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!

Be rich...

Beautiful landscaping, an enticing front door, a second story and lots and lots of room. This is how "the other half" lives; people with more money than they know what to do with, more excesses than they will admit to and way too much leisure time on their hands. They probably even have a housekeeper, a nanny, a gardener AND A POOL BOY!! In short, they have everything! They are probably so well off they don't even consider themselves rich and are constantly trying to find ways to make more money. Obsession about money can cause us to forget God and that is dangerous; Jesus relates a tale of a rich man in the Gospel of Luke.

Luk 12:13 One of the multitude said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."
Luk 12:14 But he said to him, "Man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?"
Luk 12:15 He said to them, "Beware! Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man's life doesn't consist of the abundance of the things which he possesses."
Luk 12:16 He spoke a parable to them, saying, "The ground of a certain rich man brought forth abundantly.
Luk 12:17 He reasoned within himself, saying, 'What will I do, because I don't have room to store my crops?'
Luk 12:18 He said, 'This is what I will do. I will pull down my barns, and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.
Luk 12:19 I will tell my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, be merry." '
Luk 12:20 "But God said to him, 'You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared-whose will they be?'
Luk 12:21 So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

World English Bible

Bigger and better, that is the American way of life, right? Unfortunately, yes, but that doesn't make it right. Personally, I don't think it is wrong to have wealth, just wrong to make it and only it the focal point of your life. Money can be a good thing when used wisely in the fear of God. Besides, the more you have, the more you have to guard and the more people will try to steal from you. Today, perhaps even this very hour, it would be a very good thing to consider where your priorities lie and if they are wrong, change them. We have today, we are not promised tomorrow, so be rich toward God!!!

Bad things

If I were on that ship I would be terrified!! Just the thought of drowning is unsettling. Still, the picture is interesting because it portrays what could happen in real life. Ships sink, people die. Harsh reality, but true. But what if a ship sinking was a "good thing"? Consider this passage from the book of Acts.

Act 27:9 When much time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous, because the Fast had now already gone by, Paul admonished them,
Act 27:10 and said to them, "Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives."
Act 27:11 But the centurion gave more heed to the master and to the owner of the ship than to those things which were spoken by Paul.
Act 27:12 Because the haven was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised going to sea from there, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, and winter there, which is a port of Crete, looking northeast and southeast.
Act 27:13 When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to shore.
Act 27:14 But before long, a stormy wind beat down from shore, which is called Euroclydon.
Act 27:15 When the ship was caught, and couldn't face the wind, we gave way to it, and were driven along.
Act 27:16 Running under the lee of a small island called Clauda, we were able, with difficulty, to secure the boat.
Act 27:17 After they had hoisted it up, they used cables to help reinforce the ship. Fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis sand bars, they lowered the sea anchor, and so were driven along.
Act 27:18 As we labored exceedingly with the storm, the next day they began to throw things overboard.
Act 27:19 On the third day, they threw out the ship's tackle with their own hands.
Act 27:20 When neither sun nor stars shone on us for many days, and no small storm pressed on us, all hope that we would be saved was now taken away.
Act 27:21 When they had been long without food, Paul stood up in the middle of them, and said, "Sirs, you should have listened to me, and not have set sail from Crete, and have gotten this injury and loss.
Act 27:22 Now I exhort you to cheer up, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.
Act 27:23 For there stood by me this night an angel, belonging to the God whose I am and whom I serve,
Act 27:24 saying, 'Don't be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar. Behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.'
Act 27:25 Therefore, sirs, cheer up! For I believe God, that it will be just as it has been spoken to me.
Act 27:26 But we must run aground on a certain island."

World English Bible

The bad news: This ship will sink. The good news: Your lives will be spared. Why, because an angel of God had told Paul so. They did escape and God used their situation to the betterment of the proclamation of the Gospel. God works like that; sometimes bad things happen to us in order that something greater can be accomplished. So, the next time something really, really bad happens in your life consider that it may be a stepping stone to something really wonderful!

Have faith

I am confused and that doesn't happen often. How is just printing money going to help? If there is more money out there, doesn't that cause each individual dollar to be worth less? So, what next? Are we to really sit idly by and do nothing? Not at all; we have a great power at our disposal called prayer and we know that God works all things out in his own time. But its MONEY; YOU KNOW, THE STUFF WE NEED TO LIVE? Money can be a spiritual trap and its trust a disciples downfall. Jesus had to deal with those who would try to trick him and here is how HE DEALT WITH IT!

Matthew
Mat 22:15 Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might entrap him in his talk.
Mat 22:16 They sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are honest, and teach the way of God in truth, no matter who you teach, for you aren't partial to anyone.
Mat 22:17 Tell us therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?"
Mat 22:18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, "Why do you test me, you hypocrites?
Mat 22:19 Show me the tax money." They brought to him a denarius.
Mat 22:20 He asked them, "Whose is this image and inscription?"
Mat 22:21 They said to him, "Caesar's." Then he said to them, "Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
Mat 22:22 When they heard it, they marveled, and left him, and went away.

World English Bible

Jesus' attitude should be ours; let the government govern, that is their job. Our president is trying to do his job; LET HIM! Let the government print its dollars; it doesn't have to make sense (or cents, if you think about its true worth), God is ultimately in control. Our worries will subside in direct proportion to our faith. Have faith, pray and don't stop praying, I think our country needs it!

Don't look for gold.

There is an Irish tale that says there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow and there's the end, but where is the gold? Its right in front of you but you can't see it. No, I am not trying to confuse you, just to make a point; the lighthouse is gold to the seamen when the light is on. This little item could save their lives and that's worth more than any bar of gold anyone could dream up. Apart from the physical lighthouse, there is the light it shines forth; light to guide, to illuminate, to provide a safe haven of rest. I like what the apostle John has to say at the beginning of his book about light.

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
Joh 1:3 All things were made through him. Without him was not anything made that has been made.
Joh 1:4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
Joh 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn't overcome it.
Joh 1:6 There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John.
Joh 1:7 The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him.
Joh 1:8 He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light.
Joh 1:9 The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.
Joh 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world didn't recognize him.
Joh 1:11 He came to his own, and those who were his own didn't receive him.
Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God's children, to those who believe in his name:
Joh 1:13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Joh 1:14 The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Joh 1:15 John testified about him. He cried out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.' "
Joh 1:16 From his fullness we all received grace upon grace.
Joh 1:17 For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Joh 1:18 No one has seen God at any time. The one and only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.

World English Bible

Jesus made light and life, became light and life and gives light and life to those who will see it. Not everyone can, but when illuminated with spiritual power, understanding and change is possible. This change is like being born all over again and with this new spiritual insight life becomes new. So, don't look for gold, rather, look for insight from Jesus, because HE is the message from the father and that message is really good news to those who see what HE IS SAYING.

STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN

There is something about being in the wilderness; something about communing with nature that says "renewal" with every breath. Place yourself in that building for a moment; what would it be like? Four walls, some windows, a front porch and even a small building out back (maybe an outhouse or storage shed, who knows?). No one else around; absolutely no one!! No telephone to bother you (a cell would probably not work with THOSE MOUNTAINS so close), no TV, no distractions whatever. What WOULD YOU DO? Hunt, probably; read, certainly; think, absolutely!! So, what WOULD YOU THINK ABOUT? I can't say for certain, but with all that scenery around, probably NOT YOURSELF! Eventually all those things we do that revolve around us would become a distant memory and we would become one with the background. Maybe that's what we all need; to stop having the world revolve around us. God has a way of using our surroundings to make us think and then CHANGE! One of my favorite stories is that of Elijah, AFTER his confrontation with the Baal prophets, when he fears for HIS life. God reaches out to him to get his attention and change his life.

The book of 1st Kings

1Ki 19:1 Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword.
1Ki 19:2 Then Jezebel send a messenger to Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I don't make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.
1Ki 19:3 When he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.
1Ki 19:4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die, and said, It is enough; now, O Yahweh, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
1Ki 19:5 He lay down and slept under a juniper tree; and behold, an angel touched him, and said to him, Arise and eat.
1Ki 19:6 He looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on the coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and laid down again.
1Ki 19:7 The angel of Yahweh came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.
1Ki 19:8 He arose, and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the Mount of God.
1Ki 19:9 He came there to a cave, and lodged there; and behold, the word of Yahweh came to him, and he said to him, What are you doing here, Elijah?
1Ki 19:10 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 19:11 He said, Go forth, and stand on the mountain before Yahweh. Behold, Yahweh passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before Yahweh; but Yahweh was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but Yahweh was not in the earthquake:
1Ki 19:12 and after the earthquake a fire; but Yahweh was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
1Ki 19:13 It was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entrance of the cave. Behold, there came a voice to him, and said, What are you doing here, Elijah?
1Ki 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.

1Ki 19:19 So he departed there.......

The World English Bible

I like Elijah because this passage shows a second side of him; an unflattering side, but one that I can relate to. Elijah had performed miracles in the name of Yahweh, but was afraid of Jezebel. Sometimes, the closer you get to heaven, the longer the fall to Earth; the more you do, the more there is to lose. So, Elijah ran for his life! But, in the wilderness, Yahweh reaches out to him and finally gets through to him. How typically human Elijah is and how frail we as human beings really are. Yet God knows our faults and cares about us; HE reaches out to us in many ways; being alone in the wilderness is just one of them. It begins with us: We need to STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN to the world around us without ourselves being in the way. When we do this, we may find out we have a lot of company, maybe even "seven thousand" others who are a lot like us! Wait a minute, I can't be certain, but did someone say something to me: it wasn't very loud, so I guess I will just have to be silent and LISTEN!!!