Family Matters

"It is the best of times, it is the worst of times"

In this fast paced ever changing world in which we live, these past few years have unmasked many of the secrets we as a society hide. Our world was turned upside down with the events of September 11, 2001 - 9/11. Many of us grieved for those love ones that were lost whether we knew them personally or not. Collectively we all felt a sense of lost. It shook us to our core because the un-imaginable occurred. We all wanted to hug our love ones a little bit tighter. Folks that had not been to church in years flocked to the house of GOD.

Then as time passed by, we all began to get back to our normal business of life with a few modifications.

Fast forward just a few years, and we find ourselves in the midst of the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression. Many of us found ourselves in the midst of a calamity we never thought could happen to us. Suddenly many of us saw what we believed to be our "treasure" plucked from us. Some of us saw our home values slide by 50% or more. Our 401k's and retirement funds wiped out. For many just trying to keep the water and lights on became a great struggle. And then we began to see something no one ever imagined. Sporadically, in different places around the country, a father would come home and kill his whole family. Hopelessness had set in.

I raise this point because I have noticed a few sisters have inquired about the churches role in stopping domestic violence. One of the stark differences in our society between the time of the Great Depression and now - men that saw their "fortunes" vanished killed themselves. Now I am not condoning suicide by any means. All life is precious and belongs to GOD. But I must point out that even under the most stressful events we as men may face, there is no acceptable reason to become violent with the ones we are entrusted to love and protect. We as men represent the GOD we serve. We are to be long suffering. Even as our GOD is long suffering.

I recently read in article dealing with domestic violence. It was reported that the woman had suffered the most severe beating of any woman that had ever survived a domestic violence attack. And yet while the individual who perpetrated this heinous act was still incarcerated, he wrote a letter to his ex-wife declaring his intentions to kill her and their daughters upon his release. And while I suspect this individual is not a person of faith, I can't help but recall the first time early in my ministry I had to visit a brother in the church at the jail house because he "caught a case." Domestic violence is an ugly thing that should not be found in the "Body of Christ."

The events of 9/11 that everyone realized as individuals we were powerless to prevent .... we turned to GOD. After the bombing of the Federal Building in Oklahoma City .... we turned to GOD. After almost every tragedy/event that we as a people feel we are powerless to do anything about .... we turn to GOD. We somehow become GOD conscious when we recognize the issues we face are way beyond our capacity to handle as mere men. On a daily basis we must stay GOD conscious. We can not continue to place or hope in "treasures that moth doth corrupt." Our sense of who we are does not rest on our job title, bank account, car we drive, or home in which we live. We are who we are because of the GOD that made us in his image. My brothers we must reflect that image of Christ to our families. I am not taking anything away from those single mothers who are doing all that they can to hold it down. But we as men must show that love of GOD -that though he sits high he cared so much for his people that he robed himself in flesh as a lowly man and bore the sins of the world. He paid the price that we never could pay. Because of his LOVE.

We have to always keep in mind - as bad as things might be right now - brighter days are ahead. We have to always keep in mind - as good as life may be now - better days are ahead. We have to know beyond a shadow of a doubt - it is not about where we may find ourselves in this present moment there is a plan and a purpose. I may be down today - but tomorrow is coming. "Weeping may endure for the night.......... BUT JOY COMETH IN THE MORNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" MY brothers and sisters the church does have a responsibility to cry loud and long... there is no place for domestic violence in the "BODY."

Just one brother's perspective..............peace unto you. The Net Elder