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Biblical Reminders


Christian friends,
In light of this very political climate, here’s some Biblical reminders.

You are called to:
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.” Proverbs 31:8-9
You are NOT called to:
Speak up for the rich, who can speak for themselves using their own powerful platforms.

You are called to:
“Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” Isaiah 1:17
You are NOT called to:
Defend the powerful and plead their case.

You are called to:
“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” Psalm 82:3
You are NOT called to:
Defend your preferred political party and uphold their candidates’ platforms.

You are called to:
‘deny yourself and take up your cross and follow Jesus.’ Matthew 16:24
You are NOT called to:
Follow political parties or their candidates.

You are called to:
“Make disciples of all nations” Matthew 28:19
You are NOT called to:
Make disciples of your preferred political ideologies.

**********************

Of course, this doesn’t necessarily mean we can’t do both. But it means we prioritize our actions, our time, and what causes we vocalize.

Obeying these Biblical commands doesn’t necessarily require avoiding Politics (often, it means the opposite).
We may believe implementing our preferred political party’s agenda is the best way to obey these Biblical commands.
We may believe our preferred political party best aligns with our Biblical interpretations.
But may we NEVER believe any political party fully aligns with God’s Kingdom.

May we always obey our divine Calling before spending time on our invented political parties.

May we pray for our leaders before criticizing them (and pray for guidance before endorsing them).

May we live as good citizens of our earthly country, but never at the expense of our Heavenly Kingdom.

May we remember our political posts online aren’t likely to change anything; yet spending time in-person to help just one hurting individual could, for them, change everything.

Our time is short. Choose well.

Pure Heartache

Larry Atkins (Abundant Life Community Church) & Chris Branigan (Renovation Community)

One month after the Charleston shooting at an all-Black church, a black congregation moved into the church building where I serve. Their first Sunday was July 12, 2015.

A fellow Black pastor, who loved me and wanted to protect me as a young pastor, warned against this move. This wise mentor understood the sad historic divisions between White Churches and Black churches, and said sharing space would only end in problems.

Abundant Life Community Church, a large historically Black church, quickly needed a place to stay until they could build their own building.
I pastored a historically white church.
Grace Tabernacle (formerly Wedgwood Church of the Nazarene, started in 1964), had once been a thriving neighborhood church. But the neighborhood began changing faster than the church could keep pace. Repair bills mounted. Attendance dwindled.
By the time I arrived, leadership had twice discussed closure and/or merger with another church.
Eventually, we did announce Grace Tabernacle’s closure. A few of us stuck around to restart the very unique church known as Renovation Community.
Through that restart process Abundant Life was in the building, paying much-needed rent, repairing broken a/c units and parking lamps, and cleaning the facility. And, they raised the rent *on themselves* TWICE. Who does that??

For 4.5 years, we shared space in a beautiful relationship. They had their inaugural service in their new building today. The Pastor asked me to attend and speak a little.
I cried through almost the entire service, and cried the entire time I spoke.

God used Abundant Life to pay the bills on a building our church couldn’t afford.
God used our relationship to break old racial barriers.
God used the way we shared space as an example to others who thought it couldn’t be done well.

In a way, that wise Black pastor was right…this relationship did end in heartache. But it’s only the pure heartache you feel when dear friends move away.
I’m sad for the move, but I rejoice with them on the completion of their new building.

Today, I’m thankful for Pastor Larry Atkins and Abundant Life Community Church.

Race Car

Each week, I work with a 1st grader struggling to read. I want to cry after most sessions. A couple times, he’s cried.
This Monday, he told me about his Christmas. Did he get presents? Yes. Three.
He named two pieces of clothing and a remote control car.
“Wow! A remote control car? So cool!”
“But my _________ broke it.”
For the next two minutes, I dissected his account with questions. The apparent truth and details never changed…an adult family friend threw his new toy and broke it.

Ok. Accidents happen.
Did he receive a replacement car?
“No.”
I pray the truth is far different from what I heard.
We quickly returned to reading before tears started flowing.

Hidden in the closet

Since Christmas Eve, this inexpensive remote control car remained hidden in our closet–a last minute gift for one of our boys. But he received an identical one from grandparents.

So, during tomorrow’s school drop-off, I’ll leave this car for a boy who needs a present more than I need cash. The office staff will know who gave it, but not him.

I’ve previously shared when my little friend talked about his dad’s girlfriend who screams at him and when he said his mom “doesn’t miss him.”
I’ve written about the well-researched trajectory of boys like him and in Renovation Community’s summer day camp and feeding program: academically-behind, emotionally-injured ethnic-minority males from impoverished single-parent homes.
I’m not competent to address remedies for such complex social issues.

But I can give my time at a struggling elementary school, working with a struggling 1st grader.
I can give him a listening ear and compassion.
And I can give him a $20 toy instead of returning it to the store.

You can, too, with children like him.

Be kind to the poor.

“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done.” Proverbs 19:17

Worthy of Respect

The doorbell rang tonight while I was getting our boys ready for bed. It was the homeless friend I’ve known for almost 7 years. On the front porch, I learn he’s been sick in the hospital twice since Thanksgiving. He’s still recovering from his last illness.

Many people on the streets tell me what they think I want to hear. But this man has always treated me with refreshing honesty. He’s honest about all his darkest struggles, honest about wanting to stay on the streets, and open about his own self-hatred. He doesn’t like the man he’s become.

My friend is a talker 😀
Our 3-year-old comes looking for me. “Hi Mr. ________.”
The boys know this man. Our youngest asks about him when we drive. Our oldest prays for him at night.
Now dressed for bed, the boys put on slippers and played out front as I heard stories from my friend’s hospital stay. He smiled as they ran around; our 3-year-old talked to him about his shoes.

Our family has a strict policy against opening our front door when I’m not home.
You learn the importance of “boundaries” when serving the chronically homeless. We teach our boys safety. But we’ve also taught them that homeless people are just that…people, not monsters to be feared.
And so, when Daddy’s around, our boys play near this homeless man and speak to him without fear, the same way they would speak to any saintly grandmother in our church.

He asked for a shower. We walk over to Renovation Community’s gym door by our Parsonage front yard. Our boys run inside the gym and continue playing for a while. We eventually leave for bed, locking my friend inside the empty building.
At the door both boys yell, “Bye Mr. ________.” He smiles and says a quiet goodbye.

This man may not respect himself. But tonight two little pastor’s kids reminded him he is worthy of respect.

“Show proper respect to everyone…” 1 Peter 2:17

Social Media New Year’s Resolution

Christian friends,

May I suggest for you a Social Media New Year’s Resolution?
It’s guaranteed to increase the times you obey Jesus’ teachings, reduce the chances you’ll look like a total JERK, and *might* increase the chance someone starts following the Jesus you say you love. BONUS, it’s straight from the Bible (ish):

Resolve

In 2020, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—type and share about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

Post and share nothing online out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, (Philippians 2:3)
Before typing, remember a soft answer online turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1)

Clothe your online personality with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5)

Remember you are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your fingers whenever you type and click “share.” (1 Corinthians 6:19b-20)
Since your time is not your own, make the best use of your time time online, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:16)
Before sharing anything, remember that a false witness who perpetuates lies and hoaxes without first fact-checking will not go unpunished, and the person who spreads lies online will perish. (Proverbs 19:9)

One last thing…

Last, in 2020 follow the Apostle Paul’s example before you type your opinion on controversial subjects: Resolve to know nothing in 2020 except Jesus Christ and him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:2)