Get me out of this classroom – Teacher: I sought the Lord, and he answered me – Psalmist

( Tax office and Sagicor….Christmas is coming)

So November is “done and dusted”. All done, as the young people will tell you. And so too the whole year. Almost! As it is not only beginning to look like, and thank God, with the drop in temperatures, Christmas, but that “ most glorious time of the year”, ( no, it’s not #blackfriday) is pretty much on us.

As I opened my device to start writing this week’s blog, Siri recommended that I should check out my own WordPress blog site. So I did. And found a blog which I wrote at the start of the year which resonates well with my thoughts at now, the end of the year. Talk about “ the more the things change the more they remain the same”. That’s the story of Jamaica land we love.

January 13, 2019 danielgodsurelywilldeliver.wordpress.com

 

Carlene Davis – This Island needs Jesus. listened also on Friday morning. Not about sea and shore and sun…..this island needs Jesus. In our hearts! So much sin! So much crime! So much injustice! So much raping and killing! So much immorality! So much corruption! So much political tribalism! Yes! We have much for which to give thanks, thank God. But God knows that the negative influences are destroying the good name of our country and causing us to live in fear and in some cases, subhuman conditions.

 

Carlene Davis – This island needs Jesus

So why the seemingly pessimistic comment about my country and our many and varied challenges?

The headlines in the Jamaica Observer yesterday is but one part of the reason. There are others.

 

Corporate Area teacher begs for any other job as rude students push her close to breaking point

BY ARTHUR HALL

Editor-at-large

halla@jamaicaobserver.com

Friday, November 29, 2019

With the controversy still raging about the apparent meltdown by a teacher at Pembroke Hall High School in St Andrew, a teacher at another high school in the Corporate Area has appealed to the Jamaica Observer to help her find a job, any job, to get her out of the classroom before she suffers a similar fate.

Anything apart from teaching. Right now I want to leave the classroom. This morning I was leaving for work and my neighbour saw me and he said, ‘good morning, teach, how you do?’ and I said to him, ‘I don’t like being called a teacher because I no longer want to do it,” the teacher, whose name is being withheld, told the Observer.

She said after completing her diploma at Shortwood Teachers’ College she moved to The University of the West Indies, Mona campus, where she read for a degree in Education.

Armed with her degree she was employed to an upscale, traditional high school where she stayed for two years without feeling the sense of satisfaction which had sparked her passion to enter the teaching profession in the first place.

The teacher told the Observer that she wanted to work in a school with less resources, where the children faced greater challenges, and the parents, for the most part, were unconcerned about the performance of their children in school.

So she sought employment in a school in an inner-city community, where the grades of the students entering were lower and it would be an achievement to move them to levels where she could see her influence in improving their educational achievements, behaviour and personality.

Now, after 15 years at that school, she has decided to call it a day and has accepted that, if she continues, the meltdown by the Pembroke Hall teacher could seem minor to where she feels she is headed.

“The indiscipline of these students has overwhelmed me. They use expletives in your presence without any reservation; they don’t care. They gang up on teachers, they fight teachers, they tell teachers anything. The discipline, or lack thereof, the support from the administration, or lack thereof, is too much,” lamented the teacher.

If a student does something they tend to get away. For example, last year a teacher was ganged and the boys who ganged the teacher, I’m not even sure if they received a suspension. But those boys were still at school and teachers are expected to stand in front of those boys and teach them,” said the relatively young woman.

She said when she initially went to the school in 2004 there were several challenges, but she embraced them as she was determined to improve the life of her students while lifting the reputation and profile of the institution.

“The challenges were always there. In my second year, two boys climbed over a grille and went into a staffroom and cleaned my desk out. I had two phones in my bag and they stole them and my money. I did not even have bus fare to go home. But even with that it is worse today,” declared the teacher, her voice breaking.

“It has reached a point where students are telling teachers ‘go suck out anything’, and they are talking anything in the presence of teachers. I don’t think it matters to them anymore, the respect is just not there anymore,” added the teacher.

She declared that while teaching was her passion, based on what teachers are facing now she is prepared to take any other job that can pay her a liveable wage, and many of her colleagues are at a similar stage.

“Just last school year the students decided that on the last day of exams ‘we a go mash up some teacher car’. They slashed two of my tyres, they vandalised two other teachers’ cars. And when I say they were vandalised, every surface of the cars was defaced and one windscreen smashed.

“And we have to bear the expenses of these things because the administration of the school is not paying to fix it,” said the teacher as she insisted that staying in the classroom is no longer an option.

Another reason for the seemingly pessimistic comment is captured very well in the cartoon in the Jamaica Observer yesterday

A picture which lampoons the challenges facing the prosecution in getting a conviction in the famous “ Beheading Trial”, currently before the Court.

 

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20191126/beheading-case-fourth-man-convicted-home-circuit-court

“ The convictions come more than eight years after Jamaicans woke up to news of the gruesome killings of Charmaine Cover-Rattray, 40, and her 18-year-old daughter, Joeith Lynch, inside their Lauriston, St Catherine, home on July 20, 2011.

Both women were decapitated.”

Finally a video which again has gone viral. One that challenge us to get a grip on where did we go wrong in bringing up our children. How did, according to the well known Soca hit song, and who knows what influence this genre of music has had on the kind of “ back it up “ behaviour, “ I was a good girl once, and now I loose”, come to “ rule the roost” in segments of society. Saw it last night . Not even sure it was fit for AirPlay.

But thank God there a “ redeeming one”, which offers hope.

https://twitter.com/mellow_pascoe/status/1199789597217214466?s=21

In her midst of all of this , I was inspired to send an email to my church.

EMAIL

Many of us are hurting. As death stalks the land, and sickness brings all kinds of problems. Many are concerned about the decline of our once vibrant congregations. And many teachers can relate to the headlines, and the body of the story, in the Jamaica Observer this morning. We live in a broken world 🌎. So what do we do in these circumstances?  Be  they personal, Church, or National concerns!

Wisdom and Revelation

Chris Tiegreen‘s  “ The One Year Wonder of the Cross Devotional”, which I opened randomly this morning, has a meditation which I think will help.

I pray also that the eyes of your hearts may be enlightened. Ephesians 1:18

We live in a world of darkness,and we get lost often. Plenty of voices offer to help us out too – there is no shortage of people whom will offer advice and speculate on the right decisions to make…….

I’m going to pause here and insert some tweets which I was moved to post on Twitter, a few nights ago and which “ discussion “, illustrates this point  well.

@All_Angles @djmillerJA  the young  Christian doctor posed an interesting question about the #abortion issue. Since Jamaica is not a theocracy, Christians should live their lives how they wish to and not necessarily try to restrict the  freedom of others. @FaeEllington

But how would this seemingly progressive idea work itself out practically. What would a Christian do about Labour laws to improve the lot of workers. Or social nets to protect the vulnerable. Or the road traffic act to ensure that bikers wear their helmets.

Or is it because those issues are not necessarily controversial and therefore Christians could intervene without being accused of restricting freedoms. I have no doubt that the hot button issues are very tricky ones to negotiate in a democratic country…..

and I am happy, as it  reveals a compassionate and fair mindedness that is sometimes sadly lacking in the debate, that he raised it. But ultimately Christians have to grapple with what would their Redeemer have them  do and say in a  National conversation about a difficult topic

Even if their views will ultimately  contribute to how a law is shaped and how people’s freedom may be constrained. Otherwise  we as Christians would have no moral authority to comment any ( other)  aspect of national life. Which would in essence mean that we could  not spread the gospel…

For the central message of the gospel of the crucified and risen Christ is to set the captives free. From sin and evil and death.

Needless to say, the very first tweet attracted a lot of likes, while the others went “unnoticed”….at least didn’t attract any comment. Interestingly though, and I don’t do it often, when you check how many people saw the tweet, and you can check, over a hundred saw the final one. I didn’t check the others.

So we are back with Chris Tiegreen

….. Navigating a landscape of diverse philosophies and beliefs can be very confusing.

That’s why one of the greatest requests we can pray for each other, as Paul did  for the Ephesians, is  for a spirit  of wisdom and revelation ( v. 17). Or as he he so colorfully puts it, “ that the eyes of your heart  may be enlightened.”  And Paul seems to have some have some pretty specific ideas about what our hearts need to be enlightened with.

We need to know the hope of our calling, the riches of our inheritance, and the power that is available to those who believe. If these things are firmly embedded in our hearts, we won’t find ourselves lost in the darkness very often.

…….This a perspective altering prayer. When the trials of our lives loom large in our vision, we become fearful and depressed. But when we lift our sights to the truths that are greater and even more real than our circumstances, we can overcome anything.

If any situation oppresses you today, lift your eyes higher. Get a clear picture of the hope, the inheritance and the power of God, and live and pray as though they are more real than anything else in your life.

Hope can see heaven through the thickest clouds – Thomas Benton Brooks.

I sought the Lord

And then early this morning, deep in my sleep, came a “ song in the night”. Words from a haunting song which I posted on Facebook a couple nights ago, and one friend indicated that a day does not pass and she does not listen to the song. It’s one from the famous BTC…Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. And it is inspired by Psalm 34.

 

https://youtu.be/DfW2mkkMTAg

These words, these powerful words, are what Jamaica needs to consider well, as we enter the Advent season tomorrow and remind ourselves,that one day God in Christ Jesus, will not bring not just what the world considers to be Christmas cheer, but come to judge the world. Both the living and the dead!

“ I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Fears that according to the Prime Minister Himself, “ the youth are in crisis”, and in the minds of some, there is no remedy. Although the PM is optimistic that, those of “ good report”, can help to temper the behavior of those with “ bad report”. But the Scriptures give us no such assistance. But rather that as BTC recommends, we ought to follow the God’s Holy Word, and seek the Lord.

As “ The eyes of the Lord are in the righteous, and his ears open to their cry”.

Psalm 34:15

I pray God that my people will come to their senses, in this “ back up “ generation and seek the Lord. So that teachers will no longer be fearful, that mothers will no longer worry about “ losing their heads”, literally, and that God’s Peace may descend on this beleaguered and embattled nation that most of us still love so much. With all our hearts. For nowhere no better then yard. Not even foreign! But Carlene Davis is so right. This Island needs Jesus. Every hour of the day.

 

Waldane Walker’s Controversial Valedictorian Speech : Christ died for him too

As the Americans would famously say, “ there is a lot to unpack”, this week. And we are not even going to head north to a country that has been absolutely Trumped by Donald the 45th. Our country, Jamaica land we love had enough “ drama”, which posed some serious challenges for our society. And an understanding of just two of them will be sufficient for the time being!

Firstly, how should we, as a people living in this modern age, grappling with many and varied challenges, some of them, like Crime and Violence, almost existential in nature, respond to a student, Waldane Walker, using an expletive, a big Jamaican bad wud, during a valedictorian speech at a graduation ceremony at Edna Manley School for the Visual and Performing Art? And, no, I am not going to post the video in this space. I haven’t even watched it, but have read enough about it to be sufficiently informed.

Secondly, and even more current, almost breaking news, as the storm erupted on RJR’s Hotline in the morning, then on Beyond the Headlines in the evening, and I suppose on other news outlets, yesterday; this after it had gone viral on social media, how do we, again with the challenges already noted, respond to a teacher threatening to “ me will kill you “, a student with whom she had a disagreement?

Many have shared their views. VoxPop on the popular Public Affairs program on TVJ. Letters to the print media. Even the subject of an editorial in the Jamaica Observer. And of course all the hosts of the various talk show programs, and on social media. The young Edna student perhaps got the most, in my view, positive reaction, as many lauded his “creativity”….whatever that means….and that such a climax to an otherwise well delivered and emotionally charged speech, was not only understandable but something to be encouraged, especially at a college like Edna.

The hapless teacher, however, was not so fortunate. She got serious “ licks” from most people, although a few were sympathetic, as “ dem ya pickney no easy fe manage”. And “ a bad behaving pickney dem stress har out”.

Most, in my view, rationale persons, were terrible upset about both incidents. A sentiment captured very succinctly in one of the responses on the All Angles Vox pop, to the Edna Manley video. “ This is not right”. Yes, so the majority of people came down on the side of “ this is just not right”. An instinctive reaction, no doubt colored by the values which have been passed on to us by our grandparents and parents and others with influence. However, more so in the case of the Edna student, many of the young people who I engaged, one and one, or on social media, were in support of what I would call provocatively, the “ bad wud merchant”. Primarily because they see nothing wrong with the use of that kind of language, as many of them sprinkle expletives quite liberally into their everyday conversations. Plus, according to one, if Waldane didn’t “:drop the bomb”, nobody would have paid attention to him. As controversy sells and, I suppose makes one famous. A view, although they probably wouldn’t agree me, flies in the face of the words of a song by the popular singer Chronixx, which has become almost an “anthem” in Jamaica: dweet for the love and not for the like…..substance over hype.

Perhaps a message which could well explain the tirade by the Teacher in the second video which went viral yesterday. As what she was doing was pure “ hype”. Almost a performance worthy of being captured on camera. Hyping, and sending a message to her students, that she was not someone to play with. In the words of the streets, “ don’t test me boy”.

The question, therefore, on the lips, and in the hearts and souls of many who love this country dearly, and are perplexed at what to do, how to treat with the new kind of behavior of this “ generation”, perhaps a question posed by our parents years ago also, who knows, is “ is this end times”.

Or is it as Sir Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister, in a speech in which reportedly, a poem by our own Claude McKay, was was quoted, that “ this is not the end, this is not even the beginning of the end, but certainly the end of the beginning “. This as he was speaking to the British people during the heights of World War 11 after the Germans were defeated, temporarily in the Battle of Britain.

Perhaps the words of the poem could even find purchase in our hearts in these troubled times:

If we must die, let it not be like hogs

Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot,

While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs,

Making their mock at our accursèd lot.

If we must die, O let us nobly die,…….

A better way of understanding our present situation though, come to mind yesterday as I thought about this “ preckey” that we have have gotten ourselves into. Why do I use a word that captures absolutely the conundrum we face? Consider carefully the words of Scripture, one which the popular Burgherman and Dahlia on the big 94, could use during their “ throw back Thursday’s” section:

“After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel.”

Judges 2:10 NIV

https://www.bible.com/111/jdg.2.10.niv

I’ll come back to that quote in a minute. Many years ago, I was privileged to deliver one of the prestigious Grace Kennedy Lectures….don’t how me get mix up in dat, but a so it go…and a quote which I employed to make a point during the introduction, came to mind, just last night, as I pondered on what had happened in my court this week. And how should Christians, not just a society, but “ called out people “, by God, for that’s what, like Abraham, we are, respond!

So here is the extract in which the quote is located in :

The Jamaican Society: Options for Renewal. ( And we are talking here 1995…..long time this struggle going on)

“For those who do not accept the presence of a Creator God it may be useful to consider the following quotation: ‘Without God anything is possible.’ This point is validated by an observation by philosophers from Plato to Sartre who in their search formeaning in the universe concluded that ‘a finite point has no meaning unless it has an infinite reference point”.

So here is the thing. It is one thing for a society to grapple with issues with pose serious challenges to the social fabric, and the way of life as we know it. And those challenges become even greater when we face the reality of living in a plural society, not just in our own little corner, but in the wider global context. But it is a horse of an entirely different color when we face the existential question of life? Who run tings. What reference point do we use as a society to properly adjudicate on the instant case of the use of bad words in the public space, or private for that matter. Or how to treat with a clearly unhinged teacher, for whatever reason?

For the reality is that “ without God anything is possible”. As everything else is finite. And relative !

Only the Almighty and Omnipotent God, provides an infinite reference point. And the stark reality is that a whole generation of people have grown up in Jamaica, who don’t even have a clue of the OT prophet, Micah’s question: “ And what does the Lord require of thee”! And worse don’t care a hoot. You really really want to hear expletives! Just try and mention God or the Christian life to some people, or more accurately, try and insert a Christian explanation into an argument about anything. Homosexuality, prostitution, Sexual Abuse, sex before marriage…seriously…corruption. Funny enough though, most of them won’t take much liberty with the Name of Jesus. As if God and Jesus are not the same….but that’s another discussion by itself.

And so in the midst of this preckey, the Lord, led me to write to my church, a note about a people who were “ Bewitched”, many years ago. And the message as I understand it, is that, people who don’t know God, who have not repented of their sins, have not accepted the gift of Christ’s sacrificial death on Calvary…died for our sins and was raised with power to grant us new and unending life….can, and will become easily “ bewitched “, by the evil one. Satan! Who has come to “ steal, and to kill ( me will kill you) and to destroy “, as we big up our big bad selves. And decline God’s gift of new life….a new creation…in Christ and Him Crucified. This is the challenge we face. Choose whom you will serve this day. The same challenge famously posed by Joshua to a people centuries ago. Self, or God. For in following what Andrew or Peter one or Peter two recommends, in following what the UN says, in following what Marcus Garvey says, or what Bob Marley or any other philosopher or poet of this age, even Claude McKay, we are in essence following self. Our big bad self. Finite creatures, admittedly possessed of some wisdom, but, who like the grass will wither an fade one day, but only the Word of God lives forever. And ever! According to the Holy Scriptures.

THE MESSAGE TO MY CHURCH

Early morning prayer. Extract:

Put your word in my mind and your truth in my heart, so that this day I neither think nor feel anything except what is good and honest…..

As I was to open my Classics Devotional Bible – a gift from God many years ago – to those prayers, this passage of Scripture, without any warning, came into my mind.

“You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.””

Galatians 3:1-6 NIV

https://www.bible.com/111/gal.3.1-6.niv

Comments: If we substitute an absolute dependence on faith in the gospel, believing “ what we heard”, ( that Christ died and was raised from the dead) and thus receiving the Holy Spirit ( who alone will reveal to us all truth…and much much more) by anything else, be it the law, as was the mischief in the time of the Galatian Church, or our own efforts, in this age of critical thinking and “ working working for Christ”, then St. Paul’s accusation that we have become “ bewitched” will still be adhesively accurate.

So what are we to do? Continue by the “ means of the Spirit and not by the flesh”. Where did we hear those words before. Think John the evangelist, which is what comes to mind as I write. Again without any effort on my part:

“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.””

John 6:63-65 NIV

https://www.bible.com/111/jhn.6.63-65.niv

Thy word O Lord I have stored up in y heart that I might not sin against you…..Psalm 119….then flows into my mind.

The point here is that for God to “ work miracles through His Spirit”, among us in this age, as He did among the Galatian church, at least initially, until they became bewitched, we must believe what we heard from His Word. Words,

“ living and active”, written by St. Paul, and the other writers of the Gospel, and Jesus Himself, and arrest the decline of the Church back into unbelief and dependence on our own efforts, however subtle that process may have infiltrated the church. And we are to believe, we must make the Word of a God a priority in our lives, and more, ask God continually to reveal Himself to us more and more through not only the written Word, but thank God for Jesus, the Living Word; Christ and Him Crucified. A lesson which comes to mind just now from the late Bishop DeSouza.

The early morning prayer continues and brings a bookend to this message.

…..Protect me from all lies and falsehood, helping me to discern deception wherever I meet it. Let my eyes always look straight ahead on the road you wish me to tread, that I might not be tempted by any distraction.

“ Distraction, just like when we are driving, can and will be the death of the church, or at least bewitchment, if we are not eternally vigilant.”

Lord renew thy church beginning with me; Lord renew the church that the church may renew the nation(s)

Peace and in obedience.

LWJ

NB. The final early morning prayer ends in this fashion and applies to all that I am led to write:

“ Above all, remind me constantly that I have nothing except what you give me , and can do nothing except what you enable me to do”.

And as Vin Lawrence once said publicly on opening an International Sporting Event at the National Stadium many years ago, he may have forgotten but I have not, or rather I was just reminded, and more importantly God has not forgotten, and broadcast to the world: “ To God be the glory.

And I message I posted on Facebook is very apposite.

“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”

Colossians 3:5, 7-8 NIV

https://www.bible.com/111/col.3.5,7-8.niv

The NRSV version employs the term “abusive language “, while the NIV is closer to the talk of the town….bad words. So does the young man need understanding, should he be allowed to be creative, or is he in need of forgiveness of sin.

And Chambers is clear where forgiveness comes from. Not liberal thinkers, or those who chose to buck the status quo. Only God. Time for truth to emerge. For the same Colossians passage reveals ….because of these the wrath of God is coming. What are these…….things of the earthly nature. Including filthy language. “ This can’t be right “. Voxpop on All Angles. Says it better than all those sophisticated people who are trying to justify madness at Edna. And madness in the dancehall. And madness all over the place. Just say it …badwud merchant is not a good thing.

This young man needs forgiveness. Not encouragement!

Oswald Chambers ( late night devotions)

The Forgiveness of God

In Him we have…the forgiveness of sins…

EPHESIANS 1:7

Beware of the pleasant view of the fatherhood of God: God is so kind and loving that of course He will forgive us. That thought, based solely on emotion, cannot be found anywhere in the New Testament. The only basis on which God can forgive us is the tremendous tragedy of the Cross of Christ. To base our forgiveness on any other ground is unconscious blasphemy. The only ground on which God can forgive our sin and reinstate us to His favor is through the Cross of Christ. There is no other way! Forgiveness, which is so easy for us to accept, cost the agony at Calvary. We should never take the forgiveness of sin, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and our sanctification in simple faith, and then forget the enormous cost to God that made all of this ours.

Forgiveness is the divine miracle of grace. The cost to God was the Cross of Christ. To forgive sin, while remaining a holy God, this price had to be paid. Never accept a view of the fatherhood of God if it blots out the atonement. The revealed truth of God is that without the atonement He cannot forgive— He would contradict His nature if He did. The only way we can be forgiven is by being brought back to God through the atonement of the Cross. God’s forgiveness is possible only in the supernatural realm.

Compared with the miracle of the forgiveness of sin, the experience of sanctification is small. Sanctification is simply the wonderful expression or evidence of the forgiveness of sins in a human life. But the thing that awakens the deepest fountain of gratitude in a human being is that God has forgiven his sin. Paul never got away from this. Once you realize all that it cost God to forgive you, you will be held as in a vise, constrained by the love of God.

Shaggy and friends: Jesus and the Cross

Me and my imagination:

It wasn’t me! What are are you talking about? It wasn’t me who disrespected Shaggy. Who’s Shaggy? What planet do you live on? Mr. Boombastic, who just starred in The Mermaid, the popular Reggae and Dancehall singer whose fame “ gone abroad”, literally. So who disrespected this International star that is so popular and, who along with his friends, has given so much to the Bustamante Children’s Hospital? I thought you didn’t know one thing about Shaggy….well look at this Gleaner headline and see if they didn’t “ dis” the big boss.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20191103/busta-still-waiting-hospital-yet-benefit-100m-raised-2018-shaggy-and

I didn’t see any disrespect in the article, just information, in fact very useful information, and explanations as why the money has yet to be handed over. Through no fault of Shaggy and his number one girl..an him friend dem. So why did social media explode over the whole affair and even manage to drag the “poor”, very kind hearted Governor General who has performed his job with great dignity and commitment to country, over the coals? Because Shaggy is very popular, and therefore people will “ defend him” at the slightest hint of any perceived “ dis”.

That’s our culture. That’s how we have become. At least on social media. And worse, Shaggy was apparently upset and moved to “ clear his name”.

http://www.loopjamaica.com/content/we-have-money-shaggy-addresses-delay-busta-hospital-benefit

Social media alone? You must be joking. When last you listen to Hotline, or Nationwide? Just say one word in a speech, or write something in the newspapers about someone’s favorite politician and “ all hell” will break loose on radio the next day. And if you want to get lynched, just say one word, one single word about Bolt or Shelly, that even come close to a “ dis”, and see what happened to you. Let me “ broke it down for you”, ‘cause look like you don’t know how popular these people are.

Shaggy – Facebook page : 2 Million likes

Andrew Holness – Facebook : 265K likes

Lisa Hanna – Facebook page: 156 K likes

Usain Bolt – Facebook page : 18 M likes

Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce – Facebook page : 1 Million likes

So what’s the point ? Just to warn people not to ‘ dis the boss’. Or to read carefully before coming to a conclusion? Or to defend Shaggy and highlight his good works. To give him props!

No, it’s deeper than that. At least in my mind. What I came to understand this week, in all of this discussion, from a Christian point of view, is to be very careful that you do not get distracted by what is popular and current. Don’t lose your focus otherwise, not only your soul can be affected, but the state of your nation, if you lose sight of the Truth. Who is Christ and Christ alone!

As one of the things which is very popular in Jamaica, is Christianity. But many try to practice it, try to assimilate into their lives, aspects of it, from afar, by embracing the concept of “Father God”, without committing themselves to the Only Mediator – according to the Bible – between man and God. Who is Jesus Christ and Him Crucified. All because of the truth revealed in the well known ( popular ) Bible Verse: “ All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God…..and the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus”. And the other one which explains it all: “ For what shall it profit a man to gain the whole world ( and have many likes) but lose his soul “.

So consistently, in survey after survey, poll after poll, census after census, people who declare that they belong to the Christian faith, are in the majority ( between 70-80%): but the question is where is the proof of that commitment? For as the popular Reggae Singer and Dancehall artiste .. and please don’t ask me who is Chronixx….said famously in one of his songs “ dweet for the love and not for the ( social media) like….. mek dem know substance over hype….O you start rock now…nice…..Shaggy would a love you.

This week then, I was moved to send an email to my church. Essentially about substance over hype. And about keeping one’s focus in a world where there are so many gods competing for one’s attention. And some of them are very convincing of being part of the Truth.

THE EMAIL

You can’t have Christian principles without Christ – Dorothy L. Sayers.

A quote found nestled in the passage from Galatians to which I was led this morning, on randomly opening Chris Tiegreen’s The One Year Wonder of the Cross, devotional.

I would encourage you to think long and hard about this profound truth, as I share what the Lord has laid on my soul this morning. Think about how much influence UN Conventions have had, and are having, on nations and their legislation, and culture, in respect of Abortions, Same Sex Marriage, and Hanging. Think about the belated priority that Jamaica, through the National Parenting Commission, and other secular institutions, is now placing on the vitally important aspect of the Christian teaching of honoring mother and father, that it may go well with you, and for fathers not to exasperate their children. And even the contextually profound command, “ do not do what they do”.

Think about the calls for “ we want justice”. About the gut wrenching response to the “ tribal war inna Babylon, it sipple out dey”, as I experienced yesterday working in an Inner City Community in St. Andrew, listening to the tales of absolute terror of people living under siege from gunmen, even in the midst of the SOE, and their desire to “ bring back the love”. As apart from God they have no one to help. No powerful voice to say, enough is enough. None!

Think on these things as we allow ourselves to be both interrogated and comforted by the Word of God

CHRIS TIEGREEN

A SINGLE MASTER

If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10.

The opinions of human being can have a profound effect. During Jesus’ Ministry, many people would not publicly acknowledge their faith for the fear of repercussions ( John 7: 13; 9:22; 12:42). The Jewish leaders could not arrest Him once because of His popularity ( Mark 12:12); yet because of His popularity, they wanted even more zealously to seize Him ( John 7:22).

And ultimately Jesus was crucified because Pilate wanted to make the people happy, keep the peace, and give Rome no reason to worry about his territory. In each of these cases, people’s responses to Jesus were shaped by the opinions of other people. And in each case their responses were way off base.

This happens when the people around us seem so big and our God seems small. They have a more powerful voice in our lives than He does. Paul frames that dilemma in stark terms: “ If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ”.

It’s either one or the other. Please Jesus or please people. Stand up for Him or cave in to them. Do what’s right or do what’s popular. Believe truth or believe compromise with public opinion. And while Paul’s black-and-white view of the situation seems to fit his personality, the point for the rest of us is clear. When we choose to follow Jesus, we choose not to follow anyone else.

That’s easier said that done. Many of us are people pleasers by nature, always wanting to make everyone happy. And though the desire to please others is admirable, the practice is pure torture. We’re being tossed around between one opinion and another and another. Eventually, no one is pleased – including ourselves, and especially our one true Master.

The Apostle who penned the above verse also wrote, “ If possible, as far as it depends on you, live in peace with everyone” ( Romans 12:18). But peace does not mean compliance. We are called to serve an uncompromising Lord. Anything in our life that doesn’t fit His will, or His character, or His way must bow to Him.

He values not Christ at all who does not value Him above all – Augustine.

Comment: As I read this meditation, my heart goes out to the ( Christian) politician who has to satisfy the electorate or they have no chance of either gaining state power or retaining it. And to any professional, like the talk show hosts, who are Christians, but must be mindful of the “popularity” of their program. Or the the lawyer, or the doctor, or the teacher, in this increasing secular and google dominated age.

But, as I read another mediation from the great theologian Karl Barth which is in my Classic Devotional Bible, again nestled in the words of Paul to the Galatians, this matter of attempting to have Christian Principles and Christian worship, without Christ, points to a greater problem: distraction in the church. And not just distraction but compromise in the German Church in the time of Hitler, which no doubt encouraged the Furher, the demoniac, to attempt to wipe out the Jews in Germany and to unleash absolute terror on his European neighbors.

NO OTHER GOD

Galatians 1:9

Extract ….They ( the German Christians ) tell us as unequivocally as possible that the proclamation of the gospel both draws and must draw from two different sources. Holy Scripture is one, and the other is the “ historical hour”, the present political situation, the experience of the German Revolution of 1933…..

We cannot understand this enterprise as reformation. It is deformation, not reformation. In it the church does not have the single eye that is demanded. It is squinting. Alongside God it sets second god with with an independent authority, namely, the understanding of the Germans and their concerns.

But alongside God there can be no other God, or God ceases to be God, and all we really have are two idols……

I would caution how with great energy, and with good reason, we point to the genuflection of aspects of the Evangelical churches to the apostasy which is taking place at the highest level in the USA. But fail to discern and grasp the bigger picture, that if we, as church, who are determined not to please men, but the One True God in Christ and Him Crucified, the wisdom of the world, in its dictates carried by its emissaries, with almost evangelical zeal, on the one hand, and more subtle manifestations on the other hand, poses a real and present danger to our Christian witness. And our determination, and mandate, that both Christian principles and Christ should reign in hearts, in the hearts of our family, and pray God, in our beleaguered nation. Or, like Germany under Hitler, God help this place.

In obedience.

Peace.

LWJ

Yahweh Church and The Christian Church

“Dem dey man a bunna “! A response from one of my patients to my question, “ why did you break up with your former boyfriend. This in the context of a discussion triggered by the reality of our women having several children for different baby fathers; and a response which speaks volumes about one of the many, socially destructive, ills that beset our troubled nation. Men who are players. Cheaters. Unfaithful. A description of the behavior of so many of our Jamaican men which I hear daily in my office. Albeit not in this kind of graphic language, patois/Jamaican, which communicated the feelings of this distressed lady far better than the “ mother tongue “ could. Dem dey man a bunna indeed!

The point is that in this kind of social milieu, we don’t need any more troubles in this nation. And certainly not from the “church”.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20191106/sex-cult-cops-soldiers-storm-mobay-church-compound-amid-claims-child

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20191107/those-demons-have-taken-my-niece-woman-chronicles-brainwashing-power

This as the police and soldiers raided the premises of a cult, styled with the culturally appealing name Qahal Yahweh Church, during the week. Sparking outrage across the nation that a church could be involved in this kind of evil behavior – sexual abuse of children, child marriage, communal living with no contact with the outside world. And more !

The answer to the obvious question circulating in the midst of thinking people, is “ what really is a church”? And what is the role of the church in any, and especially, a modern society.

The first point we are to understand fully comes form a quote from the Lord Jesus Himself, whose body according to Holy Scriptures, is the Christian Church ; the official and historic (and the lived reality of most Jamaicans today. “ Not everyone who says Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of God”.

I can’t, and won’t comment on the the authenticity of the organization of other faiths as represented by mosques, and synagogues, and Temples of

Light, but as far as the Christian Church whose God has several Names, including Yahweh, The Great I am, The God of Abraham, The Holy one of Israel, He became Incarnate ( lived among men) according to Holy Scripture, in the person and form of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

This week then, the Lord God, and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth, inspired emails to enlighten me and others, who He is and what He expects of us. And the message is that the antics and disgraceful behavior of the so called “church”, with the name Yahweh appended onto it, is not of “ Father God”, who most Jamaicans acknowledge.

And this is not an an academic and esoteric discussion that ought to give way to solving more pressing national issues, like the beheading of the two women, and the conclusion of that trial as carried by the Gleaner this week:

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20191106/three-men-plead-guilty-beheading-st-catherine-mother-and-daughter

Nor to be pushed aside as we seek answers to why Plum Plum was killed, or why the clear up rate for Murder in Jamaica is so low:

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20191102/getting-away-murder78-cent-killings-year-unresolved

As our reality in this country, this nation under siege from criminals without, and corruption and immorality within, is that for Jamaica to be rescued, we need divine intervention. Not just better and more critical thinkers. Not just more ( police and soldiers) boots on the ground. Not just a better educational system. Not just more enforcement of our laws. Not just better family life. Not just less “ bunna men”. Yes all those recommendations are useful and important. But the Scriptures carry an eternal and irrevocable, and inescapable, and if truth be told, an uncomfortable to many, truth:

Unless the Lord build the house , its builders labour in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen guard in vain. Psalm 127:1 NIV.

The first email then that comes to mind is one sent to our Political Leaders; and copied to church and business and civil society folks.

EMAIL

My beloved country Jamaica,  is in desperate straits; socially, morally, and economically. We have been in this precarious position for a long time! And we dont have to go very far to find supporting evidence. Just check out the front page of the Daily Gleaner this morning:

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20191107/don-wanted-heads-prosecutors-release-details-confessions-grisly

I started my early morning devotions,  with no intention whatsoever to write to anyone. But the God who I serve and love,  had a different plan. So I opened one of my Devotional Books, ” The One Year Wonder the Cross ” by Chris Tiegen, randomly, and found a meditation which,  if properly understood and accepted, could have an impact on our Political leaders. As one of the options open to us as a people,  struggling against the kind of evil which the headlines of the Gleaner heralds, is to foster unity within the body politic in our country. 

Not the kind of naive hope that many have proposed, as the Westminster type parliamentary democracy that we practice,  is inherently combative. And divisive! 

Perhaps not envisaged however,  by our founding fathers who embraced this colonial legacy, is the descent into ” two tribes fighting over scarce benefits”; a label which though not entirely accurate, has a measure of truth which has enabled it by  constant repetition by popular journalists, to gain traction in the minds and hearts of our people. 

Therefore no one really has any hope of our two ” tribes”, coming together, apart from the occasional sortie to Vale Royal at the behest of powerful voices in the private sector, to ” sort out” Jamaica’s problems. 

What hope then did I find this morning that excited me, and led me to write this note?

Many of our politicians claim Christ as Lord and Savior. In the same way that many ” ordinary ” Jamaicans do, even in the face of the onslaught of modernity, and ” critical thinkers”, led by powerful members of the Fourth Estate et al. 

And if they, like the rest of us, claim Christ as Savior, and accept that ” Christ in you, the hope of glory”, the proper and complete explanation of Sanctification – the goal of every Christian, then the challenge that the sentiments expressed in Chris Tiegreen’s Meditation, could, if not lead to political unity, foster a different kind of political culture which would enure to the long term benefit of Jamaica land we love. Especially in our fight against the evils,  of injustice, corruption and immorality and crime and violence.

We ought to do everything then  to encourage all of them in their journey with Christ. Hopefully this email will. 

DEVOTED TO JESUS 

CHRIS TIEGREEN

In all your hearts, set apart Christ as Lord. 1 Peter 3:15

Our hearts have many lords ( Talk de truth). We may deny it, but we find that our allegiances are often split. 

Jesus warned against trying to serve two masters  for a reason: that’s the tendency of human hearts with multiple desires.

You’ve probably encountered that tendency in yourself at some time or another ( Lord have mercy!). It’s the anguish that arises when God’s will and yours diverge, when obedience is difficult, when you make your plans to fulfill your goals and God vetoes them. 

It’s the sense of entitlement that arises when we want to nurse our grudges or damage the reputation of those who have offended us ( Wow! Who can plead not guilty to this charge?).

We may end up compliant with our  one true Lord, but if we are honest, we’ll admit that we struggled to submit to Him. 

The truth is that we want to call Him Lord and follow our own agenda at the same time ( and the truth is, ” no sankey don’t sing so, whether in the church or Gordon House).

That’s easy to do when our will and His converge. But when they don’t? We have divided hearts.

That’s why Peter tells his audience to set apart Christ as Lord. If they are to live lifestyles and demonstrate attitudes that are consistent with God’s character  and that further His Mission in this world, they are going to have to dispense with divided hearts. 

They will have to forsake the natural tendency to return evil for evil, to fight against their suffering, or to demonstrate anger against hope. The natural attitudes of a person in pain are going to have to give way to supernatural attitudes. And the only way for that to happen is for Jesus to reign in the hearts. ( Peter was addressing persecuted Christians and persecution comes in many forms in this age)

Which lords reign in your hearts? If you are a committed believer, Jesus is surely there. But you’ve probably noticed rivals too. You know that natural reactions to the problems of life come much too…..well, naturally.  If you are like most of us, you are filled with supernatural love and hope far too infrequently.

The remedy is to set apart Jesus as Lord on your heart.  It’s a conscious, daily, even hourly process. Whenever something inconsistent with Jesus arises in your heart, replace it with the Lord Himself. Your heart will never be the same.

Comment: and Jamaica will never be the same.

Many years ago when this internet ministry began, by the grace of God, the Lord told me clearly  not  to be concerned about people’s response. I was just to be obedient. I pray God that this inspired word may not return to Him void, but will achieve the purpose for which it was sent. For the rescuing of my country from evil, and for the glory of God. Christ in us, the hope of glory.

Peace.

In obedience.

LWJ 

Followed by another email. The same day.

And as I went for my now delayed early morning walk,  and came back,  this add on to the message came:

For it’s not only your stewardship with managing the affairs of the nation that you will be called to give an account on the day of judgement ( for it is appointed for all men once to die,  and then the judgement – Holy Scriptures)  but more importantly, how have you treated the gift of The Son of God. Who is Christ Crucified on the Cross for our sins, and raised from the dead,  with power, so that in Him we may  have new and everlasting life!

 How have you manifested His love and mercy and justice,  in a land when men can behead another human being with impunity?  Even as  those attacked, die with the Name of Jesus on their lips.

Peace. 

The second and final message was sent to my church. A message which explains the mystery of the Christian Church. The history and the purpose of the body of Christ. Elements of the Church which are far removed from the scandal of what is called “ church” in St. James. Far removed from a description of Christianity I read this week :

GENTLE WITH OTHERS

Chris Tiegreen

Live in harmony with one another ; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 1 Peter 3:8

“ There is considerable historical evidence that early Christians handled the Roman Empire’s crisis better than their peers. The took care of each other ( and outsiders ) during epidemics ……

There is also considerable historical evidence that such behavior had a dramatic impact on society. Many people became Christians simply because of the higher ethic displayed by these early believers. Seekers dissatisfied with the utilitarian and often brutal aspects of the Greco-Roman religions often saw a more satisfying option. They saw evidence of renewed hearts.

That’s God plans for our lives. We are to live decidedly different lives than our non-Christian peers. Early Christians made huge sacrifices in order to demonstrate the love of Jesus, and in many ways we have lost that sense of sacrifice over centuries. As a result our lives do not give off the aroma of Christ. We are not the witnesses we could be….

Sanctify yourself and you will sanctify society – Francis of Assisi.

THE SECOND EMAIL

I’m sure you’ve had the experience when a song just comes into your mind and “ haunts you”. Well, ever since we sang this song at church on Sunday, it has been haunting me. Especially the refrain:

Pass me not , O gentle Savior.

Hear my humble cry;

While on others Thou art calling,

Do not pass me by.

Savior, Savior,

Hear my humble cry;

While on others Thou art calling,

Do not pass me by

And perhaps the words of the second verse are key:

Let me at Thy throne of mercy

Find a sweet relief ;

Kneeling there in deep contrition,

Help my unbelief.

John Levy, of blessed memory, used to quote often, the passage of Scripture from which the last line on the second verse is taken:

“ I believe! Lord help Thou my unbelief “……remember the story of the father whose son had a demon who used to cast him down in the fire to kill him. And he had asked some of the disciples to cast it out, while Jesus was with the other disciples on the mountain top being Transfigured. But they could not, and when Jesus came, the father asked Him to help his son, but added the key words to the story, “ if you can”. And Jesus replied, “ everything is possible for those who believe “…. or nothing is impossible. Not sure. But the point is unbelief was identified as the stumbling block to the father’s request for help. And then came the words from the father…..help thou my unbelief.

So what does all of this mean? That, on the face of it, this song which has haunted my soul for a couple of days now, although probably written for Zacchaeus….while on others Thou art calling, do not pass me by…..if we are honest, we too, those of us in the church, plagued by unbelief, could do well to sing :

Savior, Savior, Hear my humble cry; while,on others Thou art passing do not pass me by.

All of this came to me, as I recalled how yesterday in my #lunchtimedevotions I read the prelude, and the sequel too, to the passage of Scripture which has haunted my soul, all week, and which I have been sharing with others by email, on social media and directly face to face in my office. A passage of Scripture which tells the full and complete story of Sanctification – the goal of all believers:

Christ in you, the hope of glory.

As in the passage of Scripture which leads up to, Christ in you the hope of glory, among other things, including a most wonderful prayer, is told the story of our salvation. From whence we came, and where we are now. For once we understand, and believe, the foundation of our faith, that, unlike Zacchaeus, and unbelievers, the gentle Savior is not passing us by, but lives in us, by faith and by grace, then in Him we have the power and authority, “to set captives free”, in our beleaguered country. A nation where Plum plums are dying, where children are being burnt alive, and where corruption and injustice live and thrive.

THE WORD OF GOD

“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

PRAYER

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.

RESCUE

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.

CHRIST IN US

But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people.

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.”

Colossians 1:3-29 NIV

https://www.bible.com/111/col.1.3-29.niv

Peace, and in obedience, and we continue to pray without ceasing, and even with tears:

Lord renew thy church beginning with me; Lord renew the church that the church may renew the nation(s).

RIP Plum Plum, RIP Benjamin: Thank God for Jesus

http://www.loopjamaica.com/content/reggae-girl-tarania-clarke-stabbed-death

During my #lunchtimedevotions yesterday, I ‘happened’ upon a very important passage from the good Book. The Bible!

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

And as. I write another played a prominent role. In my walk with God this week, came to mind:

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Colossians 1:27 NIV

These two Words from The Eternal Father, the God of Abraham, and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is referenced our National Anthem- we all remember the video showing the Reggae Girls singing a special and heartfelt rendition of the anthem after qualifying for the 2020 World Cup in France – must come to our rescue in this time of national grief and pain. For how else can a mother, a father, a family, a community, an Internationally acclaimed Women’s Football Team,and ultimately, a nation, process the tragic and untimely loss of one of its brightest and its best. Who but Christ Crucified for our sins, and Resurrected to grant us new life in Him, can help us to rejoice and pray and give thanks in all circumstances.

Talks of better ways of conflict resolution, more regard for the sanctity of human life, and more love for each other, by well meaning commentators are useful and profound recommendations that we all should listen carefully. And act on! But of what comfort is that to a mother holding on the her “belly bottom”? Of what comfort are those eminently sensible sentiments for Plum Plum’s colleagues at Waterhouse FC,where she was captain and talisman; in the same way “Bunny Shaw” is for the National team – #strikehard? No man, this is more than any human being can bear -stabbed to death over a cell phone.

And it is the second time in a week that a mother’s grief touched the hearts of a bewildered nation.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/front-page/-oh-god-why-mi-baby-nuh-deserve-this-cries-mom-of-clan-carthy-student-killed-in-bizarre-accident_178414?profile=1606

For, what evil, what circumstances, what madness let loose in our land could have led to an “ out of control” garbage truck killing a seven year old student playing in the school compound? And who but God can provide the comfort to a mother, that a picture worth more than thousand words”, (and deserves some kind of medal) shares with a confused nation, about young Benjamin mother’s pain.

One of our senior and outspoken and unapologetically so, Erica Virtue, is famous for saying that “ Jamaica is not a real place”. This on account of the many and varied unacceptable kinds of behavior pattern that our people have adopted. The high incidence of murder, the madness on our roads, the level of corruption in high places, among other things, apparently provoked her soul to wrath.

And the “breaking news”, yesterday, without more and better particulars only fuels the fire of cynicism:

http://www.loopjamaica.com/content/update-us-visa-phillip-paulwell-jcf-members-revoked-chang

But perhaps what concerns many others, who don’t share that extreme sentiment, is our apparent complicit ( by failing to act and by failing to be sufficiently outraged, and to demand change ) role in making Jamaica if not unreal, but certainly unusual.

So what is to be done to prevent another Jamaican losing her or his life over a cell phone? For whatever reason! What resources do we have at our disposal, as we wage war against evil in our country? No doubt the State and Civil Society will unveil their plans to combat this latest round of madness and put in place measures to comfort and assuage the national angst. That’s one level of thinking, and we must as responsible citizens contribute to those plans. But at another and supernatural level, reflected in an email I was moved to send to my church this week, after the death of young Benjamin, but before Plum Plum’s murder, the call from The Eternal Father is to trust in His Son. For only the sanctified ones, Christ in you the Hope of Glory, can rejoice and pray without ceasing and give thanks in seemingly impossible and irredeemable situations.

THE EMAIL

In addition to God’s Word and Sacrament, and a life of constant prayer, the other great resource we have as a church, is the experience of the Saints of God with their Creator, Redeemer, and Empowering Spirit, shared in the hymns of the church. The words of one of which greeted me, came into my head uninvited – but for which entry, I am eternally grateful – this morning as I was praising the Lord for another day.

And the last verse in particular, validated a thought, triggered by a Word of Scripture, “ Though we wage war we do not do so as the world does”, that the Christian is engaged in war. We are in a battle against Sin, and Evil. Ever since The Fall of man in the garden of Eden! And this is the spiritual context in which we ought view the events that appall us and move us to tears and prayer and action:

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/front-page/-oh-god-why-mi-baby-nuh-deserve-this-cries-mom-of-clan-carthy-student-killed-in-bizarre-accident_178414?profile=1606

1 God is working his purpose out,

as year succeeds to year,

God is working his purpose out,

and the time is drawing near;

nearer and nearer draws the time,

the time that shall surely be,

when the earth shall be filled with the glory of God

as the waters cover the sea.

Comment: So it is not just a matter that, “ it is beginning to look like Christmas”, as glorious as that celebration might be if properly carried out, but rather that another year is about to end. And hence the time is growing nearer and nearer when God will act according to His promises shared through the prophetic utterances of His servants. So this “ nearer and nearer draws the time” ought give children of The Most High God, pause. As there is a purpose that God has for His people as each year draws to a close. It would do us well to remind ourselves of the foundation of our faith as expressed in the following passage of Scripture:

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.”

2 Corinthians 1:20 NIV

https://www.bible.com/111/2co.1.20.niv

So the question which ought to exercise our minds as we draw nearer to Advent again, is what is the Lord Jesus instructing us to do in the nation’s history ? At this time!

2 From utmost east to utmost west,

wherever feet have trod,

by the mouth of many messengers

goes forth the voice of God,

‘Give ear to me, ye continents,

ye isles, give ear to me,

that the earth may be filled with the glory of God

as the waters cover the sea.

Comment: One of the many concerns that we as Church ought to have is a global vision of what God is doing. A shared concern with the other continents and isles, “ wherever feet have trod by the mouth of many messengers goes forth the voice of God”, of what is happening in Africa, in Asia, in Tahiti and in Malta, for example. Do we feel their pain? Do we intercede for people in other parts of the world as much as we ought to? Or are we limited in our understanding, and perhaps even parochial, in how we see the Church militant? For at the end, it will be “ that the earth may be filled with the glory of God”. And not just Jamaica!

‘3 What can we do to work God’s work,

to prosper and increase

the love of God in all mankind,

the reign of the Prince of peace?

What can we do to hasten the time,

the time that shall surely be,

when the earth shall be filled with the glory of God

as the waters cover the sea?

Comment: The words of this verse enjoin us to consider carefully the battle that we are engaged in. To prosper and increase the love of God in all mankind, and the reign of the Prince of peace. Thank God that we are not on our own, but that the Empowering Spirit, shared with all the Baptized, is with us and in us. But we need to invite Him into our lives more and more each day, as we seek to spread the love of God,in a world which would distract us from our mission on earth. And to keep this focus on depending on the Holy Spirit at all times, to have this desperate feeling of the need for God, is a constant struggle in a land where if we are not careful common sense would trump our mandate to look to the power of the supernatural and transcendent.

4 March we forth in the strength of God,

with the banner of Christ unfurled,

that the light of the glorious gospel of truth

may shine throughout the world;

fight we the fight with sorrow and sin,

to set their captives free,

that the earth may be filled with the glory of God

as the waters cover the sea.

Comment: So are we marching? Are we part of Gods army? And with what determination are we in this battle? Are we truly in the “fight we fight with sorrow and sin to set the captives free” ; or are we marching only to save our souls and to promote the welfare of the Anglican Church. Are the people of Ambrook Lane on our radar? Or Majestic Gardens! Or those who live in SOE controlled communities. Is the internecine, tribal and national divisive fights between the two political parties a cause fo concern? Are the conditions of squatter communities cause for concern? What really does the Lord mean to “ set the captive free”. So that the earth may be filled with the glory of God after the final Christmas of this age, as the final time draws near.

5 All we can do is nothing worth

unless God blesses the deed;

vainly we hope for the harvest-tide

till God gives life to the seed;

yet nearer and nearer draws the time,

the time that shall surely be,

when the earth shall be filled with the glory of God

as the waters cover the sea.

Final Comment: Yesterday a revelation came into my mind. It began in the early morning before I woke up, and ended last night in my #latenightdevotions. It had two parts:

“ Silver and gold have I not, but in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk”. Acts of the Apostles

“ Not by might nor by power but by my spirit”. Zechariah

So it does not depend on how powerful we are as a church,or how huge the congregations are, or how wise and insightful the Bishops, Overseers, and other leaders are, for the earth to become filled with the glory of God, for the Price of Peace to reign in our land. And in far away lands, but solely if “ God blesses the deed”.

And like in the days of Samuel, God knows our hearts, and whether or not, we intend to bring Him, and His Son Jesus Christ, all the glory. To ascribe all honor to Him who died for all mankind on Calvary, alone. Surely if that is what occupies our hearts, The Most High God, The Holy One of Israel, Yahweh, the great I am, will bless every good deed that we carry out.

Lord renew thy church beginning with me; Lord renew the church that the church may renew the nation(s).

Peace

In obedience

LWJ

Finally an expanded word on this important issue of Sanctification. From another email to two friends this week

EMAIL

……..Question, what’s the most  important thing that God has called you to do? For the flowers fade and the grass withers, but only the Word of God lasts forever. Beyond democracies, beyond nations and beyond civilizations.

Peace.

LWJ

THE MYSTERY OF SANCTIFICATION  – OSWALD CHAMBERS

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh. 1 Timothy 3:16

By the word mystery we mean something known only to the initiated, therefore if we are going to try to understand the gospel mystery of Sanctification and fully experience it, we must belong to the initiated, that is, we must be born from above by the Spirit of God.

Robert Murray McCheyne said, and I would like his words engraven on my  own heart, ” The greatest need for my people is my personal holiness”.

Minister of the gospel, say that of  your congregation  – ” The greatest need for my people is my personal holiness”.
Teacher, say that of your class – ” The greatest need for my Sunday School is my personal holiness”.

Am I born again of the Spirit of God? What is the relation of my heart to holiness?  Our Lord said, 
” Every tree is known by its own fruit”, and I know whether or not I am born of the Spirit by the desires  of my heart. Do I desire holiness more keenly than I desire any other thing? Do I desire that my motives, my heart,  my life, my everything in me, should be as pure as God wants it to be?
If so, it is a very strong witness to the fact that I am among the initiated; I am in the place where I can understand the mystery of sanctification sufficiently to enter into it.

Comments : Not much. Just being obedient. Obedient to the strong reaction of my soul to the words:
Minister of the gospel and Teacher, ” say to your congregation and your Sunday School that…..the greatest need for you is my personal holiness”. 

A message from the wisdom of God’s anointed servant Oswald Chambers, on which to ponder deeply. For me as an evangelist and for you guys as power brokers; and also both baptized Christian at different stages of the journey with Christ.

THE WORD OF GOD 

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Colossians 1:27 NIV

https://colossians.bible/colossians-1-27