A Step Closer in Prophecy - And a Stern Warning From Jesus

I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and sky. How is it that you don't know how to interpret this present time? Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right? [Luke 12:49-52, 56, 57]

The world just became a bit more dangerous overnight as Hamas won a landslide victory in Palestinian elections. The headline from CNN is more than just words - it is likely a chilling foretaste of what is to come. For all that Hamas stands for, the Palestinian people might as well have voted in the Nazi party.

Obviously this is quite a controversial topic between those who believe Hamas to be a bunch of freedom fighters and those who believe Hamas to be a bunch of terrorists. I think you can figure out where I stand, and I base my opinion from these generally undisputed facts:

• Hamas is an Islamic fundamentalist group that wants a Palestinian state.
• Its military wing, Izzadine al Qassam, has claimed responsibility for many terrorist operations, including suicide bombing in Israel, as well as attacks on Israeli troops and Jewish settlers in Gaza and the West Bank.
• Hamas has called for the destruction of Israel, but that demand was not central to its platform in the Palestinian elections. However, it continues to refuse to recognize the right of the state of Israel to exist.
• In its election campaign Hamas portrayed itself as an alternative to the corruption-plagued Fatah -- the group founded by Yasser Arafat and now led by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas that has dominated Palestinian politics for decades.
• Hamas runs humanitarian activities in the West Bank and Gaza -- building schools and hospitals as well as social projects.
• Its fighters have mostly observed a cease-fire for the past year.
• The United States, the European Union and Israel consider the group a terrorist organization.
• Previous leaders Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and Abdel Aziz Rantisi were killed in separate Israeli airstrikes in 2004.
• In Arabic, the word "hamas" means zeal, but it's also an Arabic acronym for "Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya" or Islamic Resistance Movement.
  

[Sources: CNN, U.S. State Department. Emphasis placed by myself]


Certainly we can draw our own conclusions to the above statements, but before I'm accused of being a Zionist pig or some other Islamic (or bleeding-heart liberal) term of endearment, I ask you this: Am I missing something?

Yes, Hamas fighters have been pretty quiet lately. Perhaps there really was some authority behind the Palestinian Authority - I must admit I'm pretty impressed with the efforts of President Abbas. But now that Hamas is the authority, it should be interesting to see if the nuts run the nuthouse or if Hamas can really act civilized. I wouldn't bet on the latter.

Meanwhile, prophecy appears to be unfolding - as prophesied. The Bible says Israel will become a flashpoint at a time near the end. Has the match been struck?

Keep watch, my brethren. Be vigilant.

And Another Thing to Consider

While prayerfully considering being a head cook on an Emmaus weekend, I've also been asked to serve as chairman of our Membership Care committee. I'm still waiting to receive a job description for that position before I considering it much further.

Here I Am, Lord

The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." [1 Samuel 3:10]

As I mentioned in my previous post, I've been praying over whether or not I should serve as head cook for the men's Walk to Emmaus in October. It never ceases to amaze me how God speaks to me in times like these.

Often he speaks to me through other Christian friends. Everyone with whom I've shared my prayer request has been quite supportive - including some folks who have been downright exhuberant. Perhaps the most meaningful human affirmation came from my wife who asked, "Have you been head cook before?" When I said, "No," she replied, "Yeah, but you know what to do."

God speaks to me through Scripture as well. When M first called me to serve, I later read that evening from Matthew 16:24: Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Those who want to come with me must say no to the things they want, pick up their crosses, and follow me. (from the God's Word translation).

Sunday was the real kicker. Granted, by this time I was leaning toward saying yes, but sought further convincing. One of my small group members - who is now a pastor - mentioned on Saturday that he was going to preach on 1 Samuel 3:1-10. Not surprising when you consider that it was the lectionary Scripture this week. I heard it from my own pastor on Sunday - twice (I was liturgist). And I heard it again on Sunday night when I attended a Chrysalis candlelight service in Buckeye. I got in my car for the long drive home and basically said, "Okay, Lord, talk to me. I'm listening."

I felt compelled to take a different route home, and so I did. It was a quite a bit further out west than my usual route - but then again, I don't go to Buckeye very often. And as I drove home, a thought popped in my mind seemingly out of nowhere: This is a different path, but you know the way home. Following the path that a head cook would take is certainly different than any I've taken before - but I know the way.

I also received an email from a friend who reads this blog. She is one of those people whose prayer life is a model for everyone. She mentioned how she was drawn by the Lord to read my last posting and that she, too, has been praying for me.

The fact of the matter is that this feels right. I've been leaning toward saying yes anyway. It's time for that leap of faith again. Oftentimes we know the right answer. It's just a matter of obeying that call. So I called M and made his evening - perhaps his week or even his month.

Here I am, Lord. It is I, Lord.

Well, There It Is

Perhaps the toughest job on a Walk to Emmaus weekend is that of the head cook. For years I've said that I would never be head cook. I've even turned the job down once. I've served in every position a lay person can serve on a Walk to Emmaus weekend - except head cook.

But over the years, I think I've softened. S and I have been in charge of dinners and luncheons at various church (and Emmaus) functions so often that I feel I've already done the job of head cook. I've also twice been in charge of logistics whenever the Walk has been held at our church. So I guess that's God's way of telling me I'm qualified to be head cook.

As I've softened my position (though I've kept that to myself until now), I've conceded that if asked to be head cook, I would take it into serious consideration provided someone special asked me - like a group brother. As it turns out, one of my group brothers has been called to serve as lay director in October. And yes, I consider him someone special. And as it turns out, he has asked me today to serve on the October walk as his head cook.

Well, there it is. I certainly will be deep in prayer.

Keep An Eye on Israel

After a very serious stroke, it is doubtful that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will ever lead his nation again, even if he survives. So that leaves a perception of a political vacuum in Israel, one that perhaps will embolden more serious activity in the Middle East. Many questions are raised. Will the so-called Roadmap to Peace continue? Or will Satan's minions seek out their final solution to the Jewish question?

It is no secret that the appeasement of Israel is not a very popular notion there. With a national election just several weeks away, there doesn't seem to be any candidate supporting Sharon's policies who is strong enough to oppose those who are against Sharon's policies.

Meanwhile, Pat Robertson - a modern-day Peter, to be sure - is saying that Sharon's stroke is God's punishment for dividing God's land. Perhaps. But I think it's because Ariel Sharon is 77 years old, fat, and under a lot of stress.

In another not-so-surprising move, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that he hoped Sharon would die. That's a pretty typical demonstration of Ahmadinejad's diplomatic skill. His wish may come true; too bad he's too dim-witted to realize that perhaps Sharon has so far prevented Tehran from becoming a pile of radioactive slag.

These are just more players and circumstances in God's Master Plan, I'm sure. Be vigilant, my brethren. Keep watch.

Sweet Victory

It's pretty exciting to see a football game that's - well, exciting! Last night's Rose Bowl game between #1-ranked USC and #2-ranked Texas was both fun and exciting to watch. With 6:46 left in the 4th quarter, the Longhorns were trailing the Trojans 38-26, only to pull out a 41-38 victory with just 19 seconds left - and snapping the Trojans' 34-game winning streak. A sweet victory for the many who hate USC (myself included) - and of course for the Texas Longhorns!

The Chronicles of Narnia (Part 1): Some Observations

S and I finally finally got some down time in our busy schedule and saw The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, And the Wardrobe. To sum it up in one word: Wow! Clearly one of the best films I've ever seen, and certainly up there with getting the Christian message out.

I must confess that I've never read The Chronicles of Narnia, nor do I know much about its author, C.S. Lewis (I have read part of his Screwtape Letters, though). But it is certainly worth the effort to get to know them better.

What struck me most was the powerful symbolism in the film. Quite a few biblical messages get out.

Jesus said, "Let the children come to me. Don't try to stop them. People who are like these little children belong to the kingdom of God" [Mark 10:14] The character of Lucy exemplifies this notion; it is a shame that her siblings lacked the innocence she had and were unable to believe that she had discovered this magical land called Narnia. And Georgie Henley, the actress that portrayed her, was phenomenal.

Peter, the oldest, was not unlike Peter of the Bible. Somewhat unsure of himself and prone to verbal outbursts, Peter eventually grows into the steady rock that everyone depends on.

Then there's Edmund. Quite a complicated role he had to play in the whole thing. Although he seems incapable or unwilling to follow instructions (like a lot of children I know), he is otherwise innocent. He has no clue who the White Witch is when he first meets her. And that crafty old bitch manages to winnow her way into his mind and heart with all kinds of empty promises that are quite tempting. But even when he figures out who she is, he is still caught in her web of deceit. Once free of her, though, he is willing to do the right thing - even if it is the more difficult and dangerous thing.

Susan, the oldest sister, seems to be the glue that holds everyone together when everyone else is becoming unglued.

The animal characters were wonderful, too. They added a lot to the story, including quite a touch of humor. I especially enjoyed Mr. and Mrs. Beaver. They sounded just like a couple that's been married for a while.

The witch is certainly an interesting character - very much like old Satan himself. She is attractive in many ways - just like Satan. She is a master of deception - just like Satan. She is quite crafty - just like Satan. She is evil beyond imagination - just like Satan. She is very strong - just like Satan. She is not, however, invincible - just like Satan.

There are many references in the Bible of Jesus being a lamb - and a lion. Aslan - the lion, is clearly the Christ figure in this story. He is one in whom many have hope, and anxiously await his return to Narnia. He is also very strong, and his integrity is unquestionable. Well, actually at one point, the Witch questions whether he will keep his word; Aslan angrily replies with a very loud roar which sends the Witch and her entourage off in a hurry.

There is a strong message of forgiveness: Edmund has been rescued from the Witch's camp but now he stands accused of betraying his brother and sisters. Aslan speaks with Edmund alone, then brings him back to his siblings, telling them that what is done is already done and they are to speak no more of it.

Then Aslan does a strange and wonderful thing. The Witch had doubted that Aslan would keep his word - for the two of them had struck a deal concerning Edmund. You see, Edmund actually faced the death penalty for his actions. But Aslan took his place! Just like Jesus took your place and died for your sins.

I call it the Passion sequence of the film. Aslan willingly goes to the stone table to sacrifice himself. He doesn't say a word (like Jesus), he is chained and beaten (just like Jesus), his stately mane is shaved (Jesus was stripped), and he was shamed (just like Jesus) before the Witch kills him. Lucy and Susan watched the whole thing from a safe place (not unlike Mary and Mary Magdelene at the cross), tended to the body (just like the women at the tomb) and the resurrected Aslan appeared first to Lucy and Susan at sunrise (just as Jesus first appeared to the women at Easter sunrise).

All in all, I have to give this film two thumbs up - because God only gave me two thumbs!