Hey Folks,
This might be too faith oriented for here but thought I'd share what I sent some folks this morning. In my real life, I'm more open about this.
Apologies for the length here. I know I ask people not to do that. If someone can remind me how to hide part of a post, I'll do that.
Here's what I wrote and what I think:
********
So...this is not great. "Knoxville" is trending on Twitter. Because of this. https://twitter.com/xy467chr/status/1346967957302292481?s=20
Shake my head. I'm embarrassed for my city that I love.
On the upside, we still have the Sunsphere. And a next door neighbor claim to Dolly Parton.
But Elizabeth stings.
On a more serious note, I'm thinking this morning about our influence.
Not the social media "influencer" where an expert endorsing a product can boost sales. I'm talking about the age old "influence" of how we represent. How we're ambassadors, like it or not. People look to us who know us, even distantly. This is maybe especially important for those that know us distantly. There are more of them.
I was struck this morning reading Ephesians 5:15-17.
"15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do." (New Living Translation.)
I think one thing "the Lord wants us to do" is reflect Him well. That's often in the actions we do. But sometimes that takes words. This seems like one of those times.
I'm not a fan of the game where it's your responsibility 24/7 to speak out against every little thing remotely connected to your side. It's exhausting. And impossible.
But I do think it's important to recognize the major things. This one is major.
My friend Jason and I don't have much in common politically. But much more importantly, we have total overlap in our love for Jesus. He wrote this yesterday and I think it's important. For all of us.
Much love for you.
J
From Jason:
See his message below:
This might be too faith oriented for here but thought I'd share what I sent some folks this morning. In my real life, I'm more open about this.
Apologies for the length here. I know I ask people not to do that. If someone can remind me how to hide part of a post, I'll do that.
Here's what I wrote and what I think:
********
So...this is not great. "Knoxville" is trending on Twitter. Because of this. https://twitter.com/xy467chr/status/1346967957302292481?s=20
Shake my head. I'm embarrassed for my city that I love.
On the upside, we still have the Sunsphere. And a next door neighbor claim to Dolly Parton.
But Elizabeth stings.
On a more serious note, I'm thinking this morning about our influence.
Not the social media "influencer" where an expert endorsing a product can boost sales. I'm talking about the age old "influence" of how we represent. How we're ambassadors, like it or not. People look to us who know us, even distantly. This is maybe especially important for those that know us distantly. There are more of them.
I was struck this morning reading Ephesians 5:15-17.
"15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do." (New Living Translation.)
I think one thing "the Lord wants us to do" is reflect Him well. That's often in the actions we do. But sometimes that takes words. This seems like one of those times.
I'm not a fan of the game where it's your responsibility 24/7 to speak out against every little thing remotely connected to your side. It's exhausting. And impossible.
But I do think it's important to recognize the major things. This one is major.
My friend Jason and I don't have much in common politically. But much more importantly, we have total overlap in our love for Jesus. He wrote this yesterday and I think it's important. For all of us.
Much love for you.
J
From Jason:
See his message below:
I haven't been following all the events of today as I have been working.
I am very energized by the opportunities God has given me in this year to see lives changed through our work.
I am thankful to live in Tennessee and I am deeply disgusted by most of the politicians in Washington, D.C.
Seeing posts about shots fired in the House chamber?
Guys if you are actually a conservative you care deeply about the Constitution, you care deeply about the rule of law. You know this is absolutely horrible and completely unacceptable.
I know these are actions of protesters, but the truth is I am more frustrated and disappointed by the actions of this group than I was with the antifa burnings and looting around some BLM protests.
In every group you will have lawless people who want to create chaos. Some political groups have accepted and embraced terrorists and murderers within. The U.S. has funded some of those horrible bad actors in other countries.
Political conservatives in the United States have never been people who engage in political acts of violence to maintain or seize power. The opposite of communism is not fascism, fascism and communism both operate only with large state power. Small government conservatives want to resist tyranny, but it is about defending our home, not taking over the House.
Let everyone who believes in the rule of law be clear, this is not the way.
Peaceful protest is wonderful. Self defense is a God given right, recognized by our legal system. Attacking those you disagree with politically? It is wrong. It is giving in to the worst sinful impulses.
Do I think DC is broken and those who allowed massive violations of law by Lerner and Comey and Holder have created a feeling of despair that bad guys are never punished? I do. Does that give anyone the right to become a vigilante? NO!
Love your enemies. Pray for DC. Pray for our whole nation. Those who cheer for left wing violence are evil and those who cheer for right wing violence are evil, and those who gleefully anticipate further destruction are not following the Prince of Peace.
When people I am friends with who disagree with me politically ask me to condemn things, I usually think they are overestimating my voice and/or they are making something minor into something major. This is major. People who claim to represent my side seem to have become unhinged and the peaceful praying friends I have in DC right now are being ignored because of the violent idiocy.
It is wrong. It is wrong to worship Trump, and if you thought America lives or dies today depending on the election certification we have a different view of our Republic. People who look for salvation from any President, or any politician will be deeply disappointed. Look to Jesus, obey Him, love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you. Do not despair, prepare and stay engaged in culture, but realize that your voice is needed to demand surrender not to a party or a person but to the King of Kings who offers forgiveness and love for all those who follow Him.
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