Think of This!

Jesus Said "Look Up When" 

“You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end will be saved”.  “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory and then He will send forth His angels, and will gather together the elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of earth to the farthest end of heaven” (Mark 13:13; 26-27)

Hey Gang:  We are presently teaching a class on “What’s Happening Man” and have been doing a study on the news accounts coming across the internet.  The purpose? To see how they fit into the nine categories  that Jesus said we should be aware of, as the clock ticks closer to midnight hour.

Notice the following headlines: 

Could Emmanuel Macron be the Antichrist? He has come on like gang busters since Merkle announced she is stepping down as Germany's power broker for all of Europe. I have nine- page description of the Antichrist and how he stacks up against it.

Sanhedrin Asks Putin and Trump to Build the Third Temple. A Red Heifer without blemish has been found and is being raised in the Tiberius area. Also found at the Qumran archeological digs -anointing oil.

Turkey's Erdogan meets with leaders from Iran, Russian and Syria as relationships with U.S. sours. His focus is rebuilding the Ottoman Empire under his control.

On the Day Trump was elected thousands joined the Satanic church, the largest day of growth in its history.

On one particular day, I received seven articles that would fit nicely in seven of the nine categories and, in the past week, have found articles that fit in all nine categories.

I tell you this to set you up for a study of two words that have shown up in increasing frequency in the news.  In a sense they are tie-barred together but, at the same time, their importance allows them to stand alone.

The first is “CONVERGENCE”, the coming together of various thoughts and actions that create a common path (Hainley definition). In the last Friday Morning Message I mentioned the meeting of the “barn full of Christian guru’s” who were brought together to look at the “What’s Happening Man Subjects. 

As they went around the circle giving their opinion, a number of subjects were suggested.  When it got to the last elderly seer, his contribution was “Convergence”.  He said each of you have submitted very qualified answers and there are others that could have been submitted, all with a common thread, they are all converging into the same path- the coming of the Lord is very near.

We attended a Prophecy Conference recently that involved 34 presenters.  After setting in on seventeen presentations, the message was very clear- the theme was “NOW”.  Now is the time to make sure you are ready to meet the Lord face to face. Be sure you have shared the message of Jesus’ redemption with all of your family and friends.

I ran out of space to introduce you to the second very profound words “Exponential Curve”.  Will save it for the next Friday Morning Message.

Blessings,

Gramps          

For Unto You IS Born This Day A Savior WHo Is Christ the Lord

Christmas Day

Hey Gang – my error (Gma) Got these on wrong dates!  One that went out Yesterday was to be Friday and this one for Christmas!  Read the other one again on Friday!

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then those who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore comfort one another with these words”  (I Thess. 4:16-`18).

Hey Gang:  Well, Christmas has arrived for another year.  The frustrations that often come with hitting the stores to find those special gifts has ended and instead of feeling exhilaration for the day we celebrate, exhaustion has set in.  The ‘joys of anticipation’ have been realized by many but, perhaps, for some there will be disappointment. 

Do you think there might have been shepherds tending their sheep, that night when Jesus arrived in that cave in Bethlehem and heard only of the miracle of that night through the ever- present rumor mill?  If I would had been a shepherd that night and not invited to the visitation, I would have been deeply disappointed. 

Do you think there might have been shepherds who heard the voice of the angels saying, “Go to Bethlehem and see this miracle…” but said, “Oh, just my imagination!” and passed up the opportunity to experience the greatest miracle of all time?  

In the past weeks and even months as I have received the sad news that twenty-three percent of the American people interviewed listed themselves as “nones”, when asked about their relationship with Jesus.  “None’s”, meaning they have no relationship with Jesus.  That means on this morning across our nation, there are twenty-three percent of our people who do not have a clue why they are celebrating Christmas.

Many years ago we were blessed to have a young man, who had failed at a number of placements, arrived on our doorstep.  It did not take him long to show us why he had bombed out of the dozen or so placements.  Oh, he tried to make us number thirteen, as he proved there was no one or nothing that would change his attitude.

He thought this turning your other cheek was a sign of weakness that could be exploited, but the harder he tried the more he found something he had never experienced before, mercy, forgiveness and love.   It was a joy to watch the very subtle changes begin to take place. 

He wanted no part of God and refused to go to Chapel! But, when God puts us on His Potter’s Wheel and begins to cut out the garbage and trash that we have accumulated, you may try to hang onto the old but you may as well give up!   

The Thanksgiving Season was approaching and we felt it was time to find out how deep and solid were the changes we seeing in him.  We worked through the court for a home visit with his family whom he had not seen for several years.  A family that was very well known to the community as bad actors.  The agreement for risking the change we had seen in the young man was in no way unanimous but we felt we needed to test the waters.

The visit was set up and Tom was sent home with his family for the first time in several years for several days which included Thanksgiving Day.  I waited with great anticipation for his return to see if my confidence was rewarded, or did he slip back into his old ways.

He could not wait to tell me of the high point of his visit home.  Eating together as a family was something that never occurred in his home, but he convinced his mom that he would like this to be an exceptional day.  She agreed. The meal was prepared, the table set, and the family gathered around the table for the first time in many, many years.  And then the miracle came! As all were ready to dig into the food, Tom said, please wait, I want to bless my family and the food.  He said he had heard silence before but never like that especially in his home.

My friends, we have been truly blessed in our fifty years of throwing out a life line to deeply hurting children and families and have seen many miracles just like Tom’s.  In our fiftieth celebration a staff effort was made to seek out stories from many who have been impacted by the Village and a collection of fifty stories from past campers, residents and staff have been compiled.  If you want a special story to share with your family on this Christmas day, the stories can be found at: eaglevillage.org/50stories.

From my bride and I, we wish you a joyous Christmas Day and a fabulous, victory filled New Year. Keep in mind ’Jesus is the Reason for the Season’ and He is going to return for His children soon.

Blessings,

Gramps

I Wonder If This Might Be The Last Christmas On Earth

“For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ

the Lord”.  (Luke 2:11).  “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God!”  (I Thess. 4:16). 

Hey Gang, have you transitioned in your walk with the Lord between verse one of the morning Scripture and verse two.? Me thinks that many folks are still locked into the “Babe of the manger” and not the "King of kings and Lord of lords’.   

                                                                   

This past week I once again read Paul’s words to the Philippian believers. I must admit that in the many times I have read Philippians, I never associated Paul’s words in Chapter 2:5-11 as being Paul's Christmas Story.  As I read this portion of Paul’s words again this morning, I was impressed that he did not stop at the manger but described the birth, life, death, resurrection, ascension, and Second Coming of the Lord.

I recently heard a message titled “Hopeful Anticipation”.  I have been an avid sharer of the message that one of the great tragedies of our 'instant gratification generation" is stealing the joy of anticipation from our children.  Receiving a gift is nice, but when you have prayed, dreamed and waited with great anticipation for something you really want and the day arrives when you can hold it in your hands- that is a very special memory! One that is locked into your memory banks for forever. 

Those who know me know I have always gone to great lengths to make the Christmas Season very special to my family.  Some might even suggest the hundreds of feet of Christmas displays in our basement is a wee-bit on the overkill side. 

But, as a “Seed Planter’, my heart has always been to implant that Jesus not only came as a Babe but “He is going to come again as King of kings and Lord of Lords!  We know not when Father God will tell His Son to “Go for Your Bride!” But we do know from His prophetic word, all is in place for the final chapter to begin.  

So, Yes, Jesus was born in a manger under very miraculous circumstances - but that was only the delivery system to get Him to earth.  This Christmas season, as you share the Christmas Story once again, make sure you do not leave Jesus in the manger.  As Paul Harvey would say - “Now here is the rest of the story!" 

“Then they will see The Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send forth the angels and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven” (Mark 13:26-27).  Perhaps even before you eat your Post Toasties this morning!

Blessings, 

Gramps

But I Am Concerned for My Holy Name

“It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went.  I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst” (Ezek. 37:22-23a).

Hey Gang:  Does that sound a wee-bit contrary to the Abrahamic Covenant?  The Abrahamic Covenant is an unconditional covenant where God said, “I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you.” (Gen 12).  

But notice, God continues by giving us the reason for the above statement: “Then the nations will know that I am the Lord”.  When I think of Ezekiel, especially the last half of the chapter, I tend to think of it as being the “I will” and “Then they will know” chapter.  I also get the feeling that God is not going to sit idly-by and not come to the aid of His chosen people.

Where do I get this idea?  The very next verse - He Makes a promise to this rebellious nation: “For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands, and bring you into your own land” (vs. 24).  We have been blessed to see this become a reality in our generation.  In the past year 28,598 Jewish people/olim have made Aliyah from 249 countries, 9,000 from Russia. 

God goes on and gives them a listing of the fringe package He has in mind for them:  “He will sprinkle them with water and they will be cleansed from all filthiness and idols; I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you.’ I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.  I will put My spirit within you and cause you to walk in My Statutes; and You will live in the land of your forefathers” (Ezek: 36:25-29 slight modification from the writer). 

In essence God is setting the table for the coming of the dry-bones prophecy.  As I read this portion of Scripture-for the who knows how many times again, the thought of parallels entered my thinking.   We have no valleys of dry-bones in our News today. But, we do have on-going reports of many prophecies pertaining to what is coming down for God’s chosen nation in preparation for their coming to know the Lord as their long awaited Messiah and Lord and Savior. 

And where are we in that process?  Zechariah is a book for this very hour. There is a very clear description of where Jerusalem and Israel are - in God’s prophetic word this very hour:  “Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes reeling to all the peoples around; and when the siege is against Jerusalem, it will also be against Judah.   It will come about in the day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured.  And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it” (Zech. 12:2-3).

In a recent communication from the head of he Iranian army, He avowed that the day was very near when every Jew would be annihilated!  This has been the battle cry of the sons of Ishmael since Arafat’s first decree that the day is rapidly approaching.

So, what is the next headline that will appear in the New York Times?  Many believe it is the follow up to today’s Morning Message, the Battle of Gog and Magog.  Join with me in the next Prophetic Morning Message and we will do some digging!

Blessings,

Gramps  

The Joy of Anticipation Another Chapter

“Enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of your fleeting life which He has given to you under the sun; for this is your reward in life and in your toil in which you have labored under the sun” (Ec. 9:9).   

Hey Gang:  As I mentioned in the last Morning Message, the joy of anticipation is the nectar that adds spice to that special thing that you patiently await to fulfill a dream or deep desire of your heart. The fulfillment of the desire of a five-year-old boy for a little yellow truck was far more than a little yellow truck but gave me, even in the times of the adversity of the world we were living in at that time.

I promised I would share that other great time of anticipation that occurred at the Christmas Season sixty-two years ago.    After High school was a time of turmoil in my life and I did not have a clue about what direction I was going.  As I look back upon that time in my life, I see clearly that God had a very clear plan for my life but, up to that point I had done a very proficient job of sabotaging it. 

I was in the final stages of flunking out of college for the second time and did not have a clue where the road would take me.  But God knew.  Sports, poor judgment and a lack of discipline to use my God-given abilities to do well in college had been my albatross.  If the choice was preparation for a test or getting a paper in on time or going to a football game- the later won every time.

But this one was more than a football game.  You see there were only a hand full of rooters for the Ohio-away-team in the bleachers that Michigan night and one of them happened to be this young lady who caught my eye.  God does work in mysterious ways.  Just a passing in the bleaches, right? Well, I will not try and give you all the details that followed, in the next several years, that would take a few pages and not the point I want to make.

After receiving my walking papers from college, I ended up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania hauling milk from Amish farms to a dairy; however, one day I received a letter from my friends, neighbors and Uncle Sam that invited me to become a member of the United States of America Army.  I choose to not to open that letter and went the next day and joined the Air Force. 

I believe, and most agree, that we had a rather strange courtship, visits between basic training and tech school and then my orders came down for a trip to the exotic nation of Korea -keeping the Post office busy! I wish I could say the year went rapidly but rather more like molasses in January.   But end it did.

So, what was the great anticipation.  On that Christmas after coming home from Korea I asked my future bride to be my wife and placed an engagement ring on her finger.  When did the anticipation begin to grow?  That day at a football game on a chilly night in the bleaches at a football game. 

Did the anticipation end when I placed the ring on her finger, no.  Did it end when we met at the altar and her dad led us in committing our lives to each other?  No.  Did it end with the birth of our four children, no?  We will celebrate 62 years since we exchanged the promise before God and friends that our marriage would last? And what has been the catalyst to that success?  We anticipate daily what God will do through us.   ou see, God gave the perfect formula for the perfect marriage and He has a whole smorgasbord of blessings for those who  follow His formula.

Our prayer for you this Christmas Season is to put your hands in the hands of the One who stills the waters - even in marital relationships, and He wants to bless your sox off this Christmas Season.

Blessings,

Gramps

  

One of My Favorite Days

“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure – pressed down, shaken together, and running over.  For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”  

Hey Gang:  When is the gift the least of the blessing?  The story of The Good Samaritan in Luke 10 is not one that we hear often around the Christmas season.  But when we look at it, does it not contain all of the attributes that we attach to the Christmas Season?  Read the story and notice the key phrases: “He had compassion; he showed mercy; he gave”. 

  

The priest and the Levite passed by, but the hated Samaritan showed compassion, mercy and gave.  Now back up to Luke 6:35-38 and read Jesus’ instructions on how to be blessed out of your sox this Christmas Season. 

                “Love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be greater, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is king to ungrateful and evil men.  Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.  Do not judge, and you will not be judged, and do not condemn and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned”.

Notice who is the recipient of the blessing when we heed the words of the Master! Note the summation of God’s blessings!

“Give, and it will be given to you, they will pour into your lap a good measure – pressed down, shaken together”, and running over.  For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”  

Now, notice that Luke uses the same word three times in this verse-a very special word.  For what that word says to me is that I have much to say in the blessings I will receive:  I will be blessed in the same measure that I bless someone else.  I believe the Samaritan was abundantly blessed as he cared for the near-death traveler.

Why is December 8 of this year such a special day for me, because the airways leading to the Robin Hood Airport in Big Rapids will be filled with aircrafts carrying very special gifts to every child who is in foster placement and away from their families this Christmas.  Last year more than thirty aircraft arrived at Big Rapids Airport carrying gifts of love, hope and the joy of giving.

It’s a special blessing to me personally, because I come from a flying family and I love to be around pilots and hear their stories.  It is special because I spent seven years as a controller of this airman of the skies and I have tremendous respect for these giving up their day, filling their aircraft with fuel and presents so that a barn full of kids - they will never meet - will wake up to the wondrous news they have not been forgotten and they are loved. 

In the other Morning Message I have talked of the joys of anticipation.  Some of the recipients of these gifts will be at the airport tomorrow to help unload the aircraft.  Why does it create such anticipation in me? Because I see the anticipation in their eyes.  But that anticipation is not restricted to the kid’s eyes, I see it in the staff’s eyes and the pilot’s eyes and especially in “MY EYES”!  It is a day when many staff and volunteers will also be blessed- in the same measure that they have blessed others.

Now think about that for a minute, who bought the gifts, who wrapped the gifts, who transported the gifts to the processing center where volunteers had to match the gift with the letter received from the child; all gifts had to be sequenced by number as to the organization representing the child and the gifts had to be segregated by airports - for you see it is not only Mecosta and Osceola Counties so blessed, pilots will be helping Santa deliver aircrafts full of gifts to airports across the State.

What I am saying to you is - a whole barn full of people who give of huge amounts of time and many, many dollars have but one motive for their sacrificial giving, because they know the story of the Good Samaritan and know what Jesus said: “Go and do like-wise”.   Make this Christmas a special day for a child and it will be a special Christmas for you.

Blessings,

Gramps

Is the Story of God's Love for His Chosen People stll

“Look among the nations!  Observe! “Be astonished! Wonder! Because I am doing something in your days – You would not believe if you were told” (Habakkuk 1:5). 

Hey Gang:  If I asked you to choose the most profound thing that has happened in the 20^th century, which would you choose.  World War One? World War Two?  Perhaps the great depression or the discovery of nuclear power?  The Space Program has been very profound as has going to the moon, and only this week had the first landing of a space vehicle on Mars.  No question, the collapse of Russia and Europe were profound, as has been the resurgence of Islam.

All very significant but, from the Biblical perspective, all pale when compared to what happened May 14, 1948- the re-establishment of Israel. This, after nearly 2000 years of being exiled, and the beginning of a process called “Aliyah” -the regathering home of God’s children from  the diaspora (four corners of the earth from which God has scattered them).  

The fulfillment of Isaiah 43:5-7 is truly alive in the four corners of the earth: “Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east and gather you from the west.  I will say to the north, ‘Give them up’ and to the south, ‘do not hold them back.’  Bring My sons from afar and My daughters from the ends of the earth.  Everyone who is called by My name, and whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made.” 

As I look back over my 85 years of walking this earth, there are mega memories.  Memories are like any experience you might have been blessed to be a part of.  Some rate in the “out of sight” category; some good, and some you wish had never happened.  But the ones that seem to work their way to the top of the blessing list are those where we impacted the life of another.

There is no question that on the top rung of the blessing ladder was God’s allowing my bride and I be the legs to build the Eagle Village.  As we stood on the platform on the 50^th anniversary of the Village, it was like seeing fifty years of your life in front of you.  So many lives that have been impacted by the many people who have given of piece of their lives and talents to reach out to hurting and lonely people.

But there is a close second rung that surfaces nearly every day, as I pray for the Peace of Jerusalem.   We were privileged to volunteer for an agency called Operation Exodus, whose whole mission was providing a pathway home - to Israel - for Jews of the diaspora, from the four points of the world.   While there we were privileged to help raise the needed funds to provide for a ship that sailed between Kiev Russia and Haifa Israel and could take 500 people at a time.  

God said, “For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your land.” ”You will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers; so you will be My people, and I will be up your God” (Ezek. 36:24 & 28).   When I pray for the peace of Jerusalem, I pray for the thousands of Olim who made aliyah during those days we were blessed to be a part of God’s fishermen.

God said to Abram said, “…those who bless Israel will be blessed and those who curse Israel will be cursed”.  (Gen. 12:1-3).  What joy there is in knowing that we played a tiny part of bringing the sheep home. 

The Psalmist said, “Pray for the peace pf Jerusalem so that you may be blessed.” (122:1).

Blessings,

Gramps           

The Joy of Anticipation!

“Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).

Hey Gang:  If you have been tuned into the Gramps Morning Messages since its inception eight years ago, you have probably heard a message similar to this around each Christmas Season, for I have learned, through my 85 years, that it is not the gift that builds memories but the joy of anticipation - waiting to see if you would be blessed with that very special wish of your heart.

If someone were to ask me if I remember any very special gifts that I waited for with great anticipation, I would quickly reply, “Yes”! Actually, two: one where I was the recipient of a very special gift and one where I gave a very special gift. 

I was born in depression time and work was hard to find. My Dad, being limited in his education, was forced to seek jobs that others would not consider.  He was a coal miner in the mountains of Pennsylvania.  In those days the coal miners lived in survival mode, with nary a penny to spare.

In the summer of my fifth year I saw a picture of a yellow truck that was very special – it had a dumping capability!  Keep in mind that was eighty years ago and toys did not have all the bangles and beads they have today.  I dreamed about that truck every day and, every night, the truck found its way into my “Lay me down to sleep” prayers.

I don’t know how she did it, but my mother had gift of stretching dollars; each Christmas she would lift the rug and take out the few dollars she had laid aside so that we would not forget the joys of Christmas. 

Well, Christmas Eve arrived, and I went to bed with such anticipation - surely that little yellow truck would be under the tree the next morning. But, when morning came, and I ran to the tree, there was no little yellow truck!   Instead there was a note with my name on it that said, “If you follow the instructions in this note you will find a treasure at the end of the path.” 

The snows in the mountains that year were very heavy, so the path was vey short and easy to follow.  One only had to follow the foot steps of the one who made them in the snow, and  made this miracle a reality for a five-year-old who had but one dream – a little yellow truck!  Well, I am sure you have guessed by now, at the end of the path was the little yellow truck.  

As I think back to that morning, when a little guy who had one wish was given that wish after months of anticipation, I realized it was not the truck that made it so special but the anticipation of dreaming about that truck.  I also learned how-very-much my mother loved me and sacrificed so that my dream could be fulfilled.  

I also learned that there was a fringe benefit that comes with the joy of anticipation.  Every morning when I picked up the little yellow truck, I knew my mom made a sacrifice to make sure I had my dream fulfilled. 

It also opened my heart to the true meaning of Christmas.   It is not the bangles and beads, the gifts and wrapping, the trees or the trees decorated with lights and trimming,  it is the truth that “God so loved me that He sent His only begotten Son to earth to walk in my shoes, carry my burdens and sins to the cross and prepare me for a day when I will be with Him for all eternity.” (Hillbilly rendition).

Tune in tomorrow and see what that other very special gift of anticipation is  that remains a very important, even essential part of my life. 

Blessings,

Gramps