Benediction

Christmas & Easter

I read an interesting article in USAToday on President Obama's process of selecting a church in Washington DC. Disclaimer Alert: I cannot imagine how hard it is to serve as president when every decision and step is evaluated and magnified by the media, including probably a million bloggers like me. I respect Mr. Obama and I pray for him often, as scripture implores us to do.

But the article still intrigued me. It seems the president has yet to choose a church in which to participate as president. As a pastor, I'm not sure I would be too eager for the president of the United States to be a participant in our local church. I'd welcome him and his family, but it would be complicated. The Obamas visited one church in January, only to be greeted by a line of church members who had waited in line three hours to greet the president. That must be a little distracting to the church's ministry and mission. So I'm not writing as a critic of the president.

Here's the sentence from the article that intrigued me the most: "So far, Obama hasn't really needed a church to call his own; he spent last Easter in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Christmas in Hawaii." The fascinating point of view of the article's unnamed author is that Christians only need church for big holidays, like Christmas and Easter. If you're out of town for the holiday, you might not need a church at all.

Now, it's not news that many people are Christmas and Easter church-goers. It is just fascinating to me to see it in print. And it misses the whole point of church. A church is a community of believers. It is a collection of people who are living out their faith in Jesus together. Christianity was never intended to be lived in isolation. It was designed by the Savior to be lived together. In fact, the scripture itself says in Hebrews 10:24-25, "Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Apparently there were already Christmas and Easter church-goers in the first century. We have not changed much.

So, as we have just passed through the most remarkable of religious holidays, when we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus--the coming-back-to-life-after-death holiday--let me call you to the biblical truth: We need each other. Make it your post-Lent, post-Easter commitment to be with the church. Small groups are meeting weekly throughout the region. And the church gathers every weekend to worship our God and hear and respond to his word. Contrary to the article this weekend, we need each other all year long.

Abraham and Jesus

This week is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln. As one who loves history and politics, it is a good week. Last year I read Team of Rivals, by Doris Kearns Goodwin. It was a fascinating description of Lincoln's willingness to make his enemies his allies. Part of Abe's genius lay in this strategy and ability. Of course, Lincoln's life ended tragically, and the world will never forget him.

In a few weeks we will remember the tragic death of Jesus. Jesus' short public ministry, which lasted about half as long as Lincoln's run as president, was filled with memorable moments. His stories have been retold for 2000 years. We know them by simple titles: The Prodigal Son, The Good Samaritan, The Narrow Gate. And Jesus' real-life encounters were perhaps even more memorable than his stories: The Woman at the Well, Nic at Night, The Water Walk, Water into Wine. Of course, Jesus' life ended tragically, and the world will never forget him.

But there is a difference between Jesus and Lincoln: Jesus came back to life. This hard-to-imagine, harder-to-believe statement is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. Jesus is alive. When Lakeside Church was just a baby, I talked with a woman who had not been raised anywhere near religion. She had little concept of Easter and what it meant. I remember describing for her what Jesus had done. I got to the part about the resurrection, explained it as clearly as I could, and waited. She thought about it for a while then said: "You mean Jesus is alive!?" That was a brand new thought for her.

But that is the story of Jesus. That is what makes his life so much more remarkable than even Abraham Lincoln. He is alive. Jesus himself said, "I am the resurrection and the life." Then he asked one of his followers, "Do you believe this?" I do, and that changes everything for me. I love Abraham Lincoln. But I worship Jesus.

Inauguration

What an unbelievable, inspiring day. I have seen this American transfer of power several times during my life. It always astounds me. I told my daughter that despite America's flaws, no nation on earth does the transfer of power better than America. To watch President Obama and former President Bush shake hands and embrace as the Bush family departed the capitol was to witness a moment of grace. Two men, two parties, and two ideologies. Yet they embraced each other and the concept that differences need not engender hatred. In fact, these men demonstrated it is possible to practice respect in the middle of different opinions. If that approach could be practiced in our politics, in our markets, in our schools and in our homes, we might make progress toward peace.

I am proud of both of these men. I am grateful for George Bush. To serve in the role and times in which he served took courage and wisdom. I appreciate his willingness. In addition, his faith in Christ has been so strong and clear, that even the TV commentators spoke clearly about it. I hope my own faith is that clearly understood by those who watch my life.

I am also grateful for Barack Obama. He enters office at one of the most trying times in our history. I pray for him. Undoubtedly he will face opposition. That is a strength of our country. But I hope he will also receive the respect and support of our country, especially from those of us who follow Jesus. The New Testament clearly calls us to respect and pray for our leaders. As Christians, we have not always succeeded in either of these callings. But I pledge to give him both my respect and my prayers. I want him to succeed.

And finally, I am proud of my country. My daughter confessed she had a hard time grasping the significance of an African American president. She gets it intellectually, but emotionally and culturally, it is hard for her to grasp that this has not always been a possibility. That in itself says we have come a long way. Her generation doesn't even question it as a possibility. On the other hand, I know something of how far we have come. That's why I am proud of us at this moment.

May God bless our new president and us.

For Kings and All Those in Authority

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone- 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men-the testimony given in its proper time. (1 Timothy 2:1-6 NIV)

Paul's desire for Timothy and the Ephesian disciples of Jesus was clear: Pray for your king. Today we might edit: Pray for your president. In the next eleven weeks Barack Obama will be putting his administration in place. He will need God's wisdom.

Some people, who disagree with the president-elect's philosophical positions, will begin maneuvering to oppose him before he begins. Some will never believe a word he says. (I know; I have asked people.) Some will be bitter the election did not go a different way. 

But let's address Paul's instructions for all of us in this time of transition: He wants us to ask and pray and intercede and give thanks for Barack Obama. That is the express will of God. It does not get any clearer. He tells us this because Jesus is interested in us living peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. Apparently such prayers and thanksgiving work toward that goal.

Jesus wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of hte truth about himself. And apparently prayers and thanksgiving for our government leaders leads to this goal too. The greatest evangelistic tool we have seems to be praying for our president.

Sometimes we get distracted by lesser things: political strategies, agendas, disappointments. But Jesus says our number one priority is to pray and give thanks for our leaders. This leads to the life that Jesus wants for us.

Grant Park

I watched the faces in Grant Park in Chicago on Tuesday night. People of all races gathered together to celebrate the election of Barack Obama. The joy of his election was palpable. Every person in that park was proud to be an American that night.

I must say I am also proud of my country. I just finished reading Team of Rivals, a great book on the leadership style of Abraham Lincoln. From everything I have read, Lincoln would have loved this moment. He too would have been proud to be an American. Surprised, but proud.

I don't know what the future holds for America. Barack Obama will surely make mistakes as a leader. He is human, after all. But then again, that's sort of the point: Barack Obama is a human. He is not black or white or purple; he is human. That was Martin Luther King Jr's dream, wasn't it? To judge, and perhaps elect, a man based not on the color of his skin, but on the content of his character.

World Serious

When I got home from work Wednesday night I turned on the tube. On Channel 3 (and 10, 13, 39, 40...) I found the third round of the presidential debates: John McCain and Barack Obama swinging for the world. On Channel 8 I saw the second round of the National League playoffs, known as the NLCS: the Phillies and the Dodgers swinging for the World Series. 

I wonder how many people saw the debate but neglected the game. Or how many watched the game but avoided the debate. You know, some people think sports are a big waste of time. Some see politics the same way. 

For my part, I watched both. I am fascinated by the political journey this year. And I love baseball. It's weird this year, too, because I am an Undecided regarding the baseball. My team (San Francisco Giants) is already out. I like the manager of the Dodgers, but I love the players on the Phillies. I don't know for whom to root. And I haven't even mentioned the American League.

The political race is equally engaging. Obama? McCain? Health care? Economy? War? Tax cuts? Tina Fey? It is all so fun. But it is so serious too. I mean the end of the world as we know it is right around the corner.

The beauty of baseball is the championship only lives about six months. Suddenly Spring arrives and a new season with it. The old champion is cast aside and the Giants and Cubs both think they have a chance again.

The challenge of presidential elections is the winner only gets about two years. Then the next campaign begins somewhere in Iowa. And we'll start the whole game over.

And all that tells me is not to put too much stock in the World Series Champion. And maybe not too much in the winner of the Presidential Series. The president will not be the Messiah. Messiahs last longer than that.