Do we tremble with the nations?

“Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns.” The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.” Psalm 96:10

At my desk (my desk from America, yeah!)

Where do we turn in times of financial conflict? We’ve been hearing and reading of the woes of wall street and the bursting real estate market in the US. The rippling effect is felt in Ukraine as it is throughout the world I’m sure. We live in such a interdependent world market. It’s tempting to turn our eyes to the wrong places. I’ve found myself considering measures to ‘protect’ my minimal assets, and somehow dodge any negative impact from the struggling economy. It’s been a blessing to get away from the over saturated politically inspired media in America. Watching too much Fox News or CNN will convince you that the answers lie in the election itself, that the right President will be our Savior.

I remember listening to a sermon a few years ago from a professor who travels and debates agnostic/athiestic institutions. The title of his message was, “Why are there no Hittites on the streets of New York?” His point was powerful and I think of it often. The Jews are still a unique people group. They have survived constant wars, a Holocaust, and enemy nations bent on removing their name from the earth. Why? Why have they remained while other powerful (in their day) people groups have vanished? The answer the professor directed us to was in Deut 6:5-9 –

5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”

His point was that the Jews have continued to pass on their heritage, God’s commands and the stories of deliverance and God’s faithfulness. Because of this, they have remained distinct and held to principles that overcame the snare of dilution. Stories of courage, of integrity and God’s faithfulness to those that follow His ways, and judgment on those that rebel. As Christians, we should take very seriously the same principle and command to make the stories known to our children. To spend quality time with our families talking about the great things God has done for us, consummating in the greatest story ever told. When I think of America, I consider the great heritage of Godly men and woman who fled tyranny for religious freedom, and founded the country on the things that would protect it from that very thing. Somewhere along the line however, the stories stopped getting passed down, the teachings became indistinct, twisted and we’ve found ourselves marginalized. Christians are now shoved into the category of fanaticism, equals with any cult or religious relic of the past. Humanism is the pre-dominate agenda and worldview.

“We are humanist living in a fading Christian culture,” was the echoing phrase this professor left me with. Sadly, I believe this to be true. We’ve lost the connection between our Christian forefathers, a gospel and Christianity that sunk into the fabric of a man’s conscience and character. A religion that changed us from the inside out. We have settled for, as a whole, a Christianity that enjoys fellowship on Sunday, a TV show type service that is quick, entertaining and worth our time. I don’t know about you, but I long for a revival of character and conscience. We’ll always be maligned, and shunned, but I’m tired of most of the accusations being true.

So is there any hope? Equity. That is where my hope lies. God is a God of justice, the ‘foundations of His throne are Righteous and Judgment.” Whom do I have to fear but God alone? Economies will rise and fall, Governments overthrown, but the Lord Reigns. This speaks of His Sovereignty. While God may not cause everything to happen, He certainly governs it and within His eternal wisdom will see every right wronged, every person judged, and His Son glorified. This is, I believe, a Christian worldview. Humanism would want us to consider our own feelings, our personal impact and render God the Savior of our stuff, our houses, our cars… surely God will watch out and cover us! The thing is, He is did cover us, cleansing us with the blood of His dear Son, and we’ll live eternally as His people if we put our faith in His finished work. The more we put our hope on Government, politics, the media, our jobs and business, the further the reality is of God’s ultimate triumph, and the powerful reminder it is for us to live differently before our lost world.

I’ve spent so many months talking about visas, lines, stamps, and our container, I had to write something else! I hope that it encourages you, it’s encouraged me writing it. God is great! I’ve just recovered from 3 days of the flu, wasn’t very fun but we’re on the upswing. Our house is filled with boxes and things are starting to get settled. We love sleeping in our own bed! Thank you for your prayers, please consider helping Jono’s school, we’ve raised $100 of $500 and would like to give him the money this week. Here’s a picture of Tucker and I this morning, we were required by law to paint the gas line yellow, before they will turn it on… glad it wasn’t pink!