July 2009 – David Dowling

All the Complaining!

I keep hearing people complain about the President. I constantly receive forwarded emails that contain nothing but griping and complaining about the direction our country is going, and about its leadership. Who truly holds the power in our society? Have we, the people, no longer any power to do anything but complain to each other? If we continue in this course of action, we will indeed find ourselves without power.

Here are some facts that can help all of us who love God:

1. God sets up kings and takes down kings.
2. If God wanted us to have a different President, we would have another.
3. We have a president who, if God allows it, will be our nation’s leader until his term has ended.
4. We all have the power to do something more than gripe about our country’s leadership.
5. The President can do little without the support of Congress.
6. Congressmen want you and me to re-elect them next term, and they listen to big groups of people who can sway the vote.
7. You, the individual, can make a difference in this world through the power of the love of God.

Let’s spend less time talking about our leadership, and start working toward a stronger America. How?

Jesus said that all the Law and the Prophets hinge on two commands: love God, and love one another. There is no end to the problems we will create and worsen if we disobey these commands. There is also no problem we cannot solve if we, as individuals, commit to obey these most basic directives given to us by the Almighty.

Love cannot exist without action. What action can we individual Americans take to stop the complaining and start changing the world through the power of the love of God?

1. In order to stop the complaining, do this: stop complaining. This negative behavior is born of self, not of love, and we must cease this destructive activity immediately.
2. Find an issue about which you are personally passionate. Pray for wisdom. Think about the problem. Make a plan. Start working on a solution.
3. Encourage others to stop talking and start doing the work.
4. Pray that God will stay His hand of judgment long enough for us to do this work, His work of love and change for the good and the right. Pray that He will forgive us for our apathy, selfishness, laziness, and disdain for the work He has given us to do.

Many Americans today are like 400-pounders sitting on the roof of a luxury apartment eating bon-bons and drinking chocolate milk. We sit and watch what’s going on below: the heartache, pain, and the have-nots. We complain about the bad people who are breaking the foundation of our building with sledge hammers. We complain about the people who are trying to fix the building in a way we don’t like. We ourselves, however, do little or nothing to back up our empty words. Eventually our absence of love (i.e., our hatred) for others will cause the building to collapse, and we will fall with it; and deservedly so.

Is this what our great nation has been reduced to? Will we continue to waste our lives with this constant talk, while doing nothing to right the wrongs? Wake up, America! Rise from your slumber! We must cease being part of the problem, and make ourselves part of the solution. If not, we’ll talk our way into every dismal abyss we’re complaining about being headed for.

Work, for the night is coming. The night is coming, when no man can work.

Problem, or Opportunity?

Reflection

These hard times, characterized by fear and uncertainty, grant us an extraordinary blessing that most Americans may have rarely been afforded in our lifetimes. We are offered a glimpse of what it might be like to be faced with fear and uncertainty every day of our lives. This is reality for untold millions within our sphere of influence. What will we do with this blessing of information we’ve now received?

What will you do, and what will I do? Will we just try to “get through it”, shutting out the light we’re seeing, or will we turn this experience into empathy, compassion and action, and strive to make a difference in the lives of others through the love of God?

By His grace, let’s turn this problem into an opportunity, and change the world through the power of the love of God.

Greatest Evil?

Reflection

I was watching a show last night on the History channel about Michel de Nostredame (AKA Nostradamus), the alleged oracle of the 1500’s. I thought Penn Jillette (of Penn & Teller fame) made a good point in that documentary. When asked what he thought about the validity of Nostradamus’ prophecies, particularly as they relate to the events of 9/11/2001 in the United States, he said something to this effect:

“Where were the Nostradamus enthusiasts on 9/10?? If someone knew this thing was going to happen in advance and didn’t tell anyone, I can hardly think of a better definition of evil than their act of silence.”

From the very little I know of Penn, I perceive that he and I share little in common regarding faith in God, or our responsibility to the Almighty. However, I believe this paraphrased statement of his is true. What kind of black-hearted degenerate sees such a heinous evil approaching and tells no one?

It occurs to me that true prophecy must have a selfless purpose. While Nostradamus’ prophecies could hardly serve anyone but himself, the words of the prophets of God are always a public service announcement to all, accompanied by a call to action. That action was always “Turn from your own ways; turn to God and seek His perfect ways.” The true prophet’s audience is warned of impending judgment, yes; but there is always action they can take to avoid judgment, and find the path to true peace by the same action. What action? Love God supremely, and then love others as much as we love self.

Do you and I believe in our hearts and souls that to receive the gift of God’s love exemplified in the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal life with God? Do we believe that rejecting this gift results in eternity apart from God?

Is failure to warn 5,000 people about an attack that would end their mortal lives the definition of the ultimate evil? What then can we say of ourselves if we refuse to warn people about the fate of their eternal souls! Let us not be weary in well doing. Work, for the night is coming. The night is coming, when no man can work.