Christianity Under Fire

Today there are two headlines that make my teeth hurt. (Mostly from clenching them).
1. A judge ruled that New York City can ban schools from using churches for functions.
2. A judge ruled that Texas (TEXAS!!!) can't have prayer (can't even use the word amen) at a graduation ceremony. (I reiterate: TEXAS? Land of Davy Crockett? What's the world coming to?)

Judges have created legislation hostile to Christianity yet again. Christianity has become the favorite whipping boy of our courts and government. We have been painted as dangerous and evil by the left wing. Their hostility is baseless. Do they think the kids will get cooties or struck dead from a church building? (I hope they realize that lightning bolts striking churches because someone walks inside is an urban legend).
Is the word "amen" akin to an Ebola outbreak? I know, they must have seen a Pentecostal meeting where everyone falls down on the floor and is "slain in the Spirit." That's it! They think it's a disease!

I believe the real issue is that people are totally afraid that we are right- there is a God who loves you and He wants your heart. They can run, but they can't hide.

Traditional prayers for blessing for students who are leaving school and using whatever facility is available for schools are now verboden ("forbidden" for those of you who haven't learned German or watched Hogan's Heroes on TV). So I guess schools can just spend more taxpayer money to build more facilities (right- good luck with that in this economy).

I guess we can just tell our children to get their butts out there into the world and do something without our blessings or hopes for their future. We can't pray for them because we don't really care, right? The government will catch them when they fail. (Uh,huh) Who needs God anyway? They're in control. They can do it all. Don't need no stinking religion.

When their hearts are broken and all is lost, have those liberal judges call me. We'll see if these bans extend to their own lives.

Where are We Going?

Thanks to everyone who responded to my blog the other day. The consensus is that I should be me and not try to please a nebulous someone who doesn't think I should be so harsh. And by the way, some of the left and right wing bloggers out there are a thousand times meaner than me, just so you know.
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This morning I listened to Bibi Netanyahu with tears trying to dribble down my face. It was the most clear speech I've heard from a head of state since Reagan told Gorbachev to "tear down that wall." Mr Netanyahu told President Abbas to "tear up your agreement with Hamas and make peace with the Jewish people." I pray that he listens.

It's never been about a Palestinian homeland, the Jews would allow that in a heartbeat. It's ALWAYS been about them not recognizing the Jewish homeland- the ground that knew the footsteps of Joshua, David, Deborah, Isaiah, and Jesus. It's been about the radical elements bringing hatred and the hope of destroying the Jews that has always stopped peace. He spoke truth and he did it with power and grace. Good job, Bibi!

But as to real peace and hatred,listen carefully: everything we say and speak has a living quality to it. If we live in any hatred whatsoever, that hatred spreads like cancer cells to the body. What "vibes" we give off affect how we are received, how we act, how we accomplish anything. If peace is to ever come to the Middle East, hatred must stop. Fake peace will not stand.

But that goes to Christians as well. If we are to be the ambassadors of the Living God who loves all mankind, then we must stop giving off the "vibes" of sour people. We are not about the rules and regs, because Jesus fulfilled all of them. We should be about mercy and peace, love, and forgiveness. I meet so many Christians who are so grim and religious that no one can relate to them. If you try to hold a conversation, they quote a Scripture at you. If you are in need of comfort, they speak some religious platitude at you and walk away. They use silly references about others but actual truth and deep conversations elude them. It's like a little kid skipping through her mom's flower bed, oblivious to the fact that she's smashing all of the flowers as she goes!

We can be like the people who don't truly want peace and just mouth the words to try and manipulate their way, or we can be the lovers of mankind that Jesus originally desired us to be. Let's do it from the heart. Let's not smash the flowers. Let's bring REAL peace to those around us!

No Flying Lessons Today

It appears that the Rev was wrong...again. Always remember when the nutcases come out and start proclaiming they know the date of Christ's return-- they're wrong every time.

First, let's set the record straight- Christ's return is not the "end of the world." It's the beginning of a new one. And Scripture is quite clear that NO MAN knows that day or hour except the Father. Last time I looked at the photos, all those folks with placards were humans. Lets them out of the God-loop for knowing the date and time.

Here's one of the most important things to learn about prophecy- Biblical or otherwise: when it is spoken, it almost never comes about the way WE think it should. Interpretation always falls short of what really happens.
Take Isaiah 9:11 for example. The Jews expected a King who would be the earthly govenment that would forever keep them from captivity and being conquered. "Of the increase of His government there shall be no end..."
When Isaiah prophesied about a man being "wounded for our transgressions," and bearing our "sorrows and griefs" he had no idea what he was saying. Jesus came and was rejected by His own people because their view of what was supposed to happen was false.

If it were as easy as watching a group of people standing on a street corner warn us that it's happening "today," who would need to listen to Jesus? He wants EVERYONE to listen for Him because He wants your heart and your love. He is coming as a "thief in the night" for those who love Him. The folks with the billboards can't help you - Jesus can. And He doesn't shout. He whispers.

One Day

One day I will wake up and there will be no more anger or hatred, death or struggle. The sun won't be shining in the sky, but the atmosphere will be warm and the light bright. The people that I love will greet me as I amble down the street. I'll go to my favorite spot and sit on a rock by the crystal stream that rushes through the countryside, and feel its cool spray splash against my legs.

I'll saunter through town where the main street is lined with trees of every size and shape. Every one has a different colored fruit- crimson, orangey orange, lemony yellow, the greenest green, even indigo blue. The colors are alive and almost scintillate in that light that has no sun.I can reach out and pick them, and the taste is sweet and crunchy unlike anything I've ever tasted. And the fruit makes me feel something...maybe joy? maybe love? maybe like nothing I can describe.

Then I'll walk on down the street and wander to the forest with craggy cliffs above the city. Below there is a River flowing with such immense size that it cuts through the valley in unending power. Bigger than the Columbia River. Wider than the Mississippi. A River of pure clear water. Before me there is a waterfall from its headwaters- a spot of indescribable majesty, a roaring of water spilling over the rocks in a living rainbow of color. I'll sit there a while too, just to listen to the Voice of the Waters.

Later it will be time to meet everyone at a special place, the place where the water is so still it looks like a sea of glass. All who enter that place are reflected in the pool. All creatures great and small, people of every tongue, tribe and nation, we'll all be there. It will be the time of thanksgiving to the Light, the song of the Lamb will be sung, the dance of the King will be danced, and the celebration the banquet will begin.

One Day. I can hardly wait!