Larger than life

Twenty or so years ago my in-laws had a camp in Newcomb, N.Y., not far from the Canadian border. This vivid picture reminds me of that camp and the cool crisp clean air that made you glad every time you took a breath. The picture was made using HDR photography, which is a special kind of computer enhanced photo which allows for a greater contrast in the color spectrum than normal; beyond that, I don't have a clue to exactly how it works. But I know that it does work and after all that's what really matters. It works so well that I remember all the good times we had at camp and all the fun; but most of all I remember the people. Aunt Helen, who was always there whenever anyone needed a bit of help financially. Grandpa Pete who would tell tales of the depression era and my Mother-In-Law who took care of everyone but herself. The Bible is full of memories like this too and I especially like this portion from the book of 1st Timothy:

2Ti 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,
2Ti 1:2 To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
2Ti 1:3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.
2Ti 1:4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.
2Ti 1:5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.
2Ti 1:6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,
2Ti 1:7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
2Ti 1:8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,
2Ti 1:9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
2Ti 1:10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

English Standard Version

Paul remembers Timothy, who as his name implies, was a timid helper of Paul and very loved by him. But Timothy was more than just a helper, he became a very effective evangelist over the years as he overcame his youthful weaknesses. As time went by, he became closer and closer to Paul and it seems to me that he had a larger than life picture of him in his mind. Something like the clarity of a HDR photo that seems to bring pleasant memories into clear focus once again. God has a way of giving you exactly what you need, exactly when you need it. Paul knew it and decades of experience have shown me the same thing. Whatever life is, God makes it better because through him you begin to understand the big picture; that life is really only life to the extent that you let God into it. That is better than anything I know, even the wonderful times we had in Newcomb.

Satan will hate

If you stand for something, someone will hate you, of that you can be certain! We are known by our friends and our enemies! Why does Satan hate the church? I can't be certain of all the reasons, but look at the book of 1st Peter for a at least one:

1Pe 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
1Pe 1:2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1Pe 1:4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,
1Pe 1:5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1Pe 1:6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,
1Pe 1:7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1Pe 1:8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,
1Pe 1:9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

English Standard Version

Have you ever noticed children playing with their toys at Christmas? They are enjoying themselves and then one of them opens a present which the other one wants. What happens; well, I guess that depends on the kids, but many times there is a fight! I think that is what is going on with Satan; God made a way for us and Satan is jealous; jealous of the blessings given to those who love God, jealous of the hope they have and of the final outcome of their faith. But we shouldn't worry about it, we should live our lives like their contents were plastered all over some bulletin board in a very public place... because they are and the location is in heaven! The question is: Are the contents of your life something that Satan will hate or not?

a basket case

Sometimes in life we really don't know what to do next. Its right about that time we experience a sinking feeling and we just shrug our shoulders. This situation reminds me of the tales of Commander McBragg. He would be faced with an impossible situation and escape by the skin of his teeth and always there was a pun at the end of it all. The Apostle Paul experienced something like this and escaped in an extraordinary way; read this passage from the book of Acts to find out!

Act 9:20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God."
Act 9:21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, "Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?"
Act 9:22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.
Act 9:23 When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him,
Act 9:24 but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him,
Act 9:25 but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.

English Standard Version

When you do things, there are always consequences; some good and some, well, less than good. Paul had a reputation for opposing Christians and his proclamation that Jesus was the Christ of God must have taken people by surprise at first, but after a while hatred set in and evil was on their mind. He didn't really have a way out because the Jews were watching the exits, but he did the unexpected and escaped by a basket. That must have really been a surprise to the Jews a second time, for who would have ever thought that Paul was a basket case. By the way, in case you are wondering how to "escape" in the picture.... the answer is .... put the car into reverse, but make sure you look in the mirror lest someone mistake you FOR A BASKET CASE!

Your favorite food

Anyone who knows me is well aware of the fact that I love to eat, but I don't think I will be partaking of this soup anytime in the near future. Whether there are crickets or cockroaches in that little brew makes no difference to me, I don't want any part of it and my guess is that you are thinking one word right now...yuk! Face it, some things you just won't try, no matter what! Quite a number of years ago I worked in a vitreous china factory; no, we didn't make plates, we made toilets. One interesting fact was that it was made up of all sorts of nationalities; Koreans, Vietnamese, Polish, Chinese, Italians, etc.. Lunch time came around and everyone went to their respective groups, in fact, it was a real eyeopener to see how much the various groups hated and looked down upon the others. I am very glad that God doesn't think that way; that he doesn't condone favoritism. Read this passage from the book of Acts to see what I mean:

Act 10:9 The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray.
Act 10:10 And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance
Act 10:11 and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth.
Act 10:12 In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air.
Act 10:13 And there came a voice to him: "Rise, Peter; kill and eat."
Act 10:14 But Peter said, "By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean."
Act 10:15 And the voice came to him again a second time, "What God has made clean, do not call common."
Act 10:16 This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.
Act 10:17 Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood at the gate
Act 10:18 and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there.
Act 10:19 And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are looking for you.
Act 10:20 Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them."
Act 10:21 And Peter went down to the men and said, "I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?"
Act 10:22 And they said, "Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say."
Act 10:23 So he invited them in to be his guests. The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.
Act 10:24 And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.
Act 10:25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.
Act 10:26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, "Stand up; I too am a man."
Act 10:27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered.
Act 10:28 And he said to them, "You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.
Act 10:29 So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me."
Act 10:30 And Cornelius said, "Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing
Act 10:31 and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God.
Act 10:32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.'
Act 10:33 So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord."
Act 10:34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality,
Act 10:35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
Act 10:36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all),
Act 10:37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed:
Act 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
Act 10:39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree,
Act 10:40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear,
Act 10:41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
Act 10:42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.
Act 10:43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

English Standard Version

God doesn't concern himself with just food; its people he cares about; ALL PEOPLE, EVERYWHERE, NOT JUST JEWS! So, the next time you have your favorite food, remember that someone, somewhere, just might look at it and think.... YUK, but God looks at YOU and remembers HIS SON! You and I, in fact all of us, are special because all of us have the opportunity to obey the Gospel and become clean, completely clean. What to hear more... read the first Gospel sermon; its found in Acts chapter two.

Done for

The water just keeps getting deeper and deeper! You are filled with anxiety and apprehension about how deep it will be and whether you are going to make it! And that's just a bath! Today, a lot, and I do mean A LOT of people are concerned about what is going to happen next. They are afraid they will lose their job, their car, their house and who knows what else? I think it is perfectly reasonable to think this way considering what is happening in our country. But I can't help thinking; is this happening for a reason? Read Jonah chapter two for a little insight!

Jon 2:1 Then Jonah prayed to Yahweh, his God, out of the fish's belly.
Jon 2:2 He said, "I called because of my affliction to Yahweh. He answered me. Out of the belly of Sheol I cried. You heard my voice.
Jon 2:3 For you threw me into the depths, in the heart of the seas. The flood was all around me. All your waves and your billows passed over me.
Jon 2:4 I said, 'I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.'
Jon 2:5 The waters surrounded me, even to the soul. The deep was around me. The weeds were wrapped around my head.
Jon 2:6 I went down to the bottoms of the mountains. The earth barred me in forever: yet have you brought up my life from the pit, Yahweh my God.
Jon 2:7 "When my soul fainted within me, I remembered Yahweh. My prayer came in to you, into your holy temple.
Jon 2:8 Those who regard lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
Jon 2:9 But I will sacrifice to you with the voice of thanksgiving. I will pay that which I have vowed. Salvation belongs to Yahweh."
Jon 2:10 Yahweh spoke to the fish, and it vomited out Jonah on the dry land.

World English Bible

God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and so what did Jonah do, he went in the opposite direction. Eventually, he finds himself in the belly of a big fish (some say a whale) and realizes he is done for. Then, he comes to his senses and reaches out to God. God listened and delivered him; end of story! Or, is it? Jonah went on to do what God wanted him to but still remained stubborn (and the last part I have never truly understood). See anything here; well, I do. America, wake up! We have been allowing this nation to turn from God in many ways for a long time and its getting worse. Do we really have to find ourselves in a situation where we realize we are done for before we change our way? Its not too late, pray about it; Jonah did and it worked. Maybe, just maybe it will work again!!

My wildest dreams

This sleeping kitten seems to be dreaming about something; I wonder what it could be? It does raise questions in my mind about dreams, though; what is their purpose and what do they mean? People have speculated about these questions for as long as there have been people, so don't expect me to have all the answers, save one from the book of Genesis:

Gen 40:1 It happened after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker offended their lord, the king of Egypt.
Gen 40:2 Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker.
Gen 40:3 He put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.
Gen 40:4 The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he took care of them. They stayed in prison many days.
Gen 40:5 They both dreamed a dream, each man his dream, in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were bound in the prison.
Gen 40:6 Joseph came in to them in the morning, and saw them, and saw that they were sad.
Gen 40:7 He asked Pharaoh's officers who were with him in custody in his master's house, saying, "Why do you look so sad today?"
Gen 40:8 They said to him, "We have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it." Joseph said to them, "Don't interpretations belong to God? Please tell it to me."
Gen 40:9 The chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, "In my dream, behold, a vine was in front of me,
Gen 40:10 and in the vine were three branches. It was as though it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and its clusters brought forth ripe grapes.
Gen 40:11 Pharaoh's cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand."
Gen 40:12 Joseph said to him, "This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days.
Gen 40:13 Within three more days, Pharaoh will lift up your head, and restore you to your office. You will give Pharaoh's cup into his hand, the way you did when you were his cupbearer.
Gen 40:14 But remember me when it will be well with you, and show kindness, please, to me, and make mention of me to Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house.

World English Bible

God gave the butler and the baker the dreams in order that Joseph might interpret them and ultimately save the Jews from starvation. God cared for them and he cares for us as well. I am approaching the sunset years of my life and I have seen many of my wildest dreams come true; not in any way that I could imagine, but in God's own way of doing things. So, the next time you have a dream, perhaps God may be trying to tell you something. I just wish Joesph was here to help us understand, it would make life so much simpler.

What time is it?

This clock is just WAY TO MUCH LIKE WORK! Although if you have a 250 I.Q. it is probably child's play. What ever happened to KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid)? The clock is intriguing, though, because it does make you think about the passage of time. Why keep track of time? Well, if you didn't then how would we know when to plant or harvest crops, when to get up or go to bed or when to expect that newborn arrival into the world? I can't even imagine how many things we use time to track, but the number must be huge! What did we do before clocks? We looked at the moon and stars from the very beginnings of civilization. I like this passage from the old testament book of Ecclesiastes:

Ecc 3:1 To all there is an appointed time, even a time for every purpose under the heavens:
Ecc 3:2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pull up what is planted; Ecc 3:3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to build up;
Ecc 3:4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
Ecc 3:5 a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
Ecc 3:6 a time to seek, and a time to give up as lost; a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
Ecc 3:7 a time to tear, and a time to sew together; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
Ecc 3:8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Ecc 3:9 What advantage has he who works in that which he did as a laborer?
Ecc 3:10 I have seen the task which God has given to the sons of men, to be humbled by it.
Ecc 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has set eternity in their heart, without which man cannot find out the work that God makes from the beginning even to the end. LITV

Time leads us to discover the beautiful nature of life and leads us to the creator. So, the next time someone asks you "what time is it?".... tell them its God's time. After all, he put it there!

The smile on your face

Happiness brings you up, and the converse is true as well. Face it, we are social "animals"; we need other people. I meet new people all the time and I can tell you from personal experience that a smile goes a long way towards establishing a friendship. This is easy to see in everyday life, but what about the Bible? Luke 15 tells the tale of a son who had gone astray and a father who was overjoyed at his return:

Luk 15:11 And he said, "There was a man who had two sons.
Luk 15:12 And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.' And he divided his property between them.
Luk 15:13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.
Luk 15:14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.
Luk 15:15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.
Luk 15:16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
Luk 15:17 "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!
Luk 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.
Luk 15:19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."' Luk 15:20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
Luk 15:21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
Luk 15:22 But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.
Luk 15:23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.
Luk 15:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate. ESV

Do you think anyone smiled? Was there happiness there? Why? Aren't religious people supposed to be stuffed shirts? Whoever started that idea probably has never known the happiness that only God can bring into life. Make no mistake, this parable is about the religiously wayward returning to God. Do you think God smiles; I do, because HE is happy with all those who turn from sinful lives to ones that please HIM. And that not only affects God, but you as well. So, tomorrow, smile and watch the effect the smile on your face will have on others; who knows, they might just see God smiling through you.

The best gift ever

What did YOU get for Valentine's day; flowers, candy, or maybe a nice card? How about a nice big juicy heart of beef? Now, I know its weird and all that, but for me a nice big piece of meat would go great with a baked potato. But, for Valentine's day? Why not? Love can be expressed in all sorts of ways because people are different the world over. Read this passage from Romans for a slightly different spin about love:

Rom 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rom 5:2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Rom 5:3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
Rom 5:4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
Rom 5:5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Rom 5:6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
Rom 5:7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die--
Rom 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

English Standard Version

Today is February 21st and by now the candy has been gobbled up, the flowers wilted and the card, well, who knows where it is. Genuine love is something that stays with you for a lifetime, something that withstands the test of time. I can't think of anything longer than eternal life, can you? So, I guess that makes God's gift of Jesus the best gift ever because it keeps on giving forever. Now, as far as Valentine's day 2010 goes, if one of my children should happen to read this.... GET ME THE STEAK and please don't forget the A-1, please!

Just wrong!

I remember what I was doing when I saw this and you probably do as well. It was almost beyond belief to see this happen and it was so upsetting to so many people around me that the company I was working for offered counseling to all those who felt they needed it. How could anyone do such a thing? I think we can gain some insight from this passage from the book of Matthew:

Mat 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Mat 4:2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
Mat 4:3 And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread."
Mat 4:4 But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
Mat 4:5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple
Mat 4:6 and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, "'He will command his angels concerning you,' and "'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'"
Mat 4:7 Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
Mat 4:8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
Mat 4:9 And he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me."
Mat 4:10 Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written, "'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'"

English Standard Version

We are religiously according to what standard of authority we are willing to submit to. Christians follow the Bible and that is to be our standard. Think about it; if God is really God, then there must be one truth and only one, just as there is only one true God. There are those who say you can do anything you want in regards to religious matters, but I think they are just wrong. Wrong because there really is only one God to worship; anything else is the Satanic. Remember what Jesus said in verse ten? Think I am wrong, well, look at the picture once again and ask yourself what standard the people who did this evil act were following?