What about the disappointment of not seeing many or most people in our nation humbled before God so He might have mercy on and heal our land? He is the only One who can heal this land with the healing it really needs. Are the non-Americans more disappointing than the Americans, who push ahead for what they have decided that God wants for them as if they, the Americans [Christians], deserve it?
Their humbling is coming, trust me. But I think many non-Americans made matters far worse than better by antagonizing the situation. They should have known better. Either that, or shown more genuine concern. Exacerbating the issue only made matters worse, and yet many persisted and still are as of this morning, even posting comedy videos about it, as if it is a laughing matter. It's not, John, and that ought to be obvious to a genuinely caring and considerate Christian, and yet the antagonism continues.
I have seen arguments in favor of this or that "for me and my side" and once in a while prayers to accomplish people's own hopes or desires without leaving much, if any, room for God's will... if it should happen to be different than their own. Do we all of us know so perfectly the will of God for me, and for mine, and for America, and for the whole world, with all of the itty bitty details?
I doubt if all do consciously, but I think many do intuitively. His will was made plain through Selveraj. Trump was to continue for four more years, and America was to see a time of prosperity and four more years of grace before judgment came. But the church was to pray for this, and she did not. Again, Americans and the American church in particular are to blame for the fact that it did not happen, but were the non-Americans helping or hurting the situation by exacerbating the strife instead of praying themselves? They made it worse, all while making American Christians feel betrayed by people they thought were their friends.
Where is the humility of the praying publican?
Where is attitude of the Syrophenician woman willing to partake of the crumbs fallen from the Master's table and left for the dogs?
LoL! That humility doesn't exist in the church at present, except for the rare few. But when sufficient death and suffering comes to the church, and believers have been reduced to a relative Gideon's 300 in this country after we are practically ostracized out of existence, those who survive it will have been brought to such a place, so for that we can rejoice : )
I remember when I was very much younger and Not really serving God yet, I made an effort to sort people out by culture and nationality as nice or not nice, as hard-nosed or friendly, and so forth. I was never successful.
I would never even attempt such a thing, John. I'm simply telling you a phenomenon I've witnessed over the last few months, which has increased with each passing week, and now appears to be some sort of fad going on, like "Let's all pile on the Americans," LoL. It doesn't bother me that much, but I do find it wrong and sinful, so I'm calling attention to it.
When I was in West Berlin, four of us, students from 4 different California colleges went into this huge store, the KDW, at the time the largest department store in the city. We were on one floor which was a massive supermarket waiting in line behind perhaps a dozen Germans to buy some meat at the fresh meat counter. One woman quite a bit older than us walked past us and abruptly inserted herself into the line in front of us and several other people. A few of the Germans gave her a dirty look but no one complained or said anything immediately. Except... one of my companions from San Diego, who I knew only slightly, walked up to the abrupt lady and in excellent German he proceeded to chew her out calling her a Nazi pig and a few other choice names relating to her supposed connection their nation's former Führer, Adolph Hitler. Myself and my other two American companions were absolutely stunned and embarrassed. The woman was clearly wrong, but the attack put her into a state of shock. She hurriedly left the line and apparently the store without a word, as did several of the Germans who had been in line. None of us made any friends as a result of that episode even though the rest of us remained still and silent through the whole event. That was in 1970 and considering the apparent age of the lady, she may have had a Nazi background, but of course none of really had no clue about that. I would guess that she and the other German witnesses to the event left the store with somewhat different perspective with regard to Americans...
The methods were wrong, but the need for effective correction is very real in today's church, especially on the forums. I know you, and you take a very gentle approach, and try to win people over by love. The problem with this approach in many instances where correction is actually needed, however, is that sin is allowed to go on and people continue in it without being chastised. I don't particularly care if people like it or not, and favor someone like yourself over me or not, nor does it concern me if they think I am arrogant for assuming such an authority. I will correct and chastise as I see fit and as the Spirit of God leads me, to keep people from running completely amok. It is necessary, because simply waiting upon them to get it together by loving them along won't work. It has it's value, trust me, and I greatly respect it. But both the love and severity of God must be in operation or any church community or organization is doomed to destruction and defeat.
During my student year in Germany I went to London, England for the Christmas break. When I arrived I had the worst case of bronchitus in my life from riding on an unheated Polish train all the way from Berlin. In London I rented a room in the home of a very nice lady who had lost her son in WWII. Although only breakfast was included in the rent, she treated me as if I were her son bringing me tea and other extra bowl of hot soup and such, taking good care of me until I improved enough to get up and about... When I remember England she stands out for me more than anything else.
Absolutely, and this is the value in kindness. It's power is never to be underestimated, and I acknowledge that.
My involvement here with non-Americans has not been, I guess, as yours. I do not see all of the negative you see, but admittedly I have not read all of the posts, especially all the ones on Covid-19 and the 2020 US election.
It's not that bad, honestly, but it does need to be addressed. When Forrest gave the approval that they were lifting the ban on political discussions, I complained loudly and publicly about it. I thought it was a HORRIBLE decision, and said so. Look where we are now. Picking up the pieces in this community, and it is not over yet by a long shot. I knew this was coming, and quite frankly we have done ADMIRABLY, I mean across the board, Americans and non-Americans alike. This place was headed for being an absolute disgusting sewer hole, and I said so, frankly we haven't done too bad at all. I'm actually quite impressed, given the circumstances.
But things still need to be corrected, and will be.
God bless, and hope you have a great day. Thanks for the good and polite discussion, as always.
