What's up ahead

This picture reminds me of upstate New York in autumn, when the fog can get soooo thick you MUST slow way down just so you don't get into an accident. Why? Because you do not know what's up ahead, that's why! But what if you knew and what if you knew it very, very bad for you.... would you still go? Jesus was faced with this problem and his response was....

Luk 22:14 When the hour had come, he sat down with the twelve apostles.
Luk 22:15 He said to them, "I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer,
Luk 22:16 for I tell you, I will no longer by any means eat of it until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God."
Luk 22:17 He received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, "Take this, and share it among yourselves,
Luk 22:18 for I tell you, I will not drink at all again from the fruit of the vine, until the Kingdom of God comes."
Luk 22:19 He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave to them, saying, "This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me."
Luk 22:20 Likewise, he took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

World English Bible

Jesus knew what was in store for him and went forward anyway, giving himself for me. Sobering thought! My road up ahead is unknown, but I what I do know is that I have a promise
from Jesus (a covenant, really) that I will be with him again. Does it really matter what the future holds...? The answer is no, as long as I have the hope of seeing Jesus at the end of it.

It is true

There was a time when I would have thought this cartoon was funny; but not now. Every day on the news we see the financial problems around us and for those without faith this must be a terrifying time. In the early 80's I found myself in a very difficult employment/financial situation. The unemployment in the Johnstown/Gloversville area was somewhere around 30 percent. I looked for work every day and the situation seemed hopeless. During the first week of 1981 I was looking for work during a blizzard and actually found a job. I had no experience and frankly I told the man that all I could do was to try to do it and he hired me anyway! Why? I asked him. He said that anyone crazy enough to look for work with 16 inches of snow was someone he wanted to work for HIM. I knew God cared for me, but the following passage from the book of Psalms reminded me once again.

Psa 20:1 May Yahweh answer you in the day of trouble. May the name of the God of Jacob set you up on high,
Psa 20:2 send you help from the sanctuary, grant you support from Zion,
Psa 20:3 remember all your offerings, and accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah.
Psa 20:4 May He grant you your heart's desire, and fulfill all your counsel.
Psa 20:5 We will triumph in your salvation. In the name of our God, we will set up our banners. May Yahweh grant all your requests.
Psa 20:6 Now I know that Yahweh saves his anointed. He will answer him from his holy heaven, with the saving strength of his right hand.
Psa 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust the name of Yahweh our God.
Psa 20:8 They are bowed down and fallen, but we rise up, and stand upright.
Psa 20:9 Save, Yahweh! Let the King answer us when we call!

World English Bible

I don't know everyone who reads this blog, but those who have known me for a long time have heard this story before; it is true! If we trust in God and do what is right, God will make a way for us to get through any situation, even the ones that seem impossible. Also, it helps to be willing to do anything and everything God puts before you!

A cave encounter

In the last of the J.J.R Tolkien movies there is a scene where the hobbit is alone in a cave and what a scary cave it was! Shortly a very menacing spider arrives and you can imagine how I was feeling about that time. But, not all caves are frightening and in fact good things can happen in them. Our remote ancestors lived and thrived in them and I can only guess at all the things that have happened in them. There is a tale of a cave encounter in the book of first Samuel; it is a long passage, but well worth reading.

1Sa 24:1 It happened, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of En Gedi.
1Sa 24:2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men on the rocks of the wild goats.
1Sa 24:3 He came to the sheep pens by the way, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were abiding in the innermost parts of the cave.
1Sa 24:4 The men of David said to him, Behold, the day of which Yahweh said to you, Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe secretly.
1Sa 24:5 It happened afterward, that David's heart struck him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.
1Sa 24:6 He said to his men, Yahweh forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, Yahweh's anointed, to put forth my hand against him, seeing he is Yahweh's anointed.
1Sa 24:7 So David checked his men with these words, and didn't allow them to rise against Saul. Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.
1Sa 24:8 David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. When Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth, and did obeisance.
1Sa 24:9 David said to Saul, Why do you listen to men's words, saying, Behold, David seeks your hurt?
1Sa 24:10 Behold, this day your eyes have seen how that Yahweh had delivered you today into my hand in the cave: and some urged me to kill you; but I spared you; and I said, I will not put forth my hand against my lord; for he is Yahweh's anointed.
1Sa 24:11 Moreover, my father, behold, yes, see the skirt of your robe in my hand; for in that I cut off the skirt of your robe, and didn't kill you, know and see that there is neither evil nor disobedience in my hand, and I have not sinned against you, though you hunt for my life to take it.
1Sa 24:12 May Yahweh judge between me and you, and may Yahweh avenge me of you; but my hand shall not be on you.
1Sa 24:13 As the proverb of the ancients says, Out of the wicked comes forth wickedness; but my hand shall not be on you.
1Sa 24:14 Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A flea?
1Sa 24:15 May Yahweh therefore be judge, and give sentence between me and you, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of your hand.
1Sa 24:16 It came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, Is this your voice, my son David? Saul lifted up his voice, and wept.
1Sa 24:17 He said to David, You are more righteous than I; for you have done good to me, whereas I have done evil to you.
1Sa 24:18 You have declared this day how you have dealt well with me, because when Yahweh had delivered me up into your hand, you didn't kill me.
1Sa 24:19 For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him go away unharmed? Therefore may Yahweh reward you good for that which you have done to me this day.
1Sa 24:20 Now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand.
1Sa 24:21 Swear now therefore to me by Yahweh, that you will not cut off my seed after me, and that you will not destroy my name out of my father's house.
1Sa 24:22 David swore to Saul. Saul went home; but David and his men got them up to the stronghold.

World English Bible

David showed both respect for God and mercy to his enemy in that cave. He showed his heart to Saul and was blessed and delivered out of danger that day. Good deeds can come to light even in the darkest, most dangerous places. God knows how to take care of those who love him, so do right and let God run things. However, remember that even David and his men went up to their stronghold after the encounter with the king. Be careful out there!

No fairy tale

Yes, this is an actual house. No, I don't have any idea where it is located; but it is real nonetheless. It is possible to live happily ever after and fairy tales can come true. True happiness means being at one with the creator and that leads to happiness now and happiness ever after. What I love about the Christian religion is that it is historical; Israel really existed, Jesus actually lived and the Bible is HIS-tory. These truths are historically undeniable!! Read the testimony in the book of second Peter.


2Pe 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:
2Pe 1:2 Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,
2Pe 1:3 seeing that his divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue;
2Pe 1:4 by which he has granted to us his precious and exceedingly great promises; that through these you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust.
2Pe 1:5 Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge;
2Pe 1:6 and in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control patience; and in patience godliness;
2Pe 1:7 and in godliness brotherly affection; and in brotherly affection, love.
2Pe 1:8 For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful to the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Pe 1:9 For he who lacks these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins.
2Pe 1:10 Therefore, brothers, be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.
2Pe 1:11 For thus you will be richly supplied with the entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
2Pe 1:12 Therefore I will not be negligent to remind you of these things, though you know them, and are established in the present truth.
2Pe 1:13 I think it right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you;
2Pe 1:14 knowing that the putting off of my tent comes swiftly, even as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.
2Pe 1:15 Yes, I will make every effort that you may always be able to remember these things even after my departure.
2Pe 1:16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
2Pe 1:17 For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
2Pe 1:18 We heard this voice come out of heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.

World English Bible


Life is not empty if God is there; it is complete! There are those who will say that I have pie-in-the sky faith, but since the life of Jesus is more documented than that of any other human being than ever lived, I can't help but marvel at disbelief! There is an old song that has a line something like this: fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you, if you're young at heart. What is that like? It begins by being honest enough to put aside all the propaganda the world will try to stuff down your throat and investigate the truth for yourself. When I did this, it changed both my attitude and my life and believe you me that is no fairy tale; it is the truth and I will gladly testify to it.

This little light

Just an ordinary little candle but it caught my attention. The candle looks plain enough but look at the light surrounding it! The beauty of its symmetry is outstanding! Something does not have to be big to be beautiful. Listen to the words of Jesus:

Mat 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can't be hidden.
Mat 5:15 Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house.
Mat 5:16 Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

World English Bible

I remember the song I have heard in church many, many times: This little light of mine. Targeted toward the very young, it teaches that the light from God (our faith and its practice) should be shared with others. What a lesson! This means I don't have to be a super anything, just a person who is trying to follow God and help others do the same. If God is in you, it doesn't matter who you are, your light will be beautiful because God is. Children accept this concept easily; its too bad adults have a hard time with it. LORD, help us all to be more like little children!

The hard, hard ice

This is one beautiful picture!! I really enjoy the lights reflecting off the ice, but when I took a second look it made me think a little. The reflections in this scene are a little different from those on the lake scene I have on my desktop; they do not give as distinct image and there is some blurring. Why? Well, probably something about the way a crystal water molecule reflects light compared to liquid water. As I thought some more about it, it reminded me of this passage from the book of Exodus.



Exo 7:9 "When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, 'Perform a miracle!' then you shall tell Aaron, 'Take your rod, and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it become a serpent.' "
Exo 7:10 Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and they did so, as Yahweh had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent.
Exo 7:11 Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers. They also, the magicians of Egypt, did in like manner with their enchantments.
Exo 7:12 For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.
Exo 7:13 Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he didn't listen to them; as Yahweh had spoken.
World English Bible



Pharaoh's hard heart saw things a little differently after his people imitated God's miracle. I wonder how Pharaoh felt When Aaron's rod swallowed the sorcerers' serpents? I would guess that by this time, he had reduced this episode to just a battle of tricksters, so perhaps in his mind God was just a better magician. How could this be? Look again at the picture; the hard, hard ice changes an accurate reflection to a distorted one.......... just like the hardness of Pharaoh's heart. Stubbornness and pride freeze a normal heart into one that changes the perception of everything. So, where do you go from here? A good place to start would be to pray for an early spring thaw. In the meantime, anyone have an extra pair of skates?

Making a mistake

No matter how good you are, sometimes you will make a mistake. It could be for one of a thousand reasons, but it still happens. This caught my eye because I don't normally think of a bird like this making a mistake, but look, it really does happen. People make mistakes a lot and I especially enjoy this one from the book of Acts.

Act 12:13 When Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a maid named Rhoda came to answer.
Act 12:14 When she recognized Peter's voice, she didn't open the gate for joy, but ran in, and reported that Peter was standing in front of the gate.
Act 12:15 They said to her, "You are crazy!" But she insisted that it was so. They said, "It is his angel."
Act 12:16 But Peter continued knocking. When they had opened, they saw him, and were amazed. World English Bible

Rhoda was surprised because Herod had imprisoned Peter and once imprisoned, well, you are done for. She had forgotten something, though, and that is the power of prayer. After Peter was arrested the assembly of Christians had been praying constantly for him and God had responded in a rather magnificent way by rescuing Peter. So, when you pray for something, expect your prayers to be answered. I wonder, does this include birds too?

A different royal throne

I grew up on a farm where we didn't have an inside toilet until I was a teen. So, the term outhouse has a lot of meaning to me, but the term chamber pot has the most meaning because it was my job to empty my parents' one each morning. YUK, YUK and double YUK! Then we actually installed a real flush toilet in the house and my potting days were ended; Hooray!!!!!!!!!! But one thing has always confused and perplexed me: Why is a toilet called a throne? However, this royal throne does at least help me visualize it. There is a place in the Bible that does refer to someone using a toilet and because that someone was a king, well, I suppose it was royal. The story comes from the book of Judges:

Jdg 3:12 The children of Israel again did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh: and Yahweh strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh.
Jdg 3:13 He gathered to him the children of Ammon and Amalek; and he went and struck Israel, and they possessed the city of palm trees.
Jdg 3:14 The children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years.
Jdg 3:15 But when the children of Israel cried to Yahweh, Yahweh raised them up a savior, Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a man left-handed. The children of Israel sent tribute by him to Eglon the king of Moab.
Jdg 3:16 Ehud made him a sword which had two edges, a cubit in length; and he girded it under his clothing on his right thigh.
Jdg 3:17 He offered the tribute to Eglon king of Moab: now Eglon was a very fat man.
Jdg 3:18 When he had made an end of offering the tribute, he sent away the people who bore the tribute.
Jdg 3:19 But he himself turned back from the quarries that were by Gilgal, and said, I have a secret errand to you, king. He said, Keep silence. All who stood by him went out from him.
Jdg 3:20 Ehud came to him; and he was sitting by himself alone in the cool upper room. Ehud said, I have a message from God to you. He arose out of his seat.
Jdg 3:21 Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the sword from his right thigh, and thrust it into his body:
Jdg 3:22 and the haft also went in after the blade; and the fat closed on the blade, for he didn't draw the sword out of his body; and it came out behind.
Jdg 3:23 Then Ehud went forth into the porch, and shut the doors of the upper room on him, and locked them.
Jdg 3:24 Now when he was gone out, his servants came; and they saw, and behold, the doors of the upper room were locked; and they said, Surely he is covering his feet in the upper chamber.
Jdg 3:25 They waited until they were ashamed; and behold, he didn't open the doors of the upper room: therefore they took the key, and opened them, and behold, their lord was fallen down dead on the earth.
Jdg 3:26 Ehud escaped while they waited, and passed beyond the quarries, and escaped to Seirah.
Jdg 3:27 It happened, when he had come, that he blew a trumpet in the hill country of Ephraim; and the children of Israel went down with him from the hill country, and he before them.
Jdg 3:28 He said to them, Follow after me; for Yahweh has delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand. They went down after him, and took the fords of the Jordan against the Moabites, and didn't allow a man to pass over.
Jdg 3:29 They struck of Moab at that time about ten thousand men, every lusty man, and every man of valor; and there escaped not a man.
Jdg 3:30 So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. The land had rest eighty years. World English Bible

Covering ones feet is another way of saying a person was using the toilet. I can't even begin to imagine a less royal place to meet ones end. But, so it was, Eglon died on the pot. I wonder if God has a subliminal message in there somewhere? No matter where (or how) it started, Israel's cries for deliverance were heard and they had rest for eighty years. Just goes to show you-- God works in mysterious ways. But I wonder.... if the deliverance that gave the land rest eighty years happened in the room where Eglon was "covering his feet".... does that make it a restroom?

The bright sunlight

This picture has special meaning for me as I worked the overnight shift for several years. Occasionally, I would go out into the bright sunlight after a hard nights work only to be temporarily blinded by the sun. Insight is like that too, because sometimes you will work and work and then work some more on a problem to the point where you could scream with frustration. Then, unexpectedly, the answer comes to you.... just like that. It could be hours, days or longer and then suddenly you KNOW THE ANSWER. Paul's letter to the Ephesians must have made them feel like that and more.

Eph 3:1 For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles,
Eph 3:2 if it is so that you have heard of the administration of that grace of God which was given me toward you;
Eph 3:3 how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words,
Eph 3:4 by which, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ;
Eph 3:5 which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
Eph 3:6 that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News,
Eph 3:7 of which I was made a servant, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.
Eph 3:8 To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

God has a way of working things out that is unfathomable to mere humans. Sometimes the only way I get a glimpse of understanding is to try to view my life over a few DECADES. Can you imagine a perspective from infinity? The reality is that God views everyone as important, NOT JUST THE JEWS! It took literally hundreds of years to bring the Gentiles into the picture, but God sees beyond time and space AND MADE IT SO! For those of us who have been "grafted in" to root of Judaism, it is a blessing beyond belief. The light of God shines on ALL OF HUMANITY, NOT JUST A FEW! Oh, yes and if you are working overnight right now, be sure to have a pair of sunglasses on when you leave work today, the sun shines very brightly indeed in Florida.

More than silver or gold

This sparkling picture reminds me of something from many years past. I remember the sparkle in Linda's eye the day she told me that we were going to have our first child. That look will stay with me forever! It was as if it she was having her first birthday party and had been given the best gift she could ever have! The love I saw must in some way be like the way God felt about Israel because HE did everything he could to protect them. This passage from the book of Numbers tells the tale.

Num 22:1 The children of Israel traveled, and encamped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho.
Num 22:2 Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.
Num 22:3 Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.
Num 22:4 Moab said to the elders of Midian, Now will this multitude lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field. Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time.
Num 22:5 He sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor, to Pethor, which is by the River, to the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the surface of the earth, and they abide over against me.
Num 22:6 Please come now therefore curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may strike them, and that I may drive them out of the land; for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.
Num 22:7 The elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came to Balaam, and spoke to him the words of Balak.
Num 22:8 He said to them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as Yahweh shall speak to me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam.
Num 22:9 God came to Balaam, and said, What men are these with you?
Num 22:10 Balaam said to God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying,
Num 22:11 Behold, the people that is come out of Egypt, it covers the surface of the earth: now, come curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to fight against them, and shall drive them out.
Num 22:12 God said to Balaam, You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people; for they are blessed.
Num 22:13 Balaam rose up in the morning, and said to the princes of Balak, Go to your land; for Yahweh refuses to permit me to go with you.
Num 22:14 The princes of Moab rose up, and they went to Balak, and said, Balaam refuses to come with us.
Num 22:15 Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honorable than they.
Num 22:16 They came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus says Balak the son of Zippor, Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me:
Num 22:17 for I will promote you to very great honor, and whatever you say to me I will do. Please come therefore, and curse this people for me.
Num 22:18 Balaam answered the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I can't go beyond the word of Yahweh my God, to do less or more. WEB

God loved Israel and blessed them. No one could stand before them and their enemies knew it. So Balak tried to bribe Balaam to curse Israel. Balaam realized something I wish we all could; that some things are worth more than silver and gold. If the shimmer on the water and the twinkle in my wife's eye can mean so much, then how much more blessed will I be if I listen to the words of God and do them. Besides, Habakkuk teaches us that God owns all the silver and gold anyway (2:8).