Big Boy: 2012

Here we go again! A "new BIG WHEEL"!!!  But, is it?  Let me see... there is a boy, a small wheel, a big wheel in the back, a place to sit and then something new (which is at the same time something old)... a bell on the handlebar!!!  I wish they had this little pleasure vehicle instead of that all plastic one I remember.  The one that made all the noise on the gravel as it went UP AND DOWN, THEN UP AND DOWN AND UP AND DOWN the little hill in front of our house in Valley Falls.  The one that kept me up all day, when I should have been sleeping (I worked midnight to 8 in the morning).  But, honestly, this is a big improvement!  This looks great and far more comfortable that the one I remember.  But, it is STILL A BOB'S BIG BOY TOY TO ME.  Nothing really changes, a toy is still a toy, no matter what it looks like.  Solomon put it this way...

WEB: Ecclesiastes 1:9. That which has been is that which shall be; and that which has been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

We have more technology, better tools, clever marketing and sexy models to sell it all, but basically a toy is still a toy.  Kids grow out of them like last year's shoes.  The barrage of "things" to buy is ever greater with each passing year, but generically nothing changes, even though it may appear different.  I am glad God doesn't change; that I can always count on him to be there and do the right thing!

All this being said; the new "big wheel" is a beautiful thing!  I wonder, does God have toys....?

Cohabitation before marriage by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/top/cohabit.htm

Once a controversial topic in the world, now commonplace... terrible.... Gary

The Clairion voices of God by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/top/clarion.htm

How does God speak to us? ......... Gary

Removing all doubt

My oldest daughter would be glad to know that I am aware of what Schroedinger's cat is about.  Glad because she gave me the DVDs of the Big Bang Theory and I have watched them.  For those who don't watch the series, someone name Schroedinger put a cat in a box along with a lethal poison and closed the box.  As long as no one opened the box, the cat could be said to be either alive or dead.  And that was it, except that you could believe it to be alive or dead as you wished.  Some experiment; heartless to say the least!  I do not enjoy such ambiguity, which is why I admired Jesus so much; he said what he meant to say and that was the end of it, period.  The following is a prime example...

WEB: Matthew Chapter 8

[5] When he came into Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking him, [6] and saying, “Lord, my servant lies in the house paralyzed, grievously tormented.”

[7] Jesus said to him, "“I will come and heal him.”"

[8] The centurion answered, “Lord, I’m not worthy for you to come under my roof. Just say the word, and my servant will be healed. [9] For I am also a man under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and tell another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and tell my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

[10] When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to those who followed, "“Most certainly I tell you, I haven’t found so great a faith, not even in Israel. [11] I tell you that many will come from the east and the west, and will sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven, [12] but the children of the Kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”" [13] Jesus said to the centurion, "“Go your way. Let it be done for you as you have believed.”" His servant was healed in that hour.

The Jews were a special people; chosen by God to be his and to do his will.  God taught them, cared for them and blessed them.  They believed in God because he had proved himself to them over and over again.  Not so with the Gentiles; and for Jesus to find one with such outstanding faith was truly amazing.  Who really understands faith, anyway?  Why does it reside so strongly in one heart and not at all in others?  I wish I had a good answer; I do not.  But, I do know that when Jesus spoke, people listened!  They listened because he spoke like no one before him or after.  As far as I am concerned, he left nothing to doubt and therefore you either believe or not and unlike the cat... no box is required.

church membership by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/top/member.htm



Are you a member of... Gary

Sideways faith

I wonder if this happens very often?  I doubt it, because I have never seen horizontal lightening before!  If you would have told me yesterday that such a thing existed, I might have been a little skeptical, but I may just have accepted it as fact.  We accept many things that we don't understand on a daily basis, like how your TV, computer or automobile works.  We take for granted that when we turn the key in the ignition of our car it won't explode, or when we step into an elevator it won't go directly to the basement at the speed of light.  So, why is it so hard for people to believe in Jesus?  Here is one example...

WEB: John Chapter 20

[26] After eight days again his disciples were inside, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors being locked, and stood in the midst, and said, "“Peace be to you.”" [27] Then he said to Thomas, "“Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it into my side. Don’t be unbelieving, but believing.”"

[28] Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

[29] Jesus said to him, "“Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed.”"

[30] Therefore Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; [31] but these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

Thomas was with Jesus for two years; you think he would have been farther along in the faith department than he was at this point.  But, obviously, he had some issues!!!  Its easy for us to marvel at his unbelief, but I wonder how advanced we really are in this department?  Can't answer that for you, but sometimes I am a little embarrassed to say I need a little work.  But, as times goes on, God teaches me things through his word and I actually get it!!!  And when I do; WOW!!!  I hope that the next time you see something new, you will remember this passage from the book of John and not be too hard on yourself.  God will understand; I know I do!!!!!

Challenges for a growing congregation by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/top/challeng.htm

Life is full of challenges; why should the church be different? ... Gary