24 Hours (part 2)

In the last installment Mike went for a little quiet God and I time under the normal mango tree in the usual field near his house. However, this time a major drug raid was going down in the hood. When we left him he had just heard a bone chilling scream in the distance. It was his wife Dawn.

I scrapped the dog’s leashes from the mangled mango roots and staggered to my feet as I gasped out, “WHAT on earth can she want?!” I ran from my location through the tiny stream and up the side of tiny valley and into an overcast sky.

“Maicon and Mateus have been taken by the police!” For a split second my mind raced to comprehend what she had blurted out. I had talked to Mateus about his salvation just the night before last. Just last week I had scolded Maicon for the lack of seriousness in his Christian walk. Neither Mateus nor Maicon are crooks, thugs or drug dealers. As we raced to the neighborhood our minds were racing too.

I later discovered that this raid had been some time in the planning. The BO (which is the police report) was long and had a huge paragraph of house numbers and street names. Mateus’ and Maicon’s house was on the list.

Matus brother is a drug kingpin at 16. He had stored the drugs at home and moved to another location. Drug thugs are smart that way. When the police burst onto the scene at 5:45am both Maicon and Mateus were sleeping.

They were quickly ushered into the street and searched. When the police went back into the tiny house they came out with a kilo of cocaine, some crack and drug paraphernalia. Our boys were framed. There was no talking to the police as they were placed in handcuff in the middle of the street. They were public display for the rest of the neighborhood to see.

Later they were taken to the police station to be booked. That night we learned from a good source that if convicted they might get a year to two years. Just for the judge to hear their case could take up to a year.

Mateus’ tiny wife clutched me as she wept uncontrollably and told her version of what had happened in the early morning hours. The confused look on her tearstained face told the story better than she could blurt it out.

An interesting side note about her. She was once one of our faithful teens but had made the decision to live with Mateus instead of continuing God’s path for her life. Pray for her.

Our two boys are in the holding tank awaiting a judicial decision about their futures. Prison here is a nightmare. Pray with us that God’s lesson is a quick one and that both boys have a great testimony during class. It was now 9:00am (boom boom, boom boom 24 Hour theme sounds). (to be continued).

24 Hours

What can happen in 24 hours? If you watched that series you know that 24 hours can seem eternal. Those sixty minute segments can hold an amazing amount of suspense. What usually happens in a normal 24 hours is that we sleep about eight of those. When sleep is removed more stuff happens.

Just a week ago at 6:00am our own version of 24 hours started with the whooshing sound of Helicopter blades about 50 above our bedroom. That sound is good if you are being Medi-Vacced from the scene of an accident. When you are groggy from REM sleep it can set your nerves on edge. It did the later to me.

I got dressed and got the dogs ready for their early morning devotion time. Well, they don’t do the devotion time. I do that. They walk with me to the place where I do my God and I time.

I was abruptly greeted by a neighbor lady who read me the riot act! “You can’t leave! The police have the neighborhood blocked off. This is an alert!” I kicked the dogs back into the garage area and went to see what all of the hub-bub was about.

I quickly discovered that this was a major operation involving several police vehicles, the helicopter and the cavalry. Yes the cavalry! It was a neighborhood wide drug raid. I waited for about a half an hour and went out to walk the dogs. This wasn’t the wisest thing that I’ve ever done. Time with God is good. Time with God is necessary. However, the timing and place of that that “time” is crucial.

I went to my normal spot which is about 10 minutes from the house in a big field under a mango tree. This is usually a wonderful location. It is quiet and has a great view.

This morning my view as I looked back toward the neighborhood was one of chaos. There was a tremendous line of traffic because of the police blockade. Looking up that line I came to the blockade itself. There must have been 15 to 20 police, most heavily armed with sawed-off shotguns, machine guns and pistols. I sat on the opposite side of the big tree that morning.

As I read of Joshua’s victories I heard distant helicopter noise again. Humm. Was I in trouble? I wondered. I imagined myself explaining to the grim faced officer with the Uzi, “I was just reading my Bible officer.”

All of a sudden I heard a blood curdling scream in the distance, “MIKE!!!!!!” That snapped me out of my lame explanation and into almost sudden panic! What on EARTH had happened to bring Dawn to my “secret place”? It was now 7:00am (boom boom, boom boom 24hr theme noise). (to be continued)

The Rod

Exodus 4:2 And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.

I’m a “walking-stick” kind of guy. I’ve always like to grab a stick when going for a walk in the woods and weeds. I have several right now on my back porch. One that I cut just two days ago is green bamboo! Cool.

In Moses writings we read about Aaron’s rod, God’s rod and Moses’ rod. All were used in Power move situations. Have you noticed?

On Moses first encounter with Jehovah God the question is asked, “What is that in your hand” and the response is, “A rod.” However, when tossed to the ground that “rod” became a wicked looking snake. How do I know that it was wicked looking? Because an aged shepherd who had been working the “back-side” of the desert for forty years ran like a school boy when he saw it!

The rod became leverage in the conversation with pharaoh. Don’t you just know that Moses was chomping at the bit to chuck that stick at pharaoh’s feet. And can’t you see the initial reaction when pharaoh’s magicians did the same trick? However, that day, Moses was the only one who went home with a rod!

We see the Rod again on the beach of the Nile. Moses touched the waters and stopped a country for a whole week because the water became blood! It was amazing. It was the Rod.

The Rod became frog bait. Aaron touched the Nile and this time zillions of frogs infested the land. Kermit would NOT have been popular in Egypt circa 1445 B.C..

Next the Rod was used to make a country itch. I’m itching now just thinking about what happened. Aaron touched the dust of the ground with the Rod and it became lice. Have you ever had lice? I haven’t but I know people who have and it is not a pretty site. I can’t even comprehend the run on the drug stores and vinegar isle that must have taken place.

Then Moses raised his Rod and God sent huge hailstones and fire that ran along the ground. Always a nice combination when wreaking havoc and proving a point. People are looking for the hail and run into the fire or they are running from the fire and get whacked by a hailstone. All put in motion by the Rod.

The next great event that involved that Rod was something that I tried just recently, the parting of the waters. It looked so easy when Charlton Heston did it in, “The 10 Commandments”. I raised my walking stick and… nothing. Not even a ripple.

Moses’ lifted his rod, however, and a sea split to let two million people cross on dry ground. [Aside] How long did that take? I’ve spend the better part of a half an hour just getting to my car through the tunnel that leads from the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. Two million crossing a sea? Man. The Rod strikes again.

The Rod was used to bring water from the rock. Its use prohibited Moses’ entry into the Promised Land. It budded, had flowers and almonds to prove Moses and Aaron’s authority and finally came to rest in the Ark of the Covenant according to Hebrews 9.4.

A simple tool wrought wonders and it all started with the mild question, “What is that in your hand?” When Moses cut that stick did he have any idea about what it would become? Of course not. He had no clue. It was a rod. Moses was a humble man in a harsh place. Yet with the power of God behind that rod it moved nations. I believe that we will see that stick in heaven. It is a symbol of a yielded life and an all powerful God.

What is that in YOUR hand, a pen, screwdriver, iPhone? Throw it down and let’s see what you become! Want too?

The Rod

 And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod .Exodus 4:2
I’m a “walking-stick” kind of guy. I’ve always like to grab a stick when going for a walk in the woods and weeds. I have several right now on my back porch. The one that I cut just two days ago is green bamboo! Cool.

In Moses’ writings we read about Aaron’s rod, God’s rod and Moses’ rod. All were used in Power move situations. Have you noticed?

On Moses’ first encounter with Jehovah God the question is asked, “What is that in your hand” and the response is, “A rod.” However, when tossed to the ground that “rod” became a wicked looking snake. How do I know that it was wicked looking? Because an aged shepherd who had been working the “back-side” of the desert for forty years ran like a scared school boy when he saw it!

The rod became leverage in the conversation with pharaoh. Don’t you just know that Moses was chomping at the bit to chuck that stick at pharaoh’s feet. And can’t you see the initial reaction when pharaoh’s magicians did the same trick? However, that day, Moses was the only one who went home with a rod!

We see the Rod again on the beach of the Nile. Moses touched the waters and shut down a country for a whole week because the water became blood! It was amazing. It was the Rod.

The Rod became frog bait. Aaron touched the Nile and this time zillions of frogs infested the land. Kermit would NOT have been popular in Egypt circa 1445 B.C..

Next the Rod was used to make a country itch. I’m itching now just thinking about what happened. Aaron touched the dust of the ground with the Rod and it became lice. Have you ever had lice? I haven’t but I know people who have and it is not a pretty site. I can’t even comprehend the run on the drug stores and vinegar isle that must have taken place.

Then Moses raised his Rod and God sent huge hailstones and fire that ran along the ground. Always a nice combination when wreaking havoc and proving a point. People are looking for the hail and run into the fire or they are running from the fire and get whacked by a hailstone. All put in motion by the Rod. 

The next great event that involved that Rod was something that I tried just recently, the parting of the waters. It looked so easy when Charlton Heston did it in, “The 10 Commandments”. I raised my walking stick and… nothing. Not even a ripple.

Moses’ lifted his rod, however, and a sea split to let two million people cross on dry ground. [Aside] How long did that take? I’ve spend the better part of a half an hour just getting to my car through the tunnel that leads from the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. Two million crossing a sea bead? Man. The Rod strikes again.

The Rod was used to bring water from the rock. Its use prohibited Moses’ entry into the Promised Land. It budded, had flowers and almonds to prove Moses and Aaron’s authority and finally came to rest in the Ark of the Covenant according to Hebrews 9.4.

A simple tool wrought wonders and it all started with the mild question, “What is that in your hand?” When Moses cut that stick did he have any idea about what it would become? Of course not. He had no clue. It was a rod. Moses was a humble man in a harsh place. Yet with the power of God behind that rod it moved nations. I believe that we will see that stick in heaven. It is a symbol of a yielded life and an all powerful God.

What is that in YOUR hand, a pen, screwdriver, iPhone? Throw it down and let’s see what you become! Want too?

Reticence or Resolve?

Ex 20.20, 21

I always think of God being in Eternal Bright Glory and I have Bible proof in this thinking. However, in one of the most famous chapters in Scripture I see Him in “Thick darkness”. Well, I don’t SEE Him there because no man has ever seen God and seeing anything or anyone in “thick darkness” would be impossible. But the text sees Him there.

Moses is on the mountain. The mountain is covered with smoke and blazing fire just like a volcano. Which is what some “scientists” believe that Sinai is.

[Aside, why would God use a volcano to demonstrate His presence? Let me pose a question that might not seem to relate but you'll get my point in a minute. Was the burning bush real? Moses saw that bush that "burned" but was never consumed. So, what was happening with that bush? My opinion for what its worth is that God can manifest Himself in whatever form He chooses. To Moses the bush looked like it was on fire but it was God using what looked like flames to get Moses attention and to demonstrate His presence. Our invisible God can manifest Himself in forms and shapes in order to be seen. His glory would be such a manifestation. Thus God's presence on Sinai might have looked like what we call a volcano... but it wasn't.]

Moses is on the Mount and the people are at its base. God is on the Mount and has just given Moses the foundation of His Law, the Ten Commandments. The people heard and saw the following: thundering, lightening, sound of a trumpet and the mountain smoking. All of this had an interesting affect on them. They drew back.

The other day I was in the woods near our house. It was a dreary day and looked as if it might rain at any moment. I crested a small ridge in the under brush and out of the corner of my eye I saw a flash. For a split second I though, “Someone just took a picture of me!” I knew that that was a silly thought because I was in the middle of the woods. Then I heard a tremendous clap of thunder like I hadn’t heard in a long time! That clap made my body withdraw.

Have you ever been scared out of your wits by a sudden happening? Whether a sound or a quick action, you whole body went into shock and became so rigid that afterward you were breathless. That is how I felt in the woods. BOOM! AAH! Whew!

At Sinai the people dropped back when they heard and saw all of the mountain madness. Fear does that. It is a normal reaction and I’m sure that I would have been part of that cowering crowd.

However, look at what Moses did, “and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was” (21). Two thing here. God is in “thick darkness” and Moses is wanting to get closer. Why and why? We’ll answer these questions tomorrow.

Until then, what makes you withdraw from God? What draws you closer? Are you close or withdrawn just now? Leave a note and let’s talk about our reticence or resolve in our relationship with Jehovah God.

MoMo the YoYo

Esodus 19

“’Nothing can exceed the savage grandeur of the view from the summit of Mount Sinai. The infinite complication of jagged peaks and varied ridges, and their prevalent intensely red and greenish tints…’ (Edward Hull 1885)

The final steps of the Stairway of Repentance take to 2,285 metres above sea level and the lofty summit of Mount Sinai; the view from here has been likened to “an ocean of petrified waves”. Sometimes it is possible to see the hazy blues of the Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba from this point. The northern and eastern boundaries of the Jebeliya territory are demarcated by the dark volcanic circular dyke and the peaks of Jebel Um Alawi. Use the panoramic sketch to orientate yourself and locate landmarks” (http://goo.gl/8wvfL).

There is a mountain near our house called Morro Ipanema (http://goo.gl/8ZqFA). It is just over 900 meters high. Mout Sinai, in the Sinai Peninsula is just under 2300 meters high according to the above article. I have climed half way up Mount Ipanema and was pooped by the time that I reached that 450 meter point. I am 58.

I don’t know if you have noticed or not but in Exodus 19 the 80+ year old Moses makes his trek up and down Mount Sinai THREE TIMES! Three times. Three times.

Do you get the picture of what Moses and company saw as they arrived at the now world famous site. Pondering the physical steps that were involved in the conversation between, God, Moses and the people will literally take your breath away. Realizing that those steps were being taken by an 80 year old man is staggering in more ways than one. Granted Moses was no “ordinary” 80 year old but the feat was amazing none the less.

This was one of History’s most important conversations to be sure. God was doing most of the talking and Moses was up more than down. In fact Moses went a record 40 days and 40 nights without food OR water! In the desert! After he broke the tablets he went another 40 days and nights in unbroken communion with Jehovah God.

How far are you willing to go in your conversations with God Almighty? When we read the Exodus account, especially in chapter 19 we are reading words that Moses suffered to acquire. Countless steps, stumbles and staggering occurred to procure the sacred text. We can read it in less than five minutes. Hours of struggling vs. a five minute jaunt. Which will render more profit?

Am I suggesting that you spend 40 day and nights without food in order to hear from God Almighty? I am not sure. Moses did it and changed History. Jesus did it and changed Eternity. It might be and interesting experiment in our spiritual hike. Let me know how if you take the challenge.

Cyclical Rejoicing!

Exodus 18.9

When is the last time that you shared a blessing with someone. I mean that you literally sat down with a friend and shared the blessings that God has been showering you with.

That is what happened in Exodus 18 when Moses met with Jethro his father-in-law. Can you imagine this scene with me? These two old men with their long beards are sitting on the ground at the table where they have been dinning. All the while Moses has been recounting what the LORD has been doing in his life lately. Man! A firsthand account of all of those miracles by none other than Moses.

Here sits the entire family around the table recounting God’s blessings. The result was that “…Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel…”.

Interesting that word, “rejoiced”. It means to “rejoin“. It has the sense of uniting, intertwining or connecting.

I know that you have been in a situation like this. A friend is weaving a story and you are spellbound as the events unfold. Your mouth is hanging open, your eyes are locked as your imagination runs wild. Your mind is totally wrapped around the tale being told.

Now envision Moses as the storyteller and God as the Author of the tale! Picture Moses as YOUR son-in-law and the details that he is sharing are events that have changed his life and the course of History. I see that gaping mouth and glassy stare.

If you can imagine this scenario then you have a glimpse of how Jethro felt as he heard this news for the first time. This discourse made him jump for joy in the LORD. The event caused action. Jethro couldn’t contain himself. He shouted with joy, “Blessed be the Lord, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.

Then he made a declaration of Faith, Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them.

For the first time Jethro was seeing who God really was. He realized that God Jehovah was the only true god. His spiritual eyes were opened and he demonstrated his new faith by making a burnt offering and sacrifices to God. Which in turn lead to an invitation to Aaron and all of the elders of Israel to take part in a meal. Which probably lead to more stories. Which lead to more rejoicing. Which lead to more…. Well you get the point.

Rejoice with someone today. You won’t regret it. It might make you late for work but maybe you’ll get a meal in the deal!

Smooth as Silk

Who doesn’t want a smooth way in life? A smooth way is the preferred way. We like short-cuts, fast-food and instant answers to our difficult problems. Smooth is good!

I was in New Mexico traveling with two good friends several years ago. We were driving through an Indian reservation and looking for a missionary acquaintance. The road was an endless wash-board. Each bone jarring mile was monotonousness in its sameness. The driver of the big Ford 4×4 was a retired policeman. As we jolted slowly through each earthen pothole a twinkle lit my friend’s eye as he remembered some of his old police tactics. Out of the blue he tromped on the gas pedal.

“All of the bumps will disappear at 70 miles per hour” he chortled in his characteristic thundering belly laugh.
I slithered toward the Ford’s floor as I filmed what I thought were about to be my last moments on earth. I also said my prayers.

We sped for an eternal minute down that  dusty moonscape. When just as abruptly, and for no apparent reason, my friend let off the pedal with a giant hoot! His glee instantly turned to horror as we crested a small mound in the rugged trail to see an almost immediate ninety-degree curve that avoided by mere feet a canyon abyss. It was one of those unforgettable moments!

My friend’s intention was to “smooth” the path with velocity but the old adage, “speed kills” pierced us all with its stark message. It was a near miss that could have ushered the three of us into eternity.

How often do you and I rush to solve a problem in our own timing. We need to do something NOW! We don’t know that danger and death are rushing to meet us with their icy fingers. They too are speedy foes who long to reap the righteous.

Our goal must be to live in righteousness and travel life’s path in God’s timing.  We are lead by the Good Shepherd and must move when the flock moves. He doesn’t necessarily shield us from all harm but he desires our best. When we allow God’s grace to use our acts of righteousness He smooths our path and brings safety to our travels.

Hall of Fame

When I was a kid my family went to Cooperstown New York and visited the baseball Hall of Fame. I don’t remember much about the visit except that there were a lot of bronze statues and busts of a lot of unknown (to me) players from the early 20th Century. Getting into the baseball Hall of Fame is expensive. It costs you a lifetime of hard work and dedication. Thousands of professionals have played the game but few make it into the hallowed halls at Cooperstown.

Hebrews chapter eleven is the Hall of Fame in the Bible. Each one named there has a special place in the history of what God has done and is doing through faith. Verse thirteen is the amazing result of all of this faith!

These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

These men and women were characterized by faith to the point of death. They were promised things which they never fully received. Yet in faith they knew that God Word was as good as God. God had promised and He would fulfill His promise.

It is the same with every believer today. We trust Christ for something that we have not fully received, our Salvation. How do we know that we will receive that promise? We know it by faith. We only have faith. But faith is enough. We trust the trustworthy one, the God of Abel, Noah, Abraham, Moses and the millions of others who have gone before us in faith.

Those who have entered a Hall of Fame feel the awe of greatness. They revere players who have given their lives to demonstrate greatness. Those who enter the Hall of Faith awe and wonder at the Greatness of our God. He who gave His all so that we might be a part of His Gracious Salvation. One day we will stand in His presence with the greats of the past. Can you picture yourself there?

How did Little Joey Turn out So Good?

Genesis 37 – 50
Moses in preparing his novel called Genesis relates some fascinating human interest stories. One that endears me each time is how Joseph saves the universe! What? You’ve never read that part? Well my friend it is there as plain as day in chapters 37 – 50.

Joseph was a casula. Whoa brother you lost me there. Casula (ka-SOO-la) is a Portuguese word which usually means, “Spoiled rotten little brat”. Well… that might be the Amplified version of the definition. It actually means the youngest child in a family. The “baby”.

Joseph being the casula got doted on by daddy. Jacob’s favoritism lead to such bitterness that Joseph´s brothers wanted to kill him literally. While planning to do just that Joseph was saved by big brother Rubin. That, “salvation” lead to a life of slavery in Egypt shortly after being sold to a caravan of Ishmaelites. Lovely little family tradition that. Let’s sell the casula! Yay! Sounds like something from Star Wars.

Soon after his unexpected journey in chains to Egypt Potiphar buys him. If you have read this charming account you probably have noticed a phrase like, “and God was with Joseph” repeated several time. It is a good thing that God was with Joseph. Just imagine if He wasn’t. Things might have turned out bad. Oh, wait, how could it get much worse than nearly being murdered by your siblings and then sold into slavery. Well it did get worse.

Everywhere that Joe went things got better for all concerned. For all but Joe that is. In his slavery Mrs. Potifer is enamored with the handsome lad and all but drags him into her bed. When he squirms out of her grasp, leaving his cloak, she squeals on him and he goes to prison for at least two years! My Word! This guy is doomed!

Through all of these seemingly endless difficulties Joseph shines. He is used by God to be a blessing each situation. My question is, “Why?”. Why did Joseph turn out so good after going through enough bad experiences to make the strongest person bitter? The answer to this question will encourage those of you who are in tough straights or seemingly impossible situations right now.

Maybe you are like Joseph and have been treated unjustly your whole life. Look through Joseph’s glasses to see what he saw. His prescription is revealed in Genesis 45.5-8 and Genesis 50.20. Read those passages right now. It will help your vision.

Paul, in Romans 8.28 Tells us that ALL things are working together for the good to them who love God and who are the called according to His purpose. The, “all” in Paul’s phrase is a Greek word that means… All. Elsewhere Paul tells us that we are to give thanks in “Everything” that happens to us (1 Thess. 5.18). That Greek word means… everything.

Joseph had learned that lesson. He saw God in every situation, trouble and trial. God was acting in both the good and the apparent bad. His action was working toward a greater good. That good would eventually save the universe with the birth of Jesus the Christ. Joseph suffered so that you could be saved. Do you see it? Who will be helped by your suffering? Put on Joseph’s glasses and have a look around.