Hello, are you listening?

When you have you mind made up about something, does it take something as powerful as a bolt of lightning to get you to change? I don't mean something trivial like what shoes you want to wear today (although for some of us this may seem very important). Instead, something foundational like your commitment to your spouse, your country or God? Saul of Tarsus had the belief he was absolutely right and did something about it; he was a zealot for the Jewish religion. God however, had other plans for him. I really like the story of God's intervention in Saul's (later Paul's) life because God knew his heart and didn't reject him even though Saul was doing something wrong.

The Bible says: "
Act 9:1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
Act 9:2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
Act 9:3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.
Act 9:4 And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"
Act 9:5 And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
Act 9:6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do."

This passage is quite dramatic, but think of God's intervention with Elijah where he spoke to him in a still small voice. Hummm, perhaps God knows you well enough to do whatever it takes to get your attention, whether it be large or small. Look around, God is speaking to us every day, in little things as well as the grand. The question is: Are we listening?

What now?

Please listen to the lesson "What do we do after the election?". It is on the Westside church podcast list on the right (down a page). I wish I had said this!

Bamm

Imagine what it would be like to be on the edge of the wave, gliding along by its mighty power. Then, you make a little mistake and BAMM, you wipeout. The wave hits you like a ton of bricks. I can only wonder what that might feel like? But, in 1973 something powerful did hit me and it was this Bible verse: "'And Jesus having earnestly beheld, said to them, "`With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.`"YLT I realized that my unregenerate life could change and that with God ANYTHING WAS POSSIBLE!!! Oh, I thought of myself as a pretty nice guy because I had two lists; one of the good things I did and another of the bad things I didn't do, but still there were some notable problems that I couldn't seem to get over (I still used some bad language when I became angry). Yet, this verse held the possibility that I could overcome my failures and with God's help, be all that I could be. This concept of growth is as true today as it was then and the power and excitement of the Almighty still amazes me. I encourage you to reflect on the meaning of this verse in your life and you never know, you just find that power and BAMM!

If

When I saw this picture, it just seemed to say "you talkin' to me"? Its amazing to me that people seem to remind me of animals and the other way round. I think this one probably came from a major city like NYC. It seems to have an "attitude" which says I will do what I want, when I want and who do you think you are for even bothering me? At this point you might be saying to yourself, "I'm glad I am not that way" but wait, perhaps it could be that maybe I am "just a little bit". Take a minute and look at the picture, notice that this Bison "with an attitude" has a lot of hair covering its eyes and maybe it can't even see the road its on. Now is a good time to think of the words of Jesus "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." Webster Bible Jn. 13:35 Many years ago, a beloved brother loved me enough to challenge my attitude and after awhile I saw that he was RIGHT. And IF I can realize something like that, perhaps others can as well.

Wisdom

The Bible says: "Prov 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous. "

In high school I remember those who managed to score a 1000 or more on the SAT's and thought they were "smart". Unfortunately, some of those same people failed at life. Either they couldn't make it in the workplace or their marriages fell apart. Don't misunderstand, many of the "smart" ones did do well, but shouldn't all of them have succeeded in every aspect of their life?

Part of the problem is that we live in a society where financial gain and the accumulation of possessions is considered paramount. Many people who do not know God seem to be successful, but without God in their lives that success is but an illusion. Success is more than just getting "things" and being "happy" it is in living a life guided by the maker of the universe. Without HIM our efforts will eventually turn to dust. Be wise, seek God; it is the smart thing to do.

Changing waters

Remind you of something? For me, its a little like being in the Newcomb area of upstate New York. There is something very, very, calming about a waterfall. Perhaps its the contrast between the deep waters at the base and the torrent above, I really don't know. One thing is for sure, life is like a waterfall, sometime its quiet and sometime not. If The God of heaven is with you, it really does not matter whether the waters are churning about you, because you are NOT helpless and alone, He will help if you just ask... so ask already!

Boom

When I was growing up, this picture probably meant either we were having another bomb test or someone was predicting total disaster like the movie "Dr. Strangelove". Today, I had an interesting conversation with some gentlemen in a local eatery and the consensus was this would be caused by some radical extremist. Whatever the cause might be, one thing is certain, if this were for real, it would be a fearful thing indeed. For those who follow Jesus, it just might mean the end of one life and the continuation of the current spiritual one. I think the following picture says it all!

Brush Strokes on Palm Leaves

Mark Copeland listed this picture in his Plaxo album and I was immeadiately struck by the imagery. Clouds have always been a favorite thing of mine, because they allow the imagination to "run wild." For me, this is just another signpost in the sky that tells me that God is at work. The one catch is: I just have to look. It seems to me that the act of looking eventually becomes the "stuff" of faith, for it is hard NOT to see God at work if you just look up long enough. Just believe your eyes, the truth is there. Psalm 19:1 says: "To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth the work of his hands."

I love you, Shilah

This is a very nice picture of my Grandson, Alex Donlon with his Aunt's dog Shilah. So good that I thought it was a professional photograph at first. The picture reminded me of the passage in Corinthians "When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things." Love is the greatest goal we can have and hopefully will never fade away, just become more beautiful with the passing years.

Heart of my Heart

The Bible says:


Psalm 139:24

Search me O God and know my heart: try me and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.

Now that's a great attitude! But I wonder, do we know ourselves as well as we think we do? Isn't it possible that no matter how great our mindset is, we just might have a problem we don't realize? Consider Job. There was a perfect and upright man, but he had just one (or perhaps more that we don't know about) flaw... He was just a bit too confident in his own perfectness. He had forgotten that the heart of being righteous was having a humble relationship with God Almighty. When God confronted him, he understood and changed his Attitude. There is an example! No one can be perfect, but we CAN have a correct relationship with God through HIS SON JESUS. If we listen to the Heart of God put on Earth for us, then we will be led to the way of everlasting. Just as the mother above is close to her baby, so will we be when we seek THE SON OF GOD.