Fit for the job

Talk about having a "bad day"! Can you imagine the embarrassment of the "rescuers"? And they should be ashamed. They screwed up; someone just didn't think out what they really needed to do the job correctly. These pictures reminded me of a similar situation from the book of Acts.


Acts 19:11-20
11 God worked special miracles by the hands of Paul,
12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his body to the sick, and the evil spirits went out.
13 But some of the itinerant Jews, exorcists, took on themselves to invoke over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, "We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches."
14 There were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did this.
15 The evil spirit answered, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?"
16 The man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
17 This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived at Ephesus. Fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
18 Many also of those who had believed came, confessing, and declaring their deeds.
19 Many of those who practiced magical arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. They counted the price of them, and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver.20 So the word of the Lord was growing and becoming mighty. WEB



There is only one God and those who aren't empowered by him to do miracles would have been better off not even showing up. Its amazing to me though, that God could even use their failure to glorify his name. Now I guess the only question that remains is: Who are they going to call to haul in both dunked Riggs?

Clouds, sundials and faith

Please don't ask what causes these "Morning glory" clouds; I haven't a clue. But they do exist on the coast of Australia. Sometimes nature will surprise you, but what if the truly impossible happened? Just such a thing is recorded in the book of Isaiah.



Isa 38:4-8
4 Then the word of Yahweh came to Isaiah, saying,
5 "Go, and tell Hezekiah, 'Thus says Yahweh, the God of David your father, "I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life.
6 I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city.
7 This shall be the sign to you from Yahweh, that Yahweh will do this thing that he has spoken.
8 Behold, I will cause the shadow on the sundial, which has gone down on the sundial of Ahaz with the sun, to return backward ten steps. So the sun returned ten steps on the sundial on which it had gone down."'"WEB



The sun moved backwards; impossible, right? Well, God says it happened and that is good enough for me. Naive? Perhaps, but until today I wouldn't have believed clouds could look like those in the above picture. The truth is we humans don't know everything;the world is a strange place. Maybe tomorrow God will show me another something "new"? And with that revelation I just might gain just a smidgen more of faith.

Balancing act

I should think the odds of this stack occurring naturally is very high! Perhaps this bird will be able to stay there, maybe not, but who knows? When Linda and I were wed, our families gave us 6 months at the most before we split up; and yet several decades have gone by and we are still looking forward to another 6 months. Sometimes, the seemingly impossible comes true, just like the situation of the Jews when they returned from exile to build the temple. Nehemiah says...


Neh 4:1-6 But it happened that when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.
2 He spoke before his brothers and the army of Samaria, and said, What are these feeble Jews doing? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, seeing they are burned?
3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they are building, if a fox go up, he shall break down their stone wall.
4 Hear, our God; for we are despised: and turn back their reproach on their own head, and give them up for a spoil in a land of captivity;
5 and don't cover their iniquity, and don't let their sin be blotted out from before you; for they have provoked you to anger before the builders.
6 So we built the wall; and all the wall was joined together to half the height of it: for the people had a mind to work. WEB



The wall just didn't happen, there had to be plenty of faith and hard work. Sure there were obstacles both physical and psychological, but so what, life is full of them. Faith combined with hard work quite often yields success. And who knows, perhaps the stones in the above picture will still look like that in 6 months, but I think a little superglue would help!

A long way up

Its the CNN tower and its BIG! More than that, this picture makes me realize how far it is to the top! Being a Christian seems like climbing this tower to me. You start at the ground floor at your conversion and over time learn to forget your "old" life. Problems happen, its like that for everyone and they just have to be put behind you. Over the span of life you may feel you have accomplished a little or a lot, but its not what you have done to get to heaven, its the RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS that is important. Reality sets in a no matter how "good" you are, in and of yourself, YOU don't measure up. God makes up the difference through Jesus and you just need to keep looking up and persevere. I love this passage from the book of Philippians because it seems to transform the mundane into a life of poetry for me.

Phil 3:1-14 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not tiresome, but for you it is safe.
2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision.
3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh;
4 though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he has confidence in the flesh, I yet more:
5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;
6 concerning zeal, persecuting the assembly; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.
7 However, what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ.
8 Yes most assuredly, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ
9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;
10 that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death;
11 if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, if it is so that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.
13 Brothers, I don't regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do. Forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before,
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. WEB

Many years ago I worked as a guard for a company in upstate New York. After about 8 PM or so, there were very few people left in the plant and after 10 PM I was all alone. But strangely, I never felt alone, even when there was tons of ice and snow outside and I knew that if I fell punching that key clock on one of the outside buildings it could be disastrous; still I kept doing my rounds. I really don't remember being afraid at all; I just kept on doing my thing. God was with me and that's all that mattered. Even when the company was broken into (on my day off) I still continued working as before. Living with Jesus is like that; you just keep going and God takes care of the rest. It may be a long way up to heaven, but the company is great!

Fireproof

Whoever is doing this is just a little "crazy"! Why would someone do this in the first place? For money, a bet or some other "reason". The only one I can think of is that he is running for his life. But, people do the strangest things for equally strange reasons. When the topic of religion is brought up, well, strange becomes normal and normal is out there. Why would someone base their hope of heaven on a mere mortal or follow some brilliant teacher instead of going to the source, Jesus HIMSELF. The Corinthian Christians were all mixed up and the apostle Paul was trying to solve their problems in his letters, but it wasn't easy. Read this short passage from 1st Corinthians and reflect on it a bit.

1 Cor 3:1-15
3 Brothers, I couldn't speak to you as to spiritual, but as to fleshly, as to babies in Christ.
2 I fed you with milk, not with meat; for you weren't yet ready. Indeed, not even now are you ready,
3 for you are still fleshly. For insofar as there is jealousy, strife, and factions among you, aren't you fleshly, and don't you walk in the ways of men?
4 For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," aren't you fleshly?
5 Who then is Apollos, and who is Paul, but servants through whom you believed; and each as the Lord gave to him?
6 I planted. Apollos watered. But God gave the increase.
7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.
8 Now he who plants and he who waters are the same, but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
9 For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's farming, God's building.
10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another builds on it. But let each man be careful how he builds on it.
11 For no one can lay any other foundation than that which has been laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 But if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or stubble;
13 each man's work will be revealed. For the Day will declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself will test what sort of work each man's work is.
14 If any man's work remains which he built on it, he will receive a reward.
15 If any man's work is burned, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, but as through fire. WEB

If God builds the church it stands, otherwise, in the last day it will be destroyed. Men are fallible, God is not. If the church passes the example found in the New Testament, it will retained; if not, destroyed. Having said this, focus for a minute on verse 15. God is merciful and will bring the saved through the fire, but with difficulty. Its worth asking yourself the question: "What am I basing my religious beliefs and practices on?" Hopefully, you will think about it and then go the the Bible to check the foundation; make it fireproof!

Quick or slow

Death comes to us all; some more quickly than others. Its easy to understand that if you shoot yourself you WILL DIE, but not quite so obvious if you smoke. To be fair, some poeple who smoke live a long, long time, but I don't think that is the general rule. I know how hard it is to quit smoking and what happens when you quit. I was recently reminded of that during my recent recuperation from neck surgery. For about 6 weeks I was on oxycotin and when I realized I really needed to stop taking it, I found out what a pain addiction withdrawl was. Sin is like both smoking and prescription drugs. Its easy to see the big things like murder or rape and not so obvious in matters of "small" things, like bringing home a pen from work or telling a "white lie". Sin is what it is and with all the power in you... avoid it at all costs. Somehow this passage from John seemed to "fit".



John 5:9-14
9 Immediately, the man was made well, and took up his mat and walked. Now it was the Sabbath on that day.
10 So the Jews said to him who was cured, "It is the Sabbath. It is not lawful for you to carry the mat."
11 He answered them, "He who made me well, the same said to me, 'Take up your mat, and walk.'"
12 Then they asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, 'Take up your mat, and walk'?"
13 But he who was healed didn't know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a crowd being in the place.
14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "Behold, you are made well. Sin no more, so that nothing worse happens to you." WEB



Ok, I didn't include the beginning of the passage when it mentioned the length of his sickness, but it was 38 years. If you have ever been sick for more than a few months, you know that something inside you changes as you continue in your sickness. Obviously, he had sinned because Jesus told him to sin no more. Face it; we all fall short of the mark, but we can and MUST do everything we are able to do to resist evil. Just like the anti-smoking ad above, tolerated sin will kill you. Take your pick, quick or slow?

Walk on water

When I saw this picture today, I thought of a manager I know who frankly is one great boss; but sadly I am forced to admit that not even HE IS PERFECT. Often, when we talk of some one's perfection we say that they could "walk on water". But, so far as I know there has only been one man who filled the bill (and, yes this picture is probably photo-shopped). Consider these two passages from the book of Matthew.

Matt 8:23-27
23 When he got into a boat, his disciples followed him.
24 Behold, a great tempest arose in the sea, so much that the boat was covered with the waves, but he was asleep.
25 They came to him, and woke him up, saying, "Save us, Lord! We are dying!"
26 He said to them, "Why are you fearful, oh you of little faith?" Then he got up, rebuked the wind and the sea, and there was a great calm.
27 The men marveled, saying, "What kind of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"WEB

and

Matt 14:22-33
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat, and to go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.23 After he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain by himself to pray. When evening had come, he was there alone.24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, distressed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.25 In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea.26 When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It's a ghost!" and they cried out for fear.27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying "Cheer up! I AM! Don't be afraid."28 Peter answered him and said, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters."29 He said, "Come!" Peter stepped down from the boat, and walked on the waters to come to Jesus.30 But when he saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"31 Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"32 When they got up into the boat, the wind ceased.33 Those who were in the boat came and worshiped him, saying, "You are truly the Son of God!"WEB

Jesus had this power over the elements that makes even a skeptic wonder. Imagine having the power to control nature and do the impossible. How would YOU use it? Some might show off to impress people, but Jesus uses his to help people. No pride here, just love and concern. Reason enough for most of us to want to investigate more about him. The thing is: The more you know about him, the more there is to know and with each bit of information comes another testimony about the only perfect man who ever lived. And the only one who was perfect enough to "walk on water".

A change is coming

Change. Over the past year or so we have heard that word, again and again. But for us all change is about to occur. Soon, in the Northern states the weather will have a chill to it and the leaves will begin to look like this picture. Change can be either good or bad, but in the case of the coming of Autumn, it is decidedly good. There is something wonderful about the yellow and Gold of this time of year that is way beyond pleasant. Even in Florida, where temperatures reach 90 for half of the year, it begins to cool off in October. In ancient Israel, Jeremiah foretold of coming change, a change that dwarfs a mere change of season.

Jer 31:28-34
28 It shall happen that, like as I have watched over them to pluck up and to break down and to overthrow and to destroy and to afflict, so will I watch over them to build and to plant, says Yahweh.
29 In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge.
30 But everyone shall die for his own iniquity: every man who eats the sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge.
31 Behold, the days come, says Yahweh, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they broke, although I was a husband to them, says Yahweh.
33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says Yahweh: I will put my law in their inward parts, and in their heart will I write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people:
34 and they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know Yahweh; for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says Yahweh: for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin will I remember no more. WEB

Jeremiah spoke of what God would do in his relationship with Israel; change from a rule based relationship to a heart based one. Grace was to reign instead of Law; justice was now to be tempered with mercy. Relationship now superseded regulation; and THAT MEANT A FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE IN STATUS! Instead of being treated like children, Israel was to given the blessing of adulthood. A change is coming and has come, and, as you watch the leaves change, think about how God has richly blessed us. Autumn is going to be a wonderful time in Florida, even if the leaves don't change.

Something good, something better

Yesterday was an interesting day, 9-9-9. Most cultures consider this number a "lucky" one, but a few hold the exact opposite view. Whatever your view, whether it be good, bad or just plain INDIFFERENT, one fact remains; the day is past. You can not change it, no matter how much you might want to. Thinking about tomorrow is in about the same category; FORGET ABOUT IT! I like this verse from the book of Proverbs.

Prov 27:1 Don't boast about tomorrow; For you don't know what a day may bring forth. WEB

The safest way to live is in the eternal "now"; tomorrow is unknown and yesterday is gone. If God is (was) your companion, then both extremes are unimportant because you are not alone. Enjoy life as you find it. I included this beautiful sunset to remind me that in every day there is something good and in every tomorrow there is the possibility of something better.

Beyond looking up

I can't remember seeing a "reflection" picture from this angle, but it made an impression on me, nonetheless. Somehow looking up to "look up" is a strange concept to me. Its like the clouds are actually part of the building instead of outside it. Both seem to morph the building into a heavenly edifice. And the longer I look at it, the stranger it seems. Seeing Jesus must have been something like this picture; you can see him, yet, there is something more there, something you quite can't put your finger on, something special. Even unbelievers could understand (after awhile) and react. Check out this passage from John chapter 10 to see the light of it.

John 10:24-31
24 The Jews therefore came around him and said to him, "How long will you hold us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."
25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you don't believe. The works that I do in my Father's name, these testify about me.
26 But you don't believe, because you are not of my sheep, as I told you.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
28 I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of my Father's hand.
30 I and the Father are one."
31 Therefore Jews took up stones again to stone him. WEB

The Jews wanted to stone Jesus because they understood (at last) that Jesus was God, not just a representative of God. One not only in substance and character and power, but a physical Earthly display of Godhood! In order to see him for what he really was they needed to look up beyond their own narrow understandings and see the truth. And what they finally understood was too much for them and they became violent because of their hardness of heart. Looking up to look up higher does take a bit of faith, but to look up and see beyond reflections, well, that is the stuff of heaven.