Author: Rev. Charles Pugh

Wow! Have you seen the tragedy and messed up (c.f. my last blog 😉 ) situation in Japan, after the devastating earthquake that is now said to have registered as a 9.0 on the Richter Scale, with an ensuing 30 foot high tsunami and the ongoing nuclear plant damage and radiation fears? What a life changing event for thousands of people, with millions more being directly impacted! The people of Japan need our help in praying and whatever else we can do! The ongoing fears of radiation exposure and the uncertainty of what might happen there, brings me to the title for today’s article: Nuclear Earthquake!

It is an event, such as this latest earthquake, that serves to remind us of many things and even bring our lives to a point of proper prioritizing (a theme addressed in my previous “Messed Up?!” blog entry). Natural and weather events regularly change our plans and even our lives! Selah. 🙂 This in itself should serve to regularly remind us that there is quite a bit that we humans still do not understand or have the ability to control. Even the technological and mechanical or electronic devices that we have come to depend on are not as predictable as we sometimes think. Thinking properly and keeping things of life in the proper priority is so very important for dealing with the issues and especially the troubles and tragedies in life. Fortunately, we are not alone and do not need to deal with disasters and difficulties of life on our own understandings. We do have the collective information and knowledge from people in the past and present, who have made important discoveries and can make reasonable predictions, but we have an even more important and special revelation that the Creator has given us in the written Word of God and through the life of the Living Word of God: Jesus Christ (c.f. John 1:1-14). Will it take a storm bringing wind and a flood or a drought leading to the danger of fires or an earthquake followed by a wall of fast moving water or perhaps even a nuclear earthquake to get your attention?

This latest earthquake, ironically by its location in Japan and the ensuing nuclear power plant damage, reminds us of past lessons in history and even the power of the atom and its nucleus. How is it that the nucleus of an atom actually holds together? What is it that keeps an element with a particular atomic structure from just falling apart? What, or really Who, holds it all together? Consider the Truth of Colossians 1:17: “And He [Jesus Christ] is before all things, and in Him all things consist [hold together].” Perhaps you might even take the opportunity from this reading to do a search on what Laminin is (or follow this link: https://youtu.be/QSR8z_0uW5E)? Will it take a nuclear earthquake to spiritually wake you up?

Sadly, I see that many around me and all over this world continue to be in a state of spiritual slumber or confusion. The lack of clarity in life and purpose for daily living that so many today are experiencing reveals this to be true. Many have yet to come to the nucleus of what their life is all about. From my perspective and that of the Master Teacher, as revealed in the Bible, the current priorities of most in America and most around the world (including those in the churches 😢 ) are very “messed up” 😉. Perhaps we will need more to awaken us? Perhaps it will take a personal tragedy or a nuclear earthquake to awaken you?

Living in the epicenter of where the modern Creation movement began (see my 02-25-09 Blog entry: “Tragedy, Truth and Triumph—Henry M. Morris”) and the earthquake of sorts on 04-16-07 that forever changed my life (The Virginia Tech Tragedy dubbed “The worst U.S. Massacre in History), I am more awake than ever! 😃 I have personally and experientially learned just how broken so much in our society is (like those often trusted areas, such as the mental health system and the American judicial system). I trust that what I have had to endure is enough to cause many more to learn the important life lessons and wake up before they have to experience a personal tragedy and the more devastating eternal tragedy that awaits all those who fail to respond to the Creator, Who became our Savior.

Friend, please respond to your Creator today, before you come to experience a nuclear earthquake!

Is your life in order? The world seems to be spinning faster and faster and out of control, and your own life may even reflect this! Do you have it together? Are you holding on and enduring through it all, despite troubles and trials or are things like skyrocketing oil and gas prices driving you crazy? Do you fear what Country or State may topple over next or what act of terrorism may be just around the corner? Where is GOD in all of this? Why are things seemingly so Messed UP?!

You can really see the messed up situations in governments around the world and even in the United States in places like Wisconsin, where 14 elected democratic leaders remain in hiding to avoid having to vote on a controversial state budget. Leadership is lacking in our homes, churches, work places and all throughout the society. Few seem to be rising to what I spoke about in my last blog—being a role model to emulate. It is difficult to feel confident when things in life are so out of order and messed up!

Your personal priorities are more easily revealed when you are under the pressures of life. Your heart becomes known, be it good or bad, and it shows those around you if your life is in order or perhaps more messed up. When troubles come, do you value the Eternal and turn to GOD and His Word for the temporal answers or do you just grow angry and bitter toward Him? Are you prioritizing GOD first, then your spouse, then any children, then other family members, then your church family, then other friends, then your enemies and lastly your self? This is the biblical, spiritual and even natural order of priority. If any of these are out of order, then troubles will come and life will become all messed up!

In my now published book, “The Virginia Tech Tragedy and My Personal Tragedy: Lessons To Learn From An Insider And From Scripture,” I focus on the importance of priorities, especially when you find yourself facing tragedy, and how it is so important to get them in order and even Fortify Foundations (lesson #4 in my Top Ten Lessons To Learn). In fact, the Top Ten Lessons I speak about (in Part Two of the book, after my story of personal tragedy) are in an order of priority as well. While my life and personal situation is certainly messed up on the outside, my life on the inside is at peace and rest before GOD. Your life can go from being out of order and all messed up to a life well ordered and more straightened out, as you “Trust GOD and His Word, no matter what” (a key theme in my book)!

Our world and the American society at large has lost the Spiritual way. We have denigrated Theology, once even called “the Queen of the sciences,” and have instead elevated Anthropology and evolutionary Psychology. We put GOD in a box and only get Him out on Sunday or when we really need Him. We take the principles of the 10 Commandments of GOD and remove them from our schools after denying them in our practice. We prioritize entertainment and neglect personal discipline. Friend, I am speaking generally and collectively here, but if these things ring a bell and are individually true for you, I adjure you to WAKE UP and realize that this improper order on man and pleasure and self is all messed up!

GOD has allowed us a certain degree of freedom to make choices. In fact, we make hundreds, if not thousands of personal choices each day. If we fail in the little things and the foundations of life, we will find that our life becomes all messed up. We must learn from GOD’s revelation through Creation, the Covenants (the Bible) and the Person of Christ Jesus! We must understand that this messed up world is only temporary and that all will soon be made right! Consider Romans 8:20-21 in closing:

“For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.”

Give up your mess and any messed up priorities and give yourself over to The CREATOR!

Fresh from another President’s Day commemoration and in consideration of ongoing troubles in the world, with the call for many leaders to step down from power, comes the subject for my focus today: Being A Role Model. A Role Model is one you can follow; one who is an example that you can emulate. Do you know someone who is A Role Model? Are you?

From the moment that we are born, we begin to copy the behavior and habits of those around us. Children learn about life by following the example of those older and those who should be wiser from life experience. Parents and teachers serve as the authorities and even role models for kids. Often, an older sibling or perhaps a friend from school or some popular person will take the place of a role model. Yet, is the person you come to emulate behaving in a way that is worthy to follow?

Are you one that others can look up to? Can you say to those around you, “follow me and you will do what is right”…Can you say, “do what I do and all will be well with you”? Many all around the world are looking for leadership. The current unrest and revolution around the world, especially in Middle Eastern and African Countries, illustrates how people all over the world are crying out for someone to follow. These people are looking for someone that will have answers to help them with their problems. They desire someone that they can trust; someone who will serve them, but who will also lead them in the right ways. Not everyone is a natural born leader, but all are naturally born followers, who also have the potential of becoming a leader and a role model to follow.

This subject naturally brings you to consider what is the best way and who should you follow. Should you emulate those who are so enamored with the temporal things of this world that they focus mainly on the physical, neglecting the eternal? Should you copy the trends and styles of those who portray the latest thinking in what is called “pop culture” or even those who are recognized with an Oscar, a Grammy or some other award? Maybe you can follow those who focus on their own pleasure and live “sexually free,” doing whatever they feel is right? Perhaps you can follow that teacher who seems to know so much about that important subject or that professor who has the attention of Academia? Everybody follows a way and follows others in at least some things.

Friend (and I trust you are a true one 😉), there are still people in this world that you can properly look up to as a role model. You must still understand that we each are fallen creatures and will not be completely consistent at all times. You cannot set your hope on any person alone to be the one who will properly lead. There is One Who is The Role Model that we all should follow! HE is the man of Galilee, Who proved His Deity and came to earth in humility (see Philippians 2:5ff). HE is the only One to personally defeat the enemy of us all through HIS Resurrection from the dead! HE has been and still is talked about more than any other figure in history. There are more books written and discussing HIM than any other person who has lived. There is one Book where you can learn about HIS true Character to emulate—it is The proven Supernatural Book: The Bible.

This man—JESUS CHRIST—is One you really should study further! HE is One more influential than Mohammed or Gandhi, the Dali Llama or the Guru who leads hundreds and thousands. HE is certainly greater than any rock star, any singer or dancer, and every Hollywood actor and actress! HE is One Who is both the focus of most worship and blessing as well as the highest Person named and exclaimed in cursing. HE is One Who is greater than Abraham and Moses (“Before Abraham was, I AM”—John 8:58; “For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses”—Hebrews 3:3). HE is greater than the Angels (“having become so much better than the angels”—Hebrews 1:4). HE is One you can come to know personally by faith. HE is A/The Role Model!

Now that Trouble In The World (see my last blog 😉) has taken a bit of a respite (at least for now), with Egypt having calmed a bit after the sudden and somewhat unexpected resignation of Hosni Mubarak, I would like to take this illustrative moment to discuss a particularly important subject: Respect for Authority. This is an essential lesson for every one of us to learn! It is the #2 Lesson in my Top Ten Lessons To Learn (as detailed in my book). Given that tomorrow is known as Valentine’s Day, I had thought of discussing my 5th in the Top Ten Lessons To Learn (Love One Another), but the current world events leave that to another time. Learning to Respect Authority is essential as it starts from the time we are children under the authority of our parents and continues through life. Most come under the authority of some boss and all are under the authority of local, State and National governments. Even those trying to live so independently that they come under no human authority are still subject to the spiritual authorities and particularly to the Ultimate Authority of GOD Himself. So, let these current events in the world remind us to Respect Authority!

To Respect Authority does not necessarily mean that you will always obey that authority. This is an important thing to consider! We shouldn’t just obey the order or command of an authority unless what is ordered is right. This can sometimes be difficult to determine, which is why I illustrate control or authority through the picture of a house (as detailed further in my book). The house is made up of the 3 primary human authority structures, which contain all other authorities. The basement or foundational authority is the Home or Couples. The first level of authority after the home is the Government or Country. Finally, there is the second floor authority, which is the Religious authority or the Church. The roof of the house is the Protection you default to when any human authority violates the ground that the house springs up from (that being the written authority). Because there is an Ultimate Authority to Fear (My #1 Lesson To Learn) and obey, there will be times when lesser, human authorities will conflict with His revealed Authority. If there is only doubt, then there is safety in going ahead and obeying the established authorities. If it is certain that an authority is asking something contrary to the written authority (the Bible), then you must Respect that Authority, but obey and default to the protective roof or Ultimate Authority—GOD Himself.

I find it interesting how the authorities in Egypt and around the world responded to the popular uprising and will that called for Egypt’s Dictator to resign. Clearly, there was a growing will that was Respected and this Authority eventually pressured the governing authority to step aside. The military authority appeared to take a more passive role in simply keeping a general order with the tens of thousands protesting and now military leaders are in the place of authority until democratic elections bring about other ruling authorities. The authorities coming into power may or may not allow for freedom to worship GOD as individual conscience determines. Do you realize that this is how America came about in the first place? People wanted to have a place free from religious and government authorities that told them how they could or could not worship GOD. Religious worship is the cornerstone of freedom. Sadly, the secularism in America has blinded many, even to the proper understanding of freedom

It was the secularism and fear in my community following the 04-16-07 horrific VT Tragedy that allowed for my psychological labeling and court-ordered forced medication which has separated me from my family, former ministry and many former friends. Because I resisted authorities telling me to do and say things I knew were not true, but still Respected the Authorities when detained, I am blessed to know that I am really free and in line with the Ultimate Authority, as revealed in His Holy Word.

Friend, please learn that you are not the ultimate authority, though you do have freedoms to make many choices. You must be subject to the human authorities (Romans 13:1) and respect and even obey them, unless they tell you something contrary to the Ultimate Authority, as revealed in His Holy, Written Word! Respect the Authorities in your life and Respect and obey the Ultimate Authority!

Unless you’ve had your head in the sand or under some pyramid 😉 you are aware of the ongoing troubles in the Nation of Egypt. If you have any understanding of the world that we live in and how we all daily function, you know that even this trouble in the world of Egypt will effect each of us! This is happening in an already volatile area of the world, where much history has and will be made. The fact that so much commerce passes through this area’s Suez Canal (especially oil), we are all particularly vulnerable and impacted by this unrest and trouble in the world of Egypt. If you have an understanding of the Bible, you also know that Egypt is a type (illustration) of the world. While there are many ways I could take this article, in keeping with the purpose of this Website and focus of my writings, I wish to play off this trouble in Egypt and speak more generally to Trouble In The World!

What do you do with trouble and injustice? What are your responses in crisis situations or in what we experience more often—interpersonal conflicts? Do you respond by attacking others or perhaps even blame GOD for allowing the trouble? Do you withdraw and turn inward, naturally leading to personal destruction? Do you seek to learn and prevail over the trouble through faith in a Sovereign Creator? These are the three main responses we all will have when experiencing trouble in the world. You can blame outward, turn inward or look upward. The best response is to trust in what America’s Founding Fathers called “Divine Providence” or in Whom the Bible particularly defines as The Sovereign GOD and The Faithful CREATOR. This is a very important concept to understand if you hope to prevail over the trials and temptations of life. Responding in faith toward the CREATOR’s control over natural and human events, and what so often amounts to trouble in the world, is the best way for you to personally grow and be a success and an overcomer in life.

Jesus Christ Himself noted to His Disciples how they could handle trouble. He said in John 16:33:

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Jesus knew that it was not yet time for all things to be reconciled (made right) as they will eventually be in the future (Colossians 1:20). The life we now live must be primarily by faith (though we often depend solely on sight and feeling). One day soon, it will be sight for us all. Until then, we must learn to prevail and be overcomers through the trials of life and trouble in the world. As Jesus noted, we can personally have peace only in Him. He is called the Prince of Peace and He will bring peace to the whole world, after He brings the greatest trouble ever seen (The Great Tribulation) to dispel the pride and arrogance of man and bring people to accept Him as The Creator and Savior. It is my faith in this “Divine Providence” or The “Faithful Creator” that has enabled me to keep from depression and move forward, despite all of my personal tragedy and all that has been against me. Tell me how you could cope through all I have faced or all you will face, if not through this credible faith in Him?

One thing I have learned through my life is the desperate need we all have (especially we who have been so blessed in America) to understand GOD’s purposes for allowing evil and suffering in the world. Some think that HE must not care or else HE would deliver us. Others think HE must not be powerful enough to change things or else HE would have by now. If you try to deny evil, as I have previously noted, you have an even bigger problem and shouldn’t care what anybody would then do to you. GOD allows some people to remain in their evil thinking and ways to help others come to see the contrast of how Good HE is. HE reveals more of HIMSELF through allowing evil and suffering. HE brings out more action and compassion (which incidentally, we should always have) through tragedies and troubles in the world. It helps us to grow up and into the people we need to be. I detail this more in the second, teaching part of my book and the 10 key life lessons we need to learn to prevail.

There is trouble in the world, but we must remember the biblical counsel of Jesus and 1 Peter 4:19:

“Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.”