Forces

God is calling His people to stay connected to Himself and to be aware of the schemes of the enemy, so that we can effectively resist him. 1st Peter 5 says:
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

The enemy is at work throughout the world - He intends to do harm to people, while God is the healer, the restorer...and He, in His great love, is inviting people to experience more of Him through a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Otherwise, we are walking in the kingdom of the enemy in the domain of this world.  We can recognize the struggle, and rejoice that we have a God who goes before us, a mighty and powerful God, Who gives us the power to effectively walk in victory.

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In Ephesians 6, we are given instruction that is beneficial for us in spiritual warfare:
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

I can't say I'm familiar with the TV show, Kids Incorporated, but many may be familiar with one of the child stars of it, Stacy Ferguson.  Stacy went from child stardom to same-sex experimentation and hard-core drug use, including crystal meth, according to a Daily Mail report a few years ago, relating information from an interview with Oprah Winfrey.  She described the progression:

'From ecstasy it went to crystal meth. With any drugs, everything is great at the beginning, and then slowly your life starts to spiral down. [I was] 90 pounds at one point.'

This only lasted for a year, she claims.  The article says that she "said she was able to quit after going to church and making a deal with God."

She said: 'I started getting really paranoid. So I went one day into this church and I thought that the FBI and the SWAT teams were outside the church...so I had a conversation with God...and I said, "Alright, if I go out there and the FBI and the SWAT team's not out there, then it's the drugs and I'm stopping."

'I went outside of the church...and there was no SWAT team, there was no FBI, just me and God. And I kept my promise. That day. That was it.'

Well, Stacy is better known as the lead singer of a group called the Black-Eyed Peas, and is known now as simply, Fergie.

And, recently, she has added a more spiritual dimension to the effects of drugs on her life, basically exploring the demonic aspects of her experiences.  In a recent music video, according to CBN News, she says, "I got to a point where I was seeing devils everywhere. Devil faces. Creatures that would appear to me and say 'fly, fly, fly.'"

She also says, "I would constantly be in the state of just listening to these characters, or these demons, or creatures – what they were going to tell me, what their messages were..."

The CBN story also relates:

She is seen in the music video barricading herself in the church and crossing herself as she approaches the altar.

Fergie, who says she takes her four-year-old son to church every Sunday, goes on to explain what happened.

"It was just this epiphany I had in this holy war. The war between good and evil, that good will always be more powerful," she says.

ChristianHeadlines.com quotes her: "I had to really work hard at telling the visions, the spirits, to go away," adding, "I had to say it out loud -- 'Leave me alone. I choose the good.'" It reports, "Although in the video Fergie mentions how the epiphany has helped her to love her husband and son better, according to CBN News, Fergie and Duhamel have since separated."

Now, you don't really pick up on what sort of religious practice Fergie is involved in.  She and her husband had their son, Axl, baptized in a Catholic church back in 2013, according to People magazine.

Here you have a famous singer who is discussing spiritual matters, and there are some talking points that we can certainly relate to:

One is the battle between good and evil.  It's there, and through the Scriptures, we can truly define the two.  Designer religion or pop culture might have its own concepts of the spiritual dividing lines, but the Bible can bring those into clarity: It's not a matter of what's good for me not being good for you; rather, it's God's objective, absolute truth .

But, at least Stacy, er, Fergie, is calling attention to those things, as well as the existence of demonic spirits and their operation.  Her experimentation with drugs is seen as a bad thing that brought her into a desperate place.  We acknowledge the physical effects of substance abuse, but we also have to realize that there are spiritual forces at work that affect the addict - that is why Christ-centered recovery programs are so effective, because the physical act of drug usage is driven by a spiritual deficiency - the absence of Christ in a person's life.

The enemy will play mind games with us - for instance, Fergie was a victim of paranoia, brought about apparently by drug use.  But, we recognize that he will attempt to deceive the Christian, trying to lure us with false promises and fake stories that he will project into our brain.  We have to take the Scriptures seriously to be transformed by the renewing of our minds and take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

And, we do well to identify how spiritual forces are working all around us, and choose to arm ourselves with God's resources - Ephesians 6 describes the full armor of God.  We are armed with His truth - defensively and offensively; protecting our minds and doing battle with the enemy.  It's more than a matter of religious practice, though; it's walking in the reality of God's presence.

Change Over Time

Hebrews 13 addresses the importance of honoring those who are set up to be our leaders.  We can
read:
7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

We all need spiritual direction - thankfully, we have the Word and the Holy Spirit to guide us - and there are people God brings into our lives to be good spiritual examples.  The Bible tells us to remember those people of faith - and one way we can do so is to show honor and respect for the example and Biblical content that they have demonstrated and spoken into us.  We can also "remember" them in prayer, that they may continue to faithfully do the work of the Lord.

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As we approach Pastor and Staff Appreciation Month in October, there is a Scriptural admonition
upon which we can reflect from 1st Thessalonians 5:
11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

Last week, I talked about how the original founder of a day to honor pastors told Ed Stetzer he would hope that the efforts over the past two decades would have had an effect on the way that pastors are regarded and the way they regard their work.

Stetzer had decried the use of old statistics to paint a dismal picture of the plight of pastors.  One organization that he mentioned was the website, IntoThyWord.org, which is a publication of the Francis A. Schaeffer Institute of Church Leadership Development.  That organization also publishes the wesbite, ChurchLeadership.org, which has some current stats on pastors, published in 2016.

Here's a great summary, from Dr. Richard Krejcir:

Since first studying pastors in the late 80's, we are seeing significant shifts in the last 20 years on how pastors view their calling and how churches treat them.

We have seen that although the work hours are still long and the pay below a living wage, pastors are much happier with their congregations and their marriages are looking stronger. Churches, for the most part, treat their pastors better than we saw in previous studies. Significant strides have been made. The data we collected has pointed to the causes and motivations of stress, burnout, and church dysfunction. Some of these include misguided leadership notions from clergy, laity, and church leadership, as well as a lack of awareness of what are the true calls and duties of a pastor. The statistics have not shown a significant variation. Many churches still place unreasonable requirements upon pastors. Pastors, in turn, are overworking themselves to appease congregational expectations while facing volunteer apathy, criticism, and a fear of change. 

The Institute conduced a survey in 2015-16 of over 8,000 ministers, identified as Evangelical or Reformed. One of the questions was, "Are you happy and fulfilled as a pastor?" The summary states, "57% say they are! Yet, 43% stressed, 26% overly fatigued, and 9% burnt-out!"

More findings:

How consistent has the church treated their pastor? 88% Are Treated Well!

And, a comment from the article:

Pastors are more appreciated than ever! When we first started to do these studies in the late 80's through 2000, we saw many pastors broken, depressed, and very few satisfied. We were the hired hands, and churches either overly adored and fixated on their pastor or, in most cases, were treated terribly. We see there have been great strides within the church leaderships, denominational managements and realistic job descriptions and expectations. This, along with many organizations sounding the alarm, pastors are in a better place now, than ever before.

There is a tendency, which I can certainly appreciate, for pastors to work long hours.  The survey summary says, "How many hours a week do full-time pastors work? 54% more than 55, 18% more than 70 hours a week!"  The point is made that, "Although we see improvement in how much time in a week that pastors work, they are still way over taxed in stress and work hours. This is an area that needs attention. The families are not seeing needed quality time, and churches do not get their best by overwork."

The biggest challenges: almost one in four said, "Recruiting Volunteers," and just over one in five said, "Leading my People through Change."  Krejcir states: "Pastors are facing the same challenges, since the Early Church. We found when pastors realize they are a shepherd, God's commissioned leader, stress goes way down. Our Guide is Jesus, the Holy One who gently leads us and guides His leaders to care for His flock, the Church. Consider that Jesus comes to us as the Good Shepherd, as we have all gone astray; He brings us back to His fold." And, over three-quarters of pastors, almost 8 in 10, want to "stay in their call and in ministry!"

So, our takeaways for today, as we consider honoring those who serve in church leadership during October, Pastor and Staff Appreciation Month:

I think willingness to serve is an important consideration - in light of pastors having a challenge in recruiting volunteers, perhaps we can be motivated to plug into a place where God can use us.

Another hearkens back to last week: make sure we are using current statistics.  Stats can still a story, but using old stats solely do not reflect change over time. While cause-and-effect cannot necessarily be attributed solely to the celebration of a special day or month to honor pastors, it does seem that there is a greater awareness of the challenges they face and the need for congregations to affirm them.

And, let's do think together about the change agent, the Holy Spirit, who brings about change over time - that's God's specialty!  He calls us to spiritual growth; He delights when we move forward in Him.  And, He wants our pastors to experience growth, as well, so that they can be an example and encouragement to the congregation.

Finally, each of us can be motivated to pursue God's call for our life, and our fellow brothers and sisters in the body of Christ can encourage us in the fulfillment of that call.  We are all pulling together for the sake of the gospel, and when we honor our leaders by following and affirming them, it makes the body stronger.

Listen

In Proverbs 19, we see some verses that pertain to being a good listener. Here are some examples:
20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days.
21 There are many plans in a man's heart, Nevertheless the Lord's counsel--that will stand.

And later in the chapter, we can read:
27 Cease listening to instruction, my son, And you will stray from the words of knowledge.

We have to be attentive certainly to what God has to say to us, and He gives us incredible wisdom and knowledge through His Word.  And, we have to guard against allowing our minds to wander when we are studying the Scriptures.  We also learn and build healthy relationships as we listen intently to what others have say, guarding against preoccupation or distraction, so that we can hear and affirm what is being said to us.

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James 1 applies to the fine art of listening - and listening well:
19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;
20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

Today, I want to walk a bit on the lighter side and focus on a recent article at The Stream about what is called a "mondegreen."  The definition given by the writer is: "the misheard version of a song lyric."

The writer is Dante Witt, and she classifies these misheard lyrics in three categories: those lyrics that are heard to contain food references, Christmas-related lyrics, and words about what you might call, "people, places, or things."  The examples she gives are mainly from children.

Here are some examples...in the culinary category:

"Bringing in the sheaves" becomes "Bringing in the cheese."

Instead of "Up from the grave He arose," you hear, "Up from the gravy arose."

Or, the phrase "in excelsis Deo" becomes "Those egg shells are a day old."

Which leads us into the Christmas category:

There's "Round John virgin" in Silent Night rather than "Round yon virgin."

She also mentions:

“Hail Mary, full of grace. Dolores Whitney” turned out — rather unexpectedly — to be “Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee.” The Dolores Whitney business is reminiscent of two other mysterious females: “Shirley Goodness and Mercy..."

And, then moving into that final area, there is a mysterious man named Andy, as in:

“Andy walks with me, Andy talks with me.”  That's a mis-hearing from the hymn, In the Garden.

The phrase "lead us not into temptation," becomes, "lead us not into Penn Station," which may have some relevance for travelers in the Big Apple.

Then, maybe you've heard of “Gladly, the cross-eyed bear” or “Bradley, the cross-eyed bear.”

Or, how about that line from Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing: “Here I raise my heavy knees, Sir."

She threw in a couple more Christmas references, such as "The First Snow-Elf," and "While shepherds washed their socks by night."

Perhaps you have a favorite mondegreen that perhaps your child has produced.   I remember there used to be a song that I would play on a station I used to work for that spoke of bringing your "burden" to the Lord - our morning team at the time referenced that as bringing a "bird."  And, I remember in a former praise band era about the hymn Jesus Paid it All, in which the "leper's spots" became the "leopard's spots."

Well, this is a rather silly exercise, but I do think there are some serious points to be illustrated here.  Number one is to make sure that we are listening to what is being said.  Maybe you've been engaged in a conversation, but your mind is a thousand miles away.  We honor the person with whom we're speaking by intently listening to what he or she is saying to us.  That avoids misunderstanding later.

And, that can also apply to God's Word.  Reading and studying the Bible involves concentrating on what He is saying to us through the Scriptures.   We cannot hear from the Lord if our minds are engaged in other activities.  The cares of this life can be unwelcome distractions from the pure truth of His Word.

We also have to make sure that we are communicating accurately.  We cannot underemphasize the importance of thinking before we speak, lest we end up offending another person and undermining our credibility.  We can also make sure that we are speaking not only clearly, but also honestly - God calls us to speak truth and not to lie.  By doing so, we become effective ambassadors for Him.

The Church in the Lead

In Romans 12, we gain a sense of God's heart as to how we are to treat one another. We can read:
16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

Verse 18 underscores the importance of pursuing peace.  In an age of polarization, that can certainly seem like a tall order, but God gives us the principles and will grant us the demeanor in Him to accomplish that.  We can be careful to set an example, not demonizing or denigrating people with whom we disagree or who have different backgrounds than we.  The path of peace is paved with meaningful dialogue that reflects the character of Christ.

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In 1st Corinthians 10, we read about our liberty in Christ, but also the importance of Godly restraint:
23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.
24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being.

Looking back at the weekend, I would hope that being in God's house, hearing His Word, fellowshipping with His people, and enjoying great worship were some of the most memorable components.   And, of course, fall Saturdays mean college football, and hopefully cooler temperatures across the South.

And, what occurred this past Sunday was memorable, as well.  Many have been following the headline: President Trump visits Huntsville, Alabama to campaign for Luther Strange, who is running to fill the unexpired term of Jeff Sessions; he is being opposed by Roy Moore, and today is the election.

But, there was a component of that speech, as you know, that has sent off shock waves.  The President stated, according to the Family Research Council website:

"Things will stop. Just pick up and leave. Pick up and leave. Not the same game anymore anyway... Wouldn't you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, 'Get that [expletive] off the field right now. Out. He's fired. He's fired."

The website continued:

Trump got the League's attention alright. Immediately, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and owners across the NFL blasted the president for his "lack of respect for the NFL." But respect isn't earned by disrespecting those who defend our freedoms. And while I think President Trump could have delivered his message more artfully, I agree with his sentiment. As someone who was willing to fight for the very freedom these players are exercising, I don't dispute their right to protest. But they'd do well to remember where those rights were earned: under the same flag they're disgracing. 

This act of protesting the National Anthem started when Colin Kaepernick, then with the San Francisco 49ers, sat during the anthem, then modified that to a kneel.  Other players followed suit. Now, here's Colin's original intent, from NFL.com:

"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color," Kaepernick told NFL Media in an exclusive interview after the game. "To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."

That's the original issue, the reason, if you will.  Now, think about the messages sent on Sunday - yes, there is that racial component, and while Trump insists it's not racial, truth is, for many, it certainly is, and that was the motivation behind Kaepernick's actions in the first place.

But, on Sunday, the protests transcended racial justice - it seems to me that NFL players said that they had one another's backs, and the owners and league stood with them.  Consider the thoughtful comments of Ravens wide receiver Benjamin Watson, who is a Christian and a real leader in discussing matters of race.  He said on Good Morning America yesterday, according to the ABC News website that the President's words "cut deep" for his team, saying, ""We felt as many others did that this was a direct attack on our brotherhood."  Watson also said, "Obviously, the name-calling is something we don't [stand] for but even to imply that we don't have the right to express ourselves in that way is something that we really took to heart."  He said he agrees with Kaepernick's concern about the same racial issues.

Watson stood arm-in-arm with his teammates at the Ravens' game on Sunday.  He did add a caveat - he pointed to the skies, because, as he said in the GMA piece, "...I really believe that the Lord will really have to have His hand on us when it comes to reconciling our differences."

According to CNSNews.com, the Ravens receiver stated on social media, “Dialogue can be constructive when entered with humility and respect,” adding, “In the best and worst of times He is still on the throne!”

Another high-profile believer, Tony Dungy spoke out in the studio show of NBC's Sunday Night Football - before the President's comments, he had interviewed two Miami Dolphins players who had knelt during the Anthem last year.  He said, according to the Palm Beach Post:

“These are guys who care about their community, they care about their country, they want to do something positive. I talked to both guys last night and they said their teammates were very angry and they’re coming at them and they said, ‘Hey, we’ve got to keep this cool, we’ve got to be under control. Let’s stand together unified.’ But they didn’t know how it was going to go. I talked to them both this morning and as of 9 o’clock this morning, everybody was going to stand unified. But they said there was a lot of emotion, a lot of energy, a lot of tension. And it didn’t turn out that way.”

Dungy, on Stills’ decision to kneel during the national anthem on Sunday: “I asked Kenny (after the game) what changed and he sent me a text. He said, ‘Deep down inside, I did not want to allow the president to intimidate us or keep us from using our right to protest. We had a couple guys kneeling for the first time and we had our teammates all locked in arms. We were still all together and that’s powerful.’ ”

Host Dan Patrick asked where things go from here.

“Their owner, Stephen Ross, listened to those guys,” Dungy said. “What are your concerns? And they went forward with a plan, and got some things going. Crime rates decreased because of this ride-along that they had with the police. That’s what we’ve got to do going forward. We’ve got to listen to each other and go forward with a plan to make it better. That’s what leaders should do, including, in my opinion, our president.”

Challenging words from the Coach, whom you can hear on Faith Radio weekday mornings at around 10:10 on his Uncommon Moments feature.

A couple of questions I had: where is the Church on these matters?  And...what are some principles we can apply to our own lives?

Where is the Church?  Well, I believe that it is where it's always been - we should be engaged in loving God and loving one another, regardless of race and cultural background.  I think the Scriptures contain powerful, effective answers on matters of race, predicated on expressing the love of Christ.  And, when you have people who want to respond in anger when they are facing conflict or feeling disrespected, we can be strategic in pointing the way to peace.

I think we can learn several things from this storyline.  First of all: Matters of race are sensitive; when you deal with issues with a racial component, choose your words wisely.  We cannot afford to just speak off the top of our heads - and we have to be understanding of the perspective of a person who is from a different background than we.  The President said that race is not an issue here; you would hope that he would understand that there is and take steps to be a leader in the area of racial harmony and reconciliation.  We need to pray for our leaders!  And, we can also see ourselves as leaders in this critical area of culture.

We can also see that the message is getting muddled - I think there is a lack of understanding that can cause one to think whether or not Mr. Kaepernick took the best course of action.  Many are seeing the kneeling during the anthem as disrespectful to our country and those who have served it in the military. A significant number of fans is apparently put off by the protests.  A July article on ESPN.com related information about a J.D. Power survey:

The pollster said it asked more than 9,200 people who attended either one football, basketball or hockey game whether they tuned into fewer games and why. Twenty-six percent of those who watched fewer games last season said that national anthem protests, some of which were led by Colin Kaepernick, were the reason.

Also, "After that, 24 percent of those surveyed who said they watched fewer games said they did so either because of the league's off-the-field image issues with domestic violence or with game delays, including penalties."

I would say that you have an important message here, but the method is flawed, as is the messenger.  I like what these Dolphins players did - one might disagree with their kneeling, but they did go out into their community and attempted to build bridges with law enforcement in the area. I think we have an idea with some positive aspects, but it has not carried out in the best way, and people have become alienated.

Finally, we hear a lot about free speech.  And, it seems to be universally agreed that these players have the right to protest.  Is it the best way?  That's unclear.  But, it does remind us of a principle that I think is consistent with Scripture: Just because you have the freedom to express an idea doesn't mean you should.  Paul said that to him all things were "lawful," but not necessarily "helpful."  And, keep in mind, when you represent an employer, free speech has its limitations.

For each of us, we can make sure, as ambassadors for Christ, that our message is clear, and it is delivered in the right way - that can include tone, circumstances, and other factors - we want what we say to be taken correctly.  We can also seek to be good messengers - if our actions or other words contradict what we are saying, then we become a discredited messenger.

Superstition

We need to utilize the powerful, spiritual tools that God has made available to us in Christ.  1st
Timothy 4 states:
7 But reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.
8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.
10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

There are many practices that people undertake that might make them feel better temporarily, but because they are not rooted in Scripture and predicated on a relationship with Christ, what people do will not bring them the true, lasting peace that is possible through Christ.  And, we have to make sure that we are not falling into the trap of superstition, legalism, or formulaic practices, thinking those will meet our needs.  We are called to obey Christ and live in the freedom of the Holy Spirit.

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Paul encouraged the church at Colosse to depart from the traditions of the world, which do not promote godliness. In Colossians 2, we can read:
20 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations--
21 "Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,"
22 which all concern things which perish with the using--according to the commandments and doctrines of men?
23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

It's been a tough time for the nation of Greece.  According to a piece on the Religion News Service website:

Since 2009, the Greek financial crisis has decimated the country’s economy. More than a quarter of its citizens are now unemployed, and half of Greek youth lack jobs.

In such times, people often turn to familiar traditions, such as the evil eye, for comfort.

The writer is referring to something called the "mati," which is "a distinctive talisman with concentric blue and white circles."  The article states:

For years, tourists to Greece have snapped up the charms, these “all-seeing eyeballs,” which are supposed to help ward off the “evil eye.” The term refers to negative energy caused by another’s jealousy, which Greeks believe can cause minor troubles and even physical symptoms for the victim.

A souvenir shop owner got it right, I think, stating that she tells customers: "'It’s superstitious, it’s supposed to bring luck.’" She adds, "So they get excited about it.”

One of the people interviewed for the article says that the "eye" is "the new trendy cross."

The article says, "It is based on the notion of a limited amount of good in the world, and the idea that one person’s envy can deduct from another’s fortune."  There are prayers associated with it, and certain rules of engagement to "use" it.

The piece does state:

Though the Greek Orthodox Church considers the mati at odds with Christianity, many within the church accept the idea of an evil energy circulating among people, which may help explain the talisman’s enduring popularity in this highly religious country.

According to the story, a Greek Orthodox high priest says that "only the Christian cross can provide true protection." He says, "Religion-wise, the blue eye does not mean anything. This is a cultural symbol."

This is a religious tradition that apparently dates back thousands of years.  And, while it allegedly brings comfort to people who engage with the "eye," we can be drawn to think about the real spiritual tools that we have available to us as believers in Christ.

People have different ways to cope with trouble in the world.  And, certainly, these are troubled times.  But, we have to make sure that we are not relying on superstitions or formulas to gain peace for our souls.  God promises us a perfect peace, a peace that passes all understanding, and true, lasting peace is found through our relationship with Christ.

We also have to make sure that we are not wishing evil to come to other people.  I do believe that, through prayer, we can affect changes in the hearts and lives of people.  But we should always pray and seek God for His will to be done, recognizing that He is the ultimate power source who can transform a life.  And, we also have to make sure that we are not praying with improper motives, harboring a desire to see someone hurt or damaged.  We are called to come into His presence with pure motives.

Finally, it was pointed out that one person believed this "eye," or "mati" symbol was the new "trendy" cross.  We should never use the cross as a crutch - in other words, just because we wear the cross doesn't bring us any special righteousness or favor with God.  Our relationship with Christ through the cross is what truly sets us free and testifies that we know him.  And, if you want to wear a cross or Christian symbol or t-shirt, that can certainly challenge us to make sure our lives are lining up.

Vulnerable

God wants to display His power through us, and we are stymied in that expression if we have areas of vulnerability, in which the enemy will take advantage of us, deceive us, and render us weakened. 2nd Corinthians 4 reminds us:
6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

We can place ourselves in a position in which we allow the power of the Lord will flow through us. That will be short-circuited by areas of sin that will inhibit the flow.  If there are areas in which we are weak, we have to be careful to allow the Lord to fill those areas, rather than to be controlled by selfish desire.  God wants to give us His strength so that we will be bold to testify to His presence within.

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In Acts chapter 4, we see that the early disciples had prayed for God to display His power and to give them boldness to speak His truth. We read:
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.

She said she couldn't do it - he wouldn't bend.

Last week, I referred to a Creative Arts Emmy handed out to a television series that depicts the cult of Scientology. It's called Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, and she, according to a story on AOL.com, "took home the Emmy for Outstanding Informational Series." The article says that she "was brought to tears by the emotional win."

The article says:

During her acceptance speech, Remini got emotional as she dedicated the win to the "brave contributors who [worked on the series] despite ongoing risk and repercussions."

"It's not an easy job, but they were the ones putting their stories out there for everyone to hear. And we are honored to be the vessel to tell these stories," she explained. "It's about doing the right thing. This doesn't belong to me, it belongs to our contributors."

Scientology is a pseudo-religion which boasts some famous followers, like Tom Cruise, who allegedly has not seen his young daughter in over four years.  In Touch Weekly reports that ex-wife Katie Holmes is reaching out to Tom.  The article states:

Tom has repeatedly refused to answer In Touch’s detailed questions about why he no longer visits Suri. He also avoids the topic during media interviews promoting his projects. And he seems more deeply immersed in Scientology than ever after selling his Beverly Hills mansion for a reported $40 million in 2016. His new home: Clearwater, FL, where Scientology has its headquarters.

Back to Leah Remini, who has placed herself at odds with the so-called "church," and those she claims follow it - the TV series is now in season 2, and Leah has reunited with former King of Queens co-star Kevin James, the one who I said earlier "wouldn't bend."  She will co-star with James on his series, Kevin Can Wait.  And, she claims that her former "church" wanted her to try to convert James.

Here's the story, from The Inquisitr website:

“They always tried to get me to, [asking] ‘Why is he not in? Why have you not promoted it to him?” Remini revealed in this week’s issue of People. “Because he’s Catholic. He doesn’t want anything to do with it. They let it go after a while, but usually, you’d be expected to recruit, especially with somebody you work with for nine years.”

Of course, the church denies it.

James, on the other hand, according to the article, "...has been a proud Catholic all his life. He’s not afraid to speak out about his faith. Growing up, his father instilled the value of living a God-centered life and attending church regularly. To this day, James regularly attends church service and practices prayer. He has no problem talking about his faith and how it affects his Hollywood career."

James told CBN, "I'm continuing to learn more and more each day and trying to be the person that God wants me to be."  Meanwhile, People magazine reports that, after leaving Scientology, Remini converted to Catholicism.

This real-life story deals with matters of faith.  And, while you see major stars who will call attention to a faith component, the pursuit of religious faith has been a key element of both James and Remini's lives.  James has been outspoken about his religious upbringing, and Remini has taken a controversial religion to task in a very public way, allowing others to tell their stories in her Emmy-winning television series.

Several things have come to mind in considering these actors' stories:

I think one challenge for us as Christians has to do with our devotion to our faith.  We have to check for areas of vulnerability and make sure we are grounded in what we believe.  We may encounter people, like Remini allegedly was, who are dedicated to "converting" us - intentionally.  Or, there may be people of influence whose value system differs from the one to whom we adhere, rooted in the Scriptures.  We have to stay in the Word - the enemy wants to get us off track, and he will use people to do that.

Leah Remini escaped Scientology; she was set free.  Jesus taught about a person who was "cleansed" from demonic influence, but was captured again - seven times worse!   When we experience forgiveness, when deliverance occurs in our lives, we have to build up a spiritual stronghold that is rooted in Christ; we have to fill the empty places with His presence and truth.  Again, we have to check that we are not vulnerable to the enemy's schemes.

Finally, it is reported that  Kevin James says that he is "not afraid to speak out about his faith."  We can examine our own lives and make sure that we are characterized by how we live out our faith. We can develop a sense of boldness to put Christ on display, strengthened and motivated by His great love for us and the people with whom we interact.

Affirming the Shepherds

In Hebrews chapter 13, there is an exhortation to follow the instruction of those who have been
placed in spiritual authority over us. We can read:
17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
18 Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.

So, our pastors and church leaders are called to serve with joy.  And, I think we play a role in keeping them encouraged.  In the midst of the challenges they face, the congregation can continue to build them up.  We have a chance, with Pastor and Staff Appreciation Month coming up in October, to think of ways we can provide that encouragement and to comprise a flock whom they are deeply proud and motivated to serve and lead.

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The Scriptures teach us to honor well those who are in spiritual leadership over us.  1st Timothy 5
says:
17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.
18 For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer is worthy of his wages."
19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses.

We are preparing to celebrate Pastor and Staff Appreciation Month, which gives us the opportunity to honor the servant-leaders in our churches who serve in spiritual leadership and who play a key role in the function of the church and the empowering of the membership to do ministry.  We can be reminded afresh and anew that it is a good thing to show appreciation and give affirmation to people who serve generally, as well as specifically to those church leaders.

You know, there is survey data out there that paints a picture of the pastorate as a discouraged and disliked lot.  Ed Stetzer, who teams up with John Stonestreet for Breakpoint This Week and used to do research for a living at LifeWay Research, wrote a piece for Christianity Today not quite two years ago about statistics concerning beleaguered pastors.  Here's what he said:

The most common stat batted around is 1,500 pastors leave the ministry every month. Recently, I think someone must have decided that number needed updating, so they added an extra 200 and now you hear 1,700 pastors. If you Google it, the claim is everywhere.

The problem is that we cannot find any research that validates those numbers, and the research we do have doesn’t come close to that. The Wesleyan church has done an internal study and LifeWay Research has done some research as well. When extrapolated to the whole of the pastor population, neither approaches 1,500 pastors leaving each month.

He cites a round of statistics from the Francis Schaeffer Institute from a conference held in California over a decade ago which does indicate some trouble, but as Stetzer points out, the survey was not representative and the event could have been targeting troubled ministers.

But, he writes about "other stats" that they say "''backed up' their stats. citing Barna, Focus, and Fuller." But, he said, "None of the ministries cited, however, have these stats numbers. I spoke to both Barna Group and Focus on the Family about their inclusion. Furthermore, I can't find any reference at Fuller."  Now, there is a notation at the Schaeffer site that the data is old.  According to a followup article at Christianity Today, Stetzer even heard from the founder of Pastor Apprecation Day that became Clergy Appreciation Month.  His name is Jerry Frear.

He is quoted as saying:

...my study from 1992 is 23 years old. I would certainly hope there would be changes after more than 20 years of “pastor appreciation” and the spotlight that was shone on the ministry.

Focus on the Family finally did a division of pastoral ministry care following the study. Now, a lot of denominations have someone at the district level responsible for pastoral care. With all of this going on, I would hope that the numbers were better.

He adds:

Over the course of the last two decades, things have changed. The ministry has become a better place to be and people are much more aware of what’s going on with their pastoral leadership and their needs.

 Back to that other Christianity Today piece from Stetzer.  He writes:

The truth of the matter is a vast majority of pastors love their job and don’t think it is harming their family. For example, nearly 8 in 10 pastors (79%) disagree with the statement, "Being in ministry has had a negative effect on my family." A majority (58%) strongly disagree! Most feel privileged to be in the ministry—an overwhelming number, actually.

That number - 93%, according to LifeWay Research.

Takeaways for us today:

#1 - as Ed Stetzer points out, based on that survey from LifeWay, pastors "recognize the challenges that exist in their job, but they love the ministry and aren’t leaving it in droves."  I think that as congregation members, we can remember that yes, there are challenges, and that encouragement can make a difference.

Also, we can guard against being preconditioned to think that somehow our pastors or staff members do not love their job.  If we don't think they're "all in," then that could affect the congregation's enthusiasm.

We can also remember, that as Ed says, "facts are our friends."  The bloated numbers that serve to paint a bleak picture of the ministry don't do the church any favors.  And, generally, when we share information, we have to make sure that it's accurate.

We can rejoice with our pastors and their families - certainly they endure a lot, and are very special people who are following a very special call.  I don't think they would necessarily want or need our sympathy, but, as the Scripture teaches, they are worthy of great honor - you could say, based on the Bible, "double honor."  They're speaking for God, they are a target for the enemy, and they need our prayers and support.

Unity in Compassion

In Revelation 7, we see a snapshot of heaven, of a great mass of people gathered around the throne of God, and among the believers we see, there are no exclusions; all who call upon Jesus are there:
9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands,
10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"

God calls us to be heavenly minded, setting our minds on things above.  When we consider that we will be one in heaven, brought there from every part of the earth, from a large variety of what are referred to as "peoples," that can challenge us to see people of different racial and cultural backgrounds than we as truly our brothers and sisters, with whom we will be spending eternity. As Christ's representatives, we can demonstrate what it means to be unified, not bound by prejudice.

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In Acts 17, we see the common heritage in the Lord that all of us, regardless of racial or cultural
background, from which we all have come. Paul says:
26 And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings,
27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;
28 for in Him we live and move and have our being...

Again in America, hearts have been stirred as people have taken to the streets of another American city to protest what they perceive as injustice along racial lines.  In this case, as an article on The Stream website points out, last Friday, "the Missouri Judicial Circuit Court of St. Louis announced that a former local police officer was found not guilty of murder charges. The court found that white officer Jason Stockley was operating in self-defense when, in 2011, he fatally shot black man Anthony Lamar Smith following a high-speed car chase."

The article notes that:

The court’s decision set off a wave of protests downtown. Thousands gathered Friday afternoon in downtown St. Louis to voice their views on the decision.

And, widespread news reports indicate that the protests, which have had violent components, have continued in the city, which is close to the site of the Ferguson, Missouri, riots of 2014.

The Stream article featured comments from Jonathan Tremaine Thomas, a local African-American pastor. He had "joined the crowd downtown to urge a nonviolent response," according to the story. In a Facebook Live video, he stated, “This is an incredibly and seriously painful situation for hundreds of thousands of Americans..."  He cited the history of racial tension in the area, and said that,
“In this city, it was decided in 1857 that African Americans were not citizens and therefore were not entitled to the due processes of the U.S. Constitution and the judicial system," a reference to the Dred Scott decision.

Thomas said that “As a black man, I am somewhat emotional in this hour. I feel a lot of things in light of what has happened..."  He also added, "But the presence of anger does not mean the absence of love."

According to the story, he adds:

“God actually tells us specifically what our commission is in times of crisis. His Word says, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for you shall be called the sons of God,’” he cited the Sermon on the Mount. “He has initiated a people in the earth who would actually be the bearers of good news in the midst of bad news.”

Referring to how Jesus "looked upon the crowds and He was moved with compassion," he said, "He was moved with compassion, then He did miracles. It’s the compassion piece that we’re contending for in the church right now."

I came across another article on the site announcing Ronnie Floyd's selection to head the National Day of Prayer.  He is the former President of the Southern Baptist Convention.  He stated, in response to a question about race and ethnic diversity:

Right after I was elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention, the situation in Ferguson, Missouri, occurred that was so unfortunate. Racial tensions simmering in American culture came to the surface. I immediately got involved. Working with many leaders — not just ones who look like me, but committed brothers in Christ who are African-American, Asian, Hispanic — we released an article that ended up in a lot of different places.

This began a real movement toward racial unity. I leaned into that during my tenure as SBC president. We joined with the National Baptist Convention, the largest predominantly African-American Christian denomination. Their president Reverend Dr. Jerry Young led a national conversation on racial unity with SBC leaders. Then he and I led a group to Jackson, Mississippi, which even the New York Times wrote about in a favorable way.

I am of the strong conviction that government has to do what it’s supposed to do, but government cannot solve racial tensions in America. Local churches must go into their communities and model racial unity. When that happens, it will make a difference long-term in this country.

In the context of the National Day of Prayer, Floyd underscored the importance of bringing people together. He said, "One way you do that is by having honest conversations. You provide a platform where people of all backgrounds are represented in relationship."

I am thankful for National Day of Prayer experiences that I have been a part of or been aware of. When you consider the racial harmony in events such as the Montgomery Prayer Breakfast, which is championed by two leaders of different races - the mayor and commission chair, or the state National Day of Prayer gathering at the capital, or in a city such as Opelika, where I was last year, you see an intentional effort to bring people of different races and backgrounds together .  When church leaders are working across racial and cultural lines, there is great potential to see Biblical harmony take place.  We don't all believe the same about some issues, but we can find commonality in Christ.

We are blessed in so many of our communities to have an awareness of the need for God's people to come together.  And, there is a great history of events that Faith Radio has covered that can underscore the importance of coming together.  Common events can lead to meaningful conversation and understanding, so that the body of Christ can display the power of Christ's compassion in a troubled world.

Finally, we can seek opportunities to promote peace.  Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers" - we have that calling and we possess the capacity to do just that.  We do have to search our own hearts and consider how God wants to cleanse us of unhealthy attitudes and how He wants to bring us into greater fellowship with each other.  Peace comes when we lay down selfishness, concentrate on the common good, and desire to exalt Christ.

Signs?

In 1st Thessalonians 4, we can read a passage containing the wonderful promise of God's faithfulness to send His Son to take them home to be with Him:
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

The events that we see occurring on the earth: geopolitical turmoil, disasters around the world, even a departure from the ways of God, can be regarded as signs of our Lord's soon return.  Considering all that we see in the Scriptures and with our eyes, it can create a sense of anticipation and hope that Jesus will be coming to retrieve His people from this earth.  We also have to develop a sense of readiness in our own lives and urgency to communicate His truth.

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In Matthew chapter 24, near the conclusion of the Olivet Discourse, in which Jesus lays out some of
the signs of His return and the end of the age, we read this:
35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
36 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

August 21 was the date of the solar eclipse.
On August 25, Hurricane Harvey hit Texas.
And, on the following day, the 26th, it flooded Houston.

Take 21, 25, and 26, mix in a reference to Luke, and according to The Express of the U.K., you have Bible prophecy.  The passage, Luke 21:25-26, describes elements of the end times scenario.

Then, blend in a heavenly alignment, extrapolate it to Revelation 12, and you have another piece in the puzzle that somehow yields the conclusion that the Rapture will occur this Saturday, September 23.  Again, from The Express:

The passage 12:1–2 reads: "And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of 12 stars. She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth."

Conspiracy theorists claim the woman in question is Virgo, and on September 23, the sun and moon will be in Virgo, as will Jupiter, now being said to represent the Messiah.

This happens every 12 years, but they claim because of another planetary alignment, representing "the Lion of the tribe of Judah", it is an unprecedented event foretold in scripture.

Plus, you have a teaching out there that there will be a "mythological planetary system known as Planet X or Nibiru will appear in the sky on September 23." According to the theory, this planet, which NASA rates as a hoax, "will then pass the Earth in October, causing the start of the Rapture with huge volcanoes and volcanic eruptions due to its gravitational force."

There are indeed strange times in which we live!

The article says that Jonathan Sarfati wrote that this alignment had happened four times in the last 1,000 years, and quotes him as saying: "As usual with any astrology (or Christian adaptations of it), one cherry-picks the stars that fit the desired conclusion"  He continues:

"There is nothing to suggest that 23 September is a momentous date for biblical prophecy, and Christians need to be careful about being drawn into such sensationalist claims.

"We won’t know the day or the hour—so we should be prepared at all times!"

Sarfati is with Creation Ministries International.

Danny Faulkner is an astronomer with Answers in Genesis and writes for the ministry's website: "for a day or two each September or October, the sun appears in Virgo with the moon at her feet, so this is not that remarkable."  He continues:

It was more than 15 years ago that I first heard the suggestion that this annual event might be a fulfillment of Revelation 12 in some particular year. Since then, interest in this idea has increased, with some people speculating or even predicting that “this is the year,” only to forget about it when nothing significant transpired before moving on to the next year’s occurrence.

He says that the addition of Jupiter to the mix may have contributed to this year's speculation.

His piece concludes with this:

Clearly, most people promoting this have in mind the Lord’s return. Some explicitly state this, but others, mindful of the words of Jesus in Matthew 24:36, are hesitant to make that claim, though their implication is clear enough. These sorts of claims or intimations have been made many times before. For instance, the four lunar eclipses during 2014–2015 caused many people to anticipate the Lord’s return then, but of course this did not happen. I suspect that the same will be true on September 23 this year. People who get excited about supposed signs miss the point that Jesus made (Matthew 24:36–51). Instead of setting dates, we ought to be ready for His return at any moment. Are you ready?

Matthew 24:36, of course, is the Scripture passage about no one knowing the day nor the hour of our Lord's return.  So, those predictors of dates for the Rapture of the Church or the return of Christ seem to ignore this passage.  Our first takeaway obviously is centered around that passage: we have no business trying to set dates for when Jesus will return.

But, another thing is that we can recognize the signs.  Based on what Jimmy DeYoung says about the fulfillment of Bible prophecy, this could be the day when Jesus returns to take His Church home to be with Him, when true believers are caught up in the air to be with Him.  The signs are occurring, the nations are aligning, and since we know what will happen following our departure, we have to reason that the departure is close at hand.

The Old Testament prophets wrote about, with specificity, what was to come.  Jesus talked about the signs on the earth - nations in conflict, natural disasters, and other things which must occur.  He pointed in Matthew 24 to the fig tree, saying, in verses 32 and 33: "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near--at the doors!"  In verse 42, he says, "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming."  Our charge is to be ready, to develop a sense of urgency, and to watch with great anticipation for His return.

Generating Kindness

Our internal faith will express itself through external action. 2nd Peter 1 traces this progression:
5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,
7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.
8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In verse 5, he writes, "for this very reason," which you can trace back to the preceding verses, which mention our being "partakers of the divine nature."  Because we are in Christ, we have the capacity to walk in His ways and to develop characteristics that are consistent with the new identity that He has created in our lives through salvation.  As we participate in acts of kindness, we grow in the love of God - the love that motivates us to be a tangible expression of the presence of God in us.

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Romans 12 instructs us to act in love, walking and communicating with the love of Christ:
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another...

Perhaps you've already heard or been touched by the heartwarming story out of Orlando as Hurricane Irma churned toward an almost-certain assault on the state of Florida - the encounter occurred in a Lowe's store in Orlando.  Pam Brekke was shopping for a generator; she was especially concerned about her father-in-law, who is 87 years old, has congestive heart failure, and is dependent on oxygen at night.  The story was told by WFTV television in Orlando.

That day, there was one generator left, and Pam was not able to secure it; another customer was prepared to purchase it when he, Ramon Santiago, displayed kindness toward her and allowed her to take the generator he was prepared to buy.

The television station website states:

Santiago’s family did not lose power long enough to use the generator Lowe’s gave him for free when his act of generosity went viral.

At Brekke’s home, the lights stayed on and the generator Santiago gave her is still in the box.

They are relieved and proud of their roles in a moment that moved so many.

“Be kind to your neighbor. That’s what God wants us to do,” said Brekke. “We showed there is still goodness and love in the world.”

And, last week, Ramon and Pam met again and hugged - at the upholstery business where she works.

The Blaze website had a story on the reunion, and the initial encounter.  It states that...

...Santiago, who doesn’t speak English well, approached Brekke and asked her what was wrong.

“I told him, ‘I’m just scared this storm’s coming and my father’s on oxygen. I’m just scared,’” Brekke told the Washington Post. “And I said, ‘That’s all right, God will provide.’ And then I turned to walk away. Then he stopped me. And he said ‘Ma’am, this generator’s for you. … You take it. You need it more than I do.’”

What an amazing story of generosity!  And, I'm glad it's been making news.  There is certainly a faith element - actually, more than one.

Pam Brekke said that the encounter showed "there is still goodness and love in the world," saying that God wants us to be kind to one another.  The Bible speaks of kindness and selflessness, qualities that were certainly on display.  We can be encouraged to think about the power of kindness.  Kindness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, and we are challenged to be kind to each other.  Christians should be leading the way when it comes to showing kindness and compassion toward others.

There's another element here that you pick up on - Pam is someone who can challenge us to be spiritually-minded.  Even though it looked as if the last generator was about to be gone from the store, she stated that "God will provide."  Other news stories relate that she saw Ramon as an "angel" whom God would bless.  I think we can develop the spiritual sensitivity to see that God is at work.  And, even when things may look desperate, we can think about God's faithfulness and provision and hold on to Him with unwavering faith.

Voices

We possess a connection to the God of the Universe, who has given us His Word and communicated His heart to us.  We represent Him, and He will use us to be a voice consistent with His truth.
Proverbs 3 states:
13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding;
14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.

When we face challenges, we can search the Scriptures.  The Bible tells us in James chapter 1 that when we lack wisdom, we can ask God to give us wisdom; for He is the source.  In a culture that is struggling to find solutions to monumental dilemmas, Christians have an opportunity to bring effective insight that is consistent with a Biblical perspective.  When we encounter people looking for answers, we can seek His face and relate what His Spirit will show us.

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We are called and, I believe, positioned in a way that we can speak and display Godly wisdom - what does that look like? Well, James 3 has some insight:
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

This Sunday night, the Primetime Emmy Awards will be presented - honoring achievement, in the eyes of those who vote, in the areas of television.

It's interesting how the lines have become blurred with respect to what really qualifies as "television." Of course, broadcast TV is a key area, and cable is also a player, but now, you have content that you can watch on your TV, or computer, or smartphone, that is not conventional, but I guess you could still consider it television.

One product that has certainly blurred the lines is a documentary film directed by Ava DuVernay, who was responsible for the film, Selma, and is working on the forthcoming movie, A Wrinkle in Time.  She produced a documentary called, 13th, which was nominated for an Oscar for feature documentary, according to a story on the Hollywood Reporter website. It also won four Creative Arts Emmy awards - it qualifies because of its distribution via Netflix.  The article says:

Ava DuVernay on Saturday asserted that there are different ways to address the criminal justice system and urged those with such views to "stand up and be heard." She made the remarks at the Creative Arts Emmys, where her Netflix documentary 13th won four awards, including for outstanding documentary or nonfiction special as well as for original music and lyrics, motion design and writing.

"It was incredibly important to tell the story, but nights like this, when you can amplify the story, mean the most to me," DuVernay said. "There are 2.3 million behind bars. We are the most encarcerated nation in the world. ... Those who believe there are different ways to address criminality and justice need to stand up and be heard. [We should strive for a system] that doesn't discriminate in a marginalized community. It's not as aggressive on white-collar crimes. There's a way to do it so it's more balanced and fair."

WORLD magazine's website featured a review of the film when it was first released.  It describes it as "breathtakingly biased."  The summary: "Filmmaker Ava DuVernay traces a large story arc: the overcriminalization of black men in media and politics, and therefore, in American life, since Reconstruction."

The film takes its name from the 13th Amendment, which abolishes slavery, but contains a clause that allows it essentially in one key place - the U.S. prison system.  The Prison Fellowship website relates:

"13th" is an in-depth look at how a loophole in the 13th amendment to the U.S. Constitution has led to a booming prison industry that profits off the over-incarceration of black people in America. The film opened for the 2016 New York Film Festival. It was released in October 2016 by Netflix.

Included in the documentary is Craig DeRoche, who is senior vice-president for public policy and advocacy for Prison Fellowship and former Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives. WORLD says about his appearance:

DeRoche says the film portrayed his contribution accurately but that there are a number of structural and socio-economic barriers to healing America’s damaged criminal justice system.

“This movie does shine a light on the debate,” said DeRoche. “To the extent that it does that, it’s important that America says let’s go ahead and talk about this, and not sweep it under the rug.”

In 2014, John Stonestreet commented on the 13th Amendment.  In a piece adapted from a Breakpoint commentary on the PF website, he quoted from a USA Today op-ed by former Prison Fellowship President and CEO Jim Liske:

“Ratified at the end of the Civil War,” he wrote, “the 13th Amendment abolished slavery, with one critical exception.”

Here’s the text of section 1 of the amendment: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”

John commented:

Slavery is evil not just because it compels someone to work against their will, but because, as Liske wrote, it “denies the full dignity and value of the enslaved person.”
Which is why I agree with Jim Liske that the mere existence of a “punishment clause” in the 13th Amendment is an affront to human dignity, and beneath the dignity of the United States.

Thankfully, DuVernay, who was certainly sensitive to faith matters in the film, Selma, included a faith-based perspective in her documentary, 13th, and that's important.  It's also encouraging that a television series that is devoted to exploring the errant and dangerous teachings of the Church of Scientology was recognized as Outstanding Inspirational Series, according to a story on AOL.com.

I'm not sure how much faith you will see on parade this Sunday night if you watch the Emmys.  If previous awards shows are any indication, you'll probably see some politics.  After all, it seems that celebrities seem to be rather intent to politicize live shows - the telethon for hurricane relief that aired across the broadcast networks was taken to task by some for political statements about climate change that were pronounced by a few of the stars.  I did catch the wonderful performance from the Grand Ole Opry House with CeCe Winans, along with Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, and Demi Lovato.  That was sweet!  And, I didn't see it, but there was a prayer by newly minted spiritual leader Justin Bieber, surrounded by a rabbi, an imam, and a staff member from Lakewood Church in Houston.

All right, some considerations for us today:

In the past from time to time, I have used the phrase or analogy, "place at the table."  There are many ideas and worldviews that are out there and are influencing our culture.  I believe in the sufficiency of Christ and the superiority of Scripture to give us insight into solving problems that are facing us.  But, we can't just think that we have the answers, we have to act - and to be people who share inspired ideas.

That may be on a grand scale, in the realm of policy; or it may just be in the workplace, or perhaps a group of volunteers, a committee on which you serve, or other settings.  We can be known as the people of inspired and inspiring ideas.  And, the Bible is full of them, and it is God's Word can provide a basis for the development of effective solutions.

For instance, in the workplace, we can be challenged to develop a reputation as a person who can be counted on; not someone who complains or displays a negative attitude toward his or her work, but seeing our position as a divine placement, in which we are sent by God to make an impact.

And, the way that we share is important - we should display a humble spirit, not someone who is overbearing or arrogant, but confident in our approach.

We can look for opportunities to speak truth and rejoice and reinforce when a Christian worldview perspective makes its way into the cultural conversation.

Married to the Ministry

As we approach October, which is Pastor and Staff Appreciation Month, we recognize the importance of honoring those whom God has placed in spiritual leadership in our lives; those who speak His truth and who model His character. 1st Timothy 5 states:
17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.
18 For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer is worthy of his wages."

The Church is set up with certain functionality, a spiritual hierarchy, if you will, in which leaders have a certain calling; and many of them have a spouse who walks beside them in performing the duties of that call.  They have the challenge to live out their devotion to Christ in how they respond and relate to their families, as well.  There is enormous responsibility for pastoral or ministry families, and congregations do well to recognize that and honor them, attempting to build them up and support them.

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In Titus 2, Paul outlines some of the proper roles in the church, as men and women seek to be people
of godly character, reflecting Christ - and this includes those in spiritual leadership:
1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:
2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;
3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things--
4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,
5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
6 Likewise exhort the young men to be sober-minded...

Pastor and Staff Appreciation Month is coming up in October, and it reminds congregation members to show how much their spiritual leaders mean to them.  There are all sorts of creative things that you can do, and you can check out FaithRadio.org to link to some ideas and to request that we send a card of appreciation to members of the church staff.  Just click on Pastor and Staff Appreciation Month in the Events section.

Today, for our "Survey Thursday," I want to begin to look at a series of surveys concerning our church leaders.  LifeWay Research has released a new survey that looks at the attitudes of the spouses of pastors, and I think there's some important information here.

According to the study summary, "LifeWay Research’s survey focused mainly on spouses of a senior pastor or solo pastor at Protestant churches from a variety of denominations." Most are married to full-time pastors, and just over half have children at home.

Here are some key findings:

• 93 percent believe their spouse is a good fit for the present church.
• 90 percent think ministry has had a positive effect on their family.
• 85 percent say, “The church we serve takes good care of us.”
• 83 percent enjoy their ministry work.
• 79 percent are satisfied with their role in ministry.

But, there are some areas of concern. For instance, 72 percent say their spouse has experienced resistance in the church. And, just under 7-in-10 say that they have "few people they can confide in." 59 percent say that family time is limited, as the result of church commitments.

Money is a major issue, with just over two-thirds worried about not having enough money for retirement.  Just over a-third worry about not making ends meet every month.

And, many pastors' spouses feel isolated.  62 percent say that can count on their spouse "a great deal" when they are under stress.  But, only 10 percent say they can count on friends at church.

In the summary article, Kathy Litton, a national consultant for pastors’ spouses at the Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board, who lives in Alabama, is quoted. She says that churches "...feel like their family needs to be perfect,” adding, “When congregations paint that picture for you, that’s a lot of pressure.”

She also says, “Pastors and their spouses don’t need to try to keep up appearances at church or at home,” adding “It’s especially critical for our kids to see us as human frail parents who need Jesus and the gospel like anyone else. Our homes need to be places of vulnerability and reality.”

The article also states:

The LifeWay Research study did provide clues for how pastors’ spouses can thrive in their roles. Those who feel a strong sense of personal call to ministry tend to be more satisfied with their role. Those who have strong marriages and friends they can count on also are more likely to thrive.

The summary also says:

A sense of calling to ministry is key, said Litton. It’s hard to survive as a pastor’s spouse without it, she said.

“The ones who struggle are the ones who don’t feel a sense of call,” she said. “There’s no safe place for them to talk about that.”

Pastors and the spouses can also thrive by putting their own family—not the church—first, said Mark Dance, director of LifeWay Pastors. It’s a model that other couples in the church can follow.

In conclusion, the story says: "Despite the complicated nature of their lives, ministry remains rewarding for many pastors’ spouses."  Scott McConnell, Executive Director of LifeWay Research, says: “They feel a sense of joy and satisfaction in their work,” adding, “And they see that as a blessing.”

Big takeaway: as you are prone to show affirmation and appreciation for your pastor, it's important that you also recognize the contribution of your pastor's spouse.   As Kathy Litton points out, there is a call upon the mate, as well, and ministry couples, I believe, function as a team. I believe it would be very difficult to function well in ministry without a supportive mate.

It's also good to see the high numbers for spouses who feel they are well taken care of by their churches.  Overwhelming percentages believe their spouse is a good fit for the church and that ministry has a positive effect on their family.  But, pastoral couples do have challenges in putting family first.  I wanted to mention that FamilyLife offers a pastoral scholarship for senior pastors or full-time associate pastors for the Weekend to Remember Marriage Getaway.  Learn more through the FamilyLife.com website.  And, through next Monday, FamilyLife is offering 50% off the registration price for everyone - just enter the code, SAVE50 when you go to WeekendToRemember.com.  That includes Destin November 3-5 and Montgomery February 9-11.  And, in Montgomery, for the first time ever, the event will be at the Renaissance hotel downtown.

So, hopefully, we can be more aware of the mindset and challenges facing not only church leaders, but their spouses, as well.  We can admit that we cannot expect that pastor's family to be perfect, we recognize the fallibility; but we also can pay attention and reflect on how God uses the pastor and the ministry spouse as vessels through whom He will speak and work.

Landmarks

Paul certainly wasn't being arrogant in 1st Corinthians 11, when he wrote this:
1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
2 Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.

That's a great challenge to us - can we confidently encourage others to follow our example; do our lives measure up to the Godly standards we find in the Word of God?  Paul was challenging the church at Corinth to be mindful - to remember - what he had taught or shown them and to keep certain practices through which they could reinforce their faith.  We do well to keep before us reminders of God's faithfulness and how He has shown up and what He has shown to us.

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In a number of instances, history can serve to remind us of the faithfulness of God and the practice of our faith. In Deuteronomy 6, Moses challenges the people not to forget God:
10 "So it shall be, when the Lord your God brings you into the land of which He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you large and beautiful cities which you did not build,
11 houses full of all good things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant--when you have eaten and are full--
12 then beware, lest you forget the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
13 You shall fear the Lord your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name.

Symbolism can be very important in conveying ideas and remembering the past.  And, throughout America, there are religious landmarks that can reinforce the significance of faith in our land.

The Newsmax website has compiled a list of its "Top 50 Religious Landmarks in America."  While some are not expressly Christian, there are a number of these landmarks that have a direct tie to the Christian faith.  I'm not going to read all 50, but I did pick out a few on which to concentrate.

Let's first of all go to a church in Memphis, not the only time that a landmark related to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. appears in the countdown.  At #48, this is the site of his famous "Mountaintop" sermon. It's Mason Temple Church of God in Christ, where "More than 3,000 people gathered at this temple to hear Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. deliver his prophetic "Mountaintop" speech on April 3, 1968 — the eve of his assassination." The church remains the headquarters of the Church of God in Christ.

#26 is also related to Dr. King, and it is in Montgomery. It's Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church. Newsmax states, "From the pulpit of this church, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ignited the Civil Rights Movement. Serving as its pastor from 1954 to 1960, he and others led countless civil rights meetings and activism, supporting the 1955-56 Montgomery bus boycott.

Then, at #25, you see one of several landmarks with a relationship to the founding of our country. Trinity Church in New York City is where, "President George Washington and members of his government, including John Jay and Alexander Hamilton, attended services here for two years when New York City was America’s first capitol. Its cemetery holds the remains of many notables, including Alexander Hamilton and his family members."  There's also Christ Church in Philadelphia at #12.  About this site, Newsmax says, "Prominent Revolutionary War leaders worshipped here and its cemetery holds the remains of some of the most important political and religious leaders of the Colonial and Revolutionary-era, including those of Benjamin Franklin and four signers of the Declaration of Independence.

#24 is The Billy Graham Library and Museum, which is located in Charlotte.  The story says that: "Perhaps one of the greatest American evangelists of all time, the Reverend Billy Graham reached several hundred million people in more than 185 countries in his lifetime, preaching the gospel and the freedom and liberty that comes with it. The impact of his ministry and information about his life and organizations’ efforts are displayed through multimedia presentations, photos, memorabilia, and a tour of his childhood home."

There is the incredible story of the chapel found at #22 that is significant especially at this time of year.  It's St. Paul’s Chapel in New York City, which just last year celebrated its 250th anniversary. It is "the oldest surviving church building, the only colonial-era building, and the oldest public building in continuous use in Manhattan."  This is the place where "George Washington and the first members of Congress prayed there after Washington’s inauguration at Federal Hall on April 30, 1789."  The story also says that the chapel "not only survived the Great Fire of 1776...but also miraculously survived 9/11. Located opposite of the World Trade Center, not one of its windows was broken."

A number of these sites were related to opposition of slavery.  Two examples: at #11, the Quaker gathering place known as the Third Haven Meeting House in Talbot, Maryland featured a group that was devoted to the abolition of slavery since the 17th Century.  At #10, there's Harriet Tubman Thompson AME Zion Church in Auburn, New York and Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historic Park.

Let's jump to the top 3 now.  In the #3 position is San Antonio de Valero...

...Better known as “the Alamo,” this unassuming and uncompleted Spanish mission remains the quintessential symbol of freedom in the West.

The #2 landmark is Plymouth Rock and Plymouth Plantation in Plymouth, Massachusetts.  And, the top landmark is “God’s Square Mile” in Ocean Grove, New Jersey.  Newsmax relates that, "This popular seaside retreat, concert, and vacation destination for millions is a lasting testament to the Victorian-era revivalist movement that followed the Second Great Awakening. Methodist ministers founded Ocean Grove believing 'religion and recreation should go hand in hand'"

You also have some of those familiar symbols, such as Washington's National Cathedral and St. John's Church, as well as Old North Church in Boston.

I think there are a number of concepts we can take away here:

We are not worshiping buildings.  The Church is not the building, it's the people; and more than that, the true church is the people who have accepted Jesus as Savior - they are the true members of the body of Christ.

But, I think it's helpful to remember the faith foundations of our country.  In an age when you have those who deny the principles upon which this country was built, it's important to reflect on the contributions of faith in American history.  There was a spiritual component to the quest for independence, people of faith were in a leading position in the abolition of slavery, and the civil rights movements grew out of spiritual roots. Individually, as well, we can be strengthened as we think back on times and places where God has manifested Himself in our own lives.

Finally, there is value in imagery.  The spiritual practices we find throughout the Old Testament are powerful reminders of the presence of God.  The illustrative nature of communion, as we observe the death of Christ and the shedding of His blood, can renew our souls, and the practice of baptism communicates powerfully the new life we have in Christ.  But, we also see images throughout the Scriptures - the twelve stones placed in the Jordan River as a testimony of God's faithfulness, the rock Ebenezer that Samuel set up to remember God's faithfulness, the altars that were constructed, inviting people to meet with God.  We don't worship the symbols, but God can use the symbols to refresh us in our knowledge and appreciation of Him.