Timetables–Good and Bad!

Timetables are very useful.   It is good to know when the plane,  bus, or train is supposed to leave and when it is supposed to arrive.    Of course, there are often delays and unexpected changes, but without a timetable we would really be helpless when traveling.

But timetables can also be very bad, especially in a time of war.   Right now, we are in a war in Iraq.   The Democrats in Congress want to set a timetable for when we withdraw our military personnel.   I just heard today that another alleged Republican, Pete (Jellybone) Domenici, Senator from New Mexico, has joined the Democratic outcry for deadlines.

I can almost hear the rejoicing among the Islamofascists.   They have no specific timetables or deadlines, all they have is unremitting commitment to world Islamic domination–if it takes 50 or 100 years, it does not matter. It is all in Allah’s will–as long as they have explosives and a supply of virile young men with dreams of unlimited sex in Paradise, willing to blow up themselves and others to get there, the killing will continue.   They will be delighted with any withdrawal deadlines set by the Democrat-led Congress.

I heard a Focus on the Family radio program today which made me weep.   Three military widows were interviewed on the program.   Two had lost their husbands in Iraq and the other woman’s husband died of cancer after years of military service.

Just a few quotes from what they said: “The American public does not know how many 9/11’s have been stopped”… “the kids (in Iraq) are going to school, families have electricity”…”I don’t watch the mainstream media…”

One of the mothers helped send 600 soccer balls to children in Iraq.  They urged others who have lost loved ones to “Pray! Find a support group; stand tall!”     They spoke of their faith in God; their commitment to raise their children to be proud of their fathers, and were strongly supportive of the U.S. military effort. 

Speaking of terrorist delight at Congressional calls for withdrawal, I still think we should read and apply our Constitution.   In Article III, Section 3, Clause1,  Treason against the United States is clearly defined, as follows: “Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying War against them, OR IN ADHERING TO THEIR ENEMIES, GIVING THEM AID AND COMFORT” (emphasis added).

If those saying  “the war is lost,”   and making loud outcries for withdrawal, and the sooner the better, are not “giving aid and comfort” to our enemies then I’m a donkey’s hind hoof!

I’m thankful that there is a perfect timetable that supersedes all others.   We can read about it in the Bible.   We often wish it was more specific regarding dates, but we know that our Lord is very punctual.   “In the fulness of time” He sent His Son.  And again, in the completion of time as we know it, His Son will return. 

“Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20)

What Have You Got Left?

     Well, back again, after a trip that was a wonderful adventure, and a special look at some of God’s amazing creation!  But first, I’d like to tell you about something that showed up on  my e-mail screen when I arrived home.

A friend sent me a story about Itzhak Perlman, a very noted concert violinist. It was about a concert he gave years ago at Lincoln Center in New York City.

Mr. Perlman contracted polio as a child.  He wore leg braces and hobbled across the concert stage with the help of two crutches.   He sat down, picked up his violin and motioned to the orchestra that he was ready to start.

To the dismay of the large audience, he had played only a few bars when a loud crack, almost like a gunshot, was heard.  One of the strings on the violin had broken.   The listeners expected him to hobble off the stage to get a new string or another violin. 

Instead, this amazing musician paused for a few moments, then motioned to the orchestra to begin playing again.  To the astonishment of the audience,  he improvised, made changes in his head as he continued, and did what seemed impossible.  He played the entire concert of incredibly beautiful music  with only three strings on his violin. 

At the end, the audience arose as one and gave him a long, exuberant standing ovation.  

Mr. Perlman commented, quietly:  “You know, sometimes it is the artist’s task to find out how much music you can still make with what you have left.”

What a lesson for all of us who name the name of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord!   Some of us, as we get older, feel as if we have “nothing left.”   We may tend to make excuses for laziness and lack of enthusiasm for the work of the Lord.   There are those who may say, “Well, I’ve served (in this, that or the other capacity) for many years.  It’s time to let the younger folks take over.”

Well, I’ve got news for you.  It is our task, as long as we have life and breath, to see how much “music” for the Lord we can still make with what we have left.   

You probably have more “left” than you may realize.   The command to “go into all the world does not go away just because of advancing years.   We can “go” through prayer, giving, serving, teaching and actually “going” as the Lord leads and makes possible.

“Lord, give me the sheer ”guts,” resourcefulness and determination of Itzsak Perlman.    I don’t want to sit around and rust out.   The time seems very short; let me burn out for you, Lord!”   

Seems Self-Evident to Me

    I step out the front door early on these spring mornings and am greeted by the glorious blossoms on several rose bushes.   The oleanders along the driveway are masses of white, pink and red blossoms.   A mockingbird is perched on a power pole, greeting the new day with an incredible variety of rills and trills.  Every so often, he flies up from his perch and does a joyful little air dance, while still singing, and then flies back down.    The prickly pear in my cactus garden has some bright yellow blossoms.

My only  response to this magnificent display of God’s creative genius must be: “The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1).  And then there is the final verse in the Book of Psalms: “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.  Praise the Lord!”  (Psalm 150:6).

It makes me wonder how someone I know, who makes it known to everyone possible that he is a “humanist cleric,” responds to such beauty.   Does he look out and say thanks to “unguided evolutionary change” (Humanist Manifesto III, paragraph 5)?   Or maybe, “thanks” to these “accidents of nature”?

Dr. Richard Dawkins, atheist scientist of Oxford University, wrote a book titled “The Blind Watchmaker” espousing the idea that evolution can take place in very small steps.  He says the human eye could have started millions of years ago   as a single light cell. 

I have an optometrist friend.  He  started studying the human eye as an unbeliever.   He was so convicted by the overwhelming evidence that it could not function unless it was fully formed, that he placed his faith and trust in Jesus Christ. He feels that Dawkins’ idea that the eye could have evolved is pure baloney.

Discussing the principle of irreducible complexity, Dr. David Foster, mathematician, scientist and engineer, says that the probability of even one molecule of hemoglobin occurring by chance is the impossible number of 10 to the minus 654th power.

Well, the Apostle Paul summed up he situation  in the first chapter of the Book to the Romans: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even by His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (1:20).  Paul also observed (2 Corinthians 4:3-4) “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, lest the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.”

 I’m so glad that I can look around me and thank the Lord for all He has created.   And thank Him also, that He has provided the answer, through His Son, for all of the evil that “the god of this world” has brought into God’s creation. 

“Let everythng that has breath praise the Lord!”

                                      *************

A QUICK THOUGHT ON GAMBLING–I had taken my youngest daughter to the airport (about  100 miles from here) so she could make a very special trip to see some relatives.

On the way back, I stopped at a Denny’s to get some breakfast.  After eating, I went to the rest room and was washing my hands when another man came it. 

He was cheerful and friendly, but tired.   He said he had been gambling all night in a nearby Indian casino.   “How much  did you lose?” I asked.   “Oh, I made about $200,” he replied.  “Yeah,” said I, “no one ever talks about it when they lose.”  He just laughed, and agreed with me.

It made me think of a few weeks earlier when I had been the speaker at a Friday evening service at a local church.   Afterwards, I had a conversation with an attractive young woman with a sad story.  

She told me how she and her husband had worked together as long-haul truck drivers.   Between them, they were making about $150,000 a year.    However, their trips often took them to Las Vegas.   Her husband began gambling and “got hooked.” Every time they were in Las Vegas, he would disappear into the casinos for hours at a time. 

Soon, he found himself $200,000 in debt.  Desperate, and knowing no other way out, he committed suicide.  HIs widowed wife said they had had no children. 

We have gambling casinos all over the place in this area of the world.   They are excellent at public relations, often giving to various local organizations and causes. 

But the tragedies they create are shoved under the rug, while the big winners are publicized.     I call the casinos the “Indians’ Revenge.”   If you don’t take that first drink, you won’t become an alcoholic; likewise, if you don’t start gambling, you won’t get addicted.    Besides, it is good to remember,  every dollar won, is one that someone else lost.    It seems to me to be “ill-gotten gain.”   

Well, better get off this soap box.    I won’t be back on it for a few days, but hope to have other thoughts to share soon. Thanks to those who have made kind comments regarding my “blogs.”

                                       –30–

I know an optometrist who would dismiss this fantasy as so much foolishness.   He started studying the eye as an unbeliever, but was so convicted by its marvelous complexity and the impossibility of it functioning without being complete, that he became a believer in Jesus Christ. 

Epiphany or Hallucination?

     Several months ago I had an epiphany, or was it a hallucination?   Anyhow, it was a rather startling thought–actually a crazy idea. 

I was jogging along the path around my field out behind my house, but had to stop running so I could walk and chuckle to myself.    You see, a rather ludicrous thought had crossed my mind.  (Now don’t laugh too hard!)

A few weeks earlier I had viewed a TV documentary about the life of Albert Einstein.  It related how this genius had discovered his Theory of Relativity.    But it also pointed out how he had spend the last 25 years of his life in a frustrating search for what he called a Unified Field Theory.  This, he hoped, would put everything together in one comprehensive, all-inclusive equation that would somehow explain just about everything in the physical universe.

The presumptuous thought which suddenly popped into my head was, “Hey, I’m smarter than Einstein!”   Now, before you call the guys in the white suits, let me explain.

The Unified Field Theory (in this case, not theory, but fact), is contained in the New Testament in Paul’s Letter to the Colossians, Chapter 1, verses 16 and 17.   “For by Him (Jesus) all things were created that are in heaven and are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.  All things were created through Him and for Him.  And He is before all things AND IN HIM ALL THINGS CONSIST”  (New King James version, emphasis added).

Einstein wanted to figure out what holds all things together.  Well it is not a mathematical equation, it is a person, the Lord Jesus Christ. (Who, by the way, is the author of mathematics)    “For it is in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts17:28) .    All things are held together, or “consist” in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

To present this idea to some conclave of scientists would doubtless produce derisive laughter.    Well, my mind is a dim candle compared to Einstein’s genius, but he worked for a frustrating 25 years to find another explanation.   I think that it was right in front of him on the pages of the New Testament.

What do you think?   If you have a better idea, I’ll consider it under one condition.  You have to produce a theory of gravity explaining  how and why it works the way it does! Good luck!

The Stink from the Slough Affects You

     I made a mistake last night.  (Probably, a lot of you could say the same thing!)   However, my mistake was in thinking I could relax in front of the TV for half an hour, and get a few laughs before going to bed.

I arrived home from a meeting about 9:30 p.m.  Tired, after a long, busy day, I grabbed the newspaper TV guide to see what was on.    There was only about a half hour left of a two-hour show called “TV’s Funniest Moments.”   This sounded harmless, so I clicked it on.   About 10 minutes later, I clicked it off.

 The so-called funny moments were totally vulgar, gross and indecent.   Whatever has happened to “community standards”?  It seems that nothing is off-limits for frank and crude joking.  And, according to the tumultuous laugh-tracks that accompany such shows,  the American viewing public has been reduced to the mental level of pre-adolescents who think that fart jokes  are the most riotous humor existing.

I had the same experience a few days earlier, and shut off the tube just as fast.   There was a show on with a panel of comedians.  They sat in a row and began cracking jokes.    Hey, guess what, “private parts” are not private anymore! Bathroom humor seems to be the norm, and all of us are supposed to crack up at the slop we are being served.   I could not help but wonder what cesspool these guys had crawled out of. 

It is good and healthy to laugh and enjoy life.  But today’s network TV causes nostalgia.   I long for “I Love Lucy,” or “The Dick Van Dyke Show” or maybe Andy Griffith and good-old Mayberry.  Is there another Red Skelton out there somewhere?    Do you ever wonder about the state of the personal lives of the writers who dream up the sit-com jokes?   I think these creative people need our prayers.

Speaking of prayer, the low state of TV entertainment reminds me of something the prophet Jeremiah wrote about 2,600 years ago.  He was very upset by the sin and corruption in ancient Israel.   He said, “Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; nor did they know how to blush” (Jer. 6:15).  He voiced the same words again in chapter 8.

When is the last time you heard someone exclaim: “Oh, I was so embarrassed that I blushed.  My face got so red!”?  Somehow, we seem to need a Clean-Up The Culture movement.  But it will only happen when we tune out and turn off the sewage that the TV screen often spills into our homes.

Well, here I am, griping up a storm and actually disobeying an admonition of Scripture.   Near the end of a passage of  instruction on how to live at peace with God and with our fellow humans,  the Apostle Paul says: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

Just try that on for size!  And try to obey this instruction fully and completely for a day.   It ain’t easy!   How do we screen out all the daily input that is gross, vile and ugly?   It seems impossible, but we surely need to try.   One way to start is to establish standards about what is acceptable, and what is not acceptable in terms of  speech and conduct  in your home. 

Our society is becoming acclimated to greater and greater gross vulgarity.   Will we sink deeper into the putrid mire, or will we turn our focus to those things that “are lovely and of good report”? 

What a Bee Sting Can Do

   It’s amazing how small events can sometime cause extraordinary results.   It was a very hot, quiet Sunday       afternoon in Guayaramerin in the  remote Amazon Basin of northeastern Bolivia.  We had time for a siesta before going  out for dinner and then to an evening church service.

But Gary, a Friends in Action missionary and the leader of our work team, and I were restless.  We decided to walk a couple of blocks to the town plaza.    We sat on a bench in the shade.   The plaza was nearly deserted.   The shimmering afternoon heat discouraged any physical activity.

Suddenly, Gary jumped up and yelled “Ouch!” in a voice that indicated he was really hurting.    He had been stung by a bee!   I suggested it would be prudent to  move to another bench.  There was no argument!

Then I noticed a  boy, about five years old, all by himself, poking in the dirt with a discarded popsicle stick.   The little guy looked hot, dirty and lonely.   Feeling sorry for him, I went over and gave him a two Boliviano coin (worth about 25 cents).

To my surprise, the boy jumped up and ran over to a nearby plaza bench.   We had not noticed that an elderly man was stretched out on the bench, taking a nap.    He woke up suddenly as  the little boy handed him the coin and pointed at us.

This opened the door to go over and start a conversation.   The old man was friendly. He said his name was Francisco and he thanked us for giving the coin to his little grandson. 

I had a Gideon New Testament in Spanish with me and offered it to him.   He was profuse in his appreciation.  We were able to talk to him about the Testament and show him the Bible verses inside the back cover which present God’s plan of salvation.  The few simple verses clearly explain how God “so loved the world” that He sent His Son, Jesus, to live on earth; live a perfect life and die on the cross to take the punishment for our sins.  And also how He was raised from the dead and went to heaven to “prepare a place for us.”

We asked Francisco if he would like to pray and receive Jesus as his personal Savior  He readily agreed to do this and afterwards seemed genuinely joyful about his decision.   We were also able to pray with him about some problems that his aging knees were giving him.

It is not very often that something like a bee sting can cause rejoicing.   But Gary and I went back to the hotel glad that the angry bee  moved us to the place  where we could meet Francisco.   I still pray for him (Francisco, not the bee!), as the Lord brings this incident to mind.  

Perhaps something that really upset you,  created a situation which you could (or did)  use for God’s glory.   It’s something to think about.   God can move us to where He wants us in strange and unusual ways. 

Medical Miracles Run Rampant

     It started about a year ago when I fell for all the wonderful promises in the colorful advertising tabloid and ordered a book.    It was one of those “four easy payments of $7.99 each, plus shipping” offers.

Well, the book arrived in due time (and was promptly paid for).   Though of impressive bulk, its contents were somewhat disappointing.

What is amazing is the fallout from this purchase.   I’ve thrown a few away, but I’m looking at a stack of “health news,” “exclusive reports,” healing the incurable “in as little as two minutes” tabloids and booklets that seem to arrive  on about a twice weekly basis.

I’ve thrown a few away, but have a pile of 31 four-color mailings next to me which glowingly promise incredible health benefits.   All I have to do is order the advertised publication (or in some cases health remedy).   For publications, the pitch almost always includes the requirement of four “easy” payments of $7.99, plus shipping. 

I have figured that all of them together would have cost me over $1,000.  Of course, the upside is that, if I followed all of the miracle advice, I would be so healthy that I’d be challenging Superman for his job. However, the downside is that I might be so confused that I’d be banging my head against the wall.

Wow, all I need to be sure I’ll never have a heart attack is eat a handful of walnuts (probably not a bad idea) every day, take my oral chelation, avoid diet soda, drink the right kind of juices, etc.  Put all this together and I’d have about 150%  less chance of having such an attack.   This, of course, would mean I would never suffer such an event.  Why,  if I was careful in traffic,  I might live to be around 200 or more! 

Well, I’m sure these various marvelous health advisories and miracle cures include much sound and excellent counsel.  However, the fact is that the human body wears out, runs down and tends in the direction of more and more disorganization.    Actually, these mailings have a humor factor about them that helps keep me healthy.   The Book of Proverbs says, “A merry heart does good like a medicine,” so I don’t mind the mailings and will probably, in some future feverish moment, get persuaded to respond to another “amazing offer.”   I especially liked the one from the guy who said he had not had a drink of water for 5 or 6 years. 

However, talking about long life, I can give you the key not only to long life, but to eternal life.   Can you handle a couple of Bible verses at this point?  Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life” (John 6:47).   He also said, “And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.  Do you believe this?” (John 11:26)

These bodies we walk around in will grow old and die.  But, if we have trusted in Jesus as Savior and Lord, the One who paid the penalty for our sins, we will enter a new and better place.  The Apostle Paul said he had a desire to depart (from this life) and “be with Christ, which is far better” (Philippians 1:23).

You don’t have to believe Jesus.  And you can take health foods and remedies which may help you live to be 120.  However,  one day you’ll discover whether Jesus was the biggest fraud and liar the world has ever known, or whether He was speaking the absolute, irrevocable truth!   My suggestion and hope is that you would decide for Jesus right away.  Tomorrow is uncertain; “now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2).

Disturbing, but not surprising

      One of the headlines in today’s newspaper was disturbing, but not surprising.   It reminded me of a time about 20 years ago when I was editor of a magazine in Minnesota. 

At that time, some flagrant ethical failures among prominent business executives were much in the news.  (What else is new?)  Anyhow, I read a news article about how Harvard University was having a problem finding a professor to teach a course in business ethics.   The distinguished Harvard Business School had suddenly decided it might be a good idea to offer such a course.

In an fit of fantasy, I thought I would apply for the job.  Of course, I was totally lacking in the string of degrees, books authored, and other credentials that Harvard would require.  However, in my wild imaginings, I felt fully qualified to teach the course.

 This was because of textbook that I would propose to use–it would be the one and only source for the class curriculum.  However, when considering the wild fits of laughter that my proposal would probably create among the elite minds of the Harvard faculty, I rather quickly decided to abandon my crazy idea.

It was not crazy because of the source material I would propose to use; it was crazy because of  how instantly I imagined my idea would land in some  Harvard waste basket.

The idea was, simply, to use the Book of Proverbs from the Old Testament as the textbook for the course.   The purpose of the book is presented in the first few verses of Chapter 1: “To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the instruction of justice, judgment and equity; to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion–a wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man (or woman) of understanding will attain wise counsel” (Chapter 1, verses 2-5, New King James Version–”of woman” added)

You won’t find a better purpose statement anywhere.   But, back to today’s headline, which stated in a five-column banner, “Dishonesty theme runs rampant in colleges.”  The text included examples of some egregious cheating uncovered at some major universities.   One was about the Dean of Admissions at MIT who admitted she had fabricated her resume when she first applied to work at MIT in the 1970s.

I assume that the vast majority of the 17 million college students at the nation’s 4,000 schools are studying and working hard and honestly to acquire a good education.  But there are many serious ethical failings among students, faculty and administrators. 

The adoption of a good, chapter by chapter, study of the Book of Proverbs (thousands of years old, but as current and far more relevant than today’s newspaper) could do much to correct these failures.

It would be wonderful if we could place over the portico of every university administrative building a quote from the New Testament Book of Galatians:  “Be not decieved, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Chapter 6, verse 7 NKJV)

It is as inescapable as the law of gravity.   There is a tremendous amount of “reaping” taking place these days in our nation’s prisons.   Sometimes the reaping comes quickly; sometimes much later, but it will come.

Some wise teaching of Proverbs, this age-old yet very current book of wisdom, could help avoid a huge amount of regretful reaping.  It could even produce a drastic cut in our prison population.   “Be SURE your sin will find you out.”   You may hide it,  but you will not escape its consequences! 

Does anyone read it?

I have to wonder if anyone reads it anymore; except perhaps the ACLU in misapplying the contents of the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States.  However, I am referring to a seemingly little noticed, and never put into action portion known as Article 3, Section 3, which states: “Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, OR IN ADHERING TO THEIR ENEMIES, GIVING THEM AID AND COMFORT” (emphasis added.)

The question is: When Senator Harry Reid states in a press conference on April 19, 2007, “Now I believe myself…that this war is lost…” is he, or is he not, giving aid and comfort to our enemies?   If you have read of the absolutely joyful responses of our Islamofascist enemies, you can only conclude that they received much aid and comfort from his words.

And, what about House Speaker Nancy Pelosi making herself some kind of self-appointed Secretary of State and flying off to the Middle East to meet with Syria’s President Bashar Assad, and stating “I believe the road to Damascus is the road to peace”?   Who does she think she’s kidding?

Back again to our late lamented Constitution, which states (Article 2, Section 2) that the President, besides being the Commander in Chief of our armed forces, is the only one with the power to make treaties, appoint ambassadors, etc.  (By the way, I suppose the taxpayers footed the bill for Mrs. Pelosi’s unauthorized and expensive journey, which doubtless gave much aid and comfort to our enemies.) 

The list is long of those in Congress, who by opposing and frustrating legislation funding our military efforts in Iraq, have been giving aid and comfort to our enemies.    Is there anyone among the Republican leadership, without jello for a backbone, who has the guts to call these people to account?

Only the Lord knows the count, but I believe those who seem to have only one agenda (Hate and Destroy President Bush) will one day have to give account for many more deaths among the U.S. military than would otherwise occur.   If they are patriots, then Aaron Burr was George Washington’s best friend!

We need to read and apply the Supreme Law of the land, which is our Constitution.   The clause on “aiding and abetting our enemies” is clear and explicit English.  Treason is treason, so let’s call treasonous conduct by its right name!

Message coming soon

Stay tuned!