Like most of you, I was drawn to the TV this weekend with all the news
about Irma. With play by play America was held spellbound just waiting for
Florida to be wiped and washed off the map, even Anderson Cooper got his hair
wet. It was sickening watching, almost like watching the train wreck you cannot
turn away from, but as interested as I was, I was left with disgust for the
media, more than ever, if possible. When Irma went from a Category 5 to a 3,
the talking heads seemed disappointed. Only 115 mph winds? Only 2-4 surges?
How disappointing they weren’t there to see the end of Florida...just like “hey
we’re disappointed when Texas didn’t wash away a few weeks ago.” Remember
Harvey? If you do, remind the media, they forgot. Yet while still trying to
recover, the winds of Irma were more important to cover. That is the winds to
come, while Cuba was getting pounded, no coverage. Puerto Rico, St. Maarten,
Antigua, and other islands in the Atlantic are wasted, 95% of the homes in St.
Maarten are gone, yet we get computer models of what is to come. No mention of
Harvey and the aftermath, if only the action had met what their headlines
promised, wheres all the death and destruction when we need it?
Maybe look to the NFL, as this weekend was the first weekend. Where the
big discussion was new rules about how to celebrate after a touchdown. That
Matthew Stafford, who? just signed a five year, $135 million dollar contract
with the Detroit Lions! How the cowboys are glad their star running back and
wife beater is back, somehow escaping suspension. I guess it does help if your
club owner just got inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. All garbage to
me, except JJ Watt who started off trying to collect $3 million for Houston
flood victims, and at last count had exceeded $14 million! A big man on and off
the field. I can hardly wait to see the loser Phillip Rivers get beat tonight
as an LA Charger, after whining that since the team moved to LA his kids would
have to change schools. It’s tough to make ends meet on $17 million a year
Phil, maybe our gain is LA’s loss. But today being 9-11, the 16th anniversary
of the attack on the US of A on that day, I really find myself discouraged,and
disgusted with the media. And the people....
In San Diego, a so-called great military town, no events to honor those
lost that day. Just a 10k on the tenth, not the same. But what is to be
expected of a nation whose money says “in God we trust,” yet won’t allow him our
schools. Who changed Decoration Day to a three day weekend, whose Easter Break
is now a Spring Break and Christmas is a winter break. Where Thanksgiving is
still on a Thursday for now, and or two greatest presidents’ birthdays have been
combined into one day. Who can name the real birthdays of Lincoln and
Washington? While illegal immigrants parade and protest their possible loss of
free schooling, food, and medical, while mayors whose murder records are off the
chart, and they disobey the law, maybe it all makes perfect sense. This is
truly a fallen world, sadly driven by media, rumors, innuendo, and lies. Sadly
this is America, 2017.
Yet in the midst of it, God’s grace is alive and well. For where sin
abounds, grace abounds even more. Yet some misled Corinthians thought it a way
to more grace by sinning more. Not as God planned it, but as the lies of the
world interpret it. How many times in church have you heard “if Jesus was alive
today..” you mean he isn’t? I thought he was resurrected, the key ingredient
to our hope and future, yet they act in despair. Leading their flocks to
despair, when they could and should be leading them to Jesus. When Paul wrote
we are all being delivered over to death so that the life of Jesus may be seen
in us, we forget it is all about Jesus. That in the midst of the storms, he is
ever present. He is building in us a patience and endurance, to stay in the
race to the end, yet the pathetic prayers I hear from so many tell a different
gospel. “Stop the hurricane God, stop the rain!” Yet forget how he takes us
through and not around. Maybe stop CNN is a better prayer. But if the truth
isn’t coming from those entrusted with it, why are we not surprised with all the
lies we hear?
Read your Bible, see how Jesus and his spirit comforted and rescued those
in danger over the centuries. Did David ask for a postponement, yet when
questioned answered, “he was with me for the lion and the bear, why should I
doubt him now?” There is a serenity in knowing Jesus, in trusting his spirit
not found in earthly goods, earthly teaching, or religious rhetoric. The truth
that sets you free is only found in Jesus Christ, no matter what day you
celebrate his birth, death, and resurrection. As a Christian I celebrate them
all every day, as he lives in me. He never hurried, got frustrated, or forgot
who he was, or who his father is and why he came to earth. He went to the
cross, a place of obscurity, and gave it all to gain back all that had been
lost, giving all the glory to God in heaven, showing us the way. No detours, or
easy way out. No do over, postponing due to weather, he suffered when and how
he was supposed to. As are we...
So when we suffer, our reactions tell more about Jesus than the 7000 seat
sanctuary, the TV and book sales, and being recognized for what we have done.
Through us and in us God is working his will. We may change holidays, forget
those in need, and fight over religious rhetoric, Jesus rose above it all and we
can too. Where is the compassion of Jesus in you? Have you picked up your
cross and followed, or decided maybe later, as it is dirty, smells of death, and
you might get a splinter. Is your life filled with testimonies of others, or of
Jesus in your life? Is your life a category 3, but really a 5 downgraded? Have
you turned to Christ or turned away? Have you forgotten Harvey, and soon Irma,
as another, Jose looms? Is your life like the news, remembering the sermon of
last week until a new one comes along, then discarding it? Turn to Jesus now
before the storms of life overwhelm you, you do not have to become a victim,
unless you want to.
By the way, last week Mexico experienced an 8.1 earthquake, its largest
ever, hear anything about that? Or how Christian organizations like Samaritan’s
Purse, Operation Blessing, The Salvation Army, and others were first on the
scene, and will remain. Where Jesus’ people are he is among them. While some
are amazed and entertained by the news, some are out making it, flying under the
radar where only God sees. His satellite power far exceeding any on
earth....the news runs in two week cycles, Irma is almost two weeks old. Hang
on for the next disaster...or you can hang onto Jesus.
Meanwhile in the news...Richard Branson’s sex island is trying to recover
from Irma, 7 are shot dead at a Texas football party, and 6 dead in a Minnesota
car accident. Chili’s is changing their menu. Some nut in North Korea is
threatening us with nuclear extinction. Some are still trying to keep up with
the Kardashisans, and Hillary Clinton’s publisher is pulling her book and
destroying them for lack of sales and plaguarism. But for a real disaster, see
the LA Chargers tonight, as Rivers adapts his family to their new home in LA.
And you thought you had problems! America in the new millenium, scraping by on
only $17 mil a year. Why do you think he wears number 17?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com