Remembering Gramp

 

Friday, May 29, 2020

I realize this is not 10-year-old bog, as I usually choose, only 4 years ago, but I thought it relevant for today. 

 “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 the 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 morning devotions together. I want to share from one of Kermit’s favorite monthly booklet 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

You Must be Kidding!

 Friday, May 31, 2013

A late tribute to Teachers, Administrators and all in between!

"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. (2013)

 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 for 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.

 Yo 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

Have You Noticed?

Monday, May 5, 2014

 

   Happy Mother’s day to all the mothers, grandmother and great grandmothers!!  It is important that our families are also radical Christians /Christ followers.  Gma J   (Check out the date!)

"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".   Now, there are those who 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.  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! 

 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".

 "I  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."

 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

Satan's Goal - To Sift You Like Wheat

 Friday, May 16, 2014

"Be humble, cast your concerns and cares on Him; be sober of spirit, stay on the alert for your adversary the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."  (I Peter 5:6-8- Hainley rendition)

Hey Gang:  When I was a little squeezer I tried to be an imitator of all my heroes.  Saturday morning was a ritual in my life, I would truck off to the movie theater and watch Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, the Lone Ranger and all the other heroes of that day.  On the way home from the theater I visualized myself as an imitator of those great heroes.  But the agreement with my mom was, I could go to be with my heroes in the morning, but the afternoon and chores belonged to her.  It did not take long after arriving home that the imitations went by the board and reality set in.

Is it okay to be an imitator?  Paul said, “If you really want to be great in God’s kingdom then be an imitator of God.”  Paul also wrote, in his first letter to the Corinthians, “For in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.  Therefore, I exhort you to be imitators of me.” (4:15b-15).  Do you think it would be okay to be an imitator of Paul?

Paul also wrote, “Examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good.” (1 Thess. 5:21).  But notice he laid a solid foundation for this statement, just as he often did in his teaching, by setting prerequisites before giving us the practical application. 

He said, "rejoice always!".  I have learned that 'rejoice always' is an attitude that is controlled by my will.  I can choose to be in an attitude of praise, or I can choose to let the adverse circumstances take control of me.  Oh, I wish I had more time to expand on this vital point!

Paul's second prerequisite is the foundation of all we do in our Christian walk, "Pray without ceasing".  I do not believe Paul is talking about the ‘hit and run’ variety of prayer that fits into the tiny holes left in our day planner, but when we give sacrificial time to the Lord.  Oh, I wish I had more time to expand on hits vital point!

Paul's third point is equally tough and requires a deep discipline: "In everything give thanks:” Why? “for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus".  Do you have times when it is just nigh on to impossible to ‘give thanks?’  I certainly have, but as the Amish man said, “It is at those times we have to have the positive things on file in our soul so we can draw on those victories.”  Oh, how I wish I had time to expand on this point!

Paul's fourth and fifth prerequisites are "Do not quench the spirit" and “Do not despise prophetic utterances".  How does one do that? Paul addresses this in Colossians three and it is worth reading weekly. Oh, how I would like to expand on this point!

Sixth, "Examine everything carefully, hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil".  I mean, why would Paul include that?  Does not every Christian examine everything? Give the bad the boot and only keep the good?  Okay I am being a wee bit factious.  Not every Christian checks and chucks the bad stuff.  Oh, how I would like to expand of this point.

Sooooo,  Paul caps his teaching on how to live very effective lives for Christ with a large, juicy cherry, "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of Lord Jesus Christ." (I Thess. 5:16- 24).  Now my friends it is time to lay aside the cares of the world and expand on what God is saying to you through His Word.

Blessings,

Gramps