Remembering the Reason Behind 9/11

One of the most often asked questions following the tragedy of 9/11 was how God could allow it to happen.  This question drove Americans to fill church pews in record numbers the Sunday following the terrorist attack, hoping that an answer would be provided.  It goes without saying that if they had occupied the right church, they would have heard the right answer.

We find ourselves a decade after what is now seen as the most brutal attack on American soil, preparing to hold homage to those whose lives were cut short that day.  The saddest part, however, is that many have forgotten what they heard from those faithful men who stood behind the church pulpits, and the pews have emptied of those who sought solace there.

The  truth behind what brought this to our soil has been replaced by political correctness in its worst form: denial of the historical and Biblical facts surrounding those who carried out the attack and what God says must come next.

The following sermon was given by Pastor John MacArthur, Grace Community Church, in Sun Valley, California, on September 16, 2001.  It can be said with all sincerity that his congregation heard the truth that day and if they were listening and truly wanting to hear why God would allow the attack on 9/11, they would never forget it.

I hope you will take the time to listen to both parts of the sermon.  God's truth and His warnings are contained within it.  May it bless you.  But, more importantly, may it return your focus back onto Him, His nation Israel, and His desire for all men.

In Christ,

Karen

A New Project In the Making...

Hi, everyone!

Once again, I'm finding other things taking me away from posting on the blog.  But this time, the reason is a good one.

Last May, my husband and I were blessed to be able to hear a presentation given by Beka Feth, a missionary to Malawi, Africa.  Since then, the LORD has moved in amazing ways, demonstrating to us that the work she is doing is of His own making.  He's also encouraging me and others to become involved in that work.  Not in Malawi, but here in the States.  It's been a reminder of how gloriously long is His arm!

Without going into details right now, I just wanted you to know that I am creating a blog for Beka and will also be administrating it, too.   God has impressed upon me an urgency in getting it up and going, thus the reason this blog is temporarily suffering.  Once it's up and running, I am confident that He'll give me the words and the time to service both blogs.  Until then, however, posts here will be a tad bit infrequent.

There's plenty of stuff to read here.  As I encouraged you the last time I found myself without the time to keep the blog fresh, look over the archives and "Labels" because I'm sure you'll find things you've never read.

When all the finishing touches to Beka's blog have been made, I'll share it with you here on this blog.  As I said above, God is doing amazing things through her in that tiny nation, and I know you'll agree.  When you see and read about her journey, I hope you'll all become "Followers" of the blog as we watch Him transform the people in Malawi through Beka.

Until then, stay tuned into this blog!  I sincerely appreciate your visits and promise to keep it focused and centered on the LORD, praying that it edifies, encourages, and strengthens you until His glorious return.

For Christ's honor and glory,

Karen

Chasing After the Wind

If you were to face the loss of a job, dwindling finances, and a mortgage you can't pay, how would you react?  If the economy became so bleak that the necessities of life became harder to acquire, what would be your response? Despair?  Hopelessness?  Desperation that drives you to do whatever is necessary to cling to these things?

I would say that the majority of us react that way.  The last two generations have become used to having everything they want or need, even at the expense of placing themselves in the graveyard of debt, passing it onto their children to deal with after they are gone (Eccl. 2:18-22).

Jesus said that at the time of the end, men would continue to revel and spend, in spite of the things that are happening around them (Matthew 24:37-39).   If you don't believe that we are approaching His return, stop and take a look around you.  Open your eyes to how you and others view life; the recreation you think you deserve, and the toys and gadgets that you think brings you happiness.  Ponder the waste of time and money spent on frivolous, decadent displays of "self" which only further supports the LORD'S warnings of how men will be living their lives during that point in history.

"All is vanity," wrote Solomon in Ecclesiastes (Eccl. 1:2).  Who knew this better than Solomon?  He had been given riches and possessions beyond the wildest dream of any man.  He asked for wisdom and God gave it to him.  He reveled and spent more than the wealthiest in history (Eccl. 1:14; 2:1-3; 2:11-12).  Yet, as his life drew to a close, Solomon realized that all that he had learned and acquired was nothing compared to knowing God and His will for man (Eccl. 5:6-8; cf Isaiah 49:4).

Solomon gained the greatest wisdom by acknowledging the folly of "chasing after the wind" and the results that it could bring (Eccl. 2:10-11).  The wisdom God gave him, albeit not what he expected, was revealed to him at the close of his life, not while he was enjoying the benefits in his youth (Eccl. 5:18-20).  I can think of no better way to end this post than to use the words of the wisest man to ever walk this earth and the summation of his life:

"Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, 'I have no pleasure in them'; before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain, in the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look through the windows are dimmed, and the doors on the street are shut—when the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low— they are afraid also of what is high, and terrors are in the way; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along, and desire fails, because man is going to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets— before the silver cord is snapped, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.  Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity.

...The end of the matter; all has been heard.  Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.   For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil." ~ Ecclesiastes 12:1-8, 13, 14

I encourage you to take a closer examination of the things you value.  You may just end up in the same place Solomon found himself: that all he had done was chase after the wind.  None of the temporal things - riches, possessions, wisdom - truly matter in the big scheme of life.  It's WHO you know and obey while enjoying the benefits of His blessings on this earth that really matters.  As Solomon discovered - and I hope you do, too -  that kind of wisdom will bring the greatest riches, and they will last an eternity.

Sheep or Sheeple - Which One Are You?

John 10:1-21

My grandkids are in 4-H.  Since my 13 year old granddaughter, Ani, began three years ago, she has twice taken the Grand Champion title for the steers she has fed and conditioned.  Her brother, Liam, who is going to be 11 in January, has raised pigs for the last two years and has done quite well.  Kieran, brother number two who just turned 8, will be transitioning from a Clover Bud and open classes and into qualified projects next year.  I'm proud of all three of them.  The 4-H organization has taught them how to value livestock and the industry, and the responsibility and time and effort it takes to raise their animals.

But one animal that none of the kids will be raising during their 4-H tenure is sheep.   Sheep are easy to raise and feed, and the cost of doing so is dramatically less than raising a market steer or a pig.  Most parents prefer the seemingly non-offensive, less smelly, smaller animal to the larger varieties.  They think that their child should start out with livestock that's easier to handle and would never harm them.  They may have a point, especially for the "backyard" livestock keeper.  Who doesn't love a baby lamb and their cuddly, soft, downy wool?  And a well-fed lamb does produce wonderful chops!  The essence of my grandkids' decision not to raise one, however, is basically due to the challenge the larger animals offer, and the lack of the same with sheep.

Let's take a look at the character and habits of sheep.

Sorry, but sheep are dumb.  Sheep have a deeply embedded herd mentality.  Sheep have a propensity to follow after danger, grazing with their heads down, not knowing where they're going, and not recognizing danger before it's too late.  In spite of those attending them bearing the title "shepherd," it is almost impossible to drive them in the direction you want them to go.  All is well as long as the lamb has company - other lambs, that is.  Place a lamb skin on a wolf, and they will follow it, thinking it's another lamb.  (I once had an Old English Sheepdog that could get any balking herd of sheep to follow after her because she had the appearance of a lamb - in spite of her hatred and resentment for the things.)

When the lambs are presented in the show ring, no halter, ropes, driving sticks, or canes are required.  All the handler must do is place one of his or her hands under the lamb's lower jaw and the other on its rump to propel it into the position they desire.  When they stop to set it up (place it in its show position), the lamb stands there, imagining that the hand that's under its jaw is preventing it from moving.  My point is made: imagine an animal so dumb that it actually thinks it's tethered or unable to move where it wants because someone has a hold of its jaw.  (A sheep's brain weighs 140 grams, as compared to a cow's brain weighing in at 425-458 grams.  Compare both to a human brain weighing 1300-1400 grams, and that's all that needs to be said.)

Those who have no true knowledge of sheep might think, "That kid has trained that sheep well!"  Even though the kids work long hours conditioning their lambs, they begin when the lambs are very young.  The less-seasoned showman considers the lamb a pet and it is most often treated like one.  By playing with it and keeping a hands-on approach, the lamb becomes accustomed to being handled and falls easily and submissively into the proper techniques that are required to show it in the ring.  They are just simply an easier animal to raise and handle - unless you want to drive them.

Does any of this sound familiar?

It is no wonder that people are likened to sheep.  The often-used pun "sheeple" is appropriate in regard to how men behave.  They follow after danger with their heads down, fall into a herd mentality, and are unable to recognize a wolf in sheep's clothing (much like my old dog who fooled the sheep every time), and fail to follow after the true Shepherd, Jesus Christ.  Usually all it takes for a person to be led astray is a slyly placed hand under his jaw and a little push in the wrong direction, and off he goes!  Once he's in the position that the enemy wants him to be in, he remains frozen there.  He isn't aware that all he would have to do to break free from that which restricts him is to cry out for his Shepherd's aid and return to Him.

There is a sheep pen that has been established by the LORD where He puts all those He has gathered.   On the perimeter of that pen is a gate that He has secured and through which He leads His sheep out.  They know His voice and will turn and run from a stranger.  They know He is their Shepherd and will protect them.  They also know that the pastures He leads them to will be lush and verdant.  When one strays away from Him, He will leave the others behind to search for it.  He has even given His life for His sheep.  Jesus is the Good Shepherd who cares for His flock.  I might even go so far as to say that the sheep that belong to Him are wise.  

Unlike the foolish 4-H sheep described above, those who belong to Jesus know their Master and are faithful to Him.  He has no need for restraints to keep His sheep obedient and subjected to Him.  He makes no demands upon them except to love and obey Him.  When His sheep know Him, the hand He places upon their hearts is gentle, not forceful.  It guides them towards righteousness and holiness, perfection and peace.  And eventually, Jesus will shepherd them to His eternal kingdom where they will be forever free to graze with their heads down without fear.

So, are you a sheeple or a sheep?  It's a good question to ask oneself.  Jesus desires to add you to His flock.  Truly, there's no better place to be.  And if you are one that's being held captive by the hand of deception that is only leading you astray, simply call out to Him.  He's ready and willing to break that hold for you and lead you to safer pastures.

I hope I see you there. 

Getting Knocked Off the -Ism and -Ist Perch

If there was ever a time in history that has the propensity to confuse and befuddle Christians with excessive terminology, it's in this generation.  And the biggest problem with all the "isms" and "ists" that are being passed around is the division that is caused when differing viewpoints are debated - usually hotly and with little or no regard to the commonality Christians do have with each other: belief in Jesus Christ and His Gospel of salvation in its fullness.

The "5 Points of Calvin-ism"..."Arminian-ism"..."dispensational-ism"..."preterist"..."pre-mid-post-millenialist"...and every other "ism" and "ist" that can stir up and muddy the waters of the Gospel message reminds me of the photo I've attached to this post.  We  have become a bunch of different types of birds, each jostling for space on a narrow perch, and all singing discordant tunes that are out of harmony with each other.  This does nothing more than bring dissension among believers and a stubborn drive for each bird to make his position the only valid and legitimate one and to guarantee he remains on the perch.

Of course, then we have those who label themselves with cute hyphenated versions of "-isms" and "-ists" like silly little school girls.  The "Calvi-dispy" crowd and others remind me of immature children who form their own private little club.  In order to become a member, one must jump through the hoops these elitists have erected, learn the lingo, and agree completely with them.  If not, you have no hope of becoming part of this intimate and divinely inspired group and you're knocked off their perch.

This is not to say that I don't have my own convictions on these important doctrines, and most of those convictions are in line with the -ist and -ism crowd (minus half a point).  What I am saying is that all too often our approach comes across as arrogant and argumentative, rather than with gentle instruction and a desire to help others see their errors.  We become exclusive, wanting only to associate with those of like-mind.  We bar the door of our tight-knit, hand-selected, little group from those with differing opinions (and often misguided ones) and then gossip among ourselves about their ignorance.  Believe me.  I have witnessed this.

Should this be the way we, as Christians, behave?

It goes without saying that no one wants to deal with a trouble-maker.  Someone who inserts himself and attempts to cause division should be removed and handed over for the LORD to discipline, if that be His will.  But to merely turn your vitriol on someone who has the wrong understanding of a particular doctrine, and who may be quite capable through the intervention of the Holy Spirit working through you in coming to a right understanding, is the wrong way for us to behave.

Who are we to decide for God who should be the recipient of that understanding?  Is He not Sovereign in His choices?  Has He not given us the means and the knowledge to share with others what we do know and a clear mandate to accomplish it?  For us to hide our "lamp" under a "jar" is for us to also hide the Light of Christ that gives understanding and reveals the hidden and hard things.  The knowledge that has been given to us and the understanding we have should be put on a "stand so that those who enter may see the Light."  (Luke 8:16)  By employing Jesus' instructions, the goal of reaching unity in common belief is more easily attained, thereby keeping peace in His body of believers instead of us acting like a bunch of squabbling birds fighting over position on the perch.

It is no small wonder that so many refuse to hear the Gospel when they see us fighting amongst ourselves over "-isms" and "-ists."  How is that furthering the Truths of God?  At best, all we are accomplishing is proving the unbeliever correct in his assessment:  hypocrisy, arrogance, pride, and a stubborn determination to always be right are still very much present in the Church.

Like those who have gone before us have discovered, there will come a time when we all will be amazed (and probably ashamed) at how much we may have missed the mark regarding certain doctrines.  None of us should think that we have all the right answers.  If we do, we're only fooling ourselves and placing ourselves in the precarious position of being knocked off our self-elevated perch.  There is only One with ultimate wisdom regarding these issues and He will determine how and when we come to a full understanding of them in His own way.

Although I am in agreement with many of my brothers and sisters regarding certain tenets of belief, I will humbly reserve sufficient space for God to correct and instruct me when He deems it necessary, even if it's through another.  The ironic part about it is that I believed these things before I even knew they had a name with a suffix attached to their end.  I didn't need to bog my mind down with -isms and -ists in order to understand them.  They came with the Gospel, and that was enough for me.  The most important thing I can do for Him right now is to allow Him to lead me in how I share what He's given me to others with less knowledge so that they, too, may benefit from His wisdom. 

God knocked me off my self-elevated perch a long time ago, and I cannot express the gratitude I have for that lowering of myself.  Every once in a while I try and climb back onto it, but I'm beginning to see that the view is much better down here, at least until I reach the level of wisdom He desires for me.  If I do have a position on that perch, it's one that He has ordained for me, not one I've chosen for myself.

So, enough with the "-isms" and "-ists" - at least for a time.  They only benefit mature believers in furthering their understanding of God's purpose and will by digging deeper into His Word.   There's a world of unbelievers out there who need to hear the Gospel of salvation in its purest form: simple and direct with nothing left to conjecture or debate, and nothing that will confuse or distort their understanding of it.  Once they have that firmly planted in their hearts, the rest will come by the Holy Spirit's intervention and instruction.

Are You a Mary or a Martha?

But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."

 Luke 10:40-42 ESV

This is an easy question for me to answer.  There's no doubt that I'm a Martha.

I want to be a Mary, but I find it difficult to allow others to serve me.  Instead, I charge headfirst into making sure that the comforts of others are met before my own, and the end result is usually exhaustion and regret that so much of my time I was allowed to be with them was wasted on making sure things ran smoothly.

This summer has been filled with visiting friends and relatives.  I looked forward to them coming, even for a day or two, but my excitement quickly dissipated as I found myself fussing over them and worrying that every moment was filled with making sure their needs were met.  Unlike Martha who complained that Mary failed to help her, I felt I needed to do it all so that my visitors' vacations would be memorable ones full of fun and relaxation.  Therefore, I missed out on a lot because of my predisposition to try and handle everything, including my six grandbabies and two of my son's fiance's young girls running in and out and meeting their demands.

It didn't take me long to realize I was actually worse than Martha!

Mary had it right.  She also had the best seat in the house: at Jesus' feet.  She knew her time with Him was going to be short and wanted to take advantage of every second of the time she had to spend with Him.  As I look back on the last month, I realize that I missed out on the enjoyment I could have experienced with my family because I refused to sit down with them and let come what may.  Unlike Mary, I failed to choose the "good portion," those times of reminiscing, memory building, and laughter that comes with the precious time we spend with those who live far away and are only able to visit once in a great while.  The photos I took should have been a reminder of the good times.  Instead, they are a reminder of how brief those intimate moments were because of my frantic desire to serve my loved ones, and the regret I feel for having done so.

Unfortunately, I will probably continue to be a Martha - at least most of the time.  It's just the way I'm equipped, wanting to make sure that everyone's needs are met.  But the next time I'm given the gift of having my family surrounding me, I'm going to strive real hard to be a Mary and treasure each second with them.

I'm going to sit down and let my family gather around my feet.  I'll let the dirty dishes and clothes pile up and the wet towels hang out on the line.  I'll try and turn a blind eye to the messes that build, knowing they can be dealt with later.  I'll accept the offer of help from the other adults that I so often refuse.  And as my grandchildren run rip-shod over my space, I'll smile to myself as their mischievous antics are buried deeply in my heart to recall at a later time when they are away from me.

I thank the LORD for blessing me with time to be with my family, even if I didn't utilize it they way I probably should have.  He has reminded me that the "good portion" of simply being in and enjoying their presence is the absolute best place to be.  The wonderful memories of them that He's buried deep in my heart, regardless of how brief, can never be taken away from me, and I will treasure them forever.

I'm Still Here!

Once again I find myself trying to balance the summer projects, visiting friends and relatives, chasing after grandchildren, and this blog.  It may appear that my interest in it is waning, but nothing could be farther from the truth.  I'm still here!

I usually try to post something new at least every three days.   Although I have many new ideas rolling around in my head, even some titles in the draft file waiting for inspiration, there just aren't enough "quiet" moments without interruptions to complete them.

So, if you are looking for something to read, I'd love it if you searched through the archives under "Labels".  There just may be something there you haven't read in the last two and a half years this blog has existed, or something you did read that you'd like to read again!  Sometimes I go back and read them as if it's the first time.  I hope you do, too, and find what you're looking for.

The summer is coming to a close here in our mountain valley.  It won't be long before precious family we don't see often enough go back to their own homes, 4-H projects are completed and this week's fair concludes, and I am left to wonder what I will do with myself, as is so often the case.  It's been a wonderful summer full of renewal and building memories.  I will cherish each moment that's passed.

Keep checking back.  Those rare moments of opportunity to write do come - once in a while.  Until then, continue to have a great summer and may God bless each and every one who drops by.

In Christ,

Karen

When the Wrong Use Of a Word Becomes a Lie

The wrong terminology can have devastating effects, especially when used by political factions with an agenda.  If the incorrect usage of a word is intentionally perpetuated, it's not long before people everywhere are indoctrinated to believe it's application is correct.   It becomes a form of brainwashing with the intent of convincing the masses to think and move in a particular direction.  And there's always someone or something that is adversely affected - like Israel.

When I Googled the phrase and image "occupied territory," the results were staggering but not surprising.  First and foremost, Israel and its "occupation" of the West Bank and Gaza Strip glaringly stood out at the top of the long lists of websites and definitions.  One such site, Wikipedia, defines the phrase in the following way:

Occupied territory is territory under military occupation. Occupation is a term of art in international law; in accordance with Article 42 of the Laws and Customs of War on Land (Fourth Hague Convention); October 18, 1907,^[1] territory is considered occupied when it is actually placed under the authority of the hostile army. The occupation extends only to the territory where such authority has been established and can be exercised. At the end of a war, usually the victorious side is in possession of territory previously possessed by another state. This territory is known as occupied territory. Acquisition of occupied territory is incidental to a war, where the military forces of the occupying power come into the possession of territory previously held by another state. Occupation is usually temporary; and under the subsequent articles of the Hague convention (articles 43, 44, and etc.), and the Fourth Geneva Convention the status quo must be maintained pending the signing of a peace treaty, the resolution of specific conditions outlined in a peace treaty, or the formation of a new civilian government.^[2] 

^{Wikipedia follows this definition up on another of its sites by describing the "Israeli-occupied territories" on its borders, citing the United Nations' (UN) Security Counsel Resolution 242 following the Six Day War in 1967, and demanding that Israel withdraw from the territories it has "occupied" and initiate "termination of all claims or states of belligerency."  Wikipedia further adds that the UN demanded Israel  show "respect for the right of every state in the area to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries." (emph. mine)}

^{To this day, the on-going so-called "peace process" that has consumed American Presidencies since Jimmy Carter (whose writings, actions, and speech have revealed his true feelings for Israel and the Jews, and is an embarrassment to our nation) has remained stagnant with no equitable solution in sight.  All of the posturing in front of the cameras and hand-shaking between Israel and the Arab world, with each succeeding President standing between them, are merely a front to give the impression that "respect for the right of EVERY state in the area to live in peace" is not a possibility, but a pipe dream.} 

^{The so-called "Palestinians" are seen as the victims and Israel is seen as the aggressor, keeping the Arabs living among them subjected to poverty with no state of their own.  Forget the fact that Israel, which is the size of the state of New Jersey, is bombarded on a daily basis with the terror of incoming rockets into her towns and cities, suicide bombings, and the vitriolic hatred of the world.  Because of the perpetuation of a single phrase and the indoctrination of the world's population into believing it, when the wrong use of a word or phrase becomes a lie, the world will not recognize it as such.}

^{The following video is provided by One Jerusalem, an organization dedicated to retaining the city of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel; no divisions, no compromise.  If you want to know the truth about the phrase "occupied territories" and the true history behind the West Bank, watch it.  After you do, let's all start using the right term in relation to the on-going dispute over the land of Israel and Who really owns it.}

"For behold, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of My people and My heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up My land, and have cast lots for My people, and have traded a boy for a prostitute, and have sold a girl for wine and have drunk it."  (Joel 3:1-3 ESV)

Don't Taunt My God

(This was first posted in May of 2009 and written by my sister, who has contributed a few times to the blog.  One of her passions is for the unborn and the sanctity of life.  We need to encourage her to contribute more often!  I hope it also encourages you to stand up for God  in today's battles as young David did against Goliath. ~ Karen)

"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." Revelation 3:15, 16  (NASB)

When you think about it, there are not a lot of things that are good lukewarm.  In fact I would challenge you to name even one.  Well, I don't really want to take that bet but you know what I mean. Food is usually best if it is hot or cold. Mmmmmm.  Cold milk, cold watermelon, compare those to lukewarm milk, lukewarm watermelon.  No comparison.

Today, we as Christians tend to be lukewarm when it comes to issues that we need to take a stand on.  Normally it's fear that drives us to sit on the fence.  We certainly wouldn't want someone to think that we are judgmental or one of those religious nuts would we?  So, we either allow the world to skew the truth in our minds or we don't say anything at all for fear of retribution.

Take the abortion issue for instance. How many times have you heard this statement when a friend or acquaintance is explaining their stance on life?  "Well, I consider myself pro-life because I would never do that.  But I don't want to push my views on anyone else.  So I believe abortion should be between a woman and her doctor and her family. It should be legal."

Here is my answer to that person: " Um, excuse me, but how can you be pro-life if you would stand back and allow the systematic murder of our most innocent and vulnerable?  This is one of the most picture perfect examples of being lukewarm.  Do you think as a Christian that Jesus is pleased with your answer?"  There it is.  Fear of looking judgmental.  Fear of looking too radical.  Who cares what the truth is?  Who cares that the world in its self centeredness and sin is taunting the Living God.

That brings me to the following story.  We've all heard it, but have we really? 

For about the last 3 months or so, our adult Sunday school has been studying 1Samuel 17. The story of David and Goliath.  Our teacher has challenged us to really dig for the reason that God put this story in His bible.  Growing up, and even until the last few months, I was like most people and saw it as a story of the little guy going up against the big mean guy and prevailing.  I saw it as a story of courage and faith.  All of that is true.  But I missed the big picture.

For 40 days and nights the armies of Israel were being taunted by a Philistine warrior named Goliath.  We all know he was big.  Most scholars put him at about 9ft. 6in., give or take.  Truly, I don't care about an inch or two here or there.  This was a large scary man.  He was also covered from head to toe with the latest in armor and had a shield-carrier who walked out before him.  He carried a javelin which probably weighed around 30 lbs. and he could fling it because of the way it was made.  He also carried a large sword.  Well, Israel was terrified. Shaking in their boots so to speak.  Goliath was asking for someone to come and fight him. "Hey guys, if you win (yeah right) we'll be your slaves; if we win you come and be ours."  King Saul had even offered his daughter and basically no taxes for the man who would go out and take him on.  No takers.  Until David enters the picture.

Small of stature, young, just a shepherd, never been a warrior before.  Dad had sent David to find out how his brothers were doing on the front and to take some provisions to them.  About the time he got to the battle front to greet his brothers, David heard the taunting coming from Goliath.  He saw the army of Israel turning and running.  He was asked,  "Have you seen this man who is coming up?  Surely he has come to defy Israel." He also heard what Saul would do for the man who took this giant on.  Now listen to this: David says, "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel?  For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should taunt the armies of the Living God!!?"  I love this man.  He has a heart for God.  Did you hear what he was saying?

The story doesn't stop here.  Satan starts his wicked work.  The attempt to discredit starts. One of David's older brothers, Eliab, says to David, "Why have you come down? (You little pipsqueak), And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? (Yeah, you and your nothing little job). I know your insolence and the wickedness of your heart; for you have come down in order to see the battle."  David says, "What have I done now? Was it not just a question?"  So he goes to King Saul.  Man, oh man. King Saul sees this inexperienced, small youngster and tries to discourage him from the battle also, but David doesn't give in.  Finally Saul relents and gives David permission to go out and fight Goliath. 

BUT FIRST let's try on this armor.  Doesn't fit.  Won't work.  But it doesn't stop David.  He goes out, gets 5 smooth stones (Goliath had 4 sons. He knew he only needed one for Goliath) and says to Goliath, "You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the Lord will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you. And I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the Lord's and He will give you into our hands."  Well, we all know the end of the story.

So, about now you are saying to yourself, "where is she going with this?"  My question to you is this: was David lukewarm?  Who was his first love?  Who was He fighting for?  We need to ask ourselves these questions when faced with our Goliaths.  Do we run from the fight or do we go to it knowing that our God is fighting for us?  Do we tell the truth when faced with the lies of this world or do we run from it?  Do we allow the world to taunt the Living God with horrors like abortion, or do we pick up our little pathetic slingshots and our few stones and allow our God, the fiercest of warriors, to sling them for us?  He wants to use us like He used David.  He wants us to be like David, a man after God's own heart.  But to do that, we must be hot for Him.

This is a rallying cry for all of you out there who love God, who are tired of the taunting from the world.  I'm not afraid, and there is One Whom I do not want to offend.

The Cost of Faithfulness

(I thought I would re-share this with you.  Written over a year ago, it's a reminder of the cost we may pay for our faithfulness to Christ.  I hope it encourages you.)

As I sat down to study and read my devotionals this morning, my mind was still heavy over the loss of an old friend last night.  By loss, I mean he decided to delete me from his Facebook friend list.  I have known him for almost 40 years, we went to school together and when we reconnected on FB, it was a pleasure to know he seemed to be the same sweet person I remembered.  But time has a way of changing people in ways we can't fully understand.  

My friend and I had both changed, which is a good thing from certain perspectives, because I needed to change, as I'm sure he did.  We had matured and grown but most importantly at a specific time in our lives, had received and embraced convictions that now mastered our lives.  As we went on reestablishing our once-solid friendship, we were able to disagree over some things and still love and respect each other.  But it appeared that another change was beginning to be revealed that my friend found he couldn't, nor wouldn't, tolerate.  It was this that caused a tear in the fabric of our friendship, one that pulled at the threads of reason and truth and brought damage to it.  Whether or not it can ever be mended is not clear to me at this point.  But I still cling to a thread of hope that it can and after going into God's Word and receiving confirmation and peace over the conflict, I must leave it all in the Lord's hands to sort out.

Christ once said, "Do you think I came to bring peace on earth?  No, I tell you, but division.  From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three.  They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law." (Luke 12:49-53)

Jesus could have further added that there would also be division between friends because there would be those who would refuse to believe what others would bring them in the way of the truth of God's Word.  They would reject it and, perhaps, respond with willful separation from their family or friends and turn to others they have surrounded themselves with who bring them a false and destructive message.

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine.  Instead, to suit their own desires, THEY will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  THEY will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."  (2Tim. 4:3-4 - emph. mine)

People such as those mentioned in Paul's exhortation to Timothy are not thrust upon those who refuse to hear the truth.  They are unable to infiltrate a church or a heart that is divinely guarded and protected by God.  Instead, they are invited in or sought out by the ones who want their ears tickled because of their desire to create a god of their own choosing rather than the God of the Bible.  The message these false teachers bring is more pleasing to their sense of fairness, individual responsibility, and what they, themselves, desire from God.  Rather than believe the truth that is being told them, they prefer the "myths" of sly, malevolent, untruths that appease their conscience and allow them an excuse for every aspect of their lives and how they live them.  In other words, THEY choose to "exchange(d) the truth of God for a lie" (Rom. 1:25) with conscious willfulness and blatant disregard for the true message they have received.

We have a tendency, whether we consciously know it or not, to compromise God's truth in order to prevent dissension or division.  After all, who wants to lose a valued friend or loved one over an argument?  But it goes much further than simply wanting to maintain a relationship with someone you cherish by avoiding conflict.  If we are who we claim to be, that is Christ's chosen, then we have a responsibility to obey His command that we "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matt. 28:19), and to "be prepared in season and out of season [to] correct, rebuke, and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction" (2Tim. 4:2) those who are being grossly misled.  There should never be compromise when it comes to preaching or teaching the Word of God.  We must choose whom we will serve, God or man, and remain firmly grounded on His truths.

The cost of remaining faithful to God can seem devastating to us at times.  It can mean being isolated from the ones we love here on earth, being castigated as "hateful", "mean", "self-righteous", or a host of other accusations.  It can cost us friendships.  But I think Oswald Chambers in today's devotion from "My Utmost For His Highest" speaks loudly of our responsibility to our Creator in how far we must go to assure God we are doing our best for Him, in spite of what may come out of it.  It's where I want to be and how I want my God to see me: faithful to Him regardless of the cost.

"The Price of Vision" 

"In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw also the Lord."  Isaiah 6:1

"Our soul's history with God is frequently the history of the 'passing of the hero.'  Over and over again God has to remove our friends in order to bring Himself in their place, and that is where we faint and fail and get discouraged.  Take it personally: In the year that the one who stood to me for all that God was died - I gave up everything?  I became ill?  I got disheartened? or - I saw the Lord?

My vision of God depends upon the state of my character.  Character determines revelation.  Before I can say, 'I saw also the Lord,' there must be something corresponding to God in my character.  Until I am born again and begin to see the Kingdom of God, I see along the line of my prejudices only; I need the surgical operation of external events and internal purification.

IT MUST BE GOD FIRST, GOD SECOND, AND GOD THIRD, UNTIL THE LIFE IS FACED STEADILY WITH GOD AND NO ONE ELSE IS OF ANY ACCOUNT WHATEVER (emph. mine).  'In all the world there is none but Thee, my God, there is none but Thee.'

Keep paying the price.  Let God see that you are willing to live up to the vision."


To Christ be all the glory, honor,  and praise!  And may our Lord and Savior have  our complete devotion, in spite of the cost!