Journal 2005 02 28
Are Your Tools Sharp?
“If your ax is dull and you don't sharpen it, you have to work harder to use it. It is smarter to plan ahead.” Ecclesiastes 10:10
Yesterday the men spent the day catching up and getting ready. Isn’t that what we constantly do? Clean up and repair from one project in readiness for the next?
The men knew that today they would go upstream in search of timber suitable for canoes. No chain saws on the Expedition so the men sharpened axes, adzes and knives in preparation for woodcutting. If you’ve ever used a dull axe, knife, razor or other cutting instrument you know that they just work better when sharp. The soldiers tasked with this mission were preparing themselves to complete it with great diligence and competency.
The following morning sixteen men were sent upstream to find trees. They returned late in the day reporting success.
Are your tools sharp? Have your prepared for the next phase of work by putting away and cleaning up from the last task?
Are you like me with too much unfinished business? Do you simply need to clean up to finish any of them? Finish what is undone, clean up and prepare for the next one. In this we find readiness for new assignment under the command of the leader of Heaven.
Make yourself ready!
Inspiration for today from America's Greatest Expedition, the Corps of Discovery!
Monday, February 28, 2005
Saturday, February 26, 2005
A "Fine" Day
Journal 2005 02 26
A “Fine” Day
Another “fine day” and another day spent working on the freeing the big boat. The men spend all day pulling the big boat out of the river. I’m a little confused by the record, but I believe that the men succeed in moving the boat today. But as is often the case, Mr. Murphy of Murphy’s Law Firm, shows up just a moment too late this time. The ice breaks for one hundred yards on either side of them as the men are nearing success. This labor takes all day and provides great entertainment to a crowd of Indians who gathered to watch them.
Again, Captain Clark describes the day as “fine” despite “much difficulty & trouble” in getting the boat out of the river. Again, if we have had much difficulty and trouble in our day, what label do we attach to the day at its end?
If you’ve seen the great war drama recounting the first major American battle in Vietnam, “We Were Soldiers”, you remember the young first sergeant greeting the grizzled old master sergeant with, “Good morning, sergeant, fine day!” The master sergeant responds by growling and mumbling about what makes the young sergeant think that this is a fine day? They haven’t even had their first cup of coffee and he has no idea of what the day has in store and on and on as he walks on by. (Expletives deleted, by the way.) This scene is repeated for several days in a row, making the young sergeant wonder gun shy about even greeting the master sergeant.
Much later, in one of the last scenes of the movie, after three days of fierce fighting, the young sergeant is sitting waiting to be evacuated; exhausted, covered with the blood and flesh-crusted dirt of battle. Now, and only now, the veteran master sergeant approaches the young, now battle-proven, first sergeant and mumbles, “Sergeant, that was a fine day.”
Are we willing to let someone with more experience and understanding of our mission define our day? Or do we insist on passing judgment from our limited perspective? Do we allow ourselves to be trained by those with more experience? Or do we insist upon writing our own training plans? Do we consult those who have success or do we insist upon going our own way and learning all lessons anew?
Clark is able to describe a day of hard labor marked by near failure and danger as “fine”. A man who has seen war in its brutality is able to call a day “fine” when a young man has proven himself to be worthy of command in the most trying and deadly of human conflicts.
Are we willing to let God call our day “fine” no matter the struggle, pain and battle it may have held? Then and only then are we beginning to understand the rule of the Kingdom of God.
I’m praying for a “fine” day for each of us and for the Kingdom today.
A “Fine” Day
Another “fine day” and another day spent working on the freeing the big boat. The men spend all day pulling the big boat out of the river. I’m a little confused by the record, but I believe that the men succeed in moving the boat today. But as is often the case, Mr. Murphy of Murphy’s Law Firm, shows up just a moment too late this time. The ice breaks for one hundred yards on either side of them as the men are nearing success. This labor takes all day and provides great entertainment to a crowd of Indians who gathered to watch them.
Again, Captain Clark describes the day as “fine” despite “much difficulty & trouble” in getting the boat out of the river. Again, if we have had much difficulty and trouble in our day, what label do we attach to the day at its end?
If you’ve seen the great war drama recounting the first major American battle in Vietnam, “We Were Soldiers”, you remember the young first sergeant greeting the grizzled old master sergeant with, “Good morning, sergeant, fine day!” The master sergeant responds by growling and mumbling about what makes the young sergeant think that this is a fine day? They haven’t even had their first cup of coffee and he has no idea of what the day has in store and on and on as he walks on by. (Expletives deleted, by the way.) This scene is repeated for several days in a row, making the young sergeant wonder gun shy about even greeting the master sergeant.
Much later, in one of the last scenes of the movie, after three days of fierce fighting, the young sergeant is sitting waiting to be evacuated; exhausted, covered with the blood and flesh-crusted dirt of battle. Now, and only now, the veteran master sergeant approaches the young, now battle-proven, first sergeant and mumbles, “Sergeant, that was a fine day.”
Are we willing to let someone with more experience and understanding of our mission define our day? Or do we insist on passing judgment from our limited perspective? Do we allow ourselves to be trained by those with more experience? Or do we insist upon writing our own training plans? Do we consult those who have success or do we insist upon going our own way and learning all lessons anew?
Clark is able to describe a day of hard labor marked by near failure and danger as “fine”. A man who has seen war in its brutality is able to call a day “fine” when a young man has proven himself to be worthy of command in the most trying and deadly of human conflicts.
Are we willing to let God call our day “fine” no matter the struggle, pain and battle it may have held? Then and only then are we beginning to understand the rule of the Kingdom of God.
I’m praying for a “fine” day for each of us and for the Kingdom today.
Friday, February 25, 2005
An Exceedingly Pleasant Day
Journal 2005 02 25
An Exceedingly Pleasant Day
“The day has been exceedingly pleasant.” William Clark the calm, steady, unflappable member of the Corps of Discovery’s command uses a very descriptive term to record the day. Not only exceedingly pleasant, in addition, quite busy.
It is the fifth day of thirty-degree weather. The men attempt to free the second, larger, boat from the death grip the river of ice has on it. They succeed in loosing it from the river. All the ropes the men fashioned from elk hides break as they attempt to pull the boat out of the river. Night falls on them before they can move the boat significantly.
Indian chiefs from the Hidatsa tribe come visiting and bring their wives carrying meat as gifts. The chiefs ask that a tomahawk be made for his son. Two of their sons and wives are allowed to spend the night with at the Fort. George Bunch from the Hudson’s Bay Company accompanies the Hidatsa’s.
I’m sure at some point over the next month or two we’ll touch on the role of men like George Brunch who represent the English Crown through the Hudson’s Bay Company in remote areas of North America. Ambassador, trader, emissary, friend and more described many of the men of the Hudson’s Bay Company. Character ultimately determined how these unique men were seen by those they engaged. A topic for another day.
Can we say at the end of today, “The day has been exceedingly pleasant”?
William Clark was working in wet, sloppy snow. While he was focused on freeing the ships look who decides to drop in unannounced, the Hidatsa’s! And they brought their family and friends. Don’t they know he has important work to accomplish today? And it is a short day at that. The sun is setting too early to get a lot done. And on and on. IF William Clark were given to whining, griping and complaining he may sound like this. However, he is not given to whining, griping and complaining. Are we?
If we are, we need to ask God to give us His perspective on our activities and summaries of our days. We need to see our activities, perspectives and accomplishments through His measuring devices so we can declare a sloppy, snow-covered, thirty degree, falling-short-of-goal, burdened by unexpected visitors and overnight guests day and declare it as “exceedingly pleasant”.
If you can’t do that, repent of a wrongly focused heart and bad vision, and allow Him to give you new vision and the Joy of the Holy Ghost so you are able to declare all things good in His sight and “exceedingly pleasant”.
Romans 14:17 “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”
Romans 15:13 “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”
An Exceedingly Pleasant Day
“The day has been exceedingly pleasant.” William Clark the calm, steady, unflappable member of the Corps of Discovery’s command uses a very descriptive term to record the day. Not only exceedingly pleasant, in addition, quite busy.
It is the fifth day of thirty-degree weather. The men attempt to free the second, larger, boat from the death grip the river of ice has on it. They succeed in loosing it from the river. All the ropes the men fashioned from elk hides break as they attempt to pull the boat out of the river. Night falls on them before they can move the boat significantly.
Indian chiefs from the Hidatsa tribe come visiting and bring their wives carrying meat as gifts. The chiefs ask that a tomahawk be made for his son. Two of their sons and wives are allowed to spend the night with at the Fort. George Bunch from the Hudson’s Bay Company accompanies the Hidatsa’s.
I’m sure at some point over the next month or two we’ll touch on the role of men like George Brunch who represent the English Crown through the Hudson’s Bay Company in remote areas of North America. Ambassador, trader, emissary, friend and more described many of the men of the Hudson’s Bay Company. Character ultimately determined how these unique men were seen by those they engaged. A topic for another day.
Can we say at the end of today, “The day has been exceedingly pleasant”?
William Clark was working in wet, sloppy snow. While he was focused on freeing the ships look who decides to drop in unannounced, the Hidatsa’s! And they brought their family and friends. Don’t they know he has important work to accomplish today? And it is a short day at that. The sun is setting too early to get a lot done. And on and on. IF William Clark were given to whining, griping and complaining he may sound like this. However, he is not given to whining, griping and complaining. Are we?
If we are, we need to ask God to give us His perspective on our activities and summaries of our days. We need to see our activities, perspectives and accomplishments through His measuring devices so we can declare a sloppy, snow-covered, thirty degree, falling-short-of-goal, burdened by unexpected visitors and overnight guests day and declare it as “exceedingly pleasant”.
If you can’t do that, repent of a wrongly focused heart and bad vision, and allow Him to give you new vision and the Joy of the Holy Ghost so you are able to declare all things good in His sight and “exceedingly pleasant”.
Romans 14:17 “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”
Romans 15:13 “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Working Harder
Journal 2005 02 24
Working Harder
Fourth day in a row of 30+ weather allows the men to free the larger boat from the ice. Lots of hard work is noted in the journals. And these guys knew what hard work was. Even more, we know just how much hard work is yet ahead of them.
How hard do we work? The easy quip and sharp tongue replies, “Not very”. But is that really the case?
If I think I’m working hard I just let my memory roll back to the days of hanging off the back of a garbage truck hustling through a particularly tough day. That was hard work. Or I remember running lines during basketball practice with my lungs on fire and my legs burning and fighting to get a moments rest. That was hard work. Or laboring at 12,000 feet to gain a mountaintop in Colorado in pursuit of the very same animals Lewis and Clark sought for food.
How many of us sweat hard at work? How many of us are physically exhausted from all out physical requirements of work? Most people I know work pretty darn hard and understand hard work. Do most of us understand the physical exertion of daily hard work? Not in our current economy and culture. Our hard work takes on another guise.
Solomon tells us, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no work, nor plan, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave where you go.” Ecclesiastes 9:10. We are called to work hard during this life. I believe we were made to physically work hard in pursuit of the work God sets before us to accomplish. If we aren’t exerting ourselves physically, that is when stress begins to creep in and attempt to overtake our pursuit of work with all our might. We must find a way to “work hard” while we can and in that hard working fulfill what God has set in front of us to complete.
If our day doesn’t include physical exertion we need to look for ways to build it in. Walking the dog, working in the garden, clearing the back forty, going to the “Y”, Curves, 24 Hour Fitness, and the like exist because we need them to complete not just our lives, but our work!
I’m going to work harder today.
Working Harder
Fourth day in a row of 30+ weather allows the men to free the larger boat from the ice. Lots of hard work is noted in the journals. And these guys knew what hard work was. Even more, we know just how much hard work is yet ahead of them.
How hard do we work? The easy quip and sharp tongue replies, “Not very”. But is that really the case?
If I think I’m working hard I just let my memory roll back to the days of hanging off the back of a garbage truck hustling through a particularly tough day. That was hard work. Or I remember running lines during basketball practice with my lungs on fire and my legs burning and fighting to get a moments rest. That was hard work. Or laboring at 12,000 feet to gain a mountaintop in Colorado in pursuit of the very same animals Lewis and Clark sought for food.
How many of us sweat hard at work? How many of us are physically exhausted from all out physical requirements of work? Most people I know work pretty darn hard and understand hard work. Do most of us understand the physical exertion of daily hard work? Not in our current economy and culture. Our hard work takes on another guise.
Solomon tells us, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no work, nor plan, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave where you go.” Ecclesiastes 9:10. We are called to work hard during this life. I believe we were made to physically work hard in pursuit of the work God sets before us to accomplish. If we aren’t exerting ourselves physically, that is when stress begins to creep in and attempt to overtake our pursuit of work with all our might. We must find a way to “work hard” while we can and in that hard working fulfill what God has set in front of us to complete.
If our day doesn’t include physical exertion we need to look for ways to build it in. Walking the dog, working in the garden, clearing the back forty, going to the “Y”, Curves, 24 Hour Fitness, and the like exist because we need them to complete not just our lives, but our work!
I’m going to work harder today.
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Driven by Hunger
Journal 2005 02 23
Driven by Hunger
Third day in a row of thirty degree weather. The meat supply is filled for a while and the men return to trying to free the boats from the ice. The ice has nearly built up to the top of the boats. Using axes and pikes (we’d probably call them spears) the men free the smaller boat and make progress on the larger one.
Remember the amputation of toes that Clark performed on the Indian teen on January 27th? He is finally healed enough for his father to take him home on a sled. He has been in camp since the 10th of January. It would be fascinating to hear his account of a month spent in camp as an observer of the daily life of the soldiers.
It has taken three weeks since Captain Clark and sixteen soldiers set out on February 3rd to hunt for meat. That is dogged determination. Their hunger drove them on. Proverbs 16:26, “A laborer's appetite makes him work harder, because he wants to satisfy his hunger.”
Most of their work was focused on satisfying their hunger for three weeks. Had they not been successful, they would have continued in their pursuit of meat.
Then, and only then, did they return to the “emergency” of freeing their boats from the ice. This time conditions had changed and the men were able to free the boat. It took a change in temperature to change the circumstances so the same amount of work, or less, resulted in the fulfillment of their goal.
Are we working on anything in our lives that might just be like that boat frozen in the river? Are we working so hard to accomplish a goal that is “stuck in the ice” that we are not taking care of our daily work to meet our basic needs?
Are we working so hard to meet our basic needs that we are not able to accomplish any other work?
If the answer is “yes” to either of those questions we need to gain wisdom and work accordingly. If we were working outside everyday we would be limited by nature in what we could accomplish. Now, most of us must learn to be limited by what God would impose as “conditions” upon us.
Are we having problems bringing in enough meat? Then let’s use dogged determination and let our appetite drive our work as Proverbs 16:26 tells us. Once we’ve satisfied our hunger, then let us get back to the important work of “freeing the boats”. Clark was able to get back to completing his maps to send back to President Jefferson. Lewis went back to meeting with the local tribal leaders.
Can we see our work in a simpler fashion today? Fill the larder, take care of the urgent needs and then return to that which advances the mission and the dream behind it.
Driven by Hunger
Third day in a row of thirty degree weather. The meat supply is filled for a while and the men return to trying to free the boats from the ice. The ice has nearly built up to the top of the boats. Using axes and pikes (we’d probably call them spears) the men free the smaller boat and make progress on the larger one.
Remember the amputation of toes that Clark performed on the Indian teen on January 27th? He is finally healed enough for his father to take him home on a sled. He has been in camp since the 10th of January. It would be fascinating to hear his account of a month spent in camp as an observer of the daily life of the soldiers.
It has taken three weeks since Captain Clark and sixteen soldiers set out on February 3rd to hunt for meat. That is dogged determination. Their hunger drove them on. Proverbs 16:26, “A laborer's appetite makes him work harder, because he wants to satisfy his hunger.”
Most of their work was focused on satisfying their hunger for three weeks. Had they not been successful, they would have continued in their pursuit of meat.
Then, and only then, did they return to the “emergency” of freeing their boats from the ice. This time conditions had changed and the men were able to free the boat. It took a change in temperature to change the circumstances so the same amount of work, or less, resulted in the fulfillment of their goal.
Are we working on anything in our lives that might just be like that boat frozen in the river? Are we working so hard to accomplish a goal that is “stuck in the ice” that we are not taking care of our daily work to meet our basic needs?
Are we working so hard to meet our basic needs that we are not able to accomplish any other work?
If the answer is “yes” to either of those questions we need to gain wisdom and work accordingly. If we were working outside everyday we would be limited by nature in what we could accomplish. Now, most of us must learn to be limited by what God would impose as “conditions” upon us.
Are we having problems bringing in enough meat? Then let’s use dogged determination and let our appetite drive our work as Proverbs 16:26 tells us. Once we’ve satisfied our hunger, then let us get back to the important work of “freeing the boats”. Clark was able to get back to completing his maps to send back to President Jefferson. Lewis went back to meeting with the local tribal leaders.
Can we see our work in a simpler fashion today? Fill the larder, take care of the urgent needs and then return to that which advances the mission and the dream behind it.
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
That's a Lot of Meat
Journal 2005 02 22
That’s a Lot of Meat!
Warm weather and a ton and a half of meat! The weather was sunny and 30 degrees. The men put out their clothes to “sun”. Most of the party was sent to help bring in the sled with 2400 pounds of meat on it. A total of 3000 pounds was brought in to camp.
Can you imagine what kind of effort it must take to pull a ton of meat on a sled in the deep snow? For many miles, at least twenty, maybe forty. Sixteen men wearing moccasins evidently made the work easier. I bet they all were a little hungry, too!
The Mandan chiefs went to “The Medicine Rock” to consult it regarding the coming year. The rock is a large flat rock and is a state park today. The rock has changing patterns that are interpreted by the Chiefs and applied to what we might call a prophecy. This is where spiritism and shamanism come to the forefront of the Indian cultures. If God is embodied in all things then all things can speak for God. Not a Christian tenet!
I’m a little at a loss today to make a spiritual application other than one of the reward of hard work and perseverance on provision. And I think that is enough.
That’s a Lot of Meat!
Warm weather and a ton and a half of meat! The weather was sunny and 30 degrees. The men put out their clothes to “sun”. Most of the party was sent to help bring in the sled with 2400 pounds of meat on it. A total of 3000 pounds was brought in to camp.
Can you imagine what kind of effort it must take to pull a ton of meat on a sled in the deep snow? For many miles, at least twenty, maybe forty. Sixteen men wearing moccasins evidently made the work easier. I bet they all were a little hungry, too!
The Mandan chiefs went to “The Medicine Rock” to consult it regarding the coming year. The rock is a large flat rock and is a state park today. The rock has changing patterns that are interpreted by the Chiefs and applied to what we might call a prophecy. This is where spiritism and shamanism come to the forefront of the Indian cultures. If God is embodied in all things then all things can speak for God. Not a Christian tenet!
I’m a little at a loss today to make a spiritual application other than one of the reward of hard work and perseverance on provision. And I think that is enough.
Friday, February 18, 2005
Joy in the Midst of Hardship
Journal 2005 02 18
Joy in the Midst of Hardship
The men are completely out of meat today at Fort Mandan. I’m assuming the men are still eating grain they’ve traded for with the local Indians. Imagine going to the pantry and finding only canned corn. Especially when you are used to eating meat. The men of the expedition averaged nine pounds of meat per day over the course of their journey. Meat was their main source of nutrition. As it also was for the Plains Indians. The men were hungry. Yet, again, no record exists of them griping and complaining. They were only working on solving the problem.
Captain Clark was working on a record of geographical estimates of what lay west of them. He had gathered much verbal and anecdotal information regarding rivers, mountains, distances and land features that lay west from their Indian neighbors and many visitors. Clark’s purpose in this particular record was to have a report for President Jefferson should the party not return from the expedition. Lewis and Clark were sending a party of men back down the Missouri River in the spring with information to be reported to the President.
How many excuses do we have, and use, about why we can’t work or why we are not very productive? I could list several instantly for me.
Am I hungry? Am I cold? Is my computer acting up? Does my car have a problem? Am I out of cash? Am I unappreciated? Does the boss know what he is asking of me? Don’t you know if I left home I could be attacked by a Sioux raiding party? Where’s my favorite white dress shirt? I broke a shoelace. I don’t feel very good. Etc, etc, etc.
I think part of our admiration for the men who completed this journey is their dogged determination to complete the mission at all costs. In addition, they all returned safely except for Sgt. Floyd whose burst appendix would have killed him whether on the expedition or not. And they undertook this difficult task with great joy.
Great joy in the midst of great difficulty is what sets us apart as great human beings. We, of all people, children adopted into the family of God, should exhibit this trait in our daily lives. If a recording was made of our daily dialogue, what would we hear?
Do we face all issues with an overcomer’s mindset? Do we look for ways to quit or ways to persevere and conquer? Are we filled with the joy of Holy Ghost no matter the circumstances? If not, repent and change today.
Joy in the Midst of Hardship
The men are completely out of meat today at Fort Mandan. I’m assuming the men are still eating grain they’ve traded for with the local Indians. Imagine going to the pantry and finding only canned corn. Especially when you are used to eating meat. The men of the expedition averaged nine pounds of meat per day over the course of their journey. Meat was their main source of nutrition. As it also was for the Plains Indians. The men were hungry. Yet, again, no record exists of them griping and complaining. They were only working on solving the problem.
Captain Clark was working on a record of geographical estimates of what lay west of them. He had gathered much verbal and anecdotal information regarding rivers, mountains, distances and land features that lay west from their Indian neighbors and many visitors. Clark’s purpose in this particular record was to have a report for President Jefferson should the party not return from the expedition. Lewis and Clark were sending a party of men back down the Missouri River in the spring with information to be reported to the President.
How many excuses do we have, and use, about why we can’t work or why we are not very productive? I could list several instantly for me.
Am I hungry? Am I cold? Is my computer acting up? Does my car have a problem? Am I out of cash? Am I unappreciated? Does the boss know what he is asking of me? Don’t you know if I left home I could be attacked by a Sioux raiding party? Where’s my favorite white dress shirt? I broke a shoelace. I don’t feel very good. Etc, etc, etc.
I think part of our admiration for the men who completed this journey is their dogged determination to complete the mission at all costs. In addition, they all returned safely except for Sgt. Floyd whose burst appendix would have killed him whether on the expedition or not. And they undertook this difficult task with great joy.
Great joy in the midst of great difficulty is what sets us apart as great human beings. We, of all people, children adopted into the family of God, should exhibit this trait in our daily lives. If a recording was made of our daily dialogue, what would we hear?
Do we face all issues with an overcomer’s mindset? Do we look for ways to quit or ways to persevere and conquer? Are we filled with the joy of Holy Ghost no matter the circumstances? If not, repent and change today.
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Leadership Observed
Journal 2005 02 17
Leadership Observed
In an attempt to respond to the Sioux robbery, Lewis set out on the 15th with twenty of his men and four Hidatsas to find the robbers. They quickly realize that the Sioux are too far ahead to be overtaken. (Just my opinion here, but Lewis and his party were not supplied to take on an extended pursuit of the Sioux. They were low on meat to begin with. The very reason they were out on an extended hunting expedition.)
Their Indian friends tell the Captains that the Sioux would not attack the party as long as Clark was with them. Evidently they were afraid of him.
Chief Coal and his son, also called the “Big Bellies,” visit and bring thirty pounds of bison jerky and tallow for the men at the Fort.
The weather continues to be cold. Fourteen below “naught” at dawn with the sun warming them later in the day. Frostbitten feet are a constant danger. Apparently, everyone has a number of moccasins that they keep changing in order to keep their feet dry and warm.
Today’s record reminds us of the natural need for leadership. The enemy was restrained because they feared the leader, William Clark. When they saw that the leader was no longer present they lost their fear and the resulting restraint and attacked.
Pastor Norm teaches regarding delegated authority. Authority implies leadership. Now we can argue, rightfully, that authority doesn’t mean that the one yielding it is a leader. It should, but human frailty and sinfulness cause authority to be abused. Godly authority should result in leadership not totalitarianism.
If delegated authority is correctly used, leadership should always be apparent. Even the small party of soldiers sent to recover the meat someone must have been the “platoon leader”. If we are properly training and teaching those under our authority they should be displaying leadership under delegated authority.
And it should be apparent to even our enemies watching us that authority has been delegated and left in place by the primary leader. Are we operating under proper delegated authority? Are we leaderless with no authority? Have we declared ourselves to have authority when no one else has ordained it to us?
Do we understand that we are under “observation” by hostile forces looking for opportunity to “seek, kill and destroy”?
If we have no concept of who is in charge, stop and figure it out before the enemy decides to rob you because no leader is present to be feared.
If you have declared yourself the leader, stop, repent and figure out if anyone has delegated authority to you. Then place yourself under that delegated authority so the enemy may fear you rather than observe you for the right time to rob you.
Finally, many modern Christians say they are under Christ’s authority and His only. That is and should be true. However, if we have no delegated authority, no discipleship and no leadership structure in family, church and government we are left with anarchy and the enemy is able to rule.
Safeguard yourself and those you are responsible for by aligning yourself properly in the line of authority delegated to, and around you.
Leadership Observed
In an attempt to respond to the Sioux robbery, Lewis set out on the 15th with twenty of his men and four Hidatsas to find the robbers. They quickly realize that the Sioux are too far ahead to be overtaken. (Just my opinion here, but Lewis and his party were not supplied to take on an extended pursuit of the Sioux. They were low on meat to begin with. The very reason they were out on an extended hunting expedition.)
Their Indian friends tell the Captains that the Sioux would not attack the party as long as Clark was with them. Evidently they were afraid of him.
Chief Coal and his son, also called the “Big Bellies,” visit and bring thirty pounds of bison jerky and tallow for the men at the Fort.
The weather continues to be cold. Fourteen below “naught” at dawn with the sun warming them later in the day. Frostbitten feet are a constant danger. Apparently, everyone has a number of moccasins that they keep changing in order to keep their feet dry and warm.
Today’s record reminds us of the natural need for leadership. The enemy was restrained because they feared the leader, William Clark. When they saw that the leader was no longer present they lost their fear and the resulting restraint and attacked.
Pastor Norm teaches regarding delegated authority. Authority implies leadership. Now we can argue, rightfully, that authority doesn’t mean that the one yielding it is a leader. It should, but human frailty and sinfulness cause authority to be abused. Godly authority should result in leadership not totalitarianism.
If delegated authority is correctly used, leadership should always be apparent. Even the small party of soldiers sent to recover the meat someone must have been the “platoon leader”. If we are properly training and teaching those under our authority they should be displaying leadership under delegated authority.
And it should be apparent to even our enemies watching us that authority has been delegated and left in place by the primary leader. Are we operating under proper delegated authority? Are we leaderless with no authority? Have we declared ourselves to have authority when no one else has ordained it to us?
Do we understand that we are under “observation” by hostile forces looking for opportunity to “seek, kill and destroy”?
If we have no concept of who is in charge, stop and figure it out before the enemy decides to rob you because no leader is present to be feared.
If you have declared yourself the leader, stop, repent and figure out if anyone has delegated authority to you. Then place yourself under that delegated authority so the enemy may fear you rather than observe you for the right time to rob you.
Finally, many modern Christians say they are under Christ’s authority and His only. That is and should be true. However, if we have no delegated authority, no discipleship and no leadership structure in family, church and government we are left with anarchy and the enemy is able to rule.
Safeguard yourself and those you are responsible for by aligning yourself properly in the line of authority delegated to, and around you.
Monday, February 14, 2005
Attacked
Journal 2005 02 14
Attacked!
Valentine’s Day on the prairie. I don’t think we were celebrating Valentine’s Day in 1805, but if we were, the boys on the expedition got jilted. Having returned about thirty miles to Fort Mandan the previous day, Clark sends a fresh party of men with four horses and sleds to retrieve a large cache of meat left by the hunters. Over one hundred Indians, Sioux they thought, attacked them. Robbing the men of their horses and knives the attackers rode off with their spoils. Rifles broken, no meat or horses the men return to the camp. No mention of their mindset. But they must have been ready to wage war against those who attacked them.
Evidently the Indians had been following them and watching them collect and cache the game and were waiting for an opportune moment.
Life had been so tranquil with the Mandans, Hidatsa and Arikara tribes that they weren’t thinking about being robbed. Clark had learned the hard way that he had to cache the game to protect it from wolves. So they built a wooden “pen” of pole-like rails enclosed on the top. Their fear of humans was minimized.
And life is the same today. We work to make our life as safe and secure as possible and in our most needy of times the wolves and the robbers come to take what little we have. They come in the dead of winter when their need for survival pushes back any self-restraint or fear that may have been holding them back.
Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom. It sounds lofty and impossible. Eternal vigilance? How can we possibly do anything eternal? Perpetual would be a better work to use since it implies slightly more human characteristics.
If we have worked hard for a fruitful harvest are we to leave it lie that it can be consumed by whoever passes by or lays claim to it? We are charged to keep that which has been committed to our care.
Eternal vigilance can be achieved if we place our eternity in the hands of the One who holds eternity. Security experts tell us that perpetual vigilance is difficult to achieve because without a constant, real threat it is difficult to maintain a heightened sense of awareness to potential danger.
All the more reason for us to call upon and depend on the One Who Knows All and Sees All and has sealed our hearts and given His Holy Spirit to lead and guide us. My charge for all of us today is to be Eternally Vigilant to Him that we may find real eternal security.
Attacked!
Valentine’s Day on the prairie. I don’t think we were celebrating Valentine’s Day in 1805, but if we were, the boys on the expedition got jilted. Having returned about thirty miles to Fort Mandan the previous day, Clark sends a fresh party of men with four horses and sleds to retrieve a large cache of meat left by the hunters. Over one hundred Indians, Sioux they thought, attacked them. Robbing the men of their horses and knives the attackers rode off with their spoils. Rifles broken, no meat or horses the men return to the camp. No mention of their mindset. But they must have been ready to wage war against those who attacked them.
Evidently the Indians had been following them and watching them collect and cache the game and were waiting for an opportune moment.
Life had been so tranquil with the Mandans, Hidatsa and Arikara tribes that they weren’t thinking about being robbed. Clark had learned the hard way that he had to cache the game to protect it from wolves. So they built a wooden “pen” of pole-like rails enclosed on the top. Their fear of humans was minimized.
And life is the same today. We work to make our life as safe and secure as possible and in our most needy of times the wolves and the robbers come to take what little we have. They come in the dead of winter when their need for survival pushes back any self-restraint or fear that may have been holding them back.
Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom. It sounds lofty and impossible. Eternal vigilance? How can we possibly do anything eternal? Perpetual would be a better work to use since it implies slightly more human characteristics.
If we have worked hard for a fruitful harvest are we to leave it lie that it can be consumed by whoever passes by or lays claim to it? We are charged to keep that which has been committed to our care.
Eternal vigilance can be achieved if we place our eternity in the hands of the One who holds eternity. Security experts tell us that perpetual vigilance is difficult to achieve because without a constant, real threat it is difficult to maintain a heightened sense of awareness to potential danger.
All the more reason for us to call upon and depend on the One Who Knows All and Sees All and has sealed our hearts and given His Holy Spirit to lead and guide us. My charge for all of us today is to be Eternally Vigilant to Him that we may find real eternal security.
Friday, February 11, 2005
A Child to be Raised as His Own
Journal 2005 02 11
A Child to be Raised as His Own
Great joy in Fort Mandan today! The youngest member of the Expedition is added to its number. Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, infant son of Toussant Charbonneau, translator hired by the Corps. We know his mother by first name only, Sacajawea. She was sixteen. While no mention is made of the reason for choosing his name. It is interesting to note that Jean Baptiste LePage was to later enlist and become part of the party at Fort Mandan. Is Charbonneau naming his son after his friend? History didn’t record it, but it certainly seems possible.
Snake rattle was used to quicken the birth by another of the Frenchmen present. Lewis writes that he has no faith in the “rattle of snake” as a medicine. Sacajawea had a long and difficult delivery. All is well with mother and child.
If we don’t get to it later it is good to note here that the young man who would traverse the frontier as an infant would live a rich life as a frontiersman. Captain Clark was smitten with the young man and at age six the Charbonneau’s accepted Captain Clark’s offer to raise him as his own son. The Charbonneau’s sent their son to grow in the ways of the much-admired William Clark. As a young man, Jean Baptiste would spend six years in Europe as the protégé of Prince Paul of Wurrtemburg. Upon his return to the United States he lived as a mountain man, fur trader and guide to many famous explorers and soldiers. He later settled in California. He died in 1866 in Oregon while traveling to Montana.
Clark called the young boy “Pomp” or “Pompy” and “Pompy’s Pillar”, or “Pompey’s Tower” stands named by Clark for this youngest of explorers.
Now my imagination adds to the richness of the record. When we see paintings depicting scenes of the Expedition we see Sacajawea carrying the baby. My guess is that this infant boy spent endless hours with many of the soldiers as they traversed the great distances and difficult passages. Most of the soldiers were young, not parents and most probably brothers of younger boys. Many must have enjoyed the company and the blessing of the baby in their care. Clark would marry, but not for a few years. I can imagine him carrying this small boy in one arm speaking to him in a narrative of wonder as every footstep reveals new wonders to these brave young men.
We speak of destiny to our children and young men and women. We have the complete record of Jean Baptiste Charbonneau’s life. Could we speak to our children with the wisdom of their destiny revealed if we had the full history of their lives? Have we asked the Lord to give us this kind of revelation regarding the destiny and lives of our children and young people? Do we believe that God would take each of our children to “raise as His own”? Do we trust Him to do that very same thing? Is God able to recite a complete narrative of their lives? If so, why wouldn’t we trust Him with them? Today, let us endeavor to give our children to God to be “raised as His own”. At the same time, let us remember that we have been given over to that same charge. To be raised as His own.
A Child to be Raised as His Own
Great joy in Fort Mandan today! The youngest member of the Expedition is added to its number. Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, infant son of Toussant Charbonneau, translator hired by the Corps. We know his mother by first name only, Sacajawea. She was sixteen. While no mention is made of the reason for choosing his name. It is interesting to note that Jean Baptiste LePage was to later enlist and become part of the party at Fort Mandan. Is Charbonneau naming his son after his friend? History didn’t record it, but it certainly seems possible.
Snake rattle was used to quicken the birth by another of the Frenchmen present. Lewis writes that he has no faith in the “rattle of snake” as a medicine. Sacajawea had a long and difficult delivery. All is well with mother and child.
If we don’t get to it later it is good to note here that the young man who would traverse the frontier as an infant would live a rich life as a frontiersman. Captain Clark was smitten with the young man and at age six the Charbonneau’s accepted Captain Clark’s offer to raise him as his own son. The Charbonneau’s sent their son to grow in the ways of the much-admired William Clark. As a young man, Jean Baptiste would spend six years in Europe as the protégé of Prince Paul of Wurrtemburg. Upon his return to the United States he lived as a mountain man, fur trader and guide to many famous explorers and soldiers. He later settled in California. He died in 1866 in Oregon while traveling to Montana.
Clark called the young boy “Pomp” or “Pompy” and “Pompy’s Pillar”, or “Pompey’s Tower” stands named by Clark for this youngest of explorers.
Now my imagination adds to the richness of the record. When we see paintings depicting scenes of the Expedition we see Sacajawea carrying the baby. My guess is that this infant boy spent endless hours with many of the soldiers as they traversed the great distances and difficult passages. Most of the soldiers were young, not parents and most probably brothers of younger boys. Many must have enjoyed the company and the blessing of the baby in their care. Clark would marry, but not for a few years. I can imagine him carrying this small boy in one arm speaking to him in a narrative of wonder as every footstep reveals new wonders to these brave young men.
We speak of destiny to our children and young men and women. We have the complete record of Jean Baptiste Charbonneau’s life. Could we speak to our children with the wisdom of their destiny revealed if we had the full history of their lives? Have we asked the Lord to give us this kind of revelation regarding the destiny and lives of our children and young people? Do we believe that God would take each of our children to “raise as His own”? Do we trust Him to do that very same thing? Is God able to recite a complete narrative of their lives? If so, why wouldn’t we trust Him with them? Today, let us endeavor to give our children to God to be “raised as His own”. At the same time, let us remember that we have been given over to that same charge. To be raised as His own.
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Wind Chill or Trade Winds
Journal 2005 02 10
Wind Chill or Trade Winds?
The court-martial mentioned yesterday is held. And the sentence is suspended.
Charbonneau returns from the hunters with three horses loaded with meat for the camp. The horses are not shod and cannot negotiate the ice on the Missouri River with the heavy loads on their backs. Sleds are requested and a party is sent to help bring the meat into camp.
No mention is made of any emotion attached to the arrival of the meat. That is consistent with the temperate recording of the men and their mindset throughout the length of the journey.
The temperature is 18 degrees above zero, eight degrees warmer than the day before. Lewis notes that because of the fierce wind that has come up that the previous days ten degrees was noticeably warmer than this day’s eighteen. Today we’ve named that phenomenon the “wind chill factor”.
Several items strike me as history applies to today. First, justice was swift. Soldier Howard breeched security yesterday, the matter was closed within twenty-four hours. Slightly different than justice carried out anywhere else except our homes. Even home justice can lack mercy and extend punishment beyond what is needed. Swift justice needs to rule the day.
Second, Clark sent help in the form of food back to camp knowing they were in need. Charbonneau arrived without horses, meat or another soldier. What do you think went through the minds of those who first saw him arrive? Fear that he was a sole survivor? Hope that he was hauling a load too big for one man? A call to arms to aid the hunting party? Do you think attitudes and initial conclusions changed after hearing Charbonneau’s call to help bring in the harvest? How do we receive a report? Do we jump to conclusions or wait to hear the messengers report?
Third, the “wind chill factor” can increase the negative impact of our circumstances. A sermon could be preached on “The Wind of Spirit or the Storm of the devil, Which do You Choose?” The Holy Spirit is likened to the wind many times because of His invisibility. However invisible, His power is undeniable. Hurricanes and tornadoes illustrate the power of the wind to destroy. Sailing ships and wind turbines illustrate the slight harnessing of the power of the wind. We forget that the power contained in explosions is the concussive power of the air moved by the explosion. So, the power of the wind can chill us and negatively impact us by causing us to seek shelter from its power. It can overpower us even to death. This would illustrate evil using the wind to its benefit to hinder and stop us.
Now it gets exciting, that power of the wind is indicative of the Holy Spirit speaking to us. He is illustrated as coming to us not in the power of the storm but in the quiet whisper of a gentle breeze. He’s capable of harnessing power and blowing out all opposition. He can send a cleansing breeze to refresh His ministering to us. Ever open the windows in winter to let the stale air be exchanged for fresh? Refreshing. Renewing.
Let the “wind chill factor” work in your favor. Hunker down in the storm if you need to. But as easy as it is to see the physical impact of the natural wind, train yourself to see the spiritual impact of the “Trade Winds of the Holy Spirit”. Do not hunker down in this wind. Stand tall and lift your sails so you are carried along by an overwhelming force to the destination He has determined for you. In the natural, the “trade winds” carried sailing ships across the ocean fueling great commerce. God’s economy is people and eternal souls. If we let the Holy Spirit carry us in God’s trade winds we will work at trimming our sails and carrying a great bounty. If we let the Holy Spirit determine our direction we are not subject to the constant second-guessing of His will that dogs our modern Christian existence.
So when you feel the chill of the wind from a storm remember to look instead for the warm trade winds that will send you to the destination to carry the bounty that God would desire for us to bring to Him.
Wind Chill or Trade Winds?
The court-martial mentioned yesterday is held. And the sentence is suspended.
Charbonneau returns from the hunters with three horses loaded with meat for the camp. The horses are not shod and cannot negotiate the ice on the Missouri River with the heavy loads on their backs. Sleds are requested and a party is sent to help bring the meat into camp.
No mention is made of any emotion attached to the arrival of the meat. That is consistent with the temperate recording of the men and their mindset throughout the length of the journey.
The temperature is 18 degrees above zero, eight degrees warmer than the day before. Lewis notes that because of the fierce wind that has come up that the previous days ten degrees was noticeably warmer than this day’s eighteen. Today we’ve named that phenomenon the “wind chill factor”.
Several items strike me as history applies to today. First, justice was swift. Soldier Howard breeched security yesterday, the matter was closed within twenty-four hours. Slightly different than justice carried out anywhere else except our homes. Even home justice can lack mercy and extend punishment beyond what is needed. Swift justice needs to rule the day.
Second, Clark sent help in the form of food back to camp knowing they were in need. Charbonneau arrived without horses, meat or another soldier. What do you think went through the minds of those who first saw him arrive? Fear that he was a sole survivor? Hope that he was hauling a load too big for one man? A call to arms to aid the hunting party? Do you think attitudes and initial conclusions changed after hearing Charbonneau’s call to help bring in the harvest? How do we receive a report? Do we jump to conclusions or wait to hear the messengers report?
Third, the “wind chill factor” can increase the negative impact of our circumstances. A sermon could be preached on “The Wind of Spirit or the Storm of the devil, Which do You Choose?” The Holy Spirit is likened to the wind many times because of His invisibility. However invisible, His power is undeniable. Hurricanes and tornadoes illustrate the power of the wind to destroy. Sailing ships and wind turbines illustrate the slight harnessing of the power of the wind. We forget that the power contained in explosions is the concussive power of the air moved by the explosion. So, the power of the wind can chill us and negatively impact us by causing us to seek shelter from its power. It can overpower us even to death. This would illustrate evil using the wind to its benefit to hinder and stop us.
Now it gets exciting, that power of the wind is indicative of the Holy Spirit speaking to us. He is illustrated as coming to us not in the power of the storm but in the quiet whisper of a gentle breeze. He’s capable of harnessing power and blowing out all opposition. He can send a cleansing breeze to refresh His ministering to us. Ever open the windows in winter to let the stale air be exchanged for fresh? Refreshing. Renewing.
Let the “wind chill factor” work in your favor. Hunker down in the storm if you need to. But as easy as it is to see the physical impact of the natural wind, train yourself to see the spiritual impact of the “Trade Winds of the Holy Spirit”. Do not hunker down in this wind. Stand tall and lift your sails so you are carried along by an overwhelming force to the destination He has determined for you. In the natural, the “trade winds” carried sailing ships across the ocean fueling great commerce. God’s economy is people and eternal souls. If we let the Holy Spirit carry us in God’s trade winds we will work at trimming our sails and carrying a great bounty. If we let the Holy Spirit determine our direction we are not subject to the constant second-guessing of His will that dogs our modern Christian existence.
So when you feel the chill of the wind from a storm remember to look instead for the warm trade winds that will send you to the destination to carry the bounty that God would desire for us to bring to Him.
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Securing the Perimeter
Journal 2005 02 09
Securing the Perimeter
Remember how hard the men of the Corps of Discovery were working in October and November to erect a wall around Fort Mandan? Safety and security were the reasons. The ability to control entrance into the Fort through the gate was important to maintaining security at the Fort.
A few nights ago the men discovered that the gate was being “manned” by Indian women letting unauthorized visitors into the Fort at night. A lock was put on the bar that secured the gate.
Lewis sent a member of the Corps to the Indian village. He returned after sunset finding the gates closed per standing orders. Rather than call for the guard to open the gate and let him in, the soldier scaled the wall. A watching Indian observed him perform this feat and later did followed the same path over the fence. Lewis severely chastised the Indian and sent him away convinced not to breach the wall again. The soldier was held under guard for court martial. Because he was an older soldier he was expected to understand the consequences of showing the Indians how to breach the wall and forego controlled entrance via the gate.
Lewis did convene a court martial the following day and sentenced him to 39 lashes. Lewis then forgave the punishment and never recorded the incident in the military logs. It was the last of any recorded disciplinary action taken.
This day’s record brings to mind a simple concept we take for granted. Perimeter Security. How secure are our walls and gates? Physically and spiritually. Do we have walls and a gate that we may control? If so, are we using them to control who has entrance to our houses? Security is a natural expectation to deny entrance to enemies foreign and domestic.
We are complacent regarding security and assume “others” are protecting us. Like the older soldier we are expected to know better than to be cavalier about securing who gains entrance to our homes and under what conditions entrance is allowed.
We must be more vigilant. Lon stokes taught our men a few years back regarding gates and their purposes in our lives. Which gates are operating in our lives? Are our walls secure and in good repair? Are we standing guard that we would authorize entrance rather than be an open door to any who would come? Is there any difference between a wide open uncontrolled gate and a broken down door or hole in the wall?
Fighter pilots constantly “check their six” to see if anyone is sneaking up behind them. I’m saying to use today’s example to “check your doors and fences” to see if anyone is trying to gain access you don’t want them to have.
2 Corinthians 10:5 “the demolishing of arguments and every high thing lifting up itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought into the obedience of Christ,”
Securing the Perimeter
Remember how hard the men of the Corps of Discovery were working in October and November to erect a wall around Fort Mandan? Safety and security were the reasons. The ability to control entrance into the Fort through the gate was important to maintaining security at the Fort.
A few nights ago the men discovered that the gate was being “manned” by Indian women letting unauthorized visitors into the Fort at night. A lock was put on the bar that secured the gate.
Lewis sent a member of the Corps to the Indian village. He returned after sunset finding the gates closed per standing orders. Rather than call for the guard to open the gate and let him in, the soldier scaled the wall. A watching Indian observed him perform this feat and later did followed the same path over the fence. Lewis severely chastised the Indian and sent him away convinced not to breach the wall again. The soldier was held under guard for court martial. Because he was an older soldier he was expected to understand the consequences of showing the Indians how to breach the wall and forego controlled entrance via the gate.
Lewis did convene a court martial the following day and sentenced him to 39 lashes. Lewis then forgave the punishment and never recorded the incident in the military logs. It was the last of any recorded disciplinary action taken.
This day’s record brings to mind a simple concept we take for granted. Perimeter Security. How secure are our walls and gates? Physically and spiritually. Do we have walls and a gate that we may control? If so, are we using them to control who has entrance to our houses? Security is a natural expectation to deny entrance to enemies foreign and domestic.
We are complacent regarding security and assume “others” are protecting us. Like the older soldier we are expected to know better than to be cavalier about securing who gains entrance to our homes and under what conditions entrance is allowed.
We must be more vigilant. Lon stokes taught our men a few years back regarding gates and their purposes in our lives. Which gates are operating in our lives? Are our walls secure and in good repair? Are we standing guard that we would authorize entrance rather than be an open door to any who would come? Is there any difference between a wide open uncontrolled gate and a broken down door or hole in the wall?
Fighter pilots constantly “check their six” to see if anyone is sneaking up behind them. I’m saying to use today’s example to “check your doors and fences” to see if anyone is trying to gain access you don’t want them to have.
2 Corinthians 10:5 “the demolishing of arguments and every high thing lifting up itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought into the obedience of Christ,”
Monday, February 07, 2005
Check the Back Door Lock!
Journal 2005 02 07
Check the Back Door Lock!
Clark and the sixteen hunters are 44 miles downstream from Fort Mandan. That is Federal Way from Lynnwood on I-5 in the snow and ice with no motorhome, travel trailer, hotel, motel, Denny’s, IHOP, or, danger of dangers, no Starbucks!
Over the past few days the men have taken 26 deer, 10 elk and 3 bison. Several have been too lean to eat. Most of the men continue to hunt while some are assigned to butcher the meat.
Back at the fort Lewis discovers that the Indian wives of the interpreters have been opening the gate of the Fort during the night to let in anyone who wants to enter. He orders a lock to be installed on the gate immediately.
How many times do we assume because we have taken measures to secure our situations that we are safe? Like Fort Mandan, where walls were erected and the gate was barred from the inside, do we look secure yet house those who don’t understand you can’t open the front door to everyone who knocks?
If we’ve allowed unauthorized access to our “forts”, lets take measures today to send the interlopers out and then lock the door behind them!
Check the Back Door Lock!
Clark and the sixteen hunters are 44 miles downstream from Fort Mandan. That is Federal Way from Lynnwood on I-5 in the snow and ice with no motorhome, travel trailer, hotel, motel, Denny’s, IHOP, or, danger of dangers, no Starbucks!
Over the past few days the men have taken 26 deer, 10 elk and 3 bison. Several have been too lean to eat. Most of the men continue to hunt while some are assigned to butcher the meat.
Back at the fort Lewis discovers that the Indian wives of the interpreters have been opening the gate of the Fort during the night to let in anyone who wants to enter. He orders a lock to be installed on the gate immediately.
How many times do we assume because we have taken measures to secure our situations that we are safe? Like Fort Mandan, where walls were erected and the gate was barred from the inside, do we look secure yet house those who don’t understand you can’t open the front door to everyone who knocks?
If we’ve allowed unauthorized access to our “forts”, lets take measures today to send the interlopers out and then lock the door behind them!
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Band of Brothers
Journal 2005 02 03
Band of Brothers
Desperate? I can’t tell from the words recorded in the journal entries. But growing shortages of food and no game to be found sends the men into bold action.
I’ve come to the conclusion that the men of the Corps of Discovery were much like the men of the 101st Airborne in WWII. Difficult situations? Maybe. Desperate? Never. The men of the 101st Airborne are those we’ve come to know as the Band of Brothers. They parachuted into Normandy, fought their way across France, and were later surrounded and cut-off by the Germans in a last, truly desperate, attempt to fight off Allied forces on the verge of penetrating Germany. During that cold Christmas season Patton’s Third Army raced to rescue these tough, battle-hardened soldiers in what was to become known as the Battle of the Bulge. When rescued the men were down to their last rounds of ammunition and short on food. They, however, did not see their situation as desperate and were surprised at the concern for their welfare. Appreciative of the ammo and other supplies certainly. Desperate? Not in their own eyes.
Faced with the same battle of cold weather and shrinking supplies the men of the Lewis and Clark expedition did what decisive military leaders have done throughout history. They took bold action to achieve victory. This victory would be over hunger.
Clark took virtually half of the men (16) on a hunting trip down the frozen Missouri River as far as was necessary to obtain meat for the Fort. The men had the mindset that nothing could defeat them and they would succeed no matter the circumstances. I can’t recall actually reading such a bold statement. I’ve also never read any statement of worry and possible failure from the journals of the men of the Corps of Discovery. We read only descriptions of their circumstances and their perseverance to overcome any obstacles. Including the previously unknown Rocky Mountains!
Historians have noted throughout the past two hundred years the apparent lack of griping, complaining, negative speech and bad attitudes we might expect from such a difficult and dangerous undertaking. The records all indicate that a genuine “joy” accompanied the Corps of Discovery on their mission to conquer the unknown land between the Missouri River and Pacific Ocean.
This unbridled joy is what we should take from their example this morning. What difficulties are we facing that others may describe as “desperate”? Are we approaching them with confidence and joy or worry and despair? Are we viewing our march through time as a God-directed mission filled with adventure as we face the unknown and seemingly impossible course ahead? Are we filled with strength to complete the mission because we have found and been filled with the Joy of the Holy Ghost? Do we have an enduring faith that what God has started He will be faithful to complete in us?
If a small band of expeditionaries could face their ever-changing circumstances without complaint and undue fear two hundred years ago in the unmapped wilderness we ought to be able to trust us to the Holy Spirit to lead us through any unknown, dangerous lands to rescue those imprisoned by sin and death. And we can do it if we have strength that comes from Joy in the Holy Ghost.
That strength is a likened to a fortress in Scripture. Pastor Norm spoke of Nehemiah 8:9-10 last Sunday and the “Joy of the Lord is your strength” tells us that the Joy of the Lord is the place we need to find to find strength and life.
May we all find Joy in the Holy Ghost this very day.
Band of Brothers
Desperate? I can’t tell from the words recorded in the journal entries. But growing shortages of food and no game to be found sends the men into bold action.
I’ve come to the conclusion that the men of the Corps of Discovery were much like the men of the 101st Airborne in WWII. Difficult situations? Maybe. Desperate? Never. The men of the 101st Airborne are those we’ve come to know as the Band of Brothers. They parachuted into Normandy, fought their way across France, and were later surrounded and cut-off by the Germans in a last, truly desperate, attempt to fight off Allied forces on the verge of penetrating Germany. During that cold Christmas season Patton’s Third Army raced to rescue these tough, battle-hardened soldiers in what was to become known as the Battle of the Bulge. When rescued the men were down to their last rounds of ammunition and short on food. They, however, did not see their situation as desperate and were surprised at the concern for their welfare. Appreciative of the ammo and other supplies certainly. Desperate? Not in their own eyes.
Faced with the same battle of cold weather and shrinking supplies the men of the Lewis and Clark expedition did what decisive military leaders have done throughout history. They took bold action to achieve victory. This victory would be over hunger.
Clark took virtually half of the men (16) on a hunting trip down the frozen Missouri River as far as was necessary to obtain meat for the Fort. The men had the mindset that nothing could defeat them and they would succeed no matter the circumstances. I can’t recall actually reading such a bold statement. I’ve also never read any statement of worry and possible failure from the journals of the men of the Corps of Discovery. We read only descriptions of their circumstances and their perseverance to overcome any obstacles. Including the previously unknown Rocky Mountains!
Historians have noted throughout the past two hundred years the apparent lack of griping, complaining, negative speech and bad attitudes we might expect from such a difficult and dangerous undertaking. The records all indicate that a genuine “joy” accompanied the Corps of Discovery on their mission to conquer the unknown land between the Missouri River and Pacific Ocean.
This unbridled joy is what we should take from their example this morning. What difficulties are we facing that others may describe as “desperate”? Are we approaching them with confidence and joy or worry and despair? Are we viewing our march through time as a God-directed mission filled with adventure as we face the unknown and seemingly impossible course ahead? Are we filled with strength to complete the mission because we have found and been filled with the Joy of the Holy Ghost? Do we have an enduring faith that what God has started He will be faithful to complete in us?
If a small band of expeditionaries could face their ever-changing circumstances without complaint and undue fear two hundred years ago in the unmapped wilderness we ought to be able to trust us to the Holy Spirit to lead us through any unknown, dangerous lands to rescue those imprisoned by sin and death. And we can do it if we have strength that comes from Joy in the Holy Ghost.
That strength is a likened to a fortress in Scripture. Pastor Norm spoke of Nehemiah 8:9-10 last Sunday and the “Joy of the Lord is your strength” tells us that the Joy of the Lord is the place we need to find to find strength and life.
May we all find Joy in the Holy Ghost this very day.
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Understand Your Commission and Authority
Journal 2005 02 02
Understand Your Commission and Authority
One deer was harvested today. A deer in winter is living off its fat stores and any browse it can find. These are kinds of animals the men of the Corps are hunting for to get themselves through winter. Currently, they are eating dried meat that was harvested back in November.
Their Canadian visitor, Laroque, makes one last attempt to convince the Captains to allow him to make the journey west with them. The Captains again tell him no and he departs.
The Captains used the same reasoning and logic we should when making decisions. They were commissioned and authorized by the President of the United States of America. They were working under his delegated authority. Mr. Laroque was operating under designated authority of, ultimately, the Queen of England. Lewis and Clark came to the conclusion that the Canadian government and the British Crown were not to be included in their mission by Laroque’s representation. Theirs was an American mission and commission and would remain so.
Do we understand that we are commissioned and authorized under the delegated authority of the Kingdom of God? We are not to allow everyone who asks to tag along. We are not to divide command. We are not to bring into authority those who are not under the authority of the King of Kings. Nor are we to allow those who clearly represent competing kingdoms (read that as the kingdom of darkness) to volunteer to “help” us. People like that are usually called spies, saboteurs, traitors, or terrorists. This is a common tactic used by any enemy. Get agreement to tag along, to even “help”.
Don’t compromise and don’t succumb. A request is asking permission. Those in authority must use wisdom in administering it.
Understand Your Commission and Authority
One deer was harvested today. A deer in winter is living off its fat stores and any browse it can find. These are kinds of animals the men of the Corps are hunting for to get themselves through winter. Currently, they are eating dried meat that was harvested back in November.
Their Canadian visitor, Laroque, makes one last attempt to convince the Captains to allow him to make the journey west with them. The Captains again tell him no and he departs.
The Captains used the same reasoning and logic we should when making decisions. They were commissioned and authorized by the President of the United States of America. They were working under his delegated authority. Mr. Laroque was operating under designated authority of, ultimately, the Queen of England. Lewis and Clark came to the conclusion that the Canadian government and the British Crown were not to be included in their mission by Laroque’s representation. Theirs was an American mission and commission and would remain so.
Do we understand that we are commissioned and authorized under the delegated authority of the Kingdom of God? We are not to allow everyone who asks to tag along. We are not to divide command. We are not to bring into authority those who are not under the authority of the King of Kings. Nor are we to allow those who clearly represent competing kingdoms (read that as the kingdom of darkness) to volunteer to “help” us. People like that are usually called spies, saboteurs, traitors, or terrorists. This is a common tactic used by any enemy. Get agreement to tag along, to even “help”.
Don’t compromise and don’t succumb. A request is asking permission. Those in authority must use wisdom in administering it.
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