Jo is having a second cataract surgery today so I find my day shortened quite a bit. I have to submit to the lazy way today…I am going to borrow from someone.
I have come to appreciate Jared Wilson’s posts at Gospel Driven Church. His post here hit a home run in my ballgame. I’d like to ask you to read it, but please pay particular attention to his application of the Essenes, Pharisees, Sadducees and Zealots. It begins in the 5th paragraph. I know it may not be some of your cup of tea, but he really makes an excellent point about idolatry. With the election just completed and the “high” of victory for some, we need to realize and remember no amount of legislation will bring about change.
Change comes from change of hearts. It is when each one of us makes the decision to love one another, to treat each other with respect, and (in my world) point people to the True Healer (Jesus), that true change will happen. True healing with come to our churches, our homes, our schools, our local towns, our government (state and federal) when we change our hearts. No political agenda is the answer…although I do believe in standards.
I’d like to know your thoughts. And would appreciate any prayers you might send up for Jo.
Due to a comment: Jared’s post is not about politics. Neither is mine. I prefer to stay out of that garbage. or is that sewage?
A post about politics? Ugh, I will pass on answering as politicians tax me.
Not meant to be a post about politics. Jared’s isn’t either. Sorry to have given that idea. it is about “religion” though.
You know Bill, I don’t even have to read Jared’s posts to know I will like it. Why, because of your response to it tells me all I need to know. I am 100 percent in agreement, only a changed heart will bring healing. But for the record I will read his post.
Thanks Betty. I believe you will be glad you read it.
Read it and yes, I was glad.
Good.
Actually legislation has brought change. Positive changes for blacks, women, the disabled, gays, the poor, the aged, and the disenfranchised. Religions on the other hand bring conflict, persecution, bigotry, wars, and other such nonsense.
In a way you are right about legislation jeff but you are also wrong. All the legislation in the world hasn’t changed people’s ideas about the color of a person’s skin. Ask the KKK. Ask the abusers of those you mention. Hearts still need changed. And yes religion has but the real thing hasn’t.
I respectfully disagree. Not everyone but a lot of people have changed their opinion on why discrimination is a bad thing, what it means to have equal rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. There is still a large conservative faction of the religious community that is still struggling with the concept. It will happen as the Pope redefines old outdated interpretations and the rest either do the same or vanish due to irrelevance.
Well…depending on what you believe the Pope needs to redefine…I reckon I may go the way of the dodo bird and irrelevance. I already don’t agree with him on a lot of things.
I’m not a fan of the pope either. I don’t really care what he redefines. But he knows if he doesn’t do something then buildings won’t get paid for and salaries won’t get paid. I don’t care either way. He has always been irrelevant to me.
“No amount of legislation will bring about change.”
Not true. We’ve seen lots of change. For the life of me I cannot understand why people equate change with good. Sometimes change is very bad.
In any event…change comes each and every day, both good and bad…without our asking for it.
I reckon I should have clarified my remark more Stephen. I agree with you about the change…but it certainly hasn’t been all good for sure. maybe I should have said permanent good change?
I was reading Tim Keller’s “Counterfeit Gods” recently – and he talked about making an idol out of politics. He made some very good points in it that had never occurred to me – like how we can start to think that the real problem with our world is a political problem and the solution is political action, rather than the problem being sin and the solution being God.
He is certainly right Loren. And you state exactly what I should have.
Prayers going up for Jo. My step-dad just had one eye done and is having the other one done this week. On the political/religion/whatever front, we recently elected a Godly man in our area to the House of Representatives. I know him to be so because he’s sort of related (sister-in-laws nephew). That gave me a much-needed boost in the area of politics. Praying he stays true to his values as he has so far. (He’s really young too.)
Thanks Kari. She seems to be coming along fine. I am jealous since my eyes were so much worse than hers. I just don’t have the cataracts. 🙂 I also hope your young political friend maintains his values.
Stout stuff from Jared.
Agree.
Hi Bill,
May Jo’s surgery go smoothly and the healing be fast.
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
Hey Bill! I have offered up a prayer for Jo, and hope all is well. And I couldn’t agree with you more about politics. Anyone who thinks things will get better by who’s in Washington is a bit confused. The issues we have in our Country are heart issues. We get what we want or are willing to accept. I always appreciate your perspective on things.