GOT IT!

Let's see...Russia takes over Crimea, the US Administration...yawns, Russia builds base in Syria, another yawn, Russia attacks Ukraine, a bigger yawn, Russia hacks DNC, & Hilary's illegal server...HUGE REPERCUSSIONS!!! Got it.

A CHOICE IS YOUR VOICE

Making hard decisions is a major inconvenience. While every serious decision requires a viable process, certain decisions require even more. Today is a seminal moment for the direction and future of America. The entire world will be impacted by the decisions made across the fruited plain. To fail to decide is to let someone else decide for you. So, here it is, if you have not already: PRAY, LISTEN, THINK, DECIDE, COMMIT, THEN GET OUT AND VOTE.   

FALSE FEAR OR TRUE THREAT

As a child, Halloween seemed benign enough; lot’s of kids, clunky costumes and loads of candy. A few “tricks” did occur, but for the most part, it was safe fun and a chance to meet neighbors. I have no issue with good-hearted fun, but I am increasingly disturbed by a holiday that glorifies fright, sexual promiscuity and overindulgence, combined with an onslaught of scary movies, dark stories and adult parties that definitely cross the lines of good morals. While millions go about dressed like something they are not and offering and feigning creepy fears, the actual works of darkness that are imbedded in this holiday are ignored. In a nation increasingly devoid of a moral compass, this celebration of false fears has become a true threat. I do not write these things to offend, embarrass or criticize those who just see the fun; I am simply offering thoughts to ponder.

Sharon and I, early on in our marriage, decided our family would only participated in “Fall Festivals” that emphasized dressing as bible characters and such. For the most part, I rarely saw Halloween as an actual threat. After all, “greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world”. Frankly, as a pastor, I mostly saw it as an opportunity to do outreach in the community. I don’t think I ever mentioned it from the pulpit other than inviting our congregation to reach out to their neighbors. Of course I would usually talk about its origin as a yearly festival practiced by the pagan Celts and the Church’s attempt to bridge into pagan culture by creating “All Hallows Eve”, “All Saints Day”, followed by “All Souls Day”. These days were established as holy days pointing people to prayer while corresponding to the timetable of pagan festival days. However, over time, more and more pagan aspects filtered back into general practice among believers as well, especially as Halloween moved from culture to culture around the world; and American commercialization took it to a whole new level. And now, we have an entirely new circumstance altogether.

While I still see Halloween as a chance to let our light shine, I now feel a more intense concern that it is becoming darker and more sinister. So instead of a this being a criticism or warning, perhaps what I am sharing is more of a confession that I should have been a better, more discerning teacher. Or perhaps, it is not just the musing of an aging pastor, but rather, this holiday has truly grown more ominous, creating false fear that is in fact a true threat. Selah.

STILL REMEMBERING

We all remember where we were on 9/11/2001; and a national slogan was imprinted on a new generation: NEVER FORGET! This was not the first time we were called upon to remember. The Alamo, The Civil War, Pearl Harbor, The Holocaust, The Civil Rights Movement and many, many more. Families who lost loved ones never forget. Those who carry physical or emotional scars never forget. Nor should we as a nation forget. We learned a lot on that day, now let us remember the grace we needed and received that day.

And, let’s recall some of what we learned from 9/11:

        

We Learned We Need To Stand Together

• This was a patriotic moment, but it really touched us at a much deeper level. It revealed our need to draw closer to God and draw closer together as a nation in spite of our differences.
• People who never attended worship services nor saw the need, suddenly went somewhere to gather with the  faithful

We Learned that While Others Rush Out, Some Rush In

• We found courage and sacrifice that informed and challenged us.
• We became more appreciative of those who protect us. The number of firefighters killed that day: 345. The number of police officers killed that day: 23. Many more have died since then with related illnesses directly tied to working on that site.
• We learned we should be MISSIONAL in how we live: John 15:12-13 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

We Learned We Should Not Be Naive About Evil

• We often ignore the spirit behind evil.
• It is convenient to blame circumstances.
• We are uncomfortable with the very idea of evil.
• Wrong priorities invite evil. Isaiah 47:8-10 (NIV) “Now then, listen, you lover of pleasure, lounging in your security and saying to yourself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me. I will never be a widow or suffer the loss of children.’  Both of these will overtake you in a moment, on a single day.
• Evil must be openly called out: Matthew 7:11 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" By defining the enemy in stark terms and facing the problem realistically, we position ourselves for safety.
• We learned that confronting evil opens new opportunities:  Ephesians 5:15-17 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Evil is not driven out, but crowded out ... through the expulsive power of something good.” Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
• Our duty is to offer hope in the face of evil: Jer. 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.