Trying To Keep My Commitment

Those of you who have read my blog before know that I tried to write a devotion every single day so that I could have one for every day of the year. My illness, to some extent, has prevented me from making this commitment and tonight I am going to attempt to finish that promise I made to God and myself and complete this project.

I will attempt, beginning tonight, to complete those 365 devotions and hopefully those who have been so faithful in the past will return once again to read God's Word from my heart.

Because my trial is so extremely difficult, I should not "promise" that I can keep up but I am making a firm commitment tonight to try my best. Please read and be blessed as God continues to speak to us through His Holy Word.

God's Richest Blessings,

Dave

Wisdom From Proverbs 14

"The house of the wicked will be destroyed, But the tent of the upright will flourish. There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death." (Prov. 14:11,12).

Lord Jesus, help us to set our "tents" upright so that as we flourish, we may be a great people of God. Help us use the "insight" given by you, today. We all know some pain today. My prayer is that you grant all of us your peace.

Dave

Rejecting The Savior Is Accepting The Judge

Barb (Mom) and I went to our Easter service tonight instead of in the morning because the entire family will be celebrating Easter at our home and we wanted it to be special which required many things to do. I am so grateful that we went this evening as our Pastor's (Resurrection message) was so crystal clear with a dynamic ending to his message.

He used the text of Paul's sermon on Mars Hill, which I probably would never have considered, but what was most intriguing was his points made in considering the final few verses of scripture and they were:

Act 17:31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead."
Act 17:32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, "We shall hear you again concerning this."
Act 17:33 So Paul went out of their midst.
Act 17:34 But some men joined him and believed ...

First of all God helped me to understand (completely) that we all have a "Fixed" appointment with God sometime in our future and as Christians we need to be looking forward to that most humbling date with the Father (Acts17:31). We don't know what date that will be and we haven't been given any clues which is God's purpose, which is so that we live our "fullest" for Him while we stand in our mission field!

Second, from these passages of scripture we can see that there were three different responses to our Lord's call through Paul's message. The first and second response was in verse 32 where some "sneered" at the invitation of Paul and rejected his call to Christ and the other was that some simply mocked Paul by saying "we shall hear you again concerning this" as though, with all of their arrogance, they would make time in the future to consider Paul's invitation.

And finally, in verse 34 it very pointedly stated that "...some men joined him and believed..."

Our time on earth is "fixed" by the Father and where we stand each day becomes our mission field and as such, our goal daily is to heed the call of Christ to announce His return to people who would otherwise not be aware. Each day that we live life, passing through to our "fixed" appointment with our Father is another day in the mission field, wherever that may be and our obligation, given what Christ has done for us, is to pronounce the "Good News of Jesus" to those around us. Some will "sneer" at us, others will "put us off" and continue to enjoy the "pleasures of this present world" and there will be those who will understand your comments and want to follow Christ. These decisions are not ours to make however, they are ours to help others seek out and resolve for they too, have a "fixed" appointment with the Father.

Finally, Pastor Todd made this comment which I believe was the most profound of his message: "We have one of two choices to make on this earth. We either choose to accept the claims of Christ and follow Him, or we reject those claims and see what it is that awaits us at our "appointed" time with the Father. Jesus Christ came from heaven to earth to be two things to mankind and that would be our Savior or our Judge.

"If you reject the Savior, you will be accepting the Judge"! Our decisions in this one area of life determine our eternal destiny and they should be very seriously considered. I hope this thought process helped you, as it did me. On the wonderful "Resurrection Sunday" morning, with the stone rolled away, Jesus Christ walked out of that borrowed tomb to become your Savior or your Judge.

I hope you all have a very joyful and fulfilling Easter Sunday.

Dave

"And The Oscar Goes To..."

Tonight, just like lots of years in the past, we sat down and endured close to three hours of "The Oscars" once again. When you think of the Oscars, you think of movies that are suspenseful, dramatic, intense, humorous, sad, happy romantic and sometimes just downright stupid (and a few in languages we were clueless about). So we watched and once again, very predictable, as usual.

Then three more episodes of "Jack Baur" in season 3 of "24" which always keeps me from sleeping and thus, the reason I am writing at nearly 3AM.

As I lay in bed tonight trying to go to sleep, I began to think of the "Oscars" and my thoughts wandered to romance. And then suddenly, as if God were saying, "I've got something to say", I was reminded of one of the most impressive love stories I have ever read. Now some of you will be surprised at where this story is, in the Bible.

God began to remind me of the "love story" between Isaac and Rebekah in Genesis chapter 24. The entire chapter is dedicated to their love story so I won't type the entire chapter, just simply ask that you take 5 minutes out of your day and read the story.

But I do want to highlight some of the story because it offers the suspenseful, dramatic, intense, humorous, sad, happy romantic and sometimes just downright stupid things that I mentioned above.

What I want to get to is Isaac's "fleece" to God for a wife. In Genesis 24:12-14 Isaac says to God, "O LORD, the God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today, and show lovingkindness to my master Abraham. Behold, I am standing by the spring, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water; now may it be that the girl to whom I say, 'Please let down your jar so that I may drink,' and who answers, 'Drink, and I will water your camels also' — may she be the one whom You have appointed for Your servant Isaac; and by this I will know that You have shown lovingkindness to my master."

Of course, wouldn't you know it, before Isaac finished speaking Rebekah shows up at the well and this part of the story takes place in Gen 24:15-22 Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Abraham's brother Nahor, came out with her jar on her shoulder. The girl was very beautiful, a virgin, and no man had had relations with her; and she went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up. Then the servant ran to meet her, and said, "Please let me drink a little water from your jar." She said, "Drink, my lord"; and she quickly lowered her jar to her hand, and gave him a drink. Now when she had finished giving him a drink, she said, "I will draw also for your camels until they have finished drinking." So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, and ran back to the well to draw, and she drew for all his camels. Meanwhile, the man was gazing at her in silence, to know whether the LORD had made his journey successful or not. When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing a half-shekel and two bracelets for her wrists..."

Then finally in verse 67 "...Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and he took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her; thus Isaac was comforted after his mothers death." Can you envision the romance here as Isaac carries Rebekah across the threshold of his mother's tent and then he "snuffs out" the light and takes Rebekah as his precious bride.

Now, couldn't you agree with me for just one moment that this story had all the adjectives that I mentioned above: suspense, drama, intensity, humor, happiness, romance and sometimes just downright stupid?

Well, I'll tell you! That love story always makes me think of an even more dramatic, intense, romantic story of Jesus Christ on the Cross at Calvary. As He hangs between Heaven and Earth, He consults with the Father and says to God (my own paraphrase) "Father, if they come to me and surrender their hearts, confess Me as Lord, and agree to follow Me, won't you make my journey successful here on earth? I want ALL of these precious bridesmaids so won't you please intervene?

I see two morals to the stories here. First of all, I see that not only did Rebekah recognize the required amount of water it takes to see that her master's camels are satisfied, but I also see the unconditional love she exhibited as a servant. Second, I see that the heart of Jesus Christ was so full of love for us, that He was willing to stretch out His arms and die to gain our love for Him.

Can you see it, too?

Dave

My Dad

Earlier this evening I went to bed, tired from all the days activities and fell asleep almost immediately. I started to dream and in my dream was my Dad. My Dad was born on October 7, 1929 and he breathed his last at 4:08AM on June 6, 2002. There were 72 years of real joy and adventure with my Dad.

I remember ever era in my Dad's life when I was on the scene. He was a strong man, not too tall, portly and very much in charge. Patriarch was not a good enough title for this man for he had total control of the family and we all worshipped him as our Father.

I can remember that we used to always address him as "Yes sir" or "No sir" and never do I recall a time when he ever sat us down and taught us that this was his title for us. It was just a "given" that he demanded that kind of respect.

He was a "jolly" man and I can remember that every time a child or grandchild walked into the room where my Dad was, he would always give the "Sun" competition with his smile. He loved his family very deeply. My children called him "Papa Dan" and that is who even I remember him as today.

In my dream, it seemed strange that he was MY "caregiver". I don't really know how that came about except I suppose I remember the last couple of years of his life when Barb and I would drive to California to give Mom some much needed relief and assist in caring for Dad. In his prime he was probably around 240 pounds and perhaps about 5'10" tall, portly (sorta like George Costanza of Seinfeld) and a very good looking man.

What struck me when I woke up was the last time I physically cared for him. I can remember as if it were yesterday, sleeping on the sofa and Dad couldn't sleep so he was in his recliner and he continually went up and down, down and up in that recliner all through the night. Barb and I could tell that he was very restless and so, even with an impending back surgery for me, I got up and cradled my "Daddy" in my arms and carried him back to his bed so he'd be able to better relax. At this point, only probably about 98 pounds, body eaten up with disease and very fragile, he looked at me and said, "I am not afraid, Dave". And of course, I responded, "I know you're not, Dad". I'll never forget that moment as long as I live.

Such a powerful, strong giant of a man for 70 plus years, here lay this skeleton of a body, my Father, unable to carry himself to bed. Sometimes I suppose that is why God decided to give us children, because He knew that someday our strength would overpower that of our Father's here on earth and he would need a "little" nudge so as to maintain his integrity and yet still get some much need sleep.

At the end of my Dad's life he was a very strong Christian man, loving and fearing God so I imagine there is a verse that probably adequately fits this situation but somehow it escapes me this early in the morning. Perhaps someone will bring it to mind.

Anyway, that's one of the last "Father and son" moments I recall with my Dad, Joel Dallon (Dan) Stallings, my most favorite hero, in life and now in eternity. I miss you, and love you, Dad. I'm grateful that you were my earthly Father and I look forward to hugging you again.

Your Son,

Dave

John F. Kennedy @ Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on April 27, 1961

"The very word "secrecy" is repugnant in a free and open society; and we are as a people inherently and historically opposed to secret societies, to secret oaths and secret proceedings. We decided long ago that the dangers of excessive and unwarranted concealment of pertinent facts far outweighed the dangers which are cited to justify it. Even today, there is little value in opposing the threat of a closed society by imitating its arbitrary restrictions. Even today, there is little value in insuring the survival of our nation if our traditions do not survive with it. And there is very grave danger that an announced need for increased security will be seized upon those anxious to expand its meaning to the very limits of official censorship and concealment. That I do not intend to permit to the extent that it is in my control. And no official of my Administration, whether his rank is high or low, civilian or military, should interpret my words here tonight as an excuse to censor the news, to stifle dissent, to cover up our mistakes or to withhold from the press and the public the facts they deserve to know."

"For we are opposed around the world by a monolithic and ruthless conspiracy that relies on covert means for expanding its sphere of influence--on infiltration instead of invasion, on subversion instead of elections, on intimidation instead of free choice, on guerrillas by night instead of armies by day. It is a system which has conscripted vast human and material resources into the building of a tightly knit, highly efficient machine that combines military, diplomatic, intelligence, economic, scientific and political operations.

Its preparations are concealed, not published. Its mistakes are buried not headlined. Its dissenters are silenced, not praised. No expenditure is questioned, no rumor is printed, no secret is revealed."

"No President should fear public scrutinity of his program. For from that scrutiny comes understanding; and from that understanding comes support or opposition. And both are necessary. I am not asking your newspapers to support the Administration, but I am asking your help in the tremendous task of informing and alerting the American people. For I have complete confidence in the response and dedication of our citizens whenever they are fully informed.

I not only could not stifle controversy among your readers-- I welcome it. This Administration intends to be candid about its errors; for as a wise man once said: "An error does not become a mistake until you refuse to correct it." We intend to accept full responsibility for our errors; and we expect you to point them out when we miss them.

Without debate, without criticism, no Administration and no country can succeed-- and no republic can survive.

That is why the Athenian lawmaker Solon decreed it a crime for any citizen to shrink from controversy. And that is why our press was protected by the First (emphasized) Amendment-- the only business in America specifically protected by the Constitution-- not primarily to amuse and entertain, not to emphasize the trivial and sentimental, not to simply "give the public what it wants"--but to inform, to arouse, to reflect, to state our dangers and our opportunities, to indicate our crises and our choices, to lead, mold educate and sometimes even anger public opinion.

This means greater coverage and analysis of international news-- for it is no longer far away and foreign but close at hand and local. It means greater attention to improved understanding of the news as well as improved transmission. And it means, finally, that government at all levels, must meet its obligation to provide you with the fullest possible information outside the narrowest limits of national security...

"And so it is to the printing press--to the recorder of mans deeds, the keeper of his conscience, the courier of his news-- that we look for strength and assistance, confident that with your help man will be what he was born to be: free and independent."

John F. Kennedy

This Is Serious

You don't want to miss this devotion written by Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Church of Riverside, California. He has finally spoken out on "The Emerging Church" and Contemplative Prayer.

Click on the title of this blog to go to his article. You won't be sorry AND you will become more informed.

Dave