Trivial  Pursuits.

Remember the game Trivial Pursuits?   It is a board game in which progress is determined by a player’s ability to answer general knowledge and popular culture questions. I never could answer the ones on pop culture.

We too play “trivial pursuit”….but not the board game.  It’s a game of life and we play the trivial pursuit angle.  We focus on the here and now, rather than the hereafter! 

Of course we live in this present world.  But oft times the present world becomes an end in itself.  Our agnostic friends say…….”when you’re dead your dead”.  The Greek Epicureans felt the same.  Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow….guess what…you’re dead!!

It’s well and good to talk about heaven but in reality we try to stay around as long as possible. Nothing wrong in that.

As Christians we know that life is a gift……but we must use that gift wisely.  We don’t waste our precious days on “trivial pursuits”.

I like to think that every moment is special.   But  when I get caught up with the nitty gritty things in life……washing machine overflows; the icemaker quits before the arrival of company; I am over drawn at the bank…. these are my “trivial pursuits”!

In reality, every agony of our life is within His knowledge.   But, if, I remain close to Him, seek Him, even when life seems good, then when the rough times come, I know my faith in Him will sustain me.

Luke 6:46-49…….”Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?  As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like.  They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.  But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

That’s how it is with life. We all have our “trivial pursuits”.  However, when we build our faith on God and His word then our “house” will withstand the storms of life.

Trivial Pursuits …………sure, we have them.

 But we also have Someone greater.

                                      Jewish Roots of  Our Faith

My husband will be returning from his first trip to Israel.  I was not able to go.  He and the family did the usual tourist things. I am sure that Jesus and His teachings will be more meaningful when one can actually see the places the Lord would have seen and the famous archeological sites mentioned in the Bible.

Somewhere along the way, however, we Christians have separated ourselves from the Jewish roots of our faith.  How did this happen?

I don’t pretend to have answers for the theological debates between Biblical scholars…….but this I do know.

Our Lord was a Jew and was speaking to his Jewish brothers.   His teachings must be read in regard to the historical context of His day as well as the issues that He was addressing.

When the first group of Jewish believers was convinced that He indeed was the Messiah of Israel, five thousand and then three thousand came to faith in Him.  He fulfilled the prophecies spoken in the Hebrew Scriptures.  They continued worshipping in the temple and meeting for study in the synagogues.  But gradually, these early Jewish believers were so oppressed for their faith that many of them had to meet as a group on their own.

After the Gentiles became believers both groups began meeting together.  Paul addresses the many problems that arose during the early apostolic or church age.  Gentiles didn’t know the Jewish Torah nor did they really understand the prophecies of the Messiah.  How could they?  They had come from a pagan background.

But then something severe happened.  According to many church historians (I am quoting Dr. Daniel Juster as one), it was the second Council of Nicaea, (A.D. 787) that church authorities essentially replaced the Jewish teachings and inserted Gentile/pagan philosophies into the church.   In fact many of our cherished Christian holidays are really based on old pagan customs. Did you know that our communion service is actually based on the Passover?

So now what?

 Just remember, we have our traditions and our customs.  Very few of us really know about the faith of which the Lord spoke.   We are Gentiles and have been raised with that tradition but at the same time, should we not study the Hebrew Scriptures…..should we not be made aware of what God has told His people?  Our Lord merely repeated and amplified those teachings.

As Paul told Timothy…”Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

Timothy was to study the Torah, separating traditions of men from the truth of God.

Should not we do as much?

                                                            Jesus the Politician

We as Christians often complain about the moral values of our country.  We also realize that much of our moral decline can be traced to the policies that are enacted and come directly from our elected officials. However, many well meaning Christians are not involved with politics…… often citing what Jesus told his early disciples…….”my kingdom is not of this world.”  (John 18:36) Therefore they feel that God’s hand is in everything that happens….both in this world and the next.  Why worry??

I recently purchase a book entitled, ”Jesus Was Involved in Politics” by Neil Mammon a preacher, teacher and a computer engineer.

I was anxious to how Dr. Mammon was going to treat this subject.  I always believed that the Lord shied away from the politics of 1^st century Israel, where Romans had successfully invaded and maintained a strong military hold on the country. I understood that the Lord was speaking spiritually and not politically.  However, after reading Dr. Mammon’s book I am changing my mind. His arguments for Christians invading the political scene were convincing and persuasive.

1^st Argument……Jesus and the Coin.  “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesars’ and unto God the things that our God’s.” (Luke 20:25). Jesus isn’t saying to stay out of politics. The coin belongs to Caesar (the coin with his image) and as a believer, you are stamped with God’s image so you belong to God. We are living under the Constitution, written and authorized by our founding fathers.  We submit to that authority…..not to the immoral laws which do not uphold the truths in that written authority.  We also must view all laws as they relate to the moral laws God has authorized in his Word.  We are duty bound to fight against injustice and immorality.

2^nd Argument……..The Lord spoke out against the tyranny of the political leaders of his day. The official court of Israel was the Sanhedrin.  It was composed of both the Pharisees and Sadducees, lawyers, scribes.  The Sadducees actually controlled both the temple and the Sanhedrin. Jesus was constantly condemning the chosen officials for ignoring the poor, the needy, the outcasts of society.  He was getting involved with politics. 

3^rd Argument…….God judges a nation.  Why will God spare our nation any more than his chosen people, Israel, when they departed from Him? Their King and his cohorts led the people into idolatry. So look around you. Do we not deserve to be judged and punished for allowing our country to become morally corrupt?

Dr. Mammon closes an argument with these words. “When God judges our nation, you and I, the followers of Christ and our children will also be judged and will suffer the physical consequences of what we have allowed.”

Yes, Jesus was involved in politics…….why aren’t we??

                                       The Mommy Wars

In case you weren’t aware we have a war going on.  No, it’s not between us and “them”……..it’s called the Mommy Wars.  How do I know this?  In the El Paso Times, Sunday, May 20^th I read about it!  So what’s the fuss?

 The article written by Elizabeth Badinter, a French author, entitled her book, “The Conflict; How Modern Motherhood Undermines the Status of Women”……I do, indeed, fuss.

 In reality this came about because the wife of the leading contender of the Republican bid for president, Ann Romney, chose to stay home and raise her five sons.  In her case it wasn’t a necessity that she seek outside work.  We know that, but there is an underlying issue here not related to need.

My status as a woman is not undermined by my desire to be at home.

My husband’s mother worked as a teacher and during the Depression era it was a necessity.  She loved teaching and I imagine she would have chosen to teach regardless of the situation.

So what’s the fuss?  Apparently, there are working mothers who resent the idea that those who don’t leave the home to earn a living, really fail to understand the necessity of being a “dual” working mother.

I have only the highest regard for those “dual” working mothers.  Getting kids ready for school, lunches packed, working all day, then the nighttime routine……no wonder they are always exhausted.

However,  being  a stay home Mom doesn’t make us martyrs either.  We chose to do that.  Working women, many of whom could stay at home prefer working.

The feminist radicals, such as this author, are berating those who have chosen not to work!!  Another author of this same mindset wrote…..” women are held back, imprisoned by the current emphasis on “natural” motherhood…..including breastfeeding”.

Since I was one of the “imprisoned” women……I can speak only for myself.   At the time of my “imprisonment” I did feel somewhat of a burden…to be available at all times for this tiny bit of humanity who only wanted something from me!!  But I felt an obligation as well.  This little person was God’s special gift to me…..to nourish and to teach.

Many mothers feel the same……..regardless of their decision about working.

“Whatever you do, do all for the Glory of God…….” 1 Cor. 10:31

                                      Ripe Fruit

I love summer best.  I don’t even mind the hot dry days of the desert.  The best part of summer is the fresh fruit that appears in the stores.  The shelves are filled with ripe, luscious, juicy, fruit…. just waiting for my pie or a frothy smoothie.

The Lord speaks of fruit and fruit bearing in Matthew 7:16.  Here the Lord compares lives to fruit…  “By their fruit you will recognize (know) them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?” 

Jesus is cautioning his disciples on how to discern false prophets.  He is telling them and us to beware of those who preach a type of Christian gospel but whose lives reflect a personal agenda or perhaps take the Lord’s words out of context and misapply them.

Of course, the Lord knows and wants what is best for each of us.  This doesn’t always include being happy, or prosperous, or even healthy.

I can’t explain why some people receive direct answers to prayer and others do not.  Why some are healed and others are not.  If I knew the answers then I would know the mind of God.

Let no one tell you that they are able to answer those questions.  I would have a problem with those who claim to know God’s mind.

If there are those who are given the gift of “discernment”, then how are we to know if they speak on behalf of God?

If what they say is not in keeping with scripture then beware…….just as Jesus taught his disciples.  If this includes sending money for prayer, or intercession, or special favors then you can be assured they are speaking falsely.

Beware of “scripture twisting” to suit personal agendas or a particular mindset…taking words out of context or historical background.

In Acts 17:11 ….” for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true”.  These Berean Jews were searching for the Messiah.  Paul was pleased to show them how Jesus fulfilled prophecy.  They knew because they studied.

Test the ‘fruit”……does it seem too good to be true?  Do the words “tickle our ears”? Does the sermon draw us nearer to God or the person speaking?  Do their lives reflect their speech?  Are their words supported in Scripture?

How about us?  Does my everyday life reflect the gift of a fruitful spirit?

                             Connecting the Dots……..

When I was a kid one of my favorite activities was to connect the dots. The idea was to follow a series of numbered dots, drawing a single line and when finished, would make a picture of something or someone.  Sometimes I could figure out the picture before I finished, but then again I couldn’t see anything until the last few dots were connected.

Is that way we see God?  We can’t quite figure out the big picture.  We are trying to connect the dots in our lives but they don’t seem to make sense.  The big picture just isn’t there for us.  That is…. until we stand and gaze at our life backward, from where we are now.  All of a sudden those dots connect.  We could see what God was doing after all.

That’s why faith is important.  We can’t connect the dots from where we stand now……….but wait!  When looking back on this very moment of time; perhaps a time of doubting, sorrow, sadness, or even joy…….we will see that God was there all along.

 He was connecting the dots for us.

                             Your Hairs Are Numbered!

Driving my usual route home one day, I noticed the handwritten sign in front of a large church building. In big, bold letters, someone had written……….”God is watching you.”  That caught my eye.  Of course, He is watching me but seeing those words in print made me think how much God really does know about me.

Several Bible verses came to mind. “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? Not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”  Matt 10:29-31)   I had to laugh at that one.  God made it easy for himself.  I have so few hairs for Him to count!

Jesus wasn’t just consoling his disciples with those words but was relating a truth.  Since God is Creator and Sustainer of life, then He is all knowing, all seeing and He cares about each of us.

These words must have been of great comfort to those early believers, many of whom would be giving their lives to follow Him. Persecution only seemed to attract more disciples to this new religion or really an old religion whose leader chose to bring greater definition to a codified system of laws.

Do these words bring comfort to you?  Or are you, like me, preferring that He only notices me when I am in worship… at times of prayer… or actually being nice to someone?  Forget the other times……..too numerous to mention!

Well, if He knows every hair of my head, does that count on the days when I wear one of my cute wigs?  Will he still know me if I am a blonde or redhead?  Does He count every hair on those wigs?

What from I read………He still knows every hair on my head!

                                    Is It Only about Love?

On Friday mornings the EL Paso Times publishes church events in the city as well as commentaries on various topics.   The topic for last Friday’s remarks were entitled, “God is love; compassion for us.”   

Each of the two articles was relevant to the title.  However, in the short article by a Rev. Duke Tuffy, of Unity Temple on the Plaza,  he wrote: “God has nothing but your highest good in mind and provides you with love, peace, harmony, compassion and many wonderful things.”  Nothing wrong with those statements……..that is, until the last sentence.  Rev. Tuffy goes on to say, “That indeed is a lot of power, but it will never be used to harm or punish you in any way. God is good, so don’t worry, be happy!”

Yes, Rev.  God is love but so much more.  He loves us with compassion that we  humans are unable to comprehend.  But He is also a disciplinarian.  “He disciplines those He loves.”  (Proverbs 3:12)

And what about sin?  It is a nasty topic and rarely mentioned from our pulpits.  Not a happy thought……It makes people uneasy.  It might drive them away from services!  We don’t like to be called sinners.  But it was so from the beginning.

The Hebrew Scriptures tell us about sacrifices for sins committed.  God give detailed instructions to those early Hebrews just how they should present their sacrifices.  They needed to repent both to God and to their fellow man.

Our Lord came for that very reason!  Not only to show God’s great compassion but to be a replacement for sins committed.

Indeed, we as believers know only too well our failings.   But that knowledge should bring us to our knees in repentance.

As the great King David said.  “I acknowledge my transgression and my sin is ever before me.”  (Ps 51:3)

I do wish Rev. Tuffy, would come to the same conclusion.  However, he might lose a few of his members.

The Unbelieving Child

Living in El Paso, close to a military base, we frequently have families who come to our worship services.  We welcome them and always pray for their safety.

Since I teach my ladies bible class, I am particularly overjoyed when any of the military wives visits my class.  This particular morning, we were joined by a young wife who didn’t appear to be old enough to have a grown son.  She shared her story with me and it touched my heart, how she came to faith while coming from a family of atheists.

She alone of her kin is the only believer.  She married young, had a child, who is now 22 years old and is also in the Army.  He lived with his grandparents during many of his formative years, and continues to share their belief system. Or should I say their unbelief.

I am only telling this to underscore the importance of parents and grandparents in the lives of their children.  Does this guarantee belief in the lives of children?  We know the answer.  But, as with this young mother, she alone saw something missing from her life.

So what about our unbelieving children?  Do we bribe them, ostracize them, and sever ties with them?  Of course not!! However, you are not responsible for their faith.

If you raised them with a Biblical world view and they refuse to follow your guidance then they. alone,  must bear the weight of their own decisions.

Think Prodigal Son……think Loving Father.

“Train up the child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.”(Proverbs 22:6)  Notice the last part.   This verse doesn’t say what happens in between!!!

                                              Reader Beware!

I read our daily paper every morning while enjoying my first cup of coffee.  I usually read the obituaries first. If my name isn’t listed I am really happy!!!  Then I read the “Your Views” section.  The E. P. Times encourages readers to write their ideas and opinions on current topics.  I enjoy reading the articles, however, more often than not I disagree with the writer.  Case in point.

A certain Margaret Duran wrote an article published on May 1, 2012.  She was ever so enthusiastic about birth control and abortion, although from a different perspective than a “woman’s right to choose.”  Her idea simply stated is that over population is the underlying cause of most the world’s problems.  Wars, pollution of water and air, depletion of farm land as well as most of the world’s ills are all due to just too many folks.  We simply have too many people to sustain on our earth.  Any form of contraception and abortion (probably including partial birth abortion) is beneficial to those who are concerned about the earth and what the earth produces. “Curbing population solves practically every real problem we face now.”

I would like to counter Ms. Duran on her erroneous thinking.

First, Ms. Duran, you are here, taking up room on this planet.  Perhaps, you should do away with yourself to make room for someone “more useful.”  Aren’t you happy your mother didn’t feel the way you do?

Second, the world’s population is actually decreasing.  The northern Europeans as well as many other countries, such as Japan, aren’t replacing their population as before.  In fact when I checked on the web for worldwide population growth, it seems there will be a big decrease in numbers.  Aids, military and civilian fighting, sickness, famines and other calamites are decreasing the world’s numbers.

 According to author Mark Steyn in his book, “After America”, Europe and Japan are taking the biggest hit in population decrease.  Japan, especially will be 30% of its current population by mid-century.

So Ms Duran, please do us a favor.  Don’t write articles which cannot be backed up by statistics.  It is obvious that your personal agenda is abortion and population control; those who are qualified to care for their children and those who are not.  You would favor a state mandated limit on children.  In China, they only allow one child per couple.  The rest are murdered.  Is this what you want Ms Duran?