Post-Election Web Roundup

Photo Credit: ThatMattWade

I may share my thoughts on the election at some point in the days ahead but, for now, here's a collection of interesting articles that I have read over this past week:

12 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Posting Something Online by Mark Dever (The Gospel Coalition)

"The privacy of a personal conversation limits misunderstanding. Some public posts will sound one way to those who know us and another to those who don’t. Negative assessments are often best shared privately, or not at all. How many of us have learned at our workplace that e-mail is a terrible way to share negative comments? When it comes to public postings, ask yourself: Are there reasons I may not be a good person to speak on certain matters?"

Legacy of Bloody Election Day Lingers in Florida Town by Andrew Maraniss (The Undefeated)

"As voters nationwide prepare to head to the polls Nov. 8, that terrible Election Day in 1920 can seem both near and far. There have been steps forward and backward here, the gains coming not so much because the people, attitudes and institutions of the old Ocoee have disappeared, but because the demographics surrounding them are shifting. And in that regard, this spot of central Florida has much to say about America itself."

To the 80% - My Fellow Brothers and Sisters in Christ by Kimberly Gillespie (Things I Thought I'd Never)

"Hopefully you can see and understand some of the struggle. It’s not that we don’t want unity. We do. I do. We want to honor God. We can see Satan’s hand in this whole mess. But it takes both sides. Not just us “not talking”, but our sisters and brothers listening, understanding, asking helpful questions, not justifying, rebuking and telling us “not to be anxious”, but committing to stand with us if stuff hits the fan. To stand with those in our churches who may face deportation and whose families could be devastated because siblings, or parents or grandparents could be separated. To use your resources, your influences, your connections. To be family."

The Evangelical Reckoning Over Donald Trump by Emma Green (The Atlantic)

"The Republican candidate’s victory may seem like an affirmation of the old, long-standing coalition between evangelicals and the Republican party, and in many ways, it is. But vote counts conceal deep, painful fractures among the huge, diverse group of Americans who identify as evangelical Christians. Nothing makes this clearer than the unprecedented in-fighting among Christian leaders in the lead-up to the election. Many people in big, important positions staked their credibility on supporting or opposing Donald Trump; old allies turned against one another, and new upstarts gained fame."

Ernie Johnson's Incredible Perspective on the 2016 Election

In the wake of an election that caused so much division within our country, Ernie Johnson, studio host of "NBA on TNT", offered a remarkable perspective on how he has viewed this election and how he intends to try to bring healing.

Weekly Web Roundup (10/30/16)

Photo Credit: Guitguit

Here are some interesting stories that I have noticed from around the web this past week:

6 Primary Life Patterns of a Mature Leader by Dan Reiland

"Maturity isn’t merely about age and experience. You can be young and mature, or older and immature. Maturity is an inner quality that resonates through all the components of a leader’s life. This doesn’t mean that a mature leader has “arrived.” We all have moments of immaturity, but it’s easy to identify the primary patterns of a mature leader."

Here's What the Average American Owes After College by Maurie Backman (The Motley Fool)

"So just how much does the average American owe post-college? Here are some key statistics on student debt, courtesy of Student Loan Hero: The average Class of 2016 graduate racked up just over $37,000 in student debt, up 6% from the previous year. The average 20- to 30-year old American's monthly student loan payment is $351. 43 million Americans collectively owe $1.3 trillion in student loans."

How Millions of Good People Can Vote Differently Than You Will by Conor Friedersdorf (The Atlantic)

"Imagine that you were conceived by different parents––that your very brain was shaped by different genes. Nine months later, you were born into a different household. Different people raised you, teaching you different values, both by word and example. They shared different religious beliefs with different intensity than your parents. And they instilled different loyalties, prejudices, and emotional ticks."

Where are all the White American NBA Players? by Marc J. Spears (The Undefeated)

"According to The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport, the NBA was 74.3 percent black during the 2015-16 season and 81.7 percent were people of color. The study said that the NBA was 18.3 percent white last season, which was 5 percent less than the season before. The league was also a record 22.3 percent international last season."

Powerful Photos from the Dakota Access Pipeline Protest as Cops Prepare to Make Arrests by Inae Oh (Mother Jones)

Protests in North Dakota continue as hundreds of demonstrators voice their disagreement with the Dakota Access Pipeline. Here are a number of photos capturing the demonstrators.

Guy dresses up as dog's favorite toy

A man decided to dress up as Gumby, a lifesize version of his dog's favorite toy. Here was the result was his dog saw him for the first time dressed up in the costume.

5 Things Every Christian Can Do This Election Season

Photo Credit: Theresa Thompson

It is now less than three weeks away until the 2016 U.S. Presidential election and the amount of coverage the candidates are receiving seems to be increasing by the day.

With the third and final debate now completed, voters will be making their choice about who they will be voting for to become the 45th President of the United States of America.

Possibly more so than any election in recent memory, there is a great divide among Christians about who should receive their vote and which criteria should be considered in making that choice. Without endorsing any candidates or political parties, here are five things every Christian can do this election season:

1. Pray (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Proverbs 3:5,6)

Pray for wisdom. Pray for the candidates. Pray for our country as we make an important decision.  If you're not praying at all about who you should vote for, I wonder who it is that you're primarily listening to in order to make this decision. 

If you're struggling who to vote for, pray that God would give you direction and guidance. If you've already decided who to vote for, pray that God would make it clear that is the right choice. 

Look to God's Word -- the Bible -- as a guide for the qualities that God looks for in leaders and for the issues that are closest to God's heart. These may not necessarily be aligned with what is listed in the voters' guides distributed by partisan organizations. Seek God above all else.

2. Vote (Matthew 25:29; Romans 13:7)

One of the great things about living in a democracy is the privilege we have to choose our elected officials. Unfortunately, tens of millions of eligible American voters sit at home and do not participate in the political process each election cycle. If you are eligible to vote, please take advantage of this opportunity. This is a stewardship with which God has entrusted us.  

Throughout the history of the U.S., there have been many people who have given their lives and put themselves at great risk in order to enjoy the privilege of voting in elections. Don't take this stewardship for granted.

We give honor to those that have gone before when we participate in the very thing for which they put their lives on the line. Don't neglect to vote.

3. Consider all the Candidates & Issues (Proverbs 8:16; 29:2) 

Though we have a two-party system within the United States, there are many voters, especially during this election, that do not find either of the major party nominees an attractive option. Many have bemoaned the fact that they feel trapped into choosing the "lesser of two evils." 

However, this is not necessarily true. There are more candidates than the two most prominent ones. If you feel like neither of the well-known candidates are qualified to serve as the leader of our country, consider a third party or independent candidate. 

I've heard Christians say that a vote for X is really a vote for Y. Or a vote for X is really a vote for Z. Some may feel like this is "wasting a vote" or "throwing a vote away." I do not subscribe to this belief. The only wasted vote is the vote that is never cast. 

In addition, the presidential election is not the only election taking place. There are federal, state and local candidates and measures to consider. Educate yourself on these other elections and cast your vote for the candidates and initiatives that most closely align to your values.

4. Respect Others (Colossians 4:6, I Peter 2:17)

It is no secret that this has been a contentious election cycle. The rhetoric surrounding this election has grown increasingly combustible. In many circles, it seems that people are not advocating for their candidate as much as expressing their disagreement with the candidate they oppose.  

Sadly, this seems no different among Christians. I've been dismayed by the statements I've heard in person and the comments I've read online from otherwise pleasant followers of Christ. The attacks on those that vote differently is quite unsettling. For many of us across the political spectrum, our voting allegiances appear to have taken priority over our allegiance to Christ.  

I said this on Facebook a few weeks ago and it still rings true: If there's anything we've learned within the Christian community during this election season is that people that read the same Bible and follow the same God can come to drastically different conclusions when it comes to our political preferences. Our life experiences, cultural backgrounds, friendships and news sources shape each of us more than we probably realize. 

Yes, it is possible to disagree with others without being disagreeable. It is even possible to share our political views with grace, kindness and respect. But if that's not possible for us, then it's probably better to remain quiet than to dishonor God and others with political discourse that undercuts our witness as followers of Jesus.

5. Trust God (2 Chronicles 20:6, Isaiah 40:23)

When it's all said and done, God is still in control. No matter who wins or loses the election, God remains the sovereign king of the universe. Nothing -- no person, no political party, no government -- can thwart His purposes or plans.  

This is not to say that who is president does not matter. It very much matters. We elect real leaders who enact real policies that affect real people. And because God cares about people, we need to care about who leads us and how their leadership affects people. 

But, ultimately, God is still sovereign. He knows our realities and cares about what we are facing. Whether our candidate wins or loses, God remains our King. In this we can take comfort. 

In the remaining days of this election season, please be a person who: 1) Prays, 2) Votes, 3) Considers all the candidates and issues, 4) Respects others, and 5) Trusts God.

Long after this election is over, our Christian witness, for good or bad, will remain. I fear that too many prominent Christian leaders have sacrificed fidelity to their gospel witness because of how they have chosen to engage this election cycle. Will this be said of us?

Weekly Web Roundup (10/15/16)

Photo Credit: bjmccray

Due to Hurricane Matthew storming through Florida last weekend, I did not write a "Weekly Web Roundup" post last Saturday. So here are some interesting stories from around the web that I've seen during the past couple of weeks:

Seeking Clarity in This Confusing Election Season: Ten Thoughts by Kevin DeYoung (The Gospel Coalition)

Many evangelical Christians find ourselves in a quandary as to whom should receive our vote for president this election, or even if we should vote at all. Pastor Kevin DeYoung offers some helpful things to consider.

It's Never Too Soon to Talk about Race in Your Church by Jemar Tisby (Christianity Today)

"I desire for churches that are predominantly white right now, but [are] looking to become more diverse, [to] do the groundwork first. You’ve got to pull the weeds. You’ve got to break up the soil. You’ve got to cultivate the land that would make it amenable to planting the seeds that would bear fruit of diversity. . . . The minority shouldn’t be the first one at your church to broach topics of race and diversity. That should’ve already been done by the leaders, and it should’ve been done in such a way that they’re shepherding the congregation through those issues."

When Compassion is Exhausting by Melanie Dale (The Mudroom)

"But for our passions, for the things burning deep in our souls keeping us up at night moving us to tears liquefying our insides, it’s going to take more. It’s going to take partnering with really smart local people who have big plans for their own communities. It’s going to take lawyers and therapists and social workers. It’s going to take a lot. Which is why you can’t care about everything because the thing you need to care about the most needs your attention over the long haul. So find a thing and dig deep."

InterVarsity Asks Staff to Choose a Stance on Sexuality by Kate Shellnutt (Christianity Today)

One of our partner ministries, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, made the news this past week when the response to a 20-page paper on their theological beliefs on human sexuality was made known. A number of their staff members will be leaving IV as a result. Please be in prayer for both the leaders of InterVarsity and all the staff members affected.

What it Means to be Black in the American Educational System by Kevin O’Neal Cokley (The Huffington Post)

"The results of a recent survey by the Pew Research Center underscore this point. The survey found that black Americans with some college experience are more likely to say that they have experienced discrimination compared to blacks who did not report having any college experience. Additional survey results revealed several differences between blacks with college experience versus blacks without college experience. For example, in the past 12 months, 55 percent of people with some college experience reported people had acted suspicious of them, compared to 38 percent of those with no college experience. Similarly, 52 percent of people with some college experience reported people had acted as if they thought the individual wasn’t smart, compared to 37 percent of people with no college experience."

Maps Shows History of US Immigration

The topic of immigration has been of great interest during this election season. This animated map from Business Insider illustrates immigration patterns to the U.S., including which countries were allowed to send people to the U.S. and when they were allowed to do so.

A Reminder For Christians This Election Season

Photo Credit: theocean

We are in the midst of another presidential campaign season and with election day now less than two months away, the intensity of the discussions and arguments about the candidates and issues seem to rise with each passing day.

As an evangelical Christian and a citizen of the United States, I often need to be reminded that my primary allegiance rests with God and His kingdom and not the country in which I live. While it's important for Christians to be actively involved in the political process, we must also remember that our Christian faith, and not our political affiliations, should inform how we engage with others about our politics.

The manner in which we interact with others about our political convictions says a lot about whether we are "safe" people when it comes to the more important matters of faith and eternity. When we confuse our politics with our faith, we can unintentionally add on conditions to Christian discipleship that were never intended and unintentionally push those away that might be otherwise open to the gospel.

Pastor Dave Bruskas offers an insightful perspective on the effect that a Christian's expressed political opinions can have on other people. He says this:

"My last two pastorates have been in very progressive communities. For eight years, I served as a church planter in the Nob Hill area of Albuquerque, New Mexico. For the last two years, I have served in Seattle. For those who aren’t familiar with New Mexico, it is in the continental United States, and it shows up on a map once every four years on the late news during the first Tuesday of November as a blue state island surrounded by a sea of red states. And Nob Hill in Albuquerque is bluer than the blue New Mexico sky on a crisp, clear November day. 

The importance of my political party affiliation came into play when I was sharing the gospel with a young woman in Nob Hill. She told me she was intrigued by Jesus but there was one thing keeping her from becoming a Christian. I asked for her reason, expecting her to cite her boyfriend’s objection because she had already informed him of the change it would bring to their relationship. But she shocked me when she said, “I don’t think I’m ready to become a Christian because I know I’m not ready to become a Republican.” Imagine how relieved we both were when I explained the second category isn’t a mandatory next step from the first! She placed her faith in Jesus. 

It was from that conversation that I began to realize how political partisanship, particularly in those who lead and speak on behalf of the church, could become a stumbling block for those being drawn by Jesus into relationship with him. As an evangelical pastor, my intent goal is that the only stumbling block to a person meeting Jesus is the offense of his substitutionary death for sinners."

Perhaps we would all do well to consider if the approach we take in sharing our political persuasions with others is more motivated by a commitment to a political party... or a commitment to the King of Kings.

To read the rest of Pastor Bruska's post please click here.

Democracy at Work

After being on the road all of this past week, today was to be spent hanging out with my son, Jason (who doesn't have preschool on Mondays), and running some errands. One of the things that I hoped to do was vote early so that I wouldn't have to deal with the lines next Tuesday.

As I pulled up to the library near our home where early voting was taking place, I couldn't believe the scene in front of me. Although we are over a week out from election day, there was a line outside the library at least 100 people deep and who knows how many were inside (and this was between 10 and 11 a.m.) There were camera crews from at least two Orlando news stations, campaign signs everywhere and traffic was backed up for over a block.

I ended up not voting today since I didn't feel like waiting in line with a four-year-old all morning but, still, I was encouraged by the turnout. It tells me that not only are people exercising their individual right to vote, but there were at least a dozen people holding signs for the candidates and the issues they are supporting.

I am grateful that I live in a country where every four years we vote on who we want our president to be, all the while knowing that there will be a peaceful transition of power. Even with all the flaws that our country has had historically (e.g. it wasn't that long ago that African Americans and women couldn't exercise this fundamental right of voting), we still can say today that we all have a voice in who are elected officials are. If you are a registered voter, please make the effort to let your voice be heard.

Politics From the Pulpit

With an important election just over three weeks away, it is getting down to crunch time for candidates and their supporters. Those running for office are actively seeking to get out the message they want conveyed to voters and their supporters are trying to encourage their friends and family to vote for the candidate that they are backing.

In the weeks that are left until November 4th, I'd like to encourage all of my friends to engage in civil discourse and dialog when speaking of the candidates. It is possible to support your candidates without entering into personal attacks on those running for office. As the election draws near, the temptation to resort to smear tactics and the spreading of slander is tempting.

I'd like us all to follow the example of presidential candidate John McCain in how he responded at some recent rallies when some of those in attendance began to bash his opponent, Barack Obama. McCain, in responding to negative comments about Obama, had this to say:

"If you want a fight, we will fight," McCain said. "But we will be respectful. I admire Sen. Obama and his accomplishments." When people booed, he cut them off.
"I don't mean that has to reduce your ferocity," he said. "I just mean to say you have to be respectful."

When one woman said she didn't trust Obama because she thought he was "an Arab", McCain shook his head in disagreement, and said:

"No, ma'am. He's a decent, family man, a citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with (him) on fundamental issues and that's what this campaign is all about. I have to tell you, he is a decent person and a person that you do not have to be scared of as president of the United States."

I encourage all of my friends, especially those of you that identify yourself as Christians, to focus much more on the issues that are important to you than on negative attacks on candidates that don't support the issues that are closest to your heart. That means you can stand for a pro-life position without demonizing Obama or be against the war in Iraq without spreading rumors about McCain.
I am well-aware of how divisive political positions can be and when those positions get mixed up with religious viewpoints the results can be combustible. It is why as an ordained minister and a staff member with a large Christian organization, I choose not to endorse any particular candidates publicly. I find that I can promote the issues that are important to me and encourage others to consider those matters without endorsing or speaking against a candidate.

I feel like initiatives such as the Pulpit Freedom Sunday, where pastors were instructed to specifically endorse a presidential candidate from the pulpit, are dangerous. Since the Scriptures obviously don't endorse those running for U.S. office, we can be walking on thin ice when we claim that certain individuals are "God's man" or "God's woman." I think it is good for pastors, as well as Christian laity, to speak to the compelling and prominent issues of our day and to seek to do so from a biblical perspective. But as Isaiah 55 says, "God's ways are not our ways and His ways are higher than ours." We can make our best attempt to focus on those issues that the Bible also focuses on, but we need to always remember that we are infallible human beings that never have it all figured out. I love the quote from the late great Christian singer, Rich Mullins, who had this to say:

"I think if we were given the Scriptures, it was not so that we could prove that we were right about everything. If we were given the Scriptures, it was to humble us into realizing that God is right, and the rest of us are just guessing."

So, in the days ahead, I urge you to be positive, be civil and refuse to participate in name-calling and hearsay. Focus on the issues and know that God is in control no matter who is elected.