A Prayer for Gunning Meanies

So, obviously, gun control is in the public forum - again.  And, while I certainly have an opinion on the matter, I don't really plan on weighing in on that particular debate at this time.  What I do want to address, however, is a disturbing attitude I'm seeing displayed by various people on various forms of social media.  It's the call for Congress to do something.  The phrase being thrown around with this, though, is the disturbing part:  Congress needs to offer more than prayers, they need to do something that works.

The obvious implication is that prayer is ineffective, and therefore pointless.  The less obvious implication is that it is up to us to take control of our destinies, it is up to us to do God's job.  And that is a terrifying assertion to make, because history has shown us that anytime we attempt to usurp power from God, it doesn't end well for us. In fact, it was usurping power that resulted in the Fall of man:

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the animals the LORD God had made.  He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"

The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, 'You must not eat from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'"

"You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman.  "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good from evil" (Genesis 3:4-5, emphasis mine).  

Notice that Satan's temptation wasn't that the fruit tasted good, or looked good, or was full of anti-oxidants.  Satan's temptation was, "God is lying, so take His place."  In other words, God is ineffective, so do something about it. So while I understand the confusion over guns, and I certainly understand the pain and horror of what we keep seeing in the media, to try to take the place of God is dangerous.  And, frankly, Satanic.

So what's the alternative?  Well, there are two steps we need to take.  The first step, I should warn you, is really, really hard.

It's stop fretting about what to do with the "issue."  Instead, we are to be still and know that He is God.

God is our refuge and our strength, 
     an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
     and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam 
     and the mountains quake with their surging. . . .

Come and see what the LORD has done,
     the desolations He has brought upon the earth.
He makes wars cease
     to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
     He burns the shields with fire.
He says, "Be still and know that I am God;
     I will be exalted among the nations,
     I will be exalted in the earth." 

The LORD Almighty is with us;
     the God of Jacob is our fortress (Psalm 46:1-3; 8-11).

Romans 8:28 reminds us that God works all thing for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.  The underlying theme, here, is that God has these situations, even when we don't think He does.  Now, we can get into destiny versus chance, and whatnot, but I don't think it really matters.  On the one hand, perhaps all of these things really are part of God's plan.  In that case, as confusing and difficult as that is to comprehend, if it's part of His plan, then He's got it.  If, on the other hand, we are to take Romans 8:28 quite literally and assume that these things aren't planned by God, we still have the assurance that He will take these events and work them for His glory.  So either way, He is in control because He is either causing them to happen, or He is allowing them, and will make them into something far more grand than we could ever imagine.   Either way, He's still God.

Of course, to be still and know that is not always easy., which, I think, is why that sentiment is repeated so often throughout the pages of Scripture.  If we ground ourselves in the Word and are obedient in sharing His Gospel, though, then we will find it much easier to abide in His sovereign power.  And, speaking of obedience, that is the second step we can take.

Because no government law will stop evil.  No regulations will stop evil.  Guns aren't the problem - murder is.  And murder isn't even the problem - sin is.  The willful taking of a human life who has done you no harm, whether you take ten lives with a gun, or one life with a rock (see Genesis 4), is simply a byproduct of sin, and the only thing that can eradicate sin is Jesus.  He came, lived, died, and rose again so that we no longer need to sin.  The only way anyone has any hope of being reborn into a Spirit-filled life of obedience to God is through Jesus.  And how will anyone know about Jesus if we don't tell them?  Because even if we successfully remove murder from society, people are still going to Hell.

So we may fret and worry about everything we see on the news, but that doesn't change the Mission that Jesus left us before He ascended:  "And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).  We may debate about the "fix," but may we never, ever accuse God of being apathetic.  And may we never, ever forget that "the LORD has set apart the godly for Himself; the LORD will hear when [we] call to Him" (Psalm 4:3).  Even if it doesn't look like it now.

    

Seasoned Green Beans

This is a quick and easy recipe for those of you who don't cook much.  My family (including my pre-schooler) love these.  Yeah . . . my three-year-old doesn't eat green beans, but she'll eat these.

1-2 lbs. frozen (or fresh) green beans  1t dried thyme
2t butter                                              1t dried rosemary
1 clove garlic, minced                          1/2t dried sage
1t dried parsley

1) Steam green beans on stove, approximately 10 minutes.
2) Melt butter in small skillet; saute garlic until lightly brown, about 3 minutes
3) Add herbs, stirring until fragrant, about 1 minute
4) Add green beans; stir until coated.