Taking Up Sides

Opinions Are Like Bellybuttons, Everyone Has at Least One

I cannot begin to describe to you how over come with glee I was yesterday while reading the paper on the subway on my way to work. What you might wonder, could cause me such delight? I simple little article which accounted Lauren Bacall's lambasting of Tom Cruise and his ridiculous behavior. It seems that the former Mrs. Bogart is not a fan of the couch-jumping, PDA fond, anti-depressant slamming, actor. It is a beautiful thing when someone with more experience, more wisdom and more personality can take on a schmuck like Tom. See, there are benefits that come with age.

Not about to allow his friend to be publicly ridiculed, Jamie Foxx decided to jump to Tom Cruise's defense with the brilliant line that "Tom Cruise is the Michael Jordan of acting." Al Pacino, Anthony Hopkins, Kevin Spacey (I've got a million others) you could perhaps use in a parallel to Michael Jordan, but Tom Cruise? I'm not sure if I'm more embarrassed for MJ or for Jamie Foxx for having the audacity to try and make such a comparison. In the future Mr. Foxx should leave the commentary on his friend's acting career to those that are older and wiser (aka Ms. Bacall).

Just a Side Note

I know we've beat this topic to death here on 90&9 in the last few months but it cannot be stressed enough. When people visit our churches we must make them welcome. I won't rehash what's already been said, but I will simply add my most recent experience.

Upon moving to New York, I started attending a local church. I had been told by many people, people that I loved and respected, that this was an amazing church and I expected nothing less. Having grown up in Pentecost and having lived multiple places I have switched churches several times in my life. However, I have never experienced anything like what greeted me here. The spirit of God was amazing, the worship was good, the Pastors and their wives are wonderful and welcoming people. The rest of the church was not.

Now I realize that in a large church (which this is) it is often difficult to get around to meeting the new people. Things are crowded (we need a bigger building) and seeing as how this is New York I'm sure that there is a steady stream of new faces as people come and go. Yet, somehow in my mind that does not excuse what I can only deem rude behavior. I was introduced to several young people who said hello and the proceeded to more or less ignore me. There were no invitations to sit with them, no smiles and/or friendly conversation the next time we met, no invitations to youth functions or services. When the youth pastor would from time to time ask me if I wanted to go with the young people after service and I answered yes, I was told to just "hang around" and we'll let you know where we're going. Forty minutes later, I was sitting by myself, staring at the walls of the sanctuary and not one person had stopped to talk to me, let alone let me know where everyone is going. I've rarely felt so small or alone.

While this was not enough of a reason to drive me away (admittedly things have become much better, but that's another story) because I go to church for Jesus and not for people, it was devastating. I'm used to being in the middle of everything. Now I was suddenly an outsider and one who felt completely unwanted. I can only imagine how a new visitor would feel in similar circumstances. Would they last long enough for things to become "better"? Somehow I doubt it. Please be aware of your actions and conscious of those around you. Someone's soul may depend on it.

A Woman with a Mission

Judges 4:17-22 tells the story of a remarkable but rarely discussed woman named Jael. Jael was a Kenite (relatives of the Midianites and Israelites) and her husband was on friendly terms with Jabin, the king of the Canaanites. During this same time period, Israel and Canaan went to war. As God had promised Israel defeated the Canaanite army, however, Sisera - the captain of the Canaanite forces escaped. He sought refuge from the pursuing Israelite commander (Barak) in the tent of Jael, and instructed her to tell anyone who inquired that he was not there.

Jael gave him warm milk, covered him with a cloth and when he when he fell asleep she promptly nailed his head to the floor of the tent.

Jael's story is interesting for many reasons and is relevant to us in several ways:

1. At the beginning of Judges 4, God had instructed Barak to muster and army of 10,000 to combat Sisera. Barak was, perhaps understandably, a little reluctant (Judges 4:8). Afterall, Sisera's forces included 900 iron chariots. Because Barak reluctant to trust God, Deborah prophesied that while he would defeat the Canaanite army, a woman would ultimately be the one to kill Sisera and ensure victory for Israel.

The Lesson: God is reinforcing the point that if we refuse to trust him when he asks us to do something, he will find someone else to do it. Unfortunately, this also means that we give up the blessings that we would have received. Bottom line: TRUST GOD!

2. It may seem obvious but Jael was a woman, in fact she was by today's terms, a house-wife (yes, I know, none of you could have possibly figured that out on your own). In a world that was dominated by men, one little woman did what an entire army could not.

The Lesson: God can use anybody, anytime, anywhere. Never doubt it.

3. While Jael had Israelite ancestors, her husband was on friendly terms with the King of Canaan, and Sisera came to her seeking refuge. Middle Eastern custom dictated that if someone asked for refuge - even an enemy - they were to receive food, shelter and protection for up to three days. By taking Sisera in and then murdering him, Jael could be considered guilty of treason. Yet, there never seems to be any question in Jael's mind that Sisera was the enemy. She didn't waste time talking to him, or trying to see his side of the story, she simply made up her mind and took action. Obviously Jael was a woman that weighed the risks and realized that taking action, even though it might not have seemed "right" or expedient, was the only thing she could do. By nailing Sisera to the tent floor Jael insured that Israel's victory was complete. In fact, it would only be a matter of time before Israel was able to completely destroy Canaan.

The Lesson: Inaction or hesitation can be our downfall. As my grandmother used to say, being wishy washy gets you nothing but wet. It may not be comfortable, it may not be liked by those closest to us but sometimes take drastic measures.

So my hat's off to you Jael. The world could use a few more decisive women (and men) like you.


Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!