Monday, February 25, 2019

Lets Roll, Stand Tall


Change is in the wind at our house, I am moving the bedroom around to utilize the space better.  In the process I am reducing books on a shelf and came across this magazine that still causes tears to flow as I looked at pictures, read stories.  

One comment by Rev. Calvin Butts especially stirred my heart.  He said this to the people of his church.  

"When you go to work, you be the tower. You stand tall."

I personally think we have come a long way in protecting our country since then. Of course there is always more that can be done unless our leaders get their hands tied by people who have another agenda besides  protecting the people of this country. 

Truly I am not trying to make a political statement because I made mine the day I voted and I don't mind telling you my vote was not for Hillary.  In fact I try hard to not get political on any social media even though I have strong opinions on a lot of issues.  

Why?  Well that is the easiest question for me to answer. Life is in Christ and not in any political figure even though they may be a bold Christian like our vice president, they did not die on the cross for me.  Watching the reactions of so many after the elections  when
 Trump won was like watching a bunch of little kids being told you cannot do that.  Actually we just watch it for fun at times to get a good laugh and remind ourselves how foolish we all can be when we don't get our way. 

You see I feel exactly like Rev. Butts about standing tall for Jesus.  I would only change a few words of his comment to fit mine. 

When you go to work, or go anywhere, you be Jesus. you stand tall for Him so people always know He is your life.

When something horrific happens shock usually takes over.  You can see it on all the face as they realized what was happening and when the building begin to fall on 9/11. 

I think that's how the disciples felt as they watched them crucify  Jesus, watched the blood pour from his body, seen His broken body, the nails in his hands and feet, and the  crown of thorn shoved down on His head. 

They were in shock, how could this be?

In fact two followers of Jesus were walking and talking about what they had witness in Jerusalem.  There were downcast and still  in shock when a stranger begin to walk beside them.  Luke 24:13-17.  They ask the stranger if he knew what took place in Jerusalem?  What things, the stranger ask?  The two followers gave the stranger a brief synopsis of what happened.  Of course you know the story, Jesus was the stranger and He had news for them.  Luke 24:28-32.  Understanding lit their minds, excitement filled their being and they rushed back to Jerusalem to tell all, He is risen, He is risen, just like He said He would do. 

Here is the kicker, Jesus did nothing to deserve that kind of treatment.  Just as those passengers on those planes, the people in the places the planes were driven into, they did nothing to deserve to die that way.  Life on this earth brings trouble, trials, events the mind simply cannot deal with.  But we must, at all cost,  do as Rev. Butts said, be that tower, stand tall, let the whole world know I cannot be defeated. 

Paul says it well in II Corinthians 7-12  we are affected in every way ,but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed. 

Often things happen to us that we don't deserve. My mother use to say from her frail wheelchair bound heart, why does God let little children be killed, they don't deserve to die.  She would always add, why does He leave me here,  and take them.  Some questions there are no fair answers.  All I know for sure is, unfair will stop someday.  The enemy of our soul, the same enemy who was behind the Twin Towers coming down, the same enemy who tries his hardest to bring us Christians down will be put down forever.  

All we need to do is stand tall before the cross, or better yet, kneel before the cross and thank Him for what His sacrifice bought for us...freedom and an eternal home in heaven. 



6 comments:

  1. Very good reminder, Betty, of what was. And a good reminder of what we have in Christ. My identity is in Christ and nothing can take that away. one day the enemy will be vanquished. Until then we serve.

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    1. Amen brother, amen. If our goal is heaven, " until then we serve" is a great motto to follow. It's right up there with , "stand tall and "lets roll".

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  2. To stand tall for Jesus is everything! Thank you, Betty, for this touching reflection and reminder of who should always come first in our lives, no matter what.
    Blessings!

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  3. WE all know we are going to die, but to be minutes away from death and do a selfish act such as the ones on the plane that went down in the field, to say lets roll in the face of death takes a divine courage. Its in a trial that kind of courage shows itself. There are so many battle fields all over the world where selfless courage takes a stand. Pray all is well with you and the family Martha.

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  4. Oh, what a day that will be when we are all at home together with Jesus, worshipping at His nail-scarred feet! He is our only hope. No wonder the Apostle Paul said if in this life only we have hope in Christ, we would be of all men most miserable. SO very thankful for the consolation of His precious Spirit that is with us always, and so grateful for you and your encouragement this morning. God bless you, dear sister and friend!

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  5. Thanks Cheryl, grateful for your encouragement to continue on spreading hope to all who will read. The strongest Christian get knocked down at times, we are not only called to spread the gospel to the lost but to spread the hope of the gospel to believers all over the world. The battle for our testimony is ongoing all over the world. In jungles, in the cities, in the country, Christian everywhere have the same enemy, and the same battle plan. When I am tired of the battle I know I am not alone, Jesus got tired and every Christian everywhere gets tired, weary in the battle. God has reminded me over and over the last few years that I have the power through Him to encourage others and, as my mother use to say, until hell freezes over, I will encourage, I will be encouraged by reading others stories and blogs post, talking to ones who have been through a trial and come out worn but shinning like gold. Which is why I read your post, Bill post, Martha post and others who encouraged me. Lets roll sister.

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