We have a great church. It isn't large and it isn't rich. But it is gracious. This month (Pastor's Appreciation Month), I especially appreciate this church, because they are the most loving, giving church I have ever been a part of.
But they have one peculiar trait. As they read this, they will smile, or maybe even snicker a bit. Because they know what is coming.
The one peculiar trait of this church is that they will often sit on just one side of the building, on my left as I face them from the pulpit. Many times I have joked that this is the most one-sided church I have ever been in. They just smile and respond, "Yes, but at least we are on the RIGHT SIDE!"
To me they are on the left, but from their perspective, they are on the right. I have to concede that they are right! The funny thing is, I now find myself mostly using my left hand to gesture, even when there are as many people sitting on my right.
The elections are a week from Tuesday. Halloween is on Monday. I often wish the elections were on Halloween so we could get done with the scary stuff in one shot.
I know that sounded like an abrupt change of subject, but it wasn't. You see, many people think they are on the right side at election time. In fact, we all do. But what is the right side? It depends on your perspective. When I am facing you, your left is my right.
Is it any wonder this country is so divided when we can't even agree about what we see on the news? A scene caught on camera is just cause for rioting in some minds. Others see the scene as justice being served. No wonder we are split down the middle when it comes to politics! Almost every issue in America divides us nearly evenly.
There has never been a time like this in our nation. We are no longer one nation under God. We are 2 nations fighting over whether there is a God, and if so, who he is and why we should care.
The elections are coming. I won't ask who you are voting for. I only have one question. Are you voting for what you get out of it, or are you voting to build God's kingdom on earth.
Jesus taught us to pray, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
Do you dare to pray that prayer? If you do, it is just the beginning. When we pray for God's kingdom to come, it means we are ready to do what it takes to bring that kingdom into our lives, our homes, our community and our nation.
When we pray for God's will to be done, it also begins with us.
So this Halloween...er, I mean election day, ask God how you can help to bring His kingdom to earth. It doesn't have to be scary. Trust God that He sees the end from the beginning, and know that He loves us.
Abraham Lincoln was asked by a reporter during the Civil War, "Do you think God is on your side?" Lincoln famously answered, "Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right."
Be peculiar this election and beyond. Be on the right side. God's side.
But they have one peculiar trait. As they read this, they will smile, or maybe even snicker a bit. Because they know what is coming.
The one peculiar trait of this church is that they will often sit on just one side of the building, on my left as I face them from the pulpit. Many times I have joked that this is the most one-sided church I have ever been in. They just smile and respond, "Yes, but at least we are on the RIGHT SIDE!"
To me they are on the left, but from their perspective, they are on the right. I have to concede that they are right! The funny thing is, I now find myself mostly using my left hand to gesture, even when there are as many people sitting on my right.
The elections are a week from Tuesday. Halloween is on Monday. I often wish the elections were on Halloween so we could get done with the scary stuff in one shot.
I know that sounded like an abrupt change of subject, but it wasn't. You see, many people think they are on the right side at election time. In fact, we all do. But what is the right side? It depends on your perspective. When I am facing you, your left is my right.
Is it any wonder this country is so divided when we can't even agree about what we see on the news? A scene caught on camera is just cause for rioting in some minds. Others see the scene as justice being served. No wonder we are split down the middle when it comes to politics! Almost every issue in America divides us nearly evenly.
There has never been a time like this in our nation. We are no longer one nation under God. We are 2 nations fighting over whether there is a God, and if so, who he is and why we should care.
The elections are coming. I won't ask who you are voting for. I only have one question. Are you voting for what you get out of it, or are you voting to build God's kingdom on earth.
Jesus taught us to pray, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
Do you dare to pray that prayer? If you do, it is just the beginning. When we pray for God's kingdom to come, it means we are ready to do what it takes to bring that kingdom into our lives, our homes, our community and our nation.
When we pray for God's will to be done, it also begins with us.
So this Halloween...er, I mean election day, ask God how you can help to bring His kingdom to earth. It doesn't have to be scary. Trust God that He sees the end from the beginning, and know that He loves us.
Abraham Lincoln was asked by a reporter during the Civil War, "Do you think God is on your side?" Lincoln famously answered, "Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right."
Be peculiar this election and beyond. Be on the right side. God's side.
