The Engine of Peace


I look at what Man has accomplished.  How he has established law, regulation, procedure, and expectations, to force love upon the people for one another.  What I see is that punishment is the motivator.  Look with truth and you will see it also.

If you do what is evil the law will come and take from you.  If you contribute according to the law of the land you will reap what they say is great benefit.

I see how they encourage one another to do good works.  But again, the motivator is gain or severe loss.

Every day, every man wakes knowing that if he does not do what is expected he will lose horribly.  This is not the gospel of Christ.  It is the so-called good news of Man.

This good news of Man is dependent on the resources available.  There’s only so much money in the world.  There’s only so much food.  Politics restrains the gain for all.  And the vast majority find themselves suffering loss as the sun goes down on each day.  Even the so-called winners are exhausted from their efforts.  And there’s no need to itemize the broken families the come from the so-called good news.

In this good news of Man greed must be honed to a fine edge.  Look at the advent of training and implements that has been made available to help.  In all these things, the motivation for adherence comes from outside the man.

You know what’s funny?  With all this trust toward the ability of Man to create peace, the world is no better off. 

What does God say?  “14 . . . if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”  (2 chronicles 7)   This Promise of God does not present itself as a manipulation.  It’s the offer of free and complete help.

Take note of how God strips the strength of greed.  In its place he only requires humility.

This is no empty promise.  But who will take up the mantle and respond?

Pathetic Silence


It makes me sad to look about.
Our cities under siege.
The “dead” in homes,
Lives like drones,
Amazed at what they see.

The Devil comes and takes away.
No words are spoken.
No!

“No way!

If we speak,
He’ll take us too!
Then, tell us what we all should do.
We’ll leave it to the likes of you.”

The bully on the playground
Pounds and pounds and pounds.
Daring those who watch him work
To make a single sound.

Is this the life you want to lead?
Are shadows giving what you need?
Why can’t you see the pitiful plight
Of he one who bleeds and has no fight?

Be silent then!
Your days well spent,
Watching Death on your TV.
The challenge is there in front of you.
The challenge is up to you and me.

See how the gospel is hidden.
Even surely by those who know!
See how the evil one has risen.
Without striking a single blow.

Socially Acceptable Murder


So many think it is admirable to wield a good argument.  Just as many more think it is wise to shut your mouth and offer no good advice.  What they are saying by these things boils down to this: “Either kill them or let them die”.

What’s that mean to you?

? Which of these don’t fit together


What attribute of Christ do I see people needing most?

Godly patience to replace their lethal greed.

Righteousness = Success?


The stubborn teen, who has all the toys and friends anyone could want.  The successful college grad, who knows how to meld into any social event.  The proud man of middle age, who can prove his successfulness by the things he has acquired.  The dutiful housewife who is adored by so many in her community.  The angry old man or woman, who causes children to avoid that certain portion of sidewalk.

All these, and such an endless variety more, think they have it all, because they have what they want, and know how to get more.  To them, righteousness is what they are in the process of becoming.

The worker, bent over from working hard for a living.  The champion beer drinker, who works hard at some company where he has become important.  The young woman who knows how to get what she wants.  The rebellious young man, who hates everything and everyone.

All these, and such an endless variety more, think they have it all, because they have what they want and know how to get more.  To them, righteousness is what they are in the process of becoming.

But not before God!  Before the Holy Throne of God is only One Righteous individual.  There will never be more.  His name is Holy.  His name is Jesus, the Christ.

You think you’re a righteous person?  Then you don’t know anything about what righteousness is.  Study the nature of the Christ, as found in the New Testament.  Compare His Holy devotion to truth to yours.  You’ll soon find out what righteousness really is.