This Dry and Thirsty Land

Today in this land—in this world, there is a drought.  There is a famine.  It is not drought of rain that causes the land to thirst.  It is not a famine of food that causes the people to starve.  It is a drought of morality and a famine for the Word of God that is killing us.

I read in the news that unborn children are murdered in the very place where they should be the safest, their own mothers’ bodies.  And they are murdered for no other reason than that their parents do not want to be inconvienced.

I see the government of the United States trying to force people those who want to stand with God Almighty in the respect for life to provide insurance that pays for this atrocity.  The threats of closing down Christian schools that refuse.  The reality of Christian charities closing their doors because they will not—cannot—obey this law that requires them to sin.

I am surrounded by a culture that says, “Go ahead and commit fornication.  Just use protection.”  All the while our Father begs us to respect our bodies and the bodies of those we claim to love.

Surely the perfect example of love is our Lord.  Jesus was not eager to take.  He was eager to give.  He did not insist of being served; He insisted on serving.

We do not need to accept this drought; we must not live with this famine.  Remember the words of King David:  “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.”  (Psalm 63.1)

Almighty God answers this cry through His holy prophet Isaiah:  “For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring.”  (Isaiah 44.3)

Can we take God at His word?  Do we dare pray for the sweet rains of revival in this dry and thirsty land?  Do we have the courage to stand with Jesus in preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom in this hostile desert of secularism and so-called tolerance?  Are we willing to live for Christ—and die for Him is asked? 

Look around you.  Each of us knows someone going to Hell.  We might be the only once with the ability to tell them of Jesus’ Love.  Do we dare?  Let us answer yes.  Let us say, “Here am I.  Send me.” (Isaiah 6.8)

Wait! God is Still Working Here!

Posted on October 22, 2011 from http://www.torahslight.org/blog

You may find this hard to believe, but I am not always that easy to get along with. The other thing is, sometimes I do something wrong. You know, I sin. Yup. I am not perfect. My guess is that neither are you, right?

The thing is, we are not expected to be perfect. We are works in progress. When we came to Jesus, we were black-hearted sinners and headed for Hell. Then, the Master entered our lives and began His work. Each day, He patiently build His character in us. Each day we look a little more like Him.

That He is patiently working means that He understands that sometimes we fight Him in the process. Sometimes, we want to be in charge. We dethrone Him and make a mess of things. But upon being invited to continue, He cleans the mess as sets about making us like Him.

He has given us wonderful examples to follow: other humans who followed Him and messed up and kept following. We have St. Francis of Assisi, St. Teresa of Jesus, St. Paul the Apostle, and St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio). Yet, even with these holy people who preceded us, no example shines as brightly as our Lord, Himself. He lived a human life–without messing up–so that we could know He really understands.

Let us be patient with ourselves. Jesus is still working. Let us remember St. Paul’s words of encouragement: “being confident of this very thing, that he which began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1.6)

Get Excited

Tomorrow is Simchas Torah, a Jewish holiday celebrating the first five books of Sacred Scripture.  People gather in the synagogue and toast and bless Torah as a Scroll is passed from man to man.  If a day filled with joy and love for God and His Word.


In addition to this holiday celebrating Torah, there is a protocol to how to treat a copy of Torah.  It must always be set on top of all types of books.  It may never be set on the floor or on a cushion where people sit.  It must always be handled with clean hands.  Such is the respect Jews have for the Holy Writ.


Conversely, Christians often treat the Bible with disregard.  They will set it on the floor, toss it aside, stack other books on top of it, and spill things on it.  Worse, Christians often go days, weeks, or months without ever opening the Bible.


Sacred Scripture is a gift to us from God.  It was inspired by Him for the purpose of teaching us about Him and how He wants us to live.  It is a love letter from Jesus to His Bride.  Let us remember this. Let us love the Scriptures.  Let us fall in love with its Author.