Domes - Our Monthly Newsletter
Dunbar UCC
November 18, 2007
Isaiah 12:2
Luke 21:5-19
Endurance
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What we need is something new -- don’t you think? Something new. Like a new car -- or a new microwave that runs quietly, or new clothes! When you feel lousy, doesn’t something new give you a lift? When our country was attacked in 2001, the president told us to go shopping. And I did -- did my patriotic duty and bought a new guitar. I can’t wait until next November because then we’ll be able to vote for totally new leaders for our country. I think I’ll vote for the first person who tells me to go out and buy a new amplifier. So I’ve been listening to the candidates debate -- looking for someone who will give our country a new start -- someone who doesn’t like war or torture, someone who won’t get us any deeper in debt. Someone who will take better care of our poor veterans.
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But the skeptic in me says -- it probably won’t happen. No matter who’s elected, I bet the wars will continue -- terrorist attacks will increase, the new leaders will lie just like the old ones did, and the ice in the north pole will continue to melt. And like Jesus said, “There will be more wars, more earthquakes -- natural disasters will increase. Children will turn in their children to the police!” Did you hear about Dog the Bounty Hunter and how his son recorded him and then sent the tape to the National Enquirer and got his father fired! There it is -- today’s headlines predicted by Jesus. Kids betraying their parents, cyclones in Bangladesh, earthquakes in Chile, hurricanes of increasing power. Wars in Africa and the Middle East, rumors of wars between the U.S. and Iran. Droughts all over the world -- people in Georgia, including the governor, holding prayer rallies to pray for rain!!!!
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I think the end is near! But I’m not saying that to alarm you -- Jesus said -- “The end is coming, but it’s cool -- don’t be afraid.” Don’t be afraid!!!??? Droughts, wars, terrorist attacks, bankruptcy, foreclosures, poverty, -- and Jesus is telling us to stay cool! How? How can we be calm without popping valium all day long?
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Jesus said that, despite the way things appear -- God is still in charge -- and that’s all we need to know. If we can stay focused on that, we’ll be all right. And you don’t have to be Christian to have that kind of faith. Recently there was an Afghani Muslim woman who was accused of being an infidel because she wanted girls to have an education. The Taliban told her they’d kill her if she didn’t stop. But she took the Koran and showed the “authorities” the verses that supported her position. She told them, “Look at these passages in the Koran, and then you decide. If you deny the Koran and Muhammad's religion, it’s up to you. You can kill me and the women who come after me -- fine -- it will just pave the way for the future generation.”
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This woman didn’t become violent, or hateful -- but stood up for the truth of her religion and her heart. I don’t know if the Taliban killed her or not -- but she endured her enemies, and she gained her soul. This woman was a Muslim, but she had the heart of Jesus Christ. I love a good time. I’m looking forward to Thanksgiving with my family. But that’s not our ultimate purpose here. We’re here to testify, through our lives, to the way of Jesus Christ -- the way of peace and compassion for all. And when we give that testimony through all we do, to family, friends, and enemies alike, then we will gain our souls.