Thursday, May 19, 2011

Pet Peeves

Ok, I'm going to get this off my chest! I am tired of the attitude that is prevalent in our technologically "advanced" world. The rudeness is driving me crazy! So here is what is bugging me.

Texting: I know that for some this is a great tool. But I'm tired of being in meetings where the participants feel like they have to reply to every text message they receive during the meeting. If I'm in charge of that meeting I want you to give your full attention to the task at hand. It's not multi-tasking. It's just plain rude!

Phones going off in church: If you can't shut your phone off for 60-75 minutes to allow God to talk to you, then you have a problem. Are you going to try to tell me that you can't focus on God for that period of time? Oh, and texting during church? Come on. If you are that bored, stay home! You are a distraction to others!

Taking calls when you are talking with others: Hey, I'll give you 100% of my focus when you and I are talking. What you have to say matters. Don't give me "I'm multi-tasking" when you interrupt our conversation to answer a call that could wait. What did you do before cell phones?

I know, I'm being too picky. But it bugs me. Anyone else?

Friday, May 6, 2011

A Christian Response to bin Laden's Death

No doubt you have seen the various responses to the news of Osama bin Laden's death. There has been a great deal of relief with the knowledge that this evil master mind has been eliminated from terrorist leadership. Some have celebrated openly. For many, justice has been brought to bear against the man who planned the 9/11 attacks that forever changed the lives of the families of those who died at the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania.

I do not question the raid which brought about bin Laden's demise. I have no strong feelings about his being killed versus being captured alive and brought to trial. I trust the members of Seal Team 6 who had to make split-second decisions in a genuine life and death situation. They are courageous individuals who serve us with little concern for personal safety.

My great concern is the open celebrations that have taken place in our nation. I remember the disgust I felt after 9/11 when I saw Muslims and others dancing in the streets of their countries. They were celebrating the deaths of the innocent.

I for one am glad that bin Laden is out of the picture. I'm not sure we are any more safe than before. No doubt others will rise up and take his place. We will continue to live in the reality that there are people in this world who want to destroy our nation and our way of life.

But I'm not sure celebrating is the right response. Lives were lost in this raid - lives that were committed to a false god. Those who died without Christ will spend eternity in hell. I know some of you might be thinking, "Well, he got what he deserved." That may be true. But if we all received what we deserve, would we be celebrating? Would others? I celebrate the fact that I don't get what I deserve thanks to the grace of God. If not for Jesus, I would spend eternity with bin Laden and others just like him.

Ok, so what's my point? We should be praying for the Muslim world. We should be praying for the terrorists who threaten to destroy us. We must ask the Holy Spirit to break through the brainwashing of Satan and speak truth to the hearts of men and women everywhere that they might come to repent and receive Christ. Osama bin Laden's death, though it brings us some form of relief, should sober us to the reality of the horrors of sin and the lost condition of men's souls. Pray for the lost. All of the lost. Not just the nice person across the street. Pray for the jihadist who is strapping a bomb to his body in an attempt to earn eternal life. Pray for those whose intent is to harm us. Pray that someone will speak truth - the truth of Jesus - that they may turn from their ways and embrace the One who will set them free!