A different royal throne

I grew up on a farm where we didn't have an inside toilet until I was a teen. So, the term outhouse has a lot of meaning to me, but the term chamber pot has the most meaning because it was my job to empty my parents' one each morning. YUK, YUK and double YUK! Then we actually installed a real flush toilet in the house and my potting days were ended; Hooray!!!!!!!!!! But one thing has always confused and perplexed me: Why is a toilet called a throne? However, this royal throne does at least help me visualize it. There is a place in the Bible that does refer to someone using a toilet and because that someone was a king, well, I suppose it was royal. The story comes from the book of Judges:

Jdg 3:12 The children of Israel again did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh: and Yahweh strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh.
Jdg 3:13 He gathered to him the children of Ammon and Amalek; and he went and struck Israel, and they possessed the city of palm trees.
Jdg 3:14 The children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years.
Jdg 3:15 But when the children of Israel cried to Yahweh, Yahweh raised them up a savior, Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a man left-handed. The children of Israel sent tribute by him to Eglon the king of Moab.
Jdg 3:16 Ehud made him a sword which had two edges, a cubit in length; and he girded it under his clothing on his right thigh.
Jdg 3:17 He offered the tribute to Eglon king of Moab: now Eglon was a very fat man.
Jdg 3:18 When he had made an end of offering the tribute, he sent away the people who bore the tribute.
Jdg 3:19 But he himself turned back from the quarries that were by Gilgal, and said, I have a secret errand to you, king. He said, Keep silence. All who stood by him went out from him.
Jdg 3:20 Ehud came to him; and he was sitting by himself alone in the cool upper room. Ehud said, I have a message from God to you. He arose out of his seat.
Jdg 3:21 Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the sword from his right thigh, and thrust it into his body:
Jdg 3:22 and the haft also went in after the blade; and the fat closed on the blade, for he didn't draw the sword out of his body; and it came out behind.
Jdg 3:23 Then Ehud went forth into the porch, and shut the doors of the upper room on him, and locked them.
Jdg 3:24 Now when he was gone out, his servants came; and they saw, and behold, the doors of the upper room were locked; and they said, Surely he is covering his feet in the upper chamber.
Jdg 3:25 They waited until they were ashamed; and behold, he didn't open the doors of the upper room: therefore they took the key, and opened them, and behold, their lord was fallen down dead on the earth.
Jdg 3:26 Ehud escaped while they waited, and passed beyond the quarries, and escaped to Seirah.
Jdg 3:27 It happened, when he had come, that he blew a trumpet in the hill country of Ephraim; and the children of Israel went down with him from the hill country, and he before them.
Jdg 3:28 He said to them, Follow after me; for Yahweh has delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand. They went down after him, and took the fords of the Jordan against the Moabites, and didn't allow a man to pass over.
Jdg 3:29 They struck of Moab at that time about ten thousand men, every lusty man, and every man of valor; and there escaped not a man.
Jdg 3:30 So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. The land had rest eighty years. World English Bible

Covering ones feet is another way of saying a person was using the toilet. I can't even begin to imagine a less royal place to meet ones end. But, so it was, Eglon died on the pot. I wonder if God has a subliminal message in there somewhere? No matter where (or how) it started, Israel's cries for deliverance were heard and they had rest for eighty years. Just goes to show you-- God works in mysterious ways. But I wonder.... if the deliverance that gave the land rest eighty years happened in the room where Eglon was "covering his feet".... does that make it a restroom?

The bright sunlight

This picture has special meaning for me as I worked the overnight shift for several years. Occasionally, I would go out into the bright sunlight after a hard nights work only to be temporarily blinded by the sun. Insight is like that too, because sometimes you will work and work and then work some more on a problem to the point where you could scream with frustration. Then, unexpectedly, the answer comes to you.... just like that. It could be hours, days or longer and then suddenly you KNOW THE ANSWER. Paul's letter to the Ephesians must have made them feel like that and more.

Eph 3:1 For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles,
Eph 3:2 if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me toward you;
Eph 3:3 how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words,
Eph 3:4 by which, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ;
Eph 3:5 which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
Eph 3:6 that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News,
Eph 3:7 of which I was made a servant, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.
Eph 3:8 To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

God has a way of working things out that is unfathomable to mere humans. Sometimes the only way I get a glimpse of understanding is to try to view my life over a few DECADES. Can you imagine a perspective from infinity? The reality is that God views everyone as important, NOT JUST THE JEWS! It took literally hundreds of years to bring the Gentiles into the picture, but God sees beyond time and space AND MADE IT SO! For those of us who have been "grafted in" to root of Judaism, it is a blessing beyond belief. The light of God shines on ALL OF HUMANITY, NOT JUST A FEW! Oh, yes and if you are working overnight right now, be sure to have a pair of sunglasses on when you leave work today, the sun shines very brightly indeed in Florida.

More than silver or gold

This sparkling picture reminds me of something from many years past. I remember the sparkle in Linda's eye the day she told me that we were going to have our first child. That look will stay with me forever! It was as if it she was having her first birthday party and had been given the best gift she could ever have! The love I saw must in some way be like the way God felt about Israel because HE did everything he could to protect them. This passage from the book of Numbers tells the tale.

Num 22:1 The children of Israel traveled, and encamped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho.
Num 22:2 Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
Num 22:3 Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.
Num 22:4 Moab said to the elders of Midian, Now will this multitude lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field. Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time.
Num 22:5 He sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor, to Pethor, which is by the River, to the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the surface of the earth, and they abide over against me.
Num 22:6 Please come now therefore curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may strike them, and that I may drive them out of the land; for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.
Num 22:7 The elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came to Balaam, and spoke to him the words of Balak.
Num 22:8 He said to them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as Yahweh shall speak to me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam.
Num 22:9 God came to Balaam, and said, What men are these with you?
Num 22:10 Balaam said to God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying,
Num 22:11 Behold, the people that is come out of Egypt, it covers the surface of the earth: now, come curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to fight against them, and shall drive them out.
Num 22:12 God said to Balaam, You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people; for they are blessed.
Num 22:13 Balaam rose up in the morning, and said to the princes of Balak, Go to your land; for Yahweh refuses to permit me to go with you.
Num 22:14 The princes of Moab rose up, and they went to Balak, and said, Balaam refuses to come with us.
Num 22:15 Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honorable than they.
Num 22:16 They came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus says Balak the son of Zippor, Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me:
Num 22:17 for I will promote you to very great honor, and whatever you say to me I will do. Please come therefore, and curse this people for me.
Num 22:18 Balaam answered the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I can't go beyond the word of Yahweh my God, to do less or more. WEB

God loved Israel and blessed them. No one could stand before them and their enemies knew it. So Balak tried to bribe Balaam to curse Israel. Balaam realized something I wish we all could; that some things are worth more than silver and gold. If the shimmer on the water and the twinkle in my wife's eye can mean so much, then how much more blessed will I be if I listen to the words of God and do them. Besides, Habakkuk teaches us that God owns all the silver and gold anyway (2:8).

A herd complex mentality

If my brother Dave sees this, I think he would say: "nice cows"! He has always loved raising animals and definitely has a knack for it. Not me! One cow looks pretty much like another to me. So, I guess I just don't get it! A lot of people would do almost anything to be just one of the group. Call it a herd complex mentality or whatever you want to, but it exists. When it comes to following God, you can't do this; here is an example of someone from the Bible who tried and failed.

1Sa 15:1 Samuel said to Saul, Yahweh sent me to anoint you to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore listen you to the voice of the words of Yahweh.
1Sa 15:2 Thus says Yahweh of Armies, I have marked that which Amalek did to Israel, how he set himself against him in the way, when he came up out of Egypt.
1Sa 15:3 Now go and strike Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and don't spare them; but kill both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.
1Sa 15:4 Saul summoned the people, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah.
1Sa 15:5 Saul came to the city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley.
1Sa 15:6 Saul said to the Kenites, Go, depart, go down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them; for you showed kindness to all the children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites.
1Sa 15:7 Saul struck the Amalekites, from Havilah as you go to Shur, that is before Egypt.
1Sa 15:8 He took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.
1Sa 15:9 But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the cattle, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and wouldn't utterly destroy them: but everything that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.

and

1Sa 15:13 Samuel came to Saul; and Saul said to him, Blessed are you by Yahweh: I have performed the commandment of Yahweh.
1Sa 15:14 Samuel said, What means then this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the cattle which I hear?
1Sa 15:15 Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the cattle, to sacrifice to Yahweh your God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.
1Sa 15:16 Then Samuel said to Saul, Stay, and I will tell you what Yahweh has said to me this night. He said to him, Say on.
1Sa 15:17 Samuel said, "Though you were little in your own sight, weren't you made the head of the tribes of Israel? Yahweh anointed you king over Israel;
1Sa 15:18 and Yahweh sent you on a journey, and said, 'Go, and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.'
1Sa 15:19 Why then didn't you obey the voice of Yahweh, but flew on the spoil, and did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh?"
1Sa 15:20 Saul said to Samuel, Yes, I have obeyed the voice of Yahweh, and have gone the way which Yahweh sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.
1Sa 15:21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and cattle, the chief of the devoted things, to sacrifice to Yahweh your God in Gilgal.
1Sa 15:22 Samuel said, Has Yahweh as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of Yahweh? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. World English Bible

There are times when going along with the group will get you into BIG TROUBLE and this episode from the book of first Samuel was one of them. God wants obedience, not will-worship! If the Bible says to do something, do it and don't worry what people think. It has been my experience that those people who really matter will try to understand. This doesn't mean that you should not be sensitive to the feelings of others, it just means you should have the right attitude towards God, first and foremost. So the next time your conscience tells you to do the right thing, don't be herded the wrong way; instead be bullish on God and follow his words; besides who likes crowds, anyway!

You really won't go crazy

This picture reminded me of the video by Bill Cosby: "Himself". In it he describes how children changed both his wife and himself from suave, sophisticated, intelligent people into parents who could barely put a sentence together without stuttering. The other day I had a call from one of my children and the topic was "teenagers". She was exasperated and at her wits end over the situation and said she remembered us telling her that we hoped she would have children just like her... and she did!!! Frankly, I couldn't stop laughing and I wasn't much help to her, but problems like hers are just part of what it takes to be a parent. I hope she reads this passage from the book of Ephesians and it gives her some encouragement; she needs it!

Eph 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Eph 6:2 "Honor your father and mother" (this is the first commandment with a promise),
Eph 6:3 "that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land."
Eph 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. ESV

Children, listen.... Parents understand. Simple instructions with often complicated out workings. The key here is for the Lord to be part of the equation. Sooner or later your insane situation will resolve itself. In the meantime, don't pull your hair out... remember how hard we tried with you? You will see your success about two years after the next generation comes along, so be patient. Until then you really won't go crazy, it will just seem that way.

Character

This is my kind of restaurant. I like it because it is out of the ordinary; it has character! Someone took a great pride in designing the layout and placing a variety of pictures on the walls. Is that one fine fireplace or what! Even the chairs have arms! The life of a Christian is something like this New England establishment, it takes time to both design and perfect. Read the following passage from Paul's letter to the Galatians and think about your own life.

Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,
Gal 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,
Gal 5:21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Gal 5:23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Gal 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. ESV

The first three verses tell us what not to do and the next three show the right way to live. The last one gives exhortation. Nice little sermon! But its more than just words, its a lifestyle. How we live says more than mere words could ever convey. Either our lives have the refined character of heaven or the shady "character" from someplace else. Nothing happens overnight, it takes time to get rid of the first list and grace to gain the second. That's where verse 25 comes in, we can change if we really want to.... try! If you were a restaurant, what kind of character would you want your place to have?

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!