Revenge - A Bitter Sweet Concept

Certainly we've all heard the old adage that revenge is best served cold. Simply put this reminds us that revenge is good. The world would have us believe that revenge is a way of making us feel better. From news stories to talk shows to reality game shows - the story-line is similar: get even or you lose. It's amazing how prevalent this theme is in our society today. Revenge might make us feel better but that sweet feeling won't last for long.
But is revenge and anger really all that it's cracked up to be? I would suggest - NO. There are really at least three very negative aspects of anger and revenge:

1. Physical ramifications - Doctors have stated for quite some time now that stress, anger and all of the negative emotional baggage that accompany them can drastically impact your health. The effects can range from depression to headaches and even heart attack causing High Blood Pressure!
2. Driven by Anger - When we are out for revenge - anger becomes our driving force. No matter what we do, anger is the reason we do it. We're always thinking of how to get back or get even or even one-up the other person. When we are driven by anger we get sloppy and make mistakes that can hurt us or others. Anger should never be a driving force. In the words of the wise Jedi Knights on Star Wars - don't follow your feelings. We can't be driven by our anger - it only leads to the dark side...
3. Breaks Relationships - Even the relationships that have nothing to do with your anger bear the brunt of your hatred when you bring your desire for revenge and retribution home with you. It causes distance in the only healthy parts of one's life.

The long and short of this is that anger and revenge are not the answer. The bible encourages us to love even those we would rather hate. Love them the way Jesus did. Not a sissy kind of love but a love that is willing to do what the world says is impossible. A love that just wants them to know Jesus and His forgiveness. If Yoda were to talk to you about God's forgiveness it would sound something like this: Forgiven you are...forgiveness you should give.

May the real force (the Holy Spirit) be with you!

Taking Out The Trash

What kinds of "rubbish" do you have in your life? What things have you let accumulate in your life - preventing you from seeing Jesus? The Apostle Paul held nothing back when it came to pursuing something "worthwhile."
When he found himself against Jesus and his followers, Paul was 100% devoted to the task of stopping them. When he was following the Jewish faith, Paul was so dedicated that he met all of the rituals and rules for being a good Jewish boy. Paul immersed himself into whatever he was pursuing. Now we meet up with Paul after he has seen Christ. Perhaps you know his story and maybe not - but the short version is that God appeared to Paul (at that time his name was Saul) in the form of a large, bright light. Saul was blinded by the light and had to follow God's instructions to regain his sight. This journey for him would be the epitome of fasting from the world's pleasures and feasting on the love of God.
Our reading for today, April 2nd, was all about trash. The trash that we store up in our lives and in our hearts that prevents us from seeing God. The rubbish that Paul is talking about is the kind of stuff that makes us feel good in the world - power, prestige, money, fame, popularity and all of the things WE do. Paul realized that what God wanted from him first and foremost was to BE in a relationship with him. This has nothing to do with all of our trash.
God loves you no matter how much "rubbish" you run around with. God will always love you in spite of the piles and piles of stuff that you put before him. The call for each of us today is to take out the trash.
As you take out the trash today, remember not to forget the rubbish that is hidden in those dark corners of your life. Don't forget to remove those lies that tell you that all of your actions and all of your accomplishments are worth something.
As you do a little spring cleaning in your heart today may you see the true importance of Christ. May God find his way to the center of your life - not just the top but the center. May you find your strength, power and prestige in the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Pastor D's encouraging word for today comes from Paul: No matter how much trash you take out and no matter how helpless you feel, this promise is for you - I can do all things through Christ who IS my strength.