Free Speech

Free speech has occupied our headlines recently.  From the taking down of Confederate War Memorials to kneeling, sitting or standing during the National Anthem, most of us are forming passionate opinions concerning the issue.

I cherish the free speech we enjoy in our country for that guarantees a right I hold dearly, the freedom of religion contained in the First Amendment.  Since free speech in one of the values of our country, the question becomes, what should constitute free speech? 

Let’s address it through the NFL National Anthem controversy.  Most of us are aware the controversy began last year when quarterback Colin Kaepernick decided to kneel during the National Anthem in protest of the racial injustice we are experiencing as a country.  Last Sunday, in response to our President’s speech condemning the kneeling, many NFL teams either did not observe the Anthem or many like the Denver Broncos had 32 players kneel instead of stand during the Anthem.  Whatever you are feeling concerning the issue, the First Amendment guarantees free speech. 

One player on the Pittsburgh Steelers chose to be the only player on his team to stand during the observance of the National Anthem.  He is offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva who was a West Point graduate and served as a Captain in Afghanistan during three deployments with the US Army Rangers.  In 2016 when Kaepernick first kneeled, Villanueva told ESPN: “I don’t know if the most effective way is to sit down during the national anthem with a country that’s providing you freedom, providing you $16 million a year...when there are black minorities that are dying in Iraq and Afghanistan for less than $20,000 a year."  He has a needed perspective. Yesterday he regretted what appeared to be throwing his Steeler teammates under the bus since as a team they decided not to observe the Anthem.  His teammates still commended him for taking a stand.  Free speech should guarantee both approaches. 

For the Christian however, there is a Bible verse that leads Christians to a higher standard. Eph. 4:29 tells us, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (New International Version) Since communication is 40% non-verbal which includes body language, Christians need to be using wholesome speech, verbal and nonverbal, that builds up others.  Unfortunately, I do not see much of that in this controversy.  And I would include Presidential tweets in this category, so maybe one of President Trump’s advisors needs to read Eph. 4:29 to him.  By the way, the big idea of the entire chapter of Ephesians 4 is unity.

In an interesting online article my daughter-in-law sent me from the 9/24/17 Washington Post entitled “Colin Kaepernick vs. Tim Tebow: A tale of two Christians on their knees,” Michael Frost the author wrote, “It seems to me that Tim Tebow and Colin Kaepernick represent the two very different forms that American Christianity has come to. . . . One version is kneeling in private prayer. The other is kneeling in public protest.  One is concerned with private sins like abortion. The other is concerned with public sins like racial discrimination. One preaches a gospel of personal salvation. The other preaches a gospel of political and social transformation.” That struggle has been around for over 100 years. At the beginning of the 20^th century, there was a great divide between modernists who espoused a social gospel and fundamentalists who believed in a personal salvation gospel.  Fortunately, many Christian churches and organizations have been able to balance both perspectives since I believe the gospel, the good news, is about both.  The Bible tells all people are sinners in need of a Savior. That Savior is Jesus, God’s son and the sinless man who died on the cross to save us from our sin.  That is the good news of salvation.  Anyone who believes in this gospel is saved from their sins.  Yet Jesus came to preach a gospel of the kingdom.  Jesus is the king of the kingdom and since he is the king, we must surrender to his values and sovereignty.  This is not a geographical kingdom, however, for it is the realm of the human heart. Every Christian and every church belongs to his kingdom as they recognize Jesus as not only the Savior and Lord but also the King.  Thus, society should be transformed as well by Christians endeavoring to bring this kingdom to this earth.  We can thank Christian institutions for advances in medicine, science, homelessness, overcoming addictions, and education to name just a few.  So in comparing the two types of Christianity, as seen in Kaepernick and Tebow, my contention is we need to be consistent in what we believe. Our behavior and beliefs must be in alignment.  As I have observed Tim Tebow throughout the years, he has been consistent in the expression of his faith. Unfortunately, as of this writing, I cannot say the same for Kaepernick because I have not followed him.  I will say that when I saw his arms festooned with tattooed Bible verses a few years ago I texted my son, “How cool is that!” 

This controversy will not go away and it provides Christians with an opportunity to respond with kindness and try to build up other people.  For me and my house, we will still stand and sing the National Anthem in respect wherever it is played as I remember the hard fought and ultimate sacrifice many made in 1776 and since then to guarantee our freedom of speech and the other freedoms we have cherished in this country for 241 years.  

This article will appear in the 9-30-17 edition of the Montrose Daily Press

Inspiration

This is a follow-up to last week’s blog post.  I believe we all need inspiration.  I define inspiration as anything beyond oneself that causes wonder and awe.  I find inspiration in many places.  For example in watching the TV show The Voice more than once I have been moved to tears by the contestants’ superb performances.  Occasionally I’ll attend a youth gymnastics event.  As I see the kids from my church give a wholehearted effort, it lifts my spirit.  One of the most moving experiences I have is observing nature, hence the name of this blog Creation Musings.  Three weeks ago my wife, Mary, and I enjoyed a hike over West Marron Pass in West-central Colorado near Aspen.  So last week we took two close friends so they could enjoy the hike up the pass a couple of miles and observe the abundant wildflowers adorning the landscape.  There were even more than three weeks ago.  No photograph or painting does justice to God’s creativity in the wilderness.  As you can see from the picture, and last week’s post, there were several varieties including Colorado Columbine, larkspur, lupine, four colors of Indian paintbrush, monks hood, purple daisies, kings crown, alpine sunflowers and even sneeze weed (the yellow drooping flower).  And of course there were many other flowers we could not identify.  Alas that will, once again, be our experience next spring for we will have forgotten most of what we learned this year and will have to relearn them next year.  I guess that means we are getting older, another part of God’s creative design.  Rather than just looking at pictures of God’s creation, therefore, get out and enjoy first-hand the beauty God has made and you will be inspired.  Inspiration will give you a renewed perspective, it will help you think more clearly, it will make you grateful for the beautiful world in which we live and you will further your appreciation for God who has given us all this to enjoy. 

Explosion of Wildflowers

Last week, my wife Mary and I went on our 35th anniversary hike.  Actually our anniversary is not until August but we wanted to take advantage of the peak of the wildflower season between Crested Butte and Aspen, Colorado.  We drove to Schofield Park and started hiking the scenic West Maroon Creek trail. It went over 12,500 foot West Maroon Mass to the Maroon Lake trailhead 11 miles later.  Two days later we did the return hike on the same trail, 22 miles and 11,000 vertical feet.  It was an awesome experience.  We saw shoulder high Colorado Columbine, Indian Paintbrush in four colors, Kings Crown, Blue Bells, Queen Anne's Lace, Purple Daisies, Richardson Geranium, Asters, Elephant Heads and a whole host of other wildflowers that we could not identify.  Plus the backdrop was the spectacular and iconic Maroon Bells and Pyramid Peak to the north and Purity Basin and Bellevue Mountain to the south of the pass.  We met new friends Mike and Sandy on the way over and coming back we made other friends Greg and Rio.  For me it was three days of sensory indulgence in the Maroon Bells Wilderness. We both felt so refreshed after the hike.   God's creation does that. It refreshes and renews encouraging us to better serve him and others.  Plus it gives us a healthy perspective - that sense of smallness surrounded by the huge world of his creativity. Are you losing your zest for life?  Take a hike and have God's beautiful creation, his explosion of wildflowers, refresh and inspire you. 

The sky is falling?

You would think so if you have been reading the news recently.  Escalating racial tensions in Ferguson, Missouri concerning the tragic killing of teenager Michael Brown by Ferguson police portends to develop into one of the most divisive racial issues of 2014.  In northern Iraq hundreds Christians and a small group of Yazidis have been systematically exterminated by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group because they will not convert to Islam.  It is one of the worst humanitarian crises in 20 years.  In Western Africa, specifically Liberia, over 1200 people have contracted the deadly Ebola virus causing fear the world over that it might spread into a pandemic.  I’ve heard fearful people callously say to close the borders and deny the infected medical care to keep it in Africa.  In my home town one of the most effective ministries serving the homeless community has had their rent increase by $1200 per month threatening to shutter their doors.  The rent increase ironically is by the county housing authority.  In each of the above it seems needy humans are being marginalized.  So what can we do? The first is to pray for each of the situations and ones like them because all involved are image bearers of God.  As the foremost part of God’s creation, every human being is of inestimable worth in God’s eyes and is thus sacred and valuable to Him.  Next we need to tell others how much God loves them and can be trusted during difficult times.  Use a personal experience to add credibility to what you claim.  Third we can ask God to change our hearts and make us more compassionate toward those who are in difficulty.  When we spend time with the less fortunate, it is amazing how real they become and we no longer look on them impersonally or dispassionately as someone else’s problem.  The three suggestions will reorient our focus upward helping us to see that God is in control and nothing takes him by surprise.  Then the sky will not be falling but God’s grace will shower us with perspective and blessing in every tragedy we experience or see.  So today exercise faith in a mighty God who understands and will graciously carry out his will in each of these tragic situations. 

Uganda the Pearl of Africa

I recently had the privilege of traveling to Uganda for the third time.  The country is absolutely stunning with teeming rivers, diverse forests and unique wildlife.  Yet Uganda’s greatest resource is its humble and gentle people.  Their smiles brighten even the darkest of days and their hearts are warm and inviting.  I took a team of 15 to help with Hines Ugandan Ministries that serve over 200 orphaned children and house them in homes of extended family.  Personally it was a highlight for me to meet Mary, the young lady my wife and I have supported for over 10 years.   The picture shows me with Mary after we had lunch together.  The most fulfilling experience for me was to see our group of 15 gently and boldly share their faith as they visited homes in the village of Kamonkoli.  God used the fifteen to lead over 40 to a personal relationship with him through faith in Jesus Christ and his sacrificial death for them on the cross.  It was encouraging to see so many accept his death and penalty for their sin. Like us they could never pay the penalty.  God created us to love and serve him forever, but because of sin, that goal has been frustrated ever since humanity’s fall in the Garden of Eden.  That is why we need Jesus.  I’m so pleased that once again God took me to a delightful place to draw me closer to himself as I witnessed others being drawn by the good news Jesus dying on the cross to save them from the penalty of sin.  To God be the glory!