Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14)

Sometimes, the devil in the pulpit is more evil than the sinner on the street. 

Carlow University, a private Catholic college in Pittsburg, PA, recently hosted an event to discuss ways “to create a different cultural foundation upon which to base one’s faith.” That topic alone should have raised red flags at a Christian university – but no one could have imagined the heresy that would emanate from the podium. 

Guest speaker Miguel De La Torre is a professor of social ethics and Latinx studies at the Iliff School of Theology in Colorado. His presentation, entitled “Rejecting White Christianity,” began with an explosive statement. “All white theology and philosophy is detrimental to communities of color.” 

Excuse me? Pardon my ignorance, but when did theology become segregated by melanin? Christianity is color-blind. God created the human race. There is no distinction between races, skin pigment, birthplaces, or national origin in the plan of salvation. Christ sacrificed His life for all mankind so that the separation between humanity and deity could be paid – once and for all. 

There is no greater love than that demonstrated on the cross. (John 15:13) This love is for all of us. There is no mention anywhere in the Bible of salvation being for a select group. There is, therefore, no such thing as “White Christianity.” There is only Christianity. 

“Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12) That scripture is crystal clear. All means all. To interject skin color into the Gospel is blasphemy. It demeans and devalues the blood of our Savior. 

But Prof. De La Torre had just started speaking. The rest of his presentation only got worse. 

De La Torre told his audience that the solution to racism is obvious. He directed event participants to Matthew 25: 31-46. “Feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, clothe the naked, welcome the alien among you, provide healthcare, also provide prison reform,” advised De La Torre.

I’d like to know what version of the Holy Scripture this speaker was using, as healthcare and prison reform are not listed as God-given directives in any Bible I’ve ever seen.

One of my all-time favorite pastors once told me that we must be careful never to add to God’s Word. That scripture has always stuck with me. Deuteronomy 4:2 tells us, “Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you.” 

And yet, adding to scripture is precisely what De La Torre has done. 

The speaker went on to describe the difference between what he called “White theology” and Latinx ethics” – beginning with his definition of the word “hope.” 

“We embrace Euro-centric concepts like hope because it helps to pacify the oppressed during their oppression,” he said. 

De La Torre later rejected hope as a white concept – not as a “gift of the Spirit.” He further classified the same as a “middle-class excuse to do nothing.” 

Rev. Mark R. Wenger disagrees. “Real hope, I contend, is rooted in God. Hope is a spiritual gift and virtue more than a human achievement.” 

But in his presentation, De La Torre continued, “[Hope] leads to spiritual liberation and ignores physical liberation. It helps us believe in the riches of the hereafter, rather than the riches of the here and now.” 

Christ, Himself warned directly against De La Torre’s mentality when He said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6: 19-21)

Rather than embracing hope, De La Torre asked his audience to “embrace hopelessness.” He argued that doing so “is to be propelled forward into practice and action.”

While the speaker seemed unwilling to defer his hope to the promises of heaven, the Bible cannot be more explicit in its directive of the same. 

• “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope.” (Psalm 130:5)
• “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
• “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” (Isaiah 40:31)
• “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
• “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrew 11:1)
• “You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in Your Word.” (Psalm 119:114)

Not content with his attempts to debase the Gospel with division, disavow the hope of heaven, and add to the Word of God, De La Torre further directed his audience to embrace the concept of “ethical lying,” which he called a “trickster ethic.” He believes the same is necessary to transform society.

According to De La Torre’s convoluted logic, we need to learn to “ethically lie so we can discover what is true, how to steal so ethically we can feed those who are hungry… (and) how to disrupt the structures that have trained us to oppress ourselves and to take upon our body our own discipline.” 

Continuing with his blasphemy, the speaker guilted the audience into believing that “[white theology is] such a colonized way of understanding theology [that it] makes God false.” 

Alternately, De La Torre shared the words of his intellectual mentor in evidencing his way of thinking. 

“We will make our wine out of plantains, and even if it comes out sour, it is still our wine. We will make our theology. We will make our ethics out of our own cultural symbols. And even if we get it wrong, it still is ours,” said De La Torre. “We have to learn how to see with our own eyes. We have to crucify our colonized minds. And for our white brothers and sisters, they need to crucify their whiteness.” 

To this, I can only say, Prof. De La Torre, you did get it wrong. You do not get to make up your own theology. You may believe your own convoluted concepts, but God does not. You cannot add to His divine Word, twist your ideas into political psycho-babble, and still make it into heaven. 

Shame on this speaker for trying to pass along his heresy as gospel. 

And shame on the Catholic university that hosted this event. As their website boasts, they prefer to embrace “social justice, ethical forward-thinking leadership and meaningful service to the community” more than the Christian concepts that founded their origin.

When asked to comment on their guest’s controversial speech, they replied, “Carlow University is proud of our Catholic heritage and mercy mission, which welcomes all. As such, the University welcomes respectful discourse and multiple perspectives, including being open to hosting speakers like Dr. De La Torre whose topic may engender thoughtful reflection and dialogue.” 

In response to both the speaker and Carlow, I can only ask you to fully digest the scripture incorrectly quoted and enhanced during the event. 

Matthew 25:46 warns, “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

And to my readers, please allow me to remind you that there is always hope in Christ. No matter what the devil in the pulpit may tell you, Christ is our eternal, living hope. 

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. (Proverbs 25: 21); If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. (Romans 12:20) 

War is evil. There’s no disputing that fact. But hateful rhetoric disguised as love can be just as sinister – perhaps even more so. Please allow me to explain. 

There is no disputing the ugly and disheartening headlines that have been on constant feed since the Russian-Ukrainian War began. Russia invaded Ukraine without confrontation. The acts of violence that have left Ukrainians fleeing their homeland in fear for their lives are indefensible. 

But what of the public shunning of everything Russian that has come thereafter? Have we lost all thoughts of reason and humanity in the aftermath? Has the world forgotten that there are innocents on both sides of the battlefield? Do we not give credence to the Russian citizens facing economic sanctions, the lost lives of untold thousands of Russian soldiers, and the brave Russian public who are unafraid of protesting the war at the potential cost of a 15-year prison sentence? 

I must ask, how do discrimination, intolerance, and narrow-mindedness make oppression any less malevolent? 

The first public reaction I heard of in protest of the war was the disposal of Russian vodka. Media outlets across the country showed liquor store owners proudly pouring out the perceived offensive liquid in a symbolic show of defiance against the eastern war machine. 

Earlier last week, Russian gymnast Ivan Kuliak was denounced by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) for daring to wear the letter “Z” on his uniform. The Russian military has used the “Z” to mark their vehicles, so its usage is perceived to endorse the war. According to public sentiment, there can be no other application of this symbol – even when there is. 

Prior to Kuliak’s performance, the FIG had ordered the removal of all Russian flag emblems from uniforms. Kuliak chose to display the “Z” in replacement of the same. This 20-year-old athlete is now facing disciplinary measures by the FIG for what they have deemed to be “shocking behavior.” The FIG subsequently banned all Russian and Belarusian athletes from further competitions. Isn’t their punishment of this young athlete and all others from his homeland even more “shocking” and outrageous?

In Kuliak’s case, he wore the symbol to stand in solidarity with his homeland – a fact that most media outlets and even the sporting world refuse to acknowledge. 

“I saw it with our military and looked at what this symbol means. It turned out [it means], ‘for victory’ and ‘for peace,'” Kuliak explained. “I didn’t wish anything bad on anyone, I just showed [what] my position [was]. As an athlete, I will always fight for victory and stand for peace.”

The International Soccer group, FIFA, has also banned all Russian athletes from their competitions. The European Soccer group, UEFA, forbid Russians to participate in the 2022 World Cup. Even disabled athletes who dared to try to compete for Mother Russia have been banned from participating by the International Paralympic Committee. Their decision came as other athletes refused to play against the Russians and threatened to boycott the events if the eastern athletes were allowed to participate. How are these acts not deemed prejudicial? 

The sporting world is not alone in its attempts to punish all Russians. Artists have also faced the same inequitable treatment in an unsurprising yet equally frustrating manner. The New York Metropolitan Opera, for example, recently terminated its relationship with its most beloved, highest-grossing soprano, Anna Netrebko. Her crime? Netrebko refused to denounce Russian President Vladamir Putin when asked to do so by her employer.  

“It is a great artistic loss for the Met and for opera,” Met general manager Peter Gelb announced on March 3rd. “Anna is one of the greatest singers in Met history, but with Putin killing innocent victims in Ukraine, there was no way forward.”

Similarly, renowned Russian conductor, Valery Gergiev, was fired from both the Munich Philharmonic and the Rotterdam Philharmonic in the Netherlands for his refusal to denounce his long-time friend, Vladimir Putin. Apparently, remaining silent when asked for condemnation is enough to lose one’s livelihood. 

In the angry crescendo of warped justice, animals, too, aren’t immune from being blacklisted. Under the “that’s a bit too much” category of outrage, the Federation Internationale Feline announced that Russian-bred cats are now banned from competitions. Not satisfied with this action alone, the FIF will no longer allow Russian exhibitors to participate in their events. 

Closer to home, I’m watching the ostracization of all things Russian in my own backyard with equal parts shock and sadness. History is potentially being rewritten before my very eyes in one such demonstration. 

In June 2004, Sea Island, GA, hosted the G8 Summit. This annual event brings together the leaders from the top eight industrial nations to discuss economics, public health, human rights, and even nuclear proliferation. As is typical, Putin represented his nation in this event. 

A large photo of that era’s world leaders walking in the sand is displayed in the lighthouse museum on St. Simon’s Island. The heads of state are all pictured with broad smiles on their faces. The conviviality captured in this photo always made me feel happy. Something extraordinary occurred in the Golden Isles during that gathering, and by all counts, everyone truly enjoyed their time here. Such events testify to all things good in the world as we work together to remain friends and promote peace. 

Since war broke out in Ukraine, the Sea Island Authority embraced public calls to remove the Russian flag from their G8 memorial. The lighthouse museum has also removed Putin’s name from the chair he sat in during the Summit. Public outcry is now pushing the organization to cover Putin’s face in the photo. I expect the portrait to ultimately be removed from their walls as a final act of appeasement – all under the guise of Ukrainian support. 

Perhaps more than any of the above, the complete absence of calls for prayers for both Ukrainians and Russians may bother me the most. “Pray for Ukraine” has become an acceptable mantra. “Fly the Ukraine flag” is today’s fashionable battle cry. 

But what of prayers for the Russians? What of sympathy for Russian-Americans living in all parts of the world, including on our little Sea Island? When attacking all things Russian, banning Russian athletes and other society standouts, are we not showing rampant discrimination against individuals who have done nothing wrong? Will demonstrating hatred against anything Russian help end the war, or is it, instead, teaching intolerance, illiberalism, and injustice? I fear acts of retribution and violence are soon to follow. 

Alternately, aren’t we – especially Christians – to speak love to everyone, including those we may think of as our opponents? Absolutely! There is no higher calling than demonstrating love in the face of injustice, violence, and evil. 

The Bible tells us as much in the scriptures I quote at the top of this blog. In both the Old and New Testaments, we are told to be kind to our enemies. If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. (Proverbs 25: 21) If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. (Romans 12:20) 

Is that easy to do? Never. Should we do so anyway? Absolutely.

Sabina Wormbrund was the wife of Richard Wurmbrand – a Romanian atheist turned Lutheran pastor who later established the Christian organization Voice of the Martyrs. Both Richard and Sabina were tortured under the German Nazi and Russian Communist regimes for their faith. Despite their brutal treatment, Sabina and Richard remained outspoken proponents of love and kindness, even to their persecutors. Sabina once said, “While others are bent on revenge, on ways of doing more evil than their neighbor, God gives the ability to return good for evil.” Who are we, now, to do any less? 

And so, I caution those who would speak out in love to the Ukrainian people to do the same for the Russians. Canceling, discriminating, and shunning anyone is not only harming a civil society; it’s fomenting hatred in return. God told us to love one another. “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.” (Romans 12: 17)

We cannot invoke hatred against anyone. The collateral damage of hatred is injustice evoked under a mantle of support for a preferred party. The only force that can overwhelm malevolence is love. As Romans 12:21 reminds us, “Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.” 

May we all remember to love one another more deeply – that includes everyone on both sides of the battlefield, even in times of war. 

#LoveOneAnother; #PrayforUkraine&Russia; PrayforPeace

On Thursday morning, February 24, 2022, residents of Ukraine no longer needed to wonder if Mother Russia would use force to invade their beloved homeland. War had arrived – by land, sea, and air.

In an unprecedented move for the tiny nation, the Ukrainian government hopes to defend itself by providing arms to its citizenry. A civilian militia may sound vastly inferior to a superior army – but the Ukrainian people may have an even more incredible super-power residing within her borders – the power of prayer to an Almighty God.

Using social media to broadcast his message, Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, tweeted a petition for his fellow countrymen/women to bear arms against their invaders. “We will give weapons to anyone who wants to defend the country,” Zelensky tweeted. “Be ready to support Ukraine in the squares of our cities.”

Even before the invasion began, Zelensky promised his nation would fight to defend itself. “If they [Russia] attack, if they try to take our country – our freedom, our lives, the lives of our children – we will be defending ourselves…As you attack, it will be our faces you see, not our backs.”

CNN reporter Clarissa Ward showed a different image than civilians holding automatic weapons on day one of the attacks. Below her vantage point above the central square in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Ward reported as cameras showed a group of about seven individuals gathering to kneel on the cold Ukrainian ground to pray.

“I think this really speaks to the sort of desperation of this moment,” Ward explained. “We just see a small group of people…a small group of people has gathered in the main square, and they are kneeling and praying.”

While the reporter seemed stunned at what she witnessed, my heart rejoiced at the image. “Where two or three gather in My name, there I am with them.” (Mathew 18:20)

In ancient Bible times, Judaean King Hezekiah faced a similar struggle to that seen in modern-day Ukraine. In pursuit of kingdom dominance and through a great show of strength, Assyrian King Sennacherib’s superior army surrounded Hezekiah’s walled city.

Before attacking the city, Sennacherib sent a message that could have done much to intimidate the king. “Say to Hezekiah, king of Judah: Do not let the god you depend on deceive you when he says, ‘Jerusalem will not be given into the hands of the king of Assyria.’ Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the countries, destroying them completely. And will you be delivered? Did the gods of the nations that were destroyed by my predecessors deliver them…?” (2 Kings 19: 10-12)

Sennacherib could not have known that Hezekiah would take his letter directly to God. Instead of feeling fear after reading this letter, the Judaean king saw his enemy’s threats as blasphemy against his Creator.

“Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: ‘Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give ear, Lord, and hear; open your eyes, Lord, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to ridicule the living God.’

“‘It is true, Lord, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste these nations and their lands. They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by human hands. Now, Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, Lord, are God.” (2 Kings 19: 14-19)

After hearing from God, the prophet Isaiah advised Hezekiah that his Creator would defend him.

“‘He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow here. He will not come before it with a shield or build a siege ramp against it. By the way that he came, he will return; he will not enter this city, declares the Lord. I will defend this city and save it, for my sake and for the sake of David, my servant.’” (2 Kings 19: 32-34)

While they slept that night, God took the lives of the 185,000 Assyrian soldiers encamped outside of Judah – leaving only dead bodies for the Judeans to count the next day. God did, indeed, fight for and preserve Judah – just as He promised. 

While we know that mass casualties already exist in Ukraine – with countless others yet to come – we cannot discount the power of God to hear the prayers of the small gathering in Kharkiv and around the world for this imperiled nation.

Let us join our hearts and hands in prayer and petition for the Ukrainians as they face the dangers of war on their soil. God alone knows how this will all end. God, alone, is always in control.

#PrayForUkraine. May God have mercy and protect us all.

#PrayForUkraine; #TrustGod; #KeepPraying

May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in You. (Psalm 33:22)

I’ve never been a fan of holidays created to promote the sale of overpriced products under the guise of demonstrating love. Call me cynical, but in my way of thinking, Valentine’s Day serves one of two purposes: 1) the recipients of cards, chocolate, and compassion feel overwhelmingly loved in receipt of the same; or 2) the recipients who don’t receive cards, chocolate, and compassion feel rejection and despair in a more pronounced way on this Hallmark ® holiday than on any other day of the year. 

I speak from experience. I remember back to my high school days when students could gift silk roses to each other on Valentine’s Day. These outward tokens of affection could be purchased and sent anonymously or openly, tangibly advising both the recipients and the rest of the student body that secret or overt admirers really existed. I used to dread the delivery of those roses during class time – knowing full-well that no flowers would be delivered to me. 

And that’s okay – because I’ve always known how much my Savior loves me. His love matters more to me than anything.

As Christians, we are all called to demonstrate love continually – no matter the day, hour, or reason. There can be no more elaborate contrast between the children of God and the rest of the world than the love that we exemplify – despite our circumstances. As Christ said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” (John 13:35)

A perfect example of this unique type of love is embodied in a story I read recently about a Utah father. While transporting his three daughters to basketball practice, Joe Tuia’ana spotted a young man poised precariously on the side of an overpass, just past a parked car. The youth had his hoodie pulled over his head and stood on the opposite side of a security barrier. This young man was preparing to end his own life by all outward appearances. Shocked into action, Tuia’ana stopped his car a short distance away, advising the oldest of his daughters to call 911 and remain in his vehicle. 

“I got out of the car and immediately thought, ‘If you screw this up, not only is this young man going to die, but your daughters are going to see it happen,” Tuia’ana said. “I nearly passed out due to fear and anxiety.” 

While slowly approaching the young man, who appeared to be in his 20’s, Joe called out to God, praying for divine assistance in this life or death encounter. 

“From that point, I felt inspired to do what I thought Jesus would do: walk slowly to this young man, with your arms open to him,” said Joe.

“When close enough, I told him, ‘I love you. I love you, bro,’” Tuia’ana recalled. “He looked at me with fear and pain, crying so hard. With my arms open to him, I repeated, ‘I love you. I love you, bro.”

A few minutes passed until the young man finally surrendered to Joe’s demonstration of tenderness, responding with a simple cry of “help.” 

Tuia’ana immediately jumped up, hugged the youth, and guided him back to safety. 

“I held the young man in my arms like he was my own child and cried with him,” said Joe. “No words said, no questions asked. Just time for him to hug and sit with someone who loved him in peace.” 

“He was hurting, and I felt like he just needed someone to love him.” 

First responders arrived moments later. After de-escalating the situation and moving the young man to a nearby parking lot, Joe stayed with this hurting soul for a bit longer. 

While Tuia’ana never learned what propelled this young man to nearly ending his life, Joe remains hopeful that he will see him again at some point. Moreover, the encounter left this dad with a greater appreciation of the importance of demonstrating compassion. 

“This was an amazing, horrible, beautiful experience for my life,” Joe said. “I now view people with a greater love and with open arms. My heart needed an upgrade, and this young man gave it to me.”

As this story demonstrates, tenderness and devotion should be as much a part of our existence as breathing. While florists, candy, and card-makers may view Valentine’s Day as an annual opportunity to amass profits, the rest of us should never limit our affections to one day a year. There are 364 other opportunities to do so, 24-hours a day, with no need for calendar prompting. 

God demonstrates His unfailing love to us in the beauty of His creation, the air that fills our lungs, and the sending of a Savior who also stretched out His arms of compassion – on an old rugged cross. 

“I love you, bro,’ arms open and no questions asked.” Those are more than words expressed by a stranger to a starving soul, hungry for affection, standing on a bridge. They embody the single most perfect message of unconditional love that has ever been demonstrated on earth. 

Nothing can match the unequivocal, unrelenting, unfailing love of God. Even better, no holiday is required.

#UnfailingLoveofGod; #ChristianLove; #DemonstrateLove; #LoveOneAnother

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear. (1 John 4:18)

Is there such a thing as “perfect love”? As Christians, we know that “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) There can be no more perfect, unconditional love than that summarized in this one Gospel verse. 

But what about earthly love? Is there such a thing as “perfect love” amongst humans? 

History tells countless stories of sacrificial love. The Bible reminds us that “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13) Indeed, heroic acts of bravery in defense of others are the stuff that legends are made of. 

One such act of valor involves four men of faith who are remembered for the heroism they performed collectively during World War II. The “Four Chaplains,” as the quartet came to be known, were comprised of Lt. George L. Fox, Methodist Minister; Lt. Alexander D. Goode, Jewish Rabbi; Lt. John P. Washington, Roman Catholic Priest; and Lt. Clark V. Poling, Dutch Reformed Reverand. 

The group met at Harvard University’s Army Chaplain’s School, but fate brought them back together again in February 1943. In the midst of the ongoing war, these four chaplains accompanied 902 soldiers aboard the Dorchester. This former luxury liner was transporting troops across the Atlantic between Newfoundland to Greenland. 

On the evening of February 3, the ship’s captain ordered the soldiers to sleep fully clothed, each wearing a protective life preserver. The icy waters were perilous and German U-boats were known to frequent these waters. 

Many of the men dirregarded the captain’s order due to the heat inside the ship’s bow and the discomfort such accommodations would provide. This simple act of insubordination caused many to perish as a result. 

At 12:55 am, a German U-223 spotted the Dorchester and fired three torpedoes at the vessel – one of which stuck the ship broadside. In just 20 minutes, the ship would sink to its doom below the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean – just 150 miles from its final destination. 

During that 20-minute interval, the four clergymen comforted the injured, aided sailors in distributing life jackets, and helped panicked seaman move to lifeboats. “Witnesses of that terrible night remember hearing the four men offer prayers for the dying and encouragement for those who would live,” explained Wyatt R. Fox, son of Reverend Fox.

Private William B. Bednar provided first-hand testimony to the calming presence offered by the ministers. “I could hear men crying, pleading, praying,” Bednar explained. “I could also hear the chaplains preaching courage. Their voices were the only thing that kept me going.”

After all stowed lifejackets had been distributed, witnesses recount seeing the chaplains surrender their own to fleeing passengers. “It was the finest thing I have seen or hope to see this side of heaven,” said survivor John Ladd.

As the ship sank to its icy grave, witnesses describe seeing the chaplains, linked arm-in-arm, verbally offering prayers for both the perishing and survivors alike. While the Dorchester was unable to send a distress call due to her disabled power systems, two of her escort ships were fortunate to rescue 230 survivors from the frigid waters. In all, 672 service members, including the chaplains, perished on that fateful evening. 

Ambrose Redmoon once said that “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.” 

Of more importance is the demonstration of love – perfect love. While we may never be called upon to lay down our lives for others selflessly, each one of us has the opportunity to show love every single day. After all, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear. (1 John 4:18) 

God’s love never fails. May our love for others always do the same.

#TheFourChaplains; #God’sLove; #PerfectLove

Now, if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory. ((Romans 8:17)

A heartwarming story circulated across the internet last week and served as a reminder of the importance of family. 

In December 2018, then 11-year-old Carter Wyles received the best Christmas gift anyone could ever obtain. Carter had been living with his aunt, uncle, and cousins due to a difficult situation in his biological home. While surrounded by his loved ones, the pre-teen was handed one final gift box to open. Inside the package, Carter found a photo of his extended family along with a note that would change his life forever.

 “This is our most recent picture of our family,” Carter read out loud. “All of us would love for you to be in the next picture and to be part of our family… would you like to be a Kiphart and be our son and brother?”

As his new family looked on, Carter nodded his head and choked back tears as his former aunt and soon-to-be adopted mother hugged him. “I want to thank you so much,” Carter cried. 

While watching this video, I was struck by how blessed we should all feel when we are adopted into the family of God. No matter what we’ve ever done or who our earthly family is, when we accept Jesus into our hearts, we become part of the family of God – with full rights to call our Creator, Abba Father. 

The Apostle Paul tells us in Galatians 4:6-7, “Because you are His sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’ So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.”

Imagine all the implications of being a child of God. The Author of all Creation promised us that He will always take care of us. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” (Psalm 32:8)

God will assist us during difficult times. “For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Fear not, I am the one who helps you.'” ( Isaiah 41:13)

Our heavenly Father will stay with us, holding us when we are afraid. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

God will protect us, as only He can do. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” (Isaiah 43:2) 

To be accepted into God’s family, all we have to do is believe that Jesus is God’s Son and accept Him as our Savior. “Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)

We are given a divine inheritance in return for our acceptance, just waiting for us in heaven. “Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.” (Revelation 21:7)

When was the last time you truly celebrated your adoption into the family of God? Rejoice in your salvation! Celebrate the inheritance that is already yours and share the joy of your salvation with everyone you meet. 

You are a part of the family of God. Never forget that. No more extraordinary gift could ever be received. 

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened. But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. (1 Peter 3: 13-15)

The morning after I submitted my workplace religious exemption against the COVID vaccine, I woke with the Jeremy Camp song “It’s out of my hands” on replay in my head. God always puts music in my mind with words that resonate with promises from above. I wrote about that in a previous blog, and I’ve always believed it. 

I knew I had done my part in standing for my faith, but I still had to prepare myself for the genuine possibility that my employer would turn down my request. I had plenty of time over the Thanksgiving weekend to consider what I should do if my exemption were denied. Was I prepared to lose my job over a jab – or two or three – into my arm? Was this a foolish battle I was waging at the expense of my financial security? 

These questions and more plagued my mind. What would I do if I lost my job? Does anyone ever win when taking a stand against the government? Was I prepared to take my battle to the courts if I was turned down? How much would such a legal action cost me, and how long would it take to bring such a lawsuit into the courtroom? 

After submitting my exemption, I came across a recorded Zoom meeting with labor attorneys telling employers that only workers whose churches deny vaccination had lawful excuses for refusing the federal mandate. This exchange only deepened my insecurities. 

In my letter, I had argued that “refusing immunizations does not have to be a tenet or directive of a particular religion that I may follow.” Still, I am not a legal expert by any means. Was my petition outside a church ideology enough to win an exception? These lawyers didn’t seem to think so.

“Most of the mainstream religions that we know of aren’t opposed to this vaccine,” one of the attorneys said. “You’re really having to find someone who is almost more of a fringe belief system or fringe religion because mainstream religion, you know Catholicism for instance…the Pope even ended up coming out and saying ‘Look. Get vaccinated.” (17:04) One of the lawyers even laughed at this point. 

Is my faith a laughing matter? Not to me. Would I be mocked for my beliefs? Perhaps. How could I ever win against such a mindset? I might not. I had previously felt good about the stand I had taken for my faith. Was I being foolish? I didn’t think so.

The following day, my daily Bible reading began in Daniel 3. In this passage, the Jewish captives – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – opposed King Nebuchadnezzar’s ruling that everyone must bow down and worship the monarch’s created image. Those who opposed the royal edict would be burned alive in a fiery furnace. Although these brave men knew their lives were at stake, they refused to submit to Nebuchadnezzar’s imposed idolatry. 

When called to explain their stance, these young men responded by proclaiming their faith in opposition to the government-enforced proclamation. Despite the threat, these men were willing to defy the same – no matter the consequences. 

“King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (V. 16-18)

What happened next changed the lives of not only those who witnessed the miracle but continue to offer encouragement for everyone’s who’s ever read the story. After refusing to bow to the statue, Nebuchadnezzar ordered his furnace to be heated sevenfold, to a temperature so hot that the soldiers tasked with throwing Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego into the flames died while doing so. 

Although these three men were prepared to die for their faith, God saw fit to save them. 

“Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, ‘Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?’ They replied, ‘Certainly, Your Majesty.’ He said, ‘Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.'” (V. 24-25)

Not only was the king astounded by what he saw in the furnace, but he also testified to the salvation enacted by God. 

“Then Nebuchadnezzar said, ‘Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.'” (V. 28) 

This story became a powerful reminder to me. Not only did God provide a miracle for these brave young men, but He also used their faith to humble a king. My stance for my beliefs might not change the heart of a ruler, but it may influence others who read my words and encourage them to stand unafraid for what they believe. 

Six days after submitting my religious exemption request, my employer’s compliance office agreed to my exception. While I was jubilant at this outcome, I felt humbled by God’s grace and couldn’t help but praise my heavenly Father for this victory. After calling my mother and brother to share the good news, I texted all my friends, announcing the same. “To God be the glory!” I wrote. “Great things He has done!” 

While I wasn’t faced with a fiery furnace for opposing a government mandate, I felt just as grateful for surviving what could have been the loss of my employment, security, and financial future. Standing up for my faith has strengthened my resolve, empowered my testimony, and encouraged me never to doubt God’s promise to always be with us. 

“The Lord your God fights for you, just as He promised.” (Joshua 23:10) That’s not just an obscure verse from a forgotten period of history. That promise is just as true today as it was when Joshua proclaimed it centuries ago. My victory belongs to God, and I will never stop proclaiming it.