Quiet reflection

Have you ever been really, really sick? If so, you know how overwhelming it can be. But, there is another side to sickness; my Grandmother used to say "Sickness is God's call to quiet reflection". When I saw this picture today, her saying came back to me and I remembered how good (and bad) sickness can be. Take Hezekiah for example.

Isa 38:1-5 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.'"
2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to Yahweh,
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.
4 Then the word of Yahweh came to Isaiah, saying,
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.WEB

Hezekiah knew he was going to die and appealed to God.... and God listened. There is something powerful about the clarity of prayer from those of us who are really, really sick. Prayer becomes more focused. Our world becomes clearer when the frailty of our human condition is set before us. The things we see and the things we do while sick become more meaningful and leave an impression on our mind that remains with us longer. The person in the wheelchair will probably remember that sunset longer just because He IS IN THE WHEELCHAIR. I think my Grandmother was right, sickness is God's call to quietness (and therefore clarity of thought). The question is: now that I am quiet, am I really listening for God's voice or my own? The answer to that question only YOU CAN SUPPLY!!!

Forget the fortune cookies

I love Chinese food, but there is always the possibility that somehow some "non-standard" ingredients were used. I make sure to ask if the restaurant uses MSG, but beyond that I hardly ever inquire too deeply; unless, I plan to order something I haven't had before. When it comes to food, I really don't like surprises and its that way with the word of God as well. There are no surprises, except for the occasional serendipity. I like this passage from the book of Revelation because it shows how straightforward God is.

Rev 10:8-11
8 The voice which I heard from heaven, again speaking with me, said, "Go, take the book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the land."
9 I went to the angel, telling him to give me the little book. He said to me, "Take it, and eat it up. It will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey."
10 I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up. It was as sweet as honey in my mouth. When I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter.
11 They told me, "You must prophesy again over many peoples, nations, languages, and kings."WEB

Even in the book of Revelation, God tells it like it is. You can depend on Him and that is that. Matter settled. The sooner we all learn that the better. Forget the fortune cookies, you make your own future, depending on what you do with God's word.

Just do it!!!

Have you ever felt like this? Sometimes the weight of responsibility can feel like a huge rock and it takes every ounce of strength just to hold things together. Such was my condition at twenty one, with three young children, a mortgage, a car payment, a dog and a parakeet. And I would do it all over again too, because it was the right thing to do; to stand by my family and the commitments I made. The Corinthians Christians needed to persevere as well. They had to get rid of those things that were wrong at Corinth and they needed to JUST DO IT!!! So, Paul writes this verse to them and although its short, it says a great deal.

1 Cor 16:13
13 Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. NASB

It can be easy to be complacent, to adopt other standards that those we know to be right and to be weak in our actions. But God (and of course, Paul) expects us to be strong spiritually and actually live our faith. Besides, if you don't push against the difficult things in life, THEY WILL CRUSH YOU. Splat!

I Love You (video)

There is something wonderful about the words "I love you". Unless you are in a very bad mood they should bring a smile to your face. Even if uttered by a dog they have a magic that is unexplainable. But what if the object of their affection were "not so lovable"? Would they still have such interest? Such is the topic of the book of Hosea, beginning with the first chapter.

Hos 11 The word of Yahweh that came to Hosea the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.
2 When Yahweh spoke at the first by Hosea, Yahweh said to Hosea, "Go, take for yourself a wife of prostitution and children of unfaithfulness; for the land commits great adultery, forsaking Yahweh."
3 So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim; and she conceived, and bore him a son.
4 Yahweh said to him, "Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel on the house of Jehu, and will cause the kingdom of the house of Israel to cease.
5 It will happen in that day that I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel."
6 She conceived again, and bore a daughter. Then he said to him, "Call her name Lo-Ruhamah ; for I will no longer have mercy on the house of Israel, that I should in any way pardon them.
7 But I will have mercy on the house of Judah, and will save them by Yahweh their God, and will not save them by bow, sword, battle, horses, or horsemen."
8 Now when she had weaned Lo-Ruhamah, she conceived, and bore a son.
9 He said, "Call his name Lo-Ammi ; for you are not my people, and I will not be yours.
10 Yet the number of the children of Israel will be as the sand of the sea, which can't be measured nor numbered; and it will come to pass that, in the place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' they will be called 'sons of the living God.'
11 The children of Judah and the children of Israel will be gathered together, and they will appoint themselves one head, and will go up from the land; for great will be the day of Jezreel.WEB

Israel and Judah played the harlot (whore) with other Gods and yet the God of heaven still loved them, still wanted to bless them and ultimately increased their number from one country to a world-wide phenomenon. When a little dog has learned to say "I love you", it brings on a smile, but when God says it, well, there isn't a smile big enough convey the thought.

Not only beautiful

Who doesn't like rainbows? A little extra art in the sky is a good thing, isn't it? The rainbow came about because God wanted a sign to show that he would never again destroy the Earth through a flood. Genesis chapter nine speaks to its inauguration.

Gen 9:1-16 God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.2 The fear of you and the dread of you will be on every animal of the earth, and on every bird of the sky. Everything that the ground teems with, and all the fish of the sea are delivered into your hand.3 Every moving thing that lives will be food for you. As the green herb, I have given everything to you.4 But flesh with the life of it, the blood of it, you shall not eat.5 I will surely require your blood of your lives. At the hand of every animal I will require it. At the hand of man, even at the hand of every man's brother, I will require the life of man.6 Whoever sheds man's blood, his blood will be shed by man, for God made man in his own image.7 Be fruitful and multiply. Bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply in it."8 God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying,9 "As for me, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your offspring after you,10 and with every living creature that is with you: the birds, the livestock, and every animal of the earth with you, of all that go out of the ark, even every animal of the earth.11 I will establish my covenant with you: all flesh will not be cut off any more by the waters of the flood, neither will there ever again be a flood to destroy the earth."12 God said, "This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:13 I set my rainbow in the cloud, and it will be for a sign of a covenant between me and the earth.14 It will happen, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow will be seen in the cloud,15 and I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh, and the waters will no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.16 The rainbow will be in the cloud. I will look at it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth."WEB

I find it a little interesting that God turned the catastrophic judgement of the flood into a new covenant that was "sealed" by something so beautiful. In the case of the above picture, the rainbow actually looks like two rainbows to me, so I wonder what that means? Whatever it means, rainbows are not only beautiful, but reassuring, because God tempers wrath with beauty. And if we learn something from them along the way, so much the better!

The most beautiful

This picture of the sea of Siam is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Its blend of color, shine and softness depict a harmony that we only experience a few times in our lives. When we think of beauty, pleasantness comes to mind; a unification of all that is good, truly a gift from God. But what about those things which are NOT BEAUTIFUL? Are they even worth having around at all? Things like those comfortable pair of old sneakers, or that soft sweater with the ugly stain on it? As human beings we certainly need to appreciate both aspects of life and recognize each for its true importance. Consider the following passage from Isaiah for example.

Isa 53
1Who has believed our message? and to whom has the arm of Yahweh been revealed?2 For he grew up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he has no form nor comeliness; and when we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.3 He was despised, and rejected by men; a man of suffering, and acquainted with disease: and as one from whom men hide their face he was despised; and we didn't respect him.4 Surely he has borne our sickness, and carried our suffering; yet we considered him plagued, struck by God, and afflicted.5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed.6 All we like sheep have gone astray; everyone has turned to his own way; and Yahweh has laid on him the iniquity of us all.7 He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he didn't open his mouth; as a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is mute, so he didn't open his mouth.8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who among them considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living for the disobedience of my people to whom the stroke was due?9 They made his grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in his death; although he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.10 Yet it pleased Yahweh to bruise him; he has put him to grief: when you shall make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of Yahweh shall prosper in his hand.11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by the knowledge of himself shall my righteous servant justify many; and he shall bear their iniquities.12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul to death, and was numbered with the transgressors: yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.WEB

On the surface, God's suffering servant was nothing to brag about; not a very good life at all. The results of that life, however, make this picture of the sea of Siam pale in comparison. The winds may churn up the sea and the sky grow dark and dreary, even those beautiful blossoms may whither and fade, but the Spiritual effects of God's less than good-looking servant have remained for over 2,000 years and will continue to grow in the future. Remember, beauty is only skin deep, but spiritual obedience has a realm of greatness that is beyond our wildest dreams. It will ultimately bring us into the presence of God and that will be the most beautiful experience anyone could ever imagine.

Keep silent!

The face can communicate a lot of things; happiness, sorrow, joy, contentment, anger and so forth. I like this video because it does just that: communicate. Exactly what, well, in this case I don't think its very important, as the object is to get you to pay attention and at the end is a little advertisement. There is an incident like this in the New Testament book of Luke, read on, you might find these passages interesting.

Luke 1:1-22 1 Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us,2 even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us,3 it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus;4 that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed.5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.6 They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years.8 Now it happened, while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his division,9 according to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.10 The whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.11 An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.12 Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.13 But the angel said to him, "Don't be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.14 You will have joy and gladness; and many will rejoice at his birth.15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.16 He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord, their God.17 He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."18 Zacharias said to the angel, "How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years."19 The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news.20 Behold, you will be silent and not able to speak, until the day that these things will happen, because you didn't believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time."21 The people were waiting for Zacharias, and they marveled that he delayed in the temple.22 When he came out, he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple. He continued making signs to them, and remained mute.WEB

Luke 1:57-64
57 Now the time that Elizabeth should give birth was fulfilled, and she brought forth a son.
58 Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her, and they rejoiced with her.
59 It happened on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of the father.
60 His mother answered, "Not so; but he will be called John."
61 They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name."
62 They made signs to his father, what he would have him called.
63 He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, "His name is John." They all marveled.
64 His mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God.WEB

I find it marvelous that Zacharias was silent! His silence did more to convey the news about his son more than a hundred sermons. Indeed, God does work in unusual ways. I just hope he doesn't tell me to be quiet, I don't know how I could keep silent as long as Zacharias did.

Reflections of perfections

I have developed a love for HDR pictures! This one is especially beautiful to me, as it is so artfully done that for a moment it seemed hard to tell where heaven left off and the Earth began. However, that was only momentary, and soon the beautiful blue's and silver's blended in with the reflections became the focus. All this made me wonder; What if heaven and Earth were the same, if the beauty of the Heavens became one? This little thought led to my remembering the following passage from the book of Revelation.

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

I think how wonderful it would be to actually see these things happen, to be there when things are restored to the way they were in the beginning (but better). In the grand scheme of things God has changed man's disobedience into complete fellowship and life will be forever completely new. But better than new, because he has really proved his love for us and the knowledge of that is better than just being blessed. For the time being, The Earth is but a mere reflection of what it should be, but the promise is there and the contract for our blessing has been paid for with the sacrifice of Jesus. So, the next time you see something beautiful like this picture, remember that the best is yet to come.

One grassy clump

Fire is both good and bad; with it we heat our homes, but some sick people use it to kill. If you have ever known anyone who has been burned severely, you also know that it affects them psychologically as well as physically. The fire in this picture did a great deal of damage, but not everything was destroyed; this one grassy clump survived. This reminds me of a passage from the book of Romans.

Rom 9:14-27
14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? May it never be!15 For he said to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who has mercy.17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I caused you to be raised up, that I might show in you my power, and that my name might be published abroad in all the earth."18 So then, he has mercy on whom he desires, and he hardens whom he desires.19 You will say then to me, "Why does he still find fault? For who withstands his will?"20 But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed ask him who formed it, "Why did you make me like this?"21 Or hasn't the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel for honor, and another for dishonor?22 What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath made for destruction,23 and that he might make known the riches of his glory on vessels of mercy, which he prepared beforehand for glory,24 us, whom he also called, not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles?25 As he says also in Hosea, "I will call them 'my people,' which were not my people; And her 'beloved,' who was not beloved."26 "It will be that in the place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' There they will be called 'children of the living God.'"27 Isaiah cries concerning Israel, "If the number of the children of Israel are as the sand of the sea, It is the remnant who will be saved;WEB

John (not his real name) lived in my hometown and had terrible scars from a fire. I knew him well because he rode on our school bus and I still remember him as being one very nice person. However, the fire had affected him so severely that he suffered from severe depression for the longest time and after many years he committed suicide by immolation. One day he just poured a gallon of gas over himself and lit a match. He died, but he didn't have to, because there was then and is now a way out of any circumstance. I truly wish he had put his trust in God and given over his pain to Jesus. However, not everyone will listen and not everyone will obey. When things are tough, when pain and sorrow are the worst, God is right there, ready to preserve you like that little lump of green in the picture. God works in very unusual ways; but remember, he has the RIGHT TO DO AS HE WISHES. Its not up to us to question God as to why things happen; its just our part to listen and obey. That can be a very tough road to hoe, but the reward for obeying God lasts a long, long time. I miss John, but his life provides me with an example of what not to do. Gary, reread this and listen yourself; you need to trust a whole lot more than you have! Anybody out there feel the same?

One tough Pig

Frankly, I think pigs are ugly, with a capital U. Even a somewhat slender one like this little guy is nothing to rave about. However, once you have seen the video, I think you will see why I chose it for a post. This pig has guts; plain and simple. He just won't quit, he attacks, then attacks and attacks and never stops. Finally, against obviously superior odds; he wins. Yeah! This little video made me think of Paul and his protege Timothy; read what Paul says to him near the end of the book.

2 Tim 4:1-8 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom:
2 preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching.
3 For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts;
4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to fables.
5 But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry.
6 For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come.
7 I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.
8 From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.WEB

To paraphrase this passage is simple: Don't give up, there is a reward waiting. Its easy to give up, to give in, to take the easy way out, but think about it... Jesus didn't. He endured pain that I can only imagine and for what? Me. So the next time you think about giving up on something really worthwhile, remember this "One tough Pig" and get at it, you will succeed eventually. Besides, you are probably much better looking anyway!

Satan's throne

If Satan had a throne, what would it look like? Who knows, but this picture just might fill the bill. Why? Because Satan was (and still is) on a power trip (as shown by the horns). The color is right, since God is light, naturally Satan would be black. Since God is love, Satan would naturally be hate. God has exalted man, so Satan would naturally do the opposite and exalt the animal world. In short, whatever God is, wants, desires or works at, Satan wants the exact opposite. This passage from revelation will prove interesting.

Rev 2:12-17
12 "To the angel of the assembly in Pergamum write: "He who has the sharp two-edged sword says these things:
13 "I know your works and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. You hold firmly to my name, and didn't deny my faith in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
15 So you also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans likewise .
16 Repent therefore, or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes, to him I will give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no one knows but he who receives it.WEB

One of Satan's best "tricks" is to get the unwitting human to accept something "more" in the way of deity and his best method is to use sex along with this. Fortunately, we have Jesus, who has both shown us the way and helps us become and remain Spiritual. To those who "overcome" Satan and his ways, God will give him 1. hidden manna 2. a white stone 3. a new name. In other words, Spiritual sustenance, freedom and a new life. What more could someone ever want? After all, it is better to bow in heaven rather than sit on a throne in hell! I don't know about you, but I am going to watch where I sit from now on and besides, BLACK MAKES ME NERVOUS!!

A face to remember

If you look at this man's face for awhile, you may see what I do; someone who has worked hard all his life, someone who has paid his dues. Age is catching up with him; the wrinkles are all there, but there is something about the man's eyes that speaks the firmness of his resolve. He is definitely someone you should take seriously. God is like that too, when he says something, you should pay attention and really do what he says to do. This passage from the book of Genesis is an example.

Gen 3:17-19
17 To Adam he said, "Because you have listened to your wife's voice, and have eaten of the tree, of which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat of it,' cursed is the ground for your sake. In toil you will eat of it all the days of your life.
18 Thorns also and thistles will it bring forth to you; and you will eat the herb of the field.
19 By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For you are dust, and to dust you shall return."WEB

The results of Adam's disobedience are still with us; life can be very hard indeed. But difficult times can also have the effect of making us stronger, more capable of handling any situation that may come our way. This is what I think of when I look at the man in the picture; someone who can take care of himself. Just think how much easier life would be if he really knew Jesus; I believe that too would be visible on his face. Tomorrow, first thing in the morning, when you brush your teeth, ask yourself: "What is written on my face"? The answer might surprise you.

Santa Baby

There has always been something about this song that has fascinated me. Perhaps it is something in the WAY that the late Ertha Kitt sang it or maybe the message of the song, I am not really sure. But it strikes a nerve, nonetheless. I hear it a lot around Christmas time and so it is probably the mercenary aspect of it that is set against the season of giving that makes it stand out. The other day my wife was watching the Susie (Ornan??) financial show and as I looked up from the book I was engrossed in, I heard Susie say: "People first, money second and things last of all". Then I made an association with this passage and I hope you see the connection as well.

1 Tim 6:1-11
6 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.
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.
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,
4 he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions,
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.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can't carry anything out.
8 But having food and clothing, we will be content with that.
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.
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.
11 But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.WEB

This society places a high value on the accumulation of things and money could be just another "thing". We are constantly being bombarded with sales pitches on the TV and telephone. Everyone has an angle and frankly its hard to know who to trust when you need to buy something really important. I learned the truth about "Santa" when I was about eight years old, so forget about the wish list. Besides, if I got that Red Rider BB gun I might have put someones eye out. But, I won't dwell on that, instead I will try to just understand verse 11 and then I just might know enough what to ask GOD for.

Fearless

Fearless, absolutely fearless. That's the way I would describe this little girl. For her to be able to look the animal in the eye and shout at it, is something I would expect of a much older person. Then again, who knows how brave a person can be until a time of testing occurs. Think about that as you read this passage from the book of Daniel.

Dan 3:8-18
8 Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and brought accusation against the Jews.9 They answered Nebuchadnezzar the king, O king, live for ever.10 You, O king, have made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image;11 and whoever doesn't fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.12 There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded you: they don't serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up.13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.14 Nebuchadnezzar answered them, Is it on purpose, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you don't serve my god, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?15 Now if you are ready whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music to fall down and worship the image which I have made, well: but if you don't worship, you shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that god that shall deliver you out of my hands?16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up.WEB

The king offered them a choice: submit or suffer a horrible death. They chose to trust God and only do his wishes. God delivered them out of the fire, but the important thing to remember is that they were willing to die; willing to suffer even an awful death. They, and the girl in the picture were fearless and an example to all of us. And by the way, animal breath can be pretty bad, because have you ever seen some things animals will eat?

Reflect on this

As soon as I saw this picture it immediately had an impact on me. Not only is the mountain in the background beautiful, but its reflection in the lake is magnificent. The sereneness of the whole scene just makes you think its time for a vacation. Why? Because it seems as if the whole world is just as it is supposed to be and isn't that what we all want and want to be a part of. It made me think of this Bible passage and how wonderful it would be if we (and I do mean myself here) just listened to the Apostle Paul.

Philippians 4:1-9
Php 4:1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
Php 4:2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.
Php 4:3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Php 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
Php 4:5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;
Php 4:6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Php 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Php 4:9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
English Standard Version


Christians are supposed to be like Christ. It really begins by putting aside Earthly problems and focusing in on the fundamentals of Christianity and of course that means Christ. It involves our thinking and our practical application (verses 8 and 9) and is motivated by love (verse 1). Just like the reflection in the water really shows what the mountain is like, so we need to reveal our spiritual father. This is Paul's point and he could make it well because he lived it; Do we? Reflect on this and grow in grace and truth.

A little disgusting

I remember Dr. Wey taking our lab to an authentic Chinese restaurant. There were many things there that I could recognize as "normal" food such as chicken feet and marinated eye balls, but some things were beyond my description. When I asked what they were, I was told that I didn't really want to know and truthfully I am glad no one told me; I don't think I could have handled it. Needless to say, some of the foods were disgusting to me, just like this "meal" in the video. The Jews had a lot of regulations about food and the following passage will show how Jesus handled the problem.

Mark 7:14-23
14 He called all the multitude to himself, and said to them, "Hear me, all of you, and understand.
15 There is nothing from outside of the man, that going into him can defile him; but the things which proceed out of the man are those that defile the man.
16 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!"
17 When he had entered into a house away from the multitude, his disciples asked him about the parable.
18 He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also? Don't you perceive that whatever goes into the man from outside can't defile him,
19 because it doesn't go into his heart, but into his stomach, then into the latrine, thus making all foods clean?"
20 He said, "That which proceeds out of the man, that defiles the man.
21 For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts,
22 covetings, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness.
23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."WEB

He went beyond the problem of the food; right to the very nature of man's being; the human heart. If I was desperate enough, I suppose I would eat this spider, but its the inside of me that is really the important thing. So, the next time you eat something that seems a little disgusting remember that God wants everything to be clean, including YOU!

Gone with the Wind

When I saw this, the first thought that came to my mind was the movie "Gone with the wind".
To me the movie has always been about overpowering change; change so great that you just have to sit back in amazement and watch it. So it was in the movie at the burning of Atlanta. But, I wonder, will we ever see change like that? When hearing the following words of Jesus, people must have wondered too. Consider the following passage from Luke and THINK!

Luk 21:5 As some were talking about the temple and how it was decorated with beautiful stones and gifts, he said,
Luk 21:6 "As for these things which you see, the days will come, in which there will not be left here one stone on another that will not be thrown down."
Luk 21:7 They asked him, "Teacher, so when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are about to happen?"
Luk 21:8 He said, "Watch out that you don't get led astray, for many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is at hand.' Therefore don't follow them.
Luk 21:9 When you hear of wars and disturbances, don't be terrified, for these things must happen first, but the end won't come immediately."
Luk 21:10 Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
Luk 21:11 There will be great earthquakes, famines, and plagues in various places. There will be terrors and great signs from heaven.
Luk 21:12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name's sake.
Luk 21:13 It will turn out as a testimony for you.
Luk 21:14 Settle it therefore in your hearts not to meditate beforehand how to answer,
Luk 21:15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to withstand or to contradict.
Luk 21:16 You will be handed over even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. They will cause some of you to be put to death.
Luk 21:17 You will be hated by all men for my name's sake.
Luk 21:18 And not a hair of your head will perish.
Luk 21:19 "By your endurance you will win your lives.
Luk 21:20 "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand.
Luk 21:21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let those who are in the midst of her depart. Let those who are in the country not enter therein.
Luk 21:22 For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
Luk 21:23 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who nurse infants in those days! For there will be great distress in the land, and wrath to this people.
Luk 21:24 They will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Luk 21:25 There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and on the earth anxiety of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the waves;
Luk 21:26 men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world: for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
Luk 21:27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Luk 21:28 But when these things begin to happen, look up, and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near."

I have always believed in the duality of prophecy; that is, that what is written in the Scriptures is first and primarily meant for the audience and secondly for those not directly in it. So, when I read this passage, I see what happened to Jerusalem in 70 AD, but also also myself, "Is change coming now"? Look at the current world situation and be a little concerned, because with the great power for destruction out there anything can happen! This week I had pain so intense, so overpowering that for several days nothing else in the world seemed to matter. When I finally was discharged from the hospital, things just seemed different and I knew that my world had been changed once again. Enjoy each and every single day on this Earth, because you never really know what tomorrow will bring; only live with the knowledge that God is the only one who will be your redemption!

Perfect peace

This blossoming tree reminds me of the movie "The last Samurai". Towards the end of the movie the dying renegade warlord sees a perfect blossom and experiences a moment of perfect peace. How many people long for just such a moment? How many will ever find it? If they do, is it genuine or just imagined? Consider that the things in this world are a creation; ordained by a greater intelligence than our own; therefore to look for truth we must seek something greater than the physical and that would entail spirituality. Jesus was about to die and he knew it. He tells his disciples about his peace in the following passage from the book of John.

Joh 14:22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, what has happened that you are about to reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?"
Joh 14:23 Jesus answered him, "If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him.
Joh 14:24 He who doesn't love me doesn't keep my words. The word which you hear isn't mine, but the Father's who sent me.
Joh 14:25 I have said these things to you, while still living with you.
Joh 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you.
Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don't let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.
Joh 14:28 You heard how I told you, 'I go away, and I come to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I said 'I am going to my Father;' for the Father is greater than I.
Joh 14:29 Now I have told you before it happens so that, when it happens, you may believe.
Joh 14:30 I will no more speak much with you, for the prince of the world comes, and he has nothing in me.
Joh 14:31 But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father commanded me, even so I do. Arise, let us go from here.

Peace, grounded in love and faithfulness, it has its perfection in heaven with the father and empowered in this world by the Holy Spirit and seen in the life of Jesus. For his followers, it is directly tied to their faith and love in God. To have perfect peace, love God with the whole heart and follow HIM as best you can. Since God transcends time and space, so his capacity to give you perfect peace is beyond the beauty of anything of this Earth. The grass withers and the flower fades, but the word of the LORD endures forever.

Remember to slow down

Life in America is a busy life. We have work and plenty of it and deadlines that are too close for comfort. But when I look at this picture I see someone who is truly wise, wise enough to take the time to think. Sometimes when things are going well at my job, I say to myself "slow down, Gary, you will go faster". And you know, it works. God's chosen people needed to learn this lesson as this passage from the book of Isaiah illustrates.

Isa 30:15 For thus said the Lord Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel, "You will be saved in returning and rest. Your strength will be in quietness and in confidence." You refused,
Isa 30:16 but you said, "No, for we will flee on horses;" therefore you will flee; and, "We will ride on the swift;" therefore those who pursue you will be swift.
Isa 30:17 One thousand will flee at the threat of one. At the threat of five, you will flee until you are left like a beacon on the top of a mountain, and like a banner on a hill.
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."

Take time and listen to God; the answers will come in due time. The Spirit led life is a patient and confident one, based on the experience of seeing God work in your life. Remember to slow down, listen to God and walk in the way HE directs you!

The wink of an eye

I have never seen a cat "wink" before; somehow it seems a little strange. Why do people wink, anyway? I like to wink at little children with one eye then the other just to play, but do we do that with adults? Sometimes we do, but more often than not it signals that we are being less than honest about something. Take this passage for example.

Psa 35:15 But in my adversity, they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together. The attackers gathered themselves together against me, and I didn't know it. They tore at me, and didn't cease.
Psa 35:16 Like the profane mockers in feasts, they gnashed their teeth at me.
Psa 35:17 Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my soul from their destruction, my precious life from the lions.
Psa 35:18 I will give you thanks in the great assembly. I will praise you among many people.
Psa 35:19 Don't let those who are my enemies wrongfully rejoice over me; neither let those who hate me without a cause wink their eyes.
Psa 35:20 For they don't speak peace, but they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land.
Psa 35:21 Yes, they opened their mouth wide against me. They said, "Aha! Aha! Our eye has seen it!"
Psa 35:22 You have seen it, Yahweh. Don't keep silent. Lord, don't be far from me.
Psa 35:23 Wake up! Rise up to defend me, my God! My Lord, contend for me!
Psa 35:24 Vindicate me, Yahweh my God, according to your righteousness. Don't let them gloat over me.

If you are doing God's will for you life expect opposition. There will always be those who will oppose you know matter how nice you are to them. In times like that, ask God for help; he will answer in ways you never thought possible; I know, because it has happened to me several times. Sometimes God takes awhile and at other times HE intervenes very quickly... almost in the wink of an eye. No foolin!

My house

This was our first house in Valley Falls, N.Y.. It had a slate roof, hardwood floors, a massive concrete basement, a detached garage, a sun room, an enclosed front porch and a dog house. I won't tell you how much I paid for it, but today you could buy the cheapest economy car on the market and have a few thousand dollars left over, but I bought it in 1970, so prices have gone up some since then. When I look at this house, I don't think of all its attributes, but rather of the good times we had there, while we were growing up with our children. You can tell a lot about a house by the people who live there; Are they happy or mean or cheap or friendly or WHATEVER? Consider what sort of house would be fit for God to dwell in and then read this passage from the book of 1st Kings.

1Ki 8:1 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the princes of the fathers' houses of the children of Israel, to king Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of Yahweh out of the city of David, which is Zion.
1Ki 8:2 All the men of Israel assembled themselves to king Solomon at the feast, in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month.
1Ki 8:3 All the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.
1Ki 8:4 They brought up the ark of Yahweh, and the Tent of Meeting, and all the holy vessels that were in the Tent; even these did the priests and the Levites bring up.
1Ki 8:5 King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who were assembled to him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and cattle, that could not be counted nor numbered for multitude.
1Ki 8:6 The priests brought in the ark of the covenant of Yahweh to its place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubim.
1Ki 8:7 For the cherubim spread forth their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim covered the ark and its poles above.
1Ki 8:8 The poles were so long that the ends of the poles were seen from the holy place before the oracle; but they were not seen outside: and there they are to this day.
1Ki 8:9 There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone which Moses put there at Horeb, when Yahweh made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.
1Ki 8:10 It came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of Yahweh,
1Ki 8:11 so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud; for the glory of Yahweh filled the house of Yahweh.

The temple was beautiful, but its really not the house, but God that is worth considering. He created the entire universe, but chose to dwell there; why, because he loved Israel. If there is love in a house, it will be beautiful no matter what it looks like. Look at your own house today, does it say LOVE and does God dwell in the hearts of those who live there? If so, cherish that love for as long as you live!!!

A little bent out of shape

Bonsai trees are an art form in themselves. Someone has spent a lot of time pruning, binding and shaping this tree to obtain this shape. Life is like that too; things good and bad happen to us throughout the years and we eventually are changed. Those who follow Jesus know the power of his life and the impact of the Scriptures in their lives. Even the bad things work to make us closer to God. When I saw this tree I thought of this passage from the book of Romans.

Rom 8:28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.
Rom 8:29 For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Rom 8:30 Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified.
Rom 8:31 What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Rom 8:32 He who didn't spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things?
Rom 8:33 Who could bring a charge against God's chosen ones? It is God who justifies.
Rom 8:34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes rather, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36 Even as it is written, "For your sake we are killed all day long. We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter."
Rom 8:37 No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
Rom 8:39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

With God anything is possible and if we remember this passage, even the "bad" things seem better because we are not alone. So, if at times your life seems a little bent out of shape, remember that it just might be that God is molding you for a better look in the future.

Imagine the freedom

Beautiful scenery, wonderful skies and an open road for as far as the eye can see. A perfect day for a drive and not a worry in the world; or is there? Notice that solid double line in the center of the road which means "do not cross". So, I guess there is at least ONE WORRY and that is crossing the line. The Old testament law was like that; there were definite boundaries to what you could do and WHO you could do it with. But the problem was that no one could keep it perfectly so there was a BIG WORRY:sin. I really like this passage in the book of Ephesians because it gives me great hope!

Eph 2:1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
Eph 2:2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience--
Eph 2:3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
Eph 2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
Eph 2:5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved--
Eph 2:6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, Eph 2:7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
Eph 2:9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Eph 2:11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called "the uncircumcision" by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands--
Eph 2:12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Eph 2:14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility
Eph 2:15 by abolishing the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,
Eph 2:16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.
English Standard Version

Hope, because of what The Christ did in abolishing the law of commandments and ordinances for all men; not JUST THE JEWS! The law no longer divided the world between uncircumcised and circumcised, it unified through Jesus. The line of demarcation was abolished and unity with God was achieved. Hope, paid for with suffering and blood and death, transforming the path to God from a regulatory environment to one of grace. Look at the picture once again and imagine the freedom that the removal of that double line would bring; only now, just have to look for the oncoming cars. Drive (and live) circumspectly and be free!