Recently in our Springfield News-Leader there was an article by a pastor who has been active in the attempt to apply his belief to the issues of the day. He now has chosen to walk away from the beliefs that he affirmed and decry that Christianity has no real practical value. I believe he is wrong. This individual has espoused positions that I tend to agree with...until he had his faith foundation shaken.

       In a conversation with some others who were trying to pigeon-hole my beliefs I shocked them with a term which I would not take credit for. I am an Evangelical Liberal. My theology is soundly evangelical in its framework but often I make liberal application because I believe that Christianity is not about "ivory tower" statements and pompous platitudes. It calls for application to where the rubber meets the road. It screams compassion for those who hurt, and need help. It calls into accountability those who for political, or material gain would endanger others in my society. Evangelical Liberalism bids one to examine issues and principles not personalities.

        The "social gospel" cannot preclude the spiritual gospel. Cleaning up the issues of our society apart from cleaning up the inside which can be done by the restorative work of the death and life of Jesus Christ (John 14:6) does not get the job done. It is akin to the idea of cleaning up a pig from mud and slime and then leaving the door open for the pig's return to the stinky, dirty environment. The nature of the pig was not changed.  This is the evangel of the church; calling people to personal faith in Jesus Christ.

       My Liberalism does not mean that I accept what all social liberalism or fringe biblical thinking purports. There are life styles that are incompatible with scriptural statement and principle. BUT, that does not mean I demean those who participate in such activity. Being an Evangelical Liberal does not mean I accept all opinions as equal. My liberalism is tempered by my evangelicalism. My Evangelical Liberalism also challenges some of the flawed thinking of those who advocate "health,wealth gospel" thinking which is prevalent in conservative Christian circles. Jesus said "The poor you will always have with you." Yet, I do speak against those Christians who think the world or the church owes them a living. Scripture mandates a work ethic.

      May be you want to join me in my sojourn of Evangelical Liberalism.

Ten Guidelines from God
Effective Immediately…
please be aware that there are changes YOU need to make in YOUR life.

These changes need to be completed in order that I may fulfill My promises
to you to grant you peace, joy and happiness in this life. I apologize for any inconvenience, but after all that I am doing, this seems very
little to ask of you. Please, follow these 10 guidelines

1. QUIT WORRYING:

Life has dealt you a blow and all you do is sit and worry. Have you

forgotten that I am here to take all your burdens and carry them for you?
Or do you just enjoy fretting over every little thing that comes your way?

2. PUT IT ON THE LIST:

Something needs done or taken care of. Put it on the list. No, not YOUR list.

 Put it on MY to-do-list Let ME be the one to take care of the problem.

 I can't help you until you turn it over to Me. And although My to-do-list
is long, I am after all... God. I can take care of anything you put into

My hands. In fact, if the truth were ever really known, I take care of a lot

 of things for you that you never even realize.

3. TRUST ME:

Once you've given your burdens to Me, quit trying to take them back.

Trust in Me.. Have the faith that I will take care of all your needs,

your problems and your trials. Problems with the kids? Put them on My list.
Problem with finances? Put it on My list. Problems with your emotional

roller coaster? For My sake, put it on My list.. I want to help you. All you have to do is ask.

4. LEAVE IT ALONE:

Don't wake up one morning and say, "Well, I'm feeling much stronger now,

 I think I can handle it from here." Why do you think you are feeling stronger

 now? It's simple. You gave Me your burdens and I'm taking care of them.

I also renew your strength and cover you in my peace. Don't you know

that if I give you these problems back, you will be right back where

you started? Leave them with Me and forget about them. Just let

Me do my job.

5. TALK TO ME:

I want you to forget a lot of things. Forget what was making you crazy.
Forget the worry and the fretting because you know I'm in control.

But there's one thing I pray you never forget. Please, don't
forget to talk to Me - OFTEN! I love YOU! I want to hear your voice.

I want you to include Me in on the things going on in your life.
I want to hear you talk about your friends and family. Prayer is simply

you having a conversation with Me. I want to be your dearest friend.

6. HAVE FAITH:

I see a lot of things from up here that you can't see from where you are.

Have faith in Me that I know what I'm doing. Trust Me; you wouldn't

want the view from My eyes. I will continue to care for you, watch over you,
and meet your needs. You only have to trust Me. Although I have a

much bigger task than you, it seems as if you have so much trouble just
doing your simple part. How hard can trust be?

7. SHARE:

You were taught to share when you were only two years old. When

did you forget? That rule still applies. Share with those who are
less fortunate than you. Share your joy with those who need encouragement.

Share your laughter with those who haven't heard any in such a long time.

Share your tears with those who have forgotten how to cry. Share your faith
with those who have none.

8. BE PATIENT:

I managed to fix it so in just one lifetime you could have so many diverse

experiences. You grow from a child to an adult, have children,
change jobs many times, learn many trades, travel to so many places,

meet thousands of people, and experience so much. How can
you be so impatient then when it takes Me a little longer than you expect

to handle something on My to-do-list? Trust in My timing, for My timing

is perfect. Just because I created the entire universe in only six days,

everyone thinks I should always rush, rush, rush.

9.. BE KIND:

Be kind to others, for I love them just as much as I love you. They may

not dress like you, or talk like you, or live the same way you do, but I still

 love you all. Please try to get along, for My sake. I created each of you

different in some way. It would be too boring if you were all identical.
Please, know I love each of your differences.

10. LOVE YOURSELF:

As much as I love you, how can you not love yourself? You were created

by me for one reason only -- to be loved, and to love in return. I am a God

of Love. Love Me. Love your neighbors. But also love yourself. It makes

My heart ache when I see you so angry with yourself when things go wrong.

You are very precious to me. Don't ever forget that.

Note: I rec'd this from a friend and I have no idea who wrote it, but I was so

touched by it, that I had to share it with you. I hope that you will be blessed

 by it and will share it with others.

          Yesterday (Oct.28^th) I preached on the Christian’s spiritual possessions and actions using a pumpkin as an illustration. Consider with me some of those things.

          Pumpkins are secured out of a muddy patch. So a believer has been secured by Christ Jesus out of the messy world, out of the bondage of death and the pull of Sin. (Ephesians 2) Jesus then cleans a believer up- “Now are you clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.”(John 15)

          Pumpkins are usually bought. Redemption-purchasing from our sin- has three words to illustrate it in the New Testament. One refers simply to the purchase, the second indicates going into a market and buying and the third indicates going into the market, buying the product or person and taking the purchase from the slave market.

          Next, consider that Jesus –as with the pumpkin- cleans out the “muck within.” Just as the pumpkin, it is stinky, messy, and heading toward decay. The seeds within are the prospects of a future. It reminds one of the Sower and the Seed parable. The conversion taking place was because 1. the seed of God was with in and 2. because as one chooses a pumpkin God had chosen the believer before the foundation of the world. (Ephesians 1:3)

          When one gives some animation to the pumpkin, a face is carved in. So God gives eyes of understanding, a “nose” for discernment and a mouth to speak His praise and share one’s faith as Timothy was reminded “to be able to give an answer to everyone who asks the hope within.”

          Then as in the pumpkin, light is placed with in. “So let your light so shine that people may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven.” Jesus as the Light of the World seeks to shine through.

          Lastly, as the pumpkin, we are put on display. People observe us to the credit and discredit towards Jesus. So, though you might find being called a pumpkin difficult, it illustrates what the working of God is doing.

            Whether politics, religion, or personal relationships we have lost civility. To disagree has come to be equated with dislike.

          Our denomination has seen an escalation in polarization over difference on a couple issues. The answer has been to turn the disagreement from dislike to departure from the denomination. Where is the civility to Part Company in good and gracious manner? Some of the attacks have shown that disagreement has turned to dislike.

          In politics our leader calls other nations names. I am not debating whether they are evil or not, but am decrying the agitation that such treatments which ensures an “enemy”status.     

Our first lady as reported by TIME October 8^th edition walked right by Ahmadinejad at the UN and even used his desk as a lean-on to advance up the stairs. Where was the “Good Morning” demonstration of civility?

          In social settings as we discuss various issues if we don’t agree with someone then walking away will certainly be viewed as dislike. Why not have a meeting of the minds to agree to disagree and find some agreement somewhere.

          Now as Christians we have some biblical directive. We are told to “Love our enemies”, and to pray for them. Matthew 18 gives some help to restoring disagreeing people. It does not say anything about whether an opposing party is deemed unapproachable or not. We, as Christians, are encouraged to have our words seasoned with grace. Kindness is a virtue not a vice. Disagreement does not have to translate into dislike.

              We are currently geared up for another political campaign. Lost in the sea of issues is the poignant matter of raising the money for these campaigns. What is frightening is the amount raised. These amounts are raised because people believe in the candidate and/or the positions taken.

It is simple - it takes money to run all the facets of a campaign. The gamut runs from ad costs, to expenses of offices, mailings, and personnel. Look at the poll percentages and compare that with money spent. (Exception may be Huckebees 2^nd place finish in Iowa but certainly was not 2nd largest spender)

NOW, the reader should figure by now I am not about to discuss politics but rather want to speak to campaign fund raising in the church. We call it Stewardship. It transcends treasury to include time and talents.

Why does the political campaign get funding? People have commitment as well as see an advantage, personal or benevolent,  in doing so. In the church, giving begins with the commitment of our life to our Lord Jesus Christ and with it the realization that we own NOTHING. It is all His and we have been made stewards of the resources.

In part this means a stewardship with Christ’s Church. At some point one committed to Christ and His church must give…not tip…give. The Scriptures talk about tithing, talk about faith giving, and speak to responsibility.

Now follow with me…If Christ owns it all, and the Church is a spiritually energized physical entity to which I have committed myself as a member, THEN I need/must/should/would be prudent to enter into a faith venture with God to see what He will do for and with the church through my giving. That would go for you, too.

So… are you the member of a church and one of Christ’s own? Then it is not an option. It is a necessity to be involved in His Campaign Funding to finance the work of Jesus. If your church does the pledge, then pledge an amount based not on what you have but on what you believe God will run through you to do His work. If no pledge program then enter in to a faith covenant with God to let him do with 90% what you have been trying to do with the 100%.

Yeh, no one likes to hear about money in the church but we are in a campaign to do the Great Commission and it cost energy, and resources and money. Let’s do some Campaign Funding!