Refs are people too...

"Guilty!" said the judge as he bashed his gavel from up high.  It'll make sense a few paragraphs later...

Monday morning I got up and put my clothes on.  I think I put on my shorts first, then my shirt.  Probably followed by my socks.  I'm not really sure, I hadn't had any coffee yet.  I brushed my teeth, had some breakfast.  Took the kids to school.

I went to work each day.  Put my time in like everyone else.  Solved a few problems; probably created a few of my own on the way.  The weekend came just like always.  Friday night I did the public address at the local high school football game.  Saturday I mowed the lawn.  Sunday I went to church and then watched football.

Nothing special about any of that.  Just a regular guy doing regular things.


See the guys in this picture.  The one on the right is Dave.  Dave's mom recently passed away.  He's been struggling with her loss.

The guy on the far left is Sam.  Sam's doctor told him his blood work did not look good.  He has to go back next week for more tests.

The guy with his arms folded is going through a divorce.  The other guy just lost his full time job.  He doesn't know how he's going to be able to pay the bills.

Not really.  I don't know anything about the guys in this picture.  But all that could be true, you don't from your seat in the bleachers.  One thing I do know, I'm pretty sure the referees at Friday's football game probably had a very similar week to mine.  The major difference between them and me, is that during the football game they get yelled at for their mistakes, I just get to laugh and move on from mine.

I'm sure all referees know this by now.  Don't take any of your family with you when you work a game.  I can't imagine if one of their kids was in the stands watching.  Proud of her father out there doing his best.  Doing it because he loves the game.  Because he loves the atmosphere of the Friday night lights.

Then someone behind starts calling him names.  Shouting obscenities.  Sad.  If they miss a call or don't make one they should, the fans yell at them.  If they did make a call that went against our team, the fans yell at them.

Then again, I guess its understandable, right?  I mean, we never make mistakes ourselves and we shouldn't tolerate mistakes from others.  And I'm sure the real reasons the referees are making those mistakes is some deep rooted attempt to thwart our team's chance at victory.  Right?  They deserve to be harassed and yelled at.  Its only fair.  I mean if we don't get justice in this game... well heck, that just might be the launch point to Armageddon.

Sarcasm.  Thick sarcasm. (for those of you not adept and reading between the lines.)

Here are some questions for you.  Would we yell at them if one was our next door neighbor?  Our Pastor?  Our boss?  I doubt it.  We yell at them because they are a nameless entity that is robbing our poor youth of a fair shake at winning this doggone ball game!  Right.

I'd like to describe an interesting dynamic that I witness from my place in the booth at football games.  One person can sway the mood of an entire crowd.  I've seen this multiple times play out before my eyes.  Last week I saw scientific proof of this human trait on the television show Brain Games.  The show put up some ropes and a sign at a mall.  The sign said, "Line starts here."  Many people looked at the sign, but everyone walked on by.  Then the show had one guy go stand at the front of the imaginary line. Shortly thereafter, two people joined him.  Before long the line had thirty-something people waiting in a line they had no idea the purpose of.  Then, amazingly, the guy at the front led those thirty people around the mall, conga dancing, jumping over obstacles and singing.  Why?  The show said there are natural traits in our brain that like to follow.  We cling to the "accepted" norm of society and jump right in; sometimes without rational thoughts of our own.

So at a sporting event, one person can sway the mood and actions of the crowd (or at least those within a certain proximity).  Normally calm people can suddenly become irate, yelling, belligerent fans because the person near them seems pretty irate that the referee didn't call interference on a particular play.

It's horrible.  I know.  But I'm not preaching at you.  I'm not just pointing out your horrible ways because I'm so perfect.  (reference the first line in the blog) "Guilty!" said the judge to me!  I'm pointing it out because I've been there and done that.  I myself at one time was that ignorant, belligerent fan.  Yes, I said ignorant and belligerent.  Don't try to rationalize it with words of passion, spirit, and support for your team.

But it clicked for me one day the problem I was creating for myself and others.  First, I finally realized the sheer lack of importance of the event itself.  I know you may scoff at that, but what is the real significance of a high school football or basketball game?  College or Pro for that matter as well?  Do small starving children suddenly receive food if your team wins?  Are the homeless suddenly provided shelter with a local victory on the gridiron?  Does tyranny fall apart in defeat if the if we are victorious on the gridiron (or hardwood, or diamond)?  NO.

As a matter of fact, the high school players in the game probably get more out of adversity of bad calls as life lessons than they do anything else to begin with.  "It was a bad call.  Let's overcome it."  Folks, life is tough and it gets a lot harder than high school as you grow older. You are going to get wronged in every aspect.  Your job.  Traffic on the interstate.  Dealing with your insurance agency.  How are you going to react to those things.  Hopefully not like we might do at a football game.  (Can you say road rage or violence in the workplace.)

I also realized the anguish my own actions caused me internally and the cause my actions had on those around me.  I left games angry if it went wrong, happy if it went well.  My mood was controlled by the outcome of a high school game.  When did I allow my emotional stability to be controlled by the athletic prowess of high school kids and men I didn't know wearing zebra outfits?  Was I letting that happen in other aspects of my life?  Were events totally outside my control driving the flavor of my mood?  I think they were.  I had lost control of myself - and yourself is actually the only thing in this world you can control.  Eeek!

I finally conceded that they aren't Spartans fighting for our very existence.  So I made a conscious effort to change my behavior.  It took a while.  I started wearing headphones to games and just listening to music while I watched.  I couldn't hear the other ignorance going on around me.  I just watched the plays and let what I thought were bad calls slide - gritting my teeth of course.  I even let great plays by my team go without response as well.  I tried to remove my emotions from the event.  I told myself it doesn't matter what happens during the game.  The sun will rise tomorrow.  The wind will blow in Texas.  God will still love you.

Eventually I created a calmer behavior in myself during sporting events.  I can watch without getting all emotionally wrapped up in them.  I can recognize a bad call without it ripping my guts apart as some form of global injustice.  I see it as it truly is.  Part of life.  Sure bad calls still bother me, but when I'm faced with them I try to look at the referee as a person with a family that might be in the stands, or with his/her own personal problems to deal with.

Here is a point for you to ponder...  I'm sure all of you have seen some of the videos and things pushing the anti-bullying campaigns.  Bullying sucks.  Plain and simple.  But what is the difference between yelling and harassing a referee and bullying?  (remember, don't rationalize.  Look at the core problem with both).

I hope this perspective will bleed into other parts of your life as well.  Being stuck in traffic will just be time to reflect on your thoughts.  Having to constantly battle with the insurance company will be just another task that day.  Your mood will improve.  You might even find your acid reflux subsides a bit.

Treat others as you would like to be treated.  Love your neighbor as yourself.  Remember, refs are people too.

God Bless,
Rob
www.starvt.com

Part II - Satan's final trick...

Welcome back!  Last week I discussed Satan's tricks and deception and focused on my belief that the Rapture will not occur until after the Tribulation, meaning Christians will not be taken up beforehand, but will have to endure it like everyone else.

On the surface, this may just seem like an unfavorable circumstance and that the outcome will still be the same, but I fear there is another issue to address to ensure you are ready, should I be correct.

Today's discussion is on whether you can lose your salvation.  I've had many discussions on this topic before, and I'd like to first just clear the air on some of the arguments I have been presented.


1) It is a gift, you can't earn it or lose it.  You can only accept it, therefore you can do nothing to lose it.

Yes it is a gift.  But, I don't totally agree with the "earn it" statement.  I agree you cannot earn it by doing good deeds, donating money, or working in a ministry.  None of those things will grant you salvation.  But that statement has morphed into something akin to "you don't have to do anything for salvation".  Totally untrue.  You do have to do something.  You have to believe that Christ is your Savior.  You have to have faith that His death paid for your sins.  You have to accept that gift.  And we know full well you can deny this gift.  You can refuse to accept Christ as your savior.  Why do we draw the line there and refuse to believe you can give the gift back?  Why do we refuse to believe you can lose faith?

2) It diminishes God's power/sovereignty if you can lose your salvation.

Not in the remoteness is that true.  Why would turning your back on Christ diminish his power any more than you denying him in the first place?  From the beginning of all time, God has known your path.  Whether that path would be full belief and salvation, full denial and damnation, or wishy-washy flopping back and forth.  He knows already.   He's not going to make you love Him and he's not going make you stay faithful to Him.  It is your choice He has given to you to make.

3) Well, then those people didn't really have faith to begin with.

This one drives me the most crazy.  I tell people this answer.  Never try to see into someone else's heart.  Only Jesus can do that and it is a poor defense to claim someone's faith or belief wasn't real to begin with in order to try and protect yourself.  It can happen, see Matthew 13;21 - the parable of the seeds. "they quickly fall away."

Now that I've commented on some of those arguments, let's look at the root of Salvation.  There are two distinct verses that set the ground work of establishing what you must do.

John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (NIV)  (underlined for emphasis).

Acts 16:31 - "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” (NIV) (underlined for emphasis)

I feel belief and faith go hand in hand regarding salvation.  Both verses clearly state believing in Christ is the foundation.  The Greek translation of  'believe' is 'pisteuo', which means to commit to and trust.  Faith is commonly and frequently used to describe one's internal dedication to that belief that Christ is your Savior.  The Greek for 'faith' is 'pistus', which means to have conviction towards God and his truth.

The two words are not interchangeable and I will concede that faith is not a synonym for salvation.  However, I will not concede that the loss of faith is completely separated from your salvation.

Hebrews 11:6 - And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (NIV) 

Ephesians 2:8 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

So how does this all play into my opinion that one can lose their salvation?

In the previous blog you learned I believe Christians will endure the Tribulation which means we will go through the most horrific events the earth has ever, or will ever experience.  We know that Satan will not stop trying to deceive us until his final defeat.  He will try to do everything in his power to sway us into not believing Christ is the Savior.  In the last blog I also asked what the mindset of people might be who have waited to be Raptured, yet suddenly find that didn't happen.  They could feel betrayed, confused, lost and afraid.  And who is going to be there filling their minds with answers?  Satan.  And Jesus strictly warns of this in Matthew 24:4, "Watch out that no one deceives you."

Why do I believe one can lose their faith and thus their salvation?  Below are some verses that have led me to this belief.  Each one is just a portion, but the reference is there for you to look up the whole verse and read for yourself.

John 3:36 - Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life
Matthew 10:22 - but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved
Matthew 12:31 - blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
Matthew 13:21 - When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away
Mark 3:29 - whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.
2 Peter 3:17 - be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.
Revelation 13:10 - This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people
Matthew 24:10 - many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other
Matthew 24:13 - but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved
Matthew 24:22 - If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.

Here's the tie between the two points.  If (I'm still letting you doubt...) the Christians are not raptured before the tribulation, then all of Revelation and Matthew 24 is referencing the 'already' Christians and it is clear that some will fall from the faith.  It is clear that sins against the Spirit are not forgiven.  And it is clear that 'standing firm' is a requirement, not a suggestion.

Let's wrap this up and I pray you seriously consider what I've laid before you. If this does nothing else for you but strengthen your resolve to remain faithful to Christ, then it has accomplished its purpose.  If you get nothing out of this except a memory that comes to you during the Tribulation and you remain faithful, then it has accomplished its purpose.  And if I'm wrong about these things, then I will gladly concede my ignorance as we make our way to the Lord!

Peace and Love,
Rob
www.starvt.com

Satan's final trick...

Many of you have probably heard about the quote (or have at least heard the theory) of Satan's greatest trick.  Satan's greatest trick is deceiving people into believing he doesn't exist.  Deception is his specialty.  It started in the garden with Adam and Eve and he's been hard at work on it ever since.

Some examples of his deceptions can be found within the various religions across the world.  There are similarities in each and every one.  Each one contains elements that make it seem plausible.  Each one contains history that makes it seem legitimate.  Each follower believes so heavily in their religion, they feel it is the one true way towards eternal life.  Each one is just close enough to the real thing to gain followers, but just far enough away to fail at the ultimate goal of eternity with God.  Think of the analogy of a fake Rolex.  It looks like it, feels like it, and acts like it.  But it isn't a Rolex.

So consider this.  If Satan's greatest trick is making people believe he doesn't exist and his greatest tool is deception, which religious set of beliefs is he going to focus the majority of his attention on in trying to "debunk"?  The answer in this writer's opinion is that he is going to focus on the one that is the biggest threat to his plans. There is no reason why he would attempt to thwart those that he placed in play to begin with.

But his tricks are not limited to breaking people into various faith groups.  He is hard at work inside the Christian community as well.  Christians often disagree on elements within the Bible among the various denominations such as the Baptists, Methodist and so on.  Why the strife here?  You would think that if each holds the core values leading to eternal life, the differences wouldn't be important.  And I'll tell you most of the churches hold to that theory.  "We can disagree on the minor things as long as we agree on the major ones."

That might be true, but I feel that also might be where Satan is his trickiest.  Specifically in two main areas that are the focus of this blog.

A) The timing of the Rapture.
B) The belief that you can not lose your salvation.

A) THE RAPTURE

First, let's level set on what sometimes becomes the focal point of this argument. The word "rapture" does not appear in the Bible.  It is a synonym for the phrase "being caught up".   The fact that the actual term is not in the Bible is irrelevant.  It is a term to describe an event, which  does occur in the Bible.  The rapture itself is very vividly described by Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. (KJV)

"Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

There are varying views within the Christian community on when the Rapture will occur (and each of those views come with some pretty hefty names - don't get bogged down by the names...).  I'm going to keep it simple and focus on just two.

1) The Pre-Tribulation Rapture (Dispensational Premillennial)
2) The Post-Tribulation Rapture (Historical Premillenial)

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

Your first question might be, "What is the Tribulation?" To quote the movie Armageddon, imagine "the worst parts of the Bible."  It is the time described in the book of Revelation where God pours out his wrath on the earth and leads right up to the time of Jesus's return for his thousand year reign (which people also debate when the reign will be, but that's a topic for another day) on earth and the defeat of Satan forever.

Of the two, you are probably more familiar with the Pre-Trib Rapture.  It is the premise of the "Left Behind" novel series.  In the Pre-Trib Rapture, all the saved Christians are "caught up" and brought to Jesus in Heaven before the Tribulation period begins.  The Pre-Trib theory holds that God doesn't want the Christians to have to endure or go through the horrific events of the Tribulation and/or Apocalypse, and therefore they are raptured before it happens.  After the Pre-Trib Rapture, those remaining have the opportunity to redeem themselves and receive salvation.  But it isn't going to be easy.

The arguments and Biblical references for a Pre-Trib Rapture are sound and many.  Just as the arguments and references for a Post-Trib Rapture are sound and many.  I'm not going to attempt to spell all those out for you in this blog (search the internet and read your Bible on these subjects - you'll be occupied for the next year or more...).

I personally believe it will be a post tribulation rapture. I hope I'm wrong.   I mean who would want to endure the tribulation.  Not me, but that doesn't change my opinion that we will endure it if we're alive when it kicks off.

As Russell Moore (president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention) is quoted as saying, "This author (Moore) certainly hopes he is wrong about the timing of the rapture and will gladly concede this point to his pretribulational friends while flying through the atmosphere."

Here is a short list of some of the reasons I believe we will endure the Tribulation (it isn't the full list)

• Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 (preceding and following) doesn't specifically say when it will happen.
• I believe Revelation 19:11-18 paints a distinctly similar description of the rapture, and Revelation 19 occurs after the Tribulation.
• Revelation repeatedly refers to "saints", "the elect", "holy ones".  These terms throughout the rest of the New Testament refer to Christians.  (I don't buy the argument that in Revelation it is only referring to those who weren't raptured and have converted).
• Matthew 24 (Mark 13, Luke 21) - the Olivet Discourse.  Jesus specifically declares the things will happen to "you".  "You will be persecuted and put to death." Jesus doesn't refer to those experiencing it will be someone else.  He says "you".
• Matthew 24:30-31 - After Jesus tells of the woes of the end of time and the Tribulation being completed, he states this; (KJV)

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

So now you ask, "So what difference does it make which theory I hold as truthful?"

The answer; it could make all the difference in the world.

What will the mark be?

Imagine if you've gone your whole life waiting for Jesus to call you home and save you from the misery on earth and that doesn't happen...  And if suddenly you find yourself in the midst of the Apocalypse being persecuted and faced with choices like "the mark of the beast" or starving, what is your mindset going to be?  What choices will you make?

You might feel abandoned or betrayed. You might look for some form of comfort or aid in your time of need. You may even question the validity of all you know.  And who'll be there ready to help you out during your time of distress? Satan, through the Antichrist.

"Not me!" you shout and I commend you!  I hope I have that same resolve and strength.

But, go read Revelation and Matthew 24 again. Study it. I know you're tough, but really read it.  Read it from the point of view of someone who will have to go through it.  Don't read it like some fairy tale Sunday School lesson that glosses over it.  "Don't worry children, we'll all be gone when this happens".  Read like its your own future biography.  Then ask yourself again, "can I endure it?"

Another thing to remember, it won't be just you having to endure it. Your family and loved ones will be enduring it as well.  How strong will your resolve be then?

Now that I've thoroughly ruined your day or at least opened your eyes to the possibility...

You are now saying, "Well even if I have to endure it, it doesn't matter.  I've been saved and the Tribulation only last seven years.  I'll make it or if I die, then so be it."

Sounds like a logical approach.  So long as your belief that you can't lose your salvation is as sound as your belief was that the rapture occurs before the Tribulation.

Which brings me to the next topic, "Can you lose your salvation?"

But you're going to have to wait for that.  Stay tuned and look for Part II of this series next week.

Rob
www.starvt.com

Read Part II of this series.

Ray Rice and the disappearance of moral fiber...

Where has the moral fiber of this country gone?  I know, there are many answers to that question. There are many reasons it has degraded.

But in regards to sports teams, where has it gone?

Not everyone in pro sports is corrupt.  Shoot, I don't even believe the ones who are all do it conscientiously either.  I believe many may fall victim to the world of "succeed or else" and it causes them to deviate from their own moral compass.  And I'm not just talking about the millionaire players and billionaire owners of the NFL either. Those folks sometimes look the other way when the offending player is vital to the team. It makes them money. But why are the fans and media caught in this same tolerant behavior?

The fans and media are okay with criminals, dope fiends, and wife beaters so long as it gives their team (of which they have no real connection) a better shot at winning. That's what it seems like.

We don't know for sure who knew what, and when they knew it about the Ray Rice incident. But we did know he hit a woman and knocked her unconscious. And the NFL slapped his wrist. The DA basically gave him a lecture.  Did you know the Raven fans cheered him when he came to practice the first time after the incident?  Cheered him?  For what? See that image to the right?  That man hit his wife and then was cheered when he came to practice.  Unbelievable.

But that all came unglued this morning when the TMZ full video (watch it if you want to be sick to your stomach) was released and no one could hide from how awful an act Ray Rice committed.

Now many are lauding the Ravens and the NFL for their quick action.  The Ravens cut him from the team and the NFL suspended him indefinitely.  Bull Crud! They only acted because it got too big and ugly for them to hide anymore.  And it's quite possible they've been hiding it all along. I find it unimaginable that the DA, the NFL and the Ravens couldn't get that video, but TMZ could. They were covering it up and then the covers blew up.

So why is this behavior tolerated?  And don't tell me it isn't tolerated, and they are just trying to give the players a second chance!

Ya, ya I believe in second chances. So How's this for a second chance. Mr. NFL player you hit your wife (smoked crack, got a DUI, fill in the blank). We aren't going to pay you 9 million dollars. We are going to send you to rehab, pay you the equivalent to someone in the military makes while in you are in rehab, and then help you find a regular job to finish out your life.  You are done with the NFL.  There are over 129 Division I college teams, each with 90 plus players all waiting to take to your place.  We don't need you.  We don't want you.  Have you heard fast food workers are trying to get $15 an hour?  Here's an application.  Good luck.

That is a second chance.

Ray Rice should never take another snap in the  NFL. His second chance is that he's not going to prison.  His second chance is that his wife's father doesn't plant him in the backyard.  Those are his second chances.  He doesn't deserve a second chance to make millions of dollars to play a game.  We need to seriously look at our definition of what a second chance is.

I keep hearing sports announcers say things like "this is bigger than the NFL", "It is a society issue, not just a locker room issue."  News Flash announcers - everything is bigger than the NFL.  It is a game.  Kids all over America play it for free.  They play it for fun.

And the saddest part of all of this is that if TMZ hadn't released the video, Ray would have been on the field playing in a couple of weeks.  No more penalty.  No repercussions. And who knows when it would have happened again - and it still may.

Rob
www.starvt.com

Planned Parenthood

Just reading the title probably got your full attention. 

Before you begin licking your chops in anticipation of either attacking my position or lauding praises upon me, throttle back. I don't want to declare who is right or who is wrong. I don't want a heated debate (unless it occurs solely within the confines of your own noggin).  I don't want to have an argument over which Bible verses condemn abortion.  I don't want to hear about a woman's right to do what she pleases with her body. I don't want to try and determine when life starts. Instead, I merely want to ask you, "what if?" and give you a multiple choice test (don't worry it will be a short one).

I've contemplated  about this post for a long while. I have often thought about what to say, whether to quote Bible verses, which political stance to take, or whether I should just leave my big trap shut.  However, I feel the time has come to share some thoughts. Just some. 

First, have you seen any of those "ice bucket" challenges for ALS awareness? I know, silly question right? They are all over the Interweb and the news.  While those viral types of promotions are good, (and I even did it myself) if all they do is raise awareness, what really has been accomplished? Not much. Sure, everyone is now more aware of ALS, but what has been done to really help the cause. The point is, there has to be donations or other tangible acts of support for real change to take effect.

I see a similarity to that ALS challenge and the abortion and Planned Parenthood debate. I hear many passionate people talking and writing about how wrong it is or how right it is.  The line seems to be drawn equally across society, just like every other major issue in this country (guns, immigration, gay marriage, take your pick).  "Spreading the word," they say.  "Letting people know what the Bible says," they say. "Protecting women's rights," they say. 

Awareness. That's all we are really doing. Trying to raise awareness.  Both sides are equally guilty.  But is awareness what Jesus wants?

I'll ask you to look up this entire verse, Luke 10:25-37. It is the Good Samaritan parable that also contains the Love Commandment (that's what I call it). 

"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself."

[SIDEBAR: In Matthew 22, Jesus refers to this as the first and great commandment.  It is also in Mark and Deuteronomy.  There are several in John that are similar.  1 John has many verses around Love. Paul said "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."  (Do you see the pattern?)]

But please don't assume you know the story, go read it. In the parable Jesus leads the lawyer to answer his own question regarding what makes a 'neighbor'?  The lawyer confesses that it is the one who actually helped the person who had been mugged. Regardless of religious affiliation, ethnicity, nationality, or even political beliefs. Jesus commanded us to love our neighbor. So again, I ask, is that what Jesus wants?  Awareness? 

Can you imagine if the Samaritan said, "Oh look innkeeper!  Are you aware that this poor man has been beaten and lie dying in the street?"

On your own judgement day, what will you say?  "Jesus, I tried to tell them that they were disobeying God.  They just didn't listen."  

What if he asks you, "But what did you actually do?"

You'll reply, "I tried to save the unborn children."

He may answer, "And what did you do to save my child who stood directly before you?" 

(Note that the word "save" in the previous two sentences has a different meaning in each.)

What if each side, instead of voicing their opinions and claiming the other to be wrong, did something out of pure love for the other?

What if, instead of  a person protesting Planned Parenthood by waving signs and shouting so that they could so desperately try to convince others they are wrong, that person instead volunteered to pay the hospital bills and take in the newborn baby as their own?

What if Planned Parenthood was flooded by Christian families and churches that were willing to take on the costs and responsibilities of raising the child.  Every child. 

What if the Christian community started their own organization called "Unplanned Parenthood"?  And the goal was to offer services that help these women, provided healthcare and support, and ensured that the mother felt the love of Christ. It could make sure, beyond a doubt, that the mother would have every opportunity afforded her to make a sound choice. 

There are some people and groups who try to do just that. And I wish I was more like them.  But Jesus didn't say some should. He said everyone should. He said to love your neighbor. He told the lawyer that was the path to eternal life (along with loving God). He didn't tell the lawyer the path to eternal life was making others obey His commands. I know we are to spread the Gospel and make disciples, but are we accomplishing that by banging people over the head?  Are we supposed to force our beliefs on others?  I've heard hundreds of people say "I led someone to Christ". I've never heard anyone say "I forced someone to Christ"

I modified this tweet from a friend of mine (which does not mean he endorses this blog - but I thought it fit), "Our goal is not to prove the world wrong or to prove ourselves right, but to love others and make Jesus famous. Not infamous."

A prominent DFW Baptist Pastor said, "We can not fight secular battles with Biblical principles."

Both are absolutely right. I can not take the Texas Drivers Handbook to London and prove to them they drive on the wrong side of the road. It doesn't work. And Jesus didn't tell us to do that. He told us to Love our neighbor first. Are we doing that? How many people look at the Christian side of the debate and say, "they are so chocked full of love."

Now before you start on me, I am a realist. Will we all love like that? Probably not. If we all did love like that, would it solve all the problems? No it wouldn't. But remember, Jesus didn't say to solve all the problems. He told us each to love one another.

So I promised you some "what if?" questions.  Check. 
And I promised you a multiple choice test.  Here's your test.

When faced on judgement day, and asked, "What did you do?" Will your answer be;

a) I raised awareness 
     or 
b) I took action out of love

Check.

Till next week folks! Feel free to comment, but do so out of love!

Rob
www.starvt.com