Early in our marriage, my wife and I ‘adopted’ a child from Uganda via World Vision International.  We wanted a unique and special way to help someone on the other side of the world.  The child we chose was a cute girl named J(not real name).  Over the years we have watched a small girl transform unto a beautiful 12 year old.  Every year we get an update from World Vision about her health, grades in school and even favorite activities.  Throughout the year we have received dozens of letter and we have sent her cards and stickers and little games.

We knew nothing of Uganda and the struggles that were going on there… the war, the killing, the kidnapped children, the invisible children…  I have seen the documentary “Invisible Children” a couple of times; it documents how there are bands of children all throughout Uganda hiding from the “Lord’s Resistance Army” and their cruel and inhumane ways of fighting.  Children are kidnapped and forced to fight, forced to kill and forced to into a life no human should ever have to endure.  Each time I see the film I think of J.  I am thankful that she is in an area of Uganda that is not in the direct path of “Lord’s Resistance Army” that has mercilessly kidnapped children for the sake of fighting an senseless war.  Thousands upon thousands of men, women and children have been killed, mutilated, maimed and scared for life because of one man and one man only… Joseph Kony.

The film makers that did “Invisible Children” have been working with lawmakers, key leaders government and with the help of people from around the world they have been trying to make an impact for those children in Uganda.  They helped build schools, industry and  a better life for those in Uganda.  But the fighting is not over and 2012 is the year it has to stop.

Below is video about Kony 2012… the goal is find and arrest Joseph Kony for crimes against humanity.  The way that happens?  Make Joseph Kony famous. It might sound backwards to make a ruthless murderer famous, but the more people who know about him and are outraged about what has happened across the globe then maybe, just maybe something will be done.  Kony is just one of many people who are in charge of the hatred that is going on around the globe.

The movie is 30 minutes long, but it is important that you watch it. If you are so moved, check out more info on http://www.kony2012.com and see how you can help.  Also check out http://www.worldvision.com and see how you can help the life of a child(ren) around the world.

I believe that followers of Christ are called to serve the other, to be the voice of the voiceless and bring wholeness where there is brokenness.

I pray that the violence that has plauged Uganda and Sudan will soon be over and that the wholeness of God will be restored.

May it be so.

In Christ,

Rev. Evan

KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.

(I do not know what “right-wing watch” is and thereby do not endorse the contents of their site or their message, I am just happy they posted this video)

As storms raged throughout the Mid-West, people were hunkering down for the ‘ride of their life’; families huddled in basements and closets holding on to each other and more than likely hoping and praying to God that they would come away from this storm unscathed.  In the end, 40+ people lost their life due the tornadoes and hundreds if not thousands of people lost their homes, belongings, possessions, their sense of security.  People across many states at this very hour are picking up the pieces, they are trying to mind back together some sort of meaning and normality.

In any major event be it the Tsunami in Japan (which is coming up on its one year anniversary), the earthquake in Haiti or last year’s tornadoes that ravished Joplin, MO and parts of Alabama, it is easy to question, ‘why did this happen?  why did God allow such a thing to take place?’ I almost guarantee that there are 10s if not 100s more questions that could be asked to God…

Enter, Stage Right, Pat Robertson and The 700 Club.

Pat Robertson has had his fair share of mis-speaks and fair share of sharing a message that make some other followers of Christ cringe.  I have heard his clips and excerpts on YouTube and around the media outlets, but this one for me was too far.  You can watch the video and see for yourself.

I have a few issues with Robertson’s message:

1. He blames the victim– He first says that God has created the world in such a way that it is practically inevitable that tornadoes are going to happen.  Next, he says that is part of God’s design and that is how heat is re-circulated around the world.  But then he gets to his message which is two-fold, people shouldn’t build houses in areas that have tornadoes and if you do you better make sure people are praying for you (and a lot of them) because God’s didn’t stop the storm because not enough people weren’t praying.
2. Double Speak– is it God as the Watch Maker, where God sets up the world and doesn’t interfere and humanity is left up to its own devices or is God actively present in the world but chooses at times not to intervene?
3. How does this answer help those effected by the storm?– Are you saying Mr. Robertson that the people of the Mid-West are stupid for having their homes, raising their families, having their jobs in area in which tornadoes might (or might not) happen?  And because of this stupid move they did not have enough faith or enough faithful people did not pray in unison?  Where is the message of love or the compassion?  To return to an old and yet cliché phrase, is this the answer Jesus would have given?  Instead of boldly proclaiming that God did not send the storm or blame the victim, how much more would your audience (and other fellow followers of Christ) love to hear you proclaim that you do not know.   While it is hard to hear or even harder to say, the fact still remains we do not know.

I wish there was an answer and if there was I am not sure it would be adequate enough for those who lost family members and their entire home.  What I do know is that Christ has called all of his followers to emulate his compassion for the those hurting and in need.  Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 25?

“Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”– Matthew 25:34b-40 (NRSV)

No judgment, no blaming the victim, just good and simple service to others and when we do, we are serving Christ. Therefore it is the opinion of this minister, that Mr. Robertson has missed the point in this situation. Jesus calls us to love in all circumstances, not because we have to but because it reflects the character of God.

I do not believe that God was absent from this tragedy, rather God is present now and forevermore and we are called to witness to that love to bring a sense of comfort where possible to the hurting and lost.

In Christ,

Rev. Evan

I have recently made another step into the 21 st century. I’m not bragging by any stretch of the imagination but I saved up some gift cards from
Christmas and bought a Blu-Ray player. A bluray player (and subsequent blu-ray discs) plays movies and TV shows at the highest rate of definition and clarity. I was surprised by how clear my movies were being played.

A short time ago I found an old VHS and I watched. It was interesting to see the difference of the picture quality. What was even more amazing was the fact that when I watched this film for the first time several years ago I thought the picture was stunning, now it just looks outdated.

People try to get a similar experience at home as they do in the movie theatre. In fact, many movie theatres now are shown in digital formats not the traditional film reel. In recent years the technology of televisions and disc players has dramatically increased that some sport fans believe that their own home theater has a better picture and experience than actually being at the game.

We are all looking for clarity, not just in our favorite programming or even the Super Bowl, but in life in general. We look for the clearest answer in a difficult situation, but the answer is not as clear as we would like. We rack our brains and even seek out advice to no avail.

Where are the unclear areas of our lives?  I am certain that we all have them, that place where its just a little hazy, a little unclear for our liking.  If our God is a God that can make all things new then God can provide clarity for us. It takes patience, time and understanding. Sure the Bible
sometimes can be unclear but the communion of others and fellowship of friends can sometimes allow the fog to be lifted. Not in the sense that all of our questions will be answered, but that God’s power, mystique and presence in our lives will be just that much clearer.

There are times throughout our relationship with God and Christ that we are overwhelmed by the presence of God, the power of God, the warmth of God.  God’s love for us is clear, God’s accessablity is clear, God’s touch is clear.  Its like looking at Blu-Ray verses a VHS….

As we journey through life we are searching for those clear moments and struggle when we do not find them.  But it has been my experience (and maybe yours too) that in a unexpected moment, God reveals Godself in a way that transforms our understanding of God.  Now dont feel like a ‘less than Christian’ if can not pin-point the exact moment when this happened.  For some the build up is gradual and over time, but the fact still remains we are seeking clarity in our lives and our relationship with God.

I pray that throughout this week God is made a little bit clearer for you.

In Christ,

Rev. Evan

Below is the audio from a sermon a gave on March 4, 2012 at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Orange, Texas

Click here to listen.

Also, you can find more sermons by clicking on the Sermon tab at the top of the page.

 

In Christ,

Rev. Evan

As I am composing this article the phone and internet lines of the church are down. I never realized how much of the ministry of the church hinges on phone lines and internet connections. Emails, sending documents, collaborating with others, reading the local news, sharing thoughts, connecting with people—all of it has come to halt, at least for now. I know that the church has been able to propagate its message of love and the gospel without facebook or twitter for millennia, but now the world that we live in is one that is different than many of us could have ever imagined.

As a team builder or “get to know you” game the question of  “what is the one thing you take with you if you were stranded on a deserted island” or “what is one thing you could not live without?” I have asked and answered this question many times in my ministry. Students often times give the best answers—air, water, food… they take the question a bit too literally. Young adults and older adults get more sentimental: pictures of family, friends, books, the Bible, etc.

Take a moment and think of the things you would take or would want to have with you.  It’s not as easy as you would think…

Lent, the season in the Church, is upon us; it is a time of reflection, prayer, supplication and reflection on the journey that Christ took, the journey toward Jerusalem, the journey toward the cross. Lent calls us to walk with Christ, step by step, along the way, stay awake with him in the garden and hear the agony in his voice as he cries out to God. As a sign of our reflection, Christians throughout the years have given up something that has been important to them during the season of Lent. During the days and weeks leading up to Easter every time one wants or desires the thing that they gave up, they are called to reflect on what Christ gave up.

In years past I have given up soft drinks, caffeine in general and one year I even gave up desserts. I didn’t do it receive a medal or be a “super-Christian” but rather it was a test of my will and through the process I took on the challenge to strengthen my relationship with God.

I am not saying that you have to give up something to have a fuller relationship with God or Christ.  The goal here is to be more intentional and focused on God in during this holy time.

However you choose to do that is between you and God.

In Christ

Rev. Evan

Thanks for stopping by!

I hope that this blog will be a place to share and reflect on God and God’s relationship with humanity, the church and the world.

Its pretty basic now, but I hope to add more as time goes on.

 

In Christ,

 

Rev. Evan