The recent tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut has touched the hearts of many. I see the faces of the young victims and cry for the innocence lost. Regardless of political affiliation, religion, race, we all mourn with the families and hug our own children tighter.
In the past couple of days, though, I've been mindful of the children all over the world who suffer while we go on with our lives. There are thousands of little ones starving, abused, aborted, sold into the sex trade...but do we shed tears for them? I suppose it's because while we send our own children to school each day, and thus can relate to the people of Newtown, we don't see our children's faces in those facing other tragedies.
It's time to start. Jesus said "If anyone causes one of these little ones to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea" (Matthew 18:6). Children have value and worth to God, and so they should have value and worth to us.
What do we do then? The aches and pains of this world are too much for us to handle. We can't do it all. So start at home. Is your home a safe place for your children and their friends? What sort of kids are welcome at your home? Since the Bible says that iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17), I certainly want my daughters' closest friends to be Christians. This doesn't mean, however, that I want them to spend time exclusively with Christians. My girls have friends of different faiths and backgrounds. We've had children here who've never sat around a table with their family at meal time. We've had kids spend time playing at our house because they'd be neglected at home. My daughters know that our couch is open to any young person who needs a place to crash for the night, and our ears are open to anyone who needs somebody to talk to.
From there, branch out. What's important to you? Abortion? Crisis pregnancy centers are always looking for volunteers. Adoption? Foster care? Can you volunteer in the schools or at a shelter? We all need to start doing all we can to protect our children.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Thursday, December 13, 2012
John 4:6b-7, continued
Another thought regarding the women in this Samaritan town - did any of them reach out to befriend this woman?
This is something I struggle with, as I am very introverted. It takes a lot for me to attempt small talk (which I'm not good at), and even more for me to try and develop that muddled small talk into something resembling friendship. As a result, I tend to be stand-offish, which appears judgmental rather than introverted.
The Bible says, though, that we are to be kind (Ephesians 4:32), hospitable (I Peter 4:9), and compassionate (Colossians 3:12). We need to reach out and show Christ's love to everyone, especially those who are alone.
This is something I struggle with, as I am very introverted. It takes a lot for me to attempt small talk (which I'm not good at), and even more for me to try and develop that muddled small talk into something resembling friendship. As a result, I tend to be stand-offish, which appears judgmental rather than introverted.
The Bible says, though, that we are to be kind (Ephesians 4:32), hospitable (I Peter 4:9), and compassionate (Colossians 3:12). We need to reach out and show Christ's love to everyone, especially those who are alone.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
John 4:6b-7
...It was about the sixth hour. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?"
Those who understand the culture of the day point out that there's significance to the fact that the Samaritan woman went to the well at the 6th hour. In today's terms, that would have been about noon. Noon in Samaria was hot - definitely not the best time to be lugging heavy jars of water. In fact, most women chose to go early in the morning or in the cool of the evening. This woman, however, went in the heat of the day.
Why? Most likely the answer is found in verse 18. Jesus tells the woman, "You have had five husbans, and the man you now have is not your husband." The Samaritan woman had a past. She was living a lifestyle that made her the target of gossip, shunning, and cruel whispers. Chances are she purposely went to the well when she did in order to avoid the wagging tongues of the other women.
Gossip is cruel, and yet we women fall prey to it so often. We love to talk, and the juicier the subject matter, the better. I'm sure some of the women in this Samaritan town justified their words by saying "well, it's true." True or not, gossip, slander, and rumors have no place among God's people. Proverbs 20:19 says, "A gossip betrays a confidence, so avoid anyone who talks too much."
Some 15 years ago or so, I realized that I had a serious problem with gossip. I asked God for help, and what followed were several of the loneliest years of my life. I intentionally chose to step away from conversations that turned to gossip. If I heard something about someone, I didn't run to find another person with whom to share the news. Extreme? Yes, but for me, that was what I needed to do to avoid the sin. It's still an area I struggle with from time to time, but I'm doing much better at thinking before I speak.
Those who understand the culture of the day point out that there's significance to the fact that the Samaritan woman went to the well at the 6th hour. In today's terms, that would have been about noon. Noon in Samaria was hot - definitely not the best time to be lugging heavy jars of water. In fact, most women chose to go early in the morning or in the cool of the evening. This woman, however, went in the heat of the day.
Why? Most likely the answer is found in verse 18. Jesus tells the woman, "You have had five husbans, and the man you now have is not your husband." The Samaritan woman had a past. She was living a lifestyle that made her the target of gossip, shunning, and cruel whispers. Chances are she purposely went to the well when she did in order to avoid the wagging tongues of the other women.
Gossip is cruel, and yet we women fall prey to it so often. We love to talk, and the juicier the subject matter, the better. I'm sure some of the women in this Samaritan town justified their words by saying "well, it's true." True or not, gossip, slander, and rumors have no place among God's people. Proverbs 20:19 says, "A gossip betrays a confidence, so avoid anyone who talks too much."
Some 15 years ago or so, I realized that I had a serious problem with gossip. I asked God for help, and what followed were several of the loneliest years of my life. I intentionally chose to step away from conversations that turned to gossip. If I heard something about someone, I didn't run to find another person with whom to share the news. Extreme? Yes, but for me, that was what I needed to do to avoid the sin. It's still an area I struggle with from time to time, but I'm doing much better at thinking before I speak.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Luke 10:41-42
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
This is an important lesson anytime, but I think it's especially important this time of year. We get so caught up in celebrating Christmas - the tree, the shopping, the cleaning, the baking, the parties, even the church functions - that we neglect to celebrate Christ.
A few years ago I did a study on how the principal characters of the Christmas story celebrated the first Christmas. They all had the same response to the birth of Christ - worship.
Mary - "My soul praises the Lord" (Luke 1:46)
The angels - praising God (Luke 2:13)
The shepherds - glorifying and praising God (Luke 2:20)
The wise men - they bowed down and worshiped him (Matthew 2:11)
Simeon - praised God (Luke 2:28)
Anna - gave thanks to God (Luke 2:38)
This should be our response as well - not fretting about getting the Christmas cards out on time or grumbling about mall traffic. Only one thing is needed - spend time at the foot of your Savior.
This is an important lesson anytime, but I think it's especially important this time of year. We get so caught up in celebrating Christmas - the tree, the shopping, the cleaning, the baking, the parties, even the church functions - that we neglect to celebrate Christ.
A few years ago I did a study on how the principal characters of the Christmas story celebrated the first Christmas. They all had the same response to the birth of Christ - worship.
Mary - "My soul praises the Lord" (Luke 1:46)
The angels - praising God (Luke 2:13)
The shepherds - glorifying and praising God (Luke 2:20)
The wise men - they bowed down and worshiped him (Matthew 2:11)
Simeon - praised God (Luke 2:28)
Anna - gave thanks to God (Luke 2:38)
This should be our response as well - not fretting about getting the Christmas cards out on time or grumbling about mall traffic. Only one thing is needed - spend time at the foot of your Savior.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Luke 7:12-13
As He approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out - the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, His heart went out to her and He said, "Don't cry."
"If anyone knows the pain of losing His only Son, it's God." I don't recall in which book I read this quote, but I know it was Max Lucado who said it in regards to this Scripture passage.
God understands. God knows our pain. And when we ache, Jesus' heart goes out to us, just as it did for the widow in this story. We are never without Someone Who counts our every tear and feels every tug on our heart. He whispers to us with tenderness, "Don't cry."
"If anyone knows the pain of losing His only Son, it's God." I don't recall in which book I read this quote, but I know it was Max Lucado who said it in regards to this Scripture passage.
God understands. God knows our pain. And when we ache, Jesus' heart goes out to us, just as it did for the widow in this story. We are never without Someone Who counts our every tear and feels every tug on our heart. He whispers to us with tenderness, "Don't cry."
Monday, December 3, 2012
Luke 2:22
When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord.
Here we have two of the most important things a parent can do for their child:
1) Present Him to the Lord. Many churches have a way to do this publicly. By publicly devoting your child to the Lord, you are making a declaration of obedience and commitment. You are also asking for the support of your church. The congregation serves as witnesses to the promises parents are making before God. This should be done privately as well, as the parents lift their child up, repeatedly, to God in prayer.
2) Joseph and Mary do this together. The spiritual training of our children is not the responsibility of one parent. This is a wonderful opportunity for a couple to work together, to encourage each other, and to utilize their own strengths in raising and teaching their children.
Our children belong to God. He has given us the responsibility to train them up in the way they should go.
Here we have two of the most important things a parent can do for their child:
1) Present Him to the Lord. Many churches have a way to do this publicly. By publicly devoting your child to the Lord, you are making a declaration of obedience and commitment. You are also asking for the support of your church. The congregation serves as witnesses to the promises parents are making before God. This should be done privately as well, as the parents lift their child up, repeatedly, to God in prayer.
2) Joseph and Mary do this together. The spiritual training of our children is not the responsibility of one parent. This is a wonderful opportunity for a couple to work together, to encourage each other, and to utilize their own strengths in raising and teaching their children.
Our children belong to God. He has given us the responsibility to train them up in the way they should go.
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