Senior
Connection
March 2015
kmt
Articles, News, and Activities Calendar
for Senior Members at Netherwood Park Church of Christ
Volume 11 Issue 3
As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD
This Friday
March 20, 2015
Hosting: Dorthy Jones, Anne Weimer, and Zona White
Decorations: Bea Carriaga
Potluck Luncheon
11:30 am
12:25 pm
12:35 pm
12:50 pm
Sharing Potluck Luncheon
Announcements: David Nestor
Devotional: Britton Pruitt
Program: Rio Grande Players
What is Going On?
Last Month's Luncheon
We had fifty-three attending our February luncheon.
by Jim Guthrie
Movie Attendance
Ten movie goers attended
Inside…
the movie “Finding Normal”.
Anna's ................................ 3
Laura’s review will,
Ask David .......................... 8
hopefully, entice you to
Family Tree ........................ 9
come to our April 3rd movie
Happenings ....................... 5
“They Came to Cordura”
Milestones ......................... 6
starring Gary Cooper and
Movie Review .................... 7
Rita Hayworth, about
What is Going On .............. 1
candidates for the
Congressional Medal of
Honor during a battle against Pancho Villa in 1916.
-1-
Welcome!
The seniors of Netherwood Park wish to welcome our newest members Bob and
Stephanie Lunsford. Originally natives from Carlsbad they, since 2003, have lived in
Edgewood. We have enjoyed their being guests to our Senior Luncheons through the
friendship of Walt and Gwen Berry (from the Edgewood congregation) the past year.
They now are able to
worship with their son Cody,
wife Kim, and
granddaughter Mya. Too,
they have expressed their
desire to work with our
seniors and the Christian
Children’s Home.
Bob and Stephanie’s family
sixteen grandchildren. Bob,
enjoys fishing and trading
He is looking forward to
Netherwood.
consists of five children and
is a Vietnam veteran that
(you name it he trades it).
being part of the work at
Stephanie, a homemaker with many hobbies, enjoys crafts, painting, and crocheting,
but found time to train and run a half marathon. She has taught classes with children at
Edgewood church of Christ for ten years. Stephanie’s zeal also takes her to the
women’s prison in Estancia once a week (will continue) with two other sisters of the
Edgewood congregation.
I Have A Secret
…the article written by Anna Lewis for “Anna’s Little Corner” is a must read. Anna
reveals her secret in an amusing story…..only to us!
Do You Have A Secret?
We at the Connection are grateful to the many that write articles sharing their stories,
articles of encouragement and edification, and those that keep us in the “loop”. We are
always looking for your story of an incident, biography, and/or a congratulatory note of a
deserving person.
WE ARE FAMILY
-2-
Anna's Little Corner
‘I’VE GOT A SECRET’
by Anna Lewis
Do you recall the game show on T.V. entitled ‘I’ve Got a Secret’? It’s debut was in 1952
and it became very popular all the way into the 70’s. As a young teen in the 50’s, I too
enjoyed watching ‘I’ve Got a Secret’ and I liked trying to figure out what the surprise or
secret would be. Interestingly enough, I experienced somewhat of a phenomenon in
1959. After my incident, I kept having flashbacks of that game show. I thought to myself,
“I could be a guest on that show, win a little money and stump the panel”! So I begin to
imagine myself flying on an expense-paid trip to Hollywood and sitting right up there in
front of the whole world facing the panel, answering questions, (mostly yes or no) and
coming out a winner! Since I’m pretty shy, I would be scared out of my wits. Of course, I
never accomplished this little dream but I still wish I would have at least given it a try.
So let’s go back in time and pretend that it all took place just as I imagined. We’ll set the
stage:
It’s 1959 and the young teen girl named Anna Ford gets to appear on CBS as a guest
star for the “I’ve Got a Secret Show”! The host is Garry Moore and the panel consist of
Bill Cullen, Bess Myerson, Henry Morgan, and Betsy Palmer.
Garry Moore: “Panel, our guest today is Anna Ford from Rankin TX. And her secret
involves something that happened to her and we’ll start the questioning with Betsy
Palmer." Betsy Palmer: “How old are you Anna?" Anna: "16" Betsy: “So, I assume you
are in High School in Rankin, TX?" Anna: "Yes." Betsy: "Now Anna, does this event
have anything to do with your school in any way?" Anna: “In a way.” Betsy: “Was this
some sort of project for extra points (I’ve heard of things like that you know," panel
laughs) "and something went haywire?" Anna: “No." Betsy: “Did this happen at school or
near school?" Anna: “No." Ding! The bell goes off and $20 down, $60 to go.
Next comes Bill Cullen: “Anna, are all the girls in Rankin as cute as you?” I’m
embarrassed and at the same time a little more relaxed. I just smile and say nothing.
Bill: “You said not at school…. Were you at home when this happened?" Anna: “Not far
from home." Bill: “Do you live very far from your school?" Anna: “Yes." Bill: “So, how far
from school do you live?” Anna: “About 45 miles." Bill: “O.K. Anna, when this happened,
was anyone else involved?" Anna: “No." Ding! $40 down, $40 to go.
-3-
Next on the scene comes Bess Myerson: “Now, My Dear, we have established that you
were alone and although a far distance from school, this happening still had some
relationship to school, am I right?" Anna: “Yes ma’am.” Bess: "Anna, has this ever
happened to you before?” Anna: “No ma’am." Bess: “Do you think this would ever
happen to you again?" Anna: “Probably not." Bess: “So, there’s a small chance it could,
right?” Anna: “Yes.” Bess: “Was this a physical thing that happened?" Anna: “Yes,
physical and…" (I look at Garry) and he says, “Yes, physical and mental." Bess: “Let’s
see; Anna, is this something you would want to do again?" Anna: “No." Ding! Thank
goodness for the bell. $60 down, $20 to go!
Now to Henry: “Would you want this to happen to anyone else?" Anna: “Not really."
Henry: “Do you have your driving license and do you drive to school?" Anna: “Yes, I
have my license. No, I do not drive all the way to school." Henry: “So you drive some of
the way?" Anna: “Yes." Henry: “How do you get the rest of the way to school?" Anna: “I
drive about 5 or so miles to catch a bus, and then the bus takes us approximately 40
more miles to the school." Henry: “So, Anna, did you have an accident while you were
driving?" Anna: “In a way." Henry: "OK. Did you by chance have a flat tire and you, all
by yourself, fixed the flat?" Anna: “No." Henry: “Oh rats, I thought I had it! Now, was
there any type of car trouble?" Anna: “Not really, only after the fact." Henry: “By the way,
in what part of TX is Rankin located?" Anna: “The western part." Henry: “Oh boy. Wait a
minute; were you caught in a sandstorm and not able to see where to go?" Anna: “No,
not a sandstorm." Ding, Ding, Ding. Saved by the bell! Garry Moore: "Time is up and
you, Henry, were getting close. Anna, please tell the panel and the audience what
happened."
Anna: “I did not get stuck in a sandstorm
but I did get stuck in tumble weeds only a
short distance from the house." Someone
asked, “How did you get out and did you
make it to school?" “I kept honking until a
neighbor could see what had happened,
and he went to get help. The neighbor
and my father were able to clear enough
with brooms and rakes and then my dad
drove me on to the bus." “How did you
get out of the car?" "Luckily I had on
jeans, because it was pep- rally day at
school." Garry, “And here is a picture just
to prove our story is true."
Yea! I made it, I won! They didn’t guess it
in time. I did it, I did it!
Well, every dream should have a good ending, don’t you think?
-4-
March
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April
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F
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5
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M
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March Happenings
Weekly:
Tuesday 5:30 pm
Thursday 9:30 am
March 19 6:30 pm
March 19-22
March 20 11:30 am
March 21 2:00 pm
March 23
March 28
March 29
Women of Truth Bible Study – FH
Ladies Bible Class – FH
Singles Bible Study @ Nancy Clements'
Women's Higher Ground
Senior Luncheon – FH
Baby Shower for Ivy Baca – FH
Ladies Coffee @ Flying Star on Paseo & Wyoming
OUTREACH DAY - to the community (more details to
follow)
COMBINED WORSHIP - Bible Class at 10:00 am, Worship
Service at 11:00 am – Italian Potluck to follow
April Happenings
Weekly:
Tuesday 5:30 pm
Thursday 9:30 am
April 2 6:30 pm
April 3 1:15 pm
April 4 8:30 am
April 4 6:30 pm
April 5
April 8 5:30 pm
April 9 6:30 pm
April 11 8:00 am
April 12
April 13 7:00 pm
April 16 6:30 pm
April 17 11:30 am
April 19
April 24 6:30 pm
April 26 2-4 pm
April 27 7:00 pm
Women of Truth Bible Study – FH
Ladies Bible Class – FH
Singles Bible Study at Nancy Clements'
Senior Cinema
Men’s Ministry Breakfast (last until September)
Singles Game Night at Tena Jones'
Aluminum Recycling
Wednesday Dinner followed by singing
Ladies Game Night – Library
Bible Bowl Competition
Singles Potluck – FH – after second service
Ladies Coffee at Flying Star on Paseo and Wyoming
Singles Bible Study at Nancy Clements'
Senior Luncheon – FH
Pack The Pulpit – Check bulletin for items to bring
Singles Game Night at Nancy Clements'
Wedding Shower for Amber Carman – FH
Ladies Coffee at Flying Star on Paseo and Wyoming
-5-
Milestones
Birthdays
Sue Day
Karen Talley
Alice Hicks
Patty Martin
Jim Banks
03/01
03/04
03/08
03/13
03/17
March
Wayne Rorie
Orval Talley
Ruth Wallace
Don Osborn
Judy Wilson
03/17
03/20
03/24
03/26
03/29
April
Sheryle Kuhnley
Anna Lewis
Marge Rorie
Ralph James
Roger Proctor
Sylvia Mitchell
04/03
04/04
04/04
04/06
04/07
04/07
Robert Moen
Tilden Kuhnley
Naomi Mosley
Lucy Custard
Carolyn Martin
Anniversaries
March
Don and Mary Sue Osborn 03/26/1955 60 years
April
Joe and Naomi Mosley
04/01/1967
Robert and Kathy Duck 04/04/1970
Gayle and Mary Self
04/25/1959
Jim and Zona White
04/27/1958
-6-
48 years
45 years
56 years
57 years
04/07
04/09
04/12
04/17
04/26
Movie Review
Starring Gary Cooper
and Rita
Hayworth
Featuring Van Heflin, Tab
Hunter, Richard Conte,
Michael Callan, and Dick York.
Due to showing cowardice in
battle, Major Thomas Thorn
by Laura Riehl
(Gary Cooper) has been
assigned the degrading task of "Awards
Officer" to the Mexican expedition of 1916
against Pancho Villa. Thorn witnesses the U.S.
Army attack on a ranch house which results in
an American victory, and selects five men as
candidates for the Congressional Medal of
Honor.
Because Washington wants heroes in a hurry, for a World War I recruiting campaign,
Thorn has to guide these men through the perilous border country to the 'out of danger'
base at Cordura. Since Villa's men were given shelter in the ranch house of the
beautiful Adelaide Geary (Rita Hayworth), she is accused of treason and is forced to
accompany the men on their difficult journey.
Before the seven get to the
heroes are given ample time to
thieves, rapists and murderers)
great danger) discovers, far
characters. Thorn also
and affection for his prisoner.
Texas border town, the five
show their true colors (cheats,
and Cooper (always under
from crossfire, their true
discovers that he has respect
Rita Hayworth seems, on screen, to be a woman who has seen too much, lived too
hard. There are circles under her eyes now, and an indefinable sadness about her
presence. But she remains more delicious than ever. She had been the greatest girl of
them all, a living summary of all our sexy, dreamy ideals. Now she is a reminder, for an
aging generation, of the generous visions of youth. In "They Came to Cordura," Rita
gives the best performance of her career as the shady lady surrounded by six men,
substituting acting for sex and glamor.
-7-
Ask David…
“What is "providence”?
I assume that the question is a reference to God’s "providence" or
“divine providence”.
The idea of “divine providence” has to do with God's governing and
caring for everything in His creation. Mostly we tend to think in terms
of the world that we humans inhabit, but the proper perspective would
have to include all that God is in control of, which would be the entire
universe and all that is in it, such as the solar system with all of the
planets/stars, galaxies, et al.
by David Nestor
Hebrews 1:3 tells us that God upholds all things by the word of His power. The scriptures
tell us that God keeps the stars in the heavens, and even calls each one of them by name
(Isaiah 40:21-26). Among all that the prophet says there, he reminds us that God cares for
all that is in His creation by “…the greatness of His might and the strength of His power”. In
fact, Isaiah says that not one of those stars is missing. God knows about the falling stars
long before we do and what happens to them!
There is nothing in all creation that God does not have control over. Whether it is the
creation as a whole, the physical world that we live in, the nations and their activities, and
especially the lives and destinies of His people, God controls all. Nothing happens by
chance, nor is anything left to “fate”, as many would have us believe. God even has control
over Satan, and Satan’s angels and demons.
The laws of the universe, like gravity, are under His control. Human free will is under His
divine sovereignty. He does not make us do anything, but He knows everything that we will
do…even before we do it. He ordained everything that would happen, and works to
accomplish His will, without violating human free will, without making people sin, and without
removing the responsibility humans have for their own actions and choices.
In the past, at certain times, God has worked miraculously to do things. But most of the
time, without miraculous intervention, God has worked (or intervened) in His own special
way to bring about His will among humanity. Look at the life of Joseph in the Old Testament,
the life of Judas Iscariot in the New Testament, and particularly look at the promise, the
sending, and the purpose of Jesus Christ to save people. Acts 2 says that it was by God's
"predetermined plan” that everything concerning Jesus came to pass. How did He do that?
Psalm 103:19 says that God’s "sovereignty rules over all". Ephesians 1:11 says that God is
working all things "after the counsel of His will". Divine providence is God’s care, guiding,
and directing all that is to accomplish His purpose of salvation for people, and glorifying His
name in all creation without the use of miracles, and not limited to merely the laws of nature.
Nothing and no one is beyond the scope of His guidance and care.
I do not understand everything about God’s control, but I am certainly glad that He is in
control over everything and everyone. I just try and submit to His control.
-8-
Living In the South With Leta
(Editor's note: Leta Bassham was a regular contributor to the Senior Connection for many
years. We always looked forward to her "On the Front Porch" stories and yarns. She moved to
Alabama last year. Here is her first report to us.)
I awoke early this morning, which seems to be the norm here lately. As I sit at the computer I
look out my living room window and watch the traffic, and it is constant — all these people going
to work or other appointments. Over the traffic noise I hear the birds. They started singing a lot
about two weeks ago. I guess that means Spring is just around the corner. I really like the place
I am living in. There are a lot of "old" people just like me and I have made new friends. A lot of
us meet every day down in the dining room for lunch which is catered in. Sometimes it is the
same thing every week but I do not complain because I do not have to cook or clean up the
kitchen. One of my friends goes to the Baptist church just up the street from us and the seniors
go out a lot there. I went with them last week to the "Catfish House" and had fried oysters. That
was a nice break from the normal.
I am still not as pleased with where I worship as I was with Netherwood. But I am becoming
involved with some of the same things, telephoning and sending cards, etc. My family worships
there, and I get to sit with them each week, and that means a lot to me. I hope all of you are
doing great there at Netherwood. I miss you very much.
'Til next time, Leta Bassham
From Our Family Tree
Shadrach, Meshach, Abed-nego and Daniel
by Pat Montgomery
We learn about Shadrach, Meshach, Abed-nego and Daniel in the book of Daniel. These four
are sons either of the royal family or the noble class. We don’t know their ages. Daniel refers to
them only as “youths.” They are well-educated in every field of study, the Law of Moses and the
prophets. Though there are few details about them, we can learn more by examining what was
happening in the world around them. As well-educated youths, they are probably older than
fourteen years. We know they are taken captive in March of 597 BC, so let’s digress fourteen
years to discover the environment in which they have spent their youth.
In 612 BC the Babylonians (Chaldeans) together with the Medes conquer Nineveh, and the
Assyrian empire comes to an end. In 610 BC the Babylonians take Haran, the last bastion of the
Assyrian holdouts. In 609 BC Pharaoh Neco II, advances north to help Asshur-uballit take back
Haran from the Babylonians. As Pharaoh Neco advances toward Haran, Josiah king of Judah
engages him in battle. Josiah is killed. Josiah’s son, Jehoahaz, becomes king. Pharaoh Neco
proceeds to Haran but suffers defeat. He turns back and focuses on securing his hold over
-9-
Syria, Palestine and Judah. He sends Jehoahaz, to Egypt and makes Jehoahaz’s brother,
Eliakim, king of Judah, renaming him Jehoiakim. As vassal to Pharaoh Neco, Jehoiakim pays
tribute to Egypt. From then until 605 BC, Egypt and Babylon engage in skirmishes as both sides
fight to secure their territories. Egypt controls Syria, Palestine and Judah. The Babylonian
empire extends over the Euphrates region.
In early summer 605 BC the Babylonian army commanded by King Nabopolasser’s son,
Nebuchadnezzar II, routs the Egyptians in battle at Carchemish. Pursuing them to the west and
south, he soundly defeats the Egyptians at Hamath leaving Syria, Palestine and Judah
vulnerable. Nebuchadnezzar intends to continue his aggressive pursuit of the retreating
Egyptians, but in August, his father dies and Nebuchadnezzar returns to Babylon to claim the
throne. Now king of the Babylonian empire, he resumes his southern march into the Philistine
coastlands. In 604 BC Nebuchadnezzar demands tribute from all the kings of Syria and
Palestine. Ashkelon, situated on the Mediterranean coast southwest of Jerusalem, refuses to
pay the tribute to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar’s army advances to Ashkelon. He destroys the city
and deports its leaders, princes, skilled craftsmen, etc. to Babylon. The Babylonian forces
continue pursuing Pharaoh Neco to the Egyptian border. News of the destruction of Ashkelon
and deportation of its leading citizens sends the people in Jerusalem into deeper turmoil. In 603
BC King Jehoiakim switches his allegiance from Egypt to Babylon.
In 601 BC, Nebuchadnezzar and Pharaoh Neco engage in battle again, but the outcome is
indecisive.
Nebuchadnezzar
returns home to
Babylon to
restructure his military
forces. Jehoiakim
misinterprets the
outcome as a shift
of power back to Egypt
and changes his
allegiance to Egypt. The
broken allegiance
doesn’t settle well with
Nebuchadnezzar.
While he is
strengthening his
army back in Babylon,
he periodically
sends bands of
Chaldeans,
Arameans, Moabites
and Ammonites
against Judah to
destabilize it. In
December 598 BC,
Nebuchadnezzar
http://www.crystalinks.com/babylon.html
advances his army
against Jerusalem.
This same month King
Jehoiakim dies and
his eighteen-year-old son, Jehoiachin, becomes king of Judah. Jehoiachin reigns only three
months before he surrenders to Nebuchadnezzar in March of 597 BC.
These are the years in which Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah and Daniel grow up in Jerusalem and
its environs. The youths hear the changing news each day as they move about Jerusalem. They
may hear their parents or others reminisce about King Josiah’s religious reforms and about
Uriah, prophet of the Lord. They are learning the Law of Moses, the messages of the prophets
and may hear Jeremiah declaring God’s messages. They experience mounting tension in the
city as the Babylonian army invades Palestine, proceeding southward to Egypt. The four are in
Jerusalem when King Jehoiakim dies and his eighteen-year-old son, Jehoiachin, takes the
throne. Since Jehoiachin is close in age to Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah and Daniel, they may all
know each other. They may have studied together with the other sons of the royal family.
- 10 -
Three months into his reign, in March of 597 BC, King Jehoiachin gathers together his mother,
his servants, captains, and officials, leads them
out of Jerusalem and surrenders to
Nebuchadnezzar. Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah and
Daniel are among them. All are taken captive and
undergo the journey to Babylon—the great empire
of King Nebuchadnezzar.
Babylon is an opulent city of 1,000 acres divided
in the center by the Euphrates River and dotted
throughout with temples, palaces and magnificent
sights to behold. Eight massive gates, each
named for a Babylonian deity, allow passage
through the 65-foot-thick, double walls
http://www.bible-history.com/babylonia/Babylonia
Nebuchadnezzars_Babylon.htm
surrounding the city. The Ishtar gate—made of
bricks covered with lapis-lazuli and decorated with
yellow figures of bulls and stylized dragons—allows grand entrance to a processional which
passes by the Hanging Gardens, Nebuchadnezzar’s royal palace, the temple of Ishtar, and
temple after temple for various Babylonian gods. When Nebuchadnezzar’s triumphant army
returns to Babylon bringing booty and captives from Jerusalem, they enter through one of these
gates, perhaps in a celebratory procession. Strange deities, a culture of oriental influence, new
foods, new styles of clothes, new sights all overwhelm the captives’ senses. Hananiah, Mishael,
Azariah and Daniel have a lot to assimilate in this distant land.
Nebuchadnezzar wants only intelligent, knowledgeable, attractive people in his service. He
orders his chief official to select handsome youths from among the captives, youths who are
intelligent, welleducated in
every field of study.
Hananiah,
Mishael, Azariah,
and Daniel
are among those
chosen for
service at court.
They are to
be taught the
language,
literature and
culture of
Babylon. Their
Hebrew
names are replaced
with
Babylonian
names—
Shadrach,
Meshach,
Abed-nego and
Belteshazzar. They
are
provided the best of
the king’s
food and drink. The
Law of
Moses may have
forbidden
some of the king’s
food.
Speaking for the
four friends,
Daniel asks their
overseer for
a diet of only
vegetables
and water. Denying
the king’s
choice food is a
bold move.
Daniel respectfully
secures the
http://imgkid.com/hanging-gardens-of-babylon-national-geographic.shtml
overseer’s favor
and the four
are allowed to have
the food
- 11 -
they request.
While in Jerusalem Shadrach, Meshach, Abed-nego and Belteshazzar had been well educated.
They are grounded in the Law and the prophets. In Babylon, they diligently apply themselves to
their new studies. God blesses the four with knowledge and wisdom to thrive in this foreign
empire. He gives Daniel the skill of interpreting dreams and visions. Even as they thrive in a
beautiful city of impressive buildings, many temples for many gods and a constant barrage of
temptations to lead them astray, the four friends do not falter in their overriding devotion to God.
In the second year*1 of his reign Nebuchadnezzar has a disturbing dream. Shadrach, Meshach,
Abed-nego and Daniel have now been in Babylon for about three years. The king summons his
astrologers and soothsayers to reveal his dream and its interpretation. They ask to hear the
dream before they interpret. Nebuchadnezzar is enraged at their incompetence and orders the
execution of all the wise men. Arioch, the king’s commander, searches out the wise men,
including Daniel and his friends, to carry out the order. Daniel asks why they are to be killed.
Upon learning about the king’s dream, Daniel says he will declare and interpret the king’s dream
after a brief time. The grace period he requests is for time with his friends to unite in prayer
asking God’s blessings for Daniel. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego are not jealous of
Daniel’s new skill and do not hesitate to unite with their friend in prayer. With God’s blessing
Daniel reports to Nebuchadnezzar. Upon hearing the accurate recitation of his dream and its
interpretation, Nebuchadnezzar declares Daniel’s God as Lord of gods and kings and revealer
of mysteries. He rescinds his order. He makes Daniel ruler over the entire province of Babylon
and chief prefect over all the wise men. Newly appointed, Daniel asks Nebuchadnezzar to make
Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego administrators of the province of Babylon.
As part of his grand building projects for Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar makes a thirteen-foot-tall
image of gold. He sends for all the officials of all the provinces in the empire to come to the
dedication. During the ceremony, the officials hear the proclamation ordering all to worship the
image. Failure to comply condemns the violator to death in the blazing furnace. As officials,
Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego are probably among this assembly and hear the offensive
command. Charges are soon brought to the king against the three because they do not worship
the image. King Nebuchadnezzar himself had appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego
officials over the administration of the province of Babylon. Now they dare challenge his
authority. He calls the three into his presence and asks them if the charge is true. If it is,
Nebuchadnezzar tells them, they will die in the furnace. He adds the ominous warning that no
god will be able to save them. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego give a moving reply
demonstrating their whole-hearted faith in God. They say their God is able to deliver them.
Whether or not it is His will to save them they do not know, but they will neither serve the gods
of Babylon nor bow down to the image. They will not betray the Lord. They will be loyal to the
Lord in expectation of His promises—even to death.
Enraged at their refusal, Nebuchadnezzar orders the furnace to be heated to seven times the
usual temperature. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego are tied up fully clothed. Bravely, the
three face a torturous death. The men who carry the three up to the furnace door die from the
1
Using Babylonian date reckoning, each king’s reign was officially recorded as beginning the first full year
after the year in which he claimed the throne. I believe Daniel considered the first full year of
Nebuchadnezzar’s rule over the deportees as his first year as king. For the captives of 597 BC, the first
full year of Nebuchadnezzar’s rule was 596 BC. Daniel and his three friends began their Babylonian
education in 597 BC. Three years later when they completed their studies in 594 BC, Nebuchadnezzar
was in his second year as king since the arrival of the deportees.
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intense heat. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego fall helplessly into the furnace. They do not
die. They find themselves loosed from their bonds. Unharmed, they walk amidst the flames. Yet,
they are not alone. They are amazed to discover there is a fourth being who is unaffected by the
flames, as well. They are delivered.
Astonished that the three do not instantly perish, Nebuchadnezzar abruptly stands and tells his
officials to look in the furnace. He exclaims that there are not three but four walking in the fire.
One, he says, looks like the son of the gods. The king orders Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to come out of the furnace. All the officials of the provinces along with the king see that the
three are not burned, do not smell of fire, their hair isn’t singed nor their clothes burned. The
fourth has vanished in the aftermath. Unabashedly, Nebuchadnezzar blesses the God of the
three who sent His angel to deliver His own. He acknowledges their absolute trust in the Lord
and their willingness to die for their loyalty.
The living faith of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego results in Nebuchadnezzar's
acknowledging the Lord God who brings salvation to His own. He publicly announces there is
no other god who can bring deliverance. The king decrees that anyone who speaks against the
God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego will be killed and their houses turned to rubble. This
is the second time Nebuchadnezzar is confronted with the power of the living God. The first
time, he promoted Daniel. This second occasion, the king ensures prosperity for Shadrach,
Meshach and Abed- nego. God worked through the lives of these three to reveal to
Nebuchadnezzar His presence and omnipotence. We know nothing further about our three
brothers.
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside
every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the
race that is set before us….” Hebrews 12:1
REFERENCES:
The Bible, NAS
Daniel 1-3; II Kings 23,24; II Chronicles 35, 36; Jeremiah 24, 25:1-11
The Story of Man Vol. I Bible Times. National Geographic Society, 1967, 1977
Bright, John. A History of Israel. Westminster, 1972
Harrison, R.K. Introduction to the Old Testament. Eerdmans, 1969
Schoville, Keith N. Biblical Archaeology in Focus. Baker Book House, 1978
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Catered Luncheon
This Friday at 11:30 am
Please come and join us
Schedule:
Catered Luncheon and Fellowship
Devo: Britton Pruitt
Program: Rio Grande Players
Deadline for information for the
April ISSUE is April 7, 2015
Netherwood Park Church of Christ
5101 Indian School Road NE
(I-40 at San Mateo exit)
Albuquerque, NM 87110
March
Senior Connection