Bill Nieporte, Pastor

The Westboro Baptist Church came to Richmond, V A today.

Never heard of them?  Do a web search and you’ll be amazed, I (hopefully) saddened.  I don’t want to give them too much time because they don’t deserve too much attention.  When they act, however, they claim to represent Jesus and his church.

I am a follow of Jesus.  I am a part of Jesus’  family called church.  Westboro Baptist do NOT speak for me and do not reflect the teaching, actions, or attitudes of Jesus.

Based in Topeka, Kansas, the folks at WBC follow the teaching of their pastor Fred Phelps, who proudly affirms God’s hatred – toward Catholics, Muslims, Eastern Orthodox, Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, and even fellow Baptists.  Their “ministry” is to travel the country “protesting” whomever they are mad at the most on that particular day.

When they made their way to Richmond, two stops were fairly typical.  Early in the AM today (March 2) they arrived downtown to protest at the Holocaust Museum.  There they affirmed a basic tenet of their “church” that God Hates Jews.

Later they stopped at Hermitage High School (where my daughter is a recent graduate).  I drove by and saw them doing their work – surrounded my local media and what seemed like a small army Henrico County’s finest.  Why this school?  That’s simple.  The school sports a “gay student alliance.”  Of all the groups that WBC hates – they proudly use the word HATE – the group they hate the most are the gays.  They seem to spend more time thinking about dudes having sex with other dudes then do the gays themselves.

God Hates Gays was typical slogan on many of their posters.

They have taken their ministry of hate to several different venues.  They hate protest at the funerals of military killed in the line of duty in Iraq, saying that the death was God’s judgment on United States for permissiveness toward  homosexuality.  Thank God for Dead Soldiers and God Is Your Enemy their posters say.

When I drove by their display, today, my stomach began to twist and turn in every conceivable direction.

GOD HATES!  Really?

Let’s leave aside the entire “Isn’t homosexuality a sin?” debate.  That can be a discussion for another post on another day.  Instead, let’s think about that statement: “God Hates.”

WBC isn’t the only “church” or “Christian” group to say something stupid and wrong.

Jerry Falwell blamed 9-11 on Ellen Degeneres.

John Hagee blames Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans immorality.  He also said that Hitler was “doing God’s work.”

Pat Robertson said that that Haitian earthquake was a response to a suppose Haitian “pac with the devil” some two hundreds years ago.

But all this craziness is nothing compared to the ugliness I saw today.

WBC  declares that the holocaust is God’s judgment on the Jews for killing Jesus.

They say that our soldiers die because God Is Our Enemy because we don’t round up and get rid of the gays.  God Hates Your Dead Children they say.  Until we get rid of the gays, God will hate the USA because God Hates Gay Enablers.

Hurricanes – Fires – Flood – Earthquakes – Tsunamis — all God’s judgment because God HATES.

Today I read Luke 13:1-5.

Let’s look at the first five verses for a moment.

“ ¹ Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. ² Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? ³ I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. ⁴ Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? ⁵ I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

Jesus doesn’t blame anyone for these catastrophes.  But he does offer a warning.  The warning is this: stop pointing towards the behaviors others and offering condemnation.  Look inward – and get your heart right.

I am sure that WBC will never hear about little old me and my ramblings on this blog.  If they do, they’ll just include me in the vast majority of the Christian family who abhor their message.  They will simply say to my congregation, Your Pastor Is A Whore (another of their posters). Any Christian who does not join in their hate mongering will fall under their hatred.

Still, I will pry for them.  I will not hate them.  I will hope they see the verses above – and all the others that contradict their preaching.

Meanwhile, I intend to keep preaching grace – love.  God LOVES – Jews, Muslim, Catholics, and (yes) even Baptists.  God loves gays and lesbians.

God even loves the members of the Westboro Baptist Church and Jesus died for their redemption – and the redemption of us all.

Patterson Avenue Baptist Church, Richmond, VA

Imagine…as the result of some sort of catastrophe, your church suddenly found itself without its building.    

Discuss how the ministry of your church might proceed under such circumstances. 

How would you be the church God has called you to be – the living presence of Christ to those he is calling and gifting your congregation to serve? 

Your discussions should not be about the “why” or the “how” of what happened.  Nor should you begin planning for buying or building new facilities.  Instead, focus all of your energies on how you congregation would still BE and DO church in these new circumstances.  (For this exercise, I am indebted to church consultant and ministry coach.) 

Questions to ponder as you talk: 

•   How might we be a different church? 
•  Would God’s calling and vision change?  If so, how? 
•  What might the congregation need to “do” differently to be church and do the work of the church? 
•  In what ways might be seek to connect to the people we are called to serve with God? 
•  What might our programs and ministries look like? 

 Before a congregation can be used effectively by God, it will need to come to the end of self-sufficiency and learn how to depend on God’s resources and direction.  Consider Moses.  The first 40 years of his life had been magnificent as he lives the life of an Egyptian Prince.  The last 40 years of his life were absolutely amazing as he served God by leading the people of Israel out of Egyptian captivity and toward the Promised Land.  The middle 40 years of his life, however, were totally miserable.  In his book Grace Rules, Steve McVey writes that during these middle four decades of his life, God was “…bringing Moses to the end of himself and his confidence in his abilities so that he might know and rest in the ability of God.” 

 (I highly recommend all of Steve McVey’s books and resources.  You can find them at www.gracewalk.com  Most of the content of this post is inspired by McVey’s book. ) 

 McVey continues: 

“In Exodus 3-4, the account is told of Moses’ encounter with God. God reveals to him that He plans to use him to deliver the Hebrews from bondage. Yet because of his circumstances, Moses had probably developed some serious doubts about his ability as a leader. He may have thought that because he was a shepherd tending to sheep, he had lost his people skills. He may have reasoned, “The only ability that I can count on any more is my skill as a shepherd.” 

 Then God spoke: 

 “What is that in your hand?” And he said, “A staff.” Then He said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it (Exodus 4:2,3). 

Consider what the staff meant to Moses.  It was the symbol of his abilities as a shepherd.  It wasn’t much, but it was something.  With that staff he was surviving through his abilities to herd sheep. 

Consider the following statement:   

 “As Christians and as congregations, we sometimes find ourselves living dependent on our own resources, rather than really trusting and depending on God.” 

 In what ways is this statement true in your life? 

 In what ways is this statement true for the congregation where you worship? 

What resources do we find ourselves depending on rather than trusting in God? 

 Back to the text, what did God say to Moses about the staff?  God tells Moses: 

  “Throw it down.” 

 Here’s what God is saying to Moses (and to each of us).  Throw down your self-confidence.  Throw down your self-sufficiency.  Throw down your trust in your resources, gifts, and abilities.  Throw down everything that becomes an object of your reliance so that you might totally depend on ME! 

 Now read the following text from Acts 3:1-12 

 ”One day Peter and John were going up to the temple. It was three o’clock in the afternoon. It was the time for prayer. A man unable to walk was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful. He had been that way since he was born. Every day someone put him near the gate. There he would beg from people going into the temple courtyards. 

“He saw that Peter and John were about to enter. So he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, and so did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man watched them closely. He expected to get something from them. 

 ”Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk.” Then Peter took him by the right hand and helped him up. At once the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. He went with Peter and John into the temple courtyards. He walked and jumped and praised God. All the people saw him walking and praising God.  They recognized him as the same man who used to sit and beg at the temple gate called Beautiful. They were filled with wonder. They were amazed at what had happened to him. 

 ”The beggar was holding on to Peter and John. All the people were amazed. They came running to them at Solomon’s Porch. When Peter saw this, he said, “Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us? We haven’t made this man walk by our own power or godliness. 

 How was Peter able to make the lame man walk? 

 Describe the difference between living from natural ability and supernatural ability. 

 The Christian life and progress of the church is a constant journey of discovery.  We seek to discern and live into God’s dream for the future. 

 Based on what you learned about Moses and Peter, what is required for your life and your church to see God work in miraculous ways? 

 The story of Moses illustrate that we must throw down our own self-sufficiency so that we can fully experience the life of God in and through us.  

 What specific areas of self-sufficiency does you sense God is calling you to renounce (throw down, repent of) at this time so that you might move forward on this journey of discovery? 

 What about your church?  

 What do you sense God is calling your congregation to renounce (throw down, repent of) at this time so that we might move forward, discerning and living into God’s desired future for this congregation? 

 An important biblical word for us to remember on our journey of discovery is the Greek word metanoia which is usually translated repentance.  Typically, when we think of this word, we think of sins we need to stop committing.   To be more biblically accurate, however, the concept of repentance has to do with a change of course or direction.  It has to do with more about where we place our faith, trust, confidence and dependence.  Sinful actions will be less of a problem when our lives are focused and dependent on Jesus as Lord and Life. 

 In the days ahead, give special attention to those things in your life and our church that claim a place of importance above absolutely loyalty and love for Jesus Christ.  As those things come to mind, immediately renounce them as a false hope and reaffirm your love and loyalty for Jesus Christ.

Michael Serving Food To The Homeless

“Dad, can you raise my allowance?” my son Michael asked.

“Why do you need an increase?  What are you planning to buy?” I replied.

“Well, I do need to buy you a Christmas gift!”

During Advent we think a great deal about giving gifts.  Sometimes we even talk about giving gifts to God.  There are special mission offerings, gifts for the poor, final acts of stewardship before year’s end.  We speak of doing for and giving to God a great deal during Advent.

In reality, though, it’s like my son asking me to increase his allowance so he can get me a gift.   Everything we do or give to God was already paid for by God’s grace.  Remember that when you see baby in the manger or a cross in front of a church.  The gift of God through Jesus makes all of our giving possible.  We don’t give or do to earn God’s favor, we give and do because (through Christ) we have been favored by grace.

Heard this recently:

 Two men who were next-door neighbors decided to go sailing while their wives went Christmas shopping. While they were out in the boat, a terrible storm arose. The sea became very choppy and they had a difficult time keeping the boat under control. As they steered toward land, they hit a sandbar and the boat grounded. They both jumped out of the boat and began to push and shove with all their might to get the boat back into the water. As the waves bounced him against the side of the boat, and his hair was blowing wildly in the wind, one of the men said with a smile on his face, “It sure beats Christmas shopping, doesn’t it?”

 The season of Advent can sometimes be very hectic.  There are gifts to buy, meals to prepare, parties to attend, greeting cards to address – it can often seem overwhelming.

The church too often travels down this path as well, only adding to the frustration.  There are Sunday School parties, children’s events, special music programs, etc. 

 Anyone want to go sailing?

 We are supposed to be waiting in anticipation for the Advent (coming) of Almighty God. 

 We are gathering to celebrate messiah’s birth.  Why do we have to make everything so hectic?

 During Lent, a common practice is to engage in a fast.  We engage in some sacrifice and take up some discipline in order to prepare ourselves to remember the events of Holy Week and the death of Jesus.  Maybe we need an Advent fast. 

 Maybe we should not try to go everywhere and do everything.

 Maybe we should give gift cards instead of actual gifts.  My kids love that because I always buy the wrong thing.

 Maybe we should eat more simple meals.  Why must we gorge ourselves as a celebration of the birth of Jesus in a manger?

 Let’s slow down and do less.  Maybe even our churches can say, “No additional programs on the agenda this Advent!” 

 What would be wrong with that?

All the talk among adults at Christmas is about gift-giving.  What will we buy/make/give to our friends, family, loved ones, and especially to our children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

 I wonder if the kids might not have it right.  For them, Christmas is more about gift-getting than gift-giving. 

 Religion asks us to give to God (to work, serve, strive, and labor).

 The Christian message does not start with GIVING TO GOD, but RECEIVING FROM GOD.  In reality, God created us to be “receivers.” 

 Givers are always at the top in any relationship. 

 When we are receivers, we realize that the other something to offer that we need.

 What do you get for the God who has everything?  God needs nothing from me!

 Instead, I receive God’s mercy, love, forgiveness, and grace.  These are gifts I desperately need.  When I receive these, I become a conduit of his blessings to the world.  Then God is still blessing others – but God is doing that blessing through me. 

Shalom (the Hebrew word most often translated “peace”) is never a negative.  It never refers to the absence of something (war, crime, hatred, racism).  Rather “shalom” refers to everything needed for life to be whole, complete, attaining the highest good.

During this week of Advent peace, pray not for the end of violence, but for the presence of the highest good and wholeness for all people and creation.  As THIS gift of shalom comes to the human family, violence will begin to subside as a problem among the peoples of the world. 

Shalom, then, seems to be illustrated for Christians by the doctrine of GRACE.  Grace is the presence of God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness.  Grace is wholeness and life through Christ.

Bring us “Shalom” Most Holy God. Grant us GRACE!  Teach us to know Jesus. 

Amen.

The Bible (in Luke 3:1-6) says the following:  “Tiberius Caesar had been ruling for 15 years. Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea. Herod was the ruler of Galilee. His brother Philip was the ruler of Iturea and Traconitis. Lysanias was ruler of Abilene. Annas and Caiaphas were high priests. At that time God’s word came to John, son of Zechariah, in the desert.”

Interesting!  The text references the high and mighty, the rich and powerful, the large and in-charge.  The text talks about those who in power in politics, economy, academia, and religion.  And yet “God’s word” came not to them, but to John – and wilderness wild man.

We long for the trappings of powwer because that’s where we think the action is to be found.  But the text puts the “action” out in the wilderness.

I wonder why!  Could it be that in the wilderness it takes radicaly faith and courage to survive?  Could it be that a wilderness wild man’s primary connection will be to God?  And could it be that when this is the case – when your life flows from God – that peace is a reality that person’s heart; that anxiety is never a controlling factor; and that you realize that you have nothing and no one to fear because that person knows God is ultimately in charge.

In her book Teaching a Stone to Talk, Annie Dillard marvels at the nonchalant way in which most Christians come the church.  We come to carpeted and comfortable sanctuaries filled with padded pews.  Everything is orderly and neat, tied down, and respectable.  Yet, says Dillard, if we really know much about the Bible and what it is like to encounter God, then ushers ought to be handing out crash helmets rather than an order of worship. Instead of new hymnals they should be issuing out life preservers and signal flares.

 That’s the way God moves, isn’t it?  Both the Bible and our own memories are filled with stories about people who were moving along, living their lives in normal, respectable, conventional, and predictable paths, only to be disrupted by what William Willimon has called “the intrusive word of God.”  God speaks!  They hear God calling their name.  Their world and their lives are changed. 

That’s the way God moves through Advent and into Christmas.  God moves in sprpriseing, earth shaking, and intrusive ways.  Are we listening? 

“A voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the Way Of The Lord!”

Several years ago a hydroelectric dam was to be built across a valley in New England.  The people in a small town in the valley were to be relocated because the town itself would be submierged when the dam was finished.  during the time between the decision to build the dam and its completion, the buildings in the town, which previously were kept up nicely, fell into disrepair.  Instead of being a pretty little town, it become an eyesore.

 Why did this happen?  The answer is simple.  As one resident said, “Where there is no hope for the future, there is no work in the present!”

The world may seem like a fearful despairing place and we may sometimes may feel like we are at the end of our rope, BUT WE ARE NOT A PEOPLE WITHOUT HOPE.  Salvation has come to us in Christ.  Grace continues to approaches us daily in Christ.  Mercy and forgiveness are God’s eternal gifts through Christ. 

We are people of hope.  So let us live courageously!

Leonard Sweet tells a story about a certain Native American tribe that had a unique way of training young braves. On the night of a boy’s thirteenth birthday, he was led out into the wilderness to spend the night alone. Most young braves, at this time in their lives, had never been away from the security of their elders. Yet on this night, these young teenagers were blindfolded and taken miles away. When each one took off his blindfold, he found himself in the middle of the woods. He was alone, dependent on nothing but the good will of the Great Spirit — and his own survival training.

 We can well imagine what a terrifying night that must have been for these young boys. Imagination magnified every woodland sound, until it seemed like a fearsome monster. But then, finally, each young brave managed to get to sleep — and when dawn broke, he rubbed the sleep from his eyes and looked around. What he saw was an amazing sight: a tall man, standing just a few feet away, armed with bow and arrow. It was his father. He had been there all night long, weapons at the ready — watching over his son as he slept.

 That’s the message we prepare ourselves to celebrate this glorious season.  The heart of Christmas is the doctrine known as the Incarnation: the doctrine that teaches us that “the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory” (John 1:14).   The Incarnation is that doctrine that teaches us that we are not alone – that we are never alone – that there is a God who watches over us and walks with us every step along the way.