Christians have been getting a bad rap on this blog, and I just want to share a story I heard about a lay pastor in Tulsa, Oklahoma who helped a bunch of Indian/Kuwaiti Immigrants escape slavery from a local manuracturing plant. The men were forced into a kind of virtual slaved labor, with almost no help of escape.
Thankfully, a couple of workers were able to sneak out (leaving the factory without permission was forbidden under armed guard) on a Sunday and they slipped into the nearby church to participate in worship and escape the oppressive conditions of Pickle’s prison. Mark Massey, a lay minister there, connected with the men and befriended them in spite of their broken english and seemingly suspicious demeanor. Eventually, he learned of their plight and began to smuggle them out into his own home, vacating his house so that dozens of Indian workers could find a safe place of refuge while he contacted local organizations to collect food and resources for the men. meanwhile, he also recruited the only lawyer he knew for the cause, an attorney who humorously admitted that prior to this case, he couldn’t even spell “immigration.”
What stuck out to me was an encounter between massey and some of the workers one night when he was helping them to escape the factory- two of the men had brought their friend who told Massey, “I’m hindu- but will you help me as well?” and Massey replied, “of course- that’s what the gospel is about.”
The whole story is spelled out in an episode of This American Life. It's a fascinating look at a pastor in a mid-western town who shortly after 9/11 sacrified his life to help a bunch of Middle Eastern men. And why did he do it? Because it's what Christ would do.
I just want to point out that there are a lot of good Christian out there. And frankly, we need to help tell their story. Because, if not. All we're gonna get is "The Glories of the Prosperity Gospel" and "How to Raise up a Standard to Fight a Tide of Sexual Immorality."
So true! Good Samaritans versus The Pharisees…two kinds of Christians. This guy gives us a little hope then . . .maybe I’ll stay a Christian afterall !
I’ll tell you somewhere else that there are a lot of unnoticed “Christians” doing what the Lord says to do, not seeking any kind of attention or reward. It is not sitting in a pew waiting for their share of the blessings that the “preacher” said would be theirs if they would only invest in his scheme toward prosperity.
Imagine: Selfless people at the head of those soup lines giving of their time and resources to serve and love the retched and the poor in all of our backyards. Imagine: Actually seeking out those very dirty smelly people just to give them a hug (yeah, they actually touch those people), offer them human touch out of pure love toward them, and making sure they have something to eat for that time. And then make sure they have appropriate clothing to wear, and then ask if they can pray for them. So many of those “street people” melt into the arms of those praying as they sense the presence of the Spirit of God as He uses those “Christians” to show love where otherwise there is little or none.
Then God just might give an appointed moment in time when one of those homeless people asks for one of those “Christians” to pray that they might receive His mercy and grace. They pray together and every one goes away feeling good. Story over. Not Quite!
That “Christian” is told two days later that that street person died of whatever. He very humbly falls to his knees, crying out thanking God for the salvation of that beggar, that derilect, that,,,,,that,,,,!!! God loved him.
That “Christian”s only reward is knowing that God chose him to do His bidding at that moment in time.
For all the bloggers here that seem to have so many problems with the “Christians” of this world, maybe you have been living and or looking in the wrong places. Once you get past the front doors of the church, go out into the world, as Jesus did, seeking out the lame and the poor and the homeless. Go help feed and cloth them, hug them and show true Godly love toward them. Who knows, you might even run into one or two of those “Christians” whose only purpose in being out there is doing as Jesus did, doing the will of God.
Many Blessings To All
The above commentary was posted in part just to see if anyone, anyone, would comment on or compliment a positive side of the Christian community. Look! What you see is what you get. Not one. That’s mostly what was expected. How sad.
However, check out how much response comes when the comments come from the very negative side about the Christian community. The attitudes of a pack of snapping dogs come in unlimited numbers, trying to devour all that is good about Christianity. Gee! I need not wonder where that spirit comes from.
I have really enjoyed this blog over the past couple of years, but it has turned so negative. I hope we can return to the “fun stuff” so all of us can continue to enjoy it.
Wasthere:
No one tends to comment when the post agrees with the original statements.
Wasthere you make a good point, one that has been brought up on this blog many, many times. It’s a sad reality, but it’s a human one…controversy sells. It don’t matter what realm of life you are in. Human nature gets a bigger kick out of the bad then the good.
However, try not to judge too harshly. We had a discussion this summer about the grace of God that got over a hundred responses, and it was not a negative discussion at all.
As Fred pointed out, sometimes nothing else needs to be said, especially statements that most of us agree with.
Now go to hell you bastard (ha ha ha…only joking…I hope you get it).
[Comment ID #35561 Will Be Quoted Here]
Yeah, yeah, I get it . Snap!, Snap!, Bark ! Bark! Hey!
No. You weren’t joking. Again, how sad.
It’s been fun, mostly.
Solong