Truth about Las Vegas Massacre

Dear Reader, after pondering the event of last weekend for a while, I've come to a conclusion.  While many Americans are trying to figure out what an AR-15 is, or what a "bump stock" is, or why someone would commit such atrocities, I offer the only truth that can be had about such an event.  It is similar to the truth I offered in my prayers for mercy after the Sandy Hook Massacre years ago, which I still haven't gotten over.  But I know the "answer" to it, or the "explanation" for it, and indeed the "cause" of such things, even before they might happen.  So here it is:

If this isn't enough for us, then there will never be enough.
Lord, Have Mercy on Me a Sinner!  AMEN

Happy because of Jesus,
Pastor James

How We Vote for the Lesser of Two Evils

I won't vote for “the lesser of two evils.” Really? Why not?

Perhaps the desire could be framed, “I will vote for the better politician.” That's an ironic term to be sure, but it lets us make a good choice in light of the true situation.

The hope for an ideal candidate in any election is surely a fond one. “Hope springs eternal” the marketers know. Politicians always strategize to maximize their benefits and minimize their liabilities. It is up to their opponents to maximize liabilities, right? This should be no surprise to anyone.

For some reason, people are “shocked” and “surprised” when American political campaigns swerve into the gutter. Or when they are swerved intentionally in the gutter.

Proverbs 18:7 says, “A fool's mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul.” A few verses later we read, “The first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him.”

We don't like to be disappointed with politicians. Like optimism and hope, disappointment is ever-present and looms around every new sunrise in politics and government. Many of us would like to cast a vote and solve some problems. There are so many problems that it is hard to keep track of any progress if you are actually trying to hold down a job.

So why the insistence on idealism? On Godly, righteous people in government, especially if they are not running? At the end of the day we have to “give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's.” The Kingdom of God is not equal to any human government, no matter what Evangelicals fondly wish.

And just because a particular politician is sub-optimal is many ways this does not mean voting for that person is a dramatic and revolting act of evil. It is actually a rather mundane act, like raking leaves. It may not be fun or “holy,” but it needs to be done.

Character counts, but only if character is a selection on the ballot. Character is measured against promises of action and policy. Politicians influence public policy, laws and their enforcement, regulation and initiatives of public investment, and hopefully moral leadership. Only with time will the true nature of politicians be revealed, so you have to look at the record, not the mud that is slung.

So, when one candidate is to you better or worse than another (after you've formed evidence based opinions) then you have to “pay your money and take your choice.”

It may not do any real good to see candidates as “evil” just because they are less (or even very far less) than ideal. This is silencing your own vote.

If you chose not to decide, you still have made a choice.

Peace or Payback?

If you take some time to sort through 1 Peter 3, you'll see that believers are to be a source of blessing.  Exactly what blessing means includes truth, btw.  

Blessing is here contrasted with common behavior: retribution.  This is the big word for "payback" (yes, we all know "payback is H#77", so don't even think about saying that out loud).  Blessing is clearly contrasted, and is in fact opposed by or even defeated by payback.  

If Christians simply give insult for insult, evil for evil, we are defeating the purpose for which we are called by God.  We are going to inherit blessings of the heavenly kind, the unimaginable kind, and so we are to be the source from which others are blessed. Verse 13 reminds us that we have no need to fear harm if we are staying in the right.  

This is just not our regular instinct.  I want to be the sheriff, the judge, jury and, well...you know.  But this ain't my calling, is it?  Jesus didn't save us so we could get even.

SO- you gotta love the application of Psalm 34:11ff in verses 10-12.  Who thinks of "people who want to live, love, and be happy" as a Biblical idea?  The behavior will follow the calling of God to salvation.  Any retribution belongs to the One who calls.

What is for us is to be harmonious, which I hope means cooperative, sympathetic, which helps us pray like crazy, brotherly, including acceptance in the big family of God, kindhearted, including to cruel people we find unattractive, and humble in spirit, that is, satisfied with God and His work in us.  

The next time someone steps on your cornflakes, will you choose peace or payback? If you were ever attacked for being a Christian, would you be able to explain why you're giving a blessing?

"Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it."

 

All Religions are Not the Same

All Religions are Not the Same  A great short talk for the end of the semester.