Advent 2007
Our Shepherd
Jesus is referred to as “shepherd” numerous times in the New Testament. He is variously called “The Good Shepherd” (John 10:11), “The Great Shepherd” (Hebrews 13:20), and “The Chief Shepherd” (1 Peter 5:4). In the 23rd Psalm, King David draws on his own experience as a shepherd boy. He knew that the sheep were dependent on the shepherd to meet their every need. David recognized the dependence of man on the Lord Jesus Christ as their shepherd. Unlike, David in a non-herding economy, few can identify with the sheep and shepherd relationship. It is a foreign concept. Furthermore, modern man sees no dependence on God. Fierce independence and self-sufficiency, doing what he wants when he wants to and how he wants to, is the hall mark of 21st century dweller in the western world. After all, isn’t our individuality our right? Life is full of choices and what determines choices is our status…our education, wealth, and power. If we improve our position in any or all of those three areas, our choices will lead to a more fulfilling life. The shepherds crook is relegated to the closet of antiquated thinking. Give us opportunity, not God! And, whatever needs we cannot fulfill, we have the state. Isn’t that the purpose of government to solve the problems we can’t. What if we can’t achieve the education, wealth or power needed to prosper? The government will pass legislation, spend tax money and/or bring actions in court to bring the less fortunate to the status others cannot attain in the society. The power of God has been exchanged for the power of politics. Christians must not exchange the Good, Great and Chief Shepherd for the politician. Take time this Advent to ponder how that Babe in the manger is your Shepherd. If you are a sheep that has gone astray by buying into the world’s view of life, repent and return to the Good, Great and Chief Shepherd Who will meet your “real” needs.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Monday, December 10, 2007
History
Strong Vincent
This past weekend in Pennsylvania, two high schools played football against each other: Thomas Jefferson and Strong Vincent. It is a wonderful concept to name public schools after historical figures. Most know of Thomas Jefferson, although you may be surprised at what adults do not know if you watch the “Are you smarter than a 5th Grader?” show on TV. And, there are plenty of Thomas Jefferson schools in the country. But, I would guess there is only one school named Strong Vincent in the entire country.
There is a reason Strong Vincent High School is located in Erie, PA. He was born in Waterford, some call the strawberry capital of PA, in 1837. He graduated from Harvard in 1859 and thereafter opened a law office in Erie. When the War Between the States broke out he enlisted for three months in a militia regiment and when the time expired, he re-enlisted as a Lt. Colonel in the 83rd Pennsylvania Regiment. That regiment suffered the 2nd greatest amount of casualties for the Union. He married on the day he enlisted.
He fought on the Peninsula and when the colonel of the 83rd was killed on June 27, 1862, he became the colonel of the regiment. He was felled by malaria which kept him out of battle until December at Fredericksburg. Because of his legal background, he was offered position of Judge Advocate for the Army. He turned it down to remain a fighting man. The Union army was reorganized after Chancellorsville and he became brigade commander. On his 26th birthday he was marching to Gettysburg.
At Gettysburg, he took command of Little Round Top by rushing the hill with his standard bearer choosing for his brigade a section of the hill that now bears his name. On the hill he commanded the 83rd as well as the 20th Maine, 44th New York and 16th Michigan. As one group began to falter he scrambled atop a boulder brandishing a riding crop that was a gift from his wife, and accomplished aquestrian, and shouted: “Don’t give an Inch!” A bullet tore through his leg fracturing his thigh bone. He was carried from the field. Reinforcements form the 140th New York helped the line on Little Round Top hold. Knowing he was dying he wanted to return home, but the severity of his wounds prohibited travel to Erie. He held on for five days and died on July 7, 1863.
General Meade recommended Vincent be promoted for his heroism to Brigadier General on 2 July and he was on 3 July, 1863. It is doubtful he ever knew. Here is the report of Brig General James Barnes, Commander of the First Division:
It was at this time that Colonel Vincent, commanding the brigade, while rallying this part of his command, fell, mortally wounded. He was a gallant officer, beloved and respected by his command and by all who knew him. His death is a serious loss to the army and the country. ....A tribute is due to the memory of Colonel Vincent, who fell, mortally wounded, early in the engagement. He lingered a few days after the engagement. His promotion as a brigadier-general was sent to him at once as an appreciation of his services by the Government, but it reached him too late for his own recognition. He expired soon after its receipt.
While a lesser known hero of Little Round Top, he was indeed a hero who took the initiative to take the position in the first place. The official order issued announcing his death speaks to the character and standing of the man:
The colonel commanding hereby announces to the brigade the death of Brig. Gen. Strong Vincent. He died near Gettysburg, Pa., July 7, 1863, from the effects of a wound received on the 2d instant, and within sight of that field which his bravery had so greatly assisted to win. A day hallowed with all the glory of success is thus sombered by the sorrow of our loss. Wreaths of victory give way to chaplets of mourning, hearts exultant to feelings of grief. A soldier, a scholar, a friend, has fallen. For his country, struggling for its life, he willingly gave his own. Grateful for his services, the State which proudly claims him as her own will give him an honored grave and a costly monument, but he ever will remain buried in our hearts, and our love for his memory will outlast the stone which shall bear the inscription of his bravery, his virtues, and his patriotism.
While we deplore his death, and remember with sorrow our loss, let us emulate the example of his fidelity and patriotism, feeling that he lives but in vain who lives not for his God and his country.
Signed: Colonel James C. Rice
Two months after his death, Vincent’s wife Elizabeth gave birth to a baby girl who only lived one year. So, this hero would have no heir to live to tell his story. The 83rd Regimental Monument at Gettysburg does bear a striking resemblance to Vincent, although likenesses of commanders were not to be upon PA monuments. And, the school that bears his name still exists in Erie, PA. In his correspondence to his young wife, Strong Vincent says: “If I fall, remember you have given your husband to the most righteous cause that has ever widowed a woman.” In this age of self-seeking and self-aggrandizement, such sentiments are refreshing. That he was willing to give his life for something he believed was right made Strong Vincent an American hero. Strong Vincent is little known outside Erie and Gettysburg, but he is part of the glorious history of the human sacrifice and cost in the War Between the States.
Strong Vincent
This past weekend in Pennsylvania, two high schools played football against each other: Thomas Jefferson and Strong Vincent. It is a wonderful concept to name public schools after historical figures. Most know of Thomas Jefferson, although you may be surprised at what adults do not know if you watch the “Are you smarter than a 5th Grader?” show on TV. And, there are plenty of Thomas Jefferson schools in the country. But, I would guess there is only one school named Strong Vincent in the entire country.
There is a reason Strong Vincent High School is located in Erie, PA. He was born in Waterford, some call the strawberry capital of PA, in 1837. He graduated from Harvard in 1859 and thereafter opened a law office in Erie. When the War Between the States broke out he enlisted for three months in a militia regiment and when the time expired, he re-enlisted as a Lt. Colonel in the 83rd Pennsylvania Regiment. That regiment suffered the 2nd greatest amount of casualties for the Union. He married on the day he enlisted.
He fought on the Peninsula and when the colonel of the 83rd was killed on June 27, 1862, he became the colonel of the regiment. He was felled by malaria which kept him out of battle until December at Fredericksburg. Because of his legal background, he was offered position of Judge Advocate for the Army. He turned it down to remain a fighting man. The Union army was reorganized after Chancellorsville and he became brigade commander. On his 26th birthday he was marching to Gettysburg.
At Gettysburg, he took command of Little Round Top by rushing the hill with his standard bearer choosing for his brigade a section of the hill that now bears his name. On the hill he commanded the 83rd as well as the 20th Maine, 44th New York and 16th Michigan. As one group began to falter he scrambled atop a boulder brandishing a riding crop that was a gift from his wife, and accomplished aquestrian, and shouted: “Don’t give an Inch!” A bullet tore through his leg fracturing his thigh bone. He was carried from the field. Reinforcements form the 140th New York helped the line on Little Round Top hold. Knowing he was dying he wanted to return home, but the severity of his wounds prohibited travel to Erie. He held on for five days and died on July 7, 1863.
General Meade recommended Vincent be promoted for his heroism to Brigadier General on 2 July and he was on 3 July, 1863. It is doubtful he ever knew. Here is the report of Brig General James Barnes, Commander of the First Division:
It was at this time that Colonel Vincent, commanding the brigade, while rallying this part of his command, fell, mortally wounded. He was a gallant officer, beloved and respected by his command and by all who knew him. His death is a serious loss to the army and the country. ....A tribute is due to the memory of Colonel Vincent, who fell, mortally wounded, early in the engagement. He lingered a few days after the engagement. His promotion as a brigadier-general was sent to him at once as an appreciation of his services by the Government, but it reached him too late for his own recognition. He expired soon after its receipt.
While a lesser known hero of Little Round Top, he was indeed a hero who took the initiative to take the position in the first place. The official order issued announcing his death speaks to the character and standing of the man:
The colonel commanding hereby announces to the brigade the death of Brig. Gen. Strong Vincent. He died near Gettysburg, Pa., July 7, 1863, from the effects of a wound received on the 2d instant, and within sight of that field which his bravery had so greatly assisted to win. A day hallowed with all the glory of success is thus sombered by the sorrow of our loss. Wreaths of victory give way to chaplets of mourning, hearts exultant to feelings of grief. A soldier, a scholar, a friend, has fallen. For his country, struggling for its life, he willingly gave his own. Grateful for his services, the State which proudly claims him as her own will give him an honored grave and a costly monument, but he ever will remain buried in our hearts, and our love for his memory will outlast the stone which shall bear the inscription of his bravery, his virtues, and his patriotism.
While we deplore his death, and remember with sorrow our loss, let us emulate the example of his fidelity and patriotism, feeling that he lives but in vain who lives not for his God and his country.
Signed: Colonel James C. Rice
Two months after his death, Vincent’s wife Elizabeth gave birth to a baby girl who only lived one year. So, this hero would have no heir to live to tell his story. The 83rd Regimental Monument at Gettysburg does bear a striking resemblance to Vincent, although likenesses of commanders were not to be upon PA monuments. And, the school that bears his name still exists in Erie, PA. In his correspondence to his young wife, Strong Vincent says: “If I fall, remember you have given your husband to the most righteous cause that has ever widowed a woman.” In this age of self-seeking and self-aggrandizement, such sentiments are refreshing. That he was willing to give his life for something he believed was right made Strong Vincent an American hero. Strong Vincent is little known outside Erie and Gettysburg, but he is part of the glorious history of the human sacrifice and cost in the War Between the States.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Advent 2007
Time Traveler
Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd made time traveling entertainment in the movie “Back to the Future”. They went back in time and experienced events that occurred decades prior with hopes of influencing the outcomes which would in turn influence their lives in the present. This is an oft used theme in fantasy literature. In 2 Peter 3:8, Peter tells us that time is meaningless to our Lord. He sees yesterday, today and tomorrow as now. However, Jesus Christ was the ultimate time traveler because He entered time from eternity. He did not move forward or backwards along the timeline of human existence. He punctured time from timelessness. And, this travel into time did affect the events of time forever. He came from eternity to time to save sinners like you and me. While we were yet sinners, He loved us enough to die for us [Rom 5:8]. He left the perfect love that was His with the Father and the Holy Spirit in eternity to take on our flesh and become sin itself. Because He lived a perfect and sinless life as the God-Man, we obtain His righteousness in exchange for our sin. Jesus Christ, God Himself, did not consider Himself above the task to be the sacrificial servant for sinners [Phil 2: 6-8]. To do that He became a time traveler. Some day each of us will be time travelers. We will pass out of time to timelessness. Eternity awaits us all. No one knows their departure time. This Advent as you contemplate the Babe in the manger, remember He came into time from eternity for a reason. Have you booked your reservation with the ultimate time traveler? The only One Who can provide for you safe passage to a heavenly home in eternity.
Time Traveler
Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd made time traveling entertainment in the movie “Back to the Future”. They went back in time and experienced events that occurred decades prior with hopes of influencing the outcomes which would in turn influence their lives in the present. This is an oft used theme in fantasy literature. In 2 Peter 3:8, Peter tells us that time is meaningless to our Lord. He sees yesterday, today and tomorrow as now. However, Jesus Christ was the ultimate time traveler because He entered time from eternity. He did not move forward or backwards along the timeline of human existence. He punctured time from timelessness. And, this travel into time did affect the events of time forever. He came from eternity to time to save sinners like you and me. While we were yet sinners, He loved us enough to die for us [Rom 5:8]. He left the perfect love that was His with the Father and the Holy Spirit in eternity to take on our flesh and become sin itself. Because He lived a perfect and sinless life as the God-Man, we obtain His righteousness in exchange for our sin. Jesus Christ, God Himself, did not consider Himself above the task to be the sacrificial servant for sinners [Phil 2: 6-8]. To do that He became a time traveler. Some day each of us will be time travelers. We will pass out of time to timelessness. Eternity awaits us all. No one knows their departure time. This Advent as you contemplate the Babe in the manger, remember He came into time from eternity for a reason. Have you booked your reservation with the ultimate time traveler? The only One Who can provide for you safe passage to a heavenly home in eternity.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Joseph V. Paterno
Standing on History and Tradition
Last night Joe Paterno was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. That was to happen last year but was postponed because he sustained a broken leg last year that prohibited him from being in New York to receive the award. Now, that is not a surprising event. What is surprising, even amazing, is the history of Hall of Fame coaches at Penn State.
Since 1918, Penn State has had 5 coaches. One, Joe Bedenk was only coach for one year in 1949, after which he asked to go back to being an assistant. The university hired Charles “Rip” Engle as head coach in 1950, and he brought with him from Brown University one of his players to be an assistant, Joe Paterno. The other four coaches Hugo Bedzek, Bob Higgins, Rip Engle and Joe Paterno are all enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame. Eighty nine years, five coaches, four in the Hall of Fame…that is unmatched in the history of college sports.
The coaching replacement carousal is underway again this year. Everyone wants a coach who will lead them to the promised land of a Mythical National Championship. When surveying what is going on, think about the history and tradition, or lack thereof, of the institution chasing the next winner. What is the school’s history and tradition? Not just the wins and losses, but the stability, the integrity, the commitment, the principles, the academics, the history and tradition of lives devoted to coaching young men and preparing them for life not just sixty minutes of fleeting fame. Penn State Football has an exemplary history and tradition in many areas but is unparalleled and unequalled in coaching excellence. One of the reasons Joe Paterno stands so tall today is that he is standing on the shoulders of giants who laid the foundation of the history and tradition he has enriched.
Standing on History and Tradition
Last night Joe Paterno was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. That was to happen last year but was postponed because he sustained a broken leg last year that prohibited him from being in New York to receive the award. Now, that is not a surprising event. What is surprising, even amazing, is the history of Hall of Fame coaches at Penn State.
Since 1918, Penn State has had 5 coaches. One, Joe Bedenk was only coach for one year in 1949, after which he asked to go back to being an assistant. The university hired Charles “Rip” Engle as head coach in 1950, and he brought with him from Brown University one of his players to be an assistant, Joe Paterno. The other four coaches Hugo Bedzek, Bob Higgins, Rip Engle and Joe Paterno are all enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame. Eighty nine years, five coaches, four in the Hall of Fame…that is unmatched in the history of college sports.
The coaching replacement carousal is underway again this year. Everyone wants a coach who will lead them to the promised land of a Mythical National Championship. When surveying what is going on, think about the history and tradition, or lack thereof, of the institution chasing the next winner. What is the school’s history and tradition? Not just the wins and losses, but the stability, the integrity, the commitment, the principles, the academics, the history and tradition of lives devoted to coaching young men and preparing them for life not just sixty minutes of fleeting fame. Penn State Football has an exemplary history and tradition in many areas but is unparalleled and unequalled in coaching excellence. One of the reasons Joe Paterno stands so tall today is that he is standing on the shoulders of giants who laid the foundation of the history and tradition he has enriched.
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