Rejoice!

What makes you laugh like these kids? What gets you going so much that you just laugh and laugh and keep on laughing till your eyes water and your side hurts? Here is a passage from the Psalms to think about....

Ps 126:1-3 (WEB)
126:1 A Song of Ascents. When Yahweh brought back those who returned to Zion, we were like those who dream.
126:2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, “Yahweh has done great things for them.”
126:3 Yahweh has done great things for us, and we are glad.

Israel was in exile seventy years; that's a long time. When they returned they were filled to overflowing with happiness at what God had done for them. They were HOME because God had brought them HOME. There is something catchy about laughter, something that lifts the spirit in ways beyond expression. How happy, how blessed, is the person who can enjoy the blessings of God. That one becomes like a little child in their delights and rejoices.

More than a rainbow

This picture of New Zealand is a little unusual because the rainbow looks like it just sets on the mountain and that the reflection in the water IS THE MOUNTAIN with a rainbow in it. Of course it is an optical illusion; the rainbow is just slightly above the mountain and both the rainbow and the mountain are see in. You just have to look closely to see it. Some things are indeed hard to see and even harder to believe, but the effort is worth it.

Josh 10:7-14 (WEB)
10:7 So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor.
10:8 Yahweh said to Joshua, “Don’t fear them, for I have delivered them into your hands. Not a man of them will stand before you.”
10:9 Joshua therefore came on them suddenly. He went up from Gilgal all night.
10:10 Yahweh confused them before Israel, and he killed them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them by the way of the ascent of Beth Horon, and struck them to Azekah and to Makkedah.
10:11 It happened, as they fled from before Israel, while they were at the descent of Beth Horon, that Yahweh cast down great stones from the sky on them to Azekah, and they died. There were more who died from the hailstones than who the children of Israel killed with the sword.
10:12 Then Joshua spoke to Yahweh in the day when Yahweh delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel; and he said in the sight of Israel, “Sun, stand still on Gibeon! You, moon, stop in the valley of Aijalon!”
10:13 The sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the nation had avenged themselves of their enemies. Isn’t this written in the book of Jashar? The sun stayed in the midst of the sky, and didn’t hurry to go down about a whole day.
10:14 There was no day like that before it or after it, that Yahweh listened to the voice of a man; for Yahweh fought for Israel.

Israel was fighting against the Amorites (really a confederation of several kings) because the Gibeonites had tricked the elders of Israel into an alliance and Israel was coming to their aid. That in itself is just an ordinary event, but HOW IT WAS ACCOMPLISHED contained miracles. God fought for Israel by means of confusion and hailstones. More than that, God listened to Joshua and the sun and moon stood still until the victory was complete. I can't explain the miracles anymore than I can explain the rainbow in the picture, but one thing seems certain; it did happen and both are real. Sometimes you just have to set back and accept things by faith and this is one of those times. Anybody have a copy of the book of Jashar?

What is it really worth?

I bet you have never seen this bill before!! Not only is it for $100,000 dollars, but it is a gold certificate. Today, with all the stress on passing "tests" in school, I wonder how many people would even recognize Woodrow Wilson, let alone know anything about him. Probably, most people would never get past the amount of the bill and just not care about anything else. Does our society really run on money? No, its not a trick question. The quick answer would be something like: "Yes, of course it does". However, since we went off the gold standard, the new bills are just paper and not backed by gold. That's why the government keeps on printing more and more and more of the stuff. What is really running the country is the PROMISE THAT OUR MONEY IS WORTH SOMETHING! That promise is becoming a little thin because of all the greed out there and the political trickery that has been so prevalent over the past few decades. Consider this passage from the book of Timothy; Paul writes:

1Tim 6:6-10 (WEB)
6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
6:7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out.
6:8 But having food and clothing, we will be content with that.
6:9 But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction.
6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

It really is true that the best things in life are free. I have seen people with a lack of money and also an excess of it. Those in the excess category spend more on things they really do not need, give more to "friends" and relatives with their hands out, but are not at all content. Don't love money; pursue godliness instead. Work to provide for your real needs and not your greed's and you will be happier. In case you are wondering, Woodrow Wilson, was our president during World War I and the leader who unsuccessfully tried to organize the league of nations. Frankly, I don't care how much money he had, I just know that he led our nation through a difficult time and that is good enough for me.

Just for fun!!!

Tonight my youngest daughter and her family were over for awhile. It was very nice to see ALL OF THEM, but frankly, the nine month old stole the show. She is just learning to crawl, speak and to really interact with others. She loves the cuckoo clock. Toys are nice, but a plastic bag is just her speed. Remember days like that, when simple things held your attention forever. Even when you get to be SEVERAL YEARS OLD, uncomplicated things like blowing these bubbles can hold your interest (the bubbles used to be much, much smaller, but it didn't really matter. As you grow up, your thoughts become more complicated and you become sophisticated. However, knowing God should not be like that, no matter how old you are. Listen to the words of Jesus:

Matthew 18:2-4 WEB (R)
(2) Jesus called a little child to himself, and set him in the midst of them,
(3) and said, "Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn, and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
(4) Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Every single time I begin to think I really know something.... wham, something happens and whatever pride I have goes right out the window. Today was like that. I have been working with PC's ever since the middle eighties and using Bible Study Programs like PC Study Bible and e-Sword. On the advise of a friend I downloaded, installed and played with a new Bible Study Program called "The Word". This held my attention for hours and I realized that I could do a great deal with it. The best part.... its free!!!! Now I have to really start learning it and I won't really accomplish that until I take the attitude that Jesus talks about in Matthew 18. I pray that I might spiritually age backwards and learn all over again to enjoy the simple things in life. Of course, that also means having the right attitude towards God. That's all for now, I feel the urge to do something fun... Humm, I wonder where Linda put the bubble blower?

Music to sooth the beast

I don't know; is it a rat or a mouse? Whatever, its cute! Do animals really play music? Yes, I have seen seals play horns mounted on a xylophone like contraption and there are probably many others that do unusual things as well. I have always thought music was purely for enjoyment, but it can be medicinal as well. See for yourself.

1 Samuel 16:14-21 WEB (R)
(14) Now the Spirit of Yahweh departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Yahweh troubled him.
(15) Saul's servants said to him, See now, an evil spirit from God troubles you.
(16) Let our lord now command your servants who are before you, to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp: and it shall happen, when the evil spirit from God is on you, that he shall play with his hand, and you shall be well.
(17) Saul said to his servants, Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me.
(18) Then answered one of the young men, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, and a mighty man of valor, and a man of war, and prudent in speech, and a comely person; and Yahweh is with him.
(19) Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, Send me David your son, who is with the sheep.
(20) Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son to Saul.
(21) David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armor bearer.

OK, I know David played a harp and not the wind instrument that we see in the picture, but still David's efforts soothed king Saul. Saul's problem was that God had left him and this caused distress and unhappiness. Music helped Saul and ingratiated David to him and this was according to the will of God. I find it interesting that God can take the unhappiness of Saul and use it to exalt David. God works in mysterious ways and music is just one more thing to think about. Now, I know David composed many, many Psalms, but I can't help but wonder what the rodent in the picture would play? My best guess on that one would be: "The mouse takes the cheese". Runner up would be: "Cat on a hot tin roof". Perhaps this little fellow is charming a cat the way one would charm a Cobra? Whatever is going on, I still would love to hear "him" play!!

The right perspective

Strange picture; long and narrow. One of the points it makes with this perspective is size. When I look at this picture, I can't help but realize how really insignificant human beings are. We rule the planet, but are in fact quite small and dependent creatures. If something were to interrupt the food chain, we would be in big trouble. God cares for us and provides everything we truly need. Isn't it time we thought about it?

Psalms 8:1-9 WEB (R)
(1) Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth, who has set your glory above the heavens!
(2) From the lips of babes and infants you have established strength, because of your adversaries, that you might silence the enemy and the avenger.
(3) When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained;
(4) what is man, that you think of him? What is the son of man, that you care for him?
(5) For you have made him a little lower than God, and crowned him with glory and honor.
(6) You make him ruler over the works of your hands. You have put all things under his feet:
(7) All sheep and cattle, yes, and the animals of the field,
(8) The birds of the sky, the fish of the sea, and whatever passes through the paths of the seas.
(9) Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

And when you consider this, praise is due to HIM to provides so abundantly for us. I guess I will never truly understand WHY he thinks so much of human beings, but that isn't required. What IS REQUIRED is that we appreciate HIS blessings and give thanks. Now that is the proper perspective of things.

V is for VICTORY OF THE SPIRIT

For Eric....

Richard Milhouse Nixon leaving the white house for the last time. Disgraced, yet optimistic; rejected yet positive. I voted for him twice... who knew. He seemed to be a great man, I always like what he said and thought a great deal of him. Remember, HE is the man who went to CHINA. Then along came Watergate and then WHAM, NO MORE NIXON. This picture reminded me of a great man (men) in the old testament who did something wrong and paid the price. Read on to see who it is....

Numbers 20:7-13 WEB (R)
(7) Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
(8) Take the rod, and assemble the congregation, you, and Aaron your brother, and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it give forth its water; and you shall bring forth to them water out of the rock; so you shall give the congregation and their livestock drink.
(9) Moses took the rod from before Yahweh, as he commanded him.
(10) Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, Hear now, you rebels; shall we bring you water out of this rock for you?
(11) Moses lifted up his hand, and struck the rock with his rod twice: and water came forth abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock.
(12) Yahweh said to Moses and Aaron, Because you didn't believe in me, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.
(13) These are the waters of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with Yahweh, and he was sanctified in them.

When great men fail in some way, it lets us all down. How soon we forget that we are ALL HUMAN, that we are ALL SUBJECT TO THE POSSIBILITY OF ERROR. Nixon, Jimmy Swaggart, and many ,many politic ans have fallen short of expectation, but remember THEY ARE ALL HUMAN. Of them all, I think I like Jimmy Swaggart the best, because at least he seemed sincere in his repentance. There were consequences for all of them, but some dealt with it and moved on. Both Moses and Aaron, along with Richard Nixon, still maintained a good attitude (notice Nixon's trademark V gestures) and went on to do the best they could. That's what life's all about, just doing the best you can. In 1974, I was laid off from Norton Co. and frankly I thought my world was coming down around me. At my exit interview, Jack Stryniski told me something better was out there for me.... he was right. That something better was faith and belief in Jesus and so my downtrodden status was changed and like Nixon I can think a "V" in my heart NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS! So can you!