Common ground

For KK

Interesting picture! One can only wonder what it must be like to dress like this; to live in a culture (in this case Chinese) that is radically different. I wonder, exactly what does go through the mind of one so radically different from myself. Actually, this sort of question must have been asked by the Apostle Paul as he strove to reach all those of the ancient world with the gospel of Jesus. Question: Just how does one go about reaching others anyway? This passage from Corinthians gives us some insight.

1Co 9:1-22 ESV
(1) Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord?
(2) If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
(3) This is my defense to those who would examine me.
(4) Do we not have the right to eat and drink?
(5) Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?
(6) Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living?
(7) Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?
(8) Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same?
(9) For it is written in the Law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned?
(10) Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop.
(11) If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?
(12) If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.
(13) Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings?
(14) In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.
(15) But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.
(16) For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
(17) For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship.
(18) What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
(19) For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.
(20) To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law.
(21) To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.
(22) To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.

Paul was an unusual sort of person. But, he cared enough for others to try to find common ground with them, to reach them any way he could. I think a good start is to realize that we all have humanity in common, no matter how strange their lifestyles may seem to us. Deep down we are ALL human beings and have the same needs and Jesus can help everyone; from those in New Jersey, Canada and even as far away as China. This picture was a little deception of mine, because it is my grand-daughter all dressed up to look oriental. Like I said, inside we are all the same; we just are raised differently in the culture we find ourselves in. Be who you are, but care about others; reach out and they just might do the same. If it was good enough for Paul, perhaps it is worth a try. Only, I think I will pass on the dress.

Today is....

This reminds me of an old song by Chicago: "Does anybody really know what time it is?" But a circular calendar???? Interesting!!! Calendars mark the passage of time; they are based on all sorts of things, the moon, the sun, the reign of this or that empire (or emperor). Isn't it interesting that our current calendar is obtained from the birth of Jesus. Jesus said much about time, but I thought of this passage......

Mat 26:17-31 ESV
(17) Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?"
(18) He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, 'The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.'"
(19) And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.
(20) When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve.
(21) And as they were eating, he said, "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me."
(22) And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, "Is it I, Lord?"
(23) He answered, "He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me.
(24) The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born."
(25) Judas, who would betray him, answered, "Is it I, Rabbi?" He said to him, "You have said so."
(26) Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body."
(27) And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you,
(28) for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
(29) I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."
(30) And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
(31) Then Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'

Jesus marked time by his mission; his appointed sacrifice to come. So should we. Over the years I have read many different arguments over the EXACT DATE OF HIS BIRTH, but in reality, that really is not the correct thing to focus on. It is his death and resurrection, because without that sacrifice, where would we be? Fortunately, that has been documented and documented and documented again. So, would anyone out there like to move our date to 1977? I wouldn't mind because that was a very good year. For the time being though, I still am trying to get my hands around this circular calendar, but honestly; IT GIVES ME A HEADACHE!!!

hang in there...

Its funny how animals are a bit like people; in some households, the dog of the house thinks its the master of the house, in others different things happen. In this case I think the cat is very attached to this small boy and will not give up for anything. Reminds me of this passage from the book of John.

Joh 6:47-69 ESV
(47) Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.
(48) I am the bread of life.
(49) Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died.
(50) This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.
(51) I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."
(52) The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"
(53) So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.
(54) Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.
(55) For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.
(56) Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.
(57) As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me.
(58) This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever."
(59) Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.
(60) When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?"
(61) But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, "Do you take offense at this?
(62) Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?
(63) It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
(64) But there are some of you who do not believe." (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.)
(65) And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father."
(66) After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.
(67) So Jesus said to the Twelve, "Do you want to go away as well?"
(68) Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,
(69) and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God."

Is there a point when friendship ends, or in other words, is there a limit to how far a friend will go? Some people will balk when things get a little tough, BUT OTHERS.... Like the cat in the picture, they just keep hanging on. True faith is like that; it just doesn't quit, no matter what. The twelve understood it (except Judas, of course), but I wonder if we do? No matter what means just that, no options, no holds barred, WHATEVER HAPPENS; PERIOD. Its not always easy to follow God, but don't quit. One more thing.... I hope that young fellow in the picture has a clean diaper; it would make life a whole lot easier!

Slow of speech

When I saw this today, I thought of my youngest grand-daughter, who is just learning to speak and I marveled at this form of communication that we so matter-of-factly use. I don't think I will ever be able to pronounce this, but if not, so what? Its not necessary if I do or don't, just interesting. But what if I was given something REALLY, REALLY, IMPORTANT TO SAY??? Moses was put in this position and here is how he handled it.

Exodus 4:10-17 (WEB)
10) Moses said to Yahweh, “O Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before now, nor since you have spoken to your servant; for I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.”
11) Yahweh said to him, “Who made man’s mouth? Or who makes one mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Isn’t it I, Yahweh?
12) Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth, and teach you what you shall speak.”
13) He said, “Oh, Lord, please send someone else.”
14) The anger of Yahweh was kindled against Moses, and he said, “What about Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Also, behold, he comes out to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.
15) You shall speak to him, and put the words in his mouth. I will be with your mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what you shall do.
16) He will be your spokesman to the people; and it will happen, that he will be to you a mouth, and you will be to him as God.
17) You shall take this rod in your hand, with which you shall do the signs.”
(Exodus 4:10-17, WEB)

Moses didn't handle it at all; he tried to back out! God was angry with him, but made allowances for his weakness. Somehow, it seems strange for MOSES to act like this, but then, I can't imagine being given something this important by God. Moses knew his weaknesses, but God overcame them and used him for a truly great work. Humm, I wonder, could Aaron pronounce this sign? Not necessary, its not in Hebrew!!!

At the end of the day

I like this picture because it really says something to me: satisfaction at the end of the day. Have you ever worked very hard all day only to go home at dust and barely arrive before it was TOTAL DARKNESS? Perhaps you might have had a day full of all sorts of problems and it seemed too much for you, but, at the end of it, things all worked out and when the soothing cloak of darkness enveloped you as you set foot at your front door, the world seemed just fine. Problems solved, work done, day over and one overwhelming thought came to your mind: I AM HOME!! consider this passage from the old testament.

Esther 9:16-32 (WEB)
16) The other Jews who were in the king’s provinces gathered themselves together, defended their lives, had rest from their enemies, and killed seventy-five thousand of those who hated them; but they didn’t lay their hand on the plunder.
17) This was done on the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of that month they rested and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
18) But the Jews who were in Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth and on the fourteenth days of the month; and on the fifteenth day of that month, they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
19) Therefore the Jews of the villages, who live in the unwalled towns, make the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, a good day, and a day of sending presents of food to one another.
20) Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both near and far,
21) to enjoin them that they should keep the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month Adar yearly,
22) as the days in which the Jews had rest from their enemies, and the month which was turned to them from sorrow to gladness, and from mourning into a good day; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, and of sending presents of food to one another, and gifts to the needy.
23) The Jews accepted the custom that they had begun, as Mordecai had written to them;
24) because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast “Pur,” that is the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them;
25) but when this became known to the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he had devised against the Jews, should return on his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.
26) Therefore they called these days “Purim,” from the word “Pur.” Therefore because of all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and that which had come to them,
27) the Jews established, and imposed on themselves, and on their descendants, and on all those who joined themselves to them, so that it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to what was written, and according to its appointed time, every year;
28) and that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor their memory perish from their seed.
29) Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority to confirm this second letter of Purim.
30) He sent letters to all the Jews, to the hundred twenty-seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth,
31) to confirm these days of Purim in their appointed times, as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had decreed, and as they had imposed upon themselves and their descendants, in the matter of the fastings and their cry.
32) The commandment of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.
(Esther 9:16-32, WEB)

The Jews were ALMOST DESTROYED! But, things worked out and they prevailed over their enemies. They rejoiced and made a new holiday. All is well that ends well. God has a way of doing that for those who love him and one way or another things work out!! Like I said, this picture reminds of satisfaction, but I can't help but wonder where his house is? Perhaps he has a houseboat, just waiting for him beyond our field of view, who knows? Whatever your day has been like, remember, God takes care of his own; in this life and beyond.

In your wildest dreams

When I saw this today, I thought of the Moody Blues song "In your wildest dreams". Looks pretty fantastic, doesn't it? Who would have ever thought 40 or 50 years ago that such things could exist outside the realm of Science Fiction. Looks like the stuff of Star Trek to me. But, once you understand, suddenly they seem simple. Take this parable for instance.

Luke 8:4-15 (WEB)
4) When a great multitude came together, and people from every city were coming to him, he spoke by a parable.
5) “The farmer went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell along the road, and it was trampled under foot, and the birds of the sky devoured it.
6) Other seed fell on the rock, and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture.
7) Other fell amid the thorns, and the thorns grew with it, and choked it.
8) Other fell into the good ground, and grew, and brought forth fruit one hundred times.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
9) Then his disciples asked him, “What does this parable mean?”
10) He said, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, but to the rest in parables; that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’
11) Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
12) Those along the road are those who hear, then the devil comes, and takes away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved.
13) Those on the rock are they who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; but these have no root, who believe for a while, then fall away in time of temptation.
14) That which fell among the thorns, these are those who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.
15) That in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it tightly, and bring forth fruit with patience.
(Luke 8:4-15, WEB)

Because the parable is explained to us, its simple. But, like so many Spiritual things, most people just don't get it. That's the way Spirituality is: you either get it or you don't. I probably will never understand the workings of the Large Hadron Collider we see in the picture, but thank God for Jesus, because without HIM large portions of the Scriptures would just not make any sense at all and I would be uttering the phrase "Beam me up, Scotty". I wonder when they will ever get around to inventing phasers and food replicators?

Its not the start, but the finish that counts!

Before you ask.... no, this isn't a post about Papal authority or sex or a commentary on authority in general. The only thing it is about is a conversation I had with a pharmacist friend of mine and an article he showed me about a recent step the current pontiff is going to take to do things "correctly" in the Roman Catholic Church. Just to set the record straight... I am NOT a fan of Catholicism and see much error there, BUT. Admitting guilt and promising to try to do better (my interpretation) is a good start and with THAT IN MIND, I thought of the following passage.

Matthew 19:16-22 (WEB)
16) Behold, one came to him and said, “Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”
17) He said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
18) He said to him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder.’ ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ‘You shall not steal.’ ‘You shall not offer false testimony.’
19) ‘Honor your father and mother.’ And, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
20) The young man said to him, “All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?”
21) Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
22) But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions.
(Matthew 19:16-22, WEB)

The rich young man had an insight into truth and a practiced religion that was praiseworthy. Jesus knew his problem and confronted him directly. His true love was revealed and money kept him from following Jesus. Notice, Jesus didn't tell him he was a bad person or even an unfaithful Jew, instead he invited him to be "perfect" and be one of Jesus' followers. The young man had made a good start, but ended badly; I sincerely hope the current pontiff will do better.