November 2022 Newsletter | Pastor Donald Shoemaker

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”949″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_custom_heading text=”“A Piece of My Mind”” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:50px|text_align:center|color:%232633ef” google_fonts=”font_family:Bitter%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal”][vc_custom_heading text=”November 2022 Newsletter” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:30px|text_align:center|color:%232633ef” google_fonts=”font_family:Bitter%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

Advancing Christian Faith and Values,
Defending Religious Liberty for All,
Supporting Civility and the Common Good
through Preaching, Teaching, Writing,
Activism and Reasoned Conversations

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This Thanksgiving – Give thanks for God’s Gift of Life

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul know the right well.

My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being un-perfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

– Psalm 139:13-17 (King James Version)

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“Proposition One” – California’s Voters Will Decide

“The state shall not deny or interfere with an individual’s reproductive freedom in their most intimate decisions, which includes their fundamental right to choose to have an abortion and their fundamental right to choose or refuse contraceptives. This section is intended to further the constitutional right to privacy… and the constitutional right to not be denied equal protection… Nothing herein narrows or limits the right to privacy or equal protection.” – Text of Proposition One

“Proposition One” is the response of California’s governor and legislature to last summer’s “Dobbs” decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. “Dobbs” ruled that abortion was not a right secured in the U.S. Constitution. It returned the issue back to the states, which is where it was before “Roe v. Wade” (1973).

Please take a minute to note my observations on this proposition:

Proposition One makes abortion an absolute right, whereas Roe v. Wade explicitly rejected the notion of “abortion on demand.”
Roe v. Wade acknowledged (in its controversial “trimester” statements) a claim to life on the part of the viable fetus. Proposition One ignores any claim to life on the part of the human fetus, including after viability and up to birth.
California’s abortion laws (going back to the 1960’s and considered “progressive” by abortion advocates at that time) allowed for abortion up to fetal viability (except in cases of fetal deformity). Abortion was also permitted at any time prior to the birth of the unborn child to protect the life or health (broadly understood) of the mother. The “Dobbs” decision does not change any of this.
Through legislation and advertising, the State of California and its governor are promoting the state as a “welcoming destination” for anyone seeking abortion who lives outside the state, including through a website: www.abortion.ca.gov.
Abortion, including the right of a minor child to have an abortion without parental notification or consent, is protected by California’s current privacy laws.

Before there was a national debate over abortion (late 1960’s+), the popular weekly publication LIFE Magazine had a pictorial issue titled “Life Before Birth.” It began,
“The birth of a human life really occurs at the moment the mother’s egg cell is fertilized by one of the father’s sperm cells” and “In the Western world a person’s life is reckoned from the day he comes out of the womb. But the Chinese, overestimating by three months, traditionally counted a child one year old at birth in recognition of the unceasingly active life that has already taken place.”

This reflected my own secular, non-religious understanding before I developed any religious convictions on the issue. A pregnancy decision involves two patients—the mother and the unborn child. In light of this, I cast my vote against “Prop. One.”[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

Back the Badge
“Blessed are those who maintain justice.” (Psalm 106:3)

Still touched and grieving
eleven years later

October 12, 2011 – Early in the afternoon an armed and angry man bent on evil entered a salon in Seal Beach, California and killed eight people including his ex-wife.

The case languished for almost six years, hindered by charges of prosecutorial misconduct. Be that as it may, the perpetrator pled guilty in 2014 and was sentence to eight consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole for the worst mass murder in Orange County history.

First responding police officers were willing to put their lives on the line to engage the perpetrator however necessary(he was captured right away). Several officers then had to be involved in the traumatic crime scene investigation, offer care of arriving family members, coworkers and friends (we opened a family assistance center at a nearby library), and in one case an officer accompanied a wounded man to the hospital in an ambulance (he did not survive).

The families and the community will never be the same. The police department, dispatchers, fire and police first responders will never be the same. As a police chaplain who continues involvement in the aftermath of this event, now eleven years later, I can say I will never be the same.

Each year, a few minutes after 1:00 p.m., I gather with some family members at the memorial to this massacre located in a park near the ocean. We reminisce, we share words of comfort and purpose, we observe a minute of silence, and I offer a prayer. I did this again on October 12th.

“Justice delayed is justice denied,” said William Gladstone, 19th Century British politician. Whatever the reasons, valid or regrettable, for the great delays in (flawed) justice, I grieve at the additional stress and sorrow the delays put on the families of the victims. And I honor fire and police personnel who sacrificed so much to do their jobs that horrible day and thereafter.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

Message of the Month –
“A Day to Reflect on Life”

Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

– Psalm 90 (verses 1, 2, 10, 12, 14) KJV

October 31 is a threshold day for me. In years and months and days I reach the age my mother was when she passed away. She died four months after being diagnosed with cancer, passing in our home as she desired. My wife provided marvelous loving care and we were assisted by fine hospice personnel.

Also sadly, I passed my father’s “too soon” date of death fourteen years ago.

I thank God for each day and its gift of life—its joys and opportunities and, yes, challenges.

The Bible is so very realistic:

God is eternal; we are mortal. Best we live each day aware of this.
We need to treat each day as significant. We should count them as we count the hairs on our head—the Bible’s way of speaking of the significance of even small things. This counting wouldn’t take me as long now.
We have “today” – we should make the most of it. It is a day to offer God a heart of wisdom. It is a day to express love, make that phone call we’ve been putting off, enjoy that activity we’ve been thinking about, attend worship as we have opportunity, enjoy family, serve the Lord.

“God, thank you for the years of life with which you have blessed me.”

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“Triumphant Worship: The Book of Revelation” – 9th Essay on Worship for 2022

Throughout much of my Christian life (age 9+) I looked on the Bible’s last book, the Book of Revelation, as a mysterious unfolding of the End Times, a puzzle to be pieced together. If we thought we had it figured out, my how dogmatic we could be!

A creative thought entered my mind a few years ago as I read and pondered this book anew. Is it possible to look at this book “Doxologically”? That is, can Revelation be seen as a Book of Worship? I viewed the whole book through that lens and marveled at the treasures waiting to be opened. As you move through the coming points, see how many songs you recognize!

1. I learned about the God I should Worship

In Revelation we immediately see incipient worship of God as a Trinity. True, it would be many years for the Christian church to articulate the doctrine of the Trinity as it still resonates with us. But it would be wrong to overlook the “seeds” of this teaching found in the New Testament.

“Grace and peace to you from him which is, and which was, and which is to come, and from the seven spirits which are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth” (1:4-5, see through verse 8).

Our God is powerful Creator of All. So we sing, “Thou art worthy…to receive glory and honor and power, for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created…” (4:11 King James Version)

We worship “the Lamb of God” who was slain, his blood shed for our redemption, who now lives and rules (see 5:9-13). “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing” (5:12). God the Father and Jesus the Lamb are worshiped together: “Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever” (5:13).

I use the King James Version throughout this essay because of its elegant poetic language. Painting by Raphael (1518): Michael the Archangel vanquishes Satan (Revelation 12:7-9).

2. I learned about the Worshipers too

The heavenly worship scene in chapters 4 and 5 has a fascinating sequence of worshipers. It starts (I am happy to say) with a quartet! “Four living creatures” repeat the praise: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come” (4:7).

Second, a choir of 24 elders breaks into praise (4:11 and 5:9-10). This is followed by a huge multitude of angels (5:11-12), then by the whole of creation (5:13). Lastly, the praise reverts back to the quartet, with their “Amen!” as they prostrate themselves in worship before God (5:14).

I challenge every worship leader to think creatively on how a version of this could be reflected in our worship services! Start small, crescendo greatly, decrescendo to how you began, end with demonstrable worship.

A special category of worshipers is highlighted in Revelation—persecuted saints. They have “come out of the great tribulation” (7:13-14) and cry out, “Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.”

They are now in God’s presence, never to suffer again, their tears forever wiped away (7:15-17). Think of this scene when you think of all who are persecuted a lot or a little today for being faithful to Jesus. Think creatively on how the spirit of this heavenly scene could be expressed in today’s worship.

3. I learned about how Worship can be done

The Book of Revelation records many features of worship. Many Christians have never practiced them but some Christian traditions include them in worship. Being in the Book of Revelation, they are ipso facto forms of “New Testament” worship and can be incorporated into our worship accordingly.

We find honor and humility expressed in actions. The Elders fall down and lay their crowns before God’s throne (4:10). The writer John falls down before the glorious Christ (1:17). Prostrating oneself isn’t natural to many American Christians, but it certainly is an appropriate form of worship.

Symbolic clothing may be worn. A worshiping multitude is clothed in white robes (7:9), probably symbolizing purity. On occasion (commonly at weddings) I’ve worn a robe which (I think) befits the solemnity of the occasion. I conducted a funeral in South-Central Los Angeles once and, as the only “Anglo” present, I thought it befitting to show respect to the occasion and to all who attended by wearing a robe.

Worshipers celebrate by holding palm branches – we at least might do that on Palm Sunday (7:9). Incense and smoke accompany the rising of our prayers to God (8:3-4). Such prayers may include pleas for God to judge evil, given how the angel takes the censor containing the prayers and, before God, fills it with fire and hurls it to the earth. If this scene is found in “Revelation Worship” then such symbolism is certainly appropriate now.

Then we read about extremely loud praise (5:12; 7:10). In much of my background this kind of worship would be seen as hyper-emotionalism, except in my Pentecostal circles. We may frown on it and avoid it. Perhaps instead we ought to engage in it “when the Spirit moves us all.”

Then there is worship through silence—for half an hour (8:1). This seems to be the “silence of awe” prior to a great work of God. There can also be the silence of preparation, prayer, sorrow, patience and more. Whatever the silence expresses, it shows a place for “holy silence” in worship. But there is also boring silence, so we must be discernful. “Holy silence” rises as a challenge to some contemporary worship styles which always have to have something happening—fast movement, sound bites, quick images, etc.

The Lord is in his holy temple.
Let all the earth be silent before him. (Habakkuk 2:20)

I wouldn’t want to be legalistic either way—banning these forms of worship or demanding them, certainly not as proofs of spirituality. I do want to be open to them, whether they seem highly liturgical or highly emotional.

4. I learned about Worship that SHOULDN’T be done

In Leviticus 10:1-5 we read the chilling account of the deaths of Nadab and Abihu, priests and sons of the High Priest Aaron. What was their wrong? Offering “unauthorized fire” before the Lord contrary to his command.

The passage raises more questions than answers. We’re not told exactly what they did wrong. I think the key phrase is: “…contrary to [God’s] command.”

Our Christian liberty gives us lots of freedom to be creative in worship. We don’t have to have a command from God for everything we do. But we must not do anything contrary to his command. Are we guilty in this? Do we break worship rules such as in 1 Corinthians 14 (use of spiritual gifts) or 1 Timothy 2 (modest dress at worship)? Do we forsake the Lord’s Table? Do we fail to practice robust Spirit-filled singing in our services? Are our messages truly “preaching the Word” or have we wandered off track?

Here are three forms of worship forbidden in the Book of Revelation:

Worship of Demons and Idols (9:20-21)
Worship of the Devil and the Antichrist (13:4, 11-17; 14:9-10)
Worship of Godless Commercialism (read the lament of chapter 18)

Finally, we must not worship God’s angels. Twice in this book John falls before God’s angel as the angel conveys God’s invitation to “the wedding supper of the Lamb” (19:10) and shows him The New Jerusalem (22:8). In both cases the angel says, “Do not do it! Worship God!” (verse 9). “Worship” here (the verb is proskuneō) is simply to “fall toward.” It is forbidden to “proskuneō” before an angel or before a spiritual leader (Acts 10:24-26).

When Jesus squared off with the Devil and his temptations, Jesus responded forcefully and clearly: “Worship [proskuneō] the Lord your God, and serve him only” – Matthew 4:10. Interesting that John observes the glorious presence of Jesus (1:12-16) and fell at his feet as though dead (1:17). Jesus accepted that worship and placed his right hand on John, saying, “Do not be afraid.”

Obedient worship of God is a matter of the highest urgency. The Book of Revelation gives us marvelous guidance through instruction and example and worship texts (see next page). Let’s hear and heed what God’s Spirit is saying to the churches about worship.

Next Issue: “ ‘O Come Let Us Adore Him!’ – Worship at the Birth of Jesus”
–10th and final Essay on Worship for 2022

Worship Songs given to the Church
from the Book of Revelation

George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah”

“Worthy Is The Lamb” (5:12)
“Amen” (5:14)
“Hallelujah!” (11:15; 19:1-4, 16)

Other Christian Hymnody and Choruses
Just a partial list I compiled! What songs would you suggest?

“Lo, He Comes in Clouds Descending” (1:7)
“There’s a New Name Written Down in Glory” (2:17)
“Round the Throne” (chapter 4)
“Behold Our God” (4:2)
“Holy, Holy, Holy” (4:8)
“Thou Art Worthy” (4:11)
“Is He Worthy?” (5:2-5)
“You Are Worthy” (5:9)
“O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” (5:11)
“All Hail the Power of Jesus Name” (5:11-14; 19:11-16)
“To Him Who Sits on the Throne” (5:13)
“Agnus Dei” (5:23)
“I Wish We’d All Been Ready” (6:5-6)
“Blessing and Glory and Wisdom and Thanks…to our God forever” (7:12)
“Are You Washed in the Blood?” (7:14)
“We Shall Overcome” (12:11)
“Come, Ye Thankful People, Come” (14:14-16)
“Battle Hymn of the Republic” (14:19)
“Praise Our God, All Ye His Servants” (19:5)
“Crown Him with Many Crowns” (19:12)
“The Holy City” (21:1-3, 23; 22:4-5)
“Twelve Gates of the City” (21:12-13)
“Lily of the Valley” (22:16)
“All Who Are Thirsty” (22:17)
“Soon and Very Soon” (22:20)

Whether they’re the or the

“…there’s no joy in Mudville Cleveland. Mighty Casey has struck out.”

I grew up in north-central Ohio, and only one baseball team really mattered there—the Cleveland Indians. If you went over the border into Pennsylvania, you might want to temper your enthusiasm for the Indians. That’s Pirates country and them folk won’t take kindly to you.

The Indians had a triumphant season in 1954, winning 111 games and going confidently to the World Series where the NY Giants restored their humility in four games. 111 wins! Can anyone say “2022 Dodgers,” knocked out dramatically in the division championship by the San Diego Padres? The Indians haven’t won a series since, losing this year in the division games.

But they did get a name change! First, let me stipulate that “Chief Wahoo” was bad for both the team and Native Americans. May he RIP.

But “Indians”? “Any use of Native American names and/or symbols by non-native sports teams is a harmful form of ethnic stereotyping that promotes misunderstanding and prejudice which contributes to other problems faced by Native Americans.” – so sez over 115 professional organizations, including scientific experts (as if the issue has anything to do with science).

I’m underwhelmed by the Words & Symbols Police. I lived in “Indiana” (will that change?) for eight years and saw native terms and titles everywhere. In sports, Indian names speak of prowess and valor and strength and resolve.

The new name comes from The Hope Memorial Bridge with its statuary “The Guardians of Traffic.” It’s right near the ball stadium. If it had to happen, it seems like a good change. Plus, it’s clever that only two letters had to be dropped: INDIANS became the GUARDIANS. And the lettering style stays.

Look out! BRAVES, WARRIORS, CHIEFS—you’re next. What about team names expressing barbarism and thievery: PIRATES and RAIDERS? Then we’ll move on to the Los Angeles ANGELS and the San Diego PADRES, with their religious names that may cause some to feel left out. Besides, the name PADRES is odious to some who resent the influence of the Catholic Church in California’s history.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who does now own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.”
– Jesus (John 10:11-13)

Putting Human Faces on the Immigration Issue

After stripping on knee-high snake guards and bowing his head to invoke God’s protection, Tucson-based Pentecostal pastor Oscar Andrade marches off into a remote desert at dawn to look for a Honduran migrant missing since late July.

The pastor bushwhacked for three hours in 100-degree heat, detouring around a mountain lion, two rattlesnakes and a scorpion.

On the fourth search, the pastor and his Capellanes del Desierto [Desert Chaplains] rescue and recovery group found the man’s ID card and wallet 40 feet from a skull and other bones, picked clean by animals and the relentless sun.

Since March, Andrade has received over 400 calls from families in Mexico and Central America whose relatives—sick, injured, exhausted—were abandoned by smugglers in the borderlands.

Forensic experts estimate 80% of bodies in the desert are never found. The bodies found point to one of the deadliest seasons on record along the always-dangerous Southwest border.
– October 22, 2022 Long Beach Press-Telegram (edited excerpts)

www.donaldshoemakerministries.com

Don has been a member of the clergy in the Long Beach, California area since 1970. He now serves as Pastor Emeritus of Grace Community Church of Seal Beach (where he was senior pastor 1984-2012) and as Senior Chaplain of the Seal Beach Police Department (2001+). He previously was an assistant professor of Biblical Studies at Biola University (1976-84) and chaired the Social Concerns Committee in the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches from 1985 to 2019.

His graduate work includes a Master of Divinity from Grace Theological Seminary, a Master of Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary with a concentration in Christian ethics, and a Doctor of Ministry from American Baptist Seminary of the West (now Berkeley School of Theology) with a concentration on the Charismatic Movement. His law school studies included a course on the First Amendment. He and his wife Mary have been married for over 55 years. They have two children and six grandchildren.