Relief

The disciples determined that according to their ability, each would send relief to the believers living in Judea.

 - From Acts 11

Yes . . . so much evil comes from nations - such that nations will figure prominently in the coming judgment, as criminals charged, and convicted. 

Here, during the reign of Claudius Caesar, and of Herod in Judea, there was a famine. The response to the famine was immediate on the part of the Church in Jerusalem. Everybody there, all of them, gave to support the relief funds. 

As has been the case down through history, the Church responds effectively to the urgent needs of others, throughout the world. A strong and unified Church does what no one else - no government, no NATION, can get food and medicine to the suffering, like the Body of Christ. It's provable by Science. And indeed, it is so much a certainty, that it may be called scientific fact. The Church is the world's greatest responder to the human needs of the world. 

It is the case today. Global Methodism has a well-oiled machine that sends people and supplies in the wake of hurricanes and famine. 

Catholic charities throughout the world have an abundance of resources, that are put to work as needed. 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints may have the most enviable of operations, and can provide relief almost instantly, to anywhere on the planet, as needed.

Billy Graham's ministry has access to doctors and funds that can be put to use.

The only thing stopping any of these great charitable organizations, is government. It has always been government, and always will be. Yes, "government." The same government that promises to do so many good things for the people, but that instead lines the pockets of lobbyists, politicians, and bureaucrats. That government. They blocked the Mormons in getting support down to the US's Southern border, during the reported crisis in the years 2017-2021 (which got worse beginning in 2021; but was no longer reported as problematic). They blocked the Billy Graham operation from supporting doctors in New York City, at the start of the covid situation. 

There's something they don't like about the church - but it probably goes back to someone getting their feelings hurt over a discussion with a Christian about such topics as servant-leadership and being unselfish. 

And they did it two thousand years ago. Herod was still smarting because John the Baptist had called out his corrupt and lascivious behavior. When there was a famine, he needed a scapegoat, and chose the young Church for that. And in so doing, took out an organization that was actually doing something. 

Which made the problem worse. But gave the government someone to blame. 

Just like in 2022. 

Nations

O Lord, judge the nations. 

 - From Psalm 7

When your heart and soul are being battered by world events; and you are overwhelmed with worry for the next outrage around the corner; and you suffer in constant anxiety that affects you physically - it is easy to retreat into a fight-or-flight response. Even a committed pacifist may lash out when cornered. 

And I think an awful lot of us are feeling cornered by hoards of people that mean us malice, here in 2022. 

When violent criminals are let free, and public safety officials' hands are tied . . . 

When wealthy politicians and billionaires get away with near murder, without as much as a slap on the wrist . . . 

When good and humble people, just showing up at school meetings to defend their kids, are treated as society's pariahs . . . 

When the nation's hard-earned wealth is wasted on nations that hate us, and on newcomers whose intentions toward us are known . . . 

Then what do you expect, if violence and infidelity increases, in turn?

Humans are emotionally-driven creatures that may lash-back when pushed into a corner. 

It is all being done by nations. The chief criminals in subjugating and enslaving people, are nations. "Nation" can mean something good, when it refers to a generalized concept of "people." (In a recent blog post, I touted the value of the word "family" as a much better goal, than "country-nation." You are subjects of a nation, but members of a family).

Even the world's 1% are basically powerless, without having the resources of a nation at their disposal. The goal is to influence nations. The nation is the culprit in doing the dirty work of Evil. 

This is why the only nation that's worth a darn, is the nation which has free people as citizens. Only a nation of families can be remotely trusted. 

Nations will bear the brunt of judgment, one day. And the court proceedings of that trial, will be something to see!

Great, Pt II

And you, do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them . . . 

 - From Jeremiah 45

At the time Jeremiah dictated these words from the Lord, Judah was very near it's end. They had just experienced a golden years coda under King Josiah, and now his son, Jehoiakim, was in charge. Under Josiah, the people were happy and prosperous. 

Josiah revived the culture of freedom, wealth, security, and safety. The only real safety that counts, it seems, is the kind the results from freedom. "Safety" coming from a strong arm of government is not safety at all. You must be free to be truly safe. 

Under Josiah, the law enforcement infrastructure was effective. You could walk around city streets after dark, with no fear. The farms produced an abundance: a surplus! Trade was very favorable, as Judah's goods and produce were top-notch. 

The military was respected and feared abroad. No one dared attack Judah.

But that doesn't mean they didn't want to attack Judah. God's enemies are always envious of the lifestyle and bounty of His people. They always need, and only need, just a little vulnerability, and to strike (brutally) as soon as God's people let their guard down, just a little. 

We can reasonably conclude that, under Josiah, crime was down, incomes were up, unemployment was down, public happiness was unsurpassed. People got out and about. They mingled. They got close . . . regardless of all other considerations - people build their communities and families, and celebrated everything. King Josiah had one primary indicator of the State of the Kingdom: Everybody smiled, a lot. Even his political opposition smiled. 

But shortly into the reign of Jehoiakim, unemployed went back up. Inflation soared. The national borders were overrun. Crime filled the streets. Vandals destroyed artwork and major hubs of commerce. Opposition to the crown has empowered, emboldened. They took to the streets in protest. They probably even had a resurgence of various viral outbreaks. And Judah's enemies licked their chops. 

In that context, Jeremiah says "Don't be thinking about adding anything great to your resume, or lifestyle. Just be thankful for your life. Be content with that."

Great

. . . whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant.

 - From Matthew 20

We will never know the name of the greatest person in America. 

This person doesn't have a real job. He or she may not even own a home. He or she may be totally alone in the world.

This person does not draw attention to himself. He does not stand behind a lectern on a regular basis. She does not review the books and pronounce all the finances in order. He does not operate, skillfully, a large machine in a factory.

She does not rule over cases in a court of law. He is not a great recording artist. She is not a career teacher that has had only two pay increases in twenty-five years. 

She is not a professional athlete kneeling, or holding hot-button banners in front of international TV cameras. He is not a wealthy celebrity that contributes millions of dollars to the neighborhood and school of his youth. 

He is not the custodian in the elementary school, that all the kids love. She is not the legendary local band director that achieves excellent ratings at every festival. 

She may attend church regularly, but never gets asked to be the spokesperson for the latest campaign. Her name does not appear in the bulletin much, except for the roll of birthdays or special prayer requests. 

People talk about him behind his back. They thought they saw him touch a pre-teen girl in town, when in reality it was his troubled niece to whom he offered a hug. They do not believe she looks as though she has been very successful, therefore she does not have as much value as the people that do. 

He has buried troubles, and worries, and anxieties deep into his heart and conscience. Nobody knows what she has been through. Nobody asks. 

We do not know the identity of the greatest person in America. There are no spotlights on this person. 

So . . . perhaps we had just better assume that . . . maybe . . . everyone we come across is the greatest. 

Disarmed

He disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in it. 

 - From Colossians 2

There you have it. 

In our times, we have had the sad splintering of the Church, thanks to the one half of it, that has placed more trust in rulers and authorities than in their fellow believers in Christ. 

Paul talks about rulers and authorities. He does not qualify the remark. Rulers and authorities. All of them. You may consider the phrase with prejudice. Rulers and authorities means all rulers and authorities! Even the ones claiming to be believers. If they hold a temporal political position of authority, or rule, over all of us, they will find it very difficult to be both a bold and humble servant of Christ, as well as a temporal leader.

In reality - it may be impossible to do. 

Paul employs an ages-old rhetorical device. He appeals to people's desires to be thought of well by others. He taps into our yearning to be on the right side of history. Nobody likes being wrong. In fact, we hate being wrong. Our resistance to ever acknowledging our errors may be even more responsible for suffering on the earth, than romance, commerce, or even . . . yes, that ancient scapegoat for everything wrong: religion. 

Paul says that God will make an example of rulers and authorities. 

They will not be allowed to just slink off into some corner. There is going to be a reckoning. 

It's a very safe bet: When you have a choice to make - between siding with your family (both earthly and Heavenly families) and the world's rulers . . . uhhh . . . . 

 . . . Don't choose the world's rulers. 

Lowly, Pt II

He cares for the lowly . . .  

 - From Psalm 138

I don't know where people get their misinformation about Christianity. It says in today's Psalm, and all over the place in the Psalms, and constantly throughout the Old Testament, as well as the New, that God cares for the lowly. 

I don't think we need to review the definition of "lowly." Nor is a discussion in order, of what it means "to care." It's quite simple. 

God cares for the lowly. This is central. It's essential. It's basic. It's foundational. 

There is no level of inconsistence to the point - - - I'll write it again: God cares for the lowly. 

If you have any part of an eternal perspective, if you really believe that the last shall be first, there's no way we should have the kinds of problems that we're facing, in the world. 

In eternity, as we gather at Cafe Omega, and talk about current events, we will marvel that, in the temporal realm of years like 2022, we let so many nitpicky things upset us so. 

Someone might say, at some future point on the infinite, endless timeline: "I guess it's true. He really does care for the lowly. I mean, look who's got it made here! And to think that, compared to our mortal lives, this awesomeness will never end!"

If you really, really believe that God cares for the lowly, then I suspect that every one of us can find some ways to change. We all have some attitudes we can, and should, adjust. 

Good Prejudice

For the sake of ten I will not destroy it . . . 

 - From Genesis 18

Earlier today, I read an article critical of a statement by Lebron James. He was asked why he hates the city of Boston. His answer: "Because they're all a bunch of <blankety-blank> racists."

Where was his evidence? Well, he was playing in Boston, and one or two fans, out of thousands, hollered out some racist epithets at him. 

Lebron was condemning the entire city of millions, because of a couple of isolated catcalls from the stands of a hyped-up sports crowd. He was being prejudiced, or even racist, against an entire group of people, because of the words and deeds of a thin sliver of the total population. 

That's what racism is. 

In like manner, otherwise good people . . . otherwise wonderful people . . . are having their very lives ruined if they do not hold the "correct" viewpoints, according to today's "woke" doctrines. A casual remark . . . even one made decades ago, can be used to destroy careers, families, lives. 

Even members of the same family are stereotyping each other, to the point of racist-like treatment. A cousin you have known and loved for decades, in whom you placed all of your trust, is suddenly anathema, simply for voting differently than you, in the last election.

But God does stereotyping differently. In Sodom and Gomorrah, He was ready to wipe out the entire two cities, leaving only the smoke drifting off into the Heavens. All of the citizens of the two wicked cities would be eliminated, almost instantly - each one, like all the others: gone, in a whiff. 

UNLESS . . . 

Unless, ten good people could be found, out of the city of maybe hundreds of thousands. And while Abraham did not ask God about changing His mind for the sake of five, or even one good resident of the cities, I think we get the point. 

Where humans see one bad apple, and extend their judgment upon every other person like the bad one; God looks down upon an entire city of wickedness; but if he finds just ten good people (or less), He will view the entire city as "good," and  withhold His judgment. 

We need more prejudice. But we need the good kind of prejudice. The one that sees one good person, and then assumes that everyone like that good person, must also be good. 

That would help the world's problems. Right?