I Kings 18 - 19 . . . . .Elijah is a favorite of mine . . . . We’re reading through these chapters in our daily readings right now. Yesterday as the story of Elijah’s GREAT defeat of the prophets of Baal. Some of my favorite descriptions: I Kings 18:7-15 (Obadiah meets Elijah and immediately falls down,, knowing Elijah’s walk with the Lord. Elijah asks him to tell Ahab he wants to meet, Obadiah fears Elijah will run, thus fears for his life, Elijah lives up to his word) & I Kings 18:18-40 (Elijah challenges 450 prophets of Baal and God WINS!). As awesome as story is, with all its idiosyncrasies and wonderful imagery and play on words . . . .it’s in the next chapter God spoke to me today . . . . .
After this great victory, Ahab returns to relay it to his queen, Jezebel, who becomes angry, worried, and threatens to kill Elijah, as she has his counterparts. Elijah runs . . . .Now I have to ask, “God’s just made His presence known in ONE of the mightiest ways of Biblical record . . . . why does Elijah fear?” Not only does he fear and run, this is his prayer: “I have had enough! Lord, take my life, for I’m no better than my fathers.” Elijah had given up . . . . he had done all God had called him to do, God had been faithful to him, but still he suffered personal loss . . . . left alone, fearful, and thinking he was all alone . . . . . NO ONE but him left in all the land that had not knelt to a foreign god.
It would be easy here to chide the man, Elijah, to mock him, to scold, or even to learn a valuable lesson by talking about the passage that follows this . . . .God’s 7000 more who’d NOT kiss the Baals! However, I have to ask of myself and you, when have each of us NOT felt as Elijah does here - all alone in our walk with Christ . . . . sometimes daily?!?!?!?! I know I have. I would think this is very common . . .I mean, sometimes our Father asks some very peculiar things of us . . . . things that sometimes even fellow believers don’t understand.
However, think of similar stories through Scripture and in your own life . . . . . as many times as God calls us to do or say something that in our minds seemingly isolates us and more, He also provides not only the victory, but also the presence of associates, help-mates, comrades, if you will . . . . even from the beginning . . . . .God provided Adam (who really was all alone!) with an Eve!
Acts 1:8 uses a very specific language about His provision for us, Christians, paraletos - one who is called ALONGSIDE to help . . . . . . . SO, know, as Christians, we are never alone and, as people, God will provide a paraletos, if you ask!
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
"Guns" part 3
Isaiah 40, Matt 5, 1 Corinthians 1, 2 Corinthians 2 & 7, Galatians 3, Ephesians 1 & 6, 1 Timothy 2 . . . and a host of others!
Revelation 21:7-8
“Guns of Navarone” part 3
The orders were very clear, though unexpected and almost inconceivable. Mallory, the expert climber, was just handed the most difficult task of his professional and military career. He had three days to prepare for the mission and train his team. He thinks the mission will surely fail. After arriving at the drop off point, through a terrible storm and an attack from the Germans, he was convinced the mission would fail. The storm, as it happens, has settled on the island. So, now Mallory’s inexperienced - practically novice - team must scale the 400’ vertical cliff at night . . . in the rain.
Sometimes (like mine presently) life appears just as Mallory’s cliff: a straight vertical climb, with all of nature fighting against your success – as if the climb itself isn’t struggle enough. As if God placed this insurmountable obstacle before you, challenges you to climb, and walks away. Before coming to Christ 3 years ago, I would and did allow these obstacles of life not only overwhelm me, but defeat me. In my own inabilities, failures, and losses, I would succumb to these obstacles and challenges, allowing each to make me bitterer and bitterer; allowing myself to run further and further away from God and toward my addiction, which little by little numbed me to living life. I look back, now with Christ as my all, and can’t fathom “how” I made it through any struggles – even the slightest- without the hope, peace, and comfort Christ brings.
I am never alone nor must I rely on myself to overcome any of these obstacles. Christ has overcome them already. Truly, regardless of any circumstances, if we remain focused on and centered in Christ, we can truly know and experience Christ’s over coming power and that unwavering peace that passes all understanding that accompanies it! We shall overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony, we shall overcome! Paul stated like this, “That’s why I don’t think there’s any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times (meaning heaven)!!” So, sometimes I just have to remind myself that the worse my suffering and more wretched my life circumstances are here the greater and more glorious it will be in heaven!! AMEN!
By the way, I have read things like this in the past and thought, if not said, “Yeah, this guy’s never experienced anything like what I’m going through. It’s easy for him to think this way!” Not true, we each face insurmountable obstacles, addictions, crimes, job loss, attacks, etc., (whether as victim, perpetrator, or both) on different levels at different times – Christ transcends these! I don’t want to go back and forth nor give Satan any credit – but I’ll wager my past and the circumstances I face, have face, and will face are no greater, no less than any of yours (past, present, or future). “There’s nothing new under the sun……”
Knowing and, often, following God’s call is very similar to the task placed before Mallory. God’s timing isn’t our timing . . .it’s perfect. From my limited experience in this walk, this timing thing goes something like this: . . . . . . . .wait . . . . . . .preparation . . . . . . wait . . . . . . preparation . . . . . .wait . . . . .preparation . . . . .wait . . . .preparation . . wait . .preparation . . wait . comesatyouatthespeedoflight! Climbing a 400’ foot cliff . . . at night . . . in a storm is overwhelming and we must move carefully; each step and hold is only preparation for the next! As we move close to the summit, care, precision, precaution is even more important, because the dangers are greater. The higher we’re allowed to climb, the greater the distance we have to fall . . . .often taking others with us – either way we go. I’ve done my share of that . . . . .
You know, though, the cool thing is that God works all things to good for those that love Him! So, even though Miller was supposed to lead this effort, he slipped, fell about 40’, and broke his leg. They didn’t scrap the mission all together; adjustments were made and they kept on going! I hope and pray when I slip and fall, I don’t break my leg. But if that does happen, I can rest assured that God has a purpose in it and, guaranteed, His plan, His goal doesn’t change! The mission will still be accomplished . . . my role in it may have to be altered . . .
I often visualize those passages in Scripture about working out one’s salvation as climbing a cliff. Though I know it’s a stretch to mine theology from rock climbing, I think you understand what I’m saying. Though we are spiritually climbing that “wall,” it’s only through God’s power, grace, knowledge, and strength we are able to do so. When we rely on our own training, skill, and strength, we miserably fail.
Climbing these cliffs of life is a tricky task! Some are overcome by the appearance of shear impossibility of the task, others rely on themselves alone to achieve the feat; failure surely comes to both. Success isn’t ours to obtain, though. It’s God’s to give! Accept it! Yes, it is that easy. . . . . living and resting in that fact is part of the climb!
Interested in seeing what climbing the cliffs of Lethos would actually look like (had it actually been portrayed as in the movie)? Well, this comes close –
Remember: it was dark . . . and storming!
http:http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif//www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7VugoNIMDc&feature=related
Revelation 21:7-8
“Guns of Navarone” part 3
The orders were very clear, though unexpected and almost inconceivable. Mallory, the expert climber, was just handed the most difficult task of his professional and military career. He had three days to prepare for the mission and train his team. He thinks the mission will surely fail. After arriving at the drop off point, through a terrible storm and an attack from the Germans, he was convinced the mission would fail. The storm, as it happens, has settled on the island. So, now Mallory’s inexperienced - practically novice - team must scale the 400’ vertical cliff at night . . . in the rain.
Sometimes (like mine presently) life appears just as Mallory’s cliff: a straight vertical climb, with all of nature fighting against your success – as if the climb itself isn’t struggle enough. As if God placed this insurmountable obstacle before you, challenges you to climb, and walks away. Before coming to Christ 3 years ago, I would and did allow these obstacles of life not only overwhelm me, but defeat me. In my own inabilities, failures, and losses, I would succumb to these obstacles and challenges, allowing each to make me bitterer and bitterer; allowing myself to run further and further away from God and toward my addiction, which little by little numbed me to living life. I look back, now with Christ as my all, and can’t fathom “how” I made it through any struggles – even the slightest- without the hope, peace, and comfort Christ brings.
I am never alone nor must I rely on myself to overcome any of these obstacles. Christ has overcome them already. Truly, regardless of any circumstances, if we remain focused on and centered in Christ, we can truly know and experience Christ’s over coming power and that unwavering peace that passes all understanding that accompanies it! We shall overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony, we shall overcome! Paul stated like this, “That’s why I don’t think there’s any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times (meaning heaven)!!” So, sometimes I just have to remind myself that the worse my suffering and more wretched my life circumstances are here the greater and more glorious it will be in heaven!! AMEN!
By the way, I have read things like this in the past and thought, if not said, “Yeah, this guy’s never experienced anything like what I’m going through. It’s easy for him to think this way!” Not true, we each face insurmountable obstacles, addictions, crimes, job loss, attacks, etc., (whether as victim, perpetrator, or both) on different levels at different times – Christ transcends these! I don’t want to go back and forth nor give Satan any credit – but I’ll wager my past and the circumstances I face, have face, and will face are no greater, no less than any of yours (past, present, or future). “There’s nothing new under the sun……”
Knowing and, often, following God’s call is very similar to the task placed before Mallory. God’s timing isn’t our timing . . .it’s perfect. From my limited experience in this walk, this timing thing goes something like this: . . . . . . . .wait . . . . . . .preparation . . . . . . wait . . . . . . preparation . . . . . .wait . . . . .preparation . . . . .wait . . . .preparation . . wait . .preparation . . wait . comesatyouatthespeedoflight! Climbing a 400’ foot cliff . . . at night . . . in a storm is overwhelming and we must move carefully; each step and hold is only preparation for the next! As we move close to the summit, care, precision, precaution is even more important, because the dangers are greater. The higher we’re allowed to climb, the greater the distance we have to fall . . . .often taking others with us – either way we go. I’ve done my share of that . . . . .
You know, though, the cool thing is that God works all things to good for those that love Him! So, even though Miller was supposed to lead this effort, he slipped, fell about 40’, and broke his leg. They didn’t scrap the mission all together; adjustments were made and they kept on going! I hope and pray when I slip and fall, I don’t break my leg. But if that does happen, I can rest assured that God has a purpose in it and, guaranteed, His plan, His goal doesn’t change! The mission will still be accomplished . . . my role in it may have to be altered . . .
I often visualize those passages in Scripture about working out one’s salvation as climbing a cliff. Though I know it’s a stretch to mine theology from rock climbing, I think you understand what I’m saying. Though we are spiritually climbing that “wall,” it’s only through God’s power, grace, knowledge, and strength we are able to do so. When we rely on our own training, skill, and strength, we miserably fail.
Climbing these cliffs of life is a tricky task! Some are overcome by the appearance of shear impossibility of the task, others rely on themselves alone to achieve the feat; failure surely comes to both. Success isn’t ours to obtain, though. It’s God’s to give! Accept it! Yes, it is that easy. . . . . living and resting in that fact is part of the climb!
Interested in seeing what climbing the cliffs of Lethos would actually look like (had it actually been portrayed as in the movie)? Well, this comes close –
Remember: it was dark . . . and storming!
http:http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif//www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7VugoNIMDc&feature=related
A New Creation
Luke 7:36-50
I am the one looked at in disdain, the criminal.
I am the pervert, the sex addict, the porn addict, the bi-sexual, the homosexual
The God hater, the cynic, the persecuter,
The agnostic, the self-made, the "better than you," the mocker
The Liar
The thief – I stole innocence, family, life, world
I lived a secret life . . . lying to family, friends, and colleagues for years
A double standard – a double life – a double mind
A split personality!
I tried changing, I tried healing myself, I tried running
I tried becoming self absorbed, I tried running deeper and deeper into my perversions,
I tried everything . . . and slowly settled
Into hatred, chaos, self-loathing, solitude.
Right where the enemy wanted me
Passed-out, drunk on my own depravity, on the edge of full destruction-
Completely incomplete, empty.
Not even then did I turn
One snowy Sunday morning, I turned
It was easy, innocent, pure
The easiest thing I’ve ever done!
I stopped, turned, and there You were!
There You had been.
There You ever will be!
As the fresh fallen snow
I was washed, I was clean . . . .
No, more than that, everything was removed – gone
As if the person I was never existed –
he was gone; no, he is gone, and I did nothing to make it so!
I am not him!
I am not him!
I am not him!
I had nothing to do but accept Your gift.
I could do nothing – and never could
Now, NOW, I am new, I am being made new . . . newer each day!
Everyday I must accept Your gift
I am not him!
Everyday I must live through You
You through me
Everyday, I still get those looks from my so-called
Brothers and Sisters, who knew of that person
Or has learned of that person, since!
I am not him!
You, You REDEEM
You blot out, You cleanse, You restore!!
I am not him!
You daily make me anew!
I am not him!
I am not him!
I am not him!
Praise God, I am not him!
I am the one looked at in disdain, the criminal.
I am the pervert, the sex addict, the porn addict, the bi-sexual, the homosexual
The God hater, the cynic, the persecuter,
The agnostic, the self-made, the "better than you," the mocker
The Liar
The thief – I stole innocence, family, life, world
I lived a secret life . . . lying to family, friends, and colleagues for years
A double standard – a double life – a double mind
A split personality!
I tried changing, I tried healing myself, I tried running
I tried becoming self absorbed, I tried running deeper and deeper into my perversions,
I tried everything . . . and slowly settled
Into hatred, chaos, self-loathing, solitude.
Right where the enemy wanted me
Passed-out, drunk on my own depravity, on the edge of full destruction-
Completely incomplete, empty.
Not even then did I turn
One snowy Sunday morning, I turned
It was easy, innocent, pure
The easiest thing I’ve ever done!
I stopped, turned, and there You were!
There You had been.
There You ever will be!
As the fresh fallen snow
I was washed, I was clean . . . .
No, more than that, everything was removed – gone
As if the person I was never existed –
he was gone; no, he is gone, and I did nothing to make it so!
I am not him!
I am not him!
I am not him!
I had nothing to do but accept Your gift.
I could do nothing – and never could
Now, NOW, I am new, I am being made new . . . newer each day!
Everyday I must accept Your gift
I am not him!
Everyday I must live through You
You through me
Everyday, I still get those looks from my so-called
Brothers and Sisters, who knew of that person
Or has learned of that person, since!
I am not him!
You, You REDEEM
You blot out, You cleanse, You restore!!
I am not him!
You daily make me anew!
I am not him!
I am not him!
I am not him!
Praise God, I am not him!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Today's prayer
Today, I’m struggling.
I want to worship you.
I want to live in Your abundance, in Your supply, in Your provision
Within my portion. The enemy is attacking
My faith, my sight, my joy, my trust, my rest
I need you Jesus
I need you to be real in my life at this moment!
Through my anxiety and above my fears
I need You to take me, Oh Lord!
I want to rest in You
I need to rest in You
I need to believe in You
I need You, Oh, Lord
I need You to provide!
My peace, my comfort, my needs, and my wants
You have promised
And now I cry out to you, Oh God!
My God, You are bigger than all my doubts
My worries, my failures, my plans
My desires, my stumbling
I cry out to You now,
in the midst of the storm we call life.
Such a brief, passing thought to You
I am at my wits ends
I feel as though I am at my end!
But Oh, my God, You care
To You I submit my will, my cares, my purpose
I need You to prove you are who you say you are!
I run to you, give me strength, oh, God
Give me assurance!
Let my victory bring You glory, honor, and fame!
I want to worship you.
I want to live in Your abundance, in Your supply, in Your provision
Within my portion. The enemy is attacking
My faith, my sight, my joy, my trust, my rest
I need you Jesus
I need you to be real in my life at this moment!
Through my anxiety and above my fears
I need You to take me, Oh Lord!
I want to rest in You
I need to rest in You
I need to believe in You
I need You, Oh, Lord
I need You to provide!
My peace, my comfort, my needs, and my wants
You have promised
And now I cry out to you, Oh God!
My God, You are bigger than all my doubts
My worries, my failures, my plans
My desires, my stumbling
I cry out to You now,
in the midst of the storm we call life.
Such a brief, passing thought to You
I am at my wits ends
I feel as though I am at my end!
But Oh, my God, You care
To You I submit my will, my cares, my purpose
I need You to prove you are who you say you are!
I run to you, give me strength, oh, God
Give me assurance!
Let my victory bring You glory, honor, and fame!
Monday, February 13, 2012
The "Guns of Navarone" part 2
John 10:11-16, Ephesians 6:10-18, and or 1 Corinthians 12
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
If you missed part 1
“Guns” part 2
Each one, a specialty: a professional mountain climber, an explosive expert, a military strategist, an engineer, a street smart assassin, an expert knife fighter, and a commander.
So, your local church should look the same, right?
Well, to an extent, yes! We are each gifted by the Holy Spirit in distinct and different ways – one NOT more important than any other, as we are told by Paul. So, why do we sometimes act as if they are? Selfishness and pride!!
Remember the 2,000 prisoners! They are our purpose; they are our motivation, they are our goal!
If the team from “Guns” were focused on their own individual needs or desires, the mission would have failed – completely! See, Mallory and Stavros, though they had worked as a team for years on Crete, were now hated enemies. Stavros had vowed to hunt-down Mallory after the war ended and kill him. He blamed Mallory for the death of his wife and children. He had to lay aside his personal goal/desires to successfully accomplish the mission, which was greater than all their combined “issues.”
Maria had been part of the rescue of Anna from the Germans. They had worked side by side for years, Anna, suffering from psychological muteness from her experiences by German hand. Saving and serving one another, one life dependent upon the other’s, and still, when discovering Anna was spying for the Germans, Maria didn’t to kill Anna! She had to lay aside her personal goal/desires to successfully accomplish the mission, which was greater than all their combined “issues.”
We, too, are on mission – a direct order. We cannot deny it. We are each uniquely blessed, talented, and gifted by the Master. For a specific purpose of fulfilling our mission, we each have “specialties.” Coupled with a uniqueness of gifts, we each must put aside our own personal desires, goals, agendas, and purposes, if we are successfully to achieve our mission. In order to successfully achieve something far greater than ourselves, we must empty ourselves of ourselves, know ourselves better than we now know ourselves, and value others more than oursleves!
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
If you missed part 1
“Guns” part 2
Each one, a specialty: a professional mountain climber, an explosive expert, a military strategist, an engineer, a street smart assassin, an expert knife fighter, and a commander.
So, your local church should look the same, right?
Well, to an extent, yes! We are each gifted by the Holy Spirit in distinct and different ways – one NOT more important than any other, as we are told by Paul. So, why do we sometimes act as if they are? Selfishness and pride!!
Remember the 2,000 prisoners! They are our purpose; they are our motivation, they are our goal!
If the team from “Guns” were focused on their own individual needs or desires, the mission would have failed – completely! See, Mallory and Stavros, though they had worked as a team for years on Crete, were now hated enemies. Stavros had vowed to hunt-down Mallory after the war ended and kill him. He blamed Mallory for the death of his wife and children. He had to lay aside his personal goal/desires to successfully accomplish the mission, which was greater than all their combined “issues.”
Maria had been part of the rescue of Anna from the Germans. They had worked side by side for years, Anna, suffering from psychological muteness from her experiences by German hand. Saving and serving one another, one life dependent upon the other’s, and still, when discovering Anna was spying for the Germans, Maria didn’t to kill Anna! She had to lay aside her personal goal/desires to successfully accomplish the mission, which was greater than all their combined “issues.”
We, too, are on mission – a direct order. We cannot deny it. We are each uniquely blessed, talented, and gifted by the Master. For a specific purpose of fulfilling our mission, we each have “specialties.” Coupled with a uniqueness of gifts, we each must put aside our own personal desires, goals, agendas, and purposes, if we are successfully to achieve our mission. In order to successfully achieve something far greater than ourselves, we must empty ourselves of ourselves, know ourselves better than we now know ourselves, and value others more than oursleves!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
The "Guns of Navarone"
Romans 8
Part 1
“Guns of Navarone” is a classic! If you’ve never watched it, I highly recommend it!
The year is 1943 and, in an attempt to turn the tide of the war in their favor by drawing Turkey into the war, the Germans placed 2,000 British soldiers in an encampment on the Aegean island of Kiros. The only accessible sea route to from Kiros is by Navarone, on which the Germans have placed massive radar controlled antiaircraft cannons – the most accurate and technologically advanced at the time! Unsuccessfully, the British have tried repeatedly by air and sea to rescue their men. Each attempt was met with the loss of the entire squadron or flotilla from the guns of Navarone!
In a last-ditch effort, six days before the next rescue attempt, the British muster Keith Mallory (Gregory Peck), an expert mountaineer, because the only way into Navarone is from an unmonitored, insecure 400-foot cliff that must be climbed - at night, in a storm. After the expedition’s leader, Major Roy Franklin (Anthony Quayle) is injured during the climb, Mallory takes the lead of this rescue team of 7: Andrea Stavros (Anthony Quinn), a Colonel in the Greek army; Corporal Miller (David Niven), an explosives expert; Spyros Pappadimos (James Darren); and "The Butcher" Brown (Stanley Baker), an engineer and expert knife fighter.
The team meets up with the local Greek resistance, which eventually leads them to the city of Navarone. All the while they are chased and captured by the Germans. Andrea Stavros falls in love with one of the resistance, Maria Pappadimos, who is Spyros’ sister! Intrigue deepens and the plot twists, when Miller discovers his explosives have been tampered with and suspects Anna, another resistance member.
While Mallory and Miller are contemplating Anna’s fate, Maria shoots her dead!
Winding back and forth on the narrow Greek island roads, from one stolen vehicle to another, in stolen German uniforms, from one inescapable near death situation to another, the team finally reaches the heavily fortified caves which house the guns of Navarone. Miller sets all the explosives, detonators, and a triggering device on an elevator shaft used in the missile transport system to load the guns. All the time the German forces are feverishly working their way into the cavern, having been shut off by Mallory and Miller upon their entrance.
Of course, Mallory and Miller barely escape the German forces that have broken through the massive steal doors at the cave’s entrance and jump into the sea from cave’s opening from which the gun barrel protrude. Awaiting them are the remaining few members of the demolition team and they are swept away to safety. In the distance, the camera pans out and we see the British flotilla passing in the distance. Noticed by the Germans, they now turn their energy and attention to sinking the ships, no longer Mallory and Miller.
To heighten the suspense, Mallory and his crew watch as one . . . . . two . . . . .three salvos are fired from the massive cannons. Nothing! Defeat is written on the faces of each team member. All their sacrifices, loss of friends and colleagues, injuries, etc., are to no avail. Their mission – failed. When all of a sudden – KA-BLEWY! Miller’s trigger makes contact – at last - and initiates a chain of one massive explosion after another. It’s as though that entire side of the island is exploding! Success - mission accomplished!
The flotilla of 6 British ships sail past Navarone and are able to free the 2,000 British captives.
It’s at this point in the movie, my wife asks, “I wonder if we’re like those 2,000 prisoners?” Honestly and sadly, I had forgotten about those prisoners – the purpose of the entire story!
The prisoners had no idea anything was taking place on their behalf. They had no idea strangers were going to such great lengths, placing their lives on the line, for their personal benefit. They sat in their own situation and probably could not see past the current condition in which they found themselves. Honestly, who can? Everything – this entire story - unknown to them. All they could see was what they had seen day-in and day-out for who knows how long: barbed-wire fences, German prison guards, bad food, maltreatment, discontent, drudgery, hopelessness, etc.
How much are we like those 2,000!?! Often, in whatever circumstance/ situation/ condition we find ourselves, that’s all we can see. I wonder what God is orchestrating in my life that is unknown and blind to me at this time – that may someday see or never see. However, rest assured God has assembled a team and is working great things we cannot see. He is our rescuer!
Again, thanks for visiting!!
Feel free to comment and share with your friends.
Mike
Part 1
“Guns of Navarone” is a classic! If you’ve never watched it, I highly recommend it!
The year is 1943 and, in an attempt to turn the tide of the war in their favor by drawing Turkey into the war, the Germans placed 2,000 British soldiers in an encampment on the Aegean island of Kiros. The only accessible sea route to from Kiros is by Navarone, on which the Germans have placed massive radar controlled antiaircraft cannons – the most accurate and technologically advanced at the time! Unsuccessfully, the British have tried repeatedly by air and sea to rescue their men. Each attempt was met with the loss of the entire squadron or flotilla from the guns of Navarone!
In a last-ditch effort, six days before the next rescue attempt, the British muster Keith Mallory (Gregory Peck), an expert mountaineer, because the only way into Navarone is from an unmonitored, insecure 400-foot cliff that must be climbed - at night, in a storm. After the expedition’s leader, Major Roy Franklin (Anthony Quayle) is injured during the climb, Mallory takes the lead of this rescue team of 7: Andrea Stavros (Anthony Quinn), a Colonel in the Greek army; Corporal Miller (David Niven), an explosives expert; Spyros Pappadimos (James Darren); and "The Butcher" Brown (Stanley Baker), an engineer and expert knife fighter.
The team meets up with the local Greek resistance, which eventually leads them to the city of Navarone. All the while they are chased and captured by the Germans. Andrea Stavros falls in love with one of the resistance, Maria Pappadimos, who is Spyros’ sister! Intrigue deepens and the plot twists, when Miller discovers his explosives have been tampered with and suspects Anna, another resistance member.
While Mallory and Miller are contemplating Anna’s fate, Maria shoots her dead!
Winding back and forth on the narrow Greek island roads, from one stolen vehicle to another, in stolen German uniforms, from one inescapable near death situation to another, the team finally reaches the heavily fortified caves which house the guns of Navarone. Miller sets all the explosives, detonators, and a triggering device on an elevator shaft used in the missile transport system to load the guns. All the time the German forces are feverishly working their way into the cavern, having been shut off by Mallory and Miller upon their entrance.
Of course, Mallory and Miller barely escape the German forces that have broken through the massive steal doors at the cave’s entrance and jump into the sea from cave’s opening from which the gun barrel protrude. Awaiting them are the remaining few members of the demolition team and they are swept away to safety. In the distance, the camera pans out and we see the British flotilla passing in the distance. Noticed by the Germans, they now turn their energy and attention to sinking the ships, no longer Mallory and Miller.
To heighten the suspense, Mallory and his crew watch as one . . . . . two . . . . .three salvos are fired from the massive cannons. Nothing! Defeat is written on the faces of each team member. All their sacrifices, loss of friends and colleagues, injuries, etc., are to no avail. Their mission – failed. When all of a sudden – KA-BLEWY! Miller’s trigger makes contact – at last - and initiates a chain of one massive explosion after another. It’s as though that entire side of the island is exploding! Success - mission accomplished!
The flotilla of 6 British ships sail past Navarone and are able to free the 2,000 British captives.
It’s at this point in the movie, my wife asks, “I wonder if we’re like those 2,000 prisoners?” Honestly and sadly, I had forgotten about those prisoners – the purpose of the entire story!
The prisoners had no idea anything was taking place on their behalf. They had no idea strangers were going to such great lengths, placing their lives on the line, for their personal benefit. They sat in their own situation and probably could not see past the current condition in which they found themselves. Honestly, who can? Everything – this entire story - unknown to them. All they could see was what they had seen day-in and day-out for who knows how long: barbed-wire fences, German prison guards, bad food, maltreatment, discontent, drudgery, hopelessness, etc.
How much are we like those 2,000!?! Often, in whatever circumstance/ situation/ condition we find ourselves, that’s all we can see. I wonder what God is orchestrating in my life that is unknown and blind to me at this time – that may someday see or never see. However, rest assured God has assembled a team and is working great things we cannot see. He is our rescuer!
Again, thanks for visiting!!
Feel free to comment and share with your friends.
Mike
Monday, February 6, 2012
Lessons from a crossing guard
“Don’t live carelessly, unthinking. Make sure you understand what the Master wants.” Ephesians 5:17
The Message
The above passage is exactly what this blog is all about – living consciously and intentionally. I want to focus on learning how to live consciously and intentionally, not only looking for God in all things, but sharing Christ in all things!
It's easy to allow the smallest, most mundane items block us from both.
Last night, I volunteered to take a friend’s children to school this morning. Mason and I adjusted our schedules and proceeded accordingly. Everything was going great. . . . and, in hind-sight, all went well, after all.
First, let me do a little framing:
Last week, my wife called and asked me to pick-up my step-son from school – a completely different and new routine for me. However, a simple task I could and had the time to do. I arrive at his school about 15 minutes early and pulled in behind the few cars already waiting. As other cars began arriving, I noticed they kept passing me and the other early birds. Eventually, I decided I had pulled in behind those who not part of the “regular routine” either. We eventually caught-on and pulled forward with the herd.
After I had chosen my line and pulled forward, I place the car in park, shut off the engine, and continued waiting. Shortly afterwards, a very well manicured, nicely dressed mother got out of her Lexus SUV and approached me. Immediately, I summed her up as a tightly wound, class-conscious, arrogant, self-centered woman who was coming to scold, belittle, and/or demean me or “set me straight” – because I was recognized as a “newbie.” Funny how our minds race, isn’t it?
“What have I done?” I thought. It was a beautiful day and my window was already down. I braced myself for the experience, but was pleasantly surprised: “Sir, I know you don’t know, but you’re blocking the cross walk. You’ll need to back up just a little bit, before they dismiss or you’ll get yelled at.” She had genuine, authentic concern and care! What a refreshing surprise! What an authentic expression of “The Golden Rule!” What a truly refreshing experience. I gushed with appreciation, thanking her not only for telling me, but also the manner in which she did.
Being blessed!
Now, back to this morning:
We, of course, were being silly all the way to school, and arrived at our first destination. Our first destination was as new and unfamiliar to me as our next stop was old and familiar. The boys telling me where to turn, we arrived in the drop-off line. Proceeding through the line we’re cutting up and being silly, when suddenly I noticed children walking into the school from the cars behind me, while the traffic in front of me proceeded on and exited the line. I thought I had missed the drop-off point.
I panicked! Confused and in an unfamiliar routine at an unfamiliar location, I stopped and told the youngest to get out. At the exact same time, I noticed what I assumed was a faculty member directing traffic. She angrily pointed at me and yelled, “Move up!” “MOVE UP!” She continued, as she repeatedly and very forcefully pointed to the ground with a firm, rigid our stretched finger – apparently the spot to which she wanted me to proceed. Her face grew red and her lips tightened; she was angry. We knew she had grown angry and irritated immediately and her easily distinguishable body language clearly confirmed such!
I turned to look over my left should and my youngest passenger was still exiting the car. So, I turned back around to face the faculty member and slowly stated, “I’m not moving while a child is getting out the car.” She either didn’t understand or didn’t care. At this point, she stepped out in front of me, shook her head, rolled her eyes in disgust, and yelled, “Keep moving!” I paused, took a breath, and quickly assessed the situation in toto.
Being an educator myself and having worked such duties, I know she probably didn’t want to be there, had a thousand other things needing her attention, and here I was ruining her Monday morning even further by not “falling in-line” with the other parents and doing as instructed by NOT PULLING FORWARD – whatever the reason!
By the way, the spot where she was standing was approximately 10 feet in front of my car! Yes . . . . . 10’.
Her patience with me (in the 10 seconds all this transpired) - non-existent. As soon as she stepped out in front my car, I made the universal “OK” sign and slowly said/mouthed, “It’s OK. It’s OK.” She looked at me and stepped back onto the curb; her face began losing its terseness and ruddiness.
As my young passenger stepped up onto the sidewalk, I inched forward. I immediately moved my hands, held outstretched and level, up and lowered them with a huge grin on my face, while saying/mouthing, “Breath . . . breath. It’s going to be fine. Breath. It’s gonna be a great day!”
Believe it or not, I think she realized how ludicrous this scenario appeared to those around her, because she smiled, dropped her head slightly, apologized, and waved us on. At least that’s what I’d like to think.
Being a Blessing!
We are called to live intentionally and carefully. Think of the influence, great or small, we potentially have on all those with whom we come into contact on a daily basis: running errands, finding parking spaces, standing on checkout lines . . . . here’s your mission field, here’s your calling – live carefully!
Again, feel free to comment and share with your friends.
Thanks for visiting!
Mike
The Message
The above passage is exactly what this blog is all about – living consciously and intentionally. I want to focus on learning how to live consciously and intentionally, not only looking for God in all things, but sharing Christ in all things!
It's easy to allow the smallest, most mundane items block us from both.
Last night, I volunteered to take a friend’s children to school this morning. Mason and I adjusted our schedules and proceeded accordingly. Everything was going great. . . . and, in hind-sight, all went well, after all.
First, let me do a little framing:
Last week, my wife called and asked me to pick-up my step-son from school – a completely different and new routine for me. However, a simple task I could and had the time to do. I arrive at his school about 15 minutes early and pulled in behind the few cars already waiting. As other cars began arriving, I noticed they kept passing me and the other early birds. Eventually, I decided I had pulled in behind those who not part of the “regular routine” either. We eventually caught-on and pulled forward with the herd.
After I had chosen my line and pulled forward, I place the car in park, shut off the engine, and continued waiting. Shortly afterwards, a very well manicured, nicely dressed mother got out of her Lexus SUV and approached me. Immediately, I summed her up as a tightly wound, class-conscious, arrogant, self-centered woman who was coming to scold, belittle, and/or demean me or “set me straight” – because I was recognized as a “newbie.” Funny how our minds race, isn’t it?
“What have I done?” I thought. It was a beautiful day and my window was already down. I braced myself for the experience, but was pleasantly surprised: “Sir, I know you don’t know, but you’re blocking the cross walk. You’ll need to back up just a little bit, before they dismiss or you’ll get yelled at.” She had genuine, authentic concern and care! What a refreshing surprise! What an authentic expression of “The Golden Rule!” What a truly refreshing experience. I gushed with appreciation, thanking her not only for telling me, but also the manner in which she did.
Being blessed!
Now, back to this morning:
We, of course, were being silly all the way to school, and arrived at our first destination. Our first destination was as new and unfamiliar to me as our next stop was old and familiar. The boys telling me where to turn, we arrived in the drop-off line. Proceeding through the line we’re cutting up and being silly, when suddenly I noticed children walking into the school from the cars behind me, while the traffic in front of me proceeded on and exited the line. I thought I had missed the drop-off point.
I panicked! Confused and in an unfamiliar routine at an unfamiliar location, I stopped and told the youngest to get out. At the exact same time, I noticed what I assumed was a faculty member directing traffic. She angrily pointed at me and yelled, “Move up!” “MOVE UP!” She continued, as she repeatedly and very forcefully pointed to the ground with a firm, rigid our stretched finger – apparently the spot to which she wanted me to proceed. Her face grew red and her lips tightened; she was angry. We knew she had grown angry and irritated immediately and her easily distinguishable body language clearly confirmed such!
I turned to look over my left should and my youngest passenger was still exiting the car. So, I turned back around to face the faculty member and slowly stated, “I’m not moving while a child is getting out the car.” She either didn’t understand or didn’t care. At this point, she stepped out in front of me, shook her head, rolled her eyes in disgust, and yelled, “Keep moving!” I paused, took a breath, and quickly assessed the situation in toto.
Being an educator myself and having worked such duties, I know she probably didn’t want to be there, had a thousand other things needing her attention, and here I was ruining her Monday morning even further by not “falling in-line” with the other parents and doing as instructed by NOT PULLING FORWARD – whatever the reason!
By the way, the spot where she was standing was approximately 10 feet in front of my car! Yes . . . . . 10’.
Her patience with me (in the 10 seconds all this transpired) - non-existent. As soon as she stepped out in front my car, I made the universal “OK” sign and slowly said/mouthed, “It’s OK. It’s OK.” She looked at me and stepped back onto the curb; her face began losing its terseness and ruddiness.
As my young passenger stepped up onto the sidewalk, I inched forward. I immediately moved my hands, held outstretched and level, up and lowered them with a huge grin on my face, while saying/mouthing, “Breath . . . breath. It’s going to be fine. Breath. It’s gonna be a great day!”
Believe it or not, I think she realized how ludicrous this scenario appeared to those around her, because she smiled, dropped her head slightly, apologized, and waved us on. At least that’s what I’d like to think.
Being a Blessing!
We are called to live intentionally and carefully. Think of the influence, great or small, we potentially have on all those with whom we come into contact on a daily basis: running errands, finding parking spaces, standing on checkout lines . . . . here’s your mission field, here’s your calling – live carefully!
Again, feel free to comment and share with your friends.
Thanks for visiting!
Mike
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)