Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Oct/90

Contributor - Peggy Humby

Title - Editorial

Topic - Editorial

In October we tend to take stock of our lives. For some of us it is a new beginning. In the past month we may have had children starting school for the first time or had the first child leave for College or University. Perhaps the last chick has left the nest and we are feeling a touch of the "empty nest" syndrome, which believe me is very real! As Thanksgiving approaches we look back on the past year, the joys and sorrows, the opportunities missed and the giant leaps of faith taken and we give thanks, for indeed we are a blessed people. The King's storehouse is full of abundant blessings for those who love the Lord. Isaac Watt wrote in his hymn "Jesus Shall Reign" (Ancient and Modern Version):

Blessings Abound where'er He reigns, The Prisoner leaps to loose his chains, The weary find eternal rest And all the sons of want are blessed.

Yes, we are truly blessed and will continue to be, unless we fall into the same trap that the people of Thyratira fell into in Rev. 2:18-20 - for while doing good deeds they tolerated the prophetess Jezebel; or the citizens of Laodicia, Rev. 3:14-22, who were neither hot nor cold. We must be steadfast Christians with Christian minds and hearts. We must NOT fall into the "I'm Alright Jack" syndrome . . . for instance:

In Ontario, religion is no longer a part of the curriculum in the school we say: "that's alright Jack, I'll send my children to Christian schools," but remember, your children will have to work and live with children that did not go to the Christian school. Do you realize that every day young people in great numbers are committing or attempting to commit suicide? Are we so blessed that we can ignore this trend?

The "Christian" Church is now accepting homosexuals for ordination. Do WE consider this to be acceptable under the Word of God? "Ah, but," we say, "We're alright Jack, because our denomination would never accept that!" But, maybe one of our children will one day be influenced by a Pastor of that persuasion. Have we been so blessed that we have done nothing about it?

Governments, both Federally and Provincially, are listening to vocal minority groups who use the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to eliminate our Rights and Freedoms as Christians, and are passing laws to achieve that end. Are we so blessed that we can afford to sit back and let the leaders of our country erode, perhaps, even the freedom to worship?

NO, we are not that blessed and NO we are NOT "alright Jack!" Most of us have sat too long in our comfortable pews, counting our blessings and praying dutifully for our country and its leaders, while not really seeing what was going on in the world around us. It is time we used the "eye salve" talked about in Rev. 3:18b and opened our eyes to what is happening. As Christians we are a minority, but numbers are not important in Christ's Army. We are to be the salt, the seasoning, and we all know you don't need a lot of salt to make the stew tasty!

So let us use our many talents. Let US become the vocal minority and let Satan know that he is infiltrating our churches, schools and governments and that we are not going to take it anymore. Let us stand up for what we believe. Read again the words of the Hymn, "Stand Up Stand Up for Jesus." Let it be our battle-cry as we take God's abundant blessings and share them. At this Thanksgiving, give great and mighty thanks to the Lord for all His goodness and loving kindness and ask Him for strength and commitment to resist the Devil. God bless you all.

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