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Worship Team
Long before Creation, as described in Genesis 1, and long before Adam yielded his position and authority to the Serpent, something was happening in the heavens, and in Heaven itself.
Worship!
All the host of heaven worshipped the One Who sits on the Throne; Who was, and is, and is to come, The Almighty.
Their “worship leader” was known as a highly gifted angel named Lucifer. The prophet Isaiah would later describe him as a “bright star of the morning”, but also someone who wasn’t content with his heavenly role. Ezekiel described Lucifer as “the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and beauty. Every precious stone was his covering; he was perfect in every aspect.” He was known for his music, and his place of ministry was in the very Throne room of God.
His was a glorious position, and if coveting was allowed in Heaven, his was a coveted one. But he didn’t see it as such. No, he somehow became enamored with his gifts, his anointing, his position. He saw himself more important than he really was. He began to entertain a thought, a thought that would eventually affect all aspects of heaven and earth. The thought? “I can do what God does, only better! Why should God get all the glory? I’M THE anointed one, the beautiful one, the gifted one! I should be receiving all the glory and honor. I SHOULD BE WORSHIPPED! I WILL BE WORSHIPPED!”
Well, we all know how that worked out.
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Boot Camp
My book, Boot Camp, is in the final stages of production. Here is a sneak preview, the preface to Boot Camp, Basic Training For The Believer.
“Your basic combat training is designed to accomplish two purposes: familiarize you with the fundamental requirements of military life, and teach you how to fight and defeat an enemy.” (Department of the Army Pamphlet, PAM 350-43, The Soldier’s Basic Combat Training Handbook, March 1973, pg.7)
I had my Basic Combat Training (BCT) at Fort Knox, Kentucky. As soon as I got off the bus I knew I wasn’t a civilian any longer. Sure, I still looked like one but the Drill Instructors (DIs) wasted no time in making their objective clear. They were to receive us as recruits, tear us down to practically nothing, and rebuild us into disciplined, motivated, highly trained, well indoctrinated fighting machines.
I hadn’t been at the reception station more than five minutes before the DI’s were telling me where and how to stand. Imagine. I had been standing for more than 20 years and now someone saw the need to teach me the correct way. Later that day, I would be sent to the barber shop along with the rest of my platoon. Afterward, it would be real hard to tell each other apart. The DIs would have us standing, walking, talking, thinking, looking, and acting alike; as one unit, combat ready. I guess that’s why we had to have name tags on our uniforms and dog tags around our necks.
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De Nile
De Nile!
A mighty force, De Nile. It can push aside anything that tries to stand against it; and flood the foundation of anything built too close.
De Nile flows and grows, downward, ever downward; until it becomes so large it covers miles and miles of territory.
It cannot be stopped; its natural tendency to embrace, enshroud, and effect change in everything within its reach constantly drives it, pushing it faster and faster, wider and wider.
Some people attempt to control De Nile, but not without great cost. Others try and harness its intrinsic power; an almost impossible task.
Mankind has studied De Nile for thousands of years. Civilizations have come and gone, but De Nile is still as powerful as ever.
There is only one thing on earth, or in Heaven for that matter, more powerful than De Nile.
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Until Death Do Us Part
Do you mind if I stir up the proverbial pot for a moment? I’ve been thinking about the “until death do us part” line used in most wedding ceremonies. What does it mean, “until death do us part”?
At this point, I have mostly questions to share. And, as always, I’d enjoy reading your responses; whether you are answering my questions or asking some of your own.
Does death end a marriage? Jesus said, “what God has joined together, let no man separate.” So, would death separate a husband and wife?
Of course, physically they’re separated. But are they still connected spiritually?
Paul wrote that “two joined together are one flesh”. Immediately following he wrote, “he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with the Lord.” Then, in Ephesians 5 he wrote, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.”
So marriage reflects the church and the church reflects the marriage relationship. And since that is the case, does that mean death does NOT end a marriage? Death sure doesn’t separate the Lord and the believer! Actually, it’s quite the opposite.
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Brainwashed!
Need a good scrub? Does your brain need washed?
The word “brainwashed” comes to mind every so often. It’s typically used with bad connotations, like, “she lived among that group so long she became brainwashed.” Or, “the captured soldier had to endure the enemy’s advanced brainwashing techniques.” Sometimes I hear people speak of Christians as being brainwashed.
But the word, first used in 1950, isn’t necessarily bad. Here’s a definition for brainwashing: “a forcible indoctrination to induce someone to give up basic political, social, or religious beliefs and attitudes and to accept contrasting regimented ideas.”
A forcible indoctrination.
What if you removed the word “forcible”, and replaced it with “voluntary”?
A voluntary indoctrination.
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Smiles
“Smile awhile, and give your face a rest,
Raise your hands to the One Who loves the best.
Then shake hands with someone near,
And give to them a smile.”I learned this little song years ago while helping in a Sunday School class. We attended the chapel services on the military base I was stationed at in Wertheim, Germany; Peden Barracks.
My “ministry” in the class of kindergarten age children was operating a little bear puppet named “Bashful”. The teacher would use Bashful to help teach her lessons and also, entertain the children.
Another song we did, one of Bashful’s favorites, was “Peter, James and John in a Sailboat”. Bashful did all the actions for the song, such as fishing, casting a net, hauling in the great big catch, and, of course, acting bashful.
It’s fun to look back and remember those days. Such a simple, hand puppet like Bashful could put smiles on the little kids faces. Nothing fancy, no big production; just a hand, a song, and a puppet.
Smiles.
Smiles are contagious!
Smiles can lift a heavy heart, and dry someone’s tears.
Smiles can say, “I care for you”, and, “I’m glad you’re here.”
Smiles have a way of helping you forget, if just for awhile, the troubles that surround you.
Smiles are like the puppet, Bashful; revealing, acting out, the love, joy, peace, and kindness that’s within the heart.
The world, OUR WORLD, could really benefit from a simple, heartfelt smile.
Smile awhile, and give your face a rest.
Bless someone today with a smile.
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Adult Language
Language is probably the most powerful force known to man. The means of communication. The ability to express one’s thoughts, desires, and opinions; expressions which can mend relationships or start wars, create covenant or sever completely.
Language is a sacred trust given to mankind by God Almighty. It is so sacred, He connected a person’s spirit with their tongue; language’s instrument. People reveal the condition of their heart (spirit) through the words they speak.
Jesus said, “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.” (Matthew 12:33-35 ESV)
Pastor James wrote, “For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.
“So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.” (James 3:2-12 ESV)
Okay. We speak what our heart is full of. Language is the heart’s fruit. Our words can trip us up, or help us stand. They can bring peace and joy, or stress and anxiety.
Our language, the ability to communicate, must be considered a holy, sacred, and powerful gift; or we will misuse it and, possibly, abuse ourselves and others.
And then there’s the language labeled “adult language.” What is really meant by “adult language” is profanity! “Profane” is to treat (something sacred) with abuse, irreverence, or contempt. For instance, asking God to “damn someone, or something” is abusing the sacred gift we have. It is showing contempt toward the Creator of the gift of language.
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Death: the Final Frontier
The older I get, the more I think about the subject of death. I realize the topic is taboo to some; others simply want to ignore it. A few delight in discussing at length what many deem as a macabre topic. And there are a couple, or so, “Subject Matter Experts” around who are believed to know all that can be known about Death: the Final Frontier.
But who can REALLY know? Who can say they know absolutely, positively, all there is to know about death? Who can truthfully say that death isn’t somewhat of a mystery to them?
Even though there have been people who were miraculously raised from the dead; from the olden days of Elisha and Lazarus, to modern times; death is still a mystery. It can only be explored by someone who experiences it.
Jesus taught about death, experienced death, and lived again to tell about it. But even with all His teachings, the mystery remains.
I know what some may be thinking. “Death isn’t a mystery to me! I have faith!”
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California Speedway: The Five
I’ve driven by the Iowa Speedway, just outside Newton, Iowa, a number of times. Always thought it would be cool to take my Outback on it and drive around real fast; that is, if I was the only one on the track. Never have done it, though, and probably never will.
However, I HAVE driven on the California Speedway! Just last week, as a matter of fact. The official name of the Speedway is Interstate 5; known to the locals as “The Five.”
My first drivers license was a California license, way back in 1972. I had driven our car from West Virginia to Iowa, to Colorado, and on to California WITHOUT a license. (that was before I was a law abiding citizen, and I was only 17 – not old enough to get one without driver’s education. And when you don’t stay in school long enough… well, you get the idea.)
Anyway, back to the Speedway Story.
I really didn’t know if California drivers were rude or courteous; it all happened so fast! I mean, there are speed limit signs posted every 5 miles or so, but it doesn’t matter. No one pays any attention to them. I think they’re going too fast to focus on something as small as a sign.
My wife and I rented a car so we could drive from San Clemente, where our kids are, up to Hanford, which is around 300 miles away, to visit friends. Early in the morning, probably about 8:15 or so, we started out.
Now, mind you, ALL traffic in sunny, Southern California is fast! No one gets behind the wheel just to dawdle along. I didn’t see one Sunday driver during our 9 day visit! Everyone is in a hurry, it seems, to get to the next traffic jam.
Alright, we headed to “The Five”, and the first thing I saw was a traffic signal on the entrance ramp. Two lanes on the ramp, narrowing to one before blasting onto the Speedway. The signal reminded me of the signals used at the drag races up in Humboldt, Iowa. (more…)
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Veterans: Special People
Veteran:
1 a : an old soldier of long service, b : a former member of the armed forces
2 : a person of long experience usually in some occupation or skill (as politics or the arts)My heartfelt thanks to all the men and women of this great land who served, or are serving, in the military.
What does it take to be a “Veteran of the Armed Forces”? What kind of person would raise their hand, and repeat the following words:
“I, (Name), do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice, so help me God.”
Have you ever thought about it?
I understand some of you were probably drafted; “forced” to sign up for military service. Others, like me, enlisted after the draft ended. Regardless, it takes a special person to serve. (more…)
Jan Grace
adding God's Word into my world…
