Are You Feeling Stifled and Simmering in This Long Summer?
It’s been quite a while since I’ve posted anything here in Thinking Out Loud. I haven’t written much in Medium either since sometime in July. Why? Well, I’ve been busy completing a new book to publish on Amazon. The digital version is available now and the paperback will be available very soon (Sept 25?).
It’s been a long summer and yet it’s already past time to start school. Of course, the pandemic is still effecting life in ways we wish it didn’t, including school, sports, and life in general. On top of all that it’s election season. I want it to be the end of the year already, although we don’t know what another year will hold.
Ah, but if we know Jesus—really know Him and trust in Him—we know He knows what’s ahead. We can trust our today, tomorrow, and future to Him with confidence.
So, instead of feeling stifled or simmering about all that’s going on—or not happening—take some time to read a few things I’ve published on Medium this summer.
cover design by Laura Williams
Oh yeah, and don’t forget to check out my new book— Stories of Redemption! —>
The Book of Ruth is not a random romantic story, but a significant look at the sovereignty of God and His plan of redemption for all people within the world…
Ruth is on a journey. She did not realize as a little girl growing up in the far off country of Moab, on the eastern side of the Dead Sea, that someday you and I would be reading her story, a journey not just from one country to another but from one "set of gods" to the One True Living God!
As her story of loving-kindness and care becomes ours, we are treated to a true love story; a love for family, a love for God, and a love for His wonderful ways.
Feel the Wonderful Power of Mercy and Love in Your Life
Be mindful of how great forgiveness is
Over 50 years ago, Martin Luther King Jr said that Sunday morning was the most segregated hour in America. This was because of the common racial separation within most churches.
Some churches are working to change that but it’s still prevalent.
But there’s another type of segregation or division in many American churches. It’s been around for a long time. It plagued Jesus and contributed to His arrest and crucifixion.
The trouble is, we — the church — say we want to welcome “sinners” into the church but when they come they often don’t feel welcome. Hundreds of books and conferences and blog posts address the issue but with minimal impact.
Many things contribute to this dilemma but the real issue is the heart of the matter. A simple story involving Jesus, a religious leader, and a sinful woman illustrates it best.
Sinners often don’t feel welcomed in the church.
Be the Change Needed for Systemic Racism to End
When silence is not golden.
Is “silence golden?” That’s been said before. But our current national crisis shouts otherwise. Two quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. make this point,
A riot is the language of the unheard.
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
In a 1966 interview, Dr. King said, “I think that we’ve got to see that a riot is the language of the unheard. And, what is it that America has failed to hear? It has failed to hear that the economic plight of the Negro poor has worsened over the last few years.”
This was true in 1966. It still is in many ways. But it’s the injustice of it all that’s bubbled up and rippled out in our nation and now in other nations.
Will talk and protest lead to change?
Do You Know What Leads to Communication Failure?
It isn’t how well or how poorly you speak.
Communication is vital for many reasons. This isn’t just well known, it’s obvious. As vital as it is, it’s difficult to do well.
Language is often a hindrance to good communication but not nearly as much as other common culprits. Things like pride, arrogance, and stubbornness are major factors in poor communication.
This is illustrated well by a short dialog from the 1967 movie Cool Hand Luke. Captain, the boss of the chain-gang says, “What we’ve got here is… failure to communicate.”
It’s funny in a satirical way but not that funny. It also underscores the current national discussion—if we can call it that—on injustice and racism.
Why Is It So Easy to Be Judgmental of Others?
We need to be honest about our judgmental thoughts
Ever notice how easy it is to assess and evaluate most everything other people say and do? You know what I mean. We all do it.
Some of us are smart enough to keep these thoughts to ourselves. And some of us… not so much.
We see it all the time on social media and the news media tends to amplify, stir up, and perpetuate these thoughts in one way or another.
Let’s be honest and call it what it is—judgmentalism.
It’s a continuing critique running through our minds, even in the background where we don’t notice it as much.
We may not be aware of it, but it’s there. Why? I’ll try to answer that later but first, we need to be aware of this ongoing judgmentalism in ourselves.
How American Evangelicalism May Cause People to Lose Their Faith
And it may not be what you think it is
Scrolling through my Facebook feed, I came across a post titled, “Another worship leader loses his faith.”
At first, I dismissed it as another former believer disenchanted with the church or Christianity in general. I’ve seen many similar posts in other places across social media.
But this was posted by a good friend who added a note of encouragement.
So, I took the time to listen and watch a conversation between a former worship leader and a Christian apologist. I’m glad I did.
I’m glad I took the time to listen to the conversation.
The conversation was posted on YouTube along with a follow-up video to continue the discussion that I also watched. I was surprised at how open, honest, and congenial the conversation went.
What I wasn’t surprised by was the myriad of comments, putdowns, and rebuttals that followed. It was clear those who thought we needed to hear their two cents had missed the essence and point of these conversations.
In the present social landscape of cancel culture, virtual shouting matches, and endless diatribes, we need more real conversations.
By conversation, I mean two-way communication, dialog, and discussion with some respectful give and take.
[this was the most read and commented on post I’ve had on Medium!]
