Things I Think…
1. “Liminal spaces are the uncertain transitions between where you’ve been and where you’re going physically, emotionally, or metaphorically.”
So sayeth Google.
We all are caught in this “liminal space”…the transition from the America that was, with all the blessed certainties that most of us enjoyed, to whatever America is becoming under the present administration.
Uncertainty creates fear and fear negates faith.
Every morning the news brings fresh terrors and more uncertainty.
How does one obey Jesus when He says “do not fear” when there is so much to be afraid of?
For me…it’s all about the Daily Office.
My morning routine has been the same for years…get up, get coffee, and start through my email.
In my email are the news round ups from Axios, The Dispatch, and the AP.
Since the election, those news emails usually leave me fearful…sometimes so fearful that my day ends before it starts as I’m barely functional.
I have learned that I must pray first…before I examine the carnage…and the Daily Office guides my prayers and the Scripture readings inoculate my spirit from total despair.
Brethren, it’s time to pray…not think about praying or even read solid books about Jesus…we need to pray…
“O God, make speed to save us;
O Lord, make haste to help us.”
2. We need to pray against the darkness, the inhumanity, the cruelty that threatens to envelop us…and be aware that the darkness wins when we use the same tactics it does…God help me, it’s so easy to be tempted to fight hate with hate…
3. This bears repeating…““And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’”
(Matthew 25:45 NLT-SE)
For those of you who take the Scriptures “literally”… whatever you do to the brethren, you do to Jesus…no exceptions made for national origin…
4. I’ve always found fascinating the story of Japanese soldiers on remote islands who weren’t aware that the war had ended years before. I was reminded of their plight when I saw this video of Calvary Chapel pastors still fighting over who should fly the dove…
Chuck Smith has been gone for over a decade and the CC split has been in place almost a decade.
That’s almost as long as it’s been since Quintana had a haircut.
No one cares…
5. I do think we will see another revival of pre- trib rapture fever soon as Trump throws the whole world into chaos…I’m already tribulating…
6. I ask again…do not mistake my opposition to Trump as simply political…this is a a time that is dividing Christians and defining what Christianity is about in the public square. I oppose him and Christian nationalism because both are opposed in every way to the ethics and commands of Jesus. If I do not stand now, then all I have stood for in the past becomes a lie…
7. Many have inquired about what they can do to resist the current darkness…understanding that they already have their hands full with the demands of life and their own personal difficulties that leave them exhausted before even considering these issues. I understand…age and infirmities have dulled my sword and I yearn for peace and comfort. Here’s what all of us can do…we can pray. We battle not against flesh and blood, but powers and principalities in high places. We can be kind…simple acts of kindness light candles in a cruel world. We can affirm those who are active in opposition…let people know your heart is with them. in summary, be a faithful christian in the places you occupy…it is enough…
8. The Calvary Chapel video is interesting to me because they are so certain about…everything. It may be comforting, but it’s a comfort based on ignorance…
9. Never be afraid to read something someone told you not to read…
10. We’ll finish with what Duane said…“During Holy Week, we should remember that the early Church expressed itself in caring for those who, for whatever reason, were in need. This included not only those within the Church, but those outside of it as well… the widows and orphans, the sick and dying, the prisoners, the immigrants and the homeless. This “work of mercy” was not considered an “added extra”. Rather, it was central to the identity of the Church as they understood it.”
Something happened 1/2 way through. Everything doubled in size and the whole left side fell out of view.
JD,
I don’t see anything from my end…
I have that same malady…I don’t see anything from my end.
I really appreciate #9. You likely didn’t intend to open the book banning can o’ worms, but I must say that libraries aren’t really free and accessible if titles are banned. From the halls of West Point and the Air Force Academy to your local elementary school, the party in control is out of control. Free thinking requires access to ideas, arguments, and historical documentation that are not necessarily in sync with the group think. I’m not one who disagrees with age appropriate access, but I vigorously disagree with books being banned and removed.
fil,
“I’m not one who disagrees with age appropriate access, but I vigorously disagree with books being banned and removed.”
I completely agree…
Replacing banned books with those that fit the regime is the last slide into authoritarianism.
I’ve got the same issue as JD. The comment thread is fine, but the article itself is huge and only the right side can be seen.
CK,
Very odd.
I’ve checked on three different browsers…no issues.
What browser are you using?
It’s the mobile version…I’ll try to figure this out.
Looks like this will be a project…be patient, please!
2. We need to pray against the darkness, the inhumanity, the cruelty that threatens to envelop us…and be aware that the darkness wins when we use the same tactics it does…God help me, it’s so easy to be tempted to fight hate with hate…
3. This bears repeating…““And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’”
(Matthew 25:45 NLT-SE)
For those of you who take the Scriptures “literally”… whatever you do to the brethren, you do to Jesus…no exceptions made for national origin…
4. I’ve always found fascinating the story of Japanese soldiers on remote islands who weren’t aware that the war had ended years before. I was reminded of their plight when I saw this video of Calvary Chapel pastors still fighting over who should fly the dove…
https://youtu.be/RIVZFgpqp3Y
Chuck Smith has been gone for over a decade and the CC split has been in place almost a decade.
That’s almost as long as it’s been since Quintana had a haircut.
No one cares…
5. I do think we will see another revival of pre- trib rapture fever soon as Trump throws the whole world into chaos…I’m already tribulating…
6. I ask again…do not mistake my opposition to Trump as simply political…this is a a time that is dividing Christians and defining what Christianity is about in the public square. I oppose him and Christian nationalism because both are opposed in every way to the ethics and commands of Jesus. If I do not stand now, then all I have stood for in the past becomes a lie…
7. Many have inquired about what they can do to resist the current darkness…understanding that they already have their hands full with the demands of life and their own personal difficulties that leave them exhausted before even considering these issues. I understand…age and infirmities have dulled my sword and I yearn for peace and comfort. Here’s what all of us can do…we can pray. We battle not against flesh and blood, but powers and principalities in high places. We can be kind…simple acts of kindness light candles in a cruel world. We can affirm those who are active in opposition…let people know your heart is with them. in summary, be a faithful christian in the places you occupy…it is enough…
8. The Calvary Chapel video is interesting to me because they are so certain about…everything. It may be comforting, but it’s a comfort based on ignorance…
9. Never be afraid to read something someone told you not to read…
10. We’ll finish with what Duane said…“During Holy Week, we should remember that the early Church expressed itself in caring for those who, for whatever reason, were in need. This included not only those within the Church, but those outside of it as well… the widows and orphans, the sick and dying, the prisoners, the immigrants and the homeless. This “work of mercy” was not considered an “added extra”. Rather, it was central to the identity of the Church as they understood it.”
I can’t figure out how to fix it, so I just posted it above
Thanks for reposting, Michael. I use Safari.
I watched part of that Calvary video. So petty. Like saying Char sounds new agey because he refers to Jesus as messiah instead of THE messiah. The comments are full of Chuck worshipers.
CK,
It’s ancient history…it would be like me complaining about a missed call in the ’75 NFL playoffs…
I’m way far outside of Calvary Chapel world, and yeah that’s like watching Beta/VHS debates for us outsiders.
But to point fingers back at the tradition I was baptized in: In Dutch Reformed circles you can find people still arguing about the Christian Reformed/Reformed Church of America split from 150 years ago. People in specific circles know exactly why. I even remember CRC comics for kids some 30 years ago about it.
It’s a good reminder for all of us to remember to come up for air now and then.
#7! I just prayed for a man who was snatched from his home and sent to El Salvador without representation, for the senate and congress to start acting on all of the oversteps of the current administration, and for churches to recognize that, as individual civil liberties begin to fall for certain groups, they can fall for the us, too. Then, there is volunteering. If you’re healthy enough and have the time, volunteer at a local food bank, a tutoring program at a local school, or at your local library. Help out at a homeless shelter! It will raise your endorphin level, and you will see a completely different side of America.
Linn,
Excellent suggestions …
Our civil liberties are in grave danger…I wouldn’t count on the church to do much.
#5- If my disdain for pre-trib gymnastics was not already well established internally it has only become more assured, lol, after listening to N.T. Wright’s Gifford Lectures for the 5th or 6th time. It is absolutely phenomenal stuff.
Shawn,
It’s nonsense…but I really do expect a revival of it when the wheels fall off…
I find any CC pastor calling out any other pastor on “integrity” laughable, especially when any of us peons can now google of their dirt that i know they know about (or should – “in the same way, you will be judged”) and yet their righteous indignation magically becomes silent. Just what the first generation guys know about, remain silent, don’t reign-in the rest with “hey guys, I’m too afraid to give details, but trust me, don’t go there” zapped all respect i had for them.
Some day someone will collate all the sordid history.