Love Your Neighbor (No Matter Who They Vote For)

It seems the 2020 election is “officially” underway here in the U.S.A. We have Trump/Pence vs. Biden/Harris. 

PLEASE HEAR THIS: God wants you to love your neighbor. The devil wants you to hate your neighbor.

 

Who is your neighbor?

 

25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him (Jesus) to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

-         Luke 10:25-37

 

Those of you who are well-versed in Scripture or have knowledge regarding the context know that in this time period (1st century A.D) a man from Samaria and a man from Jerusalem are essentially at opposite ends of the social/cultural/political spectrum. Given their individual backgrounds, they have no business getting along with one another. It would have been unthinkable for a Samaritan to help a Jew.

More than anything, I hope you recognize from this passage that the Samaritan went above and beyond to help his neighbor. He did everything he possibly could to help. He did not protest the injustice nor seek personal glory or compensation for his servanthood. You see, the real question is not, “who is my neighbor?” Jesus corrects the question itself; “how can I be a neighbor?”

It does not matter who you are or what you call yourself. You are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself. 

I am appalled by the words and actions I see people use against those who don’t agree with them, especially when it is by those who claim to follow Christ. YOU ARE THE ROBBERS!

God's commandment is to love your neighbor. There is no caveat.

Warming Up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=me7BOhHJAnM

Normative Nomad - Warming Up
Recorded December 2019

Inspired, Not Discouraged

If you pay attention to just about any form of media these days, you will likely notice a pessimistic or downright negative tone. As a follower of Christ, I refuse to believe this is acceptable whether it be from the left, right, middle, or wherever on the political spectrum.

I have struggled especially over the last few weeks in managing my worldview with a peaceful disposition. Every other opinion I read or hear seems to be antagonistic and condescending. Being brutally honest, what has bothered me most is that those who I know act immorally are most often those who are lecturing others on virtue. Please examine yourself before you judge and preach to others.

Things are a bit strange these days. I don’t need to tell you that. It is still odd though that just about anything and everything is fuel for a fiery debate. Is there anything I can say or do to make things better or change your mind on any of these political hot topics? Folks have their minds made up and there is no dissuading no matter how hard you try.

Honestly, it is a struggle to maintain a positive outlook. We have been forced by law to “stay at home” and “social distance” from one another for several months. Some states are even continuing orders of mandatory mask wearing in public for fears of the Covid-19. Can you believe it? Not only have they got over half the population scared, but they got just about everyone in dissent with their neighbor.

If my faith was in humanity or the things of this world, I would be despondent and crushed. There is no hope that my fellow human or any invention we’ve made can fix what is wrong here on Earth. My hope and optimism is in the Creator and Savior of this world. Since the beginning, humans have continued to screw things up, but God has renewed and restored humanity by His Word. I am grateful for the Lord’s patience with us. Think of all these people you see and hear on social media. Do you think any of them would give up their only child for your life? Not only that, but for the life of one who is a criminal?

My faith is not in you, me, or anyone I know on Earth. Witnessing all of this anger, despair, and confusion does not discourage me but inspires me to help, serve, and love more. If there is anything this world needs more of, it’s not social justice warriors nor hypocritical critics-- this world needs love. I will not be discouraged by hate but I will be inspired by love.

Grace and Peace

- Normative Nomad

Turn to God

Things are strange. Turn to God. Seek the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.

Things may be bad. Turn to God. Ask His help for He gives power to the faint and strengthens the powerless.

Things may be good. Turn to God. Give thanks and rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all your circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
 In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.
 Be not wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
 It will be healing to your flesh
    and refreshment to your bones.”

 

Grace and Peace

-Normative Nomad

Free to Roam

Normative Nomad - Free to Roam (YouTube)


Guitar and synth. The video is just clips put together with Movie Maker Pro

Enjoy!

True Love is Not Easy

I went on YouTube and saw there was a live stream of protests going on in the San Francisco bay area tonight. I lived in the East Bay during most of 2019 and so this particularly peaked my interest. What I'm watching unfold is as compelling as any drama or thriller I’ve ever seen.

As you likely know, George Floyd was tragically and maliciously killed by a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I admit I have not watched the infamous video nor do I intend to as there is not one person from any range of the political spectrum that I have seen try to justify this murder. This is not out of ignorance, but I have a sensitive mind and do not wish to watch violence, death, or evil take place before my eyes, if I can help it. Please and thank you for respecting my choice to not watch that.

People are upset and rightfully so. Protests are going on in cities around the United States including Minneapolis, Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, Richmond, Oakland, San Jose, even Des Moines among many others. As I scroll through my Facebook feed, I see anger…lots and lots of anger. You have a right to be angry. You should be angry.

 

I know, I know, I talk a lot about Jesus and the Bible, but hear me out… Jesus got angry too.

You know who Jesus got angry with the most? Those who were in charge and in high positions of power and leadership in the church. It wasn’t because they were in positions of power but because they abused their power and did evil acts while claiming to do them in the name of God.

Do you see people doing evil, claiming to do it for the sake of George Floyd? I do

Do you see people doing evil, claiming to do it for the sake of law enforcement? I do

Do you see people doing evil, claiming to do it for the sake of justice? I do

 

 

I don’t know what to say. I don’t know what to do. I’m not sure I can help this situation at all, but I am not without hope. 

Now more than ever, we need to love one another. This means loving those you disagree with and even those who hate you. It's easy to love those who love you. 

  

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

 If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same."

-Luke 6:27-33

God, please have mercy on our nation and this world.

 

Grace and Peace

-Normative Nomad

What is Essential

There was some encouraging news for many of us church-going folk last Friday. The president announced that all places of worship including churches, mosques, and synagogues were to be declared “essential.” 


I’m not writing this as a comment on politics or giving my opinion on this action, but Trump said something in his brief remarks last week that really struck me: “Some governors have deemed liquor stores and abortion clinics as essential but not churches.” What does it say about our society when we deem liquor and abortion as essential? 


This really got me thinking, what is essential?


I often try to approach issues and questions like this from two points of view: A practical/worldly view and the other a spiritual/biblical view. Practically speaking, the primary essentials that come to mind are water, food, and shelter. Spiritually, the essentials that come to mind are prayer, reading/learning Scripture, and community. 


Christ Jesus was given a question that I believe is similar to this issue, and His response is a perfect teaching of what is essential.


But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

-Matthew 22:34-40



I don’t think I need to comment too much on Jesus’ response to the question for He says what He means quite clearly. I believe it should be noted though that His response does not include things you need, but things you need to DO. 


What is essential? To love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Secondly, to love your neighbor as yourself.



Grace and Peace

-Normative Nomad