He is Lord
“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” So wrote C.S. Lewis in The Problem of Pain.
These are the words I recalled upon learning of the massive earthquake in Haiti. Several thousands of persons perished, very suddenly and unexpectedly. Into eternity they went – forever gone from this world.
The Bible reveals a God who is there, who is not silent, who has spoken – and He is Lord. Meaning, He is all-powerful.
Is God all powerful? Is God good? If the answers to these questions are “yes”, then why did He not stop the earthquake? Or the tsunami that hit Indonesia a few years ago, or the killing of children by an insane parent?
In 300 B.C., Epicurus put it in a way that is still common. We think of God as infinite in His power. We also consider God as infinite in His goodness. Furthermore, we consider God as infinite in His compassion. On the other hand, evil exists in the world. Not only does evil affect the perpetrator, but it also affects the good person. And further, not all evil is moral – caused by bad people. Some evil is natural – caused by bad things. Bad things happen to good people. If God is able to remove evil but does not, then perhaps He is not so good and compassionate after all. Or perhaps He is good, but not all-powerful. That would explain why evil events or things, earthquakes and tsunamis, happen in the world.
Epicurus asks questions that many sensitive and thoughtful people still ask. Maybe you are one of those asking. Don’t overlook Lewis’ thesis: pain is the megaphone of God. Apart from it, people would be deaf toward God. Could better ways, more tender ways, be used by God? Of course, and in many instances are used by God to seeking souls. But to the non-seeking soul, God must reveal mankind’s impotence against the forces of nature. Only by seeing themselves in such an impotent state will people turn to God. He alone is omnipotent; in a time when bad things happen, where else may we turn for ultimate and everlasting hope?
Omnipotent versus Impotent.
Not really much of a choice, is it?
It is not wrong for God to reveal our entirely dependent nature. He knows our pride and stubborn spirit will refuse to bend to Him. Occasionally He uses a means to shock us out of a spiritually lethargic state. Means that we call “natural disasters.” Only by such a means will we recognize the great need we have of God and His salvation.
In the midst of tragedy, we strive to assist and minister to those who are suffering. But all the while we come to learn that God alone can ultimately, finally and fully bring healing to others. And His healing is not just physical; it touches the soul (mind) and spirit (the immortal) of man.
Do you trust in the omnipotent God to be there for you and with you through life’s most difficult moments? “Yes, even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, You are with me…” (Psalm 23:4).
We must trust in Him. He alone is greater than the forces of nature, of the traumas of life, and of the grim reality of approaching death.
He is LORD.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Go to Church!
I call it “a key to happiness.”
I am fond of quoting Abraham Lincoln on the subject of happiness. Lincoln once said, “Most people are as happy as they choose to be.” I think, for the most part, Lincoln is right.
But there may be a key factor missing in Lincoln’s analysis. In fact, it may be “the key.”
Harvard psychologist Daniel Gilbert has made the study and practice of happiness a passion. He has done much research into this area and written about it in Stumbling on Happiness (copyright 2005 by Vintage Books, a division of Random House Inc, New York). I suppose the title of the book comes because humans are pretty poor at predicting what will bring them happiness. Gilbert shows that more money does not do it. Marriage will do it, provided we are committed to the marriage. Dr. Gilbert defines happiness as “a general sense of satisfaction with life and a sense of well-being.” Fair enough – but how do we come to this place?
Gilbert provides many – not as many as you might think – pieces of evidence from his research. Commitment to a relationship is a big one. Focusing on little things is another. There are more.
But I want you to think about this one. Gilbert writes, “Churchgoers are happier than non-churchgoers.” Did you read that? Why might that be? Gilbert continues, “It is not the religion part that makes people happy. It’s the going-to-church part. It’s the community part. It’s the holding hands and singing. It’s the knowing-folks-who-would-bring-you-soup-if-you-got-sick part.”
It’s the community part. Hmm. The Bible calls it koinonia. This word is translated “fellowship” or “community.”
John Wesley wrote on “the means of grace.” He divided the means (things we do that strengthen the life of the believer and give witness to the world) into a.) works of piety, and b.) works of mercy. One of those works of piety, something we do by which God strengthens the life of the believer, was “belonging to community”. That is, belonging to and attending faithfully the local church.
Attending church is good for you. It provides opportunity for relationship-building, for making friends. It also strengthens you as a person and, consequently, strengthens your home and family. It surrounds you with people who care and love you, who pray with you in a time of hardship and, as Gilbert writes, bring soup to your home and family when you are ill. In short, it becomes family. The lessons learned from the Bible help you understand God and His ways, challenge you to know and serve Him, and empower you to overcome all the challenges life throws in your path. You become a better person rather than a bitter person.
Want to be happy? Listen to Harvard Professor Dan Gilbert.
This Sunday…
Go to church!
I call it “a key to happiness.”
I am fond of quoting Abraham Lincoln on the subject of happiness. Lincoln once said, “Most people are as happy as they choose to be.” I think, for the most part, Lincoln is right.
But there may be a key factor missing in Lincoln’s analysis. In fact, it may be “the key.”
Harvard psychologist Daniel Gilbert has made the study and practice of happiness a passion. He has done much research into this area and written about it in Stumbling on Happiness (copyright 2005 by Vintage Books, a division of Random House Inc, New York). I suppose the title of the book comes because humans are pretty poor at predicting what will bring them happiness. Gilbert shows that more money does not do it. Marriage will do it, provided we are committed to the marriage. Dr. Gilbert defines happiness as “a general sense of satisfaction with life and a sense of well-being.” Fair enough – but how do we come to this place?
Gilbert provides many – not as many as you might think – pieces of evidence from his research. Commitment to a relationship is a big one. Focusing on little things is another. There are more.
But I want you to think about this one. Gilbert writes, “Churchgoers are happier than non-churchgoers.” Did you read that? Why might that be? Gilbert continues, “It is not the religion part that makes people happy. It’s the going-to-church part. It’s the community part. It’s the holding hands and singing. It’s the knowing-folks-who-would-bring-you-soup-if-you-got-sick part.”
It’s the community part. Hmm. The Bible calls it koinonia. This word is translated “fellowship” or “community.”
John Wesley wrote on “the means of grace.” He divided the means (things we do that strengthen the life of the believer and give witness to the world) into a.) works of piety, and b.) works of mercy. One of those works of piety, something we do by which God strengthens the life of the believer, was “belonging to community”. That is, belonging to and attending faithfully the local church.
Attending church is good for you. It provides opportunity for relationship-building, for making friends. It also strengthens you as a person and, consequently, strengthens your home and family. It surrounds you with people who care and love you, who pray with you in a time of hardship and, as Gilbert writes, bring soup to your home and family when you are ill. In short, it becomes family. The lessons learned from the Bible help you understand God and His ways, challenge you to know and serve Him, and empower you to overcome all the challenges life throws in your path. You become a better person rather than a bitter person.
Want to be happy? Listen to Harvard Professor Dan Gilbert.
This Sunday…
Go to church!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Be Part of the TEAM
One of the most amazing Bible stories involves Paul, the Apostle. He had been ministering the Gospel in the pagan city of Lystra, when suddenly a mob scene broke out. Paul and his companion, Barnabas, had been honored as deities. They had corrected this wrong notion, and promptly seen the adoring mob turn into a murderous mob.
This mob, urged on by Paul’s enemies, dragged the apostle out of the city and stoned him. Convinced he was dead, the mob returned to the city. He may have been dead. According to 2 Corinthians 12:2-3, not even Paul himself was sure whether he experienced Heaven in reality or in a vision while comatose. Either way, the disciples, the church, gathered around him – probably praying – and what do you know? “But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe” (Acts 14:20).
Paul’s enemies thought he was dead – and probably had checked to make sure of it! Nevertheless, the Lord had other plans. The enemies were wrong, both in their opinion and in their conduct. It was probably good that they considered Paul dead, as it satisfied their thirst for blood and prevented an assault on the church.
Do you ever feel attacked? Or that your “enemies” have successfully killed your credibility, voice or influence? Do you feel beaten down by life’s events? Perhaps you really do have enemies. Most likely you are overcome by life’s difficulties. Things like job loss, death of a loved one, or loneliness.
It is not an accident that the scriptures record “…after the disciples (church) had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city.” The company of the church is powerful! The comfort, encouragement and strength that others from the body of Christ impart is used by God to miraculously revive a person’s spirit. The company of the church changes a person’s attitude and life. You receive strength from others who gather around you during a crisis. And when a person you know is experiencing a crisis, you are able to impart strength to that one.
Look around you today. Do you see a person who has been, figuratively speaking, stoned and left for dead? Pray for that person then go, bring life back into him or her. Provide words of encouragement and hope. Help that person get back up and return to the city – the place of life. Take the person out for lunch, or out to shop. That is the wonderful power of the church: prayer - inviting God’s participation in a situation, and action – doing what needs to be done.
I read an acrostic that went like this: “T.E.A.M. – Together Each Achieves More”.
Are you part of God’s TEAM, the church?
Be part of the TEAM!
One of the most amazing Bible stories involves Paul, the Apostle. He had been ministering the Gospel in the pagan city of Lystra, when suddenly a mob scene broke out. Paul and his companion, Barnabas, had been honored as deities. They had corrected this wrong notion, and promptly seen the adoring mob turn into a murderous mob.
This mob, urged on by Paul’s enemies, dragged the apostle out of the city and stoned him. Convinced he was dead, the mob returned to the city. He may have been dead. According to 2 Corinthians 12:2-3, not even Paul himself was sure whether he experienced Heaven in reality or in a vision while comatose. Either way, the disciples, the church, gathered around him – probably praying – and what do you know? “But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe” (Acts 14:20).
Paul’s enemies thought he was dead – and probably had checked to make sure of it! Nevertheless, the Lord had other plans. The enemies were wrong, both in their opinion and in their conduct. It was probably good that they considered Paul dead, as it satisfied their thirst for blood and prevented an assault on the church.
Do you ever feel attacked? Or that your “enemies” have successfully killed your credibility, voice or influence? Do you feel beaten down by life’s events? Perhaps you really do have enemies. Most likely you are overcome by life’s difficulties. Things like job loss, death of a loved one, or loneliness.
It is not an accident that the scriptures record “…after the disciples (church) had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city.” The company of the church is powerful! The comfort, encouragement and strength that others from the body of Christ impart is used by God to miraculously revive a person’s spirit. The company of the church changes a person’s attitude and life. You receive strength from others who gather around you during a crisis. And when a person you know is experiencing a crisis, you are able to impart strength to that one.
Look around you today. Do you see a person who has been, figuratively speaking, stoned and left for dead? Pray for that person then go, bring life back into him or her. Provide words of encouragement and hope. Help that person get back up and return to the city – the place of life. Take the person out for lunch, or out to shop. That is the wonderful power of the church: prayer - inviting God’s participation in a situation, and action – doing what needs to be done.
I read an acrostic that went like this: “T.E.A.M. – Together Each Achieves More”.
Are you part of God’s TEAM, the church?
Be part of the TEAM!
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Pray for Your Leaders
I’ve been thinking about taxes recently – probably because I have begun accumulating the necessary items to prepare my taxes for filing.
Ben Franklin, writing in Poor Richard’s Journal, said “the only certainties in life are death and taxes.” Okay, we all know it takes revenue to support government services. My question is, how much constitutes the “fair taxes” I keep reading about?
Work was part of the original creation. God worked – then rested on day seven. He assigned work to Adam because it was good for Adam. Work is good. Compensation must be fair. The danger comes when a government removes all incentives to work through excessive taxation. A person no longer finds work fulfilling and meaningful – the reward for his work go elsewhere, not to provide for his own needs or those of his family. When incentives for wealth creation are removed, revenues to the government actually decrease. They also decrease to charities. Plus individuals and their families suffer lower standards of living. It is not an accident that the most repressive, overly taxed societies are also societies that have a low standard of living. Who wants to work if he can not retain the fruit of his labor? The answer, of course, is “no one.”
Herbert London, President, The Hudson Institute, writes that “from the standpoint of government policy, there is not any difference between a tax of zero and a tax of 100 percent. On its face this seems counterintuitive. Yet a zero tax derives no revenue for the government, and a 100 percent tax rate results in disincentive for work, which consequently yields zero revenue for the government.”
Establishing tax rates becomes a balancing act – trying to achieve the proper balance between incentives for work and providing government services.
Karl Marx wrote, “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.” Unfortunately, this seems to be the goal of government, whether Communist or not. Progressive taxation, the current policy, is certain to doom our nation. As tax rates progressively increase, incentives for work progressively decrease. People are not interested in working to meet the needs of unknown others or of funding extravagance by elected officials. Reduced work effort and productivity mean that government revenues actually decline, as does giving to charities and standard of living.
The problem is that we do not understand the theology of work. In Genesis 2:15 the scripture says, “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” There was but one person, one man – and he was to work the land for the benefit of himself and, later, his wife. There is a self interest in work. This is not wrong. Self interest is the greatest possible incentive. We provide for ourselves and our own because we desire to survive. This survival, life, we desire to experience as comfortably as possible. Resentment results when a person is forced to give the results of his labor to others. Especially is this true when the recipients work less diligently or do not work at all.
These thoughts lead me to this conclusion: the need to pray for government leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-3). Pray that government leaders are given wisdom to find the proper balance between incentives for work and providing government services.
Pray for your leaders.
I’ve been thinking about taxes recently – probably because I have begun accumulating the necessary items to prepare my taxes for filing.
Ben Franklin, writing in Poor Richard’s Journal, said “the only certainties in life are death and taxes.” Okay, we all know it takes revenue to support government services. My question is, how much constitutes the “fair taxes” I keep reading about?
Work was part of the original creation. God worked – then rested on day seven. He assigned work to Adam because it was good for Adam. Work is good. Compensation must be fair. The danger comes when a government removes all incentives to work through excessive taxation. A person no longer finds work fulfilling and meaningful – the reward for his work go elsewhere, not to provide for his own needs or those of his family. When incentives for wealth creation are removed, revenues to the government actually decrease. They also decrease to charities. Plus individuals and their families suffer lower standards of living. It is not an accident that the most repressive, overly taxed societies are also societies that have a low standard of living. Who wants to work if he can not retain the fruit of his labor? The answer, of course, is “no one.”
Herbert London, President, The Hudson Institute, writes that “from the standpoint of government policy, there is not any difference between a tax of zero and a tax of 100 percent. On its face this seems counterintuitive. Yet a zero tax derives no revenue for the government, and a 100 percent tax rate results in disincentive for work, which consequently yields zero revenue for the government.”
Establishing tax rates becomes a balancing act – trying to achieve the proper balance between incentives for work and providing government services.
Karl Marx wrote, “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.” Unfortunately, this seems to be the goal of government, whether Communist or not. Progressive taxation, the current policy, is certain to doom our nation. As tax rates progressively increase, incentives for work progressively decrease. People are not interested in working to meet the needs of unknown others or of funding extravagance by elected officials. Reduced work effort and productivity mean that government revenues actually decline, as does giving to charities and standard of living.
The problem is that we do not understand the theology of work. In Genesis 2:15 the scripture says, “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” There was but one person, one man – and he was to work the land for the benefit of himself and, later, his wife. There is a self interest in work. This is not wrong. Self interest is the greatest possible incentive. We provide for ourselves and our own because we desire to survive. This survival, life, we desire to experience as comfortably as possible. Resentment results when a person is forced to give the results of his labor to others. Especially is this true when the recipients work less diligently or do not work at all.
These thoughts lead me to this conclusion: the need to pray for government leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-3). Pray that government leaders are given wisdom to find the proper balance between incentives for work and providing government services.
Pray for your leaders.
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