Kevin Austin at Lakeside, Thailand, and other Exciting Places

Recently I was with a friend having lunch and noticed on the way out of the restaurant a petition to “Stop the Obama Abortion Laws!”.  This was before Obama was even president.  We chatted with the woman behind the counter for a few minutes.  She was filled with bitterness and anger about what Obama was doing. . . . He wasn’t president yet, I kept thinking.  Besides, Obama didn’t create abortion laws.  Roe vs. Wade was long before his time.  

Why is there so much hate?  I understand that there are strong feelings about things like abortion. There should be strong feelings about things like abortion.  But is there any room for hate?  Can we disagree – even with passion – and still remain friends? 

I’m reminded that Jesus said, “They will know you are my followers by how you love one another” (John 13).  He didn’t say by how you believe, or by the convictions of your arguments, or by how right we are.  It’s all about love.  Of course, we stand up for truth as well.  But it doesn’t have to be either or, does it? 

So, back to the specific issue in the restaurant.  I’m going to support and pray for my president.  I’m also going to tell him when I think he’s going the wrong direction.  But I’m not going to hate.  I will stand against abortion, but I will also stand for unwed mothers.  I will try to create an atmosphere of love, acceptance and forgiveness where sexually active people can work on their issues and where every child can be given a fair chance to be loved and cherished.  But I will not hate.  

What do you think?  

In Genesis chapter one we learn about the Hebrews and how they had grown too large in number.  The Pharaoh decided to kill all the males born to the Hebrews, but the midwives, Shiphrah and Puah let the male children live.

In this text the Pharaoh, the ruler of the greatest nation on earth at the time, is un-named.  On the other hand, the midwives, poor Hebrews of no consequence have names.  Who is important in this passage?  Certainly not the king of Egypt.  God has a special preference for the poor and unwanted.

A small church in Luxor is following in the steps of Shiphrah and Puah.  Since adoption of orphans is not legal in Egypt, many children have no place to go.  This church is building a home for girls.  May God bless this church and bring the vision to completion.  If you want to know more about the home for girls and how you can partner, write to me through this website and I’ll connect you to the right people.  You can see pictures of it on our pictures page.

I found this advice convicting and compelling. . .

“First, I would suggest that all of you Christians, missionaries and all, must begin to live more like Jesus Christ. Second, practice your religion without adulterating it or toning it down. Third, emphasize love and make it your working force, for love is central in Christianity. Fourth, study the non-Christian religions more sympathetically to find the good that is within them, in order to have a more sympathetic approach to the people.” Mahatma Gandhi

For decades we conveniently blamed everything on the Communists. Before that it was fashionable to blame Jews and Blacks for problems. Of course, in some areas of the world these people are all still blamed for this, that and the other. In Asia there is deep distrust between the Thais and Cambodians, the Lao and Thai, the Chinese and Indians and on, and on it goes. Of course whole books have been written about racial cleansing in the 20th Century.

The recent fad in America seems to be to distrust and blame everything on the Muslims. Forget the fact that there are hundreds of sects of Islam with the overwhelming majority begin peaceful and peace-loving. Even the Christians participate in this prejudice.

Jesus said, “Don’t judge, or you will find yourself judged.” Do we listen to Jesus anymore?

Some Christians seem to think that anything that violates their point of view should be attacked with full vengeance regardless of the emotional and physical carnage. Have we forgotten that “nothing can separate us from the love of God. . .” so we need not fear anything? Have we forgotten that love is the hallmark of Christianity?

We can have firm beliefs, disagreeing with others, and still maintain friendships. We can have dialogues with tension and still walk away friends. People are more willing to listen to the message of Christ if we Christians are living like Christ: loving people unconditionally in an atmosphere of safety and respect.

Let us love.

We are all so easily distracted. We have filled our lives with gadgets, noise and overbooked schedules partly because of our inability, or lack of desire, to simply focus. Rich Mullins sings a song about how God is his “one thing”. Many of us could write a song about “our many things”.

Our enemy often does not attack directly. We have pictures of Satan as a red man with horns. We hear stories about spiritual warfare. However, often Satan comes as a beautiful little child through the back door. He comes armed with indifference, sloth and complacency. And he loves to distract us.

Jesus was clear about his focus. He was not distracted. He wished to fulfill God’s will. Jesus loved, moved ever forward and proclaimed truths by which our focus may also be clear.

Christians in America are so distracted. We are not focusing. Rather than fulfilling the great commandment or the great commission we invest energy, time and money into issues that never were even directly addressed by our Lord. Why is this? Are we avoiding God’s plans? Are we self-serving? Are we confused?

One major distraction, consuming time, energy and money, is Creationism. The issue is important, but I have witnessed in the past few months a militant, almost cult-like movement that is, in my opinion, often going down the wrong road. Other distractions in the same vein are millennial views and some of the postmodern thinking. Discussions involving these issues seem to boil down to debating questionable facts along with narrow worldviews in an atmosphere of strife and anger.

God does not need to be defended.

The Bible is not a 20th Century American Science book.

Jesus said people would know we are Christians by how we loved each other – not by how we prove others are wrong and we are going to set them straight!

God created the world. Jesus is coming back. We don’t know many of the details about these two issues. Meanwhile, 30,000 people a day are dying of starvation; 27 million slaves suffer; millions have yet to hear the Good News. Into what should we be pouring energy, money and time?

I suggest that we refocus on Jesus and his message of love, humility, and care for the poor and downtrodden. Like Jesus, proclaiming the Good News in an atmosphere of love, acceptance and forgiveness.