Wave

Unity is a word that we hear a lot these days - unfortunately, it has come to be defined as "agree with me, or you are wrong," and could even lead to being ostracized. This is harmful in the culture, and certainly in the church. It runs contrary to what Paul writes in 1st Corinthians chapter 1:
10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you.
12 Now I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ."

The love of Christ and the truth of Scripture are powerful unifying forces in the body of Christ. He is the head and every one of us who are saved are part of that body - we have different functions and a variety of gifts, yet we can blend together as one.  I recall hearing that unity is not the same thing as unanimity - we won't agree on everything, but we can seek to find common ground on the basis of our shared beliefs in Christ, related to the Word of God.

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We can extend our hand and our hearts to the people around us, being conduits of the love of Christ. 1st Peter 3 gives these encouraging words:
8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;
9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
10 For "He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.
11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.

In Fayetteville, Georgia, there lives a man named Ned Vandiver.  Ned obviously wants to use the time and opportunity that God gives to Him wisely.  Fayetteville pastor David Chancey, who wrote a piece picked up by The Baptist Paper website, discovered Ned as he drove down a local road.  He was standing beside the road, waving.

Chancey describes the man's wave as "...an energetic gesture, with his arm fully extended, moving from one side to the other, like a windshield wiper in full motion. He catches every driver."  Why does he do it?  Ned says, "I wondered what I could do to promote love, peace and unity. I felt God told me to wave. Don’t worry about the ones who don’t wave back. Every wave comes from the heart.”

Ned grew up in Anderson, South Carolina, whose mom was raising four children as a single mother. He worked a variety of jobs even during his childhood in order to help support the family. He went to college, including Morris Brown University in Atlanta.  He spent two years in the Army and returned to Anderson, where he worked in a series of jobs, including a tire factory. He eventually became an assistant manager over a number of stores in an auto tire and repair chain before buying an oil change franchise.

Ned relates: “They gave me the worst store you could get and couldn’t believe the volume. We turned the store around in sales and production. I was a work horse. I ended up with three stores.” And, as Chancey relates, "He and his wife Mary began Second Chance Ministries to help those needing assistance. About 50 percent of his hires had a criminal record. Some stole from him, others lied to him and many employees didn’t make it, but he helped where he could."  Then he entered the season of retirement.

The article says:

Ned desires to live out what pastor Tony Evans recently asked his Wednesday night Bible study participants at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas, “Am I a reconciler, or am I a combatant? Am I contributing to what God has done for me, bringing harmony where there was conflict, or am I one who keeps the fire (of division) burning?”

Ned said, “I wanted to know ‘what could I do?’ It’s not about me. It’s about my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I’m trying to be a good neighbor and do what I can to bring people together. It’s a shame we can’t come together as one.

So promoting love and unity is his motivation; he says: “That’s the reason I wave. If you feel like I feel when I wave, you’ve got to know you love that person you’re waving at whether he cares for you or not.” 

He is especially concerned about racism, saying that, “A house divided cannot stand! You’ve got to love your fellow man and you cannot be prejudiced. Racial prejudice is learned.”  

Ned has been motivated by Faith Radio programmer Dr. Tony Evans, who had asked the question about whether or not someone is a reconciler or a combatant.  That is key these days - because disunity is tearing at the fabric of not only our culture but at the Church.  Disagreements provide the platform for polarization.  We can walk in love, even toward those with whom we disagree.

After we stop working, the work ideally does not stop.  Ned had a successful career, but you could say that his "assignment" in the Kingdom has changed.  That's OK - that happens, especially when people age.  Those referred to as senior citizens may find themselves with more time on their hands, and it's gratifying to see them take advantage of those years that God has given to them.  Tomorrow, you'll hear from a woman who is an Alabama native that has become an active blogger and writer, who desires to use her writing to reflect on God's blessings in her life and to leave a legacy of stories for her family.

Ned Vandiver also reminds us to ask a very important question: Do we look at and view people with genuine concern, given to us by the Lord?  When we see others as fellow human beings, created by God, and recognize that we are called to love all people, because Jesus loved and died for all, it can generate a greater sense of self-sacrifice and propel us to good and charitable service.

Moments and Means

We can recognize that we have been called and empowered to represent our Savior, and we can take advantage of the open doors that the Lord provides for us.  Paul writes in Colossians chapter 4:
5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

I think that "redeeming the time" means that we are good stewards of a resource - time - that God has given to us to use for His purposes.  When we squander opportunities that He clearly provides for us, we are not functioning in that stewardship role. He desires for us to make good decisions and exercise wisdom in the way we spend our time, so that in all things He will be glorified. And, that involves being sensitive to the needs around us.

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The Bible calls us not only to look inward - at our own hearts to make sure we are lined up with His truth - but outward, to ascertain the degree to which we are being faithful servants of Christ. Paul writes in Galatians 6:
8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Paul Anderson knows what it's like to fall on hard financial times; in fact, there are many over the last 18 months who have faced loss of employment and economic struggles.  Anderson is a survivor of the financial crisis of 2008 - according to The Baptist Paper, in an article originally published in the Northwest Baptist Witness, "After 30 years as a contractor and business owner, the financial and economic collapse of 2008 hit him and his family hard. Anderson, with the support of his wife, Julie, made the decision to answer a call to ministry by first finishing his college degree and then seminary."

Paul is now the pastor of South Hill Baptist Church in Puyallup, Washington, a position he has held for over six years.  He began to look for outreach opportunities upon assuming the pastorate; the first was a partnership with a local elementary school.  The church grew numerically as it provided resources for children in need.

Then a partnership between South Hill and another local church came to be.  The article says:

South Hill partnered with nearby High Pointe Community Church for a “freezing nights” ministry that allowed homeless to sleep in the church during inclement weather and get hot meals one night a week.

The man known as "Pastor Paul" said, “God used building relationships with the homeless because of our consistency...Many were high on drugs and only wanted food to go back and do their thing, but we ministered in spite of that.”  That ministry was put on hold, though, due to COVID, and the church came up with another solution utilizing its parking lot. Since the visitors could no longer come inside, they slept in their cars, and as the article relates, "An existing program called Safe Parking Network soon presented itself, and Washington State doesn’t require a permit for open parking for cars of the homeless unless the local municipality prohibits it."

The new parking lot ministry has been used by around 40 people, and Pastor Paul is beginning to see the fruit, saying, “Two guests have asked to be baptized and three want to join the church,” adding, “We are seeing spiritual fruit through this ministry."  He also says, "God tenderized our hearts for homeless to give our services and we want to be a safe place and a legacy to embrace.”  The Network is involved in providing a safe environment. 

And, the partnership with the school has extended to the parking lot ministry. The Baptist Paper article states that, "Neighbors at the nearby elementary school have now joined in supporting the homeless ministry and held a campaign to donate 5,000 items including socks, hand warmers, hygiene items and boxes of food. Anderson encourages other church leaders to do a trial run parking lot ministry for a month and take to heart the question — 'Who is my neighbor?'”

 

Coming up, you'll hear from a ministry leader in Haiti that has answered that question.  Even though his facility was unscathed by the latest earthquake, they have become involved in reaching out to others in the island nation.  In the last few weeks, Christians have taken the initiative to enter a dangerous country and rescue people who are being trapped.  The storm that hit Louisiana yesterday provides yet another opportunity to put the principles of loving your neighbor into operation.  

So, who is my neighbor?  Those are the people who have been placed around us whom God intends for us to serve.  For the helpless, we can point to the source of ultimate help.  For the homeless, we can share about finding comfort in Christ and His eternal home.  For the hopeless, we can bring the encouragement of God's love, His truth, and His presence.  

Who has entered our "parking lot," in need of being served?  For South Hill Baptist Church, it is a literally piece of asphalt, but that may not be the type of resources that God has given you to meet the needs of the hour.  But, we know that He does provide.  He provides the moments in which we can minister in His name, and the means through we can truly exhibit the love of Christ. We can look around and be willing to see the hand of God.

Servant

We are servants of the Most High King, called into a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ, who demonstrated His love for us by humbling himself on a cross, suffering a cruel death, and rising from the dead. Philippians 2 expresses the humility of the Lord:
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

We have to be aware of the high call and the greater purpose that has been bestowed on the child of God.  Salvation means that our souls are redeemed and that we will live with Jesus in eternity - that is settled. But, He doesn't intend for that to be the end all, be all; no, it is the beginning of a life of obedience, of what you could call, joyful surrender to Him. We can be enthusiastic in serving Jesus and by following Him in serving others.

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We have been given so much in Christ. We have come to know Him, and He desires for us to seek to bring Him glory. In 1st Corinthians 3, Paul writes:
21 Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours:
22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come--all are yours.
23 And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.

He opens the next chapter by writing:
1 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

As a child growing up outside of Atlanta, I was certainly, and continue to be a Braves fan - of course, back in those days, there was no Superstation that carried the games; no, I relied on a Sony transistor radio to listen to the voices of Milo Hamilton and Ernie Johnson calling the games.

No, Ernie Johnson of TNT's Inside the NBA wasn't calling Braves games back in the 60's - that would be his father.  But, Ernie followed in his father's footsteps and has become legendary in his own way. 

Recently, there was coverage of Johnson's motivational speech in the Alabama Crimson Tide locker room.  Now, I would imagine that it's common for celebrities to visit locker rooms to speak to teams to provide a spark; so what was it about Ernie's talk?  According to USA Today:

This week he stopped by the University of Alabama and delivered a powerful speech to Nick Saban’s football team about his “get to” job but more importantly he spoke about one of his kids, Michael, who he and his wife adopted from Romania and who has muscular dystrophy.

The story featured a tweet from ESPN that included a video from the talk. The quote that was included in the tweet: “How am I going to make somebody else’s life better today?”  There were other tweets of approval that USA Today included. 

Ernie Johnson is motivated by his faith in Christ, and I located a 2018 Christian Post article that highlighted how he came to know the Lord.  The article states:

In FCA's new story titled "Totally Honest," Johnson talks about his faith journey, the opportunities God gives him to shine for Him, and how Johnson strives to be the servant rather than the served.

The article relates that:

His two oldest children, Eric and Maggie, asked Ernie and his wife, Cheryl, why they didn't attend church as a family. After some discussion, Ernie and Cheryl decided to attend Crossroads, a nondenominational church they drove by frequently in Atlanta.

Johnson was moved at the first service he attended, when the pastor asked the congregation two questions: Who's the provider in your family, and are you pursuing happiness or wholeness?

He asked the pastor to lunch, and at an Atlanta restaurant, he asked Jesus into His life.  His wife, Cheryl, made that decision not too long afterward. The Post goes on to say:

Their pastor explained to them that even before they became believers, God was working in their lives. For example, beginning in 1990, they began adopting children out of love, empathy and compassion.

The article relates:

"She has taught me so much," Ernie said of Cheryl. "I wanted to play it safe sometimes. She had bigger dreams. ... You have to put other people first. This can't be all about you."

As his faith grew, Johnson considered leaving TNT. Should he continue his career after turning his life over to God? Should he try to find a faith-based job? He asked Cheryl what he should do. She responded on his spiritual birthday by giving him a large compass as a gift. Cheryl's handwritten note with it reminded him to remember the day he found his ultimate direction in life—and to let God direct him.

He has had bumps in the road over the past 20 years - a cancer diagnosis, after which, he adopted the slogan, "Trust God...Period."  Around a month after his father died 10 years ago, their adopted son, Michael, had to go on a ventilator; now 29, Ernie spends his mornings caring for Michael, according to the article.  Johnson is quoted by FCA: "The Son of Man came to serve, not to be served...Being a servant is where I find myself."

I think about Cheryl Johnson's present to Ernie on his spiritual birthday - a large compass, with a note reminding him about God's direction.  The Christian Post article said, "He knew the platform God gave him would provide opportunities for him to share his faith. And God did just that."  We can know that God's Word is the compass for our lives - He gives us the direction we need in order to live our lives for His glory. 

And, God directed Ernie to stay with TNT after he devoted his life to Jesus.  According to Arizona Sports, Johnson told the Crimson Tide: "What I’ve got is a get-to job, not a got-to job. I get to do that,” adding, “When you look across the room and you lock eyes with a teammates and are wearing the same colors, that’s a get-to, not a got-to.”  We can question our own viewpoint of following God's call - do we view it as an opportunity or an obligation?  We can evaluate our attitude toward our profession in light of God's overall plan and purpose for us. 

That includes, as Jesus directed, loving God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength - and loving our neighbor.  That gets back to, as I mentioned earlier, seeking to make someone's life better. Viewing ourselves as servants, humbling ourselves before the Lord, will enable us to impact a person's life with the love of God.

Perspective During Pessimism

Pessimism can weigh us down, pragmatism without faith can leave us dry. But, the refreshment of the Word and the hope we can have in Christ can energize us. Romans 12 encourages us:
10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer...

There is the recipe for an attitude adjustment right there!  We can rejoice in the Lord, because He is the One who gives us hope - in our desperation and discouragement, He provides the encouragement that we need - in our trials, we can be patient, and not panicked.  And, we can continue to stand in prayer, calling upon the lovingkindness of God and His heavenly resources in order that He may show His mercy and receive the glory. In the areas that concern us, we can evaluate the degree to which we are taking them before the Lord. 

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If we are not careful, we can become weighed down with pessimism in this world; yet, Christ gives us the ability to hope and to reject fear and anxiety. The apostle Paul wrote this in 2nd Corinthians 12:
9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

What a difference a month makes - the pessimism over the coronavirus took an upward turn from June to July, according to a LifeWay Research article that referenced a recent Gallup poll.  The article states:

Confidence that the pandemic was getting better plummeted in July, as more Americans now say the situation is getting worse (45%) than better (40%), according to Gallup. In June, 89% expressed optimism about the COVID situation and only 8% felt things were getting worse. Now, July marked the first time since January that more adults felt pessimistic about the pandemic than optimistic.

While we are certainly anticipatory and even anxious about returning to normal, the poll indicates that 4 out of 10 Americans expect that the "disruption" due to COVID protocols will last at least until the end of the year, with a slightly higher number into 2022.

And, more Americans - almost a-third - are concerned about getting the virus. That's up from 17% in June. But, as the poll indicates: "...most Americans still say the best advice for those who are healthy is to lead their normal lives as much as possible and avoid interruptions to work and business (59%)." But 40% are avoiding large crowds and 20% are steering clear of smaller gatherings.

The LifeWay article did offer this direction:

Church leaders should continue to look for ways to involve and connect with those who are COVID-cautious. For many that means continuing to offer some form of online worship services. Churches should also investigate the possibility of a strictly online group or some means for those uncomfortable being in-person to participate in small group discipleship.

With the proliferation of so-called "vaccine passports," some churches have begun to make the move to require proof of vaccination in order to fulfill the Scriptural admonition to gather together. A church in Canada, where you have had churches avoid COVID regulations, has made the announcement that it will begin to require proof of vaccination, according to the Calgary Herald.  A tweet from a Faith Radio programmer, Jeff Schreve, that I saw earlier today highlighted an American church that has made a similar decision.

Alabama law apparently prohibits this type of restriction, as I interpret it.  A memo from Attorney General Steve Marshall says as much, stating, "...no government, school, or business in Alabama may demand that a constituent, student, or customer, respectively, be vaccinated for COVID-19 or show proof of his or her vaccination for COVID-19. The law’s new protections are in addition to existing medical or religious-based exemptions from immunizations."  

In my estimation, from a Biblical standpoint, as well as the Constitutional perspective on freedom of speech and freedom of expression, it is certainly a bridge too far to restrict people from worship based on their personal choice rooted in personal conscience regarding a vaccination.  Now, if a person is sick, he or she should stay home.  Or uncomfortable about being in a crowd during these times of COVID. Churches should certainly provide options, such as online opportunities or even special seating our services, but we have to be careful that we are not buying in to restrictions that keep people from enjoying the fullness of the worship experience. 

And, in these challenging times, we can continue to hope in the Lord. The coronavirus has not only afflicted people's bodies, but our souls, as well.  We have to be able to think clearly and to train ourselves to think more about the things of the Lord than the potential damage of COVID.  In other words, we can become weighed down with the world's inadequate coping mechanisms, or stand on the weight of the Scriptures, which renew our mind and give us the proper perspective.  As we have said repeatedly on Faith Radio, we are committed to putting "faith over fear."

Upholding Life

Things were about to get rough for Jesus and His disciples - He was preparing to go to the cross, and He told His disciples that they would abandon Him. He offered some encouraging words, even in times of trouble, in John chapter 16:
32 Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

We are not promised a comfortable or conflict-free life - because we inhabit this planet with other sinners, inside and outside the body of Christ, there may be disagreements, sometimes pointed.  There may be circumstances about which we never agree. But, God gives us the strength and clarity to navigate the relationship challenges and to exalt Him in all things. We can rest in the peace of God and be bold to exhibit Christ's love.

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Jesus stands with us when we face opposition or hostility because we love Him. He said in Matthew 5, in the Sermon on the Mount:
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Austin Clark wants to be a doctor; he has a desire to help his family, which includes his wife, their son who was born deaf, and their pre-born child, as well as to help patients.  He has completed three years as a medical student at the University of Louisville, according to the Students for Life website. 

And, as of July 15 of last year, he was dismissed.  Unfortunately, Austin started running with the "wrong" crowd, in the estimation the the university.  According to SFL:

...Austin alleges that the trouble with the school began when his pro-life group hosted speaker Alex McFarland in Fall, 2018. Austin was on the leadership board of the Medical Students for Life group at University of Louisville School of Medicine. The administration did everything they could to prevent the event from happening, largely by mandating impossibly expensive security fees – a common tactic of schools trying to silence views of the students they don’t like, as SFLAction/SFLA President Kristan Hawkins observed in her Wall Street Journal opinion piece. The student group even had to involve Alliance Defending Freedom, a legal foundation committed to the free speech of conservative students, to ensure that the event took place.

That opened the door to harassment by his professors, and resulted in Austin Clark filing a lawsuit to be reinstated.  The Christian Post stated:

The complaint alleges that from the 2018 event until his 2020 expulsion, Clark was frequently harassed by professors who allegedly verbally assaulted him. The complaint also alleges that he was arbitrarily given a failing grade in internal medicine even though he claims to have earned a passing score.

And, it is alleged that Clark was on the receiving end of what is known as "viewpoint discrimination."

Well, it seems that the U of L is strongly tied to the abortion industry. Students for Life reports: "the medical school’s professors do all of Kentucky’s surgical abortions. Records also show that the school has a Medical Students for Choice group listed, and that students were used in multiple studies on how to promote abortion." It goes on to say:

In a 2020 news conference, the Kentucky Family Foundation alleged that “the only remaining abortion clinic in Kentucky is being run as an official or quasi-official arm of the University of Louisville’s Medical School,” with group spokesman Martin Cothran adding: “Not only is U of L involved in the abortion clinic’s activities, but the clinic operates, for all practical purposes, as an extension of the Medical School’s program.”

Austin Clark is someone who desires to integrate his pro-life perspective, based on his worldview, into his work as a doctor.  His medical school wants to force him to embrace a different worldview, that takes life rather than protects it.  This is unfortunately the default position of so many in our world today, and it is important that we passionately align with our Creator, who has made us all in His image. 

There may even be strong hostility to our position, that is grounded in Scripture. The Christian Post includes Austin's words:

“They are saying I was being unprofessional, but all I’ve done is to be a vocal pro-life student, standing up to bullies,” said Clark in a statement last week, as quoted by Students for Life of America.

You may encounter those who want to silence you for your Christian viewpoint, who will try to "bully" you into submission.  We can rely on the Lord within us to give us the strength and confidence to speak the right words in the right way at the right time.  We don't have to counter anger with anger and become hostile and combative.  We can be firm in our convictions and forthright in our comments.

Dreams

We can be confident that the Lord is getting His Word to His people - now, it's our job to seek out and receive what He has given. The book of Habakkuk portrays a prophet who is desirous to follow God's call; in the 2nd chapter, we find these verses:
2 Then the Lord answered me and said: "Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.
4 "Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.

The Bible speaks in the book of Joel about dreams and visions - and we can be encouraged that God is not withholding His wisdom from His people; in fact, in James, we are told to ask God for wisdom. An entire book, Proverbs, is devoted to the sayings of the wisest man who ever lived. So, we are not devoid of direction from God - we just have to be listening, earnestly seeking Him, putting ourselves in a position to hear.

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I am thankful that the Holy Spirit provides direction for our lives. In Isaiah 30, we can read, regarding the Lord's desire to direct His people:
21 Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.

Later in the chapter, we find these words:
29 You shall have a song As in the night when a holy festival is kept, And gladness of heart as when one goes with a flute, To come into the mountain of the Lord, To the Mighty One of Israel.
30 The Lord will cause His glorious voice to be heard, And show the descent of His arm, With the indignation of His anger And the flame of a devouring fire, With scattering, tempest, and hailstones.

Major League Baseball held an event recently where the production values were amazing, the baseball itself was compelling, and the ratings weren't dreadful.  USA Today reported:

On Thursday night, the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox played a game that rivaled Hollywood fairy tales. It was the first official MLB game played in Iowa, in a ballpark built among the Dyersville's corn fields where the iconic 1989 movie "Field of Dreams" was shot.

The game, with its Hollywood ending and its setting within America's heartland, was the most-watched regular season MLB game in 16 years, with 5.9 million viewers across FOX and FOX Deportes. It was also the most streamed regular season baseball game in FOX Sports history. Chicago and New York ranked as the top two markets.

The Chicago White Sox narrowly defeated the New York Yankees 9-8, thanks to a ninth-inning home run that disappeared into the Iowa cornfields.  The production values were lauded for their authenticity and captured the feel of the original movie.  

So, this past weekend, we watched Field of Dreams at our house. I remembered very little about the film, except for the concept of a middle-aged farm owner hearing a voice telling him to build "it," the "it" being a baseball field on his Iowa farm. 

Well, the "it" also turned into a place of redemption - Chicago White Sox players implicated in a scandal in which they were accused of throwing an important game and banned from the game showed up from the pages of history.  There was also a burned-out author whom the main character, Ray, tracked down, whose meaning in life had turned into cynicism; plus, you met a doctor from another era who only played in one game in the major leagues, but whose life had meaning off the diamond as a successful, much-beloved doctor, who stepped out of history to help Ray's daughter after an accident.

Even though professional baseball doesn't seem to be enjoying the popularity or respect it once had, it's still a game that means so much to millions of fans and participants. Think about the large crowd in Atlanta last night to watch the Braves square off against the Yankees in a battle of the major leagues' two hottest teams. Witness the local Little League ballfields in your community.  I would dare say in most young people's life stories, there is a place for baseball or softball. 

So, the "Field of Dreams" and possible rediscovery of the film may have been the escape that people needed in what has become a very discouraging season.  It's not a Christian film; it really doesn't address God or faith - there is the casual, yet famous mention of "heaven," but certainly not in an accurate, theological sense.  But, there is certainly content that we can consider in the pursuit of our relationship with Christ.

I think one thread is that there is certainly redemption that we can discover in Christ.  The movie depicts players who were out of baseball who experienced the thrill of playing again, hope restored to an author who no longer possessed it, and a successful physician who experienced the renewal of a childhood dream, yet understood that if he had stayed in baseball, that he would perhaps not have become that doctor who became legendary in his hometown.  God wants to redeem our souls, and to redeem our thinking - we can have renewed hope by embracing His presence and the principles of His Word. 

We can also learn how to deal with regret. The main character, Ray Kinsella, had his regrets over his relationship with his father exposed, and in a touching scene at the end, he was able to play catch with him - in the dream world, of course.  But, in the real world, relationships don't always work the way they should.  We may never recapture the lost pursuits or unfulfilled dreams.  But, we know that God is with us in the present, and if we allow ourselves to be fulfilled in Him, He can restore purpose and hope to us.

We can also recognize our reason for living.  We have been placed here on this earth for a purpose - we are still here because God isn't finished with us.  Knowing Him and fulfilling His call help to reinforce our joy.  Even when the trajectory of our life doesn't exactly follow what we may have thought, still we can discern the hand of God leading and empowering us. 

And, we can be inspired to follow the Holy Spirit into the realization of God's direction.  Ray Kinsella followed a voice that spoke short phrases to Him.  We know that God speaks to us in accordance with His Word.  We do not have to go through life without direction.

Ministry in the Hotspots

In Colossians chapter 3, we see a picture of the motivated and equipped saint of God, ready to do the will of God and to share the compassion of Christ. We can read:
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

These resources and qualities are available to the believer in Christ, because we have been recipients of His love and have accepted Him into our hearts.  Therefore, we are called not to walk in selfishness, turning inward, but to selflessness, keeping our eyes outward, so that we can know the areas in which God would have us to minister. We can allow the Holy Spirit to penetrate our hearts and to give us the capacity to love with His love and to serve with His motivation.

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In our love for Christ and for other people, we can be ready to do His work when the need arises. 2nd John mentions the love of the Lord, which can operate through us:
4 I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father.
5 And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another.
6 This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.

It certainly was unexpected - heavy rains in the central portion of the state of Tennessee resulted in devastating flash flooding, which led to death - over 20 lost their lives in and around Waverly, Tennessee, about an hour west of Nashville. 

The Tennessean reported that 17 inches of rain fell on Waverly on Saturday.  On Sunday, it was time to rescue and recover.  I read a post on social media that basically said that the churches of the area mobilized and became a source, the initial source, even, of help.  Indeed, the newspaper's website said:

Humphreys County EMA Public Information Officer Grey Collier estimates hundreds of homes may be uninhabitable.

Roughly 60 people have taken shelter at three locations in Waverly: Waverly Church of Christ, First Baptist Church Waverly and Compassion Church Waverly, according to Collier.

And, the community rose up to do what communities should do, according to the site:

On Main Street, 36-year-old Chelsea Christman's home has become a hub for volunteers and donations. It's near Waverly's First Baptist Church, which is acting as a shelter for displaced families. By Sunday morning, donations of non-perishable food, water, baby supplies and fresh clothes overflowed from Christman's porch.

Dozens of residents walked through the flooded neighborhoods close to the downtown district Sunday afternoon. ATVs and trucks with trailers hauling boats and equipment poured through the tight city roads as civilian and professional volunteers alike worked to help where needed.

Smoke from grills filled the air as several people fired up hot dogs to feed anyone hungry passing by. People stood on corners handing out bottled water.

The article also described how an aptly-named church declared that it would be the Church:

On Sunday morning, Compassion Church Pastor Kody Newcomb told the congregation and others, “we need to do this.”

"We cannot let this city just stay where it is, or just be served here or there. We need to be the light of the world so people can see these loving actions,” Newcomb said. "This is not a two-day project. This is not even a two-week project. We are going to continue to serve this city and love on it even after it's repaired, on a whole new level."

Meanwhile, we are reminded that there are other ministry hotspots around the world.  No doubt, there will be relief provided by ministry organizations in the aftermath of Hurricane Henri, which affected the Northeast U.S. over the weekend.  And, in Haiti, where the death toll is now well over 2,000 people as the result of a 7.2-magnitude earthquake, The Christian Post reports on faith-based organizations who are ramping up their assistance - not unexpectedly, Samaritan's Purse is on the scene; so is Free Wheelchair Mission.  And, an organization with a base of operation in the nation is ramping up its activity.  The Post relates:

LiveBeyond, a Christian nonprofit organization that's been operating in Haiti for over a decade, said in a post on Twitter Monday that its operations in the Thomazeau region were not affected and urged people worldwide to pray for Haitians mourning the loss of loved ones and for the nation's recovery. The nonprofit is providing medical care for many who suffered injuries from the earthquake near Les Cayes.

Dr. David Vanderpool, the founder of LiveBeyond, said he's working to get back to Haiti, as LiveBeyond has opened its hospital to receive the injured by helicopter as part of a disaster relief group working under the Haitian Ministry of Health. They anticipate expenses nearing $200,000 to provide medical care and disaster relief assistance to those in need.

Dr. Vanderpool related to The Christian Post:

“Even though I’m not currently there now, our base is operating completely normal, and our staff have reported that we are feeding more people because marketplaces and ports have been shut down in Haiti, so food is scarce,” he said. “Typically, persecution increases faith for those who have faith."

“Introducing people to the Christian faith is a real challenging situation because many people respond differently. But many Haitians with faith have turned to God more now than ever,” he said.

The doctor encourages prayer for the nation of Haiti in this challenging time. And yesterday was a day of prayer that was set aside concerning the situation in Afghanistan by Franklin Graham of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse. CBN.com reported:

“There is no hope for these people to get out safely — apart from a miracle from the hand of God — and that’s what we need to pray for,” he said in a press release issued Friday afternoon, noting Samaritan’s Purse is partnering with groups in Afghanistan to get people out of the country.

Graham’s youngest son, Edward, who served in six combat deployments with special operations forces in Afghanistan, said it “hurts” to see what’s currently unfolding in the country.

“I spent years there and lost many friends,” he added. “There are many Afghan people that I love. This is a manmade disaster and there isn’t a person or an organization that can fix this. Only God can deliver us from this crisis.”

Within the space of a little more than a week, we are reminded of the deep human needs that are present in our world - from Tennessee to New England, from Haiti to Afghanistan.  And, our God is big enough to handle it all and so much more.  He is calling on His people to stand in faith and to call upon His name, that He might get the glory even in trial.

The question becomes: are we prepared to stand - and act?  The churches of Waverly, Tennessee, faced with a sudden disaster, became available to their community, to provide hope and comfort.  Christian organizations are working in Haiti and Afghanistan to take advantage of opportunities to save lives.  Christ came to rescue us and the whole world from the power of sin and in His compassion, He can equip and empower us to do what He's called us to do. We can possess a sense of readiness, in order that His designated work might be carried out. 

Losing and Finding

In our suffering, we can know that Christ sustains us. He is not unacquainted with suffering, having given His life so that we may know Him, and offering His life to us as we humble ourselves before Him. 1 Peter chapter 4 states:
1 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

We can know God when we encounter triumph and when we suffer, and even in our suffering, we can experience a measure of His victory, because we know that Christ is with us. Our default position is to expect and revel in our comfort, yet we grow in the Lord and can experience His nearness when circumstances don't necessarily conform to our wishes.  Recognizing that we grow in our pain, we 

can embrace our difficulties with the proper attitude, choosing to glorify the Lord and grow.

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Even in our losses, we can gain knowledge of the Lord who loves us - Paul recognized that we can find, or discover, more about the Lord even when we are challenged or even when what or whom we love are taken away. He writes in Philippians 3:
8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;
10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,
11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Shawn Johnson is a former Olympic gymnast, as well as a winning contestant on Dancing With the Stars.  I first met her almost ten years ago at an International Christian Retail Show in Orlando.  She is now a two-time mom with husband Andrew East.

But, there has certainly been trial along with way in their pursuit of expanding their family.  The Easts suffered a miscarriage in 2017, according to a Movieguide article, and Shawn had stated on YouTube:

“If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, if you’re trying to adopt, if you’re in the process of expanding your family or recently suffering from a loss, we are praying for you. All those beautiful babies out there, all those rainbow babies, all those babies in heaven...We love you guys.”

A "rainbow baby" is a child who is born following the loss of a child.  

A previous Movieguide article provided a more extensive look at their struggle.  Shawn shared her pain through social media and reached out to others for comfort.  The article quotes her as saying:

“And to see the thousands and thousands of women that came forward and just said, ‘I went through this. I’m struggling through this. Thank you, I felt so alone until now’ — I felt the same way, and it was the only way I healed.”

The article goes on to say:

Johnson East is also an outspoken Christian and said that she is thankful for how God has used her experience for a greater purpose.

“Looking back on everything we’ve gone through… it’s all for a purpose,” Johnson East said. “It all makes it worth it in the end. It makes things more sweet. I think it’s through those heartache moments that you truly learn. You learn who you are, you learn how to be a better wife and mother and daughter.”

Their new baby boy, born July 20, is named Jett James, joining his sister Drew Hazel, who arrived in 2019.  

Shawn has learned to recognize her identity in Christ, which sustained her in the aftermath of her first Olympics, at age 16, when she won a silver medal - the expectation was for gold.  Movieguide relates, using material from an "I Am Second" video:

Because Johnson East felt like she let the world down, she focussed [sic] solely on her training. Despite eventually winning a gold medal, Johnson said that her dedication to the sport was to appease the world and no one else.

However, the former gymnast recalls the moment that God called her to put her identity in Him and not the world.

“In that instant, I felt the entire world be lifted off my shoulders,” Johnson East said. “God is the answer to everything. Jesus sacrificed his life on the cross so that when I stood up there and I was given that gold medal, yes, it’s a monumental and amazing experience and wonderful thing. But it’s not the end-all be-all.”

Shawn Johnson East has known loss - as a competitive athlete and an expectant mother. But, because she has found the One who brings love, meaning, and hope to our lives, she has the capability to find His peace.  When we lose in life - and we will - we can pursue our Savior and find the knowledge and assurance of His presence.

We have to be willing to lose in order to find what God has in store for us.  We can try to preserve what we think is ours, or we can release our own ambitions, possessions, and relations, and allow God to show us His magnificent plan.  We have to place the emphasis on the things that are important in life. 

We learn so much about the Lord when we lose.  Jesus talks about losing our soul if we try to gain the world, and He calls us to lay down what we love in order that we may discover the perfect plan that He has in store for us. 

Hope and Fear

The apostle Paul was dedicated to showing people that they indeed could come to know the Savior, to discover the will of God, to seeing and knowing God as He is. In Colossians 1, he is speaking about God's people, the saints of God, and writes:
27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

We can have hope in the Lord.  That's more than just possessing good feelings or having happy thoughts.  Biblical hope reminds us that we have Someone who is near to us, who gives us inner strength and peace to face the challenges of life.  When we are afraid, we can release the resources of heaven; when we are weak, we know, as Paul wrote in 2nd Corinthians, the grace that is sufficient for us. Hope helps us to be courageous as we face the future.

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By the Holy Spirit, we find a source of hope and strength in the midst of our fears. Romans chapter 15 states this:
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
14 Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

God created us with a great deal of complexity - not only are we spiritual beings, who have the capacity to enter into a relationship with the God of the universe, but conversely, we can choose to follow other spiritual paths that do not lead to Jesus.  We also have our mental capabilities, and certainly we possess a wide range of emotions.

A new Lifeway Research survey examined a number of different emotions and asked respondents which one they wanted to avoid the most.  The winner in this survey: fear. 4-out-of-10 indicated they wanted to avoid that emotion, with shame, at 24%, and guilt, at 22, trailing far behind.  Five years ago, a study showed that shame was the emotion that respondents most wanted to avoid, at 38%.

No doubt, things have changed. Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, says: “For many Americans, circumstances in 2020 led to an increased focus on their fears,” adding, "Many feared getting COVID; others feared social unrest during protests; and politicians played on people’s fears in ads and speeches.”

Interestingly enough, "adherents of non-Christian religions" had the highest percentage wishing to avoid fear - at 57%. 

The survey also measured where people looked for hope.  40% of respondents cited the kindness of other people, while 38% found hope in their relationships.  Religious faith garnered 36% of responses. 

There were several other parts of the survey reported in the survey summary.  When asked what they desired most in life, 36% said "personal freedom, " while 32% cited "a desire to overcome."

8-in-10 Americans indicated that they would be most satisfied by "doing the right thing," yet 46% of respondents would rather eliminate anxiety from their lives than "wrongdoing," which was indicated by 32%.

We know what to do when we encounter fear.  The Bible is replete with verses that assure us that the power of God is available when we are afraid.  Fear is a very real emotion and can be a tangible presence, and we can combat it with the weapons of our warfare.

We should not allow fear to dissuade us from pursuing the will of God in our lives.  The fear of failure, of rejection, of what other people may do or say to us - none of these concerns should hold us back from doing what God has called us to do. 

And, we have to look for true hope in the right place.  More people in this survey looked for hope in human relationships rather than faith.  True, we can be built up by our interactions with others; yet, we can look to Christ to sustain us - not necessarily to give us ease and comfort all the time, but to give us peace when our world is in crisis.

Flying Low

We can know that the Lord offer us grace in the midst of suffering. He is not unaware of our struggles, and wants to meet us there and walk with us, even in our darkest days. 1st Peter 5 states:

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.
10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

When we experience pain, when we are wounded by others or even the sorrow for our own mistakes, we can know we have someone who is there for us, who lives in our hearts, and will bring joy and comfort. He is the one who can bring clarity and peace to our minds and give us hope, even when we are discouraged.  We should not run from God when we encounter hardship, but run to Him and discover the bountiful, beautiful spiritual resources that He offers.

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Even in suffering, we can seek the Lord and discover the depths of His joy and the assurance of His presence. The Psalmist wrote in the 16th Psalm:
8 I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope.
10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Her name is Jane Marczewski, who attended Liberty University.  To fans of America's Got Talent, she is known as Nightbirde.  But after she left college, life took a downward turn.  According to Faithwire...she "fell ill to a cancer that took up residence in her lungs, lymph nodes, ribs, liver, and spine. She was 29 years old, and had already beaten cancer once before."  The article also notes:

Her world was crashing down in more ways than one.

Just days after her diagnosis and only weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic began, Nightbirde’s husband, whom she described in a blog post as “My One Great Love,” walked away from their marriage.

According to John Stonestreet at the Breakpoint website:

She chose the name Nightbirde because she wants to sing in the darkest places, where she found Jesus. “If you listen for it and look for it,” she said, “you’ll see Jesus all over it.”

She chose to go on America's Got Talent and sang "her original song," which is entitled, It's OK, telling the judges that it was “a story of the last year of my life.”  She even added that she still had the presence of cancer within her.  

Faithwire states, regarding the judges: "Each one of them was clearly enraptured by her song," with judge Howie Mandel saying it was “the most authentic thing I’ve heard this season.” Sofia Vergara said, “It was powerful,” adding, “It was heartfelt, and I think you’re amazing.”

Then, it was time for Simon Cowell, who brutalized contestants during his days on American Idol.  He said, “There was something about that song,” and he added, “The way you almost casually told us what you’re going through.”  Jane said, “You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy."  The Faithwire report added:

“I’m not going to give you a ‘yes,’” Cowell told the singer with tears in his eyes. “I’m going to give you something else.” With that, he leaned across the desk and slammed his hand down on the famous golden buzzer that triggered a flurry of glimmering confetti that rained down on Nightbirde, who fell in tears.

Cowell made his way to the stage and hugged her.

Early last week, Nightbirde announced on Instagram that she is leaving the competition. In another story, Faithwire quoted from the post:

“Since my audition,” she wrote, “my health has taken a turn for the worse and the fight with cancer is demanding all of my energy and attention. I am so sad to announce that I won’t be able to continue forward on this season of ‘AGT.’ Life doesn’t always give breaks to those that deserve it — but we knew that already.”

But, she continues to look forward to her future, according to the post, which said, “I’m planning my future, not my legacy,” adding, “Pretty beat up, but I’ve still got dreams.”

There certainly is some truth here - we don't have to wait until things get better to pursue a more positive outlook. Happiness can be our choice, and the joy of the Lord can be a reality for us. Even when we are discouraged, we can move toward His light and experience the joy of His presence. We can be hopeful in the hardship because our lives are in God's hand.

There is also something to be said for honest emotion, which can win the day.  Her transparency in suffering showed the judges and the audience a picture of grace in the midst of suffering.  We can keep our discouragement bottled up inside, but we can know that God desires for us to pour out our hearts before Him, to press into Him, and seek to discover what He has in store.  When believers are authentic, it allows the presence of God to be manifested.

The Church as an Institution

We have been saved by Christ, and His Spirit lives in our hearts, empowering us to act like Christ - when we have enough Christians that are actually doing that, in an authentic way, we can look forward to a transformation of this world. Matthew 16 states:
15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

I think it's important to consider the role of the Church in this world - we are people on mission for Him, and we have to take that very seriously. As His ambassadors, He intends for us to serve Him wholeheartedly, and to leverage our influence so that people may see Jesus in us. In a world that is adrift, we can point people to the solid rock; and our lives should ideally reflect that sense of confidence in the Lord even when we face the shaky circumstances of life. 

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In Acts 10, we find a passage that highlights foundational truth regarding our Christian faith. We can read there:
39 And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree.
40 Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly,
41 not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.
42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.

Historically, the Church is a pillar of our society.  Churches in communities have long been known as places of hope and support, ministering to people in need and being established as a moral force in our culture. Even though there have been incredible testimonies of God working through His people during the pandemic, the absence of the visible manifestation of the Church, with churches not meeting due to COVID, I would project, has had a negative effect by sidelining the Church.

A new Gallup poll has measured the perception of major institutions in our society. And, as the survey summary states:

In 2020, confidence in several specific institutions increased as the nation dealt with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. These include some of the business and societal sectors most affected by the public health and financial effects of the coronavirus situation, including the medical system, public schools, small business, organized religion and banks. This year, these same five institutions show the greatest decreases in confidence. However, they all are perceived at least slightly better than they were in 2019 before the pandemic.

Respondents were asked to gauge their level of confidence in leading institutions, and the summary says:

Currently, an average 33% of U.S. adults express "a great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in 14 institutions, marking a three-percentage-point dip since 2020 and a return to the level seen in 2018 and 2019.

Leading the way in 2021 is the confidence level in "small business," at 70%.  Just behind it is "the military," at 69%.  The police have a 51% confidence level, which is up three points from last year after dropping 5 from 2019.

At the bottom, "Congress," at a 12% confidence level. A few points above that institution: "television news," at 16%.  Newspapers were higher, at 21%.  What is termed, "big business," was at 18%.

Interestingly enough, the Presidency and the Supreme Court had confidence ratings in the 30's.

Regarding "The church or organized religion," just over a third - 37 percent - expressed a "great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in that category in 2021.  That is down from 42% last year and up a point from the 36% level in 2019.

When you consider those that expressed "little" or "no" confidence in these institutions, 30% of respondents say they have little or no confidence in the church or organized religion.

Overall, the summary relates:

Average confidence in the 14 institutions Gallup has tracked long-term continues to lag behind where it has been historically. The pandemic thrust many U.S. institutions into the spotlight, and the discussion of these institutions' roles in the pandemic has been controversial at times. Grappling with how to set policies to contain the spread of the pandemic while simultaneously attempting to limit its impact on economic, educational and faith activities has proven challenging.

You could say that one of the challenges for the Church today, based on these numbers is how Christianity can sustain confidence.  Granted, we don't live our lives always by the opinion of others, but we are called to live in a manner that would result in someone coming to Christ - wanting what we have.  We have to be grounded in Scripture while marked by compassion.

So, a key element of confidence in the Church is for the people in the body of Christ to be vessels of His love.  We have to take our eyes off ourselves and be devoted to seeking the Lord, which will equip us to minister in this world more effectively. 

In an age of confusion and tons of information all around us, we have the chance to cut through the noise and speak truth with conviction.  Compromise doesn't set us apart, adherence to the principles of Scripture does. 

Away From Sin Into Freedom

The power of the Church is grounded in the truth of the gospel and our devotion and effectiveness in living according to the Word. Ephesians 2 describes the powerful work of the Spirit in the lives of His people:
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone,
21 in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,
22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

When the body is functioning as a body, united by Christ and empowered by His Spirit, we can see the Lord do incredible things.  However, when we attempt to look more like the world than like Christ, our influence is weakened and the fulfillment of our mission is reduced.  We can seek each day to be open to the work of the Lord in our hearts and allow His love to encourage us and flow through us, so that the power of Christ can be seen in us. 

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Paul wrote to Timothy about the preservation and power of the Church and as members of the body, we are called to partner with the Holy Spirit to uphold its witness. 1st Timothy 3 states:
14 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly;
15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

The Church of the living God has the potential to be a tremendous force in this world, but our witness is stained and restricted if we are not walking in the personal and corporate holiness that God desires for us and has made possible through Christ.

Yet, there is a narrative that has permeated the Church, a narrative of permissiveness that seeks to paint local churches as being intolerant.  An agenda-pursuing ReligionNews.com story started off with the story of a gay man who had his sin pointed out to him and was removed from leadership.  The article says that this instance is...

... one shared by thousands of LGBTQ young people who grew up in evangelical churches that deny them full participation. LGBTQ people are typically excluded from serving on church boards and from leading worship or other church groups. They are not ordained or allowed to marry same-sex partners in the church. That’s causing many younger evangelicals — gay and straight — to question the integrity of their church’s theology and the consistency of its biblical interpretation.

The story cited a PRRI study that shows 51% of white evangelicals ages 18-49 favor same-sex marriage, while a-third over age 50 do.  Julie Rodgers, who was a staff member at Wheaton College and who could have been described as a "Side B" "gay Christian," possessing desires but not acting on them, is quoted in the article: "Most people know and love someone who’s openly gay....It causes them to wrestle with the implication of teachings that say, ‘We’re bad and wrong and sinful.’

As the article notes, Rodgers was featured in a Netflix documentary called "Pray Away."  Apparently, the film attempts to discredit what has come to be known as "conversion therapy."  The Religion News article claims:

Conversion therapy, the discredited practice of attempting to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity, has increasingly come under fire, as the documentary “Pray Away” reveals. At least 20 states have banned the practice among minors. 

Who says it has been discredited?  This is a case where an attempt to help someone break free of sexual sin has been isolated and demonized, and given a label.  Stephen Black of First Stone Ministries isn't buying it. He posted on Facebook:

Dear Friends, this documentary is an anti-Christian, anti-Biblical pathetic opining of whining victim-mentality failed-fallen-former Exodus leaders who are in love with themselves, and who are FILLED with UNBELIEF! I like how Andrew Comiskey put it, they are the "BRAY AWAY" - meaning that they are The Little Whiny Lamenters of loving self. Deceptively, they have a hatred of God's holy standards for human-sexuality.

The reference to Exodus is about a failed organization which at one time was helping people to walk away from the homosexual lifestyle. 

Apparently, according to Movieguide.org, the documentary features a story of someone who did make the transition. His name is Jeffrey McCall, and the article states:

“PRAY AWAY has a clear agenda to stop conversion therapy practices,” McCall says. “They believe that trying to change one’s sexuality can be harmful. My ministry is quite different from previous former LGBTQ ministries in that the focus is on relationship with Jesus. I don’t focus on behavioral changes, I focus on wanting to see people cleaned from the inside out. I believe obedience to God follows an internal cleanse of the Holy Spirit.”

McCall lived as a transgender woman named Scarlet for several years before he had a radical encounter with Jesus Christ.

While McCall was performing drag, he was secretly listening to sermons from Pastor Jentzen Franklin and the Holy Spirit began to convict him.

“I cried out to God and He spoke to me,” McCall tells Movieguide®. “It was just a few months later I threw my life as Scarlet in a dumpster.”

The article says, "McCall saw the opportunity to participate in PRAY AWAY as a chance to share his story of redemption with a larger audience."

The tolerance of sin is a forfeiture of power.  We need a powerful Church today, yet when we compromise truth in the name of acceptance, we weaken our influence, because the power of God does not reside in a Church that has abandoned truth. 

We also restate, for the record, that the power of God is available to change lives.  We are not called to accommodate sin of any type - and once we are convicted of our sinful attitudes and behavior, we don't identify with that sin, we seek to eliminate it from our lives.  It is a redemptive work of the Holy Spirit that produces freedom - the freedom that Jeffrey McCall celebrates through his movement, the Freedom March, and the initiative of Stephen Black called, Freedom Realized.  Rather than find ways to accommodate sin, these men and like-minded individuals are boldly stating that the power to change is present and available.

The Church is full of sinners, correct - flawed individuals who have been redeemed by a flawless Savior. We can celebrate our new life in Christ, and when we blow it, we can come into the loving arms of a Savior and confess our sins in order to receive His forgiveness.  And, if we have offended someone, we can ask to be forgiven.  If we have bitterness and unforgiveness, unconfessed sin in the Lord's house, we inhibit the work that He wants to do. 

Rising From the Wounds

The recollection and after-effects of past hurts and the guilt of past sins can hold us back in our relationship with Christ, yet, in His great love and power, He can offer us forgiveness and power to overcome. Psalm 103 states:
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him.
14 For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.

The peace we seek deep inside is not produced in frail humanity, but in the fortification of our souls through the presence of Jesus Christ.  Where there has been hurt, shame, and sin manifested, through what we have done or what has been done to us, we know that God's forgiveness brings the potential for things to be made right. He brings us healing for our wounds and joy even in our sadness and brokenness. We can totally trust Him with the burdens we carry.  

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In Colossians 3, we can read a powerful picture of the forgiveness of God, which has been not only extended toward us, but can be activated in order to forgive others. The passage states:
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

In this broken world, we know that sin has the potential to not only affect the one who commits the act of disobedience, but others as well.  The act of taking the life of another can certainly impact the one whose life is taken, produces guilt, remorse, and punishment in the life of the one who committed the act, and families and the culture at large could be affected, as well.

In an abortion, the act does not merely affect the mother, who may be exercising what activists say is a "my body, my choice" demonstration, but the mother's family and those who come in contact with her may be impacted as well.  And, certainly we know that a baby will not have the opportunity to live.

That is, more often than not.  But, did you know that there are babies who survive abortion, and while they have experienced physical, and perhaps emotional wounds, they can still recognize that God has a purpose for them.  They are victims, yes, but they also have a chance to live.

Recently, the first retreat of the Abortion Survivors Network occurred in Texas.  

CBNNews.com reported on comments by attendees:

Karen, a 76-year-old survivor, told LiveAction it was a "safe place to share our stories for healing to take place" and that she was grateful for the "camaraderie, mutual love, and connection" that she felt.

"Sitting in a room full of people I just met, I have never felt more like I belonged. I am not alone in my struggles. There was a whole room that echoed, 'me too.' That was healing for me," said abortion survivor Denisha.

An Instagram post by the Network stated, "Most of these women have never shared their story publicly or shown the world their face. Why? There's a million reasons why, but what matters is that they found a place where they belong..." According to the CBN article, " The retreat focused on the topics of forgiveness, identity, and coping with the trauma of surviving an abortion."

Melissa Ohden, who has been a guest on The Meeting House and spoke at the First Choice Women's Health Center banquet several years ago, is the founder of the Network, and she commented on CBN's FaithNation on her mother's attempt to take her life through a saline abortion. She said, "Forty-three years ago, my birth mother Ruth was forced to have a saline infusion abortion." The article quotes her as saying:

"They couldn't successfully induce Ruth's labor and so on the fifth day when they finally did succeed, they believed that I would be born as a successful abortion, just delivered as a deceased child. And that's the day I was accidentally born alive," she explained.

The article relates: 

And she recently testified against the Women's Health Protection Act during a congressional hearing. The bill would allow abortion all the way up until birth, use money from taxpayers, and remove restrictions on abortion even after a fetus is deemed viable.

Her personal testimony is found at the Abortion Survivors Network website. It opens up by saying:

Now a mother, herself, Melissa Ohden has experienced first-hand what she calls the “intergenerational impact of abortion.” The reality is that abortion doesn’t just impact a woman’s life; it ends a child’s life. It forever changes the lives of everyone it touches, including women, men, extended family members, friends, and our communities.

Life can hurt sometimes, and there are wounds we carry - some are completely healed; others stay with us.  Regardless, God walks with us through our times of hurt and sadness. And, His presence can produce joy as we walk through His intended healing process.

Melissa Ohden is an inspiration - according to a Focus on the Family article, she learned that she was an abortion survivor when she was 14 years old.  She searched for her birth mother and eventually found her, as well as other relatives.  It was obviously an incredibly freeing experience for her. She writes:

No one but God could rewrite the narrative that began 40 years ago when my birth mother was pressured to have an abortion.

No one but God could bring about good in the midst of the suffering we have all experienced over the past four decades.

No one but God could unite us with the power of unconditional love and forgiveness.

Truly, what man intends for evil in our lives, God can use for good (Genesis 50:20). Continue to trust in Him, and I am confident that He will work His plans in your life.

Through the power of God's forgiveness, He will write a new story for our lives.  The pains of the past can propel us to a new sense of purpose and belonging in Christ.  We can rise from and above the wounds we have experienced - once they are identified, we can be confident in God that He is able to work in our hearts and bring forth fruit to His glory.

Back-To-School Dreams

Jesus taught us to be generous and mindful of the people around us. We are not to be selfish, but to lay down self and allow His love to flow through us. In Matthew 10, He says:
38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
40 "He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.
41 He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.
42 And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward."

Before His own death on a cross, Jesus reminded those who heard that they were to give of themselves. His death was an ultimate act of love, of self-sacrifice, of considering our fallen state, our separation from God, and the redemption that we so desperately needed and could not provide for ourselves. If we have come to know Him and are dedicated to follow Him, then we demonstrate that by showing our love for Him and become a channel of His love to other people.

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We show we love God by honoring Him in worship, and our lives display that as we love others. Hebrews 13 states:
15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

The day before a special event in Los Angeles, Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw gave a health update. You see, the Dodgers' ace has been out of commission for quite some time now, and the Los Angeles Times reported that he "has been out since July 7 because of elbow inflammation," and "acknowledged Friday that he will not be able to return until early September."

Kershaw, who is an outspoken Christian, made himself available to the press in association with an event that he and his foundation were participating in this past Saturday.  The Times said that he "is partnering with the LA Dream Center to hand out 2,500 backpacks and school supplies at his foundation’s annual back-to-school bash Saturday, said he hopes to resume playing catch 'soon.'”

So, while the press went after the pitching story, there was an even greater story of the thousands of lives impacted by the Dream Center and the organization, Kershaw's Challenge, on Saturday.  In an article prior to the event, CBN.com said that:

This is the 8th year that the Dream Center and Kershaw's Challenge have partnered to put on this highly-anticipated event back on the Dream Center campus, where 2,500 generously donated backpacks for students K through 12, and other school supplies will be given away. Supplies will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Back-to-School Bash is a FREE event and it has a few other festivities in store, including carnival games, a zip line, rock climbing, a ferris wheel, water slides, and much more.

Following the event, the Dream Center posted on Facebook:

What a day!!! We had such a blast at this year’s #BacktoSchoolBash getting to throw the biggest carnival event of the summer for the children and families of the city we love so much.

Without the generosity, kindness, compassion, and heart of @claytonkershaw and Ellen, everyone at @kershawschallenge and @dodgersfoundation, this event would not have been possible! We are so incredibly grateful and honored that we GET to do this and are so looking forward to next year!

In a press release Dream Center co-founder Matthew Barnett is quoted as saying: "After having to endure a tumultuous year of bad news and constant adjustment, we know that this school year may prove to be challenging yet again as students and families try to readjust back to in-person learning. I hope we can plant new dreams and hopes in their hearts for the future! This event is one simple way to remind them that their neighbors and their community care deeply about them and are rooting hard for them.”  Certainly, when a community sees the love of God manifested through churches and ministries, people are drawn to Christ.  And, especially when you have students who are entering another school year with the challenges of dealing with COVID, there is a special level of encouragement that they need.

Throughout the pandemic, the Dream Center has been ministering to families, including a massive food program, in which area residents were able to stop by and receive gifts of food to alleviate physical hunger - as well as their spiritual hunger.  Matthew was on The Meeting House last spring sharing about how God's love was being expressed through the ministry's outreach during the COVID-19 crisis. He also discussed his book, One Small Step: The Life-Changing Adventure of Following God’s Nudges.

In our communities in the Faith Radio broadcast area, churches and ministries have been taking part in special back-to-school events.  Our children who are in school certainly need to have the security of knowing that there are people who love them during this difficult season.  We can encouraged to pray for not only the students, but also the teachers, administrators, and support personnel who are in the process of heading back to the classroom.  And, parents certainly need your prayers, as well.

You may not have thousands of people to whom you'll be ministering in a single day, but there may be one - one person whom God has pointed out to whom He has sent you, in order that He might express His love through you. We have to exhibit a sensitivity to the Spirit so that we will not only be ready, but that we will recognize that we are ready.  We are prepared to do what He has called us to do.

And, ministry should be regarded as an opportunity - as the Dream Center Facebook post suggests, they GET to do this.  We have been chosen by the Most High to represent Him in this world and given the capacity to love others without limits because He lives in us. We can open our eyes to the world around us - a broken world that is in need of healing, in need of what God supplies.

Deal

We can consider the quality of our works, the fruit we produce for the glory of God, in order to honor His name. The degree of our surrender will determine the quality of our fruit. And, we should be dedicated to giving our best to the Lord. Ephesians 2 reminds us:
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

We don't work for our salvation, and it is tempting to rely on our human strength in order to produce good works for God; but that's not how it works.  The fruit that pleases God is not dependent on human effort, but on the power of the Spirit working mightily through us. We offer ourselves, as the Bible says, as living sacrifices, so that Christ's love might be expressed through us. We are not trying to work to earn God's love, but we abide in that love, and in so doing, we are obedient to our Father. 

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In our study of the Word, we can certainly, and rightly, focus on the promises of God - but what about our promises to Him? We have surrendered our lives and have pledged a life of obedience to Christ; we are called to lay down our lives so that His life may be expressed through us. Psalm 61 says:
5 For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name.
6 You will prolong the king's life, His years as many generations.
7 He shall abide before God forever. Oh, prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him!
8 So I will sing praise to Your name forever, That I may daily perform my vows.

The actor has lost his life on screen over a hundred times; but he was destined to either spend the rest of his life in prison or even lose his life for real through the death penalty.

But, he made a deal.

With God.

Movieguide.org offers this:

“I made a deal with God,” actor Danny Trejo recalled. At the time, he was in solitary confinement and facing the death penalty.

“I asked Him to let me die with dignity. Then I promised to always say His name and help my fellow inmates.”

Trejo details the encounter in his new book, Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood.

The Movieguide article links to an NBCNews.com story, as well as a piece at USAToday.com, which says this:

"I said 'inmate' because I never thought I was getting out of prison. By the grace of God, on August 23, 1969, they let me out. I kept my deal. I say his name 20 times a day and I help wherever I can."

While still serving time, Trejo began attending 12-step programs and eventually became sober. After prison, he worked as a drug counselor.

If there's anything he hopes readers walk away with, he says, it is the belief "that it doesn't matter where you start, it's where you end."

Movieguide notes that: "In addition to acting, Trejo also threw himself into embracing a new kind of masculinity — community service," and quotes the actor as saying, “Masculine means you go to work, you support your family, you help out your neighbors — that’s masculine, that’s machismo...we’re supposed to be caretakers. That’s what masculinity means to me now,” Trejo said. “Everything good that has happened to me, has happened as a direct result of helping someone else,” he adds, “and that’s masculine — helping people.”

In a YouTube video referenced in the article, Trejo says, "Jesus is everything...I’m always asked how I’ve accomplished what I’ve accomplished [considering] where I came from, and only an idiot would deny that it was an act of God that brought me … from on my way to a gas chamber to where I’m at now.”

Danny Trejo claims to have made a deal with God; but God has something wonderful and surprising in store - instead of dying with dignity, as Trejo had asked, God allowed him to live and even sprung him from prison.  But, Danny did not believe he was exempt from keeping up his end of the bargain - he claims to have continued to speak God's name 20 times a day and he threw himself into community service. Certainly, God's ways are higher than our own.

And, that's our first takeaway as we consider the actor's story.

I don't necessarily think we should make deals with God, although I have heard that concept in testimonies, especially people who are desperate, at the end of their rope.  The Bible does speak of making vows to God, and emphasizes the importance of following through.  You know, if we have been born again, we have made a promise to Jesus - he has saved our soul, and now we are called to life of obedience to Him and service to others. 

Too often, even though the Lord has promised the abundant life to us, we make ill-informed decisions to pursue our own course, make decisions based on what we think rather than what He thinks.  The Bible says that faith without works is dead; that doesn't mean we fall into the deception of trying to make our good outweigh our bad, but to allow the Spirit of God, as we love Him daily, to direct us so that we might honor the Lord.