"My People Perish ..." can you complete the Bible verse?

[This was sent to a youth group at my church for them to contemplate.]

Following is a true story.

If you have done any serious TV watching over the past year, you will have seen a commercial about a place called Camp Lejeune. It is a sad story. (Information below derived from several postings by local governments, veterans' groups, the Bladder Cancer Society, et. al.)

From the 1950s through the 1980s, people – Marines, their families, contract employees, visiting military, etc. living or working/regularly visiting the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Lejeune, North Carolina, were potentially exposed to and/or poisoned by contaminated drinking water. The water contaminants were toxic: industrial solvents, benzene, and other chemicals. Benzene is a colorless volatile liquid hydrocarbon present in coal tar and petroleum, and used in chemical synthesis, i.e., causing or producing a chemical reaction. An example of that is the combination of sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) to produce sodium chloride (NaCl). Its use as a solvent has been reduced because it was discovered later to contain carcinogenic or cancer-causing properties that could prove mortally compromising if breathed in, ingested, or absorbed through the skin. However, in the 1950s through the 1980s in Lejeune, North Carolina, persons were ignorant of this and other toxins that had entered into the eating and drinking environment and sources: the water used for making urns and urns of coffee, making pots and pots of tea, making pitchers full of lemonade or iced tea; of boiling vegetables and meat in, of making baby formulas with. Over a period of 30-plus years. There is a saying that you may have heard before – “ignorance is bliss”, but for the hundreds, if not thousands of persons ingesting or otherwise exposed to the Camp’s water, bliss was not in their future.

The impact of the toxins was not immediate; but over the course of time, large numbers of persons connected to the military were presenting with differing cancers and conditions: bladder cancer, breast cancer, esophageal cancer, kidney cancer, different blood cancers – including leukemia and aplastic anemia, lung cancers, liver cancer, lymphoma, female infertility, Parkinson’s disease, and more. It has not been officially confirmed when the military ‘discovered’ this disastrous situation (it has been reported that it only became aware of the issue in 1985), but when research into the commonalities of the patients over the course of decades came to light, people who were still alive or who had relatives and friends who had succumbed to the cancers they had contracted as a result of the poisoned waters, were stunned. How many survived is unknown, but the number of deaths and the amount of suffering caused by the poisoning were monumental.

Can you imagine – all of those people were walking around with ‘time bombs’ in their bodies because they did not know. Friends and families consoling each other through years of pain and suffering - theirs and others who spent time at the base. They did not know that the water was poisoned. They did not know that the cause of their cancers and other fatal health issues was caused by drinking the same water that they took their medicines with that were supposed to combat the cancers growing in their bodies. They suffered and died because they did not know. The dead people will not be able to be compensated – no money will bring them back. No successful court battle will take away the years of pain and suffering. They died not knowing why.

As I said, this is a true story, and so very sad. Its ramifications are still being felt. Families who had members who lived and died during the 1960s through present will never be able to reconcile the inconceivable idea that their beloved were poisoned in the course of their work. So, one may say, “that is sad – but I didn’t have any relatives or know anybody who had that experience.”

That is quite true – you may not have had anyone with whom you share DNA or was a family friend who suffered as a result of the poisoned water. But that is not the point of this story.

Can you figure out what is the point, and what it has to do with the partial quote in the subject line? Will anyone be able to figure it out?

Results will be posted in a few days. 

Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health
Question 2: Are You Governed Increasingly by God’s Word?*

The author begins by quoting Scottish theologian Thomas Chalmers: “The sum and substance of the preparation needed for a coming eternity is that you believe what the Bible tells you and do what the Bible bids you.” Do we believe that? Following are other probing questions covered in the book and Scripture sources:

-        Do we consider the Bible the single most valuable item on earth?
      (Psalm 12:6; Psalm 19:7-10; Psalm 119:72) Why or why not?

-        Do we suffer from a famine of God’s Word in our lives? The Holy Spirit describes the Bible as “water” (Ephesians 5:26) and food (Jeremiah 15:16). Followers of Christ believe what He believes: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (see Matthew 4:1-11) Interestingly, Jesus was speaking to someone who ironically knows the Bible better than a lot of churchgoers! If God’s Word was created to nourish us, then “eating it”, becoming filled with it is essential.

-        Do we believe the Bible to be the true Word of God? If we dare to call ourselves Christians, then we follow Jesus Christ in His beliefs, words, and actions. See what Jesus says about Holy Scripture – John 17:17; Matthew 5:17-18; Luke 4:16-21; John 6:41-51)

-        Do we believe The Bible--God’s Word-- is authoritative, that it trumps culture in any generation?  (1 Peter 1:24-25; John 6:67-69; Psalm 105:8; Psalm 119:89; Psalm 119:160; Psalm 33:11; Romans 1:16-20; Hebrews 4:12)

-        God uses metaphors or figurative phrases to describe His Word; how might these descriptions clue us on the importance of God’s Word the Bible? In addition to those noted above, God describes His Word as: A light (Psalm 119:105); a fire and a tool (Jeremiah 23:29); a weapon and sword (Ephesians 6:17), and seed (Matthew 3:13-23; 1 Peter 1:23); and likens to water (Habakkuk 2:14; Isaiah 55:10-11; Isaiah 11:9)

-        Do we seek out in the Bible God’s will and purpose for our lives? (Matthew 5:20; Psalm 9:10; Psalm 27:8; Exodus 20:1-17; Matthew 7:21-23; Matthew 11:29; Mark 10:17-22; John 5:30; Psalm 40:8; Romans 12:1-2)

-        Do we love God’s Word? (Psalm 119:47,48,97,113,119,127,163)

Scripture speaks of nonChristians as “those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” (2 Thessalonians 2:10) Indifference to God’s Word of truth is a mark of spiritual death. Without guidance by God through His Word, people remain in spiritual darkness – believing anything that ‘sounds’ good, religious, or spiritual (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

For example, can we locate in Scripture the statement quoted by church people and even nonbelievers: “God helps those who help themselves.”

-        If we believe in the authority of God’s Word, is what we are learning being applied, so that there is a change in our thinking and perspective? Do our preferences, moral core align with Scripture? Do we allow God’s Word to override generational culture, so-called “church” culture, societal and/or world culture where they do not intersect with God’s Word?  (Psalm 119:11; Proverbs 2; Colossians 2:2-4; Deuteronomy 12:28; Jeremiah 7:23; John 14:15-24; Romans 6:11-13; 1 John 2:3-5; Galatians 5:13-21; Romans 1:16,18,21-32; Revelation 3:1-6; Revelation 2:18-29; 1 Corinthians 6:9-20; 1 Corinthians 5; Proverbs 19:13,16,18,20-23,27    

-        Does God’s Word shape our prayers? Do we know how to pray God’s Word? (Matthew 6:5-15; Psalm 77; Psalm 42; 1 Thessalonians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 3:10-12 , 5:16-18; Colossians 1:3,9-14; Nehemiah 1; Jude 1:20-21; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Peter 4:7; Mark 11:25; James 5:13-18; Romans 8:26-27)

Lastly, the author suggests meditating on certain areas from a biblical perspective, for example: Church (what it is, attendance, worship inside and outside of, baptism, membership, serving in, giving to, learning in, praying with, fellowship, Lord’s Supper; community of oneness); Discipleship (meditation on Scripture, prayer, evangelism, missions, priorities of schedules, stewardship of “God’s manifold grace,” fasting, silence and solitude, legalism vs. relationship with God); Money (giving, saving, investing, controlling debt, contentment, budgeting, gambling, wasting, not loving it, simplifying with less). Find Scriptures that guide us relative to these disciplines and behaviors, and/or consider certain other areas we individually may have recently been praying about and seek the Bible’s viewpoint on it – locating Scriptures that provide deeper insight and thought.

*The foregoing represents my personal reflections on a study by Dr. Donald S. Whitney, Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health. (2001. By Donald S. Whitney. NAVPRESS. ISBN 978-1-61747-187-2) Quotations and excerpts are from that source, unless otherwise identified. For the 2023 Lenten season I provided these thoughts to my local congregation's Bible study group. The questions are not, however, constrained by a particular liturgical season, holiday, or age group: these are questions every Christian may find useful in fulfilling God's command at 2 Corinthians 13:5, "Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless, indeed, you fail to meet the test!" The church at Corinth looked a lot like many of our churches today.

To All the Saints - A Testimony on the Loss of a Loved One

 

In Facebook I follow the “Listeners of God’s Word” group. Granted, like any group of this 'genre', there is a range of beliefs and nonbeliefs. Although I had been following the group for a while, the crush of work and related activity kept me away from FB a lot so I only saw postings infrequently. This summer as work slowed, I ‘happened’ on a recurring post called “Hannah Grace’s Journey”.

While there are often requests for prayers on this FB group’s page, this story was different, not in its content, but more so in its intent. 

Hannah Grace was born prematurely with multiple issues requiring her to stay in NICU. Admittedly, some of the posts were hard to read, but I read anyway because of her parents’ desire to share this journey with other believers, to commune as it were in prayerful fellowship and share stories similar to hers. I was amazed at how the prayers from me flowed so freely for them, and then remembered that I have been praying similarly for 18 months or longer for another family who suffered loss. I was taken by how the Spirit led my words of encouragement. There were days where Hannah Grace was gaining weight, then others when the weight dropped. She was on the respiratory appliances that kept oxygen flowing; she would have fevers although it was difficult sometimes to actually zero-in on the causes. At least a couple of times she was treated for infections. Still, she was growing right before our eyes. Her parents were able to catch a smile once on camera. 

Bless her -- Hannah Grace was tethered in so many places. Yet, there was the blessing for her to experience the feeling of human closeness and of her Mom’s heartbeat when her parents were able to hold her after the doctors and NICU nurses ok’d it. That blessing went both ways. Her care team was right in there with Hannah Grace during her journey. It takes a special type of person to 'minister' in the capacity that NICU staff does. This team was no different. You could almost hear the cheers go up when Hannah Grace turned a corner and started consistently gaining a bit of weight and breathing well, when she went days without any fevers, and/or had a night of peaceful sleep. There were so many prayers and encouraging words being offered for the family to help them with this hour-by-hour journey in Hannah Grace’s life, and for God’s mercy and will for Hannah Grace. Her parents took many photos - the family also included two slightly older siblings. There were countless numbers of 'Facebook family members' for whom those pictures were most welcomed, touching our hearts, and which spiritually brought us into the same 'space' in which Mom and Dad moved to support, honor, pray, and exchange greetings and messages even though many of us lived hundreds of miles away. For me it was a most unique experience, and I tried hard every day to visit with everyone.

There was at least one doctor about whom the parents wrote (anonymously) who had told them that they should have let Hannah Grace die 'peacefully' after her birth. But it was Hannah Grace herself who 'booed' that suggestion - she was a little fighter. Her parents are strong believers in Christ who, through His merciful grace, learned a new level of love, a new level of trust and faith that they could not have learned otherwise (see Isaiah 45:3), and had the privilege of sharing with their 'extended family' that journey with her in such a loving, respectful, and generous way, even when their hearts were breaking. Sadly, the doctor and some others could not understand this level of love, not even some professing Christians can. But her Mom and Dad understood as they experienced the revelation contained in the Isaiah passage of treasures hidden – kept in a guarded, protected place -- for those who believe and trust God, Who lavished those treasures on them abundantly. What a most Divine and intimate gift from our Father of all mercies! (2 Corinthians 1:3)

Hannah Grace’s earthly journey lasted 100 days. One hundred amazing, unforgettable days. God carried her home to where there is no pain, no crying, no sadness, but only joy and the fullness of the expression of God’s Love. The grace for which she is named was so evident in this journey; it blessed those who were on the journey with her in ways we will always remember because her life and trials remind us that God is still Sovereign, that He is still in control, and that only He can deliver the reality of His words of promise at Romans 8:28. See the note below, written by Hannah Grace's parents below following her celebration of life.

     “…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength. Yet, it was good of you to share in my troubles.” Philippians 4:11-14

‘God is still good! Things that go on in our lives do not change the character of God. He is still good. He is still faithful. He is still powerful. He is still able. God is also all knowing. Sometimes the things He allows in our lives do not seem like His kindness and mercy at the time, but we have to hold onto His unchanging character. He is kind. He is merciful. What He allows has a purpose – we may never know that purpose, but we do not have to know the reason as long as we know Him. God is not changed.

‘I have never longed for heaven as much as my heart yearns for it now. God has not finished his purpose for us yet since He has left us here on Earth. I choose to trust He is still writing this journey, and that His plans are both good and for my good.’

Amen.

p.s. the day before I read the news that Hannah Grace had gone to be with the Lord, I learned that a friend also had completed his earthly journey. God is collecting the saints!

 

 

If Jesus showed up...

If Jesus showed up at your school, house, on your date, recreation place, in your crew, or while you were on your computer, would He like what He saw?

Think about it…cuz He already has…

SCRIPTURE MEDITATION

Psalm 139:1-16

1 Lord, you have examined me
    and know all about me.
² You know when I sit down and when I get up.
    You know my thoughts before I think them.
³ You know where I go and where I lie down.
    You know everything I do.
⁴ Lord, even before I say a word,
    you already know it.
⁵ You are all around me—in front and in back—
    and have put your hand on me.
⁶ Your knowledge is amazing to me;
    it is more than I can understand.

⁷ Where can I go to get away from your Spirit?
    Where can I run from you?
⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there.
    If I lie down in the grave, you are there.
⁹ If I rise with the sun in the east
    and settle in the west beyond the sea,
¹⁰ even there you would guide me.
    With your right hand you would hold me.

¹¹ I could say, “The darkness will hide me.
    Let the light around me turn into night.”
¹² But even the darkness is not dark to you.
    The night is as light as the day;
    darkness and light are the same to you.

¹³ You made my whole being;
    you formed me in my mother’s body.
¹⁴ I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way.
    What you have done is wonderful.
    I know this very well.
¹⁵ You saw my bones being formed
    as I took shape in my mother’s body.
When I was put together there,
¹⁶ you saw my body as it was formed.
All the days planned for me
    were written in your book
    before I was one day old.

Please share.

From the Bucket of "You Know You're a Grandma When"

from the bucket of 'you know you're a grandma when'... I mentioned to the grandkids that I hadn't seen Wizard of Oz in a while. "Ooo" they responded, "can we see it with you?" "Yay!" my heart said knowing I'd get to spend some cool quality time with the young'uns. So we huddle into my work room to all watch it. I'm humming some of the songs. And my grandson is asking questions, and my granddaughte...r is always inquisitive about Judy Garland and wants to know who in the movie is still alive today. So we're all there, and about 1/2 hr into the movie grandson says he has to go fetch something. So we pause the movie until he returns. Then 15 minutes later granddaughter says she'll be right back. So we pause the movie. She returns with her iPod which, after she's reseated herself, she plugs into her ears. My grandson bemoans the fact that his iPod is not charged. He has to go for water or some snack or something. I pause the dvd again. He's back shortly. So the witch has thrown fire at the scare crow, and the tin man is putting it out - you know, the exciting scene before they get close to the Emerald City. Then as they approach the field and are mesmerized by the sights, and the witch says uh unh, and the lion and Dorothy fall down asleep, grandson wants to know what's happening. Granddaughter is bobbing her head up and down listening to her music. Then a short while later - when the flying monkeys arrive, grandson says he has to go fetch something. I didn't pause the dvd this time. Which was just as well, since he didn't return. I think one of his Nick shows was on. Granddaughter did look up every now and then, but the earphones remained firmly plugged in her head. Well, at least she stayed. We remained together through Dorothy's recovery in her own bed, and the infamous "there's no place like home." And as soon as THE END rolled up, granddaughter told me how great it was and glad we could watch it together and rolled out. I now realize why I'm grateful that these modern music videos only last 5 or so minutes because I probably couldn't take much more of those either and would likewise do a bunk on the kiddies. Ahhh, the joys of grandmotherhood!

Are you in THE BOOK?

Dear Friends,

We are in so many listings so that we can be identified and reached by others: Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, to name a few electronic ones. The school and work office keeps you on a list. Social Security Administration has you on a list. Those of you who have ever worked are probably on at least one tax list in the federal or state books. You may be in the White pages in either the hard copy or online version. You may be on a scout list, a birthday list. You may appear on a 'virtual' list should your name be Googled. You and your home may be in a book down at the department of land records or whatever the agency is called. You can probably think of other books and lists that you can be found on.

But, ARE YOU IN THE BOOK?

Do you know what book I mean? We all start out there, but we do not all end up in there. For the answer, you need to read…. Exodus 32:32-33; Psalm 69:28; Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5; Revelation 20:15.

God keeps lists. He is a list-keeping God. Wonder why if He is all knowing and all present? Think about who benefits the most from the lists we mortals keep. Not just the list-generator, but also as those who will view/use the list and the one who’s name is listed.

Ok. All for now.

-jo