Scripture: 2nd Timothy 3:2-5
For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid them!
Thought for the Day: There are times to speak gently in hopes of tenderly enticing people away from temptations, and then there is the approach of this author. This is the no-holds-barred approach, a shock to the system. This is the approach that some of our news outlets need to hear this evening. Since the stabbing at Spring High School, I have heard at least five separate people suggest that this event only proves the world is in a full free-fall toward hopelessness. All of them pointed out how there are no good stories in the news.
Well early yesterday, Rev. Brian Edwards and I joined 50 or so community ministers for a press conference. It was to offer a witness of support and hope for students and teachers and families who are hurting today. The speakers were powerful, and even our former pastor, Rev. Wilkerson, offered a prophetic word of hope in the face of despair. Other clergy spoke directly to the two dozen media representatives, pleading with them to present this faithful witness for what it was. Well the media’s questions were only about alleged gang violence and whether there were going to be metal detectors in the school on Monday. And in watching two separate news reports referencing this powerful witness of unity and hope, all they reported was that the murder was gang related (which in fact remains still under investigation), and the school would be forced to bring in metal detectors. They missed the point in its entirety, and only perpetuated the belief that this world is in full free-fall.
A number of the words in 2nd Timothy’s rant need to be directed toward the media this evening, and toward their market-driven news reports that ignore moments of hope – hope that provides a glimmer of encouragement for hurting people. My pessimistic side suggests the news really doesn’t want to see even a hint of anything positive as it doesn’t produce a financial return like that of a good murder.
Help me find my usual optimism again…
Prayer: God of truth, continue to encourage all those who desire to see your gracious work announced, especially in the face of those whose agenda is driven by a reckless love of money. We ask this in the name of Jesus, the one who showed a different kind of recklessness, a reckless love. Amen.
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1 thought on “Ecclesiological Etchings: 09-07-13”
Thank you! My daughter attends Spring High. Evil things happen but there is so much more good there. Last night the football team walked out of their tunnel arm in arm with their coaches rather than running wildly as usual and knelt in prayer in the endzone. They played an intense, fair game. The drill team danced beautifully. The cheerleaders led the crowd in rooting and showing support. School administrators stood on the sidelines cheering, interacting with students, tossing an extra football with some who were not on the field. Mrs. Ullrich, the principal, actually led cheers with the cheerleaders and had them lift her in they air as they do with each other. The band marched a wonderful show and played from the stands to support their team. The crowd stood silently before the game in honor and remembrance. After greeting the other team after the game, the boys and coaches knelt in prayer in the center of the field once again they lined up joining pinkies as the crowd did the same and the band played the alma mater. On one of the band buses students sang songs on the long drive home, raising their voices in joy of being together. I even heard Amazing Grace from them. This morning the only thing the news covered was the increased police presence. Please remember for every negative story in the news, there are thousands more students who love God and each other. That never makes the news.