Pray for the Police

Four years ago while staying at a friend’s place in North Dakota, he loaned me DVDs of old movies and TV shows. One of them had episodes of the original “Dragnet” series from the 1950s. I recalled watching the reboot from the late 1960s while growing up and started seeing them again on YouTube. That gave me greater respect for those in law enforcement.

Unfortunately, not every policeman does his job with excellence. Last Monday in Minneapolis, a white officer named Derek Chauvin pressed his knee upon the neck of a handcuffed African-American man for several minutes. George Floyd repeatedly said he couldn’t breathe and was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Judging from videos I’ve seen of this incident, Floyd didn’t appear to be resisting arrest. It wasn’t until four days later that manslaughter and third-degree murder charges were brought against Chauvin.

Meanwhile, riots broke out in Minneapolis and other cities. It brought back memories of the violence that erupted following the acquittal of the Los Angeles policemen who beat up Rodney King in the early 1990s. The mayhem in Minneapolis hits closer to home since I lived in the Twin Cities area for many years. (In fact, I flew out of Minneapolis last weekend.)

While I can sympathize with those mistreated by bad law enforcement officers, retaliating with violence is not the solution. It causes more problems for everybody. I also don’t agree with publicly shaming the officers involved with George Floyd’s death. One Facebook friend posted a meme on my wall labeling Chauvin’s partner “the scum of the earth.” I quickly took that down. George Floyd’s fiancée has spoken out against the violence and asked everyone to forgive the policemen. As Jesus said in Mark 11:26, “But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

Last year in Massachusetts, a man staying in the same house with me unexpectedly died. I briefly chatted with one of the policemen investigating the scene. In response to my telling him that I pray for those in law enforcement, Joe replied, “We can use all the prayer we can get.” I got to lead this officer to the Lord. 

While doing street ministry, I go out of my way to thank police officers for their service. Behind every badge is a man or woman who sacrifices their lives to protect and serve their communities. They deserve our respect and need our prayers.

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.“ - 1 Timothy 2:1-2

A Ride on the Trump Train

Recently I got to see the President of the United States in person for the first time. My friend John and I attended the Evangelicals for Trump rally at King Jesus church in Miami, Florida. A few days before I kept perceiving the Lord wanted me to go to Miami but didn’t know why. Then shortly after Christmas, John called me from his home in the Washington, DC area. He asked about staying with me at the missionary house I’ve been living in Tampa. I had goosebumps when John mentioned going to Miami after that. Soon I learned Donald Trump was having a rally there on January 3rd.

Originally I thought of riding with John without going to the rally. I had it on my heart to evangelize on the streets of Miami. John attended previous Trump rallies where people stood in line for hours with no guarantee they would get inside. But on our way through Southern Florida, I felt more of a stirring to be at the rally. During pit stops at McDonald’s I got to lead three people to the Lord (and later had a fourth at 7/11 on the way home).

We arrived at the church around 10:45 a.m. To our surprise, the line wasn’t as long as John and I expected. Worship music playing on an outside sound system helped maintain a godly atmosphere and probably kept extra protesters away. There was one man I encountered holding signs listing the Ten Commandments and his claim that Trump is not a Christian. I felt led to tell him, “He who is without sin cast the first stone.”

John and I fellowshipped with people in line around us. One of them named Jose was a member of the church. He told us they would start letting people in at 2:00 p.m. The line began moving earlier than that. Of course, getting inside took awhile since Secret Service agents had us empty our pockets and walk through metal detectors. John and I eventually got seats in the twelfth row. I thought this was symbolic since the number 12 in Scripture refers to government (like the twelve tribes of Israel).

Around 3:30 a worship band played three songs. The first of which was appropriately titled “Freedom.” Then the same recorded music heard outside played again for several minutes. Meanwhile, many well-known Christian leaders and musicians showed up and took seats in front of us. Among those we recognized were Robert Jeffress, John Hagee, Rod Parsley, Rodney Howard-Browne, Michael Tait, Jonathan Cain and Stephen Strang from Charisma magazine.

Sometime after 4:00, Pastor Guillermo Maldonado opened the ceremony with an anointed prayer. Tony Perkins from the Family Research Council followed with a few remarks. Then Paula White-Cain emerged to introduce the president. The announced start time was 5:00 but Donald Trump appeared 15 minutes early. Paula invited seven other people onstage to join her in surrounding Trump as they prayed for him. Jentezen Franklin led the prayer followed by Maldonado.

During a speech that lasted over an hour, the President addressed various political issues but talked at length about his support for Israel and maintaining religious freedom. Before closing, Trump invited two pairs of women to speak from the podium. The first two were students at Fresno State University where they encountered persecution for promoting pro-life ideas. Among the other two was an African-American woman that nearly stole the show. Angel talked about the president assisting her in helping those devastated by a hurricane that struck the Florida panhandle. This woman also chastised the media’s skewed reporting of the president while they were filming several feet away.

Aside from perhaps Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” (which has become an anthem for patriotic Americans), the only secular song heard throughout this event was The Rolling Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” This continues to be Trump’s play-out tune. Robert Jeffress ended the rally with a closing prayer.

Despite the recent impeachment by the House of Representatives (which likely won’t get past the Republican-controlled Senate), it was encouraging to see Christians of different races and denominations unified to support a president who cares for the welfare of this country. Critics may think Trump’s supporters have blind allegiance to him. On the contrary. A few people wore T-shirts that simply stated our beliefs as American Christians: “Jesus is my Savior. Trump is my President.”

“Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.” - 1 Peter 2:17

Failure Isn’t Final

Originally I didn’t plan on watching last Sunday’s Super Bowl. I wasn’t fond of either team playing and had no interest in seeing Lady Gaga’s halftime show. But after practicing a sermon, I decided to walk over to a nearby church that previously hosted a Super Bowl party. The church itself was closed but some men living in the dormitories were preparing to watch the big game and I got to join them. The channel was changed during halftime to briefly watch the Harlem Globetrotters on ESPN2.

We ended up seeing a historic game. The New England Patriots came back from a 25-point deficit to beat the Atlanta Falcons in the first Super Bowl that went into overtime. The Patriots overcame two costly turnovers to win their fifth Vince Lombardi trophy. The game illustrated that failure isn’t final…or in the famous words of Yogi Berra, “It ain’t over till it’s over.”

The Bible has accounts of people who made major mistakes but God still used them to advance His kingdom. Moses killed an Egyptian in a premature attempt to free the children of Israel but later presented the Ten Commandments. Paul was also a murderer but still wrote a large portion of the New Testament. King David committed both adultery and murder yet we recite many of his Psalms today plus sing about how he danced before the Lord.

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were liars but today are considered fathers of our faith. Hosea’s wife Gomer was a prostitute but God used that marriage to illustrate His faithfulness to us. Peter denied Jesus three times but later preached the gospel on the Day of Pentecost that brought salvation to thousands. 

Noah got drunk. Jonah ran from God. Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal as well as Elijah. Martha was a worrywart. Feel a little better about yourself now?

Regardless if you messed up before or after becoming a Christian, hope is available as long as you’re quick to repent.

“being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ:” - Philippians 1:6

Go, Tebow!

One of the biggest surprises of the current National Football League season is the success of Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow. Ever since the Heismann Trophy winner became the starter this year, the Broncos have lost only one game. What makes Tim’s success even more amazing is his statistics haven’t been that impressive for an NFL quarterback. Yet the Broncos have pulled off a string of last-minute comebacks. Unfortunately for me, one of those wins was against my favorite team (the Minnesota Vikings).

People have debated if God involves Himself in the outcome of sporting events. One thing to keep in mind is when two teams are playing, there are usually Christians praying on both sides of the ball. Still, only one team can win.

Nonetheless, I believe the Lord will bless athletes who give Him the glory and aren’t ashamed to praise His name in public. In January 2000, Kurt Warner put “first things first” and thanked Jesus on national television after leading the St. Louis Rams to a Super Bowl victory and receiving the MVP award. A few years before that, the late Reggie White not only won a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers but also claimed God miraculously healed him from various injuries he suffered on the field.

Due to Tim Tebow’s habit of getting down on one knee and praying during a game, “tebowing” has become a neologism to describe someone kneeling and praying. While many NFL players often make headlines for negative behavior both on and off the field, it’s refreshing to see an athlete becoming famous for honoring God.

Go, Tebow!

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” - Philippians 4:13