Steinem and Divisiveness

Thanks to a family member for the article Gloria Steinem wrote for the LA Times about Sarah Palin. I had forgotten how grating Steinem can be. I guess she has Sarah down pat – she certainly is divisive, since she doesn’t agree with Steinem.

The reason the Republican platform is so different from the Democratic is that many people found themselves in a position where they could not vote for the party that left middle America and swept so far left.

There were many divisive elements in Steinem’s abrasive article, but her lowest blow is that Sarah (which would include me) wishes to control a woman’s womb. Not on your life – for me the issue is a matter of life, death, and financing.

Please let me try to explain in a secular manner.

A woman’s womb is her own, to invite or repel visitors without comment from others. But should a cellular combination occur, I believe the resultant occupant of a woman’s womb is human at conception. The DNA of the joined cellular structure is not that of the mother nor the father, but that of an individual. The occupant, if allowed to reach sufficient maturity, will be born human. If born in America, the occupant is a citizen from moment of birth. I believe that citizen’s protection should precede birth.

On a completely different level -- my religious beliefs tell me humans contain a soul. Because that soul cannot be detected, much less measured, I do not know when that soul begins or ends. I must assume its existence from conception, though much of that belief is based on scriptures unacceptable to many.

I do not wish to fund the deaths of millions of humans. I do not wish my tax money to do so. If reversal of the lie-based Roe v Wade deletes that funding, may it be so.

For that belief, Steinem would demonize me, those like me, and divide our nation. I regret she’s put me on the other side of a line she’s drawn. A line that goes beyond politics and is designed to denigrate religious beliefs.

But, that’s my point of view, and she’s entitled to her equally divisive one.

Fruit

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. (Titus 1:16 KJV)

For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. (Luke 6:43-44 KJV)

Membership in our Christian denomination requires a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, our Lord and Savior. Since this cannot be accomplished by toddlers, we do not baptize babies. Baptism is an outward indication of an inward change that accompanies that expression of faith.

When that inward change occurs, more than baptism is expected. Just as figs from a fig tree or grapes from a grapevine are expected fruit, a Christian’s life should bear fruit:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV)

(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) (Ephesians 5:9 KJV)

The other side of the ‘fruit story’ is told in adjoining verses, along with consequences:

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:18b-21 KJV)

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. (Ephesians 5:3-7 KJV)

It’s my own, personal, opinion that we should begin our inspections with our own fruit. Do my actions match those found in the fruit of the Spirit? Do I display fruit against such there is no law?

Or can hatred, variance, wrath, envy, foolishness be found in me – even discounting those others? Hmmm.

Give Thanks

Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. (Romans 16:4 KJV)

Have you thanked God for those who risk their own necks for you? The ones before us as well as the ones who offer their necks for us now?

In fact, can you bring to mind some who did lay down their neck for you? In this verse Paul was speaking of Priscilla and Aquila, fellow tentmakers as well as a couple who held church meetings in their home. Do you have someone like that in mind?

Is it a family member that comes to mind? Perhaps one who served their country in the military, protecting their family as well as their country? Someone such as our Jack, who did not come home?

Perhaps someone outside of friends or family. But then could it have been for you that they laid down their own necks?

Christ did. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. (Matthew 18:11 KJV)

That bears repeating: For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10 KJV)

Because He came, we need not be lost, for He promises That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:15 KJV)

We can give thanks for Him, too. For those who brought His life to us. For those we need to tell about Him. We can give thanks for the opportunity to share His story with those we love, those we'll meet, not yet known to us.

Which names come to mind when you read: We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, (Colossians 1:3 KJV)

I can easily confirm that I Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; (Ephesians 1:16 KJV)

Clotheslines

An English friend wrote: “Hanging out the washing reminded me of a blog that my friend Vikki did a while back, about the ‘clothes line.’ Do you remember helping out when you were a child? As a child, I can remember helping my Mum with the laundry.”

My son-in-law received a Thank You note to “good neighbor Mike” for installing a clothes line for the lady next door.

Just a couple of miles down a county road another friend was hanging out the wash on a new line her husband recently installed. Solar energy at its least expensive!

There are other good reasons for hanging clothes, though I had forgotten them. Unless you’re hanging them from an apartment window, it is necessary to be outdoors. You know, that place where the sun is so bright, clouds drift by, birds sing, dogs bark. Remember that place?

Clothes can’t be hung out at work; from a car; in a mall; at soccer games, nor baseball or football games. Not really at the beach, mountains or on most vacations.

Nope. Clothes are hung out in our own backyards. Usually alone, with plenty of time to reflect on what they mean to us. A favorite shirt here, the need for some darning there, the snap of a sheet in the breeze. No drier sheet can match the fragrance of sheets and pillowcases that first night. Do your clothespins have a hinge or just a split of the middle? Are they plastic or wood? Do they make good dolls when used with a growing imagination.

With our convenient appliances, we’ve lost experiences that are actually pleasurable. It is not a labor of work, but a labor of life, taking some time to be with ourselves. To allow our minds to wonder and think of things more slowly, more in depth, without interruption (for who offers to help?)

Perhaps we’ve experienced a similar loss in our Christian lives. Perhaps we attend worship service on Sunday morning, but do we participate in Sunday School? Do we know the people sitting on the same pew? Do we return for evening services? Or is our church one that no longer holds them on holiday weekends? Do we leave Sunday morning feeling as we’ve met a weekly obligation? Is it only on Easter and Christmas that our shadow crosses into the sanctuary?

Think on these things as you hang out your next wash. Now, there’s a thought, isn’t it?

Dividing

He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. (Proverbs 18:17 KJV)

I don’t know what theologians make of this verse, but it reminds me of a trial. The prosecution / plaintiff makes a case that seems just, then the defense comes and questions the presentation. Each having their own credible witnesses, each refuting the other.

Sometimes, as our deeply held beliefs are discussed, we become defensive. We lose sight of the fact that our beliefs are not held by even a majority of people, much less ‘everyone.’ This is even more likely in a Christian denomination that holds each believer as part of the overall priesthood, responsible for rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15b KJV)

That is a great responsibility. It didn’t work well for Israel during the time of the Judges. In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes. (Judges 17:6 KJV)

And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD … (Judges 2:11, 3:7, 3:12, 4:1, 6:1, 10:6, 13:1 KJV)

It doesn’t work in some other instances, too:

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 14:12 KJV)

There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 16:25 KJV)

How can we know if what seems “right” is not “the ways of death”? Both Luke and Paul were inspired to answer that, too: These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11 KJV) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)

Simple, isn’t it? Receive the word God provides, search the scriptures daily, studying to know the word of truth.

The one thing you must decide on your own is whether you want to know the truth, or not. If you don’t want to know, do not read, do not study, simply ignore what has been provided.

Celebrity

He was a celebrity, but no longer ends up in headlines. Though I recognized his name from newscasts, I never was interested enough to listen. In news stories, his life held nothing of interest for me, I did not find what was written about him entertaining, not reading beyond headlines..

Yet, that one night as I said my prayers, his name came to mind. I felt compelled to pray for this man’s soul. For protection to surround him – spiritual protection. I prayed that someone would witness to him. That his eternal life would be protected. I’d never felt any need to do so before, no need since that one incident.

I have never met the man. Have no intention of meeting him. He no longer makes the news. His entertainment value no longer exists. New headliners have taken his place. I do not know the result of my prayer, but I do know the value of it.

And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. (Mark 11:22-24 KJV)

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; (Luke 18:1 KJV)

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; (John 17:20 KJV)

Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV)

Brethren, pray for us. (1 Thessalonians 5:25 KJV)

Some day, when time is no longer kept, I shall know the answer to my prayer. For that I am grateful.

Longing

(My ISP told me it was a lightning strike that took out their tower, keeping me off the Internet for several days. Missed you!)

All my life long I had panted … and the rest of those lyrics are a rejoicing in the thirst quenching, living water promised by our Lord. The psalmist wrote of this so long ago:

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? (Psalms 42:1-2 KJV)

We’ve been given that living water that quenches the thirst in our souls:

Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. … But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:10, 14 KJV)

I have accepted that thirst quenching water, and am promised more.

And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. (Revelation 22:1 KJV)

Can you imagine walking along this river of life? Until coming to the Tree of Life:

In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. (Revelation 22:2 KJV)

I have an appointment there with several people. Through eternity we’ll have plenty of opportunity to meet there with those who have an impacts upon our lives. How better to worship God with a multitude of the heavenly host praising

God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest (Luke 2:13b-14a KJV)

May we meet there?