Centurion and Shipwreck

4.   The apostle Paul and other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, of the Imperial Regiment. He led an "Augustan Cohort," ten sailors. Aboard ship, 276 people sailed along the coast of Asia. 

     Later, they all boarded a ship bound for Italy. Now the headway was slow, as the wind didn't cooperate. 

     Paul realized this could be disastrous. He predicted the loss of boat, cargo and their lives. But the centurion followed the advice of the pilot. 

     A wind of hurricane force drove the ship. The next day they began to throw cargo overboard. On the third day, the ship's tackle went overboard. They went without food and gave up hope.

     Paul spoke: "I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost, only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel ...stood beside me and said, 'Do not be afraid Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar, and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.'" 

     In an effort to escape to safety, the sailors let down the lifeboat, pretending they were going to lower anchors. Paul told the centurion, "Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved." The sailors let the lifeboat fall away. 

     Near land, they planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any from swimming away. But the centurion wanted to spare Paul's life and ordered everyone to jump overboard and swim to land. 

Acts chapter 27 

Tomorrow: Who else was on the ship?

 

Centurion Calls for (a fisherman)

   Continued from Friday

3.   Roman centurions were military officers, not likely Christians. But "Cornelius and his family were God-fearing. He gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly." - Acts. 10:2.    

     He had a vision, distinctly seeing an angel who said, "Cornelius!" The centurion stared in fear. "What is it, Lord?" 

     "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now, send some men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter." 

     The next day, the Spirit told Peter there were three men downstairs, which God had sent. They told Peter they were from Cornelius the centurion, "a God-fearing man respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told (Cornelius) to have you come to his house so he could hear what you have to say."       

     Two days later "Cornelius met Peter at the door and fell at his feet in reverence." Peter said, "Stand up. I am only a man myself." To relatives and friends of the centurion, Peter said, 

"I now realize how true it is that God does not show 

favoritism but accepts men from 

every nation who fears him and who do what is right."

     "You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all."  

     "While Peter was speaking, the Holy Spirit came on all... The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had poured out even on the Gentiles."

The full text in Acts chapter 10. Tuesday, story 4. 

     

God and Centurions 

     We don't think of military men (killers) in the same breath with the name (Jesus), but... Each Roman centurion was in charge of a centurio (Latin) of supposedly 100 men. Four stories:

1.   A centurion came to Jesus asking for help. "Lord, my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering." Jesus said, I will go to him. The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority with soldiers under me." 

     After the centurion further described his powerful position, Jesus, astonished, said, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. And he issued a severe warning to those in the kingdom who will not share the faith of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 

     "Then Jesus said to the centurion, Go! It will be done just as you believed it would. And his servant was healed at that very hour."

               Matthew 8:5-13 

2.   When Pontious Pilate gave in to the shouts of Israel's leaders, or their instigators, he gave orders to the Roman centurion to crucify Jesus along with two robbers. The centurion, now in charge, allowed his men to torture Jesus as they pleased...flogging, crown of thorns etc.  

     After the three had been on their crosses for about six hours, Jesus "breathed his last." The Sabbath was coming. So, they asked Pilate to order their legs broken and get them out of sight. But Jesus: (Not one of his bones will be broken. Psalm 34:20)   

     The disciple John was there. But the Roman centurion of all people watched Jesus die while the earth shook, saying "Surely this man was the Son of God!"  

             Matthew 27:54    Mark 15:37-39   Luke 23:47    John 19:31-36  

 Story 3 on Monday

From Baptism to the Last Supper

  Continued: 

     John said, "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. The one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain on him is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.'"    

     The Spirit came in the form of a dove.

     In the gospel of Matthew, we learn that Jesus asked John to baptize him. John correctly said he was not worthy to baptize the Son of God. But Jesus replied: Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness. 

     Jesus came from a town of no importance. Leaders could not believe God would appear as a man from Nazareth. Then Jesus began his 40-day time in the desert, without food or water. 

     If that wasn't difficult enough, at the last supper he took the cup, telling his disciples this was his blood shed for many. "But take heart. I have overcome the world."  

     On Sunday, Pastor Philip Miller of Chicago said there is much self- righteousness. "My greatest problem," he said, "is me. I am helpless without a new heart and the grace available when I die with Christ." 

Friday & Monday: Surprise centurions

           

The Word Became Flesh 

     Centuries ago, Jewish leaders baptized themselves in a formality.

     Then came a man named John was baptizing people from Jerusalem and all Judea in the Jordan River, for the forgiveness of sins. Not normal. (A nomad(?), John was the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, related to Mary, who gave birth to Jesus.) 

     Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask John who he is. "Are you Elijah?" "I am not," he said. "The Prophet?" "No." "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us." 

     John replied in the words of Isaiah, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.'" - (Isaiah 40:3)

     Jews were waiting for the Messiah. Some Pharisees questioned John, "Why do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah nor the Prophet?" John answered, "I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the throngs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie." 

     "The next day, John saw Jesus and said, 'Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world! This is the one...the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel." 

Tomorrow: Baptized in the Spirit 

Why We Need Revival 

     "The last spiritual awakening in America - the Jesus movement - began more than five decades ago. An awakening occurs when God pours out His Spirit to impact a culture. It is entirely up to God.  

     "On the other hand, a revival is what the church must experience, to become what it was always meant to be. 

Pastor Greg Laurie

     "A hallmark of revival is repentance. Jesus said to the church in Ephesus, I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will remove your lampstand from its place. - Revelation 2:4-5   

     "Three essential steps for personal spiritual revival: 

1. Remember. Reflect on how your faith once was.

2. Repent. Turn from complacency and back toward God. 

3. Repeat. Return to the actions you did when your faith was vibrant. 

     "Revivals don't last. It's something we must seek again and again.

     "Billy Graham once said, 'The greatest need is a spiritual awakening that will restore morals and integrity throughout the nation.' 

     "America needs a spiritual awakening, and the church needs a revival. Both begin with us. Pray for God to move once again." 

 Tomorrow: You won't be bored 

We Were Enthused  

     We were in one accord. 

     We wanted a life we adored, one we could afford. 

     We could serve on a board or buy a Ford.

     We could go to Africa, to be gored by a horde. 

     We heard that Paris has towered walls. 

     We went to the closet for what was stored. Same old horde. 

     We even pulled a cord.

     We went for a walk, 'till the rain just poured. 

     We wished to sail, but our boat was moored. 

     We scored at games, usually bored. 

     We wondered...and...

     We pleaded with the Holy One, "Have mercy Lord." 

                          Jimmy 

The Greatest Commandment 

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 

Jesus replied: 

   "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Laws and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." - Matthew 22:36-40 

"Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"

    "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself." - Mark 12:28-31 

What About Their Homes? 

   Conclusion

     At the time of Pearl Harbor, there were some 5,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. All were discharged...classified as "enemy aliens ineligible for the draft." In 1943, Japanese born in America were allowed to enter or reenter the Army. The 442nd Infantry Regiment serving in Europe became one of the most decorated in American history.

     Some families were allowed to leave the camps for good, though not on the West Coast. December 1944: FDR allowed Japanese Americans to return to their homes. Some did, only to face vigilantes and violence. One family arrived home on July 10, 1945, finding their businesses locked up, cars and tractors stripped of parts, and their house burned to the ground. At least one ranch had been sold by a stranger. 

     Many moved into barns or shacks, shoddy towns, trailer parks, abandoned Army barracks...and worked menial jobs. Some were afraid of white people, angry with America. Some died by suicide. Some returned to Japan. 

     Total loss of property and income to Japanese Americans may have been as high as $4 billion. Those on the West Coast lost an estimated 75 percent of their assets. After the war, most American-born Japanese moved to Illionois, Colorado, Ohio, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota and New York. 

     In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed the Civil Liberties Act, providing $20,000 to each camp survivor. 

NO JAPANESE AMERICAN EVER FOUND TO BE ALIEN

NO JAPANESE APPOLOGY FOR PEARL HARBOR

Carving Out a Life 

    No. 3 of 4

     On a train to wherever, black porters treated the Japanese Americans "with warmth and understanding and seemed to have sensitivity their unjust treatment." While looking out train windows, some were shocked by the "hovels" that black Americans lived in.

     In Arkansas, many of the camp bathrooms were non-functioning. Chamber pots were late arriving. A construction worker said he had been told to build facilities for "little brown people." 

     Some had pleurisy, tuberculosis, appendicitis or painful arthritis. Despite all this, they found a way to carve out a life. They sent children to schools, organized sports leagues, and partook in the YMCA, Boy Scouts, Camp Fire Girls, sewing groups, USO and Red Cross.  

     Many wanted to help the war effort. They rolled bandages and wove camouflage nets. They began to feel great responsibility, and did acts of thoughtfulness, kindness and caring. 

     In California's Death Valley, 1943, photographer Ansel Adams wanted to generate opposition to the government by showing the people's plight. Instead, families insisted on dressing up, cleaning the barracks and smiling for photographs. In a 2015 book, Infamy: The Shocking Story of the Japanese Internment...Adam's photos reinforced the government's portrayal of an extended vacation. 

     Why didn't the government lock up Germans and Italians? In fact, some 14,500 were locked up, while 125,284 others were Japanese. The Germans and Italians were the largest foreign-born populations at the time. Internment would have been a nightmare. Many were voters. Farmers accepted help from captured German soldiers, paid them, and in some cases allowed them to live in their homes.  

Thursday: Various conclusions

 FDR's Executive Order 

  No. 2 of 4

     Liberal columnist Walter Lippmann wrote that the Pacific Coast was in "imminent danger of an attack from within and from without." He cited as evidence the fact that there was no evidence. The next day every member of Congress from the West Coast signed a letter to President Roosevelt recommending "immediate evacuation of all persons of Japanese lineage." 

     FDR signed Executive Order 9066 permitting the military to remove citizens from California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Alaska and Hawaii. They were relocated to barbed-wire-encircled camps, in some of the most inhospitable land...such as Arizona desert and swampland in Arkansas.

     Sympathetic Americans helped them as best they could, such as storing their belongings. Our article featured Robert Fletcher Jr., who spent the rest of the war doing nothing but maintaining several properties, not his own. 

     Able-bodied Japanese were sent off on trains. It was practical that elderly relatives, who didn't speak English, went with them. Children on the trains wondered if they would be killed or used as slaves. Teenagers became family leaders.

     Until some camps were ready, Japanese were settled on fairgrounds near Fresno, in the desert. There were rows of ugly, tar paper covered buildings, and no trees. At its peak, Fresno held more than 5,000 Japanese Americans, some of them kept in horse stalls. 

     They were shocked to have armed guards. The government said it was for their protection. So, they wondered "why are they pointing the guns at us?" They were cramped, food was sickening, and bathrooms abominable. Toilets were in rows, in full view. 

     A routine included a newsletter, baseball games, and a summer school for basic English. 

 Tomorrow: Carving out a life

Our Darkest Day 

     We were told to leave our home. We did not know where to go, or for how long. We were still required to pay the mortgage and taxes on our property. Otherwise, California law permitted banks and the state to take over "abandoned properties." We were labeled as criminals because...

     Because they were of Japanese origin in America, 1942. They lost their liberty with no lawyers (or Donald Trump) to fight for them. 

Excerpts from Smithsonian

     Views shares this because it reminds us that we white Americans primarily of English origin are capable of hating our neighbors, not loving as God commands. German or Italian origin...similar deal. 

     Most Japanese immigrants lived in Hawaii and the western U.S. One was an electrical engineer in our Pennsylvania factory, spared only when his management vouched for him. 

     White Americans and Japanese immigrants worked and lived side by side. The Japanese had difficulty gaining citizenship, but when successful financially, neighbors resented them. [And forcing native Indians out of the East, replacing them with slaves from Africa]. This had nothing to do with Pearl Harbor, which had not yet occurred. 

     The bombing on Dec. 7, 1941, brought resentment into the open, disguised as patriotism. The FBI arrested more than 1,200 Japanese community leaders on the West Coast. They identified them as "suspect enemy aliens." Remember who was our president ("This day shall live in infamy!") at the time. 

     Years later, a woman told how agents suddenly appeared and taken people away. Politicians exploited the anger toward Japan to rally voters. Newspapers used it to sell papers. Cartoonists, including Dr. Seuss, portrayed Japanese in America in the most humiliating way. 

  Tuesday: FDR's Executive Order

You Missed World War II

     Your blogger did also. I played with little jeeps, tanks, soldiers, planes and flags, without knowing what in the world was going on. Lines of real jeeps passed through town. A new Army base was 5 miles away.

     August 1945. Dad's radio, "The  war  is  over!" What more did I need to know? 

     Soldiers, pilots, sailors and nurses came home, many to college, and America returned to normal. FDR was over too. There was no television. Baby births in 1946 probably set a record. 

     I graduated high school before my history lessons reached our century. Duh! Drafted into the Army, I spent some free time reading The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. Hitler: eyes on England and Russia.

     I learned about Pearl Harbor. So, I disliked the Japanese. Didn't know thousands lived in my country. 

     Much later, three Japanese worked in our Pittsburgh office, relating only to an American electrical engineer on an unknown project.  

     Still later, in a Florida mall, a squadron of Japanese soldiers walked by. They never looked at us, only the store windows. That's Japan. They are loyal to themselves. They may be our allies today, out of fear of China (a reversal). But there is little use sending missionaries.

     Oh. One more thing. For 10 years we've owned a good car made by a Japanese company. No major expenses...yet. 

     With this background, don't miss next week's series on Japanese Americans. What did they have to do with Pearl Harbor?

             Jimmy 

Understanding Holiness of God 

     "The primary meaning of holy is separate - a cut apart, above the rest. 

     "God is above and beyond us...supreme...absolute greatness...higher than the world...absolute power. 

The late R.C. Sproul, Presbyterian minister

     "We are at war with Him unless we are justified...comfortable in the presence of a holy God.  

     "The word holy refers to all that God is: His love. His justice. His mercy. His knowledge. His spirit. 

     "We (praise) common things that belong only to God. To worship things of the creature is idolatry. 

     "He is just and we are unjust. 

     "If we are at peace with Him, we still must tremble before our God. Luther explained centuries ago:

     "We are to fear God...as children who do not wish to displease their beloved Father. We come to Him in confidence; we come to Him in boldness; we have access. We have a holy peace."

Friday: Japanese Americans

Redeemed, Completely 

     "All over the world people of different backgrounds have the same frustrations and desires. Their problems can only be met by Him who said, I am the way, the truth and the life - John 14:6.   

     "We must accept the entire challenge of Christ. Jesus said, unless you are willing to deny self and take up your cross and follow him, you cannot be his follower. - the late Billy Graham

Christ is the life. "There must first of all be life. In him was life, and the life was the light of men - John 1:4. He who has the Son has life - 1 John 5:12. I have come that they may have life - John 10:10.   

     "Don't be content with emotional faith alone. Don't be satisfied with an empty creed or mental concept. By yielding your will completely to him, you can have a whole Christ for your whole being. 

Christ is the way. Not a way of life. He is the way - the one and only. A narrow gate, difficult to find - Matthew 7:13-14. Not my will, but thy will be done - Luke 22-42. When our will is surrendered, the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace and longsuffering - will be our witness. 

Christ is the truth. Paul wrote, Be transformed by the renewing of your mind - Romans 12:2. ...to be spiritually minded is life and peace - Romans 8:6.  Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus - Phil. 2:5. 

     "These three dimensions of Christianity all merge into one person, Jesus Christ. He deals with our rebellious wills, redeems our minds, and replaces our fleshly emotions with love, joy and peace." 

     The late Billy Graham: "Don't be satisfied with an empty creed or mental concept of Christianity. Yield completely to Him."

Thursday: Holy, completely 

Dawn's Early Light 

     Hmmm. That sounds familiar. 

     On Sunday, our pastor began with the story of Francis Scott Key on September 13, 1814, when the British opened fire on Baltimore. A lawyer, Key was on a British command ship, before the attack on Ft. McHenry, to negotiate release of a friend. Key learned the attack was beginning soon, and they held him to prevent him from alerting the defenders. 

     The pastor's remarks were a lead-in to his sermon, his message from Mark chapter 5. 

     So, who was Key's important friend? I had to know. 

     Google search wins again. Dr. William Beanes was the friend. He and Key, a few miles from Baltimore, heard that something was up, and hustled over to check it out. And Beanes got in trouble. 

     It's a good thing, because the incident led Key to write what would later be called the Star-Spangled Banner, which we've been singing ever since. Early the morning of Sept. 14, he saw "the flag was still there."  

About the Flag(s)

     The flag we think he saw, was 30x42 feet. It had 15 stars and 15 stripes (for 15 states). Each star was 2 feet in diameter. It had been made by Mary Pickersgill with help from her daughter, two nieces and an age 7 servant. It is on display, after much restoration. It was made of linen, with silk threads. 

     When the attack began, a 17x25-foot flag was flying. 

                  Jimmy

Wednesday: Redeemed, completely 

Realities 

     My Dad was a keeper. I should know. After college, I rented in "my" boyhood home while working for six months. 

     After the Army, I rented "my" home again for two more years. Mom's cooking still worked for me. Then I left for a job four hours away. 

     Dad died at 93. I knew where he stashed everything...in the basement, the former coal room, in the attic, even in the garage above and below.   

     His driveway stretches from the sidewalk to the garage, beyond the back door. We cluttered most of it. We also put out 23 garbage bags. 

     Like father like son? Well, our driveway is wide enough for three pick-up trucks, so no worry. But all that's secondary.

     The primary reality is God's call to do something for his kingdom. Paul had no garage, attic or basement. He wrote:

     "I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish my race with joy...to testify to the gospel of the grace of God" - Acts 20:24.

     We're not missionaries. But we can learn from Jesus' parable in Matthew chapter 25. (Here, a "talent" represents our abilities, time, resources and service.) A property owner leaves five talents with a servant, two with another, and one with a third. The first two servants added to the wealth and were rewarded. The third servant just saved his talent. 

     Jesus, speaking for the Father, said, "Throw that worthless servant outside into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."   

     Tuesday: Dawn's early light

 

Sunday update

We pause our usual weekend rest from blogging.

We were satisfied with celebrations on Independance Day.

We groan two days later, as more than 50 are dead.

We learn that a river in Texas rose 26 feet in 45 minutes.

We learn that many other campers were rescued.

We learn that the lost are/were Christians.

We believe they are now with their Lord.

We pray for their families and others.

We read in Romans 8 of suffering and catastrophes. 

We don't read of golden earthly life ... until the Millennium. 

We will return on Monday with "Realities."

Our 249th Year of...

Celebration  

     Philidelphia and Boston did it...with ships firing 13 cannon salutes. That was July 4, 1777, a year after the Continental Congress passed the final version of the declaration. 13 American colonies were at war with Britian until October 1781.  

     Not that Americans ever gave 100 percent approval - the colony of New York abstained on the first vote - and people still don't agree. Thanks to George Washington and his troops, and France and Spain, King George got the message. But he wasn't forgotten. They had mock funerals for him, symbols of the end of monarchy and tyranny, and the rebirth of liberty.

     In 1938, July 4 became a paid, federal holiday. I don't recall leaping in my mother's womb. 

     Today we disagree on most everything...except celebrations. We spend $1 billion on fireworks. Anyone can celebrate whether or not freedom is the reason. Each year it seems there is an increase in parades, fireworks, shows, picnics, concerts and oratory. And airline and vehicle travel. 

     Did you know, early celebrations were modeled after the British king's birthday events? Later on, abolitionists, women's groups, opponents of immigration and others used July 4th to gain attention. This holiday is still a symbol of national strength and American qualities...though at times we wonder if our own George is rolling over in his grave. 

     As for today, we hope you dressed your dog in red, white and blue, and we'll be back Monday with - The Primary Reality. 

          Jimmy

A Blockbuster Case 

     It's not often that my blood boils. I was reading about upcoming Supreme Court decisions, and one of the cases involves schoolchildren in a Maryland county, Mahmoud v. Taylor. It may be a ruling for history. 

     Tamer Mahmoud is a Muslim youngster. Parents of Orthodox Christians and Catholics joined his defense. 

     The school board (enemy No. 1) requires young children to attend lessons and picture books with LGBTQ+ characters. Can public schools do this, with no notice to parents and no ability to opt out? 

     Books direct kids to look for terms in pictures, such as drag queen.

     The board (not teachers) requires teachers to read story books that celebrate gender transitions, Pride parades and same-sex playground romance. But a coalition of parents argue that compelling elementary-age children to participate violates the Free Exercise Clause of the U.S. Constitution. 

     I thought school was about reading, writing and arithmetic. Okay, math. Learning history and such...for supporting oneself and helping others. Not stealing. Not breaking laws. And certainly not introducing immoral thoughts to kids. That will come soon enough.

     A federal district court and the 4th U.S. District Court of Appeals (enemies No. 2 and 3) both sided with the school board, "...unless it's going to make you change your beliefs, it's not a burden." 

     How can judges be so dense? Adults have various beliefs. Young children don't know what to believe until they're taught. Does that explain why these "teachers" are trying to dupe kids as early as age 5? Preschool! 

     Even if a child knows better, he or she goes to bed with unnecessary thoughts. A better bedtime thought, "Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray my Lord my soul to keep." 

     The above battle was from 2023 to June 27, 2025

Supreme Court to the Rescue 

      A week ago Tuesday the Court by 6-3 held that by denying parental requests to opt their children out of instruction inconsistent with their beliefs, school officials violated their First Amendment right to the free exercise of religion. 

     The lawyer(s) didn't attack LGBTQ+ but made a case that could win.  At least some parents can breathe, especially those whose kids are turning 5. 

     What were three justices thinking, Sotomayor, Kagan and Jackson? They think it is an "impossible administrative burden on schools" to have the classes separated." Maybe so. They aren't disturbed by this threat to American children. So, we'll number them enemies 4, 5 and 6. 

     We have a solution. Cancel the LGBTQ+ stuff and stick to the purpose of education, which is failing badly as it is. There are enough young people regretting their decisions when they're old enough to think for themselves. 

            Jimmy 

 Endless Hope 

     We hope for some things in life: good health, finances, safety, security, political choices, victories in sports, on and on. 

     There is one hope to hold throughout this life: Salvation. Eternal life. When earthly matters don't matter anymore, our souls will be thrilled to arrive in heaven, or horribly anguished. We can be forgiven on earth, but in hell, no second chance. 

     Yours truly has close relatives down there, successful on earth, but unwilling to believe, trust and obey the One who made the air they breathed for decades. Sad. 

     Men in control of "religion" asked Jesus to prove his claim with a "sign." 

     He told them his "sign" would be his "resurrection from the dead." 

     Jesus proved his claim, but not with an effortless miracle he easily could have performed. Yes, he did heal many people, and his critics ultimately believed his power when Lazareth walked out of his grave. They still wanted Jesus out of their world.  

     Example: Those who want Donald Trump out of their world. 

     The cross was a symbol of death to lawbreakers. It is a symbol of glory for believers. Our cathedrals, robes, flags, traditions, and money, even church attendance alone, don't guarantee salvation. Faith, hope and love puts us on the "narrow road" Father and Son paved for us.

 Thursday: Sin in public school 

 

 What's Up with Greenland? 

     Greenland is three times the size of Texas. With 80% of it covered by a sheet of ice, they should change the name to Whiteland. They would need Denmark's okay. 

     And 56,000 inhabitant voters, 90 percent of whom are indigenous Inuit, meaning: they've existed naturally in a particular location for over 1,000 years. President Trump can have his way with NATO. But can he trump the Inuits? 

     The USA was welcomed to guard Greenland when the Nazis occupied Denmark. After the war, maritime passages between Greenland, Iceland to its south, and the United Kingdom warmed up and became critical to NATO's strategy. Russia, China and Canada all want access. 

     We have military presence within the Artic Circle, operating critical systems for missile warning etc. Our Greenland base also has a deep-water seaport, across the North Pole from Russia.

     Greenland has large deposits of graphite, copper, rare earth elements and offshore deposits of oil and natural gas. Are the Inuits taking bids? 

     In 1946 the U.S. offered to buy Greenland for $100 million in gold. Maybe Denmark didn't know what they could do with gold. Instead, they are paying Greenland $565 million/year to maintain its economy. True! 

     Most Greenlanders support eventual independence from Denmark. An equal number don't want to become part of the U.S. It's worse than that.

     Independent Inuits might find themselves under the control of invaders from Russia, China or neighboring Canada. It won't be Iran, nor Alaska on the other side of the Artic Circle. 

  Wednesday: Don't miss it

Astronaut's Test of Faith 

     A year ago June, two astronauts were in a 10-foot-tall capsule, orbiting the earth when their first thruster failed. Approaching the space station (ISS), the second thruster was lost...then the third and the fourth. 

     Capt. Barry Wilmore was at the controls. Mission Control took over, parking the capsule at the space station. Who knew if returning the capsule to earth was even possible? An eight-day mission became 286 days. (He had commanded the space station some 10 years ago.) 

     Scary? Not for Wilmore, who said, "I completely understand God's sovereignty. He is in control at all times. The Lord's got this, and if it means He takes me today, so be it. We're all going to go one day."

      His response under pressure has been shaped by his faith in God's purposes and plans for his life, including 21 air combat missions during Operation Desert Storm, where dodging missiles and anti-aircraft artillery was a matter of survival. 

Down to Earth in Space

     Christmas time, Wilmore videoed himself with Israel in sight, reading from Luke chapter 2. He videoed for his church's Christmas Eve service, and 250 miles of separation didn't keep him from sending messages of encouragement to those who needed it. 

     NASA used a capsule owned by Elon Musk to bring Wilmore and three other astronauts back to Florida. 

     "Christ does it all," Wilmore says. "He paid the price. He calls us. He draws us. He saves us." Now, at 62, Wilmore continues to have an insatiable appetite for God's Word. "My beliefs don't matter. What matters is what's true. I try to share what I know to be true from God's word." 

  Tuesday: What about Greenland? 

Holy Spirit Takes Over 

    #6 in series

     Christ appeared to different people at various times over 40 days, following his resurrection. In Acts chapter 1, he commands his disciples to stay in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit baptizes them with power. That would happen on the 50th day, now called Pentecost Sunday. 

     He said they would be his witnesses in Jerusalem, and in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Those would be his last words. 

     Chapter 2. Ten days later, 120 men were together when "a sound like a violent wind came from heaven. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that came to rest on each of them. All were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." 

     "There were God-fearing Jews from every nation, and many wondered, 'What does this mean?'" 

Peter Explains It 

     "Then Peter stood up," (baptized with power by the Spirit that spoke through Old Testament prophets) "and addressed the crowd: 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.'" 

     The Spirit led Peter to enlighten his listeners, who "were cut to the heart and asked Peter, 'What shall we do?'" "Repent and be baptized," he said, "in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the Holy Spirit." 

     "About 3,000 were added to their number that day." Peter and others would never be the same, worshiping God with the Holy Spirit in their hearts, to guide and spread this good news to the ends of the earth.

So, Jimmy, was Peter a pope or not?

  Peter and other disciples were chosen by Christ. 

Popes are elected by Catholic men ideally led by Christ.

(majority vote)

Jesus Tests Peter 

   No. 5 of 6

     In John's last chapter, 21, he wrote how he and other disciples, including Peter, went fishing all night. Early in the morning Jesus called to them from shore. They had met Jesus twice since his resurrection, but they didn't realize it was him. 

     When they told (the stranger) they hadn't caught any fish, he said, Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some. Did they? They couldn't haul in the net there were so many fish. 

     John exclaimed, "It is the Lord!" Peter - who else? - jumped in the water while the others towed the net...about 100 yards. They saw a fire of burning coals with fish already on it...and some bread. 

     After they were done eating, three times Jesus asked Simon Peter, Simon son of John, do you truly love me? And three times Peter said "yes." The third repeat frustrated him a bit. Jesus' three answers were Feed my lambs, Take care of my sheep, Feed my sheep. 

     Then he gave Peter shocking information:

     When you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go. Follow me. 

Tradition, not the Bible, is that Peter was crucified in Rome, about the same time Paul was martyred (A.D. 67/68) and that he chose to be hung upside down...not worthy to be crucified in the same manner as his Lord. If so, that would be some 34 years after Christ's resurrection. 

Friday: Violent wind and fire

Peter Disowns Jesus 

    #4 in series

    "Then on the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb would be sacrificed," that night Jesus took his disciples to the garden of Gethsemane. He knows he will be betrayed. He takes Peter, and two brothers James and John, further with him to pray. But, stay awake? Not them. 

     Jesus sweats blood while praying to his Father, ultimately conceding, Your will be done. An angel comes to strengthen him. 

     Meanwhile, the chief priests and elders - having given Judas 30 silver coins to betray Jesus - sent a large crowd with swords and clubs to Gethsemane. They find Jesus and the other 11 disciples. 

     Peter, act first and think later, drew his sword and cut off the ear (probably not Peter's intended wound) of a servant. Jesus told Peter to put his sword away, and he healed the man. 

     All the disciples deserted him.

     Jesus was held for "trial" to be held in the morning before Pilate. Crowds loyal to the leaders gathered. Peter appeared in a courtyard, where "two girls" (how annoying) accused him of being with Jesus. After denying a third time that he knew Jesus, he swore, "I don't know this man you're talking about." 

     The rooster crowed. Peter remembered what Jesus told him, Before the rooster crows you will disown me three times. Peter broke down and wept.  

Thursday: How could Peter become a pope?

 

Leave It to Peter 

   3rd in series 

     Peter has been a work in progress. He and his brother Andrew were fishermen. Jesus shows up at the Sea of Galilee and says, "Come. Follow me." And they did.

     After the 12 disciples had experienced his teaching and healing, he sends them out to witness. Later, Jesus sends the disciples across the lake, at night. A storm makes them fear for their lives. 

     Jesus shows up, walking on the water, and they think he might be a ghost. He tells them not to fear. Peter, responding to the teaching and miracles he has seen, reacts: "Lord if it's you tell me to come to you on the water." Jesus says, Come." Peter walks on water, until he notices the storm again and begins to drown. Jesus saves him, saying, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" 

     Later, Jesus takes Peter, James and John up a mountain where he was transfigured, and Moses and Elijah appear. They hear a voice, "This is my Son who I love; with him I am well pleased, Listen to him!" Leave it to Peter to tell Jesus, "If you wish, I will put up three shelters, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." 

     Fast forward to the night of Jesus' arrest. He tells the disciples they "will all fall away on account of me. But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee." Guess who replies? "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will." 

     Jesus tells Peter, "This very night...you will disown me three times." Peter still doesn't get it. "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." The other disciples said the same. Peter did keep his promise, 30-some years later. 

Wednesday: Peter disowns him 

The Rock and the rock 

   #2 of 6

     Following Friday's blog (Matthew, a Jewish disciple writing to fellow Jews) we attempt to understand, God the Father and Satan each speaking through Peter (chapter 16). Matthew didn't write in English. 

     Jesus would build his church on the truth of Peter's confession that "Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God." He calls his disciple Peter, (Greek Petros, a small stone). 

     He adds, On this rock (Greek Petra, a massive rock) I will build my church. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven..." 

     Catholics list Peter as pope beginning A.D. 33, immediately after Christ's resurrection. In Matthew 28, the "great commission," Jesus tells his 11 disciples, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations. 

Commentary: Jesus is the Rock, the first and great foundation of the church (1 Corinthians 3:11). Peter eventually wrote two letters (A.D. 60-63), shortly before his martyrdom. He wrote as one of the "apostles."

In his first letter, he wrote, "Jesus is the living Stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone...the stone the builders rejected." Christians are living stones in a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5) that God is building. See also Isaiah 28:16. 

The "keys" represent God's delegated authority for church discipline, prayer, fellowship, teaching, opposition to the demonic, etc. Peter might have exhibited some of these keys. Who knows? So did Paul.  

Tuesday: Leave it to Peter

 Get ready.

We devote this entire week to Peter,

who he was as Jesus' disciple,

and who he was on the day of Pentecost

when the Holy Spirit came upon them

and spoke through Peter to 120 puzzled men. 

Peter would not have known some of this

information on his own. 

The same can be said of Peter's two letters.

You question this?

 The 26 books in the Old Testament

weren't written without many contributions

by God himself, forecasting what the future held.

As for Peter being the first pope,

 why not Paul, or John who stood at the cross

and later wrote Revelation? 

Of 266 Catholic popes, was Peter the first? 

     In Matthew chapter 16, we read that Jesus asked his disciples, Who do people say that I am? They gave him some names.

     But what about you? Who do you say I am? 

     Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

     Jesus replied, Blessed are you...for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church... I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven... 

Seems like Peter was destined to be the church's first pope.

     Then Jesus revealed to his disciples that he was going to Jerusalem and would suffer at the hands of the elders, priests and teachers. 

     Peter - who often thought he knew best - couldn't accept that. He "took (Jesus) aside and began to rebuke him. 'Never, Lord!' he said. 'This shall never happen to you!'" 

     Jesus turned and said to Peter, Get behind me, Satan. You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men. 

     Wow. One minute God reveals truth to Peter. Then, Satan speaks through the same man. We'll look into this and see you here on Monday. 

Monday: the Rock and the rock

   

What About Suffering?  

     Pastor Dave Furman - conclusion - points 6-10 

6  Suffering opens up ministry opportunities  

     I am in constant pain. And yet! (God) has given me grace to pastor out of weakness and to witness to others about His unrelenting love. I never would have chosen or dreamed of a ministry like this - the Lord has done marvelous things. 

7  God moves through weakness and suffering, not in spite of it

     Paul had a thorn in his flesh and asked God multiple times to remove it, but it remained. God didn't use Paul despite his thorn. He used him through his thorn. God moves through our suffering. Weakness is God's way of moving in this world.  

8  Our perspective on suffering is very different from God's 

     Abraham waited for a child for years. Joseph was in prison for years. Moses wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. David fled from a wicked king for 13 years. Jeremiah saw no fruit for decades. Paul (endured) imprisonments. For this light affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond comparison. - 2 Corinthians 4:17.  

9  Suffering can propel us into community  

     My suffering has caused me to depend on the believing community for help, service, encouragement and prayer. When we resist the urge to isolate ourselves, God blesses us with sweet fellowship. 

10  Christianity has the only solution to suffering

     Suffering and death are inevitable, but we have hope because One has gone before us in death. Jesus Christ, truly God and truly man, lived a sinless life. He faced trials - betrayal by mockery, emotional anguish, physical agony and judgment by God the Father. Christ's resurrection means our pain, trials and even our death are not the end of the story.

Friday: Was Peter the first pope?

~

10 things we should know about suffering 

              By Dave Furman, a pastor in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

1  Suffering is a result of the fall

     Just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, so death spread to all men because all sinned. - Romans 5:12

2  God uses suffering for good

     ...for those who love God all things work together for good. - Romans 8:28. God never tells us our pain is good, but He uses pain to work for our good in His mysterious way. God is in control. We need to see that our circumstances are taking us right to God.

3  We can't see what God is doing in our pain 

     Augustine wrote, "If you understand, it is not God you understand." Who can give Him counsel or criticize God's handiwork? We can trust that God is always doing more than we can fathom. 

4  God uses suffering to mature us in Christ 

     Count it all joy ... when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. - James 1:2-4  Trials can be counted as joy because God is persevering our faith.

5  Persevering through suffering allows us to comfort others

     Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ ... who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in affliction... - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. 

~ points 6-10 tomorrow ~

We're Back

     Our visitors are returning to Ohio and Missouri, and we're free to blog again. Father's Day, we posed for pictures, a great grandfather, his daughter, her son, and his three children. From age 86 to age 4. Four generations. It happens.

     I always wanted to be known as "great." 

We're Amazed

     Meanwhile, the West Coast is being overrun, and it's not just political demonstrators. Indians co-existed with wolves. For many years the coastal states were free of wolves. Then, an animal advocacy group reintroduced them. Rewilded. Lovely! 

     Wolves are raising havoc on cattle farms in California and Oregon, and ranchers can't do much about it. Wolves kill calves and other full-grown animals. 

     Wolves are an "endangered species." They are "native" in the West. Again. Ranchers cannot shoot or harass these predators. The penalty is up to a year in prison and $100,000.  

     Ranchers see nothing "native" about a man-introduced beast. 

     We know what will solve the problem: the Millennial, when "the wolf and the lamb will feed together." - Isaiah 65:25 

           Jimmy 

 We're hosting relatives from up North Thursday into Sunday. In all, there will be four generations, and children we haven't yet met. We'll be back with Views on Monday. 

Daniel's Scary Vision

     We pick it up in chapter 10:4 of the book of Daniel. If you think God and his angels are always meek and mild, read on...

     Daniel, with a remarkable life of service to God while Israelites were forced to live in Babylon, wrote: "I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris. I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of the finest gold around his waist." 

     "His body was like chrysolite, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude. There were others with me, so overwhelmed by such terror they fled and hid themselves." 

     Daniel continues: "I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale, and I was helpless. I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground. A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees."

     "He said, 'Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you."

     If a friendly angel can do that, we don't want to meet an angel sent to escort us to hell. The rest of Daniel chapters 10 and 11, the angel tells him what will happen on the world stage over the next 500 years. And history records it. 

#

Soldiers Win with Coffee?

     So, no cup of coffee ever killed a soldier. 

     But a beverage can be a source of energy, and boost morale. In the second year of the Civil War, 1862, imports were down 40 percent.   

     President Lincoln recognized Liberia in 1862 and raised tariffs on coffee imports (4 cents a pound), which helped fund the war. A Union blockade in the South caused coffee imports that did arrive, $8/lb.

     All this was hard on Confederate discipline and morale, apparently. 

     When Sherman attacked Atlanta, he destroyed 500 sacks of coffee. His troops didn't need the sacks, and they knew the enemy did. Question: At Appomattox in 1865, do you think those who surrendered begged for some coffee?

     General Benjamin Butler encouraged his troops to drink coffee three times a day, because "it guaranteed success." And a soldier wrote, "What keeps me alive must be the coffee." 

     There was a post-war advantage for Liberian coffee growers. By 1885, U.S. coffee imports doubled those of the war years. Tea - not so much.

Smithsonian

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." - 2 Timothy 1:7 

 

The Union's Advantage 

     You may not find this in Civil War history books. 

     After the North's pitiful first year, the tide began to turn. Was it better rifles? Cannons? Strategy? 

Some background: The Boston tea party in 1773 made a difference that mattered in the 1860's when the navy blockaded Southern ports, but in so doing, cut off their own critical supply. Supply of what?

     Meanwhile, the new Republic of Liberia, Africa was a safe place for blacks, thousands of whom were sent there, or otherwise escaped from slavery in the American South. Stephen Benson was age 6 when his (free) American parents moved from Maryland to Liberia. As an adult, he became one of the largest farmers in the country. 

     Themselves free of slavery, Liberians were rooting for the North to win the Civil War. There was no official recognition of Liberia...no trade treaties. 

     Benson hoped his "essential fuel" could benefit the Union's fight against slavery. He sent a message to America that he had planted some 500 thousand coffee trees. In August 1862, a ship carried 6,000 pounds of premium coffee to the northern states.  

     How does coffee win a war?

Tomorrow

"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." - Matthew 6:14