I watched The Final Year last night on Netflix. A HBO special about President Obama final year with a particular focus on Foreign Policy. Towards the end, perhaps after having reflected on, “ wars and rumors of wars”, that he had encountered, or prevented, he shared this view of history. And I am paraphrasing : That history is not a straight line. Rather that it zigs and zags. But in the end it trends towards a better world. Where men and women of goodwill come together to shape a better world than they found it.

Perhaps he was mindful of the long shadow of darkness, the shaping of things to come, which the campaign, now coming to an end, of one Donald J ( for genius) Trump, was announcing to the world. Perhaps he was being prescient, and mindful of the need, which the theme of The 2021 National Prayer Breakfast announced eight years later, “ Keeping Hope Alive”. Who knows!

What I do know if that the tweet which I posted recently, in response to one from Imani Duncan Pryce :

24 murders in ONE weekend… 4 of them happened in Allman Town #CentralKingston Violence spiraling out of control! And its not just now, it’s been on the rise in hot spot areas for months! On #MLKDay  let’s not be silent – this issue ultimately affects all of us in Jamaica 🇯🇲 1/3

https://twitter.com/imani_dp/status/1351309407221645312?s=21

in the light of recent events, portrays a reality which is not in sync with Obama’s world view:

24 murders in a weekend is past madness. The PM @AndrewHolnessJM is so right. #Changeofheartneeded But how do you achieve that when you (attempt to ) separate Church from State @dondee_don @TyroneReidNNN @cliffnationwide @Zemi66 Did I hear @JoeBiden say #InGodwetrust @djmillerJA

A tweet which reflects the pain, and agony, and angst, of a nation which has experienced the reality of over 1000 of its citizens being murdered year after year after year. For many years! Non stop. So quo vadis, from whence cometh, in our situation, any argument of optimism of a better future. Of keeping hope alive! The most I can say, is that such a hope will not be, and can never be, found in any attempt, legally or philosophically, to separate Church from State. A discussion which has been triggered, if not unleashed, by the national debate on whether or not the Abortion Law, as it currently stands, ought to be amended to reflect the current public heath and human rights realities of our time.

A couple of things recommend themselves for careful scrutiny as we proceed. In the so called most advanced democracy in the world, perhaps a title now under threat by the followers of Donald J ( for genius) Trump, Joe Biden went to church before going to his inauguration. And when he got there, the President Elect, was required to swear on oath, on a Bible, the Word of God, his commitment to uphold the constitution of the USA, before he was declared President. So where was there any separation of Church from State? Perhaps the real narrative which nobody wishes to float publicly, although many may hold the view privately, is the desire to separate God from the State. Completely! And if we follow this train of thought it is a already a reality – and in some cases there may be merit in that position – that the ultimate goal, or view, is to delink the church from God. That one can be spiritual and worship God without going to church. That a nation can have a moral compass, and achieve peace and social justice without any reference to God. Or the church! Even that one can love and appreciate the life and teachings of Jesus but reject the God of the Old Testament.

I get it that the Church’s view ought not to be, and cannot be, the last word on how a nation makes decisions for all it’s citizens – in Jamaica in recent times up to 20-30% don’t claim to be Christians – in a modern and plural democracy. Yes we accept that reality. But how then do you govern a people , whose very existence as a independent nation of mostly formerly enslaved people, was so heavily influenced by the church, motivated and inspired and instructed by the Word of the Almighty God, without reference to this same God. Both pre and post emancipation! And both pre and post Independence. That kind of mindset can only come from those who would wish to separate the Church from God. And to be fair, some churches by their irreverent behavior, and by their inattention to cries for Justice and by their alignment with forces of evil – whether political or philosophical – have “ lost their first love”. Even Jesus Christ and Him Crucified, Risen, Ascended and soon coming again!

Which in summary is the dilemma that confronts Andrew. And before him second Peter! How do you solve Jamaica’s hope-sapping, heart-rending, belly-bottom pain inducing murder rate, when you know that at the root of the problem is that “ man’s heart is desperately wicked”. And has been so since Cain murdered his brother Abel, and then posed the all time infamous and very instructive question of the ages: “ Am I my brothers keeper”?

Investment In “Heart-Ware” of Jamaicans Next Phase of Crime-Fighting – PM

How then do you insert into a society which according to the late Ian Boyne – miss his informed and cogently argued and fearless column so much on a Sunday, although not on religious hard talk which I repeatedly told him was just pure hype and a waste of time – has atomized, and broken down into individuals in pursuit of satisfying self and oblivious of any other, the need to be their “ brother’s keeper”. A cry from the heart by a former Professor of Anthropology, and Grace Kennedy Lecturer, Don Robotham, now living in the USA and who posted this challenging and intriguing post yesterday on Twitter:

It will be interesting to see if Biden’s presidency has any effect on the current individualistic ethic of self, self, self. Will ‘self-care’ continue to rule or will a more social ethic emerge? Doubtful about the latter

My #churchsista Hotline Talk Show Host Emily Shields ought to bear in mind these thoughts as she, yesterday, delivered of herself a powerful cry for a change of heart of wicked men who without any conscience or heart murdered, and conspired to murder, a young woman in Jamaica recently. The PM has come under fire, as expected, from elements in the media, “ Bankrupt of ideas how to fight crime”, for daring to call for divine intervention. As did former Minister of National Security Peter Bunting; although his evangelical fervor has, as least in public, long died. The church will continue to come under fire, from within as expected, and from without, for daring to recommend what God has called it to do, “ rescue yourselves from this corrupt generation “. To an increasing secular society even when it is floundering and unable to manage the challenges of its time – corruption in high places, a gaping gap between the rich and the poor, injustice for the marginalized and a loss of a moral compass or reference point. But what it cannot do is to resile from it’s old ordained role as “ salt and light” in any society. For the reality is that despite Obama’s optimism and the sanke that declares that “ tings already better”, the trajectory of this world, according to the Word of God, is heading south and not north. To destruction. Even when advances in science and technology conspire to sugar coat that awesome reality.

And the greatest and really only evidence you need is the reality of what happened on the Cross of Calvary. So that this world will not perish! So those who save themselves from this corrupt generation in Christ will not perish. Not so those who don’t. In that context then, it would be smart for the society to align its future with the Word of God, and not try to separate that which God has joined together: Fallen mankind and Himself in Jesus Christ. But as we all know, Barrabbas was chosen over Jesus! The Popular over Truth!

As I thought about those things I wrote to my church accordingly :

FIRST EMAIL

I had no intention of writing this morning. Further, I had no inclination that I would be led to write on the Abortion Dilemma, as shared by the late Theologian and Pastor, John Stott in his seminal book: Decisive Issues Facing Christians Today ( first published in 1990). A book recommended to me many years ago, by the late Bishop Herman Spence of blessed memory.

I woke up, a bit earlier than usual, at 5:30 am, and then got up. And into my mind came “ Order My Steps in Your Word”, by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir”.

So dutifully I opened my iPad and played it on the YouTube app. I can’t tell you what part of the song caused the Abortion issue to emerge in my thoughts, but suddenly it came up; and so did the memory of what John Stott had written. And which treatment of the issue, by one of my favorite theologians, I had not read for many years.

So here is how Stott began the chapter on The Abortion Dilemma ( Other issues treated separately by Stott, and which are related to the abortion issue includes; Pluralism: Should we impose our views; Involvement: is it our concern; Human Rights; Women, Men, and God; Homosexual Partnerships; A Call for Christian Leadership ( which appropriately provides a bookend to a remarkable book)

THE ABORTION DILEMMA

The debate over abortion is admittedly complex. It has medical, legal, theological, ethical, social, and personal aspects. It is also a highly emotional subject, for it touches on the mysteries of human sexuality and reproduction, and often involves acutely painful dilemmas.

Yet Christians cannot opt out of personal decision-making or public discussion regarding this topic merely because of its complexity. Indeed two factors should bring it to the top of our agenda.

First, what is involved in the abortion issue is nothing less than our Christian doctrines of both God and humanity, or more precisely, the sovereignty of God and the sanctity of human life. All Christian people believe that Almighty God is the only giver, sustainer and taker-way of life.

On the one hand “ he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else”, and “ in him we live and move and have our being”.

On the other, as the psalmist says to God, “ when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust”. Indeed, whenever anyone dies, Christian faith struggles to affirm with Job: “ The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”

To the Christian then, both the life-giving and the life-taking are divine prerogatives. And although we cannot interpret “ you shall not kill”, as an absolute prohibition, since the same law which forbade killing also sanctioned it in some situations ( e.g. capital punishment and holy war), yet the taking of a human life is the height of arrogance. Hence Mother Teresa’s strong feeling about the evil of abortion:

…only God can decide life and death…..That is why abortion is such a terrible sin. You are not only killing life, but putting self before God; yet people decide who has to live and who has to die. They want to make themselves Almighty God. They want to take the power of God in their hands. They want to say “ I can do without God. I can decide.”

That is the most devilish thing that a human being can do……

The question of abortion concerns our doctrine of humanity as well as our doctrine of God, For, however undeveloped the embryo may still be, everyone agrees that it is living and that the life it possesses is human. So in whatever way we decide to formulate the relationship between newborn and unborn children, our evaluation of human life is inevitably involved. Further, the present practice of almost indiscriminate abortion reflect a ejection of the Biblical view of human dignity……..

So then, if both divine sovereignty and human dignity are being challenged by the abortion debate, no conscientious Christian can stand aside from it……

Finally a challenging comment by Stott. Not his final word, but my final extract from this chapter. For now!

“ It would not be honest to claim that all Christians see eye to eye on this issue, even all Christians who seek to submit to the authority of Scripture…… “

There is a lot more than Stott has to offer but that will come in due course when so led.

Peace and in obedience.

LWJ

SECOND EMAIL

This is how the message developed this morning. From last night:

Isaiah 50:10-11

New International Version

10 

Who among you fears the Lord

    and obeys the word of his servant?

Let the one who walks in the dark,

    who has no light,

trust in the name of the Lord

    and rely on their God.

11 

But now, all you who light fires

    and provide yourselves with flaming torches,

go, walk in the light of your fires

    and of the torches you have set ablaze.

This is what you shall receive from my hand:

    You will lie down in torment.

A Word that was found in a side-bar in Oswald Chambers’ devotional reading for January 19th:

JANUARY 19

Vision and Darkness

When the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him.

GENESIS 15:12

Whenever God gives a vision to a Christian, it is as if He puts him in “the shadow of His hand” (Isaiah 49:2). The saint’s duty is to be still and listen.

There is a “darkness” that comes from too much light— that is the time to listen. The story of Abram and Hagar in Genesis 16 is an excellent example of listening to so-called good advice during a time of darkness, rather than waiting for God to send the light.

When God gives you a vision and darkness follows, wait. God will bring the vision He has given you to reality in your life if you will wait on His timing. Never try to help God fulfill His word. Abram went through thirteen years of silence, but in those years all of his self-sufficiency was destroyed. He grew past the point of relying on his own common sense. Those years of silence were a time of discipline, not a period of God’s displeasure. There is never any need to pretend that your life is filled with joy and confidence; just wait upon God and be grounded in Him (see Isaiah 50:10-11).

Then in my sleep last night, and early this morning was a “song in the night”: I delivered you when bound…..from :

1 Hark, my soul, it is the Lord;

’tis thy Saviour, hear his word;

Jesus speaks, and speaks to thee,

‘Say, poor sinner, lov’st thou me?

2 ‘I delivered thee when bound,

and, when wounded, healed thy wound;

sought thee wandering, set thee right,

turned thy darkness into light.

3 ‘Can a woman’s tender care

cease towards the child she bare?

Yes, she may forgetful be,

yet will I remember thee.

4 ‘Mine is an unchanging love,

higher than the heights above,

deeper than the depths beneath,

free and faithful, strong as death.

5 ‘Thou shalt see my glory soon,

when the work of grace is done;

partner of my throne shalt be:

say, poor sinner, lov’st thou me?

‘6 Lord, it is my chief complaint

that my love is weak and faint;

yet I love thee, and adore;

O for grace to love thee more!

Verse 2 stayed with me and comforted me, in one of the darkest moments of my life, many years ago. And sustained me! It comes to mind regularly. Even now. Verse 6 is a favorite of a dear Christian friend. And church sister! Verse 3 stayed with me for a while, as the Abortion Dilemma came to mind. But not for long!

But the meditation led to Peter’s re-establishment by Jesus:

“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”

John 21:15-17 NIV

But before this passage another one, caught my attention. Briefly!

“Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus ), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.”

John 21:1-3 NIV

And then:

“Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.”

John 21:4-6 NIV

Finally, as I continued to read and reflect on the words from Isaiah, I was led to post three messages on Facebook :

How beautiful on the mountain are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, your God reigns! Isaiah 52:7. #BetterthanBidenandKamala

The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my heart to listen like one being taught. The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears…Isaiah 50:4 #Vaccine

Come all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money,come, buy and eat! Come, and buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labour on what does not satisfy?

What does all of this mean! Perhaps different things to different people. As always with God’s Word each one of us is being called to sing a part of the hymn; be a part of the choir. But singing from the same hymn sheet – bringing good news that Jesus saves. For me two things. First! Trust God no matter how dark the situations appears to be. Take the precious Name of Jesus with you. Always! Call on Him often. Depend on Him. Build a solid relationship with Him. So that you may catch fish. Plenty fish, where He sends you. To feed His sheep. Not your sheep! A bit of advice I would share with Biden and Kamala if I were asked #BigPlansBigProblems #GleanerHeadline.

Second! Be very careful that you don’t fall asleep unprotected at nights. For that’s when you are most vulnerable to the devil’s attacks. Take the Name of Jesus with you as you go to sleep. Pray for mercy and protection. Better than King Alarm! Much better. And the Lord will protect you from evil. And He wake will you up, with or without a “ heavy hand”, eager and ready to serve Him. And to feed His sheep and not just your own interests.

And fit to tackle weighty matters like Church and State; for if there is true separation what happens to the governed. Who feeds the sheep? The State! And simple matters like where to find an envelop – with important contents – after you have searched the whole house for it. And then you call upon the Name of Jesus. And presto it is found. Just where the Lord tells you to look!

Perhaps we ought to call upon the Name of Jesus more and more and God will grant us the wisdom to understand what does it mean to advocate for separation of Church and State. If that is what He meant by “ Give to Caesar what belongs to Andrew, and give to God what belongs Jesus”. A fair translation I think. But seriously…. if all things come from God, and of His own we give back to Him, what portion do we reserve for the State. Certainly not obedience. Cant be sovereign power either….you would have no power unless my Father gave it to you…remember that exchange with Pilate

Eternal Father bless our land…hmmmm!…Guide us with thy mighty hand…hmmmm! America the land of the free and the home of the brave has got is wrong. Badly wrong, as recent events has demonstrated. For as a wise man once said: “ You can’t have Christian values without Christianity”. I hope we don’t also. But this one can only come out with fasting and prayers, comes to mind. It is a complex issue. Which is what happens essentially when you take the precious Name of Jesus with you. Night and day! Precious Name O how sweet. Hope of earth and joy of heaven.

Very controversial subject but one that we as church need to ponder on and pray about without ceasing, lest we give our allegiance to another god. A very real and present danger in a democratic state. And far worse in an oppressive state, where people like Trump would lead America given half a chance!

So come buy wine and milk without money and without cost.
Peace and in obedience

LWJ

I read my Bible to see what men out to do; and read my newspapers to see what men are doing – a Saint of yure. #DoubleListening

Because we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men – Holy Scripture.

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

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/13/us/politics/trump-impeached.html?referringSource=articleShare

So Donald Trump has been impeached. Again! So the nation was outraged when greeted with the news that a four year child was murdered; in the early morning by a gunman. Again! So the Abortion (one of many hot button issues) debate is in the news. Again!

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20210114/man-charged-murder-four-year-old-wounding-father-trelawny-attack

Young Cloe Brown – dead but not perished

Life becomes less complicated, not less challenging, in fact more so, when you understand, as they say in Jamaica “ how de ting set”; i.e. where are we heading as a Universe, as a Civilization. For the Christian, that simply, but very profoundly, at the same time, means, living under the Cross of Calvary ; and pondering deeply on its significance, and understanding world events in that context.

So the existential question then arises, why would the God of all Creation, deem it necessary to send His Son, and if we understand “ how de ting set “ properly, came down from heaven Himself, so that “ people would not perish”. So if follows, as the Latin scholars, most of whom have “perished”, taught us, ipso facto, that someday this world as we know it, is going to come to an end. And some of us will perish, and the rest will not.

An understanding which many liberal and ‘critical thinkers’, and those who are caught up with what they presume to be their ability to overcome any challenge in life, refuse to accept. But the evidence is staring us in the face, in the form of Donald Trump and his enablers in America – how could they lie so proficiently and without any conscience! And over 1200 Jamaicans murdered last year – callously and by people who we say in Jamaica “ are so cold”! And countless unborn children murdered over the centuries, by otherwise loving and caring women and their enablers who are determined, sometimes, but not all the time, when faced with very trying circumstances, to, like the legendary singer, “ do it my way”! And by implication, although not necessarily thinking about it in that manner, but in essence, tantamount to the same thing, “ not God’s way”.

So America will never be great again. If greatness means maintaining the status quo – there we go again with a dead language – which is a code word for white privilege, institutional racism, and the deep rootedness of the Cowboys and Red Indians saga; which put an end to the reign of the indigenous people and relegated them to a footnote in history.

Adolf Hitler

British PM Neville Chamberlain

So there was not “ there will be peace in my time” as heralded by the then British Prime Minister Chamberlain, after meeting with Adolf Hitler shortly before World War 11 erupted. One of the most famous misunderstandings of “ how de ting set” in all history. Or the the great spring of Hope which spread across Western Civilization when, then President Ronald Regan famously declared, “ tear down that wall” – between East and West Germany. And many eternal optimists believed that such a symbol of the reduction, if not elimination, of the tensions between Communist Russia and the Democratic West, would herald the a new dawn where wars and rumors of wars would end. Which hopes were then dashed in a winter of despair as other conflicts led to even more wars across the globe. A period of history which sends a signal that many have ignored over the centuries. That this world is never going to permanently get any better. There will always be the shadow of the Cross hanging over it. A world on the way to perishing!

Coming back home then, we need to understand that Jamaica will never be the same again. The virtually idyllic childhood that many of us enjoyed and remember well – peaceful street dances where everybody mixed up, whether you hailed from Rema or Havendale is all gone. Done!

Leaving your doors unlocked at nights! Living in a house with no grills! Living in a country where one murder was a big thing! Growing up in a society where people had manners, and where the elderly were respected and honored and protected. Living in a house where Sunday morning could not catch you in bed, even if you came in at 4:am from a party. Off to church you had to go. And in your Sunday best too! Which was perhaps the same clothes you wore when “ taking a girl to the movies at Carib theatre”. And then for ice cream. Long before Netflix and chill! The current reality.

I came across, again, as I had read it many time before, with the same reaction, a very disturbing passage of Scripture. And very instructive! And which I used to remind a liberal friend and “thinker” and priest, who often, in public, elects to “ interrogate” the Bible, and questions if certain passages could ever be true.

“The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.”

Genesis 6:5-8 NIV

Hmmmm! For we all recall what happened after this. God would let loose the floodgates of heaven and rain would fall for the ages. But never again in the same fashion. But the point is that a holy God cannot tolerate Sin. And evil! Wars and rumors of Wars! Babies dying of hunger in Africa and people throwing away food in America. Folks living in comfort in Cherry Gardens and others suffering in misery in Majestic Gardens! Folks importing guns into the island, aided and abetted by powerful and untouchable forces, while mothers and grandmothers hold on to their belly bottoms in agony and grief. ISIS beheading people in the name of Allah in the Far East and ( some) Evangelicals in America defending a man who gropes and lies and incites and threatens his Vice President.

In this context, discerning people ought to treat COVID-19, the pandemic as a warning shot across our proverbial bows. To be careful. And cease doing evil! But who is listening. Really! All we wish to do is get the vaccine and returns to “ normal”. Which translates to the bad old days! But the world whether we believe it or not, is never going to be the same again. Not America! Not Jamaica ! Not Gay Paree! Watch and see! And be amazed!

In this context then I believe I was led to write these emails to my church. As, though the world is heading for destruction and will perish, we who are called out by God to share the good news that Jesus saves, and only Him, are also called to be salt and light in this dying world. And point, and be the way to Justice and Righteousness until our Lord came again. With the hope of rescuing the perishing, caring for the dying, seeking the lost and bringing back the disobedient.

THE FIRST EMAIL – AN ENCOURAGING NOTE

I have been sent to encourage you this morning. To remind you in the midst of, “ wars and rumors of wars”, in America, our next door neighbors, and on the street ‘ next door ‘ to us, where Etana’s #wrongaddress, “ lady where you come from people die there every day” is a constant reality, that “ there are more that are with us than those with them”.

This after a dream, a very vivid dream, which ended when I received something. A renewed passport and a ticket to the Olympics. But I had to endure a lot to receive it. Travel along very challenging terrain, where a gigantic road was under construction. Pass though an inner city community where young men were threatening to cause a disruption because they were not in on the action. Then finally, I reached the end of a very fast moving line where I got my passport. A process lengthened because my passport had expired.

Then I woke up. Too early in my mind to get up. 4:20! So I lay there and began to pray. Pray according to Jacob Boheme:

ON WAKING

Living Lord you have watched over me, and out your hand on my head during the long dark hours of night. Your holy angels have protected me from all harm and pain. To you I owe life itself. Continue to watch over me and bless me during the hours of day.

I have used it so many times, that I can almost repeat it now word for word. And it was while I was in that state of almost rising, that the Word from Elisha, spoken to his servant came to me:

THE WORD OF GOD

“When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

2 Kings 6:15-17 NIV

And the reason why we can be assured of the Truth of the Word above came to me also. In fact it is Truth that has emboldened me in my struggles against “ not flesh and blood”. Powers and principalities! That through Holy Communion, which I received, again, yesterday, “ Here O my Lord I see thee face to face”, my God and Savior, “ abides in me and I in Him”.

A staggering Truth that we must believe and act upon if we are to be successful in fighting against the evil powers of this world. “ Save yourselves from this corrupt generation”, was the message from Peter’s first sermon. A message that we cannot save the world. But also that, we who are not of the world, have been sent back into the world to call people, of primary importance, to repentance.

Which was the gravamen of the message from Oswald Chambers last night. And which meditation I believe triggered this message.

One more thing, of great and of grave importance, at the same time. And directly related to Chambers’ message. This Word from the Book of Acts which I am going through now during my bedtime devotions.

“When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 8:14-17 NIV

I urge you to think about this passage as you contemplate what Chambers shared with us last night. For it is clear to me, that not everyone in the church has received the Holy Spirit. In Jamaica and in America! Based on the evidence of recent events. And before that too!

OSWALD CHAMBERS

JANUARY 10

The Opened Sight

I now send you, to open their eyes…that they may receive forgiveness of sins…

ACTS 26:17-18

This verse is the greatest example of the true essence of the message of a disciple of Jesus Christ in all of the New Testament.

God’s first sovereign work of grace is summed up in the words, “…that they may receive forgiveness of sins….” When a person fails in his personal Christian life, it is usually because he has never received anything.

The only sign that a person is saved is that he has received something from Jesus Christ. Our job as workers for God is to open people’s eyes so that they may turn themselves from darkness to light. But that is not salvation; it is conversion— only the effort of an awakened human being. I do not think it is too broad a statement to say that the majority of so-called Christians are like this. Their eyes are open, but they have received nothing. Conversion is not regeneration. This is a neglected fact in our preaching today. When a person is born again, he knows that it is because he has received something as a gift from Almighty God and not because of his own decision.

People may make vows and promises, and may be determined to follow through, but none of this is salvation. Salvation means that we are brought to the place where we are able to receive something from God on the authority of Jesus Christ, namely, forgiveness of sins.

This is followed by God’s second mighty work of grace: “…an inheritance among those who are sanctified….” In sanctification, the one who has been born again deliberately gives up his right to himself to Jesus Christ, and identifies himself entirely with God’s ministry to others.

Comment: A final revelation! All of the above hangs on this Word which has invaded my soul for the past couple of weeks; and which I have shared with you and others before.

“ Who is like you, O Lord!

You rescue the poor from those too strong for them.” Psalm 35: 10. One of my bedtime prayers.

As, until and unless, we become “ poor in spirit”, and realize that we cannot manage the evil powers of this world, nor anything at all without God, then we will not receive the Holy Spirit. And Christ will not remain in us, and we in Him! No matter how often we receive Holy Communion. In church. Or at home – which I hear about of late in these unusual times, and wonder. And wonder!

Peace.

In obedience.

LWJ

Lord renew thy church beginning with those who have humbled themselves and received The Holy Spirit; Lord renew the church that the church may renew the nation(s) and rescue them from those too strong for them. In Jamaica and in America!

THE SECOND EMAIL – A POWERFUL NAME

I was moved to post three messages on facebook this morning during my early morning devotions. In the sequence below!

After the third one I knelt to pray. For the renewal of the church that my country may be renewed and rescued from evil. And as I prayed, I was led to share them with you. “ Wilt thou not turn and quicken us again O Lord that thy people may rejoice in you “. A Word from the Psalmist – came to mind – and from the days of prayers in the vestry before the start of the service when chalice bearers were needed pre-Covid. For only the Holy Spirit can renew the church. Only a fresh outpouring of His mighty Power!

In obedience.

Peace.

LWJ

In obedience and in love.

May the Lord’s peace be with those who accept this gift – given to me as I began my early morning devotions and which I was led to share with you – and call upon on the Name of Jesus in faith and in truth, in every situation. Whether in Corona times, in times of personal trials or temptations – great or small.

Whether in times of great national debates on how to reduce murder; whether or not, or how, to “ update” the Law on Abortions; how to rescue America from the evil of not just Donald Trump, a symptom but not the cause, but from the deep divisions in that country occasioned by institutional racism, theology in some instances ( like capitalism ..Sparrow) gone mad, and the loss of a moral compass ( which has been exported across the world).

All accompanied by the awakening, the stoking even, of a particularly – make America great again.. as we are victims..and endangered ..by a great conspiracy – dangerous form of nationalism. Almost akin to what surfaced in Germany during the Nazi regime! And which was opposed, even to death, by the confessing church, and others, led by Bonhoeffer (Rev) who spoke truth to power, called upon, and paid homage to, the Name of Jesus, the only true God, and not Hitler der Fuhrer, and paid the ultimate price for defending Truth.

Take the name of Jesus with you,

Child of sorrow and of woe;

It will joy and comfort give you,

Take it then where’er you go.

Precious name! Oh, how sweet!

Hope of earth and joy of heav’n;

Precious name! Oh, how sweet!

Hope of earth and joy of heav’n.

2

Take the name of Jesus ever,

As a shield from every snare.

If temptations round you gather,

Breathe that holy name in prayer.

3

Oh, the precious name of Jesus,

How it thrills our souls with joy;

All the favor of the Father

In this name we may enjoy.

4

At the name of Jesus bowing,

Falling prostrate at His feet,

Claim His vict’ry over evil

And the enemy defeat.



The Collect – a prayer for the worldwide Anglican Church this Sunday

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Many years ago, I ceased believing in coincidence and happenstance. Read carefully, very carefully, then, the Psalm appointed for the worldwide Anglicanism church this Sunday, as the debate rages about the proposal to “ update” the abortion law.

The Psalm

Psalm 139:1-5, 12-17

Domine, probasti

1 Lord, you have searched me out and known me; *

you know my sitting down and my rising up;

you discern my thoughts from afar.

2 You trace my journeys and my resting-places *

and are acquainted with all my ways.

3 Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, *

but you, O Lord, know it altogether.

4 You press upon me behind and before *

and lay your hand upon me.

5 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; *

it is so high that I cannot attain to it.

12 For you yourself created my inmost parts; *

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

13 I will thank you because I am marvelously made; *

your works are wonderful, and I know it well.

14 My body was not hidden from you, *

while I was being made in secret

and woven in the depths of the earth.

15 Your eyes beheld my limbs, yet unfinished in the womb;

all of them were written in your book; *

they were fashioned day by day,

when as yet there was none of them.

16 How deep I find your thoughts, O God! *

how great is the sum of them!

17 If I were to count them, they would be more in number than the sand; *

to count them all, my life span would need to be like yours.

I read my Bible to see what men ought to do; and read my newspapers to see what men are doing – A Saint of yure

Since then, we know that it is to fear God, we try to persuade others – 2 Cor.5:11

It could easily have been one of those, “where were you when they stormed Capitol Hill, the ‘temple’ – the kind of language that ought to be remembered and analyzed carefully – of American Democracy, and held hostage and killed a number of lawmakers”. The fact that five people including a brave police officer, died, however, is sufficient reason, for this act of extreme violence, and attack on the American constitution, to be etched in the minds of people across the world. Forever! Just like 9/11; the same kind of evil but manifesting itself on a more grand scale.

So, where were you when this massive news story broke? I was in my office when the one of my staff members, on hearing the news on the television outside, knocked on the door and told me. Both of us, like so many other Jamaicans and others around the world, have vested interest in what happens in America. My four grandchildren, all born there, are American citizens. So too my four ( 2+2) children. Naturalized! And so too, her two children and so far one grandchild. I didn’t call my wife immediately, as I did, when BBC broke the news of the second plane crashing into the twin towers, which happened while I was at the traffic light in Duhaney Park and about to turn right and head to work in a rural town. And told her to turn on the TV! But later we both watched this madness play itself out on CNN and BBC and whatever other source of information we could get.

One of my take away messages, and they are many, from this dastardly act, is a question/comment that the very smart and insightful Chris Cuomo from CNN, repeated several times. Question: Why do you think these Retrumplicans – a word for the ages coined by Cuomo – believed so sincerely that the elections were stolen from Trump and from them? Without any shred of evidence! Answer: Because you kept on telling them so! Hmmm!

The key issue in all of this, from perspective, is what caused, in the first place, over 70 million Americans to vote for Donald Trump, whose evil intentions and evil acts were so well known for so long; and then to storm, at his urging, the citadel of American democracy in an ill advised and futile attempt to call a halt to a process which had only symbolic meaning. Had they succeeded, and thank God for the bravery, in some cases, of the lawmakers, they did not, it would not have affected, as we say in Jamaica, ‘ the price of cheese’. So to what end was all of this madness? What was the end game! Wasn’t anyone thinking this through!

I don’t have an immediate and comprehensive answer to the question. And no doubt the answer is multifaceted and very complex; including institutional racism, fears about the much heralded reduction in the percentage of the white population in American in the future, a perverted sense of exceptionalism. All kinds of stuff! But at the heart of the matter, I believe is the perversion of the Christian message on the one hand. And on the other hand, Chris Cuomo’s question, at an entirely different level: Question: Why do you think so many Americans no longer believe in God? Answer: Because you, not Cuomo, who is at the very least God fearing – elements in the media, the intellectuals, the entire culture of the land of the brave and the home of the free…hmmm, and other enablers, have kept on, conspired, to tell the American people that “ God is dead”.

For, what is very impatient of debate – Michael Manley famously coined that phrase – at least on one level, is that aspects of American style Christianity, has descended into mere religion – having a form of Godliness but having no power. For what could have informed the madness of some Evangelicals and others Christians, to be fair, to support, in some cases without question, the evil that Donald Trump so manifestly demonstrated again and again. Even before he was elected President! Shades of what happened in Germany during Hitler’s reign of terror, if you recall, when Bonhoeffer and the Confessing Christians were the only ones who spoke truth to power, while others acquiesced and allowed evil to prosper.

For the truth is that evil can only prosper when Christians in that country remain silent. Or are silenced. Russia under Stalin! China! Syria! And at another level, Western Democracy, once the cradle of Christianity, Europe, the UK, the USA and Canada, have now largely, at least culturally if not officially – God bless America – and sadly and alarmingly my country Jamaica seems to heading down that path, now only pays lip service to Christianity. Tolerated but not obeyed! With devastating consequences! Murder, murder most foul! A culture of scamming! Ethical standards and norms, once absolute but now subject to transaction – you can buy and sell anyone for the right price, or the anticipated objective.

Which is precisely what has overtaken large swathes of the American population. Transaction! Playing games with the devil in the form of Trump, because of the perceived notion that he can deliver the kind of America that they wish to have. And ignoring completely the warning signs that this man is evil personified. Foolishly thinking they could control him – Lyndsay Graham et al. The church in Germany! The Evangelicals in blind pursuit of their narrow religious agenda – no abortions, no gays, no same sex marriage. And now the chickens have come home to roost! Big time!

Where does America go from here? Good question! But one thing I know, is that Jesus died so that stuff like this would be avoided. People would not perish in their sins. For at the heart of it all, bad, and not just bad, but very dangerous, theology by some Christians, and a rejection by many Americans of the value of authentic Christianity, is Sin. Rejecting Jesus and accepting Barabbas all over again!

And without a solid Christian base, it will happen again. And it, the rejection of good and the sanitizing of evil, can happen in Jamaica. Some might argue that, such a transaction has already taken place and which is the reason for the season of Murder. Only God knows.

In the midst of all this madness, reading my Bible led to the sharing of three emails with my church; and another with church leaders. Messages which, in retrospect, warn and teach about Basic Christianity – which is what a dying world and a retrumplican society needs to understand.

THE FIRST EMAIL – NOTE THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF BEING POOR IN SPIRIT – ACCEPTING THAN ONLY GOD CAN HELP IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES. NOT MAN! AND CERTAINLY NOT YOUR POLITICAL LEADER

What child is this, who, laid to rest

On Mary’s lap, is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,

While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King,

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:

Haste, haste to bring him laud,

The Babe, the Son of Mary!

Why lies He in such mean estate,

Where ox and ass are feeding?

Good Christians, fear, for sinners here

The silent Word is pleading.

Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,

The cross be borne for me, for you.

Hail, hail the Word made flesh,

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,

Come peasant king to own Him,

The King of kings, salvation brings,

Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

Raise, raise the song on high,

The Virgin sings her lullaby:

Joy, joy, for Christ is born,

The Babe, the Son of Mary!

This song just came into my mind at the start of my early morning devotions – I am determined to be obedient. What child is this! Which is exactly what Bishop Gregory highlighted yesterday, in Mary’s response to Jesus’ “…..I must be in my Father’s house”. Which is – again the thought just came to mind – exactly what Simon Peter meant when on catching so much fish following Jesus’ advice, he declared famously “ Get away from me Lord for I am a sinful man”!

This year, then, more than anything else, we need to recapture the awe and awesomeness of “what child is this”. At Christmas! At Easter! All year long! This Emmanuel! A great mystery! This King of Kings in human form. And who lives in us by faith and by grace! What a mystery! What a Blessed Assurance in the midst of real and present danger!

Let us then heed the charge of the Bishop, and more importantly, Words of Holy Scripture, which according to this child, now turned adult, “ are life”. Do not be afraid – for those who seek your life have been defeated – but yet still diabolical until Jesus comes again – on Calvary. Sin, death and evil! Those too strong for us! And from which hands God has rescued the poor – in spirit. Those who know they cannot manage and abandon themselves completely to the mercy and grace of this child; the Son of the Living God. What child is this indeed, cries the entire creation! O for grace to love Him more – says the hymn writer; and so my soul. This Son of Mary!





THE SECOND EMAIL – VERY SHORT. ADDING TO THE MESSAGE THAT IN GOD ALONE IS OUR TRUST AND HOPE IN THIS COMPLEX WORLD

I have no help but thine, nor do I need

another arm save thine to lean upon:

it is enough, my Lord, enough indeed;

my strength is in thy might, thy might alone…….the hymn writer brings a bookend to this series of messages.

And Oswald Chambers, who started it all, this time attaches himself to the bookend in this meditation – and explains why I am called to write – found ‘across the road ‘ from the Call to Abraham, in my Classics Devotional Bible:

WORSHIP

Oswald Chambers

Verse: Genesis 12:8

Worship is giving God the best that he has given you. Be careful with what you do with the best you have. Whenever you get a blessing from God, give it back to him as a love gift ( Perhaps that’s why the Tele-evangelists and those on radio too, use employ the term for the support of their ministry). Take time to meditate before God – I was praying about these messages when I was inspired to write a third one – and offer the blessing back to God in a deliberate act of worship. if you hoard it for yourself, it will turn in spiritual dry rot, as the manna did when when it was hoarded ( see Exodus 16:20). God will never allow you to keep a spiritual blessing completely for yourself. It must be given back so that he can make it a blessing to others……….

THE THIRD EMAIL – POSES A CHALLENGING QUESTION. BUT IF THE TRUTH OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH DOES NOT CHALLENGE YOUR ASSUMPTIONS FROM TIME TO TIME, YOU ARE NOT GROWING. WHICH IS ONE OF THE REASONS FOR THE RISE – AND FALL – OF DONAL TRUMP.

One of the best I’ve read. The meditation below by Christ Tiegreen in his One Year Wonder Of The Cross Devotional – a gift from a patient many years ago; and to which Devotional I invariably turn after having reflected on the readings for the Sunday coming! Having read it this morning for my early devotions, these quotes “ stayed with me”

“That’s why the law of Moses is not at the and of the Bible. it’s a start, a lesson in the futility of human sin. It existed, according to Paul, to lead us to Christ ( Galatians 3:24). it saved no one; it only showed us our need for a Savior”

“ It’s a genuine shame that many Christians have tuned this holy intimacy back into religion. Perhaps it’s too close, too personal. religion is easier’ it keeps God at arm’s length. But if God were satisfied with arm’s;enthusiasm, Jesus would never have died and he Holy Spirit ne’er have descended. he made us to crave intimate union, and then He offered Himself for the craving. Religion isn’t enough. An exhilarating thriving marriage is”.

DESTINED LOVERS

If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Galatians 5:8

In Word

Our bridegroom was never after a slavishly obedient bride to begin with. Sure, he loves it when Hs people conform to His standards, but no groom with even an ounce of passion wants a cold, calculated servant for a bride. No, God’s purpose from the very beginning was a people for Himself – who lived, breathed,a nod loved in sync with Him. he wanted hearts that beat with His rhythms, companions with whom to share His secrets and His deep longings. Rules never accomplished that; only freely given love and intimacy will do.

That’s why the law of Moses is not at the and of the Bible. it’s a start, a lesson in the futility of human sin. It existed, according to Paul, to lead us to Christ ( Galatians 3:24). it saved no one; it only showed us our need for a Savior.

The fulfillment of the plan, the early Christians realized, was the staggering truth that God made us not to know Him through obedience, but to obey Him through knowing Him. The romantic embrace from our holy Suitor comes first; the our character can be transformed to look like Him. And the evidence of the romantic embrace came in Acts 2, as the wind blew and fire fell. The Holy Sprit claimed His true love. We will never be the same:

( As I am writing, in comes to mind the reminder, that last night – I am going through the book of Acts for my bedtime reading – I read this :

“When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 8:14-17 NIV)

In Deed

It’s a genuine shame that many Christians have tuned this holy intimacy back into religion. Perhaps it’s too close, too personal. religion is easier’ it keeps God at arm’s length. But if God were satisfied with arm’s;enthusiasm, Jesus would never have died and he Holy Spirit ne’er have descended. he made us to crave intimate union, and then He offered Himself for the craving. Religion isn’t enough. An exhilarating thriving marriage is.

If that’s not your experience with God,something needs to change. Draw close to Him in complete trust and desperate love ( recall how I was led to write about the dangers of self-sufficiency ), and He will draw close to you in holy passion. This union is your fulfillment, planned from eternity past. Embrace it by letting His Spirit embrace you.

What else are the laws of God written in our hearts but the very presence of the Holy Ghost? – Augustine.

Comment : All kinds of questions and thoughts sure through my mind. One in particular is not new. Why ? Listen carefully:

“ Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2. Cor. 3:15-17 NIV

So the question is, based on Holy Scripture and fanned into flames by Chris Tiegreen’s meditation, where are the Seventh Day Adventists’ spiritually? And those who try to “ ride two horses at the same time”. Obey the Law and claim Christ! One is Religion in action; the other is accepting God’s grace and mercy, because we can never obey the whole Law.

Paul was talking about Circumcision, but the same principle applies to “ keeping the Sabbath”:

“Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law”. Galatians 5:3 NIV. Then Paul, in due course, goes on to speak abut Living by the Spirit vs Living the sinful nature.

I have spoken to some of my SDA friends about this issue, at a very high level. A discussion, which on one occasion, provoked a very serious debate which threatened to unravel the friendship. But whether or not the SDA’s , still have their hearts covered by a veil, is not for me to judge. The larger issue, for the entire church, is whether or not we are “ living by the Spirit of God”. For if not, the consequences can be grave. Nationally and not just personally!

Do you know what came to mind this morning as I read the entire Galatians chap 5, which ended with the features of those who live by the sinful nature and those who live by the Spirit.

Reflect for a moment on “ fits of rage, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy…we can stop there, even though there is more evidence”. What comes to mind? If you are not thinking about yesterday’s insurrection on Capitol Hill, the “ temple “ of America’s democracy, directly inspired by Donal Trump, the 45th American President, then you have missed the mark altogether. For this is a man who large swathes of the Evangelical churches supported, with almost, dare I say it , evangelical fervor. This man who manifestly, long before the invasion by hordes of insurrectionists of Capitol Hill yesterday, displayed “ acts of the sinful nature”. And yet, God’s people, led astray by the spirit of the age, the zeitgeist, supported this man. Ostensibly, because he was in sync with their narrow religious agenda! They became blind to the evil that has now been let loose on America. Evil thoughts which were there before, but certainly has been fanned into dreadful and who knows,lasting flames by the 45th!

Let us, in closing, ponder on these fateful words declared by Paul to the Galatians:

“ You my brothers were called to be free ( from the shackles of the law). But do not use your freedom to to indulge in the sinful nature; rather serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: “ Love your neighbors as yourself.” If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other”. Gal. 5:13-15 NIV.

In that context then, we are called to love our Evangelical brothers and sisters in the USA and elsewhere. We are called to love our brothers and sisters in the Seventh Day Adventist Church. As they are called to love Anglicans who they might have difficulty understanding at times! The challenge is to remain faithful to the calling and guidance of the Holy Spirit, so that we can discern evil and error, when they come close to us; whether thinly disguised or in full dress uniform. So that we can live by the Spirit and find Joy and Peace, and display Love and Patience and Kindness and Faithfulness and Gentleness and Self-Control. Gifts which only come when we turn to the Lord Jesus in love and not because of fear. One is religion, which has wreaked havoc on the world over the years in many and differs ways #9/11 for one! #TheCrusades for another. Withholding ourselves and our money from the church because we are vex with the pastor or something which happened at church. The other is intimacy and marriage to the bridegroom of our lives and souls. Even Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.

Peace and i obedience.

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

Finally, an except from an email to church leaders this week. Why? As in it is the mandate for all who share the gospel. And to the extent that we become distracted, is the extent to which people like Trump can prosper. And wreak havoc in a society!

THE EXTRACT

I know it is a privilege to be able to write to you. But, according to the gift that the Lord  has given to me, access and and revelation, it is more than a privilege, it is a sacred responsibility. And by God’s grace I don’t intend to be disobedient!

So this morning, and I speak the truth, after a long conversation last night about my church, I began my early morning devotions, going back to the same Galatians  Chap 5 which guided the meditation which I read and wrote about to my church yesterday. This time the focus was on vs 16:

Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 

A verse which is the inspiration for  meditation  for today in Chris Tiegreen’s One Year Wonder of The Cross Devotional Book: January 1, to  December 31. However, for some reason, I was led to go back to chap 4 for context. And found this very profound verse of Holy Scripture, which I believe ought to be the mandate of every Pastor, and everyone anointed by God, who gives  different gifts to different people, – to prepare God’s people for works of service…and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of Christ – Ephesians 4:11-13 ( these things just flow into my mind without any thought or effort)

“ My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you….” Galatians 4:19 NIV.

I feel the need at the start of the new year to return to my roots. Many years ago when this, at first email, ministry which continues, then blogging on WordPress, which gives the option for automatic placement on Facebook and Twitter, this quote from a saint of yure opened the innings:

“I read my Bible to see what men ought to do; and read my newspapers to see what men are doing “.

Which is another way of engaging in what the great theologian, the late Rev. John Stott recommended – Double Listening:

“ We listen to the Word with humble reverence , anxious to understand it, and resolved to believe and obey what we come to understand. We listen to the world with critical alertness, anxious to understand it too, and resolved not necessarily to believe and obey it, but to sympathize with it and seek grace to discover how the gospel relates to it.”

There is a prelude and a context to the recommendation above which I will share in another blog, but suffice it to say it begins like this:

The main reason for every betrayal of the authentic Jesus is that we listen with exaggerated deference to the contemporary fashion, instead of listening to God’s Word. The demand for relevance becomes so imperious that we feel we have to capitulate to it, at whatever cost. We are familiar with this kind of pressure in the business world -and I dare say increasingly in the political realm too – in which it is the marketing people who determine the firm’s product by discovering what will sell, what the public will buy.

Hmmm. I suppose a Christian blogger then, writing to the whole world, literally once you are on WordPress, but ultimately in pursuit of renewal of the church, so that the church can renew the nation(s), my constant prayer, has to bear this caution in mind.

So then what did I read about in the newspapers this week – which term now has an expanded facility….YouTube, Twitter, facebook, WhatsApp,email as well as traditional media.

That Beenieman – the gal dem sugar – the favorite of the ladies, has become, just like Buju, what the PM Andrew Holness terms a #weakfence. Those who don’t respect the COVID-19 protocols and in fact actively work to undermine them. Which makes it very difficult for us as a nation, just like up North, to fight against this dreaded disease; a virus which has mutated and become even easier to catch even though thank God, so far, not any more deadly. What was he thinking! This same International recording Artist who was at the top of his game when he managed to prevent an overeager policemen from “ being that guy”, has now become the same “ guy” who did madness by joining the movement that says, no matter what, “ party haffi keep”.

That President Obama continues to dream and post on Twitter, perhaps quite rightly so, as “ hope springs eternal in the human breast”:

After a year that has tested us in unimaginable ways, we’ve seen how people from all walks of life have stepped up to create change to make things better. Here’s to ringing in 2021 with optimism for what’s to come and a belief that our best days are still ahead. Happy New Year!

While a less internationally famous voice, Yaneek Page – but on twitter in Jamaica quite popular – shared a note of realism, and her recommendation:

So many people will wake up today with high hopes for the new year, but grounded by the reality of feeling trapped in a life they can’t seem to change

Let’s share some tried & proven success strategies on a how to achieve your dream life starting in 2021

I’ll start!

That Jamaica’s COVID-19 cases continue to rise. 88 new cases yesterday and one more death.

That on New Year’s Eve the pastor at the famous Episcopal Cathedral in Washington D.C, urged his listeners to focus on the goodness of God for the New year , in the midst of al the travails that featured far too frequently in 2020.

In the midst of all of this, what did the reading of God’s Word reveal this week. First about Sin. And without a proper understanding we will forever dream of a better world without confronting why the Bible says, “ Christ died for our sins, and was raised for our justification”. And sanctification!

Which is why I believe I was led to write this email to the my church:

THE FIRST EMAIL

Sin is a very complicated thing. And it is definitely not an ordinary thing! That’s why it took the death, the shedding of the precious blood of Jesus, to Atone for Sin. Therefore, he who led, and continues to lead the human race, created in the image and likeness ofGod – the imago dei – is at the very least extremely malevolent. And not to be underestimated!

This is what I learned this morning as I awoke with the Exodus story in my mind: “ The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you only need to be still”. ( And know…)Exodus 13b -14.

And as I began thinking about, all thoughts of liberation theology – setting anyone free from historic slavery – was banished from my mind, as this is about enslavement to Sin. Listen, again, to the response of the newly freed Israelites, and now on their way The Promised Land, when the malevolence of Pharaoh stirred up fear in their hearts -despite the knowledge of the miracles that God had done to set then free. The lesson here is that, the perceived benefits of Sin, in the minds of some folks, perhaps all of us, who knows, outweigh the Joy of being Holy to the Lord – the ultimate purpose of God setting us free from Sin. That’s why it is complicated and that’s why we can never underestimate the power of this Fall engineered by the evil one. For holiness is not attractive to the unredeemed mind; to the mind not controlled by the Spirit. To the mind which which is not like the mind of Christ.

Which is why, as I thought about, “ The Egyptians you see today you will never see again”, i.e. this manifestation and power of Sin, that hunts you down, perpetually and relentlessly, seductively and enchantingly, and not always in a disturbing manner, and moves us to to declare, like the Israelites :

“ Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians ? It would be better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert”,

my mind ran on the Only One who can make that promise, of “ not seeing the Egyptians again”, of being protected, forever, from the malevolence of Satan, be fulfilled: Jesus Christ on Calvary. Forward to Philippians 2, and the preamble of 1:

“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: ( “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”

Philippians 2:5 KJV)

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!”

Philippians 2:1-8 NIV

https://www.bible.com/111/php.2.1-8.niv

This is why I said Sin was complicated. For, the mind, which is not patterned after the mind of Christ, he or she who does not live by the Spirit, yearns, maybe not publicly – but God knows the heart – for the things, the benefits of this world, even though we say with our lips that we yearn for heavenly things – holiness.

To have the mind of Christ then, protects us from the ever relentless pursuit from Satan, who does not intend to let us go, and will suddenly appear, every time we forget “ How Great is our God”, in the midst of seemingly impossible situations, and cause us to doubt. Or to fear. Or to long for a less complicated life:

“ For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him”. Philippians 1:29. And like Job, and like the children of Israel, God will allow these things:

“ to humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart…….know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord disciplines you”. Deut. 8.

Which of course leads us to the famous passage in Hebrews which reveals the mind and purpose of God when He disciplines us:

“In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!

They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

Hebrews 12:4-11 NIV

Of course, having the mind of Christ, and having Christ live in us, must be played out in how this same Christ operated. Not something to be used for our own advantage, but to serve others. But’s that’s another story!

Our take away message from this encounter with the Lord, is twofold.

One is that “the devil is like a roaring lion seeking whom he will to devour”. The other, is that “ flee from Satan and he will flee from you; draw near to God, and he will draw near to you”. James. And we can only not only draw near to God, but have the very mind of Christ, if we are still, and know, that God will fight for us, in the midst of every circumstance. Which is the essence of faith! But will the Son of man really find faith when he returns, is a question that should always be uppermost in our minds. At Christmas, and in the New Year. For:

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

Matthew 7:21 NIV

The same message echoed in “ Why do you call me Lord, but so not carry out my commands”. Jesus.

And the will of God is that we should be holy, in Christ Jesus. And never ever be held captive to Sin again. It is finished, and “ the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again”. A message that Liberation theology does not embrace.

May the Lord God of Israel, who rescued the early church from evil, renew the church of today by enabling us to have the mind of Christ, as we are still before Him, and trust this same God in all circumstances – even COVID-19; may this God who renews His church daily in Christ Jesus, renew the nation(s) who are being pursued relentlessly by Satan whether in full battle dress or in disguise. As fire dey a muss muss tail, and him think a cool breeze…..i.e. they have no idea of the malevolence of the evil one. Nor, as yet, the love of God, who “ will not let us go”. Which is what Christmas is all about and Good Friday and Easter. Praise God

Peace, and in obedience.

LWJ

The second email to my church this week addresses what we are celebrating now. That life is a cycle. Year follows year. Month follows month. And only God, can and has interrupted this cycle. And this cycle will end one day. No more New Year. Sobering thought isn’t it!

THE SECOND EMAIL

O Holy night! The stars are brightly shining

It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth

Long lay the world in sin and error pining

‘Til He appears and the soul felt its worth

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn

Fall on your knees; O hear the Angel voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born

O night, O Holy night, O night divine!

I woke up this morning with the, lyrics and the grand music of this song in my mind – my favorite Christmas Carol. Then spent some time reflecting on the message as I started my early morning devotions. What message?

That life is a cycle. An unending cycle, unless or until, the God who created the cycle of life intervenes. So day is followed by night. Day after day! And birth ends in death. One fine day! Babies are born and loved ones die. Politicians gain power and then are voted out of office – in a democratic state. Otherwise coups/revolutions, or wars, or assassination, or the inexorable cycle of life and death, brings a sudden end to the aspiration of men to rule forever . For a thousand years even!

So will Africa always produce malnourished babies that evoke so much sympathy, and empathy, and an outpouring of aid from the rich countries?

Will Britannia rule forever! I guess we know the answer to that one. Or will America always be the only superpower in the world; and will Americans continue to believe that they are exceptional.

Is there no end to the seemingly endless cycle of murder and murder most foul in Jamaica? Will many Jamaicans continue to live on the margins, while the sons and daughters of gentry continue to enjoy the fruit of the land! And party on the Cays in the midst of a pandemic!

Will Sin continue to cause so much pain and grief in the world – Pol Pot in Cambodia, Hitler in Germany, Stalin in Russia, Biafra, Free Nelson Mandela, Tiananmen Square, The Middle Passage, 9/11.

Will the novel Corona Virus be the last Pandemic – that brought the world to its knees. Metaphorically but certainly not literally! Is there anything else apart from HIV/AIDS on the horizon? Ebola, SARS, Polio, Smallpox! It is over. Will vaccines be available all the time?

Will there ever be a nuclear free world! Is climate change the manifestation the final nail in the coffin of the existence as we know it of the world. For if we don’t have enough oxygen to breathe, Game over, Lights Out!

And then Christmas comes with an answer to all these questions. But are we listening; will we ever listen. Or just hunger for a vaccine so that next year we can have a proper grand market and spend time with the children in Jamaica or abroad! With the church praying that services will resume, and prayer meetings continue, and baptisms and weddings and crusades and tithes and offerings going back to normal.

What does “ fall on your knees; O hear the angels voices mean’? What does “ long lay the world in sin and error pining, ‘Til he appears and the soul felt its worth” mean? What does “ a thrill of hope a weary world rejoices”, mean? What does it all mean as another day emerges from the long dark night, and sing “ morning by morning new mercies I see”.

As I write the lyrics of another Christmas Carol, comes to mind. One that has engaged my soul in the past, “ O hush ye men of strife and hear the angels singing “. From verse three of the hymn below.

Perhaps the message is that there is too much noise in the world which has become a distraction, not only to the world, but to the church as well. And we no longer hear the angels singing the love song about Jesus, for we are at war with each other. At home. In the community. In the church. In the body politic. In Civil Society. And internationally! All because of the woes of sin and strife, from which the world has suffered long.

It came upon the midnight clear

That glorious song of old

From angels bending near the earth

To touch their harps of gold

Peace on the earth, goodwill to men,

From heav’n’s all gracious king

The world in solemn stillness lay

To hear the angels sing…..

Yet with the woes of sin and strife

The world has suffered long

Beneath the angel-strain have rolled

two thousand years of wrong

And man at war with man hears not

The love song which they bring

O hush the noise ye men of strife

And hear the angels sing…

This world needs Christmas. Regardless of its perceived origins! This world needed an intervention from God to break the seemingly endless cycle of Sin and Death. This world needs the church to allow the angels’ song to be heard in its witness about the love of God. Otherwise as day follows night, the endless cycle of wickedness and pain and grief and evil will continue. Until one fine day, the angels will no longer sing. But announce the Judgment! Of church and world!

Why do you claim to love me, but have not obeyed my commands”. To feed my sheep! To let them hear the angels sing! Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Jamaica, Jamaica, America. America,…

““Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.”

Matthew 23:37 NIV

Are we wiling to break the cycle of disobedience ourselves, and then bring the message of The Mighty Salvation of Jesus to those “ sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death”?

Peace. In obedience.

LWJ

Good Lord, renew thy church as we listen to the angels sing about your love as fully manifested in the birth, Emmanuel, of the Christ child; Lord renew thy church so that the church may renew the nation(s) where men are at war with each other, and have failed to hear the angels sing about the love of God, but rather have listened to the clink of money pouring in the cash pan, and the sound of the music blaring in the dancehall. Mercy!





The third and final and every short email, sent to my church this week, is about a simple truth, n the midst of the reality of Sin, and how it has turned us all into weak fences in God’s created order – originally meant for us to be holy as He is holy. So a child of God in any situation, if he or she is obedient, facilitates healing. Healing of a corrupt generation. Otherwise we will be cast away as useless salt, which is no longer salty. No longer effective in healing a troubled world! But note, if you are healing you will be persecuted. If not you will be accommodated by the world, as you are of no threat to the evil one.

THE THIRD EMAIL

“The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.”

Acts 5:12-16 NIV

“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.”

2 Corinthians 4:6-12 NIV

“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.””

Acts 4:29-30 NIV

Wherever a child of God and a disciple of Christ, is placed, healing will take place. Whenever we are obedient to the heavenly vision, like St. Paul before King Agrippa, healing will take place, even when we are not aware of God’s healing mercy at work; and so will persecution. In its many forms! To the glory of God. Be of good courage then, my brothers and sister in Christ Jesus.

Peace and in obedience.

LWJ