A Christian Considers the "Muslim Ban"

While some are speaking out loudly on President Trump's Executive Order regarding immigrants and refugees, I haven't said much. This was mainly because I didn't really understand it.

I would venture to guess that few do.

There are countless news stories and social media posts, but not a lot of facts. I attempted to read the executive order but oddly, whitehouse.gov does not list the January 27th action.

(Screenshot from whitehouse.gov on 1/29/17)

It does list a separate action from January 28th, revealing this is not a lack of website updating. After hunting more, I did find the full text here in an article from CNN. I strongly encourage you to take the time to read it.

After reading the entire Executive Order, I was surprised to find three components missing:

1. The word "Muslim"
Though the seven nations listed are Muslim majority nations, to call it a Muslim ban is not legally correct.

2. A Plan. 
Section 4a of the Executive Order calls on several cabinet picks and agencies to "implement a program" for preventing entrance of foreign nationals who seek to do us harm. While the current system is not perfect, it seems proposed adjustments to the current system would have been less disruptive than no system at all.

3. Compassion

As a parent, I want my kids to be safe from the plague of terrorism. And that's the same dream for many parents trying to escape war-torn areas like Syria (one of the seven nations). While vetting is important, shutting these families out for even 90 days could be their death sentence. Meanwhile, there remains little reason to believe that even after 3 months, a firm plan will be in place to allow screened, legal immigrants and refugees entry into America. 

America has spent the greater part of the 21st century, attempting to spread opportunities for liberty to people who have never known it. Combating radical Islamic terrorism can happen as we responsibly and safely allow for the entrance of immigrants and refugees. The generations to follow would be able to remember how America welcomed them in and said, "You're now one of us."

Christians are called to be equally welcoming. The Bible is clear that God does not show favoritism (Acts 10:34, Romans 2:11). God is willing to accept people from all nations, languages, and backgrounds. So how can we turn away an opportunity for those in need of the gospel to come to an America where they can freely hear it? As Christians, we have been shown the greatest compassion possible from the God of the universe. This is our opportunity to model compassion in order that many would move from the darkness of terrorism and lostness, into the liberty of America and the gospel of Christ. 

What To Do When You Don't Get Your Way

He voted against it. Such a terrible idea shouldn't be pursued.

But Cal was in the minority. His church had voted to spend millions on a new multi-purpose building. Of course they needed more youth and education space, and the recreation area would be great. But MILLIONS?!

Cal wondered what was becoming of his church. He considered whether the church had missed its purpose and if he should just move on. So he prayed, asking the Lord what he should do. And the Lord directed him quickly. 

His pastor surely anticipated Cal's requested appointment was to read him the riot act before storming out the doors, never to return. Instead Cal sat across from his pastor and said, "I want to head the project for our new multi-purpose building."

As a long-time contractor, Cal was an obvious choice before he had expressed his disapproval of the project. When his pastor asked why he would lead a project he voted against, Cal replied, "If our church is going to have a new building, God's calling me to make it the best it can be." The end result was a great new addition to the church that came in under budget and highly useful. Cal himself expressed how glad he was that he humbled himself to remain faithful to his church during a time of disagreement.

"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have...you cannot get what you want so you quarrel and fight." James 4:1-2

We all want our own way, but to insist on it without considering others OR that we might be wrong, guarantees arguments on the horizon. Christians are light in a dark world and the world needs us to shine an example that will lead them to Jesus. If you find yourself fighting with others, can I encourage you to stop for a moment and ask yourself: Are they creating this fight, or am I? 

So when you don't get your way, be like Cal. 
Don't move to Canada.
And don't be moved to anger.
Be moved to prayer. Look for YOUR opportunity to end fights instead of starting them!

A Pastor AND A Person

I'd never seen one out in the wild. But there he was. My fifth-grade teacher...at the store!

(Not my actual teacher)

He was wearing jorts (it was the late 80's, so he gets a pass) and a smile, neither of which I had ever seen before. Mr. Lockridge was pushing a cart full of groceries and I realized he was just like me, needing milk, cereal, and potato chips to exist. That encounter pretty much rocked my world. 

When I run into people from church around town, they have the same look I shot my teacher that day. It takes them a moment to remember I'm not just a pastor, but a person with all the same needs and errands that make up their lives.

And that's the case on a spiritual level too.

Recently in my men's small group, I confessed to having a real prayer struggle as my list of people and requests kept growing to overwhelming levels. My prayers lacked any joy or power as I merely ticked down the the list. 

That's when Fred, an actual person, said to me, "Don't forget that prayer is just talking to God." How many times had I said this to people? Probably more than I could count, but I had forgotten it myself. And so that's what I did. I put away the list and just talked to God, trusting Romans 8:26 as my source of simply allowing the Holy Spirit to show me what was important to pray for today. 

And my prayer life has been renewed.

Don't forget your pastor, priest, youth minister, and worship leaders are just people. We do our best to be spiritual leaders, but we're still just people with all the same worries, doubts, and issues. Pray for your spiritual leaders. Encourage them. And remember, they put on their jorts one leg at a time just like everyone else!