Does God Hate Haiti?

The world has reeled at the images coming out of earthquake racked Haiti. Why there, one of the poorest countries on the earth? They have so little capacity for picking up the pieces and bouncing back. Does God hate Haiti? Or is God judging that nation for evil deeds of their ancestors, as one commentator suggested?

It is a dangerous thing to claim that any tragedy is a specific judgment of God, because tragedies come to all of us eventually. The book of Job points out that suffering and sin are not necessarily directly related, though there is an indirect relationship. All have sinned and fall short of God’s plan and purpose. We all deserve His judgment. Thankfully God’s first response was to send us a Savior! John 3:17 assures us, “God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that through him the world might be saved.”

Have the people of Haiti sinned? Yes, of course, just like the people of the USA. Does the political corruption and the practice of voodoo and witchcraft disturb God? Very much so, just like the materialism and greed and rampant sex of the USA. Or any other nation. And disasters come to all.

When tragedy strikes, how should we interpret it? The “Why” may never be explained, but we should all be reminded that our life is but a breath, and at any instant we might find ourselves before the judgment seat. It should lead us to repent of all that has disappointed God. We should take note of how much of life is beyond our power to control, and humbly turn to God. We should evaluate our priorities, and recommit ourselves to live for Christ.

God has not called us to be messengers of bad news, pointing out the sins of others. He warned us not to judge others, or we ourselves would be judged. And God has given us Good News to share. Tragedies like this one in Haiti give us as Christians the opportunity to bear witness that God is love. And the best way to do it is not with words, but with deeds. When Christians reach out in mercy they exemplify the mercy of Christ.

These are tough economic times, and few of us have “extra” money lying around. Yet all of us are rich compared to those suffering in Haiti. Have faith that God will provide for us, and be generous in reaching out. Let’s live the Golden Rule, not just in the immediate emergency, but over the years of picking up the pieces. Let’s be messengers of the Good News.

The Best Christmas Present

Lyn and I follow a daily devotional plan that takes us through the whole Bible every year. This morning took us to 2 Peter. What marvelous riches for meditation! “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (1:3). What a great verse to begin the Christmas season with. I already have everything I need for the things that matter most.

First, Everything I need for life. All the advertisements try to stir in me a feeling that I don’t have quite enough for real living. I could be happier if I just had their product. The devil constantly whispers in our ears that we need a little more of this or that – money, or food, or sex, or time, or the latest game, or relationship, or even time with our grandkids. All of them may be good things, invented by God for our good, but none of them contain life. Once we come to the realization that Christ alone is our life, then we realize that we already have more than enough! Life does not come through our knowledge about Christ, but in knowing Him. The better I know Him, the more I appreciate and enjoy the life He gives; but the newest convert has full access to the same life.

Second, everything I need for godliness. When Christ becomes our life, then godliness becomes our highest goal. He has already provided for that! Godliness is not reserved for monks locked in a monastery, or missionaries, or pastors studying the Bible all day. I want to be more and more like Christ. I realize that there’s a long road ahead of me in this quest, but I can also look back and see He’s brought me a mighty long way already. While there are hindrances along the way, there are no roadblocks. Of course it will be a challenge. How else could we call it faith? But Christ marks the pathway, Christ gives us strength, Christ gives us the tools (the Bible, a church family, Christian music, good books…), Christ gives us the discipline (goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, love), and Christ picks us up when we fall and puts our feet back on the path.

Why? “So that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption of the world caused by evil desires” (1:4). Me? Lowly, feeble all-to-human me, participate in Christ’s divine nature? Think of it! Sure, who hasn’t daydreamed of having divine power, to be able to “fix” various situations; but divine nature… having His character, His desires, His purity, His peace and equanimity, His ability to love, His insight and grasp of truth… along with the power to always do right.

And escape corruption. No more Second Law of Thermodynamics for us. Everywhere in this world we see decay. Breakdowns, rust, termites, mold, and rot are everywhere. By the time we reach adulthood our health has already peaked, and our bodies have started to wear out. It’s only a matter of time. Christ is the only escape. God’s eternal hope is for us to have eternity with Him. That is why in the beginning of time He planted the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden. Had it not been for evil desires leading to rebellion, Adam and Eve would be there today, still eating from that tree.

Talk about the best Christmas present ever! His divine power has already given me everything I need for life and godliness, through my knowledge of Him who called me by His own glory and goodness. Thank You Jesus!

All I Want for Christmas is a New Cell Phone

I overheard some children talking about what they wanted for Christmas this year, and was surprised to hear a cell phone make the top of the list! What was unthinkable a decade ago is becoming normal. Talk to any school principal in town and you’ll hear that cell phones are all over.

Did you know that there are nearly 275 million cell phones in use in the United States? That’s nearly 90% of our population! Cell phones are the technological marvel of our time, covering the earth more rapidly than anything ever known. Actually, the US is 3^rd in cell use; India has 441 million, and China a whopping 695 million! 3.5 billion worldwide. There are more text messages sent daily than there are people on earth.

Not that I am complaining. They are a great way to stay connected. As Meg travels to visit churches across the country this year, we can call her and she can call us from anywhere. They are wonderful if you run out of gas or have a travel emergency. They are even quite handy in the grocery store, for a reminder of what exactly am I supposed to get? Yet they can also get in the way of communication, as people ignore the folks right in front of them to talk on the phone.

Isn’t it funny to watch an old spy movie, and see their “secret communication devices”? You couldn’t carry them, because the battery pack was the size of a shoe box. I remember when they first came out. Cell phones were just for rich people. Ordinary folks like me would never need one. Until my neighbor got one… who would’ve imagined how prevalent they have become?

A new cell phone for Christmas. Back in the day before there was any electronic communication, Jesus Christ entered this world as a tiny baby. He was the very Word of God, but he came to connect with us face to face. Some things just don’t work over the phone. He took on flesh and grew up like one of us, so that we can know he understands what we are going through. He laughed and cried like we do.

God wants to connect with us. He took the initiative, and showed up at our door, in a form that wouldn’t terrify us. That’s the wonder of Christmas.

If you want to experience the true meaning of the holiday, make sure you are “picking up the phone,” and connecting with God. “Dial in” to His number. Look for Him in all the music, the decorations, the celebrations and the gifts. Come and worship Him as often as possible.

Want to increase your fullness? Connect with others. Invite a child to church and Sunday School. Bring their whole family along. God so loved the world that He sent His Son! Read the story to a child. Send a card that proclaims Christ, and don’t forget our shut-ins. Hang Christian symbols on your tree as ornaments. Make prayer more prominent in family gatherings. Invite friends and family to church. Invite them again! Schedule family gatherings to include church. If you are the guest, mention that you would like to go to church with them. Adopt a needy family. Bake Christmas treats for someone whose family is far away.

Merry Christmas to you all!

Steve

The Big Event

Saturday is the big day, and I’m going to miss it!

Our church is busy preparing for our annual chicken & noodle dinner & bazaar. Always a fun and busy time! Hundreds of people stop by to eat, visit, and laugh with us. As with any project like this, it takes lots and lots of help. We’ve met monthly to make the noodles (over 100 dozen eggs worth!); others have been baking and making crafts for sale. But the biggest work is this weekend, of course; setting up, pricing, cooking, serving, selling tickets, cutting pies, making coffee… and cleaning up.

Even though I am a “hands-on” kind of guy, I have never helped with the serving. My role has always been to visit with people as they come in, hob-nob with folks we see once a year. In a sense, I am the face of Whetstone to our visitors. Our church folks don’t mind (as long as I help with the clean up), and I think it is fun. I love the whole event, including the “victory dinner” after church the next day with the left-overs.

So why am I going to miss it? I’ll be 2 hours north speaking at a youth retreat. Janet Fleck asked me months ago to join her at “FaithQuest”. Since she came to church camp with me, I thought it was only fair. Of all the weekends in the fall, it happened to hit Whetstone Bazaar.

Why didn’t I graciously back out? Several reasons. One, we have a terrific Youth Minister who can step up in my absence. Dan is more than able to be the “face of Whetstone” – he’s even tall, making him stand out in the crowd. Two, I know the event will run like a well-oiled machine, just like always. But more importantly, after praying about it this seemed the right thing to do.

This is a prayer that started last Fall. I was praying that God would give me the chance to go back to India soon. Then I began to wonder, why am I praying this? And the answer came, because I have seen God work so powerfully there. Last time I was there, the Colts played in the Superbowl and I missed the game - but I didn't miss it at all, because it seemed that a much larger contest was being played out right before my eyes, and God was winning a spiritual victory! Sure, God is at work everywhere all the time; but there are times and places where it seems so much more evident. So I changed my prayer. Instead of praying to go to India, I began praying that God would put me in those times and places. When Janet called back in March, a light went on that this would be one of them.

So, I will sadly but gladly miss the Chicken-Noodle dinner this year. It is possible for our heart to be in two places at the same time. Meanwhile, I eagerly anticipate seeing the Holy Spirit work in the hearts of these youth. I would still like to go back to India, but more than anything I want to be involved with what God is doing. What an honor and privilege that He allows us to take part.

Go Team!

Another Fabulous Fall for the Colts! As I write this they are 5-0, with a 14 game regular season winning streak. Their Sunday opponent, the Rams, have a longer streak going – 16 games in a row – but it’s a losing streak! Las Vegas is predicting the Colts will win by 13 points to extend both streaks.

It’s not that there are no good players in St. Louis. All of them were highly successful in college. And many of those losses were close. But there is something missing. The timing and teamwork of the Colts is like a well-oiled machine, and a beautiful thing to watch. At least for a Colts fan! It might be different in St. Louis.

We’ve been studying the book of Philippians on Sunday mornings. Paul closes his letter with a plea for teamwork; he writes in 4:2-3, “I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord…. Help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel.” Something was going wrong with the team. These two women were among the earliest believers in Philippi, and each played big roles in getting the church established. They worked side by side with Paul in spreading the news of Christ, in training new believers, in expressing the love of God with acts of kindness. They had shared in victory after victory as the Holy Spirit did great things among them. Yet now, for some reason, they were contending with each other. It’s not that one was right and the other wrong – Paul pleads with both of them. Something had come between them, and instead of facing their true opponent, they were fighting against a team mate.

There is nothing like working together for a common cause to draw people together. Especially when that cause is God’s cause. None of us can accomplish God’s plans by ourselves. Only together can we advance His Kingdom. If I think I have a better idea than what the rest of the team is doing, it is going to mess up the whole play. If Dallas Clark thinks it would be better to turn left, but Manning is expecting him to turn right, the play will likely end up as an interception. But each time they do it right builds their confidence in each other.

So why are humans so susceptible to letting hurt feelings come between team mates, even when we have a long history of working together? It is part of our fallen nature. But with Christ, it does not have to be that way. We are on the same team. Our Coach has a great game plan. He already has a victory celebration planned at the end of the season! When the highlight reels are being played, I don’t want to be the one seen running the wrong way, blocking out a team mate instead of an opponent.

I am so thankful to be on God’s team with you! I count it a privilege to work side by side with such great team mates.

PASS THE WORD!

Have you ever left a piece of fruit or something sticky on the kitchen counter overnight, then by morning found yourself surrounded with company? A two-way stream of ants going back and forth from that spot across the cabinet, down the wall, under the door, and across the patio to their colony in the back yard.
You hadn’t put up any signs in the yard to let them know you had been lazy with sweet, gooey stuff the night before. Who knows the name of the first ant who sensed something was available in your kitchen? But when he found it he passed the word along to the rest of his colony immediately — and hundreds of his fellows were streaming in and out of your house until Mr. Raid announced a change of plans.
When Jesus walked this earth, something like that happened. He didn’t blow trumpets or send out advertizing to prepare the way. He simply showed up and began changing lives. Then like the woman at the well, they went and told others. Before long there was a steady stream of people coming to meet Him. Then they went out and brought their friends too.
Evangelism at its best is not a duty or a program. It is showing how Christ touched you with joy, peace, and wholeness! The best argument for Christ does not come in words alone, but in our lives, as we walk in the Spirit. Unfortunately the flip side is also true; the best argument against the Christian faith is Christians who are full of themselves, unloving, bitter, or gloomy.
Our goal as witnesses is not to change people, but to introduce them to Jesus. It is not our job to get them to quit their bad habits. As they get closer to God, the Holy Spirit will do a fine job of pointing out where they need to change. Like the ants, we simply tell where the sweet stuff is!
“You will be my witnesses...” Acts 1:8. Pass the word! Say something nice about God today.

IMHO

I was taking part in an on-line conversation awhile back, and came across the acronym “IMHO”; to which the next person replied with a “IMNSHO.” I had to turn to someone younger than I to get the translation, “In My Humble Opinion;” I figured out for myself that the extra NS stood for “not so.” It made me wonder, how often are my “humble opinions” stated in a way that is not so humble after all? Ted Turner (not exactly the poster child for modesty) once said “If I had a little bit of humility, I’d be perfect.”

In his book, Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis calls pride the great sin, saying, "There is one vice of which no man in the world is free; which everyone in the world loathes when he sees it in someone else. Pride is spiritual cancer, it eats up the very possibility of love, or contentment, or even common sense. If anyone would like to acquire humility I can I think tell him the first step. The first step is to realize that one is proud. And a big step too. At least nothing whatever can be done before it. If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed."

How could Jesus be so humble? He had more to be proud of than anyone! His identity as Messiah, all the miracles, his faithfulness to God, his sacrifices for the sake of the Kingdom… to say nothing about his divine nature! Yet we constantly see Jesus taking the humble position. He never demands that others serve him, and never complains about being mistreated. He did teach “as one with authority,” not just sharing humble opinions. And he did tread on a few toes in the process. But it was more about the truth, not about building his own reputation.

Humility is a process of dying to self. It involves giving up the need to be the important one. It is never easy among our peers. I’ve noticed, though, that when we are in the presence of someone truly great it comes more naturally. We turn our focus to them.

When we are in worship, we recognize that we are in the presence of God. There is no room for personal pride in worship because it is about Him, not about us. The more we are aware of His awesome presence the more humble we will be.

But what about our normal day to day interactions with our Christian brothers and sisters… can we recognize Christ living in them? They may not be letting His light shine through very brightly at the moment, but that does not reduce His presence. May God help us to see Himself in each other.

IMHO, the light of Christ shines beautifully in your eyes.