B-36 Peacemaker with 16-20mm Cannon on 8 Remotely Controlled Turrents.
The B-36 could deliver 10,000 Lbs of bombs 5,000 miles from its base.
Thursday, December 16, 2004
When a person's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. (Pro 16:7)
How displeased is the Lord with us? The church in general has very little peace. Backbiting, division and quarrels are the rule rather than the acceptations.
Conflict and confrontation will arise because we must progress as the Kingdom of God; however, when I find myself at war with another…or even not at peace…I must first examine myself and see whether or not I am pleasing the Lord. If I am, the other person, although he may hate me, will be at peace with me.
My wife, who teaches kindergarten, constantly experiences the fact that the most dedicated and loving parents are usually those who have had a strident conflict with her. It is in conflict, or war, when a true Christian’s colors show and peace is made. We often lament conflicts when perhaps it is the Lord bringing you or I opportunity to show forth His grace. How can we be peacemakers without bringing peace out of conflict? It’s no great feat to be a peacemaker at time of peace.
How displeased is the Lord with us? The church in general has very little peace. Backbiting, division and quarrels are the rule rather than the acceptations.
Conflict and confrontation will arise because we must progress as the Kingdom of God; however, when I find myself at war with another…or even not at peace…I must first examine myself and see whether or not I am pleasing the Lord. If I am, the other person, although he may hate me, will be at peace with me.
My wife, who teaches kindergarten, constantly experiences the fact that the most dedicated and loving parents are usually those who have had a strident conflict with her. It is in conflict, or war, when a true Christian’s colors show and peace is made. We often lament conflicts when perhaps it is the Lord bringing you or I opportunity to show forth His grace. How can we be peacemakers without bringing peace out of conflict? It’s no great feat to be a peacemaker at time of peace.
Thursday, December 09, 2004
A person with good sense is patient, and it is to his credit that he overlooks an offense. (Pro 19:11)
We all go through periods of growth when out soul grows a couple of inches in a few months, and I feel as though I’m in such a process right now. Unfortunately, my bones ache.
There are 4 areas of growth in my life right now. The first two of these God told me a couple of months ago would be my next two areas to conquer. God told me that until I conquer these two issues, I’d be stuck where I am. The fact that the Lord has moved two more items into my internal battle lets me know that I’m progressing.
1. Eating. I was tempted to call this “weight loss” or “physical discipline”, but the bottom line is that I need to discipline my eating habits. I’ve been on a campaign to eat what I need to…period. I certainly haven’t arrived; however, my average caloric intake has probably halved.
2. Money. I need to discipline my spending habits. I’ve worked to spend less and less each month. I’ve been paying down debt and investing more and more in retirement and the stock market.
3. Offence. I am ambivalent as I attempt to judge myself on this issue. A while back, I took offense over something that a person close to me did. I finally recognized it and dropped it about a week ago, but I feel like I have secretly taken offense over other things since then. I’ve perhaps used the excuse of trying to help people to bring up their offenses toward me in order to help them not do this toward someone else. I have felt clean and guilt free, but in retrospect, I’m not so sure. I guess I feel like offence is sort of sticking to me right now.
4. Purpose. I realize crystal clearly that my life and my family can not afford to just travel along anymore. I have to be purposed in everything that we do. We must trim away anything that doesn’t enhance the vision and mission of this family. The things we do must enhance our talents and abilities, and our purpose for being. This can be difficult because there are things that we currently do that we must cut off. Those people who count on us in those areas may not understand what I’m trying to do with this family.
We all go through periods of growth when out soul grows a couple of inches in a few months, and I feel as though I’m in such a process right now. Unfortunately, my bones ache.
There are 4 areas of growth in my life right now. The first two of these God told me a couple of months ago would be my next two areas to conquer. God told me that until I conquer these two issues, I’d be stuck where I am. The fact that the Lord has moved two more items into my internal battle lets me know that I’m progressing.
1. Eating. I was tempted to call this “weight loss” or “physical discipline”, but the bottom line is that I need to discipline my eating habits. I’ve been on a campaign to eat what I need to…period. I certainly haven’t arrived; however, my average caloric intake has probably halved.
2. Money. I need to discipline my spending habits. I’ve worked to spend less and less each month. I’ve been paying down debt and investing more and more in retirement and the stock market.
3. Offence. I am ambivalent as I attempt to judge myself on this issue. A while back, I took offense over something that a person close to me did. I finally recognized it and dropped it about a week ago, but I feel like I have secretly taken offense over other things since then. I’ve perhaps used the excuse of trying to help people to bring up their offenses toward me in order to help them not do this toward someone else. I have felt clean and guilt free, but in retrospect, I’m not so sure. I guess I feel like offence is sort of sticking to me right now.
4. Purpose. I realize crystal clearly that my life and my family can not afford to just travel along anymore. I have to be purposed in everything that we do. We must trim away anything that doesn’t enhance the vision and mission of this family. The things we do must enhance our talents and abilities, and our purpose for being. This can be difficult because there are things that we currently do that we must cut off. Those people who count on us in those areas may not understand what I’m trying to do with this family.
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Joab…Part 2
I’ve been reading and meditating about Joab these last couple of weeks, and I see more and more clearly how his life, actions, and character apply to me. Just as I am the executive at Dexter Lake Church of God, so was Joab an executer of sorts for David, King of Israel (eventual king). Joab was David’s chief of the army, and probably his closest confidant and advisor. Here are a few of the lessons:
1. Above all else, Joab’s loyalty was totally above question. Joab could not have survived in his position without the complete trust of David, and one gets the feeling from the narrative that even if Joab was not always loyal and faithful to God, he was to David. This is evidenced, in part, in Joab’s jealous killing of Amasa and Sheba for rebellion.
2. Joab did not expose David’s weaknesses, faults or sins to others. Joab was a coverer of David’s faults rather than an exposer. Joab even set up Uriah to be killed as David had requested in order to cover David’s sin. This is an extreme example; however the pattern stands: Joab loyally protected David’s dignity.
3. Joab corrected David occasionally. Joab skillfully got David to see the light when he should have allowed Absalom to return after killing Amnon for the rape of Tamar. Joab didn’t just confront David, but he brought in a clever woman who played a role and helped the king to see the right decision. It is a difficult thing to know when is the right time to address the king in such a fashion.
4. Joab defied David’s orders when David’s emotions got in the way of clear judgement. Contrary to David’s orders, Joab outright killed Absalom in order to end the rebellion that nearly cost David the throne. Joab also blatantly confronted David in his mourning as well. This was a time of crisis and ultimate destinies were on the line from their perspective. Again, the sense of this correction though is that it was not an open and public rebuke, but a private correction in his home. This rebuke was for a blatant and destructive behavior: loving those who hate you and hating those who love you.
5. Joab refused glory to himself. In Rabbah, an Ammonite city, as well as other cities, Joab refused to complete the defeat, and would set David up for the final glorious push to capture the cities. Joab realized that his glory came through the king, not aside from the king.
6. Joab’s killing of Abner was a crisis in the relationship between Joab and David. Obviously Joab was wrong in killing Abner, or so it would appear. The king refused to cover Joab’s deed and refused to take any responsibility in it. The punishment was twofold. He made Joab mourn Abner’s death, and in making all Israel mourn he exposed Joab’s failure. When David says that a great man has fallen in Israel, it is perhaps a double-entendre as Joab has also fallen.
This is a difficult thing. Joab consistently covers David’s faults; however David specifically exposes Joab. Of course, the real diffuculty comes if Joab expects David to reciprocate his devotion and his reverence. The truth is that David is not in a position to do that without the crown being tarnished.
I think all of these have application and impact on my life and especially my relationship with the king I serve. I can only hope to someday learn to serve as Joab served.
I’ve been reading and meditating about Joab these last couple of weeks, and I see more and more clearly how his life, actions, and character apply to me. Just as I am the executive at Dexter Lake Church of God, so was Joab an executer of sorts for David, King of Israel (eventual king). Joab was David’s chief of the army, and probably his closest confidant and advisor. Here are a few of the lessons:
1. Above all else, Joab’s loyalty was totally above question. Joab could not have survived in his position without the complete trust of David, and one gets the feeling from the narrative that even if Joab was not always loyal and faithful to God, he was to David. This is evidenced, in part, in Joab’s jealous killing of Amasa and Sheba for rebellion.
2. Joab did not expose David’s weaknesses, faults or sins to others. Joab was a coverer of David’s faults rather than an exposer. Joab even set up Uriah to be killed as David had requested in order to cover David’s sin. This is an extreme example; however the pattern stands: Joab loyally protected David’s dignity.
3. Joab corrected David occasionally. Joab skillfully got David to see the light when he should have allowed Absalom to return after killing Amnon for the rape of Tamar. Joab didn’t just confront David, but he brought in a clever woman who played a role and helped the king to see the right decision. It is a difficult thing to know when is the right time to address the king in such a fashion.
4. Joab defied David’s orders when David’s emotions got in the way of clear judgement. Contrary to David’s orders, Joab outright killed Absalom in order to end the rebellion that nearly cost David the throne. Joab also blatantly confronted David in his mourning as well. This was a time of crisis and ultimate destinies were on the line from their perspective. Again, the sense of this correction though is that it was not an open and public rebuke, but a private correction in his home. This rebuke was for a blatant and destructive behavior: loving those who hate you and hating those who love you.
5. Joab refused glory to himself. In Rabbah, an Ammonite city, as well as other cities, Joab refused to complete the defeat, and would set David up for the final glorious push to capture the cities. Joab realized that his glory came through the king, not aside from the king.
6. Joab’s killing of Abner was a crisis in the relationship between Joab and David. Obviously Joab was wrong in killing Abner, or so it would appear. The king refused to cover Joab’s deed and refused to take any responsibility in it. The punishment was twofold. He made Joab mourn Abner’s death, and in making all Israel mourn he exposed Joab’s failure. When David says that a great man has fallen in Israel, it is perhaps a double-entendre as Joab has also fallen.
This is a difficult thing. Joab consistently covers David’s faults; however David specifically exposes Joab. Of course, the real diffuculty comes if Joab expects David to reciprocate his devotion and his reverence. The truth is that David is not in a position to do that without the crown being tarnished.
7. Finally, Joab questions David when David orders the census. However, Joab doesn't argue with David or press the point. He simply raises the concern and then fulfills his orders without complaint and with full expedience.
I think all of these have application and impact on my life and especially my relationship with the king I serve. I can only hope to someday learn to serve as Joab served.
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