on Charlottesville 2017

It's 2017 and I find it hard to believe that we're still battling with neo-Nazis and white supremacists. How is it possible that the vitriol and tired rhetoric of a rather unintelligent group of extremists seems to have captured our attention again?

Take last weekend's hatred and bigotry on display in Charlottesville. Their stated intent was/is to undermine the fabric of civil society through the use of ignorance, fear, and violence. Front and center were small clans of extremists from throughout the country who are loaded down with anger and hatred. It's time to start calling it what it is: racially motivated domestic terrorism.

I wish we could do a control-alt-delete and wipe them from our collective memory banks. Sadly, it's not that easy. 

How are Christians to respond? First, make no excuses or political justification for the evil that was on display. Jesus tells us to "love our neighbor" without restriction. Why is that hard to understand? 

Secondly, we should heed Paul's advice in Romans 12:21 when he writes: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." 

Third, come to the Table. I'm serious. The Lord's Table is a potent reminder/symbol of how inescapably we are bound to Christ and to each other, no matter how many other differences we embody. There is no room for prejudice or racism or hatred at the Lord's Table, only a common movement to hold out empty hands and say, "We are nothing, O Lord, without you." 

The world desperately needs us (you and me) to bear witness to God's love, grace, justice, and mercy. We need not stand idly by, but give rise to Martin Luther King's cry to turn our "thin words into thick action." 

Without our determined response, friends, we'll see more of the same. Let's do our best to put an end to this nonsense by bearing Christ's light in this darkened world. Who's with me? 

Lake Lure

Last Sunday after church we sprinted to Lake Lure, to a little cabin my parents built years ago -- a favorite place for respite and regrouping. 

One thing I love most about Lake Lure is the absence of TV and internet. Sure, we all glanced at our phones/email/texts/social media every now and then, but for the most part we don't have access ...... which opens the door to things like books, old movies, and, gasp, conversation. 

Since Carter and Matt were gone for the summer and would be returning to college this weekend, we knew that this was the only chance we'd have to all be together. It was great to reconnect and hear all the stories of summers well-spent. Before we knew it, moments had turned to hours and the afternoon had become the evening. We certainly didn't tell all the stories there were to tell, but we heard lots of highlights ... and lots of funny tales. 

I joked that by the end of that first night, my rear end had left a permanent imprint on the outdoor couch. (Sorry about that, mom!) But I can't think of a better way to unwind and reconnect with the most important things in life. 

A blessed gift from God was the gift of rest. When he invited us into the joy of work, it's interesting that he does so on the 8th day of creation, AFTER we are fully rested (the 7th day). We work from our rest, not the other way around. 

I hope this summer has afforded you the opportunity to rest, regroup, reflect and enjoy time with those you love. Know that God has enjoyed that time with you, fully present in your presence with one another. 

See you around the neighborhood, my friends :)