As today we celebrate the birth of Jesus, God coming to the earth it got me thinking.....

When we first moved to America 17 years ago we felt we were called to do it.  We can both very clearly remember the celebration at Spring Harvest where it happened.   I think it's taken 17 years to really see why.   Yes, in these years we've done a lot of things and been involved in a lot of things and been involved in a lot of relationships that I pray have made a difference.   We've been in the right place to support friends and family in difficult times and to save a lot of animals lives.   However,...

America.   

I see a mission field so big.    Bigger than the most "backward", atheistic society.  Why?   I am struggling to  put it in to words.   What I see is a Country that has been blessed in so many ways.  I also see a Country so misguided in it's self importance and idolatry about it's self and the sad thing I see a Country where this misguidance is from the Church, from those that should be setting a better example.   What do I mean by this.   I mean (and there are a few examples), but,  the one I really, really cannot come to terms with it all, is the Gospel of fear and hate we see.   It could be disagreeing politically, coming from the wrong part of the world, having a different lifestyle, looking different, fearing the unknown.   How far from the Gospel is this?   "Love your enemies" "Do not fear" "Trust".   Where are these?   The foundations of Holiness are just not to be seen.  It must be a joyless life living in this constant fear of the unknown.  Yeah, of course there are times everyone is fearful, but, living this way, been taught this way by the church, and by politicians who claim to be Christians is just wrong.   It's all about me.  About how much I have, about how I am better, about how everyone else is stupid or wrong.  Newsflash!!   Jesus doesn't care about countries or borders.   He cares about everyone.  Period.   He cares that the poor, hungry, downtrodden are lifted up and loved.   I do think that religion and politics can be separate.   I do however find it absolutely criminal that when politicians who preach and publicly shout out their faith to do not practice it.    I have news for them.   The world is bigger than America.   The world that Christ loves is bigger than America.   The world the Christ came to save is bigger than America.   He sees no boundaries.   He sees no borders.   He sees no ethnicity.   He does see the hurt.  He does see those sitting back not helping those in need.   He does see the hateful fear.   He said that we are "all one in Him".  Every time we refuse a refuge we are refusing Him, or bomb a city we killing Him.  Putting Him back on the cross rather than letting Him off it to save us and save EVERYONE.  It is up to Him alone to judge.  Whilst on earth we are called to love.   Love EVERYONE!!

As a side note.   I would never have thought in a million miles that I'd end up going to an Episcopalian Church.    Yet I do and love it and feel at home there.   Why?   They get it.  Do I agree with everything doctrinaly?    No.   (I have discovered this is impossible).   What I have found there is a leadership and Church who want to love Jesus and show the world that love in an nonjudgmental fashion.   I was about to lose hope that I would find this in Texas.

So, on this day, as I wrap up my disjointed thoughts, the day we celebrate the birth of the Saviour let's think about what the coming really means, not, what we have made it become.

Matthew 6:25-34.

-Richard