In the face of Murder, Abortion, the Gay Lifestyle and imminent death: Be still and know who God is!

I read my Bible to see what men ought to do,  and read my newspapers to see what men are doing - John Newton

Lord renew thy church beginning with me; Lord renew the church that the church may renew the nation - An Anglican  Prayer for the Decade of Evangelism



The big news in my country this week was the tragic  death of young Jamiella Dawkins. A young thirteen year student at Anchovy High School in the Western part of the island, who was stabbed to death by her former friend and schoolmate in full view of other students. And one of whom with ghoulish intent, posted the 'event' on YouTube. At least for a short time as appropriate action was taken very quickly to remove the offending post. But not before it apparently went viral on the smart phones of many teenagers. And so once again a nation was left horrified, outraged and totally confused and discombobulated, and collectively wondering how to stop the rampant evil abroad in the nation. Not even the news that Veronica Campbell Brown had  declared the use of a cream which apparently contained the banned substance found in her urine, prior to the testing,  thus prompting  a member of the IAAF, to place the entire matter in perspective and declare that the offence was a " minor" one, could bring much cheer to an nation rocked to its very core by Jameilla's death. 

The other news which had people talking was the proposed march by some Church Groups,  in support of the Buggery Act, the constitutionality of which  is being challenged by a member of the Gay community. The hearing by the courts is set for this week. In response to which show of support, members of the Gay and Lesbian community declared that they would stage a " counter march". All of this happening in  country which is well known worldwide  for its opposition to the Gay and Lesbian lifestyle, even in the face of not only mounting support in North America and Europe, but attempts being made to influence Jamaica to " change its ways",  or suffer economically and culturally.
Very closely allied to this  " hot button " issue, was the announcement  by the Minister of Youth and Culture, Lisa Hanna, a former Miss World, that  it was time to review the current Abortion Act, which now makes it illegal to  perform such a ' operation'. Especially in the light of what is now the current practice in other jurisdictions.  And the clear evidence of increasing Maternal Mortality associated with " back door"  and illegal abortions, to  which unsafe practice, many women are " forced" to experience, presumably, on account of the law.
Also In this sports mad country, news of the excellent times posted by the American men and women over the short sprints at their trials in Eugene Oregon, which are being held at the same time of our trials here in Kingston Jamaica, have no doubt not gone without notice in my country. That's why Warren Weir's superb time of 19.79 over the 200 metres,  our third place runner in the London Olympics, after Messrs. Bolt and Blake,  just posted minutes ago was so welcome, and must have helped to quiet troubled hearts.
Finally, at the time of writing, the most influential leader in modern times,  former freedom fighter and President of the ANC and of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, have now been placed on a critical list. We continue to pray for his recovery and place him in the hands of the God who has been with him in the darkest days of his life, and who will carry him home, if that is His will.

So what did the Lord say this week in the midst of this kind of controversy, and  evil 'raising its ugly head'  in my country, in various forms; in the midst of 'pressure' from the Americans, and at a time when it may very well be the final days of Madiba's life here on earth?    He organized for me to preach a sermon at my church and say to my people and to an embattled nation, " Be still and know that I am God".

An edited version of the sermon is therefore the core of this week's message. Essentially, the sermon contextualizes  the answers to Jesus' questions to his disciples within the framework of current events in my country. It also references a famous  Old Testament  story, well known by believers and unbelievers alike, and juxtaposes this example of God fighting for His people and telling then be still, with a meditation from Martin Luther King Jnr on The Death of Evil. 
And threading through this instruction from the Lord is a warning to the crowd,  and an encouragement to the disciples, that in the final analysis, after all is said and done, the only thing that matters is complete obedience to God who is Sovereign on this earth. And so we ask God to " plant our feet on higher ground".
The central message in a hymn I first heard sung with Pentecostal fervor by a group  of Methodists, and the words of which hymn has been  in my head all week. 
Also note that  in respect of both the abortion issue and the proposal to overturn the buggery act, I made the point that, adding to the  to the text as I went along,  to sympathize with the needs of a woman faced with the prospects of having an unwanted child is to be commended. And good.  But being obedient to God Almighty is better. Similarly, to be tolerant of the Gay lifestyle is to be commended as we judge no one. But to be obedient to the Word of God that characterizes it as a " perversion" , for which there is a " due penalty", is better. My friend and award winning journalist Ian Boyne,  writing in the In focus section of today's The Daily Gleaner  www.go-jamaica.com   marshals considerable  evidence to show that Christians are losing the cultural  battle to counter the  growing acceptance  of the Gay and Lesbian lifestyle worldwide and suggest that we may have to do more than quote the Bible to win the war.

I would humbly suggest to him and others, who may be fearful, to " Be Still and know that I am God". The God who healeth us, and the God in whom we can place all our trust. For as in the case of the warning issued by Gamaliel  to the Jewish leaders, in the book of Acts,  who were trying to stop the early Christian movement, if it is God's will that the Gay and lesbian lifestyle shall not be 'sanitized' and accepted as an alternate lifestyle, but remain as a perversion, then who can stop Him!  The point that Martin Luther Jnr, whose meditation is featured makes,  is one that should cause all Christians to pause and reflect. That evil  never voluntarily gives up its hold over mankind.  And only an almost fanatical resistance can free people from it. But  equally important, that there is a checkpoint in the Universe as evil cannot continue to organize itself. We claim that checkpoint as Jesus' death on the Cross and his Resurrection from the dead. But evil still is allowed to cause mayhem. For a time!  Hence the gruesome death of Jamiella Dawkins and others. Our role then, as those sent by Jesus to " set the captives free", is to be " almost fanatical" in our prayers and actions to counteract evil, and to be completely obedient to God, and live on a "higher plane" than what currently obtains in my country.  A matter which Thomas R. Kelly makes  in a beautiful devotional book which I am  reading, and which relevant extracts are quoted. As only then can the deaths of other Jameilla's,  and unborn children, and the death of innocence and righteousness and obedience to God and fears of all kinds  be overcome. Forever, in the same way, that God promised that " these Egyptians you see today, you will never see them again".



SERMON FOR SUNDAY 

LORD, LIFT ME UP AND LET ME STAND.
BY FAITH, ON HEAVEN'S TABLELAND.
A HIGHER PLANE THAN I HAVE FOUND
'LORD PLANT MY FEET ON HIGHER GROUND

ONCE WHEN JESUS WAS PRAYING IN PRIVATE AND HIS DISCIPLES WERE WITH HIM, HE ASKED THEM, ' WHO DO THE CROWDS SAY I AM?
THEY REPLIED, " SOME SAY ELIJAH; AND STILL OTHERS, THAT ONE OF THE PROPHETS OF LONG AGO HAS COME BACK TO LIFE".
BUT WHAT ABOUT YOU?" HE ASKED. " WHO DO YOU SAY I AM?".
WORDS FROM THE GOSPEL JUST READ FOR US THiS MORNING.

THIS PARTICULAR PASSAGE IN THE NINTH CHAPTER OF LUKE, WHICH BEARS THE CAPTION IN THE NIV ...PETER'S CONFESSION OF CHRIST....CONTAINS SOME OF THE MOST MEMORABLE AND REMARKABLE INSTRUCTIONS FROM OUR LORD. AMONG THEM,  ARE: 

IF ANYONE WOULD COME AFTER ME, HE MUST DENY HIMSELF, TAKE UP HIS CROSS  DAILY AND FOLLOW  ME. FOR WHOEVER WANTS TO SAVE HIS LIFE WILL LOSE IT, BUT WHOEVER LOSES HIS LIFE FOR ME WILL WILL SAVE IT.

AND

WHAT GOOD IS IT FOR A MAN TO GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD , AND YET LOSE OF FORFEIT HIS VERY SELF

AND
IF ANY MAN IS ASHAMED OF ME AND MY WORDS, THE SON OF MAN WILL BE ASHAMED OF HIM WHEN HE COMES IN HIS GLORY AND IN THE GLORY OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE HOLY ANGELS.

ANYONE OF WHICH INSTRUCTIONS WOULD MERIT OUR ATTENTION FOR AN ENTIRE SERMON OR EVEN A SERIES OF SERMONS. BUT THAT WHICH  THE LORD HAS LAID ON MY HEART THIS MORNING,  IS FOR US TO CONCENTRATE OUR MINDS ON THE TWO QUESTIONS HE POSED TO HIS DISCIPLES AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS PASSAGE. WHO DO THE CROWDS SAY I AM, AND WHO DO YOU SAY I AM? 

I WANT TO SUGGEST THAT THE CHALLENGES THAT  THESE TWO QUESTIONS  POSE ARE  SO FUNDAMENTAL TO OUR UNDERSTANDING OF LIFE,  SO FUNDAMENTAL TO OUR UNDERSTANDING OF WHO GOD IS, SO FUNDAMENTAL TO OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GOD AND MAN,  THAT THEY ARE WHAT THE PHILOSOPHERS TERM  EXISTENTIAL QUESTIONS.  IN THE SENSE THAT THEY ARE QUESTIONS THAT GO TO THE CORE OF OUR EXISTENCE HERE ON EARTH. FOR MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT  WHAT JESUS IS TELLING US,  NOT JUST  IMPLYING, BUT WARNING US, IS THAT THEY ARE ONLY TWO KINDS PEOPLE ON EARTH.  ON THE ONE HAND, THOSE WHO WONDER WHO GOD IS , THOSE WHO SPECULATE, THOSE WHO HAVE A VAGUE IDEA, THOSE WHO  ARE BADLY MISTAKEN IN THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF WHO GOD IS, THOSE WHO KNOW ABOUT GOD BUT DON'T TRULY KNOW HIM, THOSE WHOSE  GOD IS TOO SMALL, THOSE WHO HAVE CREATED GOD IN THEIR  OWN IMAGE, THOSE WHO FOLLOW GOD HALF WAY, BUT WHO REJECT THE WAY OF SUFFERING AND SHAME AND COMPLETE OBEDIENCE;    AND ON THE OTHER HAND, THOSE WHO KNOW GOD IN AND THROUGH JESUS CHRIST THE CRUCIFIED ONE.

AND SO THIS MORNING  AT A TIME  WHEN THE ENTIRE NATION IS  SHAKEN,  OUTRAGED  AND UNABLE TO EXPLAIN WHY A SCHOOLMATE, A FRIEND,  WOULD WILLFULLY AND INTENTIONALLY PUSH A LONG KNIFE INTO THE CHEST OF HER FORMER FRIEND, JAMIELLA  DAWKINS AND KILL HER, ON THIS  MORNING, THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL THROUGH THE WORDS OF THE  PSALMIST,  SAYS TO US  " BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD." AND IF WE LISTEN CAREFULLY WE CAN HEAR THE  WORDS OF THE SONG WRITER SAYING...I AM A GOD WHO HEALETH THEE..... AND OUR RESPONSE IS....IN THEE I HAVE PUT MY TRUST.

AND THEN THE CROWD WHO HAVE NOT TRAVELED WITH THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, THE GOD  OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD ,  OF JACOB THROUGH THE DARK NIGHTS OF SUFFERING AND PAIN, AND WHO HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THE JOY THAT COMETH IN THE MORNING,  AFTER NIGHTS OF WEEPING, WILL ASK, WHERE WAS GOD  WHEN JAMIELLA WAS UNDER ATTACK?  WHERE WAS GOD  WHEN ANANDA WAS BEING BRUTALIZED?  WHERE WAS GOD WHEN THAT WOMAN FILLED WITH SO MUCH HATE AND EVIL,  DRAGGED AWAY THAT YOUNG GIRL AND CHOPPED OFF HER HEAD? WHERE WAS THE LORD WHEN THOSE FIVE YOUNG WOMEN WERE SO BRUTALLY RAPED BY THOSE GUNMEN IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE ISLAND LAST YEAR?  WHERE WAS GOD ALL THESE  ATROCITIES  AND MORE WERE TAKING  PLACE IN OUR NATION OVER THE PAST THIRTY FORTY YEARS?  WHERE WAS HE...YOU TELL ME! 

LAST WEEK, IN A VERY MOVING SERMON SISTER ANDREA, GAVE US PART OF THE ANSWER TO JESUS' QUESTION, WHO DO YOU SAY I AM. WE RECALL THE STORY OF THE SINFUL WOMAN, PERHAPS A PROSTITUTE, WHO WORSHIPED JESUS WITH HER TEARS AND WITH HER HAIR, FOR SHE HAD MANY SINS, AND THUS OWED GOD MUCH, BUT  COULD NOT REPAY HIM. AND SO UNLIKE THE SELF-RIGHTEOUS PHARISEE SIMON, SHE RECEIVED MERCY AND FORGIVENESS FOR  HER SINS BECAUSE SHE SHOWED THAT SHE LOVED JESUS MUCH...EVEN THOUGH SHE SAID NOT A WORD. SO WE KNOW THAT GOD IS GOD OF MERCY.

THIS WEEK,  NO DOUBT IN ANTICIPATION OF THE MANY QUESTIONS THAT THE CROWD HAS FOR A GOD WHO WOULD SEEMINGLY  PRESIDE OVER THE DEATH OF  YOUNG JAMEILLA DAWKINS WITHOUT INTERVENING, THE LORD LED ME TO THE 14TH CHAPTER OF THE BOOK OF EXODUS TO SPEND TIME IN HIS WORD. AND THEN TO KNOW, NOT TO WONDER,  THAT HE IS ALSO A GOD WHO FIGHTS FOR US. WE JUST HAVE TO BE STILL.

SO LET US  LISTEN CAREFULLY TO WHAT GOD IS SAYING TO US THROUGH THE EXPERIENCE OF MOSES AS WE CONSIDER JESUS' QUESTION, WHO DO YOU SAY I AM. AND THE QUESTION THAT MANY PEOPLE IN JAMAICA ARE GRAPPLING WITH  THIS MORNING,  WHICH INCIDENTALLY IS  THE VERY SAME ISSUE WHICH THE AMERICAN PUBLIC  PONDERED OVER POST 9/11...WHERE IS GOD IN TIMES OF MANIFEST EVIL?

AS PHARAOH APPROACHED,THE ISRAELITES LOOKED UP, AND THERE WERE THE EGYPTIANS, MARCHING AFTER THEM. THEY WERE TERRIFIED AND CRIED OUT TO THE LORD. THEY SAID TO MOSES, 'WAS IT BECAUSE THERE WERE NO GRAVES IN EGYPT THAT YOU BROUGHT US OUT TO THE DESERT TO DIE? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO US BY BRINGING US OUT OF EGYPT? DID'NT WE SAY TO YOU IN EGYPT, ' LEAVE US ALONE; LET US SERVE THE EGYPTIANS?  IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER FOR US TO SERVE THE EGYPTIANS THAN TO DIE IN THE DESERT'.

MOSES ANSWERED THE PEOPLE, ' DO NOT BE AFRAID. STAND FIRM AND YOU WILL SEE THE DELIVERANCE THE LORD WILL BRING YOU TODAY. THE  EGYPTIANS YOU SEE TODAY YOU WILL NEVER SEE AGAIN. THE LORD WILL FIGHT FOR YOU, YOU ONLY NEED TO BE STILL

IN MY CLASSIC DEVOTIONAL BIBLE,  ON THE PAGE THAT COMES AFTER THIS PASSAGE,  IS A MEDITATION  ENTITLED 'THE DEATH OF EVIL',  BY MARTIN LUTHER KING JNR.

AN EDITED  EXTRACT FROM WHICH IS VERY GERMANE TO THIS  DISCUSSION ON THE TWO EXISTENTIAL QUESTIONS POSED OUR SAVIOUR. AND SO I SHARE IT WITH YOU

WHEN THE CHILDREN  OF  ISRAEL WERE HELD UNDER THE GRIPPING YOKE OF EGYPTIAN SLAVERY, EGYPT SYMBOLIZED EVIL......  AND THE ISRAELITES SYMBOLIZED GOODNESS.  EGYPT STRUGGLED TO MAINTAIN HER OPPRESSIVE YOKE AND ISRAEL STRUGGLED TO GAIN FREEDOM. PHARAOH STUBBORNLY REFUSED TO RESPOND TO THE CRY OF MOSES, EVEN WHEN PLAGUE AFTER PLAGUE THREATENED HIS DOMAIN. THIS TELL US  SOMETHING ABOUT EVIL THAT WE MUST NEVER FORGET, NAMELY THAT EVIL IS RECALCITRANT AND DETERMINED, AND NEVER VOLUNTARILY RELINQUISHES ITS HOLD  SHORT OF A PERSISTENTLY, ALMOST FANATICAL RESISTANCE.
BUT THERE IS A CHECKPOINT IN THE UNIVERSE: EVIL CANNOT PERMANENTLY ORGANIZE ITSELF ITSELF.  END OF QUOTE.

MY FRIENDS HERE AT ST. ANDREW PARISH CHURCH, AND TO THOSE IN THE CROWD OUTSIDE THE CHURCH,  THE UNBELIEVERS AND NAYSAYERS, I WANT TO SUGGEST, AS WE PONDER OVER THE WORD OF GOD FROM EXODUS AND MARTIN LUTHER KINGS REFLECTIONS,  THAT AS WE CONSIDER THE TRAGIC DEATH OF YOUNG JAMIELLA DAWKINS AND PRAY FOR THE TORTURED SOUL OF HER KILLER, AN AWFUL EVENT  IN OUR HISTORY THAT CAPTURES SO MUCH OF WHAT IS DREADFULLY  WRONG WITH OUR NATION, I WANT TO SUGGEST  THAT WE ACCEPT  THE FOLLOWING CONCLUSIONS:

1. THAT THE GOD THAT WE KNOW IS A GOD WHO FIGHTS AGAINST EVIL AND THEREFORE ALL THAT IS WRONG WITH JAMAICA WILL COME TO AN END ONE DAY IN THE LORD'S OWN TIME AND FOR HIS GLORY. AS EVIL CANNOT CONTINUE TO ORGANIZE IT SELF FOREVER.

2. THAT THE GOD THAT WE KNOW,  HAS,  IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME, SENT HIS ONLY SON JESUS THE CHRIST, WHO PETER CONFESSED, AND WHO WE IN TURN CONFESS, TO DIE ON A CROSS AND SO EFFECTIVELY BECAME A CHECKPOINT IN HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE AGAINST  EVIL. SO WE WHO HAVE COME TO  KNOW GOD IN AND THROUGH CHRIST JESUS, IF WE DWELL IN THE SECRET PLACE  OF THE MOST HIGH,  THROUGH BELIEF IN THE SHED  BLOOD OF JESUS,  CANNOT BE OVERCOME BY EVIL. FOR IF GOD IS FOR US WHO CAN BE AGAINST US. AND IT IS THIS ACT OF GOD WHO SENT HIS ONLY SON TO DIE  SO THAT SINFUL MANKIND MAY NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE, WHY,  WITH CONFIDENCE KNOW THAT THE GOD WHO WATCHES OVER THE SWALLOW, CARES FOR THE LIFE OF JAMIELLA AND OTHERS. BUT THE ONLY WAY TO OVERCOME EVIL IS TO BELIEVE IN HIS SON. AND SO FROM THE EARLY DAYS OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, THE WORD OF GOD AS RECORDED IN THE 5TH CHAPTER OF THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY, TELLS US THAT GOD SAID:

" OH THAT THEIR HEARTS WOULD BE INCLINED TO FEAR ME, AND KEEP ALL MY COMMANDS ALWAYS, SO THAT IT MAY GO WELL WITH THEY AND THEIR CHILDREN  FOREVER!

3. THAT ALTHOUGH EVIL WAS VANQUISHED ON THE CROSS, IT STILL HAS THE POWER TO CAUSE MAYHEM IN THE LIVES  OF INDIVIDUALS AND NATIONS. AND THUS  EVIL WILL NOT VOLUNTARILY RELINQUISH ITS HOLD ON  HUMAN KIND.

4. WE THEREFORE, THOSE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD,  ARE CALLED TO BE STILL BEFORE GOD, TRUST IN JESUS AND PRAY WITHOUT CEASING, IN PERSISTENT AND ALMOST FANATICAL RESISTANCE,  FOR  THE CHILDREN OF THIS NATION, THE ELDERLY WOMEN WHO ARE BEING RAPED AND KILLED AND ALL THAT CHARACTERIZES THE VIOLENCE  AND CRIME THAT HAS TAKEN HOLD OF OUR PEOPLE.

I WANT TO SUGGEST FURTHER,  IN THE WORDS OF THOMAS R.  KELLY,  A FORMER  QUAKER WHOSE BOOK 'THE TESTAMENT OF DEVOTION,  WHICH HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS  ONE OF THE MOST BELOVED DEVOTIONAL BOOKS OF OUR TIME,  AND WHICH ' I AM CURRENTLY READING, THAT " THIS IS NOT TIME FOR CONVENTIONAL RELIGION  WHICH, WITH RESPECTABLE SKIRTS HELD BACK BY DAINTY FINGERS, ANXIOUSLY TRIES TO FISH THE WORLD OUT OF ITS MUD HOLE OF IT SELFISHNESS.  OUR CHURCHES, OUR MEETING  HOUSES ARE FULL OF SUCH RESPECTABLE AND AMIABLE PEOPLE'.

THE BACKGROUND TO THIS  UNSATISFACTORY IF NOT UNFAVORABLE PICTURE OF THE CHURCH THEN, AND I DARE SAY OF THE CHURCH NOW, IS  THAT KELLY  WAS EXHORTING HIS  READERS IN AN EARLIER PASSAGE TO COMPLETE OBEDIENCE TO GOD. 

AND QUOTING MEISTER  ECKHART  KELLY WROTE; "THERE ARE PLENTY TO FOLLOW OUR LORD  HALF-WAY, BUT NOT THE OTHER HALF. THEY WILL GIVE UP POSSESSIONS, FRIENDS, AND HONORS, BUT IT TOUCHES THEM TOO CLOSELY TO DISOWN THEMSELVES".  AND KELLY CONTINUES THAT... IT IS JUST THIS ASTONISHING LIFE  WHICH IS WILLING TO TO FOLLOW HIM THE OTHER HALF, SINCERELY TO DISOWN ITSELF, THIS LIFE WHICH INTENDS COMPLETE OBEDIENCE, WITHOUT ANY RESERVATION, THAT I WOULD PROPOSE TO YOU IN ALL HUMILITY, IN ALL BOLDNESS, IN ALL SERIOUSNESS.

THIS MORNING THEN,  MY FRIENDS,  I TOO WOULD INVITE US ALL TO SET OUR HEARTS FREE FROM FEAR BY COMPLETE OBEDIENCE TO  THE WORD OF GOD WHICH REVEALS THE TRUE NATURE OF JESUS, AND WHICH WORD  CAME TO ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT THIS WEEK.

" DO NOT LET YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED. TRUST IN GOD; TRUST ALSO IN ME.

FOR MAKE NO  MISTAKE ABOUT IT, THIS SAME JESUS WHO ASKED HIS DISCIPLES WHO DO YOU SAY I AM, WOULD DIE ON THE CROSS, AT THE REQUEST OF THE CROWD, WHO HAD NO IDEA WHO HE WAS...FORGIVE THEM LORD FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO.....FOR DECLARING IN HIS ACTIONS AND WORDS THAT HE AND GOD THE FATHER ARE ONE.
JESUS THEN, SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER IS A GOD WHO WILL FIGHT FOR US IN TIMES OF TROUBLE. WE ONLY NEED TO BE STILL AND KNOW...THAT IS BELIEVE ..... THAT HE IS GOD. AND WE NEED TO PRAY WITH PERSISTENCE AND WITH  ALMOST FANATICAL RESISTANCE, IN THE WORDS OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JNR,  FOR OTHERS FIRST AND THEN OURSELVES.  ALL WHOM WE MEET, ALL WHOM WE READ ABOUT, ALL WHO LIVE WITH US ON THIS FAIR ISLE, WHICH HAS BEEN CAPTURED BY EVIL. THE KIND OF EVIL WHICH WILL NOT VOLUNTARILY RELEASE ITS HOLD ON US. THE KIND OF EVIL WHICH TOOK  JAMIELLA'S LIFE  AND ALMOST TOOK THE LIFE OF ANOTHER STUDENT YESTERDAY. THE KIND OF EVIL THAT ALMOST DESTROYED VERONICA CAMPBELL BROWN'S CAREER,  AND BY EXTENSION THREATENED  JAMAICA'S  ATHLETIC PROGRAM THIS PAST WEEK.

WE MUST THEREFORE  PRAY WITHOUT CEASING AND WITH ALMOST FANATICAL RESISTANCE  FOR THE SCHOOL CHILDREN WHOSE MINDS HAVE BEEN  CAPTURED BY THE TWIN EVILS OF  VIOLENCE AND  SEXUAL IMMORALITY, RATHER THAN SUCCUMB TO THE BEGUILING ARGUMENTS FROM THE CROWD  TO DISTRIBUTE CONDOMS IN SCHOOLS.  WE MUST PRAY WITHOUT CEASING  FOR  FAMILY LIFE - THE EROSION OF WHICH TRADITIONAL VALUES IS WREAKING SO MUCH HAVOC IN THE NATION. . WE MUST PRAY WITHOUT CEASING FOR OUR THE COMMUNITIES. WE MUST PRAY OUT THE UNGODLY INFLUENCES IN OUR MUSIC AND ON TELEVISION. WE MUST TRUST COMPLETELY IN THE GOD WHO DIED ON THE CROSS IN HUMAN FORM AS CHRIST, AS THE ONLY ONE WHO IS THE CHECKPOINT AGAINST EVIL. WE MUST RESIST ANY ATTEMPT TO GO BACK TO EGYPT...TO PURCHASE LOTTO WHEN WE CANNOT FIND THE MONEY TO PAY LIGHT BILL...TO JEOPARDIZE OUR CAREFULLY BUILT UP PROFESSIONAL REPUTATION BY UNETHICAL AND DISHONEST BEHAVIOR BECAUSE TIMES ARE HARD.... TO DEPEND ON  CASINO GAMBLING BECAUSE THE ECONOMY IS IN SHAMBLES...TO LEGALLY KILL THE LIFE WHICH ONLY  GOD CAN  CREATE AND PLACE IN A WOMAN'S WOMB ,  BECAUSE  PEOPLE,  ON ACCOUNT OF DISOBEDIENCE ARE SUFFERING AND DYING...AND TO WEAKEN OUR RESOLVE TO PROMOTE RIGHTEOUSNESS BECAUSE  THOSE IN THE CROWD  ACCUSE US OF INTOLERANCE

YES, IT IS VERY EASY, BUT HARD TO CONSISTENTLY LIVE A LIFE WHICH OFFERS A CONFIDENT  ANSWER TO JESUS ' QUESTION, THAT  WE  BELIEVE IN CHRIST THE SAVIOR, AS PETER WAS TO FIND OUT IN DUE COURSE WHEN HE DENIED CHRIST THREE TIMES BEFORE THE COCK CROWED, AS JESUS WARNED HIM.  AND  WE TOO LIKE PETER,  AS THE STORY OF THE SOWER WHO SOWED THE SEED TELLS US, ARE LIABLE TO BE CHOKED BY LIFE'S WORRIES RICHES AND PLEASURES AND DO NOT MATURE. AND IMMATURE CHRISTIANS I WOULD SUGGEST CANNOT HELP TO RESCUE THIS COUNTRY FROM THE EVIL NOW ABROAD IN THE LAND. THIS IS WHAT JESUS WAS WARNING US WHEN HE CALLED US TO DENY SELF COMPLETELY AND FOLLOW HIM. NOT HALF WAY AS THOMAS R KELLY SUGGESTS BUT WITH COMPLETE OBEDIENCE. ONLY THEN CAN WE REALLY BE STILL AND  TRULY KNOW GOD  AS THE PSALMIST EXHORTS US.

AS FOR THE CROWD, A FINAL QUOTE FROM KELLY OUGHT TO MAKE THEM AND US PAUSE.

DON'T BE DECEIVED. YOU MUST FACE DESTINY. PREPARATION IS ONLY POSSIBLE NOW. DON'T BE FOOLED BY YOUR SUNNY SKIES. WHEN THE RAINS DESCEND AND THE FLOODS COME AND THE WINDS BLOW AND BEAT UPON YOUR HOUSE, YOUR PRIVATE DWELLING, YOUR FAMILY, YOUR OWN FAIR HOPES, YOUR OWN STRONG MUSCLES, YOUR OWN BODY, YOUR OWN SOUL ITSELF, THEN IT IS WELL NIGH TOO LATE TO BUILD A HOUSE. YOU CAN ONLY GO INSIDE WHAT HOUSE YOU HAVE AND PRAY THAT IT IS FOUNDED UPON THE ROCK.. DO NOT BE DECEIVED BY DISTANCE IN TIME OR SPACE, OR THE FALSE SECURITY OF A BANK ACCOUNT AND AN AUTOMOBILE AND GOOD HEALTH AND WILLING HANDS TO WORK. THOUSANDS, PERHAPS MILLIONS AS GOOD AS YOU HAVE HAD ALL THESE THINGS AND ARE PERISHING IN BODY AND , WORSE IN SOUL TO DAY.

AND AS FOR THE US THE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST, I CLOSE WITH THE FIRST VERSE ( THE OTHERS ARE ALSO INCLUDED)  OF THE REFRAIN OF THE HYMN I USED FOR PRAYER. I DO SO IN THE  HOPE THAT WE WILL INDEED SEEK FOR HIGHER GROUND AS WE ATTEMPT . TO ANSWER JESUS' QUESTION WHO DO YOU SAY I AM.  FOR WITHOUT THIS DESIRE FOR A DEEPER RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD IN CHRIST, FOR COMPLETE OBEDIENCE TO HIM, TO DENY OURSELVES COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY, TO LOSE OURSELVES SO THAT WE MAY GAIN OUR SOULS, WITHOUT THIS DEEP DESIRE TO TRUST HIM COMPLETELY IN GOOD TIMES AND IN BAD TIMES AND NOT BE TEMPTED TO GO BACK TO EGYPT, THEN WE WOULD HAVE DENIED THE CHRIST WHO EMPTIED HIMSELF ALL BUT LOVE AND BECAME OBEDIENT EVEN TO DEATH ON THE CROSS. AND SUCH A FAITH IS AMIABLE AND RESPECTABLE BUT ONLY HALF WAY TO GOD AND UNABLE TO FIGHT AGAINST EVIL IN THIS LAND.

I'M PRESSING ON THE HIGHER WAY
NEW HEIGHTS I'M GAINING EVERY DAY,
STILL PRAYING AS I'M ONWARD BOUND,
'LORD PLANT MY FEET ON HIGHER GROUND

MY HEART HS NO DESIRE TO STAY
WHERE DOUBTS ARISE AND FEARS DISMAY.
THO' SOME MAY DWELL WHERE THESE ABOUND
MY PRAYER, MY AIM IS HIGHER GROUND

I WANT TO LIVE ABOVE THE WORLD
THO' SATAN  DARTS AT ME ARE HURLED;
FOR FAITH HAS CAUGHT THE JOYFUL SOUND
THE SONG OF SAINTS ON HIGHER GROUND

I WANT TO SCALE THE UTMOST HEIGHT
AND CATCH A  GLEAM OF GLORY BRIGHT
BUT STILL I'LL PRAY TILL HEAVEN I'VE FOUND
'LORD LEAD ME ON TO HIGHER GROUND.

Veronica Campbell Brown and the " Baying Hound of Heaven".

What a shocker! The news that the " queen" of Jamaica's Track and Field team, Veronica Campbell Brown (VCB) had returned a positive test for a banned substance, rocked the entire nation this week. One seasoned photographer who must have taken her pictures, many many times, told me yesterday, that he had nightmares for the first time in his life. A reaction which captured the essence of the mood of many Jamaicans.  Confused! Embarrassed! Hoping against all hope that there is plausible explanation!  And I dare say not just the locals but the entire track and field fraternity and fans across the globe, as VCB was, and is still loved and highly respected, and has a huge fan base. We are hoping that some mitigating circumstances may emerge to explain this absolutely devastating news. And therefore we pass no judgement but hope that a mistake, a very bad and no doubt costly mistake was made, and not a calculated and cynical attempt to mask the use of a performance enhancing drug.  Regardless of what emerges as the authorities  release more and better particulars over the next few days, the facts as offered by herself or the JAAA or the JOA  or the IAAF,  such information  will affect in some way, shape or form  the credibility of the Jamaican Track and Field Programme, the success of which is a huge part of Brand Jamaica. So this is no small matter of whether or not she trained overseas or was with a local track team, or whether damage control can limit the fallout to an individual. Veronica's name and fame is far too big for that kind of wishful thinking. This is therefore a national crisis of significant proportions. This is high drama! Far outstripping the fall from grace of the Reggae Boyz and the early exit of the West Indies Cricket team from the Champions Trophy in England, and even the movement of the Jamaican currency.

So what did the Lord say this week even before VCB's name appeared on the front page of the newspapers over the weekend. All is not lost! As regardless of whether or not, and it is very unlikely that they would, the Jamaican officials and nation as a whole and even across the world, turn their backs on VCB, God still loves her. Whether  she made a honest mistake or was more calculated in the same way David treated Bathsheba's husband Uriah ...the Old Testament reading today in my church.  And look how the Lord who declared that " David was a man after his heart" treated David when he sinned egregiously and then repented when accosted by Nathan the prophet. After punishment he was restored to a new relationship with God and penned Psalm 51 which has become such a blessing to so many over the centuries. 

The Gospel reading for today  from Luke, was even more pointed and poignant. In it, the story of the ' sinful' woman, quite likely a prostitute, and who received forgiveness from Jesus unfolds. We are told how she sought the Lord, uninvited to Simon the Pharisees home, a " party crasher" as labelled by my Rector. And how with tears of repentance she washed the Savior's feet and wiped them with her hair. How she received forgiveness because of her faith in the Only One who could forgive her of her many many sins. How she was forgiven much because she loved much. Later in the gospels we are told how much it cost the Lord, our Father in heaven,  to forgive. The suffering and death of His only Son, Jesus the Christ, who was sent by a God who pursues mankind with a Love which is beyond all human understanding. And so I was moved to send this note about the correct faith to a group of persons which is all about the drama taking place at another level in this world.

THE MESSAGE

Even if you are not a believer, and therefore,  do not share a common understanding on the

 " correct faith" , one can still  appreciate the beauty of the language which makes a 'valiant attempt'  to describe the love of God and His faithfulness in pursuing mankind. I debated in my mind, briefly, very briefly whether or  not  I should only be sending this excerpt to believers, and certainly not to folks to whom another message was sent just  this morning. But I was given clear instructions. 

On reflection just now I am reminded of the  ad by TNT that ends by  saying " we know drama". But their knowledge of man and his needs is at a different level altogether. In fact the essence, so far,  of Kelly's argument, is that we live, as Christians, at two levels. One superficial and outward, and the other deeper and within the Divine Light. And it is only when we learn to live continuously in the Divine Light, that God's  holy and perfect will, will in fact influence, without any conscious effort, our outward and visible actions. Otherwise we fail to bring to bear on our life on this earth, the power and wisdom of God. And so like TNT, continue to think that " we know drama". Or perhaps like the news editors, think that they have captured the important issues that surfaced during the day.  But have missed the mark altogether. As there is much more. So much more! And which 'much more',  can explain so much of the behavior of mankind in today's world...and in the world gone by...and in the world our children will inherit.

Thomas R. Kelly's :  A  Testament of  Devotion...the start of the chapter on Holy Obedience

 Out in front of us is the drama of men and of nations, seething, laboring, dying. Upon this tragic drama in these days our eyes are all  set in anxious watchfulness and in prayer. But within the silences of the souls of men an eternal drama is ever being enacted, in these days as well as in others. And on the outcome of this inner drama rests, ultimately, the outer pageant of history.

It is the drama of the Hound of Heaven baying relentlessly upon the track of man. It  is the drama of the lost sheep wandering  in the wilderness, restless and lonely, feebly searching, while over the hills come the wiser Shepherd. For His is a shepherd's heart, and He is restless until He holds His sheep in His arms. It is the drama of the Eternal Father drawing the prodigal son home unto Himself, where there is bread enough and to spare. It is the drama of of the Double Search, as Rufus Jones calls it. And always its chief actor is - the Eternal God of Love.

It is to one strand in this inner drama, one scene, where the Shepherd has found His sheep, that I would direct you. It is the life of absolute and complete and holy obedience to the voice of the Shepherd. But ever throughout the account the accent will be laid upon God, God the initiator, God the aggressor, God the seeker,  God the stirrer into life, God the ground  of our obedience, God the giver of the power to become children of God.

May we respond with adoration and obedience to this God who seeks, and seeks, and seeks the souls of men, through this and so many, many  other means. In and through the shed Blood of Christ on  the Cross  of Calvary

LWJ
Sent from my iPad

Comment - The phrase " the Hound of Heaven baying relentlessly on the track of man",  captures the very essence of the relationship that God has with sinful man. Sinful mankind who all owe a debt to a holy God that we cannot repay. So whatever sin or mistake or error of judgement  VCB made,  we need to look past that and remember that ' but for the grace of God goeth I'. So we pray for both mercy and exoneration for VCB,  for  this whole episode  should serve as a major wake up call, regardless of the outcome, for all Jamaicans who forget that " all have sinned before God" and  therefore can be subject to His wrath at anytime. Consequently , beginning with the events that took place on the Cross and continuing with His Resurrection and Ascension and the formation of the church, the Hound of Heaven has been baying after the track of mankind. In Jamaica! In the USA! In the UK ! And all over the world!.

We need to remember this as we rejoice in the  2.99/min " war' between Digicel and Lime. We need to put things in perspective as we dream about owning a new Blackberry or Samsung or iPhone. We need to remember these things as we celebrate the 'clashes' between our favourite dance hall stars. Life is therefore more than the drama created by TNT or by what we can see and hear and touch. And can overtake you in a flash! This was the essence of the message sent to the same group the morning before which included a passage of scripture which explains our previous state before the " Hound of Heaven" intervened.

THE EARLY MORNING MESSAGE

Far way from the the picture of a dejected 'Tappa' and the voices calling for Neville " Bertis' Bell to take over the Boyz; far away from the angst and pathos of that young girl in Seaview Gardens whose picture in the newspapers captured the mood  of a nation sickened by the constant flow of blood on the streets; far away from the unseemly debate between A. J. Nicholson and the Jamaican Exporters ; far away from the house in the upscale section of Kingston in  which  gays men  are squatting  and have been creating havoc in that community; far away from all of that comes a Word which brings us near to God, and calls us to " Be still and know that I am God". In the midst of the madness! And the dejection! Words which capture the essence of the " correct faith". And which therefore have huge implications for how we can create a kinder and more gentle society.

The Word of God

"As for you, you were dead in your transgression and sins, in which you used to live when you when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit which is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were still dead in our transgressions - it is by grace that have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in hr heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he may show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:1-10 NIV

Blaise Pascal - No one ever believes with a true and saving faith unless God inclines his heart; and no man when God does incline his heart can refrain from believing.

I pray God that He may incline the hearts of all of us  to believe so that our country may be at peace.  But first we have to humble ourselves before an Almighty God  who " gives grace to the humble, but the proud he scatters".

Peace

LWJ

Finally, I am not worried about VCB as she has always been a humble servant of the nation, even when we elevated her to " royal status". And therefore God will be with her in her time of anxiety and pain. All she has to do is to remember to   "Be still and know that I am God". I am the God who healeth thee...And in thee I have put my trust. But frankly speaking I am deeply concerned about my country as  more and more persons seem to be turning their back on the Living God, who created the heaven and earth with his outstretched hand. In the midst of all this madness, the Lord, the baying  Hound from Heaven sends a warning of what can happen in a blink of an eye. Let us beware lest we too who think we are secure, fall from grace.

Amen!

Life or Death: Worldly Philosophy or The Cross of Calvary

Jamaicans are still smarting over the  loss of two world cup qualifiers this week. Especially the one involving the USA where we almost gained a point, and could have won the match but , at the end still without a victory so far. And then Usain Bolt came second to Justin Gatlin of the USA in the Diamond League 100M for men which was held in Rome  Italy this week. Anyone else but Gatlin would have been kind of ok. So we here in Jamaica were not " happy campers", even though today the measure of the celebrity status of this great Jamaican Ambassador was underlined by his being chosen to present the trophy to the winner of the men's  Tennis event at the Paris Open. And the cup was presented to Raphael  Nadal who is a huge personality in his own right. Of course the 16th grand slam win by Serena in the women's version of the game, did bring joy to all those who just love the Williams sisters.

 However, despite all of this stuff happening in the word of sports, sadness, and turmoil reigned in my mind this week with the death a friend and mentor, and one of the brightest sons of the Caribbean, Dr. Kenrick Orrin Evans Barrow - A Consultant Physician at the University Hospital of the West Indies, a Gastro-enterologist of International renown, and without a doubt the most celebrated and influential Past President of the Medical Association of Jamaica.  His passing did not make the headlines, but it left a void in the hearts and minds of those whose lives he touched. Whether in his place of birth, Guyana or in his adopted home, Jamaica. Finally, once again the nation was plunged into mourning with the news breaking of four men in a community shot and killed apparently in an act of reprisal for the shooting death of another man.

This week then the Lord spoke clearly in the midst of my grief and turmoil. First in an e-mail I sent to two other " giants" of Medicine in the Caribbean whose lives, along with Orrin Barrow influenced my own life. The original note and and response are edited only for reason for  privacy for those involved and not for me, for my thoughts are very public.
THE E-MAIL ON WEDNESDAY
Dear.....Ever since he died my mind has been in a turmoil. I keep asking myself the existential question," What's was the point of all of this sheer brilliance" ?  A life which touched and helped to shape the minds of so many physicians who serve a grateful people in the Caribbean! A physician who was privileged to provide care for, and no doubt offer counsel to, some of the most powerful leaders in the Caribbean. A leader of local and International Medical Associations and whose influence shaped and fostered my own leadership skills. And there was more. So much more. 
So why am I, in the midst of my early morning devotions,  led to write to the two other " giants" in Medicine in the Caribbean, and whose lives have touched and shaped and influenced people far beyond the shores of the azure blue waters and sun kissed islands of this region. All three exhorted  me to pursue excellence. And then provided the perfect example by their own lives. But Orrin went a step further and held my hand.
There are very few people who have been privileged to have had .....three prominent physicians...... play such a central role in shaping  (especially one aspect ) their lives. So I am eternally grateful.
So when one of these three leaves the scene and I am unsure what influence my own convictions, my own love for the One who not only provides the ultimate  influence for my life, but who died for me, Christ the only Son of God, has had on their lives, I am filled with these two emotions. A great sense of  loss for a friend and  one who did so much for me. But equally and more profoundly, " what was the point of all of this"?. Especially after being  informed that no funeral will be held at his request. No public thanksgiving for the God who created him in his own image. No public thanksgiving for the Christ who died for him. So what's the point of gaining all these earthly accolades and yet not having the joy of knowing the One, the Lord God Almighty,  whose opinions about the life we live on earth, is the only one that matters in the final analysis.

I tried! I sent him the weekly Sunday night Internet messages. And he read them, and made polite comments every so often.  I loved him dearly. But God loved him much more. And died for him on an old wooden cross, far from the flashing lights and public glare. I pray God for his soul! For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul. No doubt I need to try harder with those who I love and respect. God knows! For the grief is made so much worse by the knowledge that he may not have, as far as I know, received the only accolade that matters in life. Knowing the one true and Eternal God through His Son Christ who will judge the world in time to come.
LWJ
Sent from my iPad
I learned subsequently that there will in fact be a funeral, but very private and limited to a few persons at his request. But the existential question still cries out for an answer: " What's the point of all  of this if there is no commitment to, and believe in, the Only One who can give eternal life  - Christ Jesus, the only Son of the Living God. And it's a question not just for my very celebrated friend, but for others who "trod this earth like a Colossus" in their time here, but who will come one day to face the Judge of all the earth. People like Michael Manley, Bob Marley, the very ill Nelson Mandela, the very vibrant Barack Obama, the celebrated Raphael Nadal, or Serena Williams! They will all, together with our celebrated journalists and Politicians and powerful Businessmen, whose every action and pronouncements make the news and become talking points in every country, come one day, along with the rest of us " mere mortals",  paradoxically in death, to face a new life. And the only thing that will matter then, regardless of whether they believe it or not, is if they believed in the One who was sent by God to suffer and die for the forgiveness of sins. Christ Jesus.

My e -mail got a gracious response. But which then led to another message from the Lord. Both again edited.

THE RESPONSE


Dear Lucien
Thanks for sharing with me this beautiful commentary about our mutual friend. First, if I may, let me point out that you are asking questions that millions have asked and as far as I know there is no commonly accepted answer to the question as to the point of life. Everyone has to fashion his or her own rationale, as without it one is in constant turmoil. To seek a point is to frame an existential question in contemporary rationalist and  almost reductionist terms. The question I always try to answer  is not about the point of life, but the value of a particular life, including ones own. Second, please do not bewail the fact that Orrin did not wish a funeral and do not believe that because he did not display it , he did not have a faith. It may not be yours or mine, but I can assure you that he did have one. I spoke with him....... We spoke of many things and I have no doubt that he was prepared for death, mentally and spiritually. We are both Freemasons, of some standing and one of  the things we discussed is how we are taught to die. So mourn not for Orrin! Our sadness is for ourselves and the hole in our web of valuable and valued connections. I know without any fear of contradiction that Orrin was a fervent believer and adherent to the essential commandment; "Do good and love ye one another".
So grieve-yes.  Grief is necessary and therapeutic.  But remember that we grieve for ourselves and not for Orrin and in the midst of the grief let there be thanks that he did move among us when he did and touched us when he did.
Be of good cheer.........
The message from the Lord in response.


Dear......This morning I was praising the Lord in my early morning devotions, for the many mercies with which He has blessed me. Especially in recent times. And I turned to Psalm 103, one which begins majestically with, " Bless the Lord O my soul, and let all that is within me bless his holy name". In fact there is song,  or rather a sanke which was inspired by that very Psalm.

And then as I read, I heard a very clear thought, and was then led to  turn to the book of Samuel. To a young boy who also heard God speaking to him. What was the thought? " It is not the preparation for death that matters, it is the preparation for the life that comes after". As clear as day, and without any ( conscious) thought about our exchange of e -mails yesterday.

Now,  the question arose( in my mind) whether or not I should tell you about this " conversation", as this is obviously not your faith. The problem is,  even though in my head is the thought that you may somehow be
" uncomfortable" with this line of thinking, disobedience in my faith is not an option. Even more so when the Lord reminded me of a conversation that Samuel had with his tutor Eli.

" Samuel lay down until morning and opened the doors of the house of the Lord. He was afraid to tell Eli the vision, but Eli called him and said, " Samuel my son". 
Samuel answered, " Here I am".
" What was it that he said to you?" Eli asked. " Do not hide it from me. May God deal with you be it ever so severely, if you hide from me anything he told you. So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him. Then Eli said, " He is the Lord, let him do what is good in his eyes".

The news that Samuel had for Eli, is important, but not the critical issue in this conversation.
That which is even more striking is the fact that the response from Eli to the vision of Samuel, is the text used by Bishop Wood, whose name would not be unfamiliar to you ....... at the funeral of he who was my spiritual mentor and friend for life, even in death, the late Bishop Herman Spence. And the reason why, Bishop Wood choose this text, as he explained during the homily, was that, this man of God Herman Spence, from whom much more was expected, was taken away by the Lord to be in heaven with Him, to the surprise of all who loved him. And so Bishop Wood reminded us that God is Sovereign, and will do what " is good in his own eyes".

My dear ...., and friend, and mentor for life, there is just simply too much in this brief conversation that cannot be explained away by mere coincidence. I urge you then, as you taught me about the  immutable laws of the Medes and the Persians ( I suspect you had forgotten that you not only taught us about the art of Medicine but so much more), that you explore more with the wonderful instrument with which the Lord has blessed you - that which is housed within your cranium - the ways of the Lord. Who according to the Psalmist in 103, " ...has made known his ways  to Moses, his deeds to the people of israel:"  And who also declares that, " The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love".

It is this Lord, .... who not only prepares people for death, but even more so, in Christ Jesus,  has promised to raise us to a new and everlasting life with Him in heaven.
May His Peace, the Shalom .... be with all of us, and even with Orrin in death.

This morning my Rector, Cannon Major Sirano Kitson preached a challenging sermon on the sons of two widows who died and were miraculously raised from the dead. One by Elisha at Zarepath, and the other by Jesus at Nain. And the take home lesson that he left with us, was the mercy and grace of God, who responds to those in need, when they cry out to God. And even before they cry out. We, therefore, the Baptized, need to give thanks that we have been the recipients of God's mercy, as because of the shed Blood of Christ on Calvary we have received forgiveness of our sins and have been raised to a new life with Him in His Resurrection. Our only role then, in life, is to present this " Good News" to all who we meet. To do good is a wonderful thing. To pursue justice is a great objective. To pursue excellence in all we do is an admirable thing and should be emulated by all. To preside over a nation that was torn apart by racism and violence as Mandela did without seeking vengeance has already made him great in the eyes of the world. To seek to create a New International Economic Order which is reaping some fruits today, as Michael Manley did, has already secured him a place in history. To seek for peace in the world while securing American Interests is a tricky goal, but if Obama achieves this he will have secured his legacy. But to observe the instructions of James in the Bible that :

 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1: 37. NIV.

The essence of which statement is that Justice and Righteousness cannot be divorced before a holy God. Therefore to seek to do good to others, without seeking Righteousness, and which holiness can only be found in and through the life, death and resurrection is an incomplete philosophy before a Holy God.
And God does not give out prizes for partial obedience. Otherwise Christ would not have had to die.

It is this death on the cross which really calls into question every other philosophy of life. And we just cannot argue it away and suggest that there is some other way to live a good and useful life. That's why Jesus, says in John 15, when He was preparing the disciples for his death:
" If I had not come and spoken with them, they wold not have been guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. 15:22. NIV.

Our role then as recipients of God love and mercy in Christ, my role, in respect of my family,  all my friends, mentors, colleagues, fellow workers in whatever sphere of life, is to present the Gospel to all with whom we come in contact. Which was the essence of my initial response to my other mentor, before the Lord led me to discuss Samuel with him. Will the spreading of Gospel help to reduce crime and violence in Jamaica? Will it bring back good health to Nelson Mandela? Will it rescue the sliding dollar in Jamaica whose value is now worth less than one American cent ?
Will the Good News be of more value to brand Jamaica than Usain Bolt? Can a discussion about the mercy of God, help my friend Orrin at this time or rescue my other mentors? Only God knows. But what I do know, is that the same Jesus who raised the widow's son back to life is available and waiting for us to cry out to him.

No doubt this was why I was moved to send out the following message one night this week.

THE MESSAGE

One of my patient's quoted a version which says " Let the house of Aaron say..". Whichever you choose Psalm 124 touched my soul tonight. As if it were not for the Lord, I don't know what would have become of me in recent times. And many of us too. So we praise the Lord.

If the Lord had not been on our side -
Let Israel say -
If the Lord had not been on our side when men attacked us,
When their anger flared up against us, they would have swallowed us alive....
Praise be to the Lord, who has not let us be torn by their teeth....
The snare has been broken, and we have escaped.
Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Amen!
LWJ
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device from LIME.
So we just bless the Lord for His grace and mercy and continue to give thanks and  pray for friends, relatives, teachers, colleagues and all who we meet on our journey in this land. For our help is indeed in the Name of the Lord, and we urge all to take this Name with you always.In life and in death.

Take the Name of Jesus with you,
Child of sorrow and of woe,
It will joy and comfort give you;
Take it then, where’er you go.

Refrain

Precious Name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of Heav’n.
Precious Name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of Heav’n.

Take the Name of Jesus ever,
As a shield from every snare;
If temptations round you gather,
Breathe that holy Name in prayer.

Refrain

O the precious Name of Jesus!
How it thrills our souls with joy,
When His loving arms receive us,
And His songs our tongues employ!

Refrain

At the Name of Jesus bowing,
Falling prostrate at His feet,
King of kings in Heav’n we’ll crown Him,
When our journey is complete.

Refrain

Extreme Violence in Jamaica and one Response from the Church

Last week, during a forty eight hour period, a spasm of violence took hold of my country. At the end of which, not unlike what  occurred in Oklahoma recently, death was left in its wake. Three children perished. A newborn, discarded like refuse; a four year  old girl decapitated and thrown in a pit ; and a eight year year old girl murdered and allegedly raped and again her body was left to the elements. And then in a quick reprisal, apparently in response the death of the eight year old girl, two men, an uncle and a nephew, were found killed and tagged with words warning about children are the future and not to be murdered and raped.  Have mercy! And then a country mourned collectively. Once again! Mothers weeping for the loss of the innocent. Fathers grieving for the death of compassion. A country brought together by murder most foul! How could they do this, or she or him. Whoever! So what did the Lord say to us this week in the midst of the madness? Actually He planned His response a long time ago. As it cannot be a coincidence, that this very weekend, the Anglican Church in Jamaica, under the leadership of retired Bishop, Harold Daniel, had its 40th Healing Conference at the Jamaica Grande in Ocho Rios. The Theme - Healed from Violence; creating a kinder gentler society. In continuation of its ecumenical flavor the former Moderator of the United Church of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, Rev. Oliver Daley was one of the keynote speakers. Along with The Anglican Bishop of The Bahamas and The Turks and Caicos Islands Laish Boyd, whose delegation from that country along with representatives from Trinidad and Tobago, The Cayman Islands and parts of the USA demonstrated the widespread popularity which this  event has established over the years. And in response to a request from my friend Rev. Horace Ward I tweeted  during the conference and in particular the messages from Rev. Oliver Daley and Bishop Daniel's very profound reflections at the end. I made noted during bishop Boyd' presentation was unable to tweet as I was privilege to preside over that session. REV. OLIVER DALEY Church is a broken body ministering to broken people so that we come in humility .. Rev. Oliver Daley speaking at the Healing Conference Don't raise your voice improve your argument - a quote from Mandela who recounted his father's word during a challenging discussion.. This in response to the word used by the past JTA presidents using words which do not promote peace.. Weapons are the tools of violence all decent men will avoid them...a Chinese philosopher Violence creates an environment for hatred.. And so it creates evil,it promotes the longing for revenge... Violence can never be the answer as it's very success leads other to imitate it.. Ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral that leads us to do the very thing that we do not want to do.. Martin Luther The greatest evils are ( often) committed by men determined to eradicate evil..in respect of the vigilante justice meted out to the ( alleged) killers recently Leads us to become what we are not...violence comes because of a deep rooted problem called SIn.. Lord deliver us from evil When the society does not carry out it's responsibility the people's hearts are led to scheming for evil.. Ecclesiastes More people are dying from the trade in drugs that from the use of it.. So decriminalize it.. More valuable than the automobile industry.. Not everything which is wrong should be made illegal...has caused so much evil..we need to ask for wisdom to consider this issue To become kinder and gentler adopt the attitude of Jesus... He treated people's needs as if they were holy.. Leviticus 19 it will temper how we treat others even if difficult...the things that are most difficult to do often have long term benefits.. When your covenant is threatened your principles come under pressure... And violence is not an option Save your anger for the mistreatment of other people.. Not for yourself. That's what Jesus did... Mark 3... Demons are forces that inhabit us and destroy us from within.. Malice, racism..don't exclude religion ..chap 11 s it lawful to heal on a Sabbath... And Jesus healed the man the same day.. And the Pharisees went out and planned to kill him. Mark 3 astonishing passage ..3.. Religious people are not immune from becoming instruments of violence ..save your anger for the oppressed And you don't have to be neutral. The mouse who has his tail stepped on by an elephant will not appreciate your neutrality Spiritual attitude that helps to build a kinder and gentler society... Take blows without giving them..Jesus' sermon on the mount Shame your enemy, humiliate your enemy.. Desmond Tutu at a construction site. Man said, "I don't give way to robbers". Tutu - said" I do". Lucien Jones ‏@lucienforJesus1 Jun Seize the moral initiative when you are tempted to violence.. Meet force with ridicule or humour.. Shame your enemy into repentance 1 Jun Seize the moral initiative when you are tempted to violence.. Meet force with ridicule or humour.. Shame your enemy into repentance Seek the transformation of those who oppress you... Jesus had forgiveness and reconciliation on His mind. Forgiveness is unilateral More than deciding that you are going to be tolerant.. More than deciding that you are not going to seek revenge more than forgetting but remembering with love.. Jesus. Reconciliation is mutual... Seeking peace.. Sleeping head and tail is not peace.. Much Lol You can't humiliate people to make peace.. Seek for justice.. Seek for healing of memories . Put shattered lives and relationships together Kofi Annan years ago based on WHO data; every 40 seconds suicide: every 60 seconds a homicide.. Each community will have to fashion a model To deal with violence...1962 .MLK Jnr wrote a letter from prison about the appalling silence of the good people Essentially Rev. Daley, in a very deep, reflective, and moving presentation, spiced with anecdotes about very real situations, which often times provoked much mirth on the one hand, while on the other much reflection, shares his philosophical underpinnings of his abhorrence to violence; called on a nation to effect justice in a more timely manner, as in that vacuum, " people's hearts were left to scheme about violence", entered the debate on the decriminalization of the drug trade which is playing such havoc in Caribbean societies; and followed this by pointing specifically to the attitude Jesus had in respect of the use of violence as recorded in the Holy Scriptures. In this respect, he challenged even, and perhaps especially us in church, to look deep within ourselves to see whether or not we are guilty of being perpetrators of violence in our homes, in the community and in the wider society. And worse, whether or not we are beneficiaries of acts of violence. For in the final analysis, the creation of a kinder gentler society cannot be left to the people who live in the darkness( without the light of the gospel), but rather has to involve the church looking deep within itself, following the pattern laid down by our Master Jesus Christ, and then becoming more involved in societal action to fight against the " demons" that have overcome groups and agencies and communities in our island. BISHOP BOYD This theme of the call for introspection by the church, for more honest self-analysis was continued by Bishop Boyd during his presentation. He used several passages from the Bible to make the following points. The story of Naaman and the young slave girl from Israel in the the book of Kings....to show that even children know the way to healing and the way to heal violence and demonstrates that god's path to relieving violence in our society is well within our reach.....if we just accept God's guidance and recommendations, Naaman did eventually and reluctantly in respect of Elisha's advice. The story of Elisha, again in the book of Kings and how God opened the eyes of Elisha's servant so that he could see that " they are more that are with us that those who are with them".....therefore we must not doubt God's ability to defeat the evil that is causing the violence in our society...we must not tremble when the forces of evil confront us...as we know that Jesus has already won the victory. The story of how Peter resorted to violence and " cut off the servant's ear"...and Jesus chose another option...and healed the servant...we are called to non-violence in the face of violence...gentleness where love calls us....to love your enemy and pray for those who hate us.....let the process start with me....do not fight violence with violence....in an obvious reference to Oliver Daley's exportation to eschew violence....and reserve one's anger for those who are oppressed. Rather we are to respond with personal holiness...respond with the divine spark that is within us......and reflect on the fact so many times we have come or have been brought to the place where we can say " only Jesus can help"...and then depend on him to relieve the situation...we are to to mindful of the scripture which enjoin us to " let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus " ( Philippians 2:5 KJV).....so too we are called to have the mind of Christ and to bear fruit by the power of the Holy Spirit....love, joy, peace, patience, kindness....a brand new life...and if we wish to have a brand new life...we have to come to Jesus........none of which is possible if we do not love....love is the badge of Christians....it melts cords of steel.....not a new commandment according to John 1...but an old commandment from the beginning....love one another as I have loved you. Final point...is that we have to depend on the Sacrament of Holy Communion, Holy Eucharist....Lord's Supper as laid down by Jesus in John 6...to eat his flesh and drink his blood....so that we may be in Him and He in us.....as we have to be in Christ in order to deal with this challenging world......and realize that Christ is counting on us to stop the violence and to bring peace. And he closed as he began exhorting us to take seriously the following words. "I am a healer: God uses me. And so back to the Tweets...as Bishop Daniel " dug deep" into the Ward from Acts 26: 17-18 to effect " A Wrap" on the day's proceedings. BISHOP HAROLD DANIEL Paul's journey from violence to peace involves a conversion .. Acts 26... Bishop Daniel speaking tonight on The Theme Healed from Violence ucien Jones ‏@lucienforJesus1 Jun ..Creating a gentler kinder society..involves a spiritual conversion..will not happen in a flash.. It took time for Paul to change First " to open their eyes".. People having an awakened conscience.. A new sensitivity.. One of the first movements in conversion Any act that is displeasing God there would be a sense of brokenness..not because we are caught but that He is displeased.. To turn them from darkness to light .. An enlightened understanding of God's way..so that you can differentiate right from wrong As we leave this place our hearts have been enlightened so that we may act differently... Together with an new conscience And turn from the power of Satan to God.. Referred to the demons that destroy from within as described by Rev. Oliver Daley.. Yielding to. The secret of not yielding is to resist the devil and he will flee from you... To every form of evil.. Experience a new kind of freedom Acts 26:17-18... Finally so that they may receive forgiveness of sins..One of the great moving experiences of Scripture is about forgiveness ( so I thought...but there was one more point to be made). So Paul says: that Jesus sent him to open eyes, to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God and then forgiveness Forgiveness is the highest form of love.. Bishop Daniel. A movement of conversion involves the four fold mission that Jesus gave to Paul ( actually five) Finally that they may receive an inheritance a place among those who are sanctified...a new confidence in the hope that God has for them.. Not so readily disturbed... But none of us has arrived for as long as we shall live God has something better for us As I ponder on all the wonderful lessons we learned, the tremendous outpouring of love and fellowship, the inspiring singing, the profoundly moving Healing Service this morning, where over 500 hundred persons came to have " hands laid on them " as they came to God in faith for healing of one kind or another, personal and national, the words of the Good Friday prayer come to mind: " O my people, O my Church, What have I done to you, or in what have I offended you? testify against me. I led you forth from the land of Egypt, and delivered you by the waters of baptism; but you have prepared a cross for your Saviour. I believe, as I read the Word of God from Malachi last night, " Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened ( 3:16 NIV) that God heard the cries of His people over the weekend. And is saying the same words to Jamaica! What wrong has the church done why you have stopped teaching your children to fear the Lord, and turned away from the living God to idols can neither see not talk nor walk? This is the existential question that we in this country have to come face to face with. Other seemingly " important" issues pale in comparison - security, education, the growth agenda, governance, as the successful implementation of them all depend on to Whom we look for guidance. To Whom we intend to receive the glory. And who in the final analysis connects all the dots in the trials we face as a nation. An issue which triggered a note to journalist, politicians and others this PAST week. THE MESSAGE - THE FIRST ON MANY VERSES OF THE HYMN IS INCLUDED This hymn appeared as I opened my hymnbook during my devotions this morning whilst searching for another one, and then the very powerful and instructive words about the correct faith triggered the following thoughts. The Christian worldview is shaped by the following: God created the earth and the sea and everything in it....and pronounced that it was good. Mankind through Adam fell from grace through disobedience God in His mercy rescued all fallen mankind by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. This same Jesus Christ, the Crucified and Ascended One, will come again to judge the world. It is this fourfold understanding of everything that happens on earth that allows us to connect up all the dots in life. And so the gruesome death of that four year yesterday, the  outrageous behaviour of the two past presidents of the JTA, the case brought before the courts seeking to force TVJ and CVM to air an ad promoting " tolerance to gays", "the ends justifying the means" led discussion about condoms in schools,  the rain that fell yesterday and continued last night, the hope and inspiration offered by " the scholastic knights " ( bright young kids at UWI setting up a company to help to teach maths in schools), the preaching of the church about eternal life, the celebrated beauty of of Jamaica land we love, the Cross which features in every Church, the concern about the war in Syria, the concerns about what happens to juveniles in the care of the state, the declaration by some to "die for Dudus",  the seduction of some parts of the church by the beguiling influence of the " prosperity gospel"....which is no gospel at all,  attempt by some in the church and in the society, which has no basis in Scripture, to delink what God has joined together - Justice and Righteousness, the propensity of our people to give and to share even in times of trouble, and even when they themselves are in need, the huge following of Kartel and his "cousin demon protégée",  are all connected and explained by this fourfold appreciation of life. And essentially they can be further distilled into two parts, both of which are represented in the words of  this wonderful hymn about the " correct faith" Man is so prone to wander from the God who created us: God is so full of mercy to us who are so prone to wander. And so we thank God for the Jesus who " sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God....and interposed His precious Blood so that we would  not perish. Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy grace; Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise. Teach me some melodious sonnet, Sung by flaming tongues above; Praise the mount! Oh fix me on it (I’m fixed upon it...  another version,) Mount of  God's unchanging love (Thy redeeming love....) Finally the words of a prayer brought by Rev. Daley. For which he gives credit to a Franciscan, and for which many asked for a copy as the words touched our very soul, and moved some to tears, and perhaps even the presenter, is appropriate end to a response to the spasm and ongoing violence in our society this week. And indeed the world. A FRANCISCAN BENEDICTION MAY GOD BLESS ME WITH DISCOMFORT AT EASY ANSWERS, HALF-TRUTHS, AND SUPERFICIAL RELATIONSHIPS, SO THAT YOU MAY LIVE DEEP IN MY HEART. MAY GOD BLESS ME WITH TEARS TO SHED FOR THOSE WHO SUFFER FROM PAIN, REJECTION, STARVATION AND WAR, SO THAT I MAY REACH OUT MY HAND TO COMFORT THEM AND TURN THEIR PAIN INTO JOY. AND MAY GOD BLESS ME WITH ENOUGH FOOLISHNESS TO BELIEVE THAT I CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THIS WORLD, SO THAT I CAN DO WHAT OTHERS CLAIM CANNOT BE DONE. AMEN In Jesus name. Amen