Articles
Foolish Judges or Negligent Christians
Foolish Judges or Negligent Christians?
By Paul R. Blake
“He… makes fools of the judges” (Job 12:17). “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isa. 5:20).
Some years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a fifth grade teacher violated the First Amendment's so called “Separation of Church and State” by placing a Bible on his school desk. This “doctrine of separation” is attributed to Thomas Jefferson. However, it was Thomas Jefferson who, while President, asked that the Bible be used in public schools for their reading curriculum. Jefferson said, “I have always said, and always will say, that the studious perusal of the sacred volume will make us better citizens.” Isn't it ironic that in the name of Jefferson the very thing he advocated is now being struck down by our judicial system? While Christians must respect the offices of civil leaders, it is not un-Christian to acknowledge that God calls them fools when they lead in this manner.
Wait just a moment! Before feeling outraged by the assaults on religious liberty and becoming somewhat self-righteous, consider… you have the freedom to pick up your own Bible and read and study it as often and as much as you like in your home. To what extent are you exercising that liberty? Here is another irony: some of those who most loudly protest restrictions on public prayer and Bible study, pray and study very little at home.
I am convinced that a Christian will accomplish far more by transforming his life with prayer and Bible study and thus salting the earth with his Christian influence, than he will by fighting city hall. Has there ever been a time in history when true Christianity was in full favor and freedom under any civil government? Even minor victories and freedoms are short-lived. At the same time, there has never been a time (nor will there ever be) when civil government had the power to interfere with the relationship between the individual Christian and God. “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:38).
Cultivate the practice of prayer and Bible study in private, and you will be more credible when you advocate for it in public. Can you handle another irony? How tragic it will be for those who publicly protest Perdition-bound Judges and Presidents, only to join them in Hell in the hereafter because they neglected prayer and Bible study in private.
Thank You, God
By Helen Steiner Rice
Thank You, God, for little things
That often come our way--
The things we take for granted
But don’t mention when we pray--
The unexpected courtesy,
The thoughtful, kindly deed,
A hand reached out to help us
In the time of sudden need--
Oh, make us more aware, Dear God,
Of little daily graces
That come to us with sweet surprise
From never dreamed of places.
Less of Me
(Author Unknown)
Let me be a little kinder
To the faults of those about me;
Let me be when I am weary
Just a little bit more cheery;
Let me serve a little better,
Those I am striving for.
Let me be a little meeker
With a brother who is weaker;
Let me think more of my neighbor
And a little less of me.
