Union II

There are a lot of reasons that we'd want to honor our 16th President. He was very wise.  He freed the slaves. He was from Illinois. :)

Truth is, however, the size and scope of his memorial on the National Mall is due to one thing.  He kept the union together.  I pondered that awhile back (here) after visiting Springfield and it's on my mind again after being in DC and also because I'm thinking of the difficulty we seem to have in churches sometimes.  Where so much more is at stake.

Jesus made at least two statements that define how the world would see Christians when our light is shining as it should.  The first is known as the New Commandment--to love one another as He loved us.  He said the world would see that and know we are His (John 13:34-35).  I just have to believe that a noticeable (by the world) love is one that will stay together through thick and thin, working out our difficulties, loving each other even, and especially, when it's hard.

The second is when Jesus prayed for us in John 17.  Seems we are to be "one" as He and the Father are one (v. 21).  And, again, the world will take note...and believe.  Yes, a lot's at stake.  Maybe even especially the hearts of those who don't yet believe.  They are watching.

Simplicity

In pondering the sights we saw in and around this famous church in Rome, a friend noted that it seems rather far from "the simplicity that is in Christ" (II Cor. 11:3).  It seems we have a tendency to add embellishments and adornments to the gospel.

As one who enjoys and works with church architecture, I can appreciate the art and creativity in a variety of expressions.  But I'm often taken back to the admonition in Isaiah 66:

"Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word."