Not only beautiful

Who doesn't like rainbows? A little extra art in the sky is a good thing, isn't it? The rainbow came about because God wanted a sign to show that he would never again destroy the Earth through a flood. Genesis chapter nine speaks to its inauguration.

Gen 9:1-16 God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.2 The fear of you and the dread of you will be on every animal of the earth, and on every bird of the sky. Everything that the ground teems with, and all the fish of the sea are delivered into your hand.3 Every moving thing that lives will be food for you. As the green herb, I have given everything to you.4 But flesh with the life of it, the blood of it, you shall not eat.5 I will surely require your blood of your lives. At the hand of every animal I will require it. At the hand of man, even at the hand of every man's brother, I will require the life of man.6 Whoever sheds man's blood, his blood will be shed by man, for God made man in his own image.7 Be fruitful and multiply. Bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply in it."8 God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying,9 "As for me, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your offspring after you,10 and with every living creature that is with you: the birds, the livestock, and every animal of the earth with you, of all that go out of the ark, even every animal of the earth.11 I will establish my covenant with you: all flesh will not be cut off any more by the waters of the flood, neither will there ever again be a flood to destroy the earth."12 God said, "This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:13 I set my rainbow in the cloud, and it will be for a sign of a covenant between me and the earth.14 It will happen, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow will be seen in the cloud,15 and I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh, and the waters will no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.16 The rainbow will be in the cloud. I will look at it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth."WEB

I find it a little interesting that God turned the catastrophic judgement of the flood into a new covenant that was "sealed" by something so beautiful. In the case of the above picture, the rainbow actually looks like two rainbows to me, so I wonder what that means? Whatever it means, rainbows are not only beautiful, but reassuring, because God tempers wrath with beauty. And if we learn something from them along the way, so much the better!

The most beautiful

This picture of the sea of Siam is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Its blend of color, shine and softness depict a harmony that we only experience a few times in our lives. When we think of beauty, pleasantness comes to mind; a unification of all that is good, truly a gift from God. But what about those things which are NOT BEAUTIFUL? Are they even worth having around at all? Things like those comfortable pair of old sneakers, or that soft sweater with the ugly stain on it? As human beings we certainly need to appreciate both aspects of life and recognize each for its true importance. Consider the following passage from Isaiah for example.

Isa 53
1Who has believed our message? and to whom has the arm of Yahweh been revealed?2 For he grew up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he has no form nor comeliness; and when we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.3 He was despised, and rejected by men; a man of suffering, and acquainted with disease: and as one from whom men hide their face he was despised; and we didn't respect him.4 Surely he has borne our sickness, and carried our suffering; yet we considered him plagued, struck by God, and afflicted.5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed.6 All we like sheep have gone astray; everyone has turned to his own way; and Yahweh has laid on him the iniquity of us all.7 He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he didn't open his mouth; as a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is mute, so he didn't open his mouth.8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who among them considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living for the disobedience of my people to whom the stroke was due?9 They made his grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in his death; although he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.10 Yet it pleased Yahweh to bruise him; he has put him to grief: when you shall make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of Yahweh shall prosper in his hand.11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by the knowledge of himself shall my righteous servant justify many; and he shall bear their iniquities.12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul to death, and was numbered with the transgressors: yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.WEB

On the surface, God's suffering servant was nothing to brag about; not a very good life at all. The results of that life, however, make this picture of the sea of Siam pale in comparison. The winds may churn up the sea and the sky grow dark and dreary, even those beautiful blossoms may whither and fade, but the Spiritual effects of God's less than good-looking servant have remained for over 2,000 years and will continue to grow in the future. Remember, beauty is only skin deep, but spiritual obedience has a realm of greatness that is beyond our wildest dreams. It will ultimately bring us into the presence of God and that will be the most beautiful experience anyone could ever imagine.

Keep silent!

The face can communicate a lot of things; happiness, sorrow, joy, contentment, anger and so forth. I like this video because it does just that: communicate. Exactly what, well, in this case I don't think its very important, as the object is to get you to pay attention and at the end is a little advertisement. There is an incident like this in the New Testament book of Luke, read on, you might find these passages interesting.

Luke 1:1-22 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 ministers 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 make ready 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."21 The people were waiting for Zacharias, and they marveled that he delayed in the temple.22 When he came out, he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple. He continued making signs to them, and remained mute.WEB

Luke 1:57-64
57 Now the time that Elizabeth should give birth was fulfilled, and she brought forth a son.
58 Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her, and they rejoiced with her.
59 It happened on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of the father.
60 His mother answered, "Not so; but he will be called John."
61 They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name."
62 They made signs to his father, what he would have him called.
63 He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, "His name is John." They all marveled.
64 His mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God.WEB

I find it marvelous that Zacharias was silent! His silence did more to convey the news about his son more than a hundred sermons. Indeed, God does work in unusual ways. I just hope he doesn't tell me to be quiet, I don't know how I could keep silent as long as Zacharias did.

Reflections of perfections

I have developed a love for HDR pictures! This one is especially beautiful to me, as it is so artfully done that for a moment it seemed hard to tell where heaven left off and the Earth began. However, that was only momentary, and soon the beautiful blue's and silver's blended in with the reflections became the focus. All this made me wonder; What if heaven and Earth were the same, if the beauty of the Heavens became one? This little thought led to my remembering the following passage from the book of Revelation.

Rev 21:1-7
21 I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth have passed away, and the sea is no more.
2 I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready like a bride adorned for her husband.
3 I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, "Behold, God's dwelling is with people, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.
4 He will wipe away from them every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away."
5 He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." He said, "Write, for these words of God are faithful and true."
6 He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give freely to him who is thirsty from the spring of the water of life.
7 He who overcomes, I will give him these things. I will be his God, and he will be my son.WEB

I think how wonderful it would be to actually see these things happen, to be there when things are restored to the way they were in the beginning (but better). In the grand scheme of things God has changed man's disobedience into complete fellowship and life will be forever completely new. But better than new, because he has really proved his love for us and the knowledge of that is better than just being blessed. For the time being, The Earth is but a mere reflection of what it should be, but the promise is there and the contract for our blessing has been paid for with the sacrifice of Jesus. So, the next time you see something beautiful like this picture, remember that the best is yet to come.

One grassy clump

Fire is both good and bad; with it we heat our homes, but some sick people use it to kill. If you have ever known anyone who has been burned severely, you also know that it affects them psychologically as well as physically. The fire in this picture did a great deal of damage, but not everything was destroyed; this one grassy clump survived. This reminds me of a passage from the book of Romans.

Rom 9:14-27
14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? May it never be!15 For he said to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who has mercy.17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I caused you to be raised up, that I might show in you my power, and that my name might be published abroad in all the earth."18 So then, he has mercy on whom he desires, and he hardens whom he desires.19 You will say then to me, "Why does he still find fault? For who withstands his will?"20 But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed ask him who formed it, "Why did you make me like this?"21 Or hasn't the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel for honor, and another for dishonor?22 What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath made for destruction,23 and that he might make known the riches of his glory on vessels of mercy, which he prepared beforehand for glory,24 us, whom he also called, not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles?25 As he says also in Hosea, "I will call them 'my people,' which were not my people; And her 'beloved,' who was not beloved."26 "It will be that in the place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' There they will be called 'children of the living God.'"27 Isaiah cries concerning Israel, "If the number of the children of Israel are as the sand of the sea, It is the remnant who will be saved;WEB

John (not his real name) lived in my hometown and had terrible scars from a fire. I knew him well because he rode on our school bus and I still remember him as being one very nice person. However, the fire had affected him so severely that he suffered from severe depression for the longest time and after many years he committed suicide by immolation. One day he just poured a gallon of gas over himself and lit a match. He died, but he didn't have to, because there was then and is now a way out of any circumstance. I truly wish he had put his trust in God and given over his pain to Jesus. However, not everyone will listen and not everyone will obey. When things are tough, when pain and sorrow are the worst, God is right there, ready to preserve you like that little lump of green in the picture. God works in very unusual ways; but remember, he has the RIGHT TO DO AS HE WISHES. Its not up to us to question God as to why things happen; its just our part to listen and obey. That can be a very tough road to hoe, but the reward for obeying God lasts a long, long time. I miss John, but his life provides me with an example of what not to do. Gary, reread this and listen yourself; you need to trust a whole lot more than you have! Anybody out there feel the same?

One tough Pig

Frankly, I think pigs are ugly, with a capital U. Even a somewhat slender one like this little guy is nothing to rave about. However, once you have seen the video, I think you will see why I chose it for a post. This pig has guts; plain and simple. He just won't quit, he attacks, then attacks and attacks and never stops. Finally, against obviously superior odds; he wins. Yeah! This little video made me think of Paul and his protege Timothy; read what Paul says to him near the end of the book.

2 Tim 4:1-8 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom:
2 preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching.
3 For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts;
4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to fables.
5 But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry.
6 For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come.
7 I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.
8 From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.WEB

To paraphrase this passage is simple: Don't give up, there is a reward waiting. Its easy to give up, to give in, to take the easy way out, but think about it... Jesus didn't. He endured pain that I can only imagine and for what? Me. So the next time you think about giving up on something really worthwhile, remember this "One tough Pig" and get at it, you will succeed eventually. Besides, you are probably much better looking anyway!

Satan's throne

If Satan had a throne, what would it look like? Who knows, but this picture just might fill the bill. Why? Because Satan was (and still is) on a power trip (as shown by the horns). The color is right, since God is light, naturally Satan would be black. Since God is love, Satan would naturally be hate. God has exalted man, so Satan would naturally do the opposite and exalt the animal world. In short, whatever God is, wants, desires or works at, Satan wants the exact opposite. This passage from revelation will prove interesting.

Rev 2:12-17
12 "To the angel of the assembly in Pergamum write: "He who has the sharp two-edged sword says these things:
13 "I know your works and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. You hold firmly to my name, and didn't deny my faith in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
15 So you also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans likewise .
16 Repent therefore, or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes, to him I will give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no one knows but he who receives it.WEB

One of Satan's best "tricks" is to get the unwitting human to accept something "more" in the way of deity and his best method is to use sex along with this. Fortunately, we have Jesus, who has both shown us the way and helps us become and remain Spiritual. To those who "overcome" Satan and his ways, God will give him 1. hidden manna 2. a white stone 3. a new name. In other words, Spiritual sustenance, freedom and a new life. What more could someone ever want? After all, it is better to bow in heaven rather than sit on a throne in hell! I don't know about you, but I am going to watch where I sit from now on and besides, BLACK MAKES ME NERVOUS!!