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July 12, 2005 ISSUE |
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Opening Thoughts:
The shape of God, if we can consider such a thing, seems
to be in the form of relationship. The Godhead that Christians
believe in is a perfect unity of three persons in one.
This trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit models for
us the importance of respect for each other, dignity of
the individual and the humility to be completely honest
and loving with one another. Nowhere does this seem more
important than in family relationships.
My wife and I are about to celebrate our twentieth wedding
anniversary. Like all couples we have to work at our relationship.
It can be very easy to take each other for granted. Sometimes
I find I don’t give as much love and respect with
my wife. It drives me nuts to see other couples be petty
and snippy, yet how often do I look at my own behavior?
Family is the microcosm of our communities at large. When I practice the virtues that
Christ teaches with my wife and my children then I am more
likely to live that way in relationship to others. I really
am grateful that God shows us the way in this.
Peace and joy,
Tom Gilbert
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IN THIS ISSUE
Feature Article: God’s Politics
In The Spotlight: New Christian Music
Daily Thoughts: Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Prayer & Sharing Requests
Quotable: The Poverty of Attention |
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| FEATURED
ARTICLE |
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God’s
Politics: Why the Right Gets it Wrong and the Left
Doesn’t Get It
Author – Jim Wallis
Publisher – Harper San Francisco
Review – Tom Gilbert
“God is not a Republican or
a Democrat.” This is a statement that has become
a rallying cry for many Christians in the past year.
The United States has experienced a lot of contention
over religion and politics (the two topics we are supposed
to avoid in so-called polite conversation). In “God’s
Politics” the author, Jim Wallis, boldly calls
for a new way to approach political matters and flatly
states that there is a moral responsibility for the Christian
believer – in fact, any person of faith – to
look closely at the messages God has sent us, through
the Gospels and from people’s hearts.
The mistake too many of us make is to assume that God is only on the side of
those who hold righteous beliefs. We interpret the meaning of those beliefs all
too often with our narrow human understanding. The religious right has the reputation
for upholding family values. The left is often viewed as more compassionate towards
the poor and minorities. However, both sides are flawed when it comes to a comprehensive
approach to life. If we raise the question “what would Jesus do?” we
have to be honest before finding an answer. Where in the teaching of the Sermon
on the Mount (chapter 5 of the Gospel of Matthew) does it say it’s ok to
have an inconsistent approach to being peaceful, loving, considerate, pure and
willing to be persecuted for staying true to this way of life?
When one is actively involved in the political process the problems of power,
prestige and property can seduce you into pushing for those agendas that fit
your belief structure. The danger is forgetting that God cares for everyone,
and if we are to take the Gospels seriously, He especially cares for those who
live in the margins of society. The poor, the oppressed and minorities of race
and creed frequently get the short end when it comes to attention, much less
funding.
Unlike other books with similar themes, Wallis is calling for a compassionate
and responsible way to approach the dilemma. According to him it doesn’t
so much matter what your political affiliation is. Any person of character and
faith should be able to spot wrongs and power abuse. It takes everyone to build
a community and diverse opinions and philosophies must be allowed. Stating that
your position is God’s position can be a dangerously arrogant one if you
don’t take God’s entire message of love, mercy and forgiveness and
factor it into the equation.
In God’s Politics: Why the Right Gets it Wrong and the Left Doesn’t
Get It, Jim Wallis lays out the problems as he sees them. More importantly, he
suggests some viable solutions. Even more important, he encourage us and our
society and political leaders to honestly work together to find solutions that
are not readily apparent.
Throughout the book the Gospel message is the standard we are called to measure
our actions by. I agree with Wallis that we cannot pick and choose only those
things Jesus preached that fit with our agendas. Indeed, when did Jesus become
pro-war, pro-rich or a selective moralist? These are sections of the book that
address whether our spiritual values are truly being lived.
America does need a new vision for faith and politics. This book is an
important read for anyone who agrees with that. It is not condescending or condemning,
but it doesn’t shy away from hard facts and straight talk. In that sense
it is consistent with the prophetic voices from the Bible who were rarely popular
in their criticism but spoke with the authority of a God that is personal, but
never private.
Read more reviews here.
Discover more thought provoking articles
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| IN THE SPOTLIGHT |
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New Christian Music
Living the Solution has a great selection of Christian music on sale. New releases
and all time favorites.
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See more at our Spotlight Specials page
Our Living the Solution online store
has resources to help you grow spiritually. It’s
secure, extensive with many great gift ideas!
Visit our
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There is something for everyone. When you shop with us,
you support our ministry – thank you!
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DAILY THOUGHTS & REFLECTIONS |
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Actions Speak Louder Than Words
So, then, if with Christ you've put all that pretentious
and infantile religion behind you, why do you let yourselves be bullied
by it? "Don't touch this! Don't taste that! Don't go near this!" Do
you think things that are here today and gone tomorrow are worth that kind
of attention? Such things sound impressive if said in a deep enough voice.
They even give the illusion of being pious and humble and ascetic. But
they're just another way of showing off, making you look important. (Colossians
2:20-23 – The Message)
Have every wondered why some people seem to always
change their voice when they talk about God or pray? They act as if there
is an acceptable and unacceptable way to talk about God and pray and that
for some reason their own regular voice is not “holy” enough.
But they are missing the point! God is not interested in what you are
doing outside, but what you are doing inside; what drives you, in your
heart. But you already know this; it is Paul’s point. Why then do
we get caught up in the typical list of don’ts that seem to run
around the church? We know the truth that God wants us to live by the
law of love, to live from our hearts, loving Him and others. We know that
love should be the motive for everything we do. When we do that we don’t
have to give the “don’ts” a second thought because acting
out of love would not let or lead us to do the “don’ts”.
Getting caught up in the rules and regulations is just a way of showing
off to others, a way of making you look “holy”. It brings attention
to you, not to God. People are not attracted to you or your faith by what you
don’t do; they are attracted to you and your faith by what you do, by your
living your life out of love for God and those around you.
Live it with Passion
Pete Reinbold
Get daily inspiration with a Scripture verse and commentary
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Daily Thought
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PRAYER REQUESTS & RESULTS |
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requests and we will pray for them.
Of course, we keep your information confidential.
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Quotable: The Poverty of Attention
"In a world where there is
a wealth of information, there is often a poverty of
attention.”
—
Ken Mehlman
Copyright 2005 Living the Solution, all rights reserved.
Tom Gilbert
Editor/Web-servant
Living The Solution
www.livingthesolution.com
P O Box 25584
Albuquerque, NM 87125-5584
Toll free 1-800-399-2564 ext 105 (US only) or 505-247-3232
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