I really like the house to be quiet and calm when I write the bulletins, thus they are usually written on a Saturday morning. However, Dave was having a "wake" last night, inviting a slew of friends and staying up late to celebrate / mourn his being gone most of the summer. Wrestling around on the floor, Dave's wrist and the baseboard heat cover strut had a meeting. And when sharp metal hits soft skin, it's the skin that will lose every time, this time to the tune of 9 stitches. So on Saturday morning I was in no shape to write anything, being groggy from staying up until about 2:00 am waiting for him and mom to come back from the emergency room. Instead, you get a Saturday night bulletin, which tend to be the more boring ones. Sorry!
I mentioned last week that I got an e-mail from the devil. Well, I did. Someone who goes by the name "gate keeper" got my address from somewhere and sent me a personal invitation to try their instant messenger service. Here are some snippets from the ad:
Sounds like the real devil, doesn't it? Everyone will be there, easy to get to, fun to use, etc. One big party! No restrictions is almost what they are saying. Even that skinnable part means you can hide behind the image of something else, if you want. You can look like anyone you choose to be. If the devil were a person today, it wouldn't be much different an approach than this one.
You know, there was a time when you didn't mention the name of the devil, "lest he appear." Children used to be punished for using the name. You were not to fool around with things like that, and people were a bit superstitious. In time, the more "educated" of us saw through this foolishness and cast scorn on it. God and the devil became part of fairy tales and fantasy. We have "the force" from Star Wars which is neither good nor evil but simply light or dark, and can be used or abused. The devil in movies is often a likeable, misunderstood character. In Bedazzled, she's a beautiful, desirable woman. Witches and warlocks are not evil, just ask Harry Potter. Even in things like The Grinch, God/Santa/Love are all mixed up and watered down until they become fuzzy and warm. Usually it's the followers of God who are the evil ones, who abuse people with their zeal, and God is unhappy with. At least that is the Hollywood version of the universe. So a web site about the devil? Well, why not? <ack!>
People become so casual in mentioning the devil, and God, that we lose sight of what they really are. When a child misbehaves, we may say he's full of the old nick, but surely we don't really mean that. When someone stops and helps us in time of need, does that automatically make then a saint? Think of the most evil person you can imagine, like Hitler or Stalin. Now, pretend your child is misbehaving and someone says "your kid is a little <name>!" Doesn't that sound harsh? Yet the devil is so much more evil that that! We need to keep our eye on heaven, but also watch that we try to humanize this being that is not human in any sense of the word. Or we'll be getting more than an email!
Randy
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Ephesians 6:10-13 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
I Timothy 3:4-7 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection in all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride, he falleth into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
II Timothy 2:25-26 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledgment of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
James 3:13-16 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
I Peter 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.