Wesley Autrey was minding his own business as he prepared to take his two girls, 4 and 6, home on a New York Subway. There he saw a young college student in trouble having a seizure. That's when he jumped to action. It eventually took him jumping down onto the tracks, pulling the young man into the trough between the rails and laying on top of him while a train rolled over them while his young daughters watched from the platform along with dozens of other gaping New Yorkers.
Both were saved from serious injury and Wesley Autrey is a hero in eyes of a young man, New York City and now the world (as he told his story on national TV last night and this morning on Good Morning America.) But what he said about himself and his actions spoke volumes. He said what he did was what he expected all New Yorkers should do, show mercy to their neighbors. Okay, he didn't say it exactly like that, but that's what he was saying. That if more people would act like that, the world would be a different place.
And it takes a 50 year old construction worker from New York to tell us that?
We can always use more heroes like Wesley Autrey. They inspire us, give us warm feelings of hope for humanity, make us believe that we are not all that bad. Even in NYC amazing acts of kindness and mercy take place every day. (although not quite with the same fanfare!) But they happen. But then again, do we really need more heroes?
As I read the scriptures I find that if the people of God just obeyed God's ways of living then stories like Wesley's become less sensational and what makes the news is when someone fails to show mercy, stands and watches, doesn't help or care. It's pretty clear which one is the more common behavior.
"If you see your fellow's donkey or ox injured along the road, don't look the other way. Help him get it up and on its way." (Deut. 22:4, Msg)
Heroes are just people who give of their lives in ways that others wish that they could. Heroes are stand ins so that we don't have to. Heroes are people who give live they way we should! It's the God-obedient life lived out, which means...
...You're supposed to be a hero! And so am I.
It's what God wants from us and how to show God's mercy to a world just waiting for a hero...
...you!
Peace ><>
pc
Friday, January 05, 2007
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Flying Axeheads and other acts of mercy
God is paying attention!
He's left nothing to chance, no details left out. In every circumstance we might find ourselves in, God is ready with an answer, poised and ready to help protect the innocent and convict the guilty. God has established a method, a law, to create and build a community of peace and harmony.
Just watch out for flying axeheads and violent neighbors!
Yes, God is paying attention, making sure that even those who hurt or kill someone accidentally can find refuge in one of the cities of refuge. These are those towns set aside as asylum in any case of involuntary manslaughter. It's here that they are free from conviction (but only if innocent or accident) and from retribution. (Deuteronomy 19:1-7)
Asylum cities say something about God (his protection and care, mercy and forgiveness), but they also say something about us. I find it interesting that they were necessary to protect the innocent, but also to protect the rest of us. These towns, because of their very nature, kept families from seeking that eye for an eye, tooth for tooth that the law demanded for the guilty. And sometimes it's hard for the rest of us to decide who's innocent and who's guilty! (because of our passion, our opinion, our link to the injured, etc.) We don't have asylum cities today, but maybe we should. They might keep some of us from committing even greater crimes against humanity and against God! (They might even protect us from the wrongful death civil lawsuits that costs society way too much money!)
It's really about mercy (and community building). God is making sure that this community built around Israel and as an influence to the rest of the world functions as God's community. And at the same time, reveals the very nature of God. Yes, the laws are helping Israel to be formed into a God-natured society and it includes in a large part, mercy. And as the story of God unfolds we discover that this mercy is not only for the innocent, or for the victims, but also for the guilty! God's mercy is complete and he continues to be a refuge for anyone who will run to Him!
Fortunately I've never been struck with a flying axehead! I'm sure it would not be pleasant and that it would make fine fodder for horror films. (and of course if I had, I probably wouldn't be writing this right now!) But even if it's our flying axehead, God's watching out for us, waiting to grant us mercy and a place of safety in his arms. It's who God is...
...and what God expects of us!
Peace ><>
pc
He's left nothing to chance, no details left out. In every circumstance we might find ourselves in, God is ready with an answer, poised and ready to help protect the innocent and convict the guilty. God has established a method, a law, to create and build a community of peace and harmony.
Just watch out for flying axeheads and violent neighbors!
Yes, God is paying attention, making sure that even those who hurt or kill someone accidentally can find refuge in one of the cities of refuge. These are those towns set aside as asylum in any case of involuntary manslaughter. It's here that they are free from conviction (but only if innocent or accident) and from retribution. (Deuteronomy 19:1-7)
Asylum cities say something about God (his protection and care, mercy and forgiveness), but they also say something about us. I find it interesting that they were necessary to protect the innocent, but also to protect the rest of us. These towns, because of their very nature, kept families from seeking that eye for an eye, tooth for tooth that the law demanded for the guilty. And sometimes it's hard for the rest of us to decide who's innocent and who's guilty! (because of our passion, our opinion, our link to the injured, etc.) We don't have asylum cities today, but maybe we should. They might keep some of us from committing even greater crimes against humanity and against God! (They might even protect us from the wrongful death civil lawsuits that costs society way too much money!)
It's really about mercy (and community building). God is making sure that this community built around Israel and as an influence to the rest of the world functions as God's community. And at the same time, reveals the very nature of God. Yes, the laws are helping Israel to be formed into a God-natured society and it includes in a large part, mercy. And as the story of God unfolds we discover that this mercy is not only for the innocent, or for the victims, but also for the guilty! God's mercy is complete and he continues to be a refuge for anyone who will run to Him!
Fortunately I've never been struck with a flying axehead! I'm sure it would not be pleasant and that it would make fine fodder for horror films. (and of course if I had, I probably wouldn't be writing this right now!) But even if it's our flying axehead, God's watching out for us, waiting to grant us mercy and a place of safety in his arms. It's who God is...
...and what God expects of us!
Peace ><>
pc
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Idol Thoughts
The workd in which we live has changed over the centuries. But these changes are not as broad as we generally think. The greatest changes to our world are the way in which we govern and technology which has changed they way we travel, and communicate. Not much else has changed. We are still a people who are looking for meaning in life, for satisfaction from life, for the continuation of life after this one. And while there has been major shifts in theology (not just Christian) over these centuries, we are still asking the same questions and making the same mistakes.
One of the main things we struggle with is our understanding of the Divine, God. It is not uncommon to do the very thing God has asked us not to do, to make God in our image instead of recognizing that we are made in the image of God! In other words, we create God and the ways to approach and worship God (i.e. religion) according to our own wants and desires, especially out of our own needs. Now it may seem that this is all so selfish, which it is, but it is also done naturally and even humbly, simply trying to find the "right" god and the "right" way to communicate with God.
But that's the danger.
It's when we begin to question our own faith, the Bible, our Judaic history and look elsewhere for answers (i.e. Islam, Buddha, Hinduism, Wicca, Astrology, Mediums, etc.) that we move away from the worship of God to the worship of other gods. And it's not always a clearly marked detour! In fact, it's not until we get way down the path that we find ourselves lost and confused. (sounds like a good sermon series doesn't it?)
God warned us about this long ago.
One of the reasons I ask people to read the Bible and to attend small group studies (and bring their Bible to worship) is to understand this Christian faith and the very things God has taught us about who He is. Because knowing our faith and practicing it will keep us from straying away. Misunderstanding the faith will keep us drifting from one teaching to another, not knowing which is right.
I believe we all have the same goal which is to live in obedience to God. We're seeking and teaching the best ways to do just that. What we have to do is steer clear of any obstacle and idol that stands in our way of this goal. Other gods cannot give us anything, only God who has given us the best and only ways of obedient living.
"Obediently listen to God, your God. Keep all his commands that I am giving you today. Do the right thing in the eyes of God, your God." (Deut. 13:18, Msg)
This pleases God and satisfies the soul!
Peace ><>
pc
One of the main things we struggle with is our understanding of the Divine, God. It is not uncommon to do the very thing God has asked us not to do, to make God in our image instead of recognizing that we are made in the image of God! In other words, we create God and the ways to approach and worship God (i.e. religion) according to our own wants and desires, especially out of our own needs. Now it may seem that this is all so selfish, which it is, but it is also done naturally and even humbly, simply trying to find the "right" god and the "right" way to communicate with God.
But that's the danger.
It's when we begin to question our own faith, the Bible, our Judaic history and look elsewhere for answers (i.e. Islam, Buddha, Hinduism, Wicca, Astrology, Mediums, etc.) that we move away from the worship of God to the worship of other gods. And it's not always a clearly marked detour! In fact, it's not until we get way down the path that we find ourselves lost and confused. (sounds like a good sermon series doesn't it?)
God warned us about this long ago.
One of the reasons I ask people to read the Bible and to attend small group studies (and bring their Bible to worship) is to understand this Christian faith and the very things God has taught us about who He is. Because knowing our faith and practicing it will keep us from straying away. Misunderstanding the faith will keep us drifting from one teaching to another, not knowing which is right.
I believe we all have the same goal which is to live in obedience to God. We're seeking and teaching the best ways to do just that. What we have to do is steer clear of any obstacle and idol that stands in our way of this goal. Other gods cannot give us anything, only God who has given us the best and only ways of obedient living.
"Obediently listen to God, your God. Keep all his commands that I am giving you today. Do the right thing in the eyes of God, your God." (Deut. 13:18, Msg)
This pleases God and satisfies the soul!
Peace ><>
pc
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Hiatus
If you've checked this blog over the past couple of weeks, you have noticed that I've kinda' been on hiatus. It was not intentional, at least not all of it. I simply found myself much busier than truly necessary and one of the victims of that busyness was this devotional. Whether you missed it or not, I sure have missed not sharing it.
Our Bible Reading Schedule is on track to read the Bible in a year and is now updated to the right. I promise it will be from now on.
And if you want to study with our church, check out the Route 66 resource site (mycofs.blogspot.com).
It's a new year, a time to start fresh, to make promises we intend to keep, to begin anew. We are forgiven for our past and God is ready to take us into this new year. So let's grab God by the hand and journey together!
Peace ><>
pc
Our Bible Reading Schedule is on track to read the Bible in a year and is now updated to the right. I promise it will be from now on.
And if you want to study with our church, check out the Route 66 resource site (mycofs.blogspot.com).
It's a new year, a time to start fresh, to make promises we intend to keep, to begin anew. We are forgiven for our past and God is ready to take us into this new year. So let's grab God by the hand and journey together!
Peace ><>
pc
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