Jesus Represented Badly

 

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female he created them.

Genesis 1: 27 NKJV 

A few weeks ago I was struck by a comment from a friend of mine.  In passing I wrote a email to him concerning the question, how could God be in someone like... (insert name of any one you dislike here)?  It's a legit question, probably one that has been asked since the days when Jesus Himself chose those who would follow Him in His ministry.  How could Jesus choose this tax collector...common fisherman or political zealot?  Yet, each time I ask this question I arrive at the next obvious one...why would God choose me?  The answer to my email from my friend was profound and yet amazingly simple.  God has chosen to look like me, not the other way around.  God, by His own choosing, has decided that I would resemble His very image.  He, is me.  Now, this may very well set off alarm bells in many well meaning Christians.  How can a sinner claim to be God?  It's the same argument Jesus had with the Pharisees back in the day.  This argument would be a legitimate one...had our sin issue not been resolved by Jesus at the cross {Romans 6:11}.  The fact that Jesus resolved the issue of sin is no big secret, in fact it's one of the foundations of our Christian beliefs.  But how soon we forget.  For despite knowing in our hearts that Jesus paved the way for our relief from sin, we continue to see our sin as a barrier between ourselves and God.  Wayne Jacobsen made a excellent point in his blog this week, that those who are leaving our  churches aren't rejecting Jesus...just those churches who represent him badly.  Well said!  Believe me, Jesus has been represented very badly by many a church.  The apostle Paul must have run into some objections from the authorities of his day as well for speaking the truth of Christ Jesus in him {Galatians 2:20}.  How could Jesus ever choose a hateful man such as Saul?  Every Christian knows the damage Saul's purge did to the early church.  Yet Jesus chose this man to represent Him.  Again, God chose to reveal Himself in Paul, not the other way around.  

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

Galatians 2: 20 NKJV 

I've had the opportunity to watch a few episodes of the new series "The Chosen" in recent weeks.  I enjoy how the interaction between Jesus and those He chose to follow Him is depicted.  One scene in particular fits this discussion well.  The scene finds Jesus and His followers walking through the city when suddenly Jesus comes across the booth of the tax collector Matthew.  Now, Matthew served the hated Romans, and every Jew in the area did not look favorably on that.  What did Jesus do?  He called Matthew by name..."Matthew...son of Alpheus...follow Me"  Immediately, Simon interrupts Jesus by saying, "Do you know what this man's done...do you even know him?"  To which Jesus replies..."Yes."  Jesus knew well who Matthew was.  Better yet, He knew the man he could be.  Jesus did not see Matthew as the tax collector everyone else despised.  Perhaps this is part of the reason Jesus was seen as controversial back in His time.  He did not follow the script which everyone expected of the promised messiah.  As Jesus tells Simon when he objects to His calling of Matthew..."Get used to different."  I've wondered at times just how many people have looked upon me and wondered to themselves...God how could you choose him?  If they were to ask me, I'd lay some truth down on them.  Yes, God has chosen to resemble me, the same way He chose to resemble you.  We are all created in the Fathers image.  Our only stumbling block comes when we refuse to accept that truth in our lives.  It's a truth so different that you more than likely won't hear it from too many church pulpits.  Get used to different.  

~Scott~ 

With God On Our Side

Repay no one evil for evil.  Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.  If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.  Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place for wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay." says the Lord.

Romans 12: 17 - 19 NKJV 

This week the world watched once again as the middle east was thrown into another regional conflict.  Provoked beyond the point of continuing to stand firm, the nation of Israel struck back at their Hamas terrorist attackers.  In recent years we have seen some relatively calm periods in this part of the world.  However, in a region which at times seems to be dominated with populations concerned only with centuries old blood feuds, one has to wonder if we will ever see true peace in the middle east.  In my lifetime, I have been witness to many of the wars and violence which has scarred that part of the world in modern times.  I remember one news talking head back when the second gulf war began refer to it as a "holy war."  Funny, I wasn't aware that God Himself was taking sides in our conflicts.  Yet, in almost all of the wars which the United States has been involved in, we go in guns blazing "With God on our side."  Now, I'm no pastor, but are we really to accept that a God of love will abruptly disregard His very nature in order to support the bloodlust of one nation?  I would hope that the God which I follow is not that shallow.  We're told that God is love {1 John 4:8}.  That doesn't mean that God is love for one segment of the worlds population.  For His love extends to all of His creation, even for those who we may think are too heathen to deserve it.  A friend asked me a question once as we were discussing the truth of Christ in us.  Did Adolf Hitler resemble Gods image?  Absolutely!  The trouble was that he didn't realize his true identity.  The list goes on through all of eternity, Josef Stalin, Saddam Hussein and a host of others who for one reason or another refused to see who it was they truly were inside.  The same goes for those who have committed violence against others.  They were created in the Lords very image as I was, yet without the revelation of knowing who they are.  Can you imagine what the world would be like if everyone knew their true identity in Christ?  

Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgement on themselves.  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil.  Do you want to be unafraid of the authority?  Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.  For he is Gods minister to you for good.  But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.

Romans 13: 2 - 4 NKJV 

On May 14th, 1948, David Ben-Gurion issued the proclamation forming the nation state of Israel.  Almost immediately, Egypt, Jordan and Syria invaded the newly formed nation.  It was only the beginning of many years of conflict in the region.  I choose to believe that the nation of Israel was created out of the ashes of hate.  Indeed, just a few years before its founding, the world first became aware of the horrors of the German Nazi holocaust near the ending of the second world war.  In all, about six million European Jews never lived to see the day Israel became a nation once again.  It might be difficult for well meaning Christians to accept the fact that "All" were created in the Lords image, but that's how it is.  Scripture does not tell us that God made exceptions as to who He chose to share His image with.  So did God mess up our DNA somehow?  How is it that some exemplify the Father who is in them while others do not?  Think about this in terms of a child separated from his family at birth.  Even though his father might have been a well known pastor and a man of God, the boy may grow up to become a hard core criminal.  The son shares all of the physical attributes and DNA of his parents, yet he knows nothing about who he really is.  The same is true of those who commit violence or do wrong.  Are they still Gods creation?  Absolutely.  Does He still abide in them?  I believe so.  We're told that the Lord created us from the dust of the ground and breathed into us the breath of life {Genesis 2:7}.  Not just a select few...everyone.  We all have Gods DNA and very presence within us.  Of course, there are those who have been blinded as to who they truly are.  

An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind.

~Scott~ 

Where Fellowship Leads

 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 

1 John 1: 7 NKJV 

I recall how Sunday used to be the day where we would reconnect with friends.  Sunday morning services were our chance to see those people we had not seen during the week or maybe longer still.  I remember how people in the congregation would walk around the sanctuary before the start of the service.  The aisles would be filled with fellowship and conversation.  I was thinking about this the other day as I read a article on the so called "fellowship of the new church."  Basically, how many believers have forsaken the church gatherings and turned to more traditional places in order to get their fellowship needs met.  Now, I can relate to this in a way because I am one of those who has taken to seeking fellowship in places outside of the traditional church walls.  On my frequent trips to the gym, I am often presented with the opportunity to speak my faith to others around me.  To date I haven't been kicked out of the gym for doing so.  I guess we could have seen this coming?  Granted, with the exodus of many once faithful church attendees forsaking the traditional church gatherings for something more, I'm guessing that it does not come as a surprise to many.  One thing I've noticed through all of this is that these once faithful church goers are not giving up on God, just the way He is being presented to them.  After all, who desires to follow a God who we have been told loves us yet hates who we are?  This is one of the big reasons I stopped attending church some years ago.  Ironically, it was through my fellowship with friends from my mainstream church days which led me into seeking to know Jesus in a more personal way than I ever had before.  Since then, we have sought and gathered into fellowship in places without pews.  Most notably, a fast food joint for our Sunday morning pre illegal virus shutdown gatherings.  This was our opportunity not only to reconnect with each other, but to invite others into our Jesus conversation as well.  Lately, our Sunday morning fellowships have been limited a bit to the online conference call type, but we await the day when we will once again gather in His name.  

Now all those who believe also were in the same place and had all things in common.  And they disposed of the acquisitions and the properties, and divided them for all, forasmuch as some would have had need.  Besides persevering day by day with one accord in the sanctuary, besides breaking bread home by home, they partook of nourishment with exultation and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor for the whole people.  Now the Lord added those being saved day by day in the same place.

Acts 2: 44 - 47, Concordant Translation 

One of my close friends had the habit before he was married of doing his bible readings and study at a local Starbucks coffee shop.  I know, not your typical place where you would expect to find yourself exposed to Jesus.  Nevertheless, he managed to create many a friendship from his times there which he continues to this day.  My point is this, our fellowship and speaking the truth of Christ has never been limited to the four walls of the local church.  I've pointed out on more than one occasion that one of the truest forms of church was that which we see from the early believers in Acts 2.  The closest I have seen to this was when many churches followed the small home group phase of some years ago.  That was a good start, but you were still expected to show up to church on Sunday come hell or high water.  Maybe that's what eventually turned people off about Sunday morning church, the expectation that you needed to be there.  I recall taking some flack when I would miss a Sunday or two because of other life situations.  You'd think that I had just committed the most vile heresy!  No, I simply grew tired of the same old routine.  Imagine how refreshing it was when our group of men decided to gather at that fast food joint on Sunday mornings for our own Jesus conversation.  No sermons, no offerings, no song and dance...just Jesus.  But it doesn't end there.  As I mentioned, lately my desire for fellowship has followed me into the local gym.  Indeed, I have met and found myself talking to more than a few believers.  Of course, being a believer in no way is the only prerequisite for my fellowship with my fellow gym goers.  I don't think that it's any secret that we were created as social beings in our Fathers own image {Genesis 1:27}.  Let us go where fellowship leads. 

Now you are the body of Christ, and members of a part.

1 Corinthians 12: 27, Concordant Translation 

~Scott~ 

Speaking To Gods Hate

 

In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.  In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 

1 John 4: 9 - 10 NKJV 

As usual, I scanned the local radio channels this week as I made my way to work.  I find it funny that the more of the mainstream sermons I listen to, the more material I have as I write these pages of my blog.  This week was no exception.  I found myself interested in a few sermons in particular not for their uplifting value, but for the image of the Lord that they portrayed.  The first preacher spoke to the fact that God hates sinners.  Ok, I thought, if God hates sinners so much then why did He provide for Christ to become sin to take away their guilt? {2 Corinthians 5:21}  See, this entire God hates theme doesn't add up for me.  Maybe I just don't see it, of maybe it just isn't there at all.  We're told that the true nature of God is one of love and not hate {1 John 4:8}.  Yet this does not fall in line with what the mainstream church has been selling us for over two thousand years.  Now, I grew up going to one church or another, so I know first hand the message that comes from the pulpits.  The message that God hates sin and sinners, that all have sinned {Romans 3:23}.  That's right, all HAVE sinned, I won't argue that point.  However, I also refuse to accept that a loving God would desire for His children to be mired in a lifetime of sin.  Hence Christ Jesus.  For it is Jesus who, out of the Fathers love and mercy towards us, gave Himself that we would be free of the debt that sin brings.  So do the mainstream church pastors know this?  If so, why aren't more of them speaking to it?  I know that I would be jumping for joy in the pew on Sunday morning were I to hear the message that my sin was no longer an issue in Gods eyes.  Guess what...it isn't {Romans 6:11}.  What advantage is it for you to be continually mired in the belief that your sins will forever bring you to a place that is separate from God?  Is this something a loving God would want for you?  I think not.  Yet this is the continual message I hear from the faithful radio preachers each and every morning.  At least they're consistent.  

Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.  For he who has died has been freed from sin.  Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more.  Death no longer has dominion over Him.  For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.  Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6: 6 - 11 NKJV 

I recently had the opportunity to watch the Netflix film Come Sunday.  It's the story of bishop Carlton Pearson, who lost his church simply for speaking to something that went against the message of the mainstream church.  His message?  There is no hell (GASP!)  To understand the truth which God supposedly revealed to bishop Pearson, we must think back once again to Gods one true nature.  Would a loving God condemn someone to hell even though they had never had the opportunity to hear of Him or His word?  Would a loving God condemn his child to hell period?  I tend to agree with bishop Pearson on this one.  Whatever side of the theological fence you sit on, you have to agree that if God is truly love, as we're assured that He is, then the last place which He would desire to see his children is in a place of utter torment.  Especially since the penalty for our punishment has already been paid by the finished work of Christ at the cross.  So, knowing this, how do you think God sees you?  Does He look upon you as someone who still carries that sin penalty?  Or, does He see you for who you truly are, His loved child freed from the sin you were once burdened with?  The apostle Paul helps us understand how it is that God looks upon us.  It is Paul who speaks to the truth of Christ in us {Galatians 2:20}.  When God looks at you...He sees His one and only Son.  That's the truth, no matter how some radio preacher tries to spin it.  

I don't need to punish people for sin.  Sin is it's own punishment, devouring you from the inside, it's not my purpose to punish it; it's my joy to cure it.

~William P. Young, The Shack 

~Scott~ 

Fear Not

 

"Named must your fear be before banish it you can"

~Yoda~ 

What is the basis of your fear?  What is it that makes you stop in your tracks unable to function?  I've had a few notable fears in my lifetime, one of them being a overwhelming fear of heights.  This came to a head on a few hiking trips taken with my friend Dennis.  I can recall our trip up the Angels rest trail in the Columbia River gorge a few summers ago where it was all Dennis could do to coax his buddy up that steep trail.  Believe me, my mind ran through all of the things that day that could kill me on that trail.  Yet, with Dennis' coaching, I persevered and conquered my fear...for that day at least.  One of the moments I recall from that day was a photo I snapped as we rested at the summit of Angels Rest.  There I was in the midst of my accomplishment trying to look as if I did this every day without any issues.  Then there was Dennis, casually taking a phone call.  No fear!  One of the other fears which has paralyzed me from time to time is my social fear of speaking to new people.  However, I feel as if I have that one licked as I have improved in that area.  When I talk to others about the fears they face I'm often interested in what the nitty gritty, bargain basement issues are that lead them to their fears.  Now, a lot of people can claim to have a fear of heights, but for me it went deeper than simply places on high.  In a nutshell, I was afraid of not having control of my surroundings.  My social interaction disorder?  Well, that stemmed from a fear of rejection.  So, what are the issues that many people have that lead to fear?  I have a coworker who is afraid of being in tight enclosed spaces.  This stems from his being locked in a closet by his parents as a punishment when he was young.  Yet another issue which manifested itself into fear.  I'm no  psychiatrist, nor do I play one on TV, but even I can recognize that many of the fears we carry often harbor deeper issues.  One thing that I mentioned to my coworker is that it was never the Lords intent to leave us in fear.  It was never His intention to leave us with such a sense of fear that we lose sight of Him.  Scripture tells us time and again...fear not!  

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.  But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 

1 John 4: 18 NKJV 

Do you believe that God desires you to be in torment?  No?  Then why are you afraid?  The scriptures are clear, we're not to be anxious {Philippians 4:6}.  We're not given up to a spirit of fear {2 Timothy 1:7}.  Even Jesus, in His sermon on the mount, warned us of the dangers of anxiety {Matthew 6:25-34}.  Why would Jesus take such a hard stand on fear and anxiety?  Well, for one, our fears take our focus from Him to what we are in fear of.  As I walked that Angels Rest trail that day, I certainly wasn't thinking of God and His protection when I saw those steep cliffs!  Yes, my own fears distracted me.  Yet, I believe that the biggest reason that Jesus warns us not to be anxious is for our own health.  Who hasn't felt their stomach churn and their blood pressure rise as they gave in to their anxiety?  Obviously, this isn't the way which Jesus wanted us to live.  These things we often worry about (money, food, clothing), cannot add a single hour to our life {Matthew 6:25}.  We also do well to remember that God knows well our needs even before we began to worry over them {Matthew 6:32}.  So, do you still feel ok stressing and worrying over things that God already knows that you need?  Well, if it works for you more power to you.  As for me, the less time that I can spend without a nervous breakdown is a good thing.  In the end, it is the Lords job to provide for me and mine to realize that provision.  After all, fear isn't our natural state.  Fear not! 

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 

2 Timothy 1: 7 NKJV 

~Scott~ 

Get Used To Different

 

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me,"

Galatians 2: 20 NKJV 

I have been watching a few snippets of the relatively new internet series The Chosen on my Facebook feed for awhile now.  I have found it to be interesting and a fresh new perspective upon the life of Jesus and His disciples.  Yes, I've read the scriptures of these twelve men whom Jesus selected randomly to follow Him along His ministry, but to see it brought to life in such a way as the creators of this series have is nothing short of inspiring.  Last night I watched once again the scene where Jesus passes by the booth of the tax collector Matthew along with His other disciples.  Now, I am well aware of the reputation that the modern day IRS has with the working man, but the view of tax collectors in the time of Jesus was even worse.  For the hated Romans would recruit local civilians to man the tax collection booths.  You can imagine the feelings that the locals would carry towards a man such as Matthew.  This is evidenced as Simon, brother of Andrew, protests Jesus' calling of this tax collector.  "Do you know what this man has done?"  Finally, as Matthew joins his new crew, Simon proclaims to Jesus, "I don't get it."  Jesus' reply?  "You didn't get it when I first chose you either."  Yet, there is one phrase which sets the stage for this series that Jesus proclaims, "Get used to different."  Indeed, how different was this man who was asking these men to follow Him as He walked the countryside?  How different was the message that He was speaking than the one they had become so used to hearing?  For many of these men had been raised in the teachings of the Jewish texts, which certainly foretold the coming Messiah.  Yet, their own idea of the Messiah seemed entirely different than the man who would arrive to fulfill that prophesy.  Get used to different.  

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?  For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

1 Corinthians 6: 19 - 20 NKJV 

As I was thinking about this new series on the life of Jesus, I thought as to what was so different as to how we as Christians have traditionally seen Him.  Well, what is our traditional view of Jesus?  He came, He ministered, He was crucified and on the third day He rose once again and is now seated with the Father in heaven.  But is the story of Jesus really over at that point?  Not in the least, and I would say that the Christ we have the opportunity to know today may be radically different from the Jesus you were expecting.  That's right, get used to different.  The apostle Paul introduces us to this radical new Jesus in Galatians.  Far from spending His eternity in heaven, this new Jesus Paul speaks to actually lives in us today {Galatians 2:20}.  That's right, Jesus Himself resides within us.  How radical of a Jesus is that?  Yet, it's not like it wasn't predicted either.  Jesus speaks to the lives of His followers in His prayer in the garden in John 17.  The prayer of Jesus?  That we would be one with He and the Father {John 17:21}.  Knowing the truth of Christ which Paul speaks to, are we to believe that the prayer of Jesus has been answered?  I believe so.  What makes the truth of Christ so radically different is that it personalizes Jesus on a more human level than the traditional church teachings do.  Instead of Jesus watching over us from heaven, He is slogging it out with us through our regular every day life.  Jesus is with us throughout all we will ever do.  I know that this might be different from the Jesus you have been taught, but get used to different.  

But Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.  By who also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.  There is also a antitype which now saves us - baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

1 Peter 3: 18 - 22 NKJV 

~Scott~ 

Young Boy Lost

 

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.  Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgement on themselves.  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil.  Do you want to be unafraid of the authority?  Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.  For he is Gods minister to you for good.  But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is Gods minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.  Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake.  

Romans 13: 1 - 5 NKJV 

It seemed like a good idea at the time.  The young kid was outside playing on a warm summer day when all of a sudden he recalled the corner store his parents had taken him to so many times.  All the boy knew was that when they went to the store, they drove to the end of the street and then took a right.  It sounded easy enough, so he started walking.  Eventually he came to the end of his block looked around and, not seeing the store, took a right and kept making his way down the street.  However, something didn't seem right to the Virginia, Minnesota police officer who was on duty that day.  For he knew many of the officers who worked in this small northern Minnesota town, as well as their families.  The boy he saw walking down the sidewalk that day seemed out of place.  He recognized him as the son of a local sheriffs deputy, but wondered why he was so far away from home.  Approaching the kid, the officer asked where he was going.  Without missing a beat, the boy claimed he was walking to the store.  The officer immediately put in a call to the county sheriffs office and the boys father before he took him for a ride in his police car to the local store.  As the boy drank his soda, the officer wondered what might have been had he not came across the lost boy.

Growing up, that story was told many times over whenever I would visit my dad at the county sheriffs office.  To the point where the story was that I was rescued from the clutches of a hells angels motorcycle gang thundering through town.  I do vaguely recall my journey I took that day, yet some of the details are a bit fuzzy.  I thought about this episode the other day as I glanced at the coverage of yet another anti police demonstration here in Portland.  I admit that I am a bit biased when it comes to this issue.  For not only did I grow up with a parent in law enforcement, I seem to have inherited what many would describe as common sense and the knowledge of right from wrong.  I agree with many Americans that what happened to the man George Floyd last summer in Minneapolis was uncalled for and deserving of justice.  However, will we indeed demonize all of law enforcement due to the actions of a few men?  I would disagree with that all day long.  But let's have that discussion shall we?  Let's talk about the flavor of the month in our society right now which claims that law enforcement deliberately targets minority civilians.  Forget the fact that George Floyd tried to pass a bad check in the moments before he was taken into custody, or the fact that he had illegal drugs in his system.  Forget those facts and concentrate on what that eight seconds of video tells you, that a police officer choked the life out of George Floyd.  While the loss of the life of George Floyd was tragic and should never have happened, George Floyd put himself in a bad position that day.  

"You probably won't get your ass kicked by the police if you just used common sense"

~Chris Rock~ 

Comedian Chris Rock had a funny saying when it came to African Americans being targeted by law enforcement.  "Everybody knows, that if the police have to come find you, they're bringing a ass kicking with them!"  It's something that was instilled in me from a young age, respect authority.  It's also something which, as believers, we're called upon to do.  The apostle Paul tells us in Romans that we are to be subject to our governing authorities {Romans 13:1}.  But what about those times when we feel that those authorities God has put in place do not have our best interests in mind?  A good example is my own thoughts on Oregon's Governor Lockdown Kate Brown.  I disagree with her 100% as to what she should be doing, and feel that she has not been effective as our sates leader.  Yet, she is the representative which the Lord has installed to govern us.  I don't feel that it's un Christian like to harbor bad feelings if we feel someone is doing something wrong.  However, isn't it in Gods wheelhouse to deal with bad leaders He Himself has installed?  Then ask yourself this question, what are the Lords motives for allowing times such as these?  For in the end, it is not the effectiveness of leadership, but what the Lord Himself allows that we are questioning.  That is the question which I will spend some time on this week.  Lord, what is your purpose in this?  We may not agree with our leaders, but God will let us know His intentions if we will listen.

~Scott~