Holocaust Remembrance Day

I took this photo  in 2007, grateful for a lens powerful enough to capture this butterfly’s beauty. The flower stood out in an arid land and we watched the butterfly land. We weren’t close to it, and I was concerned that I couldn’t catch the moment.

In 2011 I used this photo for the graphic when I learned of and wrote about Yom HaZikaron LaShoah velaGvura – Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day. The yellow butterfly reminds me of Pavel Friedman’s poem from his imprisonment, “The Butterfly.” In that poem is the line:  I never saw another butterfly. Pavel was moved from Terezin to die at Auschwitz.

There is a project that shows the work – prose, poems, drawings – of the children held at Terezin Concentration Camp. Please take a moment to view their work, heed their message and consider how this should never happen again.

Then, think about where similar is happening today. Children are dying because men cannot love their neighbors.

We’ve been told societies must change with the times and such changes are often accomplished with violence. We’ve seen such violence through the history of mankind. In the past few years it has shown itself in what media has termed “Arab Spring.” What a spring, when it no longer encompasses the ability to express and appreciate the beauty of a butterfly.

For Christians, the message was simplified by our Lord. I continue to repeat it for it is most basic of our beliefs:

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:36-40)

Let me repeat “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”  Just these two. They go together. Love for all of our neighbors is not possible without God’s love. There are several “all” words in these two commandments. Consider them, seriously.

Then consider a world where children are not subjected to the personal nor political whims of adults who cannot understand this message and are not concerned with butterflies.

You may start your remembrance today at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum site:

The Museum will also lead the United States in observing the 2013 Days of Remembrance, the nation's annual commemoration of the Holocaust, from April 7 through April 14. Read more about this observance and how to plan or attend one in your community.

How Many Times …

How many times have we heard – or said that? I heard it from my Mom, and I’ve said it to my children. Usually there’s a “not to” in there, too:  “How many times do I have to tell you not to …” There were even: “Do I have to tell you a million times …” Did you ever get tired of hearing that?

Do you wonder about God’s patience? Do we think it’s as short as our own?

Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. (Psalms 37:3-5)

All those things David understood, then wrote:

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: (Psalms 37:7a)

God can also wait patiently while those who reject His will move on with their lives and another generation comes on to the scene. For forty years the children of Israel remained in the desert, declining to accept God’s word that the land He promised them was available. They lacked faith, though what they had seen and heard, in Egypt and in the Sinai, were God’s words.

We only have men’s writings of those events, and the ones surrounding the promise of God’s forgiving grace and mercy. How many times must it be shown before we have confidence in God’s word?

Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. (Hebrews 10:35-36)

There are several Bible verses that tell us God is “slow to anger,” but I like Jonah’s the best. Jonah is angry with God for sparing Nineveh when he said:

And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil. (Jonah 4:2)

God was patient with Nineveh, Jonah was not. It took Paul a while to learn this lesson. At first he was not patience with Christians. He did not heed what his teacher, Gamaliel, said:

And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. (Acts 5:38-39)

It took a meeting with Jesus on the road to Damascus for him to understand, follow God’s will and write:

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, (2 Timothy 2:24)

What will it take for us to accept God’s will in our own lives to the point we no longer strive but aptly teach with patience?

Sin’s A Big Deal

For Christians, it’s a very big deal. Sin is why Jesus died on the cross. Not His sin – He had none:

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV)

It was for our sins. So, what is this thing called “sin”?

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:20 KJV)

The primitive Hebrew root, חטא, is translated as sin and is defined as to miss – to bear the blame for non-achievement. Paul’s understanding of this lead him to write:

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14 KJV)

He did not want to miss that mark. He did not want to sin against God. That’s what sin is – missing what God has laid out for us to do. Back in Genesis, Joseph knew what Potiphar's wife wanted wasn’t a simple betrayal of her husband:

There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? (Genesis 39:9 KJV)

David knew that becoming an adulterer and eventual murderer did not solely involve Bathsheba and Uriah. When confronted by Nathan, he knew against whom he had sinned:

And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. (2 Samuel 12:13 KJV)

The story of the woman taken in adultery illustrates that we all have sinned:

So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. (John 8:7-9 KJV)

Paul knew the truth:

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23 KJV)

Fallen short, missed the mark – same thing. We have all – not some, not Non-Christians, not sinners – we have ALL missed the mark by failing to live within God’s commandments. Even the two in condensed version:

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:36-40 KJV)

Thank God, He has provided for us.

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (1 John 4:10 KJV)

Go ahead, look up that ‘propitiation’ word. It’s worth it to know that God has provided reconciliation to us for those big deals in our lives – and the little ones, too.

Above All Else

I don’t know which translation this is:

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

I found that verse in my Bible amid some very good advice:

My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:20-23)

Whether it was a message from David to Solomon, or from Solomon to his own son, it’s good advice.  Unfortunately, Rehoboam did not follow his father’s advice. He looked elsewhere:

And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people? (1 Kings 12:6)

He received good advice from experienced statesmen:

And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever. (1 Kings 12:7)

Apparently that wasn’t what he wanted to hear, so he asked his close and dear friends:

But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him: (1 Kings 12:8)

They were young, virile, capable of changing an entire generation and they knew just what should be done:

And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins. And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. (1 Kings 12:10-11)

That’s the way he chose, but it didn’t work:

And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only. (1 Kings 12:20)

Rehoboam didn’t know his heart, much less guard it. No matter what example was set by his father, no matter what experienced statesmen offered, no matter what he had learned growing up, he listened to his friends. The kingdom of Israel remained divided until it vanished.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

We do need to be aware of the issues in our lives, the impact they have on numerous generations. Whether we say “Above all else, guard your heart” or “Keep thy heart with all diligence”, we’re teaching that there are important decisions to be made that affect multiple generations. We need to seek experienced counsel and consider all possible results of our decision – for ourselves and others.

Absolute Truth

The Thousand Digits of π

Absolute - Free from imperfection; A value or principle regarded as universally valid or viewed without relation to other things.

The only thing changeable about π is the number of decimal points used to show the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. The formula is absolute for any circle and its diameter. While the formula is absolute, , the result will vary only in decimal points, most usually shown as 3.14159, but the equation has not been completed to the final decimal. There are many other such formulas regarded as valid – absolute truths.

What is truth? (John 18:38b KJV)

Pilate’s question referred to Jesus’ answer to his earlier question:

Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. (John 18:37 KJV)

There is an opposite to believing in absolute truth. Relativism is a doctrine that states there are no absolute truths, i.e., that truth is always relative to some particular frame of reference, such as a language or a culture. For the Relativist, truth will fluctuate between times, places or persons. Christianity requires absolute truth – God is, now and forever, as is His son, Jesus, the Christ.

The following is part of the closing to Cardinal Ratzinger's (Pope Benedict XVI) address during the meeting of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, held in Guadalajara, Mexico, in May 1996, entitled "Relativism: The Central Problem for Faith Today":

If we consider the present cultural situation, about which I have tried to give some indications, frankly it must seem to be a miracle that there is still Christian faith despite everything, … the complete, serene faith of the New Testament and of the church of all times.

It does seem miraculous that New Testament Christianity has existed for more than two thousand years.  That the gospel is repeated in pulpit after pulpit, Sunday after Sunday:

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11 KJV)

That’s only one verse out of sixty-six books in a Bible that we believe contains absolute truths.

Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:5-6 KJV)

Consider now whether or not absolute truths exist. If not, why not? If so, what are they and how should they impact lives? Did Jesus give truth? Is that truth central in our lives? Why?

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23-24 KJV)

Good Book

I know that many people see me as close-minded, accepting only what I know, not open to new ideas. Many see all Christians that way. I wish you could see the time I spend researching, weighing new concepts, determining what appears valid and what appears to be straw man arguments. I recently found a book that does just that – discussing the investigative methodology used to reach a conclusion.

While I found the premise interesting, I needed to know more about the author. I needed to get to know the motives as well as the methodology behind the book.  Recently I read a ‘historical’ book where the author’s personal agenda went beyond the presentation of facts, and where his book contained neither footnotes nor a full bibliography. For me, those are essential in a good book – unless it’s fiction.

“Cold Case Christianity” by J. Warner Wallace is a book that piqued my curiosity simply because it was written by a former atheist. I enjoyed his website, too. I find it interesting to learn how God works in one’s life. I’ve written of this before in “No Longer An Atheist” and “Where?”, mentioning the 100th Lamb. It takes reason and logic for an avowed atheist to be open minded about God.

Non-believers often look at Christians as following blindly, closing their eyes to facts reasonable people accept without question.  Sorry – that’s pretty much invalid. We study. We question. We seek understanding of mysteries and seldom accept ‘facts’ at face value. We want to know the “who, what, why, when” as much as the “how” as any researcher. We’re looking for motives, too.

Looking at an author’s other work allows us to look for consistency in purpose. Does s/he write in sound bites, or is there depth and purpose? Is what s/he writes documented for verification? Are quotes used sourced to see if they are in context? Does the writing glorify God, or personalities? Those are important elements to me not only in current authorship, but in the Bible, too.

We need to look at the authors of those 66 books, the circumstances surrounding them. Question whether their writing was history or prophecy; timelessly applicable or specifically focused? Is it a documentation of a person’s error or an example to be followed? Being written in the Bible does not make it God’s commandment:

And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. (Genesis 25:33 KJV)

Factually reported, but Esau should never have sold his birthright, nor should we:

Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. (Hebrews 12:16 KJV)

It is necessary to know of Jacob, of Esau, of birthrights and their importance before these verses can be understood in context. It is necessary to know the scriptures, question, study and search them:

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (John 5:39 KJV)

It is a good book that can raise – and answer – questions about the Good Book. May you find the time and inclination to study and research your own biblical questions.

I’m Praying For You

Be careful if you search this site for the words “pray”, “prayer”, “praying.” There will be a plethora of results! Look to the right on this page and there are prayer requests and appreciation for those who are praying. Last week, though, saying I was praying for someone brought this question:

“Are you praying for me because I’m a bad person?”

We had disagreed on a doctrine of faith that has become a political issue, and we had agreed to disagree, unable to change each other’s mind.  We had expressed all that, and our continued love for each other. Then I said I was “praying for you.”

My immediate answer, though much shorter than this blog, was that Christians pray, a lot. It’s the way we communicate with our Lord. We’ve been given multiple examples of prayer. Christ gave one:

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13 KJV)

The “us” in there includes myself and those I include in prayers – nothing at all to do with anyone being “bad.” Samuel told those who asked him that he would pray for them, too, and went a step further:

Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: (1 Samuel 12:23 KJV)

We’re following Paul’s exhortation to Christians:

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

For this particular person, I pray with thanksgiving, as Paul did for a church:

I thank my God always on your behalf, (1 Corinthians 1:4a KJV)

I give thanks for her character, the woman she is, the future she has, the marriage she strengthens, the work she does, the support she gives, the responsibilities she accepts. There’s nothing “bad” in those things. I also pray David’s first chronicled Psalm:

Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually. (1 Chronicles 16:11 KJV)

I also pray from the first chapter in the book of Psalms:

But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. (Psalms 1:2 KJV)

Jesus prayed for His disciples, and for those who hear of Him through their words:

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

For her, and others, I also pray for their faith:

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17 KJV)

Why? Because I love them – more than just the one who asked the question, there are others in my prayers – and believe His word:

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 KJV)