The TIme For Change Has Come

Who Is Your Vinedresser?

 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser” (John 15:1)

Hey Gang:   When you randomly open your Bible each morning, I do assume you open your Bible each morning to stoke the fire in your spiritual; boiler, does it open to one of those very special verses that ignite that fire?   All of God’s Word, inspired by God, is very special but one Psalm- the 23^rd Psalm- places vey near the top of the most favorite of all the Old Covenant chapters.  And, it is the most well-known chapters in the world; probably John 3:16 is the most known, loved and quoted verse in the New Covenant.

This morning I randomly opened my Bible and it opened to the fifteenth chapter of the book of John.  It was no accident that it opened to John 15 because I often open the Word intentionally to John 15.     I call it the “IF” chapter or prerequisites to walking in the fullness of God and His Word.  It is a prerequisite to living a life filled with the joy that Christ wants to shower on each of His children.

Jesus paints us a beautiful word picture of how we are interconnected with the Vinedresser who is the Lord.  A picture that was immediately understandable for Israel, which was and is a land of vineyards.  They knew the process well- pruning the non-producing vines so that the producers could be more fruitful.

Jesus’ words contained a hidden truth that was far more important than the simple task of pruning away an unproductive vine.  It painted a picture of the religious practices that were common to the Jews of that time.  Many stories of the Old Testament that referred to Israel as the vine or vineyard of God.  The vine was the symbol of Israel even appearing on the Maccabees currency.  Solomon considered the vine significant enough in Jewish life to place a vine across the front of the Holy of Holies in the Temple.         

I love to get off by myself and read Jesus’ awesome words in this passage, “I am the vine and you are the branches,” Wow! Lord, how awesome.  You mean I can be a branch in Your vine – does that not fire the cockles of your thumpers? 

But notice Jesus does not leave it there.  He goes on and gives us the Good News: we can be attached to His vine! He said, “Abide in Me, and I in you.  As a branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me.  I am and true vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:4). 

Wonderful, yes, but.. notice the next “IF”. “IF’ anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away – to where – “to be cast in the fire and they are burned” (v.6).

So, my young friends, if’ I were to place a title on this Gramps Message, it would be  ‘Are You Grafted In?’ Are you truly attached to the Vine?’  Jesus made Himself available to us and walk through those wilderness times when He said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you might have peace” (John 16:3).

Blessings 

Gramps

Settle Down PussyCats, No Meal Tonight!

“He said, ‘O man of high esteem, do not be afraid.  Peace be with you; take courage and be courageous!”  Now as soon as he spoke to me, I received strength and said, ‘May my Lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” (Dan. 10:19).

Hey Gang:  How many out there would agree with me that Daniel was one tough dude?  Now think about what was dealt to him as a teen ager.  He was captured and taken to a foreign land; his country was destroyed and people taken into bondage; he was in a strange culture and, perhaps most pressing, he was chosen to be a satrap-in-training in the kings court- which placed him under the threat of death at any time.

He certainly had to make some tough decisions.  They attempted to mold the brightest and best-looking lads into Chaldean’s.  Every attempt was made to “brain wash” them, remove their Jewishness, and take the appearance of Chaldean’s.  Their choice was to be obedient or face death.   But, when it came to his eating habits, Daniel drew the line. He would have no part of defiling himself by eating of the King’s food, which had been sacrificed to idols.  When the rubber-hit-the-road Daniel declared, “I will not defile myself”. 

Daniel had purpose in his life and he knew who he was in God’s eyes.  Do you ever feel the need to take a stand?  In this age when everything Christian is under attack, have you faced times when you need to shout “No, I will not defile myself”. 

We need to take a peek at Daniel’s life and find the keys that gave him the backbone to trust in the Lord under all circumstance!   First, he was a fervent pray-er warrior.   He knelt three times a day, facing Jerusalem before an open window, praying fervently for the restoration of his country.   In Chapter 9 we find a model prayer that each believer should have on their desk and use as a model when praying for our nation.

This he did even though a trumped-up decree was pushed through in the dark of the night- forbidding anyone to pray to, or for, anyone or thing but King Nebuchadnezzar.  Daniel knew that the sleaze-bag club would run to the King and report Daniel’s dastardly deed, if he defied the King’s law- and they knew Daniel would. 

Note: Daniel did not get all in a dither, for he knew that God had placed him there for a purpose and, if his mission was completed, so be it, but if not, then he would close the pussy cat’s mouths.  We know the rest of the story. 

Is it possible to have such trust and faith in our Savior and Lord? Not without being in constant contact with Abba Father, keeping the Armor of God in place, and filling your heart with the Word of God.  Folks, this I can guarantee you, today, you will come against something that is contrary to God’s will- and you must choose! Will you allow yourself to be defiled? Or will you stand in the face of adversity and say, “No way, I will not be defiled”? 

One does not have to be a rocket scientist to see that the world is being shaken. God’s strength is always available to us! BUT, we must avail ourselves of that strength by inputting the promises of God into our heart, soul and mind.  “God is our refuge and strength” (Psa. 46:1; Eph. 3:16-17).

       

Blessings, 

Gramps

Little but Powerful!!

“Therefore, if you have been raised up with Christ keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” (Col. 3:1).

Hey Gang:  I have said it before and I say it again, I love the little, what most would call insignificant, words of the Bible. They are kind of like the people behind the scenes that are considered, by man, as mundane but in reality, what makes things work; example:  janitors and cooks. 

I often asked the kids in Chapel what is the most important word in the English language.  I would get such responses as, love, joy, peace and others that I will not give space in this epistle.  Of course, your most important word may be totally different from mine; but, the one word that I consider the most important is one that will determine where we spend eternity. The word ‘NOT’;  “I KNOW YOU NOT!”

Colossians three is filled with little insignificant words that carry life-changing power. 

Paul is what I call a “Practical teacher”. Here, he gives a principle and then gives us the power know-how to implement the principle.  In Colossians three we find six words, none of grandiose significance, but when wrapped in his descriptive way of teaching they are life-changing.

Note: step one is the three-letter word “Die” (v.5).  Paul says we have to die to anything that stands between us and God.   To this step in the process he adds such words as immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and greed.  I am sure all who read this epistle could make their own list.  Paul, who said we must die to anything that is offensive to God, also said, “I do the very things I hate”.

The second step in the process is we must “Put off” (v.8).  Notice, Paul did not say it would be a good idea to put off such things such as anger, wrath, malice, slander and abusive speech, lying, but rather made it an “act-of-the-will” issue; just plain “DO IT!”.

His third step, again two simple words, “put on” (v 10&14).  Jesus said when we clean house and evict the evil one we best fill the house with the good news that Jesus Christ is owner of your house, other - wise the evil one will return and bring his cousins with him. (Gramps rendition.) (Luke 11:25).

  

The final insignificant word, which is also the most difficult to implement, is “Let” (v16). “Let the peace of God rule in your heart, let the word of Christ richly dwell with you”  

But, notice in verse one we find two insignificant words that activate the process! “Therefore & if” that activates the change process.   Seven rather insignificant words, die, put off, put on, and let; but one last, but very important kicker that makes Paul’s change process fly, “IF”. “If you have been raised up with Christ!”  

Paul closed this most important principle by saying, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”  (vs. 17). 

Blessings,

Gramps

Are You Peculiar?

 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (I Peter 2:9).


Hey Gang: In my travels through the Word of God I have found that no verse stands alone.  I have great concern when a pastor or teacher takes a verse out of context and does not surround it with all the hidden pearls of great price that support it.  One of my very favorite verses is Peter’s words found in I Peter 2:9.      

 As I study Peter’s life and words, I sense a kinship with him for I, too, have been known to step out of the boat and be a wee bit brash in some of my actions and words.  Oh, don’t get me wrong, I, too, have been reprimanded when my brashness has become too bold.

When my grandkids were in their younger years, it was my privilege to baptize them.  On the day we were to complete this blessed event, a paternal Grandma, having been raised in the Catholic persuasion, had a concern that I was not a priest- in the Catholic sense of the word.  When I read Peter’s words to her, she was satisfied that I was, indeed qualified to baptize her grandchildren.

Does it not make you feel all warm inside when you realize that, as a child of God, you are a “royal priest?” One commentary suggested as people became believers they "…at once bore the dignity of kings, and the sanctity of priests".  Jesus, through John in Revelation wrote, “And hath made us kings and priests unto God." (Rev. 1:6).

In the King James Version we find the word peculiar used to describe God’s children.  Most folks would get that dander up, if referred as peculiar; but a little research soon shows us its meaning is much deeper than we find it used today.  The Greek word means “A people for a possession, that is pertaining to God”.  Thus we are people who are secured as a possession, or His own; a people that belongs to Him and no other.

So, young folks, have you praised Him this morning for calling you “…out of the darkness into His marvelous light.”    We live in a time when the dark clouds are gathering and all that can be shaken is being shaken, but it is not fan-tab-u-lus to know you are a”… royal priest, and a member of a holy nation, and a person for God’s own possession and you have been called out of darkness into His glorious light”.  Rejoice ye in it! 

Blessings,


Gramps

Would You Know A False Teaching If it Hit You Between the Eyes?

 

 “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who brought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.” (2 Peter 2:1).

Hey Gang, When Jesus was asked by His disciples, “When will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming and the end of the age?” (Matt. 24:3), His response was “Careful, careful, careful, “See to it that no one misleads you.  For many will come in My name, saying, “I am the Christ,” and will lead many” (vs. 4-5).

In my lifetime, I have seen many of the signs Jesus said would become reality prior to His coming fulfilled. In fact, it has been stated by most of the prophecy guru’s, whom I have learned to respect, that everything is in place for the greatest event of all time to occur – the Coming of our Lord to collect His sheep and take them home.

But I want to emphasize, the first and foremost warning that Jesus gave was- “Keep your spiritual ears filled with His word and learn to recognize His voice for many are going to be taken down the wrong road just prior to his coming, even some of His saints.” (Gramps translation). 

As a child, I would have never believed that it would be a crime to place a nativity scene in a public park, or say Merry Christmas to a friend or neighbor in one of our nation’s public buildings.  It was beyond my comprehension that a Franking Order would tell our legislators that they could no longer wish those who support them a Merry Christmas, or that it would be bordering on a capital offense to call a Christmas Tree, a Christmas Tree.

I have seen the Church lose its power and the rise of Replacement Theology which has made great inroads in convincing the world that God no longer looks at Israel as the Apple of His eye.  From many in the media and some in from the pulpit teach that it does not matter who or what you believe in, all roads lead to God. Since the Bible has become an outdated conglomeration of wives’ tales and fables to many and many do not have a clue that Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6).

Jesus said, “CAREFUL, WARNING, RED LIGHTS BLARING” for we are into that day called “apostate” and many are being led down the Prime-Rose-Path to destruction by the evil one.” (Gramps translation).  Note: the end of the above Scripture verse, “False teachers will introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who brought them.”  Note: his condemnation of those false prophets and false teachings, “He will bring swift destruction upon themselves”.  

So, my friends and neighbors, one does not have to be a rocket-scientist to see and know that many have ignored Jesus’ words and are being deceived.  I have very bad news for those who do not go to the Throne Room daily and fill their hearts and minds with the Word of God – you are a good candidate for the Prime-Rose-Path.

Blessings,

Gramps

How to Bridle Your Tongue!

“If any man thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless” (James 1:25).

Hey gang, after several very busy weeks, my bride and I decided we needed a couple day of R and R at one of our very favorite places, Shipshewana, Indiana. Shipshey, as it is more commonly known, is in the midst of Amish and Mennonite Country. It is not a place that rates very high on the ‘bangles and beads’ list of the city slickers who like the neon lights.

It brought memories of my younger years. I was privileged to live in the middle of another Amish community- Lancaster, Pennsylvania. There I picked up milk at 54 Amish Farms.  It was not a job for the future but it was perfect for a person who was struggling in their life and needed to be among some very special people. 

To me, I thought they were perfect, but I soon learned they, too, had problems- just like everyone else.  One memory that stands out clearly and filed in the ‘Did you know that gossip thrives on suspicion, mistrust, and a lack of confidence in others,’ file.  It can even gain strength  in the midst of honest misunderstandings. 

When I arrived at the Deacon Amos Zook Farm, I found a very irate Amos.  He was very quick to tell me there was a blasphemous situation that was taking place in his community.  It seems one of his parishioners was using electric lights to motivate his hens to lay more eggs, and,,electricity was one of those modern conveniences that was a no – no in old line Mennonite and Amish lives.

Although the members of Amos’s Community did not have telephones, it did not take it long to spread the ‘dastardly act of rebellion’ throughout the whole community and the gossip wheels began to turn.  But after a brief investigation it was learned that Brother Samuels indiscretion was the result of a misunderstanding of what Deacon Amos had suggested Brother Sam do to motivate his chickens.   

It seems Brother Samuel’s hens were just not motivated to lay eggs in the number that he expected, so, he sought the advice of the Deacon- who suggested he try the vitamin and electrolyte mixture available in the local feed store. This he did. Now I was not privy to whether the hens did indeed lay more eggs, but was made privy to the fact that there would be a meeting of the Sanhedrin that very day to address the ‘electrolyte’ verse ‘electric light’ issue.

It then dawned on the Deacon that he was the seed planter of this dastardly sin when he suggested Brother Samuel purchase the vitamin and electrolyte mixture - which the young chicken farmer took to mean “electric light”.  The mystery was soon solved and the young man corrected the errors of his ways.

Unfortunately, not all gossip can be laid to rest with so much relief and touch of humor.  A simple pulling of the plug brought brother Samuel back into compliance.  I believe that is what James was talking about when he wrote: “Yet he who does not bridle his tongue deceives his own heart”.

Notice he does not stop there but went on to give warning: “…the gossipers religion is worthless”. 
 So, my young buckaroos, if you have a season when your chickens are not laying and you lack wisdom as to what to do -“Let him ask of God who gives to all generously and without reproach and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).

Blessings,

Gramps

What Is That in Your Hand?

“The Lord said to him (Moses), “What is that in your hand?”  “A staff, he replied”.  Throw it on the ground” (Ex. 4:2-3).

Hey Gang, How many out there believe that Moses was a very tough and stubborn sort of hombre?

I believe God equipped him that way for the impossible tasks ahead. God was preparing him to, not

only take on the powers of Pharaoh, but also to deal with the nearly impossible elements of forty years in the wilderness with a million or so people-and even God described them as “Stiff-necked people”. 

Forty years in the house of Pharaoh and, much of that as second in command of the greatest power on

earth at that time, Egypt, then forty years of dealing with the impossible elements of the wilderness

while caring for a bunch of sheep, had made him one tough hombre.  But something was ‘fixen’ to

happen that would change his life forever! Moses had an encounter with a “burning bush” that did not

burn.

Did you ever have a life changing experience?  Moses was about to have one.  He decided he needed to take a closer look at this ‘burning bush’ that did not burn.  The burning bush was a phenomenal sight, but he was about to come face to face with a ‘blow your mind’ event.                                                                                                                                                                                                

 A voice came out of the bush (God’s voice) and said, “Moses, “Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground”.  I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”  Then Moses hid his face, for he  was afraid to look at God” (Exod. 3:5-6).

The story of Moses’ encounter with God is, indeed, a wonderful story.  If you are not up to speed on the  whole story, I strongly suggest you take your Bible and get alone with God and read the whole story.  It is worth the investment of time.

But, let’s skip down to the life changing experience that applies to every believer who encounters difficulties in their walk with the Lord.  After Moses gave five reasons why God had chosen the wrong person for this assignment, God lost patience with Moses and said, “Moses what is that in your hand”, to which Moses responded “a staff”.   (Ex. 4:2).

“God said, “Throw it on the ground”… and it turned into a serpent and Moses fled from it.”  (Ex. 4:3) After 40 years in the wilderness Moses knew the perils of getting to close to a serpent. “ Then God said, “pick it up by the tail” (Ex.3:4).    I don’t know what Moses said but I think I would have said, “You have got to be kidding!”  But when God is giving the orders it pays to be obedient.

Hence from that point on the ‘rod’ became the ‘rod of spiritual authority’, called the “rod of God”. 

We know from the Bible that God wants his children to have the best but, He also knows that many of those ‘best things’ have serpents in them that can be harmful in our walk with the Lord. 

So, my young friends, be sure to throw all of the neat bangles and beads on the ground and let God take the serpent out of them.  I promise, if they are going to make you a better disciple for Him, He will give them back to you – serpent-less.

Blessings,

Gramps

When Exhausted - Check Your JOY Meter!

These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and your joy may be made full.”  (John 15:11)

Hey Gang:  I find myself craving even a tiny tidbit o good news in this day-of-darkness across the world. If the Sunday School teacher of my younger years, were still around, she would say, “Darkness is an attitude and God gave us the antidote to overcome it.  If you really want joy in your heart, place Jesus first, Others second and You last -which adds up the word JOY.

Question: Would you call Paul a joy-filled man?  Even after you read Romans and the letters to the Corinthians?   In Romans seven he wrote: “For what I am doing, I doing I do not understand: for I am practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.” (7:15).  He goes on: “For the good that I want, I do not do but I practice the very evil that I do not want” (v. 19).  He capped this off with these words: “Wretched man that I am!  Who will set me free from the body of this death?’

Does that sound like a joy-filled man?  But let’s dig a little deeper.  Many refer to the Epistle he wrote to the church at Philippi, while chained to a wall in the basement prison of someone’s house. Here we have a totally different picture of Paul. 

He begins by saying, “I thank my God in remembrance of you, For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (v. 6).

Throughout the epistle we find Paul referring to joy in no less than nine different situations.   He says, “There is joy in offering prayer for you all” (1:4).   In verse 1:18 he says, “Where Christ is proclaimed, I rejoice”.   In verse 25 he says, “There is joy in the faith” and in 2:2 “There is joy in unity of the body and our fellowship with believers.” 

We might take Paul a wee bit to task with his next reference to joy when he says, “Even when I am being poured out as a drink offering, I rejoice and share my joy with you all” (2:17).  In verse 28 he tells us we should, “Rejoice when we receive good news.” And  “Our hearts should be filled with joy when we cross paths with a brother or sister in Christ” (v.29), and “There is the joy of remembering and being with saints of God” (4:1).

What powerful words we find in verses 4:4 and 5, “Rejoice in the Lord and, again, I say rejoice. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”    And, finally, he says, “Rejoice when someone comes to your aid in times of need” (v.10)

So, my young friends, always, always, always remember that when the rubber-begins-to-sag and you find your back against the wall, “God is your strength” and you can do all things through Him who strengthens you”; and “He will provide for all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (4:19).  Wow, you can take that to the bank!!!

Blessings,  

Gramps

PS We are practicing Paul’s Joy challenge and know that it is God who strengthens us.  Gramps has a back issue – probably pinched nerve- but had to change our travel plans and are returning home from Colorado, instead of traveling on to AZ.  God is good.  We will be home Sunday before you receive this.

Dry Spells.. con't

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange things were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the suffering of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation” (1 Peter 12-13).

Hey Gang:  I remember hearing Cliff Barrows talk of the dry spells that followed the Billy Graham Crusades.  He said, “From the high of being in the midst of thousands of people praising God and leading a thousand voice choir to going home and having to take out the garbage, was a very depressing experience.”   

He also said that it took days, weeks and even on several occasions months, before he and the other members of the team to began to work their way out of the doldrums.  I had a hard time visualizing Billy Graham dealing with dry spells.

I have discovered, in reading materials from some of the spirituals gurus of my day, that they, too, have gone through periods when it seemed they had lost connection with Abba Father.  Even to the point, where some confessed, that dry spells were not something that one would consider “rare or unusual”.  I also learned that dry spells were looked upon by many as plateaus where God was preparing them for a new and exciting growth period in their lives.

So, I began to look at godly men and women throughout the Bible and learned that ‘dry spells were as much a part of their ministry as the mountaintop experiences.  I found that it was, and is, a common experience particularly for those who walk closely with the Lord.  The closer you walk with the Lord, the more Satan tries to tamper with your life.

Consider Elijah:   This bold prophet led an amazing life of faith.  In a single day, God manifested his power in Elijah in incredible ways.  At Mount Carmel, the prophet called down fire from heaven that consumed his sacrifice along with twelve barrels of water.  Elijah then wiped out 400 priests of Baal.  As the people beheld this amazing scene, they fell down on their faces in worship of Jehovah God.

We also see Elijah doing other incredible works.  He prayed down rain to end a drought, and he outran King Ahab’ chariot over many miles.  Elijah was experiencing supernatural strength, the very power of the Holy Spirit.  He was bursting with zeal and faith, walking on an elevated spiritual plane.

So, what followed for Elijah?   In the very hour of his blessing and revelation, this mighty prophet plunged deep into despair.  Why?  Ahab’s wife, Queen Jezebel, had threatened to kill him.  Suddenly, in a day’s time.  Elijah descended from glorious victory to utter despair.  A dryness overcame him, and his spirit got so low he wanted to die. 

 Elijah ended up running from God in fear.  He couldn’t shake his despair, so he hid out in a cave, crying, “Lord, I h….ave failed in my mission.  What purpose is there is my life?”  He experienced a dry spell.

Consider David.  God told David, “I am going to establish your kingdom as everlasting”. “Thine house and thy kingdom shall be established forever before them” (2 Samuel 7:16).  Why?  Because David was a man after God’s own heart.  But we find David also experienced “Dry Spells” in his life.

David’s message to us today would be, “Beloved, do not panic! And don’t beat yourself up, this too shall pass”.

SOOO, dear ones, ‘Dry Spells’ are difficult times and we fall into the doldrums… BUT, look up, GOD want to use them for our growth.

Blessings,

Gramps

Dry Spells

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange things were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the suffering of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also, at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation” (1 Peter 12-13).

Hey Gang:  There are special passages of Scripture that have been, and continue to be, meaningful to me at certain times in my life.  The God’s Hall of Fame passage found in Hebrews eleven is one such passage, especially to those times that I would place in the “’Dry Spell’ times of my life.   

Why?  Because, although they were very special people in God’s eyes, yet they were just normal people just like you and me who had problems and ‘Dry Spells’ in their lives.  I liked them because God liked them - just like He likes you and me.

And He was for them! Just like He is for us. And His great desire was to use them- just like He wants to use us.  We are living in a time when all that can be shaken is being shaken.  There is no question this is a very special time in the fulfillment of God’s prophetic word.

As I read of their peaks, I also find that in most cases those highs were followed by lows or ‘Dry Spells’.   I can identify with that and even take encouragement from their stories.  There were many times when I felt that God had totally abandoned me, when my prayers seemed like bricks falling off a table – and times when I wondered if God was out to lunch or on vacation.  Have you ever felt that way? 

But along the way, I began to get the message that I was not unique at all, that every follower of Jesus- at some time or another- had alligators up to their armpits or found themselves with their back against the wall.  As a matter of fact, I have found it is almost universally so- that with every peak there is going to a time in the valley.  The Amish would say, “Where there is no rain, there is no crop”.

The band and orchestra concerts were wonderful, but when over there was a void, a let-down because the intensity of preparation was over and nothing to fill void.  The same was true for the Christmas Cantatas.  On the final night, there was a sadness in my heart because I would not have the continued fellowship with those I had grown very close to during the tedious hours of practice. 

As I look at our country today, the home of the free and brave, I feel that same void, for our nation has chosen the same path as all other civilizations who, when they fell from the peak of their greatness, choose to leave the very things that made them great.  I wonder if darkness was as prevalent in the days of Noah as it is today. 

The Word does tell us that we need to get our lives in order when the world begins to look like the world of Noah’s day.   I certainly believe we are in that time and as Jesus said, “When all of these things happen, (notice the all), get excited, look up for your redemption is oh so very close”.  (Luke 21:28 Hillbilly rendition).  There is an antidot to the blahs.  Tune in tomorrow and walk with me and some of those very special people who God gave us as examples of folks who knew a great deal about peaks and valleys.

Blessings,

Gramps

What Price?

“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends: (John 15:13)

 Hey Gang:  My calendar says today is Labor Day?  What in the world is Labor Day?  In checking the archives, I found that it was established in New York on September 4, 1882. The original holiday was meant to handle a problem of long standing – namely people were in slavery to their jobs.  In reading the history of Labor Day, one could title it the beginning of the labor movement in America.

But for me personally it was not a day I looked forward to- my birthday happens to be September 4 and, for most of my growing up years, a new year of school began on that day.   Not a good day for a hillbilly kid from the mountains who was ill equipped emotionally and socially for entrance into the world of the preparing oneself for the rest of their lives.

While digging through the history of the growth of Labor Day recognition, I came across a story that brought back many memories.  Our nation was in the midst of fighting, not one war but two, the European theater and the Asia Pacific theater, when I entered the third grade.   Although the war began when Germany invaded Poland in 1939, the United States did not enter until Pearl Harbor was decimated by the Imperial Japanese Air Force on December 7, 1941.

One would not think that kids in the third grade would have any interest in such things as war, but such was not the case. Mrs. B had kin folks who were involved in the hand to hand combat phases of the war, as did many of the kids in the school. So each day began with the reading from God’s word, prayer for our troops and the Pledge of Allegiance. 

She had maps of the European Theater and the Asian theater and each morning she became our ‘Ernie Pyle’ and gave us an up-to-the-minute- news report on the movements of our troops.  Mrs. Barnhart was a loving grandmother who loved the Lord with all her heart and had such deep compassion for every one of our GI’s -who that day would face harm’s way.  It was in those years, under her loving guidance, that I became a red-neck patriot. 

In my travels through the archives I came across a story that really rang my bell.  It was a story titled “Rosy the Riveter.  Rosie is as clear in my memory today as it was back in the war years. She was a creation of Norman Rockwell and appeared for the first time on the front of the Saturday Evening Post on May 29, 1943, which was the Memorial Day Issue. 

The image showed a muscular woman wearing coveralls, goggles, and pins of honor on her lapel.  She sported a leather wrist band and rolled-up sleeves.  She sits with a riveting tool in her lap, eating a sandwich, and "Rosie" is inscribed on her lunch pail. And, she's stepping on a copy of Adolph Hitler's book "Mein Kampf."

While living in Clare, waiting for the Village to begin, I was truly blessed to live fifty yards from a true, extremely-dedicated-real-live ‘Rosie and Riveter’ we called Gramdma Jesse, who worked in a plant in Chealsea Michigan. I was truly blessed to hear her many wonderful stories of the sacrifices these ladies gave to assure that our troops had all they needed to do their job.  She said, every piece of equipment that went out of the factory to the war zone carried the tears and words of their love and God’s love on it. 

Jessie never talked of her days as a ‘Rosie the Riveter’ with dry eyes.  As I thought about those wonderful days, when I was so blessed to spend time with this dear saint of God, I could not help but wonder- if our country suddenly found itself in war again, would the people of our nation do as those warriors did by denying self and taking up their cross and lay down their lives to assure that our nation met its challenges?  

There are those who say, no way – we have become a soft, uncaring, hardened people who have lost our first love. But I do not believe that.  Yes, the airways are filled with rebellious souls, who have lost their way, but when the rubber-hits-the-road the people who love the Lord God with all their heart will once again zip up their armor, secure their helmets of salvation and take up their cross- which is the word of God- and meet the challenge.    

So, as we celebrate this Labor Day, let us consider what John F. Kennedy said in his inauguration speech: “Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.”

Blessings,

Gramps

I Love It When the Underdog Wins!

“Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust and licked up the water that was in the trench” (I Kings 18:38).

Hey Gang: When in high school, every team in the State wanted to play my high school football team, Mountain Lions, on Home Coming Day.  It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure out why – we were the patsies of Pennsylvania. Then one day the miracle of miracles occurred, we beat a perennial power house!  And, on that day, I gained a compulsion to root for the underdog.  I love it when the number one seed gets clobbered by Podunk College from the back country of Appalachia.

We are, again, in that time when all the sports buffs’ minds are being glued to the up-coming ranking of football teams.  As I listened to a group of guru’s, who were certainly the “in crowd” who knew all there was to know about pig-skin mania, I thought it might be worthy of my time to kind-of-relate the excitement of sporting events to the Bible. 

There is no question that final-four madness, whether it be football, basketball or basket weaving, dictates that such things as chores around the house by placed on hold.  Why? Because every game has the potential for a giant to fall. 

So, here’s the question for you to ponder, “Was Jesus an underdog?”  I could fill this epistle with names of those who qualify for the Underdog Club, listed throughout the Bible.   David certainly qualified when he took on Goliath with a sling shot and a stone.  How about Jacob, Joseph and Daniel? They each had a common denominator, they were winners in the face of being underdogs and, I would suggest, the odds-makers of Las Vegas would not have given them much chance.

 

But what about Jesus?  Did He not snatch victory out of the jaws of defeat when He came forth from the tomb?    At the same time, defeat was never really an option.  All along, God knew that Jesus would win- even over the cross and death.   It was all part of God’s eternal plan to fulfill “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son”  (John 3:16).  And why did He do that?  Simply stated, because of His tremendous love for His creation! 

Does that mean that Satan was the powerhouse and Jesus was the underdog?  Not in your sweet bippy! Jesus could have called down a barn full of angels and blew them all away. But- notice the “but’, “He chose to die for you and me”! 

Do you think Satan was sitting in his big padded rocker smoking a Havana cigar  and watching smugly as they placed Jesus in the tomb and rolled the huge stone in front of the opening?   I wonder if he did not cancel all sick days and vacation times and order all his fallen angels, demons, and principalities to the tomb- with orders to keep Jesus in the tomb for at least four days.

So, troops, I ask you, “Is Jesus an underdog today?” The world believes He is a pussy cat that can be pushed around like the Altoona Mountain Lions.  I believe Satan has purchased a new carton of Havana cigars and is sitting smugly in his padded rocking-chair watching all that can be shaken, being shaken and believes his day is nearing when he will enter the temple and declare, ‘I am god!”.   

But as Paul Harvey would say, “We know the rest of the story.”   John gives us a vivid picture of the defeat of the Satan, his super powers and his minions.  Is Jesus the underdog?  Perhaps to the world, but not to the sheep of His pasture” 

Blessings,

Gramps