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An 8 year old boy in Oregon gets suspended from school because he brought a 4 inch plastic toy gun to school – a toy gun that is part of an action figure’s lineup. School officials defended the principal, stating that she followed policy.  (KPTV) Yet another example of the idiocy of zero tolerance.

When we look to the Law of God, we often think that God is indeed the original author of zero tolerance. “Lest ye die” is riddled all through the Law. But, a careful examination of Scripture finds an amazing amount of room for grace and common sense. Murders were to be put to death. (Ex. 20:3) However, the Law also setup cities of refuge for those who accidently – without premeditation or malice – kills another. The determination of guilt or innocence in such a case was left to the elders of these cities. (Joshua 20:2 – 6) The Law determined that one must not be clean in order to observe the Passover, yet at the same time allowed for accidental exposure. (Numbers 9:6 – 10) Adultery is a sin punishable by death, yet Jesus told the repentant woman to go and live her life. (John 8:11) Clearly, our God has laid out a system of rules, regulations, and moral codes – enabling us to live as people of God. While the breaking of these Laws leads to serious consequences, it is also clear that God intended the elders and rulers of the community to apply that Law with love and grace as well.

A student who brings an actual gun to school should be punished – along with his parents. A student who brings a toy that looks like a realistic gun should be talked to – then handed over to his parents. An 8 year old who brings a 4 inch toy gun that is clearly not a weapon of any sort should be allowed to go play. Instead, the boy gets suspended, and it goes on his permanent record. What idiocy.

Contact the Portland School Board to express your desire that they change their minds – and to institute a common sense – and Godly – policy.

A California mayor just found out something that future politicians will take for granted – any profession of a faith in Christ will bring down the wrath of Muslim and anti-religious groups.

According to Fox News – Lancaster Mayor Rex Parris stated at a private meeting that he is “growing a Christian community.” The event in question was made at a gathering of Christian ministers – a meeting which he paid for himself. This same mayor is sponsoring a ballot proposal that would bring unrestricted prayer back into schools.

CAIR – Council on American-Islamic Relations – has asked for a formal investigation into the matter. They like neither the statement that the mayor made at the meeting, nor the fact that the prayer ballot does not restrict the mention of Jesus Christ. I have no doubt that if the ballot mentioned Islamic prayers – CAIR would not have a problem.

The growing fact is that American politicians are under increasing pressure to hide their Christian faith. How many times at Christmas do we hear about towns forced to take down Christmas symbols – all to avoid costly lawsuits – even though the vast majority of the town is Christian. We hear about politicians who profess a personal faith – but go overboard not to be a Christian witness in their votes. Now a mayor is taking heat because he would like to see a “Christian community” as a result of his time in public office.

Christians in this country need to continue to elect Christians to office. We need to support them – prayerfully, financially, and personally – as they seek to serve Christ through public office. We must let our Christian brothers and sister know that the last thing we want from them – and the worst thing they can do in service of the Kingdom – is to keep their faith quiet.

The cat is out of the bag. The community is well aware that the church is failing in her mission.

A block get together over the weekend confirmed it. In discussing things like health care, child care, homosexuality, and single parenting the group asked “Where is the church?” Except for my wife and me, this group does not go to church. They are socially liberal, fiscally conservative, family-oriented folks. They really do not harbor any ill-will against Christianity per se, but they do have some specific questions of the church:

1. Why are you focusing on always obtaining more land, building more structures, and increasing the number of programs for your church members when people in the community in which you are doing these things are hurting?

2. Why do you focus on two sins only – abortion and homosexuality – while allowing corrupt politicians, unethical businessmen, gossiping women, and unfaithful husbands to sit on your boards and committees?

3. Why have you not provided an alternative to the culture we see around us, instead of focusing on the latest music or media trends?

Church leaders, pastors, elders, board members – do you hear what they are saying? They know that the church is called to have a unique position in our society. They know that you are to help the poor and needy, to hold all your members to the same standard, to love unconditionally, and to help people through service and discipline live according the standards of Scripture. They see you as doing none of that. They see you as places of judgment, of double-standard, of corporate land-grabbing. The really sad thing is that they do not want to see you that way. They want you to be more effective, they want you to have some sort of influence – not as a political movement, but as a first responder out of love. Because they see you as just another institution, they will not come.

Much like the fabled emperor, the only one who does not realize that she is walking around naked is the church. The community surrounding the church can see right through the façade of ballpark sanctuaries and immaculate soccer fields – they see that the church has really nothing to offer. If that isn’t damning – what is?

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Speak to the sons of Israel, saying “If a person sins unintentionally in any of the things which the Lord has commanded not to be done, and commits any of them…
-Leviticus 4:2

The entire fourth chapter of Leviticus deals with the consequences of unintentional sin. Unintentional sin – an offense unknowingly committed, a line crossed unawares. Intentional sin is dealt with severely, but in the Law of God there is exceptional grace for the unplanned transgression. God has been sinned against, but in His mercy He provides for avenues of atonement that both testify to the nature of human sinfulness and the lengths to which God will go to demonstrate His love for us.

Of interest in this chapter is the graduated scale of sacrifice needed to atone for these sins, a range which is based upon the standing of a member in a community. Going in reverse order, a “common person” is to offer a female goat or lamb without defect. (Lev. 4:27 – 35) A leader of the people would sacrifice a male goat, again without defect. (Lev. 4:22 – 26) If the community as a whole has unintentionally sinned against God, they are to offer a bull of the herd. (Lev. 4:13 – 21) A priest who is found guilty is to offer a bull without defect. (Lev. 4:2 – 20) This graduated scale is based upon the impact of unintentional sin on the community, based on one’s standing in that community. A common person is to offer up a lamb – which will hurt, but not have far reaching consequences. A leader, by offering up a male goat without blemish, is also sacrificing some longer term benefits for his herd. The community as a whole is to offer up a bull, a symbol of strength and power, which will also have long term effects on that herd. A priest who brings guilt upon the people by his transgression is to offer a bull without defect – a sacrifice that will take a long time to overcome. Actions have consequences, and the greater one’s standing in the community, the greater and more far reaching those consequences become.

By the grace of Christ, we no longer have to offer up sacrifices. We still unintentionally, or often intentionally, sin against God’s Law. Here is what we must learn from this passage:

1. We must constantly be guarding our own hearts and ways. Are we daily seeking guidance from the Word of God, participating in His will through our prayers, and walking in His Law in our daily actions? In this lifetime we will never be free from sin, but are we trying our hardest to walk as people of grace? Do we actively go to God in a spirit of repentance, knowing that He will both discipline us in the long or short term, but also knowing that He does so out of love and forgiveness?

2. We must realize the enormous responsibility our political and religious leaders have. Are we praying for them – even if they did not receive our vote? Are we holding them accountable for their transgressions against God? If they repent of their sins, are we extending to them the same kind of grace that God has shown us?

3. As a community, do we understand that by straying from God’s law we have caused Him to withdraw many of His blessings from our nation? Are we willing to sacrifice our pride which demands that we go our own way, instead recognizing that Christ is the King of all nations? Will we work for revival in our churches and communities – praying that God will light an unquenchable fire in the hearts of all people – leaders and followers alike?

Where do we stand with the Law of God? Will we first seek the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness? Or will we continue to sin against the God of all love – whether knowingly or not – and thus bearing the consequences of His wrath.

Have to admit – I am proud of us.  The “us” that I am giving props to is my generation – called Generation X, GenX, “Xers”, etc.  Most of the time, references to my age group are derisive and dismissive.  We are told that we are the “whatever” generation.  We would rather sit around in hot tubs and complain than actually do anything about it.  Not much to be proud of – if you  believe it.

However, I have found ample reason to be proud of my generation.  I just started really using my facebook page.  I have never really liked networking sites.  I have always viewed them as at best a waste of time and at worst a dangerous place where  your personal information is out there for the world to see.  Then people started hooking up with me – family first, some coworkers.  In the last few days it has become really exciting, as friends from high school and college have joined the fold.  Therein lies the source of my pride.

The profiles of my friends are profiles of people who are the exact opposite of the “I Don’t Care” generation that seemed to doom us 20 years ago.  I see men and women who have raised families.  I see the athletes who are teaching at respected universities, the shy classmates who are respected lawyers, and the class clowns who are successful doctors.  I see people involved in their families, communities, and their country.

GenX became dissatisfied with the politics, practices, and procedures of institutions that were unwilling or unable to change what we saw as a very unjust and evil world.  So we said “whatever” to them.  But far from withdrawing, we decided to change things in different ways – through our families, our work, our spiritual practices, and community involvement.

So, while I might never be a facebook maniac, that social networking site has put me back in touch with some of the best people I know.  Congratulations to all – I am proud of you.