In the face of all of this, it’s easy to feel either useless or just shut it out: “What can I do?”. Nevertheless, the mandate is there: “‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?” The Gospels seem most clear to me when they exhort us to not sit back in the face of all of this. Since we cannot repay God for His gifts, He has decreed that we show this gratitude to Him by extending those gifts to those around us when we can.

I have sometimes wondered, as we sit here feeling vaguely sorry for our brethren who suffer harsh conditions elsewhere, “Maybe we’re the ones who ought to be pitied.”

Our full stomachs tempt us to forget God. To be clear, I’ve been both rich and not-so rich and will choose rich every time, but there certainly is a grave danger in living too comfortably.

Very good post! It breaks my heart every time I drive past a church and see their sign advertising the latest sermons series based on “Survivor,” “24,” “Deal or No Deal,” or whatever the TV show de Jur is. The church-at-large has completely bought into the idea that the gospel is not enough; it needs to be spiced up or, worse yet, changed to be “relevant.” We live in a world where Lindsay Lohan’s DUI arrest trumps anything else that may be going on in the world and most churches are not any different.

I do need to take exception with one comment you made: And you want me to get all worked up over a couple of thousand solders who volunteered to defend this country? I think I understand the contrast you were trying to make; however, those soldiers were someone’s child. The son of one of my dearest friends leaves in a couple of weeks for his second “tour” of Iraq. I’ve known this young man since he was six and I love him as if he were my own son. He volunteered for the Army, fully understands his commitment, and, if necessary, is willing to die defending our country.

Regardless of what point-of-view someone holds regarding the war, it is significant that people are giving their lives, many of whom are our bothers and sisters in Christ, so we can continue to live the very blessed life we live in this country.

Sorry – I didn’t mean to get off topic – you just kind of touched on a topic that is near and dear to my heart. And, for just for the record, I’ve never watched any of the above referenced TV shows. They tend to be the “hot topics” discussed at work and, sadly, I know more about Jack Bauer then I would like to.
Blessings,
K:)

Thanks for the note. Isn’t it sad what makes the headlines these days? People like to blame the media for airing the trash, but it’s really a supply/demand kind of business. They put up what people will read –DUI arrests and all.

But I’m sorry for not being clearer in the soldier comment. I certainly did not mean to discount the of the soldiers who have died in Iraq. I responded in that way because of what I hear all the time from those opposed to the war. People tell me that Bush is the terrorist, that he and his administration are the wicked ones for bringing us into that, and that we should be outraged at their deaths. I most certainly mourn their deaths, and their familes affected, but I do not see their as a tragedy of purposeful murder like that with an unborn child. That’s all I meant to communicate.

Nevertheless, ultimately I am saddened by the priorities of our country –but specifically the professing church. Don’t be mistaken, the popular church cares more about American Idol than they do for the deep truths of scripture…I’m sure you know from experience.

SDG