Who rules the country of YOU?
Recently, while searching for scriptures pertaining to communion, I came across a webpage belonging to the Maple Hills Church of Christ. (Lebanon, TN)
I found the scriptures I was looking for (the pastor has a neat collection of 52 weeks worth of scriptures), but what caught my eye was this article from the blog the pastor writes.
His entry was about the republic of Molossia.
(pronounced moe-laahss-eeyah)
Molossia was founded in 1977 by Kevin Baugh.
Just for fun, he and a friend began their little micro country in the backyard when they were kids.
The Republic of Molossia, as it is properly referred to, is an unrecognized micronation, founded semi-humorously as a "dictatorial banana-republic" and headquartered solely from Baugh's home near Dayton, Nevada.
Now, before I go any further, you are probably wondering...
What is a micronation?
Micronations, sometimes also referred to as model countries and new country projects, are entities that claim to be independent nations or states but which are not recognized by world governments or major international organizations. These nations often exist only on paper, on the Internet, or in the minds of their creators.
Molossia has it's own Naval Academy, War Office, Bank, Railroad, Postal Service, National Park Service, and Geographical Society. Pretty impressive.
Why don't we allow Kevin Baugh to do the honors here.
I actually respect Kevin Baugh for what he has done here.
It takes courage to stand up for what you believe and start something like this, even if it is humorous.
On a spiritual level, is there a way to make an analogy here and compare the soil of our hearts with the subject of micronations?
In the realm of our hearts, we decide who will rule that micronation - the nation of YOU.
My wife and I recently watched the movie "Courageous" by Sherwood Pictures.
It tells the story of four cops and their journey to become better men and fathers to their families.
Good film, highly recommend it!
The main scripture that stood out to me from the film was Joshua 24.15
"But as for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord"
Take a look though, at the whole verse and the context and backdrop around those memorable words.
Joshua 24:15
New International Version (NIV)
Yes, serve.
Unless we consider ourselves an unruly dictator who demands everyone serves them.
(Not poking fun at Kevin here, Kind President)
Humans were put here to serve and we choose who we will bow down to, either physically or spiritually.
We all serve some thing or person, whether we have taken the time to think about it that way.
In Joshua's context, the people were supposed to be The Nation of Israel.
The Chosen People. God's People.
But, they had chosen to go off and worship other gods.
Idols made of stone and gold, gods who neither spoke or were actual.
Joshua says he has had enough of it.
Back up and look at verse 14.
You can wrap the package with a color of paper, you can make it long or short, but when you open it, it's still the same.
We have all kind of things in our world that become idols to us.
There are a plethora of things we worship and have an utter dependence upon.
They own us, we worship them and we act as if we cannot live without them.
In 2012, we still can heed the words of Joshua and make them just as real.
Today in your house, in your nation, who will you serve?
The government? The man?
The man behind the pulpit?
Who do you listen to? Who's opinion do you follow?
Listen to the words of the Lord through the Psalmist.
Psalm 78:1-2
New International Version (NIV)
1 My people, hear my teaching;
listen to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth with a parable;
I will utter hidden things, things from of old
It is as if Joshua sets up his own micronation inside of the existing Israel and resets the peoples focus on the Lord.
Decide which nation you want to be. I'm setting up shop here. If you're in get in. Me and MY house, we are serving the Lord, right here in this place.
Who rules the nation of YOU?
I know Kevin Baugh's claim is half heartedly humorous.
He has set up his own micronation and is enjoying the life of His Excellency.
I just had to reach out to the guy...
From: Jeremy Shank
Date: Sunday, February 19, 2012 4:57 PM
To: president@molossia.org
Subject: Religion in Molossia
Recently, while searching for scriptures pertaining to communion, I came across a webpage belonging to the Maple Hills Church of Christ. (Lebanon, TN)
I found the scriptures I was looking for (the pastor has a neat collection of 52 weeks worth of scriptures), but what caught my eye was this article from the blog the pastor writes.
His entry was about the republic of Molossia.
(pronounced moe-laahss-eeyah)
Molossia was founded in 1977 by Kevin Baugh.
Just for fun, he and a friend began their little micro country in the backyard when they were kids.
The Republic of Molossia, as it is properly referred to, is an unrecognized micronation, founded semi-humorously as a "dictatorial banana-republic" and headquartered solely from Baugh's home near Dayton, Nevada.
Now, before I go any further, you are probably wondering...
What is a micronation?
Micronations, sometimes also referred to as model countries and new country projects, are entities that claim to be independent nations or states but which are not recognized by world governments or major international organizations. These nations often exist only on paper, on the Internet, or in the minds of their creators.
Molossia has it's own Naval Academy, War Office, Bank, Railroad, Postal Service, National Park Service, and Geographical Society. Pretty impressive.
Why don't we allow Kevin Baugh to do the honors here.
I actually respect Kevin Baugh for what he has done here.
It takes courage to stand up for what you believe and start something like this, even if it is humorous.
On a spiritual level, is there a way to make an analogy here and compare the soil of our hearts with the subject of micronations?
In the realm of our hearts, we decide who will rule that micronation - the nation of YOU.
My wife and I recently watched the movie "Courageous" by Sherwood Pictures.
It tells the story of four cops and their journey to become better men and fathers to their families.
Good film, highly recommend it!
The main scripture that stood out to me from the film was Joshua 24.15
"But as for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord"
Take a look though, at the whole verse and the context and backdrop around those memorable words.
Joshua 24:15
New International Version (NIV)
15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.Everyday, in the kingdom of our hearts, we have a choice as to who we are going to serve.
Yes, serve.
Unless we consider ourselves an unruly dictator who demands everyone serves them.
(Not poking fun at Kevin here, Kind President)
Humans were put here to serve and we choose who we will bow down to, either physically or spiritually.
We all serve some thing or person, whether we have taken the time to think about it that way.
In Joshua's context, the people were supposed to be The Nation of Israel.
The Chosen People. God's People.
But, they had chosen to go off and worship other gods.
Idols made of stone and gold, gods who neither spoke or were actual.
Joshua says he has had enough of it.
Back up and look at verse 14.
14 Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.In our world today it is no different.
You can wrap the package with a color of paper, you can make it long or short, but when you open it, it's still the same.
We have all kind of things in our world that become idols to us.
There are a plethora of things we worship and have an utter dependence upon.
They own us, we worship them and we act as if we cannot live without them.
In 2012, we still can heed the words of Joshua and make them just as real.
Today in your house, in your nation, who will you serve?
The government? The man?
The man behind the pulpit?
Who do you listen to? Who's opinion do you follow?
Listen to the words of the Lord through the Psalmist.
Psalm 78:1-2
New International Version (NIV)
1 My people, hear my teaching;
listen to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth with a parable;
I will utter hidden things, things from of old
It is as if Joshua sets up his own micronation inside of the existing Israel and resets the peoples focus on the Lord.
Decide which nation you want to be. I'm setting up shop here. If you're in get in. Me and MY house, we are serving the Lord, right here in this place.
Who rules the nation of YOU?
I know Kevin Baugh's claim is half heartedly humorous.
He has set up his own micronation and is enjoying the life of His Excellency.
I just had to reach out to the guy...
From: Jeremy Shank
Date: Sunday, February 19, 2012 4:57 PM
To: president@molossia.org
Subject: Religion in Molossia
Good Day Kind President,
I beseech thee in the name of Christ Our Lord.
My concern is for the welfare of the souls of those stationed within the Sovereign Republic of Molossia.
Does Molossia have religion?
I have searched your detailed website and found no references, other than simple references to Christmas and a make-shift use of the Ten Commandments for the "Ten Simple Rules of Micronations".
I present you with the message of "Christ for Molossia".
On this 19th day of February, 2012, I present myself, Rev. Jeremy Shank of the United Methodist Church, as the first Christian missionary to the Republic of Molossia, for your approval, Kind President.
Blessings to you
Jeremy Shank
Fairview UMC
Pickerington, OH
Fairview UMC
Pickerington, OH
Boy it didn't take long at all.
He must have been sitting right by the computer.
From: Molossia
Date: Sunday, February 19, 2012 5:07 PM
To: Jeremy Shank
Subject: Re:Religion in Molossia
Greetings.
In reply to your message, thank you very much for your kind words and wishes. We do not have an official religion nor will we. Religious beliefs are a very personal and private matter in Molossia and we prefer it that way. Also, I'm sorry, but missionaries are actually prohibited by law in our nation.
Thank you again for your generous offer.
Thank you again for your generous offer.
Regards,
His Excellency President Kevin Baugh
Well, too bad.
His Excellency President Kevin Baugh
Republic of Molossia
Well, too bad.
Would have loved the chance to bring Christ to Molossia.
I sent him one more message and left the ball in his court.
I never heard back from him, so I guess we will not be headed to Molossia anytime soon.
Maybe the nation of Shankenstein will have to engage in a holy crusade and invade Molossia, forcing our religion upon the natives.
Or, maybe we should simply pray that all people will render their souls open to the work of the Lord, allowing our God to rule in the kingdom of their hearts.
In the movie, Courageous, the men made a pact with each other and their families, stating they would keep the commandments the Lord gave them and be the men God wanted them to be.
Would you open the door of your kingdom to the Lord today?
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock..." (Rev 3.20)
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock..." (Rev 3.20)
Your micronation could be recognized by a Higher Power.
The Power of Jesus Christ, indwelling your heart and life.
Jesus Christ + YOU makes this a great nation.
