DO YOU NOT CARE?

     The Master has been teaching all day and you have been surrounded by people.  At the end of the day early in the evening He has now told you to load up the boats so that we can go across to the other side. The water is a place of peace for you and for some of His disciples it is their second home as they are fishermen. You all look forward to spending some time on the water and the quiet that is before you. Yet you and I know the rest of the story from Mark 4:35-41

Mark 4:35-41 ( ESV )

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^35£On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.”

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³⁶And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him.

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³⁷And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.

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³⁸But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

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³⁹And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

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⁴⁰He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”

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⁴¹And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?”

    

     At some point in this journey across the Sea of Galilee the wind begins to pick up to such a point that the Greek word used here can mean a whirlwind.  The waves have become so fierce that they are breaking into the boat to the point that it is dangerously filling up. Now if that is not enough you are experiencing all of this in the dark.

    Think about it brothers and sisters this is a picture of what it is like for you and me when we are swamped and flooded with trials.  When will it ever end? Do you feel as though you are surrounded by the darkness? There is nothing worse than not being able to see. Not knowing what will happen next. All you hear are waves crashing about you. Not only do you hear the waves but they are sinking your boat.  At any moment you feel as though you could drown. Your dreams, hopes and plans are all covered by the darkness. You get hit so hard in the gut by the waves of trials that you feel as though you cannot even breathe.

     Sometimes you question yourself. “Maybe this is happening because of some evil I have done.” This could be true but I don’t believe that this is the case here. His disciples had been obedient. They had left all, they had obeyed Him.  They loaded up the boat as He had told them to do and now they were in the middle of a storm that they have no control over.

     It is at this point that they wake up Jesus from His sleep and ask the question that we have all asked. “Don’t you care about us?” Now wait Brothers and Sisters before we jump the disciples, how many of us have done the same thing? What happens when our whole world falls apart? What do we do when He just doesn’t seem to make any sense at all? What do we do when those we cherish the most die or fail us in some way? Where is He? One of the things I have to remember is that whether I see His hand at work or not just like the disciples He is STILL in the boat with me. He is still upon the throne.

     What does Jesus do? Well He calms the storm with just three little words that are spoken from His lips. This is how powerful He is. He who created the earth and sea can certainly calm the storm with just the whisper of His voice. The idea of the words used here is that as soon as he spoke the storm ended.

     He can make all things right again but the key is HE WILL DO IT ON HIS TIMETABLE. Not mine. I so badly want the storm to stop the very moment it starts but God often has other plans for us. He is not weak but rather He wants us to grow in our faith and the only way that often happens is through the storms of life. Here is the beauty of it though, it will end when He wants it to, so that He can mold us into the men and women of God that He wants us to be. He will not allow it to go further than what our faith can handle.

     “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” How many times have I heard these words? Like many of you I become fearful of things, situations, stuff I just don’t have control over. Therein is the point, I don’t have control. The storms are going to come and they will knock the wind out of us. Yet, during those times He wants me to realize I can’t control them. He wants me to have the faith of a little child who is completely dependent upon His Father. He is the one, “Whom even the wind and the sea obey.”

     Does Jesus Care? As the old song goes, “I know He cares, His heart is touched by my grief.”  I know He cares when I do not even see Him as being in the boat with me. He cares when everything falls apart. He will protect us. He will guide us. He will do it in His own timetable. He wants me to keep my eyes on Him and to trust Him while the storm passes by.

Searching for light in the darkness of insanity.

Had a great night last night at Calvary as our class watched the film series, Work as Worship. The films that we have seen have been outstanding and a challenge to all of those who are in the workforce either as an employer or an employee. 

     I want to work in such a way that it will draw men to our savior. I want my Christianity to not only be heard but seen by my actions. I believe that the world also wants to see that difference. I was reminded of this truth when I heard the following lyrics being sung.

“As I walk through this wicked world,

Searching for LIGHT in the darkness of INSANITY,

I ask myself is all HOPE lost?

Is there only pain and hatred and misery?”**

     You may be asking what Christian wrote this song? The answer may surprise you in that it was sung by the old rocker, Elvis Costello. As far as I know he has never made a profession of faith. Yet, those words should haunt us as believers when we go to our workplaces. Some of our friends and co-workers are looking for LIGHT in this insane and dark world. Some of our friends and co-workers have lost all hope and their lives are marked by hatred and misery. Will we introduce to them the LIGHT of the world? They need to see the truth lived out before them not just the words.

     One of the ways that they can see hope, is how we handle ourselves at the workplace. Are we known as men and women of integrity? Are we known for our work ethic or our laziness? Are we known for having a speech that honors our Lord or is it just as vulgar? Do we show compassion and concern for their needs? Do we make ourselves visible or go off into our own little corner during lunch time or breaks?

     Listen, we all blow it and are not always perfect with our testimonies. I can testify to that myself. Yet, brothers and sisters they need to know that we care, they need to know the difference, to see it with their eyes and to hear it with their ears. Let us gladly bring our Jesus into our workplaces with us. Let us act as the servants of God that we were called to be.

“As I walked through troubled times,

My spirit gets so downhearted sometimes,

So where are the STRONG and WHO are the TRUSTED?

And where is the harmony? Sweet harmony.”**

(**What’s so funny “Bout Peace, Love and Understanding, Nick Lowe)

     Father, help us to be known as those who are STRONG in your power. (Eph. 6:10) Help us to be those who can be TRUSTED. So that we may proclaim you in all that we do to a world covered in darkness. Help us to share the truth about the LIGHT of the world.

A worldwide symphony

     Like many of you, over the course of the last few days, I have been watching a lot of weather. They call the Hurricane that is coming, "Sandy." Some are even calling it, "Frankenstorm." When I first heard of it, I automatically thought of our old friends like: Dave, Michael, Dr. Brownback, Jeff, Scott and Veronica and all of their families. I was also reminded of our new friends, who we made in Pennsylvania, who are now dear brothers and sisters. How we pray that all will be well with them at the end of the storm.

      I was praying for these brothers and sisters at the end of our church service today. The Lord reminded me of an incredible fact, we have brothers and sisters who are all over this globe. As believers, our family that we are members of is so incredibly vast and huge. What an incredible Father we have, who has allowed us to be a part of His Body universal and through out all of time.

     Our family is not tied into one specific race. He allows all of the various colors of this world to blend into one, whether we be white, black, red, yellow or any other shade. He is not a respecter of age, as this incredible family has members who are much older, clean to the little children of this world whom He loves and adores. One day,. He will call His family members together from all around the globe.  From our blessed shores to Africa, Asia, South America, and every other continent in this world.

     Whenever I walk into our church, I am amazed at the various people that we meet. How our personalities are so varied, our social status, incomes, desires and needs are so far apart. Yet, for a few moments every week, we lift up our voices in praise to Him. We gather around His Word, which is the voice of our Father calling us to draw near to Him. All of our discords and differences are laid aside, and as varied as we are, we gather  around Him in perfect harmony. What is even more amazing is how He hears these same voices in homes, church buildings, caves, tunnels all around this globe. As we speak in our various languages and cry out His name, He hears a symphony of praise. This is the JOY of the body universal.

     We are brothers and sisters who are called out to change this world. We are brothers and sisters who are to be known for our love for one another. When one part of His body is in need or is hurting, we are called out to bring hope and healing. We can call out to our Father, who is no respecter of persons, for our needs as well as the needs of the body around the world and we can KNOW this for a fact, He will hear us.

     Not all of mankind is a part of this brotherhood, as some may teach. No, scripture tells us, that we can only be a part of this family if we have put our faith in Jesus alone. It is only through Him that we can come to the Father and be adopted into this family.

     One day, we shall see Him, face to face and what a day of rejoicing that will be. I also look forward to that day, when I will be able to see all of my brothers and sisters, gathered together and bringing forth praise towards Him in the greatest symphony of all time. How precious it will be to hear and to see crowns cast before His throne and every knee bowing down to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

   

A Bumper Sticker

If your like me I really don't pay to much attention to bumper stickers. Yes, I do have two of them and for those of you who know me they pretty well fit my families personality. You may have seen this one though as it really stood out to me." America is not at war, The Troops are at war, America is at the mall."

Now for some that may come across harsh or even cynical, but it is true. I have my freedoms and enjoy my life because of what some men were willing to sacrifice, so that I could work and play here in the USA. Even though there are times I may not like where our country seems to be headed. We have immense freedoms that others do not have in this world. I may own a gun. I am able to worship in the way that I want to and proclaim the name of Christ. I can say what I believe. I can even vote in a few more days for the leadership of our country. We truly do have it good.

The thing that I will never forget in all of this, is that it all came at the sacrifice of others. One morning some Mother and Father waved their son or daughter good-bye praying that they would come home soon. Only to be grieved with the news of their injuries or even the ultimate sacrifice of death. In no way will I ever be able to understand their pain and sorrow.  Their sacrifice should be honored daily. This is a debt we will never be able to repay.

In the same way I can never repay another debt. Born a sinner and deserving of Hell and all of its fury. The Father sent His Son to take my place, so that I can be free from the bondage of sin and Hell. He was spat upon, mocked, laughed at, beaten, flesh torn wide open and crucified for my sins. All of this done before His Father's eyes. Yet, in victory He has risen from the grave victoriously for you and me. We are free because of what He has done for us.

None of us could have made this sacrifice. Our sin has so scarred us, our death would have been meaningless. Yet the perfect one and the lamb without sin He could do this for us and not only us but for the sins of the whole world. Today may we never forget His awesome sacrifice and for His Father's love in that He was willing to let His Son take our place.

A CASUAL LOOK? MATTHEW 5:27-30

Matthew 5:27 ( ESV )

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²⁷“You have heard that it was said, ^£‘You shall not commit adultery.’

·        The Pharisees would only look at this act as physical. Christ will bring up that the act of adultery and sexual sin starts within the mind.

·         Adultery is a sin that involves one party or both parties that are married and have sex with one another. Often though it was used interchangeably with the idea of any type of fornication outside of marriage.

·         “It was said.” Look at the following passages.  Ex. 20:14 you shall not commit adultery.  Lev. 20:10/Dt. 22:22 involved the death penalty. (It was not a small sin to God.), I  Cor. 6:9-10 The one who practices it will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Matthew 5:28 ( ESV )

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²⁸But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

·         But I say-With the same authority as the Word of God because He is the Word of God incarnate.

·         Looks-Not the idea of seeing a woman scantily dressed but rather looking to gaze and examine her. A going out of the way to fantasize. He beholds her with regard.

·         Lustful-Idea is to desire or to be covetous about.  I want what I do not rightly possess and something that is another person’s. (In this case another man’s or women’s.)

·         The sin of adultery as well as all sexual sins starts with the eye gate.

·         Job knew this and he accordingly in Job 31:1 made a covenant with his eyes that he would not gaze upon a woman with this kind of intent. He knew there would be consequences.

·         Job 31:2 Job knew he would lose an inheritance or reward that God had for him.

·         Job 31:3-8 Job knew he would face punishment.

·         Job 31:9-12 Job knew he would possibly lose his wife and receive earthly punishment.

·         The person who lives this type of lifestyle with his eyes and within his heart has already in God’s eyes committed adultery. These verses fly not only in the face of sexual immorality between people but also can be used to deal with phone conversations, sexting and pornography.

Matthew 5:29-30 ( ESV )

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²⁹If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.

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³⁰And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

·         Drastic, How serious of an issue is this to Jesus? Jesus in not advancing the mutilation of  our bodies. (This would be the cure, if sexual sin was just physical but the above verses state that it is far more than just that. He is trying to get us to see just how drastic we should be about dealing with this issue.) If it was literal than none of us would be able to see or touch each other again.

·         The words, “Cause you to sin,” has the idea of to scandalize, trip us up or to cause to stumble. Anything that would cause us to stumble we are to avoid or run away from. Think about Joseph in Potiphar’s house it’s time to run away.

·         The point is that it would be more profitable to lose members of our body than to bear the consequences of the guilt from falling into this sin.

·         Is this physical or temporal pleasure worth their eternal consequences? The words used here tear, throw it away and cut it off have the idea of to do so with force. These are violent acts and we must determine to deal with sexual sins in a drastic way rather than listening to the sirens of this world.

UNDESERVING, YET HE WILL COME BACK FOR ME

Some say that His return is just a fantasy,

 Childish dreams, fairy tales, but not reality,

Yet He never made a promise that He did not keep,

He said that He would come again and that is good enough for me.

I will see Him in all of His glory,

I will bow down and worship at His feet,

I will cry out with my voice Holy, Holy,

Undeserving, yet He will come back for me.

What does this world truly offer us?

What treasures are here that we will keep?

Nothing, but the fleeting things that will pass,

Yet, men will grasp the temporal rather than eternity.

Yet I would rather see Him in all of His glory,

I will one day bow down and worship at His feet,

I will cry out with my voice Holy, Holy,

Undeserving, yet He will come back for me.

He is no longer a baby meek and mild,

He is no longer the suffering one, who died for me,

Rather at this moment He is robed in white,

The Risen Lord and coming King of Kings,

I will see Him in all of His glory,

I will bow down and worship at His feet,

I will cry out with my voice Holy, Holy,

Undeserving, yet He will come back for me.

SHE

Her once darker hair is now covered with gray. There are lines in her face which tells the stories of years of sacrifice that can never be repaid. Yet, she is more beautiful to me than the most beautiful of women that that this world proclaims. Just a smile from her face offers me hope throughout the day.

She has never felt comfortable in the spotlight or the applause of men. She would rather be DOING than seeking to BE someone. My greatest of joys is to see the giving heart that she has. I am still amazed at how she will go out of her way to help someone who is in need. I wish that I could say that I have that heart but for her it comes naturally. It is who she is.

My girls are who they are because of her love for them. She has been their mother, their teacher and now that they are older she has become their friend. They still pile up on her when they are at home, clinging to her words of affirmation. She has cheered them on, put them to bed, held them in her arms through the hard times. Her hands have been that of a servant to her girls.

She has been true to her promise even though I have often failed. Our song was the old America song, “I need you.” As I grow older those words could not be more true to me then they are now. I do need her like the flower needs the rain.

 She has chased my dreams, fought with me, cried with me and prayed with me. Her love has never let me go. She has been forever faithful. When I have been at my ugliest she has still been there for me. She has been the best friend that anyone could ever have.

I have written poems about her but none of them have ever truly expressed how I feel.  You see like many of you I just can’t find the words. I feel inadequate in trying to put my thoughts down. For those of you who know me it’s the only time where I feel clumsy in expressing myself.

Just the mention of her name or a smile from her face makes me feel complete and whole. When I know that she is behind me my world makes sense. I feel like a young man in his twenties who like Caleb can take the mountain, slay the dragons and fight the foes.

What a gift God has given to us. The two have become one. What a treasure! What a jewel is the love of a wife for her man.

JULIE AND HANNAH

HADASSAH, JULIE AND HANNAH