"...your children shall come back to their own country."
- Jeremiah 31
The Fourth Day of Christmas. The Holy Innocents.
Evil men have always used the massacre of children, as a way to establish terror, wipe out a population, totally demoralize an enemy, and model the terror of unfeigned power in the hands of fallible humanity.
Sometimes, the slaughter of innocents is justified: population control (because you know, overpopulation leads to global warming), economy, sustainability, and even, ecology (imagine that).
How about controversy? I am going to present some ideas here that are for discussion. I wonder if people can consider the points without feeling personally offended? The point is to challenge, maybe, but offend, no. If we cannot entertain hard concepts, then we cannot claim to be a progressive culture.
Assume that God really meant it when He said "Be fruitful and multiply." This therefore, is the ultimate step in faith. Men and Women: can you do that? Can you simply populate and repopulate the earth, without manipulating nature through procedures, medications, surgeries, gadgets, devices that will prevent the launch of a . . . . new life?
What would have been the outcome had humanity simply done that, with full trust and faith in the God that commanded it? Is there some beautiful result when the wealth of humanity realizes it's full potential via a complete flowering of its reproductive powers? First of all, God would not allow devastation to a race that follows His command to "be fruitful." We probably would have advanced to the stars hundreds of centuries ago, had we just obeyed. Full Human Potential (FHP) would have been realized scores of generations ago. The universe would have expanded exponentially with the growth of humanity. God called us "good." But governments, and some Science, calls humanity, with frightening increase "not good." Is there a single act of disobedience that more embodies our opposition to our Creator, than that? "No, God. We are NOT good. We must be limited and our growth prevented."
Of course God also would not have allowed the exasperated, unchecked growth of an unruly race. this growth must occur under our full humility and obedience to God. But that is not in our nature. I suggest all of these points, realizing that the playing out of God's plan would not allow this growth of humanity in an unredeemed, un-resurrected state. I simply suggest an ideal scenario, the one we may know, in eternity.
Infinite possibilities, in infinite combinations. We cannot have that when we kill children: the unborn, as well as the born. If we do not value life, even potential life, as a sacred and wonderful thing, we are only proving that we are far from fully actualized. And in God's eyes, it is possible that the very tolerance of abortion, by pro-lifers, itself is abominable.
King Herod did the worst thing of all. His response to the birth of a king that would never challenge him directly, was to slaughter baby boys everywhere. Terror, in the face of perfect peace.
And so our response should be to revere and adore the baby, the new life. And to resist, and abhor the wicked human government that fights peace and love, through the most horrible of terror acts.
Monday, December 28, 2015
Saturday, December 26, 2015
God Changes His Mind
"Now therefore amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God, and the LORD will change his mind about the disaster that he has pronounced against you."
- Jeremiah 26
God never changes. This is true. Then, why is it so common for Him to change His mind, over and over again, in the Old Testament?
A friend of mine lost his faith, because he was troubled that Christ did not return during the lifetime of the Apostles, as He "promised" to do. But God promised a lot of things in the OT, things that would be bad. He promised judgment and eradication to the people of Israel. He pronounced curses and death for they that would not obey. But then, again and again, He turns, repents, and does not follow through on His warning.
He acted like a parent. A true parent.
Why do parents change their minds? Because they love their children, unconditionally. "I will love you . . . even if a have to break a promise, I will love you still. I will always put you first." Wow. No conditions. Really. No conditions.
God did not judge, condemn, and destroy the world, followed by the return of Christ, by 100AD, because He loves us. He changed His mind before. He'll change it again. There must have been something in those early Christian generations, that He liked. Or maybe He knew that it was critical that every generation believe, with conviction, that He was coming back soon . . . . even if that "soon" did not relate directly to Peter and his friends.
God changes His mind. And that's a good thing.
Today is the feast of Stephen. Boxing Day. Go out and do good today. Love today. Be urgent about it. Why? Because Jesus is coming back. Not will be coming back. Is coming back.
- Jeremiah 26
God never changes. This is true. Then, why is it so common for Him to change His mind, over and over again, in the Old Testament?
A friend of mine lost his faith, because he was troubled that Christ did not return during the lifetime of the Apostles, as He "promised" to do. But God promised a lot of things in the OT, things that would be bad. He promised judgment and eradication to the people of Israel. He pronounced curses and death for they that would not obey. But then, again and again, He turns, repents, and does not follow through on His warning.
He acted like a parent. A true parent.
Why do parents change their minds? Because they love their children, unconditionally. "I will love you . . . even if a have to break a promise, I will love you still. I will always put you first." Wow. No conditions. Really. No conditions.
God did not judge, condemn, and destroy the world, followed by the return of Christ, by 100AD, because He loves us. He changed His mind before. He'll change it again. There must have been something in those early Christian generations, that He liked. Or maybe He knew that it was critical that every generation believe, with conviction, that He was coming back soon . . . . even if that "soon" did not relate directly to Peter and his friends.
God changes His mind. And that's a good thing.
Today is the feast of Stephen. Boxing Day. Go out and do good today. Love today. Be urgent about it. Why? Because Jesus is coming back. Not will be coming back. Is coming back.
Thursday, December 24, 2015
A Holiday That Has to Happen
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light
- Isaiah 9
The War on Christmas.
This is the year that the Left steps back and declaims that, come on you idiotic Christians, there is no war on Christmas!
People just want to be left alone and they don't want you shoving your religion in their faces.
Here we are in the season where the days are shorter, and the nights are longer. It is the season of darkness. If you didn't know any better, the idea that the sun would keep dwindling, day after day, could be terrifying. It gets darker and colder. The green has disappeared. The harvest is finished. Imagine the early generations of humanity, actually believing that their sacrifices and other religious rites are responsible for the return of the sun, and warmth, and spring and summer, year after year!
I'm not sure I buy the theory of Seasonal Affecive Disorder, or "SAD", the condition that vexes depressed people in the stark of the winter.
Just get out! Get outside! Read a book! Put a log on the fire! Get out into the crowds! Go to a party! Listen to great music! God and nature have given us a blessed excuse, to do NOTHING if that's what we want!!
If there were no Jesus, no Bethlehem, no Santa Claus, no Wise Men, no gifts, and lights, and carols, and feasts, the most creative of the atheists would have to invent all of that. And having invented it, they would realize how stupid it would be to go around talking people out of participating.
You see, in the darkest and coldest days of the year, we need light. We need music. We need laughter and joy. Did you catch that? We need these good things. The first day of winter gives us license to celebrate.
I have heard that, on a dark night, it is possible to see a small candle flickering, up to thirty miles off. That can be a lifesaver to a sojourner.
We believers have seen a great light. And it means everything to us.
Even non-believers need to see some light. It too can mean their survival. I hope that, soon, our culture can get back to just letting Christmas be. Yes, just let it be. For even you, Mr. Atheist, need light.
have seen a great light
- Isaiah 9
The War on Christmas.
This is the year that the Left steps back and declaims that, come on you idiotic Christians, there is no war on Christmas!
People just want to be left alone and they don't want you shoving your religion in their faces.
Here we are in the season where the days are shorter, and the nights are longer. It is the season of darkness. If you didn't know any better, the idea that the sun would keep dwindling, day after day, could be terrifying. It gets darker and colder. The green has disappeared. The harvest is finished. Imagine the early generations of humanity, actually believing that their sacrifices and other religious rites are responsible for the return of the sun, and warmth, and spring and summer, year after year!
I'm not sure I buy the theory of Seasonal Affecive Disorder, or "SAD", the condition that vexes depressed people in the stark of the winter.
Just get out! Get outside! Read a book! Put a log on the fire! Get out into the crowds! Go to a party! Listen to great music! God and nature have given us a blessed excuse, to do NOTHING if that's what we want!!
If there were no Jesus, no Bethlehem, no Santa Claus, no Wise Men, no gifts, and lights, and carols, and feasts, the most creative of the atheists would have to invent all of that. And having invented it, they would realize how stupid it would be to go around talking people out of participating.
You see, in the darkest and coldest days of the year, we need light. We need music. We need laughter and joy. Did you catch that? We need these good things. The first day of winter gives us license to celebrate.
I have heard that, on a dark night, it is possible to see a small candle flickering, up to thirty miles off. That can be a lifesaver to a sojourner.
We believers have seen a great light. And it means everything to us.
Even non-believers need to see some light. It too can mean their survival. I hope that, soon, our culture can get back to just letting Christmas be. Yes, just let it be. For even you, Mr. Atheist, need light.
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Cry aloud, inhabitants of Zion, ring out your joy,
for the great one in the midst of you is the Holy One of Israel.
- From Isaiah 12
Isaiah 12, in the middle of an ecstatic discourse about God's eternal salvation, finally coming to earth, in the form of His Son, Jesus Christ, continues the refrain of full-hearted praise to God.
It is good that Christmas is affiliated with so many beautiful hymns and carols of praise and remembrance. Of course, you cannot say what I am about to, in these times, without being branded narrow and bigoted. But truly, when considering the theory of what makes music beautiful, and the elements that go into effective chord structure and the melodic lines that bring life to music . . . has there been a genre of music in all of history, that has produced finer works of music?
Even two of the most familiar and beautiful melodies of all time, Silent Night, and Greensleeves, are rooted in the Christmas tradition. And both came from the people, from common, everyday folks like you and me.
So as we move ahead into the Advent season, be sure to sing much, to sing loud, and to sing with joy.
for the great one in the midst of you is the Holy One of Israel.
- From Isaiah 12
Isaiah 12, in the middle of an ecstatic discourse about God's eternal salvation, finally coming to earth, in the form of His Son, Jesus Christ, continues the refrain of full-hearted praise to God.
It is good that Christmas is affiliated with so many beautiful hymns and carols of praise and remembrance. Of course, you cannot say what I am about to, in these times, without being branded narrow and bigoted. But truly, when considering the theory of what makes music beautiful, and the elements that go into effective chord structure and the melodic lines that bring life to music . . . has there been a genre of music in all of history, that has produced finer works of music?
Even two of the most familiar and beautiful melodies of all time, Silent Night, and Greensleeves, are rooted in the Christmas tradition. And both came from the people, from common, everyday folks like you and me.
So as we move ahead into the Advent season, be sure to sing much, to sing loud, and to sing with joy.
Saturday, December 5, 2015
"And the woman which thou sawest is the great city, which has kingship over the kings of the earth." Revelation 17:18
Now comes a troubling aspect.
There is a way to interpret Revelation that could possibly bring both Left and Right together in agreement. I don't even like to think about it.
The "harlot" could easily be describing modern America. Not America in 1776, nor in 1865, nor 1918, nor 1945. Not even 1963 or even 1998. It is upon us even now, and is upon us swiftly.
This parallels the decline of Judah in pre-Christian times. First a gradual decline, a few weak kings. But ultimately, when the end came, it was consummated within a few generations. The Golden Years never last for long.
But the filth of American culture, demonstrated by Hollywood and the lifestyles of our "heroes" certainly qualifies as that of a harlot. And the great city that rules everything? How about New York? And the abominations and wine that makes the nations drunk? It's power, popularity, "coolness," "being on the right side of history," fitting in, etc. It's the appeal to human insecurities, the desire to fit in, or not to draw attention to oneself.
The Beast? Well - we have the harlot in league with the beast while they wage war on the Church. But eventually the harlot herself is cast down by all others. Fill in the blanks. The age-old conflict began when Cain and Abel had their dispute that ended in a brutal murder. Think about it.
For the Left and Right to agree is one thing, but they will have differences over the description of harlotry: money? wealth? greed? destroying the environment? Or is it sexual immorality? Broken homes? Abortion?
Imagine the Christian Right and Left putting their differences aside, and agreeing to collaborate. What if they each embraced the passions of the other? Now that would be a force that neither the Beast nor the Harlot could overcome. But when Christ's Body is broken, it can be killed.
Now comes a troubling aspect.
There is a way to interpret Revelation that could possibly bring both Left and Right together in agreement. I don't even like to think about it.
The "harlot" could easily be describing modern America. Not America in 1776, nor in 1865, nor 1918, nor 1945. Not even 1963 or even 1998. It is upon us even now, and is upon us swiftly.
This parallels the decline of Judah in pre-Christian times. First a gradual decline, a few weak kings. But ultimately, when the end came, it was consummated within a few generations. The Golden Years never last for long.
But the filth of American culture, demonstrated by Hollywood and the lifestyles of our "heroes" certainly qualifies as that of a harlot. And the great city that rules everything? How about New York? And the abominations and wine that makes the nations drunk? It's power, popularity, "coolness," "being on the right side of history," fitting in, etc. It's the appeal to human insecurities, the desire to fit in, or not to draw attention to oneself.
The Beast? Well - we have the harlot in league with the beast while they wage war on the Church. But eventually the harlot herself is cast down by all others. Fill in the blanks. The age-old conflict began when Cain and Abel had their dispute that ended in a brutal murder. Think about it.
For the Left and Right to agree is one thing, but they will have differences over the description of harlotry: money? wealth? greed? destroying the environment? Or is it sexual immorality? Broken homes? Abortion?
Imagine the Christian Right and Left putting their differences aside, and agreeing to collaborate. What if they each embraced the passions of the other? Now that would be a force that neither the Beast nor the Harlot could overcome. But when Christ's Body is broken, it can be killed.
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