In the 2000 movie, "The Patriot", writer Robert Rodat has created an inspiring fictional drama based very loosely on the exploits of the Revolutionary War hero, Gen. Daniel Morgan. Rodat's character, named Benjamin Martin and played by Mel Gibson, raises and leads a company of Colonial militia to harass and frustrate the British, who are under the command of General Cornwallis.
While raising his militia, Martin sends his oldest son, Gabriel (played by a young Heath Ledger), to enlist more volunteers from a protestant church known to count many ardent proponents of freedom among it's members. Watch this:
The words of young Anne Howard echo those of the brother of our Lord recorded in the second chapter of the New Testament letter of James, verse 17, when he declares "faith, by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." I wonder if there could be a more defining portrait of true manhood than that brushed with the strokes of the words, "One who acts upon that which he so strongly believes."?
God is calling you, men, to be leaders in your family, leaders in your workplace, & leaders in your community, by acting upon that which you believe. The days of passivity are no more. The time for action is upon us. That which is right, you know. That which is just, you affirm. That which is true, you believe.
James, in the first chapter and the 22nd verse, says "Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."
The time for action has come. If you are not involved with your church, the time for involvement is now. Get involved. If you do not have a church to become involved in, I offer you a new opportunity. A new church being started for men and their families. A church with the intent of being shorter on words and longer on actions. A church that proclaims the truth of the Gospel of Jesus in it's simplicity. A church that celebrates the freedom for which Christ set us free.
Our current intent is for Challenge Pointe Church to begin meeting on Easter Sunday, April 24, at the Barn of "Keepin' It Country Farm" located at 5511 Township Line Road, in the Lebanon-Springboro-Waynesville triangle. If you are interested, please contact me via email at challengepointe@aol.com.
The Challenge is out there. Who is with us?
This is Challenge Pointe.
Semper Fidelis.
Doug
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
"Little Knowing"
At 33,000 inhabitants, Andersonville stood as the 5th largest southern city during the civil war. The only problem was that it wasn’t a city at all. It was a Confederate prison camp, created to hold a maximum of 10,000 union captives.
The crowding, combined with an inhumane warden, turned those 26 acres into one of the greatest killing grounds of that war. They were not given shelter from the elements, nor were they allowed to build their own. Most lived in shallow holes scratched into the hard, Georgian ground, with nothing more than a thin blanket as a covering.
Daily rations consisted of a teaspoon of salt, 3 tablespoons of beans, and a half-pint of unsifted cornmeal. Their only source of drinking water served also as their sewer system. Thousands died of disease in such horrific conditions. Thousands more died of malnutrition. In all, more than 13,000 men perished in Andersonville during the less than 15 months it was open.
Photographs of those that did survive until the end of the war show mere skeletons of men. And so it was with eager anticipation that hundreds of these now-freed prisoners hobbled or were carried onto a great riverboat, named the Sultana, a couple weeks after the Confederate surrender.
So great was the desire to get home again, that more than 2,300 Union soldiers crammed the decks of that vessel - - even shoe-horning themselves into the pilot house - - destined for stops in Illinois, Louisville, and Cincinnati, little knowing that, only days before, the great sidewheeler had experienced dangerous leaks in her boilers that had been very hastily repaired by the ship’s engineers.
So, the over-laden craft pulled out and churned the dark water of the swollen Mississippi. Though it was slow moving upstream against the springtime currents, the mood of the men must’ve brightened with each mile.
Then, about 10 miles north of Memphis, in the black of the morning hours of April 27, 1865, a great fireball awakened the countryside for miles around. The Sultana’s boilers burst in a cataclysmic explosion, spewing hot coals & red-hot metals, and sending the ship’s tall stacks crashing onto the crowded decks.
The paddle-wheeler became a drifting inferno until it finally struck a submerged island and sunk. In all, 1700 of the men perished that morning. They had stepped on board in great anticipation that this vessel promised fulfillment of their most-desired dreams. But they did so, little knowing the fate that awaited them.
My question is this: How many of those men would’ve made a different choice if they’d known the condition of those boilers? If they’d been aware of the instability of the Sultana? If they’d been warned of the perils that threatened any who would board? Though such information was vital, it was undeclared.
Guys, here’s the deal: Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Edition came out last week and most men would say, “What’s the harm?” But today, God has some vital instruction to declare that could save your life. This instruction comes from the wisest of men, Solomon, in the form of a vivid word picture brushed on the canvas of Proverbs 7:6-23. Here’s the abridged account:
I looked out through the lattice.
7 I saw among the simple,
I noticed among the young men,
a youth who lacked judgment.
8 He was going down the street near her corner,
walking along in the direction of her house
9 at twilight, as the day was fading,
as the dark of night set in.
10 Then out came a woman to meet him,
dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
13 She took hold of him and kissed him
and with a brazen face she said:
15 …I came out to meet you;
I looked for you and have found you!
16 I have covered my bed
with colored linens from Egypt.
17 I have perfumed my bed
with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
18 Come, let’s drink deep of love till morning;
let’s enjoy ourselves with love!
19 My husband is not at home;
he has gone on a long journey.
21 With persuasive words she led him astray;
she seduced him with her smooth talk.
22 All at once he followed her
like an ox going to the slaughter,
…little knowing it will cost him his life.
Solomon paints a portrait of a young man and a temptress. We are the young man, perhaps not so young. And though, perhaps, wise in the ways of our world - - we are so often naïve to the tactics of the Enemy.
The temptress is clothed in varied fabrics. This week the seductress may be the Swimsuit Edition. However, there are harlots beckoning to us every day: riches, gambling, alcohol, drugs, marital infidelity, careers, as well as pornography. And, if we follow, their path will end in the loss of our families, our lives, even our souls.
God is for us and He wants the best for you and me. So He had Solomon identify for us three weaknesses in the metal of the lives of all men. They are:
1. The Weakness of Proximity – Verse 8 tells us the man was “going down the street near her corner.” The wise & faithful man keeps distance from temptation. It’s impossible to avoid it completely. But be vigilant. Be aware. And keep your distance to protect yourself and your family.
2. The Weakness of Path – Verse 8 goes on to say that “He was walking in the direction of her house.” These are images, thoughts, and desires that we allow into our minds. When we consider them, ever so slightly, we are walking in that direction - on that path. SI’s annual temptation probably falls into this category.
3. The Weakness of Privacy – Verse 9 informs us that it was “at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in.” His reasoning was “no one will see, no one will know”. Temptation is stronger when we think no one will find out. The truth is: What you do in private does matter.
Verse 22 tells us (facetiously) that “all at once he followed her”. But Solomon, and we all, saw it coming. It didn’t really happen all at once. It occurred incrementally. A step or two at a time. And thus it occurs in our lives.
It’s a challenge in our world. But God is Always Faithful. He has given you His Word on it.
This is Challenge Pointe.
Semper Fidelis!
Doug
Saturday, February 19, 2011
"Being Elijah"
I was Elijah today.
It was a welcome opportunity to get back out on the trails in the middle of February in southwestern Ohio. Snow had blanketed the ground for most of the last two months and the miles churned out on the treadmill had been dreaded and monotonous.
The warm weather of the last few days had pulled back the white blanket from even those areas most protected from the sun. However, in the place of the slick white stuff, I now was confronted with sucking, deep, dark, brown mud. Resisting the urge to curse the mud, I (rather uncharacteristically) thanked God for the warmth of the winter sun that had made it possible and had softened the hard-frozen path that meandered in a 3.1-mile loop of a favorite park.
As I picked my steps along the familiar trail on what was to be a 9.3-mile run, the sunlight spackled my way thru oaks, maples, locusts, and birches beaten bare by the snow, ice, and wind of the season. Hard edges and abrupt angles comprised their limbs that in a few weeks will be softened by the emergence of promising buds.
The path undulated, giving my imagination the impression of running the back of the Loch Ness Monster gliding along the surface of that great Scottish basin. Rather than an impediment, these gentle rises and falls seem an invigoration to my strides. That is not the case, however, with The Three.
The Three is a name I have given to the three largest uphill climbs in the loop. The first is a relatively small steep section immediately followed by a rather long and gradual climb that ends about halfway around the loop. The second is the most dreaded and is much the reverse of the first: a gentle rise that switchbacks a couple times into a long, precipitous ascent. The final of The Three is, perhaps, the shortest and tallest - - consisting mostly of step-like rocks protruding from the hillside.
I was Elijah today.
Three 3.1-mile loops whose turf belongs to The Three. Nine hilly challenges for my legs and lungs this warm, winter day. Each member of The Three thrice threatened to thwart me. Desiring to subdue my stubborn strides (emphasis on stubborn) into a vanquished walk. Not today.
Nine times, though, I found myself wondering if I could, indeed, complete my run. Each of these times was a direct result of one of the hilly members of The Three. None of these doubts occurred in the midst of the climb, though. It was, rather, upon successful completion of the tests that my resolve wavered.
I was Elijah today.
In Second Kings, chapter 18, God’s man, Elijah, confronts the steep task of facing down Israel’s narcissistic King Ahab. Ahab has turned the hearts of God’s people to the false god Baal and now Elijah challenges the king and all 450 of Baal’s prophets to a showdown on Mt. Carmel.
The test is simple in design: Each camp is to prepare a bull for sacrifice to the one they worship - - the 450 for Baal and Elijah for The LORD. Their task is to prepare and pray. The deity who sends down fire to consume his respective bull will prove that he, indeed, is The God.
From morning ‘til evening, Baal’s henchmen beg, plead, implore, and petition their god. Nothing. In moments that border on arrogance, Elijah taunts them, wondering if Baal might be sleeping, or on a trip, or, perhaps even, “dropping the kids off at the pool” (if ya know what I mean). Still they persist in their sincere supplications. And then it happens. Nothing!
Elijah turns his attention to the second bull - - the one picked by Baal’s prophets to be offered to The LORD. He pulls 12 stones together to form an altar and digs a trench around it big enough to hold 3.5 gallons of water. He arranges the woodon the stones. Prepares the bull on top of the wood. And then proceeds to have the bull soaked with 12 jars of water that saturate the bull, the wood, and roll off until water fills the trench.
A two-sentence prayer.
“Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.” And a chant arose from all the people: “The LORD – He is God! The LORD – He is God!”
Then, to put him over the top, Elijah warns Ahab to hurry home because, even though it had hardly rained in three years, a downpour was on its way. And so it was.
But while it was still raining, Ahab’s queen threatens Elijah’s life and sends him running. Running for about 73 miles - - several days - - until he finally collapses in the shade of a small juniper. There - - having completed the climb, conquered the enemies of God, and turned the hearts of God’s people - - there Elijah prays for God to end his life.
But God sends an angel with food and drink for Elijah. Then, after having allowed the man of God a time of rest, the angel returns with more nourishment & encouragement and he sends Elijah on his way.
I was Elijah today.
Whenever I crest the peak of one of The Three, having met the challenge it laid before me. Whenever, I find myself again on the flatland that, in my mind, should mean relief to weary muscles and heaving lungs. Whenever I’m in the clear, yet still exhausted & discouraged, I remember Elijah and I continue on the path - - knowing that my muscles will recover, my breathing will normalize, and now is not the time to make a major decision - like quitting the course before me.
Life is full of challenges.
This is Challenge Pointe.
Semper Fidelis.
Doug
Sunday, February 13, 2011
"You Never Know ..."
Jimmy knew no other home but Cleveland. That was until he was 12, and his daddy was killed in a car accident. The United States had not yet swung into full production for the fight against the Nazis and the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was still more than a year in the future. In need of a way to sustain her family, Jimmy's mom moved them to Milwaukee, where everyone did whatever they could to help out.
With no money for college, James applied to the Naval Academy - - only to be denied admission. However, he was told of a program where the military would pay for him to get a two-year engineering degree in exchange for a hitch in the Navy. After studying at the University of Wisconsin, James applied again to the Academy and was accepted. After the Academy, he began his military career as a navy test pilot.
During one of his test bombing runs, while stationed near China, Jim was developing flight techniques to be used for dropping nuclear bombs. Thick clouds rolled in and the mission was aborted. Unable to see, he was totally dependent upon his instruments.
In his words, Jim Lovell (played by Tom Hanks in Ron Howard's 1995 Movie "Apollo 13") described that experience in a televised interview. Take a look:
Jesus happens upon another man, like Lovell, in need of direction. The 9th chapter of John's Gospel starts like this: "As he (Jesus) went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Teacher, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" I'll save our Lord's response for later.
Like Jim Lovell, this man is in a bad situation, and, also like Lovell, it seems to get worse. Jesus spits in the mud, puts it on the man's eyes and sends him to wash it off. Obediently, the man does so and when he did, he was no longer blind.
Well, you say, that just sounds like bad situation to good situation. And you would be right, if we just existed as physical beings. But, you and I are more than that. Much more. And so was this man. Jesus' purpose was to get to the heart of the man. And, in this respect, it got worse - - much like Lovell's lights & instruments failing just when he needed them.
Here's why: His friends and family, who should've been tickled pink, doubted he was who he said he was. His response: It's me. Then, just when he thought he needed them, they interrogate him, as if he's done something wrong. His reply is to recite the facts: The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to the pool of Siloam and wash. So, I went and washed, and then I could see."
But they didn't stop there. They ratted him out to the religious police -- who grilled him. His answer to them: He re-states the facts and when asked for his evaluation of Jesus he says, "He's a prophet."
Not satisfied, the Pharisees bring in his parents who promptly toss their son to the wolves with: "We don't know. He's a grown man. Ask him."
Now, questioned again, insulted, belittled, and threatened, they demand that he renounce Jesus as a sinner. Being a man, he stood his ground and re-told the truth. As for renouncing his healer, he said, "He is a godly man." And they threw him out and he was looked upon as dirt by his own people.
Friends - deserted! Neighbors - gone! Parents - nowhere to be found!
But Jesus heard about it. And verse 35 says, "...and when He found him, He said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man (another way of saying "Savior")?"
"Who is He, sir?" the man asked. "Tell me so that I may believe in Him."
"You have seen Him; in fact, He is the one speaking with you."
Then, the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped Him.
Just when the man thought life was turning around, with the receiving of sight, the world dealt a severe blow. Everyone he had relied on, and had thought he needed, had bailed. Yet, through all this - - and because of all this - - we can see his journey from unbelief to belief in his responses about Jesus:
First, it was just the facts.
Then, "He's a prophet."
Next, "He's a Man from God."
And finally, to Jesus: "Lord, I believe."
Oh, yeah. Jesus' reply to his disciples' questions about who to blame for the man's blindness: No one. This happened so that God could display his work in his life. (John 9:3)
God is at work in your life. You never know what's around the next turn. But, no matter what it is, God is Semper Fidelis - - Always Faithful. Don't miss the green carpet God has laid out in front of you.
"You never know what events are going to transpire to get you home."
This is Challenge Pointe.
Semper Fidelis,
Doug
With no money for college, James applied to the Naval Academy - - only to be denied admission. However, he was told of a program where the military would pay for him to get a two-year engineering degree in exchange for a hitch in the Navy. After studying at the University of Wisconsin, James applied again to the Academy and was accepted. After the Academy, he began his military career as a navy test pilot.
During one of his test bombing runs, while stationed near China, Jim was developing flight techniques to be used for dropping nuclear bombs. Thick clouds rolled in and the mission was aborted. Unable to see, he was totally dependent upon his instruments.
In his words, Jim Lovell (played by Tom Hanks in Ron Howard's 1995 Movie "Apollo 13") described that experience in a televised interview. Take a look:
Jesus happens upon another man, like Lovell, in need of direction. The 9th chapter of John's Gospel starts like this: "As he (Jesus) went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Teacher, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" I'll save our Lord's response for later.
Like Jim Lovell, this man is in a bad situation, and, also like Lovell, it seems to get worse. Jesus spits in the mud, puts it on the man's eyes and sends him to wash it off. Obediently, the man does so and when he did, he was no longer blind.
Well, you say, that just sounds like bad situation to good situation. And you would be right, if we just existed as physical beings. But, you and I are more than that. Much more. And so was this man. Jesus' purpose was to get to the heart of the man. And, in this respect, it got worse - - much like Lovell's lights & instruments failing just when he needed them.
Here's why: His friends and family, who should've been tickled pink, doubted he was who he said he was. His response: It's me. Then, just when he thought he needed them, they interrogate him, as if he's done something wrong. His reply is to recite the facts: The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to the pool of Siloam and wash. So, I went and washed, and then I could see."
But they didn't stop there. They ratted him out to the religious police -- who grilled him. His answer to them: He re-states the facts and when asked for his evaluation of Jesus he says, "He's a prophet."
Not satisfied, the Pharisees bring in his parents who promptly toss their son to the wolves with: "We don't know. He's a grown man. Ask him."
Now, questioned again, insulted, belittled, and threatened, they demand that he renounce Jesus as a sinner. Being a man, he stood his ground and re-told the truth. As for renouncing his healer, he said, "He is a godly man." And they threw him out and he was looked upon as dirt by his own people.
Friends - deserted! Neighbors - gone! Parents - nowhere to be found!
But Jesus heard about it. And verse 35 says, "...and when He found him, He said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man (another way of saying "Savior")?"
"Who is He, sir?" the man asked. "Tell me so that I may believe in Him."
"You have seen Him; in fact, He is the one speaking with you."
Then, the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped Him.
Just when the man thought life was turning around, with the receiving of sight, the world dealt a severe blow. Everyone he had relied on, and had thought he needed, had bailed. Yet, through all this - - and because of all this - - we can see his journey from unbelief to belief in his responses about Jesus:
First, it was just the facts.
Then, "He's a prophet."
Next, "He's a Man from God."
And finally, to Jesus: "Lord, I believe."
Oh, yeah. Jesus' reply to his disciples' questions about who to blame for the man's blindness: No one. This happened so that God could display his work in his life. (John 9:3)
God is at work in your life. You never know what's around the next turn. But, no matter what it is, God is Semper Fidelis - - Always Faithful. Don't miss the green carpet God has laid out in front of you.
"You never know what events are going to transpire to get you home."
This is Challenge Pointe.
Semper Fidelis,
Doug
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
"He Shouted All the More"
In the 1993 Movie "Rudy", directed by David Anspaugh, Sean Astin plays Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger, an undersized high school football player with dreams of one day taking the field for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. There's just one problem. And that one problem is that there are lots of problems!
First, even though he played the line in high school, Rudy is way too small for college. Plus, he doesn't have the grades to even get admitted by Notre Dame's high standards. Plus, his dad wants him to get his head out of the clouds and take his place in life - - as a steel mill laborer (And he tells him so, regularly). Plus, his teachers don't think he's college material - - anywhere. Plus, - - well, you get the picture.
As shown in the movie, Rudy boards a bus and gets himself (physically) to South Bend. Once there, he meets with the priest and pours out his heart: "Ever since I was a kid I wanted to go to school here. And ever since I was a kid, everyone said it couldn't be done. My whole life, people have been tellin' me what I could do and what I couldn't do. And I've always listened to them. I don't wanna do that anymore."
In a rare moment, the priest offers him the slimmest of hopes: "OK, Mr. Rudy. Here's the deal: Holy Cross Junior College is nearby and I can get you one semester there. You make grades, you get another semester. Then, maybe, with a high enough GPA, you might have a chance of getting into Notre Dame.
For the next two years, Rudy works at Holy Cross, getting the grades and applying - - only to be denied time and again. But then it happens. A letter from Notre Dame, informing him he was accepted for admission.
After all that time - - all the studying, all the classes, all the rejection, and all the work to get here - - Rudy was ready to get to work on fulfilling his dreams of playing football at the school of the Golden Dome. The first day of tryouts as a walk-on should've been a time of great exhilaration, but football coaches have a way of stifling that all by themselves. Watch & listen:
(If you put your cursor over the blue box, an x will appear at the top right of the blue box. Click it to remove the blue box.)
Here's the point: Everyone is going to tell you that you can't do it and they'll probably give you a long list of reasons why. Some of them do it because, well, by keeping you down, they have more company. Some of them do it because, if you reach your dreams, they'll feel guilty about not having achieved theirs. Some of them will do it simply because they have been programmed to be that way by everyone they know.
Now, I'm not selling the philosophy that says that all we need is good self-esteem. That lie is suffocating our families and killing our country. (Did you know that a recent study showed that while U.S. students ranked last among participating nations in math and science, our students felt better about their math and science skills than any other country.)
What I am talking about is a belief that leads to action. A conviction that you were created for more than what has been. More than what is.
I'm reminded of Timaeus' son, whose story is told in the 10th chapter of Mark's gospel. He couldn't see. Never could. Darkness was all he had ever known. Blackness was all he saw. Begging was his lot in life and "he'd better damned well get used to it".
Then, he heard a ruckus. Sounded like a crowd. Not marching, but sort of swirling like a cyclone in his direction. "What's going on?" he must've shouted. A voice off to his right replied, "It's Jesus - - and a bunch of other folks." Well, the other folks were all well and good, but the one that Bartimaeus (which means, "son of Timaeus") was aiming for was Jesus: "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
Then, just as it had been all his life, it threatened to become, again.
"Be quiet, Bart."
"Mind your place, Bart."
"He's got important things to do, Bart."
Then, we read in verse 48 these words of hope, "But he shouted all the more."
And Jesus heard him. And Jesus called him. And Jesus healed him. And He delivered him from the darkness that, most assuredly, always had been. But by the gracious plan of God, was no more!
Hear me, my friend: God has more for you than the darkness you've known. Even more than you may be able to imagine. Do you believe it? Do you believe it with a belief that results in action? That changes what you do? If so - - keep it up! Don't quit!! Don't miss God's adventure that He has planned for your life.
That's a big Challenge.
And this is Challenge Pointe.
Semper Fidelis!
Doug
First, even though he played the line in high school, Rudy is way too small for college. Plus, he doesn't have the grades to even get admitted by Notre Dame's high standards. Plus, his dad wants him to get his head out of the clouds and take his place in life - - as a steel mill laborer (And he tells him so, regularly). Plus, his teachers don't think he's college material - - anywhere. Plus, - - well, you get the picture.
As shown in the movie, Rudy boards a bus and gets himself (physically) to South Bend. Once there, he meets with the priest and pours out his heart: "Ever since I was a kid I wanted to go to school here. And ever since I was a kid, everyone said it couldn't be done. My whole life, people have been tellin' me what I could do and what I couldn't do. And I've always listened to them. I don't wanna do that anymore."
In a rare moment, the priest offers him the slimmest of hopes: "OK, Mr. Rudy. Here's the deal: Holy Cross Junior College is nearby and I can get you one semester there. You make grades, you get another semester. Then, maybe, with a high enough GPA, you might have a chance of getting into Notre Dame.
For the next two years, Rudy works at Holy Cross, getting the grades and applying - - only to be denied time and again. But then it happens. A letter from Notre Dame, informing him he was accepted for admission.
After all that time - - all the studying, all the classes, all the rejection, and all the work to get here - - Rudy was ready to get to work on fulfilling his dreams of playing football at the school of the Golden Dome. The first day of tryouts as a walk-on should've been a time of great exhilaration, but football coaches have a way of stifling that all by themselves. Watch & listen:
(If you put your cursor over the blue box, an x will appear at the top right of the blue box. Click it to remove the blue box.)
Here's the point: Everyone is going to tell you that you can't do it and they'll probably give you a long list of reasons why. Some of them do it because, well, by keeping you down, they have more company. Some of them do it because, if you reach your dreams, they'll feel guilty about not having achieved theirs. Some of them will do it simply because they have been programmed to be that way by everyone they know.
Now, I'm not selling the philosophy that says that all we need is good self-esteem. That lie is suffocating our families and killing our country. (Did you know that a recent study showed that while U.S. students ranked last among participating nations in math and science, our students felt better about their math and science skills than any other country.)
What I am talking about is a belief that leads to action. A conviction that you were created for more than what has been. More than what is.
I'm reminded of Timaeus' son, whose story is told in the 10th chapter of Mark's gospel. He couldn't see. Never could. Darkness was all he had ever known. Blackness was all he saw. Begging was his lot in life and "he'd better damned well get used to it".
Then, he heard a ruckus. Sounded like a crowd. Not marching, but sort of swirling like a cyclone in his direction. "What's going on?" he must've shouted. A voice off to his right replied, "It's Jesus - - and a bunch of other folks." Well, the other folks were all well and good, but the one that Bartimaeus (which means, "son of Timaeus") was aiming for was Jesus: "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
Then, just as it had been all his life, it threatened to become, again.
"Be quiet, Bart."
"Mind your place, Bart."
"He's got important things to do, Bart."
Then, we read in verse 48 these words of hope, "But he shouted all the more."
And Jesus heard him. And Jesus called him. And Jesus healed him. And He delivered him from the darkness that, most assuredly, always had been. But by the gracious plan of God, was no more!
Hear me, my friend: God has more for you than the darkness you've known. Even more than you may be able to imagine. Do you believe it? Do you believe it with a belief that results in action? That changes what you do? If so - - keep it up! Don't quit!! Don't miss God's adventure that He has planned for your life.
That's a big Challenge.
And this is Challenge Pointe.
Semper Fidelis!
Doug
Thursday, February 3, 2011
"Slaying Giants"
In the 1987 comedic movie, "The Princess Bride", written by William Goldman and directed by Rob Reiner, a one-time stable boy, Westley, returns after being missing and presumed dead for years. Upon his return, he sets out to be reunited with his true love, Buttercup (yep, that's her name).
What he finds, instead, is that she is promised to another - - a deceitful & self-centered prince - - who has hired a Sicilian self-proclaimed genius, a sword-playing Spaniard, and a Giant of epic strength, to kidnap her in order to start a profitable war. Discovering her predicament, the stable boy-turned-pirate sets out in pursuit.
As Westley closes in on Buttercup and her captors, the Spaniard stays behind to dispose of their pursuer while the genius and the giant drag the girl onward. However, Westley wins the fencing duel and, when the genius realizes that the Spaniard has failed, he sets the giant in ambush against Buttercup's true love.
Surely this frail, former stable hand is no match for such an enormous opponent. Certainly, this will be his demise. Click the arrow to watch it unfold:
It's your typical David vs. Goliath scene, but fought with a sense of civility and humor, and concluded with respect and appreciation. Cordial & polite. Nobody really gets hurt. It would be nice if that was how all of life's battles were fought. It would also be naive and, ultimately, disastrous to rely on that. Our enemy is real and he never fights fair.
God's Word gives us the true picture of how life really works in the original David vs. Goliath account, recorded in 1 Samuel, chapter 17. It was a time of war for God's people, the Israelites. Their army was camped on one hill and just across the valley was the army of the Philistines. Every morning & evening, for 40 days, a giant of a man named Goliath ambled forward. Over nine feet tall, wearing armor that weighed more than 125 pounds, carrying a spear with a 15-pound spearhead, and accompanied by his own personal shield-bearer, Goliath shouted his defiance & disdain toward God's people.
On day 41, a young shepherd shows up with supplies for his three brothers in the army. He witnesses the super-sized challenge of the enemy -- and it really lights his fuse. "Who is this guy who would defy the armies of the living God?", he asks. And, after a weak explanation from even weaker men, David approaches King Saul, recites a brief oral resume, and says, "Don't lose heart on account of this guy. Your servant will go and fight."
Saul finally consents and insists that David should wear the king's armor. But it's too big and too awkward. So it is, that David approaches the giant with the weapons of a shepherd - - a sling and five rocks. Goliath is insulted. "Am I a dog that you come after me with sticks?" But David's response reveals his wisdom, "You come at me with sword, and spear, and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty,...whom you have defied. This day the LORD will hand you over to me."
And David ran at Goliath while loading a stone into his sling. And still on the move, with sling whirling above his head, he unleashes a shot that catches the enemy warrior square in the forehead. Goliath falls. No dreams of large women. No dreams at all.
We all face our own giants. Problems that threaten to rob us of our courage to fight. Enemies. Enemies of all that God desires to accomplish in us, through us, and for us. There are, however, some qualities that we can cultivate in our lives that will help when we come up against these giants. David displayed seven of these qualities:
1. He was Committed - Verse 20 says he "left the flock". Commitment to one requires severing ties with others. If you are going to win the battles against the enemy of your soul, there are some things you are going to have to leave behind. You probably already know what they are for you.
2. He was Excited - Verse 22 tells us that upon arriving at the scene, David "ran to the battle lines". When's the last time you allowed yourself to dance in some youthful exuberance? God doesn't like you all sour & scrunch-faced. Loosen up. Laugh. Embrace some excitement.
3. He was Available - In the 32nd verse, David tells King Saul that "your servant will go", meaning he (David) would go. You see, David saw himself as a servant. And a true servant is always available.
4. He was Humble - "The LORD... will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." assures David in verse 37. He knew it wasn't by his own power that he would win. Nor did he seek the spotlight. That belongs to God.
5. He was Genuine - David was comfortable with who he was. He didn't need to look the part of a "Mighty Warrior". So he turned down Saul's armor. And you know what? That armor probably would've gotten him killed. The battlefields of life are littered with the shattered remains of posers.
6. He was Unashamed - In verse 45, David boldly asserts, "I come in the name of the LORD." Jesus says, "If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, I will be ashamed of him." (Luke 9:26)
7. He was Enterprising - Webster says a man who is "enterprising" is "marked by an energetic spirit". David didn't take the accepted approach to battle. He didn't worry about defending himself. He took the fight to Goliath (17:48-49).
If we possess these 7 qualities, our chances in the small struggles - - and in the behemoth battles - - increase dramatically. God is seeking men & women who will allow Him to mold them in these ways. But in the end, we must know that no amount of self-improvement will ever be enough.
Only the Power of God gives victory.
David said it: "The battle is the LORD's".
These are, indeed, challenging times.
This is Challenge Pointe.
Semper Fidelis.
Doug
What he finds, instead, is that she is promised to another - - a deceitful & self-centered prince - - who has hired a Sicilian self-proclaimed genius, a sword-playing Spaniard, and a Giant of epic strength, to kidnap her in order to start a profitable war. Discovering her predicament, the stable boy-turned-pirate sets out in pursuit.
As Westley closes in on Buttercup and her captors, the Spaniard stays behind to dispose of their pursuer while the genius and the giant drag the girl onward. However, Westley wins the fencing duel and, when the genius realizes that the Spaniard has failed, he sets the giant in ambush against Buttercup's true love.
Surely this frail, former stable hand is no match for such an enormous opponent. Certainly, this will be his demise. Click the arrow to watch it unfold:
It's your typical David vs. Goliath scene, but fought with a sense of civility and humor, and concluded with respect and appreciation. Cordial & polite. Nobody really gets hurt. It would be nice if that was how all of life's battles were fought. It would also be naive and, ultimately, disastrous to rely on that. Our enemy is real and he never fights fair.
God's Word gives us the true picture of how life really works in the original David vs. Goliath account, recorded in 1 Samuel, chapter 17. It was a time of war for God's people, the Israelites. Their army was camped on one hill and just across the valley was the army of the Philistines. Every morning & evening, for 40 days, a giant of a man named Goliath ambled forward. Over nine feet tall, wearing armor that weighed more than 125 pounds, carrying a spear with a 15-pound spearhead, and accompanied by his own personal shield-bearer, Goliath shouted his defiance & disdain toward God's people.
On day 41, a young shepherd shows up with supplies for his three brothers in the army. He witnesses the super-sized challenge of the enemy -- and it really lights his fuse. "Who is this guy who would defy the armies of the living God?", he asks. And, after a weak explanation from even weaker men, David approaches King Saul, recites a brief oral resume, and says, "Don't lose heart on account of this guy. Your servant will go and fight."
Saul finally consents and insists that David should wear the king's armor. But it's too big and too awkward. So it is, that David approaches the giant with the weapons of a shepherd - - a sling and five rocks. Goliath is insulted. "Am I a dog that you come after me with sticks?" But David's response reveals his wisdom, "You come at me with sword, and spear, and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty,...whom you have defied. This day the LORD will hand you over to me."
And David ran at Goliath while loading a stone into his sling. And still on the move, with sling whirling above his head, he unleashes a shot that catches the enemy warrior square in the forehead. Goliath falls. No dreams of large women. No dreams at all.
We all face our own giants. Problems that threaten to rob us of our courage to fight. Enemies. Enemies of all that God desires to accomplish in us, through us, and for us. There are, however, some qualities that we can cultivate in our lives that will help when we come up against these giants. David displayed seven of these qualities:
1. He was Committed - Verse 20 says he "left the flock". Commitment to one requires severing ties with others. If you are going to win the battles against the enemy of your soul, there are some things you are going to have to leave behind. You probably already know what they are for you.
2. He was Excited - Verse 22 tells us that upon arriving at the scene, David "ran to the battle lines". When's the last time you allowed yourself to dance in some youthful exuberance? God doesn't like you all sour & scrunch-faced. Loosen up. Laugh. Embrace some excitement.
3. He was Available - In the 32nd verse, David tells King Saul that "your servant will go", meaning he (David) would go. You see, David saw himself as a servant. And a true servant is always available.
4. He was Humble - "The LORD... will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." assures David in verse 37. He knew it wasn't by his own power that he would win. Nor did he seek the spotlight. That belongs to God.
5. He was Genuine - David was comfortable with who he was. He didn't need to look the part of a "Mighty Warrior". So he turned down Saul's armor. And you know what? That armor probably would've gotten him killed. The battlefields of life are littered with the shattered remains of posers.
6. He was Unashamed - In verse 45, David boldly asserts, "I come in the name of the LORD." Jesus says, "If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, I will be ashamed of him." (Luke 9:26)
7. He was Enterprising - Webster says a man who is "enterprising" is "marked by an energetic spirit". David didn't take the accepted approach to battle. He didn't worry about defending himself. He took the fight to Goliath (17:48-49).
If we possess these 7 qualities, our chances in the small struggles - - and in the behemoth battles - - increase dramatically. God is seeking men & women who will allow Him to mold them in these ways. But in the end, we must know that no amount of self-improvement will ever be enough.
Only the Power of God gives victory.
David said it: "The battle is the LORD's".
These are, indeed, challenging times.
This is Challenge Pointe.
Semper Fidelis.
Doug
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