The best gift ever

What did YOU get for Valentine's day; flowers, candy, or maybe a nice card? How about a nice big juicy heart of beef? Now, I know its weird and all that, but for me a nice big piece of meat would go great with a baked potato. But, for Valentine's day? Why not? Love can be expressed in all sorts of ways because people are different the world over. Read this passage from Romans for a slightly different spin about love:

Rom 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rom 5:2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Rom 5:3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
Rom 5:4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
Rom 5:5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Rom 5:6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
Rom 5:7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die--
Rom 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

English Standard Version

Today is February 21st and by now the candy has been gobbled up, the flowers wilted and the card, well, who knows where it is. Genuine love is something that stays with you for a lifetime, something that withstands the test of time. I can't think of anything longer than eternal life, can you? So, I guess that makes God's gift of Jesus the best gift ever because it keeps on giving forever. Now, as far as Valentine's day 2010 goes, if one of my children should happen to read this.... GET ME THE STEAK and please don't forget the A-1, please!

Just wrong!

I remember what I was doing when I saw this and you probably do as well. It was almost beyond belief to see this happen and it was so upsetting to so many people around me that the company I was working for offered counseling to all those who felt they needed it. How could anyone do such a thing? I think we can gain some insight from this passage from the book of Matthew:

Mat 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Mat 4:2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
Mat 4:3 And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread."
Mat 4:4 But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
Mat 4:5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple
Mat 4:6 and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, "'He will command his angels concerning you,' and "'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'"
Mat 4:7 Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
Mat 4:8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
Mat 4:9 And he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me."
Mat 4:10 Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written, "'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'"

English Standard Version

We are religiously according to what standard of authority we are willing to submit to. Christians follow the Bible and that is to be our standard. Think about it; if God is really God, then there must be one truth and only one, just as there is only one true God. There are those who say you can do anything you want in regards to religious matters, but I think they are just wrong. Wrong because there really is only one God to worship; anything else is the Satanic. Remember what Jesus said in verse ten? Think I am wrong, well, look at the picture once again and ask yourself what standard the people who did this evil act were following?

What a face!

What a face! I look at her and she says "go away" as surely as I am breathing. I actually like what she does with her eyes, but her tongue; WOW, what a tongue! I can only imagine what she might say? However large a tongue might be, its the words that people say that hurt! Words like dum-dum, RETARD, fat-boy, lazy, good for nothing and the like. Its not JUST the words, its HOW they are said, with stretched out syllables and emphasis that reveal hate that comes straight from the heart. I like how James puts it in chapter three:

Jas 3:2 For we all stumble in many ways. If any one does not stumble in word, this one is a mature man, able also to bridle the whole body.
Jas 3:3 Behold, we put bits in the mouths of the horses, for them to obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
Jas 3:4 Behold, the ships also, being so great, and being driven by violent winds, they are directed by a very small rudder, where the impulse of the one steering purposes.
Jas 3:5 So also the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. Behold, how little a fire kindles how large a forest!
Jas 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, the world of iniquity. So the tongue is set among our members, spotting all the body, and inflaming the course of nature, and being inflamed by Hell.
Jas 3:7 For every species of beasts, both indeed of birds, of creeping things, and of sea animals, is tamed, and has been tamed by the human species;
Jas 3:8 but no one of men is able to tame the tongue; it is an unrestrainable evil, full of death-dealing poison.
Jas 3:9 By this we bless God and the Father; and by this we curse men having come into being according to the image of God. Gen. 1:26
Jas 3:10 Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, it is not fitting for these things to be so. LITV

Strong words indeed! Try to remember them the next time you want to say something less than flattering; who knows, you just might save someone a very bad memory. Words can be good, however! I once asked my wife why she married me: She said" Well, its not because of your nose, because its so big you could land a plane on it; its not for money, because you only have to open your wallet to see how broke you are; its not for your family because we both know how much both our families hate one another". Why, then OH, why did you do it, I said? Her reply has echoed throughout the years and has given me great joy: "I married you because you KEPT ON TELLING ME THAT YOU LOVED ME, OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN; Finally, I believed you!! Success! forty years and counting!

My cup runs over

You just had a nice meal and raised your glass for a toast and then... wham, it all goes so very wrong. Things like this really do happen in life: The washer breaks, the car has a flat tire even though its raining, one of the kids puts a crayon in the pocket of your favorite shirt and the list goes on and on and on. However, even though we have problems from time to time, by and large things go OK. Its even better when you know that God is with you, helping you day by day. Read the words of the first Psalm and see if it doesn't sound good to you.

Psa 23:1 Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.
Psa 23:2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
Psa 23:3 He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Psa 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psa 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over.
Psa 23:6 Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Yahweh's house forever.

World English Bible

The world is tough out there right now and it may be even more challenging in the years ahead. Its nice to know God is watching out for me, helping and guiding all the way. Although, my cup running over does not necessarily refer to a broken mug, it still sounds like a good life; so live with enthusiasm: every day above ground is a good day, even the bad ones (because there is hope that tomorrow may be better).

looking up

Beautiful, isn't it? Quite rare because light has to be at just the right angle to form this fire rainbow. Some day I hope to see such a beautiful thing in the heavens with my own eyes. That is something to look forward to, indeed. The Psalmist was looking forward to seeing God and one can only imagine what that would be like. Its interesting to me that he asks for just one thing. Read the verse and I think you will begin to see a depth in it that is not obvious at first glance.

Psa 27:4 One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.

I can only imagine what it will be like to be in God's presence, to consider his form and speak with him. What would he say, how would I comphrend it and how would I respond? Good questions, all. I honestly don't know the answers, but I think it would be better than any fire rainbow that I may ever see. One thing is for sure, the best way to start begins by looking up; at least you are headed in the right direction. Oh yes, you have to look and keep on looking; that's what the "one" in the verse is all about.

OK, Here's the plan

The Three Little Pigs Three Little Pigs went out to dinner one night. The waiter came and took their drink order. 'I would like a Sprite,' said the first little piggy.'I would like a Coke,' said the second little piggy.
'I want beer, lots and lots of beer,' said the third little piggy. The drinks were brought out and the waiter took their orders for dinner. 'I want a nice big steak,' said the first piggy. 'I would like the salad plate,' said the second piggy.
'I want beer, lots and lots of beer,' said the third little piggy. The meals were brought out and a while later the waiter approached the table and asked if the piggies would like any dessert. 'I want a banana split,' said the first piggy. 'I want a cheesecake,' said the second piggy.
'I want beer, lots and lots of beer,' exclaimed the third little piggy. 'Pardon me for asking,' said the waiter to the third little piggy,' But why have you only ordered beer all evening?' You're gonna LOVE me for this.... The third piggy says - 'Well, somebody has to go 'Wee, wee, wee, all the way home!

I know, I know, its simple. But there is something interesting here if you think about it; the pigs obviously had gotten together and made a plan before they went out to dinner. God has made a plan too, read about it from the book of the book of Ephesians:

Eph 3:1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles--
Eph 3:2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you,
Eph 3:3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.
Eph 3:4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ,
Eph 3:5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.
Eph 3:6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Eph 3:7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power.
Eph 3:8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
Eph 3:9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things,
Eph 3:10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
Eph 3:11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,

English Standard Version

Simple, people other than Jews have a way to God and that is through Jesus. No, it doesn't have to be complicated to be good and simple doesn't mean stupid. What it does mean is that all we have to do is to follow the plan and the man Jesus and that's that! True genius is making the complex simple while retaining its depth of meaning! Well, it would have to be that way if I were to understand it.

Thanks to Kathi Hall for sending me the story and to Steve Dixon for doing the drawing!

In the jaws of death

Crazy, absolutely certifiable! Who in their right mind would do such a thing? Obviously, this person would, but why? Life is short and as you grow older the times seems to just fly by, so why would someone be so cavalier about their life. I think actions like this are based on the presumption that one can do whatever they want, whenever they want; their life is their own and they can do with it as they please! Perhaps a reflection on this verse from the book of Psalms would be in order here:

Ps 19:13
13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. ESV

Life is precious and we should have a little respect for what has been given to us. While seeing someone in the jaws of death is easy, how about allowing "little sins" into our life? Little sins become big ones and lead to disaster. Help us all to heed the prayer found in the book of Psalms and desire to be blameless and innocent. Besides, the critter in the picture doesn't really need another meal, does he?