Christian Living

Global tensions are mounting—that is not news. Political chaos abounds, especially among Tier 1 nations jostling for supremacy—that is not news. Downward spiraling moral and economic situations are the norm with anarchy given as one solution—that is not news either. Even public radio newscasters and talk show hosts discuss these things and joke about them, too. Plus Hollywood dramatizes and glorifies Armageddon! What do they know about that?

Destroy complaints before they destroy you. You have plenty of things to complain about, but none of them are valid; so stop.
Ok, I’m talking to myself, but you can keep listening if you like.
I have plenty of experience with complaining - too much. Some of it is classic, easy to recognize, bold, out loud. “Mom, I don’t like collards.”
But much of it is undercover in my thoughts or masqueraded as a valid observation. “This sermon is much too long.”

“I wonder what informs their decisions.”
The question hung between us in the cool autumn air as my friend, and I sat around a gas lantern while visiting in his second-story apartment in downtown Nashville. Choices, decisions, and the results of those decisions were on the table as we shared heart to heart that day.

As I type this article, I am watching a group of children playing whisper down the lane. As they whisper something from one person to the next, sometimes the message gets to the end in the same fashion as it was originally formed, at times it doesn’t. And then I think about the many who are saying things like this year I am going to… The list of stuff people fill in is practically endless. And yet as day fades into day, the resolve begins to change.

What is God so jealous about? Moses had looked toward God quizzically. God had been so patient and gentle for the last 40 days as He had explained the law and the tabernacle. And then, God’s countenance had changed so much! He had become grieved and pained. Then angry words spilled out of God’s mouth and His wrath waxed hot (Ex 32:10, 11)! God was slow, very slow to anger. But now God was angry; very angry! “Let me consume the whole nation in my hot wrath and start over with you!”

It is a common practice of the world today to clap for someone who performs as a way of cheering for them. When our chorus sings at rehabs and elderly care facilities, the people often clap after each song. The better the performance is, the longer the round of applause. This attention is somewhat addictive. Our flesh likes it because we feel their approval.

We all know the convenience of making a call anytime, anywhere. From the beginning of time, long before the day of cell phone technology, God gave a special connection to his people. God gave to us this blessing called prayer. He enjoys hearing from his children when we are blessed and grateful. He cares enough to listen when we are facing times of despair. We know the feeling of getting a call when the caller ID says anonymous caller. We hesitate to answer, wondering who, with a blocked number, may want us. Or, maybe the number is there but we don’t recognize it.

Problems are a normal part of life. They vary significantly in intensity. Problems may be as minor as a sore toe or as painful as a dying parent. It could be lost van keys on a school morning or an interpersonal relationship problem.
As humans we tend to classify problems as bad, undesirable, and unwanted.
Problems have plagued mankind for millenniums. Prophet and peasant alike have asked, “Why?” We struggle to understand why a loving, all-powerful God wouldn’t fix our problems.

The term “selfie” is a very new word that was invented as a result of electronic media. It is the name for a picture of “me, taken by me, and sent out to others by me.” Something is propelling this drive to put my picture out to the public. Much of the “selfie” spirit is rooted in the self-centeredness of our day.

Editor’s Note: As part 1 of a 2 part article this is focused on man’s view of sin. Look for teaching on a Biblical viewpoint in the next article.