As Republicans debate President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill”, the Left is mounting a time-tested attack. Jimmy Kimmel, for example, that bastion of well-reasoned critique and opposition, wonders how Republicans can support this bill and still go to church on Sunday. While there is definitely a good discussion to be had about how one’s faith affects one’s actions, one thing should be perfectly clear: Jimmy Kimmel and the rest of the left don’t care about your faith. They actively and publicly abhor it.

Take, for example, immigration. Brushing very broadly and vaguely, the typical Republican/conservative stance is that we have borders for a reason, so people who cross illegally should be sent home. The left will tell you, though, that Jesus was an immigrant, and that if you truly love Jesus, you would accept these people with open arms and with no hesitation. Now, it is true that we as Christians should be hospitable, kinda, generous, etc. to everyone. James 1 talks about widows and orphans. Hebrews tells us “to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.” We’re also told to be “as shrewd as serpents”, and Jesus Himself told His disciples “whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one.”

Clearly, there’s a line somewhere. Christians are called to give generously, but we’re not called to be a door mat. Where does that line lie? That’s tough to say. The Bible certainly doesn’t say clearly. The answer, then, will be a matter of conscience, and no amount of haranguing by a group that’s clearly hostile to our faith should be taken as authoritative. But that haranguing is not in good faith, anyway. They don’t want you to live as authentically Christian as you can. They’re not trying to make you better. They’re trying to make you look like them. How do I know? Let’s look at some other topics.

• Want to end abortion? Keep your rosaries off my ovaries!
• Don’t like gay marriage? Don’t get gay married?
• Opposed to homosexuality? That’s not very hospitable!
• Think transgenderism is crime against children? How can you be so cruel and hateful?

Generally speaking, the only time “the Left” is interested in your faith is when they can twist it into some sort of hammer to beat you down with it. They’re not interested in compromise or coexisting. They want subservience. The carrot’s an illusion, and it’s all stick, so don’t fall for it. Greater blessings than earthly popularity await the faithful child of God.

I recently came across a band that, while new to me, has been around for several years now. It is, for lack of a better term, a “church band” from Australia. While there’s some good music but questionable doctrine coming some places Down Under, I’ve been really impressed with this group. Their goal isn’t to crank out as much new music as possible (which is not to say that that is others’ goal), they want to produce good music with good theology and doctrine, and I think they’ve been largely successful.

Take their song, “Jesus, Strong and Kind.” I don’t want to ruin it by talking to much about the song, but, rather, I’d like to let the song speak for itself. I do, though, want to call out two parts. The first is the chorus:

For the Lord is good and faithful
He will keep us day and night
We can always run to Jesus
Jesus, strong and kind

What a beautiful lyric. What makes it even better, I think, is how the verses set that up:

Verse 1
Jesus said that if I thirst
I should come to him
…

Verse 2
Jesus said if I am weak
I should come to him
…

Verse 3
Jesus said that if I fear
I should come to him
…

Verse 4
Jesus said if I am lost
He will come to me
…

Did you catch that?

• I should come to Him
• I should come to Him
• I should come to Him
• He will come to me.

What an amazing, succinct Gospel presentation. If we’re lost, and we all are born that way, He will come to us, and as that verse goes on to say:

And he showed me on that cross
He will come to me

For the Lord is good and faithful
He will keep us day and night
We can always run to Jesus
Jesus, strong and kind

Listen to the song here:

At times in the past, I have been pretty dismissive of New Year’s Resolutions. Why resolve to do something you know you’re not going to do, right? With that attitude, of course, it’s no wonder they never work out. As I’ve gotten older, though, I’m finding more value — and wisdom — in making resolutions.

The best argument, I think, is that without goals, it’s really hard to make measurable progress. Additionally, if you’re not striving toward something, you just end up… somewhere. It makes sense, then, to be specific about what you hope to achieve. You may miss the mark ultimately, but having a mark in the first place sets you up for success.

Another important aspect of these resolutions is the demarcation of a clean start. I’m a big fan of “I haven’t done foo in so many months” or “I’ve done foo every day for this many months”. I find it helpful to apply that logic to improving myself. Have a bad habit you want to break? A habit you’d like to form? A sin you’d like to break free from? January 1, while it may be some arbitrary line in the sky, offers a great starting line for whatever effort you choose for yourself.

It’s a new day and a new year. Clean your slate, state your intentions, and get to work.

Regardless of what you resolve to do, or whether you make specific plans or not, I hope this year is a good one for you and that the Lord shows you grace and favor.

I recently ordered an item from an online store, a multiport, wireless router. I was pretty excited about getting it, so I was closely watching the tracking status on UPS’ site. Upon checking the status, I saw that it was delivered. Surprised as I’d been home all morning but pleased, I looked outside to find…nothing. I looked behind every bush, column, trash can, etc. The package simply wasn’t there.

Unsure where to start, I first tweeted my predicament:

@UPS says a package is on my porch, but it’s not. I wished they’d ring or knock & not just silently drop things off. Been home all morning

Before I could dig up a number to call, UPS responded:

@jasondlee Oh no! Let’s follow up to find out where it is. Please e-mail your track # + phone # to twitter@ups.com. ^ST @ups

Fast and friendly! I sent the email and in an hour or so, I got a call from the local UPS office. I explained the situation to her, and she said that she talked to the driver who confirmed he dropped it off, but she’d talk to him again and have him come back by.

A little while later, a UPS truck pulled up. When I met the driver on my porch, his first words were, “I screwed up”, which, to be honest, was pretty cool that he’d be that honest. As it turns out, he dropped it off on the wrong street. The home owner had already taken the package in, and wasn’t answering the door, so he left a note. As disappointed as I was at the delay, the driver ‘fessed up and was trying to make it right, which is about all I can ask, I guess. It’s an easy mistake to make.

This morning, the same driver pulled up and delivered my package. He apologized for the mix up and went on his way. My story, then, does have a happy ending. I’ve used UPS for many years now, and I’ve always been very happy with them. This is the first time I’ve ever had this sort of issue with them, and, once they were made aware of the situation, they were very quick and proactive in making it right, even promising to replace the item should it not be recovered. Due to a few bad apples tossing packages, etc., they often get a lot of bad press, so I think it’s important to share this to show that they do care and do a great job on the whole. I know I’m happy with them. 🙂