Just a Moment

 Yesterday marked a dark and deadly day in these United States of America.  19 children and 2 adults (at last count) were murdered in cold blood, by gunshot, in an ELEMENTARY SCHOOL in Uvalde, TX (near San Antonio).  The shooter was an 18 year old local boy who went to the local high school.  The story is that he got up and killed his grandmother, then headed to the elementary school and started executing these precious babies -- 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders - enjoying the last two days of school before summer break.  These are 19 beds that were empty last night; 19 little laughing voices that weren't heard around the breakfast table this morning. "Why?"   "How could this happen?" We will hear (and did hear last night from the White House) that what we need is . . .  GUN REFORM! Others will say that what we need is better MENTAL HEALTH services! And for now, lets just say "OK, lets look and strengthen gun laws that need to be shored up.  Let's se...

"And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near." -- Hebrews 10:25 I have already noticed that a lot of things are being blamed on "covid."  Pro athletics not playing games -- because of covid.  Schools closing -- because of covid.  Businesses closing -- because of covid.  Assignments being turned in late -- because of covid.  Meat prices are high -- because of covid.  Government becoming dictatorial -- because of covid.  Riots in the street, along with racial injustice, are also attributed to people being cooped up so long -- because of covid.  On and on we could go.   And to be sure, some of this is genuinely legitimate.  For other things, its just another excuse. I go to stores and restaurants, and they are pretty crowded.  I just got back from vacation at the beach -- it looked like a normal June -- tons of traffic an...

   Yesterday afternoon a madman walked into a building on the campus at UNC Charlotte with the intent to kill as many people as possible.  He mercilessly shot and killed 4 innocents and critically injured others.  Murder and terrorism.  In our own backyard, no less.    I went on Twitter after hearing the news and some things became obvious.  One, there are too many instances like this happening in our society.  We have seen this on the news so much, it doesn't even seem to phase us anymore.  We hurt for the victims and their families.  The news media gives it a little recognition; it trends on Twitter for awhile.  But then we're off again to go watch another - usually violent, ironically - movie or TV show and blab about it on social media.     I also noticed on Twitter how many people simply do not understand "why" things like this happen.  And many seem resolved to stop there, and offer sympathy, and go on....

One of the realities of the Christian life is the realization that God is always at work.  It may be hard for us to see this truth in action in our "normal, everyday" life.  It makes me wonder if there is truly such a thing as "normal, everyday life" in God's economy?   For instance, today was the funeral service for former President George H. W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States.  At the age of 20 years old, Bush was shot down in his fighter plane during World War 2.  He was over the pacific and had concluded a bombing raid on Japan.  His plane was shot down over the Pacific, he ejected and found himself in a life raft clinging to life.  He prayed, he said, that he would be rescued by Allies and not the Japanese.  He was rescued by US Navy.  Over the years he wondered "Why was my life spared?"  Of course he would later go on to serve his county in so many ways, culminating in 8 years as VP under President Reagan, and ...

   This title, "God Is Faithful" could about be written for every article from a Christian's heart.  For all that we are and have is a testimony to God's great faithfulness in our lives.   Today I was reminded afresh of God's faithfulness - in answering prayers and being true to His word.  I received a call from a young man that  I have had the privilege of pastoring for awhile.  His family became members of the church I pastor when he was about 15 or 16 years old.  I watched him complete high school and enter into college -- a large state school in another town.   While at school, this young man -- like many, like myself -- didn't maintain a close walk with Jesus Christ.  Oh, he came to church occasionally when he made his way home - but one can tell when the fruit is not present.  And like I say, I've been there.  Plus his dad would often ask for prayer for his son.    This young man completed university, a...

  Next month at this time, my oldest son (18 years old) will be in college.  He will be sitting under the teaching of people I do not know, learning from them I don't know what, reading books that I have not read, and hanging out with people for whom I know nothing of their backgrounds or current trajectory.    Now people who have sent their children off to school may have had similar trepidation, and you and your child have survived.  And I have faith in the Lord that we too will survive this transition.  Nonetheless, it is new to his mother and me.  This is our firstborn, a gift from God to us when we were young and inexperienced as parents.  I pray that we have done all that we should have and could have done to prepare him for life as an adult.  Have we modeled for him a life of devotion to and reliance upon the Lord our God?  Have we modeled before him the way to treat other people?  How to stand for your convictions?  Ha...