Thursday; August 19

I am not sure how many of you noticed this, but Homeland Security issued a new National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin about a heightened threat environment across the United States. The warning which is in effect from August 13 to November 11 warns Americans to be on alert for foreign and domestic treats to our safety. The agency cited the twentieth anniversary of 9/11 and news about COVID-19 health issues and constraints as possible rationales for terroristic activity. I won’t detail the warning, but a summary of the bulletin says “Be Prepared and Stay Informed”.

As I read the bulletin, I was reminded of another warning that was issued centuries ago – not to Americans, but to Christians. When the Apostle Peter addressed the early disciples, he warned, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (I Peter 5:8). Satan’s power and presence in our world makes him a perennial threat to our spiritual welfare and safety. He is out to get us and will do whatever it takes to separate us from our God. He will use deception, distractions and even violence against us to accomplish his goal. Even if he doesn’t personally attack us, he has his minions spread around the world to do his bidding for him. As long as they can keep us stirred up and distracted from our main focus, their prince of darkness can continue to strengthen his spiritually subservient network.
Let’s be on alert against physical attacks against our nation and our communities, but more importantly, let’s be vigilant in our defense against satan’s influence in our lives and our churches. When we do, we’ll all be safer.

Think About It!

Popular posts from this blog

Tuesday; November 29

The biblical story of the Good Samaritan has changed our world. Notice I didn’t say that it had change religion or even Christianity, it has influenced the world. There are very few people who don’t know the moral of Jesus’ parable about the Good Samaritan. In fact, the phrase has become a common description of everyday people doing good to their neighbors. While Jesus’ parable from Luke 10 shares several spiritual lessons, one of the most practical is that good can be done by anyone. You don’t have to be a church official to do good, it is not only possible for each one of us to help, it is required of all of us. If a Samaritan can be good, so can we! After presenting the parable, Jesus asked the man who had originally asked the question about being a good neighbor which character in the story was a good neighbor, “… he said, ‘The one who showed mercy toward him.’” at which point, the discussion from theoretical to personal, “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do the same.’” (Luke
Read more

Thursday; January 12

The other day I was watching a television show that used a rather common term applied to overcoming challenges. When organizations experience unexpected setbacks – especially when they lose key people – they rely upon the concept of “Next Man Up”. In essence, when our starters (or stars) go down, effective organizations rely upon their next levels to step into the vacancy. While this is an effective response, have we given much thought as to how we prepare to be the “next people up”? First, we must know our job. Even when we aren’t the primary players, we need to be preparing ourselves to be ready when we get the opportunity to shine. Second, we must do our best when we get the chance. Knowledge is important but what turns potential into talent is effort. Yet, maybe the most underappreciated aspect of this concept is a willingness avoid excuse-making and whining about the unfairness of our situation. When we complain about the circumstances that caused the need for replacements
Read more

Monday; September 25

When I was a youngster, I remember hearing about this thing called the Generation Gap. I was a little bit too young to be active in the social movements of the 1960s, but I do remember listening to the challenges the generations were experiencing way back then. Interestingly, now that I have been on both sides of the aging process, I have to admit that the Gap of the 1960s was nothing new. With the development of each generation comes conflict. The young people don’t feel like the older people understand them and the older folks tend to believe their input is being underappreciated. Too often trust is the casualty when two generations collide. The sad thing is that it doesn’t have to be this way. When we can capture the innovation and energy of the younger folks and harness the wisdom of those who have been around for a while we can develop a winning combination. No, we won’t always see things eye-to-eye nor will we necessarily speak the same emotional language, but when we app
Read more