Doomsday

 

 

Somewhere in time, the week before last, the date was December 21^st, 2012.  The Mayan calendar ended on this day (shock, shudder, shrink), but the world didn’t.  Oh my goodness, what went wrong?  There were a group of people on a mountain top waiting to be rescued by aliens when the end of the world happened.  I wonder if they’re still there.

Are you old enough to remember Y2K?  This was January 1^st 2000.  This was supposed to shut down all computers because of the 00 year date.  I was working for a computer company and I still had to be at work on January 2^nd  because the computers were still working.

What about solar storms?  Particularly active storms are expected in 2013 and 2014. Will this knock out the electrical grid? Doom, gloom, agony and despair, how will we survive? 

In World War 1, many people thought it was the apocalyptic war. The world had never seen anything like it.  They were wrong of course.  Around twenty years after the end of the war, another broke out. This war was worse than the first. 

I do believe the world will end someday.  The Bible says the world will face hard times, but then God is coming to reign and rule for one thousand years.  At the end of this, God has a new heaven and a new earth.  This is not cataclysmic, this is wondrous.

When is this happening, when will Christ return, when will the world we live in change?

I don’t know.

In Luke, chapter 21 verses 10 – 28, Jesus tells us about the world before his return.  There will be wars, famine, and persecution. Earthquakes, hurricanes and other strange weather patterns.  Jerusalem will be surrounded by enemies and distress will fill the land, but the very last verse is my favorite.

                “When these things begin to take place, stand and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

The next time you hear that the world is ending, or that Jesus is coming back on a certain day, I can pretty much guarantee that will not be the day.  Don’t worry about what the future holds, just look up, for our redemption is drawing near.

 

Peter Furler - Matter of Faith (Official Music Video) from peter-furler on GodTube.

O Holy Night

 

 

Somewhere in time, approximately twelve hundred and twelve years ago, a child was born in a manger.  This child revolutionized the world.

It’s funny to me that this Holiday used to be something so special, wars stopped so both sides could observe Christmas.  I heard in world war one, Silent Night was sung by both sides on Christmas Eve.  It was a special time, a holy time, a time to remember that love came to earth.  God stepped down from His throne in heaven, to humble himself and be born as a baby. In the most humble of circumstances, in the most humble of places, the creator took on the form of the created in order to show His infinite love for us.

Nativity scenes started because many people were illiterate and couldn’t read the Bible.  Others could read their own language, but the Bible was written in Latin.  How were they to know this special story unless it was told to them?  Living Nativities, involving people and animals, were used to bring the story to life for hundreds of years.  Making the events of that Holy time come alive for the people who watched the Nativity performed, is a tradition we still practice.

Since most people can read and they do have a Bible in their language, we have symbols of the Nativity story that we use to commemorate this Holy night.  I have a small ceramic one.  On my lawn, I have a canvas display of the mother and child.   

So what is the Christmas Story?  I will summarize the story, taken from the books of Matthew and Luke in the Bible.

Mary was a young woman who was pledged to be married to a man named Joseph.  An angel appeared and told her she had found favor with God and had been chosen to give birth to the Messiah.  The Holy Spirit came upon her and she conceived a child.  Joseph was a little upset.  He had pledged to marry what he believed was a virtuous woman, but here she was pregnant and he knew the child was not his.  As he wrestled with what to do, an angel appeared to him in a dream and told him to not be afraid, but to take Mary has his wife.  He was to call the baby Jesus.

At this same time, Caesar Augustus, a leader in the Roman government, decided that everyone needed to be counted and taxed.  To do this, Joseph and Mary had to travel to Bethlehem.  Joseph was of the lineage and house of David, so Bethlehem was his ancestral home.  Once there, the child was born, but since there was no room any place else, the child was born in a manger in a stable. 

To celebrate God’s arrival on earth, a heavenly angel appeared to shepherds guarding their sheep by night.

Luke 2:10-14 (NKJV) “Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you: You will find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!””

As we celebrate, the most holy of holidays, let’s give glory to God on the highest.  Merry Chirstmas!

 

David Phelps - O Holy Night [Live] from emimusic on GodTube.

The Gift of the Magi

 

 

Somewhere in time, in 1908, an author named O Henry wrote a short story called “The Gift of the Magi.”  I love this story.  I have seen this plot line redone a few times, and the story is always fun to read or see performed.  I thought since gifts are such an important part of the Christmas celebration, I would add my adaptation of this story to my blog to celebrate gifts.

1908

One dollar and eighty-seven cents was all she had.  Della counted it three times refusing to believe that was all she could save by scrimping and bargaining with the butcher and the grocer.  Tomorrow was Christmas, what was she going to do?

Despair began to take hold.  She paced and worried and then paced some more.  Della sank onto her shabby little couch and almost gave into tears. She looked around her home.  A furnished flat at $8 per week, it wasn’t exactly a show piece, but it was home.  Her husband’s income had recently been reduced by a third, so it was harder to make ends meet, but still she tried.

Della stood and walked over to the window.  She looked out at the grey, snow filled sky, and saw a gray cat, walking along a grey fence, in a grey backyard.  Tomorrow would be Christmas and she only had one dollar and eighty-seven cents to buy a present for her beloved Jim.

She stared at her reflections the a small mirror she used to check her appearance before departing her flat.  Suddenly her eyes lit up, she reached around and removed the combs and let her hair fall its full length. Della's beautiful hair fell about her rippling and shining like a cascade of brown waters. It reached below her knee and made itself almost a garment for her.  She examined it and quickly put it back up again.  She had an idea.  What she planned to do ripped at her heart and she faltered, holding back tears that threaten to break forth.

With her resolve firmly in place, she put on her brown jacket and her old brown hat, a determined sparkle shown from her eyes.  With a swirl of skirts, she went out the door and down the stairs to the street.

Walking along, she stopped at a sign, which read “Hair Goods of All Kinds.”  One flight up the stairs, Della gathered her courage and entered the establishment.  The proprietress was a large foreboding looking woman, but Della would not be deterred.

“Will you buy my hair?” asked Della.

“I buy hair” the woman said, “take off your hat and let me take a look at it.”

With the hat off and the combs removed, down rippled the long brown curls.

“Twenty dollars” she muttered with a flick of her wrist, as if it didn’t matter at all.

“Please, cut it quickly then.”

With the money firmly placed in her small bag, Della left to search all the stores for the perfect Christmas gift for her Jim.  She finally found it, a sterling silver chain for his watch.  With a mere eight-seven cents remaining, she went home to prepare the most special meal she could.

Jim had two things he took exceptional pride in. The first was his gold watch, handed down from grandfather, to father, to him.  The second was his wife and her beauty, especially the beauty of her hair. He knew that Solomon in all his glory did not have anything as luxurious as his wife’s gleaming hair. Jim weighed his choices in trying to find the perfect give for his wife, he finally decided, he knew what he needed to do.

Jim was never late.  Della had spent time curling her short hair to make it as lovely as she could.  As his time of homecoming approached, she put all the finishing touches on herself and made sure the table was set just perfect. She placed his watch chain in her pocket as she prayed, “Please God, make him think I’m still pretty.”

Jim stopped inside the door and froze at the sight of his wife. His eyes fixed upon Della wore an expression she could not read and it worried her. It was not anger, nor surprise, nor disapproval, nor horror, nor any of the sentiments that she had been prepared for. He simply stared at her fixedly with a peculiar expression on his face.

"Jim, darling," she cried, "don't look at me that way. It’s just hair, it will grow.  I had to do something.  I wanted you to have a very special present this year.”  
 
Jim drew a package out of his pocket and handed it to Della. 

“Jim,” Della uttered with a catch in her throat, “tell me you love me still.”

“Della” he said lovingly, “there is nothing on earth that would make me love my girl any less.  If you open the package, you will find some of the reason for my surprise.”

Her fingers struggled to open the package.  When she did the most beautiful pair of tortoise shell combs with jeweled edges shined from the package. She struggled with her emotions as the beauty of the gift waged war with the knowledge she no longer had hair enough to wear them. 

Smiling up at her husband with silent adore at his thoughtful gift, she said.  “My hair grows fast, so I’ll be using these in no time.”

Astonished, Della exclaimed, “I haven’t given you your present yet.”  She reached in her pocket and pulled out the delicate silver chain.  The shine of the metal reflected in the light. “Give me your watch and I’ll attach it for you.”

Instead of obeying, Jim claimed his wife in a warm embrace and chucked.  “Let’s keep our presents for another year.  I sold my watch to purchase your combs.”

Matthew 2:1,11 (NKJV) “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem.” “And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshipped Him.  And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.   

 

Oh Christmas tree

 

 

Somewhere in time, today, I read a funny statement about Christmas.  I have a desk calendar with humorous thoughts and sayings from Barbara Johnson.  Today’s saying was: I’m going to celebrate a traditional American Christmas – the tree from Canada, the ornaments from Hong Kong, the lights from Japan, and the idea from Bethlehem.   

The Christmas tree is not mentioned in the Bible, so it was not part of the original Christmas.  I don’t think there were any fur or pine trees in Bethlehem where our Lord was born.  I did some research on Christmas trees and there were various ideas on its origins.  I will give you the ones I like the best. 

In the 7^th century, a monk name Boniface traveled to Germany to spread the gospel of Christ.  The people he encountered worshiped the Oak tree.  Boniface then used the Fur tree to explain the God of the Bible.  The tree was tall a wide, like the love of God that embraces each of us.  On each branch is a Cross as the branch sprout on each side, showing the sacrifice of Jesus.

Martin Luther brought the tree inside and decorated it with candles. 

I also heard that when you cut a tree down and set it back up, it is a symbol of the death and resurrection of Christ.  The fact that the tree is an evergreen is the symbol of eternal life. 

I’m a little crazy about the Christmas tree.  My craziness started at a young age.  When we would decorate the tree as a family, I would help and when then younger siblings went to bed, I would fix the tree.  There has to be symmetry and order even when none of the ornaments match.  My husband knew this about me, but he really didn’t understand until last year.  Last year, he put an ornament on our tree that wasn’t colored coordinated with the rest of the tree and had no matching counterparts.  I nearly fell apart trying to work it into the overall design pattern.

Even though the tree isn’t part of the original Christmas, I love the tree and it’s a fun addition to the holiday, but the holiday is not about a tree.  Christmas is about Jesus, who became God among us.  I think if Jesus were to stand with us here today, he would probably enjoy our traditions, but he would want to make sure we didn’t forget those who are less fortunate.

I John 3:17-18 “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little Children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”

This Christmas, have fun, but also reach out.  God’s love is meant to be shared in whatever way we can.  Christmas is a special time of year to remember that. 

Below is just for fun, like a Christmas tree.

Daren Streblow's Christmas song from crownentertainment on GodTube.

Angels

 

 

Somewhere in time, this week, I have been decorating for Christmas.  A few years ago, I was at a craft fair and I bought a hand crafted angel.  The angel is gold and stands about a foot tall.  It’s one of my favorite decorations. Since then, whenever I see a pretty or unusual angel, I purchase it for display at Christmas.  I have porcelain, wood, glass and precious moment’s musical angels.  When it comes to the Christmas story, angels had a big role.

I always start my Christmas story with Elizabeth and Zachariah.  Prophecy foretold of a forerunner, someone to tell people the messiah was coming.  The forerunner was John the Baptist and his birth was proclaimed by an angel to Zachariah (Luke 1:11-25).  Even in their old age, they had a son, just as the angel foretold.

The next angelic visitation happened in the town of Nazareth.  There an angel appears to a young virgin named Mary, who was engaged to be married. He tells her she will bear God’s son. (Luke 1:26-35)

The third angel visits Joseph.  Joseph was engaged, but when his betrothed comes up pregnant and he knows he’s not the father, he has to decide what to do.  In his time, stoning a person for such on offense was possible, but he really didn’t want to be cruel. He beseeched God for wisdom.  (Matthew 1:18-25)  This time the angel appeared in the dream and told Joseph the baby was conceived by the Holy Spirit.  He gave Joseph confirmation to marry and raise the child and even what to name him. 

The angels weren’t done.  On the night Jesus was born, there were shepherds watching their sheep by night when an angel appeared to give the shepherds the good news. This angel was joined by a multitude of heavenly hosts, all declaring “Glory to God on the Highest”.  (Luke 2:8-16)

God had one more angel to send. When Herod sought to kill the Messiah, by killing all young Jewish boys, the angel again appears to Joseph in a dream.  This time warning him to flee and take the child and his mother to Egypt until the threat against his life has passed. (Matthew 2:13-15)

In reading all the angel encounters of the Christmas story, I noticed one common thread, the angels always tell the startled humans, do not fear, or be not afraid.  This led me to believe that angels can be imposing figures.  When they come to delivery their messages, they don’t resemble cute little cherubs we see in pictures.  I don’t actually think there is a picture that can capture the power of an angelic being.

Angels don’t always appear in their imposing heavenly form, sometimes they sneak up on us.  Sometimes, when you are desperately in need of help and it comes from an unexpected source, it could be angelic intervention. Sometimes God whispers in our hearts that we need to be an angel for someone else by reaching out, giving and caring.

Hebrews 13:2 (NKJV) “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.”

The definition of angel is the attendant of God.  We may not be angels, but we can act like them.  This Christmas keeps your eyes and heart open for someone you can be an angel for.

Mandisa - Somebody's Angel (Official Christmas Music Video) from mandisa on GodTube.

Happy Thanksgiving

 

 

Somewhere in time, today, America celebrates Thanksgiving.  It’s a day set aside to thank God for his goodness to us and His provision for us.  The first thanksgiving was celebrated with a feast and the tradition continues.  This week I have also been thinking of a song.  I thought it was the perfect song for celebrating Thanksgiving.

Give thanks with a grateful heart

Give thanks to the Holy One

Give thanks, because he’s give Jesus Christ his son

Give thanks, with a grateful heart

Give thanks, to the holy one

Give thanks, because he’s given Jesus Christ his son

 

And now, let the week say I am strong

Let the poor say I am rich

Because of what the Lord has done for us

Give thanks

Thankfulness can be hard at times, but if we look closely, we always have something to be thankful for.  If we are breathing and alive, give thanks.  If we are full and not hungry, give thanks. If we are clothed and not naked, give thanks.

1Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) “Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

 

Miracles

 

 

Somewhere in time, this week, I have been thinking of miracles.  I believe in miracles, but it’s not something you see every day.  This week I have been looking for a way to do something.  Every avenue I pursued led to a dead end and every door I knocked on wouldn’t open.  I then decided that I needed a miracle.  What I was trying to do may be possible, but it’s not highly probably, so I need divine intervention. 

I tried to think of the miracles in the Bible.  Is there some common denominator - well yes, only God can make a miracle, but what about the people that receive them. 

There was a woman in the Bible that had been sick for a while.  She had exhausted all of her funds seeking cures from doctors. Out of money and out of funds, she was searching for hope.  She heard Jesus was going to pass through her town, she found hope.  She determined if she could just touch the hem of his garment, she would be made well.  Even though he was thronged by the crowds, she pressed on and pushed through and reached out with all her strength and touched his garment.  It worked, she was well.

Mark 5:34 (NIV) He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

Her faith led her to her miracle.

Abraham had a promise.  God promised him he would be the father of nations, yet he and his wife had no children.  When God gave them the promise, they were well along in years, but they still believed.  After they received the promise, they waited and waited. Day after day, year after year Abraham clung to his promise and waited.  About the time hope was starting to wan, they conceived a son and Isaac was born.  He was the son of the promise, a miracle. 

Romans 4:19 (NIV) “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him.”

With Abraham, he needed to couple his faith with patience.  His miracle didn’t happen right away, but it did happen.

Paul came to know Christ through miraculous circumstances, but his ministry was a hard one.  He was beaten and imprisoned multiple times.  We know that he had faith, he was able to pray for others and God healed them.  We know he had patience. Sitting in prison, writing letters to the churches, he was waiting for release.  Paul had one problem, he had a thorn in his flesh.  There are speculations that he struggled with his eyes, but I don’t know for sure.  I do know he prayed three times for the Lord to deliver him, but the deliverance never came.

2 Corinthians 12:7-9 (NIV) “Three time I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

Paul had faith to be made well and the patience to wait. He trusted God even when the answer was no.  Even when no miracle would happen. He trusted the Lords purposes overrode any of his own desires.

The miracle is that God is there to guide us to the good miraculous times and God is there to see us through the hard and challenging times.  In every situation, God is there.  To me that is miracle enough.

 

Third Day - I Need a Miracle (Official Music Video) from third-day on GodTube.

Pilgrims

 

 

Somewhere in time, November 11th 1620, the Mayflower Compact was signed onboard the Mayflower, off the coast of Massachusetts. This was America’s first written form of government.  This week, we had elections.  For me, this is work. I have to research the candidates and where they stand on critical issues and sometimes it’s hard to find out that information. At the same time, this song by Toby Mac, “City on our Knees” has been running through my mind. The chorus says, if we have to start somewhere, why not here, if we have to start sometime why not now. It made me think of the Pilgrims.

The Puritans knew things needed to change for them. They had to leave England because they were experiencing religious persecution.  The first stop was the Netherlands, but they were worried that they would lose their British language and customs.  When they heard about a boat seeking passengers for a trip to the New World, they decided to go.  They wanted things to change now and this was their best way to make that happen.

They were heading to Virginia to join a group that had originally landed in Jamestown.  The plan was to be in Northern Virginia.  I don’t think they realized how far north they were. 

Heading to a place they had only heard of, they didn’t know exactly what they would find when they arrived.  They were determined to create a place where all would flourish. When they arrived, they knew they had to do something, why not now. Gathering all the people on the boat together, a simple plan of government was created. They wanted to establish a government where people of faith were free to worship as they pleased and the laws were fair to all.  

This week, with elections, reading all the propositions and state constitutional amendments. It amazes me these two groups of people were able to work out a plan they all agreed to.  The entire compact is not overly long, there were no written arguments for and against presented alongside.  It was created by a group of people that agreed they would need to work together to survive. 

The Mayflower Compact acknowledged King and Country, but it also acknowledged the sovereignty of God. Every male on the boat signed the agreement. Not every person on the boat was there for religious freedom, but as a group they agreed what was important. This allowed the group to survive an extremely hard winter. Many died and many others became sick, but in the end the new colony grew and prospered.    

Sometimes I think we need to start over and simplify thing.  Let’s acknowledge the sovereignty of whatever Nation we live in but let’s give honor to the God who is over all our first priority. Perhaps then, we can survive the storms of life and work together to make our country great once again.

Psalm 33:12 (NIV) “Blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.”

Reformation Day – October 31st

 

 

Somewhere in time, October 31^st, people celebrate Halloween. I don’t understand the fascination with Halloween. Sure I understand a kid’s love of candy and even I like to dress up at times, but Halloween?  Why celebrate a holiday with dubious origins which focuses on witches, ghosts and ghouls. 

October 31^st, should be celebrated as Reformation Day.

On October 31^st, 1517, Martin Luther nailed 95 theses of contention to the door of the Wittenburg chuch.  He was not the first person to attempt reform of the Christian church, but he is still considered the father of the reformation. 

Reformation was needed because the church had fallen into corruption.  At times the leadership of the church loved power more than God.  Couple that with the fact that most people could not read the Bible for themselves.  So the church had many practices not found in scripture and no one knew the differences.

Martin Luther did extensive studies on the scriptures and he realized the error the church was making.  He wrote his 95 disagreements on paper and nailed them to the church door for everyone to read.  People copied the notes by hand and handed them out to everyone they knew.  

He had good points and most people agreed with him.  The church however did not care for being publically challenged, so they called Martin in to answer the charge of heresy.  At the meeting, he was given the chance to recant.  His response was:

                                Unless I am convinced by proofs from scriptures or by plain and clear reasons and arguments, I can and will not recant, for it is neither safe nor wise to do anything against conscience.  Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen.

Luther’s life was in danger, disagreeing with the church at that time was not a safe thing to do.  Fortunately for him, he was able to hide out with a Prince for a year and he remained under his protection for a while. Luther used this time to change things for the better.  He began working on a translation of the Bible from the original Greek into the German language most people could read.  He translated the New Testament by 1520 and the entire Bible by 1534. 

Despite the persecution he stood strong and followed his faith.

James 1:12 (NIV) “Blessed is the man who preservers under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

When I think of Holidays, I think it would be nice to celebrate something pure, holy or lovely.  If the Bible tells us to think on these things, it makes sense that we should celebrate them also.

Reformation day could be a day to stand up for what is right even against overpowering odds. Next October 31^st let’s celebrate the reformers who took a stand for righteousness.  This is something to remember and celebrate.

 

Are we there yet?

 

 

Somewhere in time, every day, in every city, in every country, some child is asking a parent – are we there yet?  We are less captivated with the journey; instead the focus is on the destination. I’m so bad when I travel somewhere, I don’t like to stop for any reason. The destination is the goal and I don’t want to be sidetracked.  The same is true for events.  I know when I have a vacation planned, the days working to get to the vacation are a struggle, I want the vacation to come sooner.

The problem for many of us is a lack of patience.  We don’t want to wait, we want what we want and we want it know. 

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

God listed patience as a spiritual virtue because he knew that some humans, me for example, would struggle with this.  He wanted us to know that it’s important.  How can we show love, joy, peace, kindness when we are impatient?  

The minute we are born, we set out on the journey that God as designed for us from before the world began.  He knows the times we stray from the path he lay out.  He created another path to get us back on track.  He plans for us to learn and grow and love him more. God is very patient, never giving up on us and always giving us opportunities to learn more. Many times we are so busy just moving through life, we forget to enjoy the journey or appreciate what God is teaching us.

This week, I have been rushing through work. I have so much to do, but I want to take a week off, so I am inpatient for this week to end. God has a lesson for me this week and sometimes when God wants to tell me something, he has a song run through my mind.  I tend to perk up when a song catches my attention.

The song on my mind this week was about our journey to Heaven. As Christians, if we think about it, our journey ends in the ultimate destination – Heaven. It struck me as odd that this seems to be the one destination we aren’t in a hurry to arrive at even though it will be better than anything we can imagine.  If we are not in a hurry to reach heaven, then what else should we be in a hurry about? 

All my hurrying to get somewhere or do something many times has little to do whith my eternal journey. This song reminded me that I am a pilgrim passing through.  My journey here should be more about what I can bring into my eternal kingdom, than what I can leave in my earthly one. The point of my life’s journey is to discover in what ways I can demonstrate the goodness of God to those around me.  By doing this, when I arrive in heaven, I will come bearing gifts for the heavenly King.      

Steven Curtis Chapman - Long Way Home (Slideshow with Lyrics) from steven-curtis-chapman on GodTube.

Discouraged

 

 

Somewhere in time, January 12, 2010 a massive earthquake struck Haiti with catastrophic results.  Haiti was already an economically depressed country, so the homes were not built to codes common to homes in America.  The epicenter was Port Au Prince, Haiti’s capitol.  Three million people were affected by the earthquake, most left homeless, and a little over three hundred thousand dyeing as a result of it. 

I was recently out shopping and I found a book called “Unshaken” by Dan Woolley.  Dan is an employee of Compassion International.  He was in Haiti to take pictures and film the work done with Compassion’s Child Development Programs.  The hope was to encourage people to give to their efforts so they could reach out to more children.  Sounds heart wrenching to see people so poor, but it helps to see them getting aid and a chance to better their lives.  I don’t think Dan expected and eventful trip, but yet, the unexpected happened.

His Haitian drivers had just dropped him off at the Hotel Montana.  He was going to rest before heading out to dinner. He had just left the lobby and went towards the stairs. When he heard what sounded like an explosion and the world rocked.  The building came down around him.  Dan came to in total darkness, his head was bleeding and his leg badly injured.  He couldn’t see anything, but he could feel the warm sticky blood on his hand as he touched his head.  An aftershock struck and more debris rained down. Using his camera to get a small amount of illumination, he decided to head for the elevator by crawling and dragging his injured leg.  With the aftershocks rocking Haiti, the elevator may off some form or protection, the area he was in was very unstable. 

In the elevator he wondered if he would survive.  He wrote letters to his family, reminding his kids not to blame God for the tragedy and expressing how much he loved them.  There were other people trapped, not with him, but around him:  A person in the next elevator shaft and a group of five under debris in the lobby and another woman in another part of the lobby.  It helped having people around; they could talk, and encourage each other.  He was even able to lead the young man in the next elevator car to Christ.   It was a good way to pass the time, but they didn’t expect so much time to pass.

After about 48 hours after the earthquake, a team of rescuers were able to rescue the six trapped in the lobby and the rescuers promised to send help for Dan.  Hope, he had hope.  People knew he was there, people were coming.  Minutes drug by, then hours, but no one came.  He again began to wonder if he would make it out alive and he became discouraged.

Discouragement gets all of us at one time or another.  Discouragement is the lack of hope.   Reading this story, I really identified with his discouragement.  I’ve never been trapped in an elevator under six stories of rubble, but discouragement isn’t that picky.  It can strike you wherever you are.  When you feel stuck in a situation and see no way out, you face discouragement.  When you are trying so hard to get ahead and you only seem to fall farther behind, that discouraging.  Lasting discouragement leads to depression and that is much harder to battle. 

Today, I want to give you hope if you are feeling discouraged.  Life gives us time of discouragement, but God never leaves us.

Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV) “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

Dan, at his lowest point, would feel the need to give praise to God.  Whether he lived or died, it was up to God and he was amazed at how much better he felt when he offered praise.  It raised his spirits and returned his hope.  It’s amazing that when we are able to get our eyes off ourselves and our circumstances and concentrate on our God and Father, Jesus Christ, as least for the moment, our discouragement will be lifted.

Dan did make it out, after almost three days, 65 hours, trapped with no food or water, but God never left him or forsook him.

Haiti is still struggling to rebuild and compassion is still at work in the country helping to pull families out of poverty.  I have link to compassion if you would like to check it out.

www.compassion.com 

 

 

Audio Adrenaline - Kings and Queens (Exclusive Music Video Premiere) from audio-adrenaline on GodTube.

My Epitaph

 

 

Somewhere in time, this week, I have been thinking about epitaphs.  What do I want people to remember about me?  I’m not sick or even old enough to be facing death, but each of us face death every day.  We never know when our end will come.  What do we want people to remember about us?  What kind of legacy do we want to leave?  I know is sounds like a depressing subject, but not when you think about it.  Each of us wants to make a mark on the world, some of us in bigger ways than others. 

In Southern Arizona there is a town called tombstone.  It was a rough western town and the grave markers in Boot Hill are somewhat famous for be a little outlandish.

Here lies Lester Moore

Four slugs from a forty-four

No Lies

No More

That's a Boot Hill grave stone.

Another one I found humorous is in Florida.

I told you I was sick

Do we want our parting words to be funny, informative, or inspirational?  I think inspirational.  How do you summarize your most important beliefs and ideas into a few words?  Corrie Ten Boom was able to do that.  Her grave marker reads:

Jesus is Victor

This is my favorite one.  I want people to remember me for my faith in Christ.  I want them to remember that I wasn’t perfect, but I loved the Lord and I loved other people.  There is an old song that was popular when I was a teenager. Some of the words in the chorus are:  She had her father’s eyes.  Eyes that find the good in things, when good is not around.  Eyes that found the source of help, when help would not be found.  I want to take it a step further.  I want to see people as Jesus sees them.  Imagine the amount of compassion filling our lives if we saw people as Jesus does.  If we could love like Jesus does.  I hope I merit a memorial like that.  One that says she had the eyes of Jesus. 

1 Samuel 16:7B (NIV) “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at.  Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

I can’t pass on riches, or processions. I can only pass along a legacy of faith, but in the long run, that’s worth so much more.

 

 

 

Brandon Health - Give Me Your Eyes from brandon-heath on GodTube.

Corrie Ten Boom

 

 

Somewhere in time, April 15^th 1892, Corrie Ten Boom was born in Holland.  Corrie grew and lived a simple life.  Her father was a watch maker and they lived in a small home above the shop. In the home she lived with her parents, one brother, two sisters and two Aunts.  She never married, she thought about it once, but the boy’s parents didn’t think Corrie was good enough for their son.  She didn’t need a husband to keep busy.  She taught classes and she enjoyed working with mentally challenged children.  She became the first woman to be a licensed watch maker in Holland.  This was long before women became a common fixture in the work place. 

Her idyllic life came crashing down when Germany invaded Holland.  After a week of fighting, Holland had surrendered.  At first, things seem to return to normal, but then, little by little the persecution of Jews started. At this point in her life there were only three people living in the house above the watch makers shop.  Corrie had just turned fifty,  Betsy was older and their father in his eighties.  She described it as two old spinsters and their father.  What could they do to stop the spread of violence against God’s people? 

They became a link on the underground chain that helped many Jews escape.  Even the underground was a little hesitant about using to middle aged single ladies, but they were persistent.  They spent two years defying the Nazi occupation by hiding Jews before they were caught.  

On February 28^th, 1944, the Ten Boom Family was arrested.  Her brother was visiting, so he was taken in the raid as well as her father, sister and nephew.  Hiding in the house at the time, were four Jews and two members of the Dutch resistance.  The family was arrested, but their special guests made it out to safety after 47 hours of hiding in a small space with little food or water. 

Many of us have heard about the horrors of the Nazi concentration camps, but Corrie’s family would get to experience it first-hand.  Her father, brother, nephew and sister all died because of their imprisonment.  Most not making it out alive.  They were not young, or strong or particularly bold, but they were standing strong for what they knew to be true. 

In the dark prison, where seven hundred women a day died, Corrie felt she had a glimpse of hell.  Betsy’s faith seemed stronger. 

“There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still.”  “God will give us the love to be able to forgive our enemies.”  These are quotes from Betsy, said while imprisoned. 

Forgiveness – if anyone had a reason to hate, Corrie did.  Four members of her family died in prison just for helping people.  She was beaten and starved.  She was held captive by people who had lost the sense of humanity.  Her family was betrayed by someone for money. They had their own Judas. 

Forgiveness – she chose to forgive.

Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV) “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Forgiveness isn’t easy, it takes work and it’s a choice. 

After the war, Corrie traveled to over sixty countries talking about her experiences and the power of God to see her through her darkest times.  In addition to that, she made the choice to forgive her captors.

She was speaking at a church in Germany when she saw a former prison guard, one noted for his brutality.  She had forgiven him, but human nature kicked in and she wanted to hate. She wanted to hate him, but God reminded her to forgive.  She walked up to the man after the service, still struggling with the feelings of anger and bitterness, but when she took his hand and looked into his eyes, God allowed the overwhelming peace of forgiveness to flood her spirit and set her free. She was truly free.

The man who had betrayed her family was arrested after the war and sentenced to death for his crimes. Corrie wrote him a letter and told him that she forgave him because Christ forgave her. He wrote back, because of her letter, he had surrendered his life to Christ.

Her story helps me put forgiveness in perspective.  I get angry and frustrated, but I have never been beaten and imprisoned.  I really have nothing to forgive by comparison.   

There is a belief among Jewish people, that those who die on their birthday are doubly blessed by God.  Corrie died on her birthday, April 15^th, 1983.