Are We One Generation Away?

Former President Ronald Reagan once said, "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction." Maybe you have also heard it said that "Christianity is one generation away from extinction." I don't know who said it first but today I read Judges 2:10. Here it goes, "That whole generation (the generation of Joshua) was also gathered to their ancestors. After them another generation rose up who did not know the Lord or the works He had done for Israel." (HCSB) Obviously, the stories of what God did in and through the Hebrew people continued but there was some level of not knowing or not believing or not following among the generation that came next.

That's heavy. And convicting. I don't want the generation who follows me to be the one that causes Christianity to become extinct. Hey, I know that God is able to do anything and His Word has survived all these generations by God's own sustaining power. But I also know I have a responsibility to teach my children His Truths. BTW, check out Deuteronomy 6:7 which basically instructs us to teach our children.

This month we are having an emphasis on world hunger at our church. We (Johnny and I) want to take this opportunity to teach our children about compassion and carrying on Christ's mission in the world. Jesus did say to feed the hungry (Matthew 25:35-40), He set the example by meeting the physical need of hunger (as well as other physical needs) while He was on the earth (Matthew 15:14-21), and He told us to not to store up treasures on earth but, instead, treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). Johnny said he is giving up his happy hour Coke from Sonic. He then asked me what I am giving up. I don't generally indulge in a particular daily thing like something from the coffee shop or Sonic. In fact, those are a rarity for me. So, we will be having our own form of a hunger meal here at the house once a week until the end of the emphasis. We will put the money I will save from buying groceries for that particular meal in a jar and we will give it to the World Hunger Fund. It seems way too small a thing to do because we have so much here at our home. And, we will still be eating and we won't really be hungry. I guess the point will be to talk about it with our kids and emphasize Christ's teaching and our responsibility. And to pray about the issue of people going hungry in our community and around the world. I am anxious to see what great discussions we will have around here as well as what it might lead to, if anything.

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your house, to clothe the naked when you see him, and to not ignore your own flesh and blood. Isaiah 58:7

Serving the King,

Jeanette