Transition

For many months Blogger/Blog Spot, who is the host for The Christian Ear, has worked on transitioning to a new interface. Blogger is at the point where they insist all users transition to the new format by the end of the month. No doubt there is financial component behind the switch; however, I am not willing to jump through the hoops.

So, after writing a daily, five-day a week blog, I have decided it is time to discontinue writing The Christian Ear. 

Thanks to all who have joined me over the last 14-plus years in looking for God in everyday life experiences.    

Blessings, 

Gail

Growing Together

There are online games that allow players to chat with one another and unfortunately, some unscrupulous people try to build a relationship with others in order to victimize them. I’ll admit that I was once suckered into building a chat-relationship with a fictitious player and I learned a valuable lesson. I discovered I can still play the game with these frauds; I just don’t chat or build a relationship with them. The Parable of the Weeds is applicable. A man’s enemy sowed weeds among good seeds that were planted in his field, “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn’” (Matt 13:28b-30 NIV).

Servants of the Word

Luke opens his Gospel with his purpose for writing, the intended audience, and his methodology in approaching the subject. Doctor Luke said, “Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word” (Luke 1:1-2 NIV). We may not be eyewitnesses, but those in this generation who diligently study the Bible are indeed servants of the Word.   

Lonely Places

I struggle with feeling that ministry opportunities have been ripped away from us because of COVID-19. We are in a lonely place because we can no longer reach or serve people in the same manner we once did. However, I recently realized we are in good company. Jesus experienced something similar, but rather than wringing his hands and abandoning his ministry, he worked around the obstacles. At the start of his ministry Jesus said, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.” (Luke 4:43-44 NIV). However, the Lord’s preaching in the synagogues was short lived when he healed a man with leprosy. “Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere” (Mark 1:43-45 NIV).

Wrong Motives

Last Thursday I watched the funeral service for Senator John Lewis and found myself mentally recoiling at the politically motivated prayers that were prayed in the name of Jesus Christ. For instance, praying to God for worldwide white supremacy to be eliminated, Black Lives Matter would be upheld, black people would have equality in housing, that all black people would be united in their votes in the upcoming presidential election, etc. James said, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures” (James 4:1-3 NIV).

God’s Wrath

Fake news is everywhere and social media keeps it alive. Recently there was a post about an incident in Walmart where the voice over the PA system said Walmart no longer supports the police. Many people commented on the post saying they would never shop at Walmart again; however, a quick fact-check proved the post to be false. No doubt the originator of the post thinks he/she will never be held accountable for instigating lies and misinformation. Paul said, “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them” (Eph 5:6-7 NIV).

Taking a Knee in Heaven, on Earth and Under the Earth

Peer pressure has athletes, coaches and owners in every national sport taking a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. In my mind this comes very close to bowing before a BLM altar and I’m reminded of the remnant of Israel, 7,000 in all, who had not bowed the knee to Baal (Ro 11:4). People of faith should consider carefully the ramifications of taking a knee to anyone or anything other than Jesus. Speaking of Christ, Paul said “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil 2:9-11 NIV).