Are We Doomed by Our Environment?

            According to a recent survey taken by a community action group, Warren should be placed on “suicide watch.” The mindset of people’s attitudes toward the city was measured, indicating a collective mood reflecting that of someone “in despair, with no reason to live.” Such a conclusion is no surprise when viewing run down neighborhoods, and the ever-increasing menace of criminal activity. We can only pray for Doug Franklin, our new Mayor, that he will use his office to “tighten the screws” of law enforcement, and to echelon the community leadership to bring law-breakers to justice.

            Criminals need their day in court, but so do victims and their families. The justice system needs to hold firm and move swiftly. The rest of us in the City also need a reassurance of safety and protection. Those who do the crime must know unquestionably that they will “do the time.”

            Unfortunately, the crack-down of law is only peripheral, at best. Prisons get criminals off the street, but they are not able to change their hearts. That’s an issue relating to the home, where root problems hopefully are addressed, before they bear evil “fruit.” This remedy must begin with young families, where the parents are committed to lovingly training their children. This might take another generation to accomplish, but it’s time to get started.   

            Wasn’t it a thrill to witness the recent, extraordinary performance of Mario Manningham in the Super Bowl? This Warren native who plays for the NY Giants, made one spectacular catch that changed the game’s momentum. Behind that one catch, however, was years of determination and discipline. While not knowing his family, I have to believe that he was encouraged and mentored by those around him, including his church. I’m sure he had to work through personal struggle and failure; but, in the long run, he made some life-changing decisions, which were not thwarted by a “hopeless, mentally distraught” city environment.     

            While marriages are crumbling, it cannot be denied that strong families are basic in developing young people. Communities are comprised of individuals, and apart from upright, stalwart, compassionate, people, there’s no positive impact on society.

            Remember when parents and school teachers were on the same team? Love and respect were taught at home, and then carried into the classroom. Most discipline problems were solved effectively and quickly through one phone call. The teacher was always right. Parents actually lined up with “junior’s” teacher, then dealt with the little culprit accordingly. In fact, to get in trouble at school, meant getting in trouble at home. The legal term is “double jeopardy,” and that “ain’t fair! Nevertheless, this was an intricate part of the educational process.                    

            The great need today is not “sex education” in the classroom, but “love education” at home. Parents must set the example for unconditional, self-sacrificing love for each other. But this is a challenge, in light of the illicit sexual assault on our homes by the media, which confuses lust with love. This has paid a toll on our society.

            Lust is self-centered, saying, “I can’t wait to get.”  On the other hand, love is selfless, saying, “I can wait to give.” Sex is a sacred gift for marriage and procreation. To mistake lust for love, can only lead to untold grief and hardship.

            Money can buy a house, but can never buy a home. As parents, we need to exemplify selfless love to our children, regardless where we are financially or geographically. I have a plaque in my office that says, “The greatest gift a father can give to his children is to love their mother.” Well said.

            Our home is our castle, where we decide our own destiny. We must determine that the surrounding environment will not dictate our future; rather let us build bridges for others who are close behind us.

A Case for Spiritual Heart-Burn

            Fire is a wonderful thing, especially when harnessed to produce positive results. My home furnace makes a cold winter day a pleasure, as long as the fire is contained. However, that same fire out of control would burn the house down. Even the sun’s “fire” is essential to life on earth; yet we’re told that if the sun were one mile closer to earth, we would burn to a crisp; if one mile farther out, we would freeze to death. How wonderful is God’s ingenious balance!

            What about “heart-burn?” Many suffer from this digestive malady, which pains in the heart area. I’ve been thankful for “Tums” or other anti-acids during those times of discomfort. There’s also the issue of the wicked heart burning with lust, which can only be remedied by redeeming grace. But then there’s a condition in the believer’s life that could be called “spiritual heart-burn.” Is there not such a thing as having our hearts “burning” for Christ and His Word?

            I’m reminded of an episode in Luke’s gospel, where Jesus encountered two men on the road to Emmaus. Having been just resurrected, He engages them in conversation, but they have no idea who He is. They are taken back by Christ’s “ignorance” as to the recent events in Jerusalem. They commence to lecture Him regarding the facts, while He cunningly listens.

            When their narrative is finished, Jesus responds by rebuking their failure to believe the prophets who spoke of Messiah’s suffering for sin. Whereupon, Jesus, “Beginning at Moses and all the prophets…expounded unto them in all the Scriptures, the things concerning himself.” (Lk. 24:27)

            They didn’t understand at this point, because their spiritual eyes had been “shut” (vs. 16). There they were, walking with the Christ of God and had no clue! That soon changed, however, when they invited Jesus to lodge with them. At the evening meal, He took bread and blessed it, and gave it to them. At that moment, their “eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.” (vs.31)

            Then Luke records their classic response: “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures?” (vs.32) Not able to recognize the Living Christ before, now with open eyes, they are enthralled by this newly-found revelation of Him.

            It’s important to notice how Jesus reveals Himself here. He “talked” with them, “while He opened…the Scriptures.” He didn’t just say, “Look at Me, I’m the Messiah!” Instead, He revealed Himself by expounding the prophetic Scriptures of the Old Testament. Yes, He spoke to them through His Word. That method has never changed---it’s exactly what he does today

             If we want to know who Christ is, it’s essential to devour His Word, the Bible. The only thing we know about Jesus Christ is what the infallible Word of God reveals. In addition, we must have the illuminating grace of the Holy Spirit. Spiritual eyesight and insight still comes only through the Savior Himself. Thus, David prayed: “Open thou mine eyes, that I might behold wondrous things out of thy Law.”

            What resulted from such knowledge and spiritual sight?  Yes, a good case of “heart burn!” These two disciples were radically moved to proclaim the “Good News,” out of the overflow of their burning hearts. They had been set on fire! Thankfully, we can still experience such “rekindling” or revival of heart in this challenging day.

            Another similar example is the Prophet Jeremiah’s bout with depression. In the midst of severe suffering, he accuses the Lord of “deceiving him.” (Jer. 20:7) He didn’t anticipate such persecution in serving the Lord, who had called him. In his disillusionment, he declares that he will not again “make mention” of the Lord, “nor speak any more in his name.” In other words, he told God, “I’m not preaching any more---I quit!” Then something exciting happens in his soul:

            “But His (God’s) word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay (hold back).” (20:9)

            The prophet’s determination to quit becomes a wearisome task; his desire to stop preaching is overcome by the insatiable fire of God’s word, burning in his heart! His depressed mind is once again delivered by the renewed revelation of Truth. He testifies, as the men on the Emmaus road, that his heart is burning with the word of God, and he cannot refrain from “letting it rip!”

            So it goes when we’re intimately touched with the “fiery” Word of God. O, that we who follow Christ could experience such love for Him and His written Truth. Indeed, the Church today needs an epidemic of spiritual “heart-burn!”

            If you’re reading this account, and have never been savingly joined to Christ, wouldn’t this be the time to seek Him? “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (Jno.3:16)

            Receive Him as your Lord and Savior, and let Him give you a new heart (nature) that beats for God. The Word, the Bible, will begin to make sense; also, it will kindle a flame of devotion and purpose in your spirit that will never end.