Word Is Out

Damaged Relationships and Redemption

2009-07-09T12:55:00.001-05:00

The restoration and redemption of broken relationships requires three
foundational supports to be in place:

1. Forgiveness/repentance

2. Respect

3. Trust

Picture a stool with three legs. Remove one and the stool will fall. When
restoring relationships, it is
essential that all three supports are rebuilt. Most important is that the
offender doesn't expect "Rome to be built in a day." Forgiveness and
repentance are just one part in the
foundational supports. Respect is cultivated over time especially when the
offended is
is resistant and reluctant to embrace forgiveness and trust. It is during
this time of resistance that respect and trust are rebuilt. Trust is a long
term building project and the offender
must remain in a state of humility and committed love if the relational
structure is to rest on solid ground once again. Our desire for immediate
reconciliation is actually a demonstration of our selfishness, thus driving
more of wedge. These truths are revealed even more clearly in God standards
for leaders. In I Chronicles 21, King David violates his relationship with
God in one of the most dramatic scenes in the Bible. After the initial stage
of God's judgment David repents by saying:
"I have sinned greatly in that I have done this thing. But now, please take
away the iniquity of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly." This
sounds so much like me. I want a quick and easy resolve to my
sin...especially in my marriage.
When you read the story in I Chronicles 21 you will find that God
doesn't let David off the hook that easily. In fact David is given a choice
of one of three punishments--and none of them are appealing!
There are consequences to our sin; but if we will accept the
consequences and humble ourselves God will lift us up. This will take time
but time may be what is needed in order to prove that we've really changed.
You don't want to miss David's decision in I Chronicles 21; it is the key to
the restoration of damaged relationships.

Fig Tree, Faith, Forgiveness

2009-07-03T11:16:00.001-05:00

I was reading in Matthew 20 this morning and came upon the scene when Jesus cursed the fig tree because it bore only leaves. Looking at the tree he said, "May no fruit come from you ever again." This may seem a little bizarre. Jesus is hungry, the tree has no fruit, it gets dusted! At least it would appear that the tree did nothing to deserve this but the text says it bore ONLY LEAVES. You see, in the spring time there is a certain kind of fig tree that bears figs first and then leaves. Not only is this a fruitless fig tree that looks good on the outside, full of leaves, but Jesus just returned from the cleansing the temple, saying "My house shall be called a house of prayer." Can you see the link yet? There you have the praying, yet fruitless Scribes and Pharisees in the temple. Next you have a fruitless fig tree that Jesus withers because it had only leaves. It looked good on the outside but upon closer examination it revealed that it had no fruit. Jesus came to the tree to be fed. It is through our life, a fruitful life, that Jesus is refreshed. Now we can look at what Jesus says next and see that it makes perfect sense: ""Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith." In the gospel of Mark he adds, "And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses." Can you see it now? Answers to prayer come as the result of a fruitful life. A fruitful life is the result of a life of faith. Faith grows in direct proportion to our forgiveness of others.

Divorce Connection to Children

2009-07-02T09:32:00.002-05:00

The Bible is interconnected and interrelated. The story of Joseph for
example appears to be an historical account of the life of Joseph in the
book of Genesis. But upon closer examination, you find inserted into this
historical account, a brief moment of interesting detail on the life of
Judah and his daughter in laws deception which leads to her incestual
pregnancy. Judah of course is the line of Jesus, the promised Messiah. The
plan of God moves forward in the midst of insurmountable obstacles and
impossibilities. Redemption springs forth in the midst of the most sinful
and evil circumstance—God turns evil into good! There is nothing too
difficult for God.

But though God brings redemption, man brings pain, destruction, and shame to
his life and his family. And this brings me to my text this morning in the
book of Matthew chapter 19. The text focuses on divorce and remarriage. I
have studied this for years hoping that I could arrive at a position that
would allow for divorce. Why should people be forced to stay in marriages
that are just so unhappy and so empty? But then we could also ask the
question: Why do people get cancer and suffer? Why do children die? Why are some people falsely accused and lose everything? Why did Cory suffer so much under Hitler's regime? Why were Jim Eliott and friends speared to death? Paul in Corinthians 7 gives us an answer. Because we are "called!" He teaches us "therefore, in whatever state you have been called, remain
there." Do not try to escape difficult situations. They have been designed by God. Joseph understood this. They meant it for evil, but God intended it for good.

So in Matthew 19, they test Jesus by asking him if anyone can divorce for
any cause. Now you have to look beyond the so called "exception clause"
(except for fornication) and hear his words: I love how he responds: "Have
you not read?" I love it!!! So many today have really not studied what God
has said about divorce. In Malachi it is written that God "hates divorce."
Jesus continues in Matthew 19 and says to his testers, "What God has joined
together, let no man separate." That sounds pretty definitive. So they
question him about why Moses gave the law of divorce. Jesus responds simply
that "...from the beginning it was not so."

Whether you agree or disagree with my position on divorce, I would like you
to see a significant teaching on divorce that I have never heard taught. If
you read the next paragraph it reads, "Let the little children come to me
and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." Do you
see the interrelatedness and interconnectedness of Scripture? God has woven
together a masterpiece! Divorce is devastating and particularly so to
children. Even in secular studies it is a fact that children do better when
parents stay together, even in difficult marriages. And I'm not suggesting
that people become door mats or tolerate abuse that is illegal or immoral.
But, even in these relationships we need to do what it takes to bring
restoration and redemption, for we have been "called." Right on the heels
of Jesus' teaching on divorce, he brings little children to him...what
teaching! What a Master! The children! Do it for the children!!! Stay
together, our children are worth it.

The choice is ours. We can be like Joseph and become a deliverer for our
family or be like Judah and miss the opportunity, bringing shame and
dysfunction for generations to come. Life is not always fair or easy or
glamorous. It can be outright nasty...but in the end, we have a God in whom
nothing is impossible; a God who turns evil into good; a God who will
withhold no good thing from them who walk uprightly. It is worth it to
"stay in whatever state you have been called." Blessings and redemption will
be ours for generations to come if we do.

www.lamplighter.net

Steve Jobs Commencement @ Stanford

2009-07-02T06:27:00.000-05:00

Interesting perspective from Steve Jobs. You would almost think he came to know God…

Behind the scenes of The Missing Prince: The Flying Axe

2009-06-30T21:26:00.001-05:00

Everyone hear at Lamplighter is very excited about tomorrow's release of our first dramatic audio, Sir Malcolm and the Missing Prince. I thought I would give you a glimpse of some of the things that go on behind the scenes. Wait till you hear this production…simply beyond words! http://www.lamplighterpublishing.com/sirmalcolm.html Read below:

Hi Mark,

Thought you might appreciate Mark Drury's comments in red on what it takes to create a complicated custom sound.

Scene 27

Simply amazing how you got the axe planting in the dirt and the swirling axe. Thanks, this was an especially challenging effect to pull off…it had to be comical without being cartoonish, but needed the sense of it flying end over end into the tree. Took about 3 hours just to create that 2-sec. sound!

John

C.S. Lewis & Radio

2009-06-28T19:08:00.001-05:00

As I move into the field of radio, I do so with fear and trepidation. Apparently I am not alone.

Did you know that C.S. Lewis first voiced Mere Christianity on radio before going to print? Speaking on the radio was a challenge to him. He said, "A fool can write learned language. The vernacular is the real test. If you can't turn your faith into it, then either you don't understand it or you don't believe it." In the book, C.S. Lewis In a Time of War by Justin Phillips, a must read for anyone in radio, writes "It often seems to me that writers with profound ideas find it difficult to be clear, while those with a catchy style have nothing profound to say."

thought

2009-06-27T14:18:00.001-05:00

From a friend of mine:

27:7 -- Let's cut to the chase on this verse. The sweet things of God's
Word are not desired by those either full of themselves or gorged on the
pleasures of this world. The junk food diet of this world may keep you
full and fat but far from healthy and satisfied. The religious rulers in
the time of Christ were unable to "digest" the words of Jesus because they
were "full" of their own understanding. "Make the heart of this people fat,
and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their
eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and
convert, and be healed." Isa_6:10 "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and
increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou
art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." Rev_3:17
Those who are full of the philosophies of this world don't realize they are
dying of spiritual malnutrition. There are so many forms of media
surrounding us that it is quite easy to forsake the "real food" of the Word
and fill ourselves with the "dead food" of the world.
Does the Word of God excite your soul? Do you crave the "sweet
treasures" found within its pages? When you enter into the Word of God
hungry for spiritual food, you never leave unsatisfied. The manna will fall
if you believe God and venture out to pick it up. Hunger has a way of
affecting our taste buds. Bitter herbs are good for the health and somtimes
God's Word may be bitter to my will but once digested they will heal my
spirit. A fast from the world's pleasures will help create a hunger for the
Word.

Dan

Trust

2009-06-23T22:57:00.002-05:00

The following email was written by one of my staff; one whom I am thankful for. I am sharing this with permission:

Hey Mark,

I just took my lunch break and decided to finish the last 2 chapters of Change is like a Slinky.
Chapter 29
Trust: the Glue that keeps the Team together
Trust is the emotional glue that binds followers and leaders together.

After reading this chapter:
Especial after this story
Charles Blondin was the greatest tightwire walker in the world at the turn of the twentieth century-the Evel Knievel stuntman of his day. He pushed the envelope, always looking to do something that no one else had ever done before. He came up with the idea to walk a tightwire stretched 'from the United States to Canada above Niagara Falls.
Now picture Niagara Falls for a second. Millions of gallons of water roaring over that precipice create a tremendous updraft, so that wire must be pulled tight, anchored with guy wires on both sides.
Thousands gathered on each side as he headed out with his pole. And he made it to the Canadian side. The crowds cheered and the light bulbs flashed. Then he turned around and walked back to the American side and the people went crazy, shouting his name as one.
He stood on an elevated stand and said, "How many of you here today believe that I could walk back across to Canada with a man on my shoulders?"
And everybody said, "We know you can!"
And he said, "May I have a volunteer?" Not one hand went up. They all believed he could, but could not muster the courage to put their trust on the line. So Blondin
turned to his manager and asked, "Do you believe I can do this?"
His manager said, "Yes!"
"Are you willing to get onto my shoulders?"
"Yes!" So the manager climbed onto his shoulder and they headed out across the void for Canada.
Then one of the guy wires snapped. The wire began to sway.
Blondin said to his manager, with all the bravado gone from his voice,
"Unless you do exactly what I say, unless you become one with me and do exactly what I tell you, we are both going to die. If the wire sways to the right and your gut tells you to lean left but you feel me leaning right, you've got to go with me."
Second by agonizing second the two men inched along, allowing their trust to meld them into a single balancing pivot. The manager subordinated every instinct he had to his client's words.
And they made it.

After reading this I realized that I need to put my full trust in YOU even if my gut tells me otherwise.

From now on I might not always agree with you, but I will always trust you, Captain.

...how ironic is it that I spoke this morning about truth and the spirit of truth...and shortly after doing so I failed at being truthful.

I have learned a great lesson today.
I just pray I will not soon forget.

I also read Psalm 51 last night.
Oh how I can relate with David

51:6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

Isaiah 26:3 Simple Obedience

2009-06-17T22:38:00.001-05:00

The verse from Isaiah, "Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed upon thee," has been going around and around in my head this entire week. In a sense, I thought that if I could keeping thinking Scripture during this time of intense stress due to the growing pains here at Lamplighter, that I would be able to stay in perfect peace. Well, that didn't work!

Then I learned tonight that I was missing an important part of the verse. The complete verse reads: "Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed upon thee, because he trusts in you." You can't very well possess peace if you are thinking Scripture and trusting in yourself…no wonder I have had a miserable week so far.

But what does trusting in God look like? You see, the problem that I have is not that I am unable to trust God, but that he might not be able to trust me. The decisions I make, the way I treat people, how I deal with lustful thoughts, my attitudes etc….are factors that reveal whether my mind is truly "stayed" upon him. If I'm thinking God's thoughts, then my ways will change. When my ways change, then it becomes easier to trust God. It's really that simple, but oh so difficult to remember.

A Lesson Learned:

Sometimes we are searching for answers so anxiously that we think if we just work a little extra, we will get on top of the enormous work load that is piled upon us. So we cut prayer meeting, miss dinner with the family, and maintain shallow relationships. Tonight was not one of those nights for me…though it could have been easily. Traveling as much as I do, it is rare that I get to attend prayer meeting at church. It was ten minutes to seven and I had about four hours of work to do before I was prepared for another conference tomorrow. But something in me compelled me to put my work aside and go to prayer meeting. While at prayer meeting, someone heard me quote the Isaiah verse and then said that I left an important part out. Life is really not that complicated. When we do the things that God wants us to do and be at the places he wants us to be, he meets with us; guides us; reveals his will to us.

Psalm 32:8 Guided by My eye

2009-06-17T07:26:00.001-05:00

When my children were young, all it took for my Jennifer and David to obey was a glance of approval or disapproval. But for my Jonathan, it usually took a warning, and often some form of punishment. Though what I am about to say might see a little overkill in regard to young children, it is none-the-less true: "The way of the sinner is hard." Some children seem bent on learning things the hard way. Now before I continue to grossly misrepresent the picture of my Jonathan, I need to say that most of his defiance was the result of his father not modeling the behavior I wanted him to follow. If our life doesn't live louder than our words, then our children will be unable to embrace our values and boundaries. We must first live inside the boundaries we set for others. I will never forget when Jonathan was fifteen: He looked at me and said: "Dad, when your life lives louder than your words, I'll follow you."

The flip side of this truth is that if we are living inside the boundaries that God sets for us, then all that it should take to get a child to follow is a glance of the eye. Now of course this will take cultivating but this is the goal. King David writes in Psalm 32:8 , "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you shall go: I will guide you with me eye." It is a wonderful thing to have a child live so in tune with their father's will and desires, that all it takes is a glance of the eye. I think more parents would experience this, if they were just as easily in tune with their heavenly Father's glances. When we are guided by our Father's eye, I have no doubt that our children will be guided by ours.

Lamplighter Moments

2009-06-16T19:56:00.001-05:00

Something new is about to happen!

http://www.westarmediagroup.com/email/llmoments01.html

Reading--Hidden Hand

2009-06-16T09:49:00.001-05:00

Dear Mr. Hamby,

I listened to a Family Life Today podcast this past April and it was the first time I had ever heard you speak. Your message about reading was compelling. I can honestly say that I have never read any book through from start to finish. When you are a college student, sad to say, you learn how to quickly skim and skip through a textbook. Well, after hearing the description you gave regarding The Hidden Hand, I decided to read the book. Everything you said about the book was true! I could not put it down. What I read was better than any television program. I feel that your passion for reading has awakened me to the wonderful world of reading. Thank You for all that you are doing to educate and inspire believers young and old to reconnect with reading. May the LORD continue to abundantly bless your ministry.

Blessings,

Matthew 6:22

2009-06-14T09:17:00.001-05:00

This morning I came across a portion of Scripture that I had not previously pondered. In Matthew 6 Jesus says: "The eye is the lamp of the body." I had never thought that what I see on a daily basis is the filter system of what enters my body. My body, mind, and soul have a gateway—my eyes. Just think of all the things that we view on a daily basis: the bill boards, the immodesty, the saturation of pop ups, the magazines and the list almost never ends. Jesus continues saying, "If your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness." We live in an image saturated, lust craving culture. Jesus didn't mince words when dealing with wandering eyes—"If you right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away." I know this seems a bit drastic but his point is that lust need to be dealt with aggressively and decisively! I know of a wife who found on her husband's computer, a list of porn sites. That evening before he reached the front door of his home, he found his computer, television, and all the wiring from the cable service crumpled in piles with broken glass and electronic gadgetry strewn across the walkway. I think this was the point that Jesus was trying to make—aggressive and decisive! Our eyes are the lamp of our body, mind, and soul. We are in a battle and we are losing. In any battle, aggressive and decisive actions will be needed to defeat the enemy. And How shall a young man keep his way pure? by guarding it according to your Word!" Psalm 119.

Woman and the Enemy

2009-06-14T08:11:00.001-05:00

Here Is Hope
06/14/2009

I am not letting men off the hook. God knows, we have a lot more repenting to do. I am saying that you won’t begin to understand the long and sustained assault on femininity, on women, until you see it as part of something much larger. The most wicked force the world has ever known. The Enemy bears a special hatred for Eve. If you believe he has any role in the history of this world, you cannot help but see it.

The Evil One had a hand in all that has happened to you. If he didn’t arrange for the assault directly—and certainly human sin has a large enough role to play—then he made sure he drove the message of the wounds home into your heart. He is the one who has dogged your heels with shame and self-doubt and accusation. He is the one who offers the false comforters to you in order to deepen your bondage. He is the one who has done these things in order to prevent your restoration. For that is what he fears. He fears who you are; what you are; what you might become. He fears your beauty and your life-giving heart.

You really won’t understand your life as a woman until you understand this:

You are passionately loved by the God of the universe.
You are passionately hated by his Enemy.

And so, dear heart, it is time for your restoration. For there is One greater than your Enemy, One who has sought you out from the beginning of time. He has come to heal your broken heart and restore your feminine soul.

(Captivating , 89–91)

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The Secret of Jonathan Sperry

2009-06-13T10:12:00.001-05:00

There is a film coming out called The Life of Jonathan Sperry. The only way for the film to be viewed is through the backing of a local church. Please pass this on to your pastor of your local church. This film will be a great influence upon your children, for those who still watch film.

"The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry" moved me with its message of the weight of eternity and the difference one faithful man can make in the lives of many. I recommend this inspiring movie for any family to watch together."

Kirk Cameron- actor

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=7771155

www.SperryMovie.com

Two Brothers--one kidney each

2009-06-09T22:55:00.001-05:00

Below is a story of two brothers. Tom has already had one kidney transplant several years ago that started to fail about a year ago. His brother told him that he could have one of his kidneys and below is the rest of the story that you don't want to miss—our God is a great God!

Tommy's kidney transplant took place on Thursday, June 4, 2009. However, his donor brother, Mark, took a turn for the worse. See below.

Sent: Tuesday, June 9, 2009 9:36:18 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Logsdon update on kidney surgery

Dear praying friends

Sherrie and I want to thank you for praying for our two sons and their
families.    The kidney transplant went well. Tom's new kidney started
working before they got him back to his room.   He has continually
improved day by day.   The new kidney is doing its job. Tom's blood
toxin levels have not been this low in years. Tom went home Monday
afternoon.

We had a very unsettling time with Mark after the transplant surgery.
He was not recovering well. His remaining kidney was not working. When
they moved him to a chair he passed out. Sherrie and I were with him at
that time. When one of the nurses ran out of the room and yelled for
doctors to come we thought the worst. We thought he was having a heart
attack. It was not.   He had lost so much blood that his blood pressure
dropped and he passed out.   Through the night they gave him 4 pints of
blood. It did not help. Bonnie, Mark's wife, is an RN.. Saturday
morning she insisted that they do something immediately. The doctor
agreed to another surgery. They found that during the first surgery
they had injured his spleen and it was bleeding. They removed his
spleen and cleaned out the lost blood.   Mark has been improving quickly
since the second surgery. The doctors told us that they were glad for
Bonnie's insistence on another surgery. More internal bleeding would
have had dire consequences. His remaining kidney began to function
immediately after the second surgery. They found that 45 years ago
while still in his mothers womb the Lord gave Mark two spleens. Even
though you can function without a spleen, the Lord provided a spare.
Lord willing he will be able to leave the hospital on Thursday June 11.

We have seen many answers to prayers in this last week with the healing
of our boys. Thank you for praying with us for them. Thank you for
your notes, phone calls and emails. It is very comforting to know that
you have been praying.

I want to share this because it was one of those areas of answered
prayer that I believe God does to show us that He is listening and will
answer accordingly.    Mark is self employed. For him to be laid up for
6-8 weeks means he would not have income. I asked him several months
ago what it would take to keep his family functioning for the 6-8 weeks.
He said $2000 would get them by. Sherrie and I committed to give him
the $2000 dollars. Since that time we had three very expensive
expenditures with vehicles that used up what we had saved and then some.
We were praying for the Lord to show us where we could get the $2000.
The men from Tom and Amy's church asked what they could do for them.
Tom and Amy suggested that they help Mark because he is self employed.
When the pastor and deacons left the hospital after the kidney
transplant on Thursday they gave Amy an envelope to give to Mark and
Bonnie. It was exactly $2000. God knew how he was going to provide.
We praise the Lord for his provision. We praise the Lord believers who
care and are sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Thank you for praying for our family. I will attempt to keep you
posted.

Tom Logsdon

CBM Field Director

11650 Northland Drive

Rockford, MI 49341

616-863-2226

Malachi 2: 14-16 Divorce additional

2009-06-09T20:36:00.003-05:00

In the book of Malachi, I saw something that I have never seen before. The text seems to suggest that in marriage, God has given a portion of His Spirit that blesses the union, resulting in Godly children—if we as men remain faithful to our wives. Twice the text highlights "So guard yourselves in your spirit." So many men today spend time building their bodies, their careers, and their hobbies; Paul in the NT writes that men ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. Can you imagine what our marriages would be like if we actually loved our wives as much as we enjoyed golf, or Monday night football, or fishing? What many men don't realize that the result of not loving their wives as much as they love themselves, is their loss. Did you know that the average divorce costs between 10 to 2o thousand dollars? Did you know that in America, divorce is a 31 billion dollar per year business, resulting in 175 billion dollars in money spent virtually down the drain. Can you imagine what would happen to this economy if we just strengthened our marriages? Can you imagine what would happen to our children, our careers, our health, if we just loved our wives as we loved ourselves? The deficit would be erased, the budget balanced in just a few years, and the storehouse of blessings from heaven would be ours ! I can't think of a better stimulus package!

"Because the LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.

Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth.

"For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the LORD, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the LORD of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless." Mal 2:14-16

Malachi 2: 14-16 Divorce

2009-06-08T21:02:00.001-05:00

In the book of Malachi, I saw something that I have never seen before. The text seems to suggest that in marriage, God has given a portion of His Spirit that blesses the union, resulting in Godly children—if we as men remain faithful to our wives. Twice the text highlights "So guard yourselves in your spirit." So many men today spend time building their bodies, the careers, and their hobbies; Paul in the NT writes that men ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. Can you imagine what our marriages would be like if we actually loved our wives as much as we enjoyed golf, or Monday night football, or fishing? What many men don't realize that the result of not loving their wives as much as they love themselves, is their loss. Did you know that the average divorce costs between 10 to 2o thousand dollars? Did you know that in America, divorce is a 31 billion dollar per year business, resulting in 175 billion dollars in money spent virtually down the drain. Can you imagine what would happen to this economy if we just strengthened our marriages? The deficit would be erased and the budget balanced in just a few years! I can't think of a better stimulus package!

"Because the LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.

cancer and plastic

2009-06-05T08:18:00.001-05:00

Someone updated me on a previous blog about the relationship between plastic and bottled water and cancer. Apparently there is debate on whether this is true. One thing I do know is true is that the president of Belmont University removed the sale of all bottled water from his campus. Thanks for keeping me posted…we want the Word that goes out to be based on truth and facts.

Skeptic has left a new comment on your post "FW: Plastics & Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins":

Really?
http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/plasticbottles.asp

Zechariah 4 The Two Olive Trees

2009-06-02T07:57:00.001-05:00

Zechariah 4 has to be one of the most interesting chapters in the Bible. It starts off with the prophet startled out of his drowsy day-dreaming state. The text says, "An angel talked with me again and woke me like a man who is a awakened out of his sleep." It is possible that the events in chapter three, where Satan is accusing the high priest, and God is defending him, just completely wiped him out. Can you imagine this court scene? The accuser is always whispering lies in our ears and hearts, trying to keep us from the truth that we are a brand plucked from the fire, and our God will fight or us! There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God…nothing!

Once awake in chapter four the prophet sees this large bowl of olive oil with seven candles inside these candle holders, that have tubes (picture maple syrup tubes going from the trees to the barrels) that connect to the two olive trees standing on both sides of the huge bowl that is sitting on a tall pedestal. So to recap, you have this bowl of olive oil, with two olive trees, that have tubes that go from the trees to the bowl, keeping the bowl full of oil, so that the candles can perpetually keep burning. I think the wicks from the candles dip into the bowl, thus keeping the candles fully fueled. Can you picture this? Well this is what the prophet saw and when he did, he was scratching his head! What in the world does this mean?!

This is where it gets good! First, understand what is going on here. In the previous book, Haggai, God sparked enthusiasm in the hearts of Governor Zerrubabel and High Priest Jeshua to complete the rebuilding of the Temple. But several months later (not sure of how long—two months to two years), these men were totally depressed again. So the Angel of the Lord gives Zechariah this picture of the two olive trees and olive bowl and seven candles. This represents God perpetual and everlasting power, strength, and sustenance. If we will stay connected to the continual flow of God's grace, we will be empowered to overcome any obstacle in life. Watch what happens next in the text: Once the angel describes this available and continual flow of God's power that is at our disposal, he says, "This is the Word of the Lord to depressed (italics mine) Zerrubabel, "Not by might, nor by power (the help of powerful people…mine), but by My Spirit, says the LORD of hosts."

If we would just lay aside our own earthly goals and pursuits and recognize that in our own strength we cannot build anything, then God can begin his holy work and do what is beyond what we can think or imagine. The announcement that GM has declared bankruptcy only demonstrates these truths to a higher level. It is not by strength, by might, nor bail outs that this country will be revived! But by God's continual flow of grace, through men and women who stay connected—on their humble knees. And time is of the essence.

Ok, here comes the best part! The text reads next: "Who are you oh great mountain?" Don't you love it? God sees these two men who are totally depressed and defeated because no one will listen; no one will help with the work. The Temple is laid wasted, while everyone lives in their paneled houses--wood they stole from the treasuries that were set aside for the work of the Lord. And God steps in and says to them, "This great mountain is going to be leveled!" And then God says, "And Zerubbabel who will started this building, will finish it; he laid the first stone and he will lay the last and when he does, he will shout to the top of his lungs, saying, GRACE, GRACE TO IT! It is all about grace when we want to move forward in our lives; when we want to accomplish anything great for God; to see our families restored and redeemed; it is all about grace, and in order to receive grace, we must humble ourselves and the God of all grace will give it! He rejects the proud but gives grace to the humble. Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, and he will lift you up in due time…just as he did with depressed Zerubbabel and Jeshua.

Zechariah 3 The Branch and The Two Olive Trees

2009-05-31T07:35:00.002-05:00

One of the most mysterious and powerful chapters in the Bible is found in Zechariah chapter 4. Two men, Jeshua the high priest, and Zerubbabel, the governor of Jerusalem, have been chosen by God to rebuild the Temple. The are faced with every conceivable obstacle and their spirits are quite depressed. I wonder how many reading this, are presently faced with insurmountable obstacles? I am! But this is when God can do his greatest work.

Prior to the remarkable happenings of Zechariah 4, Jeshua the high priest is being accused by The Accuser, Satan (or the adversary), before the Angel of the Lord. In the book of Revelation we read that Satan is the accuser of the brethren. I love what takes place next. There is Jeshua, standing before the Angel of the LORD with filthy dirty clothes, being accused by Satan. Then the Lord speaks up and says to Satan, "I reject your accusations, Satan...The Lord rebukes you! This man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire." Then the Angel said, "Take off his filthy clothes." And turning to Jeshua he said, "See, I have taken away your sins, and now I am giving you these fine new clothes."

Before any great accomplishments can be made in life, we need to care for the most important hindrance--our sin. But we cannot do anything about this on our own--it is a gift of God, given to those who humbly realize that within them, there dwells no good thing--filthy rags. I know this will be difficult for some to swallow, but when we measure ourselves against a pure holy God, we cannot conceive how dreadfully far away we are. God desires to reclothe us, but we must first understand our need.

Now for the best part, chapter 4,...i feel like a drum roll is in order. I'm hearing some footsteps. Mom just woke up and as I am here visiting her, it is time for coffee and toast. We'll have to return to this great chapter later! Talk with you soon...you don't want to miss this next deposit!

Haggai: Consider Your Ways

2009-05-28T04:54:00.002-05:00

I was reading the prophet Haggai out of the New Living Translation this morning and found something that "sparked" my attention. The people as you might know in Haggai's day were focusing on their own material wealth, neglecting the house of God. One of the key repeated phrases on Haggai is, "Now consider this, says the Lord of hosts." In the NLT the repeated phrase is, "This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies says: Look at what's happening to you!"

While the temple of God laid waste from previous ravages of foreign armies, though there were several attempts at reconstruction, the people saw an opportunity for personal advantage and took it—leaving the house of God desolate. King Cyrus in Ezra chapter 6 had already decreed that the temple be rebuilt and that the money for the building would be paid for out of the royal treasuries! Not only would it be finances for free, but he would also be sending back all of the furniture and gold and silver utensils that were taking from it, as well as the timber for reconstruction! BUT, in the book of Haggai we read that the people were building their own houses! And where do you think they were getting the materials for building their own houses? That's right…from the materials that were supposed to be used for the Temple.

Too often we find ourselves trying to protect our own investments, when, if we could just learn to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, all these things would be added to us. I think we live in a day similar to that of Haggai.

Here comes my favorite part. The people respond and repent after carefully considering their wrong focus, selfishness, and greed. The have "Considered their ways." They have considered what the prophet had spoken—that their wages were like putting money into pockets with holes. Have you ever felt that way before? You eat and are not satisfied, says Haggai. Every detail of our lives is orchestrated by an all wise God who is trying to guide and direct us. The people heeded Haggai's admonition: "God is ruining everything you have worked so hard to get." 1:11 But the people, when they heard the words of prophet whom the Lord sent, they feared God. And the Lord, within one months time, turned this curse into blessing, saying to the people, "I am with you, says the LORD!"

THEN (here it is!), THEN (I feel like a drum roll is needed here), THEN "The LORD sparked the enthusiasm of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the enthusiasm of Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the enthusiasm of the whole remnant of God's people. They began to work on the house of their God, The LORD of Heaven's Armies, on September 21^st.

Do the Next Thing

2009-05-27T19:36:00.001-05:00

"Now this is what the Lord Almighty says:
'Give careful thought to your ways.'"
Haggai 1:5 (NIV)

When I was a new mom, I often felt overwhelmed by my circumstances. The
crying, the whining, the mess. I would look around at it all and just want
to sit down and have a good cry. At some point during that time, I heard
Elisabeth Elliot speak on the concept of "do the next thing." She talked
about how, after her husband Jim died, she would have been overcome if not
for this simple concept. When her emotions would start to run away with her,
she would simply ask herself what the next thing she needed to do was. And
then she would do it. And then she would do the next thing, and the next,
and the next. And all those little "next things" made up her days.
I adopted this principle and began to whisper to myself, "Just do the next
thing." Sometimes the next thing was to change a diaper, or start dinner, or
return a phone call. Even now I move through my day doing the next thing.
Sometimes my next thing is to homeschool my children. Sometimes it's to tidy
the house. Sometimes it's to sit down and hammer out an article I have due.
Whatever it is, I focus on that one task until it's done. And then I ask
myself what's to be done next.

I always knew I learned this concept from a godly woman, but I never thought
about this concept being from God. My reading in Oswald Chamber's timeless
devotional, My Utmost For His Highest has helped me see that it is indeed a
spiritual truth that God wants us to learn. Consider these two quotes:
"We look for visions from heaven, for earthquakes and thunders of God's
power... and we never dream that all the time God is in the commonplace
things and people around us. If we will do the duty that lies nearest, we
shall see Him."
"When the Spirit of God comes, He does not give us visions, He tells us to
do the most ordinary things conceivable... whenever God comes, the
inspiration is to do the most natural, simple things--the things we would
never have imagined God was in, and as we do them we find He is there."
Chambers referenced the scene in I Kings where Elijah is running from King
Ahab. He is hungry and tired and very depressed. (Ever been there?) In that
scene God sends an angel to him who says simply, "Arise and eat" (I Kings
19:5). What was Elijah's "next thing" he needed to do? Get up and eat
something! Sometimes just moving forward in the most basic way is all God
needs from us. With our obedience comes the solution we are seeking.
I hope this thought will help you or someone else who is feeling overwhelmed
and even depressed. What "next thing" is God asking you to do? Get up, do
whatever it is, and find Him there.

FW: Plastics & Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins

2009-05-27T19:07:00.000-05:00

I rarely send information like this, but the person who sent it to me is reliable and trustworthy, so I thought I would pass this on to you.

Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins

Bottled water in your car is very dangerous!

On the Ellen show, Sheryl Crow said this is what caused her breast cancer. It has been identified as the most common cause of the high levels of dioxin in breast cancer tissue.

Sheryl Crow's oncologist told her: women should not drink bottled water that has been left in a car. The heat reacts with the chemicals in the plastic of the bottle which releases dioxin into the water. Dioxin is a toxin increasingly found in breast cancer tissue.
So please be careful and do not drink bottled water that has been left in a car. Pass this on to all the women in your life.

This information is the kind we need to know that just might save us! Use a stainless steel canteen or a glass bottle instead of plastic!

LET EVERYONE WHO HAS A WIFE / GIRLFRIEND / DAUGHTER KNOW PLEASE!

This information is also being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center
....

No plastic containers in microwave.

No water bottles in freezer.

No plastic wrap in microwave.

A dioxin chemical causes cancer, especially breast cancer.

Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don't freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic.

Recently, Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital , was on a TV program to explain this health hazard.

He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us.

He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers.

This especially applies to foods that contain fat.

He said that the combination of fat, high heat and plastic releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body.

Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food. You get the same results, only without the dioxin.

So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else.

Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper.

It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc.

He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons.

Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran wrap, is just as dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food.

Cover food with a paper towel instead.

This is an article that should be sent to anyone important in your life!

Carry those books

2009-05-26T12:37:00.001-05:00

One day, when I was a freshman in high school,

I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school.

His name was Kyle.

It looked like he was carrying all of his books.

I thought to myself, 'Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday?

He must really be a nerd.'

I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.

As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him.

They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt.

His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him...

He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes

My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye.

As I handed him his glasses, I said, 'Those guys are jerks.'

They really should get lives.

' He looked at me and said, 'Hey thanks!'

There was a big smile on his face.

It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.

I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived.

As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before..

He said he had gone to private school before now.

I would have never hung out with a private school kid before.

We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books.

He turned out to be a pretty cool kid.

I asked him if he wanted to play a little football
with my friends

He said yes.

We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him.

Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again.

I stopped him and said, 'Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!

' He just laughed and handed me half the books.

Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends..

When we were seniors we began to think about college.

Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke.

I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never

be a problem.

He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football scholarship..

Kyle was valedictorian of our class.

I teased him all the time about being a nerd.

He had to prepare a speech for graduation.

I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak

Graduation day, I saw Kyle.

He looked great.

He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school.

He filled out and actually looked good in glasses.

He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him.

Boy, sometimes I was jealous!

Today was one of those days.

I could see that he was nervous about his speech.

So, I smacked him on the back and said, 'Hey, big guy, you'll be great!'

He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled.

' Thanks,' he said.

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began

'Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years.

Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your friends....

I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them.

I am going to tell you a story.'

I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the
first day we met.

He had planned to kill himself over the weekend.

He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home.

He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile.

'Thankfully, I was saved.

My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable..'

I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment.

I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile.

Not until that moment did I realize it's depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions..

With one small gesture you can change a person's life.

For better or for worse.

God puts us all in each others lives to impact one another in some way.

Look for God in others.