It appears that my house is haunted. Every time I go to look in the mirror, there is this old, gray-haired man that stands in front of me, looking back in the mirror. Or, of course, that just might be my own image peering back at me. Of course it is, and I don't need a mirror to inform me of that fact. Daily I am reminded of the fact that I am past prime.
The gray hair actually is a welcomed part of the aging process as hair that doesn't turn gray, tends to turn loose. And, when it turns completely white, I can let it and my beard grow a bit and supplement my retirement playing Santa at the mall. It's all good, when it comes to gray.
It's the other parts of growing older that I'm not so crazy about - the aches and pains; the reduction of strength and speed; the lack of stamina; the blurring of vision; the decrease in hearing; the challenge of memory.... Uh, where was I? Oh yeah, past prime.
I am past prime but I'm not passed by. The Lord is not through with me any more than he was through with Abraham who, being past 100 "faced the fact that his body was as good as dead...yet he did not waiver through unbelief regarding the promises of God" (Rom 4:19-20) that he would father a son. Now, I'm nowhere near 100 but I do qualify for the senior discount. And while 60 is predicted tot he be the new 40 in 2050, it isn't just yet. Middle age is past tense for me.
However, being past prime, as Abraham illustrates so boldly, does not mean past promise. I still have a future, you still have a future. God has plans that include us, work to be accomplished that is to be accomplished by us, divine appointment to be kept by us.
I minister to people who are old and near death daily. Some have given in and given up on life. Others continue to find value and purpose. One particular nursing home I see patients in is frequented by a particular old gentleman who, though bent and frail and slow, comes daily to play dominos with residents. He helps them pick out their tiles, coaches them in playing, encourages them with his smile and tender patience. He is well past prime but not nearly past purpose.
In the world of ministry, I would not be considered up and coming or riding the crest, I would be considered over the hill and heading to the back 40. But that viewpoint is quite wrong. I am on the other side of my years as a preacher, deep into my work as a chaplain but working on a new phase of ministry with God's help involving veterans.
I've been working on research and development for the past year and the implementation phase has begun. I don't know where this work will take me exactly but I know that God is using me still to reach out to people in need and in the margins of society. I know that while I am past prime, I am not past purpose. Even my blogging is something I've started doing little more than a year ago.
What I'm getting at and hope you are hearing is that God has kingdom work for us at every point along life's way. Our life is not over just because we are past prime or even if everything and everybody seems to have passed us by - God always has a place for us, purpose for us and power for us "to do good work, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Eph 2:10). Jus' Say'n.
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Monday, April 20, 2015
Taking Hold
I read a story told by a preacher who was remembering a youth who was riding a bicycle of a hill, against the wind. The boy was having great difficulty, barely making it and it seemed certain that he would have to soon give up his effort when a trolley car came by, which was pulling up the hill at a speed that allowed the boy to take hold. Finishing the ride uphill and against the wind was no longer a problem as long as he held on until he reached the top.
A few years back, my wife and I attached our bikes to the rack on the back of our car and headed to Texas to do a little riding with the two granddaughters, who had been riding with training wheels but were gaining in confidence. The oldest, warned us, "I'm really, really fast!" We assured her we could keep up and she added, "I'm just saying, I'm really, really fast!"
The really, really fast part was true compared to her little sister but was just enough for us to keep our bikes upright in 1st gear and somewhat faster going down grade (there are no actual hills to go down in that part of Texas). However, all forward motion stopped when going up the grade until we took hold and helped pull them along. They did well to hang on to their bikes while we walked ours, pulling them along.
Not everyone has a trolley car experience or even a day out with grandparents who pulled your bike along. But all of us have faced and uphill experience, against the wind, where we needed something or someone to take hold of in order to continue to the top. We all reach the point where we need to take hold or someone to take hold of us if we are to make it any further.
This is precisely what Jesus is talking about in Matthew 11:28-30, when he invites us to "Come to me, all you who are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." A yoke is an instrument used to allow farm animals to pull a load. Getting in one does not produce a resting experience unless one is moving from a single yoke to a double yoke, where there is help to pull the over-burden.
When we are yoked with Jesus, we still have to face the uphill climb, against the wind. But now, what was too much is well within our grasp as we hold on to his hand. And sometimes, all we can do is let him hold on to us. Do you recall the poem, "Footprints?" Sometimes there were two sets, while he walked with us and then only one when he had to carry us.
I read an updated version where the Lord points out the two sets of prints where we walked together, the one set where he was carrying us then the long grooves where he was dragging us, kicking and screaming. If you question whether or not God would ever do such a thing, check out the Book of Jonah. While princibly we are always free to choose, there are occasions when God will apply discipline to encourage us in the right direction (see Hebrews 12:4-13 "God chastens everyone he accepts as a son").
What I hope you take away from this message is that, while God can and will take hold of us at times, generally, he waits for us to take hold of him when we are facing a burden too great for us to handle alone. When the hill is too steep and the wind is too strong, reach out for the Lord and take hold of his hand. He will ease your burden by adding his strength. As Paul writes, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" (Phil 4:13). Jus' Say'n.
A few years back, my wife and I attached our bikes to the rack on the back of our car and headed to Texas to do a little riding with the two granddaughters, who had been riding with training wheels but were gaining in confidence. The oldest, warned us, "I'm really, really fast!" We assured her we could keep up and she added, "I'm just saying, I'm really, really fast!"
The really, really fast part was true compared to her little sister but was just enough for us to keep our bikes upright in 1st gear and somewhat faster going down grade (there are no actual hills to go down in that part of Texas). However, all forward motion stopped when going up the grade until we took hold and helped pull them along. They did well to hang on to their bikes while we walked ours, pulling them along.
Not everyone has a trolley car experience or even a day out with grandparents who pulled your bike along. But all of us have faced and uphill experience, against the wind, where we needed something or someone to take hold of in order to continue to the top. We all reach the point where we need to take hold or someone to take hold of us if we are to make it any further.
This is precisely what Jesus is talking about in Matthew 11:28-30, when he invites us to "Come to me, all you who are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." A yoke is an instrument used to allow farm animals to pull a load. Getting in one does not produce a resting experience unless one is moving from a single yoke to a double yoke, where there is help to pull the over-burden.
When we are yoked with Jesus, we still have to face the uphill climb, against the wind. But now, what was too much is well within our grasp as we hold on to his hand. And sometimes, all we can do is let him hold on to us. Do you recall the poem, "Footprints?" Sometimes there were two sets, while he walked with us and then only one when he had to carry us.
I read an updated version where the Lord points out the two sets of prints where we walked together, the one set where he was carrying us then the long grooves where he was dragging us, kicking and screaming. If you question whether or not God would ever do such a thing, check out the Book of Jonah. While princibly we are always free to choose, there are occasions when God will apply discipline to encourage us in the right direction (see Hebrews 12:4-13 "God chastens everyone he accepts as a son").
What I hope you take away from this message is that, while God can and will take hold of us at times, generally, he waits for us to take hold of him when we are facing a burden too great for us to handle alone. When the hill is too steep and the wind is too strong, reach out for the Lord and take hold of his hand. He will ease your burden by adding his strength. As Paul writes, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" (Phil 4:13). Jus' Say'n.
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Just Stand There
I grew up in a world of catch phrases to live by: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." "Don't cry over spilt milk." "Measure twice and cut once." "Don't put all your eggs in one basket." "You don't tug on Superman's cape, you don't spit into the wind, you don't pull the mask of the ole Lone Ranger and you don't mess around Jim." No, wait, that last one was a Jim Croche song. But you have to admit that don't spit into the wind part is important.
Sorry for the departure, I just couldn't resist. Back to the point: There was one particular catch phrase that seemed to be my Dad's favorite and one that you, no doubt, have heard many, many times as well - "Don't just stand there, do something." That particular phrase is an American iconic thought. It reflects the pilgrim spirit, the spirit of our Founding Fathers, the spirit of our Industrial Revolution, the Spirit of American Exceptionalism. It is a catch phrase that symbolizes the birth and development of this nation.
However, it is not necessarily a good idea in and of itself. I think it led to our entanglement in Mid-East. I think it is the driving force behind the Nuclear proliferation deal with the Iranians, even though we know that have not, are not and never will live up to any agreements with the West. But at least we're trying - right?
Yes, we're trying but are we listening? Are we listening? Are we listening to what they are saying, are we listing to what history has said and, most importantly, are we seeking after the Word of the Lord? The deal would be something, just like the preemptive strike on Iraq was something. But is it something we ought to be doing. What if, instead, we left the sanctions in place, called the nation to a period of national prayer. And, waited to see what the Lord would direct?
Of course, such an idea is radical. Such radical minds as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln along with every president since with the exceptions of Jefferson and Jackson (both believed prayer to be a private not national matter), who have signed a Day of National Prayer Proclamation. Which, by the way is May 7th this year. It is a radical idea and one, though endorsed by proclamation, it doesn't seem endorsed by actual preference.
I know we don't, as a nation, really seek God's word before acting anymore and not for a very long time. I also don't expect to see us do that anytime soon, if ever. However, what if you and I began to do that faithfully in our own live? What if, when there didn't seem to be a good way forward, blocked to the right an left and no way to really retreat, we stood stood there and didn't do anything. What if we looked to and listened for the Lord's word and watched to see what he would do?
This is not just an idea I've conjured up to muse about, it is a biblical principle that has been lost on American in modern times: “Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes!" (1 Sam 12:16). "Be still an know that I am Lord" (Ps 46:10). The idea isn't just to do nothing, it is to seek out the Lord's will, prepared to do what he directs when he directs it, but to stand still, not doing something, until then, trusting in him over self. Jus' Say'n.
Sorry for the departure, I just couldn't resist. Back to the point: There was one particular catch phrase that seemed to be my Dad's favorite and one that you, no doubt, have heard many, many times as well - "Don't just stand there, do something." That particular phrase is an American iconic thought. It reflects the pilgrim spirit, the spirit of our Founding Fathers, the spirit of our Industrial Revolution, the Spirit of American Exceptionalism. It is a catch phrase that symbolizes the birth and development of this nation.
However, it is not necessarily a good idea in and of itself. I think it led to our entanglement in Mid-East. I think it is the driving force behind the Nuclear proliferation deal with the Iranians, even though we know that have not, are not and never will live up to any agreements with the West. But at least we're trying - right?
Yes, we're trying but are we listening? Are we listening? Are we listening to what they are saying, are we listing to what history has said and, most importantly, are we seeking after the Word of the Lord? The deal would be something, just like the preemptive strike on Iraq was something. But is it something we ought to be doing. What if, instead, we left the sanctions in place, called the nation to a period of national prayer. And, waited to see what the Lord would direct?
Of course, such an idea is radical. Such radical minds as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln along with every president since with the exceptions of Jefferson and Jackson (both believed prayer to be a private not national matter), who have signed a Day of National Prayer Proclamation. Which, by the way is May 7th this year. It is a radical idea and one, though endorsed by proclamation, it doesn't seem endorsed by actual preference.
I know we don't, as a nation, really seek God's word before acting anymore and not for a very long time. I also don't expect to see us do that anytime soon, if ever. However, what if you and I began to do that faithfully in our own live? What if, when there didn't seem to be a good way forward, blocked to the right an left and no way to really retreat, we stood stood there and didn't do anything. What if we looked to and listened for the Lord's word and watched to see what he would do?
This is not just an idea I've conjured up to muse about, it is a biblical principle that has been lost on American in modern times: “Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes!" (1 Sam 12:16). "Be still an know that I am Lord" (Ps 46:10). The idea isn't just to do nothing, it is to seek out the Lord's will, prepared to do what he directs when he directs it, but to stand still, not doing something, until then, trusting in him over self. Jus' Say'n.
Saturday, April 18, 2015
Living By Faith
Along with several other passages, Romans 1:17 says, "The righteous will live by faith." It is a well established biblical principle but what does it mean? Other expressions that indicate our understanding of this principle are: "Taking a leap of faith," "Stepping out in faith" and "Walking by faith." Each of these contains an element of forward motion without clear vision of what it ahead. A conclusion easily drawn from 2 Cor 5:7, "For we live by faith, not by sight."
And, to be sure, there is an element of "sightless progression." However, that element is not the key to living by faith, it is only an element. The thing that makes forward motion paralyzing or possible is the real key to this kind of living. Consider this: What is it that makes forward motion without sight so difficult? Is it the fact that we can't see where we're walking? No. We walk in our houses all the time in the dark, unable to see. Why? Because we do not fear. We feel safe to move forward in our own house. Would you feel as safe or be as likely to do the same in a dark alley? Would you be OK to continue driving at night if your headlights stopped working?
What makes sightless forward motion difficult if not impossible for us is fear. We fear what might be there, we fear what might happen, we would feel much better moving forward if we could see what it it that we are walking into - normally. However, we might even fear it more if we could see. What if we saw a hungry lion up the path? What if we saw a group of gang members down a well-lit alley? Would you feel comfortable walking ahead even though you could see clearly in those cases?
Not seeing and not knowing what is ahead can be a deterrent to forward motion, for sure, but that is not the primary reason. For instance, if you were moving up a path where a lion might well be but you were with Jack Hannon and a film crew, could you keep going? If you were walking down an alley where gangs were known to hang out but you were surrounded by Seal Team Six, would you worry much about it?
The presence of fear, not the absence of sight, is the real barrier to forward motion. Sightlessness often produces fear, which prevents it, but sight is not the foundation upon which paralysis is built. Listen to the Word of the Lord: “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back" (Heb 10:38). Living by faith is juxtaposed with shrinking back. Faith vs. fear.
Living by faith is to live without fear, knowing God is with you, not necessarily to see or not see what is ahead. The Lord's words to Joshua are also His words to us: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go"(Josh 1:9). Living by faith is to walk with the knowledge of God's nearness. Jus' Say'n.
And, to be sure, there is an element of "sightless progression." However, that element is not the key to living by faith, it is only an element. The thing that makes forward motion paralyzing or possible is the real key to this kind of living. Consider this: What is it that makes forward motion without sight so difficult? Is it the fact that we can't see where we're walking? No. We walk in our houses all the time in the dark, unable to see. Why? Because we do not fear. We feel safe to move forward in our own house. Would you feel as safe or be as likely to do the same in a dark alley? Would you be OK to continue driving at night if your headlights stopped working?
What makes sightless forward motion difficult if not impossible for us is fear. We fear what might be there, we fear what might happen, we would feel much better moving forward if we could see what it it that we are walking into - normally. However, we might even fear it more if we could see. What if we saw a hungry lion up the path? What if we saw a group of gang members down a well-lit alley? Would you feel comfortable walking ahead even though you could see clearly in those cases?
Not seeing and not knowing what is ahead can be a deterrent to forward motion, for sure, but that is not the primary reason. For instance, if you were moving up a path where a lion might well be but you were with Jack Hannon and a film crew, could you keep going? If you were walking down an alley where gangs were known to hang out but you were surrounded by Seal Team Six, would you worry much about it?
The presence of fear, not the absence of sight, is the real barrier to forward motion. Sightlessness often produces fear, which prevents it, but sight is not the foundation upon which paralysis is built. Listen to the Word of the Lord: “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back" (Heb 10:38). Living by faith is juxtaposed with shrinking back. Faith vs. fear.
Living by faith is to live without fear, knowing God is with you, not necessarily to see or not see what is ahead. The Lord's words to Joshua are also His words to us: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go"(Josh 1:9). Living by faith is to walk with the knowledge of God's nearness. Jus' Say'n.
Friday, April 17, 2015
The Cut
I read of a diamond found in an African mine that was so magnificent it was presented to the King of England to adorn his crown of state. The King sent it to Amsterdam to be cut. It was taken to an expert lapidary (diamond cutter), who cut a notch in it and struck it hard with his cutting tool, splitting the gem in two.
To the untrained eye it looked too much, it seemed careless and wasteful, if not criminal to split such a superb jewel. But far from reckless, the lapidary studied the uncut diamond for weeks. Drawings and models were made. The diamond's qualities, defects and lines were mapped out to the smallest detail. The man who was to make the cut was one of the finest lapidaries in the world. His cut was not careless, it was care-filled.
The diamond cutter knew exactly how to bring out the best in the gem, creating the twin jewels that only his trained eye saw in the stone, which would adorn the King's crown of state. What appeared to have been the destruction of the diamond actually was the redemption of the rough, uncut stone taken from the mine.
Although Job did not truly understand it himself, in response to the accusation that he was evil, told told his friends to ask the animals and the birds, for "Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? (Job 12:9). Not understanding why it was happening to him, he knew it was God's hand upon him.
Like the diamond in the rough and Job who went through such rough treatment, perhaps you have been going through rough times as well. Maybe you feel like you have been sliced and diced, cut asunder. Perhaps you cannot believe just how roughly you've been treated or deeply you've been cut. But perhaps it is just that you do not have the eye of the Master Lapidary, who knows exactly what needs to be cut away to allow you to properly adorn the King's Crown.
Maybe what appears to be your ruin is instead your redemption. As the apostle Paul put it, we "glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us" (Rom 5:3-5). Jus' Say'n.
To the untrained eye it looked too much, it seemed careless and wasteful, if not criminal to split such a superb jewel. But far from reckless, the lapidary studied the uncut diamond for weeks. Drawings and models were made. The diamond's qualities, defects and lines were mapped out to the smallest detail. The man who was to make the cut was one of the finest lapidaries in the world. His cut was not careless, it was care-filled.
The diamond cutter knew exactly how to bring out the best in the gem, creating the twin jewels that only his trained eye saw in the stone, which would adorn the King's crown of state. What appeared to have been the destruction of the diamond actually was the redemption of the rough, uncut stone taken from the mine.
Although Job did not truly understand it himself, in response to the accusation that he was evil, told told his friends to ask the animals and the birds, for "Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? (Job 12:9). Not understanding why it was happening to him, he knew it was God's hand upon him.
Like the diamond in the rough and Job who went through such rough treatment, perhaps you have been going through rough times as well. Maybe you feel like you have been sliced and diced, cut asunder. Perhaps you cannot believe just how roughly you've been treated or deeply you've been cut. But perhaps it is just that you do not have the eye of the Master Lapidary, who knows exactly what needs to be cut away to allow you to properly adorn the King's Crown.
Maybe what appears to be your ruin is instead your redemption. As the apostle Paul put it, we "glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us" (Rom 5:3-5). Jus' Say'n.
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Sealed Orders
In order to insure secrecy in a time of war, a commander of a ship or a squadron would be given orders that were sealed up and not to be opened until they had sailed a certain distance into the open sea. They would head out not knowing where they were going or what would be expected of them once they arrived. They set sail not in the security of knowing what they were going to do or where they were going to go but in whom was sending them.
One of the most notable characters in the Bible was also sent out with sealed orders, not knowing where he was going or what would be expected of him once he arrived: "The Lord had said to Abram, “'Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you'" (Gen 12::1). With no more than the knowledge of who it was sending him, Abraham (then called Abram) gathered up his family and possessions and faithfully headed out.
I remembered when I felt called into ministry. I had no idea where it would take me or what exactly I would be doing. I had no idea how I would support my family as I began ministry training, where we would go when studies were complete or even if I would be hired as a minister. I just knew God was sending me. I remember Lott Tucker at Harding suggesting I complete a business degree as I already had so many hour from previous studied. He said it would be good to have something to fall back on. My response was, "If I fall, I expect God to catch me." I may have been foolhardy, I know many of my friends and family thought so, but I truly trusted in God to direct and provide, which he always has.
In a sense, all of us in all of life are being sent out with sealed orders. We really do not know what the future holds, where we will live, what we will do or what will be expected of us. As James put it, "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow" (Js 4:14). That being true, Jesus tells us, "Do not worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will worry about itself" (Matt 6:34). Instead, we are called to "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things [necessities of life] will be given to us as well" (Matt 6:33).
The bottom line is that we are not to worry ourselves over what the future holds. Rather, we are to take confidence in Who holds our future. Though our orders may be sealed, preventing us from knowing into what waters we sail or what threat we may meet, we are given assurance from the Lord Jesus Christ, "Let not your hearts be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me" (Jn 14:1). Jus' Say'n.
One of the most notable characters in the Bible was also sent out with sealed orders, not knowing where he was going or what would be expected of him once he arrived: "The Lord had said to Abram, “'Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you'" (Gen 12::1). With no more than the knowledge of who it was sending him, Abraham (then called Abram) gathered up his family and possessions and faithfully headed out.
I remembered when I felt called into ministry. I had no idea where it would take me or what exactly I would be doing. I had no idea how I would support my family as I began ministry training, where we would go when studies were complete or even if I would be hired as a minister. I just knew God was sending me. I remember Lott Tucker at Harding suggesting I complete a business degree as I already had so many hour from previous studied. He said it would be good to have something to fall back on. My response was, "If I fall, I expect God to catch me." I may have been foolhardy, I know many of my friends and family thought so, but I truly trusted in God to direct and provide, which he always has.
In a sense, all of us in all of life are being sent out with sealed orders. We really do not know what the future holds, where we will live, what we will do or what will be expected of us. As James put it, "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow" (Js 4:14). That being true, Jesus tells us, "Do not worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will worry about itself" (Matt 6:34). Instead, we are called to "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things [necessities of life] will be given to us as well" (Matt 6:33).
The bottom line is that we are not to worry ourselves over what the future holds. Rather, we are to take confidence in Who holds our future. Though our orders may be sealed, preventing us from knowing into what waters we sail or what threat we may meet, we are given assurance from the Lord Jesus Christ, "Let not your hearts be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me" (Jn 14:1). Jus' Say'n.
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Balance
I read a post on Facebook yesterday declaring how Republicans don't want children to be fed, don't want the rich to be taxed, don't believe in science, don't believe in equality, etc. As a registered Republican, I was trying hard to see myself in any of that and couldn't. On the other hand, a little further down was another declaration of how Democrats hate America, want to tax everyone to death, are trying to drown us in debt, are tying to keep the minorities under control with welfare, etc.
I just don't believe the average Republican or the average Democrat look anything like the extreme portrait painted by most bloggers and political commentators. I do believe that the extreme of either position promotes thinking that is out of balance, being long on emotion and short on logic, which will lead to ineffectual and unrealistic choices that bring harm not good.
I think that the Republican led post 9/11 war on Iraq was fueled by emotion that probably eclipsed better alternatives. I equally think that Democrat pushed Affordable Care Act, which no one read prior to voting into law was emotionally based and no doubt would have been modified had full disclosure been utilized.
My point is that left and right are both viable directions when used in tandem. If you only make right turns or only make left turns, you only go in circles. If you make a left or right turn and never deviate from that trajectory, you will eventually run off the road or into a building or over a cliff. Extremism always leads to extreme outcomes. That is why Solomon warned, "It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes" (Eccl 7:18).
Our Constitutional Framers understood that. Employing the biblical principle, they developed a bicameral legislature with a two-party system. They knew that there was a need for one side to balance out the other, to pull each other back from the edge. They also had the common sense to know that it is just as far to the bottom whether you go off the right or left side of the bridge.
Maybe, in light of the biblical truth of balance, we could spend more time comparing and weighing the ideas of each party. looking for the best alternative or compromise instead of vilifying one another and refusing to consider something less than 100% of what either demands. How about, instead of always finding things to spar over, we "consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds" (Heb 10:24)? How about we try to balance one another instead of blasting each other? Jus' Ask'n.
I just don't believe the average Republican or the average Democrat look anything like the extreme portrait painted by most bloggers and political commentators. I do believe that the extreme of either position promotes thinking that is out of balance, being long on emotion and short on logic, which will lead to ineffectual and unrealistic choices that bring harm not good.
I think that the Republican led post 9/11 war on Iraq was fueled by emotion that probably eclipsed better alternatives. I equally think that Democrat pushed Affordable Care Act, which no one read prior to voting into law was emotionally based and no doubt would have been modified had full disclosure been utilized.
My point is that left and right are both viable directions when used in tandem. If you only make right turns or only make left turns, you only go in circles. If you make a left or right turn and never deviate from that trajectory, you will eventually run off the road or into a building or over a cliff. Extremism always leads to extreme outcomes. That is why Solomon warned, "It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes" (Eccl 7:18).
Our Constitutional Framers understood that. Employing the biblical principle, they developed a bicameral legislature with a two-party system. They knew that there was a need for one side to balance out the other, to pull each other back from the edge. They also had the common sense to know that it is just as far to the bottom whether you go off the right or left side of the bridge.
Maybe, in light of the biblical truth of balance, we could spend more time comparing and weighing the ideas of each party. looking for the best alternative or compromise instead of vilifying one another and refusing to consider something less than 100% of what either demands. How about, instead of always finding things to spar over, we "consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds" (Heb 10:24)? How about we try to balance one another instead of blasting each other? Jus' Ask'n.
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