Politics under a beautiful sky

What a grand sky! Too bad the building has signs all over it; especially those pesky political ones. Like it or not, politics somehow manages to infiltrate our everyday life. Today was no exception; as I sat down to watch TV, the presidents inaugural address was on. I liked much of what he said, (which is unusual for me) but somehow something just didn't seem to ring true. I went away with the feeling that nothing has changed and nothing will until we have a true three party system in this country. Politics is nothing new, its even in the Bible. Consider the book of Acts for example.

Act 24:22 But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, "When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will decide your case."
Act 24:23 He ordered the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody, and should have some privileges, and not to forbid any of his friends to serve him or to visit him.
Act 24:24 But after some days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.
Act 24:25 As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, "Go your way for this time, and when it is convenient for me, I will summon you."
Act 24:26 Meanwhile, he also hoped that money would be given to him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore also he sent for him more often, and talked with him.
Act 24:27 But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.

Felix was a consummate politician. He put off what he did not want to hear, longed for money and allowed the powers that be a say in his decisions. Sound familiar? It should; it heard the something similar on the TV tonight. Democrats and Republicans will do what they have to do to get re-elected. Like Felix, I have do doubt that they know right from wrong; they just lack to political will to do it! We need people in office who have Christian values, Christian ideals and will have a Christian agenda. Not a popular view to hold, but then again, I don't have to deal with the same people that Felix did. I just have to listen to Christ; I wonder if the people in Washington will listen?

A different king

The Washington memorial makes a very nice picture! Yet it is only a building, but the man for whom it was erected is its greatness. George Washington led a rebellion against England that led to the formation of an entirely new nation. Yet, he did it humbly. You might find it odd that I refer to his humbleness, but at one point it was suggested to him that he become king of the new nation. I am very happy to say that he refused and I hope no leader of ours will ever WANT TO BE KING!! But, what if you really were a KING by BIRTHRIGHT? What then?

Mark 15:1-20 WEB (R)
(1) Immediately in the morning the chief priests, with the elders and scribes, and the whole council, held a consultation, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him up to Pilate.
(2) Pilate asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" He answered, "So you say."
(3) The chief priests accused him of many things.
(4) Pilate again asked him, "Have you no answer? See how many things they testify against you!"
(5) But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate marveled.
(6) Now at the feast he used to release to them one prisoner, whom they asked of him.
(7) There was one called Barabbas, bound with those who had made insurrection, men who in the insurrection had committed murder.
(8) The multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do as he always did for them.
(9) Pilate answered them, saying, "Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?"
(10) For he perceived that for envy the chief priests had delivered him up.
(11) But the chief priests stirred up the multitude, that he should release Barabbas to them instead.
(12) Pilate again asked them, "What then should I do to him whom you call the King of the Jews?"
(13) They cried out again, "Crucify him!"
(14) Pilate said to them, "Why, what evil has he done?" But they cried out exceedingly, "Crucify him!"
(15) Pilate, wishing to please the multitude, released Barabbas to them, and handed over Jesus, when he had flogged him, to be crucified.
(16) The soldiers led him away within the court, which is the Praetorium; and they called together the whole cohort.
(17) They clothed him with purple, and weaving a crown of thorns, they put it on him.
(18) They began to salute him, "Hail, King of the Jews!"
(19) They struck his head with a reed, and spat on him, and bowing their knees, did homage to him.
(20) When they had mocked him, they took the purple off of him, and put his own garments on him. They led him out to crucify him.

Jesus was a king by right of his birth and yet in this passage does not claim the identity; Why? Several reasons. First, his kingdom was not of this world; it was a spiritual kingdom. True, he had power over the elements (changing water to wine, walking on the water, causing the sea to calm, etc.) but his was a spiritual mission; one that sought to win the hearts of men. Second, if he had claimed kingly status in the here and now, Israel would have rebelled and ultimately been destroyed by her Roman masters. Lastly, it was not in his nature to demand obedience; he sought out those who wanted to seek God. Jesus was a different king; a king of the human heart; one who re-united the spiritual realm with that which is Incorporated within human flesh. His monument is not found in any Earthly building, but rather in the hearts of those who love God. Buildings will crumble, monuments may tumble, but true love goes on forever. Nice picture, too bad I don't have a spiritual camera!

Take it with you?

The other day I had an unusual conversation with a good friend; the topic was burial.. This person wanted to be buried without a casket in the concrete liner. Inside the liner, he wanted to be reclining in his favorite chair with a beer in his hand and watching his big screen TV. For a touch of permanence he wanted the whole liner filled with clear epoxy, except for a tube that led to a solar collector outside (to run the TV, of course). I thought of him today when I saw this picture. My friend and the person in this picture had the same idea: You can take it with you!! Not a new concept, but this is the first time I have ever seen a real life picture. Reminds me of a passage from the New Testament from the book of Luke....

Luk 12:16-21
(16) He spoke a parable to them, saying, "The ground of a certain rich man brought forth abundantly.
(17) He reasoned within himself, saying, 'What will I do, because I don't have room to store my crops?'
(18) He said, 'This is what I will do. I will pull down my barns, and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.
(19) I will tell my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, be merry." '
(20) "But God said to him, 'You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared-whose will they be?'
(21) So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

For openers, I really don't have a problem with anyone earning money. It is necessary and even desirable. To provide for oneself and family is a blessing from God. The problem I have is that some people make the acquisition of wealth their ultimate goal, to the exclusion of everything else. I am happy to say that my friend does not fall into this category; he is a well-adjusted family man for whom life has a whole spectrum of priorities. Just one thing; you really can't take it with you. Better to have a friend in heaven than possessions on earth; besides I imagine that God probably wants to decorate heaven the way HE wants to; your furniture would probably clash.

Fascination

Cat lovers will appreciate this picture. Those furry little creatures are often fascinated by the seemingly mundane. This little fellow is no exception; the light shining on its paw seems to hold an interest that is captivating! Light comes in all sorts of varieties: Northern light, Southern light, Noonday brightness, incandescent, fluorescent, soft white, and probably quite a few more that escape me right now. They all have one thing in common though, they enable us to see. Without light, we stumble, fumble, trip and fall. We err in so many ways. Jesus talks about light to and his words are as revealing as light itself.


John 8:12 WEB (R)
(12) Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life."

Light guides us, helps us understand the world around us and adds a new take on life. Consider; look out your living room window on a sunny day and then do it again on a cloudy one. The change in light puts a whole new perspective on things. Light also stands for purity and right living; just as darkness does for corruption and wayward actions. So, what is Jesus saying? His pattern is the one we should follow if we want to live correctly. Its not just a good way to live, its really the only way because his way is true life itself. The more you know of his light, the more fascinated you will be by it and just like the kitten in the picture you won't be able to takes your eyes off it. See what I am saying?

Deception

Hell, a subject nobody really likes to talk about; yet the reality of it is too terrible NOT to talk about. More than just an uncomfortable place, it is a place of endless torture. Jesus makes it quite plain that it is a place of endless suffering and death. Sounds really scary to me, yet in the Sermon on the mount Jesus describes the way to it as a broad path, where most people are headed. Again; really, really scary. So, if its so bad, why are most people headed in that direction? I can't know the reasons why most people do things and I suppose that like so many other things in this life, there is not just a single answer. However, I will try. Deception is my answer. Deception so cleaver, so maniacal, so intuitive that the unbelievable becomes reality. The accuser of mankind is the source of this and make no mistake, he is one dangerous adversary. Dangerous because he is a spiritual being who was at the side of God and even led a rebellion against the almighty. One tough opponent! His weapons vary from the most gentle insinuations to the most course, violent things we can imagine and more. Face it, he hates us; and the hate that is within his bosom is beyond all human description. Look at the way he even tried to tempt Jesus.

Mat 4:1-10
(1) 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 put his angels in charge of 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 you shall serve him only.' "

I know, I have used these verses before, but they JUST FIT. The Devil's deceptions are blown away by the correct use of the WORD OF GOD, but I wonder if you and I could do as well as Jesus did? I think the answer to that is found in another question: Do we immerse ourselves in God's Holy Word on a daily basis? If the answer is "yes", then our chances are pretty good; if not, well, danger awaits. As far as the picture goes, it is very clever, so I just had to use it. But I just wish they had not told me (in the fine print) that there was free bratwurst in hell; I have a hard time resisting food. But, relax, I am not in any danger, I don't like my bratwurst cooked over an open flame;I hope you don't like it that way!!

Contentment

This is the largest block of gold in the world. Worth an estimated 8.7 million dollars, it is on display in Taiwan. I have a hard time thinking in terms of millions of dollars, but it doesn't take a genius to know that amount is a lot of money. I wonder what I would do with it? Perhaps, I would buy a fancy car, like the Excalibur I have always wanted (kits start at about $80,000), or maybe a 20 room mansion or a 5 carat yellow diamond. A few dozen expensive suits would be nice! But why think small; why not buy a tropical island and a 60 foot yacht as well. Perhaps I would go into politics and buy a senate seat or a cabinet post; maybe even bribe my way into the white house. Of course, I couldn't stop there, I would have to aspire to be America's first dictator. (as opposed to a president, who doesn't have much power??) Humm, there seems to be a pattern here and it made me think of this passage from Paul's letter to Timothy.

1 Timothy 6:1-11 WEB (R)
(1) Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed.
(2) Those who have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brothers, but rather let them serve them, because those who partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.
(3) If anyone teaches a different doctrine, and doesn't consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness,
(4) he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions,
(5) constant friction of people of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. Withdraw yourself from such.
(6) But godliness with contentment is great gain.
(7) For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can't carry anything out.
(8) But having food and clothing, we will be content with that.
(9) But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction.
(10) For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
(11) But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.

Bottom line is that focusing on things leads to focusing on SELF and you just get more and more and more greedy. The pattern to follow is found in verses 6 to 8 and 11, but I have only known a very few people in my entire life who lived up to that standard. Unlike most posts, this one is directed at myself because I am thinking of buying a new camera which I can't really afford. Even though I may want it right now, I will wait until I have the money in my hand or God just mails me one; whichever comes first. Until then, I guess I will just have to stay away from "Abe's of Maine"; their prices are just too tempting.

The old paths

These barges remind me of a bygone year; one that saw a holiday party aboard a vessel much like this in Pennsylvania. It was quite an experience; one that I will never forget. Oh, it wasn't fast-paced or wild in any stretch of the imagination, just co-workers getting together to enjoy one an other's company and to celebrate the passage of another year. Yet, there was something about it that was intriguing, something that spoke of another way of life, one without the need to rush, without the constant pressure of society to succeed, to make more and more money with each passing year. Something like a visit to the Amish country, a view into another life and another way of doing things. Long ago, God spoke to his chosen people and wanted them to return to the old paths, according to the life-style that he had set down. Their response is at the end of the verse.

Jeremiah 6:16 WEB (R)
(16) Thus says Yahweh, Stand you in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way; and walk therein, and you shall find rest for your souls: but they said, We will not walk therein.

New is not ALWAYS BETTER!!! Think of all the chemicals in our food supply and the genetic engineering that is changing the very nature of the food we consume. Consider all the broken homes in this country because spouses are too selfish to compromise. What about all the political wrangling behind closed doors that has been going on lately? How long can this country endure if it continues spending more than it takes in? The founding fathers believed in one nation under God and somehow God is being excluded from every public institution? The answer to our problems is not in science or political solutions, it is in God; his ways, the old paths, tried and true. Hopefully, America will be different from the Israel of Jeremiah's time and seek God before it is too late. If that happened there would be rejoicing throughout our land like never before!! Now that would be one party I would LOVE TO ATTEND! (the barge is optional!!)