And right is right, and wrong is wrong to me. I wonder what’s the matter with me?”
–Luke Short (Play A Lone Hand)
“Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go.”
–Proverbs 2:9 (NLT)
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Seems like there have been several well-known people die lately. I see things posted on Facebook by Christians and it makes this ol’ fence post wonder. With these celebrities and others who have died I’ve seen posts R.I.P.–rest in peace. Now, the Christian who writes this is either trying to be nice, or they are ignorant. Only those who are in Christ will R.I.P., for the Bible says, “And just as it is appointed for people to die once—and after this, judgment—” (Hebrews 9:27, HCSB)
Now is the day of salvation. We should be doing our part to win the lost for Christ so folks who die can truly rest in peace.
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If you happen to be a “friend” on Facebook you may have noticed that the past couple of weeks I have used quotations from John Vermillion. I have read two of his novels, “The Supe,” and “Don’t Call Me, General.” In those books he stands for true values and calls America back to these values.
“You cannot merely do your assigned duty; you must go beyond, never ceasing to improve your professional qualifications. You must, every single day, re-examine the right to call yourself a professional soldier.”
When I served in the military, most first-termers were there because they were drafted for Vietnam, or they wanted a job. Some wanted to truly serve their country. A large percentage of first-termers were exactly that; they only serve their term, and because of that often put a casual effort to their job. Their motto, “Close enough for government work.” I learned very quickly another motto of most who were making the military a career or those who were conscientious, “Do it right the first time.”
After my two terms in the military I went into education. I very quickly realized as a new teacher that I didn’t know it all. Hmmm, sounds kind of strange for I have worked with teachers and administrators, and seen others who were new that knew it all (or thought they did). Because I didn’t know it all, I took a weak area and begin to read books on that area.
Military, teachers, professionals in any field must always take inventory to see if they are truly the professional they call themselves. Are they, first, doing the best they can, and second, are they trying to improve. I have seen so many “play the game”, and in truth they are just sliding by. For those who are teachers it would be good for them to etch in their hearts James 3:1, “Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment.” (HCSB)
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As a very good friend of mine would say, “We have lost it.” There are now transgender day-camps starting at age 4. The American Pediatrics have called this nothing less than child abuse. There is a group who have purchased a town in California, not far from Las Vegas and it will be the first “Pot Tourist Town.” Yep, a place to go to enjoy the high of pot. Kaepernick is trying to be a martyr. Yes, the NFL is racist, just note the lack of black players in the NFL. What they are not saying is that he was offered a position, but turned it down–not enough money.
We have lost it!
Then you look at the families. I saw a sign on a car Monday that asked the question, “Where will your children spend eternity?” Good question, so I would ask, what are the parents doing to make sure their children are on the road to heaven? Are they like the world, or teaching them sound doctrine?
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One more little tidbit. Folks have asked how I choose the hymn that I make commentary on. Usually it is from one that has been going through my mind. This week I had one. I went to get the words and saw that I had already used it this year, so I turned to “Trust and Obey.” It wasn’t marked, but after I wrote it, my wife said that I had already written on it. Somebody out there must have needed to read the words of “Trust and Obey” again. Remember, obedience is better than sacrifice.