On Boycotts, the NFL, kneeling & standing and what matters to me

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you stand for the National Anthem.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you kneel for the National Anthem.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you raise your fist in protest.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you raise your nose in disgust of protest.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you post pictures of veterans with a quote about how we should stand honor those who serve.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you post pictures of veterans with a quote about how they died for the right for people to kneel if they want.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you boycott the NFL because too many players are protesting and being political.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you boycott the NFL because no team will sign Colin Kaepernick.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you boycott the NFL because there’s a lot of bad offense being played (okay, that might be a legitimate beef).

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you voted for Trump.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you voted for Hillary.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you didn’t vote out of protest.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you didn’t vote out of apathy.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you want more athletes to speak out more.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you’re tired of athletes speaking out about politics.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you comment on social media that 

the President’s comments about NFL players disappoint you.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you comment on social media that the President’s comments about NFL players encourage you.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you’re a big Tim Tebow fan.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you’re a big Colin Kaepernick fan.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you’re a fan of neither Tebow nor Kaep.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you support all First Amendment free speech. 

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you think First Amendment free speech should have limits.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if your heroes wear shoulder pads.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if your heroes wear fatigues.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if think you know how you’d think if you were African-American.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you think you know how you’d think if you were white.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you’re neither but think you know how you’d think if you were African-America or white.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you argue your point well.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you use Martin Luther King, Jr. to prove your point.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you type in all caps.

Nope.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. –John 13:35

I do not want people to vote like me.  I do not want people to think like me.  I don’t want people to like my politics or opinions (and trust me, I have them).  Because this is not about me.  I want them to know that I am His disciple.  Because I want them to know the Jesus who I am a disciple of.

The Jesus who doesn’t kneel because before Him every knee will bow.

The Jesus who doesn’t stand for any flag because before him all nations will come and worship.

The Jesus who’s Kingdom is not of this world (or country or region).

The Jesus who doesn’t have any president because He is the King of Kings.

The Jesus in whose image I was made.

The Jesus in whose image you were made.

The Jesus who bought our redemption with the price of His blood.  

The Jesus who forgave me.

I want people to know that Jesus.  To really, really know Him.

And I am convinced that will not happen through my politics, boycotts, protests, kneeling, standing or clever social media posts, but only through my love – because that’s how my Jesus said they would know.  What if those of us who called ourselves disciples were most concerned about loving others first?  And if we’re not, are we really disciples?  If you’re not a Jesus Follower, is one of the reasons you’re not because those of us that are seem more worried about issues rather than loving others?

So let’s grab a cup of coffee.  Or let’s chat.  I’d love to listen to your story.  Because I love you.  Because He loved me.  Whether you stand, kneel or couldn’t care less. NFL fan or not.  I’m so much more concerned about before Whom we will one day stand and inevitably kneel.  

Sunday Preview & Thought for the Week (11.10.16)

Hey Church!

I hope your week has been great and you 'survived the election.'  As the world 'discusses' life in the political world, aren't you grateful our church is a place for all people, where we come under the banner of being image bearers of the God of the universe.

This Sunday, we're beginning a new two-week mini-series on personal finances called "Overdrawn."  As the holidays approach, a lot of our bank accounts will feel that way.  What can we do to handle our money in the way God intends?  Hope to see you there!

Also, don't forget to bring supplies for our Turkey Fry to either location this week.  Here are the things we need:

• Boxed Potatoes                    • Canned corn
• Canned green beans            • Jiffy cornbread mix
• Canned cranberry sauce       • Stuffing mix
• Brownie or cookie mix

Thought for the Week
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."  1 Peter 5:7

Any anxiety this week?  I can't remember a more anxious week in American politics, at least in my lifetime.  And I believe the week rivals some of the most stressful times in our history.  Slowly, things are returning to some sense of normalcy, but that'll take more time.  What is clear to me, though, is that some are still struggling with the anxiety of the election and where our country is.  Some are filled with anxiety because they see the cracks of a divided nation more clearly than ever before.  Some are anxious over the toxic atmosphere on social media.  Some of filled with anxiety because the candidate they voted for didn't win.  Others are anxious because their candidate did win and must deliver on leading our country.  A lot of just anxious because it's a mess.  There is a tension that exists among us in our country over what seem to be core issues.  The issues are real.  The anxiety is real.  Can I offer a suggestion?  Cast that anxiety on him...because he cares for you.  Some are feeling isolated, but he cares for you.  Some are discouraged, but he cares for you.  Some are tired and exhausted, but he cares for you.  Some are losing friends, but he cares for you.  Some of being shunned, but he cares for you.  And, maybe, just maybe, this election is the least of your worries.  You're dealing with illness, sickness, job loss, financial stress, heartache.  I want you to know He cares for you.  God cares for you.  When you feel like the whole world is against you, God cares for you.  I keep saying that because I'm not sure you believe it yet.  He cares for you, friend.  Cast your cares on Him, no matter what they are.

In Christ,

Carter

Election Night in my House

It's over.  After a long night and constant checking in...it's done with.  Back to normal life.  Election night really was one to remember in my house.  It's finally finished, but it was exhausting.

That's because we had a possum in garage on election night.

That's right.  A possum came to eat may cats' food (and this is the 3rd time we've seen the fellow).  This is especially important because two of our three cats are kittens and spend most of their time right now in the garage.  And we had a possum.  Welcome to country living.

In the midst of the most contentious election in my lifetime and maybe in our country's history, I had a real homegrown problem to deal with.  And as the important decision our country was making gained clarity amidst the suspense with every vote tallied, I had an important issue to take care of myself.  And I was reminded of something very important.

Neither President-Elect Donald Trump nor Secretary of State Hillary Clinton can or will help me get the possums out of my garage.

I had to work to trap it, protect our kittens, pray and hope that our big cat could fend for herself for the night outside the garage and try to get this taken care of.  And the results of the election offered no help.  By morning, the situation was resolved, the kittens are back in their space and life is back to normal.  It probably won't be the last possum, and it definitely won't be the last family semi-emergency.  And it was such a crucial reminder for me.

I have friends on all sides politically.  Some of them are celebrating today and some are lamenting.  I'm pretty fiercely independent, and I'm also mindful as a Christian leader that I deeply desire for my life and our church to reflect that God's heart, love and salvation is for all people -- liberal, conservative, Republican, Democrat and Independent.  I have opinions, but I've never been a big 'side-picker' in politics because I know all candidates are a lot like me -- made in the image of God and yet deeply flawed.  However, I am keenly aware of the wool that perhaps we've all allowed to be pulled over our eyes this election.  And that's simply this:  that this election will provide us with answers and solutions to once and for all fix all our problems.

It won't.  You'll have to get rid of your own possums.  I like to say, "I've got dadding to do."  Being a dad is a verb for me most of the time.  I've got living to do.  I've got husbanding to do.  I've got pastoring to do.  I've got neighbor-loving to do.  I've got exercising to do.  I've got fixer-upper projects to do.  I've got financial planning to do.  I've got community involvement to do.  I've got reaching out to do.  I've got caring for the hurting to do.  I've got driving-my-boys-to-rec-league-basketball to do.

The rise of social media and endless political commentary has brought to life for me a dangerous attitude:  that a political figure offers all we need.  Neither Trump nor Clinton nor Johnson nor anyone offers such.  No president ever has.  No president ever will.

Jesus offers all we need.  Forgiveness, grace, salvation.  And then I still have to go live my life walking in grace.  And I'll still have to get rid of all the possums in my garage.  It's my responsibility, not any politicians, to be the best Christian, person, husband, father and citizen I can be.  And, honestly, election results will have little impact on that.  I get to choose how I live, and I get to be responsible for me.  And goodness, I've got enough to clean up in my own life.

What I will do is pray for President Obama and President-Elect Trump as they work through another shift in handing over of the Oval Office in a few months.  I'll continue to pray for elected officials and elections.  I'll continue to be informed and vote.  But, what I want to be most busy about is getting the possums out of my own garage.  I got one, but I think there's a lot more stuff inside my heart to clean out.

Fact Checker

This political season, like all of them, is filled with 'fact checking.'  It's even more accessible because of the internet and so many things (like quotes from candidates) are saved on video -- forever.  We check every fact a politician says.

It brings to mind a question:  Do you scrutinize your own self as much as you scrutinize presidential candidates?  Now, I'm all in on the idea that there is something to being 'presidential.'  The leader of the free world ought to have a higher standard than us, the common women and men.  But what does it say about us when we are willing to judge another of God's children with different measures than we judge ourselves.

• Do we verify our facts before speaking statistics or news?  Where did we get those facts?  Is the source reputable?
• Do we ever change our minds about important issues?  I'm amazed at how many 10+ year old videos we've seen of Donald and Hillary.  Have you changed your mind in the last 10 years about something with which you had great conviction?
• Do we judge our fashion and grooming sense when we are in public with the same eye we see candidates?  (We won't talk about what we wore to Walmart).
• Do we ever say something mean-spirited?
• Do we ever stammer?
• Did we ever do something that was against the rules?

Let's face it.  We've got a couple of candidates that are far from perfect.  Come to think of it, we've got about 6-7 billion people on the planet that are far from perfect.  Yes, yes, yes.  We ought to hold leaders to extremely high standards.  But...Jesus said something about the idea that we'll be judged by the same measure we judge others.  That ought to terrify us because we are anything but kind when we talk about the candidate we don't like.  

It's just something I've thought about.  What our country needs isn't necessarily politicians that hold themselves to a higher standard.  What our country needs is citizens that hold themselves to a higher standard.  For those that call themselves Christians, that higher standard is Jesus.  We'd all do well to judge ourselves first and foremost.

On Politics, Faith and Who's Right

Just as we've celebrated our nation's birthday again (can you believe in a mere 10 years we'll be 250 years old -- that'll be a great party!), I soberly remember that we are almost exactly four months from perhaps the most contentious election in U.S. history.  This Friday will be the four month marker to November 8th.  The glow of the fireworks and our unity in red, white and blue will soon fade to mud-slinging and name-calling.  I wish it weren't true.  But it is.

Pastors hold an interesting place in the political spectrum of America.  I lead a congregation and seek to reach a community that is surely comprised of Democrats, Republicans and everything in between.  My goal in ministry is never to sway votes because earthly elections seem so small in the face of my eternal calling.  I'm trying to sway people to Jesus, not Trump or Clinton or whatever local leader that's up for election.  That doesn't mean I don't have opinions.  I just kind of pride myself in the idea that you'd have to have a crowbar to get them out of me.  My political opinions are my opinions, and they're not much helpful to my cause as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus.  Moreover, I'm increasingly convinced that I am grossly ill-informed and uneducated as to the depths of most political issues.  I am inclined to not have strong opinions about things in which I know my knowledge is limited.

I am greatly concerned about the next four months, though, as it relates to the Body of Christ.  I am troubled at how we might portray ourselves in these next four months.  Church, can we please be the Church, at it's best, this election season?  Can we live Proverbs 13:3,

"Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin."

If you are not a Christian, that's still some pretty good advice.  If you're a Christian, it's in the book.  We're supposed to do it.

A key concept for me to recall is that most of the political issues that any of us get all hot and bothered about are very complex.  I recently starting reading John F. Kennedy's Profiles in Courage.  In the foreword, his brother, Robert, says that any democracy exists "in the struggle for solutions which are very rarely easy to find."  John Kennedy later writes, "There are few if any issues where all the truth and all the right and all the angels are on one side."

It's why speaking rashly comes to ruin.  When we sit an think things through, we can at least see other angles to the story.  Our 'side' in a political debate almost never has all the right on its side.  We'd do well to recognize and admit that.  We can understand that it's very complex. And we understand a bigger picture.  For the Christian, the bigger picture is eternity.

Church, convincing someone to vote for your candidate will not secure their eternity.  Convincing someone to follow your Christ will save their soul.  But you and I won't do it with words.  I'm not saying it's not an important election.  I'm just saying there's something far more important at stake on which to focus our energies, so let's guard our lips.

*John F. Kennedy. Profiles in Courage.  New York:  Harper Collins, 2003.