Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day. It is an annual reminder that we should pause to remember that what we have received is a gift to us from God. The roots of a thanksgiving day are deeply embedded within the fabric of American history. From our earliest school days, we remember the story of the Pilgrims who landed on the shores of Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts in 1620. They were greeted with a terrible winter that claimed a large number of their group. Those who had survived that first winter in the New World, began to focus upon how to prepare to survive another winter. Crops were planted, with the help of some of the peaceful natives who showed those Englishmen how to grow crops in a wilderness setting. And that fall they celebrated with thanksgiving to God for the bounty which God had supplied. That event became the model for all the Thanksgiving Days that have followed.
How do we celebrate Thanksgiving Day today? Well, we begin with bringing family and friends together. Often remembrances are shared that encourage our hearts. Then, we eat way too much. Who can resist that golden-browned turkey? Hey, give me that turkey leg! And the potatoes - oh the piles of mashed potatoes, slathered with hot turkey gravy. And who can forget the cranberries - I know some of my kids and grandkids could easily forget them, but not me. Of course Thanksgiving Dinner would be incomplete without a green-bean casserole or a steaming corn-pudding. Then there are the pies - pumpkin, apple, and pecan. Oh the choices - could I have a piece of each, lavished with whipped cream on top? And then we settle in for a long afternoon of football, or we hit the malls for those early "Black Friday" specials.
But, something is missing, isn't it? What about thanksgiving? What about remembering our blessings? Tomorrow morning for my personal devotions, I will be reading Psalm 103 and Ephesians 1. These two chapters always help me to focus upon an attitude of thanksgiving that will carry me through the day. Where does one begin with his "thanksgiving praise list?" Both David and Paul begin with salvation. I love the words that Paul uses: "chose us before the creation of the world," "predestined," and "adopted." Aren't those great words? Just stop for a moment and reflect upon that amazingly incomprehensible truth: God chose me, God chose you before He created anything. Friends, before there was a Genesis 1:1, there was you - chosen by God! Now that is something to give thanks for.
David exclaims that God has forgiven our sins and healed our diseases. Isn't it great to know that our sins are forgiven? David, in this same Psalm 103, later will write concerning our forgiveness: "For as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." Wow! And what was this disease from which we have been healed? Well, it was that fatal disease of spiritual death caused because of our sins. In Ephesians 2, the Apostle Paul said that "we were dead in our transgressions and sins." But, through Jesus Christ, God has made us clean as the newly driven snow. This elicits another "wow!" from our lips.
David then declares that he will praise God because "he has satisfied his desires with good things." Oh the incredible goodness of God. If salvation is at the top of our "thanksgiving list," then what follows? I can only share with you that for me it is my family - my wonderful bride who has been by my side for over 48 years now; my three kids and their families who constantly remind me of the need to pass down to the next generation the reasons for the hope that lies within me; and for my grandchildren who remind me of the vigor of youth that needs the tempering of maturity.
Then I am grateful for my extended family - for my two sisters, my brother, and my sister-in-law who carries on the memories of a brother now with the Lord. I am blessed with a church family that God has brought into my life and whose lives touch mine in so many incredible ways. They remind me of my need to be that loving, caring shepherd through whom God can speak truth into their lives.
And one cannot forget to give praise for our country. I am grateful for the heritage that is ours because others cared enough that they were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. America is not a perfect place and, often in this blog, I have focused upon those places where that imperfection is clearly shown, but God has used this nation as a tool to bless the world in the past, and hopefully that blessing will continue into the future.
Thanksgiving should be a daily experience of ours. But I am grateful that there is one day set aside especially for that purpose. To quote from Psalm 100: "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." And why should we do this? That Psalm closes with these words: "For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."
So, what praises will be upon your lips as you "enter his gates with thanksgiving?"
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Are We Getting Closer to Peace in the Middle East?
While the focus of our mainstream media has centered upon the continued investigation into some type of collusion between the Russians and the Trump campaign - although that very investigation has now ventured into the arena of possible collusion between the Russians and the Clinton campaign, and upon the shocking revelations of sexual assault and harassment both within the entertainment, media, and governmental arenas, silently things have been happening in the Middle East.
This morning there was a very interesting article, written by Yona Schnitzer and posted on November 14 at: www.worldisraelnews.com/website-leaks-details-Saudi-Israeli-peace-deal.
Allow me to share some of the main points of this article. "A secret correspondence between the Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al Jubeir and Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman reveals the draft of a possible peace deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel, the Lebanese website Al-Akhbar claimed Tuesday. Al-Akhbar posted what it said was the full text of the document which lists five basic principles supposedly agreed upon between Israel and Saudi Arabia, which would constitute the framework for a regional agreement and the end of the Arab Israeli conflict.
"The five principles are: Jerusalem - The Annexation of Jerusalem to international sovereignty as per the 1937 and 1947 partition plans - two international agreements which have recommended that the city not be annexed to either the Arab or Jewish entities." Personally, having been to Jerusalem a dozen times over the past 17 years, I would find it very hard to believe that the Israelis would surrender their capital city to the supervision of an international agency. The cry after the 1967 Six Day War, following the capture of the Old City from the Royal Jordanian Forces, was "never again," meaning that never again would the city of Jerusalem be anything less than an united city under Jewish rule.
"Palestinian Refugees - Saudi Arabia affirms its aspiration to settle Palestinian refugees in their countries of residence. The Kingdom can contribute to this effort by supporting innovative solutions such as cancelling the Arab League's decision from the 1950s by which no Arab nation is to settle Palestinian refugees within their borders, as well as divert efforts to the redistribution and settlement of Palestinians refugees throughout the Arab states." Friends, this point has been a sticking point in any possible peace-plan. Immediately after the 1948 War of Independence, the Arab League decided that those Palestinians who had fled Palestine during the 1948 War should remain as refugees - they should not be assimilated into other Arab states. The demand was that all refugees be granted a return status back into the State of Israel. This would create a logistical nightmare for Israel. Those properties that had been abandoned by fleeing Palestinians in 1948 now are in the hands of Israelis. Should they be dispossessed? And the number of potential refugees has grown almost exponentially. So, if this "secretly negotiated plan" is true, then this resolution is a huge one.
"American Mediation and Agreed Upon Principles - The United States and Saudi Arabia will reach agreements regarding the main principles for ending the conflict, after which President Trump would summon the foreign ministers of the region to a summit in order to obtain their agreements, and only after all have agreed to the same basic principals, would the actual negotiations begin." The mainstream media has been rather silent as to the comings and goings of the Trump Administration within the Middle East. Yes, they covered President Trumps trip to the Middle East last Spring. Jarod Kushner has made several trips to the Middle East, acting as President Trump's envoy. Reports surfaced that the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia made a secret visit to Israel in September where he met with Prime Minister Netanyahu. Undoubtedly there have been behind-the-scenes negotiations taking place.
"Saudi Influence - Saudi Arabia's most effective and important role is to recruit others to support this deal, which will usher in a new era of peace and prosperity between Israel and the Arab and Muslim worlds. At first, normalization of relations with Israel will not enjoy wide public support throughout the Arab world, but Saudi Arabia believes that the combination of Israeli technology and the Gulf state's economic power and energy markets could bring out the Middle East's full potential and obtain peace, prosperity and stability." The Middle East is certainly a region filled with resources that could boost any economy. Israel is the incubator of technological ideas that soon become everyday products affecting life from agriculture to healthcare. The Arab States still possess massive quantities of energy resources. If these nations could learn to work-together, they could produce a regional economy that would rival that of the United States or China.
"Iran - The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the longest lasting conflict in the region. Over the years, it has served as a justification for the actions of extremists, and has also distracted the major players in the region from focusing on the central threat to its stability - Iran. In accordance to the deal, both Israel and Saudi Arabia must commit themselves to an effective cooperation in order to stop Iran." Friends, this is a crucial point. The Saudis are very leery of the actions of their neighbor to the north. Recently a missile, fired from Iranian-back rebels in Yemen, hit within the Saudi borders. Many believe that a war between Iran and Saudi Arabia is inevitable and even imminent. Some are inclined to think that the reason for the "secret" meeting between the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Netanyahu concerned a possible role Israel might play if such a war became a reality.
The author of this article then states: "The letter opens with a statement that Saudi Arabia is the most powerful and most important entity in the Arab world, and that any solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must be supported by the Kingdom in order to gain legitimacy in the Arab world. It continued to state that dealing with Israel is extremely problematic in the eyes of the Arab world, and that the kingdom would only take such a risk if America was serious in its intentions to act against Iran, and stop them from destabilizing the region."
Friends, if this report is confirmed by both the Saudis and the Israelis, then some giant steps have been taken forward in the region. I believe the driving force is the escalating threat of Iran. It continues moving forward toward the creation of a nuclear weapon and the means for the delivery of such a weapon. Saudi Arabia and Israel are the two primary countries in the Middle East that stand in Iran's path toward total domination of the Middle East. Therefore, it would seem to be in the best interests of both the Saudis and the Israelis to work together toward an Iran-Solution. Will it happen? I guess time will tell.
Before I close this week's blog, I want to share some "Profound Thoughts." These were sent to me by a member of my congregation. He had received them from someone else. I do not know the origin of these "Profound Thoughts," but thought they might bless your day.
#1 - "Once all villagers decided to pray for rain. On the day of prayer all the people gathered, but only one boy came with an umbrella. That's FAITH.
"2 - "When you throw babies in the air, they laugh because they know you will catch them. That's TRUST.
"3 - "Every night we go to bed without any assurance of being alive the next morning, but still we set the alarms to wake up. That's HOPE.
#4 - "We plan big things for tomorrow in spite of zero knowledge of the future. That's CONFIDENCE.
#5 - "We see the world suffering, but still we get married and have children. That's LOVE.
#6 - "On an old man's shirt was written a sentence 'I am not 80 years old; I am sweet 16 with 64 years of experience.' That's ATTITUDE." (I really liked that last one!)
This morning there was a very interesting article, written by Yona Schnitzer and posted on November 14 at: www.worldisraelnews.com/website-leaks-details-Saudi-Israeli-peace-deal.
Allow me to share some of the main points of this article. "A secret correspondence between the Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al Jubeir and Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman reveals the draft of a possible peace deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel, the Lebanese website Al-Akhbar claimed Tuesday. Al-Akhbar posted what it said was the full text of the document which lists five basic principles supposedly agreed upon between Israel and Saudi Arabia, which would constitute the framework for a regional agreement and the end of the Arab Israeli conflict.
"The five principles are: Jerusalem - The Annexation of Jerusalem to international sovereignty as per the 1937 and 1947 partition plans - two international agreements which have recommended that the city not be annexed to either the Arab or Jewish entities." Personally, having been to Jerusalem a dozen times over the past 17 years, I would find it very hard to believe that the Israelis would surrender their capital city to the supervision of an international agency. The cry after the 1967 Six Day War, following the capture of the Old City from the Royal Jordanian Forces, was "never again," meaning that never again would the city of Jerusalem be anything less than an united city under Jewish rule.
"Palestinian Refugees - Saudi Arabia affirms its aspiration to settle Palestinian refugees in their countries of residence. The Kingdom can contribute to this effort by supporting innovative solutions such as cancelling the Arab League's decision from the 1950s by which no Arab nation is to settle Palestinian refugees within their borders, as well as divert efforts to the redistribution and settlement of Palestinians refugees throughout the Arab states." Friends, this point has been a sticking point in any possible peace-plan. Immediately after the 1948 War of Independence, the Arab League decided that those Palestinians who had fled Palestine during the 1948 War should remain as refugees - they should not be assimilated into other Arab states. The demand was that all refugees be granted a return status back into the State of Israel. This would create a logistical nightmare for Israel. Those properties that had been abandoned by fleeing Palestinians in 1948 now are in the hands of Israelis. Should they be dispossessed? And the number of potential refugees has grown almost exponentially. So, if this "secretly negotiated plan" is true, then this resolution is a huge one.
"American Mediation and Agreed Upon Principles - The United States and Saudi Arabia will reach agreements regarding the main principles for ending the conflict, after which President Trump would summon the foreign ministers of the region to a summit in order to obtain their agreements, and only after all have agreed to the same basic principals, would the actual negotiations begin." The mainstream media has been rather silent as to the comings and goings of the Trump Administration within the Middle East. Yes, they covered President Trumps trip to the Middle East last Spring. Jarod Kushner has made several trips to the Middle East, acting as President Trump's envoy. Reports surfaced that the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia made a secret visit to Israel in September where he met with Prime Minister Netanyahu. Undoubtedly there have been behind-the-scenes negotiations taking place.
"Saudi Influence - Saudi Arabia's most effective and important role is to recruit others to support this deal, which will usher in a new era of peace and prosperity between Israel and the Arab and Muslim worlds. At first, normalization of relations with Israel will not enjoy wide public support throughout the Arab world, but Saudi Arabia believes that the combination of Israeli technology and the Gulf state's economic power and energy markets could bring out the Middle East's full potential and obtain peace, prosperity and stability." The Middle East is certainly a region filled with resources that could boost any economy. Israel is the incubator of technological ideas that soon become everyday products affecting life from agriculture to healthcare. The Arab States still possess massive quantities of energy resources. If these nations could learn to work-together, they could produce a regional economy that would rival that of the United States or China.
"Iran - The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the longest lasting conflict in the region. Over the years, it has served as a justification for the actions of extremists, and has also distracted the major players in the region from focusing on the central threat to its stability - Iran. In accordance to the deal, both Israel and Saudi Arabia must commit themselves to an effective cooperation in order to stop Iran." Friends, this is a crucial point. The Saudis are very leery of the actions of their neighbor to the north. Recently a missile, fired from Iranian-back rebels in Yemen, hit within the Saudi borders. Many believe that a war between Iran and Saudi Arabia is inevitable and even imminent. Some are inclined to think that the reason for the "secret" meeting between the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Netanyahu concerned a possible role Israel might play if such a war became a reality.
The author of this article then states: "The letter opens with a statement that Saudi Arabia is the most powerful and most important entity in the Arab world, and that any solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must be supported by the Kingdom in order to gain legitimacy in the Arab world. It continued to state that dealing with Israel is extremely problematic in the eyes of the Arab world, and that the kingdom would only take such a risk if America was serious in its intentions to act against Iran, and stop them from destabilizing the region."
Friends, if this report is confirmed by both the Saudis and the Israelis, then some giant steps have been taken forward in the region. I believe the driving force is the escalating threat of Iran. It continues moving forward toward the creation of a nuclear weapon and the means for the delivery of such a weapon. Saudi Arabia and Israel are the two primary countries in the Middle East that stand in Iran's path toward total domination of the Middle East. Therefore, it would seem to be in the best interests of both the Saudis and the Israelis to work together toward an Iran-Solution. Will it happen? I guess time will tell.
Before I close this week's blog, I want to share some "Profound Thoughts." These were sent to me by a member of my congregation. He had received them from someone else. I do not know the origin of these "Profound Thoughts," but thought they might bless your day.
#1 - "Once all villagers decided to pray for rain. On the day of prayer all the people gathered, but only one boy came with an umbrella. That's FAITH.
"2 - "When you throw babies in the air, they laugh because they know you will catch them. That's TRUST.
"3 - "Every night we go to bed without any assurance of being alive the next morning, but still we set the alarms to wake up. That's HOPE.
#4 - "We plan big things for tomorrow in spite of zero knowledge of the future. That's CONFIDENCE.
#5 - "We see the world suffering, but still we get married and have children. That's LOVE.
#6 - "On an old man's shirt was written a sentence 'I am not 80 years old; I am sweet 16 with 64 years of experience.' That's ATTITUDE." (I really liked that last one!)
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
A Stunned Nation and a Mocked God
I think we were all stunned with the horrific shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, this past Sunday morning. From what we have learned, the 26-year old gunman went to that church because he was angry at his mother-in-law who attended services there. The tragedy was that the mother-in-law was not there last Sunday. Instead, the shooter entered through the rear doors to the sanctuary and began shooting. People huddled on the floor between the pews while the gunman walked down the aisles shooting those lying on the floor. In the end, twenty-six people were murdered and another twenty were wounded. Eight members from one family were among the victims. Our thoughts and prayers are focused upon this small church as they mourn the loss of so many.
The first church I pastored was a small church much like the one in Sutherland Springs. We had a congregation of around 100 or so. It was a family church with a close bond between those who attended. How does a church pick up the pieces when a quarter of your congregation is taken so quickly and so needlessly? I pray for that pastor who not only mourns the loss of so many friends but also the loss of his daughter.
And, yes we should pray. What I found almost nauseating were the responses of many within the mainstream media, especially, who mocked those praying. Jeremy Hunt responded with a posting at www.foxnews.com/opinion/2017/11/06/texas-church-shooting-keep-my-thoughts-and-prayers-out-of-your-political-agenda. He writes: "Yet somehow, as our country mourns the loss of innocent life, there's a new wave of indignation directed at people who dare to pray for the victims. That's right. As well-intentioned Americans pray for their countrymen who were just gunned down while worshipping God, gun control advocates are bashing them for their expression of faith." He then gives a few examples: from John Pavolovitz - "If you pray for victims of gun violence while doing nothing else - your prayers may as well be bullets for the next mass shooting." From Paula Poundstone - "Dear Pres. Trump + V.P. Pence, If prayers were the answer 2 gun violence wouldn't people at a church service be safe? Pleas make gun laws." And this from Keith Olbermann - "Speaker Ryan, bluntly: shove your prayers up your a-- AND DO SOMETHING WITH YOUR LIFE BESIDES PLATITUDES AND POWER GRABS."
Mr. Hunt goes one to write: "It's one thing to hold strong opinions about gun control. But it is entirely different to direct anger towards people of faith after such a horrific tragedy. Just because you might not believe in prayer, doesn't give you the right to publicly insult those who do.
"In some ways, this outrage against prayer is emblematic of national trends. As America grows increasingly hostile to Christianity, inappropriate and insensitive rhetoric regarding expressions of faith has become more acceptable. It seems the same people who pride themselves on advocating for religious and cultural 'tolerance' are the least tolerant when it comes to American Christians."
The author concludes: "As long as there is evil in this world, Americans should continue to exercise their right to pray for a brighter day. This is - no doubt - a troubling time for our nation. But it's times like these that often bring forth the best that our nation has to offer. Slandering the faithful among us isn't the path to a unified, peaceful America. We can do better."
The God-deniers are marching strongly and boldly today. They shake their fists in the face of a God whose existence they deny. They show open contempt for anyone and anything that reminds them of what they are trying so desperately to deny.
Let me share another article that reminds us of how far down the slippery slope of immorality we have gone. The author is Todd Starnes and his article was published on the Townhall website: www.townhall.com/columnists/toddstarnes/2017/11/02/delaware-to-let-students-decide-race-gender.
"White boys could soon self-identify as black girls in Delaware," he begins his column. "The state Department of Education is considering sweeping regulations regarding discrimination that would allow children to determine their gender and their race. The proposed 'Regulation 225 Prohibition of Discrimination' could set the stage for a gender-bending, cultural appropriation free-for-all in the nation's first state. 'All students enrolled in a Delaware public school may self-identify gender or race,' the proposed regulation states. The state educators use a term called 'Protected Characteristics' to describe race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity and other characteristics protected by state or federal law. And the proposed regulation should scare the living daylights out of every mom and dad in the state. It clearly states school leaders would not necessarily be required to notify parents if Billy suddenly decides to identify as Sally. ... The Delaware Department of Education believes it is best equipped to handle your child's gender or pigmentation change. In other words, government knows best."
Starnes continues, "But this is what happens when the government assumes they can do a better job than you when it comes to parenting your child. 'This is a 5-alarm alert for parents,' Theis told me. (Nicole Theis, president of the Delaware Family Policy Council). 'The effects of the deliberate conditioning of children as early as pre-school into believing they can deny biological facts and realities and identify as whatever gender or race they feel, and to what end?'"
Friends, we are living in a world that has lost its moral bearings. "Every man did that which was right in his own eyes" has become the clarion call of our age. As a culture we have abandoned the belief in any type of absolute moral truth. To put it bluntly, we have abandoned God! God said that He created males and females (Genesis 1:27). But, because we no longer value what God has said, we have created, at last count according to what I heard yesterday, sixty-two different gender categories.
What is happening in Delaware should frighten us. Can I be a white male today and tomorrow be a black female? What if I would then want to be a black male or a white female? Could I change my gender and race depending upon how I feel when I wake up in the morning, thus resulting in my being gender-confused and racially-confused my entire life? And then we wonder why so many of these confused people end up taking their own lives. It is because they have no anchor. It is because they have no sense of direction or of purpose. God is never the author of confusion, but the Enemy uses confusion as one of his chief strategies.
Friends, yes, it is time to wake-up. Yes, it is time to sound the battle cry! Yes, it is time to proclaim God's Truth into every avenue of culture today. I believe there is not much time remaining in this present age, but, until the trumpet sounds, we have a responsibility to be witnesses of God's saving grace.
The first church I pastored was a small church much like the one in Sutherland Springs. We had a congregation of around 100 or so. It was a family church with a close bond between those who attended. How does a church pick up the pieces when a quarter of your congregation is taken so quickly and so needlessly? I pray for that pastor who not only mourns the loss of so many friends but also the loss of his daughter.
And, yes we should pray. What I found almost nauseating were the responses of many within the mainstream media, especially, who mocked those praying. Jeremy Hunt responded with a posting at www.foxnews.com/opinion/2017/11/06/texas-church-shooting-keep-my-thoughts-and-prayers-out-of-your-political-agenda. He writes: "Yet somehow, as our country mourns the loss of innocent life, there's a new wave of indignation directed at people who dare to pray for the victims. That's right. As well-intentioned Americans pray for their countrymen who were just gunned down while worshipping God, gun control advocates are bashing them for their expression of faith." He then gives a few examples: from John Pavolovitz - "If you pray for victims of gun violence while doing nothing else - your prayers may as well be bullets for the next mass shooting." From Paula Poundstone - "Dear Pres. Trump + V.P. Pence, If prayers were the answer 2 gun violence wouldn't people at a church service be safe? Pleas make gun laws." And this from Keith Olbermann - "Speaker Ryan, bluntly: shove your prayers up your a-- AND DO SOMETHING WITH YOUR LIFE BESIDES PLATITUDES AND POWER GRABS."
Mr. Hunt goes one to write: "It's one thing to hold strong opinions about gun control. But it is entirely different to direct anger towards people of faith after such a horrific tragedy. Just because you might not believe in prayer, doesn't give you the right to publicly insult those who do.
"In some ways, this outrage against prayer is emblematic of national trends. As America grows increasingly hostile to Christianity, inappropriate and insensitive rhetoric regarding expressions of faith has become more acceptable. It seems the same people who pride themselves on advocating for religious and cultural 'tolerance' are the least tolerant when it comes to American Christians."
The author concludes: "As long as there is evil in this world, Americans should continue to exercise their right to pray for a brighter day. This is - no doubt - a troubling time for our nation. But it's times like these that often bring forth the best that our nation has to offer. Slandering the faithful among us isn't the path to a unified, peaceful America. We can do better."
The God-deniers are marching strongly and boldly today. They shake their fists in the face of a God whose existence they deny. They show open contempt for anyone and anything that reminds them of what they are trying so desperately to deny.
Let me share another article that reminds us of how far down the slippery slope of immorality we have gone. The author is Todd Starnes and his article was published on the Townhall website: www.townhall.com/columnists/toddstarnes/2017/11/02/delaware-to-let-students-decide-race-gender.
"White boys could soon self-identify as black girls in Delaware," he begins his column. "The state Department of Education is considering sweeping regulations regarding discrimination that would allow children to determine their gender and their race. The proposed 'Regulation 225 Prohibition of Discrimination' could set the stage for a gender-bending, cultural appropriation free-for-all in the nation's first state. 'All students enrolled in a Delaware public school may self-identify gender or race,' the proposed regulation states. The state educators use a term called 'Protected Characteristics' to describe race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity and other characteristics protected by state or federal law. And the proposed regulation should scare the living daylights out of every mom and dad in the state. It clearly states school leaders would not necessarily be required to notify parents if Billy suddenly decides to identify as Sally. ... The Delaware Department of Education believes it is best equipped to handle your child's gender or pigmentation change. In other words, government knows best."
Starnes continues, "But this is what happens when the government assumes they can do a better job than you when it comes to parenting your child. 'This is a 5-alarm alert for parents,' Theis told me. (Nicole Theis, president of the Delaware Family Policy Council). 'The effects of the deliberate conditioning of children as early as pre-school into believing they can deny biological facts and realities and identify as whatever gender or race they feel, and to what end?'"
Friends, we are living in a world that has lost its moral bearings. "Every man did that which was right in his own eyes" has become the clarion call of our age. As a culture we have abandoned the belief in any type of absolute moral truth. To put it bluntly, we have abandoned God! God said that He created males and females (Genesis 1:27). But, because we no longer value what God has said, we have created, at last count according to what I heard yesterday, sixty-two different gender categories.
What is happening in Delaware should frighten us. Can I be a white male today and tomorrow be a black female? What if I would then want to be a black male or a white female? Could I change my gender and race depending upon how I feel when I wake up in the morning, thus resulting in my being gender-confused and racially-confused my entire life? And then we wonder why so many of these confused people end up taking their own lives. It is because they have no anchor. It is because they have no sense of direction or of purpose. God is never the author of confusion, but the Enemy uses confusion as one of his chief strategies.
Friends, yes, it is time to wake-up. Yes, it is time to sound the battle cry! Yes, it is time to proclaim God's Truth into every avenue of culture today. I believe there is not much time remaining in this present age, but, until the trumpet sounds, we have a responsibility to be witnesses of God's saving grace.
Wednesday, November 1, 2017
An Attack in New York City: What Does It Mean?
The war against ISIS may be nearing an end in Syria and Iraq, but, the event yesterday in New York City shows that ISIS is not destroyed. The push for a worldwide caliphate may be in its waning days, but the spirit behind that caliphate continues to thrive in the hearts of those who follow diligently that radical ideology. And always the target is the innocent - those individuals just going about their everyday life. Yesterday it was those biking along a city street or pedestrians walking on a sidewalk. Those people were full of dreams and aspirations. They were loved by a spouse, by a Mom and Dad. They had careers. They celebrated life.
Suddenly, without any warning, eight of those lives were snuffed out. They did not know the one who perpetrated this hateful act. They did not even have the opportunity of defending themselves. In a matter of moments, eight individuals were ushered into eternity. One can only hope that they were ready to meet God.
The investigation will continue for weeks, if not months. The one who used the rented truck to destroy lives will be interrogated. The content of his computer will be analyzed and re-analyzed looking for a motivation for such a horrific act. The media will hurl accusations against governmental agencies whom they believe should have done something so this act would have been avoided. Conversations will be held that will center around the theme of "what did we do that would cause a young man to do something so violent?" Many will begin to bear the guilt that perhaps, just perhaps, they are responsible for the decisions this young man made.
But, friends, what happened yesterday in New York City - and what we have seen happen in London, Barcelona, Madrid and countless places elsewhere - is a product of a radical interpretation of Islamic ideology. Radicalized Islam believes that they are the only conveyors of Allah's will upon the earth. They further believe that everyone must come to the place of accepting Allah's will, which is a universal Islamic state, known as the Caliphate. Furthermore, they hold strongly to the belief that it is permissible to destroy any who would oppose their plan. Innocent bikers on a street - they need to die. Innocent people on a sidewalk - they need to die. Innocent people standing on a train platform - they need to die. Innocent tourists crossing a famous bridge in London - they need to die. And so the slaughter from these radicalized Islamic terrorists continue worldwide.
This month marks the 100th anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, the beginning of the practice of a Communist ideology. And what was the operating mantra of the Communists? It was the extermination of all those who opposed it. Thus, tens of millions of Russians perished, many within the Soviet Gulags in Siberia, especially during the Stalin-years. And what of the tens of millions of Chinese who perished, often after being brutally tortured, under the rule of Chairman Mao? Hitler also had his own version of eliminating those who opposed Nazism, employing death camps where millions of people perished.
Do you see a common denominator here? A radical ideology, whether it is Communism, Nazism, or Islam, resorts to programs to destroy those who oppose that ideology. And the most common form of destruction is to cause people to die. (By the way, the Church has not been immune from such practices as the Crusades and later Inquisition will attest to). The philosophy is this: I am right, you are wrong; if you don't agree with me, then you deserve to die.
How did Jesus instruct us with regard to those who oppose us? And, yes, He knew that His teachings would create all kinds of opposition. Jesus even warned His disciples that He would be the reason for divisions within a family (Luke 12:51-53). In fact, it would almost seem that Jesus guaranteed His disciples that they would encounter opposition (John 16:33 and Mathew 5:11-12). Was Jesus' instructions to His disciples to go out and retaliate against those who opposed them? Did He give instructions that they should seek to destroy them? Listen to these amazing, yet startling, words of Jesus: "I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). No death camps. No gulags. No rented trucks mowing down bikers and pedestrians. Jesus's command was simply: love them and pray for them. Now, friends, that is a radical thought!
And which method do you think will prevail in the end? The death camps of the Nazis are now museums. Many of the gulags of the Soviets are now crumbled. And the terrorist threats from the radicalized Islamic extremists will also fail. For, as the story of this world comes to a close, the plan of Jesus will prevail. It is not a kingdom of Nazis, nor a kingdom of Communists, nor a kingdom of Islam, but a kingdom of followers of Jesus Christ that will prevail. And with that truth I will close with a big "Hallelujah!"
Suddenly, without any warning, eight of those lives were snuffed out. They did not know the one who perpetrated this hateful act. They did not even have the opportunity of defending themselves. In a matter of moments, eight individuals were ushered into eternity. One can only hope that they were ready to meet God.
The investigation will continue for weeks, if not months. The one who used the rented truck to destroy lives will be interrogated. The content of his computer will be analyzed and re-analyzed looking for a motivation for such a horrific act. The media will hurl accusations against governmental agencies whom they believe should have done something so this act would have been avoided. Conversations will be held that will center around the theme of "what did we do that would cause a young man to do something so violent?" Many will begin to bear the guilt that perhaps, just perhaps, they are responsible for the decisions this young man made.
But, friends, what happened yesterday in New York City - and what we have seen happen in London, Barcelona, Madrid and countless places elsewhere - is a product of a radical interpretation of Islamic ideology. Radicalized Islam believes that they are the only conveyors of Allah's will upon the earth. They further believe that everyone must come to the place of accepting Allah's will, which is a universal Islamic state, known as the Caliphate. Furthermore, they hold strongly to the belief that it is permissible to destroy any who would oppose their plan. Innocent bikers on a street - they need to die. Innocent people on a sidewalk - they need to die. Innocent people standing on a train platform - they need to die. Innocent tourists crossing a famous bridge in London - they need to die. And so the slaughter from these radicalized Islamic terrorists continue worldwide.
This month marks the 100th anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, the beginning of the practice of a Communist ideology. And what was the operating mantra of the Communists? It was the extermination of all those who opposed it. Thus, tens of millions of Russians perished, many within the Soviet Gulags in Siberia, especially during the Stalin-years. And what of the tens of millions of Chinese who perished, often after being brutally tortured, under the rule of Chairman Mao? Hitler also had his own version of eliminating those who opposed Nazism, employing death camps where millions of people perished.
Do you see a common denominator here? A radical ideology, whether it is Communism, Nazism, or Islam, resorts to programs to destroy those who oppose that ideology. And the most common form of destruction is to cause people to die. (By the way, the Church has not been immune from such practices as the Crusades and later Inquisition will attest to). The philosophy is this: I am right, you are wrong; if you don't agree with me, then you deserve to die.
How did Jesus instruct us with regard to those who oppose us? And, yes, He knew that His teachings would create all kinds of opposition. Jesus even warned His disciples that He would be the reason for divisions within a family (Luke 12:51-53). In fact, it would almost seem that Jesus guaranteed His disciples that they would encounter opposition (John 16:33 and Mathew 5:11-12). Was Jesus' instructions to His disciples to go out and retaliate against those who opposed them? Did He give instructions that they should seek to destroy them? Listen to these amazing, yet startling, words of Jesus: "I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). No death camps. No gulags. No rented trucks mowing down bikers and pedestrians. Jesus's command was simply: love them and pray for them. Now, friends, that is a radical thought!
And which method do you think will prevail in the end? The death camps of the Nazis are now museums. Many of the gulags of the Soviets are now crumbled. And the terrorist threats from the radicalized Islamic extremists will also fail. For, as the story of this world comes to a close, the plan of Jesus will prevail. It is not a kingdom of Nazis, nor a kingdom of Communists, nor a kingdom of Islam, but a kingdom of followers of Jesus Christ that will prevail. And with that truth I will close with a big "Hallelujah!"
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Where Is the Good News?
I don't know about you, but I hunger for a newscast that contains just one piece of good news, one story that will encourage my heart, one example that would shine as a light in the midst of the darkness of our times. But such stories are not easily discovered. And so we become overwhelmed with the magnitude of evil that is around us.
There is the cesspool that is Hollywood in particular and the entertainment business in general. It seems that almost daily another woman steps forward with a lurid story of sexual harassment, and at times, sexual debasement she was forced to endure just to obtain employment. And these predators were not just "back-alley thugs" but men respected by the entertainment and film industry. "Back-alley thugs" we lock up in our jails and prisons; these people were wined and dined by others with power. Oh the rumors were there, but silence became the norm. Friends, I believe we are just now beginning to see the tip of the iceberg of the immorality and debauchery that has been part of the Hollywood scene for decades. America has its own Sodom and Gomorrah.
Then there is the continued assault upon the truth that is as old as time itself. "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them" (Genesis 1:27). Did you notice that God created males and females only. There are only two sexes. Yet, the State of California has just approved a third gender option when you apply for a driver's license within that state. There is male, female, and now nonbinary, which means "I don't know what I am! I am confused about my gender."
I understand from conversations with physicians and psychologists that a very small percentage of the population is born with a lack of gender clarity. In other words, this phenomenon is rare. But what is happening today, I believe, is a direct assault upon the character of God. It is as if we have said to God, "We don't have to recognize what you have said. From now on, it is all about us and not about you!" If we want to create a dozen different options concerning gender, then who is to stop us? In these days I am drawn back to the words of Paul to the church in Rome, words that probably stirred as much controversy in the first century as they still do in the twenty-first century. Paul writes: "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse" (Romans 1:18-20).
Paul is saying that there is a willful and deliberate suppression of God's truth by godless and wicked men. They know exactly what they are doing. There is no "wow, I guess I messed up!" There is, however, a "Wow! Let's continue to mess up!" The evil heart of man knows exactly what it is doing. There is no accidental turning away from God.
Let's continue in the text: "For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles" (Romans 1:21-23). When one turns away from God, the only thing that remains is either the worship of self or the worship of the world around us. And, when a person begins to worship himself or herself, then it is so easy to defend any action you make, no matter how perverse it might be.
Paul continues, "Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator - who is forever praised" (Romans 1:24-25). Later Paul will say that God gave them over to shameful lusts (Romans 1:26) and then to depraved minds (Romans 1:28).
Friends, the cesspool of Hollywood and the explosion of transgenderism and gender confusion can be laid directly upon the abandonment of absolute truth found in the person of a holy God and expressed through His Holy Word. Now I know some of you will say, "But Max, there has always been the expression of immorality throughout the generations and cultures." And you are right, with this exception: In the past, immorality has been looked upon as a deviation from acceptable behavior; today immorality has lost its stigma. But, the Apostle Paul warned us that this would happen when he wrote: "Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them" (Romans 1:32). "It's wrong, but let's do it anyway! What can God do about it?"
Finally, there is the escalation of violence in our communities. We have almost become numbed to the weekly totals of shootings and homicides that come from Chicago. But it is happening all around us. Small town are not immune to murders or assaults upon others. People are murdered by complete strangers for no reason at all. Whether it is on a train platform in France or on a crowded street corner in London or riding the subway in New York City, one must be alert to those around him or her.
But I do want to close with one tremendous piece of good news. It is simply this: Jesus Christ is coming again! Each day we draw one day closer to His coming! My hope is not anchored in CNN, ABC, NBC, or even Fox News. My hope is built on nothing else - except the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When I am tempted toward despair, I simply look up ready to hear the trumpet. And then I focus upon what God has commanded me to do: to proclaim His Truth unashamedly to others and to encourage them in their faith. I trust that is your practice as well.
There is the cesspool that is Hollywood in particular and the entertainment business in general. It seems that almost daily another woman steps forward with a lurid story of sexual harassment, and at times, sexual debasement she was forced to endure just to obtain employment. And these predators were not just "back-alley thugs" but men respected by the entertainment and film industry. "Back-alley thugs" we lock up in our jails and prisons; these people were wined and dined by others with power. Oh the rumors were there, but silence became the norm. Friends, I believe we are just now beginning to see the tip of the iceberg of the immorality and debauchery that has been part of the Hollywood scene for decades. America has its own Sodom and Gomorrah.
Then there is the continued assault upon the truth that is as old as time itself. "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them" (Genesis 1:27). Did you notice that God created males and females only. There are only two sexes. Yet, the State of California has just approved a third gender option when you apply for a driver's license within that state. There is male, female, and now nonbinary, which means "I don't know what I am! I am confused about my gender."
I understand from conversations with physicians and psychologists that a very small percentage of the population is born with a lack of gender clarity. In other words, this phenomenon is rare. But what is happening today, I believe, is a direct assault upon the character of God. It is as if we have said to God, "We don't have to recognize what you have said. From now on, it is all about us and not about you!" If we want to create a dozen different options concerning gender, then who is to stop us? In these days I am drawn back to the words of Paul to the church in Rome, words that probably stirred as much controversy in the first century as they still do in the twenty-first century. Paul writes: "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse" (Romans 1:18-20).
Paul is saying that there is a willful and deliberate suppression of God's truth by godless and wicked men. They know exactly what they are doing. There is no "wow, I guess I messed up!" There is, however, a "Wow! Let's continue to mess up!" The evil heart of man knows exactly what it is doing. There is no accidental turning away from God.
Let's continue in the text: "For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles" (Romans 1:21-23). When one turns away from God, the only thing that remains is either the worship of self or the worship of the world around us. And, when a person begins to worship himself or herself, then it is so easy to defend any action you make, no matter how perverse it might be.
Paul continues, "Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator - who is forever praised" (Romans 1:24-25). Later Paul will say that God gave them over to shameful lusts (Romans 1:26) and then to depraved minds (Romans 1:28).
Friends, the cesspool of Hollywood and the explosion of transgenderism and gender confusion can be laid directly upon the abandonment of absolute truth found in the person of a holy God and expressed through His Holy Word. Now I know some of you will say, "But Max, there has always been the expression of immorality throughout the generations and cultures." And you are right, with this exception: In the past, immorality has been looked upon as a deviation from acceptable behavior; today immorality has lost its stigma. But, the Apostle Paul warned us that this would happen when he wrote: "Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them" (Romans 1:32). "It's wrong, but let's do it anyway! What can God do about it?"
Finally, there is the escalation of violence in our communities. We have almost become numbed to the weekly totals of shootings and homicides that come from Chicago. But it is happening all around us. Small town are not immune to murders or assaults upon others. People are murdered by complete strangers for no reason at all. Whether it is on a train platform in France or on a crowded street corner in London or riding the subway in New York City, one must be alert to those around him or her.
But I do want to close with one tremendous piece of good news. It is simply this: Jesus Christ is coming again! Each day we draw one day closer to His coming! My hope is not anchored in CNN, ABC, NBC, or even Fox News. My hope is built on nothing else - except the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When I am tempted toward despair, I simply look up ready to hear the trumpet. And then I focus upon what God has commanded me to do: to proclaim His Truth unashamedly to others and to encourage them in their faith. I trust that is your practice as well.
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
A Great Book and A Great Article - Both Must Reads
I just finished reading the newest book by Dinesh D'Souza which is titled: "The Big Lie: Exposing the Nazi Roots of the American Left." First, let me warn you that this is not one of those books that you can sit down and read in the space of an evening. Oh, I suppose you could, but you would miss much of what the author intended you to receive. I found that I could only read a few pages before I would ask myself the following: "Wow! How did that happen?" or "That can't be true, can it?" or "Now it makes sense."
The premise of Dr. D'Souza's book is that there is a strong relationship between the policies and foundations that caused the rise of Fascism in Italy and Nazism in Germany in the 1920's and 1930's and the American Left today. In fact, D'Souza makes a strong case that Mussolini fashioned his Black Shirt Fascism in Italy around the teachings of Woodrow Wilson and then Franklin Roosevelt. His conclusion is that the real Fascists in America today is not Donald Trump and ultra right, but the Left. The problem is that the real Fascists, namely the American Left, has attached that title to the American Right. And this "big lie" has been promoted by both the mainstream media and the Hollywood entertainment industry, both of which are dominated by those on the Left.
This is an important book that I believe every American should read. It is not an easy book to read. It is a book that requires its reader to stop and do some critical thinking. At times I know you will strongly object, but just read the footnotes and pay attention to the sources that are cited. There is nothing secret about what D'Souza writes. It is all very public.
I have shared with several that this book and a book written by Jonah Goldberg titled "Liberal Fascism" has really influenced my understanding of the current political and cultural climate in America today.
Speaking of America's cultural climate, I received an article yesterday from one of our church leaders. It is an article written by Jeannie Cunnion and found at the Fox News.com website. (www.foxnews.com/opinion/2017/10/16/Americas-teen-anxiety-epidemic-is-heartbreaking-parents-heres-incredible-thing-must-do-now.)
"I sat on a parenting panel last month with a well-known and widely respected counselor by the name of Sissy Goff, M.Ed, LPC-MHSP. She is the Director of Child & Adolescent counseling at Daystar in Nashville and when asked about the biggest issue facing kids today, she confirmed what you've probably read about recently on your news feed or even your Facebook feed - the increasing anxiety epidemic in our country. But it's not just an epidemic among our kids. It's an epidemic among us - their parents.
"According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety is the most common mental-health disorder in the United States affecting nearly one-third of both adolescents and adults. In a recent article entitled, 'Why Are More American Teenagers Than Ever Suffering from Severe Anxiety' we glean significant insight into the anxiety epidemic:
a. Privileged youths are among the most emotionally distressed young people in America. These kids are incredibly anxious and perfectionistic.
b. For many of these young people, the biggest single stressor is that they never get to the point where they can say, 'I've done enough, and now I can stop.' Kids have a sense that they're not measuring up. The pressure is relentless and getting worse.
"We have to be willing to take an honest (maybe painfully honest) look at how we may have contributed to the anxiety our kids feel with the pressure we just might be passing down. With our unrealistic expectations and impossible standards of ourselves, and of them. See, we parents aren't the only ones linking accomplishment to acceptance and success to significance. Our kids are attempting to answer the question, 'Is who I am enough?' by how well they perform on the field, how much they excel in school, and how many likes they get on their Instagram feed. They are attempting to answer that question, 'Is who I am enough?' by proving they can do enough and be enough. Whatever 'enough' is. Because you and I both know enough is never enough when the goal is perpetual perfection. The primary message our kids receive is that they'd better be the best at everything, and this leaves them afraid to reveal their inadequacies and insecurities - and hiding behind the best version of themselves.
"A key ingredient in helping our kids overcome their anxiety is facing and working through our own anxiety. It starts with us. It doesn't end with us. But we are part of the solution. We have to be willing to take an honest (maybe painfully honest) look at how we may have contributed to the anxiety our kids feel with the pressure we just might be passing down. With our unrealistic expectations and impossible standards of ourselves, and of them.
"And ultimately, it is our responsibility to help our kids push back the pressure they face with the truth of God's Word. I am not at all suggesting that therapy and medication aren't part of the solution. They often times are. But please let us not forget the alive and powerful Word of God that has the absolute power to show us where our significance comes from and ultimately set us free from proving our worth and our value in our performance.
"We need to know that failing doesn't make us failures and succeeding doesn't make us significant. At least not in the eyes of our Creator - the only One whose opinion of us really matters in the end. In God's eyes we are of great worth, not because of anything we have or haven't done, but because of what has been done for us in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The cross has the final word on our value. Believing that truth and embracing that truth isn't the only thing we need to do. But it is a firm foundation on which to build a life of freedom from anxiety and the exhausting endless quest to prove our value through our performance."
What an amazing article! Perhaps as parents, and even as grandparents, we are not fully aware of the pressures we place upon our children and grandchildren. Our goal is not to have them conform to our image, but to conform to the image of Jesus Christ. They are not to be "mini-me's" but to be reflections, in their own way, of Christ. Challenge them - absolutely! Admonish them - absolutely! Drive them - absolutely not! Paul said it best, "We are to bring our children up in the admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4).
The premise of Dr. D'Souza's book is that there is a strong relationship between the policies and foundations that caused the rise of Fascism in Italy and Nazism in Germany in the 1920's and 1930's and the American Left today. In fact, D'Souza makes a strong case that Mussolini fashioned his Black Shirt Fascism in Italy around the teachings of Woodrow Wilson and then Franklin Roosevelt. His conclusion is that the real Fascists in America today is not Donald Trump and ultra right, but the Left. The problem is that the real Fascists, namely the American Left, has attached that title to the American Right. And this "big lie" has been promoted by both the mainstream media and the Hollywood entertainment industry, both of which are dominated by those on the Left.
This is an important book that I believe every American should read. It is not an easy book to read. It is a book that requires its reader to stop and do some critical thinking. At times I know you will strongly object, but just read the footnotes and pay attention to the sources that are cited. There is nothing secret about what D'Souza writes. It is all very public.
I have shared with several that this book and a book written by Jonah Goldberg titled "Liberal Fascism" has really influenced my understanding of the current political and cultural climate in America today.
Speaking of America's cultural climate, I received an article yesterday from one of our church leaders. It is an article written by Jeannie Cunnion and found at the Fox News.com website. (www.foxnews.com/opinion/2017/10/16/Americas-teen-anxiety-epidemic-is-heartbreaking-parents-heres-incredible-thing-must-do-now.)
"I sat on a parenting panel last month with a well-known and widely respected counselor by the name of Sissy Goff, M.Ed, LPC-MHSP. She is the Director of Child & Adolescent counseling at Daystar in Nashville and when asked about the biggest issue facing kids today, she confirmed what you've probably read about recently on your news feed or even your Facebook feed - the increasing anxiety epidemic in our country. But it's not just an epidemic among our kids. It's an epidemic among us - their parents.
"According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety is the most common mental-health disorder in the United States affecting nearly one-third of both adolescents and adults. In a recent article entitled, 'Why Are More American Teenagers Than Ever Suffering from Severe Anxiety' we glean significant insight into the anxiety epidemic:
a. Privileged youths are among the most emotionally distressed young people in America. These kids are incredibly anxious and perfectionistic.
b. For many of these young people, the biggest single stressor is that they never get to the point where they can say, 'I've done enough, and now I can stop.' Kids have a sense that they're not measuring up. The pressure is relentless and getting worse.
"We have to be willing to take an honest (maybe painfully honest) look at how we may have contributed to the anxiety our kids feel with the pressure we just might be passing down. With our unrealistic expectations and impossible standards of ourselves, and of them. See, we parents aren't the only ones linking accomplishment to acceptance and success to significance. Our kids are attempting to answer the question, 'Is who I am enough?' by how well they perform on the field, how much they excel in school, and how many likes they get on their Instagram feed. They are attempting to answer that question, 'Is who I am enough?' by proving they can do enough and be enough. Whatever 'enough' is. Because you and I both know enough is never enough when the goal is perpetual perfection. The primary message our kids receive is that they'd better be the best at everything, and this leaves them afraid to reveal their inadequacies and insecurities - and hiding behind the best version of themselves.
"A key ingredient in helping our kids overcome their anxiety is facing and working through our own anxiety. It starts with us. It doesn't end with us. But we are part of the solution. We have to be willing to take an honest (maybe painfully honest) look at how we may have contributed to the anxiety our kids feel with the pressure we just might be passing down. With our unrealistic expectations and impossible standards of ourselves, and of them.
"And ultimately, it is our responsibility to help our kids push back the pressure they face with the truth of God's Word. I am not at all suggesting that therapy and medication aren't part of the solution. They often times are. But please let us not forget the alive and powerful Word of God that has the absolute power to show us where our significance comes from and ultimately set us free from proving our worth and our value in our performance.
"We need to know that failing doesn't make us failures and succeeding doesn't make us significant. At least not in the eyes of our Creator - the only One whose opinion of us really matters in the end. In God's eyes we are of great worth, not because of anything we have or haven't done, but because of what has been done for us in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The cross has the final word on our value. Believing that truth and embracing that truth isn't the only thing we need to do. But it is a firm foundation on which to build a life of freedom from anxiety and the exhausting endless quest to prove our value through our performance."
What an amazing article! Perhaps as parents, and even as grandparents, we are not fully aware of the pressures we place upon our children and grandchildren. Our goal is not to have them conform to our image, but to conform to the image of Jesus Christ. They are not to be "mini-me's" but to be reflections, in their own way, of Christ. Challenge them - absolutely! Admonish them - absolutely! Drive them - absolutely not! Paul said it best, "We are to bring our children up in the admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4).
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Of Paddock, Weinstein, and Columbus Day Mobs: Is There a Common Denominator?
Marlys and I have had the privilege of spending the better part of the past six days driving down to Carrollton, Texas and spending some time with Greg and Beth and Ethan and Max. It certainly was a hot time down in Texas; guess it is still summer time there. We enjoyed seeing both our grandsons run cross-country. Not sure why anyone would want to run over 3 miles in 90 degree heat. Also got to see Max in a baseball game - he has come a long way in his baseball playing abilities. And also got to attend a high school pep assembly - I forgot how loud those could be. And, of course, we ate a lot of Tex-Mex - couldn't be in Texas without that. Now we are back into the coolness of the fall season here in Minnesota. The trees are beginning to show some vibrant shades of reds, oranges, and yellows. Landscapes are shrouded with the colors of fallen leaves, and bright orange pumpkins grace many a front porch. It truly is a wonderful time to be in Minnesota.
A lot has happened since I last wrote to you. A lone gunman, sequestered in a 32nd floor hotel room, suddenly breaks windows and begins shooting down on a crowd of people who had gathered in a park below to share in a country-music festival. Stephen Paddock fired hundreds of rounds, killing 58 innocent people and wounding over 500 others. It was the largest mass shooting in American history. We may never know exactly what prompted him to commit such a heinous crime, but this shooting has once again revived the calls for stricter gun controls. There have even been a few voices that have demanded the repeal of the Second Amendment which protects a citizen's right to have and to bear arms. It is almost as if these people actually believe that guns are the problems. Friends, there are more people killed via automobiles each year than via all types of weapons combined, and yet I have never heard anyone champion stricter controls on who can drive a car. The problem exhibited in Las Vegas is more serious than just a matter of controlling guns.
Then this past weekend multiple allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault were brought against one of the most powerful men in Hollywood - Mr. Harvey Weinstein. And, since that story first broke, others have begun to share their stories. This was not a once or twice moral failure, but a repeated culture of moral failure on the part of Mr. Weinstein. And, because he wielded a lot of power that could make or break a young aspiring actress or actor, and because he had a lot of money, Mr. Weinstein's immoral behavior was never questioned in public. The silence of many allowed for this culture to continue, almost as if it was approved. But there is a deeper problem in Hollywood than just Harvey Weinstein.
This past Monday was Columbus Day - a day commemorating the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus in 1492. Although Columbus was considered a hero when I was a student in school (of course that was 60 years ago), today Columbus is considered to be a monstrous villain. The genocide of the Native Americans is laid at his feet. The enslavement of minority people is laid at his feet. And so there is a "mad" rush - and I do mean that it is a rush toward insanity - to destroy every vestige of Columbus that remains today. Statues were assaulted with red paint, at best, or totally destroyed, at worst. But there is a deeper problem than just statues of Columbus in the United States.
What is this deeper problem? To put it very bluntly: It is the consequence of the abandonment of moral clarity based upon absolute truth. When absolute truth is cast aside, then moral relativism reigns. To put it very succinctly, when absolute moral truth is absent, then there is no measuring rod by which to measure another person' actions or attitudes. So, Mr. Paddock can shoot dozens of innocent people because for him there is no absolute moral truth. So, people can desecrate public statues of Christopher Columbus because they have no absolute moral truth. And Mr. Weinstein can impose his will upon vulnerable young actresses because he has no absolute moral truth. To be perfectly honest with you, I am very surprised by the outcry against Mr. Weinstein, for, after all, he is one of "them." He could most assuredly wear the title of "Mr. Left." Yet I applaud those women who came forward to expose Mr. Weinstein for the immoral creep that he was.
But, here is where it gets very interesting. Suppose I were to ask Ashley Judd, for example, why she believed the actions of Mr. Weinstein were wrong. What would be her response? Now, she would have to be very careful with that response. She might say, "Well that type of behavior is very demeaning toward women." And my response would be, "Why is that behavior so demeaning toward women?" She might hesitate and say, "Well, it is just wrong!" And, again I would ask, "How do you know it is just wrong?" You see, what those on the Left refuse to state is that something is wrong because there is an objective standard of right and wrong that necessarily demands that there be an absolute truth with a foundation firmly planted in God. But the Left cannot just come out and say that for that statement destroys the very foundation upon which they have built their belief structure.
I have been teaching a class on Apologetics this fall here at our church. I have nearly 40 students in two sections. Over the past several months I have had the privilege of reading and studying about those questions the skeptics and agnostics ask concerning the Christian faith. And one of the things I have discovered is that deep down in their hearts, skeptics and agnostics recognize that there is a moral reality. Just try to break into the home of an agnostic and they will have you arrested as a burglar. With that very action they have affirmed that there is a moral reality. But you won't hear them talk about this or trumpet moral reality before the television cameras. Why is that? Because moral reality forces us to ask the question, "What is the foundation for that moral reality?" And, of course, you and I know it as abiding in the person of a holy, righteous, loving, and just God.
Friends, great are the depths to which the human heart can fall when all restraint is cast off. The prophet Jeremiah expressed that thought with these words, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9). "But for the grace of God..." What powerful words! God could have changed Stephen Paddock's life. God can still change Harvey Weinstein's life. God can change your life as you acknowledge Jesus as Truth.
A lot has happened since I last wrote to you. A lone gunman, sequestered in a 32nd floor hotel room, suddenly breaks windows and begins shooting down on a crowd of people who had gathered in a park below to share in a country-music festival. Stephen Paddock fired hundreds of rounds, killing 58 innocent people and wounding over 500 others. It was the largest mass shooting in American history. We may never know exactly what prompted him to commit such a heinous crime, but this shooting has once again revived the calls for stricter gun controls. There have even been a few voices that have demanded the repeal of the Second Amendment which protects a citizen's right to have and to bear arms. It is almost as if these people actually believe that guns are the problems. Friends, there are more people killed via automobiles each year than via all types of weapons combined, and yet I have never heard anyone champion stricter controls on who can drive a car. The problem exhibited in Las Vegas is more serious than just a matter of controlling guns.
Then this past weekend multiple allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault were brought against one of the most powerful men in Hollywood - Mr. Harvey Weinstein. And, since that story first broke, others have begun to share their stories. This was not a once or twice moral failure, but a repeated culture of moral failure on the part of Mr. Weinstein. And, because he wielded a lot of power that could make or break a young aspiring actress or actor, and because he had a lot of money, Mr. Weinstein's immoral behavior was never questioned in public. The silence of many allowed for this culture to continue, almost as if it was approved. But there is a deeper problem in Hollywood than just Harvey Weinstein.
This past Monday was Columbus Day - a day commemorating the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus in 1492. Although Columbus was considered a hero when I was a student in school (of course that was 60 years ago), today Columbus is considered to be a monstrous villain. The genocide of the Native Americans is laid at his feet. The enslavement of minority people is laid at his feet. And so there is a "mad" rush - and I do mean that it is a rush toward insanity - to destroy every vestige of Columbus that remains today. Statues were assaulted with red paint, at best, or totally destroyed, at worst. But there is a deeper problem than just statues of Columbus in the United States.
What is this deeper problem? To put it very bluntly: It is the consequence of the abandonment of moral clarity based upon absolute truth. When absolute truth is cast aside, then moral relativism reigns. To put it very succinctly, when absolute moral truth is absent, then there is no measuring rod by which to measure another person' actions or attitudes. So, Mr. Paddock can shoot dozens of innocent people because for him there is no absolute moral truth. So, people can desecrate public statues of Christopher Columbus because they have no absolute moral truth. And Mr. Weinstein can impose his will upon vulnerable young actresses because he has no absolute moral truth. To be perfectly honest with you, I am very surprised by the outcry against Mr. Weinstein, for, after all, he is one of "them." He could most assuredly wear the title of "Mr. Left." Yet I applaud those women who came forward to expose Mr. Weinstein for the immoral creep that he was.
But, here is where it gets very interesting. Suppose I were to ask Ashley Judd, for example, why she believed the actions of Mr. Weinstein were wrong. What would be her response? Now, she would have to be very careful with that response. She might say, "Well that type of behavior is very demeaning toward women." And my response would be, "Why is that behavior so demeaning toward women?" She might hesitate and say, "Well, it is just wrong!" And, again I would ask, "How do you know it is just wrong?" You see, what those on the Left refuse to state is that something is wrong because there is an objective standard of right and wrong that necessarily demands that there be an absolute truth with a foundation firmly planted in God. But the Left cannot just come out and say that for that statement destroys the very foundation upon which they have built their belief structure.
I have been teaching a class on Apologetics this fall here at our church. I have nearly 40 students in two sections. Over the past several months I have had the privilege of reading and studying about those questions the skeptics and agnostics ask concerning the Christian faith. And one of the things I have discovered is that deep down in their hearts, skeptics and agnostics recognize that there is a moral reality. Just try to break into the home of an agnostic and they will have you arrested as a burglar. With that very action they have affirmed that there is a moral reality. But you won't hear them talk about this or trumpet moral reality before the television cameras. Why is that? Because moral reality forces us to ask the question, "What is the foundation for that moral reality?" And, of course, you and I know it as abiding in the person of a holy, righteous, loving, and just God.
Friends, great are the depths to which the human heart can fall when all restraint is cast off. The prophet Jeremiah expressed that thought with these words, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9). "But for the grace of God..." What powerful words! God could have changed Stephen Paddock's life. God can still change Harvey Weinstein's life. God can change your life as you acknowledge Jesus as Truth.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
