Coincidence

Sometime ago, I found this picture on the web under a listing called "being in the right place at the right time". Its just three birds flying, but I see a smiling face; how about you? Just coincidence, right? Well, yes and no. Yes, because after all, it IS just three birds and no, because God put it there at just the right time for YOU to see it. If you get the last sentence, then you really "get" this blog. Nothing occurs by accident, if your eyes are open you can easily see God in the smallest of things and the world becomes a window through which God can teach you. The following is a "chance" lesson for us all.

Matthew 17:24-27 (WEB)
24) When they had come to Capernaum, those who collected the didrachma coins came to Peter, and said, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the didrachma?”
25) He said, “Yes.” When he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive toll or tribute? From their children, or from strangers?”
26) Peter said to him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Therefore the children are exempt.
27) But, lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. When you have opened its mouth, you will find a stater coin. Take that, and give it to them for me and you.”
(Matthew 17:24-27, WEB)

Jesus taught from nature and this episode is just one example. I love what it says and also what it doesn't say. The teaching is that the sons of God are above tribute. How special those who love God are! Its interesting to me what the passage does not say: Namely, that Peter actually did as he was told... it is assumed. Since the Bible doesn't say anything more about it, I can only assume Peter did it, but the doing somehow just doesn't SEEM necessary. I prefer to think that Peter did it because it makes sense, just like it makes sense that God would allow birds to smile at me. Somehow this just seems to make the world a wonderful place to live in. Only thing left to do is to go fishing; who knows what I might catch?

Tada!!!

One thing that has greatly surprised me while I have been doing this blog is how much I really love rainbows. I never imagined there were so many variations! This one was new to me as well; it couples Crepuscular rays with with a rainbow. It reminded me of the openings you see when a movie starts, so when I saved the file, I named it "Tada". The "Tada", of course, referring to an important announcement. Immediately, I thought of Luke and the proclamation of Jesus' birth.

Luke 2:1-20 (WEB)
1) Now it happened in those days, that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled.
2) This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3) All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city.
4) Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David;
5) to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.
6) It happened, while they were there, that the day had come that she should give birth.
7) She brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8) There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.
9) Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10) The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.
11) For there is born to you, this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12) This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough.”
13) Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying,
14) “Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.”
15) It happened, when the angels went away from them into the sky, that the shepherds said one to another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16) They came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough.
17) When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child.
18) All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds.
19) But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart.
20) The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.
(Luke 2:1-20, WEB)

There is no denying that Jesus was and is someone very special!!! The announcement of his birth by an angel is very appropriate and a bit terrifying to the shepherds who heard it. If his birth was important, how much more his death. Where would we be without it? Lost in our sins is the only answer that makes sense to me!!! So, the next time you put in a movie, watch the opening credits and remember that while the beginning is important, its the end that really counts. Thank GOD our lives can have a happy ending; Jesus' life ended in life and that is all I really need to know!!! Oh, yes, and that rainbows are beautiful!

The "bad" job

You think your job is bad? Consider doing this one for a couple of HOURS? I wouldn't even think of it!! Take a moment and think; every job you have ever had, wasn't there something unpleasant about it? Even in the best jobs I have ever had there was always something wrong; either the pay was too low, or there was some JERK who made life miserable or a boss that was just plain obnoxious... there was always SOMETHING. And, its not about a personal quirk in me, either; consider the Apostle Paul, now there was a man who was understanding, patient, considerate, in short, a really good guy. He had problem on the job too... and here are just a few.

Philippians 3:1-21 (WEB)
1) Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not tiresome, but for you it is safe.
2) Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision.
3) For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh;
4) though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he has confidence in the flesh, I yet more:
5) circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;
6) concerning zeal, persecuting the assembly; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.
7) However, what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ.
8) Yes most certainly, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ
9) and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;
10) that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death;
11) if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
12) Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, if it is so that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.
13) Brothers, I don’t regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do. Forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before,
14) I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15) Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, think this way. If in anything you think otherwise, God will also reveal that to you.
16) Nevertheless, to the extent that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule. Let us be of the same mind.
17) Brothers, be imitators together of me, and note those who walk this way, even as you have us for an example.
18) For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, as the enemies of the cross of Christ,
19) whose end is destruction, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who think about earthly things.
20) For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
21) who will change the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working by which he is able even to subject all things to himself.
(Philippians 3:1-21, WEB)

I don't know how Paul did it; but he put up with hardships that would drive most of us crazy. Well, that's not quite true; Paul knew Jesus, and knew him well. I guess that is what made him so special and so able to put up with so much. I wish I knew him when he wrote his messages to the churches he knew so well; maybe I could learn something from him? Since the person in the picture may still be around, who knows, maybe someday I may meet her. It would be interesting to find out how she copes with her job. Just one thing... I won't get to close to her when we talk (I have a sensitive nose).

Are you kidding?

A jumping gay walrus? Is someone trying to be funny, or what? I have seen walruses and I can't imagine them jumping. Now, what exactly is a gay walrus? Is it a happy animal or one that is homosexual or is it something else? Sometimes trying to understand what others mean by what they say is difficult to say the least. Here is a series of the same sort of problem: misunderstanding.

Matthew 16:1-23 (WEB)
1) The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing him, asked him to show them a sign from heaven.
2) But he answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’
3) In the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but you can’t discern the signs of the times!
4) An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and there will be no sign given to it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” He left them, and departed.
5) The disciples came to the other side and had forgotten to take bread.
6) Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
7) They reasoned among themselves, saying, “We brought no bread.”
8) Jesus, perceiving it, said, “Why do you reason among yourselves, you of little faith, ‘because you have brought no bread?’
9) Don’t you yet perceive, neither remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you took up?
10) Nor the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you took up?
11) How is it that you don’t perceive that I didn’t speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
12) Then they understood that he didn’t tell them to beware of the yeast of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
13) Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
14) They said, “Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”
15) He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16) Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17) Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
18) I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
19) I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven; and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven.”
20) Then he commanded the disciples that they should tell no one that he was Jesus the Christ.
21) From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.
22) Peter took him aside, and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This will never be done to you.”
23) But he turned, and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of men.”
(Matthew 16:1-23, WEB)

The Pharisees and the Sadducee's didn't understand Jesus and most of the time Jesus' disciples didn't either. Peter seemed to for awhile, but then Jesus had to correct him. Life is like that; full of misunderstandings and miscommunication. Sometimes our misunderstandings are humorous like the sign and sometimes serious, but they happen. So, I guess we all have to try harder to get it right; especially when it comes to the serious things like really listening to the words of Jesus. Only one thing left to say... "Does anyone know where this sign is... I really want to see those walruses!!!

Reflections on beauty

Fire-rainbows are beautiful, no matter how you look at them. They are unusual because light has to be refracted at a very specific (and rare) angle in order for the prismatic effect to occur. I have only seen this beautiful occurrence once in real life and it was a memorial event. I couldn't help but think about beauty as a result of this composite picture and the following passage from the New Testament came to mind.

1 Peter 3:1-12 (WEB)
1) In the same way, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; so that, even if any don’t obey the Word, they may be won by the behavior of their wives without a word;
2) seeing your pure behavior in fear.
3) Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing;
4) but in the hidden person of the heart, in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God very precious.
5) For this is how the holy women before, who hoped in God also adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands:
6) as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose children you now are, if you do well, and are not put in fear by any terror.
7) You husbands, in the same way, live with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor to the woman, as to the weaker vessel, as being also joint heirs of the grace of life; that your prayers may not be hindered.
8) Finally, be all like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, courteous,
9) not rendering evil for evil, or insult for insult; but instead blessing; knowing that to this were you called, that you may inherit a blessing.
10) For, “He who would love life, and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.
11) Let him turn away from evil, and do good. Let him seek peace, and pursue it.
12) For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears open to their prayer; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
(1 Peter 3:1-12, WEB)

I imagine there are many who will read this passage and take offence at it. But, Hey, I didn't write it, The Apostle Peter did. God desires a hierarchy in marriage, whether it is popular today or not. HE considers beauty within the human heart something worth having and peace, order and tranquility in marriage something to strive for. This is NOT RESTRICTED TO WIVES, but rather the real emphasis should be on the husband because its up to him to foster an environment where marriage reaches its ideal. So, guys, its up to us to do something about the situation. If your marriage isn't similar to the standard found in 1 Peter, then do something; lead more, love more, understand more, be more gentle. Ladies are different than men (DUH) and should be treated with all the respect and understanding they deserve. Perhaps someday we may be able to think of our martial relationships as something very, very beautiful, like these fire rainbows; now we just have to get our angle of thinking adjusted to the proper perspective.

At the end of the rainbow

Can you imagine being in that car? Going through the end of a rainbow has to be exciting! The Irish say that there is gold at the end of it, but for the Christian I think it would be something different. Read on to see what I mean...

Revelation 21:1-7 (WEB)
1) I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth have passed away, and the sea is no more.
2) I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.
3) I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with people, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.
4) He will wipe away from them every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away.”
5) He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” He said, “Write, for these words of God are faithful and true.”
6) He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give freely to him who is thirsty from the spring of the water of life.
7) He who overcomes, I will give him these things. I will be his God, and he will be my son.
(Revelation 21:1-7, WEB)

Being with God, not just spiritually, but physically is something that would be better than any amount of gold. After being exposed to this world for many decades, I can tell you that I am eager to see a world without sin, in perfect harmony with God. Today, it seems almost a dream-like concept but someday...

Anyone seen MACGYVER? I could use a little help!!!

Sooner or later we all face this situation; you have to go, but there is no paper in the restroom. This picture raises an interesting question: What would MACGYVER do? This TV star uses his intellect and resourcefulness to make the impossible, possible. We all know that its just TV and not reality, BUT, what if someone could make something out of almost "nothing"? Something somewhat similar happens several times in the New Testament and what follows is one of those instances.

Matthew 15:32-38 (WEB)
32) Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days and have nothing to eat. I don’t want to send them away fasting, or they might faint on the way.”
33) The disciples said to him, “Where should we get so many loaves in a deserted place as to satisfy so great a multitude?”
34) Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.”
35) He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground;
36) and he took the seven loaves and the fish. He gave thanks and broke them, and gave to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes.
37) They all ate, and were filled. They took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces that were left over.
38) Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.
(Matthew 15:32-38, WEB)

Unlike the picture, this episode was initiated by love and concern and NOT immediate need. How did Jesus really do it? I haven't a clue, except to say that Jesus was a man, but more than a man. His power goes way beyond my feeble understanding. God is like that, you know! As far as the picture goes... I would cut the cardboard with my box cutter (did I say that I almost always carry a box cutter at work?) into four pieces for use as four blotters. Anyone have a better idea, please let me know.