Embarrassed to be a Christian?

Let me start by saying that I am NOT ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. To be washed in the blood of the Lamb is by far the greatest honor ever bestowed on humanity. It is the really, really stupid comments made by Christians, which fuel a growing disdain among the secular world, that make me really angry and make me hang my head in shame.

On a positive note, I will first mention a fellow Christian who brings glory to the name of Christ. Our local newpaper ran an article about a local police officer who recently moved his family from a safe, "Christian" suburb to an inner city neighborhood in which they had been volunteering. After visiting the area for church service projects and getting to know the people through regular volunteer work, he and his wife felt that God was calling them to become part of the community and minister to the people through living among them. Although the neighborhood has had its share of violence, he said that God did not call them to be safe, but to reach the poor and neglected of society.

Contrast this attitude of sacrificial living with an article that appeared in the same paper on the same day. With all the recent violence in Kenya, many missions organizations are working to get their missionaries and workers back to the States for their safety. One area family whose daughter has been serving in Kenya borrowed $10,000 to arrange for a chartered helicoptor to airlift her out and bring her home. (In the end, it was not necessary; other transportation was secured.)

Should we be concerned for the safety of those called to serve God? Of course; I'm not saying they must face the risks on their own. But should we use that as an excuse to remove ourselves from the violence that threatens many Christians around the world on a daily basis? Where is our willingness to model Christ and lay down our lives for those who need Him?

A second piece of news that made me cringe concerned a Baptist group that protested near a memorial service for the family of 5 from Maryland that were killed by a drunk driver during the holidays. Apparently this family lived near a town that the church group had sued, so their deaths are considered God's retribution on a community that messed with God's people. I'm really not sure what Bible they are reading if they believe that is the way God metes out punishment. Every Christian should be praying for the driver who caused the accident, supporting the surviving family members, working to prevent future tragedies like this, or doing something other than pronouncing judgment in God's name.

Of course, reading about these events make me wonder. If details of my life appeared in the newspaper, would Christ's name be exalted? Am I living my life connected to the mission of Jesus? Or do I contribute to the distrust that keeps non-Christians from embracing the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Theological Observations of a Three Year Old

Christmas is a very exciting holiday for a three year old, especially one as full of life as my nephew Isaac. Let's face it - parties, cookies, candy, Transiberian Orchestra (you should see him dance to their music!), lights, SNOW, and presents! Any of those alone are enough to get anyone in a holiday spirit; all of them together, it's no wonder he can't contain his excitement!

Yet he wondered the other day, as he and my sister finished wrapping more gifts, why hasn't he seen Jesus at any of the Christmas parties he's been to? After all, Jesus is the birthday boy, so where was He? And how can Isaac give Him a present if he never sees Him? And then, the best statement- "I know I can't see Him at home, but I should see Him at church, because that's His house."

I am not trying to give Isaac too much credit for deep theological analysis here; I understand the limitations of a three year old's thinking processes. But his comments made me wonder. How many adults will ask themselves these same questions following this Christmas? How many will come into our churches this weekend, looking for the birthday boy, and fail to see Him? How many of us church leaders will get so caught up in the party that we forget to invite the guest of honor?

I pray that I will remember to invite Him, that the kids I minister to will see Jesus, and that we all come before Him ready, just like Isaac, to offer Him our gift of worship.