Eclipse of God’s Glory July 23, 2009

“The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
      The skies display his craftsmanship.
 Day after day they continue to speak;
      night after night they make him known.
 They speak without a sound or word;
      their voice is never heard.
 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
      and their words to all the world.” -Psalm 19:1-4

 

July 22, 2009 the longest solar eclipse of 21^st century pitched a swath of Asia from India to China into near darkness. Millions gathered to watch the phenomenon.

God was speaking through the majesty of His glory as the psalmist penned in Psalm 19:1-4. But how many recognized the truth? The sun, the moon, the skies were His voice speaking loudly without a sound or word, but the truth was not heard.

 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth and their words to the entire world.

But how do I know the truth was not heard?  Because of the reported responses and reactions:

 

 

At a Buddhist temple in the Thai capital Bangkok, dozens of monks led prayers at a Buddhist temple to ward off evil.

“The eclipse is bad omen for the country,” said Pinyo Pongjaroen, a prominent astrologer. “We are praying to boost the fortune of the country.”

In Myanmar, Buddhists went to Yangon’s famed Shwedagon pagoda, where monks in scarlet robes viewed the eclipse through telescopes.

Bringing flowers and fruit to ward off misfortune, some of the faithful warned friends and family not to sleep through the eclipse for fear of bringing bad luck.

“We all got up early this morning and prayed at home because our abbot told us that the solar eclipse is a bad omen,” said 43-year-old teacher Aye Aye Thein.

  Superstition has always haunted the moment when Earth, moon and sun are perfectly aligned. The daytime extinction of the sun, the source of all life, is associated with war, famine, flood and the death or birth of rulers.

The ancient Chinese blamed a sun-eating dragon. In Hindu mythology, the two demons Rahu and Ketu are said to “swallow” the sun during eclipses, snuffing out its light and causing food to become inedible and water undrinkable.

Some Indian astrologers had issued predictions laden with gloom and foreboding, and a gynecologist at a Delhi hospital said many expectant mothers scheduled for July 22 caesarian deliveries insisted on changing the date.

Truth is the heavens are declaring the glory of God, but according to Romans 1:18-23, wicked people are suppressers of the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them.  Paul writes, “Ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”
 

He continues by saying, “Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshipping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.”

The responses and reactions to the eclipse give evidence to people’s dark and confused state of mind.  Moreover, it is evidence of the need to share the Good News of Jesus Christ to people near and far, so that they will believe in God’s Son Jesus Christ, receive him into their heart, and live in victory and expectation of his return.

 

It’s easy to allude to people’s right to choose or their freedom of religion, but it’s heartbreaking when you know that a person’s right to choose and freedom of religion can determine their eternal destiny.

 

As Christians, we must declare as Paul,” …I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—”

©2009 Queen E. F. Phillips, Majestic Worldwide Ministries, Inc.

Different by Divine Design July 20, 2009

I watched a portion of the movie, “Forrest Gump” again; it rekindled mixed emotions of sadness and anger because it portrayed the realistic and negative affects of being labeled “different” in society.

Forrest’s mother tried to help him deal with being different by telling him he was no different than anyone else. The truth? Forrest Gump was different. He would never blend with what’s called mainstream society today. Maybe if his mother had taught him how to handle being different, rather than telling him he was not, he would have been better prepared to face the challenges he experienced with cruel and insensitive people.

Consequently, from childhood well into adulthood, Forrest ran in fear and at Jennie’s command, “Run, Forrest, run!” He became extremely vulnerable because he didn’t know the truth—he was different by Divine design, and it was okay to be different.

Unfortunately, like Forrest, many Christians spend years either running in fear, or trying feverishly to blend in with the world because they’re afraid of being identified as ‘different’. Some are ignorant to the truth, while others are afraid of facing the truth. That truth being, Christians are meant to be different by Divine design, and it is okay.

When God “called” Abram to leave his “world” in Haran (Genesis 12:1-4) and go to a land He would show him, it was prophetic of God’s intention for separating His chosen people (the Israelites, and the spiritual church, a.k.a., Body of Christ) unto Himself, living under His governance in covenant relationship with Him.
This truth has not changed. Christians are the spiritual seed of Abraham through faith in Jesus Christ; therefore, we are God’s chosen people (Galatians 3:8). The fact that we are His chosen people, a royal priesthood, and a peculiar (special) people purchased by Him through the blood of Jesus suggest that we were never meant to ‘blend in’ but to ‘stand out (I Peter 2:9).
In John 17:14-16, Jesus states emphatically, “We are not of the world.” We are in the Kingdom of God; therefore, we live according to Kingdom principles. John says it like this, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (I John 2:15 NKJV).

To be part of the world means living in harmony with the community of sinful humanity that possesses a spirit of rebellion against God’s laws, standards and principles. To love the world means enjoying the sensuality and self-gratification this community of sinful humanity markets so much that you invest time and money into its systems of operation, which are governed by beliefs and values that are contrary to God’s will. Therefore, anyone that’s a part of the world lives in opposition to God.

Moreover, Jesus’ prayer in John 17:14-18, specifically states His position in the world as well as ours. Jesus was different. His message was different; and His methods were different. He prayed that we be set apart. In essence, being set apart equates to being different. Of course, living in this world, and not being a part of it is difficult. However, as we are empowered by the Holy Spirit of Christ, it becomes easier to separate from the world, and embrace being different.
The disciples are examples of this truth. Jesus spent a lot of time teaching and preparing them for His departure, and for the opposition they would face as His followers (John 16:33, Luke 21;12-13). After his death they ran in fear. Even after His resurrection they were still hiding behind closed doors. But, on the day of Pentecost something different happened that changed the course of events. The disciples became fearless; they stopped running and hiding. Their experience that day was the empowerment that made them different in order to make a difference. They upset the status quo, and revolutionized their world by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The same is expected of us and even greater works. We are expected to be Jesus’ witnesses so that the world may know that God the Father sent Jesus Christ the Son, and that He loves them (John 17:21-23). It’s impossible to be effective witnesses for Jesus Christ if we are trying to blend in with a world that hates Him.

In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus teaches who we are and our distinguishing characteristics, which makes us different— salt of the earth and light of the world. Christians are different by Divine design with distinguishing qualities and characteristics for the purpose of influencing the world, and causing them to want to be a part of the kingdom of God.

We must accept the truth— we are different by Divine design. Our lifestyle is different because we live according to biblical principles. Our language is different because we speak boldly the Word of God. We think differently because we have the mind of Christ. Above all, our message is different from the world because we carry the same message as Jesus—good news about the kingdom of God.

If you are a Christian, there should be a difference in your attitude and your actions. The Master Artist sketched your design in eternity. “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

Being different by Divine design is to the praise of His glory and reflects His greatness to the world. The more my life fits the pattern of Christ’s design, I become like Him; and the more I enjoy being different. So, I dare not run away like Forrest. I know the Truth, and Truth makes me free to be different. What about you?

Just Because… July 2, 2009

Several times a week, my regional director sends out messages to motivate, inspire and encourage staff to stay focused as public servants trying to make a difference in the lives of Texans with disabilities.  This particular email stuck with me “just because” it had a personal touch that came from the heart.  So, I asked his permission to post it on my blog….  Quote:

Just Because

Good Afternoon,

I was talking to a friend last night about when we get older and near the end of life.  What will we be thinking about in the silence of any given day?  By this time, many of my decisions would be in the past.  This is what came to my mind…

I would like to be sitting in my boat on a nice clean lake, wearing a straw hat to protect myself from the glaring sun with Vernell next to me.  I want to tell her that I loved her and my life.  I want to talk about those lunches and dinners we shared with our family and friends – how at times we laughed so much we could hardly eat!  I want to say that I held our friend Boris’ hand as he neared the end of his life, and we were there to give comfort to his loving wife.  I want to talk about my early college basketball life and walking with her in the cool night air when we were in college.  

I want to talk about when I was younger in a job I didn’t like, and I did everything I could to either change it or find ways to appreciate the one I had.  I want to talk about the first management job I took with DRS, the awards that Unit gained and the staff that became a part of our family.   I want to say that I moved to Houston to pursue my career.  Sitting in that boat I want to say that I moved from a comfortable situation to a city where my family and I grew even happier.  I pursued each job with excellence and the clear intention to support my coworkers and the agency I worked for. I want to speak of the Houston staff that allowed me to make a difference in their lives and those citizens of Texas with disabilities. 

I want to reminisce about the troubled Units that became shining stars in the State. About the growth of RST’s and VRC’s that faced challenges, but kept striving, and are now successful and satisfied.  I want to speak of staff that were issued performance levels only to flourish at what they do each day.  I want to recall the area managers who are now looking to take my place as the regional director,  the growth in life , and the work that I shared with all of my Houston staff as I sit fishing and traveling with Vernell. 

I want to say that it was a good life with no regrets. I came to Houston to join a team and after the many years of providing the “E3 Service Essentials” I am still as happy and proud as I was back on my first day.    

In your twilight years, looking back at your life and career with DRS, what will you be able to say?  

We Can Be World Class…if YOU want it!

I am listening

Unquote…

This question made me think and reflect.  When I look back at my life, what will I be able to say.  Each day is a gift that cannot be taken for granted.  Time is precious.  There are some things in life that’s too important to overlook— family, good friends, health and wholeness.  Enjoy every moment and when the time comes to transition from this earthly life to YOUR CHOSEN PLACE IN ETERNITY, you can be confident that you lived a fulfilling life committed to helping others; just because it was the right thing to do!