How does that butterfly fly?

One of the surprises I have had while writing this blog is the the abundance of beauty out there. It seems that every time review the pictures I have collected from the net I see something that makes me raise my eyebrows. Who would have thought of a see-through creature that was NOT several hundred feet below the ocean? But, here it is, and it is amazing! Sometimes you just have to see something to believe it is possible! There is an instance like this in the book of John; read on to see what I mean.

Joh 20:16 Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him, "Rhabbouni!" which is to say, "Teacher!"
Joh 20:17 Jesus said to her, "Don't touch me, for I haven't yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brothers, and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' "
Joh 20:18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had said these things to her.
Joh 20:19 When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were locked where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be to you."
Joh 20:20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad when they saw the Lord.
Joh 20:21 Jesus therefore said to them again, "Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you."
Joh 20:22 When he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit!
Joh 20:23 Whoever's sins you forgive, they are forgiven them. Whoever's sins you retain, they have been retained."
Joh 20:24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, wasn't with them when Jesus came.
Joh 20:25 The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."
Joh 20:26 After eight days again his disciples were inside, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors being locked, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace be to you."
Joh 20:27 Then he said to Thomas, "Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it into my side. Don't be unbelieving, but believing."
Joh 20:28 Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"
Joh 20:29 Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed."

World English Bible

Thomas had a difficult time believing; why? I am not sure anyone will every really know, but I can understand the concept of doubt. There are things that happen as we go through life that trick us, make us skeptical. If anyone has ever played a trick on you, I think you will understand not EVER wanting to feel stupid again. Realistically, someone being raised again to life after being dead IS A HARD THING TO BELIEVE! However, hundreds of people saw Jesus after the resurrection and that should be enough testimony for anyone to accept today. Being able to see through doubt is a great blessing and doing that without seeing the physical proof is a wonderful thing indeed. Sometimes you just have to accept the fact that there are things out there you will never understand and just go on from there. Like, for instance, how does that butterfly fly even though you can see through it? Humm! I don't know, but I do like the flower behind it!

Hero

This is a picture of Nancy and Ted Rose. They stood up for Linda and I when we were married. They were an average couple;Nancy was a homemaker and Ted drove truck. One thing though, Ted loved motorcycles. He even raced in the winter on frozen Lake George N.Y.. I am told this beautiful bike was later gold-plated, which made it worth a great deal of money. But most of all I remember Ted because to me he was a hero; someone who defended me when I was too little to do it myself. Hero's are a hard commodity to come by today, but there are quite a few in the Bible; one of my favorites is found it the book of First Samuel:

1Sa 17:33 Saul said to David, You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.
1Sa 17:34 David said to Saul, Your servant was keeping his father's sheep; and when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock,
1Sa 17:35 I went out after him, and struck him, and delivered it out of his mouth; and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and struck him, and killed him.
1Sa 17:36 Your servant struck both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.
1Sa 17:37 David said, Yahweh who delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. Saul said to David, Go, and Yahweh shall be with you.
1Sa 17:38 Saul clad David with his clothing, and he put a helmet of brass on his head, and he clad him with a coat of mail.
1Sa 17:39 David girded his sword on his clothing, and he tried to go; for he had not proved it. David said to Saul, I can't go with these; for I have not proved them. David put them off him.
1Sa 17:40 He took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in the shepherd's bag which he had, even in his wallet; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.
1Sa 17:41 The Philistine came on and drew near to David; and the man who bore the shield went before him.
1Sa 17:42 When the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him; for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and withal of a fair face.
1Sa 17:43 The Philistine said to David, Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks? The Philistine cursed David by his gods.
1Sa 17:44 The Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky, and to the animals of the field.
1Sa 17:45 Then said David to the Philistine, You come to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a javelin: but I come to you in the name of Yahweh of Armies, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
1Sa 17:46 This day Yahweh will deliver you into my hand; and I will strike you, and take your head from off you; and I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky, and to the wild animals of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel,
1Sa 17:47 and that all this assembly may know that Yahweh doesn't save with sword and spear: for the battle is Yahweh's, and he will give you into our hand.
1Sa 17:48 It happened, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.
1Sa 17:49 David put his hand in his bag, and took there a stone, and slang it, and struck the Philistine in his forehead; and the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth.
1Sa 17:50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Philistine, and killed him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.
1Sa 17:51 Then David ran, and stood over the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of its sheath, and killed him, and cut off his head therewith. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.

World English Bible

David showed great courage as well as great confidence in God. He was a genuine hero! His actions caused Israel to prevail over the Philistines. When I think of David its always as a man of war and not as The King of Israel who reigned forty years, so I envision him fighting and not ruling or even relaxing. But I can't help but wonder though, if perhaps he had a gold plated chariot at the back of the palace for weekend races?

Possibility

This beautiful picture is one of my favorites. I like it because it says "possibility" to me. If you look closely, the sun is burning away the fog and transforming remnants of night into a new day. With that new day is the possibility of a better life. There is hope, there can be success, happiness and a bright future ahead. No, I am not an eternal optimist, but sometimes events at the beginning of a day give you insight into what can happen in the near future. The following series of events as told by Luke make me feel the same as the picture because in them is the possibility of something better for us all.




Luk 2:1 Now it happened in those days, that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled.
Luk 2:2 This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
Luk 2:3 All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city.
Luk 2:4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David;
Luk 2:5 to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.
Luk 2:6 It happened, while they were there, that the day had come that she should give birth.
Luk 2:7 She brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luk 2:8 There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.
Luk 2:9 Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
Luk 2:10 The angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.
Luk 2:11 For there is born to you, this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Luk 2:12 This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough."
Luk 2:13 Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying,
Luk 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men."
Luk 2:15 It happened, when the angels went away from them into the sky, that the shepherds said one to another, "Let's go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."
Luk 2:16 They came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the feeding trough.
Luk 2:17 When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child.
Luk 2:18 All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds.
Luk 2:19 But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart.
Luk 2:20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.
Luk 2:21 When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Luk 2:22 When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord
Luk 2:23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord"),
Luk 2:24 and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."
Luk 2:25 Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
Luk 2:26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
Luk 2:27 He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law,
Luk 2:28 then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Luk 2:29 "Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace;
Luk 2:30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
Luk 2:31 which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;
Luk 2:32 a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel."
Luk 2:33 Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him,
Luk 2:34 and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against.
Luk 2:35 Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." World English Bible


Jesus is born. A simple statement with gigantic implications. Put yourself in Mary's shoes. An angel tells her she is going to have Jesus, the shepherds come to her, telling her (and everyone else around) of the supernatural announcement and then Simeon makes his revelation. This is a lot for this young girl to take in. But, I wonder, what was she thinking? Beyond the normal excitement of having a new child, she must have looked at Joseph and marveled at what the future might hold for her newborn. Yes, for her the world was changing and not just for her, but for us all. A new son had arisen greater than the sun in the sky could ever be and the days of his life meant the possibility of new life for us all. Now, that is one very optimistic sunrise indeed!

Be careful what you ask for!

You asked for it and you got it...Tabasco. A little is OK, but too much and Wow, you look something like the child in this picture. But, that's the way we do things; nothing is ever enough. The old testament is filled with stories of the hard-heartedness of God's chosen people and this episode from the book of numbers is just one of them.


Num 11:4 The mixed multitude that was among them lusted exceedingly: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, "Who will give us flesh to eat?
Num 11:5 We remember the fish, which we ate in Egypt for nothing; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic;
Num 11:6 but now we have lost our appetite. There is nothing at all except this manna to look at."
Num 11:7 The manna was like coriander seed, and its appearance like the appearance of bdellium.
Num 11:8 The people went around, gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in mortars, and boiled it in pots, and made cakes of it. Its taste was like the taste of fresh oil.
Num 11:9 When the dew fell on the camp in the night, the manna fell on it.
Num 11:10 Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, every man at the door of his tent; and the anger of Yahweh was kindled greatly; and Moses was displeased.
Num 11:11 Moses said to Yahweh, "Why have you treated with your servant so badly? Why haven't I found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me?
Num 11:12 Have I conceived all this people? Have I brought them forth, that you should tell me, 'Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a nursing infant, to the land which you swore to their fathers?'
Num 11:13 Where could I get meat to give to all this people? For they weep to me, saying, 'Give us meat, that we may eat.'
Num 11:14 I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.
Num 11:15 If you treat me this way, please kill me right now, if I have found favor in your sight; and don't let me see my wretchedness."
Num 11:16 Yahweh said to Moses, "Gather to me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them to the Tent of Meeting, that they may stand there with you.
Num 11:17 I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit which is on you, and will put it on them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you not bear it yourself alone.
Num 11:18 Say to the people, 'Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow, and you will eat flesh; for you have wept in the ears of Yahweh, saying, "Who will give us flesh to eat? For it was well with us in Egypt." Therefore Yahweh will give you flesh, and you will eat.
Num 11:19 You will not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty days,
Num 11:20 but a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it is loathsome to you; because that you have rejected Yahweh who is among you, and have wept before him, saying, "Why did we come out of Egypt?" ' "
Num 11:21 Moses said, "The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand men on foot; and you have said, 'I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month.'
Num 11:22 Shall flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, to be sufficient for them? Shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to be sufficient for them?"
Num 11:23 Yahweh said to Moses, "Has Yahweh's hand grown short? Now you will see whether my word will happen to you or not."
Num 11:24 Moses went out, and told the people the words of Yahweh; and he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them around the Tent.
Num 11:25 Yahweh came down in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was on him, and put it on the seventy elders: and it happened that when the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied, but they did so no more.
Num 11:26 But two men remained in the camp. The name of one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the Spirit rested on them; and they were of those who were written, but had not gone out to the Tent; and they prophesied in the camp.
Num 11:27 A young man ran, and told Moses, and said, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp!"
Num 11:28 Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his chosen men, answered, "My lord Moses, forbid them!"
Num 11:29 Moses said to him, "Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all Yahweh's people were prophets, that Yahweh would put his Spirit on them!"
Num 11:30 Moses went into the camp, he and the elders of Israel.
Num 11:31 A wind from Yahweh went out and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, about a day's journey on this side, and a day's journey on the other side, around the camp, and about two cubits above the surface of the earth.
Num 11:32 The people rose up all that day, and all the night, and all the next day, and gathered the quails. He who gathered least gathered ten homers; and they spread them all abroad for themselves around the camp.
Num 11:33 While the flesh was yet between their teeth, before it was chewed, the anger of Yahweh was kindled against the people, and Yahweh struck the people with a very great plague.
Num 11:34 The name of that place was called Kibroth Hattaavah, because there they buried the people who lusted.

World English Bible


Everyone was complaining, even Moses; so what did God do? He gave them a blessing from heaven, an abundance which was overflowing in its bounty. Yet, along with the blessing came a plague, because Yahweh was angry. So, the next time you complain about something, remember this story and be careful what you ask for; you just might get it and then some.

The path to unemployment

Perhaps this man should have read his job description BEFORE he started working. I think he also needs to work on his people skill, don't you? Sometimes workers just don't do what they were hired for and then its time to guide them down the path to unemployment. But what do you do with a person who does something good for you when he is supposed to be doing something bad. Confused? Well it will be cleared up by reading these passages from the book of Numbers.

Num 23:1 Balaam said to Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bulls and seven rams.
Num 23:2 Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bull and a ram.
Num 23:3 Balaam said to Balak, Stand by your burnt offering, and I will go: perhaps Yahweh will come to meet me; and whatever he shows me I will tell you. He went to a bare height.
Num 23:4 God met Balaam: and he said to him, I have prepared the seven altars, and I have offered up a bull and a ram on every altar.
Num 23:5 Yahweh put a word in Balaam's mouth, and said, Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak.
Num 23:6 He returned to him, and behold, he was standing by his burnt offering, he, and all the princes of Moab.
Num 23:7 He took up his parable, and said, From Aram has Balak brought me, The king of Moab from the mountains of the East: Come, curse me Jacob, Come, defy Israel.
Num 23:8 How shall I curse, whom God has not cursed? How shall I defy, whom Yahweh has not defied?
Num 23:9 For from the top of the rocks I see him, From the hills I see him: behold, it is a people that dwells alone, And shall not be reckoned among the nations.
Num 23:10 Who can count the dust of Jacob, Or number the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, Let my last end be like his!
Num 23:11 Balak said to Balaam, What have you done to me? I took you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have blessed them altogether.

and

Num 24:10 Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, I called you to curse my enemies, and, behold, you have altogether blessed them these three times.
Num 24:11 Therefore now flee you to your place: I thought to promote you to great honor; but, behold, Yahweh has kept you back from honor.
Num 24:12 Balaam said to Balak, Didn't I also tell your messengers who you sent to me, saying,
Num 24:13 If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I can't go beyond the word of Yahweh, to do either good or bad of my own mind; what Yahweh speaks, that will I speak?

World English Bible

Balak wanted Balaam to curse Israel; instead he listened to Yahweh and blessed Israel three times! The problem wasn't with Balaam the prophet, it was with Balak who "hired" him. The moral of the story is that only God controls the "safety" of those whom he loves and any attempt to thwart HIS WILL IS LIKE COMMITTING SUICIDE! Besides, there are worse things than being unemployed..... bang!

What's up ahead

This picture reminds me of upstate New York in autumn, when the fog can get soooo thick you MUST slow way down just so you don't get into an accident. Why? Because you do not know what's up ahead, that's why! But what if you knew and what if you knew it very, very bad for you.... would you still go? Jesus was faced with this problem and his response was....

Luk 22:14 When the hour had come, he sat down with the twelve apostles.
Luk 22:15 He said to them, "I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer,
Luk 22:16 for I tell you, I will no longer by any means eat of it until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God."
Luk 22:17 He received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, "Take this, and share it among yourselves,
Luk 22:18 for I tell you, I will not drink at all again from the fruit of the vine, until the Kingdom of God comes."
Luk 22:19 He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave to them, saying, "This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me."
Luk 22:20 Likewise, he took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

World English Bible

Jesus knew what was in store for him and went forward anyway, giving himself for me. Sobering thought! My road up ahead is unknown, but I what I do know is that I have a promise
from Jesus (a covenant, really) that I will be with him again. Does it really matter what the future holds...? The answer is no, as long as I have the hope of seeing Jesus at the end of it.

It is true

There was a time when I would have thought this cartoon was funny; but not now. Every day on the news we see the financial problems around us and for those without faith this must be a terrifying time. In the early 80's I found myself in a very difficult employment/financial situation. The unemployment in the Johnstown/Gloversville area was somewhere around 30 percent. I looked for work every day and the situation seemed hopeless. During the first week of 1981 I was looking for work during a blizzard and actually found a job. I had no experience and frankly I told the man that all I could do was to try to do it and he hired me anyway! Why? I asked him. He said that anyone crazy enough to look for work with 16 inches of snow was someone he wanted to work for HIM. I knew God cared for me, but the following passage from the book of Psalms reminded me once again.

Psa 20:1 May Yahweh answer you in the day of trouble. May the name of the God of Jacob set you up on high,
Psa 20:2 send you help from the sanctuary, grant you support from Zion,
Psa 20:3 remember all your offerings, and accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah.
Psa 20:4 May He grant you your heart's desire, and fulfill all your counsel.
Psa 20:5 We will triumph in your salvation. In the name of our God, we will set up our banners. May Yahweh grant all your requests.
Psa 20:6 Now I know that Yahweh saves his anointed. He will answer him from his holy heaven, with the saving strength of his right hand.
Psa 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust the name of Yahweh our God.
Psa 20:8 They are bowed down and fallen, but we rise up, and stand upright.
Psa 20:9 Save, Yahweh! Let the King answer us when we call!

World English Bible

I don't know everyone who reads this blog, but those who have known me for a long time have heard this story before; it is true! If we trust in God and do what is right, God will make a way for us to get through any situation, even the ones that seem impossible. Also, it helps to be willing to do anything and everything God puts before you!

A cave encounter

In the last of the J.J.R Tolkien movies there is a scene where the hobbit is alone in a cave and what a scary cave it was! Shortly a very menacing spider arrives and you can imagine how I was feeling about that time. But, not all caves are frightening and in fact good things can happen in them. Our remote ancestors lived and thrived in them and I can only guess at all the things that have happened in them. There is a tale of a cave encounter in the book of first Samuel; it is a long passage, but well worth reading.

1Sa 24:1 It happened, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of En Gedi.
1Sa 24:2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men on the rocks of the wild goats.
1Sa 24:3 He came to the sheep pens by the way, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were abiding in the innermost parts of the cave.
1Sa 24:4 The men of David said to him, Behold, the day of which Yahweh said to you, Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe secretly.
1Sa 24:5 It happened afterward, that David's heart struck him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.
1Sa 24:6 He said to his men, Yahweh forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, Yahweh's anointed, to put forth my hand against him, seeing he is Yahweh's anointed.
1Sa 24:7 So David checked his men with these words, and didn't allow them to rise against Saul. Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.
1Sa 24:8 David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. When Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth, and did obeisance.
1Sa 24:9 David said to Saul, Why do you listen to men's words, saying, Behold, David seeks your hurt?
1Sa 24:10 Behold, this day your eyes have seen how that Yahweh had delivered you today into my hand in the cave: and some urged me to kill you; but I spared you; and I said, I will not put forth my hand against my lord; for he is Yahweh's anointed.
1Sa 24:11 Moreover, my father, behold, yes, see the skirt of your robe in my hand; for in that I cut off the skirt of your robe, and didn't kill you, know and see that there is neither evil nor disobedience in my hand, and I have not sinned against you, though you hunt for my life to take it.
1Sa 24:12 May Yahweh judge between me and you, and may Yahweh avenge me of you; but my hand shall not be on you.
1Sa 24:13 As the proverb of the ancients says, Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness; but my hand shall not be on you.
1Sa 24:14 Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A flea?
1Sa 24:15 May Yahweh therefore be judge, and give sentence between me and you, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of your hand.
1Sa 24:16 It came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, Is this your voice, my son David? Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.
1Sa 24:17 He said to David, You are more righteous than I; for you have done good to me, whereas I have done evil to you.
1Sa 24:18 You have declared this day how you have dealt well with me, because when Yahweh had delivered me up into your hand, you didn't kill me.
1Sa 24:19 For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away unharmed? Therefore may Yahweh reward you good for that which you have done to me this day.
1Sa 24:20 Now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand.
1Sa 24:21 Swear now therefore to me by Yahweh, that you will not cut off my seed after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father's house.
1Sa 24:22 David swore to Saul. Saul went home; but David and his men got them up to the stronghold.

World English Bible

David showed both respect for God and mercy to his enemy in that cave. He showed his heart to Saul and was blessed and delivered out of danger that day. Good deeds can come to light even in the darkest, most dangerous places. God knows how to take care of those who love him, so do right and let God run things. However, remember that even David and his men went up to their stronghold after the encounter with the king. Be careful out there!

No fairy tale

Yes, this is an actual house. No, I don't have any idea where it is located; but it is real nonetheless. It is possible to live happily ever after and fairy tales can come true. True happiness means being at one with the creator and that leads to happiness now and happiness ever after. What I love about the Christian religion is that it is historical; Israel really existed, Jesus actually lived and the Bible is HIS-tory. These truths are historically undeniable!! Read the testimony in the book of second Peter.


2Pe 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:
2Pe 1:2 Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,
2Pe 1:3 seeing that his divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue;
2Pe 1:4 by which he has granted to us his precious and exceedingly great promises; that through these you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust.
2Pe 1:5 Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge;
2Pe 1:6 and in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control patience; and in patience godliness;
2Pe 1:7 and in godliness brotherly affection; and in brotherly affection, love.
2Pe 1:8 For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful to the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Pe 1:9 For he who lacks these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins.
2Pe 1:10 Therefore, brothers, be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.
2Pe 1:11 For thus you will be richly supplied with the entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
2Pe 1:12 Therefore I will not be negligent to remind you of these things, though you know them, and are established in the present truth.
2Pe 1:13 I think it right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you;
2Pe 1:14 knowing that the putting off of my tent comes swiftly, even as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.
2Pe 1:15 Yes, I will make every effort that you may always be able to remember these things even after my departure.
2Pe 1:16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
2Pe 1:17 For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
2Pe 1:18 We heard this voice come out of heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.

World English Bible


Life is not empty if God is there; it is complete! There are those who will say that I have pie-in-the sky faith, but since the life of Jesus is more documented than that of any other human being than ever lived, I can't help but marvel at disbelief! There is an old song that has a line something like this: fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you, if you're young at heart. What is that like? It begins by being honest enough to put aside all the propaganda the world will try to stuff down your throat and investigate the truth for yourself. When I did this, it changed both my attitude and my life and believe you me that is no fairy tale; it is the truth and I will gladly testify to it.

This little light

Just an ordinary little candle but it caught my attention. The candle looks plain enough but look at the light surrounding it! The beauty of its symmetry is outstanding! Something does not have to be big to be beautiful. Listen to the words of Jesus:

Mat 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can't be hidden.
Mat 5:15 Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house.
Mat 5:16 Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

World English Bible

I remember the song I have heard in church many, many times: This little light of mine. Targeted toward the very young, it teaches that the light from God (our faith and its practice) should be shared with others. What a lesson! This means I don't have to be a super anything, just a person who is trying to follow God and help others do the same. If God is in you, it doesn't matter who you are, your light will be beautiful because God is. Children accept this concept easily; its too bad adults have a hard time with it. LORD, help us all to be more like little children!