Order Out Of Chaos

My husband and I usually spend a bit of time watching television every evening together. It becomes very difficult for me at times to actually sit there as some of what comes through the media is quite disturbing. The world around me has enough chaos within it so I do not find observing more chaos on the television to be very relaxing. I simply do not like the drama. I have gotten to the point where if we are watching even a simple family type program and anyone says anything that I know is going to cause drama or negative consequences; even though I know this is just fiction, I go and sit in the Florida Room and play with Izzy, my bearded dragon. Izzy does not cause drama. Izzy just is.

Last night, my husband was preoccupied with Michael Cohen's testimony regarding President Trump before the House Oversight Committee.  Personally, it is gut-wrenching for me to listen to allegations (gossip) that cannot be backed up by evidence. In addition to this being so contrary to Christian ethics, I view these types of occurrences, which seem to be happening nationally more frequently cause division. They cause chaos. On the other hand, there was international news that could genuinely further world peace and less chaos was barely touched upon in contrast to the hearings in Congress. Even in this act of reaching out to bring peace to countries across the world that have been enemies for years and years, there are those who have only disparaging things to say. Does the world love chaos and division so much that we gravitate toward those things which disparage anything and anyone that we don't personally agree with? 

So much drama and division in this world and why? Do we really enjoy the hatefulness; the anger that seems so prevalent today? How do we get out of this dark place that we seem to have become so deeply entrenched? I would suggest that the better way is to entrench ourselves in the Word. For, in the beginning, there was darkness; there was a great void and that darkness disappeared when the Word spoke. 

In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. (Gen 1:1-5)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. (1 John 1-5 NRSV)

It was through a positive; an affirming word; that the Word created all things. It was through the Word that the void was filled; that the light came into the world and overcame darkness. Jesus Christ is the Word. Jesus Christ is light of the world. We must seek him so that the chaos of darkness does not overwhelm us.

May God help us to stay in His Word so that the darkness, the chaos, will not overcome us; that order will come out of this chaos. Let us speak words of peace and reconciliation; not gossip that leads to division.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Appearances Can Be Deceiving

Appearances can be deceiving. In my Florida room lives my one and only pet. Izzy is a bearded dragon. He is so easy to care for; much easier than any furry pet we've ever had. You do not have to worry about leaving bearded dragons alone in the house. They do not make a mess. When Izzy sheds his skin I can pick it up in one piece and I don't have to get the vacuum out. He also enjoy being held (sometimes). Izzy opens his eyes and lifts his head whenever he hears me talking. But, bearded dragons are not for everyone. Some people simply do not like them because they crawl on their bellies like snakes. And... anything snake or serpent-like really doesn't have too good of a reputation.

We often jump to unfair judgments based on appearances. It is not just lizards we jump to conclusions about; but, people, as well, by their outward appearances. But, when Jesus came, he turned all that around. It was the widow who put but two copper pennies into the offering that Jesus said had given more than the rest. (Mark 12:41-43) Tax collectors and other various sinners were chosen by Jesus as his dinner companions. (Matthew 9:10-12) He healed gentiles and even lepers; physically touching, at times, those who were thought by others too unclean to be touched. (Mark 7:24-30; Luke 7:21-23) And... who were the first to be called by Jesus? Fishermen! (Luke 5:1-11) He called mere fishermen; or at least they were mere in the eyes of many of the day. Have you any clue what a man or woman who makes their living fishing looks and smells like after a long day or night out on the boat? Jesus does not call anyone because they look good on the outside or even because they act so good. He calls whom he will call to follow him.

Appearances can be deceiving. There are those who smile on the outside and are happy, happy, happy whenever you are around. But, on the inside are like empty tombs. There are others who may appear to be most ferocious; but, within them a great concern for the well-being of humankind.

Appearances can be deceiving. Do not judge one another by appearances. Take the time to look more deeply into the person or the matter.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Appearances Can Be Deceiving

He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny.  Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. (Mark 12:41-43 NIV)

Appearances can be deceiving. One of the easiest pets I've ever cared for is Izzy, a bearded dragon. You do not have to worry about leaving them alone in the house. They do not make a mess. They do not whine or cry or bark or make any noise that will disturb the neighbors. They also enjoy being held. Izzy is waiting for me most mornings when I get up; his beard usually black as he anxiously waits for me to give him some attention. But, bearded dragons are not for everyone. Some people simply do not like them because of how they look and because they crawl on their bellies like snakes. And... anything snake or serpent-like really doesn't have too good of a reputation.

We often jump to unfair judgments based on appearances. It is not just lizards we jump to conclusions about; but, people, as well, by their outward appearances. But, when Jesus came, he turned all that around. It was the widow who put but two copper pennies into the offering that Jesus said had given more than the rest. (Mark 12:41-43) Tax collectors and other various sinners were chosen by Jesus as his dinner companions. (Matthew 9:10-12) He healed gentiles and even lepers; physically touching, at times, those who were thought by others too unclean to be touched. (Mark 7:24-30; Luke 7:21-23) And... who were the first to be called by Jesus? Fishermen! (Luke 5:1-11) He called mere fishermen, or at least they were mere in the eyes of many of the day. Have you any clue what a man or woman who makes their living fishing looks and smells like after a long day or night out on the boat? Jesus does not call anyone because they look good on the outside or even because they act so good. He calls whom he will call to follow him.

Appearances can be deceiving. There are those who smile on the outside and are happy, happy, happy whenever you are around. But, on the inside are like empty tombs. There are others whose appearance on the outside might look to be most ferocious; but, within them dwells the love of God.

Appearances can be deceiving. Do not judge one another by appearances. Take the time to look more deeply into the person or the matter.

God's Peace - Pr. J