For we did not follow cleverly devised myths . . .
- From 2 Peter 1
A bully is a single person that lords it over others. Usually he gets away with it, because there are not enough people standing up to him, or the system in place at the time is not sufficient to change his behavior.
But did I just employ a male pronoun in describing bullies? That was only for rhetorical purposes. For, I have witnessed, and experienced, female bullies. Three, in particular, in my career, were younger than I, by ten, fifteen, or twenty years! Age and gender do not define a bully. It is about position, authority, and leverage. The workplace is fertile ground for bullydom.
We think everything that goes against our wishes, today, must be attributable to some sinister other source: a bully.
A bully can be taken down, by a bigger, meaner bully. Bullies often beget bullies. And a bully doesn't always require brute force. There are bullies in academia, and their leverage is their degree, their published papers, their fancy words.
People of great intelligence today mock Christians and their belief in "myths." If you're a seeker, on the fence, not sure what to believe, and some attractive, popular, and famous intelligent person shows up on TV, making fun of Christians and their unscientific myths, you will be less likely to seek further, at least, in the Christian direction. Thus does a smart person bully millions.
A bully can be stopped by a crowd, a massed throng of angry people that are tired of being bullied. Sometimes the crowds hold up placards mocking the myths of Christians. And others join along, because we like the fun of laughing at others. It feels good to feel smart. And it feels good to sock it to those mean people that talk about unselfish, responsible, dignified codes of behavior.
If I am in a large enough of a crowd, or gang, then a bully cannot hurt me . . . nor can anybody that makes me uncomfortable (another form of bullying). So if we cannot be a bully ourselves . . . than at least we can join a mass that will like and share my posts, and defend me with ample f-bombs if anyone ever questions me.
The closer you get to Truth, and the nearer you are to the Lord, the fewer people you will find. You'd better be ready, for you are an easy target for bullies. And if you resist the angry gang surrounding you, they too can hurt you.
When they taunt you for your belief in "myths," it can hurt your spirit. We want to be thought of as intelligent.
The Apostle Peter anticipated this. He knew Christians would be accused of believing in myths, so he put it plainly: "We didn't just come up with this stuff. We saw it with our own eyes. We were there."
You do not believe in a myth. You believe in a Truth that is bigger and (if necessary), meaner than a bully. And your position, alone in the presence of Christ, can withstand the largest, most ruthless protesting crowd.
You can be you. You can be an individual. You can be yourself. And you can be brave.
Monday, July 30, 2018
Sunday, July 29, 2018
Gangs and Bullies II (RV)
. . . let the humble hear and rejoice.
- From Psalm 34
In eternity, humility is highly valued.
It is not valued in our present time. Far too often, people do not even acknowledge it in conversation. You might say: "We need more humility." But they'll pretend you said nothing at all.
It's like, we intuitively know that humility is a high virtue and strength. It's not a cultural thing. We're wired to know that humility trumps many outward shows of confidence. So we do not want to argue against humility . . . we will just ignore it and hope someone changes the subject. It just feels good to be on the winning side of an argument, or of "history."
Bullies are the result of humility not being rewarded. The opposite is rewarded, therefore we have bullies.
But lack of humility also is the cause of gangs that rise up against others. It may seem a good idea to form a gang against a powerful bully. But gangs lose their sense of purpose. Groupthink takes over. We get caught up in the moment. We want to be in the "cool" crowd, which usually means, the group with more members.
Yet, God offers His promises to the humble. The proud individualist? The participant in some march? One elevates a non-humble person. The other is a fake solution to pride, that just feels good because you see others participating.
Humble people that are wise, stay with the Lord. Because he is bigger than any bully, and any angry crowd.
- From Psalm 34
In eternity, humility is highly valued.
It is not valued in our present time. Far too often, people do not even acknowledge it in conversation. You might say: "We need more humility." But they'll pretend you said nothing at all.
It's like, we intuitively know that humility is a high virtue and strength. It's not a cultural thing. We're wired to know that humility trumps many outward shows of confidence. So we do not want to argue against humility . . . we will just ignore it and hope someone changes the subject. It just feels good to be on the winning side of an argument, or of "history."
Bullies are the result of humility not being rewarded. The opposite is rewarded, therefore we have bullies.
But lack of humility also is the cause of gangs that rise up against others. It may seem a good idea to form a gang against a powerful bully. But gangs lose their sense of purpose. Groupthink takes over. We get caught up in the moment. We want to be in the "cool" crowd, which usually means, the group with more members.
Yet, God offers His promises to the humble. The proud individualist? The participant in some march? One elevates a non-humble person. The other is a fake solution to pride, that just feels good because you see others participating.
Humble people that are wise, stay with the Lord. Because he is bigger than any bully, and any angry crowd.
Saturday, July 28, 2018
Gangs and Bullies (RV)
Elijah went a day’s journey . . .
- From 1 Kings 19
Heroes are always solitary people. They're loners.
You may have a vision, an idea . . . and you share that idea with other people. And chances are, they will not be very encouraging.
I've had decades now, of adulthood, with a few clear visions of what I am to do. It all has to do with solving our most sticky problems: health care, education, housing. And I have a distinctly practical solution to these problems. But I don't recall ever hearing someone encourage me. They may sit quietly and listen to me share the details. The silence may indicate that they like the idea . . . but it is a new idea, a new paradigm, and they are not sure they understand it. Perhaps they are fearful that support may require them to become vocal in their support.
If it's such a great idea, why aren't people already doing it? They want to see it being successfully implemented somewhere. They want to see a crowd around it.
But perhaps the other person hears my idea, and shoots it down instantly. The person may or may not be an expert. But it doesn't take an expert to say: "Who do you think you are?" or "Why don't you be more practical?"
I have often thought that a day of planning can be wasted, and set back a week, through one discouraging word. This is what makes the "Home on the Range" so appealing.
We are afraid of crowds. And we're intimidated by bullies.
Elijah faced both, and at this point of his ministry, he finds himself wandering about in the wilderness . . . alone. Basically, he likes it this way. He is so tired of setbacks and disappointments that he has concluded (in measured tones, I believe) "Well that's it. If this what it's going to be like, then just let me end my life and get on to the next phase."
But an angel of the Lord begins ministering to him.
Ahhhh . . . . this one person that shows up in support. The angel doesn't chastise, doesn't critique, doesn't even encourage, at least not in the conventional way ("Go get 'em! You can do this!").
Rather, the angel says "Here - - - get up and eat, you have a long journey."
And that's all it takes.
We fear crowds of people; they can become angry gangs. But we also resist powerful men; they can become tyrannical bullies. Both are a problem for us. They inhibit our forward movement. And they successfully narrow our numbers down, until we are but one.
But someone comes along and says . . . "Here's something to eat."
- From 1 Kings 19
Heroes are always solitary people. They're loners.
You may have a vision, an idea . . . and you share that idea with other people. And chances are, they will not be very encouraging.
I've had decades now, of adulthood, with a few clear visions of what I am to do. It all has to do with solving our most sticky problems: health care, education, housing. And I have a distinctly practical solution to these problems. But I don't recall ever hearing someone encourage me. They may sit quietly and listen to me share the details. The silence may indicate that they like the idea . . . but it is a new idea, a new paradigm, and they are not sure they understand it. Perhaps they are fearful that support may require them to become vocal in their support.
If it's such a great idea, why aren't people already doing it? They want to see it being successfully implemented somewhere. They want to see a crowd around it.
But perhaps the other person hears my idea, and shoots it down instantly. The person may or may not be an expert. But it doesn't take an expert to say: "Who do you think you are?" or "Why don't you be more practical?"
I have often thought that a day of planning can be wasted, and set back a week, through one discouraging word. This is what makes the "Home on the Range" so appealing.
We are afraid of crowds. And we're intimidated by bullies.
Elijah faced both, and at this point of his ministry, he finds himself wandering about in the wilderness . . . alone. Basically, he likes it this way. He is so tired of setbacks and disappointments that he has concluded (in measured tones, I believe) "Well that's it. If this what it's going to be like, then just let me end my life and get on to the next phase."
But an angel of the Lord begins ministering to him.
Ahhhh . . . . this one person that shows up in support. The angel doesn't chastise, doesn't critique, doesn't even encourage, at least not in the conventional way ("Go get 'em! You can do this!").
Rather, the angel says "Here - - - get up and eat, you have a long journey."
And that's all it takes.
We fear crowds of people; they can become angry gangs. But we also resist powerful men; they can become tyrannical bullies. Both are a problem for us. They inhibit our forward movement. And they successfully narrow our numbers down, until we are but one.
But someone comes along and says . . . "Here's something to eat."
Tuesday, July 24, 2018
True or Fake X (RV)
I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for him; in his word is my hope.
- From Psalm 130
The Psalmist has observed the desperate state of Israel . . . it's defeat at the hands of its enemies. It's willful moral and economic decline as it slipped into irrelevance. But in the end, his hope is not in political leaders. He has not led a march against King Saul, or Babylon, or Assyria, or Persia.
The Psalmist concludes that it's best just to wait. He urges patience. And he puts his full trust in the word of the LORD.
God's Word gives him. It gives us hope.
How is it that people that agree that Christ is the world's last hope, will disagree over something as superficial as real, versus fake, news? Both sides agree that something is terribly wrong with the world. It is hard to argue against the concerns of either side. It certainly is fruitless to try to convince them their concerns are unwarranted! You might as well try to persuade a hungry, crying baby to just settle down - dinner will be in a couple hours.
And yet they will sit in the same room with their opponent, on a Sunday morning, in faux unity before the King of Heaven.
Faux unity? Yes indeed. Now there is something that's fake! This facade of singing, praying, reading, and exhorting, under the same roof, as though we're in it together! But then we soon depart that place, and return to our on-line groups and news channels, where we line up according to what our heart is telling us: in political camps that could almost put behind bars, the very same people we worshiped with, just hours before!
The Psalmist settled the question for us: In God's word is our hope!!
Who cares whether your news is real or fake?
Your hope is in God's word! Isn't that enough?
- From Psalm 130
The Psalmist has observed the desperate state of Israel . . . it's defeat at the hands of its enemies. It's willful moral and economic decline as it slipped into irrelevance. But in the end, his hope is not in political leaders. He has not led a march against King Saul, or Babylon, or Assyria, or Persia.
The Psalmist concludes that it's best just to wait. He urges patience. And he puts his full trust in the word of the LORD.
God's Word gives him. It gives us hope.
How is it that people that agree that Christ is the world's last hope, will disagree over something as superficial as real, versus fake, news? Both sides agree that something is terribly wrong with the world. It is hard to argue against the concerns of either side. It certainly is fruitless to try to convince them their concerns are unwarranted! You might as well try to persuade a hungry, crying baby to just settle down - dinner will be in a couple hours.
And yet they will sit in the same room with their opponent, on a Sunday morning, in faux unity before the King of Heaven.
Faux unity? Yes indeed. Now there is something that's fake! This facade of singing, praying, reading, and exhorting, under the same roof, as though we're in it together! But then we soon depart that place, and return to our on-line groups and news channels, where we line up according to what our heart is telling us: in political camps that could almost put behind bars, the very same people we worshiped with, just hours before!
The Psalmist settled the question for us: In God's word is our hope!!
Who cares whether your news is real or fake?
Your hope is in God's word! Isn't that enough?
Next: A new series - "Gangs and Bullies"
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
True or Fake IX (RV)
Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.
- From 2 Samuel 18
Everybody wants to quote the Bible. They use it like their evidence to prove they are right, "on the right side of history," or to build a case that their opponent "lied," or "committed treason," or is "Hitler."
Christians quote it, while their opponents don't care.
Their opponents quote it, but only to make Christians squirm.
Everybody misuses it. They avoid the complexities of it, and the plain statements that, at face value, are paradoxical.
At it's heart, the Bible never really says exactly what we wish it were saying. Consider King David, the "man after God's own heart." You can't compare Trump to David . . . because the Trump haters will just disdain your mentioning of David and Donald in the same breath.
Okay then, let's look at it another way. Let's compare you to King David. What example does he provide, that we wish he didn't? What characteristic did we know he had . . . that we'd rather not think about too much?
How about the way he felt about the most formidable enemies in his life?
We've talked about his predecessor, King Saul. David knew that Saul's soul was tarnished, that he was corrupt and egocentric. Yet David always treated the king with deference, and when Saul died, David mourned as much as anybody.
But how about David's own son, Absalom? Absalom seems to have been inhabited by the spirit of Saul. Saul's anger and vengeance came back upon David, in the person of his own flesh and blood. And Absalom, meanwhile, had become obsessed with toppling his father. The rivalry, the resentment, and the rage had taken over the son.
But David's military was charged only with defeating Absalom's armies . . . which they did, handily. But they were to bring Absalom in to David, intact. The King would prepare a seat at his table, for his most disloyal and dangerous subject.
Saul and Absalom were two of the worst people in David's life. Yet he loved them both and treated them with grace. He did not bring them before trial, to see them sentenced and handed over to an angry (and impressionable) crowd! He would restore them to their positions of favor in his court, and family. He would have them honored, once again, by his subjects.
Are you like David? Or are you like the fickle mobs - - - the crowds of people that come under the spell of marches, movements, waves of anger and resistance to anything that represents a limit on the crowd's temper?
Do you wish well to those that you should consider your enemy? Do you long to restore everybody to their original place of friendship and favor?
Are you like David?
- From 2 Samuel 18
Everybody wants to quote the Bible. They use it like their evidence to prove they are right, "on the right side of history," or to build a case that their opponent "lied," or "committed treason," or is "Hitler."
Christians quote it, while their opponents don't care.
Their opponents quote it, but only to make Christians squirm.
Everybody misuses it. They avoid the complexities of it, and the plain statements that, at face value, are paradoxical.
At it's heart, the Bible never really says exactly what we wish it were saying. Consider King David, the "man after God's own heart." You can't compare Trump to David . . . because the Trump haters will just disdain your mentioning of David and Donald in the same breath.
Okay then, let's look at it another way. Let's compare you to King David. What example does he provide, that we wish he didn't? What characteristic did we know he had . . . that we'd rather not think about too much?
How about the way he felt about the most formidable enemies in his life?
We've talked about his predecessor, King Saul. David knew that Saul's soul was tarnished, that he was corrupt and egocentric. Yet David always treated the king with deference, and when Saul died, David mourned as much as anybody.
But how about David's own son, Absalom? Absalom seems to have been inhabited by the spirit of Saul. Saul's anger and vengeance came back upon David, in the person of his own flesh and blood. And Absalom, meanwhile, had become obsessed with toppling his father. The rivalry, the resentment, and the rage had taken over the son.
But David's military was charged only with defeating Absalom's armies . . . which they did, handily. But they were to bring Absalom in to David, intact. The King would prepare a seat at his table, for his most disloyal and dangerous subject.
Saul and Absalom were two of the worst people in David's life. Yet he loved them both and treated them with grace. He did not bring them before trial, to see them sentenced and handed over to an angry (and impressionable) crowd! He would restore them to their positions of favor in his court, and family. He would have them honored, once again, by his subjects.
Are you like David? Or are you like the fickle mobs - - - the crowds of people that come under the spell of marches, movements, waves of anger and resistance to anything that represents a limit on the crowd's temper?
Do you wish well to those that you should consider your enemy? Do you long to restore everybody to their original place of friendship and favor?
Are you like David?
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
True or Fake VIII (RV)
Do not complain among yourselves.
- From John 6
There's a point where the current hysteria about "fake" news and ultra-partisanship reminds me of how the Scribes and Pharisees, and doubters, must have acted.
Imagine Jesus going around from town to town, and every thing He does creates a scandal. Every word out of His mouth was studied carefully, picked apart, analyzed, in hopes of catching Him saying something that could get Him . . . well . . . crucified.
In the end, all they could find was a true statement: "I am the bread of life."
They thought He was a fake, and that everything He said was fake.
Isn't that interesting? If we start out by hating someone . . . we find ways to continue hating that person. We start looking for evidence to bolster our case against him or her.
Just his week, I was visiting with an old friend that experienced a total betrayal of life-long friends, over a little disagreement that had stirred up among them. Once the seam was loosened, that had held them together for a generation, it was ripped apart, as the former friends began to study everything he did, and said, in order to build a case against him. The result was a great separation between two groups of friends, that may never heal. The hate and anger rippled out, until some tragedies and other breakups among the friends followed. It doesn't just end, just because you got the first "offender."
I have had it out for teachers, pastors, cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, roommates at various points and to varying degrees of severity. Yes, I admit it. And every time, I went straight to the analysis of all their words and deeds, building a case.
"See?! See?! Didn't I tell you he would do this?!"
It makes us feel good, to feel bad. It just does, and it's awful. There's a sort of high we get, from hate. And since we know hate is wrong, we must have a case. We go get some facts and evidence . . . to prove that the other person is really a bad person.
Here's a common phrase heard when friends separate: "That was a lie."
Oh brother.
Fake news. Fake news.
Jesus was a victim of brainless partisanship. Truly, they didn't know what they were doing.
They were too blinded by hate.
- From John 6
There's a point where the current hysteria about "fake" news and ultra-partisanship reminds me of how the Scribes and Pharisees, and doubters, must have acted.
Imagine Jesus going around from town to town, and every thing He does creates a scandal. Every word out of His mouth was studied carefully, picked apart, analyzed, in hopes of catching Him saying something that could get Him . . . well . . . crucified.
In the end, all they could find was a true statement: "I am the bread of life."
They thought He was a fake, and that everything He said was fake.
Isn't that interesting? If we start out by hating someone . . . we find ways to continue hating that person. We start looking for evidence to bolster our case against him or her.
Just his week, I was visiting with an old friend that experienced a total betrayal of life-long friends, over a little disagreement that had stirred up among them. Once the seam was loosened, that had held them together for a generation, it was ripped apart, as the former friends began to study everything he did, and said, in order to build a case against him. The result was a great separation between two groups of friends, that may never heal. The hate and anger rippled out, until some tragedies and other breakups among the friends followed. It doesn't just end, just because you got the first "offender."
I have had it out for teachers, pastors, cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, roommates at various points and to varying degrees of severity. Yes, I admit it. And every time, I went straight to the analysis of all their words and deeds, building a case.
"See?! See?! Didn't I tell you he would do this?!"
It makes us feel good, to feel bad. It just does, and it's awful. There's a sort of high we get, from hate. And since we know hate is wrong, we must have a case. We go get some facts and evidence . . . to prove that the other person is really a bad person.
Here's a common phrase heard when friends separate: "That was a lie."
Oh brother.
Fake news. Fake news.
Jesus was a victim of brainless partisanship. Truly, they didn't know what they were doing.
They were too blinded by hate.
Thursday, July 12, 2018
True or Fake VII (RV)
. . . but only what is useful for building up . . .
- From Ephesian 4
I have struggled for some time now . . . how to deal with the sincere concerns of Trump-haters. So many of them are church-goers, and a good number of them have switched churches or stopped going all together. One devout Christian friend of mine has even started visiting mosques.
Maybe the Trump-supporting Christians are not helpful, with their attitudes. They voted in Trump because they felt he was the only one that listened to them. But now they're not listening to Trump haters. Everybody's at each other's throats because no one will listen.
But the Trump-haters . . . .
They keep using language like that they "loathe" him. They can't stand him. And they're all certain that it's exactly like it was in Germany in the 1930s.
But it's this dividing themselves from family, friends, church, etc., that is the most troubling. They use language that can only rip relationships apart. Whatever problems we are having with Trump, whether real or imagined; and the problems we had with Obama, which now appear to have been mostly imagined; they all would cease to be operational problems, if we would refuse to be divided.
True or Fake? If something's false, aren't I supposed to resist it? If something's true, shouldn't I insist upon it? But if we do this, we create un-bridgeable divides between families, friends, churches. And this is the very essence of evil. God loves unity, and hates division.
Both sides have diametrically opposite interpretations of True versus Fake.
Paul has a great suggestion: focus on only what is useful for building up.
Not whether or not Trump or Obama are building things and, and what to do about it.
Not insisting the other person build up others.
You build up others, and use only language that will do that.
And reject language that doesn't.
- From Ephesian 4
I have struggled for some time now . . . how to deal with the sincere concerns of Trump-haters. So many of them are church-goers, and a good number of them have switched churches or stopped going all together. One devout Christian friend of mine has even started visiting mosques.
Maybe the Trump-supporting Christians are not helpful, with their attitudes. They voted in Trump because they felt he was the only one that listened to them. But now they're not listening to Trump haters. Everybody's at each other's throats because no one will listen.
But the Trump-haters . . . .
They keep using language like that they "loathe" him. They can't stand him. And they're all certain that it's exactly like it was in Germany in the 1930s.
But it's this dividing themselves from family, friends, church, etc., that is the most troubling. They use language that can only rip relationships apart. Whatever problems we are having with Trump, whether real or imagined; and the problems we had with Obama, which now appear to have been mostly imagined; they all would cease to be operational problems, if we would refuse to be divided.
True or Fake? If something's false, aren't I supposed to resist it? If something's true, shouldn't I insist upon it? But if we do this, we create un-bridgeable divides between families, friends, churches. And this is the very essence of evil. God loves unity, and hates division.
Both sides have diametrically opposite interpretations of True versus Fake.
Paul has a great suggestion: focus on only what is useful for building up.
Not whether or not Trump or Obama are building things and, and what to do about it.
Not insisting the other person build up others.
You build up others, and use only language that will do that.
And reject language that doesn't.
Monday, July 9, 2018
True or Fake VI (RV)
Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people . . .
- From Ephesians 5
In some ways, Paul is beating around the bush here. What is he really saying? Yes he clarifies it a little in the verses that follow, talking about not getting drunk, for one thing. But we get that.
And then he goes on to urge us to praise God, to sing hymns, and psalms.
He says 'Don't be foolish." And here again, what's he talking about?
I think it's because, in truth, we know exactly what Paul's talking about. We understand how "unwise" people live. We understand what it is to act "wise," and not "foolish." We do not need it spelled out.
We know that wise people do not get drunk. They don't get embroiled in out-of-control quarrels. They don't just solve complex problems by falling in line according to some dogma or denomination. They don't criticize others. They don't hate.
As bad a king as Saul was (actually, he was not bad in terms of wielding authority. His character was what was questionable), still . . . David loved him.
Wise people heal. They serve. They're temperate. They probably stay away from politics.
They're too busy thinking about their Lord, that they ain't got time for nothing else.
Real or fake? So what? Is it worth ripping families apart over it? There are real problems right there in front of you. Don't deal with them by ignoring them, and refocusing on social media debates that can get you lots of "likes."
- From Ephesians 5
In some ways, Paul is beating around the bush here. What is he really saying? Yes he clarifies it a little in the verses that follow, talking about not getting drunk, for one thing. But we get that.
And then he goes on to urge us to praise God, to sing hymns, and psalms.
He says 'Don't be foolish." And here again, what's he talking about?
I think it's because, in truth, we know exactly what Paul's talking about. We understand how "unwise" people live. We understand what it is to act "wise," and not "foolish." We do not need it spelled out.
We know that wise people do not get drunk. They don't get embroiled in out-of-control quarrels. They don't just solve complex problems by falling in line according to some dogma or denomination. They don't criticize others. They don't hate.
As bad a king as Saul was (actually, he was not bad in terms of wielding authority. His character was what was questionable), still . . . David loved him.
Wise people heal. They serve. They're temperate. They probably stay away from politics.
They're too busy thinking about their Lord, that they ain't got time for nothing else.
Real or fake? So what? Is it worth ripping families apart over it? There are real problems right there in front of you. Don't deal with them by ignoring them, and refocusing on social media debates that can get you lots of "likes."
Wednesday, July 4, 2018
True or Fake V (Lake)
The Lord is faithful in all his words.
- From Psalm 145
I'm trying to think of someone that I knew, that was faithful to all his (or her) words. And I can think of none.
Some of the best guys I knew were in a little prayer circle of friends during the 1980s. We would get together at Church camp every summer and have an in-person meetup. But during the year we tried different ways of staying in touch. We covenanted with each other not to lose sight of the Lord, and to uphold what's right, when we were away from each other.
We all failed in that. To a person. Not a single one of us was true to the commitments we made to each other. Yet they remain to this day, some of the best people I have ever known.
Marital vows . . . don't get me started.
At the funeral of a dear loved one, especially if it is someone like a wonderful grandparent, you will find the grandkids getting together and enjoying each other. In the heightened sense of what is most important, they will promise things to each other that they never fulfill.
The people on the earth, that are so obsessed with "fake news" can't even be counted on to keep a promise to each other.
But God is faithful in all His words. And if He seems to be taking too long to do that . . . well then we can't even keep a marriage vow for sixty years. Who are we to talk?
God speaks of the Highest things - - - of eternal things. We cannot fathom it. When we get to eternity we will see that, indeed, it was exactly as He said. It will be clear.
Before we go declaring what is real and what is fake . . . let us get some understanding of the Eternal God, Who is the most Real Person of all.
- From Psalm 145
I'm trying to think of someone that I knew, that was faithful to all his (or her) words. And I can think of none.
Some of the best guys I knew were in a little prayer circle of friends during the 1980s. We would get together at Church camp every summer and have an in-person meetup. But during the year we tried different ways of staying in touch. We covenanted with each other not to lose sight of the Lord, and to uphold what's right, when we were away from each other.
We all failed in that. To a person. Not a single one of us was true to the commitments we made to each other. Yet they remain to this day, some of the best people I have ever known.
Marital vows . . . don't get me started.
At the funeral of a dear loved one, especially if it is someone like a wonderful grandparent, you will find the grandkids getting together and enjoying each other. In the heightened sense of what is most important, they will promise things to each other that they never fulfill.
The people on the earth, that are so obsessed with "fake news" can't even be counted on to keep a promise to each other.
But God is faithful in all His words. And if He seems to be taking too long to do that . . . well then we can't even keep a marriage vow for sixty years. Who are we to talk?
God speaks of the Highest things - - - of eternal things. We cannot fathom it. When we get to eternity we will see that, indeed, it was exactly as He said. It will be clear.
Before we go declaring what is real and what is fake . . . let us get some understanding of the Eternal God, Who is the most Real Person of all.
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
True or Fake IV (Lake)
The Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe, who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing.
- From Deuteronomy 10
Here is one thing that is true:
God does command us to welcome, be hospitable towards, to house, feed, and clothe, "strangers" among us, i.e. "aliens."
They weren't called "illegal aliens" at the time Moses wrote this. They were just strangers, or aliens. They may have looked different. They talked different. They had different ways.
There is no truer unconditional love than this: to love those that are different.
And mockers of Christianity are correct to challenge us on this point. And our response should be "You are correct, and I stand convicted."
The question, "true or fake" requires us to be honest and admit what is true.
But the listing includes orphans and widows. And if we are going to be challenged on the point of aliens, then it is fair to challenge back.
First: Indeed - let's care for aliens. Let's do it together, and let's start now.
And I believe we are within our rights to urge them to take the discussion out of the realm of government, and into hands-on, practical action on our part. Let's do this. Together.
But it's these other two: orphans and widows.
We all stand corrected - - - we don't even care for the kids in our own extended families, that live with only one parent. For, I believe the true definition of "orphan" includes this.
And if we were asked to name the widows in our extended families . . . could we do it?
This charge goes back to they that mock Christianity by quoting Scripture to us: do they care for their own widows (to say nothing of widows within our neighborhoods and towns)? I have witnessed far too many of them treating widows as though they don't count. Indeed, many of them even proclaim they can't wait for the aged generation to die off.
So tell me about illegal aliens, and I'll talk about how you treat your own grandmother.
Unconditional love.
Let us practice it. And let us challenge each other. And let us accept the challenge.
For that much is true.
- From Deuteronomy 10
Here is one thing that is true:
God does command us to welcome, be hospitable towards, to house, feed, and clothe, "strangers" among us, i.e. "aliens."
They weren't called "illegal aliens" at the time Moses wrote this. They were just strangers, or aliens. They may have looked different. They talked different. They had different ways.
There is no truer unconditional love than this: to love those that are different.
And mockers of Christianity are correct to challenge us on this point. And our response should be "You are correct, and I stand convicted."
The question, "true or fake" requires us to be honest and admit what is true.
But the listing includes orphans and widows. And if we are going to be challenged on the point of aliens, then it is fair to challenge back.
First: Indeed - let's care for aliens. Let's do it together, and let's start now.
And I believe we are within our rights to urge them to take the discussion out of the realm of government, and into hands-on, practical action on our part. Let's do this. Together.
But it's these other two: orphans and widows.
We all stand corrected - - - we don't even care for the kids in our own extended families, that live with only one parent. For, I believe the true definition of "orphan" includes this.
And if we were asked to name the widows in our extended families . . . could we do it?
This charge goes back to they that mock Christianity by quoting Scripture to us: do they care for their own widows (to say nothing of widows within our neighborhoods and towns)? I have witnessed far too many of them treating widows as though they don't count. Indeed, many of them even proclaim they can't wait for the aged generation to die off.
So tell me about illegal aliens, and I'll talk about how you treat your own grandmother.
Unconditional love.
Let us practice it. And let us challenge each other. And let us accept the challenge.
For that much is true.
Monday, July 2, 2018
True or Fake III (Lake)
And he was amazed at their unbelief.
- From Mark 6
There's a thing that young people do, and now in the digital age it is magnified to an exaggerated rate.
I understand it . . . I went through a variant of it. When I was in my late teens I began sort of despising my home town. I saw things wrong with it. I resented having to grow up there.
My Mom was a Texan. Why didn't we have a chance to grow up there? I went to Greece Community Schools in New York, from kindergarten through 5th grade, and loved it. Why couldn't I have finished there?
I began to invent things about Dexter, Michigan that I didn't like. The weather was an easy target. Yes - - - the cold winters! That's it! I will hate the cold winters! And I looked at other elements that likewise offended me. I used all the confirmation bias I could muster, to put together my logical case for wanting to leave Michigan.
But I didn't have the reason so many others had: I distaste for my "provincial life." There are young people that complain about their hometown, all the time, on Facebook. Every vice known to humanity, it seems, is present in their hometown and its people. Racism, sexism, greed . . . it's all prevalent in "my town."
My story has a happy ending. I could live anywhere now.
But many people leave their home town and never look back.
When you think about it, this makes good sense, because in too many cases, home towns don't care too much for their natives sons and daughters, either. Jesus hit a brick wall when He tried to return to his home town to preach. People knew Him, from a young boy, and couldn't believe He was carrying on preaching as though He had authority. Their resentment against Him was something we understand. It's something I understand.
I have launched a non-profit, devoted to the performing arts and youth. We put on shows for our senior citizens, and to community events. We build character and leadership in our members.
And yet I have marveled when I try to talk to some of my peers, most particularly, people within about ten years of my age, how disinterested they are in it. I marvel at their unbelief.
They seem determined to see my venture fail, by offering no encouragement.
Why is this? Why does familiarity breed contempt? New members of the community are more supportive. Expansion into other towns goes much easier than local initiatives.
I don't understand it, but it happened to Christ, too.
And yet . . . if we supported those closest to us . . . not a one of us would ever fail in anything.
Jesus was the Truth. And yet, those that should have known Him best, believed Him least. When you turn on the truth, you are ready to believe what is fake.
Paul "believed all things." Is this what he meant?
It would seem the answer to fake news, and to many of today's problems, is to just start believing in those closest to us, and supporting them. Believe your own eyes.
- From Mark 6
There's a thing that young people do, and now in the digital age it is magnified to an exaggerated rate.
I understand it . . . I went through a variant of it. When I was in my late teens I began sort of despising my home town. I saw things wrong with it. I resented having to grow up there.
My Mom was a Texan. Why didn't we have a chance to grow up there? I went to Greece Community Schools in New York, from kindergarten through 5th grade, and loved it. Why couldn't I have finished there?
I began to invent things about Dexter, Michigan that I didn't like. The weather was an easy target. Yes - - - the cold winters! That's it! I will hate the cold winters! And I looked at other elements that likewise offended me. I used all the confirmation bias I could muster, to put together my logical case for wanting to leave Michigan.
But I didn't have the reason so many others had: I distaste for my "provincial life." There are young people that complain about their hometown, all the time, on Facebook. Every vice known to humanity, it seems, is present in their hometown and its people. Racism, sexism, greed . . . it's all prevalent in "my town."
My story has a happy ending. I could live anywhere now.
But many people leave their home town and never look back.
When you think about it, this makes good sense, because in too many cases, home towns don't care too much for their natives sons and daughters, either. Jesus hit a brick wall when He tried to return to his home town to preach. People knew Him, from a young boy, and couldn't believe He was carrying on preaching as though He had authority. Their resentment against Him was something we understand. It's something I understand.
I have launched a non-profit, devoted to the performing arts and youth. We put on shows for our senior citizens, and to community events. We build character and leadership in our members.
And yet I have marveled when I try to talk to some of my peers, most particularly, people within about ten years of my age, how disinterested they are in it. I marvel at their unbelief.
They seem determined to see my venture fail, by offering no encouragement.
Why is this? Why does familiarity breed contempt? New members of the community are more supportive. Expansion into other towns goes much easier than local initiatives.
I don't understand it, but it happened to Christ, too.
And yet . . . if we supported those closest to us . . . not a one of us would ever fail in anything.
Jesus was the Truth. And yet, those that should have known Him best, believed Him least. When you turn on the truth, you are ready to believe what is fake.
Paul "believed all things." Is this what he meant?
It would seem the answer to fake news, and to many of today's problems, is to just start believing in those closest to us, and supporting them. Believe your own eyes.
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