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.