Last Sunday was Easter. I know Easter as a name, was taken from the name Ishtar, the goddess of fertility. Hence the bunnies, baby chicks, eggs, and the like. Regardless of all that, Easter is a time when, at least in the west, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is remembered by most everyone. Probably a better name for the day would be "Resurrection Sunday". But in our politically correct world, it'll not happen.
The early church celebrated the resurrection over a period of time...not just one day. They had what they called "Bright Monday. They also celebrated the following Sunday they called "White Sunday". These were times of laughter, joy, celebration, jokes, and parties. Jesus had risen! And they were ecstatic!!! Real joy!
We Christians should be the happiest people in the world! Sin is conquered! Jesus is alive!
Heaven is 0urs! God won!!!
Luke 15:10 tells about the rejoicing in heaven when one sinner repents. Think of the rejoicing in heaven in the presence of the angels when the stone rolled away and Jesus came out! Wow! The cheering of 100,000 people in the grandstands when the home team makes the winning touchdown in the last minute of the game is nothing compared to heaven rejoicing when Jesus Christ rose!!
When Jesus appeared to the apostles the evening of that Resurrection Sunday it says in John 20:20 that they were "overjoyed". Another translation says they were "thrilled with joy". The Amplified Bible says they were "ecstatic". And why not...Jesus was alive!!!!
In our world today with all the wars and rumors of wars, senseless killings, governmental intrusion into our lives, and economic turmoil, we Christians have JOY!!! Jesus is alive!!!! We are winners!!
"You ask me how I know He lives, He lives within my heart."
About Me
- Gale's Blog
- Mossyrock, Washington, United States
- My wife, Jean and I have been missionaries with InterAct Ministries since 1954. We lived 33 years in Alaska and travel to Alaska several times a year.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
HOW OLD IS OLD?
IS "OLD" DETERMINED BY THE NUMBERS OF YEARS YOU'VE LIVED?
MAYBE.
OR IS IT DETERMINED BY HOW YOU FEEL?
I JUST CELEBRATED MY EIGHTIETH BIRTHDAY...QUITE A MILESTONE!
AT LEAST THAT'S WHAT THE FAMILY THOUGHT AS THEY MADE A BIG DEAL OF IT.
AND I ENJOYED IT!! IT'S NICE TO BE FUSSED OVER.
OUR THREE SONS CAME DOWN FROM ALASKA. OUR DAUGHTER, JOANNE HAD US ALL OVER FOR A BIG DINNER.
TWO GRANDCHILDREN WERE THERE..ANOTHER DROVE FROM SEATTLE PACIFIC JUST FOR THE EVENING.
AND THROUGH TECHNOLOGY (SKYPE) WE ALL WERE ABLE TO SEE AND TALK TO OUR DAUGHTER, JEANNETTE, FOR AN HOUR. SHE AND HER FAMILY LIVE IN SPAIN.
SO , IN A SENSE, WE HAD A MINI-FAMILY REUNION. FUN!!
WHEN ONE OF MY FRIENDS IN ALASKA HEARD HOW OLD I WAS HE SAID,
"BEING EIGHTY IS A FULL TIME JOB!" YOU'RE EITHER GOING TO THE DOCTOR,
TAKING SOMEONE ELSE TO THE DOCTOR, DENTIST, CHIROPRACTOR,OR TO PHYSICAL THERAPY.
THEN THERE'S THE PHONE CALLS TO ASK YOU TO PRAY FOR A SITUATION...(WE GOT TWO TODAY!)
ALL THAT ALONG WITH ENCOURAGING AND ADVISING NINETEEN GRANDCHILDREN.
AND I COULD GO ON....BUT WON'T.
MAYBE BEING EIGHTY IS A FULL TIME JOB!
OUR SON, MARTY, SAID THAT WHEN YOU ARE EIGHTY YOU CAN DO WHATEVER YOU WANT,
AND YOU ARE ALWAYS FORGIVEN. WELL, WE'LL SEE....
I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES I'VE BEEN ASKED, "WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO NOW?"
I HAVE TO ANSWER,"I DON'T KNOW." THE FUTURE IS AS UNKNOWN NOW AS IT WAS 30,40,50,60
YEARS AGO. THE BIBLE SAYS IN PROVERBS 23:18, "THERE IS A FUTURE HOPE FOR YOU AND YOUR HOPE WILL NOT BE CUT OFF."
SO WE KEEP GOING...NOT AS FAST AS BEFORE (UNLESS I AM DRIVING) BUT WITH ASSURANCE THAT
THE LORD WILL LEAD NOW AS HE HAS IN THE PAST. WE TRUST HIM!!!!
MAYBE.
OR IS IT DETERMINED BY HOW YOU FEEL?
I JUST CELEBRATED MY EIGHTIETH BIRTHDAY...QUITE A MILESTONE!
AT LEAST THAT'S WHAT THE FAMILY THOUGHT AS THEY MADE A BIG DEAL OF IT.
AND I ENJOYED IT!! IT'S NICE TO BE FUSSED OVER.
OUR THREE SONS CAME DOWN FROM ALASKA. OUR DAUGHTER, JOANNE HAD US ALL OVER FOR A BIG DINNER.
TWO GRANDCHILDREN WERE THERE..ANOTHER DROVE FROM SEATTLE PACIFIC JUST FOR THE EVENING.
AND THROUGH TECHNOLOGY (SKYPE) WE ALL WERE ABLE TO SEE AND TALK TO OUR DAUGHTER, JEANNETTE, FOR AN HOUR. SHE AND HER FAMILY LIVE IN SPAIN.
SO , IN A SENSE, WE HAD A MINI-FAMILY REUNION. FUN!!
WHEN ONE OF MY FRIENDS IN ALASKA HEARD HOW OLD I WAS HE SAID,
"BEING EIGHTY IS A FULL TIME JOB!" YOU'RE EITHER GOING TO THE DOCTOR,
TAKING SOMEONE ELSE TO THE DOCTOR, DENTIST, CHIROPRACTOR,OR TO PHYSICAL THERAPY.
THEN THERE'S THE PHONE CALLS TO ASK YOU TO PRAY FOR A SITUATION...(WE GOT TWO TODAY!)
ALL THAT ALONG WITH ENCOURAGING AND ADVISING NINETEEN GRANDCHILDREN.
AND I COULD GO ON....BUT WON'T.
MAYBE BEING EIGHTY IS A FULL TIME JOB!
OUR SON, MARTY, SAID THAT WHEN YOU ARE EIGHTY YOU CAN DO WHATEVER YOU WANT,
AND YOU ARE ALWAYS FORGIVEN. WELL, WE'LL SEE....
I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES I'VE BEEN ASKED, "WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO NOW?"
I HAVE TO ANSWER,"I DON'T KNOW." THE FUTURE IS AS UNKNOWN NOW AS IT WAS 30,40,50,60
YEARS AGO. THE BIBLE SAYS IN PROVERBS 23:18, "THERE IS A FUTURE HOPE FOR YOU AND YOUR HOPE WILL NOT BE CUT OFF."
SO WE KEEP GOING...NOT AS FAST AS BEFORE (UNLESS I AM DRIVING) BUT WITH ASSURANCE THAT
THE LORD WILL LEAD NOW AS HE HAS IN THE PAST. WE TRUST HIM!!!!
Friday, January 16, 2009
FEELING INVISIBLE
OUR GRAND DAUGHTER, TAMARA VAN DIEST, WHO IS ATTENDING ECOLA BIBLE SCHOOL IN OREGON, SENT THIS A COUPLE DAYS AGO AND HAS GIVEN ME PERMISSION TO SHARE IT HERE.
Feeling Invisible?
This topic has been on my mind for a couple days now. The other day I was walking down a sidewalk on campus and spotted one of my guy friends. I smiled, but he didn't acknowledge me or say anything. I continued walking and after I passed him, I heard him call out to a pretty girl walking behind me. Now I had three options, either feel angry at the guy for not acknowledging me, feel depressed about myself because I wasn't worth acknowledging...or just blow it off. I chose one of those options...and have been thinking about it ever since. So I had to write to get all of it out. And here is the full extent of my thought...
We've all seen them. They're the nerds who sit in the front of the class, or the quiet ones who sit in the very back. They are the guys who dress like dorks, or the fat girls who laugh nervously. They are the ones with names no one knows how to pronouce, or even knows. They are the ones who will stand behind us for at least 7 seconds, saying "excuse me!" so they can pass by. But we don't hear them. Because to us, they are invisible.
For most of my life I've felt pretty invisible. I've struggled with self esteem, basing my worth off what people said to me, whether the popular people knew my name, or how many times I was told "you have a beautiful voice". I hid behind my love of music, thinking that since I wasn't pretty, since I wasn't popular, and because I was just a nerdish 'fat chick', I had to be known for something. So I chose music to identify me. When I felt nervous, I would sing. When I wanted to impress someone, I'd sing. When I felt like crap, I would sing. My whole identity was based on my music skills. I felt that since they were the only things going for me, I'd use them like a shield to hide behind. That way, I could protect the parts of me that had been seen and rejected too many times. So, music, I thought, was the only thing I had left to use as a megaphone to the world, to scream out "I'm a person too! I have worth too. I'm someone worth talking to, worth hugging, worthy of friendship!"
I think the majority of the world's population bases their identity on something else, whether it's beauty, fame, talent, merit, people's opinions or soly on their significant other. We all scream out "look at me! I'm worth something!" But there are those who, no matter how hard they try, still feel invisible.
Our true identity is covered up by what we base our worth on. The world tells us that it is not enough to be a real human being, we must be more. But honestly, when we peel off all the layers that we've added to ourselves, we find one thing: we are either dead in sin, or alive in Christ. One of those two phrasesis the only thing in life that will ever truly identify us. It will effect our atitude, our personality, and all of our choices in life. Who I am in Christ is so much more valuable than anything I could ever do myself or become. Since I discovered, this my cloak of invisibility has disappeared. I struggle with self worth issues so much less, knowing that what I mean to God is of the utmost importance. Nothing else matters.
But there are so many more invisible people. Our task is to help peel off their 'layers of identity'. To show them that what this world thinks of them is nothing compared to what the Amazing Creator thinks of them. To tell them that He is the only thing we should use to identify us. And that without Him, we are more than invisible; we are nothing.
Feeling Invisible?
This topic has been on my mind for a couple days now. The other day I was walking down a sidewalk on campus and spotted one of my guy friends. I smiled, but he didn't acknowledge me or say anything. I continued walking and after I passed him, I heard him call out to a pretty girl walking behind me. Now I had three options, either feel angry at the guy for not acknowledging me, feel depressed about myself because I wasn't worth acknowledging...or just blow it off. I chose one of those options...and have been thinking about it ever since. So I had to write to get all of it out. And here is the full extent of my thought...
We've all seen them. They're the nerds who sit in the front of the class, or the quiet ones who sit in the very back. They are the guys who dress like dorks, or the fat girls who laugh nervously. They are the ones with names no one knows how to pronouce, or even knows. They are the ones who will stand behind us for at least 7 seconds, saying "excuse me!" so they can pass by. But we don't hear them. Because to us, they are invisible.
For most of my life I've felt pretty invisible. I've struggled with self esteem, basing my worth off what people said to me, whether the popular people knew my name, or how many times I was told "you have a beautiful voice". I hid behind my love of music, thinking that since I wasn't pretty, since I wasn't popular, and because I was just a nerdish 'fat chick', I had to be known for something. So I chose music to identify me. When I felt nervous, I would sing. When I wanted to impress someone, I'd sing. When I felt like crap, I would sing. My whole identity was based on my music skills. I felt that since they were the only things going for me, I'd use them like a shield to hide behind. That way, I could protect the parts of me that had been seen and rejected too many times. So, music, I thought, was the only thing I had left to use as a megaphone to the world, to scream out "I'm a person too! I have worth too. I'm someone worth talking to, worth hugging, worthy of friendship!"
I think the majority of the world's population bases their identity on something else, whether it's beauty, fame, talent, merit, people's opinions or soly on their significant other. We all scream out "look at me! I'm worth something!" But there are those who, no matter how hard they try, still feel invisible.
Our true identity is covered up by what we base our worth on. The world tells us that it is not enough to be a real human being, we must be more. But honestly, when we peel off all the layers that we've added to ourselves, we find one thing: we are either dead in sin, or alive in Christ. One of those two phrasesis the only thing in life that will ever truly identify us. It will effect our atitude, our personality, and all of our choices in life. Who I am in Christ is so much more valuable than anything I could ever do myself or become. Since I discovered, this my cloak of invisibility has disappeared. I struggle with self worth issues so much less, knowing that what I mean to God is of the utmost importance. Nothing else matters.
But there are so many more invisible people. Our task is to help peel off their 'layers of identity'. To show them that what this world thinks of them is nothing compared to what the Amazing Creator thinks of them. To tell them that He is the only thing we should use to identify us. And that without Him, we are more than invisible; we are nothing.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
ALL GOD/ALL MAN
AT CHRISTMAS WE HEAR "AWAY IN A MANGER"
PART OF THE SONG SAYS
"THE CATTLE ARE LOWING, THE BABY AWAKES,
BUT LITTLE LORD JESUS, NO CRYING HE MAKES"
DID JESUS , AS A BABY, NOT CRY? HE WEPT WHEN HIS FRIEND LAZARUS DIED.
ISN'T CRYING SUPPOSED TO BE GOOD FOR A BABY?
OR IS CRYING ALWAYS BAD?
WHEN HE WAS WORKING IN HIS EARTHLY FATHER'S CARPENTRY SHOP,
DID HE EVER MISS A NAIL AND HIT HIS FINGER?
IF HE DID...DIDN'T HE KNOW IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN?
AND IF HE KNEW IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN, WHY DID HE CONTINUE TO SWING THE HAMMER?
DID HE EVER MAKE A MISTAKE IN THE SHOP AND NEED TO DO IT OVER?
ESPECIALLY WHEN JOSEPH WAS TEACHING HIM?
OR WAS ALL HIS CARPENTRY WORK PERFECT RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING?
SCRIPTURE TELLS US THAT "HE GREW IN FAVOR
WITH BOTH GOD AND MAN"
IN 4 PLACES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT IT SAYS HE KNEW NO SIN.
HE IS GOD.
SCRIPTURE TELLS US HE WAS "TEMPTED IN ALL POINTS AS WE ARE."
HE IS MAN.
WHEN HE FACED THE CROSS IN GETHSEMANE, HE SAID, "FATHER IF IT IS POSSIBLE, MAY THIS CUP BE TAKEN FROM ME. (a human reaction) YET NOT AS I WILL, BUT AS YOU WILL."
I WILL NEVER, AT LEAST ON THIS EARTH, UNDERSTAND HIM FULLY. HE IS THE GOD-MAN. HE IS MY SAVIOUR!! HE UNDERSTANDS ME AND HE SHOWED HIS LOVE FOR ME EVEN THOUGH I AM A SINNER "HE DIED FOR ME".
ONLY THE GOD-MAN COULD DO THAT!!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
FEAR
YESTERDAY, OUR YOUNGEST SON, JAY, AND FAMILY CALLED FROM ALASKA ON SKYPE. WITH THEIR VIDEO CAM THEY SHOWED AN OWL STANDING ON THEIR WINDOW SILL OCCASIONALLY LOOKING INTO THEIR HOUSE BUT MOSTLY LOOKING DOWN OUTDOORS. IT WAS STILL DARK THERE. THE FAMILY FIGURED OUT WHY THE OWL KEPT LOOKING DOWN. A MOUSE WOULD POKE HIS HEAD OUT OF ITS HOLE UNDER THE DOG HOUSE AND SCURRY BACK BEFORE THE OWL COULD SWOOP DOWN AND CATCH IT. FEAR.
AT THE SAME TIME I WAS WATCHING THE BIRD FEEDER OUTSIDE MY WINDOW. IT WAS CROWDED WITH LITTLE BIRDS. THEY WERE HUNGRY AS WE HAVE ABOUT 9 INCHES OF SNOW COVERING EVERYTHING AND IT IS 20 DEGREES. SUDDENLY A LARGE STELLAR JAY SWOOPED IN TO EAT. ALL THE LITTLE BIRDS WERE FRIGHTENED AWAY. FEAR. I COULD NOT HELP BUT THINK, "ANIMALS LIVE IN CONSTANT FEAR."
WHAT ABOUT US?
DO WE LIVE IN FEAR? FEAR OF WHAT?
WE WONDER WHAT THE FUTURE WILL BRING.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER RETIREMENT?
WILL OUR HEALTH CONTINUE TO BE GOOD?
SOME HAVE FEARS ABOUT THEIR ETERNAL DESTINY.
THE BIBLE SAYS THAT "PERFECT LOVE CASTS OUT FEAR."
I CANNOT HELP BUT THINK OF THE BIBLE VERSE IN II TIMOTHY 1:12 THAT SAYS,"I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED, AND AM CONVINCED THAT HE IS ABLE TO GUARD WHAT I HAVE ENTRUSTED TO HIM FOR THAT DAY." WHATEVER THAT DAY MIGHT BE.
AGAIN, THE PASSAGE IN PHILIPPIANS 4:7 TELLS ME THAT AS I REJOICE AND TRUST IN THE LORD, "THE PEACE OF GOD WHICH TRANSCENDS ALL UNDERSTANDING, WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS IN CHRIST JESUS."
SO...FEAR IS REAL...EVEN FOR HUMANS.
BUT FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS OVERCOMES FEAR! WE CAN COMMIT OURSELVES TO HIM...AND HAVE PEACE.
REAL PEACE ON HEART!!!!
AT THE SAME TIME I WAS WATCHING THE BIRD FEEDER OUTSIDE MY WINDOW. IT WAS CROWDED WITH LITTLE BIRDS. THEY WERE HUNGRY AS WE HAVE ABOUT 9 INCHES OF SNOW COVERING EVERYTHING AND IT IS 20 DEGREES. SUDDENLY A LARGE STELLAR JAY SWOOPED IN TO EAT. ALL THE LITTLE BIRDS WERE FRIGHTENED AWAY. FEAR. I COULD NOT HELP BUT THINK, "ANIMALS LIVE IN CONSTANT FEAR."
WHAT ABOUT US?
DO WE LIVE IN FEAR? FEAR OF WHAT?
WE WONDER WHAT THE FUTURE WILL BRING.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER RETIREMENT?
WILL OUR HEALTH CONTINUE TO BE GOOD?
SOME HAVE FEARS ABOUT THEIR ETERNAL DESTINY.
THE BIBLE SAYS THAT "PERFECT LOVE CASTS OUT FEAR."
I CANNOT HELP BUT THINK OF THE BIBLE VERSE IN II TIMOTHY 1:12 THAT SAYS,"I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED, AND AM CONVINCED THAT HE IS ABLE TO GUARD WHAT I HAVE ENTRUSTED TO HIM FOR THAT DAY." WHATEVER THAT DAY MIGHT BE.
AGAIN, THE PASSAGE IN PHILIPPIANS 4:7 TELLS ME THAT AS I REJOICE AND TRUST IN THE LORD, "THE PEACE OF GOD WHICH TRANSCENDS ALL UNDERSTANDING, WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS IN CHRIST JESUS."
SO...FEAR IS REAL...EVEN FOR HUMANS.
BUT FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS OVERCOMES FEAR! WE CAN COMMIT OURSELVES TO HIM...AND HAVE PEACE.
REAL PEACE ON HEART!!!!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
A TIME FOR EVERYTHING EVEN RETIREMENT
December 4, 2008
I came across and interesting phrase in Psalms 109:23
It says, “ I am fading away as an evening shadow”.
This is interesting to me because it articulates in some way what I feel.
I am about to send my letter of official retirement to the Mission.
Although I have not been as deeply involved as in the past,
I have been involved in the inner circle of leadership for years.
Evening has come for me and I will fade away as the evening shadow.
And this is not bad...it is necessary and inevitable.
Evening shadows are comforting.
Evening shadows are restful.
Evening shadows are a prelude of the night.
And work is finished when night comes.
And following night comes a New Day when there will be no evening shadows.
This brings comfort and satisfaction.
December 6, 2008
Well, today I took a major step in life.
Fifty-four years ago, in 1954, Jeanie and I began ministry in Alaska.
We arrived there May 12, 1954, our oldest son, Marty’s first birthday.
He just sent me a note saying, “Wow, that’s a big step to retire.”
I guess it is.
However, since there is no doubt in our minds that this is the thing to do...
There is peace and contentment.
Some people say there is no Biblical basis for retirement.
I can understand their thoughts
One never retires from:
Obedience to the Lord
Prayer
Serving our God
Trying to bring Him glory
Walking daily with Him
And a lot of other responsibilities to family, friends, and others.
There is a Biblical precedence for retirement, however.
It is found in Numbers 8:25, speaking of the Levites.
It says, “But at the age of fifty, they must retire from their regular service and work no longer.”
Verse 26 goes on to say, “They may assist their brothers in performing their duties at the tent of meeting, but
they themselves must not do the work.”
So,
That’s what we plan to do!
I came across and interesting phrase in Psalms 109:23
It says, “ I am fading away as an evening shadow”.
This is interesting to me because it articulates in some way what I feel.
I am about to send my letter of official retirement to the Mission.
Although I have not been as deeply involved as in the past,
I have been involved in the inner circle of leadership for years.
Evening has come for me and I will fade away as the evening shadow.
And this is not bad...it is necessary and inevitable.
Evening shadows are comforting.
Evening shadows are restful.
Evening shadows are a prelude of the night.
And work is finished when night comes.
And following night comes a New Day when there will be no evening shadows.
This brings comfort and satisfaction.
December 6, 2008
Well, today I took a major step in life.
Fifty-four years ago, in 1954, Jeanie and I began ministry in Alaska.
We arrived there May 12, 1954, our oldest son, Marty’s first birthday.
He just sent me a note saying, “Wow, that’s a big step to retire.”
I guess it is.
However, since there is no doubt in our minds that this is the thing to do...
There is peace and contentment.
Some people say there is no Biblical basis for retirement.
I can understand their thoughts
One never retires from:
Obedience to the Lord
Prayer
Serving our God
Trying to bring Him glory
Walking daily with Him
And a lot of other responsibilities to family, friends, and others.
There is a Biblical precedence for retirement, however.
It is found in Numbers 8:25, speaking of the Levites.
It says, “But at the age of fifty, they must retire from their regular service and work no longer.”
Verse 26 goes on to say, “They may assist their brothers in performing their duties at the tent of meeting, but
they themselves must not do the work.”
So,
That’s what we plan to do!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)