(I can't really claim the original thoughts for this. It is taken from the pastor's sermon at Parkcrest this past Sunday. The thoughts were just too good not to share. So here's my version.)
Here in the mid-west they have their fair share of a natural weather wonder (some would say "terror"). It is called a tornado. Since they know tornados occur pretty regular (during certain seasons), the powers that be have nicely set up "storm warning" sirens that will blast out a warning signal for miles around when the weather conditions are right for a "twister". The idea is that people would have time to get to a storm shelter in time and be safe.
Sunday in service the Pastor was sharing how when he and his family had first moved from California to here in the mid-west they were not unaccustomed to the whole tornado concept. [Earthquakes... yes!... tornados..nope!] The first time a siren blasted out they all quickly ran to the safe room with their flashlight and mattress and prepared to stay the night. When he had tried to leave the safe room to go to the restroom his wife had even cried out to him, "Don't leave us." The sense of fear and urgency of possible doom was very real and apparent to them. The first few times, in fact, they were very fearful and concerned when the sirens came.
As months went by and the alarm would sound and their home was never affected, their attitude changed. They went from fear and urgency, to realizing they had a bit of time to prepare, to just checking out the window to see if it "looked o.k. to them". It is a precarious position to be in, one of making a judgment call on how dangerous the weather might be. The Pastor had mentioned that even though everything seemed to look "o.k." when they peered out the window, they realized that the impending storm could arise out of nowhere in seconds and they would not be prepared.
Pastor Ted noted that when he talked with long-time residents of the area, they pretty much had the same lackadaisical attitude towards the siren warning system. Life had to go on despite the warnings, so they just went about their business of life. [anything ringing a bell here...]
I too had experienced this laid back attitude when I had flown out to look for houses here a few months ago. I had heard one of these sirens while out getting into my rental car at the airport. I had asked someone about it later and they flippantly told me it was probably "the warning siren". I sort of wondered at the time if it should concern me... but I just "went with the flow" of the attitude and went about life. I was fine... no big worries.... until one day when I'm affected.
The house we rent here in the mid-west is managed by a nice family run business. On January 7, 2008 one of those "twisters" changed their life forever. Not only was their home damaged, but next door their mother's house was devastated... and their mother was injured and did not survive.
Click here to read the story.
Click here to see the pics.
Pastor Ted described how we as Christians have pretty much lost our sense of urgency towards many things in life... particularly towards winning the lost. We look out our spiritual windows and think "well everything looks o.k. to me" and we go about just daily living. We know the "end of the story" (if you will), but we have grown comfortable with just living. "I can't really change anybody.... They won't listen to me.... What does it matter?.... I am not responsible for them; I just take care of my family...." We have grown... dare I say it... complacent.
Do we not know that we are the "watchmen"? And that we are responsible to spread the massage the Lord has placed in front of us? And, well, to pay attention to the sirens?
Ezekiel 3:17-19 (King James Version)
17Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
18When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
19Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
When I went to look up some of the scriptures from Sunday I searched for "watch, watchman" at www.biblegateway.com and was completely taken aback by the number of scriptures that call us to "watch, pray, and be ready". From the Old Testament all the way through to Revelation it is commanded us... be prepared! Scripture actually says blessed is he who is found watching even into the second and third watch. The apostles plead and prayed and watched over cities that they felt called to minister to. [Many who did not listen to their messages... but they weren't responsible for the response... just the message.]
I was recently astounded to learn at how many people are being "called" from other countries to the USA to be missionaries in our land. When we who are here do not heed what the Lord has set before us, He calls others to do the tasks. [Ouch! On so many levels.]
Portions of Jeremiah Chapter 6, when the Lord spoke through the prophets and kept asking the nation of Israel to turn back to Him and yet they refuse (Read the whole chapter, it is an enlightening read.... history supports all that God said would happen to the nation):
10 To whom can I speak and give warning?
Who will listen to me?
Their ears are closed [a]
so they cannot hear.
The word of the LORD is offensive to them;
they find no pleasure in it.
16 This is what the LORD says:
"Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.
But you said, 'We will not walk in it.'
17 I appointed watchmen over you and said,
'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!'
But you said, 'We will not listen.'
I usually like to keep my posts somewhat light hearted and find the humor in daily living. [and there is much humor there] I'm not a doom and gloom kind of gal. Really. However, lately I'm just sensing this urgency.... not just for myself and my family... but this urgency to reach out more and share. I have to tell you in this day and age... it's a scary thing. So many are not receptive, but if we truly know the Truth... then how can we do anything less than share it. Unless, that is, do we not believe what we say we do?
In the recent past a video on YouTube shows comedian Penn Jillette [an atheist] commenting on a person in the audience who gave him a Gideon Bible after one of his shows. He was so taken with the gentleman and his kindness even though Penn knew he was proselytizing. Penn felt this guy sincerely believed so much what he was sharing that he "had" to share. "How much do you have to hate a person to not proselytize?" was Penn's comment. I'm not a big tv fan and don't watch this particular comedian, but all I can say is.... Wow!... and Ouch, again! [warning for those of you who may look it up on YouTube... language is used]
Rather than just digging our hole in the ground and making sure we take care of ourselves, we should be standing at the door of that shelter and pointing the way in. "After you!" should be our mantra!
On my to-do list this week:
1) get our emergency tornado plan ready and reviewed with our kiddos
2) start praying and having our "answer ready for those that ask"
3) planning on spending a little more time asking God who He wants us to talk and spend time with...
6And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"
[goodnes... this was a wordy one.... glad you made it to the end!]
The countdown to Operation Christmas Child drop off week is here!!!!!
