Memorial Day reflections

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And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. –Revelation 21:23-27

 

 “From ghoulies and ghosties
And long-leggedy beasties
And things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord, deliver us!”

 

Strange sounding words from this old Scottish prayer. Yet it captures the long-held fear of the unknown. Throughout history, the night has been terrifying and unnerving as we waited for the morning dawn. The prayer ends with our need to seek God’s protection. It is in the darkness that we are reminded of our vulnerability and our dependence upon God.

Physically we hear the bumps in the night but we also hear them spiritually. With the advent of electricity and technological advances in the last few decades, the world is now flooded with light and 24-7 noise. We can now hide the physical darkness with artificial light, extending our day into the night. We extend the hours of light in hopes we can reduce the vulnerability that we feel in the dark. However, much in the same way as we try to hide the physical darkness, we attempt to hide our spiritual darkness with superficial light. Trish Harrison Warren writes. “Instead of sitting in the discomfort of vulnerability, we run to alcohol, work, social media, movies, entertainment, even political debate.”

In our need to keep away from things that go bump in the night, we do everything humanly possible to secure our surroundings and ourselves. Since 9/11, the United States has spent $7.6 Trillion on defense and homeland security seeking security. The increase in violence has caused projected revenue in the security segment to reach $5.82 billion in 2022.

The Psalmist writes in Psalm 77, “When I was in deep trouble, I searched for the Lord. All night long I prayed, with hands lifted toward heaven, but my soul was not comforted. I think of God, and I moan, overwhelmed with longing for his help.” Through the course of the night, as he prays and seeks God, the Psalmist comes to the realization, “But then I recall all you have done, O LORD; I remember…” At this point, he can finally move from the darkness to the light proclaiming, “O God, your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as you?

We will never find in our artificial spiritual light what gives meaning to our souls. Only in the pure light that radiates from Jesus will we find the light to walk without fear, face the unknown and rest in his presence.

“Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen.” (The Book of Common Prayer)

Memorial Day can be a beautiful time to meditate upon the hope of God’s Kingdom. Yes, there will come a day when the darkness is finally gone.  A time when the gates of the city are kept open and no evil will be in the city. No longer will we face the dark waiting for morning. For now, we rest in the calm assurance that, “The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade.” (Psalm 121:5)

Shortly after the Civil War, the deadliest conflict in our nation’s history, a time of remembrance was set aside to commemorate the lives of Americans killed in battle.  Since the revolutionary war, over 1.3 million men and women have died in war and armed conflicts. On this Memorial Day, we remember those who died fighting against darkness.

Take time this Memorial Day to reflect and give honor for the lives of young men and women who never made it home. Memorial Day was created to honor those killed in war. However, it can also be a day to stop and use as a time of deep reflection in these times of darkness.

Reflect and give honor:

  • As we mourn the loss of 19 beautiful innocent children and their teachers who fell victim to the demonic actions of a young man.
  • As we grieve the senseless violence that has spread across this nation creating chaos and pain.
  • As we pray for the peoples of Ukraine and Afghanistan who are victims of tyranny and injustice.
  • As we lament the spiritual condition of our souls and seek the fresh touch of God in our lives.

Father, we honor those who sacrificed their lives in battles for freedom and peace. We pray for families who gave up their sons and daughters as they never returned home. Today we mourn the death of innocent children who simply went to school, shoppers who simply went to the store to buy groceries, for worshippers who simply went to church. We know life is not simple and we desperately cry out to you for help. Would you awaken our nation and ourselves to your presence to receive your gift of salvation and hope? We long for the day when the city gates are open, when there is no darkness and no evil is allowed to enter the city.  Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

God is great

 

Every Generation Needs Peculiar People

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Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2: 12-14 KJV

I just attended a conference with over 800 peculiar people! Peculiar is a word we don’t use anymore to describe someone, especially in a positive way. However, I thought about the King James Version’s use of peculiar to describe this group of people.

Connie and I attended the IMB Emeritus Missionary Conference. Listening to the stories, watching the interaction of people, and focusing on their passion for God; peculiar just seemed to fit the group. They are people who deeply care about the nations.  The dictionary definition of peculiar is “unusual or eccentric; strange; odd. Standing apart from others; calling for special consideration or attention; distinct and particular.” (American Heritage Dictionary)

They are peculiar when you think about how they left their homeland for another country. Peculiar in how they accepted assignments in difficult places. Peculiar in how they gave up the chance to achieve financial success. Each person there chose a lifestyle considered peculiar in our world today. During one of the sessions, a new group of missionaries joined the ranks of emeritus missionaries. Together they served a combined 1750 years or, put another way, One Millennium, Seven Centuries, and Five Decades.

This is a lot of years of conversations, interactions, and frustrations, but joyful service in many different languages, cultures, and situations seeking to help others understand when Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

“Jesus didn’t say that any particular ethic, doctrine, or religion was the way, the truth, and the life. He said that he was. He didn’t say that it was by believing or doing anything in particular that you would “come to the Father.” He said that it was only by him—by living, participating in, being caught up by the way of life that he embodied, that was his way.” –Frederick Buechner

This group of peculiar people that we shared time with understood the challenges facing the world today. They fully grasp the reality and truth of John 8:12 and the difference Jesus makes in our world. The billions who live in the world daily without Jesus and the billions who live in the world daily with Jesus, all live in the same chaotic world. It is a world where injustice still impacts people, violence causes unrest and lack of peace and physical and spiritual hunger abound along with heightened mistrust of others.

Jesus spent a lot of time teaching about the Kingdom and helping us live a Kingdom-focused life. Jesus’ mission was to move people out of darkness into the light. His strategy was simple: “Follow me.” As we follow Jesus we avoid the darkness and can walk on his well-lit pathway. Those walking in darkness are constantly bumping into objects – objects of hatred, violence, and philosophical hopelessness.  For those of us who walk in the light of Jesus, we see the path ahead allowing us to avoid many of the pitfalls.

Dallas Willard, commenting on John 8:12 wrote, “Another important way of putting this is to say that I am learning from Jesus to live my life as he would live my life if he were I. I am not necessarily learning to do everything he did, but I am learning how to do everything I do in the manner that he did all that he did.”

CeCe Winans song, Believe For It might be a great theme song for peculiar people. The words of the song sum up well how peculiar people look at the world.  People who understand what it will take to change the world.

They say this mountain can’t be moved

They say these chains will never break

But they don’t know You like we do

There is power in Your name

We’ve heard that there is no way through

We’ve heard the tide will never change

They haven’t seen what You can do

There is power in Your name

So much power in Your name

Move the unmovable

Break the unbreakable

God we believe

God we believe for it    (CeCe Winans – Believe For It Lyrics | Lyrics.com)

Peculiar people will probably not win any popularity contests. Peculiar people will most definitely stand out in the crowd.  Yet it will be peculiar people that will move mountains, change the course of nations, break chains and impact the world.

For thou art a holy people unto the LORD they God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. Deuteronomy 14:2 KJV

Every generation has needed some peculiar people. Could this be the time to bring this old KJV word back into common usage? Our nation, our world, desperately needs some praying, godly peculiar people. How about you?

God is great,

Let’s be that refuge for our children today!

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Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” And he laid his hands on them and went on his way. — Matthew 19:13-15

Have you ever grimaced while standing in the checkout line as the person next to you yelled at his or her kid? Actually, it may have been a reflection in the mirror behind the cashier.  Poor kid, surely couldn’t have done something so dramatic to deserve such a berating.

Matthew captures a similar scene when Jesus’ disciples yelled at some parents for bringing their children to Jesus.  You have to love the heart of God for children!  Jesus doesn’t just grimace, he sharply rebukes the disciples for putting up barriers that keep children from coming to him.

I can visualize Jesus getting up from where he was sitting and pushing aside his disciples to make a pathway for these little ones to get to him. Jesus takes the time to touch each one, maybe picking them up one by one and hugging them.  Jesus had an amazing and loving way of welcoming the marginalized of society, especially the children, into his kingdom. Jesus’ touch of love changed everything!

Unfortunately, the spirit of the disciple’s view about children hasn’t changed much through the generations. The English proverb, children should be seen and not heard dates back to the religious views of the 15th century. Our modern attitude towards children may now be closer to a not seen, not heard attitude.

The U.K. Care Quality Commission issued a report last year on child abuse and neglect. Part of their report stated, “Society has changed dramatically over the last 50 years, with leaps in technology and increased global mobility presenting new challenges. Children are groomed for sexual exploitation and radicalization on social media, and young people from certain communities can be at risk of trafficking and female genital mutilation. The number of children identified as having been abused or exploited is only the tip of the iceberg – many more are suffering in silence.” According to one poll, 60% of Americans know someone who has been sexually abused before turning 18 years of age.

The value that Jesus placed upon children is being lost in our “so-called” modern society. Children face major obstacles, even being born. According to Guttmacher Institute, 18% of U.S. pregnancies in 2017 ended in abortion. Once born, living is not a piece of cake. The American SPCC group estimate five children die every day in the United States from abuse. Even worse, 45.4% of children who die from child abuse are under one year of age.

The rapid advancement of technology and in particular the world of social media has created even more perplexity for childhood. Navigating this new world of social media will require lots of prayer and wisdom as we seek to identify the good and bad elements of social media. We have to constantly evaluate how media and technology benefit our children’s development, instead of harming it.

“Social media’s allure is undeniable, especially for kids. Within an instant, children can connect with friends, share thoughts in a blog, research a school paper, or scroll through posts from their latest celebrity crush—all from the comfort of their beds.” (article from Genomind)

Helen Keller said, “alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Wait Until 8th is an example of “together we can do so much.” A group of parents, knowing the pressure to conform to having a Smartphone yet recognizing the impact and dangers of social media on their children, formed an organization called Wait Until 8th. Their mission is to empower parents to rally together and delay giving children a smartphone until at least 8th grade. (You can check them out at www.Wait Until 8th.org)

When Jesus was asked the question, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” he didn’t hesitate in his answer. To help his disciples and others to understand, Jesus did a “show and tell” demonstration. “He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” –Matthew 18:2-5

It is easy to see Jesus’ heart and compassion for children. We are called to be prayer warriors against the evil that is seeking to destroy the lives of our children. The legion of influences being forced upon them daily through TV, social media or other countless avenues seems overwhelming until you remember who is ultimately in charge.

As a father and now as a grandfather, my heart breaks thinking of the challenges our children face. Yet I am reminded we have a powerful advocate for our children in Jesus. “It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble.’–Luke 17:2

Lord, hear us as we cry out to you today on behalf of our children. Restore to our children the tenderness and innocence of their childhood.  Help us to be a refuge for our children.  Use us to protect them from the abuse of predators, the misery of drug and alcohol abuse, and the lies of the evil one that are being promoted as acceptable.

In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and it will be a refuge for his children. Proverbs 14:26

Let’s be that refuge for our children today!

God is great,

Two lives changed forever

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For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Psalm 139:13-16

Surely the writer of Proverbs was a grandfather! He nailed it when he wrote, “Grandchildren are the crown of the aged!” Parents have the responsibility to provide, nurture and disciple their children. Grandparents get to love, spoil and send them home! Grandchildren are the bridge that connects one generation to the next.

1973 marked a turning point in our nation. I was a sophomore college student when the infamous Roe v. Wade decision was handed down by the Supreme Court. Life for me was going to class, trying to understand the subject material, making sure I had studied for my exams, and working to pay for my college classes. However, this one split decision by the U.S. Supreme Court changed the course of history. Over time this one decision created a ripple effect that now threatens to become a tsunami with the potential reversal of Roe v. Wade.

The Supreme Court leak has dominated the news cycle for several days. Politicians have seized upon the story as a way to supposedly energize their base. Media commentators on both sides of the spectrum have interjected their opinions without offering wisdom. Anger has spilled into violence forcing fences to be erected around the Supreme Court building to keep the justices and staff safe. Verbal abuse has been thrown by each side against the others.

Norma McCorvey, the real person behind the name Jane Roe of Roe v. Wade, was a young pregnant woman in Texas in 1970 who sought an abortion. Texas law prevented her from having an abortion when two attorneys filed suit on her behalf. McCorvey later said, “I wasn’t the wrong person to become Jane Roe. I wasn’t the right person to become Jane Roe. I was just the person who became Jane Roe, of Roe v. Wade. And my life story, warts and all, was a little piece of history.” Yet McCorvey never had an abortion and gave the child up for adoption. However, it was her case that attorneys used to file suit against Texas and ultimately paved the way to legalize abortion in the United States.

McCorvey’s life could have been a character in a Shakespearean tragedy. She grew up in an unstable home with an alcoholic mother and her parents divorced. She was pregnant and married at 16, gave three children up for adoption, and was hopeless and manipulated.

For a decade after the ruling, her identity was hidden from the public, but once revealed, she became the face of the pro-abortion movement. McCorvey later professed to become a Christian and rejected abortion. Almost immediately she became the face of the anti-abortion movement for two decades. After her death, a documentary was made and aired last year on FX. McCorvey claimed, on a deathbed confession, that she was basically pro-choice all along and only became a pro-life activist for the money.

Abortion advocates make their case. Anti-abortion advocates make their case. Yet both sides are deaf to each other, seeking only to win their argument. It is in the deafness that God hears the cry of the aborted and listens to the pain of the woman. Two lives changed forever. One will never breathe life, the other will never hold this life. God, who sees the little one being wonderfully woven, weeps at her death. God who loves unconditionally weeps with the woman as she lays on the abortionist’s table. “Abortion kills twice. It kills the body of the baby and it kills the conscience of the mother.”—Mother Teresa

Jesus felt the humiliation of the woman caught in adultery as he sat with her in the dust offering his hand of mercy and grace. Jesus felt the rejection of the woman at the well as he sat with her in the noontime heat offering hope and redemption. Jesus felt the scorn and mockery of the woman who bathed his feet with her tears offering her encouragement and love. Jesus felt the belittlement of children as he calls them to sit on his lap in acceptance and laughter. Jesus felt the plight of his mother as he looked down from the cross offering her compassion and care.

“How do we persuade a woman not to have an abortion? As always, we must persuade her with LOVE, and we remind ourselves that love means to be willing to give until it hurts.”—Mother Teresa

Followers of Jesus, we have a unique and pivotal role to play in this emotionally charged, passionate driven, and divisive season. The unborn children cry out in their vulnerability and innocence, for us to protect and keep them safe. For the sake of the women who are driven out of despair and hopelessness to abortion clinics, we must come alongside them in love and compassion. For the sake of our nation’s soul, we must be courageous and stand against the tide of evil. For the sake of our children and grandchildren’s future, we need to be men and women of prayer that plant hedges around them daily.

Lord, we cry out in desperation. We desperately need you to pull back the curtain of darkness that has engulfed our land. We desperately need you to help navigate the societal issues that have forced women to accept abortion as an acceptable alternative. We desperately need you to help men to stand strong and courageous against evil and temptation. We desperately need you to protect the unborn and care for these little ones you love so very much. Lord, in our desperation, forgive us, restore us and use us to make a difference.

God is great

EXALT THE LORD, WHO HAS ESTABLISHED US

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As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. Colossians 2:6-7 (NASB)

“Do it again, Lord! Lord, would you do it again?! And would you do it again with me?!”

Such was the prayer of a young student during a 1940s field trip in England. Visiting the home of John Wesley, a group of theology students touring various places of leading historical church figures had stopped at his home. The students were shown Wesley’s bedroom and on the floor were two knee imprints where Wesley had prayed for hours on end for God to send a revival to England and the United States.

As the students boarded the bus, Dr. Orr realized one of the students was missing and went back to look for him. Going into the bedroom, he found the young man kneeling in the same place praying fervently, “Do it again, Lord!”. The professor touched the young man’s shoulder and said it was time to go. Billy Graham stood to rejoin the students on the bus. I believe even then Dr. Graham understood fully what Oswald Chambers had written years before. “Prayer does not equip us for greater works—Prayer is the greater work.”

It was with that same passion and determination that Dr. Graham stood on the Capitol steps on Feb 3, 1952, challenging the political leaders to pray for spiritual revival in the United States. On April 17, 1952, Congress passed a bill designating a National Day of Prayer which President Harry Truman signed into law.

Thursday, May 5 will mark the 71st anniversary of the “National Day of Prayer.” The day was designated by an act of Congress and has been routinely acknowledged by the sitting President through a proclamation. The theme this year is “EXALT THE LORD, WHO HAS ESTABLISHED US,” based on Colossians 2:6-7.

Throughout the nation, various events will commemorate the proclamation through times of public prayer gatherings and private times of intercession. However, A.W. Tozer asked a powerful question years ago that is still relevant and worthy of pondering deeply on May 5.  “Do we really want God to intervene in our nation? Are we really ready to pay the price of fervently praying for God to intervene in our nation? To desire revival . . . and at the same time to neglect prayer and devotion is to wish one way and walk another.”

To answer yes to this question will require a deep transformation in our prayer lives. What would we have to give up to see God intervene in our nation? Can you imagine the difference in our nation, our churches, our families and our personal lives if we genuinely sought God’s intervention? Kanita Benson-Rutley with the National Day of Prayer Taskforce wrote, “Love looks like Jesus. While the natural response to the issues we encounter everyday would be to escape, God is calling His church to engage.”

We are facing unprecedented times of spiritual darkness, both in our nation and globally. Now is not the time to “neglect prayer and devotion” but to pay the price that John Wesley and others have done throughout history. We are reminded by Paul, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:10-12)

Billy Graham will always be known for his great crusades and his passionate invitations to come forward to accept Jesus Christ.  Equally important however was his call on the steps of our nation that cold, February day challenging our nation’s leaders to pray. It is a challenge desperately needed in this season of our nation.

“Friends, we are continuing to experience the Holy Spirit’s conviction for the need of prayer, repentance, and revival. As I’ve shared in the past, before every major outpouring and awakening of God, prayer has preceded and paved the path for revival – and God is using the National Day of Prayer Task Force to mobilize prayer and multiply collaboration; growing even stronger in the days of isolation during the pandemic.” Kathy Branzell, President, National Day of Prayer Task Force

Let’s pray this Thursday for revival to sweep the United States. For those of you who live in another country use this day to pray for spiritual awakening in your country. Then on Friday morning, we start all over again praying for spiritual awakening. Together, let’s pray as Billy Graham did decades ago, “Do it again, Lord! Lord, would you do it again?! And would you do it again with me?!” 

Spirit of the Living God,

Fall fresh on me

Spirit of the living God,

Fall fresh on me.

Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me.

Spirit of the living God,

Fall fresh on me. –chorus by Daniel Iverson

 

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NASB)

God is great,