Open My Eyes So I Can See! Page 27

In II Kings Chapter 6 another man of God, Elisha, is being hunted down for slaughter.  Here is the scenario:   Elisha is the prophet for the King of Israel.  Israel is at war with the King of Aram.  Every strategic move that the King of Aram makes Elisha counters by telling the King of Israel.  This infuriates the King of Aram.  In this scriptural saga, God reveals a spiritual side of life that we don’t recognize…for in doing so, we have to give credence to things we cannot see.  Attributing power to the invisible is, let’s say, difficult for us on this side of heaven.  But when we fail to do so, we limit God’s magnificence.

 After reading this amazing chapter, I’d prefer to acknowledge God’s invisible presence and by doing so gain access to the protection of that very Army of God.

 Let’s pick up the story below:

II Kings 6:13-17
“Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered,
 “so I can send men and capture him.”  The report came back:
“He is in Dothan.”  Then he (the King of Aram) sent horses and chariots
and a strong force there. 
They went by night and surrounded the city. 
When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city.
 “Oh, my lord, what shall we do” the servant asked. 
“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. 
“Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
And Elisha prayed,
“O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.”
Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked
and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire
all around Elisha.”

 So-the prayer was “…open his eyes so he may see.”…and boom-the invisible veil was lifted!  There in the spiritual realm, prepared for battle, were horses and chariots of fire.  Verse 16 says “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”  Wow!  They were unseen to all but Elisha and his servant but they were there none-the-less and out-numbered the enemy army!  Graciously…and miraculously, the victory that day came to be- from the “unseen” forces commanded by Almighty God! 

This should be our prayer as well.  “Open my eyes so I may see.”  God has mighty plans for us and when we walk with the Lord through this dark and dire world, surely we are protected.  With a steadfast heart we can pray for God to show us those things we cannot fully understand!   It’s a fascinating concept…and a spiritual truth that we tend to forget, due to the veil that is drawn between here and the heavenlies, but God works in the unseen realm as we live and breathe here on the visible side of life!

 To dig a little deeper let’s ponder this:  that SAME God that answered Elisha’s prayer that day and provided protection in his moment of need …is the exact SAME God that we serve today.  We have been far removed from those ancient days and the prophets of old but we are just as close to their God….for He is our God as well.

“The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but victory rests with the Lord.”
Proverbs 21: 31


Song Recommendation:
The Great Adventure
By: Steven Curtis Chapman

What Are You Doing Here? Page 26

I Kings 19: 11-13

“The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord,
 for the Lord is about to pass by.”
 Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart
 and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind.
After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 
After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire.
  And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
 When Elijah heard it, he pulled cloak over his face
 and went and stood at the mouth of the cave.”

Then a voice said to him,
“What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Can you imagine what Elijah just witnessed?  Wind literally tore the mountains apart.  Growing up in south Louisiana I’m familiar with high winds.  I’ve seen hurricane-force winds lean trees over not momentarily….but for hours!  The wind can be impressive.  After the wind God shook the ground with an earthquake.  Can you just see the crumbled mountains being shaken on their weak foundations  and the avalanche that followed.  “But the Lord was not in the earthquake.”  Surely at this point Elijah is quite aware that God was making a point.  After the earthquake, the Lord sent fire, I’d say as a visual display of His authority and ultimate control-even over the elements.  But, “the Lord was not in the fire.” 

I wonder which of these miraculous displays hit Elijah the hardest; you know-hit closest to home.   

“After the fire came a gentle whisper.”

I’d have to say the gentle whisper probably made the greatest impact!  Compassionately; quietly, in a simple whisper God asked a very basic question; “What are you doing here”.  I believe at times God asks the same of us. 

If only we could hear the voice of God when we’re at our lowest.  Elijah was running for his life.  Fortunately, we don’t frequently have to do such things.  Sometimes, however, we do have to battle for our lives or we have to battle through the circumstances in our lives.   At times like these we are desperate for a big display of God’s presence so that we can step into the shadows of the Almighty and allow His power to attend to our needs.  But, this scripture tells us that God is not always found in the large and boisterous.  He may be a simple whisper; perhaps in the recesses of our mind encouraging us, leading us, speaking to us. Can you hear him?  What is He asking you?

 God purposely does this- just as He did with Elijah.  This world is noisy and we lose our way.  The world is full of sin and our hearts get pierced, whether via circumstance or bad choices…but pierced non-the-less!  It’s painful and lonely.  We sit in our cave of circumstance, like Elijah, and ponder the death that is in front of us. 

It is then that we need to lower the cloak we’ve so protectively pulled over our down-cast face and listen for that distinct whisper which could only be the voice of God!  There’s a different look on our face when we’re listening.  God knows that look full well.  He knows when our hearts are pierced….and He knows when we’ve finally come to the end of ourselves and are willing to listen.  Because of this He simply has to whisper.  It’s gracious and compassionate; full of comfort and concern.  Believe me, we have the capability to hear God if we listen with the intention of hearing!

After God asked Elijah that pivotal question “What are you doing here?”  God then said, “Go back the way you came.”  What?  Wow!  How interesting.  After all that running and hiding, in a cave no-less….Elijah had to go back the way he came.  Oh, the pain of back-tracking.  The wasted time fear causes us.  But, God knew the way to it and the reasons for it.  God sent Elijah back with detailed instructions and with this God’s plan continued on its way for in this passage of scripture God is once again wooing the Children of Israel back to Him. 

  It is the same with us!  God is pursuing us.  Working it out so that we turn back to Him-- for this world and its friend, Despair, will certainly distract and cause us to hover in fear and isolation.    Don’t despair!  Don’t wait in a cold cave fearing the inevitable. Jeremiah 23: 29 says;

 “Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, 

“and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?

 He is strong enough to break apart the fear we're  entangled in and burn our circumstances up like they are nothing!   Like the elements that Elijah experienced we too experience  the wind-blowing, ground shaking fires of this world…but the one who controls all things controls those elements and every element of circumstance we must struggle through.  Yes, we struggle. We wrestle.  We weep.  Then, we must surrender for this is just the moment our gracious God is waiting for.  He’s there in the pages of scripture and with mercy He attends to us as we step out onto the mountainside with hearts ready to listen to godly advice.  

He will ask “What are you doing here?”  And your answer will be……..

Song Recommendation: 
Mountain of God
By:  Third Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgeMHHbFslk

Freedom In Christ Page 25

In John 8: 32 Jesus says “Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”  What is this scripture referencing?  That pivotal point when we begin to hold tight to Jesus Christ and his teachings and,  within Christ's truths, find a blessed liberty called freedom. 

  Scripture says in Matthew 22: 37 “…Love the lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and all your mind.”    That directive encompasses EVERYTHING; the emotions in our hearts, the depth of our souls and all the truth, knowledge and steadfastness we can find in the recesses of our mind.  It calls us to quite a commitment….but what is ironic is that this commitment, which usually implies “obligation” actually brings us freedom.   With this in mind, let’s read the passage below to get a crystal clear understanding of this blessed and gracious freedom of ours!

“One Beauty of God’s creation is this:  if you’re not willing to accept Christianity,
 then you’re free to reject it.  This Freedom to make choices-even the freedom to
 reject truth –is what makes us moral creatures and enables each of us to choose
 our ultimate destiny.  This really hits at the heart of why we exist at all,
and why God might not be as overt in revealing himself to us as some would like.
 For if the bible is true, then God has provided each of us with the opportunity to make
 an eternal choice to either accept him or reject him.
  And in order to ensure that our choice is truly free, he puts us
 in an environment that is filled with evidence of his existence,
 but without his direct presence-a presence so powerful that it could
 overwhelm our freedom and thus negate our ability to reject him.  In other words,
God has provided enough evidence in this life to convince anyone willing to believe,
 yet he has also left some ambiguity so as not to compel the unwilling. 
In this way, God gives us the opportunity either love him or to reject him
without violating our freedom.  In fact, the purpose of this life is to make that choice
freely and without coercion.  For love, by definition, must be freely given.
 It cannot be coerced.  That’s why C.S. Lewis wrote,
“the Irresistible and the Indisputable are the two weapons which
the very nature of {God’s} scheme forbids Him to use.
 Merely to over-ride a human will (as His felt presence in any but the faintest
 and most mitigated degree would certainly do) would be for Him useless.
 He cannot ravish.  He can only woo.” 1,2

This passage is so full of candor I don’t know where to begin; maybe with the irony that God is not literally as detectable as we would like…or the fact that the very freedom Christ offers includes the freedom to reject Him! Amazing!  Or, perhaps the statement that points to the fact that we have been placed in an environment that is filled with powerful evidence of His existence and with only the humbleness our Lord can muster, He waits for humanity to recognize Him as Creator, God!  Or maybe I should start with the well-known truth that love must be freely given and that we have free-will to choose whether we agree that God is, indeed, worthy of loving as our Creator and Savior! 

I call these truths gracious and merciful!  Actually, I call it fascinating!  Honestly, has the night sky, in all its majesty never overwhelmed you?  Have you not ever just stopped in your tracks to behold the sunset streaming across the sky?  Really, from the blazing sun to the tiniest light from a firefly….God is saying… “Here am I” and all we have to do is simply stand in the presence of the everyday to recognize God for who He is.  With all of creation He pursues us and yet gives us the freedom to recognize Him or not.

We do not have his direct presence, but we have nature that entices.  We are not forced to love God…or even each other-for we have the ability to choose whom we love.   We are not in bondage to God, for that is not His nature; but we are in bondage to sin….and it’s a burden that can we liberated from if we realize that this sinful world is exactly wherein we find freedom in Christ.

1 Timothy 1: 15-17
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance:
 Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-
of whom I am the worst.  But for that very reason
 I was shown mercy so that in me,
the worst of sinners,
 Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example
 for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God,
 be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

Music Download Recommendation:
All of Creation
by:  MercyMe

1-        Norman L. Geisler/Frank Turek, I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist (Crossway, Wheaton, Illinois)

2-      C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters (Westwood, N.J. Barbour, 1961)

In the Beginning Page 24

With the start of the new year we each have the opportunity to seek out a “new perspective” on life. Though it’s the dead of winter….newness seems just around the corner for literally the spring weather is the next thing we have to look forward to.    It’s the beginning of another year; time to start over.  Surely, with the arrival of the new year, we have been blessed with time to begin again.   

With that said….have you ever pondered the actual beginning?  You know…that time when everything was truly new.  That point when our world came into existence by the spoken word of God.  Let’s look at creation from the perspective of the Living Word in Genesis Chapter One, for a reminder of whence we came:  

Genesis
Verses 1 and 2-
 “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep,
 and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”

Can you imagine?  Our earth- formless and empty with a darkness over the surface of the deep.  A deep what?  I’d say a deep, unfathomable; an immensity that simply was-where the Spirit of God came and hovered.  I’d speculate that with this same “immensity” containing the “hovering” Spirit of God, was also a deep, powerful holiness- for that same power simply spoke and all things came into existence.

 Let’s continue…

Verse 3-
 “And God said, “let there be light,”
 and there was light.”

 It was that simple!

Verse 4 and 5-
“God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.
 God called the light “day, “and the darkness he called “night”.
 And there was evening, and there was morning-the first day.”

Don’t let the last three words of that verse escape their magnificence;  “The first day”!  As in the first day of the new year?  NO.  Indeed; it was THE first day of every year since.  It was “the first day” of the existence of mother earth.

 Let’s continue….

Verses 6- 8
 “And God said, “Let there be an expanse between the waters
 to separate water from water.”
 So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse
 from the water above it. 
And it was so.
  God called the expanse “sky”.
 And there was evening, and there was morning- the second day.”

In your science classroom have you ever studied a more profound and poetic description of the creation of our sky? What did it take to separate the waters below from the waters above and create the division of earth and sky?  The answer is the spoken word of God!  Let’s keep it that simple.  Let’s take God at his word.  He graciously gave us an explanation of creation in Genesis chapter One.  Let’s not bang it around with other explanations or theories.

 Let’s continue…..

Verses 9-10
  “And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered in one place,
and let dry ground appear.”  And it was so.
 God called the dry ground “land”, and the gathered waters he called “seas.”
 And God saw that it was good. 

Ever wondered why oceans and oceans of water stay put.  Why massive amounts of water stay within their set boundaries?  Because the God who created the universe also commands it.  We’ve studied this before but let me encourage you to re-read Job 38: 8-11 as a refresher.

Let’s continue with Genesis 1: 11-13

Then God said… “Let the land produce vegetation;
seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it,
according to their various kinds.”  And it was so. 
The land produced vegetation;
plants bearing seed according to their kinds
and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds.
 And God saw that it was good.
  And there was evening, and there was morning- the third day.”

Now…I am tempted to direct you to your own Bible and allow you to continue with studying what the spoken word of God has to do with creation…but the next section is, for me, the best part so, together, let’s look at the genesis of our world and the lights therein!

Verses 14-19
 “And God said, “let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years,
 and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so.
  God made two great lights-the greater light to govern the day
 and the lesser light to govern the night.  He also made the stars.
 God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth,
to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness.
  And God saw that it was good.
 And there was evening, and there was morning-the fourth day.”

Ok, now….have you ever had such a perfectly poetic explanation for the sun and the moon.  In their simplest form they have been described.  They do exactly what the Word of God says they do!  They exist to govern the day and night….and using your own eyes you can verify that they do it with total majesty. 

Did you know that our ocean’s high and low tides are created by our moons gravity?  Why did God make that so?  Our days and years and their seasons are governed by the orbit of the earth  and our moon.  Why did God determine that seasons were to be part of our time on earth?  Why is it that our oceans and our seasons...better yet our time is managed by the orbit of our moon and the orbit of earth itself?  Obviously Planet Earth IS governed by the unfathomable.   Something beyond our vision....beyond our total understanding!  Genesis Chapter One tells us it is the Spirit of God! 

Truly, can it be any more profound that the best-selling book of all time discusses the creation of day and night, of time and the countenance of time itself, and details the purpose of our sun and moon and how they play into the seasons of our lives?!  Why would God take the time to give us these details?  Why indeed! Because they matter to him.  We matter to him! 

Surely the God who commanded the universe into existence and whom governs our universe using gravity, burning stars, and a spinning planet tilted on its axis…. and whom manages our oceans with the push and pull of our moon’s gravity and manages our seasons with the lights in our sky that separate day and night… IS a God of order, majesty and power beyond our understanding!

 He has told us what He did during creation…and, here in 2012, we can see with our own eyes things that are still beyond our imagination as we peer into space using the internet and the Hubble Space Telescope.   Yes, He is the God of Creation!   If you finish reading Genesis 1: 20-31 and Genesis 2: 1-4 you will see the completion of Week One as God finishes his work on Day 6 and sets aside Day 7 to rest.  Better yet, let’s see, with our own eyes, God’s work through His spoken word in this link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEgp2_Rcc80

God spoke and it was so!  May the year 2012 find you fascinated with our sky as you look up and seek its beloved Creator, God!

Song Recommendation:
Light Up the Sky
BY:  The Afters

Temporary Home Page 23

‘Temporary Home’ is a beautiful song by Carrie Underwood with a fundamental meaning in my life.   Before I‘d ever heard one note of that song a stranger quoted a line from it, to me, at a pivotal point in my life.  He was a customer at our place of business, whom I instantly liked.  We were chatting at the end of his daughter’s birthday party about bigger things than her celebration, believe it or not.  He looked around the store and as he waved his hand he said “these are just windows and rooms we’re passing through”.  His words stopped me in my tracks!  I knew exactly what he meant….and I instantly knew that he was a Christian.  Being the emotional being that I am his words gave me pause, for I knew something he did not; we were about to close our business.  I wept later over his comment, allowing God to comfort me with this stranger’s poetic words.  I knew it was not by accident that he and I spoke that day!  It was as if he was speaking the very words of God!  (I Peter 4: 10-11)

Moving forward about one year….this song again fills my heart with its truth.  Today we picked up the keys to our new home, a rental property that we plan to live in temporarily.  In the car going over to meet the property manager my youngest daughter asked me to turn on that very song.  She didn’t’ know the title but I realized that she meant ‘Temporary Home’.   Was that ironic?  I think not.  I turned on the CD and as the sun flickered through the car windows God’s light flickered in my heart!  That moment instantly brought me to the heavenlies where God whispered these words to me again…. “These are just windows and rooms we're passing through”.  With every word of that sentence God let me know He understood my situation… and He let me know that He was with me! 


I envisioned the home we’re leaving and all it meant to me….and I envisioned the home we’re moving to….and made peace with my temporary dwelling.  Yes, we’re moving again.  To a girl whose parents still live in the same home since before I was born moving is unsettling!  With each move my family has made I feel as if my roots thin out.  Deep connections to the literal ground, where memories and echoes of life can be found, have eluded me here on earth.   The great news is I find immense comfort in the very fact that my home, my belongings, and my very life is temporary!  Scripture says God has built for me an eternal house in heaven, not made by human hands. It also states that I have a homestead in a new country beyond the boundaries of this temporary dwelling. 

My life is under the influence of the Creator of the Universe and because of this… I can see things differently.  God’s hand has worked to provide our new home and powerful prayers have been answered that brought us to this move, so I am tremendously blessed!    I am a vagabond here on earth.  If you are a believer… you are as well!  Let’s not get comfortable in our temporary dwelling for our treasure is found in the heavenlies.  Look skyward;  toward the horizon-for it is there that you will also find your homestead; your permanent and eternal dwelling. 

“If they had been thinking of the country they had left 
they would have had opportunity to return.  
Instead, they were longing for a better country-a heavenly one. 
Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, 
for he has prepared a city for them.”
Hebrews 11: 15-16

“Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, 
we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, 
not built by human hands.”
II Corinthians 5: 1

Song Recommendation: 
Temporary Home
by:  Carrie Underwood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LraOiHUltak

 

9/11 Page 22

September 11^th, 2001.

As a Flight Attendant I remember that day very clearly.  It was a beautiful, blue-sky day in Dallas/Ft Worth.  I was at home with my kids. My husband was getting ready to head to the airport for a business trip.  Then my phone rang.  It was my mother making sure I was NOT flying that day.  In panic she told me to turn on the TV and I starred in shock.  Disbelief and confusion ran through my mind when I saw the footage of something truly inconceivable; airplanes purposely crashing into buildings.   I immediately thought of all the flight attendants I knew and frantically wondered about the actions and bravery of those doomed to work those flights that morning knowing it could have, by fate, been me.

 This day affected everyone….but as an airline employee it was deeply personal.  I was shocked to see those huge airplanes that I fly around on week after week, being flown into buildings.  All I could think about was my fellow crew members.  They were just normal people with husbands, wives, children….and life stories...doing their job one minute and terrorized and gone the next. 

 Unfortunately, one of the flight attendants killed that day happened to be a friend of mine.   Both she and her husband were working the flight that was flown into the Pentagon.  His name was Ken…her name was Jennifer.  Because they seemed inseparable (even in death) they were known as Kennifer.   This could very well be where Hollywood got the concept of blending two famous 1^st names into one. Jennifer and I lived together for 6 weeks during the Fall of 1986 for Flight Attendant  training with American Airlines.   During that time we laughed and even grooved to our 80’s music together, in the early mornings, as we went elbow to elbow putting on our makeup for class.  That fall, the jam of the season was ‘Word Up’!   Jennifer loved that song!  On September 11th of 2001 Jennifer and her husband were killed!

In those first fiery moments of terror all of our lives changed forever.  Americans had to come to terms with the devastating fact that, at this point in time, our country was no longer safe.  As an airline employee I felt that I was no longer safe at work.  My employer graciously offered Leave of Absence.  I took it!  Fear loomed and wasn’t something that could be easily conquered but we pulled together and even drew close to God as a country.  We rolled up our sleeves, flew our flags, did the work and called on our faith. But, time diminished the impact of those planes into those buildings and something that should not lie dormant became quiet.  Our patriotic passion for unity again became second-rate and our need for God lapsed- again. 

With 9/11 memories still vivid in my mind and with a mix of sadness and truth I share the following beliefs:   It is crucially important to remain passionate about our freedoms and about the principles that hold us together as a family and as a nation.  Christian principles used to be the foundation of right and wrong and were indeed the foundation of this country.   Did you know that 11 of the original 13 colonies required that you be a Christian to be elected into office?  Did you know that the Constitution of all 50 states mentions God?  Did you know that The Constitution of the United States of America references scripture from the Bible?  To continue….did you know that out of the 56 men who signed the Constitution, 52 of them were Christians and 27 of them had Seminary degrees! 

 We are indeed a country founded on Christian beliefs which provide us great protections, but we want to move away from this truth because this distance allows us to rule ourselves and feel less guilty about it.  This distance empowers man!   One last intriguing question:  Did you know that history documents that every great empire in the history of the world has fallen- and most from within?  Do you see or sense any correlation to this fact and the direction in which our nation is now going and the “road” upon which we seem to be riding to our own destruction.

To many, to be holy and reverent is a bunch of hullabaloo.  To the critics, Christianity creaks.  It has old-school tendencies and rules that are not pliable enough for society these days.   God has been decisively diminished-for Selfishness is the reigning principle and generally there is not enough room for self and God.  This is actually so biblical it is eerie; however, God can and will rectify this one way or another.  Graciously, God says this.....

“If my people, which are called by my name
will humble themselves and Pray
and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,
then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin
and will heal their land.”
2nd Chronicles 7:14

 This was written around 700 BC, so it seems that men throughout the ages have had a tendency to turn from God and into their self-serving, self-destructive ways.  For those of us who sense this danger it is not too late.  We can choose to return to our faith in God and country.   Within the memorandum of Moments of Silence the warning bells are ringing….and we need to remember where our allegiance lies! 

 Just as with the memory of the 9/11 events, the further we move down the time-line away from truth of it- the less the impact it has on our hearts and belief-system.  We need to seek God’s protection by returning to God's truth!

Scripture says:
“I am the way, the truth and the life;
No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6

As far as our country goes….
Our Pledge of Allegiance says:

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
and to the republic for which it stands
one nation, under God, indivisible
with liberty and justice for all.”

Unfortunately, these days we want our way, blended truth and the easy life.  One that doesn’t insist on “one nation, under God, indivisible…”.    Please note that as history and the bible records….a nation that God doesn’t guide doesn’t thrive!   Look around.  Listen to the news.  Study politics and history.  Obviously we need God and over and over God calls us unto Him-yet over and over we ebb and flow-come and go!  We’re inconsistent.  Fickle!  September 11^th, 2001 shows that we want God when we need a savior…or just a hero….but God wants our hearts and minds at all times.  He wants our allegiance.   

Romans 13: 1 says:
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities,
 for there is no authority except that which God has established.”
 

Scripture also says in Isaiah 40:23:
“He brings princes to naught
and reduces rulers of this world to nothing.”

We can be sure of what we know and believe….or we can be uninterested and then be easily swayed.   That’s frightening!  Let me encourage you to be sure about this:   God is in control!   He established the working order of our universe, created man himself, provided the 10 Commandments, and as the above scripture states-established and controls governing authorities.  Believe me, something is in control of our universe, something is in control of our lives and even our politics and something controls our destiny!  The question and issue is this…what do you believe? 

History shows that people will give their allegiance to something!  To whom or what have you pledged yours?   To what purposed-end are you propelling your life?  We are all moving forward, the earth is spinning, time is passing, and, as far as I am concerned, scripture will prove to be true.  Truth has to be derived from somewhere!  I’m standing on FAITH that God’s word is that truth-just as it states in John 14:6.

As September 11^th, 2001 proved, the United States needs our allegiance for this is the only way we will remain the home of the free and the brave.  Beyond even this, God requires our allegiance for in the end that will be all that matters. 

“Behold, I am coming soon!  My reward is with me,
 and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.
 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,
the Beginning and the End.”
Revelation 22: 12-13
 

Music Recommendation: 
  The Word is Alive
By Casting Crowns

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1ldINcCp00

Personal note: 
  I’m proud to have worked for American Airlines-always have been!
  I’m also honored and blessed to be a Christian- 
living in a nation founded on Christian Principles.

“God Bless America!”

Imagine that! Page 21

“What if the arms that catch you catch you by surprise?”  This is a line from a song.  But some of us have stories that relate to this.   Sometimes, when life is dishing out more than we can bear, the person that throws us a life-line is someone we were surprised to see when we look up.  We can drum up many every-day scenarios; a flat tire, a dead phone, a missed bus, those times when we’re a day late… or a dollar short.  On the other hand, some of us have amazing stories of miraculous situations in which a Good Samaritan literally saved our life.  That person is forever etched in our minds as “our savior”. 

A stranger’s charity can make all the difference!   Christianity is based on this exact premise.  The Bible’s ancient pages are filled with history and revelation on how we can be saved from the age of decay of this world.  Certainly, as a creature with the destiny of death this would be a miracle....a life-saving opportunity….yet some of us don’t realize we need to be saved.  And…for some reason….some of us are too frightened to believe there is a plan of salvation!

 Certainly, as the years go by we realize we’re getting older; our life is moving through time and to the inevitable.  What then?  Do you want to be saved from death…or is living this singular life just fine with you?  Have you pondered what your belief-system is?  What do you know of Christianity?  Of Jesus, Christ?   Is He a stranger to you?  Did your chest tighten when I asked this question because you don’t want to know? 

We could all agree that distancing ourselves from any form of higher power, as some call God, makes life easier.  There is less expectation on us as a person of character, less pressure on us as society and certainly, we don’t need any more pressure!  But as we distance ourselves, we simplify our life to the finite.  Christianity is based on the infinite; on the eternal, on the fact that there is a God.  Not just a god…but the God known as The King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end and also known as purely  “I am”.     Does the Holy Bible's description of God intrigue you?

Do you believe in something beyond yourself?  As Christians we believe that we are spiritual beings and that we are created in the image of God, himself. Scripture says in Genesis 1:27 

"So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them."

Some people believe our lives evolved from the image of an ape.   What do you think of that?   Is it worth by-passing the opportunity to know and understand life as our creator wanted us to and as the Bible teaches?  Or do you feel completely comfortable moving forward as is….or simply believing that your life was created by happen-stance and that this earth is all there is-even though it spins in a universe so vast scientists marvel over it….and that there is space beyond our universe that is beyond the scope of our means of measurement to the point that it’s “indescribable”.

 Why do you think there is such vastness beyond mother earth?  Is there any reason? I am not a scientist so I am just speculating, but I believe that eternity needs great vastness to be….and it seems there is plenty of that available beyond our earth and our universe.  Does that pique your interest?

What does your mind and emotions allow you to believe of God?  Do you believe there is one?  Have you pondered the reason you are a rational being with a heart that keeps you alive and also allows you to love, feel, and learn?  Have you pondered why the vessel known for pumping blood through your body is also associated with your feelings and emotions?  If you believe you indeed have a heart that connects your mind to the physical…. And if you have indeed experienced emotions that have allowed your heart to physically pump faster and tears flow from your eyes…then you have linked the spiritual with the physical.   This is unique to man….and is a gift from God…a part of us created in the image of God, himself.    Is that not amazing?  For me, this is living proof of something beyond ourselves.

 Knowing that you have this unique and incredible capability….do you believe your DNA was created out of thin air or perhaps evolution?  Where can you get further information in this regard?   Where did you get yours?  We can look in many places and find useful information to form an answer or two;  The ancient pages of the Bible, the compiled knowledge of Science,  the recorded pages of History, and the study of the properties of Astronomy.  You can do your own research and form your own opinion about this world, your life, and its origin.  Have you? 

Many pages back in this blog I suggested that you view a video entitled Indescribable by Lou Giglio. (VIDEO LINK BELOW). This is one fantastic place to start your investigation into the above matters.   Even if you are not a Christian give it a try.  It contains incredible footage of our universe and will bless you in many ways.    It is an amazing mix of astronomy and, yes, scripture.  Why not get to know what the Holy Bible says about your world.   If you missed the opportunity to see this "Indescribable video" please scroll down and clink on the link to do so.  It’s breath-taking and worth every minute.  You may learn something along the way as well…and this is always a good thing. 

Take time to ponder.  Take time to research and discover new insights into history and ancient scriptures we now call the Bible.  Seek out knowledge of God through scripture-for it is seamless and historic, prophetic and divine, and it gives an account of our origins that is majestic and yet so simple it only requires us to believe…..

“In the beginning God created heaven and earth”. Genesis 1:1
Imagine that for one simple minute!

Notes from the Life Application Study Bible regarding the book of Genesis:
 “The Bible does not discuss the subject of evolution. 
Rather, its worldview assumes that God created the world. 
The Biblical view of creation is not in conflict with science;
 rather, it is in conflict with any worldview that starts without a creator.”

Many Blessings, RvH

Song recommendation-
What If
By:  Nichole Nordeman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUhnoralqVA


Video Recommendation:
Indescribable 
By:  Leo Giglio

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMpzZd305C8