Fishrapper

Memories

Memorial Weekend 2011 was memorable, not as I discovered but as God had chosen.

We camped in the White Mountains of Arizona. That was good.

The wind blew for three days, 40 miles per hour with gusts to 68. That was not good. Couldn't use the stove or grill. So no dishes. We ate out.

As we went to bed the first night we discovered the two batteries on our pop-up camper were dead. That was not good. Fortunately I could connect my C-pap machine to the car battery. That was good.

All day Saturday was spent crawling into spaces my body objected to, pulling out batteries, buying one new battery and exchanging another under warranty. Not good! I put it back together and went about my business (good, I thought) -- until 9 p.m. when I discovered DC wasn't working. I had reversed one wire and blown a fuse. But I had more and in a few minutes all was well.

God cranked the wind level up even higher on Sunday. No sitting out. So off we went to a packed Denny's and then the late service at Calvary Chapel in Pinetop, AZ.

I came to read, sleep in my chair, and stare into space as I meditated on God. It didn't quite happen that way.

In the past I would have been bummed. But not this time. I chose to be content (Philippians 4:11). And I thanked God (1 Thessalonians 5:18) for the change of plans (Proverbs 16:9).

I went away blessed (Psalm 1).

Blind To The Truth

Things are not always as they seem.

Take for example the story of Joseph. He told his brothers, "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good."

A dog driving a car brought this thought home yesterday. As I drove north along the Colorado River, headed to town, about 100 feet ahead a car stopped on a perpendicular street. A dog was driving. Yes, a dog. I did three double takes. Then I realized my eyes had played tricks on me.

The car was driven by a thin, elderly man with long stringy hair covering his face. Sitting next to him was a dalmation. The long pointed nose protruded past the man's face, right at the hair level. I wish I had a picture. Words can't describe it.

That goes for a lot of stuff going on in our lives too!

Can Your Church Change?

How do you resurrect a church? Or, as Perry Noble, pastor of NewSpringChurch in South Carolina puts it, "What Makes A Church Come Alive?" Read his 15 suggestions and let God speak.

Disrespect in the Church

  

A friend expressed concern over the number of church activities where food stuffs had been consumed in our worship center. There had been the 50th anniversary dinner, two senior graduation breakfasts, a Valentine's Day reception, and a wedding reception.

   As I listened I thought the problem was the possibility of food stains on our new carpet, which have at times concerned me. Until the topic moved to people who bring drinks into church on Sunday. Then my questions and the answers revealed that the real problem was respect for God.

   We had a lengthy and somtimes heated discussion of the issue.

   I thought I should list what people do in church that makes others think they disrespect church. Here's a partial list:

• People talking during the service.
• Not being on time.
• Accepting responsibilities and not doing them.
• Judging other people.
• Reading the bulletin during singing, prayer, or the message.
• Not singing.
• Sitting separate from others.
• Demanding own wants and desires.
• Chewing gum.
• Eating candy.

   Do you have some thoughts?

Atheists, Who?

We (Christians) love to dis people unlike us.

• Different denominations
• Different cultures
• Different churches
• Different ethnic groups
• Different concepts

   That's a shame.

   Reading Richard Wurmbrand's book Tortured for Christ the other day I stumbled on an astounding statement. It made me cringe, tremble and gasp.

   "Atheists are men who do not acknowledge the invisible sources of their life."

   Wow! Talking about fingers pointing back to me (us)!

   Do we ever refuse to acknowledge God, His Spirit, His Word, His power in our lives? What does that make us, at least for the moment?

First Amendment Wrongs

Miss California got dissed for standing up to what she believes is right. She may not be Miss USA, but she is certainly one of the starring daughters of the King. I'll bet the Father is proud, even if Perez Hilton, Keith Lewis et al are not.

Carrie Prejean is a winner. How do I know? Read 1 Peter 1:13-16 as I did this morning.

"Prepare your minds for action (she had), keep sober in spirit (she was), fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ (she did). As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in ignorance..." (She did not revert back.)

Such was not the case for Hilton and Lewis. They let their feelings and prejudices get ahead of the constitution. They want rights, they just don't want to give them.

I agree with Miss California. I don't agree with Hilton and Lewis. But they all have a constitutional right to their opinions. Miss California just paid for hers, or maybe God spared her.

Thoughts Thought at the Foot of the Cross

I am delighted God gave me a second chance. I certainly needed (need) it.

I am delighted I don't have to figure out how to get right with God. Jesus is the way.

I am delighted to have obeyed God's plan for my life, for the most part, at least.

I am delighted at God's call.

I am delighted by His love.

I am delighted at the people He has surrounded me with. What a blessing!

I am delighted there's more to come.

Thank you Father!

The Real Story

Well, the election is over. So, in conclusion...

Our current president, the honorable George W. Bush, is not the cause of all our problems. He is, however, the cause of most of our discontent. Refusing to seek popularity, he instead sought to do the best he knew how under the circumstances. My belief is that time, and maybe only eternity, will reveal how much he led us to do was under the direct will of Almighty God.

Now it is up to us to cover president-elect Barack Obama with prayer. He will need it. We need it. Mr. Obama is not the solution to our ills. Only God is.

Let us pray...

A Refreshing Second Chance

    I was delighted to learn of the University of Mississippi's selection as the site for the Presidential debate on domestic issues next year. What a difference 44 years can make.

    Ole Miss made headlines in the fall of 1962 with the enrollment of James Meredith, the first black to ever attend the school. Read An American Insurrection: The Battle of Oxford by William Doyle.

    As a journalist with The Associated Press, I spent a year on the Ole Miss campus covering the integration story. See Breaking News: How the Associated Press Has Covered War, Peace, and Everything Else, pg. 95-97.

    Since those days a black has been elected President of the Student Body and a former football star, NFL player and law professor, Dr. Robert Khayat, has strongly led the University  to recovery and prominence on the Southern education scene.

    Refreshing, isn't it?

You Just Never Know

    Our days are a mixture of good and bad, great and small. Such has been this Tuesday in the mountains of northeast Washington.

    A cool, cloudy morning has turned to a warm, sunny day.

    There are two Jerrys at the Christian guest ranch where we are staying -- one the owner, up for the week from his home in California; the other the resident caretaker.

    The owner took us for a ride this morning, to a 20 acre plot of land high overlooking Roosevelt Lake on the Columbia River. What beauty! He described his plans for turning it, also, into a place where those in ministry can rest and relax. Wow!

    The caretaker came back from town after lunch, gathered my wife and I up, and took us down the mountain to see a momma bear and two cubs playing in an apple tree alongside the road. Somebody beat us to them -- two hunters. They shot one cub as we pulled up. The other escaped. What happened to the mother is unknown. What a sickening sight!

    Isn't that just like life. Lord, help us!