I just read the sad story of Mike Aus, pastor of “Theophilus Church” in Katy, TX. Seems that Mr. Aus surprised his congregation Sunday when he appeared on MSNBC and announced that he has become an atheist. The effect was immediate — a few weeks later the church dissolved. The fact that he surprised his congregation with this news on national TV without talking to them first tells me a lot about this man’s character. No well- mannered, decent person would ever be so inconsiderate as to do that. But the response of the church also tells me something about the people who make it up. Their faith is misplaced.

I’m not going to waste your time by quoting this man’s foolish remarks. He has received too much attention already. Isn’t it strange how a fallen star gets our attention, while millions of others remain faithful in their orbit? You shouldn’t assume that the world is coming to an end because one star fell. Neither should you get all up tight because of news such as this. It shouldn’t surprise us at all. He is an unbeliever — most people are.

While it is indeed sad that this man is so confused, it should not rock your world. Why should his doubt lead to your despair? Things like this happen. This wasn’t the first such case and it won’t be the last. Men fail us often—Christ never! Think about it!

It is, in a way, an odd thing to honor those who died in defense of our country, in defense of us, in wars far away. The imagination plays a trick. We see these soldiers in our mind as old and wise. We see them as something like the Founding Fathers, grave and gray haired. But most of them were boys when they died, and they gave up two lives — the one they were living and the one they would have lived. When they died, they gave up their chance to be husbands and fathers and grandfathers. They gave up their chance to be revered old men. They gave up everything for our country, for us. And all we can do is remember.——-

And the living have a responsibility to remember the conditions that led to the wars in which our heroes died. Perhaps we can start by remembering this: that all of those who died for us and our country were, in one way or another, victims of a peace process that failed; victims of a decision to forget certain things; to forget, for instance, that the surest way to keep a peace going is to stay strong. Weakness, after all, is a temptation — it tempts the pugnacious to assert themselves — but strength is a declaration that cannot be misunderstood. Strength is a condition that declares actions have consequences. Strength is a prudent warning to the belligerent that aggression need not go unanswered.

Peace fails when we forget what we stand for. It fails when we forget that our Republic is based on firm principles, principles that have real meaning, that with them, we are the last, best hope of man on Earth; without them, we’re little more than the crust of a continent. Peace also fails when we forget to bring to the bargaining table God’s first intellectual gift to man: common sense. Common sense gives us a realistic knowledge of human beings and how they think, how they live in the world, what motivates them. Common sense tells us that man has magic in him, but also clay. Common sense can tell the difference between right and wrong. Common sense forgives error, but it always recognizes it to be error first.

We endanger the peace and confuse all issues when we obscure the truth; when we refuse to name an act for what it is; when we refuse to see the obvious and seek safety in Almighty. Peace is only maintained and won by those who have clear eyes and brave minds. Peace is imperiled when we forget to try for agreements and settlements and treaties; when we forget to hold out our hands and strive; when we forget that God gave us talents to use in securing the ends He desires. Peace fails when we forget that agreements, once made, cannot be broken without a price.—— Thank you. God bless you all, and God bless America.   THINK ABOUT IT!

–Ronald Wilson Reagan, Remarks at Arlington National Cemetery, November 11, 1985

In this age of confusion and corruption, the following message by Horatius Bonar (1809-89), written in 1864, is greatly needed today. Many will go to almost any length to excuse their rebellion against God, even if it means redefining sin and revising God’s Word to such an extent that love for God and obedience to God isn’t necessary for righteous living. That is a far cry from the Christianity of the Bible. Please read on:

Beware of Effeminate Christianity

For there is some danger of falling into a soft and effeminate Christianity, under the plea of a lofty and ethereal theology. Christianity was born for endurance…It walks with firm step and erect frame; it is kindly, but firm; it is gentle, but honest; it is calm, but not facile; obliging, but not imbecile; decided, but not churlish. It does not fear to speak the stern word of condemnation against error, nor to raise its voice against surrounding evils, under the pretext that it is not of this world.

It does not shrink from giving honest reproof lest it come under the charge of displaying an unchristian spirit. It calls sin ‘sin,’ on whomsoever it is found, and would rather risk the accusation of being actuated by a bad spirit than not discharge an explicit duty. Let us not misjudge strong words used in honest controversy. Out of the heat a viper may come forth; but we shake it off and feel no harm.

The religion of both Old and New Testaments is marked by fervent outspoken testimonies against evil. To speak smooth things in such a case may be sentimentalism, but it is not Christianity. It is a betrayal of the cause of truth and righteousness. If anyone should be frank, manly, honest, cheerful (I do not say blunt or rude, for a Christian must be courteous and polite), it is he who has tasted that the Lord is gracious, and is looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God.

I know that charity covereth a multitude of sins; but it does not call evil good, because a good man has done it; it does not excuse inconsistencies, because the inconsistent brother has a high name and a fervent spirit. Crookedness and worldliness are still crookedness and worldliness, though exhibited in one who seems to have reached no common height of attainment.

Before you jump on the band wagon of some popular preacher with a Hollywood smile and nothing but nice things to say, you better think about it. Any man who ignores or distorts the truth is not your friend. Before you set out to follow someone like that you had better consider where it will lead you.

“Guilty!”—that’s my plea and I’m ashamed of it. When it comes to feelings of revenge for injustices, I’ve often said,”I feel like the Dirty Harry of preachers. They say, “confession is good for the soul” and I’m sure that’s right, but it’s also very painful at times. I’m glad the Bible says,”Be ye angry”–we need that imperative, it’s the “sin not” part that gives me trouble. We are often tempted to lash-out, fight-back, get-even, etc. when some injustice is done. “It’s not fair!” we often say, and we’re usually right. It’s our response that is often wrong.

An example of this is found in this recent statement by Quanell X regarding a “not guilty” verdict in the Andrew Blomberg trial. He said,”I think the community has the right to voice their displeasure however they see fit, and whatever the community response is, I believe it’s appropriate”. WRONG! That’s the last thing we need at a time like this. Really Mr. X?–“however they see fit, and whatever the community response is—appropriate”? You’ve got to be kidding! Seems like I remember some responses that involved rioting, looting, beatings, and arson. Is that what you’re advocating? That doesn’t sound very just to me. My mama taught me,”Two wrongs don’t make a right”.

It isn’t my purpose to discuss the jurors “not guilty” verdict in this article, but to address the problem of seeking revenge. I can think of many instances where, in my opinion, justice wasn’t served ( O. J. comes to mind), but that doesn’t give us the right to respond as we “see fit”. What if everyone did that?  We live in a fallen world. Confusion and corruption is everywhere we look and much worse than we know–we just see the tip of the ice-berg. Innocent people often get hurt and the bad guys often seem to come out on top. We see this in all walks of life—government, military, law enforcement agencies, courts, and even in churches. And, it’s very disappointing.

Like most people, my initial reaction to injustice is to desire revenge. Although restrained by the law and the fear of punishment, my feelings are not always such as they should be. I often have to admit that I am guilty. I also have to ask for help in dealing with these ill-feelings. In doing that, the best thing I can do is to remind myself of what God said and did.

Regarding what He said, there is no better portion of God’s word than Romans 12:17-19,”Recompense no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” None of us have the right to ignore this command.

Concerning what He did, I’m reminded of Romans 5:8,”But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Isn’t that amazing? It helps me in dealing with the injustices of others to be reminded of my own sinfulness and the fact that God loves me unconditionally. Am I not to love others as Christ loved me? If I do there is then no place for revenge.

As a Christian I have an obligation to “take wrong” and allow myself “to be defrauded”(1 Cor. 6:7), to forgive as I’ve been forgiven (Eph. 4:32), and to try to “live peaceably with all men”(Rom. 12:18). It’s not easy. We can’t do it without God’s help, but God’s will is always right, best, and safest. You can respond to injustice “however” you see “fit”, but you had better remember that there are consequences for doing so. Doing wrong just makes matters worse. There is already far too many cases of injustice without you adding to it by seeking revenge. When you disobey God you are just as sinful as the person who wronged you. What gives you the right to condemn them? Since I am not God, I best leave that to Him. He gets it right every time. Instead of getting angry because others mistreated us we ought to think about our offense against God. Talk about injustice all you please, I’ll tell you what is really unjust–our disobedience to God. That’s as unfair as it gets. Think about it!

It’s really useless–not even Mr. Webster can capture the essence of motherhood. If we used nothing but the dictionary to define “mother” we would get a very incomplete picture. Being a mother involves much more than giving birth to a child, although that in itself is no minor matter. It is with much discomfort and great pain that she brings her child into this world—not something everyone would enjoy, but she does. Mothers, in fact, welcome their children into the world with a radiate joy that seems impossible considering what they went through. Now, that seems like contribution enough, but her work has just begun.

Although she has only two hands and feet, two ears and eyes, and a limited amount of physical strength, like everybody else, she has much more to do than most. Mothers have a vast array of duties to fulfill, yet she has only 24 hours in a day like everyone else. How she is able to get so much done is a mystery. Some would call it a miracle.

In spite of her best planning, which she is very good at, unexpected things happen. Often it is in the middle of the night, while others are sleeping and she is exhausted, yet she responds without a second thought. At other times, day and night, it is everything from trips to school to emergency room visits at the hospital. All this mind you is in addition to her regular chores. Only she could give you that list because the rest of us never really see all that she does–but we would quickly notice it if she didn’t.

Both her husband and children reap the benefits of her labor, but they can’t possibly understand all she does. Only God is aware of all she has endured and accomplished, and He is keeping close records! You and I could never fully repay her, although we usually could do much better than we do, but God can and will. Dear mother fret not because you don’t get the attention, assistance and appreciation you deserve, your labor is not in vain!

Your day, the real Mother’s Day, will come and you will finally and fully recognized and rewarded for all you’ve done. Until then I pray you will find God’s grace sufficient to see you through the toughest job on earth–the ministry of a mother. Not until you stand before Christ will you receive the fulness of joy for a job well done. And we will all sing together,”It was worth it all!”. Think about it!