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I was a stranger and you deported me. - Jesus

11/9/2019

Jesus taught that our attitudes and actions toward immigrants reflect our attitudes and actions toward him. In the Gospel of Matthew (25:35-46) Jesus said “I was a stranger and you invited me in.” Stranger is the New Testament word for foreigner or immigrant. He makes this statement in a way that should be a wake up call to Christians.
His point is that how we treat immigrants is among the most important measures or our righteousness.
Those who heard his words were puzzled. They asked, “Jesus, when were you an immigrant, and when did we invite you in?”
Jesus responded, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the least of these you did for me.”
Then Jesus shifts his eyes to a group he refers to as “the cursed” and says “Depart from me...I was a stranger and you did not invite me in.” He condemns this group to eternal punishment but offers the previous group eternal life.
I don’t believe this passage teaches that deportation is always an act of evil, and I certainly don’t believe that all who disagree with me are bound for eternal punishment. But I strongly believe that Jesus is paying close attention to our attitudes toward immigrants, and that he considers our attitudes toward immigrants to be our attitudes toward him. We know this to be the case because he said so.
As our culture wrestles with how to fix our broken immigration policy, Christians should be mindful of the words of Jesus. We should insist upon an approach that treats immigrants the way we would treat Jesus.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Matthew 25:35-46

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Theology in the Raw and Q Podcasts

2/20/2019

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Wow, it's been way too long since I've taken time to post. I'm trying to develop a healthier lifestyle and that has involved time on the treadmill. An unexpected benefit has been the discovery of some great podcasts. My two favorites are Theology in the Raw by Preston Sprinkle and Q Podcasts with Gabe Lyons.
Every time I listen to them I think,"That's how I want Central to do church." I was recently talking with some friends at church about some of the tensions that we experience between genuinely loving our gay friends and trying to honor the sexual ethic taught in New Testament. No other area that I'm aware of creates the same level of dissonance between people like loving like Jesus loved them, and submitting to the teachings of scripture.
The following Q Podcast actually features a conversations between Preston and Gabe on this very topic. This is the first of a six-part series. Subscribe to Q Podcasts and listen to all six.

Q Podcast - The Gay Conversation: Owning our History

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Loving, and Being Loved by my Muslim Neighbors

5/9/2017

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Last Friday members of the church where I serve (Central Christian, Springfield, Ohio) were graciously invited to attend a service at Masjid Al Madina, a mosque in my city, one that I have probably driven past at least a 1,000 times.

Each time I previously drove past the mosque, in the recesses of my mind, I thought, “They are in their world, I am in mine, and we have nothing in common.” It never crossed my mind that the mosque would be a place where friendships could form.

I had no idea what to expect. Inaccurate stereotypes had led me to believe that Muslims were reserved, distrustful, unfriendly, and completely uninterested in my Christian faith. To my shame, I believed that these stereotypes to be true…until last Friday.

Prior to the events leading up to last Friday, I did know a single Muslim with whom I could have a cup of coffee or tea, and share a good story. In fact, I had never had a casual conversation with a person of Muslim faith. Never.

All of that changed dramatically for me over the last three days.

On Friday about 50 people from my church, male & female, young & old were warmly welcomed to Al Madina Mosque for a Friday afternoon prayer service designed to help educate non-Muslims about their faith. Imam Yunus, his wife Zarina and so many others (too many to many to name) extended a warm welcome, in fact it was one of the warmest and most gracious welcomes I have ever received. They invited us back for dinner that night.

Instead of being reserved, they exuberantly welcomed us with open arms. Instead of being distrustful, they went out of their way to answer any question that we had, even hard ones about things like jihad and Sharia law. The Imam told self deprecating jokes to put us at ease. They asked honest, deep questions about my Christian faith and I realized that in many cases my faith was as mysterious to them as there’s was to me. We discovered areas of commonality, and we talked candidly of deep and significant differences. It was perhaps the most natural and easy conversation about my faith that I have ever had with people who embraced a faith other than my own.

Yunus pointed out verses in the Quran that talk about the Muslim duty to protect the Christians and Jews who live in their midst (The article that is linked above is from the Jewish Post). These verses come from the Ashtiname of Muhammad, a covenant signed by the Prophet Mohammed to protect Christians and Jews until the end of time. When Imam Yunus addressed members of his own congregation he have historical examples of times when Christians extended hospitality and protection to Muslims.

On Sunday, morning our pews began to fill with Muslim guests as 30-50 visitors form the two mosques in town entered our sanctuary. I joked that we had our all time record in Muslim guests that morning, which we would have had if one or two had come.

Since they revere Jesus as a great prophet, and since I look to him as my Lord and savior we found common ground in his teaching about greeting the stranger, loving our neighbors, and binding each others wounds in the manner of the Good Samaritan (sermon audio included below). I looked up from my sermon notes to gauge the response of the audience to the message and saw tears in the eyes of both guests and members of my own congregation. At the end of the sermon, Muslims and Christians embraced one another in new bonds of friendship. People didn’t seem to want to leave. Politically conservative members of my congregation commented on the beauty of what had just happened. Social justice-minded members were anxious to capture the momentum and make sure that this was not a one time event.

Later that night the Imam and I moderated a panel discussion. Our members wanted to understand the meaning of jihad and Sharia. Their members asked about the trinity and differences between Christian denominations. We asked what they thought about Jesus and they asked what we thought of the Prophet Muhammed. I stumbled in my response and had to admit that I know very little about the Prophet Muhammed and what he taught.

On Tuesday morning, as I reflect on what happened I’d like to share a few preliminary thoughts.

God is doing something amazing among Christians and Muslims in Springfield. We could not have planned, or even imagined the events that unfolded over the last three days. While some in the community have been addressing these issues for years, there was no long planning period in advance between our two congregations. Outside forces pushed along and created a sense of urgency. I feel a sense that whatever is happening, it is bigger than us and God is behind it. (The story of what is happening here will be featured in a documentary to be aired by CBS nationally on June 25.)

I was overwhelmed by the strong sense of human connection. The events did not feel like an awkward mingling of strangers who were working hard at being polite and finding things to talk about. It felt like a reunion of longtime friends. There was an eagerness on both sides to connect and to love one another. We realized that the depth of what we had in common helped bridge the gap of our differences.

I gained an understanding of painful it is to have one’s faith misrepresented. A common concern expressed among Christians and Americans in general is, “Why don’t Muslims condemn terrorism.” One young Muslim students named Heraa Hashmi, in response to questions like this from her classmates, developed a 712 page spreadsheet listing links to Muslim condemnations of terrorism. Here’s a press release from the largest and most comprehensive Muslim organization in America. If you scroll through a historical record of the press statements, starting with one strongly condemning anti-Semitism, you will see scores of official statements condemning terror. A comparison that has been helpful (but painful) is to imagine what it would be like if the world thought that all Christians endorsed the the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), a white supremacist organization that claims to be Christian and which uses scripture to defend its despicable practices. The ratio of KKK members claiming to be Christians is 3 times higher (1:35,000) than the ratio of Muslims involved in international acts of terror 1:114,000).

We realized that strong friendships can form even when beliefs differ. Prior to the event, Yunus and I talked about the importance of not compromising or ignoring our theological differences. There are deep and significant differences in how Christians understand Mohammed, and how Muslims understand Jesus. My understanding is that faith in Christ alone is the means for salvation. Their understanding is that the Prophet Mohammed was the final prophet, and that his words provide the final word on pleasing God. We will continue to explore these issues together as we wrestle with what it means to enter into a relationship with God and to live in a manner that honors Him. While the differences in our respective faiths are profound and important, it is my sense that we are both seeking relationship with the same God, the God of Abraham, Moses, and Noah.

Someday, I’ll have more to say about the journey that we (Christian and Muslims in Springfield) have embarked on together.

But today it’s Tuesday morning, I’m amazed at what God is doing, and never again will I be able to say that I don’t have a single Muslim friend.

Dedicated to Dr. Akbar Mohammed, one of my many new Muslim friends, who is a model of grace and kindness to all.

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Spending Time Like Your Spend Your Money

4/1/2017

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The following post is a reprint of an article I wrote for Christianity Today over 25 years ago. I was convicted as I re-read it in preparation for a sermon that I am preparing for this Sunday's worship service at Central Christian Church.

It was probably as close to an out-of-body experience an evangelical Christian can get. I could hear my mouth saying, "Yes, I'd love to," while my mind screamed, No! Stop! You don't have the time.
We had gathered around the coffee pot for our morning break. One of the senior faculty members said to me, "Carl, I'm working on an important project, and I need the help of a sharp young man. Last night I was thinking about who I could get to help me, and I thought of you."
My ego was hooked. I bit on the lures "important project" and "sharp young man" without considering the hours of work and early morning committee meetings that came with them. As the conversation continued, I realized I was on a taut, twenty-pound line for something that I had neither the time nor energy to devote.
This kind of thing happens all the time. But I am slowly learning some lessons about how to prevent it; lessons derived not from my pocket calendar but from my wallet.
Just as time is money, so good time management resembles good money management. Here's how I'm learning to invest time.
Buy quality
Financial counselors advise us to buy things that last. Quality products will please us months and years after the purchase. Cheap goods often leave us with regrets.
Buying quality time means investing our time in activities with the greatest long-term dividends and avoiding activities with passing value.
Recently, after a particularly disheartening day, I arrived home, weighed down with the knowledge that I needed to go back to the office that night. I rifled through the mail and in the midst of the bills found a letter from Dwight. I opened it and learned that he was about to graduate from college and put his mark on the world. I met Dwight ten years ago when he stood on the brink of another challenge, junior high. He was a kid with an infectious grin who left a trail of mischief wherever he ventured. Dwight and I became friends, and our relationship quickly evolved into one of informal discipleship.
It had been nearly a year since I had spoken to him, but out of the blue he had penned a letter thanking me for our time together when he was facing the traumas of early adolescence. Dwight's letter exuded the enthusiasm of a young man who loved Christ.
Later that evening after clearing my desk, I leaned back in my chair and reminisced about the times Dwight and I had shared. The more I remembered the joys and rewards of our friendship, the more concerned I became. Perhaps at this stage in my life I'm so caught up in projects and responsibilities that I'm not spending time with young men like Dwight. I'm working many hours, but am I buying quality?
Minimize self-gratification purchases
During my last surge of over commitment, I had a disturbing realization. I had driven myself to exhaustion primarily for my own glory. Scarcely noticing the beauty of the changing leaves, I spent the Fall frantically traveling to distant speaking engagements. I had agreed to each one months earlier, rationalizing that each new speaking opportunity would further my ministry. I see now I was mostly interested in enhancing my reputation.
My busy schedule crowded out nearly all time for reflection with the Lord. Reading Scripture became a luxury; prayers were said on the run. In one of my increasingly rare quiet times, I stumbled across the words of Jesus: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Those words did not reflect my lifestyle; the yoke I was struggling to carry was my own.
Time spent to gratify my own ego is like money tossed after passing fancies.
Don't buy on credit
"Buy now, pay later" has become the financial maxim of the eighties and nineties. I recently read that 50 percent of all retail purchases are made on credit. Buying on credit means glibly committing to something that we lack the cash flow, or time flow, to fulfill.
Too many of us treat calendars like spendthrifts treat credit cards. We charge them to the limit and deal with the consequences at the end of next month. The tragedy is that sometimes we end up borrowing time from the essentials to pay for the discretionaries.
When the demands of our schedules begin to stretch us, typically we borrow from our families (I have counseled many children of Christian workers who have been sacrificed to the schedules of over-committed fathers) or from our time with the Lord in order to fulfill our daily obligations.
Before accepting a new responsibility, I am learning to ask, "What sacrifices will I need to make to give this project the attention it merits?"
Avoid impulse buying
Perhaps, like me, you have made spur-of-the-moment purchases, only to wonder later why on earth you parted with your hard-earned money for that useless item.
I've blundered in similar ways with my time. I attend a church whose congregation has outgrown its building. Between multiple morning services, chaos reigns as half of those present snake their way to Sunday school while the other half plunge headlong in the opposite direction toward the sanctuary. In the midst of that 800-person press, I felt a tug on my shoulder.
Turning around I stood face to face with Charlie, our head usher. With a firm handshake and a warm smile (Charlie gets lots of practice!) he hit me with his pitch: "Hey, Carl, good to see you! By the way, I could use an extra usher on Sunday mornings. It doesn't take much time. What do you think?"
The crowd pushing me along, I gave Charlie the warmest smile I could muster and lied, "Sure, I'd be glad to help you."
As I continued downstream, I felt a foreboding weight upon me. Though not a major time commitment, ushering would be one more responsibility in an already overloaded schedule. Since impulse decisions are often poor decisions, I am learning, with some prodding from my wife, to respond to such overtures with, "Thanks for the offer. Give me a day to think about it, and I'll get back to you."
Don't buy a bargain that doesn't fit
Some bargains are hard to resist. Last summer a major discount store on the wrong side of town was going out of business, a victim of urban decay. As my wife and I wandered the nearly empty aisles, I spotted a lone pair of tennis shoes on sale for an unbelievably low price. According to the tag, they were my size. Since we were in a hurry, I didn't bother to try them on. I walked out of the store with my head held high, proud that I bagged such an impressive bargain.
When I tried the shoes on a few days later, I found that they fit well-if I had my toes removed. A nonfitting bargain is no bargain at all.
Sometimes we make the same mistake with time. We jump at opportunities-just because they don't sound like major time commitments-that don't really fit our areas of giftedness. We lose our focus. We end up nickeled and dimed to death, wasting small amounts of time and energy here and there that could be spent profitably elsewhere.
Buying a BMW and keeping a lavish wardrobe may polish one's image, but for those who can't afford it, it can destroy the bank account. Likewise we can spend a lot of time "in the ministry" on activities that have more to do with image than true ministry.
My motives tell the story. I am susceptible to pursuing praise, looking for jobs that will get me noticed. I'm not proud of that, and I'm working to change it, but I must contend with that ugly reality.
I recognize that God sometimes calls us to obscure ministries, to important tasks that receive no public notice or reward. I admire people who readily accept such jobs. In Christ's short and intense earthly ministry, he took time for children and social outcasts; perhaps my motives have diverted me from similar opportunities.
Redeeming time wisely may prove to be the ultimate test of good stewardship. If we spend time as wisely as we would money, I believe we will garner a greater return.

We'd love to have you join us for worship at 10:30 on Sunday mornings here at Central Christian Church. We work hard to keep Jesus at the center of what we do, and to make our community look more like heaven. We're at 1504 Villa Rd in Springfield, Ohio.

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Who Would Jesus Vet

2/3/2017

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Extreme angst exists at both ends of the current debate over President Trump’s recent executive order on the processing of refugees. Groups on the right and left are mischaracterizing each other in ways that cloud the debate.

On the left, protesters assume those who support the President’s emphasis on vetting have no compassion for refugees. On the right, those in favor of a careful vetting process assume that people who oppose the President’s actions have no concern for national security. A first step in resolving this tensions is to understand that this is a false choice. These concerns are not mutually exclusive and we need not chose one over the other.

Careful vetting is consistent with Christ’s command that we love our neighbors. It would be unloving to allow those bent on harming us to move in next door. Vetting is consistent with love for our neighbors, but it is not a complete expression of love for our neighbors. Jesus taught that true love for our neighbors is not limited to those like us. In fact Jesus said, even pagans love their own brothers and are kind to people who are like them. Christ’s parable of the good Samaritan clearly teaches that in his Kingdom our neighbor is anyone with a need. Syrian refugees are our neighbors whether they are Christian or Muslim and Jesus commands that we love them as we love ourselves, and as we love our own families.

The Good Samaritan’s love for his neighbor extended beyond warm feelings. It cost him something, both in terms of personal expense (he paid for the victims medical care), but also in terms of risk. When he stopped to help a man assaulted by thieves he put himself in harm’s way. His personal safety was secondary to helping a person whose life was in danger.

America is greatest when we balance caution with courage, when we stand beside people who are oppressed. I call on the President to complete his review of the vetting process as quickly as possible and to give persecuted Muslims who have been carefully vetted the same considerations afforded to my fellow Christians.

This Sunday (Feb 5) I will be speaking on this topic at Central Christian 10:30

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Don't use drugs, buy things that explode, or take out payday loans.

5/19/2016

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The company Google bans online ads for things that “could explode and cause damage to nearby people or property.”
They also ban ads for “cocaine, crystal meth, heroin, and marijuana.”
In similar fashion, they ban ads offering “sexual acts in exchange for compensation.”
And thank goodness, they ban ads for accident photos and execution videos.
And now they are about to ban ads for payday loans.
On a web page explaining their policy for screening ads, they write that good ads connect people to useful products or services, but “unfortunately [some] ads are for fake or harmful products, or seek to mislead users about the businesses they represent.”
It’s this concern about misleading and harming customers that led the company to ban certain ads. People shouldn’t be enticed to buy things that explode, to use drugs, to buy sex, or order a new set of execution videos.
Nor should they be enticed to take out a payday loan.
And as of July 13, 2016 Google will also ban ads for payday lending. They won't advertise loans that are due in less that 60 days, or charge over 36% interest. Google said, “When reviewing our policies, research has shown that these loans can result in unaffordable payment and high default rates for users so we will be updating our policies globally to reflect that.” They note that the change is designed to protect users from harmful products.
Wade Henderson, Google’s president and CEO said, “These companies have long used slick advertising and aggressive marketing to trap consumers into outrageously high interest loans - often those least able to afford it."
Congress knows that these are bad products. In 2006, with bipartisan support, they passed the Military Lending Act (MLA).
The Military Lending Act:

Sets a 36% interest cap.
Requires written and verbal disclosure of interest rates and fees.
Bans roll-overs and “churning.” (Practices used to keep borrowers in debt.)
Bans automatic withdrawals from the borrower’s bank account.

Since members of both parties recognized the need for these reforms, and worked together to enact them, it begs the question of why the rest of our population isn’t awarded similar protections from an industry Google describes as dangerous.
Like Google, Congress should seek limit access to these products and restrict their most harmful practices.
The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau is poised to pass down regulations that would reign in the most egregious practices of predatory lenders. Though not as comprehensive as the Military Lending Act, these new regulations would be a very positive step in the right direction.
So trust the folks at Google, and those who passed the Military Lending Act. Don’t buy things that explode. Don’t use drugs or buy sex. And definitely don’t buy execution videos or do business with predatory lenders.
Voice your support for the soon to be announced CFPB regulations and don’t let Congress be bought by the huge conglomerates that own most payday lending centers.

In a previous post I provided a Biblical perspective on payday lending, a practice called usury and banned in the Old Testament. God said that he would crush those who oppress the poor and he told us to protect the poor from those who malign them.

At Central Christian Church we are committed to addressing issues of justice and standing with those in need. Jesus didn't put us in Springfield so that we could worship comfortably in a beautiful sanctuary. He put us in springfield so that give our most vulnerable neighbors a taste of heaven and a relationship with Jesus. Join us for worship at 10:30 Sunday Mornings. Join us in community service the rest of the week.

Click Here for Information on Community Forum on Predatory Lending

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Grab your whip. Let's follow Jesus!

5/16/2016

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Okay, put down your whips. No need to flip over tables. There are ways to follow Jesus that are less drastic, and also less likely to land us in jail. The title of this post was to get your attention, to draw you attention to the issue of payday loan .
Payday lending may seem like an odd topic for a Sunday morning sermon but that’s where we found ourselves this past Sunday at my church in Springfield, Ohio (Its also why we are planning a Community Forum on Predatory Lending in Springfield on May 25). There are four reasons why we felt that this is an issue that Bible believing churches should be discussing.

Why should Christians actively seek to reform payday lending

First, it’s a Bible issue. The bible makes a strong case against sexual immorality. There are approximately 50 passages dealing with that topic. By contrast there are over 300 passages talking about the poor. This should cause us to be at least as concerned about the needs of the poor as we are about different forms of immorality. Here is a sample of the Biblical references to our duty to care for the poor:

Psalm 12:5
Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan,
I will now arise,” says the Lord.
“I will protect them from those who malign them.

Psalm 82:3
Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.

Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.
Titus 3:14 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need...

Some of you may say, That’s fine but does the Bible really care about interest rates?” Apparently it does:

Proverbs 28:8
Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.

Leviticus 25:35-37
If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you. Take no interest from him or profit, but fear your God, that your brother may live beside you. You shall not lend him your money at interest, nor give him your food for profit.

Second, this is a Jesus issue. In the busiest, most important week of Jesus’ life, the week leading up to his crucifixion, he took time to confront people who gouging the poor by charging them exorbitant rates to purchases sacrificial animals, or to exchange their currency. By chasing those who were oppressing the poor out of the temple and disrupting their means of business he made a bold and costly statement about his priorities as the Messiah. His actions at the end of his life were consistent with the very first statement Jesus made following his temptation in the wilderness.

Luke 4:18,19
The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
o proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.

Third, real faith leads to action. James, the half brother of Jesus Christ and the Pastor of the first Church in Jerusalem made a reputation for himself as a defender for the poor. It didn’t go over well. James, who had the nickname, “Old Camel knees,” because of his consistent discipline of prayer, upset the powers that be by confronting the wealthy who were oppressing the poor in Jerusalem. They threw him from the top of the temple, and when he survived the fall they finished him off with clubs and stones. James’ life was committed to one central message, real faith leads to action. He went a step further; He said faith without action is dead

Spiritual maturity isn’t measured by how pious we are or solely by the lack of sin in our lives. The spiritual maturity that Jesus sought was measure by action. Doing things that are consistent with his example and with the values of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Fourth, God tells us to seize the moment. Ephesians 5:16 tells us that we are to redeem opportunities to do good or to oppose evil because the times are evil.This is one of those times.

We are at a critical moment. Our opportunity to oppose a specific form of oppression will pass quickly. What we do in the next month or two can make a difference. It’s our chance to follow the example of Jesus Christ by standing up to an industry that is designed to oppress the poor, the payday and predatory loan industry.

Here are a few facts about this industry

It is larger than McDonalds. There are 6,000 more payday loan centers than there are McDonalds. Worldwide revenue for McDonalds is around $22 billion. Worldwide revenue for predatory lending was almost $47 billion.
Most of this revenue comes from the poor. The profile of the typical payday borrower is a young divorced or separated woman of color with children who earns less than $40,000. In fact, 80% earn less than $30,000.
They charge excessive interest 390-665% interest.
The average borrower will pay $520 in fees on an initial loan of $375.
Rather than being in debt till their next payday, they will be trapped in debt for over 6 months.
They will take out 10 additional loans before they can pay off the original amount borrowed.....

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Why we’re not a bunch of dirty rotten pagans.

4/1/2016

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A few years back, around AD 330, there was this guy named Julian. Julian just happened to be the Emperor of the entire Roman Empire. His grandfather, Constantine was the first emperor to convert to Christianity, thus making it the official religion of Rome. Julian came along two generations later and wanted to “re-paganize” Rome, taking it back to the days before Jesus messed things up. Julian, also known as Julian the Apostate, preferred the orgies, debauchery, and violence of the good old days.

He set out to stamp out Christianity but he ran into a problem. Christian charity. Julian groused, “These impious Galileans (Christians) feed not only their own poor but ours as well.” Generous care for the poor was a distinguishing mark of early Christians. It not only attested to the reality of their faith, it also blessed the communities in which they lived. Julian’s efforts to turn back Christianity failed because people saw the beauty of Christ in the charity of early Christians. Like Tabitha, in the book of Acts, they had a legacy of good works and care for the poor.

I like the way one commentary defined “the poor.” It noted that the Biblical category of poor includes individuals and groups who are marginalized, people who lack both financial resources and helpful social connections. It includes people who have physical weaknesses, those who are isolated and powerless. In today’s context it might also include the undocumented, the mentally ill, the addicted, the under-educated, and others trapped in systemic poverty. Systemic poverty is way of referring to people who live in a world where everything around them is broken; people who without the help of others can’t just pull themselves up by their bootstraps.

We certainly see an emphasis on caring for the poor in the New Testament, but centuries later it was still central to the understanding of what Christianity is.

There was Basil the Great (330-379 AD) who wrote:

Fling open your doors; give your wealth free passage everywhere! As a great river flows by a thousand channels through fertile country, so let your wealth run through many conduits to the homes of the poor. Wells that are drawn from flow better; left unused they go foul…Money kept standing idle is worthless: but moving and changing hands it benefits the community and brings increase…. If everyone took for himself enough to meet his immediate needs and released the rest for those in need of it, there would be no rich and poor.

St. John Chrysostom added:

God generously gives all things that are much more necessary than money, such as air, water, fire, sun – all such things. All these things are to be distributed equally to all. “Mine” and “thine” – these chilling words have introduced numerous wars – they should be eliminated from the church.

About 50 years later, St, Augustine of Hippo wrote:

The superfluities of the rich are the necessities of the poor. When you possess superfluity, you possess what belongs to others. God gives the world to the poor as well as to the rich. Blessed are those who make room for the Lord [by releasing our grip on our own possessions on order to care for the poor.]

It’s interesting to see that early church fathers addressed the need to generously care for the poor.

It’s more interesting to see how Christ spoke of the need for Christian charity. His words, recorded in Matthew 25 leave little wiggle room. His sheep care for the poor. Goats don’t.

Jesus will look to those who have believed in him and accepted his charge to care for the poor and say, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.”

Then he will look to those who have turned a cold shoulder to the poor and say, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”

Solomon, a man of great wealth, also addressed the need for charity and justice.

The righteous care about justice for the poor,
But the wicked have no such concern. Proverbs 29:7

Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses. Proverbs 28: 27

Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor. Proverbs 22:9

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25

The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. Proverbs 22:9

Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered. Proverbs 21:13

Bottom line.

Don’t be a goat. Care about justice.

Don’t be a pagan. Care for the poor.

At Central Christian Church we are committed to addressing issues of justice and standing with those in need. Jesus didn't put us in Springfield so that we could worship comfortably in a beautiful sanctuary. He put us in springfield so that give our most vulnerable neighbors a taste of heaven and a relationship with Jesus. Join us for worship at 10:30 Sunday Mornings. Join us in community service the rest of the week.

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Unfit for Leadership. He's a Lying, Cheatin' Coward.

3/23/2016

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Character counts in leadership. It’s possible to have all of the right experience and still lack the character qualities to be an effective leader. One can be close to other effective leaders, possibly even on a great leadership team and still not pick up the skills and qualities that leaders need to take the reins during times of crisis.

I’m talking about Judas.

Today, the Wednesday of the Passion Week, marks a day when nothing much happened. Every other day of the week was packed with action; confrontations, miracles, and teaching that amazed the huge crowds.

But on Wednesday everyone laid low. Jesus and his team were tired from the hectic pace of the first three days of the week. They were also resting up for the celebrations at the end of the week, or so they thought.

Nothing much happened, except…

…one disciple slipped out of Bethany and made the 2 or 3 mile walk back into Jerusalem. Once there he arranged a meeting with a group of people whom Jesus, had just the day before called snakes, scorpions, wretches, blind fools, and robbers. To make matters worst, he told the most self-righteous men in town to get in line behind prostitutes and tax collectors if they hoped be a part of God’s Kingdom.

In what may be the worst case of poor judgment in world history, Judas surmised that this was a group with whom he could work.

Judas struck a deal. For the equivalent of about $3,500 he agreed to help them find Jesus when he was away from the crowds who were amazed at his teaching and wondering if might be the answer to their prayers for liberation from the Romans.

Judas had been there when Jesus walked on the water.

He picked up the leftover crusts of bread after one or two miraculous feedings.

And just a few months earlier he had watched in amazement as Lazarus stumbled out of the tomb still wrapped in burial clothes.

Judas is proof that being around Jesus isn’t the same as becoming one with Jesus.

That recognizing him as a pretty good guy isn’t the same as recognizing him as the one true King.

And worst of all for Judas, he proved that recognizing ones mistakes isn’t the same as repenting from them. After Jesus was sentenced early on Friday Judas wanted out of the deal, but apparently he still wasn’t willing to let Jesus change his heart.

Judas wasn’t just unfit for leadership. He was unfit for citizenship in God’s Kingdom.

This is a week for self-assessment. Where do we fit in the story? With whom do we identify? Will we be like Judas and decide that Jesus is not for us? Or, will we be like many in the crowds who take a wait and see approach, putting off a decision about Christ for a later day?

My suggestion. Let’s take our cue from a thief. Two of those crucified were in Paradise by the end of the day, Jesus and the thief who was willing to recognize his sin and seek God’s forgiveness.

One is not fit for leadership in God’s Kingdom if he or she is following someone down the wrong path.

Want to find your way into God’s kingdom? Follow Jesus.

Join us for Easter...10:30, this Sunday.

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In on a Donkey. Out with a Cross..

3/17/2016

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The story of Jesus is the best story ever. The Passion Week is it's most dramatic chapter.

It's a story of extremes.

Extreme love countered by extreme hate.

Extreme rejection countered by extreme forgiveness.

Entry on a donkey. Exit under a cross.

Welcomed as King. Led out of town as a convict.

There are some lessons for us in this amazing story.

Sometimes life isn't fair, but God is still in control.

Sometimes friends will desert of betray us, but God is still by our side.

Sometimes it looks as if there is no way out, but God always makes a way.

Sometimes evil appears to have won, but with God the story isn't over.

And finally, sometimes our behavior mocks Jesus, but when there is a spirit of belief and repentance he forgives.

This is one of the most important weeks in the year, a week for each of us to come to grips with the identity of Jesus.

What is our role in the story?

Will we mock him ... or will we worship him?

Will we seek a light load ... or will we carry his cross?

Jesus doesn't just want to be our friend. He didn't come so that we could have a nice day.

Jesus came as King.

A holy King who executes justice and punishes evil.

A benevolent King who forgives the brokenhearted.

A kind King who cares for the poor, who looks out for the vulnerable.

And most of all ... a welcoming King who opens the door to his Kingdom and invites us in.

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Think.Believe.Act.

I was a stranger and you deported me. - Jesus

Theology in the Raw and Q Podcasts

Loving, and Being Loved by my Muslim Neighbors

Spending Time Like Your Spend Your Money

Who Would Jesus Vet

Don't use drugs, buy things that explode, or take out payday loans.

Grab your whip. Let's follow Jesus!

Why we’re not a bunch of dirty rotten pagans.

Unfit for Leadership. He's a Lying, Cheatin' Coward.

In on a Donkey. Out with a Cross..

Pastor Carl

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