Breakthrough

What's wrong with this plane? The answer is:nothing. It's just breaking through the sound barrier, that's all. Most of the time we just hear a sonic boom and realize this has happened, but here is a picture of it. We can see it, not just hear it. A lot of things in life are like this, we know they happen, but we don't normally see them. Start your car lately? You don't see the mechanics behind the car starting, but you know they are happening; your car starts. Faith is like this, you can't see it but you can see the results of a changed life. Jesus said:

Joh 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
Joh 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said to him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, Verily, verily, I say to thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:4 Nicodemus saith to him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say to thee, Except a man be born of water, and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh, is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit, is spirit.
Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said to thee, Ye must be born again.
Joh 3:8 The wind bloweth where it will, and thou hearest the sound of it, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Joh 3:9 Nicodemus answered and said to him, How can these things be?
Joh 3:10 Jesus answered and said to him, Art thou a teacher of Israel, and knowest not these things?
Joh 3:11 Verily, verily, I say to thee, We speak what we know, and testify what we have seen; and ye receive not our testimony.
Joh 3:12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how will ye believe if I tell you heavenly things?
Joh 3:13 And no man hath ascended to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man who is in heaven.
Joh 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
Joh 3:15 That whoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The Webster Bible

Nicodemus needed to make the breakthrough from thinking literally to spiritually! There are countless things in this world we do not understand, but we accept them as fact. Like Nicodemus, we need to realize that somethings are beyond our current understanding and breakthrough to spiritual acceptance. Then, boom, you are there: breakthrough!

Beauty or the beast

A good friend of mine drew this beautiful picture. I have never been artistic and am amazed how someone can do this, but God gives different gifts to different people. This lady is quite attractive, but I wonder what she will look like in 50 years? As we age, our face becomes a mirror of the life we have lived. Haven't you ever noticed that some people retain a certain charm and attractiveness while others become bitter and mean spirited as they enter their golden years. The last letter that the apostle Paul wrote gives some insight into aging. He writes:

2Ti 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
2Ti 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me at that day: and not to me only, but to all them also that love his appearing.
2Ti 4:9 Do thy diligence to come shortly to me:
2Ti 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and hath departed to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
2Ti 4:11 Luke only is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
2Ti 4:12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.
2Ti 4:13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
2Ti 4:14 Alexander the copper-smith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
2Ti 4:15 Of whom be thou aware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
2Ti 4:16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
2Ti 4:17 Notwithstanding, the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
2Ti 4:18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me to his heavenly kingdom; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The Webster Bible

If anyone had a hard life it was Paul. I have heard it said that he traveled over 100,000 miles on his missionary journeys and the way he himself talks about his exploits in the latter part of the book of 2 Corinthians its a wonder he ever became older. He should have been a bitter old man, but instead the love within him is very obvious. I wonder, what will our heart be like in 50 years, a beauty or the beast? I guess the answer can only be found written on our heart, but you will have to look past the wrinkles to find out.

Ha Ha!!

Some people love to bring others down; I think they live for it. I frankly do not understand such people! Perhaps its a way to exalt themselves by hoping someone else is having a worse day than they are. How do we deal with such people? Nehemiah encountered those who ridiculed what he planned to do. See his solution in the following verses:

Neh 4:1 But it came to pass that when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.
Neh 4:2 And he spoke before his brethren, and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?
Neh 4:3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox should go up, he would even break down their stone wall.
Neh 4:4 Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity:
Neh 4:5 And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders.
Neh 4:6 So we built the wall; and all the wall was joined together to the half of it, for the people had a mind to work.

The Webster Bible

Simple isn't it; he worked and prayed. I think he had a great deal of trust as well, and the combination of prayer, trust and hard work is powerful indeed! Also note that Nehemiah named his adversaries and asked God to handle the situation. When faced with opposition, God is the best arbiter; rely on him and do not retaliate. It may be tempting to say "Ha Ha" back to your opponents, but ultimately it is far better to just hand the situation over to God; if HE puts someone down, HE really has the last laugh!

First things first

How do we measure worth? How is it that diamonds are worth more than say, popcorn? Is it just rarity or durability that is the overriding factor? What about intangible items such as a smile or love. Money is important, but try living without hope or love or companionship. What if no one in your life cared two cents about you? For all his great intellect, the apostle Paul really loved others, as can be seen by the following Bible passage:

Php 1:3 I thank my God whenever I remember you,
Php 1:4 always in every request of mine on behalf of you all making my requests with joy,
Php 1:5 for your partnership in furtherance of the Good News from the first day until now;
Php 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Php 1:7 It is even right for me to think this way on behalf of all of you, because I have you in my heart, because, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the Good News, you all are partakers with me of grace.
Php 1:8 For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.
Php 1:9 This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment;
Php 1:10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ;
Php 1:11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

The World English Bible

Don't worry about what life will give you; first give yourself over to others in love and a path of understanding will be provided by the God of the heavens.

Peek a boo

Recently a friend of mine has made me really aware of cats. I have known they existed for many years, but never really paid much attention to them. They are playful creatures as the two pictures shown above reveal. My friend talks about her cat as if it were human, but its hard for me to think about cats like that. Many years ago, a minister's wife was asked whether or not cats or dogs would be in heaven. Her response was the most insightful I have ever heard; "whatever it takes to make you happy will be there". A loving God would naturally give those who love him their deepest desires and fill their lives with joy! But what about today? What will God give to those who love him today? Jesus said:

Mat 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Mat 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Mat 5:6 Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Mat 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Mat 5:9 Blessed are the peace-makers: for they shall be called children of God.
Mat 5:10 Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Mat 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The Webster Bible

The word "blessed" also means happy, but the word happy really doesn't do full justice to the concept being conveyed here. It means the inward state of bliss that the person who seeks to truly follow God has within them. This doesn't mean the disciple won't have problems, or that things won't bother them, but rather that God will be with them regardless of the circumstances. So, even in the worst of situations, you just might find yourself feeling like saying "Peek a boo". Who knows, I might even get a cat someday!

Up, up and away

Imagine what it would be like to be in the basket of the balloon just taking off. Probably something like an elevator without the walls. I wonder just how high you could go in one of these things? Several years ago we lived in New Jersey and the townhouse development still had large open areas. Then one day in November a group of balloons landed in one of the undeveloped fields. What a sight it was! I still remember how BIG they were and HOW BEAUTIFUL! Its amazing to me how some things just make such an impact that they are never forgotten. Imagine how the apostle Paul must have felt when he penned these words:

2Co 12:1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. For I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2Co 12:2 I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I don't know, or whether out of the body, I don't know; God knows), such a one caught up into the third heaven.
2Co 12:3 I know such a man (whether in the body, or outside of the body, I don't know; God knows),
2Co 12:4 how he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
2Co 12:5 On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.
2Co 12:6 For if I would desire to boast, I will not be foolish; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, so that no man may think more of me than that which he sees in me, or hears from me.
2Co 12:7 By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively.
2Co 12:8 Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
2Co 12:9 He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.

The World English Bible

In the Bible there are three heavens; the first is the air about us, the second is all that we can see in the sky and last was the heaven above the others, where God dwells (paradise). To be allowed into that third heaven must be something that was the ultimate "high"! Makes ballooning look paltry, doesn't it? However, one day I hope to see it and I hope to see you there as well! Up, up and away!

Are you ready?

The rainy day had just begun to clear and the sun was shining as I passed Hack funeral home in Schaghticoke and started unto the two lane bridge. I wasn't going that fast, maybe 30 mph at most, but I began to skid. My skid turned into a full circle and then another and finally I was going forward, but by the passenger side of the car first. Then in horror, I noticed the car coming in my direction was doing the SAME THING. We just kept coming at one another and getting closer and closer. Finally we both stopped... just inches from each other. I am not sure how long it was before we moved our cars, but I know that I was a bit shaken and from the look on the other drivers face she was frightened. If we had hit, one of us could have gone off the bridge and it was a long, long way to the bottom.

When I saw the picture of the cat it reminded me of my skidding experience so long ago. The cat realizes what is about to happen and is fixated upon its impending doom. I know there was nothing I could have done to avoid my "almost" accident, but one thing is for sure; I can do a lot with the lifetime I have left to me. The question remains, Are you ready for the reality of this Bible passage?

Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Rev 20:15 And whoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

The Webster Bible