OORAH!

The United States Marines are the most formidable military branch in history. With a storied history dating to the revolutionary war, the Marines have fought bravely in all US wars and conflicts. The most enduring image from WWII was the raising of the American flag by the Marines overtaking Iwo Jima. The Marines, are ready to fight by land, air and sea and who pride themselves as America’s First Line of Defense, the first in to defend, help and fight. OORAH!

What is the “Oorah” anyway? Searching the internet I found a quick explanation at About.com:

No matter how one might spell the word -- with or without a hyphen, a U instead of two Os, and so on -- the word is still an expression of high morale, strength and confidence. And, when powered by an overwhelmingly proud, and usually loud, tone of voice, hooah seems to stomp out any possibility of being bound by the written word. "It's an affirmation that I fully agree with and support the idea or intent expressed by the person to whom I make that response," said Maj. Gen. F.A. Gorden, Military District of Washington commander. "It applies not only to the letter of what was said, but to the spirit of what was said."

Former Army Chief of Staff Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan has his interpretation. "I don't know how exactly to spell it, but I know what it means," Sullivan said. "It means we have broken the mold. We are battle focused. Hooah says ÔLook at me. I'm a warrior. I'm ready. Sergeants trained me to standard. I serve America every day, all the way.'"

No wonder you hear Marines, Rangers or Navy Seals yelling with confidence and courage, “OORAH!”, whenever they are motivated in training or engaged in battle. In the church our similar rallying cry would be a hearty “Amen”. The Hebrew word meaning certainty, truthfulness and faithfulness, and also used by Christ to preface his statements “Amen (verily, truthfully) I say to you…” A statement of “so be it” at the end of a prayer in the early church and obviously common today.

In today’s world and culture we are engaged in a spiritual battle, where the darkness of sin and worldliness encamp, attack and take ground in our schools, cities, entertainment, church and families. Do we engage in the spiritual battle at hand, or are we ignorant of the blatant attacks upon our community, churches, friends, co-workers, spouses, and children? Do we allow the enemy to lie, steal and destroy those we love right in front of our eyes? Would a loyal Marine stand idly by, watching a fellow soldier battle for his life? NO! He would courageously and sacrificially engage in battle alongside his brother.

We too need to stand firm in the Truth and to engage in battle, to protect, defend and attack the strongholds of sin, and false truths that wound, imprison and destroy our brothers and sisters. Engage in the battle today through the powerful armament of prayer, and the advancement of God’s Kingdom through Love in words and service. Protect your family, Defend the Truth and Advance the Kingdom. Oorah!

World's All-Time Best Seller

What would you list as the top 10 most read books of all time? Would you list contemporary best-sellers like the Harry Potter series, The Da Vinci Code, The Purpose Driven Life, or older titles like The Lord of The Rings, The Lord of the Flies, or the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn or maybe classics from Tolstoy, Hemingway, or Shakespeare? You are probably not surprise by the fact the Bible is the best-selling book of all-time at over 6 billion, most read, and most translated book in history, but do you know what many consider as the second most printed, read and disseminated book of all-time? Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan, written in 1678.

Surprised? You may have heard of Pilgrim’s Progress and be familiar with its general story line, but this work has inspired millions for the past 300 years by its allegorical account of the struggles, joys and challenges of the everyman to begin and progress in the journey of life as a believer in Christ. Bunyan’s colorful, insightful and animated narrative was THE story for over 200 years and greatly influenced American colonial life. Everyone knew of the characters, places and Biblical principles found in Pilgrim’s Progress, and even today the re-telling of the story is found in movies, animations, picture books, and dramatic audio books.

It is not a great literary work by style, poetic prose or intellectual crafting, but by its insightful illustration of everyone’s story in their walk in faith. It was written for the common man…the working class family, those poor in spirit, and to those who lived the real struggles of life. Bunyan gave us the allegory that each one of us can relate to whether we lived in 17th Century London, 18th Century Boston or 21st Century Portland.

As I reflect upon Bunyan’s life and his influence as a writer, I come back to the foundation of Bunyan’s inspiration, The Bible, specifically the stories and the parables of Jesus. Jesus is the master storyteller, with short stories he gave us divine insight into all our lives. He challenged others directly as he confronted the Pharisees in the prophetic and tragic parable of the Wicked Vinedressers, and he also revealed God’s compassion, love and longing for us in the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin and the Prodigal Son. Jesus would often leave a jewel of divine wisdom in his everyday life encounters, such as with Zacchaeus, the Chief Tax Collector, he stated:

Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. – Luke 19:9-10

The power and influence of God’s Word will stand the test of any best-seller’s list in any century. The only book that is active, living and true, as the infallible, God-inspired revelation of God’s story of love extended to his beloved creation. Pilgrim’s Progress is a must read for all, young and old, those of faith and certainly those who seek answers, but it leads us to THE book of all-time, the greatest story for humanity of all generations, all nations, all people…it is a vital and critical must read on everyone’s list, The Bible.

Dull or Sharp?

What makes the local church an important part of our lives? You may answer: the preaching or teaching, worship through a preferred musical style, kids and youth programs, the felt “spiritual” fervor, prayer, the coffee served, and of course the opportunity to tithe. “Amen Brother”, respond my pastor friends.

You may identify other areas, but in general each local church is unique in its corporate voice of worship, Biblical teaching, prayer, and service. Christ-centered churches of all sizes, in diverse communities, in homes, schools, in traditional or contemporary buildings have a unique “voice”, and specific role in the greater Christian community.

One of the central aspects of “church” is relationships. Healthy, Christ-centered relationships are essential in our life journey. We desire relationships that break through the outer crust of simply talking about weather, sports, or work and seek authentic, life-giving friendships. We all desire relationships that will encourage, strengthen, equip, and bring joy to one another. Solomon stated this principle in Proverbs 27:17

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

In a world that seeks authentic relationships through social networking, bars, clubs, sports, or work, I think the local church is THE place to find open, real, caring, lifelong friendships. At the Journey Church we connect, as a purposeful value, by encouraging one-to-one relationships, Connection Groups, age-level classes, Family Fun Nights, special events, and set aside time each Sunday AM service with coffee and muffins to build those life-giving friendships. Christ-centered relationships are the interwoven fabric that protects, strengthens, and beautifies the church.

What is it that makes the local church an important part of our lives? What brings you back to your local church week after week? It is more than just showing up and listening to worship music, and hearing a good sermon. You can get great teaching/preaching through books, the internet, TV, radio, and you can listen to inspired praise and worship all day long. It is more than good programs for men, women, kids and students or special performances and events, and it is more than music style and liturgical preference. I would argue that what makes the local church important, unique, strong and beautiful is the relationships that are cultivated within. Someone just might answer, “What makes my church a valued and important part of my week?....You!”.

Hope Floats and Baby Boats

What was your worst job? Some share about jobs of flipping burgers, digging trenches, shoveling manure or some other task that was distasteful, backbreaking or maybe even embarrassing and usually for only minimum wage. I’ve worked a few jobs that fit, but one tops them all…working as a Ride Operator at Lagoon Amusement Park.

I had just graduated from Bethany University with my freshly printed Teaching License. Charlene and I took a leap of faith and moved to Utah to begin a new step in our life as I pursued my first professional teaching position. To pay the bills I went back to my old summer job of working at Lagoon, but this time as a ride operator in Kiddie Land. How hard could it be right? Let kids in, buckle them, push a button, and let them out. My first day, wearing my crisp new Lagoon uniform, I was given a detailed safety operation training on my new ride, Baby Boats by my squeaky voice 16 year old Supervisor.

In the warmth of the rising sun, the birds chirping, landscaped flower beds, and colorful rides I thought this might not be too bad. The sweet tunes of Raffi began to flood Kiddie Land with Baby Beluga, This Old Man, Are you Happy and You Know It, and kids and families began to stream in. Much to my surprise Baby Boats was one of the kids and parents favorite rides for there was no height requirement and immediately I had a longer line than those other inferior Kiddie Rides like Baby Bumper Cars and Purple Octopus. I felt special as I smugly cast a look toward the other operators with a “look at my line…it’s three times as long as yours”. They returned it with a curious mixed expression of “whatever” and “you’ll see”.

Now Baby Boats is a simple ride. Individual light blue boats are attached together in a cement ring filled with water, and as the boats circle the ride toddlers grip the steering wheel like commuters late for Starbucks, and feverishly ring the marine bells at the front of the boat. A few major issues suddenly surfaced: 1. the boats were below ground level and bobbing on water and 2. kids had parents and 3. kids eat too much. As I lifted toddlers in and out of the bobbing boats, my back began to burn with searing pain as precious children screamed in my face to either “not go in the boat” or “to not get out of the boat” as they stuffed cotton candy up my nose. Parents held their camcorders and offered words of encouragement, “Just force Johnny in…that’s it…hold him down, buckle it tightly…he’ll love it.”, as Johnny gripped with fear, screams and pulls me into the boat with him. Soon my head began to swirl in the noon day heat with the nauseating bouncy Raffi tunes repeating over and over, kids whining and screaming, and parents yelling instructions. Eliminate waterboarding for terrorist, just have them work Kiddie Land for a summer.

By the end of my grueling 8 hour shift, now with a deformed spine, beaten emotionally, physically exhausted and harassed by toddlers and parents alike, I fully understood why in Kiddie Land this ride was fearfully named Baby Boats from Hell by all ride operators.

On a serious note, there was another task that was dutifully prepared but full of pain and hopelessness recorded in Luke 23:50-24:1-12. On the night of Christ’s crucifixion, after his last breath, Jesus’ body was taken down from the cross, wrapped in burial linens and placed in the tomb. The women of Galilee including Mary the mother of James, Mary Magdalene and Joanna prepared the spices and fragrant oils according to culture and respect of the dead. After the Sabbath had passed, they returned as the rising of the sun to the tomb to complete their grieving task. What pain they must have felt, not only grieving for a loved one, but also the crushed hopes of believing Jesus was the coming King, the Messiah, the Son of God. They had witnessed his miracles, listened to his teaching and believed in him, but watched him suffer and die on the cross and laid him in the tomb. Death was unconquerable, Hell was victorious, and their last task was the final touch before the tomb was sealed forever.

The grieving women were the first to witness the most glorious event in human history. The stone was rolled away, the burial linens lay discarded, and the tomb was empty. In their fear and confusion, two angels appeared to them and said,

Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! – Luke 24:5,6

What thoughts and emotions flooded their hearts and minds as they returned to the eleven disciples to declare the impossible – Jesus has risen from the dead!

Easter morning reminds us of the power of Christ as the Son of God and his gift of hope for humanity. Even if your life feels like a daily shift of operating Baby Boats in Kiddie Land, you can joyfully worship this Sunday, in the reality of the resurrection to flood your spirit with the assurance of hope in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.