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Allegiance seems misunderstood

Sorry that it's been over a year since my last blog post. I plan to get back into it starting now.

Last week I made a post on my band's Facebook site to spread the word about a startup orphanage I had visited during my last stay in Ethiopia. Surprisingly, that post caused some controversy because there are a number of people who feel I should instead be putting my efforts into helping my own country. I can only assume these comments come from people who pledge their allegiance solely to America. I've said and done a lot of stupid things in my life before I fully understood an issue, so I'd like to give those who made these ignorant comments on my Facebook post the benefit of the doubt while doing my best to shed some light upon this topic.

While some believe there may be some reasonable grounds to justify pledging allegiance to one's country, I also think that those willing to pledge allegiance to the USA can only seriously do so if they're also allowed to pledge allegiance to their families and friends. There is not a magical line in the earth somewhere that says our allegiance must solely remain on the grounds to which we were born. Additionally, I know very few people who do not have at least one distant family member of friend from another country. I'm not trying to get into a new topic, but doesn't that logically necessitate questioning which demands the greatest allegiance between family, friends, and country.

I personally pledge allegiance to no one. Though, this does not mean that I don't have a tremendous amount of respect and gratitude for my country. For most people with any type of religious belief, the lines of family and empire are blurred. Specifically for me as a Christian, I believe God desires for all of the world to be in his family, and those in his family belong to God's kingdom before any man made empire. For those who disagree with the very concept of God, it still becomes difficult to close out one human being from basic aid or human affection because the reality is that we are 99.99% the same people on a genetic level even for those not in our biological families.

I want to help all Americans suffering oppression. I want to help all Ethiopian children lonely and starving in devastating poverty because their parents died from common preventable diseases. More than either of these things, I want to help ANYONE ANYWHERE that I can while knowing that the time and resources I've been given will responsibly be put to use. Naturally, we're most capable of helping those whom we've come into contact with. As of this moment in time, what stands out to me is that I've come across a tremendous amount of need in the area where my son comes from in Ethiopia. I'm sure there is equally as great of a need in other places, but at this point in time I am responsible for what I know is certain. I have yet to across these places in the USA with a similar urgent need and I'm not sure if ever will unless one of you out there takes my hand and guides me into the hidden or forgotten parts of our country. In my last post I was simply trying to make the point that there is at least one location I can recommend to anyone that I know with full confidence their money will be responsibly put to excellent use. There are plenty of charity scams out there, so if you've personally visited a similar place and know for certain where the money is going, then you should be spreading the word about that place instead of going out of your way to tell fans of As I Lay Dying that they should be helping their own country without given them even the vaguest direction.

How I wish I lived...

I've noticed that I tend to allow myself to live right on the fence when it comes to my convictions. Sometimes, that is because I haven't formed a complete opinion about some of the small stuff, but most of the time it's because I don't stand firm enough on the things I do know for sure.

I'm impressed when I see someone walk the line, but I don't pity them when I see them fall. I commend someone who is willing to fight a lion with his bare hands, but when it comes to protecting my family, I'll probably shoot from a mile away.

Isn't that how people with honor should live though? To do what is best for the ones they love while they deny themselves. Being a dad makes me realize that being on the fence about the way I live only really works out for me, even if I don't fall. Honor and pride are quite opposite in this context.

Here's an interesting quote (at least I think so)...

"Show me what you've done by yourself, and I will show you the greater things I've gained in finding help for my shortcomings."

Blessings vs burdens... my prayer this morning

God, you are amazing and perfect in all ways. I am ashamed for the times that I think I know better than you. Please forgive me of my pride and selfishness. Please lead me to find forgiveness from those I have hurt.

I desire to be part of Your kingdom here on earth and not just wait around for death. You have given me so many blessings in the form of the people you have surrounded me with. On the other hand, with my physical blessings, it is hard for me to know what is beautiful and what is actually a curse. I desire to live simply and share the financial blessings you have given me before I get too used to seeing them. Once familiarity sets in, it is much like a disguise, and I am unable to differentiate the blessings from the burdens.

Examples related to my last post...

Here are two examples of people who have taken powerful action as a result of what they believe. They, like me, would probably feel pretty uncomfortable being lumped in with most fundamentalist Christians, but it is safe to say they are moved by a fundamental belief that Jesus' commands to His followers are to be taken very seriously since He is the One true God.

1) I've been very inspired by George Muller who gave up any form or salary whatsoever and refused to solicit people for funds, yet somehow (miraculously?) he was able to care for 10,024 orphans before he died. He truly gave up everything we would consider worthwhile to gain so much more.

Reading George Muller's biography has really influenced the way I want to live. You can read shorter excepts about his life by just looking him up on Wikipedia or google.

2) In the case of Tom Davis and the Red Letter Campaign, the idea seems to be taking action based on the red letters commands of Christ. I have yet to read the book, but from getting the chance to see Tom's blog I understand that this belief has given him a sense of urgency for orphan care. This sense of urgency is slightly different to me than the typical world relief worker who just wants help when it works out for them. Both are very needed and appreciated though. I just differentiate because I rarely see people just get up and go to Africa on a whim unless it is for something greater than good works.


In an age where it is more comfortable to view the Word of God as figurative compared to the traditional understanding of Scripture, the question I ask myself is if I take the word of God literally enough compared to many traditional churches who never had the balls to act upon Scripture as truth.

In case there is any question, I want to clarify that the finger I'm pointing is at myself. I've been blessed enough to obtain many physical assets in my life, and I know it's time to start putting those things to use for people who deserve them. It's a challenging yet very exciting time for me. Feel free to push me further in this direction and call me out in areas where I am weak.

Is this too blunt?

Some people argue that fundamentalists Christians take the Bible too literally and that makes them exclusivist jerks. I would argue that most fundamentalists don't take the Bible literally enough, and that is why everyone thinks they're jerks. If not one single fundamentalist stored for himself riches and instead lived his life in service of the poor and oppressed, then I don't think anyone could really hate them for what they believe.

In fact, if I'm allowed to define what I mean by the term fundamentalist, then I hope to be one someday; someone who takes action as a result of believing in the literal truth of what Jesus said.

Lambesis Studios

For those of you interested in checking out the latest happenings at my studio then go see our new blog www.lambesisstudios.blogspot.com.  There is a hilarious new post about our friends Sworn Enemy that recently recorded there.