Want to start an argument? Bring up religion or politics! Okay, let’s bring up politics (Yes, I am a fool!). I’m tired of partisan politics. I looked up partisan on Answers.com and wow, look what I found as definitions of “partisan”:
1. A fervent, sometimes militant supporter or proponent of a party, cause, faction, person, or idea.
2. A member of an organized body of fighters who attack or harass an enemy, especially within occupied territory; a guerrilla.

Well, that describes some of the tirades I see and hear on the media between the parties and candidates. I’m tired of the attacks.

In this political season I’m reminded again that neither party is fully in line with the values of the Kingdom of God. I find things in all parties that I think are Kingdom issues and values and some that are not. No one party has a corner on truth - “duh!” And no candidate is fully like Jesus - another “duh” moment!

In Jesus’ day, his teaching attacked almost every party of the day, whether the Zealot revolutionaries, the Sadducees who backed the Romans or the hard line Pharisees. No wonder they all plotted to kill him. The Kingdom of God is not the kingdom of this world. God is not Republican or Democrat - He is King of Kings.

There are Republican issues I fully support (I’m against abortion). There are Democratic issues I support (I believe God has called us to care for our environment). Rarely do I buy into the solutions though. To apply the Bible and the teachings of Jesus to all the issues of our day is a huge challenge - but one worth struggling over and pursuing.

We have a couple folks who are church members who are running for office. I really like these folks but I won’t endorse them in our services or through church means. Pantano Christian Church is non-partisan - period. We have followers of Jesus who are Republican and Democrat and Independent. However, in my next two blogs I will address two issues (they are called propositions on the ballot) that I believe the Bible does speak about. I will speak about them more from a biblical perspective than a political one.

I am fully committed that Pantano Christian Church be a place where ALL followers of Jesus, regardless of political persuasion, are not told which party to support or candidate to vote for. However, as followers of Jesus, we want the teachings of the Bible to guide our voting. So in the next two weeks I’ll address a couple propositions from a biblical perspective. Let our political arguments first go back to see what the Bible says. And we still might disagree about what the Bible is teaching while we do our best to follow Jesus - that is non-partisan at its best.

In the world, but not of the world,

Glen

Wow, the bad news has been bad lately. Hurricanes. Freddy Mac and Fannie Mae bail out. Financial institutions going under. Stock market plunging. Difficult housing market. Bad job market. Wars. High gas prices. Ouch!

It is very understandable that folks are anxious. I’ve heard and seen the fear in good people. These are uncertain times. And yes, the uncertainty is very real.

So how do we react? Or better, how should we respond? Jesus is always the place to start. Unfortunately he is also one of the last people we actually go to for answers to our daily challenges.

Jesus said it matter of factly - “Do not worry about your life … Who by worrying can add a single hour to his life … Do not worry about tomorrow” (Mt. 6:25, 27, 34). Are Jesus’ words overly simplistic or naïve? No. Just simple and true.

So what if the markets crash, the banks close, we lose our job, our house or our car. It is all over? No. We’ve let these things become things we trust in. We can’t imagine a good life without them (that’s actually naïve thinking and modern idolatry). If we are honest, we often actually trust these things (money, stocks, jobs, houses and cars) more than we trust God. Worry is proof! So when there is the possibility that we can’t trust or depend on these things anymore, we panic and worry. Anxiety is the curse of our age. Anxiety actually robs us more of life than the actual loss (or potential loss) of things.

But anxiety or worry is not inevitable. We have a choice. Why worry about that which we have no control over? We can choose to panic and try to control these events - but that’s simply crazy. Jesus instructs in this teaching (Mt. 6:33) that our only “worry” or concern is to focus on Jesus and put him first. We seek God’s kingdom first, that is God’s influence in our lives. That’s the beginning and the end of all of life. That puts everything in perspective.

God knows you and I need the basics (Mt. 6:32). He will provide. But He never promised a guaranteed tomorrow - only his guidance for today. Worry about tomorrow only robs of us today. Worry about tomorrow only distracts us from seeing Jesus, living like Jesus and making the most of the one thing we do have control over - how we feel and act right now.

Choose not to worry. It is based on faith. Not faith in the federal government or industry, or chance or our own clever actions but in one who is infinitely trustworthy - Jesus. He is ALWAYS good. He will NEVER abandon us. He is MORE than wise to help us live above the bad news. Choose to put your faith in God alone. Hmmm … seems like our money even says that - “In God We Trust“.

Glen

In our last message of the series Life@Work we are talking about bosses and owners. The message applies to anybody who leads others like teachers, coaches, managers and even parents.

So how do you deal with a bad boss? We are not bosses in every area of our lives. Even though I’m the Lead Pastor at PCC, I find myself in different settings where I’m not the boss - like at home (just kidding Jolene)! How does God want us to act when our boss or leader is less then, well, you can fill in the blank. I want you to read a passage that I tried to follow when I had a very bad boss a number of years ago. This passage is not just theory for me.

1 Peter 2:18-21(NIV) is so counter-cultural that I won’t even try to convince you of its power and truth, but let God’s Word speak for itself. Slaves in this text are similar to “employees” today and masters are like “bosses.”
¹⁸ Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. ¹⁹ For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. ²⁰ But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. ²¹ To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

I draw 3 key principles from this in dealing with a bad boss or leader.
1. Always show respect (vs. 17). Period! We are a culture that no longer knows how to respect others. Have you watched the political conventions lately? Respect for others was glaringly absent.

2. Submit to both good and bad bosses. Why? Because our behavior matters to God (vv. 18 & 19). When we are conscious of God, we treat even less than ideal people the way God treats us.

3. Suffering is often our final weapon against wrong doing (vs. 21). We bring the spiritual victory to ourselves and our situation not by being mean or returning wrong for wrong done, but by suffering. Jesus’ greatest act that changed all of history came through suffering. He took the role of a slave and was treated wrongly, even though he is the Master (Lord) and was innocent.

May we reflect Jesus in every situation and especially when we are not treated as we should by those who have power over us. May we lead those who lead us by our Christlike character.

Glen

ps. Don’t miss our Pantano Business Expo and Job Fair

What do we call those who are not following Jesus? I think our terms do matter. It seems whatever we call these folks, it ought to be a name we would not be embarrassed if they heard us use the term. Therefore terms like “pagan” and “heathen” seem inappropriate. Some labels seem silly like “pre-Christian” as that may be a bit presumptuous. Other terms seem accurate, but those who are outside of Jesus do not like them - “lost” or “unsaved.” Then there are words like “non-Christian” or “unchristian.” They just don’t seem helpful.

Our life group is reading a book called Unchristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity and Why it Matters by David Kinnaman. He suggests another term - “outsiders” and his book is based on his research of what the “outsiders” think of us “insiders” or Evangelicals or born-again Christians.

I shared some of his findings with the Jewish congregation I spoke to a few weeks ago as I assumed that they either thought some of these things or had heard others suggest them. Here’s the brief summary of how “outsiders” see us “insiders.” Of course his research has a feel of stereotyping. But we are stereotyped, whether we like it or not!
1. We are known for what we oppose: anti-abortion, anti-homosexual, anti-thinking, etc.
2. We are thought to be proud and arrogant and “above” others
3. We are viewed as angry, mean, judgmental, wanting to convert everyone and generally are not peaceful people
4. We are hypocritical and not authentic in our faith and lifestyle (we say one thing, do another or act like we have it all together)
5. We are too political - pushing a conservative right-wing agenda

Not a very flattering picture! My hearts breaks at these views. It is my hope and dream that someday the “outsiders” would say the following about us “insiders:”
1. They stand for such great things like justice, mercy and compassion
2. They are humble servants who put others first
3. They are gentle, peaceful, grace giving and loving folks who have a great story they love to tell
4. They are broken people who genuinely follow Jesus
5. They want to change society by their grassroots efforts of sacrifice and practical service

I’m proud to be part of Pantano Christian Church as we intentionally work to see these hopes and dreams become a reality. May our lives truly bring honor rather than dishonor to Jesus.

Glen