Children, bubbles and humility

Isn't it amazing how a simple thing like a bubble can provide such enjoyment to the young. They are fascinated by bubbles. And even though they don't last very long, they give enormous pleasure. One of the things I like best about being a GRANDFATHER is watching my grand kids learn to do the simplest of things. As I watch them experience something for the first time, somehow I experience it all over again WITH THEM. Even though I may know a bit more about what they are seeing (in this case, surface tension and the refraction of light), still I can see the wonder in their eyes and their obvious blessing. I guess God must feel that way about us too. As we grow spiritually, I imagine HE must derive pleasure when we begin to grasp spiritual concepts. Consider this passage from the book of Romans, for instance.

Romans 11:22-36 WEB (R)
(22) See then the goodness and severity of God. Toward those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in his goodness; otherwise you also will be cut off.
(23) They also, if they don't continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.
(24) For if you were cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree, how much more will these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?
(25) For I don't desire you to be ignorant, brothers, of this mystery, so that you won't be wise in your own conceits, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in,
(26) and so all Israel will be saved. Even as it is written, "There will come out of Zion the Deliverer, and he will turn away ungodliness from Jacob.
(27) This is my covenant to them, when I will take away their sins."
(28) Concerning the Good News, they are enemies for your sake. But concerning the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sake.
(29) For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
(30) For as you in time past were disobedient to God, but now have obtained mercy by their disobedience,
(31) even so these also have now been disobedient, that by the mercy shown to you they may also obtain mercy.
(32) For God has shut up all to disobedience, that he might have mercy on all.
(33) Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out!
(34) "For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?"
(35) "Or who has first given to him, and it will be repaid to him again?"
(36) For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things. To him be the glory for ever! Amen.

Christians need to understand that they are grafted into the tree of God's blessing. We are not anything special in and of ourselves, but are blessed with forgiveness. How? I guess we will never fully understand because we will never truly comprehend the wisdom and knowledge of God. But, we can rejoice; we can be happy and give glory to him who has done such an awe inspiring thing for us. Like little children we can enjoy the gifts God has given to us. The best part is.... we don't have to know everything, and am I glad... my head hurts when I try to really, really understand such things. Perhaps I should just stick to bubbles...

Yum, Yum!

Well, today Linda and I went to the Florida State Fair. As we walked by Krispie Kreme I saw someone making this hamburger using donuts and took a few pictures. A friend of mine mentioned that he had eaten two of them and really loved them. They were followed by a tasty dessert of deep fried butter. Yum! I didn't really think anything of it at the time, but something bothered me. He asked something like: Is it wrong to do this? Which made me think of this passage from the New Testament.

Romans 14:12-14 WEB (R)
(12) So then each one of us will give account of himself to God.
(13) Therefore let's not judge one another any more, but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block in his brother's way, or an occasion for falling.
(14) I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself; except that to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

What food you eat is up to you and a matter of conscience. What another person might or might not eat doesn't matter. What does matter is your attitude toward what you are doing. Eat or don't eat, but feel good about it. Frankly, the burger smelled pretty good to me, but I didn't have one because I am trying to cut back on sweets.

Wake up call

I was taking my wife to New Port Richie a few months back and I saw something like this for the very first time. This is a marvelous picture of a vertical rainbow. I have seen many, many rainbows but only one vertical one. Life is like that; you think you know something and then all of a sudden you have a new take and everything is redefined. Jesus is exactly like that; he changes everything. This passage from the book of Mark is a good example.

Mar 6:1-6
(1) He went out from there. He came into his own country, and his disciples followed him.
(2) When the Sabbath had come, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many hearing him were astonished, saying, "Where did this man get these things?" and, "What is the wisdom that is given to this man, that such mighty works come about by his hands?
(3) Isn't this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judah, and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" They were offended at him.
(4) Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own relatives, and in his own house."
(5) He could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people, and healed them.
(6) He marveled because of their unbelief. He went around the villages teaching.

Jesus went to Nazareth, his hometown and the people couldn't understand how he had become so wise and powerful. They had known him and made up their minds about him and were not about to change. Does the following sound familiar ? Don't confuse me with the facts, I have my mind made up! I know vertical rainbows are real because I have seen them and ever since that day rainbows have had new meaning to me. Jesus is who he is because of what he has and continues to do; his life has changed mine because I can see the truth of it. I know that what Jesus said is true because I have put what he has said to the test and it passed (or maybe I did, not sure) What a wake up call! Better than a thousand rainbows! Now, if I could ever see an upside-down rainbow, that would be something. Humm, I wonder what a rainbow looks like from space; would it be upside-down?

The good old days

No, this is NOT a roll of film! The frames of film are supposed to go sideways in relation to the holes. Clever; someone photo-shopped a new photo to look old. For just a split-second though, I thought I was looking at film. This picture caught my eye because of the nostalgic effect and the fact that I saw the movie "prairie home companion" today. Both made me think of "the good old days". However, when you think about it, those days may have not been all that good. We were younger, that much is certain, but along with youth came all the problems of it. Israel in the desert long for the past, for the "good" food they had in Egypt. They had forgotten they were slaves and found fault with the food in the here and now. They focused on their problems instead to remembering that their "bread from heaven" was itself a miracle. Sound familiar? Read on....

Numbers 11:1-6 WEB (R)
(1) The people were complaining in the ears of Yahweh. When Yahweh heard it, his anger was kindled; and Yahweh's fire burnt among them, and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp.
(2) The people cried to Moses; and Moses prayed to Yahweh, and the fire abated.
(3) The name of that place was called Taberah, because Yahweh's fire burnt among them.
(4) The mixed multitude that was among them lusted exceedingly: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, "Who will give us flesh to eat?
(5) We remember the fish, which we ate in Egypt for nothing; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic;
(6) but now we have lost our appetite. There is nothing at all except this manna to look at."

Israel complained. Not anything new, but God was angry with them. Moses prayed and the fire stopped and then they complained about the food. Next, God said...

Numbers 11:16-20 WEB (R)
(16) Yahweh said to Moses, "Gather to me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them to the Tent of Meeting, that they may stand there with you.
(17) I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit which is on you, and will put it on them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you not bear it yourself alone.
(18) Say to the people, 'Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow, and you will eat flesh; for you have wept in the ears of Yahweh, saying, "Who will give us flesh to eat? For it was well with us in Egypt." Therefore Yahweh will give you flesh, and you will eat.
(19) You will not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days,
(20) but a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it is loathsome to you; because that you have rejected Yahweh who is among you, and have wept before him, saying, "Why did we come out of Egypt?" ' "

I can only imagine the stress on Moses right about now and that stress was showing...

Numbers 11:21-23 WEB (R)
(21) Moses said, "The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand men on foot; and you have said, 'I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month.'
(22) Shall flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, to be sufficient for them? Shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to be sufficient for them?"
(23) Yahweh said to Moses, "Has Yahweh's hand grown short? Now you will see whether my word will happen to you or not."

So God gave them the flesh they wanted AND MORE!

Numbers 11:30-33 WEB (R)
(30) Moses went into the camp, he and the elders of Israel.
(31) A wind from Yahweh went out and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, about a day's journey on this side, and a day's journey on the other side, around the camp, and about two cubits above the surface of the earth.
(32) The people rose up all that day, and all the night, and all the next day, and gathered the quails. He who gathered least gathered ten homers; and they spread them all abroad for themselves around the camp.
(33) While the flesh was yet between their teeth, before it was chewed, the anger of Yahweh was kindled against the people, and Yahweh struck the people with a very great plague.

Plague was the reward for Israel's hard heart and the dissatisfaction for the way God does things. Think about today. Do we complain about how bad things are and long for days of yesteryear? STOP, THINK and BE THANKFUL, because you may be more blessed than you realize. But whatever you do, don't complain... you might get more that you expected.

Rules, rules and LESS RULES

If its religion you are looking for, there are literally thousands of them out there. Everything from cults like the one Jim Jones led to the worship of the giant mushroom and everything in-between. Some are easy to follow and some have rigorous rules and regulations. Since everybody is "right" it really doesn't make a difference; or does it? This sign says a lot to me because it emphasizes Jesus and not Judaism. Why is that important you might ask? Well, Jesus was brought up a Jew, but had some startling news; true "religion" is more about relationship with God than rules and regulations. It is more about "being" than "doing". Read Matthew chapter five and I think you will see what I mean.

Matthew 5:1-48 WEB (R)
(1) Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
(2) He opened his mouth and taught them, saying,
(3) "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
(4) Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
(5) Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
(6) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.
(7) Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
(8) Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
(9) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
(10) Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
(11) "Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
(12) Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
(13) "You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men.
(14) You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can't be hidden.
(15) Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house.
(16) Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
(17) "Don't think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn't come to destroy, but to fulfill.
(18) For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished.
(19) Whoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
(20) For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
(21) "You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, 'You shall not murder;' and 'Whoever shall murder shall be in danger of the judgment.'
(22) But I tell you, that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment; and whoever shall say to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council; and whoever shall say, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of the fire of Gehenna.
(23) "If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you,
(24) leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
(25) Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are with him in the way; lest perhaps the prosecutor deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison.
(26) Most certainly I tell you, you shall by no means get out of there, until you have paid the last penny.
(27) "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery;'
(28) but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.
(29) If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna.
(30) If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna.
(31) "It was also said, 'Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorce,'
(32) but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery.
(33) "Again you have heard that it was said to them of old time, 'You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the Lord your vows,'
(34) but I tell you, don't swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God;
(35) nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
(36) Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can't make one hair white or black.
(37) But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No' be 'No.' Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.
(38) "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.'
(39) But I tell you, don't resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.
(40) If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also.
(41) Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
(42) Give to him who asks you, and don't turn away him who desires to borrow from you.
(43) "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.'
(44) But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,
(45) that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.
(46) For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don't even the tax collectors do the same?
(47) If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don't even the tax collectors do the same?
(48) Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

The first eleven verses are commonly called the beatitudes and describe the blessed state of one who embodies their principles. Jesus goes on to say that he didn't come to abolish the law, but rather to fulfill it. So, religious practice is still valid, but is more concerned with the heart and being in a right relationship with God than obeying rules. Rules are important, but why we do things in our effort to follow God is even MORE IMPORTANT! You don't have to put a sign in front of your house to proclaim that you love God, but you do have to have a heart that endeavors to follow him. OK, want to know what to do? Open your Bible and follow the guidebook, but remember to concentrate on your heart. Jesus will show you the way... and he is IT!

Difficult and simple

This fascinating document is a mystery. The greatest minds in the world have been working together (via the Internet) for sometime to try to decipher it; without success. It is called the Voynich manuscript and contains information on Astronomy, botany, microbiology and other topics. Written in two intertwined languages it defies understanding and even the last page which contains the key remains a complete and utter mystery. Some say it was written by Rodger Bacon, but no one really knows. The Apostle Paul refers to a mystery too, but his comments do not need explanation (someone has already translated from the original Greek language).

Ephesians 3:1-11 WEB (R)
(1) For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles,
(2) if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me toward you;
(3) how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words,
(4) by which, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ;
(5) which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
(6) that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News,
(7) of which I was made a servant, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.
(8) To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
(9) and to make all men see what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ;
(10) to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places,
(11) according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord;

Paul was a nobody, but God used him greatly. Most of our New Testament was written by him, but, why? Because God wanted it that way and so it is. God also wanted those who were NOT JEWS to have a way out from sin and so Paul preaches that this "Good News" is for everyone. You don't need a secret decoder ring or a Wee gee board, just the ability to hear and respond. Not very mysterious, but sometimes things don't have to be. And am I glad, because I was never any good at crossword puzzles or scherades.

Betrayal

I have never seen a dog do this before; very strange behavior! Yet, for people, not so strange. People do all sorts of unexpected things, sometimes even to their friends. In the book of John, Jesus refers to something he knows will happen because it was predicted in the 41st Psalm.

Joh 13:10-18
(10) Jesus said to him, "Someone who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you."
(11) For he knew him who would betray him, therefore he said, "You are not all clean."
(12) So when he had washed their feet, put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you?
(13) You call me, 'Teacher' and 'Lord.' You say so correctly, for so I am.
(14) If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.
(15) For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.
(16) Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither one who is sent greater than he who sent him.
(17) If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
(18) I don't speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen. But that the Scripture may be fulfilled, 'He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me.'

Psa 41:9
(9) Yes, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who ate bread with me, has lifted up his heel against me.

Jesus amazes me! How could he daily associate with Judas knowing full well that he was to be a traitor? Yet, he did and the weight of that knowledge must have been enormous. I am glad Jesus did what he had to do because of the blessing we all have received because of it. The thing is... if we stop following God's will for our life, aren't we acting like the "friend" in the picture? So, be clean from sin, obey God and stay out of trouble. Besides, both sin and mud are hard to clean up; its just easier to avoid the whole mess in the first place.