Cows, prayer and sundials

I have seen a lot of things, but "falling cows"? While I don't doubt that it could happen, does it really happen so often that a sign is needed? If anyone out there is old enough to remember the sitcom "Mel's diner", then you probably will also remember the waitress who said "When Donkey's Fly". Well, I haven't seen either of these, but strange things do happen. Here is a strange one from the book of Isaiah.

Isa 38:1 In those days was Hezekiah sick and near death. Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, came to him, and said to him, "Thus says Yahweh, 'Set your house in order, for you will die, and not live.' "
Isa 38:2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to Yahweh,
Isa 38:3 and said, "Remember now, Yahweh, I beg you, how I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in your sight." Hezekiah wept bitterly.
Isa 38:4 Then the word of Yahweh came to Isaiah, saying,
Isa 38:5 "Go, and tell Hezekiah, 'Thus says Yahweh, the God of David your father, "I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life.
Isa 38:6 I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city.
Isa 38:7 This shall be the sign to you from Yahweh, that Yahweh will do this thing that he has spoken.
Isa 38:8 Behold, I will cause the shadow on the sundial, which has gone down on the sundial of Ahaz with the sun, to return backward ten steps. So the sun returned ten steps on the sundial on which it had gone down." ' "

Its in the Bible, so I do believe it happened; how, I don't have a clue, but then again that's where faith comes in, sometimes you believe in things you can't see. God heard Hezekiah's prayer and the sundial incident is proof that sometimes miracles do happen. As far as falling cows go, well, I have to see that one. But I have seen drunk cows and that isn't pretty. So, take care of your cows; put up a fence to keep them from falling over a cliff and keep them away from waterholes with fermenting apples in them!

Spectrum of beauty

This bridge is at Lion's gate in Vancouver, Canada. I love the colors on the water; can you imagine what it must be like to go over it at night and see this spectrum of beauty? I think it would seem wonderful to be on it! When I saw this photo, it reminded me of a passage in the book of Isaiah.


Isa 35:1 The wilderness and the dry land will be glad. The desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose.
Isa 35:2 It will blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing. Lebanon's glory Lebanon will be given to it, the excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They will see Yahweh's glory, the excellence of our God.
Isa 35:3 Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.
Isa 35:4 Tell those who have a fearful heart, "Be strong. Don't be afraid. Behold, your God will come with vengeance, God's retribution. He will come and save you.
Isa 35:5 Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped.
Isa 35:6 Then the lame man will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will sing; for waters will break out in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.
Isa 35:7 The burning sand will become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water. Grass with reeds and rushes will be in the habitation of jackals, where they lay.
Isa 35:8 A highway will be there, a road, and it will be called The Holy Way. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it will be for those who walk in the Way. Wicked fools will not go there.
Isa 35:9 No lion will be there, nor will any ravenous animal go up on it. They will not be found there; but the redeemed will walk there.
Isa 35:10 The Yahweh's ransomed ones will return, and come with singing to Zion; and everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away."

All roads are not alike; some are scenic and others, well, you just can't wait to go onto another road. But the Holy Way, the Road that GOD lays before you is a way of holiness and freedom from danger; a way happiness and expectation. More beautiful than any light show, it has a superhuman design leading to the habitation of the Almighty. And, oh yes, seeing the desert blooming like a ROSE (pun intended) wouldn't be bad either.

Are you ready?

Don't try to sneak up on this cat; its ready for anything! Look at the eyes, they seem to say "I am one dangerous character". You can tell a great deal about people from the way they carry themselves as well. Whether its a shopper in Wal-mart who is frantically throwing things into their basket or someone who is leisurely walking by the side of the road, what you do says a lot about you. God's selection of those who were to fight for Gideon is a good example.

Jdg 7:1 Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people who were with him, rose up early, and encamped beside the spring of Harod: and the camp of Midian was on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.
Jdg 7:2 Yahweh said to Gideon, The people who are with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, My own hand has saved me.
Jdg 7:3 Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return and depart from Mount Gilead. There returned of the people twenty-two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.
Jdg 7:4 Yahweh said to Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down to the water, and I will try them for you there: and it shall be, that of whom I tell you, This shall go with you, the same shall go with you; and of whoever I tell you, This shall not go with you, the same shall not go.
Jdg 7:5 So he brought down the people to the water: and Yahweh said to Gideon, Everyone who laps of the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set him by himself; likewise everyone who bows down on his knees to drink.
Jdg 7:6 The number of those who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down on their knees to drink water.
Jdg 7:7 Yahweh said to Gideon, By the three hundred men who lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into your hand; and let all the people go every man to his place.

God chose just a few people out of the multitude so that the credit with their victory over the Midianites would not be a prideful thing. By only three hundred men God worked a great victory; men who were cautious and yet unafraid. Are you ready, God is still looking for people to use? Think about that the next time you have some water.

Let the light shine!

This flag says something to me; not just because of what it stands for, but because of what is behind it; the son of God and not the sun in the sky. Somehow the great thinkers of this land have perverted the original intent of the formation of this country. It was founded to be one nation under God, not one nation APART FROM GOD. The idea was to have religious freedom, not to separate ourselves totally from religion. We need to wake up to the fact that there are those in America who would by legal means slowly take away our religious rights under the guise of separation of church and state. This passage from the book of Ephesians will help illustrate.

Eph 5:1 Be therefore imitators of God, as beloved children.
Eph 5:2 Walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance.
Eph 5:3 But sexual immorality, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be mentioned among you, as becomes saints;
Eph 5:4 nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not appropriate; but rather giving of thanks.
Eph 5:5 Know this for sure, that no sexually immoral person, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God.
Eph 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words. For because of these things, the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.
Eph 5:7 Therefore don't be partakers with them.
Eph 5:8 For you were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,
Eph 5:9 for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth,
Eph 5:10 proving what is well pleasing to the Lord.
Eph 5:11 Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them.
Eph 5:12 For the things which are done by them in secret, it is a shame even to speak of.
Eph 5:13 But all things, when they are reproved, are revealed by the light, for everything that reveals is light.
Eph 5:14 Therefore he says, "Awake, you who sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
Eph 5:15 Therefore watch carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise;
Eph 5:16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

We need to commit ourselves to living purely and oppose those who propose removing God from our society. Now is the time to really see the need to have the light of Christ shine through us to our nation; for us to realize the absolute necessity of this before its too late. Now means now, not some vague future date. Be what you are meant to be; a light to the world and hope for those who don't see God at all. This has changed individuals and nations in the past and can do it again. Let the light shine!

Fatherhood

When I downloaded this picture a few months ago, I thought it was funny, but now? With people dying from Swine Flu it has lost its humor! Now I look at this picture and notice something I didn't see before; the adult foot in the sandal at the right in the picture. Notice I didn't say "parent" because this person really wouldn't qualify in my book. I would really be upset if this were my grandchild. Proverbs puts it this way.

Pro 17:21 He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.

One thing is very sure; on this "parents' " next birthday I would give them a card with a pig on it and the name of my local doctor; they probably will need both, one for a lesson in parenting and the other to get some medical help. Some people are just slow learners.

You just never know about people

I marvel at the security of the Homeland Security booth! Given the events of the past few years, this man must be a little "off" to even wear this t-shirt. If only all terrorists would wear Id's then this world would be a far better place. This picture does raise the question: How do you tell the "good guys" from the "not so good" ones? Sometimes you have a feeling about people though and here is an example of one who has a most unusual name: Doeg.

1Sa 22:6 Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men who were with him: now Saul was sitting in Gibeah, under the tamarisk tree in Ramah, with his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him.
1Sa 22:7 Saul said to his servants who stood about him, Hear now, you Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give everyone of you fields and vineyards, will he make you all captains of thousands and captains of hundreds,
1Sa 22:8 that all of you have conspired against me, and there is none who discloses to me when my son makes a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you who is sorry for me, or discloses to me that my son has stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?
1Sa 22:9 Then answered Doeg the Edomite, who stood by the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.
1Sa 22:10 He inquired of Yahweh for him, and gave him food, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.
1Sa 22:11 Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father's house, the priests who were in Nob: and they came all of them to the king.
1Sa 22:12 Saul said, Hear now, you son of Ahitub. He answered, Here I am, my lord.
1Sa 22:13 Saul said to him, Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, in that you have given him bread, and a sword, and have inquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?
1Sa 22:14 Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, Who among all your servants is so faithful as David, who is the king's son-in-law, and is taken into your council, and is honorable in your house?
1Sa 22:15 Have I today begun to inquire of God for him? be it far from me: don't let the king impute anything to his servant, nor to all the house of my father; for your servant knows nothing of all this, less or more.
1Sa 22:16 The king said, You shall surely die, Ahimelech, you, and all your father's house.
1Sa 22:17 The king said to the guard who stood about him, Turn, and kill the priests of Yahweh; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew that he fled, and didn't disclose it to me. But the servants of the king wouldn't put forth their hand to fall on the priests of Yahweh. 1Sa 22:18 The king said to Doeg, Turn and attack the priests! Doeg the Edomite turned, and he attacked the priests, and he killed on that day eighty-five people who wore a linen ephod.
1Sa 22:19 Nob, the city of the priests, struck he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and nursing babies, and cattle and donkeys and sheep, with the edge of the sword.
1Sa 22:20 One of the sons of Ahimelech, the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.
1Sa 22:21 Abiathar told David that Saul had slain Yahweh's priests.
1Sa 22:22 David said to Abiathar, I knew on that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of your father's house.
1Sa 22:23 Stay with me, don't be afraid; for he who seeks my life seeks your life: for with me you shall be in safeguard.
World English Bible

Doeg informed the Saul about David; OK, that's not so bad. What is bad though is that he kills the priests of Yahweh even though they proclaim their innocence and the conduct of those around Saul seems to side with the priests. You just never know about people, some just have no conscience at all like this Doeg. David did however and protected Ahimelech. Maybe he should have followed his instinct and done something about Doeg, but even good people make mistakes. Besides, Doeg wasn't wearing his terrorist T-Shirt.

The night seems like day

I have never seen this street before; I have no idea where it is, but I have seen light just like this. When the moon is full on my way home from work sometimes I open the moon roof to see the full light it gives. Then, I look out the windows of the car at the countryside and sometimes it looks just like a sort of daytime, yet with an off white cast to it. The day can have the same effect too, for I remember working in my Father-in-Law's hay fields and thinking how much brighter the day was than normal. Isaiah says something like this in chapter 30.
Isa 30:18 Therefore Yahweh will wait, that he may be gracious to you; and therefore he will be exalted, that he may have mercy on you, for Yahweh is a God of justice. Blessed are all those who wait for him.
Isa 30:19 For the people will dwell in Zion at Jerusalem. You will weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the voice of your cry. When he hears you, he will answer you.
Isa 30:20 Though the Lord may give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your teachers won't be hidden anymore, but your eyes will see your teachers;
Isa 30:21 and when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way. Walk in it."
Isa 30:22 You shall defile the overlaying of your engraved images of silver, and the plating of your molten images of gold. You shall cast them away as an unclean thing. You shall tell it, "Go away!"
Isa 30:23 He will give the rain for your seed, with which you will sow the ground; and bread of the increase of the ground will be rich and plentiful. In that day, your livestock will feed in large pastures.
Isa 30:24 The oxen likewise and the young donkeys that till the ground will eat savory provender, which has been winnowed with the shovel and with the fork.
Isa 30:25 There shall be brooks and streams of water on every lofty mountain and on every high hill in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall.
Isa 30:26 Moreover the light of the moon will be like the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven days, in the day that Yahweh binds up the fracture of his people, and heals the wound they were struck with.
Isa 30:27 Behold, the name of Yahweh comes from far away, burning with his anger, and in thick rising smoke. His lips are full of indignation, and his tongue is as a devouring fire.
Isa 30:28 His breath is as an overflowing stream that reaches even to the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of destruction; and a bridle that leads to ruin will be in the jaws of the peoples.
Isa 30:29 You will have a song, as in the night when a holy feast is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goes with a flute to come to Yahweh's mountain, to Israel's Rock.
World English Bible

If you ever have been in love, then you KNOW that there are days when everything just looks better, brighter, more wonderful regardless of your circumstances. Those who have turned to God, the ROCK of Israel, know where I am going. Even if the night seems like day or the day is unusual, it really doesn't matter for the light from heaven shines in your heart, making the bad day better and the better day great. I really like when Jesus calls himself the light of the world; it just ties it all together.

Beneath the surface

Remind you of anything? Does the name Titanic ring a bell? A few years ago (maybe more than a few) there was a blockbuster movie by the name of "Titanic". I liked it, but it just had too much sexual content. The one I really liked was the black and white version about thirty years prior. It told the same story, WITHOUT ALL THE SEX. Anyway, the photo was a reminder that it is what you do not know about that may kill you and for the crew and passengers of the Titanic not seeing what was beneath the surface was literally a killer. What Israel did not know was a big problem for them as well and this passage from the book of Hosea gives us a little insight.

Hos 4:1 Hear the word of Yahweh, you children of Israel; for Yahweh has a charge against the inhabitants of the land: "Indeed there is no truth, nor goodness, nor knowledge of God in the land.
Hos 4:2 There is cursing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery; they break boundaries, and bloodshed causes bloodshed.
Hos 4:3 Therefore the land will mourn, and everyone who dwells therein will waste away. all living things in her, even the animals of the field and the birds of the sky; yes, the fish of the sea also die.
Hos 4:4 "Yet let no man bring a charge, neither let any man accuse; For your people are like those who bring charges against a priest.
Hos 4:5 You will stumble in the day, and the prophet will also stumble with you in the night; and I will destroy your mother.
Hos 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you may be no priest to me. Because you have forgotten your God's law, I will also forget your children.

World English Bible

Without the knowledge of God and his will for our lives, degeneration into a society of worthlessness is inevitable. Worthlessness degenerates into lawlessness and then into outright wickedness and from then on there is little hope that society will exist for long. God is necessary and his ways are the way to genuine happiness. But you have to look beneath the surface of things, straight into the human heart and ask yourself... does the warmth of God's love dwell there, or is there an iceberg hiding where people can not see?

HELP ME!

I marvel at this picture. If this is the groom, what is he doing? If this is the best man, what is he doing? It could be someone else, but what is he doing? More importantly, why? Marriage is like following Jesus, you need to put your whole heart into it, or you are just wasting your time. Consider this passage from Matthew.

Mat 6:24 "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can't serve both God and Mammon.

OK, I am not saying she will be his master, only that a commitment is involved. However, with God its a different situation; you just have to choose and that's that. "HELP ME!" really applies in the case of both the picture and the Christian commitment (discipleship) because both really need help. God will always be there to do just that, but I wonder if the bride will be.

Frustration

LET ME OUT! Could this baby be thinking anything else? Sometimes we are in situations where there is nothing we can do and we become frustrated. Frustration is not restricted to just babies; we all encounter it from time to time. But what about the frustration that just seems to never stop; you know, that one thing we wish would change but never does. Paul knew all about frustration as this passage from 2nd Corinthians illustrates.

2Co 12:7 By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively.
2Co 12:8 Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
2Co 12:9 He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.

Paul had a "thorn in the flesh" and with good reason: pride. Even though Paul asked for its removal, God said something like "no". How we handle a "no" really defines us as human beings. We can let it eat at us (like the baby in the picture) or accept our situation and "move on through it". Frustration can be channeled into greatness if we rely not on ourselves but on God for guidance. Allowing God to mold us turns prisons into palaces and softens our hearts as nothing else does. Besides, perhaps little Johnny really needed a nap anyway!!

A wing and a prayer

This picture was taken in January of 2009 in New York City. The people lived!!! The pilot was a hero and even "60 minutes" had an episode about the crash and rescue. What would it have been like to go through that experience and come away alive? I remember flying home to New Jersey from Florida right after 9-11-2001; the flight was very, very turbulent, so bad in fact that a stewardess lost her lunch. During the landing the plane bounced so high that one of the wings came within an inch or so from hitting the ground. God allows things to happen for a reason as this verse from 1st Samuel will illustrate.

1Sa 17:37 David said, Yahweh who delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. Saul said to David, Go, and Yahweh shall be with you.

World English Bible

David had seen What Yahweh can do and then had the confidence to face the nine foot tall Goliath. God allowed for danger to come into David's life (and to mine, by the way) to mold him into someone he could use. I know that David thanked God for his deliverance because it is in the book of Psalms and that is exactly what I did the moment we landed safely in Newark. Now, having said that, I wonder what the people on the wings of the plane were doing... ah, you know already!!!!!!

A darker side

New York City is a beautiful place; central park, the shopping, the business opportunities... wonderful. But the city has a darker side as well; crime, corruption, drugs, etc.. Some people are like that as well. God's first king, Saul, is an example. There are many passages in the old testament which show his darker side, but lets just look at one from the book of 1st Samuel.

1Sa 18:6 It happened as they came, when David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with instruments of music.
1Sa 18:7 The women sang one to another as they played, and said, Saul has slain his thousands, David his ten thousands.
1Sa 18:8 Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?
1Sa 18:9 Saul eyed David from that day and forward.
1Sa 18:10 It happened on the next day, that an evil spirit from God came mightily on Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand;
1Sa 18:11 and Saul cast the spear; for he said, I will strike David even to the wall. David avoided out of his presence twice.
1Sa 18:12 Saul was afraid of David, because Yahweh was with him, and was departed from Saul.

World English Bible

Saul was a large man, head and shoulders above all the people and God chose him to be king and annointed him through the prophet Samuel. But Saul was an insecure man, one who lacked the true faith in God to lead Israel successfully. When Saul realized David's greatness and his own failure, he tried to kill David. Not just one time, but many. When we take our attention from God and focus on ourselves and compare ourselves to others, we sin, plain and simple. The fact is that the assembly of God (the church) is made up of all different sorts of people doing a variety of tasks appointed to them by God and each one of us needs to accept this. Don't be like Saul, don't let your "dark side" rule; seek the insight which only God supplies and accept your appointed lot in life and glorify God.

The power of foolishness

Anyone who knows me well, knows I like lions, but you may not know why. Its easy to see why someone would like them, for they are noble beasts, but for me that's really not the reason. To me lions are a representation of the power of God, of Jesus, the lamb of God who is really The lion of the tribe of Judah. To many this may sound like foolishness, but consider the following passage from 1 Corinthians with one from the book of Revelation.

1Co 1:18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are saved it is the power of God.
1Co 1:19 For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, I will bring the discernment of the discerning to nothing."
1Co 1:20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the lawyer of this world? Hasn't God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
1Co 1:21 For seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom didn't know God, it was God's good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save those who believe.
1Co 1:22 For Jews ask for signs, Greeks seek after wisdom,
1Co 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified; a stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Greeks,
1Co 1:24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
1Co 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

and

Rev 5:1 I saw, in the right hand of him who sat on the throne, a book written inside and outside, sealed shut with seven seals.
Rev 5:2 I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the book, and to break its seals?"
Rev 5:3 No one in heaven above, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look in it.
Rev 5:4 And I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look in it.
Rev 5:5 One of the elders said to me, "Don't weep. Behold, the Lion who is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome; he who opens the book and its seven seals."

Rev 5:6 I saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.
Rev 5:7 Then he came, and he took it out of the right hand of him who sat on the throne.
Rev 5:8 Now when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
Rev 5:9 They sang a new song, saying, "You are worthy to take the book, and to open its seals: for you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood, out of every tribe, language, people, and nation,

Even the foolishness of God is more powerful than the greatest strength in either Earth or heaven. Satan tricked man into sin; that one, and then Jesus was crucified and Satan said, "That's two", but God said: Jesus won. That's how a lamb becomes a lion and that's something to roar about.

Its real value

Money, deniero, gitas; whatever you call it, we need it. Although there are some people out there who actually barter instead of using it, most of us use it. What is its real value? Depends on who you talk to. A third world person, a Chinese citizen and Norwegian probably think differently about it. One thing is for certain, the love of it can cause a lot of trouble. Listen to what Paul has to say about it in 1st Timothy.

1Ti 6:1 Let as many as are bondservants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine not be blasphemed.
1Ti 6:2 Those who have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brothers, but rather let them serve them, because those who partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.
1Ti 6:3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine, and doesn't consent to sound words, the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness,
1Ti 6:4 he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions,
1Ti 6:5 constant friction of people of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. Withdraw yourself from such.
1Ti 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1Ti 6:7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can't carry anything out.
1Ti 6:8 But having food and clothing, we will be content with that.
1Ti 6:9 But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction.
1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
1Ti 6:11 But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.

Some things are more important than money; family, love, your next breath. Oh, yes, and how about your life eternal. Pretty important stuff, all. While looking at the picture of money might make you think about how nice it would be to have it, remember what happened in Germany prior to World War II; huge amounts of it were needed to buy even a loaf of bread. The value of the greenback can change just like the value of your 401K . Verse 11 is the safest path; it isn't a green one, but it will help enter the pearly gates.

Shadows and prunes

Three people just walking down the street in the morning; nothing special. They probably are just talking to one another as usual as they go down the street together. But look look at their shadows; how long they are. Our lives are like that you know; we affect others without even realizing it; we change their lives. I thought of a passage in 1st Corinthians when I saw this picture; see if it makes sense to you.

1Co 1:10 Now I beg you, brothers, through the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
1Co 1:11 For it has been reported to me concerning you, my brothers, by those who are from Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you.
1Co 1:12 Now I mean this, that each one of you says, "I follow Paul," "I follow Apollos," "I follow Cephas," and, "I follow Christ."
1Co 1:13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul?
1Co 1:14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, except Crispus and Gaius,
1Co 1:15 so that no one should say that I had baptized you into my own name.
1Co 1:16 (I also baptized the household of Stephanas; besides them, I don't know whether I baptized any other.)

World English Bible

The Corinthian church was a worldly lot, filled with many, many problems. Paul had spent some time with them and undoubtedly made a number of converts to the faith, but had done so much work that he didn't realize what he had done (vs 16). Our lives are like that too, we live day by day and really don't remember all we did last week; we affect the lives of others in ways that we probably don't even realize. This past week I had a birthday and what a birthday it was! I received many gifts, one even today from a good friend at work. However, the one that I think I will always remember was a simple yet important gift; a package of prunes from two of my grandchildren. Odd gift, right? Well, not at all. Some time ago I was doing a little bit of grandpa duty (babysitting) and we were all watching a movie; I was joking with the kids about the main character needing to lighten up a little and take some prunes. As time when on, I kept up the prune jokes. The kids loved it and couldn't stop laughing and so the prunes were a joke, but more than a joke, it meant they really listened. Without even realizing it, I had made an impression on them that lasted. I will never quite look at shadows and prunes the same ever again.

What's behind

Beautiful picture of a 1930 Model A Ford, isn't it? Interesting color; not for the faint of heart to be sure. I like the running boards, very quaint! I like everything about it except the carry along in the back. Please do no misunderstand, I think it is nostalgic and all that, but I would think this item would slow the car to a crawl. Some of us are like the picture; we are in perfect shape, ready for anything, but we have this BAGGAGE WE CARRY ALONG WITH US that slows our progress in the Christian life to a crawl. This baggage could be a lot of things, possessions, money, additions of all sorts and even sin. To progress in the Christian life we need to get rid of the excess baggage. Listen to what the Apostle Paul says in the book of Philippians.

Php 3:1 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.
Php 3:2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision.
Php 3:3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh;
Php 3:4 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:
Php 3:5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;
Php 3:6 concerning zeal, persecuting the assembly; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.
Php 3:7 However, what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ.
Php 3:8 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
Php 3:9 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;
Php 3:10 that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death;
Php 3:11 if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Php 3:12 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.
Php 3:13 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,
Php 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Paul was a very zealous Jew, but he had to put that behind him and move forward with Christ. One of the hardest things to do is to put past habits behind you. I remember when I quit smoking, I was a grouch for months, but I finally did it and am I glad I did! What happens though, is when you eliminate one thing that is wrong from your life, you notice others and begin to work on them as well. In a sense Christians are perfect, because they are going on towards perfection with Christ to help. Now, if I could just get rid of just one more thing...

The great and the small

What it must be like to live that house! To get up every day and see that great scenery, smell the odor of the pine trees and gaze at the majestic mountain in the background. I think it would be a bit humbling, being in the presence of such greatness, such beauty, such inspiration. Imagine the grand thoughts that would come into your mind in such a place; something of its greatness would be bound to rub off on you and somehow you would become better; as a result the world would be a more wonderful place with this changed "you" in it. People would envy you; your life would be wonderful, just wonderful. Only if, only if, you were there. Well, the bad news is you probably won't live your life in such a place and the good news is you live right where you are and IF YOU LOOK, there is a lot around you that is wonderful, but sometimes it takes a bit of looking to find it. Think for a moment about your favorite characters in the Bible; who are they? Jesus, certainly, Moses would be on the list and also Paul and perhaps Elijah or John the Baptist. I doubt the following person would be in your list, in mine he is in the top five; believe it or not. From the book of Romans, meet Tertius.

Rom 16:22 I, Tertius, who write the letter, greet you in the Lord.

Who is he? A slave, and not a very high ranking one at that; number five in fact (Tertius). He was a nobody and a nothing, but to me he is one of the Bible's greatest characters. Why? Because he stood in the shadow of the great man named Paul and wrote the Book of Romans at his direction. Its hard to imagine that throughout the penning of this great work that he wouldn't have asked some questions. What questions would you ask? I am not sure what I would do, but chapter seven would probably be involved. Another reason comes to mind as well and that is one of example. Even the lowliest of us may have the opportunity to serve God in some way that may not even seem important at all and yet a hundred or a thousand years from now someone may be curious about your life because of the contribution you made. So, Tertius gives me comfort, knowing that even the "little thing" you do for God can be used by him in a great way. I saw the new Star Trek movie this week (twice, in fact) and Captain James Kirk had a middle name of Tiberius (one of the Roman Emperor's) which adds a bit of gradeur to his signification, BUT I long for the day when I meet someone named Tertius ,because he probably will be even greater. Anyone out there named Tertius? Please respond to this post; I would very much like to meet you!!!!!!!

"Golden"

Some days are bad, some are good, and others...golden. Some days things go perfectly; you wake up BEFORE the alarm goes off, you fix the eggs so they are just right, an unexpected check comes in the mail and this list goes on and on and on. I remember days like this because they don't happen very often. Most of the time, life is a mixed bag; but occasionally, life is just like this picture...golden. When this comes to mind I think of the golden age of Israel and Solomon; how at first he thought just of others and how God continually blessed him and made his life golden. I have listed just a couple of passages from 1st Kings.

1Ki 3:5 In Gibeon Yahweh appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, Ask what I shall give you.
1Ki 3:6 Solomon said, You have shown to your servant David my father great loving kindness, according as he walked before you in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with you; and you have kept for him this great loving kindness, that you have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
1Ki 3:7 Now, Yahweh my God, you have made your servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child; I don't know how to go out or come in.
1Ki 3:8 Your servant is in the midst of your people which you have chosen, a great people, that can't be numbered nor counted for multitude.
1Ki 3:9 Give your servant therefore an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this your great people?
1Ki 3:10 The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
1Ki 3:11 God said to him, Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life, neither have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice;
1Ki 3:12 behold, I have done according to your word: behold, I have given you a wise and an understanding heart; so that there has been none like you before you, neither after you shall any arise like you.
1Ki 3:13 I have also given you that which you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there shall not be any among the kings like you, all your days.
1Ki 3:14 If you will walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.

and

1Ki 4:21 Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the River to the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt: they brought tribute, and served Solomon all the days of his life.
1Ki 4:22 Solomon's provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and sixty measures of meal,
1Ki 4:23 ten head of fat cattle, and twenty head of cattle out of the pastures, and one hundred sheep, besides harts, and gazelles, and roebucks, and fattened fowl.
1Ki 4:24 For he had dominion over all the region on this side the River, from Tiphsah even to Gaza, over all the kings on this side the River: and he had peace on all sides around him.
1Ki 4:25 Judah and Israel lived safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.
1Ki 4:26 Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.
1Ki 4:27 Those officers provided food for king Solomon, and for all who came to king Solomon's table, every man in his month; they let nothing be lacking.
1Ki 4:28 Barley also and straw for the horses and swift steeds brought they to the place where the officers were, every man according to his duty.
1Ki 4:29 God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and very great understanding, even as the sand that is on the seashore.
1Ki 4:30 Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east, and all the wisdom of Egypt.
1Ki 4:31 For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all the nations all around.
1Ki 4:32 He spoke three thousand proverbs; and his songs were one thousand five.

World English Bible

Smart, loaded and musical too; Solomon was indeed "Golden". But with all his attributes and all his wealth and power, he forgot God in the latter part of his life and the kingdom divided after his death. This man is an object lesson for us all; we should never forget God, never, ever. Remember, even gold can tarnish, and so can we! In the best of times, think of what God has done for you...remember.

Written all over your face

There is something about the human face, the varying shapes, the lines, the almost limitless expressions that it can make. How often have you met someone you haven't seen for a long time and although their name escapes you... YOU REMEMBER THE FACE. Many time I have sat in the living room watching TV with my wife and we exchanged several looks and had a whole conversation without saying a word. I wonder what the face of Jesus Christ said about him? The old testament taught that he wasn't to be handsome, but something special happened when he looked and spoke with people. Consider the following passage from the book of 2nd Corinthians.

2Co 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we don't faint.
2Co 4:2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
2Co 4:3 Even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled in those who perish;
2Co 4:4 in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn on them.
2Co 4:5 For we don't preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake;
2Co 4:6 seeing it is God who said, "Light will shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

World English Bible

God, that what people saw in Jesus' face. They saw the essence of God when they looked at Jesus. If you have ever known someone who just became a Christian, then you probably noticed something different about them, something aglow within their life that somehow was expressed on their face. Today, if you have a few minutes, go to the mirror and ask yourself what your face says about you. If you don't like what you see, then begin to change by coming to know Jesus; I guarantee you will change, and that change will be written all over your face.

And the clouds fly by

Did you ever look at the clouds and they look like they are just flying by? That is probably not the case here, although it looks like it. (Notice the trees are straight and not bending) Time is a funny thing; it seems to go by soooo slowly when you are young and then speed way up as you grow older. Lately the years seem to fly by, just like the clouds in the sky seem to in this picture. However, we know that every day and every year is about the same, (except for leap year of course) so time is an illusion. Think about it; everything has an appointed time, just as the book of Ecclesiastes tells us.

Ecc 3:1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:
Ecc 3:2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
Ecc 3:3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
Ecc 3:4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
Ecc 3:5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
Ecc 3:6 a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
Ecc 3:7 a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
Ecc 3:8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
Ecc 3:9 What profit has he who works in that in which he labors?
Ecc 3:10 I have seen the burden which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.
Ecc 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in their hearts, yet so that man can't find out the work that God has done from the beginning even to the end.
Ecc 3:12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good as long as they live.
Ecc 3:13 Also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labor, is the gift of God.
Ecc 3:14 I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; and God has done it, that men should fear before him.
Ecc 3:15 That which is has been long ago, and that which is to be has been long ago: and God seeks again that which is passed away.
Ecc 3:16 Moreover I saw under the sun, in the place of justice, that wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, that wickedness was there.
Ecc 3:17 I said in my heart, "God will judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work."
Ecc 3:18 I said in my heart, "As for the sons of men, God tests them, so that they may see that they themselves are like animals.
Ecc 3:19 For that which happens to the sons of men happens to animals. Even one thing happens to them. As the one dies, so the other dies. Yes, they have all one breath; and man has no advantage over the animals: for all is vanity.
Ecc 3:20 All go to one place. All are from the dust, and all turn to dust again.
Ecc 3:21 Who knows the spirit of man, whether it goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, whether it goes downward to the earth?"
Ecc 3:22 Therefore I saw that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his works; for that is his portion: for who can bring him to see what will be after him?

Solomon had great wisdom and yet great folly; a man blessed by God, but one who deserted him in his old age. This man was a contradiction of terms; a puzzlement, and yet at the end of Ecclesiastes he finally got it right when he said:

Ecc 12:13 This is the end of the matter. All has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.
Ecc 12:14 For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil.

The "Now" is all we have; use it wisely, who knows what tomorrow will bring. Everything will happen according to its time, including our life, so whether the time seems to go by quickly or not, fill each day up to the brim and LIVE; God is watching and I hope that "today" is the one where he gives you an extra special blessing.

Reaching the summit

This picture reminded me of something that was in the forefront of my mind: My birthday. Today I turned 60; I made it to another decade. When I called my daughter to confirm the party she was preparing for my birthday/mother's day, my grandson said he was doing some research for a paper about Julius Caesar and wanted to talk to someone who knew him. Ha! Ha! Well, I look at birthdays differently than I used to; now, they are an accomplishment, a goal, something to attain to, like a climber would feel reaching the summit of a mountain. One of the blessings of being older is that there are now so many more people to care about, which is also where the Apostle Paul was; check out this passage from the book of Philemon.

Phm 1:1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker,
Phm 1:2 to the beloved Apphia, to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the assembly in your house:
Phm 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Phm 1:4 I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,
Phm 1:5 hearing of your love, and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints;
Phm 1:6 that the fellowship of your faith may become effective, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus.
Phm 1:7 For we have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
Phm 1:8 Therefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to command you that which is appropriate,
Phm 1:9 yet for love's sake I rather beg, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
Phm 1:10 I beg you for my child, whom I have become the father of in my chains, Onesimus,
Phm 1:11 who once was useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me.
Phm 1:12 I am sending him back. Therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,

World English Bible

Paul was concerned for Onesimus, a runaway slave turned brother in Christ. That he would write to Philemon for him is completely normal because you take care of those you really care about. That a whole book of the Bible is written for one person shows the importance of each person who loves God and that means you and me. In a sense this book really is "over the top" because of the deep concern Paul had for Onesimus. That's the thing about love, it takes you higher and higher and from that vantage point you can see a lot of other people besides yourself.

PS. I wish to thank all those who sent me cards this year. I received more cards yesterday and today than I have in the past five years. Thank you all so much!!!!!!

The way out

Life is confusing; when you are young, you can wait to get bigger; when you are grown you can't wait to be successful; when you are old you remember the "good old days". See what I mean; there is no one place where all is perfect, where you achieve a perfect clarity of being. Life is like a maze even for the most successful person. No matter how great your life is, it could be better; no matter how directed your life is, it is still like a maze... except for one thing.

Joh 14:1 "Don't let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me.
Joh 14:2 In my Father's house are many homes. If it weren't so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you.
Joh 14:3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also.
Joh 14:4 Where I go, you know, and you know the way."
Joh 14:5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going. How can we know the way?"
Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.

World English Bible

You guessed it; Jesus is the way out of the maze because he is the way and the real life and that is the real TRUTH. God gives us direction, guides us and according to HIS wishes we have a way through and OUT OF the maze. Do not misunderstand, we will still have problems, still have obstacles and at times still do not know where we are headed, but there IS A WAY OUT and WE KNOW HIM! We can see our way out and it is done through the eyes of faith, see what I mean? Ok, then follow!

One of a kind

Go ahead, try cutting out this egg by hand; just goes to show you how precise laser beams have become. I selected this image because I finally finished my Kindle "Ben Hur" book yesterday and that of course is a tale about Christ. To my surprise it was different than the movie and VERY LONG. I enjoyed it thoroughly, though, and read "The Time Machine" today. I am on vacation, remember! But thinking about time and the birth of Jesus made me think of this passage in the Bible.

Luk 2:1 Now it happened in those days, that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled.
Luk 2:2 This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
Luk 2:3 All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city.
Luk 2:4 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;
Luk 2:5 to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.
Luk 2:6 It happened, while they were there, that the day had come that she should give birth.
Luk 2:7 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.
Luk 2:8 There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.
Luk 2:9 Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
Luk 2:10 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.
Luk 2:11 For there is born to you, this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Luk 2:12 This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough."
Luk 2:13 Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying,
Luk 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men."

World English Bible

If you have ever watched TV or turned on a radio in December, you have heard this story. And it really is GOOD NEWS! For a baby found in such humble circumstances to become someone so important to the whole world is marvelous indeed, but that was because he was one of a kind; a very unique person sent from God. As you know, I have a birthday coming up on the 10th of May and I received a card in the mail from my brother Dave yesterday; it said I was one of a kind and of course the card is right, its just that I am not that special, I am just forgiven!!! Humm, I wonder how THAT relates to Jesus???

A way out?

This photo, taken in Texas in early April 2009 tells a tale that needs no words, but I will say it anyway; somebody is in big trouble! Ever been in this sort of situation; I have. In Spiegletown, N.Y. in 1963 I was hitchhiking in front of the Marine Midland bank (next to Our Savior's Lutheran church) when suddenly a pack of dogs attacked me. There were five of them and before I knew it they were all around me and was I scared! I did the only thing I could, which was to take off my heavy leather jacket and swing it around my head to keep them at bay, but I could see with each passing second that my situation was steadily growing more desperate. THEY WERE BIG DOGS AND THEY WERE GETTING CLOSER! Thank God a passing automobile stopped and let me in, because I knew I was done for. Sometimes you just are going to get it, no matter what you do. If God allows you to be rescued, great; if not, well, nobody lives forever. Elijah was discouraged and God not only comforts him, but solves the problem doubly (pay close attention to verse 17) as this passage from 1st Kings relates.

Ki 19:14 He said, I have been very jealous for Yahweh, the God of Armies; for the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and slain your prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
1Ki 19:15 Yahweh said to him, Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when you come, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria;
1Ki 19:16 and you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi to be king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah to be prophet in your place.
1Ki 19:17 It shall happen, that he who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu kill; and he who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha kill.
1Ki 19:18 Yet will I leave me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth which has not kissed him.
World English Bible

God takes care of his own and from his judgment there is no escape. I KNOW this to be true because several times he has provided a way out when there seemed to be no way out at all. All of the above is true and worth thinking about; God in heaven is great, of that I have no doubt!!! By the way, if I worked on this oil rig, I think changing occupations would be on my mind; how about you?

P.s. Thanks to Ron Cameron for sending me the picture!

As you see it

The object in the center may be a fishbowl, but its not the bowl, its the fish INSIDE THE BOWL that is center stage. The cat is probably thinking about lunch, but I wonder what thoughts are going through the baby's mind. I remember when one of my grandson's wanted a pet. He would ask his parents all the time for a pet. Every day it was the same thing; pet, pet, pet, pet, and on and on it went. Then one day his father bought a fish tank for himself. It was a beautiful thing, large and very nicely appointed... perfect. While his dad was in the backyard, my grandson thought he would play with the new fish, and the fish died. When my son-in-law asked him why he killed the fish, he said it was an accident; he didn't want to kill the fish, ONLY PET IT. This is exactly what he did... HE PET THE FISH! He didn't realize that petting the fish would do any harm so he was surprised when the fish died. Its amazing to me that two people look at the same thing and see it in completely different ways. Consider this passage from the book of Titus for a moment.

Tit 1:15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.
Tit 1:16 They profess that they know God, but by their works they deny him, being abominable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work.
World English Bible

If your mind is set on worldly things, or evil things, or sinful things, that is the lens through which you will see things through. Everything will be that way for you and you will expect others to be the same as yourself. But if your mind is innocent, pure and Godly you will think that way. The choice is up to you; how do you see things before you, good or bad? If its not good, maybe your fishbowl needs to be turned a bit in order to see the other side!

It will make your hair stand on end

Somebody has been rubbing a cat just a little too much to produce this amount of static electricity! Whatever the cause its cute to look at. Sometimes scary stories will make your hair stand on edge too and there are some of those in the Bible; this one from the book of Judges is especially gruesome! So, don't read on if this sort of thing bothers you.

Jdg 19:15 They turned aside there, to go in to lodge in Gibeah: and he went in, and sat him down in the street of the city; for there was no man who took them into his house to lodge.
Jdg 19:16 Behold, there came an old man from his work out of the field at even: now the man was of the hill country of Ephraim, and he sojourned in Gibeah; but the men of the place were Benjamites.
Jdg 19:17 He lifted up his eyes, and saw the wayfaring man in the street of the city; and the old man said, Where are you going? Where did you come from?
Jdg 19:18 He said to him, We are passing from Bethlehem Judah to the farther side of the hill country of Ephraim; from there am I, and I went to Bethlehem Judah: and I am now going to the house of Yahweh; and there is no man who takes me into his house.
Jdg 19:19 Yet there is both straw and provender for our donkeys; and there is bread and wine also for me, and for your handmaid, and for the young man who is with your servants: there is no want of anything.
Jdg 19:20 The old man said, Peace be to you; howsoever let all your wants lie on me; only don't lodge in the street.
Jdg 19:21 So he brought him into his house, and gave the donkeys fodder; and they washed their feet, and ate and drink.
Jdg 19:22 As they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain base fellows, surrounded the house, beating at the door; and they spoke to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man who came into your house, that we may know him.
Jdg 19:23 The man, the master of the house, went out to them, and said to them, No, my brothers, please don't act so wickedly; seeing that this man is come into my house, don't do this folly.
Jdg 19:24 Behold, here is my daughter a virgin, and his concubine; them I will bring out now, and humble them, and do with them what seems good to you: but to this man don't do any such folly.
Jdg 19:25 But the men wouldn't listen to him: so the man laid hold on his concubine, and brought her forth to them; and they knew her, and abused her all the night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go.
Jdg 19:26 Then came the woman in the dawning of the day, and fell down at the door of the man's house where her lord was, until it was light.
Jdg 19:27 Her lord rose up in the morning, and opened the doors of the house, and went out to go his way; and behold, the woman his concubine was fallen down at the door of the house, with her hands on the threshold.
Jdg 19:28 He said to her, Up, and let us be going; but none answered: then he took her up on the donkey; and the man rose up, and got him to his place.
Jdg 19:29 When he was come into his house, he took a knife, and laid hold on his concubine, and divided her, limb by limb, into twelve pieces, and sent her throughout all the borders of Israel.
World English Bible

Frankly, I don't think I fully understand the obligation to guests in Israel; it seems just a little TOO PROTECTIVE AND BEYOND REASON. However, it is what it is and attempted rape of the man and the gang rape (and murder) of the concubine is horrendous! The dismemberment of the concubine and the "message" her parts conveyed is gruesome indeed. Remember, Israel was to have been HOLY TO THE LORD and this incident caused the other tribes to almost wipe out Benjamin (Chapter 20). If this bothers you, try to imagine how God must have felt when such a thing could happen among his chosen people. I wonder if it made his hair stand on end?

Old things

What beautiful cars! I am sure that for some of us they bring back a lot of memories. If you were to try and buy one of them you might be a little surprised at their value; they may be worth more now than when they rolled off the production line. Seems a little odd, doesn't it? Today, youth is glorified and age is not. However, the mere fact of the worth of these cars is a testimony that old things can have value. Each generation likes to re-think things for itself and so the old is often cast aside for the "new". What is forgotten is that while this is true for human actions it is not so for divine teachings. The nation of Israel had forgotten God; forgotten his covenant and declined into the abominations of the nations around them, they had become full of the sin of their own desires. They could no longer even receive instruction; they were doomed. This passage from the book of Jeremiah says it plainly and offers a remedy.

Jer 6:1 Flee for safety, you children of Benjamin, out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and raise up a signal on Beth Haccherem; for evil looks forth from the north, and a great destruction.
Jer 6:2 The comely and delicate one, the daughter of Zion, will I cut off.
Jer 6:3 Shepherds with their flocks shall come to her; they shall pitch their tents against her all around; they shall feed everyone in his place.
Jer 6:4 Prepare you war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe to us! for the day declines, for the shadows of the evening are stretched out.
Jer 6:5 Arise, and let us go up by night, and let us destroy her palaces.
Jer 6:6 For thus has Yahweh of Armies said, Cut down trees, and cast up a mound against Jerusalem: this is the city to be visited; she is wholly oppression in the midst of her.
Jer 6:7 As a well casts forth its waters, so she casts forth her wickedness: violence and destruction is heard in her; before me continually is sickness and wounds.
Jer 6:8 Be instructed, Jerusalem, lest my soul be alienated from you; lest I make you a desolation, a land not inhabited.
Jer 6:9 Thus says Yahweh of Armies, They shall thoroughly glean the remnant of Israel as a vine: turn again your hand as a grape gatherer into the baskets.
Jer 6:10 To whom shall I speak and testify, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they can't listen: behold, the word of Yahweh is become to them a reproach; they have no delight in it.
Jer 6:11 Therefore I am full of the wrath of Yahweh; I am weary with holding in: pour it out on the children in the street, and on the assembly of young men together; for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with him who is full of days.
Jer 6:12 Their houses shall be turned to others, their fields and their wives together; for I will stretch out my hand on the inhabitants of the land, says Yahweh.
Jer 6:13 For from the least of them even to the greatest of them everyone is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even to the priest everyone deals falsely.
Jer 6:14 They have healed also the hurt of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.
Jer 6:15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, says Yahweh.
Jer 6:16 Thus says Yahweh, Stand you in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way; and walk therein, and you shall find rest for your souls: but they said, We will not walk therein.
World English Bible

OK, that was then and this is now, so what? The answer to this question is that people do not change; we may have more technology, but the desire for things and corruption that can overwhelm a nation is all around us. Sin is destroying our nation, look and see. The solution to this is stated in verse 16: God and HIS ways. America, turn once again to the God of the heavens, listen to HIS WORD, change... before its too late.

Celebrate

This picture called "celebration" caught my eye today, not because its of Disney or is of astounding quality but rather because of a feeling. Today was a trying day at work with more that the usual pressures and I had to stay a little later than normal. Not a big deal under normal circumstances, but today was my last day before vacation. You heard it right, I am on VVAACCAATTIIOONN right NOW! Celebrate! Yet, in all too short a space of time my vacation will be over and it will be "back to the grind". I wonder, why bother to rejoice at all? The answer I have found is located in the book of Philippians.

Php 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, Rejoice!

Vacations come and go, situations change along with one's life, but God doesn't change. He is always there and always will be! When I feel down, I sing this song (in Greek because that way only a very few people would ever guess what I am doing) and it cheers me up. I try to celebrate each and every day and as I grow older they become more precious with the passage of time; even the bad one's because tomorrow has the hope of improvement. God has a way of reaching right into the heart and making even the bad better and the better best. Don't ask me how, I am not that bright, I just know HE DOES; that is something to celebrate!!!!!!!

Through the autumn leaves

It was autumn and the front yard was full of leaves, leaves that meant the weather was soon to be very cold; but now the air was brisk and clean, oh, so clean. I remember making a very large pile of them and then jumping into it with abandon and my brother Dave following suit. We stayed in that pile for the longest time and just looked at the clouds and dreamed of what shapes they made and argued over what we thought they were. Then my mother announced that the Mickey Mouse Club was on and I rushed into the house to see my sweetheart Annette Funnicello. The autumn of the second grade seemed to be full of such things, so important to me then, but now seem odd to me. Second grade only lasted a year, but I wish it could have been longer because the world was full of wonder then and the simple things in life seemed gigantic. Things change and so do I, from childhood to adolescence to adulthood to being "older". Soon, I will turn 60 and another milestone is before me, the specter of old age. Yet somehow I don't think I will ever truly become old because inside I still feel like a kid; ready to move on and grow with each passing day. The apostle Paul had a similar progressive attitude as he wrote to the Philippians.
Php 3:1 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.
Php 3:2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision.
Php 3:3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh;
Php 3:4 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:
Php 3:5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;
Php 3:6 concerning zeal, persecuting the assembly; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.
Php 3:7 However, what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ.
Php 3:8 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
Php 3:9 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;
Php 3:10 that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death;
Php 3:11 if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Php 3:12 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.
Php 3:13 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,
Php 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
World English Bible


Paul pressed on; the past was just that, past. The future before him held an ever closer relationship with Jesus, one that had changed him from a zealous Pharisee to an apostle and eventually would lead him to heaven. Like the clouds overhead on an autumn day, things change and even though our external nature ages, yet the God of heaven makes every day seem like I can still see the shapes of the clouds though the autumn leaves. The shapes are different now, but the grace that has been shown to me over the years makes me realize that although much of the past was fine, yet the future will continue to be better and maybe even GREAT!