Like you, we are glory seekers. We have wonderfully, “Tasted and seen, the Lord is good!” The greatest prize is in the pursuit of the fame, splendor and radiant beauty of our Sovereign! We came to Yeshua in the days of the Jesus... Read More...
Riverfront Property in Audio
I am so grateful and pleased to share freely the whole audio book of Riverfront Property: Connecting At The River Of Life! I’m confident you will receive a delicious drink! As you find your thirst quenched please recall those you know who would also love a drink, and pass the cup! Read More...
A Miracle Story
Thursday July 30, 1987, started out as just another hot summer day in Ellensburg, Washington, a town of about fifteen thousand souls in a picturesque valley a hundred miles east of Seattle... Read More...
Who the hell were the trigger happy bastards who shot down our friends and family? And when will they come to punishment?
Sincerely,
The International Community”
Perhaps you can help me. I am typically easy going and good humored but recently I’ve felt cranky.
I wonder where the feelings of, “I’d like to punch someone in the nose!” come from. I did not have friends or family on Malaysian Airlines flight 17. Why do I feel so touchy? Perhaps if I need to sleep better, eat healthier and get better exercise.
Apparently women who are pregnant can become irritable. Could that be it?
If any of you have suggestion or counsel for me it would be welcome.
Thanks,
Irritable, a.k.a. Steve Johnson
Landingstripenterprises.com
“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” (Rom 8:22-25 NIV)
Only the hardest heart can witness the grief in Gaza over the loss of loved ones and be unmoved. On the other hand, how is it possible to blame Israel for seeking to protect its people from constant harassment by terrorists?
Back in 2005 Israel gave up the Gaza strip. It was obvious to us that this gift to the Palestinians would result in war. Since 2005 Hamas has shot into Israel 9300 missiles. The people of southern Israel have had frequent visits to the bunkers seeking protection. Rather noisome, rather niggling.
I have never heard of a nation with such restraint! How many missiles would the United States tolerate from Canada before we said, “That’s enough!” What if the international community told the US to be patient with Canada, show restraint and have a peace agreement even though we had to absorb rockets every day?
My image of the situation is that of a little guy picking on a big guy. The little guy pokes the big guy repeatedly with a sharp stick, slaps the big guy repetitively and keeps shouting, “I’m going to kill you!” The big guy stands day and night and night and day being patient with the harassment. He says, “Please stop! I gave you the land you are standing on so you would stop bothering me, now you are troubling me more than ever!”
You know the end of the story. The big guy has enough, pulls back and flattens the little guy! The problem is that the moment the big guy swings at the little guy the world press is there to take pictures! The thousands of pesky rockets harassing Israel never got to press.
It may be noteworthy to tell you how the two rivals behave.
“Israel uses its weapons to protect their people. Hamas uses their people (as human shields) to protect their weapons.” Another lense to the situation is to ask these questions: If Israel alone was armed and Fatah and Hamas had no weapons what would happen? Peace! If Israel had no arms but their enemies did what would happen? The genocide of Israel.
Hamas launches their rockets hoping to kill and maim civilians. Israel is scrupulous about protecting civilians. Picture this: Before Israel bombs a house they make a phone call saying, “In a few moments we are going to bomb this home. You need to get out of the house immediately.” They will also send a small explosive bomb over the top of the home to warn that a big one is following and it is time to get out! How many enemies give warnings like this? They drop leaflets warning to move out of areas where there will be attacks. Israel often has spotters saying to hold off on targets because civilians are around the building. Remember, Hamas sends off missiles praying to Allah that they will find the blood of Jews.
If you had a dozen rockets fly into your neighborhood daily how would you comfort your children??? Watch these amazing videos of how Israelis has lived with enemy rockets!
Has the potency of our Independence been lost behind a smoke screen of fireworks?
The significance of holidays degrade by inattention. Thanksgiving becomes gluttony day. Christmas Incarnation becomes gift-giving day. Resurrection Sunday becomes eat a chocolate bunny day. Independence Day becomes picnic and fireworks day.
Independence Day originally was more than explosive light shows. It was death-defying determination to escape totalitarian rule. In a much smaller land, and missing the millions who live here today, 4,435 died because of The Declaration. They put action to the words, “appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, … And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”
What if you could not buy products from Turkey, Germany or South Africa unless they first were shipped to England, and then were shipped to you with English taxes?
What if a British officer knocked on your door and informed you that ten soldiers would be staying at your home for a few months starting now?
What if you were not allowed to make the most basic laws governing the behavior of people in your state or community?
What if the Crown taxed you more than they taxed the people in England and refused to listen to your many questions and petitions?
Would you patiently implore the understanding of England as did the colonies? Would you petition and implore? Would you, like the the colonist eventually say, “Rebellion against tyrants is obedience to God” and “Don’t tread on me!”
A question for us moderns is, “Would you and I have signed the document?”
Would we have laid down our lives, our bank accounts and reputations to back up our signatures?
Our behaviors as everyday patriots will show us what we would have done had we been planted in those pivotal days of history. Perhaps our days are no less momentous.
It’s been said that “To maintain our nation’s freedom it will take the same kind of resolve that it took to form it.” Let’s be grateful for the intelligence, wisdom and determination that those before us acted on to gain us freedom. Let us somberly remember our children and grandchildren, and refresh our resolve as we celebrate our costly freedom.
John Adams wrote regarding the Declaration.
“The Second Day of July 1776, [the day Adams thought the signing and commemoration would both be on] will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival.
It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with-
Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.
You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States.
Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.”
Please do solemnize the day by setting off fireworks, clanging the kitchen pots and honking your car horn, but don’t fail to tell your children the reason for doing so!
Steven C Johnson
Landingstripenterprises.com
Note this excellent article written by Scott Williams
A good author will make his characters three dimensional, thoughtful, emotional and active. She or he will give them virtues, vices and mannerisms. The author will give them predictable patterns and yet not paint the character so completely that there is no room for surprises. The character may act, “out of character.” Characters interest us in their predictable patterns but hook us when they act, “uncharacteristically. “
The author may present an unlikely hero. The shy, bumbler saves the day almost by accident! The hardened criminal is softened by the plight of an innocent child, and somehow both the criminal and child are rescued! The timid, wallflower gets her moxie when she’s had enough of the villain. Flattened bad guy!
God writes stories with unlikely champions. Gideon cowering in the winepress is galvanized to lead his clans against the teaming minions! Jael, your everyday Bedouin wife, drives a tent steak through the scoundrel’s sleeping head. I can picture the boys coming home and saying, “Wow, Mom! You are amazing!”
The Great Author had the role for the Lead written before the foundations of the earth. Jesus rides the white horse at the head of the army! But following Him are many supporting actors. By His amazing grace we are among them! Pretty amazing to think that God had a script in mind for each of us!
In every story the character at the end is not the same person we met at the beginning. When God’s grand magnum opus is completed I wonder what you and I will look like!
“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:2-3)
Here is a piece I have enjoyed for years on Fathers Day.
It’s done by someone named Anonymous. I don’t know their first named.
The loss & Recapitulation of a Father’s Image:
4 years old: “My Daddy can do anything!”
7 years old: “My Dad knows a lot…a whole lot.”
8 years old: “My father doesn’t know quite everything.”
12 years old: “Oh well, naturally Father does not know that either”
14 years old: “Oh Father? He is hopelessly old-fashioned”
21 years old: “Oh, that man – he is out of date!”
25 years old: “He knows a little bit about it, but not much.”
30 years old: “I must find out what Dad thinks about it.”
35 years old: “Before we decide, we will get Dad’s idea first.”
50 years old: “What would Dad have thought about that?”
60 years old: “My Dad knew literally EVERYTHING.”
65 years old: “I wish I could talk it over with my Dad once more.”
Wow what a trip! 17 days from Abilene, TX to Issaquah, WA and back.
Many stops to visit family and friends. Of course our VIP was our first grandchild, James. We saw folks we had not seen in 14 years! How fun to share stories of God’s goodness! How blessed and proud as so many are walking with the Savior in overcoming faith and joy!
We took satisfaction as investors in lives that are producing good fruit. We feel Apostle John’s joy; “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” (3 John 4).
We saw the Grand Canyon. We would tell you about it but lack the descriptors!!!
A wonderful testimony of answered prayer is in motion in Abilene and we are so happy to be part of it. Drought has been severe the past several years. The churches in the city began a 21 day prayer vigil for rain in May. Signs were seen on home lawns and business reader boards, “Pray for Rain.”
We left Abilene praying! Long drives are great prayer opportunities. Much of our first day’s travel was for rain. And we continued praying for rain throughout the trip. On our last day of driving home we hammered in prayer for rain again. We were greeted with rainbows as we came into town. The county received 5 inches of rain. Some places had up to 10! We are delighting in puddles! Way to go God! Still praying for more of the pouring down of God’s undeserved goodness.
Thirty two years ago my parents drove what they called the Bunkie express to visit their newborn grandson Brian in Bend, Oregon. We have been driving our own Bunkie express as we make our way to visit our grandson James, Brian and Rebekah’s son, in Issaquah, Washington. James was born Saturday. Our anticipation is to meet him for the first time tomorrow.
Most of us who witness the birth of a child must believe in miracles. That, which is fearfully and wonderfully made in the inner parts, when revealed, creates a forced wonder.Wonderment over a tiny child is reflexive and involuntary.
So rejoice with us! “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given” (Isaiah 9:6).
In our sober and serious desire to pursue Jesus we may miss an essential paradigm of His Kingdom: Party!
Our Church, New Hope in Abilene, TX, is seeking to be more intentional about celebrating with our new brothers and sisters and those returning to Him.
The best know party image in the NT is of the Prodigal’s return (Luke 15). Dad pulled out all the stops! Consider the magnitude of the celebration. The returning son received the best robe, a ring, a fat calf BBQ, side dishes galore, hugs, cheers and pats on the back, celebration, affirmations of son-ship, the local band playing music and dancing!
Now what if every time someone said “Yes!” to Jesus we threw a party like that?!
If you take a scan of the scriptures you will find plenty of references and allusions to the Kingdom as Party. We see that ultimately The Father Himself is the extravagant Splurge, and all are invited!
On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare
a feast of rich food for all peoples,
a banquet of aged wine–
the best of meats and the finest of wines.
On this mountain he will destroy
the shroud that enfolds all peoples,
the sheet that covers all nations;
he will swallow up death forever. (Isa 25:6-8 NIV)
