The Grammys: Are You Surprised?2/8/2023 I consume a regular stream of political news and commentary. I begin my mornings by listening to “The Briefing” with Albert Mohler. I then turn my attention to “Morning Wire” by the Daily Wire and then will listen to a few different political commentors depending on the day. I also pay attention to what people are talking about on social media and I’ve discovered we tend to talk about the things we’re told we should talk about and often we do so not having carefully considered our arguments. That’s what I find helpful about Mohler’s podcast and about Samuel Sey with “Slow to Write”…they carefully consider the matters and then speak.
I am a Christian and am a Pastor. I want to speak to the recent Grammys performance and the outrage that many have expressed. First, why are we surprised by Hollywood’s celebration of the satanic? We live in an increasingly secularized age. Those who subscribe to absolute truth as revealed in Scripture are derided as “bigots” and “uneducated.” We are mocked for our belief in the absolute. The overtures toward Satan—regardless of how overt and “in your face” they were—are simply the fruit and not the root of the problem at hand. People were created to worship the Infinite One and when we deny him his rightful place, we will worship the created. So, dear Christian, why are you surprised that sinners acted sinfully? Second, if you believe that a celebrity is the most influential voice in your child’s life, you may need to consider if you’ve abdicated your God-given responsibility (Deut. 6.4-9). Parent, you, and you alone, have the God-given responsibility to be the primary disciple-maker in the lives of your children—not the world, schools, work, or even the Church. You are it! If you won’t disciple your children, someone will, and you may not like what they are being taught. Even when your children receive discipleship at church, it’s only a supplement for what happens at home. So, how are you discipling your children and in what are you discipling your children? Any easy way to disciple anyone is this: Together, read the Word, explain the Word, pray the Word, and live the Word. Third, know God is not slow concerning his promises. Peter tells us as much in his epistle: “The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance” (2 Pt. 3.9). God will deal with those who attempt to make a mockery of him and worship the created instead of the Creator (Prov. 3.34-35; Jms. 4.6). God will deal with those who reject truth both publicly and privately. Pray for their salvation and redemption. He redeemed us from our empty way of life, and he can do the same for them (1 Pt. 1.18-19). Finally, this is reminder to examine ourselves. Samuel Sey with “Slow to Write” pointed out that Satan is more deceptive when he’s working in the hearts and minds of members in a local church than on a stage at the Grammys. Lord, keep us from sin—both intentional and unintentional (Ps. 19.13)—so that we may be a people who love you in all our ways (Mt. 22.37). On the Journey, KT
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The God Who Sees6/17/2022 So she named the LORD who spoke to her: ‘You are El-roi,’ for she said, ‘In this place, have I actually seen the one who sees me?’ How is life, friend? Is it good? Is it rough? Are you confused? Scared? Alone?
Are you joyous? Celebratory? Excited about things to come? I don’t know how life is for you in this season. I don’t have to know either. But I do know that life can be frustrating at times. Maybe we find ourselves in a mess of our own making. Maybe in a mess of another’s making. Whatever the case, I want to write to you who are confused. Scared. Alone. In a rough season of life. I know your pain. I know the frustration and fear. The anxiety and confusion. I know what it’s like. Albeit I don’t know what it's exactly like for you, but I do know how it has been for me and so I empathize and sympathize. More importantly, God knows what it’s like. Jesus was the suffering servant who experienced rejection, loneliness, hate, and more (Is. 53). Not only does he know what it’s like, he also sees us in our distress. And this reality is why I love the story of Hagar. She was an Egyptian slave girl with a sketchy past and a tough situation. She ran from her problems and more than likely experienced loneliness, fear, rejection, and confusion. Her only gameplan was to run. And yet, the Almighty saw her and met her in her distress. Hagar’s story was messy and we would, regrettably, likely shy away from someone who has a similar story today. However, God was not surprised or embarrassed by Hagar’s story; neither is he surprised or embarrassed by your story or current situation. On the contrary, dear friend, he knows where you are. He knows your pains and frustrations. He knows your emotions; he knows your fears. Wherever you find yourself today, take heart! Your God is the God who sees! There is no darkness so dark that he cannot see you. There is no window so foggy that he cannot see through. There is no situation so messy that he won’t touch. He sees you in this moment with the tear in your eye as you ask if he has forgotten you (Ps. 22.1). He takes note of your fears and concerns and notices every tear you cry (Ps. 56.8). If you feel he has lost sight of you, cry out and speak to the God who sees. He will speak in the proper time. His silence does not mean he is ignoring you or that he is unconcerned. Rather, he is always at work, revealing to you your need for him. Know that he sees you and stay the course, dear friend. On the Journey, KT ******* Read Genesis 16. Pray and thank God that he sees you even when you can’t see him. Kreig ToddChild of God. 
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