What about the human race?

I was sitting in my car at a traffic stop the other day when a neatly dressed young woman came toward me soliciting donations for her cause. I make it a point to listen even if I decide not to donate. So when she approached me, I smiled as she said: "Would you like to make a donation to save stray dogs and cats? Any spare change would be appreciated." I responded without a moment's hesitation, "I'm more concerned about saving lost humans." Looking puzzled for a minute, she asked. "Really. What do you do?" "I'm a Christian. Do you attend a church?" I asked. "Yes, I do." she answered proudly. "Wonderful, then you should know all about saving humans." Our conversation ended there as the traffic light had turned green.

The next day, I was on my way to dinner with a friend when an older woman, dressed in a 60's throwback floral patterned skirt with matching top, approached us on the street. As we made eye contact, the woman thrust some literature in both our hands and began to lecture us about the cruel and inhuman treatment of chickens. Thrusting the sheets of paper back in her hand, I explained that my friend and I were heading to dinner, and really didn't want to spoil our appetites. Having said that, we started quickly walking away. Well, this really seemed to set her off so much that she chased after us shouting more chicken atrocities. My friend and I retreated into the safety of the restaurant. We found a quiet table and turned our attention to the menu placed before us. When the waitress came back for our order, we both ordered the chicken.

There are so many causes being promoted nowadays that clamor for our attention and support. But when I think about the human condition in the world today, I am burdened by the fact that concern for human life seems to be at an all-time low. Witness senseless killings in Niger, ethnic cleansing in places like Myanmar, ISIS backed fighters killing innocents, crazed dictators brandishing their nuclear weapons, racially motivated killings in the U.S., wars with no end in sight— women, children, the elderly being sacrificed, and for what? Where is the campaign to save the human race?

Humans need saving more than cats, dogs, chickens, tigers, whales, elephants, prairie dogs, kangaroos, rhinos, and the other 241 million species listed under a "save the" search on the Internet. I know of only one person who campaigned specifically to save human life—in fact it was His life's work—and that was Jesus. Many don't want to give Him credit, but the fact is His gospel of salvation has saved lives by the millions the world over, and is still doing it today. Jesus Christ came into the world to save humankind, not animals or ecosystems. Look around you. I bet you know at least one person—perhaps two or three— who need saving from something, The Good News is that there is something you, and they, can do about it. It's not about joining a religion; it's about having a relationship with the only one who came to save the human race. Questions are expected and welcomed. Find answers at peacewithgod.net Can your journey toward peace be any closer?

Halloween: How should Christians respond

"Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good." Romans 12:21 NLT

Halloween is big business in the U.S. According to the National Retail Federation, "Halloween is the second-largest commercial holiday, with Christmas being the first." Halloween spending in the U.S. alone reached $9 billion 2018. Halloween is too big to ignore, and almost impossible to boycott. And it's not going to go away as long as commercial business continues to reap huge profits from sales during its observance. Halloween is celebrated in many other countries around the world.

Most people who celebrate Halloween, have no idea about its pagan roots; or for that matter, its Christian connection. To those who celebrate it, Halloween simply represents a fun time for kids as well as grown ups. There is certainly a counter-culture somewhere that worships the darker side of Halloween. But generally speaking, those folks are not the ones who come knocking at your door asking for treats.

Halloween is a divisive topic for Christians resulting in spirited debates over Halloween's flirtation with evil, and whether Christ followers ought to partake in this holiday. A Gallup Poll survey found that Christians are divided over religious objections to Halloween. Asan alternative, some Christian groups compromise by hosting counter celebrations that capture the fun but not the spirit of the holiday. Some just avoid any observance whatsoever preferring to wall themselves up behind closed doors when the kids come knocking. But what purpose does it serve for Christians to isolate and cut themselves off from a potential opportunity to witness to a ready pool of potential converts?

The biggest trick played on Halloween is Christian kids and adults being bottled up inside churches or homes all night. That’s right! Hiding from the devil in the family life center and surrendering the neighborhood to little Ghouls, goblins, and witches is a victory for old Beelzebub. He’s got the church right where he wants it: inside the four walls, hunkered down behind the stained glass. ---Andy Freeman, The Enemy's Victory

There's a better way. While Halloween in no way deserves the same stature as Christmas and Easter, it does provide opportunities that are unique to this holiday. For example, Halloween gives Christians an opportunity to engage with non-Christians—literally, right on their doorstep. But if some Christians can't see beyond the costumed ghosts, goblins and witches that show up, they will likely miss an opportunity to shine "light" into the dark world of Halloween.

Are some Christians trying to remove themselves from the world? Ignoring Halloween or celebrating it with believers only is not exactly an evangelical approach. Aren't we supposed to "become all things to all men so that by all possible means" we might save some? (1 Corinthians 9:22) Halloween brings our neighbors out into the streets. I can think of various creative ways to seize this opportunity for developing new relationships and sharing my faith. —Mary Fairchild, Christians and Halloween

Perhaps it's time the Christian community develop a more evangelistic strategy toward Halloween that goes beyond avoidance and isolation to focusing on sharing the gospel . Think of it as overcoming evil with good like Jesus did.

Christians should use Halloween and all that it brings to the imagination--death imagery, superstition, expressions of debauched revelry--as an opportunity to engage the unbelieving world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. —Travis Allen, Grace to You

It may mean keeping your door open for Trick or Treaters. And as you hand out candy, put a gospel tract or card in their bag. In other words, re-purpose Halloween by transforming it into an opportunity to let your light shine even brighter for Jesus. Jesus never ran from evil. Instead, he confronted it head-on exposing it for what it was.

 God commands his people to put on the shoes of the gospel of peace daily. Christians are to have evangelism on their minds every day and  look for those opportunities to witness Jesus Christ to a dark world.—Leftbehind.com

In the past, Halloween was mostly about costumes and candy. Today, it's still largely about that, but it can also be about reaching  neighbors who may never have another chance to hear the gospel.

(Updated 10/2019) 

Jesus and The Electric Slide

"To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings."  Apostle Paul, 1 Corinthians 9:22-23


If Jesus were still alive today, do you think he would do the Electric Slide if it meant saving another soul?  From what I've read about Jesus, I think he would and here's why. First of all, Jesus was very relational. He cared more about people than he did tradition. In fact, he often broke with the traditions of the religious leaders of his day to reach out those persons he wanted to heal and set free. Sinners were not welcome in the religious institutions of that day. They were often found outside the temple gate begging for alms. 

But Jesus changed all that by taking the Gospel to them. Jesus earned "street cred" by eating with sinners and associating with men and women whose reputations were considered unwholesome. In fact, Jesus made his reputation by doing some of his best known miracles among social outcasts, namely lepers, cripples, thieves and demon-possessed. I believe if the Electric Slide had been around in Jesus' day, he would have found a way to re-purpose it and use it to attract people to the Gospel. 1 Samuel 16:7 says that " the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 

Those who criticize others for dancing in church are looking on the outward appearance. They lack the spiritual discernment to see beyond the physical realm. Dancing in church is not an evil as long as the purpose is to glorify God. 2 Samuel 6:14 says King David, a man after God's heart, "danced before the Lord with all his might." And as David danced, God was looking at his heart, and was so pleased by David's worship that he made mention of it in the Bible. If the Bible were still being written today, I wonder how many Sunday church services would be worthy of mention? 

Jesus set the example for the Church. To be relevant today, the Church must relate to where people are --- spiritually as well as physically. Jesus did not sit in the temple and wait for sinners to come to him; he went after them, often undertaking exhaustive, cross country trips in the process. Some religious folk have a hard time with this concept because they think there's something sacred about stained glass windows and polished pews. Far from it. All that it means is that the world can't see in and the Church can't see out. Far too many "Church folk" are reluctant to leave their pew to "Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them [sinners] to come in, that my [God's] house may be filled" Luke 14:22-24.

What would happen if the Church broke with tradition every now and again, and fired up a bar-be-cue pit on the back lot, blasted some uptempo praise tunes from the church speakers and just had a good ole time in the Lord? I say, turn up the volume and let's dance. Who knows, it just might shake up the neighborhood and attract some lost soul passing by to Christ.