COLLOQUIALISMS

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Most of us have been reared in a culture that seems to be in love with the use of colloquialisms (a word or phrase appropriate to conversation and other informal situations), aphorisms (a short pithy saying expressing a general truth; maxim) and idioms (a group of words whose meaning cannot be predicted). An example of an aphorism is a saying attributed to Lord Acton: “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”An example of an idiom would be: “It’s raining cats and dogs.” Some colloquialisms are humorous even though it may be negative in its intent: “He’s as handy/useful as a back pocket on a shirt (Meaning: Someone who is useless or worthless). Many of us are familiar with colloquialisms and have probably given expression using them from time to time, such as: “He’s a pain in the neck” (Meaning: An annoyance); “Well, if that don’t beat all” (Meaning: Something very amazing or unusual);  “He’s so clumsy he would trip over a cordless phone” (Meaning: non-observant and awkward); and one that some parents in the past have used: “If you don’t stop that crying, I’ll give you something to cry about” (Meaning: A spanking is on its way!).

Well-known Biblical colloquialisms include the statement: “As a dog returns to its own vomit” ((Proverbs 26:11, II Peter 2:22) references a fool and his folly to the point of his repeating his foolishness. Another is “Spare the rod and spoil the child” (Proverbs 13:24 - “Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him”). When King Solomon penned the proverbs, he also was influenced by the expected behavior of royalty. For instance, anyone representing the royal family was to be known by a disciplined behavior. One example is Proverbs 20:1-3 where he uses colloquialisms to state the expected and obvious behaviors: “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life. It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.” A similar statement of personal disciplines is in Proverbs 23:1-7, “When you sit down to eat with a ruler, observe carefully what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food. Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist.When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.Do not eat the bread of a man who is stingy; do not desire his delicacies, for he is like one who is inwardly calculating: Eat and drink! he says to you, but his heart is not with you.”

In the cultural and political climate of our times, it is not unusual to hear someone utter a descriptive colloquialism about a politician: “When he enters, he sucks the oxygen out of the room.” It has various meanings but the most likely is - he’s a person who is overbearing and dominating. When a controversial bit of information surfaces about a person or situation, it is referenced as “the elephant in the room” or the “300 pound gorilla is present.” On one occasion while Jesus was giving instruction to a wealthy person, He stated (Mark 10:23-25), “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” John Calvin, in his commentary on the Gospels makes this interesting point: “The comparison of the camel which is soon after added, is intended to amplify the difficulty; for it means that the rich are so swelled with pride and presumption, that they cannot endure to be reduced to the straits through which God makes his people to pass. The word camel denotes, I think, a rope used by sailors, rather than the animal so named.” This links well with the idea of entering through the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13) and trying to thread the swollen sailor’s rope through the eye of a needle. Jesus was quick to remind His disciples that the things impossible for man are possible with God. We would do well to remember that truth! Consider these things with me.

GOD AND GUNS

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A Headline Story in the Christian Post on July 22, 2015 was: “Potter's House Pastor Chris Hill Explains Why His Denver Megachurch Needs Armed Guards.” The rationale for the armed guards is: “The Charleston (South Carolina) shooting was certainly not the first time a church had been targeted by a gunman. In 2012, a former employee of Creflo Dollar's World Changers Church International in College Park, Georgia, had walked into an early morning Bible study and shot a member point blank while he prayed. In 2009, late-term abortion Dr. George Tiller was murdered while serving as an usher at Reformation Lutheran Church in Wichita, Kansas. In fact, Carl Chinn, a former Focus on the Family safety manager and a church security expert, tracks "deadly force incidents" at faith-based organizations. According to Chinn's data, there have been 971 such incidents between Jan. 1, 1999 and Feb. 15 of this year.”

Are armed guards and the use of weaponry justified by New Testament teaching and the words of Jesus Christ? A text that is often cited is Luke 22:35-39, “And He said to them: “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything? So they said, Nothing. Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one…they said, Lord, look, here are two swords. And He said to them, It is enough.” What did Jesus mean when He said, It is enough? Was He stating that two swords among the disciples was adequate? Or, does it mean what the Reformation Study Bible states: “The disciples take the words about the sword literally, and Jesus’ reply means, Enough of that sort of talk!” The problem with the disciples’ understanding (or at least with Peter) is what immediately ensues. Matthew 26:50-53, “Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Put your sword back in its place, Jesus said to him, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?”

What is Paul’s approach to the use of weaponry in ministry? In II Corinthians 10:4-6, Paul emphasizes, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” His basic approach and thesis is stated in verse 3, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.” In other words, we are not doing spiritual ministry in a secular manner. The focal point is the use of reason and logic. In the spiritual realm, this would necessitate having an Apologetical base as one presents the Scriptural message to religionists, agnostics, atheists, cynics and all other opposition dialogue or antagonism.

Paul’s clarifying statement of ministry purpose and intent is given in Ephesians 6:10-13, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. 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.” Even though the Biblical Christian is living amid cultural chaos, evil and wickedness, we should not allow ourselves to depart from the words of Esther 4:16 who pled the case of the Jews before the King, “I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.” Despite the well-intentioned thoughts of carrying a weapon on one’s person for protection against ant-Christian elements, perhaps a secular song (ditty) from the past would be a good mantra for the Biblical Christian - “Lay that pistol down, Babe - Lay that pistol down! Consider these things with me!

SORROW AND MOURNING

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The opening verses of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NKJV) cover a wide range of human experiences under the general heading of “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” Included in that list is the reminder that there is: “A time to be born, and a time to die. A time to weep…A time to mourn…” A natural response when a close friend or loved one dies is that of sorrow and mourning. Some may be able to internalize those emotions whereas most of us cannot. When Jesus was giving the Sermon on the Mount, He included as the second Beatitude (Matthew 5:4), “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

There are countless numbers of Biblical references that are practical encouragements for those who come to a point when a loved one has died. It is most usual to find comfort in Psalm 23, especially with the words of verse 4, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” The comfort of the Lord is always available and is unique in its design for each individual. As difficult as it is to deal with the finality of physical death and the ensuing closure as the remaining loved ones seek to proceed with their lives and duties, the words of II Corinthians 1:3-4 should be helpful in that time of transition: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 

A question one may have is, what does God know about the depths of one’s sorrows and griefs? There are these words shared about Jesus, the Suffering Servant, in Isaiah 53:4, “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.” The heart of God is one of tenderness and compassion. We should remember when Jesus was summoned by Martha and Mary because their brother Lazarus was very ill, their hope was that Jesus would arrive in time to heal him. That did not happen. By the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus was dead and in the grave. It is a scene where two important lessons were shared. The first is John 11:25-26,  “Jesus said: I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” The basic question for all who are sorrowful, grieving and mourning is: “Do YOU believe this?” The other words in this passage are John 11:35, “Jesus wept.” In His love and compassion for those whose loved one had died, Jesus shared their sorrow and was willing to carry their grief.

Most have come to know, love and sing the words of a Hymn, It Is Well With My Soul . The words were written by Horatio G. Spafford and the music by Phillip P. Bliss. The words were written out of a context of personal sorrow. In 1870, a son died of Scarlet Fever. In 1873, his wife Anna and their four daughters were sailing to England to attend a D. L. Moody evangelistic crusade. Their ship collided with another vessel and all four daughters perished. As he sailed to be with his wife and passed over the spot where the shipwreck occurred, the words that flooded and comforted his soul, he wrote down in verse form. Some of the words that are not often known or sung are: “…No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life. Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul….But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait, the sky, not the grave, is our goal; Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord! Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!” Today, an extended family member, Roland Harper, will bury his wife Mary Lou! He does so with the words resonating within: “…we do not sorrow or grieve as those who are without hope…" I Thessalonians 4:13. May God comfort and surround the Harper Family with His love, compassion and comfort this day. Pray for and with them. Consider these things with me!

IDIOMATIC INDIFFERENCE

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The English language and History is being changed and rewritten in both blatant and subtle ways. This has been occurring in one area since January 22, 1973. The United States Supreme Court took upon itself the task of determining when life began. In a ruling under the general heading of Acceptable government regulation according to Roe v. Wade, it was concluded that “different rules at different stages of pregnancy were considered appropriate. In the first trimester, the state (that is, any government) could treat abortion only as a medical decision, leaving medical judgment to the woman's physician. In the second trimester (before viability), the state's interest was seen as legitimate when it was protecting the health of the mother. After viability of the fetus (the likely ability of the fetus to be able to survive outside and separated from the uterus), the potential of human life could be considered as a legitimate state interest, and the state could choose to regulate, or even proscribe abortion" as long as the life and health of the mother was protected.”

In 1976, Francis Schaeffer wrote a book on the theme: How Should We Then Live? A film series on this subject would follow along with a cross-country speaking tour. He would be joined on-stage with Surgeon General C. Everett Koop as they made the appeal of the warning signs that could lead this nation into the hideous practice of euthanasia and infanticide. A review and summary of what Schaeffer wrote is: “When we base society on humanism, which he defines as a value system rooted in the belief that man is his own measure, that man is autonomous, totally independent, all values are relative and we have no way to distinguish right from wrong except for utilitarianism. Because we disagree on what is best for which group, this leads to fragmentation of thought, which has led us to the despair and alienation so prevalent in society today. Another premise is that modern relative values are based on Personal Peace (the desire to be personally unaffected by the world's problems) and Affluence (an increasing personal income.) He warns that when we live by these values we will be tempted to sacrifice our freedoms in exchange for an authoritarian government who will provide the relative values. He further warns that this government will not be obvious like the fascist regimes of the 20th century but will be based on manipulation and subtle forms of information control, psychology, and genetics.

Was Schaeffer correct in his assessment of the culture in 1976? What is a recent headline in news reports this week? Some media have ignored the discussion of Planned Parenthood and the harvesting of tissue and body parts. The summary of what has been occurring was secretly recorded: “The discussion centered on the sale of donated tissue from aborted fetuses. Dr. Nucatola (a Physician associated with Planned Parenthood) said: We’ve been very good at getting heart, lung, liver … so I’m not gonna crush that part, I’m gonna basically crush below, I’m gonna crush above, and I’m gonna see if I can get it all intact.” For the abortionist, a non-existent life has body parts that are useful and functional. Sadly, if all of this is true, we have slid into Infanticide as something that is tolerated within a the secular culture. 

The spiritual culture should become aware and take a noble stand in a righteous cause. Proverbs 31:8-9 is apropos, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, Speak Up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.” If you don’t do it, who will? If this isn’t the right moment, what is? Let the phrase - “ensure justice for those being crushed” - be indelibly written in your heart, mind and soul. The time to “Speak Up” is now!  Consider these things with me.

PRACTICAL PERSPICACITY

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There are all kinds of cliches and adages that are familiar to most of us. One pertains to whether or not we see the cup as being half empty versus visualizing it as being half full. We live in a day when many people whose thinking is more influenced by what is reported in the daily news than that which is recorded in The Good News, the Holy Scriptures. News Headlines are designed to do two primary things: (a) Capture the attention of a person, and (b) Convey a point of view of the media source. If one chooses to live by the Headlines of men, he will be easily dismayed by the events being reported. Any practical perspicacity is either neglected or short-circuited in ones thinking. Valid perspicacity means: “keenness of mental perception and understanding; discernment; penetration.” Some of the synonyms are: shrewdness and insight.

In an entry by This Day in PCA History records an insight from J. Gresham Machen in the Alps, 1935. In Words to Live By, Machen wrote:  “God will, in His own good time, bring forward great men again to do His will, great men who will resist the tyranny of experts and lead humanity out again into the realms of light and freedom, great men, above all, who will be messengers of His grace. There is, far above any earthly mountain peak of vision, a God high and lifted up who, though He is infinitely exalted, yet cares for His children among men."

However, in the interval there will be times similar to those indicated in II Kings 17:7-11 (NASB), “Now this came about because the sons of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God, who had brought them up from the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and they had feared other gods and walked in the customs of the nations whom the Lord had driven out before the sons of Israel, and in the customs of the kings of Israel which they had introduced. The sons of Israel did things secretly which were not right against the Lord their God. Moreover, they built for themselves high places in all their towns, from watchtower to fortified city…and they did evil things provoking the Lord.” In the Biblical History of Israel, periodically there were times of captivity that would have to be endured by those known as God’s people. A few of the major captivities they experienced were Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian and Roman. In and through all of them, the Sovereign God was in complete control and had made provision for the redemption and deliverance of His people.

Where are we in this day and time? Are we in the last days? Have we entered into the “birth pangs” referenced by Jesus Christ in Matthew 24? In terms of practical perspicacity, are we on the threshold of II Thessalonians 2:7-12 (NASB)? The passage relates the following: “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.” The Sovereign God is not detached from His Creation or the events of our day. Regardless of the degree of desperateness that may ensue in our lifetime, be encouraged by the words of II Thessalonians 2:16-17 (NASB), “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.” Consider these things with me!

ANACHRONISTIC CAPITULATION

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The saying that “those who forget history are doomed to repeat it” is relevant for the times in which we are living. It should be understood (based upon ASK,com) that it is actually a mis-quotation of the original text written by George Santayana (1863-1952), who, in his Reason in Common Sense, The Life of Reason, Vol.1, wrote: ”Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Santayana’s quotation, in turn, was a slight modification of an Edmund Burke (1729-1797) statement, "Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it." Burke was a British Statesman and Philosopher who is generally viewed as the philosophical founder of modern political conservatism. 

What have we learned from the past that should be of benefit for the present? One lesson suggests that it is always best to function and negotiate from a position of strength rather than weakness. In order to gain an advantage in the age of nuclear negotiation, the anachronistic capitulation would be something similar to saying; “Our British allies, through their Prime Minister Winston Churchill has advised Henry Kissinger that we should not capitulate or compromise in any way with any suspect terrorist state regarding nuclear proliferation. It is anachronistic because by definition it means: “a chronological misplacing of persons, events, objects, or customs in regard to each other.” Capitulation means “a set of terms or articles constituting an agreement between governments; the act of surrendering or yielding; the terms of surrender” (Definitions copied from Miriam-Webster Online Dictionary). Some of the Synonyms are graphic: “handover, relinquishment, rendition, submission, submitting.” If an agreement is reached with Iran and their goals for nuclear usage, it will be to their benefit because of the willingness and readiness of the participating nations to get some form of an agreement regardless of the necessity for anachronistic capitulation.

Let’s shift gears and consider anachronistic capitulation and what the professing Christian and Church is to be and do. Do either measure up to God’s requirements? In terms of righteousness as the practice of the Lord’s people, the prophet reminds them of the Lord’s words: “The Lord waits to be gracious to you, and He exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice…And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying: This is the way, walk in it, when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left” (Isaiah 30:18-21, ESV). The key phrase is: “this is the way, walk in it.” The prevailing question is: How much regard does the contemporary Christian and Church have for the way chosen for them by the Lord? It is almost as though we are reliving the days spoken of in Jeremiah 6:16-17, “Thus says the Lord: Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said: We will not walk in it. I set watchmen over you, saying: Pay attention to the sound of the trumpet! But they said: We will not pay attention.”

If only the professing Christian and Church in the 21st Century would have the discernment and commitment of Moses, of whom it was said: “ By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin” (Hebrews 11:25-26). In the parable of the seeds that were sown, Jesus reminded us of a clear and present danger in Mark 4:18-19, “And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.” Have you allowed that to be your undoing, your anachronistic capitulation? Consider these things with me.

A SANCTUARY

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Words have particular meaning as well as consequences if they are perverted. The news of late refers to the 200 Sanctuary Cities that have been designated in both the United States and Canada. It is defined as: “A term given to a city in the United States or Canada that follows certain practices that protect Illegal immigration. These practices can be by law (de jure) or they can be by habit (de facto).” The illegal immigrant who has found his way to a sanctuary city cannot be extracted from that city for any alleged crime for which he may be accused or for the purpose of deportation or inquiry made about his immigration status. In some ways, sanctuary cities are similar to the six cities of refuge mentioned in the Torah, Numbers 35. In verses 9-15, the parameters for the cities of refuge are: “…Speak to the Israelites and say to them: When you cross the Jordan into Canaan, select some towns to be your cities of refuge, to which a person who has killed someone accidentally may flee. They will be places of refuge from the avenger, so that anyone accused of murder may not die before they stand trial before the assembly…These six towns will be a place of refuge…so that anyone who has killed another accidentally can flee there.”

There is a narrower meaning and implication for a sanctuary. The Miriam-Webster Dictionary indicates the full meaning for Sanctuary is: “A consecrated place; The ancient Hebrew Temple at Jerusalem or its holy of holies; The most sacred part of a religious building; The room in which general worship services are held; A place of refuge and protection; The immunity from law attached to a sanctuary.” The Psalmist expresses the heart-attitude one should have in terms of relationship to the Living God - Psalm 84:1-2. “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.” Why should there be this longing after the Lord? In other Psalms (and elsewhere in Scripture) it is because of Who the Lord is and What he is for each one in relationship to Him. Some of the descriptive terms are, He is one’s Rock, Shield, Refuge, Fortress, Stronghold, Shelter, Hiding Place, Dwelling, Temple, Protection for those Under His Wings.”

A contemporary gospel song was written by Jessy Dixon (1938-2011) that focuses on one’s soul and body being a Sanctuary for the Lord. The lyrics might serve as a purposeful and personal prayer for each of us:

Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary, 

Pure and holy, tried and true.

With thanksgiving, I'll be a living, Sanctuary for You.

It is you, Lord, Who came to save

The heart and soul Of every man.

It is you Lord, Who knows my weakness

Who gives me strength, With thine own hand.

Lead Me on Lord, From temptation.

Purify me From within.

Fill my heart with Your Holy Spirit,

Take away all my sin.

Lord prepare me to be sanctuary, 

Pure and holy, tried and true;

With thanksgiving, I'll be a living Sanctuary for You.

This is one’s potential in Christ. May it be completed in each of us by His grace alone. Consider these things with me!

WORTHINESS

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As the world’s population hovers around seven billion people, what is each person worth? In some cultures, a human being has little or no value. Within the context of world events, we see the carnage perpetrated by those who are zealots for their particular cause. In their wake, there is the slaughter of a growing number of people as they are subjected to butchery (beheading and/or maiming of a human being) as well as outright massacre. The synonyms of the word massacre include the idea of extermination (ethic cleansing) or genocide (deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, racial, political or cultural group).

What is a human life/soul worth? A hymn written by Beatrice Bush Bixler (1916-2013) has had great meaning for many over the years. In the eternal sense of values, how much worth does God attach to an individual life? Mrs. Bixler wrote words that have resonated in my life many times over the years - - - I Am Not Worthy.

I am not worthy the least of His favor, 

But Jesus left heaven for me; 

The Word became flesh and He died as my Savior, 

Forsaken on dark Calvary. 

Chorus: 

I am not worthy this dull tongue repeats it!  

I am not worthy this heart gladly beats it? 

Jesus left heaven to die in my place 

What mercy, what love and what grace! 

I am not worthy the least of His favor, 

But "In the beloved" I stand; 

Now I'm an heir with my wonderful Savior, 

And all things are mine at His hand. 

I am not worthy the least of His favor, 

But He is preparing a place 

Where I shall dwell with my glorified Savior, 

Forever to look on His face.

Additionally, a phrase that most Biblical Christians know appears in the Olivet Discourse, Matthew 25. As Jesus separates the sheep from the goats, the criteria by which he does so is with regard to what has or has not been done to “the least of these” (Matthew 25:31-48). Interestingly, it is the same phrase Jesus used in Matthew 5:17-20, “…whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

In doing a word search, I read about an organization that has identified itself with the phrase, “the least of these” (www.theleastofthese.org). It is interesting to observe their objective. “The Least of These is a ministry focusing on orphaned children in Ukraine. Through evangelistic children's programs, we are reaching the lost and forgotten children for Christ. We have successfully partnered with local churches, seminaries, and Bible schools enabling nationals to minister to nationals.” I found it significant because our son and his wife recently adopted a teenaged girl from Ukraine. 

One of the truths that touches my heart, especially in moments of retrospect, is the fact that in the mind and heart of Jesus Christ there is no one who is insignificant, inconsequential, unneeded, unwanted or unworthy. I’ve written about this in a Book, Realizing Significance - (http://www.amazon.com/Realizing-Significance-James-Perry). May the Lord Jesus Christ find in each of us His mind and His heart for “one of the least of these.” Consider these things with me.

NORMAL OR NOMINAL

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Before the culture and political correctness became dominating influences, the birth of this nation was grounded upon Judeo-Christian verities and values. Even though there were some deviations on the part of the founding fathers of this nation, the basic core values had The Creator and Scripture as the guiding influence as they sought to define how to establish and maintain “all men are created equal” and the best route to follow if one desired the freedom to realize “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The founding documents desired to clearly define what was the norm (a standard, model or pattern) versus anything that would be a breach or license for the abnormal (deviating from an established standard, departure from the usual or typical, extraordinary).

There was a time when the citizenry had a strong sense of what was normal (usual, typical, common, regular). Laws were based upon foundational principles and enforced accordingly. At some point a shift in perspective and perspicacity (keenness of mental perception and understanding and discernment) occurred. Some proponents of a nominal (in name only, theoretical) approach to freedom and liberty began to gain traction and ultimately momentum. As a nation, we began to be enticed to taste the forbidden fruit. While our demise was not immediate, it allowed for further tasting of forbidden fruit so that now we have journeyed a great distance from the established verities and values. The nation has drifted to where it finds delight in the experimental and has marginalized any frame of reference to a standard or divine authority. There has been a continuing effort to remove reference to God and the Christian religion from public consciousness. 

Regardless of where the secular culture is heading, the greater concern is for the presence and influence of the Biblical Christian and Church amid the decadent culture. By choosing to avoid being labeled as confrontational, we have allowed for a spirit of accommodation to emerge. Too many have become similar to the Cowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz as the manifestation of a lack of resolve and courage is the observable behavior. The subtle attitude of let’s just live and let live is actually similar to bankrupt currency. This is not what the Biblical Christian and Church commitment and resolve is to be. Regarding my recent book, “The Twenty-First Century Church: Is It Waxing or Waning?” the reviewer wrote: “The author…uses the Old Testament to remind the New Testament Church that consequences follow when God’s people ignore the Word of God. ‘With set minds, hardened hearts and seared consciences, the words from the Lord will fall upon deaf ears’ is a scene from the Book of Jeremiah and it applies to the twenty-first century church. The book examines the contemporary church to see if it measures up to the standards of the Bible.  It reveals the failure of the church in relationship to the biblical model. As time passes, the Church begins to allow complacency, apathy and cultural accommodation to occur. At such a time, the Church no longer is waxing (as it should be doing) but begins a waning process (as sin and heretical concepts are embraced). What can the Church do? What should it seek after?” 

A place to begin self examination for both the professing Christian and accommodating Church should be Revelation 2 and 3, especially Revelation 3:1, “I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” Also, Revelation 3:15-16, “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” We are long overdue to return and begin again to take a serious God seriously. He wants us to follow the norms of His standard and flee from the lure of culture's nominal. Consider these things with me.

WALKING THROUGH THE VALLEY

I Was Just Thinking About - - - 

For several months, a story that has been repeated often indicates: “After being issued an ultimatum from ISIS in Mosul, some of the city’s last Christian families have fled, only to be robbed of their last possessions at ISIS checkpoints. Friday at noon was the deadline for Christian families to meet ISIS’s demands: Convert to Islam, pay an anachronistic Islamic tax for non-Muslims or be killed. But the day before the final exodus, Christians were informed…the order came to convert, leave, or die” (The Daily Beast, July 22nd, 2014). Just this past week people were suddenly displaced from their homes with no time to take even a change of clothes. People flee from place to place and many are captured, tortured and killed.

My thoughts shift to conditions that are evolving within our own nation. What if our liberties were suddenly terminated and freedoms were denied? What would we do? What if we were suddenly ordered from our homes, what would we attempt to take with us? We can be dismissive of this notion but the point of the questions are to measure one’s priorities and what is of greatest value if a choice had to be suddenly made. I ponder this with the words spoken by Jesus Christ regarding prevailing conditions prior to His coming again. Note the scope of what He indicated in Matthew 24:15-22 (ESV), “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.” Regardless of how one chooses to interpret these words of Jesus, the truth that should be noted is that in the midst of adversity there is the assurance that “for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.”

Another thought is that Psalm 23 seems to indicate the Psalmist felt alone when walking through the valley of the shadow of death. Consider that possibility with an article posted yesterday: “Evangelicals have become largest Christian group” Tuesday, 06/30/2015 (OneNewsNow.com). The article states:  “While a recent survey showed that Christianity is on the decline in America, a longtime Christian leader says there's some very encouraging data about evangelicals.  Despite negative numbers in the Pew Research study published in May, Dr. Richard Land, president of Southern Evangelical Seminary in North Carolina, points out there are some positive takeaways. He notes that while the number of evangelicals didn't grow as fast as the population from 2007 to 2014, it did show growth. The evangelical community grew from 59 million to 62 million and is now the largest segment of the Christian faith in America, 55 % of all people who identify themselves as Christians in America identify themselves as evangelical Christians.” How many of these will be present walking through the valley.

Jesus said, Matthew 24:10-11, “Many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.” We should note and remember that David believed and wrote in Psalm 23:4, “Even though I walk THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death that he did not need to fear any evil because he was not alone in that valley - The Lord was with him! Is that your ongoing confidence today? Whatever your situation or circumstance may be, you are confident that The Lord is with YOU and you do not need to be afraid of the unknowns as long as you continually walk with Him? I need that truth for myself and I pray it is reassuring for you in your journey of faith. Consider these things with me.