Morality

Morality in America has been exclusively defined in sexual terms for too long.
The Good News of Jesus demands otherwise.
Immorality is acting in a way that degrades people.  It is the act of hurting others.  It is immoral, according to Jesus, to hurt others.  His Law of Agape Love forbids it. 
The inclination of people to manipulate the age-old and false puritanical ideals of the past and impose them on our present is simply the putting up of smoke and mirrors to distract the public from the REAL immorality that devours the souls of Americans and destroys the lives of those who are victimized by it.  America is constantly bombarded by intentional and focused messages confined to homosexuality, abortion, "illegal" immigration and the inherent evil of other faiths besides Christianity.  This is designed to keep Americans, even American Christians from looking at the grossly immoral activities done by those pointing the fingers.

In studying the Gospels and Epistles of the New Testament, one gets at LEAST a "both... and", rather than "either... or" regarding immorality in terms of sexual acts and the REAL immorality of our age.
It is the difference between Jesus NOT claiming as sin the truth that the woman at the well was with a man who was not her husband, but rather casually mentioning it, and Jesus telling the woman caught in adultery to "go and sin no more".  Someone gets hurt in adultery.  First of all, we must recognize that men are not mentioned regarding sexual sin too often in the Gospels.  That is a cultural reality of the time.  Beyond that, we must recognize that two, consenting adults being together sexually is not immoral.  It was not considered culturally acceptable in that time and place, but even with Jesus it seems to be not immoral.

Jesus DID, however, routinely address the immorality of Greed, lust for Power and Self-Elevation.  Jesus told parable after parable, gave warning after warning and went to great lengths to point out the SINS of Greed, Power and Prestige that destroyed peoples' souls as it destroyed the lives of others around them.

Jesus taught in the sermon on the Mount that lust will lead to sin (Matthew 5:27-32).  Unchecked lust can be a prime example of self-indulgence in self-elevation and self-indulgence at the expense of others.  It can destroy lives through adultery and by hurting innocent folk.  Lust leads one to objectify another for personal, sexual pleasure, rather than let sex be a genuine expression of love. Anytime one person uses another, exploits another or abuses another, out of Greed, desire for Power or self-indulgence, it is IMMORAL.  Anytime others are objectified, vilified or de-humanized by another, it is IMMORAL.  So, two consenting adults who love each other (regardless of gender or single status), expressing their love for one another in ways that are expressive of them is not immoral if there is no objectification of the other person or betrayal of another person. 

Anyone who gets more wealth for self at the expense of others - hurts others in order to gain more for self is IMMORAL - it damages their soul and destroys lives around them.
Anyone who uses their power to exploit others, hold others down, back or out or elevate themselves above others in hurtful ways to those around them, is IMMORAL - it damages their soul and destroys lives around them.
Anyone who puts self above everyone else or select others to the point of hurting them for the sake of self, and who believes that they are justified in doing whatever pleases or promotes themselves is IMMORAL - it damages their soul and destroys lives around them.

Addressing activity considered ABOMINATION in His time, Jesus said, "Listen and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth (self) that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth (self) that defiles." (Matthew 15:10-20)
Greed defiles.  Abuses of Power defile.  Self-indulgence, self-promotion and self-elevation at the expense of others defile.

The New Testament Prophet, James sums it up like this: "Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from?  You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder.  And you covet something (or someone) and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts.  You do not have because you do not ask.  you ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly (for things not meant for you), in order to spend what you get on your pleasures.  Adulterers (against God, unfaithful to God with the idol of SELF)!  Do you not know that friendship with the world (the values of the world instead of the values of the Kingdom that Jesus shared) is enmity with God?  Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world becomes and enemy of God.  Or do you suppose that it is for nothing that the scripture says, 'God yearns jealously for the spirit that He has made to dwell in us'?  But God gives all the more grace; therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud, but gives Grace to the humble'... Humble yourselves before the Lord, and God will exalt you."  (James 4:1-10)

We must examine ourselves.
Is what lies within me, coming out of me to hurt others around me and my relationship with my Lord?  If it is, it does damage to my soul and relationship with my Lord.
Is what I am doing hurtful, exploitative, manipulative or damaging in any way to others?  If so, IT does damage to my soul and my relationship with my Lord.
Am I objectifying others, exploiting others, manipulating others, hurting others to get what I want, perhaps justifying it by vilifying or de-humanizing them in order to allow myself to do it?  That does damage to my soul and my relationship with my Lord.

The fervent pointing of fingers at the "sins" of others is often a sign of someone trying to keep others from looking too closely at the one pointing them.
The elevation of some "sins" as being more appalling than others, is often an attempt to keep folk from seeing just how appalling are the sins of the person or people doing the elevating.
Judging others is still WRONG, either way.
We must examine OURSELVES against the fulfillment of Law and Prophets and the Great Commandment of Jesus in the New Covenant of Grace and Agape Love that we find in the Gospels.
That is, we must examine ourselves in those terms, if we are going to follow Jesus.

Pastor Jamie

The Agape Love candidate

I believe that I must vote for the candidate who most exhibits the Agape Love that Jesus taught, commanded and modeled (active commitment on behalf of the other, even stranger or enemy) with "the least" who are the most vulnerable in our society. 

Government's role is to protect the most vulnerable, in the justice system, militarily and economically.  It is to regulate business so that people are not exploited or unable to buy what they need (food, water, housing, transportation, utilities, etc.) and make sure that people have access to living wage jobs, equal pay, affordable healthcare, equal education, equal justice, equal safety, equal rights and equitable treatment.

I believe that I must vote for the candidate who will stand and speak truth to power, rather than join it.  I believe that I must vote for the candidate who will stand with those who are marginalized, disenfranchised, vilified, scapegoated, downtrodden and exploited or abused.  I must vote for the candidate who makes sure the hungry are fed, the naked clothed, the sick and imprisoned cared for, the stranger (resident alien) welcomed.  I must vote for the one who will stand against GREED and for ENOUGH FOR ALL, the one who will stand against lust for POWER and for the DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.  I must vote for the one who will stand against PRESTIGE and POSITION for self as a goal, and for ADVOCACY for "the least" as THE goal. 

I believe this because I am a follower of Jesus. 
I must vote for the one who most resembles Jesus, regardless of what faith they profess.
I must vote for the one who most consistently lives that Jesus taught, commanded and modeled.
I must vote for the one who operates out of LOVE and not self-centeredness, fear, hatred, apathy or complacency, greed, lust for power or prestige/position.
I must vote for the one who will LOVE my LGBT sisters and brothers, my black and brown sisters and brothers, both citizens and resident aliens, my poor sisters and brothers, disabled sisters and brothers and foreign sisters and brothers.
I must vote for the candidate who will LOVE the creation and work to preserve it for ALL my sisters and brothers.
I must vote for the candidate who will not be about getting in and staying in power, but who will be about serving and doing the right thing when there is opportunity, even if it means not getting re-elected.
I must vote for the candidate who truly loves DEMOCRACY... a REAL Democracy, not a Relative one, and who only accepts Capitalism with equitable checks and balances and with LIMITS.
I must vote for the candidate who motivates and energizes young people and activists for justice, and who inspires other leaders to do the right thing for the right reasons and not what is most expedient for self.

I must vote for the candidate who most resembles Jesus and who most consistently lives that Jesus taught, commanded and modeled. (Yes, I know, but it was worth repeating)

Now if we only HAD a candidate like that this year, how would the people respond?
And if we had a candidate like that this year, how would corrupt politicians respond?
And if we had a candidate like that this year, how would status quo politicians respond?

I have waited my whole teen and adult life to truly, fully believe in a candidate without hesitation or reservation.  President Obama was VERY close, and given what he had to work with did remarkably well.  I thought maybe THIS was the year that would change our future - TRULY change it.

But alas, there IS NO NOMINATED CANDIDATE that any way closely resembles these criteria for my vote - we only have bad and DISASTROUS to choose from... again... still...

What is YOUR criteria, apart from the characteristics of the candidates left in this election?
Do either of them meet YOUR standard?

Pastor Jamie

My request, suggestion and challenge...

My faith has been greatly changed by focusing on what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled as we have that in the Gospel accounts.
Jesus' Good News is centered on living Agape Love.  It is HIS Great Commandment.
If we follow Jesus, we will live what Jesus taught, commanded and lived.
Read the Gospels.
Focus on what the Gospels share as Jesus' words.
Jesus, the fulfiller of the Law and Prophets, Redeemer, Savior and Lord, reveals God's Will in the New Covenant of Grace and Love, reflects Kingdom Values that are meant to be lived in THIS PART of God's Kingdom.
Read the XII Imperatives (OK, XI and I hortatory subjuctive) that I have shared in this blog.
Then, go through the Gospels and re-read Jesus' words, focusing on His Imperative Mood statements.  These are COMMANDS by the Lord you claim to follow. 
Now, LIVE what Jesus commands.
It is not hard to understand what Jesus commands.  It is hard to live.
You can spend the rest of your life learning how to live the Agape Love that Jesus commands in every aspect of your life.  That is the path.  THAT is what it means to follow Jesus.
Is Jesus the Lord of your life?  Follow Him - what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled.

Part XII (last) of the Imperatives* of Jesus - "let them deny themselves..."

Matthew 16:24-26

OK, it's not in Imperative Mood.  It is, none-the-less an exhortation (hortatory subjunction).  "If any want to become my followers, LET THEM DENY THEMSELVES AND TAKE UP THEIR CROSS AND FOLLOW ME."  Jesus is offering a conditional demand that if any would be His followers, self-denial and self-sacrifice MUST BE part of following Him.

You see, if we are going to follow Jesus, we must go where Jesus goes.  Jesus denied Himself in coming to experience our life and all that is in it - childbirth, being a refugee, poverty, homelessness, and even persecution, wrongful arrest, torture, unjust trial and execution.  The ultimate self-denial we understand is His becoming our sin and taking it to its death with Him.  This self-sacrifice identifies Jesus as Redeemer and Savior for us.

Many today believe that professing Jesus, offering Him Worship and Praise and our tithes means that we will be blessed and highly favored in this life.  Some believe that it means things will go our way as a quid pro quo arrangement with God.  But Jesus said that following Him means self-denial.  If we are His followers, where He went we must go.  It means self-sacrifice, even to taking up their Cross, for if we follow Jesus, it leads us to the Cross.

Jesus' self-denial and self-sacrifice mean EVERYTHING to us.  We gratefully receive His Redemption and Salvation.  THANK YOU, LORD!  We want that from Jesus.  The part about following Jesus in self-denial and to the point of self-sacrifice, even to the extreme, not so much.  So, we make it seem otherwise.  We scour the scriptures to find some assurances that it is not so.  We cannot find it in the words of Jesus.  I repeat - We cannot find that assurance in the words of Jesus.  Jesus is clear (this passage is in ALL THREE Synoptic Gospels).  Following Him is not about personal gain, but rather about the difference it makes in the world around us.

For if we are about preserving a life about self-indulgence and self-centeredness, we will lose a REAL life of Agape Love, and not only us, but the world around us will lose that.  If, on the other hand, we lose that life that keeps us all about us, then everyone benefits and we have FOUND a life in Jesus, who we say we follow.  Jesus' self-sacrifice means a better world and life for us.  Following Jesus necessarily means that through us for the world around us.  It is about Agape Love (active commitment on behalf of the other, even stranger and enemy), which necessarily includes self-denial and self-sacrifice.  When we ALL put that out in the world around us, we ALL benefit from such a world in which THAT is the prevailing value.

Self-indulgence and self-centeredness do not lead us to a REAL life full of shalom (well-being, completeness and wholeness) in Agape Love.  It leads us to the world we now have.  The Agape Love that Jesus taught, commanded and modeled, full of self-denial and self-sacrifice leads us to a better world when we all live it.  If we want to save our life apart from Jesus' Agape Love values, we will lose a REAL life.  If we LOSE that life of self-centeredness and self-indulgence, we will FIND life indeed. 

If we follow Jesus, it leads us to MORE than eternal life.  It leads us to a better world, because if we follow Jesus, we will live His Agape Love in THIS PART of God's Kingdom as well. 

To follow Jesus DOES mean that we are blessed and highly favored, just not in worldly trappings that mean NOTHING to those who follow Jesus, but rather in the Agape Love that we all so desperately need, AND in Redemption and Salvation.

Beyond what we GET, what are you willing to GIVE in order to FOLLOW JESUS?
In order to follow Him, we must go where Jesus goes - in self-denial, even to self-sacrifice, to the Cross.  THAT still redeems and saves the world - THIS PART of God's Kingdom, here and now.

Pastor Jamie

I hope that in some small way these 12 Imperatives have helped shape your understanding, beliefs and walk with Jesus in a positive way.  Over the past twenty years I have IMMERSED myself in Jesus' teachings, commands and examples as I strive to follow Him.  My life has been changed dramatically.  I hope and pray that your study of Jesus' Good News will change your life as well.

Part XI of the Twelve Imperatives of Jesus - Seek first...

Luke 12:22-31

So, as Jesus was teaching the masses of people, He taught His disciples that they should not worry about what they would eat or wear, because the meaning of life is not found in that.  He taught about how God provides ENOUGH for all living things.  Jesus referred to those who did not follow Him as "the nations", those whose values were not Kingdom of God values, but rather having MORE for themselves than they needed, because what they treasured was not the spiritual things that bind us in this part of God's Kingdom, but rather more THINGS for themselves.

Jesus ended with this Imperative for any who would follow HIM -
"Instead, strive for God's Kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well."

Our striving should not be wrapped up in material things to feed or clothe our families or our selves.  Our striving should be the living of Agape Love in the world around us that Jesus made His central teaching on how to live life in God's Kingdom.

If "the nations" were not all about obtaining MORE, always MORE for themselves and hoarding it, like the Rich Fool, a lesson Jesus had just taught (Luke 12:16-21), then other folk in the world would not have to worry about from where their shelter, food and clothing would come.  We are ALL supposed to have ENOUGH in the Kingdom, yes, even THIS PART of God's Kingdom, according to Jesus.  If we valued the Agape Love that Jesus taught, commanded and modeled, everyone WOULD have enough.  It is because many of us seek Mammon that others struggle just to live.  This is not a provision problem, but one of distribution.  The ruthless take more than they need, so others do not have what they need.

Even in the church, by those who claim to follow Jesus, for many the striving has been for MORE WEALTH in their Greed, MORE POWER in their POSITION and MORE PRESTIGE in their RECOGNITION, rather than for the Kingdom values of Agape Love.  As a consequence, many "Christians" are being taught that the REWARD for adhering to their pastor's or bishop's teachings is that they will gain in wealth, power and prestige.  They are taught that the striving is in Worship and Praise, Tithes and faith in a quid pro quo with God - a transaction - a formula that God must bless that enriches them individually, and rewards them with worldly gain.  That is NOT what Jesus taught, commanded or modeled for His followers.  Jesus' Agape Love leads us to ENOUGH for ALL.  These things lead to SOME having MOST and FEW having ENOUGH.  Jesus' Kingdom values lead us to  radical community, justice and peace.  They lead us ALL to Shalom - completeness, wholeness and well-being.

The striving, for those who WOULD TRULY follow Jesus, is in the living of Agape Love and Grace in the world around us, THIS PART of God's Kingdom.  When we strive to fulfill that Greatest Command, then EVERY PERSON WILL HAVE ENOUGH and we can ALL then strive to greater, spiritual well-being and community. THIS is what God values, according to Jesus, the fulfiller of Law and Prophets, Savior and called Lord.

This is a radical notion.  It is radical because very few are living it.  Many have been taught to seek the Kingdom THROUGH worldly possessions, or expect them as a sign of kingdom blessings.  That is NOT what Jesus taught, commanded or modeled for us.  For Jesus, it is about lifting one another up as we walk with God. 

We who would truly follow Jesus, must STRIVE FOR GOD'S KINGDOM, first in how we LIVE Jesus' Kingdom values in Agape Love, making a difference in the world with those who have been held out, back or down by others... and then in how we teach others what Jesus truly taught, commanded and modeled.  This is a daunting task, because many have abandoned Jesus' Good News for twisted, false teachings that support their love for wealth, power and prestige.  In the face of that, those who want to follow Jesus must get back to His fulfillment of Law and Prophets, and the living of His Greatest Commandment - Agape for God and for Neighbor (who Jesus defines as even stranger and enemy).  The focus cannot be on the outcome, lest we get disillusioned in the face of the false prophets and quit, but rather in the STRIVING itself toward what is faithful to Jesus our Lord.

How do I know if my Preacher or Bishop is teaching Jesus' Kingdom values?
   1. Is she/he preaching about what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled, or something else?
   2. By their FRUITS you will know them.  What are they LIVING as values in THIS PART
              of God's Kingdom? Is it Agape - self-less, unconditional active commitment on behalf of the
              other, even stranger and enemy?
How do I know if my values are in line with Jesus' Kingdom values?
   1. Are you living what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us?  Read the Gospels and pay
           attention to what Jesus taught, commanded (imperative statements) and modeled in the world.
   2. Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.  Do you more treasure and love material
           possessions, power over others and prestige or recognition... or do you more treasure seeing
           that all around you have enough and are living in well-being?  Is THAT what you love and
           treasure?

STRIVE FOR GOD'S KINGDOM, as Jesus has revealed its values to us.
You will be blessed.  Others will be blessed.  For all will have ENOUGH out of Love for One Another.

Pastor Jamie

The things that MAKE for Peace...

The things that make for peace…              jk        7/10/16

The atrocities have reached critical mass.

1.      I remember well The 1992 riots over the acquittal of 4 officers seen on film BEATING

    an unarmed, defenseless Rodney King

2.      Between 1995 and April of 2001, 15 black males killed by police and between

          November of 2000 and April of 2001, 4 of them – within 6 months

                     The shooting of unarmed 19 year old Timothy Thomas’ finally sparked a

                      Riot in the “Over the Rhine” community in Cincinnati, Ohio

3.       2/26/12  Treyvon Martin and no justice

4.       7/17/14  Eric Garner and no justice

5.       8/9/14    Michael Brown, whose body lay for hours in the street, and no justice

6.       11/22/14  12 year old Tamir Rice and no justice

7.       4/12/15  Freddie Gray and little to no justice

8.       7/13/15  Sandra Bland and no justice

9.       7/19/15  Samuel Dubose, again in Cincinnati, and no justice

10.                          10/18/15  Corey Jones, best friend of a loved one of ours, and  no justice

   And in two days…

   7/6/16    Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge

   7/7/16    Philandro Castile in Dallas

And this is NOT a comprehensive list…

I have to mention other losses, because they do affect us…

      Columbine High School affected us – 12 students and 1 teacher and 2 shooters died

      Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT affected us… 26 died… 20 children of 6, 7

               it affected us

      Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC – 9 people killed, including their pastor and a

               Senator, in a Bible Study affects us still today…

      The Pulse Night Club murders of 49 LGBT sisters and brothers in Orlando is still Raw…

      And reports of death around the world in Bengladesh, Afghanistan, Iraq, Kenya, Nigeria

                and other nations affect us… they do…

And, yes… 5 police officers killed in Dallas while interacting with Demonstrators…

       It affects us… we empathize with their loved ones… ALL OF THEM… it makes us fearful for

             our own loved ones…  

But this is different…

Since January, there have been over 500 police killing of citizens in America… in 7 months… 500… and African American male citizens are 2 1/2x more likely than white citizens to be killed by police…

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I tell you, I much more often now skip the sadness… and go straight to anger…

       I am weary, as I know you are…

And folk react variously in response to these deaths…

       For some, with advice on the etiquette of how to placate a police officer who pulls you

               over… as if that matters… or legally carrying matters, if you are black or brown

       For some, with apathy or complacency… as long as it wasn’t one of MINE…

       For some, with violence and destruction, mostly aimed at no one REMOTELY involved…

       For some, even civic leaders and in the church… with silence or thoughts and prayers

               for some supernatural intervention…

       And others demonstrate and march… it is something positive to bring people together

               and demonstrate and march… it unifies, it expresses our disapproval… it is good…

But it’s not necessarily in the tradition of the Civil Rights leaders of old… a lot gets said at these marches about Dr. King, John Lewis and others… and remembering them is beautiful, but it is not in their tradition fully… ‘cuz we have not continued and have not started a MOVEMENT… there ARE movements… Black Lives Matter and others… great messages and energy and courage to stand in the face of and speak truth to power… a beautiful thing…

But who has ORGANIZED a movement?  Who has targeted the ROOT of the problem?

The church?  The clergy?  New Civil Rights Leaders?

It is as if we are in the time of JEREMIAH the Prophet, who lamented…

   “For from the least to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for unjust gain;

     And from the prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely.  They have treated the

     WOUND of my people carelessly saying, ‘Peace, peace,” when there is no peace.

     They acted shamefully, and committed abomination; yet they were not ashamed

     they did not know how to blush.  Therefore they shall fall among those who fall;

     at the time that I punish them, they shall be overthrown, says the Lord.” 6:13-15

They treat our wounds shamefully, and are not ashamed!

The People call for peace that is NOT peace.  It is NOT peace because the ROOT cause of the injustice, the heart of the matter has not changed.  It is NOT real peace because PEACE, shalom means “well-being, wholeness and completeness” and THAT has not been established…  It is NOT peace because a people are being held down, back and out by another people, and between killings THAT still remains… It is NOT peace because the “things that make for peace” are missing – justice, equal opportunity, equitable treatment, respect and honor of the other…

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Jesus lamented to the Pharisees – the religious leaders of His time -  “If you, even YOU, had only recognized on this day the THINGS THAT MAKE FOR PEACE!  But now they are hidden from your eyes.”  Luke 19:42

At His triumphal entry he foretold of their destruction and lamented over them.

Again, Jeremiah –

     “How can you say, ‘We are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us,’ when, in fact, the false pen of the scribes has made it into a lie?  The wise shall be put to shame, they shall be dismayed and taken; since they have rejected the word of the Lord, what wisdom is in them? … (and again we read…) They have treated the WOUND of my people carelessly saying, ‘Peace, peace,” when there is no peace. They acted shamefully, and committed abomination; yet they were not ashamed they did not know how to blush.  Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time that I punish them, they shall be overthrown, says the Lord.”  8:8-9; 11-12

Incidentally, there was no Peace found… no justice… the nation was conquered and put into exile… the people were divided because of their false prophets and complacent citizens…

There is no well-being, completeness or wholeness among God’s oppressed children because even the Church has been silent and complicit in their abuse, exploitation and murder… many of the preachers and churches who have seen this happening over the past 25 years, but who have been caught up in their Church Growth or Prosperity and did not address it.  So focused on holding onto their own prosperity and prestige and position that to address it publicly could jeopardize them getting the crumbs they get for BEING complicit… praying for supernatural interventions instead of advocating God’s children and doing the WORK of justice…

They walked away from the Word that they claimed to embrace – The Gospel of Jesus, fulfiller of Law and Prophets and one they claim is their LORD…

Jesus, who said,

“If you love me, you will keep MY Commandments… and… Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid… the ruler of the world is coming.  He has no power over me…”

John 14:15, 27-31

Jesus’ Peace is different from a fleeting, superficial, “ah, there is a pause in the killing” kind of peace… it emanates from WITHIN… it comes when

    FEAR no longer makes some abuse others

    HATRED no longer comes of that fear

-4-

    FALSE SUPERIORITY no longer deludes those who desperately hold onto it because

          it is the ONLY thing that they have to hold onto

    GREED no longer makes some exploit others for their own gain

    LUST FOR POWER no longer makes some oppress others for their own insidious pleasure

Jesus’ Peace is different because it begins WITHIN THE HEART… attacks the HEART OF THE MATTER…

It is a Peace that comes from Repentance… Metanoia in Greek… to change one’s thinking so that one’s direction and actions will change…

Until hearts and minds are changed, the peace we have will be No Peace… fleeting, superficial, not real and not long lived…

THAT was the MOVEMENT among our Civil Rights Leaders of old…

CHANGE HEARTS and MINDS…

It was not scattered demonstrations in reaction to individual events.  It was the recognition that this came from a hatred that must be exposed… that LIGHT must be shone on it… the light of truth and justice… that people must be made to see how this destroys us all from within… a movement of organized actions but with principles of PEACE… real, lasting completeness, wholeness and well-being for ALL and not just some on the backs of others…

It came from JESUS…

Who, announced HIS mission as one to right the wrongs of the oppressed and most vulnerable in Luke 4…

Who preached on the evils of those who exploited and of God’s preference for those who were exploited and oppressed in the Sermon on the Plain in Luke 6…

and then preached about LOVING ENEMIES –

   Agape Love – active commitment on behalf of the other love…

   for the sake of enemy… why?  To CHANGE the enemy and ourselves in the process

Jesus, who did this in front of a great crowd… the Gospels say 5,000 MEN plus women and children… in the face of an Occupying Roman Army, with a history of religious insurrection and zealous violent attacks on soldiers… this was a SHOW OF POWER… he was teaching an ARMY of 5,000 (Roman forces numbered perhaps 5500 in and around Jerusalem at the time)… and their families… about the things that make for PEACE… about Justice, Equality, Equitable treatment to an Army and their families, Occupied and Oppressed by the Romans… in the face

-5-

of the oppressors… in the face of incarcerations and crucifixions… lynchings… It was all about taking back their power…

But also Jesus who said that THE ONE WHO TAKES THE SWORD WILL PERISH BY THE SWORD and Jesus rebuked His own disciple for using a weapon to strike out in defense of HIM…

Matt. 26

The Civil Rights Movement came from Jesus… and Gandhi… and Vernon Johns… Dr. King, later Bishop Oscar Romero in El Salvador and others who DID get how this transformation comes… how this change comes with Repentance… CHANGING HEARTS AND MINDS…

To a people who were tired of Jim Crow Oppression and Police Occupation and abuse in their communities… tired of incarcerations and lynchings…

They EXPOSED the works of darkness that emanated from Positions of Entitlement and Power on the backs of their people…

They EXPOSED the works of darkness that came from Greedy hearts…

They EXPOSED the works of darkness that came from a false sense of Superiority and Prestige over others…

They EXPOSED the ignorance of hatred and intolerance… of Racism, Classism, Ethnocentrism

     and Xenophobia…

They EXPOSED them nationally and internationally…

     Nobel Peace Prize exposed…

     Voting Rights Act exposed…

And they SHED THE LIGHT OF THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS… in your face Power with a refusal to pick up a weapon… heart-changing, life changing Agape Love LIGHT… shed it on the country and the world…

LIGHT SHED that changed the heart of Bobby Kennedy’s position radically…

LIGHT SHED that got others to see a better way… and follow the movement…

LIGHT SHED that brought about changes, even when many still held their corruptions in their hearts… because masses of people saw what they were doing and said, “No more!”

-6-

Why?  Because MANY PEOPLE ROSE UP TOGETHER and said, “NO MORE” and VOTED because their hearts were changed from FEAR, HATRED, GREED, LUST FOR POWER, FALSE PRESTIGE, COMPLACENCY and APATHY… MANY rose up and change started to happen…

Despite false prophets and detractors from the movement, some of whom wanted to capitulate to the powers, some who benefitted from it, some who just wanted bloodshed and to perpetrate the oppression from the other side of it… MANY ROSE UP TOGETHER and much CHANGE came…

And then the bloodshed was more focused on those who called for PEACE, REAL PEACE…

    Dr. King was killed while working for justice with the poor and black and brown… and

         Bobby… Malcolm…Medgar… four little girls… three young men from up North…

    and people out of fear, got silent again… holding onto what false Peace they could grab

And then some folks got a bit for themselves and their complacency grew over generations…

    held onto a false well-being, completeness and wholeness… complacent and apathetic because they got a little for themselves and wanted to keep it… a marginal, temporary peace

    superficial peace while others they loved STILL GOT HURT, EXPLOITED, OPPRESSED, KILLED…

And others tried to kill the movement… worked HARD at that… BECAUSE IT WAS WORKING, CHANGE WAS COMING, AND THEY COULD NOT HAVE THAT…

… and there has been some, small, marginal progress… some change for the better…

… but not REAL PEACE… not CHANGE for the THINGS THAT MAKE FOR PEACE…

… the reactions to our Black President expose the darkness that has thrived all along…

And so here we are again… still…

But if there is a HOPE in this…

It is that what happened then was WORKING…

 And symbolic leaders…

     Our Civil Rights leaders of old like John Lewis and Andrew Young

     Our first African-American President

     Perhaps our first Woman President

            these symbols are nice…. they give us hope…

            but as we have seen, it is a FLEETING Hope… a FALSE HOPE…

            it is NOT REAL PEACE… tentative, superficial…

                 and WILL NOT BE REAL PEACE:  well-being, completeness, wholeness…

            it is a FALSE HOPE, if beneath the symbolic image is status quo…

-7-

      Are we destined to continue in baby steps… or two steps forward, one back…

            until we EMBRACE THE THINGS THAT MAKE FOR REAL PEACE…

                  Justice, Equality, Equitable Treatment… in Agape Love?

We are a nation divided… Race, Class, Philosophy and Ideology…

    Even the Oppressed are divided as of old… some capitulating, some apathetic, some

         doing SOMETHING but NOT COMING TOGETHER…

We are grieving again… STILL… it has shaken us… it moves us… it angers us…

But will it DRIVE US to DEMAND the THINGS THAT MAKE FOR PEACE?  REAL PEACE?

    NOT like the world has given us, but PEACE as God wants it for us…

    Agape Love – active commitment on behalf of the other

          as our guiding principle in life?

          That which eliminates fear, hatred, greed, lust for power and prestige

                 as our guiding principle as a NATION?

We stand at the BEGINNING… a new beginning with a New Hope…

MY HOPE is that we will EXPOSE the works of darkness… the Greed, Racism, Nationalism, Ethnocentrism, Xenophobia, Classism, Homophobia, Sexism and intolerance for what it IS… not strength and right, but cowardice and evil… White Privilege, Police Occupational Forces, Systematic Exploitation, Discrimination, Incarceration and Extermination of our people…  

MY HOPE… is that we will SHED THE LIGHT OF REAL PEACE ON THE DARKNESS…

       and DEMAND a REAL PEACE – Wholeness, Completeness and Well-being for ALL

       because we have EMBRACED THE THINGS THAT MAKE FOR PEACE – the Justice, Equality and Equitable Treatment for ALL that a Real Peace demands

So grieve, and pray, speak, write, demonstrate, march, petition, protest, boycott, advocate the most vulnerable, lift up the most devastated, stand with them and VOTE… because following Jesus AND following JUSTICE are ACTIONS… and so we need to MOVE… We need to ACT intentionally, publicly, systematically, non-violently…

We need to ELECT people who will not just want to get and stay in office, but who stand for Justice and Real Peace… and support Black and Brown and LGBT businesses… and DEMAND Equal Education, Employment, Housing, Pay, Representation and Opportunities under the Law…

Just like Christianity, that which has become an institution, needs to be a movement of followers of Jesus’ Way again…

So, We need to BE A MOVEMENT, TOGETHER again… NOW…    Amen

Part X of XII - The Imperatives (Commands) of Jesus - "Do not fear..."

Mark 5:35-43

Jesus' Good News does not bring fear.  It brings HOPE.
While others produce fear, especially fear of death and destruction, often to manipulate people into giving them power or into giving up their freedoms so that they can be manipulated, exploited and controlled, Jesus' Good News ELIMINATES fear, especially as folk commit to LIVING IT.

You see, fear does not promote AGAPE, but prevents it from being lived.  Fear keeps us from being open and receptive to others, and from doing what we are commanded to do by Jesus in committing to the well being of our Neighbor, who Jesus says is stranger and enemy (Luke 10:25, ff.). 

Jesus calls us to something different.  We are commanded to live HIS example of active commitment on behalf of others unconditionally, even to self-sacrifice.  That is a tall order.  It is a command.  BELIEVING means believing in Jesus' Good News - what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us as how we are to live if we are going to follow HIM.  It is about BELIEVING that it is a BETTER WAY for all the world, and believing it enough that we commit to LIVING IT.

You see, as we find in I John 4:16-21, a beautiful summary of Jesus' command to live Agape, God IS Love and if we live in God, we live that.  There is NO FEAR in Agape.  Agape eliminates fear.  If we believe that God loves us so, we have nothing to fear in openness and commitment to the other, even stranger and enemy.  If we claim love for God but withhold love for others, we are liars.

So, when you hear from politicians (especially those who CLAIM to follow Jesus), preachers, other Christians that we should be afraid and act out of fear with others, know that that message is NOT of Christ, who commands Agape which eliminates such fear.

It is out of fear that we attack, deport, murder, incarcerate, discriminate, invade, give up our freedoms, say horrible things about others, stereotype, scapegoat, profile and segregate.  Fear is not of Christ.  Do not live in fear or speak or act out of fear.  Be bold enough to live Agape.

Pastor Jamie