The Money Pot

He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep." (John 21:17)

I may not thrill a lot of people with today's blog; but, I am still trying to figure out this whole madness over the powerball lottery thing. I am amazed at how much money can be gathered from people who are willing to gamble on becoming rich beyond their dreams. When I listen to what some would do with the money, I cannot help but wonder how long it would be before they would be filing for bankruptcy. I also wonder how many really destitute that amount of money could feed or clothe or shelter. Maybe at least half of the proceeds from each of these lotteries could go toward shelters for the homeless? I mean, who really needs a billion dollars? Seems like a lot for one or two people to manage who have no experience managing even hundreds of thousands.

There are real people who are really destitute in this country. They cannot afford to buy powerball tickets. They use what pennies they have to try to feed themselves. Using the profit from lotteries for the betterment of society has been, in fact, attempted. It doesn't seem to have worked too well. Years ago, when Michigan was pushing for a lottery, funding the school system from the lottery was a priority that was being touted. The schools in Michigan are still in a pretty bad financial state and so are our roads. Gambling no matter in what form brings about many problems along with the benefits it might bring to a few.

We cannot let money manage us. It is up to us as individuals, businesses, and governments to manage money for the betterment of all. I live near the first Indian Casino that was ever opened in this country. To their credit, the tribe has learned to manage their earnings to benefit the whole community, both Native Americans and non-Native. However, not all individuals who frequent the casino have learned what it means to manage their money.

There is a lot of hope placed in the chance of winning by some who play the lotteries. It benefits a few; but, has the potential of doing great damage to others.  

Many of my friends and family members gamble. For the most part they are not extravagant in their placing their bets. Although, I have worried about at least a few of them. Personally, I do not find gambling a good stewardship model for me. I could throw the money in the pot to make someone else a million or billionaire or I could throw it in a pot and feed a hungry person.

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains." 1 Timothy 6:10

God's Peace - Pr. J

Teach Children in the Way

"If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of stumbling blocks! Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the stumbling block comes!" Matt 18:6-7 NRSV

Children have begun to return to school for another year of education. The reality is that schools are not the only places our children learn. They learn much in the home and much as they observe and interact with society around them.

What are we teaching them? I don't just mean the public school system. I mean each and every one of us. What are we teaching them in the community? Are we teaching them to follow in the footsteps of Jesus as loving neighbors and servants or are we teaching them that anything goes as long as it makes one happy?

When we teach that what is evil is good we are putting stumbling blocks between children and the promises of God. We lead them astray when we tell them that it doesn't matter if they obey the laws of God or the laws of the land, we send them all on a path of destruction and we become the stumbling block that will prevent them from seeking the Kingdom of God. They will be so busy trying to figure out how to get out of the mess that they created for themselves by following liars that they won't have time for peace; they won't have time to just sit and be still with God.

Could we at least agree to not teach the children (particularly other people's children) that it is not all right to disrespect those who have authority over them; that is the people who are raising and supporting them, their teachers, and, yes, law enforcement? It would really make life a whole lot easier for the children and for us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Just because it feels good, doesn't mean it's good for you.

2 Timothy 1 - Fan Into Flames

2 Timothy 1 NIV
Paul exhorts Timothy to "fan into flame the gift of God." We all ought to be on fire with zeal for
sharing the gospel.

I have been in many small and large groups when the conversation has turned to lamenting that the government and society are steadily taking away our religious freedom in this country. On a very rare occasion, I might be able to agree with this assessment. Most often; though, my response is more like "how can a government or society take away from us what we have already relinquished?" "It is not the state; but, the church who is responsible."

The burning desire to proclaim the gospel is rarely to be seen in society. Love and adoration of God is only a Sunday morning thing (sometimes). I hear that a root of some of our societal problems is that the Bible has been abolished in schools. Hogwash! Your children and grandchildren can bring their Bibles to school and they can read them on breaks. No one can stop those who have the burning desire to read them at lunch. At Christmas every year, I hear complaints that another nativity scene was not allowed to be placed on a courthouse lawn someplace in the United States. Yet, if I drive by the homes of those who complain, what I will find on their lawns during Advent, is Santa Claus or snowmen - no nativity scenes. I hear complaints that our public schools organize sporting events on Sundays so our children don't show up for worship. I don't get that! Christian children and parents have the right to choose what they will do on Sunday morning. They can worship if that is their priority. We can't blame others for our choices. And, usually, at least here in the U.P., it is not the public schools who are organizing these youth sporting events. The schools allow these parent/community run sporting organizations to use the gym. The parents (many whom are Christian) organize these events to include Sunday mornings. It is not the government or secular society who makes these choices.

Every Christian has the opportunity to decide what they or their children will be doing on Sunday morning. If the church is in decline, it is our own fault for not fanning into flame the gift of God within ourselves. Quit blaming the government. Quit blaming society. Proclaim the good news!

And, once I am on this subject, let me advise anyone who would bring their children to worship with us at Zion. Our main focus will not be teaching your children morality (how to behave). Unless they come to know Jesus, those good works amount to nothing. We unabashedly teach Jesus crucified, risen and ascended in order to fan into flame the gift of God. We believe that the knowledge of God's love in Christ Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit will reveal to all of our children (young and old) His will for us. The Holy Spirit will empower those who hear and believe to do His will. Faith comes by hearing the Word and we will subsequently proclaim the gospel. Good works will naturally (by the power of the Holy Spirit) follow those who know and love the Lord. We will not be ashamed to faithfully witness to His great love publically, no matter where we are or what we are doing at any given moment.

May the Lord our God grant us power, love and self-discipline so that with the fire that burns in our hearts we will witness to the good news of Jesus Christ in both word and deed.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. Use it or lose it!

Psalm 63 - Myriads of Thoughts...

O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water. 
So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory. (Psalm 63:1-2)

This morning, multitudes of hearts ache for the loss of lives yesterday in the Connecticut school shooting.  As in a dry land, our souls are parched, we search for answers, we look for God's help, for His help. 

Though very few facts are in, I can't help but remember our Bible Study this past Wednesday at Zion.  We discussed, for a bit, the issue of a growing population with very serious mental health issues. We discussed mental health issues that go undiagnosed, that are misdiagnosed, treatment that is refused by the patient, and treatments that may actually do more harm and be more dangerous to society than if none were administered.  Some of these diseases are very physical; while, others are psychological, brought on by stress in or the circumstances of one's life. Although we know it, we seldom truly accept that physical and psychological health are both affected by and effect our spiritual health. We have a long way to go in recognizing, diagnosing and treating mental illness.  In the meantime, a lot of people suffer, both the one who is ill and the people around them - all of society.

There are also those who are already using this latest shooting as an excuse for tighter gun control.  And, there are those who lament the fact that God has been outlawed in public schools.  In fact, God has not been outlawed in public school.  No one can stop you from voluntary praying.  They can; however, stop you from forcing children to pray to your specific God.  I would be very happy, indeed, if we all believed in the one God, whom I trust.  But, we do not.  We live in a country where we have freedom of religion and, as Christians, we rejoice that we are free to do that.  However, we have to remember that freedom of religion, in this kingdom, extends to all people. So, let me ask you this question.  If organized prayer were allowed in your child's school, would you be willing to have a Wiccan or a Satanist lead those prayers?  They are after all both recognized as religions, whether we agree with them or not.

I think it's time to stop blaming the increased violence in the world on guns and the lack of prayer in schools.  Will you be praying with your children or grandchildren when they wake up this morning?  Will you be praying with them before they lay down to sleep at night?  Will you be bringing them to the house of God to hear God's promises and to give Him thanks for all that He has done?  If God is missing in this society, I think maybe we should look at what we as individuals, as families, and as a church can do to change ourselves and by result change society around us.  Don't wait until there is a major catastrophe to teach your own children and your neighbor's children about what God has done and will do for them and the world around them.  And, don't be blaming others if you neglect to teach them this.  

For years, I was frustrated with our Sunday School material.  What it boiled down to was that we were teaching morality.  We don't need to teach them morality.  We need to teach them who Jesus is, who God their Father is, who God the Holy Spirit is.  So we quit purchasing material and have made the Holy Bible the text book.  We are confident that once children (and adults) get to know who this God is; once they get to know Him; once they get to a place where they have a real relationship with God, that thing we call morality will fall into place.  Our focus is no longer on how to make them act like real Christians (did you realize that this is what much of our Christian curriculums are actually doing - teaching them to behave?) but not how to have a genuine relationship with God, so that Christ might abide in them and they in Him.  When Christ abides in one, then good things, actually may be accomplished.

Without God, nothing good can be accomplished.  But, as Christ abides in us, it is He who accomplishes good through us. As St. Paul wrote, "... it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."             

So how does all this relate to Psalm 63?  Do your lips praise God?  Do you meditate on Him? In the morning, all through the day, and in the night?  Or has He been forgotten in your home?  Do you bless God so others might hear of His glorious deeds?  Seek the LORD, thirst for His Righteousness....  Quit blaming guns... Quit blaming schools... Quit blaming the government.... What are you doing to teach your children to live in health and in peace?

Ok... so this is a lot of rambling.  Hard to focus in light of yesterday's events...  The only peace we will ever truly know comes when we recognize who this God of ours is.  He can quench our thirst for peace, for equity, for all things good.  He and only He can accomplish these things.

God's Peace - Pr. J