[real-time connections] chapter 10: stop subverting the message

As always, I am grateful for the opportunity to take part in one of Dan’s group blogging projects. Initially I had asked Dan for a different chapter assignment.  Apparently my reply to “Dan only” was against group blogging protocol and the chapter I requested was given to another.  That was fine with me as I feel that God’s hand works mysteriously at times and sometimes the message we are looking for isn’t always the message that is given to us.  Sometimes we hear it, sometimes we don’t. Heck, sometimes it hits us a month later. 

Anyways, I always look at these group blogging opportunities as a moment to stop and listen for the “personal”  message.  Stop Subverting the Message was the chapter that I ended up with.  First, let me say that I enjoyed Mr. Robert’s book immensely.  There is a timeliness to it that spoke to me.  Beyond the chapter’s message of witnessing to Muslims, the writing had a greater relevance to me. 

So on to my chapter………in Stop Subverting the Message, Mr. Roberts shares his thoughts on witnessing to Muslims and sharing the “Great Commission.”  The notion of Muslim religion, the Nation of Islam and many things in the Middle East tends to strike fear in American’s hearts.  Americans tend to think ethnocentrically and it has become instinctive for us to fear the things that we know little of. We tend to know little more than what the pundits on TV offer or the IPod teaches us.  In our world of sound bites and short attention spans, we have people who proclaim terrorists based on name and region.  McCarthyism for the 21^st century. What do you think of when you hear the word Muslim?  Terrorist?  Jihad? 9/11 attacks?  There is a certain amount of tacit fear involved with Muslims.  While nearly a third of the world professes Christianity, more than 20% of the world follows Islam.   

As the Middle East is the epicenter of many religious cultures, including Christianity, Judaism and the Muslim faith, there is a certain incongruity between the peaceful nature of all three religions and the continual turmoil and unrest between these groups.  Mr. Roberts shares his thoughts on the relationship between Palestinians and Israelis.  We are taught as Christians that the Jewish people are God’s chosen people.  Choosing not to take sides, Mr. Roberts recognizes that we are all the same in God’s eyes.  He states “God has no longer confined his redemptive work to a single nation……God wants every nation and people group to be reconciled to him…..”  It is our job to share the word of Christ and to be the witness for God to all people.  Mr. Roberts shares his vision of bringing the word of God to all cultures and people of the world.    The way to another’s heart is through understanding.  To create a dialogue with someone who has a deeply differing perspective on religion, we must work to “… resolve differences with respect and courtesy…”    

I work in customer service.  Anyone who has ever worked in customer service is familiar with the credo that “the customer is always right.”  The credo should read “the customer is always right, even when they are wrong.”  What that really means is it’s all about perspective.  To understand others, to come to an accord and open yourself to sharing ideas…..one must go about this with respect and courtesy.  In customer service, no one ever wins in an argument with a customer.  But by adjusting your perspective, you can come to a place of respect and understanding.  It’s as much about the delivery as it is about the message.  Let our actions move people more than our words.   Imagine the opportunities that perspective could afford us?  If we look at people who differ from us ideologically and write them off, are we really serving God to the best of our abilities?  Should we only save the save-worthy? 

Mr. Roberts asserts that “end time speculation about Muslims has covertly influenced American politics for decades.”   Fear based opinions that perpetuate prejudice.  To overcome prejudice and preconceived ideas, Mr. Roberts ventured to Afghanistan shortly after the 9/11 attacks, in early 2002 to perform some humanitarian work.  While traveling, he spent time with a group of Imams.  By integrating himself into their day to day living, he found himself praying alongside them and engaging them in deep conversation.  By showing respect to their ways and culture, Roberts was able to share the word of Christ.  While the words may not have touched the imams, his respect allowed him to “Live out our lives in front of them as a witness to God’s love.”    

As Roberts identifies the Muslims of his past as previously fear inspiring, but now provoking his Christian love and fellowship, shouldn’t we likewise consider the people whose ideology differs from our own and embrace them?  Imagine the possibilities?  As mirrored against today’s political landscape imagine the inroads that could be made by addressing adversaries with respect and coming to them with understanding, bringing the word of God in a loving manner.  How many times have you seen political demonstrations with signs calling for God’s wrath against sinners?  It brings to mind the protests against same sex marriage.  While I don’t advocate the sin, Christ teaches us to love the sinner but abhor the sin.  Hey, we are all sinners in God’s eyes.  While words have an impact, our actions are much more telling.  Robert’s offers the question, what is the difference between a fundamentalist Muslim jihadist calling for a holy war and a televangelist calling for the bombing of a Muslim nation?   

Shouldn’t we try to move someone’s heart with love and Christ-like actions instead of hateful signs and derision?  Imagine the possibilities?  We have Christians living side by side with Muslims?  Republicans reconciling with Democrats?  Cats living with Dogs?  McDonalds and Burger King drive-up windows intertwined.  Where it really gets difficult is moving past the specter of fear.  Fear of the unknown.  Fear of things changing and where that might carry us. 

Only understanding can overcome fear.   How can Christians and Muslims relate to each other?  The first thing that popped into my head was Rodney King.  Rodney King became the flash point for civil unrest and racial tension back in the early 90’s.  An unlikely spokesperson for peace, Rodney simply said “Can’t we all just get along?”    

Working side by side and creating an atmosphere of respect and truly illustrating the riches that God provides his people is the start.  The loving manner in which we share those gifts is the start of creating the “Great Commission” that Robert’s references.   

One of Robert’s contacts in the Middle East is Evangelical Palestinian pastor Bishara Awad.  Awad’s mission is engaging the entire Middle East for Christ.  By not focusing on a specific group, the message is spread universally.  Robert’s and Awad recognize that Christians in the Middle East are not only challenged with bringing the word of God to Muslims, but also to the Jewish who don’t recognize Christ as the son of God.  Engage all.  Engage the known, engage the unknown.  Stop subverting the message.   

When we stand up for the Lord and share our hearts with others, in spite of our fears, that is when we truly serve the lord.  Ultimately it is our role to engage ALL people for the Lord, not just the people who look like us, talk like us and believe the way we do.  Robert’s and Awad began by creating humanitarian missions together that would employ both Muslim and Christian, working together towards a common goal.  What are you going to do?   

As I juxtapose that with the current political landscape of America, I see the same culture of fear.  Are we listening to messages from false prophets?  Is the message that you are listening to perpetuating fear and distrust?  Do we discount people who don’t look like us, think like us or act like us?  As we work to accomplish things, are we driven by fear?  In all things we do, are we sending a message of love?  Do our actions convey Christ-like love?  Whatever your political affiliation, stop subverting the message!  

In conclusion, Roberts asks

Do you have friends who are of a different religion?

Look at the Non-Christian places of worship in your area…..is there a way that you can reach out to these groups?  In what ways can you serve people of other religion?

Have you seen speculative theology and political bias undermine the Great Commission?

Inform yourself.  Open yourself up to other cultures with respect and humility.

Let your witness be conveyed in not only your words, but in your respect and actions with others.   

Thanks Mr. Roberts for your inspiring words. 

Thanks Dan for the chance to share my thoughts.

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[the case for christmas] chapter two: the scientific evidence

by Mike Kress

I was excited when Dan asked me to be part of his latest group blogging project.  His projects are always interesting, insightful and in many cases motivating.  When he told me about the book that we would be reviewing, I wondered how a clinical case study would impact me.  I like to think of myself as a thinker and potentially a do-er.  Like kindling, I only need a spark.  So what spark would The Case for Christmas provide me? 

Chapter Two is the author’s attempt at deconstructing the New Testament’s historical documentation and aligning it with what is deemed archaeological acceptable.  I guess that is the long way around the block in saying, does the scientific information match up with what the Bible says? 

Strobel begins the chapter by relating a story of a meeting with Dr. Jeffrey McDonald.  Yes, “The Jeffery McDonald” who was convicted of horrifically killing his entire family.  McDonald had crafted a detailed alibi about being attacked by hippies and given himself some minor flesh wounds to help corroborate his story.  When Strobel asked McDonald how he could be so calm, McDonald responded by saying “They’ll never convict me.  I’m innocent, you know.”  In reality McDonald was guilty.  His alibi tumbled like a house of cards when put to the test of forensics and a crime lab.  His story, while maintaining a veil of possibility could not withstand the scrutiny of science.  McDonald’s credibility was lost.  Strobel uses this anecdote as the leaping off point for his search for the truth of Christ’s birth.  What details support the details of the story?  Have the witnesses and documenters of these historical incidents built a reputation as being accurate and credible in other instances? Are the witnesses reliable?  What evidence should support our reason to believe in these historians?

As the FBI uses their crime lab to find evidence supporting crime theories, Strobel consults with a series of experts in determining the accuracy of biblical information.  Interestingly, what Strobel asks of these experts is not what can be confirmed by the evidence, but what cannot be confirmed.  By assessing the limitations, we can take our first step in determining what information is historical and what is subjective and anecdotal.  With each story and account of the life of Jesus, there are geographic details that can be vetted.  By determining the credibility of these details, we can begin to determine the veracity of the person stating the information.  If all the historical information checks out, the person chronicling the  details should be more believable than someone who doesn’t have their facts straight.  What credence can we put in those telling the story?  I appreciate that Strobel is looking for experts with “scientific restraint” when working to verify location details.  Where Christianity is built on faith, scientific research is based on the ability to verify an outcome.  It’s about confirming data. 

Strobel spends time with experts in confirming some of the things that any good detective would.  OK, we are familiar with a census where people go door to door to gather statistical data, but a census where everyone was forced to travel back to their hometown to be counted?  And this is what brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem?  Not likely, right?  Well, according to archaelogists, that was previously a documented occurence. Luke, one of Jesus disciples was a noted historian of his day was also noted for the painstaking accuracy of his the geographic details that he noted in written accounts of the day. Details of his accounts are confirmed by scientists. As Strobel runs down a list of several events of the Jesus day, experts are able to confirm that there was a high likelihood that they either took place or that the details surrounding the events are provided by highly credible sources. Can we say with a high degree of likelihood that a child was born in a manger in Bethlehem? The Bible states it and science confirms that there are multiple events that can either be confirmed or would be considered consistent with the type of events occurring at that time.

As I read the chapter, I kept wondering how this related to me. At the end of the day how credible will my testimony be? Do people take heed when I speak? I think of some of the instances that are occurring in the media now. Tiger Woods tells the world nothing is happened. Science can tell us he crashed a car and will let us know how fast he was going and if he was drunk. His lies and indiscretions tell the rest of the story, impacting his family and likely costing him his marriage. Can we ever believe him again? Does he have any sort of credibility left? While this chapter may not have focused on credibility, it resounded with me. How will people regard my words? While science can lend a hand in determining the likelihood of events, personal credibility completes the equation. Maybe we all could use a gentle reminder that our words and actions create a legacy that remains long after we are gone. As we witness for Christ, will others view our life and it’s legacy consistent with what Jesus would have us do? What information would a scientist or detective researching our past come up with? Strobel has definitely given me pause for thought with this interesting book.

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About the contributor:

Mike Kress is an exceedingly blessed dude. By day, I’m a Training and Development professional for a Comcast. By night, I am the father of a couple of beautiful, talented and amazing boys, Isaias 10 and Jake 2, who inspire me daily. My wife is gorgeous and loves me for the goofball that I am.

I can be reached at tursiopsguy@gmail.com

[servolution chapter 3] the culture of serving: an unexpected opportunity

by Mike Kress

As I spoke to Dan about the task ahead of me, I asked “Is a thousand words ok?” I mean how can one go about sharing thoughts on a concept so exhilarating, with the potential to change the way that we live our lives and keep it under a thousand? This might require volumes!

First let me tell you that I am a blessed man. God has given me a wonderful family, a great job and a comfortable home. As I look through the lineup of bloggers and reviewers, I wonder what perspective I might offer. I love God, but don’t attend church regularly. I strive to do the right things in my life, but it doesn’t always work that way. I care about my fellow man, but as most, generally in passing.

From a distance.

Not always willing to get involved based on what was pressing me for time.

This book is a slap in the face. It’s a wakeup call. Its beauty lies in the simplicity of its message. Wherever, whatever. We are given opportunities every day to be ambassadors for Christ. We can honor God and work for his glory by selflessly serving our fellow man.

Simple.

The book reminds us of the circumstances of 9/11. We all remember where we were. How we felt. I can vividly recall the pictures of the planes hitting the Tower. Most people ran for safety. Getting as far as possible from this tragic scene. Others ran to the site to help.

Which direction is God sending you?

We can all feel empathy. The compassion for others in need. But are we willing to run to the scene?

As I thought about my blog, I considered the pictures from 9/11. A picture might be worth a thousand words, but what is the value of an action? Reminds me of the old American Express commercials. We can say the most earnest of prayers for the safety and assistance of others (maybe even a thousand words…) or we can prepare ourselves to honor God and thank him for all he has blessed us with and launch ourselves, selflessly into the assistance of others (PRICELESS!) And while there may not be a national disaster, a flood, a terrorist attack, or a large scale event that is the moment of calling, we have to be prepared for anything and everything.

Chapter 3 shares the message of mobilizing people for a larger mission. It’s a message of preparation. When God knocks, will you have your bags packed and be ready to go?

Healing Place Church had become such a center of selfless work for Christ, that when a catastrophe like 9/11 took place, the community mobilized and the church became a magnet for people who wanted to run to the site. People who wanted their actions to reflect God’s grace and their sacrifice to serve for the glory of God. Being part of something bigger opens your heart.

Serving connects people to each other and ministers to our hearts. We connect to others and to our God. The message of the chapter was to be prepared on any scale. To fearlessly serve the Lord. As we serve, we come together as people, a community, a church. Locally, nationally or even globally, in the smallest of details or on the largest scale we are able to honor God by giving to those in need. Whenever, whatever.

Are you prepared?

Which way are you running? 

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Get the book: Servolution: Starting a Church Revolution Through Serving

About the contributor:

Mike Kress is an exceedingly blessed dude. By day, I’m a Training and Development professional for a Comcast. By night, I am the father of a couple of beautiful, talented and amazing boys, Isaias 10 and Jake 2, who inspire me daily. My wife is gorgeous and loves me for the goofball that I am.

I can be reached at tursiopsguy@gmail.com