatest divider. How so? Because, at the national level, we are immediately divided by questions of who shall control the national coffers, by how and who shall be taxed, by how it is to be distributed, by who gets to keep most of it, by how and where it is to be spent, and by how it is to be sourced and resourced. All special-interest groups want the biggest and best piece of the American pie, while at the same time no special-interest group wants to pay for the rest of America’s needs or interests at the national level.
We have become a nation of personal self-interest, seeking to satisfy personal wants and desires. As a nation we no longer seem to have a collective interest, seeking to do what is best for the whole, the collective US—so we are fracturing and dividing and fighting among ourselves. And we are forgetting that a house divided against its self will not stand. These are old wise words, now a cliché, but still truer than ever.
Monday, July 14, 2014
Seven Myths on Being a Christian (in no special order)
Myth #1
Christians must be politically right-wing conservative and Republican.
Christians are found across the whole political landscape. There are leftwing socially and economically liberal Christians as well as the more well known, rightwing, conservative ones. In truth, Jesus belongs to no political movement and can be owned by no political party.
Jesus’ Kingdom is not of this world. Indeed, Jesus will dismiss and remove any and all earthly kingdoms and rulers when He Himself comes to rule in his new kingdom. When standing before Pontius Pilate, Jesus clearly said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” And, specifically with regard to Pilate’s social, legal, political, and Roman judicial power, Jesus had this to say: “You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above.” (See John chapters 18 and 19.) Jesus power and authority will trump all other human authority including their governments and political parties. Hence, Christians are to give their highest allegiance to the kingdom of Christ. (See Colossians, the first chapter.)
Myth #2
Christians must hate gays and hope to see them burn in hell.
Jesus hated and condemned no one. Or, more accurately, he condemned no one but the self-righteous Pharisees and Sadducees who believed that they were better than everyone else (holier-than-thou).
Jesus put it this way: “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him” (John 3:17). Jesus is not about hating and condemning, He is about loving and redeeming—regardless of who and what one may be.
Myth #3
To be a Christian: one must first cleanup one’s act and straighten-up one’s mess before calling one’s self a Christian.
The Apostle Paul reminds us: “But God proves His love for us in that while we still were sinners [my emphasis] Christ died for us.” Jesus does not save us because we finally got our act together and earned the right to be saved.
Indeed, even as Christians, we are inconsistent, do not live up to our own ideals of right and wrong, fail to do what’s right at the most critical time and often deliberately do what is wrong when we know we shouldn’t. Jesus saves us—even while we’re still caught up in our own ethical and moral mess of a life. If it were not for His merciful grace, we’d have no hope of forgiveness at all.
Myth #4
Christians must be anti-science and distrust all scientific discoveries and assertions.
God is truth. Any knowledge that is right, real, and true about the universe which God created, is good to know.
Science is in no position to categorically deny the existence of God in absolute terms. Proving or disproving God’s existence is beyond the realm of scientific focus and capability. Hence, we need not reject science.
Science does enable us to see the mechanics of God’s creation. Fear not science! “The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge,” says the Psalmist (19:1-2). Live and learn. God being God, we have nothing to fear about what we may learn of the universe and its workings.
Myth #5
Christians must reject all other religions as absolutely false, as having no truth to teach at all.
All religions teach some, even much, truth. And even Christian theology gets things wrong, teaching falsehood. Thus, each and every one of us will be judged according to the truth—as we understand it—and whether or not we lived up to our very own convictions.
Again, Paul reminds us, that regardless of religion, “There will be anguish and distress for everyone who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek [non-Jew, basically everyone else!], but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality. …For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but the doers of the law who will be justified. When Gentiles who do not possess the law, do instinctively what the law require, these, though not having the law, are a law to themselves. They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, to which their own conscience also bears witness; and their conflicting thoughts will accuse or perhaps accuse them, on the day when, according to my Gospel, God, through Jesus Christ, will judge the secret thoughts of all.” (Read Romans the second chapter.)
Myth #6
Christians must have an “us-versus-them” mentality and become harshly judgmental, mean-spirited, and self-righteous, and fight the good fight. Among other things, this means taking control of the U.S. government (taking back America!) at all levels, from the congress to the law courts to the office of the presidency to local school boards, and so-on and so-forth. It means making America a Christian Nation, ruled by a kind of Christian theocracy.
Not! Such an attitude is the co-mingling of American patriotism with the Christian teachings of Old Testament promises respecting the “The Chosen People” entering the “Promise Land,” identifying America as the fulfillment of these Old Testament promises.
This is turning Christianity into an American civil religion—as if to say that being a good American is one and the same as being a good Christian. It is not. And it is nothing less than national idolatry. We’ve already noted the passage where Jesus says that his kingdom is not of this world. Of course, Christians ought to be good Americans. However, being a “good American” does not necessarily mean that one is also a good Christian—faithful and true to Christ. The one does not equate with the other.
Myth #7
Christians must join and support the NRA, purchase and collect a variety of assault weapons, and begin saving up a private stockpile of non-perishable food items (along with other survival equipment) in preparation for Armageddon.
Well, when Armageddon comes, no amount of fire-power and food storage is going to prevent the unraveling of this world’s catastrophe in light of the great and awesome “Day of the Lord”—Judgment Day: “Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse! Its rider is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems; and he has a name inscribed that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God. And the armies of heaven, wearing fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron; he will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a named inscribe, King of Kings and Lord of Lords” (Revelation 19:11-16).
Christians must be politically right-wing conservative and Republican.
Christians are found across the whole political landscape. There are leftwing socially and economically liberal Christians as well as the more well known, rightwing, conservative ones. In truth, Jesus belongs to no political movement and can be owned by no political party.
Jesus’ Kingdom is not of this world. Indeed, Jesus will dismiss and remove any and all earthly kingdoms and rulers when He Himself comes to rule in his new kingdom. When standing before Pontius Pilate, Jesus clearly said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” And, specifically with regard to Pilate’s social, legal, political, and Roman judicial power, Jesus had this to say: “You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above.” (See John chapters 18 and 19.) Jesus power and authority will trump all other human authority including their governments and political parties. Hence, Christians are to give their highest allegiance to the kingdom of Christ. (See Colossians, the first chapter.)
Myth #2
Christians must hate gays and hope to see them burn in hell.
Jesus hated and condemned no one. Or, more accurately, he condemned no one but the self-righteous Pharisees and Sadducees who believed that they were better than everyone else (holier-than-thou).
Jesus put it this way: “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him” (John 3:17). Jesus is not about hating and condemning, He is about loving and redeeming—regardless of who and what one may be.
Myth #3
To be a Christian: one must first cleanup one’s act and straighten-up one’s mess before calling one’s self a Christian.
The Apostle Paul reminds us: “But God proves His love for us in that while we still were sinners [my emphasis] Christ died for us.” Jesus does not save us because we finally got our act together and earned the right to be saved.
Indeed, even as Christians, we are inconsistent, do not live up to our own ideals of right and wrong, fail to do what’s right at the most critical time and often deliberately do what is wrong when we know we shouldn’t. Jesus saves us—even while we’re still caught up in our own ethical and moral mess of a life. If it were not for His merciful grace, we’d have no hope of forgiveness at all.
Myth #4
Christians must be anti-science and distrust all scientific discoveries and assertions.
God is truth. Any knowledge that is right, real, and true about the universe which God created, is good to know.
Science is in no position to categorically deny the existence of God in absolute terms. Proving or disproving God’s existence is beyond the realm of scientific focus and capability. Hence, we need not reject science.
Science does enable us to see the mechanics of God’s creation. Fear not science! “The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge,” says the Psalmist (19:1-2). Live and learn. God being God, we have nothing to fear about what we may learn of the universe and its workings.
Myth #5
Christians must reject all other religions as absolutely false, as having no truth to teach at all.
All religions teach some, even much, truth. And even Christian theology gets things wrong, teaching falsehood. Thus, each and every one of us will be judged according to the truth—as we understand it—and whether or not we lived up to our very own convictions.
Again, Paul reminds us, that regardless of religion, “There will be anguish and distress for everyone who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek [non-Jew, basically everyone else!], but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality. …For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but the doers of the law who will be justified. When Gentiles who do not possess the law, do instinctively what the law require, these, though not having the law, are a law to themselves. They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, to which their own conscience also bears witness; and their conflicting thoughts will accuse or perhaps accuse them, on the day when, according to my Gospel, God, through Jesus Christ, will judge the secret thoughts of all.” (Read Romans the second chapter.)
Myth #6
Christians must have an “us-versus-them” mentality and become harshly judgmental, mean-spirited, and self-righteous, and fight the good fight. Among other things, this means taking control of the U.S. government (taking back America!) at all levels, from the congress to the law courts to the office of the presidency to local school boards, and so-on and so-forth. It means making America a Christian Nation, ruled by a kind of Christian theocracy.
Not! Such an attitude is the co-mingling of American patriotism with the Christian teachings of Old Testament promises respecting the “The Chosen People” entering the “Promise Land,” identifying America as the fulfillment of these Old Testament promises.
This is turning Christianity into an American civil religion—as if to say that being a good American is one and the same as being a good Christian. It is not. And it is nothing less than national idolatry. We’ve already noted the passage where Jesus says that his kingdom is not of this world. Of course, Christians ought to be good Americans. However, being a “good American” does not necessarily mean that one is also a good Christian—faithful and true to Christ. The one does not equate with the other.
Myth #7
Christians must join and support the NRA, purchase and collect a variety of assault weapons, and begin saving up a private stockpile of non-perishable food items (along with other survival equipment) in preparation for Armageddon.
Well, when Armageddon comes, no amount of fire-power and food storage is going to prevent the unraveling of this world’s catastrophe in light of the great and awesome “Day of the Lord”—Judgment Day: “Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse! Its rider is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems; and he has a name inscribed that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God. And the armies of heaven, wearing fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron; he will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a named inscribe, King of Kings and Lord of Lords” (Revelation 19:11-16).
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