Sometimes being a Christian is downright embarrassing

I am a Christian. I believe in the saving power of Jesus Christ. I am not ashamed to admit that. I hope and pray that those who see and witness my life can recognize the importance of my faith to me in my daily life.

And then along comes somebody who claims to be a Christian and who has a much larger following than I can ever hope to have that just blows my mind with a thoughtless, careless comment. Such is the case with Pat Robertson's remarks about the devastation in Haiti. Not since he remarked a couple of years ago that he thought that the American government should assassinate Venezuela President Hugo Chavez have I been so outraged--and so embarrassed by someone who so boldly claims to represent the God I love and serve. I will put the comments he made at the end of this post.

Meanwhile, please rest assured, our brothers and sisters in Haiti, that you are in our thoughts, our prayers, and our hearts. I lived through the horrendous flood in Grand Forks back in 1997, and one of our sons lived through Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. I know a miniscule bit of what you are feeling. These are the feelings of the majority of the Christian people around the world.

My mind goes to the passage in the Bible where somebody asked Jesus, "Who sinned that this has befallen this man, the man himself, or his father?" And Jesus replied, "No one, but that the Father might be glorified." How can God be glorified in such a situation as faces the people of Haiti? I have no idea, but somehow, with each miraculous person that is rescued, I think God is glorified.

Here is what Pat Robertson said. and Mr. Robertson, from my part, you should be ashamed of yourself.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State today condemned TV preacher and Religious Right leader Pat Robertson for blaming the devastating earthquake in Haiti on the Haitian people’s alleged pact with Satan.

On his Christian Broadcasting Network’s “700 Club” today, Robertson said the Haitians “swore a pact to the devil” in order to become free of French domination.

“They said, ‘we will serve you if you will get us free from the French,’” Robertson asserted. “True story. And so, the devil said, ‘okay it's a deal.’ And they kicked the French out. You know, the Haitians revolted and got themselves free. But ever since, they have been cursed by one thing after the other.”