pardon for all
By PaulCochrane | November 25, 2009
Approximately 45,000,000 turkeys are desperately hoping for a pardon this Thanks-giving season.
Turkey pardoning was first mentioned by President Harry Truman in 1947, but there is no evidence to support that he actually pardoned the turkey. Uh oh.
President John F. Kennedy spared a turkey days before his assassination, but the bird never received a formal pardon.
President George H.W. Bush was the first to officially pardon a turkey, and this practice has since become a White House tradition. President Bush sent the pardoned turkeys to Frying Pan Park in Fairfax County, VA. The birds’ new home thus serves as a perpetual reminder of the grace they received.
In 2005 the pardoned turkeys became regulars in Disney’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as the honorary grand marshals.
Tomorrow, President Obama will grant a presidential pardon to a Thanksgiving turkey named “Courage.” Courage will then head to Disneyland in California to join the annual Thanksgiving Day parade.
Pardoned turkeys travel to their parade destinations in First Class, as seen here. (Your tax dollars at work!)
It’s an amusing tradition, but there’s a message, too! Have you ever con-sidered the parallels and distinctions?
The most obvious parallel is… What a bunch of turkeys we are! How doomed we are because of our sin, and how desperately we need a pardon!
Furthermore, turkey pardons remind me that the pardon is not earned. It is a gracious gift bestowed on the undeserving.
But the most glorious fact of all is this: There is not just one pardon available. Not one in 45 million, but “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” * And no matter the crime, “He will abundantly pardon!” #
So this Thursday, let’s make our first order of business giving thanks… for our pardon.
Blessings,
* Acts 2:21
# Isaiah 55:7
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bow down
By PaulCochrane | November 18, 2009
Quite a fuss has been made over President Obama bowing to Japanese Emperor Akihito.1
Some contend he was just trying to be polite–bowing is a common social gesture in this part of the world. Others are appalled or even angry, convinced he is communicating deference and subservience to Akihito as a superior.
I don’t intend to weigh in on that debate. But the ruckus has been enlightening. Of particular interest is how many people are opposed to any American bowing to anyone for any reason. Here’s a sampling of some of the nicer comments:
“Americans bow to no one!”
“This man represents the United States and he must remember that we bow to no one.”
“America should bow to no nation or people.”
After reflecting on these comments, I’ve begun to wonder. Does this sentiment point to something deeper? Is this an indicator of a root problem?
Nothing at all against national pride, but has that “We-bow-to-no-one!” mindset crept into our attitude toward the True Sovereign? Most Americans are proud of the fact that we bow the knee to no one. But has this made us such proud individuals that we cannot bow our hearts and lives to God?
It’s something to think about, because God says “every knee will bow” to His Son.2 To Christ-followers it’s especially important because we’re part of His Kingdom and under His rule. If we will not bow the knee to Him we really do have problems! 3
Lord, I love my country and I’m proud to be a free American. But don’t let my pride become an unwillingness to subject myself to You or Your authority. Please check any independence, defiance, or arrogance toward You. I affirm You again as My Sovereign. To You I bow the knee.
Blessings,
1* Los Angeles Times, “How low will he go?” November 14, 2009
2 Isaiah 45:23; 66:23; Philippians 2:9-11
3 Luke 6:46
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at what price freedom?
By PaulCochrane | November 11, 2009
At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1919, an armistice was signed that ended the fighting of the Great War — World War 1. They called it Armistice Day.
Every November 11 thereafter, businesses would close their doors at 11 a.m. to honor those who had served in that awful war. With the passing of time it has come to be known as Veterans Day — a day to honor the fallen and veterans of every war.
On this November 11, thirteen fresh graves from Fort Hood, Texas press the question once again: At what price freedom?
Please take this opportunity to pause for a moment… to reflect on the freedoms won for us by someone in uniform… to remember their devotion to country… and to honor their sacrifice.
And then let your thoughts travel to another war, another Hero, and another Sacrifice whereby we mark the price of our eternal freedom. *
Because freedom is never free.*
Blessings,
* Luke 4:18, 19; John 8:36; Romans 6:23; 8:2
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a listening heart
By PaulCochrane | October 28, 2009
Time didn’t allow it Sunday, but I wish we could’ve looked at one more “listening” story. Here’s the Cliff Notes version.1
King Zedekiah — alarmed by the invading Babylonian army — sent word to the prophet Jeremiah: “Please pray to the Lord our God on our behalf.”
Apparently, Zedekiah is following the example of his great-great-grandfather King Hezekiah. He, too, was being attacked by a huge army and sent a similar request for prayer to the prophet Isaiah.2 God answered the prayer: the angel of the Lord went out that night and struck down 185,000 enemy warriors. The remaining army left in a hurry! Zedekiah seems to be hoping for a similar answer to prayer.
In Zedekiah’s case, however, God refused to help. In fact, He promised them certain defeat. How come?
Despite appearances to the contrary, Zedekiah was not sincere.
- Zedekiah wanted God’s help, but “neither he nor his servants nor the people of the land listened to the words of the Lord…”
- He called Him, “the Lord our God,” but his actions proved otherwise.
- Hezekiah appealed to the Lord in brokenness and humility, wearing sackcloth and torn clothes, praying in the house of the Lord. There is no mention of Zedekiah humbling himself whatsoever, or of his entering the house of the Lord to pray.
God doesn’t play those games.
Once again, Zedekiah proved that he really didn’t have a “listening” heart. (Click here if you’d like to hear the other 5 stories about a listening heart.)
O God, save us from saying all the right things… without really meaning them.
Blessings,
__________________________________________________________
1 Jeremiah 37:1-10
2 1 Kings 19
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the presence of God
By PaulCochrane | September 16, 2009
Dear Woodland Hills Family,
In case you weren’t with us Sunday, our worship time grew out of this foundational truth from Psalm 139:7-12.
“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?”
What a comfort is the nearness of our God! Deepest depth or loftiest height–He is there; darkest night or brightest day–He never leaves us. Fantastic!
After the worship I challenged us to think more deeply on that theme–the presence of God. We surveyed a number of Scripture texts that speak of God’s presence. I asked why the Bible speaks of God being present everywhere, yet it also speaks of Him being particularly present in specific places or with certain people. On occasion God even casts some from His presence.
But the psalmist indicated there’s nowhere we can go from His presence. What’s up with these seemingly contradictory statements?
My intention is to discuss this further in the service on September 27th. In the meantime, I encourage you to wrestle with how the Scripture texts I’ve listed below square with the one from Psalm 139:7.
Blessings,
Paul
* Cain “went out from the presence of the Lord.” (Gen. 4:16)
* Isaac wanted to bless his son “in the presence of the Lord.” (Gen. 27:7)
* Sinai quaked at the presence of God, and the people were forbidden to go near or touch the holy mountain, made holy because of God’s presence. (Ps. 68:8; Ex. 19:12, ff.)
* The LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. (Ex. 19:2, 18-20)
* Moses was in the Lord’s presence long enough that his face began to shine. (Ex. 34:28-33)
* The children of Israel were to eat their offerings to the Lord “in the presence of the Lord.” (Deut. 14:23)
* The covenant was made “in the presence of the Lord.” (Deut. 29:15)
* David “sought the presence of the Lord.” (2 Sam. 21:1)
* Elijah was told to “go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” (2 Kings 19:11,12)
* The Lord cast Jerusalem & Judah out from His presence. (2 Kings 24:20; Jer. 23:39)
* We are to come before His presence with thanksgiving and singing. (Ps. 95:2; 100:2)
* Satan departed from the presence of the Lord. (Job 1:12; 2:7)
* Jonah fled from the presence of the Lord. (Jonah 1:3)
* The angel Gabriel stands “in the presence of God.” (Luke 1:19)
* Times of refreshing come from the presence of the Lord. (Acts 3:19)
* Paul charged Timothy “solemnly, in the presence of God.” (1 Tim. 5:21; 2 Tim. 2:14; 4:1)
* Those who do not know God will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, “away from the presence of the Lord.” (2 Thess. 1:9)
* We are to humble ourselves in the presence of the Lord. (James 4:10)
* Heaven & earth will flee away from God’s presence. (Rev. 20:11)
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