a heart in the sky

Flowers, candy, greeting cards with fancy poems and those fancy plush toys that gyrate and sing rock and roll are the stuff of valentine's day. The flowers make you wheeze, the candy adds just a couple more unwanted pounds and after reading that wonderful poem the love of your life sounds just a little on the slow side. Oh, yes and that singing plush toy just sang the song your old flame use to sing to you. Wonderful, just wonderful! In case you are wondering, I REALLY DO LIKE ALL THOSE THINGS! However, sometimes no matter what you do, face it, you are headed for the doghouse. Accept it and move on to the next day, already! But, wait, what is all the fuss about anyway? So, for those destined for the doghouse in a couple of days, reflect on the following verses from the book of proverbs:

Pro 31:10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
Pro 31:11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
Pro 31:12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
Pro 31:13 She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
Pro 31:14 She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.
Pro 31:15 She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.
Pro 31:16 She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
Pro 31:17 She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
Pro 31:18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.
Pro 31:19 She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
Pro 31:20 She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
Pro 31:21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
Pro 31:22 She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Pro 31:23 Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.
Pro 31:24 She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.
Pro 31:25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
Pro 31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Pro 31:27 She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Pro 31:28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
Pro 31:29 "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all."
Pro 31:30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Pro 31:31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.

English Standard Version

Talk about an impossible standard! Reminds me of that old commerical on TV where the woman talks about bringing home the bacon and frying it up in a fan. There you go, superwoman! Ha, there is no such person. Face it, we all have our faults; no one, even YOUR loved one is perfect. But, I think I am safe in saying she probably loves you and remember YOU AREN'T PERFECT EITHER! So, if you just happen to look up and see a heart in the sky, don't obsess about it, rather let it remind you that there is love out there and if God has blessed you with love you have everything you really need. But, if you say or do the wrong thing on Saturday, well, even a dog house can be nice if its properly decorated.

a heavy question

No, this isn't me with my shirt off; its Arnold Schwartsenegger (excuse my spelling). His physical appearance is awesome and I imagine his bank account is as well. Who would have guessed he would go from actor to California governor? Life is like that; you just never know what can happen next. Consider this passage from the book of Revelation:

Rev 1:4 John to the seven assemblies in Asia: Grace to you, and peace, from the One who is, and who was, and who is coming, and from the seven spirits which are before His throne;
Rev 1:5 even from Jesus Christ the Faithful Witness, the First-born out of the dead, and the Ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him loving us and washing us from our sins by His blood,
Rev 1:6 and made us kings and priests to God, even His Father. To Him is the glory and the might forever and ever. Amen.
Rev 1:7 "Behold, He comes with the clouds," and "every eye will see Him, and the ones who pierced" Him, and all the tribes of the earth "will wail on account of Him." Yes, Amen. LITV

Surprise, Jesus is more than just a "good man" or a great "teacher"; his is the LORD of all and has the power of judgement. Nobody likes to go to court and the idea of judgement is not a pleasant one to even think about, but we make decisions all the time and often quite important ones at that. Consider what Jesus has done and what he will do in the future. Now, that leads to a heavy question: What will I do about it?

Wake up!

Remember the last time you worked so hard that you fell asleep exhausted? The next day you could hardly WAKE UP and the alarm clock kept ringing and ringing and ringing. Sleep gives us what we need; relaxation for the body and refreshment for the mind, and when its good, it can be very GOOD! Death is often referred to as sleep in the Bible. Jesus had to confront death, even the death of a loved one. John chapter eleven puts it this way:


Joh 11:11 He said these things, and after that, he said to them, "Our friend, Lazarus, has fallen asleep, but I am going so that I may awake him out of sleep."
Joh 11:12 The disciples therefore said, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover."
Joh 11:13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he spoke of taking rest in sleep.
Joh 11:14 So Jesus said to them plainly then, "Lazarus is dead.


Joh 11:39 Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days."
Joh 11:40 Jesus said to her, "Didn't I tell you that if you believed, you would see God's glory?"
Joh 11:41 So they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, "Father, I thank you that you listened to me.
Joh 11:42 I know that you always listen to me, but because of the multitude that stands around I said this, that they may believe that you sent me."
Joh 11:43 When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!"
Joh 11:44 He who was dead came out, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Free him, and let him go." ESV

Lazarus was raised out of death; now that's one deep sleep indeed! His death led to living again and what a testimony he must have had. However, one day we will all "wake up" and the question before us is "do I know where I am going"? Now, WAKE UP and ask yourself what must I do to have my last wake up call one that I can look forward to?

x marks the spot

Technology rules our lives; if you have any doubt about it, just keep a (paper) log and see. If you watched TV, rode in a car or listened to the radio you used technology. And that is old style; consider cell phones, computers and GPS (global positioning devices) to name a few. All these things help you do the things you want to do on an everyday basis, but do they tell you where you are in life? This picture tells you the obvious, but it does raise a good question, namely, where are you really? What are you doing with your life? There is a verse in the book of proverbs that should cause us all to reflect on this:


Pro 16:9 A man's heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps. (WEB)


The years I spent in Northeast School of Biblical Studies were the best ones of all. During that time I remember Bill Bean singing "slip sliding away" by Simon and Garfunkle. The words come to mind often as they make me think about the futility of the things we do in life. Those who love (and are loved by) God are directed by HIM. This relationship causes us to be exactly where HE wants us to be; to be used by him. The "X" marks the spot in the picture is where God wants you to be and that's that. Stay put, God will show you where to go next; wait and see.

An angel or a devil?

What does an angel look like? I don't know; never have seen one! This man seems like one at first, but take a closer look; he just doesn't seem to foot the bill somehow. Maybe its the look on his face or his stance, but something says a BIG NO! We assume we know a lot of things in this world, but what do we really know? I could be very, very wrong and he could be Michael the archangel, but I assume he isn't, based on my ssumptions and guesses. That is just what the Sadducees did; they had their minds made up about things beyond their comprehension. How Jesus put them straight is seen in the following passage from the book of Matthew:

Mat 22:23 The same day Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection, and they asked him a question,
Mat 22:24 saying, "Teacher, Moses said, 'If a man dies having no children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up children for his brother.'
Mat 22:25 Now there were seven brothers among us. The first married and died, and having no children left his wife to his brother.
Mat 22:26 So too the second and third, down to the seventh.
Mat 22:27 After them all, the woman died.
Mat 22:28 In the resurrection, therefore, of the seven, whose wife will she be? For they all had her."
Mat 22:29 But Jesus answered them, "You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God.
Mat 22:30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.
Mat 22:31 And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God:
Mat 22:32 'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not God of the dead, but of the living."
Mat 22:33 And when the crowd heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.

English Standard Version

They didn't know the Scriptures, heavenly matters or even GOD for that matter! The opinions of the Sadducees were based on their "religious" knowledge and Jesus put that to shame quickly indeed. It would have been better if they had simply asked Jesus about the resurrection or marriage, but no, they had to show their superiority. Sounds like a situation of the first being last and the last being first; but that is obvious, isn't it? Maybe I should take a dose of my own medicine and ask "Who do you think this is; an angel or a devil"? I can't wait to hear from you, but wait, is it me, or does he look a little bit like John Mackenroe? Well, I had better stop with all my opinions, because I think I am seeing quicksand up ahead and I might need a miracle to get pulled out. There never is an angel around when you really need one, is there?

Any way you compute it

Right!? Does the phrase "figures don't lie, but liars figure" ring a bell? When found out, some people will continue to lie, no matter what! Call it "creative reality" or "a different perspective" or anything else you want, a lie is still a lie, period. The consequences of which can be just embarrassment or something in the extreme. Read the following passage from the book of Acts and see how dangerous lying to God can be:

Act 5:1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property,
Act 5:2 and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Act 5:3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?
Act 5:4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God."
Act 5:5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.
Act 5:6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.
Act 5:7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.
Act 5:8 And Peter said to her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much." And she said, "Yes, for so much."
Act 5:9 But Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out."
Act 5:10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
Act 5:11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

ESV

How much more serious punishment could there be? In fact, there is no such thing as a harmless lie, especially if God is involved. A half truth is still a whole lie any way you compute it. Think about that the next time you step up to a chalkboard.

Your every word...

When I look at this cat I see a look I remember on my daughter's faces when they were very young; this was before boys, before school and sometime after they learned to walk. When we went somewhere they actually wanted to hold my hand and when they wanted something they would say "PLEASE Daddy, PLEEEEEASE!!!!" There was an undefinable trust there, a certain something that bound us together in a way I will never completely understand; they hung on my every word. They learned from both their mother and me, which is as it should be. Listen to how God wants us to teach our children from the book of Deuteronomy:

Deut 6:4-7
4 "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.
7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. ESV

Teaching begins with your heart and learning with theirs. When they are listening, teach! The days of intense listening to your every word are few; use them wisely! Now, maybe its time I bought that cat?

On the brink

If you look closely at the picture above, you will see a truck perched on the edge of the cliff, ready to go over it. Scary place to be, but sometimes we find ourselves in dangerous situations. I remember working on my soon-to-be in laws farm during the hay season; it was the end of the day and the hay wagon was stacked nine tier high and we were headed down a very steep hill. I don't remember why, but my future mother-in-law was having trouble with the brakes and we just kept going faster and faster. Thinking we were going to crash, I went over to Linda (who later became my wife) and hugged her tightly as we waited for the crash. Somehow, Linda's mom managed to put enough force on the brakes of that old tractor for us to stop, but all I remember is seeing her literally standing upright on them. Later, I learned she had also put on the emergency brake but all that really mattered was she knew what to do at the right time. In the book of Esther we see another dangerous situation with a lady with the courage to do what was necessary to save her people.

Est 4:1 When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and he cried out with a loud and bitter cry.
Est 4:2 He went up to the entrance of the king's gate, for no one was allowed to enter the king's gate clothed in sackcloth.
Est 4:3 And in every province, wherever the king's command and his decree reached, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting and weeping and lamenting, and many of them lay in sackcloth and ashes.
Est 4:4 When Esther's young women and her eunuchs came and told her, the queen was deeply distressed. She sent garments to clothe Mordecai, so that he might take off his sackcloth, but he would not accept them.
Est 4:5 Then Esther called for Hathach, one of the king's eunuchs, who had been appointed to attend her, and ordered him to go to Mordecai to learn what this was and why it was.
Est 4:6 Hathach went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king's gate,
Est 4:7 and Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, and the exact sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the king's treasuries for the destruction of the Jews.
Est 4:8 Mordecai also gave him a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for their destruction, that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her and command her to go to the king to beg his favor and plead with him on behalf of her people.
Est 4:9 And Hathach went and told Esther what Mordecai had said.
Est 4:10 Then Esther spoke to Hathach and commanded him to go to Mordecai and say,
Est 4:11 "All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law--to be put to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter so that he may live. But as for me, I have not been called to come in to the king these thirty days."
Est 4:12 And they told Mordecai what Esther had said.
Est 4:13 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, "Do not think to yourself that in the king's palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews.
Est 4:14 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"
Est 4:15 Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai,
Est 4:16 "Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish."

English Standard Version

Well, Esther didn't perish and saved her people from certain destruction. The enemies of the Jews were destroyed and the lineage of the Christ was preserved. Towards the end of the book there is much rejoicing by the Jews over their deliverance and its easy to see why they would be happy. I imagine that whoever drove that truck in the picture was happy to escape as well. Being on the brink of destruction is a very scary thing indeed; but for those who follow God, its nice to know that we don't have go through danger alone. Somehow that makes all the difference in the world!

STOP

Stop, it is among the first words we teach our children. How often have I had to repeat it several times before one of my children would listen. Adults sometimes won't listen either and perhaps that is why they put up this forceful sign. Jesus had to use hard language to teach hard hearts; this passage from the book of Matthew is a good example:

Mat 23:27 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness.
Mat 23:28 So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
Mat 23:29 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous,
Mat 23:30 saying, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.'
Mat 23:31 Thus you witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.
Mat 23:32 Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers.
Mat 23:33 You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?
Mat 23:34 Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town,
Mat 23:35 so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of innocent Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar.
Mat 23:36 Truly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.

English Standard Version

God had sent prophets, wise men and scribes and they were rejected, so as a last resort HE sent Jesus to teach them. They needed to STOP placing emphasis on the externals of religion and START changing inwardly! If you have ever looked in the mirror and realized the word hypocrite could apply to you in any way.... then you just stopped. Now start over again and proceed with caution, PLEEEASE!

What are you really worth?

They may pay more than the NYPD, but it would seem they don't know the difference between a "then" and a "than". This sign does raise an interesting question: what are you really worth? I once worked for a pottery in central New Jersey and the plant manager told me that hiring employees was like buying a loaf of bread: "You pay what you have to in order to get the people you want". In the business world there are often a lot of different salaries for the same job, but what about the spiritual realm? The apostle Paul put it this way in his letter to the Philippians:

Php 2:5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
Php 2:6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
Php 2:7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
Php 2:8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Php 2:9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
Php 2:10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
Php 2:11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

You are worth enough to have Jesus humble himself for you; so each one of us is worth a great deal indeed. Don't ask me to put a monetary value to your real worth, but one thing is for certain.... its more than Exxon can pay.