I’m gonna kill somebody!

This week I watched parts of a Congressional hearing. Words fail me in an attempt to explain my response as I observed people with power over my life showing such explosive anger. Was I sad, mad, dismayed, contemptuous, scathing, angry, fearful… yes, all of the above and more. The rage in that room overwhelmed the issues that were supposedly under investigation. I thought, “These people make the laws and policies that govern my life. How can it be?”  It brought back memories of another hearing, when Justice Kavanaugh was before the Senate Judiciary committee accused of sexual assault when he was a student. Then, too, whatever your political convictions, it was impossible to miss the fury that turned leaders into people who appeared on the edge of madness.

Pity the person who is incapable of anger. Where there is injustice, oppression, bigotry, hypocrisy, or a refusal of God’s direction - we need the depth of passion that allows us to feel anger that presses us into action. We need to know, at the same moment, that anger is an extremely dangerous emotion! Anger fuel us with boldness, can move us to sacrifice, cause us to serve without thought of personal cost. 

Remember the story of young David? He showed up at the encampment of Israel’s army to hear the Philistine champion, Goliath, mock the Israelites and the Name of God. The teenager’s response was anger: Who will “remove this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised (godless pagan) Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”  (I Samuel 17) David went onto the battlefield armed only with faith, a slingshot, and five small stones - and he took down the giant of a man that day. Yes, anger served a purpose.

Anger, like fire, must be kept only where it belongs. When either are out of control, they cease to serve us and begin to destroy us.   The anger that we feel in these times should drive us to our knees in fervent prayer for the defeat of evil, for guidance as the people of God. Anger that makes us reactionary turns us into fools, or worse!

Yes, to use an old illustration, Jesus, our Example, did release His anger when He observed profit-making in the Temple that was a barrier raised before people who wanted to pray and worship. He turned over tables, drove the profiteers out, and shouted about making the Temple into a ‘den of thieves.’ Christian, we cannot use what Jesus did that day to rationalize our rage over personal insult or perceived slights. Jesus’ anger was centered, like David’s in my previous example, around the honor of God.

 Christians, filled with the Spirit of God, will generally set aside anger and pursue peace.  Knowing we are held in God’s hand, kept by His promises, and assured of eternal life – we can put away anger and meet those around us with an open heart.  Jesus said that ‘peacemakers’ will be called “children of God.’ 

God reminds us, "Live in harmony with each other. … And don’t think you know it all! Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.” (Romans 12:16-20, NLT) Not much of the anger that boils around us has much to do with God’s honor. Mostly it comes from fear and a desire to be ‘first.’  Those of us who follow Christ need to put ‘protecting my rights’ as a reason for anger far, far down the list.

A passage to memorize, one to which we can return frequently is this - "For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never forsake you.” That is why we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6, NLT) 

Here is another one: "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal." (Isaiah 26:3-4, NIV)

 When we choose to live in the serenity that comes from deep faith, that peace becomes a source of life for our family, friends, and the whole world in which we live. Let’s spit out the poison of rage and choose to drink deeply of Living Water that satisfies the soul.

Ah, friend, Jesus says “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” (John 7:37-38, NIV) Make it your passion (Lord, help me!) to overflow with the Spirit, renewing and refreshing those who live in a parched land.

 Are you angry today? Are you frustrated? Before you blow up, kneel down!  You can attempt to vindicate yourself and punish the offender. If you do, everybody loses.  Or you walk with God, inviting the Holy Spirit to fill your heart with transforming grace. When He lives in us, love wins although sometimes at great cost!

Here’s a word from the Word. Let’s live it. "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. " (Proverbs 16:32, NKJV)  So, "Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness." (Colossians 3:13-15, The Message)

_________

Abba, hold me close. Speak peace to my mind and heart.
These troubled times bring fear and
I am tempted to slip into a defensive, angry posture.

 Help me to trust You, to seek the best, the highest, in faith.
Give me a vision that sees beyond protecting
what I perceive to be my rights, that pursues Your kingdom aims for others.

Keep me from hiding in apathy, too.
Make me passionate for You and the things of God even as I seek to
reconcile people to You and one another.

 I thank You for loving me even when I ignored You,
for that triad of Your gifts – Grace, Mercy, and Peace.
Oh, Lord, I praise You for Your kindness to me.

 Lead me, keep me from the Evil One.
This I pray in Jesus’ holy Name.  Amen

Perspective and LIFE

In my prayerful reflection this morning, I found myself so very sad. The infighting that is America these days weighs on me. Americans cannot find common agreement about anything – race, economics, politics, the pandemic, faith. The civil society that makes life possible is disintegrating before our eyes. Perhaps you do not agree with that assessment. Information, which is so important to critical thinking, is hard to come by. There are OPINIONS by the million, people EMOTING even in our news media by the thousand, but truth is scarce. If a ‘fact’ does not align with a political position, it is censored, never reported, or discredited by other ‘experts.’  This leaves people like us feeling the stress of uncertainty.

Yesterday I talked about the importance of who you know in managing the stresses of life. Our relationships, with God, with others, are deep wells of renewal in times like these. There is another factor in dealing with stress that is critically important: gaining the right perspective. Perspective, once exclusively used of art, means to ‘look through.’  It came to refer to our attitudes, the way we think about life, our point of view. IF our perspective is flawed our grasp of reality will be skewed and therefore our response will be faulty.

What can be done to gain and keep a right perspective?

First, we believe that God is the Creator and Source of Life!

Nothing can replace that basic fact of human existence. When we discard God in formation of our understanding of the world chaos will follow. The Scripture makes this statement. “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. 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." (Romans 1:20-22, NIV)  An arrogance has gripped humanity that has ripped God from His rightful place.  Humble acknowledgement of this fact – there is a God and I am not Him – is the cornerstone of wisdom.

Second, we believe that God can be KNOWN, that He wills a purpose for us!

The Word starkly reveals what happens if a person believes in God but refuses to know Him. "For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the Lord. They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them. That is why they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way. They must experience the full terror of the path they have chosen." (Proverbs 1:29-31, NLT)  The best life is found in the pursuit of the Holy One, in a life-long commitment to discovering His plans for us.

Third, we believe that God has COME TO US, in the Person of Jesus!

The incarnation (literally - God in flesh) is a beautiful mystery of our faith. How could our God Who is eternal, majestic, all powerful, and all knowing become a Man?  This we believe – that Jesus, "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:6-11, NIV) He become a part of His Creation so that we could know Him, love Him, and find ourselves at peace with Him. This statement of faith has real consequence for how we live here and now.

Fourth, we believe that Jesus INVITES US TO LIFE ETERNAL, through FAITH IN HIM!

Naturally we live alienated from God, not just unwilling, but incapable of doing His will. The Scripture’s description of the plight of humanity is stark – Dead in your sins. Oh how those who insist on human potential, who love their own wisdom, hate that statement. But I read it and look upward in faith to know that "to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn! This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan—this rebirth comes from God." (John 1:12-13, NLT) In that rebirth of the spirit, when I am made alive to God, a whole new reality emerges, changing my perspective on life.

Lastly, we believe that because Jesus was RAISED FROM THE DEAD we too WILL LIVE IN GOD’S HOME FOREVER!

With that hope what in all this world can rob us of peace?  Death itself, the last enemy, is ultimately defeated. When that is part of my perspective, I become immoveable, unshakeable, anchored on the Rock. Of this Scripture says, "I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me—that Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, as the Scriptures said." (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, NLT)  "When this happens—when our perishable earthly bodies have been transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die—then at last the Scriptures will come true: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. How we thank God, who gives us victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ our Lord! So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord’s work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless." (1 Corinthians 15:54-58, NLT)

This is the Gospel – the Good News. Want to know peace in the uncertainties of life? Want to find meaning for your existence beyond the food you eat, the clothing you wear, the sensual pleasures you experience?

God exists. He can be known. Jesus shows us the Way to life. That life extends beyond the grave. That makes life worth living.

_____________

 In Christ Alone

(Celtic worship does this song beautifully!)

 In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light my strength my song
This Cornerstone this solid Ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love what depths of peace
When fears are stilled when strivings cease
My Comforter my All in All
Here in the power of Christ, I stand

 No guilt in life no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

Keith Getty | Stuart Townend

© 2001 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

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Meeting Stress – God’s way

We all deal with stress that comes from a thousand different directions. 

What does my boss want from me?

Could anything else possibly go wrong ?
Will I ever feel whole and healthy again?
Is it even possible to overcome that addiction?
What is happening to the world I live in?  

These are familiar questions that come to people of all ages. We respond to the stress they bring in very different ways depending on our understanding, our personality, how we were taught to see life, our experience, and our faith.  Some people can’t deal with a bad haircut. It ruins their attitude for days. Others appear to sail serenely through a cancer diagnosis, full of hope. There is one key factor for managing stress in God’s way.

God’s wisdom for bearing up under life’s stresses teaches us to create and maintain strong relationships. The inspired Word says "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-13, NIV)  Studies reveal that adding a close friend to a stressful situation will reduce the stress response in a person by half.  Yes, it true! Just having a trusted friend present lowers stress significantly.

Good spiritual and emotional health includes having genuine friendships. Stress that pushes us into isolation, that makes us feel all alone, creates a fertile field for the growth of addictions, compulsions, self-defeating thoughts, and sin. Remember the story of Elijah after his greatest victory? He saw God’s power revealed before the nation, the destruction of the idol worship in Israel, and the miraculous rain that broke a famine in the land. But, when threatened by Queen Jezebel, he ran off by himself, hid out in the desert, and eventually asked God to just let him die!  Exhausted, he made a critical mistake. He left friend and support behind, trying to go it alone.

Have you made building solid friendships and close relationships a priority in life?  We need more than those people that we go out to dinner with occasionally to share a few laughs. We need more than those people who sit in the same church only known by name. We need people who know us, inside out, who will encourage us with the truth, who will go the distance with us, who won’t walk out on us.  

Maybe you are reading that and thinking how few, if any, people like that you have in your life. Lacking solid, life-long friends is not uncommon today in our nation. Our American ideal of privacy, our loss of community and neighborhood, and our churches which turned into gathering places for one hour every other week have left us impoverished when it comes to forming those close relationships that keep us when we are stressed by life.

Making and keeping friends is something of a lost art for many of us.  How do we do it? That could take a book to answer but here are a few thoughts.

1. See friendship as a true value worthy of investment of your time.
2. Be the friend you want. One-sided, needy relationships are toxic.
3. Forgive. Nobody’s friends are flawless.
4. Adjust to changes in situations. Friendship that survive are not static.
5. Realize that social media cannot replace ‘in person’ contact for true friends.
6. Keep Christ at the center. A shared walk with the Lord is a powerful bond.
7. Invest time. Not every encounter will sparkle with excitement.
8. Stay committed.

In my worst crisis of life, when I knew that Bev, my late wife, was terminally ill with cancer, it was not just faith that kept me whole. My kids, who made loving their parents a priority in spite of busy lives and living far away, and my friends who hung in through up’s and down’s, who shared tears, sent notes, prayed with me and for me became my shelter in the storm. It is beyond my imagination to think of going through those 20 months of the awfulness of cancer’s slow death without all those people who were willing to walk the road with me.

Storms will come to us all, more than the gusts of inconvenience, but real hurricanes that threaten to destroy the life we cherish! Even now so many of us are stressed by a world in chaos, by the threat of pandemic illness, by multiple unknowns in our future. Let’s be the Body of Christ. Let’s learn to love beyond words and in this to reveal the goodness of the Lord to the world in which we live.

Here is the word from the Word. "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, NIV)  Be a friend. Find a friend. Keep those friends close.

_______

What A Friend We Have In Jesus

(not the hymn you expect 😊 )

Everybody has trials and temptations

Everybody knows heart break isolation

But we can lay our burdens down

Lay our burdens down

What a friend we have in Jesus

East to west my sins are gone

I see grace on every horizon

And forever and ever His heart is my home

Everybody has fears everybody got worries

Everybody knows sorrow devastation

But we can lay our burdens down

Lay our burdens down

No more betrayal for He is faithful

He fills me up and my cup runneth over

No more betrayal for He is faithful

How He has proven it over and over (over and oh)

Abbie Parker | Adam Palmer | Matt Maher | Matthew Hein

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