Afghanistan

August 2011 was the costliest month for America in Afghanistan since the war began: 67 US troops were killed. I find it very unsettling that we are still fighting in Afghanistan ten years after the war began. This is the longest war in American history and there’s no end in sight. There is no doubt that attacking the Taliban and Al Qaeda had to be done. America has the bravest, most skilled, most compassionate military in history. But at what point do we bring them home? Osama bin Laden is dead. Al Qaeda has been expelled. I fear we are sending our soldiers to fight a war that cannot be won through military encounters. The Taliban has been repeatedly beaten militarily. The problem is Taliban ideology still dominates the region. You cannot defeat ideology with weaponology. In World War II we defeated Germany, but did not end fascism.

The War on Terror is different than any other war we have fought. It is most similar, however, to the Cold War. The Cold War wasn’t won on the battlefield. It was won with technology and intelligence. It’s time to stop putting our brave soldiers in the line of fire. If we leave Afghanistan, even if the Taliban rises to power again, they will be no more of a threat to us than many other hostile nations with weak governments including Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen. I have grown so tired of American soldiers coming home to be buried. Let’s stop giving our enemies a target and win the war on terror like we won the Cold war, through technology and intelligence.

The Supreme Court and Westboro Baptist

As a pastor I am particularly offended at the vitriol of Westboro Baptist Church. Their actions demean the title “Baptist,” and worse their hate hinders the work of Christ. Their bitterness against homosexuality builds walls between those in a homosexual lifestyle and Christian faith. I’ve been present at a funeral where they demonstrated and confronted one on their leaders about the unbiblical nature of their actions. The bitter anger of her response and the glare of her eyes reminded me of a demonic encounter I had years earlier. I think Paul describes them well in Titus 1:16 (NET) They profess to know God but with their deeds they deny him, since they are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed. Last week the Supreme Court ruled in Westboro’s favor in a case against them. I obviously hate the fact that Westboro’s hate-filled words have not been extinguished, however, the Supreme Court was right. The damage Westboro has done to the cause of Christ is deep, but if the Supreme Court had ruled that speaking out publicly regarding your religious convictions was illegal, Christianity in America would have been permanently damaged. Think of the repercussions that could have. I hate what Westboro does, but shutting them up with the legal system is not the best approach. The best strategy I’ve seen is the Patriot Guard. Veterans and Bikers who’s presence at a veteran’s funeral belittles the bitterness and hate speech of Westboro. Their wimpy little hate signs are completely overpowered by the statement so many bikers make riding in support of the fallen. Way to go Patriot Guard! You make us proud!

Tucon Shooting

Tragedies such as this stir deep emotions and fears. Rightfully so. Unfortunately, many lack the emotional resources and spiritual depth to personally deal with the pain an event such as this creates. When the news first broke, many jumped to rash conclusions blaming this group or that. This is sign of one of two things: either a political agenda willing to use even the most tragic of events as political amunition, or a person without the spiritual an emotional resources to appropriately process the pain this event causes them. Who does not feel pain as they learn of a 9 year old killed by a stray bullet fired by a mindless killer? What does one do with that pain? All too many this week have lashed out at others trying to pin blame on opposing political convictions, or the availablility of guns, or some other aspect of our world they dislike. The blame lies with one person: The murderer. He is mentally defective. We all wish there to be something we can do to prevent such a mindless event. But until we are willing to arrest a person with no criminal history for having deep mental problems, there is little that can be done to prevent a tragedy such as this. Blaming Sarah Palin, the gun industry, the TEA party, the media, or video games gets us no where. The best thing we can do is to pray for the grieving, share their pain, and show our support in any way possible.

Pharisee Hypocrisy

In Matthew 23 Jesus gives his most scathing rebuke of the Pharisees. Seven times in this passage he calls them hypocrites. Three are illustrations of their hypocrisy, A garden v.23, a dish v.25, and a white-washed tomb in v.25. The other four references are descriptions of their hypocrisy: 'You're a hypocrite because...' Of these four descriptions, one stands out as a great risk for believers today. Its found in v.13, "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from men..." (NAS) By their rules, regulations and strict oversight they made the kingdom of heaven unreachable. Impossible to attain. Totally absent from their teaching was anything about grace. Law and consequences ruled the day. Their hypocrisy was clear in that not even they themselves could maintain obedience to all of their regulations, yet they showed no grace. Christ shows grace to sinners throughout the gospels. Forgiveness is abundant in his words. What he could not tolerate was self-righteous hypocrisy. This is a wise lessor for believers to remember today as we take stands in the public square on issues of morality. One hypocrite can do a world of damage to the cause of Christ when he/she is exposed. 1 John 3:18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. (NAS)