“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
It happens every Christmas! We gather the decorations and set up the trees and lights. And every year, without fail, I’ll plug in a strand of Christmas lights to discover that many of the lights… don’t! They worked LAST year when I put them away in the box. But now… nada! “What could have happened?” I wonder. And every year, without fail, I determine that THIS YEAR… I’ll figure it out!
Years ago I saw an infomercial defining the half-lit problem.. but with a solution! “With this tool you will be able to fix or repair ANY Christmas light issue!” The timing was perfect, so I bought one! It’s somewhere in one of my tool drawers. After giving false reason for hope over a few years, I finally gave up and threw it in there, determined to keep the promise to not touch it again! EVER!
I’m trying, I’m REALLY trying! I HAVE to let the Christmas half-lit, light problem go! But in looking for a picture to use for today, I mistakenly read the captions underneath! MANY had the hopeful subheading, “How to fix your broken Christmas lights!” Now, I can feel myself slipping backwards, being drawn to a hope that there MUST be a solution to half-lit lights! I have a sick need to FIND IT!
Pondering, this verse came to mind. It seems that The Creator of the Universe has the very same problem I have… ‘kind of.’ Since He created us to be lights, you’d think that He’d make us so that we’d ALWAYS light. But that just ain’t so! Because He IS Love, God HAD to build us with ‘Free-Will’ in our filament! Which is even MORE contrary and difficult than store bought Christmas lights.
Free-Will means I don’t HAVE to light, if I find reason NOT to, or simply WON’T! Reading His Word, from the Old Testament to the New, I see that He tried MANY different ways to force, sell, punish and even reward His potential ‘Half-lits’ to go ‘full on!’ But even the sacrifice of His own Son left the solution of a ‘Lit-Life’ in the hands and hearts of the lights themselves! Most… simply won’t!
The Gift of Christmas is God’s final attempt to a world of Half-lits. This is His LAST chance and attempt before God throws the Half-lits into the ‘never to be used again’ drawer and walks away for good. Every potential ‘Light of the World’ must make their decision… ‘On?’ or ‘Off?’ I am SO blessed that at this time of year, no matter the hardship or pain, I have His promises to keep me lit!
Are YOU a Light to the World? Are you Shining? Or do you need to have a conversation with your maker and find out how TO shine? Because He wants to ‘turn you on!’
“I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.” Isaiah 62:6-7
I hadn’t been watching the news, and no 1 thing hit me like a single event to talk about. Except for my Morning Study with Jesus. That in itself is enough. I’ve noticed lately that Israel isn’t in the news NEAR as much as it was when the October 7th attack by Hamas took place. In fact, I had to go looking for news related to what is going on now in Israel. Which should seem very strange!
Reporters have gone in search of new stories, since Israel is an old story. Why waste time huh? So now, since we are heading into the Presidential Primaries in America, we hear about the chaos in our own political and economic world. In Florida, we are being warned of an upcoming storm this weekend… right when Christmas Shopping is supposed to peak. Hmmmmm
But as I was reading Jesus’ parables about seeds and planting this morning, I found myself in Isaiah 62 and Ezekiel 33, landing on these 2 verses. The one from Isaiah REALLY stood out, because I felt like God was trying to tell me something. And it mimicked what I felt over these last few weeks. Israel is God’s Bride. His Old Testament tells all about their sordid relationship. And ‘I’ have a part to play.
Breaking down the verse, ‘I’ Call on the LORD! ‘I’ have been watching the news concerning Jerusalem, Israel, and this verse seems to be telling me that ‘I’ am a Watchman on the Wall for Israel… and that ‘I’ have a JOB to do! That job is to support Israel in these difficult times… AND to continually PESTER GOD HIMSELF to get done the job of making Jerusalem the praise of the Earth!
Our Church is taking an offering and offering prayers. I have asked our people to set their alarms every night at 9pm to pray for Israel and America. I contacted Samaritan’s Purse and was told they are raising money to send directly to help the victims of the October 7th attack AND to supply the current soldiers with medical and food supplies. 100% will go there. So far we’ve raised $8,000!
If YOU would like to support Israel with the gift of money and prayer, right where it needs to go, YOU can send a check and mark it ‘Israel.’ 100% of it will go TO Israel and their recovery effort. But even if you don’t send money, God expects us ALL to be PRAYERS and ‘GIVE GOD NO REST until HE establishes Jerusalem as the center of praise to Himself.’ You now have a mission. God bless you.
If you would like to send a tax deductible support gift directly to Israel… Send Checks to:
The Congregational Church, P.O. Box 367, Laurel, Florida 34272
All monies will be combined into 1 check and sent out before 2024
As we ponder the birth of Jesus, I pause to remember a favorite activity of mine this time of year. I was introduced to a quiz as a young teenager that challenged my thinking about how accurate my viewpoint was on the biblical account. How much of what I thought I knew was influenced by media and Christmas plays? And then again, how much was really accurate? I saw many things that surprised me and realized how much my view was tainted by things outside of the actual biblical account. It was a seed planted then that really made me decide later on to pursue truth as much as was possible. In that spirit, I’d love to present a different twist on the birth of Jesus you may or may not have considered before.
It is my belief that it is far more likely that Jesus was born in the fall season, rather than in December. But since this is the season people have it on their minds, I thought I’d write about it now.
The book of Micah is a prophetic book, both about the judgment of wicked nations and the restoration of God’s people. Tucked between all of these verses are references to the coming Messiah and the place He would be born. Micah 5:2 specifically mentions the town of Bethlehem (also translated as Ephrathah) as the birthplace of Jesus.
Micah 5:2-4 (ESV) But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is of old, from ancient days. 3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel. 4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.
However, Micah 4:8 contains an often overlooked reference to another place that is likely just as significant as the town in which the Savior would make His appearance on earth.
Micah 4:8-10 (ESV) And you, O tower of the flock, hill of the daughter of Zion, to you it shall come, the former dominion shall come, kingship for the daughter of Jerusalem. 9 Now why do you cry aloud? Is there no king in you? Has your counselor perished, that pain seized you like a woman in labor? 10 Writhe and groan, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in labor, for now you shall go out from the city and dwell in the open country; you shall go to Babylon. There you shall be rescued; there the LORD will redeem you from the hands of your enemies.
The tower of the flock (whose name in Hebrew is ‘Migdal Eder’) was a watch tower located on the road at Bethlehem. One of the main roads in Israel at that time was often called ‘the kings’ highway’…for good reason. It was a road that followed the top of the mountains. If you were traveling that road, you would have the advantage of knowing where an enemy was located, because they would be below you. It was a much more advantageous position than being in the valley, trying to see above. Watch towers were located along that road in different towns…at times used militarily for the safety of the country, and for notification throughout Israel of new moons and the beginning of biblical festivals. But, one of their lesser known uses to us also includes the watch tower being used to watch over large flocks of sheep. Migdal Eder was that tower in Bethlehem.
Migdal Eder (the tower of the flock) is mentioned earlier in the Bible. We see the account in Genesis 35:19 of Rachel giving birth to the youngest son of Israel (Jacob). She dies after delivering Benjamin, and is buried ‘in the way to Ephrath’. Ephrath is an ancient name used for the town later called Bethlehem. Genesis 35:21 relates that Israel (Jacob) made his camp near the tower of Eder and stayed there to mourn Rachel’s death. This is the watch tower of Migdal Eder.
If we look once again at the passages from Micah that speak of the location of the birth of the Messiah, there is another striking parallel that is revealed. Both speak specifically of childbirth in relation to Bethlehem, and the tower of the flock (Migdal Eder). We also see childbirth (Rachel) related to the vicinity of this specific tower in Genesis 35. I admit, the evidence may seem circumstantial, but is striking nonetheless.
This tower was used by shepherds to keep watch and protect their flocks. The tract of land for the grazing of sheep in the area was large, so the tower would be helpful when needed to assist in this task. Bethlehem means ‘house of bread’ due to it being the major producer of grains for the temple sacrifices at that time. It was also where the lambs for both daily and annual (Passover) sacrifices were born and raised.
The shepherds that cared for these flocks would have been trained for their job, because their task was enormous. You see, the sheep that were born here were destined to become sacrifices to the LORD. Bethlehem was the birthplace of these lambs, and since their final destination was being offered to the LORD in the temple at Jerusalem, special care had to be taken to make sure only those without blemish would be offered. Only perfect lambs would be acceptable.
Temple ritual would have required the birthing place for these lambs be ceremonially clean, so a lamb used for sacrifice would likely not be born in a dirty environment as we would think of a stable in our Western mindset. Nor would there have been the mixing of swine or other animals considered unclean in the arrangement. According to historic writings, underneath the watch tower itself was a cave-like lower portion. This is where the ewes would be taken to be protected and cared for while they delivered their newborn lambs. At some point they would have to be examined by a priest to ensure they were fit for use as a sacrifice. I saw many articles claiming that newborn lambs were wrapped in strips of cloth (called swaddling clothes) to protect them immediately after birth, but I have been unable to find a reputable reference for that.
Luke 2:7-18 tells us explicitly about the shepherds and what happened when they heard the announcement of the birth of Messiah. Verse 8 says they were ‘in the same country’. This doesn’t mean they happened to also be in Israel. It literally means the rural area surrounding a town, or a tract of land. So, according to this, they would have already been nearby when they received the glorious announcement. Verse 12 alerts us to the sign by which the shepherds would know him…“And this will be a sign for you; you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” A sign is defined as something by which a thing or person is known. These two things would be the sign to know they were seeing the Messiah.
The angel stated explicitly that this was a sign FOR the shepherds. We have no indication in this passage of scripture that the shepherds needed directions on where to find Him. I believe they knew exactly where He was! Since they would have been familiar with the process of caring for sacrificial lambs, and they would have also likely been aware of the prophecies about the birth of the Messiah, it would have made perfect sense to them that the newborn King would be born in the birthplace of lambs destined to be sacrificed for the sin of man. He, the ultimate sacrificial Lamb, fits perfectly one translation of Migdal Eder, given in an historic document…”The Anointed One of the flock of Israel”!
As I pondered both the account of Israel (Jacob) and Rachel, and Joseph and Mary as they related to Migdal Eder, I wondered if there could be another connection. His still, small voice said to me, “Look up the meanings of their names”. So I did…and what I found totally stunned and excited me!
A reading of Genesis 35 tells us that God renames Jacob, giving him the new name Israel. Israel builds an altar and calls the name of the place Bethel. Genesis 35:17-20 gives us the short story. After they left Bethel, and were nearing Bethlehem, Rachel went into labor:
Genesis 35:17-20 (ESV) And when her labor was at its hardest, the midwife said to her, “Do not fear, for you have another son.” 18 And as her soul was departing (for she was dying), she called his name Benoni, but his father called him Benjamin. 19 So Rachel died, and she was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem) 20 and Jacob set up a pillar over her tomb. It is the pillar of Rachel’s tomb, which is there to this day.
Here are the meanings of the names involved in this account:
Bethel – House of God
Israel – God prevails
Rachel – ewe
Benoni – ‘son of my sorrow’
Benjamin – ‘son of the right hand’
I immediately saw a parallel between both of these births recorded in Scripture: both in Bethlehem, both related to the tower of the flock (Migdal Eder). Rachel, the ‘ewe’, is carrying her little ‘lamb’, who leaves the ‘house of God’ to be born in Bethlehem (the ‘house of bread’). When children were born in biblical times, they were often named by the circumstances in which they were born. Knowing she would be dying, Rachel named her little ‘lamb’ Benoni (son of my sorrow). But Israel (‘God prevails’) renames him Benjamin, ‘son of the right hand’.
In a striking parallel, we see Mary carrying the Son of God Himself, a gift straight from the house of God. He is born as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world in the place called Bethlehem. He called Himself the ‘bread of life’, born in the ‘house of bread’. When Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the temple for his dedication at around 40 days old (according to the law), Simeon makes a statement to Mary:
Luke 2:34-35 (ESV) And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.
‘A sword will pierce through your own soul also’…this child would become ‘the son of sorrow’ for Mary just as Benoni was for Rachel. But oh, the love of the Father that said no! Although there would certainly be sorrow, that is not how He will be named. He is the son of the Father’s right hand!
God’s accuracy is so incredible! I pray we can all slow down and realize what gift we have been given in Jesus our Messiah and rejoice in His provision for us! May God bless you abundantly.
“He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:17
The gentlemen in front of me had started a line, and since I was second, I started a conversation. It didn’t take long to find out that, when it came to the meaning of life and how it came to be, we were at opposite ends of the life’s spectrum. I believe and know Jesus Christ, the Son of God, personally. He did not. It got silly when he started an argument about how my Savior doesn’t really exist!
Having never tried this new strategy out before, I figured, “what have I got to lose?” So I asked him a question. “Do you consider yourself to be a perfect man? A man with no sin or error in your life?” It took him about 1.2 seconds to declare that no, he was NOT perfect.” When I asked him how he would fair standing before a Perfect God, he pondered for a few seconds. It was then that I lost him.
It didn’t take long for him to tell me that the Bible was written by men and contained many errors and inconsistencies. When he told me, for example, about the ‘3’ recorded incidents’ of the ‘so called’ Jesus birth story, and the fact that there is no historical record of Jesus, I laughed and said the only thing I COULD say, “you haven’t really read the Bible have you?” “Well there is no God, he said.”
When I talked about science and how the world and all of creation prove God’s existence because of the absolute order of it’s laws and physics, he said, “I know science better than you, and I tell you this is all evolution.” When I used the fine Swiss watch approach, that all the gears and order PROVE a watch MAKER. He balked again and called me ignorant. I pointed to my heart and said “God’s here!”
I stopped the conversation and let it go. I already saw he had all the answers he was ever going to receive… by choice. I turned the conversation around to what was going on around us and made a few jokes. Soon we were smiling and joking together… sans Jesus! But I just couldn’t see how he couldn’t see that ‘perfect systems’ and ‘order’ CANNOT happen by accident! It takes a Creator.
Today’s verse reminded me of the well done video by Louie Giglio entitled, “How Great is Our God.” I remembered it and smiled, not because I thought that guy would finally get it if he just watched it. I knew he wouldn’t. I smiled because I personally KNOW the one who holds me, and the universe, together. At Christmas time, it feels SOOO GOOD to be held! Are YOU snuggling with Jesus?
Here’s the shorter version of the video explaining what hold us together. Share it with everyone!
“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” Romans 12:3
I did something I’m not sure I should have done. And I haven’t done something that I probably should have. And though they are 2 separate and totally different things… they have blown into my brain like a snowstorm… and settled there. It’s almost like living up north, waking up to a deep blanket of snow on the ground. I’m not sure if I should look at it in wonder… or grab a shovel!
It’s not that I did anything bad or evil. That wasn’t the intention. In fact, my intention was to do the right and Godly thing. But it gets mixed up with the other thing yet undone, because I am not sure just what the Godly thing to do… is! Not knowing has me in a state of perplexity. Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be a way out either. If I’m not thinking of one, I’m pondering on the other.
In search of a way to get at least SOME kind of answer, I stumbled upon this verse. Which really isn’t much help. Because what it is telling me, isn’t really much different than what I have been trying to figure out and do in the first place! My problem isn’t that I think too much of myself. Lately it’s been quite the opposite. Reading the verse, 2 words that jump out are ‘Grace’ and ‘Faith.’
Both Grace and Faith are gifts from God. A gift is something given because of the generosity and love in the heart of the Giver! Because a gift given due to some meritorious work would not be a gift, but would be a wage or a reward. This verse seems to be saying that I am to think of myself in sober judgment… in the same way GOD thinks about me. So what does God really think about me?
There is a lot of bad stuff going around these days. I remember the days, at a job I had, where I inspected and monitored grease traps at restaurants. It was NASTY. But after time, the nastiness kind of just tapered off and I didn’t notice it as much. Maybe that is where I am. Being immersed in a nasty world, maybe I’m forgetting how precious and loved I really am… by the one who gifted me.
How about you? Do YOU see yourself in the light of the world… or in the Light of The Savior?
“Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 4:13-14
My wife asked me last night if I could fix her shoes… again. Having done it a few times before, I suggested she just get a new pair and figured the case closed. This morning, she brought it up again as a subject to ponder, “have you ever noticed how EVERYTHING in life wears out?” So I pondered… shoes, clothing, cars, houses… and even PEOPLE. She then added, “But God doesn’t wear out!”
I thought about it, wondering if this was a ploy to try to save her sandals again. I already KNOW they are her favorite. I also know that, while she may have MANY pairs of shoes, she likes and wears these ones the most. Time and use have worn them down to where they can no longer function as footwear. And unlike Steve Jobs, she isn’t famous enough to sell them for a huge profit!
It was one of those thoughts that made me want to desperately prove it wrong. Wanting to find something that doesn’t fit that point of view, I really wanted some hope that there ARE some things here in this life that can last forever, on their own. So far, I haven’t found or thought of anything. In this life, everything seems to be destined to get old and wear out. Even people like me!
That thought is actually VERY good bait for someone wanting to use it as a hook to catch disgruntled, tired, but hopeful wisher-fish! Which is EXACTLY what the Lord of the Universe did in today’s Bible verse. He was talking to the infamous Samaritan woman who, after using up everything she could find, including a bunch of men… found herself alive, yet not really living! She wanted MORE!
I too, have felt the sting of life as SO many good things have come and gone. Yearning for something more than just a gem or a stage of life… something more permanent. Then my face slides into a grin. Because what I am looking for, I have already found and HAVE HAD for an Earthly long time! And I will have it on and into infinity! The same ‘Life’ the Samaritan woman found.
I only ever hunger and thirst HERE. I only buy and use things that wear out HERE. But the things and the life I invest in and place in HIS care…. Ahhhhh…. those keep on satisfying. My faith in Him gets bigger. My love for my wife gets encouraged and deeper. Relationships with fellow Believers will go on, healed and better, on into infinity as well. Lasting, always available and bubbling up to God!
Do YOU hold the gift that never wears out or gets old?
“So the Lord said to Moses, “I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name.” Exodus 33:17
“Go Team Go!” will be the cry tomorrow morning in Downtown Venice, Florida. With a population of approximately 28,000 people, only a very small percentage of that number even know that their town is being represented. Even fewer can name one person on ‘their’ team! The Venice High School Football team… OUR TEAM… is going to Tallahassee for a shot at becoming State Champions!
My family is involved because that is what 2nd generation families do. My son was on Venice’s first team when ‘The Venice Indians’ took the State Title back in 2000. My daughter was a cheerleader. Today, my granddaughter has followed her mom’s footsteps and will be cheering on the sidelines in tomorrow night’s big game. It will be a struggle of hopes, dreams, work, sweat and determination.
‘My’ Team is going to the State Championship… but I will not even leave the house! “Good Luck boys! Go get ‘em! Rah Rah!” And while I sincerely mean that, “I” will have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to DO with their win or loss. They are MY team… but I am not ON The Team! They represent me. But my being a winner, or loser in real life, has NOTHING to do with them. Such is the nature of a ‘Fan!’
It’s Christmastime. And pretty much EVERYBODY is excited! Every town has its ‘Christmas light committee,’ and by now, the quality of their decisions and plans are on display for all to see, with spectators crying out, “OOOOO… AHHHH! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!” Or is that “Happy Holidays?” I guess that depends whether or not they’re actually ON… The Team! I know for a fact… ‘I Am!’
I KNOW ‘I Am’ in person… ‘I Am’ being one of the titles of Jesus Christ. He invited me to join His team a LONG time ago. I have been a faithful supporting member for about 55 years! And while there were some years it appeared that I wasn’t really ‘winning,’ it is truthful to say that He and I have NEVER LOST! That is the nature of being an Active Participant on Team Jesus! Even losses are wins.
Moses made a Pact with God when he was facing a nasty desert with his back toward a bunch of dead Egyptians. God was pointing to take His team into a very difficult game. Before leaving, Moses asked ‘The Coach’ to ‘PLEASE go with us because we can’t win without you’ speech. Today’s verse is God’s answer to that prayer. We know how that story went. Now… today, I find myself a lil nervous!
It’s a war out there! Jesus’ people have been whittled down, with lots of jersey wearers NOT really ON ‘The Team.’ But I am called to ‘TEAM UP and GO’ regardless of press or pressure, odds or size of the foe. The only thing I KNOW for CERTAIN, is that ‘The Coach’ is WITH ME. I call Him… ‘Emmanuel!’ Do YOU wear His colors? Are YOU on His team, on the sidelines? Or are you just part of the crowd in opposition? “Go God!”
“I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life.” Deuteronomy 30:19b-20a
“HEY… NOT FAIR!” was the cry from one of the teams. It was our annual Christmas Trivia Contest, a fun, fact learning tool to teach and re-educate Church members as to what ACTUALLY HAPPENED that very first Christmas. This year, someone proposed it be a contest between the women and the men… which proved VERY competitive. Everyone was told ahead of time what to learn and study to ‘WIN!’
How many cattle… how many Wise Men… how many angels… and how many donkeys were there at the manger scene when Christ was born? These were just a few of the questions that were asked. And those were the EASY ones! When anyone thought that there had been a violation of the rules, or someone was taking, or getting an advantage by the judge, it was called out!
I was the game-show host who came up with the questions… AND the one asking them. I was also the final judge and scorekeeper. Having done this many times before, I knew what I was in for. But somebody had to do it! Let’s just say that ‘game-show host’ and ‘final judge’ are NOT popular jobs, because opinion and argument are always present. But SOMEONE has to be the judge!
This Christmas Contest is not far off from the REAL test God has created among every creature with a brain and a choice. And yes, I said ‘test!’ Being honest, God set the boundaries for ‘Life’ and ‘Love’ from the very beginning. He was clear and firm on the rules. The game could be played as a PROtest, a CONtest, or looked at simply as The test! Today’s verse clearly shows God’s position.
When Choosing Life, I don’t get a pass, a gimme or a freebie! God clearly set His law in writing AND inscribed it upon my heart. I ALWAYS know when I am ‘out of bounds.’ Loud Arguments against the rules from contestants never change God’s opinion or position, though they have been used by Him to help clarify mine. The Rules? God doesn’t make mistakes. ‘Choices’ reap consequences. ALWAYS!
It is clear. ‘Life’ and ‘Love’ in Christ is ALWAYS a choice. God ALWAYS respects my choice. To GET both I must choose to follow through WITH God. So here’s the question, ‘how much Life and Love will I get by ‘doing my own thing?’ The answer is the same as the answer to all those Christmas questions… NONE! So, fellow participant, what do YOU choose… and who’s side are YOU on???
“And you, child, will be calleda prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him, to give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.” Luke 1:76-77
Years ago I vowed to not watch TV news because it made me angry. I’ve kept that vow, but stayed informed by going to websites to simply read the headlines. I want, and feel I am required by God, to know what issues my world is facing. I cannot be a responsible Christian if I do not. But last night, while Katie took a shower, I watched the news. Listening to the stories, God labeled me… “GUILTY!”
I don’t really know if it was more God, or my conscience. But it didn’t matter. The label stuck… and it stung. Visiting Israel years ago, our tour group was led all around the country to see historical sites. When they took us to see the Holocaust Museum, I got through the first room, then walked out. I simply could not look at what I already knew to be true. I needed no convincing. Apparently I did last night!
History class taught me that the Allied liberating troops, after WWII, had a policy of filming, and even forcing German civilians to view the atrocities committed in the death camps. The point was to make sure everyone KNEW. Ignorance was not to be permitted as an excuse for evil to prevail again. Watching the news, I was overcome with guilt. The EXACT same atrocities are happening TODAY.
The news stories flowed from witnesses and pictures of Hamas attacks on October 7th. They then panned to college campuses where Jewish students have been facing Anti Semitism. From there, the stories moved to my U.S. Congress where support for Anti Semitism is being nurtured. A final story showed Netanyahu pleading, “Where the hell are the women’s support groups around the world?”
Not sleeping well is a byproduct of stress. Stress is an understatement of how I feel. Sure, I’ve written to my representative and vowed to give some money somewhere. Apparently God isn’t happy with my level of enthusiasm over the continued level of evil I have ‘willfully allowed’ to flow under the bridge of my life. As of last night, “I didn’t know” is a flag I can no longer fly. Now, ‘I’ must DO SOMETHING!
I am a called Christian living in a world that uses ignorance and double talk to front evil. I am called to go into the world to tell Good News. But Good news means nothing unless people first understand the bad news. ‘John’ was called to give his people the ‘KNOWLEDGE of salvation’ from their ‘sins!’ He has assigned me that exact same task. I don’t even have the right to ask what YOU are going to do!
