Sappy Christmas Movies...much more than just sappy

“Ho, ho, but no matter. Christmas was on its way. Lovely, glorious, beautiful Christmas, upon which the entire kid year revolved.”  A Christmas Story

  Please don’t tell my daughter, but I’m thankful for sappy Christmas movies. Charity has our DVR programmed to record zillions of them during the holidays (Okay, it’s not zillions but it’s a lot). I Googled how many sappy Christmas movies there actually are…I think I may have broken Google. For the most part, I don’t actually watch them. Yet, as I’m working on something in the room when they’re on, I’ll sometimes catch a few moments. Apparently, I’m allergic to them because my eyes often water. Yes, they’re very formulaic. I just appreciate that they always have happy endings. We need a few more happy endings in this world.

  There’s only one true Christmas story. It’s the historical account we find in Scripture, God sending Jesus to be our Savior. It probably didn’t happen in December. That’s just tradition. December 25^th was chosen by church leaders in the early 300’s. From what we can ascertain from the historical background, it’s more likely that Jesus was born in late September.

  Yet, in the many stories and movies that have risen around Christmas, there are often redemptive elements we wouldn’t have without the Incarnation. Apart from Jesus coming, this world would be a horrible, perpetual “Bad Santa” place (And no, I haven’t seen it nor do I desire to).

  My favorite Christmas movie when I was a child, was Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. With great anticipation, I looked forward to seeing it each year. It’s a story about misfits. Rudolph is a misfit. Hermey the elf is a misfit. Ultimately, Rudolph and Hermey team up and their journey leads them to an island of misfit toys. Apart from God’s grace, we’re all just a bunch of misfits because of sin. No one measures up. Wonderfully, in Rudolph all of the misfits are rescued. That’s why Jesus came – to rescue misfits like us – “to save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

  Though released in 1946, It’s a Wonderful Life, is still a classic. It asks a powerful question: What if someone had never been born? What if Jesus had never been born? The film shows the horror of what would have happened if George Bailey hadn’t been born. Multiply that horror a million times a million if Jesus had never been born. It was because of Jesus that slavery was abolished. Both women and children were given value and status as God intended, instead of being property or vassals. Nearly every college first began as a Christian one. Hospitals, orphanages, soup kitchens, ministries for addicts and the poor and countless others were started by Christians seeking to demonstrate God’s love that He first demonstrated to us by the gift of His Son.

  A Charlie Brown Christmas almost never happened, at least not the one that was the final product. Charlie Brown is seeking the true meaning of Christmas. The author, Charles Schulz, battled with Network executives because he insisted on including part of Luke 2. The network executives were death on having Linus reciting the story of the birth of Christ from the Bible. Network orthodoxy assumed that viewers wouldn’t want to sit through passages of Scripture. There was a major standoff, but Schulz wouldn’t back down. Because of tight production schedule and CBS’s prior promotion of it, network executives aired it as Schulz intended it. But they were certain they had a flop on their hands. Charles Schulz knew the biblical account from Luke 2 was the soul of the story. So as Charlie Brown sinks into a state of deep despair, trying to find the true meaning of Christmas, Linus quietly saves the day. Walking to the center of the stage where the Peanuts characters have gathered, under a narrow spotlight, he quotes Luke 2:8-14. It’s the power of God’s Word!

  Even Christmas with the Kranks has redemptive elements. It confronts the narcissism, hedonism and self-absorption of the contemporary Christmas. Luther Krank is determined to take care of himself. It’s only when he’s forced to “repent” because his daughter, Blair, is coming home for Christmas that he finally capitulates. So he’s desperate. And his community, even though Luther has been a brat, is a model of grace as they kindly rally to rescue him. That’s what the local church is to be – a community that forgives, helps and seeks to be a blessing…even for the undeserving…because each of us is so undeserving. Even then, Luther doesn’t get it until he gives away his prized possession of a Carribbean cruise to an elderly couple where the wife is dying of cancer. It’s only when he sacrifices for someone else that the light begins to dawn.

  We, too, though lose by hoarding and only gain by giving. Like Luther, we’ve been given so much, yet we still miss it and too frequently selfishly focus only on ourselves. It’s only when we’re generous as God has been generous with us in the gift of His Son that the light begins to dawn in our hearts and we truly find “peace on earth.”

  There are many others. Probably my favorite is a 1986 made for TV movie, Christmas Eve. It’s the story of a wealthy elderly lady, who gives to the homeless and volunteers her time with children. When she learns she has an incurable illness, she wants desperately to reunite her three now grown grandchildren who’ve scattered across the country, with their estranged father, her son. She hires a private detective to search for them and attempt to get everyone together on Christmas Eve. It seems impossible and hopeless, but in the end it all comes together. There is re-uniting and restoration. It’s a message of hope, forgiveness and restoration. 

  Isn’t that one of the powerful messages of Christmas? Hope. God through His Son restored us to Himself. We’re forgiven! Because of His grace, we can be restored to each other. What often seems so hopeless – broken lives, marriages, families and a broken world can be restored because of the Cross, His first coming. As dark as it all may seem, there is still hope! 

  So enjoy some sappy Christmas movies. Remember though that the true story isn’t sappy, it’s true and it’s life changing: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.

The word of the year is "Post-Truth"???

“Truthiness: the quality of seeming or being felt to be true, even if not necessarily true.”  Stephen Colbert

  One of my favorite apps on my smart phone is a dictionary program. When we go on vacation, if there’s a strong possibility we won’t have cell service so I can’t access it, I’ll pack a dictionary.

  Oxford Dictionaries recently announced The Word of the Year for 2016. It’s “POST-TRUTH.” Talk about a “huh?” moment.

  “Post-truth” is defined as “an adjective relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.” Sadly, post-truth is not new. This concept has been in existence for some time. It’s just that Oxford Dictionaries have seen a spike in frequency of questions regarding post-truth this past year with the political situations in Britain and the U.S.A. It’s an outcome of postmodernism and relativism. Words devolve so that eventually they have little definable meaning.

  This compound word, post-truth, exemplifies an expansion in the meaning of the prefix “post” that’s become increasingly prominent in recent years. Instead of simply referring to the time after a specified situation or event, as in post-war or post-match, the prefix in post-truth has a meaning more like “belonging to a time in which the specified concept has become unimportant or irrelevant.”

  Post-truth appears to have been first used in a 1992 essay by late Serbian-American playwright Steve Tesich in The Nation magazine. Reflecting on the Iran-Contra scandal and the Persian Gulf War, Tesich lamented that “we, as a free people, have freely decided that we want to live in some post-truth world.” A book, The Post-truth Era, by Ralph Keyes appeared in 2004. Comedian Stephen Colbert, has popularized an informal word related to post-truth, truthiness, defined as “the quality of seeming or being felt to be true, even if not necessarily true.”

  Rather than wringing our hands or clucking our tongues, a post-truth world presents opportunities as well as challenges for the Church. Ours is a skeptical, cynical age where truth is increasingly in short supply.

  Be honest. Who do you really trust? Cynicism begins to creep into our hearts, contaminating our outlook on life. It’s not the way God wants us to live. His will is for us to choose to focus on the truth (Philippians 4:8). Polls show we don’t trust that our leaders, political or corporate are telling us the truth. If we listen to someone in the media with a different worldview than ours, we listen cynically, even questioning their integrity and commitment to truth. We’ve reached a sad point where we expect lawyers, lobbyists, journalists, talk-show hosts, politicians and anyone else on the public stage to spin truth in a self-serving way. Truth is devalued and sometimes totally lost. Lloyd Steffen insightfully observed, “Honesty now looks like a dubious virtue if not an actual vice. It is studied and examined as a stratagem rather than as a hallmark of character.”

  We can make a difference! Truth is not optional for the Church. God commands us, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Ex. 20:16). Honesty is the first rule of all relationships. The New Testament further unpacks this, “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another” (Ephesians 4:25). In a culture where words are increasing exponentially and truth is cheap, believers are to always tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. For the Christ-follower, “truthiness” or “post-truth” are never options.

  Yet, commitment to truth is a choice. Scripture warns us that our hearts are deceptive (Jeremiah 17:9). Lying is easy, even “natural” because of sin. It’s all-consuming. Only the Holy Spirit can reveal how greatly entrenched deception is in our hearts. I question if it’s possible to persuade someone who is dishonest to be truthful. Instead, they must first be confronted with the truth of God’s Word. It’s the revelation of God’s Word and holiness which dispels deception and reveals our sinfulness.

  We must also realize how vile lying is – it’s Satanic. Satan was the first liar. Lying is so repugnant to God that the only instance we find of Him striking someone dead in the New Testament was when Ananias and Sapphira lied to the church (Acts 5). Afterwards, the Apostle Peter made two powerful observations – Satan had filled their hearts and they had lied to the Holy Spirit. If we wanted to convince people to be honest today that would work! Let a few members in the congregation keel over if they lied and everyone would immediately clean up their act.  

  Post-truth is a relationship murderer. We’re social beings. God designed us to need relationships to be happy and fulfilled. We innately want to get along with each another and live in harmony. That’s impossible if we can’t trust one another. When truth isn’t a given in a relationship, disappointment and insecurity are inevitable. Lying erodes the foundation necessary for healthy relationships, making real ones impossible. When we succumb to post-truth, we become very anxious about reaching out.

  It’s imperative that we’re able to trust one another if we’re going to be the healthy Body of Christ God designed us to be. As God defines what it means to be holy and pure, He also defines what it means to be truthful.  

  In some ways, dishonesty is like a person with allergies. When it’s determined what they’re allergic to, everything that causes them to react allergically is removed from their world. Post-truth causes God to react. God doesn’t just dislike sin. He hates it and will not tolerate its very presence. When we lie, we separate ourselves from Him, becoming like those described in Romans 1, “they exchange the truth of God for a lie.”

  “Post-truth” may be a new word. But it and no other word that’s describes someone dishonest should characterize a Christ-follower. God’s will is for every believer to be a committed truth-teller. We can’t do it in our strength. We need the Spirit’s power. God is the God of the truth. Christ-followers are to be people of truth. We’re to be different. Because of the new life we have in Christ, we must always be known as the people of “present-truth.”

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.

The Scrooge in me...

“Darkness is cheap and Scrooge liked it.”  Charles Dickens

  This year is the 50^th Anniversary of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. For me, he’s one of the ultimate baddies of Christmas. I love to watch the 1966 version. I love the theme song. Until recently, I didn’t realize that Dr. Seuss wrote the lyrics or that it was performed by Tony the Tiger. Okay, it was Thurl Ravenscroft…who is best known as the voice of Tony the Tiger.

  But my all-time favorite Christmas baddie is Ebenezer Scrooge. A few times I’ve been fortunate to see a live performance of Dicken’s classic tale, A Christmas Carol. It’s much more powerful than watching it on TV.

  We all know that Scrooge was stingy. I think he’s a lot more complicated than that and Dickens wanted us to see the horrific ripple effect of his cold heart. Stinginess was merely the fruit of many other vile roots. If we look in the mirror, we’ll unfortunately see more of Scrooge in ourselves than we want to admit. A lack of generosity was merely the fruit. In fact, generosity is the cure and one of the best ways to attack these foul roots. Check it out for yourself. Is there a Scrooge in you? 

  Scrooge was condescending. Somehow of late, condescension has become more acceptable. Yet, although it’s more common, that doesn’t mean it’s any less repugnant. A condescending spirit is arrogance with an ice pick. We are the opinionated culture. We tend to be very opinionated about nearly anything and everything. But it doesn’t stop there. We condescendingly look down on, speak disparagingly of and to – anyone who dares to disagree with us. We act as if we’re the standard of correctness. We’re not. Truth does not begin and end with us.

  About the only thing we can be certain of is that which is revealed in God’s Word. God is Truth (Isaiah 65:16) and His Word, the Bible is truth (John 17:17). Scripture is not subjective or malleable (2 Peter 1:20-21). But virtually everything else is subjective…from what nation or region of that nation is best, to career, food, sports team, educational choice, political party, church, music preference, clothes, car, neighborhood, etc.  

  Though Jesus spoke the truth very passionately, He wasn’t condescending. He often asked questions, rather than rubbing someone’s nose in obvious truth. He was the model of humility and amicableness.

  Scrooge was critical and harsh. Just say, “Bah humbug” and most know you’re imitating Scrooge. He criticized Bob Cratchit for wanting to spend time with his family. He demeaned his nephew, Fred, for enjoying the festivity of Christmas. Pettiness is the national pastime. Think of what you were critical about just recently in your mind, if not with your mouth. But does what you pontificated about even matter? Like Scrooge, the harsh things we say to those closest to us (family, friends, co-workers) hurt. If something doesn’t need to be said, it probably shouldn’t be. Jesus saw the good things others were doing that most missed, like a poor woman dropping two pennies in the offering. He was the model of encouragement. No wonder others thronged to be around Him. Being around Him was so refreshing. Critical individuals though are so draining. Which one are you?

  Scrooge was a workaholic and materialistic. The Bible teaches the value of a work ethic. We’re not to be indolent. But there’s so much more to life than work. No one ever gets to the end of life, regretting that they didn’t work more. Scrooge put in long hours, but for what? In the end, he left it all. Sure, he had nice things but he didn’t enjoy them…and he certainly didn’t share them. It doesn’t take long for that thing we thought we had to have to grow old and stale. Yet, it’s amazing, when we share what God has blessed us with, how much it increases our fulfillment and enjoyment.

  Scrooge was self-absorbed and uncompassionate. Scrooge looked at the poor and those in dire circumstances as a nuisance. What are your thoughts when you see someone dressed a bit shabbily? What about a child that’s unkempt? Or, worse a misbehaving one not being monitored by a parent? Do you think, “What a brat”? What about the person using food stamps in front of you at the grocery store? Are you the judge and jury of their situation? John 4 is a very convicting Bible passage for me. I doubt that I’d have engaged that immoral woman in a compassionate conversation like Jesus did. I wonder how many times I’m an uncompassionate Scrooge and miss an opportunity to be Jesus to someone.

  Scrooge was isolated and miserable. No one wanted to be around him. They only sought him out because they wanted something from him.

  I truly feel sorry for those who are wealthy, famous or powerful. They aren’t certain who their friends actually are. They’re not always certain if their spouse or children love them. Do others truly want to be in their presence or are they looking for a present? If they lost it all, who’d still be there for them? It was the lesson the Prodigal Son learned. He didn’t have friends; he had leeches. Once he’s out of funds, he’s out of friends.

  Yet, a generous person has more friends than they will ever know. Those who are truly generous give without strings, expecting nothing in return.

  I’m always wonderfully surprised when someone who doesn’t love Jesus is gracious and generous. They’re doing something unnatural. Selfishness is the realm of the natural. Scrooge just happened to have the resources to act as many of us would like to, if we thought we could get away with it.  

  As I read the Bible, it’s apparent that it’s very difficult to be stingy and yet be a Christian. It violates everything God is and the Bible teaches. Once you’ve experienced God’s grace, grace you know you’re so undeserving and unworthy of, how can you not be generous? Salvation means you’re a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). It changes our whole worldview.

  It’s easy to talk a lot about your faith, have lots of Bible knowledge, but know so little of God’s grace. Head knowledge without a heart transformation is the Scrooge condition. 

  Are you a generous person? If others knew how much you share of your time and treasure, would they consider you generous? More importantly, does God think you’re generous? Scrooge wonderfully changed. Sadly, that rarely happens. The only way you and I will ever become generous won’t be by turning over a new leaf, it’s by surrendering to a generous God and letting Him change our heart. Are you a Scrooge? Let a generous God give you a new heart. That’s why Jesus came, “to save us from our sins.”

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.

Please do not feed the fears!

“Please do not feed the fears.”

  For the most part, I sleep much better than I used to. As a pre-teen, we lived in a neighborhood that was deteriorating. Burglaries and other crimes were becoming increasingly common. There was a sense of anxiety in the air. Our house was a large two story one with five bedrooms, two of them were downstairs. Someone could be downstairs and no one would know.  

   After my Mom died, it was not unusual for my Dad to either come home very late or not come home at all. Sometimes when my sisters and I would come home, we would let our large dog go in first to roam around. We were afraid someone might have broken in and be in our house, unbeknownst to us. One Friday night, for some reason I was all alone. My Dad called me in a stupor, letting me know that he wasn’t coming home. I think I was maybe 12 and I became terrified. I remember getting his shotgun out of his closet and laying it on the bed next to me as I slept. While I didn’t even know how to use it, it gave me comfort to know that I had some way to potentially protect myself if needed.

  Then, after our son, Ben, began having seizures, I found I had difficulty sleeping, often rushing into his room at the slightest odd noise, anxious that Ben might have a seizure in his sleep. It didn’t help that shortly after Ben was diagnosed with epilepsy, I was asked to do a funeral for a special needs young man who’d choked to death in the midst of a seizure.

  Fear is a trespasser! It’s the one emotion that’s not part of our original design. Fear is not what it means to be made in the image of God. It was only after our first parents had sinned, disobeying God’s one command that we find the word “fear” in Scripture (Genesis 3:10). Sin opened the door to our greatest enemy, Death, and with it, fear. Ever since sin contaminated this world, people have struggled with fear. Essentially, you will find we all fear the same basic things.

  We are afraid of circumstances. Try as hard as you will, you cannot control your life or your circumstances. William Ernest Henley was all wet. We are not “masters of our fate or captains of our soul.” None of us can control our circumstances. Why is it that insurance companies seem to never downsize but build larger facilities? This world, this life is the domain of the out of control and unexpected. Every day people get up, go to work…never expecting they will be the fatality clogging up the freeway, but someone will be. Someone is in a doctor’s office or emergency room right now, receiving a diagnosis they never expected, and their life will be forever changed. Most of us don’t expect to be laid off or to receive a pink slip. We don’t expect the car to break down. The list is endless. As a result, we become anxious about our circumstances. Because we cannot control our circumstances, many live in anxiety. Contemplating on your lack of control over your circumstances increases your anxiety levels. They will appear to grow larger, you will feel smaller, and your faith and vision of God will be clouded. Are you living in fear of your circumstances?

  We are afraid of others. What is it about us? If you walk into a room, two people are talking…if one or both of them glance at you and begin whispering, or worse, begin giggling…we assume it’s about us. Most of us fear that if others really knew us, even the ones we love and are loved by, that they probably wouldn’t even like us. It’s the fear of others that causes us to let ourselves be manipulated, surrendering who and what we are. It’s the fear of others that makes us clingy and insecure. We become over-sensitized to the opinions of others and find ourselves unable to be who God has called us to be. Everyone around you, even believers, still struggles with indwelling sin. Because of sin relationships are messy. People will hurt you; you will hurt them. They will demand of you what they shouldn’t demand and respond to you in ways they shouldn’t respond. Some, particularly those who are either influential and/or vocal in our lives, will loom larger than they should in our thoughts and motives. Rather than living for the glory of God, we’re tempted to work for their approval. The fear of man is a boogey man in our souls. Are you living in fear of others?

  We are afraid of the future. All of us live in the difficult place of not knowing the future. As believers, we’re to live by faith. God’s will is for us to trust, obey and believe that God will guide and provide. It’s a lot easier to say that than it is to do. We don’t know what tomorrow holds. We’re not even certain what the next moment may bring, let alone next year. Security will never be found in some vain attempt to plan, to figure it all out or attempt to peek into the future either via a psychic or seeking to ascertain the secret will of God. God’s secret will (Deuteronomy 28:29) is a secret because it’s in our Father’s sovereign hand. Yet we still desire to know, to figure things out ahead of time. The more you focus on the future, the more you’ll contaminate your heart with a sense of dread. On top of that, the more you’ll be confused and de-motivated in the here and now.

  Not knowing isn’t easy. Anyone with children has experienced the difficulty of a child not knowing what’s going to happen on Christmas, which usually results in a sleepless night for both the parents and the child.

  We find questions of the future hard to deal with because we find it difficult to trust God. Yet, the One we’re to trust knows everything about the future because He controls every aspect of it. Our fear of the future exposes our struggle to trust Him, and in trusting Him, to rest in His love, guidance and care, even though we don’t know what comes next. 

  Four times in the nativity account of the Savior we find these two words, “fear not.” It’s not a part of the Christmas story we typically think about.

  Over the next few weeks, we’re going to look at those “fear nots.” You’ll find they intersect with our own lives and experience of what we fear. 

  As the Father sent His Son to free us from sin, He sent Him to free us from fear. Please join us each Sunday during this Christmas season as we together learn to live more and more in God’s wonderful “fear not,” that peaceful place of “No Fear” our Heavenly Father wants for each of us. 

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.

It's going to take more than a safety pin....

“It was the most respectful, benign form of bullying ever. But bullying nonetheless. And by the way, human rights must be won, not asked for. When artists perform the venue becomes your home. The audience are your guests. It’s taking unfair advantage of someone who thought they were a protected guest in your home.”  Steven Van Zandt

  Sometimes it’s not what you say, it’s when you say it. For example, it’s completely appropriate if my wife, Jane, talks to me privately about something she disagrees with that I said. But for Jane to speak out in the middle of a sermon, questioning my theology in public is totally inappropriate. Civilized people all know this. Until our culture devolved over the last few decades, losing a sense of common civility, this wasn’t debatable. That it’s now a point of debate says something sad about us.  

  Please understand, this is not political. It’s a question of bullying. Bullying is always wrong. For example, it was wrong in 2012 when a Congressional staffer bullied the daughters of President Obama in a Facebook post that they were dressed and acting like “teens” (because they were teens) at the annual White House turkey pardon. I applauded when that staffer resigned. If she hadn’t, she should have been terminated.  

  Civilized people know some things are just off limits, like a leader’s children. There are also inappropriate places. The recent calling out of Vice President elect, Mike Pence, by the cast of Hamilton at the end of the play, for me, was one of those places. As he entered the Broadway show, some audience members began booing. Not a big surprise, after all, it was New York City. Mr. Pence showed both class and character. Later he shared, “I nudged my kids and reminded them that is what freedom sounds like.”

  Yet, Brandon Dixon and the cast of Hamilton were grandstanding, adding nothing to the national conversation. When Dixon encouraged the audience to record his comments and tweet them, he tipped his hand. It had nothing to do with opening a dialogue. Couldn’t he have sent a note to Mr. Pence, asking if some of the cast could meet with him backstage after the show? He further divided our already fragmented country, shutting down further conversation. What are the chances of Mr. Pence attending a Broadway show in the future with an opportunity to engage with those he disagreed with? Our political leaders are already far too insulated and isolated from their constituency. Who can blame them when situations like this happen?

  Sadly, bullying will only increase as our culture becomes more and more inhumane. Safe spaces and safety pins may make us feel better but will make little difference. It didn’t help Mike Pence. Surely, some members of the audience were wearing safety pins, yet no one came to his defense.

  Being a Christian means we’re to be like Jesus. Our Lord consistently stood up to bullies and so must we. It’s our God-given duty. We must stand up, not only for those with whom we agree, but for anyone being dehumanized. That would include someone disabled, elderly, an immigrant or minority, a child, someone overweight or gay, a nerd…even an elected official. Jesus went out of His way to minister to the disenfranchised and so must we. We must also model and teach this to our children.

  It will take magnanimity. What is magnanimity? It’s a “loftiness of spirit enabling one to bear trouble calmly, to disdain meanness and pettiness, and to display a noble generosity.” It’s how Mike Pence responded. While there’s a time to fight, it’s rare. This was not one of those times. Sadly, Mr. Trump, with his angry tweets afterwards, didn’t follow Mr. Pence’s wise example. As believers, we are, as much as possible, to turn the other cheek. We must seek to lower the emotional temperature, minimize our own offendedness, even praising what we can in those who oppose us.

  It will take character. It takes nothing to go along with the crowd or in some cases, the mob. It takes character to stand alone. Peruse the pages of Scripture and you’ll find this trait over and over again. Nearly every person God used came to a critical juncture where he or she had to stand alone. It’s how Joseph resisted the wiles of Mrs. Potiphar in an eroticized culture. It’s how Queen Esther approached the King, even though it might have cost her her life. Character is what Martin Luther had when he nailed his 95 Theses to the door at Wittenberg. It’s what William Wilberforce had as he swam against the tide committed to eradicating slavery.

  It will take courage. Most will either go along or stand by in silent fear, even when a great evil is being done. It takes courage for a teen to stand up for the teenager who’s odd, as others mock the victim. It takes courage to vote your conscience, even if you’re the only one. It takes courage to say some things are wrong, even if everyone else goes along, pressuring you to do the same. It takes courage to stand for what is right even if you’re accused of being a bigot or on the wrong side of history. Courage is what it took for Rosa Parks to stay seated on December 1, 1955 on a Montgomery, Alabama bus, refusing to give up her seat just because she was black in the colored section to a white passenger, after the white section was filled.

  It will take risk. Standing up to bullies isn’t popular. Bullies often are cowards, yet have the backing of the crowd. Standing up to them may cost you your job. Sadly, many bullies make it to the executive suites or top management positions and won’t tolerate someone standing up to them. Scripture cautions us to “count the cost.” Standing up to a bully can even cost you your life. History’s pages are soaked with the blood of godly men and women whose stand was their last one. John the Baptist lost his head for standing up to King Herod. Because of his staunch resistance to Hitler, including vocal opposition to the Nazi euthanasia program and genocidal persecution of the Jews, Dietrich Bonhoeffer paid with his life.

  In our post-Christian age bullying will increase. Sometimes it may even hide under the guise of Christianity. Martin Luther experienced religious bullying, wisely observing “You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say.” May the words of Joshua 1:9 echo in our hearts, strengthening our resolve, “Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.

Small Changes...Big Results!!

“The things we take for granted are dreams to many people.”

Can I suggest a small change in your life that can be life changing? For some of us, it will be easier than for others. Personally, I think type-A’s probably have more difficulty with this concept. It helps, too, if you grew up in a home where it was habitually practiced (too many of us didn’t).

  Let me illustrate this though by going to the polar opposite extreme. Imagine we’re chatting over coffee and I ask, “What are some of the little things that really irritate you?” If we’re honest, most of us have several. It primarily varies because of our background. For most of us, if we’re candid, it can be a substantial list. Not only do we become irritated over small, insignificant things, but when they occur we tend to stew on them.

  Okay, I’ll start. Please don’t think I’m a wicked sinner (though I am L).

  It bugs me when I’m in a fast food restaurant or store and the cashier is having a conversation with his/her co-workers, and I have to wait for them to finish their conversation before they wait on me.

  Someday my right foot will be sanctified (I’ve come a long ways already) but it frustrates me when a driver in front of me drives below the speed limit. The other one is when they stop and nearly park at a yield sign, especially when there is no oncoming traffic.  

  I love children! I even love noisy rambunctious children. But it grates on my nerves when children are running around in a store while their parents are on their phone or simply not paying attention.

  One more, and sadly my list is longer than this, but I don’t want you to vote me off the island for being so carnal, immature and petty…so I’ll stop. People pushing their carts in a store while on their phone and nearly running over other shoppers.

  Here’s what’s life changing and something that by God’s grace, I work at practicing. It’s gotten easier over the years but I’m still a struggler, not an attainer. It’s simply this: Being grateful for the seemingly little things.

  When we notice, pay attention and are grateful for the little things in our lives, our whole world changes…and not some cursory thought, but real reflection. We certainly reflect on those things that irritate us, so why not replace that with reflecting on the things we’re grateful for? Many of these happen every day, yet are so “common,” we take them for granted.

  Remember, too, God owes us nothing. I’m so thankful that God in His grace has not given me what I deserve. James 1:17 reminds us, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…” That simply means every blessing comes from my loving Heavenly Father. So here are some suggestions to help you start:

  Waking up from a good night’s sleep. When I was younger, this wasn’t high on my gratitude list. Since I became a geezer, a good night’s sleep isn’t something I take for granted anymore. The Bible says sleep is a gift from God (Psalm 127:2). If we whine when we miss out on a good night’s sleep, shouldn’t we be thankful when we have a good one?

  Waking up with those you love and who love you. It’s hard for me to sleep when Jane is out of town or when one of our children isn’t home. Oftentimes Charity leaves for work before anyone else. It’s rare for her to not say, “Good-bye” before heading out to her busy day. When she does, it always brightens my day! On top of that, we have these wonderful four-footed beasts who greet us each morning with their wagging tails.

  Being able to get out of bed, walk and move around at will. Consider for a moment how disruptive it would be to have the loss of that ability from aging, pain or an accident. Because I’m grateful for my legs, I try to go out of my way to acknowledge those who must use a walker or wheelchair. I never want them to feel they’re a bother, a hassle or in the way.

  My eyes and my ears. I’m sure that I’m legally blind without my glasses. I can hardly answer the phone without having them on. Can you imagine what it must be like to not be able to see? I’m thankful too that I’m not color blind so I can enjoy God’s rich palette of color.

  And I can hear. I find I read and concentrate better when I’m listening to music. I love listening to film scores. Then, there are voices now gone that I still hear in my memory. After my Mom was killed, I immediately lost any memory of her voice. What a joy that I can still hear my grandparents’ voices in my heart decades later. Though Dad and Mom Cummins are Home, I still hear both of them echoing in my soul. It’s such a blessing!  

  The future. My wife will tell you that I’m a planner. I don’t get frustrated when it doesn’t happen, I just like to start thinking about it early…okay, way early. For example, on our last get-away, I was already looking at options for our next one. Most of us forget that if it’s the Lord’s will, we have a future here. I have friends and loved ones struggling with health issues that challenge their future and they know it. None of us know we have tomorrow, yet thankfully most of us have lots of time left to live, to enjoy this life and its many blessings.

  Seemingly small kindnesses. I’m trying to be much more attentive of evidences of grace in the lives of others. Going to the Wellness Center is not the joy of my day but the staff they have working at the front desk really help. They’re always friendly and glad to see me! If they were grumpy or condescending, it’d be easier for me to rationalize skipping.

  And don’t you appreciate it when you’re in the wrong lane, turn on your blinker and someone lets you in. I always wave an enthusiastic thanks!

  Then, I’m totally lost in places like hardware or auto parts stores. I so appreciate clerks who take the time to make sure I find the right item. Or, when I can’t find something, the heroes in my book are the ones who not only tell me where it’s located but actually take me to the right place!

  I love encouragers! Some weeks back I was dealing with something a bit difficult. A friend knew it and texted me a simple, “I’m praying for you!” It made my day! It’s easy to do digs or jabs (I’m too often guilty). God bless the encouragers! May they greatly increase! May each of us be one! God has blessed me with so many of them in my life. Years ago when I was going through a valley of dark despair, it was the encouragers God sent in my life that got me through it! I hope and pray I’m one for someone else. 

  Do you want to change your life? Look for the many, seemingly small blessings. Then, thank your Heavenly Father and thank others for them! 

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.

108 Years is nothing...

“It’s been said that in Chicago there are two seasons, winter and construction.  For Cubs fans, there is only one, and it always comes next year.  Rick Talley

  The curse of the goat has finally ended. It only took a little over a century. But if you’re going to endure years — no, generations — of futility and heartbreak, when you do finally win a World Series championship, it might as well be a memorable one. The Cubs finally did just that, shattering their 108-year championship drought in epic fashion: with their 8-7, 10-inning victory over the Cleveland Indians in the final game of the World Series. It went into the wee hours of the morning. In the end, at least for Cubs’ fans, it all seemed to come to an end all too soon.

  108 years…that’s a long time. But it’s a drop in the bucket compared to the fans of King Jesus. His Church has been waiting for Jesus’ return for over 2,000 years. We, too, live under the curse from a creature, a serpent who successfully tempted our first parents. With their sin they lost for all of us heaven on earth…temporarily.

  Prophecy and Jesus’ Second Coming are rarely talked about today, even in the Church. Skeptics scoff at it. That, too, was prophesied 2,000 years ago (2 Peter 3:3-4). According to the Bible, Christians have an appointment and the next date on God’s prophetic calendar is the Rapture.

  Some people think we’re crazy to believe in the Second Coming of Christ. But when Jesus ascended back to Heaven, two angels told His disciples: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). I love what Dr. Adrian Rogers said, “I may be a nut, but I’m fastened to a good bolt—the Lord Jesus Christ.”

  The Bible teaches the imminent return of Jesus Christ. As believers, we’re not looking for the undertaker but the uppertaker. As Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica, “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.”

  Believers anticipate what’s known as the Rapture. Some point out that the English word “Rapture” doesn’t appear in the Bible. Yet, our English word “Trinity” also don’t appear in the Bible, but we adamantly believe in it.   

  Paul wrote that believers who are alive at the coming of the Lord will be “caught up.” It’s the Greek word harpazo. For many centuries the only Bible translation was the Vulgate. The Latin word is raptio, where we get the word “rapture.” The last recorded words of Jesus are on the last page of Scripture where He said, “Surely I am coming soon” (Revelation 22:20).

  We live in a time when most lack hope. Many things fuel this lack of hope: current world conditions; terrorism; government; increasing debauchery; economic anxiety; personal disappointments; health concerns; loss of loved ones; even our own approaching deaths. God’s Word urges believers to stand out as people of hope in an increasingly hopeless world.

  The bottom line of what happens after you die depends on what you do now, before you die. Some years ago, a letter went out from the Greenville County, South Carolina, Department of Social Services. It was addressed to over 50 former residents who’d recently died: “To whom it may concern: Your food stamps will be stopped effective immediately, because we have received notice that you passed away. You may reapply if there is a change in your circumstances.” But after you die, you can’t change your circumstances. What you do now as you prepare for your final appointment will determine where you will spend eternity. And there are only two options. If you know the Lord, you’ll be with Him at death but If you reject the Lord, you go to a place of eternal regret.

  In Luke 16, Jesus pulled back the curtain on the afterlife, showing us these two destinies. He told about Lazarus and a rich man. It’s a true account of two people who died. Lazarus didn’t earn heaven because he was a poor beggar. He had trusted his soul to God and was saved by faith. The rich man isn’t named, but died also. His funeral was probably a huge formal affair. But the rich man hadn’t trusted God.

  Jesus said, “The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side…” Those who die rejecting Christ will regret it for all eternity. If you die in the Lord though, the moment you die on earth, the angels escort you to be with the Lord. Our loved ones who died in Christ are already there. You’ll see them and know them. Do you have someone in heaven waiting on you? Don’t disappoint them. Be sure you know Jesus.

  Scripture says there will be a generation of believers who won’t have to go through a grave to see Jesus. When Christ returns, He’ll bring born-again loved ones with Him. In a nanosecond, He’ll raise their bodies from the grave. Their souls will then occupy their eternal resurrection body. Those of us still alive will be caught up to be with the Lord. We’ll be instantly changed to be like Jesus. Believers alive when Christ returns will never have a funeral. Are you ready? Or, are you prepared for death?   

  For anyone without a relationship with Jesus, death is terrifying. Bertrand Russell, the famed atheist said of death, “The life of Man is a long march through the night, surrounded by invisible foes, tortured by weariness and pain, towards a goal that few can hope to reach and where none can tarry long. One by one, as they march, our comrades vanish from our sight, seized by the silent orders of omnipotent Death.” But what a contrast to English poet, Hannah Moore, “There is one single fact which we may oppose to all the wit and argument of atheism, namely, that no man ever repented of being a Christian on his death-bed.” Jesus is coming back! As sure as the Cubs won the Series, He’s going to return. Are you ready? 

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

"And the beggar died..."

“I did not attend his funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it.” Mark Twain

  While some people may plan their funerals, probably only a preacher would think about the exact Bible passage that should be used at his own funeral. For years I’ve known what passage would be the most appropriate. You’ll find it in Luke 16:22 – “And the beggar died…” (KJV).

  It’s not original with me. D. L. Moody and Dr. C. I. Scofield (editor of the Scofield Reference Bible), were very close friends. Toward the end of Moody’s ministry, the two friends were discussing their deaths and funerals (it’s a preacher thing). They committed to doing each other’s funerals if the one died before the other. D. L. Moody then asked his friend, what text Scofield would preach at Moody’s funeral. C. I. Scofield with his characteristic wit, retorted, “And the beggar died…” Moody was famous for crossing the globe raising funds for his Bible institute in Chicago and Bible conference grounds in Northfield, Massachusetts.

  Scofield then asked Moody the inevitable question, “And what would you preach at my funeral?” D. L. Moody quoted 2 Samuel 23:10, “and his hand clave unto the sword.” The Bible is called the Sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17) and Moody was referring to Scofield’s faithfulness by in teaching and preaching the Word of God. It’s the desire of every preacher to be faithful in sharing God’s Word until the Lord calls them Home.

  In fact, someone once gave my mentor, Dr. David Cummins, a family sized wood Bible with that text carved into it, “and his hand clave unto the sword.” Moody went Home to be with the Lord first and that’s the text that C. I. Scofield preached at his funeral, “and his hand clave unto the sword.”

  The truth is that most pastors feel like beggars. I know I do and I know I’m not alone. The pastor is the manager of a volunteer organization with many needs. There are a lot of ministries and other areas of service in the local church. The pastor finds he’s often a one man recruiter, yet many pastors aren’t very good at it. On top of that, it’s our responsibility to teach Christians about financial stewardship, too. You’ve probably noticed that’s not my gift, to our Church Treasurer, Rick Hall’s chagrin. I’m much better at giving it away than asking for it.

  To be honest, because it’s tough and you feel like a beggar, if I could, I would just do everything at church myself and I’d pay for everything. It’s hard to feel that you’re coming to someone with your hat in your hands. It makes it more difficult when you receive a few “No’s” in a row.

  But that’s not God’s plan for the local church. It’s not a biblical church if the pastor does all the work and underwrites the whole ministry financially. Add to that, it’s not the biblical job description for the pastor. The Bible teaches that a pastor is not to do the work of the ministry, rather the pastor is to “equip” the believers in the local church to do it (Ephesians 4:12).

  God has gifted each believer. It’s by serving and giving (using our gifts), that we grow spiritually. Yet, because of our sin nature, most of us resist giving (money/time…depending on which one we value the most). Why do you think Satan seeks to convince us to not do either one?

  It’s why I’m so thankful for the many at Grace who help me leave my little beggar’s tin cup on the shelf. We have many at Grace Church who are such a blessing and make my job so easy. To be honest, I know I don’t say “Thank You” enough! So many of you make very real Paul’s word in Philippians 1:3 for me, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.”

  At first, I had a very foolish thought and considered listing out all those at Grace who model this, but knew I’d miss someone. Then, it struck me that there are two individuals most of us know who manifest these important traits. While there are many others, bear with me as I use these two as examples because they truly model a willingness to give and serve.

  Katelynn Deephouse. While just a teenager, Katelynn truly models a Christlike servant’s heart. Whenever she’s asked to take on a ministry, she responds with affirmative enthusiasm. If she is uncomfortable, she’s still willing to try. She’s willing to stretch. For most of us, getting up in front of a crowd is difficult. I’m sure it’s that way for Katelynn, too. After going to the dentist most people’s second greatest fear is speaking in front a crowd. Singing or playing an instrument I’m sure is comparable. Katelynn’s attitude, particularly when she’s asked to serve, is such a blessing!

  Rich Benson. If you’ve heard Rich’s testimony, you know that Rich came to Christ later in life. He’d been an alcoholic but Jesus wonderfully transformed his life. Rich is one of the most spiritually gifted, humble men I know. He’s truly a joy to serve alongside of. Rich also does not like to get up in front of people. Yet, I love to hear Rich pray or read Scripture. I love his heart! Rich is a student of God’s Word. Drop by his home and if Rich isn’t out riding his bike, he’s often reading his Bible or some other Christian book. He’s a sponge. And one of his greatest passions is to share the Gospel. Though he feels inadequate, several times I’ve asked Rich to do a one on one evangelistic Bible study with someone. He’s never turned me down and God has used him over and over again. Though Rich is in his seventies, he’s always willing to stretch and grow. Rich loves people.

  One of my favorite funny stories with Rich is related to that love for people. For years he and Jayne had been greeters for second service. They did a fantastic job! We were seeking though to involve others, so I had a dumb idea. We’d ask Rich & Jayne to step aside for a bit to get others involved. Rich is so committed to ministry, he felt as if he’d been fired. How can you not love a man like that!?! Many jump at a chance to get out of a ministry. When most of us get busy, one of the first things we cut is ministry and church involvement…even attendance. Not Rich. Because Rich loves Jesus, he loves serving Jesus and being with God’s people.

  I’ll probably always feel a bit like a beggar. But now you can skip my funeral. You know what’s going to be said. Yet, how I praise the Lord for the willing servants like Katelynn and Rich that we have at Grace!! 

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

Don't go all Betty White....

“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.”  C.G. Jung

  Okay, I’ll confess. I love Halloween candy. When I was a kid, I loved candy corn and peanut butter kisses…today, not so much. For as long as I can remember, my favorite candy bar has been Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup.

  Every birthday, Christmas and virtually any other holiday, my wonderful family, knowing my love for them showers me with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups in all shapes and sizes. (FYI: November 4^th is King Tut Day. Wouldn’t it be nice to honor old Pharaoh by giving Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup to me? You may not know that November 13^th is World Kindness Day. I’ll kindly take any Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups you send my way.)

  The one area Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups fails abysmally in though is marketing. They have the worst commercials. They’re nearly as annoying the Kit Kat ones. Hands down, Snickers has the best candy bar commercials. I’m sure you’ve seen them. An individual is acting uncharacteristically irritable or whiny. Finally, someone hands them a Snickers and they transform into just who we’d expect them to be.

  One has some young men playing a pickup game of football. In their midst is Betty White playing poorly and making snide remarks to her teammates. Finally, someone on the sideline tells her to eat a Snickers and we hear the tagline: “You’re not you when you’re hungry. Eat a Snickers.” After eating a Snickers, the individual returns to their authentic self.  

  Authenticity is a popular buzz word. Isn’t authentic what you’re like most of the time? Wouldn’t authentic be what you’re like for 10, 20 or 100 years? What if you were that way for millennia…wouldn’t that be your authentic self? One of the most wonderful summations of authenticity is said of Jesus in Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Jesus is authentic. He hasn’t changed and never will. Did you know though that one day soon, every believer will be authentic and you don’t need a Snickers bar?

  Last Sunday we studied Luke 9:27-36. Remember, Moses and Elijah met with Jesus in the Transfiguration. Moses had been dead 1,500 years. Elijah was whisked away alive in a chariot of fire 800 years before. When they met with Jesus on the mount, they were authentic. Neither of them were ever going to change. Moses no longer struggled with anger management. Elijah no longer battled depression. They were in their glorified state.

  Two of the most encouraging verses in Scripture for me as I deal with this earth suit and seek to be authentic are Romans 8:29-30: “For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified.” What those verses simply mean is that in God’s mind because He’s eternal and already living in the future – every believer is already in their glorified state. They are authentically perfect and glorified. In other words, our perfect, glorified state is who we really are. So if you’re a believer, your glorified state is who you really are and it can never be improved on.

  As a child of God, I want to more authentic now in anticipation of the authentic I’ll ultimately and eternally be. Becoming authentic simply means I’m more and more like Jesus. It’s spiritual maturity. It’s not instant or automatic; it’s a gradual, progressive development. Referring to this process, Ephesians 4:13 says, “this will continue until we are…mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely like Him” (CEV). Three vital commitments contribute to us being more authentic today.

  Authentic Christians consistently spend time with Jesus. The most precious story of all time is how Jesus loved us and came into the world to die for our sins so we could be forgiven and have a relationship with Him forever. The Bible is God’s love letter to us. As we read the Bible, we must depend on the Holy Spirit to teach us. Every time we open God’s Word, we should pause and ask the Spirit to teach us God’s truth and make us more like Jesus. Sadly, too few Christians actually read their Bibles. Please read your Bible regularly. Not only does it change your relationship with God, it will change your relationship with everyone else.

  Authentic Christians faithfully attend church. There aren’t a lot of things I’d die for. Yet, the Bible tells us that Jesus loved His Church so much He died for her. If you love Jesus, you love what He loves. We’re deluded if we tell ourselves we love Jesus and don’t love His Church. It’s like someone saying, “I love you but can’t stand your son.” It just doesn’t work. God has designed worship and church attendance to help us grow. We sing, pray, and listen to God’s Word together, not alone.

  Most believers have no idea of how frequently they miss church. Look back over the past three months and note how often you missed. It may shock you. If you evaluated it on a percentage scale, comparing it to how often you exercise, go to work or school, you’d know how much that low percentage hurts you. And it’s much more than just attending. It’s being engaged. It’s coming prepared and letting the Spirit work in your heart.

  Authentic Christians value being part of a small group. If you were invited to a weekly group and meeting with them guaranteed you’d increase your income 10%, most would join. The eternal benefits of being in a small group are greater than a 10% income increase. Jesus first chose a small group, the disciples. God has designed us for community. It’s hard to have community other than a small group. They’re crucial to your spiritual growth and authenticity. Personal growth and discovery happens best in a small group. You learn, ask questions, involve yourself in the lives of others, and generally make yourself vulnerable with others who are doing the same. You develop deeper friendships. When people really know you, your life becomes more transparent. There are opportunities to discuss life’s difficult issues with others who hold a biblical worldview. Lives are sharpened and spiritual growth is encouraged. Authenticity happens. 

  Too many Christians are often carnal because they’re spiritually hungry. They’re not authentic. It’s a lot like Snickers…“You’re not you when you’re spiritually hungry. You must consistently spend time with Jesus, faithfully attend church, and be part of a small group.”

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

The Rev. Barry W. Lynn and Bullying Churches

“Our government needs the church, because only those humble enough to admit they're sinners can bring democracy the tolerance 

it requires to survive” Ronald Reagan

  Recently, I received my expected letter from The Rev. Barry W. Lynn. Each election cycle, I receive a letter from Rev. Lynn advising me to be very, very careful on how I handle political issues or our church will lose our tax exemption. Since 1992, Rev. Lynn has been the executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Prior to that, he was the legislative counsel for the ACLU in D.C. About the only thing his letter is missing are a skull and crossbones. He writes with sober, dire and cautionary tones as only a lawyer can.

  For an educated man, either Rev. Lynn does not know his American history or deliberately misconstrues it. Thomas Jefferson’s oft cited line of “building a wall of separation between Church & State” is not part of the Constitution. The letter in which President Jefferson wrote those famous words was to the Danbury Baptist Association in Durham, Connecticut. Jefferson’s purpose was to reassure them that the United States would never establish a State Church as was done in Europe, though leaders like John Adams and others wanted one. It was not to keep the Church from intruding on the State but rather the State from intruding on the Church.

  For some 250 years we’ve enjoyed religious liberty in America and with that, churches have had tax exemption. It’s a wonderful right we have, but it’s not a biblical one. What Rev. Lynn and his ilk misunderstand is that they believe we’re motivated or controlled by money. We’re not! Tax exemption is blessing that we’re thankful for. Yet throughout Christian history and around most of the globe today, it’s not a right believers enjoy. Committed American Christians will sacrifice it in a heartbeat rather than disobey or fail our in responsibility to please King Jesus.

  While at Grace Church, we seek to be a-political in that we will not endorse or become the mouthpiece for any political party. We, also without hesitation love and seek to minister to Democrats, Republicans, Independents and even Nones and faithfully share the only “agenda” which ultimately matters, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When you enter our doors, there are no Democrats, Republicans…or any other Party, only Christians.

  But we must “obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). We will never be intimidated into silence on spiritual, moral or eternal issues. The threat of  taking away our tax-exempt status is meant to frighten us into silence or at least cripple us if we will not goosestep to the tune of political correctness. The Conventional Wisdom is that when tax exemptions are removed, donors will give far less than they now give. Churches will become liable for property taxes, potentially even business income tax. It could mean churches will have to forfeit their property to the government because they won’t be able to afford the taxes. Many wouldn’t be able to pay them now. Churches which reside on valuable properties in urban locations would be immediately vulnerable. Eventually, so would everyone else.

  The silly notion behind this is that government would do a better job than churches at meeting the needs of their community. After all, it “takes a village” not a church. Pardon my cynicism but how many things does government do well? A trip to the DMV will eradicate that foolish thought.  

  Yet, the fact that most Americans and even many church goers can’t explain why churches are tax exempt indicates a forgotten history. It’s emblematic of a society systematically devaluing the Church as a beneficial societal institution. So why should churches be tax exempt?

  There’s the “social benefit” theory of tax exemption. Churches provide great benefits to society by their good works. Churches minister to the poor and needy, provide numerous social services for the downtrodden, and reach out to the disenfranchised in thousands of different ways. The social benefit theory justifies tax exemption for churches as a kind of bargain. Churches provide needed services, so they’re entitled to tax exemption…services government couldn’t afford to replace.

  There’s the “intangible benefit” theory of tax exemption. Churches provide intangible and often unseen benefits to the community – reduced crime rates resulting from transformed lives, suicides prevented when people surrender to Christ, marriages still intact because of encouragement to live out a biblical ethic, individuals with destructive behavioral patterns that harm the community changing into hard-working, contributing citizens for the well-being of the community. It’s impossible to put a price tag on these types of intangible benefits provided by churches, but there’s no question that they exist. Churches provide more social services and intangible benefits to the community than they’d ever pay in taxes. In a very real sense, taxing churches will harm society.

  There is a constitutional reason why churches are tax exempt. Churches were exempt from the very first time the tax code was passed at the federal level. Thus far every State exempts churches from property taxes. When SCOTUS decided a case regarding the property tax exemption of churches, (Walz v. Tax Commission), it stated that providing a tax exemption for churches was a less intrusive option under the Constitution than requiring churches to pay taxes.

  It makes sense if you think about it. As the Supreme Court said in a very early case, “The power to tax involves the power to control.” Taxation is, in essence, a very strong assertion of control by a sovereign over its subjects. Exempting churches is a way to ensure the State can’t control churches.

  Be assured the camel of government will continue to attempt to poke his nose under the tent. It will probably come in seemingly innocuous ways like service fees, where churches are required to pay for street lights, police and fire protection. A service fee is merely a tax by another name. 

  Yet, we must be thankful for the privilege of tax exemption and the benefits from the tax code for charitable giving while we still have it! And we must determine that we will be faithful to the Gospel and Gospel-living, as well as biblical giving even if there are no longer government benefits. 

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.