The best for last

 

This sunset is somewhat special.  Most of the time, the whole sky gradually darkens until it turns a violet and then the black of night.  However, in this photo there is light grey and black mixed together against the fiery glow of a crimson sunset.  It seems to have a more distinct line of demarcation than usual.  The lives of some people are like this sunset; at the very end they are remarkably beautiful, golden in fact.  Simeon was one such man and here is his story.

Luke 2:21-35 (WEB)
21) When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22) When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord
23) (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”),
24) and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”
25) Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
26) It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27) He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law,
28) then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29) “Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace;
30) for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31) which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;
32) a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.”
33) Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him,
34) and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against.
35) Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Simeon was a man like any other, but he received a special blessing... he would see the Christ before his death.  Sometimes the best things come late in life.  Sometimes the best is left for last.  Simeon's "sunset" marked the end of one age and the beginning of another; the Christ had arrived.  Not a bad way to finish!!!  Beautiful!!!

Highlights in the clouds

 

Often, I like to go swimming around sunset because the sky is marvelous at that time of day.  its not uncommon to see highlighted clouds, but in the shape of a horse?  During the past few weeks, I have noticed quite a number of clouds like these and have been wondering why I liked them so much.  So, today, when I saw this picture again, I thought of this passage and now I know.

Matthew 17:1-9 (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.
9) As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Don’t tell anyone what you saw, until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.”

Jesus. It reminded me of Jesus.  Don't get me wrong; Jesus is not a horse.  But, he is glorified and that is the attraction.  That is something worth remembering; he is attested to by God and worth listening to.  In this world, its hard to find something (or better, someone) to believe in, but Jesus fills the bill.  He alone reminds me that God cared enough to come as human and tell us what we need to know.  I may see highlighted cloud shapes in the future, but no matter what they look like, I will remember that Jesus is the glory of God.

Typewriters, party lines and memories

Recently, my wife has gotten into the habit of visiting the local hospice store.  She has made fugal purchases there and I have had many an opportunity to go with her when she is on one of her "shopping sprees".  The last time I was in the store I saw something I hadn't seen in years: a circular slide rule.  I actually worked with a man whose boss invented the thing.  Can you imagine?  Pictures like the above one remind me of the past and the things that happened during that former time.  Once you experience things like typing a term paper on a 1929 Underwood manual typewriter or talking on a party line, you never "really" forget them.  All it takes is something to jog your memory.  So, I thought of this passage from the book of Hebrews.

Hebrews 10:24-36 (WEB)
24) Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works,
25) not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching.
26) For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins,
27) but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries.
28) A man who disregards Moses’ law dies without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses.
29) How much worse punishment, do you think, will he be judged worthy of, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant with which he was sanctified an unholy thing, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?
30) For we know him who said, “Vengeance belongs to me,” says the Lord, “I will repay.” Again, “The Lord will judge his people.”
31) It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32) But remember the former days, in which, after you were enlightened, you endured a great struggle with sufferings;
33) partly, being exposed to both reproaches and oppressions; and partly, becoming partakers with those who were treated so.
34) For you both had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and an enduring one in the heavens.
35) Therefore don’t throw away your boldness, which has a great reward.
36) For you need endurance so that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise.

Not everything in the past is great, but becoming a Christian was.  It was wonderful to come to know Christ and read the Bible for the first time.  There was opposition however, in the form of "friends" who wanted their own opinions to supersede the scriptures.  Needless to say, after a while those "friends" went down a different path.  It hurt to lose people who I thought really cared about me, but following the teachings of the Bible were far more important than having even one friend.  The Christians to whom the book of Hebrews was written needed encouragement and so this passage was necessary.  It is still valuable today; still giving us a little lift that we need to remain faithful.  Sometimes its good to remember the things of the past and apply former lessons learned to the problems we may face tomorrow.  However, I still can't think of anything good about a party line... maybe it will come to me?????

True love is...

I don't know how true it is, but I have heard that swans mate for life.  If they don't, I wish they would.  There is nothing more beautiful than loving commitment over one's lifetime.  Symbols like the heart always represent love and that is a good thing.  However, there is more to love than just a warm fuzzy feeling or infatuation.  Real love means commitment and caring.  Caring enough to do the best thing for your mate (or your children) regardless whether it is wanted or even appreciated.  Proverbs puts it this way...

Proverbs 3:11-12 (WEB)
11) My son, don’t despise Yahweh’s discipline, neither be weary of his reproof:
12) for whom Yahweh loves, he reproves; even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.

You do what you have to do if you really love someone.  It may not be pleasant at times, but regardless, it must be done.  God loves me because he has told me so and because he gives me instruction (reproof: a bringing to light of something) through his word.  I may not enjoy realizing I have sinned in one way or another, but if it draws me closer to God then it is worth it.  Funny thing, it brings my heart closer to his and that brings us back to the swan heart picture above.  Not a bad thought on a cloudy day like this one....

Unbearable!!!

Oh, NO; not again!  That's what this picture says to me!!!  If you have raised children, then you know all about this feeling.  Sometimes kids make the same stupid mistake, over and over and over again, until you think it will drive you crazy.  You love them, but it becomes unbearable to watch their antics.  I can imagine that is how God must feel, when HE sees us sin, over and over again.  Listen to what the prophet Isaiah says...

Isaiah 1:1-14 (WEB)
1) The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
2) Hear, heavens, and listen, earth; for Yahweh has spoken: “I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.
3) The ox knows his owner, and the donkey his master’s crib; but Israel doesn’t know, my people don’t consider.”
4) Ah sinful nation, a people loaded with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken Yahweh. They have despised the Holy One of Israel. They are estranged and backward.
5) Why should you be beaten more, that you revolt more and more? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.
6) From the sole of the foot even to the head there is no soundness in it: wounds, welts, and open sores. They haven’t been closed, neither bandaged, neither soothed with oil.
7) Your country is desolate. Your cities are burned with fire. Strangers devour your land in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.
8) The daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a hut in a field of melons, like a besieged city.
9) Unless Yahweh of Armies had left to us a very small remnant, we would have been as Sodom; we would have been like Gomorrah.
10) Hear the word of Yahweh, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah!
11) “What are the multitude of your sacrifices to me?,” says Yahweh. “I have had enough of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed animals. I don’t delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of male goats.
12) When you come to appear before me, who has required this at your hand, to trample my courts?
13) Bring no more vain offerings. Incense is an abomination to me; new moons, Sabbaths, and convocations: I can’t bear with evil assemblies.
14) My soul hates your New Moons and your appointed feasts. They are a burden to me. I am weary of bearing them.

Unbearable!!! OK, its a play on words, but it IS appropriate.  God hates sin and it must be difficult for him to watch the nonsensical things we do.  The book of Isaiah goes on like this passage for 39 chapters, but the last 26 are among the most positive in the Bible.  Isn't it amazing that God can see hope in the midst of failure?  Without that hope, where would we be?  In very deep trouble, I am sure!!!  So, the next time your children (or grandchildren) do things that just make you sick inside, remember the book of Isaiah and have hope.  The seemingly unbearable becomes a victory with God's help.

A sign for the times

Contradiction?  I guess its all in how you define evolution.  If God is the process, then you are off to a good start; if not, godlessness looms.  Evolution in its standard form excludes God and places man's reason in HIS PLACE.  The outcome is humanism; a religion built on a house of cards.  If wouldn't want to put myself of believing that, because the results could be disastrous.  Read on....

Romans 1:18-32 (WEB)
18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
19) because that which is known of God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them.
20) For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse.
21) Because, knowing God, they didn’t glorify him as God, neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened.
22) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23) and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things.
24) Therefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves,
25) who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26) For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For their women changed the natural function into that which is against nature.
27) Likewise also the men, leaving the natural function of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another, men doing what is inappropriate with men, and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error.
28) Even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
29) being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers,
30) backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31) without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful;
32) who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.

The truth is: change what God has said through your own ideas and you are on a slippery slope; one where one thing leads to another and soon you are without a doubt an enemy of the Almighty.  Who would really want that?  Be smart: listen to what God has said and do not try to change a thing... you will be glad you did!!!

A sunset reminder

Just another sunset in Provo, UT, USA.  But, although it may seem ordinary, yet the colors remind me of our American flag.  A flag that represents the desire of all who would be free.  Freedom doesn't come easy, there is a price and a costly one at that.  I have been thinking a lot about freedom as Independence day approaches and these verses came to mind.

John 8:30-36 (WEB)
30) As he spoke these things, many believed in him.
31) Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, “If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples.
32) You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
33) They answered him, “We are Abraham’s seed, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How do you say, ‘You will be made free?’”
34) Jesus answered them, “Most certainly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is the bondservant of sin.
35) A bondservant doesn’t live in the house forever. A son remains forever.
36) If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.

I remember the old saying: "If God isn't your father, then the devil is your Daddy".  To me, this is another way of saying that who you commit yourself to is your master.  If you think you are free by your own doing, you are kidding yourself.  You must make a choice; submit to sin or to Christ.  If you choose Christ, you have made a wise choice because it is only through HIM that you can be separated from sin.  Tomorrow we will celebrate Independence day and our freedom from a foreign oppressor; let us also remember that the bounds of freedom extend beyond the limits of physicality to the essence of our being: the soul.  Verse 36 might be something to think about tomorrow as well.