Outrage for What?

Then Jesus said to them, “Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and give to God the things that are God’s.” - Matthew 22:21

When Jesus came, the people thought they finally had their earthly ruler.  They thought he was the one who would set things straight and make their lives better.  They thought Jesus was there to rule their nation not realizing he was there to rule their lives.  

I am sometimes saddened, sometimes dumbfounded today by the desire I often hear expressed for “Christian leadership” for our nation and for government intervention in spiritual matters.  Prayer in schools.  Ten Commandments posted on government buildings.  Abortion.  Those are just three hot-button issues I hear many Christians calling on government to fix/change/enact yet I do not remember Christ ever calling on the government for such things.  Christ has never called governments to comply; he has called people, individuals, to follow him and be his disciples.

Too often I hear the outrage when children cannot officially gather to pray and read scripture in schools.  Where is the outrage when they are not coming together as families in their own homes to do this?  I hear outrage when the Ten Commandments are removed from a building.  Comments often follow saying “we need more discipline” and “we should follow a Christian example”.  Where is the outrage when porn shows up on a computer, when men and women look at over-sexed pictures in magazines and eye someone with lustful thoughts?  Where is the outrage when self-proclaimed Christians gossip about the latest town scandal, yell and talk about the coach’s perceived bad decision and pass judgment on others who don’t dress, drive or act “properly”?  And then there’s abortion.  Abortion is horrible and it is so easy to pass judgment on the women who choose this option.  It raises two questions for me.  First, where were the loving disciples of Christ in her life before this became a choice she made?  Second, how do disciples of Christ condemn her for her choice and walk away when she may be at her most vulnerable point?  Where is Christ’s example for that?  

I admit I find it easy to talk down to people who call themselves Christian but call on government to do the things Christ called individuals to be and do.  I find it easy because I am not far removed from being one of those people (and far from perfect yet).  I knew doctrine but I didn’t know compassion.  I knew what was right but I didn’t know unconditional love for others.  Over the past few years I have come to know so many others who were much like me and we all look back and say “what if?” but also know we have to be present and say “what now?”

Prayer in school and signs on buildings and baby Jesus on the town square and the end of abortion are all wonderful things.  They just aren’t the things Jesus called me

to petition government intervention for as his disciple.  He called for my intervention.  He called for my action.

I encourage you to be outraged with me if, like me, you haven’t done what a disciple should be doing;  praying and studying with my children, being the hands and feet of Jesus to the world around me and being vulnerable to whatever God calls you to with no regard to how dirty or detestable it seems.  Let’s be outraged and let’s be moved to change, to take on the mantle of Christ, to be a living example of who he is.  Let us be outraged where love and compassion for the hurting and wounded doesn’t exist and let us be light and life to those who need it the most.

Jesus called me to be his disciple.  He called you too.  He told us to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and give to God what is God’s.  My life and my energy and my submission to him is his.  I just have to decide if I will give it or ask the government to do it for me.  What about you?

Jeff Jones

Decatur, Texas

Read a Little Less...

If you have a Facebook account, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. If you don't, lean in. In the wonderful world of social media, there is a land called Facebook. In the land of Facebook, there is Main St., more commonly known as the "NewsFeed." This is where Facebook users can "share" things that they find on the internet, and other Facebook users can scroll through and see the things that other people have shared. The new cool things to share these days are blog posts with list-advice. I log into my Facebook account, go to my NewsFeed, and see at least ten shares of these stupid blog posts. I'm not kidding. It's serious stuff like, "16 Rules for a Christian Marriage," "8 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Get Married Before 23," or more trivial stuff like, "10 Reasons Why Avocado is the Best Food Ever." And who is writing these? Mostly children between the ages of 20 and 30 (there, I said it) who think they've lived enough life to give the rest of us pithy advice on things like marriage, our career, or how we construct our perception of ourselves. And avocados, of course.

 

My problem is really not with the content (although it's a little problematic when I see these two blog posts floating around the NewsFeed on the same day: "17 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Marry Young" and "11 Reasons Why Getting Married Young Was the Best Decision Ever." Uh. What?). My problem is with the fact that we're missing out on life. While we sit inside and read blog posts upon blog posts, the Kingdom of God is knocking at our doors.

I truly appreciate the efforts of all the dating/career/health bloggers out there, and especially appreciate the fact that they're writing something. But meaning no disrespect, I haven’t read a single post that told me something I didn’t know. Beyond that, I have my own Bible that I find to be far more reliable than my fellow twenty-somethings’ “life experiences.” It’s nothing personal. It’s just that I don’t understand why we’re caught up with all the intricacies of the "right way" to do literally every single thing you can possibly do in life right now.

Here's my point: the Jesus I know in scripture isn’t caught up in the past or the future. He is a present savior, professing the salvation that comes through God in each present moment, consistent with each breath I take in and release. My preoccupation with lists of tens and twelves and twenties that cleverly surmise what I need to look for in a future husband or how I should save my money so I can retire at the age of 40 is a pretty good clue that my faith in God dismisses my present blessings and opportunities and reaches into a pseudo-reality that I’ve created for myself. It promotes the idea that God will be faithful later, when we get all the things we want, the way we want them.

I have a home that I live in. God is faithful. I have a job. God is faithful. I have clothes and food and friends and family and God is faithful. Where is our preoccupation with God’s constant faithfulness? Where are the extensive lists of reasons why God is faithful now, daily, reminding why we should just be thankful? Evidently it’s waiting for us in some distant, opaque future that may or may not come to be.

This world is not my home. Who am I to bide my time waiting for a life that fits all my expectations, and waiting to rejoice in God's faithfulness until then? When I walk out my door each day to meet the Kingdom of God, I fully expect to meet all of the people who I need to meet. I don’t recall being promised specific little blessings as a reward for my pursuit of the Kingdom. I do recall being promised some kind of persecution.

Maybe the country we live in won’t provide the kind of persecution we think we deserve as disciples of Jesus. Some might chastise us for this. Well, in the same way, Jesus did not command us to seek first persecution. Jesus commanded us to seek first the Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. The thing is, we aren’t supposed to seek first the Kingdom so all these things will be added unto us. We’re just supposed to seek first the Kingdom. This world would be a different place if we could just leave it at that. Life is not a list. The Kingdom of God is not a list. It is vibrant and fluid and everywhere. It needs eyes and hearts that can pull themselves away from the computer screen and see the world.

Erin E. Daugherty

Abilene Christian University

Are You Hungry?

Food is an essential part of our daily lives.  Unfortunately, the importance we place on eating has a tendency to go to excess.  (Note: we’ll save the obvious need for this discussion for another time.)  My point is that I have no problem planning, preparing, anticipating, and craving my next meal.  The norm when I am hungry is that I want to eat… NOW!

 

An odd sensation occurs once my stomach is full.  Interestingly, I want nothing to do with food.  When I am full, I am satisfied.  When I am satisfied, I am only concerned about other matters.  Food isn’t on my mind until I am hungry again.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught his disciples, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)

Jesus taught that our life will be blessed if we seek God’s righteousness in the same way as if we were hungry for food.  Those that do this will be filled and satisfied.  Isaiah describes it this way, “Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?  Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.”  (Isaiah 55:2)

Hungering for righteousness means we have a strong desire for the holiness God has to offer.  When hungry, our souls will have an urgent need to be filled with God’s majesty and love.  Our hearts will long for the peace and contentment that can only come from heaven above.

Don’t be deceived:  It is difficult to consistently seek God’s righteousness because of the ebb and flow of our human desires.  We can be easily distracted, depending upon the urgency of a situation.  Hungering for righteousness is a matter of priorities.  When we say we love God and choose to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, hungering for righteousness is a matter of first importance.  We should desire to be filled with his Spirit and become like him in our spirit.

As Paul prayed for the Philippian church, I pray for you, “(Be) filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.”  (Philippians 1:11)  Are you hungry, now?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, please accept our appreciation for the righteousness you offer through your son.  Help us to have a strong desire to be filled with righteousness, in the same way we have a strong desire for food when we are hungry.  Praise and glory to your name.  In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

Carl Smith,

Stephenville, Texas

Tweet, Tweet, Tweet

A prediction from Ecclesiastes 10:20:

“Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird in the sky may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.”

Solomon was the wisest man on Earth with no one to match him.  While he was a child, Solomon asked the LORD for “wisdom” in 1 Kings 3, and was given a wise and discerning heart along with wealth and honor.

It would seem that Solomon also foretold the future!  The instant media age we are in, with “personal communication devices” (they have become much more than cellular phones) and cameras in every person’s pocket, allows your “friends” to know your thoughts immediately because you “share” or “tweet” them.

Many celebrities “tweet” their thoughts and actions before their brains are in gear. We can learn from those folks as well as from Solomon.  It would be better in many instances to say nothing rather than to offer unsolicited or hurtful comments.  We all find ourselves in situations where we wish we had maintained silence.  We don’t intend to hurt people but our words can certainly do so if we don’t curb the tongue (or fingers).  Think, then speak, as recommended by the wisest man ever to live.

Dear God:  Help me to be slow to speak, and to avoid hurting people with thoughtless responses.

Sherilyn Svien, Stephenville, TX 

Grace & Wisdom under Fire

How should we respond when tried by fire?  

Let us look at the example of Abigail.                                    

Her actions and words reflect the fruit of the Spirit.

Love-joy-peace-patience-kindness-goodness-faithfulness-gentleness-self-control. - Gal. 5:22-23

David & his men requested provisions of the wealthy Nabal to refresh them after extended time in the desert. They had protected and honored Nabal’s shepherds and herds. 

Yet the arrogant and foolish Nabal insulted David’s men.  He refused to show a hint of hospitality or gratitude.

David & 400 of his men planned to annihilate Nabal and his servants.  Servants in Nabal’s household sought Abigail’s help, she acted quickly and purposefully.

Abigail immediately packed a large quantity of food and drink to deliver to David and his men.  She  traveled along with the servants. 

• Abigail was prepared-provisions were ready.
• She was generous and courageous-Abigail traveled to deliver provisions.
• She was humble, though the wife of a wealthy, but foolish man.  She placed others above herself.
• Her actions/words prevented much bloodshed.

David, influenced by Abigail’s words and actions, reversed his plan to massacre Nabal & his household.

What consequences would she face when Nabal learned of her actions?                                                         

Abigail wisely waited until daybreak to communicate her actions to a sober Nabal.

The news caused Nabal great distress, his heart became as stone.                                                                               

Nabal life was taken by the LORD about 10 days following the incident.

David learned Abigail had become a widow, he remembered her wise intervention. David summoned Abigail to become his bride.  She became the mother of his 2nd son-Kileab (2 Samuel 3:3)

This account of Abigail, David & Nabal contains lessons to live by.   Their actions and decisions are seen in the following Scripture:  Romans 12:9-14, 16-19, 21

Let love be without hypocrisy.  Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the LORD; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse…  Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly.  Do not be wise in your own estimation.  Never pay back evil for evil to anyone.  Respect  what is right in the sight of all men.  If possible, as far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.  Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the LORD. …do not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Gracious, Loving Father,

Thank you for Biblical examples of courageous characters in the face of intense and frightening situations.  Grant us courage, wisdom and strength to choose humility, generosity, and peace when it is in our power to do so.  Thank you for the sacrifice  and the example Christ is for each of us.  Thank You, Jesus.

In His Name, Amen.

Mischelle Oliver, Stephenville

Learning to Love

“Once you have learned to love, you will have learned to live.” ~Unknown

In many deep conversations with close friends, I have found that many of us struggle with knowing how to love.  The challenge isn’t so much in loving others, although I don’t think we really do that well either, but in loving ourselves.  We are our worst critics and, hence, our worst enemies.  We have the ability to quickly defeat anything we set out to do because not only do we struggle with loving ourselves, we struggle with finding any worthiness in ourselves.  In this group of people, I have found those who have struggled with loving themselves have a higher incidence of finding either chemical or sexual stimuli to overcome their shame.  While it seems odd that those who suffer from a feeling of unworthiness would turn to something that would make them feel less worthy, it is actually quite understandable when you look at it from a spiritual warfare point of view.  What is it that Satan wants us to believe?  That we are not good enough.  That we are weak.  That we are the worst thing we can imagine.  He uses our shame against us to do the very things we feel ashamed of and then uses that to convince us that is who we are to the point we listen more closely to Satan than to God.  

I have shared this idea in broader context with people and have gotten feedback that runs from, “uh huh, I know exactly what you are talking about” to “you just need to get your head on straight and do the right thing.”  Shame often brings out the harshest critic in us too.  Sometimes it’s so much easier to point out the people we feel aren’t as “good” as us so we feel less shame and better about ourselves.  Dr. Brene Brown is a recognized researcher and expert on shame, fear and vulnerability and she states that judging often comes from people who feel very insecure in what they are judging so they look for someone worse than themselves.  I’ve been there.  What about you?

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  A friend told me the Greek uses the work “masterpiece” instead of handiwork.  I’m no Greek scholar but I like the idea of masterpiece.  In Genesis, I read that I am created in God’s image (1:26-27).  If my understanding is correct, scripture suggests I was created as a masterpiece since God is all-knowing, all-powerful, all-everything.  I do not think He would create something that wasn’t a masterpiece.  Yet, something is trying to make the masterpiece less than it was created to be.  Something is trying to take chips out of the masterpiece, trying to stain the masterpiece.  Something, or someone I should say, uses shame as a heavy-handed tool to destroy the masterpiece.  And that’s where learning to love ourselves comes in.

Self-love, in my usage, isn’t an arrogant, inward focused love.  It’s a love for self knowing that God made me and created and loved me enough to die for me on the cross in the form of His Son, Jesus.  If He can love me that much, why do I struggle to love myself?  Therein lies the battle.  Once I learn to block out the other voice or voices, once I quit listening to the one saying I’m not worthy I will see that God counts me worthy and because of that I can love myself and love others well.

I am a masterpiece created in the image of THE Master.  Because of that, I can learn to love myself well, love others openly and live fully in the hope and knowledge of my Lord.

Jeff Jones

Decatur, Texas

Conquerors

Paul pulls no punches when he explains life to us.  Living a life of faith can be really hard. In the 8th chapter of Romans, he tells us what we are up against.  If we were listing the burdens and hardships of life, we might list loneliness, pain, persecution, hunger, grief, poverty, even death.

But Paul makes it really personal. Over and over Paul asks not what is against us, but who.  Look at verses 31, 33, 34 and 35.  Not what, but who?  We have a personal enemy.

Satan is against us.

Satan accuses us.

Satan condemn us.

Satan wants to separate us from Christ's love.

Satan is not just an enemy . . . he is YOUR enemy.  He uses tribulation, distress, persecution, famine and sword to accomplish his purpose.  It helps his cause for us to look at and concentrate on the wrong things.  If we concentrate on our pain, he might win.  If we concentrate on Satan, we might give up.

So, Paul calls on us to look at Jesus; more precisely, to look at the love of Jesus.

Satan can rail.  He can hurt us, starve us, even kill  us.  But he cannot separate us from Jesus' love.  When all is said and done . . . when the smoke clears and the dust settles . . . it will be us and Jesus.  We win.  We are more than conquerors.

Dear Father,

You are the one true God.  No one is like you.  You have never failed.  You are the mighty one, and you love us.

Thank you for the victory we can have in Jesus.  Thank you for the promise that Satan cannot separate us from your love.  Thank you for telling us that we actually can get through this life.

We know you have already won.  And we remember, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.”         

In the name of your Son, our Shepherd, in whom we fear no evil, Amen

Paul Shero

San Angelo, Texas