Where Have All The Children Gone?

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.. 

                                                                     (Psalm 127:3-5 KJV)

It is no secret that many congregations from some of the older mainline denominations are bereft of children. Young families are seen mostly at various rites of passage such as baptisms, first communions, affirmations or confirmations of baptism. It can make one wonder: "where have all the children gone?" They haven't gone any place. They are staying home.

Recently, I moved to a more rural area of Florida and yesterday I happened to get stuck behind a school bus on the way home. What joy! I purposely did not turn off and take another route home; but, followed the bus. It gave me hope. It gave me joy to see so many young people get off of the bus. Parents were waiting for their children to either walk or drive them home. The little children were excited to see them. 

What a blessing from the Lord, these little children are. Welcome them and their families into your sanctuary that you too might know the joy of their presence. Help them to grow in the way that our Lord Jesus would have them go. I am totally convinced that it takes a whole village to raise a child. Be that village. Children are not extinct. Sometimes, we just fail to take the time to see them; to be with them; and to be there for them.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Mind Not Your Own High Things

Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. (Rom 12:16 KJV)

I was listening to Jordan Peterson on YouTube again last night. He was saying  (and I am paraphrasing) that it is difficult for him to profess that he is a Christian publicly because he understands that to be a Christian means that we are called to something very difficult. 

Essentially we are called to make a lot of changes in our lives. We are called to put God and His will above all things. We are called to serve others, even before ourselves. 

One of my daily disappointments is to hear professed Christians talk about their personal goals. I do not hear about what God has called them to be or do; but, what they desire for themselves. Of course, this is not everyone. I also know some very faithful Christians. But, one or two a day is enough to cause me to wonder about the real state of Christianity.

To seriously desire to follow Jesus and to desire to do God's will even above our own will is really tough! I read again this morning of another execution of Christians. A Pastor and five members of his congregation in Burkina Faso were killed for their faith.  He was unwilling to leave the village he had been serving even though he knew his life was in danger from Islamic Terrorists. He chose to be faithful to God's will that he minister to the people of the village even in the face of death.

And... so, I get a bit disillusioned and disheartened when I hear of professed Christians who cannot set aside their own egos and wills in order to serve those whom God calls us to serve.

"When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die." Dietrich Bonhoeffer

God's Peace - Pr. J