1/31/12

Bacon


Yesterday I made Lima bean soup, but with bacon.  Today, I am paying for having that extra portion of beans, but it was worth it, because I really like it better with bacon than with ham.  So, when I saw this picture, I related to it in a big way!!!  But, I do know that this picture describes a fleeting truth and not absolute one.  Here is how I know...

WEB: Matthew Chapter 6

[19] “Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; [20] but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal; [21] for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

[22] “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light. [23] But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

[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."

Food, shelter, family; essentials all.  We know this and yet do we know that there is something more?  If we have eyes, ears and the native intelligence of a smart bird, then we can appreciate love, kindness and gentleness.  Characteristics of humanity, which of course find their perfection in Divinity.  I say: Enjoy all the good things that God has given you and be happy.  Only remember that GOD has given them to you and thank HIM.  And, oh, yes, don't overdo it on bean soup!!!

Blest be the tie by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/top/blestbe.htm


Commentary on the Hymn... Gary

1/30/12

The grey side of JOY


Dreamy; that is how I would describe this picture... an almost too wonderful picture.  I could almost picture myself on the lake; almost!  Then I was reminded of a conversation I had the other day with my oldest granddaughter.  I had been thinking of buying my first motorcycle and she quickly talked me out of it.  "You will use it a couple of times and then it will just sit there" quickly stopped that train of thought because I knew she was right!!!  So, after a few seconds of looking at the picture, I knew it was just a motorcycle in disguise.  Pipe-dreams all!!!  Please take a moment and read this chapter from the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes...

World English Bible: Ecclesiastes Chapter 11

[1] Cast your bread on the waters;
for you shall find it after many days.


[2] Give a portion to seven, yes, even to eight;
for you don’t know what evil will be on the earth.


[3] If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth;
and if a tree falls toward the south, or toward the north,
in the place where the tree falls, there shall it be.


[4] He who observes the wind won’t sow;
and he who regards the clouds won’t reap.


[5] As you don’t know what is the way of the wind,
nor how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child;
even so you don’t know the work of God who does all.


[6] In the morning sow your seed,
and in the evening don’t withhold your hand;
for you don’t know which will prosper, whether this or that,
or whether they both will be equally good.


[7] Truly the light is sweet,
and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to see the sun.


[8] Yes, if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all;
but let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many.
All that comes is vanity.


[9] Rejoice, young man, in your youth,
and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth,
and walk in the ways of your heart,
and in the sight of your eyes;
but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.


[10] Therefore remove sorrow from your heart,
and put away evil from your flesh;
for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.

If I were to give this chapter a title it would be: The grey side of JOY!!!  Grey because in even handedly looking at the most pleasant of things (like light or youth or the gentle blowing of the wind) one must consider the less than wonderful consequences of it in order to appreciate it by means of contrast.  So, in a book of the Bible that presents wisdom from a human perspective, the ultimate conclusion is vanity.  While Solomon had great wisdom, yet somehow he lacked true humility and it is only those who can view life in true submission to God who will see things as they genuinely are.  As for me, I will keep looking at sailboats and motorcycles, but realize they are nothing as compared to the joy of having a home in heaven.  And, there is no "GREY" in heaven at all!!!!!!

Biblical illiteracy by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/top/bibillit.htm


Do we know our Bible? .... Gary

1/29/12

After the infinite...


The picture is a good start in understanding about the infinite.  It just keeps going on and on and on and on.  But isn't it more that just that?  So, I looked in a program called Artha and found the following definition.

infinite ~ adj    uncommon
 1. having no limits or boundaries in time or space or extent or magnitude
the infinite ingenuity of man; infinite wealth
 2. of verbs; having neither person nor number nor mood (as a participle or gerund or infinitive)
infinite verb form
 3. too numerous to be counted
incalculable riches; countless hours; an infinite number of reasons; innumerable difficulties; the multitudinous seas; myriad stars; untold thousands
 4. total and all-embracing
God's infinite wisdom
No limits at all; that makes sense to me.  Infinity seems to be linked to eternity for me.  Long ago there was a time I can't remember, so it is an infinite time to me.  Then I began to remember and some day I will have no more memory in this world (although I will when I reach heaven).  So, from an Earthly standpoint, time will be infinite once again.  After I thought about this for a bit, I thought about Lazarus and what it must have been like for him...


John 11 (WEB)
1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister, Martha. 2 It was that Mary who had anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother, Lazarus, was sick. 3 The sisters therefore sent to him, saying, “Lord, behold, he for whom you have great affection is sick.” 4 But when Jesus heard it, he said, "“This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of God, that God’s Son may be glorified by it.”" 5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. 6 When therefore he heard that he was sick, he stayed two days in the place where he was. 7 Then after this he said to the disciples, "“Let’s go into Judea again.”"

8 The disciples told him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just trying to stone you, and are you going there again?”

9 Jesus answered, "“Aren’t there twelve hours of daylight? If a man walks in the day, he doesn’t stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if a man walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light isn’t in him.”" 11 He said these things, and after that, he said to them, "“Our friend, Lazarus, has fallen asleep, but I am going so that I may awake him out of sleep.”"

12 The disciples therefore said, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.”

13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he spoke of taking rest in sleep. 14 So Jesus said to them plainly then, "“Lazarus is dead. 15 I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe. Nevertheless, let’s go to him.”"

16 Thomas therefore, who is called Didymus, * said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go also, that we may die with him.”

17 So when Jesus came, he found that he had been in the tomb four days already. 18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen stadia * away. 19 Many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother. 20 Then when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary stayed in the house. 21 Therefore Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you would have been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. 22 Even now I know that, whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, "“Your brother will rise again.”"

24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

25 Jesus said to her, "“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies. 26 Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”"

27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, God’s Son, he who comes into the world.”

28 When she had said this, she went away, and called Mary, her sister, secretly, saying, “The Teacher is here, and is calling you.”

29 When she heard this, she arose quickly, and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was in the place where Martha met him. 31 Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and were consoling her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.” 32 Therefore when Mary came to where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you would have been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.”

33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews weeping who came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, 34 and said, "“Where have you laid him?”"

They told him, “Lord, come and see.”

35 Jesus wept.

36 The Jews therefore said, “See how much affection he had for him!” 37 Some of them said, “Couldn’t this man, who opened the eyes of him who was blind, have also kept this man from dying?”

38 Jesus therefore, again groaning in himself, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, "“Take away the stone.”"

Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”

40 Jesus said to her, "“Didn’t I tell you that if you believed, you would see God’s glory?”"

41 So they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. * Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, "“Father, I thank you that you listened to me. 42 I know that you always listen to me, but because of the multitude that stands around I said this, that they may believe that you sent me.”" 43 When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, "“Lazarus, come out!”"

44 He who was dead came out, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth.

Jesus said to them, "“Free him, and let him go.”"

Lazarus died and rose from the dead by the power of Jesus.  I wonder what time seemed like to him?  The Bible doesn't tell us and perhaps that is a good thing.  What seems interesting to me that a perishable human being made contact with  eternity and lived to talk about it.  Jesus is the resurrection (rising again from death) and the life (eternal, unending) and our hope of seeing eternity.  That is bigger than any picture could possibly be, for pictures have a defined enclosure.  Its better than this life, for things in the "now" of our existence are subject to entrophy. Its more wonderful than our imagination could conceive and our hopes could dream.  God giving us a new life forever!!!  Think about that today and tomorrow and the next day and the next day and the next day...

The benefits of a small church by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/top/small.htm

What is good about being small, anyway... Gary

1/28/12

Back to the basics by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/top/basics.htm


Remember the way it felt when you first became a Christian... Gary

1/27/12

Cut it out, or... it hurts to think differently


Question: when does one word become two?  Answer: when it is cut out!!!  Neat trick; you just have to visualize it, that all.  Some things are like that; you just have to adjust your thinking and reason.  Even intelligent people have a hard time using their cognitive abilities sometimes, especially when their "attitudes" get in the way.  Here is one example...


WEB: Matthew Chapter 22

[23] On that day Sadducees (those who say that there is no resurrection) came to him. They asked him, [24] saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed for his brother.’ [25] Now there were with us seven brothers. The first married and died, and having no seed left his wife to his brother. [26] In the same way, the second also, and the third, to the seventh. [27] After them all, the woman died. [28] In the resurrection therefore, whose wife will she be of the seven? For they all had her.”

[29] But Jesus answered them, "“You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God. [30] For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like God’s angels in heaven. [31] But concerning the resurrection of the dead, haven’t you read that which was spoken to you by God, saying, [32] ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?’ God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”"

[33] When the multitudes heard it, they were astonished at his teaching. [34] But the Pharisees, when they heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, gathered themselves together. [35] One of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, testing him. [36] “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?”

[37] Jesus said to him, "“‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ [38] This is the first and great commandment. [39] A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ [40] The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”"

[41] Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, [42] saying, "“What do you think of the Christ? Whose son is he?”"

They said to him, “Of David.”

[43] He said to them, "“How then does David in the Spirit call him Lord, saying,

[44] ‘The Lord said to my Lord,
sit on my right hand,
until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet?’


[45] “If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?”"

[46] No one was able to answer him a word, neither did any man dare ask him any more questions from that day forth.

The Sadducees thought to trick Jesus by giving him a problem he could not possibly understand.  They were the religious "Ellette" in Israel and knew it, so therefore no one could ever be more correct than they were.  Or so they thought...
BUT, they were wrong and were humiliated.  Next came the Pharisees (separated ones) with another trick question.  They based their reasoning on their belief that all the Law was equal, but they too were proven wrong.  Finally, Jesus asks them a question which shows how much they didn't know about the Scriptures themselves.  They couldn't answer because to do so would have acknowledged the eternality of the Messiah and his greatness.  This would have put them in a position of submission and they knew it, therefore they stopped asking questions out of fear of total humiliation.  Since David was the father of "The Christ" and "The Christ" was greater than him... Jesus must be God.  Something they wanted desperately NOT TO BELIEVE AT ALL COSTS!!!  They could not accept the concept of Jesus being "The Messiah" and God because then they would have to listen to HIM.  Its like looking at the picture and seeing only Cut or only Out.  Its only if you put the two together, you get the message, period.

Attitudes needed in congregational work by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/top/attitude.htm


Attitude is everything!!!   Gary

1/26/12

Solve your lunch BEFORE you eat!!!


Remember the Rubik's cube; I do.  I remember trying to solve it, but honestly don't think I ever did.  I am a little surprised that someone didn't re-do this by inserting the "cheap joke" the original annotator suggested, but instead someone decided to comment about Rubic himself. Who was Rubic?  A little Internet search found the following:

The History of Rubik's

  • 1944
    Ernő Rubik
    Ernő Rubik is born in Budapest, Hungary. He grows up to become an architect, designer and university professor.
  • 1974
    Wooden prototype of the cube
    Rubik creates the first working prototype of the cube. This is the official birth date of the world’s favourite toy.
  • 1975
    Rubik patents the ‘Magic Cube’ and Hungarian toy-manufacturer Politechnika begins the difficult task of mass-production.
  • 1977
    Magic Cube box closeup
    The first ‘Magic Cube’ is sold in a Budapest toyshop.
  • 1980
    First Rubik's Cube in 1980
    Ideal Toy Corporation begins exporting the cube from Hungary. The ‘Magic Cube’ is renamed the ‘Rubik’s Cube’.
  • 1981
    You Can Do The Cube publication
    A publication entitled ‘You Can Do the Cube’ was produced by Patrick Bossert, a 12-year-old schoolboy from England. The book goes on to sell 1.5 million copies.
  • 1982
    Ernő Rubik with a Rubik's Cube between fingers
    The first annual International Rubik’s Championships are held in Budapest. More than 100 million cubes have now been sold and Rubik’s enters the Oxford English Dictionary.
  • 1990
    3x3x3 Rubik's Cube
    Ernő Rubik becomes President of the Hungarian Engineering Academy. He later establishes the International Rubik Foundation to support talented young designers.
  • 1995
    Masterpiece Cube by Diamond Cutters International
    Diamond Cutters International creates the ‘Masterpiece Cube’ for Rubik’s 15th birthday – a fully-functional, 185 carat Cube made of solid gold and encrusted with coloured jewels.
  • 2005
    25th Anniversary limited edition Rubik's Cube
    The cube celebrates its 25th anniversary on 26 July. A special, limited edition Rubik’s Cube is produced to mark the occasion.
  • 2007
    25th Rubik's World Championships
    World Rubik's Cube Championships are held in Budapest from 5-7 October, marking the 25th anniversary of the competition. ErnÅ‘ Rubik was there to award the prizes in person.
  • Today
    Ernő Rubik
    ErnÅ‘ Rubik is now enjoying his retirement but the Rubik’s Studio continues to design games and work with young designers in Hungary and beyond. 

    Why did his cube attain to such popularity?  Cuteness? Cleverness? Intellectual challenge?  All of these and probably many more reasons went into its success.  But, what about the man?  Can we learn something about him from what he did?  A challenge, yes; but the work speaks for itself.  Reminds me of something that occurred in the New Testament...

    World English Bible: John Chapter 8

    [1] but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. [2] Now very early in the morning, he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him. He sat down, and taught them. [3] The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman taken in adultery. Having set her in the midst, [4] they told him, “Teacher, we found this woman in adultery, in the very act. [5] Now in our law, Moses commanded us to stone such. What then do you say about her?” [6] They said this testing him, that they might have something to accuse him of.

    But Jesus stooped down, and wrote on the ground with his finger. [7] But when they continued asking him, he looked up and said to them, "“He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone at her.”" [8] Again he stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground.

    [9] They, when they heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning from the oldest, even to the last. Jesus was left alone with the woman where she was, in the middle. [10] Jesus, standing up, saw her and said, "“Woman, where are your accusers? Did no one condemn you?”"

    [11] She said, “No one, Lord.”

    Jesus said, "“Neither do I condemn you. Go your way. From now on, sin no more.”"

    [12] Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, "“I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”"

    [13] The Pharisees therefore said to him, “You testify about yourself. Your testimony is not valid.”

    [14] Jesus answered them, "“Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from, and where I am going; but you don’t know where I came from, or where I am going. [15] You judge according to the flesh. I judge no one. [16] Even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent me. [17] It’s also written in your law that the testimony of two people is valid. [18] I am one who testifies about myself, and the Father who sent me testifies about me.”"

    [19] They said therefore to him, “Where is your Father?”

    Jesus answered, "“You know neither me, nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”" [20] Jesus spoke these words in the treasury, as he taught in the temple. Yet no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come. [21] Jesus said therefore again to them, "“I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sins. Where I go, you can’t come.”"

    [22] The Jews therefore said, “Will he kill himself, that he says, "‘Where I am going, you can’t come?’"”

    [23] He said to them, "“You are from beneath. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world. [24] I said therefore to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins.”"

    [25] They said therefore to him, “Who are you?”

    Jesus said to them, "“Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning. [26] I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you. However he who sent me is true; and the things which I heard from him, these I say to the world.”"

    [27] They didn’t understand that he spoke to them about the Father. [28] Jesus therefore said to them, "“When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and I do nothing of myself, but as my Father taught me, I say these things. [29] He who sent me is with me. The Father hasn’t left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.”"

    [30] As he spoke these things, many believed in him. [31] Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, "“If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. [32] You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”"

    [33] They answered him, “We are Abraham’s seed, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How do you say, "‘You will be made free?’"”

    [34] Jesus answered them, "“Most certainly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is the bondservant of sin. [35] A bondservant doesn’t live in the house forever. A son remains forever. [36] If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. [37] I know that you are Abraham’s seed, yet you seek to kill me, because my word finds no place in you. [38] I say the things which I have seen with my Father; and you also do the things which you have seen with your father.”"

    [39] They answered him, “Our father is Abraham.”

    Jesus said to them, "“If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. [40] But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham didn’t do this. [41] You do the works of your father.”"

    They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father, God.”

    [42] Therefore Jesus said to them, "“If God were your father, you would love me, for I came out and have come from God. For I haven’t come of myself, but he sent me. [43] Why don’t you understand my speech? Because you can’t hear my word. [44] You are of your father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn’t stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and its father. [45] But because I tell the truth, you don’t believe me. [46] Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? [47] He who is of God hears the words of God. For this cause you don’t hear, because you are not of God.”"

    [48] Then the Jews answered him, “Don’t we say well that you are a Samaritan, and have a demon?”

    [49] Jesus answered, "“I don’t have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. [50] But I don’t seek my own glory. There is one who seeks and judges. [51] Most certainly, I tell you, if a person keeps my word, he will never see death.”"

    [52] Then the Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets; and you say, "‘If a man keeps my word, he will never taste of death.’" [53] Are you greater than our father, Abraham, who died? The prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?”

    [54] Jesus answered, "“If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is our God. [55] You have not known him, but I know him. If I said, ‘I don’t know him,’ I would be like you, a liar. But I know him, and keep his word. [56] Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day. He saw it, and was glad.”"

    [57] The Jews therefore said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?”

    [58] Jesus said to them, "“Most certainly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I AM.”"

    [59] Therefore they took up stones to throw at him, but Jesus was hidden, and went out of the temple, having gone through their midst, and so passed by.

    Not everyone wants to learn.  The adversarial Jews Jesus confronted were just such people.  They knew what they knew and in their mind, no one knew more than them.  So, if you were different, you were wrong; case closed.  But, it wasn't closed.  Jesus challenged them at every turn and in spite of all their collective efforts, they were repeatedly defeated.  Their frustration eventually led to verse 59, where their murderous nature was revealed.  Jesus had shown them all the "pieces" necessary to knowing him, but they just could not re-arrange their thinking.  His ministry was the revelation of his identity and all they had to do was look at their world (and him) in a different way.  An open mind is the pathway to understanding; its a challenge we all must face and hopefully we will be able to understand truth when we see it.  As far as the picture goes, the second commentator is wrong.  Rubic would have never "solved" his "lunch".  The puzzle lunch was left uncompleted as a challenge to think, because that is the idea of the cube in the first place.  I think Jesus would have liked this man; I know I do!!!

Are you the pastor by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/top/pastor.htm


Good question; one that is necessary to proper church organization... Gary

1/25/12

hard to perceive, easy to understand


At first glance, I thought this was Russian, then I looked a little closer.  This is English, but right to left and BACKWARD.  Frankly, I was a little surprised that I could read it, but it wasn't easy.  I do know someone for whom it would be easy however.  Brian is his name and he could read things upside down or sideways with ease.  Like reading this, he was talented in many ways, especially with understanding group dynamics and predicting what people would do BEFORE they would do it.  We all have our own gifts, but I must confess that the one I admire the most (which barely comes in first over the many contenders) is intelligence.  So, I thought of Sergius Paulus once again...

LITV: Acts Chapter 13

[7] He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This one having called Barnabas and Saul to him, he sought to hear the Word of God. [8] But Elymas, the conjurer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. [9] But Saul, who is also Paul, being filled with the Holy Spirit, and looking intently on him, [10] he said, O son of the Devil, full of all guile and of all cunning, enemy of all righteousness, will you not stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? [11] And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is on you, and you will be blind, not seeing the sun until a time. And instantly a mist and darkness fell on him, and going about he sought some to lead him by the hand. [12] Then seeing the thing happening, the proconsul believed, being astounded at the doctrine of the Lord.

It is fashionable today for those in Academia to look down on Christianity and portray Christians as being less than gifted with intelligence.  No, that's not quite right... they think Christians are stupid.  They are wrong!!!  On the contrary; being able to perceive the value of eternity over this temporal existence is a true sign of understanding.  Consider Sergius Paulus for example.  He was a proconsul.  Now, that was a position of great importance in the Roman empire; you had to have something on-the-ball to be one.  He did.  I know of no where else in the Bible where someone is called intelligent, not even the great counselor Ahithaphel from the old testament. When the proconsel saw the power given to Paul, he believed.  And not just the power, but the doctrine as well!!!  Not all of us may be blessed with great intellect or the ability to read from unusual perspectives, but we can understand truth and that is what is really necessary.  

Remember this passage from the book of Corinthians:

WEB: I Corinthians Chapter 1

[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.”

Rejoice in whatever gifts God has given you and be happy!!  Even if you are seemingly "very ordinary", you ALWAYS HAVE THE LORD TO BOAST ABOUT and that is more important than any mere "gift"!!!!!

Are you ready for your journey into eternity by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/top/ready.htm



The most important question I can think of... Gary

1/24/12

If that were true...?


I do not agree with the math.  If you substitute another symbol (say a ✵) for the numeric "2's", then you have ✵✵ and ✵✵.  Count the ✵'s and you have 1,2,3,4.  Simple, right?  Yet, someone put that lie on the roof of a building; I wonder... why?  I can't read minds, so I don't know; but I can guess, because I have seen
liars operate before... here is one example...

WEB: Matthew Chapter 4

[1] Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. [2] When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry afterward. [3] The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”

[4] But he answered, "“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”"

[5] Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple, [6] and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will put his angels in charge of you.’ and,

‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you don’t dash your foot against a stone.’”


[7] Jesus said to him, "“Again, it is written, ‘You shall not test the Lord, your God.’”"

[8] Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory. [9] He said to him, “I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me.”

[10] Then Jesus said to him, "“Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’”"

Satan knew Jesus was hungry and with that comes a natural desire for self-preservation.  And as every civilized person knows, you need money to survive in this world.  Satan also knew who Jesus was and IF he could put a wedge between Jesus and his heavenly father by planting doubt in any of these three areas; then he would succeed just as he had with Adam and Eve.  But Jesus knew both his Father and the scriptures and defeated Satan at every turn.  He understood the purpose of a lie; to entice disbelief, to twist reality into something it isn't.  This applies not only to math on the roof of a barn, but in understanding the Scriptures as well.  If you know math, then you won't be fooled and if you know the Scriptures and the one who gave them... you just ignore the "if's".  That the stuff faithfulness is made of!!!

Are you high maintenance? by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/top/highmain.htm


or... what does it take to keep you faithful... Gary

1/23/12

A second challenge...


Quite a challenge!!!  To actually consider life is the beginning of sentience.  We may know many things, have done many things and are the equal of all those around us (maybe even a bit better than some), but if we have not taken the time to contemplate what life is all about, we really haven't lived.  What is life anyway?  Do we just grow up to grow old and then whither and die?  Is there not something more to it all?  Look up!  How marvelous is the complexity of the world above and below!!!  Did it just happen?  Is there no pattern??  Is there no design behind it all, even though the vast interwoven complexity of our environment is obvious?  Yes, is my answer and God is the source!!!  Read the following chapter from the book of Psalms, slowly and notice the pause (the Selah) as you read...


World English Bible: Psalms Chapter 46

[1] God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.


[2] Therefore we won’t be afraid, though the earth changes,
though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas;
[3] though its waters roar and are troubled,
though the mountains tremble with their swelling.





Selah.





[4] There is a river, the streams of which make the city of God glad,
the holy place of the tents of the Most High.


[5] God is in her midst. She shall not be moved.
God will help her at dawn.


[6] The nations raged. The kingdoms were moved.
He lifted his voice, and the earth melted.


[7] Yahweh of Armies is with us.
The God of Jacob is our refuge.





Selah.





[8] Come, see Yahweh’s works,
what desolations he has made in the earth.


[9] He makes wars cease to the end of the earth.
He breaks the bow, and shatters the spear.
He burns the chariots in the fire.


[10] “Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations.
I will be exalted in the earth.”



[11] Yahweh of Armies is with us.
The God of Jacob is our refuge.





Selah.



Instead of formatting this passage, I left it "as is" (except for the one bold addition) in order to let the impact of the original formatting be felt.  We are not alone, we need to realize that and pause to consider that which is greater than ourselves... God.  Things don't happen by accident, but when they do, good is usually NOT THE OUTCOME!!! If we as mere mortals can organize the world around us to aid in survival and pleasure, how were we designed that way?  Since we are the most intelligent beings on the planet and we are subject to mortality, shouldn't it reasonably be assumed something greater designed us?  Take all the time you want, think, contemplate, ponder, for this world is indeed wonderful!!!  And so are we... and so is God!!!  I give you a second challenge... read verse 10 and take God's challenge "Be still and know that I am God".  Its even better than the challenge in the picture!!!!!

Drifting by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/top/drift.htm


What is the process of those who fall away from Christ?...Gary

1/22/12

Pumpkin pie

I admit this is not a belly laugh; but, in its own way its funny.  Pumpkin pie, its a new one to me!  Humor is something we humans do, its just one way we have a good time.  And although this example is a little "out there", still in a "big bang theory" sort of way it IS FUNNY.  Which prompted the question: I wonder if Jesus ever told a joke?  Honestly, I don't know the answer to that one, but I do know he liked children and did enjoy a good party.  The following is what I am talking about...

WEB: John Chapter 2
[1] The third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there. [2] Jesus also was invited, with his disciples, to the marriage. [3] When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no wine.”

[4] Jesus said to her, "“Woman, what does that have to do with you and me? My hour has not yet come.”"

[5] His mother said to the servants, “Whatever he says to you, do it.” [6] Now there were six water pots of stone set there after the Jews’ way of purifying, containing two or three metretes apiece. [7] Jesus said to them, "“Fill the water pots with water.”" They filled them up to the brim. [8] He said to them, "“Now draw some out, and take it to the ruler of the feast.”" So they took it. [9] When the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and didn’t know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast called the bridegroom, [10] and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when the guests have drunk freely, then that which is worse. You have kept the good wine until now!” [11] This beginning of his signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

I was a little curious about what Jesus actually did, so I looked up the embolden word for wine and Vine's dictionary gave me this definition:
"Strongs 3631: oinos  is the general word for "wine." The mention of the bursting of the wineskins, Matt. 9:17; Mark 2:22; Luke 5:37, implies fermentation."

So, in other places in the scriptures the word wine may not indicate alcoholic wine, but it seems to here.  Which shows Jesus' attitude towards weddings and of course his power over the physical world.  Remember, Jesus was a Jew and not a Gentile, so it is possible that their attitude towards drinking could have been different.  See also, Rom 14:21.  But, back to the question of humor... Did Jesus have a sense of humor?  Again, I don't know, but since he did go to a wedding and encouraged the light hearted attitude that alcohol seems to bring out... I like to think so, but remember I am prejudiced towards him... but that's just me.

Are you an apatheist? by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/top/apathy.htm


This is a new term for me; interesting!!!... Gary

1/21/12

Reminders are a good thing!!!


This picture caught my eye, because I can relate to it easily today.  What started as a head cold has gone into my chest and it feels like I have the flu.  So, everything seems odd to me today.  When I saw this picture, I remembered I should take my medicine if I want to get better.   There was someone in the Old Testament who was sick and didn't realize it and needed to take the treatment of humility to get better...

WEB: Daniel Chapter 4

[29] At the end of twelve months he was walking in the royal palace of Babylon. [30] The king spoke and said, Is not this great Babylon, which I have built for the royal dwelling place, by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty? [31] While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from the sky, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you: [32] and you shall be driven from men; and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field; you shall be made to eat grass as oxen; and seven times shall pass over you; until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will. [33] The same hour was the thing fulfilled on Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and ate grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of the sky, until his hair was grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws. [34] At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him who lives forever; for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation. [35] All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he does according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or ask him, What are you doing? [36] At the same time my understanding returned to me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and brightness returned to me; and my counselors and my lords sought to me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent greatness was added to me. [37] Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven; for all his works are truth, and his ways justice; and those who walk in pride he is able to abase.

In the verses preceding this passage, God had warned Nebuchadnezzar through the prophet Daniel about the dangers associated with pridefulness. Nebuchadnezzar did not listen and when pride raised its ugly head, God brought the king low.  After a time, he was restored and gave glory and honor to the king of heaven.  Seven years of humility is a harsh treatment, but in his case a necessary one.  Hopefully, we can see the signs in our life and change for the better before God humbles us!!!  There is one thing that is bothering me, though, and that is what could possibly be wrong with the person who sees a breakfast in this way???  Maybe I shouldn't even ask, but simply say: "Take your meds... now"!!!!

Are you a disciple of Jesus by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/top/disciple.htm

What is a disciple of Jesus??....  Gary

1/20/12

Is he... there?

My wife told me yesterday that NCIS was listed in the paper as the number one TV show in America and I believe it!  Everything about it just catches your attention.  From the assistant coroner to the leader Jethro Gibbs himself, each and every character is interesting.  I find Abby especially interesting because she is both kooky and intelligent at the same time.  But, it is Gibbs that makes the show!!!  He has an uncanny way of knowing what everyone is doing, seeing through each persons' character and knowing what they are going to do BEFORE they do it that I find very curious indeed!!!  Like someone else in the Bible that the apostle John presents...

WEB: John Chapter 1
[35] Again, the next day, John was standing with two of his disciples, [36] and he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” [37] The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. [38] Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to them, "“What are you looking for?”"

They said to him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, being interpreted, Teacher), “where are you staying?”

[39] He said to them, "“Come, and see.”"

They came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about the tenth hour. [40] One of the two who heard John, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. [41] He first found his own brother, Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah!” (which is, being interpreted, Christ). [42] He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him, and said, "“You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas”" (which is by interpretation, Peter). [43] On the next day, he was determined to go out into Galilee, and he found Philip. Jesus said to him, "“Follow me.”" [44] Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. [45] Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, wrote: Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

[46] Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?”

Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

[47] Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said about him, "“Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!”"

[48] Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?”

Jesus answered him, "“Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”"

[49] Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are King of Israel!”

[50] Jesus answered him, "“Because I told you, ‘I saw you underneath the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these!”" [51] He said to him, "“Most certainly, I tell you, hereafter you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”"

Jesus has such a range of attitudes that sometimes he is a little hard for me to understand.  Yet, like Gibbs in NCIS, he knows what is going on before it happens and even more than that, he can perceive peoples' thoughts!!!!  I have often wondered what it would have been like to have walked with Jesus as the twelve did.  To actually hear his words and see his deeds!!!  Well, that is not going to happen, but we do have the scriptures to his us insights into Jesus' character, but I wonder.... Did Jesus ever make faces...??????

Apostolic succession by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/top/aposucc.htm

Is authority important?  What kind?  Read and see... Gary

1/19/12

1/18/12

Understanding "Change"


Today, two pictures caught my eye.  They seemed to go together with a common theme. Change is the topic and understanding it is paramount to living in the 21st century.  Check out the list in the first picture and compare it to what your life was like before you discovered the opposite sex.  If its radically different, then you are probably a "baby boomer", if not, maybe "Generation X".  If you have no difficulty in deciphering the binary calendar, then just classify yourself as a geek and deal with it. there are times when not being able to recognize something is a very good thing and the chapter from Revelation is a good example...

World English Bible: Revelation of John Chapter 12
[1] A great sign was seen in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. [2] She was with child. She cried out in pain, laboring to give birth. [3] Another sign was seen in heaven. Behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven crowns. [4] His tail drew one third of the stars of the sky, and threw them to the earth. The dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child. [5] She gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. Her child was caught up to God, and to his throne. [6] The woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that there they may nourish her one thousand two hundred sixty days.

[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. [10] I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, the power, and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ has come; for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night. [11] They overcame him because of the Lamb’s blood, and because of the word of their testimony. They didn’t love their life, even to death. [12] Therefore rejoice, heavens, and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and to the sea, because the devil has gone down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has but a short time.”

[13] When the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child. [14] Two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, so that she might be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. [15] The serpent spewed water out of his mouth after the woman like a river, that he might cause her to be carried away by the stream. [16] The earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon spewed out of his mouth. [17] The dragon grew angry with the woman, and went away to make war with the rest of her seed, who keep God’s commandments and hold Jesus’ testimony.

One of my favorite blogs is "right truth" and last week they had a most provocative post about how government is controlling more and more of our lives and will approach Tyrannical status in the near future.  From where I sit, its already there, with the EPA, IRS, INS and ATF exerting excessive control in most of our lives. As bad as these agencies are, they are nothing compared with the power the early Christians faced with the authoritarian government of the Roman Empire.  Its no wonder that Revelation is couched in the prophetic symbolism of the Hebrew Prophets.  If the Romans understood what was really being said, they would have radically increased their efforts to exterminate every last Christian.  Its hard for those of us from the 21st century to understand Revelation, because to really get it, you have to adjust your thinking from literal to figurative, but once you do, bingo.  Rome loses, Christians win.  Its just that simple!!!  I may never truly understand the 21st century, with all its new ideas, but I get that Christians win.  Just don't ask me to convert it to binary and put it into a timetable calendar!!!

Angry Words! O let them never by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/top/angwords.htm

I wish all Christians would read this one... Gary

1/17/12

Put your best face forward; a picture of a traitor.

Two faced!!!  I have known people who are like that, but until now had never seen a picture of one!!!  The cleverness of the photographer is amazing!!!  Real life is another matter; people can deceive you.  You think you have a friend and when you discover their true nature, the pain is incredible!!!!  When you find out, the natural question that comes to mind is: How could they do that?  I wish I knew the answer to such things, but, alas, it has always been a mystery to me.  In the Bible, the preeminent traitor is Judas Iscariot and here is his unveiling...

WEB: Matthew Chapter 26
[14] Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests, [15] and said, “What are you willing to give me, that I should deliver him to you?” They weighed out for him thirty pieces of silver. [16] From that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

[17] Now on the first day of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying to him, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?”

[18] He said, "“Go into the city to a certain person, and tell him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.”’”"

[19] The disciples did as Jesus commanded them, and they prepared the Passover. [20] Now when evening had come, he was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples. [21] As they were eating, he said, "“Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.”"

[22] They were exceedingly sorrowful, and each began to ask him, “It isn’t me, is it, Lord?”

[23] He answered, "“He who dipped his hand with me in the dish, the same will betray me. [24] The Son of Man goes, even as it is written of him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born.”"

[25] Judas, who betrayed him, answered, “It isn’t me, is it, Rabbi?”

He said to him, "“You said it.”"

Why did Judas betray Jesus?  What could possibly be going through his mind to do such a thing?  Its not that he just met him, for he was with him about three years of itinerant preaching.  It could have been the money, because the scriptures say that he would steal from the general funds the group possessed.  Perhaps it was a combination of a desire to force Jesus' hand to greatness (as Judas says in his "gospel") along with his Judas' own greed, who knows???  Whatever the motive, he should have guessed that his betrayal method was incompatible with Jesus' lifestyle and teachings!  But, Judas did what he had to do and ultimately mankind was blessed by it!!!!  Judas' own blessing was his suicide and somehow it seems appropriate, considering what he did.  Sorry, but I just don't get this man and probably never will!!!  He should have faced up to his actions, repented and moved on, but that's the trouble with two faces (wills), you just never know which face is the correct one to put forward? 

The anatomy of a backslider by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/top/backslid.htm

Why do people fall away?  ... Gary

1/16/12

The center of the world







I have never seen this place and have no idea of where it is, but that it is "farm country" is obvious.  By the convergence of roads, I would say that it is DEEP in farm country.  And just seeing this picture brings a flood of memories from my childhood in upstate New York.  Somehow Melrose, New York seemed to be the center of the universe for me then and in May it was a wonderful place to live!!!  Both it and myself have changed over the past 50 years, but the memory of that pastoral beauty still remains.  No matter where I live, where I grew up will always be "home" and yet somehow different, but still HOME.  As you grow up, your world expands and for me that involved living in several states, in all kinds of communities, with a family of my own.  Time went by and each one of those new places feel like a "second home", so "home" has a much wider meaning now, but nothing can replace where I started, because it is my "first" home.  We all have starting places, somewhere we begin and for me, it was not just a place it was a person.  Living is more than just existing in space, it is conceptualizing life and no one has taught me more about living than Jesus.  The apostle Paul puts it this way...
 
WEB: Hebrews Chapter 1
[1] God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, [2] has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds. [3] His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself made purification for our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

As I grew up, I began to understand right from wrong.  Good and bad became more than praise or punishment; they became concepts and I was their interpreter!!!  It was only when I began to know Jesus that I really started to understand these things.  He showed me truth by both concept and example and that was something I had never seen before.  After awhile, I realized that everything really did revolve around him and that is just as God intended it.  It took literally thousands of years to work out the details, but God has made himself known through Jesus in a way that I can understand.  Its like I lived in my little center of the world (the home in the picture) and saw someone standing at the four corners of everything, who knew everything.  All I had to do was go out and meet him and life would change.  I have; it did!!!  Perhaps, if you look closely at the picture, you might see someone too... and imagine the possibilities!!!

After baptism, what then? by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/top/after.htm


discipleship... Gary

1/15/12

Get your razor, NOT YOUR CHAINSAW!!!


Real men do NOT SHAVE WITH CHAINSAWS!!!  Those that do, only do it ONCE!!!  Which is to say... shaving with a chainsaw is STUPID!!!!!  However, the question as to what a "real man" is; that is NOT STUPID!!!  I wonder, is it about strength, intelligence, or courage?  Not at all, its about living life in a proper way with God.  The "real men" I have known were responsible, God-fearing, faithful men who led by example in loving their spouse and children.  Those who put their own desires second and sacrificed for the benefit of others. Some were strong, intelligent and brave, but others not so much.  Those that lived a long time endured growing old and for many, their strongest attributes faded with age, but they were distinguished by their faithfulness to the God of the Heavens.  Here are a few passages that mention some of the "strong men" of the Bible...

WEB: Joshua Chapter 1
[1] Now it happened after the death of Moses the servant of Yahweh, that Yahweh spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying, [2] “Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you, and all this people, to the land which I give to them, even to the children of Israel. [3] I have given you every place that the sole of your foot will tread on, as I told Moses. [4] From the wilderness, and this Lebanon, even to the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your border. [5] No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not fail you nor forsake you.

[6] “Be strong and courageous; for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. [7] Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded you. Don’t turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. [8] This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success. [9] Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid, neither be dismayed: for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.”

WEB: I Kings Chapter 2
[1] Now the days of David drew near that he should die; and he commanded Solomon his son, saying, [2] “I am going the way of all the earth. You be strong therefore, and show yourself a man; [3] and keep the instruction of Yahweh your God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, his commandments, his ordinances, and his testimonies, according to that which is written in the law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do, and wherever you turn yourself. [4] That Yahweh may establish his word which he spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail you,’ he said, ‘a man on the throne of Israel.’

WEB: Haggai Chapter 2
[1] In the seventh month, in the twenty-first day of the month, the Word of Yahweh came by Haggai the prophet, saying, [2] “Speak now to Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying, [3] ‘Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Isn’t it in your eyes as nothing? [4] Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says Yahweh. ‘Be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ says Yahweh, ‘and work, for I am with you,’ says Yahweh of Armies. [5] This is the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, and my Spirit lived among you. ‘Don’t be afraid.’ [6] For this is what Yahweh of Armies says: ‘Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the dry land; [7] and I will shake all nations. The precious things of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory, says Yahweh of Armies. [8] The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,’ says Yahweh of Armies. [9] ‘The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former,’ says Yahweh of Armies; ‘and in this place will I give peace,’ says Yahweh of Armies.”
 
WEB: Ephesians Chapter 6
[10] Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. [11] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. [12] For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. [13] Therefore, put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. [14] Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, [15] and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace; [16] above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. [17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; [18] with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints: [19] on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Good News, [20] for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.


How would have you liked to be Joshua trying to follow in the footsteps of Moses?  Or perhaps Solomon, taking over from David, your father?  What about those who rebuilt the temple or first century Christians facing opposition from a heathen society?  Each one of these had their own problems, but all overcame with God's help!!!  To try to live without God is foolish, for failure will be the ultimate result.  Real men live by the power of God. Truth, righteousness, The Word of God applied in your life through faith will result in a life led by God.  That is what true living is all about and has nothing to due with how much Testerone is in your system.  Want to be a "real man"?  Open your Bible and read... it will come to you... I promise!!!

5BX Spiritual fitness program by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/top/5bx.htm

a Spiritual fitness program... Gary

1/14/12

The welcome committee...


Immigration is a hot topic in the US today.  However, most people don't look at it from the Indian perspective.  They were here first; immigrants destroyed their way of life.  This happens.  When the Romans conquered and the Mongols migrated, things changed.  Empires come and go and blend together and that is NOT necessarily a bad thing.  People become absorbed by their new culture, but sometimes it just doesn't work.  Things happen, and they go "home".  The following story is one of those times...


World English Bible: Ruth Chapter 1
[1] It happened in the days when the judges judged, that there was a famine in the land. A certain man of Bethlehem Judah went to live in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. [2] The name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah. They came into the country of Moab, and continued there. [3] Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons. [4] They took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they lived there about ten years. [5] Mahlon and Chilion both died, and the woman was bereaved of her two children and of her husband. [6] Then she arose with her daughters-in-law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that Yahweh had visited his people in giving them bread. [7] She went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah. [8] Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother’s house: Yahweh deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead, and with me. [9] Yahweh grant you that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband.”

Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voice, and wept. [10] They said to her, “No, but we will return with you to your people.”

[11] Naomi said, “Go back, my daughters. Why do you want to go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? [12] Go back, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, ‘I have hope,’ if I should even have a husband tonight, and should also bear sons; [13] would you then wait until they were grown? Would you then refrain from having husbands? No, my daughters, for it grieves me much for your sakes, for the hand of Yahweh has gone out against me.”

[14] They lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth joined with her. [15] She said, “Behold, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people, and to her god. Follow your sister-in-law.”

[16] Ruth said, “Don’t entreat me to leave you, and to return from following after you, for where you go, I will go; and where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God; [17] where you die, will I die, and there will I be buried. Yahweh do so to me, and more also, if anything but death part you and me.”

[18] When she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, she left off speaking to her.

[19] So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. It happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they asked, “Is this Naomi?”

[20] She said to them, “Don’t call me Naomi. Call me Mara; for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. [21] I went out full, and Yahweh has brought me home again empty; why do you call me Naomi, since Yahweh has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” [22] So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, with her, who returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.

WEB: Ruth Chapter 4
[13] So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife; and he went in to her, and Yahweh gave her conception, and she bore a son. [14] The women said to Naomi, “Blessed be Yahweh, who has not left you this day without a near kinsman; and let his name be famous in Israel. [15] He shall be to you a restorer of life, and sustain you in your old age, for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.” [16] Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse to it. [17] The women, her neighbors, gave him a name, saying, “There is a son born to Naomi;” and they named him Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Naomi left Israel with her husband and sons and came home without them.  How bitter that return must have been!!!  Yet, God had a blessing in store for her and he was to be the grandfather of the great king David.  The lesson here is that people may move, but God changes the world.  So much for immigration!!!

The Heavenly City by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/text/re21_2.htm


Something to look forward to... Gary

1/13/12

The safe stash...?


What a great idea!!!  Who would ever think of putting a "safe" inside an electrical socket?  Makes me think of the saying "the best place to hide something is in plain sight".  However, nothing is really safe.  Even the best "safe" can be broken into and bank robberies are commonplace.  The stock market is full of crooks and our government which oversees those who handle business is both inept and corrupt.  Money and security DO NOT GO HAND IN HAND.  Here today, gone tomorrow!!!  Of course, this made me think of the "sermon on the mount"; specifically, this passage...

WEB: Matthew Chapter 6

[19] “Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; [20] but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal; [21] for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The things that have true value are truly spiritual.  They really are!!!  Money can change in its value; remember paying 39 cents for a gallon of gas?  The more things you own, the more it takes to keep them and the more others want them, so there is more chance of losing them.  If your life is focused on love and the well being of others, those things will endure beyond your lifespan.  How about your relationship with God?  If you try to please him in all things in this life, can anyone really put a value on living forever in heaven?  True safety only resides in the one who has ultimate power and that is God.  And that safety is better than any trick safe that could ever be made!

The blessed state of the righteous dead by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/text/re14_13.htm

a revelation from revelation... Gary

1/12/12

What you say can change things...


The picture is an ordinary one of a man in a small garden.  Just so happens that the story places it in New Jersey, where we called home for twenty years.  If you haven't already done it, read the story; you will be glad you did!!!  I enjoyed it because not only was it clever, but it reminded me of someone in the Bible.  Read on to see what I mean...

World English Bible: II Corinthians Chapter 11

[1] I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness, but indeed you do bear with me. [2] For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. For I married you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ. [3] But I am afraid that somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve in his craftiness, so your minds might be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. [4] For if he who comes preaches another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or if you receive a different spirit, which you did not receive, or a different “good news”, which you did not accept, you put up with that well enough. [5] For I reckon that I am not at all behind the very best apostles. [6] But though I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not unskilled in knowledge. No, in every way we have been revealed to you in all things. [7] Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached to you God’s Good News free of charge? [8] I robbed other assemblies, taking wages from them that I might serve you. [9] When I was present with you and was in need, I wasn’t a burden on anyone, for the brothers, when they came from Macedonia, supplied the measure of my need. In everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and I will continue to do so. [10] As the truth of Christ is in me, no one will stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia. [11] Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows. [12] But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them that desire an occasion, that in which they boast, they may be found even as we. [13] For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as Christ’s apostles. [14] And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light. [15] It is no great thing therefore if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

[16] I say again, let no one think me foolish. But if so, yet receive me as foolish, that I also may boast a little. [17] That which I speak, I don’t speak according to the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting. [18] Seeing that many boast after the flesh, I will also boast. [19] For you bear with the foolish gladly, being wise. [20] For you bear with a man, if he brings you into bondage, if he devours you, if he takes you captive, if he exalts himself, if he strikes you on the face. [21] I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet however any is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also. [22] Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. [23] Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I am more so; in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths often. [24] Five times from the Jews I received forty stripes minus one. [25] Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I suffered shipwreck. I have been a night and a day in the deep. [26] I have been in travels often, perils of rivers, perils of robbers, perils from my countrymen, perils from the Gentiles, perils in the city, perils in the wilderness, perils in the sea, perils among false brothers; [27] in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, and in cold and nakedness.

[28] Besides those things that are outside, there is that which presses on me daily, anxiety for all the assemblies. [29] Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is caused to stumble, and I don’t burn with indignation? [30] If I must boast, I will boast of the things that concern my weakness. [31] The God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, he who is blessed forevermore, knows that I don’t lie. [32] In Damascus the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of the Damascenes desiring to arrest me. [33] Through a window I was let down in a basket by the wall, and escaped his hands.

The story in the picture and the passage from the book of second Corinthians have something in common.  Although the son (who was in jail) and the apostle Paul were completely different people, yet both through the cleverness of their writings accomplished their goals.   When you compare the worth of a few garden plants with a whole congregation of human beings, its not hard to see which is more valuable!!  Besides, anytime you can do something good without involving the FBI, you have accomplished something!!!

The Promise of New Heavens and a New Earth by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/text/2pe3_13.htm

Something to look forward to... Gary

1/11/12

RIVERCEPTION


Now here is something you don't see every day; a bridge for a river over a river!!!  Why? My every instinct tells me that this is photo-shopped, but who knows?  I have a hard time believing this one is genuine, so if anyone out there knows about this, please comment on the blog.  Until then, I remain unconvinced.  Which reminds me of a chapter in the book of Luke...

WEB: Luke Chapter 1

[1] Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us, [2] even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word delivered them to us, [3] it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus; [4] that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed.

[5] There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. [6] They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. [7] But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years. [8] Now it happened, while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his division, [9] according to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. [10] The whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.

[11] An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. [12] Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. [13] But the angel said to him, “Don’t be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. [14] You will have joy and gladness; and many will rejoice at his birth. [15] For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. [16] He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord, their God. [17] He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to prepare a people prepared for the Lord.”

[18] Zacharias said to the angel, “How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”

[19] The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news. [20] Behold, you will be silent and not able to speak, until the day that these things will happen, because you didn’t believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”

Due to the plan of service in the temple and Zacharias' age, it was very unlikely for him to be chosen more than once to perform the service in the temple.  But, it really was Zacharias' turn and during his service Gabriel told him of his upcoming fatherhood and the special mission of his son.  Since he and his wife were old, he just didn't believe what the angel told him.  Because of this, he wouldn't be allowed to speak until the day of his sons' birth.  Sometimes its hard to believe things you can't see and often even things you CAN SEE, but I guess that is what FAITH is all about.  God knows what we need and always answers; sometimes its YES, sometimes its NO and at other times, its WAIT.  When the answer is YES, even that seems too good to be true; even when it is plainly before your eyes.  Lord, help us to see your blessings and understand truth when we see it!!!  Now, about that bridge...