Tag: church

Where would Jesus be?

/ CD Hamman / Leave a comment

What would you think if you saw me in a bar? What is the first thing that would come to your mind? Would you assume I was drinking? What if you later saw me preaching? Or, flip the script, if you saw me preaching first, then later saw me in a bar? Would your opinion of me change?

These questions came to me last weekend as I was sitting in the hotel bar enjoying conversation, and fun with my coworkers and teammates. Then that question from the 90’s came to mind, “What Would Jesus Do?” WWJD. As I thought about it, I changed it to WWJB, and started wondering, “Where Would Jesus Be?”

Where would He be? Where would He have us be? Please, don’t misunderstand me, I am big on attending church and worship services. But that’s where we are supposed to be getting fed, so that we can then take Jesus to the world. We need to push away from the table sometimes, and get out in the fields.

So then I started wondering, have I been an ambassador of Christ this week? I try not to make a big deal about being a Christian, or a minister. Why? Because I fail so bad, so often. But I still try to live, behave, and talk so that others may see Jesus in me. But even through my failures, He works.

So I hope that my coworkers and my teammates, and all those I came in contact with last week saw at least a glimpse of the Savior in me. I pray that I at least planted a seed, or watered it. And I pray that I never just assume the worst about any person I see in a bar, on the street, in prison, or anywhere else that we deem off limits for Christians. I’m not suggesting that Jesus would patronize a strip club. But, would He go into one to save someone who needs Him, and to bring them out?

Jesus was often judged by the religious leaders because He tended to hang out with “sinners.” Well, how are we going to reach them if we don’t spend some time with them. We need to leave our comfort zones.

Just something to think about.

And, just in case you’re wondering, don’t worry, I was only drinking ginger ale.

Thoughts on restoring religious freedom

/ CD Hamman / Leave a comment

If you are reading this, I ask that you please read the entire post. You are free to disagree, but I will delete any reply that I determine to be disrespectful, or in poor taste.

I’m going to try to put this as simple as I can. Laws attempting to restore religious freedoms became necessary when activist judges and courts started declaring that certain businesses must accommodate everyone’s lifestyle.

Now typically the business that have been targeted have been Christian owned. Many are simple mom and pop type places like bakeries and florists shops, and wedding photographers. The activists that tend to target these businesses want to force everyone to celebrate their new found legal right to get married.

I’m sorry to have to say this, but no one, individual or business should be forced to support or provide services against their conscience. We are not talking about things that a person can’t change, like skin color, gender, or ancestry. We are talking about chosen lifestyles. We discriminate against people every day for behaviors. Yes, many try to claim their behavior is because they were born that way. Sorry, there still has not been any evidence of a gay gene, a hate gene, an anger gene, a drunk or stoned gene, or any other gene that determines how one must choose to behave or live. So far, the only evidence has shown that a person may be born with a propensity to behave or respond in certain ways. And yet, even then, there is evidence that nurture can chance nature. Once we accept the fallacy that “I behave like this because I’m born this way,” then personal responsibility simply has to also go out the window.

Before I continue, I must clarify, that certain professions must never be permitted to refuse service, those being primarily public safety and health professionals. And a true Christian in these professions, I do not believe, would refuse to do his or her job. I also would not support a business in general, refusing to serve anyone. However, they can and should be allowed to determine acceptable behavior for their establishment. We all need flowers, groceries, pictures, and baked goods. But when you try to force someone to help you celebrate a lifestyle that they do not agree with, for whatever reason, you have crossed a line. Many of the businesses that have been the targets of these activist lawsuits have gladly done business with members of the gay and lesbian community; except when they were asked to help those individuals celebrate a gay marriage. Now my first response to this is that it just is not reasonable to want someone, no matter how good they are, to provide services for something they don’t feel they can support in good conscience. That’s like walking into a Jewish or Muslim owned meat market and demanding that they sell you pork. Or expecting a divorce attorney to represent you in a criminal case. That’s just not smart.

Bottom line, if you want to celebrate a marriage, or any event that your baker, caterer, wedding planner or photographer may be opposed to, then be civilized enough to accept that they can’t provide you with their best for that occasion, and find someone who does.

Now, to the Christians…Folks, we blew it a long time ago. It’s time we start cleaning up our own acts, and hitting our knees, instead of simply blaming the gays or politicians, or whoever else we want to blame. We have let the devil into too many of our churches. Granted, that’s been going on since the days of the early church. And we still haven’t learned. We preach against homosexuality, yet find every possible excuse to justify our own sin, divorces, extramarital affairs, lust, anger, hateful attitudes, gossip, or even stealing. It’s not even uncommon for these things to take place at the church. And we too make excuses for our own failures and sin, using the age old excuse, “I can’t help it. God made me this way.”

Ladies and gentlemen, I’m under conviction myself here too, so if I’m stepping on your toes, then good, because I’m also stepping on mine. I certainly have no room to simply point my finger at anyone. I too have been guilty of divorce and gossip, and even hateful attitudes. But, I’ve been forgiven for my sins, and that is not the way God expects His children to live. Daily I still have to approach God’s throne and ask for a fresh filling of his Holy Spirit. Frequently, I say or do something that the Holy Spirit convicts me of, and I repent. I may be the only Jesus someone sees today. And I do not want to be the reason that someone rejects Christ.

We also need to be very much aware of how we treat others. First, we can’t love those outside the church if we don’t love our brothers and sisters inside the church. The world will know we are Christians by our love; for each other, and for others. I certainly do not agree with the lifestyles chosen by those in the GLBT community. But I also do not believe that we have any right to be hateful toward them, any more than we have a right to be hateful to the drug addict, the drunk, the unwed mother, the prostitute, our brothers, our sisters, or anyone else. We will not win people to Christ by being hateful. If you provide a service, and yet you feel you cannot in good conscience provide it for anyone in any lifestyle or circumstance, you can still be loving in your refusal to provide the service. We all work with many different people, from many different backgrounds. Regardless how we feel about them, we still, as representatives of Christ must treat them with human dignity and respect. Hating the sin does not mean hating the sinner. Loving the sinner does not mean loving or accepting the sin. Be a friend. Be Jesus. I’m not saying it’s easy, but make the effort. And let the Holy Spirit do his job. I have been blessed to know some wonderful people whose lifestyles and behaviors I do not necessarily agree with. I am pleased to call them my family, and my friends. And I pray for them to know the transforming power of Jesus Christ. I trust that one day they will. In the meantime, I love them, and try to let Jesus shine through me. I want to see through His eyes.

Thankful

/ CD Hamman / Leave a comment

Today we pause to give thanks. So, what am I thankful for? I am thankful for grandparents who raised their children in the church and who modeled lifestyles of service and worship. I am thankful for parents who continued to model the same lifestyle, and who raised my brothers and me in church. I am thankful for my children and my grandchildren, and I pray that I am continuing the legacy left by me parents and grandparents. I am thankful for my brothers and sister who pray for my children and me, and who encourage me, and even challenge me when I may post something questionable. I am thankful for my extended family, aunts, uncles, and cousins, and for their prayers and encouragement. I am thankful for faithful friends, who continue to stand by me, encourage me, and pray for me and with me. I am thankful for those churches I have had the privilege of visiting over the past seven months who are open and inviting to visitors, and for those brothers and sisters in Christ who, even though they don’t know me, have extended a hand or hug of friendship and fellowship.

I am thankful for those who have served and who are still serving our country in the military, be it active, reserve, or national guard. I am thankful for those who serve in public safety: police, fire and EMS, as well as the many medical professionals who are taking care of patients, even on a holiday.

Most of all, I am thankful for a God who loves us so much that He gave His only son. That Son gave up his own glory, and brought himself to down to our level and gave His own life to pay the required penalty for our sins so that we may have eternal life with Him. I am thankful for a Savior who not only accepts me as I am, but through the Holy Spirit, works in my life to change me into what He desires. A God, who even when I screw up, is there, arms outstretched, pleading and ready to take me back. Who, even when depression sets in is right there to remind me that I am His. When experiencing even the deepest of sorrows He gives the comfort of His Holy Spirit. Even when I have been ready to give up on myself, He never gives up on me. When the accuser brings up past sins and mistakes, my Heavenly Father says, “What sin? What mistakes? My child, I not only forgave them, I have forgotten them. The slate is clean. Your future is with me.”

For all this and so much more that I just don’t have words to express, thank you, Lord.

What are you thankful for today?

Are you part of the infection, or the cure?

/ CD Hamman / Leave a comment

You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self- control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! (2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT)

I came across this passage by accident while looking for another one. I honestly don’t think I had really seen, or paid attention to this passage before. But when I came upon this, in light of some recent events it seemed to become really clear to me. I’m not sure what concerns me more. How true this passage really is, or how infected the church has become with the behaviors described. Make no mistake, the church is infected at all levels, from the highest ranks of leadership, clergy and lay people alike, down to the lay person occupying the pew.

It’s time we begin to ask some hard questions in the church:
Is the pastor burying his head and overlooking obvious sin in the lives of his board members? Is the church board overlooking obvious sin in the life of their pastor? Is the congregation holding the board and the pastor accountable? Is the pastor really preaching the word, or is he picking and choosing who he wants to preach to according to who he is angry with that week? Or is he preaching a sermon that just makes the people feel good because he doesn’t want to offend anyone with the truth? Is the pastor a bully? Are there members who bully the pastor? Are we parents ensuring that our children are truly being grounded in the word of God, and ensuring that the people we encourage them to follow and listen to are proper Christian examples? Are we as parents setting the examples ourselves that our children need to see?

Sadly, it’s not limited to any one church or denomination; it has infected all of our churches to some degree. The real difference is how a church, including everyone, from the layperson in the pew, to board member, and right up to the pastor deals with the infection. Too often, I think we overlook these very serious problems because we’re afraid of offending someone. Or it’s just easier to go along so we can get along. And in the home as well as the church, we don’t want to fight with our children, or risk making them uncomfortable, so we let their happiness dictate our choices.

Sadly, I must confess that I have been guilty of overlooking serious problems in the church and in my own home. Not addressing issues immediately in my home, because I was afraid of the risk of divorce, cost me my family, and I still ended divorced. Even worse is that it has cost my children in ways I can’t begin to describe, or even imagine. Fortunately, my God has overcome my own stupidity and fear and through His power, and my loving parents and family, my children are safe and, my family is intact.

Not addressing the issues in my church has also had some very detrimental effects. Now, before I go on I have to say, I have been blessed to have been a part of some great churches with some wonderful pastors throughout my life. Sadly I have also been a part of a couple churches, at different times, where sin was allowed to come in and undermine God’s Word; Where selfishness ruled and egos ran high. In both cases I kept my mouth shut, because I didn’t want to rock the boat or upset my pastor, and because I was afraid. In both cases I was not only a church member, I was also a board member. In both situations, the pastor was actually the root of the problem, but wanted to blame the problems on the board, or previous boards, or the congregation, or previous pastors. They were too proud to admit their own weaknesses, let alone admit that they might actually be capable of committing sin. In one case, the church doors were shut and the church officially closed not long after I left. In the second church, I continue to pray for the pastor and the church, because it really will take God getting a hold of people and them getting a hold of God in order to for anything to change for the better. It’s a sad day whenever a church closes its doors. It’s even sadder when it is caused by sin that had infected the church and fear that infected the people.

Please understand, I am not saying it is always the pastor’s fault. I have also known of congregations who bully the pastor, and refuse to confront sin.  I have heard horror stories, where congregations and church boards were so full of pride and egos, and hate that if Christ himself were to physically walk through the doors they still would not listen.

I have a few suggestions to help fight these infections:
First make sure you yourself are immunized. Make sure you are truly listening to God and keep yourself close to Him. Ask Him to examine your heart, and to point out anything on you that is of a wicked, sinful nature. Make sure you rely on Him to guide your life so that you are living a life pleasing to him.
Second, laypeople, pray for your pastor, and your board members, and pastors and board members pay for those in your congregation. In other words, people, pray for each other.
Third, be willing to pray with your pastor. Regardless of how sanctified he or she may be, your pastor is only human and needs your prayers to uplift him or her.
Fourth, when God is telling you that something is not right, pay attention. And begin to pray about it.
Finally, where there is sin, regardless of who, it must be confronted. It must be done lovingly with a goal of redemption. But it must be dealt with. If you simply overlook it, like any infection it will spread. Just as an infection left untreated in the human body, can kill the body, sin infection in the church will kill the church, as well as an untold number of souls.

A final thought: I wonder, when we refuse to confront sin, if we aren’t just holding the gates of hell open for others and inviting them to make that their eternal destination.

Immoral government or immoral church?

/ CD Hamman / 1 Comment

Today’s Supreme Court ruling is definitely morally wrong. No real surprise there. But I must be clear on this, as much as I am against gay marriage, and as much as I believe that homosexuality is wrong and is a sin, it is just as sinful to commit adultery, yet many so called Christians are currently doing this, some openly. It is just as sinful to be a liar, and yet there are many so called Christians, including some ordained ministers, who are practicing liars. It is just as sinful to to hate another person, yet many so called Christians openly hate even those in their own church, as well as hating those who they disagree with outside the church. Yet 1 John 3:13 equates hating a brother with murder. In other words, all sin is an abomination. Yet many in the church, even those who are ordained ministers pick and choose which sins are wrong and which they will go ahead and practice.

In short, is it any wonder that our government is corrupt and immoral when the church is corrupt and immoral. Have I offended anyone yet? If so, GOOD. Our sin should offend us, just as it offends God.

Finally, having said all that, to my friends, family and even those I do not know, who have chosen lifestyles that I believe are sinful: I choose to try to be more like Christ; to love you as people who Christ loves and to continue to pray for you and be your friend and brother. My prayer is that everyone should see Christ in me, in spite of my own shortcomings and failings. And that hopefully, prayerfully, I can be a faithful representative of Christ.