DICROCOELIUM-DENDRITICUM

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When the visible Church is referenced, it is often referred to as “the flock of God.” A basic reason for this is the understanding one has received from passages of Scripture, such as Psalm 23, “The Lord is my Shepherd…” and John 10 where Jesus declared: “I am the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep…My sheep near My voice and they follow Me…” In Luke 2, shepherds come to the place where Jesus was born and in John 1, when John the Baptist saw Jesus he declared: ““Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”

With all of the above being stated, The Scriptures also point out the reality of dicrocoelium-dendriticum becoming a disturbing presence within the flock of God. The question is: What is it and how does it become a factor in terms of the sheep and flock? It is described in the following way, “Dicrocoeliosis is a globally present parasitic infection caused by Dicroceolium, which infect the bile ducts and gall bladder of wild and domestic animals. Since it is not as pathogenic as other flukes very little is known about this parasite…The adult lancet fluke necessarily inhabits the liver of its definitive host, specifically the bile ducts and gall bladder of domesticated and wild ruminating animals (sheep, goat and cattle). Although, they can also be found in the liver of dogs, rabbits, horses, humans and some rodents,” (Subject-matter gleaned from the Blog: dtjsoft.com).

Within the flock of God, the greatest contributor to the spread of Dicrocoelium-Dendriticum are the shepherds who neglect the flock and show very little regard for its well-being. Ezekiel 34:1-6 summarizes: “The word of the Lord came to me: Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them…Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts…”

In a personal one on one session with Peter, John 21:15-17, Jesus asks Peter about his love for Him. Jesus indicates that a demonstration of professed love would be seen in his relationship to the lambs and sheep. Jesus told Peter: “Feed My lambs…Shepherd My sheep…Feed My sheep…” To the persecuted and scattering Church, Peter shares a lesson from his heart to those who will have to be responsible to tend to the needs of the believers. In I Peter 5:1-4, “As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you: Be shepherds of God’s flock…watching over them not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock…”

We live in a day of disenfranchisement, delusion, discontent and disruption within the visible Church. The larvae infiltrates the church when the Pastors (Shepherds) neglect their duties and fail to safeguard the flock from the intrusions of the culture. As a result, the flock becomes diseased or disillusioned and scatters. There is an increasing number of the “Nones” (religiously unaffiliated) and the “Dones” (dedicated church members who have decided to stop going to church). The Good Shepherd longs after and prays for His sheep to return to Him (John 17). What is the level of your care and concern for the “other sheep” and the flock the Savior loves? Consider these things with me.

DISCIPLINED DISCIPLESHIP

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Have we arrived at a place in life where the culture is allowed to dictate the values and disciplines for entire societies? Who or what is allowed to dictate the terms of behavior and action? Is there any true standard remaining where one can reference the moral, ethical and acceptable behavior that is to be common for the entire human race? When we observe a world that is being marked more and more by upheaval, distrust, and opportunism, it appears that the most assertive and ruthless is dominating a world that has been lackadaisical and indifferent to foundational values and disciplines. It is not just the societal structures that have moved in this direction but the visible Church as well. Once the boundaries are no longer preserved or abandoned the greater is the disregard of the warning signs that a slippery slope is imminent and destruction will soon occur. In the secular world, rogue and opportunistic nations are on the move to attain their goal of recognition and domination. Within the spiritual world, the negative influences and the readiness to accommodate cultural trends has been emerging.

The Psalmist observed and asked a thought-provoking question in Psalm 11:2-3, “The wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” When David asked the question, he also offered a response regarding that which will ultimately happen, Psalm 11:5-7, “The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion. On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot. For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face.” Between the observation and the ultimate determination, what are the “righteous” expected to be and do? Should there be a militia formed to combat the evil advances with human weapons and strategies? Should the words of an old Hymn, Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war; With the cross of Jesus going on before…” be interpreted as a physical and militant approach to the issues of the day? Should it not be an obedience to Ephesians 6:10-13, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand”?

Several years ago, Dr. V. Raymond Edman wrote a book, The Disciplines of Life, in which he stated: “Discipleship means ‘discipline!’ The disciple is that one who has been taught or trained by the Master, who has come with his ignorance, superstition, and sin, to find learning, truth, and forgiveness from the Savior. Without discipline we are not disciples, even though we profess His Name and pass for a follower of the lowly Nazarene. In an undisciplined age when liberty and license have replaced law and loyalty, there is greater need than ever before that we be disciplined to be His disciples… It is His sons whom God disciplines that they might bring honor to His name. He wants to teach and train them, to soften and sweeten them, to strengthen and steady them, that they may show forth the excellencies of Him who told them, ‘’Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls’’ (Matthew 11:29). Without discipline we are not His sons; but as His own we need the exhortation, ‘’My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him; for whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son who he receives’’ (Hebrews 12:5, 6). This discipline at the moment may not seem ‘’to be joyous, but (rather) grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby’’ (Hebrews 12:11).

Where do we find ourselves today? Are we disciplined or undisciplined? Are we bent on doing whatever we deem to be right in our own eyes or are we learning obedience to and from our Lord and Master Jesus Christ? Do we adhere to His instruction and guidance or do we stubbornly resist and do our own thing in our own way? Are we more like the straying sheep of Isaiah 53:6 or the responsive sheep of John 10:27 who listen to The Shepherd’s voice and eagerly follow Him? Consider these things with me.

WITNESSES OR VICTIMS

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It is a historical fact that in most instances a person is either a witness or a victim in terms of what unfolds. This is especially true in warfare or nations where ethnic cleansing or other forms of persecution are occurring. There is considerable discussion about Global Warming on the part of politicians in this country. While these formulations and executive orders are executed, the nations give almost tacit approval to the rogue nation Iran to develop Nuclear Weaponry. It seems as though no proponent of the possibilities of global warming has paused to think of the definition and potential of Thermo-Nuclear Bomb Development and testing. Thermo-nuclear means: “The fusion of atomic nuclei at high temperatures or to the energy produced in this way.”

Most people were probably unaware of particular events that took place near the end of World War II. They were designed to bring about the surrender and cessation of the war with Japan. In an effort to achieve the desired results, six months prior to the use of Atomic Bombs, the U.S. 20th Air Force under General Curtis LeMay executed low-level incendiary raids against Japanese cities. On the night of March 9–10, 1945, Operation Meetinghouse commenced and 334 B-29 Super-fortress bombers took off to raid, with 279 of them dropping 1,665 tons of incendiaries and explosives on Tokyo. The bombing was meant to burn wooden buildings and indeed the bombing caused fire that created a 50 m/s wind, which is comparable to tornadoes. Each bomber carried 6 tons of bombs. A total of 381,300 bombs. Within a few hours of the raid, it had killed an estimated 100,000 people and destroyed 16 square miles of the city and 267,000 buildings in a single night. An estimated 450,000 people had died as the U.S. had intensely firebombed a total of 67 Japanese cities. While the Allies applauded these bombings and the affect of them, many ordinary people became either witnesses or victims to these events. 

If we bridge over into Biblical History and God’s judgment against a sinful people and/or nations, we will find similar parallels. One would do well to review the prophetic words of Zephaniah 1:7-18 and the descriptive words of I Thessalonians 5:1-11 regarding The Day of the Lord. Peter gives a succinct statement of God’s final judgment upon the world He has created, II Peter 3:8-13. We note the catastrophic result as Peter wrote: “The day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be dissolved in the fire, and the earth and its works will not be found. Since everything will be dissolved in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will be dissolved by fire and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.” 

Those who believe the Word of God, the Holy Scriptures, will be witnesses of this final judgment scene, whereas those who made a mockery of sin and who rejected God and His Word will become the victims. John the Baptist utter the direct words to the mockers and scoffers in Matthew 3:7-8 (NLT), “Who warned you to flee God’s coming wrath? Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.” The question is - have you repented of your sins and turned to God for His salvation? Will you be a witness or a victim? Consider these things with me!

INTENTIONAL OR ACCIDENTAL

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Why do people have a Bible? Why do people attend a visible Church on occasion? Why do people want to be included in some visible Church or religious group? Why are mega-churches seemingly popular and growing? What is the basis for moral values and ethical choices? How does a culture or society become what it is? Are these, and other areas of life, a result of intentional choices or accidental occurrences? These and other thoughts began to resonate as I read the review of John Maxwell’s latest book released this past Tuesday (October 6) entitled: "Intentional Living: Choosing A Life That Matters." His own shared testimony states: “Living intentionally will motivate you to start asking questions and begin prioritizing whatever is important to you. That's what it did for me. I began by asking how I could be successful. When I had begun to achieve some success, I realized that I needed to be asking questions about significance. Can I make a difference? Whom should I help? How can I help them? How can I add value to them?”

Each of us represents a person who possesses tremendous potential. If each of us lived up to that standard of possibility and potential, it would revolutionize not only one’s personal life but other lives with whom one has any meaningful and purposeful relationship. The key to realizing this significance and potential is to reply as the disciples did when they heard these words of Jesus Christ: “Come! Follow Me! I will make you…” The words of Jesus were clear, precise and spoken with authority. The response of those who were being called as disciples was immediate: “At once they left their nets and followed Him” (Matthew 4:20). Inherent in their following Jesus Christ and learning from Him are the words Jesus spoke to larger groups of people during His ministry (John 8:31-32), “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” These words and actions force one to see that spiritual lives are to be lived intentionally and not accidentally.

The interviewer and reviewer of John Maxwell’s book shares his personal reflections when writing the book, “In Intentional Living, Maxwell discusses his struggles with personal flaws such as selfishness and opens up about the role his faith plays in his life of significance. My life is flawed, yet I believe I need to share it with you in a way I never have before because I don't know of any better way to teach you how to embark upon intentional living, Maxwell declares early on in the book. I believe that if you know my story and how it unfolded, it will help you to write your own story of significance. It will empower you to lead yourself to a life that matters.” Sometimes when one shares his personal flaws or foibles, there can be a degree of risk. A group where being transparent was thought to be safe, and in which I participated years ago, there was a topic being discussed where I shared my own personal struggles of a sense of insufficiency (inadequacy) for different situations that occur in ministry. A fellow-minister present for whom I had the highest esteem looked at me and said: “How disappointing! I thought you had your act together.” This brother in Christ continued to be a good friend throughout his life but his response caught me by surprise and added a safeguard in my life that I was hoping could’ve been removed.

There are three passages of Scripture that have been encouraging and sustaining for my wife and me. (1) For Confidence - Ephesians 3:20, “Now to Him who is able to do infinitely more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us…” (2) For Faith and Prayer - Isaiah 65:24, “"It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.” And (3) For Assurance of God’s Faithfulness – Psalm 37:23-27, “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread…” Are you living the intentional Christian life, or a life that is more accidental and haphazard? Consider these things with me.

A CULTURE OF NARCISSIM

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There are particular ideas that were accepted as norms in our culture and society. A Motto was born early in the history of this nation, E Pluribus Unum. It was based upon and referred to the fact that the United States was formed as a cohesive single nation as the result of the thirteen smaller colonies joining together. As the American cultural was being built with the influx of legal immigrants, E Pluribus Unum – “Out Of Many, One” – became more meaningful as the idea of America being the “melting pot” for those invited by the words of The New Colossus: “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" The New Colossus was written by American poet Emma Lazarus in 1883. In 1903, the poem was engraved on a bronze plaque and mounted inside the lower level of the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty.

During the mid-Twentieth Century, a new culture began to emerge that was fueled first by the influence of Existentialism and then with the emphases of Liberation Theology. Existentialism was birthed primarily in Germany and was “a modern philosophical movement that stressed the importance of personal experience and responsibility.” Such a one is seen as a free moral agent in a deterministic and seemingly meaningless universe.” It pictured “faith” as stepping out into the dark abyss of nothingness while maintaining one’s courage to be amid the meaninglessness of life and the culture. Liberation Theology became a movement that attempted to “interpret Scripture through the plight of the poor. True followers of Jesus, according to liberation theology, must work toward a just society, bring about social and political change, and align themselves with the working class. Jesus, who was poor Himself, focused on the poor and downtrodden, and any legitimate church will give preference to those who have historically been marginalized or deprived of their rights…Defending the rights of the poor is seen as the central aspect of the gospel. An example of how liberation theology views Scripture through the lens of the poor and destitute, Luke 1:52–53, where Mary praises the Lord, saying: “He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.” According to liberation theology, Mary is expressing joy that God has liberated the materially poor and fed the physically hungry while bringing down the materially rich. He is a God, in other words, who favors the destitute over those with wealth.

The result and fact is that a culture of narcissism has emerged, in which society exists primarily to make one happy. Society in the twenty-first century could even be addressed as the culture of entitlement. How does all of this square with Biblical teaching? What has been overlooked or ignored by this philosophical and liberal theological approach that is widespread today? A spiritual E Pluribus Unum is adequately summarized in Philippians 2:1-4, “Therefore if you have any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, then make my joy complete by being of one mind, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” This would revolutionize the culture IF or WHEN we could influence people to believe and practice these words. A motivation for this kind of attitude and practice are the words of Proverbs 29:7(a), " The righteous care about justice for the poor." This thought also extends to the "weaker" in Psalm 41:1-3, “Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. The Lord protects and preserves them; they are counted among the blessed in the land; he does not give them over to the desire of their foes.”

What is your attitude and response to the powerless, the poor, the weak? What is your response to the “stranger” in your midst or community (Matthew 25:37-40)? Do you ignore such a one or reach out to him in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ? The eternal consequences are considerable for the ones oriented to the culture of narcissism and who readily pass by the stranger, the powerless, the poor, the weak and/or the needy. Be ready and eager to be a servant to the unknowns. God is watching and monitoring our attitudes and our actions toward them. Consider these things with me.

WHEN IT'S TIME TO GO

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As the floodwaters were rising in South Carolina, choices had to be made. Primary to that choice was for a person or persons locating to a safe area. One older woman as she was leaving her apartment summed up the experience and choices in a simple and poignant phrase: “It's strange leaving everything behind. We have a niece and her family that experience knee-deep water inside their home and waist-high water outside. A kindly woman who had extra bedrooms and invited them into her home. Because of their pets, two of the children and the pets were provided housing elsewhere. I doubt that many of us (or any of us) have our treasures and the things we would want to save neatly in place in the event of a required evacuation. When all is said and done, my wife would want to save the baby pictures of our children if at all possible. While they seem to be easily accessible, it is not always possible to achieve that desire. When it’s time to go, most of life’s accumulated possessions that are dear to one’s heart will have to be left behind.

That which is true in terms of the physical, also has a spiritual application. Jesus indicated this clearly on different occasions. In Luke 10:3-12, Jesus instructed His disciples regarding ministry objectives and protocols. He stated: “Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Carry no purse or bag or sandals. Do not greet anyone along the road. Whatever house you enter, begin by saying, Peace to this house…Stay at the same house, eating and drinking whatever you are offered…If you enter a town and they welcome you, eat whatever is set before you…tell them…The kingdom of God is near you. But if you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into the streets and declare, Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off as a testimony against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.” The idea being shared with the disciples is to guard them from being preoccupied with temporal things and the accumulation of “stuff” to which one might become attached.

When Jesus was speaking of the days leading up to His coming again, He references The Abomination of Desolation, Matthew 24:15-28. Jesus is giving instruction about when it’s time to go. He stated: “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…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…For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect…So, if they say to you, Look, he is in the wilderness, do not go out. If they say, Look, he is in the inner rooms, do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man…”

Jesus is indicating that the day of His coming again cannot be calculated or predicted. The best one can do is to be prepared for His any moment appearing and to be among those who are caught up to be with Him. His words are clear in Matthew 24:42-44, “Therefore keep watch, for you do not know on what day your Lord comes. And know this, that if the master of the house had known in what time of night the thief comes, he would have watched and not have allowed his house to be broken into. Because of this, you also be ready, for the Son of Man comes in that hour you do not expect.” Are you ready and prepared for when it’s time to go – when that day and hour occurs? You can and should be as you place your faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone for your redemption, justification and salvation. Consider these things with me.

GRINDER CONTEMPLATIONS

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Did you ever purchase a tool and then wonder how it could be used? Several years ago, a store had a special price on Grinders for the shop. It was one of those specials that would cause one regret if it was not purchased immediately. I purchased it and brought it to my shop area. My wife asked me the practical and proverbial questions: “Did you really need that now? What do you plan to do with it?” Thinking rather quickly for a response, I replied: “Well, I can sharpen your hedge shears for you!” The mistakes in that response was my use of “your” and “for you.” My second response was not an improvement over the first. I stated: “I can grind the axe for splitting some wood.” Since I was going quickly from bad to worse, I thought that if I could change the subject I might get over the hurdle of explanation. I guess I should add (since confession is supposed to be good for the soul) that procrastination delayed my getting around to “sharpen your hedge shears” and ironically, the “special priced” Grinder stopped running and there was a “no-return” policy on the sale item. I still have the non-functioning Grinder under my Work Bench and it allows me moments of contemplation of my intended purpose for it.

There is an interesting definition in the Urban Dictionary for one having an “ax to grind.” Their take on it is twofold: (1) “To have a grievance with someone, especially where one feels the need to seek damaging retribution and (2) The phrase probably originates from the act of sharpening an axe with a grinding wheel, with the intent (in this definition) to get revenge on someone by maiming or killing them.” The Free Dictionary lists two possible (less severe) idioms for the phrase, “an axe to grind”: (1) “to have a selfish reason for saying or doing something”; and (2) “to have a strong opinion about something that influences your actions.” I would suspect that at some point in life, to one degree or another, we have all exhibited moments when we displayed that we had “an axe to grind” with someone or about something. If, or more likely when those times occur, what is the cause and what is the proper response and reaction. In a day of extensive litigation and the growing number of lawyers, people resort to lawsuits as a means of retribution and/or resolve. One need only observe the various Judge and Court Room programs on television to draw a conclusion that many grievances that are being litigated are frivolous and baseless. It may have “soap opera” qualities for entertainment but it demonstrates that not every grievance with another person needs to result in courtroom drama.

It is sad to observe that within the visible Church and among professing Christians, there are occasions when the “axe to grind” begins to dominate relationships and fellowship. What guidelines should be prominent in the visible Church and among professing Christians? Some basic considerations are: (1) Ephesians 4:29-32, “Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth…do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God…Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and tender-hearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.” (2) Ephesians 4:26-27, “Be angry, yet do not sin. Do not let the sun set upon your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity.” And (3) I Corinthians 6:1-7, “If any of you has a grievance against another, how dare he go to law before the unrighteous instead of before the saints! Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! So if you need to settle everyday matters, do you appoint as judges those of no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Is there really no one among you wise enough to arbitrate between his brothers? Instead, one brother goes to law against another, and this in front of unbelievers! The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you are thoroughly defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?” Let your “axe grinder” become inoperable and place it in some obscure place. Begin to apply and live by Biblical Principles for all of your thoughts, words and deeds. Consider these things with me.