Politics and Protests (with a little sermon snippet thrown in)

My wife and I had a crazy weekend in which we got stranded outside of Chicago Saturday night as we tried to return home from a wedding. The alternator went out on our car and ultimately forced us to spend the night in the western suburbs of the Windy City.

Everything worked out well and we're back home and I find myself back in the office. While I did miss church, I didn't miss the larger national political news that blew up as our President resorted to obscene name calling as he criticized NFL players who have been peacefully protesting. 

As I digested all the debate and discussion swirling around this issue, I made my views public with a Facebook post after we'd arrived home yesterday. The post garnered a lot of attention and comments from both sides. Since it is clearly very relevant - and since I had no strong direction for our weekly "Music Monday" segment - I thought I'd share it hear as well. I have added italics, which I could not do in FB, to emphasize certain words and phrases:

Those NFL players who are protesting are not protesting the flag​ or the anthem or the military.
They are protesting during those pregame events because the real rights and freedoms that those symbols represent are being violated or ignored in too many cases. The Montgomery Bus Boycotts weren't about the actual vehicles themselves, but the policies the system followed with the buses.
The above is undeniable fact regarding our current situation and to interpret it otherwise is choosing to get upset at the wrong things. These protests have been occurring for over a year and the above message has been available from the beginning if one listened.

For those who wish they'd keep sports free of politics, let's remember it's the NFL that has inserted anthem and flag into the proceedings. The anthem is intended to be honoring and celebratory but it is still inherently political. So during the one political part of the event, the players have chosen to exercise their rights and in turn make a political statement of their own.

For those who feel like the protests are still disrespectful, remember we're talking about peaceful protests of symbols. We are way more disrespectful to the flag every time we wear our flag themed raincoat or put our drink in a Stars and Stripes beer koozi. US Flag Code: Chapter 10.176. "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery." (Thanks David Grossnickle)

Due to circumstances beyond my control, I was unable to preach this morning, so I apologize for sermonizing here, it's a habit.

 I personally do not feel the conviction to kneel at the anthem when I go to sporting events. I don't feel I can truly identify with the injustices they are decrying. I understand them intellectually, but not personally. 

I have made the decision not to put my hand over my heart as a reminder to myself that I am a citizen of heaven, first and foremost. My primary loyalty belongs to Jesus (Philippians 3:17-21). I am grateful for being an American but I am not blind to the imperfections and systemic injustices that characterize our country either.

Music Mondays

Infectious is the word that came to mind when thinking about this band and this week's song. Now, infectious is a word that has quite a range of meaning. 

It can be a bad thing, as in, "that is an infectious disease you've contracted and we're going to have to isolate you from all human contact for the next 48-72 hours."

It can also be a good thing, as in, "they have such an infectious spirit about them, you can't help but walk away with a positive outlook on life."

The following band would fall into the latter category. They are infectious in all the good ways. They are the genuine article.

Disclaimer: I know people who know them well. And my people tell me that these guys are the real deal when it comes to being a worship band who have a significant degree of fame.

I was a little surprised to discover I hadn't featured them on my blog before, but here is their newest single. Try to watch it and not be even a little happier or optimistic about your day.

Music Monday - 9/11

I wasn't going to post today. My song idea didn't fit with the reality that today is 9/11. And other ideas that could fit this anniversary of that dark day weren't coming to me.

And then my denomination tweeted out the perfect choice.

This was the Super Bowl halftime performance that took place a mere 4 months after the attacks. 

I can remember being at a Super Bowl party with our church's college group. I can remember this performance catching my attention while most of the rest of the party had began socializing with one another. I can remember wishing the sound had not been turned down because I could tell something special was going on. I can remember a lot of those who hadn't been paying attention turning their focus back on the tv by the time U2's set was finishing up.

I can remember connecting this performance to the one I'd seen them do on SNL and thinking that this band from the U.K. was emerging as the prominent musical voice for our nation's healing. 

This band has caught its share of flack as time has gone on and their relevancy has waned (this article offers a fair perspective). And my memory may not be perfect on all of those points. But re-watching that video tells me confirms the power of that moment.  

I will never forget 9/11 and I'll never forget these beautiful moments of hope and healing that helped us recover.