Austins in Thailand

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.

Check out two new listings in the blogroll on the right. One is a site called “Real Fusion”. Real Fusion is artistic and thought provoking. It’s good for Christians to think and Real Fusion helps us do just that. The second new blog is the Carter Center. I just completed reading Jimmy Carter’s latest book and was deeply stirred. The Carter Center is doing fantastic work.

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.

2: Beavers we see when we stay with Natelle’s mother in Goldendale.

4: Fish caught fishing with Rod and Kathy Brown in Molson, Washington.

5: Number of Thai pastors soon to be ordained in Thailand at the annual conference.

35: Scheduled appointments and presentations so far for September and October. Want to add more?

425.361.5660: My phone number in the Seattle area.

27% - the amount of money pledged so far towards next years ministry. We need 100%+ by the end of December. Hit “give” above to learn more.

There are 27 million slaves in the world today, 80% of which are women and children. It’s a staggering number. But we must see beyond the numbers: each one has a name and a face and a story. Each one is loved by God.

Isaiah tells us that true fasting is feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and breaking the chains of injustice. Jesus announced that the kingdom of God was here, now, because the good news was being preached to the poor and captives were being set free. John Wesley wrote that slavery was the “execrable sum of all villainies”. In the 19th century some courageous Methodists spoke out against slavery and the Free Methodist Church sprang into being.

History has brought us to this place.

We are compelled to act.
There are many things we can do to fight slavery. We can pray. We can learn more about the issues. We can partner with other organizations. We should do these things, but there is one thing we’ve been doing for 41 years that we can celebrate and continue with passion - we’ve been caring for children in need and in danger through International Child Care Ministries.

Two leading factors leading to the trafficking of children are illiteracy and poverty. Child Care Ministries fights against both of these injustices. ICCM is on the front lines fighting slavery!

Look at it this way: when the housewife in Indianapolis sponsors a girl in Cambodia they are stepping in front of a trafficker who wants to steal that girl into prostitution; when the businessman in Seattle sponsors a boy in Nigeria they are offering an alternative to a life of spiritual darkness. When the family in Chicago sponsors several children in Haiti they are creating whole new worlds of hope.
We are, in fact, changing the world.

Do something concrete to fight slavery - sponsor another child or two or ten or three thousand through International Child Care Ministries.

See the ICCM Link to the Right for more information

Recently I read this quote:

“There is no anger that comes close to the anger of an American that cannot get television.” Quoted by Sen. Clare McCaskill, D-Mo, at a hearing on the impending implementation of digital signals for televisions.

Really? This is what makes Americans more angry than anything else? Was she serious or trying to be funny?

I contrast this with the last presentation I did on modern slavery. When I finished I approached a friend of mine, whose eyebrows were quite low, and asked, “Are you o.k?” “No, I’m pissed,” was the reply. Spoken like a true Christian. He went on to state that God was angry too. Absolutely. . .

What should make Americans angry?

No t.v.?

27 million slaves in the world?

Don’t forget to check the blogs on the right. There are some great ones! I just added Doug Murren’s site. He’s a great guy with some powerful insights. Check it out and join the conversations. . .