Holy Saturday

I am sitting here, it's Holy Saturday. The day in the story of Easter that Christ is laying in the tomb. He was crucified just mere hours ago. His followers are wondering if this is the end of the story. They are gathered together, Mary is probably there, Mary of Magdala is probably there; as are other female followers of Christ. They are sitting there in a room, wondering what is next. Even though Christ himself had told them, in three days the temple will be rebuilt. Christ would be a risen savior. 

However, I find myself on holy Saturday, wondering much like the disciples; what's next? How is God going to work in my life? Will what I prayed for during Lent come to pass? Or will I live another year, just hoping that I was good enough to "make the list." 

Holy Saturday is a day of holy reverence looking towards the resurrection of Christ Jesus. Today is the say we sit in silence and we contemplate all that we have seen and wonder, as I do, will it make a difference tomorrow. 

I don't know. But for now, the silence is deafening, but speaking to my Father, I know that a better day is coming tomorrow--and that will make all the difference in history.

Forgiveness is Mandatory, Reconciliation is Not

The other night I was in a chatroom and a woman name Joanna got angry because she kept saying people were attacking her and I finally was fed up and said "stop playing the victim!" In her anger she stated in the room that I was harassing her and that she as going to the room owner that I was harassing her. Everyone took my side; so she got on the mic and said that "I wish I could just slap Rai." Then she apologized to the room, everyone but Rai. Which was fine; I honestly didn't care that she wasn't going to apologize for stating she wanted to slap me. I wasn't much in a forgiving mood. 

This Lenten season I have been studying The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. And I have been learning to listen for God's still small voice. I won't lie, it's been pretty intense. So the night of this confrontation, I was going to bed, and I heard "forgiveness is mandatory, reconciliation is not." The difference between forgiveness and reconciliation is that forgiveness requires nothing from the person we're forgiving. They don't even have to know we are forgiving them. Reconciliation requires repentance from the offender, and even then, he or she does not dictate the terms of reconciliation.

So, when does forgiveness not lead to reconciliation?

1. When the sinning party clearly does not repent.

The Bible gives strong warnings against walking with impenitent sinners. God commands Christians to flee from the wicked. Psalm 1:1 says, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Do not be deceived, bad company ruins good morals.” The Lord does not want us to be companions with bad company. The Christian response to an impenitent sinner is to avoid them, not to reconcile with them.

Many object that Christ ate and drank with sinners (Matt 9:10-13). And He certainly did, but only to call them to Himself and to urge them to repent of their sins (Matt 9:13). He did not fellowship with the wicked. In fact, the Bible is clear that He didn’t trust the crowds of sinners who listened to His teaching (Jn 2:24). Trusting people is not a biblical virtue. It is foolish to trust those who are untrustworthy. Jesus says, “Beware of men” (Matt 10:17). Thus, as Christians, we must not reconcile with those who do not repent, but persist in their sins.

Christ fled from the wicked. He avoided going to Jerusalem because He knew people meant Him harm (Jn 7:8). Christ frequently ran away when the Pharisees or the crowds sought to coerce Him or do Him harm (Jn 6:15; 8:59; 10:39; Matt 12:14-15). He only gave up His life at the time and place when He agreed to do so in the terms of the covenant of redemption. He was a willing sacrifice for sinners. But prior to the cross, Jesus protected Himself and did not offer Himself up to the ungodly.

2. When the sinning party only seems to repent.

Sometimes unrepentant sinners will claim to repent, but they don’t really repent. They may weep and confess their sins, but it’s only worldly sorrow (2 Cor 7:10). They may say all the right words, and appear to be godly (2 Tim 3:5), but their behaviors never fundamentally change. They may change for a short time, but soon enough, they return to their patterns of sin. They may hide their sin, and make a display of outwardly righteous behavior, but the pattern of sin remains. They may not seek accountability, or they may manipulate the people who are supposed to be holding them accountable. But they persist in their sin, even while claiming to repent.

The Bible is clear that we are to avoid those who only claim to repent. 2 Timothy 3:5 warns of those “having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” Christians should not reconcile with people who pretend to repent, but whose lives are still enslaved to sin.

3. When the sin has caused great harm and offense.

It’s important to understand that some sins have such great consequences that they completely shatter the trust at a personal level, and the relationship can never be restored. For example, within a marriage, adultery can have such disastrous effects, and be such a betrayal of trust, that the spousal relationship can never be reconciled within the marriage covenant (sometimes called restoration). That’s why God says adultery is grounds for divorce, whether or not the adulterous spouse repents (Matt 6:31-32). Scripture nowhere requires spouses to reconcile within a marriage, when one spouse has biblical grounds for divorce, even if the offending spouse repents.

The Bible does require us to forgive those who have harmed us, and it requires us to reconcile as brothers and sisters in Christ, if the sinning party repents. But the Bible does not tell us to trust people, and receive them into close companionship, if they have utterly destroyed our trust. We must love them (Matt 5:44), but we are not required to trust them (Jn 2:24).

Finally, Christians need to be very careful not to demand that people reconcile. Too often, Christians are eager to see relationships restored. And while a restored relationship could be a beautiful thing, it may also be a terrible thing. Christians shouldn’t pressure other Christians to reconcile, when reconciliation is not biblically warranted.

God doesn't give a Spirit of Fear

Most weekends I spend time with my parents, usually it's a Sunday afternoon. We visit and we chat or do chores around the house. Today was no different. I spent time with my mother, then went to the grocery store, came home washed some dishes and sat down to do online work. I turned on my TV to have it playing in the background and the BBC World Service broke their regularly scheduled program to bring the breaking news that Vladamir Putin had put Nuclear Force Teams on high alert. 

I called my parents immediately and said to my mom who answered "We need to stop everything and pray. Putin has put nuclear weapons on high alert and he's blaming the sanctions from the west." So I asked my dad "Do you think he would use them?" My dad said "I...I don't know. He has weapons that can reach the US." 

Friends, I won't lie, we are living in a scary time. I finally told my parents tonight, "I have been a nervous wreck since this entire war started." War is scary. People make jokes, "get yourself a Gen X friend." Our former President is calling our "leaders dumb" while praising and stroking the ego of the very man that is attacking our allies. Our leaders aren't dumb, they are trying to keep us out of a war that could have very dire consequences for the US. 

So am I scared? Heck yeah! Yet, I have found that my faith is also feeling stronger, when I start to feel nervous with everything that is going on, I think of 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV) for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Isn't that amazing? God has given us a spirit not of fear! And I am as 2 Timothy 1:12b says I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. God is going to guard us until the day that He has entrusted for us. 

This understanding that nothing is going to happen without 1) God ordaining it, and 2) God knowing the outcome brings with it so much peace. 

A Prayer for Ukraine

A friend of mine posted today that she was tired of watching history take place. I know what she's saying, she is tired of watching the big things in history take place. At 42, I have lived through a pandemic, and now I am watching what I have described as the beginning of World War III. If you don't know what I am talking about, Russia has started an all out war against Ukraine. 

And tonight I am sitting here, much like my friend said, "tired of watching history happen." Mainly I am heartbroken for the people of the Ukraine. I am nervous because of the threats that are being made against anyone who tries to help the Ukraine. Russia had over 6000 nuclear weapons and the President of Russia isn't afraid to use them. 

Matthew 24:6 (ESV) And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.

I take heart that the end is not yet, but I don't take heart that the war has come. Innocent children, men and women are being hurt tonight, they are having to flee their homes and yet here we sleep comfortably in our beds. My heart is broken for the people of Ukraine. I have had people ask me "why does this matter?" My response has been selfish, because "if Putin can attack Ukraine, an independent nation, what is stopping him from attacking other European countries? Or even the US?"

However, tonight I am taking time to pray for Ukraine and for peace. 

Today when I watched BBC, I saw a woman standing in the street bold as ever, prayer book in hand and the reporter walked up and said "what are you doing?" The woman looked at him, and said "I am a woman of God, and I know God can bring peace to our countries."  This meant so much to me, because how often do we who live in relative safety actually pray with that kind of intention? 

So I am writing a prayer tonight for Ukraine, for Russia and for our World. 

God, Humbly I come, a poor repentant sinner. I am not worthy to ask for you to hear my prayer, but I know that you will, because you are good, good father. God, tonight my heart is broken. I watch the news and I see the hate that is manifesting itself in our country, and I see the hate that is manifesting itself in Europe. Tonight God, right at this moment as bombs are falling in Kyiv, I pray that You bring peace to the hearts and minds of the citizens of Ukraine.

I am coming boldly before your throne and I ask that you are with the people of the Ukraine. Those who know you personally, be with those that don't that they may know you. Father, God, send your angels to protect those that need protecting, send your angels to minister those who need ministering to; send a messenger to Putin; soften his heart to You, God.

Turn the hearts of the soldiers from Russia, make them bold to do the right thing and stand against their current leader. 

God, Satan has come to kill, steal and destroy, but we, WE YOUR CHILDREN stand against Satan, we stand in the gap and we pray for PEACE over the UKRAINE. 

I pray for the Christian brothers and sisters in Ukraine and in Russia; I pray for President Zelensky that you will give him Godly wisdom to know how to handle this situation. 

God, I pray you send a messenger to Valdimir Putin. That you soften his heart to hear a message of Peace from the Prince of Peace Himself. 

God, bring reconciliation to the Ukraine and to Russia. Bring the War to a just yet swift end; and as we join our brothers and sisters in prayer, God break our hearts from what breaks yours. 

Praying with our brothers and sisters in Ukraine as they pray: 

Our Father who art in Heaven,

Hallowed be Thy Name. 
Thy Kingdom Come, Thy will be done, 

on Earth as it is in Heaven. 
Give us this day our daily bread, 

forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those 

who trespass against us. 

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. 

For Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory forever

Amen

In Ukrainian: 

Отче наш, що єси на небесах,

Нехай святиться ім'я Твоє.

Прийде Царство Твоє, нехай буде воля Твоя,

на землі, як і на небі.

Хліба нашого насущного дай нам сьогодні,

прости нам провини наші, як і ми прощаємо ті

які грішать проти нас.

Не введи нас у спокусу, але визволи нас від зла.

Бо Твоє є Царство, і Сила, і Слава навіки

Амінь

In Russian: 

Отче наш, сущий на небесах,

Да святится имя Твое.

Да приидет Царствие Твое, да будет воля Твоя,

на земле, как на небе.

Дай нам на сей день хлеб наш насущный,

прости нам согрешения наши, как и мы прощаем тем

кто посягает на нас.

Не введи нас в искушение, но избавь нас от лукавого.

Ибо Твое есть Царство и Сила и Слава во веки

Аминь

A message for Russian and Ukrainian Unbelievers

Over the past few weeks we in America have been hearing of impending war in the Ukraine. We keep hearing that Russia is going to invade the Ukraine. We can't help but be nervous, not only for our brothers and sisters in the Ukraine, but our brothers and sisters in Russia, and especially for the unbelieving in these countries that will be effected by war. 
If I could say one thing to the unbelievers in Russia, the Ukraine, and around the world is that God loves you. In fact, He loves you so much that He sent His only Son to live among us and to die for our sins.
Christ experienced death and judgment so that we wouldn't have to. But Christ died for our sins, He paid the penalty of God’s judgment against sins, so that God can be wholly just – for He sees to it that no sin goes unpunished. Indeed, “without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins” (Hebrews 9:22). But Christ did far more for us than die for our sins. Just like a coin has two sides, what Christ did for us also has two sides. The end of this verse says, “being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.” On the negative side, Jesus was put to death in the flesh for our sins to satisfy the justice of God; on the positive side, he was made alive in the spirit, “that he might bring us to God.” That is, that He might show us the love of God. Just like his death in the flesh is once for all, his resurrection in the spirit is also once for all and everlasting.
God doesn’t just patch over sin, covering us for a little while, until sin breaks out again. God doesn’t just trim the weeds; God roots them out. God doesn’t offer bypass surgery; He gives us a new heart. Not a new heart of flesh, but a new heart in the spirit, because Christ was made alive in the spirit. With the Holy Spirit in our hearts, we have this intimate, infinite and permanent connection with God. The Holy Spirit is our power source that will never have a blackout, that will never short circuit. It is as if we are plugged into the power source of the entire universe. Furthermore, this power source is wireless, and has infinite range, with no areas of poor reception –because it is from the infinitely powerful Holy Spirit. So when Christ dies for us, the righteous for the unrighteous, he takes away sin from us – and He gives us new life, so that we become children of God. That’s why the Apostle Paul says, “but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’” (Romans 8:15). If you are ready to have a new life, all you have to do is acknowledge that you are a sinner and ask Christ to be your savior. 

I have included a simple prayer below: 
Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God, that you died on the cross to rescue me from sin and death and to restore me to the Father. I choose now to turn from my sins, my self-centeredness, and every part of my life that does not please you. I choose you. I give myself to you. I receive your forgiveness and ask you to take your rightful place in my life as my Savior and Lord. Come reign in my heart, fill me with your love and your life, and help me to become a person who is truly loving—a person like you. Restore me, Jesus. Live in me. Love through me. Thank you, God. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, I can't stay that your life will be easy, God doesn't tell us that life will be easy, but God does tell us that He will give us peace. So while accepting Christ as your savior won't stop the impending war, it means that you will know that no matter what you belong to Christ. 

In Ukrainian: 

Протягом останніх кількох тижнів ми в Америці чули про те, що в Україні насувається війна. Ми постійно чуємо, що Росія збирається вторгнутися в Україну. Ми не можемо не хвилюватися не тільки за наших братів і сестер в Україні, але й за наших братів і сестер в Росії, а особливо за невіруючих у цих країнах, які постраждають від війни.

Якби я міг сказати одну річ невіруючим в Росії, Україні та всьому світі, це те, що Бог любить вас. Насправді Він так любить вас, що послав Свого Єдинородного Сина жити серед нас і померти за наші гріхи.

Христос пережив смерть і суд, щоб нам не довелося. Але Христос помер за наші гріхи, Він заплатив Божий суд над гріхами, щоб Бог міг бути цілком справедливим – бо Він піклується про те, щоб жоден гріх не залишився безкарним. Справді, «без пролиття крові немає прощення гріхів» (Євреїв 9:22). Але Христос зробив для нас набагато більше, ніж помер за наші гріхи. Так само, як монета має дві сторони, те, що Христос зробив для нас, також має дві сторони. У кінці цього вірша сказано: «убитий тілом, але оживлений духом». З негативного боку, Ісус був убитий у тілі за наші гріхи, щоб задовольнити справедливість Бога; з позитивного боку, він ожив у дусі, «щоб привести нас до Бога». Тобто, щоб Він показав нам Божу любов. Подібно до того, як Його смерть у тілі є раз назавжди, Його воскресіння в дусі також раз назавжди і назавжди.

Бог не просто латає гріх, прикриваючи нас на деякий час, поки гріх не вибухне знову. Бог не просто підстригає бур’яни; Бог їх викорінює. Бог не пропонує шунтування; Він дає нам нове серце. Не нове серце з плоті, але нове серце в дусі, бо Христос ожив духом. Маючи Святий Дух у наших серцях, ми маємо цей інтимний, нескінченний і постійний зв’язок з Богом. Святий Дух – це наше джерело енергії, яке ніколи не буде відключено, яке ніколи не буде короткого замикання. Ми ніби підключені до джерела енергії всього Всесвіту. Крім того, це джерело живлення є бездротовим і має нескінченну дальність дії, без областей поганого прийому, тому що воно походить від нескінченно потужного Святого Духа. Отже, коли Христос вмирає за нас, праведний за неправедних, Він забирає з нас гріх – і Він дає нам нове життя, щоб ми стали дітьми Божими. Тому апостол Павло каже: «Ви ж як сини прийняли Духа усиновлення, яким ми кличемо: Авва! Отче!» (Римлян 8:15). Якщо ви готові мати нове життя, все, що вам потрібно зробити, це визнати, що ви грішники, і попросити Христа бути вашим спасителем.

Нижче я включив просту молитву:

Ісусе, я вірю, що Ти Син Божий, що Ти помер на хресті, щоб врятувати мене від гріха і смерті і повернути мене до Отця. Тепер я вибираю відвернутися від своїх гріхів, від своєї егоцентричності та від кожної частини мого життя, яка тобі не подобається. я вибираю тебе. Я віддаю себе тобі. Я отримую твоє прощення і прошу тебе зайняти належне місце в моєму житті як мого Спасителя і Господа. Прийди, царюй у моєму серці, наповни мене своєю любов’ю і своїм життям і допоможи мені стати людиною, яка справді любить – такою, як ти. Віднови мене, Ісусе. Живи в мені. Любов через мене. Спасибі тобі, Господи. В ім’я Ісуса я молюся. Амінь.

Якщо ви молилися цією молитвою, я не можу залишитися, щоб ваше життя було легким, Бог не каже нам, що життя буде легким, але Бог каже нам, що Він дасть нам мир. Тож, якщо прийняти Христа як свого Спасителя, це не зупинить війну, що насувається, це означає, що ви будете знати, що незалежно від того, що ви належите Христові.

In Russian: 

За последние несколько недель мы в Америке слышали о надвигающейся войне на Украине. Мы постоянно слышим, что Россия собирается вторгнуться в Украину. Мы не можем не нервничать не только за наших братьев и сестер на Украине, но и за наших братьев и сестер в России, и особенно за неверующих в этих странах, которые будут затронуты войной.

Если бы я мог сказать неверующим в России, на Украине и во всем мире, что Бог любит вас. На самом деле, Он любит вас так сильно, что послал Своего единственного Сына жить среди нас и умереть за наши грехи.

Христос пережил смерть и суд, чтобы нам не пришлось. Но Христос умер за наши грехи, Он уплатил наказание Божьего суда над грехами, чтобы Бог мог быть совершенно справедливым, ибо Он следит за тем, чтобы ни один грех не оставался безнаказанным. Действительно, «без пролития крови не бывает прощения грехов» (Евреям 9:22). Но Христос сделал для нас гораздо больше, чем просто умер за наши грехи. Как у медали две стороны, так и то, что сделал для нас Христос, тоже имеет две стороны. В конце этого стиха говорится: «Быть ​​умерщвленным по плоти, но ожившим в духе». С другой стороны, Иисус был предан смерти во плоти за наши грехи, чтобы удовлетворить Божью справедливость; с положительной стороны, он ожил в духе, «чтобы привести нас к Богу». То есть, чтобы Он мог показать нам любовь Божью. Подобно тому, как его смерть во плоти один раз для всех, его воскресение в духе также один раз для всех и навсегда.

Бог не просто исправляет грех, покрывая нас на какое-то время, пока грех снова не вырвется наружу. Бог не просто подстригает сорняки; Бог искоренит их. Бог не предлагает шунтирование; Он дает нам новое сердце. Не новое сердце из плоти, но новое сердце в духе, потому что Христос ожил в духе. Со Святым Духом в наших сердцах у нас есть эта тесная, бесконечная и постоянная связь с Богом. Святой Дух — это наш источник энергии, который никогда не отключится, никогда не произойдет короткого замыкания. Мы словно подключены к источнику энергии всей Вселенной. Кроме того, этот источник питания является беспроводным и имеет бесконечный радиус действия, без зон плохого приема, потому что он исходит от бесконечно могущественного Святого Духа. Итак, когда Христос умирает за нас, праведник за неправедных, Он снимает с нас грех – и дает нам новую жизнь, чтобы мы стали детьми Божьими. Вот почему Апостол Павел говорит: «Но вы получили Духа усыновления, Которым мы вопием: Авва! Отец!» (Римлянам 8:15). Если вы готовы к новой жизни, все, что вам нужно сделать, это признать, что вы грешник, и попросить Христа стать вашим спасителем.

Я включил простую молитву ниже:

Иисус, я верю, что Ты Сын Божий, что Ты умер на кресте, чтобы спасти меня от греха и смерти и вернуть меня Отцу. Сейчас я выбираю отвернуться от своих грехов, своего эгоцентризма и всего того, что не нравится тебе в моей жизни. Я выбираю тебя. Я отдаю себя тебе. Я принимаю ваше прощение и прошу вас занять подобающее вам место в моей жизни как моего Спасителя и Господа. Приди, царствуй в моем сердце, наполни меня своей любовью и своей жизнью и помоги мне стать по-настоящему любящим человеком — таким, как ты. Восстанови меня, Иисус. Живи во мне. Любовь через меня. Спасибо тебе, Господи. Во имя Иисуса я молюсь. Аминь.

Если вы помолились этой молитвой, я не могу оставаться в стороне от того, что ваша жизнь будет легкой, Бог не говорит нам, что жизнь будет легкой, но Бог говорит нам, что Он даст нам мир. Поэтому, хотя принятие Христа как своего Спасителя не остановит надвигающуюся войну, это означает, что вы будете знать, что независимо от того, что вы принадлежите Христу.

Depression in the Church...3rd visit...

Last week the country was shocked to learn that Chelsie Kryst killed herself. The young woman who was a former Miss North Carolina, 2019 Miss USA, was also an attorney and a correspondent for Extra and many had no idea she was in such pain. The question becomes “How many people have mental illness that you know?” 

According to NIMH mental illnesses are common in the United States. Nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness (52.9 million in 2020). Mental illnesses include many different conditions that vary in degree of severity, ranging from mild to moderate to severe.  

Mental illness is by far and large is not addressed but should be. With the advent of Social media, there are been an increase in mental health issues. Social media has a reinforcing nature. Using it activates the brain’s reward center by releasing dopamine, a “feel-good chemical” linked to pleasurable activities such as sex, food, and social interaction. The platforms are designed to be addictive and are associated with anxiety, depression, and even physical ailments. 69% of adults and 81% of teens in the U.S. use social media. This puts a large amount of the population at an increased risk of feeling anxious, depressed, or ill over their social media use. What is worse is that bullies use social media to socially out people or even shun them. 

How do we address mental health with the advent of social media? Bullying behind a computer monitor? How does the church address mental health? I have written several articles around how the church should address mental health. I think my writings are pretty important because I suffer from depression. It may not be debilitating, I don’t think about suicide, heck, most of the time I am normal. I have my moments though, sometimes I may be listening to a Brandi Carlile song and start crying because something in the song touches me so deeply or reminds me of someone I love and miss. I have a pretty good handle on my depression. 

Dr. Matthew Stanford, CEO of the Hope and Healing Center & Institute in Houston, Texas stated,  

When I speak to pastors, they’re often very surprised to hear that they’re more likely to be engaged than physicians or mental health care providers. And some say, “Well, perhaps those are just people that aren’t as ill.” But research shows that those individuals engaging clergy for assistance are equivalently ill to those seeking out psychiatrists. They are people with very serious mental health care problems. But they don’t walk in and say, “I woke up today and I think I’m bipolar.” They say “I’m having spiritual problems. I’m having a relational problem. I’m having financial issues.” They talk about the same things as anybody else coming to a pastor for help. They just aren’t aware that a mental health problem is at the root of their problems. When you survey pastors, the vast majority, 70 to 80 percent say they don’t feel adequately trained to recognize a mental health condition in a congregant. Ninety percent of pastors provide some type of pastoral counseling, but then less than 10 percent ever make a referral. And less than a quarter of congregations ever develop any kind of structured approach to caring for or serving individuals with mental health problems. A large number of people are coming, but few are being served adequately. 

The first thing we have to do is train our clergy adequately so that they can help. 

Unfortunately when people mention to the church anything about mental illness they are, as Lisa Diaczynsky wrote in the student actives website for Liberty University “ For me, anytime I brought up struggles with depression, anxiety, and even my relationship with food, I was met with three common misconceptions.

1. Have you surrendered your condition to the Lord?
2. God is just testing your faith. You should really pray more about this.
3. Mental illness is just a sign of spiritual immaturity; through prayer and growth, it’ll go away.

Each of these are not only inaccurate but have been detrimental in my journey to find liberation. I remember being prayed over week after week in youth groups and prayer times with no change in my situation. I began to question what I was doing wrong, was I saying the wrong words when I prayed? Was I not praying enough? I eventually tried to ignore my mental health situation. Thinking if I could forget about it, it would be okay. This led to an overflow of emotions and fears and doubts in my mind. The issue was never resolved, it just grew until I knew something had to change.

The church has a shaky relationship with mental health. Dewey Mullis wrote for moravian.org's website, “A friend once shared with me, “When someone came home from having knee surgery, half of the church brought food and sent cards. When my husband came home from the hospital after a suicide attempt, our fridge stayed its usual empty.” 

For me, what would really help is if the pastor or speaker at any given time would speak about mental health/illness. In fact it’s imperative that pastors speak on this. “Fear of speaking on tough or taboo topics in church is profoundly counter to the church’s objective of being a safe and welcoming place for peace-seekers and those in need of care.” According to Mullis. 

Lisa Diaczynsky provided this simple yet effective list that could help others in how to deal or understand mental health: 

1. Be present. Listen. Don’t provide solutions.
2. Be intentional. Pursue your friend even if it feels like they are pulling away.
3. Ask what they need or what would be helpful.
4. Pray for them on your own (or with them if that is something they are asking for).

The Women in Jesus' Family Tree: A look at Authenticity

As many know, I am no longer a Candidate for Pastoral Ministry in the United Methodist Church. This has left me free to explore faith in deeper. As I do every year, I come up with one word that I was to see more of in my life. This year in 2022, that word is Authentic. For years I have said the problem with Christianity is Christians. We have this great example of what a Christian should be, the ULTIMATE example in the person Jesus Christ and yet we fail to remotely look like Christ, we fail when it comes to faith and righteousness. And don't worry, I am pointing fingers at myself this morning. 

The first week that I really looked at and tried to understand authentic Christianity, I started by reading the Genealogy of Jesus Christ. While reading, I noticed that there are 5 women in the family tree. This is unique for two reasons: 1) most genealogy, even today, is counted only through the paternal lines. When women marry, they take their husbands names. When their children take their father's surname. If you want to run your DNA, it's always ran from the father's chromosomes and you have to order a special test to look at your mitocondrial DNA. 

The second reason that the genealogy of Jesus is unique is that 3 of the five women are outsiders. They weren't born into Hebrew/Jewish families. They were born outside of the family of Israel. And this makes sense when you think that Jesus is the Messiah of all the world. 

So what does this have to do with my study into authentic Christianity? 

To understand we have to know who the women are in Jesus' Genealogy.  The women in order are Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheeba and Mary. 

Let's look at the first two today. 

TAMAR

In Genesis chapter 38, Tamar is first described as marrying Judah's eldest son, Er. Because of his wickedness, Er was killed by God. By way of a levirate union, Judah asked his second son, Onan, to provide offspring for Tamar so that the family line might continue. This could have substantial economic repercussions, with any son born deemed the heir of the deceased Er, and able to claim the firstborn's double share of inheritance. However, if Er was childless, Onan would inherit as the oldest surviving son.^[4]

Onan performed coitus interruptus. His action was deemed wicked by God and so, like his older brother, God killed him. At this point, Judah is portrayed as viewing Tamar to be cursed and therefore as being reluctant to give her his remaining and youngest son Shelah. Rather, he tells Tamar to wait for Shelah. However, even after Shelah has grown up, Judah still does not give Tamar to him in marriage. (Genesis 38:6–14)

Judah and Tamar, Horace Vernet

After Shelah had grown up, Judah became a widower. After Judah mourned the death of his wife, he planned on going to Timnath to shear his sheep. Upon hearing this news, Tamar disguised herself as a prostitute and immediately went to Timnath which was en route to Judah's destination. Upon arriving at a place near Timnath, where two roads met,^[5] Judah saw the woman but did not recognize her as Tamar because of the veil she wore over her face. Thinking she was a prostitute, he requested her services. Tamar's plan was to become pregnant by this ruse so that she might bear a child in Judah's line, since Judah had not given her to his son Shelah. So she played the part of a prostitute and struck a bargain with Judah for a goat, secured by his staff, seal, and cord. When Judah was able to have a goat sent to Timnath, in order to collect his staff, cord, and seal, the woman was nowhere to be found and no one knew of any prostitute in Timnath. (Genesis 38:12–23)

Three months later, Tamar was accused of prostitution on account of her pregnancy. Upon hearing this news, Judah ordered that she be burned to death. Tamar sent the staff, seal, and cord to Judah with a message declaring that the owner of these items was the man who had made her pregnant. Upon recognizing these items as his security, Judah released Tamar from her sentence. Tamar, having thus secured her place in the family as well as Judah's posterity, gave birth to twins, Perez and Zerah. Their birth is reminiscent of the birth of Rebekah's twin sons. The midwife marks Zerah's hand with a scarlet cord when he emerges first from the womb, though Perez is born first. Perez is identified in the Book of Ruth as the ancestor of King David. (Ruth 4:18–22) The Genesis narrative also makes a note that Judah did not have further sexual relations with Tamar. (Genesis 38:24–30)

So how does this play into authentic Christianity? 

For me what makes Tamar's story unique and how it fits into Authentic Christianity is hope being born of desperation. Once the entire sordid affair came to light, Judah publicly admitted that Tamar was more righteous than he was – an accurate assessment given his cruel, callous treatment of her. And yet for all that, Tamar’s actions aren’t justifiable either, although they’re certainly understandable. Tamar (to say nothing of Judah) was a complicated person with a messy life, whose presence in the lineage of Jesus shows precisely the kind of people he came to save. In place of desperate acts and broken hopes, the coming Messiah would bring real hope into the world.

Authentic Christian faith is born of hope, and often that hope is born from desperation. 

RAHAB

According to the book of Joshua, when the Hebrews were encamped at Shittim, in the "Arabah" or Jordan valley opposite Jericho, ready to cross the river, Joshua, as a final preparation, sent out two spies to investigate the military strength of Jericho. The spies stayed in Rahab's house, which was built into the city wall. The soldiers sent to capture the spies asked Rahab to bring out the spies. Instead, she hid them under bundles of flax on the roof. It was the time of the barley harvest, and flax and barley are ripe at the same time in the Jordan valley, so that "the bundles of flax stalks might have been expected to be drying just then".

Rahab told the spies:

I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when ye came out of Egypt, and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites that were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. As soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above and in earth beneath. Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: and that you will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.

— Joshua 2:9-13, King James Version.

After escaping, the spies promised to spare Rahab and her family after taking the city, even if there should be a massacre, if she would mark her house by hanging a red cord out the window. Some have claimed that the symbol of the red cord is related to the practice of the "red-light district".

Rahab Receiveth and Concealeth the Spies 
by Frederick Richard Pickersgill (1881)

When the city of Jericho fell, Rahab and her whole family were preserved according to the promise of the spies, and were incorporated among the Jewish people. (In siege warfare of antiquity, a city that fell after a prolonged siege was commonly subjected to a massacre and sack.)

So how does this play into authentic Christianity? 

Rahab has several vital lessons in her story; and many of the lessons are things that Christians truly struggle with; but the one that speaks most to me is that we are not limited by our pasts, because God is not limited by our past.

Rahab had a reverent fear of the Lord that was brought on by the awesome works of the Lord. In fact, if we look at the story of Rahab, we see that it wasn't just Rahab who feared the Israelites, it was an entire society that feared them. 

The opportunity to fear the Lord, gave way for Rahab to trust the Lord. 

Authentic Christianity is borne of faith in the Lord and trust that he will deal with us, as we have dealt with others. 

*Next Week ,we'll look at Ruth and Bathsheba.