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It has been a week unlike any other.

Saturday my only brother died suddenly of a massive stroke.

On Monday into Tuesday morning we traveled the 10-hour round trip to the funeral home.

Only hours after we got home I was called to the hospital where our very good friend had spent hours very sick and they were sending her home. They were overwhelmed there in the Emergency Room with so many patients that she was not fully treated.

I stayed with her for 8 hours before having to call the ambulance again to return her to the hospital for overnight.

Wednesday I again drove her home, and even though it seemed they had treated her as needed this time I stayed for a few hours to be sure.

Thursday I made a list for 5 people and went shopping. (We do that, so that when we go to a store we can reduce the need for others to go to the same store, during these pandemic restrictions.) That meant delivering to 3 others right away both in town and out.

Friday, by the grace of God, I recorded a video of the chapel service which, since the pandemic, I have done weekly for the retirement residence where my Mother-in-law lives.

Friday afternoon someone came up on the front porch and stole the light tree which my brother had given to my Mother this past Christmas. The police would not take a report because such minor incidents are to be reported using their online system. I did get it completed.

Then I posted the theft on social media hoping someone might know something. It was shared well over 150 times. Someone, a complete stranger, offered to replace it! (Alas, it cannot be replaced because it was a seasonal item and is no longer in stock.)

So here I sit at 11:30am on Saturday, exhausted, processing my grief, shocked by the emotional impact of the theft, drained from making the chapel video, drinking my third big mug of coffee.

In my spirit I am finding a peace that passes human understanding, but my body feels like it has been run over, stepped on and robbed blind.

I know we are not the only family stressed out like this. I am not asking for pity. I am saying if you can identify be assured we are praying for everyone who feels like they could be the one who wrote this.

But for you I repeat what I wrote to our dear friend in Africa, “God is our Rock and Salvation”.

There are four ways to read the Bible: contextual; devotional; proof texting; transformational.

Contextual
Here the reader studies history, language and culture to add depth to the Bible stories. For example, “heart” in Hebrew thinking was the seat of the intellect, not emotions as it is in Western culture. For example, in Psalm 119:11, “Your word I have hid in my heart” really means you memorize it. A “hard heart” is a closed mind, not emotional callousness.

Devotional
This is the exact opposite of contextual. Here the reader reacts to what is read as a personal inspiration, not a theological study. For example, the Bible says we are saved by grace, and the reader gets a warm comfort from this.

Proof Texting
Here the reader stops and notes verses that support their theological ideology without regard to any original meaning that may have been intended. For example, verses that can be made to read that women are under men will be lifted up, and the verses that say there is “neither male nor female” in God’s eyes are ignored.

Transformational
This is the exact opposite of proof texting. Here the reader has an open mind, prepared to change personal behaviour or ideas based on a mostly literal rendering of the text. For example, Jesus said, “If you hate your colleague in Christ you have committed murder”, so the reader actively seeks reconciliation with someone with whom they are in conflict.

“Moses answered the people, ‘Don’t be afraid! Stand still, and see what the Lord will do to save you today. You will never see these Egyptians again. The Lord is fighting for you! So be still!’ ” (Exodus 14:13-14 God’s Word Translation©)

Today these words came to mind. These Christians who, because of the pandemic, are defying the law, accusing government of blasphemy and challenging the police, claiming to be fighting for all Christians in defending institutional religious customs, need to be reminded of these words from God through Moses as the Hebrews stood trapped between the Reed Sea and the Egyptian army. If we want to change the mind of government we need to fall upon our knees in utter humility and pray that God will work something out. Then God will get the glory. If these congregations win their court cases they will feel they have won. That feeds pride, not proclamation of Good News.

“You are light for the world… let your light shine in front of people. Then they will see the good that you do and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14a, 16 God’s Word Translation©)

Repeat – “Then they will… praise your Father in heaven.”

If organized religion was faithful in serving Jesus they would not need public protest and media manipulation to replace their cultural irrelevance.

Note: [The evidence for faithfulness is love, and that is demonstrated by feeding the hungry, providing safe water for the thirsty, welcoming strangers, providing climate appropriate clothing to the naked, visiting those who are sick to provide for their needs and socializing with those in jail. (Matthew 25:35-36)]

How do I know when to be a protester? I have protested against the government, very publicly, and this is the basis I follow for knowing when to protest and when to adapt. This is not theory, dogma or philosophical thinking. This is what I have lived, and God grant I will never lower this standard.

1. If I gain any personal benefit from the successful outcome of the protest, it is wrong to proceed. If I gain then my actions may be (or become) selfish, and even if only the appearance is that I stand to gain, then my protest is not driven by God.
2. If people affirm my object, and I am energized by that, I cannot proceed. Right is right, and if I need human compliments to be strong in the cause I have no cause that comes from God.
3. If I gain fame or notoriety from my actions I must stop. The cause is not for me, and if I become the focal point of the protest I have lost the purpose. For example, during a protest I help organize the media wanted to interview me. I had to decline assertively as they did not want to take “No” as an answer. Another person, who had no role in the protest at all, came to the scene and basked in the media coverage, gaining brownie points for advancement. That was as it should be.
4. If people oppose what I am doing this is to be expected. If I stand for a godly cause and purpose then evil people and religious zealots will become vocal and actual enemies. If religion supports my cause I stop. God does not work through religious institutions, who have power, but through The Spirit whose purpose is to bring glory to God alone, not through financial, political or cultural clout.
5. If at any point I trade humility for pride in what I am doing, I am compelled to cease. Human pride, close-minded confidence and disregard for spiritual wisdom from Scripture mean I am off the rails.

I have never published this testimony before, but in the present age I felt led this afternoon to be vulnerable and make this known.

May God “receive glory and honour and power” (Revelation 4:11).

Repeatedly I am confronted by people who claim to be disciples of Jesus, but all they want to talk about is their right to gather in a building and do their thing. Religion buildings do not come from God. The early Church did not build. The Roman Emperor Constantine (and his wife, and his Mother especially) started that in AD332. Buildings follow the pattern of his throne room, not heaven. The early Church believed what Jesus said, “Go and preach…teaching…” Paul made it clear that our bodies “are the temple of God”, not bricks and mortar. The cross, the centre of Christian living, has been displaced with religious rituals. Jesus died. Where is the life of sacrifice modelled by the Saviour? Jesus said, “Take up your cross every day…”, but in North America Christians take up their protest and placards and selfish interpretations of what is really important. When the early disciples said, “We must obey God rather than human regulations” it was because they were told to stop evangelizing, not gathering for religious worship! How does self-centred demands for personal traditions of worship teach God’s love or preach Good News that we can be forgiven and have eternal life?! Paul preached in the market place, beside the river (in Philippi), in prison (!!). Is it the poor and homeless and patients in ER with infections who are demanding their rights? No, it is those who live a life of privilege instead of the cross!! Do you want to be known as people who have been with Jesus (Acts 4:13), then start witnessing to the love and kindness of God, not whining about government rules that are designed to save lives. People of faith should not need a secular government to tell them to care more about others’ safety than personal dogma.

“10 Finally, receive your power from the Lord and from his mighty strength. 11 Put on all the armor that God supplies. In this way you can take a stand against the devil’s strategies. 12 This is not a wrestling match against a human opponent. We are wrestling with rulers, authorities, the powers who govern this world of darkness, and spiritual forces that control evil in the heavenly world” (Ephesians 6:10-12 God’s Word Translation©).

Believers in Canada are fervent supporters of President Trump and contemptuous of Prime Minister Trudeau (or the reverse), slanderous of Pope Francis, blindly loyal to their own denomination, close-minded advocates of one economic system or another, and even emotional terrorists against those who defend different sectarian rules of belief…

Shake yourself and see the light. NONE of these things is eternal! None of these people or philosophies will get you into heaven, nor are they strong enough to keep you out of it.

There is only one loyalty that deserves your obedience, Jesus and the cross upon which you crucify all your personal opinions and allegiances and addictions.

When you rant for or against something that has its roots only on this earth and not in the heavenly realm can people tell you are a disciple of Jesus? Or do you just look like anybody with a chip on your shoulder or an impulsive bully? “After they found out that Peter and John had no education or special training, they were surprised to see how boldly they spoke. They realized that these men had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13 God’s Word Translation©).

Our enemy is the great deceiver, Apollyon/Abaddon (the destroyer), not a pope, politician or partisan pugilist.

If Satan feels glee there must be dancing in the palaces of evil at how much energy is wasted on false allegiances, and how much division and hatred and anti-Christian behaviour you display. Take up your cross everyday, not your soapbox. Offer comfort to believers, not conflict over ideology. “These are the people who cause divisions. They are concerned about physical things, not spiritual things” (Jude 19 God’s Word Translation©).

James clearly describes what believers can stoop to when they are driven, not by the cross, but self because “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Aren’t they caused by the selfish desires that fight to control you?” (James 4:1 God’s Word Translation©).

Speak boldly about who God is, not what you think!

Psalm 94 is disturbing to me.

To modernists it is disturbing because in their arrogance they refuse to allow God to act against sin. For them God can only be gentle love and consolation.

That is not what disturbs me, however. What a heart-breaking poem Psalm 94 is because the wicked do wickedly and have no sense of remorse, even claiming that God doesn’t see what they do because there is no God except their power over others.

Personally I have been persecuted and treated with contempt for justice by those who have the power to do just that. Even years later these people show no remorse; they continue living like they can do no wrong because they can do what they do and, so far, God has not sent cataclysmic punishment upon them.

Without remorse there is no repentance and so there is no forgiveness which means their eternal condition is at stake.

God continues to show that racist bigotry, gender hatred and economic oppression or any evil are against the very fabric of the universe. The power-abusers don’t care, and as Jesus observed even from the cross, “Forgive them for they do not know what they are doing”.

In a long story in Matthew 25 Jesus points out that those who show sympathy, empathy and compassion will receive the blessing of The Creator, while those who are heartless, self-centred and malicious will also receive payback in kind, with eternal consequences.

If we steal from someone (reputation or property) or kill someone (through hate) or destroy someone through emotional vandalism we act as Apollyon (Abaddon), The Evil One.

We can never consider that we are right if we win against someone. Our call is never to be right, but to do right. And if we do right it will cost us something or build someone else up.

So have you been in a debate or argument and made someone look foolish in the eyes of others, or competed and took everything and left someone standing emotionally naked? Then repent and apologize.

Eternity is awaiting, for blessing or suffering. What you cause here is what you can expect there.

PSALM 94

1
O Lord, God of vengeance,
O God of vengeance, appear!
2
Arise, O Judge of the earth.
Give arrogant people what they deserve.
3
How long, O Lord, will wicked people triumph?
How long? vengeance, appear!

⁴ They ramble.
They speak arrogantly.
All troublemakers brag about themselves.
⁵ They crush your people, O Lord.
They make those who belong to you suffer.
⁶ They kill widows and foreigners, and they murder orphans.
⁷ They say, “The Lord doesn’t see it.
The God of Jacob doesn’t even pay attention to it.”

⁸ Pay attention, you stupid people!
When will you become wise, you fools?
⁹ God created ears.
Do you think he can’t hear?
He formed eyes.
Do you think he can’t see?
¹⁰ He disciplines nations.
Do you think he can’t punish?
He teaches people.
Do you think he doesn’t know anything?
¹¹ The Lord knows that people’s thoughts are pointless.

¹² O Lord, blessed is the person
whom you discipline and instruct from your teachings.
¹³ You give him peace and quiet from times of trouble
while a pit is dug to trap wicked people.

¹⁴ The Lord will never desert his people
or abandon those who belong to him.
¹⁵ The decisions of judges will again become fair,
and everyone whose motives are decent will pursue justice.

¹⁶ Who will stand up for me against evildoers?
Who will stand by my side against troublemakers?
¹⁷ If the Lord had not come to help me,
my soul would have quickly fallen silent ⌞in death⌟.

¹⁸ When I said, “My feet are slipping,”
your mercy, O Lord, continued to hold me up.
¹⁹ When I worried about many things,
your assuring words soothed my soul.

²⁰ Are wicked rulers who use the law to do unlawful things
able to be your partners?
²¹ They join forces to take the lives of righteous people.
They condemn innocent people to death.
²² The Lord has become my stronghold.
My God has become my rock of refuge.
²³ He has turned their own wickedness against them.
He will destroy them because of their sins.
The Lord our God will destroy them.

Our second daughter, as a newborn, would let no one carry her or comfort her except my wife. This went on for a little while and then I refused to let it go on any longer because my wife was wearing out. Besides, I was her Father.

So I picked her up. She screamed. After awhile it turned to crying. A little later it transformed into a whimper. Finally she went to sleep. After that I could care for her.

During this ordeal of behaviour modification my wife had to leave the house. A nursing Mother not only has an emotional reaction to her crying baby, but also a physical one.

I was just sitting here remembering that incident because a life event triggered a different memory, and this flashed into my mind afterwards.

It is for me a picture of how humans treat God. We complain when God reaches out to care for us, because we want it the way we want it and there is no compromise. So God performs a transformation to open our hearts to the mothering of our Creator, and it is sometimes an ordeal. (Imagine, we fight being cared for by the Creator of the universe Whose love transcends all limits!)

What my wife endured reminds me of how we look on at God working and we judge it and condemn it and blaspheme our dear Saviour because we do not understand what is going on, yet our in our humanity we assume we are all-knowing and can stand in judgment against the eternal, just and infinitely fair Judge.

Human beings are rebellious. Whatever God’s instructions may be, they pervert them, and have reams of justifications for it.

The thing that drives humans up the wall is the utter simplicity of God’s grace and our obedience in it.

Humans make the simple voice of God into doctrine. Whether it is the Five-fold ministry, speaking tongues, Church authority, we make doctrine and to embellish the word of God and argue about how it applies, instead of simple obedience.

Praying during worship in Tanzania

For instance, Colossians 4 describes the life of discipleship as two things: pray + witness. There is no division of ministry, no miraculous overlay and no hierarchy of ecclesiastical authority. Just two things define mission and ministry: pray and witness. No doctrine or systematic theology, no conferences to teach a perception of Jesus, just two things.

“2 Keep praying. Pay attention when you offer prayers of thanksgiving. 3 At the same time also pray for us. Pray that God will give us an opportunity to speak the word so that we may tell the mystery about Christ. It is because of this mystery that I am a prisoner. 4 Pray that I may make this mystery as clear as possible. This is what I have to do. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward those who are outside the Christian faith. Make the most of your opportunities. 6 Everything you say should be kind and well thought out so that you know how to answer everyone.” (God’s Word ©)

Why were humans driven from the Garden of Eden? Because they thought, “the tree had fruit that was good to eat, nice to look at, and desirable for making someone wise” (Genesis 3:6 God’s Word ©). The very face-to-face life with God was not enough; they wanted to be wise, and as a result turned into arrogant, egotistical brain fumblers.

The apostles had these instructions: “We told them that they should not eat food sacrificed to false gods, bloody meat, or the meat of strangled animals. They also should not commit sexual sins” (Acts 21:26 God’s Word ©). In other words, avoid cultural norms for compromised living, and keep sex for love-making!

Do you know how many thousands of words denominations have as regulations to be a proper church member? And have all these doctrines and all this polity made the present-day Church a more powerful witness in the world than in the first generation of the Church? No!

Remember this verse that almost all Christians memorize: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33 KJV). There is no instruction from God to follow, obey or serve doctrine and denominational peculiarities.

God first. Everything germinates from that.