Fire Side Chat

Sometimes I say things without thinking them through. Yeah, imagine that. One of the "things" I said in a previous blog struck me yesterday morning when I was reading a chapter in the book of Amos. I said something to the effect that my favorite verses in the Bible are in the New Testament or Psalms; however, every time I spend time reading from the old testament and prophets,other than Psalms, I learn much about, not just the minds and culture of the people, but also how simple it is to please God. Therefore I retract that statement. When reading about the ghastly punishment documented in the Old Testament, that I do not like to dwell on, it appears to have taken place because of a lack of respect for humanity, indecency in the business place, and to put it in a nut shell-lovelessness (that might not be a word). God is love. We must love to stay connected to God. It is not a formula with a lot of parts, but somehow we try to make it that way, which leads me to what I want to chat about.

I have heard and know it to be true that there is a growing group of people, I would call them fundamentalists but I don't know if they would call themselves that, who believe we will all be better off when the world ends in tribulation. I don't know their philosophy in depth, but they have worked their way into high places and into the hearts and minds of men and women to forward their goals. It sounds surreal, but it's not. As strange as it might seem that these people exist, it's not a new condition to man. I read about it in Amos, and I thought I would share what the prophet Amos was told to tell those people when it happened in his time. As you read this, know that "the day of the Lord" in this passage was meant as a dark day of judgment. Amos 5 starting with verse 18 reads:

Alas for you who desire the day of the Lord! 

Why do you want the day of the Lord?

It is darkness, not light;

as if someone fled from a lion,

and was met by a bear;

or went into the house and rested a hand against the wall,

and was bitten by a snake.

Is not the day of the Lord darkness, not light,

and gloom with no brightness in it?

The next part of the chapter goes on to tell how little meaning is in their assemblies, offerings, and songs.

Followed by verse 24 which rolls out beautifully.

But let justice roll down like waters,

and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

How can someone wish "the day of the Lord" on anyone and say from the same mouth that they love them. I've noticed that in many of the stories of the prophets there are dual outcomes mentioned and even the word may is used at times. As evidenced in the story of the prophet Jonah, another Old Testament story I love, and you should read it if you have a chance. It's short. God loves mankind and sends prophets and ultimately Jesus of Nazareth, not to condemn the world but to save it. 

Ah well, the fire is going out, but that's my story

...and I'm stickin' to it.

Peace. Love, Linda