Its all in the funny papers??

This young man is doing what kids like to do: read the funnies. Perfectly natural thing for him to do and just an ordinary picture. Yet it does say something about him; he likes to read. From the intensity of his effort, I would say he REALLY LIKES TO READ! When I saw this picture, I asked myself, what makes us who we are? Is what we do the sum and substance of our identity? After a little thought, this passage from the book of Luke came to mind.

Luke 3:23-38 (WEB)
23) Jesus himself, when he began to teach, was about thirty years old, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,
24) the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph,
25) the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai,
26) the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah,
27) the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri,
28) the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er,
29) the son of Jose, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi,
30) the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonan, the son of Eliakim,
31) the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,
32) the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon,
33) the son of Amminadab, the son of Aram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,
34) the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,
35) the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah,
36) the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,
37) the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan,
38) the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
(Luke 3:23-38, WEB)

Where we come from is also important! This is why two genealogies of Jesus are found in the New Testament, one in Luke and one in Matthew. The people who have contributed to our genetic makeup have contributed to our life! We still have choices and will reap the consequences of our actions, yet knowing something about our ancestry will add another dimension to our self-understanding. Who is this boy? My grandson, Mike! If you don't know him, don't worry about it, by this time you know me and therefore you know something about him. One more thing, a few years ago he looked exactly like I did when I was young. Fortunately, he has overcome that obstacle and has become better looking now.

A bridge over troubled waters

When you first look at this picture, what do you notice? Is it the rushing water, or the vegetation, maybe even the rock in the foreground, or perhaps the sunlight streaming the mist in the background. For me, it was that little bridge. Why? Because I thought of the Simon and Garfunkle song: "Bridge over troubled waters". In the song, a true friend is likened to a bridge which gets you through danger and is there when needed. This led me to think of this passage from the book of Isaiah.

Isaiah 43:1-2 (WEB)
1) But now thus says Yahweh who created you, Jacob, and he who formed you, Israel: “Don’t be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name. You are mine.
2) When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, and flame will not scorch you.
(Isaiah 43:1-2, WEB)

Sure, this is aimed at the nation of Israel, but by extension it also applies to those of our era as well. God has a way of "being there" and helping in ways that we never would have thought of. He is our help in time of need, a true bridge over the troubled waters in our lives. Something to think about in these turbulent times; we are never alone, never forgotten.

Squiggles

I grew up in upstate New York in the fifties; very long ago and far from my home in Florida. TV was black and white then and one of the shows that I enjoyed most as a kid was Freddy Freihoffer. Basically, there was an artist who interacted with a group of kids by asking one of them to make a "squiggle" on a very large tablet. From their very simple drawing he would make a picture and talk about it. Oh, what he could do with even the simplest scratches. This picture reminds me of those days, except, this is in color of course. I wonder, if God made squiggles, what would one look like? You know, HE is pretty good at creating things. Check out the following verses.

Genesis 1:6-8 (WEB)
6) God said, “Let there be an expanse in the middle of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.”
7) God made the expanse, and divided the waters which were under the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so.
8) God called the expanse “sky.” There was evening and there was morning, a second day.
(Genesis 1:6-8, WEB)

Think about it; a squiggle that is continually changing, in size, shape and color. WOW! Somehow makes the Freddy Freihoffer show seem tame. What next? Consider...land. But that's the stuff of another blog. As a side note... if anyone knows what the above picture is... please let me know.

Thanks a lot... Gary

A sign, a sign or something manufactured?

I wonder if this photo was altered? Probably, but you never know. I picked it because of something I saw on TV today. Terry Jones was looking for a sign from God and wouldn't you know an Iman gave it to him. Intrigue around the on again off again Koran burning (perhaps on for Sept. 11, perhaps not). I find it coincidental that suddenly a local Iman becomes involved with a NYC Iman who is planning to build a mosque on the site of the despicable airplane attack of nine years ago. Then, along comes Donald Trump to save the day (with a 25% above purchase price bonus). Could it be that suddenly some people are looking for an easy way out of a difficult situation and invoking God in the matter makes everything alright. The question is: How do we know what is real and what is unreal? Consider the following passage:

Acts 3:12-22 (WEB)
12) When Peter saw it, he responded to the people, “You men of Israel, why do you marvel at this man? Why do you fasten your eyes on us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him walk?
13) The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up, and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had determined to release him.
14) But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,
15) and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, to which we are witnesses.
16) By faith in his name, his name has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which is through him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
17) “Now, brothers, I know that you did this in ignorance, as did also your rulers.
18) But the things which God announced by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled.
19) “Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord,
20) and that he may send Christ Jesus, who was ordained for you before,
21) whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God spoke long ago by the mouth of his holy prophets.
22) For Moses indeed said to the fathers, ‘The Lord God will raise up a prophet for you from among your brothers, like me. You shall listen to him in all things whatever he says to you.
(Acts 3:12-22, WEB)

Jesus was God's sign, his messenger. To explain all his message in the context of this blog would be impossible, but everyone will agree he preached love. In light of this, I have to ask: How is this book burning an example of love? It appears to be predicated upon hate and without doubt violates the foundations of religious freedom this country is founded upon. For once, I find myself actually praising our current president for his words on this matter!!! The truth is that people can find a "sign" practically anywhere, if they look hard enough; but, that doesn't mean that their "sign" is from God. More likely than not, it is from their own desire for something. I pray that this proposed burning be stopped and cooler heads rule the situation. Do yourself a favor, listen to Jesus and NOT Terry Jones. Remember, people tend to photo-shop life as well as computer images.

For sale?

Jesus is "for lease"? Really? Of course not, but the sign does make you do a double take, though. Money and religion; now there is a combination! I can honestly say money (or the lack of it) caused so many problems during my ministerial years that it hindered all my best efforts. Why? Because over the past few decades there has been so much damage done by tele-evangelists that people are reluctant to give as they probably should. So much so, that even when a congregation asked me to preach on it I would hesitate. Yet, I did as I was asked and I had a good teacher, as you will see by the following passage.

2 Corinthians 9:1-10 (WEB)
1) It is indeed unnecessary for me to write to you concerning the service to the saints,
2) for I know your readiness, of which I boast on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia has been prepared for a year past. Your zeal has stirred up very many of them.
3) But I have sent the brothers that our boasting on your behalf may not be in vain in this respect, that, just as I said, you may be prepared,
4) so that I won’t by any means, if there come with me any of Macedonia and find you unprepared, we (to say nothing of you) should be disappointed in this confident boasting.
5) I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brothers that they would go before to you, and arrange ahead of time the generous gift that you promised before, that the same might be ready as a matter of generosity, and not of greediness.
6) Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7) Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.
8) And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.
9) As it is written, “He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever.”
10) Now may he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;
(2 Corinthians 9:1-10, WEB)

The passage really is self-explanatory, but let me sum it up in a phrase: Jesus is LORD. If Jesus is truly LORD, then money doesn't really matter as much as WE think it does. How much should a person give? The answer is found in another question: How much do you love your LORD? When I saw the picture above, I knew of course that Jesus was not "for lease", but that in fact the words under the sign were LORD. But, it does make you think, doesn't it?

More than a rainbow

Another rainbow? Why not? This one was so unusual that it begged to be posted. To me, it looks like a halo... a halo rainbow?? A little wordy, but, whatever. To view it another way, it looks something like the sun with a rainbow around it. which of course, reminded me of the son of God. See if you can get the parallel with this passage from the book of Matthew.

Matthew 17:1-8 (WEB)
1) After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves.
2) He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light.
3) Behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them talking with him.
4) Peter answered, and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, let’s make three tents here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
5) While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.”
6) When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were very afraid.
7) Jesus came and touched them and said, “Get up, and don’t be afraid.”
8) Lifting up their eyes, they saw no one, except Jesus alone.
(Matthew 17:1-8, WEB)

No rainbows here, BUT, his face did shine like the sun. Close enough for me. Whether you see the comparison or not, Jesus is certainly given high praise here. This reminds me of all those old stain glass windows, where you see a halo around the head of Jesus. A simple thing, and yet, very cool. Now if we only could get more people to listen, perhaps more than a rainbow might cross their minds.

Rebellion

I can't even begin to think of all the times I have seen things like this; people parking where they have no business parking. Outstanding among these are those who park in the handicapped spaces when it is obvious that they are 100% healthy. When you see this at the same time that you notice someone who is really handicapped struggling to enter a store, it makes my blood boil. How can people be so insensitive? How? Perhaps this passage from Luke may shed a little light on the subject...

Luke 10:1-20 (WEB)
1) Now after these things, the Lord also appointed seventy others, and sent them two by two ahead of him into every city and place, where he was about to come.
2) Then he said to them, “The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send out laborers into his harvest.
3) Go your ways. Behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.
4) Carry no purse, nor wallet, nor sandals. Greet no one on the way.
5) Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’
6) If a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.
7) Remain in that same house, eating and drinking the things they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Don’t go from house to house.
8) Into whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat the things that are set before you.
9) Heal the sick who are therein, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God has come near to you.’
10) But into whatever city you enter, and they don’t receive you, go out into its streets and say,
11) ‘Even the dust from your city that clings to us, we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the Kingdom of God has come near to you.’
12) I tell you, it will be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city.
13) “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
14) But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you.
15) You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades.
16) Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me. Whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”
17) The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”
18) He said to them, “I saw Satan having fallen like lightning from heaven.
19) Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will in any way hurt you.
20) Nevertheless, don’t rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
(Luke 10:1-20, WEB)

How could the people in verses 13 to 15 NOT LISTEN? Same answer as the parking question: because they didn't want to. Simple answer, with a lot behind it, in a little concept. Rebellion based on the exalted nature of ones self is the answer that comes to mind. Same thing happened in heaven: Satan thought just a bit (or maybe more than a bit) too much of himself. He took a lot of others with him and caused problems beyond measure. Rebellion is like that, it just doesn't care. So, when you see someone parking where they shouldn't, realize that they really don't care about others, only themselves. They (like those cities Jesus mentions [and Satan, of course]) will get their punishment in due time. Its just... there never seems to be a cop around when you need one. Patience, Gary... Patience!!!