POPE JOHN PAUL II : LIVING AND DYING

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

Worldwide media is giving precise detail regarding Pope John Paul II’s condition. Devout believers are praying for him. Scores gather in St. Peter’s Square, interceding on his behalf.

I recall when I visited Rome. It was one of those life moments that glues itself to memory with a precious loyalty. Rome.

The traffic was ridiculous, something like downtown Boston, only a bit more threatening. The art displays to right and left, particularly the outdoor sculpture, was riveting. The sanctuaries were filled with the glory of God, at least what mortal could put in form to represent the divine majesty and wonder.

When I walked into St. Peter’s Church — the largest in Christendom — I was overwhelmed. I expected thousands of pews arranged in order so as to face frontward, as in most sanctuaries. Not so. There was space and space and more space. It was another wonder world of faith — open space.

Then I learned that chairs are set up for gatherings. There is no permanent pew arrangement. Yes, how silly of me not to know that.

Then there was the Sistine Chapel. Chapel? I have never walked into anything like that structure that was given the petite term "chapel." Nevertheless, there was Michelangelo, still staring down from his scaffolding at us, gawking up at his ceilings like kids from the nearby school.

Then of course there was all the array of columns where the ancients sat and wandered and argued and ate their lunches. Rocks. Stones. Paths. Grass growing up at corners. Cars honking in the streets, barely missing backsides as mortals hopped to pavement’s safety. Blue skies. Pigeons. Water fountains gushing forth their sprays and rainbows. Honk honk honk go the cars.

Then there was the Pope. I was told that, having gathered in St. Peter’s Square for that particular time of day, we were very fortunate. The Pope was going to be driving through shortly.

Now we on tour were a hundred-plus Protestants. But did that matter? I don’t think so. We had paid well for our tickets half way around the world, and one of those major stops was Rome. So bring on the Pope.

All of a sudden there was a rush to the one side of the square. Our tour guide was giving us bits of data regarding the Papal Palace. But the tour guide could all of a sudden go hang. We were off and running like cattle on a spin. It was the Pope. Sure enough. It was the Pope.

That was in the mid-60s. That Pope has since left the human community. And now another is nearing his close. What next?

What next for the Pope who has traveled all over the planet? What next for the agile, athletic, poetic, several-languages speaking Pope? What next for the Pope, wounded by gunshot, who visited his assailant in prison, bowing their heads together in prayer? What next for the Pope, now appearing so unlike himself, at least the rugged, handsome figure some of us recall having ministered under Communist rule before becoming Pope?

What next for the Pope? Eventually, the Pope, like us all, will say Good-bye to the human community. Then, like us all, he will stand before Christ Jesus, the Judge of all mortals.

In that judgment, all souls come upon either the judgment of condemnation or the judgment of commendation.

That judgment is presented particularly in colorful language in Matthew 25:31-46. That’s where the goats are separated to the left and the lambs are put to the right. To the right and left of what? To the right and left of King Christ seated upon His judgment throne.

Who is a goat? That one who has rebelled against the Christ so as to live for self and sin. Who is the lamb? That one who, repenting of his sins and confessing his need for a Savior, has taken the divine grace gift, then lived the disciple life.

So it is that judgment need not be all bad. Many define judgment only in negative terms. It is not always so. When a runner wins a race, he is judged. He is judged the winner. When a swimmer wins a tournament, she is judged. She is proclaimed a winner.

Therefore, each of us, including the Pope, prays to the Lord Christ for mercy, so that when confronting the Eternal Judge after the last heartbeat, we are judged as lambs. Then it is that we as lambs are invited to enter the forever kingdom prepared for mercy children from the foundation of the world.

May we so live for the Christ King that when we meet Him as Christ Judge, we are embraced into His everlasting love and tenderness, free from all pain and death, no sin and anguish entering there.

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AFGHANISTAN: NEEDED — PALLETS. THANKS. I NEEDED THAT

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

What’s happened in Afghanistan over the years freedom enthusiasts have set up camp is that the community of armed services personnel has become increasingly precisioned in its day-to-day cooperative efforts, even down to pallets recycling.

Pallets? Yes, pallets.

They are important, though for awhile overseers wondered how to corral them, recycle them as well as get out the word that all that mundane necessity was a pressing item.

Not only are the US armed forces neighboring up to locals for the improvement of their society, but members are learning how to work more efficiently within their own ranks. When that happens, then outreach to village and cities becomes more efficient as well.

According to the 455th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, pallets are forthcoming. Many. Quite a few, in fact. The report states: "Within a month, hundreds of needed pallets are turned in for reuse."

"’We took (Air Mobility Command's) worldwide call for pallets to heart. It’s easy to forget that mobility movement is not complete until pallets and nets are returned to the mobility system for reuse in future missions,’ U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. James Hunt said.

"Eighty-eight by 108 by two-and-a-quarter inches, weighing 290 lbs - these numbers represent lifeblood for the Air Force’s logistics readiness officers and air transporters. They are the measurements of a 463L pallet used to carry combat supplies in and out of war zones … and they’re ‘wanted.’"

There was a shortage of pallets. It was quite the critical issue. Captain Jason Kalin gave orders: "Collect those pallets."

In no time, results sprung forth. One hundred and eighty-six pallets and 399 top and side nets were put in place — where needed. "Wanted." "Found." That was in the first two weeks of the appeal via posters distributed far and wide.

The posters were sent out to every Defense Department organization in the Operation Enduring Freedom environs.

"The local effort, which was originally sparked by Major Fillman, turned into an Operation Enduring Freedom-wide initiative to support Air Mobility Command. ‘Our phone rang off the hook,’ added Kalin, referring to the number of people calling to turn in these assets.

"’Communication was the primary problem,’ Fillman said. ‘Many people didn’t know what to do with these pallets, and no one was telling them; our campaign got the word out.’"

At last report, the team had on hand 525 pallets plus 1,600 top and side nets. More are forthcoming. That means via recycling a savings of $1.7 million dollars. The reprocessing pays.

"’This effort has paid off in a big way already,’ Hunt said, ‘and we’re just getting started.’"

In other words, team work works.

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US SOLDIERS HOOK UP US SCHOOLS WITH IRAQI CLASSROOMS

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

There are Iraqi schools in desperate need. US-led Coalition has taken in that plight daily. And that Coalition has determined to do something constructive about it.

That’s another evidence that Operation Iraqi Freedom was not out to enslave a people, capture a country, stomp upon a life but to liberate liberate liberate and then construct construct construct.
Daily liberation coupled with construction goes on in New Iraq.

"’We want the people to be comfortable with us being here,’ said U.S. Army Col. Agusta Collins, 155th Brigade Combat Team commander. ‘If we can convince the people that the real reason we are here is to spread peace and prosperity through their country, and give them the opportunity to be successful then they will open up to us a lot better.’"

These soldiers look around them to see boys and girls without the state-of-the-art education provided American children. These soldiers yearn to bring some of the American affluence to the Iraqi neighborhoods.

After all, President George W. Bush and US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld led a three-week-win war against Saddam Hussein to bring life and peace to a populace formerly ruled by a ruthless dictator. One way to see that mission through is helping the youngsters learn in an adequate educational environs.

"’We’ve been out and looked at the condition of a lot of the schools. A lot of them are in pretty poor condition and we are doing a lot of rehab projects to make them better for the kids,’ Collins said. ‘The kids don’t necessarily have the tools to learn. They don’t have pens, pencils or paper and even books in some cases.’"

It doesn’t take long for a good-hearted American soldier to want to put hands to work. It’s called "The American Way." Americans are blessed with their abundance. With that, Americans form committees, join service organizations, and say their prayers. With that, Americans have developed a lifestyle of sharing that’s unique to the world community. Therefore, when young men and women representing that sharing culture are in New Iraq, their instinctive response to need is to help out.

"After finding out the condition of the schools near the brigade combat team, Collins started searching for ways to help the children get a proper education.

"’We have all kinds of schools back home, and if we can get each of those schools to adopt a school in our area of operation …we can become a liaison between the schools back in Mississippi and here. We can come up with the things like pencils and paper, and maybe raise funds for book bags for the kids. We can also try and connect the kids together.’"

And what’s the response in Mississippi? You guessed it. "The American Way" comes to the fore once more.

"The program is still in it’s infancy phase, but many of the people in Mississippi are already finding ways to help.

"’We have made contact with the Department of Education in Mississippi, and they are working the issue and trying to promote it also. Since we are beginning to get more and more active in the community, the locals are beginning to accept us a little better.’"

Slow and steady wins the race. Carry on, soldiers. You are up to a commendable job with a most noteworthy ideal — The American Way worked out in real life, real time, with real people.

Carry on, soldiers. And God guide you in all things.

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‘I AM HELPING PEOPLE I HAVE LIVED WITH FOR SO LONG’ : IRAQI

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

He’s happy. He says, "It is nice to know that I am helping people that I have lived with for so long."

According to Task Force Baghdad reported on March 31, 2005, 300 Rusfafa families are very happy. Why? Happiness in a former Saddam Hussein blood field? Happiness experienced by real-live Iraqis oppressed for decades. Happiness. "It is nice to know. . ." ". . .helping people. . ."

It’s a new day in New Iraq, for certain.

The former killer president sits in his cell while human beings once enslaved breathe free air. It’s been worth the three-week-win war, Operation Iraqi Freedom. It’s been worth the sacrifice. It’s been worth the derision tolerated by Democrat’s hate speech and European leadership drag. It’s all been worth it when Iraqis say they’re finally happy and something is "nice."

Bags. They’re filled and running over. Inside are canned meats, rice, dried fruits and other non-perishables. They’re handed out to actual mortals who once watched over their shoulders, frightened that they might be hauled away to open market cages or forced head-on into human shredding machines.

Now they get food handed to them by friendly faced neighbors. Happiness. "Nice."

These are Humanitarian Aid bags distributed by the 305th Iraqi Army Battalion and U.S. soldiers assigned to Apache Troop, 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry. These forces worked hand in hand, literally, with several hundred Rusfafa households to share the happiness. Now those families have food, plus newfound friends with kind hearts.

"’This was the best Humanitarian Aid Bag drop we have seen, we tripled the amount of bags we have ever handed out in one place. One hundred bags is the most we have handed out in one spot up until now,’ said U.S. Army 1st Lieutenant Fisher of Apache troop, 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry.

"’A lot of the credit goes to the 305th, they are really able to control the crowds and keep things orderly. In the future, when we work with the 305th on projects like this, we will only be limited by the number of items we can fit into our trucks."

In other words, glad hearts are anxious to make glad those in need. That’s the American way. That’s the American way spreading into the US-led Coalition lifestyle. That’s not domination. That’s not intrusion. That’s not exploiting. That’s liberation.

Would to God that the liberal mainstream media could understand the basics of what is going on in New Iraq as well as the intention of the United States President George W. Bush in his first and second terms. Nevertheless, those patriotic enough to sacrifice in order that others may enjoy everyday freedoms don’t hamper their efforts by focusing on the negativists. Instead, it’s full steam ahead in lifting others, improving the culture, spreading the liberties.

"’I cannot speak highly enough about how the (Iraqi Army) executed their portion of this mission. A real combined success,’ a Civil Affairs advisor for 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry said. ‘I have never seen the local population act so calmly at a humanitarian drop. The Iraqi Army can speak their language and communicate things to them to keep them calm that we are just unable to do.’

"The people who received the bags were very excited about receiving them. One local said that she is ‘very happy that the Iraqi Army is working with American forces to help out the people of this neighborhood. We are very grateful for what you have given us.’"

Again, Operation Iraqi Freedom exploited no one. It took no nation captive. It enslaved no population. It liberated mortals who were pressed to the dirt. In doing so, legitimate thanks are extended to everyone who paid with life sacrificed, either in death or life-giving energies.

Thank you, one and all.

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AFGHANISTAN ‘MAKING GOOD POLITICAL PROGRESS’ : GEN RICHARD MYERS

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

He’s the man. Air Force General Richard B. Myers, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, visited the US Central Command region, taking stock of progress in Egypt, Iraq and Afghanistan. There are 20,000 US troops now defeating the Taliban in order to stabilize a democracy in Afghanistan.

According to General Myers, "Afghanistan is making good political progress." At present, the nation has its own democratically elected president. It also has its own constitution. It has its parliamentary elections set for this summer.

Women, once basically discarded by a culture and religion relegating females as refuse, are now afforded their legitimate rights as citizens of a liberty-country. Further, they are taking their places in government and politics as well as the economic life of the nation. This is a definite first and one to be accented for recognition.

The leadership of the nation is quite optimistic by steady advancements accomplished. Of course, they have not come about as quickly as the anti-Bush opposition would press. Nevertheless, fundamentally, anti-Bush delegations can see through nothing more than verbiage, often laced with hate-speech.

They have been nay-sayers from the first day of the Bush administration, continuing same at every turn. However, Red States threw their allegiance, not with pessimists, but with those determined to liberate humans from despotic rules.

General Myers pointed out to media that the Afghan politic has worked hard at setting up positive relationships with neighboring countries, Pakistan as a notable example.

In addition, there is an Afghan army. It’s seeking daily to bring unity to the people. "Units are composed of all ethic groups from around the country. Twenty-two thousand soldiers in the Afghan National Army have been trained and deployed. Increased economic activity in Afghanistan is a sign of the country’s growing security and stability."

Further, NATO is very much present with its expertise. NATO helps bring solid operations within the communities, commanding the International Security Assistance Force, especially focusing on Kabul and expanding to the western regions of the nation. NATO "will establish four additional provincial reconstruction teams in western Afghanistan."

Of course, opium growing continues to be a real problem, not sidelined by the US concern nor the Afghan government. Therefore, "leaders are pleased with the level of cooperation they have received to confront the drug problem. The day of the chairman’s visit, Afghan forces seized more than 2,000 pounds of heroin in an operation near Jalalbad."

Most encouraging, the enemy is retreating. Their killing schemes are not mushrooming; instead, they are lessening. "Insurgent activity has decreased, and the number of former Taliban fighters willing to be part of the solution instead of the problem has increased."

Instead of facing the moment-by-moment threat of being murdered by the killing instincts of those intent on slaying the citizenry, Afghan forces now "operate much more freely in areas that used to be very violent."

All in all, peace is moving across a land that previously was drenched daily in blood. There seemed no hope. There was no way out. And indeed there would have been no way out if the United States under the Bush administration had not determined to release humans from their captors.

With that, America can be justly proud of what presently is taking place in Afghanistan. It’s a miracle.

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VIDEOCONFERENCE TECH NOW TIES ARMED FORCES TO FAMILIES

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

It’s another evidence of people caring enough for New Iraq that they actually do something worthwhile. While killers international try to disband the democracy, freedom enthusiasts keep the patience — working profitably in real time, real life.

So two men came up with this newest communication network to tie those in the field with their families and friends back home. Not the crippled networks of the past when it was hoped to get through a minute or two of ungarbled sentences. This is state-of-the-art. It works. It’s clear and ready.

A soldier in New Iraq can talk with his wife about that day’s teacher-parent conference. He can chat with his daughter about her math lesson. He can wish his son a happy birthday, singing the ditty over the phone: "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you. . ."

According to Terri Lukach of American Forces Press Service, Freedom Calls Foundation has been formed. "With the help of individual contributions and corporate sponsors, the foundation provides free, state-of-the-art videoconferencing technology to link U.S. service personnel with their families back home.

"Unlike the censored mail of World War II, or the few minutes of barely audible telephone conversation that characterized communication during the Vietnam conflict, videoconferencing allows today’s military men and women to attend and participate in birthdays, graduations, weddings and other milestone family events.

"Via the magic of video, they can join their spouse at a parent-teacher conference, speak to an insurance agent or financial adviser, or participate in any number of other events important to the life of the family."

Who are the contributing geniuses behind all this wonder? First, there’s Edward Bukstel, a corporate executive with a satellite services provider. Next, there’s John B. Harlow II, an attorney, banker and Internet service provider.

These two patriotic, caring gentlemen stepped forward to meet the challenge. They came up with the network. They put in place the Freedom Calls Foundation and then made it available to the US Army.

Do Americans care enough? Do Americans follow through daily with the proverbial "American way" of giving? Yes, they do. They come to the aid. They step up. They share.

"Each Freedom Calls Foundation facility costs about $300,000 to establish and another $300,000 annually to maintain. ‘We are always begging for resources,’ Harlow said. ‘Donations come from individuals, from corporations, and from a variety of other sources.’

"For example, he said, a group of office workers whose employee fund was being dissolved voted to donate the entire amount to the Freedom Calls Foundation to help connect families to their servicemembers in Iraq.

"’In upstate New York,’ Harlow said, ‘a couple of high school girls started selling magnetic car ribbons and are now raising about $1,000 a month for the troops.’"

I think back to Europe at the outset of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Recall the stubbornness of those so-called national leaders? Recall President Bush begging liberty nations to get with the freedom spread? Remember how they balked, not all of them, thank God? But too many of them did, to their shame.

Recall when Iraqis themselves, after Saddam Hussein was deposed, asked the US-led Coalition why more liberty nations were not coming to assist with their newly found democracy? Do you remember all that angst? It was fact.

Further, the American liberal mainstream media balked, lagged, hampered and did everything but diss the President nightly on the news. In reality, there were times when the news media did just that, regrettably.

I wondered how the press expected our nation to survive with freedoms intact when the press was undermining the President who was seeking to undo killers international. Why would not a free press defend its own freedoms by standing alongside a President who sought to defend America’s shores as well as liberate others abroad? It was crazy and selfish. Nevertheless, it happened.

However, the Red States stood alongside the President. A number of national leaders of free countries entered the Coalition. And still to this day there are those who work night and day for the cause of New Iraq’s future.

Therefore, when these two gentlemen create this communications marvel, it’s simply another example of real people in real life doing what’s really necessary for the freedom cause.

Now we have the hook up that brings those in far countries into their American homes and communities.

"Twenty-five members of the 706th Transportation Company were not only able to cheer on Team USA in the first of three World Cup hockey exhibition games in Columbus, Ohio, but also addressed the capacity crowd of 18,000 over the arena’s Jumbotron screen. After the game, the soldiers spent about 20 minutes each visiting with their own family members.

"Army Staff Sgts. Shadow Evans and Richard Everton were wed in a long-distance video ceremony that brought together the bride in Iraq with the groom in Durango, Colo.

"And two fathers, in simultaneous videoconferencing sessions over the Freedom Calls network in Iraq, were able to attend high school graduation ceremonies for their daughters in separate cities in California."

A huge thanks to all who stay the course, who believe in freedom shared, and who support the President in his daily endeavors to liberate the oppressed.

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NEW IRAQ: PEACE FORCES WINNING OVER KILLERS INTERNATIONAL

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

The facts: peace forces in New Iraq are upping democracy while murderers global are lessening impact. True.

"The number of terrorist incidents in Iraq has dropped to the lowest level since March 2004, defense officials said.

"There are between 40 and 60 incidents each day in the country, they said, sharply down from the terrorist effort in the week of the Iraqi elections in January.

"Even this doesn’t tell the whole story. Of those incidents, roughly half have no effect. This means terrorists launch an attack, but no lives are lost, nor is any property damaged," according to Jim Garamone of the American Forces Press Service.

All the more that the US President George W. Bush’s goals of freedom spread are coming to fruition. It takes time. It takes patience, both of which are desperately lacking with the anti-Bush liberals. Nevertheless, recall the tale of the tortoise and the hare? So it is with most matters worthwhile in an existence fraught with problems.

Liberals live with the illusion that the opposition must create the perfect world yesterday. Yet of course the truth is that liberals can’t produce such a world. Nevertheless, they persist in demanding it of the conservatives. Not fair. But naturally the best way to do in the liberals is simply to keep the course as the President has kept in his first and second terms. Maintain. Steady does it. Keep your eyes on the goal. In the long run. . .

Therefore, in the New Iraq, reports come to us from the US-led Coalition and Iraqi forces that the foes are not ruining the liberties potential. They have not undone those defending the new government. Instead, they are lessening their intrusions day by day.

Further, more and more Iraqi citizens are taking up means by which to do in the enemies. Instead of relying on the outside liberators, they themselves are realizing that it is their country. It’s their future. It’s their National Assembly. It’s their historic January 30 Victory Vote. It’s theirs! So they are signing up for the Iraqi forces, regardless of the risk. And they are maintaining vigilance in the streets.

"Attacks – directed solely against innocent Iraqi men, women and children -- are causing many Iraqis who would not normally care to come out against the terrorists. In contrast to the terrorism, average Iraqis see the security effort as heroic.

"But the key event was the elections. The Iraqi people – battered by Saddam Hussein for a generation – stood up and voted. A people arose from the spiritual ashes of the Hussein regime and took a huge step toward getting back their self-respect."

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CHRISTIAN FAITH FOREMOST: TERRI SHIAVO’S FAMILY

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

As Terri was true to her Christian convictions, so her family has sought to be true to their faith.

The circumstances have been most trying. The watching world can fill in all the emotional blanks they want to and then some. However, the truth is that no one but the Shivao family will fully understand the trial that has been put upon them for months, indeed years. Therefore, for persons outside the family to state that they understand is to confess the naïve. No one understands unless he experiences first-hand, personally the trial.

Through this complicated morass the Shiavos have journeyed — in Christian faith. Therefore, it is not surprising to believers to hear them confess their loyalty to the Christ even after Terri left us for heaven’s sake. Consequently, I was encouraged immensely in hearing this evening’s news relate once again the underpinning of the family’s sanity — their reliance on God.

In other words, not only Terri remained true to the close. Her siblings likewise have been bolstered in the faith. It is assumed that mother and father have led the way with this family in teaching them how to remain live in the heart of God.

When Terri left this world to be embraced by her Savior, Christ, family met with friends and press. In speaking to the media, they asked that faith be upheld at all costs. Terri’s brother, Bobby, for instance, requested that the world forgive any family members for ever showing during the testing anything that would have besmirched their Christian witness. He said that he asked for the world to have mercy upon the Shiavos if they ever exhibited anything that "did not honor our faith."

What a simple testimony, yet powerful in its clarity. While Terri’s husband, Michael, derides the Christian faith, for years having persecuted his wife Terri for her allegiance to the Savior, the Shiavos stand in sharp contrast. It’s light versus darkness once again.

Michael represents unbelievers who maintain a hostility against believers, considering them simpletons duped in their religion. Shiavos on the other hand stand strong in their belief that God is Supreme, thus deserving our best, especially through times of severe trial.

To the media, Bobby spoke as if speaking to his sister who had left him moments earlier for Christ’s side. Bobby said: "As a member of our family unable to speak for yourself, you spoke loudly. We know that God loves you more than we do. You must accept your untimely death as God's will."

There are times when a brief witness is stronger than volumes. With those childlike utterances, Bobby gave forth the gospel message in real time, in real life. Thank you, Shiavos, for your unwavering Christian testimony in particularly anguishing times.

May God uphold you in your faith — strong and sterling.

CHRIST TO TERRI: WELCOME HOME

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

"Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Matthew 25:34

No more pain. No more misery. No more lingering. No more tussle. Only peace and love — eternal.

Terri Shiavo’s mother related that her daughter was a committed Christian. Even when her husband, Michael, derided her faith, Terri continued to remain firm in her allegiance to God.

When Terri would leave home for worship, Michael would at times call out snidely, "Say a prayer for me." No doubt Terri did pray for her husband. Terri was a Christian to the close.

Now she’s slipped away from this earthly existence. Into what? Into heaven. Welcomed by whom? Christ Jesus, her Savior and King.

"To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." II Corinthians 5:8

"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." I Corinthians 2:9

This life is a probationary period by which we can live for self or the Savior. Each has his or her own free will by which to make earthly and eternal choices. According to the Bible, each mortal will be held accountable for his and her life. We will all appear at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

"Lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." Matthew 6:20

Sometimes we become so glued to this existence that we fool ourselves into thinking this is it. This is the all-in-all. This is what we are here for. Yet that is but an illusion. Truth confronts us each day with the facts. The daily newspaper serves as God’s Word indirectly in that it prints the obituaries. That listing alone should remind us that we are here, then gone. We are not residents of the planet forever.

For those who have discovered salvation in Christ, they have His presence in this life as well as the hope of seeing Him personally upon the last breath. When Stephen was stoned, according to the Acts of the Apostles, his spirit left his body. As he transferred from this existence to the next, he saw Christ standing up to greet him home to heaven. That is the promise offered every believer.

Christians recently celebrated Eastertide. That included of course Good Friday’s holy sacrifice upon Calvary. There the sinless One gave Himself in our sinful stead in order that we may know saving grace. He took our place in order to satisfy the justice of eternity.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:l6

Jesus said: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live." John 11:25

Terri is no longer lingering between life and death. She is residing in life everlasting with the One who redeemed her repentant soul. So is the promise to every individual who comes contritely to the feet of Jesus, confessing sins, promising to live for Jesus and then walking the walk.

"For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." II Corinthians 5:1

"If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His spirit who dwells in you." Romans 8:11

"This is the promise that He has promised us — eternal life." I John 2:25

As we intercede for Terri’s family in sorrow due to her passing, let us also envision Terri released from suffering into the forever goodness of God. She is there. She has passed over into the gracious embrace of the Lord.

Angels have welcomed her home. Believers who have gone before us have called out her name. She’s with her heavenly kin washed in the blood of the Lamb.

"He who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." Galatians 6:8

Jesus said: "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. . ." John 10:27-28

Terri has answered to His voice. She is at home — for good, forever.

TERRI’S WITNESS TO THE WORLD

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

Life is utterly complicated at times. Such was the Terri Shiavo situation. Writers have penned ad infinitum on the intertwining dimensions.

But what I see rarely written is about the Christian faith shining forth from Terri. She was a committed disciple of the cross. Her mother related detail concerning her strong faith, even against persecution leveled against her by Michael, her worldly husband. She remained true to Christ.

The whole media-centered world has come to know Terri in past weeks. They have delved into one aspect or another, travailed with family and friends concerning the ongoing suffering, injustices piled high, and then finally Terri breathing her last gasp.

All of the written pieces are important to digest and carry forth to rescue others from Terri’s circumstance. Surely we have learned from her plight. If not, we have not been taking stock of reality as we should.

Yet now with all that significant data taken into consideration, I would like to accent the redemptive good squeezed out of her suffering. In every committed life, there is never a wasted sorrow, Christ showing us the torturous way redemptive.

I would hope that Terri’s parents in particular have come upon the upholding arm of God through this terrible nightmare. That is my prayer for them and those closest to them. I ask the Lord to keep them sane and hopeful with the same commitment that Terri had.

In this world at times there is little to lean upon. Sin has taken its toll on humanity. Evil stalks to right and left. We all live with fears multiplied.

Yet for Christians there is the realization that God is God. He still reigns from heaven’s throne, quite knowledgeable of our anguish. After all, He suffers, too. His very own creation has turned against Him. "He came unto His own and His own received Him not."

Further, this God came to us in flesh and blood. He lived love, grace and mercy. He lived truth and wisdom. He lived healing presence and hope. For that, He was stomped upon. Beaten. Stripped and torn. He was finally thrown to the wood as a piece of meat for bugs’ consumption. Yes, God knows something about pain, suffering, injustice and the hellish heart of the deceitful.

Therefore, knowing that God knows, let us lean now upon Terri’s Christian testimony to God’s presence in her young life. Let us thank God that she was not an unbeliever, living for self and sin, giving her energies to the material and wasting her life on the temporary. That in itself is cause to give God praise for Terri. She was one of those rare ones — an actual believer.

Through then her anguish came forth the world knowing of her plight. There are many other believers in similar situations but suffer in the shadows. That is no doubt fine with them for who would want the center stage in such horrific circumstances? Yet it was in God’s will for us to come to know Terri. However, not just to know of her hanging between fighting factions, but to know her as Christian.

Now that she has been taken home to heaven, all the more the purpose of her being with us is to encourage us to so live for Christ that one day we will see her again. We will be united with believers of all ages, particularly welcomed home by the One torn apart in our stead on Calvary’s Tree.

In what Terri went through, there is the redemptive testimony of her Christian commitment. That simply cannot be sidelined by all the other dimensions covered. That is that which outlasts her earthly trial and will outlast the existence of us all.

So today I thank the Lord that Terri knew Him, that she withstood her husband’s taunts, and that she is now in glory with Christ. I praise God for the fact that in every surrendered life He writes the last word, no matter the injustices and insanity surrounding. God gets in the last word in every yielded life. Always.

Thank you, Christ, for making that possible. Thank you both now and for eternity. Amen and amen.

AN OPEN LETTER TO MY LITTLE GRANDDAUGHTER

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

Dear Aja Marie,

I never thought in all the world that I would type this. But I must because it is true. I simply must. Yet, regard this as coming from a strict disciplinarian. That is, I have tried to behave well before my three children in their growing up in our Christian home. Priscilla, your grandmother, and I have believed that discipline is right alongside love, mirroring our heavenly Father’s nature.

So I when I give you these deserved compliments, it is not from a gushing, foolish grandparent’s heart. It is from one who has justly prided himself on pulling in the ropes when children went wrong, attempting to lead them in the right way. My wife and I have not had that much patience with brattish children. We don’t tolerate too kindly those little ones — no matter how cute they appear — who act as spoiled urchins of the planet.

On the other hand, we have tried to have a wide margin for patience. True. We realize that we are all mortals — spiritually fallen from our first parents’ bad start of things. We take that into full consideration, especially when appraising little ones who are just staring on the journey. I for one am a philosophical type who does attempt to see things from the Big Picture perspective, taking into account our human failings, and giving each person a reasonable time frame to come to his and her senses.

Yet when I entertain you, Aja Marie, little one that you are at 2 years-of-age, I wonder. I marvel. I am not quite sure of myself. And that makes me just a bit uneasy for I’m not accustomed to being not quite sure of myself.

Yet you do that to me. You take this fellow who is in his 60s and turn him on his head at times. I wouldn’t admit that to many; but I will say that to you for you deserve it. And it also brings a grin to my face when thinking it.

Yes, you turn me on my head because I have such a delight in you. You are so precious with those eyes that look up at just the right moment to catch me unawares. You know how to win me over with just a shy, coy glance; no one has ever done that before. But you do it. And what is so very interesting is that I wait anxiously for you to do it again. . .and again! How can your young mind know how to be so toying with a fellow like me?

How did you come upon this whimsy?

Aja Marie, when I was told that you were going to come to be with us for a week, I thought, "That is too long. The furniture will be clawed. The knick-knacks will be broken. The rug will be turned up. She will keep us up all hours of the night. She will waken us up at dawn. She will yammer for this and that. She will demand this cookie and that ice cream. And before a couple of days are done, I’ll be ready to package the girl up and send her back home. For sure. I just know it."

But you have proven me to be utterly so very wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. You have proven me to be so wrong and am I ever so glad that you have. In fact, when morning comes, I look at your sleeping face and wonder when you are going to wise up so as to get up. We need you. We want you. We want to hear your voice and watch your changing countenance. We want to take in your antics and be surprised by your innocently schemed foolishness.

And then when I have to run an errand that would not permit a little girl to be along, I find myself looking forward so very much to getting back home with you. You see, there’s something happening in my life. I have a grandson who is truly a handsome dude, par excellence. He is just absolutely unique in every way. I would not trade him in for any other youngster in the world — ten-year-old that he is. He knows all that. His grandmother and I have told him that — in varying ways. And with all this acclaim going to you, Aja Marie, I would not want Carl to feel the least bit slighted. I am sure that if he reads this, he will understand, particularly as he grows older.

But God knew that I needed a second blessing. I was blessed with the first grandchild being Carl, a boy. Now I am blessed with a second grandchild being Aja Marie, a girl. How can I ever count my riches? God has been so outlandishly good to me.

Aja Marie, please come to visit us again. . .soon. I know that each week you are changing. And every month that I do not see you, you have changed all the more. And in six months, who will you be? I ask God that you don’t change that much. Instead, I pray that you will always fling my heart to the sun, as you have in your visits recently.

Thank you, Aja Marie. I pray for you. I love you so very much.

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"IN JESUS’ NAME" PUBLIC PRAYERS?

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

If you want to close your public prayers with "Jesus", then you have to count the cost.

Right now, according to Charisma News, Californians are dealing with the subject — hotly. City councils are divided. Do Christians end their prayers with "in Jesus’ name" and get by with it? Or are they going over the line in a democracy where there are various religions enjoying the freedom of religious expression?

Burbank is the city. The US Supreme Court is the final location. Burbank mayor David Laurell told the media there’s a lawsuit in the air. It "has already had statewide impact and could have nationwide impact. I’m all for invocations that are all-inclusive, but I don’t want me or anybody else to tell people that it has to be (a certain) way," he stated loud and clear.

Drive to Fullerton. There the city attorney has counseled that public petitions may start with "Our Heavenly Father" but cannot close with "in Jesus’ name." A simple "Amen" should close out public utterances.
Evangelicals in particular counter that not being free to say "in Jesus’ name" is not permitting a US citizen the right to be himself. If a Christian is the one chosen to pray to a public audience, then that believer should have the right to say what he wishes, including ending his offering to heaven in Jesus’ name.

Now Temple City mayor Kenneth Gillanders sizes it up with: "Frankly, we’re a little reluctant to have somebody force their views on us. It’s strange to pick out (invocations) when we have ‘under God’ stamped on our coins. It’s part of the litigious society we’re in."

He goes on: "This is indicative of how confused we are, spiritually speaking, about what God is. I think we have a constitutional right to choose which God we’re praying to. Taking that right away is what’s unconstitutional.

Colorado’s State Board of Education has a Jewish member, Evie Hudak. "It’s just not the kind of situation I felt comfortable with," she told the city newspaper when asked about the pre-meeting public prayers. Some of them invoked the name of Jesus.

The Maryland State Senate, after hearing several pre-meeting prayers offered in Jesus’ name, brought forth Jewish Senator Sharon M. Grosfeld’s remark to THE BALTIMORE SUN: "There are numerous faiths represented in the General Assembly, and in recognition of that. . .the prayers that are said. . .should be as neutral in terms of their reference to a particular god as they can be."

My thoughts:

If Christians continue to harp on pressing for "in Jesus’ name" because of their democratic rights, they had better be prepared for the New Ager to close out her prayer in the name of some Egyptian goddess.

Also, there are the other world religions who will henceforth end their high school graduation benedictions with their own deities’ names.

Just wait for the atheist to invoke the name "No God" to close out his humanistic petition to nothing more than the air breathed in.

There also could be the syncretistic pray-er who will round out her petition using every divine title in the world book of religions. Just to prove a point? Could be. But if it happens, pray for the Holy Spirit’s patience fruit; for that’s about all that you’ll be able to engage—under US law.

What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Christians have enjoyed basically a Christian culture; that does not mean that the majority has been Christian. But it does mean that Christian influences have prevailed in numerous cultural dimensions.

Nevertheless, with society becoming more and more diverse, times and prayers are about to change.
I would think that using freedom of religious expression as one’s base, taking into consideration the US Constitution, one should be able to pray as he believes. But that opens it up then to all kinds of religious terminologies.

If Christians don’t permit that, then they could be shut down altogether even in their own use of the name of Jesus.

Like it or not, that’s the state of affairs in the present climate.

AMERICA: A GIVING NATION: DONALD RUMSFELD

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

"’Those who want to be free have a patient friend in the United States. The great sweep of history is for freedom.’"

US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was speaking to the press on behalf of US servicemembers in Iraq and Afghanistan in particular. According to American Forces Press Service’s Gerry J. Gilmore, the United States continues to give its support to armed services personnel who establish liberties elsewhere.

Rumsfeld said "that when given a chance, people choose to be free."

That’s the theme daily coming from the Bush administration, Rumsfeld continuing the refrain. If Americans can enjoy daily the breath of freedom, why not do all we can to share that breath with others? That is especially imperative when realizing that there are millions still under the heel of one despot or another.

If America claims to have a Judeo-Christian heritage, which it surely does have, then that ethic calls for giving of one’s self in order to lift another’s burden. President and Mrs. George W. Bush carry forth their believing convictions in practical efforts, hence the Operation Iraqi Freedom and setting forth a democracy in Afghanistan.

As Americans continue to give forth, regardless of the thanks or lack of thanks they receive, they will remain true to their heritage. Those who would rewrite America’s history for a totally secular past are not only incorrect; they are the forever losers. Their rewriting posits a self-centered culture of the past. Of course, since we do not dwell in a perfect world, there are plenty of self-serving creatures to go around in any age. But the Judeo-Christian moral base of America’s past is definite. It is fact. When carried forth in any time tense, it helps others. It sacrifices in order to assist somebody else.

Therefore, Rumsfeld reminds the world community that Americans at the grassroots stand alongside their armed personnel abroad.

"The American people, the secretary said, ‘can be proud of the example they have set and the assistance they’ve provided’ in helping to spread freedom across the globe.

"Rumsfeld praised U.S. servicemembers’ ‘countless unheralded acts of valor and compassion’ as part of efforts to help ‘millions of liberated people build societies free of tyranny and terrorism.’"

The greatest enemy to America’s support is its own lethargy. When America forgets others, then it’s in trouble. When it becomes engrossed in entertainment culture and materialistic pastimes so as to forsake its own heritage and ethic, then it becomes dangerously ingrown.

To date, that has not happened. America is the most giving culture on the planet. It’s evident in its service organizations in every community. It’s "the American way." That carries over to its reaching out with freedom spread to other nations. And it is this earnestness that Rumsfeld praised in speaking with the media.

"Back home, Americans of all ages are providing an ‘outpouring of support’ for U.S. military efforts in the war against global terrorism, Rumsfeld pointed out. For example, the secretary noted, high school students in Dale City, Va., held a spaghetti dinner to raise money for wounded U.S. troops.

"In Nashville, Tenn., he continued, the Grand Ole Opry, the world’s longest-running live country music radio program, ‘made itself available to troops overseas through Armed Forces Radio.’ And the Freedom Calls Foundation, he noted, is using video teleconferencing to connect deployed servicemembers with loved ones back home.

"Ski resorts in Vail, Colo., Rumsfeld continued, made available 2,000 cost-free rooms for returning servicemembers as part of Operation Freedom Lodging. Also, ‘there are hundreds, if not thousands, of other moving acts’ of troop support undertaken by citizens in communities across the nation, Rumsfeld said.

"’These are but a few examples of the creativity, the resourcefulness and the compassion of the American people,’ Rumsfeld noted."

Thank you, America.

CHRISTIAN VALUES DRIVE THE FIRST LADY IN AFGHANISTAN

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

"’That dream is of a prosperous, peaceful, and above all, a free Afghanistan, where both men and women stand upright in equality,’" First Lady Laura Bush said.

Mrs. Bush was speaking in Afghanistan. She represented her President husband, the United States, and all freedom loving citizens worldwide. Visiting Kabul, she said that America "’is wholeheartedly committed to the full participation of women in all aspects of Afghan society – not just in Kabul, but in every province,’" according to American Forces Press Service’s Gerry J. Gilmore.

In an effort to encourage the Afghan government as well as local people in their planting a democracy, Mrs. Bush carried poise with power in her addresses particularly to the new Women’s Teacher Training Institute. What must it have meant to those present when listening to the wife of the most powerful head of state on the planet?

In other words, instead of the most powerful personage and wife giving their might to overpowering others, they give their daily energies to lifting up those less fortunate than the freedom-accustomed Americans. The Bushes see through their political and Christian convictions wherever they go. It is to spread liberties as far as those liberties can reach.

"Bush also announced that the United States is supporting the establishment of the American University of Afghanistan, with an accompanying multiyear commitment of more than $15 million. The new university ‘will aggressively reach out to young Afghan women,’ she said, and ‘will provide a modern facility with an international faculty to educate future leaders’ of Afghanistan.

"Bush noted that another education initiative, the International School of Afghanistan, ‘will provide Afghan children from kindergarten through high school with a first-rate education.’ She said $3.5 million has been earmarked to establish the school. Another initiative targeted to assist Afghan women, called Learning for Life, Bush said, will address the critical needs of literacy and healthcare. The program, she noted, ‘will help people learn to read with materials that are focused on health.’"

Though enemies attempt to thwart these worthy goals, Bushes do not cower. Those who agree with their values do not cower either. Instead, democracy believing people — great and small — have sacrificed in order to see such advances as those finding fruitage in Afghanistan.

"Bush, once a schoolteacher and librarian, spoke at the new Women’s Teacher Training Institute. She spent about six hours in Kabul where she also met with President Hamid Karzai and groups of Afghan women.

"The teacher’s training center and adjoining dormitory, she noted, came about as a result of the U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council telling the administration in 2003 that ‘there was a dire need for teachers’ in Afghanistan, especially in the country’s more remote and rural areas.

"Bush said the new training facility, a public-private partnership, ‘will allow women to come from every corner of the country and have a safe place to stay and study, so that they can return home and share one of life’s greatest gifts with their communities – the gift of an education.’"

This is a totally foreign and a new vision for females in Afghanistan. Muslim religion there has hampered regard for women, considering them less worthy than house pets. If a Muslim female shows her ankles, she can be beaten by her husband. If she is considered flirting with a non-Muslim, she can be shot. Islamic tradition states that the female from conception has ten curses laid upon her.

With that kind of Islamic teaching as horrific backdrop to Muslim women’s existence, to hear the US President’s wife give meaning to earthly life, let alone encouragement to become educated in order to teach, must have been an absolute dream lighting up their skies.

"Afghanistan had traditionally barred its women from attaining leadership roles and positions of societal and political heft. Yet, four years since fall of the ultra-traditionalist Taliban, Bush noted that Afghan women ‘have taken on leadership roles as teachers, students, doctors, judges, business and community leaders, and politicians.’"

While the Taliban kill and rape females, Bush freedom enthusiasts seek to liberate females in particular. Some believed that goal to be unbelievable, impractical. How can a nation steeped in the worst of a crazed male-centered religion ever turn around? How could captive women in the Islamic grip ever be set free so as to realize their own potentials?

Yet, if a person believes in miracles, the miracles are taking place every day in Afghanistan. Of course, they do not spring forth as the anti-Bush liberals say they should. However, to those persons I must say: Then you produce a quicker, more efficient miracle. It takes no intelligence to carp; it takes a lot of fortitude to stay the course in helping others reach their personal fulfillment.

Basically it is because of the Christian principles of Mr. and Mrs. Bush that his administration has forged forth with value-based programming. The political opposition gives their Christian faith no such credit; instead, they being Christians has been shunted by the liberal media, if not derided. Yet the Bushes persevere in the unabashed, practical faith, just as all believes persevere against the enemy.

Such commitment pays off, not only in the personal joy of the Bushes, but also in the lives of those people across the world — Afghanistan, for instance. What other major power on Earth has set its sites on aiding other nations as Bush-administered America has set its energies? What other countries with wealth and comforts come forth to lift the burdens from the backs of those less fortunate?

Yet it is America under the Bush leadership that daily sees through the Christian principle of laying down one’s life for another. That does not only mean being willing to die for another; it also means being willing to live in sacrifice for another.

"The new teacher’s institute ‘will yield great things,’ Bush predicted. Its establishment, she noted, represents a symbol of ‘the extraordinary leap forward Afghan women have taken.’ Bush pointed out that Afghanistan is ‘only a few years removed from the rule of terrorists, when women were denied education and every basic human right.’

"The Taliban regime has been replaced ‘by a young democracy,’ she observed, noting ‘the power of freedom is on display across Afghanistan.’"

Yes, it is on display for the world to see. It is on display also for the mainstream media to pick up on more energetically than it has. Why are there not documentaries constantly on American television giving out the specifics of these democracy advancements in Afghanistan? Instead, the anti-Bush press continues to muffle whatever pluses are forthcoming.

Nevertheless, God sees. And believers see. Therefore, they continue to pray for a believing President and wife who stand guard in the White House for liberty and freedoms evangelized wherever there is an open door.

This week Mrs. Bush continued to walk through that door in Afghanistan, opening it wider for all women attending her addresses. Surely they will be inspired to carry on more diligently even after the First Lady returns to America. It’s in the inspiration that future possibilities find their blossoming.

Thank you, Mrs. Bush.

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STAYING THE IRAQI COURSE WITH PRESIDENT BUSH, DESPITE KILLERS’ PLOTS

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

"We tell local leaders that we can’t contract the (infrastructure improvements in their area) if there’s violence toward coalition forces. The local leaders take it upon themselves to deal with insurgents," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jamie Gayton.

It’s the American spirit at work big time. It goes on every day in New Iraq. Those men and women who volunteered for service in the democracy planting don’t let up. They follow the US President in keeping on course. If that were not so, Operation Iraqi Freedom would never have reached the historic January 30 Victory Vote nor the National Assembly formation.

According to US Army Staff Sgt. Craig Zentkovich reporting from Baghdad, the US Army soldiers of the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Brigade Troops Battalion, give forth their all to help build a new country. One by one, a day at a time, muscle on muscle, it’s taking place even with the murderers global seeking to unravel everything worthwhile.

"Engineer support is critical to the coalition’s continuing effort to rebuild and improve Iraq’s infrastructure, according to U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jamie Gayton, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Brigade Troops Battalion, commander.

"Gayton, a career engineer officer, along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, provides project assessment, construction management and quality control expertise. He sees the multitude of engineer projects in the brigade’s sector, specifically Sadr City, as an opportunity to garner support from the local populace."

In order to get the job done, the US-led Coalition daily informs the local Iraqis that they must come to the fore to protect citizens and workmen and women. Locals are not short on responding. They themselves have lined up for Iraqi Security Forces as well as shot from the hip, when necessary, to slay the killers international. In other words, Iraqis bond with the Coalition, knowing the future is worth it all.

"’(Iraqis) are looking for someone to grab onto to make things better,’ Gayton said. ‘More importantly, they need to know that we’ll follow through with the projects.’"

With that, the Coalition continues to prove its allegiance. It is in giving that they find their fulfillment.

It’s sad the liberal mainstream media in the United States does not trumpet more loudly the valor and commitment of both Iraqis and Coalition. It’s there, in our face, in the press’ face; it has yet to make front page so that the free world will find its encouragement to continue to spread the freedom begun by the US President.

For example, in Sadr City, over $380 million has been poured into restructuring life for over two million citizens. That means sewer, trash, power and water projects are dealt with daily. Onward, upward, forward, Gayton accents.

These areas were neglected sadly by Saddam Hussein. They may as well have not existed. Now that Saddam is in his cell, the American freedom forces coupled with liberty carriers from other democratic nations engage with locals to give attention to what Saddam long forgot.

"’What has been our major obstacle to this point is discovering which areas do or don’t have a functioning sewer system,’ said 1st Lt. Joshua Conary, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Brigade Troops Battalion, brigade wastewater officer. ‘Poor record keeping in the past … and years of construction and paving over existing manholes has made (discovering sewer lines) especially difficult.’"

But obstacles are meant to be overcome. Overcome they will be.

"Ten miles southeast of Sadr City, in Mahalla 745, a street and sewer project was recently completed to the delight of residents. One of the locals stated, through an interpreter, he had lived in the neighborhood for more than 15 years and never had a subterranean sewage system, paved streets or curb stone.

"This elation is spreading, albeit slowly, to other parts of Baghdad, including Sadr."

Carry on, men and women. Carry on. The free world salutes you and will not forget you.

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THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

The Book of Revelation, Chapter 19

1-10 Heaven rejoices in the Second Coming. "Hallelujah! Salvation is from our God. Glory and power belong to Him alone. His judgments are just and true."

Eternity’s perspective provides angels and heavenly saints the foresight of Christ’s descent through space toward Earth. They are ecstatic that the AntiChrist and False Prophet rule is soon to be wrapped up. Satan is about to be bound in the bottomless pit. The about-seven year tribulation period is almost over. Christ is soon to reign for a thousand years upon the planet He created.

The twenty-four elders represent the saved of all time. They symbolically represent the saved of the Old Testament period, thus pictured as twelve elders. They symbolically represent the saved of the New Testament Church Age, thus pictured as twelve elders. Twelve plus twelve equals a total of twenty-four elders representing the saved of all time.

Christ, the Groom, is about to rescue His bride, the redeemed. The wedding feast soon will commence. The menu will be the dead bodies of the defeated in the Armageddon Battle. Vultures will feast upon the corpses in Israel’s northwest Valley of Megiddo. "Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb."

11 Christ symbolically is pictured as riding on a white horse. The color of the horse represents purity. Christ is labeled as "Faithful and True" for He is just that. He is in contrast to the unfaithful and false AntiChrist and False Prophet who will have ruled during the almost-seven year tribulation period.

Further, because Christ is faithful and true, he judges fairly. He is about to judge the Earth, putting to His left the goats and to his right the lambs. (Matthew 25:31-46) Goats represent the spiritually rebellious. Lambs represent the redeemed souls who follow the Shepherd, Christ.

12 Christ’s eyes are symbolically pictured as "like flames of fire." That is, He returns with righteous anger and pure justice. The world has been turning against His gospel; now it is time for His fury to judge free will mortals will who have stubbornly rejected His saving grace.

On His head are symbolically pictured "many crowns." That is, Christ rules with unlimited power — "crowns" in the plural. He is the Almighty God from everlasting.

In contrast Revelation 6:1-2 symbolically pictures a rider on a white horse. That rider carries a bow without an arrow. He wears one crown on his head. That rider is the AntiChrist who will appear with bow but no arrow, that is, supposedly on a mission of world peace. There is no arrow so he apparently is not about to kill. He carries only the bow, the sign of peace. He rides on a white horse, appearing to be pure. He has only one crown on his head, that is, his power is limited. He goes forth to conquer; that is, he temporarily takes over much of the world for evil.

Though appearing without an arrow, he does slaughter the martyrs. He is not in reality on a mission of world peace but worldwide conflict. Further, he will reveal himself to be not at all pure but instead the agent of blasphemy.

13 Christ is symbolically pictured as wearing a cape dripping with blood. The cape represents His royalty. The blood represents His blood shed on Calvary. From seven body fountains Christ shed His blood: two hands, two feet, His side, His head via the crown of thorns, and His back, riveted with blood strips from whippings received Thursday night.

Seven stands for divine perfection, hence Christ providing the perfect sacrifice as the slain Lamb of God. He offered Himself willingly upon the altar of the cross. He became Atonement Lamb. He became sin for us, the sinful. It is by His blood that souls are wiped clean of their sins.

Further, Christ received the title of "Word of God." Therefore, in addition to his title being "Faithful and True," He is also known as the "Word of God." This is likewise written in John 1:1-5, 14: the Word (Christ) is God, the Word (Christ) became flesh and dwelt among us, and by the Word (Christ) the world was created.

14 Armies in heaven accompanying Christ at His Second Coming are the redeemed saints of all time. They are dressed in "pure white linen" which represents their commitment to Christ’s holiness. They too ride on white horses; that is, they are symbolically pictured as in the company of Christ the Pure One who makes their surrendered souls pure.

15 Christ is symbolically pictured as having a sword coming out of His mouth. It is an exceptionally sharp sword. The sword of the Lord is the Word of God.

Therefore, Christ will speak and world events will occur accordingly. Just as His mouth spoke worlds into existence — something from nothing — at His Second Coming the Monarch will speak.

In that speaking, the Armageddon Battle will cease, the dead falling to the ground. He will speak, bringing into being the judgment of goats and lambs. He will speak, thus concluding the about-seven year tribulation period. He will initiate the "rule of the iron rod." In His anger against the planet’s ongoing evil, Christ will "trod the winepress of the fierce wrath of almighty God."

During the Church Age, Christ ruled with forgiving love for those who repented of their sinful ways, following Him. But at the Second Coming, Christ will return in just anger upon those who have rebelled against His saving grace.

16 Christ has inscribed on his robe the titles of "King of Kings" and "Lord of Lords." Replacing the temporary evil AntiChrist kingly rule and the False Prophet’s hellish lordship, Christ will doom their souls to hell.

17-18 At the Second Coming’s victory of Armageddon, the dead will fall to the ground. Vultures then will be commissioned by an angel to eat their dead bodies.

"Come! Gather together for the great banquet God has prepared. Come and eat the flesh of kings, captains, and strong warriors; of horses and their riders; and of all humanity, both free and slave, small and great."

Saints will not be eating the wedding feast menu. It will be for the birds only. Saints, the bride, will be content to be with the Groom Christ. The eating will be left to the vultures.

19-20 John the Beloved Disciple on the Isle of Patmos, recipient of this vision from Christ, then sees the "beast," that is, the AntiChrist of Revelation 13 in particular.

The AntiChrist political ruler of the about-seven year tribulation period will have amassed his militia for Armageddon, the last battle of the Church Age. Other leaders of the planet will have joined him. Yet they come to their end with the sharp sword of Christ piercing their schemes. The approaching Christ captures the AntiChrist and False Prophet. They both are sent alive into hell, "the lake of fire."

21 The Armageddon armies are all defeated by the sharp word of Christ. Vultures from the sky "gorged themselves on the dead bodies."

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TIME FOR AN OIL CHANGE--AND FINDING FAMILY

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

Oil and filter change -- $12.95! What a deal.

"May I bring in my Acura at 1:45 this afternoon? Would like that bargain price oil change." The secretary set me up. Fine.

I drove in at 1:30 — early. Seated in the lounge, I figured in a short time I’d be on my way, errands to run in the second half of Monday afternoon.

"I’m sorry," the technician said as he walked from the shop to where customers were seated. With that, he looked straight at me.

"I don’t have the filter for your car. Phoned for one. It should be here in a few, then I’ll be done with the change," he explained.

Okay with me. No problem. I’d just leaf through another magazine.

But when 2:10 came and there was still no Acura-with-oil-changed, I began to wonder what was going on. Other customers had made exit; I was holding the fort.

"I put a call through. They say they’re on their way. This can happen," Harry recited apologetically.

And with that we two fell into conversation.

"I see you’re a Christian," was it for openers. Harry had already nabbed my ID.

"How do you know that?"

"Because of the GOD BLESS YOU sign on your dash. Kinda gives a person away, doesn’t it?"

I chuckled, confessed he was speaking the truth, then proceeded to meet another member of "the family."

That’s the way it always is.

I recall sitting under a pastor’s parsonage in Guyana. You see, there the houses are on stilts; so to sit under a house is what one does. There was a large group of us — my wife and I and then Amerindians who’d traveled down river for Bible studies under the parsonage.

What impressed me particularly was their easy manner — nice and comfy does it. They were open people, ready to smile gladly, chattering away freely, singing at the top of their lungs, witnessing to God’s love as naturally as sharing a meal.

We had never met these folk before flying into South America. But that never matters when coming on "the family." It is as if all gathered had known one another for a lifetime.

So it was with Harry at the oil change depot.

"My wife and I moved here with our two sons from Arizona. I’m into gospel singing. In fact, am looking for some churches to sing in. If you know of any leads, I’d appreciate some info," he said.

It was not long before Harry began to share with me some problems. Can you imagine what specifics might have been related when he told me he was rearing two sons — ages 15 and 17? And so forth.

We talked about the past, the present and hopes for the future. We talked about favorite gospel singers, where he and family worshiped, how he took to Maine’s Lake Region, the business he himself owned prior to moving here, and answers to prayer.

Ah, there was the oil filter delivery. So Harry was on his way. The clock showed 2:50! Hmmmm.
Inconvenience? Worth the wait? Another bump in the road?

It was a miracle come upon — meeting a brother in the Lord for the first time, sharing in prayer, reminding one another of Scripture promises, covenanting to intercede for one another in between oil changes.

That’s the way it is when a believer folds into the divine plan — daily — just letting God have His way. In that, there are times when a person comes into finding "the family" expanded.

Nothing like it. Over a lifetime, it really adds up — whether in Guyana or southern Maine.

ANOREXIA AT THE MAINE JAIL

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

The sections were called "pods." So the most pods were given to the men. One pod was for the women.

A pod looked like this: one large room. You see, the large room was in vogue far ahead of today’s Great Room in the middle class homes. So it was in the large room that inmates mingled, paced back and forth, looked over their shoulders, sat on stationary metal benches secured to the floor. Benches were the "chairs" around metal tables secured to the floor.

To the one end of the large room was a door. It opened to a very small outside walk-around. That’s where inmates in good weather could get a breath of fresh air. Of course, the open space was surrounded by walls so the only thing a person could spy was the sky. Ever-present barbed wire was atop the walls, naturally.

Inside the large room was also a chin-up contraption by which an inmate could do some exercises if he were so disposed. Some of the fellows with muscles liked to keep those muscles rippling.

The philosophy varied from institution to institution. There was the time when muscle building was the thing. Then certain officials concluded that muscled inmates made for potential Big Boy attackers against guards. Therefore, muscle building went out in some units. It all depended on the facility’s management.

There was the guard station in the center of the large room. There the uniformed guard stood or leaned on a stool. There were papers atop a rectangular table. A communication network of phones and intercoms was secured there, too. Otherwise, the guard stationed himself or herself there for the watch, chatting with inmates or pulling away from inmates to build a private bubble around the self. Eight hours can be an extra long watch some days.

If it was a loose day when inmates seemed okay, guards would talk with them, exchanging jokes and the like. If the scene was uptight, no talkie.

There was a staircase that went up to a second tier of cells. Then there was the catwalk that stretched around that second tier. When you walked up the stairs, you could pass the cells, some doors open, some doors closed. A small window was in each door.

The cell was simple: thin cot, metal toilet without lid and metal wash basin. Nothing that could be used to hang oneself. No extras. No luxuries, that’s for certain. Bare necessities, like unto the monks of the Dark Ages. Stark was good; less was more.

Card playing was a staple. In a side room off the women’s pod was storage for some table games. There was a table. It held The Big Book — the Alcoholics Anonymous standby for any trying to kick the habit. There may be a Bible or two or three. There was at times a hymnal. Sometimes there were religious tracts and daily devotional booklets.

When I went into the women’s pod to conduct substance abuse classes, I met the inmates in the side room. Sometimes I’d come upon them crocheting. Salvation Army ladies visited them regularly and brought them some crocheting material. The women enjoyed something to do that was productive. They’d crochet and talk and crochet and talk. It was one of the few diversions; otherwise, jail time is boredom to the max.

On the fist level of the pod’s large room was a shower. You’d hear the shower running, then turn off, then start up again. Showers showers showers. Cleansing the soul? I don’t know.

If a fight broke out, watch out. Yelling carried high to the ceilings. The acoustics were remarkable in the pods. Talk about frequencies flying sky high. Men would screech, yell, burp, belch. Women would holler and scowl.

Of course, the "psych" on staff with me in the health services department, the latter an out-of-state firm contracted by the jail, didn’t care about the inmate population. He bragged on that. They weren’t worth it. He told us daily that the only reason he worked at that job was a paycheck. Period. So it was that he was exceptionally true to his demented philosophy. To the letter. None of officialdom appeared to care about his not caring; "psych" was just another staff person with a weird philosophy.

Therefore, when the young, thin, pretty woman in the pod needed desperately his help, nix. None. Zero. Done. Up and out. Zip. Whatever you wanted to call, it was that "psych" did nothing. That’s why her appeals on slips of paper lined my inbox every morning. She needed help. She needed counseling. She needed somebody to address her anorexia while she was in jail.

Just because she committed a crime, put behind bars, didn’t mean that her anorexia went away! But "psych" didn’t care. She could drop dead as far he was concerned. With that, she kept getting thinner and thinner.

I did what I could do. But her problem was not substance abuse. Therefore, my professional assistance was limited. However, I could listen to her. That helped. Listening is a tremendous gift to any of us when we need a willing ear — in or out of jail.

I felt so sorry for her. Sometimes she’d get so exasperated that she’d lose her temper. Then she’d flail out at some guard or another inmate. Screaming and yammering. Then the women picked sides. Some on her side. Some on the other side, whoever the other was at the moment. At least it broke the day’s smothering boredom.

Sad.

Some months after I had left the jail position, I drove into the country. There I came upon a mom-and-pop store, walked in, chatted with the owner — a woman in her late 50s, only to discover she was the mother of the anorexic. We commiserated. Once again, I felt so sorry for a human being — a mother who was desperate for her daughter but could do nothing practical to help her when she got in trouble so as to land in jail.

A few weeks later I came upon a fruit store. Who owned it? The anorexic’s father. Small world. We talked. I tried to comfort him but of course in truth my comfort could only go so far. The anorexia had been long-standing. Both mother and father wondered where their precious, lovely daughter would end — lifetime in and out of jail, dead from starving herself, clawed in a brawl.

Mother and father were middle class entrepreneurs. They made good money. Their daughter was not brought up in the dregs section of existence. She had a middle class home for childhood years.

I still stop at the fruit stand come summers. And I still talk with the father. He updates me. Nothing really new. Same ol’ same ol’. So my heart aches for her, the woman whom no one cares about, that is, when she lands back in jail.

WHY THE LOW-KEY JESUS AFTER THE RESURRECTION?

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

Why is everything so ordinary after Jesus' resurrection? That is, of course, except for the resurrection itself. That is the most significant happening in all planetary history. However, it must be admitted that the daily occurrences for the next forty days until Jesus ascended spell a rather usual routine.

If humans were writing this time period they would have had an Easter theme park already set up with circus and food stands. Naturally. That's the way humans conclude that stupendous occurrences have to be fêted, hence our overspending on weddings and graduations and so forth. But not with the divine.

When God brought Jesus back from the grave, God set up shop pretty much per usual. We Christians take that for granted forwe have read the Easter passages for so long and so many times that we are not impacted by the unusual of the usual. It is a shame that our reading often takes on such a ho-hum mode.

Therefore, I suggest that you read the resurrection sections as if for the first time, including the tellings related to the days prior to Jesus'ascension. Note that Jesus is walking about the countryside, talking with friends, inviting Thomas to touch His wounds, and even having breakfastwith the fellows after their night of fishing.

None of that is outlandish. It is a pastoral scene overflow rich withnature and fellowship with friends, but it is not an extravaganza. It is pure and simple. It is lovely and comforting. But it is not showmanship ofa Hollywood style, for certain.

If Jesus had trumped up a center-stage display for programming and applause, He would not have started a church. He would have started a cult.

If He had set off fireworks announcing the miracle of the resurrection, His disciples would have naturally concluded that such fare was going to bedaily doings. It would have started an insane sequence of unreal expectations that never could have been corralled.

Consequently, Jesus kept to the normal, the usual, the rather routine, evenwhen considering that He was a real live person walking about after having been murdered. In this, Jesus prepared His followers for dealing daily with this spiritually fallen sphere.

If Jesus had created a circus follow-up to His rising from the dead, His disciples would have concluded that that was their spiritual inheritance henceforth. Such would have led to a crazy club. Instead, Jesus, in His caring for His own, kept His forty days' appearances to the low-key. In that, He guided His disciples into a rightful thanksgiving to heaven for the resurrected Presence while at the same time instructed them that they were still citizens of a crippled world.

In other words, Jesus' low-key style kept His followers to the real, the actual, rather than spinning them out into some neurotic religious mindset.

Jesus knew that only when His own reached the perfection of heaven wouldthey then be free from pain, confusion and disappointment. Therefore, He had to keep them on balance for all of that here, even with the fact of the resurrection staring them happily in the face.

A cult or a church? That was the choice. If Jesus had gone off on some spectacular, worked up camp, he would have formed an offbeat cult. But because He kept the balance of a risen Presence plus the spiritually fallen world environs for His own, He began the Church Age.

Thank you, Jesus.

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RAUNCHY SEX ED AT MAINE JAIL

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

Mack was in charge of sex education at the county jail. I don’t know if that is exactly the label they gave to his talk-outs, but that in essence is what he was hired for. He was to talk to sex offenders about healthy sex.

I liked Mack when I first met him in the lunch line. And I was also intrigued with his style of presentation. He was an outgoing fellow; therefore, I presumed that his sex ed classes would be interesting.

Mack was most pleased when I asked if I could attend one of his sessions; after all, most employees at the county jail didn’t care a twit about one anothers’ job slots let alone sitting in on their delivers. So Mack quickly took me up on my inquiry, extending a gracious invitation to attend the next go-round.

I was there. Seated around me were familiar faces. I also met with these fellows regularly. However, when I met with them it was seeing through my substance abuse counselor position. Now I was seated in the room to listen to a professional detail on how to rearrange one’s life for decent, healthy sex.

Was I ever in for a shock. Mack was not so much Mack the Mucho Nice Guy as he was Mack the Knife. He had a chalkboard on the wall. Actually, it withstood magic markers better than chalk, but whatever it was, it carried forthwith his obscenities.

Listed in long columns were some of the foulest terms known to any language. These words obviously represented obscene definitions. And so the one-hour presentation crippled along.

I thought, "Mack has a sex fixation, for sure. There’s something desperately imbalanced about Mack. I wonder how healthy his sex life is these days." I learned later that Mack had been divorced. With that, I figured that I could fill in the blanks quite quickly. Maybe I’d be wrong on a point or two but the broad sweeps would probably be correct.

Mack was there on site to receive his salary check by dishing out dirt to the convicts under his mentoring. In fact, as the hour passed along, I did not hear foul words coming from the inmates. I did not hear them relishing in the dirty talk. It was Mack jollying himself along, giving forth with a drama line that outdid any Emmy wannabe.

Later that week when I met with these same men for substance abuse sessions, they told me their stories. Of course, I knew that some of the men seated in front of me were life-long liars. They were deceivers of the first order. They could con an angel out of his wings.