WHAT IF ALL YOU OWN WAS TAKEN FROM YOU?

The writer of the biblical book of Hebrews is unknown.

This letter was probably written between A.D. 64 and 68.

“The recipients of this letter were believers (3:1) who had come to faith through the testimony of eyewitnesses of Christ (2:3). They were not novices (5:12), and they had successfully endured hardships because of their stand for the gospel (10:32-34). Unfortunately, they had become ‘dull of hearing’ (5:11) and were in danger of drifting away (2:1; 3:12). This made them particularly susceptible to the renewed persecutions that were coming upon them (12:4-12), and the author found it necessary to check the downward spiral with ‘the word of exhortation’ (13:22).”

[from The Wilkinson and Boa Bible Handbook, pp.455-6]

“Many Jewish believers, having stepped out of Judaism into Christianity, wanted to reverse their course in order to escape persecution by their countrymen.” [Ibid. p.453]

With this background addressed, we can see that this letter was written at a crucial time to encourage new Christians who had been dispersed from Jerusalem to various parts of the surrounding environment. The persecution was growing intense and they were suffering!

The unknown author of this letter is deeply concerned and dedicated to encourage these New Testament Christians. The author seems well-acquainted with the degree and nature of their suffering and wants to encourage them not to give up, but to persevere in their faith in Jesus!

The author writes:

Remember those days in the past when you first learned the truth. You had a hard struggle with many sufferings, but you continued strong. Sometimes you were hurt and attacked before crowds of people, and sometimes you shared with those who were being treated that way. You helped the prisoners. You even had joy when all that you owned was taken from you, because you knew you had something better and more lasting.   [Hebrews 10:32-34 NCV]

That last line [printed in bold letters] stopped me!

I found myself wondering:

If all I owned was taken from me because I was a Christian,

would I have joy because I knew I had something better and more lasting?

It didn’t take me long to produce an answer.

No. I would be overwhelmed with feelings of injustice, shock, despair and sorrow. I would be looking for some recourse that might restore what was rightfully mine! I would be angry! I would probably be feeling sorry for myself. I can’t imagine myself being joyful in the face of losing everything that I owned!

I would need an intervention! I would need someone – like the author of Hebrews – to give me a strong, direct, corrective word!

I would need to be told:

• God sees you, Hal, and is on your side!
• The Lord will provide!
• He will make a way where there seems to be no way!
• The Lord is your shepherd – you shall not want…
• Put your trust in Him and He will deliver you.
• God is good – all the time!

I would need to be reminded that my true reward will come in Heaven! I would desperately need to recall the truth I’ve known and taught: that something better and more lasting waits for me in Heaven!

I would very much need to hear the author of Hebrews’ very next words:

So do not lose the courage you had in the past, which has a great reward. You must hold on, so you can do what God wants and receive what he has promised. For in a very short time,

“The One who is coming will come

and will not be delayed.

Those who are right with me

will live by faith.

But if they turn back with fear,

I will not be pleased with them.” Habakkuk 2:3–4

But we are not those who turn back and are lost. We are people who have faith and are saved.

[Hebrews 10:35-39 NCV]

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TWO THOUGHTS BEFORE WE CLOSE

1.    It could happen!

I’m writing this on the morning after a 23-year-old gunman shot through the windows of a Catholic Church in Minneapolis killing two young children and wounding seventeen others!

Our culture is disintegrating!

The decades-long-assault on the family has produced a generation of youth who are angry. They were not prized and loved. They were not taught and nurtured. Love, honor and hope were not modeled for them. Guardrails were not in place! In many instances, they raised themselves and each other. And we reap what we’ve sown!

As a parallel, the influence of the Church has been waning for decades! The fact that this shooting took place while the victims were attending a mass, screams disdain and disregard for Christianity!

One could easily postulate that the magnitude of these problems will not be solved by an election or a political party.

If this sentiment continues to grow unrestrained and unchanged, we could eventually see the day when we would suffer the same losses as the people that the author of Hebrews was writing to in the first century – just 2,000 years later!

 2.    The hardest thing for us to do!

We live in the here-and-now, but someday we hope to live in the there-and-then!

The here-and-now is real to us! The there-and-then seems ethereal and imaginative. We struggle to think of a place that could go on for all eternity!  It’s one thing to say that we believe our loved ones have gone to Heaven, but where is it? What is it really like? What is life there like? Will we be bored? Will it be like being in church forever? Will I worship non-stop? Will it be a fun place? Will there be humor? Will I be able to travel the universe? Will we eat there? Will my former pets be there? Will I have a body?

So many questions and so few answers.

And yet most of us believe in Heaven – at least to some extent. We may not know specifics, but we do believe there will be ‘something more’.

Perhaps we should invest a bit more in a study of Heaven and its assurances? If it’s all true, then I’ll be there FAR LONGER THAN I’LL BE HERE!

___________________________________

LORD GOD: Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

I want to be faithful to You!

I believe Your Word!

I have accepted You as my Lord!

I’m trying to live my life to honor You!

There is a war going on!

Evil is real and rampant!

It impacts me daily.

I must continually choose You and Your way.

It’s not always easy.

Temptation is real!

I’m not always strong.

I falter and fail.

But You are faithful to forgive!

You always hear my prayers of confession.

Your restore me again and again.

You have many ways of protecting me.

I want to be so committed to You that if I lost everything I own,

I would still choose to be faithful to You and to trust in You!

I want to think of myself in the words of the ‘rock pioneer’, Larry Norman, who sang:

“I’m only visiting this planet!”

I am already a citizen of Heaven!

I read in Philippians 3:20-21

“…our homeland is in heaven, and we are waiting for our Savior, 

the Lord Jesus Christ, to come from heaven. 

By his power to rule all things,

he will change our humble bodies and make them like his own glorious body."

Help me to be more heavenly-minded, Lord!

Help me to look forward to it with anticipation and not to lament those who have left this life after living faithfully for You. Rather, help me to humbly rejoice that they are enjoying You, people, and experiences that I can only long for and try to imagine!

And may I continually remember that none of the things that are so precious to me here will make it through to Heaven! So, I probably ought to worry far less about my possessions. Right?

Amen!

LAUNCHIG YOUNG ADULTS

Our granddaughter, Rylie, has begun college classes. Our niece, Ellie, starts attending classes today. It's that time of the year! Many young people are entering a whole new environment this week! They're far more vulnerable than most of them realize.

I entered college at this same time in 1969. After having lived with my brother [and his family] for the summer, I headed for Roberts Wesleyan College near Rochester, New York. My parents brought my stuff from home and helped me move in. It surely must have been a big day for them, too, especially since I was the last of four to leave their home!

But RWC is a Christian college in the tradition that I was raised in. It was a safe environment with lots of excellent role models, curfews, and other guard rails to help us make wise decisions. 

OH, there were those who went drinking on weekends. We were free to pursue the things that fascinated us. Lots of couples formed early in that process. Friendships began to align and 'college life' became our new focus.

I had been raised well and had already received my 'call' into the ministry. This was important to me and helped me to stay anchored. I chose not to align myself with the other 'ministerial' students. They quickly found one another and formed alliances that held them together through their college career. But I was more eclectic in forming friendships. Several of my roommates lived lifestyles radically different than mine. That created some tension, but not so much as to be a major problem. 

My early-rising to read the Bible was a challenge to my first roommate, John-from-Long-Island! He was unmerciful in dealing with me, telling others that his roommate was the Apostle Paul. I learned to get up quietly, grab my Bible and notebook and head for the freezing-cold kitchen to have my devotions. To my surprise, when some others discovered that I was doing this, they decided to join me. It turned into an early morning Bible study!

I became very active in our class. Debbie and I represented our class in the Homecoming events of that first year. I became the chaplain of the chorale. At the end of the year, I was elected to be the 'Religious Life Director' for our sophomore year. I recruited a team to help me lay plans and manage the funding that was available to us. We had a great year of stellar events and had a ton of fun doing it!

The college provided lots of activities to keep us busy. There was little need to go outside of the college for entertainment or fun. 

I went to church every Sunday. I was drafted at Pearce Memorial Church [the campus church] to teach a Sunday School class for young-teen boys! The youth pastor recruited me to help him plan events for the church and community youth! I learned a lot from him (and also the one who followed him). 

________________________________

However, many who are going to college today won't have the same safety zone that I enjoyed. They will be subject to:

• sexual predators
• radical ideology
• rigid classroom formats that may be unfriendly to their way-of-thinking
• cultural mores that are significantly adverse to their home environments
• the typical temptation to have fun instead of focusing on their studies
• open environments that invite experimentation with sexual activity, drugs, alcohol, etc.

However, even in these environments there will be some safe zones. There will be other Christian students on campus. When/if they find one another, support systems can be formed. Campus ministries are also often available as a resource to students.

But the main resource for these new students will be their family! Parents need to stay connected by:

• praying for their young people daily and asking for God's protection for them
• asking how things are going
• receiving and responding to grade report periods
• supporting events that are open to parents
• talking with them about what they are learning and how they are being challenged
• asking them occasionally how they are doing spiritually

This is NOT a time to release your kids! Remember that their brain will not be fully formed until they reach the age of approximately 26. They are still very much in a formative stage of development. 

Protect the massive investment that you've made over the last eighteen years! Your influence isn't finished yet! Stay involved! In most cases, you're paying the bill for this education that your child is receiving. Hold them accountable. Be proactive! Check up on them regularly! 

You've established a foundation for their lives! Don't let some friends or professors build inappropriately on that foundation! Protect it! Stay involved. Let YOUR voice continue to be heard and respected. All of this can be done without inhibiting their sense of freedom and independence! 

You want them to grow and develop independence - of course! However, you want them to do so in an environment that has guard-rails! You are part of the guard-rails! 

God bless you as you launch your child into adulthood!

A Boost for the Youth Group!

I've mentioned in many blogs the fact that I was raised in a home where the Sabbath was rather strictly observed.

• no games
• no TV [till later - my dad decided that after evening church it was ok. I'll bet my mom didn't agree with that decision.]
• no playing outside [A few times I recall my dad taking me out to play catch in the front yard. I'm confident that my mom was NOT happy about that!]
• eventually, they did let me ride my bike
• attended Sunday School, Morning Worship, Youth group and the Evening Service.

My mom had been raised in the Scottish Presbyterian tradition. For those who are familiar with the 1981 movie, Chariots of Fire, telling the story of how Eric Liddell refused to run his 1924 Olympics race because it was scheduled on a Sunday  -  this is the tradition that my mother was from.

My dad worked at Townsend Company [mostly in Fallston] for 48 years. Through that long period, he rarely was scheduled to work on Sundays. Even though he resisted, there were a few times that he didn't have a choice and had to submit.

When I became a teenager, I must have overheard a conversation between my parents where they discussed what they would do with my dad's income from a recent Sunday of work. I learned that when he worked on a Sunday, he gave all of his income for that day to the church.

Well, becoming aware of this gave me an idea. Our church youth group was raising funds for a special project. I so wish I could remember what it was, but it was something that we were excited about.

I approached my dad and asked if he would consider giving his Sunday pay to the youth group's project. He - in typical fashion - told me that he'd think about it and talk with my mom. 

In the end, they decided to submit to my request and our project got a bit of a boost as a result!

______________________________

 

Here's some 21st century humor for you to consider. I know from later conversations that my dad never made big wages working at Townsend. I know this because after Debbie and I were married, I excitedly told him about a recent raise I had gotten while working part time at UPS in Lexington, Kentucky. When I told him that I would now be making $4.70/hour, I noticed his lack of excitement.

Being sensitive to him and desiring his approval, I later questioned him about his lack of zeal over my raise. That's when he told me that he'd never made $4.70/hour! I was humbled. This conversation probably took place around 1974.

Factoring this in, I'm guessing that the youth group back around 1967, probably received a gift of approximately $24. 

Last week Debbie and I spent $24 on a meal at Hot Heads!  Perspective is everything!

THE LILIES OF THE FIELD

About eight years ago, while visiting our daughter in Connecticut, we - with her encouragement - dug up some wild lilies and brought them home to western Pennsylvania. I immediately planted them on our bank where they have prospered ever since! For several weeks in June and July they show forth their beautiful colors and bring us a great deal of pleasure!

In my retirement, Gabe and I pretty regularly take a morning ride together in my truck. We travel the back roads of our community - sometimes running an errand while we're out. It's one of the pleasures of this stage of my life.

I frequently stop along the way to take pictures of things that delight or amuse me. Some of these make their way to Facebook.  

I'm often filled with praise for God at the beauty of our world. It might be a sunrise [back when I was a Lyft driver] or sunset. Or the beauty of the snow. Or the colors of fall. Or a tree with character. Or the beauty of the wildflowers!

It's usually that last one! 😊 I frequently marvel that God has planned things so carefully for our enjoyment. From early spring through the summer and into the fall, there are a continual array of lilies and flowering plants that simply grow wild along our roads and in our fields. When one begins to die out, another rises up to take its place! Some are yellow, others red, a few pink, and many orange. Some are tall and wave in the wind. Others grow close to the ground and serve as ground-cover. All reveal a master plan by a Master Designer!

I've tried repeatedly to transplant some of these - with very little success [except the ones from Connecticut]. So, I take daily rides to view and appreciate them. And while driving, I repeatedly give thanks to God for His attention to detail and faithful provision!

Another thing that I frequently thank Him for is the wonder and joy that comes as a result of living in a geographical area that enjoys four nearly equal-in-length seasons of the year. I know that some would argue that winter seems longer than spring, summer and fall - but winter's pleasures of looking out my window while enjoying the warmth of our home is something that I enjoy!

Spring is my favorite season! It shocks me when June arrives and signals the end of the season!  The coming to life of all around us just fills me with excitement and joy! A LOT of yardwork accompanies spring, but so far I've been able to keep up with it! I love days when it hits 60 degrees and I peel off my flannel shirt as I work! 

Summer is my least favorite season. I've always said that my miserable zone begins at 80 degrees and when it gets above 90 - you don't want to be around me! 😰 Summer evokes a deep gratitude in me for the ones who invented air conditioning!  But, I will admit that riding with the windows down and sitting outside till 9:00 PM are pleasures that many of us thoroughly enjoy!

When I was younger, fall was my favorite season. I still love fall. It's great to have to pull out jackets in order to remain comfortable. Outside work is so much more pleasant to do during this season! When I was younger, the smell of burning leaves [we don't seem to do that anymore] was a favorite for me. It was an annual job that my dad put me in charge of at our home on Brighton Heights! It was my preferred time for backpacking and I've spent weeks in the woods hiking different trails - just me and God!

There are many expressions of appreciation for nature in God's Word. I've chosen Psalm 8, taken from the almost unrecognizable version: The Message Bible.

God, brilliant Lord,

yours is a household name.

Nursing infants gurgle choruses about you;

toddlers shout the songs

That drown out enemy talk,

and silence atheist babble.

I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous,

your handmade sky-jewelry,

Moon and stars mounted in their settings.

Then I look at my micro-self and wonder,

Why do you bother with us?

Why take a second look our way?

Yet we’ve so narrowly missed being gods,

bright with Eden’s dawn light.

You put us in charge of your handcrafted world,

repeated to us your Genesis-charge,

Made us stewards of sheep and cattle,

even animals out in the wild,

Birds flying and fish swimming,

whales singing in the ocean deeps.

God, brilliant Lord,

your name echoes around the world.

ABUSING GRACE - GUILTY!

We used to call it backsliding. That term comforted us because it made it seem like it was something that happened outside of our will and decision. That was, of course, never the case! We just don’t like to take responsibility for our missteps! Such a kind word – missteps. It doesn’t sound bad at all. We’ were just walking along and suddenly – we misstepped!

It was an accident! We didn’t mean to do it! It just sort of happened.

But, in reality, it was an act of our will! We can use all the user-friendly language we want to make it sound innocuous – but it was sheer rebellion in most cases.

I knew what I was doing! Sometimes I even thought it through so thoroughly that I knew I was defying God, but – after all – I could always seek His forgiveness and kick in the I John 1:9 caveat! [Paraphrase: If I confess my sin, He is faithful and just and will forgive my sin and cleanse me from all unrighteousness.]

Voila! I’m clean again! Assured of Heaven!

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For those few of us who can admit that we’ve actually had thought processes like this, what a horrible presumption! How dare we try to 'play' God! Do we think He isn’t aware of this game? Do we think He isn’t all that concerned about our dalliance with sin? [Imagine God saying] “It’s ok, Hal. I see what you’re doing here and it really doesn’t bother Me that you’re playing frivolously with my grace!”

ARE YOU KIDDING?

God doesn’t like it when we play with His grace!

What a great time to reflect on the corruption and fickleness of the Old Testament children of Israel.

Their unfaithfulness and persistent rebellion is notorious!  Remember that God eventually had His own Temple destroyed by the Babylonians and watched as His people were carried away to Babylon – where they resided for the next seventy years!  All this took place after years of warnings from God’s prophets!

This is the whole story of the Old Testament: a rebellious people whose story ended without any authentic resolution! Their sinfulness triggered the end of the Old Covenant and revealed the need for a New Covenant!

But we think we can repeat the behavior of the Israelites and God will be okay with that!

_____________________________________

We know this! God loves and rewards FAITHFULNESS!

That’s why He was so pleased with Noah, Abraham and Sarah, Joseph, Moses, David [despite his well-known flaws], Samuel, and a whole host of prophets – even including some kings of Judah!

God is looking for those who will be faithful – not those who manipulate His grace!

Why not just stop it? Stop what?

How about this sin – repent, sin – repent, sin – repent, sin – repent pattern that has dominated your adult life for far too long!

Lay a firm foundation!

Consecrate yourself to a commitment!

Change your patterns!

Resolve to be God’s man or woman!

Conquer sin instead of playing with it!

It likely begins with a prayer like the following:

Kind and gracious God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

I’ve abused Your grace!

I’ve done it over and over – beyond counting!

It’s become a pattern in my life!

I know this displeases You!

I’m sorry!

Genuinely sorry!

But today – You’ve gotten my attention!

I want to be done with this atrocious behavior.

I don’t want to plan to sin…

or deliberately abuse Your wonderful grace!

I want to be an example of faithfulness.

I want to please You!

I know that I’ll always need forgiveness.

All of us do!

But I want to stop these thought-through,

fully aware of what I am doing,

playful flirtations with SIN!

I’ve disappointed You!

I’ve hurt You!

I’ve tried to use You!

I can do better.

I want to do better.

I plan to do better,

Though Your grace and help!

May my life and light shine for You!

AMEN! 

"Oh No!" I sinned, but I didn't intend to!

Part of my reading for this morning was Hebrews 9. It's a lengthy chapter and - to be honest - I fell asleep four or five times while reading it. Needless to say, it is NOT an exciting chapter. It compares the 'Old Covenant' to the 'New Covenant', comparing their similarities and noting their significant differences. Don't get me wrong, it's essential truth and vital for the established believer to understand; however, it is not action-oriented or memorable.

HOWEVER, there is always something new to be observed or learned - right?

While talking about the 'Old Covenant' the author writes:

But only the high priest could go into the second room, and he did that only once a year. He could never enter the inner room without taking blood with him, which he offered to God for himself and for sins the people did without knowing they did them. 

[All quotes from the NCV unless otherwise noted.]

Did you catch it?

The high priest entered the inner room [the Holy Place] only once a year and when he did so, he offered God blood to cover his own sins and the sins the people did without knowing they did them.

God had covered all of the bases - even in the 'Old Covenant'.  

God knew the weaknesses of humanity. He knew that people would end up sinning inadvertently. He knew that they would mindlessly, without thinking, unintentionally, while distracted and on automatic-pilot - say, do or think things that would be displeasing to Him!

So - once-a-year, God provided for a way to cover sins that fell in this category! Imagine the general feeling of relief felt by the people on the Day of Atonement! A clean slate!

_______________________________________

But, what about those of us who live under the 'New Covenant'?

Have similar provisions been made for our unintentional, mindless sins?

There is much that could be said on this topic, but let me try to distill some basic truth.

1. First and foremost is the reality of the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life!

In John 16:8-11, Jesus teaches that part of the Holy Spirit’s role is to convict the world of sin.

I Corinthians 3:16 says, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” [NKJV].  Therefore, believers have the Holy Spirit living within them!

So, when we sin inadvertently, the Holy Spirit – living within us – is able to immediately make us aware that we have violated God’s holy ways.

That’s when we fall back on the believer’s bar of soap:

I John 1:9 [NIV]

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins

and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

This describes what many Christ-followers have come to refer to as ‘walking with God’! He is always with us – no matter where we are! His grace is available to us 24/7!!!!!!

But, theologians believe there is even more…

2.    They use a theological term to describe it – Prevenient Grace!

It has been put forward by many noted theologians, but has become a hallmark of Wesleyan theology. Simply put, it is considered the grace that goes before!

I have friends that would be far abler to describe this in deep terms, but I’ll try to give a simple explanation:

It represents a firm belief in the prevalence of God’s grace!  Consequently, His grace is so persistent that it even goes before us!

One example would be the discussion about the age of accountability. At what point does a child become responsible for his/her sin? And, if there is an age when they do become accountable for their sin, what about the sins they commit before they reach that age?

I don’t care to discuss these questions here, but simply use them to give us a basis for understanding prevenient grace!

The grace that goes before [prevenient grace] is a way of understanding how God can accept a child who sins without knowing fully or understanding fully that it is displeasing to God!  It is a manifold expression of the goodness and kindness of God! 

If we can accept this plausible situation, then it is also a small step for us to believe that God’s marvelous grace also may go before us in cases of inadvertent sins! 

These might be represented as times when our guard is down, when we’re overly weary and depleted, when we’re depressed, when we’re remarkably stressed, etc., etc..

Is it so hard to believe that our amazing God would care so much for us that He would create a special provision for those who follow Him closely and seriously?

Is it a stretch to think that – out of His great love for us – He would create a caveat of grace that would go before us to secure our commitment of faithfulness to Him?

The fourth verse of the most famous hymn of all time [Amazing Grace] seems to speak of this kind of grace:

The Lord has promised good to me,
his word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.

It seems perfectly fitting to me that the depths of His measureless grace are so designed to go ahead of His most committed and faithful followers to protect them from the effects of incidental sins.

If He made provision for them in His ‘Old Covenant’, wouldn’t He likewise make provision for them in His ‘New Covenant’?

_______________________________ 

Kind and Gracious God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

Thank You for manifesting Your amazing, marvelous, generous, free, abundant, prevenient, wonderful, matchless grace!

How like You to make such a provision for us!

We don’t want to take advantage of Your grace!

However, we are SO THANKFUL for it!

Where would we be without it?

We don’t deserve it – we’re well aware of that!

It is clearly a gift You provide for us as a result of Your benevolence and love!

Our part seems to be two-fold:

First to be grateful for Your provision!

Second, to not take unhealthy advantage of Your provision!

Help us in both of these areas, Gracious God –

That we might honor Your purposes and enter into Your eternal rewards!

AMEN.

CAN THERE BE A SAD DAY IN HEAVEN?

I have been struck with what must have been a horribly sad day in Heaven. [Give me a little literary license here - I'm aware that Heaven is a place of eternal joy! 🙂]

I've been on 'pause' for several days trying to assimilate the content of II Kings 17. This chapter records the end of Israel - the northern kingdom [later known as Samaria]. God had warned them for years that He would raise up an army from the north [Assyria] to utterly destroy them. Their rebellion finally pushed God to the limit [720 B.C.] and Assyria's King Shalmaneser came in with force and defeated Israel He deported many of the people to distant lands while importing people-groups from far distant areas to repopulate the land of Israel. [Read the chapter for remarkable details.] 

[Consult yesterday's blog for a recap: https://hal-lelujah.blogspot.com/2025/08/learning-from-samaritans.html]

This project of God's had begun with creation and progressed through the development of a special people through Abraham and Sarah. He gave them laws through Moses to maintain their priorities and focus. While allowing for free choice, God tried to cultivate a people who would love and serve Him and be a spiritual influence on their entire world. 

Even during difficult trials - like the 400 years in Egypt - God gave them leaders like Joseph and Moses to guide and provide! Gradually, His plan unfolded and God introduced them to the long-promised land of Canaan. God gave them victory over the inhabitants of Canaan and the twelve tribes eventually overcame the native population and divided the land between the twelve tribes. 

But, in spite of God's command to worship only Him, the people worshipped the gods of the Canaanites. When confronted with their profligate spiritual practices, they asked God for a king - an earthly ruler. Then came a succession of kings:

• Saul
• David
• Solomon
• Rehoboam

We have to pause here to recognize that Solomon began with an apparent determination to be faithful to God - like his father, David. However, his wives [700 wives and 300 slave women] distracted him and had him build temples to their gods. 

Upon Solomon's death, his son, Rehoboam, became king. He was young and foolish [read his story in I Kings 12]. A man named Jeroboam turned the hearts of many of the tribes of Israel against Rehoboam. These tribes refused to serve Rehoboam! They made Jeroboam their king! This was the initial separation of Israel into the northern kingdom [Israel - later Samaria] and the southern kingdom [Judah or Judea]. Jeroboam was as notoriously evil as David was righteous! [For more details about his rule and reputation see: https://hal-lelujah.blogspot.com/2025/02/unrealized-potential.html]

Samaria's die was cast by these historical events and would culminate with its utter destruction less than a hundred years later with Shalmanezer's seige of Samaria!

Judea would unfortunately follow in Samaria's pattern of disobedience and rebellion. Judea fell to the Babylonians a little over a hundred years later in 587 B.C. Both countries were decimated and abandoned except for a few who were left to tend the land. Judea's captivity had been declared by God through many prophets who promised that they would be held captive for seventy years! 

Ezra and Nehemiah - at the end of the 70 years - led some of their people back to the land of Judea with hopes of rebuilding the city and temple. This was due to God's grace exhibited through the Persian ruler Cyrus who granted the refugees permission and funding to return to their land and rebuild their temple! [See Ezra 1:1-4]

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Have you ever worked really hard on a project, but when it was all finished - you were not satisfied? Somehow, it just didn't turn out the way you had planned. All the investment of time, creativity and money produced something that fell short of your expectations!

Imagine God's disappointment when His grand human experiment totally failed and He had to send His people into exile as punishment for their chronic disobedience. Imagine His sorrow in seeing the magnificent temple that Solomon had built for His worship - being totally decimated! 

COULD IT HAVE BEEN A SAD DAY IN HEAVEN? 

My nephew, Zac Calhoun, taught this year at Family Camp. He reminded us that when Solomon dedicated the temple he had built, "a cloud filled the Temple of the LORD. The priests could not continue their work, because the Temple was filled with the glory of God." [I Kings 8:10-11] He then reminded us that when Ezra and Nehemiah rebuilt the temple after the seventy years in Babylon [Ezra 6:13-18], there was no similar indication that God had accepted the Temple! [His reasoning for this point was sound and convincing!]

It is apparent that God had the longer view in mind!

He foresaw the arrival of His Son, Jesus! He anticipated the initiation of a new covenant that would be consummated on the Day of Pentecost when "something like flames of fire...stood over each person there" [Acts 2:3]. This sign - like the sign given Solomon - signified God's approval!

May His divine approval continue to rest on those who are wholly dedicated to Him and His purposes! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! AMEN!

LEARNING FROM THE SAMARITANS

I tend to get drawn into huge searches that result from my Bible reading. This one began as I read II Kings 17 recently. 

It tells of the Assyrian king, Shalmanezer coming to obliterate Samaria because its last king, Hoshea, had ceased paying tribute and had sought an alliance with the king of Egypt. 

The attack on Samaria lasted three years with the simple statement that Shalmanezer "...took the Israelites away to Assyria. He settled them in Halah, in Gozan on the Habor River, and in the cities of the Medes" [v.6].  This took place in 720 B.C.

[All quotes are from the NCV, unless otherwise noted]

This was a common strategy for the Assyrians. To reduce the likelihood of a rebellion, they removed the majority of inhabitants of conquered lands to far off places while replacing them with refugees from other parts of their empire. 

As a result, many Samaritans were displaced to the above mentioned locations which were far distant from their homeland [see also II Kings 18:11-12].

• The location of Halah is unknown, but suspected to have been in the territory of the Medes [2,000 miles to the east]!
• Gozan was an Assyrian city several hundred miles to the northeast.
• The cities of the Medes would have been far distant to the east where the culture would have been drastically different.

At the same time, The king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim and put them in the cities of Samaria to replace the Israelites [v.24].

• Babylon was a thousand miles to the southeast of Samaria.
• Cuthah would have been in Babylon.
• The location of Avva is uncertain, but suspected to be several hundred miles north in Aramean or Hittite regions.
• Hamath was a region to the extreme north - due east of Turkey.
• Sepharvaim was in Assyrian/Babylon region [very close to modern-day Baghdad].

_____________________________

All of this may seem irrelevant, but it vividly portrays the utter desolation of Samaria because of its spiritual corruption. God was done with their rebellious ways and made it impossible for them to ever recover!

This devastating displacement and replacement also gives us a foundation for understanding the deep hatred that Judeans had for Samaritans. After all, the 'new breed of Samaritans' were - at best - half-breeds [pagans].  It is assumed that NOT ALL Samaritans were relocated.

In light of all this, we can better understand the shock of Jesus' disciples when He led them into Samaria and engaged them in evangelism with the woman at the well and the people of Sychar [John 4]!  

We can only imagine the shocked and revolting reaction of Jesus' disciples and the crowd that witnessed Jesus telling the story of 'The Good Samaritan' [Luke 10:25-37]. 

When the disciples began to understand that Jesus had every intention of saving the Samaritans along with the Jews, they had to have been stretched beyond imagination by this realization!

_____________________________

What a message of reconciliation this is for the modern-day church!  

He did not come for just us! He came for all! John 3:16 makes this abundantly clear!

It leaves compelling and convicting questions for us to cope with:

• Why are our churches almost exclusively segregated?
• How are we to overcome our natural proclivity for seeking company that is similar to us?
• How can we hold prejudice in our hearts and claim to love Jesus and serve His purposes?
• Why is the Church not leading in the areas of reconciliation and forgiveness?
• If we could have a face-to-face talk with Jesus, what long-held animosities would He lay His finger on in our lives?
• What allows us to think of ourselves as 'chosen' while disregarding the eternal destiny of others?

The Samaritan issue is far more relevant than most of us have ever considered!

A THOUGHTFUL AND INTELLIGENT ASSESSMENT

One of the most challenging things I read each month is Hillsdale College’s Imprimis. It is intellectually stimulating and culturally relevant.  I don’t pretend to understand everything I read there, but isn’t that the nature of a challenge? 

The edition I just read [July/August 2025/Volume 54, Number 7/8] did not miss the mark. It was an encapsulation of the recent 2025 Commencement Address delivered by Victor Davis Hanson [who many of us see occasionally making contributions on the various conservative news networks].

His introductory remarks were warm, personal and real, as he reflected on his first visit to Hillsdale College in 2004. He reflected on three observations made during that visit:

1.   He left a bicycle unlocked on campus overnight and found it the next morning neither vandalized or stolen.

2.   While visiting the campus bookstore he noticed no therapeutic course titles like peace studies, environmental studies, leisure studies, film studies, gender studies, or sexual studies. Instead, there were courses in all classical aspects of philosophy, literature, languages, history, mathematics, and science.

3.   Upon arriving he observed that students, faculty, and staff at Hillsdale College are happy. “They smile. They say hello to strangers. They shake your hand.”

I will not replicate his remarks – except a few that particularly struck me. He challenged the graduating class with corresponding points about honor, tradition and optimism.

I underlined the following:

“When individual behavior and decorum falter, so does a country, which is, after all, only the common reflection of millions of its individuals.” [p.3]

Immediately thoughts of violence, looting and destroying property leaped to the foreground of my memory. Thoughts about the unsympathetic exchanges between our two political parties and the angry tirades we watch on the floor of our Congress disturbed my mind.

Granted, those who propagate these vehement expressions of anger and discontent are a minority, however, they inevitably taint the bigger picture of our COUNTRY! 

The fact that these exchanges take place as frequently as they do mars the good reflection that we desire!

I also took note of Dr. Hanson’s words regarding tradition:

“So often in the present age, we in our narcissism and arrogance confuse our technical and material successes with automatic moral progress. We seem unaware that thinkers of the past – as early as the Greek poet Hesiod, some 2,700 years ago – worried about just the opposite: they worried that material progress and greater wealth would result in moral regress, given the greater opportunities to gratify the appetites with perceived fewer consequences and to use sophistry to excuse the sin.”

 

[I had to look it up: sophistry means slightly deceptive reasoning.]

Would anyone argue this point? Has moral behavior been improved by our material gain and technological prowess?

I don’t think so.

Cite the diminishing impact and influence of the church in America as a consequence of our wealth and sophistication. It’s a good question for debate: Does the declining influence of the church correspond to the increase of immorality? What do you think?

However, Dr. Hanson deliberately closes his remarks “on a happy note”. He looks to the generation he is addressing in this speech for optimism. He states that “the strength of this country - even in its darkest days like those of April 12, 1861 [the Battle of Fort Sumpter], or December 7, 1941 [the attack on Pearl Harbor] or September 11, 2001 as evidence that even in its darkest days - has always been its singular ability to remain not just unshaken, but confident in its values, its resilience, and its inherent strength to overcome all challenges.” [p.5]

I’m 73½. 🙂  [I’m remembering George Carlin’s bit that states when you reach a certain age, you start counting ‘half-years’ again!]

In short – I’m an old guy. Although I’m still aware of the contributions of Abraham, Moses, Samuel and quite a number of older folks who made major contributions to history [His story]. I’m also aware that our president is 79 years of age – and sets a pace that few can sustain.

However, the future will be more likely impacted by a new and younger generation. Let’s hope and pray that those who cherish values like faith, freedom and respect will lead us into a future that protects those of all ages, finds creative and fair solutions to the complex issues of the global community, and propagates democracy as a preferred system of government. 

PART OF WHY WE GATHER

I'm quote-filing this morning after reading several books recently. I just typed this in after reading it in Michael W. Smith's book, a simple blessing.

When we continually expose our minds to the standards of the culture, those standards begin to seep into our lives. The fatal change comes so gradually that, like the frog in the kettle, we don’t even notice it. First we are no longer shocked by evil. Then we become accustomed to it. Then we tolerate it. Then it’s only a tiny step to accept it as normal.  [p.76]

It immediately occurred to me that this is one of the key reasons that we get together for worship every week!

Through the course of the week we are inundated with the impact of massive and consistent cultural change! Many of us are realizing that we can't keep up with it. It's overwhelming. We may despair over the way younger generations seem to adapt and adopt trends that we are wary of.

Debbie and I love watching good dramas on television, but so often they are beyond what we consider acceptable. If you would examine our television, you would find a host of TV series and movies that we watched for five or ten minutes and then bailed out! This is because we ran into language, sexual situations, violence or moral issues that conflict with the values that we hold as precious. So, we move on...

The internet is an 'out-of-control' issue for people today. It provides a measure of anonymity and voyeurism that is high-risk for anyone who wants to maintain godly standards and behavior! Strict controls and accountability are necessary to maintain appropriate viewing patterns!

Just watching the news can fill a person with despair! 

But before this disintegrates into a "Woe is me! - the sky is falling" diatribe, let's make a right turn.

It occurred to me - as I typed this quote into my file - that one of the reasons we meet together regularly as believers in Jesus, is to serve as a correction for this onslaught of corruption and vulgarity. 

We meet to refocus!

We meet to confess our failures.

We meet to assess our spiritual vigor.

We meet to hold one another accountable.

We meet to remind ourselves of that which is good and holy!

We meet to be challenged to stay faithful and serve as a role model for the culture.

And if we're serious about our involvement, we are likely to be rewarded by the One Who forgives, cleanses and restores our souls!

It serves as a righting of that which is wrong! 

...a clarification of our intention.

...a renewal of determination.

...a reminder of decisions we've made.

...a sharing of responsibility for those who are part of our worshiping community.

...a statement of unity with a global community.

...a submission to divine Love

[This list could go on...]

We need this! We desperately need this! There are no 'lone rangers' in the Bible! Community is essential to maintaining commitment and promises! Wise men seek accountability; I suppose wise women do the same. 

Leaders and pastors who plan worship need to review this aspect of Sunday worship and be purposeful in structuring the time to accommodate these needs. 

The structure of our worship tends to prohibit engagement. We all sit facing the front. There are only a few people who could name everyone in the sanctuary. Most of our participation is a response to directions given from those on the platform. We may - or may not - connect with people before or after worship. 

In my last novel, Never Unreachable, a retired couple are invited to attend a 'house-church' that meets in a home. He immediately meets guys from the community that he knows from the hardware store, or school days, or the gas station. He loves the fact that food is always available and you can grab some when you want it. The atmosphere is casual. The leaders sit close - on the same level. New people are introduced and welcomed. There's ample time, before the structured time begins, for people to mingle, share stories, get acquainted and establish a comfort zone. He is surprised to find that he actually looks forward to Sundays!

I digress...

We need help to diffuse the pervasive impact of the ever-changing culture in our lives! 

Participating in worship can provide that help by reminding us of the standards that we revere and the fact that we are part of a community of faith that extends around the globe!

SIN OPENS DOORS [to more sin]

Follow the progression of this trail:

Acts 7:58 [All quotes from the NCV unless otherwise noted]

They took Stephen out of the city and began to throw stones at him to kill him. And those who told lies against Stephen left their coats with a young man named Saul.

Acts 8:1

Saul agreed that the killing of Stephen was good.

Acts 8:3

Saul was also trying to destroy the church, going from house to house, dragging out men and women and putting them in jail.

Acts 9:1,2

In Jerusalem Saul was still threatening the followers of the Lord by saying he would kill them. So he went to the high priest and asked him to write letters to the synagogues in the city of Damascus. Then if Saul found any followers of Christ's Way, men or women, he would arrest them and bring them back to Jerusalem.

Saul began as a mere observer who was caught up in the raucous behavior of a crowd. Like any young man, his curiosity was peaked. Then, as a bystander, he became the protector of the coats of those who were killing Stephen! 

It's a subtle progression, that moved him from 'observer' to 'participant'! Somewhere in this role change Saul decided that he was in agreement with the acts of violence that these men were perpetrating! That's a BIG STEP!

There are some missing steps in Saul's progression at this point, but apparently not much time passed. Did he begin to associate with some of these violent men? Was he noticed by some of the leaders of this mob?

All we know is that the next verse tells us that Saul had begun to destroy the church. He did so via a vigorous campaign that portrays him as going from house to house. Notice the description of violence: "dragging out men and women and putting them in jail!!

I clearly recall being taught in one of my college classes the correlation between Acts 1:8 and 8:1.

Acts 1:8

But when the Holy Spirit comes to you, you will receive power. You will be my witnesses

in Jerusalem, in all of Judea, in Samaria, and in every part of the world."

Acts 8:1

On that day the church of Jerusalem began to be persecuted, and all the believers, except the apostles, were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria."

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THREE OBSERVATIONS

1. The subtlety of sin and its progression in our lives.
2. God's persistence in getting through to us!
3. What the enemy intends for evil, God can turn into good!

THE SUBTLETY OF SIN

One of the most clever tactics of our spiritual enemy is to persuade us that the sin we're about to engage in is not significant.

Put it in the same category with 'white lies'. It won't really make a difference in the grand scheme of things.  It won't hurt anybody. No one will ever know! 

In essence, you are being tempted to compromise!

Giving in to the process of compromise is a slippery slope! 

Once you've begun to compromise, the temptation to compromise becomes more and more compelling! 

• "Well, you did it yesterday. Why not do it today?"
• "It's a small thing! No one will notice."
• "You deserve a little pleasure in your life! Go ahead and do it!"
• "God doesn't really keep track of every little sin. Go ahead and live a little!"
• "Just do it! You can confess it later!"

And within three short verses, Saul went from holding coats to dragging Christians from their homes!

It can happen to you! It has happened to you! We can NOT afford to compromise! Write that down on the flyleaf of your mind!

THE HOUND OF HEAVEN!

God's love for you is persistent! 

"The Lord is...patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance."  I Peter 3:9 [NASB]

When one of His sheep gets lost, He goes and searches for it!

When we have given in to sin, we immediately begin to sense God's displeasure! We begin to lose our joy! Guilt bears down on us. We lose that connection with God! Disorder begins to characterize our lives! 

If we're observant, we will see that God is reaching out to us and calling us to repentance! He wants us back in a right relationship with Him! He wants to use us for His glorious purposes!

If we allow Him,

"He restores my soul;

He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake."

[Psalm 23:3  NASB]

That inner peace is renewed in our lives! We know that we are back in a right relationship with our Lord! 

GOD REDEEMS US AND USES US FOR HIS PURPOSES!

Our amazing God took the zealous persecutor of Christians and appointed him as Judas' replacement among the Twelve!

No one saw this one coming! The original apostles were slow to accept Saul/Paul! They were afraid of him! They were suspicious of his intent! After all, this was the man who - almost single handedly - caused the Christians in Jerusalem to flee the city!

God will do the same in you - if you'll allow Him! 

Once cleansed, He will position you for influence! People will see the change in your life and will follow in your footsteps! They will want the peace, joy and assurance that you exhibit! 

Your spiritual impact will be magnified and your fruitfulness will be noticeable!

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Can God still do this? Is He still redeeming lives for His purposes?

ABSOLUTELY!

I recently re-read a book by Chuck Colson. He was President Nixon's 'hatchetman'. His intelligence and strategic manipulation was infamous! 

And yet - great was his fall!

From advisor to the president of the United States to the penitentiary!  In this evolution, a friend reached out to Colson with words of faith and encouragement. He was given a copy of C. S. Lewis' book, Mere Christianity. After reading it, he humbled himself and became a follower of Christ.

Colson never gave up on the 'down-and-outers'. He founded 'Prison Fellowship' which still reaches out to prisoners around the world with the transforming message of Christ! Colson rose to a new level of influence among the Christian community because of his brilliant mind and outspoken leadership! 

In the 20th century, God took another Saul and turned him into a dynamic and effective Paul!

He is able, more than able,
To accomplish what concerns me today.
He is able, more than able,
To handle anything that comes my way.
He is able, more than able,
To do much more than I could ever dream.
He is able, more than able,
To make me what He wants me to be.

Back in the 1980's, I was a big fan of the television program, HILL STREET BLUES. In almost every episode, Sergeant Phil Esterhaus ended the roll call by saying:

"All right, that's it. Let's roll.

And Hey! Let's be careful out there!"

It's equally important for us TO BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!

"Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

But resist him, firm in your faith,...

the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself

perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.!"

[I Peter 3:9-10 NASB]