As we continue to grieve for the families of Newtown, we need to ask where we go from here. I have repeatedly heard politicians talk about policy initiatives to deal with this problem. As we have looked at America, we can be very certain of one thing–political decisions are not the answer to the problems of our society.
Where do we go from here?
As I lead my church and as I seek God’s direction, these are areas I want to emphasize.
First, we must train our young men in Godliness and manliness. God has a special role for a woman and He has a special role for a man. Somehow, we seem to have lost our understanding of God’s great role for a young man.
Many non-religious people have actually spoken about the evil, demonic, and satanic forces at work in the shootings at Newtown. We must remember that Satan didn’t begin his work last Friday. He began his work long before in the breakdown of the family and in the emasculation of American males.
The church must call fathers and men to teach and lead boys to be men of character, integrity, and leadership.
Second, we must call husbands and wives to renew commitments to love each other. In the Bible, love is a choice rather than a feeling. Psychologists tell us that feelings normally follow choices–exactly as the Bible indicates.
Third, we must care about the left out of society. When you are at the church service, look around. Look for people who need to be engaged, loved, and appreciated. The unengaged are often difficult to reach out to but we must continue to do so.
Fourth, we must give kids meaningful jobs and responsibilities. Kids cannot live well in the world of video games. We must train them early to take responsibility. We need to encourage them to make adult (wise, godly, responsible) decisions. Children want to be given responsibility. My granddaughter will say, “when I get to be a ‘dult’. . . .” We need to show them the world of adults is one of learning, growing, and accomplishing.
Finally, we need to pray for revival in America. Who knows but that God will use this tragedy to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of children to the fathers (Malachi 4:6). People are open now to real answers. Peter Bouchard, CEO of Pioneer Telephone, sent an email to the companies’ customers seeking to deal with the tragedy of Newtown. This is what he said: “It has been said that keeping great evil at bay, takes a great power. I believe however it takes showing small acts of kindness to your loved ones, neighbors and complete strangers that makes the world a much better place.”
People are wondering how to make the world better.
Let the church tell them, and let us pray for a new awakening in America.
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6 Responses
Dr. Bailey, Amen and AMEN.
I have a few quotes for you that have recently come to my attention out of the booklet “When the Time Comes”…
“Among the best things we can give each other are good memories.” Henry Nouwen
“The things that matter most in our lives are not fantastic or grand. They are moments when we touch one another, when we are there in the most attentive or caring way.”
Jack Kornfield
Perhaps my favorite of this group is:
“In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great Love.”
Mother Teresa
Another interesting quote not from the booklet: “Any frontal attack on ignorance is bound to fail, because the masses are always ready to defend their most precious possession – their ignorance.” Hendrik Willem van Loon
So who is this elitist sounding fellow who portends knowing people so well?
He was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands, the son of Hendrik Willem van Loon and Elisabeth Johanna Hanken. He went to the United States in 1902 to study at Cornell University, receiving his degree in 1905. In 1906 he married Eliza Ingersoll Bowditch, daughter of a Harvard professor, by whom he had two sons, Henry Bowditch and Gerard Willem. The newlyweds moved to Germany, where van Loon received his Ph.D. from the University of Munich in 1911 with a dissertation that became his first book, The Fall of the Dutch Republic (1913). He was a correspondent for the Associated Press during the Russian Revolution of 1905 and again in Belgium in 1914 at the start of World War I. He lectured at Cornell University from 1915 to 1917; in 1919 he became an American citizen.
If you would like to read more about him: Cornelis van Minnen (2005). Van Loon: Popular Historian, Journalist, and FDR Confidant. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 1-4039-7049-1.
Blessings
I learned a long time ago that there is a reason we call God, “Father”. Pastor Bailey touched on that this morning at our Tuesday Mens Breakfast. As earthly fathers we are to instruct, protect and instill wisdom in our children. God has done no less. Thank you pastor.
I weep in your loss.
This just in for an interesting view, depending on Christ is each to be True.
Twas 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
When 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven’s gate.
Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
They were filled with such joy, they didn’t know what to say.
They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
“Where are we?” asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
“This is heaven.” declared a small boy. “we’re spending Christmas at God’s house.”
When what to their wondering eyes did appear,
But Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
Then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
And in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
Those children all flew into the arms of their King
And as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
One small girl turned and looked at Jesus’ face.
And as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, “I’ll take care of mom and dad.”
Then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
Then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
“Let My power and presence re-enter this land!”
“May this country be delivered from the hands of fools”
“I’m taking back my nation. I’m taking back my schools!”
Then He and the children stood up without a sound.
“Come now my children, let me show you around.”
Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
And I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
“In the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT.”
Written by Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, PA
Blessings
A meaningful response. Thank you Waylon. Also I will be sharing the poem in the response with my faculty and staff as we continue to struggle with this issue.
Det var rask retur til Norge?! Og jeg som he5pet e5 fe5 ff8lge med deg pe5 reisen i USA.. 😉 Her har du ifavrthell kommet tilbake til ordentlig vinterff8re, slaps og glatt ff8re! Flotte bilder under her ogse5! Snf8 er fint, men ikke ne5r det blir slaps ut av den.. Her har det snf8dd bittelitt bare, men forsvant med sola igjen.. 🙂 God helg til deg!
You look so tiny!! I have only had 6 and I was much bigger than that at 16 weeks.[] Reply:February 3rd, 2010 at 10:09 amI’ve certainly looked bigger in other pregnancies. I’m measuring big for gestational age, but that is typical for me, so probably no twins. []