“The crowds were cynical and skeptical [‘amazed’]. Some of them said, ‘It is by the prince of devils that he casts out devils’ ... Jesus said, ‘When Someone Stronger comes along and overpowers the supposed strong man, he carries off the spoils. Anyone who is not ‘one’ will always be against me. Anyone who does not gather invariably scatters.” Luke 11:14–15, 22–23
Note: I'm sorry for the political lean of this post, but it's what is on my mind and something I am currently struggling with. It's easy to get sucked into the anger and I am mostly preaching to myself.
Isn't it odd how those who stand up against evil are often accused of being evil themselves? Even Jesus. He cast out demons and was accused of being a devil himself. Jesus answered that a kingdom divided cannot stand. Answering evil with evil does no good, and actually removes any good that might have been there.
I was very proud of so many of our ELCA pastors and laity that recently demonstrated at the Trump rally at Lenoir-Rhyne. Many of these folks had very strong feelings against Trump and maybe even feel that there is “evil” dwelling there. But they kept their message positive. Instead of shouting about what they hate, they sang about-and held signs about-what they love. They even stood between two groups who were on their way to coming to blows.
I get so tired of all the negativity in a presidential election year. We should hold up those values in which we believe instead of tearing down the other side. It may not make the news, but if there was no violence and anger to report, maybe it would make the news by default.
No matter who you plan to vote for in November, make it a positive vote. When having political discussions, offer your positive reasons for supporting your candidate instead of tearing down the other candidates. Follow Christ in EVERY aspect of your life.
Holy God,
Help each of us to stop supporting negative campaigning. Give us ears to hear what each candidate has to offer, but make us deaf to their angry criticisms of his/her opponents. Amen.
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Getting Better
14 The human spirit will endure sickness;
but a broken spirit—who can bear?- Proverbs 18:14
I’m sorry I missed posting last week, but I've had the flu. I’m still not at one hundred percent, but I am at least fairly certain I'll survive. Of course, I was fairly sure of that at the onset (even though I think I prayed for death once or twice!). That knowledge, that in a week to ten days I would be healthy again, helped me to get through the toughest part of being sick. I would envision myself two weeks in the future taking a hike in the gorgeous spring weather and life was worth fighting for once again.
Our lives are much the same. We are living life well, and along comes an ugly flu… a job loss, the death of a loved one, a scary diagnosis, a broken relationship. Unlike the actual flu, we can’t always predict when it will be over or what the result is likely to be. And this is where faith comes in. That faith gives us the knowledge that no matter what happens, it is all going to be fine. Even death does not have the final say. Our anxiety comes in wanting to know when and how everything will work out. We are not good at waiting!
The world as a whole follows the same pattern. We live in wonder at the beauty of creation and life and love. But there is an ugly flu out there we have labeled, “evil.” It is the disease that tries to destroy the beauty. It is the fuel behind the worst of the world’s atrocities. But we are promised that even this sickness will one day pass. We can even participate in its coming! Each time we say “no” to hate, each time we answer a harsh word with kindness, each time we forgive without being offered an apology…we bring that day a little closer.
Have faith! No matter what happens, it really is going to be fine and with each act of love we will help that fine day arrive as God’s kingdom on earth.
Holy God,
We all struggle with some kind of “flu.” Give us faith to look ahead and to live as though we are already there. Amen.
but a broken spirit—who can bear?- Proverbs 18:14
I’m sorry I missed posting last week, but I've had the flu. I’m still not at one hundred percent, but I am at least fairly certain I'll survive. Of course, I was fairly sure of that at the onset (even though I think I prayed for death once or twice!). That knowledge, that in a week to ten days I would be healthy again, helped me to get through the toughest part of being sick. I would envision myself two weeks in the future taking a hike in the gorgeous spring weather and life was worth fighting for once again.
Our lives are much the same. We are living life well, and along comes an ugly flu… a job loss, the death of a loved one, a scary diagnosis, a broken relationship. Unlike the actual flu, we can’t always predict when it will be over or what the result is likely to be. And this is where faith comes in. That faith gives us the knowledge that no matter what happens, it is all going to be fine. Even death does not have the final say. Our anxiety comes in wanting to know when and how everything will work out. We are not good at waiting!
The world as a whole follows the same pattern. We live in wonder at the beauty of creation and life and love. But there is an ugly flu out there we have labeled, “evil.” It is the disease that tries to destroy the beauty. It is the fuel behind the worst of the world’s atrocities. But we are promised that even this sickness will one day pass. We can even participate in its coming! Each time we say “no” to hate, each time we answer a harsh word with kindness, each time we forgive without being offered an apology…we bring that day a little closer.
Have faith! No matter what happens, it really is going to be fine and with each act of love we will help that fine day arrive as God’s kingdom on earth.
Holy God,
We all struggle with some kind of “flu.” Give us faith to look ahead and to live as though we are already there. Amen.