Kids say the darndest things

If you recognize this picture, then you are as old as I am. In the early days of TV, Art Linkletter had a popular show called house party and one segment was called "kids say the darnedest things". Each child would be asked a seemingly simple question and the responses from young children were often hilarious! My thanks to Paul Harris for sending me this!

What Love means to a 4-8 year old....

Slow down for three minutes to read this. It is so worth it. Touching words from the mouth of babes. A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, 'What does love mean?' The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined See what you think:

'When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.'

Rebecca- age 8

'When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.' Billy - age 4

'Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.' Karl - age 5

'Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.' Chrissy - age 6

'Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.' Terri - age 4

'Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.' Danny - age 7

'Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss' Emily - age 8

'Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.' Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)

'If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,' Nikka - age 6 (we need a few million more Nikka's on this planet)

'Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.' Noelle - age 7

'Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.' Tommy - age 6

'During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore.' Cindy - age 8

'My mommy loves me more than anybody You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.' Clare - age 6

'Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.' Elaine-age 5

'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Brad Pitt.' Chris - age 7

'Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.' Mary Ann -age 4 '

I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.' Lauren - age 4

'When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.' (what an image) Karen - age 7

'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross.' Mark - age 6

'You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.' Jessica - age 8

And the final one:

The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, 'Nothing, I just helped him cry'

When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need. Take 60 seconds and give this a shot! All you do is simply say the following small prayer for the person who sent you this. Heavenly Father, please bless all my friends in whatever it is that You know they may be needing this day! And may their life be full of Your peace, prosperity and power as he/she seeks to have a closer relationship with You. Amen. Then send it on to five other people. Within hours you caused a multitude of people to pray for other people. Then sit back and watch the power of God work in your life. John J. Stankiewicz

I have always liked the following:

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. The Webster Bible

Suprise!

This photo does make me wonder! Its probably very innocent, but what's the knife for? The cake, of course! However, it does say something about marriage; you never really know what's going to happen. Even after 40 years, I never really know what my wife is going to do next! One thing is for sure, if there is enough love, the MARRIAGE WILL WORK!
Paul put it this way:
Eph 5:21 subjecting yourselves to one another in the fear of God.
Eph 5:22 The wives! to your own husbands subject yourselves, as to the Lord,
Eph 5:23 because the husband is head of the wife, as also the Christ is head of the assembly, and he is saviour of the body,
Eph 5:24 but even as the assembly is subject to Christ, so also are the wives to their own husbands in everything.
Eph 5:25 The husbands! love your own wives, as also the Christ did love the assembly, and did give himself for it,
Eph 5:26 that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it with the bathing of the water in the saying,
Eph 5:27 that he might present it to himself the assembly in glory, not having spot or wrinkle, or any of such things, but that it may be holy and unblemished;
Eph 5:28 so ought the husbands to love their own wives as their own bodies: he who is loving his own wife--himself he doth love;
Eph 5:29 for no one ever his own flesh did hate, but doth nourish and cherish it, as also the Lord--the assembly,
Eph 5:30 because members we are of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones;
Eph 5:31 `for this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife, and they shall be--the two--for one flesh;'
Eph 5:32 this secret is great, and I speak in regard to Christ and to the assembly;
Eph 5:33 but ye also, every one in particular--let each his own wife so love as himself, and the wife--that she may reverence the husband. Young's Literal Translation

There have been many surprises over the years, but the most pleasant is that genuine love can continue to grow and with the help of God it can be beautiful beyond description.

When 1 and 1 is not 2

This is a relic isn't it! My first calculator (1971) wasn't much better; it was big and expensive and didn't do much, but it was MINE! I enjoy watching the science channel and recently I saw an episode about string theory. Basically, it says that all things are possible in the apparent infinite number of universes. I don't remember who came up with the idea, but whoever it was, they probably have a lot more braincells than I will ever have!! So, with all things being possible, I set out to think about how math could work in another universe; suppose 1 and 1 weren't 2 there? What would they be? I really don't know the answer, but there is a case in THIS WORLD where it could be. We don't think about it much, but 1 is a digit in our numbering system. If you list the next placeholder you now have a ten... so add the two placeholders together and you have 11. Its just a matter of how you look at things!

Think about the following Bible passage:

2Co 12:1 To boast, really, is not profitable for me, for I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2Co 12:2 I have known a man in Christ, fourteen years ago--whether in the body I have not known, whether out of the body I have not known, God hath known--such an one being caught away unto the third heaven;
2Co 12:3 and I have known such a man--whether in the body, whether out of the body, I have not known, God hath known, --
2Co 12:4 that he was caught away to the paradise, and heard unutterable sayings, that it is not possible for man to speak.
2Co 12:5 Of such an one I will boast, and of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities,
2Co 12:6 for if I may wish to boast, I shall not be a fool, for truth I will say; but I forebear, lest any one in regard to me may think anything above what he doth see me, or doth hear anything of me;
2Co 12:7 and that by the exceeding greatness of the revelations I might not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of the Adversary, that he might buffet me, that I might not be exalted overmuch.
2Co 12:8 Concerning this thing thrice the Lord did I call upon, that it might depart from me,
2Co 12:9 and He said to me, `Sufficient for thee is My grace, for My power in infirmity is perfected;' most gladly, therefore, will I rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of the Christ may rest on me:

I think Paul was probably referring to himself in the passage and if so, what the point? Well, no matter how much we may "know", God knows more. All this leads to a focal point; which is, if you think 1 and 1 are not 2 you may be right, but so what, God has a better calculator. Just open the pages and look.... its called The Holy Bible!

Its snow problem

Living in Florida in the winter has its advantages, but not during August, when its 90+ EVERY DAY! As a child in upstate New York, I thought it was a "big deal" to see 2 or even 3 feet of snow, but the above picture is mind blowing. Can you imagine living there? I guess the trick is to be happy where you are and realize that we all have problems, some just seem overwhelming!

Consider the words of the Apostle Paul:

Php 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
Php 4:5 Let your moderation be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Php 4:6 Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think on these things.
Php 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace will be with you.
Php 4:10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
Php 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatever state I am, with that to be content.
Php 4:12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me.

The Webster Bible

No matter how deep the snow of your life may be, things change. Remember, snow melts!

Introspection

Is it possible to measure God? How would one go about it? I was thinking about it tonight after I read the following passage from Luke 18.

Luk 18:9 And he spoke this parable to certain who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
Luk 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
Luk 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
Luk 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
Luk 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
Luk 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

The Webster Bible

How Big is God how large is He?
Bigger than a pebble, smaller than a tree?

Far, far away or right near by
The search is most difficult, but still I will try.

Do I start with my heart
Or begin with my eye?

When I start with the heavens I can barely see
The immensity of God is eternity.

When I look at others and compare them to me,
I know I can never measure God;
Instead he measures me.

Astronomers have measured huge distances as the above picture of our galaxy's center plainly shows, but, I wonder.... Do we even understand our own hearts?

Lunch!

When I first looked at this I thought they were singing! Then I realized they were waiting for their lunch (or whatever)! Food is necessary and often very enjoyable. My grandfather Raymond lived through the depression and would often say "Its a good day when you get a dish of beans"!!! You would never know it to look at me now, but as a youngster I (and everyone else in the family) never really had enough to eat. I remember my grandmother Gladys would sometimes get a little extra food and then give it to me when nobody was looking. She cared for me a great deal and to this day I still don't know why. I could say the same thing about the God of the heavens too. Why should HE care about me; what have I done? But, I have to admit, I can see how my way has been guided throughout my life. Its like the way the Israelites were guided in the dessert. Think about the following passage from Deuteronomy and see if its something like how God has worked in your life...

Deu 8:2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God hath led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thy heart, whether thou wouldst keep his commandments, or not.
Deu 8:3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

The Webster Bible

Just like the chicks in the picture, we need to learn to depend upon God; we NEED HIM! Its not just food, either and not just lunch.... life with God is a banquet!

Fear

I couldn't move in my bed, I tried, but for some reason nothing happened. Finally, I saw a shadow behind me, and it was getting bigger. Two small "arms" appeared in front of my head and then there was a deafening crunch and incredible pain in the back of my head, followed by a terrible burning sensation. I woke up screaming!! This nightmare actually happened to me about fifteen or so times in the early seventies. I remember two episodes with spiders, one as a child and the other at age seventeen, when I fell into a pit in the cellar and came out with about twenty or more large black ones crawling all over me. In my mid-twenties I started reading the Bible seriously for about an hour or more a day and didn't even notice the nightmares had stopped. In retrospect, I think God took them away, but I just didn't think about it at the time because I was so engrossed in my reading. What you fear says a great deal about you!

Jesus said to his disciples:

Mat 10:28 And fear not them who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Mat 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father.
Mat 10:30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Mat 10:31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

The Webster Bible

I thank God its been over 30 years since I had those nightmares and I still wonder what they meant or what actually caused them. But, fear is not necessarily a bad thing, for it can help you stay alive when faced with danger. Its easy to understand worldly fear, but I wonder how many of us truly comprehend Godly fear? Perhaps we should think it more often; it might just save our lives!

When 1 is 0

I would feel very nervous about using this toilet! I imagine most people would not even have such a thing in their house, let alone even think about training their young with it. I can envision little kids being terrified that it would gobble them up. Why show such a thing? Because there are no real pictures of black holes, that's why. A black hole gobbles everything up, even light, so there aren't any pictures! Its an astronomy object with unbelievable mass and yet we can't see it; sounds like a contradiction in terms to me. Discipleship is like that, consider what Jesus said:

Luk 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Luk 9:24 For whoever will save his life, shall lose it: but whoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
Luk 9:25 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? The Webster Bible

You can't really see spiritual life, except for its godly effects in this life; yet it is there. Like the black hole, you have to believe in something you can't see and according to Jesus, your very life depends on losing what you want to keep. The truth is that we can't understand everything; we can try, but to quote Wayne Walden "stop talking, you're making my head hurt". I have tried to truly understand the complexities of the eternal, yet like Job in the Bible, I realize I will never completely do it. To me, its like making a one into a zero; first you realize that you are at the bottom and God is at the top and the only way to approach the infinite is to bend to the will of the Almighty. When you submit to HIS WILL for your life and give up your own, you gain your life by losing it; again, a contradiction to our thinking, but not to HIS. Sometimes its just easier to do something rather than to try to comprehend it. I rejoice in the times I have truly given myself over to the will of God and regret those times I haven't. I don't know about you, but I think its better to be a zero than a 1; safer, too.

Oh, No!

This is going to hurt! Could this accident waiting to happen have been avoided? Possibly, but its more likely he (or she) just took too many chances, didn't pay attention to their own safety or maybe just didn't care. There are a lot of things in life that are dangerous, but knowing how to handle yourself in a spiritually dangerous situation is essential. Look at the example of Jesus!

Mat 4:1 Then was Jesus led by the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted by the devil.
Mat 4:2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward hungry.
Mat 4:3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou art the son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
Mat 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Mat 4:5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
Mat 4:6 And saith to him, If thou art the Son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall uphold thee, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Mat 4:7 Jesus said to him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Mat 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up upon an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them,
Mat 4:9 And saith to him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Mat 4:10 Then saith Jesus to him, Be gone, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

The Webster Bible

Notice that in each instance of temptation Jesus answers with Scripture. Pretty good example to follow isn't it? If we all did, I think there would be a lot less spiritual "Oh, No's" in this world. Perhaps even a few less accidents too.

Happiness is...

Imagine that you are so happy that you could "leap" for joy like this dolphin. Is happiness just a state of excitation or it is something more? Could you be happy in an unpleasant situation? I like the way Young's Literal translation translates "The beautitudes". Jesus says:

Mat 5:3 `Happy the poor in spirit--because theirs is the reign of the heavens.
Mat 5:4 `Happy the mourning--because they shall be comforted.
Mat 5:5 `Happy the meek--because they shall inherit the land.
Mat 5:6 `Happy those hungering and thirsting for righteousness--because they shall be filled.
Mat 5:7 `Happy the kind--because they shall find kindness.
Mat 5:8 `Happy the clean in heart--because they shall see God.
Mat 5:9 `Happy the peacemakers--because they shall be called Sons of God.
Mat 5:10 `Happy those persecuted for righteousness' sake--because theirs is the reign of the heavens.
Mat 5:11 `Happy are ye whenever they may reproach you, and may persecute, and may say any evil thing against you falsely for my sake--
Mat 5:12 rejoice ye and be glad, because your reward is great in the heavens, for thus did they persecute the prophets who were before you.

Happiness is living a life that Jesus describes; one that is not without difficulties, but rather one that is lived through them with the help of the God of the heavens. You may or may not leap for joy, but you WILL BE HAPPY, because God will show you how to live.

Listen up!

I have always enjoyed making faces, especially when I was very young (and I guess I still do..). My mother used to say to me: "Stop! do you want your face to freeze like that"! Well, that's exactly what I thought of when I saw this picture; imagine if his face really did freeze in place like this? Parents say things to their children for many reasons, but I like to think the one they use the most is to just plain teach them something. As for children, they need to Listen up!

The Webster Bible puts it this way:

"Eph 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Eph 6:2 Honor thy father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise)
Eph 6:3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. "

Now, if I ever could just stop making faces.. who knows...

Lonely

If you have ever been laid off (for whatever reason) there are many days that seem like what this person must be feeling. When you don't know where you are going to get money for food or rent, it seems like no one else knows that you are even alive. One of the best aspects of being a Christian is the knowledge that you are never really alone because God is always there.
The Webster Bible says:"
Heb 13:5 Let your manner of life be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

Its amazing to me that although I have been in the worst of financial circumstances many times, somehow, someway a provision for my real NEEDS was there. Bad times will pass; better days are ahead... remember Heb 13:5

Honor due

Honestly, I did not vote for him, but I hope that in the future I can look back on his presidency and say that he was a great president. At this point I am doubtful to say the least. However, as Americans we must pull together if this country is to succeed as a democracy. Whether a good president or not, his position DEMANDS RESPECT. The early Christians had to deal with leaders who opposed Christians so much that they ordered their death. Imagine yourself under those circumstances and then reading (or possibly just hearing) the words of the apostle Paul:

Rom 13:1 Let every soul be subject to the higher powers. For there is no power but from God: the powers that are, are ordained by God.
Rom 13:2 Whoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
Rom 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power; do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same:
Rom 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou doest that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Rom 13:5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
Rom 13:6 For, for this cause ye pay tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Rom 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. The Webster Bible

Whatever your political persuasion, I encourage you to reflect on these words of Paul and obey.

Withstanding the Storms

Finances and employment have been very difficult lately! Many people are hurting as never before, encountering seemingly overwhelming obstacles. Its nice to know that no matter how bad things are, we can withstand the Storms of Life if we have something solid to rely upon. Jesus puts it this way:

Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out demons? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess to them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Mat 7:24 Therefore whoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house upon a rock:
Mat 7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
Mat 7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened to a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand:
Mat 7:27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell, and great was the fall of it. The Webster Bible

Be wise, be aware of the storms, but build on the rock!!!!!

Mirror, Mirror

Halloween may be past, but this image of a "vampire kitten" grabbed my attention today. I know its just a kitten, but if you look long enough it really does look sort of like a vampire. I guess we really do see what we want to see and that's that.

In Matthew chapter 7, Jesus discusses attitudes when he says:

Mat 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Mat 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and the measure which ye give, shall be measured to you again.
Mat 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thy own eye?
Mat 7:4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thy eye; and behold, a beam is in thy own eye?
Mat 7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thy own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. Webster Bible

Its one thing to talk about a kitten, but quite another when we refer to ourselves. Do we see others one way and then make a whole set of standards when we think about what WE DO? When you look in the mirror, what sort of person is REALLY LOOKING BACK AT YOU?

Don't Worry, BE HAPPY!

Not a very good picnic spot, is it? Why? Because I would worry about it falling on me, that's why. Yet, its probably been there thousands upon thousands of years and will still be there hundreds of years after my great grandchildren are a dim memory. I like what Jesus had to say about worry, because it deals with a central issue of Christianity... status. IF we are the children of God, then GOD will take care of us and therefore worry is a lack of trust.

Matthew 6:24-34 says: "

24 'None is able to serve two lords, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to the one, and despise the other; ye are not able to serve God and Mammon.
25 'Because of this I say to you, be not anxious for your life, what ye may eat, and what ye may drink, nor for your body, what ye may put on. Is not the life more than the nourishment, and the body than the clothing?
26 look to the fowls of the heaven, for they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather into storehouses, and your heavenly Father doth nourish them; are not ye much better than they?
27 'And who of you, being anxious, is able to add to his age one cubit?
28 and about clothing why are ye anxious? consider well the lilies of the field; how do they grow? they do not labour, nor do they spin;
29 and I say to you, that not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these.
30 'And if the herb of the field, that to-day is, and to-morrow is cast to the furnace, God doth so clothe — not much more you, O ye of little faith?
31 therefore ye may not be anxious, saying, What may we eat? or, What may we drink? or, What may we put round?
32 for all these do the nations seek for, for your heavenly Father doth know that ye have need of all these;
33 but seek ye first the reign of God and His righteousness, and all these shall be added to you.
34 Be not therefore anxious for the morrow, for the morrow shall be anxious for its own things; sufficient for the day [is] the evil of it.YLT

In other words... Don't Worry, BE HAPPY!

Home

When I saw this picture I thought of upstate New York where I grew up. Florida is a nice place to live, but it really doesn't have a "fall" season, yet it feels like "home". Funny, but I feel a little confused about the concept of "home". I have lived in a quite a number of places and after awhile they all felt like home, but the best one is yet to come (heaven). Although Linda and I have been blessed with some nice dwellings, we never have lived in a mansion. I wonder how I will feel about Florida when I get there?

"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." John 14:2

Enough already

When I saw this picture I immeadiately thought of politics. I don't know about you, but I am tired of listening to people talking politics. I do however, really like the current Einstein quote on the blog:

"If A is a success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut. "

Now, if I could only learn this.... I would be doing great!!!!!

Hello, are you listening?

When you have you mind made up about something, does it take something as powerful as a bolt of lightning to get you to change? I don't mean something trivial like what shoes you want to wear today (although for some of us this may seem very important). Instead, something foundational like your commitment to your spouse, your country or God? Saul of Tarsus had the belief he was absolutely right and did something about it; he was a zealot for the Jewish religion. God however, had other plans for him. I really like the story of God's intervention in Saul's (later Paul's) life because God knew his heart and didn't reject him even though Saul was doing something wrong.

The Bible says: "
Act 9:1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
Act 9:2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
Act 9:3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.
Act 9:4 And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"
Act 9:5 And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
Act 9:6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do."

This passage is quite dramatic, but think of God's intervention with Elijah where he spoke to him in a still small voice. Hummm, perhaps God knows you well enough to do whatever it takes to get your attention, whether it be large or small. Look around, God is speaking to us every day, in little things as well as the grand. The question is: Are we listening?

What now?

Please listen to the lesson "What do we do after the election?". It is on the Westside church podcast list on the right (down a page). I wish I had said this!

Bamm

Imagine what it would be like to be on the edge of the wave, gliding along by its mighty power. Then, you make a little mistake and BAMM, you wipeout. The wave hits you like a ton of bricks. I can only wonder what that might feel like? But, in 1973 something powerful did hit me and it was this Bible verse: "'And Jesus having earnestly beheld, said to them, "`With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.`"YLT I realized that my unregenerate life could change and that with God ANYTHING WAS POSSIBLE!!! Oh, I thought of myself as a pretty nice guy because I had two lists; one of the good things I did and another of the bad things I didn't do, but still there were some notable problems that I couldn't seem to get over (I still used some bad language when I became angry). Yet, this verse held the possibility that I could overcome my failures and with God's help, be all that I could be. This concept of growth is as true today as it was then and the power and excitement of the Almighty still amazes me. I encourage you to reflect on the meaning of this verse in your life and you never know, you just find that power and BAMM!

If

When I saw this picture, it just seemed to say "you talkin' to me"? Its amazing to me that people seem to remind me of animals and the other way round. I think this one probably came from a major city like NYC. It seems to have an "attitude" which says I will do what I want, when I want and who do you think you are for even bothering me? At this point you might be saying to yourself, "I'm glad I am not that way" but wait, perhaps it could be that maybe I am "just a little bit". Take a minute and look at the picture, notice that this Bison "with an attitude" has a lot of hair covering its eyes and maybe it can't even see the road its on. Now is a good time to think of the words of Jesus "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." Webster Bible Jn. 13:35 Many years ago, a beloved brother loved me enough to challenge my attitude and after awhile I saw that he was RIGHT. And IF I can realize something like that, perhaps others can as well.