Archive for April, 2010
Thoughts on Earth Day
Yesterday, April 22, 2010, “Earth Day” celebrated its 40th anniversary. There were celebrations around the world and all kinds of “Save the Planet!!!” messages on just about every major TV channel of every kind. Folks were bombarded with a message of “humans are the only thing wrong with the planet” and millions bowed at the altar of Gaia, the earth goddess. Read the rest of this entry »
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When Justice Is Not Done
When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. – Proverbs 21:15
Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the LORD God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph. - Amos 5:15
“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. – Zechariah 7:9
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. - Matthew 23:23
Why is it that now evil doers do not fear the government, but the righteous do?
Thoughts On Tax Day 2010
“This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” (Romans 13:6-7)
This is a day in which millions of Americans will be sending in their tax forms. There will also be a lot of groaning, muttering and complaining. There will also be a lot of preaching on how it’s our “Loyal duty” to pay the taxes. Few people I know would claim that we should pay NO tax. MANY people I know believe we are over taxed – and for wasteful purposes. Read the rest of this entry »
The New Testament Church
Much has been written over the years about “restoring the New Testament Church”. Much has been preached on that subject and many battles have been fought over the “right way” to accomplish that goal. There is no doubt that the church has drifted from her moorings over the two thousand years which span the current time and that of Jesus the Christ and His Apostles. In MY mind, the important question to ask is not “how many songs were interspersed with the sermon and Communion” or whether or not they used instruments to accompany their singing, but rather the question should be “What did the Church DO that made her the church?” To many the answer to that question is sought in the area of “praise and worship” or “religious ceremony”. Read the rest of this entry »
The “absolute” for an age with no absolutes
Just got this from a friend’s Facebook status. Fracis Schaeffer had a way with words and some great insight into the human condition.
“In passing, we should note this curious mark of our own age: the only absolute allowed is the absolute insistence that there is no absolute” – Francis Schaeffer
Men Of God
Yesterday I found an article linked from a friend’s Facebook status. It was entitled “Where Are All The Men?” I found the subject matter interesting and “clicked through”. It starts out talking about a Facebook page called “Praying People” and the fact that about 81% of the “fans” of that page are female. From there the author goes on to remark on the disparate numbers of women vs men in the church. This is a phenomenon I’ve noticed in churches, although not in the ones where we minister. Back about 1997 I took part in a city wide gathering of church leaders. When the deacons were asked to stand there were three men standing amoungst the crowd of women. Those three were men from our congregation, the rest of the city’s deacons (at that particular meeting) were all women. Read the rest of this entry »
It was a miracle!
We receive an attractive publication from a religious group called “Zion’s Hope.” It was apparently sent to us with the hope that we would subscribe and support their work. Strong appeals are made for financial support. In the current issue, explanation was given as to how adjustments had been made in their budget. “Miraculously,” it was said, their needs had been met.
Several years ago, it was common for congregations, including some congregations designated Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, to have “miracle” offerings. They would set a huge goal several weeks ahead, giving time for people to accumulate their offering. They could be stocks, bonds, insurance cash values, jewelry, used automobiles, etc., in addition to money. On the miracle day they would rejoice and praise God in some way for the accomplished miracle. Read the rest of this entry »
Boys vs Men
Boys live only for themselves; men fully enjoy life’s pleasure but also live for a higher purpose. Boys try to find themselves in what they buy; men find themselves in what they do. Boys base their identity on what they consume; men base their identity on what they create. Growing up doesn’t have to mean donning a gray flannel suit. It really means taking an active role in the world instead of a passive one. Making an impact. And creating your world instead of consuming it.–Brett McKay
Wow! I just got that from a friend on Facebook. Good stuff there, and a lot to reflect on. Really, there is a LOT of difference between men and boys – and little has to do with age. Read the rest of this entry »
Feed My Sheep
Soon after Jesus’ resurrection, He was talking with the apostle Peter. Here’s how the little exchange went:
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. John 21:15-17
That passage gives a lot to reflect on, but here I want to consider the aspect of Jesus’ charge to Peter. To me it is interesting that three times He told Peter to take charge of His sheep. He said, “Feed My lambs.”, “Take care of My sheep.” and “Feed My sheep.” It is interesting to me because later we see Peter passing on that charge. He wrote:
Little Pitchers Have Big Ears
Family lore tells us that one time my parents were discussing some matter of grave importance while traveling down the road. One of them remembered that they were not alone and said, “Little pitchers have big ears.” A little voice from the back seat, where my sister was playing with her dolls, piped up saying, “I have big ears!”
One never knows when a child is listening. One never knows what message is being picked up by “little pitchers”. Our actions, our attitudes, our words – they all reach the ears and eyes of the children around us. What an awesome responsibility we face as parents and grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers and every other category of person who interacts with a child. Jesus Himself warned against causing the little ones to stumble.
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