Do you ever feel like Henny Penny (aka Chicken Little) running from news report to news report and feeling like the world is about to end? Seriously, there is so much going on in the world these days between the economy and all the worldwide chaos that it is easy to be afraid, for our families, our children, our country. If you read the news or have recently had difficult news in your own life, then you may be quaking in your slippers. Last week, I found myself flipping from channel to channel on radio and TV for scraps of news. So much seemed to be going on in the world and of course it was all happening 11 years after something that shook our nation—9/11. It doesn’t take much to bring back the emotions of that day.

It's my aim here on my blog and in my writing to delve deep into the heart and heart issues. Quite often, fear rules our heart. It has mine in the past. I used to make decisions based on fear. Not a good way to live. Then I realized that fear doesn't come from God. Now, when I experience fear, I tend to head right into that storm. That doesn't mean I'm jumping out of airplanes or buying a spider for a pet or chasing tornadoes. Not unless God calls me specifically to do one of those things.

A long, long time ago, there were some seasoned fishermen riding in a boat. They should have felt right at home on the water. And yet, a storm blew up around them and suddenly they were scared they were going to die. That had to be some storm, right? I doubt these men were easily frightened. They knew what to do during a storm. But this storm was so big and so terrible that they were forced to turn to the one person they knew could save them—Jesus.

We can’t control our circumstances or calm the seas around us, but Jesus can. When you feel overwhelmed or scared or afraid, turn to the one who can save, the one who does save. One of my favorite passages from scripture is:

And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. Rev. 1: 12b-18

This is not a watered down Jesus. This is a Jesus who is strong and in control. Here's another great description of Jesus: I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Revelation 19:11-16

This is a Jesus who can handle your problems and even more so the world's difficulties. Remember: Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and ever tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2: 9-11

If you have been afraid, my friends, I pray today you will reach out to Jesus and experience the peace only He can offer.

Labels: Chicken Little, Christ, deep in the heart, fear, heart, heart issues, Henny Penny, Jesus., out of control, the sky is falling

According to the great and wise Thumper, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all.” Actually, Thumper was just quoting his greater and wiser father, who apparently knew a thing or two. It’s something that most parents teach their children. In this horrific political season, where much of the discourse has dissolved into two-year-old tantrums, where the norm is to call others names and use vile language to make whatever point they believe is their right, maybe we too should look to our Founding Fathers for advice.

"Be civil to all, sociable to many, familiar with few, friend to one, enemy to none."
Benjamin Franklin

“Every action done in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those that are present.”
George Washington

Maybe that’s part of the problem. We live in a world where people don’t have conversations face to face. We text, skype, facebook, twitter. Some of the vilest things have been said in these venues. Does it help? I think not. Worse, often these disgusting rants are cheered by the equally absurd.

I remember when I was in college and I needed a course during the summer so I took an English course at a junior college. Now, I also took a math course there and had a most wonderful teacher. But the English professor liked to pepper his lectures with four-letter words. Now, I'm no prude and am not lily-white in this regard, but my thought was: if this guy is so smart and has a doctorate in English, doesn't he know bigger…maybe better words?

Frankly, we have serious issues facing this country. Platitudes and hyperbole are not going to solve them. Name-calling is not going to work either. Only serious discussions will help to move us forward. Those who shout and name call have no logical or reasonable argument, they are simply allowing their anger and frustration to get the better of them. I am all for free speech, so I’m not telling them to…well, you can fill in the blank with what you would like to say which is probably what I would like as well but which my southern upbringing prevents me from saying. The childish--pundits, politicians, and citizens--should please get out of the way, so that the serious discussions can begin.

"Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of."
Luke 6:44-45

So what say you? And please, let's be civil. Don't make me use my teacher voice. ;)

Labels: Benjamin Franklin, civil discourse, facebook, free speech, George Washington, name-calling, out of the heart, political season, politics, skype, texting, twitter