Sunday, November 04, 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
Saint Francis . . . A Sissy?
The Way of the Master
One hundred and fifty thousand children had been on the brink of starving to death, but thanks to the kind gift of a very generous billionaire, every child now had enough food to keep him alive. That gift had arrived in the form of one big check. The horror was now over. It was finished. It was just a matter of distributing the food using the few relief workers we had. Without them to get the food to the children, there would have been many more deaths.
Some days later, a frantic worker burst into the camp and cried, "Some of the relief workers have stopped distributing food. Masses of children are dying!"
Why would the workers stop when there was plenty of food? It didn't make sense. The distraught man said, "It's because one of them held up a sign that said, 'Feed the starving children. Where necessary, use food.' That has caused some of the workers to simply befriend the starving children without giving them food. It's insane!"
The first time I ever heard of Saint Francis of Assisi was back in 1965. It was during the surf movie "The Endless Summer." Four surfers who were chasing the sun discovered the perfect wave, at a place in South Africa called "Cape Saint Francis." The sight of the perfect wave excited me beyond words.
The Unspeakable Gift
The next time I heard of him was when I heard that he said "Preach the Gospel at all times. Where necessary, use words." That statement upset me beyond words, because it was a philosophy that I knew sounded deeply spiritual . . . to those who were spiritually shallow. It made as much sense as "Feed starving children. Where necessary, use food."
On 16 July 1228 Francis of Assisi was pronounced a saint by Pope Gregory IX. That's a long time ago, so it's a little late for questions, but if I could I would like to find out why anyone would say such a strange thing? Was it because he was fearful to use actual words to preach the truth of the Gospel? Or was it because he thought that people would see that he had good works and hear the message of salvation without a preacher, something contrary to Scripture's "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14).
Whatever the case, 800 years since Francis we have many who profess faith in Jesus, and are no doubt using this popular philosophy to justify being speechless. To them salvation truly is an "unspeakable" gift.
Recently someone told me about a conference where 100,000 Christians gathered to worship God. When I asked if they were exhorted to go out and preach the Gospel to every creature, it was no surprise to me that they weren't. Instead, they were exhorted to live a life of worship. Again, that sounds spiritual, but you can't worship God without obedience to His Word, and His Word commands us to preach the Gospel to every creature.
I regularly meet those who think they can obey the Great Commission without using words. When they hear the Gospel preached that are usually offended and say things like, "I appreciate what you are saying, but I don't like the way you are saying it." With a little probing, they are the relationship folks, who think preaching the Gospel means building relationships with the lost, and never mentioning words like "sin," "Hell," and "Judgment Day." They think that real love is to withhold the Bread of life from those that are starving to death. Remember that Jesus said, "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels" (Mark 8:38, italics added).
According to the dictionary, a "sissy" is "a timid or cowardly person." From what I understand of Saint Francis, he was no sissy. He was a loving man who was not afraid to use words when he preached. He wasn't frightened to preach repentance to a sinful world. However, there have been times when I could have been called that name. I have felt the grip of fear and have wanted to drop words such as sin, Hell, repentance and Judgment Day when I have preached to sinners. I don't want to come across as being unloving or judgmental, but I fear God more than I fear man. So when God's Word tells me to use words, I use words, despite the consequences.
Listen to the Apostle Paul's sobering warning to his hearers: "Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God" (Acts 20: 26-27). Perhaps he spoke about being free from their blood because he was familiar with God Himself warning Ezekiel of his responsibility to warn his generation: "When I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely die,' and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand." (Ezekiel 3:18, italics added).
When someone thinks that they can feed starving children and not use food, that's their business. But when their philosophy spreads throughout the camp, it becomes an unspeakable tragedy. If we become passive about the Great Commission because we are more concerned about ourselves than the eternal well-being of others, we may be able to hide our motives from man, but not from God. He warns, "Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, 'Surely we did not know this,' does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?" (Proverbs 24:11-12).
There's an interesting irony to this story. After a little research I came across a quote about the famous saying. It is from someone who had been a Franciscan monk for 28 years--and had earned an M.A. in Franciscan studies. He co ntacted some of the most eminent Franciscan scholars in the world to try and verify the saying. He said, "It is clearly not in any of Francis' writings. After a couple weeks of searching, no scholar could find this quote in a story written within 200 years of Francis' death." (1.)
So if it wasn't Saint Francis who said not to use words, who was it? Who is it that would like to see the truth of the Gospel hindered from being preached to every creature? That doesn't need to be answered.
The time is short. The laborers are few. Please, cast off your fears and equip yourself to preach the Gospel with words. They are necessary.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
THREE SCORE!
OK! What a gift to have reached this milestone! I've never really been concerned with age - to me it's just a number! But now that I'm there and I've had so many people celebrate with me, I just have to share the photos.
My Son David and his wife Nickie invited me to celebrate with them in Milwaukee. It was a great time to see their new home and sight see interesting places there. Christie joined us later and they took me out to eat. Here's some photos:
Maza and Sosena took me to an Ethiopian Restaurant in Chicago, Diamond Buffet. We had a wonderful time - the food is delish and I even got treated with a "desert!" Afterward, we went to an Ethiopian Mart and got the bread they use. It was a beautiful evening and being outside in Chicago was great!
Some friends from my Sunday School Class surprised my big time! They showed up with cake, goodies, flowers, candy and gifts. They even went to Dunkin Donuts and got decaf! We had a fun time! Thank you Lord for friends!
Nancy, Pam, Sue and I have been in a "Birthday Club" for many, many years! Sue is a missionary in Africa and unless she's on furlough, she can't join us. We go to The Sandwich Shop. We never have enough time because we have to do "catch-up!"
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Monday, June 04, 2007
HERE THERE AND EVERYWHERE!!
CICADAS! CICADAS! CICADAS
This a phenomenon of Biblical proportions -- well sort of! They're not in my food or bed but they are flying all around. They start to decay and smell as soon as they die. Imagine the poor EGYPTIANS! I am very interested in this 17 year bug and have done many google searches to find out as much as I can. For now here's a few photos of brrrrave people!!
Thursday, May 03, 2007
ONE MORE MAKES THREE
Sosena has joined Maza and myself and we comfortable share this home God has seen fit to let me manage. He has faithfully been taking care of it for me. Rich and Jill gutted my kitchen and put in a brand new one along with a new front sidewalk, landscaping and front door.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Sunday, February 25, 2007
CURE FOR EATING SALADS
Don't forget this brand of fresh lettuce, folks. What probably happened is, the water the lettuce was washed in contained polliwogs and these became fresh new frogs, right in the packages. So if you're looking for salad fixins with a little more body, then be sure and try this brand. Don't forget, it's the extra care that Mexican companies take that makes the difference! barf barf
"Weather Event" of "Biblical Proportions"
Weather Bulletin -Colorado
Priceless. Think about this for a moment.
Denver News
This text is from a county emergency manager out in the western part of
Jefferson County after a snowstorm.
WEATHER BULLETIN
Up here, in the Northern Plains, we just recovered from a Historic event---
may I even say a "Weather Event" of "Biblical Proportions" --- with a
historic blizzard of up to 44" inches of snow and winds to 90 MPH that
broke trees in half, knocked down utility poles, stranded hundreds of motorists in
lethal snow banks, closed ALL roads, isolated scores of communities and cut
power to 10's of thousands.
FYI:
George Bush did not come.
FEMA did nothing.
No one howled for the government.
No one blamed the government.
No one even uttered an expletive on TV.
Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton did not visit.
Our Mayor did not blame Bush or anyone else.
Our Governor did not blame Bush or anyone else, either.
CNN, ABC, CBS, FOX or NBC did not visit - or report on this category 5
snowstorm.
Nobody demanded $2,000 debit cards.
No one asked for a FEMA Trailer House.
No one looted.
Nobody - I mean Nobody demanded the government do something.
Nobody expected the government to do anything, either.
No Larry King, No Bill O'Rielly, No Oprah, No Chris Mathews and No Geraldo
Rivera.
No Shaun Penn, No Barbara Striesand, No Hollywood types to be found.
Nope, we just melted the snow for water.
Sent out caravans of SUV's to pluck people out of snow engulfed cars.
The truck drivers pulled people out of snow banks and didn't ask for a
penny.
Local restaurants made food and the police and fire departments delivered
it to the snowbound families.
Families took in the stranded people - total strangers.
We fired up wood stoves, broke out coal oil lanterns or Coleman lanterns.
We put on extra layers of clothes because up here it is "Work or Die".
We did not wait for some affirmative action government to get us out of a
mess created by being immobilized by a welfare program that trades votes
for 'sittin at home' checks.
Even though a Category "5" blizzard of this scale has never fallen this
early, we know it can happen and how to deal with it ourselves.
"In my many travels, I have noticed that once one gets north of about 40
degrees North Latitude, 90% of the world's social problems evaporate."
It does seem that way, at least to me.
I hope this gets passed on.
Maybe SOME people will get the message. The world does Not owe you a
living.
Thank you.
Mike
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
FREEDOM ISN'T FREE - SOMEONE PAYS FOR IT.
It makes you truly thankful for not only the Marines,
but ALL of our troops.
THE MARINE
We all came together,
Both young and old
To fight for our freedom,
To stand and be bold.
In the midst of all evil,
We stand our ground,
And we protect our country
From all terror around.
Peace and not war,
Is what some people say.
But I'll give my life,
So you can live the American way.
I give you the right
To talk of your peace.
To stand in your groups,
and protest in our streets.
But still I fight on,
I don't bitch, I don't whine.
I'm just one of the people
Who is doing your time.
I'm harder than nails,
Stronger than any machine.
I'm the immortal soldier,
I'm a U.S. MARINE!
So stand in my shoes,
And leave from your home.
Fight for the people who hate you,
With the protests they've shown.
Fight for the stranger,
Fight for the young.
So they all may have,
The greatest freedom you've won .
Fight for the sick,
Fight for the poor
Fight for the cripple,
Who lives next door.
But when your time comes,
Do what I've done.
For if you stand up for freedom,
You'll stand when the fight's done .
By: Corporal Aaron M. Gilbert, US Marine Corps
USS SAIPAN, PERSIAN GULF
March 23, 2003
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
IT DOESN'T JUST SNOW IN DENVER!!
February 13, 2007 - The snow and wind forced airlines to cancel hundreds of flights Tuesday and there will probably be more Wednesday.
Midway Airport actually had to shut down temporarily Tuesday night. No planes were allowed in or out. Some planes did start landing after 7 p.m., but there are still delays.More than 900 flights were grounded at O'Hare Tuesday. And even the ones that did take off were between two and three hours late.
Travelers are being reminded to contact their airline prior to departing for the airport to check on the status of flights.
THIS IS WHAT THE WEATHER HAS BEEN TELLING US:
Winter storm warning now in effect
Lake effect snow will continue across northeast
illinois through wednesday morning. An additional
1 to 2 inches of snow is possible across western
will and western dupage counties, to as much as 3
to 5 inches of new snow accumulation across
eastern cook county. Storm total snowfall
accumulations by late Wednesday morning of 8 to 12 inches are
possible.
The lake effect snow bands will produce moderate
to heavy snow over small areas through the night.
Snowfall rates up to 1 inch per hour are possible
with the heaviest bands.
In addition to the new snow, north winds of 20 to
30 mph will cause significant blowing and
drifting snow.
Travel is discouraged tonight. If you must
travel, leave plenty of extra time to reach your
destination.
A winter storm warning means significant amounts
of snow, sleet, and ice are expected or
occurring. Strong winds are also possible. This will make
travel very hazardous or impossible. Stay indoors
and avoid travel if possible.
Lake Zurich snowfall level on car being cleaned.
One Little Bluebird
A little bluebird spotted in a feeder in Lemont during the snow storm.
Sent in by Susan from Lemont.
TO READ? OR NOT TO READ.... OVER THE EDGE
OVER THE EDGE, by GREG CHILD
THE TRUE STORY OF FOUR AMERICAN CLIMBERS’ KIDNAP AND ESCAPE IN THE MOUNTAINS OF CENTRAL ASIA
Random House, Inc.
www.villard.com
Before dawn on August 12, 2000, four of America’s best young rock climbers, the oldest of them only twenty-five, were sleeping in their portal edges high on the Yellow Wall, in the Pamir-Ali mountain range of Kyrgyzstan, in central Asia. By daybreak, they would be taken at gunpoint by fanatical militants of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekisstan (IMU), which operates out of secret bases sin Tajikistan and Afghanistan, and which is linked to Osama bin Laden’s Al Qaeda network. The desperadoes—themselves barely out of their teens—intended to use their hostages as human shields and for ransom as them moved across Kyrgyzstan. They hid the climbers by day and marched them by night through freezing, treacherous mountains, with little food, no clean water, and the constant threat of execution. The four would see a fellow hostage, a Kyrgyz soldier, executed before their eyes. And in a remarkable life-and-death crucible over six terrifying days, they would be forced to choose between saving their own lives and committing an act none of them thought they ever could.
In Over the Edge, the four climbers—Jason” Singer: Smith, John Dickey, Tommy Caldwell, and Beth Rodeden—finally tell the complete story of their nightmarish ordeal. In riveting detail, author Greg Child re-creates the entire hour-by-hour drama, from the first ricocheting bullets to the climactic and agonizing decision the climbers had to make in order to gain their freedom and survival. Set in a powder-keg region of narcotics trafficking and terrorism, this is a deeply compelling book about loyalty and the unshakable human will to survive.
Greg Child is the author of three books, most recently the climbing memoir Postcards from the Ledge, A mountaineer who has summated K2 and Everest, Child lives near Moab, Utah
TO READ? OR NOT TO READ.... BROTHER ANDREW
BROTHER ANDREW....
The Smuggler In Our Living Room
As a boy, Brother Andrew dreamed of being an undercover spy working behind enemy lines. As a man he found himself working undercover for God. His was a mission filled with danger, financed by faith, supported by miracles behind the Iron Curtain.
This is one of the best books I've read. It has inspired me to trust more in God to accomplish His will....realizing that I am but an instrument.
(David and I read this book together!)
Calling, The: A Challenge to Walk the
Author: Brother Andrew with Verne Becker
Number of Pages: 288
Publication Date: Oct. 02 Description: "Pay attention to the call of God in your everyday life-and then follow it. Because it is here that we can begin changing the world." ?Brother Andrew
Have you ever had someone say, "You can't do that"? That's what Bible smuggler Brother Andrew and persecuted Christians around the world often hear as they set out to do what God asks of them. But it doesn't stop them from answering The Calling-even when it may cost them their life!
What is God asking you to do for him? And how can you have the courage to follow through no matter what the circumstances?
In The Calling, you'll discover ten simple, straightforward steps for hearing God's voice, responding to his call, and spreading Christ's love in extraordinary ways. You'll be inspired by Brother Andrew's gripping true-life tales of bringing banned Christian literature into communist
Walk the narrow road and experience God's calling for yourself. Life will never be the same-and neither will you!
Author Information: Brother Andrew began his work in 1955 as a one-man mission-visiting, teaching, and taking Bibles to Christians behind closed borders. That work has since developed into Open Doors International, a nondenominational organization with bases around the world. When not traveling, Brother Andrew makes his home in the
