May 13, 2018

Always Remember

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. – Matthew 5:4

I stopped by the cemetery today. It’s Mother’s Day. She’s not there. I know that. But it’s a place, a marker, that reminds everyone that she lived and that she was loved.

Some days seem like a nightmare that will never end. Still, I wouldn’t have her back the way she was. No one deserves to suffer like that. Heaven was waiting and she deserved to go home.

There’s an emptiness now. I’m told that a daughter never gets over losing her mother. I believe that. Our relationship was marked with turmoil and strife. I try not to gloss over that in my grief. I don’t want to rewrite history because it is that history that makes us who we are. Good and bad. The scars are reminders of where we’ve been.

The journey forward hasn’t been easy. Jesus understood there would be days of tears and sorrow so consuming that we could barely breath. And He understood that the only real comfort would come in His Presence. This is not our home. Goodbye is not forever. Love remains in our hearts even in the absence of a physical presence.

The church building was full today. Mother’s Day is a day for families. Two years ago I sat next to my Mother in the traditional worship serve she preferred. It was important to her. And though it wasn’t something I particularly wanted to do, I did it anyway. That’s what you do when someone you love asks you to do something you’d rather not do. You do it anyway.

Neither of us knew it would be her last Mother’s Day on this earth. We thought there’d be plenty of time. Isn’t that how it always is? We never realize the frailty of our days until we are standing beside an open casket.

I am grateful for the memories, for the healing that happened before she was gone. And I am grateful for the grace and salvation that mark my life as His. There is a confidence in that. Because of Jesus, goodbye is only a temporary thing for those of us who believe.

Mothers come to us in many ways. There is the woman who gave birth to me, the one I mourn each day. There are those women who have drawn me close, gathering me into a tight embrace, offering wisdom and love and a reminder that I am not alone. Jesus does that for us. He sends people toward us to soothe and to heal. I celebrate that.

They say that faith isn’t something you can touch or feel. You just know deep inside. I think it’s both. Faith is the peace and knowledge of a one-way ticket home. And it is the very real presence of those Jesus sends to comfort us and restore our hearts to laughter and joy.

January 6, 2018

Does Your Life Reflect Light?

"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16

We like to think of ourselves as the light of the world. We pat ourselves on the back when we hold the door for someone, encourage someone, put an offering in the plate at church. Yes. That’s us. The light of the world.

But how do we hide our light? Oh, we don’t want to think about that part. We don’t want to consider how we might dim the light of Jesus by our words or actions. Except how can we ever change if we don’t look at ourselves from a realistic place?

Sometimes we hide our light by remaining quiet when we should speak. Just as we should measure our words carefully, speaking truth with kindness and compassion, so should we speak even when it might be uncomfortable. So often we’re so busy getting along that we blend in rather than stand out.

This doesn’t mean we should fight God’s battles. That’s a different thing. It simply means that when we see wrong, we should speak up.

That goes right along with the crowd. We don’t want to be different. We want to fit in. We want others to want to be around us, to include us. Except we are different. We aren’t meant to fit in. And sometimes the best way to shine your light is to step away from a crowd that isn’t following Jesus.

We also hide our light when we deny it. Oh, you would never do that! Are you sure? How many times have you taken credit for something that came from God? Yeah. Ego and pride don’t mix well with God. You have to choose. Do you choose Him?

In the same way, we sometimes let sin extinguish our light. People are watching all the time, just waiting for the Jesus follower to mess up. And we don’t disappoint them. We are quick to get angry at the other driver, we excuse dishonesty on our taxes because “everyone does it,” we laugh heartedly at the off-color joke. We watch television shows, listen to music and play games that we know aren’t things that go along with the teachings of Jesus.

We also dim our light when we don’t tell others about the wonderful gift of Jesus. We don’t talk about our faith. We don’t invite people to church. We’re so busy trying not to “offend” anyone that we don’t share the most important gift we’ve ever received.

And we ignore the very real troubles of others. We throw out promises to pray but do we? We know we should help but we’re just too busy. We have loads of excuses – frequently blaming the very person we should help. We always should ask Jesus to guide us. People see Him through our actions, not by hearing empty words.

Does your life point people to the light of Jesus? Think about it.

March 22, 2016

Seek God Through Prayer

5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. -- Matthew 6:5-8

Do you pray every day? I hope you answered yes. Unfortunately, for many the answer is no. I can’t imagine that. I really can’t.

God is my best friend. He is my Creator. He is my everything. I trust Him completely and He gives the absolute best advice. He always has time to listen and He cares about me more than anyone else ever could. So why wouldn’t I want to talk with Him each and every day? Why don’t you?

There are different ways to pray and there really isn’t a right or wrong way. God wants to have a relationship with us. He wants to hear what we have to say AND He wants us to listen to what He has to say.

My prayers begin usually before I get out of bed. I am so grateful for sleep and safety. As I sip coffee, I thank Him for numerous blessings and pray for those who matter to me. There are so many needs in this world -- people fighting cancer, grieving for family members, hurting deep inside -- that it is easy to talk with God and ask Him to help them.

Throughout the day I find myself seeking Him out. It could be something as simple as thanking Him for a beautiful day. It could be something more serious, like asking Him for protection or to hold my tongue when someone is pushing my buttons -- again.

My prayers are private things, just between God and myself. In His Presence is where I am safest and where I can share what lies deep inside of me -- good and bad. I’m not trying to impress anybody or defend myself. God is the One who accepts us as we are, where we are. Every time. We don’t have to fix ourselves before we seek Him out.

Yes, I sometimes pray before others. But, even then, I really only have an audience of One. What about you? Are you impressed with eloquence or are you impressed with a sincere heart? What do you think impresses God? He wants honesty and truth and a clean heart.

Whatever you’ve got going today, take time to pray. Seek God out. Share your day with Him and listen for His Words to fill your heart up.

February 2, 2016

God Comforts Us

Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted. -- Matthew 5:4

There are many different types of grief. We think of grief mostly when we have lost a loved one. We also can grieve the loss of a pet, a job, a way of life.

There is another type of grief we don’t think of too often. It is the loss of a relationship. I’m not talking about divorce here, though that certainly does cause grief. I’m talking about what happens when people change or, maybe worse, you find out that the person you love isn’t at all who you thought they were.

A dear friend woke up last week to a new reality. The son she adores has done something unthinkable. He is in jail and will almost certainly be headed to prison because, yes, he did what he is accused of doing. She wanted so much more for her only child. When he was a teenager, she believed he would be a preacher. He took a wrong turn, then another and another and now here they are at this place. She is grief stricken.

Another friend asked for prayer for his brother. He, too, took a wrong turn into self-destruction. He faces felony theft and DUI charges. It doesn’t look good. Their family is devastated. They have been praying for this young man for such a long time and still he chose again and again the wrong path.

We can’t control the choices of others. We can’t turn things back. We can’t make people better than they are. All we can do is pray for them and ask God to strengthen us so that we don’t go down that same path.

It is tempting to sin in our efforts to save the lost. It is tempting to sin in our need for revenge against the anguish they have caused us. It is tempting to walk away and forget to care.

Instead we seek God’s comfort and ask Him to give us the strength and guidance to make the right choices for everyone. We trust that He is near no matter what the circumstances. We trust that He has a plan for all to be saved and for His own glory. We rest is His arms knowing that He will comfort us as we mourn what could have been.

January 11, 2015

Be Kind

 

"But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

-- Matthew 5:44

Some people are just hard to love. They are. And yet we are called to love them anyway.

I am participating in a church-wide study on what it means to be a church member. Today's topic was on unity. Don't gossip. Be kind. Be compassionate. Don't always expect to get your way on music, sermon times, budget matters or anything else.

It also means forgiving people who have done you wrong, whether they know it or not. Because sometimes people hurt us without even realizing that they have done so. And sometimes they do it intentionally. That brings me back to my original comment: Some people are just hard to love.

Many of us have folks like that in our lives. It might be a church member who criticizes everything. It could be a co-worker who always takes credit for your work. It might be a neighbor who lets his dog poop on your lawn -- again and again. It could be a family member who is so self-focused that he or she can't see anyone else.

There are no easy answers. No quick fixes. No magic wands to make it all better. Sometimes we can distance ourselves from difficult people. Sometimes we are well and truly stuck. Such is the case with family members. That includes our church family.

As members of the church, we are all humans struggling to get it right. And failing every single day. How we treat others, how we build unity within, reflects outward as well. There are few things as sad as a church split apart by dissension. If we can't get along with each other, how can we love and tend to a hostile world? We can't.

Jesus tells us to love everyone. Kindness deflates more anger than attitude. Compassion turns more hearts than harsh words. Love reflects Jesus. It's that simple and it's that hard.

We'd at least like for difficult people to acknowledge that they are difficult. We'd like for them to appreciate our efforts. They don't. Because they don't see beyond themselves. Do we want to be like them? Or do we want to be like Jesus?

So let it go when someone is critical. Refuse to participate in gossip. Be kind to those who don't deserve it. Why? Because Jesus has been kind to us and we don't deserve it either.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Storm Relief Reveals God’s Love

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

-- Matthew 5:14-16

It was a hauntingly familiar scene. Power truck after power truck after power truck lined Interstate 10 headed west toward the areas suffering from Hurricane and Tropical Storm Isaac. It is a measure of storm damage and human spirit.

These workers will spend numerous days, and possibly weeks, away from home and families to help people they don’t know. They won’t be alone. The Red Cross and other relief organizations were geared up as well. It’s the sort of thing you probably don’t appreciate until you’ve been in need.

Of course, some people just don’t understand. One man in Tallahassee was totally unconcerned about those without power or those facing flood waters. “As long as I’ve got power, I don’t care about anybody else,” the man said. I could only shake my head in disbelief. Where is his heart? Not with Jesus apparently.

Jesus told us to let our light shine out into the world. We’re to represent Him as we walk this earth. I know without a doubt that Jesus is with those who are hurting right now. He is there in the darkness. He is present in the flood waters. He is comforter, defender, strength and compassion. And so much more.

And we must do the same. Those people who go out into the storm give of themselves. Even those who get paid. Because it’s no vacation to work seven days a week for way too many hours. You push yourself forward because people need what you can do.

Memories of Ivan and Katrina will always be with me. I helped move Penske trucks and vans for weeks. We were so tired some days that all we could do was get a hotel room and sleep until we were refreshed enough to go again. And we had to go again. Because people were depending on us.

We moved trucks so that relief organizations could have a way to get supplies to hard-hit areas. We transported vans from a railway station in Mississippi to a staging area in Mobile so that the Red Cross could reach rural areas that were desperate for food and supplies. And we comforted people trying to salvage what they could, packing it away in a truck for a trip to drier ground.

We did what we could, knowing it wasn’t enough. When people are hurting and you can’t make it right for them, it’s never enough. But I’d like to think they knew people cared and that they found comfort in that.

Just as I pray people find comfort in the sight of utility workers headed toward a storm area. Or the church volunteers grilling hamburgers and hotdogs for folks who have no way to cook their own. Or the animal relief workers who remember pet food and chew sticks. Or the laundry trucks. Or, well, you understand. We remind people that God cares every time we do what we can, where we can, for people who are hurting. It’s really that simple.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Trust God --- And Move On

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one wants to borrow from you.” -- Matthew 5:38-42

Get over it. Move on. Let it go. Give it to God.

The words threaten to spill out of my tightly closed mouth. I’m just so tired of hearing about things that happened many, many years and numerous church families ago. But they can’t seem to let it go. They can’t seem to get past perceived wrongs. They can’t seem to stop trying to control something they never should have tried to control in the first place.

It’s tearing them up inside. And driving people away, though they’re too blind to see that. Because we all need to move on and trust that God will handle whatever situation needs to be handled, in whatever way He decides is best.

Ah. There’s the real trouble. They’re afraid that God won’t handle it in the way they think He should. In fact, I haven’t heard them mention God at all. I doubt they’ve even considered His views on the subject. They’re so busy offering their own that I’m not sure He has ever crossed their minds.

I want to urge them to take a deep breath and pray about it. I suspect my advice wouldn’t even register in their hardened hearts. They’re too focused on revenge. They’re too determined to right that perceived wrong from many years ago.

Are you holding on to a grudge from your past? Are you still angry at something you believe someone else did to you? Are you spending your moments focused backward rather than celebrating today? Maybe a little more time in the Word would create a lot less time to focus on revenge.

We don’t want to remember what Jesus said about revenge. We’d rather quote the Old Testament and demand justice -- in our time and in the way of our choosing. We don’t want to love our enemies. And we certainly don’t want to give them more than they’ve already taken.

But isn’t that exactly what we do when we can’t let go of the past? We’re giving them our time, our present and possibly our future. We’ve giving them our peace. And we’re letting them destroy our faith and trust in God, knowing that He saw what happened and that He’ll take care of it -- in His way and in His time.

Revenge is never about God. It’s always about us. And that’s a recipe for disaster. So let it go, and let God. Trust God. And move on.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Pray For Our Enemies

“But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” -- Matthew 5:44

President Obama has announced that American troops will leave Iraq by the end of the year. This war that began in March 2003 has increasingly become unpopular. How quickly we forget that 70 percent of Americans supported it when the United States first invaded Iraq.

We look back now and, hopefully, learn lessons. Should we have gone to war against Iraq? Was the threat legitimate? Was Iraq involved in 9/11? Answers are easier to come with hindsight. Questions still stir emotions that are unpleasant and divisive. But how can we learn without seeking the answers?

I don’t believe Jesus condemned war. He told His disciples to take swords with them as they went into the world. He never told a soldier to leave the military. In fact, the Bible tells us that wars will continue until Jesus returns. War, sometimes, is necessary and even justified.

At times, we must act decisively to stop those who harm their neighbors. The United States is a strong nation. We have a moral responsibility to defend those who can’t defend themselves. That doesn’t mean it’s okay to do as we please, where we please. It doesn’t mean we have the right to interfere in every squabble and every battle.

War should be something we enter as a last resort. It should be what happens when diplomacy fails and our people face an immediate threat. Did Iraq have anything to do with 9/11? The evidence says no. In fact, Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden wouldn’t have gotten along. One was a strict fundamentalist Muslim. The other headed a secular regime.

Facts. Did we really take time to look at all the facts? We want someone to pay for the thousands who died. At that time, we couldn’t find Bin Laden. Did that make attacking Iraq okay?

The questions that were raised were immediately condemned. Some called it unpatriotic to question the president. Others said questions insulted those in uniform who were willing to give their lives to defend our great nation. Still others worried that the questions would leave to Vietnam-era protests. No one really wanted to go back there.

But as Christians we are obligated to question the political process around us. We are to ask questions. We are to make sure that Jesus is present in every discussion. We are to look at issues through His eyes and not the eyes of popular opinion. It’s not about supporting our troops or being patriotic. Most of us do that. It’s about making moral decisions in an immoral world.

Was the Iraqi war justified? I don’t know. Probably not. But we can’t undo the past. We can only go forward with knowledge and lessons learned about politics and popular opinion, about justification and proof. We can learn to measure our words and our actions. Sometimes war is necessary but only as a last resort.

　

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Show Mercy, Not Anger

"But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." -- Matthew 5:44

"They shouldn't even bother with a trial," the woman said, referring to the Tuscon shooter. "Just do away with him." This Christian was filled with vengeance. She was judge and jury rolled into one. No compassion. No kindness. Certainly no love anywhere in her. Just another hard heart lashing out in her "eye for an eye" justified mind.

Oh, what a sad state is our world. No wonder people look on Christians with scorn. How can we preach love and then, also, preach revenge? Who do we think we are, dragging Jesus into something so awful? Oh, wait. He's there already. Comforting the families and friends of those who died and were wounded. He's holding on to the parents of that young man who did this horrible thing. And He's waiting, patiently, in hopes that this mentally ill person will heal, repent and invite Jesus into his heart.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not advocating letting this young man out where he can harm others. He clearly is mentally ill. He did a horrible, horrible thing that changed people forever and sent some really good folks home earlier than anyone planned. But God loves him as much as he loves those who were killed or wounded. God is hurting for the shooter just as much as he's hurting for the wounded and the families, friends and witnesses of this awful tragedy.

We tend to forget that as we lash out in anger and pain. The husband of the wounded congresswoman said he'd be willing to meet with the shooter's parents because the shooting wasn't their fault. Another victim said she'd already forgiven the shooter. Compassion. God's love and forgiveness living and breathing in those who are hurting as they reach out in kindness and mercy.

None of us knows how we would react if we were in such an awful circumstance. We don't. We can only pray that God would lead us in such a way that others could see Jesus living within us. Jesus doesn't have a hard and unforgiving heart. He is the face of love and forgiveness. He died to prove it. The least we can do is open our hearts to those He loves as much as He loves us.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Keep Loving Your Enemies

"But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," -- Matthew 5:44

It isn't always easy to care for those who wish you harm. Especially when they come at you again and again and again. I know Jesus is right. He's always right. But, oh, how hard it is some days.

I want to lash out when someone hurts me. Don't you? And I want to retaliate when someone harms me and tells lies about me. How about you? But Jesus tells me to love that person, to forgive and to show kindness and compassion. I struggle with it. I find myself praying that God will soften my heart and give me the strength to face what will almost certaintly be more pain and attacks down the road.

My tongue aches to lash out. I hold my peace most of the time. Few people know. I believe it's the way God wants it. Oh, how difficult it is. I want to shout from the rooftops, disputing the lies and allegations. I want to defend myself. I remain silent. I tell myself that the people who know me hear the lies and see them as they are. I look around. Maybe not. I stay silent anyway.

The stress gets to me some days. I pray that God will take the burden from me. I don't want to be angry. I want to let it go. That is easy to say but not so easy to do. I pray again and again for God to take this disappointment from me. How can one person be so mean?

In my better moments, I understand the jealousy and insecurity that fuels the lies and hateful comments. I know it isn't about me. It's about the person who lives inside her. I guess that's what God wants me to see. He wants me to look on her with love and compassion, the way He looks at her and at me.

So, I'll keep trying and stumbling and getting up and trying again. I want to let it go. I want to feel God's peace. I want to extend forgiveness for however many times it takes. And I want to keep praying that one day she'll understand that she doesn't need to lie and make hateful comments in order to think good things about herself. She doesn't need to compare herself to other people. God loves her. So I need to love her too.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Greet Enemies With God's Love

"But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," -- Matthew 5:44

I thought I'd misunderstood. Surely, the reporter wasn't talking about a preacher vowing to burn the koran. That is reminiscent of cross burning by the KKK on the lawns of blacks or their supporters. That was done in the name of God, too.

It's a horrible thing. Burning the koran is all about hate. Hate comes from Satan, not God. Sure, the God revealed in the Old Testament is sometimes an angry God. Sometimes we are punished for our sins -- though never to the degree we deserve. But God doesn't hate. He loves. And that is what He has called us to do.

What upsets me most is that people hear this and see "christians" as hateful and disrespectful of the beliefs of others. No one wants to learn about christianity. They aren't interested in meeting Jesus. They think they know what He stands for. They see christians as narrow-minded people intent on destroying anyone who has beliefs different from their own. That isn't Jesus at all but they can't see His face because of the hatred that stands in the way.

Jesus invited everyone to His altar. He reached out to all people, including tax collectors, prostitutes and Samarians. His love shown through and many came to follow Him and welcome Him into their hearts. We, too, should reach out in love to all those around us, including Muslims and those who have no real beliefs at all. It's what Jesus would do.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Reach Out To Strangers

"And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?" -- Matthew 5:47

Churches can be the most unfriendly places in the world. Yeah. I bet that got your back up a little. Full of denial, aren't you? Then you've probably never visited a church where you knew no one.

Don't get me wrong. Some churches are filled with friendly and welcoming people. The church I attend now is one of those. I still remember Pastor Susannah greeting me before services on my first visit. Her smile helped calm my nervousness at being in a new church. Others said hello too. It made a difference. I still attend most Sundays.

Do you greet people who attend your church? I'm not talking about the stand and say hello to your neighbor thing many churches do. That doesn't count. Really. It doesn't. Anybody can shake hands, nod their head and say hello. It isn't conversation. It isn't connecting. It isn't making people feel welcome. It's going through the motions. Nice motions, I might add. But just motions.

We all tend to stay in our little groups, getting caught up and visting. It takes effort to break away and actually have a conversation with someone we don't know. We want someone else to do it. Don't we have a committee for that sort of thing? Sure, we do. But that doesn't excuse us from also making people feel welcome.

Jesus welcomed everyone. He knew each person by name. How can we do any less?

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Let Others See Jesus In You

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." -- Matthew 5:16

My cousin has a special license plate on the front of her van tha gives the name of her church. I think sometimes she'd like to take it off and throw it in the garbage. That way she could vent her frustrations at other drivers without it reflecting badly on her church and christianity.

Whether we like it or not, when we live our faith publicly -- as we should -- we become examples to non-christians. That can be good and that can be bad. It's obviously bad if we're throwing a hissy fit over something. It can be good if we're delivering food to the homeless. You understand what I'm saying here.

We are set apart by God to do His will. Everything we do and say reflects on Him. It isn't just about showing up for church or even being involved in activities such as bible study. It isn't about wearing a cross or reading the Bible. All those things are important but witnessing to others goes so much deeper. It happens when we are polite to the harried waitress who gets our order wrong. It happens when we let other drivers cut in front of us. It happens in the hundreds of little things we do each day. How we treat others, our morals and values, all those things reflect directly on how others see God. It's like when a child throws a tantrum and everyone condemns the parents.

It's not always easy to turn the other cheek. It's certainly difficult to hold your tongue or do something nice for someone who doesn't seem to deserve it. But every time we do what's right, what Jesus would have us do, we witness to someone about who God is and what He has done for us. That's our purpose, to shine His light so that others can see Him.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Being a Peacemaker is Difficult

"Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God." -- Matthew 5:9

One of the things I love most about God is that He knows what I need before I do. On Sunday, Pastor Gary preached on peacemakers. I think he originally geared it toward spouses but expanded it for the rest of us. If he only knew. Without hours of his sermon, I was struggling to remember to be a peacemaker.

My tongue is evil. I know this. It is sharp as a razor and has an opinion about most things. Sometimes it is better to hold said tongue and let things work out on their own. It isn't so much about being a trouble-maker (though I have been that before) as it is about not reacting to the trouble-maker's comments.

Mother has gone through a traumatic time. Cancer surgery left her with many stitches on her face, a drainage tube and worries about  the future. It amazes me how many people dumped their horror and fear right onto her shoulders. She's had to deal with negative comments about her appearance, questions about the necessity of her surgery and, get this, whether she even had cancer or not.

My first reaction is to put each person in his or her place. I want to lash out in anger at the sheer stupidity of people who don't think before they hurt. What good would it do? My words would only cause more trouble. Often, during this week I've repeated the word "peacemaker" in my mind as I struggled to control my tongue. I have Pastor Gary to thank for that. Without that sermon, I don't even want to think about what I would have said or done.

I know that most people mean well. They want to believe that their loved one is getting good medical care. It's difficult to really know what's going on when you aren't present. I know all about that. And I know that worry causes people to over-react and think the worst. What amazes me is that some of the people who are trying hardest to control a situation that isn't theirs to control are people who claim to be strong Christians. Where is that trust in God? Why can't they let their worry go and give it over to God?

I know that I don't have all the answers. I don't even know all the questions. But God does. He knows what I need before I do. He knew I needed a sermon on peacekeeping before I knew what challenges would come. I believe that He will heal my Mother and that her scars will fade away. I trust that He is in control, at all times in all things. Peacekeeping. Yeah, that's a good word to use when I'm trying to hold my tongue.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Don't Believe Lies

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me." -- Matthew 5:11

A couple of years ago my Mother got a new cross necklace as a gift from my Father. She searched and searched until she found the perfect necklace for her. It is gold and shows Jesus hanging from the cross. It means a great deal to her because it symbolizes all He has done for us.

A friend, while admiring it, commented that Mother had selected a "Catholic cross." She explained to Mother that Catholics believe Jesus is still hanging on the cross. Mother was quite upset. She doesn't believe that at all. Neither do Catholics. But the woman spoke with authority and she placed the seed of doubt in Mother's mind.

At an auction Saturday, I overheard two women discussing church. One woman, a Catholic married to a Baptist, said she and her husband had changed churches. The reason? The preacher had devoted one entire sermon to Catholic-bashing. He claimed -- you guessed it -- that Catholics believe Jesus is still hanging on the cross. He also said that Catholics worship symbols rather than God. She was understandably furious and told him so after the service. Now, she assured the woman, they go to a Baptist church where the pastor actually preaches from the Bible.

I interrupted their conversation to tell the story of Mother and her cross necklace. The woman shook her head. It is amazing that a preacher, a person called by God to teach His Word, would spread lies from the pulpit. Is it any wonder that people don't know the facts? Why don't they ask or research something before spreading lies about another person's faith?

I really don't understand why some people need everyone to believe exactly as they do. We have numerous religious denominations because so many of us see things differently. And I don't even want to know how many of those within those denominations have differing views.

All that matters is what I refer to as the John 3:16 belief. Do you believe that Jesus is God's Son? Do you believe He came to this earth as a man to live a sinless life and die on a cross, taking all our sins upon Himself? Do you believe He rose three days later and now sits at the right hand of God? Then you're a Christian.

I always wonder about the heart of someone who needs to preach against another denomination. There are so many wonderful things to learn and teach from the Bible, why does anyone need to down someone else in order to teach God's Word? That circles right back up to heart.

We will never be able to stop others from saying evil things about us. But we can follow Jesus' lead, turn the other cheek, and keep believing in Him with all our hearts. He knows the truth and, in the end, that's all that matters.