Are You Comfortable?

 

Monday, June 29, 2015   note the Date!!

Jesus said, "Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me, otherwise believe because of the works themselves.  Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father."  (John 14:11-12).

 Hey Gang:  Notice, He did not stop with this promise but added several more to it that we need to heed in these days when God is shaking everything that can be haken.   "Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it and If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." (vs. 13-15).

But how, Lord, can I do far greater things that You, who are all powerful?  His reply, "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because He abides with you and will be in you." (Vs. 16-17).

I believe with all my heart the events of the past weeks have ratcheted up the final days of this earth.  If there was ever a time when we need a comforter, it is today.  The medical gurus tell us the number one malady in the world today is anxiety-driven infirmities.  The head doctors and pharmaceutical companies are getting wealthy as they try to glue people back together.   

I was watching the Kentucky Wildcats working to gain their 38th victory with no defeats.  As the camera man panned the huge arena of the ten thousand or more people, most wore the ‘blue’ of Kentucky and screamed with every point that was scored.  That still quiet voice put the thought into my brain, ‘Probably, if Messiah were to come at half time and take His children home, there would be very few empty seats.’   

That still small voice also seemed to say, ‘If the church would be as excited about spreading the Good News of salvation to a hurting world, as these were about a basketball game that will be replaced by the realities of the day when they walked out of the arena, He could heal our land.’

How very tragic that so many people are hurting, but turn their backs on the One who can heal their hurts and give them comfort during these very tough days.   The Bible tells us, "For the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted (Isa. 49:13).  In truth, our God is "... the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort ,who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort which we ourselves are comforted by God" (2 Cor. 1:3-4) .

God promises to give us "...beauty for ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting.  So, they will be called "oaks of righteousness', The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified" (Isa. 61:3).

Sooooo, Now hear this, the comfort that God gives does not necessarily make us comfortable, but it does meet our need in times of loss and discouragement.  When it appears that the sky is falling and the alligators are on the move, I turn to Revelation 22 and read again Jesus words: "There will no longer be any curse, and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in  it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face and His name will be on their foreheads" (22:3-4), and the last two verse of the Bible, "Yes, I am coming quickly, Amen, Come, Lord Jesus.  The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen" (22:20-21).  And that my friends and neighbors you can take to the bank!

Blessings,

 Gramps

Without God....

 

Monday, May 30, 2016   May 21,2022 Armed Forces Day

God’s Power Principle For Today: “He who dwells in the shelter of the most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!”.   For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper and from the deadly pestilence.  He will cover you with His pinons, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.” (Psalm 91:1-4).

 Hey Gang:  On the wall of my office are pictures: one, Col D. C. Hainley who served his country as a Marine in China in the second world war and as a combat pilot in the United States Air Force for more than thirty years.  Next to him is a picture of Seaman Norman F. Hainley who served his country on the USS Midway and Coral Sea Flattops. Next to him, Airman Kermit R. Hainley who served his country as an air traffic controller and next to him Seaman Vaughn D. Hainley, who served as the head tech rep on one of our nation’s atomic subs.  Together, they served more than fifty years of their lives to protect our nation from those who would harm it.

 None were drafted. All responded to a danger that faced our nation and, as Nehemiah said, ”I will not sit down until the job is finished.”  But that legacy did not begin with this generation. As I traced the linage of my family I find no less than 12 of my immediate aunts and uncles served in World War II: An uncle who served in the Battle of Bulge, an aunt who was the first nurse to arrive in Hiroshima, after the truce was signed, to care for the people who had experienced the horror of the atomic bomb.  

When our nation was attacked they did not wait for their draft letter to arrive, they were in line with mega multitudes of other young people who saw the need and the danger that our nation faced.  They stepped up to the line, not only to protect our nation but a willing to give their lives if necessary.

 It has saddened my heart to see our President traveling to Hiroshima to apologize for the devastation of death caused by the atomic bomb.  No words of thanksgiving were uttered for the million or more GI’s that were spared by that decision.   It has saddened my heart to see the greatest military force of history be rapidly decimated and no longer the protectors of the down and outers of the world.  I pray, O Lord, if America becomes weak, who will step into the gap and become the protectors of the hurting and oppressed peoples of the world?

in August 1984, Ronald Reagan spoke to an ecumenical prayer breakfast in Dallas, Texas, and stated delivered the following: “We Will establish no religion in this country, nor will we ever.  We command no worship. We mandate no belief.  But we poison our society when we remove its theological underpinnings.  We court corruption when we leave it bereft of belief.  All are free to believe or not believe; all are free to practice a faith or not.  But those who believe must be free to speak of and act on their belief, to apply moral teaching to public questions.

 I submit to you that the tolerant society is open to and encouraging of all religions.  And this does not weaken us; it strengthens us…

 Without God, there is no virtue, because there’s no prompting of the conscience.  Without God, we’re mired in the material, that flat world that tells us only what the senses perceive.  Without God, there is a coarsening of the society.  And without God, democracy will not and cannot long endure.  If we ever forget that we’re ‘One Nation Under God’, then we will be a ‘Nation gone under’.”

 I recently heard one of our Nation’s renowned religious leaders make this statement: “…To late, we have gone beyond the point of no return, our Nation is going to follow all the other great nations that have turned their back on God”.  But is that not putting God, who is all powerful and nothing is impossible for Him, in a box?

  I think not!   Did He not give us the key to restoration in 2 Chronicles 7:14 when He said, “…If My people, who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land”.  Notice, young people, “My people”.  When My people humble themselves and pray and put away all those things that offend Abba Father, He will then heal our land.”

 Are you part of “My People”?  If so, are you humble before the Lord?  Are you praying from the depth of your soul? Have you put away all those things that are idols in your life?

One more thing:  Give glory, worship, and praise to the One who gave us our ultimate sacrifice of freedom!

 Blessings,

Gramps

Remember to pray for our military - From the Commander-in-Chief  t the newest recruit!

You Must be Kidding!

 

Friday, May 31, 2013

"If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free"  (John 8:31b-32).

Hey Gang:  How many out there know that God is being attacked in our education systems?  Each day we read, or hear, of ridiculous things such as kids being expelled for pointing their finger towards the stars or closing their eyes prior to a test and seeking God’s power of recall. 

I ran across a very neat story, from my archives of yesteryear, that I think you will find interesting.  It centers on a teacher applicant's interview.  At the completion of the interview, the teacher prospect said, "Let me see if I've got this right: "You want me to go into a room with all those kids, correct their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse, monitor their dress habits, censor their T-shirt messages, and instill in them a love for learning?

You want me to check their backpacks for weapons, wage war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, and raise their sense of self-esteem and personal pride.  You want me to teach them patriotism and good citizenship, sportsmanship and fair play, and how to register to vote, balance a checkbook, and apply for a job!

You want me to check each head or lice, recognize signs of antisocial behavior, and make sure that they all pass the state exams.

You want me to provide them with an equal education regardless of their handicaps, and communicate regularly with their parents by letter, telephone, newsletter, and report card.

You want me to do all this with a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a bulletin board, a few books, and a big smile, and a starting salary that qualifies me for food stamps.  "You want me to all this and then you tell me.....I CANT PRAY!"

A question was posed to a group of seniors who had completed their obligations for graduation and were awaiting the arrival of commencement.  The question: "Why are honesty and integrity key factors in success in our day and age?'  The answer that gained the top billing was as follows:

"When you are honest, your life and situations are far less complicated, it frees you up in a manner of speaking -when you are deceptive and lie, you generally will have to tell other lies to cover the original, making your life much more complicated.  If you are asking for the Biblical definition, it means that having the true knowledge of God will set you free, make your life easier, less complex, and gives you peace of mind."

Sooooo, young and aspiring warriors, let this old duck pass along a few words of wisdom that have worked pretty well for me.  My first advice is, ‘Be willing to do what others are not willing to do.’  If you place this adage at the top of your work criteria, you will always be employed.  Second, ‘Be willing to work hard and with quality, even when the boss is out of the building.’  You will find justification for these two principles in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes and other places throughout the Word.  

Have a good day.

 Blessings,

Gramps

PS Nine years later!! Our culture has continued to saddle teacher with often harmful ‘things to teach.’  Meanwhile, reading, writing, thinking, and arithmetic do not have the same precedence - as seen when comparing the US with world educational standings. Gma

 

Ripple Effect

 

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

 Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you  become fishers of men.”  Immediately they left their nets  and followed Him”.  (Mark 1:17-18)

 Hey Gang:  Have you ever thrown a stone into calm waters and watched the ripple effects that takes place.  Many years ago, in the very early developmental years of the Village I was  doing a training session with our young staff and, after completing it, one of the staff came up and said: “God showed me that one day there would be a ripple effect that will go out from here and impact on many lives”. 

 In the past years since completing my tenure as Super Eagle at the Village, I have asked the Lord for direction on how He would have me live the remainder of my life, and the one thing that He made very clear was, when you are a child of the King, there is no rocking chair in your future.  As I have studied the Word, I find no place where God instructed one of His servants to get out a rocking chair.

 Did you know that the most powerful creative forces in the world are caused by the ripple effects.  It was always a joy for me to watch a wet behind the ears young person begin to gain wisdom and understanding and grow into the person that God designed them to be.  And especially rewarding when I could see the ripple effect in their lives.  As Bruce Barton wrote, “When we invest in the life of another, we purchase a slice of immortality”. 

 I received a call recently from a young man who was part of the very early Village family. I had not heard from since his departure.  His reason for calling was to thank me for investing in his life.   As I thought about that call, I became increasingly aware that nothing was more important in my life than to be a pebble in the life of those God sent across my path.

 Soooo, I have decided to focus my future on continuing to be a creator of ripples.  I want God to throw me into the waters of young lives and create ripples that will challenge, enable and energize my great grand- children’s generation.   Hey, how about you?  Grab some of the golden nuggets that are found planted throughout the Word and become a ripple maker!

Blessings,

Gramps

Have You Noticed?

 

Monday, May 5, 2014

 
"For the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny un-godliness and worldly desire and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age" (Titus 2:12).

Hey Gang:  There has been a change in the way the media is referring to those of us who are “born again Christians".  Years ago, we were referred to as the "Religious Right".  But today we are more inclined to be referred to as the "Radical Right". (2022 there are some who just want to cancel us!! -Gma). Now, there are those that take great offense at this moniker, but I feel a kind of pride to be referred to as ‘Radical’.  I believe Jesus, my role model, was a radical- for He was so very opposite of the religious leaders of His day who did not teach the Love of God.  Frankly speaking, I can think of nothing in this world that I want to be identified with more than Jesus with His radical love message. 

The Word tells me I am only a transient here, but where I am going, when my body has ended its tenure on earth, is 'out of sight' compared to the bangles and beads of this world. One day I was listening to a conversation of Bible Guru's, who were discussing heaven. I was rather surprised that they talked of the streets of gold, the pearled walls, etc. but none mentioned the focal point of why every Believer should look forward with great expectation to why we should want to go there - the Lord, Yeshua, Adonia, Jesus the Son of God will be there! (One of Gramps favorites hymns -‘What a day that will be when my Jesus I shallsee!!!)

As I was pondering how I felt about being referred to as a Radical Christian, I came across an article by Marv Rosenthal of Zion's Fire Magazine, who added a whole barn full of meat to this subject.  He began by saying, "I steadfastly pronounce myself "guilty" and willingly take on the moniker "Radical Christian". He made the following points:

"If believing God intended humankind to practice monogamy within the holy bonds of a committed, "for better or for worse" marriage union, then I, with honor, wear badge of the Radical Right proudly".      

"If believing that American's founding fathers said what they meant and meant what they said when they wrote the Constitution, intending that it be interpreted normally and literally, then I with honor, wear the badge of "Radical Right" proudly". 

"If believing that men and women are to live by the sweat of their brows and that hard work is to be rewarded, and laziness unrewarded and a stigma, then I, with honor, wear the badge of the "Radical Right" proudly'.

"If believing in the concept of separation of church and state, but understanding in the context in which it was made, it was intended to keep the state from interfering win the religious freedom of its citizens and never to keep the Bible out of government, then I, with honor, wear the badge of the "Radical Right" proudly".

"If loving God, rejecting idolatry, not taking the name of the Lord in vain, observing one day in seven for special religious purposes, honoring parents, not killing, not committing adultery, not stealing, not bearing false witness, and not coveting are characteristics of the "Radical Right" then I, with honor, stand where the "Radical Right" stands, proudly."

I believe he should have included: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all you mind….and your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 21:37

Soooo,  my friends and neighbors,  the world says "Anything goes, if it makes you feel good."  Jesus said, "I will judge you by the fruits of your life and that will determine where you will spend eternity.”   The world says "eat, drink and merry" for tomorrow we die".  Jesus said, "Unless one is born again, they will not see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).     So I ask you this morning,  "Do you qualify to be called a "Radical Christian?" 

Blessings,

Gramps