Reality, not relativity

I really like this picture of Albert Einstein because it shows a side of him that is not intellectual. I have known some extremely intelligent people; some whose IQ's were well above Einstein's 160. The thing is, just because people are smart, doesn't mean that they are people you would necessarily want to be around. Often, well educated people are very narrow minded and only want to talk about their field of interest. If you find someone (no matter how smart) who is open to new ideas, that person is truly intelligent. Consider the following passage from the book of Acts:


Act 13:1 And there were certain in Antioch, in the assembly there, prophets and teachers; both Barnabas, and Simeon who is called Niger, and Lucius the Cyrenian, Manaen also--Herod the tetrarch's foster-brother--and Saul;
Act 13:2 and in their ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, `Separate ye to me both Barnabas and Saul to the work to which I have called them,'
Act 13:3 then having fasted, and having prayed, and having laid the hands on them, they sent them away.
Act 13:4 These, indeed, then, having been sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia, thence also they sailed to Cyprus,
Act 13:5 and having come unto Salamis, they declared the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews, and they had also John as a ministrant;
Act 13:6 and having gone through the island unto Paphos, they found a certain magian, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name is Bar-Jesus;
Act 13:7 who was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man; this one having called for Barnabas and Saul, did desire to hear the word of God,
Act 13:8 and there withstood them Elymas the magian--for so is his name interpreted--seeking to pervert the proconsul from the faith.
Act 13:9 And Saul--who also is Paul--having been filled with the Holy Spirit, and having looked stedfastly on him,
Act 13:10 said, `O full of all guile, and all profligacy, son of a devil, enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease perverting the right ways of the Lord?
Act 13:11 and now, lo, a hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season;' and presently there fell upon him a mist and darkness, and he, going about, was seeking some to lead him by the hand;
Act 13:12 then the proconsul having seen what hath come to pass, did believe, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

Young's Literal Translation

This magician, this trickster got a lot more than he bargained for. So did the proconsul Sergius Paulus, because he had the opportunity to learn what truth was and that by way of a demonstration of power. It wasn't intelligent discourse, but profound reality that was needed; and the proconsul believed. What is needed in many a life is reality, not relativity or intense cerebral effort. God is a God for all people, not just those blessed with EXCESS BRAIN POWER. So, the next time I feel really smart, I will just stick my tongue out and go to the mirror for a taste of reality (but I won't take any pictures)!!!

What about me?

Someone is jealous and that means trouble! I think everyone has seen jealously, but I guess it is a little "cute" to see it in one so young. Jealously is a sin. People don't like to call things sin today, but face it, it is what it is. If there is a God, then He must be by definition absolute and that involves a standard of measurement. If God provides the standards, then who are we to say they don't exist or that political correctness should replace what God has put in place? Consider the following list and ask yourself if you find yourself doing either the good or bad things on it.
Galatians 5:16-25

Gal 5:16 But I say, Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another; lest whatever you may will, these things you do.
Gal 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under Law.
Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are clearly revealed, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lustfulness,
Gal 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, fightings, jealousies, angers, rivalries, divisions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and things like these; of which I tell you beforehand, as I also said before, that the ones practicing such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 meekness, self-control. Against such things there is not a law.
Gal 5:24 But the ones belonging to Christ crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

LITV

Notice a couple of things; first Jealously is on the list (verse 20) and secondly that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (verse 21). Avoid the first list (19-21) and practice the second (22-23). Its one thing to look at the picture and see what is wrong; its quite another to ask ourselves the question: What about me? When we think about that then sin isn't "cute", its dead serious. "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."

Yum,Yum!

Sometimes you just have to jump right in with both hands! Life is meant to be enjoyed! No matter where you are, or what you are doing, you can find something positive if you just look hard enough! OK, you might say, what about the dentist or some other unpleasant experience? Well, perhaps even the worst of experiences can be thought of as positive if you consider that if everything was pleasing you wouldn't have any thing to gage your life by. In other words, you need the bad to appreciate the good! Jesus loved people and showed it. Look at this passage from the book of John for a moment and I think you will see what I mean.

Joh 2:1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there.
Joh 2:2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
Joh 2:3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith to him, They have no wine.
Joh 2:4 Jesus saith to her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? my hour is not yet come.
Joh 2:5 His mother saith to the servants, Whatever he saith to you, do it.
Joh 2:6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
Joh 2:7 Jesus saith to them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them to the brim.
Joh 2:8 And he saith to them, Draw out now, and bear to the governor of the feast. And they bore it.
Joh 2:9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was; (but the servants who drew the water knew) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
Joh 2:10 And saith to him, Every man at the beginning presenteth good wine; and when men have well drank, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.
Joh 2:11 This beginning of miracles Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

The Webster Bible

Weddings can be fun! Face it, wine does loosen things up abit and in moderation is harmless. Jesus could have just made wine, but he made "good wine". Why? I like to think its because he WANTED THEM TO HAVE THE BEST! They were obviously having a good time at the feast, so why not even make it better. And oh, yes, throwing in a miracle couldn't hurt the situation, either. So the next time you want to have some fun, just do it, there is nothing wrong with saying, "Yum, Yum" once in awhile. Here's cake in your face!

Lucky

Lucky Dog....
Anyone who has pets will really like this. You'll like it even if you don't and you may even decide you need one!

Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named 'Lucky.' Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing. Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's other favorite Toys. Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box. It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease....in fact, she was just sure it was fatal. She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders. The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her...what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary's dog through and through. If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him! The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable. Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap. Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed. When Mary woke for a second she couldn't understand what! Was wrong. She couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life. He had covered her with his love. Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day. It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky? He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure. Remember....live every day to the fullest. Each minute is a blessing from God. And never forget....The people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most, credentials, the most money, or the most awards .They are the ones that care for us. If you see someone without a smile today give them one of yours!

Live simply.
Love seriously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Leave the rest to God.

I received this in an e-mail and liked it so much that I wanted to share it!

God's phone number

I know people do things differently, but WOW; A math equation for a phone number? How freaky is this? Since I am not good with math, I asked my friend Bruce Arnold for the solution. This is what he gave me:

01. (900-24). (900-100) x 10 = 01. 876. 8000 Since the ad is from Switzerland or UK, that's a legitimate phone number.

I am very glad that God is a little more straightforward:

Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope in your latter end.
Jer 29:12 You shall call on me, and you shall go and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
Jer 29:13 You shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart.

World English Bible

If you picked verse 12, you were right; verse 13 is for emphasis! All you need is a desiring heart, persistence and the knowledge that God will listen. Did I hear a ring? Got to go, maybe its someone returning my call! I wonder WHO IT COULD BE?

Upside down

I frankly have no idea how this picture was made, but it says "upside down" to me. In a way, it like what is happening in the United States. Actions that were reprehensible in the 50's are now the norm; its as if good is bad and bad is good. Listen to the news, you will hear about corruption at every level of society! When I saw this picture I thought of the following passage of scripture from the book of Acts:

Act 17:1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis, and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews.
Act 17:2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in to them, and on three sabbaths reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
Act 17:3 Opening and alledging, that it was needful that Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach to you, is Christ.
Act 17:4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas: and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
Act 17:5 But the Jews who believed not, moved with envy, took to them certain vile fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city in an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
Act 17:6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren to the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down, have come hither also;
Act 17:7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Cesar, saying, That there is another king, one Jesus.

The Webster Bible

There is another king and his name is Jesus. But, today the name of Jesus is being eradicated from our schools, government, and the very streets of the nation. How can this be? Complacency is the answer. America places too much emphasis on possessions, sex and the acceptance of other world views and not enough on the proclamation of Christ in every aspect of our society. This nation has allowed the media, the courts and the schools to attack the Christian message. The world is being turned upside down, but in the wrong way. There is hope, however and it begins with each of us as individuals. Each one of us can change things, but we have to be serious about what we believe and find something to do about it. How you turn the world right side up is up to you, but here is a clue to getting started: Jesus and he alone is king, find a way to let that be known and just do it. Leave the photography to someone else!

Stop, but don't stop!

OK, you come to this stop sign and what do you do? Which sign takes precedence? Good question! If you obey one, then you disobey the other; no matter what you do, you are wrong! There are a lot of things like this in life and sooner or later you will encounter them. For instance, how to discipline your children without breaking the current laws, how to handle someones else's road rage, or what to do if someone butts in line ahead of you at the local Wallmart? The examples could be endless, but I think you get the idea. There are times when we simply don't know what to do. Then what? Consider just a few verses from the Bible:

Jdg 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

Joh 1:49 Nathanael answered and said to him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

The Webster Bible

The answer to these situations is both complex and simple. Complex in that every situation is different, yet one thing is certain, everyone can't be right (Judges 21:25). The simplicity of it begins with the realization of who Jesus is (John 1:49) and what that means to us. Once John 1:49 really impacts our lives, we are no longer without direction, but have guidance in our lives. A good question to ask ourselves is: What would Jesus do? What about the conflicting signs? Well, the bottom sign probably means there is to be no stopping along that stretch of road for safety reasons and the top sign means STOP!! So, STOP, but don't STOP (park) on the side of the road. How do I know this? Well, Jesus always looked for the reasons BEHIND WHAT WAS HAPPENING, that's how. Get to know him and try to think like him... you will learn to find the answers. That's why followers of Jesus are called disciples, (which means those who learn) they learn from Jesus. Stop, but don't stop (learning)!

A simple twist

A black and white picture;Why? Because some things are like that! At first this picture just looks like a person, but then if you rotate it counter-clockwise it spells out the word "Liar". The truth is like the picture; straightforward and in black and white. However, when you twist it, it becomes something different, something distorted. Now look at the following passage from the book of John:

Joh 8:12 Then Jesus spoke again to them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Joh 8:13 The Pharisees therefore said to him, Thou testifiest concerning thyself; thy testimony is not true.
Joh 8:14 Jesus answered and said to them, Though I testify concerning myself, yet my testimony is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.
Joh 8:15 Ye judge after the flesh, I judge no man.
Joh 8:16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.
Joh 8:17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
Joh 8:18 I am one that testifieth concerning myself; and the Father that sent me, testifieth concerning me.
Joh 8:19 Then said they to him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye would have known my Father also.
Joh 8:20 These words Jesus spoke in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him, for his hour was not yet come.
Joh 8:21 Then said Jesus again to them, I am going away, and ye will seek me, and will die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.
Joh 8:22 Then said the Jews, will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come. Joh 8:23 And he said to them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
Joh 8:24 I said therefore to you, that ye will die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye will die in your sins.
Joh 8:25 Then said they to him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith to them, Even the same that I said to you from the beginning.
Joh 8:26 I have many things to say, and to judge of you: but he that sent me, is true: and I speak to the world those things which I have heard from him.
Joh 8:27 They understood not that he spoke to them concerning the Father.
Joh 8:28 Then said Jesus to them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
Joh 8:29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
Joh 8:30 As he spoke these words, many believed on him.
Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews who believed on him, If ye continue in my word, ye are my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Joh 8:33 They answered him, We are Abraham's offspring, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
Joh 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say to you, Whoever committeth sin, is the servant of sin.
Joh 8:35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever, but the Son abideth for ever.
Joh 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Joh 8:37 I know that ye are Abraham's offspring; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
Joh 8:38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
Joh 8:39 They answered and said to him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith to them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
Joh 8:40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard from God: this did not Abraham.
Joh 8:41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We are not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
Joh 8:42 Jesus said to them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
Joh 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
Joh 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do: he was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Joh 8:45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
Joh 8:46 Which of you convicteth me of sin? And if I speak the truth, why do ye not believe me?
Joh 8:47 He that is of God, heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
Joh 8:48 Then answered the Jews, and said to him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a demon?
Joh 8:49 Jesus answered, I have not a demon; but I honor my Father, and ye dishonor me.
Joh 8:50 And I seek not my own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.
Joh 8:51 Verily, verily, I say to you, If a man shall keep my saying, he shall never see death.
Joh 8:52 Then said the Jews to him, Now we know that thou hast a demon. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man shall keep my saying, he shall never taste death.
Joh 8:53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?
Joh 8:54 Jesus answered, If I honor myself, my honor is nothing: it is my Father that honoreth me, of whom ye say, that he is your God:
Joh 8:55 Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I should be a liar like you: but I know him, and keep his saying.
Joh 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
Joh 8:57 Then said the Jews to him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
Joh 8:58 Jesus said to them, Verily, verily, I say to you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Joh 8:59 Then they took up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

The Webster Bible

They looked Jesus right in the face and yet they could not see the Son of God before them because sin had twisted their perception of the truth. Sin does that; it changes things, it twists the truth so that it becomes something evil. In the end the Jews knew what Jesus was saying was true but simply refused to change their evil hearts and believe. Once exposed, they lashed out in violence as evil always does. Let the truth of God always be as plain as black and white; look it square in the eye and see Jesus for who he truly is, the Son of God and be free from sin!

Surprise!

Anything can happen! In high school I was awful at math and science; took Algebra twice and dropped out of Chemistry. Yet I spent almost three decades working in various types of chemistry labs. I remember that in the 8th AND 9th grades when I had to give the terrifying "oral report" that I was so nervous I dropped my notes and in the process tore my pants from the front to the back BOTH TIMES. I can still here the laughter of 13-15 year old girls even after all these years. I took zero's rather do another speech for the rest of my high school days. Yet in 1977 I delivered my first sermon entitled "famous last words" (on the book of 2 Timothy). I graduated from preaching school and to my surprise found that I loved to preach. So, you just never, ever know what is going to happen in life! Consider the following passage from the book of Matthew:

Mat 19:16 And behold, one came and said to him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?
Mat 19:17 And he said to him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
Mat 19:18 He saith to him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
Mat 19:19 Honor thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
Mat 19:20 The young man saith to him, All these things have I kept from my youth: what lack I yet?
Mat 19:21 Jesus said to him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell what thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
Mat 19:22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Mat 19:23 Then said Jesus to his disciples, Verily I say to you, that a rich man shall with difficulty enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 19:24 And again I say to you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Mat 19:25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
Mat 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said to them, With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

The Webster Bible

When will a rich man get to heaven? When Hell freezes over, that's when! Surprise, its cold out there! God can do ANYTHING!

Whoops!

Relax, this picture isn't real; not yet anyway. Mistakes can be very dangerous, especially when it comes to programming DNA! In Florida we have "love bugs"; genetically engineered little bugs, but they have a nasty little side effect... if you don't clean them off quickly enough they can destroy the paint on your auto. OK, so they are a minor irritant, but what if the scientists try fiddling with human DNA; can a "master race" be far behind? With these things in mind consider just two verses from the book of Genesis:

Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping animal that creepeth upon the earth.
Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

The Webster Bible

If God is perfect and we are made in the image and likeness of perfection, then why would we want to change it? However, right now, there is probably someone trying to change God's design into something better. I am just afraid of an occasional "whoops" which would force us into renaming the picture of Fido into something else... maybe Fred? The world would really be going to the dogs then!