Cloudy skies and loving eyes

Valentine's day will be here before you know it. Just look in the stores and you will see all the candy ready to be purchased for some sweetheart. Reality is that about the time of year the weather is less than wonderful, its cold, cloudy and in many parts of the country its snowing. For Juan and Maria the weather doesn't matter; they can only see one another and when the heart is full of love, other things just are not very important. Which, of course reminds me of a passage from the New Testament. Read what the apostle Paul has to say and I think you will see the connection.

Php 1:12-18
(12) Now I desire to have you know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News;
(13) so that it became evident to the whole praetorian guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ;
(14) and that most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear.
(15) Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will.
(16) The former insincerely preach Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains;
(17) but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Good News.
(18) What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice.

Sometimes circumstances really don't matter; Paul didn't care why people were proclaiming the Gospel, he was just happy it was being done. He knew, just as the couple in the picture do, that the ultimate goal of love is love and even though the surroundings may be unpleasant, love sees only the ultimate good. Having said all that, be sure to buy an extra large box of candy for your sweetie this upcoming holiday, you probably won't even notice the slight increase in her waistline. Besides, she might even give you something??

Open or closed "tires"

If you just looked at the top car quickly, you probably wouldn't notice anything unusual; but if you look at the close up on the lower picture you will notice something strange...the tires! Could this be the future of tires? I don't know, but it sure makes you wonder doesn't it? New things are like that for most of us; we think about them and consider the "what if's". That is, if you are an open minded person. Not everyone is, as this passage from the book of Acts reveals.
Act 17:14-33
(14) Then the brothers immediately sent out Paul to go as far as to the sea, and Silas and Timothy still stayed there.
(15) But those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens. Receiving a commandment to Silas and Timothy that they should come to him very quickly, they departed.
(16) Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw the city full of idols.
(17) So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who met him.
(18) Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also were conversing with him. Some said, "What does this babbler want to say?" Others said, "He seems to be advocating foreign deities," because he preached Jesus and the resurrection.
(19) They took hold of him, and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new teaching is, which is spoken by you?
(20) For you bring certain strange things to our ears. We want to know therefore what these things mean."
(21) Now all the Athenians and the strangers living there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear some new thing.
(22) Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus, and said, "You men of Athens, I perceive that you are very religious in all things.
(23) For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.' What therefore you worship in ignorance, this I announce to you.
(24) The God who made the world and all things in it, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, doesn't dwell in temples made with hands,
(25) neither is he served by men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself gives to all life and breath, and all things.
(26) He made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the surface of the earth, having determined appointed seasons, and the boundaries of their dwellings,
(27) that they should seek the Lord, if perhaps they might reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
(28) 'For in him we live, and move, and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also his offspring.'
(29) Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold, or silver, or stone, engraved by art and design of man.
(30) The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now he commands that all people everywhere should repent,
(31) because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained; of which he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from the dead."
(32) Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, "We want to hear you again concerning this."
(33) Thus Paul went out from among them.

For the Athenians, life was exciting, each day had something new to discuss. But as we can see from their responses, not everyone was open to a new idea, regardless of how much conversation might take place. Could the resurrection really be true? Some belittled even the very thought of it and others.... were thinking. Its just like the tires in the picture above, if you are open minded you will see it as possible, if not, then you will probably criticize even what you see. As Jack Palance used to say at the end of every Ripley's show: "Believe it or not"!!

You do...what?

A few weeks ago, I went on a "photo shoot" with two of my grandchildren. This picture was taken near the courthouse in Dade City. Why this picture? Because it says something about Southern culture, that is why. Notice all the trucks? Well, it seems to me that there are a lot more than I remember seeing in either New York or New Jersey. I am unsure as to what it means, but I am guessing its an expression of male dominance (but I could be wrong). It takes a long time to get acquainted with the nature and customs of any culture and sometimes there can be problems. This passage is the story of culture and perhaps more than that. Read on and decide for yourself.

Gen 29:12-27
(12) Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's brother, and that he was Rebekah's son. She ran and told her father.
(13) It happened, when Laban heard the news of Jacob, his sister's son, that he ran to meet Jacob, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. Jacob told Laban all these things.
(14) Laban said to him, Surely you are my bone and my flesh. He lived with him for a month.
(15) Laban said to Jacob, "Because you are my brother, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what will your wages be?"
(16) Laban had two daughters. The name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
(17) Leah's eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and attractive.
(18) Jacob loved Rachel. He said, "I will serve you seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter."
(19) Laban said, "It is better that I give her to you, than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me."
(20) Jacob served seven years for Rachel. They seemed to him but a few days, for the love he had for her.
(21) Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in to her."
(22) Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.
(23) It happened in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him. He went in to her.
(24) Laban gave Zilpah his handmaid to his daughter Leah for a handmaid.
(25) It happened in the morning that, behold, it was Leah. He said to Laban, "What is this you have done to me? Didn't I serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?"
(26) Laban said, "It is not done so in our place, to give the younger before the firstborn.
(27) Fulfill the week of this one, and we will give you the other also for the service which you will serve with me yet seven other years."

Jacob was a trickster and by his trickery he had obtained the firstborn birthright and his father's blessing. So, its a little ironic that from the beginning Laban tricks him. (and who says God doesn't have a sense of humor) This story probably seems a little strange to most of us because of the father's control over his children and the practice of polygamy, but that what they did in the middle east in those days. The bottom line is that we need to try to understand others in the context of their culture before we pass judgment. Besides, its good to experience something new once in awhile and I do kind-of, sort-of like that red truck in the foreground. Humm, maybe if I buy a truck I might fit right in down here (or maybe it will just be another mid-life crisis raising its ugly head) More about this later.....

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?