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Tragedy
On this day twenty-two years ago the world was at peace. There were no major restrictions in travel; no fear of walking down the busy streets of most major cities. The day was just another mundane Monday in September. People were going about life as normal not knowing the greatest economic, geopolitical, and governmental shift was about to occur. The next day, Tuesday, September 11, 2001, the world changed forever. Everything came to a standstill and by the time the dust and debris settled, 2,977 souls were lost. The sky was covered with smoke and fighter jets. All commercial airlines…
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We Need A Revival
Looking back, it is clear to see the movement of our American society. In the mid 1900’s The Supreme Court ruled definitively against public religious expression. This division between Christian affiliation and public education was determined as far back as 1940, Cantwell v. Connecticut (1940) and Everson v. Board of Education of Ewing Township (1947). The greatest implementation was in the landmark ruling of 1962, Engle v. Vital, prohibiting school-sponsored prayer. One year later, the Schempp (1963) ruling extended the ban to Bible reading and the recitation of the Lord’s prayer. The second sexual revolution began in the early 1960’s…
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Wake Up
Rom 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. According to recent surveys, the modern American spends a majority of their time seeking or experiencing entertainment. Numbers vary but the general consensus is that most are in pursuit of the next thrill. Medical experts connect these entertainment endeavors to the brain’s natural release of dopamine, i.e., people are addicted to the “high.” Additionally, the purchasing of products invoke emotional responses. Last, but not least, political and social issues offer everyone something…
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Divided
Luke 11:17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. Jesus presented an axiom of truth when He spoke of a divided house. By deductive reasoning we can assume that a united house will not fall. In reference to the church, a caring body of believers has a measurable strength. However, if the church body works against itself, the strength or durability falters. It may seem elementary on the surface, but the depth of such truths are regularly seen by growing or failing…
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Noised Abroad
When Peter and John stood before the pharisees’ council, they defended the healing of the lame man and their doctrine by saying, Acts 4:20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. Their statement reiterated two critical points. First, they had no other message than the one given. Secondly, they were spreading the message among the people, i.e., they had no choice but to speak. Jerusalem 33-34 AD was one of the largest cities of its day. However, there were no media outlets, printing presses, or broadcasting systems. Word-of-mouth was the most basic and prominent…
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Pearl of Great Price
Only twice in the Scripture is the word “pearl” found. The second describes the gate of Heaven. The first is located in the Lord’s parable concerning the Kingdom. Mat 13:46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. The Lord’s message pertained to the pursuit of the Kingdom, it’s value, and personal perception. The verse intentionally reveals the conflict of our day in that many do not believe that “selling all” is worth the trade. Community churches often remove the message of self-denial and sacrifice. These subjects are…
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Lost At Sea
In the black of night the ocean has an endless edge. Even professional sailors have no real expertise in managing those contemptible waters. Early this month, Donald Lawson, an experienced sailor, has been reported “lost at sea.” His 60ft Ocean Racing Multihull Association-class trimaran boat cannot be found. While the Coast Guard is covering a 300 nautical mile radius, the hope of finding him is growing dim. “Lost at sea” has been a common epitaph through the centuries of sailors’ efforts to traverse the globe. The open water holds no respect for those who desire such travel. Nevertheless, men of…
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Lost In The House
Three parables grade the pages of Luke chapter 15: The Lost Sheep; The Lost Coin; and The Lost Son. The sheep left the protection of the flock. The shepherd then responded by leaving the ninety-nine in search of the one. Jesus implies that only the one lost was in danger and the rest were secure. The father of the prodigal did not leave the house, but anxiously looked and waited for his return. Both of these parables speak of the love of the Father and both showcase different aspects of the lost and their recovery. The middle parable is a…
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False Fronts
In recent years, phone apps have been used to open portfolios of information or tools. The icon is the symbol which identifies the desired file, whether news, games, or some other area of interest. However, some icons do not reveal what is really behind them. For instance, an innocuous app may feature the image of random game, when in reality lies a pornographic website. Even careful parents are fooled by the icon’s image and are oblivious to what lies behind the seemingly innocent app. The enemy of our soul has perfected these false fronts for centuries. What appears to be…
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Uncertain Times
Perhaps it is not well known, but by one count France has had 16 different constitutions since its initial writing in 1791. The Chilean government recently amended their governing document for the sixtieth time. By one calculation, the average lifespan of a Latin American constitution lasts 16 years, while western Europe averages a change every 77 years. The strength of the United States has been that, until recently, we considered our constitution a settled document. After King David and King Solomon, the children of Israel experienced a constant flow of monarchical changes. These shifts led them in and out of…