September 2017 – ALookintoT

rights

What rights do we have? Wikipedia states “While no human rights instrument or national constitution grants the absolute right to protest, such a right may be a manifestation…, the right of freedom of speech.” The first amendment gives us who are legitimate USA citizens the right to speak freely, to assemble peaceably and to petition our grievances. Those rights also protect legitimate businesses to set wages as long as they stay within governmental guidelines. To take it to an extreme, a business owner has the right to pay a worker an equal amount whether they work 10 hours in a day or just one hour in a day. It may not seem fair to the person working all day but the owner has the right. In this day of instant recognition and sensationalism, I wonder just how much is driven by integrity versus political polarity when I see entertainers trying to influence me.

Just last week, we are engrossed in the destructive forces of hurricanes, earthquakes, and threats from foreign maniacs. We seem to live on breaking news whether real or perceived. Just how much skin in the game is there to stand before a paying crowd and make a statement? The symbol of the cross reminds us of the sacrifice one person made to free us all from the debt of sin. Likewise, the symbol of the flag reminds us of the sacrifice many paid for our freedom. Why should we use sacred symbols to respond to what they perceive as an injustice? Do we have the right to protest? Yes, but, I wonder just how many protestors really know why they protest and would they do it without the press? I despise paid performers wasting my time. If they want to protest, do it on there own time, in my opinion. We are all entitled to our own opinions but not entitled to be resentful when we have no rights to be resentful. Jesus said in Matthew 20 in a parable of the vineyard owner at verse 13, “Friend, I did you no wrong…Take what belongs to you and go…Don’t I have the right to do what I want with what belongs to me? Or are you resentful because I’m generous?” In Philippians 1, Paul questioned whether he should stay in the working fields for Christ or go home to Him. He choice to stay where planted and work without protest or showmanship.

I believe God’s grace is given to us all equally whether we work 10 hours or 1 hour in his vineyard. I believe we all have a right to protest but do it with integrity not showmanship.

account

Definition of account is “a report or description of an event or experience”. It is giving a detailed description of what has been achieved. What if we were really held accountable to our own actions? As humans, we tend to jump to the actions of others and become judge and jury. We can watch disastrous football games, not to mention a few I saw this weekend, and say what a terrible show of teamwork. We can watch politics through eyes of someone in the entertainment world and agree with their assessment on how well someone has or has not done. As mentioned last week about the devastation of Hurricanes “Harvey” and “Irma”, we can be a spectator and judge the actions of others or we can put on the weapons of light. The day will come when we will be held accountable for our own actions.

In Romans 14:4 we are questioned who are we to judge someone else? In verse 12, we are reminded that each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. If we were standing in a court of law charged for being a Christian, would there be sufficient evidence to convict us? We can go to church daily but not really know why? This might seem harsh but is it harsh because there is an element of truth that we choose to deny? I continue to be humbled by my minimal effort to be the hands and feet of Jesus helping others pick up the pieces of their shattered life. I spent two more days this week in that effort after these recent storms but when I compare myself to the efforts done by others, I fall short. Is that a fair assessment on my efforts? Not really for every effort is a step in the right direction. I believe we should do what we can when we can and by any way we can. Even Peter questioned Jesus in Matthew 18:21 just how many times should he forgive someone who has sinned against him. Answer not just 7 times but 77 times. Likewise, we should forgive and move on in His service for time is running out for us and we will eventually give an account of ourselves. Be the hands and feet for Christ by being Christ like and serve others any way you can but first let’s forgive and forget so we can be free to serve with a clear intention.

The below message was recorded September 14, 2014.

Weapons

Flooding in New Orleans not even resulting from a named storm but were our neighbors impacted? Yes

In this day of conflict, which by the way is not new just packaged in modern terms, we are faced with many different challenges. We hear threats of war and weapons of mass destruction. We see impacts of storms like “Harvey” and “Irma” with its natural destructive weapons of wind and water. What can we do? Great question. We can choose to be a spectator and watch the conflict unfold in the comfort of our own homes and perhaps even criticize why more is not done. After all, the news media feeds our desire to see more destruction as negative events are great marketing tools. We see news reporters standing in the wake of the storm and reporting every second of the event. For what reason? To report to the millions of spectators hanging on every picture in hopes of seeing some catastrophic event that we can tell one another we saw. I am convinced even sports events are all about vicariously watching someone else in action. We can watch then when the event is over, we go back to what we were doing. But what if you are the one living the nightmare? Is it over once the rain and wind stops?

Did you know just a few inches of water in your house results in removal of wet flooring and sheet rock to stop the growing mold. Mold remediation is most important after the waters subside. That means removal of your treasures to prevent further contamination.

In Romans 12:15, Paul encourages us to” be happy with those who are happy and cry with those who are crying”. He goes on in verse 21 to say “Don’t be defeated by evil, but defeat evil with good.” That sounds more like a call to action instead of a spectator sport. Further in chapter 13:8 he also says “don’t be in debt to anyone except for the obligation to love each other.” How do we love each other? It is easy to love your friends and family but how about your neighbor? How do you love someone you do not even know? Perhaps, a start is to serve them as if you were serving yourself. How would you feel if flooded or impacted by wind or some other weapons man made or course of nature? In verse 12, we are told to “get rid of the actions that belong to the darkness and put on the weapons of light.” In my opinion, the weapons of light is summed up in one word. Love! I spent 3 days last week and 2 more days this week with a team of volunteers removing personal items too damaged to use again so that we could do mold remediation. We did not just go into the houses with a wrecking crew instead we entered as neighbors crying, praying and offering our hands and hearts to help wherever we could. This effort is certainly not a spectator sport or not enjoyable but was it Christ like? Yes! When we spend time loving on people that are hurting, we are spending time in the presence of God. Matthew 18:20 says when two or three gather in my name, I am there with them. So as we change the channels on our TV to something more current, remember some of our neighbors have trashed their personal affects due to water or wind damage and are looking for help. Love them by helping them wherever you are able.