The brightness of a dark night

When there is a full moon, the night takes on a daytime quality. Yet, there is an surrealistic quality about it, and you know that no matter how bright it is that something is not quite right. But, at the same time the night can be very beautiful indeed as this picture illustrates. Over the years, I have worked all three shifts and after awhile each one becomes "normal". Not normal in the usual sense, but rather you adjust to new hours. So, day can become night and the reverse can also be true. In the future its very possible that we may live through dark and trying times; perhaps even the tribulation, so this passage from the book of Revelation seemed to be appropriate.

Rev 7:13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?"
Rev 7:14 I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Rev 7:15 "Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
Rev 7:16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat.
Rev 7:17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." ESV

Think about the changes that are happening in the USA and how they relate to our personal freedoms. It seems to me that this country is becoming more socialistic with each passing month and that the world is heading towards a one government authority. If and when this happens I think we will be in the tribulation and then this Revelation passage may actually apply specifically to US. The good news is that even though we may have to go through a long night of persecution, eventually night and day will become meaningless and "God will wipe away every tear" from OUR eyes. So, even the darkest nights will become bright and oh, so beautiful, because God will be near. Now, that is even more wonderful than any full moon could ever be!

When will mankind become reasonable?

This French bomb test is very terrifying. Think of the power unleashed and the devastation. What if it were part of a real war? However horrible, it could happen! Maybe it will start with a North Korean missile launch or perhaps Iran will make war with Israel, but when it begins, could it be stopped? Albert Einstein was once asked about the weapons that might be used in the next war: His reply was something like "I don't know what weapons will be used, but the war after that will be fought with sticks and stones". Why is man so belligerent? Sin is the answer and until that is destroyed there will be endless wars. When I think about this, I am reminded of Sodom and Gomorrah in the book of Genesis.

Gen 18:20 Yahweh said, "Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous,
Gen 18:21 I will go down now, and see whether their deeds are as bad as the reports which have come to me. If not, I will know."
Gen 18:22 The men turned from there, and went toward Sodom, but Abraham stood yet before Yahweh.
Gen 18:23 Abraham drew near, and said, "Will you consume the righteous with the wicked?
Gen 18:24 What if there are fifty righteous within the city? Will you consume and not spare the place for the fifty righteous who are in it?
Gen 18:25 Be it far from you to do things like that, to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be like the wicked. May that be far from you. Shouldn't the Judge of all the earth do right?"
Gen 18:26 Yahweh said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sake."
Gen 18:27 Abraham answered, "See now, I have taken it on myself to speak to the Lord, who am but dust and ashes.
Gen 18:28 What if there will lack five of the fifty righteous? Will you destroy all the city for lack of five?" He said, "I will not destroy it, if I find forty-five there."
Gen 18:29 He spoke to him yet again, and said, "What if there are forty found there?" He said, "I will not do it for the forty's sake."
Gen 18:30 He said, "Oh don't let the Lord be angry, and I will speak. What if there are thirty found there?" He said, "I will not do it, if I find thirty there."
Gen 18:31 He said, "See now, I have taken it on myself to speak to the Lord. What if there are twenty found there?" He said, "I will not destroy it for the twenty's sake."
Gen 18:32 He said, "Oh don't let the Lord be angry, and I will speak just once more. What if ten are found there?" He said, "I will not destroy it for the ten's sake."
Gen 18:33 Yahweh went his way, as soon as he had finished communing with Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place. WEB

I have always loved this passage because it shows God listening to Abraham and being reasonable. When will mankind become reasonable? I don't know if or when that will happen, but I pray that it will. Until that time I ask myself the question: I wonder if the Almighty is right now talking with someone like Abraham about the United States of America and if the number of righteous people remaining in it are enough to save us. So, be the best you can possibly be and who knows, you just might be number ten on our list and SAVE US FROM DESTRUCTION!

Any speed limits?

One cool car! You don't even have to look underneath the hood to know that this baby is going to fly!! Why? Because no one is going to paint an auto like this, put racing wheels if its performance is like a pinto MPG! I would guess this little "chariot of fire" would go at least 130. When I saw this car it reminded me of Elijah going to heaven. The passage from the book of second kings tells the tale.



2Ki 2:9 It happened, when they had gone over, that Elijah said to Elisha, Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you. Elisha said, please let a double portion of your spirit be on me.
2Ki 2:10 He said, "You have asked a hard thing. If you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so."
2Ki 2:11 It happened, as they still went on, and talked, that behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. WEB



I would really have liked to see that happen! Even better, imagine being Elisha! The fantastic spectacle was confirmation that he was to be literally twice the prophet of his master Elijah. Talk about encouragement! I have always wondered about Elisha, though; why ask for a double portion of the spirit? I like to think he just wanted to serve Yahweh better and not because he wanted a chariot with more "horse power" than Elijah. I wonder if there are any speed limits when entering heaven?

A very powerful force

He is neither the Great-grandfather nor the Grandfather, but rather the father. This man was 90 years young when this photo was taken and plans to father children until he is 100. I can not even fathom his optimism. When others are dying all around him, HE wants more children. Strange, isn't it? Well, not so strange. There was a man in a similar situation in the Bible; lets read from the book of Genesis.

Gen 15:1 After these things the word of Yahweh came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Don't be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward."
Gen 15:2 Abram said, "Lord Yahweh, what will you give me, seeing I go childless, and he who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?"
Gen 15:3 Abram said, "Behold, to me you have given no seed: and, behold, one born in my house is my heir."
Gen 15:4 Behold, the word of Yahweh came to him, saying, "This man will not be your heir, but he who will come forth out of your own body will be your heir."
Gen 15:5 Yahweh brought him outside, and said, "Look now toward the sky, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." He said to Abram, "So shall your seed be."
Gen 15:6 He believed in Yahweh; and he reckoned it to him for righteousness. WEB

Abram believed he would be childless, but God had other ideas. If someone told me that I would be a father again, I would simply not believe it. Abram did and Yahweh reckoned that belief as righteousness. The man in the photo and Abram have one thing in common; they had belief that it could happen and belief is a very powerful force indeed. As for me, well, I don't think I would have the patience to do it all over again. Besides, the thought of all those dirty diapers... whew!

The sunset of our lives

Imagine your most perfect of perfect days. Everything that you did seemed wonderful and every moment was treasure. At the end of that day you saw the most spectacular sunset ever and now that wonderful event was deepening to a beautiful purple sky. And the stars were just beginning to appear, and what stars they were. You sit on your porch and relax with your loved and discuss what you did that day; your work. To be able to see this and enjoy these times are a blessing almost beyond description. But, what if you couldn't see... or worse, what if you never could see. This was the situation of the blind man, until he met Jesus at least. John puts it this way....

Joh 9:1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth.
Joh 9:2 And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
Joh 9:3 Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.
Joh 9:4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.
Joh 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." ESV



Today I didn't feel 100%. An old illness has come back to haunt me and this time I think it will stay and although I didn't say anything to anyone (until now) it still bothered me and took the edge off my day. Then I thought of a family I see ever so often. They are a ragged group, very average, with one of the daughters mildly (or maybe not so mildly) retarded. When I saw them, I greeted them warmly and realized how glad I was to see them. Then, it hit me: You can only do what you can do, Rose, so be happy, and rejoice in this day.... regardless. The passage from John and the picture are one thought because while we are here we need to share every bit of the love within us with others. As the sunset of our lives transforms into the beauty of the stars the time for work will be over. Don't waste a minute, seek the light of the world while you can and rejoice in the fact that you still can work. Jesus did!

If we will only look

Several weeks ago I changed my laptop background to this picture. So, every single day I see this more than once. I noticed it has a calming effect on me; somehow my day was better and it wasn't until I came home from work this evening that I realized what it was. Peace, this picture says peace to me. It makes me reflect on my day and put things into perspective just like the Bible does. I look at the sky and the mirror of the scenery on the lake and think. No matter how bad things were during the course of my day, this simple picture reminds me that there can be peace if I will just LOOK. When I do, God gives me the encouragement I need. The apostles needed a their spirits lifted the night before Jesus was betrayed and so Jesus said these words to them:

Joh 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." ESV

I learned recently that about 50% of our brain is devoted to vision. Its plain to me that God wants us to use to use our brains to see. Unfortunately, the world we see around us can be a dangerous, very difficult place in which to survive, but God wants more for us than that. He wants us to really live and enjoy life. True life means restoring a genuine fellowship with God, so Jesus did what he had to do to make this happen. Difficult, yes, but then restoring something that is broken is more difficult than making something new. So, the next time you look at one of the pictures that I post, reflect a little and go beyond the obvious; see the magnificent interaction that God wants with us... if we will only look. Who knows, you just might see something beautiful and remember the creator. For me, this means peace and I pray it will for you as well.

Way beyond speech

When someone wants to curse someone or something, they use the name of God and the word Damn and then list the desired person or thing. But wait a minute, what about the following verse from the book of Deuteronomy?

Deu 5:11 "'You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. English Standard Version

A person's name represents that person; their appearance, character, and really everything about them. So, when someone curses, invoking the name of God they are taking HIM very lightly indeed. God is not to be ignored, trifled with or referred to without respect. So, this commandment goes way beyond speech because in fact it really permeates every aspect of our life. I like what Max T. Neel used to say:"God is closer than hands or feet and nearer than breathing". Because I accept that as truth, I know God is watching what I do and I need to be careful. Respect is respect, and a lack of it has consequences.

Ready to respond

When I left work today I noticed I needed some gas, so I stopped at the Circle K. A very pleasant man came up to me, informing me that there was a problem with the pumps and what I had to do about it. We had a long conversation, which ended with my suggestion that he read the book of Acts. Why, because its always a good idea to start at the beginning and that's where I consider the first century church started. After I left, it occurred to me that it was the most straightforward, plain suggestion I have given in awhile. NOT EVERYTHING IS COMPLICATED; SOME THINGS JUST ARE WHAT THEY ARE AND THAT IS THAT! Please play the video at the top and you will see what I mean. Afterwards, glance at the verses from the book of Matthew and I think you will see the connection.

Mat 19:13 Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people,
Mat 19:14 but Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." ESV

There was a time when we were all young; when the world was new and even the simplest things fascinated us. We were open minded, ready to respond without all the social filters we develop over the years. If we want to follow Jesus, we need to be as genuine as the baby in the video and reach out to Jesus. I think he will reach out to us and when that happens just try to stop smiling, I dare you!

ps. I have been thinking about babies a lot lately as Linda and I will be grandparents to baby number eight in the next few months!!!!!!

The bright morning sunshine

This picture of a sunrise from Iceland is amazing! There is a special quality about it that awakens the senses and begs the question: What is next? I remember the first time I presented a sermon; how nervous I was and thought I would never be able to speak in public again. To my complete surprise those who critiqued what I did had very positive comments. There were however, a couple of comments that blindsided me. I didn't know gee whiz meant Jesus' whiskers and that Golly wasn't much better. It was a real eye-opener, something like the following passage from the book of Ephesians.....

Eph 5:8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
Eph 5:9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),
Eph 5:10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.
Eph 5:11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
Eph 5:12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.
Eph 5:13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible,
Eph 5:14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." ESV

It dawned on me that some of the language that I had taken for granted as being acceptable really wasn't and I needed to change. If anyone has ever worked the graveyard shift, you know that when you come out into the bright morning sunshine it hurts your eyes for only a little while and then you see everything with a new clarity. When the SON OF GOD wakes you up, believe me, you see sonshine indeed! Then you really ask the question: What is next?

The wake I leave behind

Some of my earliest memories are of being on my father's speedboat and watching the wake that was left behind. Life is somewhat like being on that speedboat; ever forward, with the effects of what you do left behind you. Family, the work you have done and the people who call you friend all say a great deal about you. While these are important, I think the things that really matter are those things that bring about change in the lives of others; encouragement, understanding and most of all the love that you give away will be the most important part of your life's "wake". Nothing lasts forever, but your life could have an impact on literally thousands of people. Some people live their lives as if they will never end; but all do. I like this passage from the book of Second Peter because it reminds me that someday everything I have ever done will be on display.

2Pe 3:3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.
2Pe 3:4 They will say, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation."
2Pe 3:5 For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God,
2Pe 3:6 and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished.
2Pe 3:7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
2Pe 3:8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. ESV

I don't know when and I really don't understand how, but what we do here and now will be shown for what it really is. I guess that is where faith comes in, where you come to the point of asking yourself: What have I done with my life and how will I be judged for it? I know that I cannot change the past, but I can determine that from now on the wake I leave behind will be better each day! Think about your life and then do something about it; no one is promised tomorrow, we only have today. And oh, yes... watch where you are driving your boat, you might hit a reef of sin!