Manaen-Foster Child
One year ago, March 2007, Congressman David Cardoza of California introduced House Bill 1376, a bill which would extend Medicaid coverage for children who “age out” of the foster care system. If a child hasn’t been adopted by a family permanently by the age of eighteen the system drops the child. 25,000 are emancipated each year, 65% of whom not only have no insurance, but literally have no place to live. The foster care system’s intent is to provide nurturing parental care through adults who are usually not blood related to the child. Fostering isn’t new to this day and age. In Acts 13:1 we find Manaen who is said to have been the foster brother of Herod, the tetrarch-royality. Manaen is believed to have become a consoler, a Christian teacher, educated in Rome. Therefore the system must have worked for him. It sounds like he turned out ok. Foster is mentioned one more time in the Bible in Isaiah 49. Kings shall be foster fathers…those who wait on the Lord shall not be put to shame. Today say a prayer for the 65% of emancipated children who have no place to live and don’t have the assurance of having someone to call Father. Pray they will come to know there is a King waiting to adopt them through His blood into His family permanently. They shall not be put to shame.
Juxtaposition
Joshua 10:13, II Chronicles 20:17
Juxtaposition; the act or instance of placing two or more things side by side; also: the state of being so placed. In II Chronicles, Gos spoke to King Jehosophat and told him not to fear the great multitude he was about to face. He told him he would not have to fight the battle. He was to position himself close to his enemy, simply stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord. Joshua faced a great battle with his enemies, the Amorites. He needed more time. He asked God to keep the sun in the postion it was in...And the sun stood still. God positioned the sun where it needed to be for Joshua to win. To win a battle against an enemy we sometime must be near them, but only need stand still. Sometme to win a battle God intervenes and makes elements in our world to stand still. Whatever method God uses, we must learn He is always near, right beside us. He is in control of all things, positioning things near us, and setting things apart from us, whatever we may need to fight a paticular battle. He places us exactly where we need to be to win the victory.
Lack of Knowledge
A five year olded asked an Easter why question. The answer he received was, "Just because." He responded, "But why?" If you are going to tell a child an animal is going to bring eggs, would the most sensible deliver of eggs, (if there could be one), not be a chicken, or some type of bird? Why a rabbit? Inquiring minds want to know. In Germany, a long time ago, people found eggs in nests in the spring which they assumed were nests of rabbits. The nestsactually belonged to lapwings, birds that make their nests on the ground which look very similar to the nests of rabbits. Eveyone assumed the eggs in the nests belonged to rabbits, not birds. So with this assumption, a nest with a ;mistaken identity, the Easter bunny tradition began and continues. In the1500's children would make a nest near their beds in caps and bonnets and wait for a rabbit to hop in and lay eggs in them.. In today's commercilized sociery, children expect the Easter Bunny to hop in and bring huge expensive baskets filled with everything near their beds. But why? Why does the tradition continue to grow by leaps (or hops maybe) and bounds? The best answer to a why question is not, "just because." Never assume anything. But why? The Bible says we perish for lack of knowledgs. Use your inquiring mind to always search for truth, not assumptions.
Placebo
A placebo is a preparation, a drug, which is pharmacologically inert or empty of actual medicine, but despite the emptiness the drug may have a therapeutic healing effect based solely on the power of suggestion. Many scientific studies and much research proves when people think they are getting medication, they show improvement. Those who argue for the use of placebos, which by the way comes from the Latin word meaning, I will please, say even if they do no good, they really do no harm. Those who argue against placebos say those in need of genuine medication may convince themselves the empty pills are giving them what they need. They may becom very ill, or even die before they get what is needed to extend their life. The placebo effect works its way into Chrisitianity. Many are satisfied to get something from a sugar coated message that gives them a temporary good feeling. Simply by the power of suggestion, they are pleased and do show some improvement. What harm is done? This is not just coming from the pulpits. We all should be careful to let those around us know a true relationship with Jesus Christ comes for a one on one encounter with Him. The world doesn't need any of us to bring empty, temporary, feel good feelings. What is needed is genuine permanent life change brought by the Truth of the message of Jesus Christ. His power, His Spirit, His life changing each of us daily.