WordJourney Magazine

I received a copy of Margaret A. Blincoe’s book — Message In A Word (2010, Self Published)– from my editor friend Lillie Ammann, not realizing that she was Margaret’s editor. I’ve gotten to know Lillie through her A Writer’s Words, An Editor’s Eye blog, enjoying her insight particularly from a Christian perspective.

Message In A Word is a devotional, offering 52 one- or two-page expositions on a divinely-rendered acrostic. Acrostics are words where each letter in that word represents another word or statement. One example is DOUBT which Margaret renders as Disbelief  Of Unerring Biblical Truths.  Acrostics are fun, easy to remember, but they’re also an excellent way to impart truth.

Given that Margaret’s book has 52 messages, one for each week of the year, I’ve saved some of my reading for the weeks and months ahead. But, through the half dozen or more stories I have read, I can tell you that Margaret’s “Inspired Succinct Sermons Uniquely Expressed” are just that — inspired.

God has given Margaret a gift for using words — in this case acrostics — to tell a story. Those Godward stories are meant to inspire and uplift the reader, drawing him or her closer to their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Following each devotional a “Notes of Reflection” page is set aside to allow the reader to share his own thoughts about the reading. This can be a good place to add commentary about Margaret’s lesson, by including a practical application of the acrostic in the life of the reader.

Margaret says that the book’s idea came as a result of several recurrent dreams, spanning a number of years where God spoke to her about certain “issues” He had with her.

At first, Margaret thought that God was mad, believing that He had some sort of a dispute with her. Upon much prayer and reflection Margaret realized that God had another meaning of the word in mind — a proclamation or an announcement — which turned her thinking around.

An encounter with a pastor’s wife revealed to Margaret what God was telling her and from that point on the acrostics began to flow freely. I was encouraged to learn what Margaret went through to arrive at that point in her journey to understand what the word “issues” meant, demonstrating the patience of a loving Father who wants to impart wisdom and understanding to all who worship Him “in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24)

Yes, wisdom is what Solomon desired, something we who follow Jesus Christ need if we are to walk uprightly before God. Perhaps God has an “issue” with you too!

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It shouldn’t come as a surprise to many American Christians that the country which has long upheld religious freedom has made it difficult for people to freely practice what they believe.

Certainly, we can still attend church, pray, vote and take part in a host of other activities enjoyed by all Americans, but when it comes to the workplace, the government isn’t always as accommodating, particularly for organizations such as Christian ministries.

World Vision

Earlier this week the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that World Vision, the Christian aid organization, had a right to terminate two employees who said that they did not agree with World Vision doctrinal beliefs. Those employees sued for religious discrimination, but the court decided in favor of World Vision 2-1.

By law, private companies cannot discriminate based on religion. However, the law includes an accommodation for “a religious corporation, association, educational institution, or society,” as noted by the Heritage Foundation. Though not a church, the judges ruling in favor of World Vision agreed that the exception applies to them too.

Court Cases

A couple of cases ruled earlier this year dismayed believers including one involving Catholic Charities in Washington, D.C. That nonprofit organization was forced to stop providing adoption services and benefits to spouses because they refused to compromise on their belief that marriage is between a man and a woman.

Another court also ruled against recognizing a Christian group at a public university who refused admittance to someone who didn’t agree with their religious beliefs. There have been other cases in recent years, but these two are among the most visible.

Letter to Congress

On Wednesday, a letter was delivered to the U.S. Congress asking members to reject legislation aimed at forcing religious organizations to not prohibit hiring based on religious grounds. The U.S. conference of Catholic Bishops, Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America and others signed on, representing more than 100 groups according to The Christian Post.

HR 5466, introduced by Rep. Patrick Kennedy, would reauthorize federal substance abuse treatment funding that is administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. That bill also contains a provision that would ban faith-based groups from receiving federal funding if religious considerations are part of their hiring process.

World Vision receives $300 million in federal funding as part of their aid efforts. Most of the signatory parties don’t receive funding, but they believe that such a law could thwart their efforts to hire people of their own choosing.

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