First things first

How do we measure worth? How is it that diamonds are worth more than say, popcorn? Is it just rarity or durability that is the overriding factor? What about intangible items such as a smile or love. Money is important, but try living without hope or love or companionship. What if no one in your life cared two cents about you? For all his great intellect, the apostle Paul really loved others, as can be seen by the following Bible passage:

Php 1:3 I thank my God whenever I remember you,
Php 1:4 always in every request of mine on behalf of you all making my requests with joy,
Php 1:5 for your partnership in furtherance of the Good News from the first day until now;
Php 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Php 1:7 It is even right for me to think this way on behalf of all of you, because I have you in my heart, because, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the Good News, you all are partakers with me of grace.
Php 1:8 For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.
Php 1:9 This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment;
Php 1:10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ;
Php 1:11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

The World English Bible

Don't worry about what life will give you; first give yourself over to others in love and a path of understanding will be provided by the God of the heavens.

Peek a boo

Recently a friend of mine has made me really aware of cats. I have known they existed for many years, but never really paid much attention to them. They are playful creatures as the two pictures shown above reveal. My friend talks about her cat as if it were human, but its hard for me to think about cats like that. Many years ago, a minister's wife was asked whether or not cats or dogs would be in heaven. Her response was the most insightful I have ever heard; "whatever it takes to make you happy will be there". A loving God would naturally give those who love him their deepest desires and fill their lives with joy! But what about today? What will God give to those who love him today? Jesus said:

Mat 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Mat 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Mat 5:6 Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Mat 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Mat 5:9 Blessed are the peace-makers: for they shall be called children of God.
Mat 5:10 Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Mat 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The Webster Bible

The word "blessed" also means happy, but the word happy really doesn't do full justice to the concept being conveyed here. It means the inward state of bliss that the person who seeks to truly follow God has within them. This doesn't mean the disciple won't have problems, or that things won't bother them, but rather that God will be with them regardless of the circumstances. So, even in the worst of situations, you just might find yourself feeling like saying "Peek a boo". Who knows, I might even get a cat someday!

Up, up and away

Imagine what it would be like to be in the basket of the balloon just taking off. Probably something like an elevator without the walls. I wonder just how high you could go in one of these things? Several years ago we lived in New Jersey and the townhouse development still had large open areas. Then one day in November a group of balloons landed in one of the undeveloped fields. What a sight it was! I still remember how BIG they were and HOW BEAUTIFUL! Its amazing to me how some things just make such an impact that they are never forgotten. Imagine how the apostle Paul must have felt when he penned these words:

2Co 12:1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. For I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2Co 12:2 I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I don't know, or whether out of the body, I don't know; God knows), such a one caught up into the third heaven.
2Co 12:3 I know such a man (whether in the body, or outside of the body, I don't know; God knows),
2Co 12:4 how he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
2Co 12:5 On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.
2Co 12:6 For if I would desire to boast, I will not be foolish; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, so that no man may think more of me than that which he sees in me, or hears from me.
2Co 12:7 By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively.
2Co 12:8 Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
2Co 12:9 He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.

The World English Bible

In the Bible there are three heavens; the first is the air about us, the second is all that we can see in the sky and last was the heaven above the others, where God dwells (paradise). To be allowed into that third heaven must be something that was the ultimate "high"! Makes ballooning look paltry, doesn't it? However, one day I hope to see it and I hope to see you there as well! Up, up and away!

Are you ready?

The rainy day had just begun to clear and the sun was shining as I passed Hack funeral home in Schaghticoke and started unto the two lane bridge. I wasn't going that fast, maybe 30 mph at most, but I began to skid. My skid turned into a full circle and then another and finally I was going forward, but by the passenger side of the car first. Then in horror, I noticed the car coming in my direction was doing the SAME THING. We just kept coming at one another and getting closer and closer. Finally we both stopped... just inches from each other. I am not sure how long it was before we moved our cars, but I know that I was a bit shaken and from the look on the other drivers face she was frightened. If we had hit, one of us could have gone off the bridge and it was a long, long way to the bottom.

When I saw the picture of the cat it reminded me of my skidding experience so long ago. The cat realizes what is about to happen and is fixated upon its impending doom. I know there was nothing I could have done to avoid my "almost" accident, but one thing is for sure; I can do a lot with the lifetime I have left to me. The question remains, Are you ready for the reality of this Bible passage?

Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Rev 20:15 And whoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

The Webster Bible

Size of the dog

Size does matter, but sometimes its what's on the inside that really matters. Who would guess this situation could happen; not the big guy, that's for certain! Life is like that, full of surprises! Consider the following Bible passage and realize that if you are following God faithfully, you are not alone:

2Ki 6:15 And when the servant of the man of God had risen early, and gone forth, behold, a host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
2Ki 6:16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that are with us are more than they that are with them.
2Ki 6:17 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire around Elisha.
2Ki 6:18 And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.

I guess what explains the picture the best is that there is something inside the small dog that gives him the strength to stand up to the big one. In other words, it's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.

The Seed

A successful business man was growing old and
knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business.

Instead of choosing one of his Directors or his children,
he decided to do something different. He called all the young
executives in his company together.

He said, 'It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO.
I have decided to choose one of you.' The young executives were
Shocked, but the boss continued. 'I am going to give each one
of you a SEED today - one very special SEED. I want you to plant
the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with
what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then
judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be
the next CEO.'

One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others,
received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the
story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted
the seed. Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown.
After about three weeks, some of the other executives began
to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow.

Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew.

Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing.

By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn't have
a plant and he felt like a failure.

Six months went by -- still nothing in Jim's pot. He just knew he
had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but
he had nothing. Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues, however.
He just kept watering and fertilizing the soil - He so wanted the
seed to grow.

A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company
brought their plants to the CEO for inspection.

Jim told his wife that he wasn't going to take an empty pot.
But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick
to his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing moment
of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot
to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety
of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful --
in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and
many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him!

When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young
executives.

Jim just tried to hide in the back. 'My, what great plants, trees,
and flowers you have grown,' said the CEO. 'Today one of you will
be appointed the next CEO!'

All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with
his empty pot. He ordered the Financial Director to bring him to
the front. Jim was terrified. He thought, 'The CEO knows I'm a failure!
Maybe he will have me fired!'

When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened
to his seed - Jim told him the story.

The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim,
and then announced to the young executives, 'Behold your next
Chief Executive Officer!

His name is Jim!' Jim couldn't believe it. Jim couldn't even grow
his seed.

'How could he be the new CEO?' the others said.

Then the CEO said, 'One year ago today, I gave everyone in this
room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it,
and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds;
they were dead - it was not possible for them to grow.

All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and
flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you
substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the
only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with
my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new
Chief Executive Officer!'

* If you plant honesty, you will reap trust

* If you plant goodness, you will reap friends

* If you plant humility, you will reap greatness

* If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment

* If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective

* If you plant hard work, you will reap success

* If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation

* If you plant faith in god , you will reap a harvest

So, be careful what you plant now;
it will determine what you will reap later.

Thank you Duane Nanz for sending me this e-mail!

The Big picture

The left picture is beautiful! It is a compilation of the three views on the right; taken from Chandra (in x-ray), Hubble (in optical) and Spitzer in infrared. Individually, they are very nice, but when seen together as a composite photo, they are stunning! Human beings are like that too, if we consider the composite effect of a person's intellect, personality and physical makeup we get the "big picture". Funny, I wonder why most people don't think of understanding the Godhead like that. If we view The father as the directing force (intellect), The Holy Spirit as the empowering force (or perhaps personality) and Jesus as the physical manifestation of God it makes a lot of sense to me. My grandmother knew me as Gary, my wife as "hon" and my children as dad. I wonder what the effect of this concept would have on our Bible study? Intellectually analyzing it, emotionally understanding it and practically applying it. Humm? Consider the following scripture, perhaps it will change the way you think about what God has said to you?

Joh 6:5 When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come to him, he saith to Philip, Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat?
Joh 6:6 (And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.)
Joh 6:7 Philip answered him, Two hundred penny-worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them make take a little:
Joh 6:8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith to him,
Joh 6:9 There is a lad here, who hath five barley-loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
Joh 6:10 And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. (Now there was much grass in the place.) So the men sat down in number about five thousand.
Joh 6:11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes, as much as they would.
Joh 6:12 When they were satisfied, he said to his disciples, Gather the fragments that remain, that nothing may be lost.
Joh 6:13 Therefore they gathered them, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley-loaves, which remained over and above to them that had eaten.
Joh 6:14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus performed, said, This is truly that prophet that should come into the world.
Joh 6:15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again to a mountain himself alone.
Joh 6:16 And when evening had now come, his disciples went down to the sea,
Joh 6:17 And entered into a boat, and went over the sea towards Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus had not come to them.
Joh 6:18 And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.
Joh 6:19 So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh to the boat: and they were afraid.
Joh 6:20 But he saith to them, It is I; be not afraid.
Joh 6:21 Then they willingly received him into the boat: and immediately the boat was at the land whither they were going.
Joh 6:22 The day following, when the people who stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, save that one into which his disciples had entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples had gone away alone;
Joh 6:23 (Yet there came other boats from Tiberias nigh to the place where they ate bread, after the Lord had given thanks:)
Joh 6:24 When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took boats, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.
Joh 6:25 And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?
Joh 6:26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say to you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye ate of the loaves, and were satisfied.
Joh 6:27 Labor not for the food which perisheth, but for that food which endureth to everlasting life, which the Son of man will give to you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
Joh 6:28 Then said they to him, What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?
Joh 6:29 Jesus answered and said to them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Joh 6:30 They said therefore to him, What sign showest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?
Joh 6:31 Our fathers ate manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
Joh 6:32 Then Jesus said to them, Verily, verily, I say to you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.
Joh 6:33 For the bread of God is he who cometh down from heaven, and giveth life to the world.
Joh 6:34 Then said they to him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
Joh 6:35 And Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me, shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me, shall never thirst.
Joh 6:36 But I said to you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.
Joh 6:37 All that the Father giveth me, shall come to me; and him that cometh to me, I will in no wise reject.
Joh 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me.
Joh 6:39 And this is the Father's will who hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
Joh 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one who seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Joh 6:41 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.
Joh 6:42 And they said, Is not this Jesus the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?
Joh 6:43 Jesus therefore answered and said to them, Murmur not among yourselves.
Joh 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father who hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Joh 6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught from God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned from the Father, cometh to me.
Joh 6:46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he who is from God, he hath seen the Father.
Joh 6:47 Verily, verily, I say to you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
Joh 6:48 I am that bread of life.
Joh 6:49 Your fathers ate manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
Joh 6:50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat of it, and not die.
Joh 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man shall eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
Joh 6:52 The Jews therefore contended among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
Joh 6:53 Then Jesus said to them, Verily, verily, I say to you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
Joh 6:54 Whoever eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
Joh 6:55 For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
Joh 6:56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
Joh 6:57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
Joh 6:58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers ate manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

The Webster Bible

If only the Jews could have applied all their senses then perhaps they would have understood!

Good news, Bad news

The picture is sort of gruesome, but it makes a point; life can be good or bad, depending on the circumstances. Here, it is good to be a bat and not so good to be a frog. I am hoping the frog escapes, but it sure does not look like it. I remember a quote from the movie braveheart, which goes something like this: “All men die, but not all really live”. True life is more than just existence, its coexistence with God.

The Bible says:

1Jn 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the word of life;
1Jn 1:2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and testify, and show to you that eternal life which was with the Father, and was manifested to us;)
1Jn 1:3 That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
1Jn 1:4 And these things we write to you, that your joy may be full.
1Jn 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard from him, and declare to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
1Jn 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jn 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

The Webster Bible


Christianity is different from other religions in that God becomes man and then a best friend. How, because this man, this Jesus, did what I couldn't do; namely, solve my sin problem and restore fellowship with my maker. This is REAL LIFE and not just existence until I cease to be. If I am one with God, death does not really matter, so death just becomes a transition into a new form of spiritual life. As far as the frog is concerned, there is only one thing left to say; JUMP, NOW!!!!!

You better laugh...

I don't know if cats can really laugh; but people do! Over the past ten years I have discovered that I seem to laugh more. Why, because I'm funnier? I don't think I am any different than I was 15 or more years ago. I think its attitude, really! I can see it in myself when I go to work; I decide that no matter what happens, I AM GOING TO BE IN A GOOD MOOD! Well, I don't always succeed, because, well.... things happen! But I guess the Axum is true: A person is what they think about all day long. Consider the following Bible passage and THEN DECIDE WHAT YOU WILL DO TOMORROW!

Php 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
Php 4:5 Let your moderation be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Php 4:6 Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think on these things.

The Webster Bible

My thinking WILL CHANGE MY LIFE! "What the mind can conceive and believe it can achieve" is a long-time Amway motto worth quoting. Besides all this, I have to laugh... why? because I have mirrors in my house, that why.... and I do remember what I looked like at 20.

Roy Moore

Alabama Judge

Some of you may be wondering what Judge Roy Moore has been doing since he was removed from the bench for refusing to remove the Ten Commandments from his courtroom wall. Please read the poem he wrote. The following is a poem written by Judge Roy Moore from Alabama .

Judge Moore was sued by the ACLU for displaying the Ten Commandments in his courtroom foyer. He has been stripped of his judgeship and now they are trying to strip his right to practice law in Alabama ! The judge's poem sums it up quite well.

America the beautiful,Or so you used to be..

Land of the Pilgrims' pride; I'm glad they'll never see.

Babies piled in dumpsters, Abortion on demand,

Oh, sweet land of liberty; Your house is on the sand.

Our children wander aimlessly Poisoned by cocaine

Choosing to indulge their lusts, When God has said abstain

From sea to shining sea, Our Nation turns away

From the teaching of God's love And a need to always pray

We've kept God in our Temples , how callous we have grown.

When earth is but His footstool, And Heaven is His throne.

We've voted in a government that's rotting at the core,

Appointing Godless Judges; Who throw reason out the door,

Too soft to place a killer In a well deserved tomb,

But brave enough to kill a baby Before he leaves the womb.

You think that God's not Angry, that our land's a moral slum?

How much longer will He wait Before His judgment comes?

How are we to face our God, From Whom we cannot hide?

What then is left for us to do, But stem this evil tide?

If we who are His children, Will humbly turn and pray;

Seek His holy face And mend our evil way:

Then God will hear from Heaven; And forgive us of our sins,

He'll heal our sickly land And those who live within.

But, America the Beautiful, If you don't - then you will see,

A sad but Holy God Withdraw His hand from Thee.

~~Judge Roy Moore~~

My thanks to Nancy Womack for sending this e-mail to me.