“So Joseph went after his brothers, and found them at Dothan. They saw him from a distance, and before he came near to them, they conspired to kill him. They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits; then we shall say that a wild animal has devoured him, and we shall see what will become of his dreams.” But when Reuben heard it, he delivered him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but lay no hand on him”—that he might rescue him out of their hand and restore him to his father. So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the long robe with sleeves that he wore; and they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.” Genesis 37:17-24

School Shooting Number 2:

“On January 4, 2018, Police say a bullet entered an office window and ended up lodged in a 3-ring binder in the administrative offices of the New Start High School in Seattle Washington. The shooting happened around 1:30 p.m. The school was advised to go into lockdown after two shots were fired outside the building. The school remained in lockdown until dismissal at 3:25 p.m. Only one of the rounds entered the school’s administrative offices. No one was injured in the shooting.” (http://b-townblog.com/2018/01/04)

Many schools throughout our country are situated in urban centers. As such, the safety of the neighborhoods that surround the schools impacts the safety of the school, including the children who walk or ride back and forth to classes. There have been numerous instances throughout our country where a bystander(s) has been shot/killed when they have been hit by a stray bullet – including children walking to and from school. As you have discerned by these early devotionals, the people who claim that eighteen school shootings have occurred since the beginning of 2018 include shootings that do not include someone coming into the school proper and opening fire. But, as long as we continue to solve our arguments by shooting one another, or stabbing one another, then innocent bystanders, including children, will continue to be in danger.

As the above text implies, families and strangers alike have turned to murder or the threat of murder to resolve differences since the beginning of time. Cain killed his brother Abel out of jealousy and resentment. Joseph’s brothers almost killed him out of anger and jealousy. Although we no longer live in the “Wild, Wild West”, where differences were more often settled with pistols than fists, it sure seems as if we are returning to the wild, wild west mentality in 21^st century America. However, instead of pistols, we are using AR 15’s and “bump stocks”.

When we are pondering solutions to the ever increasing violence in our society, we must first remember that we are all part of a fallen humanity – a broken humanity since the time of Adam and Eve. Eventually Joseph will forgive his brothers by telling them that “What you intended for evil, G-d intended for good, to save the lives of many people” (Genesis 50:20). For our society to turn evil into good requires all of us to work together, in love, with mercy, and empowered by the Grace of G-d in Jesus Christ. As long as hate continues to establish itself in the city and town square, then needless deaths will continue to fill our lives. I for one would choose love….

Pastor Dave

“For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power. For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” 1 Corinthians 1:17-19

On Valentine’s Day/Ash Wednesday in 2018, several media outlets and politicians reported that there have been eighteen (18) school shootings in America since January 1, 2018. When I heard that statistic, I could not believe it. They must have meant since the beginning of the 2017/2018 school year. If true it was a shocking statistic – a frightening statistic. So, trying to find some context to the numbers, I went on a hunt for corroboration. What I discovered is a statistic that is misleading, but still shocking. As such, I decided to change my devotions – again. Lately my devotions have followed a light-hearted theme. But no more. It is Lent after all – a time where we should be reflecting on our sinfulness – and our country’s sinfulness. We live in dangerous times. Some days I don’t even recognize this society anymore. It is time for people of faith to reclaim our society – and to stop depending on politicians to make meaningful change. They are unable or unwilling to make hard decisions. They are driven by greed, power and selfishness – not by faith. I do not care what your faith tradition is, but I hope you have reached the end of your rope like I have. It is time for people of faith to take the love of G-d back into the public square, the school yard, and the marketplace. Have we lost all feeling?

School Shooting Number 1:

“On January 3, 2018, A 31-year-old Potterville man died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the parking lot the former East Olive Elementary School in St. Johns, Missouri. Police had attempted to negotiate with the man for many hours. Sheriff’s deputies were called to the former school shortly before 1 p.m. Wednesday after a man there called dispatch to say that he was suicidal and had a handgun with him, police said. The man was a military veteran who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, a traumatic brain injury and depression, according to police.” (Lansing State Journal, January 4, 2018)

One of the conversations I have often had with members of my congregation involves the availability of resources for families  dealing with aging parents, children and adults experiencing mental health problems, and veterans in need of services. Having worked in the mental health and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) field for approximately fourteen years, I had the first-hand opportunity to  see how inadequate the funding and the salaries were for such programs. Without adequate funding to appropriately serve people with mental illness and IDD, and without higher salaries for those who want to work in these occupations, there will continue to be inadequate services and too few service providers. It takes time to develop relationships with people – to develop trust – and to develop experience.

Two of the most prevalent problems that the Veterans Administration continues to struggle with are extraordinary wait times to receive services, and inadequate staff to provide services. What our country has produced are inadequate services for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities: veterans dealing with health issues, and secondary problems associated with deployment; senior citizens without adequate family support or money for appropriate care; and support for those dealing with disabilities.

“For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power.” Paul’s words continue to challenge us almost 2000 years after he spoke them. I believe the church can be part of the solution in working together with their communities to find answers to some of our most pressing concerns. But that will only be possible through the power of the cross. More of us need to proclaim the Gospel of healing and wholeness through word and deed. It is what Jesus would want us to do – now.

Pastor Dave