Santa Baby

There has always been something about this song that has fascinated me. Perhaps it is something in the WAY that the late Ertha Kitt sang it or maybe the message of the song, I am not really sure. But it strikes a nerve, nonetheless. I hear it a lot around Christmas time and so it is probably the mercenary aspect of it that is set against the season of giving that makes it stand out. The other day my wife was watching the Susie (Ornan??) financial show and as I looked up from the book I was engrossed in, I heard Susie say: "People first, money second and things last of all". Then I made an association with this passage and I hope you see the connection as well.

1 Tim 6:1-11
6 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.
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.
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,
4 he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions,
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.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can't carry anything out.
8 But having food and clothing, we will be content with that.
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.
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.
11 But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.WEB

This society places a high value on the accumulation of things and money could be just another "thing". We are constantly being bombarded with sales pitches on the TV and telephone. Everyone has an angle and frankly its hard to know who to trust when you need to buy something really important. I learned the truth about "Santa" when I was about eight years old, so forget about the wish list. Besides, if I got that Red Rider BB gun I might have put someones eye out. But, I won't dwell on that, instead I will try to just understand verse 11 and then I just might know enough what to ask GOD for.

Fearless

Fearless, absolutely fearless. That's the way I would describe this little girl. For her to be able to look the animal in the eye and shout at it, is something I would expect of a much older person. Then again, who knows how brave a person can be until a time of testing occurs. Think about that as you read this passage from the book of Daniel.

Dan 3:8-18
8 Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and brought accusation against the Jews.9 They answered Nebuchadnezzar the king, O king, live for ever.10 You, O king, have made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image;11 and whoever doesn't fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.12 There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded you: they don't serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up.13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.14 Nebuchadnezzar answered them, Is it on purpose, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you don't serve my god, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?15 Now if you are ready whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music to fall down and worship the image which I have made, well: but if you don't worship, you shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that god that shall deliver you out of my hands?16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up.WEB

The king offered them a choice: submit or suffer a horrible death. They chose to trust God and only do his wishes. God delivered them out of the fire, but the important thing to remember is that they were willing to die; willing to suffer even an awful death. They, and the girl in the picture were fearless and an example to all of us. And by the way, animal breath can be pretty bad, because have you ever seen some things animals will eat?

Reflect on this

As soon as I saw this picture it immediately had an impact on me. Not only is the mountain in the background beautiful, but its reflection in the lake is magnificent. The sereneness of the whole scene just makes you think its time for a vacation. Why? Because it seems as if the whole world is just as it is supposed to be and isn't that what we all want and want to be a part of. It made me think of this Bible passage and how wonderful it would be if we (and I do mean myself here) just listened to the Apostle Paul.

Philippians 4:1-9
Php 4:1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
Php 4:2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.
Php 4:3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Php 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
Php 4:5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;
Php 4:6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Php 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Php 4:9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
English Standard Version


Christians are supposed to be like Christ. It really begins by putting aside Earthly problems and focusing in on the fundamentals of Christianity and of course that means Christ. It involves our thinking and our practical application (verses 8 and 9) and is motivated by love (verse 1). Just like the reflection in the water really shows what the mountain is like, so we need to reveal our spiritual father. This is Paul's point and he could make it well because he lived it; Do we? Reflect on this and grow in grace and truth.

A little disgusting

I remember Dr. Wey taking our lab to an authentic Chinese restaurant. There were many things there that I could recognize as "normal" food such as chicken feet and marinated eye balls, but some things were beyond my description. When I asked what they were, I was told that I didn't really want to know and truthfully I am glad no one told me; I don't think I could have handled it. Needless to say, some of the foods were disgusting to me, just like this "meal" in the video. The Jews had a lot of regulations about food and the following passage will show how Jesus handled the problem.

Mark 7:14-23
14 He called all the multitude to himself, and said to them, "Hear me, all of you, and understand.
15 There is nothing from outside of the man, that going into him can defile him; but the things which proceed out of the man are those that defile the man.
16 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!"
17 When he had entered into a house away from the multitude, his disciples asked him about the parable.
18 He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also? Don't you perceive that whatever goes into the man from outside can't defile him,
19 because it doesn't go into his heart, but into his stomach, then into the latrine, thus making all foods clean?"
20 He said, "That which proceeds out of the man, that defiles the man.
21 For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts,
22 covetings, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness.
23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."WEB

He went beyond the problem of the food; right to the very nature of man's being; the human heart. If I was desperate enough, I suppose I would eat this spider, but its the inside of me that is really the important thing. So, the next time you eat something that seems a little disgusting remember that God wants everything to be clean, including YOU!

Gone with the Wind

When I saw this, the first thought that came to my mind was the movie "Gone with the wind".
To me the movie has always been about overpowering change; change so great that you just have to sit back in amazement and watch it. So it was in the movie at the burning of Atlanta. But, I wonder, will we ever see change like that? When hearing the following words of Jesus, people must have wondered too. Consider the following passage from Luke and THINK!

Luk 21:5 As some were talking about the temple and how it was decorated with beautiful stones and gifts, he said,
Luk 21:6 "As for these things which you see, the days will come, in which there will not be left here one stone on another that will not be thrown down."
Luk 21:7 They asked him, "Teacher, so when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are about to happen?"
Luk 21:8 He said, "Watch out that you don't get led astray, for many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is at hand.' Therefore don't follow them.
Luk 21:9 When you hear of wars and disturbances, don't be terrified, for these things must happen first, but the end won't come immediately."
Luk 21:10 Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
Luk 21:11 There will be great earthquakes, famines, and plagues in various places. There will be terrors and great signs from heaven.
Luk 21:12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name's sake.
Luk 21:13 It will turn out as a testimony for you.
Luk 21:14 Settle it therefore in your hearts not to meditate beforehand how to answer,
Luk 21:15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to withstand or to contradict.
Luk 21:16 You will be handed over even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. They will cause some of you to be put to death.
Luk 21:17 You will be hated by all men for my name's sake.
Luk 21:18 And not a hair of your head will perish.
Luk 21:19 "By your endurance you will win your lives.
Luk 21:20 "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand.
Luk 21:21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let those who are in the midst of her depart. Let those who are in the country not enter therein.
Luk 21:22 For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
Luk 21:23 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who nurse infants in those days! For there will be great distress in the land, and wrath to this people.
Luk 21:24 They will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Luk 21:25 There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars; and on the earth anxiety of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the waves;
Luk 21:26 men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world: for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
Luk 21:27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Luk 21:28 But when these things begin to happen, look up, and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near."

I have always believed in the duality of prophecy; that is, that what is written in the Scriptures is first and primarily meant for the audience and secondly for those not directly in it. So, when I read this passage, I see what happened to Jerusalem in 70 AD, but also also myself, "Is change coming now"? Look at the current world situation and be a little concerned, because with the great power for destruction out there anything can happen! This week I had pain so intense, so overpowering that for several days nothing else in the world seemed to matter. When I finally was discharged from the hospital, things just seemed different and I knew that my world had been changed once again. Enjoy each and every single day on this Earth, because you never really know what tomorrow will bring; only live with the knowledge that God is the only one who will be your redemption!

Perfect peace

This blossoming tree reminds me of the movie "The last Samurai". Towards the end of the movie the dying renegade warlord sees a perfect blossom and experiences a moment of perfect peace. How many people long for just such a moment? How many will ever find it? If they do, is it genuine or just imagined? Consider that the things in this world are a creation; ordained by a greater intelligence than our own; therefore to look for truth we must seek something greater than the physical and that would entail spirituality. Jesus was about to die and he knew it. He tells his disciples about his peace in the following passage from the book of John.

Joh 14:22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, what has happened that you are about to reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?"
Joh 14:23 Jesus answered him, "If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him.
Joh 14:24 He who doesn't love me doesn't keep my words. The word which you hear isn't mine, but the Father's who sent me.
Joh 14:25 I have said these things to you, while still living with you.
Joh 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you.
Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don't let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.
Joh 14:28 You heard how I told you, 'I go away, and I come to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I said 'I am going to my Father;' for the Father is greater than I.
Joh 14:29 Now I have told you before it happens so that, when it happens, you may believe.
Joh 14:30 I will no more speak much with you, for the prince of the world comes, and he has nothing in me.
Joh 14:31 But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father commanded me, even so I do. Arise, let us go from here.

Peace, grounded in love and faithfulness, it has its perfection in heaven with the father and empowered in this world by the Holy Spirit and seen in the life of Jesus. For his followers, it is directly tied to their faith and love in God. To have perfect peace, love God with the whole heart and follow HIM as best you can. Since God transcends time and space, so his capacity to give you perfect peace is beyond the beauty of anything of this Earth. The grass withers and the flower fades, but the word of the LORD endures forever.

Remember to slow down

Life in America is a busy life. We have work and plenty of it and deadlines that are too close for comfort. But when I look at this picture I see someone who is truly wise, wise enough to take the time to think. Sometimes when things are going well at my job, I say to myself "slow down, Gary, you will go faster". And you know, it works. God's chosen people needed to learn this lesson as this passage from the book of Isaiah illustrates.

Isa 30:15 For thus said the Lord Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel, "You will be saved in returning and rest. Your strength will be in quietness and in confidence." You refused,
Isa 30:16 but you said, "No, for we will flee on horses;" therefore you will flee; and, "We will ride on the swift;" therefore those who pursue you will be swift.
Isa 30:17 One thousand will flee at the threat of one. At the threat of five, you will flee until you are left like a beacon on the top of a mountain, and like a banner on a hill.
Isa 30:18 Therefore Yahweh will wait, that he may be gracious to you; and therefore he will be exalted, that he may have mercy on you, for Yahweh is a God of justice. Blessed are all those who wait for him.
Isa 30:19 For the people will dwell in Zion at Jerusalem. You will weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the voice of your cry. When he hears you, he will answer you.
Isa 30:20 Though the Lord may give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your teachers won't be hidden anymore, but your eyes will see your teachers;
Isa 30:21 and when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left, your ears will hear

a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way. Walk in it."

Take time and listen to God; the answers will come in due time. The Spirit led life is a patient and confident one, based on the experience of seeing God work in your life. Remember to slow down, listen to God and walk in the way HE directs you!

The wink of an eye

I have never seen a cat "wink" before; somehow it seems a little strange. Why do people wink, anyway? I like to wink at little children with one eye then the other just to play, but do we do that with adults? Sometimes we do, but more often than not it signals that we are being less than honest about something. Take this passage for example.

Psa 35:15 But in my adversity, they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together. The attackers gathered themselves together against me, and I didn't know it. They tore at me, and didn't cease.
Psa 35:16 Like the profane mockers in feasts, they gnashed their teeth at me.
Psa 35:17 Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my soul from their destruction, my precious life from the lions.
Psa 35:18 I will give you thanks in the great assembly. I will praise you among many people.
Psa 35:19 Don't let those who are my enemies wrongfully rejoice over me; neither let those who hate me without a cause wink their eyes.
Psa 35:20 For they don't speak peace, but they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land.
Psa 35:21 Yes, they opened their mouth wide against me. They said, "Aha! Aha! Our eye has seen it!"
Psa 35:22 You have seen it, Yahweh. Don't keep silent. Lord, don't be far from me.
Psa 35:23 Wake up! Rise up to defend me, my God! My Lord, contend for me!
Psa 35:24 Vindicate me, Yahweh my God, according to your righteousness. Don't let them gloat over me.

If you are doing God's will for you life expect opposition. There will always be those who will oppose you know matter how nice you are to them. In times like that, ask God for help; he will answer in ways you never thought possible; I know, because it has happened to me several times. Sometimes God takes awhile and at other times HE intervenes very quickly... almost in the wink of an eye. No foolin!

My house

This was our first house in Valley Falls, N.Y.. It had a slate roof, hardwood floors, a massive concrete basement, a detached garage, a sun room, an enclosed front porch and a dog house. I won't tell you how much I paid for it, but today you could buy the cheapest economy car on the market and have a few thousand dollars left over, but I bought it in 1970, so prices have gone up some since then. When I look at this house, I don't think of all its attributes, but rather of the good times we had there, while we were growing up with our children. You can tell a lot about a house by the people who live there; Are they happy or mean or cheap or friendly or WHATEVER? Consider what sort of house would be fit for God to dwell in and then read this passage from the book of 1st Kings.

1Ki 8:1 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the princes of the fathers' houses of the children of Israel, to king Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of Yahweh out of the city of David, which is Zion.
1Ki 8:2 All the men of Israel assembled themselves to king Solomon at the feast, in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month.
1Ki 8:3 All the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.
1Ki 8:4 They brought up the ark of Yahweh, and the Tent of Meeting, and all the holy vessels that were in the Tent; even these did the priests and the Levites bring up.
1Ki 8:5 King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who were assembled to him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and cattle, that could not be counted nor numbered for multitude.
1Ki 8:6 The priests brought in the ark of the covenant of Yahweh to its place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubim.
1Ki 8:7 For the cherubim spread forth their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim covered the ark and its poles above.
1Ki 8:8 The poles were so long that the ends of the poles were seen from the holy place before the oracle; but they were not seen outside: and there they are to this day.
1Ki 8:9 There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone which Moses put there at Horeb, when Yahweh made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.
1Ki 8:10 It came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of Yahweh,
1Ki 8:11 so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud; for the glory of Yahweh filled the house of Yahweh.

The temple was beautiful, but its really not the house, but God that is worth considering. He created the entire universe, but chose to dwell there; why, because he loved Israel. If there is love in a house, it will be beautiful no matter what it looks like. Look at your own house today, does it say LOVE and does God dwell in the hearts of those who live there? If so, cherish that love for as long as you live!!!

A little bent out of shape

Bonsai trees are an art form in themselves. Someone has spent a lot of time pruning, binding and shaping this tree to obtain this shape. Life is like that too; things good and bad happen to us throughout the years and we eventually are changed. Those who follow Jesus know the power of his life and the impact of the Scriptures in their lives. Even the bad things work to make us closer to God. When I saw this tree I thought of this passage from the book of Romans.

Rom 8:28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.
Rom 8:29 For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Rom 8:30 Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified.
Rom 8:31 What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Rom 8:32 He who didn't spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things?
Rom 8:33 Who could bring a charge against God's chosen ones? It is God who justifies.
Rom 8:34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes rather, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36 Even as it is written, "For your sake we are killed all day long. We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter."
Rom 8:37 No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
Rom 8:39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

With God anything is possible and if we remember this passage, even the "bad" things seem better because we are not alone. So, if at times your life seems a little bent out of shape, remember that it just might be that God is molding you for a better look in the future.