Creation Is Only Afraid When Forgetting Our Creator

The flood at the time of Noah was a globally catastrophic event.  Since then, the earth has experienced many more disasters, ranging from volcanic explosions to earthquakes to hurricanes.  (Incidentally, NASA says that a single hurricane is the equivalent of 10,000 nuclear bombs; a volcano, 10,000 atomic bombs; and an earthquake, 42 tsar bombs— the most powerful nuclear device ever detonated.)  These frequently recurring disasters, each of which far surpasses any force of man, does not have the potential to wipe out all living creatures.  Yet today there is a very real fear that human-generated climate change could do what nature has never been able to.

While we can debate public policies, what cannot be ignored is the genuine sense of fear the younger generation feels.  As Greta Thunberg, a [then] sixteen-year-old climate activist in Generation Z, explained: “Adults keep saying: ‘We owe it to the young people to give them hope.’  But I don’t want your hope.  I don’t want you to be hopeful.  I want you to panic.  I want you to feel the fear I feel every day.  And then I want you to act.  I want you to act as you would in a crisis.  I want you to act as if our house is on fire. Because it is.”

Generation Z (those born after 1999) has been declared the “‘post-Christian’ generation,” and statistics seem to confirm this: “the percentage of Gen Z that identifies as atheist is double that of the U.S. adult population” and less than 4 percent have a Biblical worldview.  Without God, this generation will not experience His promise that “Perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18 NASB).

God created this world and only He has the power to destroy it.  He made this clear in Job 38, and the Apostle Peter similarly affirms: “In the last days mockers will come ... it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.  But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men” (2 Peter 3:3, 5-7 NASB).

For believers, faith— not fear— should guide our behavior.  Fear is not God’s plan, but even if we find ourselves surrounded by it, we should remember His promise that “in the world you have tribulation, but take courage: I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NASB).

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Dead-naming for Christians

Dead-naming is a term you may have heard relating to the “trans” community.  Simply, it means “calling (a transgender person) by their birth name when they have changed their name as part of their gender transition.”  It is considered a very negative action toward that person as it reminds them of all that was left behind.  It is taken by trans-gendered people to mean that you do not recognize or support the changes they have made.  As Christians, how we handle this situation is difficult and requires much prayer to determine the will of God and the path God would have us take.

In the Bible, we see that names can be very important and informative as to whom a person is.  An example is found in John 1:42 when Jesus stated, “You are Simon, son of John.  You will be called Cephas (which when translated, is Peter [Rock]).”  Abram’s name was changed to Abraham (Genesis 17:4); Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah in Daniel 1:6-7.  Most of us are more familiar with the new names given in Daniel 1, Shadrack, Meschack, and Abednego.  

Why the name changes?  Why does it matter?  In Daniel’s time, he and the three just mentioned were given new names by King Nebuchadnezzar’s chief to represent the evil religions there.  Look at what their names meant: Shadrach means “command of the moon god” and referred to the cycle of womanhood (maiden, birth/mother (life), and crone (death), a triple goddess.  Meshach means “Who is Aku?” a demonic devil creature.  Abednego which means “slave of the god Nebo” a pantheon of gods who write the fates.

By way of contrast, their God-given names were very opposite.  Hananiah (Shadrach) means “God is gracious.”  Mishael (Meshach) means “Who is God (Jehovah)?”  Azariah (Abednego) means “God has helped.”  You will also remember that when the wicked king (Nebuchadnezzar) threw them in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3) the names of God prevailed and when they did,  God was glorified and lifted up!  Also, all including the king noticed as he said, “Look” (Daniel 3:25).  When they looked they saw a fourth man with them, understood to be the Son of God.

How about us?  As we respond and react to those in the world around us, who do they see accompanying us through our joys, sorrows, trials, and relationships?  Besides seeing Jesus in us, they should also see and understand something of our new names given to us at our new birth.  What is, or are, your new name(s)?  Names such as pastor, teacher, evangelist, counselor, etc.(1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4).  Of course, our number one new name is simply Christian, “Christ one.”  Ask if people around you observe your life, in your behavior, your words, and your attitudes, and are directed to Jesus.

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).

What has changed in your life since being given a new name?  How does that affect the relationships God is giving to you?  Do you live with a name that is alive or dead?

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Speaking Truth with Courage

“If we serve our heavenly Father, then we should never fear anything or anybody.”  This statement was not spoken by a pastor or denominational leader.  This was from Hungarian President, Katalin Novak, speaking at Ave Maria University.  In her speech entitled, “The Calling of the Christian in Politics: What We Can Achieve” she also focused on the importance of life— beginning at conception and defining marriage as between one man and one woman. Overall, the solidarity of the family is seen as the foundation of a strong culture and nation. Therefore, being willing to stand up for these truths and speak against the lies of the communistic regime that tried for forty-five years to break down family values in Hungary was the key to overcoming and winning back their Christian values.

In the United States, we are facing the same assault against the family from many fronts. The Biden Administration, public education, LGBTQ+ activists, etc. are all uniting to tear families apart.  Fathers are being stripped of their masculinity, and far too many school boards are insisting that they have the final say in how to raise and educate our children. If a person chooses to stand up and question these, they are ridiculed and threatened to lose their jobs, and their businesses … to be “canceled.”

But the tide may be turning.  We are seeing, hearing, and experiencing more and more people that are willing to stand against these evils.  In the city of Colorado Springs, a group is successfully working at the school board level to eliminate books that are obscene.  In Florida colleges and universities are banned from using state funding to pay for DEI programs (diversity, equity, and inclusion).  And parents are not backing down in their lawsuits against school boards for violating their children’s rights.

As we join our brothers and sisters here in the U.S.A. and around the world, let us go forth with the courage that comes in speaking the truth and knowing that God goes before us.  A few words from just one book of the Bible assure us of His presence and His victory on our behalf:

•        “The Lord your God has given you the land.  Go up and take possession of it as the Lord … told you” (Deuteronomy 1:20).
•     “Do not be terrified, do not be afraid of them.  The Lord your God … will fight for you” (Deuteronomy 1:29).
•     “When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God will be with you” (Deuteronomy 20:1).
•      “Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic … for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight with you against your enemies to give you victory” (Deuteronomy 20:3-4)

When you hear something being spoken that is false; speak up, speak the truth.  When a company or school board makes a wrong, even evil decision, stand up against it with truth and speak for what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).  God will honor it and stand with you.

“Therefore, the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous” (Psalm 1:5).  “The Lord is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

A Little Sleep, A Little Slumber

It is interesting how easy it is to complain and blame others for the state of things around us. “Why aren’t they taking care of things?” or “He should be watching out for that!” Christian, consider what our role might be in answer to these questions.  Perhaps the state of things in the church and the USA is the result of Christians and Conservatives alike simply not being involved enough.

Content for many years, even decades, thinking that life is pretty good and the church is okay and fun to attend, has left us to realize that we have been robbed of our rights and privileges.  Slowly they have been disappearing.  Even when we have taken some notice, we didn’t want to raise a fuss or offend anyone.  Now we find ourselves with seemingly nothing left to continue.  We have become bankrupt in the advantages that were fought for in the past and that we have enjoyed in the present.  Now we are living in “poverty” and “scarcity” in many ways— except in the power, provision, and wisdom we have in Christ.

It is time we become re-acquainted with ourselves— who we are in Christ (the Bible) and who we are as American citizens (the Constitution).  How well do you and your parishioners know what God has given us in Christ?  How well do you really know our Constitution?  All is not actually lost, but we need to be willing to risk, to stand up for what is ours, and no longer allow the theft to continue.

Believe God.  In Jeremiah 29:7 we read, “… seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you … and pray to the Lord on its behalf …”  That city might be your church or it might be your city/state/country.  It is time to get involved, to find your place seriously working for the renewal and revival of the place God has positioned you in.  He gives the vision, the wisdom, and the power to move forward.  God is the One who protects and gives the victory for His glory.

Act on the Constitution.  Read the Constitution of the USA.  Read it, know it, and understand it.  Find the resources for seeing the whole picture as you work to put the pieces back in place.  Just start, and now ask God to give you that contrite heart, that vision, that renewal, and that courage for pushing forward.

God will show you your place in the church and the nation/state/city.  Are you nervous or afraid?  Ask God.  Confused or lost as to where to start?  Ask God.  Concerned about relationships or reputation? Ask God.

Don’t be concerned about the bad guys … read the next verses of Proverbs 6:10-19. God has it covered!  Above all, take to heart Romans 13:11, “And do this, understanding the present time.  The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.”

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Summer Vacation-A Good and Pleasant Thing

Summer affords great opportunities and great challenges for the Christian family. Children are home from school and their schedules have changed.  Parents may struggle to find a balance between work and family time.  Psalm 133:1 says that it is a good and pleasant thing when families live together in unity.  Finding unity in the family can be a summer challenge and gift, especially for the family’s summer vacation.  One idea is to create a faith-based vacation.

Traveling with children on summer vacation has its own set of rules.  Often children have ideas that may not reflect the decisions of their parents and vice versa.  If children are of an age to assist in the plans, enlisting them can prove enlightening.  It can also reveal personality conflicts.  We do want to keep the summer break a positive refreshment and not a breakdown of the family unit.  Planning together in a safe, non-threatening environment could be a good start.  Perhaps start with a suggestion box of places to go and activities to do.  When there are enough ideas submitted, choose a park or ice cream parlor or another neutral place to begin talking through the ideas.  Someone can take notes, and everyone agrees to consider all submissions without criticism.  Once the top destinations are agreed upon, the nitty gritty of planning can begin.

Parents have the responsibility for the family budget.  Surprisingly, due to the rising cost of gas, food, and hotels, Americans are still expected to surpass the $200 billion mark and reach $214 billion on summer vacations this year.  That figure is 10% higher than last summer and 111% higher than in 2019 before the pandemic.  Summer vacation is more popular than ever.

Budgeting for the trip may begin a year or two in advance for some families, making it a devoted part of the budget and family lifestyle.  Many are having family reunions to connect with those whom they have not seen since before the shutdown.  Cruises, all-inclusive resorts, and theme parks are some top destinations for these reunions.

What are some faith-based vacation ideas for the Christian family?  Just 40 minutes apart from each other are the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter.  The Ark Encounter is a full-size Ark built to the specifications written in the Bible.  There are zip lines, playgrounds, a zoo, and much more.  The Creation Museum houses 100 exhibits, animals, activities, gardens, and more.  Both are a child’s paradise and bring the Bible to life.  The Museum of the Bible in DC contains artifacts that are 3,500 years old.  Christ in the Smokies Museum and Gardens in Tennessee walks visitors through the life of Jesus as told through life-size figures.  And don’t discount numerous chapels and churches throughout the country that are open for tourists.

Consider movies that are either faith-based or have sound moral content.  Create your own miniature golf in the house or shut the whole family in one room and pretend it is a hotel room.  Play games, sing songs, and roast hotdogs and marshmallows in the fireplace.  Read Bible stories together and don bed sheets as costumes.  The possibilities are endless when you start with unity and love.

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Secular Attacks on Christian Character

In the pastoral letters, 1 Timothy 3:8-10 advises that deacons ought to be:

“men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.  They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.  They must first be tested, and then, if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.”

Christians in the early church were further advised to behave with good character in Matthew 5:16:

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Though this may not seem especially significant in the abstract, it is of utmost importance when one considers that Christianity spread across the known world in a political and religious climate that was hostile to its development.  Judaism and Roman paganism were both hostile to early Christianity.  That meant that Christians had to be above reproach so that their enemies could not doubt the work of the Holy Spirit in their hearts.  As Douglas R.A. Hare wrote:

“It has long been recognized that in the Gospel according to St. Matthew, the conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees has been intensified and it has often been suggested that this intensification reflects the continued struggle between the Church and the synagogue.”

The violent persecution and martyrdom that are colloquially associated with the early church are not major problems in the USA today.  However, as the Bible tells us, Christians are to expect persecution from the world and endure it with patience and grace.  As Romans 12:14 says, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”  It is, therefore, unsurprising that Christians remain unpopular in the court of secular opinion.  For instance, the Huffington Post gladly runs articles mocking Bible Belt Christians for using normal expressions of condolence like “he’s in a better place” … twisting the gesture into a presumptuous attempt to “predatorily” trap people into being believers with the threat that they may not see their loved ones again unless they believe.

These attempts to discredit Christianity hinge on impeaching the moral integrity of well-intentioned Christians, especially their leaders.  This is the very thing that Timothy and Matthew sought to prevent!

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated phenomenon.  The hatred of the world does not discriminate between Christian denominations.  While Protestants and Catholics are sharply distinguished between themselves, to the secular world they are one and the same— just two different heads of one great Christian hydra.

The reputation of Christians everywhere has been at least somewhat sullied because the leadership of the Catholic Church has infamously been implicated in covering up child abuse scandals that have rocked the foundations of Vatican City.  The unfortunate truth behind these claims has served to legitimize other attacks on the character of figures like Pope John Paul II, who was alleged by a conspiracy-theorist documentary to have engaged in inappropriate relationships with young girls.  This story illustrates that, even for someone whose personal character was apparently impeccable, the secular world still finds ways to spin perverse stories to discredit them.

Even as outlets like Huffington Post continue to attack the character of those whom they consider being representatives of the Christian faith, we must never give them ammunition for their war machine.  All professing Christians, especially church leaders, must approach the world respectfully and clearly.  We can rest encouraged by the words of Christ in John 15:18-19, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first.  If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own.  As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.  That is why the world hates you.”

Deserved or not, this fact reminds us yet again of the importance of church leaders displaying good moral character.

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Shunned But Not Silenced

The Apostle Peter pointed out that whenever persecution comes, Christians have a duty to stand firm, praise God, and continue speaking out.  He reminded us:

“But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed.  And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame” (1 Peter 3:14-16).

Sadly, nations once known as strongly Christian, but which have grown increasingly secular, are becoming less free than ever before.  They’re limiting free speech because they disagree with what the Bible says about sexual behavior … just to name one example.

Under this 21st century standard, John Adams and other Founding Fathers would have been shunned for Adam’s declaration that:

“The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity.  I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.”

As we follow in Christ’s footsteps seeking “to save that which was lost” (Matthew 18:11), we may be persecuted in this increasingly secular and confused culture, but we should never waver in proclaiming His Gospel.  As Jesus reminds us:

“If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.  But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me” (John 15:20-21).

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Child Sacrifice

You may remember the stories and movies depicting the act of tossing the young virgin into the mouth of the volcano in order to appease the “gods.”  Or maybe the bloody altar of stone used as the robed religious leader plunges a knife into the young victim and then places the body on a burning sacrifice.  Human life can so easily be degraded to an instrument of appeasement to an angry god or ruler.  The ancient Incas used child sacrifice to appease the gods and to provide servants for its deceased emperors.

We consider these ancient rituals to be an abhorrent and ugly part of humanity’s history. Yet it continues to this day in cultures around the world and even here in our own nation. In our modern-day culture, we refer to this practice as abortion.  Not only has this practice been given acceptable status by many, but it is considered a protected right for parents to sacrifice their child to … to what?  To freedom of sexual promiscuity without responsibility?  To a foremost plank in a political platform to evoke dedication and therefore power to the politico? What a choice to put in place as the backbone of a belief system.  Even after birth, the trend is to mutilate and destroy God’s creation through the defilement and mutilation of our children in body and mind.  Critical Race Theory and transgenderism are all about following Satan’s efforts to destroy any and all parts of God’s beautiful creation … man and woman.  We willingly offer our most precious and most vulnerable up to be sacrificed to the gods of death, evil, sorrow, distress, total calamity, and chaos.  In so doing we are giving up our godly culture to be destroyed.

Webster’s Dictionary defines evil as: “abhorrent, abominable, dreadful, hideous, nauseating, noxious, obscene.”  Even this list of descriptors does not come close to defining God’s view of evil.  Abortion and the “woke” agenda certainly fit right in. Proverbs 6:16-19 states that there are things the Lord hates, “…hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, a false witness who breathes out lies…” and others.  Further, we read in Revelation 2:18, “But as for the cowardly, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral … and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur …”  God hates evil.  He warns us that, “… what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God” (Luke 16:15).  To those who do evil, God states, “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires.  He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him” (John 8:44).

Only Jehovah God is the Father of love, truth, and salvation.  How obvious are we in our lives that we are His children?  Take a stand, live in love, and speak truth to this generation.

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Truth is Stranger than Fiction

Perhaps you have heard it said, “Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities, truth isn’t.”  The point here is to observe the possibility of fiction proving true.

Baby Boomers are perhaps the first generation to truly see sci-fi predictions come true in their lifetime.  They grew up with a fictitious character, George Jetson, that lived a fantastical life of ease as he stepped into a chamber that magically dressed him, he ate food cooked in a box on the wall and sped off to work in a flying car.  The imaginative cartoon was set in time 100 years from 1962 and George was around 40 years old. Besides the assumption that the “wall box” is the modern microwave, what other possibilities depicted became true?  The flat screen television, smart watches, video calls, drones, holograms, digital newspapers.  Basically, what we call a “smart home.” Still, waiting for your personal-sized flying car?

Some key elements of the futuristic Jetson world have not been born true for all.  George had a solid family lifestyle.  The kids, Judy and Elroy were engaging, and got into the typical kid trouble but issues were solved thoughtfully and lovingly.  The Jetsons was a typical 60’s family— two children, mom stays home, and dad works— depicting that lifestyle in the future.  Would boomers have watched the show if their future Jetson family bore the truth of family life today?

The average family in America in 2023 indeed consists of 2 children.  But the number of children living with two parents has dropped.  In 1968, 85% of children under 18 lived with two parents; by 2020, 70% did.  Women in the workforce began to grow in the 60s and grew steadily for 50 years.  34% of women participated in the labor force in 1950 and by the year 2000, that number was 60%.  The number of working women is predicted to reach 92 million by 2050.

Elroy was a typical American boy and Judy was a typical American teenager of 1960. Their gender roles were obvious in their dress and behavior.  The woke movement would have us believe that Americans have evolved into more gender-fluid humans since 1960. Safe to say, viewers would have been horrified to see Elroy in drag— except to believe the automatic dressing cylinder was accidentally dialed in for Judy.

Listen: God’s Word is truth, and it is not based on anything except the truth of itself. God’s Word is not fiction.  It is truth and can be clearly seen as truth in many ways, including fulfilled prophecy and the changed hearts of people who live by that truth. Psalm 119:160 proclaims “All Your words are true; all Your righteous laws are eternal.” 

May truth never be strange and fiction remain a mere possibility.

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Boys to Men

“There are two jobs for American boys today: One is being a boy; the other is growing up to be a man.  Both jobs are important.  Both are packed with excitement, great undertakings, and high adventure.”

These words were spoken by former U.S. President Herbert Hoover (1929-1933).  His message is only more apropos for today’s world than it was back then.  Instead, we find examples all around us of boys wanting to become girls, and of men wanting to become women.

Such is the case of one Will Thomas, a collegiate swimmer, who suddenly wants to become “Lia Thomas” in order to compete at a different level.  As Will Thomas he was rated only mediocre, at best, in the swimming world (ranked around #184).  But, with a sudden change to women’s sports, he is amazingly at the top of the finishers.  In fact, “Lia Thomas” scored a tie with Nationally ranked Riley Gaines for first place at the 2022 NCAA Women’s Swimming Championship.  Though it was a tie, Miss Gaines was told to stay off the 1st place platform for the Photo Op as they gave the medal to “Lia Thomas.”

Somehow Will Thomas was allowed to switch from Men’s competition to Women’s competition practically overnight by simply declaring himself to be a “trans-woman.”  The leagues, the coaches, the organizers, even the NCAA simply and conveniently (for him) let it happen.  No announcements to the other competitors of his new self-declared role, or even a warning that there would now be a man dressing and showering in the women’s locker room.  All the women athletes, along with Riley Gaines, were just supposed to accept it and ask no questions.

This is but one example of many hundreds that are taking place around our country. One must ask, “Where have our men gone that should be standing up for and protecting the honor, privacy, and glory of our girls and women?”  It would seem they have all gone into hiding – afraid to be men as God has created.  But there are some real examples of a change taking place, examples of godly Christian men calling for men to stand up and to teach and train boys to be men.  Ministries like “Take the Mountain Challenge” in Arizona, Christian Service Brigade, and “Trail Life USA.”

What does it mean to be a man?  How will I fit in?  Where can I bring my boys to get the help I need in raising them to be men of God?  Find your answers and get started. 

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.  Do everything in love” (1 Corinthians 16: 13-14).

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Perceived Danger

Modern-day electronics and warning systems can be a great asset in avoiding problems with your car.  But when the “Check Engine” light turns on and the warning signal sounds, what is your reaction?  Sometimes there really is an emergency, such as a broken fan belt— when all systems shut down to save the engine from destroying itself. However, the same “Check Engine” light might simply mean the gas cap is loose or may need to be replaced— hardly equal emergencies.

This is when a person’s perception of the problem can vary greatly.  A mechanic may not get rattled, but a young teen driver may panic.  This imbalance of what constitutes an emergency may be hard to reckon when only one light/signal coming on can indicate them all.

These same scenarios are found in the political world.  One person proclaims “My body, my choice” without any panic happening.  Another proclaims “Pro-Life,” and all the alarms go off.  Point in fact, recently at the National Archives and Records Administration many visitors were told to remove or hide all imprinted messages about Pro Life.  At the same time other visitors displaying My Body, My Choice messages were allowed to continue displaying their messages.  Yet when analyzed, the Pro Life message seeks to save a life while the My Body, My Choice message seeks to end a life.  Tremendously different results from one to the other.  The National Archives and Records Administration did eventually correct this situation, but the very fact that it could have happened in the same building as the original Bill of Rights clearly illustrates the problem.

The problem has to do with one’s perception.  Without God’s perspective, and only relying on the wisdom of man, the security personnel considered it too “dangerous” to choose life and okay to allow a pro-abortion message.  Another example is the many public schools banning the Bible from their libraries while condoning obscene publications that include extremely graphic messages and storylines for seven-year-olds.

History shows us what happens when the foundational beliefs and commitments to God are not passed on to the next generation.  We see that vividly displayed in the lives of David (a man after God’s own heart, 1 Samuel 13:14), then Solomon (whose wives turned him after other gods, 1 Kings 11:4), and then Rehoboam (who rejected wise counsel in 1 Kings 12).  This describes our culture today.  One generation is committed to God, the next generation becomes lukewarm and puts themselves and their desires first, and then a third generation walks away completely.

Remember the history following Joshua in Judges 2, “…The people served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua…who had seen all the great things the Lord had done for Israel…another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel.  Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord…they forsook the Lord, the God of their fathers…”

Pray for revival in yourself, in we the people of God, and in our nation.

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Jesus Wept and So Should We

When Jesus arrived on the scene after Lazarus died (a close friend), He was met by mourning family and friends.  Feeling their deep grief, Jesus “groaned in the spirit, and was troubled” (John 11:33).  He then went to Lazarus’ burial place and, in the shortest verse of the Bible, we see that: “Jesus wept” (John 11:35).

Jesus’ tears had an enormous effect on those gathered around Lazarus’ tomb.  The people looked at Him and were astonished: “Behold how He loved him!” (John 11:36)

Jesus’s tearful reaction served as a testimony to the love He had for His friend.  By this example, Christ showed us an appropriate response to the loss of a loved one.

In today’s secular culture, however, people are starting to think that mourning and funerals are out of touch— who wants to spend a day crying?  More and more in America are shifting away from funerals and instead are throwing a party in an attempt to drown out their grief.  But is this really the best way to deal with the passing of a loved one?  If Jesus wept, shouldn’t we?

Alfred Tennyson, one of the most famous English poets, had a revelation while mourning the sudden and unexpected death of his best friend.  Through much prayer and reflection, Tennyson realized: “Let love clasp grief, lest both be drowned.”

Tennyson echoes what Jesus said during the Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).

The Bible further tells us that there are times and seasons when it is good and healthy to mourn— just like there are times when it is good to rejoice: “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven…A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4).

If Jesus wept at the death of a loved one, so can we.

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

Government Rewrites the Words of Jesus

In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus acknowledges that differences in an individual’s skill and work ethic means they are treated differently:

“[The master] called his [three] servants and entrusted his wealth to them.  To one, He gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability” (Matthew 25:14-15).

When the master later checked on the three, he found one had produced an additional five portions; the second, two more portions; but the third had done absolutely nothing. He rewarded the three based on what each had individually done.  [This is a core practice of the free-market system.]

Jesus then complained: “A system that allows billionaires to exist when there are parts of America where people are impoverished just isn’t right.”

Oh wait— those weren’t the words of Jesus; they are the words of our socialist governmental officials.  Their socialist beliefs reject the free-market approach set forth by Jesus.

In Jesus’ parable, there was neither a bottom nor a top wage; each individual was rewarded “according to his own ability.”  As Jesus affirmed: “For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance.  Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them” (Matthew 25:29).

This economic principle articulated by Jesus has proven to be sound across the ages.  In fact, almost two millennia later, Thomas Jefferson expressed Jesus’ principle in these words:

“To take from one because it is thought his own industry and that of his fathers has acquired too much, in order to spare [give] to others, who (or whose fathers) have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association: the guarantee to everyone the free exercise of his industry [hard work] and the fruits acquired by it.”

Both history and common sense prove that the economic teachings of Jesus are much sounder than those of socialist elected officials.

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel