There seems to be plenty to complain about these days. For one thing, our government apparently encourages gender confusion:

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network, an entity of the Department of Health and Human Services, issued a release proclaiming that “gender-affirming care” is neither “child maltreatment nor malpractice.” Around the same time, the Department of Justice sent a letter to all state attorneys general saying that opposing HHS guidance is discrimination, is essentially an attack against “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, nonbinary, or otherwise gender-nonconforming” people, and that such actions “may be unconstitutional.” – Breakpoint, April 11, 2022

For another, it doesn’t seem right that if I wanted to see Fantastic Beasts without any reference to Dumbledore being gay, I could do so in China, but not here:

Warner Brothers studios, in a sequel to its Fantastic Beasts spin-off, decided to add some gay undertones to Albus Dumbledore’s character. When China found out about the unnecessary addition of an LGBT relationship, they asked producers to cut it. Hollywood, ever the compliant partner of the communist regime, obliged. “We want audiences everywhere in the world to see and enjoy this film,” a Warner spokesperson said, “and it’s important to us that Chinese audiences have the opportunity to experience it as well, even with these minor edits.” In other words, it’s okay for a global abuser of human rights to demand an end to LGBT indoctrination, but not American parents? If China says sexualization is off limits, it’s “responding sensitively to a variety of in-market factors.” If parents do, it’s a “hateful form of bullying” that hurts children. No wonder the grassroots are upset. – Family Research Council, April 13, 2022

When I read the first one, a week ago Monday morning, I went to my daily reading with the question, I wonder what John the Baptist has to say about that? His message was clear:

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 3:2 (ESV)

Interestingly, Jesus started his public ministry the same way:

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4.17, ESV)

That’s always the message, isn’t it? Repent. And repentance starts with me. I can’t repent for the government or Warner Brothers, but I can listen for what God wants to change about me.

The Word is given for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3.16) The process is continuous. After the Master’s, Tiger Woods said, “I have more work to do.” Here’s where your swing is off. Here’s what you can do to get it back. Now train! 

Tomorrow we’ll look at another possible response to today’s happenings.

Train yourself for godliness. (1 Timothy 4.7, ESV)

No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. (Luke 13, verses 3 and 5, ESV)