Doug Van Pelt

Jerusalem's Sins

The members of the rock band Jerusalem...
No, this is the heading over chapter 22 of Ezekiel in my Bible.

God is surely displeased at the amount of sin in His people. There's a list, that unfortunately reads like a typical episode of The Soprano's or some other show (there are many) that seem to gloat or revel in sin. It's not always treated glamorously, and is therefore treated quite biblically or through a lens that agrees with Scripture (not all biblical art is G-rated or for families, as not all of the Bible is good for young minds to read). But sometimes sin in general is thrown at us in a way that makes us desensitized. We get used to it. This is bad.

The Lord told Ezekiel that He was going to melt the people with His wrath the way a man takes silver into a furnace to burn off the impurities. He cares for His people and He wants someone to "stand in the gap," interceeding for them and calling out a warning. I think of people who are on a high horse about this issue or that issue. I wonder, 'Where is the love? Where is the concern?' I don't mean that someone cannot warn people and preach God's judgment. (duh, I'm talking in that context) But I'm talking about people that seem to want to prove themselves right and others wrong simply for the prideful purpose of feeling smug. We need parental judgment, consequences, and warnings. But we don't need flamboyant, arrogant so-called "teachers" to correct for the sake of correction. We need correction so we can get back on the right path, and have our relationship with God healed, buoyed up, and improved. When people really care, you should be able to tell (at least a little...I imagine that sometimes anger is quite appropriate, but for those that hang around long enough, they should see the loving part that rejoices with, hugs, and celebrates God's forgiveness.). That's kind of a ramble and not as explanatory as I'd like, so I hope it makes some sense.

Things I miss:
Seeing Intern Tim Hallila lipsync and animate his moves when Eminem's "Loose Yourself" is blaring from my computer. I miss Jason's laughter. I miss Lonny's changing fashion images. I miss watching Brian dance and act goofy for one second as our time-lapse video camera would shoot a second's worth of footage per minute. There's been some good times in the old HM office.

[Pictured above: Klank by his company truck.]

Posted by Doug Van Pelt at August 23, 2005 09:25 AM