Courier-Times Christian Perspectives Article for April 11, 2009
As I write this, the story gripping the headlines is the Maersk Alabama hijacking saga; the first pirate capture of a United States boat in about 200 years. Details about the hijacking are fluid, but it appears that the storyline unfolding off the coast of Somalia mirrors a storyline almost 2000 years old.
The Maersk Alabama is a cargo ship laden with food supplies to relieve some of the suffering and starvation in several African nations. A few days ago it was hijacked by Somalian pirates wanting to trade it for ransom money. The economy in Somalia is very depressed and the most efficient way to earn money there is to hijack cargo ships; 66 have been taken since the first of January.
Like I said, the details are still sketchy but the crew members were able to regain control of the ship. Apparently the ship’s captain, Capt. Richard Phillips, has traded himself for the lives of his crew. The outcome of the story is still being determined by the actions of the pirates, the crew, the captain and the U.S. Navy, which is now on the scene. The story of self sacrifice has been played out before in many ways but most notably in the Easter story.
But to fully understand the Easter story, we really need to go back several hundred years earlier to the story of the Exodus. You remember, the story where Charlton Heston raised his staff in the movie, “The Ten Commandments”, and parted the waters for the Israelites to escape the oncoming armies of Egypt. Whether it happened the way Cecil B. DeMille scripted it in the movie we’ll never know, but the bible tells us that what happened before the sea parting was the key to the Israelites release from captivity.
There were several plagues that came upon Egypt in an effort to prompt the Pharaoh to free the Israelites. Each succeeding plague increased in intensity until the final plague, the death of the first born. The plagues affected Egyptians and Israelites alike but, when the death angel was sent to take the life of every first born, God provided a way of protection – the Passover lamb. The night of the final plague, the Israelites were instructed by God to kill a spotless lamb, consume all of it by morning, and to place some of its blood on the doorframe of their houses. The death angel would see the blood on the doorframe of the house and “pass over” the house, and all those inside, protected by the blood of the lamb. One life exchanged for many.
For generations the Israelites have celebrated the Passover as the way God chose to deliver his people. It was during the Passover meal that Jesus revealed to His disciples that He would be sacrificed, like the Passover lamb, and that His blood would deliver His followers from spiritual death. One life exchanged for many.
On that dark day that we call Good Friday, just as the lamb was being sacrificed for the Passover celebration, Jesus was crucified and became the true Passover Lamb for all people. The sinless Christ traded his life for the lives of His disciples. And the headlines on that following morning read that Jesus Christ was dead.
But, like many stories in this modern, 24-hour news cycle world, the story was still being written. On the first day of the week, Sunday morning, Jesus Christ was resurrected from the grave! Death had been conquered; Christ was alive! And the story continues . . .
Who did He save? Who were His “crew members”; His disciples? That part of the story is still being written. You and I have an opportunity to write ourselves into the story, the greatest story ever told.
The self sacrifice of Capt. Richard Phillips may save the lives of as many as 20 crew members. The self sacrifice of Christ is still delivering people from captivity. The bible says all we need to do to be part of this great story line is to become a “Christ follower”; a disciple of Christ. All we need to do is to claim the sacrifice of the Passover Lamb for ourselves.
The final chapter of the Maersk Alabama piracy case will soon be written. Hopefully it will end with no loss of life, but that part of the story is still being written by the pirates, the crew, the captain and the U.S. Navy.
The final chapter of the Passover Lamb saga may soon be written, only God knows. The question today is, have you written yourself into the story line? Will you be one of His disciples who are saved by the self sacrifice of Christ? Or will you be a tragic reminder of what could have been? On this day before Easter, you have a choice. Choose well.
Any questions or comments? Write Curt Ferrell at curt@smdcog.org
You can find info at my Facebook Page (http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=504321719).
Also at my Flickr.com Page (http://www.flickr.com/photos/curtisferrell/)
Thanks for reading!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Who Will Save Us?
Courier-Times Christian Perspectives Article – April 4th, 2009
It was springtime in Israel and there was more excitement than normal. Passover was just around the corner. Each male Jew was making his springtime trek to Jerusalem, sometimes bringing his whole family. They would make another trip to Jerusalem in about seven weeks for Pentecost, and then once more in the fall for the Festival of Tabernacles. But this trip held more promise.
There was a charismatic figure, someone who was both a healer and an excellent teacher, who had been traveling the countryside for three years talking about a new form of government, the Kingdom of God, and how it was coming soon. This was welcome news to a people who were experiencing an economic burden, due mainly to their forced financial support of an occupying force from a far off country. The people were also oppressed by the terrorist tactics of Herod, a ruthless, heartless King who would do anything for power. News of this new Kingdom of God generated hope and excitement!
Now incredible reports circulated that this Teacher had brought someone back from the dead. Unbelievable, I know, but so many people witnessed it that it had to be true. The Teacher, the one who had been talking about the coming of the Kingdom of God, clearly had divine power. Perhaps he was the Messiah; the leader that would deliver his people.
A rumor spread through the group of travelers that, like them, the Teacher was also making his way to Jerusalem from the village of Bethany. A crowd gathered on the road that this teacher-healer would be taking in hopes of seeing him “up close”.
During these tri-annual trips to Jerusalem the people would sing Jewish traveling songs and wave branches from palm trees, myrtle trees, and willow trees. They would start by singing “Praise the Lord”. Then they would retell the story of their deliverance from Egypt with the song, “The Sea Looked And Fled”. These songs would be followed by “Not To Us, O Lord”, “I Love the Lord”, and “Praise the Lord, All You Nations.”
The last traveling song was “Give Thanks to the Lord”. Toward the end of this tune they spotted the Teacher, riding on a donkey, but they kept singing . . . “Hosanna! Blessed Is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
They knew in an instant that this was the Messiah. They threw their palm branches on the road for the donkey to walk on. Truly this man would be the one who would save them. That’s what hosanna means – Lord Save Us!
Suddenly minds were racing ahead to a picture-perfect future. This new government, the Kingdom of God, would save them. That’s what they had been waiting for! They could finally get rid of those wealth guzzling Romans! They could hunt down that terrorist leader, Herod, and bring justice to all who followed him!
Unfortunately they forgot the truths found in the songs they had been singing. “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. . . I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me. The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: The LORD's right hand has done mighty things!”
Instead of taking refuge in God, they trusted in the apparent political power that came with the popularity of the Teacher. And in just five days their hopes would be dashed. They would reject the Teacher as their new King. They would return to their desperate lives, full of fear and despair.
Who would save them now?
Who will save us now? Over the centuries the people of God have, at times, forgotten what scripture says. From the beginning of recorded history the people of God have periodically forgotten the truths found in their songs.
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness . . . Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me. . . He is able, more than able to accomplish what concerns me today. . . He knows my name, He knows my every thought; He sees each tear that falls, and hears me when I call. . . Where could I go, but to the Lord?
During that last week before Jesus went to the cross, the God followers of the day began to place their faith in things other than God. They saw Jesus only as a man, and not as the Son of God. They began to think that man-made tools and man-made solutions could solve problems that were spiritual at their core.
Is it possible that we do the same thing today? Do we really believe that only government can save us? Or, only education can save us? Or, only cutting edge medicine can save us? Or, only money can save us?
Or is it possible that spiritual solutions are the only real solutions, because our problems are spiritual at their core?
Tomorrow is Palm Sunday; the day when we remember the Teacher as He made his way to Jerusalem for the last time. Will we see Him as the Son of God or simply as a popular teacher? Will we remember the truths found in scripture and in our songs, or will we search for salvation in man-made solutions? The choice is yours; choose well.
You can find more information at my Facebook Page (http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=504321719).
Or at my Flickr.com Page (http://www.flickr.com/photos/curtisferrell/)
Thanks for reading!
It was springtime in Israel and there was more excitement than normal. Passover was just around the corner. Each male Jew was making his springtime trek to Jerusalem, sometimes bringing his whole family. They would make another trip to Jerusalem in about seven weeks for Pentecost, and then once more in the fall for the Festival of Tabernacles. But this trip held more promise.
There was a charismatic figure, someone who was both a healer and an excellent teacher, who had been traveling the countryside for three years talking about a new form of government, the Kingdom of God, and how it was coming soon. This was welcome news to a people who were experiencing an economic burden, due mainly to their forced financial support of an occupying force from a far off country. The people were also oppressed by the terrorist tactics of Herod, a ruthless, heartless King who would do anything for power. News of this new Kingdom of God generated hope and excitement!
Now incredible reports circulated that this Teacher had brought someone back from the dead. Unbelievable, I know, but so many people witnessed it that it had to be true. The Teacher, the one who had been talking about the coming of the Kingdom of God, clearly had divine power. Perhaps he was the Messiah; the leader that would deliver his people.
A rumor spread through the group of travelers that, like them, the Teacher was also making his way to Jerusalem from the village of Bethany. A crowd gathered on the road that this teacher-healer would be taking in hopes of seeing him “up close”.
During these tri-annual trips to Jerusalem the people would sing Jewish traveling songs and wave branches from palm trees, myrtle trees, and willow trees. They would start by singing “Praise the Lord”. Then they would retell the story of their deliverance from Egypt with the song, “The Sea Looked And Fled”. These songs would be followed by “Not To Us, O Lord”, “I Love the Lord”, and “Praise the Lord, All You Nations.”
The last traveling song was “Give Thanks to the Lord”. Toward the end of this tune they spotted the Teacher, riding on a donkey, but they kept singing . . . “Hosanna! Blessed Is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
They knew in an instant that this was the Messiah. They threw their palm branches on the road for the donkey to walk on. Truly this man would be the one who would save them. That’s what hosanna means – Lord Save Us!
Suddenly minds were racing ahead to a picture-perfect future. This new government, the Kingdom of God, would save them. That’s what they had been waiting for! They could finally get rid of those wealth guzzling Romans! They could hunt down that terrorist leader, Herod, and bring justice to all who followed him!
Unfortunately they forgot the truths found in the songs they had been singing. “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. . . I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me. The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: The LORD's right hand has done mighty things!”
Instead of taking refuge in God, they trusted in the apparent political power that came with the popularity of the Teacher. And in just five days their hopes would be dashed. They would reject the Teacher as their new King. They would return to their desperate lives, full of fear and despair.
Who would save them now?
Who will save us now? Over the centuries the people of God have, at times, forgotten what scripture says. From the beginning of recorded history the people of God have periodically forgotten the truths found in their songs.
My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness . . . Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me. . . He is able, more than able to accomplish what concerns me today. . . He knows my name, He knows my every thought; He sees each tear that falls, and hears me when I call. . . Where could I go, but to the Lord?
During that last week before Jesus went to the cross, the God followers of the day began to place their faith in things other than God. They saw Jesus only as a man, and not as the Son of God. They began to think that man-made tools and man-made solutions could solve problems that were spiritual at their core.
Is it possible that we do the same thing today? Do we really believe that only government can save us? Or, only education can save us? Or, only cutting edge medicine can save us? Or, only money can save us?
Or is it possible that spiritual solutions are the only real solutions, because our problems are spiritual at their core?
Tomorrow is Palm Sunday; the day when we remember the Teacher as He made his way to Jerusalem for the last time. Will we see Him as the Son of God or simply as a popular teacher? Will we remember the truths found in scripture and in our songs, or will we search for salvation in man-made solutions? The choice is yours; choose well.
You can find more information at my Facebook Page (http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=504321719).
Or at my Flickr.com Page (http://www.flickr.com/photos/curtisferrell/)
Thanks for reading!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Freedom of Choice?
Courier-Times Article for November 15, 2008
In the halls of our nation’s capital, legislators are considering HR1964 and S1173. These are the United States House and Senate bills titled “The Freedom of Choice Act”. The bills are nearly identical, only about 2 pages long each, and you can read them at your leisure on the internet. Unfortunately, as Christians, we do not have the luxury of being leisurely in our response to this “act” of Congress.
If these bills are passed and signed into law by the President it would impact Indiana communities in the following ways.
Abortions after the first 12 weeks would become legal. (Abortions in the first 12 weeks are already legal.)
A requirement would be removed that women considering abortions be given information regarding: the nature of the proposed procedure; the risks of and alternatives to the procedure; the probable gestational age of the fetus, including an offer to provide a picture or drawing of a fetus, the dimensions of a fetus, and relevant information on the potential survival of a fetus at that stage of development; the risks associated with carrying the pregnancy to term; the name of the physician who will perform the abortion; and the availability of ultrasounds and fetal heart tone services. These women would not receive this additional information: that medical assistance benefits may be available for prenatal care, childbirth, and neonatal care; that the "father" is liable for child support; and that adoption alternatives are available and that the adoptive parents may legally pay the costs of prenatal care, childbirth, and neonatal care. In addition they could proceed to an abortive procedure with no waiting period to consider all of the ramifications of their decision. (Currently they must wait 18 hours to consider all of their options.)
Physicians, hospitals, and hospital staff members would no longer have the protection of Indiana laws to refuse to provide abortions based on moral or ethical beliefs.
Minors would no longer need parental consent to have an abortion, and parents would not even need to be notified that such a procedure occurred.
Abortions could be preformed by people other than Indiana licensed physicians and in places other than licensed hospitals or surgical centers.
Babies who had grown to the point where they could survive outside the womb would no longer have protection under Indiana law, making second and third trimester abortions and partial-birth abortions legal.
These facts are not from pro-life sources. All of this information comes from The National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL) website.
From a biblical perspective, scripture is clear – God asks us to choose life.
Deuteronomy 30:19 reads: This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live . . . (NIV)
Scripture says that life begins in the womb.
Read Psalm 139:13-16: For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (NIV)
Even if scripture were not clear, the “Freedom of Choice Act” actually removes freedoms and safeguards that most Hoosiers hold dear.
Women who were considering abortions would not have the freedom to make an informed choice.
Physicians, hospitals, and hospital staff would no longer have the freedom to follow their own convictions of ethical and moral behavior. Rather, they would be faced with a choice of their own: stop preacticing medicine altogether, or move to a nation that believes in freedom of choice for medical professionals.
Parents would no longer have the freedom of being with their minor daughters during a major medical procedure, nor would they have the freedom of giving their minor daughters guidance and counsel. Children would, in effect, become wards of the state once they are born.
Communities would no longer have the freedom of deciding who can perform abortions and where they can be performed. Nothing would prevent unqualified persons from performing abortions in neighborhoods, schools, or hotel rooms.
Finally, infants would no longer have the freedom to fight for life. Regardless of their “viability” outside the womb, infants who were not “completely” born could have their lives snuffed out with the blessing of the federal government.
That’s where we come in. This is still a nation “of the people, by the people, and for the people” and you and I still have a voice.
So, if you value freedom then speak up! Write, call, and e-mail your national leaders, your Senators and Congresmen and women. Let President Bush and President-elect Obama know that you do not want them to sign that bill if it passes congress.
If you believe in the authority of the Word of God then your responsibility is greater. Not only do you need to use your voice to protect freedom and the lives of the unborn, you have the obligation to pray for your leaders that they will make wise and God-honoring choices. Pray for women who find themselves in the midst of an unwanted pregnancy. Give to ministries like the Henry County Pregancy Care Center and CRADLES that care for women who choose to keep their children. Consider adopting infants born to women who cannot keep their children, or supporting an adoptive family financially.
If we refuse to act, if our busy lives “prevent” us from excersicing our constitutional freedom of speech or our constitutional responsibility of self government, if we remain silent out of fear or apathy, we will lose many of our freedoms to a law called the Freedom of Choice Act. The choice is yours.
Visit my Facebook Page (http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=504321719).
Photos and videos are posted at my Flickr.com Page (http://www.flickr.com/photos/curtisferrell/)
Thanks for reading!
In the halls of our nation’s capital, legislators are considering HR1964 and S1173. These are the United States House and Senate bills titled “The Freedom of Choice Act”. The bills are nearly identical, only about 2 pages long each, and you can read them at your leisure on the internet. Unfortunately, as Christians, we do not have the luxury of being leisurely in our response to this “act” of Congress.
If these bills are passed and signed into law by the President it would impact Indiana communities in the following ways.
Abortions after the first 12 weeks would become legal. (Abortions in the first 12 weeks are already legal.)
A requirement would be removed that women considering abortions be given information regarding: the nature of the proposed procedure; the risks of and alternatives to the procedure; the probable gestational age of the fetus, including an offer to provide a picture or drawing of a fetus, the dimensions of a fetus, and relevant information on the potential survival of a fetus at that stage of development; the risks associated with carrying the pregnancy to term; the name of the physician who will perform the abortion; and the availability of ultrasounds and fetal heart tone services. These women would not receive this additional information: that medical assistance benefits may be available for prenatal care, childbirth, and neonatal care; that the "father" is liable for child support; and that adoption alternatives are available and that the adoptive parents may legally pay the costs of prenatal care, childbirth, and neonatal care. In addition they could proceed to an abortive procedure with no waiting period to consider all of the ramifications of their decision. (Currently they must wait 18 hours to consider all of their options.)
Physicians, hospitals, and hospital staff members would no longer have the protection of Indiana laws to refuse to provide abortions based on moral or ethical beliefs.
Minors would no longer need parental consent to have an abortion, and parents would not even need to be notified that such a procedure occurred.
Abortions could be preformed by people other than Indiana licensed physicians and in places other than licensed hospitals or surgical centers.
Babies who had grown to the point where they could survive outside the womb would no longer have protection under Indiana law, making second and third trimester abortions and partial-birth abortions legal.
These facts are not from pro-life sources. All of this information comes from The National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL) website.
From a biblical perspective, scripture is clear – God asks us to choose life.
Deuteronomy 30:19 reads: This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live . . . (NIV)
Scripture says that life begins in the womb.
Read Psalm 139:13-16: For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (NIV)
Even if scripture were not clear, the “Freedom of Choice Act” actually removes freedoms and safeguards that most Hoosiers hold dear.
Women who were considering abortions would not have the freedom to make an informed choice.
Physicians, hospitals, and hospital staff would no longer have the freedom to follow their own convictions of ethical and moral behavior. Rather, they would be faced with a choice of their own: stop preacticing medicine altogether, or move to a nation that believes in freedom of choice for medical professionals.
Parents would no longer have the freedom of being with their minor daughters during a major medical procedure, nor would they have the freedom of giving their minor daughters guidance and counsel. Children would, in effect, become wards of the state once they are born.
Communities would no longer have the freedom of deciding who can perform abortions and where they can be performed. Nothing would prevent unqualified persons from performing abortions in neighborhoods, schools, or hotel rooms.
Finally, infants would no longer have the freedom to fight for life. Regardless of their “viability” outside the womb, infants who were not “completely” born could have their lives snuffed out with the blessing of the federal government.
That’s where we come in. This is still a nation “of the people, by the people, and for the people” and you and I still have a voice.
So, if you value freedom then speak up! Write, call, and e-mail your national leaders, your Senators and Congresmen and women. Let President Bush and President-elect Obama know that you do not want them to sign that bill if it passes congress.
If you believe in the authority of the Word of God then your responsibility is greater. Not only do you need to use your voice to protect freedom and the lives of the unborn, you have the obligation to pray for your leaders that they will make wise and God-honoring choices. Pray for women who find themselves in the midst of an unwanted pregnancy. Give to ministries like the Henry County Pregancy Care Center and CRADLES that care for women who choose to keep their children. Consider adopting infants born to women who cannot keep their children, or supporting an adoptive family financially.
If we refuse to act, if our busy lives “prevent” us from excersicing our constitutional freedom of speech or our constitutional responsibility of self government, if we remain silent out of fear or apathy, we will lose many of our freedoms to a law called the Freedom of Choice Act. The choice is yours.
Visit my Facebook Page (http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=504321719).
Photos and videos are posted at my Flickr.com Page (http://www.flickr.com/photos/curtisferrell/)
Thanks for reading!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Letter to the Editor - 7 October, 2008
We’ve been robbed. The Bailout Bill is nothing short of election-year robbery. I’ve read the contents of the bill and it makes me sick. You can find it on the internet and read it too. If you do, you will discover that your $700-billion in tax money, money that was “urgently needed to avoid an economic disaster not seen since the depression”, was spent on the following items: renewable energy credits; carbon mitigation and coal provisions; increase and extension of oil spill liability trust fund tax; deduction for certain expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers; extension of mine rescue team training credit; Indian employment credit; railroad track maintenance; seven-year cost recovery period for motorsports racing track facility; extension and modification of duty suspension on wool products; wool research fund; wool duty refunds; provisions related to film and television productions; exemption from excise tax for certain wooden arrows designed for use by children; mental health parity; increase in limit on cover over of rum excise tax to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands; secure payments for states and counties containing federal land, among other things.
Do any of these items help with the emergency action to free credit markets from being clogged with bad mortgages that were mandated by congress? Even a fifth-grader could answer that question correctly. And yet, the President of the United States pushed for it, both of the major Presidential Candidates voted for it, one Vice-Presidential Candidate voted for it (the other is a governor but would have voted for it if she could), and both of our Indiana Senators voted for it.
I have come to a conclusion. The supporters of this bill are either ignorant, or cowards, or crooks.
Maybe they didn’t know what they were voting for or supporting. Do you really want someone that ignorant leading our nation anywhere?
Maybe they knew what was in the bill, but were afraid NOT to vote for it; afraid for political reasons or afraid for economic reasons. Do you really want cowards leading your nation anywhere?
Or maybe they new exactly what they were doing, and for financial gain and/or to maintain political power they mortgaged our nation into the next two or three generations. Do we really want crooks and liars leading this nation anywhere?
There are no other options: ignorance, cowardice, or robbery.
To add insult to injury, the “crisis” was generated by congress who mandated home loans at below market cost, to individuals who could not pay for loans, on houses that were overpriced. This initial mandate was made to pay for the votes of the new home owners, who are now facing foreclosure and/or bankruptcy as a result of their bargain. The banks, who went along with this scheme, made decisions they would never have made under normal market conditions because of corporate greed, and as a result are now facing bank failures of a magnitude not seen in generations.
So the ignorant, or cowardly, or crooked politicians are covering the mess they created by giving more money to the greedy financial institutions, and the unwise and overextended home owners, by taking money from hard working, tax paying individuals who HAVE made good decisions! Does any of this make you upset?
As far as I can see, the only politician, on a national level, who has been looking out for East Central Indiana is Congressman Mike Pence who, even under strong pressure from his party’s President and his party’s Presidential Candidate, has stood strong against this unprecedented power-grab and money-grab-legislation.
I don’t say this as a political endorsement; it’s simply a mater of fact. President Bush, Senators Bayh and Lugar, Presidential Candidates Obama and McCain, and Vice-Presidential Candidates Biden and Governor Palin (by lending her support) have ALL picked our pockets for the next several decades.
What are we going to do about it? Is this still a government “of the people, by the people, and for the people”, or is it a government of cowardly, ignorant, power-hungry crooks masquerading as political statesmen and women?
If you remain silent, you willingly open your pocketbook to the next generation of what used to be called civil servants. It’s time to do something. Someone just stole $700-billion dollars that belonged to you. Who’s going to hold them accountable?
Thanks for reading!
Do any of these items help with the emergency action to free credit markets from being clogged with bad mortgages that were mandated by congress? Even a fifth-grader could answer that question correctly. And yet, the President of the United States pushed for it, both of the major Presidential Candidates voted for it, one Vice-Presidential Candidate voted for it (the other is a governor but would have voted for it if she could), and both of our Indiana Senators voted for it.
I have come to a conclusion. The supporters of this bill are either ignorant, or cowards, or crooks.
Maybe they didn’t know what they were voting for or supporting. Do you really want someone that ignorant leading our nation anywhere?
Maybe they knew what was in the bill, but were afraid NOT to vote for it; afraid for political reasons or afraid for economic reasons. Do you really want cowards leading your nation anywhere?
Or maybe they new exactly what they were doing, and for financial gain and/or to maintain political power they mortgaged our nation into the next two or three generations. Do we really want crooks and liars leading this nation anywhere?
There are no other options: ignorance, cowardice, or robbery.
To add insult to injury, the “crisis” was generated by congress who mandated home loans at below market cost, to individuals who could not pay for loans, on houses that were overpriced. This initial mandate was made to pay for the votes of the new home owners, who are now facing foreclosure and/or bankruptcy as a result of their bargain. The banks, who went along with this scheme, made decisions they would never have made under normal market conditions because of corporate greed, and as a result are now facing bank failures of a magnitude not seen in generations.
So the ignorant, or cowardly, or crooked politicians are covering the mess they created by giving more money to the greedy financial institutions, and the unwise and overextended home owners, by taking money from hard working, tax paying individuals who HAVE made good decisions! Does any of this make you upset?
As far as I can see, the only politician, on a national level, who has been looking out for East Central Indiana is Congressman Mike Pence who, even under strong pressure from his party’s President and his party’s Presidential Candidate, has stood strong against this unprecedented power-grab and money-grab-legislation.
I don’t say this as a political endorsement; it’s simply a mater of fact. President Bush, Senators Bayh and Lugar, Presidential Candidates Obama and McCain, and Vice-Presidential Candidates Biden and Governor Palin (by lending her support) have ALL picked our pockets for the next several decades.
What are we going to do about it? Is this still a government “of the people, by the people, and for the people”, or is it a government of cowardly, ignorant, power-hungry crooks masquerading as political statesmen and women?
If you remain silent, you willingly open your pocketbook to the next generation of what used to be called civil servants. It’s time to do something. Someone just stole $700-billion dollars that belonged to you. Who’s going to hold them accountable?
Thanks for reading!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Wrap-up Journal Post, Wednesday, September 17
2:26 PM – Thank you for your prayers and financial support during my trip. It was exciting to see God working in the lives of so many people.
The trip was fully funded and I was able to give some money to the school for leadership development and to the Bernhardts for their ministry in Indonesia. While I was there I also gave books from my personal library to Pastor Maryono, Kim Linegar (US History and Bible Teacher), and Mike MacLean (Music Teacher). I also left music for “Hail to the King” and will be sending some of my original songs and arrangements to the church and the school.
Things for you to pray about include:
1. Pray for the local church (GJKI – The Christian Church in Indonesia) and for Pastor Maryono as they share the good news with people in Salatiga.
2. Pray for Pastor Maryono’s brother Martino who is spearheading the house church movement in Salatiga.
3. Pray for Pastor Maryono and his wife as they raise 2-year-old Samuel. God miraculously provided the pastor’s home for Samuel when he was born to a young woman who could not raise Samuel herself.
4. Pray for the female Islamic student Okta, as the Holy Spirit is working in her life to bring her to Salvation in Christ.
5. Pray for the English professor Hamam, as he seeks to come to the US to complete his doctorate. I believe the Holy Spirit is working in Hamam’s life as well.
6. Pray for the Indonesian Christians during the rest of September, which is the Islamic holy month, Ramadan.
7. Pray for Gideon, the gamelan instructor who uses his skill with the traditional Javanese instruments and shadow puppets to present the gospel of Christ in the local villages.
8. Pray for the Worship Seminar participants and the Mountainview students who lead worship on a regular basis, that they may be able to lead God’s people together in worship.
9. Pray for Salab Putih, the Christian retreat center in Salatiga, as they are coming under political attack to give up much of their land to the Islamic community so that a mosque can be built in its place.
10. Pray for the 9th Grade Bible Class at Mountainview that they will develop a passion for the Word of God.
11. Pray for Jeremy, the speaker for the youth retreat, and his wife as they prepare to move to a remote island in Indonesia to be missionaries to a formerly un-reached people group.
12. Pray for the 11th and 12th Grade Leadership Class as they develop their leadership skills and prepare to use those skills to advance the kingdom of God.
13. Pray for my small group of 7th Graders at Mountainview. They are experiencing the newness of school and/or the newness of boarding at school. Pray that God will help them assimilate into the school and that they will develop good Christian friendships.
14. Pray for the college-aged friends of Sharon and Casey as they try to live a Christian life in a predominately Muslim nation.
15. Pray for the staff at Mountinview International Christian School as they minister to students from several nations.
16. Pray for Sharon, Casey, Ryan, Niko, and a new little Bernhardt to be born in a few months as they have committed to serving Christ in Indonesia. Pray for their financial provision and for their protection as they are both Christian and foreigners.
Some Of Things I Gained By Traveling To Indonesia
A deeper understanding of our freedom in Christ. We talk about our freedom from the bondage to sin and that is a wonderful freedom, but it is not the extent of our freedom. We are also freed from the law, freed from do’s and don’ts.
When we give to someone in need, we are not trying to earn entry into heaven, or a bigger mansion when we get there. Christ has purchased our entry into heaven, and He is preparing a place for us even now. When we give, we are free to give out of the compassion the God has placed in our hearts – no strings attached, no ulterior motives.
The freedom that we have is a freedom to respond to God’s call or people’s needs out of love and compassion alone, without the burden of trying to earn positive points for judgment day.
A deep love for the people of Indonesia and an insight into God’s love for all people. It’s hard to explain but after a few short hours in Indonesia I had developed a deep passion for the people of Indonesia. It was a supernatural love, not based on personal observations or relationships. It was the love of God for these people, being lived out in my heart.
With this new found passion, I also re-imagined God’s passion for all people. There are people in Bulgaria that God loves deeply; there are people in Orissa, India that God loves passionately; there are people in Henry County, Indiana that are deeply loved by God. Our job is to find those people and tell them of His love.
A clearer concept of how we should minister to Muslims. By explaining our freedom from the law and our freedom to serve others, we can highlight the bondage that Islam brings to its people. We can also share that God is both transcendent (very other, very removed from us) and imminent (very near, very intimate with us). He wants to hear our concerns and our sorrows. He wants to share in our joys and triumphs. Prayer is more than a scripted exercise five times a day; it is communion with God Almighty, our Creator and Friend.
A fuller understanding of the power and work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God is at work in our lives and in our world. He goes before us as we minister and comes behind us when we leave or are called away. He is at work in a female teenaged student of Islam. He is at work in the English professor at the Islamic University. He is at work in the church in Salatiga. He is at work in the heart of an unwed mother. He is at work in the prayer life of a busy pastor. He is at work in the dreams of a frightened 7th grader. He is at work in the study of a US history teacher. He is at work in the Karate training sessions of a Muslim guard. He is at work in the homes of missionaries around the globe. He is at work in the busy, sometimes frantic preparation of a music minister from New Castle.
A clearer understanding that passion is a result of our interaction and communion with God. Passion is a gift that God gives us as we explore His heart, read from His word, and listen to His Holy Spirit. We can then use this gift to fuel our work in the harvest of souls. As a result we give the gift back to God and the cycle begins anew. Passion is a gift FROM God and a gift FOR God, and is a direct result of our interaction and communion with God. If you want to develop a godly passion, spend time with Him.
A lower tolerance for spiritually-autistic Christians. We have nothing to complain about; especially as American Christians. We are often consumed by the latest fad, or hottest news story, or brightest star in Hollywood. Many of the things that consume our time and finances are simply here for a time and tomorrow they will be gone. Even our finances themselves are destined to fade away. We are blessed beyond measure, but we are often ignorant of the needs that our time and finances could help resolve. We will not be found innocent on that day when Jesus says, “I was naked and you did not clothe me, I was hungry . . .” What are we holding on to? Why are we holding on to them? Are we finding security, or fulfillment, or joy in something, or someplace, or someone other than Christ?
Thanks again for making it possible for me to travel to Indonesia. It is a beautiful country full of people that God loves deeply. Thanks for your prayers. There was never a moment that I felt afraid or unprotected. Thanks for your support of Cheryl and the girls. It was a long time for me to be gone, and I’m sure that your prayers helped sustain them in my absence.
During a final interview last Tuesday, Annaliese, the journalism student at Mountainview, asked me if I felt I had completed all that God wanted me to do In Indonesia. That question sounded a little too final to me. Yes, I believe I was faithful in doing everything God wanted me to do. But I would not be surprised if, instead of the final Indonesian chapter, this is chapter one in a larger story. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us in the coming days!
You can find more trip pictures at my Facebook Page (http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=504321719).
They are also posted at my Flickr.com Page (http://www.flickr.com/photos/curtisferrell/)
If you want to support Sharon and Casey or Mountainview International Christian School, let me know in the comment section and I'll forward their contact information.
The trip was fully funded and I was able to give some money to the school for leadership development and to the Bernhardts for their ministry in Indonesia. While I was there I also gave books from my personal library to Pastor Maryono, Kim Linegar (US History and Bible Teacher), and Mike MacLean (Music Teacher). I also left music for “Hail to the King” and will be sending some of my original songs and arrangements to the church and the school.
Things for you to pray about include:
1. Pray for the local church (GJKI – The Christian Church in Indonesia) and for Pastor Maryono as they share the good news with people in Salatiga.
2. Pray for Pastor Maryono’s brother Martino who is spearheading the house church movement in Salatiga.
3. Pray for Pastor Maryono and his wife as they raise 2-year-old Samuel. God miraculously provided the pastor’s home for Samuel when he was born to a young woman who could not raise Samuel herself.
4. Pray for the female Islamic student Okta, as the Holy Spirit is working in her life to bring her to Salvation in Christ.
5. Pray for the English professor Hamam, as he seeks to come to the US to complete his doctorate. I believe the Holy Spirit is working in Hamam’s life as well.
6. Pray for the Indonesian Christians during the rest of September, which is the Islamic holy month, Ramadan.
7. Pray for Gideon, the gamelan instructor who uses his skill with the traditional Javanese instruments and shadow puppets to present the gospel of Christ in the local villages.
8. Pray for the Worship Seminar participants and the Mountainview students who lead worship on a regular basis, that they may be able to lead God’s people together in worship.
9. Pray for Salab Putih, the Christian retreat center in Salatiga, as they are coming under political attack to give up much of their land to the Islamic community so that a mosque can be built in its place.
10. Pray for the 9th Grade Bible Class at Mountainview that they will develop a passion for the Word of God.
11. Pray for Jeremy, the speaker for the youth retreat, and his wife as they prepare to move to a remote island in Indonesia to be missionaries to a formerly un-reached people group.
12. Pray for the 11th and 12th Grade Leadership Class as they develop their leadership skills and prepare to use those skills to advance the kingdom of God.
13. Pray for my small group of 7th Graders at Mountainview. They are experiencing the newness of school and/or the newness of boarding at school. Pray that God will help them assimilate into the school and that they will develop good Christian friendships.
14. Pray for the college-aged friends of Sharon and Casey as they try to live a Christian life in a predominately Muslim nation.
15. Pray for the staff at Mountinview International Christian School as they minister to students from several nations.
16. Pray for Sharon, Casey, Ryan, Niko, and a new little Bernhardt to be born in a few months as they have committed to serving Christ in Indonesia. Pray for their financial provision and for their protection as they are both Christian and foreigners.
Some Of Things I Gained By Traveling To Indonesia
A deeper understanding of our freedom in Christ. We talk about our freedom from the bondage to sin and that is a wonderful freedom, but it is not the extent of our freedom. We are also freed from the law, freed from do’s and don’ts.
When we give to someone in need, we are not trying to earn entry into heaven, or a bigger mansion when we get there. Christ has purchased our entry into heaven, and He is preparing a place for us even now. When we give, we are free to give out of the compassion the God has placed in our hearts – no strings attached, no ulterior motives.
The freedom that we have is a freedom to respond to God’s call or people’s needs out of love and compassion alone, without the burden of trying to earn positive points for judgment day.
A deep love for the people of Indonesia and an insight into God’s love for all people. It’s hard to explain but after a few short hours in Indonesia I had developed a deep passion for the people of Indonesia. It was a supernatural love, not based on personal observations or relationships. It was the love of God for these people, being lived out in my heart.
With this new found passion, I also re-imagined God’s passion for all people. There are people in Bulgaria that God loves deeply; there are people in Orissa, India that God loves passionately; there are people in Henry County, Indiana that are deeply loved by God. Our job is to find those people and tell them of His love.
A clearer concept of how we should minister to Muslims. By explaining our freedom from the law and our freedom to serve others, we can highlight the bondage that Islam brings to its people. We can also share that God is both transcendent (very other, very removed from us) and imminent (very near, very intimate with us). He wants to hear our concerns and our sorrows. He wants to share in our joys and triumphs. Prayer is more than a scripted exercise five times a day; it is communion with God Almighty, our Creator and Friend.
A fuller understanding of the power and work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God is at work in our lives and in our world. He goes before us as we minister and comes behind us when we leave or are called away. He is at work in a female teenaged student of Islam. He is at work in the English professor at the Islamic University. He is at work in the church in Salatiga. He is at work in the heart of an unwed mother. He is at work in the prayer life of a busy pastor. He is at work in the dreams of a frightened 7th grader. He is at work in the study of a US history teacher. He is at work in the Karate training sessions of a Muslim guard. He is at work in the homes of missionaries around the globe. He is at work in the busy, sometimes frantic preparation of a music minister from New Castle.
A clearer understanding that passion is a result of our interaction and communion with God. Passion is a gift that God gives us as we explore His heart, read from His word, and listen to His Holy Spirit. We can then use this gift to fuel our work in the harvest of souls. As a result we give the gift back to God and the cycle begins anew. Passion is a gift FROM God and a gift FOR God, and is a direct result of our interaction and communion with God. If you want to develop a godly passion, spend time with Him.
A lower tolerance for spiritually-autistic Christians. We have nothing to complain about; especially as American Christians. We are often consumed by the latest fad, or hottest news story, or brightest star in Hollywood. Many of the things that consume our time and finances are simply here for a time and tomorrow they will be gone. Even our finances themselves are destined to fade away. We are blessed beyond measure, but we are often ignorant of the needs that our time and finances could help resolve. We will not be found innocent on that day when Jesus says, “I was naked and you did not clothe me, I was hungry . . .” What are we holding on to? Why are we holding on to them? Are we finding security, or fulfillment, or joy in something, or someplace, or someone other than Christ?
Thanks again for making it possible for me to travel to Indonesia. It is a beautiful country full of people that God loves deeply. Thanks for your prayers. There was never a moment that I felt afraid or unprotected. Thanks for your support of Cheryl and the girls. It was a long time for me to be gone, and I’m sure that your prayers helped sustain them in my absence.
During a final interview last Tuesday, Annaliese, the journalism student at Mountainview, asked me if I felt I had completed all that God wanted me to do In Indonesia. That question sounded a little too final to me. Yes, I believe I was faithful in doing everything God wanted me to do. But I would not be surprised if, instead of the final Indonesian chapter, this is chapter one in a larger story. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us in the coming days!
You can find more trip pictures at my Facebook Page (http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=504321719).
They are also posted at my Flickr.com Page (http://www.flickr.com/photos/curtisferrell/)
If you want to support Sharon and Casey or Mountainview International Christian School, let me know in the comment section and I'll forward their contact information.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Journal - September 13, 2008
1:05 PM – Finally got to Indy around 11:00 am on Thursday. So here’s a recap of the last few hours of our travel.
The flight from Taipei to LAX went farther north than the trip over. We crossed very near Korea and flew just south of the Aleutian Islands along Alaska’s southwest tip. Then it was down along the west coast flying over San Francisco. The landing at LAX was the smoothest I’ve experienced ever! Can you say, “Butter!”?
At the Security checkpoint in LAX they confiscated my toothpaste, shaving cream, and pocket knife. Yes, I was stupid and put my pocket knife in my carry-on bag instead of my checked bag. A pocket knife in carry-on on September 11? I guess I was more tired than I thought.
The flight from Dallas to Indy was delayed for a few minutes because of a “minor” maintenance issue. Never found out specifically what it was but I’m glad they fixed it. The flight took off as the sun was rising for the second time in less than 24 hours.
That was very weird. We took off from Taipei, Taiwan around 11:00 PM on September 10 and landed in LA at around 8:00 PM on September 10. So we landed three hours before we took off. We took off and landed in the dark, but over the Pacific Ocean we saw the sun rise and set during a trip that lasted less than 14 hours.
Anyway, the flight to Indy was beautiful. We flew over the clouds and I got some great pictures and video. As we approached the airport we flew right over the Indianapolis Speedway and I got a couple of shots from the air.
Cheryl greeted me at the airport and was very teary-eyed to see me. It was good to be home.
After traveling to New Castle and taking a shower, we went to the respective schools to pick up Emily and then Kaitlyn. Big hugs were on everyone’s agenda. I’ll post a trip wrap-up entry soon.
You can find more trip pictures at my Facebook Page (http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=504321719).
They are also posted at my Flickr.com Page (http://www.flickr.com/photos/curtisferrell/)
Thanks for reading!
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