Why does God let bad things happen?

I took some time after the tragedy in Connecticut before wanting to write something about it. Now that my heart has had time to calm and refocus on the truly important I found a couple incredible voices poking through the fog of anger and hostility.

The voices I heard were that of anger, and more specify anger towards “why would God let this happen”? This question has always troubled me. I feel that it has become a scapegoat to the real problem in the world. Humans are predisposed with the urge to be evil. If you think that isn't true than I am sorry to say you are wrong. People are born with the animalistic nature to survive and in that desire comes the ability to do unthinkable evil for self preservation. Yet it is because of society and, in my opinion, religion that we have gained an understanding that we can grow as a community through positive means and collaboration. Unfortunately because this evil still remains in humans it (the evil) sometimes gets the better of our weaker citizens. And yes I do mean weaker; weaker mentally, weaker physically, weaker emotionally. And because this evil can take over they make the choice to give into this evil inside them. It is this choice that makes the shadows cover our world. It is this choice that makes horror, fear, and sadness sweep across nation. God doesn't let things happen. We are not this Sims where God starts a kitchen fire and deletes the door. God has created us with free will for the purpose of not being in control. If God was in control then our Worship would be irrelevant. It would be the dull tones of a compliant robot. We, as humans, have free will and because of that our evil hurts the world.

Yet in the same stroke when people choice evil it makes, even more so, the choice to be heroic and good shine brighter; the teachers who bravely stood between evil and the innocent, the first responders who ran towards the sound of malevolence, and the out pour of prayers and concern for those who have paid the ultimate cost.

We, as humans, have been given the ultimate weapon. Choice. People then have the challenge of seeing and making the right choices. God doesn't let bad things happen, God simply watches bad things happen with hurt on his heart, just like the rest of us. If you ever ask “why does God let bad things happen?” please take a moment and ask yourself “Why do I let bad things happen?” the answer is the same.  Because you do not control the actions of anyone but yourself.

Having said that do I believe that God tried to put people in the way of this terror? Yes. Was there an attempt to sway the heart of that young man? Yes. Did God put into place everything to change the choice this young man made? Yes. Do I believe God wants the power to change the world with his cosmic powers? NO. God doesn't want to change the world God wants Us to make the choices that change the world. He controlled everything long before we were ever here. To be honest, I think with that kind of control and understanding he could see everything that was going to happen. With humans and the insertion of free will the foresight was gone. After careful consideration I don’t think God can see past decisions not yet made. Much like in the matrix, no one can see past a decision they don’t understand.

So here I stand on the wrong side of the cross asking does God let bad things happen? Yes, because he doesn't control those who choose evil. Yet the more uplifting thought should be that when evil/darkness/gnashing of teeth comes to the world is when good/Light/comfort are reveled to not only be in greater multitude but has greater impact. Yes bad things happen, but you can’t enjoy the sunny days without the understanding of the rainy days.

May God Bless you and your family this holiday season. Hug the ones you love that much closer as winter drapes over our land. Smile a little more as darkness seams to linger a little longer this winter solstice. Love a little bit easier as there seems to be more anger in the world. Live like today is the most important day you have, because we don’t know when today will be our last. 

The Wisdom of Youth which sounds like Truth and that stars with T and that begins the Trouble my friends!

So just a little bit ago I spent an amazing week tucked in the mountains of Colorado at one of my favorite place.  A little Lutheran camp where kids found out a little more about the amazing grace of our father brought to us by the Son, produced by the Holy Spirit, and the executive producers Steven Spielberg and Brian Grazer. Yet with this amazing week I found the amazing amount of accidental wisdom that comes from the questions, comments, and realizations of high school youth. So here are just a couple of the amazing things I learned about the youth, myself, and my faith.

First, in the world there are two aggressive and competing theologies on the history of our world. There are creationists who believe, God said let there be light, flicked a switch, and there was light. This is their Fact. To them, the fact is that God the father, created everything, with the wink of his eye, like Mickey Mouse in fantasia making the brooms and mops dance and work, brought something into nothingness. For those of a scientific mind the fact is that there were a compression of molecules and matter that was constricted into the smallest of spaces collided with a particle traveling faster than the speed of light. This caused a reaction that expanded the matter causing nuclear reactions that created stars, galaxies, planets, and eventually life. This is their fact.  Through the conversations with these youth I have found the one thing much more convincing and powerful than either of these two contradicting facts. The Truth behind the matter and unlike most of my writings the capital T is not a typo. I have found my Truth in the creation story and in turn most of the Old Testament.  The Truth I have found is that God did create everything. He spun the galaxies on his finger, she wove in her womb the essence of life, and it balanced the physical with the metaphysical. I believe the Big Bang happened on God’s command. I believe life evolved from the mud of the earth just as the bible says, and I also believe the evolution from that mud can be found in the theories and scientific evidence of our smartest scientists.  The Truth is that these two facts are not contradictory but walk hand and hand, and in that cohesion I find Truth.

Second, I have found that every one of God’s gifts can’t be as simple as, “here is the gift, the end”. Every gift can be broken down in to multiple levels and attached to different parts of our lives so that there isn’t a single action, decision, or word that can’t be completely rapped in God. This week at camp I discovered the complexity of GRACE! That being the Love of a father that is unearned and unexpected, which leads to the Father’s expectation of us to no longer be sedentary, to the true joy we find in expressing that same grace to others. I saw this in the youth at this high mountain adventure of ministry. I saw a child finally accept that no matter what their past was that love can was over their scars and bruises. I lavished in the fact those who are young in faith can take up the cross and bare it to the world unafraid of the world that my persecute them for it, because they can take heart in the Truth that Christ has concurred the world. (John 16:33) Finally the joy I felt when I saw all three come together as a teenage boy hung out my window on the interstate trying to make other vehicles smile with a thumbs up and a wave, and when they were shot down or frowned at by other cars only a single word was shouted from his lips. GRACE! As if to shout that without joy and love the world is empty. So to you, the unjoyful, the naysayer, the person who demands their life be based on facts instead of Truth. I, much like the kid I look up to, must shout the Truth I know about this world… GRACE!

So here I stand, on the wrong side of the cross, holding in my hand a book some would call the ultimate fact on these matters, and think how wrong some people are. For me, Christ spoke in parables not because he thought the world needed more facts. God knows we have enough facts flying around. Instead Christ spoke to us in Truths. These Truths of love, life, and freedom; The Truth of the love of God that is formed in our hearts that should be a beacon for the world. The Truth that life is not meant to be squandered by selfish acts of Christianity but in the celebration of the Community Christ offers. The Truth that freedom from the burden of our short comings and the freedom to use the gifts we have been given to become the people God has created us to be. It is in these Truths that the complete celebration of Life can be found. In the love of God and one another, the Life we are called to live, and the Freedom to be exactly who were are called to be and not what the world thinks we should be. All of this I learned from High Schoolers, and the is the TRUTH. 

Legislating christian marriage

So the debate that has been stirred in America most recently is GAY Marriage. So I have felt that I needed to not just listen to talking heads, politics, or the internet. I felt that if I was truly going to make a decision about what I believe in Gay marriage, I was going to my moral barometer, the bible. The old black and white of the written word. So here is what I have found that Jesus Christ, the one I model my life after had to say about Homosexuality and Marriage.

1)

2)                                             

3)

So after Rereading all of Matthews, most of Mark and Luke, and finally diving into John, I found all of these verses in which Christ, my model for life, had absolutely nothing to say about homosexuality, marriage, and how Christian believe should be enforced at the state level.  I couldn’t find a dang thing. Yet , I have had many people try and convince me that Gay marriage is a religious atrocity, that their god demands that we keep marriage a holy and sacred institution.

                Now I am in a happy, loving, and sacred marriage. I understand the commitment I have made to my wife, my God, and myself to hold this relationship in the highest of regards. I understand the bond that I have committed to. What I don’t understand is why someone who has been divorced and remarried multiple times is trying to tell my how SACRED marriage is (Rush, Newt, Regan ßya). I am only going to be married once in my entire life, I understand the sanctity of marriage. I know many families who have been married for multiple decades. They have earned the right to tell me the sanctity of marriage. Yet none of them can put it in a biblical context for me. No one is able to accurately quote my lord and savior against gay marriage. Mainly because he had nothing to say on the matter.

                Instead I get men holding signs saying God hates Fags, and women holding signs saying save traditional marriage. The only verse of course to back this up would be Leviticus 18:22. Well if they get to pick and choose bible verses to support their beliefs maybe  I, a middle of the road, grace centered human being should do the same. For all women not wanting to let “the Gays” get married as an abomination to the sacred bonds of matrimony I humbly request you attention to 1^st Timothy 2:12.  As for men who think that god hates fags please take a quick peek at Matthew 6:1.

                As a matter of fact, throughout my exhaustive search only found one direct connection to marriage and Jesus. Christ told us that if a Man and Woman or divorced they are not to remarry for it is nothing more than adultery in the eyes of god (Matthew 19:7-8).

            So here I stand on the wrong side of the cross looking at the words of my lord and trying to figure out what my heart and mind believe about this divisive issue. I find myself at the feet of Christ in humility realizing one thing. That God does not bless the self-righteous for they have gained their reward.

The Parable of the Two Sons Matthew 21:

²⁸ “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’²⁹ “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.³⁰ “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.³¹ “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”“The first,” they answered.Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. ³² For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

It is not what we say in this world but what we do. When we preach the sanctity of marriage but divorce is at 60%. When we as Christians ask for peace, grace, and humility but tell others that their sin is greater. When we start Legislating Christ, we have truly lost our way. I understand in my heart the purpose and need I have for marriage. It isn’t a joke to me, it isn’t something to be casually kicked around, and it is important to my faith Journey. What it is NOT is a political weapon. I believe that our government should legislate marriage. If you want to be married go to a CHURCH. If you want tax exemptions, visitation rights, and power of attorney, go to the government. Please don’t legislate my church. I understand some people don’t want Gay marriage because it is against their religion. I bet Muslims don’t want you to eat pork and Hindus don’t want us eating cow but that is not the job of Government. Religion asks us to live holy lives not force our righteousness onto others. We are given the key to the door, we were not given the right to force others through the door. Do I support Gay Marriage?  I am not sure 100%. I believe in equal rights and treatment. Do I think it there should be laws condemning it? Absolutely not! Christ calls me to compassion and love. Telling others that their relationship is completely invalid or a blasphemy is not Christian. I will support and love those who find love in others. That is Christian. Acting for love when others breath hate, acting with compassion when other bread contempt, and demanding justice when others bring devastation. That is a Christian life, one that fights what the social order demands. Even if that social order claims to be Christian. I will fight like Jesus fought, against what the religious hierarchy demands be the norm. Man is flawed and twists God to meet the needs of what makes them feel Yucky. Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day were no longer preacher God’s message but their own. Much like the political machine is no longer preacher God’s message but their own agenda. Christ calls us to understand the heart of God which is Love, Compassion, Humility, and Relationship. Hating a group of people because you think they are yucky makes you nothing more than the people in the Good Samaritan parable, and NOT THE SAMARITAN. Please world, let us be more like the Samaritan. Let us understand that our government shouldn’t be in the marriage business and the church shouldn’t be in the legislation business.

Sorry for the long post.

Just God or A Just God

IF you didn't know, on Thursday January 19^th 2012 I was assaulted outside of the Englewood Library after getting off of the light rail. I was coming from the Rocky Mountain Dental Convention and was exhausted from a long day of continuing education. A man I have never meet before asked if I had any money so he could get something to eat. I have felt called by my mission to be more like Christ to reach in my pocket take whatever I have and give someone in need......sometimes more than I should. So I gave the man a 20 dollar bill and pointed him to the Qudoba/Quiznos across the street. He then started to regale me with his tale of woe, which I listened to intently. After about two minutes of his story/,  a black guy (I say guy cause this jerk was no gentleman) runs at me full speed and socks me in the right ear as hard as he can.  I fall to my knee but quickly get back up because I have taken harder hits in RUGBY then this guy could dole out. I attempt to look at him to get a good face shot but I am a little to rattled. What I do notice is his fist in the air like he is rocky and a "WOOO" shouted back at me. Apparently hitting a white guy is like winning the Special Olympics to this moron. (No offense to those brave guys and girls who strive for excellence in the special Olympics.) He didn't take my wallet, phone, or cash. He just ran off. The young man I was talking to did take my phone, but he didn't run. He Dialed 9-1-1 and put it on speaker mode and set it down in front of me.  He and the nice Mexican fellow I was chatting with on the train stayed with me till the police arrived and then they went on their way. I was bleeding from the ear but no real damage was done physically. Actually I was lucky he didn't punch me in the nose which I recently had surgery on and had two huge splints tucked safely inside.  Emotionally I was a little bit of a wreck but that is why I have this Blog right..

Now to the title, I have been thinking about the balance in the world. Some people call it Karma, balance, the universe’s equilibrium, and other God’s justice.  I found myself hoping that something comes around to kick this guy square in the ass. I want to believe that Karma will get him or that the Universe will do evil to those who do evil to others, but I am a Christian and I believe in a living and active God. So is it wrong for me to hope that God will bring swift JESUS JUSTICE down on a man who emotionally and physically violated me?

Titus 1:16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

SWEET! If this guy believes in God or Christ he will be in HOSED-Ville. God will detest him and make it so that he is never fit for the work of God.

But then I remember  that if a man strikes you in the Right ear turn also to him your Left. (Luke 6:29)WELL CRAP. What am I supposed to do - - -  hear GOD!?! I mean I am violated, wronged, embarrassed. I rock rolled like a kid on a playground. Now you tell me to shake it off and not let it affect my ministry. I can’t even drive up an off ramp, see man or woman with a sign and stop myself from thinking “sorry last time I helped I got a fist in the ear! You better try the next car.” This isn’t the life God called me to.

So is he JUST GOD or is he A JUST GOD. I have been struggling with the idea that God doesn’t call us to vengeance or anger so how can we bring justice to the world in which he doesn’t bring justice to a guy who gets punched in the head. If he is JUST GOD and hangs out and watches what's going on without bringing what I would call balance to the evils of the world, why do I need to bring change when God doesn’t bring change. IF he is A JUST GOD, then what is all the talk about turning the other cheek? All the talk about Eye for an Eye is no longer the law.

So here I am on the wrong side of the Cross , literally asking God for VENGANCE against a man who wronged me. This time I do feel I am wrong though. God has called us to do the impossible from the beginning. Whether it be building a giant boat, leading a people out of Egypt, or leaving our nets and boats to follow him. So I step forward with forgiveness in my heart. I should have looked at the man who struck me and ask what he needed and how could I help. God Calls us to do the impossible. We are called to ship out into stormy seas. The world will always push down those who try to lift the world. The world will persecute those who call the world to stop persecution. The world will fight the Christ I know even while I fight for my Christ! The words that have brought me comfort in these last days I have to thank Dave Jarvis for…

John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

The world will have tribulation, frustration, and complications. But take heart for Christ have overcome the world and the world will never be the same for it. 

"Evangelicals"

So I was watching Religulous the other day while I was a little restless in bed, and I found myself looking at what my definition of “Evangelical” was, mainly because I belong to the “Evangelical Lutheran Church in America”. So after taking a good look at the Erik schematics this is what I have come up with.

To be Evangelical in America is usually connected to the four guys that stand outside Sports authority field at Mile High shouting through their mega phone the love of Jesus. That he came to save our souls which are in dire need of saving. Or it is tied to a man/woman in a very nice suit on Sunday morning yelling at me through my television in-between sports center and Batman:the brave and the bold. And after watching Religulous I can understand the frustration in this country with “Evangelicals”.

Personally I am not a huge fan of those kind of Evangelicals. I understand that they are doing a very positive ministry. They are sacrificing their self comfort to preach the name of Jesus Christ and I respect them for it, but I have never found that type of ministry to be appealing. This can easily be explained because when people have to shout at me through a mega phone they give the cliff notes bible and I have read the whole book. This might be the only book I haven’t used cliff notes on when I have to study. So this small taste of Christ must be an acquired taste because when you get a cookie it will make you feel good for a moment but I have always been a meat and potatoes Christian. When you get the good news, when you shout “praise God” at a youth gathering, when you feel love and connection in huge moments those are the delicious cookies and treats God gives us. But when all you hear are those little treats, you can become a little sick to your stomach just like if your diet consists of Twinkies, ding dongs, and Girl scout thin mints. That is why people who have a meat and potatoes faith sometimes have a hard time with this “Go Jesus Go” evangelical because of the fact it is fluff and no stuff.

Yet when I was trying to put this thought into perspective, one of my Kids from youth group reminded me of my passion and adoration for one TIM TEBOW. So how on earth do I reconcile my distaste for people who have to shout JESUS at me, but my love of how Tebow can share his faith on such a national stage? After looking through a couple of Tebow’s interviews on the YouTube I have realized what makes him different. When I see someone telling me I need to love Jesus and believe, I feel pressure on myself. That, I need to do something for God to love me and I need to change isn’t anyone else’s responsibility but mine. Tebow is the shining star that is proof that a relationship with God is between a person and their God. Tebow has never told me that I need to believe. Tebow has never told me that I need to be saved. All Tebow ever talks about is his love for Jesus Christ, and his relationship with a loving and companionate God. Yes he wears his faith on his sleeve by praying before and during football games, but he will never tell you what you need to do. He brings light to the phrase “preach the Gospel at all times and use words only when you need to.”

THAT IS A TRUE EVANGELICAL. Not a person who tells YOU what YOU need to do, but a person who actually leads by example and is unashamed by that fact! A person who can be completely open and honest with what they believe without acting like they are ashamed of it.

So here I stand, perhaps, on the wrong side of the Cross looking back at those telling me that an Evangelical is one who tells people THEY NEED TO BE SAVED, and saying that isn’t what Christ calls me to. Christ calls me to be an Evangelical by what I do and what I believe. An evangelical is one who shares their story of the love of Christ without telling others what they HAVE TO DO. Coming to Christ is a choice. A deeply personal and private choice, and to think it is my responsibility to MAKE others come to Christ seems very, well, Unchristian. Christ calls me to a life of humility. (which I know is something ironic to put on a public blog) So through the jokes of “Tim Tebow” is the second coming, and “OMG Tebow is the too much of a Jesus freak”. I look at him as an example. An example of what an evangelical in America should be. He says he love Jesus and you can tell his sincerity in his statement. Hey doesn’t shout at YOU TO LOVE JESUS, he love Christ and that enough for him. He is evangelical in his actions by building a hospital in the Philippines, visiting sick kids in the hospital and praying with them, and being a clean player in the NFL which is more rare than a white guy at the Apollo. So for those people who share the good news I thank you, but we could use some more Tebow and less Scream-o. An evangelical is Christ in the world, not telling others to be more like Christ.