How Peace is Possible

By Brenda Black

While remembering the tragedy and terror of 11 years ago, we are freshly reminded again this week in a new and offensive way just how far we have not come, and how old wounds never heal if they keep being ripped open and salt poured on them. As much as I'd like to lash out at the heinous violence that cut such a deep gash in our American soul and has continued to stab her heart for more than a decade, I'll refrain. As much as I'd like to rebuke the ignorant methods we've employed to secure safety since 2011, I'll keep my mouth shut. As much as I'd like to rant about the political ignorance that whittles away at our worldwide credibility and here on U.S. soil, I won't. Anyone with half a brain and one crossed eye can see hate and ignorance. No need for a spotlight or a commentator.

Neither will hateful acts the world over cease until there is perfect peace. Don't go looking for it as a result of puny, ill-timed and insulting apologies. Don't think it will arrive on the tails of brutal force. Peace may be sought and prayed for, but it will not come in a world that forsakes the true God of Peace – Jehovah God

It has been estimated that out of 3,530 years of recorded history, there were 286 years of peace, 14,351 of war and 3.64 billion people killed. More than 8,000 "peace" treaties were made and broken. That's a pretty lousy platform on which to place the possibility of long-term peace here on earth. For, most certainly, the numbers have increased abundantly on the war and death side since these figures were documented.

Why no peace? People have forgotten Jehovah Shalom “The Lord is Peace.” As Jehovah-jireh, God provides redemption from bondage. As Jehovah-rophe, He heals sicknesses and sorrows. Jehovah-nissi is our banner of victory, but we suffer defeats because we turn our back on Him. When we deny the power and provision of God Almighty, we lose our peace and we lose our liberty.

The One True God alone can heal the broken hearted. He is the God who sees and the God who cares. We cried out to Him when the Twin Towers fell. We pulled together as a grieving nation and professed sweeping faith in Jesus...for a little while. Then we went back to our wicked, self-centered ways. And lately, it seems with an arrogant vengeance, we shout out “NO!” to having God in our lives at all!

Still, He waits, longing to rescue us and deliver peace if only we would trust Him and obey. Ironically Psalm 9:11 begins “Sing praises to the Lord, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done.” It continues through verse 20: “For he who avenges blood remembers; he does not ignore the cry of the afflicted. O Lord, see how my enemies persecute me! Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death, that I may declare your praises in the gates of the Daughter of Zion and there rejoice in your salvation. The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden. The Lord is known by his justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. The wicked return to the grave, all the nations that forget God. But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish. Arise, O Lord, let not man triumph; let the nations be judged in your presence. Strike them with terror, O Lord; let the nations know they are but men.”

This passage in Psalm ends with a musical term“Selah,” which means to give pause and think. So think about this: Peace will not come through murderous intolerance. It will not come to one who is indifferent. Peace is not possible apart from the Holy Spirit living in the hearts of men, convicting them of sin.

“Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace...” (Romans 8:5-6)

For years, I've prayed over my sons a blessing that ends “May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.” And to you who read this column today, I give you a blessing as well: “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23a)

He's our only chance, our only hope, our only peace in a world defiled by hate.

copyright 2012 - The Word's Out - Brenda Black

Two Years to the End

Two Years to the End
By Brenda Black

Chicken Little couldn't hold a candle to throngs who wail the sky will fall in 2012. Movies abound concerning the end of time on planet earth, derived from secular, Christian, New Age, Indian folk lore and Nostradamus concepts. Though socially and religiously as different as the beginning is to the end, many of these diverse groups have cinematic productions that share the belief that something monumental will happen in December of 2012. That leaves us just two years!

Certainly prophets and lunatics, evangelists and scientists have predicted the end of the world since it's inception. Whether the final curtain falls in 2012 or not is not the question. The question is are you ready to meet your Maker. If people spent more time living today as if there were no tomorrow, our world wouldn't be in such a hullabaloo over dates and disasters.

Think of it this way: If you knew without a shadow of a doubt that you had only two years left in your life, how would you live it? Would matters we spend so much time mulling over truly matter? Would we contribute strife if we had limited time to make a difference with our lives? Would we revel in nonsense rather than hunger for insight? Would we dwell on the temporary or contemplate eternity?

I believe eternity will arrive right on time. And I intend to be ready! Whether it comes in the middle of this night or two years from now; five weeks or three decades into the future is of no concern to the signed, sealed and ready-to-be-delivered believers of Christ Jesus. My Chicken Little cry is victory for the saved and warning to the lost. “I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2c)

If nothing else comes of the doomsday herald, at least folks are facing their own mortality. One website devoted to highlighting big-screen buzz put it this way: “We believe that the upcoming movies about 2012 will bring a new level of awareness of topics that ordinary people haven't explored, but esoteric and mystical people have been aware of for centuries.” (www.2012movie.org)

I don't think special interest groups have a corner on the topic since believers of Christ have been anticipating the Day of His Return since the hour Christ departed. The Holy Bible addresses end times without setting specific dates. Still, God's Word provides ample commentary on the topic over which the Lord Almighty has complete authority. Jesus specifically instructed his disciples on the matter.

“He replied: 'Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, “I am he,” and “The time is near.” Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.'

“Then he said to them: 'Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines, pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven...

“'There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your head, because your redemption is drawing near.'” (Luke 21:8-11, 25-28)

You see, it doesn't matter when the end. It does matter who you know and how well you trust in the One who holds the keys to eternity. “'Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.'” (Revelation 22:12-13)

Don't live in fear even when the earth seems at its worst. Live by faith that in the end, those who follow Christ, leave heartache and disaster to dwell in glorious paradise.

“Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, 'Peace and safety,' destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

“But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11)

Don't live for 2012, live each day of 2010 as if it were the end.

Counting the Cost

Counting the Cost
By Brenda Black

Memorial Day originally honored the Civil War dead that numbered more than 620,000 men. Each May since 1868, America's freedom-grateful acknowledge their fallen protectors with quiet prayer, vivid floral wreaths and ceremonious events. Try as we may to humble ourselves as a nation and observe the solemn and selfless acts of brave soldiers, the gestures pale in comparison to their greatness. And sadly, there will remain an ignorant disregard among the masses for such noble sacrifice.

Though teenage men faced bloody battles more than a hundred years ago, and writhed with guilt and weariness and hunger, little thought will be given them at 21st Century beach-side BBQs where youth feast and party. The latest generations vaguely recall their ancestors' names who fought for what they believed or those who languished to liberate others. They'll not be able to account for a great grandparent who died among the 33,741 fallen in North and South Korea or the 47,424 who lost life and limb in Vietnam unless they've been told of such feats.

You see, the indifference didn't begin with the youngest, it began when former generations stopped talking about real heroes and decided current cultural icons deserved more respect than officers and gentlemen who gave their lives in battle. We run the risk of blinding our selves to valuable lessons and worthy examples when all we do is talk about the future and brag about the present. Our station in life is blessed because of those who faced persecution in the past. Our freedoms are enjoyed thanks to those who relinquished their own. This nation is strong as a result of the strength of character and fortitude of the fearless who stood for liberty and truth.

Though Patrick Henry did not die in battle, I believe his powerful words spoken Mar. 23, 1775 at St John's Henrico Parish Church in Richmond, VA, express the reason for such heroics.

“...The questing before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

“Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.

“I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past...

“...Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! ...

“...Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”

Henry embodied the passion that pushes soldiers to prevail in dire circumstances. He represented the heart of freedom-loving Americans like the hundreds of thousands who faced danger bravely and succumbed to honorable deaths. There is never a generation that should ever forget! Our privileges come at a cost!

In addition to the 701,165 soldiers already mentioned who died in combat, let's remember the 5,067 modern-day casualties of war from the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan and Iraq; the 8,428 who gave their lives in battle in the American Revolution, the War of 1812 and the Mexican war; and the 344,959 in WW I and WW II. They fought for liberty and accepted death as the exchange for such a luxury. These valiant patriots deserve our grateful acknowledgment this Memorial holiday. Stop and count your blessings – 1,059,619 of them.