PARKS BROWN

When my son got married a few months ago, his bride asked if I would read a scripture and say a prayer during the ceremony. Anyone who has been to a wedding (OR watched the movie ‘Wedding Crashers’), knows it’s not a wedding without a reading from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. In chapter 13, Paul stated what love is and what love is not. He wrote that love endured forever and was the greatest of all human qualities. Love is an attribute of God Himself and is the action that binds together all of creation. The root problem with all of the sexual harassment charges in America today is a lack of love for anyone other than themselves.

Most everyone professes to believe the Golden Rule is at least a good idea. Christians know it stems from a command. “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” Matthew 22:37-38. The world wants to disconnect faith and everyday actions and activities including how we treat and love each other. You can’t practice the Golden Rule for long if you don’t have love in your heart. Morality and civil behavior derive from a heart and faith issue that dictate how you treat others. Americans have allowed themselves and their leaders to successfully separate the two.

Today’s sexual harassment headlines reveal the result is a disease that has spread far and wide. The disease is sin and it effects everyone on the planet. Politicians, musicians, artists, journalists, your boss and co-workers. A lack of love manifests in pedophilia, harassment and rape. The headlines will not get better without an everyday practice of your faith. The Word of God identifies how to solve the problem and spot the symptoms.

The core issue is love of self above love for others. Men and women are living for themselves, for today and not tomorrow. In Christianese, people put the desires of the flesh ahead of the Spirit and those desires manifest in the actions of today’s headlines. In Galatians, Paul reminded us that actions reveal desires. “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like…” Galatians 5:19-21. Does that description fit anyone you know or have read about lately? It’s easy to see the issue is a deeper spiritual and faith based problem.

The headlines can make us quick to judge based on our thoughts and feelings because it is difficult to obtain the facts. Jesus warned about judging others and pointed out why it can be so precarious. “Do not judge or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged…Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5. Christ wasn’t prone to exaggeration but He made the case that when we see people’s failures, we need to look in our own hearts first.

The lack of love we see today is like a wildfire out of control. When you look at the fires in Bel-Air and Los Angeles, it resembles a Hollywood movie about the end of the world. I’ll use love as my barometer for what the end of the world looks like. “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-having a form of godliness but denying it’s power. Have nothing to do with them.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5. We need to re-establish our capacity and ability for loving others and there is only one place to start.

Christ followers have a purpose and a responsibility that effects all creation AND today’s headlines. Jesus didn’t leave any wiggle room for interpretation. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35. Some days you wonder where are the disciples of Jesus? You can find them by the the way we think, feel and talk about the most egregious violators in the news.

“This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another.” 1st John 3:11. Democrats and Republicans, first time AND repeat offenders. That’s how the world will know where your heart and mind reside. Besides, it comes with a promise. “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1st Peter 4:8. “Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers all wrongs.” Proverbs 10:12. We can all use a little more coverage for our wrongs.

So, where do you go when tomorrow’s headlines stir up apathy, disdain or hatred for the accused person or party? Some common sense goes a long way. “…Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” James 1:19. But, even if I keep my mouth shut, ignore what’s going on and don’t get ticked off “…but have not love, I gain nothing.” 1st Corinthians 13:3. Our world needs to stop losing ground and start gaining some yardage back.

As the old R&B hit by Maze says, ‘love is the key.’ Rediscovering GOD’S love is the key to changing the world. Christians must lead the Way by returning to their ‘first love’ and living out their professed faith.

Thanksgiving is a special time of year. We get a chance to slow down and bask in the company of family and friends we don’t see very often. We go down memory lane to re-live times we spent with loved ones that have passed on and we get the chance to see and hear what is happening in the lives of those we care about. After each holiday, Joy and I always talk about what we learned and heard. It’s amazing what each of us hears that the other doesn’t. It’s hard to listen to everything being said in a crowded room much less a crowded and busy life.

The book of Acts tells us how believers lived 2000 years ago and is a template for how we can still live today. Christ had ascended into heaven and Christians were given the Holy Spirit to speak and direct their hearts and actions….the same set of facts we live with today. The biggest difference between then and now seems to be the early believers HEARD the Spirit better, recognized His voice, engaged in two way conversations and were obedient to what the Spirit told them. Maybe we need to change our conversational protocol to mirror the early church. This would include the thoughts and ideas that come into our hearts and minds from the Holy Spirit.

Acts 9 is the story of Paul’s conversion on the Damascus Road. The Lord SPOKE to Ananias in a vision and gave him specific instructions on where to go, what to do and who to see. Ananias knew of the man the Holy Spirit was speaking about and that to do as God instructed meant risking his life. Ananias spoke back to the voice he heard. ‘ “Lord.” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” ‘ Acts 9:13-14. In other words, I don’t like what you’re saying and it sounds like I could get killed doing what you’re telling me to do.

Do you ever have a thought come into your head that sounds flat out crazy and you wonder where it came from? If you do, do you speak back to that voice or do you just wonder where ‘that’ came from? Do you pass the thought off as your own, evaluate the validity of the thought or if it fits into your schedule and what you want to do? How many times has someone or something come to your mind that later bears out in an encounter or a circumstance and you ponder how ironic and coincidental it was? Could it be you don’t know how to differentiate between your own voice and the Holy Spirit?

For starters, dead men don’t talk. ‘I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.’ Galatians 2:20. Paul was a master at understanding the practicality of being a Christian. When we accept Jesus into our lives, we die to ourselves. Therefore, the first voice you hear is from who is alive inside you and not the dead man. Next time, engage in a conversation like Ananias did. Try actually speaking back to the thoughts you have and see where they come from. The ideas you have, the voices you hear in your head come from one of two spirits, evil or Holy. It’s not too hard to recognize which voice you hear if you know what you’re looking for.

When the Holy Spirit speaks, you may not like what you hear, but don’t stop there. ‘But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”‘ Acts 9:15-16. At first blush Ananias thought he was being led to the slaughter. Once he engaged in a conversation, he learned the meaning of what he was being asked to do. It may make obedience easier or harder, but that’s not the point is it? This is where believers get into the good stuff. Do I really live by faith and trust in Him or my own understanding? Do I put my will before His and acknowledge Him in everything? Proverbs 3:5-7 comes to mind.

The point is learning to listen to and recognize HIS voice so that we don’t miss the rich fullness He has for us in everyday life. We HAVE died so why do we keep thinking and acting like everything is about us. The Holy Spirit is talking to us every day and IF you want to see miracles for yourself and those around you, it is critical to know His voice and engage in conversation. More importantly, be obedient to what the Holy Spirit says. There is NO risk, you’re already dead.

For Christ followers, death is short, life lasts forever. When you gather at Thanksgiving listen up and find out what is happening in the lives of those you care about. Listen for the Holy Spirit with the same attentiveness and hear Him out. Listen to Him like you do your family at Thanksgiving. On second thought, listen to Him better than you do your family. And when the Holy Spirit does speak to you, is it a command or just a thought for you to consider?

At Thanksgiving, the Holy Spirit may have something to tell you about your loved ones that sounds just as crazy as what He told Ananias years ago…and just as important. If you are a Christ follower, there is no such thing as irony or coincidence, including His voice in your head and heart. Act boldly like Ananias and have faith in what you hear.

If you’re a sports fan, tune in tonight to watch Game 6 of the 2017 World Series. Regardless if you like baseball or not, this Fall Classic has been one of the best sporting events EVER. Great pitching, clutch hitting, teams with players you can relate to and stories of last minute heroics in extra inning comebacks. This World Series has been great entertainment and is a true representation of life and the human condition in 2017…including a struggle with racism.

In a game that unites cultures, generations, sexes and races we are reminded that deep within us all there is a remnant of division called racism. ‘America’s favorite pastime’ has reminded us there is a seed of division in each of us that can never be ignored and forgotten (Yuli Gurriel of the Astros racial gesture towards Yu Darvish of the Dodgers). Regardless of how tired we are of hearing the word racism, Christians must live out the teachings of Christ and set the example.

The world has been dealing with racism for thousands of years. When the first church was starting to grow and expand, the disciples had to confront their own racism. Jews tried to cement their racist hearts into laws. When speaking to a group of Romans, Peter reminded his audience about racism. “He said to them, ‘You are well aware that it is against our laws for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.'” Acts 10:28. Thank God America doesn’t have such a law! That should be reason enough to stand and celebrate when the national anthem is played.

Whether or not at any given time each of us gives into the anger, animosity or hatred that can spring out of our hearts depends on if our focus is on God or man. Peter continued his testimony of transparency about his own life. “Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.'”Acts 10:34-35. Peter confessed to the Roman soldier that God set the example he should follow, and it took him a while to learn it. As Christians, if we forget to focus on God and the example He set by sending Christ for ALL men, we are at risk of falling into the trap and sin of racism.

Without Christ as our daily focus, our good intentions can still allow us to entertain all sorts of evil thoughts and our thoughts turn into actions. It may only be a matter of time until you forward that email talking about how black leaders and culture are causing their own problems. Maybe a cheerleader takes a knee without remembering that somewhere in the NFL players protest is the belief that white policemen are targeting black men more than whites. The latest racial confrontation on American soil is between a Cuban and a Japanese (Gurriel is Cuban born and Darvish is Japanese). The World Series has served to remind us that racism isn’t a black-white or American issue, its a world wide heart issue that only God can cure.

Racial division is a symptom of the heart issue. A Christ follower must stay focused and connected with the Holy Spirit to avoid falling into hypocrisy. Believers of all races must unite to represent the Kingdom and are called to a higher standard of living. Christians have to set the example with their words and actions. Jesus saw the discrepancies between words and actions in his day as well. He spoke boldly to those proclaiming to be pious when he said,

“You hypocrites. Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:

‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain:
their teachings are but rules by men.’

Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean’, but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him unclean.” Matthew 15:8-11.

If we call ourselves Christians, we must look in the mirror and acknowledge the seed and history of racism in the world and not just American culture. If you are a believer, it is imperative to study the Word, hang out with like minded believers and don’t fall into the racist trap of the world. Without a daily reminder from God’s perspective, good people can fall prey to the age old evil of racism. Christians must lead by example and go to their source for direction. A short passage in Acts served to remind me.

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.’ Hebrews 4:12.

Since the Braves aren’t playing, I’m fine with whoever wins tonight. The game is a beautiful way to spend a few hours, relax, slow down and watch the struggles of the human condition as portrayed through sports. These guys are talented and gifted but they are men just like you and me. They represent the good and the bad in man. I choose to focus on the good and what the Holy Spirit can teach me through the game.

It took a Christ follower to set the example in the culture 2000 years ago…it still does. Play ball.

It is said that hindsight is 20-20, but that’s not always the case and it takes time. In the aftermath of the shootings in Las Vegas, we are reminded that people want to see and understand the world around them. We want to summarize and compartmentalize our lives with a conclusion and a takeaway to give us understanding and peace. Age can provide perspective and wisdom. Data can give information on mental health or insight into how someone thinks and feels. But, is there a greater takeaway from current events?

In the Bible, Solomon is credited with being the wisest man to ever live. ‘God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore.’ 1 Kings 4:29. For further perspective, Solomon was ‘wiser than any other man’ and his wisdom was greater than the combined wisdom of the entire country and civilization of Egypt. He accumulated great wealth, ruled as a King, built God’s temple in Jerusalem and wrote books of the Bible. Wisdom and wealth led Solomon to excess in his personal life and he wasn’t without his shortcomings. Current leadership needs to tread slowly and seek heavenly wisdom.

Solomon resembled our current leaders in that he used his power and wealth to accomplish what HE deducted were the answers to problems in his day. People in positions of power and leadership tend to look for something to ‘do’ as a remedy. The answer for our problems is not always found in an earthly action or with earthly wisdom.

At the end of his life, Solomon looked back with clarity at all that had happened in his life. Solomon definitely had a wealth of hindsight on which to draw when he made conclusions and gave us his takeaway.

“Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgement,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

I think Solomon’s words can be a comfort to us these days when it’s hard to understand the evil we find so prevalent in the hearts and minds of people everywhere. Mass killers, politicians bent on their way or the highway, road rage behind the wheel of a car in traffic. Anger, evil and hatred is ready to boil over everywhere you turn. Las Vegas doesn’t require a doctorate to understand. There is sooo much to confound and dishearten if we choose to go down that road. But, it is comforting to remember that my job, and yours, is to fear God and keep His commandments. Fearing God has to do with reverent respect and knowledge that whatever we do, or anyone does, God will bring it all into judgement.

We shouldn’t allow our cumulative modern wisdom to forget that God may be slow to anger and He may be slow to act, as we see it, but He is not to be mocked. ‘Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written; “It is mine to avenge, I will repay,” says the Lord…Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.’ Romans 12:19-21. THIS, is one takeaway I have from Las Vegas.

Jesus brought a lot of mercy and love into our world, but He didn’t bring cheap grace. He brought justice for everyone who chooses to acknowledge and follow Him. “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven. Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Matthew 10:32-34. During this time, it is critical to remember God is able to revenge and repay the wrongs and Jesus is the answer to the evil of Las Vegas.

After Las Vegas, there is a chorus of remedies on how to respond to such a tragedy, but faith in Jesus hasn’t been mentioned. Restricting gun sales and more stringent mental health testing and monitoring are a few ideas from our collective wisdom. Our authorities should be careful they don’t make the same mistakes Solomon made in exercising his wisdom. Solomon overtaxed and drafted people into service to fund the answers to the problems of his day.

Many will hear ‘Jesus is the answer’ and laugh. Christ tells us to love others like we love ourselves but leave the remedies to God. ‘Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good…Honor one another above yourselves…Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse…Do not repay anyone evil for evil.’ Romans 12;9-17. That’s a good place to start and finish.

Overcoming evil with good and waiting on God to avenge the wrongs we see does not provide any immediate relief. The road rage I see and hear every day…the festering discontent from racism that has plagued almost every civilization since the beginning of time…the atrocities happening in our country, Europe and the Middle East…prejudice…death…economic inequality that leaves some fat and living in luxury and self indulgence while others struggle to make ends meet or go hungry. Take your pick, choose your cause, there is no shortage. But Jesus is the solution and Christians must remember to put his name on the list and on their lips.

My takeaway from Las Vegas is that I don’t have another answer. My takeaway is that Trump was right (don’t be a hater) when he said it was pure evil. Hate what is evil and fight against letting it become any part of YOUR life. Trust that God will bring judgement to every deed, mine and yours included…and Jesus is the answer for us all.

Each day brings a new reason to be fearful, full of worry and anxiety. North Korea firing missiles over Japan, raging wild fires in the Midwest, floods, terrorist attacks in London, hurricanes in Texas and Florida, personal data breaches for 143 million Americans…these are the worries of TODAY. You’ve probably forgotten about the troubles 6 months ago and are becoming desensitized to what could happen tomorrow. You have a choice to be fearful or not, but that choice is not predicated on your ability to discern what will impact you. The choice to be fearful depends on where your protection comes from and IF you have protection. The first step is to understand what real fear is and the difference between being scared versus being in awe and respectful of what harm can come to you.

Christians cling to the scriptures and the belief in the authority of Christ. “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.'” Matthew 28:18. So, if Jesus is in charge and control, should you worry about anything? Maybe it depends on if you have the coverage and protection Christ offers. A healthy fear of God is all you really need. Proverbs 1:7 reminds us, “The fear of God is the beginning of knowledge…” The fear of God is more about awe and reverence that results in humility and obedience. It begs the question, “What is fear and what do you fear? Do you fear God?”

Modern Christians have been flooded with the good news of God’s love, mercy and grace but has it come at the expense of forgetting God’s wrath and anger? Some of us grew up with hell-fire and brimstone, but most people born after the 60’s and 70’s have gotten a heavy dose of ‘God is love’. Yes, God IS love and He IS ‘slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness’. But, He is not a one dimensional God to be mocked and taken for granted. Ask Ananias or Sapphira. They tested the Holy Spirit with their lies and were immediately struck dead. No opportunity for repentance and forgiveness, they stood accused and were found guilty. The husband and wife flat out dropped dead immediately. Our God is to be feared.

Read the story in Acts 5:1-11. A young Christian couple who were founding members of the first church experienced God’s judgement and wrath that Christ had come to save us from. Folks, this was something to instill worry and anxiety. Believers and non-believers recognized what had gone down. “Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.” Acts 5:11. So, what’s up with that? Yes, the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus, but the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). If we presume security and impunity in our sins, we treat God as if He were one of us and lie to Him. People tell so many lies these days everyone is becoming desensitized to lying and can’t differentiate between the truth and a lie. It’s similar to being desensitized to the events going on in the world today, but far more dangerous than a bomb or a hurricane.

Satan is the father of lies. Christ reminded us, “But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.” Luke 12:5. So, how do YOU lie to God? Ananias and Sapphira did it in their hearts and with their money. Money is an easy place to lie to God. “I put You before my money Lord…I put You first in my finances…I manage and invest my money in ways that will bring you more glory than me or my family.” Make sure you only lie to yourself and not the Holy Spirit.

What are some other lies we tell God? “I seek you and your Kingdom before my job and my family…I submit to Your will for my life, even if it means material changes that I don’t want or suffering and hardships for me and my family.” The list can go on and on. The rich young ruler was so unaware of the lies in his heart when he confronted Christ. He lied about genuinely loving and pursuing God more than his stuff. Maybe some fellowship with believers who had the discerning spirit God gave Peter would have helped. When we follow our own wisdom and understanding and not the leading of the Holy Spirit, the risk runs higher we will need a lie to explain our acts of disobedience.

So where and how do we land this plane? This is not an easy subject and one that requires MUCH more discussion and analysis than a quick blog can do. The world is in overdrive whipping up fear. Our response can be giving into the fear or shutting ourselves out from it. Neither is smart and can lead to turning away from a healthy fear of who and what we should be fearful of. Reverence and humility before a God that rewards obedience is critical. The Holy Spirit leads us into all truth, but the Holy Spirit is a gift “whom God has given to those who obey him.” Acts 5:32. We must learn to listen to the Holy Spirit first and foremost. We must be obedient and not test or lie to the God who gave himself to save us from the only thing we should be fearful of.

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1st John 4:18. The next time you start to be fearful and worry, remember these words. Remember what fear is, what fear does and where your fear should be. Remember what love and hope is, what love and hope does and where your love and hope should be.

“All the days written for me were ordained in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:16. Life is eternal, death is short. Fear is healthy if it’s the right kind of fear.