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Thursday, October 16, 2014 DeWitt Era-Enterprise • dewitt-ee.com
FAITH & RELIGION A THOUGHT
By Michael P. Daniel “The Lord spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho, saying, ‘Speak to the children of Israel and say to them, When you have crossed the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, destroy all their engraved stones, destroy all their molded images, and demolish all their high places … but if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall be that those whom you let remain shall be irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land where you dwell. Moreover it shall be that I will do to you as I thought to do to them’.” Numbers 33:50-52, 5556 NKJV Often even the most devoted Christian can have difficulties with certain stories in Torah, particularly those stories in which Israel is commanded to destroy everything – and everyone. We cannot begin to imagine the blood baths that may have actually taken place and how each warrior may have felt in faithfully executing his duties. It is even more problematic when each account is taken literally, when we are then prevented from getting anything useful from such passages as applicable to ourselves and our lives now. I get that some Christian traditions dismiss the First Testament altogether as irrelevant (even as they are often quick to quote “eye for an eye”), but our United Methodist tradition does not allow us to walk away so easily – especially from such difficult passages. These passages are made even more difficult when we consider that what is unfolding in the Middle East by the hands of the Islamic State comes eerily close to matching what we read; like locusts, they are devouring everything and everyone in their path. It does not matter whether they are right or wrong in what they do; it is the reality the world currently faces and must contend with. Consider this, however; the Koran also contains some equally problematic passages often cited by outsiders who try to disprove the idea that Islam is a “peaceful religion”. The brutality of the Islamic State – and the hatefulness of Westboro Baptist Church – are what happens when we read the words in the Scriptures but fail to engage the Spirit in reading. Israel had been enslaved 400 years and they had only come together as a nation, as an army, as a people, during the latter part of their 40-year journey to the Promised Land. It
would not do for them to be confronted with Canaanite cultural and religious practices lest they be tempted away from the God of Israel and His Torah. So every speck of their religion and their practices had to be put away and destroyed. Otherwise there would always be that “irritant”, that remnant of what must be driven out. Failing to destroy everything and drive out everyone would be the risk of subjecting Israel to even the slightest temptation we know all too well: that which is once tolerated will soon be embraced. There are some things – and persons – we cannot literally destroy or drive out, but there are many things – and persons - we must consider to be legitimate threats to our faith and the wellbeing of our families and our churches, our communities of faith. Some may seem harmless; but the point of putting these things away from our presence and our thoughts is not about how strong we may be. We must always consider what may be a “stumbling block” for others. If we do not protect them from these temptations, who will? So it is not entirely about literally destroying everything we deem offensive; it may be more about what we must do to protect the “little ones” of the faith so they are not drawn away from the One True God. This takes prayer, fasting, and serious consideration of everything we encounter and then measuring it according to what is written in the Scriptures. Once we determine for ourselves it is not so bad, however, we leave that door open to others who may not share the strength of our convictions, our devotion to prayer and fasting, and our spiritual capacity to walk away. We must not act impulsively according to our social sensibilities, however. Jesus warns that there are some things so powerful that can only be confronted with prayer and fasting. These must therefore become our own spiritual practices before we consider any sort of social “crusade” in the name of The Lord. In our faithfulness and by His Word, we will be given what we need. So we take heart that while we are defenders of the Gospel itself by our baptism, much more is expected of us than to simply curse or attempt to destroy those things and persons we do not like. It is not our impulse or instinct being called forth; it is our faithfulness in obedience and our care for others. This is who we really are in Christ. Blessings, Michael
We would like to thank Dr. Maxwell and the nurses at the DeWitt Hosptial for their care and concern during our Mother’s stay. A special thank you to the DeWitt Nusing Home staff and nurses for their care andl love during her stay there, as well as thanks to the special friends she made while there. Finally, thank you to family and friends who visited during our mother’s stay in the nursing home, it really meant a lot in difficult times
The Family of Helen Bell
“Enough Already” By Tom Smith
Purple penguins? Believe it or not, that’s what a P.C. (politically correct) school system in Lincoln, Nebraska is wanting to start calling their boys and girls. It seems they’re wanting to make their classrooms “gender-inclusive,” which really stems from a fear of offending any who might be transgender or homosexual/lesbian. When questioned by the local newspaper, school officials said “The agenda we’re promoting is to help all kids succeed. We have kids who come to us with a whole variety of circumstances and we need to equitably serve all kinds.” Fair enough. But, call them “purple penguins?!?” Ridiculous. Absolutely absurd. And, instead of asking the students to line up as boys or girls, teachers have been encouraged to segregate the children by whether or not they prefer skateboards or bikes, milk or juice. Again, unbelievable! The handout which they’re distributing to the teachers comes from a group known as Gender Spectrum, which has a website that “provides education, training and support to help create a gender-sensitive and inclusive environment for children of all ages.” The document is full of all sorts of advice on how to reeducate teachers and children on avoiding offense by using the “b-word” or “g-word.” You think I’m kidding, don’t you? If you don’t believe me, go to their website (www.genderspectrum.org) and read it for yourself. Dear Reader, I don’t know about you, but it’s time to say “Enough already” to all of this nonsense that’s permeating our society. Like a bullfrog in a pan of water where the heat’s slowly being turned up, we’ve sat idly by and said nothing while our views-and-values have been slowly changed and eroding. I grew up in a time (the Dark Ages some
Saint Olive Missionary Baptist Church Church 1864 - 2014 Celebrating Her One Hundred-Fifty Year of Existence Sunday, October 19, 2014 2:30 p.m.
Theme: Praising the Lord for 150 years! Scripture: Praise the Lord! Praise God in His Temple! Praise His Strength in Heaven!
All are invited!
Psalm 150
Dinner will be served.
today would call it) when you were seen and not heard. . .said “Yes, Sir” and “No Ma’am”. . .where boys played with army toys and girls played with dolls. Our heroes were Tarzan, Superman, John Wayne, Ward Cleaver, the Lone Ranger, Timmy’s dad in “Lassie,” etc. We worked hard on the farm, picking and chopping cotton, hauling hay, etc., while sometimes making little or nothing. I even ate dirt a few times and drank water out of an unfiltered rice well after a long day in the field. And, I didn’t turn out too badly. So, it’s time to say “Enough is enough” and tell these “enlightened” educators to back off. There’s still a place in our literature for “Jack and Jill went up a hill” and crosses as war memorials in public places. Let those who want to reshape the world in their image go find a commune somewhere and be much-to-do-aboutnothing as they wax eloquently on their distorted view of life. But, not at our children’s expense. They’re still boys and girls, not purple penguins. So, back off, misguided educators and get back to teaching that 2+2=4 and life’s not always fair or just. Bring back a grading system where students either pass or fail. Some of the hardest lessons I learned were in school and on the playground; but, it didn’t destroy me. Instead, it helped shape my character, v ie ws-and-va lues that prepared me for the real world. So, back to the basics. Let’s once again become a God-fearing nation that cherishes those God-given values that made us great. The hour is late, but not too late. May God give us the courage to do what’s right while there’s still time. (NOTE: If you’d like to contact Bro. Tom or receive his daily e-mail devotional, entitled “Morning Manna,” you can write him at P.O. Box 10614, Fort Smith, AR 72917 or e-mail him at pressingon@hotmail.com).
The Lutheran Churches of South Arkansas County Invite You To Worship:
St. Luke Lutheran St. Paul Lutheran Church Church
903 E. 2nd St.-DeWitt Corner of 2nd & RoseGillett 548-2554 946-2312 Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Sunday Worship Sunday Worship 9:00 a.m. 10:45 a.m.
Where Jesus Christ Is Always Present In Word and Sacrament Pastor Chad Philipp
Bro. Dennis Ingle Pastor Jason Burke Assc. Pastor/ Youth Minister Perry Simpson Music
Schedule of Services Sunday School...................9:45 A.M. Morning Worship..............10:45 A.M. Evening Service..................6:00 P.M. Adult Bible Study Tues.......6:00 P.M. Teen Bible Study Wed........6:00 P.M. AWANA Wed..................6:00 P.M.
Unity
DeWitt Era Enterprise
946-3933
Missionary Baptist Church 4th & Harrison, DeWitt, AR (870) 946-1390