FOR THIS I AM DEEPLY SADDENED

This statement gave me great joy…

“I saw, in one enduring moment, that the God who could make the Double Helix and the snow flake, the God who could make the Black holes in space, and the lilies of the field, could do absolutely anything and must know everything --- even why good people suffer, why genocide and war plague our planet, and why Christians have lost, in America and in other lands, so much credibility as people who know how to love.” Anne Rice

And the Bible says:

“God saw all that He had made, and it was very good...” Genesis 1:31

This statement made me very, very sad…

"I remain committed to Christ as always but not to being 'Christian' or to being part of Christianity. It's simply impossible for me to 'belong' to this quarrelsome, hostile, disputatious, and deservedly infamous group. For ten years, I've tried. I've failed. I'm an outsider. My conscience will allow nothing else.” Anne Rice

And the Bible says:

“Then they asked Him, ‘Where is your father?’ You do not know me or my Father, Jesus replied. If you knew Me, you would know My Father also.” John 8:19

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in Your name drive out demons and in Your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:21-23

For this I am deeply saddened.

Imagine

 

Thirty years ago this week, John Lennon was murdered in front of his New York City apartment. Even after thirty long years, his death is still commemorated on the media and across the globe.

NBC’s The Today Show reported on an auction at Juliene’s Auction House that brought in $240,000 for the jacket worn by Lennon on the Sgt. Pepper album. In addition, a red sweater worn by Elvis went for $90,000 and one of Michael Jackson’s famous gloves sold for $330,000!

It amazes me what the world values and counts worthy to memorialize. People who survived the sixty’s remember Lennon’s death with great reverence. Scads of women over the age of fifty swoon with grief upon remembering Elvis’ 1977 death. Eighty’s and ninety’s pop fans are still grieving the death of M.J.

I wonder…what would Jesus’ tunic get at auction? Would the original manger take in a cool million dollars?

Unfortunately, Elvis, The King of Rock And Roll is dead. M.J. The King of Pop is dead. And Lennon, famous for touting peace in an un-peaceful world is still dead and in the grave.

Imagine what the world would be like if everyone put as much loyalty on Jesus Christ as on the kings of this world. Makes me glad I’ve placed my allegiance with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Yes, He died and went to the grave, but He didn’t stay there. So this Christmas season, remember the One who made the lame to walk and the blind to see and still has the ability to save lost souls. My Savior lives and will reign forever!

Rudolph And The Great Affliction

 

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, the classic 1964 film, has been a staple in our household and previously

in my parent’s household since…well probably since 1964. I know I must have seen the film a minimum of

forty times, but for some reason, I never noticed how incredibly mean-spirited the characters are. 

The painful dialogue begins with Rudolph’s own father. His mom is willing to overlook the situation, but not

Donner. Literally, as soon as the fawn is born, with his “affliction,” his father goes on the attack.

Mrs. Donner: We’ll simply have to overlook it.

Donner: How can you overlook that? His beak blinks like a blinking beacon!

What can be said but, appalling. Shortly thereafter, Santa arrives on the scene. And if I dare say so myself,

Santa’s performance definitely earns him a spot on the naughty list. The way he treats this poor, suffering animal makes me understand why Michael Vick turned out the way he did. Upon seeing the so called “blinking beacon,” the conversation goes something like this.

Santa: Great bouncing icebergs!

Donner: Now I’m sure it will stop as soon as he grows up, Santa.

Santa: Well let’s hope so if he wants to make the sleigh team someday.

There it is folks…discrimination. And who is in total agreement with Santa, Donner of course. And to

perpetuate the problem the abusive Donner decides to hide his son’s handicap.

Donner: Oh Santa’s right, he’ll never make the sleigh team. I’ve got it, we’ll hide Rudolph’s nose.

Rudolph pleads with his father not to hide his nose, but to no avail, Donner has his way.

Donner: Alright, son, try it on.

Rudolph: I don’t want to, Daddy. I don’t like it.

Donner: You’ll like it and wear it!

Rudolph: But Daddy, it’s not very comfortable!

Donner: There are more important things than comfort: self respect! Santa can’t object to you now.

With the makeshift nose cover in place, Rudolph meets with other young reindeer at flying lessons.

He meets a nice girl named Clarice. Upon learning that Clarice thinks him cute, Rudolph leaps for joy,

flying across the screen! The nose cover Donner made for him accidentally falls off and his glowing red

nose is exposed to everyone. The following comments were made by bystanders.

Clarice’s Father: No daughter of mine will be seen with a red nosed reindeer!

Coach Comet: From now on, gang, we won’t let Rudolph join in any reindeer games.

Disheartened and depressed, Rudolph runs away to find his place in the world. A travesty has occurred

in Christmas Town.

What about you? Do you have an affliction that is affecting your life? Is it physical, mental? Are you sin-sick?

The Bible says: 

“I will be glad and rejoice in Your love, for You saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.

You have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.”

Psalm 31: 7-8

Don’t run away from what ails you. Take your affliction to the Great Physician. He is happy to help heal

whatever is wrong with you.

And please don’t get me started on the harsh treatment of poor ol’ Herbie, the elf that dreams of one day

becoming a dentist. That’s a whole other story.