Life, Ministry

Expect More to Come!

I have presented the idea a lot over the last few years that I am an aspiring writer.  It is something that I really like doing, but I also have not been very faithful in putting out articles unless I have a hard deadline.  In other words, I have not been very productive as a writer, even though it is something that I am passionate about, and something that I want to get better at.  There are a couple of different reasons for that.  One is just time constraints.  Preparing a sermon on a weekly basis takes a lot of time and effort, and other writing opportunities sometimes just get pushed to the side.  Another is that I sometimes just have a hard time coming up with a topic that I really want to spend the time writing about.  But more than anything, I just have not had the dedication to carving time out of my schedule to dedicate to writing.

I am attempting to change that.  Scheduling has never been a strong suit of mine.  Planning out my work week has always been something that I have generally just done as things come up, instead of setting aside specific times to do specific tasks.  Goals of getting things done each week are always there, but I would not have a specific plan or roadmap of how to get there.  It has worked for me, but I also have discovered that it is not the most efficient way to do things.  I do not think that I will ever get to the point where I plan out my entire day, minute by minute, by any means, but I am starting to try to be a little more intentional in how I plan my weeks.

This leads me back to the idea that I have not dedicated time to write into my schedule in the past.  I plan on changing that.  In fact, in my attempt to plan out my week in a more intentional way, I have started trying to utilize my calendar apps on my computer, phone, and tablet.  That means I have scheduled times (that can always be altered if ministry tasks dictate) into my calendar on a weekly basis for sermon prep, personal Bible Study and personal development (both physical and spiritual), as well as dedicated time to write articles, either for my personal blog, the Current-Argus newspaper in town here, or Central Christian’s monthly newsletter. 

What this means for my writing is that I am going to attempt to post a minimum of three articles on my Crosseyed Jesus Freak page weekly, in addition to any newspaper or newsletter articles that I write.  This is just starting this week, so we will see how it goes, but I really want to start putting time and effort into continuing to develop my writing style and skills.  I want to be very intentional about this as well.  Any of you that know ministry, know that things will inevitably come up from time to time that will interrupt this schedule, so for that, I am asking for your understanding.  If you do not see an article from me for a few days, however, please feel free to reach out to me and ask if there is something keeping me from writing, or if I have just not been following through on my attempt to write. 

I would appreciate any feedback you have for me, as well.  Please feel free to share anything I write and publish on my blog page as well, as I would love to see God’s name being spread further through my writing.

Thoughts From a Crosseyed Jesus Freak

Christian Living, Life, Newspaper

Well That’s Encouraging! (Newspaper 8-6-16)

This world is full of frustration, disappointment, anger, sadness, and a long list of other words that just get us down. You know that just by looking at everything taking place. And if you let it, it’s easy to just get beaten down by everything negative. Sometimes it just seems so impossible to find anything positive going on around us, and it just drags us down even more. It’s so important to look for the positive things taking place, even if it means that we have to look even harder. Finding something that we can turn to when we are discouraged is vital.   

I bought something for my office this week. It is a simple bulletin board, and I have hung it directly over my desk, where my computer sits, that way I see it just about all day long. There were a few different reasons that I got the board, and hung it where I did, but the most important reason is what I already have hanging on it. Over my years in ministry, especially working with teenagers, I have been given encouraging note cards from time to time. Some people would not hold on to things like that, especially since one of them just says “You are amazing”. No name or any other identifying mark on it. But if I have received a card from you in the past, I have tried to keep it. In fact, it has more than likely been laminated so it does not get destroyed accidentally, and it is now hanging on the bulletin board over my desk. I will see them everyday, and that it very much strategic on my part.  

 

It is easy to forget why you are doing what you are doing, and it is no different in ministry. There are days that everything else going on, and even “failures” on your end, get you so discouraged. That is what those notecards are for for me. They remind me of why I do what I do. I have a chance to make a difference in someone’s life, and these cards remind me that I have done so, even in some small way, in the past. They are notes of encouragement that I can look to when I need to be reminded that no matter how hard life gets, there is hope.  

 

We all need encouragement in our lives. Did you know that being an encourager of others is actually listed by Paul as one of the gifts that Christians can be given? In Romans 12:6-8, Paul writes, “6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” (bold added for emphasis is mine). Find someone that can encourage you. Other than the notecards that I wrote about above, I have a select number of people that I turn to when I need encouragement. We all need that. I try to be an encourager as well, but it comes naturally to some people.

 

In fact, Paul was joined on some of his missionary journeys by an encourager. Is that something you knew? I know many do not realize this, but a man named Barnabas accompanied Paul for a time. Barnabas’ name means “son of encouragement”. His name literally means that he is an encourager. If Paul, a man that wrote a majority of the New Testament, and saw God’s works up close and personal needed a friend that was an encourager, then I think it is safe to say that we all do. Find someone that can be an encouragement to you today. Do not continue to just see all the negative things in this world. Find encouragement, and try to encourage someone else that needs it as well!

Christian Living, God, Ministry

It’s (Almost) Football Time in Tennessee! (August 2016 Newsletter)

I don’t know about you, but I am having a hard time believing that we are already through July, and that school is starting here in town in just a couple weeks.  Where has this year gone?  Even though it has gotten to us fast, I love this time of year.  There is almost a renewal of things.  Not to mention that (hopefully) we’ll start seeing some cooler temperatures soon.  A new school year is starting, high school football season is here, and in just a month’s time, I’ll be hearing those famous words that get my blood pumping UT Orange; IT’S FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE!

If you’re not familiar, that’s a phrase that is said by the radio and loud speaker announcers at the kickoff of every Tennessee Volunteer home football game.  It’s the signal that the game has begun, and it’s time to pay attention.  Along with the phrase, I’m looking forward to hearing “Rocky Top” played and watching the Big Orange take the field through the Power T.  I’ve probably confused many of you if you’re not familiar with college football, or the Vols at all, but that’s ok, because there is a point to all of this, I promise. 

Tennessee is expected to have one of their best years in recent memory, and there is a lot of excitement surrounding this team.  There is also a little nervousness from the fans, however, because if something goes wrong, and the team disappoints, it could set the program back a few years.  In other words, this season, in terms of college football, is very important.  I’m extremely excited about the season, and no matter what happens, I will be a VFL (Vol For Life).

There is another reason that I love this time of year.  And that is you!  Our faith family, through the summer, is scattered.  We don’t get to see each other as often as we do during the fall, winter, and spring.  People are traveling, working longer hours (because of the daylight), and just generally busier during the summer.  We’ve had weddings out of town, people traveling for work and vacation, and many other things that have kept us apart.  It seems that every year, once school starts back, things settle in for the Church as well.  While school is starting the second week of August, we are going to launch our Fall sermon series a few weeks later.  This launch will be September 11, when we start a series about discipleship, looking specifically at the ways that Jesus discipled His disciples, and seeing how we can implement those same techniques as we try to build disciples today. 


I’m even more excited about this series than I am about Tennessee football!  And for those of you that know me well, you know that means a whole lot.  I believe that we are poised here at Central for a great “season” of ministry.  Things are coming into place, and it’s time that we fully trust God, get out of our comfort zones, and reach our potential that we have in regards to sharing Jesus with others.  That’s why we are going to be focusing a lot on discipleship, and the things that get in the way of discipleship in the coming months.  But just like the Vols, while the potential is high, this is a critical season.  I will share more next month about what our “game plan” is for this season that we are entering in to, but there are two things that I’m sure of that I’ll end with.  As the Wednesday Night Kid’s Ministry begins in August, and our Fall series starts in September, I’m excited to say, “IT’S MINISTRY TIME AT CENTRAL!”  More importantly, no matter what happens, if this season goes as well as we could ever hope for, or there are some disappointments along the way, I will be a CFFL (Christ Follower For Life)!  That is my prayer for you as well.  Let’s get serious about building disciples!

Christian Living, God, Life, Ministry, Newspaper

It’s All Greek To Me (Newspaper 7-23-16)

I was sitting in my office this past Sunday morning (7-17-16), preparing for our Sunday services to start, when news came across my computer screen of more police officers being attacked, this time in Baton Rouge, LA.  To say it effected me is a large understatement.  Before the news broke, I was in a great mood, looking forward to worshiping and spending time with those that would be joining us that morning.  After, the only way I can describe it was complete heartbreak. 

I posted the following on my personal Facebook page moments after reading the first reports:

“My heart is breaking for this world. Another attack on police officers, this time in Baton Rouge. And I think what is breaking my heart more than anything is that Christians are not rising up unified doing what we need to do. We are fighting amongst ourselves, over what differences we have in our doctrines, instead of trying to introduce a lost and dying world to Jesus. Jesus is the only thing that can make any of this better, but instead of trying to proclaim Him, those of us that profess to follow Him fight with each other and keep Him to ourselves. IT’S TIME TO STOP! Whether you’re liberal, conservative, or somewhere in-between in your political views, I think it’s time that we come together as Christ followers. There will always be things that we disagree with each other over, but one thing, and one thing only should unite us. Jesus is King, and those that don’t know Him as such need to be introduced to Him. There will always be pain and suffering in the world, but when are we going to rise up and do our part by living out our Christianity in such a way that others want what we have? Pray for this world, pray for Baton Rouge, but also pray for opportunities to share Jesus with someone today…and then do it.”

I have had even more time to digest what is going on in our world today, and want to take a few moments to address it.  It is not that I think I am any smarter than anyone else, but it seems obvious to me that whatever we are doing now is just simply not working.  And it is not just these shootings that seem to be popping up everywhere.  It is any time the subject of politics is brought up.  We are so determined to be “right” that we forget we have to find our common ground.  In doing some research for another project, I came across a ancient Greek word that we really do not have a good translation for, but when the idea is fleshed out a little, I believe it speaks to exactly the problems that we are facing today.  Bear in mind, I do not claim to be a Greek scholar by any means, but stick with me for a moment.

The Greek word in question is metriopatheia.  The ideas that follow come from William Barclay’s commentary The Letter to the Hebrews in the section on Hebrews 5:1-10.  He says that the Greeks used this word “as the mid-point between extravagant grief and utter indifference.”  Barclay quotes W. M. Macgregor, saying, “the mid-course between explosions of anger and lazy indulgence.”  Again, Barclay wrote that Macgregor spoke of it as “that sympathetic feeling which enabled people to lift up and to save, and to spare and to hear.”  Finally, Barclay describes it in his own words as, “It means the ability to put up with people without getting irritated; it means the ability not to lose one’s temper with people when they are foolish and will not learn and do the same thing over and over again.  It describes the attitude which does not get angry at the faults of others and which does not condone them, but which to the end of the day devotes itself to offering gentle yet powerful sympathy which by its very patience directs people back to the right way.”

I will leave you to draw your own conclusions, except for this question; Would the world not be a much better place if we all learned to live with more metriopatheia?

Thoughts from a Crosseyed Jesus Freak

Christian Living, God, Life, Ministry, Newspaper

What Teenagers Taught Me (Newspaper 7-2-16)

I was very impressed this past week.  If you read the last article I submitted, you will remember that I was one of the dean’s for Youth Camp at Guadalupe Christian Camp this past week.  There is so much negativity going around about the younger generations these days, and I will admit that I have fallen in to this category at times as well.  There are many things that are blamed for the actions and sometimes total lack of respect shown by teenagers today, but I discovered something that opened my eyes to a possible solution.

This past week I was reminded that there is a lot of hope for our future generations, on multiple occasions.  The week started off a little on the rough side, with some of the campers not listening to directions and purposefully cheating at some of the group activities that we had planned as team building exercises.  I was not sure what was going to happen by the end of the week, especially if things kept going the way they were. 

On Wednesday morning, though, two of the adults, took a few minutes during breakfast just to remind the campers that they needed to listen and treat each other and the adults there with respect.  We reminded them that we were going to be serving at a nursing home on Thursday, and that they needed to act with the utmost respect while there.  It seems that the talk that morning had a great impact.  We really did not see any lack or respect or lack of listening the rest of the week.  In fact, the way the campers carried themselves the rest of the week gave me great hope for the future. 

I saw teens step out of their comfort zones and spend time with the residents of one of Carlsbad’s nursing homes.  We even did a service project there, and some of the teens came back to me asking if they could go tell some of the residents good-bye before we left to hang out at the beach area.  There was a camper that even brought a verse from Leviticus 19:32 to my attention, so that we could share that with all the campers before leaving for the nursing home.  The verse reads, “Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.”  There was also a group that got a flat tire on the way home, and was stranded at the McDonald’s in Artesia for around 3 hours.  My wife and I were able to go back and help take kids from the side of the road to McDonalds so they were out of the heat while their van got fixed.  Not once did I hear anyone complain about the circumstances.  In fact, they sat and played games the whole time, just going with the flow until the tire was replaced and they were able to get back on the road. 

I realized one big thing this past week through all of this; teenagers have the potential to surprise us, they just need a little guidance.  If we hold them to a higher standard, and ask them to act with composure and respect, they will.  But if we expect them to act disrespectful and to not listen, then they will live up to those expectations as well.  We need to treat them with respect and expect them to do the same, and guess what, you just might be surprised at the end results.

Christian Living, God, Life, Ministry, Newspaper

The Faith of a Child (Newspaper 6-18-16)

June is the month that the church camp that we work with, Guadalupe Christian Camp, hosts their weeks of camp for the summer.  There is a Beginner week for K-2nd grade, Elementary week for 3rd-6th grade, and Youth week for Jr. and Sr. High this year.  Beginner is already completed, but as I write this on Wednesday, Elementary camp is going strong.  My wife and I went to visit the kids on Tuesday that we sent from Carlsbad (we had 16), and then we will be spending the week next week at Youth camp, as I’m one of the deans for that week.  So, we spent about seven hours at the camp yesterday, just hanging out and spending time with the kids and adults that are there this week.  And I was revitalized and reminded of something great while we were there, and as I prepare for spending the whole week there next week.  What was I reminded of?  Why I love being in ministry and how important it is to have the faith of a child. 

While we were there, we got to see kids excited about learning God’s word through the Bible, and having fun while doing it.  We got to see an adult that was there for the week talking to his own son about what being saved is all about.  I’m not sure where the full conversation went, but the idea that some of the kids there are interested enough to start asking questions about giving their lives to Jesus is amazing.  Also, we got to spend some time talking to the camp manager and his wife, and seeing their excitement about getting to invest in the lives of these kids is energizing.  And I get to spend all week there next week with a bunch of teenagers.  How can you not like this job!?

I was reminded of something a little greater than just all of this, however, and that is what I want to share with you today.  These kids actually are a model of what we are supposed to be like in our faith.  That is not saying that we should not mature and therefore have a weak faith.  Actually it means just the opposite.  The faith of a child is actually very strong.  It holds excitement and commitment.  It holds a longing for learning more and more.  In fact, Jesus tells us that we all need to have the faith of a child.  Matthew 18:1-5 reads, ‘At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.’

In a world where we tend to over-analyze everything, we need to be reminded to have child-like faith.  That does not mean that we should not study and try to learn more.  Just the opposite, because the kids that I know want to learn.  They are on fire in their faith and cannot get enough about what it means to be a Christian.  Seeing this in action again reminds me of why I love doing what I do.  If you are reading this, and you do not have a relationship with Jesus, I would love to talk to you.  Just name the time and the place and I will be there.  Your life will never be the same!

Christian Living, God, Newspaper

The Need to Unplug (Newspaper 5-28-16)

My wife and I just took a trip back to my home town for a week long vacation, and it was wonderful.  We got to see some people that we had not seen in over a year, as well as just unplug from technology and relax for the week.  I want to start off saying that we, as human beings, were made to live in community with one another.  We are meant to share life together, and one of the best ways of sharing life together is through being a part of a local church congregation.  Getting to walk through life with others that believe in Jesus like you do is one of the best things about Christianity.  We were never meant to do this thing called life on our own, and if you’re a believer but are not involved with other Christians regularly in some way, then you are missing out on something critical.  Believe me when I say that this is one of the many reasons I love being in ministry, getting to spend time weekly with fellow Christ followers, even when we do not all see eye-to-eye on everything.

I write all of that above, however, to write this.  There are times in life when it is necessary to unplug, and spend some time in solitude.  This is something that I knew, in my mind at least, but that became a reality while we were on vacation.  During this trip, while we spent time with friends and family in Tennessee, I did something that I had never really done before.  I unplugged from my phone, tablet, e-mail, social media, and just tried to refocus, recalibrate, and refresh.  That doesn’t mean that I left my phone and tablet completely, or that I didn’t spend some time on social media sites while we were gone.  I checked in from time to time, it just means that I was not constantly trying to connect with just anyone and everyone like I normally do.  In fact, I had close to 500 e-mails to filter through when I got back to the office last week.  We are so inundated with technology and information in todays world that we seem to become addicted to it.  At least I know I was getting there.  And again, while we were built to be in community, we were also built to unplug from time to time.

Jesus Himself even modeled that for us during His time on this earth.  There are numerous passages in the gospels that show us that He regularly left the crowds, and even at times His disciples and went to a mountainside alone to pray.  In other words, He unplugged regularly.  Again, there are numerous passages, but I picked out a few to show you here.  Mark 6:45-46 states, “45 Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.”  In Luke 6:12, which takes place at an earlier time in His ministry, Jesus again goes to the mountain alone.  It records it this way; “12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.”  I will not quote it here, but on the night He was arrested, Jesus spent time alone praying as well.  If Jesus found the need to unplug, and spend some time alone with God, what makes us think that we do not?  Community is a great thing, but we all need to unplug for a short period from time to time.

Newspaper

A Legacy of Faith (Newspaper 5-14-16)

While you are reading this, I am currently relaxing and enjoying a little vacation time in Tennessee with my wife.  It’s great to get away for a little while, but this trip has a little more significance to it than just a time of relaxation.  It is a celebration as well.  Let me explain.  The minister from the church that I grew up in in Tennessee is retiring this weekend, May 15, and we are here to attend and speak at his retirement party.  He has spent the last 42 years in ministry, all with the same congregation.  This celebration of his time in ministry is being called “A Legacy of Faith”, and it is just that.

I write to you today about Clint because he has been a huge influence in my life.  He is and will always be a mentor to me.  In fact, I do not think I would be in ministry today if it was not for him.  When I was finishing up high school, he is the person that first put the thought of ministry in my mind.  He was the person that took me under his wing when my dad passed away when I was just fifteen years old.  He is the person that taught me more about the practical side of ministry, not just how to study and put together a message, but more of the day to day, taking care of people.  Not only can I say that I would not be the minister that I am today without his influence, I can honestly say that I would not be the person that I am today without his influence.  And other people have realized that as well.  In fact, I was asked to be one of a handful of people to speak at his retirement party, and I am humbled and honored to get to do that.

I have a point in writing all of this.  I am not just writing about someone that you have never met.  The point is this.  Clint is a mentor of mine, and because of that he has helped shape my personal and professional life.  My life has been blessed with a number of great mentors, and that is something that I think we all need in our lives.  A mentor is an experienced and trusted advisor.  It’s someone that has lived out what you are going through, whether on a personal or professional level.  That’s the relationship that we see between Paul and Timothy in the New Testament.  Paul’s letters to Timothy, that we know by the name I and II Timothy are full of Paul’s knowledge, in an attempt to help Timothy develop and become who he needs to be.  Take a moment and read this advice from Paul in I Timothy 6:11,12; “11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

We all need someone that can speak into our lives like that, like Clint and others have done for me.  If you have that relationship, celebrate it.  If you don’t, find it.  Also, find someone that you can be a mentor for as well.  We were never meant to live this life alone!

Newspaper

I Believe in God, But… (Newspaper 4-30-16)

Have you ever said something along the lines of the following; “I believe in God, but…”?  It is so easy to fall into that mindset.  We see something that we think should be different, and it makes us wonder about God.  Culture around us does not want us to take God too seriously.  For the most part it is fine to say that you believe in God or a god, but the moment your belief and faith start changing who you are, people think that you are taking it too seriously.  In other words, you can believe in God, but don’t let it change who you are. 

We have been taught this for so long but the culture around us, that it has created an interesting phenomenon.  Craig Groeschel of Life Church, in his book, The Christian Atheist, calls it being a Christian Atheist.  At first glance, I am sure that most of you are thinking that those phrases do not really go together, and I would agree.  That is until I read the book and realized what Mr. Groeschel is actually talking about.  And I realized that I have lived a big part of my life as a Christian Atheist, in one way or another. 

So, what is a Christian Atheist.  It is simply someone who says that they believe in God, but their lives are not transformed by that relationship they claim to have.  They say they believe in God, and then add a qualifying statement to it.  Something like, “I believe in God, but I don’t think He’s fair”.  That was a big one for me.  It was tempting for a long time in my life to say that I did not think it was fair that my dad passed away when I was fifteen years old. 

The thing about our relationship with God, however, is that we have to be fully committed.  The way we live our lives have to match up with what we claim when we say that we are Christians.  To be a Christian means to become a follower of Jesus, trying daily to become more like Him.  And that means to change who we are at the very core, to look more like Him.  Titus 1:16, the verse that this idea of Christian Atheism is based from, says, “16 They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.”  In other words, you cannot claim to know God and then not back it up by your actions if you want to be taken seriously.

Starting May 9th, at Central Christian Church, we are going to be going through a series based off of this idea, called The Christian Atheist, looking at topics such as “I believe in God, but…I don’t know Him, I don’t fear Him, don’t go overboard, don’t trust Him fully”.  I would love to see you here, and feel free to get in contact with me if you have any questions going forward.  Let’s all strive to live like we truly believe in God.

Christian Living, God, Life

Harambe (June 2016 Newsletter)

I was really hesitant to write about this topic, but it has become such a hot button issue in the last week that I felt I needed to address it.  The truth is, some of you may not even be aware of the situation as it stands right now.  That is because it is taking place in Cincinnati, OH, and I am not sure if it has made the Current-Argus or the local news.  Because I have so many friends and family members in the Ohio and Tennessee regions, however, this situations has been hotly debated and talked about on social media.  In fact, I cannot tell you the last time I scrolled through Facebook and did not see something regarding the incident at the Cincinnati Zoo.  If you do not know what happened, let me briefly explain.

On Saturday, May 28, a four year old boy got away from his parents for a split second and climbed into the Gorilla enclosure at the zoo.  It was no easy feat, as he had to crawl down a 15-foot drop designed to keep the gorillas in and people out, but none the less, he got in.  It is the only time in the history of the zoo in Cincinnati that someone has gotten into an enclosure.  A 400-pound male silverback Gorilla named Harambe came toward the boy.  To make a long story short, in an effort to save the boy (the gorilla more than likely would have killed or seriously injured him, intentionally or unintentionally) the zookeepers decided that the best course of action was to shoot and kill Harambe.  Tranquilizers might not take work quick enough, and Harambe and the boy were both in a moat of water.  If tranquilizers did work, Harambe could drown, but he could have also fallen on the boy and drowned him as well.  So, Harambe was shot, the boy saved, but the events of that day have started a firestorm on the internet. 

Mike Edmisten, a ministry friend of mine that I have quoted before, wrote this on his Facebook page the day after the incident; “The internet in Cincinnati is about to melt down about the situation at the zoo yesterday.  As an animal lover and zoo member, the whole thing makes me sad. Very sad.  But let’s be clear about one thing…a child is worth more than a gorilla.”  That statement was the first I had heard of the incident, and that is when I started looking into it a little bit.  There are so many people that are furious that a gorilla had to die in order to protect a human child.  There are so many people that are coming out screaming that the parents of the child be held completely responsible for the death of Harambe.  There are animal rights activists that are completely up in arms about the whole incident.  Remember, this was a four-year old child, and there are people calling him a brat and holding him responsible for the gorilla’s death.

Here is the thing.  I am saddened by the fact that Harambe was killed.  It gives me no joy to know that a very rare and beautiful animal lost his life.  But given the choice of the animal dying or the child being harmed, there is no choice to me.  A child’s life is more important than any animal.  In the creation account  in Genesis 1, it tells us that God created the animals.  Then in Genesis 1:26-28 it tells us about the creation of mankind.  It records; ‘“26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”’(italics mine for emphasis)

From the beginning, we were put in charge of the animals.  Not to abuse them, but we are created in God’s image, while animals are not.  Human life is more important.  As for those that are basically wanting the parents crucified for this, just remember that accidents happen.  Should the child have been able to get into the enclosure, no.  Kids get away from parents all the time.  This just all goes back to the mentality that we have to blame someone for everything that happens.  Accidents happen, and that’s all this was.  A tragic accident.  From Mike again, and I’ll end with this, “I’m all for personal responsibility, but when did we lose sight of the fact that accidents really do happen?”