Article for The New Castle Courier-Times, Christian Perspectives, December 26, 2009
And in despair I bowed my head,
“There is no peace on earth,” I said.
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men.
It’s the day after Christmas, and this article is sharing the newspaper with stories of current events that impact our community. Inside its pages you will likely find a section filled with names and photos of individuals who have died in the last 36 hours. You’ll see stories about the war in Afghanistan, a tragic fire or domestic assault. You likely read a story about political squabbling or mudslinging, and one of our superstars may be in the news again – for all the wrong reasons. Maybe today will be the day when the annual “Grinch” story will be written about this year’s hard-hearted person who stole all of the Christmas presents from under the tree.
It’s clear, even as you examine this paper, that Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was right. Hate is strong. In these “United” States, we are experiencing more animosity and division than we have in several years as politicians pit the Haves against the Have-Nots. The threat of a nuclear Iran is foreshadowing a handful of responses, all of which make Sodom and Gomorrah pale in comparison. The "good-old-days" of abortion on demand have mutated into today's headlines of a Virginia woman being able to kill her own live-born daughter without consequence because "the mother and baby were still connected by the umbilical cord."
This day is not unlike the days following the first Christmas. The part of the advent story we seldom read in our "sanitized" version of the Christmas story was very dark and tragic. Herod, the king, was so afraid of this new born King that he had every male child under the age of two slaughtered. Mothers and fathers across Judea wailed in anguish over the loss of their sons.
"There is no peace on earth," I said.
But, what is the source of this animosity, these dark-days, this war that is waged every day in our neighborhoods, and political parties, and churches, and families? Could it be that the source of this ill-will can be found in our freedom of choice?
Of all people, Americans should have the most intense understanding of the power we find in the freedom of choice. Our nation was founded on this freedom-of-all-freedoms. We are free to choose our own paths as we “pursue happiness.” We are free to choose how we will live. It is with this power, our freedom of choice, that we can transform the world both for good and bad.
Examine a passage of scripture common to Jews, Muslims, and Christians says, “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life!” This may come as a shock to some right-wing individuals who have invested far too much energy in the wrong argument of the abortion debate, but God is pro-choice. Before us every day are countless decisions. In each one we can choose between blessings and life, or curses and death. God wants us to choose life. He commands us to choose life. But the choice is ultimately ours, and so are the consequences.
The angels on the hillside announced "Peace on earth, good-will toward men." But that is just God's side of the equation. What is our side of the equation? Are we choosing life over death? Are we choosing peace over conflict? Sadly, I think not.
All too often we choose the things that promise hope, only to be disappointed. Herod promised peace as long has he was in control. But when his power was threatened, even by an infant, pain and anguish replaced the stillness found in Bethlehem. God never asked us to choose hope; he asked us to choose life, even if choosing life meant a life of challenge.
Longfellow's final stanza reminds us what can happen if we choose life; if we choose right; if we reject wrong. He reminds us that we must fight for what is right and reject what is wrong. The choice is ours. Now is the time. Choose well.
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
God is not dead nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, goodwill to men.
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Showing posts with label peace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label peace. Show all posts
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Friday, December 7, 2007
God Chose To Reveal Himself
Courier-Times Article for December 8, 2007
God chose to reveal His nature in an event we call advent or Christmas time. He used his powerful angels, not to bring death and destruction but, to sing songs of joy and good tidings.
Hail the heav'n born Prince of Peace! / Hail the Sun of righteousness! / Light and life to all He brings, / Ris'n with healing in His wings. / Mild He lays His glory by, / Born that man no more may die; / Born to raise the sons of earth, / Born to give them second birth. / Hark! the herald angels sing, / "Glory to the newborn King!"
He chose to reveal Himself, not to royalty or power-brokers but, to shepherds tending their flocks at night.
While shepherds kept their watching, / O'er silent flocks by night; / Behold throughout the heavens, / There shone a holy light. / The shepherds feared and trembled, / When lo above the earth; / Rang out the angel chorus, / That hailed our Savior's birth.
He chose to reveal Himself, not in the capitol or royal city but, in a humble village suburb near Herod’s palace.
Come to Bethlehem and see, / Him whose birth the angels sing; / Come adore on bended knee, / Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
He chose to reveal Himself, not to experienced respectable parents but, to a bewildered teen couple, engaged to be married, and unexpectedly pregnant.
What Child is this, who laid to rest / On Mary's lap is sleeping? / Whom angels greet with anthems sweet / While shepherds watch are keeping? / This, this is Christ the King, / Whom shepherds guard and angels sing. / Haste, haste to bring Him laud, / The Babe the Son of Mary.
He chose to reveal Himself, not as a mighty warrior or eloquent politician but, as a defenseless, vulnerable baby.
Born Thy people to deliver, / Born a Child and yet a King; / Born to reign in us forever, / Now Thy gracious kingdom bring. / By Thine own eternal Spirit, / Rule in all our hearts alone; / By Thine all sufficient merit, / Raise us to Thy glorious throne.
He chose to reveal Himself, not as an invincible, unbreakable hero but, as a bruised and battered servant, who died and was buried in a borrowed grave.
Good Christian men, rejoice / With heart, and soul, and voice; / Now ye need not fear the grave, / Peace! Peace! / Jesus Christ was born to save! / Calls you one calls you all, / To gain His everlasting hall. / Christ was born to save! / Christ was born to save!
Then He chose to reveal himself as Messiah, Christ, and Savior of the world!
He rules the world with truth and grace / And makes the nations prove. / The glories of His righteousness / And wonders of His love, / And wonders of His love, / And wonders / And wonders of His love.
He chose to reveal Himself, not as a mean-spirited God of wrath, but as a God of peace and a God of second chances.
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep, / "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; / The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, / With peace on earth, good will to men."
He chose to reveal Himself as a loving God who is worthy of our worship.
Then let us all with one accord / Sing praises to our heavenly Lord, / That hath made heaven and earth of naught, / And with His blood mankind hath bought. / Noel, noel! Noel, noel! / Born is the King of Israel!
If you desire to worship the God of Peace, who revealed Himself during Advent, take some time in the next few days and invest it in a local church. Who knows? God might reveal Himself to you this Christmas.
On Sunday night, December 16th at 6:00 pm South Memorial Drive Church of God will celebrate Candles and Carols. We will be reading the Christmas story and singing traditional Christmas carols. At 5:40 pm the Woodwind Instrumental Choir from New Castle High School will be providing our pre-service music. Join us in worshiping Christ, the newborn King!
O come let us adore Him, / O come let us adore Him, / O come let us adore Him, / Christ the Lord.
God chose to reveal His nature in an event we call advent or Christmas time. He used his powerful angels, not to bring death and destruction but, to sing songs of joy and good tidings.
Hail the heav'n born Prince of Peace! / Hail the Sun of righteousness! / Light and life to all He brings, / Ris'n with healing in His wings. / Mild He lays His glory by, / Born that man no more may die; / Born to raise the sons of earth, / Born to give them second birth. / Hark! the herald angels sing, / "Glory to the newborn King!"
He chose to reveal Himself, not to royalty or power-brokers but, to shepherds tending their flocks at night.
While shepherds kept their watching, / O'er silent flocks by night; / Behold throughout the heavens, / There shone a holy light. / The shepherds feared and trembled, / When lo above the earth; / Rang out the angel chorus, / That hailed our Savior's birth.
He chose to reveal Himself, not in the capitol or royal city but, in a humble village suburb near Herod’s palace.
Come to Bethlehem and see, / Him whose birth the angels sing; / Come adore on bended knee, / Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
He chose to reveal Himself, not to experienced respectable parents but, to a bewildered teen couple, engaged to be married, and unexpectedly pregnant.
What Child is this, who laid to rest / On Mary's lap is sleeping? / Whom angels greet with anthems sweet / While shepherds watch are keeping? / This, this is Christ the King, / Whom shepherds guard and angels sing. / Haste, haste to bring Him laud, / The Babe the Son of Mary.
He chose to reveal Himself, not as a mighty warrior or eloquent politician but, as a defenseless, vulnerable baby.
Born Thy people to deliver, / Born a Child and yet a King; / Born to reign in us forever, / Now Thy gracious kingdom bring. / By Thine own eternal Spirit, / Rule in all our hearts alone; / By Thine all sufficient merit, / Raise us to Thy glorious throne.
He chose to reveal Himself, not as an invincible, unbreakable hero but, as a bruised and battered servant, who died and was buried in a borrowed grave.
Good Christian men, rejoice / With heart, and soul, and voice; / Now ye need not fear the grave, / Peace! Peace! / Jesus Christ was born to save! / Calls you one calls you all, / To gain His everlasting hall. / Christ was born to save! / Christ was born to save!
Then He chose to reveal himself as Messiah, Christ, and Savior of the world!
He rules the world with truth and grace / And makes the nations prove. / The glories of His righteousness / And wonders of His love, / And wonders of His love, / And wonders / And wonders of His love.
He chose to reveal Himself, not as a mean-spirited God of wrath, but as a God of peace and a God of second chances.
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep, / "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; / The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, / With peace on earth, good will to men."
He chose to reveal Himself as a loving God who is worthy of our worship.
Then let us all with one accord / Sing praises to our heavenly Lord, / That hath made heaven and earth of naught, / And with His blood mankind hath bought. / Noel, noel! Noel, noel! / Born is the King of Israel!
If you desire to worship the God of Peace, who revealed Himself during Advent, take some time in the next few days and invest it in a local church. Who knows? God might reveal Himself to you this Christmas.
On Sunday night, December 16th at 6:00 pm South Memorial Drive Church of God will celebrate Candles and Carols. We will be reading the Christmas story and singing traditional Christmas carols. At 5:40 pm the Woodwind Instrumental Choir from New Castle High School will be providing our pre-service music. Join us in worshiping Christ, the newborn King!
O come let us adore Him, / O come let us adore Him, / O come let us adore Him, / Christ the Lord.
Friday, April 6, 2007
The Lone Ranger Wasn’t Really Alone
August 19, 2006 – Christian Perspectives - New Castle Courier-Times, IN
Growing up in America, I’ve learned a few things that are as American as apple pie and Chevrolet. The Cubs will probably never win a World Series Championship. You can remember the names of the Great Lakes because each lake starts with a letter in the word HOMES. Columbus discovered the New World; or was it Leif Eriksson, or maybe Americus, or maybe the Native Americans?
Anyway, I also learned that the heart of the American Spirit was the self-sufficient, entrepreneurial pioneer most typified by the Lone Ranger. I’ve been taught that Donald Trump is a self-made man, that Rambo and the Terminator can each save the world all by themselves, and that Elvis and Frank both did it “My way!” And while this might be the heart of the American Spirit, it is far from God’s design for us.
Scripture teaches us that it is God who made us and, not we ourselves. It also shows us that very rarely does God use a lone individual to accomplish His purposes. Moses needed Aaron and Hur. When Moses tried to be the lone judge of the people, his father-in-law, Jethro, convinced Moses to select several judges to help with the work load. David had his mighty men. When Elijah was depressed thinking he was the only one serving the Lord, God reminded him that there were still 7000 who had not bowed the knee to Baal.
We see the same pattern in the New Testament. When Jesus sent the twelve out to minister the Good News, He sent them two by two. Jesus did the same thing with the 72 followers who were sent out to do ministry. The missionary tours of Paul were not taken alone. It was Paul and Barnabas, then Paul and Silas. Dr. Luke tells us that the church spent time working and worshiping together as a community.
I am becoming more and more convinced that effective, God-honoring, Kingdom advancing ministry can only happen within the context of community. God doesn’t desire, and hasn’t designed Lone Ranger Christians; He has made us for community.
Evangelism, when practiced outside of full participation in the community we are evangelizing, may still win souls to Christ. But the motivation for that kind of evangelism is rarely compassion for lost souls. Instead, the motivation is a self-serving, check-list, do-the-right-thing mentality.
Giving a turkey to the homeless on Thanksgiving is better than not giving one. But the motivation behind this once a year, social-sacrifice is usually to appease our guilt and not based on love or concern for those in a desperate situation.
When we lose our identity as a body of believers, even worship gatherings can become centers for selfish spiritual consumers, rather than communities of grace.
Grace, compassion, love, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness, joy, goodness, self-control, and many other marks of true Christ followers all indicate a relationship with someone else. You cannot have compassion except for someone else. You cannot show kindness except to someone else. There is no need for self-control except in dealing with others. You cannot show faithfulness without someone else to be faithful to.
Our very nature, as new creatures in the Kingdom of God, presupposes that we will live, and work, and laugh, and grieve, and experience joy, and peace within a community. To live outside of community is to deny the very core of our new nature.
I’m still not sure who first discovered the New World but it was probably some guy who wouldn’t stop and ask for directions. Maybe the Cubs will win a World Series, but I’m not holding my breath. And if Donald Trump could do it by himself, why does he need an apprentice?
However, I am convinced that the Lone Ranger didn’t do it “on his own.” He had Tonto and they worked as a team. The Lone Ranger is not only fiction, it’s a myth. The Lone Ranger Christian is also a myth, whose legend is better suited for the comic books than real life.
Growing up in America, I’ve learned a few things that are as American as apple pie and Chevrolet. The Cubs will probably never win a World Series Championship. You can remember the names of the Great Lakes because each lake starts with a letter in the word HOMES. Columbus discovered the New World; or was it Leif Eriksson, or maybe Americus, or maybe the Native Americans?
Anyway, I also learned that the heart of the American Spirit was the self-sufficient, entrepreneurial pioneer most typified by the Lone Ranger. I’ve been taught that Donald Trump is a self-made man, that Rambo and the Terminator can each save the world all by themselves, and that Elvis and Frank both did it “My way!” And while this might be the heart of the American Spirit, it is far from God’s design for us.
Scripture teaches us that it is God who made us and, not we ourselves. It also shows us that very rarely does God use a lone individual to accomplish His purposes. Moses needed Aaron and Hur. When Moses tried to be the lone judge of the people, his father-in-law, Jethro, convinced Moses to select several judges to help with the work load. David had his mighty men. When Elijah was depressed thinking he was the only one serving the Lord, God reminded him that there were still 7000 who had not bowed the knee to Baal.
We see the same pattern in the New Testament. When Jesus sent the twelve out to minister the Good News, He sent them two by two. Jesus did the same thing with the 72 followers who were sent out to do ministry. The missionary tours of Paul were not taken alone. It was Paul and Barnabas, then Paul and Silas. Dr. Luke tells us that the church spent time working and worshiping together as a community.
I am becoming more and more convinced that effective, God-honoring, Kingdom advancing ministry can only happen within the context of community. God doesn’t desire, and hasn’t designed Lone Ranger Christians; He has made us for community.
Evangelism, when practiced outside of full participation in the community we are evangelizing, may still win souls to Christ. But the motivation for that kind of evangelism is rarely compassion for lost souls. Instead, the motivation is a self-serving, check-list, do-the-right-thing mentality.
Giving a turkey to the homeless on Thanksgiving is better than not giving one. But the motivation behind this once a year, social-sacrifice is usually to appease our guilt and not based on love or concern for those in a desperate situation.
When we lose our identity as a body of believers, even worship gatherings can become centers for selfish spiritual consumers, rather than communities of grace.
Grace, compassion, love, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness, joy, goodness, self-control, and many other marks of true Christ followers all indicate a relationship with someone else. You cannot have compassion except for someone else. You cannot show kindness except to someone else. There is no need for self-control except in dealing with others. You cannot show faithfulness without someone else to be faithful to.
Our very nature, as new creatures in the Kingdom of God, presupposes that we will live, and work, and laugh, and grieve, and experience joy, and peace within a community. To live outside of community is to deny the very core of our new nature.
I’m still not sure who first discovered the New World but it was probably some guy who wouldn’t stop and ask for directions. Maybe the Cubs will win a World Series, but I’m not holding my breath. And if Donald Trump could do it by himself, why does he need an apprentice?
However, I am convinced that the Lone Ranger didn’t do it “on his own.” He had Tonto and they worked as a team. The Lone Ranger is not only fiction, it’s a myth. The Lone Ranger Christian is also a myth, whose legend is better suited for the comic books than real life.
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