Waxing on Wisdom

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,who put darkness for lightand light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! (Isa 5:20)

Another pastor has made the headlines by his alleged sexual misconduct. His church reacted swiftly and decisively, asking for, and receiving the minister's resignation. It is a sad ending to a sad story...but the "standard of righteousness" had to be raised, according to the Senior Pastor. I agree.

It is sad that when a minister sins it gets so much publicity but shouldn't ministers be held to such a high standard of righteousness? And what is that standard? Is it only the decrees of those who have the microphone when reputations and budgets are at stake? Is it not the Spirit of the Lord who raises the standard of righteousness when the enemy comes in like a flood (Isaiah 59:19)?
Is the sword of the Spirit not the word of God? And if this is the standard, would He not raise the whole of it? Is it only sexual sin that is against the righteous standard of God's word? Are there sins of neglect and omission that have become so accepted in the Church that we, in our own wisdom, no longer see them as sin?
"Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight” (Isaiah 5:21)
On his blog today, Mart De Haan of RBC Ministries (formally Radio Bible Class) talked about the comparison of the sin of Jerusalem to the sin of Sodom in Ezekiel's day...but it was not only sexual sin...Listen to part of God's word given through His prophet Ezekiel way back around 600BC.... Not only did you walk in their ways and do according to their abominations; within a very little time you were more corrupt than they in all your ways. As I live, declares the Lord God, your sister Sodom and her daughters have not done as you and your daughters have done. Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty and did an abomination before me. So I removed them, when I saw it. (Ezekiel 16:47-50)
Ouch!! Nothing fun about pulling "wisdom teeth" but thinking that they will become un-impacted by themselves is much more painful in the long run! Yeah, definitely something "to think about!" Thanks Mart!

Waxing on Chinese Heroes

We have heard much of the call for a boycott of the Bejing games because of the Tibet issue. Recently we have also heard stories of North Korean refugees who have fled to China, being rounded up and sent back to face the wrath of that brutal regime. There will surely be more protests and news reports but most nations will probably participate in the games and the world will watch. The human rights issues will be silenced enough so that the same governments who speak the rhetoric of freedom can send its "finest" to represent each country in the "proud and heroic thrill of atheletic competition"...hey I love sports like the next guy but please...I think we have all figured out by now that this whole thing is driven by politics and money...which is a pretty blurred line...oh but I digress!

What I really wanted to comment on is the true heroes that you will hear little, if nothing about... Chinese Christians who are in prison for nothing more than telling others the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I don't write to advocate a boycott, or a protest, or a t-shirt campaign. I write to call on believers to pray for these heroes of the faith. Pray as the Apostle Paul asked the Church at Ephesus...pray that the word of God, which can never be bound, will be preached by these precious ambassadors of the Lord Jesus Christ who represent none other than the eternal Kingdom of God of which Jesus Christ is King! No organized international athletic competition here...this is the struggle for the eternal souls of men! May we be inspired, emboldened, compelled to preach His truth in free America...while we are still free...and remember our brothers and sisters in prison. Click below to see the profiles of just a few of our heroes in China:
http://www.prisoneralert.com/qry/vp_miniprofiles.taf?_function=country&cid=47&_nc=a766e87533d3f06877b61bc35a

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:16-20)

Waxing on Gladness

I will bless the Lord foreverAnd I will trust Him at all times
He has delivered me from all fear
And he has set my feet upon a rock
And I will not be moved
And I'll say of the Lord....
You are my shield

My strength

My portion

Deliverer

My shelter

Strong tower

My very present help in time of need

Whom have I in Heaven but you? There's none I desire beside youYou have made me glad and I'll say of the Lord....You are my shield, my strength, my portion, Deliverer, my shelter, strong tower my very present help in time of need.- Miriam Webster

My daughter Jordyn had mentioned this song several times and today I finally gave it a real listen...thank you Jordyn! What a blessing from God! Last night during prayer meeting I asked the Lord for a fresh touch from Him and I was still waiting today and He answered my prayer! He reminded me through this song that NOTHING will EVER be or even come close to being what He is to me. No accomplishment, even in the ministry. How many times must I re-learn this? I am glad that He is such a gracious and compassionate God! He is awesome! He has made me glad!!!