It doesn't take an Einstein...

Some time ago, I used to subscribe to the Einstein quote of the day; some were amusing, others insightful, but all of them seemed to make sense to me. Don't misunderstand me, I certainly do not understand all of his theories and for his math--forget it! But for a man who was obviously extremely smart, he had a down-to-Earth quality I have always liked. As I looked at these two pictures, I couldn't help but wonder what he would think of today's society. Look around, things are changing: today I read in the news that a street preacher was arrested for telling a homosexual that God hates him. I don't think the preacher was right. It seems to me that God hates the sin, but still loves the person who sins. Read this passage from the book of Romans and YOU BE THE JUDGE.

Rom 1:13-32 (WEB)
13) Now I don’t desire to have you unaware, brothers, that I often planned to come to you, and was hindered so far, that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles.
14) I am debtor both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to the wise and to the foolish.
15) So, as much as is in me, I am eager to preach the Good News to you also who are in Rome.
16) For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek.
17) For in it is revealed God’s righteousness from faith to faith. As it is written, “But the righteous shall live by faith.”
18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
19) because that which is known of God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them.
20) For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse.
21) Because, knowing God, they didn’t glorify him as God, neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened.
22) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23) and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things.
24) Therefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves,
25) who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26) For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For their women changed the natural function into that which is against nature.
27) Likewise also the men, leaving the natural function of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another, men doing what is inappropriate with men, and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error.
28) Even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
29) being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers,
30) backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31) without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful;
32) who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.

God lets people who practice such things "do their thing". However, there will be consequences. The street preacher made a mistake and put himself into the picture, when he should have just read all or perhaps part of the Romans passage. Anyone listening to God's word would soon get the idea. It doesn't take an Einstein to figure this one out. Now, if I could just put this into an equation....

Some things are just hard to understand

This picture reminds me of the movie "Moonstruck". Cher and Nick Gage, what a combination! Although it has some content I find somewhat objectionable, yet it is an entertaining flick. If you haven't seen the movie, do yourself a favor and watch it as soon as you can; you WILL THANK ME!!! After you do, turn the TV off and just think about the theme of the movie.... love. When you do, these verses may come to mind.

Prov 30:18-19 (WEB)
18) “There are three things which are too amazing for me, four which I don’t understand:
19) The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent on a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maiden.

Even Solomon had things that amazed him; things that he did not understand, so if the emboldened text above causes a problem.... don't be too surprised. I don't understand it, so perhaps you won't either. There are times that I feel like the grandfather of "moonstruck" sitting at the table looking perplexed and says "somebody tell a joke". Its OK to be perplexed, some things are just hard to understand. Just accept love and move on.

Horsing around

Can it be? Is the horse really playing hide and seek? I don't know, but it sure makes me wonder. People can train animals to do all sorts of things... so... maybe. Did the horse really understand what to do? I doubt it, but, hey, anything is possible! What do we know and more importantly, Why do we want to? Solomon was very wise, but he did pen these words.

Eccl 1:12-18 (WEB)
12) I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13) I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under the sky. It is a heavy burden that God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.
14) I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.
15) That which is crooked can’t be made straight; and that which is lacking can’t be counted.
16) I said to myself, “Behold, I have obtained for myself great wisdom above all who were before me in Jerusalem. Yes, my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.”
17) I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a chasing after wind.
18) For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

If a very wise man like king Solomon can see the futility in wisdom, knowledge, madness and folly, what about us. However, I like the picture because of its entertainment value! Is that horse actually smart enough to play "hide and seek"? Probably not, but its amusing to think it might be able to, because after all... its just a horse! How about our lives, what do we want to know and why? What can we really know? My answer it: only that which is in our limits of understanding to know! We are human beings and can only know what we can know, but with God's help we can understand what he teaches and that knowledge is beyond mere mortal comprehension. Knowing God is not a game, it is a lifelong experience of learning. I wonder, does God look at our lives like we look at the horse? No doubt, he thinks of us according to our nature, but does he ever laugh at the foolish things we do? I don't think so, because I have never known God to "horse around" with my life.

Heaven, Earth and the human heart

It appears this picture was taken at nighttime, but the sky is so vivid that for a moment I thought it was day. Somehow day and night, heaven and Earth seem to form a Mosaic of the universe. Its as if all creation is seen in one giant composite of beauty. With this concept in mind take a couple of minutes and read this passage from the book of Deuteronomy.

Deut 10:12-22 (WEB)
12) Now, Israel, what does Yahweh your God require of you, but to fear Yahweh your God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
13) to keep the commandments of Yahweh, and his statutes, which I command you this day for your good?
14) Behold, to Yahweh your God belongs heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth, with all that is therein.
15) Only Yahweh had a delight in your fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all peoples, as at this day.
16) Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiff-necked.
17) For Yahweh your God, he is God of gods, and Lord of lords, the great God, the mighty, and the awesome, who doesn’t respect persons, nor takes reward.
18) He does execute justice for the fatherless and widow, and loves the foreigner, in giving him food and clothing.
19) Therefore love the foreigner; for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.
20) You shall fear Yahweh your God; you shall serve him; and you shall cling to him, and you shall swear by his name.
21) He is your praise, and he is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things, which your eyes have seen.
22) Your fathers went down into Egypt with seventy persons; and now Yahweh your God has made you as the stars of the sky for multitude.

Just as there is a relationship between the heavens and Earth, so there is one between man and his creator. Its easy to get so wrapped up in everyday living that this concept gets a little blurred, but this picture brings things into focus. God has a chosen people to be exalted into a reunion of true fellowship with HIM and extended Israel to include everyone who truly desires to be close to HIM. Its been over 3000 years since Moses uttered these words and they are true; who can conceive of the untold millions who have been blessed. Somehow, its a wonderful thing to realize that the creation of God goes beyond the mere physical and extends even to the uttermost depths of the human heart. WOW!

What time is it?

I feel sorry for the owner of this watch. Talk about a regimented lifestyle!! However, I freely admit we are a society based on knowing the time. We have so many things that have to be done in a very specific way, AT A VERY PRECISE TIME!!! By the way, what time is it, and shouldn't I be doing something right now?

Eccl 3:1-15 (WEB)
1) For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:
2) a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3) a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4) a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5) a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6) a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7) a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8) a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
9) What profit has he who works in that in which he labors?
10) I have seen the burden which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.
11) He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in their hearts, yet so that man can’t find out the work that God has done from the beginning even to the end.
12) I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good as long as they live.
13) Also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labor, is the gift of God.
14) I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; and God has done it, that men should fear before him.
15) That which is has been long ago, and that which is to be has been long ago: and God seeks again that which is passed away.

Does it really matter what time it is? How do we know? When you look at your watch, how do you know its right? Is it based on the Internet, or on the national clock, or the atomic clock? How do we know any or all of these are correct? The answer that makes sense to me is that God set everything in order; the stars, the rotation of the planets, even the atoms in the molecules with which we measure atomic time. It really does matter what time it is because there is an appointed time for everything and all of the cycles of life point to an organization and a time setting that can only be done by God. One more thing... don't buy this watch! Who needs a day that is so tightly structured?

The limits of bits and bytes

This picture reminds me of a movie I saw today; "Surrogates". Bruce Willis stars as a cop (so what else is new) who investigates the destruction of the surrogate body and its human operator. I won't tell you the whole story because that would spoil it for those of you who may be interested, but the movie and the picture do raise the topic of "improvement" of the species. Obviously, by just doing this blog, you can tell I am a fan of technology, but there are limits. Here is a chapter from the book of second Chronicles you may find interesting.

2Chr 26:1-23 (WEB)
1) All the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the place of his father Amaziah.
2) He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.
3) Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign; and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Jechiliah, of Jerusalem.
4) He did that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh, according to all that his father Amaziah had done.
5) He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the vision of God: and as long as he sought Yahweh, God made him to prosper.
6) He went forth and warred against the Philistines, and broke down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod; and he built cities in the country of Ashdod, and among the Philistines.
7) God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians who lived in Gur Baal, and the Meunim.
8) The Ammonites gave tribute to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entrance of Egypt; for he grew exceeding strong.
9) Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them.
10) He built towers in the wilderness, and dug out many cisterns, for he had much livestock; in the lowland also, and in the plain: and he had farmers and vineyard keepers in the mountains and in the fruitful fields; for he loved farming.
11) Moreover Uzziah had an army of fighting men, who went out to war by bands, according to the number of their reckoning made by Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the officer, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king’s captains.
12) The whole number of the heads of fathers’ households, even the mighty men of valor, was two thousand and six hundred.
13) Under their hand was an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, who made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.
14) Uzziah prepared for them, even for all the army, shields, and spears, and helmets, and coats of mail, and bows, and stones for slinging.
15) He made in Jerusalem engines, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and on the battlements, with which to shoot arrows and great stones. His name spread far abroad; for he was marvelously helped, until he was strong.
16) But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up, so that he did corruptly, and he trespassed against Yahweh his God; for he went into the temple of Yahweh to burn incense on the altar of incense.
17) Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him eighty priests of Yahweh, who were valiant men:
18) and they resisted Uzziah the king, and said to him, “It isn’t for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to Yahweh, but for the priests the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Go out of the sanctuary; for you have trespassed; neither shall it be for your honor from Yahweh God.”
19) Then Uzziah was angry; and he had a censer in his hand to burn incense; and while he was angry with the priests, the leprosy broke forth in his forehead before the priests in the house of Yahweh, beside the altar of incense.
20) Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked on him, and behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out quickly from there; yes, himself hurried also to go out, because Yahweh had struck him.
21) Uzziah the king was a leper to the day of his death, and lived in a separate house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of Yahweh: and Jotham his son was over the king’s house, judging the people of the land.
22) Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, wrote.
23) So Uzziah slept with his fathers; and they buried him with his fathers in the field of burial which belonged to the kings; for they said, “He is a leper.” Jotham his son reigned in his place.

Success; Uzziah had it in abundance. He seemed to do everything right... for awhile. But pride was his downfall and led to his leprosy. That's the problem with success and with technology; it can lead to pride. When we human beings think we have the right to change the very nature of what it means to be human, then we are headed for a fall. Once again, I really like technology because it opens doors to possibilities that couldn't even be imagined one hundred years ago. Just don't try to change God's ultimate creation: human beings. Tomorrow, do one experiment for me... sit down with a paper and pencil to write a few sentences or do a calculation or draw something. I find that doing one or more of these actions makes me feel good. Its like being plugged into the real you and not something with bits and bytes. Provides a large helping of humility as well.

Love in her (HIS) eye!

May will be here soon (our anniversary) and so its natural for me to be thinking a little more about love. So, the question comes to mind:What really is love? Is it a feeling;yes. Is it commitment; yes Is it understanding; yes. Is it physical attraction;yes. All these things and more, but what about the love of God towards us? On the way home from work yesterday, I was listening to the Psalms being read by Stephen B. Stephens and the ESV used the words "steadfast love" in place of the more common usage of loving-kindness or mercy. Does it really make a difference? Judge for yourself. So, I printed out several versions for consideration.

Ps 136:1-26 (Darby)
1) Give ye thanks unto Jehovah, for he is good; for his loving-kindness endureth for ever:
2) Give thanks unto the God of gods, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever;
3) Give thanks unto the Lord of lords, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever.
4) To him who alone doeth great wonders, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever:
5) To him that by understanding made the heavens, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever;
6) To him that stretched out the earth above the waters, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever;
7) To him that made great lights, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever;
8) The sun for rule over the day, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever,
9) The moon and stars for rule over the night, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever:
10) To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever,
11) And brought out Israel from among them, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever,
12) With a powerful hand and with a stretched-out arm, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever;
13) To him that divided the Red sea into parts, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever,
14) And made Israel to pass through the midst of it, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever,
15) And overturned Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever;
16) To him that led his people through the wilderness, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever;
17) To him that smote great kings, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever,
18) And slew famous kings, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever;
19) Sihon king of the Amorites, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever,
20) And Og king of Bashan, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever;
21) And gave their land for an inheritance, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever,
22) An inheritance unto Israel his servant, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever:
23) Who hath remembered us in our low estate, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever;
24) And hath delivered us from our oppressors, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever:
25) Who giveth food to all flesh, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever.
26) Give ye thanks unto the *God of the heavens; for his loving-kindness endureth for ever.

Ps 136:1 (AKJV)
1) O give thanks to the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endures for ever.

Ps 136:1 (ASV)
1) Oh give thanks unto Jehovah; For he is good; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever.

Ps 136:1 (EBR)
1) Give ye thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, For, age–abiding, is his lovingkindness.

Ps 136:1 (ESV)
1) ​​​​​​​​Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Ps 136:1 (NET)
1) ​​​​​​​Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loyal love endures.

Ps 136:1 (WEB)
1) Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good; for his loving kindness endures forever.

Ps 136:1 (YLT)
1) Give ye thanks to Jehovah, For good, for to the age is His kindness.

God cares for us, his love is expressed in the things he does for us, for the kindness of the many mercies he shows for us. Unlike human beings that change with age, He does not change. His love is special; it endures forever. Mercy is that we receive when we should get justice and love is a joint venture of the heart mind and will. It is complicated, but then again, it is a complicated thing to be a human being. God's ways are way beyond ours, but one thing is certain, He looks at those who love him with love in his eye and gives mercy and help when needed. Boy! do I need it!