WHY I VOTED FOR TRUMP AND CULP

The following is a response that I gave to the Seattle Times reporter recently when interviewed for the front page story on leaders in our region and what they are seeing and feeling in this current election.

So, I am a Christian, and I pastor a church.

This means that I am pro-God, pro-religious-gatherings, pro-Israel, and pro-life. These are values of mine. So when it comes to Trump's platform, he doesn't come across to be against God, against religious gatherings, against Israel, and against the unborn. He just doesn't come across to be that way.

The fact that churches were shut down this year should have been a choice that we were allowed to make, and it wasn't. Despite horrific pandemics in history, this was unprecedented. Local governors got to act like adults, and pastors were treated like children. 

We were not allowed to decide for ourselves.

Do you blame Inslee?

The Church never really prospers when everything is going well. It is during times of great adversity, calamity, and hopelessness that the Church prospers. The Church is the Church for this very reason.

Just look at the role of Providence Hospital in Seattle and our State statue (Mother Joseph of the Sisters of Providence). In a time of great hardship and primitive conditions, the first hospital in Seattle was birthed by the Church!

Our (Seattle Revival Center) hands were tied because of the State Government. They were telling us exactly what we could do or not do. They were like, "Hey, you can do Zoom meetings." My response is like, "Alright, that's very liberating of you."

I get particular freedoms in the hospital because I am clergy. I get specials freedoms that sometimes even the family doesn't get. Hospitals recognize the power of prayer and spiritual counsel. I was just in a hospital room last week that was considered to be dangerous. The man had a contagious infection. 

I had to gown up. It was dangerous, but the hospital recognized the importance of the visit, I was treated like an adult, and I assessed the risk for myself. I went in. He needed me. He was in (what doctors were telling him were) his final days of fighting cancer. I went in and prayed with him.

This is when religion is needed. 

Faith is most important when (in the natural) you have no hope. When people are wrestling with depression, when lives are at stake, the Church is needed. We saw record suicide numbers in our state, and Governor Inslee said, "You are not allowed to go to church."

We saw record suicide numbers in our state, and Governor Inslee said, "You are not allowed to go to church."

This should have been our choice as pastors and leaders. This was the first time in the State of Washington it was illegal to go to church, and I think that was a tragedy.

Governor Inslee made some massive calls. He said Churches need to shut down just for a short time. That we just need to, "flatten the curve." 

He said that if we all work together, we will flatten the curve if we all shut down and then we can reopen.  

We thought, sure, we can shut down for two weeks. We said, "We can cooperate. We don't want to be reckless, unwise, and unlawful." So we submitted to our governing authorities. 

President Trump got on TV and said that churches were essential, but Governor Inslee disagreed. We flattened the curve right away, but then Inslee changed his mind and informed us that we could not reopen until no one was dying. He moved the goal post. I was like, "No church until people stop dying?"

Inslee said (with his actions) that the Church was not essential, but that (packed out) marijuana stores and (jammed packed) Costcos are.

Inslee said (with his actions) that the Church was not essential, but that (packed out) marijuana stores and (jammed packed) Costcos are.

Then, after twelve weeks, Inslee said that we could now host outdoor meetings up to fifty people. So we started hosting multiple meetings, back to back, in a tent, for another four weeks. 

While we were in that tent, many Sundays were windy, cold, and pouring rain. We were standing outside, freezing. Families outside, shivering and singing to Jesus with masks on. All because of what Inslee calls "science" and "the facts."

We have a building that can seat a thousand people. We could have practiced social distancing, but instead, we have people getting colds, manifesting the same symptoms as covid (runny nose and cough) all in the pursuit of health. We were outside in the cold, underneath a tent, worshiping, when we could have been inside our building. 

There was no choice in this. One man said, "This is what's good for you. You will do it this way, or you are breaking the law."

So, we played by the rules, but there was an absurdity it in. There was this feeling that we were being controlled, and we fought to maintain the right attitude despite the government overreach. 

The public safety measures did not make us feel any safer.

There was all this health concern from Governor Inslee, but no health advice. No vitamin regiments. No tips. Just control. 

I am voting for Trump and Culp because I truly believe that they assume that responsible adults can make wise choices for themselves.

HASN'T TRUMP DIVIDED OUR COUNTRY?

The following is a response that I gave to the Seattle Times reporter recently when interviewed for the front page story on leaders in our region and what they are seeing and feeling in this current election.

HOW ARE YOU OKAY WITH VOTING FOR TRUMP WHEN HE HAS DIVIDED OUR COUNTRY?

We are not victims of division.

Division is a choice.

If we are going to allow our hearts to be divided, and if we are going to make our neighbor our enemy, that is our choice.

We do not get to be victims of Trump.

We do not get to say, “I am a victim of Trump, therefore I am entitled to be bitter and vindictive.”

We do not get to take all of our problems and blame them on Trump. That is not what responsible people do.

This is actually one of my roles in being a pastor. I come alongside of people who are in dire situations. Like, I do funerals. I am with families who are completely heart broken. I am with people who have been victims of radical injustice, and in that place, it is my role to walk with people through their pain and tragedy, and to walk with people in such a way, where I can say, “Look, you are a victim of this tragedy, but please do not take on a victim mentality, because if you do, it will anchor you to the past, and you will never be able to engage your future.”

“…please do not take on a victim mentality, because if you do, it will anchor you to the past, and you will never be able to engage your future.”

I am concerned about the roar that I hear in our country right now. You have a lot of people that are taking on a victim mentality, and I am not just talking about Democrats, I am also talking about Republicans.

Politics has become a religion. It’s the new religion. A huge cult. On both sides.  You go far enough to the left, or far enough to the right and you will feel the same spirit, the same frequency that is in both camps. It’s the same temperature, the same hostility, and the same irrationality.

When people are attached to that frequency it affects their creativity, it affects their relationships, it affects their marriages, and they are no longer capable of creating great things on the Earth.

To the point that we allow ourselves to get triggered by all these narratives, to that degree, we feel that we are no longer responsible to shape the culture, to do good, to be creative, and engaging. Because now we can’t, our hands are tied, we are victims. For how can we do anything good when Trump is in office? How can there be any sense of justice or reconciliation when HE is in there?!

And so, I believe it is a radically dangerous world view, when you feel like your influence is limited because of whoever is leading the country.

WHY I HATE POLITICS

The following is a response that I gave to the Seattle Times reporter recently when interviewed for front-page story on leaders in our region and what they are seeing and feeling in this current election.

Front page of The Seattle Times, November 1, 2020

For me, when I vote, it is not going to be about Trump versus Biden.

For me, there are some things that are really important, and there are some things that I am watching closely.

For example, I am watching what the “new normal” is for Seattle. I am looking at how my wife and I do not feel safe to go for a date night downtown. I am looking at what seems to be a severe lack of vision and direction and unity within our State. I am looking at all these negative factors and the fact that our elected officials (who happen to be Democrats) are not taking responsibility.

I am looking at all these negatives that exist because of liberal ideals within our region, and they are resulting in negative consequences. Then I marvel at how the people that live here are seeing everything that is taking place and they blame it all on President Trump. For example, all the fires we just had here in Washington, Oregon, and California. Somehow, that is President Trump’s fault. The riots, those are Trump's fault as well, right? CHOP, that was also Trump's fault too apparently.

I am concerned for our city and our State because I love Seattle, and I love the people who are here that make our city great.

Seattle is such an amazing, innovative, and creative city. There is no other city like Seattle. Sometimes I wonder what would be possible in our city actually valued our businesses? What would happen if Jeff Bezos was not treated as though he was the Antichrist and if Boeing was not seen as this large evil corporate machine.

What would happen if we could celebrate innovation instead of demonizing it?

I would love to see some sort of courageous leadership where it is not about politics, but it is about true government.

I love government. I have even been involved in our local government, but, I hate politics.

I hate the political performance that takes place on both sides of the aisle.

Performance does not do good.

Performance does not bring about positive changes in the culture.

Performance does not create contrast.

Performance is just about approval and getting votes, and then once the election is over, everybody gripes and complains.

What if there were some courageous leaders who could paint a compelling vision for our city and State, but with the right motivation?

Amazing things could be accomplished, but not for the glory of a political party, but rather a motivation birthed out of sincere love and appreciation for our city and for our State.

That is not what I see.

I see all this stuff on the news and social media and it is not about government; it is political performance, and as a millennial, it makes me so disillusioned with the whole political scene, system, and process.

As a pastor, I am saying, “Go and vote. Vote your conviction and your values. If you vote democrat, I will still honor you, and when I vote Republican, I ask that you do the same.”

When we are all face to face, we are friends and family, but sometimes when we get on to social media, we become enemies and monsters.

This is why I hate politics. It is drama and hype that everybody gets to entangle in, where our only responsibility is to vote. When voting is our only responsibility, then we get to continue to surrender our leadership and influence, and if the election does not go our way, we all get to be victims of the election.

I will not be a victim of any election!

Regardless of what happens in this election, I chose to be a governing one who will leverage my partnerships, influence, and revelation to transform our city and nation with love as the primary motivator.

Wine and Maturity

Maturity is like wine.

For there is to be wine, there first must be a creator with a fierce commitment—an artist with the sensitivity to pay attention to all of the details. Over time, with patience, what was once sugar juice - the choice drink of children - transforms into a substance that must be received respectfully and with honor (no boxes or straws allowed).

Wine is the testimony of its vintage—a record of traumas, stressors, and blessings. The elements of nature and seasons work together to encode a taste that gets time-stamped through fermentation. The testimony of victory engages the senses through fragrance and flavor. The bitter and the sweet become the witness; wordless stories received in a sip.

What You Need Is Some Dark Chocolate

Shalom is the win.

It’s the dark chocolate of the twenty-first century. It helps to avoid the influence of social media’s cortisol-triggering propaganda and empowers wise choices.

It will make you immortal.

Shalom is the place where rest can occur.

A realm that has been carved out by a covenant with wisdom.

Without shalom, we are vulnerable to the principality of anxiety. Without shalom, we enter into the trajectory of hope deferred.

When the blandness of political and religious wholesale attempts to cover your soul like wet slushy snow, hide behind your shield of faith and have yourself a dark chocolate candy bar.

Shalom!

The Days of the New

This isn’t evolution.

A lamb with hollow red eyes, fangs, and a deathly bark is no reason to rejoice. It would appear as though a vampire got into the sheep gate, and now being rabid is confused as radical.

This isn’t a revolution.

It lacks an ethos. It’s just a reaction. Revolutionists are not reactionist; they are futurists. They see past the darkness of the tunnel and communicate with clarity, a world filled with a contrasting reality.

This isn’t the tribulation.

A divinely organized crescendo of chaos. It is just the effect of a botched symphony. A headless chicken, running around the farmyard. A harvest of unrighteousness and unrest. A subsonic scream from all of creation, “Where are the peacemakers?”

This isn’t evolution, revolution, or the tribulation.

This is an invitation back to Genesis.

Back to the future, the days of the new.

It has begun. The beginning. The awakening of the sons of God. The response to the groaning. The ministry to the fracturing. The reweaving of the torn garments. The remembering of eternity past. The hovering in the darkness. The separation of night and day. The magic from the clay. The return to God, the I AM, whose hands are covered in dust. Can you hear the declaration, “Eden is now open. Gardeners are essential.” Now take this beauty and expand it. Take this Earth and govern it. Take these ashes and paint.

No, this is not the end; this is the beginning.

Welcome back to the days of Noah.

#JUSTSAYIN

I’ve been seeing some people on Facebook saying that abiding by state law and doing online church is a lack of faith.

I’m going to try to articulate what many pastors may have difficulty articulating with an example.....

If you are single and you want to risk your life and travel into a region where there are travel advisories because of anti-Christian sentiment, etc., and you feel like God has called you, then hey, be obedient, and risk it. You may even be a modern-day martyr (which is actually totally cool). I can respect that.
😎👍👍

But, if you have a family, and you ignore the travel advisories, and you drag your family into a war zone because you think it’s “faith” and your whole family dies, I don’t think that’s cool. I think that’s stupid and selfish.
😡👎👎

Pastors will give an account to the Lord for how they cared for Jesus’s flock. Jesus said to Peter, “Do you love me? Then take care of my sheep. Especially the old sheep.”
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It’s not a question of faith. It’s a question of authority, commitment, and responsibility, and no offense but if you don’t understand these principles then you don’t understand true faith.

If you aren’t a senior citizen, then don’t pretend like you understand what it’s like to have a virus preying on the elderly.

If you aren’t healing the sick already, don’t pretend that you are John G. Lake.

If you aren’t pastoring a church, don’t pretend that you understand the responsibility.

It’s easy to talk big on Facebook, but sometimes we need to remember the golden rule and put ourselves in other peoples shoes before attacking them.

What to do when people let you down

FINALLY, A PERFECT MATCH

Perhaps you met the perfect woman, the perfect man (he’s got a two-pack), you found the perfect job, you finally found the perfect church, and then over time, life happens, things happen, and you realize that the whole thing was a façade. You say to yourself, "The system is rigged. All __________ (fill in the blanks) are stupid, and I’ll never give my heart to _____________ again.

The problem isn't women, men, the marketplace, or churches, the problem is diversity. Humans are diverse. Andrea and I are radically different. Our differences, our edges, our passions, and our experiences shape us in such a specific way. We all have difficulties connecting, partnering, and communicating. For this reason, we must never assume that honest communication is easy or natural. The more meaningful the relationship, the harder, the more vulnerable, and the rawer communication becomes. Communication is the easiest when we have nothing in the game, and there's nothing to lose. Incredible opportunities for intimacy are thwarted when we get scared away by the kind of conversations they require. If it's hard, stressful, and scary, then most likely, it's worth it.

PROTECT YOUR PERSPECTIVE OF OTHERS

We change our perception when we don't cultivate a discipline of communication. For example, that perfect woman could take on the image of a crafty manipulator because of a situation where you felt taken advantage of, but, perhaps if you had the awkward conversation to share what happened, how it made you feel, and why the relationship was important to you, she could have explained herself, and you could have protected the honor that you had for her identity.

It's easier to make a judgment against someone and cut someone off than it is to fight for the Father's perspective of who they are.

Usually, the best way to deal with an incorrect judgment is to bring it into the light and appropriately process the issue with the person you are wrestling with. This is where we get the famous "Matthew 18 Principle," that's found in Matthew 18:15. I have my own translation of this text, "When a brother or sister sins against you…" 

When not if.

This really isn't about if someone is going to sin against you, but rather, what are you going to do when they do? Jesus would say, "Go to them, directly to them, and attempt to work it out in private." Of course, if it all hits the fan, then go on to step #2.

NOBODY’S PERFECT, RIGHT?

We might say, "Nobody's perfect," but if we are "knowing each other" according to the spirit rather than the flesh, shouldn't we be able to see each other according to their perfection in Christ rather than their shortcomings?

Guess what, this isn't easy, but it really matters because we are talking about preserving and protecting a person's Christ identity within our heart's. How we see each other matters.

You might think, "No way, that raises the bar too high!"

Exactly. 

You might say, "But what if they can't measure up to this incredibly high standard?"

There's grace.

I didn't say tolerance.

I said empowerment.

Showing grace is the act of partnering with one, to assist in their empowerment, to overcome a weakness while not dishing out a fresh judgment against them because of a weakness. I am thankful that when I fail, my Heavenly Father doesn't see me as a failure, He comes near to me, He loves me, He gives me insight and revelation, and then He authorizes me to try again, and to get back on the bike. I want to be more like my Father, and that means that I have to learn to keep my heart open, even when I feel betrayed because I don't know about you, but when I feel like trust has been violated, the line of communication is the first thing I shut down.

So, you found the perfect woman, the perfect man (and he's riding a unicorn), the perfect job, or the perfect church, and then something happens, and your perspective is challenged, I would encourage you to fight for a perspective of honor, and ask yourself the question, "What will it take to preserve it?" Most likely, you will find that honor can be restored through honest, heart-felt, non-religious, communication.

Restoration occurs when people are bold enough to be real, truthful, humble, and connect from the heart.