"Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he shall also cry himself, but shall not be heard." (Proverbs 21:13 KJV)
Yeshua said we would always have the poor with us (Matthew 26:11). Much to the chagrin of the elite and those more concerned with preserving an image than in having compassion, they just won't go away. Whether it's seeing a television ad from a charitable organization, reading the world news headlines or even driving into a particular area- maybe on the other side of town, the reminders are constant. We have choices in how we deal with the plight of the poor. Are they annoyances who we wish would just go away? Are they making a bad impression on tourists and visitors? Are we concerned they are perhaps lowering property values?
Standing in line, marking time,
Waiting for the welfare dime
'Cause they can't find a job.
A man in a silk suit hurries by
As he catches the poor old lady's eye.
Just for fun he says, "Get a job."
(lyrics from "The Way It Is" (B.R. Hornsby & J. Hornsby))
If we're to be about the Father's business, we are not to be on the side of ridiculing those who are poor. We're also not to go about with blinders on and our hands over our ears, pretending not to see and hear. Ignorance is not bliss for those who have been called by His name and have chosen to follow Him. Today's verse says if we do, we too will end up crying and there will be no consolation. By our actions, others will see us as selfish and without compassion, therefore will not tend to run to our aid. Perhaps a time will come and the tables will turn where those who we once looked past or stepped over to get where we were going will be the same ones looking past us. More importantly, to ignore and stop our ears to the cries of the poor displeases our Father in heaven.
"Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." (James 1:27 NAS)
Orphans and widows did, and still do, make up a great percentage of the poor. If we want our religious experience to be a spiritual experience, and not just window dressing, we must be concerned with helping those in poverty. This help, patterned by our Lord, consists of addressing physical and spiritual needs as we are able. At the very least, we can pray. And prayer is no little thing if it is all we can do. Better, we can pray and give too. While visiting a brother in Birmingham, UK a couple of years ago I was able to participate in a multi-church street ministry which primarily consisted of feeding folks in need. I was told that hearing a sermon was not a requisite for receiving a meal, but that if people were willing to talk with me then I was certainly free to oblige. I've been able to do that here in my hometown also. What an eye-opener it is to hear the stories of the poor, their hurts, their sorrows and joys too. Many suffer from mental illness and the effects of drug addiction, while others are just people fallen from hardships. Let's open our ears to the poor rather than block them. I'm not saying it won't be a bit uncomfortable, but in moving from your comfort zone and doing so for Christ, you'll end up a changed person and so might they.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Proverbs 20:23
"Differing weights are an abomination to the Lord, and a false scale is not good." (Proverbs 20:23 NAS)
Investors being bilked out of billions, employees' 401k funds being drained, executives taking bonuses while their workers end up jobless, governments in monumental debt simply printing more money to try and prime the pump. The examples of differing weights and false balances are plenty and a cursory scan of the news headlines bears this out. And it doesn't stop there. These things that are not good and an abomination to the Lord come in the way of fudged tax returns, insurance fraud, illegal file sharing, pirated copies of music recordings and tapping into the neighbor's electricity. The ways which man has found to steal from and cheat one another are almost endless.
In an agrarian society such as that of ancient Israel, tweaking the scales a bit could bring a substantial increase to those selling their produce. In the new testament of the Holy Bible, we see the Lord Yeshua snapping whips and turning over tables, angry at merchants and moneychangers who had turned the house of prayer into a den of thieves. Suffice to say, tipping the scales in one's favor angers Almighty God. Yet, despite what the bible says and what history has revealed in deceivers and thieves being shamed and disgraced, the practices continue. Some feel their company or the government owes them. Others reason that customers won't miss a bit of the promised amount being skimmed off or won't know the difference from the higher quality being offered and the lesser quality being sold.
There are many ways of attempting to justify stealing, but none of them hold up before the great Judge. Besides, it's only a matter before we're found out. And when we do get caught, the penalties always exceed any gain we had hoped to make. Abraham Lincoln once said, "You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time." And we can never, ever fool Yahweh. By being people of integrity, people who do what's right even when no one else is watching, we have an opportunity to shine for Him. Proverbs 22:1 says, "A good name is to be more desired than great wealth..." Let's make certain to establish good names by being fair, just and equitable in all areas. Perhaps those around us will see the difference and wonder why.
Investors being bilked out of billions, employees' 401k funds being drained, executives taking bonuses while their workers end up jobless, governments in monumental debt simply printing more money to try and prime the pump. The examples of differing weights and false balances are plenty and a cursory scan of the news headlines bears this out. And it doesn't stop there. These things that are not good and an abomination to the Lord come in the way of fudged tax returns, insurance fraud, illegal file sharing, pirated copies of music recordings and tapping into the neighbor's electricity. The ways which man has found to steal from and cheat one another are almost endless.
In an agrarian society such as that of ancient Israel, tweaking the scales a bit could bring a substantial increase to those selling their produce. In the new testament of the Holy Bible, we see the Lord Yeshua snapping whips and turning over tables, angry at merchants and moneychangers who had turned the house of prayer into a den of thieves. Suffice to say, tipping the scales in one's favor angers Almighty God. Yet, despite what the bible says and what history has revealed in deceivers and thieves being shamed and disgraced, the practices continue. Some feel their company or the government owes them. Others reason that customers won't miss a bit of the promised amount being skimmed off or won't know the difference from the higher quality being offered and the lesser quality being sold.
There are many ways of attempting to justify stealing, but none of them hold up before the great Judge. Besides, it's only a matter before we're found out. And when we do get caught, the penalties always exceed any gain we had hoped to make. Abraham Lincoln once said, "You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time." And we can never, ever fool Yahweh. By being people of integrity, people who do what's right even when no one else is watching, we have an opportunity to shine for Him. Proverbs 22:1 says, "A good name is to be more desired than great wealth..." Let's make certain to establish good names by being fair, just and equitable in all areas. Perhaps those around us will see the difference and wonder why.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Proverbs 19:20
"Listen to counsel and and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days." (Proverbs 19:20 NAS)
Part of us would love to take this verse, put it in front of the faces of your youth, jab our index finger at it and say "See, see, see! Read this!" And it's true that wise, godly counsel and discipline are essential for the intellectual, spiritual (and therefore character) development of our children. What is sown today will be reaped later on down the line. Sadly, it is my observation that too many parents in our society seem to place academic disciplines at a higher standard than spiritual ones. I wish I could say this pertains only to those outside the church, but the fact is there are far too many youth being left alone on Sunday mornings and during the week while Mom and/or Dad are participating in service or bible study. On top of this, there may not even be a family altar or devotional time in the home requiring their attendance. For some, it's a matter of avoiding confrontation. If the child is not interested and will put up a fuss, the thought is that it's better to keep the peace, perhaps praying that Johnny or Suzie will eventually come around. The thing is this peace is really a false peace. It's the same kind of peace we might experience while tip-toeing gingerly past a ferocious pit bull who is snoozing. The truth is we're on edge because we know the so-called peace is very frail and therefore try our best not to upset it. This is not the peace that the Prince of Peace promises to those who love and follow Him.
We do a great disservice to our youth by not making the unpopular choices and insisting on their adherence to things they might not be thrilled about. When we let them decide for themselves, in a sense we're allowing the devil free reign to exude his influence. Think how silly it would sound if your child declared on Monday morning, "Mom, I don't feel like going to school." Without a moment's thought you would say, "You are going to school." There would not be any negotiations. Isn't it funny and tragic that we don't place the same, or even greater degree of importance on their coming to know the Lord Yeshua, getting to develop a relationship with Him and relationships with others within the body of Christ? We've been conditioned by society to believe academics are the very highest pursuit. When we do this, we're setting our youth up for worldly success and moral and spiritual failure.
Let us remember, before we jab that index finger a little too firmly or self-righteously, we need to set the example. We need to demonstrate the disciplined life, the life of one who is in submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Not just saying, but doing, not excluding one for the other.
Part of us would love to take this verse, put it in front of the faces of your youth, jab our index finger at it and say "See, see, see! Read this!" And it's true that wise, godly counsel and discipline are essential for the intellectual, spiritual (and therefore character) development of our children. What is sown today will be reaped later on down the line. Sadly, it is my observation that too many parents in our society seem to place academic disciplines at a higher standard than spiritual ones. I wish I could say this pertains only to those outside the church, but the fact is there are far too many youth being left alone on Sunday mornings and during the week while Mom and/or Dad are participating in service or bible study. On top of this, there may not even be a family altar or devotional time in the home requiring their attendance. For some, it's a matter of avoiding confrontation. If the child is not interested and will put up a fuss, the thought is that it's better to keep the peace, perhaps praying that Johnny or Suzie will eventually come around. The thing is this peace is really a false peace. It's the same kind of peace we might experience while tip-toeing gingerly past a ferocious pit bull who is snoozing. The truth is we're on edge because we know the so-called peace is very frail and therefore try our best not to upset it. This is not the peace that the Prince of Peace promises to those who love and follow Him.
We do a great disservice to our youth by not making the unpopular choices and insisting on their adherence to things they might not be thrilled about. When we let them decide for themselves, in a sense we're allowing the devil free reign to exude his influence. Think how silly it would sound if your child declared on Monday morning, "Mom, I don't feel like going to school." Without a moment's thought you would say, "You are going to school." There would not be any negotiations. Isn't it funny and tragic that we don't place the same, or even greater degree of importance on their coming to know the Lord Yeshua, getting to develop a relationship with Him and relationships with others within the body of Christ? We've been conditioned by society to believe academics are the very highest pursuit. When we do this, we're setting our youth up for worldly success and moral and spiritual failure.
Let us remember, before we jab that index finger a little too firmly or self-righteously, we need to set the example. We need to demonstrate the disciplined life, the life of one who is in submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Not just saying, but doing, not excluding one for the other.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Proverbs 18:21
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (Proverbs 18:21 NAS)
It's seems pretty plain doesn't it? We can either speak death or life. We can build someone up with words of appreciation and encouragement or we can tear them down with criticism and discouragement. Much of Proverbs deals with the tongue. Incidentally, the third chapter in the epistle of James has a great deal to say about it also. How a person speaks says a lot about who that person is. It reveals what's in the heart. Sure, anyone can put up a front for a little while but it's only a matter of time before the facade begins to crumble. Speaking, or even writing for that matter, allow us the opportunity to ascribe value to people. On the flip side, saying the wrong things or failing to say the right things can inflict wounds that last a lifetime. How do you suppose it is we can remember words said to us decades ago? There is great power in the tongue. You've heard the saying, "Loose lips sink ships"? How about, "The pen is mightier than the sword"?
We must make up our minds to wisely use this great power our Almighty God has entrusted us with. As I said above, sometimes not saying the right things (such as, "I love you" or "I'm sorry") are just as damaging as saying wrong things. Let's choose to speak life, even when it's more popular to denigrate people. Let us be conscious of the words that come forth from our lips and let them be pleasing unto the Lord. This is one of the reasons it is so important to be filled with the words of the Holy Bible, to read and meditate on them and let them saturate our minds. "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14 NAS)
It's seems pretty plain doesn't it? We can either speak death or life. We can build someone up with words of appreciation and encouragement or we can tear them down with criticism and discouragement. Much of Proverbs deals with the tongue. Incidentally, the third chapter in the epistle of James has a great deal to say about it also. How a person speaks says a lot about who that person is. It reveals what's in the heart. Sure, anyone can put up a front for a little while but it's only a matter of time before the facade begins to crumble. Speaking, or even writing for that matter, allow us the opportunity to ascribe value to people. On the flip side, saying the wrong things or failing to say the right things can inflict wounds that last a lifetime. How do you suppose it is we can remember words said to us decades ago? There is great power in the tongue. You've heard the saying, "Loose lips sink ships"? How about, "The pen is mightier than the sword"?
We must make up our minds to wisely use this great power our Almighty God has entrusted us with. As I said above, sometimes not saying the right things (such as, "I love you" or "I'm sorry") are just as damaging as saying wrong things. Let's choose to speak life, even when it's more popular to denigrate people. Let us be conscious of the words that come forth from our lips and let them be pleasing unto the Lord. This is one of the reasons it is so important to be filled with the words of the Holy Bible, to read and meditate on them and let them saturate our minds. "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14 NAS)
Monday, August 17, 2009
Proverbs 17:1
"Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it than a house full of feasting and strife." (Proverbs 17:1 NAS)
I find this verse to have a settling and centering quality, and quite encouraging as well. The theme is echoed in Proverbs 15:17, though with a slightly different emphasis. What also comes to mind is the account of Daniel 1 where Daniel (and friends), having been enlisted by the king for his personal service after first completing three years of royal academic schooling, chooses not to eat of King Nebuchadnezzar's choice food. Instead he chooses a diet of water and vegetables. And you have to wonder what his companions Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah thought about this drastic menu change. Verse 8 states that it was Daniel who made up his mind that he (and therefore his friends also) would not defile himself with the king's choice food or wine. Maybe the four of them discussed it and were immediately on one accord with the decision, then again it may have taken some convincing. Or perhaps they didn't reach a consensus. We really don't know. Can you imagine having the finest cuisine available to you on a daily basis, from a five star restaurant or even the White House, only to choose vegetables and water? It turns out that after ten days Daniel and his pals end up looking healthier and stronger on this meager, simple diet than those who feasted on the most sumptuous of foods.
Health reasons aside, the problem with eating the rich royal diet is there are strings attached. Proverbs 17:1 lays out more than just a choice of foods, but the atmosphere that goes along with each choice. We should always be aware of our surroundings and consider the consequences of our decisions. Sure, a smorgasbord sounds great, but what is the cost for partaking of it? What compromises must we make? Just imagine the aromas of the delicious royal foods wafting their way out of the king's kitchen and into Daniel's living quarters. I don't know whether that happened, but if it did it sure would have made it tempting to put the kibosh on the vegetables and water.
I remember a few years ago reading of a couple who left high-paying jobs in Manhattan for a much simpler, spartan existence as farmers in upstate New York. They had decided the six-figure salaries weren't worth all of the toil, stress and just plain busyness of the lifestyle that came with them. As a result, though they had a lot less money and material things, they were much happier. Indeed, it is far better to choose the simpler, quieter life (even if it means less money) , than to go for the fast track with it's quarreling, division and confusion.
I find this verse to have a settling and centering quality, and quite encouraging as well. The theme is echoed in Proverbs 15:17, though with a slightly different emphasis. What also comes to mind is the account of Daniel 1 where Daniel (and friends), having been enlisted by the king for his personal service after first completing three years of royal academic schooling, chooses not to eat of King Nebuchadnezzar's choice food. Instead he chooses a diet of water and vegetables. And you have to wonder what his companions Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah thought about this drastic menu change. Verse 8 states that it was Daniel who made up his mind that he (and therefore his friends also) would not defile himself with the king's choice food or wine. Maybe the four of them discussed it and were immediately on one accord with the decision, then again it may have taken some convincing. Or perhaps they didn't reach a consensus. We really don't know. Can you imagine having the finest cuisine available to you on a daily basis, from a five star restaurant or even the White House, only to choose vegetables and water? It turns out that after ten days Daniel and his pals end up looking healthier and stronger on this meager, simple diet than those who feasted on the most sumptuous of foods.
Health reasons aside, the problem with eating the rich royal diet is there are strings attached. Proverbs 17:1 lays out more than just a choice of foods, but the atmosphere that goes along with each choice. We should always be aware of our surroundings and consider the consequences of our decisions. Sure, a smorgasbord sounds great, but what is the cost for partaking of it? What compromises must we make? Just imagine the aromas of the delicious royal foods wafting their way out of the king's kitchen and into Daniel's living quarters. I don't know whether that happened, but if it did it sure would have made it tempting to put the kibosh on the vegetables and water.
I remember a few years ago reading of a couple who left high-paying jobs in Manhattan for a much simpler, spartan existence as farmers in upstate New York. They had decided the six-figure salaries weren't worth all of the toil, stress and just plain busyness of the lifestyle that came with them. As a result, though they had a lot less money and material things, they were much happier. Indeed, it is far better to choose the simpler, quieter life (even if it means less money) , than to go for the fast track with it's quarreling, division and confusion.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Proverbs 16:32
"He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
and he who rules his own spirit than he who takes a city." (Proverbs 16:32 NKJV)
I admit it. I have a tendency to be impatient. When things aren't going as quickly or smoothly as I'd like them, I let out a sigh or I "blow off" (steam?), as my wife calls it. I don't scream and yell or throw things, and if she didn't know me so well (darn!) she may not even notice. But she does. When she asks me, often times from another room, why I'm "blowing off" I sometimes say I'm not "blowing off". But, in fact, I am. And it's often over small things like trying to fix something that isn't cooperating with my master mechanic hands. Yes, that is a joke! Other times it might be when my wife asks, during an inconvenient time for me, for help with a school assignment she's working on. I imagine my late mother's own legendary impatience is an influence. Come to think of it, my dad was not the most patient person around either. Whatever the reasons, it's a characteristic of my behavior that I am certainly not proud of and I know needs changing. And I must take responsibility. Otherwise, just think of what will happen when our little son or daughter needs help with homework, tying a shoe or whatever else. And what kind of example will I set for them?
I heard someone say recently on a radio talk show that "repressed rage is not peace". And it's so true. Though it may go unnoticed by all but those closest to me, the perceived calmness and mellowness of my personality are really poor masks for my reality. We know God is patient and slow to anger and that as we mature and progress in this journey, as He refines us, we are to become more like Him and in the image of His Son. I've come to the realization that my impatience will not disappear on it's own over time. I've also found that when I'm "prayed up" and have the word of Christ dwelling richly within me, my patience meter goes up! I praise the Lord that being connected with Him reconditions my reactions. When I get into trouble is when I allow His words to drift from my mind and I'm not expressing to Him the love, adoration and praise He deserves, and when I'm not humbling myself before Him and otherwise conversing with Him as I ought to. So, I know what works and therefore really have no excuse. By the way, I'm not yet a dad but I understand raising children does a require just a teeny bit of patience in itself.
As a result, I know God is using this time to help prepare me for what's ahead. It's just that I have to be willing to work with him and allow Him to work in me.
Proverbs 25:28 says, "Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls". (NKJV) It's really about self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). And this links with the second part of Proverbs 16:32 and ties in perfectly with the first half as well. If I allow myself to get upset (and I'm not talking about holy discontentment) I lose self-control. My prayer is for more of the very things many of us seem to say we need: more time in the Bible and in prayer. And I'll add another; more time fasting. My natural reaction ability to certain things may not be the same as someone else. What I need, and what we all need are supernaturally influenced and empowered reaction abilities. There is no magic pill for me, or anyone else for that matter. However, I fully believe the Lord will condition and recondition us as we become more intimate with Him.
and he who rules his own spirit than he who takes a city." (Proverbs 16:32 NKJV)
I admit it. I have a tendency to be impatient. When things aren't going as quickly or smoothly as I'd like them, I let out a sigh or I "blow off" (steam?), as my wife calls it. I don't scream and yell or throw things, and if she didn't know me so well (darn!) she may not even notice. But she does. When she asks me, often times from another room, why I'm "blowing off" I sometimes say I'm not "blowing off". But, in fact, I am. And it's often over small things like trying to fix something that isn't cooperating with my master mechanic hands. Yes, that is a joke! Other times it might be when my wife asks, during an inconvenient time for me, for help with a school assignment she's working on. I imagine my late mother's own legendary impatience is an influence. Come to think of it, my dad was not the most patient person around either. Whatever the reasons, it's a characteristic of my behavior that I am certainly not proud of and I know needs changing. And I must take responsibility. Otherwise, just think of what will happen when our little son or daughter needs help with homework, tying a shoe or whatever else. And what kind of example will I set for them?
I heard someone say recently on a radio talk show that "repressed rage is not peace". And it's so true. Though it may go unnoticed by all but those closest to me, the perceived calmness and mellowness of my personality are really poor masks for my reality. We know God is patient and slow to anger and that as we mature and progress in this journey, as He refines us, we are to become more like Him and in the image of His Son. I've come to the realization that my impatience will not disappear on it's own over time. I've also found that when I'm "prayed up" and have the word of Christ dwelling richly within me, my patience meter goes up! I praise the Lord that being connected with Him reconditions my reactions. When I get into trouble is when I allow His words to drift from my mind and I'm not expressing to Him the love, adoration and praise He deserves, and when I'm not humbling myself before Him and otherwise conversing with Him as I ought to. So, I know what works and therefore really have no excuse. By the way, I'm not yet a dad but I understand raising children does a require just a teeny bit of patience in itself.
As a result, I know God is using this time to help prepare me for what's ahead. It's just that I have to be willing to work with him and allow Him to work in me.
Proverbs 25:28 says, "Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls". (NKJV) It's really about self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). And this links with the second part of Proverbs 16:32 and ties in perfectly with the first half as well. If I allow myself to get upset (and I'm not talking about holy discontentment) I lose self-control. My prayer is for more of the very things many of us seem to say we need: more time in the Bible and in prayer. And I'll add another; more time fasting. My natural reaction ability to certain things may not be the same as someone else. What I need, and what we all need are supernaturally influenced and empowered reaction abilities. There is no magic pill for me, or anyone else for that matter. However, I fully believe the Lord will condition and recondition us as we become more intimate with Him.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Proverbs 15:15
"All the days of the afflicted are evil,
But he who is of a merry heart has
a continual feast." (Proverbs 15:15 NKJV)
I recently picked up a copy of Rolling Stone magazine that was lying on one of the tables in the cafeteria at my workplace. What caught my eye was that the issue had a featured article on renowned rock/jazz/world beat drummer Ginger Baker. Several years ago I bought a copy of a jazz album he recorded along with guitarist Bill Frisell and bassist Charlie Haden and found it to be an enjoyable listen. Being a musician, I've always had an interest in what makes musicians tick, how they got started and what inspires their creativity. Further, it's always a hope that a musician whose art I enjoy will come to know the Lord Jesus Christ if he hasn't yet. To read such a testimony would bring me joy that would far surpass any that I may have experienced listening to their recordings over the years. Sadly, this is apparently not the case with the 69-year old Baker who suffers from a number of ailments and must take morphine several times a day for pain.
In the very first line of the article, the drummer is quoted as uttering a cranky expletive at the South African sunrise, something the author says is a morning ritual. Further, Baker is later quoted as saying, (I'm paraphrasing here because I don't have the magazine) "God is punishing me for all the wicked things I've done by keeping me alive and in as much pain as possible." How sad. That's the reason Ginger Baker believes he is still alive. He is alive because the God who created him loves him and desires that he not perish. He is alive because the Father is being patient and merciful, giving him time to come to repentance and to be saved from the coming wrath by accepting His offer of salvation. Sadly, the article paints the picture of a man who is suffering from the excessive lifestyle of his younger years, though apparently he still manages to play the drums quite well once he gets settled in behind the kit and also plays a mean game of polo.
What I gather from reading the article is not that Ginger Baker has a merry heart, but that he sees himself as being the victim both of his own bad choices and mistreatment at the hands of others. What he fails to see and what, at one time, we've all failed to see is apart from having a relationship with our Creator we have nothing. Though Baker is in the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame, though he's recorded with some of the most innovative musicians in rock, jazz and African music and has sold millions of recordings, these things don't bring him joy. Past drug abuse, failed marriages, friends who have died from overdoses and problems with tax evasion have made him bitter and angry. I believe if Ginger Baker came to know Yeshua Ha' Mashiach and had His Spirit living inside of him, he would have peace and joy. All of his hit records and trophies would be counted as loss and worthless. What he would have though, is the joy of experiencing the royal spread the Lord has laid out for his children, even in the presence of their enemies (Psalm 23).
This is not "Pick On Ginger Baker Day", rather it's a moment where I'm seeing the life of a man whom God Almighty loves and sent His only Son to die for that he may not perish, but have everlasting life. My prayer is that before he breathes his last on this earth, that he will see that God is not punishing him for his sins, rather that Jesus took his punishment so he could be spared eternal death and damnation and experience no more sorrow, no more pain. That he may experience peace and joy everlasting. That is my prayer this evening for all of the Ginger Bakers out there.
But he who is of a merry heart has
a continual feast." (Proverbs 15:15 NKJV)
I recently picked up a copy of Rolling Stone magazine that was lying on one of the tables in the cafeteria at my workplace. What caught my eye was that the issue had a featured article on renowned rock/jazz/world beat drummer Ginger Baker. Several years ago I bought a copy of a jazz album he recorded along with guitarist Bill Frisell and bassist Charlie Haden and found it to be an enjoyable listen. Being a musician, I've always had an interest in what makes musicians tick, how they got started and what inspires their creativity. Further, it's always a hope that a musician whose art I enjoy will come to know the Lord Jesus Christ if he hasn't yet. To read such a testimony would bring me joy that would far surpass any that I may have experienced listening to their recordings over the years. Sadly, this is apparently not the case with the 69-year old Baker who suffers from a number of ailments and must take morphine several times a day for pain.
In the very first line of the article, the drummer is quoted as uttering a cranky expletive at the South African sunrise, something the author says is a morning ritual. Further, Baker is later quoted as saying, (I'm paraphrasing here because I don't have the magazine) "God is punishing me for all the wicked things I've done by keeping me alive and in as much pain as possible." How sad. That's the reason Ginger Baker believes he is still alive. He is alive because the God who created him loves him and desires that he not perish. He is alive because the Father is being patient and merciful, giving him time to come to repentance and to be saved from the coming wrath by accepting His offer of salvation. Sadly, the article paints the picture of a man who is suffering from the excessive lifestyle of his younger years, though apparently he still manages to play the drums quite well once he gets settled in behind the kit and also plays a mean game of polo.
What I gather from reading the article is not that Ginger Baker has a merry heart, but that he sees himself as being the victim both of his own bad choices and mistreatment at the hands of others. What he fails to see and what, at one time, we've all failed to see is apart from having a relationship with our Creator we have nothing. Though Baker is in the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame, though he's recorded with some of the most innovative musicians in rock, jazz and African music and has sold millions of recordings, these things don't bring him joy. Past drug abuse, failed marriages, friends who have died from overdoses and problems with tax evasion have made him bitter and angry. I believe if Ginger Baker came to know Yeshua Ha' Mashiach and had His Spirit living inside of him, he would have peace and joy. All of his hit records and trophies would be counted as loss and worthless. What he would have though, is the joy of experiencing the royal spread the Lord has laid out for his children, even in the presence of their enemies (Psalm 23).
This is not "Pick On Ginger Baker Day", rather it's a moment where I'm seeing the life of a man whom God Almighty loves and sent His only Son to die for that he may not perish, but have everlasting life. My prayer is that before he breathes his last on this earth, that he will see that God is not punishing him for his sins, rather that Jesus took his punishment so he could be spared eternal death and damnation and experience no more sorrow, no more pain. That he may experience peace and joy everlasting. That is my prayer this evening for all of the Ginger Bakers out there.
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