Clinging to Carrier Pigeons
“When the Swiss Department of Defense announced in 1994 that it would have to give up its 77 year old carrier-pigeon service because of financial constraints, a pro-pigeon group emerged to protest. If enough signatures were gathered, the issue of whether to abolish one of the world’s last units of military carrier pigeons would go to referendum.
“Although the country’s then 400,000-man reserve army has not fought a foreign war since 1515, its military traditions are almost sacred. The Swiss army’s pigeons, which fly faster than 35mph, were used in both world wars to relay messages over mountainous terrain. Until 1994, the army owned some 7000 pigeons and had another 223,000 birds owned by private breeders on standby in case of a national emergency. Pigeon breeders were especially angered by the plan because they trained the birds for difficult missions. The abolition of the carrier service meant that 250 militia soldiers would be trained for other duties, and a carrier-pigeon station near the capital city of Bern would be closed.”
Carrier-pigeons, as messengers, played an important role during times of war. Keeping lines of communication open can mean the difference between victory and defeat. This holds true in the conflict between heaven and earth as well. As this spiritual battle plays out, the Bible describes the important role played by angels (a word which means messenger) as they relay vital information among themselves, as well as to man. But this important work isn't left only for the angels. God has also employed apostles (sent ones), preachers, pastors, evangelists and those who do the work of an evangelist, to carry His message across enemy lines.
"And there came war in the heaven; Michael and his messengers did war against the dragon, and the dragon did war, and his messengers" (Revelation 12:7).
Ordinary Night / Holy Night
Reading , Ordinary Night/Holy Night by Max Lucado
“There is one word that describes the night He came—ordinary. It was a beautiful night—a night worth peeking out your bedroom window to admire—but not really an unusual one. No reason to expect a surprise. Nothing to keep a person awake. An ordinary night with an ordinary sky.
The above is one in a series of Christmas readings by Max Lucado. Each reading can be used separately to emphasize a single element of the Christmas message or used as part of a series of readings and carols to create a moving Christmas Eve Candlelight Service as follows (the additional readings can be found on this site under the same category "Christmas" or by visiting the source above):
Reading , Ordinary Night/Holy Night
Song – O, Holy Night
Scripture - Matt 1:20-21
Reading, From One Father to Another
Song – Hymn #262, Away In A Manger
Scripture - Luke 1:46-49
Reading, Mary’s Prayer
Song - Mary Did You Know
Scripture - Luke 2:8-20
Reading, The Meek Were Kneeling
Song – Hymn # 265, The First Noel, vv. 1,2,6
Scripture Matt 2:1-2
Reading, Following the Star
Song – Hymn # 288, We Three Kings
Scripture – Luke 2:25-32
Reading, Wide-eyed And Watching
Song – Come, Thou Long Expected
Scripture - John 1:1-5, 14
Reading, Love’s Remarkable Plan
Song – Hymn # 277, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Scripture – Phil 2:5-11
Reading, Timeless, Boundless Love
Song – Love Came Down At Christmas OR Love Has Come
Reading, Silent Night, Holy Night
Of the Word and Waterjets
In the past, only one piece of metal could be cut at a time with a saw or other metal cutting mechanical process. It took a lot of time and was expensive. Then came the invention and use of waterjets.
Low pressure waterjets were first used for mining gold in California in 1852. Steam and hot water jets were used in the early 1900s for cleaning. High pressure waterjets were used for mining in the 1960s. During the mid 2000s waterjets started to be used for cutting.
A waterjet is a tool used to cut with a (very) high pressure stream of water. Think of a waterjet as something with about 30 times the pressure of the power washer wand at our local car wash. Power washing at car washes is an example of a dirt film being “cut” off the body, wheels, and tires of our vehicles. The key to cutting metal with water is to keep the spray coherent. Waterjets are able to cut because the spray is channeled through a very narrow jeweled nozzle as a very high pressure to keep the spray coherent.
Waterjets can cut marble, granite, stone, metal, plastic, wood, and stainless steel. They can cut a sandwich of different materials up to four inches thick.
Unlike metal cutters, a waterjet never gets dull and it cannot overheat.
We are told in Scripture, "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12, NIV). It NEVER wears out, NEVER gets dull, NEVER overheats, but applies exactly the amount of heat needed for conviction or instruction.
God has given us this immensely powerful, useful tool. Wield it wisely!
"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17, ESV).