The Difference Between 200 and 250

I remember 1976 vividly.  I was 16 and part of our world championship band, the Largo Band of Gold.  During the bicentennial, we were the official parade unit of General Telephone (used to be a big company).  We marched in parades all over central Florida: Ocala, Tampa, Fort Pierce, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and most memorably, Venice.  At the time, Venice was the winter headquarters for the Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus.  Each year, the town held a big parade to celebrate the beginning of the circus’ annual tour.  It was one thing to march after the horses in a parade; marching behind the elephants took things to whole different level.  If you don’t understand what I mean, then you need to attend a parade.

Our Band won the National Championship that year; it was pretty cool to be the best high school band in the country during the bicentennial.  People seemed to get in the spirit of the birthday of America.  Our town painted the fire hydrants red, white, and blue.  The dogs didn’t seem to notice.  Churches presented patriotic musicals and sermons proclaimed that God had indeed blessed America.

The TV networks (there were only three then) had coverage from 6 am to midnight on the 4th.  We saw pictures of tall ships in New York Harbor and went out ourselves to see fireworks shot out over the Gulf.  That summer, we seemed to shake off the lethargy of Watergate and feel good about ourselves again.  I don’t remember anyone talking politics that day; Democrats and Republicans simply identified as Americans.

This year, our 250th birthday, I have seen no fire hydrants painted red, white and blue.  There were fireworks, of course, but few parades.  The news sources (now there are thousands) reported on events, but commentators quickly descended into debate about whether the Great American State Fair was drawing big crowds.  Partisan bickering did not slack off; we seem more divided than any time since the Civil War.

A few years ago, I heard Brene’ Brown cite a study which showed in 1976 most neighborhoods were fairly divided between Republicans and Democrats.  There might be disagreement about our politics, but people knew each other.  It’s hard to demonize your neighbor when they helped you pick up limbs from the last thunderstorm, or taught your kid in school, or watered your plants when you were on vacation.   The same study showed by 2016 Republicans lived in neighborhoods with mostly other Republicans and Democrats lived in neighborhoods with mostly other Democrats.  Instead of the United States, we speak of blue states and red states. 

People my age can wax nostalgic about the way things were.  Many ask, “What can we do to get our country back on the right footing?”

I know this sounds pompous, but I know the answer.  The answer is not to defame others, or to vow to stamp them out.  The answer was given to us by Jesus: Love your neighbor as yourself. 

That’s not as easy as it sounds.  To love someone means I put them first.  I listen.  I respect.  I am gentle.  I am kind.  This is why I believe the way of Jesus teaches us the best way to be “…one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.” 

If you truly love this country, you will stop blaming the other side for all your problems, and start asking, “How can I love my neighbor today?”  You will need God’s help.  The good news is he wants to help you.

I have two grandsons, with a third to arrive any day.  They will live long enough (I hope) to see America’s 300th anniversary.  On July 4, 2076, I hope they will live in a country that is united in an effort to love each other as Jesus loved us.

What Happened after Khamenei DIed?

Ali Khamenei, the leader of Iran, was killed in an Israeli attack on February 28.  The attack was part of the United States’ and Israel’s strategy: decapitate the Iranian government.  I don’t wish to comment on the morality of the attack, or the strategy behind it.  Instead, I have been thinking about Khamenei, the person.

From what I have read, Khamenei at young age devoted himself to studying the Quran and the theology of Islam.  A protégé of Ayatollah Khomeini, he was part of the movement to establish a theocracy in Iran.  He succeeded Khomeini as the leader of Iran and has been known for his hardline policies and his desire for Iran to become a nuclear power.

Both Islam and Christianity agree that when a person dies, they appear before God.  Furthermore, both Islam and Christianity agree that whatever happens to that person in eternity will be determined by the will of God. 

Beyond these two points of agreement, Islam and Christianity diverge.  It is false to say all religions lead to the same God or the same place.  From what I understand of Islam, devout Muslims, as well as others who do righteous works, are treated with mercy by Allah and are welcomed into a type of heaven. The unrighteous are condemned to punishment.

Was Khamenei a righteous person according to the teachings of Islam?  His record would be mixed.  He most likely accomplished the Five Pillars: faith, prayer, almsgiving, fasting, and pilgrimage.  As a cleric he probably lived by the teachings of Muhammed.  But he also brutally crushed oppression, persecuted his own people, and held onto political power at all costs.

Of course, I am more familiar with Christian teachings.  Followers of Jesus believe we do not gain entrance to heaven based on good works, but rather by the grace of God (“It is by grace you are saved, not works, lest any man should boast…”).  This grace comes through Jesus who died for our sins and rose from the dead to prove his power over death and sin.

A clear teaching of Jesus, which troubles many people, is he is the only path to our Heavenly Father (“No one comes to Father except through me…”).  This exclusivity claim seems narrow.  Without trying to answer every objection, I can see God’s reasoning.  First, out of his mercy, he has made a way for our sins to be forgiven and for us to have a relationship with him.  He did not have to do this; he did it because at the heart of his character there is deep love for all he created. 

Second, if God forced a relationship upon people, the elimination of choice would be at best coercive, and at worst, God exerting his overwhelming presence to control us.  Imagine this scenario: you are forced by an unjust king to wear a leash and sit by his throne.  You must laugh at his jokes, attend to his needs, and live in fear of his changing moods.  This was the core idea of many ancient religions.  Judaism and Christianity changed that teaching.  God is consistently portrayed as one who offers a choice: enter into relationship with him or not.

Finally, Christianity recognizes no amount of righteous works can balance the scales with sinfulness of our hearts.  As I grow older, I am amazed to discover how bent my heart is to evil.  This despite prayer, learning, and asking God to change to my heart.  I depend on God’s grace because I know cannot fill the gap between my unrighteousness and God’s righteousness. 

Only God can know the true condition of a person’s heart.  But Jesus also said, “By their fruits you will know them…”  Did Khamenei show the fruit of the Spirit?  Did he show love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control?  From what I know, he was lacking in several of these fruits.

I believe in hell because Jesus spoke about it.  I believe Dallas Willard best described hell as “the best God can do for some people.”  When people reject the way of Jesus, God makes a place for them.  It is a miserable place, but a place people choose to be because they do not want to meet God on God’s terms.

Is Khamenei in hell?  The evidence points in that direction.  He did not proclaim Jesus as his leader, he did not show the fruit of the Spirit, and he did not follow the teachings of Jesus above the teachings of Muhammed.  I do not think Khamenei might be in hell because he hated America, but because he rejected Jesus.

Imagine his surprise when he found out his whole life, belief system, life goals, and values were wrong.   Maybe his first reaction was shock and surprise.

Paul, the apostle, experienced a similar shock, but he had not yet died.  When he met Jesus on the road to Damascus, he found out his whole life, belief system, life goals, and values were wrong.  He faced a choice: defiantly continue in his belief or humble himself before Jesus and learn a new way.  That switch can be harder than you think.

The real question, of course, isn’t about Khamenei.  The real question is about you.  We cannot say to Jesus, “Lord, Lord,” unless we humble ourselves, ask for forgiveness, receive his grace, and begin to live according to his teachings.  Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”   That would mean we would love God and love each other, our neighbors, and our enemies as he does. 

I refuse to rejoice in anyone’s death that appears to be headed to hell.  I think it must break God’s heart.  But it is a reminder not to be cocky about my own salvation.  It is a great gift.  And it can be your great gift as well.

Harry, Meghan, and the Royal Family…

I would hate to be born a royal (not that it was an option).  Your choices are limited; your life is under a microscope.  People cheer when you rebel against the “system” and then condemn you when you cross the line.  If you are in the line of succession, you do not get to pick a career; it is picked for you.   

The headlines of late are about the strained relationship between Prince Harry, his wife, Meghan, and the Royal Family.  All their troubles are not new to me. 

Meghan married into a challenging family.  She knew that, but no one knows how challenging a family will be until they are in it.  I have done pre-marital counseling for couples that are trying to blend families.  They anticipate no problems with his, hers, and our kids.  Usually, about six months later, the couple is back in my office telling me one of the kids is having a hard time adjusting.  Making a family is difficult.  Imagine doing it in the spotlight.

People apparently said stupid things to Meghan and Harry, including a remark wondering about their baby’s skin color.  That kind of remark is out of line, but no surprise to anyone who ever had to deal with an aunt who has the sensitivity of a brick, or an uncle who had tipped a little too much wine at Thanksgiving.  Pat Conroy had a great line in South of Broad: “Family is a contact sport.”  You often must decide the price tag of maintaining a relationship and ask yourself, “Is it worth it?” 

Prince Harry was estranged for a period of time from his dad, Prince Charles.  Moving halfway around the world will do that.  It is said Prince Charles was not taking calls from Harry.  If I had a nickel for every time a parent or a child told me, “I haven’t heard from my (dad, mom, son, daughter) in years,” I could retire to a very large cattle ranch.  On the positive side, apparently, Prince Charles is talking to his son now.  That is good.  No relationship problem can be solved by lack of communication. 

Meghan said she felt suicidal during her pregnancy.   I hope someone told her that is not unusual.  Since I have never been pregnant, I can only rely on what women have told me.  Hormones are going crazy; a human life is growing inside of you, your body is not your own.  Frankly, I think every pregnant woman should be treated like royalty, and her feet should be rubbed every night. 

Prince Harry felt like he had to choose between his wife and his family.  Every husband will face that choice.  Your first loyalty is to your spouse.  My Mama told us when she and Daddy married, she would have left him a hundred times the first year if she thought her mother would take her back in.  It was only years later that Granny confessed she would have taken Mama back, but she thought Mama needed to know what “for better or worse” really meant.  I tell couples before I marry them that I cannot predict the future, but I can guarantee “for worse” will come. 

Harry and Meghan have stepped out from the protective umbrella of the Royal Family.  They are making their own way in Hollywood, albeit in a $14 million mansion. My parents were very clear: “The day you get married is the day you are on your own.”  I remember how excited I was to be called as pastor of Finchville Baptist Church in Finchville, KY.  I was excited to serve God’s people, but I was more excited because I had a paycheck, and the church furnished a house.  That meant I could propose to Gina.  Being on your own, away from family, is a good way to start a marriage.  You must figure out things on your own. 

I find myself wishing Harry and Meghan had not done the Oprah interview.  I have learned the more people you involve in your relationship, the more complicated it becomes.  Harry and Meghan invited 17 million viewers into their relationship.  That just does not sound healthy to me.  I am not familiar with royal protocol, but I think it would have been healthier for all involved if Harry and Meghan had called up Charles and said, “Can we sit down and talk?” 

I get that Harry and Meghan are going through a hard time.  It sounds like the Royal Family is too.  Most families I know have had a hard time over the last twelve months.  I think that is why Jesus told us the story of two builders.  You remember the story:  One man built his house on the sand, and when the storm came, it was washed away.  The other man built his house on the rock.  It was a lot harder, but when the storm came (and it always does), his house stood.   

Even if you are royal, sand is sand, and rock is rock.  It all comes down to a simple question: Where are you building your house?