If the police withdraw their protection, Chaos reigns.
When Chaos is in charge, only evil people win.
A couple of decades ago, some preacher (forgot who, you would recognize the name) said,
“God is finished with America”
I doubted it at the time.
I fear for, not myself, but mine and yours.
There is clearly a sense of doom covering the U.S. right now. Unraveling from within, appearing weaker and weaker to those without. Not a good situation.
While we made it through a similar, polarized period in the 1960s-70s, I wonder if that wasn’t just the prelude, followed by a false (yet always uneasy) peace in between. Easier to see and interpret those events and connections from a vantage point in the distant future.
Books will be written … working title, “What the heck happened?”
Pres Obama: “We also know that when people are armed with powerful weapons, unfortunately it makes attacks like these more deadly and more tragic, and in the days ahead we’re going to have to consider those realities as well,”
Another opportunity to politicize a massacre of innocent people. It wouldn’t ever occur to him to say that the people who did the killings are festering with hate in their hearts. Why didn’t he say that thousands of peaceful protesters (a big improvement from riots in the street) were put in danger as well, and their peacefulness was negated by despicable people? As long as Mr. Obama blames the guns and not the perpetrators, he encourages more thugs to act out their aggressions by killing people who had nothing to do with the alleged crimes (by police officers). Why didn’t he say that there are bad apples in every bushel, like he does when crimes are committed by Muslims? As long as he blames guns, he is ignoring the root cause of discord, and he should be encouraging unity of all citizens, regardless of the color of their skin. It’s actually not too late for him to act like the leader of all the people.
“Update (July 8): This week, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved a package of anti-terrorism laws that usher in tighter restrictions on missionary activity and evangelism.
Despite prayers and protests from religious leaders and human rights advocates, the Kremlin announced Putin’s approval yesterday. The amendments, including laws against sharing faith in homes, online, or anywhere but recognized church buildings, go into effect July 20.”
The Gospel in the Aftermath of Dallas, Baton Rouge, and Falcon Heights
WHERE TO FROM HERE?
… While confirmation bias tempts us to retreat to our pet causes, explanations, and scapegoats, we’d be wiser to listen to the tweeted words of Florida Pastor H.B. Charles, “The Bible exhorts us to weep with those who weep. It doesn’t tell us to judge whether they should be weeping.” In particular, two communities in our midst weep: African-Americans and law enforcement officials. We can and ought to be distressed by the brokenness on both sides.
Let us first and unequivocally say every human life is precious and valuable because it bears the very image of God. C.S. Lewis wrote in The Weight of Glory, “You’ve never met a mere mortal… Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit.”
Let’s also say that the week’s events are a surface explosion of issues long present in our society. As my friend Pastor Chris Brooks said to me Friday, those asking “where did this come from?” reveal they’ve not been watching or listening. Alexander Solzhenitsyn saw it back in 1978, when he remarked (in a speech fittingly called “A World Split Apart”) the smooth surface film of our society was thin indeed, with only illusions of stability and health.
We’re not okay, folks, and we haven’t been in quite a while. These horrible events are not creating unrest; rather they are revealing it. Our society is weak in its middle—at the “social glue” level of local communities and civil society. And, we have a race problem. We might disagree on why, but it won’t do us any good to say it doesn’t exist. Here we are – and there’s no way out of this except by confronting it.
Third, and most important, let us proclaim, “Christ has risen!” It is true about this moment as it is about every other moment of history – good or bad. …
… First, pray. It sounds trite and expected, but it isn’t. I’m spending today praying for the pastors tasked with shepherding congregations through this on Sunday. I’m thankful Russell Moore has pointed out that happy, clappy worship songs in church won’t do at such a cultural moment. There are times to lament. This is one of them.
I am also praying for Christians tasked with talking about this with colleagues, families, and neighbors on Monday. I am praying we will be Gospel-shaped in our words and tone.
But mostly, I pray today for mercy using ancient, tried, and tested words: Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. …
______________________________________
Our sermon on Sunday will (appropriately, considering the news) be on this passage:
_____________________________________
Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. 24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. 25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”
26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”
(Matthew 8:23-27)
______________________________________
Wandering Views 
Chas
http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/putinduma.asp
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Thanks Linda. I didn’t think to look that up.
I thought it was something Putin would day.
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Wow. This is bad news. At least 11 cops shot, 5 dead at BLM rally in Dallas. Maybe the president should stop egging them on.
http://www.weaselzippers.us/281968-breaking-cops-shot-at-black-lives-matter-protest-in-dallas/
LikeLiked by 1 person
If the police withdraw their protection, Chaos reigns.
When Chaos is in charge, only evil people win.
A couple of decades ago, some preacher (forgot who, you would recognize the name) said,
“God is finished with America”
I doubted it at the time.
I fear for, not myself, but mine and yours.
I really do.
LikeLiked by 3 people
There is clearly a sense of doom covering the U.S. right now. Unraveling from within, appearing weaker and weaker to those without. Not a good situation.
While we made it through a similar, polarized period in the 1960s-70s, I wonder if that wasn’t just the prelude, followed by a false (yet always uneasy) peace in between. Easier to see and interpret those events and connections from a vantage point in the distant future.
Books will be written … working title, “What the heck happened?”
LikeLiked by 3 people
Pres Obama: “We also know that when people are armed with powerful weapons, unfortunately it makes attacks like these more deadly and more tragic, and in the days ahead we’re going to have to consider those realities as well,”
Another opportunity to politicize a massacre of innocent people. It wouldn’t ever occur to him to say that the people who did the killings are festering with hate in their hearts. Why didn’t he say that thousands of peaceful protesters (a big improvement from riots in the street) were put in danger as well, and their peacefulness was negated by despicable people? As long as Mr. Obama blames the guns and not the perpetrators, he encourages more thugs to act out their aggressions by killing people who had nothing to do with the alleged crimes (by police officers). Why didn’t he say that there are bad apples in every bushel, like he does when crimes are committed by Muslims? As long as he blames guns, he is ignoring the root cause of discord, and he should be encouraging unity of all citizens, regardless of the color of their skin. It’s actually not too late for him to act like the leader of all the people.
LikeLiked by 4 people
The Alinski rule is to exploit every crisis.
If you don’t have a crisis, create one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Putin signed the law. . .
“Update (July 8): This week, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved a package of anti-terrorism laws that usher in tighter restrictions on missionary activity and evangelism.
Despite prayers and protests from religious leaders and human rights advocates, the Kremlin announced Putin’s approval yesterday. The amendments, including laws against sharing faith in homes, online, or anywhere but recognized church buildings, go into effect July 20.”
http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2016/june/no-evangelizing-outside-of-church-russia-proposes.html?utm_source=ctdirect-html&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_term=9474712&utm_content=448992238&utm_campaign=email
LikeLiked by 1 person
The evangelical Christians of Russia need our prayers. They have once again been told to be quiet.
LikeLiked by 2 people
http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/13/29547
___________________________________
The Gospel in the Aftermath of Dallas, Baton Rouge, and Falcon Heights
WHERE TO FROM HERE?
… While confirmation bias tempts us to retreat to our pet causes, explanations, and scapegoats, we’d be wiser to listen to the tweeted words of Florida Pastor H.B. Charles, “The Bible exhorts us to weep with those who weep. It doesn’t tell us to judge whether they should be weeping.” In particular, two communities in our midst weep: African-Americans and law enforcement officials. We can and ought to be distressed by the brokenness on both sides.
Let us first and unequivocally say every human life is precious and valuable because it bears the very image of God. C.S. Lewis wrote in The Weight of Glory, “You’ve never met a mere mortal… Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit.”
Let’s also say that the week’s events are a surface explosion of issues long present in our society. As my friend Pastor Chris Brooks said to me Friday, those asking “where did this come from?” reveal they’ve not been watching or listening. Alexander Solzhenitsyn saw it back in 1978, when he remarked (in a speech fittingly called “A World Split Apart”) the smooth surface film of our society was thin indeed, with only illusions of stability and health.
We’re not okay, folks, and we haven’t been in quite a while. These horrible events are not creating unrest; rather they are revealing it. Our society is weak in its middle—at the “social glue” level of local communities and civil society. And, we have a race problem. We might disagree on why, but it won’t do us any good to say it doesn’t exist. Here we are – and there’s no way out of this except by confronting it.
Third, and most important, let us proclaim, “Christ has risen!” It is true about this moment as it is about every other moment of history – good or bad. …
… First, pray. It sounds trite and expected, but it isn’t. I’m spending today praying for the pastors tasked with shepherding congregations through this on Sunday. I’m thankful Russell Moore has pointed out that happy, clappy worship songs in church won’t do at such a cultural moment. There are times to lament. This is one of them.
I am also praying for Christians tasked with talking about this with colleagues, families, and neighbors on Monday. I am praying we will be Gospel-shaped in our words and tone.
But mostly, I pray today for mercy using ancient, tried, and tested words: Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. …
______________________________________
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our sermon on Sunday will (appropriately, considering the news) be on this passage:
_____________________________________
Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. 24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. 25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”
26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”
(Matthew 8:23-27)
______________________________________
LikeLiked by 1 person