Author: Rev. Charles Pugh

As you read this, you are choosing to hear my voice.  The extent to which you do this is often your choice.  So it is with the information we receive from all of reality surrounding us.  EVERYONE hears voices.  We hear voices of family and friends; we hear the voices of those in our communities; we even choose to hear the voices of reporters and commentators and any others we can access in our Information Age.  Yet, is there a voice out there more important?  Is there a VOICE we may need to focus on hearing?

In my experience of tragedy, stemming from the 04-16-07 VT Tragedy, I once again (for the third time) have found myself involuntarily committed to a mental hospital (this was true when I wrote this article, though I have since been released with no problems found).  It appears that in the least, some out there are uncomfortable with my voice and my thinking — it scares them.  At no time in my life have I taken physical action toward hurting another (aside from possibly with my siblings as a child 😀).  In fact, I have not even threatened to ever physically hurt another person.

Friend, we are at a dangerous place in our thinking and attention to voices today.  We have come to be emotionally frightened by voices that are different from our own.  We often even collectively find people out there to listen to and join with against all competing voices.  Yet, are we fully considering the most important voice?

As noted in my last couple of Blogs, the problem I see in America, and the world, and all throughout my own life experience, is that we either hear the collective voices of mankind around us or the voice of GOD.  In fact, we should hear both, but prioritize the voice of GOD.

So, how do you hear GOD’s Voice and know that it is that of the Almighty–The Supreme Being of the Universe?  You look at His revelations–there are three:  1) Creation; 2) The Covenants (The Bible); and CHRIST.  Only as you prioritize His Voice, can you put away any competing voice.

Consider Psalm 19:1-3:

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.  Day unto day utters speech; and night unto night reveals knowledge.  There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.”

Whenever Tragedy strikes TERROR almost always follows.  In fact, TERROR can be something that even occurs in an individual’s mind, which will almost always lead to a tragedy that will impact others.  The news came last night that yesterday there was another murder on the VT Campus.  The details are still coming out and the investigation pending and it appears that this is an isolated incident with the suspect in custody (though it never is isolated completely).  The fact is that we impact everyone around us and our TERROR will either have a negative or even a positive impact…

Positive TERROR?  How can this be?  There is actually a so called “War on Terror” today.  This legitimate war is a difficult one to fight as we cannot know the thoughts of another, except by what they convey in word, demeanor, and action.  09-11-01 certainly brought TERROR to many people in this country and worldwide!  04-16-07 also brought TERROR worldwide.  For a moment, in each case, the spirit of American’s and others worldwide was broken.  Pride was out and humility and dependence on GOD was in (at least for those not overwhelmed by TERROR or fear).  Having a broken spirit is essential if we are to be best used for good (just consider how you must “break” a horse in order to best utilize its potential).  Friend, as noted in yesterday’s blog, this is the opposite of the Pride of man that was exemplified at the 01-20-09 Presidential Inauguration and even the 04-17-07 VT Convocation.

Scripture says that GOD HATES PRIDE.  It is the first of what sins are called an ABOMINATION.  Consider Proverbs 6:16ff:

“These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look….”

GOD demands allegiance to HIM first, even as the first of the 10 Commandments says (c.f. Exodus 20:3).  This is also why my #1 Lesson is FEAR GOD ABOVE ALL.  This is how TERROR can be positive.  In fact, the Christian should realize that he has a responsibility to even persuade others (not terrorizing them personally, but helping them see the TERROR of the LORD GOD).  This is also emphasized for the believer in CHRIST, when he or she will give an account for their life of service. 2 Corinthians 5:10-11 says:

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.”

Friend, if you are not a follower of CHRIST (you cannot be a true Christian in name only) then you have a whole lot more to FEAR in the changes that are coming in this world (The Tribulation) and facing GOD in Judgment at HIS GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT (see Revelation 20:11-15).  You might also refer to my 06-13-08 Blog “Fear and Change.”

Do not be TERRORIZED by what is going on around you!  Have a Holy TERROR that will be positive toward others and help them truly change and prevail through anything in life!

I imagine that most of you who are reading this Blog have watched at least some of the ceremonial pageantry of the Inaugural activities in Washington, D.C.  It is encouraging to see so many people filled with a sense of hope and unity (there was a similar feeling at the VT Convocation on 04-17-07 following the VT Tragedy).  How often do we see people with such diversity of backgrounds and even diversity of faiths get together for any purpose?  This is a good thing, yet is what is being said and done the best or even the right thing?  Could it simply be the tragedy that keeps anyone from actually truly prevailing in life and before the Almighty?  Might it simply be “WISHful thinking”?

I have been continually burdened by how CLOSE everyone is to the full Truth of what we can objectively know.  I see this with people who claim no faith in God and people who claim to have pure faith in God and many in between.   It is possible to work all around a problem and not ever get to the solution of actually working through it.  An important point there is also relevant in relation to how we deal with problems and even the tragedies of life.  You cannot prevail around a difficulty or problem; you cannot even prevail over it.  You should not be under it, but instead go through it to the actual solution.  That is how you learn and grow and please the ALMIGHTY—Who we know in the Person of the Only GOD-MAN, JESUS CHRIST (you might even take another look at one of my related earlier Blogs–04-29-08:  “GROWTH…from Compassion to ACTION:  [https://vtlessonstolearn.com/2008/04/29/growth-from-compassion-to-action/].

The Bible has the answer to all of our problems and gives us the wisdom to know the solution through them.  I know this by faith in its promises and by experience in my life.  It works and it is true.  That is a superior test of what is right.  We can put our hope in fallible men (just note the “oath flub” if you are caught up out of reality there) or we can even pray to who we think is GOD or we might even fast (check out many televangelists) and possibly go to an extreme of cutting ourselves or something (Scripture talks about this in places like 1 Kings 18:21ff).

The Almighty will not bless us (or bless America as He wants to) or even acknowledge our sincere prayers and WISHES of blessings if we do not properly acknowledge HIM and the Son, JESUS CHRIST (c.f. Psalm 66:18; Proverbs 3:6-7).  There is NO OTHER WAY to the true solution and NO OTHER HOPE!  JESUS HIMSELF even said this in John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.”  Many are so caught up in the lesser battles, such as fighting to pray in Jesus’ name or something, when they may actually not even be living in Jesus’ name.

This friend, is DIFFERENT from what most of you are hearing and watching.  I trust this will be what you will come to be living (if you are to actually prevail).  Do you see what I am saying?  Might you agree with me in this Truth, which is the reality of the Word and the world that I see?  Anything else, no matter how good or close to perfection it may be is simply “WISHful thinking.”

Did you know that it was cold day in Blacksburg, VA with snow flakes flying when the 04-16-07 Massacre occurred?  Have you ever considered (I mean really thought about) how the weather works and impacts our lives?  It is a pretty common joke that you can’t trust the weathermen.  So often, when it is said that it will be a certain way, it is not and even the opposite of what they have said.  Sometimes, when they call for snow, it will not snow and may even be sunny.  I have seen the Weather Channel (and I do watch it for information 😉 ) predict 100% chance for HEAVY SNOW in our area and we get NOTHING.  They have to update their forecasts at least three times a day as things are constantly changing and they can’t control it.  There is a joke in this area of what could happen when they call for a “dusting of snow.”  Around ten years ago, they said this and our little area woke up to about 10 inches of snow!  🙂  Sometimes, schools even get into trouble by calling off school with an imminent threat of inclement weather (there are other lessons to think about there too).  Weather impacts all of us and is an aspect in many of life’s tragedies….

I have commented often about how GOD is in control of natural forces (look at some of my blogs).  We cannot control the wind and often have a hard time even predicting what the winds will bring (cold, warmth, snow, rain, disaster, etc.).  THE LORD–Your CREATOR (JESUS CHRIST) controls the winds.  HE merely spoke and calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:37-40) and HE can calm the storms in your own life or even use them to calm your own heart!  When the religious leaders tried to test Jesus asking for some special sign (as if they didn’t have any in front of their faces), He replied with the following in Matthew 16:2-3:

“He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, “It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; and in the morning, “It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.”

Do you see the lessons we should learn from this?  It is TRAGIC if you do not, for we will miss the signs of the times in which we ourselves live.  I see the signs of the times and am trying to warn people and help them learn.  I was even praying last night (when it wasn’t yet happening) that if in His Will, that the LORD might spin up a system to bring some snow to our area.  It is happening now.  I would kind of like it to confound the weathermen and even impact the Inauguration (I don’t want any bad weather to harm anyone).  Politics is not the answer for us (look at my previous blog).  They are not calling for anything but flurries in D.C. as of the time of writing this, though the LORD might just let it happen to confound the wise and teach other lessons.  I would kind of like to see HIM spin a system in North Carolina and Virginia (where my tragedy continues to be unsettled).

Regardless of what happens with the weather (and none of us are GOD and can’t say for sure), are you discerning enough to see the times for where you are, for where America is, and for where our world is?  Consider the good story of how certain men in the ancient Nation of Israel were men who understood the times (1 Chronicles 12:32).  Learn to FEAR GOD ABOVE ALL (my number one lesson to learn) as HE is in control of the weather and our lives, including the tragedies.

To borrow a popular slogan from President Elect Barack Obama, “YES we CAN!”  Now, I may not be (am certainly not) looking at this the same way he and others are.  The whole world is putting their hope in Barack Obama and his historical presidency.  They are looking to the 01-20-09 Inauguration as a kind of anointing.  There is reason for hope, but not the reason that most are looking toward.  They will be disappointed.  He is a pragmatist, but he will not be able to please everyone.  It is impossible.  The extent to which he is successful will depend on the object of his faith and his ability to unify people to his goal.  The same is true in anything and is true for all those here in Blacksburg, VA (or anywhere), who are looking to Prevail in Tragedy…

Friend, you cannot put your hope in man and be satisfied.  We all will let others down at some point.  We all have our own ideas, talents, and experiences, and we cannot please everyone, neither should we try to do so.  Consider the very middle verse of the Bible–Psalm 118:8:

“It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man.”

The object of our HOPE must be in THE LORD–Check out Psalm 42:5 (do you see a difference in this and 42:11 and 43:5? :-} ):

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.

When you FEAR GOD ABOVE ALL (see my #1 Lesson) then HIS countenance will be the help for your countenance and you can prevail through anything in life.  If you are looking for more on the #10 Lesson check it out or even take a look at my 11-21-08 Blog, “Hope and Tragedy.”

YES, we CAN, only if the object of our Faith is our Creator, JESUS CHRIST and we are unified and walking in HIS Truth!