Rain fell in sheets as inside the Church the father of the bride said, in an emotion choked voice, “What’s that Parson, who gives this woman away? Her mother and I.” The young man took the hand of the young lady and they together turned to face the preacher as he began to speak.
Someone sung another song that talked about God teaching us to love. Still they sung another song about the Tie that Binds. The two preachers shared more words. The couple exchanged vows. A Bible was given as a symbol of the foundation the marriage was to be built on.
Finally, the long awaited moment, they pronounce the couple husband and wife. A kiss is given! The couple makes the long walk down the aisle, while the miniature bride and groom jump off the stage and run behind them.
They enjoy cake and fellowship, as people wish the newlyweds’ good luck. A container is passed and many bless the couple with a love offering to help them enjoy a few days together.
Finally it is time for the couple to leave. Many have already left the Church to drive home but a few remain behind to see the couple off. The rain has stopped but the night is still very dark and wet. The couple climbs into the 1969 Mercury Montego Coupe and pull out of the parking lot heading into “a life together.”
No one could predict what the future would hold. There was no way to see all of the thrills and spills. How could anyone know the triumphs and disappointments that would come during the years to follow. That night there wasn’t a mountain that they couldn’t climb or a river that couldn’t be crossed. All that lay ahead, it seemed, was easy victories and great promises.
For life to be lived to its fullest, there will be victories and there will be defeats. A definition of life could be emotional. Like our emotions, which go up and down, so goes life. The key is to have a firm foundation, something to build on. Build life together on something that never changes. The Word of God is forever and unchanging. It is the perfect foundation on which to build a life.
Children came to the young family. First a son was born. Oh the magic of the moment when life is first recognized to have come from you and the one you love. Nothing can compare to that moment. Next a daughter is born. Daddy looks into her dark eyes and he is lost forever. Then, there is the night when she stops breathing and high speed trips are made to the hospital. Hours spent waiting for doctors to discover what is wrong. The two stands together in the hallway listening to their baby scream as the doctors run more tests. A trial! A wilderness! It is a time of learning to lean on the mercy of God.
Life is being lived! A father suddenly becomes ill and passes from life. He is so very young and so is his daughter. Again, a time of learning to lean on God and draw strength from His well. Lessons are learned from the late night times of prayer. Lessons that say that God orders the steps of a righteous man and He takes joy in those steps. You might weep during the night, but the sun will come up and with it will be joy.
Another son is born. So different from his brother and sister in so many ways. He is born during another wilderness time. It is a reminder that the blessings of the Lord come even when you don’t know where God is.
What is life? It is but a wisp of steam, a vapor. You get up every day and live life until one day you look back and realize that thirty-four years have passed since that rainy night when you said, “We will!” Years of blessings!
Children have become teenagers and then adults. They have left the nest and now have their own families. There are moments when you wish you could roll back the years and again enjoy those precious moments of yesteryear. You would go a little slower this time and spend a little more time enjoying those things that are so important. You would recognize things so important now. If you could do it again, you would make sure you emphasized how crucial a love for the Word of God is to a life. You would spend more time kneeling beside your family in prayer. Make sure they realized the importance of a personal relationship with God.
There is no going back! You’ve done the best you could do. Now you have entered another chapter of life. The foundation is still firm because the Word of God is sure. Prayers are made for your children. Precious hours are spent with them and their children. Oh the glorious times of family gathered. Listening to the laughter as precious memories are shared. Watching the grandsons as they play.
Life has a different look now. You are thinking about life from a different perspective. There was a time when it was about building and conquering. Now life is about influencing and teaching. It is about what you will leave someone else someday.
The old Mercury is gone. Other cars have been used to travel the hundreds of thousands of miles since that night thirty-four years ago. Three children have been raised. Three grandsons have been enjoyed. Five churches have been pastored through those years. Many songs have been sung and many messages have been preached. Tears have been shed, but laughter has been there all along the way. A couple, started life together and continuing on. Trusting in each other. Depending upon God. Standing on the Word of God. Blessed beyond measure. No one knows what tomorrow holds, but we do know who holds our hand.
Remember, it’s just a thought!
Dedicated to my wonderful wife Melinda! I love you . . .
Showing posts with label faithfulness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faithfulness. Show all posts
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Our Helmet of Salvation
The Helmet of Salvation
The Roman soldiers used several types of helmets worn. Most of the helmets consisted of bronze. They designed them to cover the back of the neck and having metal cheek guards to protect the sides of the face. The helmet had a reinforced ridge along the forehead to protect against downward slashes.
Paul tells us, in Ephesians 6:17, to, “take the helmet of salvation . . .” I find it interesting that Paul links salvation with the helmet. The helmet’s design and purpose were to protect the head of the soldier. Salvation is to protect the head or mind of the Child of God.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds ;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (2 Cor. 10:3-5 KJV)
The battle or warfare of the Christian soldier takes place in the mind. Satan, the enemy of our soul, will wage war upon us by attacking our mind. The control center of the body is the head or the brain, the mind. The same is true spiritually in that our spiritual control center is our mind. Our thoughts and our thought process determine who we are and how we respond in all situations. If our enemy can attack our minds and gain control of them, he is then able to disable us. In fact, he will eventually destroy us.
Paul tells us that our spiritual weapons are powerful, through God, to the pulling down of strong holds. Strong holds would be fortresses or castles that the enemy has control of. Paul speaks of them, spiritually, as imaginations or those things that exalt themselves against our knowledge of God. He goes on to call our thoughts controlled by Christ.
The word imagination, used here, is speaking of reasoning of evil intent. It is the contemplation of actions because of the verdict of the conscience. In other words it is reasoning that is hostile to our Christian faith or teachings. It is thinking about things that are contrary to the Word of God. Our conscience says it is all right to do, what we are thinking about, so we go ahead and do it.
The helmet of our salvation is our protection against those evil thoughts. Let’s take a few moments and try to break this down a bit more. Salvation speaks to us of deliverance, safety, security, refuge and sanctuary. When we think of our being saved, we think of a defender or deliverer. In fact, we could actually use the word savior in place of the word deliverer. We also know that in Luke 2:11 the angel of the Lord told the shepherds in the field that Christ the Lord was their Savior. The angel told Joseph that the baby, Mary would have, would be named Jesus, because He would save His people from their sins. Of course many more scriptures confirm that our Lord Jesus Christ is our glorious Savior.
Paul says to the Church of Ephesis, “Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.” (Eph. 5:23 KJV) As the head and as my Savior or salvation he is protecting me. When I allow Christ to be my head or the authority of my life I bring myself into His protection. With Christ in authority I now have the advantage when in battle. Those strong holds of my mind will crumble before Him. The thoughts, which are ungodly and destructive, will be brought into captivity to Christ. I can live victoriously!
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 NIV)
The wildebeest is the most fierce of all hoofed animals. Even a lion will not attack a healthy adult wildebeest. However, every animal has its nemesis or their adversary. The nemesis of the wildebeest is a fly. The information that they gave me says this fly will crawl down into the ear canal of the wildebeest and lay its eggs. When the eggs hatch, the maggots crawl even farther into the ear canal. They begin to eat the brain of the animal from the inside. It isn’t long until this causes the animal to be in intense pain.
What will happen next is sad, but try and picture it. The wildebeest will be eating and suddenly the pain in its head becomes so intense it is like the animal goes crazy. Trying to get rid of the pain they will suddenly jump straight up in the air and then spin around in circles. They are trying to get rid of the pain in their heads. After a few moments they will resume their eating. Until this all, happens repeatedly. It becomes more frequent as the fly’s progress farther and farther into the brain.
Lions are predators and will lie around the herd of wildebeest. They remain just on the fringe waiting and watching. Because of the fierceness of the wildebeest, the lion will not attack a healthy alert one. So they wait for one that has become ill and weakened by the attack of the flies on their brain. When they have spotted an animal that repeatedly goes into frenzy, they creep as close as possible, watching and waiting. Eventually the wildebeest will come out of his frenzied spinning totally confused, bewildered and even dizzy. This is the moment his enemy has been waiting for and with a roar the lion launches himself through the air in attack. The wildebeest is bewildered and befuddled. He is having a hard time standing. His world is spinning around. There is a loud confusing noise, a roar, but where is it coming from? He doesn’t know and then it is too late.
Let’s consider a couple of interesting things we can learn from this. We all know we have an enemy or adversary who is Peter likened to a roaring lion, (1 Peter 5:9). Beelzebub is a Bible name for Satan. In fact, Matthew 12:25 calls Beelzebub Prince of devils. In Luke 11:15 called Satan the chief of devils. The word, according to the dictionary, is a Latin word taken from a Hebrew word and means “Lord of the Flies.” In the Greek Beelzebub means the “dung-god.” It was actually the name of an Old Testament idol that Israel often worshiped, (2 Kings 1:2-3,6,16) In John 8:44 Jesus called Satan the father of all liars.
Now think of this. Beelzebub, the Lord of the Flies, comes to us and whispers in our ears. He tells us lies, whispering those little “flies” into our ears. God doesn’t love us or we would be experiencing so much pain. God doesn’t care what happens to us, He could change things if he wanted to. Go ahead and sin a little, it won’t hurt. God deserves it if you sin, He hasn’t treated you right. You can’t make it! You are a failure! You are a loser! Look at all the mistakes you have made! You aren’t worthy of God’s love! Do I need to go on? Do I need to say more? Lies that come from “The Lord of the Flies” and attack our minds. Little flies that land and creep farther and farther into our minds. They lay their eggs in our minds.
These eggs lay there and eventually hatch. They begin to eat away at our minds. The lies grow and destroy. It destroys us of our spirituality, our faith, our hope and finally our life. It is just as Jesus said, the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. That is just what Beelzebub is trying to do. The pain becomes intense, to the point it is unbearable. We find ourselves bewildered. We become confused. We become disillusioned with everything. We are dizzy, dazed and befuddled! Then in the midst of this, the devil roars “like” a lion. We don’t know where the roar is coming from and we give up to his attack.
The helmet of salvation is to protect our minds against such attacks. It is the knowledge and understanding of God that will keep and protect us during the attack on our minds or our thinking. The attacks will be focused on exalting the enemy against the knowledge of Christ. This is what Paul spoke about in 2 Corinthians 10:5.
The prophet Hosea wrote that Israel was destroyed because of a lack of knowledge. They had rejected the Word of God and God rejected them. (Hosea 4:5) They had forgotten the Law of God and God forgot them. The wise man of Proverbs warns us to:
“Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.” (Prov. 23:12 KJV)
A few verses later he stresses that we pay the price for truth and refuse to sell it. Along with truth we should get wisdom, instruction and understanding.
“Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” (Prov. 23:23 KJV)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom. With wisdom we need to get understanding. Understanding is going to help us to overcome the attacks of the enemy.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” (Prov. 9:10 KJV)
“And this is what he says to all humanity: 'The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.' " (Job 28:28 NLT)
When I use the helmet of salvation, I am trusting in the wisdom, knowledge and understanding that I have received from God. I am protecting myself against the lies of the enemy that would have me to doubt God. My mind is protected, because of my awesome respect for God. My knowledge and understanding of Him guard my mind against the lies of the enemy. I recognize what the enemy says as lies and reject them, before they can harm me. Before the enemy can build a stronghold in my mind, I can tear it down and destroy it.
It is vital that I constantly reaffirm what I have already learned of God. I need to strengthen it by constantly adding to that knowledge. I also need to seek the face of God and ask Him to help me to increase in knowledge, wisdom and understanding.
The Roman soldiers used several types of helmets worn. Most of the helmets consisted of bronze. They designed them to cover the back of the neck and having metal cheek guards to protect the sides of the face. The helmet had a reinforced ridge along the forehead to protect against downward slashes.
Paul tells us, in Ephesians 6:17, to, “take the helmet of salvation . . .” I find it interesting that Paul links salvation with the helmet. The helmet’s design and purpose were to protect the head of the soldier. Salvation is to protect the head or mind of the Child of God.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds ;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (2 Cor. 10:3-5 KJV)
The battle or warfare of the Christian soldier takes place in the mind. Satan, the enemy of our soul, will wage war upon us by attacking our mind. The control center of the body is the head or the brain, the mind. The same is true spiritually in that our spiritual control center is our mind. Our thoughts and our thought process determine who we are and how we respond in all situations. If our enemy can attack our minds and gain control of them, he is then able to disable us. In fact, he will eventually destroy us.
Paul tells us that our spiritual weapons are powerful, through God, to the pulling down of strong holds. Strong holds would be fortresses or castles that the enemy has control of. Paul speaks of them, spiritually, as imaginations or those things that exalt themselves against our knowledge of God. He goes on to call our thoughts controlled by Christ.
The word imagination, used here, is speaking of reasoning of evil intent. It is the contemplation of actions because of the verdict of the conscience. In other words it is reasoning that is hostile to our Christian faith or teachings. It is thinking about things that are contrary to the Word of God. Our conscience says it is all right to do, what we are thinking about, so we go ahead and do it.
The helmet of our salvation is our protection against those evil thoughts. Let’s take a few moments and try to break this down a bit more. Salvation speaks to us of deliverance, safety, security, refuge and sanctuary. When we think of our being saved, we think of a defender or deliverer. In fact, we could actually use the word savior in place of the word deliverer. We also know that in Luke 2:11 the angel of the Lord told the shepherds in the field that Christ the Lord was their Savior. The angel told Joseph that the baby, Mary would have, would be named Jesus, because He would save His people from their sins. Of course many more scriptures confirm that our Lord Jesus Christ is our glorious Savior.
Paul says to the Church of Ephesis, “Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.” (Eph. 5:23 KJV) As the head and as my Savior or salvation he is protecting me. When I allow Christ to be my head or the authority of my life I bring myself into His protection. With Christ in authority I now have the advantage when in battle. Those strong holds of my mind will crumble before Him. The thoughts, which are ungodly and destructive, will be brought into captivity to Christ. I can live victoriously!
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 NIV)
The wildebeest is the most fierce of all hoofed animals. Even a lion will not attack a healthy adult wildebeest. However, every animal has its nemesis or their adversary. The nemesis of the wildebeest is a fly. The information that they gave me says this fly will crawl down into the ear canal of the wildebeest and lay its eggs. When the eggs hatch, the maggots crawl even farther into the ear canal. They begin to eat the brain of the animal from the inside. It isn’t long until this causes the animal to be in intense pain.
What will happen next is sad, but try and picture it. The wildebeest will be eating and suddenly the pain in its head becomes so intense it is like the animal goes crazy. Trying to get rid of the pain they will suddenly jump straight up in the air and then spin around in circles. They are trying to get rid of the pain in their heads. After a few moments they will resume their eating. Until this all, happens repeatedly. It becomes more frequent as the fly’s progress farther and farther into the brain.
Lions are predators and will lie around the herd of wildebeest. They remain just on the fringe waiting and watching. Because of the fierceness of the wildebeest, the lion will not attack a healthy alert one. So they wait for one that has become ill and weakened by the attack of the flies on their brain. When they have spotted an animal that repeatedly goes into frenzy, they creep as close as possible, watching and waiting. Eventually the wildebeest will come out of his frenzied spinning totally confused, bewildered and even dizzy. This is the moment his enemy has been waiting for and with a roar the lion launches himself through the air in attack. The wildebeest is bewildered and befuddled. He is having a hard time standing. His world is spinning around. There is a loud confusing noise, a roar, but where is it coming from? He doesn’t know and then it is too late.
Let’s consider a couple of interesting things we can learn from this. We all know we have an enemy or adversary who is Peter likened to a roaring lion, (1 Peter 5:9). Beelzebub is a Bible name for Satan. In fact, Matthew 12:25 calls Beelzebub Prince of devils. In Luke 11:15 called Satan the chief of devils. The word, according to the dictionary, is a Latin word taken from a Hebrew word and means “Lord of the Flies.” In the Greek Beelzebub means the “dung-god.” It was actually the name of an Old Testament idol that Israel often worshiped, (2 Kings 1:2-3,6,16) In John 8:44 Jesus called Satan the father of all liars.
Now think of this. Beelzebub, the Lord of the Flies, comes to us and whispers in our ears. He tells us lies, whispering those little “flies” into our ears. God doesn’t love us or we would be experiencing so much pain. God doesn’t care what happens to us, He could change things if he wanted to. Go ahead and sin a little, it won’t hurt. God deserves it if you sin, He hasn’t treated you right. You can’t make it! You are a failure! You are a loser! Look at all the mistakes you have made! You aren’t worthy of God’s love! Do I need to go on? Do I need to say more? Lies that come from “The Lord of the Flies” and attack our minds. Little flies that land and creep farther and farther into our minds. They lay their eggs in our minds.
These eggs lay there and eventually hatch. They begin to eat away at our minds. The lies grow and destroy. It destroys us of our spirituality, our faith, our hope and finally our life. It is just as Jesus said, the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. That is just what Beelzebub is trying to do. The pain becomes intense, to the point it is unbearable. We find ourselves bewildered. We become confused. We become disillusioned with everything. We are dizzy, dazed and befuddled! Then in the midst of this, the devil roars “like” a lion. We don’t know where the roar is coming from and we give up to his attack.
The helmet of salvation is to protect our minds against such attacks. It is the knowledge and understanding of God that will keep and protect us during the attack on our minds or our thinking. The attacks will be focused on exalting the enemy against the knowledge of Christ. This is what Paul spoke about in 2 Corinthians 10:5.
The prophet Hosea wrote that Israel was destroyed because of a lack of knowledge. They had rejected the Word of God and God rejected them. (Hosea 4:5) They had forgotten the Law of God and God forgot them. The wise man of Proverbs warns us to:
“Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.” (Prov. 23:12 KJV)
A few verses later he stresses that we pay the price for truth and refuse to sell it. Along with truth we should get wisdom, instruction and understanding.
“Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” (Prov. 23:23 KJV)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom. With wisdom we need to get understanding. Understanding is going to help us to overcome the attacks of the enemy.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” (Prov. 9:10 KJV)
“And this is what he says to all humanity: 'The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.' " (Job 28:28 NLT)
When I use the helmet of salvation, I am trusting in the wisdom, knowledge and understanding that I have received from God. I am protecting myself against the lies of the enemy that would have me to doubt God. My mind is protected, because of my awesome respect for God. My knowledge and understanding of Him guard my mind against the lies of the enemy. I recognize what the enemy says as lies and reject them, before they can harm me. Before the enemy can build a stronghold in my mind, I can tear it down and destroy it.
It is vital that I constantly reaffirm what I have already learned of God. I need to strengthen it by constantly adding to that knowledge. I also need to seek the face of God and ask Him to help me to increase in knowledge, wisdom and understanding.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
The Shield of Faith
The Shield of Faith
As with each part of the armor, the shield had a very vital role in the armor of the soldier. I am including some information that I found concerning the construction and use of the shield the Roman soldier used in warfare.
“ The scutum was a curved oval shield made from two sheets of wood glued together and covered with canvas and leather, usually with a spindle-shaped boss along the vertical length of the shield. It can be considered a body shield, and was extremely heavy (~10kg or 22 lbs.). It is 1.28m (4.2ft) long and 63.5cm (25in) wide, and is constructed of laminated birch. Nine or ten strips of birch from 6-10cm (2.36-3.93in) wide were glued in-between two layers of thinner strips laid out perpendicular to the middle layer. The shield is thickest in the center (1.2cm) (1/2in), and is slightly less than a centimeter (.39") thick at the edges. The shield was covered with felt which was stitched through the wood. The grip was horizontal, and was meant to be held from the top. This type of shield probably also commonly featured an iron edging on the top and bottom rims. The shields of the legionary had to be of regulation size, and a soldier could be severely reprimanded if his shield was too large.”
When the soldiers marched into battle, they stood shoulder to shoulder with their shields in front of them, forming a wall. The men behind them stood in tight formation with their shields above their heads, forming a roof of protection. This formation was so tight and closed that the arrows of the enemy could not penetrate the protection. They said that the formation was so strong and dense that many times the troops would march into a river and stand there while the army, with wagons, passed over them using their shields as a bridge.
Through the years, while reading this passage, I have often pictured the soldier with a small round shield that he would maneuver around to stop the arrows coming at him. I would wonder what happened if he were to miss one or if two came simultaneously. This picture has changed, in my mind, to agree with the passage of scripture as it says, “ . . . taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench ALL the fiery darts of the wicked.” The enemy cannot fire anything at us that our faith will not protect us from.
Faith is such a powerful word. Faith is more than just hoping or thinking positives. It is much more. Faith is a firm persuasion or conviction based on what we have heard. It is to place trust or have confidence in what we are believing. In other words, faith is more than just saying I believe something is true, it is living as if you have been convinced it is true.
Let me give you the best word picture I can think of to help you understand faith. Jesus approached His disciples while they were in a boat on the sea. The disciples were afraid when they saw Jesus because they thought He was a ghost. Jesus called to them not to be afraid and identified Himself. Peter challenged the identity by saying “Lord if it is really you, bid me to come to you.” Jesus simply answered, “Come.”
Now faith has to kick in! Peter has heard that it was Jesus. Peter has received the invitation to come to Jesus. However, action must now accompany that which he has heard. Now Peter is about to try to do something that is physically impossible to do. He is about to swing his leg, over the side of the boat, and walk toward Jesus on the water. In order for this to take place, Peter must have the firm persuasion or confidence that Jesus is out there in the dark. He must have the trust or confidence that if Jesus said to come he can walk on water. Peter is about to live what he believes to be true.
As we all remember the story, Peter did, in fact, walk on the water to Jesus. He did accomplish that which was physically impossible for him to do. It wasn’t until he became convinced that he could not walk on the water that he began to sink. In other words, then he became firmly persuaded that what he was doing could not be done.
In our relationship with God faith is the base on which everything else rests. The writer of Hebrews said, “We must first believe that He (God) is and that He (God) is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” We must have that firm persuasion that God is really there. We can’t see Him, but we are persuaded and we trust that God is going to respond to our pursuit of Him.
Where does this faith come from? It is the result of what we have seen and heard. We have seen the evidence of God’s existence or His being. In fact Paul said it this way,
“From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God.”
(Rom 1:20 NLT)
Just looking around us and seeing the amazing creation of God starts us on the road of faith. Added to that basic realization and knowledge is what we hear. Again Paul gives us insight into faith:
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom 10:17
KJV)
To the basic knowledge there is a God, which we have because we have witnessed and enjoyed his handy work, we add what we have learned of God. Preaching and teaching is so important to our faith in that it is what spark our faith. Faith comes from what we hear and what we read in the Word of God. This is the reason we must have a personal Bible Study in our lives and we must be faithful to Church to hear the Word of God.
The question arises, how does this tie into spiritual warfare and the shield of faith? It goes back to that firm persuasion or conviction which is based on what we have heard. It involves placing trust or confidence in what we believe to be true. Let’s look at a good example of this happening in the Bible. The Spirit has led Jesus into the wilderness where He fasted forty days and nights. He is very hungry! Wild beasts surround him and Satan tempts him. (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13)
You will notice that prior to going into the wilderness, John the Baptist baptized Jesus. After He was baptized, Jesus heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:22) So in the wilderness, when tempted, He stands on what He has heard. He has heard a voice from heaven and He has heard the Word of God, which was read aloud at the synagogue. He obviously read the scripture as well.
When the fiery darts of temptation were thrown at Jesus, we see Him using His shield of faith. He is firmly persuaded to live by the Word of God! He is placing His trust and confidence in the fact He is only to worship and serve God. There is no doubt in his mind that He doesn’t need to try or test God. He knows that God will stand by Him because of what the Word of God tells Him.
The young early Church has just received a warning they were not to preach in the name of Jesus. What were they to do? Peter told the court they were going to preach what they had seen and heard! They returned to the rest of the Church and explained the threats they had received. Together, all of the Church, began to pray and notice their prayer.
“And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:24-31 KJV)
So the shield of faith is again used for protection. A fiery dart of fear has been sent their way. As they began to pray they went back to that firm persuasion which was the result of what they had seen and heard. They returned to the bases of their faith which was, “God you created heaven and earth.” They continued with the greatness of God, His promises and deeds He had done. Then they presented their problem to the Lord. They were standing on their trust and confidence in God and His Word.
The enemy of our soul will attack us with fiery darts of fear and doubt. It is at this point that we must have confidence or trust in our salvation and our God of salvation. In your mind you can picture the Christian soldier behind the protection of a wall of faith. He stands firmly planted behind the persuasion or belief that he can place his trust in the Word of God.
Along with the basis of our faith we must build our faith or make it stronger. How is this accomplished? We build our faith by praying in the Spirit. We make ourselves, or our faith, stronger by praying in the Holy Ghost.
“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,” (Jude 20 KJV).
“A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally in the Lord,” (1 Cor 14:4 NLT).
We will spend some more time talking about prayer a little further on in this chapter. However, let me say here that prayer is so vital to strengthening our faith. As we pray in the Spirit, or in the Holy Ghost, we build up our faith. Pressing on in our prayer until we know we have touched God is like engaging in physical exercise. You press until you feel the “burn” and know you have had a good workout. You know that you are building your strength.
When in battle and under the attack of the enemy we have the blessed assurance that we can trust in the Word of God. No matter what is thrown our way, we can rely upon God’s Word to give us a shield against the enemy’s attack. Relying on that firm persuasion, our faith, will never let us down but will quench all of the fiery darts of the wicked.
As with each part of the armor, the shield had a very vital role in the armor of the soldier. I am including some information that I found concerning the construction and use of the shield the Roman soldier used in warfare.
“ The scutum was a curved oval shield made from two sheets of wood glued together and covered with canvas and leather, usually with a spindle-shaped boss along the vertical length of the shield. It can be considered a body shield, and was extremely heavy (~10kg or 22 lbs.). It is 1.28m (4.2ft) long and 63.5cm (25in) wide, and is constructed of laminated birch. Nine or ten strips of birch from 6-10cm (2.36-3.93in) wide were glued in-between two layers of thinner strips laid out perpendicular to the middle layer. The shield is thickest in the center (1.2cm) (1/2in), and is slightly less than a centimeter (.39") thick at the edges. The shield was covered with felt which was stitched through the wood. The grip was horizontal, and was meant to be held from the top. This type of shield probably also commonly featured an iron edging on the top and bottom rims. The shields of the legionary had to be of regulation size, and a soldier could be severely reprimanded if his shield was too large.”
When the soldiers marched into battle, they stood shoulder to shoulder with their shields in front of them, forming a wall. The men behind them stood in tight formation with their shields above their heads, forming a roof of protection. This formation was so tight and closed that the arrows of the enemy could not penetrate the protection. They said that the formation was so strong and dense that many times the troops would march into a river and stand there while the army, with wagons, passed over them using their shields as a bridge.
Through the years, while reading this passage, I have often pictured the soldier with a small round shield that he would maneuver around to stop the arrows coming at him. I would wonder what happened if he were to miss one or if two came simultaneously. This picture has changed, in my mind, to agree with the passage of scripture as it says, “ . . . taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench ALL the fiery darts of the wicked.” The enemy cannot fire anything at us that our faith will not protect us from.
Faith is such a powerful word. Faith is more than just hoping or thinking positives. It is much more. Faith is a firm persuasion or conviction based on what we have heard. It is to place trust or have confidence in what we are believing. In other words, faith is more than just saying I believe something is true, it is living as if you have been convinced it is true.
Let me give you the best word picture I can think of to help you understand faith. Jesus approached His disciples while they were in a boat on the sea. The disciples were afraid when they saw Jesus because they thought He was a ghost. Jesus called to them not to be afraid and identified Himself. Peter challenged the identity by saying “Lord if it is really you, bid me to come to you.” Jesus simply answered, “Come.”
Now faith has to kick in! Peter has heard that it was Jesus. Peter has received the invitation to come to Jesus. However, action must now accompany that which he has heard. Now Peter is about to try to do something that is physically impossible to do. He is about to swing his leg, over the side of the boat, and walk toward Jesus on the water. In order for this to take place, Peter must have the firm persuasion or confidence that Jesus is out there in the dark. He must have the trust or confidence that if Jesus said to come he can walk on water. Peter is about to live what he believes to be true.
As we all remember the story, Peter did, in fact, walk on the water to Jesus. He did accomplish that which was physically impossible for him to do. It wasn’t until he became convinced that he could not walk on the water that he began to sink. In other words, then he became firmly persuaded that what he was doing could not be done.
In our relationship with God faith is the base on which everything else rests. The writer of Hebrews said, “We must first believe that He (God) is and that He (God) is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” We must have that firm persuasion that God is really there. We can’t see Him, but we are persuaded and we trust that God is going to respond to our pursuit of Him.
Where does this faith come from? It is the result of what we have seen and heard. We have seen the evidence of God’s existence or His being. In fact Paul said it this way,
“From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God.”
(Rom 1:20 NLT)
Just looking around us and seeing the amazing creation of God starts us on the road of faith. Added to that basic realization and knowledge is what we hear. Again Paul gives us insight into faith:
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom 10:17
KJV)
To the basic knowledge there is a God, which we have because we have witnessed and enjoyed his handy work, we add what we have learned of God. Preaching and teaching is so important to our faith in that it is what spark our faith. Faith comes from what we hear and what we read in the Word of God. This is the reason we must have a personal Bible Study in our lives and we must be faithful to Church to hear the Word of God.
The question arises, how does this tie into spiritual warfare and the shield of faith? It goes back to that firm persuasion or conviction which is based on what we have heard. It involves placing trust or confidence in what we believe to be true. Let’s look at a good example of this happening in the Bible. The Spirit has led Jesus into the wilderness where He fasted forty days and nights. He is very hungry! Wild beasts surround him and Satan tempts him. (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13)
You will notice that prior to going into the wilderness, John the Baptist baptized Jesus. After He was baptized, Jesus heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:22) So in the wilderness, when tempted, He stands on what He has heard. He has heard a voice from heaven and He has heard the Word of God, which was read aloud at the synagogue. He obviously read the scripture as well.
When the fiery darts of temptation were thrown at Jesus, we see Him using His shield of faith. He is firmly persuaded to live by the Word of God! He is placing His trust and confidence in the fact He is only to worship and serve God. There is no doubt in his mind that He doesn’t need to try or test God. He knows that God will stand by Him because of what the Word of God tells Him.
The young early Church has just received a warning they were not to preach in the name of Jesus. What were they to do? Peter told the court they were going to preach what they had seen and heard! They returned to the rest of the Church and explained the threats they had received. Together, all of the Church, began to pray and notice their prayer.
“And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:24-31 KJV)
So the shield of faith is again used for protection. A fiery dart of fear has been sent their way. As they began to pray they went back to that firm persuasion which was the result of what they had seen and heard. They returned to the bases of their faith which was, “God you created heaven and earth.” They continued with the greatness of God, His promises and deeds He had done. Then they presented their problem to the Lord. They were standing on their trust and confidence in God and His Word.
The enemy of our soul will attack us with fiery darts of fear and doubt. It is at this point that we must have confidence or trust in our salvation and our God of salvation. In your mind you can picture the Christian soldier behind the protection of a wall of faith. He stands firmly planted behind the persuasion or belief that he can place his trust in the Word of God.
Along with the basis of our faith we must build our faith or make it stronger. How is this accomplished? We build our faith by praying in the Spirit. We make ourselves, or our faith, stronger by praying in the Holy Ghost.
“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,” (Jude 20 KJV).
“A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally in the Lord,” (1 Cor 14:4 NLT).
We will spend some more time talking about prayer a little further on in this chapter. However, let me say here that prayer is so vital to strengthening our faith. As we pray in the Spirit, or in the Holy Ghost, we build up our faith. Pressing on in our prayer until we know we have touched God is like engaging in physical exercise. You press until you feel the “burn” and know you have had a good workout. You know that you are building your strength.
When in battle and under the attack of the enemy we have the blessed assurance that we can trust in the Word of God. No matter what is thrown our way, we can rely upon God’s Word to give us a shield against the enemy’s attack. Relying on that firm persuasion, our faith, will never let us down but will quench all of the fiery darts of the wicked.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Why the Rainbow?
Do you have a family altar? I think every family should have one. Wait a second, let me restate that again, this time correctly. I think every family must have a family altar! Not only is it Biblical but it is also a very good idea.
Altars get God’s attention. He stops and listens to what is said at an altar. He remembers those things that are laid on an altar before Him. It is not something He just passes over. He doesn’t just casually say, “Oh my, they are at the altar again, hummm.” No, when God sees a person at an altar His attention and memory become focused on that person and what they are saying.
Suddenly, right before his eyes, stands a man! This isn’t just any man. His appearance is totally different and within moments of being surprised by his appearance, Cornelius recognizes that he is seeing an angel of God. What the angel has to say probably surprises’ him as much as his sudden appearance.
“Cornelius, your prayers and your giving have gotten the attention of God!” He then instructed Cornelius to send for Simon Peter to tell him what more he needed to do.
The thing that stands out about Cornelius is he was a man with a family altar. The Bible describes him this way. He was devout, deeply religious, earnest and sincere. He feared God with everyone in his house. He taught his family to hold God in high respect. He gave alms. He showed his commitment to God by giving. He prayed to God always, leading his family in prayer as well as having his own private devotions.
Jesus stated in Matthew 18:19-20, “That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them . . . For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” That is what a family altar is all about! Two praying together in agreement! Two or three people who are gathering in the name of Jesus, worshiping the Almighty God.
More than one time in the Book of Revelations we are told that the prayers of the saints come up before God as an incense in heaven. Prayers get the attention of God! Families that pray together get the attention of God! Momma, your prayers are being heard and God is remembering them. Daddy, God hasn’t forgotten those tears you have shed for your son or daughter, you have His attention!
The writer of Hebrews reminds us that we have an altar. In the Old Testament the altar was a large box-shaped object that was in the Tabernacle. Many altars were built on sites as were needed. Abraham built an altar, on more than one occasion, to offer sacrifices to God. Isaac and Jacob followed in the patriarchs footsteps and built altars themselves. There are many other times that we find individuals building altars before God. However the writer reminds us, also, that our altar is different. It isn’t one that the animal sacrifice is to be made upon. This isn’t necessarily an altar built of stone so that it won’t burn when the sacrifice is offered. This isn’t an altar made of brass that is to be carried from place to place. This isn’t an altar made of gold and incense is to be burnt upon it. It is a place, whether a bench, or a chair, or a bowed head, it is a place where we can meet God and God will meet us.
If there is one thing that is missing in America it is the family altar! The place and time where the family gathers together to pray and touch God. If there is anything missing in the families of the Apostolic Church, it is the family altar! That place and time where the family unites together and touches God. Our hectic lifestyles have kept us from this a powerful spiritual communication with our God. We have allowed ourselves to become so busy with life that we have lost sight of the importance of praying together as a family and meeting with God.
The first place in the Bible that an altar is mentioned is in the Book of Genesis 18:18-20. Sacrifices had been made since Adam and Eve and they are mentioned as a sacrifice was made, however no mention of an altar was made until chapter eight. God has seen the sin of mankind and repented that He made man. He decides He will destroy mankind and start all over again. He finds Noah, a man who walked with God, and has him to build an ark or a large boat. When the ark is finished, Noah takes his family into the ark. Rain comes from heaven and the waters of the deep arise and the earth is completely cover by water. Every thing that breathed was destroyed, except those that were on the ark.
After many months the waters receded and Noah and his family walk off the ark with all of the animals that were on the ark. The very first thing that Noah did was to build an altar. This is the first mention of an altar in the Bible and it is built by a man whose righteousness had led to the saving of his family. With his family gathered together they come before God at a family altar and offer thanks to God for His salvation. What a way to start a new life! They built a family altar.
What I found to be so impacting about this story is what happened next. They offer their sacrifice on their family altar and the Bible says that God smelled a sweet smell and said, “I am going to change the way I deal with man in the future.” God makes a covenant or binding agreement with mankind. He promises never to destroy the earth by water again. As a sign of His covenant He placed a bow in the sky, a rainbow. Whenever you see a rainbow, it reminds us that God has made a covenant with us that He will never destroy the earth by water again. All because a family was thankful and built an altar.
Let me encourage you to build a family altar. Many of the friends and families have built and dedicated altar benches for their family altar. However an altar can be anywhere and anything. It isn’t really about the object. It is really about the time of agreeing together and praying together.
So the next time you see a rainbow in the sky, remember it is a sign of God’s covenant with man. The next time you see a rainbow in the sky, remember it is there because a family built an altar.
Hey, it’s just a thought!
Altars get God’s attention. He stops and listens to what is said at an altar. He remembers those things that are laid on an altar before Him. It is not something He just passes over. He doesn’t just casually say, “Oh my, they are at the altar again, hummm.” No, when God sees a person at an altar His attention and memory become focused on that person and what they are saying.
Suddenly, right before his eyes, stands a man! This isn’t just any man. His appearance is totally different and within moments of being surprised by his appearance, Cornelius recognizes that he is seeing an angel of God. What the angel has to say probably surprises’ him as much as his sudden appearance.
“Cornelius, your prayers and your giving have gotten the attention of God!” He then instructed Cornelius to send for Simon Peter to tell him what more he needed to do.
The thing that stands out about Cornelius is he was a man with a family altar. The Bible describes him this way. He was devout, deeply religious, earnest and sincere. He feared God with everyone in his house. He taught his family to hold God in high respect. He gave alms. He showed his commitment to God by giving. He prayed to God always, leading his family in prayer as well as having his own private devotions.
Jesus stated in Matthew 18:19-20, “That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them . . . For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” That is what a family altar is all about! Two praying together in agreement! Two or three people who are gathering in the name of Jesus, worshiping the Almighty God.
More than one time in the Book of Revelations we are told that the prayers of the saints come up before God as an incense in heaven. Prayers get the attention of God! Families that pray together get the attention of God! Momma, your prayers are being heard and God is remembering them. Daddy, God hasn’t forgotten those tears you have shed for your son or daughter, you have His attention!
The writer of Hebrews reminds us that we have an altar. In the Old Testament the altar was a large box-shaped object that was in the Tabernacle. Many altars were built on sites as were needed. Abraham built an altar, on more than one occasion, to offer sacrifices to God. Isaac and Jacob followed in the patriarchs footsteps and built altars themselves. There are many other times that we find individuals building altars before God. However the writer reminds us, also, that our altar is different. It isn’t one that the animal sacrifice is to be made upon. This isn’t necessarily an altar built of stone so that it won’t burn when the sacrifice is offered. This isn’t an altar made of brass that is to be carried from place to place. This isn’t an altar made of gold and incense is to be burnt upon it. It is a place, whether a bench, or a chair, or a bowed head, it is a place where we can meet God and God will meet us.
If there is one thing that is missing in America it is the family altar! The place and time where the family gathers together to pray and touch God. If there is anything missing in the families of the Apostolic Church, it is the family altar! That place and time where the family unites together and touches God. Our hectic lifestyles have kept us from this a powerful spiritual communication with our God. We have allowed ourselves to become so busy with life that we have lost sight of the importance of praying together as a family and meeting with God.
The first place in the Bible that an altar is mentioned is in the Book of Genesis 18:18-20. Sacrifices had been made since Adam and Eve and they are mentioned as a sacrifice was made, however no mention of an altar was made until chapter eight. God has seen the sin of mankind and repented that He made man. He decides He will destroy mankind and start all over again. He finds Noah, a man who walked with God, and has him to build an ark or a large boat. When the ark is finished, Noah takes his family into the ark. Rain comes from heaven and the waters of the deep arise and the earth is completely cover by water. Every thing that breathed was destroyed, except those that were on the ark.
After many months the waters receded and Noah and his family walk off the ark with all of the animals that were on the ark. The very first thing that Noah did was to build an altar. This is the first mention of an altar in the Bible and it is built by a man whose righteousness had led to the saving of his family. With his family gathered together they come before God at a family altar and offer thanks to God for His salvation. What a way to start a new life! They built a family altar.
What I found to be so impacting about this story is what happened next. They offer their sacrifice on their family altar and the Bible says that God smelled a sweet smell and said, “I am going to change the way I deal with man in the future.” God makes a covenant or binding agreement with mankind. He promises never to destroy the earth by water again. As a sign of His covenant He placed a bow in the sky, a rainbow. Whenever you see a rainbow, it reminds us that God has made a covenant with us that He will never destroy the earth by water again. All because a family was thankful and built an altar.
Let me encourage you to build a family altar. Many of the friends and families have built and dedicated altar benches for their family altar. However an altar can be anywhere and anything. It isn’t really about the object. It is really about the time of agreeing together and praying together.
So the next time you see a rainbow in the sky, remember it is a sign of God’s covenant with man. The next time you see a rainbow in the sky, remember it is there because a family built an altar.
Hey, it’s just a thought!
Monday, April 4, 2011
If That Isn't Love...In Memory of Shirley Petranoff
I woke up this morning with a song running through my mind. It wasn’t just the words of the song I was hearing but I was hearing it sang by a certain voice. Here are the words to the song:
He left the splendor of heaven,
Knowing His destiny,
Was the lonely hill of Golgatha,
There to lay down His life for me.
1. Chorus
If that isn't love;
The ocean is dry,
There's no stars in the sky,
And the sparrow can't fly.
If that isn't love;
Then heaven's a myth,
There's no feeling like this,
If that isn't love!
Even in death He remembered,
The thief hanging by His side;
There He spoke with love and compassion,
Then He took him to paradise.
Chorus
If that isn't love;
The ocean is dry,
There's no stars in the sky,
And the sparrow can't fly.
If that isn't love;
Then heaven's a myth,
There's no feeling like this,
If that isn't love!
The song has been recorded by many artists over the years. Probably two of the most famous would be Elvis Presley and Dottie Rambo, the writer of the song. However, it wasn’t either of these voices I heard singing the song. Rather it was a voice that most would not recognize and which would never win any awards. Yet my soul was moved once again as, in my mind, I heard the love that the song was sang with. I could even hear the voice break with emotion, as it had so often in times past.
I walked from the bedroom into the dark kitchen to prepare breakfast and my mother was there. It was then she told me that Shirley Jean Horn Petranoff had received her promotion last night. My eyes immediately filled with tears and I thought, “Shirley, you can now tell Him personally how much you appreciated that love.”
I first met Shirley and her husband Ed in the fall of 1972. They had come to Rio Dell to visit Ed’s family and had decided to move “back home.” We were excited to have a new young couple in the Church. They had two small children at the time, Leann and Steve.
Shirley and Ed fit right in with the Church family. It wasn’t long until Shirley was asked if she would teach the Nursery Class. She was more than happy to help in any way possible and taught the Nursery Class for a number of years. She felt that was her calling. Shirley had a few notable students that came through her classroom doors such as Tim Doran (Pastor in Osceola, AR) Abby Doran Harrell (Music Minister in Harrison, AR) Justin Doran and many others including some of her own children.
I remember the love that Shirley had for her family. When her grandchildren came along, she was so faithful to bring them to Church at every opportunity. Even when they were tiny infants she made sure they were in Church. A Nursery teacher knows the importance of getting the Word of God into a baby’s heart.
I always thought of Shirley being a “fighter.” Not that she had a pugnacious nature, but she was tough. Shirley was born with a bone disease and it seemed like she had to fight for most things she did in life. She was a hard worker and a giving person.
In the fall of 1990 I became the pastor of the United Pentecostal Church in Rio Dell, CA. My father had been the pastor for the 17 years that Shirley had been a part of that Church. Shirley had worked under his leadership and felt a strong bond with my parents. Now they were stepping down and a new man was taking the leadership, one that she could remember “when!” I knew that it was going to be hard for some folks to see me in this new role, to make that change. I always felt that in her heart the Elder and Sister Doran would always be her “pastor” and that was all right because they will always be mine. However I can truly say that Shirley was always loyal and faithful.
I will always remember, as I did this morning, hearing Shirley playing her accordion and singing those words, “If that isn’t love . . .” She sang not with the most beautiful voice, but she sang it with a voice that had truly known that love.
It’s just a thought!
He left the splendor of heaven,
Knowing His destiny,
Was the lonely hill of Golgatha,
There to lay down His life for me.
1. Chorus
If that isn't love;
The ocean is dry,
There's no stars in the sky,
And the sparrow can't fly.
If that isn't love;
Then heaven's a myth,
There's no feeling like this,
If that isn't love!
Even in death He remembered,
The thief hanging by His side;
There He spoke with love and compassion,
Then He took him to paradise.
Chorus
If that isn't love;
The ocean is dry,
There's no stars in the sky,
And the sparrow can't fly.
If that isn't love;
Then heaven's a myth,
There's no feeling like this,
If that isn't love!
The song has been recorded by many artists over the years. Probably two of the most famous would be Elvis Presley and Dottie Rambo, the writer of the song. However, it wasn’t either of these voices I heard singing the song. Rather it was a voice that most would not recognize and which would never win any awards. Yet my soul was moved once again as, in my mind, I heard the love that the song was sang with. I could even hear the voice break with emotion, as it had so often in times past.
I walked from the bedroom into the dark kitchen to prepare breakfast and my mother was there. It was then she told me that Shirley Jean Horn Petranoff had received her promotion last night. My eyes immediately filled with tears and I thought, “Shirley, you can now tell Him personally how much you appreciated that love.”
I first met Shirley and her husband Ed in the fall of 1972. They had come to Rio Dell to visit Ed’s family and had decided to move “back home.” We were excited to have a new young couple in the Church. They had two small children at the time, Leann and Steve.
Shirley and Ed fit right in with the Church family. It wasn’t long until Shirley was asked if she would teach the Nursery Class. She was more than happy to help in any way possible and taught the Nursery Class for a number of years. She felt that was her calling. Shirley had a few notable students that came through her classroom doors such as Tim Doran (Pastor in Osceola, AR) Abby Doran Harrell (Music Minister in Harrison, AR) Justin Doran and many others including some of her own children.
I remember the love that Shirley had for her family. When her grandchildren came along, she was so faithful to bring them to Church at every opportunity. Even when they were tiny infants she made sure they were in Church. A Nursery teacher knows the importance of getting the Word of God into a baby’s heart.
I always thought of Shirley being a “fighter.” Not that she had a pugnacious nature, but she was tough. Shirley was born with a bone disease and it seemed like she had to fight for most things she did in life. She was a hard worker and a giving person.
In the fall of 1990 I became the pastor of the United Pentecostal Church in Rio Dell, CA. My father had been the pastor for the 17 years that Shirley had been a part of that Church. Shirley had worked under his leadership and felt a strong bond with my parents. Now they were stepping down and a new man was taking the leadership, one that she could remember “when!” I knew that it was going to be hard for some folks to see me in this new role, to make that change. I always felt that in her heart the Elder and Sister Doran would always be her “pastor” and that was all right because they will always be mine. However I can truly say that Shirley was always loyal and faithful.
I will always remember, as I did this morning, hearing Shirley playing her accordion and singing those words, “If that isn’t love . . .” She sang not with the most beautiful voice, but she sang it with a voice that had truly known that love.
It’s just a thought!
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