September 2001
Where Have All The Bracelets Gone?
16 September 2001 @ 08:54
This blog entry is from s brochure that I put together the week after the 9/11 attacks. I recently found a few of those brochures in my files and thought I would add it here.
WHERE HAVE ALL THE BRACELETS GONE?
by Woody Wolfe, Jr.
Having my roots in the music of the sixties, I remember singing a song that began, "Where have all the flowers gone?" It was sung often during the turbulent years of the Viet Nam War. Now I am wondering, "Where have all the bracelets gone?" Let me explain.
I sit writing this just five days after a series of horrendous terrorist attacks against America with strikes in New York City and Washington, DC resulting in the destruction of the World Trade Center and serious damage at the Pentagon and, of course, the incredible loss of so many lives. Domestic passenger jetliners were used as guided missiles with one averted attack ending in a field in southwestern Pennsylvania. Like so many others I have spent a good bit of time in front of the television trying to keep abreast of all the latest developments. The casualties will most likely number around five thousand; so many innocent men, women and children. So many families are in the streets trying to find out for sure where their loved ones, or the remains of their loved ones, are.
The talk of retaliation has now become a big part of the news. Our President and so many others cry out for revenge. Acts of violence have been committed against those of Middle Eastern descent living here in the United States. Church leaders speak of justice and mount attacks on immorality. My head and my heart spin. I go to a drawer and rummage for a bracelet given to me several years ago by a young man named Daniel. It is emblazoned with the initials WWJD, an acronym for "What Would Jesus Do?" and I ask myself, "What would Jesus do?" In searching scripture I realize that His response is one that has not been mentioned.
Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."(1) ' My heart cries out, "Jesus couldn't' really be serious" but deep within me, I know He is. Yet, how can we possibly love this enemy that has reared its ugly head? Let me share what I believe God has placed on my heart.
Paul wrote to the church in Rome, "You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things, Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God "will give to each person according to what he has done." To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.”(2)
How does this fit into our current thought? I don't know that we could squeeze it in anywhere. Time and again, through this current crisis we have heard the words of the song "God Bless America" sung by the members of Congress and others and we have seen the refrain printed on posters and banners. I just want to scream, "God has blessed America but yet we have turned our backs on Him." In a country where we have done all we can to eradicate the name of God from all public places and in a country where the Ten Commandments cannot be displayed in our courthouses or in our schools including the commandment "Thou shall not kill”, we are so quick to turn to God in times of trial and say "God be with us." In a country where we have bent our knees to so many other idols, would God say to us as He did to His people so long ago through the prophet, Jeremiah, "As a thief is disgraced when he is caught, so the house of Israel is disgraced—they, their kings and their officials, their priests and their prophets. They say to wood, 'You are my father,' and to stone, "You gave me birth.' They have turned their backs to me and not their faces; yet when they are in trouble, they say, "Come and save us!' Where then are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them come if they can save you when you are in trouble! For you have as many gods as you have towns, O Judah.”(3) I shudder when I hear these words. I do believe that they are God's words to us this day as the polls show that a majority of Americans believe we should retaliate even at the risk of civilian casualties. We really believe that we can put an end to evil by our own might and power—through our material gods. I believe that, even if we could obliterate every known terrorist from the face of the earth, we will have accomplished nothing more than what the true enemy, Satan, would have us accomplish. There would be a new generation of terrorists, convinced that we are truly an evil nation, raised up from the children of those we would slaughter. The father of lies always stands ready to deceive the next Osama bin Laden or Timothy McVey or David Koresh. Make no mistake this is a war. This is certainly a battle between good and evil, but not in the way that our military leaders have envisioned it.
Paul wrote, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." (4)
How then do we respond to such a horrible act? What would Jesus do? I don't know for sure, but I believe that Jesus would take the $40 billion earmarked for the war against terrorism and use it to feed our own and the hungry of the Middle East; that He would use it to clothe and shelter our own and those without clothes and shelter in the Middle East; that He would use it to care for the sick and dying of our own and the sick and dying of the Middle East; that He would 'preach good news to the poor, proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, and that He would release the oppressed, and proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”(5) With a godly act, such as this, evil would crumble in on itself. It's hard to win followers to a terrorist agenda when the one they are told is the enemy is caring for and about them. They will be drawn first to that which gives them real hope—that hope that we can know only through Jesus Christ.
Jesus said, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”(6) Don't take my word for it, but search out His Word for the direction we should go, and pray about it without ceasing and then act upon it as His Holy Spirit would lead you. We can't save ourselves. The battle has already been won. In the most horrific act of terror of all times the very Son of God was nailed to a cross on Calvary, by our sin, and upon His return evil will be relinquished to its proper place, receiving just punishment, being cast into that void we refer to as hell. Jesus tells us, "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.(7)
Stand firm on the solid rock of Jesus Christ and believe Him when He says, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’(8) May the peace that is of Christ sustain you this day.
(1) Matthew 5:38-48
(2) Romans 2:1-8
(3) Jeremiah 2:26-28
(4) Ephesians 6:10-18
(5) Luke 4:18-19
(6) John 16:33
(7) Matthew 10:28
(8) John 14:27
WHERE HAVE ALL THE BRACELETS GONE?
by Woody Wolfe, Jr.
Having my roots in the music of the sixties, I remember singing a song that began, "Where have all the flowers gone?" It was sung often during the turbulent years of the Viet Nam War. Now I am wondering, "Where have all the bracelets gone?" Let me explain.
I sit writing this just five days after a series of horrendous terrorist attacks against America with strikes in New York City and Washington, DC resulting in the destruction of the World Trade Center and serious damage at the Pentagon and, of course, the incredible loss of so many lives. Domestic passenger jetliners were used as guided missiles with one averted attack ending in a field in southwestern Pennsylvania. Like so many others I have spent a good bit of time in front of the television trying to keep abreast of all the latest developments. The casualties will most likely number around five thousand; so many innocent men, women and children. So many families are in the streets trying to find out for sure where their loved ones, or the remains of their loved ones, are.
The talk of retaliation has now become a big part of the news. Our President and so many others cry out for revenge. Acts of violence have been committed against those of Middle Eastern descent living here in the United States. Church leaders speak of justice and mount attacks on immorality. My head and my heart spin. I go to a drawer and rummage for a bracelet given to me several years ago by a young man named Daniel. It is emblazoned with the initials WWJD, an acronym for "What Would Jesus Do?" and I ask myself, "What would Jesus do?" In searching scripture I realize that His response is one that has not been mentioned.
Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."(1) ' My heart cries out, "Jesus couldn't' really be serious" but deep within me, I know He is. Yet, how can we possibly love this enemy that has reared its ugly head? Let me share what I believe God has placed on my heart.
Paul wrote to the church in Rome, "You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things, Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God "will give to each person according to what he has done." To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.”(2)
How does this fit into our current thought? I don't know that we could squeeze it in anywhere. Time and again, through this current crisis we have heard the words of the song "God Bless America" sung by the members of Congress and others and we have seen the refrain printed on posters and banners. I just want to scream, "God has blessed America but yet we have turned our backs on Him." In a country where we have done all we can to eradicate the name of God from all public places and in a country where the Ten Commandments cannot be displayed in our courthouses or in our schools including the commandment "Thou shall not kill”, we are so quick to turn to God in times of trial and say "God be with us." In a country where we have bent our knees to so many other idols, would God say to us as He did to His people so long ago through the prophet, Jeremiah, "As a thief is disgraced when he is caught, so the house of Israel is disgraced—they, their kings and their officials, their priests and their prophets. They say to wood, 'You are my father,' and to stone, "You gave me birth.' They have turned their backs to me and not their faces; yet when they are in trouble, they say, "Come and save us!' Where then are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them come if they can save you when you are in trouble! For you have as many gods as you have towns, O Judah.”(3) I shudder when I hear these words. I do believe that they are God's words to us this day as the polls show that a majority of Americans believe we should retaliate even at the risk of civilian casualties. We really believe that we can put an end to evil by our own might and power—through our material gods. I believe that, even if we could obliterate every known terrorist from the face of the earth, we will have accomplished nothing more than what the true enemy, Satan, would have us accomplish. There would be a new generation of terrorists, convinced that we are truly an evil nation, raised up from the children of those we would slaughter. The father of lies always stands ready to deceive the next Osama bin Laden or Timothy McVey or David Koresh. Make no mistake this is a war. This is certainly a battle between good and evil, but not in the way that our military leaders have envisioned it.
Paul wrote, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." (4)
How then do we respond to such a horrible act? What would Jesus do? I don't know for sure, but I believe that Jesus would take the $40 billion earmarked for the war against terrorism and use it to feed our own and the hungry of the Middle East; that He would use it to clothe and shelter our own and those without clothes and shelter in the Middle East; that He would use it to care for the sick and dying of our own and the sick and dying of the Middle East; that He would 'preach good news to the poor, proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, and that He would release the oppressed, and proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”(5) With a godly act, such as this, evil would crumble in on itself. It's hard to win followers to a terrorist agenda when the one they are told is the enemy is caring for and about them. They will be drawn first to that which gives them real hope—that hope that we can know only through Jesus Christ.
Jesus said, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”(6) Don't take my word for it, but search out His Word for the direction we should go, and pray about it without ceasing and then act upon it as His Holy Spirit would lead you. We can't save ourselves. The battle has already been won. In the most horrific act of terror of all times the very Son of God was nailed to a cross on Calvary, by our sin, and upon His return evil will be relinquished to its proper place, receiving just punishment, being cast into that void we refer to as hell. Jesus tells us, "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.(7)
Stand firm on the solid rock of Jesus Christ and believe Him when He says, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’(8) May the peace that is of Christ sustain you this day.
(1) Matthew 5:38-48
(2) Romans 2:1-8
(3) Jeremiah 2:26-28
(4) Ephesians 6:10-18
(5) Luke 4:18-19
(6) John 16:33
(7) Matthew 10:28
(8) John 14:27