RAMBO

 

At age 61 Sly Stallone is at it again!   The movie RAMBO has not met with great critic reviews.  Nothing new there!   What is amazing that at 61, SS has resurrected the RAMBO character and plays the lead!   (Don’t tune me out…just yet…I am going somewhere with this!)

I have read here-and-there and seen a rare TV news media report about genocidal atrocities  in various parts of the world.   It is difficult living in our protected cocoon of the U.S.A. and fully understand how HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS of people throughout the world are being enslaved, tortured, raped, butchered and forgotten!    And a large percentage of these atrocities are against CHRISTIANS in those ’un-civilizations’.

In RWANDA in recent years the estimate is that hundreds of thousands of Christians have been tortured and put to death.   Recently some 20 churches were burned in that ethnic cleansing.  At least two in which Christian families, moms, dads and children,  were herded inside and burned alive.

I admit, I did not fully comprehend the suffering that our Lord endured for me until I saw Mel Gibson’s production “The Passion of The Christ“!   It was hard to watch.   Theater goers wept openly.  Me, too.  After that graphic protrayal I had, and still have, an awe and deeper sense of how horrific Jesus’ suffering was for me! 

And now, RAMBO has a had a similar effect on me. The scenes were vividly, shockingly, realistic.  The language – rough; the violence – graphic; and the scenes -disturbing. I experienced a wide range of emotions by the conclusion of the film.   Not unlike my feelings and thoughts after “The Passion”. But this time it was a focus on another place(s) and people I’ve never met and never will this side of Heaven!   My heart has been stirred.  

Thus is the effect of the celluloid in our lives.  The axiom is that “A picture is worth a thousand words”.    And amplifying that then perhaps “A moving picture is worth ten-thousand words.” ! 

 I’ve been to other countries. Among them Russia and Nigeria, and though our travels and stay were tenuous at times, the campaigns there were ‘peaceful’.  Any threat of harm never seemed present. 

In RAMBO the scene is set in modern day BURMA where thousands of the Karen People are being exterminated daily (an actual fact).   It is estimated that there has been a population of between four and five million of these ethnic tribal peoples living in the eastern region of Burma.  And, about 40% of them are our brothers and sisters in Christ!   This genocide follows the “Program to Destroy the Christian Religion” set up by the current dictatorial (and diabolical) Burmese Military Government a few years ago.

The WITNESS organizaation,  a leading authority on international Christian persecutions,, affirms in the last 21 years of the genocide in Burma that approximately 1.5 MILLION people have been killed.  That would translate to nearly six hundred thousand Christians being slaughtered!   That would be approximately 30,000 a year – almost a 600 a week….about a hundred Christians dying daily!  Try to put your mind, and heart, around that number which includes men, women, children and babies!

Add to that number the persecutions and murders of Christians in other countries and the death toll becomes too staggering to believe.   There are TEN COUNTRIES in which Christians are an ‘endangered species’.  And, although we hear, read and see alot about endangered snails, owls, toads, etc., we NEVER see the media getting worked up over THOUSANDS OF CHRISTIANS BEING SLAUGHTERED EACH WEEK!  One Human Rights group reflecting on world genocide estimates that in the last 25 years as many as 50 million people worldwide may have been killed in national terror campaigns against various faith and ethnic groups.   And add to that, hundreds of millions are victims of slavery, persecutions, imprisonment and personal atrocities, especially against women and children!

Of those TEN MOST DANGEROUS COUNTRIES FOR CHRISTIANS….Six are Islamic governments, three are Communist governments (No. Korea, China & Laos), one is Buddist.  (So much for the ‘peace loving’ monks!)

In NORTH KOREA there are an estimated 200,000 Christians who worship God ‘underground’.   And there are purported to be approximately 50,000 Christians in prison being tortured and starved to death for simply worshipping God!! 

The SUDAN has had an “unHoly War” for 25 years conducted by the Abrab/Muslim controlled government of northern Sudan, a Jihad, against the black population of the southern region, composed mostly of Christians.  It is conservatively estimated that OVER TWO MILLION black Sudanese have been eradicated in the most horrible of ways.  It is estimated FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND MAY HAVE STARVED TO DEATH!   

RAMBO?   It is an ‘over-the-top’, graphic production!   Typical RAMBO fare.  Rambo goes into Burma to rescue a Christian missionary team from Colorado.   Very graphically it shows those (Karen People) who, in their village, have been worshipping God, hearing a sermon about “Jesus Christ”, reading their Bibles, being treated by the medical missionaries – are suddenly and without warning, slaughtered!   The visuals are horrific!  Not for the squeamish or queasy stomachs.   And, the scenes may leave you with a mental, and maybe spiritual, imprint of how troubled our world really is in our seemingly modern, out-of-touch, comfortable age.  We really live in a ‘bubble’ above much of the rest of the troubled world. 

If you do go see it don’t let the movie’s savage scenes of  carnage and slaughter overwhelm you so that you forget…..THIS IS GOING ON SOMEWHERE IN THE WORLD ….as you munch your popcorn and sip your beverage in a comfortable theater seat. And then we all go home to a snack in a comfortable house and bed to match.  The tragic truth is that for millions of Christians,  there is NO RAMBO to the rescue!   People just die, daily, horrible deaths for THEIR FAITH!

The CRITICS ‘hate’ RAMBO!  Go to any Goggle site and pull up critical reviews.   Almost to-the-critic it is slammed!   No, it  is not an Academy Award quality movie. (It is an intense ‘action flick’.)  It is not going to be nominated for any favorable award!   Not from Hollywood.

And, especially, not with CHRISTIANS being portrayed as ministering to the forgotten people of the world and in the name of  “Jesus Christ”, willing to die for their beliefs!  Not the Hollywood you and I’ve come to know and to …….well, hardly love - anymore!   

In the critics’ reviews, I believe,  ”RAMBO” is much like “THE BUCKET LIST“, exclude the violence and the X-rated expletives.  ”Bucket List“ is a good movie that depicts how those without faith in God face death is contrasted with those with faith. And it was/is condemned and damned by the majority of critics also.  “God” was talked about favorably.  “Faith” was a key element in the movie’s theme.  And, a family held hands and gave thanks to God for their meal!!!  And, they live ”happily ever-after”, with Heaven on the other side of the horizon.

 ARRRGGGGHHH!!! It’s more than Hollywood and the critics can stand!  

RAMBO is different in that those who do such things….pray, give thanks, worship, talk about their faith ….are slaughtered!    Oh well, so much for the rest of the world.   Where are we going to eat after the movie?   

And, sleep well tonight………………much of the Christian ‘world’ isn’t!  

Maybe we add them to our “pray for these, too“, list. 

YOU GAVE ME A MOUNTAIN

“You Gave Me A Mountain”

    Brenda was almost halfway to the top of the tremendous granite
cliff. She was standing on a ledge where she was taking a breather
during this, her first rock climb. As she rested there, the safety rope
snapped against her eye and knocked out her contact lens.    ”Great”, she thought. “Here I am on a rock ledge, hundreds of feet
from the bottom and hundreds of feet to the top of this cliff, and now
my sight is blurry.”

   She looked and looked, hoping that somehow it had landed on the
ledge. But it just wasn’t there. She felt the panic rising in her, so
she began praying. She prayed for calm, and she prayed that she may find
her contact lens.

   When she got to the top, a friend examined her eye and her clothing
for the lens, but it was not to be found. Although she was calm now that
she was at the top, she was saddened because she could not clearly see
across the range of mountains. She thought of the bible verse “The eyes
of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth.”

   She thought, “Lord, You can see all these mountains. You know every
stone and leaf, and You know exactly where my contact lens is. Please
help me.”

   Later, when they had hiked down the trail to the bottom of the
cliff they met another party of climbers just starting up the face of
the cliff. One of them shouted out, “Hey, you guys! Anybody lose a
contact lens?”

   Well, that would be startling enough, but you know why the climber
saw it? An ant was moving slowly across a twig on the face of the rock,
carrying it!

   The story doesn’t end there. Brenda’s father is a cartoonist. When
she told him the incredible story of the ant, the prayer, and the
contact lens, he drew a cartoon of an ant lugging that contact lens with
the caption, “Lord, I don’t know why You want me to carry this thing. I
can’t eat it, and it’s awfully heavy. But if this is what You want me to
do, I’ll carry it for You.”

   I think it would do all of us some good to say, “God, I don’t know
why You want me to carry this load. I can see no good in it and it’s
awfully heavy.  But, if You want me to carry it, I will.”

   God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

   Yes, I do love GOD.  He is my source of existence and my Savior.  He
keeps me functioning each and every day. Without Him, I am nothing, but
with Him….I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.
(Phil. 4:13)

   Linda Ramsey

‘QUIET STENGTH’ – Book Review

• SOUL FOOD BOOK REVIEW  - by Carl W. Wade 

   I wrote this book review for a Bible class.  I highly recommend this excellent book! 

Title:  Quiet Strength – The Principles, Practices, & Priorities of a Winning Life.

Author: Tony Dungy (with Nathan Whitaker); 301 pages

Available:  Any bookstore. (BAM price appx $19)

Important facts: 

• #1 on New York Times list (8/13);
• Dungy listed in “100 Most Influential People” in 2006, Time Mag;
• Cam Cameron, Coach of Miami Dolphins purchased 1,000 copies to distribute to coaches across the nation. 

Observation:  Leading the Indianapolis Colts to win the Super Bowl XLI, Tony Dungy made history as the first African American coach to take home the Super Bowl Trophy.  He has overcome many obstacles, trials and challenges to achieve success in life, both on and off the football field.   In his memoirs, Dungy shares the secrets to his unique leadership style and how his life remained focused on his faith in Jesus Christ in both losses and victories.  This is book is NOT just about winning in football…it is the journey of a Godly man to achieve victory in a sport that is not known for Christian virtues or values!

 Excerpts:  “The competing views of success in our world often create an interesting tension.  Society tends to define success in terms of accomplishments and awards, material possessions, and profit margins.  In the football business, winning is the only thing at matters.”           

“God’s Word, however, presents a different definition of success – one centered on a relationship with Jesus Christ and a love for God that allows us to love and serve others. ….If we get caught up in chasing what the world defines as success, we can use our time and talent to do some great things.  We might even become famous. But in the end, what will mean?”           

“God’s definition of success is really one of significance – the significant difference our lives can make in the lives of others….It’s found in the hearts and lives of those we’ve come across who are in some way better because of the way we lived.”           

Upon winning the Super Bowl, Coach Dungy believed that he had been brought to that pinnacle of success to give God the glory!   In the televised interview at the conclusion of the game he said to a worldwide audience,  “…I think God orchestrated this in such a way that we can’t take credit for it.  We just want to thank Him for giving us the strength to preserve.”             

 In his book he adds, “With the Lord beside me, I felt certain that whatever was suppose to happen was going to happen.  He didn’t call me to be successful in the world’s eyes; He called me to be faithful!”

Whether you’re a sports fan, football fan or not.  This is a meaningful book about how one of the most ‘successful’ men in world achieved the pinnacle of his profession by maintaining a faithful focus on his Lord and Savior.   Especially excellent for fathers and sons in a highly competive world – at school and on the job! 

HOW DO I KNOW I’M ASKING ACCORDING TO HIS WILL?

I’ve come to realize in my life (and it’s taken me a while) that this title is asking the ‘wrong’ , or at least the ‘incorrect’, question.  It really misses the mark.  I ask Him about my job, my security, my happiness, ’I’ gotta be ‘fulfilled’, so, should I do ‘this’…. or ‘that’?   Lovers ask it seeking the ‘right’ decision for the ‘right’ martial partner, someone who will ‘fulfill’ us.  The unemployed, or unhappily employed, ask it for guidance to find the ‘right’, (i.e.,fulfilling and lucrative) career opportunty.   We seek “HIS” will in relocating; buying a house; shopping for a car; finding another church (where we can be ‘fulfilled’), should we have baby (and, When?) or should we have another one; stay married or divorce (gotta be ‘fulfilled’); etc., etc, ad infinitum..” !   Many of us spend a lot of time seeking God’s Will in our life for we’re certain (we ‘hope’) we’ll at last be ‘fulfilled’.

Andrew Murray penned it so well, “The seeker with HIS EYES AND HEART ON GOD ALONE, will refuse to to rest until he has believed what our Lord bids him, that he has received” (The Ministry of Intercession). Why can’t I remember, “Do not worry……Seek you first ….His righteousness…and all these things will be given to you….” Jesus (Matt 5:31 – 34).  Hello!?  Is anybody home!?  There’s the precious promise for my life’s security, well-being and fulfillment!

Jesus admonished us seekers of divine guidance to “Believe that you receive what you ask.”  We  have a plethora of requests and agonize…”Is this according to ‘Your will be done’…in my life?”   We worry we’re going to displease Him or err in our judgement and subsequent decision.  And….sometimes…or often times…we do!

In our myriad of life’s requests….we are never quite sure we’re ‘in His will’…we have begun at the starting line…but in the wrong direction!   It is NOT getting the divine answer that is paramont….for often even when we make ‘it’ we’re still not quite sure it’s ‘His will’.  

 Andrew Murray crystallized it for me, “The spiritual, heavenly blessing of God’s answer to your prayers must be spiritually recognized and accepted before you feel anything of it.  It is faith that accomplishes this.  A soul that NOT ONLY SEEKS AN ANSWER, BUT SEEKS FIRST THE GOD WHO GIVES THE ANSWER, receives the power to know that it has what it has asked of Him.  If the soul knows that it has asked according to His will and promises, that it has come to and FOUND HIMSELF TO GIVE IT, then it does believe that it has received.  ‘We know that He hears us’ (1 John 5:15).”  (Emphasis, mine -cw)

WHAM!  That hit me between my spiritual eyes!  I need to get off of ‘looking for the right answer’!  IT’S NOT THE ANSWER I NEED….IT IS MY ‘FATHER’ I MUST HAVE!  He wants a loving relationship with me……not just be doling out answers and blessings to me as some charity case!   I NEED TO BE SEEKING HIM, EVERYDAY IN EVERYWAY!   He’ll take care of the answers!   Hey!  He’s my ‘dad’!  It’s His job!

For so long I have been seeking, begging, pleading, agonizing for the answers!   All the while my loving, gracious “Abba, Father” has been wanting me just to SEEK HIM not just His ‘treasures’!   You see, when HE is my FOCUS, when HE is my GOAL, when HE is my WALK,  when HE becomes BREATH, AIR, PULSE to me…. the ONE whom I cannot live without – EACH DAY.. then I “have what I ask“.   Because I have Him!

 My decisions?  Inconsequential.   They are because HE is to be my life’s blood and passion.  And, I, like a little boy holding his Father’s hand as they walk through a dark wood, though he may have apprehension of their surroundings and what might be lurking in the shadows, he has complete and utter trust in the one who holds his hand!  Because the Father knows the way and has only good in store for his “little children” (Rom 8:16, 28). 

To me my 0bjective in my daily walk is not in discerning answers  but in desiring Him who has the answers…..all of them!  And, He has the answers even before I know the questions!  I am to “Seek, first, God…”, and HE blesses my ‘seeking’!  

(Oh yes….the picture with this little treatise?  Kinda reminded me of Moses on Mt Sinai . He was there seeking God and the people below were seeking their own answers and fulfillment.)

HOW GOD MAKES A PEARL!

Gold, Diamonds, Silver, Rubies, Emerald, all precious gems and metals come from lifeless, cold sources.  Those items of great monetary value are mined out of the dark recesses of the earth.  Except for one!    Only one gem , to my knowledge, comes from living flesh, the Pearl. 

 A foreign object, an irritant, somehow enters the shell of a mollusk, usually an oyster.   And in a protective reaction to the ‘pain’ the shell fish begins to form a coating of ‘nacre’ around the irritant, i.e. a grain of sand, a tiny piece of shell, food particle, etc.  The ‘nacre’ creates the luster of the forming Pearl.  It becomes a beautiful and valued gem.  Natural pearls – as opposed to man-made, may take from one to 7 years.  The longer the time from irritant entrance to harvest produces a larger pearl.   

In this earthly flesh we encounter many irritants that bring pain.  For the Christian these irritants become God’s way of making a Pearl!  We struggle to protect ourselves, and our loved ones, from trials, suffering…any pain or discomfort.  Yet, the Word teaches us that these very painful occurrences God will take and make something beautiful and valuable in our lives a gem.  

James wrote (1:2-3) that we should consider ‘trials’ and ‘suffering’…’of many kinds’… with ‘joy’!   Why?  How?  It is because God is creating a thing of beauty in our life.  James continues, “…the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete.” Ahh, a thing of beauty from a time of trial. 

Paul penned that we should ‘rejoice in our sufferings’!  These ‘sufferings’ – irritants – work to God’s purpose and glory in our lives!   He continues, “because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us….”(Rom 5:3-5).  Another of God’s Pearls! 

I’m like you….I resist, fight against, wrestle with, struggle, pray, complain, cry, brood, and question ‘Why?’, ‘Why?’… etc., etc., at the painful irritants in my life.  I just need to keep my focus on what I don’t see during the ‘spiritual’ nacre process…and that is the finished gem God is creating within me. I just wish…and pray…He wouldn’t take so long!  But, that’s not my call.  

Hey!  One day I’ll be a shining, valuable gem!   Now, that’ll be an improvement! 

PULL UP YOUR PANTS!

 

Three cheers!….Hooray!…Kuddos, Galore!   Who for?   Davidson County (Nashville, Tn) Criminal Court Judge Cheryl Blackburn.   

 Why?  She recently set new standards for a dress code in her courtroom.  With defendants and friends showing up in her courtroom in all types of ‘undress’ – i.e. no bras, indecent shorts, see-throughs, ‘wife beater’ T-shirts, baggy ‘show yo butt’ jeans, etc….she said “ENOUGH!”

Posted on the entrance door to her court decrees there are to be no sagging pants, no low-riders (male or female), no do-rags, tank tops, short-shorts, bandanas, hairnets or hoods.  Also, no visible undergarments, see-through clothes, no bare backs, strappy tops, no chests or bare midrifts!   As one attorney added, “Really, no one wants to see your butt!”

MAY HER TRIBE INCREASE!   

She says, “It’s one thing to come to court in dirty clothes because you just got off work. 
It’s another thing to come into court because you’re disrespectful!”  

Wait……what’s that I hear?   Sounds like the loading and cocking of judicial lawsuit guns from the ACLU camp!  

WHAT MAKES A DAD?

God took the strength of a mountain,

The majesty of a tree,

The warmth of a summer sun,

The calm of a quiet sea,

The generous soul of nature,

The comforting arm of night,

The wisdom of the ages,

The power of the Eagles in flight,

The joy of a morning in Spring,

The faith of a mustard seed,

The patience of eternity,

The depth of a family need,

Then God combined these qualities,

When there was nothing more to add,

He knew His masterpiece was complete,

And so, He called it…….. DAD. 

(author – unknown)