Wake Up!

The most difficult aspect of evil in this world is its contempt for innocence. War, famine, and injustice have no concern for their victim's age, gender, or circumstance. It is difficult to see children suffer at the hands of childish and evil persons, and it is even more difficult when apparently decent nations, communities, and individuals do nothing to protect and vindicate them. The children of the world are used for power, wicked pleasure, propagation of hate, and held in the grasp of bitter circumstances they have had no part in or control over. Children are sexually molested, and their perpetrators are set free and allowed to live by day cares and grade schools; Wicked people teach their children to commit suicide in the name of hatred for another race; fathers abandon their son's and daughter's for greener pastures, and mothers abort their helpless little ones instead of sacrificing for them.

If human beings will not get angry and act against evil committed against the most innocent of human beings, where will we ever find the passion to thwart those consumed with lust and rage. It is not hard to understand the aim and intent of evil, but what is beyond my comprehension is this post-modern society's lack of moral clarity to crush it. A nation that does not revere its own children enough to adequately provide for their safety and well being has lost its value for innocence. Placating evil for the sake of temporary "peacefulness" is only wetting the appetites of those bent on destruction. Compassion and patients is for victims not for the perpetrators, and not one square inch of our little one's well being should be made vulnerable to their exploitation.

It is claimed by some, that there is no such thing as evil and that if we could only provide economic opportunity and a happy face all of the "bad" people would turn into "good" people. The moral disillusionment of western civilization is breaking down the core values that guide righteous anger into action, and allows lawless parasites to inflict their perversity upon the innocent. Violent criminals persuade the ignorant that they are only victims of circumstance (biological and environmental) and should not be treated as though they were somehow responsible for the actions, and all the while mocking justice on the way to their next vile act. It is good and right to put away those who commit violence against innocent, and if free nations cannot be sure of this, they are truly lost. TOTT

Suffering Shepherd, Suffering Sheep

The Jews current predicament in Gaza, is to say the least, sad and unfair. Since the destruction of the second temple, the Jewish people have struggled to maintain their ancient hebrew language, customs, and preserve the foundational religion of Christianity, Judaism. Their struggle has been monumental, and their survival as a religion and race has been fraught with the contempt and rejection of the world. What is both beautiful and ironic to me about their situation, is how it parallels Jesus life and ministry. Jesus was born under roman occupation with no rights or perks of roman citizenship. His religion and view of himself was rejected by his own people and he was crucified by both roman and jewish authorities.

Like the Jews over the last two millenia, Christ has been rejected and scorned by governments and individuals; misunderstood and slandered by the world;his people persecuted and reviled to this day. My hope is that Christians will be aware of the anxiety, fear, and hope of this current Jewish generation, and begin to offer our comfort and consolation to a people that evil men in the church had once persecuted. It is our duty to put on the humility of Christ, and show our thanksgiving to God for the nation that brought us Jesus Christ. I hope that one day the Jewish people will accept Jesus Christ, and take comfort in his sufferings. " He was despised and rejected of men, and one whom men hide their face from". Isaiah 53 speaks of the suffering servant of God. Jews interpret this is passage as referring to Israel;Christian interpret this as referring to Christ, but it may be that it referrs to both. I am not sure what lies ahead for the state of Israel, but I hope that our God and Savior will lead them to the promise who wept and died for their plight two thousand years ago. TOTT

I Want to Go Home!

Today was my youngest first day in pre-school,and he was terrified. I assured him over and over that his mother would pick him up in a few hours, and that he would have fun and make friends, but despite all of the good reasons to accept my word, and the surrounding facts, fear gripped his little heart beyond his ability to reason. I had to leave him there not because I had to go to work, but so he would learn to deal with his fear of uncertainty. His mother and I left him in good hands, and when we pick him up in a few hours, he will begin to unconciously understand the meaning of trust. It is important that he knows that home is always waiting for him, not just on his first day in school, but when he becomes a teen or an adult. I am forty years old, but when I visit my mother, no matter where she happens to live, it always feels like home.

It is hard for me to imagine how children born into precarious circumstances, cope without the loving circumstances needed to develop trust, and the inner understanding of home. I was loved and protected by my mother and father, and this has given me a point of reference for understanding my eternal home prepared for me in Jesus Christ. I have an inkling of what awaits me in heaven because of God's great love for me. I can trust him in part, because my mother and father provided a safe and happy place for love and trust to mean something to me. I may fail in many ways as a father,but I believe my boys will understand what it means to be "home", and trusting God will be the natural outgrowth of having a Mom and Dad who loves them. TOTT