He’s done it again. Former President George H.W. Bush has once more jumped from a plane, this time at age 83 and on a newly replaced hip. It was in conjunction with the opening of his museum after that section of his Presidential library had been closed for renovations. The sky dive was the former president’s first since 2004 when he took a plunge to celebrate his 80th birthday. Bush’s first jump was back in World War 2 when he was shot down in the South Pacific. Of course, current jumps have been recreational with Mr. Bush strapped to a parachute team expert for safety purposes.
Few ever have the opportunity, or the bravery, to jump from a plane. And most would feel no real need to do so, especially if their craft was functioning just fine. Also, there are just as many who have a fear of flying, much less jumping, that prevents them from even boarding an airplane at all. With that said, this is a reminder that those who belong to Christ through faith are someday destined for a journey that will make jumping from a fighter plane seem effortless and dull by comparison.
The Apostle Paul speaks in 1 Thess. 4 about a great future event involving both those who have died in Christ and those who are still alive for His glorious return. In verse 16 Paul writes, "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words."
The excitement and joy of that miraculous upcoming event can only be imagined now by those destined to take it. But that same trip through the air is accompanied by a promise of a spiritually aided life-long flight in the here and now. The prophet Isaiah relates how those who trust fully in God to one day raise them up, will also be guided by Him through the dark skies of this life.
Beginning in verse 31 of chapter 40 he writes:
"But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint."
The aging process will eventually catch up to, and ground, the aging 41st president. But those in Christ Jesus have the promise of soaring, even through life’s most stressful times, with the grace and strength of an eagle. And then someday they will be piloted to the heights of heaven itself through the resurrection power of God’s Son.
Bill Breckenridge
Monday, November 12, 2007
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Should the Yankees Require Perfection?
The World Series is over and a bust to all but those in New England after the Red Sox sweep of the upstart Colorado Rockies in 4 straight games. But during, and now continuing after the fall classic, the big news still revolves around baseball’s most loved and hated Bronx Bombers. And interestingly, the main stories revolve around those who are no longer on the team!
First, all-star third baseman Alex Rodriguez decided to test the free agency waters announcing his decision in the middle of a World Series game - a move that irritated many fans of the sport. Then Joe Torre, who led his club to playoff baseball for 12 consecutive years, departed under less than favorable circumstances. This was followed a week or two later with the announcement that he had become the new manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Yankee management made it quite clear, despite his winning 4 world titles, that anything short of World Series perfection would not be enough to keep the beloved skipper in the fold.
In a previous interview Torre spoke about the demands of the New York ownership who arguably place the best team on the field each year, at least according to the payroll. He said that every team’s goal should be to get to, and win, the World Series. But to expect any team to win it all every year would require perfection, something flat out unreasonable.
The dictionary defines perfection as a "state of completeness and flawlessness". In its ultimate form it is seen in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The personal perfection of God's Son is revealed in Hebrew 4:15, where it says that He was "…in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." Then in John 17 and 19 Christ’s perfect work is eluded to. In John 17:4 Jesus is speaking to His Heavenly Father and says, "I have glorified You on the earth. I have ‘finished’ the work which You have given Me to do." Then John 19:30 points out His completed payment for mankind’s staggering sin problem. "So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit."
According to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, that English word translated ‘finished’ comes from the Greek word ‘teleo’. It refers to the concept of something being completed, performed, accomplished, or paid in full. So basically, the perfect Son of God completely and flawlessly justified all that trust in His sacrificial death on the cross for them.
But beyond that, Scripture reveals something equally stunning in Colossians 2. Verses 9 -10 state, "For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are ‘complete’ in Him, who is the head of all principality and power." The word ‘complete’ here is yet another term referring to something fully accomplished. It is a miraculous thing for a holy Creator to carry out His precise plan of salvation for rebellious men and women. But it is another thing altogether for those same sinners to be made spiritually complete, lacking nothing, and able to live a kind of Christian life which resists temptation, and both serves and glorifies their great God and Savior.
Now that is perfection.
Bill Breckenridge
First, all-star third baseman Alex Rodriguez decided to test the free agency waters announcing his decision in the middle of a World Series game - a move that irritated many fans of the sport. Then Joe Torre, who led his club to playoff baseball for 12 consecutive years, departed under less than favorable circumstances. This was followed a week or two later with the announcement that he had become the new manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Yankee management made it quite clear, despite his winning 4 world titles, that anything short of World Series perfection would not be enough to keep the beloved skipper in the fold.
In a previous interview Torre spoke about the demands of the New York ownership who arguably place the best team on the field each year, at least according to the payroll. He said that every team’s goal should be to get to, and win, the World Series. But to expect any team to win it all every year would require perfection, something flat out unreasonable.
The dictionary defines perfection as a "state of completeness and flawlessness". In its ultimate form it is seen in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The personal perfection of God's Son is revealed in Hebrew 4:15, where it says that He was "…in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." Then in John 17 and 19 Christ’s perfect work is eluded to. In John 17:4 Jesus is speaking to His Heavenly Father and says, "I have glorified You on the earth. I have ‘finished’ the work which You have given Me to do." Then John 19:30 points out His completed payment for mankind’s staggering sin problem. "So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit."
According to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, that English word translated ‘finished’ comes from the Greek word ‘teleo’. It refers to the concept of something being completed, performed, accomplished, or paid in full. So basically, the perfect Son of God completely and flawlessly justified all that trust in His sacrificial death on the cross for them.
But beyond that, Scripture reveals something equally stunning in Colossians 2. Verses 9 -10 state, "For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are ‘complete’ in Him, who is the head of all principality and power." The word ‘complete’ here is yet another term referring to something fully accomplished. It is a miraculous thing for a holy Creator to carry out His precise plan of salvation for rebellious men and women. But it is another thing altogether for those same sinners to be made spiritually complete, lacking nothing, and able to live a kind of Christian life which resists temptation, and both serves and glorifies their great God and Savior.
Now that is perfection.
Bill Breckenridge
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Let’s be friends again…
Conservative French president Nicolas Sarkozy is visiting the United States to win the hearts of Americans after frosty former relationships. This turnaround is really a flashback of Revolutionary War days and memories of the Statue of Liberty.
George Washington won at Yorktown in large measure because 5,000 French troops under French General Rochambeau marched from Rhode Island (across New Jersey, camping a few hundred yards from our headquarters) and joined in the siege at Yorktown when British General Cornwallis surrendered. Received as a gift from the French in 1885, Lady Liberty was dedicated by President Grover Cleveland the following year.
Sarkozy’s visit recalls another Frenchman, statesman-historian Alexis DeTocqueville, who toured America in the 1830s seeking the reason for national greatness in so young a nation. His conclusions endure as a monumental testimony:
"…Christianity therefore reigns without obstacle, by universal consent; the consequence is, as I have before observed, that every principle of the moral world is fixed and determinate. I sought for the key to the greatness and genius of America in her harbors…; in her fertile fields and boundless forests; in her rich mines and vast world commerce; in her public school system and institutions of learning. I sought for it in her democratic Congress and in her matchless Constitution. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great."
Let us hope that Sarkozy will conclude the same.
David Virkler
George Washington won at Yorktown in large measure because 5,000 French troops under French General Rochambeau marched from Rhode Island (across New Jersey, camping a few hundred yards from our headquarters) and joined in the siege at Yorktown when British General Cornwallis surrendered. Received as a gift from the French in 1885, Lady Liberty was dedicated by President Grover Cleveland the following year.
Sarkozy’s visit recalls another Frenchman, statesman-historian Alexis DeTocqueville, who toured America in the 1830s seeking the reason for national greatness in so young a nation. His conclusions endure as a monumental testimony:
"…Christianity therefore reigns without obstacle, by universal consent; the consequence is, as I have before observed, that every principle of the moral world is fixed and determinate. I sought for the key to the greatness and genius of America in her harbors…; in her fertile fields and boundless forests; in her rich mines and vast world commerce; in her public school system and institutions of learning. I sought for it in her democratic Congress and in her matchless Constitution. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great."
Let us hope that Sarkozy will conclude the same.
David Virkler
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
The Face of King Tut Revealed
To some he is affectionately known as ‘The Golden Boy’. To others he is simply ‘King Tut’. But ‘The Guardian Unlimited’ ran a recent story revealing that some 85 years after the discovery of the boy king, Tutankhamun, the 3,000 year old mummy’s face was finally exposed to an ever curious world.
Apparently time’s exposure has ‘taken its toll on Tut’. But scientists are now trying to restore the mummy as best they can despite the face of the deceased 19-year old being the only portion still in decent shape. The opening and transferring of the body from the stone sarcophagus to a climate-controlled glass enclosure should help to slow down any further decay. Tut’s opening has also allowed scientists to know that he was apparently healthy and did not die by assassination or some serious injury as some thought.
The attempts of the early Egyptians to prepare for the next life through their unique embalming process remain a source of intrigue, as the continued interest reveals. The deceased would have major organs removed and saved as it was thought there was a guardian deity for each one. Often useful items for the next life were likewise entombed. And in the case of kings, most of their earthly treasure was included to ensure the same lavish life-style in the next life as they enjoyed in the past one.
Despite how famous and amazing these preservation attempts became, they failed to address something rather crucial in the mix. Their painstaking physical preparation for the next life was highly contrasted by their equal lack of spiritual readiness for the same.
In John 11 Jesus was summoned to heal a severely sick friend. Upon the Lord’s carefully timed arrival on the scene, Lazuarus was already in the tomb four days after having been wrapped from head to foot in mummy-like grave clothes, the standard preparation of the day. But when Jesus did arrive on the dreary scene, He called out to His Heavenly Father, resurrected His departed friend, and in verse 43 commanded the bystanders, "Loose him, and let him go."
Just prior to the outward public miracle, the Lord related to Lazarus’ grieving sister the basis for any successful life after death. In verse 25 He said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die." His great declaration was followed by a probing question. " Do you believe this?’" Then in turn came her affirmative answer of saving faith in verse 27, "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world."
It has been said at death, "You can’t take it with you." That is of course correct in the physical material realm. But proper preparation for life after death can be taken to the grave by coming to the One that defeated sin - including both physical and spiritual death. And those who do that are then given a glimpse of what they will someday experience in 1 John 3:2. " Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is."
That is a glorious promise and obviously far beyond any human logic or comprehension. But those who will enjoy the blessings of that Heavenly life are still cautioned about the life they still lead in that third verse. "And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."
Bill Breckenridge
Apparently time’s exposure has ‘taken its toll on Tut’. But scientists are now trying to restore the mummy as best they can despite the face of the deceased 19-year old being the only portion still in decent shape. The opening and transferring of the body from the stone sarcophagus to a climate-controlled glass enclosure should help to slow down any further decay. Tut’s opening has also allowed scientists to know that he was apparently healthy and did not die by assassination or some serious injury as some thought.
The attempts of the early Egyptians to prepare for the next life through their unique embalming process remain a source of intrigue, as the continued interest reveals. The deceased would have major organs removed and saved as it was thought there was a guardian deity for each one. Often useful items for the next life were likewise entombed. And in the case of kings, most of their earthly treasure was included to ensure the same lavish life-style in the next life as they enjoyed in the past one.
Despite how famous and amazing these preservation attempts became, they failed to address something rather crucial in the mix. Their painstaking physical preparation for the next life was highly contrasted by their equal lack of spiritual readiness for the same.
In John 11 Jesus was summoned to heal a severely sick friend. Upon the Lord’s carefully timed arrival on the scene, Lazuarus was already in the tomb four days after having been wrapped from head to foot in mummy-like grave clothes, the standard preparation of the day. But when Jesus did arrive on the dreary scene, He called out to His Heavenly Father, resurrected His departed friend, and in verse 43 commanded the bystanders, "Loose him, and let him go."
Just prior to the outward public miracle, the Lord related to Lazarus’ grieving sister the basis for any successful life after death. In verse 25 He said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die." His great declaration was followed by a probing question. " Do you believe this?’" Then in turn came her affirmative answer of saving faith in verse 27, "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world."
It has been said at death, "You can’t take it with you." That is of course correct in the physical material realm. But proper preparation for life after death can be taken to the grave by coming to the One that defeated sin - including both physical and spiritual death. And those who do that are then given a glimpse of what they will someday experience in 1 John 3:2. " Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is."
That is a glorious promise and obviously far beyond any human logic or comprehension. But those who will enjoy the blessings of that Heavenly life are still cautioned about the life they still lead in that third verse. "And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."
Bill Breckenridge
Monday, November 5, 2007
Stars and Stripes …
On October 1, 2007, General Peter Pace stepped down as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. That same day, a visitor to the Vietnam War Memorial noticed something unusual at the Wall. Dr. Frank Wright, President of National Religious Broadcasters described it.
"A visitor noticed a small white index card resting on the ground. Something gleamed on the card, and the visitor bent down for a closer look. The card, which had the general’s four stars attached to it, said the following:
For Guido Farinaro, USMC
These are yours, not mine!
With love and respect,
Your Platoon Leader,
Peter Pace
It was dated October 1, 2007—the same day the general stepped down as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs! He had clipped his own stars to the index card, written a note, and left them at the Vietnam War memorial under the column that bears Farinaro’s name. There was no press conference or fanfare. The world might never have known if the visitor had not snapped several pictures and allowed them to be widely distributed.
Lance Corporal Guido Farinaro was a 19-year old from Bethpage, NY who served in Gen. Pace’s Golf Company, 5th Marine Platoon, during the Vietnam War. Pace was the Platoon leader, and there were 158 marines under his command. Lance Cpl. Farinaro was the first to die after Peter Pace took over; he took a sniper’s bullet that was intended for Pace."
General pace has given a great lesson of earthly and spiritual sacrifice. Whatever we have of earth’s blessings and heaven’s joys are because Christ "took our bullet" on the Cross. "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (II Corinthians 5:21). Isaiah spoke of Christ’s substitution. "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5).
Revelation 4:9-11 describes the ultimate praise, "Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: ‘You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created’."
The old hymn summarizes our gratitude.
All glory and praise to the Lamb that was slain,
Who has borne all our sorrows and cleansed ev’ry stain.
Hallelujah, Thine the glory! Hallelujah, amen!
Hallelujah, Thine the glory! Revive us again.
David Virkler
"A visitor noticed a small white index card resting on the ground. Something gleamed on the card, and the visitor bent down for a closer look. The card, which had the general’s four stars attached to it, said the following:
For Guido Farinaro, USMC
These are yours, not mine!
With love and respect,
Your Platoon Leader,
Peter Pace
It was dated October 1, 2007—the same day the general stepped down as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs! He had clipped his own stars to the index card, written a note, and left them at the Vietnam War memorial under the column that bears Farinaro’s name. There was no press conference or fanfare. The world might never have known if the visitor had not snapped several pictures and allowed them to be widely distributed.
Lance Corporal Guido Farinaro was a 19-year old from Bethpage, NY who served in Gen. Pace’s Golf Company, 5th Marine Platoon, during the Vietnam War. Pace was the Platoon leader, and there were 158 marines under his command. Lance Cpl. Farinaro was the first to die after Peter Pace took over; he took a sniper’s bullet that was intended for Pace."
General pace has given a great lesson of earthly and spiritual sacrifice. Whatever we have of earth’s blessings and heaven’s joys are because Christ "took our bullet" on the Cross. "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (II Corinthians 5:21). Isaiah spoke of Christ’s substitution. "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5).
Revelation 4:9-11 describes the ultimate praise, "Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: ‘You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created’."
The old hymn summarizes our gratitude.
All glory and praise to the Lamb that was slain,
Who has borne all our sorrows and cleansed ev’ry stain.
Hallelujah, Thine the glory! Hallelujah, amen!
Hallelujah, Thine the glory! Revive us again.
David Virkler
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