The old paths

These barges remind me of a bygone year; one that saw a holiday party aboard a vessel much like this in Pennsylvania. It was quite an experience; one that I will never forget. Oh, it wasn't fast-paced or wild in any stretch of the imagination, just co-workers getting together to enjoy one an other's company and to celebrate the passage of another year. Yet, there was something about it that was intriguing, something that spoke of another way of life, one without the need to rush, without the constant pressure of society to succeed, to make more and more money with each passing year. Something like a visit to the Amish country, a view into another life and another way of doing things. Long ago, God spoke to his chosen people and wanted them to return to the old paths, according to the life-style that he had set down. Their response is at the end of the verse.

Jeremiah 6:16 WEB (R)
(16) Thus says Yahweh, Stand you in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way; and walk therein, and you shall find rest for your souls: but they said, We will not walk therein.

New is not ALWAYS BETTER!!! Think of all the chemicals in our food supply and the genetic engineering that is changing the very nature of the food we consume. Consider all the broken homes in this country because spouses are too selfish to compromise. What about all the political wrangling behind closed doors that has been going on lately? How long can this country endure if it continues spending more than it takes in? The founding fathers believed in one nation under God and somehow God is being excluded from every public institution? The answer to our problems is not in science or political solutions, it is in God; his ways, the old paths, tried and true. Hopefully, America will be different from the Israel of Jeremiah's time and seek God before it is too late. If that happened there would be rejoicing throughout our land like never before!! Now that would be one party I would LOVE TO ATTEND! (the barge is optional!!)

Fast or slow...

Normally, we would never see this happen; its just too fast for the human eye to take in. We "see" it happen, but not in high speed photography like this. However, we do know this is happening and that is what really matters. Whether something is fast or slow, is irrelevant when it comes to the eyes of faith. Here are a couple of passages that seem to work well together to show what I mean.

Acts 1:4-11 WEB (R)
(4) Being assembled together with them, he commanded them, "Don't depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me.
(5) For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
(6) Therefore, when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?"
(7) He said to them, "It isn't for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority.
(8) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth."
(9) When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight.
(10) While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing,
(11) who also said, "You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky."

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 WEB (R)
(13) But we don't want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don't grieve like the rest, who have no hope.
(14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.
(15) For this we tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left to the coming of the Lord, will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep.
(16) For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with God's trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first,
(17) then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever.
(18) Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Luke tells what happened and Paul says what's going to happen; both compliment one another. The "angels" said Jesus is coming back and so did Paul. We have the Biblical witness to provide testimony and our belief in the facts to provide the confidence we call faith. Whether it happens today, tomorrow, next year or whenever; it will happen. Remember, the God of heaven views things a little differently than we do, for with HIM a thousand years is as one day and a day is as a thousand years. God does things in HIS own time, whether it be in the blink of an eye like the picture or thousands of years; Jesus will come again;it will happen...believe it!

Nothing more, nothing less.

Want to know the future; don't read this paper. There is not going to be a flood...right! We humans are always fascinated by "inside knowledge" because it is a form of power. But when it comes to matters of religion, we already have everything we need to know. Yet the religious leaders came to Jesus asking for a sign; Why?


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.

If there is a lot of water, there may be a flood; daa! Still, some people will say there is no flood, even when the waters are up to their knees. Jesus had told the religious leaders who he was and performed many miracles before chapter sixteen, but that wasn't enough. So, why were they asking again? Because they wanted to find fault with him; to discredit him because they really did not WANT TO BELIEVE. This was a sign of their evil heart and lack of spiritual perception. Truth is, we believe exactly what we want to, nothing more, nothing less.

Perspective in truth

I imagine most people have never heard of three player chess, but it has perked my curiosity over the years. It seems to me that it would be more like war than the standard chess I have played over the years; more true to what war is really like. It also occurred to me that this board could also represent truth as well; my truth, your truth and God's truth. Having this thought I thought about Pilate's response to Jesus....

John 18:33-38 WEB (R)
(33) Pilate therefore entered again into the Praetorium, called Jesus, and said to him, "Are you the King of the Jews?"
(34) Jesus answered him, "Do you say this by yourself, or did others tell you about me?"
(35) Pilate answered, "I'm not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered you to me. What have you done?"
(36) Jesus answered, "My Kingdom is not of this world. If my Kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn't be delivered to the Jews. But now my Kingdom is not from here."
(37) Pilate therefore said to him, "Are you a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this reason I have been born, and for this reason I have come into the world, that I should testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice."
(38) Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" When he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, "I find no basis for a charge against him.

If even Pilate could see Jesus was innocent, what does this say about the Jews? To me, the term "narrow minded" comes to mind. But, that is from my perspective; I might have thought differently about them if I lived in A.D. 33. The point is that we should be open to the views of others and consider truth in the three fold perspective of mine, yours and God's. Hint, the more you focus on the last one in the list, the better you will be able to understand the other two. Now, having said all this, I wonder if alliances are allowed in three player chess; if so, I pick God.

Someday

The contrast of the desolation below and the beautiful golden hue caught my eye. How harsh the Earthly terrain and yet how beautiful the sky above! How could this NOT REMIND ME OF HEAVEN?

Revelation 21:9-27 WEB (R)
(9) One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, who were loaded with the seven last plagues came, and he spoke with me, saying, "Come here. I will show you the wife, the Lamb's bride."
(10) He carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,
(11) having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, as if it was a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
(12) having a great and high wall; having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.
(13) On the east were three gates; and on the north three gates; and on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
(14) The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.
(15) He who spoke with me had for a measure, a golden reed, to measure the city, its gates, and its walls.
(16) The city lies foursquare, and its length is as great as its breadth. He measured the city with the reed, Twelve thousand twelve stadia. Its length, breadth, and height are equal.
(17) Its wall is one hundred forty-four cubits, by the measure of a man, that is, of an angel.
(18) The construction of its wall was jasper. The city was pure gold, like pure glass.
(19) The foundations of the city's wall were adorned with all kinds of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;
(20) the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprasus; the eleventh, jacinth; and the twelfth, amethyst.
(21) The twelve gates were twelve pearls. Each one of the gates was made of one pearl. The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
(22) I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God, the Almighty, and the Lamb, are its temple.
(23) The city has no need for the sun, neither of the moon, to shine, for the very glory of God illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb.
(24) The nations will walk in its light. The kings of the earth bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.
(25) Its gates will in no way be shut by day (for there will be no night there),
(26) and they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it so that they may enter.
(27) There will in no way enter into it anything profane, or one who causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Jesus, through the Apostle John paints a word-picture of the preciousness of heaven; gold, precious gems, pearls and most of all the presence of God. Oh, to walk through the pearly gates and stroll the golden streets! Communion with the saints and full fellowship with God, at last, at last. The beauty of the scene is beyond description, but the cold hard reality of this world makes us long for something better, something wonderful!! Someday, it will happen; just wait!!!

Pictures, hands and a rainbow heart

Very nice photo! Not the photo in the picture, but rather the hands that are holding the picture. The picture is nice too, but the hands caught my attention. My guess is that the hands belong to the man in the smaller picture. He is probably remembering what it was like to be there; to be alive in that picture. Perhaps he has memories of the lady with him and I hope they are good ones. How we remember people is important; it says a lot about both them and ourselves. Consider the Christians at Thessalonica; Paul, writes:


1 Thessalonians 1:1-7 WEB (R)
(1) Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
(2) We always give thanks to God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers,
(3) remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father.
(4) We know, brothers loved by God, that you are chosen,
(5) and that our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we showed ourselves to be among you for your sake.
(6) You became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
(7) so that you became an example to all who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia.


To me, verse number three says it all; the rest provides color. Many people talk a good game, but not everyone acts; the old saying is true: Talk is cheap; actions speak louder than words. The Thessalonians did something about their faith and did it in such a way as to be a praiseworthy (verse 7) example. As for the Apostle Paul, well, he worked and worked and worked and through it all prayed and kept on praying. Both his success and that of the Thessalonians was not only in their many deeds, but in the heart dedicated to God that was willing to work in the first place. This sort of love will always be remembered because it is engraven not on perishable paper but rather on the heart which is given to God. If I could see within a being so dedicated, I have no doubt that what is written there would be in a living rainbow of colors, more beautiful than any mere words could tell.

The Eagle Syndrome

"Eat your spinach and you will grow up big and strong" is something that means a great deal to me. I didn't like the green stuff for a long time, until I was made to eat it and only it for a solid week. Then and only then did I really learn to like it. I began to appreciate it for what it was and not just how it tasted. You know, after awhile, it even began to taste good. The little bird in the picture may think he (or she?) is an Eagle, but sooner or later it will hopefully come to its senses. At the time of the writing of the New Testament, Rome was the unquestioned ruler of the then known world, so those who lived there were at the very heart of western civilization! Rome was the center of the world, so why not see Eagles where little birdies lived? The answer is found in Romans chapter twelve.


Romans 12:1-16 WEB (R)
(1) Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.
(2) Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.
(3) For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith.
(4) For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don't have the same function,
(5) so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
(6) Having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, if prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith;
(7) or service, let us give ourselves to service; or he who teaches, to his teaching;
(8) or he who exhorts, to his exhorting: he who gives, let him do it with liberality; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
(9) Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good.
(10) In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate one to another; in honor preferring one another;
(11) not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
(12) rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer;
(13) contributing to the needs of the saints; given to hospitality.
(14) Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don't curse.
(15) Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.
(16) Be of the same mind one toward another. Don't set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Don't be wise in your own conceits.

In Christ all followers are equal; but not all have the same function. Some of us may think we are more or less important than we really are, but God knows best how to use each one of us. I remember a maintenance man named Ron Q.; he was outstanding at what he did and a pleasant sort of fellow, so I struck up a conversation with him and we set up a Bible study. Since it was obvious he was definitely NOT a book person, I bought a copy of an "Easy to Read" New Testament for him to use. This was a big mistake because he was insulted. I should have asked what he wanted to use. He saw himself as being a more accomplished reader than he actually was, but I was more deceived than him because I didn't consider his feelings. I should have been looking for an Eagle, when all I saw was a little bird. That mistake cost both of us a lot and was one of the hardest lessons for me to learn. Pride is a terrible sin! Nowadays,when I look in the mirror, I don't see an Eagle, just one very big bird!