Why I Don’t Blog About the News

Sometimes when it feels like the whole world is in an uproar, believe it or not, I DO find it hard to go on my blog and talk about what’s going on in our little bubble this week.

I do read the news. My heart does go out to the suffering. We do teach our boys about the world they are growing up in. We do our best to look at all sides of each issue. This just felt like an especially rough week in the world, didn’t it? And it’s only Monday night!!  Yikes.

There’s the race riots in Baltimore, an area where we have many friends, the earthquakes, the war in the middle east, horrible storms, and there is always, always political fighting going on.

It’s a fallen, hurting world. It’s a world that needs Jesus. Sometimes I wonder why so many people, especially the very young 20 somethings, have this attitude of rebellion toward all of Christianity. Rebellion towards racism and oppression, I get that. But why are Christians such a target? I think there are two reasons for this, completely unrelated:

1. Jesus confronts people with a choice: Belief or denial. Was he a Savior, or was he a lunatic? Are we sinners in need of a savior? Or are we fine? Do we have a soul? Or when we die, is it just over?

People hate that. They want to “do what we wanna do” and have no consequences. Some people do not want to be told there are absolute rights or wrongs, and yet there are so many sins that we can still all agree are sins: bullying, cheating, pedophiles (although I’m sure eventually some idiot will champion that cause), sexual abuse, rape, etc.

If we can agree to that, then I think we are agreeing that actually there ARE some moral absolutes.

…24“If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well. 25“But they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, ‘THEY HATED ME WITHOUT A CAUSE.’ 26“When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me,…

John 15:24-26

The other reason that people hate Christians is different:

2. When Christians misbehave. I don’t think anyone actually expects Christians to be sinless. I think they just need us to be kind. No beating them over the head with our Bibles; just basically not being jerks. We need to adopt a meek attitude, not a “better than thou” attitude.

Jesus spoke to the leaders of the time about this A LOT.

“‘Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in you hindered.’

And as He said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to assail Him vehemently, and to cross-examine Him about many things, lying in wait for Him, and seeking to catch Him in something He might say, that they might accuse Him.”         Luke 11: 52-54

We need to be careful that we don’t do that. I have no intention of ever hindering anyone’s path to reconciling themselves with God. This blog will never be a high horse that I stand on and shout to people their faults. That is not what God wants from me.

“Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle showing all humility to all men.”   Titus 3:1-2

I love God’s word, and when read as a whole, it has the power to build, strengthen, encourage, instruct, and inspire.

…20for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. 21Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. 22But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.…James 1:20-22

I am not called to write about current events or political hoopla. I am just a witness to the light, and I think that sharing happy, funny stories from my life might encourage my friends and family and give you a laugh, so that is what I write about. I know that God has done great things for me and those around me, so I like to talk about that too.

Most of you are far away from us. I only wish that you all had blogs about your daily lives so I could better keep up with you!!  I’ll just settle for Facebook, until you set up your blog. 😉

So when it feels like the world is falling apart, and I’m over here talking about how cute Brain Pop Jr. is, have no fear. I do notice. I’m not apathetic or ignorant.

But life goes on, and my personal mission is clear.

…7Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, In ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?8He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?

We are enjoying the blessing of having our children home with us. I don’t know if it’s knowing I only have four weeks left of teaching or what, but I am so filled with joy right now. The boys were so cute tonight. I have to share this:

Alan: Joshua, will you say our blessing tonight (before supper)?

Joshua said the prayer.

Caleb: Oh me!!  I want to say one too!

Joshua: What! Oh, Caleb, but I’m starving here!

Caleb: Okay, I’ll say it, and Joshua you can still eat while I say it.

*Everyone seemed to agree to that. We bowed our heads again.*

Caleb said his prayer. It was a really sweet one.

Daniel: OH!!!  Me! I want to say one now. Caleb, you can eat. Joshua, and you, if you need to.

Daniel said his prayer. It was sweet. Also, it was looooong.

Alan: John David? Would you like to say one too?

JD: *face covered in pizza, pizza pretty much finished: just looked at us and chewed*

Finally, we all got to eat.

🙂