Our President's State of the Union Address

I wanted to give my response to President Trump's State of the Union address with Godly words and wisdom. But, instead, I will give you Dr. Jim Denison's words that pack-the-punch that I wanted to provide. Thank you for allowing me to step back for Dr. Denison to tell us how we should react as Christians:

Yesterday (Monday) was unusually chaotic even for American politics. Democratic Party officials announced partial results from the Iowa caucuses at 5 p.m. EST showing Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders in the lead. Their statement came nearly a full day after the results were delayed due to reporting issues. Four hours later, President Trump began his State of the Union address. He became only the second president to do so while under impeachment. The atmosphere in the room was unusually tense and partisan.

The president handed copies of his speech to Vice President Pence and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. She extended her hand, but he turned away without shaking it. She then introduced him, but not with the customary, “Members of Congress, I have the high privilege and distinct honor of presenting to you the president of the United States.” Instead, she said simply, “Ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States.”

During the speech, the president honored a Tuskegee Airman and his grandson who intends to become an astronaut. He welcomed home a soldier who reunited with his family for the first time in months. The speech recounted remarkable economic good news and called on Congress to make progress on a variety of fronts. Then, at the conclusion of the speech, the Speaker of the House stood, took her copy of the address, and tore it in two. She said later that she destroyed the speech “because it was the courteous thing to do considering the alternatives.” She added that she was “trying to find one page with truth on it” but “couldn’t.”

My purpose in responding today is emphatically not to advance a partisan agenda. I would offer the same response to last night’s divisiveness if the president were a Democrat and the House Speaker a Republican. In such a bitterly divided culture, my purpose today is to consider biblical ways to deal with disagreements as a nation and as individuals.

~ One: Honor the position if not the person
First, we must honor the position even if we disagree with the person. Peter instructed us: “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good” (1 Peter 2:13–14). Paul agreed: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Romans 13:1). Note that the emperor to whom they referred was Nero, one of the most despotic tyrants in Roman history.

In light of God’s word, it was wrong for Republican Congressman Joe Wilson to cry out “You lie!” when President Obama was delivering a joint address to Congress in 2009. (The congressman soon apologized, and the president accepted his apology.) It was also wrong for Speaker Pelosi to rip up President Trump’s speech. Congressman Wilson and Speaker Pelosi obviously disagreed with the presidents whose speeches they protested. But Scripture teaches us to honor the position, even if we disagree with the person.

~ Two: Initiate reconciliation
Second, God’s word calls us to go to those with whom we disagree. Jesus was clear: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone” (Matthew 18:15). Conversely, our Lord also taught us: “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:23–24).

Whether someone sins against us or we sin against them, we are to go to them. We are not permitted to speak about them before we speak to them. When we discuss public figures, we must avoid slander (Psalm 101:5; James 4:11) and gossip (Proverbs 20:19; 1 Timothy 5:13), only saying about them what we would say to them. These commitments break the cycle of retribution and initiate the process of healing. If the person will not respond to our initiative, we will know that we have done what we can.

Three: Love our enemies in prayer
Our third principle may be the hardest: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:44–45). “Love” translates agape, the unconditional commitment to put the other person first. We demonstrate this commitment when we pray for “those who persecute you”—the Greek syntax is translated literally, “for them as they are persecuting you.”

You know that you love your enemies when you pray for God’s best for them regardless of how they treat you. Such forgiveness obeys God’s word and will (Mark 11:25) and models his grace to a graceless culture.

Imagine a culture living by biblical forgiveness. Discussion of the divisiveness on display during last night’s State of the Union is likely to continue for days. In response, let’s model Christian behavior for a post-Christian culture. Let’s choose to honor the position of those with whom we disagree. Let’s refuse to slander them, speaking to them rather than about them. And let’s pray for God’s best for them as we share the forgiveness we have received.

Imagine the difference in our country if everyone followed these biblical principles. Now let’s model the behavior we ask others to exhibit. With whom will you begin today?

The Darker the Night, the More Crucial our Light

At church on Sunday, during our public prayer petitions, we heard: “For the victims in the El Paso and Dayton, Ohio shootings, and for their families, we pray to the Lord”. I had not heard the news. I think: “Dear Lord, have mercy. More tragedy? More crazies with guns?”

I didn't watch the news, but I know gun laws are being debated again. No doubt, mental health is being analyzed again. And statements of remorse and promises of prayer are being offered. Coming up with solutions to keep us and our families safe is being considered. But where would that be? Especially since the El Paso shooting was at a Walmart and the Dayton shooting was at an outdoor food festival?

Most importantly, families are grieving the deaths of loved ones and those who were at the locations of the shootings will be wondering “What if I or my family were the victims?” Their lives have all been changed. And, what about us – where do we go where there isn’t a possibility that it could be us the next time?

But more important than analyzing, debating and trying to figure out the killers’ mental and spiritual health, gun control and keeping us safe in the future, what would Jesus do now? When Jesus encountered those who were suffering, his first reaction was not always to try and fix their problems. He typically started by listening to them, taking their hand, or simply weeping with them. He would get to the healing and bigger issues eventually but usually not before he’d taken the time to empathize with them and understand their pain. That’s who we should be for our friends, loved ones and even casual acquaintances. The darker the night, the more crucial our light.

I enjoy following the daily blogs of Dr. Jim Denison who brings spiritual insight and perspective to current events. He said this: “While society should obviously take all effective measures to protect itself, here’s my biblical point: Jesus can change any life He touches. He can heal any trauma. He can redeem any crisis. The God who turned a murdering Pharisee (Paul) into a missionary of grace can transform anyone.

The more secularized our culture becomes, the more evangelistic our churches must become. The more that people ridicule our prayers, the more they need our prayers. The more traumatized and victimized our society, the more vital our compassion. The greater the threat of violence, the more urgent our message. That’s why we must do all we can to reach the next shooters before they strike. We must use our influence to permeate our broken culture with biblical truth and grace. We must share God’s Word and love with everyone we can in every way we can.

One lesson of El Paso and Dayton is that every community is a mission field. As a result, every Christian is a missionary. Jesus is weeping beside twenty-nine graves today. He is calling us to join him with heartbroken compassion for the victims and their families and a renewed commitment to our gospel mandate. We are still the only “light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). The darker the night, the more crucial our light.

This morning, I hear our Lord asking, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” (Isaiah 6:8). What is our answer to Him?”

Again....Proverbs 3:5-6

Again....Proverbs 3:5-6
Yesterday, my post was around that scripture "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding; in all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths". I had just pushed the "Post" button, and then checked my emails. Imagine my surprise and disappointment when I read Dr. Jim Denison's email. As I read his words, I knew they were words "in due season" for all of us -- not to judge others, but to judge ourselves. There, but the grace of God, go you or I. Today, I pray for Tiger Woods and his family, and I pray for him to have a MAJOR come-to God AND come-back to golf!

Tiger Woods explains his arrest in Florida
Dr. Jim Denison | May 30, 2017
Tiger Woods was arrested yesterday in Florida on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. His mugshot with drooping eyes and frazzled hair soon went viral. He later issued a statement that is making headlines this morning, claiming that "alcohol was not involved" and citing "an unexpected reaction to prescribed medication."

Whatever the cause of his arrest, it is another sad chapter in a story that was once so promising. I remember when Woods seemed destined to pass Jack Nicklaus' eighteen major championships on the way to recognition as the greatest golfer of all time. After winning the US Open in 2008, he had fourteen major titles and was in the prime of his career.

A year later, he drove his Cadillac Escalade into a fire hydrant and a tree. Media scrutiny led to revelations of marital infidelities. He and his wife divorced the next year. Woods has not won a major tournament since.

The day before Woods's arrest, Bernhard Langer became the first man to win all five senior major golf championships. I watched his victory on television and the interview in which he was asked to comment on his record-breaking success.

Langer complimented the player who came in second, then stated that he had been carrying a piece of paper with him during the round and would like to read what it said. He then read Proverbs 3:5–6 to the national TV audience and testified that his relationship with Christ was more fulfilling for him than golf or any other priority.

Scripture testifies that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23), including Tiger Woods and Bernhard Langer. The difference is that the latter admits he needs salvation by grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8–9) while the former does not.

The stories of Tiger Woods and Bernhard Langer teach the same truth: material success cannot quench spiritual thirst. This is what philosophers call a "category mistake," like asking the color of seven or how much friendship weighs. Only the Spirit can fill our spiritual void with "a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:14)."

In Times of Pain and Broken Hearts.....

Yesterday morning, the media broadcasted about the horrendous tragedy in Orlando. For those of us who feel safe in our cozy and comfy homes, it seems a far stretch to understand such an assault on human life. I was endeavoring to put words together for my post today, but then I saw this moving post by Dr. Jim Denison who writes for The Dallas Morning News and The Christian Post. It really doesn't matter who he is, I think he "nailed it" when it comes to what our reaction to this tragedy should be. His comments follow:

I am writing this Cultural Commentary on Sunday morning as reports continue to come in from Orlando. At this point, we know that the Pulse nightclub tragedy is the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. We know that the shooter has been identified as Omar Mateen and that authorities are investigating his possible ties to Islamic terrorism. I feel compelled to write this essay from my heart.

As I have watched the news reports, I have sensed the grief of our Father for His children. While Pulse is one of the best-known gay nightclubs in Orlando, Baptist ethicist Russell Moore was exactly right when he tweeted, "Christian, your gay or lesbian neighbor is probably really scared right now. Whatever our genuine disagreements, let's love and pray."

Here's how you and I can "love and pray" for Orlando right now:

One: With hearts broken as God's heart is broken. Scripture is clear: "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18; see Psalm 147:3). Our Father wants us to love all our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:39). If people had to be perfect to deserve our intercession, for whom could we pray? Who could pray for us? We are all broken people who need each other and our Lord.

Two: With honesty as we share the pain of those who grieve. David prayed, "Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also" (Psalm 31:9). We can be this honest with God. In fact, it is biblical to pray words of anger and frustration. If Jesus could cry, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46), we can ask our questions and express our pain. The Lord already knows our hearts. He wants us to open them to Him and to each other.

Three: With hope as we trust the redemptive power of God. The psalmist proclaimed, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way" (Psalm 46:1–2).

Whatever comes of this tragedy and others that may come in the future, our Father is still our Father. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He loves us as much today as when He died on the cross for us. Our Lord promises, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you" (Isaiah 43:2). No matter how deep the river, His love is deeper still.

As he stood at the grave of Lazarus, "Jesus wept" (John 11:35). I am convinced that he weeps today over Orlando. Let us join Him now.