If asked to list what is most important to us, most of us would answer varyingly with such elements as our faith, or God, or Jesus, or something within that realm. Likely, some of us would say that our children or our families are extremely important. We might well answer that our health or our ability to work is important.
Although these are all important, sometimes we may discover that our priorities are misaligned. Sometimes, we need a reminder of what should be most important in our lives.
The Israelite people had that problem. They had forgotten what is supposed to be most important in their lives. They have forgotten Yahweh, their God.
At some point, they stopped seeking God and began to succumb to the society around them. Eventually, they found themselves subject to the Midianites, as you might have guessed, they didn’t like that. And in the midst of their trials and oppression by the Midianites, they remembered Yahweh. They call out for his help.
Yahweh sends a prophet with this message:
"Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: I led you up from Egypt and brought you out of the house of bondage. And I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all who oppressed you, and drove them out before you and gave you their land. And I said to you, 'I am the LORD your God; you shall not fear the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell.' But you have not obeyed my voice."
God heard their call and God helps them. He asks Gideon, an Israelite man, to tear down the altar to Baal and cut down the Asher-ah Pole, which Gideon obediently does. But when Gideon tore them down, the people were upset. So much so, that they wanted to kill him. You see, they didn’t want to give up their false gods.
Although the Isrealites called out for God’s protection, they didn’t want to live the lifestyle God required. They didn’t want to give up the things important to them. They didn’t want to change their priorities. They didn’t want to face the fact that they had placed other gods over and above Yahweh.
Gideon tore down the Asherah pole and altar of Baal and He built an altar to God. He reminded the Isrealites of the right priority in life. Only then was God pleased. Only then did he make Gideon a general capable of delivering his people from the oppression of the Midianites.
Something we must learn to realize is that our God is a jealous God. I know that some people don’t want believe that. But Exodus 20: 3-6 plainly states: "You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God. He desires to hold first place in our hearts and minds. It matters to God the He be most important to us.
We will say very many things are important to us when asked. But, here is what I think. We are dishonest about it. We are not honest even with ourselves about it.
If we honestly examine our lives, if we look at how we spend our time and money, we might very well be surprised. I fear that if we were to study our daily habits, we might find reason enough to be embarrassed of ourselves. We might find that we are like the Israelites who chase after Gideon for tearing down the altar to Baal and the Asherah pole – eager for God’s love, affection, and protection without the willingness to live to his standards of placing him first and foremost in our lives.
Who are you worshiping – the Living God or your way of life? Do you have an idol in your life that must be pulled down?
Let us not be that way. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to enable us to place God first in our lives. Search your heart. Find out where your worship is and adjust your priorities.
Whatever idol you have allowed in your life, you must tear it down. If you desire to place Christ as the first priority in your life; tell Him so, tell Him today. Tell Him just now.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
The Education of Boys.
My boys both ran in the fastest boy in town competitions yesterday afternoon. Irvine participated in the Second Sunday activity where they close off streets so people can come out and walk/bike/skate or whatever. In conjunction with that, they had jump rope contest, hula hoop contests, and short races for young kids.
Cooper and I went down at 2:00 while Laurie and the little kids took naps. While there we found out about the races and called Laurie to have the little one's compete. Cooper ran his race. Ainsley didn't get there in time for her age group. And I ran with Elan to the starting line so that he could participate. The race was a down and back course. I went to the turning point, and yelled for Elan to run to me, which he did. Then I hugged him and ran back to finish. Again, I yelled for him to run to me, which he did. Cooper and Elan both won their races.
Below are two notes I wrote on Facebook. One entitled Elan cracks me up! and deals with Elan's ever expanding vocabulary and other points of his development. The other is Titled Cooper's Education. It too deals with an expanding vocabulary. Both were originally written in August 2009, but i just got around to posting them here.
Elan Cracks Me Up!
Friday, August 7, 2009 at 4:06pm
Elan's vocabulary and language skills are accelerating rapidly. And he ends up saying the cutest things.
He often uses the word us. As in... Us waked up. Us play Legos. Its really cute.
His favorite thing to say seems to be "Me do it." He is very independent.
Not too long ago as the family (minus me) was gathered at the table for a meal, Elan leaned over to lay his head on his mother. He was very obviously sleepy. As he laid his head down he looked up at Laurie and said, "Mama, I've had a hard day."
If Ainsley is setting in my lap, Elan will fuss. Invariably, his request... "Me sit in your other lap." He reckons there is a leg for each of them.
Elan is also a champion eater. The other kids are very selective, very slow eaters, but E will eat anything and is always ready for a snack or a treat.
Also, he is doing really well with his potty training. He wears big boy underwear nearly all the time. He'll usually let us know when he needs to go potty; one or two. Occasionally, he'll even make it through the night dry. And he is not at all apprehensive about peeing in the yard; any yard, anywhere, any time.
Cooper's Education
Friday, August 7, 2009 at 3:54pm
Every now and again we see the fruit of our labors.
In late spring I initiated a word of the week for Cooper. I would search the dictionary for a word that I wanted Cooper to be familiar with but that he had not yet had any reason for knowing. I ask him to look up the word, to write the word five times and to define it. Afterward, he is to use it correctly in a sentence. This is all on one page. Often he will also illustrate his sentence.
Cooper has been reading a lot lately. He recently finished "Where the Red Fern Grows" and more recently has completed one book from the Little House Series by Laura Wilder. A couple of days ago, as he was reading, he came across a sentence where Ma was darning a pair of socks. He got a big kick out of that. Darn had been one of his words of the week and he understood what she was doing because of it.
I was pleased.
Cooper and I went down at 2:00 while Laurie and the little kids took naps. While there we found out about the races and called Laurie to have the little one's compete. Cooper ran his race. Ainsley didn't get there in time for her age group. And I ran with Elan to the starting line so that he could participate. The race was a down and back course. I went to the turning point, and yelled for Elan to run to me, which he did. Then I hugged him and ran back to finish. Again, I yelled for him to run to me, which he did. Cooper and Elan both won their races.
Below are two notes I wrote on Facebook. One entitled Elan cracks me up! and deals with Elan's ever expanding vocabulary and other points of his development. The other is Titled Cooper's Education. It too deals with an expanding vocabulary. Both were originally written in August 2009, but i just got around to posting them here.
Elan Cracks Me Up!
Friday, August 7, 2009 at 4:06pm
Elan's vocabulary and language skills are accelerating rapidly. And he ends up saying the cutest things.
He often uses the word us. As in... Us waked up. Us play Legos. Its really cute.
His favorite thing to say seems to be "Me do it." He is very independent.
Not too long ago as the family (minus me) was gathered at the table for a meal, Elan leaned over to lay his head on his mother. He was very obviously sleepy. As he laid his head down he looked up at Laurie and said, "Mama, I've had a hard day."
If Ainsley is setting in my lap, Elan will fuss. Invariably, his request... "Me sit in your other lap." He reckons there is a leg for each of them.
Elan is also a champion eater. The other kids are very selective, very slow eaters, but E will eat anything and is always ready for a snack or a treat.
Also, he is doing really well with his potty training. He wears big boy underwear nearly all the time. He'll usually let us know when he needs to go potty; one or two. Occasionally, he'll even make it through the night dry. And he is not at all apprehensive about peeing in the yard; any yard, anywhere, any time.
Cooper's Education
Friday, August 7, 2009 at 3:54pm
Every now and again we see the fruit of our labors.
In late spring I initiated a word of the week for Cooper. I would search the dictionary for a word that I wanted Cooper to be familiar with but that he had not yet had any reason for knowing. I ask him to look up the word, to write the word five times and to define it. Afterward, he is to use it correctly in a sentence. This is all on one page. Often he will also illustrate his sentence.
Cooper has been reading a lot lately. He recently finished "Where the Red Fern Grows" and more recently has completed one book from the Little House Series by Laura Wilder. A couple of days ago, as he was reading, he came across a sentence where Ma was darning a pair of socks. He got a big kick out of that. Darn had been one of his words of the week and he understood what she was doing because of it.
I was pleased.
The Armor of God
Sometimes I will teach at Asbury College's Challenge Course. Because of my work there, I had an opportunity to minister to some Asbury College studenst. Through a trip called Archways, I spent a week this past summer in Red River Gorge with students who were entering Asbury College as freshman this fall. The purpose of this trip was five-fold.
First, the college wanted the incoming freshman to have a positive, spiritual experience in which they grow in their Christian relationship.
Secondly, the students were supposed to build new friendships.
Third, the students were expected to engage in fellowship within a Christian community.
Fourth, the leaders were supposed to help the students transition into the Asbury Community; preparing to better deal with life’s challenges.
And finally, we were supposed to emphasize creation care or Christian stewardship of the earth.
The 30 freshman were divided into groups of 7 or 8 and assigned a Lead Instructor and two student leaders. So, as a Lead Instructor, I had seven incoming freshman whom I was attempting to assist in their transistion and two upper classmen who assisted me in those efforts.
On the Thursday before we departed, as we prepared for the arrival of our students, the program director told us that if we didn’t have good backpacking gear and equipment that we should either buy it or borrow some from him.
If you’ve never been backpacking before, the equipment you take makes a world of difference. You want to carry the lightest stuff available because the heavier your pack is, the less comfortable it will be over numerous days and plentiful miles of walking. All in all, we backpacked around 30 miles. So, a good pack, a nice sleeping mat, a light weight sleeping bag, and a manageable stove are all important.
The director said that not only would we be more comfortable with the right equipment, carrying it would also lend us credibility as experts when the students see us. If the equipment the leaders carried was better or lighter than the items the students carried, the students would be more likely to place their confidence in us. I agree that having better gear probably did encourage the students. However, I suspect that our knowing how to use them was much more important. For example, if we didn’t know how to pitch our own tents, I suspect those students would not be able to place a great deal of confidence in our ability to lead them through this week long wilderness journey. Complete with river swimming, rock-climbing, orienteering/map-reading, and rappelling.
While on the trip, while backpacking, my friend JimBob and I were discussing another friend, Brian. We were talking about how good he was at outdoor education. He is an expert at climbing and rappelling, at challenge course facilitation, and backpacking, you name it, if it’s fun and outside, he’s probably knowledgeable about it and good at doing it.
For the previous two years he had done the work that I was now doing this year and he had done an excellent job. Incidentally, His wife, Jen, was leading a group this year and is also an expert. I think she even has a college degree in outdoor recreation. But at any rate, she's a professional in the field of outdoor education and is the boss lady at Life Adventure Center of the Bluegrass.
So, in our conversation, JimBob and I likened Brian to Superman and Jen to Wonder Woman. The students were listening to our conversation.
As I mentioned besides backpacking, we did things with ropes and rocks. On Monday we went rock-climbing and on Tuesday, we went rappelling. Both of these endeavors require some very specialized equipment. For these activities, you need ropes and harnesses, and carabiners and descenders and an array of other equipment. Now having that equipment wasn’t enough, you also want to be able to use them correctly.
As we approached a magnificent cliff called Courthouse Rock, off of which we were going to rappel, some of those students were very apprehensive, or perhaps even scared. They weren’t sure about going off that cliff. Which, if you saw that cliff, you would know is a very reasonable response.
While we were preparing to go off, I spoke with the guy who had set up all the ropes and who was the safety for this rappel. He and I are friends and we were chatting. Through our conversation, the students realized that this guy was Brian; the guy I had been talking about with JimBob. The students began to recognize that this was the guy who was so professional, the guy we had called Superman.
Immediately, they began to relax. They knew that this guy knew what he was doing. They knew they were going to be okay as they went of this huge cliff on the ropes that he set up. They placed their confidence in him. And they all had a great experience.
In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he mentions a lot of specialized equipment; equipment that is needed to get the job done. He likens them to the armor a soldier would use to get his job done, which is another concept with which having been in the military, I am familiar. Whatever the job, you want the correct equipment. Often, without right equipment you just can get the job done.
Much like climbing and rappelling equipment, Paul’s list of equipment is certainly of the variety that is required to do our work. He tells us to take up the whole armor of God, so that we may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. He says to stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and as shoes for our feet, put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which we can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. That’s a lot of equipment with which to be prepared. But, we have to have it or we will not be able to stand in the face of adversity. The struggles we face may be internal or external, but the equipment enables us to face those difficulties and challenges.
But it is not enough to have the equipment; we must also understand how to use it and we do so appropriately. Further still, we must be able to place our trust in the one who set it all up. Like those students who understood Brian did a great job with the ropes, we must understand that God is greater than the dilemmas of our lives. Also, He is greater than our spiritual woes.
So, Paul’s message for today is about having the right equipment. Just as those college students need to have the right equipment to begin school, or as campers and hikers,to be adequately prepared for a backpacking trip, a Christian needs the right equipment for the battles of life.
The passage we heard from the letter to the Ephesians is one of the more war-like in the Christian canon. It uses strong military imagery to describe the armor we must put on to defend ourselves in a great struggle. With whom are we struggling?
Paul says, "Our struggle is not against enemies of flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."
It doesn't say that there are no enemies of flesh and blood. It says that our struggle is not against them. Paul states we are fighting not so much enemies of blood and flesh but spiritual forces from outside; and attitudes, feelings, and moods from inside.
Then he calls everyone to put on new gear or new equipment; the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes of gospel peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God, and at all times to pray for the faithful. Rather than combat on a battlefield of human war; Paul is asking us to prepare for spiritual warfare.
But, what is “spiritual warfare” and what’s it got to do with us? Paul says, that what we’re up against here is not simply human opposition, but rather corrupt spiritual forces and cosmic powers of evil. Forces that are responsible for the destructive chaos which is threatening to engulf the world.
We know that there are also things that well up inside us and attempt to persuade us into unrighteousness. We all experience it from time to time. There is something that prevents us from fully seeking Christ and calling him lord. THer are elements within our selves and within society that make it difficult to freely and fully rely on Christ a Savior. That is a spiritual battle for which we must be prepared.
Paul identifies how we should prepare ourselves so that we will be able to defend our position in this rigorous struggle called life. So, the image Paul uses to describe how we should prepare ourselves is the image of a platoon of soldiers getting suited up and armed for dangerous duty. He says we are going to need the arsenal God provides us. The armor and weapons he describes are truth, justice and righteousness, a passion for peace, faith, salvation, and knowledge of the Word of God. Paul describes each of these things, likening them to items of armor or weaponry. Righteousness and justice are like a bullet proof vest, protecting your heart. If you loose heart, you will fall away from Christ. Faith is like a shield that protects you from whatever is thrown at you. Strong faith can take a lot of punishment and still hold firm. Paul describes each of them in turn, but then he says that the most important part of our preparation is prayer.
I mentioned earlier that having the right gear gives you credibility. The freshman seeing their leaders with the best gear gives them confidence that their leaders know their jobs. When others see a Christian who is neatly fitted within the armor of God, they too can see us as an example to follow. But, in order not to let them down, we must be trained in our gear. Otherwise, there is little use in having it. What good is a water purifier or a camp stove that we can’t operate them? Therefore, we must learn to use it.
In backpacking, there is no way to know how to set up a tent or to appropriately adjust a backpack except by simply doing it, learning through experience (John Dewey would be proud). By Paul’s logic, there is no better way to become comfortable in the Armor of God except through prayer. It is no use having all the armor if you’ve never had any training and have no idea how to use it. You’ll just panic at the first outbreak of trouble and turn and run away. And in Paul's list of defensive items, I don't remember him describing any protection for your back. If you turn to run, you’ll be totally defenseless. Pray long and pray hard; nothing else will enable you to stand firm.
The forces opposing us in that quest are powerful, but ultimately, they’ve got nothing on the power placed in our hands by Jesus Christ. But, we must choose to carry the armor with us each day.
Like I said, having rock-climbing or rappelling gear is not very helpful if you don’t know how to use them. They are also of no value if you have no faith they will assist you in going down a treacherous cliff. If I can’t trust the equipment, I won’t climb or I won’t rappel. Similarly, it is not until you put on God’s Armor and have faith that it will do the job well, that the armor will provide for you in spiritual battle. You have to place your faith in God, it is He who outfits you with the equipment and makes the equipment strong.
During my time with the students out in Red River Gorge, we had a number of devotionals or sermonettes. I was regularly feeding them scripture and giving them insights in to God. The most powerful spiritual time while we were in the wilderness occurred on Wednesday. That morning the students awoke and went off in the woods by themselves, seperating themselves from visual site of one another. This time was set aside for them to fast and spend time alone with God. They could pray, they could sing, they could read their bibles or write in their journals. They could contemplate life and love and the Lordship of Christ.
After several hours, they returned to me at the campsite. When they returned, my team and I had a worship service set up. I brought them together and shared a sermon with them. The sermon was followed by the sacrament of Holy Communion, a foot washing accompanied by laying-on of hands with individualized prayer, and then a common meal. It was an extremely emotional, spirit-filled service in which several of the students were moved to tears.
In discussion, one of the students expressed to the group that while she was in the woods, during her alone time, she noticed how dirty she was. Remember this was Wednesday and none of us has bathed since Friday morning. We were all very dirty. This young lady looked at her arms and legs and saw the dirt and grime on them. You could see where her sweat had streaked the dirt on her arms. She said that she couldn't help but feel that she looked the same inside; that she was dirty and disgusting. She thought God saw her the in same way.
She spent her quiet time praying and crying and hoping for relief, but found none. Upon returning the campsite and the group she still felt dirty and worthless. But, during participation in the Lord’s Supper, she realized that through Christ’s blood, she was clean. She cried and cried through our communion and worship service. Through the Holy Spirit, she had won a spiritual battle that day.
There are forces, both external and internal, with which we must deal. We are called to carry or wear new equipment, new gear with which to prepare for struggles. We are to learn: truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, the Word of God and we are to pray at all times. Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God.
First, the college wanted the incoming freshman to have a positive, spiritual experience in which they grow in their Christian relationship.
Secondly, the students were supposed to build new friendships.
Third, the students were expected to engage in fellowship within a Christian community.
Fourth, the leaders were supposed to help the students transition into the Asbury Community; preparing to better deal with life’s challenges.
And finally, we were supposed to emphasize creation care or Christian stewardship of the earth.
The 30 freshman were divided into groups of 7 or 8 and assigned a Lead Instructor and two student leaders. So, as a Lead Instructor, I had seven incoming freshman whom I was attempting to assist in their transistion and two upper classmen who assisted me in those efforts.
On the Thursday before we departed, as we prepared for the arrival of our students, the program director told us that if we didn’t have good backpacking gear and equipment that we should either buy it or borrow some from him.
If you’ve never been backpacking before, the equipment you take makes a world of difference. You want to carry the lightest stuff available because the heavier your pack is, the less comfortable it will be over numerous days and plentiful miles of walking. All in all, we backpacked around 30 miles. So, a good pack, a nice sleeping mat, a light weight sleeping bag, and a manageable stove are all important.
The director said that not only would we be more comfortable with the right equipment, carrying it would also lend us credibility as experts when the students see us. If the equipment the leaders carried was better or lighter than the items the students carried, the students would be more likely to place their confidence in us. I agree that having better gear probably did encourage the students. However, I suspect that our knowing how to use them was much more important. For example, if we didn’t know how to pitch our own tents, I suspect those students would not be able to place a great deal of confidence in our ability to lead them through this week long wilderness journey. Complete with river swimming, rock-climbing, orienteering/map-reading, and rappelling.
While on the trip, while backpacking, my friend JimBob and I were discussing another friend, Brian. We were talking about how good he was at outdoor education. He is an expert at climbing and rappelling, at challenge course facilitation, and backpacking, you name it, if it’s fun and outside, he’s probably knowledgeable about it and good at doing it.
For the previous two years he had done the work that I was now doing this year and he had done an excellent job. Incidentally, His wife, Jen, was leading a group this year and is also an expert. I think she even has a college degree in outdoor recreation. But at any rate, she's a professional in the field of outdoor education and is the boss lady at Life Adventure Center of the Bluegrass.
So, in our conversation, JimBob and I likened Brian to Superman and Jen to Wonder Woman. The students were listening to our conversation.
As I mentioned besides backpacking, we did things with ropes and rocks. On Monday we went rock-climbing and on Tuesday, we went rappelling. Both of these endeavors require some very specialized equipment. For these activities, you need ropes and harnesses, and carabiners and descenders and an array of other equipment. Now having that equipment wasn’t enough, you also want to be able to use them correctly.
As we approached a magnificent cliff called Courthouse Rock, off of which we were going to rappel, some of those students were very apprehensive, or perhaps even scared. They weren’t sure about going off that cliff. Which, if you saw that cliff, you would know is a very reasonable response.
While we were preparing to go off, I spoke with the guy who had set up all the ropes and who was the safety for this rappel. He and I are friends and we were chatting. Through our conversation, the students realized that this guy was Brian; the guy I had been talking about with JimBob. The students began to recognize that this was the guy who was so professional, the guy we had called Superman.
Immediately, they began to relax. They knew that this guy knew what he was doing. They knew they were going to be okay as they went of this huge cliff on the ropes that he set up. They placed their confidence in him. And they all had a great experience.
In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he mentions a lot of specialized equipment; equipment that is needed to get the job done. He likens them to the armor a soldier would use to get his job done, which is another concept with which having been in the military, I am familiar. Whatever the job, you want the correct equipment. Often, without right equipment you just can get the job done.
Much like climbing and rappelling equipment, Paul’s list of equipment is certainly of the variety that is required to do our work. He tells us to take up the whole armor of God, so that we may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. He says to stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and as shoes for our feet, put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which we can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. That’s a lot of equipment with which to be prepared. But, we have to have it or we will not be able to stand in the face of adversity. The struggles we face may be internal or external, but the equipment enables us to face those difficulties and challenges.
But it is not enough to have the equipment; we must also understand how to use it and we do so appropriately. Further still, we must be able to place our trust in the one who set it all up. Like those students who understood Brian did a great job with the ropes, we must understand that God is greater than the dilemmas of our lives. Also, He is greater than our spiritual woes.
So, Paul’s message for today is about having the right equipment. Just as those college students need to have the right equipment to begin school, or as campers and hikers,to be adequately prepared for a backpacking trip, a Christian needs the right equipment for the battles of life.
The passage we heard from the letter to the Ephesians is one of the more war-like in the Christian canon. It uses strong military imagery to describe the armor we must put on to defend ourselves in a great struggle. With whom are we struggling?
Paul says, "Our struggle is not against enemies of flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."
It doesn't say that there are no enemies of flesh and blood. It says that our struggle is not against them. Paul states we are fighting not so much enemies of blood and flesh but spiritual forces from outside; and attitudes, feelings, and moods from inside.
Then he calls everyone to put on new gear or new equipment; the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes of gospel peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God, and at all times to pray for the faithful. Rather than combat on a battlefield of human war; Paul is asking us to prepare for spiritual warfare.
But, what is “spiritual warfare” and what’s it got to do with us? Paul says, that what we’re up against here is not simply human opposition, but rather corrupt spiritual forces and cosmic powers of evil. Forces that are responsible for the destructive chaos which is threatening to engulf the world.
We know that there are also things that well up inside us and attempt to persuade us into unrighteousness. We all experience it from time to time. There is something that prevents us from fully seeking Christ and calling him lord. THer are elements within our selves and within society that make it difficult to freely and fully rely on Christ a Savior. That is a spiritual battle for which we must be prepared.
Paul identifies how we should prepare ourselves so that we will be able to defend our position in this rigorous struggle called life. So, the image Paul uses to describe how we should prepare ourselves is the image of a platoon of soldiers getting suited up and armed for dangerous duty. He says we are going to need the arsenal God provides us. The armor and weapons he describes are truth, justice and righteousness, a passion for peace, faith, salvation, and knowledge of the Word of God. Paul describes each of these things, likening them to items of armor or weaponry. Righteousness and justice are like a bullet proof vest, protecting your heart. If you loose heart, you will fall away from Christ. Faith is like a shield that protects you from whatever is thrown at you. Strong faith can take a lot of punishment and still hold firm. Paul describes each of them in turn, but then he says that the most important part of our preparation is prayer.
I mentioned earlier that having the right gear gives you credibility. The freshman seeing their leaders with the best gear gives them confidence that their leaders know their jobs. When others see a Christian who is neatly fitted within the armor of God, they too can see us as an example to follow. But, in order not to let them down, we must be trained in our gear. Otherwise, there is little use in having it. What good is a water purifier or a camp stove that we can’t operate them? Therefore, we must learn to use it.
In backpacking, there is no way to know how to set up a tent or to appropriately adjust a backpack except by simply doing it, learning through experience (John Dewey would be proud). By Paul’s logic, there is no better way to become comfortable in the Armor of God except through prayer. It is no use having all the armor if you’ve never had any training and have no idea how to use it. You’ll just panic at the first outbreak of trouble and turn and run away. And in Paul's list of defensive items, I don't remember him describing any protection for your back. If you turn to run, you’ll be totally defenseless. Pray long and pray hard; nothing else will enable you to stand firm.
The forces opposing us in that quest are powerful, but ultimately, they’ve got nothing on the power placed in our hands by Jesus Christ. But, we must choose to carry the armor with us each day.
Like I said, having rock-climbing or rappelling gear is not very helpful if you don’t know how to use them. They are also of no value if you have no faith they will assist you in going down a treacherous cliff. If I can’t trust the equipment, I won’t climb or I won’t rappel. Similarly, it is not until you put on God’s Armor and have faith that it will do the job well, that the armor will provide for you in spiritual battle. You have to place your faith in God, it is He who outfits you with the equipment and makes the equipment strong.
During my time with the students out in Red River Gorge, we had a number of devotionals or sermonettes. I was regularly feeding them scripture and giving them insights in to God. The most powerful spiritual time while we were in the wilderness occurred on Wednesday. That morning the students awoke and went off in the woods by themselves, seperating themselves from visual site of one another. This time was set aside for them to fast and spend time alone with God. They could pray, they could sing, they could read their bibles or write in their journals. They could contemplate life and love and the Lordship of Christ.
After several hours, they returned to me at the campsite. When they returned, my team and I had a worship service set up. I brought them together and shared a sermon with them. The sermon was followed by the sacrament of Holy Communion, a foot washing accompanied by laying-on of hands with individualized prayer, and then a common meal. It was an extremely emotional, spirit-filled service in which several of the students were moved to tears.
In discussion, one of the students expressed to the group that while she was in the woods, during her alone time, she noticed how dirty she was. Remember this was Wednesday and none of us has bathed since Friday morning. We were all very dirty. This young lady looked at her arms and legs and saw the dirt and grime on them. You could see where her sweat had streaked the dirt on her arms. She said that she couldn't help but feel that she looked the same inside; that she was dirty and disgusting. She thought God saw her the in same way.
She spent her quiet time praying and crying and hoping for relief, but found none. Upon returning the campsite and the group she still felt dirty and worthless. But, during participation in the Lord’s Supper, she realized that through Christ’s blood, she was clean. She cried and cried through our communion and worship service. Through the Holy Spirit, she had won a spiritual battle that day.
There are forces, both external and internal, with which we must deal. We are called to carry or wear new equipment, new gear with which to prepare for struggles. We are to learn: truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, the Word of God and we are to pray at all times. Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Relativity
The following is a note I posted in August on facebook.
Sunday, August 30, 2009 at 9:35pm
Sometimes it seems my kids are growing up so quickly. When did Cooper quit being my baby and turn into a little boy?
I was thinking about how people complain so much about time pasing them by so quickly. You know the whole complaint about the week is over and My list is just started. Or if you can find a way to make a kid stay young, let me know. And similar such talk. People often lament the passing of time.
So, as I reflected on the passage of time, I recollected a quote from Einstein: “When a man sits with a pretty girl for an hour, it seems like a minute. But let him sit on a hot stove for a minute-and it's longer than any hour. That's relativity.”
So, I reckon if people have complaints about the passing of time, they oughta just engage it activities that are not enjoyable. the passing of life will seem as if it takes forever. I think a lot of people actually apply this philosophy to their work lives, a concept which is beyond me.
Alternatively, you could attempt to enjoy life, set with a pretty girl (which I do, often), or whatever passes time rapidly for you. It may seem to go by quickly, but at least it's worth living.
So, I reckon I'll do the part that goes fast. Maybe if I intentionally do more of those things, I won't mind the passing time. Instead, I'll have a full life and fond memories.
Interestingly enough, that is precisely what Christ offers, life abundantly.
Just some thought that were kicking around in my head that I thought I would share. Hope you can find a nugget of gold within my abstract wisdom.
Sunday, August 30, 2009 at 9:35pm
Sometimes it seems my kids are growing up so quickly. When did Cooper quit being my baby and turn into a little boy?
I was thinking about how people complain so much about time pasing them by so quickly. You know the whole complaint about the week is over and My list is just started. Or if you can find a way to make a kid stay young, let me know. And similar such talk. People often lament the passing of time.
So, as I reflected on the passage of time, I recollected a quote from Einstein: “When a man sits with a pretty girl for an hour, it seems like a minute. But let him sit on a hot stove for a minute-and it's longer than any hour. That's relativity.”
So, I reckon if people have complaints about the passing of time, they oughta just engage it activities that are not enjoyable. the passing of life will seem as if it takes forever. I think a lot of people actually apply this philosophy to their work lives, a concept which is beyond me.
Alternatively, you could attempt to enjoy life, set with a pretty girl (which I do, often), or whatever passes time rapidly for you. It may seem to go by quickly, but at least it's worth living.
So, I reckon I'll do the part that goes fast. Maybe if I intentionally do more of those things, I won't mind the passing time. Instead, I'll have a full life and fond memories.
Interestingly enough, that is precisely what Christ offers, life abundantly.
Just some thought that were kicking around in my head that I thought I would share. Hope you can find a nugget of gold within my abstract wisdom.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Terrible at Blogging
It has been four months since my last blog. How embarrassing. Is it any wonder I don't have much of a following on here?
This has been a busy week+. Last Sunday was the homecoming for both Cedar Grove and Wisemantown United Methodist Churches. Monday was my birthday. Since then, I have been in class, worked at the challenge course, visited at the nursing home, visited a 7th Day Adventists Church, had my weekend Battle Assembly (aka drill), and attended various activities surrounding the reunion/40th anniversary of BCHS.
I am supposed to read to the kids at South Irvine and have a meeting with the Ministerial Association, and need to complete an online exam all before noon tomorrow. I also have a couple three or four papers to write this week.
My semester is going well though. I am enjoying all my classes; Intro to Preaching, Intro to Old Testament, and Cults & New Religions. All on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Preaching is with Dr. Ellsworth Kalas, a living legend.
In other news, Cooper has a new blog where he discusses his bug collection. And, Dad is beginning a blog titled Ramblings of an Old Man. We'll see if he can be any more faithful to it than I.
This has been a busy week+. Last Sunday was the homecoming for both Cedar Grove and Wisemantown United Methodist Churches. Monday was my birthday. Since then, I have been in class, worked at the challenge course, visited at the nursing home, visited a 7th Day Adventists Church, had my weekend Battle Assembly (aka drill), and attended various activities surrounding the reunion/40th anniversary of BCHS.
I am supposed to read to the kids at South Irvine and have a meeting with the Ministerial Association, and need to complete an online exam all before noon tomorrow. I also have a couple three or four papers to write this week.
My semester is going well though. I am enjoying all my classes; Intro to Preaching, Intro to Old Testament, and Cults & New Religions. All on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Preaching is with Dr. Ellsworth Kalas, a living legend.
In other news, Cooper has a new blog where he discusses his bug collection. And, Dad is beginning a blog titled Ramblings of an Old Man. We'll see if he can be any more faithful to it than I.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Abortion Doctor Murdered
I just read an article about a doctor who performs late-term abortions, Dr. George Tiller, who was gunned down this morning in his church.
From the article was the following excerpt:
"If Tiller was slain because of his work, he would be the fourth U.S. physician killed by abortion opponents since 1993.
"In 1998, a sniper killed Dr. Barnett Slepian in his Amherst, New York, home. Anti-abortion activist James Kopp was later arrested in France and is serving life in prison.
"In 1994, Dr. John Bayard Britton and one of his volunteer escorts were shot and killed outside an abortion clinic in Pensacola, Florida. Paul Hill, a former minister, was convicted of the killings and executed in 2003.
"And in 1993, another doctor, David Gunn, was shot to death outside a different Pensacola clinic. His killer, Michael Griffin, is serving a life sentence.
"In addition, a nurse at a Birmingham, Alabama, clinic was maimed and an off-duty police officer was killed in a 1998 bombing by Eric Rudolph, who included abortion among his list of anti-government grievances."
Regardless of of your position on the subject of abortion, people can't go around killing people whom they disagree with. The primary opponents to abortion are Christians who claim the act of abortion is murder. Case in point, Paul Hill, one of the murderers mentioned above was a former preacher.
From the article was the following excerpt:
"If Tiller was slain because of his work, he would be the fourth U.S. physician killed by abortion opponents since 1993.
"In 1998, a sniper killed Dr. Barnett Slepian in his Amherst, New York, home. Anti-abortion activist James Kopp was later arrested in France and is serving life in prison.
"In 1994, Dr. John Bayard Britton and one of his volunteer escorts were shot and killed outside an abortion clinic in Pensacola, Florida. Paul Hill, a former minister, was convicted of the killings and executed in 2003.
"And in 1993, another doctor, David Gunn, was shot to death outside a different Pensacola clinic. His killer, Michael Griffin, is serving a life sentence.
"In addition, a nurse at a Birmingham, Alabama, clinic was maimed and an off-duty police officer was killed in a 1998 bombing by Eric Rudolph, who included abortion among his list of anti-government grievances."
Regardless of of your position on the subject of abortion, people can't go around killing people whom they disagree with. The primary opponents to abortion are Christians who claim the act of abortion is murder. Case in point, Paul Hill, one of the murderers mentioned above was a former preacher.
What ever happened to Love your enemy?! (Luke 6:27-36). It is rather difficult to win people over to Christ when you gun them down in front of their families and Christian friends. It won't do much for persuading the family either.
I have a professor, Dr. Terry Muck, who recently said,"The moment you use violence to achieve your religious ideals, you lose those who are attracted to those ideals."
What statement do Christians who recourse to murder think they are making? Where is the love of Christ in that?
Saturday, May 30, 2009
The Waterfall
As many of you know, I really enjoy being outdoors. I like to go hiking and fishing and canoeing and well, just about anything that allows me to spend time enjoying God’s creation.
Thursday, I went on a little backpacking trip with some friends from the Seminary. We went backpacking in the Big South Fork National Park. On Friday, we came upon a waterfall. It was a really large water fall and just absolutely beautiful.
As the water fell, it created a breeze. So while my friends and I stood away from the falls, we could hear the rushing water and we could feel the wind blowing on us. The wind was strong; you could slightly lean into it and feel it pushing against you. Also, you could hear it blowing. Although the falling water was much louder, you could still distinguish the sound of wind. Also, the wind was thick with moisture from the falling water and, even from forty or fifty feet away, we were dampened by the cooling mist.
As I stood there, with arms outstretched, trying to absorb, not only the chilly wind and mist, but also, as much of this beautiful experience as I could. I remember thinking to myself; God is present with me now. I asked mark, one of my friends, “How can anyone experience this moment and not be convinced of God?”
Luke describes the Spirit as a sound coming from Heaven like a mighty rushing wind. It’s interesting that the Spirit is described as a rushing wind. Do you know that in Greek, that the word for Spirit is the same word as wind… pneuma. According to Luke, the Spirit came with the loud rushing movement of the wind.
As I stood facing that misting breeze I couldn’t help but wonder what is was like on that morning in Jerusalem when the Holy Spirit descended on those present. I must have been fantastic. So was that waterfall.
Thursday, I went on a little backpacking trip with some friends from the Seminary. We went backpacking in the Big South Fork National Park. On Friday, we came upon a waterfall. It was a really large water fall and just absolutely beautiful.
As the water fell, it created a breeze. So while my friends and I stood away from the falls, we could hear the rushing water and we could feel the wind blowing on us. The wind was strong; you could slightly lean into it and feel it pushing against you. Also, you could hear it blowing. Although the falling water was much louder, you could still distinguish the sound of wind. Also, the wind was thick with moisture from the falling water and, even from forty or fifty feet away, we were dampened by the cooling mist.
As I stood there, with arms outstretched, trying to absorb, not only the chilly wind and mist, but also, as much of this beautiful experience as I could. I remember thinking to myself; God is present with me now. I asked mark, one of my friends, “How can anyone experience this moment and not be convinced of God?”
Luke describes the Spirit as a sound coming from Heaven like a mighty rushing wind. It’s interesting that the Spirit is described as a rushing wind. Do you know that in Greek, that the word for Spirit is the same word as wind… pneuma. According to Luke, the Spirit came with the loud rushing movement of the wind.
As I stood facing that misting breeze I couldn’t help but wonder what is was like on that morning in Jerusalem when the Holy Spirit descended on those present. I must have been fantastic. So was that waterfall.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Cooper's Fungus 5K
So, Cooper and I decided to run a local 5K road race. I decided weeks ago, but did absolutely nothing to prepare for it. I talked Cooper into running with me just this past Wednesday. Cooper did train a little, in that he ran several laps around the yard for the three days leading up to the race.
The race was yesterday. We thought it started at 9:30. It started at nine. How I made that mistake, I just don't know, especially considering I was promoting the race in Berea, Wilmore, Richmond, and electronically.
Cooper and I preregistered, so we didn't plan on getting there too early. As we approached downtown, we saw the lead vehicle and lead runners rounding the second corner, which is at least 1/4 mile into the race. Crud!
I drove up to the next intersection where Cooper and I abandoned the vehicle, Laurie, and the younger kids, and ran to the registration desk to get our numbers. We quickly put them on and got Cooper out of his long sleeves and long pants and began the race. Needless to say, we were behind.
The first portion of the race went through the center of the town festival - the Mountain Mushroom Festival. Since we were so behind the others, the crowds had closed in and we had to fight through the crowded street to stay on course. As we got around to the second turn, the crowd was much thinner and we were making better time. Up ahead, we could see the truck following well behind the participants picking up the road cones that sanctioned off the race path. I told Cooper if we couldn't catch up with and get a head of that truck, we wouldn't have a safe path away from the traffic. So, he really started pushing himself. We passed the truck and were tearing up the road at a pretty good clip for an out of shape Dad running with and eight year old.
As we passed the next intersection, we saw our friend Tom Bonny. As part of the Kiwanis, he was a road guard attempting to keep traffic from hitting the race participants. He was about to give up his post when he saw us coming. He told us that we needed to catch up with ad pass the police car up ahead. That was the designated trail vehicle, another safety measure. I said that we'd give it a shot and explained to Cooper what we needed to do. We both picked up our pace and Cooper began pulling ahead of me a bit. We passed the police car, with a howdy on the way. We were now, finally, officially at the tail end of the race.
From there, we started passing the walkers, picking the off one at a time. All along, I kept coaching Cooper. He was running relatively flat-footed, which is terrible for your legs. I could hear him beating his feet on the ground, thump, thump, thump, thump and I coached him to roll his foot as he goes. I didn't really pay attention to his form until about 3/4 of a mile, or maybe even a mile, into the race. He was flailing his arms, they were wild out of control. I talked him into a better running form, but who knows how much energy he had already wasted with the pounding feet and flailing arms. With frequent reminders, his form improved, and I got him running mostly in the grass at the road's edge, when it was available.
As we passed the 1 mile marker, Cooper was still full of energy and we were still passing people left and right. Actually, they were predominantly on our right. At about a mile and a third, Cooper was ready for a break. I had to spur him on a bit farther. When we got to a later intersection, where my Dad, Cooper's Pop-pop was the Kiwanian road Guard, Cooper finally decided he needed to walk. That was probably about a mile and 1/2 into the race. I walked intermittently with Cooper from there on. Occasionally, I would spur him on with comments like; lets try to catch the lady with the dog, or we'll run when we get to the next utility pole, which Cooper would often try to negotiate to the second pole.
I did pretty well keeping him running on the down hills and he was eager to run as we passed Nana's and Poppa's house, which was probably 1/4 mile past the two mile marker. I'm very grateful they were out on their porch. I hollered out when I saw them, Poppa! and they cheered heartily for us, to the point I could feel myself blushing. But, it did wonders for Cooper and his attitude. he ran hard for quiet a while after that. At the next intersection, again we saw my Dad and he encouraged us too. So, Cooper ran well past him.
Afterwards, Cooper was pretty well licked. He was eager to walk and even mentioned that he wante dto drop ot of the race. I told him that he could. But reminded him that there was a pancake breakfast was at the finish line. Cooper is a huge fan of pancakes.
We were getting near the finish and we started seeing lots of people from the Kiwanis at the intersection, most of them were calling me by name and asking who I had running with me. Their accolades prompted Cooper to endure running bit longer.
As we neared the Irvine High Apartments, I was telling Cooper that Pop-pop and I both went to school there, me as a first and fourth grader, and Pop-pop for his elementary education. I told him that now Aunt Jeannette lived there and might be watching him out the window. I also told him that at the far end, in the cafeteria, the pancake breakfast was waiting for us.
And then, I dropped the best two pieces of news I could think of. First, Cooper, I can see the finish line from here! And then, there's Mama and the kids. He new it was over. He was revived. And he finished the race... in front of me, I might add. We sure had passed a lot of people.
We stuck around for the awards ceremony. We were sure how many kids there were in the 12 and under category and were hoping Cooper might chance a win, place, or show. He didn't. He was a little disappointed and I don't blame him. In fact, as hard as he had run and as little as he complained in site of my pushing him onward, I was a bit saddened by it as well. He really did well, not that our race times reflected it.
He seemed somewhat comforted that I got a medal, but I was slightly embarrassed, and a whole lot surprised at my getting one; there just weren't that many in my age group. I didn't feel comfortable sporting a third place finish with a time in the low forties. After all, in my prime, I had come in the top three over all finishers at this race before and people there knew it.
I told cooper that I was sorry that he didn't get anything and told him I suspect that he would have if we had gotten to the race on time. So, in short, it was my fault he didn't. He seemed to think that was okay. And we went and ate pancakes.
We're both sore today, but Cooper still wants to run it again next year. He's a little champ.
The race was yesterday. We thought it started at 9:30. It started at nine. How I made that mistake, I just don't know, especially considering I was promoting the race in Berea, Wilmore, Richmond, and electronically.
Cooper and I preregistered, so we didn't plan on getting there too early. As we approached downtown, we saw the lead vehicle and lead runners rounding the second corner, which is at least 1/4 mile into the race. Crud!
I drove up to the next intersection where Cooper and I abandoned the vehicle, Laurie, and the younger kids, and ran to the registration desk to get our numbers. We quickly put them on and got Cooper out of his long sleeves and long pants and began the race. Needless to say, we were behind.
The first portion of the race went through the center of the town festival - the Mountain Mushroom Festival. Since we were so behind the others, the crowds had closed in and we had to fight through the crowded street to stay on course. As we got around to the second turn, the crowd was much thinner and we were making better time. Up ahead, we could see the truck following well behind the participants picking up the road cones that sanctioned off the race path. I told Cooper if we couldn't catch up with and get a head of that truck, we wouldn't have a safe path away from the traffic. So, he really started pushing himself. We passed the truck and were tearing up the road at a pretty good clip for an out of shape Dad running with and eight year old.
As we passed the next intersection, we saw our friend Tom Bonny. As part of the Kiwanis, he was a road guard attempting to keep traffic from hitting the race participants. He was about to give up his post when he saw us coming. He told us that we needed to catch up with ad pass the police car up ahead. That was the designated trail vehicle, another safety measure. I said that we'd give it a shot and explained to Cooper what we needed to do. We both picked up our pace and Cooper began pulling ahead of me a bit. We passed the police car, with a howdy on the way. We were now, finally, officially at the tail end of the race.
From there, we started passing the walkers, picking the off one at a time. All along, I kept coaching Cooper. He was running relatively flat-footed, which is terrible for your legs. I could hear him beating his feet on the ground, thump, thump, thump, thump and I coached him to roll his foot as he goes. I didn't really pay attention to his form until about 3/4 of a mile, or maybe even a mile, into the race. He was flailing his arms, they were wild out of control. I talked him into a better running form, but who knows how much energy he had already wasted with the pounding feet and flailing arms. With frequent reminders, his form improved, and I got him running mostly in the grass at the road's edge, when it was available.
As we passed the 1 mile marker, Cooper was still full of energy and we were still passing people left and right. Actually, they were predominantly on our right. At about a mile and a third, Cooper was ready for a break. I had to spur him on a bit farther. When we got to a later intersection, where my Dad, Cooper's Pop-pop was the Kiwanian road Guard, Cooper finally decided he needed to walk. That was probably about a mile and 1/2 into the race. I walked intermittently with Cooper from there on. Occasionally, I would spur him on with comments like; lets try to catch the lady with the dog, or we'll run when we get to the next utility pole, which Cooper would often try to negotiate to the second pole.
I did pretty well keeping him running on the down hills and he was eager to run as we passed Nana's and Poppa's house, which was probably 1/4 mile past the two mile marker. I'm very grateful they were out on their porch. I hollered out when I saw them, Poppa! and they cheered heartily for us, to the point I could feel myself blushing. But, it did wonders for Cooper and his attitude. he ran hard for quiet a while after that. At the next intersection, again we saw my Dad and he encouraged us too. So, Cooper ran well past him.
Afterwards, Cooper was pretty well licked. He was eager to walk and even mentioned that he wante dto drop ot of the race. I told him that he could. But reminded him that there was a pancake breakfast was at the finish line. Cooper is a huge fan of pancakes.
We were getting near the finish and we started seeing lots of people from the Kiwanis at the intersection, most of them were calling me by name and asking who I had running with me. Their accolades prompted Cooper to endure running bit longer.
As we neared the Irvine High Apartments, I was telling Cooper that Pop-pop and I both went to school there, me as a first and fourth grader, and Pop-pop for his elementary education. I told him that now Aunt Jeannette lived there and might be watching him out the window. I also told him that at the far end, in the cafeteria, the pancake breakfast was waiting for us.
And then, I dropped the best two pieces of news I could think of. First, Cooper, I can see the finish line from here! And then, there's Mama and the kids. He new it was over. He was revived. And he finished the race... in front of me, I might add. We sure had passed a lot of people.
We stuck around for the awards ceremony. We were sure how many kids there were in the 12 and under category and were hoping Cooper might chance a win, place, or show. He didn't. He was a little disappointed and I don't blame him. In fact, as hard as he had run and as little as he complained in site of my pushing him onward, I was a bit saddened by it as well. He really did well, not that our race times reflected it.
He seemed somewhat comforted that I got a medal, but I was slightly embarrassed, and a whole lot surprised at my getting one; there just weren't that many in my age group. I didn't feel comfortable sporting a third place finish with a time in the low forties. After all, in my prime, I had come in the top three over all finishers at this race before and people there knew it.
I told cooper that I was sorry that he didn't get anything and told him I suspect that he would have if we had gotten to the race on time. So, in short, it was my fault he didn't. He seemed to think that was okay. And we went and ate pancakes.
We're both sore today, but Cooper still wants to run it again next year. He's a little champ.
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