Lowe's ad controversy

One news story's been a veritable buffet for thought lately. It concerns the retailer Lowe's and its decision to pull ads from a reality show called "All-American Muslim." If you're unfamiliar with this, the story is here.

Truthfully, my knee-jerk reaction was to support the decision by the retailer. Lowe's is a private business, and they have a right to advertise where they want. Also, non-Muslims face much worse persecution in Islamic countries. People of other faiths are treated as second-class citizens in these nations. Granted, there have been some incidents of persecution of Muslims in America since 9/11, but it can hardly be compared to what happens to religious minorities in Islamic countries. I also remember the anger and outrage I felt on 9/11 and how Osama bin Laden was honored like a rock star in some nations.

On the other hand, I question whether this is a godly attitude to have. Would Jesus — who asked us to pray for our enemies — approve? Is my pride and arrogance in the way? Is it right to hold a grudge against an entire group of people for the actions of a tiny minority? If we were to use that logic, then Christians would just as easily become pariahs. And if some groups are persecuted in Islamic countries, do we want to repay that evil in our own?

A few weeks ago, I watched the show. It was interesting to see how Muslims balance their religious practices in a Western society — and it showed that Muslims don't spend all their time plotting the destruction of America. Programs like this can help us grow in understanding and respect for other cultures and/or religions, even if we may not agree with them. After all, it's harder to hate someone if you get to know him.

As for those who disagree with this post, all I can say is read what Jesus said in Matthew 5:

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Also, what the apostle Paul said Ephesians 6:2:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

When we make enemies out of our neighbors, it makes it easier to push them from Christ — this is in direct opposition to the Great Commission. If we're kind only to those we agree with, does that show that we've been changed by Jesus? In the end, I want my life to be remember for what I loved, not what I hated.

The end is nigh?

Recently, I read a story about how in just 2011 alone, America had more billion-dollar natural disasters than in all the 1980s combined. Some attributed the freakish weather to man-made climate change. Other incidents were mere freak chance. Reading that story, I was reminded about how Jesus described the end times in Matthew 24:

⁶ "And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. ⁷ Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. ⁸ But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come."

Looking at the state of the world, I'm reminded that scripture proves itself to be true, even centuries after it was written. Of course, I don't look on these disasters flippantly. They're heartbreaking and frightening to see, much less experience, and the church needs to reach out and love those affected.

But it's not just the weather. If the past few years has taught me anything, it's that government and industry — the two systems that we've trusted in for centuries — make terrible gods. Even our love of religion has led us down a dark path. We're more dedicated to tradition than the Savior. And our foxholes of denominations and spiritual cliques seem to bind the hands of Christ.

I'm convicted that I don't make the Kingdom the highest priority in my life. I've floundered in my walk. I've shown a horrible example to the world. He needs hands and feet, and I just seem to be a hangnail. Jesus doesn't need pew potatoes; he needs holy warriors that will love radically. There are too many tares among the wheat already.

In the end, it's not about what type of church you go to (so long as the doctrine is sound, of course). It's about showing the love of Christ to a hurting world that will see a lot more pain in the coming years. Hope and change doesn't come from ourselves; it comes from above.

Promising too much?

I'm wading into piranha-infested waters, but I think this will be a subject where too many Christians (including me) lose focus. Politics, as Ronald Reagan said, was the world's second-oldest profession, bearing a strong resemblance to the first. In my quiet time the past few days, I've been reading the books of 1 & 2 Kings. One of the things that's always stuck out in those books was the spiritual lives of the kings. One king would do amazing things for God. Another would be so wicked that he would sacrifice his own children to idols. In the end, both the nations of Israel and Judah were plundered, and the people were sent into exile for their wickedness.

So what do ancient kings and modern-day politicians have in common? In the end, they'll let us down. In 2008, being duped into the "hope and change" meme, I thought Barack Obama would turn things around. Not to slam the president, but he was grossly overestimating his powers as commander in chief. The past three years has been a reality check for the nation. After January 2009, we still faced the same problems.

The GOP presidential candidates lately have made similar grandiose promises. Some would have us believe that they'll get the economy humming in a matter of months. Many of those candidates are tied to billionaire activists who are trying to get favorable legislation passed. I'm not holding my breath for great change on the Republican side.

To tie this together, I'm reminded that we'll always be let down by our leaders from time to time. Some presidents (or kings) can be great; some may be terrible. In the end, our hope isn't in a political party, but a Savior. Our hunger for a political savior runs deep. The apostles, when they were with Jesus, expected him to be a political messiah. In fact, when Jesus said he would have to die, Peter rebuked him! In the book of Judges God told the nation of Israel not to pine for a king, warning of numerous hardships that one would bring. God wanted to be their king!

I rarely see the fruits of the spirit when people start discussing politics. If most discussions degenerate into childish name-calling and insults, can it be of Christ? Can we trust a millionaire's club to have our best interests at heart? In the end, I know that our King is greater than our problems and fears. Jesus is the one that gets my vote.