W. Clay Smith

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What I Really Wish Would Happen with Impeachment…

December 08, 2019 by Clay Smith in Church and Current Events, Church and Politics

Just in cased you have been in a comma for the past six months, our President is under the threat of impeachment.  Hearings, witnesses, twitter wars, and political strategists all are seeking to answer this question: “Did the President’s behavior rise to the level of an impeachable offense?”

 That question has not yet been answered, but I wish somethings would happen.

 I wish President Trump would say, “You know, I made a mistake.  I wanted the Ukrainians to do an investigation that would benefit me politically.  I threatened them.  That was wrong. I sinned against my opponent and against God.  It was a dumb thing to do and I won’t do it again. I’m going to stop worrying about being re-elected and get on with running the country.”  King David said, “I have sinned against the Lord” and repented.

 I wish House Democrats would say, “Yes, we have a political agenda.  We don’t like the President.  But maybe we need to pause and ask what’s best for the country.  Maybe we need to say ‘no’ to some of our own political base and think this through.  Let’s be Americans first, and Democrats second.”   Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be the leader must be the servant.” 

 I wish House Republicans would say, “The President did do wrong.  We’re not going to pretend otherwise.  We will support the President when he is right, but we will oppose him when he is wrong.  If the President did commit an impeachable offense, we will not worry about the voters back home.  We’ll do what is right.”  God told Joshua, “Be strong and be of courage.” 

 I wish Senators would wait until the House actually votes on something before getting on TV and posturing about how wrong or right the House is.  Doesn’t the Bible say something about fools talking all the time but wise people listen more than they speak?

 I wish CNN, FOX News, and MSNBC would just report the news.  Jesus said, “Let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and your ‘no,’ ‘no.’”

 I wish Joe Biden would say, “I made some calls because I wanted to help my son.  Looking back, that wasn’t very smart.  I won’t do that again.  Hey, Trump isn’t perfect and neither am I.  Let’s talk about how to solve the problems in our country.”  Jesus said, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”

 I wish Franklin Graham, Jerry Falwell, Jr., and Robert Jefferies would remember Jesus is our Savior, not Donald Trump.  I wish they would stop worrying about so much about getting America back to God, and remember no matter far America drifts from God, God will still be God.  I wish they talk more about how Jesus changed their lives.  A verse from Psalms says, “Put not your trust in princes.”  Or politicians.

 I wish a computer virus would disable all Russian and Ukrainian hackers.  The Bible says something about a plague descending on the land.  A computer virus sounds like a good tool of God’s judgment.

 I wish God would use this moment to help our country look at itself and make us ask, “What’s wrong with us?  Why are we allowing this?  Why are we focused more on dividing ourselves than uniting ourselves?  We’ve lost our way.  We thought we were big and powerful and didn’t need God.  We really do need him.  Let’s return to God and to his ways.  Let’s get back on track.”  The Psalmist said, “Search me and test me, O Lord, and see if there be any wicked way in me.”

 I’m sure by this time you are rolling your eyes and accusing me of being unrealistic.  Maybe so.  But Jesus came into the real world.  God’s word was written against the backdrop of political maneuvering and intrigue.  Power struggles are splashed across the pages of scripture.  I’m pretty sure God has seen all this before.

 Maybe all this is unrealistic.  Or maybe my wishes should be my prayer list.  “If my people… will humble themselves and pray, then I will heal their land.”

 I really wish for and pray for, some healing in this land.

 

 

 

 

December 08, 2019 /Clay Smith
impeachment, Donald Trump, House Democrats, House Republicans, Senate, Robert Jefferies, Franklin Graham, Healing our Nation, Jerry Falwell Jr
Church and Current Events, Church and Politics
trump and kim jong un.jpeg

Jesus Meets Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un…

March 20, 2019 by Clay Smith in Jesus and Today's News

 

When Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un meet at The Metropole Hotel in Hanoi, they could not come to an agreement.  Kim would not unilaterally give up his nuclear weapons and Trump would not unilaterally lift sanctions on North Korea.  I could not help but imagine what would happen if Jesus had made himself visible at the moment the talks were breaking down.

 

Kim Jong-Un would have been surprised.  He lives in a rarefied atmosphere where his word is law and no one tells him “no.”  I can imagine Jesus telling Kim that he isn’t God and he really should stop acting like one.  Jesus might even tell Kim that one day he will die, and despite the big propaganda machine of his government, after his death he would have an eternal destiny controlled by God, not by himself.  He will be held accountable for his actions; as a leader, his accountability will be higher. 

 

Probably Jesus would also tell Kim that his nuclear weapons were no match for the power of God.  Would Jesus quote the Old Testament to Kim? “Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”  Maybe.

 

I am sure of this: Jesus would tell Kim that he loved him.  He would tell Kim, “You have manipulated people into declaring love for you, but their words are driven by fear.  You have never known a love like mine, a love given not based on your commands, but based on my heart for you.  I can and will forgive everything you have done.  Follow me.”

 

What would Donald Trump’s reaction be?  I can imagine President Trump knowing immediately who Jesus is, and perhaps being glad that Jesus is there.  He might even hope Jesus will show Kim Jong-un a thing or two.

 

But I can also imagine President Trump being surprised when Jesus turns to him and reminds him of a story from the book of Joshua, when Joshua sees a man standing with a sword in his hands, right before the battle of Jericho.  Joshua asked him whose side he is on.  The man answers, “I’m not on either side.  I am the commander of the Army of Lord, and I am on the scene.”  God follows his own plan, not ours.

 

Jesus might also go on and say to President Trump, “Don’t overestimate the art of making a deal.  Make sure you are asking where I am at work and join me there.  Donald, try a little humility.  Remember I am not on your side or Kim’s side.  I am on my side and your job is to be with me.”

 

Jesus probably would say to President Trump, “Look Donald, while I’ve got your attention, it’s time for you to repent of some sins.  You’ve tried to hide them and that’s not working very well.  You can’t hide any sin from me.  You say you believe in me.  Show the world your faith and confess your sins.  Ask for forgiveness.  Make amends to those who have been hurt.”

 

The truth is I think Jesus was at that Summit.  God is interested in things like nuclear war, peace, and his creation.  I’ll bet through the Holy Spirit God was speaking to Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump.  The real question is: were they listening?  Only God knows.

 

Unlike Kim Jong-un, who will force people to listen and declare their love, God allows people the weighty responsibility of choice.  God allows people to choose to obey, choose to love, and choose to follow.  God will not even make world leaders obey (but he will use their disobedience to accomplish his will.  Exhibit A: Pharaoh in the book of Exodus).  Nothing of long term good happens when you do not do God’s will.

 

This is also the truth: Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, is with you.  If you are a child of God, he wants to guide your decisions and choices.  If you are not follower of Jesus, I believe the Spirit is still at work, trying to help you see that you are not God, you need help in your life, and you need to discover what real love is, the real love of God.  God wants to speak to you about your self-centeredness, your sin, and your repentance.

 

Like Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un, the real question is: Are you listening?

March 20, 2019 /Clay Smith
North Korea, Kim jong un, Donald Trump
Jesus and Today's News
 
 

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