Monthly Archive for October, 2011

Friend Of Sinners

Published on October 30, 2011 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

Just the other day (October 28, 2011) a former youth pastor at a large church in south Florida was sentenced to 28 years, 10 months in prison for sexual misconduct with a member of the youth group.  He was 28 and she was 14 at the time of the crime.

This man did a terrible thing, deserving of punishment. I make no comment on any part of the case or the sentence.

What I do wish to mention is this statement from the corresponding newspaper article: [The senior pastor] said the church has had no direct contact with [the former youth pastor] since his arrest in November 2009, focusing its attention on helping the victim.

Certainly the victim and her family have needed, and will continue to need much help and care from their church community.  But in a congregation of nearly 7,000, couldn’t someone be designated to support the young man involved?  The absence of this seems tragic.

Jesus was called the friend of sinners.  It was a title spit out in contempt by religious people who viewed involvement with reprobates as guilt by association, a soft stance on the law, and bad politics … perhaps similar to thoughts going through the minds of the leaders in the church mentioned above.

I’ve been a victim of sinful acts a few times, and I’ve known some who’ve been the injured party as well.  Thank God and His people for being there at those moments of need.  The instances in which I’ve been a sinner, however, outnumber any other situation a million to one. Fortunately a few humans, and one God who took the form of man, remain my friend.

 

Love You To Death

Published on October 23, 2011 in Uncategorized. 3 Comments

Is it proper to celebrate when my enemy Is killed?  Or is it more appropriate to accept that the act had to occur, but mourn?

As I write this, the lives of three world-known tyrants have been taken in the past five years.  Each time there has been dancing in the streets.  Controversy soon followed between those who felt the reaction was called for, versus the view that rejoicing over any death – even a justified one – makes the rejoicers little better than the person who had to die.

I look to the Bible for answers.  There I find that the children of Israel danced and sang when the Egyptian army drowned in the Red Sea.  The song gave praise to God, but it was a party in the presence of Egyptian dead bodies, nonetheless. Jesus told us to love our enemies.  Is it possible to love a despot, and be pleased about his or her demise at the same time?  To human reasoning this is difficult, but it might make sense at some spiritual level.

Scripture gives a bit more insight as to the state of mind of the Hebrew people after their enemies were destroyed.  It says: When Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and believed in Him. Perhaps fearing and believing in the Lord are the safest reactions I can have when faced with a complex situation like this one.  There are no simple answers.

Vague On Purpose

Published on October 16, 2011 in Uncategorized. 3 Comments

People complain that God is often vague about what He does.  Perhaps He’s like that intentionally.  Maybe there’s a bigger picture in His mind.

God is supremely interested in having a relationship with each human, individually.  If all His dealings with us were cookie-cutter and predictable, the interactions would be static and dry.

To one, He grants that good fortune and allows this trial.  To another person, it’s the opposite.  Both say “Why, God?” and seek Him for answers.  Exactly what He wanted.  And even when the requests are filled with emotion of all types, that’s OK with God.  Nothing is off limits … that’s just the kind of friend He is.

Many scripture passages point to this truth.  We read that “His ways are higher than our ways,” and “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter.”  We’re also told that we will find God when we seek Him with all our hearts.  Personally, I may never get there in this lifetime, but it’s a great promise nonetheless.

It would be wonderful to have God figured out, to know exactly why He does everything He does.  He’s chosen not to allow that, however, opting instead for a fluid one-on-One dialogue, which He prefers.  And to accomplish that, He’s sometimes vague on purpose.

 

Harvest Time

Published on October 2, 2011 in Uncategorized. 1 Comment

One of the gospels tell us that The Kingdom of God can be compared to what happens when a man scatters seed on the ground. A plant grows, eventually yielding ripe grain.  Then, we’re told “As soon as the crop is ready, he sends for the sickle, because harvest has come.”

The time it takes for a seed to become a fruit-bearing tree or plant can be long.  Once the fruit appears, however, it’s harvested right away.  Life in general acts similarly.

Much of what God has taught me on the spiritual journey has taken years to learn.  He’s very patient in that way.  When the lesson is complete, God’s pace quickens considerably.  Before long, some situation comes up in my own life or someone else’s, requiring me to engage that very understanding … not in words, but in compassion and acceptance.

The Kingdom Of God is about producing fruit in individuals.  Scripture gives us the names of the crops: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self control.  People everywhere are starving for just those things, so no matter how long it takes for the crop to grow, harvest time comes quickly … just as soon as the crop is ready.

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