8/30/11

More than kisses


Once in awhile I see the documentary that was made about Woodstock.  A few days ago it was on again and I did get to see the last part of it.  Santana was great as always, but I didn't get to see Joe Cocker.  His rendition of "With a little help from my friends" always brings back memories.  When I thought about it, I had to ask myself the question: "what makes a friend?".   Then I came across this passage from the book of Proverbs...

Proverbs 27:6 (WEB)
6) Faithful are the wounds of a friend; although the kisses of an enemy are profuse.

This verse ties right in with the picture, doesn't it.  Many people may be "nice" to you and perhaps some may be even "very" nice.  The true friend will tell you the truth, even if it risks their friendship.  And face it, truth really hurts sometimes.  I know Jesus is my friend because he is straightforward with me; he tells me I am his friend IF I do his commandments.  It may sometimes be difficult and painful to what he says, but ultimately, its always the best thing.  I really don't need kisses, but I REALLY DO need a true friend.  Good thing I have found one!!!

8/29/11

Rock on... carefully!!!

Most of my family lives in New Jersey, so hurricane Irene has occupied a lot of my thoughts for the past few days.  The constant TV coverage only made matters worse, but after all, that's what they do.  I don't think I was really worried, more like concerned.  Worry, doesn't become worry (with me anyway) until I start doing repetitive things, like walking back and forth just thinking about whatever is bothering me or sitting in my rocking chair doing nothing else but rocking and thinking.  Yet, that still could be concern and not worry.  The real thing comes when I find yourself doing a repetitive action and mulling over all the possible scenarios of what could happen.  Its a times like these when I go back to the words of Jesus.

Matthew 6:24-34 (WEB)
24) “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon.
25) Therefore, I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
26) See the birds of the sky, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you of much more value than they?
27) “Which of you, by being anxious, can add one moment to his lifespan?
28) Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they spin,
29) yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these.
30) But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won’t he much more clothe you, you of little faith?
31) “Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’
32) For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
33) But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.
34) Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient.

I really love what Jesus says here!!!  It puts things in perspective.  We all live and we all die, but what is really important lies beyond the mere concepts of life and death, its about your relationship with God.  If I really believe that God is who HE is, then I should KNOW that HE will care for me because of my relationship to HIM.  That changes things!!!  Things will work themselves out because GOD is working through my life, changing the world through me and also for me.  I will survive as long as HE sees fit to have me here, so there is nothing to really WORRY about because in life and death HE is in control.  I heard a sermon yesterday about contentment that also seems to be right to the point.  Here is the text.

1 Timothy 6:6-10 (WEB)
6) But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7) For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out.
8) But having food and clothing, we will be content with that.
9) But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction.
10) For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Perhaps I will take some time today, turn off the TV and just think about both passages.   The stock market may go up or down, storms may come or go, but life goes on.  Jesus lives forever!!!

8/27/11

Next...?


OK, I know this can't be real; after all, I now live in Florida and NOT New Jersey!!!  But even in Florida customer service can be pretty rough.  There have been a few times that I would really like to forget and one or two stores I will never do business with again, no matter WHAT!!!  Why, because they had their rules and would not listen; it didn't matter if I had a reasonable request, after all... the rules are the rules.  I am glad God isn't like that aren't you?  Here is a good example...

Job 42:1-8 (WEB)
1) Then Job answered Yahweh,
2) “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be restrained.
3) You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’ therefore I have uttered that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I didn’t know.
4) You said, ‘Listen, now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you will answer me.’
5) I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you.
6) Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”
7) It was so, that after Yahweh had spoken these words to Job, Yahweh said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you, and against your two friends; for you have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job has.
8) Now therefore, take to yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept him, that I not deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job has.”

Job was in the middle of a heavenly conflict between God and Satan and suffered for it.  He lost family, friends, health and even the confidence of his own wife.   He was as down and out as a man could get, except that he still continued to seek after God.  If anyone ever had a reason to complain about God, Job was the man.  Finally, he realized that it didn't matter why things happened the way they did; God was God and he was a mere man.  His admission of submission and repentance was both appropriate and just what was needed.  God forgave Job and praised him twice!!!  God listens and cares.  We need to submit and accept the sovereignty of God (HIS rule).  I know, its easy to say this and its hard to do...but God looks at our hearts and knows what is best for us.  There are no surprises with God; HE is straightforward and true.  His ways won't blow up in our face like the customer service grenade in the picture.  He really, really cares!!!  Nice thought for a Saturday morning!!! 

8/26/11

Golden slippers


Normally, ladies shoes are very, very low on my list of priorities.  But, when I looked at these, a verse from some forgotten hymn came back to me: "Oh, dem golden slippers, Oh, dem golden slippers, golden slippers to walk those streets of gold".  You guessed it; I thought of heaven.  And, here is the chapter I thought of...

World English Bible: Revelation of John Chapter 21

[1] I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth have passed away, and the sea is no more. [2] I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. [3] I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with people, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. [4] He will wipe away from them every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away.”
[5] He who sits on the throne said, "“Behold, I am making all things new.”" He said, "“Write, for these words of God are faithful and true.”" [6] He said to me, "“It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give freely to him who is thirsty from the spring of the water of life. [7] He who overcomes, I will give him these things. I will be his God, and he will be my son. [8] But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”"
[9] One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, who were loaded with the seven last plagues came, and he spoke with me, saying, “Come here. I will show you the wife, the Lamb’s bride.” [10] He carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, [11] having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, as if it were a jasper stone, clear as crystal; [12] having a great and high wall; having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. [13] On the east were three gates; and on the north three gates; and on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. [14] The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb. [15] He who spoke with me had for a measure, a golden reed, to measure the city, its gates, and its walls. [16] The city lies foursquare, and its length is as great as its breadth. He measured the city with the reed, Twelve thousand twelve stadia. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. [17] Its wall is one hundred forty-four cubits, by the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. [18] The construction of its wall was jasper. The city was pure gold, like pure glass. [19] The foundations of the city’s wall were adorned with all kinds of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; [20] the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprasus; the eleventh, jacinth; and the twelfth, amethyst. [21] The twelve gates were twelve pearls. Each one of the gates was made of one pearl. The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. [22] I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God, the Almighty, and the Lamb, are its temple. [23] The city has no need for the sun, neither of the moon, to shine, for the very glory of God illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb. [24] The nations will walk in its light. The kings of the earth bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. [25] Its gates will in no way be shut by day (for there will be no night there), [26] and they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it so that they may enter. [27] There will in no way enter into it anything profane, or one who causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

It must be a sight to see; more beautiful than mere words could describe.  Imagine, waiting your entire life and then seeing HEAVEN!!!  Beauty, harmony, peace and fellowship with God after a manner that is almost beyond comprehension.  The book of Revelation is a wonderful way to end the Bible because, after all, doesn't everyone like a happy ending?  Personally, I don't care what kind of shoes I wear, as long as I am dressed in a robe of white purity.  Shoes are optional!!!

8/25/11

A shack without windows


If you have been watching the news lately and a lot has been happening.  And its NOT good!!!  The economy has tanked, the job market is WAY DOWN and now our leadership is talking about yet another bailout for the housing industry.  I wonder where it will end???  Is it REALLY POSSIBLE that America is doomed???  But wait, did you have breakfast today, did you have a place to sleep last night, did you have clean clothes to wear or a TV or radio to entertain you?  The vast majority of us have things like these and more.  I remember growing up with very, very little... but it seemed normal.  Oh, there were things I wanted, but the things I really needed; all of them were there.  The question naturally arises..."then, what do I really need?"  This familiar passage from the book of Philippians comes to mind.

Philippians 4:8-20 (WEB)
8) Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things.
9) The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
10) But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length you have revived your thought for me; in which you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity.
11) Not that I speak in respect to lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it.
12) I know how to be humbled, and I know also how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need.
13) I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
14) However you did well that you shared in my affliction.
15) You yourselves also know, you Philippians, that in the beginning of the Good News, when I departed from Macedonia, no assembly shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you only.
16) For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my need.
17) Not that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account.
18) But I have all things, and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God.
19) My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
20) Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever! Amen.

We need the necessities of life to be sure, but what about other people?  We really need people to care about us, to love us.  Most of all, we need GOD!!!  America is facing difficult times; this is an undeniable FACT.  But what is lacking the most is that people are NOT SEEKING GOD.  With God you will always have someone who cares, who always seeks your good, you guides and protects you.  In short, who gives you what you really need.  Even if it is only a shack without windows, if the inhabitants love God; they will be loved and blessed abundantly.  And the realization of this starts just the way the Philippian passage does... with your thinking.  So, consider what is really necessary in your life and be happy!!!  Think about it and I am sure your day will be a great one, no matter how many possessions you are blessed with.

8/24/11

"X" marks the spot


Is it just me, or does this seem stupid?  If you can't see this huge windmill, then why put up a small sign?  Just doesn't seem to make sense to me at all!!!  But, in another way it does, because people see exactly what they want to see and nothing more.  Consider Paul's letter to Titus for a moment...

WEB: Titus Chapter 1
[15] To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.

One more time... we see what we want and nothing more.  Somehow, the species called Homo Sapiens finds a way to justify its thinking.  Don't think so, then, I wonder why someone coined the phrase "the end justifies the means"?  We can look at life anyway we want; we have a choice.  Remember; is the glass half full or is it half empty?  We can choose to pursue purity or impurity and once we do, somehow we will see goodness or evil in the world around us.  Seeking God (the author of purity) makes us see those things wrong with us and want to become better.  If we make the choice to do whatever WE WANT, then we become the focal point and we can do NO WRONG, whatever we decide to do.  Humm, somehow the end justifies the means comes to mind (again).  That's it, precisely. Home plate, X marks the spot.  Anything more is just encouragement to make the right choice, but then again...I too have my mind made up.  Can you guess where my "X" is?

8/22/11

Light and dark


If you have known anyone who fits into this category, you can immediately put a name with with this picture.  I have known several.  No point in mentioning names; they know who they are.  But, how do we know them?  By a contrast with those who really are, of course. Its easy to spot both categories, just compare them against their portrayal in the Scriptures.

Proverbs 12:15-23 (WEB)
15) The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who is wise listens to counsel.
16) A fool shows his annoyance the same day, but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.
17) He who is truthful testifies honestly, but a false witness lies.
18) There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise heals.
19) Truth’s lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only momentary.
20) Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil, but joy comes to the promoters of peace.
21) No mischief shall happen to the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil.
22) Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh, but those who do the truth are his delight.
23) A prudent man keeps his knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.

Psalms 14:1 (WEB)
1) For the Chief Musician. By David. The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt. They have done abominable works. There is none who does good.

Proverbs 1:7 (WEB)
7) The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

Luke 12:16-21 (WEB)
16) He spoke a parable to them, saying, “The ground of a certain rich man brought forth abundantly.
17) He reasoned within himself, saying, ‘What will I do, because I don’t have room to store my crops?’
18) He said, ‘This is what I will do. I will pull down my barns, and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.
19) I will tell my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.”’
20) “But God said to him, ‘You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared—whose will they be?’
21) So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

You can tell a lot about people by the way they talk, because when they speak you have an idea what is in their heart.  A heart dedicated to God will be obvious and the reverse is also true.  With God comes goodness and the wisdom of heaven, without the almighty, evil reigns.  Want to be full of light, seek God.  Otherwise, your life will be dark.  Don't wait, lay up treasure towards God right now (while you still have time).  Its the bright thing to do!!!

8/21/11

When a square is a circle, life gets confusing


Frankly, I couldn't have said it better myself!!!  If you look at the circles long enough, it is unpleasant to say the least.  I guess its the fact that the circles are made up of alternating light and dark squares that is the culprit, but I am sure that an a optometrist could give a better explanation.  Actually, this does bring to mind a passage of scripture that sounds confusing.  Here it is; decide for yourself.

Romans 7:1-25 (WEB)
1) Or don’t you know, brothers (for I speak to men who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man for as long as he lives?
2) For the woman that has a husband is bound by law to the husband while he lives, but if the husband dies, she is discharged from the law of the husband.
3) So then if, while the husband lives, she is joined to another man, she would be called an adulteress. But if the husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is no adulteress, though she is joined to another man.
4) Therefore, my brothers, you also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you would be joined to another, to him who was raised from the dead, that we might bring forth fruit to God.
5) For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were through the law, worked in our members to bring forth fruit to death.
6) But now we have been discharged from the law, having died to that in which we were held; so that we serve in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of the letter.
7) What shall we say then? Is the law sin? May it never be! However, I wouldn’t have known sin, except through the law. For I wouldn’t have known coveting, unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.”
8) But sin, finding occasion through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of coveting. For apart from the law, sin is dead.
9) I was alive apart from the law once, but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
10) The commandment, which was for life, this I found to be for death;
11) for sin, finding occasion through the commandment, deceived me, and through it killed me.
12) Therefore the law indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good.
13) Did then that which is good become death to me? May it never be! But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, by working death to me through that which is good; that through the commandment sin might become exceeding sinful.
14) For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold under sin.
15) For I don’t know what I am doing. For I don’t practice what I desire to do; but what I hate, that I do.
16) But if what I don’t desire, that I do, I consent to the law that it is good.
17) So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me.
18) For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don’t find it doing that which is good.
19) For the good which I desire, I don’t do; but the evil which I don’t desire, that I practice.
20) But if what I don’t desire, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me.
21) I find then the law, that, to me, while I desire to do good, evil is present.
22) For I delight in God’s law after the inward man,
23) but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members.
24) What a wretched man I am! Who will deliver me out of the body of this death?
25) I thank God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! So then with the mind, I myself serve God’s law, but with the flesh, the sin’s law.

Is Paul's conflict before or after his conversion?  Good question; I have heard arguments both ways and have changed my mind a couple of times.  Finally, I think Paul is remembering his struggle with sin under the law and is rejoicing that Christ has delivered him from his dilemma.  Read the passage again and make up your own mind.  It wasn't easy for me and I felt a little like the picture the first time or two I read it.  A couple of things are very certain though, first, that Paul's mental processes can be very deep at times and second, that through Christ we have hope. 

8/19/11

Which way will YOU go?


A bridge is: enter on one side of the river and exit on another.  Perhaps not?  This unusual bridge gives you a choice of directions.  As I look a little closer, it seems that there is only one way traffic and that could be a problem, but this looks like a rural area, so maybe not.  A bridge with a choice; now there is something interesting!!!  Our lives are like that at times too!!!  We make big decisions, like, who do I marry or what sort of work do I do in this life or what college should I attend.  Israel was brought out of Egypt by God and they had a choice to make too...

Deuteronomy 7:7-26 (WEB)
7) Yahweh didn’t set his love on you, nor choose you, because you were more in number than any people; for you were the fewest of all peoples:
8) but because Yahweh loves you, and because he would keep the oath which he swore to your fathers, has Yahweh brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
9) Know therefore that Yahweh your God, he is God, the faithful God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with them who love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations,
10) and repays those who hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him who hates him, he will repay him to his face.
11) You shall therefore keep the commandment, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which I command you this day, to do them.
12) It shall happen, because you listen to these ordinances, and keep and do them, that Yahweh your God will keep with you the covenant and the loving kindness which he swore to your fathers:
13) and he will love you, and bless you, and multiply you; he will also bless the fruit of your body and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your new wine and your oil, the increase of your livestock and the young of your flock, in the land which he swore to your fathers to give you.
14) You shall be blessed above all peoples: there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your livestock.
15) Yahweh will take away from you all sickness; and none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which you know, he will put on you, but will lay them on all those who hate you.
16) You shall consume all the peoples whom Yahweh your God shall deliver to you; your eye shall not pity them: neither shall you serve their gods; for that will be a snare to you.
17) If you shall say in your heart, “These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them?”
18) you shall not be afraid of them: you shall well remember what Yahweh your God did to Pharaoh, and to all Egypt;
19) the great trials which your eyes saw, and the signs, and the wonders, and the mighty hand, and the outstretched arm, by which Yahweh your God brought you out: so shall Yahweh your God do to all the peoples of whom you are afraid.
20) Moreover Yahweh your God will send the hornet among them, until those who are left, and hide themselves, perish from before you.
21) You shall not be scared of them; for Yahweh your God is in the midst of you, a great and awesome God.
22) Yahweh your God will cast out those nations before you by little and little: you may not consume them at once, lest the animals of the field increase on you.
23) But Yahweh your God will deliver them up before you, and will confuse them with a great confusion, until they be destroyed.
24) He will deliver their kings into your hand, and you shall make their name to perish from under the sky: no man shall be able to stand before you, until you have destroyed them.
25) You shall burn the engraved images of their gods with fire. You shall not covet the silver or the gold that is on them, nor take it for yourself, lest you be snared in it; for it is an abomination to Yahweh your God.
26) You shall not bring an abomination into your house, and become a devoted thing like it. You shall utterly detest it, and you shall utterly abhor it; for it is a devoted thing.

Should I follow God or not?  What's in it for me?  These are the sort of questions they must have been asking themselves.  We have choices to make today too, like... will I follow God if everyone around me does not, or am I willing to suffer for what I believe in?  Answer carefully!  I can only tell you that God has helped me again and again.  That is fact, with absolutely no spin on it at all.  Years ago I worked for a chemical company in New Jersey; one of the analytical lab people said to me:  Gary, it seems like all that have opposed you over the past 15 years are no longer a problem.  How do you do it?  The answer is:  I didn't do a thing, God did.  God keeps his promises and when you come to choice on your own personal bridge, choose God...you won't be sorry!!!

8/18/11

Beauty beyond beauty



I have put many rainbows on the blog, but this is one of the most unusual.  Its almost hidden, but not really.  Strange, but in its own way its quite beautiful.  How much of life is like that; we know so much, yet there is even more out there to know.  Beyond that, there is more that we will never know and still more we can't know.  Which leads me to this passage...

Revelation 10:1-4 (WEB)
1) I saw a mighty angel coming down out of the sky, clothed with a cloud. A rainbow was on his head. His face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire.
2) He had in his hand a little open book. He set his right foot on the sea, and his left on the land.
3) He cried with a loud voice, as a lion roars. When he cried, the seven thunders uttered their voices.
4) When the seven thunders sounded, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from the sky saying, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders said, and don’t write them.”

Some things are learned only with great difficulty and others are beyond us.  I follow the Christian faith based on the historical FACTS!!!  But, beyond the facts, there are things I must accept through faith.  It is humbling, but truthful, that I can't know everything.  Maybe that's a good thing, maybe not... I really don't know.  Who is the mighty angel of this passage in Revelation?  If we accept "angel" as messenger... perhaps it could be Jesus (take another look at chapter one of this book)??? Good question, and if anyone wants to comment about it... go for it!!! This does teach that some things are hidden from us and the beauty of it is in its mystery.  Now, take another look at the picture of the rainbow and tell me you don't see hidden beauty there... you just have to look closely with both your head AND YOUR HEART!!!

8/16/11

The clock on the wall or the one in my head


Being retired is different from working.  During my working years, everything was filled with discrete deadlines.  There was an exact TIME to get up, (alarm clock) a time to listen to the news, (on the hour, via my car radio) a time to start work, (a punch in clock) and a time to go home, (the mill whistle).  Oh, sometimes a random clock would go off, (one of the babies would need changing) but most of the time life was one alarm after another, day after day after day.  After awhile, life became a machine existence.  But, now things are different!  I still have things that need to be done, but they are more generic, like I need to eat or sleep... things like that.  If you live, time is important to you and here is why...

Colossians 4:2-6 (WEB)
2) Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving;
3) praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds;
4) that I may reveal it as I ought to speak.
5) Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
6) Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

We only have so much time and whether retired or not and need to realize that no matter what your goals are, God's are bigger.  We have a responsibility to reach out to others when they are receptive, when they have time, when the time seems appropriate.  And do it carefully.  So, no matter what is on your agenda today and no matter how specific your deadlines, remember God first through prayer and always be ready to insert time for reaching out to others; you may only get ONE chance.  Lets just hope their clock and yours can mesh.  By the way, check out the interesting combinations of the hour and minute hands on the picture above... hummmm!!!  I just wish I knew what 7pm meant.

8/15/11

Plan "B"


Remember these tests from school?  Have you ever known anyone who tried doing what this "student" did?  I have, and I wish I didn't; he became a relative and the stupidity didn't end there, it continued his entire life.  Ugh!  To me, the stupidity was not that the person who took the test above didn't know the answers, it was that they tried to bluff their way through.  You can't beat genuineness.  Here is a prime example...


Acts 19:11-20 (WEB)
11) God worked special miracles by the hands of Paul,
12) so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his body to the sick, and the evil spirits went out.
13) But some of the itinerant Jews, exorcists, took on themselves to invoke over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, “We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.”
14) There were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did this.
15) The evil spirit answered, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?”
16) The man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
17) This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived at Ephesus. Fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
18) Many also of those who had believed came, confessing, and declaring their deeds.
19) Many of those who practiced magical arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. They counted their price, and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver.
20) So the word of the Lord was growing and becoming mighty.

Paul was sent by God; he didn't want to be, he just was.  And God used him in ways he would have never understood before being confronted by the risen Christ.  The Jews in this episode tried to be something they were not and paid for it with hurt and humiliation.  Ultimately, God used even their stupidity to change the world.  How ironic!  Old is old and new is different.  Every day we are tested in regard to how we think, act and feel.  Consider what you do; eventually God will grade us all.  If your life isn't working try plan "B" (for Bible), you might get a better grade when your test in this world is over. 

8/14/11

Not me...?


Cynicism, apathy, aloofness, disinterest; they all come from a "hooray for me and who cares about you" attitude.  We see so much that is wrong in the world, and the things we really care about, all seemed tainted by corruption.  Although I wasn't a fan, I was so sorry to see the fall of Jimmy Swaggart, the evangelist.  Somehow, it put a shadow over all who genuinely try to proclaim the Word of God.  Yet, we can't let the failure of others discourage us from doing right and we SHOULD do right regardless of what others do.  Listen to the words of JESUS...

Matthew 5:38-48 (WEB)
38) “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’
39) But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40) If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also.
41) Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
42) Give to him who asks you, and don’t turn away him who desires to borrow from you.
43) “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.’
44) But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,
45) that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.
46) For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?
47) If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?
48) Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Don't be distracted from what Jesus teaches; instead, listen and practice what he says.  Its tough to actually DO what he teaches, but if there is any fault, it is in OR ability to exercise self-control, REGARDLESS of the situation.  Ideals are goals.  We are imperfect human beings; we actually do make mistakes and if WE DO, IT MAKES SENSE THAT OTHERS WILL AS WELL.  So, be patient with yourself and with others.  Care about others, love them, and never allow cynicism to enter your life; it just makes you a small person.  By the way, the person the above graphic refers to is someone who takes "notes" because they want to remember the faults of others. By doing so, their own "standards of personal conduct" can be lowered to the level of caring that they can feel comfortable with.  Be better than that!!!  You just might help someone else really care and they might change the world!!!!!!!


8/13/11

What's in your wallet?


The good news is: lately things have been a little better for me as far as finances go.  The bad news is: the stock market has gone a little crazy and one look at my 401K is enough to make me sick.  Then I saw this little jewel.  At first I was a little envious; after all, WHO wouldn't want to have an available balance with that many numbers?  Then, I thought: This is probably just an error?  But, look at the location.  People who can afford to live in the Hampton's could possibly have this amount of cash.  However, after thinking about it, I decided that this person is not the brightest light bulb in the pack for a couple of reasons.  Number 1: Having $99 million in a bank goes WAY over the amount insured by the FDIC.  Second: Paying $2.75 just to get your own money shows a certain foolishness.  All things considered, this verse from the book of Proverbs applies.

Proverbs 17:16 (WEB)
16) Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, since he has no understanding?

Very good question!!!  I don't know the answer, but perhaps it is allowed just to make me think of the futility of having money in the first place.  Now, what I mean by this is having WAY TO MUCH MONEY!!!  We all need enough to get buy, but having millions upon millions is a hole with no bottom, as you will soon find out that you will never get enough (no matter how much you eventually accumulate).  Still, after saying all this, one thing comes to mind: "What's in your wallet"?  Who says TV commercials don't work?

8/12/11

I see you, but how do you see me?

Caricatures are interesting since they are not meant to be an exact copy of the person, but merely represent someone as the artist sees them.  Usually, one or more aspects of the person are emphasized, while others are reduced or ignored.  Notice the glasses and the teeth are bigger and the body is smaller.  I wonder what the artist is REALLY trying to say about this person.  Only thing that comes to mind is NERD, but please don't hold me to that one.  What do we really know about others, anyway?  It takes years to really get to know someone and even then you can't be absolutely sure what they are like.  But God knows; HE goes beyond the outward appearance and looks right into the heart.  HE KNOWS YOU!!!  Take this episode from the book of John for example.

John 4:3-29 (WEB)
3) he left Judea, and departed into Galilee.
4) He needed to pass through Samaria.
5) So he came to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son, Joseph.
6) Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being tired from his journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.
7) A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.”
8) For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.
9) The Samaritan woman therefore said to him, “How is it that you, being a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)
10) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”
11) The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. From where then have you that living water?
12) Are you greater than our father, Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself, as did his children, and his livestock?”
13) Jesus answered her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again,
14) but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst again; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”
15) The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I don’t get thirsty, neither come all the way here to draw.”
16) Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.”
17) The woman answered, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You said well, ‘I have no husband,’
18) for you have had five husbands; and he whom you now have is not your husband. This you have said truly.”
19) The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.
20) Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.”
21) Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour comes, when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, will you worship the Father.
22) You worship that which you don’t know. We worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews.
23) But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to be his worshippers.
24) God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
25) The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah comes,” (he who is called Christ). “When he has come, he will declare to us all things.”
26) Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one who speaks to you.”
27) At this, his disciples came. They marveled that he was speaking with a woman; yet no one said, “What are you looking for?” or, “Why do you speak with her?”
28) So the woman left her water pot, and went away into the city, and said to the people,
29) “Come, see a man who told me everything that I did. Can this be the Christ?”

The next time you meet someone who seems socially unacceptable, consider this passage.  Jesus has a conversation with a Samaritan (and Jews normally didn't do this) who just also happened to be female (once again, males didn't normally do this in private).  He knows her and everything about her.  Her interest is aroused and she tries to persuade others as well.  Humm, I wonder why?  I think its because she knew Jesus cared about her and she could see he was someone very, very special.  What a blessing it is for someone to really know you and like you anyway!!! Jesus didn't have a distorted view of her and because of this, HE could lead her towards a proper relationship with God.  Good example, good practice and a wonderful way to think.  Know people and do good to them anyway; can you imagine what the world would be like if we actually did this?  Not a bad idea!!! Can't wait for it to happen...

8/10/11

A dog's gotta do what a dog's gotta do (or does he ?)


One of my granddaughters came over for a visit today and this picture reminded me of that visit.  She is absolutely mad about her dog Hercules (Herkuuleesss, her pronunciation) and it is a rare occasion that she doesn't mention him.  The photographer must feel the same way, or this picture wouldn't have been taken.  But, I wonder... why do dogs love to do this so much?  Since they can't talk, I guess I will never know, but my best guess is that they feel they have to do it!!!  Some people are like that too; they feel drawn to something that they simply have to do; whether or not it is right.  Judah (the southern nation) became like that and their spiritual adultery against the God who brought them out of Egypt had reached a terrible state.  Here is how God put it, through the prophet Jeremiah.

WEB: Jeremiah Chapter 13
[15] Hear, and give ear; don’t be proud; for Yahweh has spoken. [16] Give glory to Yahweh your God, before he causes darkness, and before your feet stumble on the dark mountains, and, while you look for light, he turns it into the shadow of death, and makes it gross darkness. [17] But if you will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret for your pride; and my eye shall weep bitterly, and run down with tears, because Yahweh’s flock is taken captive. [18] Say to the king and to the queen mother, Humble yourselves, sit down; for your headdresses have come down, even the crown of your glory. [19] The cities of the South are shut up, and there is none to open them: Judah is carried away captive, all of it; it is wholly carried away captive. [20] Lift up your eyes, and see those who come from the north: where is the flock that was given you, your beautiful flock? [21] What will you say, when he shall set over you as head those whom you have yourself taught to be friends to you? shall not sorrows take hold of you, as of a woman in travail? [22] If you say in your heart, Why are these things come on me? for the greatness of your iniquity are your skirts uncovered, and your heels suffer violence. [23] Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may you also do good, who are accustomed to do evil. [24] Therefore will I scatter them, as the stubble that passes away, by the wind of the wilderness. [25] This is your lot, the portion measured to you from me, says Yahweh; because you have forgotten me, and trusted in falsehood. [26] Therefore will I also uncover your skirts on your face, and your shame shall appear. [27] I have seen your abominations, even your adulteries, and your neighing, the lewdness of your prostitution, on the hills in the field. Woe to you, Jerusalem! You will not be made clean; how long shall it yet be?

Destruction, judgment and disaster beyond anything they could think or imagine was about to happen.  Why? Because Judah loved sin and would not (and simply could no longer) stop their evil ways.  All this makes me think of the current condition of government in our country.  Both political sides have become so polarized that compromise has become impossible and this nation will suffer as a result.  Its not only the government; its also the lack of morality of the people themselves.  Consider how the family has disintegrated over the past few decades and a prime example of this is huge number of children born into one parent homes.  A life without God was about to destroy Judah and could the United States of America be any different?  Have we gone so far from the Almighty that we can't change?  For all our sakes, I hope not!!!  People have the capacity to change, but what remains to be seen is if they have the will...

8/9/11

Need Help???


Looking for help?  You are looking in the right direction!  God will help, if you will seek him.  He is a very present help in times of trouble.  Stephen knew this and he looked up when he was faced with adversity.

Acts 7:44-56 (WEB)
44) “Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, even as he who spoke to Moses commanded him to make it according to the pattern that he had seen;
45) which also our fathers, in their turn, brought in with Joshua when they entered into the possession of the nations, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers, to the days of David,
46) who found favor in the sight of God, and asked to find a habitation for the God of Jacob.
47) But Solomon built him a house.
48) However, the Most High doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says,
49) ‘heaven is my throne, and the earth a footstool for my feet. What kind of house will you build me?’ says the Lord; ‘or what is the place of my rest?
50) Didn’t my hand make all these things?’
51) “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit! As your fathers did, so you do.
52) Which of the prophets didn’t your fathers persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, of whom you have now become betrayers and murderers.
53) You received the law as it was ordained by angels, and didn’t keep it!”
54) Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.
55) But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
56) and said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
When I saw the president on TV yesterday, it occurred to me that he didn't have a plan to address yet another crisis; he just wanted to talk.  I thought how powerless he looked and realized he was very alone.  When I saw this picture, it occurred to me that he just needs to look to God for help and then DO SOMETHING!!! 

8/8/11

A single way?


As you may have guessed, I enjoy working with computers (most of the time).  I have seen IBM PC, XT, AT, 286, 386, 486, and now I5 systems (I think they now have I7 and higher as well).  Software has changed too; remember starting up your computer and then 5 to 10 minutes later being greeted with nothing but a flashing place marker.  Today, I not only run Windows 7, but am learning Linux Ubuntu as well (and love it). I can only imagine what the next decade (or hopefully, several decades) will bring.  But whatever the future may hold, I am sure I will be learning something new and exciting; but, I have to be willing to learn.  Isn't that what life is all about...learning.  But, its the things you learn that are important and that depends on who you listen to.  Here is someone we all should listen to; and with very good reason.... your life depends upon it...
 
Mark 9:2-7 (WEB)
2) After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John, and brought them up onto a high mountain privately by themselves, and he was changed into another form in front of them.
3) His clothing became glistening, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.
4) Elijah and Moses appeared to them, and they were talking with Jesus.
5) Peter answered Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let’s make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
6) For he didn’t know what to say, for they were very afraid.
7) A cloud came, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”

Religiously, you are who you will obey.  If its your own will, you are a humanist or an atheist or an agnostic.  If its the Pope, you are Catholic and so on.  We all have to decide what our standard is for the hope of eternal life.  Personally, give me Jesus... every time.  Open the Bible, reproduce what you find in the New Testament and have a good day and an even better afterlife.  Each and every day we have a decision to make... will I faithfully follow Jesus or go some other way?  Good question and for me a simple choice.  How about you?

8/7/11

A hole in the sky???


Look, the sky has a hole in it!!!  Maybe its a pathway to heaven; maybe not, but whatever it is, its an uncommon sight to be sure!!!  Why think about heaven?  Well, why not?  There has to be something better than this world.  And the ways things have been going this world just seems to be getting worse and worse.  Ask yourself, how many wars, how many economic downturns, how much political intrigue and corruption can there be?  Sooner or later, western civilization as we know it seems doomed.  There is in fact something better, something awaiting us that will be truly magnificent.  And this is how I know...

WEB: John Chapter 14

[1] "“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me. [2] In my Father’s house are many homes. If it weren’t so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. [3] If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also. [4] Where I go, you know, and you know the way.”"

[5] Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?”

[6] Jesus said to him, "“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.

The way to heaven isn't through some hole in the sky, its through Jesus.  Recently, its become fashionable to bash Christianity, to degrade and attempt to restrict the influence of Jesus of Nazareth.  Stupidity, because why would someone want to malign someone who has done something wonderful for you?  Jesus has shown us the way to paradise and whoever is foolish enough to ignore it will really be missing out on something very special.  But, people will always do things that aren't good for them and I sincerely hope that you do not fall into that category.  Until the time comes for my entry into heaven, I will keep looking up at the sky and wonder what is really beyond that hole, but whatever it is I know it will be HOLY, because Jesus is there and that is where I want to be.  How about you???

8/6/11

Sittin' on top of the world


Its funny how the mind works because as I looked at this picture, all I could think about was the old Al Jolson song "sitting on top of the world".  OK, I know that dates me, but one of the best gifts my grandmother gave me was a collection of his records.  I remember how I used to play them on an old Victrola wind up record player.  Somehow, she always seemed nearby when I played them.  Questions:  What makes you happy; what makes you feel like the bear in the picture?  As usual, I am drawn to the following verses...

WEB: Matthew Chapter 5

[1] Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him. [2] He opened his mouth and taught them, saying,

[3] "“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

[4] Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

[5] Blessed are the gentle,
for they shall inherit the earth.

[6] Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness,
for they shall be filled.

[7] Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

[8] Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they shall see God.

[9] Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.

[10] Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

[11] “Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. [12] Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Perhaps this is not the first thing you think of, but it works for me!!!  Maybe understanding the word blessed will help.  I like the this was of translating it: OH, the blessed state of the man (with God)... that...  Face it, sometimes your best friends will let you down, your spouse will yell at you, your family will laugh at you and your kids will do something that will absolutely drive you up the wall.  God doesn't do that; HE is always there, never, ever acts unpredictably and always loves you.  HE just keeps on loving you, even when you do wrong and always forgives... always.  There really is nothing in this world you can depend on BUT God and if that doesn't make you happy, nothing will!!! 

8/5/11

Impossible?


Using money as toilet paper; could it ever really happen?  Probably not, but who knows?  There have been so many unexpected things over the years that anything is possible.  Just think, in a little over a month, it will be a decade since we saw airplanes destroy the World Trade Center in New York City!!!  Sometimes the unthinkable does happen; here is one such instance from the Old Testament...

WEB: II Kings Chapter 6

[24] It happened after this, that Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his army, and went up and besieged Samaria. [25] There was a great famine in Samaria. Behold, they besieged it, until a donkey’s head was sold for eighty pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a kab of dove’s dung for five pieces of silver. [26] As the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, a woman cried to him, saying, “Help, my lord, O king!”

[27] He said, “If Yahweh doesn’t help you, from where could I help you? From of the threshing floor, or from the winepress?” [28] The king said to her, “What ails you?”

She answered, “This woman said to me, ‘Give your son, that we may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow.’ [29] So we boiled my son, and ate him: and I said to her on the next day, ‘Give your son, that we may eat him;’ and she has hidden her son.”

[30] It happened, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he tore his clothes (now he was passing by on the wall); and the people looked, and behold, he had sackcloth underneath on his flesh. [31] Then he said, “God do so to me, and more also, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat shall stay on him this day.”

[32] But Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. Then the king sent a man from before him; but before the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, “Do you see how this son of a murderer has sent to take away my head? Behold, when the messenger comes, shut the door, and hold the door shut against him. Isn’t the sound of his master’s feet behind him?”

[33] While he was still talking with them, behold, the messenger came down to him. Then he said, “Behold, this evil is from Yahweh. Why should I wait for Yahweh any longer?”


World English Bible: II Kings Chapter 7

[1] Elisha said, “Hear the word of Yahweh. Thus says Yahweh, ‘Tomorrow about this time a measure of fine flour will be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.’”

[2] Then the captain on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, “Behold, if Yahweh made windows in heaven, could this thing be?”

He said, “Behold, you shall see it with your eyes, but shall not eat of it.”

[3] Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate. They said one to another, “Why do we sit here until we die? [4] If we say, ‘We will enter into the city,’ then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there. If we sit still here, we also die. Now therefore come, and let us surrender to the army of the Syrians. If they save us alive, we will live; and if they kill us, we will only die.”

[5] They rose up in the twilight, to go to the camp of the Syrians. When they had come to the outermost part of the camp of the Syrians, behold, there was no man there. [6] For the Lord had made the army of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great army: and they said one to another, Behold, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come on us. [7] Therefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their donkeys, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life. [8] When these lepers came to the outermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and ate and drink, and carried there silver, and gold, and clothing, and went and hid it. Then they came back, and entered into another tent, and carried there also, and went and hid it. [9] Then they said one to another, “We aren’t doing right. This day is a day of good news, and we keep silent. If we wait until the morning light, punishment will overtake us. Now therefore come, let us go and tell the king’s household.”

[10] So they came and called to the porter of the city; and they told them, saying, “We came to the camp of the Syrians, and, behold, there was no man there, neither voice of man, but the horses tied, and the donkeys tied, and the tents as they were.”

[11] He called the porters; and they told it to the king’s household within. [12] The king arose in the night, and said to his servants, “I will now show you what the Syrians have done to us. They know that we are hungry. Therefore are they gone out of the camp to hide themselves in the field, saying, ‘When they come out of the city, we shall take them alive, and get into the city.’”



[14] They took therefore two chariots with horses; and the king sent after the army of the Syrians, saying, “Go and see.”

[15] They went after them to the Jordan; and behold, all the way was full of garments and vessels, which the Syrians had cast away in their haste. The messengers returned, and told the king. [16] The people went out, and plundered the camp of the Syrians. So a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of Yahweh. [17] The king appointed the captain on whose hand he leaned to be in charge of the gate: and the people trod on him in the gate, and he died as the man of God had said, who spoke when the king came down to him. [18] It happened, as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, “Two measures of barley for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, shall be tomorrow about this time in the gate of Samaria;” [19] and that captain answered the man of God, and said, “Now, behold, if Yahweh should make windows in heaven, might such a thing be?” and he said, “Behold, you shall see it with your eyes, but shall not eat of it.” [20] It happened like that to him; for the people trod on him in the gate, and he died.

Things happen! Samaria was besieged by Syria and there was a great famine.  But Elijah said that tomorrow there would be an abundance of food.  HUH? Things worked out just as he said to the surprise of everyone; great!!  So, I guess the world is really full of surprises after all.  America may encounter another period of inflation like during the Carter presidency, but God is in control and if we turn to him, everything will turn out fine!!!

8/4/11

Trimuph!!!


Napoleon's arch of Triumph.  Magnificent!!!  But, it has taken on new meaning since his defeat at Waterloo.  It is a glory regulated to the past; something gone without real concrete meaning for those of us who are alive today.  Monuments of stone are like that, set in stone, unable to change, relics at the moment of their creation.  Genuine triumph is that which continues to endure through life. I like what the apostle Paul has to say about this in the book of Corinthians.

WEB: II Corinthians Chapter 2

[14] Now thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and reveals through us the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every place. [15] For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God, in those who are saved, and in those who perish; [16] to the one a stench from death to death; to the other a sweet aroma from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?

WEB: II Corinthians Chapter 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? [9] For if the service of condemnation has glory, the service of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. [10] For most certainly that which has been made glorious has not been made glorious in this respect, by reason of the glory that surpasses. [11] For if that which passes away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory.

Triumph, real triumph is that which goes beyond the fading glory of a conqueror.  It is the celebration of life that is found in communion with God; the change that occurs when mere man learns what life is all about from the creator of ALL things.  Stones wear out, men die, but the heart united with its creator lives forever.  Now, THAT is triumph!!!

8/3/11

Looking deeper


What is it?  Very good question!!!  To my thinking, it is an artists' representation of the Higgs-boson, or God particle.  You know, the mysterious missing particle deep within everything that gives it substance.  The more scientists know about the nature of the universe, the more they ultimately seek for God.  Its nice to know exactly HOW THINGS WORK, but it should not be a one dimensional search.  Consider the following verse from the book of Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 29:13 (WEB)
13) You shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart.

Its OK to intelligently understand the things around us; to know the WHY of things.  But, there is more to life than JUST KNOWLEDGE.  Consider; what would life in this world be like without love, compassion or for that matter, feelings of any kind?  If you memorize the entire Bible and it does not affect you emotionally, what is the point... nothing will change.  God wants us to be as smart as we can be, but HE also wants us to know him; to experience the wonder of a life witch has fellowship with HIM.  That is the true substance of things... you can call it anything you want.

8/2/11

Just another day full of surprises


Today, my grandson asked me what animal produced its own alcohol.  I didn't know and when he told me, I was a bit surprised.  Its amazing how much there is to learn in this world; how much there is to marvel at.  Later, I took a few minutes and thought about how wonderful it was to be a Christian; that God would choose to have anything at all to do with someone like myself is truly amazing.  Consider the following passage from the book of Ephesians.

Ephesians 3:14-21 (WEB)
14) For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15) from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
16) that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man;
17) that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18) may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
19) and to know Christ’s love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20) Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
21) to him be the glory in the assembly and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

God cares, directs and empowers humans.  I wonder why he chose us instead of simply making a better angel?  What is so special about us anyway?  I have known thousands upon thousands of people, most of them had obvious faults, but a few of them were truly spiritual people.  Even the top five people I have had the blessing to know and call friend still had things about them that were not flattering.  How can God care so much for those who are so flawed?  I haven't a clue, but I believe that HE does and that's all that is really necessary.  Sometimes you just need to accept things, like Hippos giving pink milk or that elephants make their own alcohol.  Isn't life wonderful!!!

8/1/11

What's next, a dictatorship?


Freedom! A concept Americans hold very dear!!!  But, over the past few decades our rights are gradually being eroded by government intrusion into our lives.  Laws and regulations are strangling what few rights we have left and the media is trying to make us think everything is "OK".  It is only a matter of time before being a Christian is a crime.  Think that is far-fetched?  Remember when there was prayer in schools?  Remember saying the pledge of allegiance?  Now, if you even mention God in school, there is a really big problem.  The national debt is astounding and there is a trend towards a world government.  Sounds horrible, doesn't it?  Now, think about the following verses from the Bible and how it should affect our lives.

Romans 13:1-8 (WEB)
1) Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God.
2) Therefore he who resists the authority, withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment.
3) For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the same,
4) for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn’t bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.
5) Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.
6) For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are servants of God’s service, attending continually on this very thing.
7) Give therefore to everyone what you owe: taxes to whom taxes are due; customs to whom customs; respect to whom respect; honor to whom honor.
8) Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

The apostle Paul wrote this at a time when Rome ruled the world, a time when it was unlawful to be a Christian and your property and even your life could be taken away at any moment.  Christians are to be good citizens; acting respectfully in every way, doing the "right thing" without wavering.  What about the consequences?  Some of us may suffer; we may even have to deal with a dictatorship in the next 50 to 100 years.  However bad things get, we must listen to the Bible and obey.  Have faith; if God could overcome the greatest empire on Earth once, could HE not do it again?  God dictates how we live, not man!!!  Even if our republic is somehow transformed into a dictatorship, no one can take heaven away, ever!