Watch out!

There seems to be a small patch of black ice on the left side of this picture and I can tell you from experience that stuff is very dangerous. On a winter day about ten years ago I was going out to my car to go to the store and I didn't see a patch of ice and wham, I went flying. When I came down I twisted my back and the pain stayed for many months no matter what I did. Sin is a lot like that patch of ice; you don't watch where you are going and then wham! Jesus warned his disciples that after his betrayal they would desert him, but do you think Peter listened; not a chance! Read these two passages from the Gospel of Matthew and see the outcome:

Mat 26:31 Then Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'
Mat 26:32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee."
Mat 26:33 Peter answered him, "Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away."
Mat 26:34 Jesus said to him, "Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times."
Mat 26:35 Peter said to him, "Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!" And all the disciples said the same.

Mat 26:69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, "You also were with Jesus the Galilean."
Mat 26:70 But he denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you mean."
Mat 26:71 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth."
Mat 26:72 And again he denied it with an oath: "I do not know the man."
Mat 26:73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, "Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you."
Mat 26:74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, "I do not know the man." And immediately the rooster crowed.
Mat 26:75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly.

English Standard Version

I have always liked Peter because he seems to think more with his heart than his head, but the second passage certainly doesn't paint a glowing picture of him does it? He fell away just like Jesus said he would and Peter wept bitterly over it. Sin hurts, so watch out! Pay attention to your life and don't slip up or you may fall into sin just like Peter did. And don't boast that it won't happen to you because it probably will. The good news is that Jesus will help you no matter how bad you mess up and that is really something to crow about!

Only royalty

I wonder what it would be like to actually live in this? Can you imagine cleaning the roof in the winter; and all those steps, WOW? Castles look wonderful, but I bet they are hard to clean! Only royalty live in such places, Right? Read this familiar passage from the book of John and see.

Joh 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
Joh 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Joh 14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
Joh 14:5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

King James Version

If only royalty live in mansions, guess what... you were just crowned! How, through Jesus, of course. I don't know if mansions (or castles) like this really exist, but I do know that Jesus said he would prepare one for me if I follow him (verse 6). I only hope the angels will do the maintenance because I am not very fond of heights!

Its purrrfect!

I was a little surprised when I saw this picture. When I think of Lions, snuggling is not even in the top twenty things that come to my mind. But, here it is and there is no denying it:love. Love is all around us and this snapshot is a pleasant reminder that I need to open my eyes a little more. Who could help but think of this passage from first Corinthians:

1Co 13:4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant
1Co 13:5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
1Co 13:6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
1Co 13:7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1Co 13:8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.
1Co 13:9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
1Co 13:10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.
1Co 13:11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.
1Co 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
1Co 13:13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

English Standard Version

I know, I know, you have seen this Bible passage before, but it really fits the picture. In fact, its purrrfect! Go ahead, do a little snuggling and I think you will agree!

A mountain of cheese

Imagine, enough cheese to last a thousand years! I wish we could see this little guy's peepers, because I bet they are bulging!. Everybody likes a happy ending and God is no exception. Sin brought separation between God and man and now the two will dwell together again as it was it the beginning. Read a short passage from the book of Revelation and you will see what I mean.


Rev 21:1 I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth have passed away, and the sea is no more.
Rev 21:2 I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready like a bride adorned for her husband.
Rev 21:3 I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, "Behold, God's dwelling is with people, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.
Rev 21:4 He will wipe away from them every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away."

World English Bible

God makes everything right again, now there's a message! No death or tears or anything like that at the end of things (or should we say the beginning). Just like a mountain of cheese to a little bitty mouse, so the eternal blessings of God are to me. And, by the way, I LIKE CHEESE TOO!

Broke means broke!

How many people do you know that are divorced? Wrong question; how many people in your extended FAMILY are divorced? Big difference in questions, isn't it. Its one thing to talk about "people" and quite another to discuss "FAMILY". Why, because it becomes personal, that's why! When you see all the problems that can happen when your "FAMILY" breaks up its not just personal, life becomes impossible. Normality goes out the window and everyone suffers, especially the children. What does God think about divorce? Read this passage from Malachi and see...

Mal 2:11 Judah has dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah has profaned the holiness of Yahweh which he loves, and has married the daughter of a foreign god.
Mal 2:12 Yahweh will cut off, to the man who does this, him who wakes and him who answers, out of the tents of Jacob, and him who offers an offering to Yahweh of Armies.
Mal 2:13 This again you do: you cover the altar of Yahweh with tears, with weeping, and with sighing, because he doesn't regard the offering any more, neither receives it with good will at your hand.
Mal 2:14 Yet you say, 'Why?' Because Yahweh has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion, and the wife of your covenant.
Mal 2:15 Did he not make one, although he had the residue of the Spirit? Why one? He sought a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.
Mal 2:16 For I hate divorce," says Yahweh, the God of Israel, "and him who covers his garment with violence!" says Yahweh of Armies. "Therefore take heed to your spirit, that you don't deal treacherously.

World English Bible

First of all, marriage is a Spiritual thing. When it ends in divorce there are Spiritual consequences. Consequences between you, your mate, and God. Can you see the parallels to the relationship of Husband and wife and that of created and creator? When divorced, that union created by God is broken and broken means broken. You don't come out of a marriage with your "half", you get something broken. Just like the car in the picture, it just won't work like it was designed to and something beautiful becomes something less that lovely. Its no wonder that God hates divorce; it is a violence that rips apart not only cars, but lives as well.

Be better tomorrow

Nice prayer! Very insightful, because dogs love you no matter what, no matter how bad! I like the attitude, but perhaps this person may be a bit too hard on themselves. We all make mistakes, even the best of us, so why not forgive yourself and move on. If anyone knew this, it was the Apostle Paul; he had opposed Christ and oppressed the church, but check out his attitude as seen in the book of Philippians:

Php 3:8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ
Php 3:9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith--
Php 3:10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
Php 3:11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Php 3:12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
Php 3:13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
Php 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

English Standard Version

Today, try to forget what you have done in the past, and resolve to be better tomorrow. The past is just that.... past. Paul couldn't change it, and neither can you. One thing Paul did was to follow Christ with all his heart and that is something to imitate. There you go... matter settled and done, but I can't help but wonder though, did Paul have a dog?

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.