A simple pleasure

Somebody is happy!!!  Animals can bring such pleasure!!!  Most days my wife and I go for a swim in the community pool and once in a while a bird will come to the edge of the water for a drink.  Now, the birds have seen many, many people, so they are not easily frightened and sometimes will let you come within a few inches of them, but this bird has them beat!!!  Finding joy in the simplest of things is a wonderful habit, although sometimes it takes a bit of effort.  Take this episode from the book of Luke for example...

Luke 2:1-20 (WEB)
1) Now it happened in those days, that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled.
2) This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3) All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city.
4) Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David;
5) to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.
6) It happened, while they were there, that the day had come that she should give birth.
7) She brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8) There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.
9) Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10) The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.
11) For there is born to you, this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12) This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.”
13) Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying,
14) “Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.”
15) It happened, when the angels went away from them into the sky, that the shepherds said one to another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16) They came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough.
17) When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child.
18) All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds.
19) But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart.
20) The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.

From everything I have ever seen, heard, read or even guessed, having babies is painful.  I sort of cringe at the idea of what is happening, but at the same time I know it is a perfectly natural thing.  The outcome of the whole process is a human being and what mother does not experience joy at the birth of her child?  Yes, the simplest pleasures are the best because God has made them for us to enjoy and isn't that what life is all about?

A beautiful morning!!!

This picture brings back a lot of memories of upstate New York.  I especially liked the Autumn season, where the brilliant mix of colors astounded the eyes with its complexity.  Often, there would be a mist in the morning and when it cleared even more color greeted the eyes.  Mornings were a special time, a time of possibilities, when the day unfolded and hope was in the air.  The following passage from the book of Exodus was one such morning.

Exodus 14:15-31 (WEB)
15) Yahweh said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Speak to the children of Israel, that they go forward.
16) Lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go into the midst of the sea on dry ground.
17) I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall go in after them: and I will get myself honor over Pharaoh, and over all his armies, over his chariots, and over his horsemen.
18) The Egyptians shall know that I am Yahweh, when I have gotten myself honor over Pharaoh, over his chariots, and over his horsemen.”
19) The angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them, and stood behind them.
20) It came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel; and there was the cloud and the darkness, yet gave it light by night: and the one didn’t come near the other all the night.
21) Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and Yahweh caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all the night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
22) The children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand, and on their left.
23) The Egyptians pursued, and went in after them into the midst of the sea: all of Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.
24) It happened in the morning watch, that Yahweh looked out on the Egyptian army through the pillar of fire and of cloud, and confused the Egyptian army.
25) He took off their chariot wheels, and they drove them heavily; so that the Egyptians said, “Let’s flee from the face of Israel, for Yahweh fights for them against the Egyptians!”
26) Yahweh said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the waters may come again on the Egyptians, on their chariots, and on their horsemen.”
27) Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it. Yahweh overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.
28) The waters returned, and covered the chariots and the horsemen, even all Pharaoh’s army that went in after them into the sea. There remained not so much as one of them.
29) But the children of Israel walked on dry land in the midst of the sea, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand, and on their left.
30) Thus Yahweh saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore.
31) Israel saw the great work which Yahweh did to the Egyptians, and the people feared Yahweh; and they believed in Yahweh, and in his servant Moses.

Slaves, they were mostly slaves.  And Egypt was the mightiest nation of its era.  Yet God was victorious over them.  This episode gave courage and hope to God's chosen people and helped them coalesce into the nation of Israel.  What a beautiful morning that must have been!!!

Idyllic!!!

I like this picture not only because of its idyllic setting, but because of its contrast in colors.  Somehow the vividness of the colors enhances the black to utter blackness and that makes an impression on the mind.  People are like that too, some are really bad and you remember them for a long time; the same is true of genuinely good people.  Here is a passage from the book of John which seems to bring out what I am referring to....

John 1:1-9 (WEB)
1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2) The same was in the beginning with God.
3) All things were made through him. Without him was not anything made that has been made.
4) In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5) The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn’t overcome it.
6) There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John.
7) The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him.
8) He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light.
9) The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.

John the baptist was a really good man but when compared to Jesus he was like darkness.  Jesus outshines all.  Even the best of men can not compare to him.  He adds zest and understanding to life like light does to blackness.  Now, that is idyllic!!!

Smart

Smart, very smart!!!  Someone has something upstairs. Sometimes it seems that the cleverest people have the simplest of work.  After a little reflection, I can understand the process of how this solution came to be, but how about how God works? 

Ecclesiastes 8:17 (WEB)
17) then I saw all the work of God, that man can’t find out the work that is done under the sun, because however much a man labors to seek it out, yet he won’t find it. Yes even though a wise man thinks he can comprehend it, he won’t be able to find it.

Some things are beyond human understanding.  Science doesn't have the answer to everything.  Its like an ant trying to design a thermonuclear device... just not going to happen.  Yet, there are many out there who think that the world revolves around man, but in fact God is the source of everything.  As smart as someone might be, God takes intelligence to a whole different level.

Candy is good food!!!

One of daughters labeled candy as "the fourth food group".  She did love here candy and I am sure this assortment would make her mouth water.  Sweets are a temptation to us all and the following is an example where taking some caused a problem.

1 Samuel 14:25-34 (WEB)
25) All the people came into the forest; and there was honey on the ground.
26) When the people had come to the forest, behold, the honey dropped: but no man put his hand to his mouth; for the people feared the oath.
27) But Jonathan didn’t hear when his father commanded the people with the oath: therefore he put forth the end of the rod who was in his hand, and dipped it in the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened.
28) Then one of the people answered, and said, “Your father directly commanded the people with an oath, saying, ‘Cursed is the man who eats food this day.’” The people were faint.
29) Then Jonathan said, “My father has troubled the land. Please look how my eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.
30) How much more, if perhaps the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found? For now has there been no great slaughter among the Philistines.”
31) They struck of the Philistines that day from Michmash to Aijalon. The people were very faint;
32) and the people flew on the spoil, and took sheep, and cattle, and calves, and killed them on the ground; and the people ate them with the blood.
33) Then they told Saul, saying, “Behold, the people are sinning against Yahweh, in that they eat meat with the blood.” He said, “You have dealt treacherously. Roll a large stone to me this day!”
34) Saul said, “Disperse yourselves among the people, and tell them, ‘Bring me here every man his ox, and every man his sheep, and kill them here, and eat; and don’t sin against Yahweh in eating meat with the blood.’” All the people brought every man his ox with him that night, and killed them there.

Saul was a leader given to rash decisions.  Coupled with a lack of political insight and steadfastness of devotion to God, he didn't make a very good leader and eventually was removed.  Jonathan his son seems to have been better than his father in many ways, especially in regards to David.  In this instance he gives in to hunger (somehow it seems strange to think of honey as food) and once again shows his father's foolishness.  Saul's poor decision led to Israel's eating meat with blood and eventually led to a great slaughter (a little later on in the chapter).  Just goes to show you that CANDY IS GOOD FOOD!!!

Its not lunch.... its a wedding cake!!!

Recently there was a royal wedding in England and their cake reflected their choices.  Here this cake also shows the preferences of the couple and as we can see they must love New England fare.  Cakes are one of my favorite things about weddings, as they symbolize one of the basics in marriage:eating.  Another basic is drinking and there is a passage in the New Testament that discusses drinking in the context of a marriage celebration.

John 2:1-11 (WEB)

1) The third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there.
2) Jesus also was invited, with his disciples, to the marriage.
3) When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no wine.”
4) Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with you and me? My hour has not yet come.”
5) His mother said to the servants, “Whatever he says to you, do it.”
6) Now there were six water pots of stone set there after the Jews’ way of purifying, containing two or three metretes apiece.
7) Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.” They filled them up to the brim.
8) He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the ruler of the feast.” So they took it.
9) When the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and didn’t know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast called the bridegroom,
10) and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when the guests have drunk freely, then that which is worse. You have kept the good wine until now!”
11) This beginning of his signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

I couldn't even guess the number of times I have read this passage over the past 30 or so years, but its a lot. One obvious lesson is that Jesus has the power to change things.  Changing water into wine is a power that could make one a lot of friends to be sure.  The wine, however was not just wine but it was "good wine".  Perhaps the character of the wine was a reflection of the character of Jesus or maybe it was a reflection of Jesus' opinion of the guests... who knows.  Like the cake in the picture above, it will be remembered and perhaps THAT IS THE POINT.

Breakfast?

Now, if the truth is known, there is not anyone who enjoys eating more than me.  I especially love pizza... and for breakfast, well, cold pizza is a delight.  But this????  This is just not on the menu for me; beans and an egg on a pizza?  I would have to gracefully decline and besides, I really don't even know what the ingredients are on the lower right side??????  Sometimes life surprises you and "huh" is the best you can muster.  Here is an episode from the book of Acts that was quite surprising to me; see if it is to you as well....

Acts 8:5-40 (WEB)
5) Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed to them the Christ.
6) The multitudes listened with one accord to the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard and saw the signs which he did.
7) For unclean spirits came out of many of those who had them. They came out, crying with a loud voice. Many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed.
8) There was great joy in that city.
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.”
25) They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the Good News to many villages of the Samaritans.
26) But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise, and go toward the south to the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desert.”
27) He arose and went; and behold, there was a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship.
28) He was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah.
29) The Spirit said to Philip, “Go near, and join yourself to this chariot.”
30) Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
31) He said, “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?” He begged Philip to come up and sit with him.
32) Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this, “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter. As a lamb before his shearer is silent, so he doesn’t open his mouth.
33) In his humiliation, his judgment was taken away. Who will declare His generation? For his life is taken from the earth.”
34) The eunuch answered Philip, “Who is the prophet talking about? About himself, or about someone else?”
35) Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him Jesus.
36) As they went on the way, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Behold, here is water. What is keeping me from being baptized?”
37)
38) He commanded the chariot to stand still, and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
39) When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, and the eunuch didn’t see him any more, for he went on his way rejoicing.
40) But Philip was found at Azotus. Passing through, he preached the Good News to all the cities, until he came to Caesarea.

Jesus, the apostles and then others, this was the pecking order of importance.  Yet Philip was chosen to do quite a work, something that even amazed Simon (the great??).  He had power and was chosen directly by The Holy Spirit to do work.  So, even though he was in the "others" category he was used by God.  To me, the level of what God did with him is important here, for he is a lot like us today.... he wasn't an apostle of Jesus and yet God still used him.  God can use each of us for something special and even though it may not be spectacular like Philip, yet God works in his own way and that is marvelous to consider.  So, in a way, the unusual becomes the norm, but not in the case of the pizza because no matter how much you dare me, I AM NOT HAVING THIS THING FOR BREAKFAST!!!!!!!!!!!!