Unity and Diversity...Can we have both?

So, I am sure most readers know by now that I am a Christian.  Actually, I am trying to refer to myself now as a follower of Jesus rather than Christian, though, as a broad term to classify my beliefs, the word Christian works.  I was having an online discussion with a man whom I respect, though we don't often share the same viewpoint.  What we do have in common is our love for Jesus. 

The conversation eventually cam around to this idea of diversity versus unity.  His opinion is that although we are Christians, diversity in thought and action are necessary and important as a part of our community together.  My viewpoint was that of unity over diversity.  One God, one faith, one truth, etc.  In the new testament, Paul exhorts the church to be of like mind, and intent on one purpose.  I think Paul knew the danger of the enemy seeking to divide the church by convincing them that their can be a gray rather than just black and white.  I know I am gonna catch some disagreement here, but here it is, I just don't see any gray in scripture or in the life of Jesus, and I see a call for unity and for advancement of the Kingdom of God on earth, never a call for diversity and varied opinion.  Yes, I understand we are all different, but if the goal is the same, the path can't be that far apart.  IF there is no gray in scripture, no luke warm, the unity can not be that far behind.

This post is actually several weeks in the making and over that time I have given some thought to this idea of unity and diversity, by applying it directly to God himself.  God is both unity and diversity.  He is God the Father and creator, He is God the son, and He is God the Holy Spirit.  Each person of the trinity has a function different and separate from the other, yet they remain perfectly united and intent on the propose of God the Father.  Perfectly diverse and perfectly united.  I think the church is called to be the same.

My friend voted for President Obama, and I did not.  We are diverse.  The unity comes in our acknowledgement that we are not called to criticize, but to pray for "kings" and all those in authority.  This is our unity.  This unity will never happen as long as I spend valuable time bashing the President and slandering him over things I disagree with, and I refuse to do that, and I expect the same thing from fellow followers of Christ.  Should we speak up and have a voice when we think things are wrong or immoral?  Yes, but that must never take the place of prayer and unity of purpose.  Is it OK to dislike Rush Limbaugh?  Sure.  He's not my favorite person.  What happens though when we take our dislike and disagreement a step further by aligning our selves with groups titled "Tell Rush Limbaugh to Shut The Hell Up?"  Really all this does is put us on the same level as the one we despise for justifiable reasons, and mutes our cause.  Joining the madness will never bring solutions or peace or the Kingdom of God.

Followers of Jesus (read: The Church) need to find unity in our diversity and understand that God is very much single minded, very black and white, and extremely intent on one purpose and that makes it our intent as well.

God and American Idol!

Over the last several years, I have heard different views about how God works to advance his Kingdom on earth, or whether he still really does.  Would and could God use something like American Idol to reach people?  I have some friends that say no way, but I beg to differ.  I believe God is living and active and not above using any and all means to advance his Kingdom and draw people to Himself. 

This year on American Idol, there were at least two Christian singers, both of which are worship leaders in their local church.  There may have been others as well.  Last year, there were several Christians, and though it's not my favorite song, Shout To The Lord was a featured song on one episode and was performed on live national television.  

God wants to work, will use any available means, and simply needs us to be available.  Available to love someone, to talk about a television show, to address sin in a loving way, to feed someone who is hungry, or maybe just open the door for someone.  

Enjoy the video...

Truth Defined

I am on in interesting journey right now.  Very exciting.  Cheryl and I just began a study call the Truth Project that basically spends 12 weeks going through a comprehensive study of truth.  It basically takes a look at life from a Biblical perspective, explains truth and the relevance of the Christian worldview.  Now, that may sound convoluted, bit it is pretty simple really, and this is how I feel God revealed this to me.

In the days leading up to this study, I was going over this idea of truth in my prayer time.  I realized I could not define truth in a clear way.  I feel like I know what truth is, but articulating it is something else entirely.  Here is what I feel God revealed to me as an analogy for what I believe will be a journey that He is taking me on.

Cheryl McCabe is my wife.  That is real. That is my reality. I have documents, witnesses and the government to prove that fact.  It is reality and it is true, but it is not truth.  A man cannot walk into my home a tell me that he has decided that he wants Cheryl to be his wife and then take her away and call her his wife.  You just can't do that. The only way for Cheryl to no longer be my wife is for us to "change" or divorce.  This is the difference.  Real truth must be absolute.  It is by definition absolute and cannot be changed.  Truth is not relative.  The minute we make truth relative, it ceases to be truth, and becomes our own created reality instead.  

God is absolute.  God is unchangeable.  God has always existed and by nature cannot ever change.  This leads me to the fact that truth defined begins and ends with God.  Not just God as a spiritual being, but his nature, his principals, and the biblical account of who he is.  Of all the religions in the world, of all the beliefs, the God of the Bible is the only one who has not ever changed and cannot change.  He is where truth starts and ends.

I believe in God.  I have always believed in God.  He has revealed Himself to me in a way that I know for sure He is real.  My belief does not relay on people to represent him well.  My belief does not depend on church or religion.  My belief is in the God of the universe as a good and loving creator.  I want to articulate that in a way that makes sense.  I don't want to push God on anyone.  I do however want to speak the truth when asked and when given opportunity.  Anyone that feels they have found something worth believing in that strongly I think would feel the same way.  I trust God to reveal Himself to others just like He has to me, but I certainly want to be an instrument of that revelation whenever the opportunity arises.

That's all for now...would love to hear some of your thoughts!