Armageddon in Alabama

My Unger’s Bible Dictionary says “Armageddon has becomes a poetical expression for a terrible and final conflict”. It’s a battlefield that has previously been the site of two great Biblical victories. This year is the first time I’ve heard the expression used in connection with a college football game, but the 2011 LSU-Alabama game was so dubbed by the news media. I’m not sure “Armageddon” was a good descript word for the game since it surely was not a “final conflict”, however it was a slobber knocking defensive battle that LSU won 3 field goals to 2, in overtime. There is still the possibility of a rematch, I suppose it could be called Armageddon in New Orleans.

Something in excess of 101,000 fans packed the stadium in Tuscaloosa as I watched from the comfort of my living room. They arrived painted, costumed and screaming. Streaming through the gates for hours before kick-off you could tell easily whose side they were on by the school colors they wore.

I wonder how big a crowd would gather to see Good do battle with Evil, Jesus vs Satan. Would there be enough interest to fill the stadium? I’m sure it would be much quieter, with little cheering and screaming; since you can get a funny look if you say amen aloud in some churches.

What I really wonder about though; is if we could tell which side they are on by the way they look. Would they dress different, act different or talk different? Can you tell a Christian from the world by what they wear, or the way they behave and what they say?

I sure hope folks can recognize me more readily as a Christian, than as a Bulldog fan.

Sighing

Without a word, a deep sigh can say so much. When my boys were young and I told them they had to cut the grass, or do some other chore before they went off with their friends, I rarely heard back talk or complaining; but I often heard a long sigh, which said clearly how they felt. My little sister-in-law, who was mentally handicapped, had a unique way of ending a long sigh with a grunt, which left no doubt that she was not pleased. An audible sigh from my wife always gets my attention. My Webster’s dictionary says a sigh is an audible breath expressing sorrow, relief or fatigue. I wonder how we all learned to sigh? I don’t remember anyone teaching me, and I surely did not teach my children this irritating noise, it just seems to come naturally.

I never thought about the Lord sighing, but Mark 8:12 says Jesus sighed deeply in his spirit when the Pharisees questioned him about a sign from heaven. It makes me wonder how many times I’ve caused the Lord to sigh, too many for sure. I’ll to try to be careful about this in the future. When I lay down at the end of the day, I don’t want to visualize Christ sighing, I want to visualize Him pumping his fist in the air and saying, “Yes, That’s my boy!”

Faithful

There is a prayer, "Lord help me be as good of a person as my dog thinks I am."

A couple of nights ago, a strong thunderstorm came through. When the thunder began, my cats holed up under the bed. My dog, though, jumped on the bed and laid down next to me. It was as though he was saying, "If you think it's no big deal, then I believe you. I will be safe as long as I am by your side."

That got me to thinking: He doesn't worry about anything. He trusts me to feed him. He loves me, craves my attention, and wants to make me happy. He pays attention to what I tell him and tries to master what I teach him. He still has his own will. He doesn't always listen, and sometimes he wanders. But his love and loyalty endure.

That's just what Christ asks of us: Don't worry about tomorrow. Trust Me to feed you. Love Me and follow my commandments. Listen to Me and try to master what I teach you! I know you aren't perfect and you will wander. But I'm still here! Return to Me!

Maybe a better prayer is, "Lord, help me be as faithful to You as my dog is to me!"

Doug Honea

Faithful

There is a prayer, "Lord help me be as good of a person as my dog thinks
I am."

A couple of nights ago, a strong thunderstorm came through. When the
thunder began, my cats holed up under the bed. My dog, though, jumped
on the bed and laid down next to me. It was as though he was saying,
"If you think it's no big deal, then I believe you. I will be safe as
long as I am by your side."

That got me to thinking: He doesn't worry about anything. He trusts me
to feed him. He loves me, craves my attention, and wants to make me
happy. He pays attention to what I tell him and tries to master what I
teach him. He still has his own will. He doesn't always listen, and
sometimes he wanders. But his love and loyalty endure.

That's just what Christ asks of us: Don't worry about tomorrow. Trust
Me to feed you. Love Me and follow my commandments. Listen to Me and
try to master what I teach you! I know you aren't perfect and you will
wander. But I'm still here! Return to Me!

Maybe a better prayer is, "Lord, help me be as faithful to You as my dog
is to me!"

Doug Honea

How Big Is God

Don’t tell God how big your storm is; you tell your storm how big your God is…..

The Bible teaches us that the heavens were created by God for His pleasure. Hebrews 1:10, “And Thou Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:” Revelations 4:11, “Thou art worthy O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they were created.” The Bible compares the stars in the sky, in multitude, to the sand on the seashore (Hebrews 11:12).

Scientists tell us that compared to other celestial bodies in outer space the earth is like a tiny speck of dust in a huge room with all the other specks of dust around it; or like a single grain of sand amid all the sand on all the beaches of the world. They tell us that if the earth were to fall out of its orbit and spin away into space, it would create no more disturbance than the dropping of a pea into the ocean.

Webster’s says a Light Year is a unit of distance that light travels in a vacuum in one year, or approximately 6,000,000,000,000 miles. That distance exceeds my capacity to comprehend. Then I read where the Hubble telescope took a picture of the M104, Sombre Galaxy which is 28 million light years from earth, contains 800 billion suns and in size is 50,000 light years across. How big is that? How big is the God that created it?

Why would we ever doubt that God can relieve any predicament of the human soul, and has the means and power to meet every human need? What fools we would have to be to think that our resources could run dry. God help us understand that our demands could never exceed Your supply.

Angels

Pop was into his eighties and driving a Ford almost as old as him. I had tried numerous times to get him to buy a newer car, but he always said it was foolish to buy anything new at his age. He said he didn’t even buy green bananas.

He was alone and southbound on busy Interstate 75 when the Ford died and stranded him between exits. Because of his age and arthritis, he didn’t ambulate so well and was pretty sure he could not walk to the next exit. Of course he didn’t have a cell phone because “at his age he didn’t need any new fangled, wireless telephones”.
He was telling me the story a few days later and I expressed concern, saying something brilliant like, I bet you were upset and worried. Pop said no, he really didn’t worry he just talked it over with the Lord.

Within minutes a pick-up truck with two young ladies in it pulled in behind him on the side of the Interstate and asked if they could help. He told them the situation thinking maybe they could give him a ride somewhere or send help for him. One of the young ladies was a mechanic and the other was her sister. They were in town from Florida for a NASCAR race. Pop’s angels made emergency repairs to the old Ford and then drove it to a nearby dealership for permanent repairs. Only after receiving assurance from the dealership that Pop would be going in about an hour did his NASCAR angels leave him.

The Bible teaches us that the Angels of God are given the wisdom to know all things that are in the earth. They excel in strength to do His commandments and hearken unto the voice of His Word. They are Spirits sent forth to minister to believers. Angels are exceedingly numerous, inconceivably powerful, and are concerned about the physical well being and safety of believers. Although angels are spirits, we are given numerous examples of them being visible in human form.

I believe there are “full-time” and “part-time” angels. I believe there are angelic spirits from God that are full-time angels. Then I believe God gives all believers the opportunity to be “part-time” angels. Something like a “weekend angel permit” to help others in need. We need to be alert to our “weekend permit” opportunities, and make good use of them or God could give these privileges to others who will appreciate them. If we lose these opportunities, we also lose the blessings that come from them. The Bible says, “He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly: and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully……God loveth a cheerful giver”. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive”…..“Give and it shall be given unto you……”. These promises are for physical, emotional and spiritual needs; they are financial, material, help in the time of need, comfort in time of sorrow or loneliness, and wise advice in times of decisions. They apply to all phases of our lives, cash in on them. Pop did.

Obedience

As a teenager I could not wait until I was 18 and could move out on my own, make my own decisions, establish my own hours, be my own boss and not have to answer to anyone. The year from 17 to 18 was almost as exciting as from 15 to 16 when I was anticipating my driver’s license.

Looking back, it’s hard to understand my rebellion to obedience. My parents were the greatest; I never had reason to question their love and loyalty, my mother was an angel who never raised her voice and there were never unreasonable controls, demands, or instructions. I knew my sisters loved me, even when they were aggravated by my presence. God blessed me with a childhood and family life that could be the envy of any boy. Yet, I resented authority and having to be obedient to anyone, I longed to be my own man.

I now believe the thing that made me resist obedience was the same thing that makes a two year old scream no, or have a temper tantrum when they don’t get their own way. It’s not something we have to be taught, or learn through life experiences, it’s something we are born with; it’s called a sinful nature. Deep down, we all long to be free, but we don’t always know what’s best for us.

Christ our Savior is also our example. Hebrews 5:8-9 tells us; “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.”

Christian character is produced by being submissive to the Holy Spirit, not by being free from obedience. The fruit of that submissiveness is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Gaining real independence and freedom has less to do with calendar age and more to do with the age of accountability and making the right decision, to surrender your life to Christ....“and the truth shall make you free” John 8:32

Anticipating His Return

Over fifteen hundred years before Christ was born, Job (19:25) said, “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God” Thirty one years after Jesus’ crucifixion John (5:28) said, “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the grave shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” About twenty three years later Paul (I Thessalonians 4:16) said, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, and with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

Although they do not know exactly what to expect, Christians have been eagerly anticipating Christ’s return since His ascension from the Mount of Olives, forty days after His resurrection. I’ve seen a comparison made with a faithful dog separated from his master by a closed door. The dog will scratch and claw trying to get through the door, not knowing what’s on the other side, because he knows “who” is on the other side.

When I was a child I looked forward to Christmas with great excitement. Around Halloween, I’d start thinking about how many days till Christmas and trying hard to be a “good boy”; especially if I thought something special, like an electric train or bicycle might be a possibility. After Thanksgiving the excitement would build and I’d start checking the backs and shelves in closets and under beds for any suspicious packages. I professed belief in Santa Claus for several years after my big sisters had enlightened me; because I feared the effect this knowledge might have on Christmas. I never knew exactly what Christmas would bring, but I knew I was going to like it.

Because of the saving grace of Jesus Christ, I can anticipate Christ’s return with that same excitement; I don’t know exactly what to expect, but I know I’m going to like it.

Twenty Minutes that Changed my Life

(The following testimonial was shared with me a few years ago; it’s ghastly “Food for Thought”)

I have had a problem with driving for a long time: other drivers. I can be perfectly content to go 15 in a school zone or 55 on the highway, as long as I am not behind someone else. For some reason, though, getting behind someone who goes the speed limit, or worse, a few miles per hour under it, really sets me off. Some days it has been so bad that I really feel like I shouldn't be behind the wheel at all. This was one of those days.

The morning started like most any other. I hit the snooze button one too many times and was running about ten minutes late. I've never liked being late. Something in my psyche just can't handle being late, even if I know I will be the first one there and no one else will even know. That's something I have to work on.

I was out the door on time, though, and started the 20 minute commute to the office. The ride was pretty smooth until I got to the last couple of miles. I fell in behind someone in a van who was going 25 in the 35 zone and refused to speed up or pull over. That REALLY set me going. Wasn't long before I was right up against his bumper (maybe he will see me and realize that he's going too slow?). He saw me, all right, and tapped his brakes a couple of times. Yeah, right, buddy, I'm not scared of your brake lights. By the time we got to the next major intersection, about a mile up the road, I was livid. I had called him every name in the book and my blood pressure had to be about doubled. At the light, he made the right turn while I went straight. I made the point of laying on the horn as I passed, to make sure he knew I was pissed. Then I sped on down the road.

I will never know why that little girl had to dart out from between the cars at that instant. Maybe she had a problem being late for the school bus, even though it was nowhere in sight. At 40 mph (in the 25 zone), there was no way I could stop in time. I felt the "clunk" with every fiber in my body. Praying and hoping as I jumped from my car, my heart dropped as I saw her crumpled in the road. Please God, let her just be stunned. I didn't mean to hurt anybody. I didn't even need to be rushing. PLEASE give me a break here, God!

I called 911 and waited, afraid to move her for fear of making something worse. I couldn't tell if she was breathing or not. I was blocking the road and a crowd started to gather. No one ever wants to see a child hurt; some folks were crying--I was one of them. A police car was almost too quick to arrive and the officer quickly assessed the girl. The paramedics were not far behind, and though I could not hear what they were saying, I could tell from their expressions that things didn't look good.

The police officer took me to the side. "I was behind you the whole last mile, while you were tail-gaiting that van. You were speeding after you got around him, too. What was the rush? I hope it was important, because you may have just killed that girl."

From that moment, things are a blur. I vaguely remember being cuffed and put in the patrol car, the booking process, calling my wife, getting bail posted, and going home. I was totally numb. I remember the agony of hearing that the girl had died from her injuries, news I received as I was sitting home with my own daughter.

With her death came charges of negligent vehicular homicide. My lawyer said I should plead not guilty and we would try to build a defense around my being stressed by things at home. I knew the truth though: I took somebody's little girl away forever FOR NO GOOD REASON. I deserved to be punished, though there was no way the authorities could punish me the way I was punishing myself, the way I was punishing my family.

The plea deal my attorney worked with the D.A. meant I have to spend two years in jail. I lost my job, of course, and without my income, my family lost everything--our house and most of our possessions. My wife and daughter moved in with her parents and tried to pick up and get on with their lives. I don't know what our lives will be like when I get out of here. I know my relationship with her will never be the same. I will never get a job as good as the one I had, now that I have a felony conviction.

I have re-lived that 20 minute period a thousand times in my head. I don't know why I had such a problem with being impatient behind the wheel, but I am certain that the problem is cured now for good. I so wish it hadn't taken such a horrible event to teach me what I should have already known...what my wife had been telling me for years. I just hope that someone else can learn from my experience before another innocent person has to die and the lives of two families have to be destroyed forever.

Note: This is a true story with a fictional ending. I thank God and the police officer who stopped me that morning and told me "you need to calm yourself down....". When the realization of the risk I was taking fully hit me, I broke down and cried. From that day, whenever I start to feel that impatient urge, I tell myself "Twenty Minutes" and remember the potential life changing consequences...it slows me right down.