Live In The Light

"

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." (John 3:18-21 KJV)

For days I have been seeing articles about Baby Jane Doe, the two-year old, whose body was found in a plastic bag on Deer Island, Boston, MA. It is not clear, yet, who exactly is responsible for her death. But, it has come to the light that drugs were definitely involved. No one wants to take responsibility. No one wants to confess their own sins; although, they appear to be able to confess the alleged sins of others who may have been involved quite readily. The mother, who blames the boyfriend; where was she in all this? Was the boyfriend solely responsible? What about the father who had nothing to do with this child. Did he not even have enough contact with this child over the time she had disappeared to even know that she was gone?

It seems that we have an epidemic in this country wherein parents have chosen drugs (legal and illegal drugs, including alcohol and medical marijuana) over their children. Way too many are parenting in drug induced fogs and they cannot see the light. Consequently, the children are not able to experience the light shining with hope and safety, either. Children are being hurt. They are being sold to support the addiction of their parents. They are even being killed.

There is no known "cure" for addictions in this world. But, there is help. Come into the light of Christ, children of God, that all of our children might grow and live in peace. We only have about eighteen years to raise them in a manner that they might live fruitful and peaceful lives in this world. Let us make the most of this time. May God help us to live in the light and to teach our children the same.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Be Filled with the Spirit; not spirits

"Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Eph 5:15-20

Another way that I can say it is this, "Choose this day whom you will serve." (Joshua 24:15) Will you serve the spirits of alcohol and other drugs? Has medical marijuana taken over your life so that you who were not well in the first place have now become dependent on this "miracle" cure; so much that you can no longer even work or play unless you are high (or drunk)? So much that you cannot even get out of bed without one of these false gods? I am not saying that alcohol and even the legitimate use of marijuana don't have their place. But, sadly, these two drugs, as well as a multitude of other illegal drugs, have become the gods that way too many people live for. These false gods are succeeding at destroying families; destroying communities; and are even pretty successful at causing problems within the visible church on earth.  Choose ye this day whom you will serve.

Addiction is a serious ailment in itself. It cannot be cured by the use of other or more drugs. In fact, there are those who say it cannot be cured at all. But, there is relief for those who suffer this sickness. The Lord can make you whole. Turn to Him; for He is your helper. Be filled with the Spirit and sing songs of joy to the Lord, for He alone can save you from the false gods that hold you captive.

I witnessed an amazing thing this past Sunday. During some of the hymns during worship, I sometimes kind of; sort of, dance. Last Sunday, I watched a few of the choir members also dancing during the closing hymn. Yes, in a Lutheran church! Can you believe that? I could not help but smile. I pray that the whole congregation would be so filled with the Spirit that they could joyously sing and dance for the Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. For those locally who need help, I would be happy to listen to those of you who are struggling with addictions and refer you as necessary. Yes, I do have a bit of experience with addictions...

Isaiah 5 - Woe To Those Who Call Evil Good

A lot more woes, today, for the children of God, who have proven fruitless! There are consequences, it seems, for real world sin. There are consequences for those who have turned their backs on God and followed in their own ways. Isaiah uses a parable of a vineyard, to warn the people before it is too late and they suffer the consequences of their own greed and self-centeredness.

God has planted a vineyard. He planted it with the choices vines, but it has yielded for him only bad fruit. Woe says, the Word of God, through Isaiah to the children of God.

"Woe to those who call evil good

and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter.

Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes
and clever in their own sight.

Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine
and champions at mixing drinks,
who acquit the guilty for a bribe,
but deny justice to the innocent.
Therefore, as tongues of fire lick up straw
and as dry grass sinks down in the flames,
so their roots will decay
and their flowers blow away like dust;
for they have rejected the law of the Lord Almighty
and spurned the word of the Holy One of Israel.
Therefore the Lord’s anger burns against his people;
his hand is raised and he strikes them down."  (Isa 5:20-25 NIV)

Has anything changed since Isaiah's time? God's children suffer the consequences of their unfruitfulness, they repent, they turn to God, and then do it all over again. Will we ever learn? Over and over again, we do the same things that lead us into trouble, but so often we just never learn. Here's one - how about that drunk driver who either almost or does kill someone and; yet, refuses to acknowledge that he has a drinking problem so he's out there sneaking behind the wheel while he's intoxicated the first chance that he has when he thinks he won't be caught. Or... the prescription drug uses who abuses these "legal drugs" to the point that they can no longer care for their families appropriately. They use these "legal drugs" and then blame the fact that they are crabby or mean or neglectful of their family or maybe can't even work because they are sick when the reality is that they can't do these things because the "legal drugs" have made them sick. This illness we call addiction. Get help before you (and the people you love) suffer worse consequences than you already have. And, please don't try to justify your abuse of "legal drugs" by saying it's the only thing that helps. I hear this way too often, by way too many people. God knows better. I know better. You know better. Calling evil good is one of the things we are warned about by Isaiah. If it damages your body, mind, and spirit; if it damages your family, your relationships, how can it be called good? There are consequences for doing those things which we call good, but are not.

Prophecy (in the Old Testament) is not so much a prediction of what will come. It is more of a prediction (a warning) of what might come if something doesn't change. It doesn't have to be. Remember that no matter what we have done in the past, through faith in the redeeming power of the Son, Jesus the Christ, we are forgiven all the evil that we have done. You are forgiven, through Jesus the Christ and that alone should be cause enough to rejoice and return most fully to the LORD! We can change. With the help of God, we can be changed so that our lives are more fruitful. Give up on those desperate attempts to go against God's will - receive His love - His grace - His mercy - and live life!

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. The list of evil that we call good, in today's world, is way too long to even think about enumerating in a blog.

 

Psalm 90 - Substance Abuse - God Sees Our Secret

"You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence." (Psalm 90:8)

Yesterday, I attended a local clergy council lunch.  We discussed substance abuse issues in our county. Baraga County has a reputation for not only being one of the highest in unemployment, but also one of the highest with substance abuse problems in the State of Michigan.

It appears that a Substance Abuse Coalition has been formed in Baraga County. The secret of Baraga County's substance abuse problem has come to light!  That would be funny, if it weren't so sad. Every few years this secret is revealed and then it is swept under the carpet, again... 

 And... that, I think, is partly due to the fact that there is another secret that is still hidden from the eyes of much of the population.  But, it is not hidden from God.  He sees what we would hide.  That secret is who it is that is involved in trying to hide the whole problem.  I don't mean hiding the meth heads...  I mean who is still in the dark and would keep the county in the dark regarding addictions, period.... 

Example:  heavy drinkers who haven't had to face legal consequences promote drinking among our young people.  How many graduation parties have you attended where there are underage drinkers?  Think about it.  There's a few of them, aren't there and not just in Baraga County.

Most people who know me, know that I am somewhat of a prohibitionist.  I do not drink.  I quit completely, years ago, when I realized that people were using me for an excuse to drink.  "Well, Judy, drinks, so it must be ok."  I'm not sure why I should be the morality thermometer, but statements like that were enough to make me want to quit. I did not want to be anyone's excuse for abusing alcohol!

Here's the rub.  There are still many adults (old adults - including church council members and elected officials) in this community and others throughout this country, who are using illegal drugs, or abusing their prescriptions drugs in a manner that makes it illegal. You think it's a secret?  Maybe, not everyone knows you are doing this.  But, there are enough of us.  There are many young people who are using you as an excuse.  "It can't be that bad...  Look, even the _(title of upstanding so-called upstanding citizen) smokes a little recreationally.  It's not recreational if it's illegal.  It is illegal and it is substance abuse.  What an example we make for our young people!  And, then... there is God.  He knows all that we do in secret. 

One more thing...  Those of you who have medical marijuana growing.  Please, quit selling it to your neighbor.  And...  please, keep it secure enough so your children and your neighbor's children can't keep stealing leaves off the plants!

As a former substance abuse counselor, one of the things I learned was that we never have the problem.  It is always someone else who has a problem. As long as someone else stays in more trouble, has a more messed up life than we; we don't have a problem.  As long as someone else can be looked down upon for getting caught in the mess, we can feel good about ourselves.  It's as though we draw an invisible line that if we cross we fear we will have to recognize that we have an addiction.  For example:  I only go to the casino once a week and never spend more than $20.00.  Then it is $50.00.  Then it is $100.00.  Then it's only a couple times a week.  Then what?  You lose your home, your business, your family?  Or... I never drink before 4 p.m.. Then it is before noon.  Then it is only occasionally I'll have a Bloody Mary for breakfast.  And, then there are those who use illegal drugs.  Ever think this one:  as long as I don't use a needle, I'm not an addict. Prescription drugs (including marijuana) are legal. That will be where I draw the line.  Who are you kidding?  Certainly, not God! Be filled with the Spirit of God.  You will never know more peace and joy than that.

Substance Abuse is not a secret.  Even if we choose to pretend it is.  It is time for this county to actually do something about it.  My suggestion is a greater effort in three areas:  Prevention through Education, Law Enforcement, and Treatment.  We need to have a greater understanding of all the dangers of substance abuse so that it might be curbed.  We need to also have real consequences, because often the addict cannot, because of the nature of addiction, recognize that they actually need help until they hit bottom.  We need to have more treatment programs available.  Programs that will not send people away from the community for help, but, keep them here so that they can face the challenges of the community while they grow toward wholeness.  We need more programs that can be tailored to the needs of individual.  One program does not work for everyone.  We are individuals and we all fall and then grow in different ways. All three of these areas are sorely lacking. Approaching one area is not going to do it.

It wouldn't hurt if we actually approached the problem from a spiritual vantage point, as well.  Real wholeness happens when we walk in the presence of God.  It's not advantageous to us to try to hide ourselves and our sins from Him.  He knows all that we do in secret.  There is a life that goes beyond the temporary "highs" and "crashes" in this world.  Live Life!  Carpe diem! as a child of God.

May God help us to show His splendor to our children and may the favor of the LORD our God rest upon us.  (vs 16-17)

God's Peace - Pr. J