"The Other Fellow's Fire"

 

“The Other Fellow’s Fire”

 

Many years ago I read an article in Eternity magazine and I’ve borrowed the title for these thoughts. It was written by a man who told of sitting in a coffee shop about a block from his home when fire trucks sped past the café heading towards his house. He anxiously went out onto the sidewalk, saw the emergency vehicles go further down the street and said to himself, “Whew! They went by my house!” He then realized others weren’t as blessed as he was because their house was on fire. He then prayed for protection of the lives and property of those impacted.

On September 28 Hurricane Ian pummeled the Gulf Coast of Florida with high winds, torrential rain and in some places record storm surges. It then moved across the state, went out to sea and made another landfall in South Carolina, causing a second path of destruction through central Florida and both Carolinas. The news coverage was extensive before, during and after the storm with reports and pictures of wide-spread devastation. Along with estimates of damage (some as high as $75 billion) many lives were lost and others remain unaccounted for. It likely will rank as one of the worst storms ever to hit our nation as well as the fourth strongest ever to hit Florida.

Those of us who live in central Florida monitored Ian’s movement and prepared for the worst by moving grills, patio furniture, etc. inside, making sure emergency generators were in working order, gathering flashlights and candles, closing blinds to prevent glass from flying inside houses and (in our and many others’ cases) praying for protection. By God’s grace Karen and I had no wind or water damage and our electrical power was uninterrupted. Why did He spare us and not others? I have no idea. But because He did I believe I have a responsibility to those who were greatly affected. (See “In the Midst of the Storm” for more on this subject.)

Paul reminds us, “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4). So while we must concern ourselves for our and our family’s needs (see 1 Timothy 5:8) we mustn’t neglect “the other fellow’s fire” (“Don’t think only of your own good. Think of {others} and what is best for them.”—1 Corinthians 10:24, NLT). Let’s look to God for His direction on how to put this command into practice and assist others in their times of struggle.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"God Is Still on the Throne"

 

“God Is Still on the Throne”

 

This past August Karen and I went on a twice-postponed-due-to-COVID Danube River cruise through five countries. Beginning at Prague, Czech Republic and ending at Budapest, Hungary (although the actual sailing was shortened at each end due to the river’s shallowness) we saw many historical cities, towns and landmarks. The only problem was, as with previous cruises, the need to shed a few pounds caused by our overindulgence at mealtimes.

We spent three days in Prague before boarding the ship. We learned on a couple of excursions that the city was heavily involved in the Nazi Resistance Movement during World War II. Interestingly, though, many of the Jewish community’s buildings and symbols were preserved. Why? Because the Nazis were so sure that the Third Reich (which Hitler boasted would last 1000 years but only fell 988 years short) would exterminate the world’s Jews that they planned to use the materials in a “Museum of an Extinct People”. When I heard this I thought of David’s words: “The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One…The One enthroned in heaven laughs, the Lord scoffs at them.” (Psalm 2:2,4) and “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” (Psalm 24:1, emphasis added).

Throughout history nations and rulers have sought to obliterate the Jewish people. In addition to the Nazi efforts these include the Assyrians under Sennacherib around 710 BC (Isaiah 38), Babylon led by Nebuchadnezzar and his grandson Belshazzar about 538 BC (Daniel 5) and the Persian official Haman in 510 BC (Esther 3:1-6; 7:9-10). How can we account for a tiny Middle East nation surrounded by bitter enemies committed to its total annihilation being still alive, well and prospering? It goes back to God’s promise to their ancestor Abraham: “The whole land of Canaan…I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.”(Genesis 17:8, emphasis added). And He’ll keep His word because (in the words of an old men’s quartet song by Kittie Louise Suffield), “His promise is true, He will not forget you, God is still on the throne.”

By God’s grace Jesus also declared that “…I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18, emphasis added). And as part of this great company by our faith in Him He’s said to us, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5, emphasis added).

God’s on the throne of the universe—is He on the throne of your life?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"A Misused Word"

 

“A Misused Word”

 

One of my retirement pastimes is working crossword puzzles. I’ve found that some clues and answers are questionable in my mind (see an example of this in the earlier posting “Crossword Puzzles”). One word that fits this pattern is “awe”. In recent puzzles the descriptions for which it was the sought after answer have included “wonder”, “sweet”, “truly inspired” and “bowl over”. I’ve also heard a sportscaster say, “The Dodgers put on an awesome power display last night.” and a music enthusiast state, “That was an awesome concert!” And the day I wrote the first draft of this article I heard radio preacher Chuck Swindoll observe that he’d just heard someone declare, “Toyotas are awesome!” My contention is that each of these hints and statements misuse this culturally popular term. Here’s why.

Dictionary meanings include “reverential fear or wonder”, “an emotion of mingled reverence, dread and wonder” and “a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder”. But the best way to understand the term’s significance is to see its use in Scripture. The primary Hebrew word so translated appears 332 times in the Old Testament and the Greek word 47 times in the New Testament. Both are rendered in many different ways but have the basic meaning of fear or reverence. They are translated “awe” or “awesome” 50 times in the NIV, all but one (Daniel 2:31) describing God and/or His works. Some examples include: “Who is like you, O Lord…awesome in glory, working wonders?” (Exodus 15:11); “…The house of Jacob…will stand in awe of the God of Israel.” (Isaiah 29:22-23); “Let (the nations) praise your great and awesome name….” (Psalm 99:3); “They were filled with awe and praised God.” (Luke 7:16. This is the crowd’s response to Jesus’ bringing a young man back to life.) (Emphasis added in each case.) The godly scholars who worked for years on the NIV translation almost exclusively reserved this term for God—maybe we should too. And the dictionaries bear this up by using “reverence” as part of their descriptions.

In his prayer before our congregation this past September 11 Pastor Brian Stowe asked God to “Give us a holy awe for You”. May this be our daily petition as well.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

 

"First Responders"

 

“First Responders”

 

In the wake of the 9-11 attacks in 2001 New York City Firefighter Stephen Siller ran from Brooklyn through the Battery Tunnel to the World Trade Center site to assist his colleagues in their rescue and relief efforts. He was one of the 343 FDNY heroes who gave their lives for others on that fateful day. As a result of his sacrifice Frank Siller began the Stephen Siller Tunnels2Towers Foundation in honor of his fallen brother to assist first responders and their families. In 2021 direct public support totaled many millions of dollars, 95% going to meet the needs of those served.

First responders include police, fire and emergency medical service (EMS) personnel. Karen and I have benefitted from all three. While pastoring in Manchester our church’s involvement with a residential program for indigent men angered someone in the city who left a voice mail that our building would be burned down if we didn’t stop our support. The Police Department came and provided additional patrols on our street to protect our property (the threat was never carried out). Then a couple of years ago the Lakeland Fire Department answered our 911 call when our water heater caught fire (see “Protected” for how God’s hand was evident in this case). And in 2017 Karen fell and the EMS brought her to the hospital where she had surgery for a broken arm. We’re thankful for those who helped us during these stressful times.

In late summer into fall Pastor Brian Stowe brought a series of messages from Nehemiah with the overall theme “Desperate Dependence”. One of his primary emphases was how Nehemiah’s first response to the struggles he faced was prayer. For example, he sought God when he heard about Jerusalem’s condition (1:4-11), when he approached King Artaxerxes for permission to rebuild the city’s wall (2:4), when enemies opposed the work (4:4-5) and in his human weakness (6:9). But he didn’t stop with prayer—he made himself available to be an answer to his own prayers (1:11) and took appropriate action based on the wisdom he received in answer to his pleas to God (“…half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor.”—Nehemiah 4:16).

Others who prayed first then acted in God’s strength were Moses at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:13-14) and Jehoshaphat in the face of Judah’s enemies (2 Chronicles 20:5-12). And Jesus Himself prayed all night before choosing His twelve apostles (Luke 6:12-16). Too often we pray as a last resort when we’ve already made a mess of things. So I must ask myself, “Am I a first or panic responder with prayer?”

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan

"Watches"

 

“Watches”

 

Most people wear a timepiece on their wrist which since the late 15^th century has been referred to as a watch. But the term goes back to the Anglo Saxon period of British history (5^th-11^th centuries) and had to do with wakefulness in times of guarding and observation. Since our lives are often governed by work, social and TV schedules we look at our wrist reminder often to keep us from missing or being late for appointments.

My top dresser drawer is full of all kinds of odds and ends, many of which have no real use but I can’t bring myself to part with them. This includes (at last count) six watches that no longer work (although they’re right twice a day) plus one inexpensive one I wear occasionally to avoid damaging a better one. Two others have special significance. One is a pocket watch which belonged to my grandfather and was passed on to me and which in turn will go on to my son. The other is Karen’s gift to me for our 50^th Anniversary in 2019 which I cherish greatly.

Watches vary widely in price. One is available on (where else?) Amazon for $12.90 and another I saw on line would set me back $185,000 (and it’s previously owned)! But whatever the cost any watch provides the same basic chronological information.

Watches as we know them today weren’t around during biblical times so hours of day and night were determined by observing the sun, moon and stars. But the concept of being alert is commonplace. Jesus told His disciples, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” (Matthew 26:41, emphasis added). Later His friend and apostle admonishes us to “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8, emphasis added). As God’s people we can’t afford to be asleep at the switch—we must be ever vigilant.

There’s one place where watches aren’t present because they’re not needed: Heaven. An old hymn tells us of “when time shall be no more”. Why? Because God is eternal and not bound by time as we are here on earth (“The eternal God is your refuge….”—Deuteronomy 33:27, emphasis added, and “…With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day,”—2 Peter 3:8). David said, “My times are in your hands….” (Psalm 31:15). And what better place could they be for all eternity?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan