Some headings for the Drudge Report yesterday were:
• Teen Gangs Unleashed on Boston Beach
• Miami ‘War Zone’ During Urban Weekend
• Violent crime explodes in Myrtle Beach...
• Rib Fest At Rochester Beach turns rowdy...
• Riot On Long Island...
• Urban Melee In Charlotte...
• Unruly urban crowd shuts Nashville water park...
• Chicago Beach closed - 'Dozens of gangs…
I have long been concerned about the end game of the nation’s plan for raising younger generations. If you haven’t heard that buzzword “end game” everywhere lately, it means “the late or final stages of any activity.”
(Climbing onto my soapbox) As a long time educator, I have worried where we thought we were headed. A few changes I have hated in education are:
1. Eliminating prayer from the nation’s schools.
2. Tying the hands of discipline from teachers or principals.
3. Requiring regimented test scores be the measurement of success of a classroom or school. NCLB :-(
4. Rendering court judgments which force kowtowing to every threat of a “due process” lawsuit.
5. Requiring the expenditure of large sums of money for a handful of students while the leftover funds go for the majority of students upon whose shoulders will rest the burden of carrying the future.
(Before I get down off the soapbox) Let me say that I think the whole national mess did not originate with the educational system. I believe it began and has been fed by a spirit of Antichrist running rampant in our government and society—1) judges that ruled that God’s ways were not to be our ways; 2) legislators that passed laws that weakened our nation and made serving God politically incorrect; 3) leaders that have not led according to biblical decrees or our national heritage; 4) people who bring forth babies with no commitment to love and nurture them; 5) churches that are interested in social trivialities rather than caring for the flock and helping the lost find Jesus Christ; and 6) a self-centered populace who lives only for the king in the mirror and doesn’t care about the King of Kings.
What is the end game? What about that definition, “the late or final stages”? Are we in the late or final stages of a civilization that began in the Declaration of Independence with “endowed by their Creator” and “appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world”? Is there a way back?
(climbing down off my soapbox) 2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
That's our end game--healing.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Remembering . . .
May 30, 2011, MEMORIAL DAY. Several have reminded us that this is not just a day off from work—a day to cook-out or play in the yard. It is, foremost, a day to pause and give thanks for others who died for this country; to think beyond ourselves to those who gave up the benefits of home so that those at home could continue to live.
It is so easy to exhibit the childish outlook of focusing on me and what I may not have have rather than being thankful for what I do. That’s not an easy self-indulgent notion to leave behind. Yet, there are voices who remind me to do just that, and there are those who march in tiny parades and carry American Flags to remember their comrades and to jog our memory to give thanks.
There are many flags flying in the breeze today and it is a glorious sight. There are forces in this land seeking to remove those flags because they might cause someone to be uncomfortable. Some say it is prejudicial toward the U.S. Huh?
I don’t understand why anyone would move to a country, seek to enjoy the benefits of its rights and privileges, and then demand that their rights supersede the citizens’ privileges. For that matter, I don’t understand why anyone would move and refuse to speak the language and accept its customs. Why not just stay in the county of that language and those customs? I don’t get it.
In church yesterday, I read an interesting scripture from Acts 17:26, “From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.”
Note that “HE marked out their appointed times in history” and “the boundaries of their lands.”
From that, I get that God is the determiner of boundaries. Perhaps that explains why history repeats itself with egotistical man desiring world conquest rather than accepting God’s determination. And our government is seeking to tell Israel what their boundaries should be?
The more I read, watch, and learn about mankind, the more I marvel at God’s patience, mercy, and forbearance. No wonder He sent a flood!
I must mention that on May 30, I commemorate my own very personal Memorial Day—this is the anniversary of the birth of my first son. Like the words above in Acts, Kevin had an appointed time in history and it lasted only eight days; yet, he has had an enormous impact on my life and my contemplation of eternity.
It is so easy to exhibit the childish outlook of focusing on me and what I may not have have rather than being thankful for what I do. That’s not an easy self-indulgent notion to leave behind. Yet, there are voices who remind me to do just that, and there are those who march in tiny parades and carry American Flags to remember their comrades and to jog our memory to give thanks.
There are many flags flying in the breeze today and it is a glorious sight. There are forces in this land seeking to remove those flags because they might cause someone to be uncomfortable. Some say it is prejudicial toward the U.S. Huh?
I don’t understand why anyone would move to a country, seek to enjoy the benefits of its rights and privileges, and then demand that their rights supersede the citizens’ privileges. For that matter, I don’t understand why anyone would move and refuse to speak the language and accept its customs. Why not just stay in the county of that language and those customs? I don’t get it.
In church yesterday, I read an interesting scripture from Acts 17:26, “From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.”
Note that “HE marked out their appointed times in history” and “the boundaries of their lands.”
From that, I get that God is the determiner of boundaries. Perhaps that explains why history repeats itself with egotistical man desiring world conquest rather than accepting God’s determination. And our government is seeking to tell Israel what their boundaries should be?
The more I read, watch, and learn about mankind, the more I marvel at God’s patience, mercy, and forbearance. No wonder He sent a flood!
I must mention that on May 30, I commemorate my own very personal Memorial Day—this is the anniversary of the birth of my first son. Like the words above in Acts, Kevin had an appointed time in history and it lasted only eight days; yet, he has had an enormous impact on my life and my contemplation of eternity.
♫ “Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.” ♫
Friday, May 27, 2011
Eye Has Not Seen. . .
I have been mulling over how the Kingdom of God works logistically. Now, I know that is silly and I cannot possibly have insight into God’s ways or God’s heaven or God’s plan for eternity. I do realize that I, and for that matter all of us, are so “earthly.” Our minds are so limited by what we see, what we feel, what we experience. I guess it’s that I Corinthians 2:9 thing:“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”I have to say “Amen” to that.
Many of us like to listen to and even sing the song called “I Can Only Imagine” by Mercy Me.
Okay, that sounds logical. But, on the other hand, how can we even begin to imagine? The next verse in Corinthians, I suppose, seeks to explain it. “But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit…” Did you read that? “But God has revealed them.” That would seem to say we can have an idea of the things God has prepared through the Spirit of God.
Still, the logistics confuse me. We are His body, the church; yet, we are a kingdom of priests (Revelation 5:10) made up of individuals. How is that going to work? I can only imagine. . .
Many of us like to listen to and even sing the song called “I Can Only Imagine” by Mercy Me.
I can only imagine what it will be like
When I walk by your side
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
When your face is before me
I can only imagine
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine--I can only imagine
I can only imagine when that day comes
When I find myself standing in the Son
I can only imagine when all I will do
Is forever, forever worship You
I can only imagine. . .
Okay, that sounds logical. But, on the other hand, how can we even begin to imagine? The next verse in Corinthians, I suppose, seeks to explain it. “But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit…” Did you read that? “But God has revealed them.” That would seem to say we can have an idea of the things God has prepared through the Spirit of God.
Still, the logistics confuse me. We are His body, the church; yet, we are a kingdom of priests (Revelation 5:10) made up of individuals. How is that going to work? I can only imagine. . .
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Now or Never - NOT
The world obviously did not end on May 21, 2011, but I do hope the very thought of it made people think about the hereafter anyway. Jesus did not rapture His church that day, but just as sure as the day came when the flood lifted the ark and delivered Noah, the day IS coming when Jesus will return and lift His believers. You can bet the farm on it!
One thing I have observed over my many years is a common perspective of the young—if it doesn’t happen now, it never will. My grandchildren, following in the footsteps of my children when they were small, exhibit that perspective. If they want a particular toy and the answer is “No” or “Wait,” there are often inconsolable tears accompanied by some highly dramatic physical display indicating “Woe is me!” Their mindset is, “If not now, then never.”
I’m afraid that is the attitude of many following the non-event of May 21. Just as the child’s mindset is wrong, so is that of the multitude who smugly contend that if not May 21, then never!
I saw a post on Facebook about the forecast doomsday that I want to share with you. I don’t know who originated it, but I think it speaks volumes.
“The world did not end on May 21. It was just rebooted. Please be sure your security software is up to date. Run a full scan of your life and remove any malicious files which may be damaging your joy, stealing your hope, or slowing down your blessings. If you need more instructions, please refer to the user’s manual, readily available and put your hands together, bow your head and contact tech support.”
One thing I have observed over my many years is a common perspective of the young—if it doesn’t happen now, it never will. My grandchildren, following in the footsteps of my children when they were small, exhibit that perspective. If they want a particular toy and the answer is “No” or “Wait,” there are often inconsolable tears accompanied by some highly dramatic physical display indicating “Woe is me!” Their mindset is, “If not now, then never.”
I’m afraid that is the attitude of many following the non-event of May 21. Just as the child’s mindset is wrong, so is that of the multitude who smugly contend that if not May 21, then never!
I saw a post on Facebook about the forecast doomsday that I want to share with you. I don’t know who originated it, but I think it speaks volumes.
“The world did not end on May 21. It was just rebooted. Please be sure your security software is up to date. Run a full scan of your life and remove any malicious files which may be damaging your joy, stealing your hope, or slowing down your blessings. If you need more instructions, please refer to the user’s manual, readily available and put your hands together, bow your head and contact tech support.”
♫ “And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise. . .I will rise” ♫
Chris Tomlin
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Temper Temper
Today, I want to share a little story written by an unknown author (or unknown to me). I hope that person won’t mind if the wisdom is passed on.
There once was a little boy who had a nasty temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.
The first day, the boy had driven 43 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Finally the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all.
He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.
The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, “You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave scars just like these holes. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out; but it won’t matter how many times you say ‘I’m sorry,’ the wound will still be there.
A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one.
Proverbs 16:32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.
There once was a little boy who had a nasty temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.
The first day, the boy had driven 43 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Finally the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all.
He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.
The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, “You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave scars just like these holes. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out; but it won’t matter how many times you say ‘I’m sorry,’ the wound will still be there.
A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one.
Proverbs 16:32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Thoughts from a Rainy Sunday
My head is so full of thoughts that I couldn't decide what to think about, so I sat down at the computer and began to type (I know, it’s not called “typing” any more) or rather “to enter data.” I almost have a headache because of the sheer number of thoughts.
First, I am thinking that today is a birthday day. Back in the 70’s, our firstborn joined us making a little family of three. A firstborn is so amazing, and we sat and stared at her in wonder. Little did we know, there would be lots more times of “wonder” that would follow.(LOL) She was our “practice” child; we were clueless on what to do, what to say, what to allow, what to expect.
Did our parental expertise improve with those that followed? No! Each one was so different that each brought a new set of unknowns. Were we and are we great parents? Oh, No! Did we want to be? Did we try? You bet we did and still do. You have to be as old and weathered as we are to understand that. Yet, we do love each of those blessings from God with all that is within us.
The second thought that fuzzies up my mind has to do with the church we attend—well, more accurately the hierarchy of that church. There are “levels” of hierarchy (thus the term “hierarchy” meaning “pecking order” or “chain of command”) in our denomination. Certain levels have taken stands that I oppose—some strike me as silly; some I think are blasphemous. Today, I am mulling the latter and wondering what response God would desire and/or require.
As I ponder what I consider to be an enormous error of the institutional church, I am reminded of my response to so many past questions I have been asked that began with “What do YOU think about…”. My answer is always the same…”It does not matter what I think, WHAT DOES GOD THINK about it?” I believe that passionately; so as I ponder, I wonder what God does think about it.
I fervently leaf through the scripture files in my mind. Jesus is our example; what did He do? Well, He sent Peter fishing to pay the temple tax even though it was HIS temple.(Matthew 17:24-27) That was a fairly passive response. However, on the other hand, He did actively turn the tables over, attack some temple merchants, and cause a big stir over the purpose of the temple. (Mark 11:15-17)
Jesus called the Pharisees and Sadducees a “brood of vipers” (Matthew 3:7) as their religiosity went against the God’s Word. Yet, He greatly disappointed all his followers by not overthrowing Roman tyranny and not conquering that political system to set Himself up as King.
I can’t remember a time when Jesus took on the “social ills” of His day but rather dealt with the “heart ills” of the people. He taught them about His Father and His Kingdom that was not of this world.
Those are two of my major contemplations; but there are also other concerns fighting for attention in my head—such as some modern young husbands who act like jerks (my personal observation); difficult weather issues from wet farmlands to homes and businesses destroyed by floods and fires; plans for an upcoming busy week; the choices of our national leaders as godlessness escalates; family members who are suffering with a stomach bug; a world sitting on a powder keg as nations seek wmd’s; and (always in the back of my mind) whether my program will be re-funded. Oh, yes, and what preparations need to be made for retirement.
I think I’ll give my mind a rest and take a nap.
♫ “I'm in a hurry to get things done
Oh I rush and rush until life's no fun
All I really gotta do is live and die
But I'm in a hurry and don't know why.” ♫
Alabama from The American Farewell Tour
First, I am thinking that today is a birthday day. Back in the 70’s, our firstborn joined us making a little family of three. A firstborn is so amazing, and we sat and stared at her in wonder. Little did we know, there would be lots more times of “wonder” that would follow.(LOL) She was our “practice” child; we were clueless on what to do, what to say, what to allow, what to expect.
Did our parental expertise improve with those that followed? No! Each one was so different that each brought a new set of unknowns. Were we and are we great parents? Oh, No! Did we want to be? Did we try? You bet we did and still do. You have to be as old and weathered as we are to understand that. Yet, we do love each of those blessings from God with all that is within us.
The second thought that fuzzies up my mind has to do with the church we attend—well, more accurately the hierarchy of that church. There are “levels” of hierarchy (thus the term “hierarchy” meaning “pecking order” or “chain of command”) in our denomination. Certain levels have taken stands that I oppose—some strike me as silly; some I think are blasphemous. Today, I am mulling the latter and wondering what response God would desire and/or require.
As I ponder what I consider to be an enormous error of the institutional church, I am reminded of my response to so many past questions I have been asked that began with “What do YOU think about…”. My answer is always the same…”It does not matter what I think, WHAT DOES GOD THINK about it?” I believe that passionately; so as I ponder, I wonder what God does think about it.
I fervently leaf through the scripture files in my mind. Jesus is our example; what did He do? Well, He sent Peter fishing to pay the temple tax even though it was HIS temple.(Matthew 17:24-27) That was a fairly passive response. However, on the other hand, He did actively turn the tables over, attack some temple merchants, and cause a big stir over the purpose of the temple. (Mark 11:15-17)
Jesus called the Pharisees and Sadducees a “brood of vipers” (Matthew 3:7) as their religiosity went against the God’s Word. Yet, He greatly disappointed all his followers by not overthrowing Roman tyranny and not conquering that political system to set Himself up as King.
I can’t remember a time when Jesus took on the “social ills” of His day but rather dealt with the “heart ills” of the people. He taught them about His Father and His Kingdom that was not of this world.
Those are two of my major contemplations; but there are also other concerns fighting for attention in my head—such as some modern young husbands who act like jerks (my personal observation); difficult weather issues from wet farmlands to homes and businesses destroyed by floods and fires; plans for an upcoming busy week; the choices of our national leaders as godlessness escalates; family members who are suffering with a stomach bug; a world sitting on a powder keg as nations seek wmd’s; and (always in the back of my mind) whether my program will be re-funded. Oh, yes, and what preparations need to be made for retirement.
I think I’ll give my mind a rest and take a nap.
♫ “I'm in a hurry to get things done
Oh I rush and rush until life's no fun
All I really gotta do is live and die
But I'm in a hurry and don't know why.” ♫
Alabama from The American Farewell Tour
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
My Best Mother’s Day
Today is a bittersweet anniversary in our family. I posted this before on my blog, but it is an enormous part of our family’s history. For us, it is unforgettable.
Some years ago tonight, we had just gone to bed when the doorbell rang. Friends of our oldest daughter hysterically told us our daughter had been shot.
In disbelief, our questions were how was she and where was she? They didn’t know! We five got dressed and hurried to the hospital, knowing that’s where hurt people go. We were right; she was in the emergency room with a rifle bullet having hit her cheek and exploded. As soon as they could semi-stabilize her, she was life-flighted to Evansville, Indiana. We threw clothes into suitcases and took off to follow. It felt like the 90-minute trip took hours.
Needless to say, we prayed all the way there, not knowing what we would find. We found her alive and being prepared for some tests. Following those, she was admitted to the Intensive Care section, where we could only see her a few minutes every hour or so.
And so it went throughout Saturday day and night. Sunday, Mother’s Day, she was scheduled for mouth surgery at 8 o’clock to clean out the debris, take out the roots of the destroyed teeth, and close the wound inside her cheek. They warned us that she would be in the hospital for weeks. I just wanted to hear that she would live. Those words didn’t come. The time ticked by and she was not taken into surgery until almost noon.
Sometimes great challenges bring great rewards. We learned that almost every church in our town had prayed for our daughter that morning at their church service. It seems the surgery needed to wait until those prayers went before the throne of God.
The doctors came out of surgery saying she could plan to go home on Tuesday—a complete turn-around. She would be able to celebrate her birthday at home on Wednesday and to attend her community college graduation on Saturday. It was my best Mother’s Day. My girl would live! Thank you, Lord!
If you know her, check out her dimple—her souvenir. Oh, and wish her a Happy Birthday!
Some years ago tonight, we had just gone to bed when the doorbell rang. Friends of our oldest daughter hysterically told us our daughter had been shot.
In disbelief, our questions were how was she and where was she? They didn’t know! We five got dressed and hurried to the hospital, knowing that’s where hurt people go. We were right; she was in the emergency room with a rifle bullet having hit her cheek and exploded. As soon as they could semi-stabilize her, she was life-flighted to Evansville, Indiana. We threw clothes into suitcases and took off to follow. It felt like the 90-minute trip took hours.
Needless to say, we prayed all the way there, not knowing what we would find. We found her alive and being prepared for some tests. Following those, she was admitted to the Intensive Care section, where we could only see her a few minutes every hour or so.
And so it went throughout Saturday day and night. Sunday, Mother’s Day, she was scheduled for mouth surgery at 8 o’clock to clean out the debris, take out the roots of the destroyed teeth, and close the wound inside her cheek. They warned us that she would be in the hospital for weeks. I just wanted to hear that she would live. Those words didn’t come. The time ticked by and she was not taken into surgery until almost noon.
Sometimes great challenges bring great rewards. We learned that almost every church in our town had prayed for our daughter that morning at their church service. It seems the surgery needed to wait until those prayers went before the throne of God.
The doctors came out of surgery saying she could plan to go home on Tuesday—a complete turn-around. She would be able to celebrate her birthday at home on Wednesday and to attend her community college graduation on Saturday. It was my best Mother’s Day. My girl would live! Thank you, Lord!
If you know her, check out her dimple—her souvenir. Oh, and wish her a Happy Birthday!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Psalm 20:12 (Eyes that see…)
I just watched a video on Facebook that someone had posted. It showed a young man getting into his car and going to work. Along the way, he found himself annoyed by several people who “got in his way”—a young boy skateboarding, traffic at a busy corner, a woman pulling into his parking space, and waiting in line at a coffee shop.
We watchers are privy to his thoughts, all self-centered, as each of these individuals crossed his path. Then, a tall dark austere gentleman stood before him, reached into his inside jacket pocket, took out an eyeglass case, handed them to the young man, and disappeared. The young man opened the case and quizzically put on the glasses.
An amazing thing happened. The glasses gave him a glimpse of what God saw. Each person around him had a short description of what was happening in their lives printed across their chest. One was “fighting with her husband,” another was “grieving for her best friend,” and others, each with a different problem.
His immediate response was to assure himself that he could not do anything about any of their problems and quickly escaped to his car to return home. As he got out of his car, the young boy on the skateboard rode by with the line “just needs someone to care” across his chest.
Our hero, the young man called the boy over, stooped down, and chatted with him. End of story.
How differently we would treat those around us if we, too, could catch a glimpse of what God sees--what each person’s heart is saying. It was obvious from the video clip that looking at someone’s face has little to do with what is inside them. Like us, they wore smiles, frowns, unconcern, or disinterest as a mask. Finishing the video left me with two thoughts: 1) be more aware of those around and 2) while we can’t help everyone, we can help one.
This reminds me of an Amy Grant song.
♫ “She's got her Father's eyes, her Father's eyes
Eyes that find the good in things, When good is not around.
Eyes that find the source of help, When help just can't be found.
Eyes full of compassion, seeing every pain.
Knowin' what you're going through, and feeling it the same.
Just like my Father's eyes.” ♫
We watchers are privy to his thoughts, all self-centered, as each of these individuals crossed his path. Then, a tall dark austere gentleman stood before him, reached into his inside jacket pocket, took out an eyeglass case, handed them to the young man, and disappeared. The young man opened the case and quizzically put on the glasses.
An amazing thing happened. The glasses gave him a glimpse of what God saw. Each person around him had a short description of what was happening in their lives printed across their chest. One was “fighting with her husband,” another was “grieving for her best friend,” and others, each with a different problem.
His immediate response was to assure himself that he could not do anything about any of their problems and quickly escaped to his car to return home. As he got out of his car, the young boy on the skateboard rode by with the line “just needs someone to care” across his chest.
Our hero, the young man called the boy over, stooped down, and chatted with him. End of story.
How differently we would treat those around us if we, too, could catch a glimpse of what God sees--what each person’s heart is saying. It was obvious from the video clip that looking at someone’s face has little to do with what is inside them. Like us, they wore smiles, frowns, unconcern, or disinterest as a mask. Finishing the video left me with two thoughts: 1) be more aware of those around and 2) while we can’t help everyone, we can help one.
This reminds me of an Amy Grant song.
♫ “She's got her Father's eyes, her Father's eyes
Eyes that find the good in things, When good is not around.
Eyes that find the source of help, When help just can't be found.
Eyes full of compassion, seeing every pain.
Knowin' what you're going through, and feeling it the same.
Just like my Father's eyes.” ♫
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Concerning War
I wonder if any others feel a bit conflicted about the news of the killing of the chief enemy of our country (maybe world). World enemy may well be a better description because this man’s world view results in violence that reaches across the globe.
The report sounded more like an episode of NCIS or a movie than a reality to me. I have been fortunate to be somewhat insulated from this man and his chaos. I haven’t gone through an airport screening since the new “pat downs” have been put in place. None of my family or friends were killed in the fall of the twin towers or pentagon. I don’t live in a city at the top of his list to attack (but rather a small town in an isolated remote rural area). I rarely travel to cities and never to countries that are now on high alert or use mass transit systems that are under close watch for assaults. That's me, but there are millions who are affected daily.
For one or two seasons, my husband and I watched the TV show “24” and found it to be most scary! Those episodes showed more destructive potential than we needed to know (TMI). I am aware that there are bombs out there like the one in Oklahoma City some years ago, nuclear weapons in God only knows whose hands, biological and chemical weapons, as well as others I can’t even imagine. There are millions of people who live under the constant cloud of terrorism fostered by that man.
Can you believe there are people like him across the world who sit around and plan ways to commit mass murder, destruction, and chaos? Why would they do that? I’m thinking it might be what we have been studying in Revelation 6. It might be the white horse and rider that goes forth to conquer and the red one to take peace from the earth. Conquest and war have been man’s proclivity from Cain and Abel down to today.
There have always been individuals or groups who want to take God’s place in ruling the world. Man without God is greedy, ugly, vicious, and barbaric. Jeremiah 10:23 says “I know, O LORD, that a man's way is not in himself, Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps.”
Killing a captured enemy leader has been practiced as long as history is recorded; and in studying the Old Testament and particularly David, death of a captured king was the acceptable way of war and of life. For that matter, isn’t that why Jesus was executed? Wasn’t it to get rid of the leader so the followers would no longer be troublesome?
Still, I’m glad I did not have to pull the trigger or make the call.
On the other hand, I strongly believe in whole-heartedness. If one is going to the time, trouble, and expense of competing in an athletic event, for goodness sake, play to win. If a nation deems it necessary to go to war, it should go with all its might and go to win! The “Go Big or Go Home” principle seems to me the only sensible one. I don’t understand asking men and women to die for a half-way cause.
I guess what I’m saying inside my head, is “This is war, let’s be in it to win it.”
I’m confident that when Jesus returns leading the armies of heaven, He won’t come half-heartedly, but rather brandishing a mighty sword. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is indeed King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
♫ “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.
Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.
He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat;
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet;
Our God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our God is marching on.” ♫
Harriet B. Stowe 1861
Glory!
The report sounded more like an episode of NCIS or a movie than a reality to me. I have been fortunate to be somewhat insulated from this man and his chaos. I haven’t gone through an airport screening since the new “pat downs” have been put in place. None of my family or friends were killed in the fall of the twin towers or pentagon. I don’t live in a city at the top of his list to attack (but rather a small town in an isolated remote rural area). I rarely travel to cities and never to countries that are now on high alert or use mass transit systems that are under close watch for assaults. That's me, but there are millions who are affected daily.
For one or two seasons, my husband and I watched the TV show “24” and found it to be most scary! Those episodes showed more destructive potential than we needed to know (TMI). I am aware that there are bombs out there like the one in Oklahoma City some years ago, nuclear weapons in God only knows whose hands, biological and chemical weapons, as well as others I can’t even imagine. There are millions of people who live under the constant cloud of terrorism fostered by that man.
Can you believe there are people like him across the world who sit around and plan ways to commit mass murder, destruction, and chaos? Why would they do that? I’m thinking it might be what we have been studying in Revelation 6. It might be the white horse and rider that goes forth to conquer and the red one to take peace from the earth. Conquest and war have been man’s proclivity from Cain and Abel down to today.
There have always been individuals or groups who want to take God’s place in ruling the world. Man without God is greedy, ugly, vicious, and barbaric. Jeremiah 10:23 says “I know, O LORD, that a man's way is not in himself, Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps.”
Killing a captured enemy leader has been practiced as long as history is recorded; and in studying the Old Testament and particularly David, death of a captured king was the acceptable way of war and of life. For that matter, isn’t that why Jesus was executed? Wasn’t it to get rid of the leader so the followers would no longer be troublesome?
Still, I’m glad I did not have to pull the trigger or make the call.
On the other hand, I strongly believe in whole-heartedness. If one is going to the time, trouble, and expense of competing in an athletic event, for goodness sake, play to win. If a nation deems it necessary to go to war, it should go with all its might and go to win! The “Go Big or Go Home” principle seems to me the only sensible one. I don’t understand asking men and women to die for a half-way cause.
I guess what I’m saying inside my head, is “This is war, let’s be in it to win it.”
I’m confident that when Jesus returns leading the armies of heaven, He won’t come half-heartedly, but rather brandishing a mighty sword. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is indeed King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
♫ “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.
Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.
He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat;
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet;
Our God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our God is marching on.” ♫
Harriet B. Stowe 1861
Glory!
Friday, April 29, 2011
He Restores My Soul
I guess life is like the statue of the blind woman holding a set of scales. Each day there are some good things and there are some challenges. My prayer is that the good things far outnumber and outweigh the challenges and that our focus remains on the good.
Today, may I say, had quite a lot of good about it: it was Friday; it was sunny (not raining, yea); it was payday (and the third payday of the month-that's huge); we got the computer program working finally; and various and sundry other blessings. There were some challenges, but I'd rather not think about those.
This evening rather, I would like to sit at the feet of the Lord and rest my mind. I hope I don't doze off in case He tells me something important z z z z z z z
Today, may I say, had quite a lot of good about it: it was Friday; it was sunny (not raining, yea); it was payday (and the third payday of the month-that's huge); we got the computer program working finally; and various and sundry other blessings. There were some challenges, but I'd rather not think about those.
This evening rather, I would like to sit at the feet of the Lord and rest my mind. I hope I don't doze off in case He tells me something important z z z z z z z
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Where's Elisha?
Today there are many thoughts in my head—shock, sadness, questioning. One of the first things I read this morning was a report that Reverend David Wilkerson was killed in an automobile accident on a Texas highway yesterday (just short of his 80th birthday). David Wilkerson was one of the reasons I became a blogger. He has written a daily devotional blog for years, and I often read his entries. Each day, he presented a short snippet of living the Christian life and of God dealing with his children. I wanted to do that, too.
I first became familiar with his name back in the 1960’s when he wrote a book "The Cross and the Switchblade." It was about his ministry to those in gang and drug cultures in New York. Some years later, the book was made into a movie with Pat Boone playing the part of Wilkerson and Erik Estrada playing Nicky Cruz, a young gang member who found the Lord.
I have often said that one of my favorite verses is Amos 3:7 “Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.” I have just as frequently noted that the difficulty comes in knowing who today’s prophets are. Yet, I suspected that David Wilkerson was one of them, and when he wrote that God told him something, I believed him.
I remind myself that when Elijah left, Elisha was there.
I don’t know much about Wilkerson's life, but many decades later, his message had not changed. He proclaimed the inspiration of the scriptures, the birth and death and resurrection and return of Jesus, salvation, healing, baptism of the Holy Spirit, holy living, and the absolute necessity of faith in pleasing God.
Some of his blog entries were solemn warnings and some were about practical Christian growth. All turned his readers toward the faithfulness of God and the coming judgment and justice of God. His last blog from yesterday before the accident that took his life was “when all else fails, hold fast—God is there.” Two of his final sentences were, “You will see it was all part of my plan. It was no accident.”
I first became familiar with his name back in the 1960’s when he wrote a book "The Cross and the Switchblade." It was about his ministry to those in gang and drug cultures in New York. Some years later, the book was made into a movie with Pat Boone playing the part of Wilkerson and Erik Estrada playing Nicky Cruz, a young gang member who found the Lord.
I have often said that one of my favorite verses is Amos 3:7 “Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.” I have just as frequently noted that the difficulty comes in knowing who today’s prophets are. Yet, I suspected that David Wilkerson was one of them, and when he wrote that God told him something, I believed him.
I remind myself that when Elijah left, Elisha was there.
I don’t know much about Wilkerson's life, but many decades later, his message had not changed. He proclaimed the inspiration of the scriptures, the birth and death and resurrection and return of Jesus, salvation, healing, baptism of the Holy Spirit, holy living, and the absolute necessity of faith in pleasing God.
Some of his blog entries were solemn warnings and some were about practical Christian growth. All turned his readers toward the faithfulness of God and the coming judgment and justice of God. His last blog from yesterday before the accident that took his life was “when all else fails, hold fast—God is there.” Two of his final sentences were, “You will see it was all part of my plan. It was no accident.”
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
It Won't Rain Always
I have heard for many years that the weather is a “safe” topic to discuss. I suppose that’s true because the weather can’t be blamed on anyone; the weather in no way suggests that “it’s your fault,” so it’s not confrontational. Oh, I know one person may need nice weather for an outdoor activity while another needs their lawn watered.
That whole “need” thing really is magnified in the farming arena. Right now, the farmers need it to STOP RAINING. We certainly can look at other farm regions which have it far worse than us, but still, as my husband was in the machine shed yesterday, he discovered that because of a leak our stack of seed corn was wet. That may not seem like a big deal, but it is. A sack of seed corn costs between $200 and $300 per bag. Further, a sower has to have good seed if he is to have a good harvest.
In Matthew 13:24-30 (following the more well-known parable of the sower), there is another parable about sowing and reaping. This time, the wheat seed is described as “good seed” and was sown by the diligent farmer into the field. Unbeknownst to the farmer but beknownst to us (a Redman misquote from “Spaceballs, the Movie”), the enemy sneaked into that field and sowed tares—weeds that look like wheat but produce no, well, no fruit (wheat kernels). Notice that the enemy has nothing to gain but perpetrates the dastardly deed only to sabotage the harvest.
Sometime later, when the seeds had sprouted and grown, the farmer’s workers discovered the presence of the undesirables and asked the boss whether they should try to destroy the weedy plants. The boss commanded them to leave the tares until time for harvest as then their “nature” would be more obvious—fruit-full or unfruitful. At harvest time, the tares were to be gathered and burned; the wheat would be gathered and celebrated.
I was going to explain the parable, but Jesus already did it so well in verses 37-43:
The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man
-The field is the world
-The good seed stands for the people of the kingdom
-The weeds are the people of the evil one
-The enemy who sows them is the devil
-The harvest is the end of the age
-The harvesters are angels.
“As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.”
I notice that we are blessed to have a part in the good seed, but also that we need to be alert to the enemy (the devil) that has nothing to gain but simply wants to sabotage us and the harvest.
Anyway, I hope my farmer’s seed is good seed and not damaged by all the rain that is falling. I hope also for the farmers in the surrounding area and states that the weather will soon be more conducive to sowing so we may have a bountiful harvest.
P.S. I heard someone say the other day that we should not categorize people as “winners” or “losers”, but rather recognize that all of us are “choosers.” To be a wheat or a weed—it’s our choice.
♫ “Someone said that in each life
Some rain is bound to fall
Each one sheds his share of tears
And trouble troubles us all
But the hurt can’t hurt forever
And the tears will surely dry
And it won’t rain always
The clouds will soon be gone
The sun that they’ve been hiding
Has been there along
And it won’t rain always
God’s promises are true
The sun’s gonna shine in God’s own good time
And He will see you through” ♫
Bill and Gloria Gaither and Aaron Wilburn
That whole “need” thing really is magnified in the farming arena. Right now, the farmers need it to STOP RAINING. We certainly can look at other farm regions which have it far worse than us, but still, as my husband was in the machine shed yesterday, he discovered that because of a leak our stack of seed corn was wet. That may not seem like a big deal, but it is. A sack of seed corn costs between $200 and $300 per bag. Further, a sower has to have good seed if he is to have a good harvest.
In Matthew 13:24-30 (following the more well-known parable of the sower), there is another parable about sowing and reaping. This time, the wheat seed is described as “good seed” and was sown by the diligent farmer into the field. Unbeknownst to the farmer but beknownst to us (a Redman misquote from “Spaceballs, the Movie”), the enemy sneaked into that field and sowed tares—weeds that look like wheat but produce no, well, no fruit (wheat kernels). Notice that the enemy has nothing to gain but perpetrates the dastardly deed only to sabotage the harvest.
Sometime later, when the seeds had sprouted and grown, the farmer’s workers discovered the presence of the undesirables and asked the boss whether they should try to destroy the weedy plants. The boss commanded them to leave the tares until time for harvest as then their “nature” would be more obvious—fruit-full or unfruitful. At harvest time, the tares were to be gathered and burned; the wheat would be gathered and celebrated.
I was going to explain the parable, but Jesus already did it so well in verses 37-43:
The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man
-The field is the world
-The good seed stands for the people of the kingdom
-The weeds are the people of the evil one
-The enemy who sows them is the devil
-The harvest is the end of the age
-The harvesters are angels.
“As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.”
I notice that we are blessed to have a part in the good seed, but also that we need to be alert to the enemy (the devil) that has nothing to gain but simply wants to sabotage us and the harvest.
Anyway, I hope my farmer’s seed is good seed and not damaged by all the rain that is falling. I hope also for the farmers in the surrounding area and states that the weather will soon be more conducive to sowing so we may have a bountiful harvest.
P.S. I heard someone say the other day that we should not categorize people as “winners” or “losers”, but rather recognize that all of us are “choosers.” To be a wheat or a weed—it’s our choice.
♫ “Someone said that in each life
Some rain is bound to fall
Each one sheds his share of tears
And trouble troubles us all
But the hurt can’t hurt forever
And the tears will surely dry
And it won’t rain always
The clouds will soon be gone
The sun that they’ve been hiding
Has been there along
And it won’t rain always
God’s promises are true
The sun’s gonna shine in God’s own good time
And He will see you through” ♫
Bill and Gloria Gaither and Aaron Wilburn
Monday, April 25, 2011
Let's Make a Deal
I hope you had a wonderful celebration of Resurrection Day which we call Easter. We had a most interesting 3-day celebration. On Good Friday, we found ourselves in our shop on Main Street with a flash flood happening outside. The sky was black and water poured down as out of a bucket. My car sitting in front of the shop had water swirling up to the bottom of the doors.
Friday evening, we traveled the hour and a half to attend our youngest son’s church and meet his family for services and a meal. Jeremy opened the program singing a song called “A New Creation” during which he was a human canvas being painted as he sang. It was wonderful. He’s a terrific singer and the message of the song was fabulous. You can watch a church in Texas do that song on YouTube, if you’re interested.
Sunday morning dawned bright and clear; NOT, but rather with clouds and rain. Still, celebrating the Lord’s resurrection depends not upon weather or convenience. The good news of “He is risen” far transcends all else. Also, I thought I had been given a good lesson to share with the Rock Group. Let me give you the high points.
In the 60’s, a most popular TV game show was Let’s Make a Deal. That was to be the basis of my lesson. It would include curtain #1, curtain #2, and door #3. I told the group that at the end of the class they would have the opportunity to make a deal.
Curtain #1, I explained, was found in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke and is seen at the exact moment that Jesus died on the cross. It was a 60-foot high, 4-inch thick curtain in the temple in Jerusalem which separated the Holy of Holies (God’s presence on earth) from mankind. Matthew 27:50-51 “And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split…” Curtain #1 was open.
God was no longer to be hidden behind the curtain and man no longer had to be separated from God.
Curtain #2 was torn at exactly the same time and had a similar effect. It was the curtain of Jesus’ body as described in Hebrews 10:19-20, “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body.” Jesus burst forth out of his humanity and provided reconciliation with the Almighty, no longer encumbered by the constraints of an earthly body. He had described that process the night before as he gave his disciples torn bread and wine indicating they were his body and blood. Curtain #2 was open.
Door #3 can be found in John 10:7, Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door…” The door is open.
So, let’s make a deal—we can trade our sins, our weaknesses, our failures, our shortcomings in for forgiveness and 2 Corinthians 5:17 “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” We can enter through the door!
Jesus Christ is risen; he is risen indeed!
A New Creation by Dex Alexander
♫ “Holy Spirit hovering over the deep
Speak out the light and let it flood into me
Whisper the word that gave creation her form
I'm searching for a life that hasn't been there before
Speak light into the darkness
Breathe life into my lungs
Fill my soul as deep as the ocean
I'm reaching for your love
All that I can do is give it back to you
You've taken my old skin and made it new again
You have made me new
A new creation
All new, a new creation” ♫
Friday evening, we traveled the hour and a half to attend our youngest son’s church and meet his family for services and a meal. Jeremy opened the program singing a song called “A New Creation” during which he was a human canvas being painted as he sang. It was wonderful. He’s a terrific singer and the message of the song was fabulous. You can watch a church in Texas do that song on YouTube, if you’re interested.
Sunday morning dawned bright and clear; NOT, but rather with clouds and rain. Still, celebrating the Lord’s resurrection depends not upon weather or convenience. The good news of “He is risen” far transcends all else. Also, I thought I had been given a good lesson to share with the Rock Group. Let me give you the high points.
In the 60’s, a most popular TV game show was Let’s Make a Deal. That was to be the basis of my lesson. It would include curtain #1, curtain #2, and door #3. I told the group that at the end of the class they would have the opportunity to make a deal.
Curtain #1, I explained, was found in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke and is seen at the exact moment that Jesus died on the cross. It was a 60-foot high, 4-inch thick curtain in the temple in Jerusalem which separated the Holy of Holies (God’s presence on earth) from mankind. Matthew 27:50-51 “And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split…” Curtain #1 was open.
God was no longer to be hidden behind the curtain and man no longer had to be separated from God.
Curtain #2 was torn at exactly the same time and had a similar effect. It was the curtain of Jesus’ body as described in Hebrews 10:19-20, “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body.” Jesus burst forth out of his humanity and provided reconciliation with the Almighty, no longer encumbered by the constraints of an earthly body. He had described that process the night before as he gave his disciples torn bread and wine indicating they were his body and blood. Curtain #2 was open.
Door #3 can be found in John 10:7, Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door…” The door is open.
So, let’s make a deal—we can trade our sins, our weaknesses, our failures, our shortcomings in for forgiveness and 2 Corinthians 5:17 “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” We can enter through the door!
Jesus Christ is risen; he is risen indeed!
A New Creation by Dex Alexander
♫ “Holy Spirit hovering over the deep
Speak out the light and let it flood into me
Whisper the word that gave creation her form
I'm searching for a life that hasn't been there before
Speak light into the darkness
Breathe life into my lungs
Fill my soul as deep as the ocean
I'm reaching for your love
All that I can do is give it back to you
You've taken my old skin and made it new again
You have made me new
A new creation
All new, a new creation” ♫
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
April Love
It’s April in the Midwest, and that pretty much means watch out for storms like the bad one that went through last night. April is also the time when my farmer (and the other farmers) can’t wait to get into the fields, prepare the soil, and plant corn. That’s what they want, every April. However, in most Aprils, or maybe I should say in many Aprils, that just doesn’t happen. Instead, the rains come every few days. Just when it looks like it will be dry enough tomorrow, it rains again. Daily, we watch our fields, our neighbors’ fields, and all those fields we happen to pass by.
There is a certain date in April that represents the ideal time to get the little yellow kernels of corn into the soil. I’m not sure what that date is, but I know it’s getting close. After that date, we then begin to watch the calendar and pace and wonder when—when will the soil be ready.
As I said, for most Aprils, it doesn’t seem to go the ideal way. Listen and you will hear a couple of farmers talking about that “one year I planted corn in June and had my best crop ever,” but even armed with that consolation, they want the soil and weather to cooperate and let them plant NOW.
It is interesting to note how eager, even zealous, farmers are to get that seed into good soil. It becomes all-consuming. That desire to plant may well be the first thing they think of in the morning and the last thought at night. It certainly is on their minds if they are awake in the night. You might say, “The farmers are driven” by an unseen force.
One of the most popular parables in scripture is the one about the farmer(or sower) sowing seeds, which Jesus explained was about planting the Word of God in various nearby soils. It is fun to think of these two ideas together, but I’m afraid we bible sowers aren’t nearly as “driven” to plant the seeds as is my farmer and his colleagues.
What would it be like if each of us who call ourselves “Christian” would also call ourselves “sowers”? What if we were so zealous to plant those seeds in the soil (people) around us? Oh, I know, some of the seed would be scooped up by evil sparrows, some seeds would perish in rocks or thorns, but some would land in fertile soil of hearts.
Then we, like my farmer (and the others) would rejoice in a great harvest!
When I was a little girl, there was an old hymn we sang boisterously in church:
♫ Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness,
Sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve;
Waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves;
Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.” ♫
There is a certain date in April that represents the ideal time to get the little yellow kernels of corn into the soil. I’m not sure what that date is, but I know it’s getting close. After that date, we then begin to watch the calendar and pace and wonder when—when will the soil be ready.
As I said, for most Aprils, it doesn’t seem to go the ideal way. Listen and you will hear a couple of farmers talking about that “one year I planted corn in June and had my best crop ever,” but even armed with that consolation, they want the soil and weather to cooperate and let them plant NOW.
It is interesting to note how eager, even zealous, farmers are to get that seed into good soil. It becomes all-consuming. That desire to plant may well be the first thing they think of in the morning and the last thought at night. It certainly is on their minds if they are awake in the night. You might say, “The farmers are driven” by an unseen force.
One of the most popular parables in scripture is the one about the farmer(or sower) sowing seeds, which Jesus explained was about planting the Word of God in various nearby soils. It is fun to think of these two ideas together, but I’m afraid we bible sowers aren’t nearly as “driven” to plant the seeds as is my farmer and his colleagues.
What would it be like if each of us who call ourselves “Christian” would also call ourselves “sowers”? What if we were so zealous to plant those seeds in the soil (people) around us? Oh, I know, some of the seed would be scooped up by evil sparrows, some seeds would perish in rocks or thorns, but some would land in fertile soil of hearts.
Then we, like my farmer (and the others) would rejoice in a great harvest!
When I was a little girl, there was an old hymn we sang boisterously in church:
♫ Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness,
Sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve;
Waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves;
Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.” ♫
Thursday, April 14, 2011
In the Valley of Decision
I am convinced the book of Daniel is increasingly relevant in our day. In Chapter 2, God gives a barbaric king a dream of the future of humankind. A young Jewish captive was able to tell Nebuchadnezzar (and us) what the omniscient and omnipotent God wanted known about the governments to come.
Fortunately, God gave Daniel the interpretation of this incredible dream, a dream that was not the product of eating Babylonian pizza late at night, but rather a vision that He wanted revealed.
I have read bible historians that believe the interpretation describes five worldwide empires:
Babylon Empire – head of gold
Mede-Persian Empire – chest and two arms of silver
Greek Empire – belly and thighs of bronze
Roman Empire – legs of iron
European nations – feet a combo of iron and clay
The interpretation reads like a documentary—neither particularly good nor bad. However, verses 44-45 tell “the rest of the story” and the amazing good news about the ROCK and His kingdom.
The ROCK destroys and replaces the whole statue—the whole of human governmental history with His kingdom that will never be destroyed or conquered. Hallelujah!
What about us? (we may ask). Isn’t the USA a world power? Look at the five kingdoms listed; they represent worldwide kingdoms. The USA has not (imho*) sought to rule the world. We fight wars here and there, but seek to allow those countries to establish their own freely chosen government. Again I ask, “What about us? Where can we be found?” I’d say you can find us in Joel 3:14 “Thousands upon thousands are waiting in the VALLEY OF DECISION.”
We started as our very foundation, “One Nation Under God,” so maybe we were founded to be part of the ROCK. Yet, forces are at work to remove those two words, "under God" from our national essence. Under the guise of tolerance and political correctness, those forces seek to ban Jesus Christ from all areas of our nation. They are working fervently to disassociate us from the ROCK. We, as a nation must choose right here in the VALLEY OF DECISION. We must decide!
I read an article today called “Does the Bible Matter in the 21st Century? By Vishal Mangalwadi
“The cancer at the heart of America’s political economy is cultural. This great nation was built by an ethic – a spirituality that taught citizens to work, earn, save, invest, and use their wealth to serve their neighbors. This biblical ethic has been replaced by secularism’s entitlement culture that teaches people that they have a right to (benefits) without corresponding obligations to work, save, and serve…This corruption of character is destroying the world’s greatest economy…Every culture that rejects the kingdom of God condemns itself to be ruled exclusively by sinful men.”
Are you in the Valley of Decision? Do you choose the rock?
Joshua 24:15 "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD"
♫ “I go to the rock of my salvation
I go to the stone that the builders rejected
I run to the mountain
And the mountain stands by me
When all around me is sinking sand
On Christ the solid rock I stand
When I need a shelter
When I need a friend
I go to the rock.” ♫
By Dottie Rambo
*imho - in my humble opinion
31-35, In your vision, Your Majesty, you saw standing before you a huge, shining statue of a man. It was a frightening sight. The head of the statue was made of fine GOLD. Its chest and arms were SILVER, its belly and thighs were BRONZE, its legs were iron, and its feet were a combination of IRON AND CLAY. As you watched, a ROCK was cut from a mountain, but not by human hands. It struck the feet of iron and clay, smashing them to bits. The whole statue was crushed into small pieces of iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold. Then the wind blew them away without a trace, like chaff on a threshing floor. BUT THE ROCK that knocked the statue down became a great mountain that covered the whole earth.
Fortunately, God gave Daniel the interpretation of this incredible dream, a dream that was not the product of eating Babylonian pizza late at night, but rather a vision that He wanted revealed.
36-42 That was the dream. Now we will tell the king what it means. Your Majesty, you are the greatest of kings. The God of heaven has given you sovereignty, power, strength, and honor. He has made you the ruler over all the inhabited world...You are the head of GOLD.
But after your kingdom comes to an end, another kingdom, inferior to yours, will rise to take your place (SILVER). After that kingdom has fallen, yet a third kingdom, represented by BRONZE, will rise to rule the world. Following that kingdom, there will be a fourth one, as strong as IRON. That kingdom will smash and crush all previous empires, just as iron smashes and crushes everything it strikes. The feet and toes you saw were a COMBINATION OF IRON AND BAKED CLAY, showing that this kingdom will be divided. Like iron mixed with clay, it will have some of the strength of iron. But while some parts of it will be as strong as iron, other parts will be as weak as clay. This mixture of iron and clay also shows that these kingdoms will try to strengthen themselves by forming alliances with each other...But they will not hold together, just as iron and clay do not mix.
I have read bible historians that believe the interpretation describes five worldwide empires:
Babylon Empire – head of gold
Mede-Persian Empire – chest and two arms of silver
Greek Empire – belly and thighs of bronze
Roman Empire – legs of iron
European nations – feet a combo of iron and clay
The interpretation reads like a documentary—neither particularly good nor bad. However, verses 44-45 tell “the rest of the story” and the amazing good news about the ROCK and His kingdom.
During the reigns of those kings, THE GOD OF HEAVEN WILL SET UP A KINGDOM THAT WILL NEVER BE DESTROYED OR CONQUERED. It will crush all these kingdoms into nothingness, and it will stand forever. That is the meaning of the rock cut from the mountain, though not by human hands, that crushed to pieces the statue of iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold.
The ROCK destroys and replaces the whole statue—the whole of human governmental history with His kingdom that will never be destroyed or conquered. Hallelujah!
What about us? (we may ask). Isn’t the USA a world power? Look at the five kingdoms listed; they represent worldwide kingdoms. The USA has not (imho*) sought to rule the world. We fight wars here and there, but seek to allow those countries to establish their own freely chosen government. Again I ask, “What about us? Where can we be found?” I’d say you can find us in Joel 3:14 “Thousands upon thousands are waiting in the VALLEY OF DECISION.”
We started as our very foundation, “One Nation Under God,” so maybe we were founded to be part of the ROCK. Yet, forces are at work to remove those two words, "under God" from our national essence. Under the guise of tolerance and political correctness, those forces seek to ban Jesus Christ from all areas of our nation. They are working fervently to disassociate us from the ROCK. We, as a nation must choose right here in the VALLEY OF DECISION. We must decide!
I read an article today called “Does the Bible Matter in the 21st Century? By Vishal Mangalwadi
“The cancer at the heart of America’s political economy is cultural. This great nation was built by an ethic – a spirituality that taught citizens to work, earn, save, invest, and use their wealth to serve their neighbors. This biblical ethic has been replaced by secularism’s entitlement culture that teaches people that they have a right to (benefits) without corresponding obligations to work, save, and serve…This corruption of character is destroying the world’s greatest economy…Every culture that rejects the kingdom of God condemns itself to be ruled exclusively by sinful men.”
Are you in the Valley of Decision? Do you choose the rock?
Joshua 24:15 "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD"
♫ “I go to the rock of my salvation
I go to the stone that the builders rejected
I run to the mountain
And the mountain stands by me
When all around me is sinking sand
On Christ the solid rock I stand
When I need a shelter
When I need a friend
I go to the rock.” ♫
By Dottie Rambo
*imho - in my humble opinion
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Conversational Thoughts
Today was a strange day! Even though my children are grown and don’t particularly like me, they still call when they need a sounding board. I would like to think that even as fine, upstanding young adults, they look to me for wisdom and counsel. Notice, I said, “I would like to think.” The reality is, I’m afraid, they want to express their thoughts to someone who will listen, and they want to listen to themselves to see if what they are thinking makes sense when they put those feelings into words.
Generally, they don’t want me to solve anything or suggest any action, but rather listen in case the internal argument inside their head doesn’t track when expressed out loud. Often, they already know what they should do. And just as often, even as they know the right thing, they don’t want to do it. However, as they talk, they convince themselves to do right anyway. I just have to make some noises or non-words regularly to show I am taking seriously what is being said (even though my counsel is not actually being sought).
Perhaps we are all a little like that in prayer. Speaking for myself, I often feel a need to tell God about my thoughts and my conflicts as though He will be shocked to learn about those situations. Further, I need to share my self-decided options for handling those situations. Oh, I ask Him what I should do, but often I already know the right thing. Like those mentioned above, I just don’t want to do it. Surely God will agree that I deserve to be treated better. I deserve to give that lady a piece of my mind. I deserve to do what’s good for me.
As I put those words on paper, it becomes evident that I am doing to you and to my heavenly Father, just what I described earlier. I’m trying to reconcile what I’m tempted to do with what I know to do. Oh, I realize that I’m not going to get a green light from Him or from you to go off in some rash behavior or unkind speech toward others, but it’s still tempting to stomp my foot and threaten in my head. That must be that “old self” thing the Apostle Paul describes in Ephesians 4:22-24. “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, ...corrupted by its deceitful desires to be made new in the attitude of your minds and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Well, thanks for listening, for nodding, and for saying “Um-hmmm” here and there. I will now go about my evening seeking to live in the new attitude in righteousness as you suggested. I’m so glad we had the chance to sit and chat for a while.
♫ “When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.” ♫
Generally, they don’t want me to solve anything or suggest any action, but rather listen in case the internal argument inside their head doesn’t track when expressed out loud. Often, they already know what they should do. And just as often, even as they know the right thing, they don’t want to do it. However, as they talk, they convince themselves to do right anyway. I just have to make some noises or non-words regularly to show I am taking seriously what is being said (even though my counsel is not actually being sought).
Perhaps we are all a little like that in prayer. Speaking for myself, I often feel a need to tell God about my thoughts and my conflicts as though He will be shocked to learn about those situations. Further, I need to share my self-decided options for handling those situations. Oh, I ask Him what I should do, but often I already know the right thing. Like those mentioned above, I just don’t want to do it. Surely God will agree that I deserve to be treated better. I deserve to give that lady a piece of my mind. I deserve to do what’s good for me.
As I put those words on paper, it becomes evident that I am doing to you and to my heavenly Father, just what I described earlier. I’m trying to reconcile what I’m tempted to do with what I know to do. Oh, I realize that I’m not going to get a green light from Him or from you to go off in some rash behavior or unkind speech toward others, but it’s still tempting to stomp my foot and threaten in my head. That must be that “old self” thing the Apostle Paul describes in Ephesians 4:22-24. “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, ...corrupted by its deceitful desires to be made new in the attitude of your minds and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Well, thanks for listening, for nodding, and for saying “Um-hmmm” here and there. I will now go about my evening seeking to live in the new attitude in righteousness as you suggested. I’m so glad we had the chance to sit and chat for a while.
♫ “When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.” ♫
Friday, April 8, 2011
I Wanna' Be Like Tim
I so much admire creative talent in people. I see drawings or paintings and think, “I wish I could do that.” I see rooms decorated on HGTV and think the same thing. I see outfits of clothing that I think are so attractive (although not as many today as with other fashion eras), and wish I could design them.
That admiration becomes border-line coveting when it comes to music and when I hear songs I wish I would have written. Since I do occasionally attempt song writing, I am particularly drawn to well-written music. Well, actually, that’s not exactly accurate—it’s not the “well-written” part, it’s the fascinating capability of the words to describe an emotion that I feel but cannot or at least have not sought to articulate.
My favorite lyricist is Tim Rice. If you don’t pay attention to lyrics, you may never remember hearing his name. I’m pretty sure, however, you have enjoyed his word usage without realizing it.
Let me tell you a little of my lyric-hero. First, he was born in England—one month before me (he made it a little farther than me). He has won Oscar, Golden Globe, Grammy, and Tony awards and was inducted into the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame.
Enough biographical info; you may recognize some of the musicals he has written: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Evita which he wrote with Andrew Lloyd Webber. Later, he wrote lyrics for Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and the Lion King.
We just watched Beauty and the Beast last weekend in Community Theater and one of my favorite lines is sung by Beast and goes something like “and when we touched, she didn’t shudder at my paw.” Is that not COOL! I would love to write lyrics like that.
I have tried. I wrote a musical that has not won any awards. Well, it isn’t finished yet. Sometime I’ll share some of my Tim Rice Wannabee lyrics from it.
I know, “Thou shalt not covet…”
Calypso now –
♫ “Oh no - not he
How can you accuse him is a mystery
Save him - take me
Benjamin is straighter than the tall palm tree
I hear the steel drums sing their song
They're singing man you know you've got it wrong
I hear the voice of the yellow bird
Singing in the tree this is quite absurd
Oh yes Oh yes It's true It's true
Benjamin is straighter than the big bamboo
No if -No ifs No buts - No buts
Benjamin is honest as coconuts
Sure as the tide wash the golden sand
Benjamin is an innocent man
Sure as bananas need the sun
We are the criminal guilty ones
Oh no - Oh no Not he Not he
How you can accuse him is a mystery
Save him - Save him Take me - Take me
Benjamin is straighter than the tall palm tree
La la la la la la la etc. “ ♫
That admiration becomes border-line coveting when it comes to music and when I hear songs I wish I would have written. Since I do occasionally attempt song writing, I am particularly drawn to well-written music. Well, actually, that’s not exactly accurate—it’s not the “well-written” part, it’s the fascinating capability of the words to describe an emotion that I feel but cannot or at least have not sought to articulate.
My favorite lyricist is Tim Rice. If you don’t pay attention to lyrics, you may never remember hearing his name. I’m pretty sure, however, you have enjoyed his word usage without realizing it.
Let me tell you a little of my lyric-hero. First, he was born in England—one month before me (he made it a little farther than me). He has won Oscar, Golden Globe, Grammy, and Tony awards and was inducted into the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame.
Enough biographical info; you may recognize some of the musicals he has written: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Evita which he wrote with Andrew Lloyd Webber. Later, he wrote lyrics for Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and the Lion King.
We just watched Beauty and the Beast last weekend in Community Theater and one of my favorite lines is sung by Beast and goes something like “and when we touched, she didn’t shudder at my paw.” Is that not COOL! I would love to write lyrics like that.
I have tried. I wrote a musical that has not won any awards. Well, it isn’t finished yet. Sometime I’ll share some of my Tim Rice Wannabee lyrics from it.
I know, “Thou shalt not covet…”
Calypso now –
♫ “Oh no - not he
How can you accuse him is a mystery
Save him - take me
Benjamin is straighter than the tall palm tree
I hear the steel drums sing their song
They're singing man you know you've got it wrong
I hear the voice of the yellow bird
Singing in the tree this is quite absurd
Oh yes Oh yes It's true It's true
Benjamin is straighter than the big bamboo
No if -No ifs No buts - No buts
Benjamin is honest as coconuts
Sure as the tide wash the golden sand
Benjamin is an innocent man
Sure as bananas need the sun
We are the criminal guilty ones
Oh no - Oh no Not he Not he
How you can accuse him is a mystery
Save him - Save him Take me - Take me
Benjamin is straighter than the tall palm tree
La la la la la la la etc. “ ♫
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Bush Watching part 2
In case you don’t have access to TV, newspaper, or any national news media, I should tell you that in addition to the world-wide financial crisis, the Middle Eastern world is in turmoil. In fact, I googled “Middle East in Turmoil” and got 7,010,000 results in 34 seconds. Go ahead—try it yourself. From a couple of sites (startribune.com and washingtonpost.com) I picked up some info relevant to today in 2011. I’ll do a short version.
But first, let me tell you what was written about Israel. 'The nation has been closely watching the unrest roiling its Arab neighbors, which one government official called "an earthquake" in the region. The unrest poses a variety of security issues for Israel -- from large arsenals in the hands of untested regimes to a rise of governments backed by Hezbollah, a bitter enemy of Israel, among other concerns.'
Another article reported, “The attempt to destroy the Jewish state has gone on since it came into existence in 1948. For over a half century, the majority of Arabs have persisted in seeing the state of Israel as a temporary condition, an enemy they eventually expect to dispense with…" While these countries are in political turmoil, there is one tenet upon which they agree--defeating Israel. As the governments are in disarray, the time may be ripe for a strong leader to rise and unite them under that mutual goal.
About the other countries:
1 Libya: U.S. officials are becoming increasingly resigned to the possibility of a protracted stalemate in the 6-week-old conflict, with rebels retaining control of the eastern half of the country…
2 Egypt: Tens of thousands of protesters continue to protest…
3 Lebanon: Lebanon, has not had a government since January after Hezbollah toppled the government…
4 Syria: Thousands of protesters…are seeking economic relief
5 Jordan: There have been outbreaks of violence, but the government has deployed riot police…
6 Saudi Arabia: a number of protests have taken place in the eastern part…
7 Iraq: Since early February, protesters have demonstrated in cities nationwide...
8 Kuwait: The Cabinet resigned over "regional developments" in an apparent reference to the turmoil…
9 Iran: There have been sporadic antigovernment uprisings beginning Feb. 14…
10 Bahrain: At least 24 people have been killed in clashes since the protest movement erupted on Feb. 14.
11 Yemen: Tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets for the past two months...
12 Oman: Protesters -- who have clashed with security forces and faced...
13 Algeria: Heavily outnumbered by riot police, thousands of Algerians dodge barricades to rally in their capital…
14 Morocco: Thousands of people march in cities across Morocco...
15 Tunisia: For the second time in as many months, the people of Tunisia have toppled their government…
Please note that Israel is in red. Now, I want you to find those other 15 countries on this map.
Then I want you to read Zechariah 12:1-9
A prophecy: The word of the LORD concerning Israel.
The LORD, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the human spirit within a person, declares: “I am going to make JERUSALEM a cup that sends ALL THE SURROUNDING peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem.
On that day, when ALL THE NATIONS of the earth are GATHERED AGAINST HER, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves.
On that day I will strike every horse with panic and its rider with madness,” declares the LORD. “I will keep a watchful eye over Judah, but I will blind all the horses of the nations. Then the clans of Judah will say in their hearts, ‘The people of Jerusalem are strong, because the LORD Almighty is their God.’
“On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a firepot in a woodpile, like a flaming torch among sheaves. THEY WILL CONSUME ALL THE SURROUNDING PEOPLES RIGHT AND LEFT,
but
JERUSALEM WILL REMAIN INTACT in her place…
On that day the LORD WILL SHIELD THOSE WHO LIVE IN JERUSALEM, so that the feeblest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the LORD going before them.
ON THAT DAY I WILL SET OUT TO DESTROY ALL THE NATIONS THAT ATTACK JERUSALEM.
Do you see on the map all the nations around Israel (and Jerusalem)? Do you see Zechariah says “all the nations of the earth are gathered against her”?
This is the bush I see rustling.
Is the bush merely another chapter for the world history books? Is it merely headlines today like the wars of the past to be followed by a return to some kind of normal? Will you tell your grandchildren about the old days of unrest, nuclear threats, world economic crises, earthquakes, and tsunamis? Will you then smile and pat their heads and hope they have a better world?
Or is that rustling bush a burning one like Moses saw that changed the world? Are we seeing the scriptures of the end times lining up? Or, have I been studying the book of Revelation a little too much? I don’t know.
But, if I’m a watchman, I've told you.
But first, let me tell you what was written about Israel. 'The nation has been closely watching the unrest roiling its Arab neighbors, which one government official called "an earthquake" in the region. The unrest poses a variety of security issues for Israel -- from large arsenals in the hands of untested regimes to a rise of governments backed by Hezbollah, a bitter enemy of Israel, among other concerns.'
Another article reported, “The attempt to destroy the Jewish state has gone on since it came into existence in 1948. For over a half century, the majority of Arabs have persisted in seeing the state of Israel as a temporary condition, an enemy they eventually expect to dispense with…" While these countries are in political turmoil, there is one tenet upon which they agree--defeating Israel. As the governments are in disarray, the time may be ripe for a strong leader to rise and unite them under that mutual goal.
About the other countries:
1 Libya: U.S. officials are becoming increasingly resigned to the possibility of a protracted stalemate in the 6-week-old conflict, with rebels retaining control of the eastern half of the country…
2 Egypt: Tens of thousands of protesters continue to protest…
3 Lebanon: Lebanon, has not had a government since January after Hezbollah toppled the government…
4 Syria: Thousands of protesters…are seeking economic relief
5 Jordan: There have been outbreaks of violence, but the government has deployed riot police…
6 Saudi Arabia: a number of protests have taken place in the eastern part…
7 Iraq: Since early February, protesters have demonstrated in cities nationwide...
8 Kuwait: The Cabinet resigned over "regional developments" in an apparent reference to the turmoil…
9 Iran: There have been sporadic antigovernment uprisings beginning Feb. 14…
10 Bahrain: At least 24 people have been killed in clashes since the protest movement erupted on Feb. 14.
11 Yemen: Tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets for the past two months...
12 Oman: Protesters -- who have clashed with security forces and faced...
13 Algeria: Heavily outnumbered by riot police, thousands of Algerians dodge barricades to rally in their capital…
14 Morocco: Thousands of people march in cities across Morocco...
15 Tunisia: For the second time in as many months, the people of Tunisia have toppled their government…
Please note that Israel is in red. Now, I want you to find those other 15 countries on this map.
Then I want you to read Zechariah 12:1-9
A prophecy: The word of the LORD concerning Israel.
The LORD, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the human spirit within a person, declares: “I am going to make JERUSALEM a cup that sends ALL THE SURROUNDING peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem.
On that day, when ALL THE NATIONS of the earth are GATHERED AGAINST HER, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves.
On that day I will strike every horse with panic and its rider with madness,” declares the LORD. “I will keep a watchful eye over Judah, but I will blind all the horses of the nations. Then the clans of Judah will say in their hearts, ‘The people of Jerusalem are strong, because the LORD Almighty is their God.’
“On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a firepot in a woodpile, like a flaming torch among sheaves. THEY WILL CONSUME ALL THE SURROUNDING PEOPLES RIGHT AND LEFT,
but
JERUSALEM WILL REMAIN INTACT in her place…
On that day the LORD WILL SHIELD THOSE WHO LIVE IN JERUSALEM, so that the feeblest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the LORD going before them.
ON THAT DAY I WILL SET OUT TO DESTROY ALL THE NATIONS THAT ATTACK JERUSALEM.
Do you see on the map all the nations around Israel (and Jerusalem)? Do you see Zechariah says “all the nations of the earth are gathered against her”?
This is the bush I see rustling.
Is the bush merely another chapter for the world history books? Is it merely headlines today like the wars of the past to be followed by a return to some kind of normal? Will you tell your grandchildren about the old days of unrest, nuclear threats, world economic crises, earthquakes, and tsunamis? Will you then smile and pat their heads and hope they have a better world?
Or is that rustling bush a burning one like Moses saw that changed the world? Are we seeing the scriptures of the end times lining up? Or, have I been studying the book of Revelation a little too much? I don’t know.
But, if I’m a watchman, I've told you.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Bush Watching, part 1
I have written before how the Lord has spoken to me very strongly only three times in my many years. Usually His message to me comes other ways (still small voice) like:
#1) I read something and a ‘clunk’ happens inside. I get a feeling that it was real and maybe meant for me.
#2) Someone speaks or sings words and the words have the same ‘clunk’ as #1.
#3) Sometimes I hear my own words shouting back at me (as when the kids were small and I’d say “disobedience leads to pain” and a heavenly tape recorder would play it back when I disobeyed Him). I don’t care for that one much.
Some years ago, #1 above happened. I was wading through Ezekiel and came to 3:17, “Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel.” ‘Clunk’! Well, not the “Son of man” or the “Israel” part, but the part about the “watchman.” It wasn’t a strong, loud thing. Just a nudge inside.
However, even that small nudge made me uncomfortable because of what comes next. “Whenever you receive a message from me, warn people immediately… I will hold you responsible…” I felt a little better with verse 19, “If you warn them and they refuse to repent…you will have saved yourself because you obeyed me.”
Still, He said it again, verse 20, “And if you do not warn them…I will hold you responsible…”
He—a—v—y. (Shiver). Now, I don’t think for a minute that He meant for me to be a prophet like Ezekiel or Jeremiah and stand and shout “Hear ye the Word of the Lord” but inside, that nudge seemed to indicate that if I did see some bushes rustling, I needed to watch, pray, and alert others. Perhaps that’s how I became a committed bible teacher.
I said all that to say that I (and probably many others) am hearing rustling bushes and watching to see if it’s merely a small rabbit scurrying harmlessly around or if it is something bigger that requires alert status and preparation. Tomorrow, I’ll share more of what I read about Zechariah 12 and the developing news stories from around the world. (You certainly can read it yourself along with the world news and then help me watch the bushes).
I’m just singing with Andrae Crouch
♫ “Soon and very soon we are going to see the king
Soon and very soon we are going to see the king
Soon and very soon we are going to see the king
Hallelujah, hallelujah we're going to see the king
No more cryin’ there, we are going to see the king
Hallelujah, hallelujah we're going to see the king
No more dyin’ there, we are going to see the king
Hallelujah, hallelujah we're going to see the king.” ♫
#1) I read something and a ‘clunk’ happens inside. I get a feeling that it was real and maybe meant for me.
#2) Someone speaks or sings words and the words have the same ‘clunk’ as #1.
#3) Sometimes I hear my own words shouting back at me (as when the kids were small and I’d say “disobedience leads to pain” and a heavenly tape recorder would play it back when I disobeyed Him). I don’t care for that one much.
Some years ago, #1 above happened. I was wading through Ezekiel and came to 3:17, “Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel.” ‘Clunk’! Well, not the “Son of man” or the “Israel” part, but the part about the “watchman.” It wasn’t a strong, loud thing. Just a nudge inside.
However, even that small nudge made me uncomfortable because of what comes next. “Whenever you receive a message from me, warn people immediately… I will hold you responsible…” I felt a little better with verse 19, “If you warn them and they refuse to repent…you will have saved yourself because you obeyed me.”
Still, He said it again, verse 20, “And if you do not warn them…I will hold you responsible…”
He—a—v—y. (Shiver). Now, I don’t think for a minute that He meant for me to be a prophet like Ezekiel or Jeremiah and stand and shout “Hear ye the Word of the Lord” but inside, that nudge seemed to indicate that if I did see some bushes rustling, I needed to watch, pray, and alert others. Perhaps that’s how I became a committed bible teacher.
I said all that to say that I (and probably many others) am hearing rustling bushes and watching to see if it’s merely a small rabbit scurrying harmlessly around or if it is something bigger that requires alert status and preparation. Tomorrow, I’ll share more of what I read about Zechariah 12 and the developing news stories from around the world. (You certainly can read it yourself along with the world news and then help me watch the bushes).
I’m just singing with Andrae Crouch
♫ “Soon and very soon we are going to see the king
Soon and very soon we are going to see the king
Soon and very soon we are going to see the king
Hallelujah, hallelujah we're going to see the king
No more cryin’ there, we are going to see the king
Hallelujah, hallelujah we're going to see the king
No more dyin’ there, we are going to see the king
Hallelujah, hallelujah we're going to see the king.” ♫
Friday, April 1, 2011
Borrowed Words
Here is a reprint of a post from David Wilkerson on March 29 on his blog at www.worldchallenge.org that I think is noteworthy. I check his blog often because of Amos 3:7 "Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets." Just in case David Wilkerson is one of the prophets, I want to be aware of what he is hearing from above.
THE COMING OF JESUS
I believe Jesus is coming very soon. We see the Lord gathering the nations together against Israel. Events are moving rapidly toward Armageddon.
“When you see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors” (Matthew 24:33).
“Of the day and hour knoweth no man, no, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (v. 36).
All signs point to a Mideast war against Israel. Out of the turmoil in Arab nations will come a united call to destroy Israel. We are beholding the fulfillment of prophecies we have preached about for many years.
Those who know the Scriptures have a Holy Ghost inner sense of the Lord’s return. We hear the call of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, crying, “Even so, Lord Jesus, come.” Jesus said, “Watch therefore: for you know not what hour your Lord will come” (v. 42).
“Be ready, for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man cometh” (v. 44).
“Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord, when he comes, shall find so doing” (v. 46).
Beloved, do you feel—do you sense—that these are the last of the last days? Do you share the longing for his appearance?
Look up; our redemption is drawing near!
Ivan Parker, Michael English, Gold City Quartet, and many others have sung this song:
THE COMING OF JESUS
I believe Jesus is coming very soon. We see the Lord gathering the nations together against Israel. Events are moving rapidly toward Armageddon.
“When you see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors” (Matthew 24:33).
“Of the day and hour knoweth no man, no, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (v. 36).
All signs point to a Mideast war against Israel. Out of the turmoil in Arab nations will come a united call to destroy Israel. We are beholding the fulfillment of prophecies we have preached about for many years.
Those who know the Scriptures have a Holy Ghost inner sense of the Lord’s return. We hear the call of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, crying, “Even so, Lord Jesus, come.” Jesus said, “Watch therefore: for you know not what hour your Lord will come” (v. 42).
“Be ready, for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man cometh” (v. 44).
“Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord, when he comes, shall find so doing” (v. 46).
Beloved, do you feel—do you sense—that these are the last of the last days? Do you share the longing for his appearance?
Look up; our redemption is drawing near!
Ivan Parker, Michael English, Gold City Quartet, and many others have sung this song:
♫ “I hear the sound
Of a mighty rushing wind
And it's closer now
Than it's ever been
I can almost hear the trumpet
And Gabriel sounds the chord
At the Midnight Cry
We'll be going home
When Jesus steps out
On a cloud to call his children
The dead in Christ shall rise
To meet him in the air
And then those that remain
Will be quickly changed
At the Midnight Cry
When Jesus comes again
I look around me
I see prophecies fulfilled
And signs of the times
They're appearing everywhere
I can almost hear the Father
Saying, “Son go get my children”
At the Midnight Cry
The bride of Christ will rise.” ♫
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