June Newsletter 2020 Rick McPherson
Each month as I write this newsletter, it is my intention to communicate with you the current events and overall status of this ministry serving Native Americans. Pacific NW Outreach, Inc. is committed to help both physically and spiritually the children and adults on Reservations, particularly in the Pacific Northwest region. Since the beginning of this year the undercurrent of our world has affected the content of what I’ve written. The year began with the death of my oldest sister. She died of pancreatic cancer just two and a half months after the initial discovery and diagnosis. Her loss was profound to our family and her many friends.
You will also recall that in January we were dealing with the attempted impeachment of our President. The impeachment failed and the coronavirus pandemic then filled the airways and changed us, perhaps forever. I wrote during those days articles entitled, “Unprecedented”, and, “Almost”. These articles addressed events that impacted us and how we were affected. To say that everything is unchanged would be misleading. Although we have been able to adjust and continue, it is not the same.
Now, we are seeing with horror the lawlessness that has set our country on fire. The events in major cities across our land began as protests against the wrongful death of George Floyd in Minneapolis at the hands of policemen who have since been arrested and charged with murder. No one argues against our First Amendment rights of free speech and peaceful protests, but the activities of criminals who have now looted and destroyed in the name of protest is wrong and lawless. It was Ravi Zacharias who said, “History is a good reminder of what happens to those who think they have no law but themselves.”
Lawlessness is defined as: that which is contrary or without regard for the law. It is unbridled, unruly, unrestrained behavior that is illegal or not controlled by law.
What we are witnessing now is lawlessness in all of its destructive power. The cry of politicians, governors and mayors to “defund” the police of our cities and communities is a recipe for disaster and will result in anarchy and chaos. The Rule of Law is one of the basic principles of civilization. Our leaders have sworn oaths to uphold the Rule of Law and defend citizens from enemies both foreign and domestic. Pray that they will keep their word.
The Apostle Paul said this, “that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self–control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God…” II Timothy 3:1-4
Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano has written to President Trump warning him that the current crises over the coronavirus pandemic and the George Floyd riots are a part of the eternal struggle between the forces of good and evil. You can read the entire letter here.
I encourage you to read it. It will illuminate your understanding of current events.
Charles Swindoll said, “Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we respond to what happens to us!” Notice the word, “respond.” We don’t react, we respond. Response is a choice. And right now we have an opportunity to respond.
Let me suggest a small list of responses you can choose. (II Timothy 4:4)
- BE SOBER IN ALL THINGS. (be alert, be aware, know what is true)
- ENDURE HARDSHIP. (bad things do happen to good people)
- DO THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST. (tell someone who Jesus is)
- FULFILL YOUR MINISTRY. (no finger pointing, do your part)
*****