Remember The Ass

Nobody likes rhetorical questions.  Unfortunately, sometimes that is the only way to make a point.  So, I'm gonna ask a rhetorical question.  May I talk to y'all for a few minutes?  Good.  And, may I recommend some popcorn, 'cause things 'bout to get good.

Kanye has stirred up a lot of discussions about a lot of things.  Is he a Christian?  Is he Born Again?  Is it just a money grab?  But what about his past, he called himself...  Okay, can't comment on any of those questions.  I won't comment on what I know nothing of.  Mine isn't to determine his heart.  Mine isn't to determine intentions.  Or honesty/sincerity.  I don't know the man or his family.  I don't know where he has been and what he has seen in his life.  So this post isn't about any of this.

This post is for everyone that has had comments questioning Kanye.  It's for all of you that think his actions are fake.  For those that believe it's just a money grab.  It's for those of you who are speaking in, "righteous judgement," of all Kanye discussions.  Also for those that are using the power of your inner keyboard warrior that just want to chip in with your expertise and knowledge of all things Kanye related simply because you find that your words are the only words that matter as if you are the only one with direct communication with God himself.  (***WARNING: If any of these descriptions give you a complex or a guilty feeling, this post is for you.  You WILL BE OFFENDED!***)

Many years ago I discovered a great skit with Bob Newhart playing a psychiatrist.  He provided simple yet a very easy to understand method to follow for his clients.  So simple it was only two words: STOP IT!  Yup, two words.  He wasted no time providing much needed guidance.  Sure, his clients were confused and frustrated they couldn't get any other advice, or share any more of their problems before they were offered these words.

In the great words of Bob, here's my words to:
The person that says Kanye isn't saved.  STOP IT!
The person stating it's a money grab.  STOP IT!
Those that think he shouldn't have gone to Joel Osteen's church.  STOP IT!
Those that think he's a wolf in sheep's clothing.  STOP IT!!!
Anybody speaking ill of anything and everything this man does.  STOP IT!!!

Need any explanation of those words?  Confused about either of them?  Good.  So just do everyone a simple favor.  STOP. IT.

Again, this is NOT me talking about Kanye.  I don't know him, don't find his actions pure or impure.  Genuine or not.  NOTHING about this post is a form of support or lack of for Kanye.  Nope!  Yes, duplicating these statements because I'm sure some of you a certain I support him and know that I'm deceived along with the rest of those welcoming him to the faith.

Let me be clear my dear friends.  You christian that is using your justified righteous anger when you discuss Kanye.  Do you not remember that God used the following to prove a point, win lives, convince people to do as he asked?

An ass
A whale
A tax collector
A prostitute
Wine
A star

That's just a short list.  Need more reminders on what God does?  How about these?

John 3:17 - God did not send his son to judge the world but to save it.
Hebrews 11:6 - And it is impossible to please God without faith.  Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
Luke 19:10 - For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.
Luke 11:10 - For everyone who asks receives.  Everyone who seeks, finds.  And to everyone who knocks the door will be opened.
Hebrews 5:11-12 - There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don't seem to listen.  You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others.  Instead, you need someone to teach you again in the basic things about God's word.  you are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food.
Matthew 7:3 - Why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own?

I could go on.  But, I won't.

See, christians forget that Christ became sin so we would not.  He died so we could live.  He told the thief on the cross next to him that he would not be forgotten and would see him at the right hand of God.  We forget that David committed adultery and killed another man to commit said adultery.  But, we still know that David was a man after God's own heart.  Committing sin seems like a strange way to pursue God, but we all sin, just like David.  We forget that Saul persecuted Christians before he became Paul.

Here's my point.  God can and will use whatever he desires to bring glory to his name.  Luke 19:40 warns us that the rocks will cry out.  Kanye is crying out.  He is teaching.  His name alone is bringing people to churches that would never set foot in a church if not for Kanye.  Can you convince me that I have a chance to speak to the masses like he is?  Are you able to convince me that you can put out an album that everyone talks about?  No?  Anyone?  Oh wait, that's right.  You don't own 2 ranches in Wyoming, or a shoe line, or married to the porn star, or have recently announced you're running for president in 2024.  See, the very fact he's doing something to get people into a church, listen to a gospel album or simply talking about God, he's doing something so many of us christians aren't.  Shame on us!!!  And good on him.

Instead of flinging poo at Kanye, shouldn't we be praying for him?  Shouldn't we be excited that people are beginning to believe when they once didn't?  Shouldn't we be getting a little uncomfortable and joining Kanye in sharing what God has done in our lives with others?  Shouldn't we all just, STOP IT?

Remember, sooner or later the ass is gonna talk to all of us.  Or will you be running to Nineveh when God says go?

Easter Paradox

Easter!!!  Another chance to celebrate a holiday.  Another day many of us expect to spend with family, sharing laughs over another gluttonous spread of food.  Some will partake in the regular attendance of a worship service, while others will attend one of their mandatory two services at a random church.  Kids will hunt for baskets of gifts at home, then turn around and fill those very baskets with eggs found in a hunt at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  Yes, Easter is filled with celebration aplenty.

Today as I traveled the streets of Cheyenne, I couldn't help but think about the double standard we have set in America.  Yes, I know.   You're probably tired of hearing about a so called double standard.  All of us are bombarded by media (both right and left) pointing out a double standard in things.  But, it hit me today that Easter is a paradox of holiday standards our society has set.

Name a holiday that is considered mostly sacred where the expectation is to relax and gather as a family.  You guessed correctly.  Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Everyone is entitled to gather with family and relax on those two holidays.  We as an American culture demand the time off to relax, enjoy the time away from everything related to work and fill our stomachs to our hearts content.  If we find ourselves scheduled to work, our inclination is to raise hell to our bosses claiming an unfairness not found in other countries.  We then look for any and every other profession that gets the day off and demand equal treatment.  And if you are afforded these holidays off, you look for those professions that do open on these holidays so you can protest, complain and yell of injustices of those businesses by not being fair to their employees.  Example: go back to Thanksgiving 2015 and how appalled the masses were when they found out Target, Kohl's and WalMart were going to be open Thanksgiving evening.  Or how shocked you were to find out the movie theater was going to open Christmas evening.  Be honest with yourself, you and the masses were outraged over these outlandish events with many an hour spent yearning for yesteryear.

Well, where is the outrage today?  Why are we silent about companies being open on Easter?  Why are we not calling for unity to boycott the businesses open on Easter?  Well?  Where?  Yeah, that's what I thought.  It's not something anyone wants to spend time on.  Or is it the fact that if falls on a Sunday anyway, and most people have Sunday's off?  Maybe it's because we want to gather as a family at a buffet for Easter Brunch and if places aren't open, then how do we do that?  See the paradox now?

See, we as a society are all about convenience.  It is convenient for us to protest about something one minute, yet not lift a finger the other because if we did we'd lose some of our precious traditions.  Whats worse is that the very ones who don't complain about places being open on Easter are the ones that should be relaxing and celebrating more than most, and that those claiming to be christians celebrating the sacred holiday.

OUCH!!!  I bet I just struck a nerve with many of you.  Yeah, you the pastor, the Sunday School teacher, the board member.  You are the ones that rightfully find disdain for companies open on Thanksgiving and Christmas yet expect your favorite dining establishment be open for you after a long day at work (because Sunday is just another day of work, right).  Sure, you proclaim the triumph Christ has over sin and death, but then are disappointed when Target isn't open so you can get those Easter gifts for your kids at prices discounted enough to help make sales for the holiday.

Don't worry, I'm guilty too.  I made a quick run to the office supply store to get some things printed.  My wife ran to the neighborhood grocery store to get food for the work week.  But, here's where my thinking lies.  I didn't raise Cain about people working on Thanksgiving or Christmas.  I'm not inclined to hold one holiday in higher regard than the other.  I truly believe that these days are just the same as the next.  Sure, I enjoy the time spent relaxing and sharing a meal with family as much as the next person.  However, why should I do that on days that society tells me I should be doing it?  If I believe what is in my Bible, then shouldn't I celebrate Christ's victory over death and sin every day, holiday or not?  People in many professions don't have the option to have every holiday off, but they don't complain, and live these days just as the next - believer or not.  And, if they can do it, then so can I.  And if I can do it, then so can you.

So, explain to me again.  Why isn't anyone upset that WalMart, TacoBell and Office Depot were open today, Easter Sunday?