FREE TO WORSHIP PRIVATELY

"The Emperor Diocletian has issued a new order, requiring all people to attend the religious/political ceremony designed to unify the nation and revive lagging patriotism within the empire. Specifically, this ceremony involves burning a bit of incense and saying simply, 'Caesar is Lord.' Those who do this receive a seal of approval; those who don't might well be put to death.

" . . . they would actually not have to stop worshiping the true God; after they have sworn their allegiance to Caesar as Lord, they are free to privately worship whatever god they wish. Every religion is tolerated; freedom to choose one's own god is generally accepted. Indeed, there is richness in diversity."

Erwin W. Lutzer
Christ Among Other gods
Moody 1994
p.43

Worship your God. You absolutely have that freedom. But -- do it privately. Take down the crosses, remove the Ten Commandments. Hide your nativity scenes. And please (!) don't pray in school or in public. Some may be offended. And for the sake of peace, diversity, and fairness, we can't have that.

Every religion is tolerated; dare I say encouraged? Every religion, it seems, except Christianity. I feel that way; and others around me express that irritation often. BUT why are we surprised?

"This is the verdict. Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed."
John 3: 20 NIV

Symbols of, and especially words of Christ expose sin. They expose our sins, as well. Christians, however, use such "lights" to also remind them of God's forgiveness. 

"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you . . ."
John 15: 18-19 NIV

We don't belong to the world, so it hates us.

"Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.
"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets."
Luke 6: 22-23

Sometimes, this presents a quandry for me. The closer the coming of Jesus becomes, the more hatred (intolerance) of Christianity there is likely to be. We have already lost freedoms of expressing our faith. There's a good chance that pattern will continue. Do we "accept" what we "expect?" Do we quit standing up for Christ and worship privately?

Here's my thought, even if I don't like it. I believe we have to continue fighting for our freedoms, so long as we have the freedom to do so. But . . . I think we need to do so for the love of Christ and for the people He died for, knowing this: we may suffer for doing so. The suffering, my friend, is temporary. For those who don't know Christ, their suffering is just beginning. When we are willing to suffer for our faith, doesn't it speak to the truth and reality of Christ? Perhaps, our willingness to suffer will draw others to Him.

EverGrowing
Lonnie

CHRIST AMONG OTHER gods

"You've heard of 'political correctness,' that doctrine based on a new American right--the right to never be offended. If your views run counter to the official liberal agenda, it is best to remain quiet or be accused of 'verbal violence.'"

Erwin W. Lutzer
Christ Among Other gods
Moody Publishers  1994
p. 30

I love that Lutzer and Moody use smaller case letters for "gods." Because, there is only one God. I'm likely to spend a few blogs in this subject and in this book. Ray and I attended a Changing Times conference, where Lutzer and others spoke. My prayer since has been, " Help us to be ready in season and out to give a reason for the hope that is in us."

This seems like a dangerous time to be a Christian, but it is no time to be silent. We have already lost freedoms in living and expressing our faith. The speed of continuing losses will only increase with our silence. Or -- another way to look at it is this: many don't yet know Christ, nor have they claimed the promise of eternal life. Let's tell them while we can.

EverGrowing,
Lonnie

A CONUNDRUM

"The church is to be in the world as a ship is in the ocean; but when the ocean seeps into the ship, the ship is in trouble."

Erwin W. Lutzer
Who Are You To Judge?
Moody Publishers  2002

Allow me to continue this quote:

"We have bought into the world's values; into its entertainment, its morals, its attitudes. We have also bought into its tolerance, it's insistence that we should never challenge the private beliefs of individuals, whether outside the church or within it. In the face of cultural pressures, we have found ourselves confused, hesitant to act, unable to give a loving but convincing witness to the world."
p. 14-15

I confess; I'm caught in this conundrum. While trying to share the Gospel, yet ever worried about how easily I can offend; I'm afraid I share rather ineffectively.

StillGrowing,
Lonnie

LEADERS, ROCKS, AND RIVERS

" . . . the prophet is speaking primarily about leaders in the kingdom. They should be both rocks and rivers, providing security and sufficiency. Rocks do not move or change, while rivers are ever moving and changing. Leaders must be both consistent and adaptable, combining faithfulness of the rock with the fruitfulness of the river."

Warren W. Wiersbe
Chapter-By-Chapter Bible Commentary
Thomas Nelson Publishers  1991
p 470

I would love your thoughts.

Wiersbe's comments about Isaiah 32 provide a great picture of balance, strength, and security. I can "feel" the security. But what does it look like? Do you know a leader with the qualities Wiersbe speaks of? Or how would you expect those qualities to be played out in leadership? 

EverLearning,
Lonnie  

WHO SAYS I HAVE TO GROW UP?

"C.S. Lewis once commented, 'that we who will still enjoy fairy tales have less reason to wish actual childhood back. We have kept its pleasures and added some grown-up ones as well."

Gladys Hunt
Honey For A Child's Heart
Zondervan  1989
p. 34

Enough said.

Enjoying Picture Books AND Adult Ones,
Lonnie

WISH I HAD MY CHILDREN BACK

"The fear of contamination has led people to believe that only what someone else has clearly labeled Christian is safe."

Gladys Hunt
Honey For A Child's Heart
Zondervan Publishing  1969, 1978, 1989
p. 17

How I wish I had my kids back! We would read more Suess and silly authors, for sure. We'd read books about Varooming trucks and courageous girls. We'd read books with incredible art; my goodness, they abound!

Where did I, a first-generation Christian, get the idea that everything (I mean everything!) had to be coloured, framed, and saturated with Jesus? Maybe because Jesus wasn't really a part of my life until my early twenties; and I so wanted my children to know Him sooner. Maybe because, as a young Christian, I and so many others were sure Jesus would return for His Bride any day! Maybe even before my children went to half-day kindergarten. 

I lived in a generation, or an environment, where satan was more interested in our children; and evidently more powerful than the God who created them. How ridiculous is that? Discernment is not overrated. Fear--a whole 'nother matter.

We had fun times with our children, but oh how I wish I had them back to read fun stories to.

EverGrowing,
Lonnie

FROM REMNANTS TO MASTERPIECES

"The people who are in danger of missing life's great meaning are the people of ordinary capacity and opportunity, and who say to themselves, 'There is so little I can do that I will not try to do anything.

"One of the finest windows in Europe was made from the remnants an apprentice boy collected from the cuttings of his master's work."

A.B. Simpson (1843-1919)
Days of Heaven Upon Earth
p. 23/Nook

I could so easily fall into the trap of thinking my "one talent" isn't worth much. But in doing so, how much richness of life would I miss?

This young man made a masterpiece from remnants. I've seen stunning quilts made from scraps. And Jesus told the disciples to gather the leftovers after He'd fed the thousands. My friend, whatever you have--IT MATTERS! Use it for your joy and God's glory.

EverGrowing,
Lonnie