Conflagration

It can start in such an insignificant manner. A campfire not properly extinguished. A tossed out butt from a cigarette. A single lightning strike. Even a broken piece of glass in the sunlight. Every year tens of thousands of acres of forest are lost to carelessness. While this is an ecological issue that can endanger the lives of local citizens and wildlife the damage it causes is temporal. There is an greater danger of conflagration that can happen. It is a spiritual fire. One that can destroy a family, church, and/or community.

James tells us, 'How great a fire is set ablaze by such a small fire! The tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell itself.' Think about that: the putrid sulphurous flame of hell within our own bodies.

Such calamity and destruction normally begins in a small manner. An unkind word, a taunting jest, a critical look each of these can be the spark that in time results in a full blown conflagration - devouring everything in its path. Just as a forest fire can, given enough size, and topographical conditions develop its own wind drafts to move itself along; so can the fire of destruction in a family or congregation. At those times it is impossible to stop apart from the work of the Holy Spirit among us.

How many families have been destroyed by a careless word? How many congregations have split because of a selfish comment? Christians living in community must guard their tongues. Else, we perish.

Sunday Musings

Today many across the nation, and several other countries celebrated Mother's Day. In our worship service this morning we focussed upon the role of the mother in the Godly home. Sadly, this role stands in stark contrast to much of what is presented to Christians in modern life. Motherhood is taking it on the chin in our culture. Its significance is downplayed. Its honour has been downgraded.

Many young women today do not even consider motherhood. It is not even in the realm or reason for them as they grow. (Note I did not write 'mature'.) This is tragic. The mother's role in the home is more than merely biological. The Scriptures show us that the mother is to work alongside the father to bring instruction, law, discipline, and ultimately wisdom to their children. This is ignored by many, if not most, today.

Children are not born little blank slates. The Scriptures teach us that we are born in sin. That the guilt of Adam is ours as well. The mother is to work with the father, in the power of the Spirit, using the tools at her disposal to drive the inborn foolishness from a child and prepare it to receive wisdom from above. This is tough work. This is vital work. This is work that is being skipped by far too many parents, Christian parents, today. Is it any wonder that we have a bunch of 20 and 30 somethings wandering aimlessly through life?

Training children to be godly adults is a monumental task. At times it can appear to be overwhelming. But, rest assured. The God of heaven stands ready with his powerful grace to accomplish his purposes through parents.

Mothers, you're necessary, needed, and wonderful.