"There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet an enemy." George Washington
As I read this quote from one of our founding fathers and the First President of the United States I could not stop thinking how right he is. If a country is not prepared and has a weak military they are bound to be taken advantage by a superior force. This concept is not just limited to the military. It is also applicable in economics, business, sports, and daily life. For example, if a country (USA) is in deep economical trouble it puts itself in a position to be taken advantage of by a nation with economical power (China). If a business is not prepared for a change in future trends and is not at the forefront of technological advances (Chrysler/GM), the competition will steal its business (Toyota). If a football team does not prepare for a game, the opposing team will win. This concept even applies in high school. If a bully at school sees weakness on a kid, whether it be small size or fear, he will pounce on him like a Lion on an injured Zebra.
The opposite is also true. If your country has enough nukes to annihilate the world, an enemy will think long and hard before making a foolish move (Cold War). If your company has made the right decisions and was prepared for change or potential trouble (Ford), it will not need to take “loans” from the Government. Even a bully will back off a kid who is prepared to confront him and take a stand.
Just as this concept is applicable to our earthly life, it is also applicable to our spiritual life. As a matter of fact, I would not be surprised if President Washington learned this concept from his reading of the Word of God, the Bible.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 1 Peter 3:15
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. 1Co 9:24-27
God has provided the tools for us to be prepared to meet the enemy: (1) Jesus victory over satan - 1 John 4:4 (2) the Holy Spirit – Acts 1:8 (3) Armor of God – Eph 6:11-18. Just in case you do not know who is the enemy, let me refresh your recollection: 1) Yourself (the Flesh); 2) the world system (remember satan is the prince of this world); 3) satan (wants to destroy you).
Now that we have the weapons, we need to learn to use them and become proficient with them so that we can always be prepared to meet the enemy. What good does it do to have a Rifle if you do not know how to fire it. It does you no good. Same with our spiritual weapons. For example, I find it disturbing when a believer never wants to be left alone or unaccountable to a brother, because he believes he will sin or give in to temptation/sin. Yes, it is good to be accountable to our brothers in Christ, but we have to be able to survive on our own, because we do not have reinforcements available all the time. Moreover, what does that say about their relationship with Christ. Do they have one? I ask. Because when alone they seem to forget about their Lord and suddenly develop an inability to obey and submit to Him. Why? I’ll tell you why. Because they have the weapons, but do not know how to use them. Thereby they rely on a mature believer who is trained and prepared to use their weapons to protect him against the enemy.
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Heb 5:12-14
The goal is for all believers to be prepared, but some choose the easy way out. I understand why, it is hard work to be prepared. I saw a TV special on how a top Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter prepared for a fight. He did Muay Thai in the morning, Boxing mid morning, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the afternoon and physical conditioning in the evening. 6 days a week, all day. In his day of rest, he would do a crazy cardio workout at the hottest time of the day. Why all the hard work? Because he wanted to be prepared for what ever his opponent could throw at him. The more prepared he is the more of a chance he has to win the fight.
There is a military proverb that states that while we rest or sleep the enemy is training hard to kill us. This is so true, our opponent will strike when and where we are weak. In what area have you failed to be prepare? That is why we are to be always training, preparing, at the ready. Like the above mentioned MMA fighter. Training all the time, out-training our opponent & always being prepared to meet him. For a believer we are talking about: prayer without ceasing (constant communication with God) – 1 Th 5:17; daily Bible reading & daily application of the Word of God to our lives – Psalm 119:11; sharing the good news – Matthew 28:19-20; fellowship with other believers (Iron Sharpens Iron) - Proverb 27:17; congregating at Church for a time dedicated for worship at least once or twice a week – Hebrews 10:25; being discipled and discipling others; and putting on and utilizing the Armor of God – Eph 6:10-18
Remember that “We do not rise to the occasion, we fall to the
level of our training (preparation).”
“The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.”
-H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
“Failing to prepare is preparing to fail”
John Wooden, UCLA Coach
God Bless. Fight the Good Fight.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Not of This World
I have been reading a book called “The Barbarian Way”. Disclaimer: I know, it is from one of those “emerging church” folks. But thankfully, the Lord gives us discernment and we can take the good and leave the bad.
The book centers around the concept that early Christianity (see Book of Acts) was raw, impulsive, dangerous, fearless, full of expressed faith, and zeal for the Lord’s word, mission and cause. You know somewhat like a “Barbarian Warrior”. Disclaimer: I quite don’t see the connection between Christians and the Barbarians with their pillaging, head cutting, monastery raiding, monk killing ways. But I do get the point of the analogy. The author is trying to demonstrate in a descriptive manner (attractive to men who watched “Gladiator” or “Braveheart”) that as the Church grew and Christianity became an accepted religion, the Christians started to become “civilized” or shall I say “mild mannered”. What’s wrong with being civilized? You may ask. Well by civilized the author means “compromised”, “worldly”, “a part of this world”, “living in the world”, “politically correct”, “seeker friendly”, “watered down”, etc... Or in other words the opposite to a “Barbarian Warrior” i.e., “lacking faith”, “weak”, “scared”, “timid”, “self-preserving, pain avoiding, fat, lazy, couch potatoes, holding on with white knuckles to the comforts of this world.”
I have to agree with this theory and after reading the book, I have to confess that I probably am one of those “self-preserving, pain avoiding, fat, lazy, couch potatoes, holding on with white knuckles to the comforts of this world”. Why do I say this? Well, the Lord never promised us the comforts of this world. He promised persecution, trials, and tribulations in this world. John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." See also 2 Timothy 3:12.
He told us the world (system) will hate us. John15:18-19 "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 "If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
But, in our zeal for the comforts, luxuries, and pleasures of this world we have turned the Gospel upside down. Jesus is good news. He did save us from our own sins. Something we cannot do ourselves. But, we have taken the good news, edited out the “not to be conformed to this world” part, and edited in our own worldly desires. So that now Jesus not only saved us from our sins, but he also wants you to live “your best life now”, here on earth. Which translates to a worldly, comfortable, pleasure seeking existence.
Upon salvation we become new creations, born again, not of this world. 2Co 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.; John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."; Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
We are to live in the world, but not to be of this world! 1Jo 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. But, based on the current state of the Church in the USA, one would think that the latest easy to read, revised for the fifth time, (trademarked and copywrited of course to maximize profits) version of the bible must state “love the world and the things of the world.”!!!
In the West, the body of Christ, the “Church”, seems to seek the world and conform “Christianity” around it. That way you can be of the world and not feel guilty about it. When I look at the Body of Christ in persecuted countries, i.e., China, India, Muslim/Islamic nations, etc.... I see true Christianity. Men and women willing to literally die for their faith in Christ! Bold, brave, full of faith, willing to suffer for Christ. Willing to sacrifice comfort, luxury, health, and safety of the world. Sounds a lot like the apostles, Paul, and the early Church, doesn’t it. People who have not been conformed to this world, but transformed. They literally left the world system behind, to serve their King.
How many Christians in the USA do you know are willing to give up “anything” for Christ? Education comes first, career comes first, work comes first, reputation comes first, the football game comes first, golf comes first, sleeping late on Sunday comes first, do I have to go on? Heck, we have become so worldly that I know of “Christians” who complain if the Church building is too cold or too hot, the chair is too hard, or the coffee is lukewarm!
Ok, so we may go on a missions trips to a poor third world country for a few days every once in a while. But we can’t wait to leave that forsaken place behind and get back to our air-conditioned, comfortable life. (Last mission trip I went to the people complained over a lack of air-conditioning in the hotel room! While the people we “served” lived in dirt floor shanty towns). Oh, but doesn’t it makes us feel good, to help others. It is like we do missions out of guilt for living so well for the rest of the year. And of course, we are willing to do it because after the mission trip, we can go back to our easy, comfortable lifestyle and feel all smug about what we did. But I digress. Disclaimer: I do not mean to insult all of those great missionaries that have truly left behind everything to serve the Lord all over the world.
In the West, instead changing the world we have adopted and “Christianized” the world. Think about it. If I took a modern day, western “Christian” and a non “Christian”, but “good” person and put them side by side, followed them all day, I sincerely believe that there will be no difference. Well’ maybe the “Christian” will go to an expensive “Christian school”, listen to “Christian rock radio”, chew “Christian gum”, go to the Church to hang out with his “Christian” friends and have a “Christian” Café Mochachino at the Church’s “Christian Coffee house”, in addition to watching a secular, worldly R rated film and justify it by allegorizing it to contain some sort of hidden Christian message.
Isn’t the ultimate evidence that we have secularized Christianity the fact that we have a Christian version of everything that is of the world? Christian pop music, Christian Rap, Christian Rock, Christian Clothing lines, etc…. They actually sell “Christian candy” among many other irrelevant and useless “Christian” consumer products at the local “Christian” megastore. We have made Christianity itself a consumer product. Churches even celebrate pagan events and feel good because they change the name and do it for Christ. (Let me see, we adopt a pagan celebration like Halloween, have the kids wear costumes, give candy & prizes, and throw the party on the same night. In a kid’s mind, (and mine) how is this any different from what the world does? If that is not conforming ourselves to the world and its system, I do not know what is.)
Contrary to what we have made Christianity,(a happy, happy, joy, joy, comfortable, consumer friendly experience), the apostles, the early Christians, and the prophets lived somber lives. Did they have joy in their life, of course, yes. But their joy was not measured by worldly standards. Their joy was/is in Christ, in the fact that they where saved, forgiven. The fact that they were given a gift beyond comprehension. That is why Paul had joy in a prison cell and Stephen had joy even though he was stoned to death. Because of their joy in Christ they left the world and became enemies of the world, insurgents, revolutionaries, a counter-culture to the world system. Or as the book I read puts it “Barbarians”.
The modern western Christian is literally living out his Christianity by the world’s standards and it ultimately affects his faith. The Bible calls believers ambassadors, enlisted soldier ( i.e., not a civilian), pilgrims. 2Co 5:20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ,…; 2Ti 2:3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier; 1Pe 2:11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.
An ambassador represents a foreign land in a foreign country. He does not adopt the culture of the country he resides in, but represents his culture, his country in that foreign land. A soldier lives by the rules and standards of the military, he is not a civilian anymore. He wears an uniform, he follows orders (like them or not). Like the ambassador he represents his country in foreign lands. The pilgrim, is just passing by and like a gypsy, he does not adopt the culture of the land in which he is temporarily residing. They all stand out.
We should be like Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Nehemiah, Ezra, Daniel, among others. They lived in foreign lands, or moved to the promised land from foreign lands, but they all left behind or did not adopt or conform to the customs and culture of their adopted lands. They lived in them as foreigners, strangers in a strange land. Abraham did not worship the foreign gods or adopted the practices of his neighbors, Sodom & Gomorra. Joseph did not give in to the corrupt morals & religion of his new land. Moses left a corrupt culture and came back to lead his people out of that culture, Joshua entered a new land and exclaimed "[A]nd if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." See Joshua 24:15. Daniel was moved to a foreign land and excelled because he would not conform or compromise his faith. Nehemiah & Ezra, came back to the Promised land from a foreign land and left behind their corrupt customs/culture.
These heroes of faith, did not conform or adapt their faith on the one true God to the culture or world system they lived in. Who are we to do so? Who are we to conform God's word and our faith to the world’s standards. Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Maybe we do need to be like barbarians, uncivilized, not conforming to the world. Passing through the world and leaving a wake (not of destruction) but of changed lives. Lives that are so different than what the world sells that they stand out and set an example for others to follow. You know like a city on a hill!
The book centers around the concept that early Christianity (see Book of Acts) was raw, impulsive, dangerous, fearless, full of expressed faith, and zeal for the Lord’s word, mission and cause. You know somewhat like a “Barbarian Warrior”. Disclaimer: I quite don’t see the connection between Christians and the Barbarians with their pillaging, head cutting, monastery raiding, monk killing ways. But I do get the point of the analogy. The author is trying to demonstrate in a descriptive manner (attractive to men who watched “Gladiator” or “Braveheart”) that as the Church grew and Christianity became an accepted religion, the Christians started to become “civilized” or shall I say “mild mannered”. What’s wrong with being civilized? You may ask. Well by civilized the author means “compromised”, “worldly”, “a part of this world”, “living in the world”, “politically correct”, “seeker friendly”, “watered down”, etc... Or in other words the opposite to a “Barbarian Warrior” i.e., “lacking faith”, “weak”, “scared”, “timid”, “self-preserving, pain avoiding, fat, lazy, couch potatoes, holding on with white knuckles to the comforts of this world.”
I have to agree with this theory and after reading the book, I have to confess that I probably am one of those “self-preserving, pain avoiding, fat, lazy, couch potatoes, holding on with white knuckles to the comforts of this world”. Why do I say this? Well, the Lord never promised us the comforts of this world. He promised persecution, trials, and tribulations in this world. John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." See also 2 Timothy 3:12.
He told us the world (system) will hate us. John15:18-19 "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 "If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
But, in our zeal for the comforts, luxuries, and pleasures of this world we have turned the Gospel upside down. Jesus is good news. He did save us from our own sins. Something we cannot do ourselves. But, we have taken the good news, edited out the “not to be conformed to this world” part, and edited in our own worldly desires. So that now Jesus not only saved us from our sins, but he also wants you to live “your best life now”, here on earth. Which translates to a worldly, comfortable, pleasure seeking existence.
Upon salvation we become new creations, born again, not of this world. 2Co 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.; John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."; Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
We are to live in the world, but not to be of this world! 1Jo 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. But, based on the current state of the Church in the USA, one would think that the latest easy to read, revised for the fifth time, (trademarked and copywrited of course to maximize profits) version of the bible must state “love the world and the things of the world.”!!!
In the West, the body of Christ, the “Church”, seems to seek the world and conform “Christianity” around it. That way you can be of the world and not feel guilty about it. When I look at the Body of Christ in persecuted countries, i.e., China, India, Muslim/Islamic nations, etc.... I see true Christianity. Men and women willing to literally die for their faith in Christ! Bold, brave, full of faith, willing to suffer for Christ. Willing to sacrifice comfort, luxury, health, and safety of the world. Sounds a lot like the apostles, Paul, and the early Church, doesn’t it. People who have not been conformed to this world, but transformed. They literally left the world system behind, to serve their King.
How many Christians in the USA do you know are willing to give up “anything” for Christ? Education comes first, career comes first, work comes first, reputation comes first, the football game comes first, golf comes first, sleeping late on Sunday comes first, do I have to go on? Heck, we have become so worldly that I know of “Christians” who complain if the Church building is too cold or too hot, the chair is too hard, or the coffee is lukewarm!
Ok, so we may go on a missions trips to a poor third world country for a few days every once in a while. But we can’t wait to leave that forsaken place behind and get back to our air-conditioned, comfortable life. (Last mission trip I went to the people complained over a lack of air-conditioning in the hotel room! While the people we “served” lived in dirt floor shanty towns). Oh, but doesn’t it makes us feel good, to help others. It is like we do missions out of guilt for living so well for the rest of the year. And of course, we are willing to do it because after the mission trip, we can go back to our easy, comfortable lifestyle and feel all smug about what we did. But I digress. Disclaimer: I do not mean to insult all of those great missionaries that have truly left behind everything to serve the Lord all over the world.
In the West, instead changing the world we have adopted and “Christianized” the world. Think about it. If I took a modern day, western “Christian” and a non “Christian”, but “good” person and put them side by side, followed them all day, I sincerely believe that there will be no difference. Well’ maybe the “Christian” will go to an expensive “Christian school”, listen to “Christian rock radio”, chew “Christian gum”, go to the Church to hang out with his “Christian” friends and have a “Christian” Café Mochachino at the Church’s “Christian Coffee house”, in addition to watching a secular, worldly R rated film and justify it by allegorizing it to contain some sort of hidden Christian message.
Isn’t the ultimate evidence that we have secularized Christianity the fact that we have a Christian version of everything that is of the world? Christian pop music, Christian Rap, Christian Rock, Christian Clothing lines, etc…. They actually sell “Christian candy” among many other irrelevant and useless “Christian” consumer products at the local “Christian” megastore. We have made Christianity itself a consumer product. Churches even celebrate pagan events and feel good because they change the name and do it for Christ. (Let me see, we adopt a pagan celebration like Halloween, have the kids wear costumes, give candy & prizes, and throw the party on the same night. In a kid’s mind, (and mine) how is this any different from what the world does? If that is not conforming ourselves to the world and its system, I do not know what is.)
Contrary to what we have made Christianity,(a happy, happy, joy, joy, comfortable, consumer friendly experience), the apostles, the early Christians, and the prophets lived somber lives. Did they have joy in their life, of course, yes. But their joy was not measured by worldly standards. Their joy was/is in Christ, in the fact that they where saved, forgiven. The fact that they were given a gift beyond comprehension. That is why Paul had joy in a prison cell and Stephen had joy even though he was stoned to death. Because of their joy in Christ they left the world and became enemies of the world, insurgents, revolutionaries, a counter-culture to the world system. Or as the book I read puts it “Barbarians”.
The modern western Christian is literally living out his Christianity by the world’s standards and it ultimately affects his faith. The Bible calls believers ambassadors, enlisted soldier ( i.e., not a civilian), pilgrims. 2Co 5:20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ,…; 2Ti 2:3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier; 1Pe 2:11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.
An ambassador represents a foreign land in a foreign country. He does not adopt the culture of the country he resides in, but represents his culture, his country in that foreign land. A soldier lives by the rules and standards of the military, he is not a civilian anymore. He wears an uniform, he follows orders (like them or not). Like the ambassador he represents his country in foreign lands. The pilgrim, is just passing by and like a gypsy, he does not adopt the culture of the land in which he is temporarily residing. They all stand out.
We should be like Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Nehemiah, Ezra, Daniel, among others. They lived in foreign lands, or moved to the promised land from foreign lands, but they all left behind or did not adopt or conform to the customs and culture of their adopted lands. They lived in them as foreigners, strangers in a strange land. Abraham did not worship the foreign gods or adopted the practices of his neighbors, Sodom & Gomorra. Joseph did not give in to the corrupt morals & religion of his new land. Moses left a corrupt culture and came back to lead his people out of that culture, Joshua entered a new land and exclaimed "[A]nd if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." See Joshua 24:15. Daniel was moved to a foreign land and excelled because he would not conform or compromise his faith. Nehemiah & Ezra, came back to the Promised land from a foreign land and left behind their corrupt customs/culture.
These heroes of faith, did not conform or adapt their faith on the one true God to the culture or world system they lived in. Who are we to do so? Who are we to conform God's word and our faith to the world’s standards. Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Maybe we do need to be like barbarians, uncivilized, not conforming to the world. Passing through the world and leaving a wake (not of destruction) but of changed lives. Lives that are so different than what the world sells that they stand out and set an example for others to follow. You know like a city on a hill!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Christmas Poem Regarding Our Troops Overseas.
Here is a poem that was sent to me at work. I find it extremely significant because it seems to really grasp what our troops are doing overseas. I have never served in the military (I wish I had), but I am extremely proud and grateful of those who do. They are keeping me and my family safe. They are true servants, willing to sacrifice for our freedom.
John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."
Enjoy the poem and remember to thank our troops.
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear..
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.."
" So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."
"We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm."
George Orwell, April 4, 1942
Thank for your your service and may God Bless all who serve.
John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."
Enjoy the poem and remember to thank our troops.
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear..
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.."
" So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."
"We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm."
George Orwell, April 4, 1942
Thank for your your service and may God Bless all who serve.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
HEROES
Phil 2:19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. 20 For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know his proven character, that as a son with [his] father he served with me in the gospel. 23 Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. 24 But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly. 25 Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; 26 since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; 30 because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.
Our society has it all upside down when it comes to real life heroes.
Society idolizes, admires, and makes heroes out of selfish, self-serving, egotistic, movie stars, professional athletes, musicians,entertainers, and assorted reality TV stars. These “heroes” only serve themselves and demand respect & million dollar salaries to do so. Tell me, what has Michael Jackson done in order to be exalted as he has been, postmortem. OK, he could sing and dance. How does that make him a hero? How does that make him someone who should be admired and imitated? What about movie stars? They can act, have good looks, and can impersonate other human beings. How does that make them heroes? How about Shaq? He is tall and can dunk a ball through a small hoop. Again, how does that make him a hero. Even when these post-modern “heroes” do acts of charity they seem to do it not to serve others, but to serve themselves and make themselves feel good.
“But what about Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Madonna, etc..., they adopt poor kids” you say in their defense. As you download their image to your screen saver and pick up the latest copy of People magazine.
Is adopting a poor kids, taking them away from their homeland/
family/culture, and placing them into a wealthy, but highly dysfunctional setting (I don’t even dare call it a “Home”) an act of charity? Is letting a nanny raise your adopted kids something to be admired? Was that child adopted to be served unconditionally by a loving parent, or to serve a need within the “movie star” to do something good, feel good, and be accepted as more than a pretty face. Based on their lifestyles, divorce rates, and moral values, I say it’s the latter reason. Or maybe they think that if the do some “good acts” they won’t be judged so harshly when they die. You know, one of those new-age, makes me feel good, karma things they love so much in Hollywood.
So these are our post-modern “heroes.” How sad. The bible gives us a completely different view of what a hero is. See the verse above. Paul, a hero in his own right, describes two men, who should be admired, imitated, and held in esteem, a.k.a. heroes. Why? Paul tells us why. Lets start with Timothy: 1) He is like-minded. Timothy is a disciple of Paul and thereby understands and will be faithful to Paul’s mission. Which is Christ’s mission:
Mat 28:19 Go therefore go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, [even] to the end of the age.
2) Timothy is sincere. Timothy truly cares for the body of Christ (the Church) and the mission. He does not do it out of ulterior motives, such as fame, power, or money. Timothy is a willing servant. Serving out of desire and not out of expectation. 3) Timothy, is not self-serving. Timothy willingly and gladly serves others, and always puts the needs of others before his own. Timothy does this, not to feel good about himself, but to advance the mission, win the good fight, and proclaim the gospel. 4) Timothy is a man of good character who can be trusted as a son. Paul can trust Timothy to the point that he can send him to the Philippians as his representative. As an ambassador that will correctly and appropriately represent him. Think about how important this is, Timothy’s actions and behavior will positively or negatively affect Paul’s ministry in Philippi. Paul is putting his whole reputation on Timothy’s shoulders. Thereby, Timothy as a faithful servant must die to self and act as Paul would. Which is like Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
Lets move on to Epaphroditus. 1) Paul calls him his brother, a fellow worker, and fellow soldier. Only trustworthy, faithful, committed men can be called such things. Obviously, not only was Epaphroditus a brother in Christ, but Paul seems to regard him as one would regard a blood brother. Kind of like a big brother watches out for his little brother, out pure of love, with no ulterior motive, other than to preserve the well being and safety of your loved one. Based on his actions, I believe it is safe to assume that Epaphroditus also loved and cared for Paul as a brother. 2) Epaphroditus ministered to Paul’s needs. Epaphroditus unselfishly risked his life, health, freedom, and safety to serve Paul’s needs. His actions had nothing to do with his personal needs, or wants, he just wanted to serve faithfully. I can only assume that Epaphroditus was so thankful to Paul for his salvatio(through Jesus Christ) that he was willing to give up his life to serve him in a time of need. 3) Epaphroditus was caring. He longed for his friends and family, not because he missed them, or needed them, but because did not want them to be distressed and suffer because they had heard that he was sick. Even while being “sick almost unto death” he cared more for their well-being than his own. 4) Epaphroditus, because of his work for Christ, came close to death and he never regarded his own life. All to serve a man of God and assist him in the advancement of the gospel.
Paul tells the Philippians to receive Epaphroditus in the Lord with all gladness. To basically thank him for his selfless dedication to advancing the good news. And to hold men like Timothy and Epaphroditus in esteem. The word esteem, similarly to the hero, means to have high regard for a person or to admire someone for their courage or outstanding achievements. We admire/esteem athletes, musicians, actors, even politicians. But can we truly say that they deserve our esteem. Have they come close to death in serving others? Have they truly, placed the welfare and well being of others above their needs and wants. Are they willing to sacrifice themselves for a brother? Doubt it. Therefore, lets use Paul’s definition of what a hero is and esteem the brave men and women who have selflessly dedicated their lives to serve others, specially those who advance the Gospel and the good news of our Lord and King, Jesus Christ.
Our society has it all upside down when it comes to real life heroes.
Society idolizes, admires, and makes heroes out of selfish, self-serving, egotistic, movie stars, professional athletes, musicians,entertainers, and assorted reality TV stars. These “heroes” only serve themselves and demand respect & million dollar salaries to do so. Tell me, what has Michael Jackson done in order to be exalted as he has been, postmortem. OK, he could sing and dance. How does that make him a hero? How does that make him someone who should be admired and imitated? What about movie stars? They can act, have good looks, and can impersonate other human beings. How does that make them heroes? How about Shaq? He is tall and can dunk a ball through a small hoop. Again, how does that make him a hero. Even when these post-modern “heroes” do acts of charity they seem to do it not to serve others, but to serve themselves and make themselves feel good.
“But what about Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Madonna, etc..., they adopt poor kids” you say in their defense. As you download their image to your screen saver and pick up the latest copy of People magazine.
Is adopting a poor kids, taking them away from their homeland/
family/culture, and placing them into a wealthy, but highly dysfunctional setting (I don’t even dare call it a “Home”) an act of charity? Is letting a nanny raise your adopted kids something to be admired? Was that child adopted to be served unconditionally by a loving parent, or to serve a need within the “movie star” to do something good, feel good, and be accepted as more than a pretty face. Based on their lifestyles, divorce rates, and moral values, I say it’s the latter reason. Or maybe they think that if the do some “good acts” they won’t be judged so harshly when they die. You know, one of those new-age, makes me feel good, karma things they love so much in Hollywood.
So these are our post-modern “heroes.” How sad. The bible gives us a completely different view of what a hero is. See the verse above. Paul, a hero in his own right, describes two men, who should be admired, imitated, and held in esteem, a.k.a. heroes. Why? Paul tells us why. Lets start with Timothy: 1) He is like-minded. Timothy is a disciple of Paul and thereby understands and will be faithful to Paul’s mission. Which is Christ’s mission:
Mat 28:19 Go therefore go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, [even] to the end of the age.
2) Timothy is sincere. Timothy truly cares for the body of Christ (the Church) and the mission. He does not do it out of ulterior motives, such as fame, power, or money. Timothy is a willing servant. Serving out of desire and not out of expectation. 3) Timothy, is not self-serving. Timothy willingly and gladly serves others, and always puts the needs of others before his own. Timothy does this, not to feel good about himself, but to advance the mission, win the good fight, and proclaim the gospel. 4) Timothy is a man of good character who can be trusted as a son. Paul can trust Timothy to the point that he can send him to the Philippians as his representative. As an ambassador that will correctly and appropriately represent him. Think about how important this is, Timothy’s actions and behavior will positively or negatively affect Paul’s ministry in Philippi. Paul is putting his whole reputation on Timothy’s shoulders. Thereby, Timothy as a faithful servant must die to self and act as Paul would. Which is like Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
Lets move on to Epaphroditus. 1) Paul calls him his brother, a fellow worker, and fellow soldier. Only trustworthy, faithful, committed men can be called such things. Obviously, not only was Epaphroditus a brother in Christ, but Paul seems to regard him as one would regard a blood brother. Kind of like a big brother watches out for his little brother, out pure of love, with no ulterior motive, other than to preserve the well being and safety of your loved one. Based on his actions, I believe it is safe to assume that Epaphroditus also loved and cared for Paul as a brother. 2) Epaphroditus ministered to Paul’s needs. Epaphroditus unselfishly risked his life, health, freedom, and safety to serve Paul’s needs. His actions had nothing to do with his personal needs, or wants, he just wanted to serve faithfully. I can only assume that Epaphroditus was so thankful to Paul for his salvatio(through Jesus Christ) that he was willing to give up his life to serve him in a time of need. 3) Epaphroditus was caring. He longed for his friends and family, not because he missed them, or needed them, but because did not want them to be distressed and suffer because they had heard that he was sick. Even while being “sick almost unto death” he cared more for their well-being than his own. 4) Epaphroditus, because of his work for Christ, came close to death and he never regarded his own life. All to serve a man of God and assist him in the advancement of the gospel.
Paul tells the Philippians to receive Epaphroditus in the Lord with all gladness. To basically thank him for his selfless dedication to advancing the good news. And to hold men like Timothy and Epaphroditus in esteem. The word esteem, similarly to the hero, means to have high regard for a person or to admire someone for their courage or outstanding achievements. We admire/esteem athletes, musicians, actors, even politicians. But can we truly say that they deserve our esteem. Have they come close to death in serving others? Have they truly, placed the welfare and well being of others above their needs and wants. Are they willing to sacrifice themselves for a brother? Doubt it. Therefore, lets use Paul’s definition of what a hero is and esteem the brave men and women who have selflessly dedicated their lives to serve others, specially those who advance the Gospel and the good news of our Lord and King, Jesus Christ.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Man O’ War
When they say that Kentucky is the Horse Capital of the World. They must be specifically speaking of the City of Lexington. Where we now live.
In Lexington everything revolves around horses. The license plates have horses, the streets are full of horse themed statutes & symbols. The stores have lots of horse t-shirts, paintings, artwork., etc... I never been into horses. They are beautiful and all, but not my thing.
One of the things to do here in October is to go by Keenland, a historic horse track, second only to Churchill Downs (where the Kentucky Derby is run). In the month of October they run big $ races. During the race weekends on Saturday mornings (7:00am -9:00am) they have a time for parents to bring their kids and see the race horses up close, as they train and warm up in the track. (By the way I felt like a tall and big person next to some of the Jockeys we saw).
Last weekend we took the kids. Seeing those race horses running the track was majestic. You see their defined muscles, you hear their snorting, and you feel the ground tremble every time they pass by. No wonder people fall in love with horses. Wild, muscular, brave, bold, fast, wild, yet in control (barely).
Seeing the Race Horses made me get all excited, ok a little teary eyed, because they reminded me of the Glory and Majesty of our Lord. Only a Glorious & Majestic being could have created such a honorable creature. A creature worthy to be ridden by a King into battle. I should say, a creature worthy to be ridden by THE KING into battle. see Revelation 19:11.
It reminded me of how God himself used the horse (specifically a war
horse) to demonstrate his Glory to man.
Job 39:19-25 "Have you given the horse strength? Have you clothed his neck with thunder? Can you frighten him like a locust? His majestic snorting strikes terror. He paws in the valley, and rejoices in [his] strength; He gallops into the clash of arms. He mocks at fear, and is not frightened; Nor does he turn back from the sword. The quiver rattles against him, The glittering spear and javelin. He devours the distance with fierceness and rage; Nor does he come to a halt because the trumpet [has] sounded. At [the blast of] the trumpet he says, 'Aha!' He smells the battle from afar, The thunder of captains and shouting.”
In Lexington, there is a major road named “Man O’ War” and a bunch of stores & businesses bearing the same name; Man O’ War Ford, Man O’ War Church, Man O’ War bakery, etc….
Being such a cool name I asked why are so many things in Lexington called or named Man O’ War. You guessed it, “Man O’ War” is a famous race horse. Won tons of races. I have never seen it run, I have only seen pictures and statutes of him, as he is dead now, but I just imagine the Horse God described to Job. The horse Jesus, our King, will ride into battle. See again Rev. 19:11. Majestic, strong, brave, mocking fear, running headlong into battle, fierce, saying ‘aha’ as he hears the trumpet and smells the battle. The coolest part is that we (believers) will get to ride into battle with our Lord, in our own War Horse. See Rev. 19:14. I think I’ll name my horse “War Machine”. What will you name yours?
In Lexington everything revolves around horses. The license plates have horses, the streets are full of horse themed statutes & symbols. The stores have lots of horse t-shirts, paintings, artwork., etc... I never been into horses. They are beautiful and all, but not my thing.
One of the things to do here in October is to go by Keenland, a historic horse track, second only to Churchill Downs (where the Kentucky Derby is run). In the month of October they run big $ races. During the race weekends on Saturday mornings (7:00am -9:00am) they have a time for parents to bring their kids and see the race horses up close, as they train and warm up in the track. (By the way I felt like a tall and big person next to some of the Jockeys we saw).
Last weekend we took the kids. Seeing those race horses running the track was majestic. You see their defined muscles, you hear their snorting, and you feel the ground tremble every time they pass by. No wonder people fall in love with horses. Wild, muscular, brave, bold, fast, wild, yet in control (barely).
Seeing the Race Horses made me get all excited, ok a little teary eyed, because they reminded me of the Glory and Majesty of our Lord. Only a Glorious & Majestic being could have created such a honorable creature. A creature worthy to be ridden by a King into battle. I should say, a creature worthy to be ridden by THE KING into battle. see Revelation 19:11.
It reminded me of how God himself used the horse (specifically a war
horse) to demonstrate his Glory to man.
Job 39:19-25 "Have you given the horse strength? Have you clothed his neck with thunder? Can you frighten him like a locust? His majestic snorting strikes terror. He paws in the valley, and rejoices in [his] strength; He gallops into the clash of arms. He mocks at fear, and is not frightened; Nor does he turn back from the sword. The quiver rattles against him, The glittering spear and javelin. He devours the distance with fierceness and rage; Nor does he come to a halt because the trumpet [has] sounded. At [the blast of] the trumpet he says, 'Aha!' He smells the battle from afar, The thunder of captains and shouting.”
In Lexington, there is a major road named “Man O’ War” and a bunch of stores & businesses bearing the same name; Man O’ War Ford, Man O’ War Church, Man O’ War bakery, etc….
Being such a cool name I asked why are so many things in Lexington called or named Man O’ War. You guessed it, “Man O’ War” is a famous race horse. Won tons of races. I have never seen it run, I have only seen pictures and statutes of him, as he is dead now, but I just imagine the Horse God described to Job. The horse Jesus, our King, will ride into battle. See again Rev. 19:11. Majestic, strong, brave, mocking fear, running headlong into battle, fierce, saying ‘aha’ as he hears the trumpet and smells the battle. The coolest part is that we (believers) will get to ride into battle with our Lord, in our own War Horse. See Rev. 19:14. I think I’ll name my horse “War Machine”. What will you name yours?
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