When Evil Strikes: The Orlando Massacre

Shock. Horror. Madness. Evil. Grief. Heartbreaking. Just some of the words heard in the past few days to describe the massacre that took place in Orlando, Florida. 

What made the reporting even more chilling was the use of social media. We now have images that were recorded by mobile devices. Texts and tweets were sent out giving us a closer glimpse of the gruesome events that were happening.

Within hours political leaders expressed their positions about the evil that occurred. The Globe and Mail reported Prime Minister Trudeau stating that hate attacks “cannot be tolerated”. From the White House President Obama opened with these words, “Today, as Americans, we grieve the brutal murder -- a horrific massacre -- of dozens of innocent people. We pray for their families, who are grasping for answers with broken hearts.”

Time captured Hillary Clinton’s phrase, “Weapons of war have no place on our streets.” Trump tweeted on Sunday, “Because our leaders are weak, I said this was going to happen - and it is only going to get worse.”

At play are so many narratives and perspectives in regards to this tragedy:

• An act of terror inspired by ISIS. 
• The LGBTQ community is still not safe. 
• Gun control is out of control in the United States. 
• Mental illness, untreated, leads to acts of violence. 
• General public feels scared and a loss of control. 
• The connections between religion and violence. 
• What of the family system in relationship to this deeply troubled young man? 
• The bravery of the first responders and people who acted heroically. 

How do Christians respond to all of this? It is imperative that we speak and act with hope, compassion and courage.

When people do not have hope they will do desperate things. In Jesus’ day the world was harsh, terrifying and cruel. But in Jesus’ famous prayer (Matthew 6:9 -13), he speaks to His Father about God’s kingdom coming and God’s will being done here on earth as it is heaven. As we lean into Christ‘s promise of God’s coming kingdom that restores the world... we live in hope.

Tim Dearborn in his book, Beyond Duty: A Passion for Christ, A Heart for Mission, describes kingdom hope in these terms:

If the task of producing hope sits on our shoulders, we will feel the constricting band of our own inadequacy and finitude stifling us. But if we recognize that God is the producer of hope and we are but assistants in hope’s birth, we can breathe again. We are not paralyzed. We can become joyous participants in that hope being born into people's lives.

We also live out Christ’s call of compassion. People are in pain. We weep with those who weep. In Luke 6 Jesus describes compassion in the following ways: We love our enemies. We pray for them. We turn the other cheek.

Now is the time for us to walk the second mile with deeds of justice, love without an agenda and miraculous signs of supernatural power. Let us show mercy by helping the poor, the weak, the fatherless regardless of race or creed.

At times like these the gravity of fear exerts a strong pull.

It is so easy to retreat in the face of evil.

Lastly, the way of Jesus call us to be courageous. At times like these the gravity of fear exerts a strong pull. It is so easy to retreat in the face of evil. God hates evil and so must we. (Amos 5:15) Karl Vaters in his article, 5 Dumb Things Christians Must Stop Saying When Evil Strikes, makes this observation: And don’t spout any nonsense about evil balancing out the good. Evil balances nothing. It keeps everything off balance. That’s why God hates it.

When evil strikes,

the greatest act of courage for people

who identify as Christians is to love like Jesus.

When evil strikes, the greatest act of courage for people who identify as Christians is to love like Jesus. This may sound simple but I believe it requires much wisdom, grace and prayer. In these days of uncertainty may others know we are Christians by our love.

Baptism

This weekend we are inviting people to express their faith through believer's baptism. It is not our idea to get people all wet. It comes from Jesus' command for Christians to go into all the world and lead people to follow Jesus so that they can have a relationship with God. Jesus says when people make this choice to believe we are to baptize them. (Check out Matthew 28:19)

In our church we go all the way and immerse people. The outward act symbolizes some important matters. It shows our old life dying and our new life in Christ rising up. Furthermore it portrays our spiritual baptism in the Holy Spirit. It also represents our resurrection hope in Christ - the grave will not hold us!

But most of all it is a simple act of obedience to Jesus' command. If we say we love Jesus our desire should do what He asks of us. Jesus is saying in effect, "If you believe in me express your faith in this act of allowing water to wash over you." 

Come this weekend. We even give room for people to respond spontaneously. (Yes we have extra t-shirts and shorts and towels). Come witness this moment where people are telling others, "I believe and obey Jesus!" Watch, learn and respond! 

25 Days 2 Christmas - Hope

"...you will not grieve like people who have no hope." (1 Thessalonians 4:13b)

Christmas Eve. The weeks of planning, waiting and anticipating is over. The time to celebrate is here. 

It is, however, a bittersweet time for many. Family and friends who were with us last Christmas are gone from the family table. Relationships that once were are now no more. Changes in work, health and home add extra stress. So in the midst of the smiles, there is sadness. 

Ironic isn't it, that in this time of high celebration we become keenly aware of these harsh realities.   How do we respond? Initial reactions are predictable: fear, denial and a desire to simply run away. But we can never run fast or far enough from the darkness that hovers around the edges of our lives. 

Jesus' arrival in Bethlehem gives me a word that shines light in the midst of this darkness: that word is hope. 

Jesus' arrival tells me there is more to life than just this life. For those who say, "This life is all we've got!", I look at that babe in the manger and say, "But His presence tells me there is more - way more!"

Jesus birth tells me God keeps His promises. The coming of the Messiah had been promised from long ago. From the prophet Isaiah we hear, "For a child is born to us...And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)

It is a wonderful life. For that we give thanks. But it is also a hard life. We grieve because of our sin, brokenness, evil, tough circumstances and death. But listen to what the angels are announcing! “Don’t be afraid! I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Saviour—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem." (Luke 2:10-11)

In Christ we have hope in the face of whatever comes our way. Remember this as you celebrate His birth.

Prayer: Thank God for Jesus who gives us a living hope!. Amen.

Gift to others: When an opportunity presents itself, share the hope you have in Christ. 










  

25 Days 2 Christmas - Invitation

Scripture: For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost. Luke 19:10

Are you planning to invite someone to a Christmas Eve service? 

Remember, "The God of the Bible is a missionary God who graciously pursues people." If we worship a missionary God, then we become a missionary people. 

Ed Stetzer in his blog, The Exchange, (July 21, 2014)  talks about the power of the invitation. An invitation to church is still an effective way to reach the lost.  

Stetzer makes his case for the invitation: "Why is it that many of our un-churched friends are ready for an invitation to church? Several missiologists have recently offered a similar observation. In our post-Christian nation, people who are skeptical of the faith are often attracted to the Christian community before they are attracted to the Christian message. (emphasis mine) Therefore, introducing people into the relational network of a local church community becomes an important aspect of their journey to the faith."

In other words - "Neighbors may come because of an invitation, but they'll stay for the community."

How does the journey of faith begin for most people? It starts with people being engaged with other Christians  in community, where they see and hear the gospel. That connection begins with a simple invite.

The good news is that any one can invite. You need no degrees, no professional training, no clergy title. Just a heart that wants to share the the hope of Christ. Remember, simply introducing people into the relational network of a local church community can be an important aspect of their journey to the faith.

Prayer: "Lord Jesus, help me to seek what you seek, love what you love, the lost."

Gift to others: The greatest gift you can give to someone this Christmas? An invitation to hear the real meaning of it. (James Emery White)

25 Days 2 Christmas - Family

You are members of God’s family. Ephesians 2:19

The conversations may have started weeks earlier. But the refrain is a common one, "When are you coming home for Christmas?" When we gather with family, we reconnect to our past.  We see where our journeys have taken us in the present.  And it becomes a time to wish each other well for the future. 

A highlight, for many families during Christmas, is getting together. It may be for a Christmas dinner. For others it is a time for an extended visit. As I write this, Nancy and I are getting ready to pickup up our adult daughter at the airport. As each year passes, I am recognizing that having all the family home for Christmas is something to be cherished. 

Christmas is about family. God is inviting people to become part of His family. The Bible makes it clear that how we respond to Christ determines whether we are one of God's children. 

But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12. 

Jesus says that in order to belong to God's family we need to experience a second birth. We must be born again. Rick Warren in Purpose Driven Life observes, " Every human being was created by God, but not everyone is a child of God. The only way to get into God’s family is by being born again into it....The invitation to be part of God’s family is universal, but there is one condition: faith in Jesus." 

For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26

Our earthly families are wonderful gifts. But our spiritual family is going to last forever; our relationships will go on through eternity. What binds God's children together is greater than genetics. We are bonded in the blood of Christ; in His sacrificial atoning death, by the grace of God. 

Are you part of God's family? 

Prayer: "Lord Jesus, I believe in You and I receive You into my life. Thank you for bringing me into God's family."

Gift to others: Tell another Christian that you are glad they are part of God's family.

 

25 Days 2 Christmas - Friendship

So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. Romans 5:11

Christmas is a time that we celebrate God's friendship. Jesus came to do his reconciling work, moving us from being enemies of God to becoming friends of God. This is incredibly good news because too many people still believe that good works are required in order to appease an angry god.

From this friendship with God we are called to be in spiritual friendships with others. The bible shows again and again that we all are created for community—that friendship is expected; that you and I are to cultivate loving, nurturing, spiritual relationships with others.

I've heard the excuses about not having deep friendships: fear of being known, hard work, takes time, you are convinced you are doing just fine by yourself or you may simply not know how. 

But it is worth it. In fact, the presence of Christian friends is crucial in living out the life of faith God wants you to pursue. 

So this Christmas season look around and cultivate the friendships that help you move closer to God and who provide a source of support and strength. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to seek friendships that encourage me to grow closer to you.

Gift to others: Invite a friend over for coffee and conversation or for tea and talk. 

25 Days 2 Christmas - Worship

“Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:2

This year at The Journey Church we are doing "The Story". We are preaching through the whole Bible over a period of 31 weekends. All of us are starting to see patterns play themselves over and over when it comes to our faith walk with God.

One pattern is simply this:  In our lower story will we put God first or will we allow other little gods capture our hearts. 

God's first commandment given to Moses on Mount Sinai was, "You shall have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:3) 

Randy Frazee in his companion book to The Story writes about this choice we often find ourselves making: In the Lower Story, the one true God is often shoved aside for our little gods. In the Upper Story, God invites us to enjoy all the blessings of life he has given us, but to worship him only. 

(Excerpt taken from The Heart of the Story: God’s Masterful Design to Restore His People)

So who do you worship? What grabs your core? Where do you get your sense of comfort, hope and purpose? Where will you be gathered this weekend? Will you be stampeding to your work, a shopping mall, a rink, your bed or a place of worship? 

Wise men still seek Him.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to love you with of all my heart, my mind, my strength and my soul. Amen."

Gift to others: Take time to listen to someone for an extended period of time.