From the Rising of the Sun

"From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name
is to be praised...Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwells on high...
He raises the poor out of the dust....
That He might set him with princes...
He makes the barren woman to keep house and to be a joyful mother of
children." Psalm 113

Here is one of my all time favorite verses in the Scriptures!

"The Lord God is a sun and shield, He gives grace and glory; no good thing
will he withhold from them who walk uprightly."

The picture is from this morning...i am so blessed and my prayer is that the
Lord will allow me to obtain this land so that I can share these experiences
with all!

give myself to prayer

I really believe that most of us don't understand the power and importance
of prayer...continuous prayer. I read a book once where a missionary from
the Philippines practiced prayer throughout the day, second by second. That
might be a little extreme, but I think that the distractions that we
encounter daily are keeping us from the opportunity to talk with our Father.
We get in the car and we turn on the radio. I have tried to make it a
practice that before I touch the radio, I will pray for some immediate
concerns...my children, extended family, staff, and close friends. Usually,
I find myself reaching my destination without ever turning the radio on...

Cultivating a life of prayer takes discipline...a spiritual discipline that
is sorely needed today. Listen to what David said in Psalm 109:4

"In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer."

What an amazing thing to say...David had cultivated a life of prayer...he
knew where his power and protection came from...have a great weekend...time
to read, fly, and help my daughter move in...oh if you didn't take the test
on perception, please look at last nights blog entry!

Perception

Let's see how perceptive you are with this three minute perception
test. Watch the white shirts closely, and you should be able to do this. If
you are receiving the Lamplighter Enewsletter, I would suggest waiting to
take this test when you receive the newsletter tomorrow...there will be some
other complimentary articles that will go with it...but if you aren't, let's
see how perceptive you are!

Phinehas Psalm 106

Yesterday I shared what I believe is the missing link in our lives today. And just to give you a heads up, you are not going to like what I am about to share. But in Psalm 106, after I shared that God gave them their desire but sent leanness into their soul, the text continues to describe the decay of the people:

"They forgot God, their Savior, who had done great things...then they despised the pleasant land...they provoked the LORD to anger."

Yesterday I shared how they brought the idols of the nations into their homes; the same today...why can't we see it?

But then something happened in Israel's history that changed the mind and heart of God...God's judgment was stayed...his blessing returned...what happened? It is recorded in Psalm 106:30, 31.

"Then Phinehas stood up and intervened, and the plague was stayed. And that was counted to him as righteousness from generation to generation forever."

But what did Phinehas do? The answer is found in Numbers 25:7ff “Then Phinehas took a javelin in his hand and pierced both the man and the woman, and the woman through her belly.”

Why was God pleased with this? Because he did not want his people to mix with the nations around them…these ungodly nations were to be destroyed. This was God’s judgment to be carried out by His people. God’s judgment could have come upon these nations through a natural disaster but God wanted His people to be the executors so that they would see for themselves how utterly wicked and abominable these people had become. Some of the practices that the nations were involved in were the sacrifice of children on a hot brazen altar…the children would sizzle as they were placed on the hot surface. The only way to stop such a people with such hideous practices was to destroy them...evangelism was not going to be possible with such a depraved people. Since the time of Christ, Christianity has made the world more “humane,” which has opened the door for all men to come to the saving knowledge of Christ. God no longer has to condemn the world, but that the world through Christ can now be saved. And we all know the ending of the story…once the influence of Christianity is removed from

this earth, people will once again resort to their depraved state and God will have to destroy everyone except for a remnant.

So where was I? Yes, Phinehas…what is missing today is a spirit of zealous jealousy for God. To stand up for His glory (with humility…you don’t want act like a know-it-all…be attractive), to zealously teach our children to choose their mate in Christ only; to remove the gods and idols of the nations from our homes; to know his Word. The problem with what happened in Israel is that the people had gotten so far away from God’s Word, that they didn’t know they weren’t supposed to marry foreign wives. Phinehas knew the Word and then acted upon it…it was counted to him as righteousness from generation to generation forever! The only other person in the Bible where it is said that it was counted to him as righteousness was Abraham…both men by faith and took action based on what they heard from God.

Augustine

"Thou hast made us for Thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until
they find their rest in Thee."

--Augustine

Down by the lake

What a beautiful morning. I don't know if you will be able to open this video, but I had to share this picturesque moment this morning. God's creation never ceases to amaze me...and His blessings are more than I can understand fully. Life is such a gift. I was reminded this morning of Psalm 106:15

"He gave them what they asked, but sent leanness into their soul."

Now that scares me. Oh that we would desire what He desires, so that we might enjoy what Moses wrote about in Deut 32, "As an eagle soars above, that he might eat the increase of the field." (my paraphrase) God has so much planned for us...yet we settle for leftovers.

Why? I believe that Psalm 106:34-37 gives the answer:

"They did not (do) as the LORD commanded them, (they were supposed to destroy the heathen Canaanites so that they did not learn their ways nor risk having their children influenced by their children), but they mixed with the nations and learned to do as they did. They served their idols, which became a snare to them. They sacrificed their sons and their daughters..."

This sounds exactly what has happened in America. We have brought the heathen idols into our homes through television, film, and the internet (I am not saying that these things cannot be controlled…but very few can really control them). Some live for American Idol, Lost, and can’t wait for the new fall programming to begin. Our children are sacrificed on the altar of “FREE” education and those who think their children are missionaries in the public school have bought the lie that is so prevalent in our churches today. God warned Israel explicitly NOT to allow the Canaanites to influence them:

"Completely destroy them -- the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites -- as the LORD your God has commanded you. Otherwise, they will teach you to follow all the detestable things they do in worshiping their gods, and you will sin against the LORD your God" (Deuteronomy. 20:17-18.)

"The images of their gods you are to burn in the fire. Do not covet the silver and gold on them, and do not take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnared by it, for it is detestable to the LORD your God" (Deuteronomy 7:25).

All one has to do to be convinced that we have been contaminated by the world and have allowed our children to be influenced by the evil we have brought into our homes and into our schools, is to read Deuteronomy 4. I will place the text here for those who might not have a Bible handy…and for those who do not think that the Old Testament is not for today…well, there is really not much I can say, other than, “All Scripture is given by teh inspiration of God, and is profitable, for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, that the man of God might be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2nd Timothy 3:16

I don’t know why I have shared what I have shared this morning, but if you look at Psalm 106:30, and 31, you will understand what God requires to have His blessing return to our homes and our land…I would like to share more about this tomorrow. Here is Deut 4:

Deuteronomy 4

Moses Urges Israel to Obey

“And now, Israel, listen carefully to these decrees and regulations that I am about to teach you. Obey them so that you may live, so you may enter and occupy the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. 2 Do not add to or subtract from these commands I am giving you. Just obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you.

3 “You saw for yourself what the Lord did to you at Baal-peor. There the Lord your God destroyed everyone who had worshiped Baal, the god of Peor. 4 But all of you who were faithful to the Lord your God are still alive today—every one of you.

5 “Look, I now teach you these decrees and regulations just as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy. 6 Obey them completely, and you will display your wisdom and intelligence among the surrounding nations. When they hear all these decrees, they will exclaim, ‘How wise and prudent are the people of this great nation!’ 7 For what great nation has a god as near to them as the Lord our God is near to us whenever we call on him? 8 And what great nation has decrees and regulations as righteous and fair as this body of instructions that I am giving you today?

9 “But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren. 10 Never forget the day when you stood before the Lord your God at Mount Sinai,^[a] where he told me, ‘Summon the people before me, and I will personally instruct them. Then they will learn to fear me as long as they live, and they will teach their children to fear me also.’

11 “You came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, while flames from the mountain shot into the sky. The mountain was shrouded in black clouds and deep darkness. 12 And the Lord spoke to you from the heart of the fire. You heard the sound of his words but didn’t see his form; there was only a voice. 13 He proclaimed his covenant—the Ten Commandments^[b]—which he commanded you to keep, and which he wrote on two stone tablets. 14 It was at that time that the Lord commanded me to teach you his decrees and regulations so you would obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy.

A Warning against Idolatry

15 “But be very careful! You did not see the Lord’s form on the day he spoke to you from the heart of the fire at Mount Sinai. 16 So do not corrupt yourselves by making an idol in any form—whether of a man or a woman, 17 an animal on the ground, a bird in the sky, 18 a small animal that scurries along the ground, or a fish in the deepest sea. 19 And when you look up into the sky and see the sun, moon, and stars—all the forces of heaven—don’t be seduced into worshiping them. The Lord your God gave them to all the peoples of the earth. 20 Remember that the Lord rescued you from the iron-smelting furnace of Egypt in order to make you his very own people and his special possession, which is what you are today.

21 “But the Lord was angry with me because of you. He vowed that I would not cross the Jordan River into the good land the Lord your God is giving you as your special possession. 22 You will cross the Jordan to occupy the land, but I will not. Instead, I will die here on the east side of the river. 23 So be careful not to break the covenant the Lord your God has made with you. Do not make idols of any shape or form, for the Lord your God has forbidden this. 24 The Lord your God is a devouring fire; he is a jealous God.

25 “In the future, when you have children and grandchildren and have lived in the land a long time, do not corrupt yourselves by making idols of any kind. This is evil in the sight of the Lord your God and will arouse his anger.

26 “Today I call on heaven and earth as witnesses against you. If you break my covenant, you will quickly disappear from the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy. You will live there only a short time; then you will be utterly destroyed. 27 For the Lord will scatter you among the nations, where only a few of you will survive. 28 There, in a foreign land, you will worship idols made from wood and stone—gods that neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell. 29 But from there you will search again for the Lord your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him.

30 “In the distant future, when you are suffering all these things, you will finally return to the Lord your God and listen to what he tells you. 31 For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon you or destroy you or forget the solemn covenant he made with your ancestors.

There Is Only One God

32 “Now search all of history, from the time God created people on the earth until now, and search from one end of the heavens to the other. Has anything as great as this ever been seen or heard before? 33 Has any nation ever heard the voice of God^[c] speaking from fire—as you did—and survived? 34 Has any other god dared to take a nation for himself out of another nation by means of trials, miraculous signs, wonders, war, a strong hand, a powerful arm, and terrifying acts? Yet that is what the Lord your God did for you in Egypt, right before your eyes.

35 “He showed you these things so you would know that the Lord is God and there is no other. 36 He let you hear his voice from heaven so he could instruct you. He let you see his great fire here on earth so he could speak to you from it. 37 Because he loved your ancestors, he chose to bless their descendants, and he personally brought you out of Egypt with a great display of power. 38 He drove out nations far greater than you, so he could bring you in and give you their land as your special possession, as it is today.

39 “So remember this and keep it firmly in mind: The Lord is God both in heaven and on earth, and there is no other. 40 If you obey all the decrees and commands I am giving you today, all will be well with you and your children. I am giving you these instructions so you will enjoy a long life in the land the Lord your God is giving you for all time.”

110 knots

I wish someone would either encourage me to keep doing this or talk me out
of it! If the instructor hadn't taken the controls, I would have surely
crashed today. Yes, I am learning to fly! Why? Two reasons: one, it is a
three hour drive to check in on my mom and visit her and two, I will be able
to travel to visit donors and arrive at locations where I will be speaking
(within a five hundred plus radius) without airport hassles and delays.

There is so much to learn...so very much..do I have time? let's
see...directing Lamplighter; speaking; working on my dissertation; yes I
have time...but the lawn isn't going to get cut any time soon. My head is
spinning with these thoughts:
Preflight...check nuts and bolts, hinges, gas on full, check oil at
5 quarts, not under 4 quarts, let gas out to release any water, check gas
under wings to see if any water residue, remove whatchamajigger so that the
altimeter works.
Take off: brakes on; check circuit breakers, fuel rich; throttle on
1000 rpm; transponder on, radio tower, gas on both, flaps up, check primer
is locked,
Seamans, Cessna, taking off down wind on runway floor...

Restless Anxiety: Dialogues

 

One of the greatest contributors to Christian thought and practical wisdom over the last two thousand years is Francois Fenelon of the 17th century. Lately I have had the privilege of preparing the text for these life-changing dialogues in a forthcoming second volume of Dialogues of Fenelon.  Fenelon's gentle but straight forward counsel, reaches across the centuries and beyond and beneath the shallow thinking of the day which causes us to reflect upon issues that we would rather ignore; but his Scriptural insights move us and convince us that every thought and every word must be filtered through the cross. But let me share his words rather than continue with my own:

       

The crosses which we make for ourselves by a restless anxiety as to

the future are not crosses which come from God. We tempt Him by our

false wisdom, wishing to forestall His arrangements, and struggling to

supplement His Providence by our own plans.

 

Be content to lead a simple life where God has placed you. Be

obedient, bear your little daily crosses; you need them, and God gives

them to you only out of pure mercy.

 

A HEATED imagination, vehement feeling, hosts of reasons, and volleys of words, effect nothing. The right way is to act as in the presence of God, wholly divested of self, doing what we can by God’s light, and being content with such success as He gives. This continual death to self is a blessed life which but few understand.  A word uttered simply in this inward peace effects more, than all the most eager and bustling exertions.

 

And my all time favorite of his quotes:

The Great Physician who sees in you what you cannot see, knows exactly where to place the knife. He cuts swift and deep into your innermost being, exposing you for who you really are; but pain is only felt where there is life, and where there is life, is just the place where death is needed most. Except a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone; but if it dies, it brings forth much fruit.

 

Heavenly Dew

We have some new books coming up that I am very excited about…sometimes I have to choose to delete some things that I wish I could print…here is one that I will not be printing but deserves to be made known…enjoy this true story.

Doing Good in a Quiet Way.

"I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon."—Hosea 14, v. 5.

How quietly falls the dew. On a stormy night there is none. If the waves are chafing against the shore, if the winds are howling amongst the trees, if clouds are hurrying across the sky, there is no descent of dew. It is distilled beneath serene heavens. Its crystal drops are formed under the wings of silence and in the bosom of the still night. Is it not thus with regard to the Heavenly Dew? The dew of the Holy Spirit. The dew of real kindness. Instance:—Mrs. Childs in her "Letters from New York"—tells of Thirty New Englanders, who, twelve years before, had gone out to settle in the Western wilderness. They were mostly neighbours, and had been drawn to unite together in emigration from a general unity of opinion on various subjects. For some years. previous, they had been in the habit of meeting occasionally at each other's houses, to talk over their duties to God and man in all simplicity of heart, Their library was the gospel, their priesthood the inward light. There were then no anti-slavery societies; but thus taught and reverently willing to learn, they had no need of such agency to discover that it was wicked to enslave. The efforts of peace societies had reached this secluded band, only in broken echoes, and non-resistance societies had no existence; but with the volume of the Prince of Peace, and hearts open to His influence, what need had they of preambles and resolutions? Rich in spiritual culture, this little band started for the far West. Their inward homes were blooming gardens; they made their outward in a wilderness. They were industrious and frugal, and all things prospered under their hands. But soon wolves came near the fold, in the shape of reckless unprincipled adventurers believing in force and cunning, who acted according to their creed. The colony of practical Christians spoke of their depredations in terms of gentlest remonstrance, and repaid them with unvarying kindness. They went farther—they openly announced, "You may do us what evil you choose, we will return nothing but good." Lawyers came into the neighbourhood, and offered their services to settle disputes; they answered, "We have no need of you; as neighbours, we receive you in the most kindly spirit, but for us your occupation has ceased to exist." "What will you do, if rascals burn your barns and steal your harvests?" "We will return good for evil; we will believe this is the highest truth, and therefore the best expediency." When the rascals heard this they considered it a marvellous, good joke, and said and did many provoking things,. which to them seemed witty. Bars were taken down in the night, and cows let into the corn fields.

The Christians repaired the damage as well as they could, put the cows in the barn, and at twilight drove them gently home, saying, "Neighbour, your cows have been in my field; I have fed them well during the day, but I would not keep them all night, lest the children should suffer for their milk." If this was fun they who planned the joke found no heart to laugh at it. By degrees a visible change came over these troublesome neighbours. They ceased to cut off horses' tails and break the legs of poultry. Rude boys would say to a younger brother, "Don't throw that stone, Bill! When I killed the chicken last week, didn't they send it to mother because they thought chicken broth would be good for Mary? I should think you'd be ashamed to throw stones at chickens." Thus was the evil overcome with good, till not one was found to do them wilful injury.

Years passed on, and saw them thriving in worldly substance beyond their neighbours, yet beloved by all. From them the lawyer and the constable obtained no fees. The sheriff stammered and apologized when he took their hard-earned goods in payment for the war tax: they mildly replied, "'Tis a bad trade, friend; examine it in the light of conscience, and see if it be not so." But while they refused to pay such fees and taxes, they were liberal to a proverb in their contributions for all useful and benevolent purposes. At the end of ten years, the public lands which they had chosen for their farms, were advertised for sale by auction. According to custom, those who had settled and cultivated the soil were considered to have a right to bid it in at the Government price, which at that time was five shillings per acre. But the fever of land speculation then chanced to run unusually high. Adventurers from all parts of the country were flocking to the auction; and capitalists in Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston were sending agents to buy western lands. No one supposed that custom or equity would be regarded.

The first day's sale showed that speculation ran to the verge of insanity. Land was eagerly bought in, at £4 5s.,.£5. and £5 5s. an acre. The Christian colony had small hope of retaining their farms. As first settlers, they had chosen the best land; and persevering industry had brought it into the highest cultivation. Its market value was much greater than the acres already sold at exorbitant prices. In view of these facts, they had prepared their minds for another remove into the wilderness, perhaps to be again ejected by a similar process. But the morning their lot was offered for sale they observed, with grateful surprise, that their neighbours were everywhere busy among the crowd, begging and expostulating: "Don't bid on these lands! These men have been working hard on them for ten years. During all that time they never did harm to man or brute. They are always ready to do good for evil; they are a blessing to any neighbourhood. It would be a sin and a shame to bid on their lands. Let them go at the Government price."

The sale came on; the cultivators of the soil offered five shillings, intending to bid higher if necessary. But among all that crowd of selfish, reckless speculators, not one bid over them! Without an opposing voice the fair acres returned to them! I do not know a more remarkable instance of evil overcome with good. The wisest political economy lies folded up in the maxims of Christ. With delighted reverence I listened to this unlettered backwoodsman, as he explained his philosophy of universal love. "What would you do," said I, "if an idle thieving vagabond came among you, resolved to stay, but determined not to work?" "We would give him food when hungry, shelter him when cold, and always treat him as a brother." "Would not this process attract such characters? How would you avoid being overrun with them?" "Such characters would either reform, or not remain with us. We should never speak an angry word, or refuse to minister to their necessities; but we should invariably regard them with the deepest sadness, as we would a guilty but beloved son. This is harder for the human soul to bear than whips or prisons. They could not stand it; I am sure they could not. It would either melt them, or drive them away: in nine cases out of ten I believe it would melt them." I felt rebuked for my want of faith and consequent shallowness of insight. That hard-handed labourer brought greater riches to my soul than an eastern merchant, laden with pearls. Again I repeat, money is not wealth.

Responsibility

"it is unlikely that a child will accept responsibility that he cannot see,
such as talents, potential, jobs, or character, until he accepts
responsibilities he can see--his possessions."

"Responsibility is not the result of maturity, but the cause of it--and a
major responsibility of parents is to teach responsibility."

I found those quotes in the book Teaching Your Children Responsibility by
Linda and Richard Eyre. If only I had found this book when my children were
young; if you are a parent of children under 18, this is a must book to
read...i found mine on Amazon for around $5.

"On its most basic level, responsibility is obedience. At its next higher
level, it becomes morality or care for how our actions and attitudes affect
others. Then it becomes discipline. Then, at its highest level, it becomes
service. Children learn best through this sequence. They learn first to be
responsible to their parents (obedience); then to be responsible to society
(morality); then to be responsible to and for other people (service)."

"It is difficult for a child to feel responsible to society if he has not
previously learned responsibility to his parents. A child usually cannot
understand responsibility for his talents or potential until he has accepted
responsibility for his actions and for his possessions. Understanding
discipline is much easier for a child who understands obedience."

There are three essentials of responsibility: obedience, things, and work.
These three are closely tied together. They say, "Much of a child's
obedience relates to caring for his things and doing his work. A child
learns to take care of his things through the experience of work and
obedience. And a child learns to be responsible for work, largely in
response to obedience and in pursuit of things."

"The responsibility of things and work are particularly closely associated
because children cannot feel fully responsible for things until they feel as
though they own them, and they rarely feel that they own them unless they
have had to work for them."

I am not sure that these authors are Christians but I suspect that they are.
They have nine children and the principles they propose appear to be working
in their family. It is very practical; excellent work.every parent should
read this. (in eth 1980's the Eyre's were named by President Reagan to
direct the White House Conference on Children and Parents.)

"Blessed is the one who listens to Me, watching daily at my gates, waiting
beside my doors. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor of the
LORD, but he who fails to find Me injures himself;" Proverbs 8:34-36

you think that is true of God's children as well..?

Someone asked as question concerning Responsibility and God's children. Can
you be more specific? You can email me directly at
Mark@lamplighterpublishing.com

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Responsibility":

...you think that is true of God's children as well..?

Publish this comment.

The Hidden Woman

A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man has to seek Him
first to find her. Maya Angelou

prayer take ten!

Dear Friends, below is a letter that was just sent to our prayer partners.
I am so excited and yet cautious but wanted you to know about this so that
you can pray as well...exciting days to serve the Lord.
Mark

Dear Prayer Partner:

I had written a prayer letter two months ago, but just before I sent it
circumstances changed and prayers were answered. New needs became a
priority, and again the letter was postponed in order to bring you up
to date. Once again, circumstances are changing so rapidly that, in
all probability, by tomorrow I will need to send you an updated version!

So, rather than redrafting another comprehensive prayer letter, I have
attached it to this email (see the link) and you will be informed by
clicking on the link. This cover letter however is of the most urgent
nature.

Here is what is happening. For twenty years I have been praying
about a certain piece of property near a lake, which I drive by
daily and talk to the Lord about daily! Then last night, out of the
blue, I looked at the other side of the street where a thirty-five acre
farm is situated near a small stream. I said to Debbie, "I
don't know what I've been thinking! This land would be perfectly suited for
our
needs!"

So without wasting any time, I stopped by today at noon and asked
the owner if she would consider selling their property. With a puzzled look
she said that they had made a decision last night to sell it,
and they had an appointment with a realtor at five o'clock pm! They agreed
to wait
before signing anything until they met with me, which is at seven o'clock
this
evening.

Please pray for this meeting, that we will be able to come up with the
resources
needed for this property. I love when I am up against situations like this,
because I know that if we are supposed to have this property, God will open
the doors
to make it possible.

As you pray, please consider whom God might direct you to, who might be
interested
in helping us with the purchase of this property. The hand of God does
indeed
appear to be at work behind the scenes, so I would ask you to pray and
consider.

It is always an adventure serving the Lord!

Sincerely,

Mark Hamby

(See the link for the complete prayer letter.)

FW: text messaging article

Just wanted to share this article with you, especially if you have teens or even younger kids with cell phones.  It is worth reading.

 

http://www.gatewaytotheheartministries.com/Tracie_Texting_2008.doc      

Self-surrender

"We may be worried, inconvenienced, depressed; but God causes it, and that is enough. We love the Hand which smites; we find peace in all these troubles,--happy peace, which follows us even to the cross! We wish what we have; we wish nothing of what we have not. The more perfect is our self-surrender, the more perfect our peace."

            Excerpt from Dialogues of Fenelon vol. 1

 

Oh, the picture…that is what scientists found in the middle of a black hole, millions of light years away!

My dad

Six months have gone by since my dad went to be with the Lord. How I miss
him...there is such risk in love, but oh it is worth it. I have never loved
a man as I loved my dad...the power of God's redemption is unfathomable. My
dad didn't have an easy life. His mother died when he was twelve and his
father ended up in prison for making liquor during the prohibition, thus
loosing all of their property. Leaving home when he was fourteen, he lived
with uncles who gave him work for food and lodging. He became an iron
worker at age sixteen and entered the army at seventeen...i think he forged
his birth certificate to get in. He served during the testing of the
Hydrogen bomb on the Canary Islands and saved a man from drowning by diving
to the bottom from a ship. Throughout my dad's life he received awards and
honors for his leadership, safety, and dedication to his work and men. He
was a great provider for his family and loved my mom dearly, particularly
the last twenty-six years during his forced retirement--he was injured when
one of the bridges he was working on collapsed. That same morning he gave
his resignation because the management was forcing the foreman's to take
short cuts. I can remember my dad telling me that someone was going to get
killed on this job because of the shortcuts and he was going to have to
quit. Seven men were killed that day...if the management had only listened
to his warnings weeks prior.
I didn't see my dad much growing up because he worked away most of
the time and when he was home, he was always catching up on work or sleep or
preparing for work on Monday. He was the superintendant on most of the iron
working jobs he worked on. Life was not always easy at home...dad at one
time had a drinking problem..the stress of the job was just too much for him
and he didn't know the Lord at the time. This was a very tense time in our
family...i lived in constant fear. But thanks to my mom's commitment to
their marriage, they worked this out and my dad stopped drinking for the
next forty years.
When I was in college I worked for my dad one summer as an iron
worker. I thought I was the coolest twenty year old alive...walking the
steel a couple hundred feet in the air; wearing the construction clothes,
and the belt with the bucket of bolts, and the hell dog gun that sheared off
the rivets. I thought it was really cool when they would send me notes in a
newly welded mailbox that the men made from the upper deck...until later I
learned that they were making fun of me for working in the same spot for too
long---thus the mail box!
But I was amazed at the respect the men gave my dad...from the oiler
to the owners, everyone loved my dad...i have never known of anyone who
didn't love my dad...i have never known a man like him in my life...i was so
privileged. And I will always be thankful that I had the privilege of
introducing my dad to the Lord...actually I didn't even do that...he just
started reading the Lamplighter books on his own and found the Lord himself.
It was so beautiful to experience and so wonderfully genuine. I will never
forget his call to me: "Mark, I am learning about God for the first time in
my life!" and "Mark, I never knew how far away from the Lord I was."
Well, I found this picture on my phone, and I don't know how it got
there. This was taken I believe when my dad was first brought to the
hospital. The next day he became septic and all his vital organs shut down.
He fought for his life and recovered twice. The second time even the doctors
were considering it to be miraculous but on Feb 12, three months of staying with my dad in the ICU and then finally about to be released, one of the nurses
punctured his lung accidentally and my dad slowly slipped from my hands into
the hands of the Lord. So I thought I would write about my dad tonight as my
body is adjusting to the jet lag. I can't wait to
see him again...it is going to be a reunion that will be remembered for
all eternity! As you can see in the photo, he was always smiling...even in the hospital...i will never forget his smile...i hope i can smile as much.
We are not like those who have no hope!

Prodigal Pressure

A cup of sweet water could never spill a drop of bitter water, no matter how
heavily it was jolted." Amy Carmichael

"Suppression is not victory." Zac Poonen
Controlled conduct apart from the Spirit of God is merely a
result of temperament. If suppression were victory then shopkeepers,
salesmen, and airline attendants are among the most Christ-like.

God allows trials to bring the real self to the surface, to counter the
humanistic messaging of our self-esteem. If you reverse the word
self-esteem, you will see that to esteem-self is not the goal for the
Christian.

In Luke 15, the trial of the brother of the prodigal son
revealed the hidden sins of his heart. Note the brother's words: "You never
gave me a goat." (I will place the text from Luke 15 at the bottom for
those who would like to grasp this in its context.)
This moment of pressure reveals the fact that his service was
reward motivated. What's in it for me! I like what Jesus said in Luke 17: 9,
10: "Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were
commanded him? I think not. So likewise you, when you shall have done all
those things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unprofitable servants: we
have done that which was our duty to do.'"
A selfish heart also distorts our view of others and exaggerates
their offenses. Note the brothers complaint: "But when this son of yours
came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes." There is nothing in
the text below that would suggest the prodigal brother visited prostitutes.
When bitterness and anger reside in us, our ability to see others through
God's eyes is clouded and our reality becomes distorted-we think the worst
and we turn the color of bitter as Gene Edwards coined it.

A selfish heart also distorts our view of God. The angry
brother refuses to accept the invitation of his father thus spiraling him
further away from God's blessing and presence. The angry son's response
reveals more of the true nature of his heart: "You never gave me." And the
father's response was, "Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is
yours." Oh to understand all that we have in Christ! A selfish heart robs
us of a the active divine power that has given us all things that pertain to
life and godliness.whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious
promises: that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having
escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. For if these
things be in you, and abound, they make you that you shall neither be barren
nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacks
these things is blind and cannot see afar off, and has forgotten that he was
purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to
make your calling an election sure: for if you do these things, you shall
never fall." 2nd Peter 1.
A selfish heart is easily provoked when criticized. Our heart
is never so tested as when we are opposed or criticized. A.W. Tozer said,
"when criticized the only thing that should concern us, is whether the
criticism is true or false, not whether it comes from a friend or enemy."
A selfish heart refuses to listen. When the father entreats the
elder brothers to come into the celebration, he stubbornly refuses. His
pride stole his opportunity to enjoy the blessing.
A selfish heart focuses on doing in order to maintain a certain
image. There service to God and others is always burdensome. Note his
words: "Look, these many years I have served you and I never disobeyed your
command, yet you never gave me a goat, that I might celebrate with my
friends." Notice that he has kept record of how many years he has served.
When Jacob served seven years and then again seven more years for Rachael,
he said that the years were like a few days. Service based on a heart of
love is never burdensome. This can also be a good measurement for our
service in our careers. Is our daily activity burdensome? Are you putting
in your time only for a future celebration? Oh that we would recognize that
the celebration is today and every day with Christ. May we never forget
that the chief end of man is to glorify God BY enjoying Him forever!

Luke 15:
25 "Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the
house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and
asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, 'Your brother has
come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received
him back safe and sound.' 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His
father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, 'Look,
these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet
you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30
But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with
prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!' 31 And he said to him,
'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was
fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is
alive; he was lost, and is found.'"

Not Leno but a good reminder

I received the following info yesterday that was attributed to Jay Leno...upon further research it appears that this was written by Craig R. Smith (http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/l/leno-commentary.htm) and published on WorldNetDaily.com on Thanksgiving, 2006. In any regard, i think it is worth reading and is a good reminder. In Psalm 103, we are reminded that when praise ceases, people forget God! "Bless teh Lord oh my soul, and forget not his benefits."

The following was attributed to Jay Leno as the writer: As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark. 'The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right? The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, 'What are we so unhappy about?'' A.. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week? B.. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? C... Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job? D. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year? E.. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state? F.. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? G.. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either. H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital. I.. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. J.. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames, thus saving you, your family, and your belongings. K.. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. L.. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers. M.. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy. Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here. I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me? Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it.......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day. Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an 'other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig. So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like OJ. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way......Insane! Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.' 'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, 'Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?' Jay Leno

Book Recommendation for parents from Hawaii.

            As you can see from the email below, we had the most God-blessed conference this week in Hawaii!  We witnessed God doing exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ask or think. Seeing God as a parent and focusing on how He parents us, opened a door that allowed us all to marvel at the wisdom of God and His clearly laid out plan for us to follow.  The essence of parenting is found in the character of God: “He does not deal with us according to our sins, but as a father has pity upon his children, so the Lord has compassion upon us.”  “God’s mercy is a thousand times greater than His judgment.”  When we parent the way God parents us, we attract our children back to God, bring healing to relationships, and harmony to our homes.

            I had mentioned several books during the seminar that are must reads for parents; the ones that are linked below can be found on the Lamplighter website; the others can be found on line through any used book site:

1. Families Where Grace is in Place

2. Education of a Child by Fenelon

3. Teaching Your Children Responsibility by Linda and Richard Eyre

4. Why do they Act that Way by Walsh

5. The Disappearance of Childhood by Postman

6. Amusing Ourselves to Death by Postman

7. Reading Between the Lines by Veith

8. Prodigals and Those Who Love Them by Bell

---

Dear Mark,
Thank you so much for sharing your life and heart with us. You truly inspired my husband and I to be better parents...and to take our responsibilities (as parents) more seriously.
Today you mentioned a book, Teaching Responsibility. Where/how can I get a hold of this book?! There was so much awesome teachings today to soak in.
Jonathan's music is awesome, too!
A hui ho (until we meet again)!

Hawaii

I am looking forward to sharing what God has been doing this past week. Deb
and I are in Hawaii speaking at a parent and teachers conference. We were
able to see the live volcano that was erupting with lava going into the
ocean. I am not sure why people live on that island...seems like an accident
waiting to happen...but sure is beautiful. As we drove to the end of this
desolate section of the island, where the volcano was active, we stopped at
this interesting looking noni plant. Noni is a fruit that is processed and
sold that is supposed to be very good for your health. It tastes spoiled
blue cheese! The grossest thing I have ever tasted. Anything that tastes
that bad has to be good for you!
Anyway, I was able to pray for one of the workers and will be
sending her a book. Her dad recently died so I was able to talk to her with
empathy. I think God brought me all that way just to talk to this woman.
Deb and I knew that God was there.
Then we ran into a man who was using a machete to cut through
freshly picked coconuts...i never realized that fresh coconuts were so sweet
and succulent...and very soft. The coconut we buy in our stories back in the
states do not taste anything like what I tasted..same with the bananas and
every other fruit we tasted...What an awesome God! Well, pretty wiped
out...spoke four times today...three more tomorrow, then two more on Sunday,
then time to collapse!