Mile High Rev

REVealing - Andrew Murray on Prayer

“Go into your inner chamber, however cold and dark your heart may be.  Do not try in your own might to force yourself into the right attitude.  Bow before Him, and tell Him that He sees in what a sad state you are and that your only hope is in Him.  Trust Him with a childlike trust to have mercy upon you, and wait upon Him.  In such a trust you are in a right relationship with Him.      - A. Murray

REVrant 27.10 - The Definition of "Frivolous Lawsuits"

Michigan Woman Claims Starburst Candies Are Dangerously Chewy in Lawsuit.

With all the earth-shaking events happening around the world, a Michigan (my home state…so this is with apologies to my family and friends living there) woman is actually suing Starburst Candies for what she alleges is “dangerously chewy” candy.  Anyone who knows about Starburst candy knows you always let it warm in your mouth a bit before trying to chew into it.  Perhaps the woman should be sued for a “candy chewing deficit syndrome?”  Come on people.  “Your candy hurt me????” 

Starburst Fruit Chews were first introduced in England in 1960 as a product designed to be a healthier candy. They came to the United States in 1976 with an original selection of orange, lemon, lime, and strawberry flavored chews.

They were later fortified with 50 percent of the daily recommended dosage of Vitamin C.  Today they hold the title as America’s top fruit chew.

All Starburst are produced in Waco, Texas. The ingredients are cooked until the proper consistency is achieved, then the candy runs through a sizing roll to be cut and individually wrapped.

The chewy squares now come in strawberry, orange, cherry and lemon flavors.  Lime was replaced years ago by cherry

REVrant 27.9 - Rosie O'Donnell's 4 Year Old

Rosie O'Donnell Posts Photo, Video of 4-Year-Old Daughter Dressed as Guerrilla Fighter With Bullet Bandolero.

Seeing this gratuitous and inflammatory photo of Rosie O’Donnell’s 4 year old daughter on her blog stirred me for several reasons.  1. Rosie knows exactly what she’s doing.  Angrily making her point about her disgust with the war in Iraq. (Rosie’s quote – “Art provokes.”) 2. That a 4 year old is subjected to this type of cheap posing and is being used as a political anti-war prop is unequivocally abusive.  3. That Rosie, a lesbian, who is “married” to a lesbian (so Vivi has 2 “mommies?”), is entrusted with the care and shaping of the mind of a 4 year old is frightening.

This morning, I gave a brief devotional to about 200 VBS workers at our church who are caring for children this week, helping them learn about God, and challenging them to put faith in Jesus.  To see the contrast between that and Rosie’s cheap and narcissistic trick with this little soul is remarkable.

It also brings Matthew 18:6 to mind – “But if anyone causes one of these little ones to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” 

REVved - VBS -- Game Day Central

LifeWay's VBS -- Game Day Central.

Today, I got to do the closing program at VBS at FBC.  What an experience.  The church worship center was jammed with kids – I think over 450!  Volunteers were everywhere.  This is one of the most incredible outreach events in our entire church year…and it lasts for a whole week.  Tomorrow at 8:00 am, I’m doing a devotional for the volunteer staff, and on Thursday, I’ll be doing a “walk-around” with one of the leaders – just seeing what’s happening in several locations throughout the morning.  If you think of it, pray with us for these precious kids.  During the programming on Wednesday AM, the kids who don’t know Jesus will be invited to put their faith in Christ.  I can’t wait to see how God works!  Check the link above for an overview of the program materials for this year – “Game Day Central.”

REVrant 27.8 - Speeding

No, I’m not talking about speeding while driving the car…though I have to admit that I’ve been guilty of it from time to time.  I’m thinking of speeding tonight because that’s how life feels right now.  Too much, too long, too tired, too busy, too fast (and I’m too old for this…)!  Whew.  I need to slow down.  It’s late, but I wanted to get in one post today.  This is it.  Bye.

 

REverie - Saturday Hymn - "My Hope Is Built"

My Hope Is Built.

This weekend, my preaching text is Romans 4:18–25.  The opening verse says, “against all hope, Abraham in hope believed…” – so I’ve been humming this old hymn all week long.  Click on the link above, watch the words, and listen to the music…and sing along if no one’s listening!  This hymn stands as a powerful antidote to the hopelessness of our crazy mixed up world.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

Refrain

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

Refrain

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.

Refrain

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne

REVelatory - Oswald Chambers on "Prayer"

The illustrations of prayer our Lord uses are on the line of importunity, a steady, persistent, uninterrupted habit of prayer.

-Oswald Chambers

"Pray without ceasing."

-I Thessalonians 5:17

REVerie - "Sweep"

The Denver Post - Rockies pull off sweep of Yanks.

In the past 13 years, this has been a rare experience for our Colorado Rockies.  The Yankees are big time winners – World Champions – 26 times, I think.  But, our home team is celebrating tonight, along with the Rockies’ faithful.  Three games, three wins.  In sports lingo, that’s called a “sweep.”

REVved - Trip to the Boulder Dushanbe TeaHouse

The Boulder Dushanbe TeaHouse.

Our FBC summer staff “fun day” activity earlier this week featured a trip to Boulder.  After some morning activities, we visited the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse for lunch.  Dushanbe (which means “Monday”) is the capital city of Tajikistan, with a population of 600,000.  Tajikistan has about 2 million residents in total - and as you can see, over 1/4 live in Dushanbe.  This experience was particularly encouraging to me, as FBC has established a relationship with Sasha Kogai, who lives and serves in Tajikistan.  

Sasha spoke at FBC during 2004.  Since then, we’ve sent several teams to visit Tajikistan and to deliver gifts and foster a relationship with the team there.  Interestingly, Dushanbe is a “sister city” with Boulder, CO.  (No coincidence, as we see it!)  The “Teahouse” was a gift to Boulder from Dushanbe, and was handcrafted between 1987–1990 by artisans from Tajikistan, not using any power tools.  They reassembled it in Boulder after crafting it in Dushanbe.  The architecture, tile work, hammered copper sculptures, wood carvings, and brightly colored oil paintings are a feast for the eyes.  The food is excellent, too.

—Exterior view near Teahouse entry.

POSTSCRIPT – I found it embarrassing to learn that Boulder promised Dushanbe a “Cyber Cafe” in response to their gift of the Teahouse.  And…17 years later (from 1990), it’s still not been delivered.  The “Sister City” relationship was established in 1982.  So, I suppose you could say the Cyber Cafe is actually 25 years late.  Boulder…time to deliver.  (I wonder how many residents even know about this relationship and the promise made.)  The trip to the TeaHouse was enjoyable, but the guilt over Boulder not reciprocating made me a little uneasy.

REVerie - Rockies Threaten to Sweep Yankees!

The Denver Post - Francis, Rockies handcuff Yanks.

The Colorado Rockies have taken two consecutive games from the N.Y Yankees, in which the Yankees scored only 2 runs…total.  If you’re not a baseball fan, you may be thinking, “So what?”  But baseball fans everywhere know how important it is to beat the legendary Yankees.  It will be national news if the Rockies complete the sweep!  There are bigger issues in “life”…but in baseball, it doesn’t get much bigger than this!