This Pastor’s Pen might seem a little late, but I’ve been thinking about it ever since Memorial Day. I wanted to make a couple of observations that pertain to Memorial Day. First, I want to make sure that I am not secretly saying anything against anyone, unless I do it clearly and overtly. Secondly, I also am not trying to make myself look good, as you will soon see, so here goes. Belatedly, I became aware that there was going to be a Memorial Day event hosted by the local Veteran of Foreign Wars Post at the Lebanon Presbyterian Church cemetery on Memorial Day. I say belatedly, because I noticed the sign on the cemetery grounds early in the week, asked Ken Eber about it, and came to discover it had been there awhile. I confess that I seriously thought about not going, but decided that I wanted to, since the last time I had gone was before COVID. I arrived just before it began, and it was wonderful. However, I also noticed that it was dramatically decreased in attendance from years gone by. It was brief yet moving, especially when the chaplain of the VFW post honored in memorial the two lifetime post members who had passed this past year, John Federkeil and Bernie Hollis. I was glad I had gone, and so did what you do after a moving moment, I went to Sam’s Club.
It was at Sam’s Club that I was faced with a dilemma, that I did not handle very well. I get the things I was tasked by Nancy to get, and was going through the self-check-out line, when I heard a Sam’s Club employee say to another employee in a snide voice the words, “So is that what we fought for?” I looked to the area the man was looking and saw what appeared to either be a tall woman, or a tall man dressed like a woman, who was seeking to identify as a woman. As you know, I am clear in my belief that there are two genders, and that I am not in any way affirming of the trans ideology that is prevalent in our society. However, I was offended by what the man said. I thought to myself, as a veteran of the United States Army, that, Yes, that is what we fought for – for the right of individuals to speak or act out what they believe, even if it is contrary to what I might believe. I was torn between getting home, saying something to the man, saying something to management, or as I said, going home. I ended up, despite my dilemma, going home and feeling bad that I had not said something. As a veteran, I should have said something, but as a Christian, I was under perhaps a great obligation to say something.
Jesus Christ ate with sinners and tax-collectors, and when asked by the “righteous” Pharisees, why was he doing so, he said that he came to those in need of the truth, and those who were sick, not the healthy or at least those who thought they were healthy. I could have asked the man who had spoken if he had served in the military, and why he thought he had served, but I could have also stood up for the individual who was being shown disrespect, even if they did not know it. I am sorry that I did not make the correct decision, but I know that Jesus Christ has forgiven me. Praise the Lord!
During World War II, the president commissioned Frank Capra, a renowned film director to make a series of 7 films to offset Nazi propaganda and to lift Allied morale. The series was entitled, “Why We Fight!” is extremely well done, and speaks to what I just wrote, to defend those who can’t defend themselves, and to allow everyone the ability to express themselves, even if others think they are wrong. Once again, I am totally against trans ideology as a Christian, and I will speak against it, hopefully offering respect and dignity, even if I am not offered the same. As Christians, we do what God in Christ calls us to do, even when it is not popular or right, speaking the truth with gentleness and love, always being prepared to speak to the hope that is within us. Peace and Blessings.
