Crystal clear

Over the past few years, there has been a lot in the news about water. Water levels rising due to "global warming", water pollution and a lack of clean water for most of the world. So, when I saw this picture, the purity of the water was brought home to me by the littlest of things... the shadow under the canoe. That little shadow revealed the water to be crystal clear and it occurred to me that in Christianity some things are like that; plain, straightforward and true! Here is an example.


Acts 2:22-41 WEB (R)
(22) "Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as you yourselves know,
(23) him, being delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by the hand of lawless men, crucified and killed;
(24) whom God raised up, having freed him from the agony of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it.
(25) For David says concerning him, 'I saw the Lord always before my face, For he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved.
(26) Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced. Moreover my flesh also will dwell in hope;
(27) because you will not leave my soul in Hades, neither will you allow your Holy One to see decay.
(28) You made known to me the ways of life. You will make me full of gladness with your presence.'
(29) "Brothers, I may tell you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
(30) Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, he would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne,
(31) he foreseeing this spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was his soul left in Hades, nor did his flesh see decay.
(32) This Jesus God raised up, to which we all are witnesses.
(33) Being therefore exalted by the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this, which you now see and hear.
(34) For David didn't ascend into the heavens, but he says himself, 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit by my right hand,
(35) until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet." '
(36) "Let all the house of Israel therefore know certainly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."
(37) Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
(38) Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
(39) For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself."
(40) With many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation!"
(41) Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls.


Peter proclaimed Jesus. Simple, straightforward and true. With this truth the path to Spiritual Life was given. Those who heard it, wanted to do something about it. Baptism for the forgiveness of sins was the answer and three thousand responded. Crystal clear understanding. No clouded waters here!!

More than it seems

I call this picture "a hobbits bridge" because it reminds me of a hobbit hole from the Lord of the rings. In reality, its just a bridge like any other, but the reflection in the water makes it look like something else. Recently, I read a post on one of my favorite blogs that disturbed me a great deal. The author had a problem with imprecatory prayer (a prayer for justice against the wicked) and his comments belittled this passage from the Psalms. Imprecatory prayer is not UN-Christian, but only the contrary, very Christian. To the unbelieving, prayer of this sort seems evil and unworthy of those who follow God, but things are not always what they seem. Please read both the Old Testament and New Testament passages.


Psalms 109:1-8 WEB (R)
(1) God of my praise, don't remain silent,
(2) for they have opened the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of deceit against me. They have spoken to me with a lying tongue.
(3) They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, and fought against me without a cause.
(4) In return for my love, they are my adversaries; but I am in prayer.
(5) They have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
(6) Set a wicked man over him. Let an adversary stand at his right hand.
(7) When he is judged, let him come forth guilty. Let his prayer be turned into sin.
(8) Let his days be few. Let another take his office.

Acts 1:16-20 WEB (R)
(16) "Brothers, it was necessary that this Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to those who took Jesus.
(17) For he was numbered with us, and received his portion in this ministry.
(18) Now this man obtained a field with the reward for his wickedness, and falling headlong, his body burst open, and all his intestines gushed out.
(19) It became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem that in their language that field was called 'Akeldama,' that is, 'The field of blood.'
(20) For it is written in the book of Psalms, 'Let his habitation be made desolate. Let no one dwell therein;' and, 'Let another take his office.'


In Acts chapter one, Peter quotes from the Psalms and therefore validates its usage (even though it needs no validation). Imprecatory prayer should NOT be the prayer of a hard, evil heart, but rather a trust in God that longs for JUSTICE! It is not wrong to want God to make those things that are evil about us right, but necessary. I didn't say pleasant; I said necessary! We live in a world that desperately needs God; one that needs the JUSTICE that only GOD can supply. When we pour out our heart to God for change, we express dependence upon HIM to do what is right. We don't take matters into our own hands, but rather express the turmoil of our heart to HIM who will sort all things out according to HIS WILL and not ours. So, our prayers take on a whole new meaning when we diligently seek God to intervene in our lives. "O, LORD, look down on the world around me and confront evil and pronounce JUSTICE and JUDGMENT according to your will and not my own"; this is my prayer and my longing.

Been there, done that

The Amish country of Pennsylvania is beautiful! If you have never been there, I encourage you....GO!!! When I saw this picture, I said to myself "been there, done that." Sometimes revisiting familiar places like "Bird in hand" is a pleasant thing, but what if it is not? Read on to see what I mean.


John 9:13-28 WEB (R)
(13) They brought him who had been blind to the Pharisees.
(14) It was a Sabbath when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes.
(15) Again therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he received his sight. He said to them, "He put mud on my eyes, I washed, and I see."
(16) Some therefore of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, because he doesn't keep the Sabbath." Others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" There was division among them.
(17) Therefore they asked the blind man again, "What do you say about him, because he opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a prophet."
(18) The Jews therefore did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and had received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had received his sight,
(19) and asked them, "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?"
(20) His parents answered them, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;
(21) but how he now sees, we don't know; or who opened his eyes, we don't know. He is of age. Ask him. He will speak for himself."
(22) His parents said these things because they feared the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if any man would confess him as Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue.
(23) Therefore his parents said, "He is of age. Ask him."
(24) So they called the man who was blind a second time, and said to him, "Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner."
(25) He therefore answered, "I don't know if he is a sinner. One thing I do know: that though I was blind, now I see."
(26) They said to him again, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?"
(27) He answered them, "I told you already, and you didn't listen. Why do you want to hear it again? You don't also want to become his disciples, do you?"(28) They insulted him and said, "You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses.


The Pharisees would not believe in Jesus and thought if they just kept searching for evidence they could support their unbelief. The truth is that you believe exactly what you want to believe (and nothing more)! The old statement: "my mind is made up, don't confuse me with the facts" is true. Belief can be based on facts, but disbelief is often founded on the will and for those with a hard heart, the facts do not really matter. Even if a miracle was a unique one, it still wouldn't matter. Stubborn is stubborn and that is that!! For those with a hard heart, even if someone put a bird right in their hand, they wouldn't believe it was there. So, if you go to Pennsylvania and see this sign, stop at one of the local Amish restaurants, the food is great! And the food is great!!! Reread the last sentence until you are hungry!!!

From perfection to perfection

When I saw this picture, one thought came to mind; this is perfection. I can't imagine a more beautiful scene. When I thought about it for a minute, this passage came to mind...


Philippians 2:1-11 WEB (R)
(1) If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion,
(2) make my joy full, by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind;
(3) doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself;
(4) each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.
(5) Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus,
(6) who, existing in the form of God, didn't consider equality with God a thing to be grasped,
(7) but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.
(8) And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross.
(9) Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name;
(10) that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth,
(11) and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.


The Philippian Christians are exhorted to be like Christ; to be humble and self-sacrificing. Jesus went from the perfection of heaven to Earth and then back to perfection in heaven again. What an example, what a goal, what a hope! Beautiful, simply beautiful! However, somewhere in the picture there is bound to be a flaw, but in heaven; I think not!!! If you have a few minutes of "quiet time", reflect on what lies ahead and rejoice (I know I will)

I wonder what this means?

When I think of lightning, black skies seem like a foregone thought, but even though there are black clouds in this picture, yet there is quite a bit of clear sky as well. I wonder what it means? People have been looking at the sky since there have been people and Jesus had to deal with those looking for "signs".

Matthew 16:1-4 WEB (R)
(1) The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing him, asked him to show them a sign from heaven.
(2) But he answered them, "When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.'
(3) In the morning, 'It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Hypocrites! You know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but you can't discern the signs of the times!
(4) An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and there will be no sign given to it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah." He left them, and departed.


There is nothing wrong in trying to read the environment; every night there is a weather forecast on TV, the radio and the net. What is wrong is establishing faith in someone based solely on their power to do "miracles". Men have the capacity for trickery and some will use that to deceive the weak minded among us. So, Jesus goes beyond their question and exposes their heart of hypocrisy. He refers to the scriptures about Jonah for signs. Good example to follow; refer to the scriptures, you can't go wrong. Also, it might be a good idea to stay inside during a thunderstorm, even if there is some clear sky out there.

When a sunset is not a sunset

Most of the time when I think of sunsets, its when I am looking at them; but this picture shows a different perspective. In this picture, the sunset is emphasized by its reflection from a distant mountain peak and the coming darkness is in the forefront. The light that is nearby enhances the memory and not the vision. Paul must have felt something like that when he wrote his final letter to his protege Timothy.


2 Timothy 4:1-8 WEB (R)
(1) I command 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.


Paul left behind encouraging words to timothy to continue in his work because he knew he didn't have much time left in this world. The apostle wasn't looking forward to darkness but rather a revelation of reward for his love and faithfulness to God. And the sunset he saw may have been a sunset, but to him it was a type of SUNRISE, because the blessing of God's gift of righteousness was about to be revealed to him IN-PERSON. When a sunset is a prelude to heaven it becomes something more than a sunset; it is a gateway to the very presence of God himself. And that would make even this marvelous picture pale in comparison.

Through another's eyes

This picture reminded me of a preview I saw yesterday. "Avatar" is its name and it is a story of confrontation between Earth and the people of a fictional world called Pandora. The inhabitants are blue skinned and very majestic like the Elf's in the Tolkien trilogy. A handicapped soldier Earth soldier is given a chance to serve his world by using an Avatar to blend in with the Pandorian population and bring about a victory for Earth. Through his Avatar he sees more than he bargained for, once he really begins to look. And so, this passage from the Gospel of Matthew came to mind.

Matthew 13:14-17 WEB (R)
(14) In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says, 'By hearing you will hear, and will in no way understand; Seeing you will see, and will in no way perceive:
(15) for this people's heart has grown callous, their ears are dull of hearing, they have closed their eyes; or else perhaps they might perceive with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and should turn again; and I would heal them.'
(16) "But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear.
(17) For most certainly I tell you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things which you see, and didn't see them; and to hear the things which you hear, and didn't hear them.


Why didn't everyone "get it" when Jesus taught? Because they weren't willing to allow themselves to see life though other eyes is my answer. Human beings often think about things and once they arrive at a conclusion, that's it; case closed. I feel sorry for people who live life this way, because others can teach you a lot. Back in the very early 70's (yes, I know.. I am old) I was a quality control supervisor for Norton company. I oversaw the quality of the cloth finishing department and this was a big job for my years. One night a helper on one of the giant machines walked over and said to me something like this. Gary, you have a big job and you are important, but any night of the week I can make your job terrible by just deliberately not doing something right. I never forgot that because it helped me look at myself through another's eyes and I grew just a little that night. When we stretch our understanding like that God has a way of changing us and somehow we see with new eyes, hear with new ears and our thinking is never quite the same again. By the way, the movie debuts the week of December 14 and I can't wait to SEE IT!!