Good Grief! We Are So Shallow

I came across this quote on fb the other day by William Booth:  "The chief danger that confronts the coming century will be religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God, Heaven without Hell." It got me to thinking. We ARE that coming century. I cannot but marvel at the accuracy of Booth's observation. But, more captivating still is the fruition of each of his concerns. Booth was a British Methodist and founder of the Salvation Army, which targeted the helping of the poor.

The modern Church has nearly perfected itself by eliminating almost entirely the Holy Ghost from its premises. No room here for God. The cleansing has white-washed the walls and emphasizes the human-ness of it all. Now, the emphasis can be on the power of Man and significance of Man's doctrines and on his authority and half-sung songs and illustrious sermons. Now, sin can slither inside, not simply to be overlooked, but rather to be apotheosized as tolerance and godliness. Now, the real power can be Man and not the Holy Ghost. Good grief.

Once we have eliminated the Holy Spirit, other improvements can be instituted. Christianity without Christ is possible---the pastor, the elders, the Board, the people, whatever, can now be our guides and mentors. So much more humane, don't you think. Now, a belief system can be inaugurated with a more flexible God, a more human God. Now, the Bible doesn't have to be our only guide, and we can study and include other spiritual standards. Now, religion can be more open-ended, tolerant, and loving. [Maybe even our pets can be valued as much as our friends.] Good grief.

Forgiveness without repentance? Hmm. Celebrities and politicians have learned to "apologize" for their crimes---to more easily preserve their status . . . and it works in our culture today. Christians today want forgiveness with no price tag---a Heavenly gift with no conditions.  Blasted conditions! We need none of that. Surely God is good and loving and Big Daddy enough not to ask us to repent. What an ugly word. How discriminatory is the whole concept of having to "turn away" from something. We humans are so shallow and yet would claim to be God if we could. Good grief.

Regeneration---transformation and rebirth---is too complicated. Let's just sprinkle a head or two or say a word or two in a memorial rite of some kind, baptism will do, and go about our merry way. Let's keep this as simple as possible. God would want that. Right? This concept of a "life-altering encounter with God" must surely be some overly dramatic and Romantic mistake. God is good and loving; He doesn't demand anything of us, does He? He's tolerant, right? Good grief.

We are gasping our way through another election cycle. It's been going on for months and months. It never ends. It's eternity. It's exhausting. It has nothing whatsoever to do with God. [His name is sometimes mentioned in a drooling, insulting aside meant to keep those evangelicals happy.] No one today wants God to be anywhere near their politics. The very idea! Good grief. Without God, politics is completely amoral. The bigger the lie, the better.

The idea of Heaven without Hell suggests the human effort to be known for the tolerance of our love rather than for our convictions. Universalism misses the mark. God's grace and unconditional love for us does require that we choose Him, the Way, over all and anything else. Moderns don't want to do that. Mainly, we want to choose ourselves---our egos and our happiness and our experience---our world view. However, it is a grave mistake of moderns to simply omit God's justice from the Heavenly view. God is good, and God is also just.

Booth referred to all of these as "dangers." Many (most I'm afraid) today would not see them in that light at all, but would even attribute them to progress. Good grief. We are so shallow.

That Arrogant, Fun-Loving Narcissist

Well, the transgender population (ca .3% of Americans) wins the prize---Pres. Obama's support and backing. They will be allowed, if he has his way, to enter the restroom, shower, locker room, dorm of their choice, the one that fits their gender identity. "Who cares?" you say---I do . . . and apparently hundreds of thousands of others.

Some states are going to fight the Federals over this issue, but short of the unlikely events of another civil war or withdrawing from the Union, they are doomed to failure, I fear. So, where do we stand? 

Some say we who disagree need to modify our attitudes to more closely match the modern state of tolerance and protecting the rights of the minorities. I'm thinking it's time we begin again to focus on the "common" good and "common" rights. I'm thinking I, too, have rights [esp. privacy] that should also be protected. Conflicting rights, eh? Now what do we do?

Some reasonable solution(s) is surely out there. Pres. O(bomb)a dropped this on everyone with no real prep of any kind. I'm guessing that arrogant, fun-loving narcissist is having a good laugh about this in the privacy of his luxurious bedroom at night with his spouse. 

Despite our prankster-President's glee, many folks in our country now have pointed at them a loaded gun full of stress bullets. School administrators---administrators of any sort---must now decide how to deal with the myriad problems and lawsuits this directive would create should it be enforced as law. 

I think the costly solution is probably the best one: Begin the process of modifying current restrooms somehow into individual, private stalls. [Brings to mind the nifty two-hole outhouse we had when I was a kid.] Super expensive? I know. Make bathrooms in all new facilities individual-use ones. Retail store managers have the same potentially expensive and legally lethal problems as public administrators.

Another approach is to just ignore it:  It will go away just as did the furor over abortion---just as we're able to overlook various genocides around the globe. We Americans are getting better and better at looking the other way, rather than dealing with explosive and repulsive problems.

Hey, I think maybe I'm already not seeing it as such a . . . . .

At the Forefront of Our Being

Not sure where I got this: "Nothing can touch me unless it first passes through the will of God." Maybe, it's mine. But, I absolutely believe it, and the idea is alive within me and has been ever since I became a Christian---actually, longer than that I think. I attended many a church service and participated in many a Bible study (admittedly as a child) before I became a confessed and commissioned Follower in my 30's. 

If "everything" that happens to me is "allowed" by God, then I guess that means it has His sanction---His green light, so to speak. And if that is the case, then it's my function to accept it and deal with it and keep on driving through it, no matter what I may think of it. God might give Satan permission to enter one's life, as He did with Job, which suggests Satan cannot crawl into the lives of those in the Body of Christ through simply his own volition. And I give them eternal life; and they shall never perish, nor shall any man pluck them out of my hand---John 28:10. And I think, by extension, no angel. God's permission is completely necessary. Other Biblical examples revolve around the vulnerability of the unsaved and the good that Christians can gain and our ability to bear the tribulation.

Well, that got fuzzy, didn't it? I look at the pathetic condition of our current American culture and cannot help but believe that we have pushed God to the point of setting Satan completely free. He is already the Prince of this world, but God has up to now placed some restrictions upon him and has, at times, intervened in human history against Satan's desires (most notably in the Christ's appearance as a lowly human). Evil behavior is threatening to open doors to even greater evil behavior---and devastation.

Perhaps, it is not as gloomy as it appears on the surface. Perhaps, we can still smile and laugh out loud. Perhaps, a revival is at hand. Perhaps, we may in greater numbers recognize again the wonderment in the event of Christ's resurrection---and the pending possibility of our own, if we claim Him. There is hope for this world and those in it. We must keep the cross and resurrection of Jesus at the forefront of our being, every moment of our living. We must because through our years we must drive our way through pain, guilt, and loneliness---difficulties of various sorts. Only God can comfort us now, and only God can provide us an eternal life of Goodness.

And so, even yet I contend . . . Nothing can touch me without first passing through the will of God.

Can't Quite Get to "That" Point

Just don't care anymore. 

Well, that's not it exactly . . . rather, I'm having more difficulty caring about people who don't care themselves and won't change. This problem could be completely solved for me if I really could just quit caring completely. And I know it's true that when people no longer get frustrated or upset, you can rest assured they no longer care. Just can't quite get to "that" point.

It's the big "whatever." I want to say that until people start considering my feelings, I'm not going to worry about theirs. My disappointment level would be substantially reduced. A few have walked away from me lately. Don't get me wrong: There are no tears or wiping of distressed eyes---it's just the urge to say, "why bother?" But, just can't quite get to "that" point.

I would like to say that the opinions of others aren't important any longer. No, they're important, I guess, to someone, just not that important to me. I've seen a lot; I've heard a lot; I've lived a lot in my 70 years. I have my own well-established format. I'm not "set in my ways"---just not hearing much of anything anymore that changes my mind. Dangerously close, I fear, to getting to "that" point.

But my Jesus said---no, commanded---that we must love one another! Good grief. It's difficult many times to love myself, easier in most ways to love God---but nearly impossible to love certain other humans. I'm not speaking necessarily about those horrendous folks; they are another story entirely. The self-focused, it"s-all-about-me ones are my greatest challenge; I always want to be mean to them. I want to slather them with sarcasm. It's an urge I have to fight with all my might . . . and I often fail.

Albert Camus said, "To be happy, we must not be too concerned with others." And Miguel Ruiz stated, "There is a huge amount of freedom that comes to you when you take nothing personally." A degree of happiness and freedom may be available when one gets to "that" point, eh? According to Shannon Alder (a definite and negative track is followed) whom I paraphrase: No communication - no respect. No respect - no caring. No caring - no understanding. No understanding - no compassion. No compassion - no empathy. No empathy - no forgiveness. No forgiveness - no kindness. No kindness - no honesty. No honesty - no love. No love - no God. No God - no peace. No peace - no happiness. So, how did this rambling get around to talking about happiness and peace and freedom?

At 70, I'm reasonably happy (more so when the aches and pains are less), and I have complete peace in knowing my eternal destination. I know the love of God; I have my freedom in Him. I guess I'll just go on caring as much as I can and let the chips fall where they may, no matter how others react to me. Probably, they'll say it's none of my business, that I'm pious, that I should just leave them alone. Oh, well . . .

A new commandment I give you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples , if you have love for one another.  ---John 13:34-35

Stop Being a Pseudo

Resurrection---wow, what a concept! When early followers of The Way told others about Jesus, this mysterious event caught their attention and their imagination and made them marvel---and believe. And Christianity exploded upon the pages of history. Now? . . . well, it's not spoken of much. It might make other people look at you askance, and they might comment to others about you behind your back. Even in many pulpits it is seldom mentioned and, then, only in the most abstract terms. In actual, every day, get-up-and-have-some-coffee terms, Jesus died. Then, He came back to life three days later. His spirit returned into his revitalized body. He walked and breathed among other living humans. They recognized Him. If you can't believe that, you're lost. It takes time; even His disciples who were with Him needed time to grasp the fullness of the event. If you do believe in His resurrection, then you'd best start behaving like you do and stop being a pseudo.

What are the powerful implications of this belief in the resurrection of Jesus? For one, His teachings must be remarkably important! So, learn what those lessons are. Right? The super-sophisticates (they're everywhere, they're everywhere!) in our nation today seem to think otherwise. My awe is invoked by how phony the lives of so many are. Lies abound. Deceptions rebound off every truth they encounter. They only value the things or people that have direct relevance to their personal well-being. [Yep, I know, this applies to some of the rest of us at times, as well.] Put your nose into the God's Word; join Bible study groups---learn the lessons Jesus taught and try to put them into practice. It's much more important than all the mundane activities of your daily life: dishes, laundry, mowing, movies, facebook, television, etc.

Just think about that mystery---that plausible impossibility---and what its implications are for you. When you die, you also may be resurrected at some point: Your spirit may reunite with your renewed body. Then what? I'm not sure I can really grasp the total significance of it, but it does in itself give me Hope that death is not just an end, a finality. I believe in the resurrection (now you're dead, now you're alive again) we humans will experience, and as a result, I have accepted Jesus as my Savior and (most of the time, except when I falter) my Lord.

Can you figure out what is real? Can you recognize reality? All kinds of people are out "there" trying to convince you that they know and that you should meekly and immediately accept their ideas of existence and meaning. I'm doing that to you right now . . . but I'm  also asking you to read the Word, listen to some people who are believers, read some pertinent writings---then, you'll be in a better position to accept or reject. But, first and foremost, I ask you to keep thinking about this idea of a resurrection. Yep, just think about that! 

John 11:25-26  Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die." Do you believe this?

Panties, a Bra, and Thigh-High Stockings

So, had maintenance done on my right eye a week ago Monday and to the left eye this past Monday . . . lasering away the film that had grown over the back of my eyes after cataract surgery a year and half ago. I can see clearly now [again]. However, now my right leg is rebellious---hurting continually, no matter what position it is in---knee and ankle and foot and all the muscles in between. I keep pressing onward, putting off another Dr's visit thinking life will get better. Finished the mowing and almost all of the weed-eating yesterday and today. I refuse to get too discouraged because I know from whence my peace: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus"   ---Phil 4:6-7.

I learned---endlessly---last night and this morning that Prince had passed away, probably the result of overdosing. I know almost nothing about this celebrity and wonder how his passing will really affect the human condition. Not much I suspect [don't mean to be too harsh]. And how about me, too? I'm hearing moderns question more and more again the crisis between the individual good and the common good. Our country is so confused about the conflicting need for individual freedom and need for common decency and common sense and the community of humans. Not sure where it all ends. All I really know is and all I'm going to try to do in my last years is delineated in this verse: "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" ---Micah 6:8. I'm too old to do much else, and the drama of everyday events is seen through a much less intense lens when one is older in one's faith.

Sorry, I needed for myself to get a couple of points in here first. All of that was said as I was trying to get to this. When I was little, my Mother (and Dad mostly in silent agreement) imprinted on my little brain that common decency was absolutely necessary. Now, looking back, I don't believe an actual definition was ever provided me, but inevitably I created my own. It involved all of the following: using phoniness to advance oneself was totally inappropriate, as was lying which was not only devious but also showed disrespect to others. Not respecting others' property, not having compassion for the unfortunate for whatever reason, being dramatic to try to gain attention to yourself were all unacceptable. Talent was to be seen as a responsibility. Perceiving the wonders of God's universe and recognizing human artistic efforts were important to understand one's purpose in life. Running oneself down in order to gain some emotional control of others was a definite no-no. Tolerance, gentility, courtesy, and friendliness were absolute "musts" for a decent human being. This list goes much further, but I'll let it rest here---with the point made, I think. Decency involves our relations with others and, therein, lies its importance.

Now, I don't know, but many moderns simply don't care about decency. So, why does it matter? I read that a man boarded a plane bound for Phoenix wearing only a pair of women's panties, a bra, and thigh-high stockings. No one at the airport or on the airplane said one word to him; a flight attendant said U.S. Airways has no dress code for passengers as long their privates are not showing. Hmm, whoa . . . common decency? Tolerance? C'mon, Americans, the decline in our civilization surely is indicated in this story (won't swear that it's true), and I can just hear my Mom and Dad discussing it. I would love to sit in on that conversation. They weren't old-fashioned; they were decent! 

I believe that decency is crucial. That civilization suffers when we belittle it. That we could let indecency go so far that our civilization joins that of the ancient Romans. (So, someone sasses, "But what a great time we'll have on the way down!") I guess the enticing qualities of depravity is a topic for another day. God bless, y'all . . . and try to be decent, okay.

  

Conditional Gift---Active Intent

I'm overwhelmed by the frustration, the stress, the anger I see all about me. People are so difficult to cope with. Peace is something, I believe, we all at times dream about and yearn for. But, our ideas about where it originates and how we find it are different. The Bible has several important things to say to us about peace. For example, it establishes that it is a gift, a bonus, for us from God: "The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace"---Psalm 29:11. Thank you, dear God. However, it would seem, to really possess peace, we must first be a part of God's people, his family, and that requires that we must accept his son Jesus as our Lord, recognize our fallen nature, and confess him before other people.

Certain expectations---"Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it"---Psalm 34:14---are required for our proprietary right to peace. We must repent and turn away from evil to the degree we are able, and we must choose to do good to those around us. We must actively hunt peace and then pursue it in our daily living. It is a conditional gift hinging upon an active intent on our part. Peace, also, requires that we know God's Word [the Bible] and listen to his voice, that we attempt in every way to be conscientious in our service to and for Him. "I will listen to what God the Lord says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants"---Psalm 85:8.

Those who thirst after peace, who live in harmony, are promised a future---if they are faultless and moral. "Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace"---Psalm 37:37. We have something to look forward to, heavenly prospects, not necessarily constant in this life, but ever-present in an after-life of Always Good with the "Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace"---Isaiah 9:6. Scoffers have nothing to say to me that would deter from my peace as I know that treasuring this serenity may even claim my earthly existence. I also know the promises of my Jesus are sure: "I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world"---John 16:33.

So, there you have it. Peace. No reason to fear at all for our eternity is secure, as promised. Yes, this life has misery, heartaches, grief, and oppressions---horrors---we cannot understand. Yes, it does require faith. Yes, many just don't and won't get it.