Reveration Blog
3/27/2002 CapacityWhen we look at a glass to fill it we stop pouring before the water reaches the top of the cylinder. When we stand on the staircase and contemplate jumping (for those of us who have not yet attained full maturity), we only leap as far as we believe our legs are able to sustain the impact of landing without incurring injury. When we drive an automobile, we know what speeds to go to operate the vehicle safely. When given a task by God, we measure what we will do by what we determine is our capacity. And immediately we superimpose our notion of our capability upon our Creator.
12/7/2001 StandardsOn Oct. 9, 2001, Old Guard 1st Sergeant Robert Watson stood rigidly at attention ready to receive a freshly folded American flag from the casket of a soldier killed by the September 11 attack on the Pentagon. But as a member of the prestigious detail moved to hand Old Glory to Watson, he refused to receive it. A small sliver of white was visible in the triangular fold. Only the blue and white stars should have shown. With his hand he could have covered the mistake and few if any would have noticed the flaw. But while the family waited and a number of VIPs, to include the Chief of Staff of the Army watched, 1st Sgt. Watson stood unmoving.
10/17/2001 0 Comments Vocation“Strength as One” is a great class motto. Attending my 20th West Point reunion was a fresh reminder of a unique gathering of unpretentious classmates who are a joy to be around and a blessing in so many ways. By measured statistics, the class of ’81 is special both in service to our country and in generosity. I found myself again humbled that God would allow me, a scrawny missionary kid from the Philippines, the privilege of spending four years of my life with such outstanding people.
10/11/1999 Free WillBettis hates God. He thinks the whole concept of yielding one’s heart to a Divine Creator is bunk. It’s heavenly tyranny foisted on earth. He didn’t choose to be born so where’s the fairness in damnation if he opts not to play by God’s rules? He resists the notion of truth being defined for him. He’d rather rebel.
We may think Bettis is nuts to scorn a loving God, to literally play with fire. But he holds the God-given right of refusal. The beauty of free will is that we canrebel. What value would there be in creating creatures devoid of the ability to choose to love? 9/7/1999 0 Comments FulfillmentFulfillment is about bringing closure to what was initiated. It also means “to measure up, to satisfy.” How we define being fulfilled dictates what kind of life we will lead. Say I determine that I am my own captain, then my fulfillment is confined by what I can and cannot do. If I concede control of my life to others then my fulfillment is defined by the will of those in power. If I believe that God is the One leading me then my fulfillment rests in gripping firmly the rope of His will.
4/19/1999 0 Comments SanctificationHank Acephalous graduated near the top of his West Point class. As a newly commissioned second lieutenant, he continued to excel by earning the coveted ranger tab. He was set to join the elite Ranger battalion at his new post. Life was good.
3/1/1999 0 Comments InjusticeImagine you’re a 42-year-old man and you’re unemployed. Your boss wanted help pilfering the company’s money and your integrity cost you your job. You can’t get hired because being a Christian proves you are an intolerant bigot. You had to step down from your position as the outreach leader in your church because the pastor’s brother moved into town and liked the position you labored to create. Now your wife thinks you’re a wuss because you let the bullies push you around.
2/8/1999 WillIn the course of life, I've learned that my Mind daily receives an unwelcome visitor. On some days he keeps to himself and is hardly noticeable. On other days he's obnoxious, devious and overbearing. Sometimes he boasts while at other times he is smooth and spellbinding. The Mind's manager, Will, knows not to underestimate his ploys. Even still he inexplicably will entertain this unsavory fellow or give him the room with the largest view. Until the Owner returns, he cannot throw him out for he retains his own hidden pass key.
1/12/1999 0 Comments LordshipHaughty hears Wisdom reveal what’s at stake
but he scorns being told what path he should take. “Turn right,” says the Son, but left the man goes. “I like it my way, the way that I chose!” Off the edge he plunges with a cry of dismay For left without Wisdom there is no right way. 12/2/1998 0 Comments OpinionsMan’s perceptions are often not in line with God’s intentions. Had Jesus chosen to heed the opinions of his key men, the dynamic dozen when they:
11/25/1998 0 Comments MethodsMeditation
Judges 7:4--Then the Lord said to Gideon, “There are still too many people. Take them down to the water, and I will test them for you there. If I say to you, ‘This one can go with you,’ he can go. But if I say about anyone, ‘This one cannot go with you,’ he cannot go. 9/16/1998 0 Comments MiraclesMeditation
Hebrews 2:1-4--We must, therefore, pay even more attention to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away. For if the message spoken through angels was legally binding and every transgression and disobedience received a just punishment, how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was first spoken by the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him. At the same time, God also testified by signs and wonders, various miracles, and distributions of gifts from the Holy Spirit according to His will. 5/13/1998 0 Comments DestinyA tiny seed fell years ago and grew into a pine tree. But alas she rose in a place surrounded by firs and a healthy maple. The earth rotated and the sun shone but other more mature trees absorbed the light the struggling pine craved. Slowly, her lower limbs died. Her meager green needles only accentuated her brown gnarled plight. So with the help of Gary and Jim the sickly pine in the corner of my yard came down.
5/8/1998 0 Comments InsuranceMeditation
Matthew 6:34—Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. 2/13/1998 0 Comments Sin--ResponsibilityWhy is our civilization morally crumbling? Why is our country trapped in the quicksand of evil? Why is our society torn by the passions of selfishness? Why is our culture enamored with what is wicked? Could it be that we are adorned in the clothing of excuses to mask our responsibility for sin? Paul Harvey, the famous radio commentator shared a prayer, Pastor Joe Wright of the Wichita Central Christian Church gave at an invocation for the Kansas state legislature. Joe’s prayer was immediately denounced by the governor of Kansas and several legislators stormed out in anger. This prayer has much to say. I hope it will stir your heart as it stirred mine.
7/11/1997 0 Comments AssimilationMeditation
John 4:34—“My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work,” Jesus told them. 5/14/1997 0 Comments CovetousnessMeditation
Psalm 40:8--I delight to do Your will, my God; Your instruction lives within me. 3/19/1997 0 Comments DisobedienceSeveral expensive houses were built on a cliff in Oregon overlooking the Pacific ocean. The architects used their minds to design gorgeous homes. The carpenters put their brains and hands to work to create structural masterpieces. Unfortunately, they failed to account for the possibility that erosion and landslides caused from heavy rain would send these homes crashing down the slopes they once perched above.
1/5/1997 0 Comments ConfessionMeditation
1 John 1:9--If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. |
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Photo from Rachel Maxey Miles