And the devil took him up, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him "To you I will give all this authority and their glory; for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it shall all be yours." And Jesus answered him, " It is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve'" (Luke 4:5-8).
As I was reading this text I questioned, "What, really, can satan give? Did God allow him the power to give to Jesus the kingdoms of the world?" One of the key points to remember about satan is that he always lies--lying is his native tongue (John 8:44). So, if satan claimed to be able to deliver the kingdoms of the world to Jesus it would have been just as much a lie as the one he told to Eve, saying she would be like God (Genesis 3:5). He always offers to give what he cannot. He cannot give anything but evil.
Jesus referred to satan as the ruler of this world (John 14:30-31). The apostle Paul did the same in 2nd Corinthians 4:4. However, do not assume that satan has more power than he does because of these two references. The spirit of satan is alive in all those who follow the conventional wisdom of the world and those who put the desires of the flesh ahead of the will of God (Ephesians 2:1-3). Because so many follow his ways, it appears as if he is the god of this world--it does seem as if he does have dominion over the earth. Put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) and remember, "For dominion belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations" (Psalms 22:28). Satan does not exactly know the future for he does not have dominion, so his prophecies often fail. Because God has dominion, his prophecies are always true--he is in control of the future.
Jesus does not respond to satan with a reasoned argument because one cannot reason with the unreasonable. Jesus only responds with Biblical truth from Deuteronomy 6:13. The evil one has nothing to give but evil. Never believe his lies that he has something good to give!
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
HELLO TO LOVE
By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But if any one has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or speech but in deed and in truth (I John 3:16-18).
While watching an old Bing Crosby movie called Rhythm on the River, Richard Carpenter noticed that a song called Goodbye to Love, attributed to an aspiring writer was referenced several times but the song was never played in the movie. Carpenter wondered what a song called Goodbye to Love would sound like and began sketching out a melody and some lyrics. He recruited John Bettis to actually write the lyrics and that is how one of the "shmultsiest" feel-sorry-for-yourself songs ever written was born in 1972.* Actually, it is a beautiful song that fairly accurately depicts how a person who has lost at love feels for about six weeks--as ONLY Karen Carpenter could sing it: I'll say goodbye to love, no one ever cared if I should live or die . . .
If one gives any serious thought to the Christmas season and to the Easter season, he or she has to conclude that, unless the history is inaccurate, which it is not, God loves us so much that he sent his only son, Jesus the Christ, to die for us. Still, the history and theology of the gospel is remote to one living in the present, suffering from loneliness, unless it comes with skin on. Loneliness is the lack of emotional connection to another in one's immediate existence and it is here that the Christian gospel with skin on must enter. One of the needs common to every human being is to be loved. Christians are the hands and feet of Jesus, showing his love each day by taking it with them wherever they go. By the way, giving the love of Christ is as much a human need as receiving it. Human wholeness if found in the receiving and giving of the love of Christ.
So, what if an aspiring songwriter wrote a song called, Hello to Love? How would it go? Certainly it has the potential to become a much-loved Christmas carol; at least if Karen Carpenter could sing it.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
*Wikipedia, Goodbye to Love.
While watching an old Bing Crosby movie called Rhythm on the River, Richard Carpenter noticed that a song called Goodbye to Love, attributed to an aspiring writer was referenced several times but the song was never played in the movie. Carpenter wondered what a song called Goodbye to Love would sound like and began sketching out a melody and some lyrics. He recruited John Bettis to actually write the lyrics and that is how one of the "shmultsiest" feel-sorry-for-yourself songs ever written was born in 1972.* Actually, it is a beautiful song that fairly accurately depicts how a person who has lost at love feels for about six weeks--as ONLY Karen Carpenter could sing it: I'll say goodbye to love, no one ever cared if I should live or die . . .
If one gives any serious thought to the Christmas season and to the Easter season, he or she has to conclude that, unless the history is inaccurate, which it is not, God loves us so much that he sent his only son, Jesus the Christ, to die for us. Still, the history and theology of the gospel is remote to one living in the present, suffering from loneliness, unless it comes with skin on. Loneliness is the lack of emotional connection to another in one's immediate existence and it is here that the Christian gospel with skin on must enter. One of the needs common to every human being is to be loved. Christians are the hands and feet of Jesus, showing his love each day by taking it with them wherever they go. By the way, giving the love of Christ is as much a human need as receiving it. Human wholeness if found in the receiving and giving of the love of Christ.
So, what if an aspiring songwriter wrote a song called, Hello to Love? How would it go? Certainly it has the potential to become a much-loved Christmas carol; at least if Karen Carpenter could sing it.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
*Wikipedia, Goodbye to Love.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
SERVING LIKE CHRIST
Have this mind among yourselves, which you have in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:5-8).
An inconvenient truth is that a servant is not greater than the master. When the Son left Heaven and took on human flesh he experienced humanity--he understands what it is like to be human. One cannot ever say about God that he is unjust because he doesn't really understand what it is like to be human; he does! God does not insulate himself from the pain, sorrow, temptation and death that we experience, for Jesus experienced it all.
In like fashion Christ calls each disciple to have that same mind. I believe this is one of the salient messages of the gospel. If we are to have peace with one another and if we are to help others we have to be willing to give up our own preeminence to enter the world of others. It is only by entering their world that we can come into understanding distance, which is the distance necessary to help.
It is dangerous to enter the world of another. As Jesus brought the character of the Father with him, so we must bring the character of Christ with us! Christ came into a sinful world, but did not sin; he maintained integrity. One of the very real dangers of entering the world of another is becoming infected with the same disease! The best counsel and the best help we can give is found in the character of Christ that we manifest in their world. For people who have been lied to; for people who have been abused and manipulated, bringing the light and integrity of Christ into their world is the best counsel one can give.
Jesus left the glories of Heaven to save us, as his servants, can't we at least give up a little of our personal comfort to reach out to the ones he loves?
Grace&Peace;
Tom
An inconvenient truth is that a servant is not greater than the master. When the Son left Heaven and took on human flesh he experienced humanity--he understands what it is like to be human. One cannot ever say about God that he is unjust because he doesn't really understand what it is like to be human; he does! God does not insulate himself from the pain, sorrow, temptation and death that we experience, for Jesus experienced it all.
In like fashion Christ calls each disciple to have that same mind. I believe this is one of the salient messages of the gospel. If we are to have peace with one another and if we are to help others we have to be willing to give up our own preeminence to enter the world of others. It is only by entering their world that we can come into understanding distance, which is the distance necessary to help.
It is dangerous to enter the world of another. As Jesus brought the character of the Father with him, so we must bring the character of Christ with us! Christ came into a sinful world, but did not sin; he maintained integrity. One of the very real dangers of entering the world of another is becoming infected with the same disease! The best counsel and the best help we can give is found in the character of Christ that we manifest in their world. For people who have been lied to; for people who have been abused and manipulated, bringing the light and integrity of Christ into their world is the best counsel one can give.
Jesus left the glories of Heaven to save us, as his servants, can't we at least give up a little of our personal comfort to reach out to the ones he loves?
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Monday, February 22, 2010
THREE DAYS IN INFAMY
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole amor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers , against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places (Ephesians 6:10-12).
When people say, "There is peace and safety," then sudden destruction will come upon them as travail comes upon a woman with child, and there will be no escape (I Thessalonians 5:3).
President Franklin Roosevelt said that December 7, 1941 would live in infamy. I think we could also add September 11, 2001 as another infamous date; both dates arouse horror. Both of these great tragedies in American history were followed by conspiracy theories of coverups because it is speculated that both presidents wanted America to go to war. Japan had already displayed military aggression. Radical islamists had already bombed the World Trade Center. The signs of imminent attacks should have been obvious.
There is plenty of evidence that an obviously pregnant woman is going to give birth; the question is, when? It comes suddenly--a pregnant woman does not want to be caught in a situation when help is not available. Why would a nation be less vigilant when the signs are obvious? Why would any individual not be vigilant when the truth is that apocalypse is coming? Death is one's personal apocalyptic moment. The second coming of Christ is the apocalypse for all things.
That lazy Sunday morning on December 7, 1941, no one thought there would be an attack; many people were sleeping in. Suddenly, at 7:55 a.m., the first Japanese planes shattered Hawaiian quiet--apocalypse was happening!
I will never forget September 11,2001, I was on highway 31 between Washta and Correctionville, Iowa, driving to Norfolk, Nebraska. Regular radio programming was interrupted by the announcement that a plane had flown into the World Trade Center--apocalypse was happening! It was shortly before eight a.m. central time on a day that would have many more announcements; how could this be happening in America?
We often make the mistake of assuming that vigilance is someone else's responsibility. We are blessed with so many tools today by which we can assess our present situation, the first and for most being the Bible. With modern language translations, it is not hard to do a systematic study of it. Arm yourself because apocalypse is coming! Will you be prepared for it?
Grace&Peace,
Tom
When people say, "There is peace and safety," then sudden destruction will come upon them as travail comes upon a woman with child, and there will be no escape (I Thessalonians 5:3).
President Franklin Roosevelt said that December 7, 1941 would live in infamy. I think we could also add September 11, 2001 as another infamous date; both dates arouse horror. Both of these great tragedies in American history were followed by conspiracy theories of coverups because it is speculated that both presidents wanted America to go to war. Japan had already displayed military aggression. Radical islamists had already bombed the World Trade Center. The signs of imminent attacks should have been obvious.
There is plenty of evidence that an obviously pregnant woman is going to give birth; the question is, when? It comes suddenly--a pregnant woman does not want to be caught in a situation when help is not available. Why would a nation be less vigilant when the signs are obvious? Why would any individual not be vigilant when the truth is that apocalypse is coming? Death is one's personal apocalyptic moment. The second coming of Christ is the apocalypse for all things.
That lazy Sunday morning on December 7, 1941, no one thought there would be an attack; many people were sleeping in. Suddenly, at 7:55 a.m., the first Japanese planes shattered Hawaiian quiet--apocalypse was happening!
I will never forget September 11,2001, I was on highway 31 between Washta and Correctionville, Iowa, driving to Norfolk, Nebraska. Regular radio programming was interrupted by the announcement that a plane had flown into the World Trade Center--apocalypse was happening! It was shortly before eight a.m. central time on a day that would have many more announcements; how could this be happening in America?
We often make the mistake of assuming that vigilance is someone else's responsibility. We are blessed with so many tools today by which we can assess our present situation, the first and for most being the Bible. With modern language translations, it is not hard to do a systematic study of it. Arm yourself because apocalypse is coming! Will you be prepared for it?
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Friday, February 19, 2010
GABRIEL
. . . while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice. He came and he said to me, "O Daniel, I have now come out to give you wisdom and understanding" (Daniel 9:21-22).
And the angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news" (Luke 1:19).
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David (Luke 1:26-27).
Gabriel is mentioned by name only four times in the Bible, twice in Daniel and twice in Luke's gospel. It is highly probable that Gabriel was the angel who appeared to Joseph and to the shepherds as well. What makes him important is that he was the angel that gave Daniel the seventy-weeks time-line prophecy about the time of the coming of the Messiah.
Theophilus, a lover of God, was the one to whom Luke wrote (Luke 1:3-4). Theophilus already had knowledge of the events of the gospel, and I believe knowledge of the Old Testament writings, so that is why Luke mentions Gabriel by name. The Gabriel in Daniel is the same Gabriel in Luke; the events of the nativity were not arbitrary happenings, but were a part of God's time-line for history. God has a time-line for history and that is why Jesus began his ministry by saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15).
Gabriel seems to be the angel through whom special messianic events are announced. Could he be the one who plays the final trumpet call of God at the final return of the Messiah? For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed (I Corinthians 15:52). One thing of which we can be certain, the first coming of the Messiah indicates that history has direction--will you follow it?
Grace&Peace;
Tom
And the angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news" (Luke 1:19).
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David (Luke 1:26-27).
Gabriel is mentioned by name only four times in the Bible, twice in Daniel and twice in Luke's gospel. It is highly probable that Gabriel was the angel who appeared to Joseph and to the shepherds as well. What makes him important is that he was the angel that gave Daniel the seventy-weeks time-line prophecy about the time of the coming of the Messiah.
Theophilus, a lover of God, was the one to whom Luke wrote (Luke 1:3-4). Theophilus already had knowledge of the events of the gospel, and I believe knowledge of the Old Testament writings, so that is why Luke mentions Gabriel by name. The Gabriel in Daniel is the same Gabriel in Luke; the events of the nativity were not arbitrary happenings, but were a part of God's time-line for history. God has a time-line for history and that is why Jesus began his ministry by saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15).
Gabriel seems to be the angel through whom special messianic events are announced. Could he be the one who plays the final trumpet call of God at the final return of the Messiah? For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed (I Corinthians 15:52). One thing of which we can be certain, the first coming of the Messiah indicates that history has direction--will you follow it?
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
HOME AGAIN
Thou hast fixed all the bounds of the earth; thou hast made summer and winter (Psalms 74:17).
The lovely and gracious Helen and I made a quick trip to California for a holiday weekend (President's Day) with Kirk, Rebecca, Faith, Deacon and Parker. It was a great time for a couple of reasons: to renew relationships, celebrating Rebecca and Parker's birthdays, and to just experience a bit of summer. This winter has been a loong, cold and hard one. It was good to experience warm sunshine and green grass! It was good respite therapy for the winter blues that have a grip on many people in the midwest right now.
During my ministry in Rifle, Colorado, I went bear hunting with one of the men in my congregation. It was early May. While we were hunting we came on a small cabin that had been built by a man who stayed the winter there with his wife. The cabin was extremely isolated. Once the snows came to that higher elevation, no one was able to go in or go out. By February the wife had developed an extreme case of cabin fever; she just sat on the edge of the bed and talked to herself. When the snow melted enough so that she could get out, she was gone. The man was still there, that's how I know the story; it didn't seem like he was too interested in tracking down his wife, but I'm not sure that any amount of marriage counseling could save that marriage. I am telling you this little story to illustrate that many of us in the midwest feel like that wife this year and a little time in the warm sun with green grass is a blessing from the Lord!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
The lovely and gracious Helen and I made a quick trip to California for a holiday weekend (President's Day) with Kirk, Rebecca, Faith, Deacon and Parker. It was a great time for a couple of reasons: to renew relationships, celebrating Rebecca and Parker's birthdays, and to just experience a bit of summer. This winter has been a loong, cold and hard one. It was good to experience warm sunshine and green grass! It was good respite therapy for the winter blues that have a grip on many people in the midwest right now.
During my ministry in Rifle, Colorado, I went bear hunting with one of the men in my congregation. It was early May. While we were hunting we came on a small cabin that had been built by a man who stayed the winter there with his wife. The cabin was extremely isolated. Once the snows came to that higher elevation, no one was able to go in or go out. By February the wife had developed an extreme case of cabin fever; she just sat on the edge of the bed and talked to herself. When the snow melted enough so that she could get out, she was gone. The man was still there, that's how I know the story; it didn't seem like he was too interested in tracking down his wife, but I'm not sure that any amount of marriage counseling could save that marriage. I am telling you this little story to illustrate that many of us in the midwest feel like that wife this year and a little time in the warm sun with green grass is a blessing from the Lord!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY
Due to some scheduling complications for the next few days I will only leave you with these verses from John: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us (I John 1:8-10).
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
THE LORD'S VERDICT
I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth (Revelation 3:15-16).
That seems to be a negative verse with which to begin a devotional thought. But, there is a human tendency for Christians to become satisfied with their performance as they live their lives. We think we are good people; we do not commit any gross sins, murdering, committing adultery or stealing. So, sometimes the Lord has to speak in forceful language to get our attention. We might not be doing bad, but are we doing good? I think that is the question that God wants us to answer here.
The cited text was written to the church in Laodicea. Though the Lord does not have anything good to say about the people who were members of the church, the Bible does not say that they were doing any gross sinning either; they were nice, good people. There is no record of immorality or the kind of heresy that plagued some of the other churches. The only thing that is salient about these Christians was that they had little sense of need and little sense of urgency; they blended well into the community without being salt and light. They were spiritually poverty stricken; complacent and self satisfied. As a result, Revelation 3:20 pictures Jesus standing at the door of the hearts of these Christians, knocking and asking admission: Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me. Isn't it a sad commentary that the Lord has to stand at the door of the hearts of his own people and ask admission?
Do the people of your community know where you stand? Does Jesus make a difference in how you live your life? Does your life add flavor and light to the community in which you live? What is the Lord's verdict about your life?
Grace&Peace;
Tom
That seems to be a negative verse with which to begin a devotional thought. But, there is a human tendency for Christians to become satisfied with their performance as they live their lives. We think we are good people; we do not commit any gross sins, murdering, committing adultery or stealing. So, sometimes the Lord has to speak in forceful language to get our attention. We might not be doing bad, but are we doing good? I think that is the question that God wants us to answer here.
The cited text was written to the church in Laodicea. Though the Lord does not have anything good to say about the people who were members of the church, the Bible does not say that they were doing any gross sinning either; they were nice, good people. There is no record of immorality or the kind of heresy that plagued some of the other churches. The only thing that is salient about these Christians was that they had little sense of need and little sense of urgency; they blended well into the community without being salt and light. They were spiritually poverty stricken; complacent and self satisfied. As a result, Revelation 3:20 pictures Jesus standing at the door of the hearts of these Christians, knocking and asking admission: Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me. Isn't it a sad commentary that the Lord has to stand at the door of the hearts of his own people and ask admission?
Do the people of your community know where you stand? Does Jesus make a difference in how you live your life? Does your life add flavor and light to the community in which you live? What is the Lord's verdict about your life?
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Monday, February 08, 2010
WALK WHERE JESUS WALKED
That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them (Luke 24:13-15).
The sales pitch used to sell a trip to the holy land inevitable includes this quote: "Walk where Jesus Walked." The pilgrimage to the holy land is an emotional experience; even for those of us whose interests center only on greater understanding. It is almost impossible for one not to be emotional because the holy land is our spiritual homeland; the dramas that were lived out there are the basis of our hope. I was one of those people who went primarily to have a better understanding of the Bible and the lives and times of the people of the Bible yet it was an emotional experience for me too. It is one thing to learn it in a class, from reading books and listening to lectures, it is another thing to get a feel of the atmosphere, smelling the smells, feeling the wind, experiencing the geography while thinking of the events that happened there. As I read the Scriptures now, I can picture those events in a more accurate setting. I can truly say that the holy land tour re-ignited my desire to just read the Bible. It also helped me to a better understanding of the dynamics involved in the current problems of the Middle East.
Touring the holy land, with good preparation, is a kind of road-to-Emmaus experince. In the context of the cited text, the risen Christ joined the two disciples: And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself (Luke 24:27). Like those two disciples who gained understanding from the Emmaus walk with Jesus, one will gain a deeper appreciation for and understanding of the Bible when one walks where Jesus walked.
Doing a holy land tour is not cheap. For many a literal trip is not possible. However, one does not have to go to the holy land to walk where Jesus walked. Walking in faith, trust and love is walking the road where Jesus walked. His Spirit will be with you so that your life will become more like his!
Grace&Peace;
Tom
The sales pitch used to sell a trip to the holy land inevitable includes this quote: "Walk where Jesus Walked." The pilgrimage to the holy land is an emotional experience; even for those of us whose interests center only on greater understanding. It is almost impossible for one not to be emotional because the holy land is our spiritual homeland; the dramas that were lived out there are the basis of our hope. I was one of those people who went primarily to have a better understanding of the Bible and the lives and times of the people of the Bible yet it was an emotional experience for me too. It is one thing to learn it in a class, from reading books and listening to lectures, it is another thing to get a feel of the atmosphere, smelling the smells, feeling the wind, experiencing the geography while thinking of the events that happened there. As I read the Scriptures now, I can picture those events in a more accurate setting. I can truly say that the holy land tour re-ignited my desire to just read the Bible. It also helped me to a better understanding of the dynamics involved in the current problems of the Middle East.
Touring the holy land, with good preparation, is a kind of road-to-Emmaus experince. In the context of the cited text, the risen Christ joined the two disciples: And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself (Luke 24:27). Like those two disciples who gained understanding from the Emmaus walk with Jesus, one will gain a deeper appreciation for and understanding of the Bible when one walks where Jesus walked.
Doing a holy land tour is not cheap. For many a literal trip is not possible. However, one does not have to go to the holy land to walk where Jesus walked. Walking in faith, trust and love is walking the road where Jesus walked. His Spirit will be with you so that your life will become more like his!
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Friday, February 05, 2010
TLIFS: Do not be Cavalier with Fire!
For behold, the Lord will come in fire, and his chariots like the stormwind, to render his anger in fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire will the Lord execute judgment, and by his sword, upon all flesh; and those slain by the Lord shall be many (Isaiah 66:15,16).
Fires can change quickly. Wind, humidity, dryness, different fuel types and changes in terrain can cause a seemingly tame fire to become a monster very quickly. People have lost their lives because they did not respect the potential of a seemingly tame fire to become deadly.
One of the points that our fire-fighting instructor drove home is that the fire fighter always must have situational awareness; what is presently happening with the fire and predicting what could happen with the fire if possible changes actually happened. One cannot have good situational awareness if a lookout has not been posted, if communication is not good, if escape routes have not bee planned and if safety zones have not been established.
With all these precautions, sudden and unpredictable changes have taken the lives of fire fighters. As a result, a piece of equipment carried by range and forest fire fighters is a personal fire shelter; a fire fighter must be able to deploy it within twenty-five seconds because a fire can be on them that quickly. The personal fire shelter gives the fire fighter good odds of survival, but it is not a guarantee.
There is a life lesson here for all. God is not one with whom to trifle; do not be cavalier with him!!! Many "Christians" live as practical atheists, giving little thought to God and letting him have little to say about how they live their lives. They do not listen to the lookouts or take the escape routes, relying on their personal fire shelter, Jesus Christ, only in the last seconds. How will God deal with those who have given him little thought when they had opportunity, but, in crisis, grab for their personal fire shelter?
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Fires can change quickly. Wind, humidity, dryness, different fuel types and changes in terrain can cause a seemingly tame fire to become a monster very quickly. People have lost their lives because they did not respect the potential of a seemingly tame fire to become deadly.
One of the points that our fire-fighting instructor drove home is that the fire fighter always must have situational awareness; what is presently happening with the fire and predicting what could happen with the fire if possible changes actually happened. One cannot have good situational awareness if a lookout has not been posted, if communication is not good, if escape routes have not bee planned and if safety zones have not been established.
With all these precautions, sudden and unpredictable changes have taken the lives of fire fighters. As a result, a piece of equipment carried by range and forest fire fighters is a personal fire shelter; a fire fighter must be able to deploy it within twenty-five seconds because a fire can be on them that quickly. The personal fire shelter gives the fire fighter good odds of survival, but it is not a guarantee.
There is a life lesson here for all. God is not one with whom to trifle; do not be cavalier with him!!! Many "Christians" live as practical atheists, giving little thought to God and letting him have little to say about how they live their lives. They do not listen to the lookouts or take the escape routes, relying on their personal fire shelter, Jesus Christ, only in the last seconds. How will God deal with those who have given him little thought when they had opportunity, but, in crisis, grab for their personal fire shelter?
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Thursday, February 04, 2010
THINGS LEARNED IN FIRE SCHOOL
I would rather speak five words with my mind, in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue (I Corinthians 14:19b).
The Steele family has a contract with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to maintain the tract of prairie on our farm for ten years. The IDNR shared in the cost of removing cedar trees and burning the prairie for the first three years, but the Steele family bears the total cost for the next seven. Our desire, of course, is to preserve the native prairie as long as the grass grows and the rivers flow--a little white man to native American treaty speak. We will keep our word, however. To minimize the cost of doing burns, my brother-in-law and I attended a fire school to learn how to do this. It is a commonsense education, but a couple of lessons have been impressed on me: one is the absolute necessity of good communication and the second is to never be cavalier with fire.
The first unit of our fire school course work was fire-fighting terminology. How can the fire crew have good communication if they are not using and understanding the same terminology, for example, what is the difference between a contained fire and a controlled fire? Understanding the difference can be critical!
I happen to think that there is a parallel here with how we communicate the gospel. One of the great blessings of the reformation was that the Bible was translated into the language of the people so that it could be understood. One of the questions Christians must answer is; Are we coming into understanding distance of the unchurched? Are we communicating the language of the gospel in a language that can be understood?
Firefighters have an acronym; LCES is for Lookouts, Communication, Escape routes and Safety zones. The fire lookouts have to accurately communicate what is happening with the fire so that the firefighters can safely and accurately do their job, making sure that everyone comes safely home. As Christians, that's our job too.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
The Steele family has a contract with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to maintain the tract of prairie on our farm for ten years. The IDNR shared in the cost of removing cedar trees and burning the prairie for the first three years, but the Steele family bears the total cost for the next seven. Our desire, of course, is to preserve the native prairie as long as the grass grows and the rivers flow--a little white man to native American treaty speak. We will keep our word, however. To minimize the cost of doing burns, my brother-in-law and I attended a fire school to learn how to do this. It is a commonsense education, but a couple of lessons have been impressed on me: one is the absolute necessity of good communication and the second is to never be cavalier with fire.
The first unit of our fire school course work was fire-fighting terminology. How can the fire crew have good communication if they are not using and understanding the same terminology, for example, what is the difference between a contained fire and a controlled fire? Understanding the difference can be critical!
I happen to think that there is a parallel here with how we communicate the gospel. One of the great blessings of the reformation was that the Bible was translated into the language of the people so that it could be understood. One of the questions Christians must answer is; Are we coming into understanding distance of the unchurched? Are we communicating the language of the gospel in a language that can be understood?
Firefighters have an acronym; LCES is for Lookouts, Communication, Escape routes and Safety zones. The fire lookouts have to accurately communicate what is happening with the fire so that the firefighters can safely and accurately do their job, making sure that everyone comes safely home. As Christians, that's our job too.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
Monday, February 01, 2010
FOUR HORSES OF THE APOCALYPSE: Islam
And I saw, and behold, a white horse, and its rider had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer (Revelation 6:2).
The West won the world not by the superiority of its ideas or values or religion but rather by its superiority in applying organized violence. Westerners often forget this fact; nonWesterners never do (Samuel P. Huntington, director of national security during the Carter administration).
It is no less true for nations than it is for individual people; the largest factor in the success of a person is his beliefs. The dominant beliefs of a nation will determine the success or failure of that nation. I happened on to the Huntington quote as I surfed the web; it was on an Islamic site. Huntington was wrong, but the Islamists believe him because his words fit their belief system. Theirs is a culture that pursues world domination through force. They cannot build a car, but they can build a missile to deliver a nuclear weapon. The probability that the Middle East is going to be turned into a radioactive wasteland is about to become signigicantly higher!!!
What has followed in the wake of Islam for 1400 years is the rider on the red horse of war, the rider on the black horse of famine, and the rider on the pale horse of death (Revelation 6:3-8). Islamists, themeselves, wonder why their people and economies are so backward considering that the Islamic world controls 74% of the world's oil reserves and pumps 42% of the worlds oil. Islamists have 54% of the world's natural gas and pump 30% of it. They also have large gold and bauxite reserves plus a trillion dollars in gold bullion. Islamists control strategic locations, the most important being the Straits of Hormuze and the Suez Canal. A unite Muslim world could field a 4.7 million-man army. All these statistics were found on another Islamic site.
With all this wealth and power why is it that the Islamic world is backward? For the same reason the West is near collapse; a person, nation or a culture is what it believes. The West has cut itself off from the faith of its fathers.
As the time of the return of the King of Kings draws near, the four horses of the apocalyps are a sign of the times.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
The West won the world not by the superiority of its ideas or values or religion but rather by its superiority in applying organized violence. Westerners often forget this fact; nonWesterners never do (Samuel P. Huntington, director of national security during the Carter administration).
It is no less true for nations than it is for individual people; the largest factor in the success of a person is his beliefs. The dominant beliefs of a nation will determine the success or failure of that nation. I happened on to the Huntington quote as I surfed the web; it was on an Islamic site. Huntington was wrong, but the Islamists believe him because his words fit their belief system. Theirs is a culture that pursues world domination through force. They cannot build a car, but they can build a missile to deliver a nuclear weapon. The probability that the Middle East is going to be turned into a radioactive wasteland is about to become signigicantly higher!!!
What has followed in the wake of Islam for 1400 years is the rider on the red horse of war, the rider on the black horse of famine, and the rider on the pale horse of death (Revelation 6:3-8). Islamists, themeselves, wonder why their people and economies are so backward considering that the Islamic world controls 74% of the world's oil reserves and pumps 42% of the worlds oil. Islamists have 54% of the world's natural gas and pump 30% of it. They also have large gold and bauxite reserves plus a trillion dollars in gold bullion. Islamists control strategic locations, the most important being the Straits of Hormuze and the Suez Canal. A unite Muslim world could field a 4.7 million-man army. All these statistics were found on another Islamic site.
With all this wealth and power why is it that the Islamic world is backward? For the same reason the West is near collapse; a person, nation or a culture is what it believes. The West has cut itself off from the faith of its fathers.
As the time of the return of the King of Kings draws near, the four horses of the apocalyps are a sign of the times.
Grace&Peace;
Tom
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