September 11, 2023

      This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made, that the Lord has made.  
   I will rejoice, I will rejoice and be glad in it, and be glad in it.

Somewhere in this country, there were children singing that song early on September 11th, 2001.   Sometime after 8:46 EDT, they may have been directed to stop singing.  It would have felt odd for any of us to be singing of rejoicing and being glad on that day.  But, then again, James implores us to "count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds..."     Thus, we might still rejoice on the day.... and on the September 11ths of life.  

As I write this, several kids just ran by my window, yelling, screaming, and enjoying the moment they are in.  They are oblivious to the events of 2001.  To them, that was a history book event, not a memory.   I should probably grab them, sit them down, and explain the horrors of that day.  How dare they run around without so much as a thought to what this day represents!  

Or, perhaps I should sit down and ask them to share with me where their joy and energy is coming from.  Better yet, perhaps I should join in and run after them.  Yes!   Maybe it is a little of both.  

Those "trials of various kinds"?  We are told that the "testing of [our] faith produces steadfastness."   There is a good that comes from the trials.  Certainly we can and should mourn in the day and sit with those who are mourning (that balance of rejoicing with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep - Rom. 12:15).  Our life in Christ, regardless of the circumstances, should be a joyful life.  Even in the loss of a loved one, we do not grieve as others do who have no hope (1 Thess. 4:13).  We do grieve... just not like the world.  We grieve because we do have hope.  We have hope from the Lord Jesus Christ.  And, we will be with Him always.  

What are you doing today as you remember 9/11/2001?  I plan on taking some time this afternoon to go running around with some kids.  

We easily imagine the “big” sins in church being addressed but, too often, we dismiss what seem like minor sins.  What we should be doing with blatant sin in the body of Christ is to confront it.  Just as someone going to a medical doctor who refuses to tell them that they are sick, we do not do anybody favors by not telling them their condition.  Confronting sin is done because we love people.   From Matthew 18, we first do this one-on-one.  It is the most non-threatening right response.   Most will break at this point, confess their sin, and repent.  If not, you move to a “few-on-one” confrontation.  Bring one or two along with you.  If nothing is done, then bring it to church leadership; it may need to be brought to the entire church.  The desire is that, through the love communicated, they would stop and repent.  Confronting sin is about gaining victory – the victory that Christ already won.  Love others enough to lovingly confront sin in their lives.  If needed, allow others to confront you regarding sin as well.  Be the church.