It's about acting with love...no matter who you voted for...

So, after the election on Tuesday, I have heard people happy that the change they are seeking will, in their opinion, finally be happening. I have also heard people that are very saddened by the election because they are worried that the rights and freedoms of minorities in our country will be trampled upon by a Republican controlled congress and presidency.  Both feelings are legitimate.

However, while I have concerns about Donald Trump being our 45th president, what is really causing me concern right now is the way some people are reacting to his election.  There have been stories shared on different platforms of media that reference people ripping off hijabs off of Muslims, people placing letters of hate on the windshields of LGTBQ men and women, and others yelling hateful things at black people.  This is NOT okay.

You see, while most of the people I know voted for Donald Trump merely because they are wanting to see some change to trade, the economy, and other reasonable political issues (and know that I do not hate you or hold a grudge against you), there people in this country who voted for Donald Trump because his speeches gave them the freedom and the power  to practice hate towards blacks, LGTBQ, Muslims, and other minorities in our country, since many of his speeches expressed hatred and capitalized on fear towards these groups. These speeches gave voice to many different hate groups and white supremacists in our country; groups such as the KKK, who endorsed Trump for president.  These people are now carrying out actions of hate because Trump’s speeches, in their understanding, gave them permission to do so, and now even more so that he is now president-elect.

Like I said, most people I know did not vote for Trump because of his hateful views on minorities, but nonetheless these hate groups and supremacists are now acting as if it is okay to spread hatred and fear over minorities in our country because of the power that Donald Trump (knowingly or unknowingly) gave them, and this feeling has most likely tripled because Donald Trump has been elected to the highest office in the land.

Firstly, let me say that, if you voted for Trump, I do not hate you and I do not hold you responsible for the hate groups and supremacists that are currently terrorizing minorities in this country.  You are not responsible for the actions of those who were looking for an excuse to continue hating those different from them.

However, it is my hope that, no matter who you voted for in this election, you will NOT tolerate any hate or fear mongering towards minorities in this country.  It is my hope that we will all work together to protect the rights of blacks, LGTBQ, Muslims, and others.  It is my hope that we will continue to strive for justice and peace for all people in this country no matter what race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, gender, or economic status they identify with.  It is my hope that we will continue to act with love towards neighbor and enemy.

As I said in a Facebook status on the night of election day, right now we need to be the church that shines the light of Christ in the darkness.  We need to be the church that continues to promote Jesus’ gospel of love for ALL people!  We need to be the church that strives for justice and peace by speaking out against any and all hate groups as well as letting our elected officials know that we believe in equal rights for all minorities, for that promotes God’s love in the world.  We need to be the church that prays for Donald Trump and other elected officials so that they will govern our nation with God’s wisdom and love.  We need to be the church that will advocate for those being oppressed, and who will take it upon ourselves to use the power and privilege we have to educate others on how to be more open and accepting to people who are different from them.  This is the church we need to be in our world today, for this is the church Christ has freed us to be, and this is the church that Christ will use to promote love and not hate in the world.

Donald Trump, in his victory speech, talked of a need for our nation to come together.  I agree, but only in the sense that we come together to love each other and fight for the rights of all people in our country.  As long as we act out of posture of love and mutuality, this country will continue to grow and thrive.  After all, the reality of God’s kingdom hasn’t changed, and we get to help others more fully realize that reality; the reality that the true power that rules the cosmos is God’s love.

See you in the conversation,
Pastor Zach

Why Attacking Colin Kaepernick is Un-American

There are a lot of people upset over Colin Kaepernick’s actions this past Friday evening when he chose to remain seated during the singing of the National Anthem before the San Francisco 49er’s vs. the Green Bay Packers preseason football game.  A lot of people are upset because they feel Kaepernick’s actions are disrespectful to the flag, what it represents, and to our country.  And, because of his actions, many people have taken to social media in order to tear him down and attack him for his actions. 

Here is one example of such an awful attack:

Now, firstly, let me say that I fully understand why the flag is important to many people in our country.  I understand that it represents the wonderful freedoms that we cherish (even take for granted at times) as citizens of the United States of America. I understand that our flag is also a reminder of the cost that our military veterans have paid to ensure our freedoms. I also understand how the flag can represent a healthy pride for our country.  I too get excited to see our flag raised at the Olympics when an American has medaled in their event.  For these reasons I understand why some people are upset at Kaepernick.

However, what has really bothered me about this whole thing is the fact that Americans have been so quick to judgment and attack that they haven’t even stopped to consider why Kaepernick acted this way in the first place.  How many of you actually knew that Kaepernick chose to do this as a statement to raise awareness to the fact that for many people of color the flag doesn’t represent freedom but oppression.  It is hard to believe, but people of color in our country are still racially profiled and are oppressed because of it.  They do not feel like they have the same freedoms as white Americans do in this country.

But, instead of listening to Kaepernick’s reasons and trying to understand them, most Americans are demanding that he treat the flag from the white, privileged American point of view.  They demand that he respect the flag, totally forsaking his feelings on the matter.  It is the equivalent of demanding that a spouse remain in a physically abusive relationship simply because she is supposed to “respect” her man. 

This is a problem that runs rampant in our country.  Because of our society is highly individual and very egocentric, we refuse to listen to another person’s point of view.  We refuse to acknowledge that perhaps there is more than one opinion on a topic or more than one point of view.  We demand that people see things “our way” and we will attack them if they don’t agree with us. 

Have you ever stopped to think that the freedoms that our flag represent actually give Kaepernick the right to take a stand against it?  What our flag represents is the freedom to stand in reverence of it or to stand against it because of the injustice that is still happening to minorities in our country.  To stand in blind obedience to the flag is to turn it into an idol and to forsake the freedoms our country was founded on.  Demanding that Kaepernick respect the flag is acting from a dictator’s point of view and not a democratic point of view.

You see, I feel that most people in this country forget that freedom for everyone means that you can only go as fast as the car driving in front of you.  In other words, your freedom stops when it begins to oppress the freedoms of others.  What Americans have been doing to Colin Kaepernick has further oppressed him and the people of color he is representing to him.  Demanding that Kaepernick respect the flag is oppressing his right to stand against it.

It is okay to disagree with Kaepernick as long as you are willing to understand his position and respect it without demanding that he only act from your point of view.  After all, how would you feel if someone demanded that you respect a symbol that has caused you pain and suffering?  In my mind Kaepernick is acting as a true American.  Someone who understands that the freedoms he has been given allows him to stand against the flag when that flag represents an injustice that is still happening to people of color in this country. 

God created our world to be diverse.  This means that there will always be differing opinions and disagreements between peoples.  However, God also created us to be in community with each other.  This means that the only way our community will remain strong is if we are willing to listen to each other with the intention to understand, not rebuttal.  Perhaps, after listing to Kaepernick you still won’t agree with him; however, you may find that you have come to a deeper understanding of why he chose to remain seated during the National Anthem.  And in that understanding, you may find that Kaepernick isn’t being un-American (or a child), but rather a true American who speaks out, exercising his first amendment right, in order to bring to light an issue that our country continues to ignore or act like it doesn’t exist.  At the very least, perhaps you will see him as a child of God and realize that no person deserves to be treated the way Americans have treated Kaepernick.  After all, Christ promises that it is love which ties us all together and makes us strong.

Peace and blessings,

Pastor Zach    

The Disturbing Thing You Missed During Chris Rock's Monologue

So last night during the 88^th Academy Awards, comedian Chris Rock, in his opening monologue, decided to tackle the hot button issue of racism in Hollywood that has caused this year’s Academy Awards to be so controversial.  While making several good points—the need for movie studios to consider black actors and actresses for more prominent roles in movies—Chris spoke about racism in Hollywood in a very charming and funny way that filled the whole house with laughter.  Like the guy who jokes at a funeral luncheon to cheer everyone up, Chris did a good job of lightening the mood for the rest of the Oscars.

However, there was one thing in his monologue that Christ said that actually disturbed me.  It disturbed me because of the way the crowd reacted to what he said.  So what was said?  Well, he said this: “I’m sure there were no black nominees some of those years. Say ‘62 or ‘63, and black people did not protest.  Why? Because we had real things to protest at the time, you know? We had real things to protest; you know, we’re too busy being raped and lynched to care about who won best cinematographer. You know, when your grandmother’s swinging from a tree, it’s really hard to care about best documentary foreign short.”

 

The reason this part of Chris’ monologue disturbed me had nothing to do with what he said, but the fact that the crowd laughed it off as a joke.  Now, in their defense, Chris delivered these sentences in a very comedic way with the intention of getting laughter as a response.  However, how can we laugh at something that isn’t funny?  I’m sorry, but the lynching of black people and the raping of black people throughout the history of our country is not funny, and to laugh at it is to make light of the seriousness of those crimes against the black community.

This reaction also disturbed me because it also downplays the reality that racism and violence towards the black community is still prevalent today.  To laugh it off as a joke is to send a message that we, as a society, aren’t going to take this seriously and it is okay to act with racism and violence as long as we can have a good giggle about it afterwards!”  But since it comes from the mouth of a black man we can laugh, right?!  Wrong!

Yes, I know that comedians are supposed to say controversial things in order to get laughs out of people.  In many ways, comedians will say truthful things that need to be said, but because they say them in a funny way that makes us all laugh, we can make light of them like they don’t really matter.  I feel that comedians are really prophets in disguise.

What is probably most disturbing about this is the fact that, to me, this signifies that we as a country don’t want to face up to our problems.  We would rather face the truth through jokes and laughter so we can discredit it as something we need to address and deal with.  Now, don’t get me wrong, comedy has its place and I love going and listening to comedians rant about how life can be hilarious at times.  However, no one can deny that it is hard to take something seriously when we all laugh at it like a joke. 

It makes me wonder if we have so separated ourselves from the violence and the hatred in our country that all we do now is laugh when someone brings it up.  Maybe its all we think we can do?  Maybe its how we cope with it.  Maybe, if we can laugh at it, we can remove some of the shame and the guilt of our indifference.  Whatever the reason, we would much rather someone like Chris Rock give us a joke about our problems rather than sit down and have an honest discussion about them. 

 

See you in the conversation,

Pastor Zach

Expanding Valentine's Day Beyond Hugs and Kisses

Ahh, it’s Valentine’s Day.  A day of sweet romance.  A day to let the one you love know how much you appreciate them and how you just couldn’t possibly live without them.  It’s a day to give each other flowers, chocolates, and cheesy cards that say things like “I wuv you,” or “you’re as sweet as honey.”  Anyone sticking their tongue out yet?

Now, don’t get me wrong, I think it is always a good idea to appreciate those cherished ones in our lives that show us plenty of love and affection and who are there to support and comfort us when life becomes quite challenging.  And, I have nothing against doing something nice for your loved one either (although perhaps that “I wuv you” card isn’t the best thing we could do to show our appreciation).  However, When I see the commercialization of Valentine’s Day and when I hear people talk about it, it is clear to me that Valentine’s day (to a lot of people) has a narrow focus of romantic love.  The holiday, as portrayed, is all about attempts to court a romantic partner, or attempts to get your romantic partner in bed for some “loving,” if you get my drift.  Unfortunately, this is such a narrow view of love, and it is one that causes a lot of people to despise this holiday.

What would it look like if St. Valentine’s Day was a day where we focused on broadening the world’s understanding of love?  What if today was a day to go out and spend time with a person who is a widow or widower and homebound; or a patient all alone at the hospital; or sharing a meal with a homeless person at a soup kitchen in addition to sharing love with our partners, friends, and families?  What if we used some of that money we spent on chocolates, flowers, and cards to support organizations that feed the hungry, provide homes for the poor, and advocate for the marginalized?  What would it look like if we spent some of our time together writing letters to congress, advocating for justice for the poor, or volunteered our time at an organization who lobbies for the end to unjust systems that promote racism?  How would people view this holiday different if we celebrated it by hosting anti-bullying workshops?

There are so many ways that we can expand our definition of love—love for neighbor, love for stranger, love even for enemies—by surpassing the commercialized way of celebrating Valentine’s day.  And, honestly, loving and caring for others outside of our sweethearts, friends, and families through acts of service is a way that we can expand the definition of love throughout the entire year! 

Of course, what is the best part about doing this is the fact that, as we love and serve others we build relationships with them.  As we build relationships with them we begin to see the goodness and sacredness in them.  Soon, we begin to see Christ in them.  As we recognize Christ in all people, there is now way we would allow any kind of oppression or injustice to continue, no matter who it is happening to.    

So, yes, celebrate Valentine’s Day and show that special someone how much you love and appreciate them; but then, go out and spread some love to others, so that this holiday becomes all about love for all the world!

See you in the conversation,

Pastor Zach

 

 

What a True Christian Candidate Is and Isn't

If you are planning on caucusing in Iowa tonight, or you are planning on attending a caucus or primary in your local state, wherever that may be, and you happen to be Christian and want to caucus/vote for a candidate who has Christian morals, please read what I have written below, especially if you want a candidate with true Christian morals (whew! Long sentence!). 

Now, there are several candidates that consider themselves to be Christian and to have “Christian morals.”  Mike Huckabee, Ted Cruz, Ben Carson, and the Donald come to mind; although, I’m sure there are others in either party who claim to be Christian.  And, while some of these candidates say they have “Christian morals,” they make statements against welcoming the neighbor and the stranger; they don’t value life (unless you’re a fetus) as they promote the death penalty and are against any kind of gun control; they would rather cut off the poor from food (yes, not every poor person is a lowlife who takes advantage of the system), but allow the very rich to get out of paying thousands of dollars in much needed tax dollars; When it comes to social justice issues, like racism, they sweep it under the rug as if we don’t have a problem; finally much of their campaigns are fear driven and are not faithful to God’s abundance, grace, and love.  Does this sound Christian to you?

Being a Christian means that we place our trust, our faith, and our allegiance in Christ Jesus.  No, not Moses, not Abraham, not St. Peter, nor St. Paul, but to Jesus (for Jesus is God!).  This means that to follow Christian morals and beliefs is to follow the teachings and actions of Jesus.  And, if you actually read the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), you will see that a lot of the candidates that say they have “Christian morals,” don’t actually have any (or very few) Christian morals!

How do I know this?  Well, when you read the gospels (and please, actually read them if you haven’t!) you will discover that Jesus welcomed the stranger, the neighbor, and the foreigner (Luke 10:25-37); that Jesus values all life (Luke 23:39-43); that Jesus calls for us to care for the poor (Matthew 25:31-46); that Jesus calls for justice of those oppressed (Mark 10:46-52); and that Jesus is about spreading love, not fear (John 13:34-35). 

So, when you go out and caucus/vote for a Christian candidate with Christian morals, make sure you are caucusing/voting for a candidate who wants to care for the poor and give freedom to the oppressed; who wants to welcome neighbor, stranger, and foreigner; who wants to place the lives of people above the right to kill or carry a weapon in public; who will fight against injustice whether it is racial, economic, social, etc…; and who will lead with love, compassion, and is intent upon peace.  These are true Christian morals.  Any candidate who talks about hate, discrimination, rejection, being unwelcome to outsiders, wanting to use lethal force in any way; and thinks we need to cut benefits to the poor are candidate who do not have Christian morals. 

Happy caucusing/voting!

Pastor Zach