One of the authors I really enjoy is John Ortberg. He has written a number of popular titles that help stir our hearts toward a deeper walk with the Lord. My favorites are: God Is Closer Than You Think, If You Want to Walk on Water You've Got to Get Out of the Boat, and The Life You've Always Wanted.
The event that triggered Christmas as we know it today, was a far different thing from what we see in the culture around us. We know from several passages in the Old Testament that God had appeared and spoken to men in various ways and situations. Adam, Abraham, Jacob, and Moses were receipients of some of God's earthly visitations, and connections personally with man. The burning bush, Moses' staff, the pillars of fire and cloud, were all evidence, as Ortberg says, that God was keeping His promise to "be with" His people.
It is interesting to me to visit a friend's town or subdivision, and almost without fail, the host will point out a home or business where a noted citizen lives or works. In Bethlehem, God didn't drop by for a visit... He moved into the neighborhood!!!
Jesus grew and ministered, and then came to a point where he basically said, "I need to go, so that SomeOne even better can come". Stunning was the news to those who had walked, witnessed miracles, and camped out with Him for 3 years. They had already decided, and stated their loyalty, "to whom else shall we go?" And now Jesus was definitely leaving, and promising SomeOne Else was on the way.
When we become Christians, the Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our hearts. That's God getting pretty close!! Too often we ask for God to "be with us"... when He covered that request 2,000 years ago!! Let us live believing that His every attempt to get as close to us as possible - has been fulfilled in our individual salvation - and just ask Him to live out Himself through us. Immanuel in Action!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
God Save The Queen; The King Saved Us!
Recently an email went around, suggesting that it was from the Queen of England. The substance of the message was that the English people had observed our political shenanigans here in the New World, (especially our Presidential elections!), and determined that we were not capable of self-government. The little story continued that Parliament had rejected our state of independence, and would immediately dissolve Congress and the Senate (and send out a survey in 6 months to see if we had noticed!!) It was a humorous little message that continued with directions for observing afternoon tea, and pronouncing a number of words "correctly".
For years I've been a fan of the Queen of England. Surely, being one of the wealthiest persons in the world has some benefits! But what I see in Queen Elizabeth II is a person who has laid aside any personal aspirations, and has chosen daily to be of service to her country, and an encouragement to her citizens, and actually to many non-citizens of the world. The monarch's unbelievably regimented daily schedule would have most of us in a rehabilitation program within weeks (and she's had her 80th birthday, and has over 50 years on-the-job employment history!) Just watch a documentary like "The Royal Family at Work" to get the picture of her life of service to her people and country.
In early 1982, the Argentine government, a triumvirate in trouble on the domestic front, looked several miles east across the Atlantic Ocean, and decided to "retake" the Falkland Islands. Sometime in the early 1800's, these islands had become part of the British Commonwealth, and after 150 years, were a quiet British settlement of roughly 1100 people, and LOTS of sheep.... not a real primary military target.
In response, the British Parliament passed a declaration of war against Argentina, as brought before them by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. This event led to her gaining the title, "The Iron Lady". A constitutional monarchy requires that the seated monarch sign or at least approve such a declaration of war. So, a procession of armored black vehicles carrying the Prime Minister moved rapidly through London, on it's way to Buckingham Palace. Citizens of Her Sovereign Majesty had been captured, and required aid and rescue by the Crown!!
Within days, British warships (including the ocean liner QE 2 as a troop ship) were on their way due south at an 'amazing' speed of approximately 25 miles per hour, in order to keep the 22 ships together at the pace of the slowest ship. Their journey took almost 3 weeks! (In comparison, our USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier alone moves with a contingent of 25 ships, as a Battle Strike Group.)
Now, the British monarch occupies several residences throughout the country, at various times during the year. The family flag of the seated monarch is flown on a high flagpole from whichever residence the Queen is occupying "presently". To see the Queen, one has to follow her flag! A British citizen does himself no good by going to any other location.
FREE translation: I believe that in the Kingdom of Heaven, the FATHER's flag is raised, and flying proud and victorious. It seems to me He has no other interest than the spiritual health and welfare of His citizens! There may be certain areas that the enemy seems to occupy, but when called for, help can soon be on the way. It might seem a little slow sometimes. It might not look how you'd like! (The QE 2 has no flight deck, anti-aircraft guns, or cruise missles! I've said to more than one person, if I'm in trouble, please don't drive 25 mph to come rescue me!)
When we need help, our appeal needs to be directly to our seated Monarch, The Ancient Of Days. I get a kick out of some of the science fiction space stories mentioning "light speed". My first thought is, "Go for it, but My Heavenly Father has got you beat, and His Sovereign Majesty specializes in rescue missions!!"
For years I've been a fan of the Queen of England. Surely, being one of the wealthiest persons in the world has some benefits! But what I see in Queen Elizabeth II is a person who has laid aside any personal aspirations, and has chosen daily to be of service to her country, and an encouragement to her citizens, and actually to many non-citizens of the world. The monarch's unbelievably regimented daily schedule would have most of us in a rehabilitation program within weeks (and she's had her 80th birthday, and has over 50 years on-the-job employment history!) Just watch a documentary like "The Royal Family at Work" to get the picture of her life of service to her people and country.
In early 1982, the Argentine government, a triumvirate in trouble on the domestic front, looked several miles east across the Atlantic Ocean, and decided to "retake" the Falkland Islands. Sometime in the early 1800's, these islands had become part of the British Commonwealth, and after 150 years, were a quiet British settlement of roughly 1100 people, and LOTS of sheep.... not a real primary military target.
In response, the British Parliament passed a declaration of war against Argentina, as brought before them by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. This event led to her gaining the title, "The Iron Lady". A constitutional monarchy requires that the seated monarch sign or at least approve such a declaration of war. So, a procession of armored black vehicles carrying the Prime Minister moved rapidly through London, on it's way to Buckingham Palace. Citizens of Her Sovereign Majesty had been captured, and required aid and rescue by the Crown!!
Within days, British warships (including the ocean liner QE 2 as a troop ship) were on their way due south at an 'amazing' speed of approximately 25 miles per hour, in order to keep the 22 ships together at the pace of the slowest ship. Their journey took almost 3 weeks! (In comparison, our USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier alone moves with a contingent of 25 ships, as a Battle Strike Group.)
Now, the British monarch occupies several residences throughout the country, at various times during the year. The family flag of the seated monarch is flown on a high flagpole from whichever residence the Queen is occupying "presently". To see the Queen, one has to follow her flag! A British citizen does himself no good by going to any other location.
FREE translation: I believe that in the Kingdom of Heaven, the FATHER's flag is raised, and flying proud and victorious. It seems to me He has no other interest than the spiritual health and welfare of His citizens! There may be certain areas that the enemy seems to occupy, but when called for, help can soon be on the way. It might seem a little slow sometimes. It might not look how you'd like! (The QE 2 has no flight deck, anti-aircraft guns, or cruise missles! I've said to more than one person, if I'm in trouble, please don't drive 25 mph to come rescue me!)
When we need help, our appeal needs to be directly to our seated Monarch, The Ancient Of Days. I get a kick out of some of the science fiction space stories mentioning "light speed". My first thought is, "Go for it, but My Heavenly Father has got you beat, and His Sovereign Majesty specializes in rescue missions!!"
Thursday, December 11, 2008
God-Of-The-Angel-Armies!
I was thinking recently about how the phrase "Lord of Hosts" means "God-of-the-Angel-Armies". (The Message Bible translation writes it out that way, everytime!) And I thought... Armies... now, those guys aren't just sitting around, fluffing feathers!
Almost everytime in the Bible angels appear to a person or group, their first statement is "FEAR NOT". Several descriptions in the Bible indicate that they are tough looking dudes, and I suspect they make our Marines and Rangers look like school boys... and one of their most important commissions and duties is to serve and protect us... (Hebrews 1:13-14).
So we need to be expecting supernatural things, anytime, and calling for them to happen! The B-2 stealth bombers don't lift off from Whiteman Air Force Base until dispatched. But after they leave the tarmac on a 20-50 hour mission, they don't come back until their mission gets done!
Campus Safety or friends recently had to escort a college coed everywhere she went, due to the threatening behavior of another student. Now according to Ephesians 3:20-21, I'm thinking that the HEAVENLY FATHER's protective services are far better than any well-trained campus police staff (often former City Policemen and State Troopers!) See Isaiah 49 for support.
I'm going to add that thought into my "toolbox" as a prayer: "Excuse me, SIR, but it seems there's a need for angel service here..." Yes, it's true, I cry if I see more than 10 minutes of the movie "Angels in the Outfield" ...because something in my heart tells me, "they're just that close, and they do even better work!"
Almost everytime in the Bible angels appear to a person or group, their first statement is "FEAR NOT". Several descriptions in the Bible indicate that they are tough looking dudes, and I suspect they make our Marines and Rangers look like school boys... and one of their most important commissions and duties is to serve and protect us... (Hebrews 1:13-14).
So we need to be expecting supernatural things, anytime, and calling for them to happen! The B-2 stealth bombers don't lift off from Whiteman Air Force Base until dispatched. But after they leave the tarmac on a 20-50 hour mission, they don't come back until their mission gets done!
Campus Safety or friends recently had to escort a college coed everywhere she went, due to the threatening behavior of another student. Now according to Ephesians 3:20-21, I'm thinking that the HEAVENLY FATHER's protective services are far better than any well-trained campus police staff (often former City Policemen and State Troopers!) See Isaiah 49 for support.
I'm going to add that thought into my "toolbox" as a prayer: "Excuse me, SIR, but it seems there's a need for angel service here..." Yes, it's true, I cry if I see more than 10 minutes of the movie "Angels in the Outfield" ...because something in my heart tells me, "they're just that close, and they do even better work!"
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