Author: Wick

There’s a buzz lately about Obama’s choice for an inauguration invocation. On both sides of the fence, some making an incredibly large deal about it. I could say something, but I think it speaks more to allow the words of the “Friendly Atheist” to speak here: (from an Atheist’s perspective)

“Quick: Who delivered George W. Bush’s Invocations in 2001 and 2005?

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Correct answers:

Rev. Franklin Graham (2001)
Rev. Luis Leon (2005)

Remember those historic invocations?! Remember how they divided our country and played to the Christian Right?

No?

Me neither.

Warren’s invocation, like those others, won’t be remembered for very long. It’s a quick prayer. It shouldn’t be there in the first place, but it is. (That we have an invocation in the first place should be the point of argument, not Warren’s selection to deliver it. Atheist Michael Newdow tried to put a stop to the prayer in 2005 but lost his case.)

All that said, perhaps Bush should get some credit for having chosen Rev. Leon a few years back. He was obviously a Christian, but a far more inclusive and equality-minded than his replacement:

The Rev. Luis Leon’s flock describes him as a liberal thinker who preaches inclusiveness in his sermons, furthers social justice in his work and welcomes same-sex couples in his congregation.

Obama could’ve done better if he wanted a Christian representative; he did just this a couple months ago when he chose Christian author (and a person who actually voted for Obama) Don Miller to give the benediction at the Democratic National Convention.

But Warren’s more famous and Obama’s still trying to win the Purpose-Driven crowd over.”

The other night, I realized something (again) about my wife. She’s her mothers’ daughter. What I mean by that is she shares a few personality traits with her mom. Her mom loves to rearrange furniture in every public room of their house. Sarah isn’t so bad here, but I think some of that may be our small living room with a corner TV cabinet, and a piano against the other wall. It limits her ability to do much.

But another aspect is her interest in other homes. She loves to notice which houses are having “Open Houses”, and pays attention to which homes are for sale, and sometimes for how much. She has a list of things she likes/dislikes about any home that she’s ever seen.

This was great, when we first moved to Decatur. We lived in a 2-bedroom apartment. We were looking for a house. Where most people would have to begin their hunt, we were light years ahead of. We knew where some good houses were, and what was good about them from the very beginning. It didn’t take long, before we settled on the amazing house we live in now.

I’m the opposite here. I didn’t/don’t think about other houses much at all. If it were up to me, IF we ever moved into a house, we’d probably just find the cheapest one in a safe neighborhood, and squat there the rest of our lives. Thankfully, it’s not just up to me.

But in a brief moment the other night, where she was talking to me about a home that might be for sale, and going through the pros/cons of making such a move, I had a tiny revelation. Forgetting this was a part of my wife’s personality, I quickly took a small offense to her daydreaming. I felt if she was looking at other houses, she must not be living/enjoying where we are right now.

As I sat awake, I wondered if that must be how God feels sometimes. On a much grandeur scheme of course. But for those moments where so much of Christianity focuses on “gettin’ the heck outta here, to some mansion on a street paved with gold”. I wonder if God is hurt a bit, knowing He made all of this creation out of His Love for us, and intends to make all things new still – so that we can enjoy it fully.

I was thankful for those thoughts…whether from God or my imagination. It’s good to remember my wife actually “enjoys” looking at other houses/dreaming about more space for the kids. It’s also good to remember God has given us all of this creation to enjoy/seek Him…and one day we’ll know more fully what that even means. 🙂

When I was growin’ up, I remember a cassette tape that I found layin’ around. It was “Stryper: Soldiers Under Command“. As a teenager, both early and late teens, I was like “heck yah, SOLDIERS!!!” I was all about arming myself for the “Lord’s Army” and kickin’ some satanic butt with my sword and shield and all that.

Now, I’m still a Stryper fan, but I’ve learned a bit more about the words and imagery used throughout scripture. About the character of God/Jesus, and how it contrasts our own nature so much.

You’ve heard the verses before, Ephesians 6:14-20. So often, people take these texts and use them to promote a sort of “battle” mindset where we must be strong and on the offensive, ready to attack any evil thing with our sword. Maybe even, secretly, there are many who would like to think they’re “training” the army that will fight in some literal battle in the valley of Megiddo.

While we can’t deny the usage of some battle imagery in the next of Ephesians, we can be honest about what we know of Christ, and the message He was brining about the Kingdom. It seems that more often than not, Christ was involved in saying things like, “you’ve heard this, now I say this…….” kinda stuff. Basically taking things they know (or think they know), and revealing how these things are in the Kingdom.

It seems that is what Paul is doing here. He takes something they know (imagery of a Roman soldier preparing for battle), and revealing something about the Kingdom. No longer is it about power, and might, and battles. He says, “yes, you will need armor, but it will be Truth. It will be Righteousness. It will be Peace. It will be Faith. It will be salvation from God.” And even these, he simply associates with defensive type preparations (belt, breastplate, shoes, shield, helmet). The only time he even gives a “weapon” if you want to call it that, is when he mentions the Spirit of God (His word, the “sword”).

Funny how we would take Paul/Christ telling us “it’s not about battle and warfare like you’ve ever known”, and turn it into actually preparing for a war as we know it, simpy armed with different weaponry.

Too many times people take the verse – “our struggle is not with flesh and blood…etc” and say “that’s right, it’s against the evil spirits found in our enemies flesh and blood.” Nope.

The Kingdom is not about training the next generation of “Holy Soldiers” to fight and/or take over this world in the name of Christ. It’s about raising the next generation of Christ-followers. Young men and women who will speak Truth. Who will give up themselves in Love for others. Who will do what it takes to bring the message of Peace, and Good news to all creation. Who will depend more upon the Spirit of God to make all things new…