Sunday Shorts: Am I Listening?

Mark 9:7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” (NIV)

As Thomas Paine once wrote, ‘These are the times that try men’s souls.’ I’ve never lived in such a disruptive time as we are now experiencing. We’re in an age where we have fantastic technology, as well as a vast amount of information, and yet we’re bombarded with fake news, harmful lies, and conspiracy theories that only serve to create more chaos, more anxiety, and more disturbances all over the world. 

I’ve seen good friends being duped by powerful liars and Christian folks being led into idolatry. I’ve watched thousands of people physically and violently attack our government buildings and seen racists rise to power using fear and intimidation to threaten our society’s stability. I’ve witnessed good people retreat into silence and surrender to despair because of outspoken bullies whose diabolical agenda will ruin and destroy the great freedoms of our nation. If ever there was a time when we really needed the fortitude, frankness, and faith of our Founding Fathers and Mothers, then that time is surely now. 

As I read today’s lectionary gospel passage, it struck me that the only command that God gives to others about His Son Jesus is to listen to Him. Even after all of this time, it’s still pertinent and essential in our society to be reading, hearing, as well as applying what Jesus has to say. There are those who peddle His words in order to gain more power, forgetting that this was the last thing He set out to accomplish. There are those who approve and consent to bullying and intolerance, forgetting that those things were not part of Christ’s ministry or mission. Those who condone bullies are the worst kind of cowards and are far from the Christianity that Christ personally expressed. They’re not just defying God’s command; they’re actually ignoring Jesus and are doomed into following devils in saviors’ clothing. 

If we truly want to make America great again – in fact, if we truly want to make the world a better place, then we need to listen to Jesus first and foremost. And if the messages and manner of powerful people conflict with the manner and message of Christ, we should stop listening to and supporting them – we should only hear and apply what Christ has to say in order to truly follow Him.

Point to ponder: Am I listening to Jesus or just hearing what I want others to say?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we only have ourselves to blame for the leaders we choose, especially if we see them being hateful and spiteful, intolerant and belittling others. You know what lies we embrace and how we justify supporting those who are false. Liberate us from our political addiction and save us from ourselves. In Your Holy Name, help us listen and pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a retired Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Walk in Love - 2 John 1:6

2 John 1:6        And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. (NIV)

            Like most people, I’ll be glad when this Presidential Election is well and truly over. It seems to have brought out the worst in most of us and, unfortunately, has not been a good civil exercise in community building. I’m as guilty as anyone else, so quite recently I stopped making political comments on Facebook and other places in order to maintain both my sanity and friendships with other folks. It is my fervent hope and prayer that after this is all over, we can live and work together as free people, who love their liberties and cherish their relationships.

            Looking at today’s highlighted verse, it seems to me that as Christians, we have a greater responsibility to walk in love and grow that peace. If we get too caught up in party politics and partisan divisiveness then we’ve forgotten the higher road, as well as the greater standard, that we are supposed to follow. In the Christian Church, loving one another is not just a personal elective or individual choice; it’s a command that came straight from Christ’s lips to those who would be His followers and disciples.

            So perhaps the best way to walk in Christ’s love is to begin it today and not to wait for the Election to end. If we treat each other respectfully, faithfully, and lovingly, then we won’t get caught up in the frantic turmoil that usually occurs in the last days before voting ends.

Questions for personal reflection

How has my witness as a Christian been displayed during this campaign? Am I willing to follow Christ’s command to love one another, especially those who support a different candidate?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we pray for our nation like never before. We confess to being polarized by politics and characterized by our candidates. Help us to take a higher path and walk throughout this time in Your love, in order to display Your grace and peace. In Your Holy Name, we humbly confess and sincerely pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to ask questions or make comments about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is this week’s bulletin cover art for the Church, based on a timely Bible verse from 2 Thessalonians. If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Bulletin.

Christian Devotions: Difficult Times - 2 Timothy 3:1-2

2 Timothy 3:1-2          ‘But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy…’ (NIV)

            At the end of May in 1934, a group of Lutheran, Reformed, and United church pastors in the town of Barmen, Germany, gathered together to write a declaration against the prevailing ecclesiastical and political culture that was eroding the Christian Church and the German nation. They bravely spoke out against an increase in fascism which was the outcome of years of decadence and economic disparity. The Church, which should have been neutral in order to confront any form of evil, had sold its soul to the emerging Nazi party. The frenzy of nationalism that Hitler successfully manipulated and stoked, penetrated and influenced the congregations of Germany. A disastrous syncretism took place where the Evangelical Church became the sycophantic mouthpiece of an evil which would tragically bring about a Second World War. The pastors in Barmen totally understood what was going on in their country, so they prophetically spoke out against their own church, in a brave effort to make their people understand that Fascism and Faith were not compatible in any shape or form.

            Their courageous declaration cost many of them their pastoral positions and lives. Some were hounded out of their towns; others were arrested by the Gestapo; some were imprisoned, tortured, and eventually executed. Despite this persecution, they continued to speak out against the Church allying itself to Nazism. At the end of the war, those who survived were recognized for their persistence in presenting the truth, and for upholding the faith in a difficult and devastating time for German Christians.

            Since then, different denominations throughout the world have adopted the Barmen Declaration into their approved list of historic Confessional creeds. They have done this to honor those Christian pastors and people who stood against fascism. The Declaration is also respected as a living document to remind Christians everywhere that aligning our faith with an unfettered nationalism can have disastrous consequences for the church, for the nation, and possibly even the entire world. In difficult times, the Church has to make difficult choices, but all of those decisions need to be based upon the character, teaching, and ministry of Jesus Christ, otherwise, as a people and religious institution we can be easily led astray by charming demagogues and charismatic dictators.

           

Questions for personal reflection

How is my faith affected by current circumstances? In difficult times, where do I find God’s truth?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we pray for the gift of discernment to enable us to see these times for what they are and to make the right choices in our lives. Thank You for the courage of those Christians in the past and present, who have maintained their allegiance to You, in order to keep us true to our faith in You. In Your Holy Name, we earnestly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to ask questions or make comments about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is taken from the PCUSA’s Book of Confessions. It is a church banner commemorating the Barmen Declaration. The Nazi Swastika is crossed out and the Christian Cross is rising above the flames of persecution. It is symbolic of rising against tyranny, as well as overcoming unjust persecution and war. If you would like to see more of the PCUSA’s confessional banners, please visit this link: PCUSA Banners.

4 Minute Devotions: Obama's Election

The election of Barack Obama has brought about a new wave of hope across the world; but are we in danger of idolizing him and replacing God?

Podcast version here

Isaiah 49:8 This is what the LORD says:” In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances,

I’ve had some really nice emails from friends in Scotland, expressing their thankfulness about the election and their hopes for a better world. After Barack Obama’s historic win, the world seems to have regained a lot of hope. It appears to be a time of renewal and unity, instead of fear and apprehension.

It is a wonderful time and for black people across the world, who have been treated inhumanely for centuries, it must be an amazing time. To have a black man lead the most powerful nation on earth will bring hope to millions of Africans around the globe. People in the streets Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania were celebrating this historic victory, just as much as the African-Americans in Harlem, Chicago, and Atlanta.

But will Obama save the world? That’s a tough question and perhaps it’s unfair to set such a colossal responsibility upon his shoulders. He has new ideas about peace and prosperity; he has a charisma that is attractive and inspiring; he has the opportunity to restore our land and make up for the deficiencies of the last eight years, but will it be enough to change things for the good, or will his Presidency just become another pile of political promises that are destined to be unfulfilled or broken?

None of us know, but at least there is a new opportunity ahead of us. The President-elect does not need our adulation; he needs our prayers. Tragically, there are still people in our land who hate the idea of a black President. Barack Obama needs our prayers each day for God to protect him.

No matter what happens during Obama’s presidency, we need to remember that only God can truly save His people. Barack Obama will be the most powerful man on earth after his inauguration, but he is also just a vessel and just a servant of God’s purposes. If we ever replace our adoration of God for the adulation of our world leaders, we will be guilty of idolizing that which is only temporal; or as the writer of Psalm 146 so eloquently puts it:
Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save. (Psalm 146 v 3) NIV

Prayer: Lord God, we thank You for these wonderful times and for the election of Barack Obama. We pray that You will protect him and his family. We ask that You will sustain his Presidency. Keep us mindful that he is just a man. Enable him to shoulder the responsibilities of our great nation through You mercy and grace. This is Your world, O Lord, and we are all Your children. In Your Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

4 Minute Devotions: Constitutional Crossroads

Today is one of the most important days in the history of our nation. May God bless America and our next President, whoever he turns out to be.

Podcast version here

Jeremiah 6:16 This is what the LORD says:” Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.

This is the most amazing election I have ever experienced. I think the nearest election in comparison was Tony Blair’s win way back in Britain in the 1990’s. By that time, our family had crossed the Atlantic, but our relatives were really buzzing about the changes that were coming. After five elections and sixteen years of Tory rule, the people in Britain were crying out for change.

I don’t what will happen today, but this I do know. America is a winner. When so many people are fired up about voting, it means that the people are actually taking power back into their hands. Far too often, we take our freedoms for granted. But this year, things are wonderfully different, and I feel that God is truly blessing America at this moment in her history.

Whatever the outcome, the next President will really need our prayers. The economy is in a mess and its affecting all of our lives. We’ll be looking for strong leadership from our President and he will probably have to make some unpopular decisions in order to get us back on the right course. That’s when our daily prayers will become crucial. We want our President to be guided by God and protected by His Spirit. I’m going to try to pray for him each morning and night.

Let’s hope that together, we find the good way for our country and that we all walk in it. We are all weary of broken promises and governmental inefficiency. We don’t need anymore political filibusters or failed policies. We need our politicians to act, represent and carry out good government for all of our people. That way God will bless America and enable us to help the rest of the world.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, these are crucial times and we thank You for the beautiful and dutiful responsibilities that our citizens are fulfilling today. May the outcome of this election lead us to a brighter and better future, not only for the USA, but for the entire planet. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

Church in a State

I am very disappointed and greatly concerned over some Christians who are letting their fears and anxieties about next week’s election extinguish their rationality and diminish their faith. The demonizing of the candidates on both sides has revealed the ugliness of prejudice and the great amount of ignorance that still persists in the hearts and minds of our people. I am ashamed that Christian people, who should know better, are allowing the devil to prey on their fears and overturn their faith so quickly.

Romans 13:6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing.

I’ve read some alarming emails and blogs from Christians on both sides of the political realm, who are absolutely hostile to the other camp. Their hatred is spewed out venomously and in doing so, they actually deny their faith. Isn’t Jesus who said love your enemies? Wasn’t it Paul who wrote that the authorities are God’s servants?

Perhaps the day after the election, on November 5, we should all get down on our knees and ask God to forgive us for being so spiteful, unrelenting, and unchristian. We represent Christ all of the time, if we call ourselves Christians, so when we diabolically demonize our opponents, we are not only guilty of slanderous gossip and character assassination, we are letting ourselves becomes the pawns of Satan. That’s something that we should never allow to happen, no matter how passionate we feel about our politics.

It will be part of my Christian duty to pray each day for the new President, whether or not I voted for him. As a Presbyterian, I firmly believe in predestination, so whoever the people choose, God has already decided that person will lead our nation. And no matter what policies the next President tries to push through or accomplish, my duty is still the same: I will pray for him as God’s chosen servant. I may disagree with politics and politicians, but I try never to disagree with God’s choices.

Perhaps this devotional has angered you. Maybe you feel as if you’ve been rebuked. If so, then look into your heart and ask yourself this question: have I allowed my political passion to override my faith?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, sometimes You must despair about how Your Church expresses its political views. Remind us that we are called to be peacemakers and servants, encouragers and disciples, citizens of heaven, as well as earth. Keep us from being hateful, proud, and alarmist. Remind us that God is always in control. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

4 Minute Devotions: Creeds and Cartoons

CNN are showcasing my political cartoons this weekend - why can't we stop demonizing each other during this campaigning crazy season?

Podcast version here

1 Peter 3: 8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

As we head into the last month of political campaigning, we get into the silly season of the whole election. This is the time when each side demonizes the other and voters are left wondering who to support because all the candidates are imperfect. Most of the population buys into partisan politics and this creates an almighty social divide, never mind a political one.

After the last presidential election, I wondered how I could survive the insanity of this next one. We campaign so long in America that it appears to be a way of life over here. There is no rest from political campaigns; there is no escape from lobbyists, pollsters, and polls.

Last year, I decided to start drawing simple cartoons about the election. It started off as therapy for me, late at night – my wife Evelyn will tell you that I suffer from acute insomnia. I also used it as a political barometer, so that I wouldn’t get too serious about the process. I lampooned the politicians on both sides and quickly discovered that they all make gaffes, which can be turned into humorous drawings. I set up a cartoon blog called “Pushing the Envelope,” which now gets about 200 hits a day from all over the world.

My cartoons are going to be showcased on CNN this weekend as part of their CNN international programs. What began as a joke for me, has turned out to be an interesting story for CNN. I guess it’s the whole Presbyterian pastor and partisan politics thing: I’m cutting through the wall of Separation between Church and State.

I wish that we could all live according to Peter’s creed, especially during the political crazy season. Harmony, sympathy, compassion, and humility would be so refreshing to see, instead of the usual dirty, demonizing campaigning that will blast over our TV sets and radios in the coming weeks. When I think about it, I wish that our churches would also adhere to that creed. Think of how much more healthy our denominations would be, if we would seek harmony in the midst of our conflicts; show sympathy to our ‘opponents;’ share compassion in times of schism; and act humbly when we theologically disagree.

One day, I would love to draw a cartoon, depicting the diversity of the whole church, with Christ at the center celebrating Communion. I might even add a few politicians to the crowd!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, as we head towards that momentous time of choosing a leader for this nation, we pray Your blessing upon our people. In the midst of our differences keep us free from division. After the time of our voting, keep us free from conflict. Bless whoever is chosen to lead us with wisdom, discernment, and strength for the unknown days, times, and events that lie before us. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

PS CNN will be showcasing my cartoons at the following times this weekend:

SATURDAY 7:30A EASTERN (11:30A GMT)
SUNDAY 2P EASTERN (6P GMT)
MONDAY 9A EASTERN (1P GMT)
MONDAY 1:30P EASTERN (5:30P GMT)

After Saturday, the program will also be available on the internet at http://cnn.com/ireportforcnn

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org