Learning To Love Unconditionally In Wisconsin

My heart breaks for America. We seem to have lost the ability to hear the other side of an argument. We are so concerned with being right in our country that we have lost sight of the fact we might be wrong. Or that the other person might have a valid point.

Christians are some of the worst offenders. We are so determined to be ‘right’ in the name of Jesus, that we forget there is another human being on the receiving end of our position.

We protest abortion clinics but don’t love the woman who is hurting inside. We think out politician is right and the others are from the devil. That God must prevail because we are right and the other side are sinners. God will show them…

Give me a break.

Would a loving father really choose sides between two sons? Let’s say you are the father of Obama and Huckabee. Your sons are both running for President of the United States. Do you really think you as a father would choose sides? Sheesh, they are both your sons. Only a mean spirited, judgmental, wrathful father would choose sides.

A loving father would love them both and give them both wise counsel.

Paul writes that “He is bankrupt without love…. it never forces itself on others, Isn’t always ‘me first,… doesn’t revel when others grovel.”

Why then do we are Christians take inside pleasure when others who oppose our positions lose. Secretly we cheer when abortion takes another hit towards being illegal or same sex marriage gets shot down in California.

Christians should be leading the charge to love and not hurt. We shouldn’t be pushing a message of “I’m right and your are wrong.” We should be crossing the street to put an arm around the woman who just had an abortion. We should go knock on the door of a gay neighbor and invite em over for dinner. (And NOT invite them to church or draw out the four spiritual laws.)

We need to stop sharing that God is pouring out his wrath on America because we moved away from the Gold standard in 1930 and now have fiat money. How in the heck does that help push forward the teaching of Jesus?

People, if we don’t love unconditionally, who will?

This has been hammered home over the past two weeks for me watching the events in Wisconsin unfold. I come from a Union family. My family is highly politically active, specifically in the Democratic party. Born in the suburbs of Chicago, my father did legal work for the unions. My uncle was a Chicago Cop. My brother is a union plumber and my sister works as a professor in the University of Wisconsin system.

For the record, I don’t believe in unions. I think they served a purpose 75 years ago, but now they are causing America to slip. That is my opinion based on my reading, research, etc. Personally, I think what Gov. Walker is doing in Wisconsin is heroic. He is standing up to a bully, the unions. I watch the events daily in Wisconsin and secretly want Gov Walker to ‘give it to the unions and break em.’

However, on the flip side, my sister is in a tremendous amount of pain. She is going to experience a 30% reduction in her pay and compensation. What she has worked for her entire life, to be a college professor with tenure is being taken away.  My heart breaks for my sister. I understand why she is in so much pain and so vocal on the subject. Can you see my conundrum?

If I am a judgmental Christian, I would take an approach that my God is going to vindicate me! “If God is for us, who can be against us” mentality. Folks this is a win/lose/ruin a relationship approach.

My sister and I have had a few harsh words on this subject. Shoving article on each other to prove our individual points.  Joined upon by my other sister and one brother in defense of the unions. In the end, instead of fanning the flames, I’ve decided that love is stronger than proving I’m right.  That “caring for others, more than self” won’t win me any accolades on TV, it won’t make my readership increase nor will it get me invited to the latest Christian conference as a speaker.

My approach now? Well, I still want to prove my point, but not in a forceful way. Not by imposing my will upon my sister. I’ve decided that to love her unconditionally in her pain, that is very real and difficult to understand. For I am not in her shoes. She has a right in America to speak her position, post articles supporting her point, to protest and be upset.

I, as a follower of Jesus (no longer saying I’m a Christian) have free will to choose to love her unconditionally.  To not keep score, cheer when others grovel and never giving up.

I See Opportunity Everywhere

Opportunity everywhere… Those were the words spoken by my oldest son, Andrew at 7 AM the day after Christmas. He came down the steps and saw we had just received 4 plus inches of snow during the night.

“What do you mean Andrew?”

“Well, it snowed last night and I know people will need to get their driveways shoveled.”

“How do you plan to shovel, we don’t have a snow shovel.”

“Hmmm, maybe I’ll ask Mr. Tom if I can use his shovel.”

After about 30 minutes and a breakfast, Andrew went next door to Mr. Tom and borrowed a shovel. Within a few moments I looked outside and my son was shoveling the snow off the driveway of our neighbors. They are in their late 60′s. A perfect target market for this endeavor.

In about 45 minutes, my son came back in the house with $20 in his pocket and a grin the size of Texas.

He warmed up a bit, then came into my office. We plotted out the other homes in the neighborhood who had older residents. Determining these homes were the best opportunity for him to earn money shoveling snow.

Our neighborhood has about a thousand kids. Of which 100 are in the 12 to 17 year old category. No one is out offering to shovel driveways for $10 or $20. Most are probably inside, staying warm, playing the wii or facebooking.

There is no doubt in my mind, that Andrew saw this snowfall as heaven sent. A divine opportunity to earn some cash for his summer scout trip to the Northern Tier.

He didn’t futz around, come up with excuses or figure out how not to get a job. He saw and opportunity, figured out how to get his hands on a shovel and went out knocking on doors.

Not really hard, but yet don’t we make things way more difficult than they need to be in business? Especially as a Christian?

My son didn’t fast, pray, seek God as if this was the right opportunity. He didn’t consult with his Bible Study group or seek the scriptures to see if there was a reference to snow, money and shoveling.

He just saw an opportunity.

If you are a business owner, or contemplating being a business owner, my I suggest you operate in the same fashion. There is all around you, opportunities galore. Just open your eyes and get after the abundance around you.

Other kids in the neighborhood saw snow, my son saw a money making opportunity. Into which category would you fall into?

Walls or a Shield – How Well Do You Trust Yourself and Your God….?

No net, no safety harness. This show was done without an agenda or any conversation beforehand. Both of us got fired up and were amazed at how the Spirit can flow.

We start with Halloween. Some believers choose to not participate in Halloween because they believe it’s from the devil. Listen how Matt and Bob feel about this, as we take it to a place you never thought it could go — your business!

Do you only do business with other believers? Do you turn away vendors, employees, clients, or partners because they do not believe like you? Are you missing out? Hear about what Matt and Bob have experienced in this area and what they’ve discovered.

Do you have a “wall” mentality or a “shield” mentality? Do you trust yourself, and do you trust God to allow you to walk into the the darkest places of business and bring light there (not a Bible tract and the 4 laws – we mean YOU)? Bob and Matt talk about the apostle Paul and Christ himself – they operated a lot different than believers do today.

We’re not bragging, but this is a good show. If this doesn’t get you thinking, well, then you might be a zombie….just kidding.

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