A Worthy Cause: Samaritan's Purse

 "Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God." Bob Pierce wrote these now-famous words in his Bible after visiting suffering children on the Korean island of Kojedo. This impassioned prayer is what guided him as he founded and led the ministry of Samaritan's Purse in 1970. His mission for this organization was "to meet emergency needs in crisis areas through existing evangelical mission agencies and national churches." (From the Samaritan's Purse Website)

Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child

“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead.

 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’  Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?”  He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” (Luke 10:30, 33-37)

Stand, but Stand in a Holy Manner

We must not only stand for the truth,
but we must stand for it in a holy manner,
and not as proud persons do;
we must observe that rule,
"Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you
a reason of the hope that is in you
with meekness and fear" (I Peter 3:15).
We must not bring passion into God's cause
nor must our lives give our tongues the lie. (Richard Sibbes 1577 - 1635)

Repost from the beginning

Four thousand or so years ago Job said to God, "You put my feet in the stocks, And watch closely all my paths. You set a limit for the soles of my feet."Job 33:11 Jesus is the Trail Boss. He chooses the path, the watering holes and where the chuckwagon will set up for the night. In our culture of independence, that chafes. Time to get over it.

Give Thanks

First of all, then,
I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions,
and thanksgivings be made for all people,
for kings and all who are in high positions,
that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life,
godly and dignified in every way.
This is good,
and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men,
the man Christ Jesus,
who gave himself as a ransom for all,
which is the testimony given at the proper time.

(1 Timothy 2:1-6)

I grew up in a thankful house. This picture hung on the wall by the dinner table. At Thanksgiving, I remember everyone sitting at the table talking, catching up on each others lives and eating, but mostly I remember this picture and the normal, everyday meals.

A little water

I had the privilege of watching a friend's child be baptized this past Sunday.

Each time I witness this event, I am gladdened. Yes, "gladdened" is a real word. I look forward to the day when, God willing, my children get dunked.

Baptism is that public outward sign that a person has, "Believe(d) on the Lord Jesus Christ..." and is saved.

The Philippian Jailer Converted

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God. (Act 16:25-34)

Self-Incriminating Evidence

Scene: Public School Office, this A.M.

The Recess Duty Teacher brought in the two boys.

The first was crying and holding his hands over his left eye. With no bodily fluids leaking forth, I asked the teacher what happened.

She replied, "He punched him... in the eye."

The second boy exclaimed, "I did not hit him, I didn't shove him, I did nothing... besides he did it too."


Proverbs 19:5 A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.

Face of God

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. (Hebrews 13:2)

Ever since her mother’s death in 1985, Mary Ellen has been living on the streets. Her only belongings are tightly wrapped in discarded plastic bags to prevent them from getting wet or being chewed on by rodents in the night. Badly in need of a bath and wholesome meal, Mrs. McCord still refused to accept my money—she simply asked that I would provide her a meal and a few moments of my time.

To read the rest of the story and see the incredible photograph of Mary Ellen, please visit my brother-in-law's blog.

For Whom Shall We Mourn

Here is an appropriate response to the Tiller tragedy by Vision Forum Ministries:

(click on the text below to view the complete article)

George Tiller is dead. For whom shall we mourn?

First, we mourn for the many children he murdered whose names will never make headline news, but whose murder were painful, violent, and bloody at the hands of this man. Second, we mourn for the future children who may be killed as a result of the way the pro-abortion movement will capitalize on this unlawful killing. Third, we mourn for a nation that has broken covenant with God, and that is deserving of God’s just wrath for its complicity in child sacrifice.

Finally, our mourning must lead us to prayer for the Church. God forbid that the blood of the innocent would be on our hands. If we would humble ourselves before the Lord and simply refuse to tolerate abortion in our own ranks, who knows what great things might be lawfully done, with God’s blessing, to bring murderers like George Tiller to an appropriate and earthly justice?

We must not only stand for the truth,
but we must stand for it in a holy manner,
and not as proud persons do;
we must observe that rule,
"Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you
a reason of the hope that is in you
with meekness and fear" (I Peter 3:15).
We must not bring passion into God's cause
nor must our lives give our tongues the lie. (Richard Sibbes 1577 - 1635)

The Power of His Voice

The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth,

And strips the forests bare;

And in His temple everyone says,

"Glory!"

Psalms 29:9

The Gift of Poverty, Disgrace, and Misery

Whatsoever is good for God's children they shall have it,
for all is theirs to further them to heaven;

therefore, if poverty be good, they shall have it;

if disgrace be good, they shall have it;

if crosses be good, they shall have them;

if misery be good, they shall have it;

for all is ours, to serve for our greatest good.

Richard Sibbes 1577 - 1635

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness

to those who have been trained by it.
Therefore lift your drooping hands and
strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet,

so that what is lame may not be put out of joint

but rather be healed.
(Hebrews 12:11-13)

A Covenant

My county has an average of 3,000 children in the foster care system during any given month. The orphanages of George Muller's day have gone out of favor, but the need is still there.

So what do you do with 3,000 children who have lost their parents or have been removed from their homes?

God directed one family to do something about this problem and in 2001, Covenant Community Services was created. It's mission is the “Placing (of) abused and neglected children in families that model the love of Jesus Christ." The mission is fulfilled as they recruit, train and certify foster families to provide safe, stable and loving homes for children to develop and grow in God’s love and grace.

What better place for an abused or neglected child than in the loving home of a Jesus loving family!

Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice,correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.
(Isaiah 1:16-17)

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to
visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. (James 1:27)

Directions are for Losers

"Read each step carefully before starting. It is very important that each step of instruction is performed in the correct order. If these instructions are not followed in sequence, assembly difficulties or death will occur."

"Visit our website for assembly video clips."

"Never scoot your furniture on carpet."

I put together a new bookshelf for my daughter. A chance to be a hero. A chance to be a master engineer. A chance to mess up and put the colored backing on... backwards. Grey side up! Well, we did buy two, better luck next time.

Always read the directions.

I love those who love me,
and those who seek me diligently find me.
Riches and honor are with me,
enduring wealth and righteousness.
and my yield than choice silver.
I walk in the way of righteousness,
in the paths of justice,
granting an inheritance to those who love me,
and filling their treasuries.
Proverbs 8:17-21

Confess

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God...” (John 3:1-6)

Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” They replied, “Are you from Galilee too?... (John 7:48-52)

...the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess Jesus to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue. (John 9:22b)

Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. (John 19:39)

Helping in the burial of Christ was a pretty public confession that Nicodemus was a follower of Jesus. Here we see a leader, a Pharisee, a teacher of Israel giving it all away to follow Christ. Here was a man who lived out Mark 8:36 "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?" Nothing else matters, only Jesus.

So, as another ex-Pharisee said,

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. (1 Cor 2:2)

Eternity

One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43)

Two men, two choices, one leading to spiritual death and suffering, one leading to communion with the Christ for eternity.

“Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:14-15)

Chicks

My daughter is a mother hen. She sits patiently on the grass "herding" her little chicks. They are the neighbor's school project chickens, six weeks old and odoriferous. Technically daughter is only chick-sitting, but she has become quite attached.

In their search for food, these little chicks, roam the backyard, head down, pecking at specks. Unaware of what is going on around them, they hunt for food. When they hear a noise or take a break from their search, they look around and realize that the rest of the flock is on the other side of the yard. Flapping and chirping they run as fast as their three toed feet can carry them back to their fellows. They are then greeted by a chest bump from one the other fowls who just wants to make sure everyone knows who the boss is.

If we introduce a little grain, the wings beat, the toes claw, and the beaks peck to obtain as much grub as possible. Then one little chick will lie down in the sun, spread it's wings, stick out a leg, and relax in the sun. The rest of the flock will then huddle up and fight for the warm coveted spot under the others. If a scrub jay lands in the yard, four little chicks scurry for cover under their surrogate mother hen's legs. My little girl will make a good Momma some day.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” (Matthew 23: 37-39)

Memories of the Past

No memory is ever alone; it's at the end of a trail of memories, a dozen trails that each have their own associations. Louis L'Amour

Have you ever read 1 Samuel 28? King Saul, the witch and the ghost of Samuel?

I wonder if Saul remembered hiding from the prophet and the people when they were going to annoint him king in 1 Samuel 10?

The Pastor Teaches

This is my pastor.

What in the world is he doing?

He is telling the children a story.

Dr. Suess? No. Disney? No!

He is telling them a true story from the Bible.

He is telling them the truth of scripture and the importance of following Christ.

You know, the Christ of Scripture.

Anyway, I thought it was pretty neat that my pastor would come down to the church and teach some kindergarten and first grade AWANA kids the Word of God.

Pig in a Poke

I was six. Everything that ever happened to me happened when I was six. Excitement was tasted and heard and seen. My father had driven the Chevy into the backyard and backed it up to the gate. The tailgate was down and all was ready to guide the my brother's pig into the truck for the trip to the fairgrounds. Swine kind are very intelligent. They know when feeding time is and they know your voice when you call. The down side is they know when you are trying to trick or force them into a situation they do not approve of. Such was the case here.

My father was guiding the pig with a piece of plywood toward the gate. My brother was assisting and getting ready to help shove the pig up into the truck. Me? I was "helping" by standing in the gap between the edge of the lowered tailgate and the fence post by the gate. Six years old, forty-five pounds and ready for action.

The pig saw three choices: 1)get into the back of that truck.(The same truck in which he had arrived to the farm in a burlap sack) 2)try to turn around for the fiftieth time and try to push past the plywood.(splinters, no good) 3)plow through the skinny kid to freedom.(Hmmm! I got one-hundred and forty pounds on that little one.) To freedom he went. In a flash was riding bareback and backwards, a miniature bucking bronco underneath me. The excitement was gone, in its' place dread and terror. The crying didn't start until I hit the ground, grass stains covering my clothes and skin. I do not recall what happened to the pig, but I remember I was six.

Standing in the breach is not a position for the weak in body or the weak in mind. Standing in the breach is painful and hurts, but if God has placed you in the breach He will give you what you need to do the job. He knows what is going on, even when we do not.

The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy, and have extorted from the sojourner without justice. And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.(Ezekiel 22:29-30)

In 1937 my grandparents, David and Helen, were married. This is their "wedding" picture outside the cafe that they both worked in at the time.

The couple shown above were from broken homes and

lived apart from their siblings for part of their childhood.

David was actually "farmed" out during his high school years

for room and board.

Determined not to let the same thing happen to their own children,

they pledged to hold fast to their vows before God and man,

and they did.

This is the legacy passed down to me.

Now it is my turn to pass the legacy to my own children.

“This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh;

she shall be called Woman,

because she was taken out of Man.”
Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother

and hold fast to his wife,

and they shall become one flesh.(Genesis 2:23-24)

Why We Homeschool, Part 2

The lovely daughter and I went to a Daddy/Daughter Dance with

our Church.

Here we are before leaving home.

She smiled and talked all night long.

On the way home we listened to the Christian Music Station.

The song was playing, "...there will be a day with no more fears,

no more tears...",

my daughter interrupted with, "Not for everyone, dad."

I asked her what she meant and she went on to explain that for many people they would not be with God in heaven, they would be in hell.

Then the conversation moved to the importance of spreading the

Gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone.

This is why we homeschool.

“You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. ...that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers to give them... loving the Lord your God, walking in all his ways, and holding fast to him, Deuteronomy 11:18-22