The Fast Way to God's Heart

By Brenda Black

“'Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.'” (Isaiah 58:6—9a)

Welcome to this week in America: Injustice, oppression, hunger, loss of home and clothing and life! And out of the mouth of Isaiah, a prophet who preached in the 740's BCE, we hear God speak directly to us today. He tells us if we do what is right, the Lord Himself will have our back!

The word “prophet” literally means “to boil up like a fountain.” So here are a couple of fiercely frothy topics that need some God perspective to put us on the fast track to His blessings.

Boiling up first is the need to “Loose the chains of injustice.” I'm not one to go political in this column, but for crying out loud, there needs to be a house cleaning of magnanimous proportions in our government! So much corruption and injustice cannot continue if we want to draw near to God's heart. 

The truth is rapidly and finally becoming unveiled. Those whom we have entrusted, have lied, manipulated and murdered. Trust has been decimated along with privacy. Lives have been lost along with liberty.

May the chains of injustice be loosed and the cords of this deceitful yoke be broken so that freedom and security will once again be available to Americans. There's a reason God blessed this nation for generations. Generations before blessed God!

Boiling up next is the need to “Share your food with the hungry and provide the poor wanderer with shelter.” Oddly enough in a world where social media keeps us instantly and constantly connected, the human element is all to often absent. Instead of reaching out to meet the needs of someone else, we're standing in front of mirrors taking self portraits with cell phones and so absorbed with our own trivial day-to-day happenings, that we forget none of us is the center of the universe! Good grief – we need to use our fingers less for texting the latest gossip and more for holding the hand of someone in crisis! So often, God uses the people-to-people formula to convey His love and grace. With all the pain in our country this week, don't miss being the Lord's emissary of mercy.

May we feed the hungry, house the homeless, clothe the naked and love one another as Christ loved us. “'Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.'” (Matthew 5:7-8)

There's an overflow effect after boiling up like a fountain and taking God to the masses.“Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.”

The rear guard is that part of a military force that protects it from attack from the rear, either during an advance or withdrawal. Be aware, that as you speak up for truth, as you demand justice, as you sacrifice to meet the needs of another, the enemy will be on your heels in hot pursuit. I pray that the church of God does not withdraw, but advances, declaring the love of Christ and standing up for His justice.

May the timeless words of Isaiah appropriately overflow at a time when we need to hear them and follow them closely. May our fasting be honorable in the sight of God so that when we call, the Lord answers. When we cry for help, we here Him say, “Here am I.”

Lying Lips Deliver Only Bitterness

By Brenda Black

The marble floors and granite colonnades, high domed ceilings and cavernous hallways showcased mind-boggling and beautiful architecture as I strolled through the square and round mazes of the Capitol building. They also provided great amplification. A simple clickety-clack of an aide's stiletto heels or the giggles of touring school children sounded like fireworks and chaos when their echoes collided and bounced from one hard surface to another.

Still, the din from daily traffic was no match to the roar from the House floor. Debaters who took their places near microphones competed with constant chatter from the gallery. Hushed conversations escalated in volume as representatives and constituents or fellow law-makers huddled together to attempt intelligible conversations.

In the midst of all the mayhem, somehow the work of law-making continues. And in the middle of that business are men and women who perform one of two ways – honorably or dishonorably. If the walls of Congress could talk, they'd tell the battles of integrity versus immorality, principled decisions in struggle with unethical behavior. It's the human condition and it gets magnified in a magnificent place.

With every scheduled meeting, I felt fairly confident discerning whether I was hearing truth or just getting lip service. Having only met most of these legislators for the first time, the impressions of others who knew them better proved far more valuable in determining their credibility. When their own constituents spoke highly about them, it proved the elected representatives had earned their respect. Some were even applauded for valiant efforts and their long-standing integrity.

Unfortunately a few law makers have a different type of notoriety – a reputation for insincerity. A lack of wisdom and inability to see beyond their own personal agendas has those bad players better known for lying tongues, two-faced performances and narrow-minded opinions.

Which would you trust? Which would you rather be? Whether constituent or Congressman, receptionist or Representative, lobbyist or legislator – honesty and integrity matter.

Scripture speaks clearly about the importance of honesty. “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.” (Proverbs 12:22) The Word of God also declares the benefits of honorable living. “Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:12-14)

Most of us would contend that it is troubling to be on the receiving end of a liar's litany. But what of the snare the liar lays for himself when he refuses to speak the truth. “An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk, but a righteous man escapes trouble.” (Prov. 12:13)

Throughout my day at the Capitol, I heard of the work of honorable men and women. I learned about their passion for justice or their willingness to go to battle for right causes. I listened to colleagues drop their egos and applaud the accomplishments of fellow legislators.

On the flip side, one man's name repeatedly received negative reaction from every rank and file. He had earned the reputation for saying one thing and doing another. He lied, he broke trusts, he refused to listen. In short, the man was despised and disrespected by many. His reputation for insincerity didn't just bounce of the walls, it was proclaimed from the rooftops of this noble building.

His lying lips had rendered only bitterness when truth may have provided sweet bliss. “An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.” (Prov. 24:26)

I may not understand all the ins and outs of passing a bill through Congress, but I learned this much from my day at the Capitol, I'd rather walk blameless and seek the favor of the Lord and the respect from others than to walk in such a way as to leave a wake that causes others to despise and disrespect me. If it matters in law, how much more in life?

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ” Galatians 6:7-9

Slimy Ways Fabricate Oozing Fallout

By Brenda Black

If I called peanut butter “brown slime,” my guess is you wouldn't want to eat it. If I referred to grape jelly as “purple glop,” I doubt that the beloved pbj would ever make it into a child's lunchbox. In marketing, we call that image and the mental or emotional picture that a consumer forms in his or her mind is a powerful motivator.

The disgruntled and retaliatory Gerald Zirnstein has been in Beef Products Inc.'s plant and knows it is a fully federally inspected plant. (http://beefisbeef.com/) He has taken a personal vendetta to new lows with his “pink slime” smear campaign, ousting hundreds of employees at an award winning facility. He knows the photo he has posted on his blog is NOT lean finely textured beef. Neither was the photo taken in a U.S. federally inspected food plant. He knows the process for harvesting lean finely textured beef involves blowing perfectly safe ammonium hydroxide gas over the product, not "soaking" it in household ammonia. He knows the product is lean beef, but he gave it an ugly name to back his ugly scheme.

“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.” (Proverbs 6:16)

And there you have it – the outline for the “pink slime” campaign. Haughtiness from a man who describes himself as "jaded, sarcastic and overly critical." A lying tongue who twisted, then oozed his false information to sensationalistic journalists vying for shocking headlines and increased viewer ratings. Hands that shed innocent blood by defaming an innovative company trying to protect the food supply. His heart devised a wicked scheme and mainstream journalism and ill-informed citizens quickly rushed in to perpetuate the evil plot. Guess what – the false claims and steady diet of slimy lies caused dissension. Go figure!

Words wield power for good and evil. What's more harmful is that people don't use their minds to sift truth from fallacy in what comes out of the mouths of others. Instead, we quickly spread the “word” in social media through instant links or by whispered gossip ear to ear. Misinformation is damaging; and it can be damning.

Heed these words from the wisest. Solomon taught them in the book of Proverbs. “Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” (29:20) “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.” (20:19) “Food gained by fraud tastes sweet to a man, but he ends up with a mouth full of gravel.” (20:17) “A corrupt witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.” (19:28) “A false witness will perish, and whoever listens to him will be destroyed forever.” (21:28)

But “He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.” (21:23)

Lies and the people who perpetuate them will answer for their false condemnation. It's not just meat, people. It's lives and liberty and decency. Innocent people go to jail because of false testimony. Careers are destroyed and families slain by a vindictive word spread like wildfire. There's so much disregard for common sense and courtesy! Does anyone think for himself anymore? The bigger question: Does anyone consider how their actions injure others?

Resurrection Relay

Resurrection Relay
By Brenda Black

“After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

“There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

“The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: “He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.” Now I have told you.'

“So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. 'Greetings,' he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, 'Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.'

“While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, 'You are to say, “his disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.” If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.' So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.” (Matthew 28)

An earthquake had occurred. An angel did descend. He rolled away the stone and there he sat watching mighty guards tremble in their boots, disabled with immobilizing fear. When they gathered the strength, they cowardly fled to seek help and alliances that would spare their lives from certain death for a job poorly managed.

An earthquake had occurred. An angel did descend. He rolled away the stone and there he sat greeting meek women who stood in awe. When they were comforted with the angel's calming plea, they courageously crept forward to see the place where Jesus lay.

While the guards dickered for their safety, accepted bribes and vowed to lie in order to save their own hides, the women, likewise alarmed and astonished, carried out a more noble plan with “fear and joy.” They hurried to their task and delivered good news.

The contrasting responses to one single, historical event made the difference. The resurrection calls for faith in action, not ignorance, nor indifference, nor antagonism!

You see, the crucifixion was a finished event with continuing consequences. And when the angel stated that the Lord was risen, he indicated that the act was merely a simple, undefined action. No big deal to the God who is able! God did the work and all we have to do is report the truth.

“Go quickly and tell,” the women were instructed. And they followed the edict without hesitation.

Why are we more like the soldiers who have far greater interest in guarding our reputations instead of humbly submitting? Why aren't we more like the ladies who risked accusation of insanity in order to speak the truth? What do we have to fear? “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” (Matt. 10:28) Be not ashamed of the gospel, “because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” (Romans 1:16)

The God who formed man from dirt could easily breathe life into a corpse. That same God who sent His Son as a ransom still keeps His word. If He did this, will He not be faithful to every other promise? The angel assured the women that Jesus was going ahead of them into Galilee, which meant he was leading them forward – out of the tomb, away from the grave and toward life eternal. Just as soon as they consented to believe the promise, they met Jesus face to face and fell at His feet to worship! He does the work and all Christ asks of us is to trust Him and tell others the truth so that they may be led out of death and into life too.

The Resurrection is a relay race, not a one-shot jump religion. God's only plan for spreading hope eternal is entrusted to us, as it was to Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome. “Do not be afraid. Go and tell...” Then, others will see me. Why not begin this Easter.