Easter

April 8th, 2012

Today, I think a lot of Christians have gotten bored with the whole Resurrection of Jesus. Sure, they believe it.  Sure, they are glad it happened.  But every time they turn to the passages in Scripture which talk about the resurrection of Jesus (which are everywhere!), they groan, “I get it, God!  Jesus was raised from the dead so I can have eternal life.  That’s awesome, and I thank you for it, but can’t we get on to something that will help me with my life here and now?”

I have heard this said at every church I have ever served, but regardless, if you are a parishioner of mine you are going to be reading and hearing about the resurrection of Jesus every Sunday.

Stick with it long enough and it will hit you.  I have seen the light go on in the lives’ of my parishioners time and again.  Yes, the resurrection of Jesus is about God making eternal life available to those who believe in Him, but this is only a tiny scratch on the surface of what the resurrection is really about.  

The truth of the matter is that the resurrection of Jesus is the answer to all of life’s questions: how to live your life, how to make decisions about work and finances, how to get along with your spouse, how to raise your kids, what is the meaning of life, how to treat other people.

It also is the answer to life’s tough questions, like why there is evil, and what, if anything, is God doing about it, and who is responsible for it, and what happens when we die, and is there life after death?  All of those questions are answered in this one event.

The resurrection of Jesus is what gives meaning, significance, and purpose to life.  The resurrection is how peace can come to the world, how economies can be fixed, and how leaders can lead with wisdom and justice – not that many of them do these days, but it is significant if they do.

I know, it seems like I’m overstating the case.  Lots of people have bumper stickers which say, “Jesus is the answer” and while that is true, I would choose to phrase it this way, “The Resurrection of Jesus is the answer.”  The resurrection speaks to questions about any number of topics, including questions about life, morality, economics, government, religion, family – all the why’s answered once and for all.  That’s why I named the Church “Resurrection” Protestant Episcopal Church when it was founded.  It’s why I refer to our congregation as an Easter People.

In the end, the resurrection of Jesus is not only the answer; it is also the standard by which God intends to make us answer for our lives.  While God’s solution to evil is the resurrection, this is only true because God’s solution to evil is you and I living out the resurrection being Easter People, and living that life in everything we do.

It’s simple, by living out the resurrection, we reverse the curse.  By living out the resurrection, we are to be a blessing to the world.  This is why the resurrection of Jesus is found on nearly every page of the New Testament.  When you allow the resurrection to get a hold of you, it changes everything.  It is our call to live in the Kingdom of God here and now…to be who we should be as an Easter People.

Be living a resurrected life.  For he has Risen indeed!!!!

Bishop Ian

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Passiontide

March 25th, 2012

The Passion of Jesus is His suffering and death.  Before the word passion (an English word from Latin) meant any type of intense emotion, it was used exclusively to refer to the suffering of Jesus on the cross.  Hence we have Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ and Passion plays.

Passiontide is the last two weeks of Lent.  Older in the history of the Church than Lent, Passiontide prepares us as we move closer to Holy Week, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the Vigil of Easter, and the Feast of our Lord’s Resurrection.  The first four weeks of Lent have been a time for deep penitential reflection.  And now that penitence intensifies as we begin to read and consider the account of Christ’s passion.

We’ve been on a liturgical descent, of sorts.  At the start of Gesimatide, we stopped singing Alleluia and the Gloria.  Then, when Lent arrived, we began to fast with our bodies.  Now, for Passiontide, we begin a journey toward Good Friday which will bring us to the Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord.

The last verse of the Holy Gospel for Passion Sunday says, “Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.”  Therefore, it has been customary in the Church to veil all images of Jesus and the crosses following the Gospel reading.  Why?  Our eyes begin to fast, as well. The cross is beautiful; it is a marvelous reminder of the depth of God’s love for us that He would die on the cross for us.  But we are not worthy of this sacrifice.  And so, the picture of it is taken away for a while.  This helps tell the story of Lent.  The cross will be unveiled on Good Friday as we consider the stark truth that the Son of God suffered and died for us. And as we’ve seen each year, the cross will be unveiled at the Easter, when we begin to celebrate the Lord’s triumph over sin, death, and the devil.  We see Christ once again in his risen glory and our spirit is renewed.

As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words.  So we teach the story of Jesus Christ and his crucifiction not only with words.  We also teach it with pictures – and the use of colors, rituals, and ceremonies.  These ancient practices all aid in our learning about our Crucified and Risen Savior. 

Be watching…

Bishop Ian

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President Obama’s War on Christianity

February 15th, 2012

An old saying says, “It’s not paranoia if everyone really is out to get you.”  Over the last few weeks several reports have been released on federal government actions touching on Christian religious practices.  These reports have made it difficult to defend the notion that paranoia on the part of Christian groups isn’t justified after all.

I am a Bishop in a very conservative Christian Episcopal denomination.  I try and keep Christ in and politics out of the pulpit.  I can’t do it anymore.  The reason being is that Christianity is under attack in this country.  If you remember recently the Supreme Court ruled that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission had overstepped its bounds in applying secular standards to a minister of religion called to work in a church school.  Then the Obama administration decided that health plans provided by Roman Catholic institutions, and which cover non-Catholics, must also cover sterilization and “all FDA approved contraceptives, including those that induce abortion.”   And now the Secretary of the Army has instructed – pardon me, ordered – Roman Catholic army chaplains not to read a letter from Archbishop Timothy Broglio, the head of Roman Catholic military chaplaincy.

Protestant Episcopalians familiar with the Decalogue know that “You shall not bear false witness.”  What does this mean?  ”We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor…but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way.”  Things that presidents do are not exempt.  So what is the kinder explanation for the actions taken on the part of the executive branch of the federal government?

Clearly the Obama administration and the liberal left are convinced of the uniqueness of their own moral truth.  The lame argument I hear time and time again about their morality is basically this; “we’re right, because if we weren’t, we’d be wrong, and we know we aren’t wrong.”  

Look at the recent issue with gay marriage in California.  The whole argument is that marriage should be redefined as two people of any self-identified sex.  If we can’t get people to agree with us then we will legislate respect even if a majority votes it down. These folks have framed their argument as a question of “civil rights.”  Good heavens what can be more un-American than thwarting someone’s civil rights…unless of course they don’t see things our way.  So, if you really believe this, then you have a moral obligation to stop other people from doing what you know to be wrong.  The Obama administration is doing what comes naturally for people convinced of their own moral high ground – imposing it on everyone else through executive orders and legislated respect.

I hold traditional biblical moral views, which are in conflict with the executive branch on these particular points, and many Americans share my understanding of one particular objective moral truth.  Abortion is the taking of a life, just like murder – which we outlaw – and capital punishment – which we permit in certain cases and states.  We also hold that marriage is between those of the opposite sex and should remain so.  Many not bound by the 8th commandment may feel no compulsion to be honest about what the majority want or believe.  So we are called insensitive and intolerant.

We have is a situation where two groups within America hold serious conflicting moral values.  And because these values are built on fundamental beliefs – both feel they are values which must be imposed on all and not simply left to one’s own personal preference.

I believe the law should have something to say whenever someone’s life is on the line.  To me that is just basic moral common sense.  Others believe that what someone does with their own body (and any other body which happens to be growing in it) should be shielded from government intervention.  Animals with fur have federal protections, yet killing unborn children is okay?  Does this make sense?   It seems that women’s reproductive rights are the most sacred tenet of the left.

I personally believe that Obama is intentionally trying to wage war on Christianity.  The actions of his administration have revealed once again the growing divide in our country between two sets of fundamental commitments and the moral values which arise out of them.  We are not divided on the level of mere politics.  This is not Donkey vs. Elephant.   We are divided on the nature of life itself.  As a Bishop and as a Christian the only hope for any of us is a biblical faith in Christ.  “I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but through me.”  (John 14:6)

This country was built on Christian values and principals.  Trust me, there is a movement supported by the current administration to legislate that into the national archives.  It’s time to get active and it’s time to take a stand.

Be heard,

Bishop Ian

P.S.  A friend just emailed me a very interesting quote that I thought I’d share with you….  John Adams said the following:  “Our constitution is written for virtuous and moral people and wholly inadequate for any other. “Share

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Anything Worth Doing is Worth Preparing For

January 25th, 2012

Now is the time on the liturgical calendar to focus on the “Gesima” Sundays known as Pre-Lent.  Why do we need to prepare anyway; isn’t Lent itself a time of preparation?  Yes, but where Christmas and Epiphany take us to the top of the mountain, Pre-Lent is the march down into the valley.  Scriptures appointed for Pre-Lent tells us that it’s never too late to be damned and never too late to be saved.  Pre-Lent reminds us that we need to be in expectation of change; a change of heart and mind that should make this Lent different from every other Lent we’ve experienced. 

Lent can be a wonderful season of grace for us if we give ourselves up to it.  So, in these days before Lent we need to prepare our hearts.  We need to prepare by realizing how much we need to grow with Christ, how much we need to lighten our spirits and experience some real joy, and how much some parts of our lives need changing. 

So, preparing our hearts is a process of preparing our desires.  This means practicing our sense of expectation.  If I look at Lent as an “ordeal” or a time I dread in some way, then I’ve already pre-disposed myself to get very little from it.  Pre- Lent is a time to start anticipating something wonderful; the change that is coming.

Pre-Lent reminds us that there is something coming that we can look forward to.  If we get too focused on ourselves and what we are going to do or not do, we risk missing God’s promise for us.   We have to be aware of the fact that grace comes from God.  Pre-lent gives us some time to get spiritually ready, to ensure that we aren’t going to miss the first week or two of Lent.  Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, but we want to be ready to really take off on that day, rather than just beginning to think about it.  Here’s an analogy that may help – part of what makes a vacation so special is the build up to it – the anticipation. 

Before we get to Ash Wednesday, we should start asking ourselves some questions and we should start with some preparations.  “How can I be more prepared this Lent?”  Well, slow down a bit, pray, and listen for God.  For example, even if you’re not thinking about it you realize several times a day that you’re hungry when your stomach starts growling.   Maybe you are hungry spiritually and haven’t stopped to hear what God has in mind for you.

Lent is not something we do alone.  At your local church, start by thinking of how to support one another during this Lenten journey.  Get with your family and friends; prepare, be excited, look for ways to serve others so that when Ash Wednesday comes around you hit the ground running.

Don’t worry that those around you may not be into it.   Jesus said, “Fear is useless; what’s needed is trust.”  Begin by telling others about your Lenten desires.  Then help others see that Lent doesn’t have to be something to be avoided, and certainly shouldn’t be reduced to “giving something up.”  We can help our loved ones to begin to imagine the receiving of God’s grace in these days.  Change is coming.

Be Prepared,

Bishop Ian

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Epiphany – What Do You Seek?

January 1st, 2012

In the Christmas season, what does the Epiphany event signify in our lives?  What can we learn from the journey of the wise men, what were they looking for, the questions they asked, the gifts they brought to Christ, and finally, the decision they made to return to their home country by a different route?

The identity of the Magi begins with the fact that they come from the East.  It is not clear if they are from one location in the Orient or from several.  We also see from scripture that they come with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  Most of the time we see them pictured as being black, white, and brown in representation of all the peoples of the earth.

The reference to their being wise meant that they were familiar with searching the stars of the heavens for meaning and direction in life.  This also suggests that they were themselves pagan and unbelievers in the mysteries of God.  Other traditions also referred to them as the “Three Kings” who were coming to give homage to the “infant King of the Jews”.

In their journey they first come to King Herod with questions which he could not answer. Herod turns to the chief priests and scribes to learn that scriptures had indeed foretold of such an event, and that the Christ “would be born in Bethlehem of Judea.”  With this new insight from scripture the wise men continued to follow the familiar sign of the star until they arrived at the house where the child was.  As soon as they came upon the child Jesus, they fell on their knees and give him homage.  They offer gifts not to an infant king, but to one who was God.

The word epiphany and the events recorded in Matthew’s Gospel have come to mean a manifestation or a showing forth of the Christ-child to the nations.  It reveals how God enlightens the hearts of all people and how he helps them to discover His revelation; to search out this truth and to be faithful to it. The journey of the wise men begins as a search for truth through the simple observation of nature.  The use of human reasoning in the search for truth continually poses questions about the origins of life, the universe, the nature of being human, and the search for God.   In many ways it is the journey of humanity in all of the ages.

Everyone is looking for answers to life’s questions.  Who am I, where did I come from, why am I here, who is God?   The wise men model for us the search we are all on, the search for truth.  They sought the guidance of scripture and entered into dialogue with the chief priests and the scribes – yet they did not abandon the star and the use of their reasoning for it also directed them to Bethlehem.  At the end of their searching the gift that they received was the gift of faith in God as they fell on their knees before Christ.

The gifts that the Magi gave were the gifts which bear witness to the truth: incense for God, gold for the king, myrrh for the one who is to die.  They point to the belief that the fullness of truth is revealed in Jesus Christ.  As the son of God, he proclaimed the fullness of God’s kingdom and that he was the Savior who was to die.

In addition, the gifts of the Magi were symbols of their witness of faith and trust in God as they searched for the Christ child.  Their gift of faith was also witnessed in their act of worship.  They fell to their knees as a sign of their faith and understanding.  

We live in a time when there seems to me, especially among the young, a  growing desire to search for a relationship with God and to express a spirituality which is personal, private, and devoid of a community or church expression.

The Magi provide for us a reminder that our worship and belief in God is not simply a private matter but one in which we express through the giving of witness and the offering of our gifts to God and others.

Lastly, the Gospel of Matthew says that they “returned home by another way.”  The accepted meaning of this sentence is that the Magi took another way home so as to avoid Herod.  However, I find a spiritual meaning behind those words as well.  The Magi had followed a star from the East which led them to Christ and since nobody can encounter Christ and remain the same – the course of their lifes’ journey inevitably had to change as well.

So now, you too have encountered Christ this Christmas.  What did you find?  Many of you will be returning to your places of work after vacation or returning to your homes after visiting family.  It is a new year, a new beginning, and a fresh start.  Perhaps we all should be wise and go home another way…

Be seeking…

Bishop Ian

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What Happened to Christmas?

December 19th, 2011

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”

What happened to Christmas?  I’m not talking about Christmas at the mall where you will find shoppers racing about in apoplectic frenzy, often intent on spending more than they can afford.  I’m not speaking of the day that the anti-everything movement condemns because it’s marked by a fat guy in a red suit, with a long beard, who comes down chimneys with a bag full of elfin made presents.

I’m asking about Christmas – not the day preceded by celebrations and concerts that the politically correct insist on calling “holiday” festivals.   I’m not referring to families going to grandmother’s house for family gatherings.

I’m not referring to trees, decorations, baskets, or “just the right gift.”  And I am not talking about giving or reaching out to those less fortunate.

This year my prayer is that you get to the core of Christmas.  I am not talking about the religiosity of Christmas.  If you have read this far I am sure you are asking yourself just what Christmas this crazy Bishop is asking about.  Well, to be honest I am not asking about the day we celebrate the birth of Christ as such.  I am referring to what that day means to all of mankind.  I am speaking of what that day and His birth made possible.

It is important to understand that the true meaning of this day is simple.  Salvation was born into the world that day.  I am speaking of the birth of He who was born to be the sacrifice for sin for all who would believe, confess, and accept.

Christmas – the true essence of that which we celebrate, sadly, in far too many churches, has become nothing more than a tradition with little meaning.  The point I am trying to make is that Christmas and its meaning are forgotten in bows and colored paper, shiny lights and carols.  It has to be real in the hearts of every Christian because if it isn’t, then why bother?  Why not just save the time, energy and expense?  Why not just go about the day “business as usual?”  And, for those who do just that – are they not less hypocritical than those who observe the day as some sort of festive holiday sans the “truth?”

Christmas isn’t a day we simply celebrate, nor should it be exclusively a birth we celebrate. It should be about the reason for the birth – sacrifice and love.  A love so great, so unimaginable, unfolding in a manger in Bethlehem to make it possible for those willing to believe to now spend eternity in His presence.

There have been and will be many attempts to silence Christmas.  Yet, the true spirit of Christmas lives in the actions of the people who truly understand and celebrate this miracle all the other days of the year.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”  (John 3:16-17)

As we approach Christmas Day, I urge all to embrace this time, the moment, and the event itself.  Because unless we are willing to believe, confess, and accept – it is just another day – and one of no more eternal value than Groundhog Day.  But, if we seek the purpose for this miraculous birth then we will personally experience the true reason for the season, regardless of a calendar day.

This Christmas, may we all do more than simply celebrate a day off, family gatherings, and gifts.  May we, each and every one, celebrate the life-changing experience of Him who was born into the world, and whose birth we celebrate as Christmas,

“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”  (St. Luke 10-12)

Be a believer, and have a very Merry Christ-mas!

Bishop Ian

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Tim Tebow – Winning On and Off the Field

December 12th, 2011

The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness. Men gnawed their tongues in agony and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.”  Revelation 16:10-11

Why the heck do so many people dislike Tim Tebow?

I realize this isn’t a very Advent kind of topic, but I had a conversation with a friend of mine over coffee regarding all the bad press and open mockery of a guy who is guilty of nothing but being a Christian.  It was one of those conversations that got me to thinking about the double standard between Christians and non-believers…those non-believers who claim they don’t practice any double standards. 

Imagine for a second that the Denver Broncos’ quarterback is a devout follower of Islam; sincere and principled in his beliefs and thus bowing toward Mecca celebrating his touchdowns.  Now imagine if Detroit Lions players, Stephen Tulloch and Tony Scheffler, bowed towards Mecca mocking him – after he scored a touchdown.

All hell would break loose.  The streets of every Muslim country from Syria to Iran would be full of people chanting for their heads, fatwas would be issued, and there would be articles condemning these two players by the sports columnists.  Outraged members of the left would be calling for investigations and calling on the NFL to levy fines and to censure the players for their mockery.

And then would come the apologies, from everybody…the players, coaches, fans – even Hollywood would get in the middle of it and go occupy something.  There would be a pretty good chance of NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell, making  a statement.  We all know you cannot mock the Muslim faith in this country.  We would be preached at by every politically correct liberal on the planet that we must be sensitive and respect the beliefs of others.  They would tell us about how sacred religion is and that mockery of it should be off limits.  Wait….unless it’s Christianity.  Double standard?

Here’s my argument; when Tulloch and Scheffler dropped to a knee to mock how Tebow prays after scoring, the progressive media yawned and told Christians to lighten up. They blamed Tebow for making a show of honoring God rather than himself.  These two get a pass because Tulloch said he was mocking Tebowing, not God.

Tim Tebow has been the butt of many jokes, on and off the field.  Seems ridiculing a man who chooses to honor God is just too easy.  His faith is an easy target for the garbage spewed from those who dislike him, but, the reasons are much deeper than that in my opinion.  Many in the world would love to see him fail and be revealed as a hypocrite, and when that fails to happen, they’ll settle for belittling his efforts on the playing field.  What?  He dares to give thanks to God for his success?  It doesn’t seem to me the Denver fans are unhappy about it.  He’s winning games for them.

I keep telling myself I am done with this Tebow thing.  I’m not a football fan; I don’t follow the game.  But, every time I read the sports news this whole thing comes back in my face.  Commentators rip his game mocking his faith.  It’s an obvious signal to me that being a Christian in America and having the guts to profess it is going to bring ridicule and mockery.  The world has become so touchy to politically correct nonsense, protecting every minority from the slightest whisper of insensitivity while leaving Christianity and Christians to be ridiculed without so much as an op-ed piece in their defense.  

A lot of NFL players and fans seem to be waiting for this guy to be a massive flop.  Why? Well, I think I figured it out.  He makes them uncomfortable.  Tim Tebow is proof that God goes with you into whatever arena of life you take Him.  Tebow is what he should be as a Christian where he is.  It’s who he is on and off the field.

It’s as simple as bowing your head before a meal, believing that God deserves thanks for what is put before you…and not just when it’s convenient.  It’s what real practicing Christians do.  Trust me, Robin and I give thanks before every meal – including when we are out.  And yes, that may cause some people to squirm –  not because what we are doing is wrong, but because it’s right.

It is the same for Tebow.  There is no organized prayer before every game and no mandate for a post-touchdown prayer.  Players such as Tebow are not alone in their belief and faith in the league.  They honor God because that is who they are.   For those mocking him?   Their criticism of Christians says a lot, and none of that is good.

Be who you should be…where you are.

Bishop Ian

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An Advent Kind of Hope

December 4th, 2011

I came across this psalm today flipping through my prayer book and it caught my attention in one of those “God wants you to read this” moments.

Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive?  But you offer forgiveness that we might learn to fear you.  Psalm 130: 3-4

There is more to Psalm 130 but what caught my attention was that it begins with a desperate cry for help.  I don’t know the exact predicament in which the psalmist found himself, but I do know that it was related to his sin: “LORD, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive?”   It would seem that the psalmist has a pretty good understanding that our sins are so numerous and appalling that we deserve to die because of them.

But that’s not the end of the story: “But you offer forgiveness that we might learn to fear you.”  No matter how much we have sinned, we have hope because God is merciful.  He forgives and restores.  The little gem of this verse is the end result… forgiveness: “that we might learn to fear you.”  I think one of the misconceptions of the experience of forgiveness is that we could easily take God for granted.  I would argue that only when we truly grasp the serious consequences of sin is when we truly realize the magnitude of God’s forgiveness.  It should drive us to our knees and we should bow before the Lord in humble worship and live our lives in service to him.

In Psalm 130, the fact that God forgives and restores is what provides the psalmist’s hope: “I am counting on the LORD; . . . I have put my hope in his word. I long for the Lord more than sentries long for the dawn.”  (vs. 5-6)

The psalm writer is desperate for the day when God will forgive, not just his sin, but also the sin of Israel.  On that day, “He himself will redeem Israel from every kind of sin” (v. 8).  The psalmist urges Israel to “hope in the LORD; for with the LORD there is unfailing love.”

The hope of Psalm 130 is an Advent kind of hope.  The psalmist is hoping, waiting, aching to experience God’s forgiveness and redemption.  In the season of Advent, we remember how God’s people once yearned for a Savior who would restore their nation.  We are put in touch with our own need for forgiveness and renewal.  Though our situation may be quite different from that of the writer of Psalm 130, we too should be putting our hope in the Lord and longing for him.  We too, need him to put our lives back together.  We too, need to experience the new life he alone can give.  As a result, Psalm 130 should help us prepare for a rich celebration of the birth of the Savior who will indeed bring God’s forgiveness and redemption to the world.  And finally, return in glory to establish his kingdom on earth.  That is truly the hope of Advent…the hope that we all need to be part of.

Be Hopeful,

Bishop Ian

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Religious Correctness

November 7th, 2011

I read an article recently about the US Air Force Academy backing out of a Christmas drive that provides toys for needy children worldwide because it’s run by Franklin Graham, son of Billy Graham.  It is called “Operation Christmas Child” and it would provide eight million shoe boxes filled with gifts to children around the world.  The complaint filed stated their objection was that each box would contain a Christian religious message. 

The article mentioned the objectors included two sets of “Muslim-American” Parents.  We certainly don’t want to offend four Muslim parents at the expense of eight million kids.

Folks, if you aren’t Christian or you don’t support the program don’t participate.  This political correctness at its worst and it’s ugly and unacceptable.  And I personally have had enough of it.

Political correctness is loosely defined as an “avoidance of expressions or actions that can be perceived to exclude or marginalize or insult people who are socially disadvantaged or discriminated against.”

Politically correct people pull this nonsense all the time – putting their victims in the losing position of continually being forced to prove a negative.  “I am not a racist, I am not homophobic, I am not a greedy capitalist, and I am not an Islamophobe …and on and on. So, to prove they are none of the above, the Air Force Academy will do what a few people demand to the detriment of eight million needy kids.  It’s idiotic.

PC rules dictate that you conform to the prevailing group-think otherwise you will be cast out as some sort of insensitive creep…  Or, maybe you’ll be called…dim the lights and cue the scary music…a Christian!

Few Christians seem to be saying anything against the complete idiocy and obvious manipulation that is political correctness…or maybe we should be calling this religious correctness.

Caving in to political/religious correctness only serves to expand its influence.  And I refuse to be part of the herd of sheep who follow nonsensical PC/RC rules that undermine American and individual exceptionalism.  We, as Americans, have always been generous – with our time – our money – our resources – ourselves.  We give and then we give some more.

Whether I throw my coins in the Salvation Army’s red kettle at Christmas time or donate to the clothing drive at the local synagogue – it doesn’t matter!!  What matters is that someone – anyone – is helped by my effort – small as it may be.

The target is not the US Air Force – the target is not which religion is organizing the drive. The target is the needy – the hungry – the impoverished – the children.

So, I have decided that I will no longer allow politically correct idiots with some agenda to define my words and actions for me.  I am not willing to adopt someone else’s definition of right and wrong at the expense of my own – or at the expense of others who are needy.

If you are happy allowing others to tell you what to think or to believe – by all means, keep playing by the politically and religiously correct rules.  But, if you’re inspired to think beyond yourself and your own personal agenda – to actually think and feel for the needs of others – then speak up!!  Support the charities that reach out, that give, that donate, that make a difference – no matter what their religious affiliation.  Keep your eye on the target – in the case of the US Air Force Academy – the children who have so little in a world with so much.

I am a Christian and I will live life by and for those principals.  One of the great things about our Savior, he wasn’t PC either.

Be exceptional…

Bishop Ian

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Love and the Law

November 1st, 2011

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”  And Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’  This is the great and foremost commandment.  The second is like it: ‘You shall love you neighbor as yourself.’  On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”  Matthew 22:34-40

What our Lord says, chronicled here in Matthew 22, is a game changer – not just for the Jews but for everyone; that Love is a summary of the Law.  Many people will tell you that Love is the substitute for the Law, as if it is something opposed to it.

The common misconception is that we can either be legalistic and self-righteous Pharisees focused on keeping a bunch of rules, or we can be loving and compassionate, focused on people.  Most people have a hard time seeing Love and Law together.  Ever since the Reformation, the charge, and rightly so, is that you cannot be saved by the law.  And, there are some groups who will tell you its better not to keep the law, but to rely on grace alone.

Look at it this way, “If you love me,” Jesus said, “you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15).  The biblical concept of love involves not just the emotions but also our will.  What’s important to recognize is that God’s Law defines what love is; it explains what a loving behavior is, and therefore helps us tell what Godly love really is.

Let’s break it down this way:

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”  Often the relationship between God and his people is compared by Scripture to a marriage between a husband and a wife.  In human relationships, there is a certain kind of love that one has for only one person.  The same love that we are supposed to have for God is the kind that cannot be shared with any rival.

Then we are to “make no graven images.”  To love Christ means we desire to know Him only.  You cannot have a relationship with the one true God if you ignore the commandment against graven images.

“Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.”  A person in love wants to spend time with the person they love.  Ten minutes a day on the phone or reading a letter just isn’t enough.  It’s the same with God – how important is it to keep Sunday from intrusions and focus solely on Him?  

Jesus was right: the Great Commandment really and literally is a summary of all the commandments of the Law.  It tells us how we are to love God.  But it doesn’t stop there.  According to Jesus, the second is like it: You shall love you neighbor as yourself.

We continue with honoring your father and mother.  If you can’t love the people who gave you life and took care of you when you were helpless, how are you ever going to learn to love your enemies?  If we are going to love our neighbors, we had better start with the people we live with.  The home is our training ground for love.  I realize that many homes aren’t what they should be.  But, we must still pay attention to the design, and in so far as we can let love begin here.

The rest are pretty obvious; don’t murder your neighbor, commit adultery, steal stuff, or bear false witness.  The Tenth Commandment – against coveting – shows that Love must be first and foremost in our hearts and lives.  Obeying the laws is the outward expression.

Don’t get me wrong, as Christians we do not earn salvation by keeping the Law but by keeping it through the Grace of our Lord’s sacrifice – not by works.  The Law is the expression of love, and love is the goal of the Law.

It’s pretty obvious non-Christians are in rebellion against God, (sin) and rebellion drives Law and Love apart.  Law without Love is Legalism.  It exalts the self.  It is ugly and self-righteous, and leads to death.  Love without Law is Romanticism.  It is a false description of God who is all love and no judgment.  It leads to eternity without love and without God.

Sin drives Love and the Law apart.  Jesus was the only one that could put them back together again.  So now you know why He said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15), and why, in answer to the lawyer’s question, he said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it: You shall love you neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”   (Matthew 22:34-40)

Be found loving,

Bishop Ian

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