The Path of Life

"Therefore choose life" Deut. 30:19

I was listening to an interview with the leader of a group of volunteer rescue workers in Syria, known as the "White Helmets". This is a group of Syrian men (plumbers, carpenters, shop owners, etc.) who search through the rubble in the aftermath of bombings in their white safety helmets to try and locate survivors. When asked why he would put his life at risk to serve like this, rather than, for instance, to serve in the Syrian army, he responded "I chose to follow a path of life rather than a path of death." These brave men have been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

As this applies to Christians, we are also to be the "White Helmets". To search through the rubbles of life and help people come out from that ruin, to heal their wounds as best we can, and let God introduce Himself to them. In a world of sanitized Christians, that means getting our hands dirty. With the story of the Good Samaritan, the hero is not the priest, or Levite, but the one who took, clothed and bandaged the beaten man. The story was told to identify who is our neighbor, the one we are to love like ourselves. But I think we are to not just love, but be like that neighbor. When he pulled the man up, he didn't ask "What were you doing in this part of town?" "Why didn't you pay attention?" That's what happens in the wrong crowd!" He just saw to his need and made sure he was cared for. So should we reach out to those around us, not as adversaries, but as neighbors. Not to destroy like an army, but to rescue, to love, like a neighbor.

We have chosen life, because God has chosen us. A hand reached down and pulled us from the rubble. He accepted us "as is", and said "I love you." To do less than this for others, when God has so greatly loved us, is to shame Him, and it mocks the love He gave. Be a neighbor. Just reach out your hand. In today's world, there are more than enough within reach who desperately need it.

Some Cleansing Thoughts

After a very long week, take some time to ease your mind. Have a great weekend.

Matthew 6:27-29King James Version (KJV)
 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.


John 16:33King James Version (KJV)
 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
 
John 14:27King James Version (KJV)
 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.


Psalm 37:3-7King James Version (KJV)
 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

It is well with my soul. It is well, it is well with my soul. - Horatio Spafford/Phillip Bliss

Love Never Ending, Boundless, Deep And Strong, Be Yours At This Moment, And From Now On - Me


Philippians 4:8King James Version (KJV)
 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

A Musing on America

I try not to focus on politics much on this blog, but recent events have caused me to wonder about our world, and specifically, our country, and I'd like to share a few thoughts. As always, my opinions are my own, and no better or worse than others, but I do beg your indulgence from just a moment. Thank you.

The idea of "jihad" has been around for a long time, but modern jihadism seems to have it's start in the late 60's and early 70's. Small dessert nations were getting rich with oil profits, yet the majority of it's peoples were barely getting by. (One reason of many, true, but also a large motivation.) This was largely fostered by those in leadership, including the unfortunately U.S. backed Shaw of Iran. As situations got worse, the desire for revolt grew, until at last, the Shaw was overthrown. But U.S. backing was not easily forgotten, and over 40 plus years has only festered deeper into the collective conscience, urged on by those who would take the revolt to our very shores.

Let me emphatically state, I am against any form of jihad. I believe in peaceful protest, and working cooperatively within our government to achieve solutions to the problems we face. In any society, there are divisions, and the U.S. is no different. Trouble begins when a division begins to feel itself left out, or worse, persecuted. We have groups who feel threatened, because they fear every policeman they see. Groups who feel threatened, because they fear loosing everything while trying to become Americans, and finding it more difficult and expensive than they ever imagined. Groups who fear for their lives, because of their sexual orientation, not knowing if they will be the recipient of the next bomb scare. There are people supporting the second amendment, who believe it's sole purpose is to maintain a militia ready to overthrow a tyrannical government...and they believe it is ours.

Now, we have an issue with the Dakota Native Americans, who are trying to stop a pipeline from running through their sacred lands. (Once again, oil seems to be a player.) And the federal government, although issuing a last minute pause in construction by President Obama to look into the matter, has done all it can to push this pipeline forward. Native Americans from across the country have bonded together in an unprecedented show of support. Right now it is a standoff, no foreseeable end in sight. Another fissure is created, one more crack in the wall.

These and so many more groups are out there seeking redress, and either being dismissed, or told to "Toughen up, Buttercup". With each new occurrence, a thread is loosened in the American Fabric, until we are no longer "united", but a heap of rags on the floor. How long before any one, or several, of these groups is pushed to jihad? Sound impossible? The recent attacks on innocent police officers would seem to indicate the time is not that far off. If that happens, our nation will implode on itself, and unlike the War between the States, will not have the energy to recover. Our hope lies in the original premise in our Declaration of Independence, that "ALL men are created equal", and as our pledge states, "with liberty and justice for ALL", not just those that can pay for it.

I pray 2 Chronicles 7:14 that we will turn from our wicked ways, because our wicked ways have caused these divisions. Only then can He heal our land.

A Prayer of Peace and How to Achive It

In this time of fear and trouble, especially in the remembrance of 9/11 tomorrow, there is a prayer from centuries ago that still speaks to the heart today. The solution to outside trouble always is from within us. I'm posting this for our use for now, and whenever there is trouble.

A Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.