11/24/11

A twinkle in your wrinkle!



Thanksgiving is a holiday everyone likes; get togethers, plenty of food and generally a good spirit on the part of everyone.  My favorite day of the year!!!  Did I say food?  Not just food, great food!!!  I chose this picture because everyone is smiling and we should see a lot of that today... even from old people!!!  Check out another reason to smile...
 
WEB: Philippians Chapter 4

[4] Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!” [5] Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. [6] In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

God has a way of making even "old age" wonderful!!!  I know, there is a lot wrong with this stage of life; aches and pains, reduced activity, less money.  But, there are good things too... Grandchildren, knowing what to do about most things and why.  And the best of all is that every day that we grow older, we are one day closer to heaven.  When Paul wrote to the Philippians, he was in prison and old, but he could write things like this.  How?  The answer is simple: God put a twinkle in his wrinkle.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone... Gary

David strengthened himself... by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/text/1sa30_6.htm

Enjoy the Outline

Happy Thanksgiving

Gary

11/23/11

The wrong question


Good question!!!  However, its the wrong question.  It is common knowledge that the light is there to help you see anytime.  Do we open the refrigerator door only at night?  I don't think so!!!  So, I have to ask another question: Since the questioner already knows the answer: What was the question they should have asked in the first place?  Jesus faced a similar problem with the Sadducees...


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.”"

I am a little surprised at Jesus.  He certainly must have known what the Sadducees believed and yet he answers their question anyway.  Further, he just says they are mistaken and do not know the Scriptures or God's power.  Frankly, I expected a much harsher interaction with the Sadducees. I can only guess that some of them  were honest in their misunderstanding and Jesus knew that some of them would listen to the truth.  But, it seems also quite certain that some of them were just trying to trick him into saying something they thought they could easily refute.  I guess the "why" Jesus answered as he did is not as important as the "answer", but the concept that is the result of the exchange is priceless.  To know the nature of life after life is understood by knowing God and perhaps that was the point of it all anyway.  God desires life for us and NOT death and the life that HE has in mind for us is so wonderful, so different, that its almost beyond description.  For, it is a life in HIS PRESENCE, with HIM!!!  Wow, makes you almost want to be there now, doesn't it??? So, perhaps good can come from bad after all???  Only one thing remains for this post and that is to answer the refrigerator question that started all this.  Why are you worrying about a light in a refrigerator when you should be asking WHY you are having midnight snacks in the first place?  This means you, Gary!  Stop thinking about food already and finish the post!!!

A man after God's own heart by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/text/1sa13_13.htm

Enjoy....Gary

11/22/11

Seeing the beauty beyond the beauty


I wish I knew the name for this flower, but I don't.  Nameless to me, yet abounding in beauty, it is wonderful!!!  There are so many astoundingly beautiful things in this world that I am awed by the sheer number of them.  Sunsets, seashells, snowflakes, snapdragons, summer, sunlight; just to name a few.  Yet, what about you and me?  We don't just exist, we interact, we control, we imagine!!!  Human beings are the pinnacle of life on the planet we call Earth!!!  True, all life is important, but intelligent life is a thing to marvel!!!  Is that it; is there nothing more?  The answer is found in this familiar Psalm...
World English Bible: Psalms Chapter 8

[1] Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth,
who has set your glory above the heavens!

[2] From the lips of babes and infants you have established strength,
because of your adversaries, that you might silence the enemy and the avenger.

[3] When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have ordained;

[4] what is man, that you think of him?
What is the son of man, that you care for him?

[5] For you have made him a little lower than God,
and crowned him with glory and honor.

[6] You make him ruler over the works of your hands.
You have put all things under his feet:

[7] All sheep and cattle,
yes, and the animals of the field,

[8] The birds of the sky, the fish of the sea,
and whatever passes through the paths of the seas.

[9] Yahweh, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You and I are marvelous creations!  So intricate, that even after several thousand years of trying... we still do not fully understand all there is to know about our physical operation.  I doubt if we will ever know everything, but I am sure we (as a race) will continue to try.  If that is true, then what about how our minds work?  What makes you, you and me, well, different?  If these things are beyond us, then how about the universe?  How did it come to be? How is it organized? How does it all stay together?  Want to know the answers to all these questions?  You can't.  But what you and I can know is that God created everything.  Knowing God ultimately means knowing yourself because we are designed after him.  If you look at something beautiful, something wonderful, something amazing... God is there, because he designed it.  Give him the credit and respect due.  To me, its hard not to look at the beautiful flower at the top of the post and be amazed at its composition and not see the creator behind it.  I wonder, are we on the same page...?

Eli's ineffective reproof by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/text/1sa2_22.htm

I hope you enjoy the lesson... Gary

11/21/11

Doomsday or DUMBSDAY?


2012 is right around the corner. Beware!!! The electromagnetic polarization of the Earth will shift, our sun will align with the center of the galaxy with disastrous consequences and I-ching and the Mayan calender end.  Doomsday, approaches, so beware!!!  Have you heard this before?  I have... until it makes me sick!  Why all the concern, anyway?  Maybe this little cartoon is true, who knows... and maybe not!!! It seems certain to me that 2012 will arrive soon and before the year is done... WE WILL KNOW FOR CERTAIN!!!  Listen to Jesus instead of all the prognosticators, fortune-tellers and everybody and his brother who thinks he knows....

World English Bible: Luke Chapter 12

[1] Meanwhile, when a multitude of many thousands had gathered together, so much so that they trampled on each other, he began to tell his disciples first of all, "“Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. [2] But there is nothing covered up, that will not be revealed, nor hidden, that will not be known. [3] Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light. What you have spoken in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.

[4] “I tell you, my friends, don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. [5] But I will warn you whom you should fear. Fear him, who after he has killed, has power to cast into Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

[6] “Aren’t five sparrows sold for two assaria coins? Not one of them is forgotten by God. [7] But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows.

[8] “I tell you, everyone who confesses me before men, him will the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God; [9] but he who denies me in the presence of men will be denied in the presence of the angels of God. [10] Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but those who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. [11] When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, don’t be anxious how or what you will answer, or what you will say; [12] for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what you must say.”"

[13] One of the multitude said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

[14] But he said to him, "“Man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?”" [15] He said to them, "“Beware! Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man’s life doesn’t consist of the abundance of the things which he possesses.”"

[16] He spoke a parable to them, saying, "“The ground of a certain rich man brought forth abundantly. [17] He reasoned within himself, saying, ‘What will I do, because I don’t have room to store my crops?’ [18] He said, ‘This is what I will do. I will pull down my barns, and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. [19] I will tell my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.”’

[20] “But God said to him, ‘You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared

—whose will they be?’ [21] So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”"

[22] He said to his disciples, "“Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life, what you will eat, nor yet for your body, what you will wear. [23] Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. [24] Consider the ravens: they don’t sow, they don’t reap, they have no warehouse or barn, and God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than birds! [25] Which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his height? [26] If then you aren’t able to do even the least things, why are you anxious about the rest? [27] Consider the lilies, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [28] But if this is how God clothes the grass in the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith? [29] Don’t seek what you will eat or what you will drink; neither be anxious. [30] For the nations of the world seek after all of these things, but your Father knows that you need these things. [31] But seek God’s Kingdom, and all these things will be added to you. [32] Don’t be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom. [33] Sell that which you have, and give gifts to the needy. Make for yourselves purses which don’t grow old, a treasure in the heavens that doesn’t fail, where no thief approaches, neither moth destroys. [34] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

[35] “Let your waist be dressed and your lamps burning. [36] Be like men watching for their lord, when he returns from the marriage feast; that, when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open to him. [37] Blessed are those servants, whom the lord will find watching when he comes. Most certainly I tell you, that he will dress himself, and make them recline, and will come and serve them. [38] They will be blessed if he comes in the second or third watch, and finds them so. [39] But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not allowed his house to be broken into. [40] Therefore be ready also, for the Son of Man is coming in an hour that you don’t expect him.”"

[41] Peter said to him, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everybody?”

[42] The Lord said, "“Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the right times? [43] Blessed is that servant whom his lord will find doing so when he comes. [44] Truly I tell you, that he will set him over all that he has. [45] But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My lord delays his coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken, [46] then the lord of that servant will come in a day when he isn’t expecting him, and in an hour that he doesn’t know, and will cut him in two, and place his portion with the unfaithful. [47] That servant, who knew his lord’s will, and didn’t prepare, nor do what he wanted, will be beaten with many stripes, [48] but he who didn’t know, and did things worthy of stripes, will be beaten with few stripes. To whomever much is given, of him will much be required; and to whom much was entrusted, of him more will be asked.

[49] “I came to throw fire on the earth. I wish it were already kindled. [50] But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! [51] Do you think that I have come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, no, but rather division. [52] For from now on, there will be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. [53] They will be divided, father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against her mother; mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”"

[54] He said to the multitudes also, "“When you see a cloud rising from the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming,’ and so it happens. [55] When a south wind blows, you say, ‘There will be a scorching heat,’ and it happens. [56] You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but how is it that you don’t interpret this time? [57] Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? [58] For when you are going with your adversary before the magistrate, try diligently on the way to be released from him, lest perhaps he drag you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. [59] I tell you, you will by no means get out of there, until you have paid the very last penny.”"

Think 2012 will be a year of judgment?  OK, fine!  But WHAT ABOUT 2011?  What is your spiritual life like RIGHT NOW?  Are you ready today?  Have you confessed Jesus before men, or is HE just another good teacher to you?  Be ready, don't wait for 2012!!!  Life as we know it could end TODAY!!!  And I don't mean some catastrophe either... any one of us could get hit by a bus, or have a car accident or be one of the victims in the possible terror attacks against New York or New Jersey they announced Monday morning.  Why not settle your own fate today and not worry about the future?  Make sense to me.  Take care of your heavenly destiny and your Earthly one really doesn't matter, does it?  Who knows what tomorrow may bring?  In a word... Jesus!!!  Become somebody who follows HIM and forget about worrying; it's a waste of time!!!