Parapet Wall Theology

“Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community.”

Anthony J. D'Angelo

“Turn on, tune in, drop out” was the counterculture era phrase popularized by Dr. Timothy Leary and the mantra of the hippies during the 60s and 70s. Turn on: try out the drugs everyone is doing, the weed, the LSD. Listen to the music, the rock, the protest songs. Tune in: listen to what the young people are saying; there’s a revolution going on. Pay attention, learn a new way of living in the world based on love. Drop out: quit that meaningless job, leave that bland suburb, get out of the “rat race,” live free.

  It was the beginning of an obsessive focus on “rights” from equal rights to women’s rights to reproduction rights to gun rights. Because we are Imago Dei, we’ve been bestowed with certain “inalienable rights” as Founders of our Country understood. Yet, what’s frequently missing is any sense of “responsibility.” That’s a contrast to the biblical worldview where the emphasis is on responsibility, not rights, as first seen in the Garden of Eden.

  Many Christians so emphasize the New Testament, they miss the ethical guidance there for us in the Old Testament. Most of our laws find their roots in Scripture. What’s also missed are the healthy societal dimensions in the Old Testament that we’d do well to heed today. Old Testament Law had problem-solving provisions for poverty, immigration, caring for the disenfranchised that give us insights on those same societal issues today.

  One example is, Parapet Theology, as found in Deuteronomy 22:8: “When you build a new house, you shall make a parapet for your roof, that you may not bring the guilt of blood upon your house, if anyone should fall from it.” Though cultural for that day, the ethical provision is that each of us has a responsibility to others. In a self-absorbed world, God’s people are to love their neighbors. It’s so serious that under the Old Covenant, they were to invest in safety measures like installing a parapet on a new home.

  What is a parapet? It’s a low protective wall or barrier at the edge of a balcony, roof, or bridge. The Hebrews needed parapets because their homes had flat roofs that were covered by a canopy intended as extra living space. This short wall prevented someone from falling off and being injured or killed when hitting the ground below.

  The humanitarian principle is that homeowners must maintain their property to prevent someone from being easily injured. It’s why we install handrails on stairs and second-story porches. While the command is culturally specific, the principle is timeless. Our responsibility to be aware of how our actions and choices affect the lives of others is consistent with Jesus’ teachings,  especially in the Sermon on the Mount. Even architecture can be biblical and theological.

  An idolatrous individualism has contaminated contemporary Christianity in that church, worship, ministry, programs, all of church life is about ME, but it’s not! It’s always about God first. Then, it’s about community. While individuality is not lost, it’s not to be preeminent. What does have precedence for the Christian is sacrifice, serving God and others.  

  Study Scripture for yourself and you’ll quickly discover a recurring theme – God’s heart naturally bends toward the vulnerable, the weak, the disenfranchised, the immigrant, the widow, and the elderly. But God opposes the proud, those who trust in their own strength and boast in their wisdom, and those who lack compassion for the disenfranchised.

  We Christians must be gospel-driven. Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 must challenge us in our “rights-centered” culture. “For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.”

  Let me share how that unpacks for me personally. In the midst of this Pandemic, if it will help build bridges for the gospel to someone who doesn’t know Christ, I’ll wear a mask and gloves. I’ve done all that and more in the past to visit someone in the hospital with a compromised immune system. I’d wear a hazmat suit if it’d open doors for the gospel.

  On the other hand, if my lost friend thinks all of this is silly and doesn’t feel comfortable unless we shake hands or even hug – guess what? I’m shaking hands and hugging. While I’m not suggesting that we be foolish, being a Christ-follower demands cross-carrying. It’s not about ME. It’s all about Jesus and loving Him. It’s about loving my neighbor, even if it means sacrificing my “rights.” Living out the gospel is sacrificial and risky.  

  This is not the flu. There’s something very deadly out there. We know that it easily spreads through human interactions, sometimes so easily and subtly that no one notices its transference. Only one Christian may be infected, but if churches aren’t careful, that one member can spread this deadly illness to others all too easily and with little effort. No matter your age or health, every member is vulnerable to this terrible disease.

  Oh, I’m not talking about COVID-19, I’m talking about something far deadlier – selfish ambition. Selfish ambition elevates our thoughts, preferences, and opinions over our responsibility to honor the Lord and to care for and love others. It puts me on the throne of my life instead of my Savior and King.

  It’s not wrong for Christians to long to return to normality in life and worship. It is sinful when a believer over-prioritizes their own “rights” on complex issues over and above loving Jesus, other brothers and sisters and a lost, terrified world. Because when God’s amazing grace truly grips our hearts, when the full realization of “I once was lost” echoes in our souls, sacrifice for our Savior becomes simple and willingly made. 

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

When you love your child too much?

“Stay away from the ones who love too much.

Those are the ones who will kill you.” Donna Tartt

There’s a story from Greek mythology of a mother and son who love each other so much that they’re never apart. They live in the forest and rarely go out, except to the market. One day the son goes off alone and happens to meet a young lady. He falls in love with her but she’s a very jealous person, and demands that the young man love her unconditionally. The son is torn between his love for her and his love for his mother. His lover finally demands, “If you truly love me, you’ll murder your mother and bring me her heart.” The thought at first is abhorrent to the young man, but ultimately he succumbs. While his mother is asleep, he kills her and cuts out her heart and puts it in a sack to bring to his lover. On the way through the forest, he trips on a rock. His mother’s heart falls out of the sack, looks up at the young man and asks, “Did you hurt yourself, my son?”  

  That horrible story illustrates an all too common reality – sometimes parents love their children too much or love them immaturely. Sometimes that love becomes idolatry where it has precedent even over love for God. Apparently, that’s why Abraham was tested (Genesis 22), to see if he loved his son, Isaac, more than he loved God. He powerfully passed that test.

  Fifty years ago, on May 29, 1970 my Mom was taken Home in a tragic car accident. She was 47; I was only ten. My Mom loved the Lord and loved her five children (I’m the youngest). As I look back, while I believe her motives were pure, she loved me too much. While my Dad was a successful businessman, he was also an abuser and prescription drug addict.

  I’m not sure if it was because I was the “baby” or to protect me from my often out of control Dad, but I was spoiled. That changed overnight after she was killed. It was a bit like being taken from America and dropped in China. Love was replaced with what was close to hatred. I could never do anything right as far as my Dad was concerned, BUT my Heavenly Father was in control. While my Mom had great intentions, God had a greater plan. It was very painful for me, yet God used the crucible of pain to burn off my many rough edges. Psalm 27:10 became an anchor for me, “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.”

  Over the years I’ve observed parents who by being too “loving,” potentially hurt the future of their child. One situation stands out in my mind where the children were kept in perpetual dependence. Failure to take responsibility was excused. The children, even in early adulthood, were coddled Today both parents are gone and those now-adult children are virtually functional and social invalids.

  Look through the pages of Scripture for yourself. You will not find any person that God greatly used that did not also go through tremendous trials. Joseph, Ruth, Daniel, Esther…to name a few would never have been powerfully used by God if they’d not also suffered. No one becomes a person of character and spiritual maturity without trials and pain.

  Parents want to do the very best for our children – best food, best schools, best sports program, etc. It’s hard for a parent to watch a child suffer or go through difficulty. Yet, continually intervening and taking their emotional temperature is not best for their future and character development. As parents, we must give our children two things: roots and wings.

  As the parents of three now-adult children, it was often very difficult for Jane and me not to swoop in to do a rescue operation. One situation sticks out particularly in my mind where we encouraged our child to persevere for their own growth and good. Words can’t fully express how difficult and even nerve-wracking it was, yet we were seeking to look at the bigger picture and their future. We surrendered our child to our Heavenly Father and trusted that He was in control. Looking back, we’re so glad we did.

  One of the most majestic trees of the Midwest is the oak. It’s the combination of winter’s cold and summer’s warmth, of falling leaves in autumn and budding leaves in spring which makes the mighty oak stand in a storm that takes down many other trees in the forest. But there’s no hurrying of the development of an oak tree. They don’t even start producing acorns until they’re ten years old. It takes time. It takes rugged weather to produce a mighty oak.

  The same is true with godly, mature adult children. It takes storms to produce character. Recently, I saw someone post that during these days they so wished that all of their now-adult children were home, safe with them where they could protect them. But we can’t. Our children must learn to stand alone. Some day they will be raising our grandchildren.

  One of the great tragedies and sources of many of our social problems is that we have parents who while adults chronologically, are stuck in adolescence emotionally. The children suffer because it takes an adult to raise a child.

  Every child will face difficulty. They will fail. They will have cruel individuals come into their lives. They will suffer loss and pain. Yet, instead of attempting to “fix” everything which is impossible, we’d be wiser to help them learn to turn their hearts heavenward in those formative years. Rather than asking how they feel, a better question that will serve them into their future is: What do you believe your Heavenly Father is seeking to teach you through this?

  Too many Christian parents settle for secular standards of success. Our goal must not be to raise good adults but something much more important, godly ones. Children can behave well out of obedience or fear. That doesn’t mean they’ll do what’s best when they venture out on their own. To raise children who become godly adults, we must teach them character and allow God to develop it in their hearts…sometimes through difficulty. As Bible-believers, one of the greatest love gifts that we can give them is to model trusting our Heavenly Father and to teach them to depend on Him today so that they are prepared for tomorrow.

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

The Inevitable Cannot Be Denied

“We have a right to believe whatever we want,

but not everything we believe is right.” Ravi Zacharias

One of my heroes is dying. Internationally known speaker and Christian apologist, Ravi Zacharias, has been battling a rare form of bone cancer since March and was recently informed by doctors that his cancer has spread and there’s nothing more they can do medically. Medically speaking, they have done all that is doable.

  I love his books. On a few occasions, I’ve had the privilege of hearing Ravi speak personally. His Homegoing will be a great loss for the Church.

  One of my favorite of the many anecdotes that he shared was from his book, Can Man Live Without God? He writes:

  “There is a story told, whether factual or not I do not know, of the onetime heavyweight boxing champion of the world, Muhammad Ali, flying to one of his engagements. Ali’s name has never been synonymous with humility, and thus whether this story is fact or fiction, the notoriously yet affectionately branded ‘Louisville Lip’ at least made possible such an anecdote. During the flight the aircraft ran into foul weather, and mild to moderate turbulence began to toss it about. All fliers will know that when a pilot signals ‘moderate turbulence,’ he is implying, ‘if you have any religious beliefs, it is time to start expressing them.’ The passengers were accordingly instructed to fasten their seatbelts immediately. Everyone complied by Ali. Noticing this, the flight attendant approached him and requested that he observe the captain’s order, only to hear Ali audaciously respond, ‘Superman don’t need no seatbelt.’ The flight attendant did not miss a beat and replied, ‘Superman don’t need no airplane either’.”

  But Ravi Zacharias doesn’t need either a seatbelt or an airplane for his next journey. He has something much greater – he has the promises of God. Years ago he committed his life to Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior and he is ready for his ultimate and last journey. Are you?

  One of the current popular lies being batted about is “We can save Grandma.” Please understand, you can’t. I’m not suggesting that seeking to protect our elderly population from potential infection by Covid-19 virus is wrong so that they can live longer is a bad idea. I am though pointing out the inevitable – you can’t protect Grandma or Grandpa or their grandson or granddaughter from our final fate – Death. Death can sometimes be delayed, but it cannot be denied. As the writer of Hebrews penned, “And just as each person is destined to die…” (Hebrews 9:28, NLT).

  Walk through any cemetery and you’ll see this truth. Death is no respecter of persons. It comes for the very old and very young. In four decades of ministry I’ve officiated funerals of those who lived for a few hours to those who were nearly a century old, and everything in between. Death is inevitable. It cannot be escaped.

  Because death is certain for all of us, a wise person is prepared. It’s a journey that eventually all of us will take. If each of us are going to have to take this journey, then it’s essential that we have an accurate roadmap.

  I’m thankful that technology has improved so that we can now have GPS on our phones, though every now and then GPS is wrong. Some years ago Jane and I were looking for a Walmart in a small town. After circling back further and further into a subdivision, we realized that somehow our GPS was completely wrong.

  God’s Word, the Bible, is a certain map guiding us both on how to live and how to die. Sometimes you’ll hear someone question that with, “That’s just your interpretation.” This is why at Grace we do not attempt to interpret the Bible, instead, we seek to understand what God has already written there. We also encourage you that if what you learn in our church is not in the Bible, then hit the delete button and please factcheck us!

  Words have meaning and the Bible is a book full of words that God as the Author wants us to understand. Even the biggest skeptic and “that’s just your interpretation” fanatic looks both ways when crossing Lakeshore Drive in Chicago. Words have meaning.

  This is why we’re committed to working our way through the Bible systematically at Grace, as we’re currently doing with the book of Philippians in our Sunday series, Joy No Matter What. None of us needs one more subjective opinion. We need a certain roadmap. The Bible is that.

  God’s Word is the medicine that encourages and brings healing to our souls. It’s also a mirror that points out flaws that need to be remedied. Our loving God has given us all of the information that we need for this life and the next, because the fact is that none of us are going to get out this world alive. It’s why it’s critical that we have the right roadmap from the One who is already in heaven waiting for us.

  Oftentimes someone will say, “I don’t believe the Bible. It’s full of myths and contradictions.” If someone says that to you, please ask them one vital question, “Have you ever read it?” Sadly, everyone, I’ve ever asked that through the years has always responded, “No.” Usually, I don’t have to connect the dots for them. To reject something that makes such strong and powerful claims without ever checking the evidence for yourself is foolish.

  C. S. Lewis tells of three apprentice devils who were coming to earth to finish their apprenticeship. They were talking to Satan, the chief of the devils, about their plans to tempt people. The first devil said, “I will tell them that there is no God.” Satan responded, “That will not delude many, for they know that there is a God.” The second devil said, “I will tell them that there is no hell.” Satan answered, “You will deceive no one that way; they know that there is a hell.” The third devil said, “I will tell them that there is no hurry.” (Pause) “Go,” said Satan, “and you will ruin them by the thousands.”

  Before you read this, Ravi Zacharias, may be Home with Jesus. He’s ready. He didn’t wait because none of us is guaranteed tomorrow. Are you ready my friend?  

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

 

You Only Have One Mom!

“Mother is a verb. It’s something you do. Not just who you are.”

Dorothy Canfield Fisher

You only have one Mom! Through the years I’ve been reminded of that many times as I’ve walked a family through the death of their mother. This Pandemic has brought us face to face with the fragility of life. Normally, we work to push the reality of death out to the edges of our mind, but it won’t stay there. Death is inevitable and always comes too soon. Many of those bodies in faraway places like Italy, New York City, and China are someone’s mother.  Good-byes are often unexpected and unplanned.

  I’ve lost track of how many funerals I’ve done over the decades. One trait that nearly all have in common – the person who could most benefit from the love, kind words and gratitude being expressed is no longer there to experience it. That always makes me very sad.

  Our Creator is a God of love and designed us to be loved. An unloved individual is a miserable one.

  In Les Miserables, Victor Hugo tells the stirring story of an escaped convict who is transformed by the compassion of a French bishop who forgives him for stealing his silver candlesticks. The transformation leads this convict to lead a life of love and success, eventually causing him to forgive himself and save the life of the prison guard who stalks him down in an effort to return him to prison. In that literary classic Hugo writes that “the supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved.”

  On this Mother’s Day may we remember that our Mom’s greatest need is not a new dress, a remodeled kitchen, breakfast in bed, fresh flowers, or another card. What your Mom needs most of all is to know that she is loved! Everything else is meaningless without love. So how can you show your Mom that you love her?

  Just say it. Say it often, repeat it and say it again and again. One of the most foolish things that I periodically hear is, “Well, they know that I love them.” Do you really believe your mother is psychic? It’s a very rare Mom who feels that she measures up (most of them have very low self-esteem, particularly when it comes to being a Mom). She needs to hear that you love her again and again. You never know when it might be the last time that you’ll be able to say it.

  Sadly, I speak from experience. It’s hard for me to believe that at the end of this month, it will be fifty years since my Mom was taken Home. She was driving to a wedding, her car went over a seventy-five-foot embankment and my Mom was gone. What I wouldn’t give to tell her “I love you” one more time.

  Touch her. When’s the last time you gave your Mom a big hug without her asking for it first? Think about this – your mother is the very first person who ever touched you. She wrapped you up in her womb for months and then you arrived. Her first priority was to hold you. She cuddled you, stroked your head, rubbed your feet, held your little cheeks against her, gave you a finger to grasp. In love, she did all those things.

  She changed your diapers, potty trained you, and held a tissue for you to blow your nose. She wiped food off of your face years longer than she should have had to. Your Mom constantly touched you! 

  Our largest organ is our skin. God designed us for touch. There are much worse things than dying from a virus. One is dying without human touch. Please find a way. Bathe yourself in a sanitizer if you have to. Your Mom needs your touch. She should never have to give that up completely!

  Love her patiently. Too many times I’ve had to bite my tongue. As your mother ages, she’ll forget things. The roles often reverse where you become the parent and she becomes the child. It’s almost more than I can bear to watch an adult child scold an aged parent. To me, it’s just cruel. An elderly person is no longer able to improve, grow or change. The scolding has nothing do with behavioral growth or modification. It’s just venting.

  In spite of all your Mom does for you, too many become impatient with her. She’s taken for granted and what she gives is expected. Just because she’s tender to your needs that’s no reason to take advantage of her. No, it’s the reason instead to be patient, grateful and to love her all the more!

  Love her generously. You’ll never be able to repay her, but it wouldn’t hurt to die trying. Most mothers rarely spend on themselves first unless all their children’s needs are met first.

  This will shock you. Please understand, there is never an excuse for abuse. Yet, there is a rationale for why so many Moms take it. It’s not for them. A mother will rationalize that she can take a few pokes, a black-eye every now and then, as long as her children have food on the table and a roof over their head. No, it’s not right, but Moms are willing to lay it all on the line for their children, to even sacrifice themselves and bodily harm.

  Moms give generously for their children over and over again. Your mother wasn’t perfect, but she did the best that she could.

  Are you familiar with Mom Math? State your answer as a fraction:  If there’s 10 at the table and one apple pie, how much does each one get?  Here’s the answer, “One ninth!” “But don’t you know your fractions?” “Do you know my mother? If there’s that many at the table and only one pie, she’ll decide that she’s really not that hungry and doesn’t want a piece.”

  Love her with respect. Exodus 20:12 says, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” Maybe you’re thinking, “You don’t know my mother…she was an addict. She was abusive.” It may be true that I don’t know your mother, but I do know God. The Bible says nothing about being worthy of respect. It just gives us the command. Scripture only has one qualification, “Is she your mother?”

  The police officer who pulls you over may be a scoundrel but Scripture still command us to show that law enforcement officer respect (Romans 13:1-7). Notice too, this the only one of the Ten Commandments which includes a built-in promise of blessing.

  In the end it’s not about whether your Mom has done the right thing. It’s about you honoring the Lord and doing the right thing. Why? Because it’s always the right thing to do. Not only will it bless her, but it will also cause things to go well with you and result in a long and happy life for you. So, please never be too busy or preoccupied to let your Mom know you love her.

  Even as Jesus was dying on the cross, He made sure that His mother knew that He loved her and that she was provided for. Your mother doesn’t need all the extras associated with this holiday. Please give her what she needs the most – YOUR LOVE! Give it to her today because tomorrow might just be too late!

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

Pass the Grace, Please

“We can never judge the lives of others, because each person knows only their own pain and renunciation. 

It’s one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it’s another to think that yours is the only path.”   Paul Coelho

  In early April, William Zordani and his large family took their Golden Retriever, Sunshine, for a walk near their home in their leafy suburb north of Chicago, they waited out the coronavirus shutdown. That evening, a woman who lives a few blocks away posted a photo of Mr. Zordani, his mother and five of his six siblings on their walk to the town’s Facebook news site, lambasting them for ignoring social-distancing rules and endangering the community.

  “Why are people so stupid,” one commenter wrote in the screed that followed. Another chimed in: “Where are parents?” A third indicated she had forwarded the photo to the mayor. The shunning and shaming of Mr. Zordani and his family is happening across the country, but it is felt most acutely in smaller cities and towns where anonymity is rare and people still hope to avoid the worst of the coronavirus pandemic. These virus vigilantes reflect the social strains on communities as the shutdown isolates neighbors and raises suspicion and fear.

  Two noxious social weeds have gone viral in the midst of our pandemic. They’re polar opposite overreactions: Corona-shaming and Corona-rage. It’s very ironic that in a culture whose watchword is “tolerance,” has now become so intolerant and judgmental. Over the top accusations like, “you’re killing grandma” or “you’re killing small businesses,” do little more than add more fuel to already inflamed emotions. Add to that, since many of us surround ourselves with those who agree with our worldview because we’ve not learned the value of dissonance, there is little dialogue and critical thinking, just lots of out of control feelings.  

  The Bible is clear on moral absolutes: stealing, lying, adultery, etc. Those are wrong, always have been wrong, and always will be wrong. Yet, how to morally respond to a Pandemic is, in spite of what many say (or post,) very unclear. It’s unchartered territory for us individually, for our communities and for our governments. It seems to me that one’s response is primarily colored by their emotional temperament and political persuasion. Not exactly a sound basis for evaluating the decisions and choices of others. 

  For believers, who are to be Spirit-controlled and who’s plumb-line must be God’s Word, it’s a time to demonstrate the grace that we’ve been given by God to others, particularly for those who differ in their approach to this global crisis. Corona-shaming and Corona-rage, are wrong and for the most part, outcomes of fear, anger, and pride.  

  Fear. God does not want us to live in fear. Some, though, may have reason to be more cautious. Perhaps, they have a compromised immune system or have constant contact with someone who does. Others feel pressure to work because of their financial situation. The terms “essential” and “non-essential” are not good designations for a healthy future of our society. God created work, all kinds, and types of work. Work gives us purpose and meaning.

  Fear can result in judgementalism of the person purchasing gardening supplies, but that gardener may be struggling with emotional issues or some addiction. It’s their attempt to keep themselves in a healthy place.

  Anger. It’s always dangerous to question motives. 1 Samuel 16:7 says, “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” I appreciate and admire anyone who serves in a public office, even those I disagree with. The constant barrage of vitriol, whatever their political position, they must endure is tragic. Should we open sooner, as some have? Should we keep things closed down longer? Should we shut down like Italy? Should we open up like Sweden? Even the “experts” have limited information and continually contradict each other. If their decisions have positive results, they’ll be lauded as heroes. But if their decisions have dire consequences, they will be publicly shamed labeled failures by historians.

  As Christians, our biblically commanded responsibility is to first pray for them. Wonderfully, we are blessed in America where our voice and view can be heard. It needs to be done in a gracious and Christlike way with respect for the Imago Dei (made in the image of God). Jesus died for everyone, even governmental leaders that we disagree with.  

  Pride. The further our culture has drifted from a Judeo-Christian Worldview, the further we’ve drifted from any sense of humility and honesty. Wouldn’t it be refreshing to have a leader say, “I don’t know” or “I was wrong”? Personally, I find it a bit disingenuous to have commercials from celebrities sitting in mega-mansions scolding the general public to “stay in and save lives.” Most of them have no expertise or education in this but are only being shoved into the spotlight because they’re famous.  

  Then, it seems insensitive and even arrogant to me, for those who can work from home or are financially independent, to scold those on more limited means or who don’t have that option. It was crass when one elected official scolded his constituents to “go out and get an essential job!”

  Would we be so condescending if our garbage wasn’t being picked up, the grocery stores closed and all those in some type of trucking or delivery was considered “non-essential”? That’s not to mention farmers and others who are part of the food chain that we usually take for granted, including migrant workers picking crops.

  Some foolishly suggest that we must trust the “science,” yet there’s little agreement among scientists or medical professionals about Covid19. As this is all new, it’s brimming with hypothesis and theory. The continually changing trajectories and estimates are evidence of that.

  While a world that doesn’t know the Almighty God may surrender to fear, anger and pride, those are not options for Christ-followers. While we’re not to be passive or foolish, we, as the people of grace, are to be known for graciousness! Many of us feel trapped and have pent up emotional energy and passion. Stress comes with that and often results in unhealthy outbursts or social media posts.

  Yet, God has promised to give us peace and wisdom. Let’s pray for insights and opportunities to use this difficult time to show kindness, thoughtfulness, and graciousness to all. May we be an example of who Jesus is. And when this all ends (and it will), may those around us say of us, “when everyone was losing their heads, they never lost their heart for God and for others.” #ThisisOURtime!  

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.