Today's Scripture: Jesus and JFK

[MORTARDUDE]

Today's Scripture:
---------------------------

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you
will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For
everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks
finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened"
Matt 7:7-8

Every time I read these verses, I am reminded of those famous
words spoken by President Kennedy: ?Ask not what your
country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your
country.? I suppose the word that brings back this memory
is ?ask.? Mr. Kennedy used the word in the sense of making
yourself available to the country and the welfare of all. Indeed,
this was ? and is ? a lofty suggestion. I don?t recall if the
American people arose to the call, but we should have ?
and we should now. Our former president was issuing a call
for Americans to come to the surface and do what all Americans
are supposed to be doing ? helping. I venture to say that if
President Bush were to issue this call today, those opposed
to the conservative point of view ? including Mr. Kennedy?s
own brother -- would greet it coolly.

Jesus, on the other hand, was issuing a call to mankind to
call upon the One who is able to equip us for the work at hand.
?Ask,? He says, ?and you will receive whatever you need for the
occasion.? He continues, ?Seek, and you will find what you are
looking for.? He then concludes, ?Knock, and the door of opportunity
will be opened to you.? Jesus equips, instructs, and provides
opportunity for service.

How different from Mr. Kennedy?s speech. He never promised to
equip us. He never offered the education necessary. Nor did he
provide opportunity. Government usually fails in all of these areas.
Government prefers to give to those who have need in order that
they will become dependent upon Government. In that way,
Government will control the masses. Jesus wants to set us free.

Isn?t it amazing how two men from two worlds can use similar
words and the meaning be completely opposite each other?

[Keith_Hixson]

Mortardude,

Good observance. Yet, as a Pastor I think we as Christians should also ask what I can do for God rather than always being on the taking end.
I have often felt more Americans should be asking what they can do for their country rather than wondering how much their country can for them.

I have an old WWII vet in my congregation. He was an Artillery SGT in the European Campaign. He suffered tremendous hearing loss. Yet he won't go to the VA and apply for any help. He just complains about the fact he needs new hearing aids. He always tells me, I won't be a leech on my country. I tell him that he earned those hearing aids. He's almost 94 and still drives but when he listens to the radio, you can hear him coming a block away (just like the teens). I guess that's what we all need is a little balance in our lives.

Keith

[revwardoc]

That old WWII vet in your congregation isn't doing anyone any favors by not having a hearing aid while he's driving. If he has to turn up the radio that loud, how does he hear another car's horn or an emergency vehicle's siren? Last year, in my old hometown, another WWII vet, though not as old, had the same hearing problem. He was slowly cruising down the road and didn't hear the fire truck sirens coming up from behind. Like most old folks, when he went to take a left, he made a loop first to the right. The fireman, thinking he was pulling over, went to the left to pass. The old vet, making his left, went right into the right front fender of the fire truck. He has since lost his license. So tell the guy, for the sake of others, GET SOME HEARING AIDS!!!

[MORTARDUDE]

Keith :

Didn't mean to conflict with your MOS on PF. ( LOL ) Just passing on some wisdom I get from time to time in my email.

Larry

[Keith_Hixson]

He's 94 and still drives. Not Well but he drives. Can't tell a stubborn dairy farm much.

Glad he's still alive.

Keith