Modern Day Prophets Part 2

Prophet Sharing, Part Two
by Charles R. Swindoll
Romans 10:13-14
Are you what we might call a modern-day prophet, a tomorrow-thinker in a world of yesterday-dwellers? Or do you know somebody like that? Though often unpopular and unthanked, these people perform a vital role in society. They look at the future and issue precious warnings.
A legend dated around AD 89 states that the apostle John lost the first transcription of his apocalyptic vision. The account was preserved only by word of mouth, since the document was lost during the persecution of Domitian. In it a fifth horseman emerged. This rider actually led the other four, says the legend. You remember the other four: War, Pestilence, Famine, and Death. As the lead rider became nauseated by the deeds of his fellows, he pressed far ahead of them. He entered every village, every city, with a great cry and terrifying predictions. To the rulers of each place he warned of those who came hard behind him, and as proof, he showed them the blood on his own horse's hooves. Then, as always, he went on, for his urgency was great.
Behind him citizens fell into profound arguments. Some called him a liar. They said the blood was that of goats, not humans. Others considered him insane . . . and a few claimed he had not passed that way at all; they merely imagined him there. Theological, philosophical, and political debate abounded. In the end, no one said, "A prophet has been among us," so his warnings did not prevail. The four horsemen ultimately arrived, and as predicted, slew their three times tens of thousands.
Meanwhile, the legendary fifth horseman came to the outermost reaches of the earth and turned about, satisfied with his work. However, as he revisited one city after another---all now destroyed and desolate---he realized nothing he had said had made one bit of difference. Unrepentant, arrogant, indifferent, and disobedient, they had refused to act upon the truth they had been told. The legend concludes with the fifth horseman rejoining his companions. Together they slew all mankind and destroyed their cities.
And the identity of him who led? The name of him who warned, according to the legend?
Reality.

Excerpted from Come Before Winter and Share My Hope, Copyright © 1985, 1994 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc.

Modern Day Prophets

I got this in my mailbox today from a dear friend who knows my spiritual gifting, personality and some of my struggles. This is a good read from Swindoll. It comes from his "Insight for Today" and I assume that I have permission to reprint it becasue he emails it out to lots of folks. Modern day Prophets are forth tellers as opposed to fore-tellers...not Old testament Prophets. If you're reading this blog, you know at least one here's a good little lesson:

May 29, 2009
Prophet Sharing, Part Oneby Charles R. Swindoll
Amos 3:7-8
Have you noticed? Some people have the uncanny ability to see so far into tomorrow, you feel like you're operating in the shadows of yesterday. While you and I are evaluating where we've been, those forward-thinking people are forever exploring where we're going. Instead of reacting, they're on the offense . . . probing, innovating, analyzing, and warning---always warning. While we search for ways to settle in and find comfort on our sofa-like surroundings, they are confronting the consequences of reality, facing the music before we even realize the prelude has begun.
Prophets, I suppose we could call them . . . seers who frown while others yawn . . . restless, troubled, contemplative souls. They're not unlike the characters in a thought-jabbing cartoon published years ago. The whole message is contained in a single frame as the figures of a man and a woman are falling upside down through space.
"Gertrude," says the man, "we can't go on living like this!"
Those who slumber in the sleepy, warm twilight of sundown, finding a great deal of security in the mediocrity and predictability of sameness, cannot bring themselves to see either potential danger or possible tragedy. But those who see their world adrift, moving all too rapidly toward a bleak and disastrous dawn, shout across the chasm of complacency, "We can't go on living like this!"
Perhaps they are not upside down after all. They just seem that way. Thinking ahead keeps them topsy-turvy in their heads. While chatty, laughing tourists are taking snapshots of the lowlands with rose-colored filters, those lean, tough-minded climbers have scaled the rugged peaks. It gives them a stark view of what's ahead. Tomorrow's storm keeps them from enjoying today's lull. They're hard to live with, sometimes impossible to understand.
Robert Greenleaf, in his classic book Servant Leadership, recalls a story which grew out of Beethoven's composition, the C# Minor Quartet, Opus 131. When first played in the composer's lifetime, it appeared to be unlike anything the master had ever written before. "Ludwig," a friend asked, "what has happened? We don't understand you anymore." It is reported that Beethoven, with a sigh, replied, "I have said all that I have to say to my contemporaries; now I am speaking to the future."
If you are one of those seers, a tomorrow-thinker in a world of yesterday-dwellers, take heart. Realize that you must be true to yourself. While you may not be applauded for your warnings, you will be rewarded for your efforts. Just be patient with those who lack your zest and zeal. Say your piece, make your contribution, shout, if you must . . . but keep in mind that prophets were seldom heeded, rarely thanked, and never popular.
We'll talk more about this topic tomorrow.

Excerpted from Come Before Winter and Share My Hope, Copyright © 1985, 1994 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc.

Dainty Hymnal Sniffing Live Christmas Tree Singer

If you've taken one too many spiritual gifts inventories (SGI) and you don't feel the SGI makers understand you, I assure you this will be the last inventory you ever need. My shero, Stacy from Louisville has made the definitive guide and all you need to know are your initials.

http://stacyfromlouisville.blogspot.com/2009/05/stacy-from-louisville-get-off-your-duff.html

The above was my calling before I got married. Mr. Perfect says it just about sums me up. My married calling is: Dainty Casserole Burning Hymn Yodeler. I think this is perfect and I don't even have to do much work to get there. Just got to work on the "dainty" part. What? Stop laughing! I can too be dainty!

God has reminded me today....

God has reminded me today that the same grace and forgiveness that I desire to receive from others when I fall or fail, I must offer to others when they fall or fail. None of us are perfect. We're sinners saved by grace. I never forget that I want to be given a lot of room for mistakes and I want a large learning curve. I often forget that others are plodding along also and require the same room for mistakes and need the same learning curve.
Why God chooses to use humans to accomplish His work is beyond me, but I'm grateful that he does. If I were Him, I'd be done with us and I would have gone on and let the rocks cry out.
I am thankful for forgiveness. I'm thankful for imperfect men in scripture like Peter, Paul and David. I know God loved them, forgave them and used them mightily. I hope to be used of God in some small way to make a difference here on Earth. I find that the more I learn, the less I know.

In the interest of the grace and forgiveness message of this post, I'm not going to put any person on notice. However, the world press is not a person. So, I'm putting the hysterical press of the entire world ON NOTICE for attempting to create a world panic over the Swine Flu (H1N1 virus) causing unnecessary worries. The flu is dangerous and this appears to be no more dangerous than the generic flu... but I forgive you. Now stop it.