Remember to slow down

Life in America is a busy life. We have work and plenty of it and deadlines that are too close for comfort. But when I look at this picture I see someone who is truly wise, wise enough to take the time to think. Sometimes when things are going well at my job, I say to myself "slow down, Gary, you will go faster". And you know, it works. God's chosen people needed to learn this lesson as this passage from the book of Isaiah illustrates.

Isa 30:15 For thus said the Lord Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel, "You will be saved in returning and rest. Your strength will be in quietness and in confidence." You refused,
Isa 30:16 but you said, "No, for we will flee on horses;" therefore you will flee; and, "We will ride on the swift;" therefore those who pursue you will be swift.
Isa 30:17 One thousand will flee at the threat of one. At the threat of five, you will flee until you are left like a beacon on the top of a mountain, and like a banner on a hill.
Isa 30:18 Therefore Yahweh will wait, that he may be gracious to you; and therefore he will be exalted, that he may have mercy on you, for Yahweh is a God of justice. Blessed are all those who wait for him.
Isa 30:19 For the people will dwell in Zion at Jerusalem. You will weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the voice of your cry. When he hears you, he will answer you.
Isa 30:20 Though the Lord may give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your teachers won't be hidden anymore, but your eyes will see your teachers;
Isa 30:21 and when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left, your ears will hear

a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way. Walk in it."

Take time and listen to God; the answers will come in due time. The Spirit led life is a patient and confident one, based on the experience of seeing God work in your life. Remember to slow down, listen to God and walk in the way HE directs you!

The wink of an eye

I have never seen a cat "wink" before; somehow it seems a little strange. Why do people wink, anyway? I like to wink at little children with one eye then the other just to play, but do we do that with adults? Sometimes we do, but more often than not it signals that we are being less than honest about something. Take this passage for example.

Psa 35:15 But in my adversity, they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together. The attackers gathered themselves together against me, and I didn't know it. They tore at me, and didn't cease.
Psa 35:16 Like the profane mockers in feasts, they gnashed their teeth at me.
Psa 35:17 Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my soul from their destruction, my precious life from the lions.
Psa 35:18 I will give you thanks in the great assembly. I will praise you among many people.
Psa 35:19 Don't let those who are my enemies wrongfully rejoice over me; neither let those who hate me without a cause wink their eyes.
Psa 35:20 For they don't speak peace, but they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land.
Psa 35:21 Yes, they opened their mouth wide against me. They said, "Aha! Aha! Our eye has seen it!"
Psa 35:22 You have seen it, Yahweh. Don't keep silent. Lord, don't be far from me.
Psa 35:23 Wake up! Rise up to defend me, my God! My Lord, contend for me!
Psa 35:24 Vindicate me, Yahweh my God, according to your righteousness. Don't let them gloat over me.

If you are doing God's will for you life expect opposition. There will always be those who will oppose you know matter how nice you are to them. In times like that, ask God for help; he will answer in ways you never thought possible; I know, because it has happened to me several times. Sometimes God takes awhile and at other times HE intervenes very quickly... almost in the wink of an eye. No foolin!

My house

This was our first house in Valley Falls, N.Y.. It had a slate roof, hardwood floors, a massive concrete basement, a detached garage, a sun room, an enclosed front porch and a dog house. I won't tell you how much I paid for it, but today you could buy the cheapest economy car on the market and have a few thousand dollars left over, but I bought it in 1970, so prices have gone up some since then. When I look at this house, I don't think of all its attributes, but rather of the good times we had there, while we were growing up with our children. You can tell a lot about a house by the people who live there; Are they happy or mean or cheap or friendly or WHATEVER? Consider what sort of house would be fit for God to dwell in and then read this passage from the book of 1st Kings.

1Ki 8:1 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the princes of the fathers' houses of the children of Israel, to king Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of Yahweh out of the city of David, which is Zion.
1Ki 8:2 All the men of Israel assembled themselves to king Solomon at the feast, in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month.
1Ki 8:3 All the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.
1Ki 8:4 They brought up the ark of Yahweh, and the Tent of Meeting, and all the holy vessels that were in the Tent; even these did the priests and the Levites bring up.
1Ki 8:5 King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who were assembled to him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and cattle, that could not be counted nor numbered for multitude.
1Ki 8:6 The priests brought in the ark of the covenant of Yahweh to its place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubim.
1Ki 8:7 For the cherubim spread forth their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim covered the ark and its poles above.
1Ki 8:8 The poles were so long that the ends of the poles were seen from the holy place before the oracle; but they were not seen outside: and there they are to this day.
1Ki 8:9 There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone which Moses put there at Horeb, when Yahweh made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.
1Ki 8:10 It came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of Yahweh,
1Ki 8:11 so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud; for the glory of Yahweh filled the house of Yahweh.

The temple was beautiful, but its really not the house, but God that is worth considering. He created the entire universe, but chose to dwell there; why, because he loved Israel. If there is love in a house, it will be beautiful no matter what it looks like. Look at your own house today, does it say LOVE and does God dwell in the hearts of those who live there? If so, cherish that love for as long as you live!!!

A little bent out of shape

Bonsai trees are an art form in themselves. Someone has spent a lot of time pruning, binding and shaping this tree to obtain this shape. Life is like that too; things good and bad happen to us throughout the years and we eventually are changed. Those who follow Jesus know the power of his life and the impact of the Scriptures in their lives. Even the bad things work to make us closer to God. When I saw this tree I thought of this passage from the book of Romans.

Rom 8:28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.
Rom 8:29 For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Rom 8:30 Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified.
Rom 8:31 What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Rom 8:32 He who didn't spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things?
Rom 8:33 Who could bring a charge against God's chosen ones? It is God who justifies.
Rom 8:34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes rather, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36 Even as it is written, "For your sake we are killed all day long. We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter."
Rom 8:37 No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
Rom 8:39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

With God anything is possible and if we remember this passage, even the "bad" things seem better because we are not alone. So, if at times your life seems a little bent out of shape, remember that it just might be that God is molding you for a better look in the future.

Imagine the freedom

Beautiful scenery, wonderful skies and an open road for as far as the eye can see. A perfect day for a drive and not a worry in the world; or is there? Notice that solid double line in the center of the road which means "do not cross". So, I guess there is at least ONE WORRY and that is crossing the line. The Old testament law was like that; there were definite boundaries to what you could do and WHO you could do it with. But the problem was that no one could keep it perfectly so there was a BIG WORRY:sin. I really like this passage in the book of Ephesians because it gives me great hope!

Eph 2:1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
Eph 2:2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience--
Eph 2:3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
Eph 2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
Eph 2:5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved--
Eph 2:6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, Eph 2:7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
Eph 2:9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Eph 2:11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called "the uncircumcision" by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands--
Eph 2:12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Eph 2:14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility
Eph 2:15 by abolishing the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,
Eph 2:16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.
English Standard Version

Hope, because of what The Christ did in abolishing the law of commandments and ordinances for all men; not JUST THE JEWS! The law no longer divided the world between uncircumcised and circumcised, it unified through Jesus. The line of demarcation was abolished and unity with God was achieved. Hope, paid for with suffering and blood and death, transforming the path to God from a regulatory environment to one of grace. Look at the picture once again and imagine the freedom that the removal of that double line would bring; only now, just have to look for the oncoming cars. Drive (and live) circumspectly and be free!

Cows, prayer and sundials

I have seen a lot of things, but "falling cows"? While I don't doubt that it could happen, does it really happen so often that a sign is needed? If anyone out there is old enough to remember the sitcom "Mel's diner", then you probably will also remember the waitress who said "When Donkey's Fly". Well, I haven't seen either of these, but strange things do happen. Here is a strange one from the book of Isaiah.

Isa 38:1 In those days was Hezekiah sick and near death. Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, came to him, and said to him, "Thus says Yahweh, 'Set your house in order, for you will die, and not live.' "
Isa 38:2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to Yahweh,
Isa 38:3 and said, "Remember now, Yahweh, I beg you, how I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in your sight." Hezekiah wept bitterly.
Isa 38:4 Then the word of Yahweh came to Isaiah, saying,
Isa 38:5 "Go, and tell Hezekiah, 'Thus says Yahweh, the God of David your father, "I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life.
Isa 38:6 I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city.
Isa 38:7 This shall be the sign to you from Yahweh, that Yahweh will do this thing that he has spoken.
Isa 38:8 Behold, I will cause the shadow on the sundial, which has gone down on the sundial of Ahaz with the sun, to return backward ten steps. So the sun returned ten steps on the sundial on which it had gone down." ' "

Its in the Bible, so I do believe it happened; how, I don't have a clue, but then again that's where faith comes in, sometimes you believe in things you can't see. God heard Hezekiah's prayer and the sundial incident is proof that sometimes miracles do happen. As far as falling cows go, well, I have to see that one. But I have seen drunk cows and that isn't pretty. So, take care of your cows; put up a fence to keep them from falling over a cliff and keep them away from waterholes with fermenting apples in them!

Spectrum of beauty

This bridge is at Lion's gate in Vancouver, Canada. I love the colors on the water; can you imagine what it must be like to go over it at night and see this spectrum of beauty? I think it would seem wonderful to be on it! When I saw this photo, it reminded me of a passage in the book of Isaiah.


Isa 35:1 The wilderness and the dry land will be glad. The desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose.
Isa 35:2 It will blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing. Lebanon's glory Lebanon will be given to it, the excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They will see Yahweh's glory, the excellence of our God.
Isa 35:3 Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.
Isa 35:4 Tell those who have a fearful heart, "Be strong. Don't be afraid. Behold, your God will come with vengeance, God's retribution. He will come and save you.
Isa 35:5 Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped.
Isa 35:6 Then the lame man will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will sing; for waters will break out in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.
Isa 35:7 The burning sand will become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water. Grass with reeds and rushes will be in the habitation of jackals, where they lay.
Isa 35:8 A highway will be there, a road, and it will be called The Holy Way. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it will be for those who walk in the Way. Wicked fools will not go there.
Isa 35:9 No lion will be there, nor will any ravenous animal go up on it. They will not be found there; but the redeemed will walk there.
Isa 35:10 The Yahweh's ransomed ones will return, and come with singing to Zion; and everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away."

All roads are not alike; some are scenic and others, well, you just can't wait to go onto another road. But the Holy Way, the Road that GOD lays before you is a way of holiness and freedom from danger; a way happiness and expectation. More beautiful than any light show, it has a superhuman design leading to the habitation of the Almighty. And, oh yes, seeing the desert blooming like a ROSE (pun intended) wouldn't be bad either.

Are you ready?

Don't try to sneak up on this cat; its ready for anything! Look at the eyes, they seem to say "I am one dangerous character". You can tell a great deal about people from the way they carry themselves as well. Whether its a shopper in Wal-mart who is frantically throwing things into their basket or someone who is leisurely walking by the side of the road, what you do says a lot about you. God's selection of those who were to fight for Gideon is a good example.

Jdg 7:1 Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people who were with him, rose up early, and encamped beside the spring of Harod: and the camp of Midian was on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.
Jdg 7:2 Yahweh said to Gideon, The people who are with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, My own hand has saved me.
Jdg 7:3 Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return and depart from Mount Gilead. There returned of the people twenty-two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.
Jdg 7:4 Yahweh said to Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down to the water, and I will try them for you there: and it shall be, that of whom I tell you, This shall go with you, the same shall go with you; and of whoever I tell you, This shall not go with you, the same shall not go.
Jdg 7:5 So he brought down the people to the water: and Yahweh said to Gideon, Everyone who laps of the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set him by himself; likewise everyone who bows down on his knees to drink.
Jdg 7:6 The number of those who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down on their knees to drink water.
Jdg 7:7 Yahweh said to Gideon, By the three hundred men who lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into your hand; and let all the people go every man to his place.

God chose just a few people out of the multitude so that the credit with their victory over the Midianites would not be a prideful thing. By only three hundred men God worked a great victory; men who were cautious and yet unafraid. Are you ready, God is still looking for people to use? Think about that the next time you have some water.

Let the light shine!

This flag says something to me; not just because of what it stands for, but because of what is behind it; the son of God and not the sun in the sky. Somehow the great thinkers of this land have perverted the original intent of the formation of this country. It was founded to be one nation under God, not one nation APART FROM GOD. The idea was to have religious freedom, not to separate ourselves totally from religion. We need to wake up to the fact that there are those in America who would by legal means slowly take away our religious rights under the guise of separation of church and state. This passage from the book of Ephesians will help illustrate.

Eph 5:1 Be therefore imitators of God, as beloved children.
Eph 5:2 Walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance.
Eph 5:3 But sexual immorality, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be mentioned among you, as becomes saints;
Eph 5:4 nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not appropriate; but rather giving of thanks.
Eph 5:5 Know this for sure, that no sexually immoral person, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God.
Eph 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words. For because of these things, the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.
Eph 5:7 Therefore don't be partakers with them.
Eph 5:8 For you were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,
Eph 5:9 for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth,
Eph 5:10 proving what is well pleasing to the Lord.
Eph 5:11 Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them.
Eph 5:12 For the things which are done by them in secret, it is a shame even to speak of.
Eph 5:13 But all things, when they are reproved, are revealed by the light, for everything that reveals is light.
Eph 5:14 Therefore he says, "Awake, you who sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
Eph 5:15 Therefore watch carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise;
Eph 5:16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

We need to commit ourselves to living purely and oppose those who propose removing God from our society. Now is the time to really see the need to have the light of Christ shine through us to our nation; for us to realize the absolute necessity of this before its too late. Now means now, not some vague future date. Be what you are meant to be; a light to the world and hope for those who don't see God at all. This has changed individuals and nations in the past and can do it again. Let the light shine!

Fatherhood

When I downloaded this picture a few months ago, I thought it was funny, but now? With people dying from Swine Flu it has lost its humor! Now I look at this picture and notice something I didn't see before; the adult foot in the sandal at the right in the picture. Notice I didn't say "parent" because this person really wouldn't qualify in my book. I would really be upset if this were my grandchild. Proverbs puts it this way.

Pro 17:21 He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.

One thing is very sure; on this "parents' " next birthday I would give them a card with a pig on it and the name of my local doctor; they probably will need both, one for a lesson in parenting and the other to get some medical help. Some people are just slow learners.