Politicians: Do not take the name of the Lord our God in vain! Do not bear false witness in His name!

Sunrise at the altar of Old Sheldon Church, Beaufort, SC
May the Son of Righteousness shine upon the candidates
as well as all people.

My child, if sinners entice you,
    do not consent.

Proverbs 1:10 NRSV

I spent last evening watching the GOP candidates debating. There was indeed some debating going on. But, there were also a lot of attempts to entice candidates to act and speak rashly against one another. Questions were posed in attempts to get the candidates to speak negatively about one another and to fight amongst themselves rather than actually letting the voters know exactly where they stood on various issues. A few of the candidates managed to not get pulled into the breaking of the commandment, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." They managed to deflect the enticement to sin even while speaking truthfully from their hearts and minds. It seems at least some of them are wise enough to know that they don't need to give fuel to anyone from an opposing party for later debates.

Now, many of the candidates sound as though they are attempting to appeal to a Christian base. However, I did not recognize the Christianity in some of what was said last night. Just because someone says they are a Christian doesn't make it so. I've seen more than one local politician decide it's time to start showing up for worship just prior to elections. Please, don't use the name of Jesus to get elected. Do not consent to sin by taking the Lord's name in vain.

Thanks be to God for those candidates who have managed to not get pulled into breaking the second or eighth commandments and who are not confusing their own (the world's) brand of morality with Christianity.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Respecting Civil Authorities

Concerning Civil Government.

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For the power which exists anywhere is ordained of God. Whosoever resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For he beareth not the sword in vain; for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Rom. 13:1-4.

Small Catechism/Table of Duties:  http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php

 

We see more and more disrespect for our elected officials and public servants as each year passes. Unless, it clearly goes against the word and the will of God there is no excuse for the public to persecute these men and women so unjustly. I am old enough to remember a time when whether we particularly liked our president or not, we still respected the office of the President of the United States and we showed it. It's not all that apparent today. There are peaceful means in place to replace them. If the majority wants someone out of office they will use those means. We do not have to become so ugly that we look like bullies to do it.

 

A person gets stopped because of a possible traffic violation and instead of cooperating choose to disrespect the person stopping them by refusing to cooperate. A neighbor reports unruly behavior and instead of responding calmly to the officers or possibly protective service workers who show up at your door; they are met by all sorts of disrespectful attitudes and behavior. That is surely not God's will. Those men and women responding are there to ensure that you and all of your household are safe and well.

 

It is not God's will that we should set ourselves in such a high place that we think that we are above the law of the land. The law of the land is not just for everyone else. It is for all people. It is not God's will that we should act like uncooperative bullies; but, to use the system that has been set in place for the good of all people. Use the system to try to change the system if it needs changing. Violence against others is not the way to get what you might want. Those who would encourage unpeaceful protests that result in harm to others as well as the property of others are those who go against the will of God. He is the provider of all. We don't get to destroy the property of others and still say that we are doing God's will.

 

God's will is for the good of all people; not just for you; not just for the few.

 

May God help us to live peacefully in the land.

 

Pr. J

Acts 1:12-26 A Sad Thing; Deserting Jesus

Acts 1:12-26 NIV
It is a sad thing when one would turn their back on Jesus. But, that is what his friend and follower, Judas, did. There was nothing left to do for the disciples after his death, but to replace him so that there would be the twelve to witness to what they had seen of Jesus' life; from his baptism to his ascension. Two men were nominated; Matthias was elected by casting lots. Casting of lots helped avoid biases and divisions among the people. There were no great debates as to who the better candidate was. There were no expensive campaigns. There were no recounts. They simply trusted that God would guide the results of the lots; whatever those lots might be.

Even today, we encounter those who would turn their backs on Jesus; betraying him; deserting him and his church. Often they find themselves disillusioned because the church is not what they want it to be for them as individuals. When they choose to leave, like Judas, they also find themselves without hope. Our hope is found in Jesus Christ. Without him, we can do nothing. It is a sad thing for all involved when we lose a brother and sister in Christ to worldly desires. Hear the witness, of the many generations, that speaks of Jesus' gift of life and salvation for you. Receive it and live life.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Micah 3 - Leaders With Hearts For The Peoples' Hearts

“Listen, you leaders of Jacob,
    you rulers of Israel.
Should you not embrace justice,
     you who hate good and love evil;
who tear the skin from my people
    and the flesh from their bones;
who eat my people’s flesh,
    strip off their skin
    and break their bones in pieces;
who chop them up like meat for the pan,
    like flesh for the pot?”
Then they will cry out to the Lord,
    but he will not answer them.
At that time he will hide his face from them
    because of the evil they have done." (Micah 3:1-4 NIV)

Personally, I think these verses pretty much speak for themselves. It's seems to me it's all about personal power, authority, wealth... for many (maybe all - I can't figure out for certain) of our elected leaders. Are they really concerned about actually helping people or helping their personal agendas? It seems to be a lot about creating more mandates, more hoops to jump through and actually providing less or no services for the tax payers dollars.

There seems, to me, to be a mental health crisis in this country and specifically in the county that I live in. We have a 16% unemployment rate; the dark days of winter are upon us; people are suffering from alcohol and drug addictions as well as depression and anxiety; children and their needs are often neglected. So what to do about it? What are our leaders doing about it? Nada, Nichts,

Hичего не, Nothing (or a whole lot close to nothing)!  And... unless you are willing to go to the emergency room or call an 888 number and tell them that you plan to commit suicide or kill someone; then there is virtually no help. There is no help for those who have not yet reached those stages. With all due respect, we do have some pretty good programs in this county for substance abuse related mental health problems - through 12-step programs and the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and there are programs for severely mentally ill persons if you can get past the call to the 888 phone number. But, for the multitudes who are suffering from countless other mental health issues - pretty much nothing.

Recently, I contacted two of our elected leaders from Michigan (one Democrat/one Republican) regarding this. Both responses were very lacking in any real understanding of the real needs of the people. One of the responses to my queries from those in authority lately has been that Obamacare will eventually fix the problem. When I asked "how long," I was told that it would probably take a couple of years...

So, thinking that maybe our elected official aren't the answer and we might have to turn to a grass roots, community effort; I checked out government web-sites for grants to implement counseling or treatment programs for those who are not yet in the crisis stage; yet, are still not living lives anywhere near to full. I couldn't find one. You can get grants to research mental health and illness. You can get grants to start community coalitions to talk about the crisis. But, I could not find one grant that would actually help a community set up a treatment program/counseling service for those who are not in the crisis stage. You know... the kind of counseling that might help people who are heading toward being non-functional due to depression or anxiety; counseling for people who are having a hard time getting out of bed in the morning; or leaving the house; counseling for people before they get to the stage where they are contemplating and planning to committing suicide or even murder.

Our LORD does ask of us to help and serve one another. So where's the help from the leaders that we, in good faith, have elected? If our leaders will not do it, who then?

Right now, I'm praying that God will figure out (and reveal) a plan for us that doesn't include elected political leaders; unless He has a mind to change their hearts and minds. In the meantime, the only answer that I can give anyone is one I overheard my granddaughter give a friend of hers who was heading into more trouble than he was already in - who was constantly complaining how life was treating him: "You really just need Jesus." That is true - a closer relationship with Jesus would help us a whole lot - in fact it would save us. But, God also gave us gifts, gift to be shared with those in need. Those gifts include professional counselors and therapists who can help us better to understand how to live life more abundantly.

I have often been asked to counsel people in the community. I am trained in substance abuse counseling. I am trained in spiritual counseling. Beyond, that... my gifts at counseling are very limited. Years ago, I use to be able to refer people to other counselors when it went beyond spiritual counseling; but, the places I can refer you to now are really limited and you might have to travel quite a ways to get those services. 

May God lift up leaders who have a heart for the people's hearts.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. I read Michigan's Mental Health Act the other day. If you live in Copper Country of Michigan and are in crisis, even though the people at the 888 number, during your telephone assessment, have deemed you not in crisis - ask for a second opinion. They will, according to the act, set you up with an appointment, locally, for a one on one assessment. This means you will actually get assessed in person rather than over the phone!