2/12/11

Up's and down's

Just a picture of a hand, but take a closer look at the palm!  It reminds me of the antics of the stock market.  Money is such a fleeting thing; one day you are fine and the next...broke!  Below is one of my favorite passages about money, but not just money...something else.

Mark 10:17-27 (WEB)


17) As he was going out into the way, one ran to him, knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”
18) Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except one—God.
19) You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not give false testimony,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and mother.’”
20) He said to him, “Teacher, I have observed all these things from my youth.”
21) Jesus looking at him loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross.”
22) But his face fell at that saying, and he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions.
23) Jesus looked around, and said to his disciples, “How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into the Kingdom of God!”
24) The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answered again, “Children, how hard is it for those who trust in riches to enter into the Kingdom of God!
25) 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.”
26) They were exceedingly astonished, saying to him, “Then who can be saved?”
27) Jesus, looking at them, said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God.”

You may have the world by the tale... you know... young, healthy, good looking and rich, but those things are fleeting.  The young man who came to Jesus must have been somebody very special because it says that Jesus loved him.  Quite a statement and not often found in the Scriptures.  Yet, this man did not really trust God, but rather his wealth.  Jesus says something very difficult in verse 25 and the disciples are taken aback!  Fortunately, Jesus, gives us all hope in that "all things are possible with God".  Even with this encouragement, it still makes me wonder about the relationship of money and heaven.  This much I know, God will be fair and my part is to try to be more spiritual and less worldly.

2/2/11

Wake up!!!

This picture reminded me of something I almost forgot; I am getting forgetful.  I had two items in my hand; applesauce for the refrigerator and Ramen soup for the cupboard.  When I went to place the Ramen soup in the cupboard, I looked and to my surprise, it was the applesauce.  I had placed the soup near the refrigerator instead of the applesauce!!!  For a split second, I felt so very stupid and so very old.  So, when I saw this picture I remembered I had to WAKE UP!!!  Solomon spoke of the problems of "old age" and you can understand quite a bit if you take the time to think about it.

Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 (WEB)
1) Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw near, when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them;”
2) Before the sun, the light, the moon, and the stars are darkened, and the clouds return after the rain;
3) in the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look out of the windows are darkened,
4) and the doors shall be shut in the street; when the sound of the grinding is low, and one shall rise up at the voice of a bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low;
5) yes, they shall be afraid of heights, and terrors will be in the way; and the almond tree shall blossom, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail; because man goes to his everlasting home, and the mourners go about the streets:
6) before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is broken at the spring, or the wheel broken at the cistern,
7) and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
8) “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher. “All is vanity!”

I called my younger brother (in upstate New York) today; we had a long chat and he related how he is organizing a class reunion for next year.  Which of course, made me think of my own High School Graduating Class!  Next year it will be 45 years and I hope they have a reunion!!!  It would be nice to see everyone one more time (you, know... before they die).  I will not put it off like I have in the past, because, who knows... I might not get another chance.  I guess the same holds true for remembering God.... better not forget, better not forget.... hummm... What was I trying to remember???  Wake up, Gary!!!!