Anxiety, Arrogance, Blindness, Christians in America, Nationalism, Religious Right

Many Will Come . . .

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These are funny times. Pundits are magnanimous in their talk about how divided these United States are. The divisions are many and strident. At I write these words, the election is just over and the political alienation is palpable.
From the right, many are claiming protection for their righteous values while from the left the push for women’s reproductive rights and the LGBTQ+ front continue their own advocacy efforts.

The Reverend Jerry Falwell was instrumental in the formation of a platform for Christians to unite politically forming a voting bloc for politicians to solicit. The Moral Majority (some said was neither) was a conservative group built in the way the Tea Party was built to create a voting bloc. Today’s bloc is simply called the Evangelical Right with many “leaders”.

In the lead up to the 2024 election, a persistent narrative emerged that Donald J. Trump was specifically chosen by God for the mission of being the president of the United States. Books have been written and illustrators have been busy embellishing this tale of predestined favor with T-shirts and hats. In a book titled “Why God Chose Donald Trump for President” Muhammad Kanafsky shares this delightful prose: “Donald Trump is one of those who loves to work and improve life in this World. That is why God chose him to be President of the United States of America.” I can only assume this was self-published.

What has been startling is how his pursuit of the evangelical vote fed into the self-serving non-Biblical movement called Christian Nationalism. A movement promoting the idea that these United States were established by God to be a Christian nation. Christians from across the nation have condemned this fiction. [Editor’s note: Please see my post https://www.the6p.net/2022/12/01/why-christian-nationalism-is-both-non-scriptural-and-heretical/

This yarn about Trump’s designation as a chosen leader is one of the most misbegotten pails of hamster vomit the world has ever seen. In the words of Christ from Matthew 24:4-8 as rendered in The Message:

“Watch out for doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities, claiming, ‘I am Christ, the Messiah.’ They will deceive a lot of people. When reports come in of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don’t panic. This is routine history; this is no sign of the end. Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Famines and earthquakes will occur in various places. This is nothing compared to what is coming.”

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The Jailer’s Freedom

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My Dungeons Shook is a James Baldwin essay dedicated to his namesake nephew.  A recurring theme in Diasporic literature has an elder providing advice e.g. sage wisdom to a protégé that informs descent into manhood.  Earlier versions in this genre include the book of Proverbs written by Solomon to his son.

Another modern and particularly popular iteration was written by Ta Nahisi Coates sharing his anxiety of living in these United States with his son.  Freedom for the Jailer is dedicated to relatives that I would share with understanding that mothers and grandmothers already talk with girls and boys, warning them that they must be smart about problems that causes trouble.  Because bad trouble could lead to jail.

Jail is where no one wants to land because not only will you be locked up, but your dreams will be locked up with you.  Strange things happen in jail and no Black man can afford the risk of long-term incarceration.  The jailers just don’t care.

One jailer that didn’t care had the tables turned.  One night after midnight, an earthquake opened the doors to the jail and broke the chains.  Sworn to duty, the jailer almost took his life as he assumed the prisoners had escaped.  The prisoner named Paul shouted “We’re here, do no harm!”

The jailer took the prisoner to his home and received Christ that night.  The jailer was freed. 

Black people have been jailed for 400 years.  The jailer must be freed so we can be freed.  Sons, grandsons and friends:  Here are five concepts that will support your successful career, better your life and keep you free.

i] We were always taught that Education was key to success in America.  Betty Hayes went to her grave believing that the opportunity to move up was bound to being better prepared.  Education is life giving.  One learns and even what he doesn’t know gets revealed as he continues to learn. 

Unfortunately, decades into the 21st century, the workplace and economy conceded the need for both academic and skill-based education for workplace success.  Market forces have not managed to bring down the cost of a college education.  This is a spurious combination in the light of falling demand as a result of the fear of long-term debt and layoffs of college-educated middle management in many sectors. 

ii] The second tenet certainly falls in tandem with the first.  Reflect on this statement: Hard work is an emblem to those around you.  Humility is an emblem to God.  Today there is constant temptation to cut corners and to take the ‘easy’ route.  Those around you are influenced by your example.  They will take cues from your performance.  The Lord will give you favor to lead. 

The world has grown comfortable with those who bully others and steamroll themselves to the top.  Paul’s advice about leadership explains it well.   A leader must be well-thought-of, committed to his wife, cool and collected, accessible, and hospitable. He must know what he’s talking about, not be overfond of wine, not pushy but gentle, not thin-skinned, not money-hungry. He must handle his own affairs well, attentive to his own children and having their respect.

[I Tim. 3:2-4 MSG]

iii] Charity begins with you, sharing with and loving on others with no expectation of return.  The entire earth is the Lord’s and everything in it (which includes all of your little stuff too).  There’s no need to hoard.  The love of God is free.   God is love. 

iv] Your closest friend will let you down.  Jesus never will.

This includes your wife; cherish her anyway.  The better you know Jesus, the less likely you will feel disappointed.  Spend time with him.

v] Learn the value and virtue of patience.  Especially with yourself.  Everyone has trials and various kinds of drama, but will you outlast it?  “. . . trouble don’t last always” Will you demeanor and temperament be an example to peers and co-workers?  Are you mindful that the Lord is always watching?  

capital punishment, Corporal Discipline, Crucifixion, King of the Jews, Kingdom of God

David – Idyllic King or Myth? {Part 1}

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One of the most time-consuming tasks required to complete a written piece is researching the historical context and gathering details that confirm the story.  In order to compose this piece one needs to compare the opinions of secular historians and biographers to those who might describe themselves as “Rhema-inspired” writers working as they sense what the Spirit has told them about the subject at hand.  The secular sources tend to find the course of events confusing due to the fact that their spiritual insight is lacking. 

Historians and secular biographers question whether David actually lived primarily because there is no physical evidence that he lived.  I have four books in front of me referencing the ancient king of Israel. The books written by secularists question whether he lived. So then, even with the legendary ‘David/Goliath’ story ever-present as well as Psalm 23, the call for physical, anthropological evidence continues. 

As a believer, I concede that the evidence may be lacking, but as I read Psalms ascribed to David, I am convinced that he had visions of the dynasty of Christ, his life and his crucifixion.  You only need to read Psalm 22:12-21 to sense the peril of Christ as he was crucified. Or Psalm 16:8-11 to know the meditations of his heart.

These writings were provided by the Holy Spirit proving that the hand of God was fully functioning in the lives of David and others and illustrating lessons we can learn as the Apostle Paul references in I Corinthians 10:11-12.

Still, many of David’s actions and King Saul’s actions examined without context appear haphazard.  The historians and biographers cannot make sense of events like David’s dance before the Lord [II Samuel 6:14-22] or the divine directives to eradicate entire armies or cities.  The Bible documents our God’s dealings with men from the beginning. It is not meant to be historically accurate, nor can it be verified empirically.  Its purpose is to deliver God himself via wisdom, history, judgment, instruction as provided by His Spirit.   The Bible can be read literally, but many insights can be misinterpreted as they are meant to be believed, but not proven. 

Come back to Phatonfruit. net for Part 2 to verify your belief or hopefully to BECOME MORE CONVINCED!!

Blessed Assurance, Bread of Sorrows

Thessaloniki

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Paul addressed the church he began in Thessalonika with the epistle known as 1 Thessalonians.  This is the same city he was urged to travel to in Acts 16 that was crying out to him through the Holy Spirit.  According to Matthew Henry, this was the first epistle he wrote to any of the churches being written in 51 A.D.  The significance of this being Paul’s first letter of endorsement and encouragement to any of the churches he started and important to understanding his approach to establishing them.
Paul shares from his heart about how the church began and their progress but the enduring, most memorable chapter is the fourth.  My wife and I heard about an acquaintance who is a Christian and who was reacting very badly to the loss of a loved one.   Yes, the Bible says grieve with those who grieve, but in the fourth chapter we find words that describe a faith-filled reaction to the loss of a saint.  There may be instances in these current times of calamity where some may sleep in the Lord.  What will our reaction be?  We are reminded that this situation was not an emergency in Heaven.  The Father was not taken aback by the virus.  


13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

There is no clear reaction by anyone in a loss. When we lost our mother some years ago, my immediate reaction was that of sheer terror and shock.  She was an absolute sainted woman.  Once reality sets in, we have a chance to react knowing we will see our loved ones again!  No one can say what their first reaction to a catastrophic loss will be but in this we have been assured: 

15 For we say this to you by the Lord’s [own] word, that we who are still alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will in no way precede [into His presence] those [believers] who have fallen asleep [in death]. 16 For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel and with the [blast of the] trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain [on the earth] will simultaneously be caught up together with them [the resurrected ones] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord! 18 Therefore comfort and encourage one another with these words [concerning our reunion with believers who have died].
If we are not resting in His everlasting arms, are we flailing about on our own?  Are we like these described in James 1:6b Those who depend only on their own judgment are like those lost on the seas, carried away by any wave or picked up by any wind. 7 Those adrift on their own wisdom shouldn’t assume the Lord will rescue them or bring them anything.  [VOICE]

 God is still seated on the throne; we’re going to be alright!

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When the Cloud Lifts {part 1}

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Exodus 13:20-22

21 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: 22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.

We are fortunate to live in a time when there is a great deal of nature programming available that showcases the wonder and beauty of creation in all immense glory and meticulous detail.  One can imagine what it was like when there were fewer people and larger swaths of unspoiled wilderness.  One feature showed an enormous school of anchovies swimming in what is known as a bait bell, swirling as does a storm.  The swirl is huge and as predators look to attack, all they can see is the huge swirl of fish bodies.  The fish swim within the swirl where they are protected by reason of sheer number.  This is the similar behavior of herds of wildebeest.  As long as they are in the flow of the movement, they are following their destiny. Psalm 91 is rich with promises and provisions given to believers.  Verse 1 provides one of the main conditions under which the ensuing promises are met.  “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty”;  that is, as one remains in His presence – presumably close enough to be in His shadow, all of the conditions for the promises will be met. 

Clouds are symbolic of several things in scripture as Easton’s Bible Dictionary explains: https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/cloud they are so amazing and beautiful that we must continue this study soon.

#realChristmas!, Gospel

Why Shepherds?

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 I was always a fan of Charles Shultz and his band of ‘Peanuts’.  The Emmy-winning animated series premiered in 1965.  It centered around Charlie Brown’s concern that the Christmas holiday had become too commercial.  After making known his concern and attempting to remedy the situation, he finally asks “What is the true meaning of Christmas?”

Linus Van Pelt responds  [see the clip]:

The shepherds were the first to be told of the birth of the King.  There was no media, internet or broadcasting at the time.  The news was however deemed important enough to send the angels to announce His arrival and where He could be found.

How ironic it is that the shepherds were virtually outcast from the Hebrew population because of their close ongoing association with the sheep.  This contact makes them ceremonially unclean [or forbidden from public contact].  As a result, shepherds would seem unlikely to be the first recipients of the best news in history. 

Yet, to spite the vanity in men and the needed to keep the integrity of the gospel, God debuted the news with a most humble community.  If the gospel were reserved for the wise or the rich, they would seek and compete for it themselves.  Theologian Matthew Henry says ” The gospel is fitted to bring down the pride of both Jews and Greeks, to shame the boasted science and learning of the Greeks and to take that constitution on which the Jews valued themselves and despised all the world besides . . .”

So this gospel was not given to the spiritual leaders or the congregation, but to the lowly shepherds watching their flocks by night.   The most spectacular music show lit by the very glory of God!

Another of my favorite Christmas songs: “A Star in the East” by Harry Belafonte admonished them to “rise up and follow”

 

May you experience just a tiny inkling of the joy that those to whom He was revealed that day so long ago felt this Christmas season!!

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David – Idyllic King or Myth? {Part 2}

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Historians and secular biographers question whether David actually lived primarily because there is no physical evidence that he lived. As a believer, I concede that the evidence may be lacking, but as I read Psalms ascribed to David, I am convinced that he had visions of the dynasty of Christ, his life and his crucifixion.  This is the concluding entry arguing that King David did exist and that the most convincing and dramatic evidence of his existence is how Christ referenced him.

Some truths are illustrated figuratively, many times revealed in the life of someone or some object generations before the designated subject-symbol arrives.  Without delving into a complicated discussion on types and shadows, we can examine the life and kingship of David and interpret what it means to our lives now and in the kingdom to come:

            1] David was chosen not based on human characteristics, but on characteristics that God himself decided.  Did he know how David would fare?  We can only assume that he did, and that he was okay with the outcome. 

            2] David was anointed king approximately 22 years before he was given actual access to ascend the throne.  He knew he had been given the position but he needed to receive instruction and wait patiently until he was given authority to reign.

            3] David was the foremost psalmist, an exemplary worshipper blessed by the Spirit to see and foretell details in the life and passion of Messiah; the Christ centuries before his arrival.

            4] At times David failed miserably but repented, illustrating how living in an ongoing relationship with God is the only way to really experience life.  God did not expect him to be perfect, and as Paul declared: “. . .  where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.” [Romans 5:20 NKJV]

            5] David’s life also illustrated vividly that through Christ, we are accepted into God’s royal family no matter how broken and discarded we may seem to be.  This was reflected in David’s actions toward Mephibosheth [2 Samuel 9].

Biblical historians have different ideas on how Jesus presented himself to the world, but they do not disagree on whether he existed.  If Christ existed and declared himself a descendent of David, any believer in Christ would have to acknowledge and believe in David, the King.

Bread of Sorrows

Flexit super illam – He wept over it

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Painting by Enrique Simonet Lombardo {{PD-1996}}

We were able to visit the world famous Prado Museum and yes, we waited for the free visit hours in a line for a while before we were let in. Now that everyone is carrying a camera at all times, all the visitors were compelled to comply with rule forbidding photography. I was excited but I wasn’t sure what to expect.

My wife and I wandered the rooms and halls knowing we couldn’t view everything, but relishing the incredible timeless paintings and sculpture. The Prado holds artwork from Spain’s own Goya as well as Rubens, Rafael and even Rembrandt.

The Painting

After walking through several rooms, I walked through one door way and my heart fell. Most of the gallery rooms are quite large and one of the main areas is literally several hundred feet long. I was entering one room when I saw the painting.

Previous visits to museums taught me that there is an optimal distance for viewing paintings. No painting [that I am aware of ] is meant to be viewed up close. One needs perspective to see the depth, shading and detail added by the artist.

This painting measures 18 feet by 10 feet high! Upon entering the room I was immediately entranced into the captured moment. I knew it was Christ and His disciples gazing over Jerusalem. I was then compelled to know what moment the artist had captured.

I assumed that the artist had chosen Matthew 23:37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” [KJV] That was not it.

For me the sense of sorrow was pervasive as the color of the sky helped deliver the tone and accented how He expressed his sorrow. It was as if the turmoil Jerusalem would experience was revealed to him at that moment.

Luke 19:41

In my mind, this was the time for the Matthew 23:37 speech, but according to some scholars, his admonishment for Jerusalem only came after entering the city. The artist cites Luke 19:41 as the inspiration which took place during the approach to the city known as the “Palm Sunday parade”.

One commentator declares that Jesus must have repeated some ideas on different occasions. It seems that all of this speech could have been shared in one extended reveal of Jerusalem’s future fate.

All of this cannot be allowed to overshadow the fact that Jesus, architect, creator & ruler of creation was moved to tears by compassion on the fate of the city. He gifted Simonet wih a glimpse of his ongoing passion.

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And they beheld His glory . . .

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I am choosing to publish this post from several years ago in celebration of our Christ and the hope for love and peace in our world. For the Kingdom to come . . .

My wife calls me a grinch after the children’s story of the gremlin that tried to steal Christmas.  I’m not against Christmas.  I am against 1) the commercialization of Christmas and 2) the ongoing secular takeover of the Christmas holiday and subsequent separation of the “baby Jesus” from the beaten, scorned and betrayed Savior who arose triumphant from the grave.

Christmas does have it’s own joy and life as it embodies the hope of genuine reconciliation to God.  But this was kept secret until after His death and resurrection.  So much of the story was was kept hidden such that there may have been many thousand people who saw the young Jesus but had no idea that he was indeed the Christ [ the prophesied, anticipated and heralded Messiah].  The context of the story was that four hundred years had passed since a prophet had transmitted a word from God.  After such a long time, it would seem that God had forsaken us, that we were forlorn and lost.

But there were indeed “Good tidings of Great Joy” that the foretold Savior had come.  Isaiah declared “His name would be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.  Of his Kingdom there would [will] be no end.”  [Isaiah 9:6-7a]

But only a few people actually celebrated the first Christmas.  The marvelous virgin-birth of the God-man, King of Kings was only REVEALED to a few as told by Luke the physician.  First were the shepherds watching their flocks.  Next the devout Simeon, who prayed for a chance to see God’s fulfillment of the promise.  Because he sought to see the Messiah and vigorously followed the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Anna the prophetess was at the temple also.  She saw the child and began an anthem of praise, declaring to everyone how the child would bring Jerusalem out of bondage.

The Magi were the last.  I wrote about them last year {http://www.phatonfruit.net/2015/12/25/the-faith-of-the-magi/}.  They traveled far to worship the coming King.  They arrived bearing gifts and were overwhelmed as they saw him.  They like those mentioned above, saw him for who he is.  He was not hidden in plain sight, He was revealed for who He is . . . and they beheld His glory.

Nationalism, Religious Right

Why Christian Nationalism is Both Heretical and Non-Scriptural

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The so-called Christian Nationalist movement has no actual foundation for existence short of embodying the metaphorical “wolf in sheep’s clothing”. This movement only seems to be embraced by a small number of followers, but that number could be increasing.

According to the Washington Post, Christian Nationalism is an ideology that says Christianity is the foundation of the United States and that government should protect that foundation.

Strangely enough, many of the participants in the movement are those identifiable as far right extremists whose attachment to the Kingdom seems tangential at most if not superficial.

A foundational truth that the promoters of this clique seem to miss is that we are not to be encumbered or tied down by politics or earthbound country. Those who consider themselves true citizens of the Kingdom, also considers themselves “strangers and pilgrims on earth” [Hebrews 11:13], but they are “not of this world” as Jesus said.  [John 17:14]
Since the days of the Apostle Paul, we have heard it reiterated, these are the last days before the triumphant return of our coming King. How can we become so enamored of a country that is temporary and soon to fade away? How could the
concept of a Christian Nationalist not be an oxymoron?

It was Paul who reminded us that we are to be ambassadors for the Kingdom. Dictionary.com defines an ambassador as: a diplomatic official of the highest rank, sent by one sovereign or state to another as its resident representative. The ambassador does not get involved in the affairs of the country in which s/he is stationed. How then, do we justify commitment and investment to the country where we’re stationed? And to what end?

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The Time Jesus Preached and Nobody Got Saved

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The fourth chapter of Luke describes a scene infamously used by preachers everywhere.  Jesus came to the temple in Nazareth as was His habit.  He came to speak and was handed the scroll containing Isaiah 61:1-2:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
    because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
    and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
   to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

He said that the scripture was being fulfilled at that very moment.  The text announces the mission of the Messiah and by reading it in their hearing, he implied that he was Messiah.  They were not inclined to believe that was true.  He knew they were looking for miraculous signs like he performed in Capernaum.  Then they attempted to become familiar with Him.

Jesus quoted an old proverb: “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’”

“Truly I tell you,” He continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown.”

This truth remains inviolate and I reflect on it often.  I sometimes wonder if my fortune would have been different if I had departed from my home town. 

Jesus went on to share historic truth declaring that though there were many widows in Israel, Elijah was sent to a gentile woman.  And though there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha but only Naaman the Syrian was cleansed.   The implication was that this crowd in Nazareth would miss a blessing because they are out-of-sync with the move of God. 

This infuriated the crowd.  They forced him out of town and soon reached a cliff where they would have thrown him to his death, but he slipped through the crowd and left.  They led him out of town, if they didn’t carry him, but he eluded them all and walked away.  I frequently re-tell this story to young people as a way of illustrating the sheer power and restraint [read mercy] of our Lord.

Dear reader, I have encountered many scrapes, fiery interactions and insults but, I’ve never been taken captive by a crowd for the purpose of being violently lynched.  If I had, I would be hard pressed to continue with my ministry under that kind of duress. 

This is not the worst, nor would it be the last time people would show extreme malice to our Savior. Yet, in spite of all of this, he continued steadfast to die for us.  He didn’t quit or return evil for evil. 

The last few years have been pivotal as we have seen extraordinary upheaval as a result of the COVID pandemic.  So many have experienced so much isolation creating so much desperation and chaos.  We must show the kind of resolve that Christ showed even as we plead with the Holy Spirit to assist us

Phat on Fruit is an expression I interpret as feeding richly on the infallible Word of God known as the Holy Bible. (See Isaiah 55:2) Feeding is a metaphor for not only reading it but internalizing and meditating on His word which is alive and able to transform us into disciples, warriors and rulers of the Kingdom to come.