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!!!!!!