Remembering Gramps

 

Friday, May 29, 2020

I looked to find a Memorial Day Devotional, and I know there were many times Gramps wrote about his love for the military. He served in USAF, and wanted to go back and just help so younger men could fight after 9/11. His three bothers also served , and uncles and one aunt who was in Japan after Hiroshima. So, this one, as a tribute to him will have to do.

Korea

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we eagerly wait for the Savior, the LORD Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3:20  (Read Revelation 21 & 22).

  Hey Gang, For years Gramps was looking heavenward ‘eagerly awaiting the return of His Savior!”  Our plan was to go together in the clouds, but our Father had other plans. Did we pray and a expect healing miracle? Indeed!!  Did we see many miracles during this last year? Indeed! In our lives and the lives of others and many prayers answered!! Our prayer was always- strength for today and “Thy will be done.”

 Our God is very special when we look for Him in every facet of life.  It was our choice to share some  of our morning devotions  and study time together. I want to share from one of Kermit’s favorite monthly booklets called Beside Still Waters, a Mennonite publication.  This was from May 20, 2020- the day of our graveside service where we gathered and had a solemn but joyful service, as we said good-bye through tears.

 Devotional Title: The Upward, Forward Look

                The Bible account of Abraham gives us an inspiring example of one who looked forward by faith. “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” (Hebrews 11:10). 

 The author spoke of others, whose eyes were on the world and pleasures of life, example- Lot’s wife.

                As heaven-bound pilgrims, we need to focus by faith on the unseen, eternal realities and remember the troubles of this life will soon be over, and Heaven Will Be Worth it ALL.  We look forward with joyful anticipation to our eternal home in glory, where we shall “ever be with the Lord”. (Read 2 Corinthians 4: 16-18)

                Keep pressing onward, looking forward, and gazing upward!  …..(Mark Kropf of Halsey, OR)

 Sooooo, Gramps would tell you, young and old: “Set your eyes on Jesus, Do not be deceived” read Matthew 24-25 and II Timothy 3:1-9. Be alert to what Jesus said about the times before His return and LOOK UP!!!!

Blessings,

Gma Jean

Who Said Life Would Be Fair?

 

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

“To know wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding.  To receive instruction in wise behavior, Righteousness, justice and equity” (Proverbs 1:2-3).

 Hey gang:  In my 82 plus years on this earth I have been a die-hard sports fan and have especially enjoyed seeing the near perfection of some of the athletes’ efforts.  But, at the same time, there is nothing that irritates me more than for an ump or ref to blow a call that takes away from that perfection.

 Example: In the past 135 years of major league baseball only 20 pitchers have thrown a perfect game.    On June 2, 2010, Armando Galarraga of the Detroit Tigers would have been number 21, but a blown call on the part of the umpire took the perfect game away from him in the final out of the game.  The replay clearly showed the runner was out not by one step but two steps, but rules are rules,and the call could not be changed.  That, too, is pretty stupid.

 Galarraga remained calm, expressed sympathy for the ump, and never bad mouthed him for his error.  His refusal to retaliate and rant and rave astounded fans, players and sports writers.

 I wonder how I would have reacted if I had pitched that perfect game, that day, and had it taken away from me.   I certainly admire Galarraga for not taking the ump to task, but I suspect there was something more important at work in this travesty of justice.  I don’t know if he is a Christian.  If not, we Christians need to take heed of his testimony through this affair, for he demonstrated Christian wisdom by being more concerned for the welfare of the errant ump than having his name in the record book as number 21! 

 Oswald Chambers said about our personal dealings with others, “Never look for justice, but never cease to give it; and never allow anything you meet with to sour your relationship to men through Jesus Christ”.

 Soooo, keep in mind, when we experience unfairness it is our responsibility- and I might add “privilege”, as followers of Christ, to respond with honesty and integrity, doing what is right, just and fair.   Jesus put it this way, “When slapped in cheek, turn the other one” (Luke 6:29). But, my friends, that is not the world’s way!

 Blessings,

Gramps

Are You A Rider or A Pusher?

 Friday, May 17, 2013

 Jerusalem Day is a national holiday, May 20, that commemorates the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967, following the Six-Day War. The holiday is marked by public events, parades, and even special prayer services. Many Jews and Christians travel to Jerusalem to participate in the festivities.

 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil" (Ephesians. 6:10-11).

 Hey Gang:  I had an interesting thought pop into my head, when I was reviewing Jesus’ words in Matthew 24 pertaining to what will be happening when the Father releases Him, Yeshua, to return to earth.

 I had just read one of Joel Rosenberg's messages about the disastrous road our President is taking us on- as it relates to Israel. I had just read Joel 3:2, which warns those nations that would turn their backs on God's chosen land.  I believe we have seen Galatians 6:7 fulfilled many times over.  There have been many tragic events that have occurred close to those times when our leaders have demanded that Israel give away Covenant Land. Not sure that is fact?  Check out William Koenig's book Eye to Eye, where he lists more than 50 such tragedies.

 But, then again, I suspect there is a deafness in our Nation’s Capital pertaining to the warnings that are oh, so clear.  I have just completed re-reading the Books of Kings and Chronicles.  As I read them, I wondered why the people who have the Bible available to them - the words of God who created all we survey- refuse to even open the covers of the answers for each and every dilemma that faces our Nation. 

 Kings and Chronicles consist of a chronological sequence of all the kings that have been on the thrones of Judah and Israel, since they cried out to Samuel, “We want a king just like everyone one else”.  One would think that since God honored that request, they would see the folly of man’s ability to rule.  God was certainly right on course when He told Samuel, “Tell the people your King (human government) will take and he will take and he will take”.  Have you checked the news lately? It seems to be filled with the new devices the government has come up with – “to take and take and take”.  

 Why is this?  Why can those whom we think have the ability and are worthy to lead us not see that there is nothing new under the sun?  One does not have to be a brain surgeon to recognize that the mega laws and regulations are placing a strangle hold around our Nation and will not permit it to grow out of its tragic path to  the ‘cliff’- that has filled our news lately.     A verse that has become a daily cry from the depths of my heart are the words of Habakkuk, "How long, O Lord, will I call for help, and You will not hear? (Hab. 1:1-5).   It is a section of Scripture that is worthy of your time.  (Ten years later we continue to free fall!  Gma J)

 But getting back to the question, "What happens to people when they are elected to office?”  Do they lose their common sense when they cross the boundaries of the Belt Way?   Again, one night when pondering this question, God lead me to a very neat Scripture in Judges 9:8-15.  I have read that passage on other, even numerous occasions, but it never stuck out in bold print before. Again due to space and the fact that I wrote about it last month, I will not quote it here and leave it up to you to see if God says to you the same as I think He said to me - "We have too many brambles in the Belt Way and not enough Olive Trees". 

   But I also suspect there is even a deeper problem – God, through Solomon, makes it clear that wisdom is a gift from God and the beginning of wisdom comes from knowing the LORD as Lord and Savior.  Solomon made it pretty clear when he wrote, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (Pro. 1:7a).  Notice he followed that with these words, "Fools despise wisdom and instruction" (v.7b).  I will leave that lay but must admit I do have some strong feelings about Solomon's words.

 Sooo, my friends, one might get the idea I am about ready to throw in the towel on this once great nation.  No, that is not the truth- for I do believe we have many committed prayer warriors in every corner of these United States.  But I believe many of those warriors have let their armor get rusty and no longer affective.  God gave us the key to restoration in 2 Chronicles 7:14: "Be humble before the Lord, pray diligently and put off those things that offend the Holy Spirit.”  "And let that begin with me".

 Blessings,

Gramps

Are Things Getting worse? OR - Are They Getting Ready?

 

Friday, May 10, 2019

 Check out the intensity of the world since KMT wrote this just 4 years ago! More of the same!

Rockets Rain Down on Israel

Jesus said, “When these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28).    He also said, “Now, will not God bring justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?” (Luke 18:7).

 Hey Gang:  I compare watching the news to being thrown out of an airplane at forty thousand feet with no parachute.  It is kind of like going to the dentist with a tooth ache and hearing the dentist say, eleven teeth much go, and I don’t have any nova Caine.  I would suggest that one must have ‘manic depressive tendencies’ to day-after-day seek new ways to rip, gauge and destroy those people who do not necessarily agree with us.

 I sense we are well-established in the exponential curve, where our world is ever increasing in speed towards that day when God will say, as He did in the days of Noah, “There is no hope, time to bring my children home. And giving those left behind their hearts desire, to destroy themselves.”  Jesus warned of this very thing when He said, “Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short” (Matt. 24:22).  

This morning, as I began my day (May 5,2019), I learned the depressing news that 507 missiles have fallen on Israel in the past twenty- four hours, and more are reported as in-coming.  Especially depressing because they are falling in the very area where we have spent much of our time getting our hands dirty blessing Israel. 

 Tragically, the world has accepted Satan’s bill of goods that, if I destroy Israel there will be no place for Jesus to return. This will make Him a liar  but many will rejoice, when people hear that some calamity has struck Israel. 

 Why does Israel not vent their full power against those who are trying to destroy them?  I sense, in reading the prophecies of the world, they are fearful that a full strike would trigger a much bigger war against them. The enemies, which surround them, are also sympathetic with Gaza and would dearly love to vent their power against Israel. 

 We are promised in the Word that there are three major battles (wars) to come and it seems the pieces are rapidly coming together as prophesied in the word.  There is controversy among the world prophecy guru’s as to if, and when, these things will happen.  But, this I know, the Bible is clear!  We are going to see a Psalms 83 battle. I believe it will be very precise in its purpose- to remove those enemies that butt up against Israel.

  I know there is a war coming that we refer to as the Gog- Magog War, for the nations involved in this war are coming together in rapid fashion.  And, of course, we know there is a final War when the Antichrist will lead the nations of the world against Israel and get their come up-pens.  It is also the opinion of this writer that once the lid comes off, these wars will run concurrently and quickly.

 So, my friends, this is my opinion only and, as I have stated many times, my opinion and two bucks will purchase you a cup of java in most hash houses.  Now the question is - when will Father God say to His Son, “Time to return to earth and collect your Bride and take them to the Marriage Feast of the Lamb.” My response to this question is, “When it fits His eternal plan!”  It really does not matter when He chooses.  What makes a difference is “ARE YOU READY?   

   So, my young friends, does that not put the ball in our hands?   God said to Abraham, “Those who bless Israel, I will bless, and those who curse Israel I will curse.”   He also said, “In the same measure you give, I will reciprocate!  Are You Ready?  Are you up to speed?  What if our enemies, which are many, would reign 450 missiles down on your community? ow would you feel about that?

 Blessings,

Gramps