Power Play

The great debate is now in full swing. I have witnessed heated debates in regards to the change that is to come in the near future. My greatest fear is that people will go with the flow instead of going with what they know is right.

I often wonder what it must have been like in the days of Jesus. Politics were just as heated then as they are now. It was because of politics that God's plan was set in motion. God's plan prevailed despite the efforts of feeble men who were striving for some sort of power. I would encourage you to read any of the Gospels encounters about the betrayal, mock trail, and crucifixion of Jesus, but I want to share with you from the Gospel of Mark.

15 Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.2 “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate.“You have said so,” Jesus replied.3 The chief priests accused him of many things. 4 So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.”5 But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.6 Now it was the custom at the festival to release a prisoner whom the people requested. 7 A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. 8 The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did.9 “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate,10 knowing it was out of self-interest that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.12 “What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?” Pilate asked them.13 “Crucify him!” they shouted.14 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”15 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

Even with the power plays of man, God's plan prevailed, as it will today. We need to be mindful that no matter what happens, it's been set forth because God has called it to be. He has spoken and it is so. There is great comfort in that knowledge.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ~Romans 8:28

~Peace & Blessings~
Jen

Current Events...

of yesterday left me almost speechless. I had to really digest all the news about Osama Bin Laden. For a decade his name alone had brought terror, fear, anger, and rage to many. For others the name meant freedom, change, radical thought and possibility. For me...it has been an ongoing part of life. I remember being in Okinawa when the Gulf War first began. I was 18 when the air strikes began. My dearest friends, Marines, were sent to "The Desert". My dad was also sent to "The Desert". That was and is the military way of life.

So my forethought has always been what is going on in the Middle East, only my thoughts are not of oil, or terrorism. My thoughts have always been on those that are fighting a fight that, seems at times, uncertain. I have often wondered why we meddle in foreign affairs, but again...that is what we do, so I pray for our military that are on foreign soil.

When September 11th happened...I remember where I was, what I was doing and I really could not believe my eyes. Hence the hunt for the past ten years. Like I said, this is nothing new to me, but my heart was torn out and stepped on when the towers fell.

Fast forward to yesterday...the boys had a capture or kill order, and kill they did. It is never easy to take a life...as a matter of fact, it is life changing, no matter who you are or how it is done. Again, my heart broke, but for a different reason this time. My heart broke because, according to God's Word, not only was a life lost, but so was a soul, to live apart from God. This is what truly breaks my heart. When the towers fell, my heart cried out for those civilians, who were not part of the war, as their lives were cut short. I remember praying for them and their families. So much pain and loss...and anger. To many it seemed easy for the "terrorist" to kill so many, but I wonder (often) what was going through their minds before the act was carried out.

I know that there was much rejoicing and celebrating about the death of Bin Laden, but I also know that all life is precious, all life is a gift by God. I know that the enemy comes upon us and there are physical and spiritual battles; however I was reminded of this

Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice.
Proverbs 24:17.

I did not blog yesterday on the events, as I said, I was really unsure of how I felt about the events. My concern now...what will happen next? I'm sure many people are wondering the same thing. I take comfort in knowing that God is in control and that He is ever present & the God of Today is the God of Yesterday and Tomorrow. He is I AM, and I take comfort in knowing that.

Psalm 23
A Psalm of David.
1THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack.

2He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters.(A)

3He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him--not for my earning it, but] for His name's sake.

4Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.

5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with [a]oil; my [brimming] cup runs over.

6Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.

My final thought...pray. Pray for our troops, for those who desire war and death. Pray for our leaders and for those who are stuck in a situation that they have no control over...pray that they will come to know the True and Living God.

~Peace & Blessings~
Jen