LORDsDAY extra 12-03-07 Richard Roberts has stepped down as president of ORU and Ive been recalling my move to Tulsa before it was there as a university in '72. As pastor of St.Mark's UMC, I was way over in E. Tulsa where a David Green from OKC had started his business with a big neon sign on it saying "J Hop." Never got hia meaning clear in my mind, but I met him and was invited to a session he led on the Godly way to become wealthy. His premise was that Christians should control money so that it was used for God's work. Maybe it was the Jesus hop/e to the top. There was no charge for the session and he planted a perspective in my mind which contadicted the teaching I'd accepted about money. I'd thought of lacking cash as being a more Godly level of existence after what Jesus said about the rich, young ruler). Green said money was neither good nor evil, but a tool to be used either way. His ambition was to become the richest man on earth and us it for the Kingdom of Christ. I just read in the OKlahoman about the Hobby Lobbys he began back then, and which confirmed that he was now one of the most wealthy. He considered retailing his calling and making money as his way to serve the Lord; that "stewardship" was his opportunity and he'd have to give to the needy to fulfill it. Now he and his son, Mart, are going to bail out ORU with a 70 million dollar donation. That's stewardship to the uttermost, I'd say. Mart has assessed the situation as a need for "new governance." When Richard Roberts resigned, he came forward with eight million, with the rest to come later. But when Richard reported his self-sacrifice, he again denied the charges those three professors had made against him of spending donated funds on his home and family. Now his lack of confession despite resignaton may yet be a barrier to getting the other 62 million as I see it. Though he claims the Lord told him to do so, I feel sure those Greens are not going to be naive. And they may know the Lord even better, financially. And I wonder why would our Lord GOD tell a faithful servant to be removed from his position of infuence and leadership unless he'd somehow discredited himself? SoLong, JosephA
ANGELFIRE 12-05-07 Wasn't it a treat to see our 9th place OU Sooners go down in TX to San Antonio and beat the first place Missouri Tigers for that Big 12 championship. Makes me think of the glory days that began for OU as I was leaving there for SMU and seminary in '49. Bud Wilkerson had come to coach and what a record he would set of national championships! Recently I read a Centennial newspaper insert summarizing coaches and their records in our Sooner state. And guess who was the all time number one coach. Yes Bud (and before that meant a beer). My first trip abroad as a young minister was to England in '66. Back then OK was still seen as a hicks/sticks sort place like AR, where folks might not wear shoes and were likely to live in wig wams. But there in London they did also know of our football fame. Therefore I was proud to be an Okie, which was a change from my teen days when I'd worked in two CA shipyards before I joined the navy in '45. The name Okie still carried a stigma out there, so we troed tp keep our identity secret from those "native sons." Then the OU Sooners turned that negative image upside down. Thus I see great recognition gained for our state from that collegiate sport. Not professional football, as that's another story to me. It's just all about money and the corruptions that always slink into monetary matters (devil's game). I'm glad the football in this state isn't for pay but for true sportsmanship. The fact is that the NFL has now suffered four murders of it's team members, all 24 year old blacks. Could that be a satanic sign, ANGELFIRE asks? Maybe it's time for America to back off from the commercial leagues in athletics. While not Scripture, I still an recalling: "When the great Score Keeper comes to mark about your name, He writes not that you won or lost, but how you played the game." So I'd like to see OU's Sooners under Coach Stoops as America's national champions once again. Yet there's a good thing the pros introduced onto the field, which was kneeling in thanks to the Lord by some who made touchdowns. Don't recall Sooners doing that, and maybe it's a little over the line. Yet such a testimony to Christ Jesus could touch down on someone's heart, and turn them from sin. Wasn't it Jesus who said that there is more rejoicing in heaven among the angels over one lost soul down here on the field that repents than for a stadium full of 9,900 who feel no need of salvation (my translation). So let's keep the faith, sisters and brothers, until He returns in triumph!! JosephA
ANGELFIRE 12-07-07 As I write on this 66th anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day, I'm somehow impressed that internationally we are linked all over the globe by numbers. That's the language everyone speaks. Thus, the only meanings they convey are what we impart to them. Otherwise you get into numerology, an occult "science" in which ANGELFIRE wants no part. Yet I must note that 66 has been the settled total for books in the Bible ever since the Reformation; 39 of OT and 27 in the New (14 of apocrypha in between that are seldom published). Now 12/7 shocked America into WW II way back in '41 just as 9/11 launched this War Against Terrorism since '01. And the Bible on this 66th year describes man's story which we see yet unfolding. That's why we need to read it every day, laying aside so much excessive other literature/TV/videos/etc. That's what has fostered an attitude that other books can be equated with our BOOK of books: Qur'an, Tanaka, Science&Health, Vedas, Scientology, Mormon and others sacred to various groups. This 66th anniversary makes me consider how different our "war of faiths" is from WW II, though both are against the enemies of freedom. In that former time our allegiance was to the One Almighty ruler of history as we rallied against Satan seen in Germany and Japan. Now the devil has infiltrated our own affairs until we have to be on guard from rampant craziness at home over and above the war abroad. In fact, it's quite Biblical, as Jesus taught in the Lord's Prayer, "lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one." We've had a pious tradition of Baptists, Methodists and Pentecostals (Catholic & Protestant) in America, wherein the LDS now seek to list themselves. Yet true evangelical pietism is based solidly on Scripture, no more and no less. Piousity is an artificial pose that fools all too many. It's the showing of religiosity rather than real inner obedience. And the last verse of Revelation (book #66 in the Bible) warns of a curse upon those who "add to or take away from this Book." That sounds like the teams of male youths we see going from door to door to promote a supplementary Bible addition, and is spiritually dangerous. Therefore, an opening of the White House to such colossal influence would shock like both 12/7 and 9/11 combined, as I see it. Which book would he lay his hand on for the oath as he was being sworn into office?
LORD'sDAY extra 12-09-07 I just watched Jack Pack's devotional that open's his weekly music show. It's always an inspiration and I recall the program he allowed me on KJCS last year, "Song With Spoken Word." That was a blessed experience for me then, but now I only sing at the WW Nursing Homes & LARC. Will be heading there very shortly now. So let me tell about watching C-SPAN's replay last night of Lighting the National Menorah that began Hanukkah last Tuesday. Of course there was plenty of Hebrew music as the eight giant candles began to glow, but then the ceremony ended with everyone singing "GOD BLESS AMERICA." Now that really rang my bell because I knew it was written by a Jewish composer. But all Americans know and love the words, "Stand beside her and guide her through the night with the light from above." The Jews still remember their struggle against Syria's tyrant over a century BC, when the Macabee family fought against Antiochus Epiphanese. Though Christians seldom read the Apocrypha that still in the Catholic Bible, it does includes 1 & 2 Macabees, which tells of that heroic family. Judas Macabeeus stands tall as one of the eight brothers who fought for Israel's independence. So Judas was & is a great heroic name to Jews. Then Judas Iscariot became the traitor against our Lord Jesus Christ; betraying Him with a kiss into the hands of the Temple guard who put Him under arrest to stand before the Sanhedrian. So Jews celebrate their political freedom (while yet unaware of mankind's freedom from Satan that's available to them and all peoples through the Savior's shed blood). Those eight candles Jews light on the menorah recall to them a lamp in their Temple that burned from only one day's supply of oil for eight days. It was a great miracle in their eyes, as the Temple was purified and restored after that wicked Antiochus had offered a pig on the holy Altar. Thus Hanukkah is a time of purification to the Jews. If only they'd also be washed in the Blood of the Lamb, as Jews for Jesus have been.
Our lesson at LARC last Sunday was about John the Baptist, who preached repentance to all who came out from Jerusalem to hear him on the banks of the Jordan. When his cousin Jesus also came, John proclaimed to that huge Jewish audience "Behold the Lamb of GOD that taketh away the sin of the world." So John was being Elijah come again, announcing their Messiah to the Jewish people as Malachi had foretold. And though their leaders rejected Him, it was twelve Jewish Apostles who believed and became foundations for the New Jerusalem. Thus we are debtors to both Jews and Greeks (the latter provided a concise language for our New Testament). Let me close by sharing a marvelous Christbirth card received from our D.S. in Ardmore that has seven Scripture based designations for JESUS --- 1 The Word of God became flesh... 2 The Son of God became man... 3 The Lord of All became a servant...4 The Righteous One was made sin... 5 The Eternal One tasted death... 6 The Risen One now lives in men... 7 The Seated One is coming again! (ANGELFIRE's thanks for that from Guy & Margaret Ames) So long/Shalom, JA
ANGELFIRE 12-12-07 Here we are listening to the details of that Church of Newlife out in Colorado Springs where a gunman has killed several members before being killed himself. At first it was an armed female credited with taking him out, but now we hear the autopsy showed he shot himself. Either way, it's such a shocking sign of how Satan is turning extreme in his disruption of the worship due our Lord Jesus Christ. All the barriers he's set up through federal and state laws are low key compared to what has happened out there. Seems that state has been the devil's happy hunting ground. Remember the first mass murder in a high school named for their state flower, Columbine. It seems now like it set the pace for so many which have followed in CO and all over the nation during past years. This current sequal came just hours after the same culprit had already made such an attach on the Youth Mission Church of a Denver suburb. Will congregations have to deploy security police of their staff members hereafter? That volunteer one was an alert and brave lady, but the LORD is kind that the shooter's blood is on his own head, rather than her hands. At least that's how I see it. ANGELFIRE has long sought to trust in divine protection rather than guns. But she surely had gotten prepared, carrying not just one but two of them. I see it signifying when we encounter Satan, we need ammunition from both Testaments, Old & New; not only to speak aloud, but for our own inward strength and guidance by the Holy Spirit.
I think of those words the angels sang on that first Nativity Night, "Peace (Shalom) on earth, good will toward all men;" then of the other translation "...toward men of good will." When men of ill will are encountered, we may have to protect ourselves first just as Joseph & Mary had to flee into Egypt with the Baby. But the LORD took Herod out soon enough thereafter, and they returned (yet on up to Nazareth in Galilee instead of back to Bethlehem down in Judea). Though Jesus was called a Nazarene, He wasn't born there, but in king David's home town. It seems that truth stayed largely hidden from His fellow Jews, who considered Him only a Galilean (thus not really King of the Jews). So long/Shalom, JosephA
ANGELFIRE 12-14-07 Those debates on Wed.& Thurs. this past week were to complete the televised series for Republican and Democrat candidates. After party candidates are chosen, I'm sure there'll be another debate between both and maybe a third party one. It's still a long way to Nov. in '08. Maybe an independent candidate will yet appear and surge the way Mike Huckabee has on the Republican side. Or one of the Democrats could go independent. But as of now, the blue side seems pretty close between Hillary and Baruch. The red has John McCain as a fine choice, even though he lost support by advocating amnesty as an illegal alien solution. Yet he has great integity and patriotism, though not all the big money like some others. Though he hardly ever speaks of his church, I understand he's from an Episcopal background, which is party evangelical, though over toward the Catholic tradition. This is a year offering America wide choice, with Democrats having a female, and an African American in the race; while Republicans are offering a Catholic, a Mormon or a Baptist (preacher & former governor). Methodists are just completing their turn with Bush & Cheney. Though I don't see how we can ignore these labels when we vote, they are just partial factors in our choice. We've long tried to keep religion out of politics, but not this time. The Lord Jesus said to "enter in to thy closet to pray in secret and the LORD will reward thee openly." That "closet" seems to me in '08 as descriptive of the polling booth. Though it's already prayer time; not waiting for election days. May the LORD guide our hearts & minds.
I drove into Mt.Olivet yesterday to remember my father's funeral in '69. It was Dec.13 and the church was packed full. Even the Ministerial Alliance all were there as J.M.H. was laid to rest. He'd married into the Hightower family and Blanche (my mother) gave him status in PV. The first big marker on your right, going into Olivet is for Rebecca Jane Hightower, born 1827. Beside it are smaller markers of her children, including daughter-in-law Amy Allen who married Edward Glenn(7th mayor of PV). Amy was my grandmother. Her father was Charles A. Allen, whose grave lies alone at the north edge. I found it seeking a spot to see PV's historic tower from Mt.Olivet. It's a place to see our h.t. from the cemetery. Just past Amy's site in Jim Tom Kendall's '98. He gave me a job at his grocery store in '42, but wasn't very churchly. Further East is W.Luther Richardson's '69. He was a fellow worker at Kendall'and the first Pentecostal I'd ever known, seeming just too pious; always telling of miracles. On the left is the tallest marker in Mt.Olivet, to a Pruiett girl of age 24, buried in 1902. Turn north and go to it's end where the big Water Tank on '77 is clearly visible ahead, then turn left and go about ten yards where the top of h.t.(historic tower) appears in the distance just over the hill top. C.A. Allen's grave, from where you view h.t., has a square white marker on the north side, Dec.2, l848-Aug.21, 1928. The h.t. was built in '03, when my great grandfather was 55. I'm not sure he'd come to PV by then from Altus, where my great grandmother Allen is buried. But he brought four daughters with him including Amy (Hightower), the one most special to me. So long/Shalom, JA
ANGELFIRE 12-19-07 After being here for a century, who would have thought that OK's worst ice storm yet would arrive in this final month. We've gotten more national attention from damage it has caused in Tulsa and OKC than for all the celebration of our Centennial. When I phoned my son in T town over the week end, he'd joined his wife and daughter who were over at Muskogee where they'd been staying because power was out at home. It made me think of that huge ice storm down here at WW back in 2000 when electricity was out for nearly a couple of weeks. Is anyone yet alive who can remember when it still wasn't available as our state began in 1907. I do remember living without it in the mid-thirties. We moved up to southern IL into a rural area where we had coal oil lamps and drew water from the outdoor well. Our baths were taken in wash tubs and instead of bathrooms, and there were privies out back. PV had always provided us such modern comfort in comparison. Yet they suspected us of being half wild because of this state from which we'd come. Oh the blessing of modern convenience that we'd enjoyed here. We take them for granted now, but these storms can recall times of primitive living long ago. Just think of those traveling on that "Trail of Tears" in buggies, carriages, horseback and some just on foot. So now you've come a long way, OK. But you'll need plenty of federal aid getting up and going again. As power's restored, let us be mindful of the needed heavenly Power also. It's become more of a factor in this presidential race than any I can ever recall. And right here before another birthday of the KING (which splits all time in half) we who are His subjects must be seeking His will about the national outcome. This Dec.25 celebration of His first coming can also be the assurance of His return, just as He promised! Though it won't be in meekness as the heaven born baby in that little manger, but clothed with glory and divine majesty: King of kings and Lord of lords. What a contrast to the "Dear little stranger: slept in a manger. No downey pillow under his head. But with the pure, he slumbered secure--that dear little Babe in his bed." Almighty GOD has so humbled Himself to demonstrate the highest realm that His son Jesus would preach and live out among us. Instead of "Christianity," the very Kingdom of GOD is what Christ Jesus showed and taught. Beyond another religion, He brought and will yet bring divine SHAMAYIM down to us.
John McCain appears to be back in the race now that he's gotten endorsement even by a well know Democrat named Joe. It's not Biden but Lieberman who is a big boost and maybecome his v.p.choice. especially if they go Indepenent to run. So many new possibilities still in the works on all sides!! Mike Huckabee has looked great at his start, but may slow down as more is revealed from his record. Remember that he's from Arkansas, and who else was also. SoLong/Shalom
ANGELFIRE 12-22-07 We elderly folks grew up hearing the Bible words "And a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed" (Lk.2), Revised translations changed it to say "enrolled" as only a census. Yet enrollment was for tax purposes, which still shows that government coercion caused Joseph to take Mary down to Bethlehem. So begins the Gospel, with heaven & earth uniting in the Child who was born there. Things sacred and secular are brought together in a Life that would impact the whole Roman empire far greater than did the rule of Augustus, first Emperor of that power hungry law and order entity, the Roman Emire. Thus this birth story shows divine Providence at work even under Satan's dominion; or shows that "the darker it gets, the more the stars come out." And it forever divides human history into before and after.
Since childhood I've seen the sky as full of angels being represented by the stars. Actually the angels are clear out in "Shamayim"/the highest heaven, which is beyond all stars, galaxies or things of this material universe. Yet at infinite speed they can come and go from GOD's throne to cross time and space. Thus they appeared to those shepherds in the fields outside of Bethlehem on that holy night announcing the Savior's arrival. As YAHWEH becoming a human being, He didn't descend directly like those other celestials, but emerged through the carnal lifestream of flesh and blood. His birth consummated the union of divinity and humanity which the Hebrew chosen people had long signified. They sprang from Abraham (through whom all nations were to be blessed). JESUS already had His name from eternity. In Hebrew it means "Yahweh Saves," to which the Father had designated Him before the Creation, when time began. Though the Wise Men would ask upon their arrival, at Jerusalem a couple of years later, "Where is He that is born king of the Jews," He was that and so much more; to become King of kings. That's what the title of Emperor means, but because Augustus and his successors would make their "empires" such a crass reality, we never say Emperor Jesus. Instead it's Christ, which is Greek for "king." And we know that means THE King,which is how we'll see Him coming at the last Day: bringing with Him all of heaven's angels and spirits of the righteous dead to be joined by living believers as well as those resurrected.
Here at the Pinkhouse we've had a choir carolling us after they got off the bus from Joy Baptist Church. What a surprise it was when we answered our front door. We sang too, with Brother Clay & Sister Barb Shannon, plus all the others both young and old. And angels helped me last week in PV. I needed a jump on but didn't have any cables. Finally Bill Woodworth pulled over from 1st Presbyterian and then pastor Tom Buzbee brough over his cables to get my car started. I see them as angels in retrospect, and have thanked the Lord; just as we all are grateful for the Samaritans and the Noel project of Angeltree in PV. Another translation of the angel song of "Glory to GOD in the highest" adds "Peace on earth and benevolence among men." That's from my old Jerusalem Bible that's falling apart. And I've found my Scofield Bible again. Had to tape it up too, though I'm not very skillful at repairing books. I just love different translations and versions of the Bible. And I'll keep reading them until the Lord finally appears, as He promised. Shalom, JosephA
LORD'sDAY-extra 1-23-07 Isaiah's a name that sounds like "I SAY A lot of things, like a parable. Being the first book in the Bible's prophecy section causes it to be located barely past the middle of Scripture in Gen.thru Rev.. So by playing on how it sounds, I'm going to list some more of what "I-SAY-A'" says: ...good way to take me is like a parable which describes the whole Bible--being 66 books long just as I also contain that many chapters. ... division is in me, that creates two parts--chps.1 to 39 (Isaiah of Jerusalem) and chps. 40 to 66 (called Consolation of Israel some two centuries later beginning "Comfort ye My people). These both number just like the Old & New Testaments do, with divine forgiveness a priority of the second. Though the second part of Isaiah is much shorter, it contains the "jewel" chapter 53, which is about The Suffering Servant. That's parallel to how the N.T. contains Crucifixion accounts in Mt.Mk.Lk.&Jn.. ...(I say a)ccording to His words in those four, the Lord Jesus quoted from my scroll more times than any other O.T.book of prophecy. My name Isaiah means in Hebrew, "Yah[weh] is salvation," same as the name Jesus means. So long for now, JosephA
ANGELFIRE 12-24-07 When I read Rep. Lisa Billy's column last Wednesday, it caused me to phone her office and express appreciation for such an affirmation of the true meaning in our blessed national Holiday (holy day). Just saying the old name for it has become politically incorrect in recent years. But she used that appealing rhyme that goes "He's the reason for the season." I like it and want to expand with it an Okie accent to start: JESUS PLEASIN' IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON. That came to me as I drove into town bringing the Daily Democrats for deliver in WW last week. Seemed like answered prayer, since I'd just been pondering another rhyme to make it three beats instead of two (the way WW puts up more and more decorations on our mall each year). There used to be a rule in families about birthdays that the one having it also gets his way in everything. At least that's the notion my kids held when growing up. Of course we had their party and presents, but this extension was claimed in a joking manner: "well let them do it because it's their birthday." Yet it can extend seriously for the Savior's birthday; and also beyond this lovely season to every following day. As we seek His direction, our first question isn't only asking what He would do in each situation, but "What would you have me to do, Lord." He is the perfect example and through the Holy Spirit, He's yet more: our Living Guide (through every hour helping us find life's meaning as giving more than getting). In Acts 20:35, the text fits this season's lesson, "Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said that it is more blessed to give than to receive." That shapes our attitude and relationship to others even beyond the material gifts we give. He showed it in His own lifestyle of caring for the lost, the last and the least; and forgiving as He did on the Cross. It's our highest gift to those who have wronged us. Thus pleasing Him is life's highest priority, the way to heaven's shalom (sacred peace) where giving grows greater than getting. Of course we must first have something, to be able to give. Let me quote a description I recall: Most folks say "What's mine is mine, I'll keep it." Others say "What's mine is mine and I'll sell it." The thief says "What's yours is mine. I'll take it." The Godly say "What's mine is ours. I'll share it." That's an attitude of gratitude as well as of Jesus Pleasin'. Happy New 2008, JosephA
ANGELFIRE 12-28-07 One MS-NBC headline says "Long List of Assassinated Leaders." We don't need to read it to realize it pertains to the latest one, Benazir Bhutto at Islamabad in Pakistan. The very name of Pakistan's capitol implies a Muslim stronghold. She was back out in public despite the plea of friends who recalled just three months ago, when she was nearly murdered in a suicide bombing. This time the killer shot at her and missed, but she died from a fractured skull as she struck her head ducking down below. It was just before his bomb exploded, killing himself and others aboard the van. He'd caught up with it on his motor cycle and climbed on from the back. How sly Satan is in these last days. I'd never expect him to knock for entrance since he's so sneaky, but there may have been three beats on that rear door--one, two and three (when the Lord knocks, it's at least four). And later we've learned from an email she wrote in Oct. saying that if she's assassinated, it will have resulted from Musharrif's lack of security being provided. So as a martyr for "democracy", she's going to loom even larger in Pakistan. Yet how can frequent assassinations ever foster true democracy? It's the very devil's short-cut game and dictatorship is the usual result.
My niece gave me the book "3:16 The Numbers of Hope." I've always felt that was the text for CHRISTBIRTH DAY (so getting it that Day seems so significient to me). But I'd never guess a whole book would be written on it. Yet from what I've read so far, it's a super exposition of the Gospel in that verse. Chapter one is about "the most famous conversation in the Bible." Most of us know that dialogue was between Jesus and Nicodemus, who had come at night to visit our Lord. He was playing it safe with his own reputation as a Jewish leader. Still Jesus dealt courteously with his inquiry. I had somehow assumed that it was a private conversation, but this author thinks the Apostles were all there listening. I had to agree with him, or how would John have got it recorded in such detail. The other way would have been to ask in a much later interview of Nicodemus, which would have seemed unlikely. So they all heard it just the way all Christians still hear it as Gospel 101. And I'm looking forward to the rest of this New Birth (CHRISTBIRTH) book, Thus, Nicodemus became a completed Jew, just like the "Jews for Jesus" of today's time. I think pastor John Hagee of San Antonia TX has a similar slant in his preaching and I thought I heard this week that GW had attended his megachurch in the Texas capitol city Sunday. Hagee is certainly pro-Israeli, which is the political position that fostered all those Neo-cons in GW's administration, including Carl Rove (who is out of it now and is selling a tell all book he's written). But back to Nicodemus, who thought he was already a true Jew. He saw in Jesus THE EVEN MORE TRUE. And so he believed what was told him (Jn.3:16)..."that whosoever (Jew or Gentile) believeth in Him (Jesus) should not perish, but have everlasting life." Some think that just means Nicodemus believed in Yahweh. But it's focused on the Father's beloved son, named Yeshua (Savior), though from the heart of GOD. Hallelujah! Shalom, JosephA