The Wedding Feast of the Lamb

The bride looked across the reception hall. Her eyes settled on an unexpected moment. Her heart swelled with joyous surprise as she watched her maternal grandfather put his arm lovingly around her father, the man who had broken the heart of bride’s mother twenty years ago. This was a significant moment... A moment that illuminated reconciliation

The moment above is one of many precious memories from our wedding day. It is not uncommon for women to say that their wedding day is the best day of their life. To some that may seem cliche;  however, I whole heartily will tell you that our wedding day was the best day of my life.

The wedding planning and preparation was a gift in itself. My mother and step-mother joined hearts to provide us with a day we would never forget. The entire process was a family affair. James’ mother and my grandmother slaved away in the kitchen, preparing the delicious food for our rehearsal dinner. For hours the day before all of my immediate and most of my extended family worked side by side cleaning, building trees and decorating the reception hall.

The joy and wholeness I felt on April 28 was indescribable. I woke up that morning feeling rested and peaceful. Both I and my maid of honor were shocked at my peaceful demeanor; previously assuming I would be one of those stressed out brides. I was calm and collected, soaking in each minute of the day.

The time came for James and I to see each other for the first time before the pictures. He anxiously awaited me in the rose garden. I tiptoed towards him, wrapping my arms around him from behind. He turned to face me and complimented my beauty.

Minutes later our family members and bridal party members took turns freezing outside in the garden with us for pictures. Posed pictures can be either a fantastic expression of reality or a cheesy facade  The photographer captured my family as I perceive it to be: united by love, not as broken separate fragments. There are three pictures in particular that I will forever cherish. (1) A photo of my father, mother and me (2) A photo of my three brothers and me and (3) A photo of James and I with all four of my parents, my seven brothers and sisters, my brother-in-law and my niece.

Prior to the ceremony my Uncle Dave, our officiating minister, gathered both James and I’s families and closest friends into the chapel for a time of prayer. James and I sat in the middle as our loved ones surrounded us and lifted up their voices to the Lord. What a blessing for us to have parents, grandparents and friends who share our faith!

The ceremony was wonderful, accented with yellow flowers and glorious instrumentals. My long-time dream of marrying in the church my parents were married in was realized. With my daddy by my side, I walked toward my handsome groom. My parents gave me away and I happily became James’.

With much anticipation, James and I walked into the reception hall as “Mr. and Mrs. McManus.” The next few hours were filled with toasts, appetizers, cupcakes, and dancing. It was a great time of celebration.

When I think upon our wedding day, I do not reminisce on the external and temporal details (although they were wonderful!). When I think upon our wedding day, I reminisce on the internal and eternal things. I praise God for His goodness! 

In the presence of our dearest loved ones, I vowed to spend the rest of my life loving James, my best friend. The coming together of my family is a testimony of God’s gracious work among us. Divorce and brokenness has not destroyed my family. He has brought beauty from our ashes! God has granted forgiveness and reconciliation between people that from an earthly standpoint should be enemies. It is because of God first reconciling my grandfather and my dad to Himself that they were able to share that moment of reconciliation at the reception. It is because God has lavished my mother and step-mother in His grace that they joyfully planned our wedding together. It is because God so richly loved James and I that we love one another and were joined in holy matrimony. Our wedding day was the best day of my life and yet it is just a glimpse of what is to come.

One day I, the bride, will be sitting at the great banquet table at the wedding feast. Scanning the room the Groom’s eyes will meet mine. With joyous surprise I will watch as Jesus Christ walks towards me and lovingly embraces me, the once broken woman who had sinned against Him. It will be a significant moment... A moment illuminating with reconciliation.

I, along with all believers, will be united with the Bridegroom on a most glorious day. The preparation has begun as He has set His love upon me, forgiven me and is daily sanctifying me. Through Christ I have been reconciled to the Father. On that most glorious day our reconciliation will be fully realized. As we sit with the Bridegroom at the great banquet table, the joy I felt in seeing my family come together at our wedding will be just a fraction of the joy that I will feel as I see millions of people come together in union with Christ. It will be the greatest “beauty from ashes” moment. It will truly be the best day of all eternity.

Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” 

Revelation 19:6-9

A Prayer to the King of Kings for the Nation

King of Kings and Lord of Lords, 

I bow before You to present this supplication, prayer, intercession and thanksgiving for the men and women in high positions and government offices, that I may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 

God I thank You for establishing Your natural law in the beginning. We were made through, for and held together by Christ. Jesus, the Personal and eternal Creator made all things, causing order and ordinance to exist in every sphere of life. Due to inherent sinful corruption, it is impossible for people to neither be autonomous nor oppose natural law without chaotic consequences. Certain truths are “inalienable” and “self-evident” based upon the “Creator’s endowment.”[1]

God from the days of old it is You who has set the rulers in place. When the Israelites sought a human king, desiring to be ruled like the other nations You said, “You may indeed set a king over you whom the Lord your God will choose.” We have set a president and government officials over us whom You have chosen.

Cause President Obama, the federal government, the state governments and the local governments to cry out to You; echoing Solomon’s prayer, “Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people.”

Stabilize our nation by making our leaders be men and women that possess the knowledge and understanding of justice. Cause leaders that mislead the upright into evil to fall into their own pit of destruction.

By justice let President Obama build up the land. Humble him so that he may be honorable. Surround our president with wise counsel. Shield him from falsehood and wicked officials.

Maintain justice in our judicial system. Your righteousness is the standard of justice. You have made it so that the natural law sets precedence for fairness and equity. Bring justice to our human relationships. Guide our judicial system to turn their back on bribery and favoritism; speaking and standing for consistency, mercy, and protection of the poor, weak and defenseless.

God, You have seen thousands of poor citizens and immigrants be mistreated by wicked rulers that are like roaring lions and charging bears. Rid our nation of cruel oppressors and call forth compassionate, servant leaders, who put off greediness and strife because they trust in You.

Guide the citizens to keep the law and not praise the wicked. Cause all of us, both leaders and citizens, to confess and forsake our transgressions so that we may obtain mercy. Make us fear You, the Almighty Lord, so that we do not fall into calamity. 

As believers, cause us to obey Your will by subjecting ourselves to every human institution. Give us the faith to honor everyone; to love the church; to fear God; and to honor the president. 

Replace our fear with boldness. Indwelt with Your Holy Spirit, we are the light of the World! Help us to do good without grumbling or questioning, so that we may silence the ignorance of foolish people; be blameless and innocent, children of God in the midst of our crooked and twisted generation; and so that the nation may see our good works and give glory to our Father in heaven.  Holding fast to the Word, let us live free from the power of sin as servants of Christ. Burden each of us to seek the welfare of the cities, towns and country sides that God has placed us in; praying to the Lord on its behalf, for in its well-being we will find well-being.

Thank You for America and the freedom that it has brought to many generations. Thank You that Your Word is continually proclaimed here and abroad because of that freedom. I praise You for Your sovereign work throughout our history as a country. “Praise the Power that has made and preserved us a nation”![2]  Through no merit of our own, You have been good and kind to us. 

Have mercy on America the Beautiful that often reeks of self-righteousness, rebellion and wickedness. May leaders and citizens alike, value good and not evil; righteousness and not wickedness. In the land of the free and the home of the brave, let our thoughts, motivations, actions, leadership and follower-ship be a testimony that it is “In our God that we trust!”[3]  

To God the Almighty be all the glory, forever and ever! Amen.

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[1] Eckel, Dr. Mark. "Holding Power Loosley ." Lecture, Politics and the Christian from PCULD, Denver, October 18, 2012.

[2] 1814, Francis Scott Key. "Star Spangled Banner Lyrics - USA Flag Site." All Things American. http://www.usa-flag-site.org/song-lyrics/star-spangled-banner.shtml (accessed November 13, 2012).

[3] Ibid.

Scriptures that shaped this prayer: 1 Timothy 2:1-2; Proverbs 28-29; 1 Kings 3:7-10; Deut. 17:15; Jer. 29:7; Matthew 5:14-16; Philippians 2:14-16; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17; Genesis 1-11; Colossians 1:15-17; Genesis 3; Deuteronomy 16, 17 & 19; Isaiah 59.   

Financial Rape: Unveiling the Truth about Payday Loans

“Thus says the Lord: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed.” 

– Jeremiah 22:3 ESV

I, a White middle-class woman, am the daughter of parents who have bank accounts with multiple banks and credit unions. When I was a pre-teen my mom took me to the bank and helped me open up a savings account and a checking account. Almost everyone I know back home, both young and old, have a bank account. There are 5-10 mainstream banks and credit unions in my hometown. Banking is the norm where I come from; however, this is not the case for all Americans. Millions of Americans are hunted and consumed by predatory lenders a.k.a. the payday loan industry. 

Financial Rape

The payday loan industry is guilty of financial rape. It has financially taken advantage of inner city Americans for the last two decades. When mainstream banks abandoned impoverished neighborhoods, the payday loan industry filled the gap. With more payday lending locations than McDonald’s in the U.S., these companies confidently state that they are often the only available line of credit for people in poverty.[i]

Payday lending is a niche financial product that targets subprime borrowers. An estimated 25.6% of all American households, equaling 39 million adults, are either unbanked (individuals without an account at a bank or other financial institutions) or underbanked (individuals that lack access to mainstream financial services usually offered by retail banks). Significant racial and ethnic disparities also exist in terms of access to mainstream financial services. While only 18% of White Americans are either unbanked or underbanked, 53% of African Americans, 43% of Hispanics and 44% of Native Americans are either unbanked or underbanked. The payday loan industry intentionally targets the underbanked and unbanked populations of ethnic minorities. .[ii]

History

Payday lending was almost unheard of in the 1980’s but materialized in a limited form as the declining income of lower income workers created the dependency of American households on credit to pay routine expenses. By the mid 1990’s second-chance financial businesses realized the profit possibility of accumulating an average of 20% on every dollar loaned out as a cash advance. The temptation of inflated profits from credit-impaired borrowers eventually piqued the interest of Wall Street investors and the mainstream banks.[iii]

Corrupt Line of Credit

All of the major payday lenders receive their credit from the nation’s largest banks: Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase, US Bank and Bank of America. By investing in triple-digit interest payday lending, these mainstream banks communicate a callous disregard for their own corporate promises to promote the financial well-being of communities.[iv]

Quick Cash= High Interest Debt

Payday loans are enticing to those individuals who may be cut off from mainstream credit sources. They are reeled in by the promise of immediate access to cash. However, this quick and easy access to cash comes at a high financial price to the borrowers. Payday lenders do not perform underwriting (the process of verifying the information given to the lender from the borrower for the basis of qualification, as well as assessing information on the borrower’s credit history)[v], like the majority of lenders. They simply verify a source of income for repayment.[vi] This type of high-risk lending preys on those who may lack budgeting skills or those in dire need of quick cash- a large percentage of my neighbors. 

In order to offset potential loan defaults, the payday loan industry strategically charges very high borrowing fees and encourages repeat borrowing to ensure maximized profits. The industry advertises their product as a sensible choice for a one time emergency; however, the reality is that the average borrower takes out nine payday loans per year in a rapid series.[vii]

Villain in Disguise

Payday lenders view themselves as heroic and noble because they are courageous enough to do business where banks are too afraid to invest. They claim they are providing an important service for the individuals who otherwise would have been trapped by their bills due to a lack of access to mainstream banks and/or quick funds. They assert they are helping these people.[viii] Consider the following two scenarios and decide whether or not the payday lender is helping individuals: 

Bill takes out a payday loan. As soon as he gets his next paycheck he pays back the entire outstanding balance plus all of the required fees, which equals over half of what he gets paid. Now Bill is short on cash for the next couple of weeks and will probably take out another payday loan to get himself through until his next paycheck. Bill is stuck in a vicious cycle of taking out loans and paying them back with high interest.[ix]

Danny is an alcoholic with a wife and kids who works part-time. His wife asks him to go get some groceries. Danny does not have any money, so he walks to the Cash-N-Go down the street. He goes inside the Cash-N-Go and grabs some cold hard cash. When he exists, the blinking neon signs from the liquor store adjacent to the Cash-N-Go catch his attention. In minutes Danny spends every cent of the cash on liquor, failing to buy the groceries he originally set out to buy.

As Bill’s poverty increases, the payday lender’s profit increases. At the very least, $3.4 billion dollars of wealth is stripped from low-income, working poor individuals every year in payday lenders’ fees alone.[x] As for Danny, his addiction wins again as easy to access  cash is right next door to the liquor store. Danny’s family suffers, while the payday lenders profit. 

More and more Americans are transitioning from middle-class to economically insecure, and are becoming vulnerable to predatory lending schemes. About 12 million Americans annually acquire long-term debt by taking out a short-term loan. Forty-four percent of borrowers ultimately do not complete their repayments because of the triple-digit interest charged on each loan , thus thrusting them ever closer to poverty.[xi]

My friend Antoinette, an African American woman raised on the east side of Indianapolis, shares her experience: 

“I was raised on payday loans. My mom started getting payday loans because she was unable to get a bank account due to her amount of debt. The payday loans hurt my family because they took so much money out of my mom’s checks [in order to pay back the high interest loans]. My mom is still on payday loans but I was able to get a bank account. I feel very independent because no one can take extra money from me.”

Northeast Denver

Unveiling the truth about predatory lenders is important to me because they are feasting in my own backyard. The nine neighborhoods of Northeast Denver served by PBC are proof of the payday lenders’ niche population. Our largest ethnic population is Hispanic, followed by African American and then White. 4400 of my neighbors are living in poverty.[xii] Payday lenders have targeted our impoverished and ethnic-minority community. There are fourteen payday lenders in the area but only four banks and four credit unions.

Christian Response to Payday Lending

As Christians, we should view all things and respond to all things, including the economy, through the lens of Scripture. Based on our understanding of economics as seen in Scripture, how should Christians respond to payday lending? The church is commanded to care for the poor. Payday lenders are preying on the poor; therefore, responding to payday lending is a part of us caring for them. 

Here are a few practical responses:

1. Teach church congregants and neighbors about what the Bible says about money and economics. 

2. Provide counseling for those who are in debt and help them obtain financial freedom. Explain to payday loan borrowers the truth about the payday loan industry.

3. Model stewardship in your own finances and teach others.

 

4. Take the unbanked and underbanked to a trustworthy and credible bank or credit union and help them establish a bank account. For example, my friend Greg took Ragat, a fatherless kid growing up in poverty, to the bank last week and helped him open up a bank account.

5. Keep one another accountable regarding bill payments, loans and stewardship. 

6. When voting in elections pay close attention to items related to payday lending legislation.

7. White, middle and/or upper-class Christians should use their power and voice to advocate for the poor and ethnic minorities. For example, encouraging and pressuring mainstream banks to serve the underbanked and unbanked populations, and pressuring payday lenders to close. 

8. Research your bank. Find out if they are a credit-lender to the payday loan industry. If they are, discuss with them the negative effects of this lending and switch to a bank that is not a credit-lender to payday lenders. 

Let us be obedient to God’s command in Jeremiah 22:33 to do justice and deliver those who have been robbed from their oppressors. 

 

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[i] Somanader, Tanya. "Report: How Payday Lenders Make Billions By Fleecing Americans In Poverty." ThinkProgress. http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2012/01/19/407365/report-how-payday-lenders-make-billions-by-fleecing-americans-in-poverty/?mobile=nc (accessed October 20, 2012)

[ii] "Unbanked and Underbanked." Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unbanked (accessed October 20, 2012).

 National People's Action. "Profiting from Poverty." NPA-US. www.npa-us.org/files/images/profiting_from_poverty_npa_payday_loan_report_jan_2012_0.pdf (accessed October 20, 2012).

[iii] National People's Action. "Profiting from Poverty." NPA-US. www.npa-us.org/files/images/profiting_from_poverty_npa_payday_loan_report_jan_2012_0.pdf (accessed October 20, 2012).

[iv] Ibid

[v] Guttentag, Jack M.. The Mortgage Encyclopedia: An Authoritative Guide to Mortgage Programs, Practices, Prices, and Pitfalls. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2004. 

[vi] Ibid

[vii] National People's Action. "Profiting from Poverty." NPA-US. www.npa-us.org/files/images/profiting_from_poverty_npa_payday_loan_report_jan_2012_0.pdf (accessed October 20, 2012).

[viii] Westergaard, Catherine . "Turning Poverty Into a Multibillion-Dollar Industry." npr books. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127236038 (accessed October 20, 2012). 

[ix] "The Positive and The Negative Side of Payday Loans - Ahsenali Investing Portal." Ahsenali Investing Portal http://www.ahsenali.com/payday-loans-nega-posi.php (accessed October 20, 2012).

[x] Somanader, Tanya. "Report: How Payday Lenders Make Billions By Fleecing Americans In Poverty." ThinkProgress. http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2012/01/19/407365/report-how-payday-lenders-make-billions-by-fleecing-americans-in-poverty/?mobile=nc (accessed October 20, 2012).

[xi] Ibid

[xii] RNR Design Group. "Building A Way Out of Poverty" Upstream Impact:  http://upstreamimpact.org/ (accessed October 20, 2012).

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Weeeping with Those Who Weep

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep...

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

- Romans 12:15; 21

September 2007

I had just begun working in after-school programming at IPS School 20. In an attempt to get to know my fifteen K, 1^st and 2^nd grade students I asked, “If you were an animal, which animal would you be?" Cold-eyed and scrawny Christopher said, “I would be a bird so that I could fly with my dad.” Curious, I inquired about his dad. Christopher replied, “The cops shot my dad and he died.” I do not remember my exact response; however I do remember that Christopher’s confession hit me like a ton of bricks.  What was the correct response? I suddenly understood why there was a cold and pain-stricken look in his eyes. The reality of Christopher’s family tragedy would later shed light on his anger and violent behavior that I encountered throughout the next year.

July 20, 2012

The interns and I arrived at Gateway High School with the desire to love, bless and encourage the victims and victims’ families of the Aurora Movie Theater Massacre that had happened at midnight that morning. The atmosphere was heavy with stark dichotomies; weeping and praying; hopelessness and faith; salvation and death; survivors and the murdered. 

A community clergyman shared one of the victim’s stories with me. A twenty-something woman had escaped the theater after being shielded from the bullets by her boyfriend. She ran free leaving her boyfriend’s wounded and bleeding body behind. She entered Gateway High School with her face and clothes blood-stained. Her family drove swiftly through the night from New Mexico to be by her side as she awaited news about her boyfriend. Seconds after the clergyman finished this account, the woman’s mother emerged down the hall in search for the restroom. Recognizing that the mother was on the verge of an emotional breakdown, I followed her into the bathroom. 

I found her standing over the sink frantically scrubbing her daughter’s wallet with a thin paper-towel. I slowly approached her and asked, “Do you need help? Do you want me to do that for you?” She reacted strongly, giving way to her emotions. “This is his blood on her purse!” she screamed. Crying harder and harder, she went into the stall as if she were about to vomit. When she emerged, she backed herself into the corner, simultaneously weeping, “Why? God! Why?” I stood there speechless watching her struggle with the awful realities of the tragedy.  I wanted to go to her and wrap my arms around her, but I was frozen in fear. I wanted to comfort her with the hope of Christ, but no words surfaced to my tongue. Thankfully a woman from Franklin Graham’s Emergency Response team, a volunteer trained to respond to tragedy, entered the bathroom. Without hesitation she went straight up to the weeping woman and put her hand s on the woman’s shoulders. Feeling useless I left the bathroom in defeat. I had never witnessed such raw and life-wrecking pain. Sorrow and the weight of the tragedy overcame me and I began to weep mixed tears of pain, hopelessness and failure.

October 8, 2012

I was tutoring Daniel at a local DPS elementary school.  Daniel is a shy, reserved and quiet third-grader that struggles with reading. When I asked Daniel if he had completed his book report, Daniel replied, “No because I went to the mountains.” Excited that this city-dwelling child had the opportunity to go the mountains, I inquired about his trip. Daniel explained, “We had to go to the mountains to pick up my uncle. My uncle was taken by a group of men and left in the desert in a hole. He broke his leg.” I was not expecting to hear such a reply. I asked him about his family and who he lived with. Daniel answered in a dull voice, “I live with my uncle, my mom and my brother, Cristen. He is six. I live with them but not with my dad. My dad died. He was shot in Mexico when I was four. I had two dads. The other one died because he was old.” My heart broke for Daniel. I was clueless as how to respond. I offered my condolences saying, “I’m sorry” and “Your mom is so lucky to have you.” My response seemed empty and cliche. Once again, I wondered “What is the right thing to say in this situation?” The only thing that felt worthy of saying was “Daniel, God loves you. He is your heavenly Father. He is with you.” Due to the school guidelines, I had to keep this message, that Daniel so desperately needed to hear, to myself.

While I was struck speechless by these tragedies I encountered, I trust that in my weakness God was strong. In moments of weeping with those who weep God increases my reliance upon Him and sanctifies me. I have no hope to share apart from Christ, so I pray that when tragedy comes knocking God will be graceful and help me to respond in truth and deed, surpassing any barriers that may be standing in the way. 

I offer this prayer: 

“God, You know the depths of the pain and suffering felt by Christopher, the weeping mother and Daniel. In Your perfect sovereignty, You have orchestrated every event in their lives for Your holy purposes. In Your perfect sovereignty, You caused my path to cross with theirs, letting me weep with those who weep. May the reality of tragedy keep me dependent and reliant on You alone. There is no hope or salvation apart from You. Be magnified in my words and actions. You are the Father to the fatherless, like Christopher and Daniel. Pour out Your compassion on them and lead them to be mighty men of God. Jesus, You are the Prince of Peace. Pour out Your peace and comfort on the weeping mother and her daughter as they persevere through their loss. God I thank You for who You are. Amen.”

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