Category: Encouragement

Emotion Control!

Posted on by scott

A fool gives full vent to his spirit,
    but a wise man quietly holds it back. – Proverbs 29:11

Wild Fire

I thank God that He has created us as emotional beings. I couldn’t imagine a wedding without love or a funeral without grief. Who can hold their first child or grandchild without a tear of joy in their eye. What would be the purpose of reading a novel or watching a movie if it didn’t create an emotional response in us? But as we are reminded by Scriptures, we have to hold back our emotions. We need to control them and not be controlled by them. To give full vent to our emotions is foolish. Especially anger. And as we are experiencing as a nation, it is also dangerous. Unfortunately, it is easier said than done. Especially if we surround ourselves with other “fools”.

Like everyone else I have conversed with, I am appalled by the way that George Floyd was killed by a police officer. Nobody in their right mind could condone the action of the police officers on duty. To say they went too far is a gross understatement and there is no excuse for it. But I fail to see how the reaction since his death is going to mend the issues that divide our nation. I don’t believe violence is a wise answer to violence just as I have never understood how reverse discrimination is a solution to discrimination. Wrong is always wrong and those that violate the law should be punished, policemen and rioters alike. We can’t expect to cross any bridges if we have burned them or make any advances by stepping backwards. But this is precisely what we do when we give full vent to our anger. Anger isn’t a sin, being controlled by it is. What other emotion, left unchecked, is responsible for more deaths?

Color Blind

In January 2017, four black Chicago teenagers kidnapped a mentally disabled white boy and tortured him. They posted footage of their deplorable behavior online as if they were proud of what they were doing. As they held a knife to his head and cut his scalp they used derogatory words about President elect Donald Trump and white people in general. Like the footage of the death of George Floyd, it is too disturbing for me to watch. Even a small dose of vile hatred goes a long way. Especially as the father of a son with Down Syndrome. When you imagine anyone doing that to your son it is hard not to be emotional. Anger is very quick to escalate, and too quick to spill over.

George Floyd is not the first person to be killed at the hands of police officers, nor will he be the last. There are all kinds of statistics regarding crimes committed and criminals killed by race. You can take them for what they are worth. But I believe we have to get past color. At the end of the day, what we are talking about is humans torturing humans in Chicago, and humans killing humans in Minneapolis. As long as we talk about black teens torturing white boys or white police officers killing black men, we are fighting the wrong fights.

As I see the pictures of the riots and hear the rhetoric I am puzzled as to what or whom exactly is being protested. We all agree the police officer was wrong. We don’t need innocent police officers or business owners killed to convince us. We need to have our eyes opened to see beyond color and recognize evil as evil. In the eyes of God, all lives truly matter. He has created us in His image and none of us are a mistake, regardless of color of skin. As long as we ignore the sanctity of all human life, we will be having these atrocious killings and these senseless riots, regardless of what “morality” we try to codify in law.

Past Mistakes

Immediately after the death of George Floyd, the media began discussing the troubled past of the police officer (Chauvin) and the complaints that had been filed against him. By implication, if officer Chauvin had been removed from his position, this tragedy might have been avoided. What most of the media has been reluctant to share however, is the troubled past of George Floyd. Contrary to the martyr status he has been elevated to, George Floyd had numerous charges against him and spent time in jail on more than one occasion. He was once arrested for armed robbery and held a gun to the stomach of a pregnant lady thus threatening to kill her unborn child. In addition, he had a criminal record for drug possession. Why is this relevant? We are all sinners in need of grace, and before we are too quick to point fingers we need to be reminded of the sin that lies within each of us and the atrocities each and every one of us is capable of.

17 The one who states his case first seems right,
    until the other comes and examines him. – Proverbs 18:17

Until we have all of the facts, we better not be too haste in passing judgement. If we can’t honestly assess our own motives and actions how foolish are we to prematurely judge others? Neither officer Chauvin nor George Floyd was perfect. Likewise, we are far from it. Thankfully, God is a God of new beginnings.

Nonconformists

With the Covid-19 pandemic has come an excess of conditioning. As my daughter recently pointed out to me, with expressions such as, “We are all in this together”, “New normal” and “Stay home, stay safe”, etc. we are being conditioned to be conformed to a common standard. To think and act independently of this conditioning is to subject oneself to being labeled selfish and deemed an outsider who is dangerous to society. But as Christians, we are obligated to take our marching orders from the Bible and not from the masses. When we surround ourselves with “mobs” it is much more difficult to keep our emotions under control. How easy it was to shout “crucify him” in the midst of a passionate throng. Mass hysteria can be intoxicating.

While we might deem ourselves too sophisticated to shout for the crucifixion of Christ, how quick are we to share posts or parrot talking points that we might not otherwise support because of pressure? Maybe we feel it is the politically correct thing to do, or perhaps it is just the popular thing to do. But is it the right thing? As Christians we have the mind of Christ. One way to avoid being “fools” is to avoid the herd mentality. Often times, it is wise to be nonconformists. We do well to remember that ultimately we are only trying to please an audience of One.

Wisdom’s Rein

It is past time for wisdom to prevail. We need to recognize that when emotions rise, logic declines. We can’t judge people based on the color of their skin, nor can we judge people based on the uniforms they wear. We can’t ask for open dialogue and then marginalize those at the table because of their perceived privileges. As I have stated, we are all God’s image bearers, but we are all tainted by sin. Regardless, we all deserve to be heard. The life and voice of every person at the table is important. But our words will be of no avail if they are not based on eternal Truths.

Rage and racism will never solve our problems. We need to turn to the Word of God if we truly want to see change in our society. We can’t look to our government or it’s laws to solve our troubles. We need to see hearts changed, and only the Gospel is going to do it. I don’t “believe” in social media nor do I watch any news broadcasts. My personal conviction is that their dangers far outweigh their benefits. I am not asking you to share my convictions, but I am challenging you to set aside the distractions of the world for a “season” and bend your knees before the throne of God.

When you are before His face, ask Him to examine your heart for any trace of racism or any prejudice against authority figures. Is there pent up anger in your heart just waiting for the smallest of sparks to ignite it? If He convicts you, repent of your sins and commit to be a voice of Reason in a volatile society. Pray for those in positions of authority. Pray for those hurt by racism and prejudice. Pray that those in darkness would have their eyes enlightened by the Holy Spirit and their hearts changed by the atoning work of Christ.

One New Man

May God forgive all of us for our foolishness. May He forgive us for the fires we have started. We can’t undo the past, but by the Grace of God maybe we can prevent some of it from repeating itself. May God enable us to replace anger with peace! We will never have peace with each other unless we have peace with God. May the predominate death of our day be the death of hostility.

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. – Ephesians 2:14-16

God’s Clay & The Constitution

Posted on by scott

8 But now, O Lord, you are our Father;
    we are the clay, and you are our potter;
    we are all the work of your hand. – Isaiah 64:8

15 Did not he who made me in the womb make him?
    And did not one fashion us in the womb? – Job 31:15

Dred & Harriet

In April 1846 a married couple filed separate lawsuits in the St Louis Circuit Court. Although Dred & Harriet were illiterate, they were not suing a system that denied them an education. Likewise, although they had no monetary wealth, they were not looking to make an easy dollar off of those more financially well off than they were. What brought them to the Circuit Court in St. Louis was a battle for their most precious asset. One they were wrongfully denied. Dred & Harriet Scott were suing for their freedom. As black slaves they wanted what every man wants and our Constitution proclaims as a God given right: Liberty.

When our Founding Father’s adopted the Declaration of Independence, the final drafting included these famous words:  

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Our first “Congress” humbly recognized that there were certain unalienable rights, rights God has endowed on His Creation, that they can not deny. To the contrary, our Framers recognized that Governments are created to protect these unalienable rights. It was with this hope that Dred & Harriet went before the St. Louis Circuit Court.

Mere Chattel

Any one looking at Dred & Harriet with unbiased eyes could see that they were human beings. Other than the color of their skin, there would have been little difference between them and their “owner” or between them and those that sat in the Court where they brought their suit. The melanin level wouldn’t have betrayed the common physical traits. Any child could have identified their arms, legs, fingers, toes, etc. But these are just the external features.

Certainly the Court could recognize the intellect and the emotions of the Scott’s as they presented their case for freedom. Didn’t their intellect reveal the divine “spark” within? But bias has a way of blinding our ability to see truth. What began as a suit filed in the Circuit Court of St. Louis in April 1846, would end with one of the most infamous Supreme Court Decisions on March 6th, 1857 as the Dred Scott decision denied Dred & Harriet their God given freedom.

In the end, according to the Supreme Court, the Scott’s were deemed to be the property of other men. Mere chattel. And as such they had no right to freedom, or even to appeal to the Highest Court in the United States.

The home of the “Free”?

Taney & Lincoln

When Chief Justice Taney wrote the majority opinion in the Dred Scott decision, he did so as a man with a skewed view of his fellow man. Instead of applying natural law to them as God’s image bearers, he looked at them as the property of others and interpreted the codified laws accordingly. To Justice Taney, Dred & Harriet Scott were no different than a horse or a cow. Instead of using the Constitution to protect humans from humanity, he used it to justify one man the right to deny a fellow man his inalienable right to liberty.

But the story was far from over. There would be further chapters to write and more battles to be fought. The Civil War was on the horizon and a champion of freedom was rising to power. By the providence of God Dred Scott would be granted his freedom before he closed his eyes in death. This same providence would see to it that as Abraham Lincoln took the oath as the sixteenth President of the United States, it would be none other than Chief Justice Taney who would swear him into office.

Jane Roe

In 1970, a suit was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas on behalf of Norma McCorvey (under the alias Jane Roe). Like Dred & Harriet Scott so many years before, Jane Roe also wanted “freedom”. Jane Roe, or more specifically her attorneys, did not want to live under the restrictive abortion laws of the day. After becoming pregnant with her third child at the age of 21, Norma McCorvey attempted to obtain an illegal abortion but found the clinic of her choice had been closed down.

Uncertain what to do next, Norma was referred to the two attorneys who would subsequently file the suit on her behalf in the United States District Court. Originally, Norma had lied about being raped, thinking that would aid her attempt at obtaining an abortion, but would later drop this claim. Ironically, before her case would be decided, Norma gave birth and put her child up for adoption. A hope millions of other children would sadly be denied. On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court would issue another infamous decision, as they would make abortions legal by a vote of 7-2.

The highest Court in our land determined, “that women in the United States have a fundamental right to choose whether or not to have abortions without excessive government restriction”.

How could this happen in the United States?

More Property

What is the common denominator between these two infamous Supreme Court decisions? Something called substantive due process in the legal realm. In constitutional law, substantive due process is defined as: “a principle allowing courts to protect certain fundamental rights from government interference, even if procedural protections are present or the rights are not specifically mentioned elsewhere in the US Constitution.”

Substantive due process was first used in the 1856 Dred Scott decision which determined a slave owner’s right to own a slave was protected by the Due Process Clause, even though no such right is specifically mentioned in the Constitution. Likewise, substantive due process would be used in Roe vs. Wade, protecting a woman’s right to abortion, even though the Constitution mentions no such right.

Like the Dred’s standing before their fellow man, the child in the womb was now reduced to property. As such, their fate is now in the hands of others. Once again, instead of using the Constitution to protect humans from humanity, it was used to allow a woman the right to deny a child it’s unalienable right to life. One person’s explicit rights became subordinate to another person’s “implied” rights.

Hopelessly Subjective

In his criticism of substantive due process, Robert Bork had this to say:

“there are no right or wrong substantive interpretations, because substantive interpretations take us into the realm of hopelessly subjective values and personal predilections-in which case all interpretations would be equally valid, or, perhaps more accurately, equally invalid.” (emphasis mine)

What may have sounded good in theory has become dangerous in practice. By using substantive due process, our Courts entered the realm of the subjective. This enables judges to become creators of law as opposed to interpreters. History has shown that progressive judges have used substantive due process to impose their “will” on society (i.e. gay marriage). But in order to make their will more palatable, they often have to re-write history and ignore the obvious. Including our unalienable rights.

In his dissent to the Dred Scott decision, Benjamin Curtis argued that it:

“is necessary, first, to have a clear view of the nature and incidents of that peculiar species of property which is now in question. It is not only plain in itself, and agreed by all writers on the subject, but is inferable from the Constitution that [slavery] is contrary to natural right.”

In his dissent, John McLean wrote:

” (the) slave is not mere chattel. He bears the impress of his Maker, and is amenable to the laws of God and man; and he is destined to an endless existence.” (emphasis mine)

Evil Ideology

What was the strategy of Jane Roe’s legal team? According to a memo of David Tundermann, an intern working on the case it was such:

“Where the important thing to do is to win the case no matter how, however, I suppose I agree with Mean’s technique: begin with a scholarly attempt at historical research; if it doesn’t work out, fudge it as necessary; write a piece so long that others will read only your introduction and conclusion; then keep citing it until the courts begin picking it up. This preserves the guise of impartial scholarship while advancing the proper ideological goals.” (emphasis mine)

Willful ignorance (2 Peter 3:5) or pure evil?

Old Ethics

This is what was written in the journal California Medicine in 1970, the same year Roe filed her suit in the United States District Court:

“(Yet because the old ethic had) not yet been fully displaced [in society] it had been necessary to separate the idea of abortion from the idea of killing….The result has been a curious avoidance of the scientific fact, which everyone really knows, that human life begins at conception and is continuous whether intra- or extra-uterine until death. The very considerable semantic gymnastics which are required to rationalize abortion as anything but taking a human life would be ludicrous if they were not put forth under socially impeccable auspices. It is suggested that this schizophrenic sort of subterfuge is necessary because while a new ethic is being accepted the old one has not yet been rejected.” (emphasis mine)

When slavery was a scourge in our country, those that abused it accused those that opposed it of forcing their morality on them. Today, we hear the same argument regarding abortion. But we must be diligent. We must stay focused and not allow the progressives to frame all of the debates. We have the Truth of God and we know the intrinsic value of all human life. Remember, we are not promoting “our morality” but rather fighting for the unalienable rights of God’s highest creation.

No semantic gymnastics!! It is up to us to defend the “old” ethics.

  1. It is wrong to intentionally kill an innocent human being
  2. Elective abortion intentionally kills an innocent human being
  3. Therefore, elective abortion is wrong

As former Justice McLean reminds us: ” (the) slave is not mere chattel. He bears the impress of his Maker, and is amenable to the laws of God and man; and he is destined to an endless existence.”

The same is true of the child in the womb. Our Constitution is no longer used to justify the scourge of slavery, by the Grace of God perhaps soon we can say the same about abortion!!

The Sound of Silence

Posted on by scott

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. – Ephesians 6:12

What Train?

Erwin Lutzer, former pastor of Moody Church in Chicago, tells the account of a German Christian who attended a simple little church in the country. Each Sunday morning as the congregation gathered for worship they had to “put up” with the annoyance of a train that ran behind their church. As the congregation heard the train whistle in the distance they would begin corporate singing. The closer the train approached, the louder the singing became. As we picture this in our minds it sounds a bit humorous. But this wasn’t simply a small congregation competing against a locomotive to create decibels.

You see, the train wasn’t the issue, it was the cargo it was carrying. It wasn’t the sound of the train rattling down the tracks that the congregation was trying to drown out. Nor was it the blaring of the train whistle that the congregation was competing against. The noise that the little church was attempting to avoid hearing was the desperate cries of Jews. Jews being transported like cattle to Hitler’s concentration camps where gas chambers and incinerators awaited them.

This little country church was simply a portrayal of part of a bigger problem in Hitler’s Germany. The problem of silence. While this congregation was drowning desperate pleas with Christian Hymns, too many were simply plugging their ears. The trains needed to be stopped not ignored. Too much was at stake to remain indifferent. Too much was at stake to remain silent.

What does silence sound like? Six million Jews killed by the Nazi regime.

Tattooed Souls

Many of us are familiar with Hitler’s attempt at a New Order, but perhaps few of us are familiar with the term Final Solution. Before Hitler could perfect his Aryan race, he had to eliminate his bitter enemies. Jews. Every last one of them had to be exterminated. That was his Final Solution.

As he rounded up the Jews, Hitler had them tattooed with a number. Although branded like cattle, they were treated worse than vermin. To Hitler the Jews were sub-human. To him, like so many before him, the Jewish race was to blame for the world’s problems. If he was going to create a perfect world under his Third Reich, the Jews could have no place in it.

Accordingly, men, women and children were torn from their homes and sent to camps throughout Europe. I will spare you of the details of the Holocaust. I’m sure you are aware of them. But we do need to be reminded that these victims were more than numbers. Despite the numbers they were tattooed with, they were more than statistics. They were bankers, and butchers, secretaries and scientists. They were teachers and students, coaches and athletes. They were fathers. They were mothers. They were “innocent” children. Most importantly, they were God’s image bearers. Created with eternal souls Heavenly designed to worship God and glorify His name.

But they were failed by their fellow men. Men who were silent when they should have spoken up for Righteousness. Speaking up against evil can be costly, but not as costly as remaining silent. A few bold people, like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, did resist Hitler and his evil and it cost him his life. But he could never rest as long as the trains were carrying his fellow men to their death. The trains had to be stopped. The killing had to end. For Bonhoeffer, sin had to be confronted. In the face of such evil, silence wasn’t an option.

“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” – Deitrich Boenhoeffer

Today’s Holocaust

With the current pandemic related to COVID-19, much emphasis is being placed on the sanctity of human life. At least that is the lip service even if it isn’t the terminology. To many, in leadership at least, protecting human life is the reason we are crashing our economy and forcing people to stay home and stay safe. After all, going out in public can be life threatening. At least that is what we are being told. However, it is far more dangerous to be in the womb. If anyplace should be a safe-haven, shouldn’t it be the womb? If we want to have a serious discussion about the sanctity of human life isn’t this where the discussion should begin?

According to the 2017 statistics (the most current available), there were 862,320 abortions performed in the United States, and annually there are around 56,000,000 performed worldwide. I don’t know where the COVID-19 death totals will end up at, but even exaggerated as they are they are no match for abortions. Everyday we are bombarded with COVID-19 updates and yet when it comes to discussions about abortion…crickets.

Where is the outcry? Who is going to speak up for the most vulnerable in our society? Where is the protection of our political leaders who are so concerned about protecting life? More importantly, where is the church? Why is there so much silence? Everyday the abortion train runs through our backyards and we don’t hear it. Too often, our ears are plugged and we are looking the other direction.

What does silence sound like? Fifty six million babies being dismembered in the confine of their mother’s wombs. Future bankers and butchers, secretaries and scientists. Future teachers and students, coaches and athletes. Future fathers. Future mothers. Innocent children. God’s image bearers. Created with eternal souls Heavenly designed to worship Him and glorify His name. Destroyed before they could even cry out for help.

Accomodation

In his last book, The Great Evangelical Disaster, Francis Schaeffer addressed what he perceived to be the great failure of the Evangelical Church; accommodation.

“Here is the great evangelical disaster-the failure of the evangelical world to stand for truth as truth. There is only one word for this – namely accommodation: the evangelical church has accommodated to the world spirit of the age…”

Why is the church too often silent in the face of evil? According to Francis Schaeffer, it began with the Church accommodating on the Scripture. The Church has been duped by the higher criticism that spewed out of Germany. These methods have “destroyed” the authority of the Bible by denying the validity of miracles, and the reality of prophesy and revelation (for beginners). This disease that devastated the Protestant church in Germany has infiltrated the West. The Eternal Word of God has been replaced by the futile thoughts of fallen mankind. How many liberal churches in the United States are now only Christian in name?

According to Schaeffer, because we do not see truth as truth, we have destroyed the power of the Scriptures to confront the spirit of our age. Without the Word of God what weapon can we wield against the enemy?

Vain Repetition

I don’t believe it is any coincidence that Hitler’s rise to power was preceded by higher criticism and the decline of the Protestant church in Germany as they began to deny the inerrancy of the Bible and it’s literal interpretation. Nor do I believe that the issues we face in the United States are unrelated to the same plague that eventually began to cripple the protestant church here as well. When higher criticism takes over academia, God gets “kicked” out of school. When the Church no longer takes the Bible literally, God’s institutions crumble. Marriage becomes redefined. The nuclear family melts away. Sexuality gives way to gender confusion. A silent church has lost it saltiness (Matthew 5:13).

Unfortunately, Christians have been silent so long that we are on the verge of losing our right to speak. Literally. It is time to wake up. The sound of silence is deadly. We have to understand the battle we are in and learn from history. Millions of lives, and souls are at stake.

Like clockwork, the train is coming. As it runs down the tracks of time it is carrying millions of crying individuals to their eternal destiny. The Truth is Heaven and Hell are real. The Truth is, they will be populated by human souls for eternity. It is the responsibility of the Church to share the Truth with them while they still have breath. And while we still have breath, Love mandates that we stand up for righteousness and speak out against sin. Indifference isn’t an option.

“The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. The opposite of beauty is not ugliness, it’s indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it’s indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, but indifference between life and death.”

“What hurts the victim most is not the cruelty of the oppressor but the silence of the bystander.” – Elie Wiesel, survivor of Hitler’s Final Solution (both quotes).

34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ – Matthew 25:34-40

“….Although years have passed, I still hear the train whistle in my sleep. God forgive me, forgive all of us who called ourselves Christians and yet did nothing to intervene.” – German Christian

What is Truth?

Posted on by scott

37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” – John 18:37-38.

Liar, Liar

If the word of the day is fear, the question of the day is, “What is truth?”. Let’s begin with China. According to one theory, in a lab in Wuhan a super virus was being created using horseshoe bats. Apparently this virus was being developed for intended use in biological warfare. Unfortunately, the virus “escaped” the lab and immediately infected unsuspecting Wuhan residents. But there was no need to worry. According to Wuhan officials and health experts, “there was no obvious evidence for human-to-human transmission” and the coronavirus was “preventable and controllable”.

Despite the downplay of the threat, we know just how dangerous the virus really is. Maybe.

According to the Chinese government, the death total in Wuhan was limited to 2500. The city was locked down and the deceased were taken directly to funeral homes for cremation. Then the remains were put in urns for the families to retrieve at a later date (Saturday April 11th the city was re-opened). Interestingly, despite having only 2500 deaths, the eight Funeral homes in Wuhan were receiving urns by the truckloads. According to Time magazine, one funeral home had over 5000 delivered over a two day period. Another had 3500 urns stacked inside. Also, there were reports of the crematories operating 24/7. Somehow the math just doesn’t add up.

As family members return to Wuhan to collect the urns containing the remains of their loved ones, they have to be escorted by a communist official. I highly doubt these officials specialize in grief counseling. However I am sure they are very good at preventing any unwanted information from escaping Wuhan.

If these reports are true, we have to ask, why would a Communist government lie to it’s populace? Why would they lie to the world? Probably for many of the same reasons a “Free” country would practice deception.

Deceivers

For the Chinese government, a high death toll from the coronavirus is a black eye to Communism. Apparently, in the United States, it is an opportunity to advance it. The greater the fear among the populace, the greater the need for a larger Government and its intervention. Perhaps former Russian Premier Nikita Khrushchev was prophetic when he charged the American people of being gullible. He stated that while we would not accept communism outright, we would tolerate it in small doses until one day we woke up and found we already have it. Or as Adolf Hitler once said, “It is a quite special secret pleasure how the people around us fail to realize what is really happening to them.”

Think I am exaggerating? Perhaps. But the CDC has issued internal memos promoting a medical “bias” towards the coronavirus. Per their memos, medical professionals are “encouraged” to look for the virus in every illness. Furthermore, everyone who dies with coronavirus is counted as having died from it. How many of these people who have died from complications of the virus would have died from the underlying cause? It appears that as the death toll related to COVID-19 rises exponentially, those dying from illnesses such as pneumonia and influenza have all but disappeared. The higher the death toll from COVID-19, the greater the fear, the greater our need for government. Would our elected representatives really use a crisis for political gain??

As I have stated before, I take this virus very seriously. I also believe that Government is God ordained. But as I read the overabundance of data it is difficult not to be some what cynical. We are told to listen to the experts, but their advice changes daily (or so it seems). One day we are told that face masks are ineffective against the virus, the next we are told not to go out in public without them. Originally, people were told they did not need to be tested for the virus if they did not have certain symptoms such as a fever or respiratory issues, now we are told that many carriers are asymptomatic. I understand that there is a learning curve, but that doesn’t diminish the confusion or skepticism.

Besides, it is hard not to become somewhat cynical when businesses are being destroyed to “save lives”, yet it is deemed essential to sell alcohol, marijuana, and lottery tickets. And to add insult to injury, abortions also are deemed essential. This isn’t just ironical, it is hypocritical. While corporate greed is condemned government greed is flaunted. Apparently all greed isn’t created equal. Fortunately, despite what some of our politicians may have us believe, they are not worthy objects of our faith.

Faith

I don’t know how long the coronavirus will be around, but I am confident there will be more pandemics to follow. Likewise, I don’t know how much longer our country will be a beacon of Freedom. After all, it appears that toilet paper has become more important than the Constitution. While we hoard the first we trash the latter. But all is not doom and gloom. Whether we live under a Communist regime or in the last days of a fading Republic, our government was never meant to be our savior. Men will always fail us. In these trying times, as in all times, we must look for a “redeeming” value, which is what U of M football coach Jim Harbaugh has done. As much as it pains this MSU grad, I have to share his quote.

“Even now, as we all go through what we’re going through with COVID-19, I see people more concerned about others. More prayerful. As I said, God has virtually stopped the world from spinning. I don’t think it’s coincidence — my personal feeling, living a faith-based life, this is a message or this is something that should be a time where we grow on our faith for reverence and respect for God. You see people taking more of a view of sanctity of life. And I hope that can continue. I hope that continues and not just in this time of crisis or pandemic.” (Emphasis mine)

As he spoke in regards to the sanctity of human life, Coach Harbaugh went on to state that in his opinion, there is nothing more horrendous than abortion, but that is for another blog. However, look closely at what he said about faith. In the mist of chaos and confusion, God is our only refuge. Now is not a time to let lies and deception rule the day, rather it is a time “where we grow on our faith for reverence and respect for God.” In order to do so we have to saturate ourselves in Truth. Which only comes from Him through His inspired Word.

Truth

“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” – George Orwell

No doubt, COVID-19 dominates the media. But if it didn’t, we would be consuming ourselves with sports, politics, entertainment, etc. Nothing worthy of the time and attention we usually devote to them. As Coach Harbaugh reminds us, perhaps God is using this to get our attention. To use his illustration, perhaps God has stopped the world from spinning to remind us that He is the axis. He is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. He is not only Sovereign over the affairs of the world, He is the source of Truth. An important reminder in these days of lies and deceptions.

As Jesus stood before Pilate with the shadow of the cross descending upon him, Pilate cynically asked, “What is truth?”. Ironically, in the form of the God-Man, Jesus stood before this mighty political figure in the form of Truth incarnate. In Pilate mankind was represented. Enslaved by the father of lies, Satan the great deceiver. His only interest: his own political welfare. Sound familiar? If only Pilate would have embraced the Truth before him. But Pilate couldn’t handle the Truth.

The lies of the world are constantly trying to keep us in darkness, but the Truth is always more powerful.

On this Resurrection Sunday may you bask in it’s Light and grow in your reverence and respect for God. The only One worthy of our faith and deserving of our praise.

What is Truth?

19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” – John 2:19

28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. – John 19:28-30

45 And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. 46 And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. – Mark 15:45-46

“Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” – Luke 24:5b-7

15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. – Acts 3:15

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” – John 11:25-26

“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:31b-32

Have a blessed Resurrection Sunday!!!

Joy and Peace in the light of God’s face

Posted on by scott

4 Be angry (agitated), and do not sin;
    ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah
5 Offer right sacrifices,
    and put your trust in the Lord.

6 There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?
    Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!”
7 You have put more joy in my heart
    than they have when their grain and wine abound.

8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
    for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. – Psalm 4:4-8

Fear

I don’t know a word that more aptly describes the world in which we live today. An unseen threat in the form of a virus has not only claimed the lives of thousands of people, but has enveloped much of the world in a cloud of fear. A cloud so thick and ominous that the buzzwords of the day are quarantine and social distancing. It feels like hourly, if not more frequently, we are being updated with the casualties as they mount. We have been advised to take every precaution to keep the virus out of our homes, but keeping the cloud from casting it’s shadow over our hearts is an equally important battle. And perhaps more difficult.

Because of this unseen enemy, many families are living in isolation from one another. Senior citizens are passing the long days with no company or social interaction. Nursing homes are closed to visitors. Sick patients are turned away by overwhelmed Hospitals. Businesses are forced to close their doors and workers are forced to stay home and draw unemployment. Likewise, schools are closed and sports have been put on hold. If the boredom of it all won’t do us in, the constant negative news will certainly finish off our sanity (supposing we ever had any).

The Book of Ecclesiastes says “there is nothing new under the sun” (Eccl. 1:9), but this feels new to most of us. How do we respond in such a time? As quoted above, the Psalmist tells us to be “Raghaz”: to quiver, be moved with fear (tremble), but not to sin.

Ponder

Instead of allowing fear to dominate us and causing us to sin (in this particular case manifested in rage), the Psalmist (David) encourages us to ponder in our hearts as we lie in bed. When we are removed from the over stimulation of the world, we are to rest before the Lord and commune with, or speak to, our hearts. After being overwhelmed with the circumstances of the world and the inundation of information, much of which may not even be factual, we are to speak Truth into our hearts. Call it what you will: self communion, soliloquies, or meditation, but don’t underestimate it’s value.

All day long we are tempted by the world to panic. Our health is fragile. Our futures are uncertain. The bottom might fall out of the Market tomorrow. We could lose our jobs. We might lose our homes. A lifetime of toil and it’s reward could be wiped out in an instant. Yesterday I thought I was in control of my world, and then a pandemic strikes. We have been living a life of delusion. May we listen to David and allow our fear to shake us out of our complacency and bring us to our senses. Might we be still before the Lord and speak Truth to our hearts.

Light

David tells us we are to offer right sacrifices before the Lord. We are to come before Him in faith, with a proper view of His divine attributes and a proper motive. We are to come before His throne in humility, with broken and contrite hearts. As we come before him offering ourselves as a spiritual sacrifice, might we do so recognizing the depravity of our hearts and our utter dependency upon Him. As David admonishes us, we must put our trust in the Lord. To place it anywhere else is not only futile, it is foolish.

When things are darkest, the world cries out, “Who will show us any good?”, to which David replies, “Lift up the light of your face upon us O Lord”. This request reminds us of Aaron’s priestly prayer in Numbers chapter 6.

24 The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

The world’s cry of desperation has already been answered.

Joy

David may have been a man after God’s own heart, but he wasn’t immune from heartbreak. As a young boy he may have defeated the Philistine enemy Goliath, but he was scorned by his brothers. Despite being the heir to the throne, the reigning King hunted him down like an animal and tried on numerous occasions to take his life. As a military leader he had no peers, but he couldn’t conquer the lust in his own heart. David buried an infant child and suffered the heartache of a rebellious adult child. But despite his circumstances, he knew experientially what is was like to bask in the joy of the Lord.

According to David, those around him could have their grain and wine in abundance, but it could not compare with his joy. Their grain will satisfy their appetites for a season, and their wine may bring them temporary “joy”, but neither will last like the joy God has placed in his heart. Worldly joys can never compare with Heavenly. Nor can life’s trials compare with the Gospel. Christ came to make our joy full. We just need to ask Him to fill our hearts with it (John 16:24).

The coronavirus is real, but in time it will pass. Not so the joy of the Lord. When heaven and earth have passed away, it will only be more real to us.

Peace

We began this section of scripture looking at fear, we end looking at peace. We may carry our burdens all day long, but we must not let them steal our joy or our peace. As we still ourselves before the Lord on our beds and speak Truth into our hearts, we begin to feel the embrace of the arms of the Lord. They have been holding us all along, but in our agitation and trembling we did no feel them. No longer.

I am not going to minimize the threat around us. The cloud is real and it indeed casts a dark shadow over us, but it is nothing the light of the face of the Lord cannot penetrate. And it will. History proves it.

The darkness over the void earth was no match for the voice of God. “Let there be light.”

The darkness over Egypt gave way to the Exodus. In the form of a pillar of light God would lead his children out of darkness and into the promised land.

A dark Bethlehem sky gave way to a bright Star, announcing the birth of a Savior. The light of Heaven was born in a dark world. Purity penetrated sin.

The darkness over Calvary was merely a prelude to the Resurrection. Friday’s dark grave would give way to the light of Sunday’s rising sun.

We may live in a dark world, but like David, we can lie down and sleep in peace. Because the fact of the matter is, God makes us dwell in safety. As children of God our eternity is secure. Ultimately, what can men (or viruses) do to us?

There is truly nothing new under the sun. Until Christ returns or the Lord calls you home, may you faithfully ponder Truth in your heart!!

Application

May I close by recommending an abbreviated outline from Jonathon Edward’s sermon entitled Christian Happiness?

  1. Our bad things will turn out for good (Romans 8:28)
  2. Our good things can never be taken away from us (Psalm 4:6-7)
  3. The best things are yet to come (1 Cor 2:9)

As you rest your head in the safety of God’s hand tonight, might you ponder these basic Truths. In the midst of the storm, sleep tight. The tempest is no match for your Savior.

God, Eternity, and Coronavirus

Posted on by scott

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save,
    or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; – Isaiah 59:1

Pandemic

According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, a pandemic is defined as:

an outbreak of a disease that occurs over a wide geographic area and affects an exceptionally high proportion of the population : a pandemic outbreak of a disease

I am not sure what qualifies as a “high proportion” of the population, but apparently the coronavirus disease has already affected enough of the worlds population to qualify as a pandemic. At least in the estimation of those with the authority to declare so.

While I can respect taking precautionary measures to protect the health and lives of the general public, I am more than a little concerned about creating a secondary threat perhaps more dangerous than the coronavirus pandemic itself.

Panic

Is anybody concerned about the panic we are instilling in our children? What are we teaching them about how to handle a crisis?

In his first Inaugural Address, with the American economy in a recession and sandwiched between two World Wars, President Franklin Roosevelt spoke these famous words:

“So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is…fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”

Note that the President did not minimize the seriousness of the situation in which our country was in, but rather he reminded the American people that there was no place for fear if the country was going to move forward. Instead of being paralyzed by fear, he expected the American people to advance with courage. What would FDR say if he saw our response to coronavirus?

Unfortunately, instead of trying to promote the virtue of courage, our age seems more inclined to incite fear and then prey on it. Fear and division seem to be higher priorities than courage and co-operation.

Politics

To preserve my sanity (if I ever had any), I stopped watching News Broadcasts and reading Newspapers years ago. Unfortunately, when I retrieve my email from Yahoo, I am exposed to their headlines. Lately, they have “enlightened” me to the fact that coronavirus will be the downfall of President Trump. And I thought all the hype was to protect us from a deadly disease! Is it possible that this is more of an unmasking of dirty politics?

After two and and half years of all of the Russian collusion hype that was followed up with bogus Impeachment hearings, now we are told that President Trump is to blame for the health of the world? If the coronavirus is a threat to my health, inform me with facts, don’t waste my time with op eds disguised as news.

Is the coronavirus a real threat to society or is it another crisis to use for political gain? If the virus is as deadly as the media is saying, now is a time for unity not political pettiness. If you don’t like the President’s address, tear up his speech in the privacy of your own home, not before the eyes of a watching world. If the media wants to protect us, warn us about the dangers of a United States Senator physically threatening two Supreme Court Justices by name. Better yet, demand the resignation of said Senator.

Unfortunately, the attacks seem to be one sided.

Prayer

A few weeks ago, Vice President Mike Pence fell under criticism by many of his political opponents when a picture was released showing the coronavirus task force over which he was appointed, taking time to pray in the White House. With such a daunting task before them how could they waste time in prayer? He was accused of being delusional for praying to a non existent god for assistance. The fact that the task force went before God in prayer showed they were incompetent and unprepared. After all, as one skeptic pointed out, no scientific meeting ever begins with prayer. Which makes me wonder, who is really unprepared and incompetent?

Pandemics have come and gone. I highly doubt that coronavirus will be the end of the world. That doesn’t mean I don’t think we should take precautions and use “common” sense, but I know that ultimately, coronavirus is not the pandemic we should be worried about. Because of the true pandemic, sin, all of us are destined to die from one cause or another.

Coronavirus may be stealing all of today’s news headlines and creating a panic, but the real news to be shared is Good News. Or as the Bible refers to it, the Gospel. We don’t need politically motivated “fake news”, we need Truth. Biblical Truth!!

Instead of shaking in fear, perhaps we could learn from the Chinese Christians. Despite years of abuse and torture, they went to the aid of the early coronavirus victims handing out face masks and Gospel Tracts. Many of their former antagonists, including police officers, were won over by their boldness and compassion. They looked at the coronavirus from an eternal perspective rather than a temporal one. The eternal destiny of a soul is so much more important the the short lived “tent” that contains it.

Because of the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, sin and death entered into our world. Born into Adam’s sin, all of us are destined for death, coronavirus or not. Sorry FDR, but there is one thing we should fear, dying in our sins and spending an eternity separated form our Creator. But despite what his opponents say, we could learn a lesson from Vice President Mike Pence. We can humble ourselves before God in prayer and admit our utter helplessness without Him. After all, that is why Jesus went to the cross and died in our place.

Providence

I don’t know how much longer we will be inundated with coronavirus hype. Nor do I know the effects it will have on our society and economy, intentional or not. But despite my frustrations and misgivings of a lost and fallen world, I know that ultimately my faith is in a sovereign God whose hand is not shortened nor are His ears dulled. He will always hear us in perfect love and save us with His omnipotent power. If only we will approach Him in humility.

When the world around us seems to be falling apart, He is always the fortress we can run to and the rock we can stand on (Prov. 18:10). He will be on His throne long after coronavirus (and the next pandemic) is gone and forgotten.

Since I began with a dictionary definition of pandemic, I would like to close with a definition of Providence from the Heidelberg Catechism (Question 27). For the record, this Catechism was written in 1563. That year the Bubonic Plague hit London, killing one third to one half of the population while reaching 1000 deaths per week.

Question: What do you understand by the providence of God?

Answer: The almighty, everywhere present power of God, whereby, as it were, by his hand, he still upholds heaven and earth with all creatures and so governs them that herbs and grass, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, meat and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty, indeed, all things come not by chance, but by his fatherly hand.

I’m glad some of our leaders still emphasize prayer over panic.

Taking Mountains

Posted on by scott

12 “Now therefore give me this mountain” – Joshua 14:12

Promises

Despite his advanced age, Caleb was firmly holding onto God’s promise. Forty-five years had passed since he was promised this mountain and now it was time to cash in. With a generation of “doubters” buried in the desert behind him it was time to scale the mountain before him.

When the other ten spies trembled at the fear of man, Caleb and Joshua maintained their faith in God and His Word. As a reward for their faith, they were allowed to enter the promised land while their contemporaries slowly died off after forty years of desert wandering.

Forty-five years is a long time to wait for anything. It gives the enemy plenty of time to plant seeds of doubt. Day after day of desert wandering. Your feet are trodding sand but you are treading water. In your mind you hear the promise of God, with your eyes you see the consequences of doubt. Death.

Doubt is a cruel disease. It destroys us emotionally and spiritually before we ever take our last breath. Beware of the enemy when he whispers in your ear, “Did God really say?”. Caleb didn’t succumb. Those giants in the land were real, but they were no match for God on His throne.

Here stands an eighty-five year old man with an enemy infested mountain before him. “Giants” none the less. Probability says he can’t take the mountain. Caleb’s faith in God’s promise assures him he can and will. “Give me this mountain”.

Namesake

When our only son was born we named him Caleb after this great man of faith from the Bible. Born with Down Syndrome we knew our Caleb would have his own mountains to overcome. Some more real than others.

After blessing us with three daughters, I was hopeful that someday God would bless us with a son. Perhaps like most men, I wanted a son to raise and share certain experiences with. Someone who shared more of my likes and interests. Looking back I was probably guilty of wanting a new me. Or at least someone I could “live” through vicariously.

When the midwife delivered Caleb and announced that we had our first son I was thrilled. Finally!! A few moments later when she told us he had Down Syndrome I was devastated. Dreams and plans that had been building up for years were instantly wiped out. Like the unbelieving Israelites, they were buried in the desert.

Limitations

Caleb is now fifteen. As I have written about previously, he has blessed us more than we could have ever imagined. His unconditional love and childlike faith in Jesus are precious because of their rarity. In His eyes there is nothing Jesus can’t do. And he often reminds us of this.

Although he firmly believes that there is nothing Jesus can’t do, Caleb certainly has his limitations. Despite being fifteen, his vocabulary is very limited. Although he comprehends much of what is going on around him, he definitely has a different way of “processing” information.

Although Caleb often seems to be a “celebrity” in most circles, he doesn’t possess what we would call social skills. He doesn’t always understand what is deemed proper or improper. Thankfully, our family and friends are very gracious with him (and us).

Invitations

A couple of months ago I was invited by a co-worker, Archie, to come out and join him on a deer hunt and shoot his new gun. Thinking that the gun would be something my youngest daughter Rachel would be most likely to use I asked if she could join us on the hunt. However, since her work schedule conflicted with the invitation, I wondered if Caleb might be able to join us.

Archie was gracious in saying yes. As a matter of fact he was so confident in this hunt that he guaranteed me I would harvest a deer and so would Caleb. In fairness to Archie I felt that I should remind him that Caleb has Down Syndrome, to which he replied, “That’s ok, we will get him a deer”.

As I lay in bed that night entertaining the prospect of my special needs son harvesting his first deer I was overcome with emotions. With tears welling in my eyes I wondered if it was possible that one of the dreams I entertained for my son would come true. As an avid deer hunter I had taken Caleb on some hunts before, but only as a spectator. I wasn’t comfortable placing a weapon in his hands. To me it was a mountain that was impossible for him to take. Or so I thought.

It would become apparent that I wasn’t the only one who saw this as a challenge. Little did I know that I would never touch the gun I was invited to shoot!!!

Wandering

We arrived at Archie’s early in the morning. By 6:30 a.m. we were sitting in his blind awaiting first light. With the space heater keeping us warm and the iPod keeping us entertained it was now up to the deer to “cooperate”. With deer coming into the field in front of us before the sun even broke the horizon, things were looking promises. However, before light broke they wandered back into the woods.

When the sun finally made it’s appearance, Archie decided to begin instructing Caleb, preparing for the big moment. Pointing the unloaded gun out the window, he began with the basics. Since Caleb had never even held a gun, he had to instruct him where to put his thumb and where the trigger was. He showed him how to look down the scope and aim with the cross hairs. Then he progressed to having him aim and dry fire at different objects. From there he had him look down the scope and follow a doe that eventually stepped out of the woods for a brief moment.

As Archie would ask Caleb questions to ascertain his understanding, Caleb would always say yes. I was convinced that he was merely doing this to be polite as he probably wasn’t really comprehending everything Archie was teaching him. Knowing Caleb much better than Archie, I suppose I perceived the mountain in front of us much larger than Archie did. Although I had my doubts, I wanted to stay positive. If Caleb was going to take this mountain, his “guide” had to believe in him. If I was going along for the ride, I didn’t want to plant any seeds of doubt. But as it approached 10:00 a.m. and the deer were not “cooperating”, I began to feel like we were wandering in the desert just biding our time. Perhaps this was only a pipe dream from the beginning.

Taken!

For most of the morning, we had watched numerous deer about 400 yards in front of us that we hoped would make their way to us. To know avail. We knew that soon we would have to go in and admit defeat. If something was going to happen, it would have to happen fast. And it did.

Looking out the window behind us Archie saw deer moving through the woods. Suddenly there were three deer crossing a clearing within fifty yards of us. As quickly as we could we opened the window behind us and spun our chairs around. Curiously, the three deer stopped in the cleared path and looked at us. Apparently they had never seen the three stooges doing the Curly Shuffle. A few more steps and they would have been in the woods and out of our sight.

Archie quickly threw me the sand bag (gun rest) to place on the ledge as he was handing Caleb the gun. As I was placing Caleb’s ear protection on him Archie turned off the safety and told Caleb to aim at the front doe and when he was ready to go ahead and shoot. And shoot he did.

For three and one half hours I watched Archie instruct Caleb. During that time we wavered between hope and doubt. When all looked hopeless and despair was about to claim victory (at least for this morning), everything changed in the blink of an eye. Caleb placed the scope on the doe that Archie told him to. When he was ready, he squeezed the trigger just as Archie instructed him. And when he did, the doe dropped straight down.

With disbelief on our faces Archie and I looked at one another behind Caleb, and Archie simply muttered, “We did it!”

Mountains

A lot of people harvest deer. A lot of people harvest a lot of deer. But obviously this is not about deer hunting. This is about mountains and faith. And for me, this was a major rebuke.

As I was forwarding a picture of Caleb and his deer to his siblings, I was overcome with emotion. With tears in my eyes (yes, tears of fulfillment are sweeter than tears of anticipation) I gave Archie a hug and thanked him. Although he was our “guide” for the morning, I don’t think he realized at the time how big of a mountain had just been taken. A mountain that was just put into perspective for me and my family.

I don’t know what mountains you face in your life, but we all have them. Those obstacles that just seem too big to be overcome. Perhaps it is a relationship that is going nowhere (but backwards). Maybe it is an addiction that you just can’t seem to get victory over. Maybe it is a disability that you allow to “define” you more than God ever intended it to.

The mountain in front of you may be real. The giants that occupy it are always intimidating. But God is still on His throne. And He still rewards faith.

If only we all had the faith of Caleb, “Now therefore, give me this mountain”!

Hugs

Posted on by scott

2 (encourage) older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. – 1 Timothy 5:2

Niece

Little “Miss” Haddie made her way down the aisle, I am sure, much like she rehearsed. Upon reaching the arbor, it was now time to make a right pivot and take her place on Grandma’s lap in anticipation of the entrance of the bride (Lauren). Funny how things don’t always go according to plan, especially when young children are involved. And sometimes, thankfully so.

As Haddie began to make her move towards her seat as instructed, you could see in her face an internal struggle overcome her. Her mind told her to do as she was told. Her heart told her to give her uncle Trent, the “lonely” person standing under the arbor, a hug before she took her seat. Her little heart won this battle. Just as quickly as she began her right pivot she made an about face and hugged Trent’s leg.

While I will not downplay the importance of following instructions, I was glad to see this young niece follow her heart and hug her uncle. The act was so spontaneous that Trent did not even have time enough to react and reciprocate her hug. With his eyes raised in anticipation of the eventual entrance of his bride, all he could do was place his hand on her head in recognition of her gesture of love before she was gone.

The innocence of her gesture touched my heart, as I am sure it did to everyone who witnessed it. Here was a little girl not caught up in the enormity of the moment. She entertained no ideas about posturing before an audience. Quite simply, out of her love and fondness for her uncle she wanted to express her feelings for him. Plain and simple.

As I witnessed this hug I regretted not having my phone for a quick picture. But as I reflected on it I was certain that is was one moment from the wedding that would be etched in my mind. Little did I know it was a sign of things to come.

Cousin

After the meal, I was sitting with my back to the wall and watching the dance floor. On the near side of the dance floor I saw Trent hugging a young lady whose back was turned towards me. Usually there is nothing unusual about seeing a new bride and groom hugging their guests, but as I watched this embrace it was apparent that there was a special bond between my nephew and this young woman. I wondered what the history was. However I didn’t have to wonder for long.

As they separated and the young woman turned around I realized it was my oldest daughter. Just a few minutes prior she was sitting at my side as we enjoyed the wedding meal!! When did she leave the table? Just as Haddie’s hug ” with” Trent touched my heart, seeing my daughter hug her cousin brought tears to my eyes.

Not only did Trent and my daughter Courtney grow up as cousins close in age, but they grew up as neighbors across the street from each other. During their “formative” childhood years they often played together as very close friends. They spent a lot of time together making snow forts, swinging in our back yard and jumping on Trent’s trampoline among numerous other childhood activities.

Here I watched the the two cousins, the new groom and the young mother of four, celebrating the present and embracing the past. What memories were flashing through their minds? The future will continue to take them down trails that they will blaze with others, but for one shared moment they were saying thanks for the past. As a proud father and uncle I am thankful for the memories I have of their shared childhoods and the privilege of seeing their embrace that testifies of the time tested love they still share for one another.

Mom

After she was ushered down the aisle, it was mom’s (Cathy’s) turn to hug Trent. As she embraced her son before taking her seat, she was able to hold back the tears. The same can’t be said for the family members sitting behind me. Despite Cathy’s dry eyes, the mothers in attendance new the emotions that were prevalent in her mind and heart. Emotions that may have been compounded as she was giving away her “baby”.

Despite the false bravado and big talk I witnessed in Trent as a little boy (an inherent trait shared by most boys), there was always a special place in his heart for his mother. When young Trent needed to be “patched” up or picked up, he knew he could look to his mother to be there for her little warrior. And although she had no inherent fondness for the likes of toads and snakes, Cathy learned to tolerate such treasures as her youngest child brought them home.

As hunting and fishing began to “dominate” his time and attention, Cathy always supported Trent. When he played high school football she not only attended every game but became a student of the sport, learning not only each position on the field but understanding the responsibilities of the different positions. Like the toads and snakes of days gone by, football had no inherent importance to Cathy. But it became important to her because it was to her sons.

I have written before about the special love of a mother. A love so selfless that it is probably the closest thing we will see to the love of Christ on this side of Heaven. To witness Cathy embrace Trent on this special day was just another privilege. As we get older, such signs of affection take on more meaning to us.

Great-Aunt

Although I am not much of a dancer (yes that is an understatement), one of my favorite dances to watch is the one that starts with all of the married couples on the dance floor and ends with just one couple remaining. As the dance progresses, couples are dismissed based on years of marriage until you are left with the couple married the longest. On this particular night, the honor belonged to Jim & Mary Ann Rademacher who have been married for more than fifty-one years.

While this particular dance may be a tribute to longevity, it can also be a picture of life. What begins as a crowded floor all too soon gives way to open space. What happened to the crowd we were just bumping into? The children grow up and move away. Loved ones pass on. As the sister of Trent’s maternal grandmother who passed away “too young”, Mary Ann knows this all to well.

Being the “senior” couple at the wedding, I am sure there are a lot of truths Jim and Mary Ann could have shared with Trent & Lauren. Certainly, they can testify that every day we have to “dance” with our loved ones is a blessing. They know the importance of family. They appreciate the simple things in life. They know the strong bond of love.

As the night drew on and weather conditions worsened the crowd began to disperse. Despite the prospect of dangerous road conditions, I heard Mary Ann “inform” Jim that she could not leave without hugging Trent. She “had” to hug him!! As little “Miss” Haddie reminded us, there is no time like the present to get that hug!

Father

I realize that seeing people hug at a wedding is nothing new. Happens all the time. But around the time of Trent’s wedding I had an interesting conversation with a co-worker who claims she is positive that once our loved ones go to the grave any signs of affection are ended. We will never again see their faces. Never again will we hear them say they love us. And no, we will never again embrace them.

I, however, am confident of just the opposite.

Our Heavenly Father created us as relational beings, not only capable of, but dependent upon love and interaction with one another. By God’s design, Adam was not complete without Eve. He needed a fellow human to love and be loved by. We all do.

On multiple occasions, Paul commands the early church to greet one another with a holy kiss (Romans 16:16, 1 Cor. 16:20 & 2 Cor. 13;12). I realize that such an expression may make us uncomfortable in our culture, but the truth remains: affection is critical. It is an expression of love. Of course, as we are reminded in the passage quoted above it needs to be done in purity. But as the four ladies reminded me at the wedding, we need to express our love. Our Father always does.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” – Luke 15:20

As nice as earthly hugs may be, they won’t compare to those that await us on the other side of the grave.

Rejoice Before The Lord

Posted on by scott

7 And there you shall eat before the Lord your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your households, in all that you undertake, in which the Lord your God has blessed you. – Deuteronomy 12:7

Thanksgiving

Today we celebrate another Thanksgiving. In the comfort of our homes we will sit with family and friends and feast. To the tune of 4500 calories per person according to one report. I don’t know how accurate the study may or may not be but most of us will eat more than we need to.

As the day passes and the conversations carry on many of us will be entertained by an early sampling of Christmas music. Certainly, some will sit in front of the television and enjoy a movie and others will allow the NFL game to give them their annual indigestion (you know who you are Lion’s fans).

For many, the day will consist of board games or card games. In between the days activities, I am confident there will be a lot of time spent on our cell phones and laptops. The day just wouldn’t be complete without checking in on the Joneses.

But before you retire and your head hits the pillow…

Rejoice

In the passage quoted above, God commands the Children of Israel, “You SHALL rejoice.”

Why?

After Israel spent 430 years of slavery in Egypt, God personally intervened on behalf of His chosen people. Helpless to escape from the bonds that held them, God sent Moses and Aaron to confront Pharaoh. Once Pharaoh’s heart was stubbornly hardened, God sent a destroyer to break him.

On the eve of their exodus, the Israelites marked their doorposts with the blood of sacrificed lambs to prevent the destroyer from entering. When it was time for their departure, God would lead them by a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night.

Destination Promised Land.

“There” you shall eat before the Lord. We may not be in the Promised Land, but wherever we are we should rejoice. Most of us will spend Thanksgiving in a comfortable home protected from the elements. We will be safe and comfortable and cozy. Our present homes may not be perfect, but we should be thankful for them.

While we are at it we should rejoice for our future homes. While we were held in bondage to sin, the blood of the Lamb was applied to the doorposts of our sin hardened hearts and the destroyer can no longer touch us. Rejoice in your future home!

You and Yours

As God commands the Children of Israel to rejoice, the command applies to them both individually and corporately, “you and your households”. God wants us to express our thankfulness before others. God’s blessings upon us our visible to others, our praise should be “shared” as well.

As you sit down to “eat before the Lord” take a good look at the faces around the table. They are just a sampling of the many blessings that God has bestowed upon you. Grandparents, parents, siblings, children, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins, unrelated friends, etc. How many relationships have molded you into the person you are today?

Thank God for the people He has brought into your life. Rejoice with those you spend time with. Thank those who have invested in you and encouraged you. There is no guarantee that some of those chairs might not be empty next year.

Someday we will stand before the throne of God rejoicing with people from every tribe and tongue. This Thanksgiving may you recognize the blessings of “you and yours.”

Undertake

Why should I thank God for what I have done? How many times have you heard this or a similar question? Yet God tells us to rejoice in all that “we” undertake. After all, without God, what could we do?

Who gives us life? Who gives us health? Where does the breathe in our lungs come from? How about the heat of the sun? The food we eat? The water we drink? Why do we deceive ourselves? The only reason “we” can “do” anything is because of the grace of God. The only reason “we” exist is because of the grace of God.

Take time to thank God for your health. Thank Him for your employment. Thank Him for your talents and abilities. Reflect on all you have accomplished and thank Him for enabling you to do so. God not only enables us to labor, but then He blesses our labor. Isn’t that what that feast before you represents?

Rejoice in all that you undertake. It is a constant reminder of the grace of God.

Blessings

As you eat before the Lord this Thanksgiving, consuming your 4500 calories, don’t forget to thank God for His unlimited blessings. He has blessed you beyond measure and desires and deserves your praises.

As Proverbs 10:22 reminds us, it is the blessings of the Lord that makes us rich. Maybe not always in the material realm, but certainly in the spiritual. Richer than we can ever realize. Certainly rich enough to rejoice forever.

We might be wise to turn off the football game for a few minutes (spoiler alert: the Lions are going to lose) and listen to Matt Redman’s song 10000 Reasons (Bless The Lord). If his heart can find 10000 reasons to sing about the goodness of God, certainly our hearts can find 10000 reasons to rejoice in His blessings. And no, you can’t count each calorie as one reason.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

10000 Reasons

Bless the Lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name

The sun comes up
It’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass
And whatever lies before me
Let me be singing
When the evening comes

Bless the Lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name

You’re rich in love
And You’re slow to anger
Your name is great
And Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness
I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons
For my heart to find

Bless the Lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name
Bless You Lord

And on that day
When my strength is failing
The end draws near
And my time has come
Still my soul will
Sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years
And then forevermore
Forevermore

Bless the Lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name

Bless the Lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name
Yes I’ll worship Your Holy name
I’ll worship Your Holy name

Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name
Jesus I will worship Your Holy name
Worship Your Holy name

Garden Sleepers

Posted on by scott

43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. – Matthew 26:43

Sleeping Beauties

Few things in life touch our hearts like the face of a sleeping child. Especially if the child is yours. Whether it is a baby wrapped up in a crib or a toddler sprawled out for a nap on the couch, there is something about their “angelic” faces that just melt us.

Perhaps, as we look into their sleeping faces, we ponder their futures and the potential inside of them. With all of life before them and seemingly unlimited opportunities, who knows what they might do and become? Hopefully, they will clear the hurdles we never could!

Perhaps, as we look into their sleeping faces, we reflect on our own pasts. Certainly their youth, and energy, remind us that we are not getting any younger. Life passes so quickly and it only picks up speed as it does so. If only we could convince the young to take time to smell the flowers. Unfortunately, it is often a lesson learned too late!

Perhaps, as we look into their sleeping faces, we just let God tug on our heart strings with love. Love that melts and overflows our hearts. Love that transcends words and can only be expressed by the simple smile on our faces as we behold our “sleeping beauties” God has blessed us with.

Watchmen

As we looked at previously (http://helpmewithmyunbelief.com/2019/09/16/a-bitter-cup/), when Jesus entered the Garden of Gethsemane on the night of His betrayal, He allowed His three most intimate disciples to enter with Him. Then, Jesus placed these three on watch (Matthew 26:38) as He went further into the Garden alone. During His time of greatest need, Jesus wanted His dearest friends to stay awake with Him. And pray.

Jesus did not ask His disciples to act as His sentries. He didn’t need any. Being omniscient, Jesus knew the danger that was approaching, and accordingly could never be taken off guard. Hence, Jesus’ concern was not that His disciples watch for outsiders, but rather the temptation that lies within. It is a truth we all must learn. Our greatest enemy isn’t without, but within.

As their eyelids are closing in sleep, danger is closing in. Judas is approaching with a kiss of betrayal on his lips and Jesus’ bitter enemies on his heels. Although intimidating in appearance with their torches and weapons, none of these were a threat to Jesus. In fact He was in the Garden to keep His divine appointment with them. However, Jesus was concerned about the threat they would present to His “watchmen”. It is a concern Jesus has always had for those He loves.

41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. – Matthew 26:41

Weak Flesh

Three disciples, three admonitions, three failures. Such was their night in the Garden. Like the other disciples, Peter, James and John were at the end of a long day and an emotionally charged week. Their emotions must have been threadbare after the events of the week which included the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the cleansing of the Temple, controversies with the religious leaders and finally the just celebrated Passover. It is no surprise they are exhausted. And Jesus knew the tempter would prey on their condition.

Before Jesus chose Peter, James and John to follow Him, Satan tempted Jesus to avoid the cup and follow him. Satan came to Jesus in the wilderness after Jesus had fasted for forty days. Satan thought he would find Jesus weak and vulnerable after such a fast. He hoped to prey on His weak flesh. But Jesus didn’t just fast for forty days. He prayed. Satan knows when we are most vulnerable. And so should we.

The night is late. Their flesh is weak. And Satan is lurking in the dark waiting to crush them. Yet, despite Jesus’ three warnings to be alert, His dearest friends would fall asleep three times.

For Jesus, the scent of the bitter cup is in the air. The Father is about to “crush” the Son. Jesus is in anguish as He anticipates the terrible wrath of God which He is about to endure. Why must He go through with this? Look no further than the faces of His sleeping friends. Sure they have failed Him, but His love has never been conditional. Knowing He will soon die for them, Jesus makes allowance for their failure.

The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” – Matthew 26:41

Peter

Bold, defiant Peter couldn’t fend off sleep. Not on this night. He rashly told Christ he would go with Him even into death, but here he is during Jesus’ great hour of agony to date; sleeping.

Three short years prior, the ever confident Peter left his fishing boat to follow Christ. Little could he know where Christ would lead him. Jesus was going to shape him into a pillar of the church. But first Satan was going to sift him (Luke 22:31). Temptation was coming. Peter was sleeping. But Jesus was praying. Denial and abandonment were in Peter’s future, but Jesus prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail (Luke 22:32).

What passed through the tormented mind of Jesus as He beheld Peter’s face? Did Jesus shed a tear over Peter knowing what would unfold in the upcoming hours for His self confident disciple?

James & John

Next to Peter, asleep in the Garden, lie the Sons of Thunder, James and John. Known for their fiery temperaments they wanted to call down fire on a Samaritan village for it’s lack of “hospitality” (Luke 9:54). In their pride they wanted the seats of honor in Christ’s kingdom and claimed they could drink from His cup. However, Christ knew their flesh was weak and that their own “cup” was coming. As Jesus beheld the face of James, He saw His impending fate. Herod’s sword would soon make him a martyr.

And how was the heart of Jesus moved when He cast His gaze upon the face of His beloved disciple John? Did He see John faithfully standing at the foot of the cross? Perhaps He envisioned John taking care of His mother Mary in His absence. Although John would outlive the rest of the disciples, he would certainly face his share of temptations and trials, including being exiled to the island of Patmos in his old age.

A storm is quickly approaching, but Christ’s “children” are fast asleep.

No one but Christ could understand the magnitude of the wrath of God. No one but Christ could truly grasp the weakness of flesh of men. Only Jesus could love the weak flesh enough to submit to the will of the Father and drink the cup of wrath to the dregs.

More Sleepers

The Garden was a place of struggles. For the fatigued disciples it was a struggle between their willing spirits and their weak flesh. On this night, the weak flesh won out. For Jesus, it was a struggle over the cup. The time to drink from it had arrived and it’s contents were potent. More so than we could ever begin to comprehend.

In the Garden of Eden, we fell with Adam. In the Garden of Gethsemane, we failed with the disciples. Sleeping when we should be watching. But when Christ looks into our faces, He understands our weak flesh. In fact, He chose the cup and the cross not in spite of our weakness but because of it. Only Deity could endure the wrath of God.

On the Garden floor the blood of Jesus’ sweat is blending with the evening dew. As the gentle breeze stirs in the Garden the scent of the bitter cup wafts through the olive grove. In the darkness is shrouded an olive press reminding Jesus of His imminent death. In the faces of His dearest friends is a reflection of lost humanity and the motivation for His decision ( 1 Timothy 1:15).

Love & Death

On His face in the Garden, Jesus knew He had just two options; drink from the cup or let the cup pass. To drink from the cup meant to endure the Father’s wrath and to experience a “break” in fellowship with the Father as He turned His face away from the Sin Bearer. This was the true punishment that troubled Jesus.

To pass the cup meant leaving sinful man to drink from it and endure the awful wrath of God. Without the intervention of Christ, no man could be saved from God’s wrath. No one knows this better than Jesus. But even the terrible and imposing cup could not make Christ abandon us!

I have gone through great length to try to emphasize the magnitude of the awesome wrath of God for one reason; to illuminate the overwhelming love of Jesus. Faced with the choice of perishing under the Father’s wrath or allowing His “friends” to perish, Jesus chose the former. Certainly, His anguish was great. Under the weight of the “press”, it produced sweat of blood. But Jesus’ love was greater. For His sleeping, weak fleshed friends, He would go to the cross.

With a heart overflowing with love for His Father and His “children”, Jesus emptied the cup. Certainly, as we behold the faces of our sleeping children, our hearts are filled with a multitude of emotions. Thankfully, the most powerful is unconditional love.