Words on a Page

There were times in our history where you were either rich or poor. Very few people resided in the middle.  One example is the Titanic. The ship’s boarding was based on class. When the iceberg hit and the boat began to sink, your class mattered. The poorer the person, the lower they were on the ship. Some reports said they locked the impoverished passengers in the bottom decks where death was almost certain.  Christ wants us concerned about poverty. He expects His church to fix it by providing for those less fortunate. In fact, Christ Himself taught, “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” Our solution to poverty seems to be to blame and restrict. We are closing in on direct violations of Christ’s will regarding our responsibility towards poverty.  What happens if those more blessed ignore and punish the less blessed?  Christ answered that question in His most effective teaching style...

“Say to the people: Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat, for you have wept in the hearing of the Lord, saying, ‘Who will give us meat to eat? For it was better for us in Egypt.’ Therefore the Lord will give you meat, and you shall eat. You shall not eat just one day, or two days, or five days, or ten days, or twenty days,   but a whole month, until it comes out at your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have rejected the Lord who is among you.” ~ Numbers 11:18-20 These verses reflect just how frustrated God can get with His people. Israel was a band of brooders. The story reflected in these verses is just one example of Israel’s ungrateful attitude and God’s response to their ungratefulness.  God rescued them from slavery. He led them across dry land through the Red Sea. He took care of them, freed them, rescued them, provided manna from Heaven when they were hungry. Yet, what did they say to Him?  “Give us meat to eat. We had m...

“ Whoever wants to be first among you must become your servant.” Matthew 20:27 I never cease to be amazed. I am about 10 years behind our fearless leader. I was also about 10 years behind the Vietnam generation, the civil rights movement, and all of the protests in the streets during the 1960’s. Despite the fact we only had three news channels when I was a child, it was obvious the violence in those protests were triggered more by law enforcement personnel than the actual protesters. I find it interesting that a generation that was plagued by protests in their younger years wants to sit back and criticize, attack, and try to neutralize today’s right to protest. Hypocrisy at its finest. The same is true when a demand is issued for a military parade honoring a branch of the military by a person who never served in any branch of our armed services. Think about it: A draft dodger wanted all Americans to applaud his efforts to have a military parade. Oh, it was in honor of the army, but it ...

“Jesus loves the little children. All the children of the world.” We teach our young children this song. Yet, many adults do not behave as if they believe the words to this simple song are true. So, does Jesus love all children? I’ve heard my entire life that Israel is “God‘s children.” Yet, the New Testament tells me that once I enter into a relationship with Christ, I become His child. So, who exactly are God’s children? Does the Israel of today represent God? Is today’s Israel my step family? If these thoughts are true, should Christians blindly support Israel’s cruel or questionable choices? Many Christians say that the Bible is very clear on the point that, regardless of how Israel behaves (even to the point of rejecting Christ), they’ll still remain in God’s good graces. As a mother, I continue to love my children regardless of their choices. However, I don’t condone anyone’s wrong behavior. I don’t try to justify risky or questionable decisions. I certainly don’t ask everyone e...