Disillusionment

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another. Heb 10:24,25 NIV

My observation is that you only get disillusioned with people or things you care about. The more you care, the greater the disillusionment and disappointment you could feel. Everyone, without exception, at some point in their life will become disillusioned about something, but it is how we cope that can set us apart. It is easier to cope with disappointment, than disillusionment.

I suspect there is great danger to our own well-being when we start to be disillusioned, and especially if we do not address the problem right away. In other words, the problem increases day on day, month on month, until we reach a tipping point. By that time, disappointment has turned into disillusionment, and a point of no return has been reached. Your feelings turn sour, and rational thinking changes to being driven by feelings.

The things which are most likely to disillusion you or me could include:
Parents who turned out to different than you thought, and let you down.
Partners who no longer are the people you married.
Family who went off the track, big time, and don’t care.
Police Force who didn’t protect you in time of trouble.
Medical staff who could have saved your loved one, and didn’t.
Church which no longer holds to the truths once taught, and friends there who are not around when you need them.

This list could have more added, but do not be surprised by church friends being on it. After all, ‘progress’ does not suit everyone, but what about when nothing seems to be happening? Whose fault could that be? Possibly yours or mine! The Bible teaches that we are not to give up meeting together (to encourage and spur each other on), but it doesn’t say where or which church, does it? The common factor in those listed above is that ‘something or someone was found to be missing’, and unfortunately church and its members/friends can fall into that category too. Let me leave you with a thought. How many people do you know, who once came to my/your own local church, and suddenly it seemed, were no longer there? Maybe just maybe, they had stayed long enough out of loyalty, or duty, but not for the right reason you might think. Something or someone might, just might, have been missing for them when it mattered. Could it have been me, or you? Who would go after that one missing, possibly disillusioned ‘sheep’, and  what clues could there be? Who would care? Enough questions, it’s just a thought, and hypothetical surely. 

Bitesize

We like our news and information to be bitesize. Not too deep, and something we can read in 10 seconds flat. This fairly new phenomenon is borne out in popular social networking sites, like twitter and facebook. You get most attention if you can keep your witty and personal twitter comments to less than 140 characters. Anything more than that and your readers go all glazed, and the attention wavers and you have lost them. This medium is mostly (but not exclusively) used by our youth.

I suppose bitesize comments and thoughts are good, and have their place, but I wonder if this shields us from a greater reality? Are we in the process of losing our ability to read an article? Newspapers are losing their readership in vast numbers, especially the broadsheets which deal in news reporting. The newspapers which seem to be doing better rely on lots of photos, and salacious celebrity gossip, both dished up in spades. The information we are served up here, is not edifying.

This leaves me with a thought. As Christian believers, are we at risk of falling into the trap of relying on the Gospel as long as it is given in bitesize chunks, or do we make an effort to read bigger chapters of good books, and especially the best ‘good book’, the Bible? We will only scratch the surface if all we get are small, convenient pieces of the Good News, but we have a much better chance of growing in our faith when we take time (more than 10 seconds) to read God’s Word, and inspiring books. If you have reached this point in the Blog, you have done well, because this is much more than 140 characters long. Could that be because you are over 25?

Feeling Down?

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Cor 4:8,9

These verses are a source of great encouragement to anyone who feels put down or depressed, and I think we can all identify with feeling low and almost abandoned by life (and God?) at times. Paul had reason to feel orphaned by God. Remember this was the same man who hounded and killed early Christians, and the same God who knocked him from his horse and blinded him to get his attention!

Fast forward to today. We in the ‘west’ are cossetted and protected by the laws of our lands, and freedoms, for which our forefathers fought. Now we don’t need to exercise our faith, and as a result that faith does not have the sense of urgency it demands. We don’t have to lean or depend on our God, so we don’t have to really test Him. Have you/we ever been abandoned or struck down because you stood up for Jesus? No, I didn’t think so. The worst that might happen is that we will be laughed at, or ignored. Sometimes I fear that our ‘fought for’ Christian freedoms are under attack, and that it may not be too long until they are eroded and we have to stand up and be counted. Will I/we be ready?

So, next time you think you are hard done to by life, and it makes you feel a bit low, remember there are those Christians who do not have the luxury of laws to protect their freedom to worship. The result is that these unfortunate folks may have to put their lives on the line for believing in Jesus, and in order to survive have to keep their faith active and real. I think what I am trying to say is, ‘...be thankful, quit moaning and appreciate all those faith freedoms we enjoy, while we can’!

Face of Evil

It’s not politically correct to say that anything, or especially that anyone is evil, but what word can you use for the act of a man who systematically walked through a youth camp, and shot to death, some execution style, 77 innocent teens and young adults? Anders Behring Breivik was that man, and now stands trial in Norway. He says he would do it again, and does not want to be considered as insane, or mentally diminished, he also repeated his reasons for his butchery. There is no remorse, only confirmation of his motives.

In the church we talk about sin and its consequences, but we are not often faced with such heinous sinful acts. How can it be anything else but evil actions, perpetrated by an evil man? Will the world try to lessen the horror and terror of these slain innocents, and call it something else? He is not saying he didn’t kill these young people. He says it is justified in the long term, and the truth will become clear in 10 or 15 years. What truth I wonder?

When we ‘do church’, sitting cosily in our pews, singing the hymns and songs of our faith, and looking towards our heavenly home, it will do us good to bear in mind that we are all engaged in a bitter, and much bigger struggle against evil which we cannot see with our earthly eyes. The Apostle Paul puts it like this:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12 NIV

Can God forgive? Certainly. Will God forgive? Yes certainly again, but only as a result of a repentant pray-er. Unfortunately, mortals do not forgive quite so easily.

Irony

Irony is the nice ‘proper english’ word for sarcasm. The saying that ‘sarcasm is the lowest form of wit’ is very true in my eyes, and possibly more so because I live in a culture where sarcasm is seen as funny, witty, and a great laugh. For whom, I wonder? The person being put down, or the person with the sharp tongue? Just asking.

I was on a work course once where the purpose was to emphasise the benefits of being positive, and not using any put down or sarcastic talk in our work and home environments. We were given an assignment for that night at home, and to report back the results next day. The assignment was to compliment your wife on her looks, cooking, and being a good mum. Easy? Not at all. The guys complained that this just wasn’t the way they were, and their wives knew that. They would think something was wrong if their husbands started to dish out compliments, but most agreed to complete the task and report back next day anyway. Coming from the West of Scotland, they all had a sarcastic streak, and readily admitted it.

Guess what? The wives (as reported) were delighted, and thankful for the kind words. They didn’t like the sarcasm, but saw it as ‘just the way it was’ and put up with it. The guys thought they were being funny, after all there would be a ripple of laughter when a barbed, sarcastic comment would be made at one of their mates, or at least a smile from their wife. That must make it ok, right? No! How wrong that was!

What does the Bible say about our talk as Christians? How should we treat our friends, and especially our spouses? How about these for a starter, and how do we, (me included) stack up to these commands? I think it is worth giving some good, encouraging talk a chance instead of mean words, because sarcasm is not funny. Take my word for it, or better still take the word of the Apostle Paul:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  Philippians 4:8 NIV

Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. Ephesians 5:4 NIV

My Family

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1 NIV

How many families do you have? I have two terrific families, and I am so thankful for both. The first, and obvious one, is my earthly family, and I am proud of them all, right down to my Children and Grandchildren. Of course this family includes Aunts, Uncles, Sister, Brothers, ‘In-Laws’, Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and those ‘specially adopted’ members. Each one special in their own way, and with their own unique gifts and talents. You will know my thoughts on family if you have read any of my Blogs. I am not only pleased to be a member of this family, I am proud to be a very small part of it. Not more important than any other, but just a part of the overall good of the unit, and one of the pieces of glue which holds it all together. A family is a gift from God, and is to be cherished.

The Church is a group of ordinary people who make up the other family, the ‘Family of God’, and is not a building. It also consists of different folks at various ages and experience, who help encourage and protect each other. This is not a secret society, but a very open and public family unit. To be a part, you must acknowledge Jesus as Saviour. That’s it! Of course when you do this, you want to reach out to others in His Name. I have been humbled to see this in action recently, where young and old pull together to feed the homeless in one of the biggest cities in the USA, and all in the name of the ‘Family of God’. I have also been overwhelmed once again by the welcome of people who do not know me, but the bond of Christian love crosses all sorts of lines of language and nationality, and makes me feel one in the body. Like before, I am only a small part of the glue which helps to hold it together. Just like my other family!  

Two family units, and both are precious. I am also conscious that sometimes these two family types overlap. Our human and church families merge or overlap, and there can be no greater Blessing or privilege than to play a small part in the life of these two distinct bodies, as they combine into one living union. Am I allowed to be proud? I hope so, because I am, but am so much more thankful to God for allowing me to see this heavenly union in my lifetime, than any earthly pride I may feel. Thank you Lord, for both families.

In Between Days

Yesterday was the worst day of your life. You are down, bruised, battered, bowed and feeling lost. Everything you had worked for over the past years has disappeared almost in a puff of smoke, or a vapour in the breeze. You never thought you would see today, but it dawned, as usual, and as you rubbed your eyes and remembered the recent past, you recoil at the thought of facing the day. You certainly can’t look your friends or family in the eyes again, and equally, you cannot pretend yesterday didn’t happen. How many of them will ever see you in the same light again? This is a day for hiding away, and like an ostrich putting your head down in the sand and hoping it all goes away.

This is Saturday. We know that Sunday follows Saturday, but we have no idea what that new day will hold. We have enough trouble coping with this day, how could another day, just another 24 hours away, be any different? We have no clue that this day is an ‘In Between Day’, and in truth we all get them. In fact we get too many of them, and they come too close together for our own liking.

Tomorrow, Sunday, is a whole new day. A fresh hope for the future. Suddenly the events of Friday will pale into insignificance, as you see what has started to happen on this new dawn. Your worst day becomes your best day. You are not down, but up, and your bruises are healing faster than would be humanly possible. It occurs to you that it’s not just this day that will be different, but every day after this one. Your days ahead are brighter, as you begin to understand what has been done on your behalf, and you didn’t have to do anything to benefit from it. Everything changes from resurrection Sunday.

Meantime, we are in between. It is Saturday. We know all too well what has happened in our past, but we still have to face the future, and Sunday hasn’t happened, well not quite yet. The disciples didn’t know what would take place on the Sunday, but we do. We have the benefit of God’s Word to tell us, so if you feel down and defeated, try to remember that the pain of your past has already been taken care of. When it is Saturday for you, hang on in there, and wait patiently for Sunday. It will come as sure as the Resurrection followed the disciples defeated Saturday, and horrific Friday! Have a Happy and Blessed Resurrection Sunday!

Get Down

A serious tornado, or rather several tornadoes hit the Arlington, Texas area where I am spending a great holiday with family. The storm came unexpectedly, as they sometimes do, and like many people we were caught out. As a family we were spread out between work, school, and a restaurant, with no safe way for any of us to get to be with the others. It was not wise to move, and the radio and TV were making announcements about the severity of the tornadoes (some of which had already touched down), while sirens screeched all around the district. There was no way you could miss the message. This was a life threatening situation.

Eventually, and slowly, we got to the school where our two (grand)children were safely located in the sanctuary (very apt, I thought) along with all the other kids and teachers, and found that all the necessary precautions had been taken to ensure their safety, first and foremost. Then just when we thought the storms had passed, the head teacher yelled ‘Get Down’! The 150+ people in the hall needed no second telling, and we all got down into the brace position, under chairs, and stayed there until the all clear was given. The whole situation was managed professionally, and with authority, and for that I was thankful.

It is what happened while we were all down, that struck me. There was no announcement to this effect, but all around me the sound of whispered prayers was evident. Children aged 5 to 15, and teachers were thanking God for their safety, and asking for continued protection. It was not an organised prayer meeting. It was not a group of same class students, or teachers trying to orchestrate something. It was spontaneous, and from the hearts of those who prayed. No one said afterwards, you know that was not necessary, or out of order either. This was an example of faith in action from the youngest to the oldest. There were also kids who put their arm round another next to them, and assured them in prayer that it would be ok, because God was in control.

When we drove away from the school soon after, I was left with the overwhelming feeling that here was a group who did not know everyone else, but had a common faith which allowed unashamed prayer. The news reports later that evening were full of people, standing in the rubble of their homes, but having prayed, were thankful to God for their lives. In the UK, sadly, the very thought of open prayer, especially in schools, and the media, is thought to be unnecessary, reported as funny, and out of place. In this oasis of faith in Texas, it is normal, accepted, open, and real. I trust and pray it stays that way, because when it is lost or given away, it is almost impossible to get back.

Rewriting History

People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 NIV

Rewriting history is a common and sometimes dangerous pastime which is adopted by everyone from children, right up to nations and governments. It is a bit of fun as you watch children complain when a game is lost, and they try to replay only some previous moves to show that they actually did win, or should have, after all. Governments do it but they can cause untold misery and deception for millions of people of their population, and others. Iran does it by claiming the holocaust did not happen, and for a long time Germany and Japan hid the truth about their actions in the Second World War from the following generation’s schoolbooks. These examples are extremes, from the humorous to downright hostile. The common factor for me, is the manipulation of the truth to make it appear in a better light, not just that wrong has been done!

So, what about us? Do we try to change our history to suit what people think about us? Is our past honestly just the way we play it back now? I don’t always think so, and I believe we all fall to the temptation to rearrange the memory of our past deeds to make us look better today. That helps us feel better about ourselves, and all done in the hope that others don’t know us well enough to think any differently, or they have not been a part of our past anyway. So far so good!

A couple of things happen as we try to manipulate/rewrite our history. The most obvious is that those who do remember that past, view us as hypocritical and insincere. It also serves to emphasise our past behaviour, and not hide it as we wish. Our reputation also takes a big hit as we try to pull the wool over our friends’ eyes. They are not stupid, and already have us figured for who we really are, and more importantly, were. The second thing happens inside us. As we try to make ourselves into a new and improved version (in our own eyes) we lose something of our integrity, and honesty. Part of our ‘good’ self fades away. We effectively become a cheap imitation of a better person, even with those past flaws which we are so anxious to hide.

I am not saying that we should be proud and open about all of our past. A lot of it does not need to be aired, especially those ‘old’ sins which God has already forgiven and forgotten. However I am saying that as we try to manipulate our past actions in other folks’ minds to make them think better of us, to protect our own pride, this is bad and to be avoided. This kind of ‘history’ is trying to be hidden, not forgiven, and there is a big difference. Like you, I know those who have tried to rewrite their history, and it doesn’t work. It usually just makes them look at best silly, and at worst, hypocritical!