Paying for Propaganda

(Another commentary from Janet Parshall of the Moody Broadcasting Network.)

December 14-21, 2011
Paying for Propaganda
       America is enamored with reality TV but one show is particular just might be anything but reality.

       TLC or The Learning Channel has quite the line-up of reality shows. 19 kids and counting, Kate plus 8, Sister Wives, Long Island Medium, and The Little Couple just to name a few – and there are more!

       But recently the network has added a new program entitled, All American Muslim . The web site for the show says,

        "All-American Muslim takes a look at life in Dearborn, Michigan--home to the largest mosque in the United States--through the lens of five Muslim American families. Each episode offers an intimate look at the customs and celebrations, misconceptions and conflicts these families face outside and within their own community.”

       But some are calling the show, “propaganda.” According to the Florida Family Association, All American Muslim is “propaganda that riskily hides the Islamic agenda’s clear and present danger to American liberties and traditional values.” Apparently, they are not the only ones who have concerns about what may, in fact, be a program designed to put a new face on Islam in a post-9/11 world.

       The Florida Family Association contacted Lowe’s - the national hardware store chain - and requested that their advertising be pulled from the program. Lowe’s agreed and a cultural firestorm ensued.

       Lowe’s then posted a comment on their Facebook page, apologizing for the possibility of offending some by withdrawing their advertisements. The Facebook statement also stated:

        “Lowe’s has received a significant amount of communication on this program, from every perspective possible. Individuals and groups have strong political and societal views on this topic, and this program became a lighting rod for many of those views. As a result we did pull our advertising on this program. We believe it is best to respectfully defer to communities, individuals and groups to discuss and consider such issues of importance.
       “We strongly support and respect the right of our customers, the community at large, and our employees to have different views. If we have made anyone question that commitment, we apologize.” (emphasis added)

       One California State Senator called the action “bigoted, shameful and un-American” and is demanding an apology from the CEO of the company. But is the Florida Family Association articulating a very real concern?

       All practitioners of Islam are not jihadists but all jihadists are followers of Islam. While the TLC show will follow the lives of 5 Muslim families in Michigan, I doubt the program will discuss the imprisonment of Asia Bibi in Pakistan or Pastor Yousef in Iran. It won’t talk about the lack of protection for religious minorities in Islamic dominated countries. Nor, will it vet the totalitarianism that is Sharia Law.

        Will TLC discuss the case of the Christian street evangelists who were arrested and jailed in Dearborn, Michigan for attending an Arab festival and sharing the gospel? No, that just might be a little too much reality.
        That’s my opinion. I’m Janet Parshall.
                      

© 2011 The Moody Bible Institute of ChicagoUsed as quoting with references.
http://www.moodyradio.org/janetparshallcommentary/

Faith and Politics

A friend recently posted on their Facebook page that there was a poll stating that it seemed people (in this case meaning voters participating in the electoral process) were less likely to elect an atheist to political office.  He expressed it in a way that gave one the impression that this sort of thinking was very ignorant

Janet Parshall discussed this issue in her commentary today:

       A brand new poll just released this week seems to indicate that Americans do care greatly about the issue of faith, especially when it comes to politics.
       Research data that addresses the intersection of faith and politics is always so fascinating and very revealing about what we generally believe as a culture and as a people. The non-partisan Public Religion Research Institute reported this week on new polling information about the role of religion in the lives of politicians.
       Two-thirds of Americans believe it is important for a presidential candidate to have strong religious beliefs. But the data doesn’t stop there – it turns out that voters want religious beliefs in the lives of their politicians – even if the beliefs of the candidate are different from their own.
       The survey also shows that only one in five US Citizens would be less likely to vote for a candidate if the candidate’s religious beliefs were different from their own. Specifically, 29 percent said they would be “uncomfortable” with an evangelical in the White House, 53 percent said the same thing about a Mormon, 64 percent would object to a Muslim and a huge majority of 67 percent said “NO” to the idea of an atheist in the office.
       What issues are on the minds of voters? It comes as no surprise that 8 out of 10 of us believe that creating jobs is the number one issue facing America today. Six in 10 of those surveyed said reducing the government budget deficit is most critical.
       When asked about the so-called “Occupy Wall Street” movement in the country right now, a shocking 6 out of 10 said that the country would be better off if the distribution of wealth was more equally distributed while 39 percent disagreed. On the heels of that statistic, it comes as no surprise that 7 out of 10 Americans think there should be a tax increase on those earning more than $1 million a year – compared to 27 percent who opposed the idea.
       From this survey, we appear to be a people in conflict – we want faith to be instrumental and lived out in the lives of our politicians but we aren’t quite sure about how those faith principles should play out in public policy. The tension between politics and religion is not new.
       George Washington was a reluctant President. He was far more comfortable surveying land in the Shenandoah Valley or leading his men at Valley Forge than he ever was as the first President of the United States. But he too recognized the role of faith not only in our government, but in our personal lives. He said,
              “While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian."

How right he was.

That’s my opinion. I’m Janet Parshall.

In The Shadow

Horrible Visit

 At 7:11am on April 28, 2010, a car door slammed as Tom Rivers walked to the kitchen for his morning cup of coffee.  He glanced out the window to see who was outside.  His heart stopped when he saw three Marines walking toward his house.  He called to his wife, Charon, to get dressed and ran to the door.  "Don't tell me you're here to tell me my son is dead," he said, his voice cracking with emotion.

School and Training

"I've wanted to be a Marine since I was ten-years-old," Thomas Rivers wrote in a high school essay.  "I believe joining the Marines would be a good experience for me because it would teach me to rely on God to make it through."  Both grandfathers served in the military and after 9/11, Thomas wanted to represent his family in protecting America.  He wrote in his journal that he knew God called him to be a warrior.  There was never any doubt.

Due to a lack of motivation, Thomas struggled in high school until a recruiter told him he needed a diploma to enlist.  After that conversation, low grades and motivation were not a problem.  He graduated in 2007 and fulfilled his dream by joining Marines two weeks later.

Rivers stuck to his strong values in the unforgiving humidity of South Carolina's Parris Island.  "He joined the Marines as a kid," his father said, "but graduated a strong warrior.  I almost didn't recognize him when I saw him at his graduation."  Thomas was ready to defend his country.

Deployed

America took the war to the terrorists overseas and Thomas was deployed to Iraq in July 2008.  The raw desert heat of war-torn Iraq further sharpened him into a true leader.  He returned home to the relief of his parents in March of 2009.

After a year of further training, word came that the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division of the II Marine Expeditionary Force was needed in Afghanistan.  Lance Corporal Rivers was a team leader.  The young Marine, now almost 22, with one combat tour under his belt, prepared for another deployment with the same focus, faith and strength that guided him through Iraq.  In the final hours before before he left, he held hands with his sister, mom and dad and prayed.  In the pit of her stomach, his mother feared it would be the last time she would ever pray with her son.

Afghanistan

Hours of boredom laced with moments of terror sum up the life of a modern Marine and it was no different for Lance Cpl. Rivers.  However, his friendship with Lance Corporal Matthew Proctor made the down time bearable.

The two struck up a friendship while training together in North Carolina at Camp Lejeune.  LCpl Matthew Proctor had stood in front of the whole Alpha Company and invited them to join his Bible study.  Out of the 150 men in their unit, Thomas was the only one who showed up.

They continued their two-man Bible study in Afghanistan, but soon Matthew grew discouraged.  The normally upbeat Proctor approached Thomas.  "I quit.  This Bible study is a joke.  Nobody's coming, so why should we keep it up?"

Thomas stared at him for a few moments, then said, "Suck it up, man.  You can't quit now."

The two continued in their small study until one day, Thomas asked, "Hey Proctor, do you think I'm a Christian?"

Matthew thought a minute and then said, "I know you prayed to ask Jesus to be your Savior, but the Bible also says you will know who are really Christians by their actions.  'A good tree bears good fruit and a bad tree bears bad fruit.'  You, my friend are a good fruit bearer."

Ouija Board

Although the Bible study wasn't a big hit with the other Marines, another spiritual influence was.  One of the Marines in their division was heavily involved in Satanism.  He even had the name of his personal demon tattooed on his bicep.  Several Marines were fascinated with his Ouija board.  Every night, ten to fifteen of them spent several hours hunched over the board asking questions.  It seemed to know all the answers and the men sensed its supernatural power.

Proctor grabbed Thomas one night and said, "Hey, these guys personalities are changing for the worse.  I think we ought to have our Bible study and pray while they are conjuring demons."

At the same time the Marines questioned the spirits, Rivers and Proctor opened their Bibles and began to pray in the next room.  "Lord, you said where two or more are gathered in Your name, you are with them," Proctor prayed before they began to read Scripture together.

Within fifteen minutes, a cry of frustration arose from the crowd in the other room.  "Hey, its not working.  What happened?"

Thomas grinned at Matthew.  "Looks like the Lord showed up and the demon fled."

Two nights later, the Marines got out the board.  Proctor and Rivers exchanged glances as they went for their Bibles.  This time the Ouija board did not respond at all and most of the Marines lost interest and quit using it altogether.

Mortars

The Taliban set up a mortar position atop a nearby mountain where they could rain down destruction.  Leadership fell to Rivers to set up a security position to stop the enemy.  Proctor, next in command, would follow with a second group of Marines.

The night before their mission, the two men shared their "life" verses.  Thomas pulled his shirt up to reveal a tattoo -- Psalm 91:1.  "This is it for me," he said.  "I love Psalm 91 and my mom prays it for me every day. 'He who lives in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.'" (Psalm 91:1)

Mission

As the sun began to peek over the horizon coloring the sky a vivid red, the Marines prepared to march.  It was a half-hour hike to the shell of a building where they planned to set up.  Proctor, weighed down with the gear he needed for the mission, had a sudden impression he should bring his Bible.  That's crazy, he told himself.  Its just extra weight and there's no chance I'd ever have a moment to read it.  But he grabbed it anyway.

As patrol leader, Rivers arrived first and ordered his men to take their positions.  However, the Marine assigned to stand watch was exhausted.  A patrol leader is never required to stand a post, but Thomas and Proctor had been reading in the Bible about love.  "Love isn't an emotion," Proctor said.  "It is laying down your life for your friends.  'Greater love has no one than this, that he should lay down his life for his friends.'" (John 15:13)

"You rest," Thomas told him.  "I'll stand post for you."

At 6:33 am, Thomas Rivers walked to the designated area to stand security.

From a short distance away, Proctor saw a cloud of dust billow up about 10 feet high.  What is that?, he wondered.  While replacing the exhausted Marine, Rivers had activated an improvised explosive device (IED).  A moment later the concussion boomed.  Proctor ran forward fearing the enemy was shelling them from the mountaintop.

As soon as he secured the perimeter, Proctor entered the compound and saw two men down.  He gasped as if punched in the gut when he saw one of them was Rivers.

Immediately, his training took over.  He took command and ordered the injured to be cared for as he called communications and set up security.

With his duty discharged, he rushed to Thomas and cradled his head in his lap.  He bent down to watch his facial expressions and knew his best friend was in shock.

"Hey Thomas," he said.  "Do you want to me to read your life verse?"

Suddenly, Rivers' eyes gained focus.  He looked straight at Proctor and said, "Yeah, yeah!"  He said with clarity.  "Do that."

Proctor dug out his Bible and read, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."  (Psalm 91:1)

"Now here's my life verse," Proctor said, and with his voice cracking with emotion he read, "For me, to live is Christ, but to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21)

The last passage he read pertained to the question Thomas had asked him several weeks before.

"A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit.  Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions." (Matthew 7:17, 20)

When Thomas slipped into unconsciousness, the Marines worked to keep him breathing.  Proctor laid his hands on him and several others placed theirs on his back and he prayed.  In the midst of the noise and chaos, a sudden hush fell as Proctor said, "Lord, we lift Thomas up to you.  We want you to heal him, but may Your will be done."

Lance Corporal Thomas Rivers entered heaven at 7:11 am, April 28, 2010.

New Mission

Back at base that night, Proctor was angry.  "Why God?  Why did you take my one friend?  The only man here besides me who loves you?"  He poured over his Bible and the next day he announced, "Hey guys, I'm going to do a Bible study if anyone wants to come."

Nine Marines showed up.

"'Greater love has no one than this, that he should lay down his life for his friends.'" (John 15:13)  "Just like Thomas died in your place," Proctor said, nodding to the Marine who was supposed to stand watch, "Jesus died for us.  Thomas wasn't perfect though.  He couldn't take on all of the bad things you've done because he had his own problems.

"But Jesus never did anything wrong.  That's why He can die in our place and take onto Himself all the lies, fears and crud that separates us from God.  If you ask Jesus Christ to be your Savior and Lord, He forgives your sins and gives you eternal life.  He enables us to have a personal relationship with God.

"Being a Christian isn't a religion, its knowing God and walking in His truths.  If you want to know Him and also know when you die you'll spend eternity with Him in heaven, you can pray a simple prayer.  God knows you and isn't concerned as much with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart.

"Pray with me, 'Lord Jesus thank you for dying on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins.  You promised to come into my life, forgive my sins and give me eternal life.  I know you don't lie, so I thank you for coming into my life as you promised.  From this day forward I'm going to believe Your Word that you live in me.  Amen."

At the end of the study, three Marines told Proctor they prayed with him.  One of them was the Satanist leader.  For the rest of their time in Afghanistan, the two became close friends as Proctor taught him to walk with God and study His Word.

"I've done a lot of terrible things," he told Proctor.  "How can God forgive me for it all?"

"The Bible says that we aren't saved by the good things we do.  Jesus paid for it all, past, present and future.  Now we obey Him, not out of fear or duty, but because we love Him."

LCpl Thomas E. Rivers, Jr. gave his heart to Jesus and his life for his country.

Just like the three Marines, you do not have to be perfect to have a relationship with Jesus Christ.  We hope that you will pray the same prayer the three Marines prayed and invite Jesus into your life to forgive all of your sins and give you eternal life.

If you prayed the prayer, please contact us so we can send you some valuable material to help you grow in your relationship with God.

Dr. Thomas E. Rivers, Sr.

email:  moosetracts@mail.com

For further information on LCpl Thomas E. Rivers, Jr.  go to the following links:

• http://www.unknownsoldiersblog.com/2010/05/iron-man.html
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJCH4rrwFIU
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7xPFJYJJag
• http://www.dvidshub.net/news/49580/marines-remember-and-honor-fallen-brother
• http://www.dvidshub.net/video/85310/lance-cpl-matthew-proctor
• http://www.dvidshub.net/video/85307/rivers-memorial
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGrWPaMhQdE
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OU9IakBkOwQ

Propaganda in the Public Schools

The following commentary is by a well known Christian broadcaster and former board member of the Religious Broadcasters Association, Janet Parshall.  More information is available about Mrs. Parshall at http://www.janetparshallcommentary.org/

October 19-26, 2011

Propaganda in the Public School

       The Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network of New York is sponsoring a day of propaganda and sadly, most parents don’t even know it is happening.
       The event is slated for November 8th and it’s tied into legislation signed into state law in New York last year. The law required all schools – K-12 - to implement what they identify as an all inclusive code of conduct and civility curricula. The law also required that all staff members undergo diversity and human relations training.
       There will be a variety of workshops offered to staff, among them are ones entitled “Bisexuality Explored” and another called “The Damage of Reparative Therapy.” Another workshop will examine how Biblical Scripture – in their words – promotes bigotry and discrimination. Tax payer funded workshops promoting hatred toward Christianity – and most people don’t even know this is happening!
       But the story doesn’t end there. On October 1st, GLSEN lead a discussion during a Union theological Seminary Conference that was designed to address issues in Catholic high schools. The conference was entitled “Pro-Queer life: Youth suicide Crisis, Catholic Education and the souls of LGBTQ People.”
       Invitations went out to multiple parochial high schools in New York. Recipients included teachers, students at the Union Theological seminary, theologians, writers and activists. The goal of the conference was to look at challenges facing LGBT students in Catholic schools and to look for solutions.
       An education manager at GLSEN, who travels all across the country to promote conferences like one at Union Theological, wanted the attendees to discuss the issues of harassment of gay students. The presenter alleged that the majority of religious schools where gay students were harassed were Catholic.
       But things got particularly interesting when attendees were encouraged to write messages to the absent high school students on a white cloth draped over a dining room table.
       Listen to some of the messages that were left: “Gay is a gift of God!” or “Jesus is moving in and for you in exactly the places of yourself that others reject or shame.” Another one said, “Look at history to understand sometimes people. e.g. homophobes have got it all wrong.” Or this one, “when considering the voice of the ‘church’ do not forget to listen to the most important one: the voice of the Christ within.”
       Here is where the Catholic Church and the Church universal is going to have to decide how it will handle this most contentious of issues. Either we love our young people enough to tell them the loving Truth articulated in the Word of God or we do what is politically correct and ‘pretend’ that somewhere along the line God changed His mind about sin.
       God’s word is ultimately very protective. Sex outside of marriage (marriage defined by Scripture as one man and one woman) is declared by God Himself as sin – and that is something the Church should neither facilitate nor celebrate.
       That’s my opinion. I’m Janet Parshall.

                       © 2011 The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago

Some of my personal testimony

(note: pictures used in this post are not mine. I have tried to locate open resource images. Ownership of these images can be located by right clicking on the image and clicking "properties" to find their information.)

This one could get a little bit interesting.

I grew up in the Episcopal Church, which is another name for the Church of England (Anglican Church) in the United States. I guess when you look at it...the Anglican Church was the State Church of early Great Britain, and so it was this church that the earliest settlers of the American colonies was fleeing. I know, an odd way of looking at it, but anyway...

I grew up in the Episcopal Church. At one point as a young teen, I had considered the Episcopal priesthood, as one of my favorite uncles, Uncle Al, is a priest (he has since retired, but once a priest, always a priest). I felt very comfortable in the Episcopal church, much like the Roman Catholic and Lutheran churchs, the worship service focused around litergy as a means of worship...singing hymns and anthems, reading passages of scripture and receiving the sacrement of communion...and of course sleeping through hearing a sermon by one of the priests of the church. It was comfortable, just about everyone I knew was in our church.

I had attended services in other churches. During my freshman year in college, I began meeting new friends. Friends who WEREN'T Episcopalians! This was all fine and good of course. I would go home on weekends (Ball State was among other nicknames called the "Suitcase College", because a good number of its students were from communities close enough that they'd go home on weekends...) and be back in my little safe zone.

I even had a response for those that asked me if I'd been "Saved"...I'd tell them, "Why yes I was, it was about 2,000 years ago..." From my experience, the Episcopal church's teaching doesn't so much focus on the personal relationship with the Lord, but rather to service to others by the body of the church--just my observation.

So anyway, I met friends of different faiths in college, I would go to some of their church services, and as often as not, they'd tag along with me to visit with my family on weekends and would come to church with us.

A funny brief story on that line...One of my college friends, Mark, was raised in the Friends Church--what is also called the Quakers (yeah, like the guy on the oatmeal boxes), and after having spent a weekend visiting with his family, a few weeks after, he came and visited with mine. That Sunday, Mark came with me to church at the Cathedral. After services, there was a coffee hour, a chance to fellowship with church friends before returning to that outside world.

Well, we were mingling with my friends, I was introducing Mark around, and just about every girl I would say hi to, would give me a big hug (and a couple of them a little peck ) and when I'd introduce them to Mark...well they'd give HIM a little squeeze as well! After we were back in the car and headed back to campus, I asked Mark what he thought about it. He asked me some questions about the service--which is VERY different from a Friend's meeting I had learned-- and then he asked me what I think had really been his biggest concern, he asked me, "Are the girls always that friendly??" I couldn't help but chuckle.

By the time I came through my Junior year at Ball State, I was a little more receptive of others speaking about their faith, and I acknowledged that maybe, just maybe the Episcopal church didn't have absolutely all the answers I was looking for. As God's timing would have it, it was also around that same time that I started dating a very wonderful woman. Very accepting, very loving, and very "Born Again" Those around here know her, she's my wife Beth. As boyfriends sometimes do, at her mother's invitation, I would visit with Beth's family on some weekends and go to church with them.

Mind you, I was used to church being...
Choirboys in robes..


Pipe organs..


and priests in vestments..



We went to Beth's family's church (First Assembly of God, Logansport IN) and found things like guitars, pianos and banjos and a set of drums!


and people raising their hands praising God!


And the other thing I found there...I could never find a good picture so I won't even try, but before I'd said a word to anyone, as I entered the sanctuary of that church, it was like stepping from a freezing cold blizzard into a house warmed by a roaring fire. The blizzard was forgotten and the warmth came straight to my bones. It was very different...but very much what I had needed but didn't realize.

So, in November of 1986, we were attending a dramatic performance at church. It was a play about what life would be like AFTER the Rapture...but this was NOT the 'Left Behind' books, but a similar concept. Church members played the parts of persecuted Christians as well as some really NASTY people who were hunting the Christians and the story told of the events of that time ... the gist of the play was how dire and necessary it was to make a decision to follow Jesus as your Lord and Savior NOW, while you still had the chance to MAKE a choice.

After the performance, the Pastor came to the front of the sanctuary and gave an explanation of what many of us know as the "Roman Road". How it is not by our own works that we get into Heaven, but it is by faith in Jesus, so that no man should boast...that it didn't happen 2000 years ago, that it is happening right NOW if you would choose to let God have control in your life. I was almost so much so aghast that it had been right there in front of me, that I sat there for a moment not knowing what to do. But God knew how to show me, the Pastor said, "Now with every head bowed, and every eye closed, I want you to consider what you've seen tonight. If the Rapture would occur now ... do you know where you would be? If you don't know I'd like for you to raise your hand, just for a moment, then I'll have you put your hand down..." I raised my hand.

The Pastor then explained that there were members of the church that would like an opportunity to pray with you (meaning ME), "And so again, with every eye closed, and heads bowed, if you would like to make a commitment to follow the Lord, to give your heart to Him, I will ask you to stand. Don't leave your seat, just stand up, and one of our church members will come and stand with you to pray with you." I stood. It may sound cliche' now, but my knees shook a little. I felt a hand upon my shoulder, and found that Kerry, the man who'd played the leader of the persecutors in the drama (and still in his frightful costume I might add!), was smiling at me. That evening, we prayed together...with Beth at my side and crying her eyes out, as I gave my heart to Jesus.

Life since then hasn't been perfect. As a dear friend once told me, "Watermelon still has seeds..." but by God's grace I am living my life to the best of my ability and in the love of my Lord!

Ockham's Razor

I have come to the conclusion that much of what I believe can be best described using the principle called Ockham's Razor which states:

… entities should not be multiplied needlessly. … that the simplest of two or more competing theories is preferable and that an explanation for unknown phenomena should first be attempted in terms of what is already known. Also called law of parsimony.

In simpler terms; the simplest explanation is (most often) the correct one.

For example: Evolutionary theory states that life on Earth formed originally when amino acids combined to form proteins, which in turn formed single cell organisms, which (I'm a little unclear on how here) joined to become larger and successively larger animals until finally life evolved into that which we know today. Compare this to the Bible:

Genesis 1:20-22: And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. And God created the great sea monsters, and every creature that moveth, wherewith the waters swarmed, after their kind, and every bird after its kind.” And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth.”

Genesis 1:24, 25: And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures after their kind, cattle and creeping things, and beasts of the earth after their kind …” And God saw that it was good.

(verses quoted from the American Standard Version, the ASV)

Let me answer a question with a question: Which would be easier to consider? That I took flour, egg, sugar, milk and a pinch of salt and made a cake by mixing the ingredients together in the right amounts and baking them in the oven; or that I dumped all the ingredients into a pan (no idea of how much of what) and stuck it into the oven … and expected it to evolve into a cake? If you picked the second option, the next time my wife and I come for dinner I'm bringing dessert because I don't think yours will turn out all that well.

Why?

This morning, our pastor was looking at the story of Lazarus.

John Chapter 11 tells the story. Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha. We've read of them before; Mary was the woman who anointed Jesus with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair. Her sister Martha I think was fairly well named. I could just imagine if they were living today, Martha's last name would probably be Stewart ... Always busy, making sure everything was set perfectly.

Well, Mary and Martha's brother Lazarus wasn't doing so well. In fact, he was dying. So Martha whips out her iParchment and texts Jesus a message:
THE 1 U LOVE IS SICK

But Jesus didn't seem too concerned. He stayed where he was another couple of days saying He's not going to die. This is all so God's glory can be seen. Well pretty much as he's saying this, Martha sends another text:
THE 1 U LOVE IS DEAD
CAN U DO FUNERAL?

By the time Jesus and his disciples had returned to Judea, Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Both Mary and Martha came to Jesus and said, "If you'd just been here, our brother wouldn't have died." Its about here that, if you ever have to memorize Bible verses, is the easiest verse to memorize: John 11:35: "Jesus wept." (its the same no matter which translation you're using!) The verse is also poignant in that its shortness speaks of the lack of need for additional description. Jesus wept. He wept because someone He loved was gone. He wept because Mary and Martha (and the other family members not named around them) were crying.

There was no doubt that Lazarus had actually died. He wasn't just asleep. In fact, he'd been gone so long that the odor of decomposition was strong. Or as Pastor Walt would say "for surely, he stinketh!" In fact, as Lazarus' body was bound for burial, it wasn't just that Jesus had to bring him back to life, he loosened the grave clothes so Lazarus could move.

But Jesus had men move the stone away from the grave, and after praying he shouted, Lazarus, COME FORTH! And Lazarus came out. I'm sure he might not exactly have smelled like Madagascar cinnamon, but he was alive after having been dead.

We all have days like Mary and Martha. We find ourselves in a situation, one that we clearly cannot get ourselves out of, and we wonder how on earth we could have gotten in this far over our heads.

Sometimes, God will give you a way to get through a situation without even knowing that its happening. Sometimes something will happen and you will finally realize that there's only one way OUT of those situations. Yes, Jesus could have simply spoken the word, and Lazarus would have gotten better (he did it for the centurion's servant after all...), but sometimes the things we can understand the least, the things we're absolutely powerless against, are the things God puts into our lives for us to have the chance to see His glory in our lives.

Carmen - "Lazarus"