Rear View Mirror

#1788

1. I must use life well, because every moment of it is so precious. The minutes and hours of life are like the gold-dust which the goldsmith so carefully gathers together that none be lost. "I have lost a day!" was the sorrowful lament of one who had learned the real value of time. Life is very precious, and I dare not and will not throw any of it away!

2. I must also use life well, because it will soon be over. "The time is short!" 1 Corinthians 7:29. My days and years will soon be spent, and I cannot recall them. My life is but a shadow--it is but a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. Even if I am spared to the full age of man, compared with the long life awaiting me hereafter--my life here is but as a moment. "You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before You. Each man's life is but a breath." Psalm 39:5. 

Let me endeavor then to remember how soon life will be gone, and be very careful to use well each precious moment.

If I had a little bucket of water, and no more could be obtained--how carefully would I watch that none of it ran to waste. Each drop I would reckon of great value. Such is my life. It is all I have. I must therefore lose none. I must squander none. "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." Psalm 90:12 

3. I must use life well, because it is very uncertain. I may have far less than I think. I may be looking forward to years to come--and yet I may have but a few months or weeks or days to live!

I remember a woman who said that some day she would begin to attend our village church. She was in middle age, and had lived a sadly wicked and abandoned life. She thought that she had time enough and to spare, to think of more serious subjects. She did indeed soon afterwards come to our village church--but how did she come? She was carried in a casket on men's shoulders, and then left in the silent grave. Only six weeks had passed since the day she promised that some day she would begin a new life. "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth!" Proverbs 27:1 

So I trust my life will not be a wasted one. And though I can do but little compared with many others, I trust that He will say to me at last: "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little--I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your Master!" Matthew 25:23 

The mortality rate is still 100%.  Most of my family, friends, neighbors do not think they are going to die, but most will.  You put on your socks in the morning but the undertaker may take them off at night.  AND, there is not always time for a "grand finale" (preparation for death at a hospital, nursing home, etc.) such as was the case this weekend with US Senator Fred Thompson, actor, talk show host, who expected death.  It may be the case of the 224 in the airplane which exploded over Egypt, or an auto crash, or a stray bullet.  The matter is to be prepared for death. 

When you get my age, 85, you know that at best you do not have that much time left.  You  might be like one of my grandfather's who did not buy many groceries ahead of time.  After age 50, every day seems like Friday, you can hardly believe that time goes by so fast.  I can remember, as a child, how long it took for Christmas to arrive. 

Another matter, I want to caution old people about, don't spend so much time looking into the rear view mirror.  I find myself thinking and talking so much about the past.  I so pity people who have no memories, family, home/places, church yards, homecomings.  One of the greatest joys of my life as a young person, was listening to old people talk about their memories.  I still remember my maternal grandmother talking about her mother's recounting of the Civil War.  She told about her mother leading the milk cow way down into the woods because Sherman's troops were coming through burning and pillaging everything, capturing all the mules, hogs, chickens.  If they got the cow, then there would be no milk for babies or old people.  Can we even imagine that young girls thoughts as she saw smoke from the houses they were burning?  Not knowing if there would be anyone left alive when she returned home, except she and the cow.  The Yankee's actually threw dead dogs into the wells to pollute the well water.  After all, when I was a child, it was not that long ago.  Many of my relatives were born while their father's were away at the war. 

For the Christian, the child of God, eternal life has already begun.  We just go through one death, clinical death, for the unbeliever there is that second death.  An eternity of tragedy, hell, for the Christian we have joys forever. 

I don't want the Federal Government to spend any money on the burial of this old blind veteran.  They enjoy ignoring me most of my life.  But I do want a small marker at my grave with just my name.  I have worked hard for my academic degrees, my military rank but I just want my name and this verse of scripture:  "Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee" Psalms 63:3

Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered

#1787

You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? Galatians 3:1

You can spend your life attempting to get people to understand something they don't want to understand; trying to plug up the holes in your mind with stuff, toys, girls, sports, trash from a talking box. The greatest distance in most lives, the true and the almost true. The track record of truth, everything you hear from government is a lie, the "go-go" market of liberalism, an actors studio of ambiguities a masquerade party of deceit, to which the uneducated citizenry is addicted. Anti-social behavior has become the norm, this writer finds that young people no longer recognize normality; what it means to be truly free-what it means to be enslaved. 238 years after our constitution, after my ancestors landed on the shores of New Jersey, (1677, from the good ship Kent, founding Morristown). This totally blind, Medical Officer Veteran knows that his ancestors are turning in their graves about what has happened to their country. 

We must stop time on the brink before the worst rushes on. The most difficult part of my thinking, seeking normalcy in a very abnormal world; Satan's greatest victory, sabotage of decency (killing of the unborn, destroying the family with same sex marriage, gay agenda in the Military). Studying the atheists, the unbelievers, the one thing that sticks out, they just seek the low road of life. Unbelievers do not want the high road because they must choose the absolute of right over wrong, decency instead of indecency. What bothers me, a committed christian most, the awe-envy with which so many pretending Christians hold them... Wanting to talk-dress-party with them, not wanting to be different, but popularity on their level; not realizing that unbelievers are already dead. The believing child of God is already enjoying eternal life, and wants to be separated from the dead. Not believing, that according to the scriptures, they are already dead. Believers are already enjoying eternal life.

Someone asked this writer the simple definition of a Christian; a Christian behaves, at midnight in a city where no one knows him, the same as he does at midday in his hometown where everyone knows him. 

In 1964 there was a movie, Dr. Strangelove, in which the memorable expression was used "us and them". There was a time when Americans enjoyed good movies, memorable television programs such as the Lawrence Welk Show, sensible music. One song, we will never forget, "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered Am I". The greatest problem in the world today: Technocracy and the centralization of power. No matter your age, wealth, education, I have found that mans greatest dilemma, the hesitation to take care of a problem, always thinking that problems will take care of themselves. Almost as stupid as recognizing an unusual noise in your vehicle and thinking it will resolve itself. Civilized people have always been encircled by enemies, always "wrestling" (Ephesians 6) with powers of the air, temptations, basic sinful instincts. With the priest of Judaism (Old Testament), ceremonial law, were sacrificing animals (bullocks, sheep, goats), a priest probably saw a nice liver in an animal and thought that liver would be good for supper. The sweet savoir of the sacrifice to God, perhaps smoke was in Gods eyes and he would not see the missing liver. God does not want a "liver-less" sacrifice. If god wanted 28 quarts of flour in a sacrifice, he would not settle for 27.

This writer is bewitched that after so much progress, particularly in America, (world traveler, I have seen the extended bellies-spindly limbs of poor children all over the world) a nation from a bottomless ocean of technology, hospitals-universities-foundations and we are willing, 21st century, to settle for mediocrity. Our education systems have become entertainment-indoctrination centers. We can hardly recognize the difference in the two large political parties, each trying to out "Santa Clause" one another with entitlements, with political correction. 

Can one even imagine how bothered this old veteran is? Thinking about those wonderful warriors who gave their lives (up until recently buried in foreign soil) thinking that they were defending the "Land of the free and the home of the brave". Face it, we are no longer free, no longer brave... Not brave enough to stand up to crooked politicians, planned parenthood, or brave enough to confront political correction. 

This old veteran (85), is bewildered that young parents, trauma of raising children in today's world, will actually see their sons and daughters go out to face the atrocities of modern warfare. This concerned christian is bewildered and so anxious to hear pastors-religious leaders pray for the sanity of world peace. We so recklessly glance over the atrocities of impersonal drones dropping bombs on helpless-scared-women-children-old folks. When did you last hear a religious leader pray for peace? 

Consummate Hypocrisy

1786#

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and angels, and have not love" (one of the blessed graces of the Spirit), "I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." 1 Corinthians 13:1

There may be the gift of utterance--and no spiritual life. Balaam, and Judas, and multitudes beside have had this--and yet have been dead in trespasses and sins.

Men may offer fine prayers before others--men may preach eloquent sermons--and yet, like Judas, be far from God!

The most wicked man, the most consummate hypocrite I ever knew--was one of the most gifted preachers, and could electrify an audience by his persuasive oratory!

"Many will say to me on that day: 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?'  Then I will tell them plainly: 'I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!'" Matthew 7:22-23

            The word not allowed in speeches before the US Congress, the word hypocrite.  Perhaps this is because those in Congress so recognize the hypocrisy that goes on there.  Washington, D.C. leads the nation in consumption of alcohol and it costs the taxpayer drastically for it's consumption.  We hear the babbling of politicians in political debates attempting to rise in power.  We hear about the monstrous defiance of integrity in government monopoly.  It is an insult to every veteran, and should be an embarrassment to every citizen that hypocrisy has taken over the nation, it's government, news media, every foundation of education.  In 1963, with an innoculous 23 word prayer, we took Bible reading and prayer out of the classroom to be replaced by police patrolling the hallways of the schools, some parents cared, more and more choose to home school their children.  Perhaps there is no place for hypocrisy is more rampant, the school house, courthouse, your house but the church house.  The church house has become a masquerade party...pretenders, wearing the mask of concern.  This writer, world traveler, Muslim countries particularly in the Middle East where war now rages/where the third world war has probably already begun, 5 times a day Muslims go to their prayer rug in prayer pointing toward Mecca. We heard little in our country about the 1,453 Muslim's killed in a stampede in Mecca.  This was just 100 less than those who went down on the Titanic... all human beings, made in the image of God. 

            This blind veteran shutters when he thinks of the sacrifice so many warriors have given to this Nation.  The parents who presented their best for service, after having gone through the trauma of raising them.  This writer stood on the battlefield of Normandy for the 25th Anniversary of that bloodshed.  I still think of the 160,000 American's buried on foreign soil.  I still remember standing at the great cemetery in the Philippine's where 18,000 are buried.  Those of us who are disabled come home to a Nation unconcerned about our future.  The disabled veteran loses his future, his financial security, and then lastly, his dignity.  In the American experience, next to slavery, the greatest shame of this Nation is it's treatment of handicap citizens and disabled veterans.  The crippled and blind, veteran or not, would not choose this manner in which God has dealt with us.  But, we would choose a Nation that gives us the same opportunity/responsibilities of those, like the illegal immigrants who come in through the cracks mostly to enjoy the benefits of this Nation.  This writer does not sit in judgment of anyone.

We will all face the same judge but, it does disturb me that politicians have so polluted and even poisoned the great American spirit.  I will never forget, one of my best friends, (Robert Futrell, now deceased from an airplane crash) Chief Assistant to our Congressman from the NC 3rd District, he said, "Tom, our day in Washington was punctuated by "free" food/parties/entertainment by the lobbyist, the lobbyist determine everything, and there is always something free for us to attend. he said, "the only time I ever saw your Congressman excited about a letter from a constitutes, a black man had written him a letter on, the only paper he had available, a brown paper bag".  It is far too late for this blind veteran, the VA, most inept agency in Government never even furnished me with a white cane.  In this age of a bottomless ocean of technology, when the very poorest American lives better than wealthy citizens in other countries, I would like to think that America will not be severely judged by Almighty God... judged for flitting away the great wealth of this Nation, judged for putting to death 56 Million babies in America's Abortion Holocaust.  Judged for allowing the homosexual agenda to destroy the American Family and the American military.  Of course, I get so tired of hearing the montras involving patriotism. 

            Evil, deceit, has been with us since the Garden of Eden.  My old, hard working/God fearing/tax paying parents, in their last years, would sit on the front porch of the home for which they had worked so hard.  Two men in a pick-up truck came by saying that they were painting roofs of houses.  There was a building, several hundred yards down the highway which my father used for storage.  The roof needed painting and so he paid them to "paint" the roof.  They put something on the roof, got their money and left.  Then, each time there was rain, my parents watched the "stuff" they had put on the roof slowly wash away.  These two old people knew that they had been deceived.  Hypocrisy is the clearest form of counterfeit, Satan's currency.  When will American's realize that their hard won heritage is being washed away?

Your Greatest Investment

#1785

I often think it requires more faith to go to Him with small things, than in great trials. We are apt to think He will not take notice of our little difficulties, and feel ashamed to call upon so great and mighty a Being for every trifle. But this thought originates with the pride of our hearts, for in one sense the universe itself and ten thousand such worlds--are trifles to God. 

But when we read that every hair of our head is numbered--what encouragement we have to take everything to Him who alone can deliver us out of all our troubles. I think carrying our little troubles and needs to God, honors Him even more than when we go to Him with greater. 

O what a mercy to be persuaded that whatever may be our circumstances, God is with us, directing and overruling the whole for our good and for His own glory. To know that He is ours--and that we are His. To draw near in faith, telling Him all that is in our hearts, conscious of having the ear and heart of Jehovah towards us. Is not this true, substantial happiness?

"Cast all your care on Him, because He cares for you!" 1 Peter 5:7 

One of my preacher friends told me not to bother God with small things.  Old, totally blind, living alone, I'm glad that God is aware of the small aggravations in my life.  It is the small foxes that spoil the vines. (Sng Of Solm 2:15)  Small aggravations, small pains, small employees, small neighbors never be surprised at the smallness of those you trust. 

Once, long ago, when there was common sense, when schools educated instead of entertained I remember my high school principal holding up a very large sheet of white poster board.  Right in the  middle, he had put a very small black dot.  He called on several people in the class to tell him what they saw on the sheet he was holding.  Each one said they saw a small dot, here was his object lesson, "one little mistake on a large field of good things and everyone sees or remembers that small mistake no matter how much good you have done otherwise, how much white area is available."  In my long life I have known so many older people, doing so much good in the community and even their church.  But, back in their youth there was some small sin which everyone remembers and brings up, often, even at their time of death.  All the good they did otherwise, even the forgiveness they had from God and their fellow man was forgotten but their one little sin remembered. 

It is the small things...that pin hole in the roof which lets in so much water, that small pin hole in a tire.  Recently, the largest city in South America, Sao Paulo, Brazil was totally blacked out because of a small insect getting into a electric transmission.  It took many years for men to peer into a microscope and there he found such small animals, one or two of which, multiplying, can cause such deadly disease...death. 

People would think this old blind man crazy but I lay my hands on equipment, appliances, many inanimate mechanisms which are sick and ask God to heal them.  God understands how much trouble I have attempting to get things fixed I still believe in the healing touch of hands.  The Christian believes in the supernatural.  In supernatural ability, God can heal, help, and mend even small things. 

Such A Worm As I

#1784

What could we do in this wilderness world, beset with manifold temptations within and without--had we not a God to go to--Jesus, an ever-present Help in times of trouble? He is our Helper in little matters, as in great ones. No one on earth, however dear, can take His place. We need Him as our Counselor and Guide, our Protector and Deliverer. How needful, then, and how sweet--to be ever sitting at His feet, looking up and meeting His loving eye, as it looks down upon us. Let us allow no distance between us and our dearest and best Friend.

Jesus indeed is very precious. Everything else sinks into its native nothingness when compared with Him. The more we see of the matchless, boundless love of Christ--the more we lie under a sense of our wretched deformity in the dust of self-abasement before Him. But O the love springing from a sense of free pardon and full acceptance in Him, is often overpowering, and produces bitter tears, yet mixed with so much that is sweet.

All is given freely and fully. We come needy and helpless--and receive all from Him. O the riches of His grace, and matchless love to such as we are!

Have you ever held a worm and thought, "What does this organism think of me?"  To put this in perspective, the mind of God, and my attempting to understand God.

My paternal grandmother, one of the twelve children of the great preacher and landowner elder P. T. Lucas (Martha Lucas Morris) never sat at a card table, was never on a golf course, never at a cocktail party, but, this remarkable woman loved to fish.  She would put her cane fishing poles in her long sedan car and spend wonderful hours fishing at some hole she had discovered at some creek or mill pond.  She would always bring back a bucket of small tasty fish.  I still remember, as a small child, my digging worms for her to use in fishing and, often she would take me with her.  Those are my most precious memories of her even though she was a great Christian force in the community, the church, the school, the women's home demonstration club.  I suppose people who fish no longer use worms but it brings back memories of my zoology course (Animals Without Backbones), that wonderful professor, who walks with two canes, Dr. Clayborn Jones.

The genome of genus homo/erectus, God's greatest creation (and any person who has studied the biology of a human being, if honest, cannot help but believe in the all consuming/satisfying creator God of the universe) man with the ability to think/reason, wonderful senses often so disappointing/embarrassing because he does not show backbone, when wrestling against the powers of the air, will not stand.  (Ephesians 6)   It is essential to stand, not give an inch to the powers of darkness.

Poisoned Pill - Obama’s New Appointee To Head The FDA Is A Big Pharma Mega-Lobbyist

#1783

As the Intercept reported, Faculty Connection, LLC  “boasts that its team of ‘practicing university-based physicians and researchers’ provides ‘regulatory consulting,’ including expertise in FDA briefing reviews and other regulatory submissions to the agency.”

Further, an official corporate video notes the company has “served over 175 different pharma, biotech medical device firms,” claiming to help faculty — researchers, doctors, and academics — work side-by-side with the pharmaceutical industry.

For example, Dr. Mona Fiuzat’s, a consultant for Faculty Connection, LLC, “participated in the preparation for Cardio-renal Advisory Committee presentations to the FDA on behalf of drug sponsors,” according to her biography on the company’s website.

Califf previously came under fire for helping to establish the Duke Clinical Research Institute, which is funded primarily by pharmaceutical companies.  According to a 2014 “Conflict of Interest Disclosure,” Cahill admitted his close connection to the industry. As TIME summarized, his income is “contractually underwritten in part by several large pharmaceutical companies, including Merck, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly and Novartis. He also receives as much as $100,000 a year in consulting fees from some of those companies, and from others.” The FDA insists Cahill donates his private income to nonprofits.

Even so, Califf’s appointment is hardly surprising. Michael Taylor, the current Deputy Commissioner for Foods at the FDA — also appointed by Barack Obama —  used to be Monsanto’s vice president for public policy.

Collusion between corporations and the FDA is widely documented. This influence has presumably contributed to many questionable decisions, such as the FDA’s approval of oxycontin for children or the ongoing approval of countless dangerous drugs that are later recalled.

Califf, however, put a positive spin on his conflict of interest. Earlier this year — when he was a only a potential nominee — he told TIME he was a valuable candidate because it would be “useful to have someone [leading the FDA] who understands how companies operate because you’re interacting with them all the time.”

In spite of Califf’s rhetoric, sordid ties like his continually prove the depths of corruption and the state’s lack of concern for the people it is tasked with protecting. In the United States, 70% of Americans consume pharmaceutical pills — a figure that, perhaps, reveals the consequences of placing corporate puppet masters in charge.

“For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind:.” (Hosea 8:7)

There are 141 schools of medicine in the United States.  All, without fear of contradiction, controlled by the worlds richest industry, "Big Pharma", the manufacturers of prescription drugs.  America, with 5% of the world's population imbibes 80% of all prescription drugs manufactured in the world.  It is an insult to the American population, and should be an embarrassment to the "so called" medical professionals that everyone involved in medicine are now "drug pushers" I understand that "Big Pharma" intends to have every American taking at least 3 pills.  It starts with the young children who survive "medicines abortionist", upon entering the state's schools.  If children, particularly boys, act normally/physically hyperactive, their teacher or parent or someone wants a pill in their mouth.  1/4 of all psychotropic drugs are fed to children.  Then, in higher grades, college, or facing the competition of daily life most become addicted to street drugs or alcohol (which is a drug) AND, we wonder why America has more young men and women in jail than any other nation, why there is so much divorce/abuse/suicide.

This writer, a sightless Army Medical Officer/Veteran now a voyeur instead of making the big bucks in practice like my fellow professionals, will never understand why men and women, smart enough to attain professional degrees ...science/medicine/osteopathy/nursing/dentistry/optometry etc. cannot comprehend why government has become so involved in their business.  Does it shock you that most "sick care" professionals spend so much time "milking" the government for funds.  Does it surprise you that "once" refutable foundations have sold their souls to the drug peddler?  Primitive doctors, such as the disciple Dr. Luke, were slaves, then the butchery started in the barber shop "barber pole".  It took 600,000 American Civil War deaths (most from wounds and disease) for Dr.'s to learn handwashing.  Thank God the treatment and even cures of holistic and other methods of treatment (mostly from Asia) are making a breakthrough.  Thank God that the Christian is being taught about the ALL SUFFICIENCY of the Lord's table.  In remembering what our blessed Lord did for us on Calvary, and following his instructions, in our memorial service of his death, we can take a piece of bread for healing "by his stripes, we were healed" (Isaiah 53:5).  The Apostle Peter, looking back, "by his stripes, ye were healed" (1 Peter 2:24). 

I take nothing from the hard working doctors/nurses/technicians who give their very best training in the time of our needs...broken bodies from accidents, ravaging diseases BUT, when will the professionals become interested in the real poison of the well.  Treating the body like a dumpster instead of like a temple.  When was the last time your Doctor talked to you about your eating habits, or even touched you?  Most of the big 3, heart attacks, cancer, strokes can be greatly limited by nutrition and exercise.  Books could be written on this subject, no one knows your body like you.  To the uninitiated everything is obscure, learn and live. 

Expect The Unexpected

#1782

"We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 

To know that nothing hurts the godly, is a matter of comfort. But to be assured . . .
  that all things which happen shall cooperate for their good, 
  that their crosses shall be turned into blessings,
  that showers of affliction water the withering root of their grace and make it flourish more
--this may fill their hearts with joy until they run over! 

"As the wicked are hurt by the best things--so the godly are bettered by the worst things!"William Jenkyn

"Poverty and affliction take away the fuel that feeds pride." Richard Sibbes

"God's wounds cure--sin's kisses kill." William Gurnall

"I am . . . 
  mended by my sickness,
  enriched by my poverty, and
  strengthened by my weakness. 
Thus was it with King Manasseh when he was in affliction, "He sought the Lord his God." 
His iron shackles were more precious to him than his gold,
his jail was a more happy lodging than his palace,
Babylon was a better school than Jerusalem. 
What fools are we, then, to frown upon our afflictions! 
These, however difficult, are our best friends! 
They are not intended for our pleasure, but for our profit!" Abraham Wright

This 85 year old veteran, American citizen, committed/concerned/convinced Christian would never have believed, as a child, that he would spend most of his life sightless...in a cocoon of blackness only by faith, not sight, do many of us walk.  (2 Corinthians 5:7)

God forgive me for having so little patience with those around me, family/neighbors/associates who have so much and appreciate it so little.

I was in the depths of Africa, I believe around Goma in the Congo.  I came upon a village where the Christians there were attempting to put a new roof on their church.  The young preacher said, it is a Methodist church.  At one place in Africa, I came across a large "brush arbor" which was a Baptist church.  You know what I was thinking, these destitute Africans doing the best they can with the little they have while I have surrounded my life with people who thought they were doing their best, for our blessed Lord by going to church for 1 hour on a Sunday morning... when they felt like it, living like the unbelieving world the rest of the time. 

I do not sit in judgment of anyone, everyday of my life I pray that God would forgive me for my rotten sins.  The times I have embarrassed him even though I was the bearer of his name even though I proclaimed his grace. 

One day we will understand.  I still remember the day before my own mother died...her body devoured by cancer, in my years as a Army medical officer, doctor,  many hospitals, I still believe the worse part of sickness is the bedpan.  The last thing I ever did for this remarkable woman, my mother,  was when she asked me to put her on the commode... nothing but skin and bones, she must have weighed about 50 pounds, she died the next day, and as far as I know, this Christian woman like her Christian mother before her never did anything but good for her family and everyone else with whom she came in contact. 

The most difficult question you will ever be asked is why God allows good people to suffer.  That is his business... just as he allowed his own precious son to suffer on a cruel cross.

In my long life of world travel meeting and greeting people of every type in almost every type situation, most never "EXPECT" the "UNEXPECTED"... they never think anything bad will happen to them even though 50% of the population have cancer, weather they know it or not, 10% of all deaths are from medical mistakes and 1/4 of all sac atrophic drugs are given to children.  We wonder why so many young people are addicted to drugs, so many commit suicide, so many are not fit morally, spiritually, physically to live around the normal population.  If nothing bad has happened to you, no sickness, no infirmity, no depression, no despair, no disappointment don't get too self satisfied, your day of exposure to the realities of life is on the way.  

Humility

#1781

There is a striking analogy between the Israelites in the wilderness, on their journey to Canaan--and believers in the world, on their journey to Heaven. The history of the former, has been recorded mainly for the purpose of guiding and comforting the latter.

Dear brethren, we are now in the wilderness! This poor world is not our rest! We too have heard of a city of habitation, a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. And many of us, I trust, have been separated from the world and united to that company ofpilgrims who have set their faces steadfastly to go up to the Jerusalem above.

God is our leader, as He was theirs. And as God is our leader, so our path through life is as really ordered and directed by Him, as was the way of the Israelites in the wilderness. True, we hear no audible voice from Heaven, directing our steps; but God leads us by His providence, shutting us up to a particular line of life, fixing the bounds of our habitation, determining our work, our connections, our success, by a variety of circumstances over which we feel that we have no control, and many of which are apparently trivial--but not one of them are by chanceor accidental. And as God is our leader, and as our path in life is prescribed and ordered by Him--so, if we belong to the number of His people, we may rest assured that He is leading us by the right way. 
 
Our experience, indeed, may often resemble that of the Israelites in the wilderness. God may seem to lead us in a circuitous and indirect way. We may be, we shall be, subjected totribulation. We must leave the world behind us, as the Israelites left the flesh pots of Egypt. We must encounter difficulties, and endure the assault of enemies, and sustain trials--such as will humble us and prove us, and show what is in our hearts. Our hearts, too, may be much discouraged because of the hardness of the way. It may seem a tedious, a dreary, a perplexing way--and, when faith is ready to fail, it may lead us to murmur against the Lord. 

There is an inheritance for us, as there was for them. Their inheritance in the land of Canaan--was but a type or shadow of the incorruptible, undefiled, unfading inheritance, reserved in Heaven for us. 

And seeing that God has opened up such a glorious prospect before us--oh! why should we doubt that He will lead us by the right way on our journey towards it. Why should we quarrel with any of His appointments here--if they are all designed to fit and prepare us for such a glorious destiny hereafter? 

Would we take the regulation of our life out of God's hands--and keep it in our own? 

Would we think it safer and better for us to be guided by our own will--rather than by His unerring wisdom and infinite love?

No, our safety is, that we are in God's hands! The Lord is our Shepherd, and we may rest assured, that however perplexing the path may be by which He conducts us--He will lead us like a flock through the wilderness; that while we are in it, goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our life; and that in the end we shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever!

"Fear not, little flock, it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom!" There we shall be able to look back on all the way by which the Lord has led us in the wilderness--and we shall then see it to have been "the right way." And, in admiration and gratitude, we shall acknowledge with Moses, "In Your unfailing love You will lead the people You have redeemed. In Your strength You will guide them to Your holy dwelling!" Exodus 15:13

Just one of the great questions of my life, 85 years, which I plan to ask my blessed Lord when these sightless eyes bask in his glory.  Why life is so hard for those who believe and honor him? God rescued the three million Israelite slaves from bondage in Egypt into a wilderness journey to umbel them.  After slavery, Egyptian rule, one would think that they would have been umbel already.  Surely, they had rather to had been umbled in the "Promised Land" of milk and honey instead of the brier patch of that destitute wilderness of course God could have furnished millions of "fiery chariots" to deliver them from Egypt instead of showing them the passage way through the Red Sea.  Then, they had to conquer the seven civilizations occupying the Promised Land.  Never before in history has a walled city, Jericho, fallen just because people marched around it.  If any of your unbelieving friends question the authority or reality of God's word, there is just one 3 letter word to settle the matter, "Jew".  It is a matter of history.  Jericho, 16 miles from Jerusalem is still there.  This writer has been there, seen the archaeology.

God is boss, then as now, just demands our trust.  I have often wondered why there has been so little "fun" in my life, just hard work, hard times.  Why there was so little fun or relaxation in my hard working, tax paying, God fearing parent's lives, my grandparent's lives, so much of the world is having a good time...easy street...we love to read about the lifestyles of the rich and famous BUT, life here is so short.  Do you notice that everyday, when you reach my age, seems like Friday?  Eternity is forever, never ending blessings/colors/music/comfort beyond compare.  When will we learn that we do not think like God thinks, that we have no knowledge of what he has prepared for those who love him.  The way is broad for those on the way to hell where they will forever celebrate in heat and darkness, helplessness the lives they thought were so important here on earth.  Those who have claimed the narrow way like those of whom the earth was not worthy (Hebrews 11:38).  Know the difference.  

Paradoxes and Parables

#1780

"I'm in with the in crowd
I go where the in crowd goes
I'm in with the in crowd
And I know what the in crowd knows"

You can spend your life trying to make people understand something that they don't want to understand.  The great difference in our lives is the truth and the almost truth.  The most effective lie contains a measure of truth.  The track record of truth, in our lives, in the 21st century, everything that comes from government is a lie because everyone knows that popularity, personal progress, even advancements in position and wealth depends on political correctness AND, it is not just politicians and bureaucrats.  Now, corporations depend on employees polluting and pilfering with truth.  There was a time that you could write a letter of complaint and expect to get an answer form someone interested in your problem.  I challenge you, dare you, write a letter of complaint to any corporation, business, or politician and see if you even get a reply.  If they reply, it shows that they got the letter... became legally involved.  The entire business, political, professional world operates on the theory of non involvement as a protection against legal recourse and entanglements.  There are almost more lawyers now than clients... all out to make the big bucks.  The courthouse has become the "go-go market", every type legal "recourse" from ambiguities to antisocial behavior. 

The greatest paradox in American life, and this has happened in my lifetime, 85 years, the difference in what it means to be free and what it means to be enslaved.  After 238 years of American History there is real lethargy in liberty.  Perhaps an even greater paradox, seeking normalcy in a very abnormal world.  Any government with power over the media, especially the talking boxes that can make you believe in absurdities can lead you to believe in atrocities.  The Christian offers up to God, everything about life.  Sicknesses, etc.  Your writer, world traveler,  has found that human nature is about the same the world over.  Technology has changed our lives but not our nature.  It grieves my soul to see the decadence of my country, my fellow countrymen, every psychologist, social arbitrator, modernistic theologian believe they have the answer.  Paradox of all paradoxes, normal active children controlled by drugs simply at the whim of a teacher or busy parent, same child later ostracized by the world because of their addictions to street drugs (and, alcohol as a drug). 

The "scream" of the milliners, baby boomer's, healthcare, even the abomination of Obama Care, in spite of supplements, fitness programs, eating disorders and plans.  It never occurs to patients that 10% of all deaths come from misdiagnosis.  You are fortunate if a doctor even touches you.  At my own Internist Practice, (60 doctor's in one building) each doctor is limited to 7 minutes with a patient.  The word cure is no longer in the Lexicon...only treatment.  Big Pharma wants every citizen taking at least 2 or 3 prescribed drugs and, they want a continuous line of refills.  The only growth industry in America, the "sick care" industry.

As great dilemma paradox sin beyond human comprehension, abortion, the killing of the unborn.  Now, more recent, the actual selling of small human people's tissues and body parts.  Planned Parenthood, such a misnomer must be an embarrassment to creator God, while, at the same time, millions of dollars are raised each year by so called "do gooder" groups, over $22 billion in 2010, everything from neonatal survival to autism.  Little wonder that there is more suicide than ever, particularly among teenagers, veterans, even doctors.  That chasm in the soul of man, which only God can fill many attempt to fill with counterfeits.  Satan has always paid off with counterfeit.  We seek answers everywhere but the right place, the absolute truth revealed in God's word. 

When I was a professional "healthcare" student in Memphis, 4 years, everyday I passed the famous Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, (since Danny Thomas, now called St. Jude's) where atrocious children's diseases were being discovered, treated and cured.  We do not hear much about cures for children anymore, just the abomination of abortion.  Can one think of any greater paradox than the careful birthing, raising, educating, of a child and then caring so little for the destruction of some other person's unwanted child?  Beyond contradiction, the greatest creation of creator God I cannot believe that God will hold faultless a nation, a world, that has killed those he chose to live, weather in war, or in the mother's womb.  There was a time when the electorate would have scoffed at someone running for President of The United States who would support the killing of the unborn and certainly the partial birth of a precious baby.  The paradox, is there any difference in the soul/mental attitude of President Obama and Dr. Kermit Gosnell?  Can you think of a greater paradox, the President of a Christian College, sitting across from this writer at lunch, telling me that he voted for President Obama? 

We live in a paradox of token church membership, token checkbook love to church and other charities.

Think of this paradox.  Is there any greater cruelty from one human being to another than ignoring children, or even the elderly, spindly legs from starvation, or pulling the plug early at hospital in order to harvest organs from a terminal loved one?  I feel sure that the last thing many of our fellow citizens hear as they reach toward the portals of eternity, without anesthesia, that buzzing saw, as the harvesters open them up to gain access to their organs.  

Backdoor Revival

#1779

Is your life a channel of blessing?
Is the love of God flowing through you?
Are you telling the lost of the Savior?
Are you ready His service to do?

A weather vane preacher is any preacher who changes what he preaches or how he preaches when the wind changes direction. The preacher who alters his message or his method because of the ever-changing advice, counsel, and opinions of men is not a leader, but a follower. Such weather vane preachers are worthless! They only do harm to the souls of men, and they need not preach at all. True, gospel preachers are pillars in the church of God--not puppets in the hands of men.

This writer sits in judgment of no one.  I believe my mother told me that I started going to Sunday School and church when I was two weeks old.  Like my ancestors before me, my life, like theirs was punctuated by church activity.  When I have dealt with young people, university/military/as an employer I have faced the stark reality that my life has been different that I did not mind being different, that I could not choose the indifference of the unbeliever.  To me, like the most basic law of muscle physiology, "the all or none process" (a muscle fibril responds to a stimulus 100% or not at all).  A redeemed Christian is "swathed" in the precious blood of Jesus and his life is no longer his own, but in the "born again" salvation of God, the righteousness of Christ so permeates his life that God sees in the new creation the righteousness of Jesus.  You can no longer be a haphazard believer...just playing church, just pretending.  It has always amazed me that in most churches I have attended, in most churches where I have spoken, the pews were full of pretenders...not knowing the supernatural grace to which they so casually profess but did not possess.  I could never understand how any pastor, who lived off the money given by church goers, could stand and present the gospel (sins ruin and Christ redemption) knowing full well that most of the congregation had no more interest that they had at a civic club.  In fact, I have spoken at some civic clubs where there was more enthusiasm about their clubs mission than the enthusiasm expressed by the mission of some churches.  If you want to know the interested/dedication/concern of church members for God's work go to mid week prayer service and see how many church members are there.  Most Baptist churches must feed those who go to prayer service, must have refreshments for those who go to a youth service.

For a long time, I was convinced that churches should have "Backdoor Revivals" to cleanse the membership roles of the "card signers".  I have personally known church members even in Baptist churches, who were never baptized.  Who had never participated at the Lord's table.  At a time when many churches are just "drying up" when particularly in Baptist church, missionaries are being called FROM the mission field, when many pastors are now forced into bivocational work (church can no longer support the pastor).  We can know that something is wrong.  There should be no guess work about what is wrong, the gospel is no longer preached, the Bible no longer believed.  The cross of Christ presents both justice and love. 

The southern Baptist church, other Baptist denominations, other evangelical groups were, in my youth, the bulwark of God's strategy for the salvation of the world.  In my lifetime, 85 years, there has been a total change and God is not going to put up with this foolishness forever... our refusal to fight the holocaust of abortion, our refusal to fight the homosexual and psychiatric agenda's that have taken over the churches, and, indeed, the nation.

This writer was raised in poverty, many miles out in the country...the sweat and turmoil of a tobacco farm.  We were so far out that my mother said, often, only two vehicles on the road each day; the mailman and the school bus.  I know now that God had great plans for my life...even though from poverty and a small school, 13 in my graduating class, I did complete 8 years of university education, working at night, school during the day.  About my 3rd year, I purchased my 1st car for $85 a 1941 second hand Plymouth.  I never came home very much, always working.  But, I did attempt to drive home one holiday.  I thought there was enough gas in the car to get me there, where my father had a fuel tank for tractors but, the gas gave out about 4 miles from home.  So, I had to walk the rest of the way.  The two large Collie dogs, which we always maintained to patrol the farm (300 acres with many hogs, cows, mules, etc.) could hear anything at a distance.  They heard me coming and began to bark.  But, I had a "whistle" which they recognized and, before long, here they came jumping and licking...THEY KNEW ME.  AND, when I walked up on the front porch here was my mother in her long white night gown.  The truth of the gospel, the most precious satisfaction the Christian can realize, my mother will one day greet me in her long white robe which God gives to all those who are his.  Those to whom Christianity has been real.