Celebrate!

If you have ever been to Disney, then this picture will bring back memories.  Fireworks and celebrations are entertaining; they bring happiness.  Which naturally raises the question: What does it take to make you happy enough to be thankful for your happiness?  Here is the story of two men; one thankful, one introspective, but which one will REALLY be happy in the long run?

Luke 18:9-14 (WEB)


9) He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others.

10) “Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector.

11) The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: ‘God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

12) I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.’

13) But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’

14) I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

The one who humbled himself before God will ultimately be the happier one!  Paradoxical isn't it.  Yet, God can turn sorrow into joy and that is the best kind of happiness I know.  Today is my birthday; I have already received cards, e-mails, facebook messages and well wishes.  The day didn't start out very good, as my arthritis made my night not-so-good, but when I look at all the blessings of the day, that seems very unimportant indeed.  Most of all it has been humbling, knowing that so many people care about me.  If there are so many blessings in this world, then I can only wonder at the next.  I'll find out later, Jesus will show me... eventually!!!

Fire, the human heart and GOD

What a grand scene!  If you look at the mountain on the right, it is red, like it is on fire.  Of course this reminds me of Moses meeting God on Mt Sinai (except for the snow)

Exodus 19:16-20 (WEB)


16) It happened on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the sound of an exceedingly loud trumpet; and all the people who were in the camp trembled.

17) Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God; and they stood at the lower part of the mountain.

18) Mount Sinai, all it, smoked, because Yahweh descended on it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly.

19) When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by a voice.

20) Yahweh came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. Yahweh called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.

Scary, very scary.  Yet, such was the presence of Yahweh!!!  Imagine how small the people felt in the presence of God!!!  How awesome it must have been to see this, how terrifying!!!  But the God of this episode took the form of a baby and blessed us.  Hard to imagine, but true.  God is more than fire, more than smoke or miracles, he lives in the hearts of all those who have a fire in their heart for him and the best part is... you don't even need a mountain.

And the rest of the story is...

Something has happened; now, there remains to see what the outcome will be.  There is that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach and you are feeling a little nervous.  This is how the disciples must have felt after Jesus was placed in the tomb...

Luke 24:1-53 (WEB)


1) But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they and some others came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared.

2) They found the stone rolled away from the tomb.

3) They entered in, and didn’t find the Lord Jesus’ body.

4) It happened, while they were greatly perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling clothing.

5) Becoming terrified, they bowed their faces down to the earth. They said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?

6) He isn’t here, but is risen. Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee,

7) saying that the Son of Man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again?”

8) They remembered his words,

9) returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest.

10) Now they were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. The other women with them told these things to the apostles.

11) These words seemed to them to be nonsense, and they didn’t believe them.

12) But Peter got up and ran to the tomb. Stooping and looking in, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he departed to his home, wondering what had happened.

13) Behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was sixty stadia from Jerusalem.

14) They talked with each other about all of these things which had happened.

15) It happened, while they talked and questioned together, that Jesus himself came near, and went with them.

16) But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.

17) He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk, and are sad?”

18) One of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things which have happened there in these days?”

19) He said to them, “What things?” They said to him, “The things concerning Jesus, the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people;

20) and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.

21) But we were hoping that it was he who would redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.

22) Also, certain women of our company amazed us, having arrived early at the tomb;

23) and when they didn’t find his body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.

24) Some of us went to the tomb, and found it just like the women had said, but they didn’t see him.”

25) He said to them, “Foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!

26) Didn’t the Christ have to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?”

27) Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

28) They drew near to the village, where they were going, and he acted like he would go further.

29) They urged him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is almost evening, and the day is almost over.” He went in to stay with them.

30) It happened, that when he had sat down at the table with them, he took the bread and gave thanks. Breaking it, he gave to them.

31) Their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished out of their sight.

32) They said one to another, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us, while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened the Scriptures to us?”

33) They rose up that very hour, returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and those who were with them,

34) saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”

35) They related the things that happened along the way, and how he was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.

36) As they said these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be to you.”

37) But they were terrified and filled with fear, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

38) He said to them, “Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts?

39) See my hands and my feet, that it is truly me. Touch me and see, for a spirit doesn’t have flesh and bones, as you see that I have.”

40) When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.

41) While they still didn’t believe for joy, and wondered, he said to them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”

42) They gave him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb.

43) He took them, and ate in front of them.

44) He said to them, “This is what I told you, while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me must be fulfilled.”

45) Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures.

46) He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,

47) and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

48) You are witnesses of these things.

49) Behold, I send forth the promise of my Father on you. But wait in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high.”

50) He led them out as far as Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

51) It happened, while he blessed them, that he withdrew from them, and was carried up into heaven.

52) They worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,

53) and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

And the rest of the story is... Jesus.  He comforted, he explained, he blessed them and then went to HEAVEN.  That's the way it is; Jesus has been and always will be the answer.  Life is tough, things happen; sometimes very bad things.  The thing is: God has a way of transmuting bad to GOOD!!!  Jesus is the primary example of this; even the most evil thing that can happen (death) was (is) changed to life.  Don't you just love a happy ending; God does and that is the rest of the story (and I am sure that Paul Harvey would agree!!!).

More than a twenty dollar bill

This picture was very nice to see for many reasons.  First, it was nice to see some non-Caucasians doing something for a "White Guy".  Most of the time whites are the object of hatred (on TV) and this is a refreshing change.  Also, it seems as if there were more than one person helping (neighbors).  Again, very nice.  If you watch crime shows on TV, most of the time, the perpetrator is black, so, its nice to see non-whites in a different light.  All this reminds me of the following parable of Jesus...

Luke 10:29-37 (WEB)


29) But he, desiring to justify himself, asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?”

30) Jesus answered, “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

31) By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32) In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side.

33) But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion,

34) came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35) On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, and gave them to the host, and said to him, ‘Take care of him. Whatever you spend beyond that, I will repay you when I return.’

36) Now which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?”

37) He said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

The Samaritans had been Jews, but had not followed faithfully.  This doesn't mean that some (perhaps, even most) of them were not GOOD PEOPLE, it just means that they were not as religious as the JEWS thought they should be.  So, they were hated.  Jesus shows they were the JEWS neighbors and worthy of praise by this parable and strikes at the heart of prejudice everywhere.  I like the picture because it shows that everyone with a good heart will show it... no matter what their ethnic background.  They found common ground in the flag and realized that America is the land where many different people work together for freedom.  In one sense, we are all "family" because we are human beings and someday we may actually be able to overcome our differences completely.  I can't wait...

Purity, the Bible and understanding

Seems a little far fetched, doesn't it?  How could anyone come to the conclusion to do this to a teacher?  Yet, far worse has been done in the name of God, so misinterpreting the Bible is no surprise.  Remember the crusades, or how about the inquisition?  When it comes to correctly understanding the message of the Bible, a heart unadulterated by the world is a necessity.  Consider this passage from the book of Titus...

Titus 1:15-16 (WEB)


15) To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.

16) They profess that they know God, but by their works they deny him, being abominable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.

To me, these verses explain how so much evil can be done in the name of God.  Sin corrupts the mind as well as the body and leads to error upon error.  As far as the picture goes, I am reminded of the first line of the Christian hymn: Nearer my God to thee "...even though it be a cross...".  There are worst things than dying for Jesus... review verses 15 and 16 to see what I mean.

Get to work!

Thomas Edision's lab; how quaint!  Yet, at one time it was "state of the art" and we all know that he contributed a great deal to our society.  For most people this picture may seem strange, but not for me.  I worked over 25 years in chemical labs and some were not much more advanced than this!!  So, when I look at this picture, I think "WORK".  Yuk!!!  But even though I am headed towards retirement soon, I will always have to "work".  Read on to see what I mean.

Philippians 2:12 (WEB)


12) So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

You have to work at your life; it doesn't just happen.  Others may influence you, but your own heart drives your actions.  Each of us is different; we have different levels of physical and mental capabilities, varying social skills and habits.  In short, we are unique!  Since we will be known by what we do, let your "work" in life always have a spiritual focus and you will reinvent yourself on a daily basis.  You may not be a Thomas Edision, but your life is what you make of it, so get to work!!!

Disaster

Even though I downloaded this picture quite some time ago, it is still current.  Recent events have made us think a lot recently about disaster.  What would we do if placed in a situation like this.  Here is one Biblical example.

Nehemiah 1:1-11 (WEB)

1) The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace,

2) that Hanani, one of my brothers, came, he and certain men out of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped, who were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.

3) They said to me, “The remnant who are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.”

4) It happened, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days; and I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven,

5) and said, “I beg you, Yahweh, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments:

6) Let your ear now be attentive, and your eyes open, that you may listen to the prayer of your servant, which I pray before you at this time, day and night, for the children of Israel your servants while I confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Yes, I and my father’s house have sinned.

7) We have dealt very corruptly against you, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances, which you commanded your servant Moses.

8) “Remember, I beg you, the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you trespass, I will scatter you abroad among the peoples;

9) but if you return to me, and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts were in the uttermost part of the heavens, yet will I gather them from there, and will bring them to the place that I have chosen, to cause my name to dwell there.’

10) “Now these are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power, and by your strong hand.

11) Lord, I beg you, let your ear be attentive now to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants, who delight to fear your name; and please prosper your servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was cup bearer to the king.

Nehemiah 2:1-8 (WEB)
1) It happened in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, when wine was before him, that I took up the wine, and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad before in his presence.

2) The king said to me, “Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing else but sorrow of heart.” Then I was very much afraid.

3) I said to the king, “Let the king live forever! Why shouldn’t my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, lies waste, and its gates have been consumed with fire?”

4) Then the king said to me, “For what do you make request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven.

5) I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you would send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may build it.”

6) The king said to me (the queen was also sitting by him), “For how long shall your journey be? And when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.

7) Moreover I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah;

8) and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple, for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into.” The king granted my requests, because of the good hand of my God on me.

Nehemiah knew of some disaster that bothered him a lot, he prayed about it and when the opportunity arose, did something about it.  He was a brave man, because the king could just have ordered Nehemiah's execution.  But God was working through both the king and Nehemiah to restore the kingdom and temple in Judah.  Things may look bad, but when you look up, an answer will become evident eventually.  Pray about it; watch what happens.