On Chaos and the Christian

Sometimes it seems our world is coming apart at its seams. People turn to experts for advice and are disappointed.

There will always be tension between reality and ideals. We're called to trust in God, to obey Him, to become like Yeshua (Jesus) as we walk with Him, yet we all fall short.

Can anyone really avoid facing the battle between good and evil? There's a choice to be made: Life or death! Some try to avoid choosing.

In many places, Christians are today persecuted for their faith. In other places the church is hardly distinguished from the surrounding culture.

Chaos, in one form or another, will be a part of this life until we meet Our Lord face to face. Scripture teaches us that when even one Christian is suffering, all suffer. Likewise honour for one brings honour to all.

Wherever we go, whatever we do, The Lord is our strength and shield. We are to look to Him for guidance. He has promised refreshment to all who call upon Him.
Praise His Holy Name!

Ridicule or Encouragement?

It seems to have become acceptable, even fashionable, in Canada, to passively indulge in observing insults to the Christian faith. This is happening even while false charges are made in India resulting in the deaths of innocents, while churches are torn down in China, while women are raped in Darfur, while, in several countries, girls are disfigured with acid for wanting freedom to make decisions for themselves, and while in many parts of the world becoming Christian is punishable by death. Religious belief is mocked, despised and denigrated.

Do the sounds and images of 'Religulous', coming soon to your children's eyes and ears, reflect or mock your values? Are the American values, right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, which seem to have been accepted without question by many Canadians, truly inalienable? Liberty in Christ does not permit us to allow slander as a norm. It's true that sometimes we must turn the other cheek, but there are other times we must stand up for our beliefs.

We don't easily give authority to people not from our neighbourhood.
Wasn't Jesus 'from away'?... Didn't He say, 'Fear God, not men'. Let's not be so quick to allow outsiders to mock our faith. But, we say in the name of tolerance, "It's OK, as long as they don't try to take over!" Wait a minute! Hasn't it already happened? Deep down we have to admit we are the unofficial 51st State; the only thing we lack is the right to vote in their elections.

What of the various Human Rights Commissions to which we might appeal? Haven't they already said that freedom of speech is not a Canadian value? Perhaps our government will restore civil order by abolishing these HRCs before it's too late. It would be a foolish waste of time, money and talent for anyone to lodge any further complaints with these unelected tribunals.

Remember there will, One Day, be a Divine Rights Commission to investigate and remedy Human Responsibility Omissions!

Someone has said that knowledge without justice is nothing but wiliness. Likewise, religion removed from God is nothing but politics.

Scripture calls a God-fearing society to maintain justice, to act with mercy, to walk in humility and to practice loving-kindness. This command, for both communities and their individual constituents, is not optional. Disobedience brings consequences.

Once upon a time the Americans did something right. They acted to protect Bald and Golden eagles by making it illegal to kill them or molest their nests.

Now, it's self-evident that eagles will not thrive enclosed by wire mesh. That's not protection. Yet, we have an even more pernicious delusion. We've become more like eagles led astray and hood-winked into believing in a false captivity, not even knowing that they once enjoyed the freedom of soaring in the open skies.

Are you free to live out your faith? Are you free to speak in your own church? Are you free to ask for prayer? Are you free to sing before others in praise of what God is doing in your life? Are you free to tell others what Jesus means to you? Are you free to simply serve Him? This is much more than mere religion.

For God's sake, let's laugh at ourselves and not take everything so seriously, but vicious mockery, masquerading as humour, cannot be ignored. It's true: Religulousity is ridiculous. Stand up. Don't see the movie. If you do go, stand up anyway. Tell me how it challenged you.

Quaecumque sunt vera; if what is written is true, think on these things. Let's turn away from idols. Let's return to the Lord and let Him renew our strength and we shall rise as eagles and finally see the big picture. That's a promise.


photo from http://www.fredericksburgchristian.com/

Rooted in Love

Holding fast despite the torrent

Let us echo Paul's prayer 'that out of his glorious riches, Christ Jesus would strengthen us with power through His Spirit in our inner being, so that He would dwell in our hearts through faith, and that,
being rooted and established in love,
we may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this LOVE that surpasses knowledge...'

Paul also says that God has chosen to be holy the people he loves, and we must clothe ourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

We're to make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends us. Remember, the Lord has forgiven us, so we must forgive others.
Above all, we must clothe ourselves with love,
which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill our lives as we teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom He gives.

Let us sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
Let us be, as much as possible, ambassadors for the Lord Jesus.

And midst the storms of life, whatever happens to the visible church, whatever storms assail us, as long as we cling to Him, we shall have abundant life.
Glory to God!