Pain, suffering and hope

How would you like to open your eyes to find this? Not me! Its not the little feet that would scare me, its the stinger in the tail I would be worrying about. Pain is something we all can relate to, especially when it involves any sensitive area of the body. But what about psychological pain? When someone near and dear to us has a problem, don't we hurt as well? Jesus knew all about this as can be seen from this passage from the book of John.

John 11:1-45 (WEB)
1) Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister, Martha.
2) It was that Mary who had anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother, Lazarus, was sick.
3) The sisters therefore sent to him, saying, “Lord, behold, he for whom you have great affection is sick.”
4) But when Jesus heard it, he said, “This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of God, that God’s Son may be glorified by it.”
5) Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
6) When therefore he heard that he was sick, he stayed two days in the place where he was.
7) Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let’s go into Judea again.”
8) The disciples told him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just trying to stone you, and are you going there again?”
9) Jesus answered, “Aren’t there twelve hours of daylight? If a man walks in the day, he doesn’t stumble, because he sees the light of this world.
10) But if a man walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light isn’t in him.”
11) He said these things, and after that, he said to them, “Our friend, Lazarus, has fallen asleep, but I am going so that I may awake him out of sleep.”
12) The disciples therefore said, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.”
13) Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he spoke of taking rest in sleep.
14) So Jesus said to them plainly then, “Lazarus is dead.
15) I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe. Nevertheless, let’s go to him.”
16) Thomas therefore, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go also, that we may die with him.”
17) So when Jesus came, he found that he had been in the tomb four days already.
18) Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen stadia away.
19) Many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother.
20) Then when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary stayed in the house.
21) Therefore Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you would have been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.
22) Even now I know that, whatever you ask of God, God will give you.”
23) Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
24) Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
25) Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies.
26) Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
27) She said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, God’s Son, he who comes into the world.”
28) When she had said this, she went away, and called Mary, her sister, secretly, saying, “The Teacher is here, and is calling you.”
29) When she heard this, she arose quickly, and went to him.
30) Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was in the place where Martha met him.
31) Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and were consoling her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.”
32) Therefore when Mary came to where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you would have been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.”
33) When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews weeping who came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,
34) and said, “Where have you laid him?” They told him, “Lord, come and see.”
35) Jesus wept.
36) The Jews therefore said, “See how much affection he had for him!”
37) Some of them said, “Couldn’t this man, who opened the eyes of him who was blind, have also kept this man from dying?”
38) Jesus therefore, again groaning in himself, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone lay against it.
39) Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”
40) Jesus said to her, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed, you would see God’s glory?”
41) So they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, “Father, I thank you that you listened to me.
42) I know that you always listen to me, but because of the multitude that stands around I said this, that they may believe that you sent me.”
43) When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”
44) He who was dead came out, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Free him, and let him go.”
45) Therefore many of the Jews, who came to Mary and saw what Jesus did, believed in him.
(John 11:1-45, WEB)

The Bible is more than just a book of religious sounding stories; it chronicles the lives of real people in everyday situations, with problems similar to those faced by everyone. Oh, the geography is different as well as the language, but some things are fundamental to what it means to be a human being. Pain, suffering and death are common to us all. Lazarus was special to Jesus and it hurt him to know what had happened to him. One of my all -time favorite passages is verse 35; short and to the point, yet full of so much humanity!! You can almost feel the pain that Jesus was going through, much like the situation in the picture has a way of ringing a chord of pain in us all. Jesus raised Lazarus, now there is something you don't see every day! The painful sting of death has been nullified by the love of God as seen in the sacrifice of Jesus and therein lies hope of a life beyond this one. Only one thing left to say....... BLINK, QUICKLY!!!!

"cat" dreams

For Maxi...

I had just finished a delicious meal; given to me by the one I allow to take care of me. It was a purrfect feast and it made me sleepy. I found a nice place to curl up and totally relax. Soon I was fast asleep and as I slept I dreamed of many things; my favorite treats, toys that I love to play with and many other things too numerous to mention. There must have been something special in that meal I was given, for suddenly I felt a growing power within me. I felt stronger with each passing moment and soon I WAS IN TOTAL CONTROL OF EVERYTHING AND EVERYBODY AROUND ME. I could feel the power emanate from my extremities; POWER, TOTAL POWER WAS MINE! But it wasn't enough, and as time went on I just wanted more and more and more. There was no to end to it; The world was mine...... Then I awoke, back to the real world, where I only had a little power over the one I allow to take care of me. Sound a little familiar? I hope not!!! If you are having dreams like this, maybe some counseling or medical help is in order. However, it could be something as simple as: not having chili after 2 am or cutting back on the catnip. But power is something we all have to think about at one time or another, as it is a part of life. Here is the story of one man who had a problem with the pride of power and its found in the book of Acts.

Acts 8:9-24 (WEB)
9) But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who used to practice sorcery in the city, and amazed the people of Samaria, making himself out to be some great one,
10) to whom they all listened, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is that great power of God.”
11) They listened to him, because for a long time he had amazed them with his sorceries.
12) But when they believed Philip preaching good news concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
13) Simon himself also believed. Being baptized, he continued with Philip. Seeing signs and great miracles occurring, he was amazed.
14) Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,
15) who, when they had come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit;
16) for as yet he had fallen on none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of Christ Jesus.
17) Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18) Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,
19) saying, “Give me also this power, that whomever I lay my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20) But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
21) You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart isn’t right before God.
22) Repent therefore of this, your wickedness, and ask God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.
23) For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.”
24) Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that none of the things which you have spoken happen to me.”
(Acts 8:9-24, WEB)

Whether human or feline, its in the blood to want power. Simon thought he could buy that power and become like a god; boy was he wrong. Face it, we can't control everything; we just have to learn to be submissive in some parts of our life. But, when it comes to the things of God, be careful, God really does have all the power and HE PLAYS FOR KEEPS. You may be someone very smart, or strong, or clever, or determined (stubborn) but whatever it may be, God has more of it. Dream all you like, but in the end, God has the real power! Once you get that little concept, it will be like someone hit you with a lightning bolt!!! WHAMO!! One more thing... tonight before you go to sleep... DO NOT EAT ANYTHING SPICY!!!!

How?

How does the bird in the foreground know? I feel safe in saying he doesn't have eyes in the back of his head and he probably isn't psychic. The answer is experience. For those of you who may watch N.C.I.S., this sort of question is a familiar one and the teams' experiences with one another have taught them to anticipate even when they have no way of really "knowing" something. This is especially true of "Gibbs'" appearance at the most unlikely times and his trademark head slap. What do those who try to follow God really know? Here is a passage from the epistle (book) of 1st John to think about.

1 John 2:5-29 (WEB)
5) But whoever keeps his word, God’s love has most certainly been perfected in him. This is how we know that we are in him:
6) he who says he remains in him ought himself also to walk just like he walked.
7) Brothers, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.
8) Again, I write a new commandment to you, which is true in him and in you; because the darkness is passing away, and the true light already shines.
9) He who says he is in the light and hates his brother, is in the darkness even until now.
10) He who loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no occasion for stumbling in him.
11) But he who hates his brother is in the darkness, and walks in the darkness, and doesn’t know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
12) I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.
13) I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, little children, because you know the Father.
14) I have written to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God remains in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
15) Don’t love the world, neither the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father’s love isn’t in him.
16) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, isn’t the Father’s, but is the world’s.
17) The world is passing away with its lusts, but he who does God’s will remains forever.
18) Little children, these are the end times, and as you heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen. By this we know that it is the final hour.
19) They went out from us, but they didn’t belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have continued with us. But they left, that they might be revealed that none of them belong to us.
20) You have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.
21) I have not written to you because you don’t know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.
22) Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the Antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.
23) Whoever denies the Son, the same doesn’t have the Father. He who confesses the Son has the Father also.
24) Therefore, as for you, let that remain in you which you heard from the beginning. If that which you heard from the beginning remains in you, you also will remain in the Son, and in the Father.
25) This is the promise which he promised us, the eternal life.
26) These things I have written to you concerning those who would lead you astray.
27) As for you, the anointing which you received from him remains in you, and you don’t need for anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, you will remain in him.
28) Now, little children, remain in him, that when he appears, we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
29) If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of him.
(1 John 2:5-29, WEB)

The Greeks of ancient times perceived knowledge as something either intuitively understood by intelligence or something realized through experience. I like to think that knowing God is a combination of the two. We innately understand the difference between right and wrong, good and bad and the logical expansion of these concepts will led one to the creator of the universe. To see God's word validated day by day in the world around us also helps us to "know" what we understand through our intellectual reasoning is true. Understanding God is not "for the birds", it is relevant to living and essential to living life to its fullest. Humm, is something going on in my living room; I better check...... Hello?

Lurking, just around the corner

I found this picture to be very interesting. Not only is the sun eclipsed (by the moon?) but it looks like Satan is hiding behind the clouds waiting to get at the church. Satan does some of his best work in churches and although I really hate the concept, its true. Satan is one very patient, clever, crafty adversary. Think for a minute how he tried to trick Jesus. Luke gives an interesting account of the episode.

Luke 4:1-13 (WEB)

Luke 4
1) Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness
2) for forty days, being tempted by the devil. He ate nothing in those days. Afterward, when they were completed, he was hungry.
3) The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”
4) Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’”
5) The devil, leading him up on a high mountain, showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
6) The devil said to him, “I will give you all this authority, and their glory, for it has been delivered to me; and I give it to whomever I want.
7) If you therefore will worship before me, it will all be yours.”
8) Jesus answered him, “Get behind me Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’”
9) He led him to Jerusalem, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, cast yourself down from here,
10) for it is written, ‘He will put his angels in charge of you, to guard you;’
11) and, ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest perhaps you dash your foot against a stone.’”
12) Jesus answering, said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’”
13) When the devil had completed every temptation, he departed from him until another time.
(Luke 4:1-13, WEB)

If you read the account by Matthew, you will notice the emboldened verse (13) is not there. Interesting. Luke's account does show a prominent aspect of Satan: He is patient. He waited for another time to tempt Jesus. Humm, if Satan worked so hard on Jesus and Jesus was obviously unassailable, then what does that say about us weaker spiritual beings. Exactly what the picture shows; Satan is waiting for an opening for us as well. Watch out, think spiritually and be prepared; you never know.....

Grandma goes to court

Over the past few years I have begun to enjoy the sitcom "The Golden Girls" more and more. To me the Sophia Petrillo (the grandmother) is the real star of the show. She just says what is on her mind in a way that is a bit TOO STRAIGHTFORWARD. Funny thing is; a lot of older people are like that! And when I read the story above, I was reminded of her. All this also brings out another truth, which is found in the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 12:1-9 (WEB)
1) Meanwhile, when a multitude of many thousands had gathered together, so much so that they trampled on each other, he began to tell his disciples first of all, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
2) But there is nothing covered up, that will not be revealed, nor hidden, that will not be known.
3) Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light. What you have spoken in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.
4) “I tell you, my friends, don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
5) But I will warn you whom you should fear. Fear him, who after he has killed, has power to cast into Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
6) “Aren’t five sparrows sold for two assaria coins? Not one of them is forgotten by God.
7) But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows.
8) “I tell you, everyone who confesses me before men, him will the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God;
9) but he who denies me in the presence of men will be denied in the presence of the angels of God.
(Luke 12:1-9, WEB)

Society is changing. Years ago, there used to be a lot more interaction between neighbors, today the trend is to spend more and more time by yourself. BUT, you are never really alone; God is always there and HE knows more about you that any Grandma in court could ever know. Think about that the next time you even THINK OF DOING SOMETHING WRONG!!! And you thought the judge in the story was tough.....

Face it, a change is needed

I have always thought a lot of George Clooney. His irresistible charm came through loud and clear in the series "ER" and later in the "Oceans" movies. But this picture is less than wonderful. When he distorts his face like this it seems like a very, very unnatural thing for him to be doing. Yet, here it is, unflattering to the extreme. We all have our moments, some of them really good and some not-so-good. Yesterday, I read the following passage during my daily readings, so naturally it came to mind. Luke says:

Luke 22:48-62 (WEB)
48) But Jesus said to him, “Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”
49) When those who were around him saw what was about to happen, they said to him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?”
50) A certain one of them struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
51) But Jesus answered, “Let me at least do this”—and he touched his ear, and healed him.
52) Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and elders, who had come against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs?
53) When I was with you in the temple daily, you didn’t stretch out your hands against me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”
54) They seized him, and led him away, and brought him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed from a distance.
55) When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard, and had sat down together, Peter sat among them.
56) A certain servant girl saw him as he sat in the light, and looking intently at him, said, “This man also was with him.”
57) He denied Jesus, saying, “Woman, I don’t know him.”
58) After a little while someone else saw him, and said, “You also are one of them!” But Peter answered, “Man, I am not!”
59) After about one hour passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Truly this man also was with him, for he is a Galilean!”
60) But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed.
61) The Lord turned, and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the Lord’s word, how he said to him, “Before the rooster crows you will deny me three times.”
62) He went out, and wept bitterly.
(Luke 22:48-62, WEB)

We do things we wish we hadn't, we say things we wish had never come across or lips, but what if we were told ahead of time and did something stupid anyway. Hard to swallow? You bet! But that is exactly what happened to Peter. To his credit, he turned his actions around and followed Christ to the end of his life. That is the great thing about the grace of God, as long as you are alive you can change, you can be better, you can turn your life around. And the best part of it is... you are not alone... God will help. As far as faces go, lets hope its not too cold where George Clooney is... his face might freeze like that! And that would really put a crimp in his monetary negotiations with the movie studios.

Overlap

I don't like this picture. Don't get me wrong; I know why Christ died and I do love DUNKIN' DONUTS, but the two should never be put together. Why? Because they have nothing to do with each other, that is why. In a way, though, I can see how it would be "funny". It does bring up a serious subject though; that of our ability to perceive and respond to the word of God. How do we understand it?

Matthew 13:1-23 (WEB)
1) On that day Jesus went out of the house, and sat by the seaside.
2) Great multitudes gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat, and sat, and all the multitude stood on the beach.
3) He spoke to them many things in parables, saying, “Behold, a farmer went out to sow.
4) As he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds came and devoured them.
5) Others fell on rocky ground, where they didn’t have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of earth.
6) When the sun had risen, they were scorched. Because they had no root, they withered away.
7) Others fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and choked them.
8) Others fell on good soil, and yielded fruit: some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.
9) He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
10) The disciples came, and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?”
11) He answered them, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but it is not given to them.
12) For whoever has, to him will be given, and he will have abundance, but whoever doesn’t have, from him will be taken away even that which he has.
13) Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don’t see, and hearing, they don’t hear, neither do they understand.
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.
18) “Hear, then, the parable of the farmer.
19) When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom, and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes, and snatches away that which has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown by the roadside.
20) What was sown on the rocky places, this is he who hears the word, and immediately with joy receives it;
21) yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
22) What was sown among the thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
23) What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word, and understands it, who most certainly bears fruit, and brings forth, some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.”
(Matthew 13:1-23, WEB)

We are bombarded with an overflow of information each day. The television, radio, cell phones and internet all vie for our attention. Not only that, there are the normal functions of talking with others, driving, making purchases in stores, eating and many other such things that we do each day. When these overlap... watch out, something has got to give. Its no wonder there is a trend towards aloofness in our society; we are just too busy. Its time we started to slow down and when we do, the overlap will stop and life will be a little bit more clear. Why Christ died will be thought of by itsself and so will be Dunkin Donuts. Which is better for you.... the answer to that is a slam dunk... and I don't mean in your coffee, either.