Author Archives: Max Brennan

Neither Left nor Right

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The truth is neither on the far right nor the far left.

Far-right Christians believe in a God who does bad things (orders the killing of the Amalekites).

Far-left Christians believe in a God who doesn’t do anything. They think God never intervenes in our lives, doesn’t know us, and doesn’t care about us.

Let me challenge the left-leaners today. From Rosemary Thornton:

I was 22, driving on a dark road in light rain. The rain and the fog made visibility poor.

I wasn’t going very fast, but I heard a voice clearly demand that I stop the car. I ignored it at first.

But the second time, the voice was yelling. It said, “Stop the car NOW.”

I didn’t know what was happening, but I slammed on the brakes. The car stopped immediately. I put it in park and exited the vehicle.

Two feet in front of the car stood a tiny toddler.

He was wearing nothing but a diaper and looking very frightened. I wrapped him in my arms and moved to the side of the road in the rain.

In less than 60 seconds, a woman came running out of a nearby house, crying and screaming. She had fallen asleep on the couch and awoke to find her baby gone.

I know hundreds of stories much like this one.

We could find thousands.

They are too numerous to dismiss.

And they tell us of a God who cares about us and knows every move we make.

An impersonal God who does nothing is no more real than the mean God of conservatism.

Neither the religious left nor right is willing to face reality: God is all-loving. And God works personally in our lives.

Just as Jesus said.

Max’s Corner

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Last Sunday

Labor Day Weekend.

Sixty-one present—with eight of those being children. How wonderful!

Shannon sang a lovely solo, and Blake played a great version of “How Great Thou Art” for the offering. (Kristi was out for one Sunday.) It was so lovely that I listened to that part of the service again on the recording. It made me feel like I was in an old-time revival meeting. Yes, I am old. I like that feeling.

I talked about God sometimes pushing us, sometimes pulling us in God’s direction. We do have freedom, but God does intervene in our lives.

We are free—but not alone. And God has a will for how we live our lives.

This Sunday

Mary may be preaching this Sunday. (Not absolutely sure of that.) And summer is over. Not officially, but after Labor Day, we feel like it is.

Choir practice resumes a week from Sunday at 9:30 a.m. We will have some new members. (Hope we haven’t lost any old ones.)

NDE Class

Attendance has held up remarkably well. The class will run for two or three more weeks. It has been a time of spiritual growth and insight into the workings of God. This Sunday: “Salvation.”

Class at 9:45—followed by breakfast.

Speaking of Breakfast

No one is signed up to bring it. That means this is a “We-Bring Sunday.” It’s up to us eaters.

Food and fellowship at 10:30.

Y’all Come!

No more fiddlin’ and piddlin’ around.

Vacations are over. Lazy days are gone.

It’s back to church—and joy and love and praying together. See you—in church—Sunday.

God Bless,
MB

Yes—keep our sick folk in your prayers.

When people we love are sick, we are also hurting.

Jesus—IS—the Word

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By “Conservative,” I mean Christians who read the Bible as though it is inerrant. They see it as accurate cover-to-cover.

But this way of reading the Bible can make people less loving, and less moral.

For example, Deut. 21:18 says that parents with a son who refuses to obey them should haul the kid before the elders at the city gate and have him stoned to death.

You won’t find that in modern parenting manuals.

It’s a horrendous idea.

It is ancient ignorance.

And it’s no way to treat your kid.

But Biblical inerrantists must defend that passage. And since this is part of the Old Testament law, they must even say that killing the child was God’s idea.

If you are in a conservative church, ask your pastor about this. He will defend this passage and say killing the child was God’s will.

Of course, we should all know better. The passage is not Christian.

It does not reflect the teachings of Jesus or even common decency.

But the conservative pastor feels he must defend the passage and must blame it on God.

Because it is in the Bible.

It is important for us to know that there is a Bible within the Bible.

The heart of scripture is Jesus and his teachings.

Anything in the Bible that does not reflect his love cannot be right.

Jesus—IS—the Word!

Biblical inerrancy causes many Christians to be morally indecisive. It is why so many who claim Christ can support “the orange guy.”

They have been taught immorality all their lives sitting in pews on Sundays.

Biblical inerrancy can lead to political evil.

(Worship at 11:00.)

Max’s Corner

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Last Sunday

I told you something you have never heard a preacher say: The world is what God intended it to be. It is not a mistake. God did not goof, and God never regretted making us. The world is the hard-knocks school God sends us to—to grow, to learn, to find God. The Adam and Eve story tells us we are cursed, but Jesus tells us we are blessed—even with the pain and suffering in the world. And I’m sticking with Jesus.

This Sunday—Communion

This Sunday’s sermon: “We’re Free—but Sometimes God Pushes.” Yes, freedom is what this is all about. We are free, but never alone. God is with us at every moment. God sees our every move and knows our every thought. And sometimes—God breaks in.

This is what a lot of Christians do not know: God does stuff! God meddles. God intervenes. That’s what I will be talking about.

We will gather at the Lord’s Table this Sunday.

NDE Class

There is a hell. There has to be. Everybody must go somewhere when they die, and all are not ready for heaven. Some people don’t even want heaven, and they surely do not want God. So, says my sister, this week in the NDE class, we will look at “Hell and Other Bad Environs.”

Class at 9:45—followed by breakfast.

Speaking of Breakfast

This is “Winston Week.” Feel free to help.

Food and fellowship at 10:30.

Singing

I am happiest when I am singing. I feel closest to God when I am singing.

You know what’s going to happen some Sunday soon? We are going to spend the whole worship hour singing—just singing—with a little talk in between.

I long to sing with you Sunday.

See you in church. Do come—if you can.

God Bless—MB

The Gospel Is Inclusive

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Someone asked me, “If you lived in a small town and the only church in town was conservative, would you go to church?”

Well—perhaps.

But I would not be quiet. So, I might cause a bit of a fuss. Because the Gospel is not “conservative.” And when someone tells me they are conservative, I am tempted to ask them, “Who are you leaving out?”

“Who do you think is beneath you, not worthy of your love?”

For white people when I was growing up, it was often people of color.

It still is for some.

But add to the list: immigrants, gay people, Muslims, Jews, anyone different.

“Conservatives” tend to be exclusive.

The Gospel is inclusive.

The Gospel proclaimed by Jesus declares God’s love for all people, equally.

No one is excluded.

The love Jesus teaches is unconditional, unmerited.

Jesus specifically tells us to love people who do not love us. He says only this kind of love gets a reward.

And God does not play favorites. Muslims are loved just as much as Christians.

Immigrants have the same value as the native-born.

Everyone is made in the image of God. Everyone belongs to God. And everyone will be treated with the same love by God.

This is controversial talk in many churches—“conservative” churches.

You may be in such a church—and that’s fine.

But don’t be quiet.

When you hear others demean gay people or immigrants or people of other faiths—speak up!

It may cause a little fuss.

But it’s worth it.

Evil triumphs when love is silent.