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| U.S.S. Allen M. Sumner DD-692 | ||||
| The Chaplain's Corner | ||||
July 27, 2010
The Most Important Rule
Matthew 7:12 Do to others what you want them to do to you. This is the
meaning of the law of Moses and the teaching of the prophets.
It
seems as if the Golden Rule has lost its effect in contemporary culture. Instead
of abiding by this command from the Lord, Most people look out for number one
and think of the Golden Rule as a children's quip from antiquity. But Jesus
explains that we should treat others in the way we would want to be treated.
This instruction means that we are to act proactively in treating others with
kindness and compassion and charity rather than waiting to see how they treat us
so that we can react accordingly. We are called to practice love toward others -
even our enemies. We are able to do this only because we have been redeemed by
the blood of Jesus and have a new heart that is controlled by the Spirit. Jesus
is the narrow way. The way is hard because it is contrary to our natural
tendencies. But in Jesus we have life everlastling. Live and love like Him.
In His name, Earl Taylor
July 19, 2010
Forgiveness
Matthew 6:14-15 Yes, if you forgive others for their sins, your Father in heaven will also forgive you for your sins.
Forgiveness is an action that we are to constantly apply.
It is very easy to become bitter and jaded when someone has done you wrong.
Yet Jesus commands us to forgive. Why? Because
we have been forgiven. When we
embrace the reality of our own forgiveness, forgiving others is much easier!
A redeemed heart should exude forgiveness because it has been filled with the
love of Christ. The sin of an unforgiving heart and a bitter spirit forfeits
blessing and invites judgment.
In His name, Earl Taylor
July 12, 2010
A Monkey Out Of Man
Whenever men
try to find knowledge that would disprove a creator God, we should be curious
about the reasons they are doing so (Psalm 14:1-3). A creation without a
creator would mean that man is not responsible for his actions during his
lifetime.
One measuring device for a man’s credibility is his honesty,
integrity and morality. We do not need to check into history too far to find
that these virtues were seriously deficient in many of those who were considered
wise men in the past - people such as Darwin, Jung, Adler, Plato and Aristotle.
Is it an accident that man picked a monkey or an ape as our predecessor? Or
did God bring to foolishness the wisdom of the wise (1 Cor. 1:20; 3:18-20; Is.
44:24-25)? Ask yourself why there are no half-man, half-monkey creatures found
in the fossil record.
If the evolution of a species happens gradually over
millions of years, why then is the fossil record silent on any species in the
process of evolving? The absence of these missing links alone should discount
the entire theory, and it most certainly does.
Theory means, "I guess," yet
evolutionists have the audacity to present their theory as fact after the first
few pages of introduction. This should prove to one and all their dishonesty.
Do you not get the feeling that they are trying to persuade us to believe their
fairy tales by intimidation?
If the theory of evolution were introduced for
the first time in this day and age, it would be considered a joke. Charles
Darwin said himself that his theory could never be proved unless the missing
link could be found in the fossil record. That has never happened.
Today,
dishonest anthropologists find a chunk of bone, then fashion a head around that
bone and claim this is what our distant cousins looked like. How ignorant do
they think we are? Or are they trying to make us ignorant?
Let us keep our
eyes on God who is coming soon to judge us according to our deeds - whether we
are serving and pleasing Him by practicing righteousness toward others (which is
living to the Spirit) or whether we are continuing to serve self (which is the
flesh) (Rom. 6:13; 8:5-8, 13; 1 John 3:10).
Man has certainly made a monkey
out of himself by claiming that he came from a monkey. It is time to stop
monkeying around, believe God’s word and stop this foolishness that is falsely
called knowledge (2 Tim. 2:25; 3:7; Heb. 10:26; 2 Peter 3:18).
(Feel free to
give copies of this study to others who want to know God’s truth. You will be
doing God’s Will when you show and tell others how to live this special
Way.)
In His Name, Earl Taylor
July 7, 2010
He's Got the Whole World in His Hands
Daniel 2:20-22
Daniel said: Praise God forever and ever, because
he has wisdom and power. He changes the times and seasons of the year. He takes
away the power of Kings and gives their power to new Kings. He gives wisdom to
those who are wise and knowledge to those who understand. He makes known secrets
that are deep and hidden; he knows what is hidden in darkness, and light is all
around him.
How many of us have listened to the global or national
news and wondered, What in the world is going on? Without a firm foundation of
biblical truth, we can easily be overcome with fear and despair. Despite the
upheaval in political and financial realms, Christians can find peace in the
knowledge that our God is sovereign over every nation and ruler on earth.
Though the future of a nation appears to be in the hands of its rulers and
lawmakers, an omnipotent hand is orchestrating a good and glorious plan: the
Lord is the one who “removes kings and establishes kings” (v.20). Ultimately,
every governmental leader is put into office, not by voters, political
campaigns, or personal abilities, but by the hand of God.
Nothing that
the Lord does is carried out in isolation. He’s working all things according to
His divine plan. We tend to think that a ruler has to be righteous for God to
use Him, but Proverbs 21:1 tells us that the Lord can direct the heart of any
national leader wherever He wishes. In fact, He describes two pagan
kings—Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus—as “My servant” (Jer. 25:9) and “My shepherd”
(Isa. 44:28). Unbeknownst to them, God guided their paths to fulfill His
purposes for Israel.
When the news threatens to dislodge your peace or
cause despair, remember who holds the nations in His hand. God’s plans for this
world are moving along according to His divine purposes, and no unrighteous
ruler can thwart Him. Just keep singing, “He’s got the whole world in His
hands.”
In His Name, Earl Taylor
June 29, 2010
Independance Day - Lest we forget!
Galatians 5:1 - It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.
Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of
slavery.
Dear Lord,
There is no greater feeling of
liberation than to exerience this freedom from sin and death that you have
provided for me through Jesus Christ. Today my heart and my soul are free to
praise you. For this I am very thankful.
On this Independence Day I am
reminded of all those who have sacrificed for my freedom, following the example
of your Son, Jesus Christ. Let me not take my freedom, both physical and
spiritual, for granted. May I always remember that my freedom was purchased with
a very high price. My freedom cost others their very lives.
Lord, today,
bless those who have served and continue to give their lives for my freedom.
With favor and bounty meet their needs and watch over their families.
Help me to live my life in a way that glorifies you, Lord. Give me the strength
to be a blessing in someone else's life today, and grant me the opportunity to
lead others into the freedom that can be found in knowing Christ.
Amen
In His Name, Earl Taylor
June 23, 2010
God listens
You and I live in a
loud world. To get someone's attention is no easy task. He must be willing to
set everythling aside to listen; turn down the radio, turn away from the
monitor, turn the corner of the page and set down the book. When someone is
willing to silence everything else so he can hear us clearly, it is a privilege.
A rare privilege, indeed.
You can talk to God because God listens. Your
voice matters in heaven. He takes you very seriously. When you enter his
presence, the attendants turn to you to hear your voice. No need to fear that
you will be ignored. Even if you stammer or stumble, even if what you have to
say impresses no one, it impresses God, and he listens. He listens to the
painful plea of the elderly lin the rest home. He listens to the gruff
confession of the death-row inmate. When the alcoholic begs for mercy, when the
spouse seeks guidance, when the businessman steps off the street into the
chapel, God listens.
Intently, Carefully. The prayers are honored as
precious jewels...your words do not stop until they reach the very throne of
God.
Your prayers move God to change the world. You may not understand
the mystery of prayer. You don't need to. But this much is clear: Actions lin
heaven begin when someone prays of earth. What an amazing thought!
God is
Great! Life is good! Earl Taylor
June 17, 2010
What Makes a Good Dad?
Dear God,
Thanks for giving me a daddy. You knew just what I'd need! In case you need
to make daddies for other kids, I thought you might like to kwow what I like
best about the one you sent me:
A good dad...
1. knows
everything (like how to tie shoes and drive a car)
2. is really smart (he
even knows where the wind goes after it blows through the trees)
3. has a
forgiving heart (for when I mess up)
4. is loaded with patience, patience,
patience (he probably won't need it, but just in case...)
5. has a comfy lap
and a big laugh (you understand about that, don't you?)
6. tells me all about
you and your son.
Your friend, A Kid.
P.S. I almost
left out the best part! A good dad has real strong arms (to catch me when I
fall. He says you're just like that, too).
The Lord made an
agreement with Jacob and gave the teachings to Israel, which he commanded our
acnestors to teach to their children. Then their children would know them, even
thier children not yet born, And they would tell their children. So they would
all trust God and would not forget what he had done, but would obey his
commands. (Psalm 78:5-7)
I hope all you dads have a Blessed Fathers
Day! God is Great, Life is good! Earl Taylor
June 8, 2010
How's Your Day Looking?
In Game Plan
for Life, Os Guinness mentions this quote from a 90-year-old Winston Churchill:
"Life has been a grand journey—well worth making once."
Once. That's all we
get. No dry runs. No do-overs. This day you're living now is not a dress
rehearsal or a practice lap. You're on the stage. You're in the game. Start
playing.
What this kind of thinking does is rip the disguise off today,
revealing it to be every bit as momentous as the first morning on a new job or
the night before major surgery. There are things to be said. Today. There are
people to take notice of. Today. There are ordinary decisions to take seriously.
Today. As the Bible says, "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain
a heart of wisdom" (Psalm 90:12).
The newspaper commits a page or two each
morning to dozens of death notices—guys who once supervised a work crew at the
auto plant, who once coached boys' baseball on Saturday afternoons, who once
served on the school board or were once active in the Rotary club. Once.
All
those one-time daily things that could be said of you in the paper—about your
family, your work, your interests, your passions—are they getting your best
today? Clock's ticking down. Better get out there.
Pray this prayer: Dear
God, I've been letting some things slide. I've been going whole weeks without my
priorities being in balance. It's time to get this right. Show me what that
means and how to get there.
God is Great, Life is Good Earl Taylor
June 1, 2010
Remembering Those Who Have Sacrificed for Us
"And Moses said unto the people, remember this day, in which ye came
out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the Lord
brought you out from this place." Exodus 13:3
Each year, Americans
remember those brave-hearted souls who fought and gave their lives so that you
and I would have the rights and privileges of living in a free country.
Remembering is important. In fact, God instructs His people on many occasions in
the Old Testament to remember from whence they came and to remember His
providence.
It is by the mighty hand of God that we are saved, we are
protected, and we are free to live in the Land of the Brave. Never take that
freedom for granted, my friend. It is a precious commodity for which the world
hungers, and it is a powerful charge for you and me to protect.
Life is
good, God is great! Earl Taylor
May 24, 2010
"Blessed is the Nation whose God is Lord"
Psalm 33:12
Unity
God has enlisted us in his navy and placed us on his
ship. The boat has one purpose-- to carry us safely to the other shore.
This is no cruise ship; it's a battleship. We aren't called to a life of
leisure; we are called to a life of service. Each of us has a different task.
Some, concerned with those who are drowning, are snatching people from the
water. Others are occupied with the enemy, so they man the cannons of prayer
and worship. Still others devote themselves to the crew, feeding and training
the crew members.
Though different, we are the same. Each can tell of a
personal encounter with the captain, for each has received a personal call.
He found us among the shanties of the seaport and invited us to follow him.
Though the battle is fierce, the boat is safe, for our captain is God. The
ship will not sink. For that, there is no concern. There is concern,
however, regarding the disharmony of the crew.
Unity creates belief. Disunity
fosters disbelief. Who wants to board a ship of bickering sailors? Life on
the ocean may be rough, but at least the waves don't call us names.....Could
it be that unity is the key to reaching the world for Christ?
Have a
Blessed and Memorial Day!
Keep your eyes on the Son, Earl Taylor
May 19, 2010
MONEY
If money is the gauge of the heart, then
this study revealed that money is on the heart of most Americans. In exchange
for ten million dollars:
25 percent would abandon their family.
25 percent
would abandon their church.
23 percent would become a prostitute for a week.
16 percent would give up their American citizenship.
16 percent would leave
their spouse.
13 percent would put their children up for adoption.
Even
more revealing than what Americans would do for ten million dallars is that most
would do something. Two-thirds of those polled would agree to at least one--
some to several-- of the options.
Jesus had a word for that: Greed.
Jesus
also had a definition for greed. He called it the practice of measuring life by
possessions.
Greed equates a person's worth with a person's purse.
You got
a lot = you are a lot.
You got a little = you are little.
The consequence
of such a philosophy is predictable. If you are the sum of what you own, then by
all means own it all. No price is too high. No payment is too much.
Greed is
relative. Greed is not defined by what something cost; it is measured by what it
cost you. If anything cost you your faith or your family, the price is too high.
In His name, Earl Taylor
April 28, 2010
What will heaven be like? It will be a place made of pure gold, so pure it is clear, precious stones of all colors, gates of pearl, a place where the light never goes out. It will be a place of peace,sense there will not be any thing that defileth, or worketh abomination or maketh a lie. It is a place that will last for ever and ever. John wrights this account:
Revelation 21:9-27; 22:1-5
9 And there came unto me one of the
seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven plagues, and talked
with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lambs wife.
10
And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me
that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
11
Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even
like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
12 And had a wall great and high, and
had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon,
which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
13 On the
east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the
west three gates.
14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in
them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
15 And he that talked with
me had a golden reed to measure the city, and gates thereof, and the wall
thereof.
16 And the city lieth four-square, and the length is as large as the
breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The
length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
17 And he measured the
wall thereof, a hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a
man, that is, of the angel.
18 And the building of the wall of it was jasper:
and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
19 And the foundations of
the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The
first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; a
fourth, and emerald;
20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh,
chrysolite; the eighth. beryl; the ninth , a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus;
the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
21 And the twelve gates
were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the
city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
22 And I saw no temple
therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
23 And
the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the
glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
24 And the
nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of
the earth do bring their glory and honor into it.
25 And the gates of it
shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
26 And
they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.
27 And there
shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever
worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's
book of life.
1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as
crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
2 In the midst
of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of
life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and
the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
3 And there shall
be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his
servants shall serve him:
4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall
be in their foreheads.
5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no
candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they
shall reign for ever and ever.
My prayer is all will able to enjoy these beauties. Bobby Moore
April 21, 2010
When you ask, are you heaven bound? It seems the standard answer is, I hope so.It is recorded in Revelation 21 who will and who will not be in heaven.
Revelation 21:1; 5-8
1 And I saw a new
heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed
away; and there was no more sea.
5 And he that sat upon the throne said,
Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are
true and faithful.
6 And he said unto me, It is done, I am Alpha and Omega,
the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain
of the water of life freely.
7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things;
and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
8 But the fearful, and
unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers,
and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth
with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
My prayer is; All will change their ways and receive the fountain of the water of life. Bobby Moore
April 14, 2010
As the people struggle over the world, according to the news media there is no good news. We seem to be fast approaching:
Isaiah 60:12
For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee
shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.
But, there is still
hope.
Isaiah 59:1-2
Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot
save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have
separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you,
that he will not hear.
Isaiah 58:13-14
If thou turn away thy foot from the
sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight,
the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shall honor him, not doing thy own ways,
nor finding thine own pleasures, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou
delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon high places of
the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of
the Lord hath spoken it.
My prayer is; Our nation will return to the Lord.
Bobby Moore
April 7, 2010
While you may have had a great weekend of celebration, good eats, catching up on family and newborns, the ladies and their new pretty frilly dresses and bonnets, the question is, did you stop to grasp what all the celebration was about? Once each year we celebrate the worldly body death and resurrection of the only perfect person that ever walked on the earth, Jesus Christ. It is the fulfillment of the prophets and Jesus' own teachings.
Matthew 17:22-23
22 And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said
unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:
23 And
they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were
exceeding sorry.
Then after his death, burial and raising, he again reminds them of his teachings.
Luke 24:44-53
44 And he said unto them, These are
the words I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be
fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in
the psalms, concerning me.
45 Then opened he their understanding, that they
might understand the scriptures,
46 And said unto them, Thus it is written,
and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to raise from the dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name
among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48 And ye are witnesses of these
things.
49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry
ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endured with power from on high.
50
And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and
blessed them.
51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted
from them, and carried up into heaven.
52 And they worshiped him, and
returned to Jerusalem with great joy;
53 And were continually in the temple,
praising and blessing God. Amen.
My prayer is, we understand the reason for the Easter celebration is to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. Bobby Moore
