LIFEBOAT JUDGMENT CALLS, There is one lawgiver, who is able to save . . . James 4:12.

The year was 1945 and the war in Europe was raging to an end. Hostilities in Asia were on-going at a great loss of American lives. I was 17 and in training by the Coast Guard to be a merchant seaman in the US Maritime Service at Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn, NY.

There were 10,000 trainees with me at the largest training facility of the military services. Training was about seamanship, but it was also about survival; how to man the guns aboard ship with the Navy Armed Guard, how to survive in a flaming ocean after taking a torpedo hit, and how to jump into a sea filled with wreckage from the ship.

Then, we learned about the rules of the life boat. (172 ships were sunk off the Atlantic Coast of the U.S.A. Some residents in Florida reported seeing the smoke of a torpedoed ship).

Our instructor of lifeboat procedure was a crusty old Chief Petty Officer with frosty white hair and a weathered face and a trace of a Scottish accent. He was neat as a pin and his dark blue wrinkle-free CPO uniform was host to many medals of war zones. Even his silence demanded our attention, but when he spoke it was as if he was talking in a raging storm.

"WHAT'S THE FIRST RULE OF THE LIFEBOAT?" he bellowed. We had no answer, so he yelled out "DISCIPLINE!" And again, "I said; WHAT'S THE FIRST RULE OF THE LIFEBOAT?" We gargled out an answer, "D-d-d-iscipline?"

"LOUDER . . . USE THAT VOICE, SEAMAN or DIE – you won’t be heard if you fall overboard. I said ((( DISCIPLINE )))." He sounded like a klaxon.

Many times I have remembered that CPO instructor: but it occurred to me since having accepted Christ as my savior, and becoming acquainted with the discipling of new Christians, how closely related the terms "disciple" and "discipline" are - Hello!

Lifeboat discipline demanded that only the highest rank of the occupants is the official captain of that boat. It made no difference if the highest rank was that of a deck officer, an engineer, the chief steward or ship’s baker. His word is like the law of the “Medes and the Persians.”

Let's assume that our ship is sinking and we are adrift in a lifeboat. Our qualified “captain” is the Purser, a Naval Reserve Lieutenant Junior Grade, an amiable and decent man with experience in buying supplies for the ship and handling the payroll.

He also is an agnostic, completely indifferent to religion, but goes to church when at home when it is expedient and is a Christian in name only. He believes in Maritime Law and unbending in regard to the general rule of law. But recognizing the enormous responsibility facing him could soften his heart. It’s hard to believe that there are atheists or agnostics in a lifeboat.

OR – the same man could be a born-again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. He shares his faith when he has opportunity, but does not wear it on his sleeve. He would not try to form a “Church of the Lifeboat.” He had a daily spiritual walk with the Lord, centered on the word of God, the Bible. His hard decisions were dependent upon “What saith the Lord?” or “What does the Bible say?”

"The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them." Psalm 34:7.

Let's suppose further that an older couple is in the boat and the man suffers from COPD. Other occupants are an expectant mother with her little girl, three Able Bodied Seamen (their rank), and the rest are able passengers. If the sea gets slightly rougher, the boat will sink or capsize. The sea anchor, containing oil to smooth troubled waters, has little effect on an overloaded boat. Regardless of life jackets, they were all in danger of dying at sea.

I would recognize the designated captain and accept his judgment regardless of being agnostic or a believer. He would have to be smart enough to know that a completely lop-sided judgment call could lead to anarchy of a big crowd in a small boat.

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God,” Roman 13:1.

Either of the two would advise us of our situation and clarify his position in assuming command of the boat. He would explain the only option open to him, as they all could see, was to order one person to leave. But the believer would also tell us that he had another option. He had faith in a God of miracles and before he chose what seems to men to be the only option, he would want to pray for a miracle.

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:" 1Peter 1:7.

What kind of miracle would God perform? There is only one kind of miracle with God: one that saves. God is not restricted by our imaginations, he has many options. Read your Bible and make a word study of "miracles." Experience your personal miracle of re-birth - spiritually, John 3:3-8.

WHICH OF THE “CAPTAINS” WOULD YOU HOPE TO LEAD YOUR LIFEBOAT? Would you prefer the one who only has trust in man’s ability, or the one who has “the mind of Christ,” 1Corinthians 2:16, and seeks to know "What does the Bible say?"

Isn’t that what we want from every “captain” who makes life or death decisions which affect us? Man without the Lord, being left to his own devices, is adrift in uncertain waters.

RISING UP BEYOND ANGER by Pastor Bulldog

Have you ever been so angry that you felt the veins in your neck throbbing like a bongo beat? Have you ever seen someone whose words "blasted" from their mouth and whose face was an unhealthy magenta. Summer in the city can be hot and cause us to "lose it."

The news can make you hot under the collar and cause stress. But stress can be a good thing if it is a temporary warning that gives you a chance to do something about it. Yet, stress can be silent and unnoticed. If you try to hold it in it can kill you. But stress in any form can be the most life-threatening cause that the Devil uses to turn soldiers of the cross into ineffective non-combatants.

Last Fall the "Border Wars" between two outstanding football teams played here in Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium before a vast ESPN crowd of partisan fans. Kansas University, in Lawrence, was 11 and O; the University of Missouri, in Columbia was 10 and 1. Both were ranked in the top five in the nation.

The historical significance goes back before and during the Civil War, when Kansas anti-slavery Jayhawkers made murderous raids into Missouri, across the border, and Col. Quantrel's Rebel Bushwackers rode into Lawrence, Kansas, and massacred over 163 men indiscriminately, contributing to the term, “Bleeding Kansas”. Many of the bloodiest and most fiercely fought North/South battles occurred in eastern Kansas (Union anti-slavery) and western Missouri (Sourthern sympathizers) on the very land where we live.

Our home in Mission, Kansas, is only a mile from the border in the metro Kansas City area, about half-way between the two schools. As a loyal Kansan I watched the game with Helen. As Missouri began to run over KU, I could feel the pressure building in my head and down my neck and shoulders. Helen was tensing up also. But then, KU brilliantly fought back and almost tied the score with a last 5 second chance to win – but they lost.

Here's the silly thing: Helen and I became terribly worked up at the loss to Missouri – and K.U. wasn't even our school – Helen is a Virginia girl and we both went to college in Virginia. So - why did we get so worked up? We immediately had to set our affections on other things to rid ourselves of tension.

"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory" (Colossians 3:1-4).

Anxiety that turns into angst, sadness that turns into depression, and disappointments that turn into bitterness and anger are things a Christian does not have to have and it can be managed - immediately.



This is a world full of “babies” who cannot find ways to get along unless it is by "sex, lies, and video tapes" and murders. This is not all about interpersonal relationships entirely. It is about a world gone mad ever since the recorded incident in the third chapter of Genesis.

When all the world seems to be "going to hell in a hand basket", if you are a true "born again" believer with Christ IN you and you IN Christ why do you worry about anything. You don't belong here. Your life is in the heavenlies. You are left here on earth to be conformed into the image of the Lord Jesus Christ and to reproduce other "true" Spirit-led believers.

Abraham "looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (Hebrews 11:10). And he taught his "children of promise," Isaac, and Jacob, to regard their time on earth as a pilgrimage. We are strangers in the earth, having been set free from the curse of sin. We do not need to sin or to be angry, we have the power to overcome and to obey God.

We are the only people who live in two places; enduring our pilgrimage on earth while having peace from God in the heavenles. If things get bad, we can be transported aloft and look down with pity on this sad state of mankind and their toys.

Remember the plea of a man taken into custody who said, "Can't we all just get along"? The answer is "No." Well, maybe for a while, but how long has any peace ever lasted? The greatest argument for universal sin is man himself, especially the arrogant enemies of God who think that they will usher in the Millennium by the inventions of their own superior intellects.

Actually, man is a poor steward of the earth and cannot take care of himself - and cannot find a way to live forever, except in monuments and dedicated buildings, and they all crumble in time. Cynical? No, realistic, actually.

There are millions on the face of the earth who know in their hearts that there is a God who created all things and He is love - but He is also holy and righteous; He is just and no iniquity can come into His presence, yet He is rich in grace and His mercy endures forever. He is not a God who exacts human blood for atonement of sin. It was God's blood shed for our redemption and sin was judged on the body of His only begotten Son.

And to those of us Christians who look agape at the brutality, corruption, double standards, and the no-standards of a corrupt world system, God gives an answer to us and provides a way to keep our perspective in a daily spiritual walk.

"Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth [Reckon them dead with the old man you once were; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them" (Colossians 3:5-7).

When you feel yourself turning beet red, obey the warning and leap into the heavenlies to the throne of grace where Christ sits on the right hand of God the Father and receive grace and peace. In other words, rise up and simmer down.

(Angry man image by permission, Tulio Silva)
www.theexperience.aminus3.com

ON PLACES OF REFUGE - by Pastor Bulldog

This is a major announcement! I have had a revelation from on high as to who will be the next President of the United States.

It was revealed to me that the next President, good or bad , will be an individual chosen by God. No other candidate comes into focus. (Much depends on our prayers)It is God who sets up governments and leaders and overturns them according to His will and plan.

Remember during these perilous times that God had His way with Saul in taking the kingdom from him for disobedience and giving it to David. The Spirit of God left Saul and entered into David. (1Samuel 16:13-14).

Frightening events seem to happen on a greater global scale and frequency: wars and rumors of wars and natural disorders occur almost with regularity, more than news crews can keep up with; floods, cyclones, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, volcanic eruptions, and famines – first here, then there, then everywhere.

Why should Christians wonder at all of these things. We feel they are predicted, although they cause many heart beats to increase. But one can only take so much and before you grab your head and take more analgesic pills you should ask, "Is there a place to shut it off? If we could just get off the world long enough to assuage the awful stress it would be SO nice!

There is a refuge to which we may run and jump off the world. It is the rightful place of believers whose home is in heavenly places and not here on earth. (Ephesians 1:3; 2:6)

We are here and there at the same time and we can rise above it to find peace in Christ - if He is in us.

”That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” (Hebrews 6:18-20; Psalm 110:4)

What “two immutable things?” They are not exactly known, but I believe it can be reasoned that the first immutable thing, as some suppose, was the oath made to Abraham and sealed with a covenant , in which God swore by himself, that all the families of the earth would be blessed through him, Abraham.

I believe the second immutable thing is a reference to Jesus, a “refuge,” and referring to the cities of refuge God provided for a safe place to flee from the avenger for judgement of crimes made unawares. It is clear that our Refuge from sin gives us "hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;" (Titus 1:2)

CAVE OF REFUGE

There are few who have been covered over with as much stress and angst as David. At times when it seemed impossible to escape certain death he sought refuge . He sougjt refuge for defense and direction from God.

Jesus did the same in that he retreated to a quiet mountain place to be alone with the Father. In David's many afflictions the Lord delivered him out of them all. Once he fled from Saul and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. (1Chronicles 11:15).

David looked to the Lord as his “cave” of refuge when other refuges failed him. Jesus is our refuge, as David speaks of Him prophetically, as a place to which we can flee. (Psalm 142:4-5).

There are times when everything in the world outside is as dark as a cave, but inside it is as bright as outside - as you get alone with the Lord. So, in my recliner and the Bible uploaded on my computer I escape into the recesses of my heart/mine “cave of Adullam.

”CITIES OF REFUGE

The Lord is so loving and protective of those who love Him. No detail escapes His provision of our necessities. For Israel going into the promised land, he provided six cities of refuge for those who shed blood by accident or in defense.

Each of these cities provided sanctuary and safety from avengers. The Levites to whom the cities were given also provided worshipful and religious presence. (Numbers 35:6-12).

However, there is a “flip side” to this reprieve. If any who were granted to live in a city of refuge decided he had had enough and left before their cause was judged, then the avenger was free to hunt him down and kill him. (Numbers 35:26-28).

Peter says this regarding those who accept Christ as their Savior and then turn back; “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.” (2Peter 2:20),

Three of the six cities of refuge were west of the Jordon River and three were east of the river, so that all of the 12 tribes of Israel would not be far from refuge.

But here is grace: God provided a path to each city marked by signs showing the way to those who were trying to escape their avengers. (Deuteronomy 19:2-3) Our path to God's grace is through Jesus.

JESUS OUR REFUGE

He is Our Consolation: SO – what should be our prayer? As for me, my prayer would be to pray back to the Lord, “ . . . for my soul trusteth in thee . . . . “ (Psalm 57:1-2).

He is Our Anchor: In the harbor at the Atlantic entrance into the Panama Canal, at seventeen, I stood bow watch, as our ship swung on its anchor with a flotilla of other ships waiting for passage.

What would I do if our anchor did not hold and our ship collided with other ships swinging at anchor – and the rest of the crew was ashore, on a spirits-ual observance?

Our anchor holds, yes it holds and holds! He is Our High Priest: “ . . . after the order of Melchizedek, "priest of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth,” (Genesis 14:18-20) a shadow of our high priest, Jesus.

And by Him we have access by faith within the veil where we find refuge and grace. He said for us to “come unto me and I will give you rest.”

TIM RUSSERT, 1950 - 2008

One of the highlights of Sunday morning to me was to watch "Meet the Press" before going to church. I enjoyed listening to Tim Russert, Managing Editor and Moderator, interview people of note, especially politicians.

I join millions who watched Mr. Russert over the years in expressing shock at his sudden death today at the age of 58.
I am pleased to say that for all the years I watched him I never knew that he was a liberal Democrat. It never ocurred to me to inquire. He made me not care what his politics were.

He was a true unbiased objective journalist.

He was so professional and brought the truth to the forefront from everybody even if they did not want it to come out. He was a journalist's journalist and a perfect gentleman.
The most attractive feature of Mr. Russert was that he was a true family man. It hurts to know that his son, his wife, and his father, will not be able to celebrate Father's Day with him. But they have great memories that will comfort them after the sting
of losing him wanes.
Much is being said about his life and it was a great life. He was a man that others entering the media as a profession would do well to set him up as a model and to try to emulate him. We all will learn more about Mr. Russert as the days go by; things that we never knew about him because he was a modest and humble man. He did not talk about himself. He would rather talk about his father, "Big Russ," his wife and son and family and about others.
He was a man who made a sweet difference in an ugly world. Surely we shall all be praying for his wife, son, his father, Big Russ, and family.

Photo image FOX News.com

WHAT MORE COULD A FATHER ASK FOR?

Proverbs 17:6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

It's great to honor mother on Mother's Day, although it has gotten way out-of-hand commercially. So why do we need to subject dear old Dad to the same materialistic observance?

All we dads want is to raise our kids to be successful god-fearing contributors to the local and world scene (after getting the facts and wise counseling from their mothers). When our young eagles are successfully out of the nest and on their own, what better blessings than to see their success?

The blessings of our two boys is that they have been here for us regardless of their busy schecules: Jeff, Senior Pastor of a mega church with an international outreach ministry; David, a Senior Analyst for a subsidiary of a large electronics firm in Burbank, like his brother, could be anywhere from Sao Paulo, Brazil, to Long Island, New York. Either son would do everything he can to be here for us regardless of where they are.

What wonderful memories we have in raising our two boys and seeing their love for us implemented by their care for us in our advanced years.

How do kids get that way, anyhow? Easy, children are gifts from the Lord, to see to their godly development. Therefor we have access to His grace and His Spirit to guide us through the instruction manual, the Bible. All we have to do is to be good role models.

Our children begin life by wanting to emulate their fathers. But sometimes we fathers are too zealous in our rearing of young colts and fillies. That's where we need to go by the instruction book that came with the children the Lord gave us.

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Colossians 3:21

So, a good role model father is one who implements the right mixture of forebearance, discpline and love. So here is counsel from our Father God, who knows when to chasten us and when not to.

Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Hebrews 12:9-11

Fathers! Wouldn't it be the blessing of blessings to have the Lord say about you as he did about Abraham, this remarkable statement?

For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. Gen 18:19

Abraham learned what it took to please God and to recieve prosperity and "bushels" of blessings. All you have to do is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, his atoning death on the cross in your place, and claim His promises. The Father of fathers will say of you, "I knew him and gave him children to be models to their children to be models of holiness to the world of sin and sinners." Then the Lord will receive you and declare, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

HAVE A GOOD AND BLESSED "FATHER'S DAY."

PETUNIAS AND PEONIES

The Survivor Sagas

We look forward every April to the supermarkets, discount retailers, hardware stores, et al, to their massive displays of young plants, top soil and potting soils, and lots of garden fixtures and decorations - very tempting.

However, because it has been so cool and rainy - and "tornadoey" petunias were held off until the middle of May. And that's so very sad because petunias are Helen's specialty. In fact, if Helen doesn't have her usual fence display of showy petunias, she'll hear about from other residents in our apartment complex.

So off to W_ _ _ M_ _ _ we went, where in a short time we acquired enough petunias and geraniums to decorate the state house in Topeka, and four bags of potting soil - yeah, four bags!

It didn't take long for Helen to plant the petunias in containers, which were placed on a ledge lining the length of the outer board fence of our apartment patio. But back for more potting soil we went and I resisted telling my "girl friend," "I told you so."

And the little transplants began to grow and their pretty little blooms were smiling at passers-by - until more storm alerts and soaking rains came. They could not stand up under a pelting rain. Oh - they looked so pitiful bent over with withered blooms. We had to pick almost all of them until tney were back to "ground zero."

They were not the only flowers that suffered. Across the courtyard there were banks of peonies that had fallen in a tangled mess like party-goers with "too much libation at the ball." (I see a theme for a fable developing here with a moral that would make Aesop proud.)

Peonies give the appearance of being strong with tall sturdy stems and the blooms are amazingly spectacular. They seem to bloom overnight but their season is short. But from the latest deluge, they gave up - they just drooped over and died. They had no stamina. No amount of plant food could heal those sick plants. They just gave up and accepted their fate.

Ah, but then there's Helen's petunias. They droop in the heat, but water strengthens them and they snap back with their heads held high. They may be bedraggled from the rain, but gloom turns to bloom when they look to the sun. When petunias wilt in the hot part of the summer, they can be cut back almost to the roots but water and sun gives them new life - they become spectacular again even up into September.

Petunias are survivors, but peonies will never bloom again this year.

What spiritual moral can you draw from the last two paragraphs?

HAVE A BLESSED MEMORIAL DAY

Today in the first service, the Pastor paused to recognize those who served our nation in Military Service. I was proud to stand as the congregation applauded us.

It used to be that it was a proud honor to be recognized as having an ancestor who served in the Continental Army of the Revolution. My mother's body rests in a beautiful cemetary in Missouri. It used to be that the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.) would place a marker on the graves of their members. It was a nice commemoration of our nation's proud heritage under God.

"By the rude bridge that arched the flood, Their flag to April's breeze unfurled; Here once the embattled farmers stood; And fired the shot heard round the world.

On this green bank, by this soft stream, We place with joy a votive stone, That memory may their deeds redeem, When, like our sires, our sons are gone.

O Thou who made those heroes dare, To die, and leave their children free, -Bid Time and Nature gently spare, The shaft we raised to them and Thee."
The Concord Hymn (edited), by Ralph Waldo Emerson (25 May 1803 – 27 April 1882)

I always looked forward to "Decoration Day" and stopping by Moncrief's Nursery, with my mother and grandmother, to pick up flowers to decorate the family graves in Riverview Cemetary. In the center of the Cemetary there is a statue of a Civil War soldier on a high lilmestone pedastal. It always fascinated me, but I never knew if he was a Yank or a Reb, a Blue or a Gray. He had no distinctive sign or symbol, just a neutral color. The pathos is that he represented brother against brother. But as the anthem says, " . . . when our cause, it is just."

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord: He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword: His truth is marching on.

(Chorus) His truth is marching on.

I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps, They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps; I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps: His day is marching on.

(Chorus) His day is marching on.

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat; He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat: Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet! Our God is marching on.

(Chorus) Our God is marching on.

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me: As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free, While God is marching on.

(Chorus) While God is marching on.

He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave, He is Wisdom to the mighty, He is Succour to the brave, So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of Time His slave, Our God is marching on.

(Chorus) Our God is marching on.
Battle Hymn of the Republic - Julia Ward Howe (May 27, 1819 – October 17, 1910)

Our Prayers for our nation and military forces should be strong and with confidence as we approach the throne of grace. We will not forget those who have volunteered to take up arms to protect our way of life - and may it continue to please God for grace to preserve the principles of our heritage and to escape the pollution of godlessness, for it is your cause in which we glory by serving you, Lord Jesus, And we know that what we may not understand will be revealed to us in a different time and place, for you are God, and to you belong glory and dominion forever. Amen.

"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD." (Isaiah 54:17)