I was spending time on IRC (Internet Relay Chat) this morning and found myself listening in on a couple conversations. I had changed my nick to indicate that I was off being good and cleaning my house. I wasn't really communicating with anyone as much as I was eavesdropping. I spend a lot of time in the IRC chat channel that belongs to James White of Alpha and Omega Ministries. James is an apologist, scholar and fractal artist extraordinaire. I have been participating there for years... as in 10 or more. I have learned a great deal from him either by reading his books, blog or listening to his debates and youtube material or by sitting in the chat channel and partaking of conversations. It's important to me to stress that I have learned a great deal and am absolutely grateful to God for the fellowship and instruction I have received there. What I am about to write is in no way to be construed that I am criticizing the medium nor am I criticizing Dr. White and the channel regular channel rats I consider family. Everyone got that? OK, let's continue.
Today while I was eavesdropping the subject of politics and world events came up. It does frequently in the channel. An apologetics ministry necessitates knowing what is going on in the world and the ability to think critically about it. More that thinking critically, it necessitates the ability to evaluate events biblically. As I was 'listening' in, I found my heart growing heavier and heavier. I finally typed in the channel that I didn't think I had the heart for politics today, waved goodbye and closed the program. Normally I keep it open and just change my nick to indicate that I am away. I couldn't even do that today. I had to close the channel and sign off IRC completely.
As I got up from my computer I wondered why I was having such a visceral reaction to conversations about world events. It didn't make sense to me that I should be troubled somewhere down deep in my soul. I thought about it while I was in my garden watering, picking green beans and bringing in squash. I thought about it as I cleaned the vegetables and prepared then for being frozen. It was on my mind while I cleaned out my fridge and as I took the splatters off the sides of my microwave. I baked a casserole and did a load of laundry with my thoughts preoccupied by why I had been so bothered by the conversation.
It's not as if I am reticent to voice my opinion on world events or that I think Christians should be apolitical. I don't mind a conversation with people who do not agree with me. I am not afraid of an argument or conflict. Admittedly I have been dangling my toes off the precipice of bad attitudes and over reaction regarding world events for a while. I have been unable to figure out why until just a few minutes ago. The problem I have isn't in what is being discussed, it is what is being left out.
The price of gas; the failing economy; the illogical and intolerant tolerance initiatives in Canada, England and elsewhere; the right to bear arms; the idiotic way we are throwing our Constitution under the steam roller of relativistic culture; the rise of Islam; the fall of orthodoxy; the horrible choices we have to vote for in the presidential race; the monstrous abortion statistics; the devaluation of human life. All these topics and more should be discussed and couched biblically. I do not want to partake in anymore complaints, observations, kvetching, head wagging or tsk tsking that would make it seem that I do so as one without hope.
What am I missing? The acknowledgment that even if the U.N. makes it illegal to criticize the nation of Islam my allegiance is to Almighty God. God is in His heaven and he does as he pleases, Psalm 115:3. I want to hear these things being discussed with more than a casual nod to God's sovereignty. I want to hear what you are doing to shore up your faith and do your part because you see the direction the world is headed. Are you memorizing Scripture? Are you burdened for a people group? Are you preparing your kids to trust Him? What are the god ordained contingencies in your life? What does the bible say about these dire times? Don't just enumerate the tragedies of living in this fallen word. I don't want to commiserate with you about how awful things are. I want to rejoice with you as we remember God's provision for his elect. Talk about world events in view of God's mercies and promises. Even if the unthinkable happens and these United States are being trampled, don't make general statements about how awful things are without touching on the wonderful mercies of God who, even though things do not bode well for this earth, has planned to save us and give us a new one to inhabit from the beginning. Can I get an amen from anybody?
Psalm 9:18
18 For the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted perish forever.
Psalm16:9
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely.
Psalm 38:15
15 For I hope in Thee, O LORD; Thou wilt answer, O Lord my God.
Psalm 119:166
166 I hope for Thy salvation, O LORD, and do Thy commandments.
Proverbs 23:18
18 Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.
Proverbs 24:14
14 Know {that} wisdom is thus for your soul; if you find {it,} then there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.
Romans 12:10-17
10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;
11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,
13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.
17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.
Philippians 4:7
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 24:6
6 "And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened, for {those things} must take place, but {that} is not yet the end.
Today while I was eavesdropping the subject of politics and world events came up. It does frequently in the channel. An apologetics ministry necessitates knowing what is going on in the world and the ability to think critically about it. More that thinking critically, it necessitates the ability to evaluate events biblically. As I was 'listening' in, I found my heart growing heavier and heavier. I finally typed in the channel that I didn't think I had the heart for politics today, waved goodbye and closed the program. Normally I keep it open and just change my nick to indicate that I am away. I couldn't even do that today. I had to close the channel and sign off IRC completely.
As I got up from my computer I wondered why I was having such a visceral reaction to conversations about world events. It didn't make sense to me that I should be troubled somewhere down deep in my soul. I thought about it while I was in my garden watering, picking green beans and bringing in squash. I thought about it as I cleaned the vegetables and prepared then for being frozen. It was on my mind while I cleaned out my fridge and as I took the splatters off the sides of my microwave. I baked a casserole and did a load of laundry with my thoughts preoccupied by why I had been so bothered by the conversation.
It's not as if I am reticent to voice my opinion on world events or that I think Christians should be apolitical. I don't mind a conversation with people who do not agree with me. I am not afraid of an argument or conflict. Admittedly I have been dangling my toes off the precipice of bad attitudes and over reaction regarding world events for a while. I have been unable to figure out why until just a few minutes ago. The problem I have isn't in what is being discussed, it is what is being left out.
The price of gas; the failing economy; the illogical and intolerant tolerance initiatives in Canada, England and elsewhere; the right to bear arms; the idiotic way we are throwing our Constitution under the steam roller of relativistic culture; the rise of Islam; the fall of orthodoxy; the horrible choices we have to vote for in the presidential race; the monstrous abortion statistics; the devaluation of human life. All these topics and more should be discussed and couched biblically. I do not want to partake in anymore complaints, observations, kvetching, head wagging or tsk tsking that would make it seem that I do so as one without hope.
What am I missing? The acknowledgment that even if the U.N. makes it illegal to criticize the nation of Islam my allegiance is to Almighty God. God is in His heaven and he does as he pleases, Psalm 115:3. I want to hear these things being discussed with more than a casual nod to God's sovereignty. I want to hear what you are doing to shore up your faith and do your part because you see the direction the world is headed. Are you memorizing Scripture? Are you burdened for a people group? Are you preparing your kids to trust Him? What are the god ordained contingencies in your life? What does the bible say about these dire times? Don't just enumerate the tragedies of living in this fallen word. I don't want to commiserate with you about how awful things are. I want to rejoice with you as we remember God's provision for his elect. Talk about world events in view of God's mercies and promises. Even if the unthinkable happens and these United States are being trampled, don't make general statements about how awful things are without touching on the wonderful mercies of God who, even though things do not bode well for this earth, has planned to save us and give us a new one to inhabit from the beginning. Can I get an amen from anybody?
Psalm 9:18
18 For the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted perish forever.
Psalm16:9
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely.
Psalm 38:15
15 For I hope in Thee, O LORD; Thou wilt answer, O Lord my God.
Psalm 119:166
166 I hope for Thy salvation, O LORD, and do Thy commandments.
Proverbs 23:18
18 Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.
Proverbs 24:14
14 Know {that} wisdom is thus for your soul; if you find {it,} then there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.
Romans 12:10-17
10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;
11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,
13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.
17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.
Philippians 4:7
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 24:6
6 "And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened, for {those things} must take place, but {that} is not yet the end.
Comments
amen x2
:)
Well said...
Thanks for the kind word. I appreciate it!