GlocalNet

Why do Christians in the West resist the world so much - hide from it, isolate themselves from it, fear it, etc.,?  As followers of Jesus we’ve been called to love and engage the world with the Good News of Jesus Christ and to do the works that he has done.  We come to the world on our terms - and I’m not talking about the Gospel - but our culture.  We have mixed Americana with the Gospel - wrapped our security in American security and fire power instead of the truth of the Word of God, the power of the Holy Spirit and expressing the love of Jesus to every tongue, every tribe, every nation.

The world is waiting to have a conversation and relationship with us.  You can go to http://www.islamchannel.tv/currentaffairs/infocus.aspx - I was interviewed by Carl Arrindel - or http://ow.ly/3yuO7 - There’s another interview I can’t find but the PBS of Switzerland did it.  It’s crazy - I’m a known evangelical sharing that I disagree with Islam, and secular atheist but that I want to have relationships with all peoples of the world and they put me on a channel saying that to millions of people. 

It’s time we break out of our religious tribes and circles with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  This year, the majority of things I speak at won’t be conferences for Christians - but secular or other religions speaking of Jesus and how we connect.  I am no big name in the least - so why me?  Because there are so few that engaging and we are so fearful of what others will think if we really become friends with the tax-collectors and prostitutes. 

As events unfold in the middle-east and nation after nation is challenging their government for freedom and basic human rights, the chain of events has been set in motion that will be irreversible.  I’ve followed it closely as young people have said they want an opportunity in this world. 

As a nation, we can no longer go it alone.  We haven’t “gone” it alone since the period between WWI and WWII.  Clothing, manufacturing, oil, e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g is now connected.  Because we Americans have had two major oceans on our borders and Canada above us and Mexico below us - and because we are a majority anglo nation with European roots racially and economically - we thought we could hold our faith with our Bible and the world with our military.  There may be some conflicts there between our Bible and our flag. 

If we act as isolationist, we have doomed our children to becoming soldiers fighting in unwinnable wars.  If we act as isolationist, we have doomed people to never being able to hear about the good news of Jesus.  If we act as isolationist, we have doomed our nation, it’s future, and it’s hope.  Sooooo, 3 things .

First, get to know people from around the world - right in your own city and neighborhood.  Yes, reading magazines, following the news is important - but knowing real live people is even more powerful and puts a face to it.  In Dallas 44% of the population are first generation Americans, that’s hard for all of us Baptist to believe - but it’s true.  To live as if we white Baptist people are all there is, is crazy and dangerous.  It is not our Texas context.  Neither is it the global context.  Right now, many live in a state of denial - and for this world -that’s not just dangerous, it’s shrinking the future for our children. 

Second, listen to a news source you don’t agree with.  Don’t just listen to who you agree with - find other sources you don’t.  What you will do is begin to understand why they think the way they think and act the way they do. 

Third, do volunteer work globally.  You can go to Vietnam, Mexico, or the middle-east with our church - or with other churches - but see what kind of work it is.  Passing out tracks, doing a revival service - isn’t going to let you engage with the culture at large.  Find a project you can do to serve the people and then talk to them.  Start where they are, not where you are culturally.