9/11

First and foremost, my prayers are for those who lost loved ones that day ten years ago. May GOD bless you with comfort, good memories and HIS peace.

Many will gather to honor the victims and the heroes, both known and unknown. This is appropriate. Let no political rhetoric sully this day. It should be a time of reflection, remembrance, sorrow and hope.

Why hope?

Because once again GOD showed us that even amidst the evil that men do, HE can bring good from it.

We could have crumpled after such a blow but we didn't.

Instead, we used this moment of tragedy to draw nearer to one another. Churches were filled. Volunteers poured into serve at Ground Zero and elsewhere. Hands reached out to other hands that for a moment in time clasped back regardless of differences.

We were lifted up as a country by a sovereign GOD who carries us when we can't carry ourselves.

Angels

I have been tooling around in 1 Corinthians and I want to share an observation.

In today's society much emphasis and interest has been generated on the subject of angels. An angel is a servant of the LORD, a figure of power and awe. One angel devastated the firstborn of Egypt and another later destroyed an army.

An angel is a representative of the LORD and often had messages from HIM. But angels would be quick to state that they are not to be focused on as so many popular books seem to do. They are not to be worshipped or idolized. They like us are servants as one such angel told the apostle John in Revelations. We are to worship GOD.

Angels are in fact ...ministering spirits sent to serve all who will inherit salvation.(Hebrews 1:14)

David Prior in his book The Message of 1 Corinthians brings up an interesting point. It is we by our actions on this earth that teach the wisdom of GOD's gospel to the angels.(page 110, The Message of 1 Corinthians, and 1 Peter 1:14)

To put this in proper perspective, we who believe will eventually be called upon to judge angels. (1 Corinthians 6:3)

Now by no means do I want to denigrate angels. I firmly believe that to this day GOD uses them mightily for the well being of HIS people. But I do want this point driven home. We are to reserve that sense of awe and desire to glorify for GOD alone. For to HIM alone is the majesty, the glory, and the honor owed. As the angel responded to John's attempt to worship him(Revelations 22:9), I counsel you, Worship GOD.

Seekers from Afar

Even in the earliest parts of the Bible, GOD hinted at the drawing in of the nations. It was never meant to be salvation just for the chosen people, the Jews. In fact one of the reasons they were set apart was to draw people in, to show that our GOD was different than the idols of this world.

We see examples of this drawing in, the mending of the dividing line as early as Genesis. Melchizedek, a follower of GOD Most High, blesses Abraham. A priest and a king, he followed GOD even before the Jewish people came into being.

Along the way we find Rahab and Ruth, women from non-believing lands, who choose to take a chance on GOD and are blessed beyond their wildest imaginings.

There are many instances where GOD specifically promised that the Gentiles they would not be left out of HIS great salvation plan.

Isaiah 56:6-8  ...And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD, to serve HIM, to love the name of the LORD, and to worship HIM, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to MY covenant-- these I will bring to MY holy mountain and give them joy in MY house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on MY altar; for MY house will be called a house of prayer for all nations. The Sovereign LORD declares-- HE who gathers the exiles of Israel; "I will gather still others besides those already gathered.

Read also Isaiah 42:1-4, Genesis 12:3, Isaiah 11:9-12, Joel 2:28-32. This is just a selection of passages on how GOD always intended to bring in all who seek.

For my final selection I lead you to the New Testament. Matthew 2 speaks of men who traveled a great distance to seek out their GOD and King. They had followed the star from the East and brought gifts for HIM.

The Magi represent you and I at the birth of Jesus. Though once far off, GOD drew them as HE still draws us to HIM so that we may find peace, infinite love, salvation and forever joy. May HIS name be forever praised.

Discrimination in Immigration

In many ways the United States has made great strides against racial discrimination. It still has much to do however. I want to note a particular oddity in immigration that I have noticed time and again.

Cuba and Haiti are both island nations. Both have less than desirable governmental conditions. Many people in both nations have a desire to seek better lives in the States. Yet one is clearly shown more favor.

Both peoples make attempts to escape in vehicles of all sorts with varying degrees of success. Yet it is the Haitian people that are more likely to be turned back. Cubans if they make it to shore without being apprehended are protected by the wet feet dry feet policy. They can even later apply to be citizens. Haitians found in the States illegally are more likely to be summarily expelled.

Now it could be said that the Cuban community has a louder voice in politics and thus are courted more heavily. But there is this simple fact as well. Cubans in general are of a lighter hue and thus more desirable in Washington eyes. This is nothing new and Caribbean advocates have long been left wondering when the government will act in a more just manner.

I don't like pulling the race card. But the fact is Haiti is the poorest nation in the Americas. Cuba is in a position where it can offer free medical healthcare and low to no cost education to its inhabitants and other Caribbean nations. Why would we show less compassion to the neighbor in more need?

Note that I am specifically talking about immigration policy. The current humanitarian crisis and the corruption running through the Haitian government is a whole different ball of wax. But the inequity of immigration policy bears a looking into and the reasons thereof.

Insured but not so much

In the discussion of health insurance reform, there is a lot of talk about the uninsured and not so much about the barely covered. Those with Medicaid and Medicare often have to deal with long lines, shoddy service and limited recourse.

Those who serve clients of lesser means need to remember to respect the dignity of their patients. It doesn't take much for a change in your circumstances. "There but for the grace of GOD go I" is a saying that should come to mind.

All too often such facilities that will deign to serve Medicare/Medicaid clientele are dirty and crowded, helmed by surly staff.  They tend to be overbooked and underserved. There is an assembly line philosophy to visits, get 'em in and out as fast as possible. Bland advice may be issued then the patient is shuttled out. And you probably don't want to know how much the government is charged for these cookie cutter visits.


I myself have seen offices which take care of Medicaid/Medicare patients that are presentable, warm and friendly. The doctors take time to accurately diagnose, explain and treat the clientele. And they follow up without prodding. This should be the norm nor the exception.

Lest those states that have turned their Medicaid/Medicare programs into HMOs and PPOs get smug, I find that the mentality is quite similar to those in plain Medicaid/Medicare. Specialists are hard to get into and often have a number of hoops you have to go through. Benefits are steadily decreasing and medications are played with on a regular basis.

People I am not saying that Medicaid/Medicare is useless. But what I am asking is that the powers that be treat those in these different programs with the dignity and respect they deserve.

The Anthony Trial

By now many of you have heard at least something about the Casey Anthony trial. It certainly has been on ad nauseum throughout many of the news stations. There are many polarizing views about this woman and whether she deserves to die.

I am not going to voice my view here frankly but I do want to bring up something. We are to wish that justice is done not that she gets what is coming to her so to speak. Our GOD is all about mercy let us remember. If she is guilty, than there are consquences for her actions, but we are not to wish her ill or rejoice in her downfall.

Proverbs 24:17 Do not gloat when your enemy falls, when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice, or the LORD will see and disapprove and turn HIS wrath away from him.

Now I am not saying that because people are gloating Casey will be declared innocent. What I am saying is that we are to be better than that. If anything we should be worried about the fate of her eternal soul rather than screaming for her death.

If I might suggest a plan of action it is this. Pray for GOD's perfect justice to be done. This will take place on the other side of the Veil even if it doesn't occur here. Pray for those involved in the trial. That they be motivated by justice with mercy and that malice have no part. And pray for the Anthonys. Regardless of whether Casey is innocent or not, that family needs the healing work of GOD present in their lives.

And people, turn off that trial now and then. There is indeed more to life than one courtroom drama. Go toss a ball with your kids, read a book, listen to music, or visit the museum. The trial will still be there for some time yet.

Dignity and Glorious Abandon

I'd like to touch on something today that can be a contentious amongst the denominations. How we worship is often as different as the people themselves. What should be present though is both dignity as well as what I like to call glorious abandon.

There should be a certain behavior when you enter into the presence of Almighty GOD. A reverence that fills both heart and mind. You should treat HIM with the respect HE deserves. Yes, HE is our Friend, our greatest Friend but keep in mind HE is also King and GOD.

But don't go so strict and formal that you lose the joy. David danced before GOD enthusiastically. This was the King of Israel yet he danced in front of his people, enjoying and praising his GOD in dance and song. He worshipped in glorious abandon, letting a beacon of his love reach the FATHER and be reflected back. True rejoicing fills us with the joy and love of our GOD. Observers watch and our amazed by what they see and want it for themselves.

So if your hand creeps up while you are singing his praises and your foot steps to the beat, don't restrain them. Embrace that. Every fiber of our bodies desires to rejoice in the One who made us. So without being disruptive, let every part of yourself praise HIM.