Dad's Ramblings -- The Strength Of "Us"

THE STRENGTH OF "US"

Daniel 1:11-12

"So Daniel said the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs has set over Daniel, Hannaniah, Mishael, and Azariah, 'Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.' "

Daniel was not a Lone Ranger.  He was a part of "us" -- people of like faith who stood together.  I need people who will support my faith and share my struggles.  That's the value of the church and small groups.  I receive strength when I am surrounded by "us."

TODAY'S THOUGHT:  We do not stand alone when we are part of US.

Have a USeful day.   Love you.

Dad's Ramblings -- Answerable To The King

ANSWERABLE TO THE KING

Daniel 1:10

"The chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, 'I fear the lord my king, who has appointed your food and drink.  For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age?  Then you would endanger my head before the king.' "

Daniel was under the authority of the eunuch, who was under the authority of his king.  Everyone answers to someone.  I need to remember that my superiors do what they do because of pressure  from their own bosses, and they risk losing their own positions if the do not obey.  As believers, we are answerable to worldly authority, but also to a greater King.  We need to obey our worldly superiors, but obedience to our King takes precedence.

TODAY'S THOUGHT:  We are people under authority, both worldly and heavenly.

Have an answerable day.   Love you.

Dad's Rambings -- Favor With God or Favor With Man

FAVOR WITH MAN OR FAVOR WITH GOD

Daniel 1:9

"Now God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs."

Daniel was blessed to have a good relationship with his boss.  It is God who gives a person favor with those in authority.  He did it with Joseph, Esther, David (at times), and even the apostle Paul.  A gentle spirit helps, but it is ultimately God who does it because He has special purposes to accomplish.  God sometimes has other purposes which do not call for special favor with those over us.   Favor with man must not be equated to favor with God.  Just because we may not always have man's favor does not mean we are out of God's will.  Remember those faithful people who have been tortured, scourged, stoned, slain, destitute, afflicted, tormented, and homeless (Hebrews 11:35-38).  They had God's favor.   His approval is more important than this world's favor.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT:  God is in control and He can give us favor with others for His purposes.

Have a favorable day.   Love you.

Dad's Ramblings -- The Power of Appeal

THE POWER OF APPEAL

Daniel 1:8b

"....Therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself."

Making a request indicates that Daniel had a calm and gentle spirit.  When he was expected to do something that violated his convictions, he could have demanded that he receive special treatment.  But he didn't.  Instead, he appealed to the authority over him.  When faced with situations that require me to do things contrary to my faith, I can respond with a haughty spirit that leaves the impression that I am holier than other people.  Or I can request that I be excused from participating.  This does not mean that there may not be times when I must take a stand and refuse to participate, as Daniel did later in his life when he got thrown to the lions.   But it is good to start with an appeal to be exempt rather than a demand.

TODAY'S THOUGHT:   In some situations, asking to be excused from an activity that violates my faith is better than making a demand.

Have an "appealing" day.   Love you.

Dad's Ramblings -- The REAL Purpose Driven Life

THE REAL PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE

Daniel 1:8a

"But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank...."

Here is the key to living godly in an ungodly world:  to purpose in my heart not to eat and drink of the world's food.  It takes purposeful living to "just say no," as the motto of Nancy Reagan's anti-drug campaign in the 1980s suggested.  The "junk food" of the culture can be so enticing and look so good, and there is a lot of pressure to satisfy the cravings of the flesh.  God calls us to better food,  "denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age" (Titus 2:12).  Jesus said that his food was to do the will of the Father (John 4:34).  So what do I purpose to eat today?  Culture food or God's food?  It is my choice.

TODAY'S THOUGHT:  The secret to godliness is to purpose it in our hearts.

Have a purpose-driven day.  Love you.

Dad's Ramblings -- A Rose By Any Other Name

A ROSE IS A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME

Daniel 1:6-7

"Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hannaniah, Mischael, and Azariah. To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: ... Belteshazzar...Shadrach...Meshech...and Abed-Nego."

Among those taken as prisoners were four young men of the tribe of Judah.  They were assigned different names in Babylon in order to conform them to the Babylonian culture.   But the name change did not affect who they were at the core of their being.  They knew who they were -- children of Judah.    As Christians, we are in a foreign and sometimes hostile land that wants to conform us to the surrounding culture.  We may even be called names -- oddballs, hypocrites, holyrollers, fanatics, religious right -- in an attempt to disparage our heritage.  But that does not change who we really are on the inside.   We know who we are and are secure in that identity.  We are children of God Most High.

TODAY'S THOUGHT:   Our identity in Christ is not affected by the names people call us.

Have a "secure identity" day.   Love you.

Dad's Ramblings -- Indoctrination

INDOCTRINATION

Daniel 1:5

"And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king's delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king."

The king wanted three years to indoctrinate these children into the culture and philosophy of Babylon, even to the foods they ate.  If the king thought he could accomplish that in three years, just imagine what happens to children in 12 or 16 years of public education, where daily they eat a diet of pagan and ungodly worldviews.  Fortunately, there were at least four Hebrew children who had received a solid foundation of godly instruction that allowed them strength to stand against the Babylonian culture.  It takes a vigilant and persistent parent to counter the pagan culture with faith.  That's why I believe so strongly in home-schooling and Christian education.  For our children's sake, it is worth whatever it costs.

TODAY'S THOUGHT:  Indoctrinating our children in the knowledge of God is vital for their spiritual strength.

Have an "indoctrinated" day.  Love you.

The Children

THE CHILDREN

Daniel 1:3-4

"The king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of the eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel, and some of the king's descendants and some of the nobles, young men in whom there was no blemish, but good looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability in them to serve in the king's palace, and whom whey might teach the language and the literature of the Chadeans."

These children were separated from their parents and displaced to a strange land because of the ungodliness of the older generation, not for their own sin. Even though nations and individuals pay the price for their disobedience of God's way, it is the children who really suffer.  Children are not held accountable for the sins of their parents, but they often suffer for them.  In our culture, foster children are often separated from their parents, not because of their own fault, but because their parents' .  Even if they are not in foster care, children still suffer because of adultery and divorce, alcoholism, abuse, and parents who are incarcerated for their criminal activity.  I truly feel sorry for my grandchildren because they will live in a society that is increasingly ungodly and will certainly pay the price for our culture forsaking God.  I'm so glad for Jesus and the good news of Christmas.

TODAY'S THOUGHT:  Children suffer because of the sinfulness of the parents.

Have a godly day.   Love you.

Dad's Ramblings -- God Is In Control

GOD IS IN CONTROL

Daniel 1:1-2a

"In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.  And the LORD gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand...."

God was in control and it was He who allowed Nebuchadnezzar to conquer Israel because, as a nation, Israel had failed to serve the Lord.  Israel's fall was because of sin.  When bad things happen to me, I have a habit of blaming others -- my genes, my parents, my environment, society -- when it is often because of my own personal failure.  Instead of passing a the buck,  I need to consider that maybe it is because of my own sin or mistakes.  God loves me so much that He humbles me so I will turn to Him. 

TODAY'S THOUGHT:  When a bad thing happens, God may be allowing it to get my attention."

Have a thoughtful day.   Love you.

Dad's Ramblings -- Leadership Styles

Dad's Ramblings -- Days of Remembrance

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Dad's Ramblings -- Authority

AUTHORITY
 
Esther 9:5
 
"Thus the Jews defeated all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, with slaughter and destruction, and did what they pleased with those who hated them."
 
The reason the people of God – the Jews – were able to stand against and be victorious over their enemies is because they had been given authority by the king. We are God's people in Christ, and the King has given us authority over all the power of our enemy – Satan. We do not need to cower in fear. So "be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might" (Ephesians 6:10). The enemy is defeated!!
 
Today's Thought: God has given His people authority over all their power of Satan and his forces.
 
Have a victorious day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Unchanging Word

THE UNCHANGING WORD
 
Esther 8:7a-8, 17a
 
"Then King Ahasureus said to Queen Esther and Mordecai the Jew,....'You yourselves write a decree concerning the Jews, as you please, in the king's name. Whatever is written in the king's name and sealed with the king's signet ring no one can revoke' .... And in every province and city wherever the king's command and decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a holiday...."
 
When the Jews received the letter written by Mordecai giving them permission to avenge themselves, there was great joy. They knew that it had the approval of the king because it was sealed with his signet ring, and that nothing could revoke his decree. As Christians, we also have letters written by godly men that have the stamp of approval of the King. What they have written is true, and nothing can revoke it. That gives us great confidence and joy. God is faithful to fulfill His Word. The King has promised, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away" (Matthew 24:35). "The word of the Lord endures forever" (I Peter 1:25).
 
Today's Thought: The Word of the King can be trusted – it will not change.
 
Have a joyful day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Place of Honor

THE PLACE OF HONOR
 
Esther 8:1-2; 9:4; 10:3
 
"On that day King Ahasuerus gave Queen Esther the house of Haman .... and Mordecai came before the king .... So the King took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai .... Mordecai was great in the king's palace and his fame spread through all the province; for this man Mordecai became increasingly prominent .... Mordecai the Jew was second to King Ahasuerus...."
 
In the end, after Haman's execution, the king bestowed on Mordecai the honored position in the
kingdom that had belonged to Haman. In the end, after our enemy is disposed of and we live in peace, King Jesus will give each of us an honored position, and we will live and reign with Him in His kingdom (II Timothy 2:12; Revelation 20:6). God has a plan ahead of us despite the plans of our enemy who wants to destroy. What a glorious future we have!
 
Today's Thought: Our enemy may seem to be in control today, but we will reign with Jesus in the great tomorrow.
 
Have a anticipating day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Justice Prevails

JUSTICE PREVAILS
 
Esther 7:9-10
 
"Now Harbonah, one of the eunuchs, said to the king, 'Look! The gallows, fifty cubits high, which Haman made for Mordecai, who spoke good on the king's behalf, is standing at the house of Haman. Then the king said, 'Hang him on it.' So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king's wrath subsided."
Hurrah!!! Justice prevails!! It is only fitting that the evil one is subject to the same device that he intended for the good man. A proverb warns about the evil man "falling into his own pit" (Proverbs 18:10). Haman's evil plot "returned on his own head," and sadly on his sons also (Esther 9:25). Looking forward, the time is coming when the one who has caused so much hell on earth – Satan – will himself be thrown into hell along with all those who were a part of his evil deeds. Justice will prevail at the word of the King.
 
Today's Thought: Even though justice seems at times to be thwarted, it will prevail in the end.
 
Today, be assured that God's justice will prevail in the end. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Chicken Comes Home To Roost

THE CHICKEN COMES HOME TO ROOST
 
Esther 7:5a, 6-7
 
"So King Ahazuerus answered and said to Queen Esther, 'Who is he....?' And Esther said, 'The adversary is this wicked Haman!' So Haman was terrified before the king and queen. Then the king arose in his wrath from the banquet of wine and went into the palace garden; but Haman stood before Queen Esther, pleading for his life, for he saw that evil was determined against him by the king."
 
The shoe is on the other foot. Haman had no qualms about committing genocide, as long as it affected someone else. But when his own life was in jeopardy, he was scared spitless, and pled for mercy. That's the way it is. It is like the prankster who loves to play practical jokes, but gets mad when he is the brunt of the joke. Jesus' way is best – to treat others as we would be treated – because, in Marvin's words, what goes around comes around.
 
Today's Thought: Evil done to another person will come back home to roost.
 
Have a caring day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Waiting For God's Time

WAITING FOR GOD'S TIMING
 
Esther 7:1-3
 
"So the king and Haman went to dine with Queen Esther. And on the second day of the banquet of wine, the king again said to Esther, 'What is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you' .... Then Queen Esther answered, and said, 'If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given to me at my petition, and my people at my request.' "
 
Esther waited until the second day of the second banquet to make her request of the king, when she knew the time was right. Timing is so important because the setting has to be prepared. In my zeal and burden, I get in such a hurry. But God's timing is always right. Jesus came "in the fulness of time" (Galatians 4:4) because the world needed to be prepared for His coming. And He will come again when the world scene is prepared and the Father says, "Now!" (See Ephesians 1:10) In the meantime, even though I pray, "Even so, come quickly" (Revelation 22:20), I learn the patience of Esther. He makes all things beautiful, in His Time.
 
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Patience is necessary to be on God's timetable.
 
Have a patient day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Unfulfilled Expectations

UNFULFILLED EXPECTATIONS
 
Esther 10:10a, 12
 
Haman suggested ways the king could show honor. "So the king to Haman, 'Hurry, take the robe and the horse, as you have suggested, and do so for Mordecai the Jew' .... Afterward Mordecai went back to the king's gate. But Haman hurried to his house mourning with his head covered."
 
Haman thought the king was going to honor him. What a let-down when the king honored Mordecai instead. It was even worse because Haman had to bestow the honor on a person he hated. Just before graduation from high school, there was a Seniors' Award Ceremony where various achievements were honored. I was sure that I deserved the Music Award because of my interest and involvement in music. After all, it was common knowledge that I intended major in music in college. Instead, a person whom I did not think showed much musical ability was honored with the award. Fifty years later, I can still feel the chagrin and disappointment. Unfulfilled expectations are the pits. It is better to give my expectations to Jesus.
 
Today's Thought: Unfulfilled expectations are the pits, so it is best to give them to Jesus.
 
Have a fulfilled day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Nearsighted

NEARSIGHTEDNESS
 
Esther 6:4, 6
 
"So the king said, 'Who is in the court?' Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the king's palace to suggest that the king hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him .... So Haman came in, and the king asked him, 'What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor?' Now Haman thought in his heart, 'Who would the king delight to honor more than me?' "
 
The word for nearsighted is "myopic" – a visual defect in which a person is unable to see distant objects clearly because they are blurred. Only in this case, the word is "MYopic." Haman was nearsighted; he could not see beyond himself. It is like the medieval view that the earth was the center of the universe. Haman was the center of his universe, and everything revolved around him. An infant has this view of the world. Everything centers around it. But as the child grows older, he begins to understand that other people have value. Haman never grew up. I have to admit that there are times when I have the same myopic condition where everyone and everything exists for my personal pleasure. Lord, help me to grow up!
 
Today's Thought: It is infantile to think that the world revolves around "me."
 
Have a farsighted day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Reward

THE REWARD
 
Esther 6:2-3
 
"And it was found written that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh ... who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. Then the king said, 'What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?' And the king's servants who attended him said, 'Nothing has been done for
him.' "
 
Good deeds do not always receive immediate recognition or reward. Veterans are still being honored with medals for acts of heroism done during WWII or the Korean Conflict – 50 or 60 years late. Some service is never honored during this life-time. There are those who labor diligently in God's kingdom-work without ever being praised or rewarded by others in this world. But it is certain that God never forgets, and at the Judgement Seat of Christ, Jesus will reveal all the acts of gold, silver and precious stone done by his servants, and they shall receive a reward (I Corinthians 3:13-14). "For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name...." ( Hebrews 6:10). Some day, He will say, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21, 23).
 
Today's Thought: Recognition for good deeds is sometime delayed, but it will happen.
 
Have a faithful waiting day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Insomnia

INSOMNIA
 
 
Esther 6:1
 
"That night the king could not sleep. So one was commanded to bring the book of the records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king."
 
Insomnia!! You want to sleep but your brain is going a million miles an hour. This is being written early in the morning because I woke up at 4:30 a.m. I am experiencing more and more the symptoms of old age that Solomon wrote of – "when one rises up at the sound of the bird" (Ecclesiastes 12:4). I wish I had a recording of my preaching. I could put people to sleep better than any pill. Granted that Ahazareus' insomnia was God-induced. But he used his time to good advantage – reading history. During sleepless nights, reading God's Chronicles is a good use of time.
 
Today's Thought: Sleeplessness is an opportunity to read God's Word.
 
Have a nap today. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Ungodly Counselors

UNGODLY COUNSELORS
 
Esther 5:14
 
"Then [Haman's] wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, 'Let gallows be made, fifty cubits high, and in the morning suggest to the king that Mordecai be hanged on it; then go merrily with the king to the banquet.' And the thing pleased Haman, so he had the gallows made."
 
Haman surrounded himself with friends who were more than happy to encourage him in his despicable plans. And if a person can't think of enough evil to do on his own, Satan will always have a Zeresh handy to invent new ways. If the only counselors I have are worldly minded, their voices will influence me to do things like the world. It is vitally important to spend time with godly people who will support righteousness in my life.
 
Today's Thought: Listening to ungodly friends will influence and encourage me to do evil.
 
Have a friendly day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Counting Our Blessings

COUNTING OUR BLESSINGS
Esther 5:10-13
 
Haman called his friends and family together and recounted all the good things in his life – his wealth, his family, his success and position in the kingdom . Then he added,
 
" 'Yet all these things avail me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's
table.' "
 
Haman had so much to be thankful for. Yet one thing stuck in his craw that cancelled all the good things in his life. He could not stand the fact that Mordecai refused to bow before him. It's a shame that so often one thing becomes so huge in our minds that we do not really enjoy all the good things God has given. What a tragedy that insignificant molehills become mountains and block our vision.
 
Today's Thought: One thing can keep us from enjoying our blessings if we allow it.
 
Have a thankful day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Roller-Coaster Emotions

                                   ROLLER-COASTER EMOTIONS
                                               Esther 5:9
 
"So Haman went out that day joyful and with a glad heart; but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, and that he did not stand or tremble before him, he was filled with indignation against Mordecai."
 
Haman was on cloud nine one minute, and in the pits the next when he saw Mordecai. How like Haman I am. My emotions can be like a roller-coaster – up one minute and down the next. I can start the day walking on cloud nine and then something goes against my grain and I find myself under the cloud instead of on top of it. Things that cross my own agenda have a way of stealing my joy. But I can control my emotions. As the TOPS pledge says, "I am intelligent person; I will control my emotions and not let my emotions control me." One way to do that is by keeping my thoughts on "whatsoever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy" (Philippians 4:8). It is up to me. I have to practice what I preach.
 
Today's Thought: Emotions are controlled by thinking good things.
 
Have a joyful day. Love you.
 

Thanksgiving Thoughts

                           THANKSGIVING THOUGHTS
   O, Give Thanks
    Unto The Lord,
    For He Is Good.
                Psalm 107:1
　
So, I sez to myself, "To Whom or what do people who do not believe in God give thanks, for the good things in life?"
 
    Their Luck Stars?
      The Government?
         Themselves and their own ability?
 
As people of faith, we say,
"Every good and perfect gift comes down from above, from the Father of Lights."
 
O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good."

Dad's Ramblings -- Demand vs. Request

DEMAND VS.REQUEST

Esther 5:8

Esther said to the king, " 'If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, then let the king and Haman come to the banquet which I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.' "

Esther didn't just rush into the king with her demand.  She took her time and softened the king with two banquets before she made her request.  There is a difference between a demand and a request.  A demand is abrupt and hard -- "Give me....".  A request is soft -- "Would you....".  Sometimes it is good to soften a person up before asking for something from them.  This reminds me of Philippians 4:6.  "... In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known unto God....".  We have no right to demand anything from God.  How much better to approach the King with thanks for His goodness and leave the answer to Him in His time.

Today's Thought:  A request is better than a demand.

Have a thankful day today and tomorrow -- Thanksgiving Day.  Love you.

Dad's Ramblings -- Living By Convictions

LIVING BY CONVICTIONS

Esther 4:16

" 'Go,gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day.  My maids and I will do likewise.  And I will go to the king, which is against the law, and if I perish I perish!' "

Esther understood and accepted the consequences.  She knew that unless the king invited her into his presence by holding out his royal scepter to her, she would be killed (4:11).  Living according to convictions may cause economic reprisal, rejection and alienation, or even death.  But integrity says,"If I perish, I perish!" and leaves the consequences to God.

Today's Thought:  Living by convictions leaves the consequences to God.

Háve a trusting day.  Love you.

Dad's Ramblings -- People of Influence

                                               PEOPLE OF INFLUENCE
                                                  Esther 4:14b-16a
 
Mordecai sent a message to Esther: " 'Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this.' Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, 'Go gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan and fast for me....' "
 
God has placed people of faith in strategic positions of influence, such as our elected representatives. But sometimes they, like Esther, become isolated in their Washington citadel from what is happening in the real world (vss. 4-5). We can inform them of our concerns (vss. 7-8). But there is great pressure for them to keep quiet and not make waves. Their positions are imperilled if they do not follow protocol (vs. 11). We have two opportunities to make a difference: 1) we can inform them of our concerns, and 2) we can pray for them.
 
Today's Thought: People of influence need our input and our prayers.
 
Have an involved day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Power of Mourning

                                         THE POWER OF MOURNING
                                                   Esther 4:1,3
 
"When Mordecai learned all that had happened, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city. He cried out with a loud and bitter cry .... And in every province where the king's command and decree arrived, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes."
 
Mordecai's response is interesting. He did not picket nor organize protest demonstrations. Rather, he mourned and cried bitterly, as did the rest of the Jews. When the edict went forth in 1972 legalizing the slaughter of unborn children, where was the mourning? Yes, we picketed and had protest demonstrations, but I don't remember any national outpouring of grief. There certainly is a place for voicing our disapproval and speaking out against unjust laws. But I wonder if national mourning among Christians might be more powerful. After all, "the wrath of man [as protests and demonstrations usually are] does not produce the righteousness of God" (James 1:20).
 
Today's Thought: Mourning before God and the heathen is a powerful spiritual tool.
 
Have a "mourning for sin" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Evil Plans

EVIL PLANS

  Esther 3:15  

                                            

"The couriers went out, hastened by the king's command; and the decree [to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all the Jews (vs. 13)] was proclaimed in Shushan th citadel. So the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Shushan was perplexed (in confusion)."
 
While the proclamation of Haman's wicked plan was being issued, Haman and Ahasureus were celebrating as though nothing was wrong. How can the rulers of a nation have so little regard for the people in their charge that they can kill them without any qualms? Stalin did it, as did Hitler, Pol Pot, Sadam Hussein, and many others. This year the same thing is happening in the Arab nations where thousands are being killed by their own governments. These acts are Satan-inspired and cause social upheaval and confusion. His main goal is to kill and destroy (John 10:10). But God is greater and is able to confound the evil plans of men. We need to be thankful we live in a nation where there is still some sense of righteousness, and we can live in peace.
 
Today's Thought: Satan's plans are evil, but God is greater.
 
Have a peaceful day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Individuals

                                          PEOPLE ARE INDIVIDUALS
                                                     Esther 3:6
 
"But he [Haman] disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone, for they had told him of the people of Mordecai. Instead, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus – the people of Mordecai."
 
It is so easy to lump people together rather than treat them as individuals – those Democrats, or those blacks, or those Methodists, or the poor. I remember a question posed by a student in a seminary class just after the fall of several noted television evangelists: "What do we do with those Pentecostals?". Our sense of justice and fairness is violated when we are punished because we are a part of a certain group. Yet we do it all the time. God, help me to see not just a world of sinners, but individuals who need Jesus.
 
Today's Thought: We are individual people – not just a part of the masses.
 
Have a discerning day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Antidote To Pride

                                              The Antidote To Pride
 
"When Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow or pay him homage, Haman was filled with wrath."
 
                                                   Esther 3:5
 
Why do I get so angry when others do not respect or appreciate me the way I think they should? The answer is "pride," and at the very center of pride is "I." Anger boils up inside me when I do not get what I want or even deserve, or my personal rights are violated. The Apostle Paul gave the antidote when he said, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who...made Himself of no reputation .... He humbled Himself...." (Philippians 2:5-8). It is hard, but "Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls" (Hebrews 12:3).
 
Today's Thought: The antidote to pride is humility.
 
Have a humble day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Strong Conviction

                                                Strong Conviction
 
"And all the king's servants who were within the king's gate bowed and paid homage to Haman, for so had the king commanded concerning him. But Mordecai would not bow or page homage. Then the king's servants who were within the king's gate said to Mordecai, 'Why do you transgress the king's command?' "
 
                                                     Esther 3:2-3
 
Mordecai stood while everyone else bowed. His answer to the question, "Why," was simply, "I am a Jew" (verse 4). He did not try to evade the issue – "I have bad knees" or "I didn't see Haman." He boldly applied his faith that, as a Jew, God had commanded him not to bow (Exodus 20:5), and he could not violate a command that was higher than the king's. It takes strong conviction to withstand the pressure to conform to the world system when it violates Kingdom rules. Oh for the kind of conviction that says, "I am a Christian, and I cannot bow." It takes that kind of conviction to stand when everyone else is conforming.
 
Today's Thought: Strong conviction comes from strong faith.
 
Have a strong day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Inner Man

"After these things King Ahazuerus promoted Haman, the son of Hamedatha the Agagite, and advanced him and set his seat above all the princes who were with him."
 
                                                                 Esther 3:1
 
In every good story there needs to be a "heavy" – the character who causes problems, whether it is the evil step-mother in Cinderella, or the wicked witch in Snow White, or the Big Bad Wolf, or Mrs. Olesen in Little House On The Prairie. Haman fit the role very well – the proud, conniving scoundrel. He must have put on a good front to be promoted to such a high position in the kingdom, but inside, he was rotten. (Sound like any politicians you know?)  Power corrupts and in the proper circumstance, what is inside will come out. Jesus said that "out of the heart proceeds evil" (Matthew 15:19). What I am on the inside will eventually show in my actions. That is why it is so important to keep the inner man clean.
 
Today's Thought: What I am on the inside will eventually show on the outside.
 
Have a pure-heart day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Capital Punishment

"And when inquiry was made into the matter, it was confirmed, and both were hanged on the gallows....."
 
                                                       Esther 2:23a
 
After an investigation that proved that the two were guilty of treason, they were executed. The question about capital punishment surfaces every time there is an execution. The question of whether I personally support the death penalty is irrelevant. The important thing is what God says. Early in the history of the human race, God set the standard: "Whoever sheds man's blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God, He made man" (Genesis 9:6). It is not an issue of vengeance; it is a matter of justice. Because human life is sacred, its value must be preserved. There are cultures where human life means nothing. America is getting close to that place when an unborn baby can be killed because it has no value. The Law of Moses indicates other reasons for the death penalty, among them adultery, talking back to a parent, and rebellion against authority. But the prerogative is always reserved for the government and God (see Romans 13:4). There is no place for personal vendetta or vigilantism. Surely there have been unjustified executions, but that does not nullify the validity of capital punishment. Great care should be taken to investigate and confirm before it is employed.
 
Today's Thought: Capital punishment is God's idea, not man's.
 
Have a godly day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Journaling

"And when an inquiry was made into the matter [of the assassination plot], it was confirmed, and both were hanged on the gallows; and it was written in the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king."
 
                                                          Esther 2:23
 
Chronicles – written records – are important. Without written accounts of history, future generations are left in the dark. The Bible is a chronicle of history and faith, and we would be impoverished without it. Leaving a record of our personal lives and our faith will teach and encourage future generations. Call it journaling or blogging, we need to leave a history of our lives in written form to point the way for those who follow.
 
Today's Thought:  Written histories are vital for understanding the present.
 
Have a journaling day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Speaking Up

"In those days, while Mordecai sat within the king's gate, two of the king's eunuchs, Bigthen and Teresh, doorkeepers, became furious and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. So the matter became known to Mordecai, who told Queen Esther, and Esther informed the king in Mordecai's name."
 
                                                     Esther 2:21-22
 
Mordecai was willing to get involved when he saw evil being planned. Being a "whistle-blower" is not easy. It is easier to say, "It's not my problem; I don't want to get involved." I keep quiet out of fear that I will become the victim. But I need to be willing to put my life and reputation on the line when I see wrong being committed, even if I suffer negative consequences. Integrity demands it.
 
Today's Thought: Speaking out against wrong is a matter of integrity.
 
Have an involved day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Accepted By Love

"So Esther was taken to King Ahazuerus, into his royal palace .... The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the other virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti."
 
                                                            Esther 2:16-17
 
King Ahazuerus was only being a human when he chose Esther because of her beauty. Most of us, perhaps unconsciously, choose our closest friends based on whether they are physically attractive or smell good. We tend to, at the best, tolerate those who are not outwardly appealing, and at the worst, we shun them. I'm so glad that God is not like that. I was a stinking, unlovely sinner when Jesus saved me. There was nothing in me that would be beautiful to God. Yet me chose me and accepted me in the beloved, and bestowed on me all the spiritual riches of heaven simply because he loved me (Ephesians 1:3-6). It was only because of his great love for me that I "obtained grace and favor in his sight." Oh, what wonderful love!
 
Today's Thought: True love is not based on physical attractiveness.
 
Have an "accepted" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- In The Presence of the King

"Thus prepared, each young woman went to the king, and she was given whatever she desired to take with her from the woman's quarters to the king's palace .... Now when the turn came for Esther ... to go to the king, she requested nothing but what Hegai the king's eunuch, the custodian of the women, advised .... So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus, into his royal palace .... The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight...."
 
                                                      Esther 2:13, 15, 16a, 17a
 
When Esther's time came to go to see the king, she took only what Hegai suggested. She did not take her own ideas of what was acceptable to the king and found favor in his sight. When my time comes, and I am ushered into the presence of the King, what will I take with me? My own bling-bling – my own accomplishments and my own goodness? Or will I take what pleases the King? I want to find favor in His sight.
 
Today's Thought: When we die, we will take with us only what is eternal.
 
Have a favorable day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Days of Preparation

"Each young woman's turn came to go into King Ahasuerus after she had completed twelve months preparation according to the regulation for the woman, for the days of their preparation were apportioned: six months with oil and myrrh, and six months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women."
 
                                                            Esther 2:12
 
The key word in this verse is "preparation." The future queen of King Ahasuerus did not just rush into his presence without preparation. It took time for her to be made presentable to the king. If this is the case with an earthly king, how much more for the Heavenly King. We often have the attitude that is expressed in the contemporary song that says, "Come, just as you are to worship." It is wrong thinking to believe that we can just come into His presence any old way we feel like it. Even in the Old Testament, the priests had to go through preparations before entering the Holy Place. There was a laver in front of the door to wash themselves. We need to prepare – cleanse – ourselves to enter into His presence. On another level, as the future bride of the King, we are given days here on earth as preparation for Heaven in His presence. He is beauitifying His bride, cleansing and sanctifying her (separating her), "that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish"  (Ephesians 5:27). Some of us need more work than others, but He who has began a good work in us will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6). Today is our time of preparation.
 
Today's Thought: We need to prepare ourselves to be in the presence of the King.
 
Have a preparation day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Endless Job of Parenting

"And every day Mordecai paced in front of the court of the women's quarters, to learn of Esther's welfare and what was happening to her."
 
                                                              Esther 2:11
 
Parenting never ceases. Even when the children are out of the nest and there is not a lot the parents can do for them, Mom and Dad still worry (in a good sense of caring). I imagine Mordecai prayed as he paced, "Lord, help and protect Esther today." I wonder how much my parents paced the floor over me.  Even 25-30 years after my own children have left home, there is still a lot of pacing and praying, wondering, "How are the kids doing?" Lord, please bless my children today.
 
Today's Thought: Parenting is an endless job, even after the children leave home.
 
Someone is caring about you today. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Finding Favor

"So it was, when the king's command and decree were heard, and when many young women were gathered at Shushan the citadel, under the custody of Hegai, that Esther also was taken to the king's palace into the care of Hegai, the custodian of the women. Now the young woman pleased him, and she obtained his favor."
 
                                                     Esther 2:8-9a
 
There was something about Esther that set her apart from the rest of the young women. Like Daniel who found favor with his caretaker (Daniel 1:9), Hegai was drawn to Esther above the others. Perhaps it was a gentle and quiet spirit. Perhaps it was a servant's heart. Perhaps it was a concern for others. Perhaps it was a calmness and poise that set her above the others. She reminds me of my daughter, Cheryl, whose beautiful spirit attracts people. Whatever it was, she was different. I want that kind of spirit that is attractive to people. My natural flesh is abrasive. But my desire is to "Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me."
 
Today's Thought: Inward beauty will cause a person to find favor with other people.
 
Have a "favorable" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Character

"In Shushan the citadel there was a certain Jew whose name was Mordecai .... And Mordecai had brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman was lovely and beautiful. When her father and mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter."
 
                                                         Esther 2:5a, 7
 
Esther is the focus of the story. But Mordecai, a man of strong character, was the real hero. Scripture does not indicate that he was married or had his own family. But when his cousin was left orphaned, he adopted her as his own daughter and raised her honorably. His character is demonstrated when he saved the king, an ungodly man, from assassination (2:19-23). It was really his character that prompted Hadassah to petition the king to save the Jews from genocide. She may not have had the courage to do that had it not been for Mordecai persistence. His character eventually elevated him to be second in command in the government, just under the king (10:3). Character – the inner strength to do what is right – is a personal quality that is to be sought and developed because it is the essence of godliness. It will cause a person to do what is right even in the face of pressure to do what is easy.
 
Today's Thought: Personal character is the foundation of godly living.
 
Have a character day (and life). Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Marriage

"After these things, when the wrath of King Ahasuerus subsided, he remembered Vashti, what she had done, and what he had decreed against her. Then the king's servants who attended him said, 'Let beautiful young virgins be sought for the king: .... Then let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.' This thing pleased the king and he did so."
 
                                                           Esther 2:1-2, 4
 
King Ahasuerus exemplifies the world's concept of marriage, which is based on personal pleasure. This leads to "throw-away" marriages.  If I am not pleased with my spouse, get rid of her and get a new one.   God's view of marriage is commitment for life, regardless of whether the person is happy with his mate or not. Jesus spoke directly to this question: "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?" Jesus said the only allowance for divorce was infidelity (Matthew 19:3-9). We live in a society of "no-fault" divorce. Marriage can be abandoned for just about any reason. But God's plan is to be joined together with the glue of commitment "in good times and bad times, in sickness and it health." God's way is best.
 
Today's Thought: Marriage is not based on personal pleasure, but on commitment for life.
 
Have a committed day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Earned Honor

"And Memucan answered before the king and the princes: 'Queen Vashti has not only wronged the king, but also all the princes .... This very day the noble ladies of Persia and Media will say to all the king's officials that they have heard of the behavior of the queen. Thus there will be excessive contempt and wrath. If it pleases the king, let a royal decree go out from him .... When the king's decree which he will make is proclaimed throughout all his empire (for it is great), all wives will honor their husbands, both great and small.' "
 

                                              Esther 1:16, 18, 19a, 20
 
Memucan had a wrong understanding of honor. It is a mistake to think that honor and respect can be legislated. They cannot be demanded. They are earned by a person's actions. Obedience may be attained by fear or some other motivation; but love, honor, and respect come from the heart. In a spiritual sense, some people obey God for fear of going to hell, but do not honor Him. The better obedience flows from a heart filled with respect for Who He is and what He has done. If I want people to honor and respect me, I need to act in ways that engender it.
 
Today's Thought: Honor is a better motivation for obedience than fear.
 
Have an honoring day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Listen

"...Therefore the king was furious and his anger burned within him. Then the king said to the wise men who understood the times .... 'What shall we do with Queen Vashti, according to the law, because she did not obey the command of King Ahasuerus brought to her by the eunuchs?' "
 
                                              Esther 1:12b -13, 15
 
A typical male response: Anger. Instead of taking responsibility for his wrong choice, and asking himself why his wife did not submit, he blamed her. Instead of listening to his wife's side of the issue, he listened to a bunch of his buddies who he knew had the same ideas and would support his own agenda. We husbands need sensitivity training to not only "understand the times" but to understand our wives. As Peter wrote: "Husbands dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered" (I Peter 3:7). This does not necessarily mean we have to agree, but that we need to honor her enough to listen and try to understand her perspective.
 
Today's Thought: A husband needs to listen to his wife's perspective.
 
Have a "listening" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- True Beauty

"On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded...to bring Queen Vashti before the king, wearing her royal crown, in order to show her beauty to the people and the officials, for she was beautiful to behold. But Queen Vashti refused to come...."
 
                                                             Esther 1:10-11
 
Queen Vashti had more than beauty to her credit. She also had character. She refused to be paraded as an object – a mere piece of property that belonged to the king. The value of a person goes far deeper than the skin. If all a person has is external beauty, charm, or charisma, he or she is just an object – a hollow shell with nothing inside. Character is what really counts. As Peter said, "Let it [beauty] be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is very precious in the sight of God" (I Peter 3:4).
 
Today's Thought: The real beauty of a person is the inward character.
 
Have a beautiful day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Wise Choice

"And when these days were completed, the king made feast lasting seven days for all the people who were present in Shushan, the citadel [or palace], from the great to the small .... And they served drinks in golden vessels...with royal wine in abundance. In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory for the king had ordered all the officers of his household, that they should do according to each man's pleasure."
 
                                                      Esther 1, 5, 7-8
 
Even though the alcohol flowed freely, it is to the king's credit that he did not force people to drink. There were some who chose not to imbibe. In our society, alcohol flows freely and sometimes there is pressure to join the crowd. It seems strange to me that so many people drink in light of the negative effects – the devastation it causes, the stupid things people do under the influence, and the hangover the next morning. It is the wise person who has the character to abstain.
 
Today's Thought: To drink or not to drink is an individual choice, and the wise person chooses not to.
 
Have a wise day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- It's Party Time

It's Party Time
Esther 1:1-4
 
"Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus ... when King Ahazuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom ... that in the third year of his reign he made a feast for all his officials and servants ... when he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the splendor of his excellent majesty for many days, one hundred eighty days in all."
 
It's Party Time. (But doesn't a half a year seem a bit much?) Parties are good things. "A feast is made for laughter" (Ecclesiastes 10:19). God instituted feasts for Israel to bring them together to worship. And the Father threw a party when the prodigal son returned (Luke 15:23-25). Indeed, we are invited to a great feast – the marriage supper of the Lamb. What a glorious time that will be. However, many of the world's parties end in disaster. As we shall see, this party by Ahazuerus involved a negative situation. Babylon fell during the feast of Belshazzar (Daniel 5). John the Baptist was beheaded during Herod's feast (Matthew 14:1-10). And even the "love-feasts" of the early church turned sour (I Corinthians 11:17-22; Jude 12). So let's party, but in a godly way. We have a lot to celebrate!
 
Today's Thought: There should be a difference between pagan parties and Christians' celebrations.
 
Have a party day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Rest Of The Story

Jonah 4:????
 
What a weird way to end a story. There is no answer to God's question. Does Jonah change? Does he continue as a prophet or does he get off-track? What is "the rest of the story" (as Paul Harvey would say)? My book is not yet finished either. There are more chapters waiting to be written. My hope is that there will be a good conclusion of honoring God before "The End."
 
Today's Thought: The story ain't over 'til it's over.
 
Have a living day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- God's Priorities

"But the LORD said, 'You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night. And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than 120,000 persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left – and much livestock?' "
 
                                                     Jonah 4:10-11
 
How often I am like Jonah. My priorities get all misplaced and I spend my emotional energy on things that are transitory – here today and gone tomorrow, instead of on the eternal – the souls of men who live in ignorance and do not know God. Oh, God, let my heart beat like Yours! Let my priorities reflect Your priorities.
 
Today's Thought: Our priorities should be God's priorities.
 
Have a focused day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Comfortable Life

"And the LORD God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant. But as morning dawned the next day, God prepared a worm, and it so damaged the plant that it withered. And it happened when the sun arose that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah's head, so that he grew faint. Then he wished death for himself, and said, 'It is better for me to die than to live.' "
 
                                                           Jonah 4:6-8
 
Was God capricious when He gave comfort to Jonah and then took it away the next day? I don't think so. I think God was creating a teaching moment for Jonah – that there are more important things in life than creature-comfort (see verses 10-11). Jonah was more wrapped up in himself and whether life was pleasant for him than having compassion for a city without God and without hope. How often my life is controlled by whether my life is comfortable when there is a world around me that is perishing without Christ. Oh God, forgive me for my self-centeredness.
 
Today's Thought: There is more to life than my own comfort.
 
Have a learning day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- A Right To Be Angry

"Then the LORD said, 'Is it right for you to be angry?' ..... Then God said to Jonah, 'Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?' And he said, 'It is right for me to be angry, even to death.' "
 
                                                                          Jonah 4:4, 9
 
A paraphrase might be: "What right do you have to be angry?" Did Jonah have a right to be angry just because things didn't go the way he wanted?  Jonah did not immediately answer the question. He just sat and sulked (vs. 5). Later, when the LORD asks him the same question, Jonah answered, "Yes, I have a right" (Verse 9). How much like Jonah am I. Even as God is dealing with my anger, I come up with all kinds of excuses why my anger is justified. How slow I am to acknowledge that God is God, and His ways are best.  So God patiently keeps dealing with me, asking me the same question over and over again.  The antidote to anger is to sing with the psalmist, "Our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases" (Psalm 115:3; 135:6). Committing my plans and desires to God will help me avoid disappointment and anger when things don't go my way.
 
Today's Thought: Trusting God's wise providence is better than getting mad.
 
Have an anger-free day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- A Bruised Ego

"So he prayed to the LORD, and said, 'Ah, LORD, was not this what I said when I was in my country? Therefore I fled to Tarshish for I know that you are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm. Therefore now, O LORD, take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than it is to live.' Then the LORD said, 'Is it right for you to be angry?' "
 
                                                                        Jonah 4:2-3
 
I wonder if the root of Jonah's anger was a bruised ego. His reputation as a prophet was at stake. What a prophet says is supposed to come to pass. His message was not repentance, but that Nineveh was going to be destroyed in 40 days. From the beginning, he knew that his prophecy would not happen because God is gracious and merciful, and so he fled to Tarshish. Now his fears were realized, and he felt like a fool, betrayed, angry. I know what it is like to try to follow what I think is God's leading, only to end up in failure. I felt like a fool in front of family and friends, stupid, betrayed by God, and yes, angry. It is not fun to look like a fool. But it is still better to just do what I think God wants and leave the results to Him.
 
Today's Thought: Letting God be God is more important than my reputation and ego.
 
Have a day of trusting God's leading, even if you look foolish.  Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Anger At Injustice

"Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it. But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry."
 
                                                                         Jonah 3:10; 4:1
 
Jonah's anger at seeing the Ninevites avoid punishment is not unlike most humans would respond. Our sense of justice calls for punishment. It does not sit well in our spirits when someone who is patently guilty gets off scott-free. When O. J. Simpson was not held accountable for killing his wife (although he was later found guilty in civil court), most Americans thought it was a failure of the justice system. Even Christians do not always respond with joy when sinners come to repentance. Instead of rejoicing, they sit in judgment and get angry. How different from the Jesus-model. In the parable of the lost son (Luke 15), the elder son was angry (vs. 28) and refused to join the party the father threw when the prodigal returned. God calls us to leave the vengeance to Him, instead of being the avengers (Romans 12:19). Besides, we need to remember how graciously God has forgiven us when we repented.
 
Today's Thought: Vengeance belongs to God – not to us.
 
Have a rejoicing day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- National Repentance

"Then the word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles saying... 'Let every man and beast be covered with sackcloth and cry mightily to God, yes let everyone turn from his evil way....Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish?' "
 
                                                                                           Jonah 3:6-10
 
National spiritual awakening starts at the grass roots level, and is endorsed and promoted by the government leadership. Throughout American history (until recently) during times of national distress, our presidents have proclaimed national days of prayer, and God has shown mercy and helped us. In our present distress, there is only one thing that will save America. It is not the Congress passing laws and spending money. It will come about when we as a nation, from the president down to the individual citizens, 1) humble ourselves in repentance; 2) cry mightily to God, and 3) turn from our evil ways. Perhaps God in His mercy will relent so that we will not be destroyed as a nation. O God, help us!!!
 
Today's Thought: The answer for our national distress is God.
 
Have a seeking-God day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- A Simple Message

"And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day's walk. Then he cried out and said, 'Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.' So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least."
 
                                                                           Jonah 3:4-5
 
This is amazing. Nineveh was a great city, a three day walk (vs. 3), which at 2 miles per hour eight hours per day would be 48 miles in length. Phoenix itself is 50 miles from north to south. It is difficult to imagine an entire city that size repenting and believing God. Jonah's appearance (having just been vomited out of the fish) probably gave his simple message powerful impact. But the people were apparently also ready to receive it. Something in the depth of their souls said, "We need to repent." O God, if it happened in Nineveh, let it happen again in America!
 
Today's Thought: God can use a simple message to turn people to Him.
 
Have a believing day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Second Chances

"Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, 'Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.' So Jonah arose and went...."
 
                                                                       Jonah 3:1-3a
 
Jonah was willing to obey God's voice the second time after going through a time of discipline. How wonderful is our longsuffering and patient God. He comes again and again to speak to our hard hearts. Often it is the "belly-of-the-fish" experience that makes us willing to be willing. God does give second chances, but I need to remember that "God's spirit will not always strive with man" Genesis 6:3), and even though "The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever" (Psalm 103:8-9). How much better to say "Yes" the first time.
 
Today's Thought: God gives second chances, but there are limits to His patience.
 
Have a "Yes" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Obeying God's Will

"So the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land."
 
                                                                       Jonah 2:10
 
All creation obeys when God speaks. At the word of the Lord, the Red Sea parted to make dry land. The sun stood still at God's command. He told a rock to produce water and it did. He told a donkey to speak and it obeyed. All creation obeys – except humans. We alone think we have the option of obeying or spurning God's Word. When we reject what He says, we pay a price, but He goes to great lengths to get us to bring us to point of surrender to His will. Like Pharoah and the plagues, God can make life miserable until we say "Yes" to His will and His way. Only then will we experience release and peace.
 
Today's Thought: Escape from the discipline of the Lord comes through surrender to His will.
 
Have a obedient day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Thankfulness in Trouble

" 'Those who regard worthless idols forsake their own Mercy. But I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving. I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.' "
 
                                                                        Jonah 2:8-9
 
The change in Jonah's outlook is demonstrated by thanksgiving. It is not easy to be thankful in the fish's belly, surrounded by darkness and the stench of rot with seaweed wrapped around your head. But in the dark times, there is peace in the soul when faith in God's salvation and deliverance is renewed. That's why it is so important to give thanks in everything (I Thessalonians 5:18). It is an affirmation of my trust in God's faithfulness.
 
Today's Thought: Thankfulness in the hard times is a witness to faith in a faithful God.
 
Have a thankful day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Remember

" 'When my soul fainted within me, I remember the LORD, and my prayer went up to You into Your holy temple.' "
 
                                                                                 Jonah 2:7
 
Jonah had sea-weeds wrapped around his head (vs. 5) and felt that he was going to die (vs. 6). When a person experiences what the mystic called "the dark night of the soul" – when faith grows faint – the best antidote is to remember the Lord. David prayed this when faced with adversity: "I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living" (Psalm 27:13). Remember God's goodness and faithfulness when life is dark.
 
Today's Thought: Remembering the goodness of God in the past is an encouragement to faith in the present.
 
Have a remembering day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Cast Away

"Out of the belly of Sheol I cried and You heard my voice. For You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the floods surrounded me; all Your billows and Your waves passed over me. Then I said, 'I have been cast out of your sight; yet I will again look toward Your holy temple.' "
 
                                                                         Jonah 2:2b-4
 
I know what it is like to feel like to feel isolated from God – cast away, separated from His presence. The year was 1971 when I was 30 years old. I had resigned from my teaching job with the goal of being a vocational missionary to South America. But nothing happened. No teaching position materialized and I felt abandoned by God – cast aside, put on the shelf. It has been 40 years and I can still feel the emptiness and anguish of my soul. I sought the Lord with tears and cried out to the Him, but there did not seem to be any answer. I could not feel God's presence. For 6 long months I felt isolated from God. The only thing that kept me going was faith that God was real and was in His heaven – His holy temple. In the dark times of Sheol, God does hear my voice, even when I don't feel like He is there.
 
Today's Thought: God still hears even when I feel like He is not there.
 
Have a faith-life day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- God Is There

"And he said, 'I cried out to the LORD because of my affliction, and He answered me. Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and You heard my voice.' "
 
                                                                        Jonah 1:3
 
God hears me when I cry out to Him in my distress. Even when it is self-inflicted – because of my own rotten choices – He does not turn a deaf ear. He is a gracious God Who has promised to not forsake me – ever (Hebrews 13:5).
 
Today's Thought: God is a present help in the time of trouble (Psalm 46:1).
 
Have a God-present day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Crying Out To God

"Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the fish's belly."
 
                                                                         Jonah 1:17-2:1
 
"Then" is a telling word. It is a symptom of a disease that is common to man. It is the malady of stubbornness. We wait until things get really bad before we ask for help because "I can handle it." Why didn't Jonah pray to the LORD before he ended up in the stinking intestines of a fish? He had already been through a hurricane. That should have been enough. Now alone in the darkness in the putrid, rotting stuff, he has time to wrestle with his own stubborn heart. The prodigal son had a similar experience. He had been living high on the hog, but when things got really bad and he had to slop the hogs, he "came to himself" (Luke 15:17). Who needs God when things are going well? David also experienced this. "Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire" (Psalm 69:1-2). Why do we wait until we are in hot water up to our neck and are sinking? What does it take to make me cry out to God? The first hint of trouble should make me turn to Him. Maybe if I seek Him today, I can avoid some of the struggles of the pit.
 
Today's Thought: The wise man cries out to God before he reaches the bottom of the barrel.
 
Have a "crying out" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- God Does What He Pleases

"Therefore they cried out to the LORD and said, 'We pray, O LORD, please do not let us perish for this man's life, and do not charge us with innocent blood; for You, O LORD. have done as it pleased You.' So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to the LORD and took vows."
 
                                                                                   Jonah 1:14-16
 
These pagan sailors began by praying to their gods (vs. 5) and ended up believing in the true God. Yahweh is mentioned 5 times in these verses. God does what He pleases, and in His divine will, He used Jonah's rebellion to bring sinners to faith. His will is that no one should perish but that everyone would come to repentance (II Peter 3:9). These men would probably never have believed in Yahweh if Jonah had not been there. What an awesome God. He can even use my bumbling mistakes to accomplish His will. It is about Him, not me.
 
Today's Thought: God accomplishes His will, even using our mistakes.
 
Have a faith-filled day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Living Humbly Before God

"And he said to them, 'Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will become calm for you. For I know that this great tempest is because of me.' Nevertheless the men rowed hard to return to land, but they could not, for the sea continued to grow more tempestuous against them. Therefore they cried out to the LORD...."
 
                                                                        Jonah 1:12-14a
 
Jonah, the prophet – what a great man of God!?!? One would think that Jonah would be on his knees crying out to God in repentance and asking God to deliver him from the storm. But not Jonah. Nowhere in Chapter One is there even a hint of humbling himself before God, even though he acknowledges that he is responsible for the trouble. He would rather die than repent. The heathen sailors prayed to Jonah's God before Jonah did because they knew how serious the problem was. It was not until Jonah was in the belly of the great fish that he finally cried out to God (2:2). Sometimes people who have walked with God for many years become proud and hardened in their spirits and think they are so spiritual that they don't need to repent, even though the storms caused by their disobedience rage around them. They have to get to the bottom of the pit before they finally throw themselves on God's mercy. How much better to live humbly before God and avoid the storms.
 
Today's Thought: A humble heart lives in repentance.
 
Have a humble day. Love you.