"Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." Rom 13:8
In the aftermath of the horrific shooting that victimized 26 teachers and students at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut on December 14, 2012, a six year old girl was quoted as asking, "The little children, are they with the angels?"
This tragedy defies explanation. As a community, a state, a nation and perhaps the world attempts to process what has happened, we are all left diminished and feeling less safe in the world. Reporters and commentators will spend days and weeks discussing, rehashing and uncovering information in an attempt to reason out what has happened. In the end, however, no answers will suffice and none will bring back a single victim. In many ways we are all victims. We are victims of evil.
Beloved nothing will be solved in this brief expression of hurt, anger, grief and outrage. The least and the most that can be offered here is prayers for the affected families, hope that love will ultimately prevail in this world and an encouragement to have faith in God, who in His own time, will do away with all evil. As mind numbing as this attack was, it is merely the latest example of man's inhumanity to man that began with Cain and Abel. On the same date as the Sandy Hook murders, 22 children and an elderly woman were stabbed in an elementary school by a knife wielding man in China. This mirrors a spate of such attacks that took place there in 2010. This is not an American problem. It is a human problem. It is an evil problem. The only thing that can and will overcome it is the precious and powerful love of God.
The little children, are they with the angels? They are surely in the hands of a just God.
We grieve. We pray. We hope.
In faith,
Lee
Monday, December 17, 2012
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Living By Faith 12/13/2012
"All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth." Heb 11:13
One of my most fond memories growing up was going on family vacations. More to the point, it was the anticipation of going on family vacations. Once Dad would announce that we were going to Disney or Six Flags or wherever it happened to be that year, the excitement was immediately established and continued to build over time until the day came. I remember talking about it...a lot! I told all my friends and teachers, my sister and I chattered with one another constantly and I'm sure I bugged my dad quite a bit about the details, timing and what all we were going to do when we got there. And of course my behavior was extra good because I in no way wanted to jeopardize that which was to come. I enjoyed that feeling so much that I've built it into my own parenting.
Beloved this is the way we ought to feel about heaven. More to the point, we should literally vibrate with the excitement associated with one day meeting the Lord face to face. The Old Testament saints did not have the same advantages that we have today. The coming of the savior was still in their future. As we wait for the second coming, imagine what it must have been like for them to look for the first AND, ultimately, the second. Nevertheless, they lived faithful lives, anticipating that great day that remains yet in all of our futures. Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses' parents, Moses, Rahab and so many others served God through faith. In other words, faith provided the "substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen" Heb 11:1. They are thus memorialized in the "faith hall of fame."
If they had enough love for and faith in God to live godly lives in anticipation of their great reward, should we not much more? Be encouraged my friends.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
One of my most fond memories growing up was going on family vacations. More to the point, it was the anticipation of going on family vacations. Once Dad would announce that we were going to Disney or Six Flags or wherever it happened to be that year, the excitement was immediately established and continued to build over time until the day came. I remember talking about it...a lot! I told all my friends and teachers, my sister and I chattered with one another constantly and I'm sure I bugged my dad quite a bit about the details, timing and what all we were going to do when we got there. And of course my behavior was extra good because I in no way wanted to jeopardize that which was to come. I enjoyed that feeling so much that I've built it into my own parenting.
Beloved this is the way we ought to feel about heaven. More to the point, we should literally vibrate with the excitement associated with one day meeting the Lord face to face. The Old Testament saints did not have the same advantages that we have today. The coming of the savior was still in their future. As we wait for the second coming, imagine what it must have been like for them to look for the first AND, ultimately, the second. Nevertheless, they lived faithful lives, anticipating that great day that remains yet in all of our futures. Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses' parents, Moses, Rahab and so many others served God through faith. In other words, faith provided the "substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen" Heb 11:1. They are thus memorialized in the "faith hall of fame."
If they had enough love for and faith in God to live godly lives in anticipation of their great reward, should we not much more? Be encouraged my friends.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
In Praise of Marriage 12/12/2012
"Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, and said, 'FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH'? "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." Matt 19:4-7
It was the Pharisees, in one of their many attempts to test Jesus, that put forth the question, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all (v. 3)?" That same question is still being asked today. Even more tragically, the question is rarely asked any more. The papers are just drafted and that at about a 50% rate.
Beloved, this is not to criticize anyone who has ever gotten a divorce. This is to remind us of why God instituted marriage in the first place. The family, beginning with a man and a woman, is the foundation of every relationship. He established this as one of His first acts of creation. In Gen 9:7, God told Noah and his family, "As for you, be fruitful and multiply; populate the earth abundantly and multiply in it." Even Christ compared the relationship between a husband and wife with that of his relationship with the church. There is great value in family and great strength to be derived from it.
I must admit to you, faithful reader, that there is a reason this subject is on my mind today. If you will forgive the indulgence, o
Monday, December 10, 2012
Beginning with Jesus 12/10/2012 (rp)
"A woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and had endured much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but rather had grown worse — after hearing about Jesus, she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak. For she thought, "If I just touch His garments, I will get well." Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction." Mark 5:25-29
There is so much available in Jesus. Unfortunately many of us do not realize this until we are at the bitter end of what is available in and of ourselves. Far too often we start with us rather than Jesus. Case in point is the hemorrhagic woman. She had suffered for years, gone to many doctors, exhausted all of her funds and found herself down to no options except one.
Beloved think of the pain, suffering, heartache and utter despair that could be saved by beginning with Jesus. He has been described as a heart fixer, a mind regulator, a balm in Gilead and the Great Physician. There is no ill that we suffer that Jesus cannot fix. We should endeavor to begin with faith strong enough to call on him and believe that he what we need is available in him rather than arriving at that point when there is nothing else we can do. This is the true essence and benefit of a relationship with the Savior.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
There is so much available in Jesus. Unfortunately many of us do not realize this until we are at the bitter end of what is available in and of ourselves. Far too often we start with us rather than Jesus. Case in point is the hemorrhagic woman. She had suffered for years, gone to many doctors, exhausted all of her funds and found herself down to no options except one.
Beloved think of the pain, suffering, heartache and utter despair that could be saved by beginning with Jesus. He has been described as a heart fixer, a mind regulator, a balm in Gilead and the Great Physician. There is no ill that we suffer that Jesus cannot fix. We should endeavor to begin with faith strong enough to call on him and believe that he what we need is available in him rather than arriving at that point when there is nothing else we can do. This is the true essence and benefit of a relationship with the Savior.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
A Promise is a Promise 12/5/2012
"In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us." Heb 6:17-18
Throughout history there have been attempts to gain assurances regarding the reliability of a person's word. We are familiar with handshakes, blood oaths and even "pinkie swears" which are popular with pre-teens today. Biblically, it was customary to swear by someone or something greater than oneself though Christ encouraged saying simply "yes" or "no" rather than making oaths at all ( Matt 5:33-37). But we all know what it is like to have someone make assurances and promises but fail to deliver.
Beloved we can rejoice today because we serve a God that is not subject to the fickleness and failings of men and women. It is good to know that it is beyond His capability to lie and that therefore, He will do what He says He will do. God has an amazing track record. Within the context of the Hebrews passage, the Bible indicates that he made promises to Abraham but "since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself" Heb 6:13. Remember that he promised to make an old man and his barren wife the parents of descendants as numerous as the stars. Even we are products of that promise.
Let us then be grateful that God is true. Let us be encouraged by the things he has promised. Let us look forward with hope and faith to the day that the promises he has made regarding our living ever with him will come to pass.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
P.S. Thanks to all for the wonderful birthday wishes.
Throughout history there have been attempts to gain assurances regarding the reliability of a person's word. We are familiar with handshakes, blood oaths and even "pinkie swears" which are popular with pre-teens today. Biblically, it was customary to swear by someone or something greater than oneself though Christ encouraged saying simply "yes" or "no" rather than making oaths at all ( Matt 5:33-37). But we all know what it is like to have someone make assurances and promises but fail to deliver.
Beloved we can rejoice today because we serve a God that is not subject to the fickleness and failings of men and women. It is good to know that it is beyond His capability to lie and that therefore, He will do what He says He will do. God has an amazing track record. Within the context of the Hebrews passage, the Bible indicates that he made promises to Abraham but "since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself" Heb 6:13. Remember that he promised to make an old man and his barren wife the parents of descendants as numerous as the stars. Even we are products of that promise.
Let us then be grateful that God is true. Let us be encouraged by the things he has promised. Let us look forward with hope and faith to the day that the promises he has made regarding our living ever with him will come to pass.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
P.S. Thanks to all for the wonderful birthday wishes.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
On Aging 12/4/1962
“Listen to Me, O house of Jacob,
And all the remnant of the house of Israel,
You who have been borne by Me from birth
And have been carried from the womb;
Even to your old age I will be the same,
And even to your graying years I will bear you!
I have done it, and I will carry you;
And I will bear you and I will deliver you.
Isaiah 46:3-4
As the Lord continues to cause us to rise each and every day, we, by the very passage of time, age. Thoughts of our mortality are typically brought on by the graying of hair, diminished physical and mental capability, the need for medicines and visits to our physicians and a younger generation that seems unaware of the values of our youth. For these and many other reasons, we view aging as a negative and as we see the days approaching, we attempt to hold them off as long as we can through our clothing choices, activities, plastic surgeries, sports car purchases and the like. We have even labeled the advent of mid-life a crisis.
Beloved we must realize that aging is a privilege and a gift. By God's graciousness we are able to see the growth and development of our children. We usher them into their own adulthood and committed relationships. We see the birth and the growth of our grand children and great grand children, often delighting in how they vex their parents as they once vexed us. Life slows down and after decades of toiling to provide we are finally able to rest a bit and take time to enjoy God's great creation. Yes the hair grays but it is a sign of life lived and a symbol wisdom gained through experience. So many of the youth's current cares are no longer ours and the ones we have are put into their proper perspective. Only after we have lived a long time do we truly realize how short life is and how important it is to enjoy it. Through it all, God bears us, carries us and delivers us.
If all else fails, keep in mind this humorous but profound saying: "The only way to avoid getting old is to die young." I don't know about you but I'll take the gray hair, doctor visits and my grandson on my knee.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
And all the remnant of the house of Israel,
You who have been borne by Me from birth
And have been carried from the womb;
Even to your old age I will be the same,
And even to your graying years I will bear you!
I have done it, and I will carry you;
And I will bear you and I will deliver you.
Isaiah 46:3-4
As the Lord continues to cause us to rise each and every day, we, by the very passage of time, age. Thoughts of our mortality are typically brought on by the graying of hair, diminished physical and mental capability, the need for medicines and visits to our physicians and a younger generation that seems unaware of the values of our youth. For these and many other reasons, we view aging as a negative and as we see the days approaching, we attempt to hold them off as long as we can through our clothing choices, activities, plastic surgeries, sports car purchases and the like. We have even labeled the advent of mid-life a crisis.
Beloved we must realize that aging is a privilege and a gift. By God's graciousness we are able to see the growth and development of our children. We usher them into their own adulthood and committed relationships. We see the birth and the growth of our grand children and great grand children, often delighting in how they vex their parents as they once vexed us. Life slows down and after decades of toiling to provide we are finally able to rest a bit and take time to enjoy God's great creation. Yes the hair grays but it is a sign of life lived and a symbol wisdom gained through experience. So many of the youth's current cares are no longer ours and the ones we have are put into their proper perspective. Only after we have lived a long time do we truly realize how short life is and how important it is to enjoy it. Through it all, God bears us, carries us and delivers us.
If all else fails, keep in mind this humorous but profound saying: "The only way to avoid getting old is to die young." I don't know about you but I'll take the gray hair, doctor visits and my grandson on my knee.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Monday, December 3, 2012
Faithful Help 12/3/2012
"Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." Heb 3:12-13
We all know people who at one time seemed to be devout Christians full of the love of God who then began to drift and ultimately fall away all together. This is a bigger tragedy than if they had never met the Lord in the first place.
There are many things that could account for such a tragedy. Some have bad experiences in their church, experienced soured relationships or the loss or departure of a loved one or distraction by the world. These and other events and circumstances are not uncommon occurrences and when we see them happening to our brothers and sisters, it is incumbent upon us to be hyper vigilant to encourage, refresh and relieve.
Departing from God is called apostasy. It is in effect, turning one's back on Him and no longer acknowledging him as Father and Creator. It is a complete rejection of the Divine. The consequences for such a decision are unimaginable and should be avoided at all costs.
Beloved it is true that sometimes the going gets tough. Christ himself warned of this truth. But our relationship with God is made for such times. It is He who provides comfort, reassurance and peace (if we will allow it). It is He that holds us up when we are unable to stand on our own. It is He who is the compassionate one. Part of his provision are those who are strong in the faith. He has commissioned us to be His presence in a time of need.
Let us pursue with all vigor the dual responsibilities of remaining faithful and doing all we can to help others do likewise.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
We all know people who at one time seemed to be devout Christians full of the love of God who then began to drift and ultimately fall away all together. This is a bigger tragedy than if they had never met the Lord in the first place.
There are many things that could account for such a tragedy. Some have bad experiences in their church, experienced soured relationships or the loss or departure of a loved one or distraction by the world. These and other events and circumstances are not uncommon occurrences and when we see them happening to our brothers and sisters, it is incumbent upon us to be hyper vigilant to encourage, refresh and relieve.
Departing from God is called apostasy. It is in effect, turning one's back on Him and no longer acknowledging him as Father and Creator. It is a complete rejection of the Divine. The consequences for such a decision are unimaginable and should be avoided at all costs.
Beloved it is true that sometimes the going gets tough. Christ himself warned of this truth. But our relationship with God is made for such times. It is He who provides comfort, reassurance and peace (if we will allow it). It is He that holds us up when we are unable to stand on our own. It is He who is the compassionate one. Part of his provision are those who are strong in the faith. He has commissioned us to be His presence in a time of need.
Let us pursue with all vigor the dual responsibilities of remaining faithful and doing all we can to help others do likewise.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
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