Isaac Air Freight was a Christian comedy team first formed in 1976. It originally consisted of three people, Dave Toole, Dan Rupple, and Larry Watt. Watt left after the release of their first album. He was replaced by Mitch Teemley, who largely did serious or “good guy” parts, for the second and third albums. (Watt and Teemley did not contribute to the writing. After leaving Isaac Air Freight, Teemley formed the team Mitch & Allen for which he wrote as well as acted.)
Rupple and Toole released five more Isaac Air Freight albums. The last of these, Over Our Heads (1987), featured contributions from members of Christian rock bandDaniel Amos.
Comedy is not our usual fare here on BB, and maybe that should change. IAF brought a slightly more sophistication to the Church theater or skit scene. They inspired a lot of believers to work in the creative arts. In some sense I suppose you could describe them as a Christian version of Monty Python, but that isn’t a real good analogy either.
Here at BB we have the Contemporary Christian Music Index. It is a link that opens up early Christian music of the 70s-80s. You’ll find this index (which is constantly growing, https://brokenbelievers.com/?s=CCM
Humans have weapons that will level entire cities, destroying everything almost instantly. The first bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 completely obliterating five square miles and killing 140,000+ people. This bomb completely altered the way nations go to war. We now understand “total war.” This power is man’s, but an ultimate power is God’s.
“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes.”
Romans 1:16
There is a potency about God, he is supremely able to govern the universe. He sustains the farthest galaxy. His miraculous deeds rule the affairs of men. His gospel saves the worst from their sins. It is indeed his power that can transform you, and he doesn’t get discouraged and give up on us. He will never get discouraged by me.
“God at work” and we should recognize that. God’s “gospel-power” is in the broken believer, transforming us into new men and women. His power is infinite and total in the wayward hearts of men. He loves us and is for us.
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
1 John 4:4
Remember the “Energizer Bunny?” When he was loaded with a certain battery he would last and last. That little guy could go– he beat his drums to show us his prowess. The believer who is filled with the Spirit has a “battery” in him that allows him:
to live in power,
to live in love,
peace,
kindness,
purity (self-control),
and much more than this (Gal. 5:22-23).
We have inside our spirits something far more than a mere battery. Not only the “fruits of the Spirit” but the “gifts of the Spirit” as well. These are more than mere trifles; these are mighty things of God. We should be eager to meet the needs of those who surround us daily.
All of this must be set in God’s love in order to operate. An atomic bomb is launched only with a secret code; I believe love is that code for the believer. All must proceed from that, and that alone. Love is the launch key.
God has recruited us, and is training us. Can we imagine anything greater than this? In spite of our weaknesses, nay, because of them, the Lord’s power is seen clearest and best. We who are the weakest become the strongest. (1 Cor. 1:27, 2 Cor. 12:9-10.)
“Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. 25 All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.”
One of the highlights in a child’s life is choosing a kitten, it will rank up there with many other memories. It’s often the first big decision they will make on their own.
The child will be introduced to a litter, and then be encouraged to choose. And typically there will be some hard picks, but often it comes down, not to the most playful and adorable, but the kitten in some way different from the rest.
Often the kitten chosen will not be the prettiest or liveliest of the bunch. It maybe lame or “weak” in some way. However once that child embraces that kitten, the bond is irrevocable. We could insist they make a better choice– thrusting another kitten at them, but ultimately it’s their choice. We shake our heads, acquiescent to our child’s choice.
The bonding is surprisingly quick and strong. They’ve made their pick, and they won’t be persuaded to take another. The parent must be content that things will work out somehow. They have decided.
“For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.”
! Thessalonians 1:4, ESV
To be chosen is the highest privilege and honor there is.We may not be the best or the brightest but God has selected us to be his very own.
“For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.”
1 Corinthians 1:26, 28-29
A little rough around the edges
We might be mangy, flea-bitten. Many are deeply dysfunctional and profoundly flawed. Often we are the misfits and the loser. Yet he has chosen us to be his very own. He loves us not because we are special; but he makes us special because he loves us.
Someone once said that if God had a refrigerator that your picture would be on it.
Beloved, this kind of love is good news for most of us. We are not chosen because we are pretty or talented, you see we are not vital to the kingdom. Rather we’re chosen because he wants us.
“See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!”
1 John 3:1, NLT
You are God’s choice. Now the trick is to learn about walking as it. Prayer, worship and fellowship with the many others who are also chosen will bring you understanding. The Holy Spirit will show you how.
Since Bryan is struggling today with a severe bout of depression, I am posting for the next few days to keep what God has started here at Broken Believers going without a day missed. Bryan’s ministry here is so important, and I am blessed to be a part of it. Today I just want to offer a prayer for Bryan.
Our Dearest Jesus,
You are our High Priest, Savior, Rock, and Redeemer. You are the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. We praise Your holy name. We thank you today for giving our friend Bryan the wisdom and perseverance to keep this blog going for so long. Through Bryan, You have touched the hearts and souls of many Broken Believers. We thank You for his honest witness to the struggles faced when one chooses to faithfully follow You.
Today Your servant Bryan is struggling with darkness, struggling with the mental illness that You have allowed in his life for a purpose. We pray that You would grant him peace and comfort, knowing that You have experienced the anguish he is experiencing and so understand his heart. Send Your angels to minister to Him. Use this time of darkness to Your great kingdom purpose that Bryan might reveal to others the Light that You are to him. Heal his mind, Lord, and bring him back into Your great Light.
We also pray that You would strengthen Lynne and give her wisdom to minister to Bryan daily.
Finally, Lord, I thank You for allowing me to be a blessing to Bryan by posting for him here. May Your kingdom work continue until You come again.
