And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say. Luke 12:10-12

I'm sure Nebraska legislator Ernie Chambers is a good man.

He must be since the good people of that great state have reelected him for a record 38 years.

Even so, I do have some problems with a lawsuit Ernie filed last year -- a lawsuit against God.

Yes, you heard that correctly. Ernie filed an injunction against God, who, Ernie maintains, has inspired fear and caused "wide-spread death, destruction and terrorization of millions upon millions of the Earth's inhabitants...."

If Ernie is joking, I'm not laughing at his attitude, or his waste of taxpayers' money. If he's not joking, then Ernie needs to take a better look at the Lord who loves him.

Far better, I think, for Ernie to give thanks to the Lord, who provided him a beautiful state, a place where children can grow healthy and strong, a place where crops are almost always bountiful, and you can still count on your neighbor.

Far better, I believe, is for Ernie to give thanks to the Lord for a state where a man can count on fair courts and equal justice.

Far better for Ernie is to give thanks to the Lord for having given him health, for a mind to think, for an opportunity to serve, for a group of people who believe in him and are willing to support him because they think of him as a leader.

Indeed, I pray that all of our leaders might be moved to be grateful for the handiwork of the Lord. I know, with the passing of years, I most certainly have adopted an attitude of appreciation for our God who not only gave His Son's life for our salvation, but also graciously bestowed our land with peace and plenty.

Oh, there's one other thing in regard to Ernie's lawsuit. Last week, Douglas county District Court Judge Marlon Polk threw out the case, because under Nebraska law, a plaintiff must have access to the defendant for a lawsuit to move forward. Ernie hasn't decided if he'll appeal.

THE PRAYER: Dear heavenly Father, grant us leaders who are willing to serve You and those who elected them. When possible, let them give thanks for Your gracious bounty and blessing. In the Name of Jesus who is my greatest blessing, I ask it. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Jeremiah 6, 11-12    Acts 27:27-44

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