12/31/10

In the nick of time!!!


Out in the nick of time!  Saved by the bell!  Just in Time! All cliches, but truthful!!  Today is the last year of 2010; we can't do it over, we might as well accept what has happened, move on and get over it... that sort of thing.  On a day that we are prone to reflection, let us think about how we LIVED 2010 and learn from it.  Solomon was the greatest Earthly king that Israel ever had and he was a person prone to reflection.  Here are a few of his thoughts....


Ecclesiastes 3:1-22 (WEB)

1) For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:
2) a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3) a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4) a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5) a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6) a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7) a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8) a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
9) What profit has he who works in that in which he labors?
10) I have seen the burden which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.
11) He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in their hearts, yet so that man can’t find out the work that God has done from the beginning even to the end.
12) I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good as long as they live.
13) Also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labor, is the gift of God.
14) I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; and God has done it, that men should fear before him.
15) That which is has been long ago, and that which is to be has been long ago: and God seeks again that which is passed away.
16) Moreover I saw under the sun, in the place of justice, that wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, that wickedness was there.
17) I said in my heart, “God will judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.”
18) I said in my heart, “As for the sons of men, God tests them, so that they may see that they themselves are like animals.
19) For that which happens to the sons of men happens to animals. Even one thing happens to them. As the one dies, so the other dies. Yes, they have all one breath; and man has no advantage over the animals: for all is vanity.
20) All go to one place. All are from the dust, and all turn to dust again.
21) Who knows the spirit of man, whether it goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, whether it goes downward to the earth?”
22) Therefore I saw that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his works; for that is his portion: for who can bring him to see what will be after him?

A little fatalistic for me, but from an Earthly perspective correct.  If a heavenly one is considered, then he is short-sighted.  If I could wish you one new thing to do in 2011, it would be to think of heaven more!  It has been and will continue to be my goal; 2011 will be no exception.  Who knows, the emphasis on heaven may cause you to do things that will actually get you there....just in the nick of time!!!

12/25/10

Hot Air!



What?  That was my initial reaction.  Then I realized: Hot Air!!  All is hot air!!!  No matter what happens, politicans, yes, this includes Barak Obama as well as ALL OUR CONGRESS, will try to make things look as good as possible.  America is in trouble and no one will admit the truth.  Taxes, taxes and more of the same is our future.  Less growth, few jobs, WAR ON EVERY FRONT, an old age without the entitlement programs we have been paying for.  HOT AIR, ALL IS HOT AIR!!! Have you heard hot air before??  I have, and I know where....


Jeremiah 14:10-15 (WEB)


10) Thus says Yahweh to this people, Even so have they loved to wander; they have not refrained their feet: therefore Yahweh does not accept them; now he will remember their iniquity, and visit their sins.

11) Yahweh said to me, Don’t pray for this people for their good.

12) When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and meal offering, I will not accept them; but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.

13) Then I said, Ah, Lord Yahweh! behold, the prophets tell them, You shall not see the sword, neither shall you have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.

14) Then Yahweh said to me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name; I didn’t send them, neither have I commanded them, neither spoke I to them: they prophesy to you a lying vision, and divination, and a thing of nothing, and the deceit of their own heart.

15) Therefore thus says Yahweh concerning the prophets who prophesy in my name, and I didn’t send them, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land: By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.


God speaks the truth to the people.  Sometimes it is hard, sometimes not, but it is the truth.  Refreshing, simply refreshing!!!  Yet amid all this depression, there is hope.  We can count on God, no matter WHAT!!!!    In the days ahead, this is a good thought to remember.  In the meantime, our country is STILL HOLDING TOGETHER, we are OK.  That is wonderful news on this cold Christmas day.  My wish for America is that we never get so far away from God that will not let the godly pray for this country!  May God bless America!!!!!

12/20/10

Better than the biggest of the big

This just has to be the biggest rainbow I have ever seen!!!  When I saw it, immeadiately I thought of God's blessings.  How very appropriate, considering the holiday season is upon us!!!  I couldn't help but think of how blessed I am by God; how much he has given me, in happiness, long life and marital bless.  Soon to have grandchild number nine, and that by the OLDEST daughter!!!  Life just keeps on handing me surprises and the best blessing of all???


Ephesians 1:3-14 (WEB)

3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ;

4) even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without blemish before him in love;

5) having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire,

6) to the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he freely bestowed favor on us in the Beloved,

7) in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

8) which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,

9) making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him

10) to an administration of the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, in him;

11) in whom also we were assigned an inheritance, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his will;

12) to the end that we should be to the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ:

13) in whom you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation—in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

14) who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory.

You guessed it; the Love and provision of God for my eternal well-being.  If I can recognize Earthly blessing, how much more the HEAVENLY!!!  Not EVERYTHING in this world is about money, not everything is about power, position or relationships.  Really knowing what will transpire beyond the grave is the greatest blessing of all; better than a thousand rainbows, even ones as big as this one!!     

12/18/10

Warning! View at your own risk!!!

Unlike other posts, I am not putting the picture first.  The reason is that it is very graphic in nature and I wouldn't want to disturb anyone without warning.  So, do not proceed any further if you are the sort of person who is easily disturbed.  Why would I put something that is potentially upsetting on the blog in the first place? The answer is pain is a reality in this life and my hopes are that those who ultimately do page down and view the picture will be forced to think about the following topic...

Mark 9:35-48 (WEB)
35) He sat down, and called the twelve; and he said to them, “If any man wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all.”

36) He took a little child, and set him in their midst. Taking him in his arms, he said to them,

37) “Whoever receives one such little child in my name, receives me, and whoever receives me, doesn’t receive me, but him who sent me.”

38) John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone who doesn’t follow us casting out demons in your name; and we forbade him, because he doesn’t follow us.”

39) But Jesus said, “Don’t forbid him, for there is no one who will do a mighty work in my name, and be able quickly to speak evil of me.

40) For whoever is not against us is on our side.

41) For whoever will give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you are Christ’s, most certainly I tell you, he will in no way lose his reward.

42) Whoever will cause one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if he were thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around his neck.

43) If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having your two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire,

44) ‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’

45) If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life lame, rather than having your two feet to be cast into Gehenna, into the fire that will never be quenched—

46) ‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’

47) If your eye causes you to stumble, cast it out. It is better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the Gehenna of fire,

48) ‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’



During the past few months, I have become reacquainted with pain; pain that for awhile did not stop, that did not abate, that allowed neither rest or peace of mind.  Suffering, constant suffering, which seemed like it would never end.  Thankfully, I am getting better, although I just wish it could be faster because I hate pain.  But, what if never stopped?  What if it never stopped?  Hell must be like that; Gehenna hell!  The shear impact of something like burning, something so painful  that  the mere thought of it, or a brief  glimpse of the suffering  involved would make the body physically react and the mind reel.  The only thing left to say is... do whatever you have to do to avoid hell.     



And then there is this picture.....







Any Questions???

12/17/10

Reality can change

If you have ever seen "Star Wars" then this picture will look familiar to you.  Its not from the movie, however, but from the university of Southern California.  You guessed it; they can now really make holograms.  Perhaps someday I will live long enough to see all of the science fiction of the 20th century come true.  Today, anything seems possible.  When this though settled in my mind, I remembered one of the first Bible verses I ever learned (highlighted in bold below).

Matthew 19:16-26 (WEB)

16) Behold, one came to him and said, “Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”
17) He said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
18) He said to him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder.’ ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ‘You shall not steal.’ ‘You shall not offer false testimony.’
19) ‘Honor your father and mother.’ And, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
20) The young man said to him, “All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?”
21) Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
22) But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions.
23) Jesus said to his disciples, “Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficulty.
24) Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God.”
25) When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”
26) Looking at them, Jesus said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

I guess this passage keeps coming back to me because it is fundamental to my concept of God.  God can do anything; and if that is true, then he can do it in my life.  The problem is: I have to let him!!!  The rich man couldn't give up his riches and as a result, failed to see the power of God in his life.  I wonder, what does it take for us (for me) to trust God enough to unequivocally follow God?  Probably not something as wild as a Star Wars hologram, but... who knows?

12/12/10

The sign


Not your normal everyday picture.  Taken with a fish-eye lens, this picture is also different because there is a ring around the moon and its winter.  I don't see too many outside pictures taken in the coldest part of the year, but this one displays a beauty that is unique.  I especially like the ring around the moon, as this is a sure sign that precipitation is on the way.  When it comes to snow, its always good to know what is coming your way.  As I was thinking about "signs", this passage came to mind.

Genesis 4:1-15 (WEB)

1) The man knew Eve his wife. She conceived, and gave birth to Cain, and said, “I have gotten a man with Yahweh’s help.”
2) Again she gave birth, to Cain’s brother Abel. Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
3) As time passed, it happened that Cain brought an offering to Yahweh from the fruit of the ground.
4) Abel also brought some of the firstborn of his flock and of its fat. Yahweh respected Abel and his offering,
5) but he didn’t respect Cain and his offering. Cain was very angry, and the expression on his face fell.
6) Yahweh said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why has the expression of your face fallen?
7) If you do well, will it not be lifted up? If you don’t do well, sin crouches at the door. Its desire is for you, but you are to rule over it.”
8) Cain said to Abel, his brother, “Let’s go into the field.” It happened when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and killed him.
9) Yahweh said to Cain, “Where is Abel, your brother?” He said, “I don’t know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”
10) Yahweh said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries to me from the ground.
11) Now you are cursed because of the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.
12) From now on, when you till the ground, it won’t yield its strength to you. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth.”
13) Cain said to Yahweh, “My punishment is greater than I can bear.
14) Behold, you have driven me out this day from the surface of the ground. I will be hidden from your face, and I will be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth. It will happen that whoever finds me will kill me.”
15) Yahweh said to him, “Therefore whoever slays Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold.” Yahweh appointed a sign for Cain, lest any finding him should strike him.

The first murder and the first punishment for it.  I really don't understand why Yahweh didn't slay Cain, but perhaps the mark was almost as bad.  I mean, Cain would be reminded over and over and over and over about what he did.  Isn't that quite a punishment?  I wonder how Cain's contemporaries would know what the sign meant?  Something universal probably, like the "A" for adulteress in the novel, "The Scarlet Letter".  Isn't it a good thing we aren't branded today! In a way though, we are; because God knows our heart more clearly than any ring around the moon. 

12/11/10

In your wildest dreams

Imagination; it is the stuff of wonder, the memory of a mind set free to soar above the confines of reality.  Sometimes our imaginations are dreadful and others they are fantastic beyond description.  So it is with this beautiful picture; fantasy become reality.  I really would like to meet the person who drew (painted, photo shopped ?) this.  Can you imagine what he or she would be truly capable of.  There are times though, when reality sounds like fantasy.  Take Jesus for instance.  Walked on water, transmuted water to wine, healed the sick, raised the dead and remembered for over 2000 years... right.  Right, indeed, and true.  Read on...


2 Peter 1:3-18 (WEB)

3) seeing that his divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue;
4) by which he has granted to us his precious and exceedingly great promises; that through these you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust.
5) Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge;
6) and in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control patience; and in patience godliness;
7) and in godliness brotherly affection; and in brotherly affection, love.
8) For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful to the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9) For he who lacks these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins.
10) Therefore, brothers, be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.
11) For thus you will be richly supplied with the entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
12) Therefore I will not be negligent to remind you of these things, though you know them, and are established in the present truth.
13) I think it right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you;
14) knowing that the putting off of my tent comes swiftly, even as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.
15) Yes, I will make every effort that you may always be able to remember these things even after my departure.
16) For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
17) For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
18) We heard this voice come out of heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.

Today, Christians are ridiculed in public.  Whatever you believe is OK.  Everyone is right; no one is wrong.  Ethics is what you decide it to be.  We live in a society devoid of truth because how can there be truth (I mean THE TRUTH) when there are no standards.  Yet; Jesus lived; Jesus is NOT A MYTH.  There were many, many witnesses.  Untold numbers suffered and died for what they knew to be true.  Christianity is not fantasy land; IT IS TRUTH!!! Believe it, defend it, and hope for heaven.  You won't be sorry a thousand years from now!  God will bless you beyond anything you can think of in your wildest dreams!!!!!!!!!

12/8/10

To the point


I like this mouse!!!  If you look at the bottom of the maze you will notice that the entrance really wasn't an entrance at all; the mouse had to chew his way into this problem.  What does he do? He ignores the problems ahead and chews a path right to the cheese.  I think I will name this little guy "Alexander the Great" because of his tactics.  He really knew how to get to the heart of the matter (the maze).  Jesus did too and here is one example:

Matthew 19:16-24 (WEB)
16) Behold, one came to him and said, “Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”
17) He said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
18) He said to him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder.’ ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ‘You shall not steal.’ ‘You shall not offer false testimony.’
19) ‘Honor your father and mother.’ And, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
20) The young man said to him, “All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?”
21) Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
22) But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions.
23) Jesus said to his disciples, “Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficulty.
24) Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God.”

Jesus saw the man's problem and gave him the opportunity to overcome it.  Too bad he didn't listen!  Life presents many chances for change, for improvement.  Its up to us to look for the way to victory.  By the way, if you want a bit of interesting reading, check out Alexander the Great's victory over the Persians at Granicus; truly unorthodox.  He was a great man; the mouse deserves the title as well, but neither can compare with the greatest of all: Jesus!!!

12/5/10

Marvel

Photo shopped or real?  Good question!  As soon as I saw this I was reminded of the book of Ezekiel, which I am currently reading and the vision in the first chapter.

Ezekiel 1:3-24 (WEB)

3) the word of Yahweh came expressly to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of Yahweh was there on him.
4) I looked, and behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, a great cloud, with flashing lightning, and a brightness around it, and out of its midst as it were glowing metal, out of the midst of the fire.
5) Out of its midst came the likeness of four living creatures. This was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man.
6) Everyone had four faces, and each one of them had four wings.
7) Their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf’s foot; and they sparkled like burnished brass.
8) They had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and the four of them had their faces and their wings thus:
9) their wings were joined one to another; they didn’t turn when they went; each one went straight forward.
10) As for the likeness of their faces, they had the face of a man; and the four of them had the face of a lion on the right side; and the four of them had the face of an ox on the left side; the four of them also had the face of an eagle.
11) Such were their faces. Their wings were spread out above. Two wings of each one touched another, and two covered their bodies.
12) Each one went straight forward: where the spirit was to go, they went; they didn’t turn when they went.
13) As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches: the fire went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.
14) The living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.
15) Now as I saw the living creatures, behold, one wheel on the earth beside the living creatures, for each of the four faces of it.
16) The appearance of the wheels and their work was like a beryl: and the four of them had one likeness; and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel within a wheel.
17) When they went, they went in their four directions: they didn’t turn when they went.
18) As for their rims, they were high and dreadful; and the four of them had their rims full of eyes all around.
19) When the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them; and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up.
20) Wherever the spirit was to go, they went; there was the spirit to go: and the wheels were lifted up beside them; for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
21) When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up beside them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
22) Over the head of the living creature there was the likeness of an expanse, like the awesome crystal to look on, stretched forth over their heads above.
23) Under the expanse were their wings straight, the one toward the other: each one had two which covered on this side, and every one had two which covered on that side, their bodies.
24) When they went, I heard the noise of their wings like the noise of great waters, like the voice of the Almighty, a noise of tumult like the noise of an army: when they stood, they let down their wings.

Difficult to explain, harder to understand.  For me, perhaps the best explanation is the inexplicable.  That is, God wanted to communicate the impossible and this would be the only way humans can understand.  God works in ways we will never comprehend, no matter how hard we try and sometimes the best thing we can do is just to MARVEL!!!  I haven't a clue as to how either the bubble in the picture was made or the EXACT MEANING OF EZEKIEL'S VISION.  One thing I do know and that is they both are beautiful and maybe that is enough for now.

12/2/10

What's in a name?




Remember the Batman TV show?  In retrospect, it was stupid and simplistic and even the dullest amongst us could get the message of good against evil.  This "Batman name" picture has to be one of the most stupid things I have seen on the net so far.  But, don't worry, I sure something will come along that will be worse than even this.  Which reminds me of the stupidity of the Corinthians; read what Paul has to say in chapter 10 (especially verse 12)


2 Corinthians 10:7-12 (WEB)


7) Do you look at things only as they appear in front of your face? If anyone trusts in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again with himself, that, even as he is Christ’s, so also we are Christ’s.

8) For though I should boast somewhat abundantly concerning our authority, (which the Lord gave for building you up, and not for casting you down) I will not be disappointed,

9) that I may not seem as if I desire to terrify you by my letters.

10) For, “His letters,” they say, “are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is despised.”

11) Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such are we also in deed when we are present.

12) For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves. But they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding.

Dumb, really dumb; no, beyond dumb, its sheer stupidity.  The Corinthians were thinking more of themselves than they should, even to the point of putting an apostle of Christ down.  Duh, how dumb is that!  I especially like verse 12 because it gets to the heart of the matter.  They were just to wrapped up in themselves to be of any good to OTHERS.  So, just as your Batman name will always be "Batman" according to the chart, so will those who are self-absorbed be just like the Corinthians-- worthless.  By the way, if you want to here something really irritating, listen to the theme from the Batman TV show; its right up there alongside the picture---stupid!

11/30/10

Pictures, postcards and Vitamin E

A picture beautiful enough to be a postcard.  I have never been to California or seen this scenery in person, but its beauty shines through.  Its wonderful to visit new places, to see magnificent vistas that take the breath away and leave one with a memory that lasts for years.  As I was thinking about how wonderful this picture was, I thought of this passage from the book of 2nd Corinthians.

2 Corinthians 4:2-6 (WEB)

2) But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3) Even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled in those who perish;
4) in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn on them.
5) For we don’t preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake;
6) seeing it is God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

You can tell a lot about people by just looking at their face. Lines on it show stress, happiness, grief and joy.  But what I like most is to see the look of love; I was taken aback yesterday, when my wife put vitamin E on my incision scar and then gently massaged the surrounding muscles.  I can't explain it, but I have never felt more loved in my whole life.  The only way I can explain it was that it was more beautiful than the picture, but even that doesn't really do it justice.  Perhaps when I see Jesus face to face I might really be able to capture the feeling.  Until then, I will keep looking at pictures, postcards and sunsets and look for love.

11/29/10

Mooo

Turkey day has come and gone.  Millions upon millions of us ate way too much and then fell asleep.  I enjoyed this cartoon because the turkeys were clever enough to make like they were cows and of course, everyone knows you don't have beef for Thanksgiving.  By their cleverness they probably made it through their most dangerous time of year, but sooner or later...  Then I thought of these verses from the Bible.

Hebrews 9:27-28 (WEB)

27) Inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once, and after this, judgment,
28) so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, without sin, to those who are eagerly waiting for him for salvation.

Sooner or later we all come to grips with the fact that we will not live forever.  Those who follow Christ have a blessing after death and that is worth waiting for.  In the meantime.... moooo!



11/19/10

Too much of a good thing


Yesterday, I went to the surgeon and the news was all good; I reached all my targets and had my 20 staples removed.  Even though the scar is about 10 inches long, I think it should heal ok.  The real surprise in this knee replacement thing is the amount of hard work required to get any results at all.  Ok, when I was in my 20's I lifted weights for a few years, but I never even came close to looking like any of these guys.  But I wonder, how much is too much?  Which reminded me of a verse in the New Testament.

1 Timothy 4:8 (WEB)
8) For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, having the promise of the life which is now, and of that which is to come.

I remember how great I felt when I lifted weights, but that is nothing compared to the knowledge of what waits for me in heaven.  When it comes to godliness, there is no such thing as too much; you just get better and better on the inside.  As far as the body builders in the picture is concerned, too much muscle is just that ... TOO MUCH.



11/16/10

Dogs and the exhibition of goodness

Over the past couple of years I have begun to re-think what I really like as a result of picking pictures for this blog.  Animals like this dog seem to be at the top of the list.  I especially like pencil drawings because somehow they seem to reflect the inner beauty of the artist.  Now, I freely admit I don't know any of them personally but the beauty that each picture exhibits says something for them all.  How nice they really are undoubtedly varies with the artist, but each a every one shows at least some goodness. Lets take this concept to its absurdity and consider a person whom most people would say is not a nice man; Pontius Pilate.

John 18:28-31 (WEB)

28) They led Jesus therefore from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. It was early, and they themselves didn’t enter into the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover.
29) Pilate therefore went out to them, and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?”
30) They answered him, “If this man weren’t an evildoer, we wouldn’t have delivered him up to you.”
31) Pilate therefore said to them, “Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law.” Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,”

John 19:1-22 (WEB)

1) So Pilate then took Jesus, and flogged him.
2) The soldiers twisted thorns into a crown, and put it on his head, and dressed him in a purple garment.
3) They kept saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and they kept slapping him.
4) Then Pilate went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I bring him out to you, that you may know that I find no basis for a charge against him.”
5) Jesus therefore came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment. Pilate said to them, “Behold, the man!”
6) When therefore the chief priests and the officers saw him, they shouted, saying, “Crucify! Crucify!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves, and crucify him, for I find no basis for a charge against him.”
7) The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.”
8) When therefore Pilate heard this saying, he was more afraid.
9) He entered into the Praetorium again, and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer.
10) Pilate therefore said to him, “Aren’t you speaking to me? Don’t you know that I have power to release you, and have power to crucify you?”
11) Jesus answered, “You would have no power at all against me, unless it were given to you from above. Therefore he who delivered me to you has greater sin.”
12) At this, Pilate was seeking to release him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you release this man, you aren’t Caesar’s friend! Everyone who makes himself a king speaks against Caesar!”
13) When Pilate therefore heard these words, he brought Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called “The Pavement,” but in Hebrew, “Gabbatha.”
14) Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, at about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold, your King!”
15) They cried out, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!”
16) So then he delivered him to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus and led him away.
17) He went out, bearing his cross, to the place called “The Place of a Skull,” which is called in Hebrew, “Golgotha,”
18) where they crucified him, and with him two others, on either side one, and Jesus in the middle.
19) Pilate wrote a title also, and put it on the cross. There was written, “JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
20) Therefore many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek.
21) The chief priests of the Jews therefore said to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘he said, I am King of the Jews.’”
22) Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

Pilate was a Roman Governor, and as such had a duty to act in the best interest of the Roman Emperor.  He did what he had to do to keep the peace and collect taxes.  His callousness towards the life of Jesus shows the brutality of the empire and the immorality of acting according to the rules of expediency.  However, even this person was used by God, for his sign says it all: "JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS".  And his testimony confirms the fact: "What I have written, I have written".  So, even bad people can show goodness, if God desires to work through them.  I just wonder what God had in mind by the picture of the dog, for its architech was Adolph Hitler???

11/4/10

The wrong answer


I had a very busy day getting ready for my surgery Friday, went to bed very early and then woke up in the wee hours of the morning.  Its been awhile since I did a post, so I started looking though my pictures.  Then, I came across this little jewel.  Its an answer found on a high school exam and frankly, I laughed when I saw it.  It was seemed especially funny, being the day after our elections, when everyone is trying to put a "spin" on what happened Tuesday.  However you put it though, the Democrats didn't do so well and the Republicans did.  Which reminded me of this verse from the New Testament.

John 8:32 (WEB)

32) You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

Lies try to bend and shape the truth into a new reality, something more palatable to those who don't like the face value of reality.  The truth is just that, the truth.  If you want truth that matters, listen to Jesus, otherwise believe what you want fibula's and all. 

10/29/10

Try me!

This little can seems to shout: Try me!  And to many out there I imagine the mere thought of bread in a can sounds crazy.  But, I have had this in the past and it IS A TREAT!!!  Sometimes the best things in life are a complete surprise, just as this bread was the first time I tried it.  Life has so many surprises in it that I can't even begin to make a list.  But, if I did, this little passage from the Psalms would be on it.  Read on to see what I mean.

Psalms 139:17-24 (WEB)
17) How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is their sum!
18) If I would count them, they are more in number than the sand. When I wake up, I am still with you.
19) If only you, God, would kill the wicked. Get away from me, you bloodthirsty men!
20) For they speak against you wickedly. Your enemies take your name in vain.
21) Yahweh, don’t I hate those who hate you? Am I not grieved with those who rise up against you?
22) I hate them with perfect hatred. They have become my enemies.
23) Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts.
24) See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.
(Psalms 139:17-24, WEB)

The Psalmist desires to know God and his thoughts and that is a wonderful thing; but to kill those he would classify as wicked?  Isn't hatred wrong?  Problem passage, perhaps?  But if God's word is truth (and of course it is) then the hearts of the misguided as well as those who are super-spiritual must be considered.  Whatever the condition of the speaker's heart, he felt it was right because he entreats God to "try me".  I like this passage because of its genuineness, its searching for God.  A person with a heart that really seeks after God will eventually turn from all hate and reach out to those who really need to seek after God.  I wish there were a lot more "try me's" in the world and a lot less hatred... we would all be better for it.

10/27/10

The intellgent among the intelligent

Not everyone is smart.  Most people are just "average"; whatever that means.  However, even the most average of the average have something above average about them.  Case in point is a young lady I know; she didn't do well in school (but did graduate high school) and if you talked to her, you went away with the impression that she was a bit of an "air head".  BUT, she could clean house better than anyone I have ever met and is a wonderful mother.  Today, with a world full of ladies who have other priorities than being a housewife, she is a shining star!!  Who says God doesn't know what he is doing?  Consider the following....

1 Corinthians 1:18-31 (WEB)

18) For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are saved it is the power of God.
19) For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, I will bring the discernment of the discerning to nothing.”
20) Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the lawyer of this world? Hasn’t God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21) For seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom didn’t know God, it was God’s good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save those who believe.
22) For Jews ask for signs, Greeks seek after wisdom,
23) but we preach Christ crucified; a stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Greeks,
24) but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
25) Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26) For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble;
27) but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong;
28) and God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are:
29) that no flesh should boast before God.
30) But of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:
31) that, according as it is written, “He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.”

People come up with all sorts of ideas, some good and others, well, junk.  No matter how smart you are and how confident you are right about everything, there will come a day when you will come face to face with your maker.  Then what?  Your intelligent design theories, your humanistic superiority and all the grandiose theoritical concepts you can muster will face one overwhelming fact; you are dead and have to answer for what you did in life.  Don't wait until its too late; do accept intelligent design, that is, God's design for your life.  You can read about it anytime... its in your BIBLE.

10/22/10

What will it do?

I wish I knew what kind of car this was because it is beautiful!!!  Very sleek and stylish and somehow I just know there is a very powerful motor under that hood.  I can imagine driving it very fast on a sea coast road with the hood down.  Too good to be true?  Maybe, but I guess I will never know (unless someone with very deep pockets just happens to feel generous).  How do you tell the great cars from the not-so-great?  One way is to drive them.  Christianity is like that too; its not just something that looks good, its something you do because its who you are.  Consider this passage from the book of Philippians. 

2 Timothy 4:1-5 (WEB)
1) I command you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom:
2) preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching.
3) For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts;
4) and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to fables.
5) But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry.
 (2 Timothy 4:1-5, WEB)

Timothy was not a charismatic person, he wasn't showy or powerful, but he was committed and Paul knew it.  Timothy just needed a little encouragement.  And it took!  Later in life Timothy became more and more outgoing and I was surprised to learn that he was killed while engaging in a march against idol worship.  He just didn't look the part, he lived it.  Perhaps that is a lesson we all could learn.  Its one thing to look attractive (like the car in the photo) and quite another to get busy and DO SOMETHING!  Although, I must confess, that somehow the phrase zoom, zoom keeps rattling around in my head.

10/16/10

Relax

My friend Bruce sent me this picture recently.  A very restful scene from Nova Scotia. I can almost imagine myself sitting in this gazebo whiling away the hours looking at all those beautiful flowers.  Nice place for a vacation; Bruce must have had a ball!!! Rest is a hard thing to come by because the reality of life is that we are all soooo busy that taking time to relax often just never gets on our agenda.  But spiritually, rest can be a reality....

Hebrews 4:1-11 (WEB)
1) Let us fear therefore, lest perhaps anyone of you should seem to have come short of a promise of entering into his rest.
2) For indeed we have had good news preached to us, even as they also did, but the word they heard didn’t profit them, because it wasn’t mixed with faith by those who heard.
3) For we who have believed do enter into that rest, even as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, they will not enter into my rest;” although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
4) For he has said this somewhere about the seventh day, “God rested on the seventh day from all his works;”
5) and in this place again, “They will not enter into my rest.”
6) Seeing therefore it remains that some should enter therein, and they to whom the good news was before preached failed to enter in because of disobedience,
7) he again defines a certain day, today, saying through David so long a time afterward (just as has been said), “Today if you will hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.”
8) For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterward of another day.
9) There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God.
10) For he who has entered into his rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from his.
11) Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience.
 (Hebrews 4:1-11, WEB)

Rules and regulations are hard work.  Imagine trying to keep 413 of them?  This was the problem faced by the faithful Jew and no matter how hard he worked... sooner or later, he did something wrong.  The good news is that Grace solves the problem.  Jesus as high priest of a new covenant has done the work, now its up to us to follow him and receive mercy when we make mistakes.  To me, that means a relaxation better than any time spent in any gazebo, anytime, anywhere.  Rest accompanied by love is the very best thing I can possibly imagine.

10/15/10

More than a nice paint job


Now, this is one cool paint job.  As soon as I saw it, I was reminded of a book I read last year called "His Majesty's dragon".  I enjoyed it so much, that I read all the books in the series.  The dragon in the book was an awesome creature named Temeraire who was so big he could eat an entire cow at one meal.  Its hard for me not to think of another dragon which is found in the Scriptures, one who was as evil as Temeraire was good. 

Revelation 12:7-9 (WEB)
7) There was war in the sky. Michael and his angels made war on the dragon. The dragon and his angels made war.
8) They didn’t prevail, neither was a place found for him any more in heaven.
9) The great dragon was thrown down, the old serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

The dragon described in the Scriptures was evil and lost.  He will always lose because evil is weaker than goodness.  I really like the photo though and will try to remember Temeraire and not Satan when I look at the picture in the future.  If you have some time, read "His majesty's dragon", I think you might enjoy it.

10/13/10

Luminaries

This picture brought back memories.  My wife and I were on the trip home to New Jersey and we had a stopover in Florida.  It was late and we couldn't sleep, so we took a walk on the beach.  Even though it was winter, yet the air felt like May and the cool breeze made the walk delightful.  More than all this, there was that MOON!  So big and beautiful it was overpowering.  How big an impression did all this make on me; judge for yourself, its been over a decade since that walk.  The thing is... Christians are to be like that moon: luminaries.  The God of heaven shines on our hearts and we are never quite the same.  Jesus put it this way:


Matthew 5:14-16 (WEB)
14) You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden.
15) Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house.
16) Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Nothing you probably haven't heard before, but the more God affects you, the more others can see HIM in you.  That is exactly as it should be.  Something to think about the next time you see a full moon.  And, of course a trip to Florida couldn't hurt either!

10/9/10

The right way is....

Confusing isn't it?  And right now we aren't even moving!!  When I first saw this picture, I couldn't help but think of all the political ads on TV.  Everyone seems to bash their opponent and then at the very end say how good they are.  Who is kidding who?  Why would any honest person spend millions to get a job that pays less than $100,000?  Frankly, I don't know of any good reason, except for blatant stupidity.  However, there is one person I know I would vote for because of his track record.

Isaiah 9:6-7 (WEB)
6) For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7) Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on the throne of David, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. The zeal of Yahweh of Armies will perform this.
 (Isaiah 9:6-7, WEB)

Jesus.  Why? Because his government is founded on justice and righteousness.  So, forget all those ads, vote every single incumbent out and think spiritually, you will be glad you did.  Personally, anyone running for office who does not have a high moral standard is someone I don't want in there.  Boy, am I glad for Jesus.  His sign is simple... I am the way, the truth and the life.  Forget all the other signs, you will get lost.

10/7/10

The rules

This picture adds another dimension to the excuse:"my dog ate my homework".  This xray might be real, but probably not.  However, whether real or manipulated, it does show the fact that things happen.  Problems occur and sometimes your homework does get lost, the keys misplaced, the check for the electric was never mailed or one of a thousand different problems just happen.  When problems occur, what do we do, how do we react?  Read on for an interesting little story...

Genesis 2:15-25 (WEB)

15) Yahweh God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
16) Yahweh God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat;
17) but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it; for in the day that you eat of it you will surely die.”
18) Yahweh God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.”
19) Out of the ground Yahweh God formed every animal of the field, and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. Whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name.
20) The man gave names to all livestock, and to the birds of the sky, and to every animal of the field; but for man there was not found a helper suitable for him.
21) Yahweh God caused a deep sleep to fall on the man, and he slept; and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place.
22) He made the rib, which Yahweh God had taken from the man, into a woman, and brought her to the man.
23) The man said, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh. She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken out of Man.”
24) Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and will join with his wife, and they will be one flesh.
25) They were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

Genesis 3:1-19 (WEB)

1) Now the serpent was more subtle than any animal of the field which Yahweh God had made. He said to the woman, “Has God really said, ‘You shall not eat of any tree of the garden?’”
2) The woman said to the serpent, “Of the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat,
3) but of the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’”
4) The serpent said to the woman, “You won’t surely die,
5) for God knows that in the day you eat it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
6) When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit, and ate; and she gave some to her husband with her, and he ate.
7) The eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked. They sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
8) They heard the voice of Yahweh God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of Yahweh God among the trees of the garden.
9) Yahweh God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?”
10) The man said, “I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.”
11) God said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”
12) The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.”
13) Yahweh God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
14) Yahweh God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, you are cursed above all livestock, and above every animal of the field. On your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life.
15) I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel.”
16) To the woman he said, “I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth. In pain you will bear children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”
17) To Adam he said, “Because you have listened to your wife’s voice, and have eaten of the tree, of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground for your sake. In toil you will eat of it all the days of your life.
18) It will yield thorns and thistles to you; and you will eat the herb of the field.
19) By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

God made man and his wife, gave them a nice place to live and rules.  You know, do this, don't do that.  Seems simple enough, but sometimes even simplicity can be twisted.  Which is exactly what Satan (the serpent) did.  Adam and Eve didn't obey the rules and paid for it and there you go, we have life as we know it today.  No, there wasn't a dog who ate their homework, but there was trickery, deception and outright lying.  Just think of what life could have been like if only they had obeyed the rules.  Probably a lot better that what we have today. 

10/5/10

Change



If nothing is written in stone, why write this in stone?  Emphasis, probably.  But the fact that writing something in stone signifies permanence and if change is an unchanging factor in life... then go ahead, write all you want.  Things WILL CHANGE!!!  The Bible talks about things written in stone and one of the passages I like is found in the book of second Corinthians.

2 Corinthians 3
1) Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as do some, letters of commendation to you or from you?
2) You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men;
3) being revealed that you are a letter of Christ, served by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tablets of stone, but in tablets that are hearts of flesh.
4) Such confidence we have through Christ toward God;
5) not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God;
6) who also made us sufficient as servants of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
7) But if the service of death, written engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly on the face of Moses for the glory of his face; which was passing away:
8) won’t service of the Spirit be with much more glory?
(2 Corinthians 3:1-8, WEB)

Obviously, there is a reference here to the Sinaic commandments (ten commandments) compared to the gift of the Spirit found under the NEW COVENANT.  The rules under the old covenant are inflexible, unchanging, but those under the new covenant are full of life.  I don't know about you, but I like the idea of vibrant, flexible, life giving rules.  While hard and fast, written in stone rules may appeal to some, still when problems occur, I like the idea that God can be flexible with me.  I hope that little idea NEVER CHANGES.

10/1/10

Good things in small packages

What makes people make Bibles like this, anyway?  They are so small there seems to be no practical value in them, but nonetheless, from time to time I continue to see things like this.  My best guess is that they are really just symbols (because the print is often too small to read without a powerful magnifier) and their real value is that they remind the owner of what they already know of the Bible.  So, the real importance of Bibles like this becomes a matter of faith.  That God can work though even such a small thing has a parallel in the Gospels and the passage I chose comes from the book of Mark.

Mark 4:26-32 (WEB)
26) He said, “The Kingdom of God is as if a man should cast seed on the earth,
27) and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, he doesn’t know how.
28) For the earth bears fruit: first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.
29) But when the fruit is ripe, immediately he puts forth the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
30) He said, “How will we liken the Kingdom of God? Or with what parable will we illustrate it?
31) It’s like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, though it is less than all the seeds that are on the earth,
32) yet when it is sown, grows up, and becomes greater than all the herbs, and puts out great branches, so that the birds of the sky can lodge under its shadow.”
 (Mark 4:26-32, WEB)

The Kingdom of God is a recurring theme in the Gospels.  I like to think of it a the reign or domain of God's power. The power of the kingdom is God's word and whether the word be large or extremely small, it is of great power.  When coupled with faith within the human heart it becomes a very great thing indeed.  So, its not the size of the seed (The Bible) that counts, but its power.   While the Bible in the picture is cute and quite intriguing, I still prefer to use one that has print big enough to read; I am just funny that way.

9/27/10

Invisible visibility

When I looked at the NASA website today, I was a bit surprised to see this picture.  This three band infared picture showed at band of Aurora Borealis at the bottom.  Frankly, even though I have been collecting pictures of the universe for a few years now, I never even thought of something like this.  Somehow, I had the impression that the Northern Lights occurred only on Earth.  Surprise!!!  Consider the following passage from the book of Hebrews and I think you will see how it relates to the picture.

Hebrews 11:3 (WEB)

3) By faith, we understand that the universe has been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen has not been made out of things which are visible.

We live in an age of science, where understanding everything seems inevitable.  Its just, that I have to ask the question: Do we even know what questions to ask?  If this Cassinni picture of Saturn is a surprise, then what other wonders await us?  And that is only in astronomy!  Consider all the new things that have come into being over the past 50 years: calculators, computers, DNA testing, envitro fertilation, stem cell research, to name just a few.  Its a brave new world out there, BUT, one created by God and NOT by man.  Faith is still an essential part of a healthy spiritual life and nothing can replace that.  Some may not agree with that statement, but they will, whether tomorrow, next year or perhaps in the next decade or so. Even those who look to science for the answer to EVERYTHING will be eventually be forced to look inward and upward; I know this because sooner or later we will all attend funerals, even if it is only our own.  Oh, I forgot to mention... these Northern lights are at the bottom.  What next?

9/25/10

What could be more beautiful?

The beauty of this picture caught my eye; something about the clouds, something soothing, something that said "home" to me.  Then, I asked myself; is it photo-shopped?  The answer was a resounding NO, because I obtained it from the NASA site.  Imagine, all these elements just happened at the same time by accident; I don't think so.  Then I remembered what an old friend of mine used to say: Gary, timing is EVERYTHING!!  And so it is!!!  If you do a little walk down memory lane, think of all the things that you did at the "right time" and the effect these had on your life, it will amaze you.  This little concept led me to the book of Galatians, where the apostle Paul writes..

Galatians 4:1-6 (WEB)
1) But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a bondservant, though he is lord of all;
2) but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed by the father.
3) So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental principles of the world.
4) But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law,
5) that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of children.

6) And because you are children, God sent out the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!”
 (Galatians 4:1-6, WEB)

It may have been just circumstance that led to the beautiful composition of the picture, but with God, nothing happens by accident.  He chose Jesus, and Jesus did what he had to do and the outcome of that has had consequences far beyond those of the century in which he was born.  What could be more beautiful than that?

9/22/10

The light, the light, its all about the light!

One beautiful picture! I especially like the reflections on the water which range from a yellow green (top right) to a light blue (bottom middle). I saw a movie last week based on the life of Thomas Kinkade (A Christmas Cottage) in which Thomas' mentor urges him to focus on "the light" in his paintings. Today, Thomas is known as the painter of light, so I guess he listened.
Sometimes, the indirect things of life bring in new meanings and depth of understanding, which of course made me think of John the Baptist. Here is an excerpt from one of my favorite chapters in the New Testament.

John 1:6-16 (WEB)
6) There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John.
7) The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him.
8) He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light.
9) The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.
10) He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world didn’t recognize him.
11) He came to his own, and those who were his own didn’t receive him.
12) But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name:
13) who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14) The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.
15) John testified about him. He cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.’”
16) From his fullness we all received grace upon grace.
(John 1:6-16, WEB)

John was an unusual character, something like Elijah of the Old Testament. He got through to many, many people and pointed them in the right direction (to Jesus). Like the shadows and highlights in the picture, he added color to the overall scene. Not a bad job for someone who ate Locusts and wild honey. It occured to me that we can be something like a Baptist ourselves, as long as we point people in the right direction. Just eat a little differently, that's all.

9/20/10

Golden

If this picture is manipulated, somebody really knows what they are doing because the shadows on the water look real to me. And its the shadows that make the picture because they are GOLD. If this picture is unaltered, the gold must be a reflection of a golden sunset. Gold has always fascinated me, not just because of its color, but due to the way it reflects light. Ask most people and they will tell you they like gold because of its beauty and ITS WORTH! However, gold is NOT the most important thing in life, because life itself is. Read on for more...

1 Peter 1:15-19 (WEB)
15) but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior;
16) because it is written, “You shall be holy; for I am holy.”
17) If you call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each man’s work, pass the time of your living as foreigners here in reverent fear:
18) knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers,
19) but with precious blood, as of a faultless and pure lamb, the blood of Christ;
(1 Peter 1:15-19, WEB)

We measure value in terms of longevity, for gold is worth more than straw and diamonds worth much more than lawnmower shavings. So, if this life is valuable, how much more will the life that is everlasting be worth? To obtain that which is eternal, a better, more valuable sacrifice is needed and The Christ of God has paid the bill for everyone. Every time I think of that, I feel like the richest man on Earth and a wave of joy overflows in my being. You know... I feel golden!!!

9/18/10

Plain and simple might cut it?

Interesting: a sign from God. Actually, there are billboards all over the country with messages like these. I first encountered them at cracker barrel. Some enterprising person had the idea of taking pieces of slate, painting them blue with a few clouds thrown in and putting a message from God on it. Bought several, keep them in my study and look at them every so often. I find its good for me and always puts me in a spiritual mood. But, what if God actually did give you a sign, would you listen or understand. He has and some will and some will not get it. Here is one.

John 2:13-22 (WEB)
13) The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
14) He found in the temple those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, and the changers of money sitting.
15) He made a whip of cords, and threw all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew their tables.
16) To those who sold the doves, he said, “Take these things out of here! Don’t make my Father’s house a marketplace!”
17) His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will eat me up.”
18) The Jews therefore answered him, “What sign do you show us, seeing that you do these things?”
19) Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
20) The Jews therefore said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple! Will you raise it up in three days?”
21) But he spoke of the temple of his body.
22) When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he said this, and they believed the Scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
(John 2:13-22, WEB)

For some, Jesus scourging the temple was quite a radical thing to do. So, the Jews questioned his authority (in the guise of sign-giving). Jesus pointed to his own temple resurrection but the Jews just didn't get it. I can't help but wonder if they ever could get it, even if Jesus spoke even more plainly. Maybe even as plain as putting his message in simple terms might have helped, I don't know. Perhaps a black and white sign might have worked.... naw!

9/17/10

The cake eaters

At first glance you see a spotted dog, but when you look at the shadow, the photoshop holes are obvious. No this isn't a holy dog and a spotted dog is what it is. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with a spotted dog, its just the shadow makes him to be something he may not be. Today, my wife and I watched a movie called "The cake eaters". When the credits came on, neither one of us could seem to relate the title to the content of the movie. Later, I came up with an answer; I still don't know if it was right, but it did make me think of the book of Jude.

Jude 1:1-25 (WEB)
1) Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ:
2) Mercy to you and peace and love be multiplied.
3) Beloved, while I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I was constrained to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
4) For there are certain men who crept in secretly, even those who were long ago written about for this condemnation: ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into indecency, and denying our only Master, God, and Lord, Jesus Christ.
5) Now I desire to remind you, though you already know this, that the Lord, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who didn’t believe.
6) Angels who didn’t keep their first domain, but deserted their own dwelling place, he has kept in everlasting bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day.
7) Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them, having, in the same way as these, given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire.
8) Yet in the same way, these also in their dreaming defile the flesh, despise authority, and slander celestial beings.
9) But Michael, the archangel, when contending with the devil and arguing about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him an abusive condemnation, but said, “May the Lord rebuke you!”
10) But these speak evil of whatever things they don’t know. What they understand naturally, like the creatures without reason, they are destroyed in these things.
11) Woe to them! For they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in Korah’s rebellion.
12) These are hidden rocky reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you, shepherds who without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn leaves without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
13) wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the blackness of darkness has been reserved forever.
14) About these also Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord came with ten thousands of his holy ones,
15) to execute judgment on all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their works of ungodliness which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the hard things which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”
16) These are murmurers and complainers, walking after their lusts (and their mouth speaks proud things), showing respect of persons to gain advantage.
17) But you, beloved, remember the words which have been spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.
18) They said to you that “In the last time there will be mockers, walking after their own ungodly lusts.”
19) These are they who cause divisions, and are sensual, not having the Spirit.
20) But you, beloved, keep building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.
21) Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.
22) On some have compassion, making a distinction,
23) and some save, snatching them out of the fire with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh.
24) Now to him who is able to keep them from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory in great joy,
25) to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.
(Jude 1:1-25, WEB)

Summarized, this chapter seems to say: There are people among you who are not what they seem to be, but you do what you can about the situation and leave the rest up to God. When I thought of the movie once again, I realized that the three interpersonal relationships in the plot all had one thing in common; they just did what they wanted, regardless of the cost to others. While their actions may seem enviable to some, sooner or later their life will be full of holes (I don't mean HOLY ones either) and their spotty character will be made manifest. Even though the movie didn't show the consequences of their actions, sooner or later God will judge us all, including them.