Relationship

Go ahead; follow the directions on the picture! The rings move depending upon the relationship of your eyes to the graphic, and yes, it is weird. To me, it brings up an interesting point; that is, our relationship towards something affects how we perceive it. As a teen, if someone wanted to talk to me about the Bible, I might reply with something like: Don't talk to me about that religion junk, its all the same and I just don't want to hear it. Well, the truth is, I probably would have used words that I don't use anymore and with an attitude that would scare you. The good news is, I haven't talked like that in decades and Lord willing, never will again. How could I be like that as a teen and what changed me? Well, take a look at the following passage from the book of Corinthians and you just might have a clue:

2Co 4:1 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.
2Co 4:2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.
2Co 4:3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing.
2Co 4:4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
2Co 4:5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.
2Co 4:6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

English Standard Version

The answer is: I was just too wrapped up in myself to care about anybody or anything that didn't conform to what I wanted, when and how I wanted it. Once I was willing to stop the egocentric nonsense, my life changed. Then it changed again and again and kept on changing until this very day. When I step back and view my life as a whole, I can see that the change began when I changed my attitude about God and his relationship to me. Make no mistake, I am not perfect, but I do think about things from a different perspective and that perspective is based on a relationship with God through Jesus. Step back and consider your own relationship to God and I think you will see what I mean.

Genuine beauty

This is Farah Fawcett Majors, then and now. Time and illness have changed her appearance to be sure; but I can't help but wonder if she feels the same inside now as she did on the picture on the left. I posted this picture for one reason; namely for the married men out there who remember their spouse as she was when they married her. Age doesn't have to destroy beauty, because true beauty is found in the inner spiritual nature of a person. Consider this passage from the book of first Peter:

1Pe 3:1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives--
1Pe 3:2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct.
1Pe 3:3 Do not let your adorning be external--the braiding of hair, the wearing of gold, or the putting on of clothing--
1Pe 3:4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.
1Pe 3:5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their husbands,
1Pe 3:6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.
1Pe 3:7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

English Standard Version

Genuine beauty does not age because it is love personified; a love that goes beyond outward appearances and seeks the ultimate good of others at its own expense. This involves understanding, consideration, concern and a thousand other things I could never put into words, but I think you get the idea. Often it means submitting to the will of the other, but I assure you it is worth it. One more thing, if you show genuine love to those who have genuine beauty, both become stronger and just grow and grow and grow, to the point where you can't even imagine life without your loved one; and that is beautiful!

Reality hurts!

I don't know who placed this ad, but they certainly have a different way of attracting a mate. I think its a young man, because of the context, but today you never know. Perhaps "he" is hoping that anyone who reads this will think that he is just being hard on himself, but what if he is really, really and I do mean really, UGLY? Is there hope, or is he just wasting his time? For that matter, if we are to be really honest with ourselves, we can find a lot of things wrong with us! Most of the time we just don't like to think about it. Sin is like that; we can't see our own shortcoming because we really don't WANT TO LOOK; but when it comes to others, well, that's a different story. Think about this and then read the following passage from the book of John:



Joh 8:1 Jesus went to the mount of Olives:
Joh 8:2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him; and he sat down and taught them.
Joh 8:3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought to him a woman taken in adultery: and when they had set her in the midst,
Joh 8:4 They say to him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
Joh 8:5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned; but what sayest thou? Joh 8:6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
Joh 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he raised himself, and said to them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
Joh 8:8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
Joh 8:9 And they who heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even to the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
Joh 8:10 When Jesus had raised himself, and saw none but the woman, he said to her, Woman, where are those thy accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
Joh 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said to her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

The Webster Bible



I really would like to know what Jesus wrote on the ground, but we only have his words. When faced with his words, their own sin was just too much for them to think about, and all of them backed off. The woman was left alone with Jesus. He didn't condemn her, but told her to change. Reality hurts, but when you come to grips with your situation, then the thing to do is just to do something about it. The man who placed the ad may have realized that although society may consider him UGLY, perhaps someone responding to his ad might just be willing to look a little deeper. One thing is for sure, I wouldn't throw a stone at him; why? because I am fat, NOT STUPID!

KISS

No, this isn't mine. Even though the forecast sounds somewhat stupid, yet its correct. It does make you think a minute, though. Sometimes stating the obvious simply, puts things into perspective. The other day I met a new friend whose name is Akim. I had seen him many times before, but never did know his name. When I told him about Akim's razor he was surprised and now, so am I, for it seems I was mispronouncing it; it should be Occam's Razor. Basically it means The simplest answer is usually the correct answer. From Wikipedia I learned: "The origins of what has come to be known as Occam's razor are traceable to the works of earlier philosophers such as Alhazen (965-1039),[4] Maimonides (1138-1204), John Duns Scotus (1265–1308), Thomas Aquinas (c. 1225–1274), and even Aristotle (384–322 BC) (Charlesworth 1956). " If you are acquainted with the writing of any these people, it soon will strike you as a little ironic that so much brain power was devoted to the law of simplicity. Today, we simply use the term KISS (keep it simple stupid) to refer to the same thing. All this leads me to the Bible book of 1 Corinthians:

1Co 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also ye have received, and in which ye stand;
1Co 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached to you, unless ye have believed in vain.
1Co 15:3 For I delivered to you first of all, that which I also received, that Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
1Co 15:5 And that he was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve:
1Co 15:6 After that he was seen by above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain to this present, but some have fallen asleep.
1Co 15:7 After that he was seen by James; then by all the apostles.
1Co 15:8 And last of all he was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.
1Co 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
1Co 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me, was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
1Co 15:11 Therefore whether it was I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
1Co 15:12 Now if Christ is preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
1Co 15:13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not raised.
1Co 15:14 And if Christ is not raised, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
1Co 15:15 And indeed we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified concerning God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not, if in truth the dead rise not.
1Co 15:16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
1Co 15:17 And if Christ is not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
1Co 15:18 Then they also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
1Co 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
1Co 15:20 But now is Christ raised from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept.
1Co 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
1Co 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the first-fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
1Co 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule, and all authority, and power.

The Webster Bible

Christ had died, was buried and rose again and will do the same for all who obey him; simple, direct and true. Yet, people have tried to create all sorts of theories to bypass the simple truth of this passage. Do a little investigation, I think you will find the evidence is overwhelming for the historical truth about Jesus of Nazareth. When you realize the truth, perhaps you will see the KISS principle in a new light: Keep it simple sinner. Perhaps there is a lot you can learn a lot from a rock after all?

A misplaced staple

You have got to be kidding! The scary part is that someone may actually take the advise of the sign and use this item. Wall street will sell you anything, any way they can. Words have become very sophisticated tools and the spin doctors of the marketing departments can make reality into anything they desire. Humm, this sounds a little familiar. Read this passage from the book of Isaiah and it might mean something to you as well:

Isa 5:1 Let me sing for my well beloved a song of my beloved about his vineyard. My beloved had a vineyard on a very fruitful hill.
Isa 5:2 He dug it up, gathered out its stones, planted it with the choicest vine, built a tower in its midst, and also cut out a winepress therein. He looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes.
Isa 5:3 "Now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, please judge between me and my vineyard.
Isa 5:4 What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? Why, when I looked for it to yield grapes, did it yield wild grapes?
Isa 5:5 Now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard. I will take away its hedge, and it will be eaten up. I will break down its wall of it, and it will be trampled down.
Isa 5:6 I will lay it a wasteland. It won't be pruned nor hoed, but it will grow briers and thorns. I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain on it."
Isa 5:7 For the vineyard of Yahweh of Armies is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for justice, but, behold, oppression; for righteousness, but, behold, a cry of distress.
Isa 5:8 Woe to those who join house to house, who lay field to field, until there is no room, and you are made to dwell alone in the midst of the land!
Isa 5:9 In my ears, Yahweh of Armies says: "Surely many houses will be desolate, even great and beautiful, unoccupied.
Isa 5:10 For ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, and a homer of seed shall yield an ephah."
Isa 5:11 Woe to those who rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; who stay late into the night, until wine inflames them!
Isa 5:12 The harp, lyre, tambourine, and flute, with wine, are at their feasts; but they don't regard the work of Yahweh, neither have they considered the operation of his hands.
Isa 5:13 Therefore my people go into captivity for lack of knowledge. Their honorable men are famished, and their multitudes are parched with thirst.
Isa 5:14 Therefore Sheol has enlarged its desire, and opened its mouth without measure; and their glory, their multitude, their pomp, and he who rejoices among them, descend into it.
Isa 5:15 So man is brought low, mankind is humbled, and the eyes of the arrogant ones are humbled;
Isa 5:16 but Yahweh of Armies is exalted in justice, and God the Holy One is sanctified in righteousness.
Isa 5:17 Then the lambs will graze as in their pasture, and strangers will eat the ruins of the rich. Isa 5:18 Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of falsehood, and wickedness as with cart rope;
Isa 5:19 Who say, "Let him make speed, let him hasten his work, that we may see it; and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near and come, that we may know it!"
Isa 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Isa 5:21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
Isa 5:22 Woe to those who are mighty to drink wine, and champions at mixing strong drink;
Isa 5:23 who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice for the innocent!
Isa 5:24 Therefore as the tongue of fire devours the stubble, and as the dry grass sinks down in the flame, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust; because they have rejected the law of Yahweh of Armies, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
Isa 5:25 Therefore Yahweh's anger burns against his people, and he has stretched out his hand against them, and has struck them. The mountains tremble, and their dead bodies are as refuse in the midst of the streets. For all this, his anger is not turned away, but his hand is still stretched out.

The World English Bible

Do any of these "Woe's" happen in America? You know it, they are everywhere. America has been blessed over and over again and yet many of these Woe's are commonplace. Consider verse twenty, specifically. Doesn't it sound like the media and the tactics of wall street? We, as a country need to stop thinking everyone can be right and realize that God ALONE has the answers and that they are plainly written in HIS BOOK. Israel was punished for what it did; do we think we are any better than them? I don't know who the "great architect" of this ad was, but I do know who the great architect of the Bible is and when HE tells you to do something you don't have to worry about a misplaced staple.

Rest

Many thanks to Steve Dixon for this picture. This "favorite spot" looks like a great place to do some fishing or perhaps just sit on that big rock in the center and let the waves ease a wearied mind. We all look forward to times when we can just "kick back" and relax, but I am quite sure that most of us would say that those times are all to infrequent. A good question would be "what is rest, anyway"? We can get some insight into what it means to rest from the book of Hebrews chapter three:

Heb 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
Heb 3:2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
Heb 3:3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath built the house, hath more honor than the house.
Heb 3:4 For every house is built by some man; but he that built all things is God.
Heb 3:5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were afterwards to be spoken.
Heb 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house: whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence, and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.
Heb 3:7 Wherefore (as the Holy Spirit saith, To-day if ye will hear his voice,
Heb 3:8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
Heb 3:9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.
Heb 3:10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do always err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.
Heb 3:11 So I swore in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)
Heb 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
Heb 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To-day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Heb 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end;
Heb 3:15 While it is said, To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
Heb 3:16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: yet, not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.
Heb 3:17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness?
Heb 3:18 And to whom did he swear that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
Heb 3:19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

The Webster Bible

Rest is found in God and confident faithful obedience is the pathway. The Israelites who exited from Egypt are the bad example and Jesus is the good one. Simple, isn't it? Yet, how many of us get sidetracked with other things; work, school, money, family matters to name just a few. Why does this happen? Does someone really wake up one morning and decide to follow their own way and put God out of the picture? No, rather I would think that most people succumb to the daily media barrage and pressures of just making a living. One way to avoid this would be to think of your favorite place from time to time and imagine Jesus waiting for you there; perhaps sitting on a rock waiting to answer your deepest questions. Its almost enough to make me want to take up fishing, how about you; had a rest lately?

More than just stars

Believe it or not, these two pictures are of the Orion nebula. One was taken using a standard telescope and the other infrared. Even though the second one is more beautiful, the top one is more meaningful to me. This is because my granddaughter taught me what it was. The stars became just a little more "personable" after that, because every time I see Orion in the sky I think of her. Each star was put there for a purpose, even though I might know what it is. I think the following passage from the book of Psalms will shed a little light on this.

Psa 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork.
Psa 19:2 Day after day they pour forth speech, and night after night they display knowledge.
Psa 19:3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
Psa 19:4 Their voice has gone out through all the earth, their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,
Psa 19:5 which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a strong man rejoicing to run his course.
Psa 19:6 His going forth is from the end of the heavens, his circuit to its ends; There is nothing hidden from its heat.
Psa 19:7 Yahweh's law is perfect, restoring the soul. Yahweh's testimony is sure, making wise the simple.
Psa 19:8 Yahweh's precepts are right, rejoicing the heart. Yahweh's commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Psa 19:9 The fear of Yahweh is clean, enduring forever. Yahweh's ordinances are true, and righteous altogether.
Psa 19:10 More to be desired are they than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb.
Psa 19:11 Moreover by them is your servant warned. In keeping them there is great reward.
Psa 19:12 Who can discern his errors? Forgive me from hidden errors.
Psa 19:13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins. Let them not have dominion over me. Then I will be upright. I will be blameless and innocent of great transgression.
Psa 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, Yahweh, my rock, and my redeemer.

The World English Bible

The heavens reveal God; now there's a thought!! They show HIS greatness, perfection, organization and beauty. I especially like the transition that begins in verse seven because from then on the Psalmist begins to make personal application. It shows HOW A CONNECTION IS MADE TO THE CREATOR! From the grandeur of the heavens to the depths of the human heart, God is there; we just have to look. There is far more than just stars out there; there is the testimony of greatness that can change your life in ways to beautiful to describe. Look up and then look inward; what you see may surprise you!

Do you see what I see?

Just an ordinary scene... right? Well, yes and no. It is an ordinary scene, but seen in an unusual way; through the spectrum of infrared. This light spectrum reveals heat, so everything looks a bit different. Followers of God see the same things as everyone else, but like the picture, in a different way. Read the first Psalm and as you do read it out loud as well.

Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man who doesn't walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers;
Psa 1:2 but his delight is in Yahweh's law. On his law he meditates day and night.
Psa 1:3 He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper.
Psa 1:4 The wicked are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
Psa 1:5 Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
Psa 1:6 For Yahweh knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked shall perish.

The World English Bible

Those who follow God look at things differently because they see The God of Heaven (Yahweh) in their lives and in the life that follows this life. What HE has said is on their minds and inexorably linked to their daily life. No matter what happens, God is with them, guiding and comforting them throughout every aspect of their existence. Those who truly wear the name "Christian" have Jesus as friend, example and King. All this changes a person into something greater, something more attune with what they were truly meant to be, more genuinely human. Life is seen through new eyes; do you see what I see and hear what God says?

Almost in focus

This baby has something on "his" mind and I wonder what that could be? "He" better not study that fly too long or his eyes might stay like that forever. Sometimes adults do the same sort of thing in real life; they focus on one thing rather than stepping back and getting the big picture. When the focus involves religion... look out. I wonder how much evil has been done in the name of God by well meaning but myopic zealots? To see what I mean read the following passage from the Gospel of Luke ....

Luk 13:10 He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath day.
Luk 13:11 Behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and she was bent over, and could in no way straighten herself up.
Luk 13:12 When Jesus saw her, he called her, and said to her, "Woman, you are freed from your infirmity."
Luk 13:13 He laid his hands on her, and immediately she stood up straight, and glorified God. Luk 13:14 The ruler of the synagogue, being indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the multitude, "There are six days in which men ought to work. Therefore come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day!"
Luk 13:15 Therefore the Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Doesn't each one of you free his ox or his donkey from the stall on the Sabbath, and lead him away to water?
Luk 13:16 Ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan had bound eighteen long years, be freed from this bondage on the Sabbath day?"
Luk 13:17 As he said these things, all his adversaries were disappointed, and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.

The Webster Bible

Should Jesus have healed on the Sabbath? Good question: the Hebrew Bible forbade work on the Sabbath, but Jesus tempered Scripture with insightful love. His answer was common sense; if you would do good to an animal, what about a woman (who is far more valuable). The ruler of the synagogue was like the baby in the picture in that he focused a little too much on one thing (in this case the law) and not enough on the person for whom the law was made. It is a good thing to hold to The Word of God in high regard, but always remember to step back for perspective, or you might not see things as they really are. Anyone have a fly-swatter?

Overkill

Face it, dead IS DEAD! Why bother with the fine? Well, its for emphasis. Remember the Wizard of OZ; The witch not only wanted to kill Dorothy but her little dog too. When someone is angry they go beyond reason. The Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar is a good example of this.

Dan 3:1 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits, and its breadth six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
Dan 3:2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the satraps, the deputies, and the governors, the judges, the treasurers, the counselors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
Dan 3:3 Then the satraps, the deputies, and the governors, the judges, the treasurers, the counselors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together to the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
Dan 3:4 Then the herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, peoples, nations, and languages,
Dan 3:5 that whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music, you fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up;
Dan 3:6 and whoever doesn't fall down and worship shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
Dan 3:7 Therefore at that time, when all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music, all the peoples, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshiped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
Dan 3:8 Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and brought accusation against the Jews.
Dan 3:9 They answered Nebuchadnezzar the king, O king, live for ever.
Dan 3:10 You, O king, have made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image; Dan 3:11 and whoever doesn't fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
Dan 3:12 There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded you: they don't serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up.
Dan 3:13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.
Dan 3:14 Nebuchadnezzar answered them, Is it on purpose, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you don't serve my god, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
Dan 3:15 Now if you are ready whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music to fall down and worship the image which I have made, well: but if you don't worship, you shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that god that shall deliver you out of my hands?
Dan 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.
Dan 3:17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.
Dan 3:18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up.
Dan 3:19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spoke, and commanded that they should heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated.
Dan 3:20 He commanded certain mighty men who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
Dan 3:21 Then these men were bound in their pants, their tunics, and their mantles, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
Dan 3:22 Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
Dan 3:23 These three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
Dan 3:24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste: he spoke and said to his counselors, Didn't we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered the king, True, O king.
Dan 3:25 He answered, Look, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the aspect of the fourth is like a son of the gods.

The World English Bible

Nebchadnezzar lost it! Why heat the oven so much? Because he was FILLED with rage, uncontrollable rage, that's why. Sin is like that; it knows no boundaries, no limitations, no common sense at all. Sin destroys and keeps on destroying. Fortunately, God intervened and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were saved, but they were willing to do what God wanted them to do, even in the face of certain death. This next time you are faced with a serious decision, remember: Do the right thing and leave the results up to God. Overkill is not just irrelevant, its a sure sign of sin.

lighten up!

Super-squirrel? I don't think so! However, there is something worth noting here; its what's on the inside that matters. Most people don't open up and let you know what they are really like on the inside because that would leave them vulnerable. Christianity is different because Jesus encourages each one of us to let our light (our inner self, or the goodness within us) be shown to others. Read the following passage from the sermon on the mount and I think you will see what I mean.

Mat 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
Mat 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a close vessel, but on a candlestick: and it giveth light to all that are in the house.
Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

The Webster Bible

If there is goodness in you, let it shine! People aren't stupid, they know good when they see it and most people will give God the credit for it. Don't worry; people will like you for what you really are, so get rid of the Clark Kent (or in this case Clark Squirrel) mode and do some good; having a big stash of nuts is optional!

Time out

Its hard not to look at this picture and not think of Jeff Foxworthy. Actually, some of his jokes are funny, unless you actually happen TO BE A REDNECK, of course. Then, its not quite so funny! How easy it is to make fun of those who we consider unsophisticated, uneducated or perhaps a little on the "simple" side; yet God has chosen them to be part of HIS GREAT PLAN TO REDEEM THE HUMAN RACE. Read the following passage and I think you will see what I mean:

Mat 26:67 Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him,
Mat 26:68 saying, "Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?"
Mat 26:69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, "You also were with Jesus the Galilean."
Mat 26:70 But he denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you mean."
Mat 26:71 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth."
Mat 26:72 And again he denied it with an oath: "I do not know the man."
Mat 26:73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, "Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you."
Mat 26:74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, "I do not know the man." And immediately the rooster crowed.
Mat 26:75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly

English Standard Version

Galileans were considered "rednecks". They were the backwater people of their day, yet God chose to use THEM. Take a "time out" and think about it; God can use anyone HE desires to accomplish HIS WILL. Don't let the duck tape of this world hold you back; do whatever you can to further the cause of Christ; just don't talk too loud, your accent might give you away!

Too much of a good thing!

This picture looks like something from a Mel Brooks movie. Three tablets, not the standard two and written with Roman Numerals and what appears to be Greek. Ok, apart from the inconsistancies, it does raise and interesting subject: What if God had given "XV" commandments at Mount Sinai instead of the designated ten? Listen to what the apostle Paul said in the book of Galatians:

Gal 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
Gal 3:2 This only would I learn from you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Gal 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
Gal 3:4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it is yet in vain.
Gal 3:5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he this by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Gal 3:6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
Gal 3:7 Know ye therefore, that they who are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
Gal 3:8 And the scripture foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel to Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
Gal 3:9 So then they who are of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
Gal 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law, are under the curse: for it is written, Accursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
Gal 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Gal 3:12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live by them.
Gal 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Accursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Gal 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

The Webster Bible

The Galatians were starting to go backward; from a faith based religion to one of works and Paul corrects them. If we had MORE commandments, then we would have MORE to obey and since none of us can obey PERFECTLY, then we would have even MORE problems. Don't misunderstand, there is nothing wrong with ANY COMMANDMENT THAT GOD GIVES, but for human beings, more commandments would be just too much of a good thing! I am very thankful for Grace because I fail sometimes and would be lost without the flexibility that the Grace of God supplies. Besides, who writes in stone now anyway?

Vroom, Vroom

No golf carts for me! I'll bet I could get this baby up to 90 MPH on the open road! This jet engine on wheels does say something about the future, though; we should look forward to it with a positive attitude! What lies ahead CAN be better than the past, even in our older years. The apostle Paul had become aged, and he knew he didn't have much time left, but he could still pen these words:

2Ti 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
2Ti 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
2Ti 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
2Ti 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me at that day: and not to me only, but to all them also that love his appearing.
2Ti 4:9 Do thy diligence to come shortly to me:
2Ti 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and hath departed to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
2Ti 4:11 Luke only is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
2Ti 4:12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.
2Ti 4:13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
2Ti 4:14 Alexander the copper-smith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
2Ti 4:15 Of whom be thou aware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
2Ti 4:16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
2Ti 4:17 Notwithstanding, the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
2Ti 4:18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me to his heavenly kingdom; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The Webster Bible

I find it interesting that even though Paul had accomplished more than most of us ever will, that he was looking forward to life AFTER DEATH. Something better was waiting for him, something worth waiting for, something he had wanted all his life. This something was actually to be in the presence of God; to fellowship with God on an eternal basis. Now that I think of it, that's way better than some souped up wheel chair, but I can't help but wonder what God would say about this contraption, anyway? Perhaps... Vroom, Vroom?

What's next...

This fire reminds me of what must have happened yesterday aboard the plane that went down near NYC. Everything was fine and then wham; fire! Fortunately, everyone was OK, but it could have gone the other way too. When I was young, it seemed like I would live forever, but now I know better. Life can be taken away in an instant, so each moment is precious. Even the bad days have life and where there is life there is hope. Priorities change when you think this way; money becomes less important and the time remaining to you and how you live becomes everything. Listen to the words of Jesus in Luke chapter 12:

Luk 12:16 And he spoke a parable to them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
Luk 12:17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to deposit my fruits?
Luk 12:18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I deposit all my fruits and my goods.
Luk 12:19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast abundance of goods laid up for many years; take thy ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
Luk 12:20 But God said to him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided?
Luk 12:21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God.
Luk 12:22 And he said to his disciples, Therefore I say to you, Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.

The Webster Bible

Learn from the past, live for the moment and plan for an eternity; truly, only the things that last forever have real value. What's next for you? I guess that depends where your riches are?

True evil

It is easy to see evil when it is staring you right in the face! However, for true evil to behave this way is stupid. If evil is so easily recognized, then why would anyone fall prey to it? The “smart” thing to do is to mix goodness with it so as to disguise it, then we would become more likely to fall prey to all sorts of wickedness. Consider the following passage from the book of second Corinthians:

2 Cor 11:1-15
1 I earnestly wish ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very greatest apostles.
6 But though I am rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been thoroughly made manifest among you in all things.
7 Have I committed an offense in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God without reward?
8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.
9 And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so will I keep myself.
10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.
11 Why? because I love you not? God knoweth.
12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them who desire occasion; that in what they glory, they may be found even as we.
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no wonder; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also are transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

The Webster Bible

The true evil of Satan (and his followers) will always be disguised and so the picture above may be true evil, but its not the everyday sort. Seeing evil amid truth may not always be easy, but we do have guides; common sense, The Scriptures and the Holy Spirit. God has supplied us with everything we really need to avoid evil; it up to us to just do it! By the way; no, I won’t stare at this picture before I go to bed tonight, I might regret it!

Mother, may I?

The relationship between this couple is off to a shaky start, Isn't it? Looks like the groom is asking one of those "Mother may I" questions. I would like to say that there is a "normality" in marriage today, but I can't. People seem to think marriage isn't very important; they often get married after several years of living together or if they have several children together, or if its convenient or if its something they would like to try "to see if it works". Commitment is a thing of the past, whatever feels good is today's new standard. In the book of Genesis, God puts the first man and woman together and I think that's a good place to begin to consider how things should be!

Gen 2:15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden, to dress it, and to keep it.
Gen 2:16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
Gen 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest of it thou shalt surely die.
Gen 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone: I will make him a help meet for him.

Gen 2:21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept; and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place.
Gen 2:22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, he made woman, and brought her to the man.
Gen 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of man.
Gen 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Gen 2:25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

The Webster Bible

Man needs woman and the reverse is true. Neither party should put their spouse on a leash, but love and respect one another. Face it, life is not a piece of cake and neither is marriage. However, if the Biblical pattern is followed, then a Biblical marriage is the result. If there are problems (and there will be) give them over to God and let him work on on both of you. "Mother may I" is not the way to get started, "God may I" is far better.

Yes!

We could never see this happening in real-time, but it is happening. A lot of things in life are like that, we can't necessarily see it happening, but we know that it is occurring. Take starting your car for instance; you turn the ignition key and trust that the battery is charged and the spark plugs will fire and that no one has attached a stick of dynamite to your vehicle. This trust when applied to spiritual matters is called faith, but lets just read a few verses from the book of Hebrews:

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Heb 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Heb 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which appeared.
Heb 11:4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained testimony that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated, that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

The Webster Bible

Faith: Yes, you can't see it. Yes, you can see the results of it by what you do. Yes, it involves life and death. Yes, Yes, Yes! It is our way of saying, Yes to God! It is the spark of belief, the beginning of hope and the goal of life. It gives light to an otherwise dark and mysterious life. It has been revealed in Jesus and offered to you. The questions is: Will you see what you can't see?

When Advertising meets Reality

The graphic says it all: how many times have I seen wonderful TV ads and then reality showed the truth, junk. This is especially true in the movie previews, as oftentimes the only good parts of the movie WERE THE PREVIEWED PARTS! This isn't restricted to just TV, it occurs in real life; take the following passage from the book of Acts, for instance:


Act 8:9 But there was a certain man called Simon, who before in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
Act 8:10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
Act 8:11 And to him they had regard, because that for a long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
Act 8:12 But when they believed Philip, preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized both men and women.
Act 8:13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
Act 8:14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John:
Act 8:15 Who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit:
Act 8:16 (For as yet he had fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Act 8:17 Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Act 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,
Act 8:19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.
Act 8:20 But Peter said to him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Act 8:21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
Act 8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee.
Act 8:23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
Act 8:24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

The Webster Bible

Simon advertised himself as someone great, when in reality he was nothing at all. What a corrupt mind he had! Because he was a trickster, he thought everyone was just like him. When the false "great one" met true greatness he was put in his place, just as it should be. In fact, there is only one God, one Great One, one for whom no advertising is required. Reality is that He sent Jesus and Jesus sent the Holy Spirit and that's that; no embellishment required.

One Way!

This picture reminds me of the Menlo Park Mall area in central New Jersey! If you follow the signs carefully, it does make sense; just don't try to take it in all at once. In a way, life is like this street; there are signs all over the place, all pointing you in different directions. They just have different names; Mother, Father, teachers, coaches, spouses, bosses.... etc.. If you try to follow them all you will just go nowhere and feel very lost. One of the reasons I like Jesus is that he just doesn't beat around the bush... he is straightforward. John chapter 14 says:

Joh 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
Joh 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Joh 14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
Joh 14:5 Thomas saith to him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no man cometh to the Father, but by me.

The Webster Bible

When Jesus says "I am" in verse six above, he is saying "I, myself am". He points to himself as the way, the truth and the life; notice the repetition of the word "the". This is a definite article, in other words it points to one thing and one thing ONLY. People are either alive or dead, you either have truth or you don't or you have a way to God or you don't. Humm, all of a sudden the "One Way" signs in the picture have just a little more meaning to me. There is only one way to God, not many; make sure you follow the correct "One Way" sign!

Reality, not relativity

I really like this picture of Albert Einstein because it shows a side of him that is not intellectual. I have known some extremely intelligent people; some whose IQ's were well above Einstein's 160. The thing is, just because people are smart, doesn't mean that they are people you would necessarily want to be around. Often, well educated people are very narrow minded and only want to talk about their field of interest. If you find someone (no matter how smart) who is open to new ideas, that person is truly intelligent. Consider the following passage from the book of Acts:


Act 13:1 And there were certain in Antioch, in the assembly there, prophets and teachers; both Barnabas, and Simeon who is called Niger, and Lucius the Cyrenian, Manaen also--Herod the tetrarch's foster-brother--and Saul;
Act 13:2 and in their ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, `Separate ye to me both Barnabas and Saul to the work to which I have called them,'
Act 13:3 then having fasted, and having prayed, and having laid the hands on them, they sent them away.
Act 13:4 These, indeed, then, having been sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia, thence also they sailed to Cyprus,
Act 13:5 and having come unto Salamis, they declared the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews, and they had also John as a ministrant;
Act 13:6 and having gone through the island unto Paphos, they found a certain magian, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name is Bar-Jesus;
Act 13:7 who was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man; this one having called for Barnabas and Saul, did desire to hear the word of God,
Act 13:8 and there withstood them Elymas the magian--for so is his name interpreted--seeking to pervert the proconsul from the faith.
Act 13:9 And Saul--who also is Paul--having been filled with the Holy Spirit, and having looked stedfastly on him,
Act 13:10 said, `O full of all guile, and all profligacy, son of a devil, enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease perverting the right ways of the Lord?
Act 13:11 and now, lo, a hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season;' and presently there fell upon him a mist and darkness, and he, going about, was seeking some to lead him by the hand;
Act 13:12 then the proconsul having seen what hath come to pass, did believe, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

Young's Literal Translation

This magician, this trickster got a lot more than he bargained for. So did the proconsul Sergius Paulus, because he had the opportunity to learn what truth was and that by way of a demonstration of power. It wasn't intelligent discourse, but profound reality that was needed; and the proconsul believed. What is needed in many a life is reality, not relativity or intense cerebral effort. God is a God for all people, not just those blessed with EXCESS BRAIN POWER. So, the next time I feel really smart, I will just stick my tongue out and go to the mirror for a taste of reality (but I won't take any pictures)!!!

What about me?

Someone is jealous and that means trouble! I think everyone has seen jealously, but I guess it is a little "cute" to see it in one so young. Jealously is a sin. People don't like to call things sin today, but face it, it is what it is. If there is a God, then He must be by definition absolute and that involves a standard of measurement. If God provides the standards, then who are we to say they don't exist or that political correctness should replace what God has put in place? Consider the following list and ask yourself if you find yourself doing either the good or bad things on it.
Galatians 5:16-25

Gal 5:16 But I say, Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another; lest whatever you may will, these things you do.
Gal 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under Law.
Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are clearly revealed, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lustfulness,
Gal 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, fightings, jealousies, angers, rivalries, divisions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and things like these; of which I tell you beforehand, as I also said before, that the ones practicing such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 meekness, self-control. Against such things there is not a law.
Gal 5:24 But the ones belonging to Christ crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

LITV

Notice a couple of things; first Jealously is on the list (verse 20) and secondly that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (verse 21). Avoid the first list (19-21) and practice the second (22-23). Its one thing to look at the picture and see what is wrong; its quite another to ask ourselves the question: What about me? When we think about that then sin isn't "cute", its dead serious. "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."

Yum,Yum!

Sometimes you just have to jump right in with both hands! Life is meant to be enjoyed! No matter where you are, or what you are doing, you can find something positive if you just look hard enough! OK, you might say, what about the dentist or some other unpleasant experience? Well, perhaps even the worst of experiences can be thought of as positive if you consider that if everything was pleasing you wouldn't have any thing to gage your life by. In other words, you need the bad to appreciate the good! Jesus loved people and showed it. Look at this passage from the book of John for a moment and I think you will see what I mean.

Joh 2:1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there.
Joh 2:2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
Joh 2:3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith to him, They have no wine.
Joh 2:4 Jesus saith to her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? my hour is not yet come.
Joh 2:5 His mother saith to the servants, Whatever he saith to you, do it.
Joh 2:6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
Joh 2:7 Jesus saith to them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them to the brim.
Joh 2:8 And he saith to them, Draw out now, and bear to the governor of the feast. And they bore it.
Joh 2:9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was; (but the servants who drew the water knew) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
Joh 2:10 And saith to him, Every man at the beginning presenteth good wine; and when men have well drank, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
Joh 2:11 This beginning of miracles Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

The Webster Bible

Weddings can be fun! Face it, wine does loosen things up abit and in moderation is harmless. Jesus could have just made wine, but he made "good wine". Why? I like to think its because he WANTED THEM TO HAVE THE BEST! They were obviously having a good time at the feast, so why not even make it better. And oh, yes, throwing in a miracle couldn't hurt the situation, either. So the next time you want to have some fun, just do it, there is nothing wrong with saying, "Yum, Yum" once in awhile. Here's cake in your face!

Lucky

Lucky Dog....
Anyone who has pets will really like this. You'll like it even if you don't and you may even decide you need one!

Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named 'Lucky.' Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing. Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's other favorite Toys. Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box. It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease....in fact, she was just sure it was fatal. She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders. The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her...what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary's dog through and through. If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him! The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable. Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap. Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed. When Mary woke for a second she couldn't understand what! Was wrong. She couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life. He had covered her with his love. Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day. It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky? He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure. Remember....live every day to the fullest. Each minute is a blessing from God. And never forget....The people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most, credentials, the most money, or the most awards .They are the ones that care for us. If you see someone without a smile today give them one of yours!

Live simply.
Love seriously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Leave the rest to God.

I received this in an e-mail and liked it so much that I wanted to share it!

God's phone number

I know people do things differently, but WOW; A math equation for a phone number? How freaky is this? Since I am not good with math, I asked my friend Bruce Arnold for the solution. This is what he gave me:

01. (900-24). (900-100) x 10 = 01. 876. 8000 Since the ad is from Switzerland or UK, that's a legitimate phone number.

I am very glad that God is a little more straightforward:

Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope in your latter end.
Jer 29:12 You shall call on me, and you shall go and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
Jer 29:13 You shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart.

World English Bible

If you picked verse 12, you were right; verse 13 is for emphasis! All you need is a desiring heart, persistence and the knowledge that God will listen. Did I hear a ring? Got to go, maybe its someone returning my call! I wonder WHO IT COULD BE?

Upside down

I frankly have no idea how this picture was made, but it says "upside down" to me. In a way, it like what is happening in the United States. Actions that were reprehensible in the 50's are now the norm; its as if good is bad and bad is good. Listen to the news, you will hear about corruption at every level of society! When I saw this picture I thought of the following passage of scripture from the book of Acts:

Act 17:1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis, and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews.
Act 17:2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in to them, and on three sabbaths reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
Act 17:3 Opening and alledging, that it was needful that Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach to you, is Christ.
Act 17:4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas: and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
Act 17:5 But the Jews who believed not, moved with envy, took to them certain vile fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city in an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
Act 17:6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren to the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down, have come hither also;
Act 17:7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Cesar, saying, That there is another king, one Jesus.

The Webster Bible

There is another king and his name is Jesus. But, today the name of Jesus is being eradicated from our schools, government, and the very streets of the nation. How can this be? Complacency is the answer. America places too much emphasis on possessions, sex and the acceptance of other world views and not enough on the proclamation of Christ in every aspect of our society. This nation has allowed the media, the courts and the schools to attack the Christian message. The world is being turned upside down, but in the wrong way. There is hope, however and it begins with each of us as individuals. Each one of us can change things, but we have to be serious about what we believe and find something to do about it. How you turn the world right side up is up to you, but here is a clue to getting started: Jesus and he alone is king, find a way to let that be known and just do it. Leave the photography to someone else!

Stop, but don't stop!

OK, you come to this stop sign and what do you do? Which sign takes precedence? Good question! If you obey one, then you disobey the other; no matter what you do, you are wrong! There are a lot of things like this in life and sooner or later you will encounter them. For instance, how to discipline your children without breaking the current laws, how to handle someones else's road rage, or what to do if someone butts in line ahead of you at the local Wallmart? The examples could be endless, but I think you get the idea. There are times when we simply don't know what to do. Then what? Consider just a few verses from the Bible:

Jdg 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

Joh 1:49 Nathanael answered and said to him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

The Webster Bible

The answer to these situations is both complex and simple. Complex in that every situation is different, yet one thing is certain, everyone can't be right (Judges 21:25). The simplicity of it begins with the realization of who Jesus is (John 1:49) and what that means to us. Once John 1:49 really impacts our lives, we are no longer without direction, but have guidance in our lives. A good question to ask ourselves is: What would Jesus do? What about the conflicting signs? Well, the bottom sign probably means there is to be no stopping along that stretch of road for safety reasons and the top sign means STOP!! So, STOP, but don't STOP (park) on the side of the road. How do I know this? Well, Jesus always looked for the reasons BEHIND WHAT WAS HAPPENING, that's how. Get to know him and try to think like him... you will learn to find the answers. That's why followers of Jesus are called disciples, (which means those who learn) they learn from Jesus. Stop, but don't stop (learning)!