I'm right and you're right

 "It used to be: I'm right and you're wrong. Now it's: I'm right and you're evil."

This quote is from a podcast series titled "Our Cultural Crisis" that actually humanizes both sides of the political spectrum while exploring how our society has become so polarized.

I have been increasingly disheartened at how very divided our country has become and how clear it is that, for many, the goal in politics is to block the other side from accomplishing their "evil" agenda. Listening to this podcast has given me a refreshing perspective that both sides have value and we actually need each other because neither side sees the whole picture. Conservatives are characterized by a desire for stability, while progressives aspire to progress. Both ambitions are valid. Both are needed. But they exist in tension with each other, and we have to learn to be in relationship with people who think differently from us.

"If you can name the core longing of your opponent, they may cease to be your enemy."

Our Cultural Crisis, Episode 1

Privilege

I grew up in privilege.

I wouldn’t consider my family rich. We worked hard for what we got and had to consider each expense. But I never wondered where my next meal was coming from. I always had safe and comfortable places in which to live and learn. I was surrounded by people who looked and talked like I did, and I never had to worry about being unfairly targeted because of the color of my skin.

Then I had the chance to study abroad, in Spain and Chile. My eyes were opened to the diversity of the world. I learned that there are different ways of thinking and living that are equally valid as mine. I also experienced for the first time the feeling of being an outsider because of the way I talked and the color of my skin.

After college, I headed to Honduras to teach, having no idea what I was getting myself into. I lived in a bug-infested house with an unreliable water source. But compared to my students, I was rich. I had electricity, internet, new clothes, and electronic devices. And most importantly, I always had the option of returning to my privileged lifestyle in the U.S.

After two and a half years in Honduras, I finally did decide that I couldn’t make my permanent home there. Back in Connecticut, I found myself teaching a fifth-grade class of immigrants. Children who were living in an unfamiliar land, learning an unfamiliar language, many of them separated from their families, most of them food insecure, and a few living in homeless shelters. In Honduras, I had seen first-hand the kind of poverty-stricken places they were leaving, and now I saw what their transition into the U.S. was like.

Fast forward to 2020. My husband and I have spent four years in California struggling to land permanent jobs, spending our money carefully. 2019 was a year of inexpressible financial and emotional hardship. But we had no idea how privileged we were until some names made their way into the national spotlight: Ahmaud Arbery. Breonna Taylor. George Floyd. And people started speaking out. They have been speaking out, but this time I hear them. I knew that racism was still an issue. But I didn’t realize that the black men I know tread carefully, knowing they could be targeted at any moment because of the color of their skin. I didn’t realize that police shootings of black people are so common, and even after all of the protests and the awakening of our country, there are still new stories of police brutality against black people coming out on a regular basis – it’s incomprehensible.

I grew up with conservative values, but I've come to see that in general, people are conservative because they are comfortable with how society currently functions and are unaware of the injustices that support their lifestyles. For example, I've always felt that the police were there for my protection, but I've only recently realized that it's because I'm white. I didn't see that many perfectly decent people are actually in more danger when the police are around. I am not trying to discredit the police - I know police officers who are honorable and who are there to serve all. But the officers making the headlines are not just a few bad apples. They are part of a broken system that enables racism to thrive. 

I'm not saying that conservatives are wrong and liberals are right – I don’t even consider myself to be a member of either group. I believe that both sides have valid viewpoints and ideas, and we need to listen to each other. It's disheartening to see that politics has become “us vs. them”, and the other side is seen as the enemy, their opinions immediately discounted.

When it comes to immigration, the conservative viewpoint seems to be that if someone wants to immigrate to the US, they can come legally and work their way up the totem pole. People who see it as being this straightforward don't know the immigrants that I know. It is not always possible to come to the U.S. legally. It’s not always possible to stay legally, even though they may be highly skilled and educated, seeking work. And immigrants certainly don’t come close to having the same opportunities that citizens do. The immigration system is broken and needs reform. My husband was able to obtain citizenship legally as an immigrant just this past year, but it was a long, difficult, expensive process made possible only because of certain privileges he inherited and opportunities that came his way.

I have woken up from my privileged stupor, and I am angry at the injustices that exist and the inability of Republicans and Democrats to work together to find common sense solutions. I don’t really know what to do, but I am committed to listening and continuing to learn how other people live and what they see. I was so enlightened by this six-minute video of a black woman describing the plight of black Americans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llci8MVh8J4&t=7s

I am encouraged that many people have newly committed themselves to listen to the stories of others who experience life differently. I just wish that everyone would take this stance.

Employed

After interviewing at seven different schools over the course of the summer, I finally got a job offer two weeks before the start of the school year, and I took it.

It's only a 34% position - I teach three afternoons a week; so I am supplementing with substitute teaching. It's a big pay cut from last year, but I have more breathing room in my schedule.

Substitute teaching isn't my favorite thing to do, but it's interesting to see what goes on in different classrooms and different schools, and I've learned a few things from seeing other teachers' classroom management strategies. Sometimes I sub at the school I teach at, and it gives me a different perspective to see my Spanish students in another class.

So, it's not what I was hoping for, but there is good in it. And the hope is that next year the budget will open up for me to teach more classes.

"And we know that in all things...
...God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
...God works together with those who love him to bring about what is good - with those who have been called according to his purpose."

-two different interpretations of Romans 8:28

In any case, God always works for good, whether it be for us or with us, but I'm sure it's both. So here I am, trying to make the most good out of my situation, knowing that I'm not doing it in my own strength.

"For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."
-Philippians 2:13

"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think."
-Ephesians 3:20

Unemployed

After this week, I am unemployed.

[Long story short, I taught high school Spanish in Southern California this past school year, received a good performance evaluation, was recommended by my principal for continued employment, but because of lack of job security in my district, I have not been re-contracted for next school year.]

I had plans to stay at that school for a long time. It would have helped so much with organization, time management, and finances. I was shocked and frustrated at the decision that was made. So I prayed. And I brought Scripture to mind. These are the verses that came to my memory:

"My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."
-Philippians 4:19

" 'So do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink"? or "What shall we wear?" For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.' "
-Matthew 6:31-34

" 'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,' says the LORD Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.' "
-Malachi 3:10

What I noticed about all these promises is that they each came as a response to generosity. In Philippians 4, Paul is thanking the church for sending him aid. In Matthew 6, Jesus is telling his disciples to live for God and others rather than themselves. In Malachi 3, the blessing comes after tithing.

Something else that keeps coming to mind is what I've been teaching my students to end the school year. We have been learning about poverty in Honduras, Paraguay, and Guatemala. Some documentaries have really opened my eyes and my students' eyes. You can watch the trailers at these sites:
The Landfillharmonic: http://www.landfillharmonicmovie.com
Living on One Dollar: http://livingonone.org/livingonone

I've been reminded that I am so wealthy compared to most of the rest of the world, and rather than focusing on my first world problems, I am encouraged to live with gratitude for what I have and to give to those who are really in need.

"The Lord will work out his plans for my life - for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever."
~Psalm 138:8

Never ending

Just when you thought you had it figured out, you realize that you don't.

I'm talking about life in general, but more specifically about babies.

Just when you figured out how to get him taking naps during the day and sleeping through the night, he gets sick. You regress. You start over. You figure it out all over again, because now his needs have changed. And then he starts cutting teeth.

Just when you thought you had all your laundry done, and there's nothing more that needs cleaning, he spits up on your bed sheets. Then he pees through his outfit onto yours.

A baby's needs are always changing. He's always going through a new stage, learning a new skill. And he's always making a mess. But you love him because he's yours.

I wonder if that's how God feels about us.

Except for the part where He thinks the cleaning is done. He knows better.

Our mess is never ending. But so is His love.

"...I love you with an everlasting love..." -Jeremiah 31:3

Many ways to mother

I've always been a person of strong convictions. Still am, but motherhood has taught me an important lesson: Just because it works for me, doesn't mean it will work for everyone. There are certain values that I think apply to all people. For example, value for human life. But so many other values that I thought were black and white really have so many shades of gray...

I was certain, after much reading and preparation, that I would never get an epidural. But, 20 hours into labor, and a couple of hours into one unbearable contraction on top of another, with no rest between and no progress in the dilation of my cervix, I let that conviction go. The epidural allowed me the rest I needed to get ready to push my baby out and relaxed my body enough that my cervix finished dilating within a couple of hours. What I really appreciated about my doctor was that she didn't pressure me to get an epidural, just explained to me my options and let me decide.

I was also certain that I would never leave my baby to cry. But, a month into napless misery and nighttime dread, when my son was five months old, I wholeheartedly embraced the concept that some crying was going to be necessary for my son's sleep, my sanity, and my marriage. I learned from a document about sleep training, and from watching my son cry, that crying is actually how babies process and is not always a sign of distress. I also realized a five month old can want something that is not beneficial for him, and not responding to his cry can be like telling a five year old that he can't have ice cream for dinner. After much trial and error, I finally have a six month old that is (mostly) well rested and happy (we're still working on it), an improved relationship with him, and a much more pleasant way to spend my days (and nights). What I appreciated about one mommy friend was that she gave me two resources, one describing a "no tears" approach to sleep training, the other outlining an approach that involved some tears, told me that the latter was what worked for her, but let me decide what would be best for me.

As a mother, I've found it helpful and encouraging to hear other mothers' experiences. But sometimes their stories have led me in the wrong direction. I've had to learn that just because it worked for another mother, doesn't mean it will work for me. And just because it worked for my baby a month ago, doesn't mean it will work today. And one day, when I have another one, I'm sure I'll have to re-learn a lot about parenting, because every baby is different.

How this learning has translated into the way I relate to others is that, when trying to encourage someone or give them advice, about mothering or anything under the sun, I try to remember to specify, "What works for me," or, "In my experience..." realizing that, just because something was true for me, doesn't mean it applies to everyone in all situations.

God through the eyes of a pregnant woman

Like I do with most events and places before experiencing them, I definitely idealized pregnancy. I knew there would be nausea, but I didn't realize how miserable and pervasive it would be until it happened - and my experience was mild compared to many others'. I knew I wouldn't be able to have alcohol or sushi, but when you look into what you can't eat, drink, inhale, or do while pregnant, the list seems unending (Did you know you shouldn't eat deli meats or lie on your back?).

I also didn't comprehend, until perceiving it in my own body, how much a pregnant woman gives of herself to make room for the new life within her. The baby takes the nutrients he needs from your body, whether or not there are enough left for the proper functioning of your own body. The energy that is needed to support the life of your baby is incredible. As the baby grows, your organs are displaced and squished, and your skin is stretched. Digestion and breathing become difficult. Muscles become tighter than you can imagine.

And yet, I love this tiny human being in a way I haven't ever loved another. Almost everything I do is for his well being, and I can't wait for him to invade my world in a new way through his birth.

I think that this whole experience helps me to understand God in a new way: I've tasted just a fragment of the sacrificial giving of myself that God does for us. And the love for a child being made in my image inside of me gives me a glimpse of God's love for us, His children, made in His image.

" 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' " -Acts 17:28

"See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children." -1 John 3:1

"We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us." -1 John 3:16

God through the eyes of a pregnant woman

Like I do with most events and places before experiencing them, I definitely idealized pregnancy. I knew there would be nausea, but I didn't realize how miserable and pervasive it would be until it happened - and my experience was mild compared to many others'. I knew I wouldn't be able to have alcohol or sushi, but when you look into what you can't eat, drink, inhale, or do while pregnant, the list seems unending (Did you know you shouldn't eat deli meats or lie on your back?)

I also didn't comprehend, until perceiving it in my own body, how much a pregnant woman gives of herself to make room for the new life within her. The baby takes the nutrients he needs from your body, whether or not there are enough left for the proper functioning of your own body. The energy that is needed to support the life of your baby is incredible. As the baby grows, your organs are displaced and squished, and your skin is stretched. Digestion and breathing become difficult. Muscles become tighter than you can imagine.

And yet, I love this tiny human being in a way I haven't ever loved another. Almost everything I do is for his well being, and I can't wait for him to invade my world in a new way through his birth.

I think that this whole experience helps me to understand God in a new way: I've tasted just a fragment of the sacrificial giving of myself that God does for us. And the love for a child being made in my image inside of me gives me a glimpse of God's love for us, His children, made in His image.

" 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' " -Acts 17:28

"See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children." -1 John 3:1

"We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us." -1 John 3:16

Wishing

I've been doing a lot of wishing lately...

Wishing I had a house, with a garage, and my own washer/dryer. Wishing I had more income and fewer expenses. Wishing my family were close by.

But then I forced myself to focus instead on all the blessings I enjoy now that I didn't just a little while ago...

An amazing husband. A baby on the way. An on-site laundry facility (no more laundromat, woohoo!). A dependable car. Zero debt (okay, aside from my college loan). Tons of great friends and mentors in close proximity. Even a hot shower and running water are luxuries I used to go without.

I didn't change my circumstances, but I sure changed my outlook and mood.

"Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life."
-Proverbs 4:23 (NCV)

Let them merge (an outward bound life)

Human beings have a tendency to live inward bound lives*, thinking mostly of our needs and desires and using our time and resources to get them met. But we won't experience true joy unless we live an outward bound life, putting God and others before ourselves.

The Bible commands it:
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others" (Philippians 2:4).

"As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people..." (Galatians 6:10).

Jesus sets the example:
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).

God loves to give us good gifts, but those gifts are ultimately meant to benefit more than just ourselves:

God blesses us so we can be a blessing to others (Genesis 12:2).

God comforts us so we can comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:4).

Paul gives this promise to the Philippian church: "My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19). This promise comes, however, as a response to the believers' selfless generosity to provide for Paul's needs.

Another place in the Bible makes this connection: "Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed" (Proverbs 28:27).

God gives us everything we need, not in order to be happy and comfortable, but in order to live a godly life (2 Peter 1:3). A godly life is one characterized by love for God and others.

God gives us the desires of our heart, not because we beg for them and depend on them for our happiness, but because our delight is in Him (Psalm 37:4).

He gives us His favor and makes us secure, not just for our own benefit, but so others may know that He has blessed us, that they may come to Him (Isaiah 60-61).

Our blessings are a responsibility: "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked" (Luke 12:48).

This kind of thinking is the complete opposite of human nature. The more we get, the more we want. If we don't make a conscious decision every day and every moment to live outward bound, we will default to living for ourselves.

Take, for example, driving. In Long Island we drive on the offensive, always trying to be the first to cut into traffic but not ever letting anyone merge in front of us. It seems like this is the only way to survive here, with so many cars on the road, and so many drivers on a mission to be first and fastest.

But I noticed when driving with my husband that he would often stop and signal for another driver to turn onto the road in front of him because there was no sign of a gap in the cars behind him. I was touched by these acts of generosity and decided to change my habits. It took some getting used to, but I am now more cognizant of situations where, if I were the other driver, I would really appreciate being waved into traffic. Occasionally the drivers behind me get upset that I slowed down for two seconds, but I'd rather be kind to the one driver who needs some grace than make sure that the many who are driving "inward bound" don't get offended.

Maybe being a considerate driver comes more naturally to you... maybe you're from the South where everyone is more relaxed ;-) There is surely some aspect of your life that is focused inwards where you could make an intentional decision to widen your perspective. Maybe it's where your money goes, how you spend your time, or how you choose your words. Maybe you just need to learn to be okay with letting someone else think that they are right.

"When you get to a place where you don't go for what you can get, but you go for what you can give, you're gonna see your life change tremendously."
-Eric Thomas

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*terminology taken from my pastor, Bert Crabbe, of True North Community Church

True Joy

People say that if you follow Jesus, you will be blessed. I agree. I just think it's important to note that our idea of blessing and God's idea of blessing don't always match up.

We say: "I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."
We think: I can get that job, win this game, finish this project, accomplish my dreams.
But the context says this statement is about finding contentment whether or not things go our way:

"Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:11-13).

Jesus says: "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10).
We think: A full life means a happy family, a nice house, two cars, money in the bank.....
But the rest of the Bible says that true life is living for Someone greater than yourself:

"And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again" (2 Corinthians 5:15).

"Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?' " (Mark 8:34-36).

We read: "You will fill me with joy in your presence" (Proverbs 10:28).
We think: Jesus fills me with a warm fuzzy feeling and gives me a happy life, taking my problems away.
But the rest of the Bible says that joy is based on our hope that God is good and everything will be worked together for good in some way, whether during this life or the next.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:2-4).

"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance" (Romans 5:3).

"So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while" (1 Peter 1:6).

"We never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever" (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

Paul describe his life as a faithful believer in this way: "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything" (2 Corinthians 6:10).

Yes, God blesses us with strength, life, and joy, but it doesn't always look like what we think it will.

Here are some insightful thoughts by another blogger on this topic: 4 Things Jesus Didn't Die For

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"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
-Isaiah 55:8-9

Wedding day disaster

Just as we experience actual troubles in life that are too much for us to bear alone (see previous post), we also experience worries - troubles that we rehearse in our minds - which engulf us if we don't release the burden to God.

I do this all the time. I think about what could happen, and I try to control the circumstances in my life to make things turn out the way I want. Yet: "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps" (Proverbs 16:9).

I'm reminded of my wedding. I put a year of planning and tons of effort into making it a great day. But only hours before the wedding ceremony, we found out that our caterer wasn't going to show up. Now when I say "we", I actually mean every single person but me. Thank God they didn't let me find out, because it would have been too much for me to handle.

So often I want to know what is going to happen, and I want to have my plans set, but if I really knew what the future held, or what all the underlying problems were, it would be too much for me to bear in the moment.

As I was getting ready to walk down the aisle and say "I do", and then while I was busy taking pictures to commemorate the day, I had no idea that my mom, my wedding planner, my brother's girlfriend, my dad's cousin, an old friend from my youth group days, and so many more people were hurriedly pulling strings and making things come together.

By the time I got to the reception, there were hors d'oeuvres, a main course, dishes, and silverware. And I had no idea there was a problem until it was already solved.

It's when things go wrong that I'm reminded of the goodness in people - in friends and family who help and encourage me, and in complete strangers who are willing to stop what they are doing and reach out.

When I think about what could go wrong is when I try to control every situation and make sure my plans are accomplished. When things actually do go wrong is when I realize that I have no control, and I need to trust in God's goodness to sustain me.

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"Rehearsing your troubles results in experiencing them many times, whereas you are meant to go through them only when they actually occur." -Sarah Young

"Worry robs us of our confidence that God notices and cares about the details of our lives." -Renee Swope

"O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I'm far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head." -Psalm 139:1-5

Threshold

"God will never give you more than you can handle."

How many times have you heard that statement? I used to believe it.

But then I saw my friend lose first her dad, then her husband to cancer.

And I witnessed a coworker struggling with a chronic illness that caused her severe pain every day of her adult life.

I was amazed at their strength. But they themselves admitted they're not strong. They're simply choosing not be bitter, to rely on God, and to live their lives the best they can.

"God will never give you more than you can handle" is nowhere in the Bible. On the other hand, this is:

"We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life... But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God" (2 Corinthians 1:8-9).

In the letter quoted here, Paul talks about how we share not only in Christ's blessings, but also His sufferings. Even Jesus, the Son of God, bore more suffering than he could handle (Matthew 26:36-46).

God will allow you to bear burdens that are heavier than you can manage, and that's when you'll know how much you need Him.

Here are some much more eloquent accounts of how much we can handle, and what happens when that threshold is surpassed:

God will give you more than you can handle: I guarantee it

Stephen Colbert loves the thing he most wishes had not happened

Run like Keith

"We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed." -2 Corinthians 4:7-9

MLK

Out of all the important people in history, I admire Martin Luther King, Jr. more than just about any of them. I came across these quotes of his today and thought they fit well with what I was trying to say in my last post:

The late night cornet player (living with love)

I often think about all of the problems in this world - hunger, poverty, oppression, pollution, violence, you name it - and know that as a human being, it is my responsibility to be part of the solution. There are larger than life people in this world who are taking huge steps to end child trafficking, to give the destitute tools they need to live a prosperous life, to introduce sustainable practices for a better future... Compared with them, I feel that I offer so little. Compared with the problems, I feel overwhelmed and don't even know where to begin.

But comparison is a big mistake. It's like looking in a distorted mirror, and it's not going to help me be a better person. Jesus made it simple. He said that the most important thing we can do is to love God and love those around us (Matthew 22:37-40). For some people, that means going to another country and rescuing people from slavery. But for the ordinary person, it relates to how we live each day:

Smile - yours might be the only friendly face someone sees all day.
Be patient - that slow cashier might be having a long, difficult day.
Forgive - that guy who cut you off on the highway might be rushing home to a crisis, or maybe he's dealing with anxiety issues you know nothing about.
Give unsolicited help.
If someone asks you for help, give it ungrudgingly.
Find a person or organization you believe in, and give to them generously - with your time or money.
Reach out to someone who is lonely, or bitter, or unfriendly.

Let me give you an example of the last point. When I moved to a new apartment with my husband after getting married, we noticed that a neighbor somewhere was playing Taps on his trumpet several times each night. At first, we thought it was kind of neat, but then it got annoying, especially when he played at 11 pm and woke us up from our sleep. Through talking with our landlord, we found out that this neighbor did not get along with another neighbor, and he played Taps every night in order to annoy her. After this bit of news, every time our neighbor played, I would seethe inside, asking myself how anyone could be so rude and immature.

However, I've learned that when I have a judgment against someone, if I make an effort to get to know them, I have a better understanding of where they're coming from, and I no longer feel the need to judge. I started feeling like my husband and I needed to go to this man's house and meet him, maybe befriend him. I kept pushing the thought away, but it kept coming back, and eventually I convinced my husband to join me. I made a fruit salad, and we walked to his house and knocked on the door. We were expecting a bitter, somewhat elderly man and his wife.

When the door opened, what we saw was a very old man with long white hair and a long white beard. He invited us in, and we spent at least a half hour talking. It turns out our neighbor is a World War II veteran who was a B-17 pilot. He lives all alone and has trouble finishing a story without losing his train of thought. He is a survivor, not only of the war, but of a stroke and a heart attack. He is bored and lonely, and one of the few things he still knows how to do is play his trumpet (actually, a cornet, as he explained to us). Yes, he does annoy one of our neighbors, and she did take him to court because of it, but I don't believe annoyance is his intention.

We visit our new friend every week or two. Every time we knock on his door, he comes to the window and waves at us, then invites us in with a smile and talks and talks for as long as he can to keep us there. We may not be saving lives, or impacting thousands, but I am encouraged to know that we are making a positive difference in this one person's life.

I'm happy to know that my smile, or kind words, or decision to stop and let the car in front of me merge may be making someone's day a little better. And to know that without people like me making donations, the people and organizations I support wouldn't be able to do the amazing work that they do.

"Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love."
-Mother Teresa

Love

The earth is full of God's unfailing love.

His love can be seen in nature...
The rising and setting of the sun each day.
The smell of the ocean and the sound of the waves.
Birds flitting from branch to branch.
The flowers pushing up through the ground as winter ends.

His love can be seen in human existence...
A life being formed from the joining of two cells.
Birth.
Baby's first smile, first steps, first words.
The bond between a baby and its parents.

But once we get past the baby stage, some even while we are yet babies, we begin to realize how much is wrong in this world.
There are natural catastrophes.
There is tragedy.
There are humans who do evil things.

And still, God's love can be seen in the midst...
Human resilience.
Friendship.
Forgiveness.
Compassion.
The people and organizations devoted to:
   end human trafficking
   lift their fellow man out of poverty
   make the world a better place.

So we can choose to focus on the ugly.
Or we can choose to focus on the beautiful.
We can ask God why He allows evil.
Or we can ask ourselves why we allow evil.
We can choose to grumble about all that is wrong.
Or we can do our part to make it right.

"The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love."
-Psalm 33:5

Who is Jesus? (part 2)

In my last post, I explained that Jesus of Nazareth claimed to be divine, based on what he said, and also on how others reacted to him. It was not only a statement he made once or twice, but it was the core of his message.

There are those who say that Jesus was a good teacher, but he wasn't God. However, how can a good, moral person, base their message and their life on one great big lie? If Jesus claimed to be divine but wasn't, then either he was a liar, or he was insane. (This is a point that C. S. Lewis makes in his book, Mere Christianity.)

Jesus taught that we must love our neighbor, and he demonstrated this principle in how he related to those around him, especially to the outcasts of society (the blind, lepers, tax collectors, Samaritans, prostitutes...). He raised the moral standards of the Old Testament (Matthew 5:17-48) and gave us the refined form of the Golden Rule (Luke 6:31, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Rule#Christianity). How could someone whose life is based on a lie live and teach such high moral standards?

If Jesus was not a liar, but was not God, then the only option left is that he was greatly deceived about his own identity and was mentally off-kilter. But then again, how could a deranged individual teach such meaningful messages? If he was not operating at maximum mental capacity, how could he as a young boy amaze the scholars of his day with his understanding? (Luke 2:46-47). When the religious leaders tried to trap him with difficult questions, how was he able to silence them with his responses? (Matthew 22:15-46).

Many opponents of Christianity disregard this argument on the basis that Jesus did not actually claim to be God, or that the Bible is not an accurate depiction of his life and teachings. That is why I wrote the two previous posts.

Another reason why the facts only add up if Jesus' claim to deity was true is the witness of his disciples. They were Jews, and the common Jewish belief was that the Messiah would be a conquering king who would restore the kingdom to Israel (Luke 24:19-21, Acts 1:6, http://www.jewfaq.org/mashiach.htm#Mashiach). They had no room in their image of the Messiah for suffering and death (Matthew 16:21-22). When Jesus was captured, the disciples all fled (Mark 14:50), and Peter, one of his closest disciples, denied three times that he even knew Jesus (Mark 14:66-71). In the days after Jesus' death, the disciples met behind locked doors because they were afraid (John 20:19-20).

After Jesus appeared to his disciples following his death and resurrection, they went from disillusioned, frightened, and helpless to outspoken and fearless. They boldly preached the message of Jesus, the resurrected Son of God. They were threatened, imprisoned, beaten, and martyred in an attempt to stop them from spreading the gospel, but they persevered, "rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus" (Acts 5:41). You don't have to read the Bible to find accounts of the persecution of early Christians; just look to any secular historical account.

Some people, in an attempt to explain away the resurrection of Jesus, have said that Jesus' disciples stole his body in order to convince others that he had risen from the dead. But a group of disillusioned deserters, too afraid to stand by Jesus while he was being arrested, could not have fabricated a story of Jesus' resurrection and held fast to their claims even through torture and death. They had to believe what they were preaching.

There is much more to say on the topic of Jesus' deity and resurrection, but it would require a book to write it all down, and books have already been written by C.S. Lewis (former atheist), Josh McDowell (former atheist), Nabeel Qureshi (former Muslim), and many others.

"Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, 'We have seen the Lord!'
"But he said to them, 'Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.'
"A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you!' Then he said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.'
"Thomas said to him, 'My Lord and my God!'
"Then Jesus told him, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.' "
-John 20:24-29

Who is Jesus?

Many people like to think that Jesus was a good teacher, but not divine. However,

(1) Jesus most definitely claimed to be divine.

(2) The facts only add up if his claim was true.

(1) This section about Jesus' claim to divinity is based on my belief in the accuracy of the Bible, which I addressed in my last post.

Some of Jesus' sayings may be misunderstood by us, who are reading them in a different language than the original, at a different time, in a different place, and ignorant of the religious and cultural context.

The Pharisees of Jesus' time, however, understood the context well, and understood his claims as blasphemy, so serious as to merit his death. In one situation, Jesus is talking to the Pharisees about his special relationship with God and his role on Earth. He ends by saying, " 'I and the Father are one.' "

"Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, 'I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?' 'We are not stoning you for any good work,' they replied, 'but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.' "

-John 10:30-33

Another instance of Jesus' claim to divinity appears in every gospel, again and again, when he calls himself the Son of Man. To some, this self-designation seems to support Jesus' humanity. However, the phrase "Son of Man" is actually a reference to a passage in Daniel 7:13-14:

"In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed."

In case anyone thinks it's a leap of faith to assume that Jesus is referring to this passage when he calls himself the son of man, let's see what he says when he is on trial before the high priest before his crucifixion:

"The high priest asked him, 'Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?'

'I am,' said Jesus. 'And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.'

The high priest tore his clothes. 'Why do we need any more witnesses?' he asked. 'You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?'

They all condemned him as worthy of death."

-Mark 14:61-64 (See also Matthew 26:63-66)

In the gospels of both Matthew and Luke, Jesus asks his disciples who other people say he is and who they think he is:

" 'But what about you?' he asked. 'Who do you say I am?'

Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.'

Jesus replied, 'Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.' "

-Matthew 16:15-17 (See also Luke 9:20-27)

Three gospels record an incident where Jesus heals a paralyzed man, and in so doing, makes it clear that he is on the same level as God:

"When Jesus saw [the] faith [of the man's friends], he said to the paralyzed man, 'Son, your sins are forgiven.'

Now some of the teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 'Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?'

Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, "Your sins are forgiven," or to say, "Get up, take your mat and walk"? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.' So he said to the man, 'I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.' He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, 'We have never seen anything like this!"

-Mark 2:5-12 (See also Matthew 9:2-8 and Luke 5:20-26)

These are just a few examples showing that, yes, Jesus was a good teacher, but at the heart of his message was his identity as the Son of God (Matthew 11:27) and the only way to the Father (John 14:6).

I will address point #2 in my next post.

Taking the Bible seriously

Not many people argue with the existence of Jesus of Nazareth, since there is as much evidence to support that he lived as there is for most other historical figures. This evidence comes from both Christian and secular sources, such as the prized writings of Josephus and Tacitus. Modern scholars are in agreement that Jesus existed, was baptized by John the Baptist, and was crucified by Pontius Pilate.

The disagreements start when it comes to the reliability of the New Testament in accurately depicting what Jesus said and did. Many people dismiss the Bible as mythology and refuse to see it as a historical document. Josh McDowell was one of these skeptics who set out to disprove the Bible but only ended up confirming its historicity. He states in his book, More Than a Carpenter, "If one discards the Bible as unreliable historically, then he or she must discard all the literature of antiquity. No other document has as much evidence to confirm its reliability" (revised and updated edition, copyright 2009, pg 87). Some of the reasons he cites are:

-The vast amount of early manuscripts that we still have available to us today (over 20,000). This rules out the idea that today's Bible is different from the original writings, since we can compare.
-The closeness of the text to the events they describe (all written by AD 80). No legend has ever been developed in this short amount of time.
-The fact that the writers of the New Testament were either eyewitnesses to the events they described or in close relationship with eyewitnesses.
-The fact that the books of the New Testament were circulated among those (some sympathetic to Christianity, and some opposed) who had witnessed the events and could have contested any false information.
-The evidence from secular writings and archaeological findings that verifies the accuracy of events recorded (i.e. - that Romans crucified Jesus, that Jesus was believed to be risen from the dead and was worshiped as God, and that his tomb was empty).

Another man that first set out to disprove the Bible, only to be convinced of its authenticity, was Nabeel Qureshi, once a devout Muslim, and now author of the book Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus (very interesting book; I highly recommend it). He would not be convinced to embrace Christianity until he had spent years researching and considering every alternative, because the Muslim faith was so ingrained in him and so important to his family. This website has a PDF of "Expert Contributions" from different professors, researchers, and authors that expand on the themes in his book.

Are science and God incompatible?

As science advances, and we understand more about the world we live in, many people feel confident in saying that we don't need God anymore. God was for the people of the past who needed to invent a reason why the sun rose and set each day, explain what causes earthquakes, and understand how it is that life exists. But now we understand the scientific principles behind all of these phenomenon, so why continue with this blind belief in some supernatural being that we can't see or prove the existence of?

There are many problems with this argument. For one, the very fact that we can understand the universe, and that it is ordered and follows certain laws of nature, is evidence of an intelligent designer.

Furthermore, as science keeps uncovering new findings, we are realizing that there is a complexity to life that we never dreamed possible. Darwin did not even know of the existence of genes, but now we understand that life if made up of elaborate cells, which are directed by an intricate molecule called DNA. Scientists have discovered not only atoms, but subatomic particles. Darwin's theory makes sense if life is made up of molecular blobs, but could a single-celled organism really arise from nothing, and then develop into the complex multicellular organisms that exist today?

As we turn our attention from microscopic to macroscopic realities, exploring the solar system and beyond, we are finding that the Earth is so fine-tuned to support life that the chances of it being an accident are inconceivable.

Most everyone I know is trying to find out how to make their life purposeful. But how can there be purpose if we are all here by accident and created by blind evolution?

Do you believe in right and wrong? Where does your morality come from - did the process of evolution create it?

Here is a question that I remember hearing in 2001, from my atheist biology teacher - If we are made up of just chemicals, how can we feel emotions? How are we capable of love?

Science and God are not incompatible. Science explains how things work. The existence of God explains why they work in the first place.

"In the end, belief in God, especially the biblical God, is an act of faith. But so too is believing that our existence is simply the result of chance."
-Eric Metaxas: http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/12/26659

The scientific case for Intelligent Design: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2d7aKN-X5M

The history of the scientific theory of Intelligent Design: http://www.discovery.org/a/3207