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Here is something you don't see every day; an older man acting like a kid. People age differently, with some going completely grey before they are 30 and others turning much later. Its not just appearance, either. Some are old before their "time" and others, well, they never seem to grow old. Consider the following Bible passage from 2nd Corinthians.

2 Cor 4:13-18
13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, "I believed, and therefore I spoke." We also believe, and therefore also we speak;
14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will present us with you.
15 For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
16 Therefore we don't faint, but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory;
18 while we don't look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. WEB

Attitude makes all the difference in the world. It is the outward expression of an inward state; the glowing of the soul in the real world. A heart on the sleeve with an open invitation to share. Face it, we all grow old sometime (if given the opportunity), but we don't have to grow old in spirit. This is especially true if we look beyond this temporary state to that of the eternal. The knowledge of God transcends this physical world and changes one into something better; something timeless. God has a way of lightening the load, of changing one's attitude and making our life better. And behaving like a youngster doesn't hurt either.

Bate and switch

I like to eat at Subway. They have a "little" sandwich called the "feast" that is almost too much for even ME to finish. What I don't like is this billboard. It is a blatant example of the deceptiveness of sin. It grabs your attention and then redirects your actions; it controls you at the most basic of levels. This concept is seen in one of the most revealing passages in the New Testament.

Matt 4:1-11 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
2 When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry afterward.
3 The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."
4 But he answered, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'"
5 Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple,
6 and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, 'He will give his angels charge concerning you.' and, 'On their hands they will bear you up, So that you don't dash your foot against a stone.'"
7 Jesus said to him, "Again, it is written, 'You shall not test the Lord, your God.'"
8 Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory.
9 He said to him, "I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me."
10 Then Jesus said to him, "Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'"
11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and ministered to him.WEB


Hunger, fear and the desire for power are very powerful motivators; right up there with sex. The devil used them to try to control Jesus for his own evil motives. He didn't succeed and the reason for it was Jesus' love and trust in God and his knowledge of the word of God. We can overcome evil just like Jesus did, but we need to realize that Satan will tempt us in any and every way possible to create a wedge between the creator and the created. Once Satan gets your attention, watch out for his bate and switch tactics; they are very dangerous. So is eating too many subs; especially ones with names like "The feast".

The long way down

Its pictures like this that make me glad I had daughters and not sons. Whatever can be going through his mind right about now? And who is taking this picture, anyway? Try and put yourself in the role of this boy's parent and pretend that you just told him to go! Could you do it? I couldn't. God wanted Jesus to go to the cross for our sakes and he did, but it couldn't have been easy, knowing what was going to happen. Here's a passage that gives a little insight as to what Jesus was thinking about.

John 17:14-26
14 I have given them your word. The world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.15 I pray not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one.16 They are not of the world even as I am not of the world.17 Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth.18 As you sent me into the world, even so I have sent them into the world.19 For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.20 Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who believe in me through their word,21 that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me.22 The glory which you have given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, even as we are one;23 I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me, and loved them, even as you loved me.24 Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, that they may see my glory, which you have given me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world.25 Righteous Father, the world hasn't known you, but I knew you; and these knew that you sent me.26 I made known to them your name, and will make it known; that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them."WEB

Jesus thought of others; of course this is no real surprise, but it does tell us something of the man. He had a great love for those who were to be his followers, great enough to worry about them and not himself. Why? Because he trusted in his father and knew what the outcome would be. Life may seem dangerous and to a certain extent it is, but put things in perspective, what are a few years on Earth compared with an eternity in heaven. When you think about it in those terms, the long way down pales in comparison to the longer stay in heaven. The first sermon I heard in Chapel was by Ed Healy: JOY, Jesus first, Others second and yourself last. Nice prioritization; God's will first, then that of others and finally your own. By the way, if I was this boy's parent; the second thing I would do after taking the picture would be to stop this little immanent joy ride before it went any further. Have you seen the cost of hospitalization lately?

Trust (video link)

He walked with a heavy limp and relied upon his cane all the time. A motorcycle accident in his youth had left him like this. But he taught me me something I will never forget; the following verse from the Bible.

Ps 20:77 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, But we trust the name of Yahweh our God. WEB

I was down and discouraged and he quoted this passage from the Psalms to me. I was like a thunderbolt and in that instant I knew that I had been trusting in myself instead of God. When I saw this video, I was reminded of my friend and it was a source of no small comfort. Yet, at the same time sorrow filled my heart; why, because this video is banned in some states. It is sad when God is left out of the picture, and dangerous too. Pass this link along to everyone you know, in order that we all might remember where to place our trust.

Success; God with you!!!

Remind you of anything??? As a World War II buff, I am reminded of the Third Reich. They were quite an outfit, very disciplined, very determined, but very, very wrong. How? Their oath of allegiance was to Adolf Hitler himself. He and he alone was to be their leader; God was to be out of the picture; they were bound to fail! Here is the formula for success.

Josh 1:6-9
6 Be strong and of good courage; for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.
7 Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded you: don't turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate thereon day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.
9 Haven't I commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; don't be afraid, neither be dismayed: for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.WEB

How many kingdoms have risen only to fall since these words were spoken? Yet, the followers of the God of Creation are still following HIS WORD. Tell you anything? Success isn't in blind obedience to any man, but rather to GOD ALONE! Adolf Hitler came to power because of economic hard times and a sense of failure; don't let that sort of thing happen in this country. We need to let our leaders know that they do NOT HAVE ABSOLUTE CONTROL OVER US; because GOD holds that position. America, are you listening?

I love this picture because it shows how versatile humans can be. We have the ability to do many things, express many different emotions, think a wide variety of thoughts and live the life we choose to live. Recently, I became a grandfather again (for the 8th time) and it is marvelous to see that little baby change before my eyes... on a daily basis. I wonder what she will be when she grows up, what kind of choices she will make and what life will be like when SHE IS 60? I wish Sara the best of all things; why, I guess its the same reason found in this passage from the Psalms.

Ps 8:1Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth, Who has set your glory above the heavens!2 From the lips of babes and infants you have established strength, Because of your adversaries, that you might silence the enemy and the avenger.3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, The moon and the stars, which you have ordained;4 What is man, that you think of him? The son of man, that you care for him?5 For you have made him a little lower than God,And crowned him with glory and honor.6 You make him ruler over the works of your hands. You have put all things under his feet:7 All sheep and oxen, Yes, and the animals of the field,8 The birds of the sky, the fish of the sea, And whatever passes through the paths of the seas.9 Yahweh, our Lord, How majestic is your name in all the earth! WEB

Doesn't say why directly, does it? However, if you think back to the book of Genesis you will find that God made man in his image and according to his likeness. Why, because God loves us; simplistic, but true. As for me, well, I love the possibility of a little bit of me seeing the 22nd century. Hopefully, she will learn this passage and learn to praise God, who has set this all in motion. I really love that thought!!!!!!!!!!

Yours means yours and not MINE!

Today, it is fashionable to expect the GOVERNMENT to give you the things you want or need. Couple this with one very large trend of lack of personal responsibility and you have a disaster waiting to happen. Something for nothing has become the mantra of our government. This is not only unfair to those who have to work for what they have, but if just about everyone does it, society as we know it is doomed. There was a similar problem in New Testament times and the Apostle Paul writes to the Thessalonians about it.

2 Thess 3:6-12
6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks in rebellion, and not after the tradition which they received from us.
7 For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we didn't behave ourselves rebelliously among you,
8 neither did we eat bread from anyone's hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you;
9 not because we don't have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us.
10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: "If anyone will not work, neither let him eat."
11 For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion, who don't work at all, but are busybodies.
12 Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. WEB

Please note that refusal to work is characterized as rebellion. Strong words given further emphasis by the Apostle who worked for a living. Paul made tents and served the God of Heaven on his own time. He had every right to expect monetary help for his efforts to spread the Gospel, but he gave up that right so that his message might carry more weight to his listeners. If you claim to follow Christ....work. There are jobs out there; you may not like them, but they are there. Otherwise, why are so many aliens coming into the USA from Mexico? Think this is a hard stance? Well, reread the passage again; it is very plain. As far as the picture above goes, well, I don't mind paying my own bills, I just think its wrong for someone else to expect me to pay theirs.