The Tongue - Edition #27: Shriek of Anguish

May 6th, 2006

When I was a child, I idolized Superman. He was, in a sense, my hero. I really thought he was cool. He could do everything and he thought of others before himself. I thought he was a good role model. I wanted to be like him. I can now see me mortality. The nurse was wrong. She made a mistake, as mistakes happen, and that’s OK. My vertebrae, for the most part, are fine. I do have a slightly bulging disk, but it wouldn’t be causing the problems that I am having. The main concern that the doctor is looking into is in fact MS, or multiple sclerosis. I was in pretty much denial for most of yesterday, but now is it really setting in on how it doesn’t have a cure. The tests this doctor has put me through that I have failed puzzle me, such as squeezing his fingers and not being able to. I thought I was doing a good job and he kept saying to squeeze them… and I was squeezing them. Hey, my muscles were giving it all they got! God has truly humbled me.

The Tongue – Edition #27: Shriek of Anguish

Exodus 22:22-24
“Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry. My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows and your children fatherless.”

Exodus 22:23 cry out:
tsâ‛aq
tsaw-ak'
A primitive root; to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly): - X at all, call together, cry (out), gather (selves) (together).

Habakkuk 1:2-4
How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.

Habakkuk 1:2 cry out:
zâ‛aq
zaw-ak'
A primitive root; to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly: - assemble, call (together), (make a) cry (out), come with such a company, gather (together), cause to be proclaimed.

Habakkuk 1:2 save:
yâsha‛
yaw-shah'
A primitive root; properly to be open, wide or free, that is, (by implication) to be safe; causatively to free or succor: - X at all, avenging, defend, deliver (-er), help, preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation, save (-iour), get victory.

Jenny is in despair because MS doesn’t have a cure. I was, like I said, pretty much in denial about it most of yesterday. And why not, I am now on three different pain medications (and yet I still hurt). We celebrated my son’s birthday today… it was enjoyable, but I ended up getting a lot of attention from family that I really didn’t want. I guess that is OK. I really wanted the focus to be on my son and not the spotlight to be on me, but again, I am pretty doped up right now. And so, here’s this situation. I’m in this pain. The doctor knows I am in pain. God knows I am in pain. I know I am in pain. How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “I’m in pain!” but you do not help? Now, the changes are truly mine… but, I this is how I feel sometimes. And it is OK to be frustrated with God. It is how we deal with that frustration that develops character. It’s any challenging situation, really, that develops character. So, what do I do?

Hebrews 5:7-10
During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Christ learned obedience. That is a shocking thing to a lot of people. It doesn’t say that Christ sinned and that is not what I am saying, but it says that Christ learned to be obedient. I think this has to do with him being twelve

Hebrews 5:8 learn:
manthanō
man-than'-o
Prolonged from a primary verb, another form of which, matheō, is used as an alternate in certain tenses; to learn (in any way): - learn, understand.

Hebrews 5:8 obedience:
hupakoē
hoop-ak-o-ay'
Attentive hearkening, that is, (by implication) compliance or submission: - obedience, (make) obedient, obey (-ing).

Luke 2:41-52
Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father's house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Luke 2:51 obedient:
hupotassō
hoop-ot-as'-so
To subordinate; reflexively to obey: - be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be, make) subject (to, unto), be (put) in subjection (to, under), submit self unto.

And this is really the obedience that I need to have. When it all comes down, it is OK to cry out and it is good to put my petitions before God, but I still have to remain obedient to him. Christ became obedient to his parents, at least it says here at the age of twelve. I know it can at a later age for me, for God and my parents, but at least it came. And doubts come and go, we cry out, but that doesn’t mean we stop being obedient. I am tired. My son has had three birthday parties today… my body hurts… and I am groggy. I appreciate your prayers and kind words. I love you all. Johnny Out.

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless.”
Mother Teresa

Friendship - Edition #9: I Pity the Fool

May 5th, 2006

Cinco-de-Mayo!
Happy Friend’s Day!!!
Friendship – Edition #9: I Pity the Fool

Today, I will have a lumbar puncture and found out the official results of the MRI, which entails a ruptured disk as well as other problems with my 8th and 9th Thoracic Vertebrae. Exciting!!! It really is! I mean, I want this stuff OVER, because, with the problems over, I can move forward and on with my education. I prayed last night. It was an interesting prayer… but before I go into it, I want to share the scripture it referenced.

Judges 4:21-22
But Jael, Heber's wife, picked up a tent peg and a hammer and went quietly to him while he lay fast asleep, exhausted. She drove the peg through his temple into the ground, and he died.

Barak came by in pursuit of Sisera, and Jael went out to meet him. “Come,” she said, “I will show you the man you're looking for.” So he went in with her, and there lay Sisera with the tent peg through his temple-dead.

Now, my prayer was like this: “I pray God; you took out an unrighteous man and put a peg through his temple while he was asleep. No one has that opportunity with right now, for I am awake. I may be righteous in your eyes, I may be unrighteous in your eyes, but what I do know is that I put forth an effort to please you. I beg you to give me some time to sleep tonight.” And you know what? I had the best night of sleep in quite a while… I even woke up a couple of times with the thunder but it was really OK in all.

So, it’s Friday. It is friend’s day.

Ecclesiastes 4:10
If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

Now, I always here this scripture in reference to marriage, but for some reason, every time I hear it, I think of Mr. T. “I pity the fool who falls down with no one to help him up!!!” Maybe I am the only one, but probably not after this… Now, the friend here is a simple companion. Here’s the Hebrew: châbêr “khaw-bare'” an associate: - companion, fellow, knit together. Now, here I don’t think of an associate as a friend. I don’t think many people do.

Associate (verb):

1. A companion; a comrade.

When I think of someone that I don’t call a “friend” but just someone that I would simple say that I just “associate” with… then what are they really? And what is it that I am saying? I do pity the fool who has no friends. And I pity the fool who also turns friends away for the sake of pride. Ecclesiastes 4:10 is not just about marriage, is also about helping others out when we fall down. It is good to be there for our friends in there time of need. Johnny Out.

The Da Vinci Code

1st Corinthians 1:20-21
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

The Da Vinci Code -- Men's Wisdom Wearing Out Again

Twenty some years ago I was on one of those small airplanes that make it really awkward if you don't speak to the person next to you. After I began to see people as interesting souls instead of inconveniences, I found it amazing what people will tell you about themselves on airplanes. The gentleman next to me had a fascinating job as a medical director for a huge pharmaceutical company. When he found out I was a minister he made it clear he had no need for spiritual things because of his deep beliefs in science. And he proudly announced that he and his wife were also writing a book on parenting for a new generation. His professional wife had remained with the children in their home in the eastern US while he took this very important job in the Midwest. He visited them every second or third weekend. When I asked him how the children were doing, bursting with pride, he said, “They are adjusting so well that the last time I went home, the kids just looked up, said “Hi” and went back to what they were doing! Isn't that great?”

After more discussion of his disbelief in the Bible, I asked him if he could help me understand a passage of Scripture. He eagerly agreed, but as he read 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, his countenance changed. He returned the Bible to me with the mere comment of, “Interesting.” I shared a bit more after that about my own pride in my knowledge of the Bible and how that had not really taught me how to be a disciple of Jesus or to love my wife and kids. Only when I was humble enough to learn God's wisdom did my life, marriage or parenting really work. Sadly, we didn't talk much after that.

There have always been attacks on the Scriptures and there always will be. We shouldn't just dismiss them out of our own ignorance or self-righteousness. But neither should we be surprised by them or worried about them. God's wisdom will continue to be attacked by men's foolishness until the end of the world. But those attacks never diminish God's wisdom. In fact, they actually prove the power of it.

An old truth is once again playing out in the release of the bestseller book and possible blockbuster movie The Da Vinci Code. If this intrigues you, don't be afraid to engage the discussion. Douglas Jacoby has produced a two CD set to help: The Da Vinci Code: Confronting the Fraud. Along with many other faith building materials, you can purchase this audio set on our One Stop Shop. Also note the article by Dr. John Oakes in our DisciplesToday.net Teaching Channel: What to do with the Da Vinci Code.

The Da Vinci Code is found in the fiction section of the bookstore. How in the world should that discredit the Bible? It is merely the latest hammer banging loudly on the anvil of the Word of God. The anvil will be here long after The Da Vinci Code is a mere footnote in history, lying in a pile of worn out hammers. While this fiction hammer has its half-life, it may be great drama and a great opportunity to share our faith. It’s definitely a timely chance to teach our kids how to view the hammers that will be thrown at their faith in the coming years.

Grace and Truth,
Roger Lamb

The Tongue - Edition #26: Protected Lips

May 4th, 2006

The Tongue – Edition #26: Protected Lips

I had restless sleep last night, if you want to call it sleep. I tossed and turned… my body ached and my eyes are opened and I just couldn’t sleep at all. And I was tired as all get out. I just don’t know what happened. I couldn’t really focus on too much. I could relate to the thoughts of Homer Simpson… you know, lights on – nothing going on. And so, since I hadn’t been outside since Sunday, I decided to go for a walk… slow as I am these days. And my brain started clicking a little, so when I finally made it back in, I worked a little on the computer. I then tried to go to bed again, with ill results. When the newspaper hit our window at 4:45 AM, I got up, read a little in the paper, made breakfast for my wife and I, set out the comics for her, which she likes and helped her get ready for work. With a full stomach, I actually thought I could get some sleep, but that attempt failed. But this morning, right before my wife left for work, I had a little revelation. Now, it started rather strange, and it may have been something you’ve heard before (at least the end part)… but here it goes: as I was getting comfortable in bed, I began to thing about the wonderful feeling you get when you take your shoes and socks off and rub them on a nice cool plush carpet when it is hot outside. I thought how the feeling is unique. I then thought how unique feeling it is of a parent to a child. The feeling of when my son is in someone else’s arms and he reaches for me, how he could have anyone, but he wants me. And the parallel or revelation that needs to be made here is that the arms are the world, the son is me, and the person I am reaching to is God. That is what needs to happen on a continual basis. A child-like heart…

Proverbs 14:1-12
The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. He whose walk is upright fears the LORD, but he whose ways are devious despises him. A fool's talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them. Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest. A truthful witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies. The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. Stay away from a foolish man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips. The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception. Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright. Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy. The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

I must say, these aren’t going to be terribly long these days… but it really shouldn’t be about quantity. I do enjoy my quiet times and I have fun putting together. It really is a blast for me.

Johnny’s Bible Mad Lib:
There [H1870] which seems [H3477] to a [H376], But (in the) [H319] [H1870] [H4194].

H1870
derek
deh'-rek
A road (as trodden); figuratively a course of life or mode of action, often adverbially: - along, away, because of, + by, conversation, custom, [east-] ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, [high-] [path-] way [-side], whither [-soever].

H3477
yâshâr
yaw-shawr'
Straight (literally or figuratively): - convenient, equity, Jasher, just, meet (-est), + pleased well right (-eous), straight, (most) upright (-ly, -ness).

H376
'îysh
eesh
A man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation.) : - also, another, any (man), a certain, + champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, [foot-, husband-] man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man [-kind], + none, one, people, person, + steward, what (man) soever, whoso (-ever), worthy.

H319
'achărîyth
akh-ar-eeth'
The last or end, hence the future; also posterity: - (last, latter) end (time), hinder (utter) -most, length, posterity, remnant, residue, reward.

H1870
derek
deh'-rek
A road (as trodden); figuratively a course of life or mode of action, often adverbially: - along, away, because of, + by, conversation, custom, [east-] ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, [high-] [path-] way [-side], whither [-soever].

H4194
mâveth
maw'-veth
Death (natural or violent); concretely the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively pestilence, ruin: - (be) dead ([-ly]), death, die (-d).

Johnny’s Bible Mad Lib:
There’s an entity away which seems convenient to a person, but in the future the journey will lead to ruin.

Psalm 62:7
My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

Refuge:
machăseh machseh
makh-as-eh', makh-seh'
A shelter (literally or figuratively): - hope, (place of) refuge, shelter, trust.

God is my refuge, my hope, my shelter, and my trust. Johnny Out. Oh, and have fun with the “Mad Lib.” I just wanted to put a different spin on things… kind of shake things up… again, Johnny Out.

A Study on Love: Beyond Love

May 3rd, 2006

A Study on Love: Beyond Love

I am really not sure how good this one is going to be… my head is mush. My heart is there… but my head is away in “la-la-land.” I’m on two types of pain medication and I wonder, is it worth taking away the pain in putting myself in place to where I can’t think clearly and can’t function? I mean, I can’t function with the pain either, but I could function better with the pain, I guess. I don’t know. I took me 10 minutes just to write this far. Wow. Tomorrow, for the guys midweek, we are doing this mini-seminar sort-of-thing, and I can’t even drive… so, if someone is willing to help a brother out… and the spirit is willing to help me function with the word in my mouth, then let this mini-seminar work! I did get news today on my leg. It appears that I have two vertebrae that, as I understand it, are crushed and a disk is bulging and that is the cause of my pain. That is the word from the nurse. The doctor has yet to revue the MRI as of yet. I still have the lumbar puncture on the docket for Friday but that may be cancelled on Friday morning when the Doctor revues the MRI. So please be praying about that.

Now, being that I cannot focus on much right now, as I haven’t been able to focus on much today… my thoughts have been scattered really, I did come across one verse that brightened my heart.

1st Thessalonians 3:12
May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

Overflow:
perisseuō
per-is-syoo'-o
From G4053; to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; also (transitively) to cause to superabound or excel: - (make, more) abound, (have, have more) abundance, (be more) abundant, be the better, enough and to spare, exceed, excel, increase, be left, redound, remain (over and above).

It excites me to look at the word overflow. I don’t know why, it just does. I mean, look at it: excel, abundance, cause to superabound… in this word document, it gives that squiggly red line that means it’s not a word which is even cooler… be superfluous… I don’t even know what that means! And that means DICTIONARY!

Superfluous (adj.):

1. Being beyond what is required or sufficient.

Superabound (verb):

1. To be unusually or excessively abundant.

Superabound is an actual word, according to dictionary.com and the definition is above, so HAH! So, even though this is but a short little quite time in my little fuzzy headed land (does this even make sense?), I do understand that I need to be excessively abundant and beyond sufficient in giving love. Do I love my job? Am I beyond sufficient in my job? Do I love my wife? Does my love excel with her? Wow! CRAZY questions! Do I give SSSOOO much love to people, that they have to put some aside for later, that they have some to spare, like that extra tire in the trunk? What is that tire for anyway? Oh, it’s a spare… anyway… I’m ready to retire. Why, I have a spare… Johnny Out.