Up, up and away

I was taken aback by this picture. Balloons at night with their reflection on the water; how absolutely beautiful! Which raises a good question: What is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen? And does this thing remain the same throughout the years? I remember when I was 7 years old (and I really WAS 7 years old once) I really, really, really, really wanted a Davey Crockett coonskin cap. Then one day the topic of girls came up with one of my parents and I was told that in a year or two I would begin to see girls differently. I couldn't believe it; someone would actually want to spend time with a girl rather than PLAY BASEBALL?? Well, along came Linda and things have never been the same again. Which reminds me of this passage from the Song of Solomon.

Song 2:1-4

1 I am a rose of Sharon, A lily of the valleys.
2 As a lily among thorns, So is my love among the daughters. Beloved
3 As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, So is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, His fruit was sweet to my taste.
4 He brought me to the banquet hall. His banner over me is love. WEB

Love changes things. You never see beauty the same again. Isn't it a little odd that I can go from a beautiful picture of helium balloons to thoughts of my wife just like that??? Not at all; for that's the way of the heart and it is overpowering. If you want an unusual experience, try re-reading the Song of Solomon. The physical and spiritual love the book exudes have a parallel between the love of God and the church which he purchased with his own blood. Love is wonderful and the true depths of it go beyond the comprehension of any mere mortal. But, I keep trying to understand and although I may never succeed, the trip is wonderful. I am reminded of an old song by the Fifth Dimension which somehow seems appropriate, its title: Up, up and away, my beautiful balloon! Look it up, you might enjoy it!

A bigger bucket

Fire; with it we warm our homes, cook our food and watch it as it burns in our fireplaces. Once it starts in a situation where we have no control, it becomes terrifying. Our natural instinct is to put it out at any cost, without thinking. I guess that what this person in the picture was doing... not thinking. If I were him, I would only do one thing...run! Fire inspires great fear, yet sometimes it is not to be feared, as this passage from the book of Daniel shows us.

Dan 3:15-29
15 Now if you are ready whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music to fall down and worship the image which I have made, well: but if you don't worship, you shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that god that shall deliver you out of my hands?16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up.19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spoke, and commanded that they should heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated.20 He commanded certain mighty men who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.21 Then these men were bound in their pants, their tunics, and their mantles, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.22 Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.23 These three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste: he spoke and said to his counselors, Didn't we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered the king, True, O king.25 He answered, Look, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the aspect of the fourth is like a son of the gods.26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace: he spoke and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you servants of the Most High God, come forth, and come here. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came forth out of the midst of the fire.27 The satraps, the deputies, and the governors, and the king's counselors, being gathered together, saw these men, that the fire had no power on their bodies, nor was the hair of their head singed, neither were their pants changed, nor had the smell of fire passed on them.28 Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel, and delivered his servants who trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and have yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.29 Therefore I make a decree, that every people, nation, and language, which speak anything evil against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill; because there is no other god who is able to deliver after this sort. WEB

To die a death by fire is a fearsome thing, but God is to be feared even more. In this case, God chose to save the three from destruction to teach a great king a lesson. The king listened and God was glorified; end of story. Well, perhaps not, because who knows, maybe someday we might have a choice like this to make as well. I only hope it doesn't involve fire. In the meantime, will someone tell that man to get a BIGGER BUCKET!!

The look on his face

I have always loved Mickey Mouse. I watched the Mickey Mouse club on TV every single day when I was small. But, somehow this "Mickey" seems a little crazy to me. Something about the paint job on this "Mickey" just says danger. Which brings to mind this passage from the book of proverbs.

Prov 22:6
6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. WEB

Things have changed a lot since I was a kid and today those with young children have to watch more closely than ever what their youngsters are exposed to. Be wise, be careful, be a parent; twenty years from now your descendants will thank you!

Too Late????

Here's something you don't see everyday; the aftermath of a big meal. In order to look like this, it must have been a rather large beast, big enough for the two of them. But its not the appearance that bothers me so much as the fact that another animal died. I know, that is the way life is, but somehow it still bothers me. When I was 17 I thought I would live forever, but now at 60 I know better. Things happen. Death comes to us all, hopefully not a violent one, but hey, you never know. What is not inevitable is spiritual death; THAT CAN BE AVOIDED. Read the following passage from 1st Peter and take a few minutes to think about it.


1 Peter 5:6-10
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time;
7 casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.
8 Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
9 Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings.
10 But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. WEB

You don't have to be "lunch" for the Devil; he can be overcome through faith. Faith in and through God who has power over the adversary. Don't take Satan lightly, don't fall for the misconception that he isn't real, don't be tricked; you are a target. Do save your spiritual future by the power of God by the faith the Almighty has given you. In humility, trust in God and look to him for the way out... its there, Jesus will never leave you or forsake you. Listen, learn and do those things God wants you to do before its too late and you become next on Satan's luncheon list.

No whining

Nice little 50's diner; I used to go to one like it in Jersey called Johnny Rockets. However, Johnny Rockets didn't have the attitude that this little place has. Check out the sign. Tells you a lot doesn't it? Maybe people complain a bit too much here? Maybe the ownership just doesn't care whether they complain or not? Which brings to mind the thought; What do I complain about? What things bother me? And it is really right that I complain in the first place? Given the fact that Job had lost everything, what does it say about him?



Job 3:3-7
3 "Let the day perish in which I was born, The night which said, 'There is a boy conceived.'
4 Let that day be darkness; Don't let God from above seek for it, Neither let the light shine on it.
5 Let darkness and the shadow of death claim it for their own. Let a cloud dwell on it. Let all that makes black the day terrify it.
6 As for that night, let thick darkness seize on it. Let it not rejoice among the days of the year. Let it not come into the number of the months.
7 Behold, let that night be barren. Let no joyful voice come therein. WEB


Job was at a loss what to do and where to go. He felt that he was righteous before God and with good reason. So, he basically said... " Its better if I was never born". But he had a lesson to learn (as I guess we all do) that there is a lot going on in this world beyond our petty problems. Thankfully, by the end of the book he learned that he needed to trust more and think a whole lot less of himself. Complaining (or whining, if you will) doesn't solve a thing, but trusting in the power above all powers is the way to go.

Next

Here is something you don't see every day; an older man acting like a kid. People age differently, with some going completely grey before they are 30 and others turning much later. Its not just appearance, either. Some are old before their "time" and others, well, they never seem to grow old. Consider the following Bible passage from 2nd Corinthians.

2 Cor 4:13-18
13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, "I believed, and therefore I spoke." We also believe, and therefore also we speak;
14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will present us with you.
15 For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
16 Therefore we don't faint, but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory;
18 while we don't look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. WEB

Attitude makes all the difference in the world. It is the outward expression of an inward state; the glowing of the soul in the real world. A heart on the sleeve with an open invitation to share. Face it, we all grow old sometime (if given the opportunity), but we don't have to grow old in spirit. This is especially true if we look beyond this temporary state to that of the eternal. The knowledge of God transcends this physical world and changes one into something better; something timeless. God has a way of lightening the load, of changing one's attitude and making our life better. And behaving like a youngster doesn't hurt either.

Bate and switch

I like to eat at Subway. They have a "little" sandwich called the "feast" that is almost too much for even ME to finish. What I don't like is this billboard. It is a blatant example of the deceptiveness of sin. It grabs your attention and then redirects your actions; it controls you at the most basic of levels. This concept is seen in one of the most revealing passages in the New Testament.

Matt 4:1-11 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
2 When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry afterward.
3 The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."
4 But he answered, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'"
5 Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple,
6 and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, 'He will give his angels charge concerning you.' and, 'On their hands they will bear you up, So that you don't dash your foot against a stone.'"
7 Jesus said to him, "Again, it is written, 'You shall not test the Lord, your God.'"
8 Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory.
9 He said to him, "I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me."
10 Then Jesus said to him, "Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'"
11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and ministered to him.WEB


Hunger, fear and the desire for power are very powerful motivators; right up there with sex. The devil used them to try to control Jesus for his own evil motives. He didn't succeed and the reason for it was Jesus' love and trust in God and his knowledge of the word of God. We can overcome evil just like Jesus did, but we need to realize that Satan will tempt us in any and every way possible to create a wedge between the creator and the created. Once Satan gets your attention, watch out for his bate and switch tactics; they are very dangerous. So is eating too many subs; especially ones with names like "The feast".

The long way down

Its pictures like this that make me glad I had daughters and not sons. Whatever can be going through his mind right about now? And who is taking this picture, anyway? Try and put yourself in the role of this boy's parent and pretend that you just told him to go! Could you do it? I couldn't. God wanted Jesus to go to the cross for our sakes and he did, but it couldn't have been easy, knowing what was going to happen. Here's a passage that gives a little insight as to what Jesus was thinking about.

John 17:14-26
14 I have given them your word. The world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.15 I pray not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one.16 They are not of the world even as I am not of the world.17 Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth.18 As you sent me into the world, even so I have sent them into the world.19 For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.20 Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who believe in me through their word,21 that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me.22 The glory which you have given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, even as we are one;23 I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me, and loved them, even as you loved me.24 Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, that they may see my glory, which you have given me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world.25 Righteous Father, the world hasn't known you, but I knew you; and these knew that you sent me.26 I made known to them your name, and will make it known; that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them."WEB

Jesus thought of others; of course this is no real surprise, but it does tell us something of the man. He had a great love for those who were to be his followers, great enough to worry about them and not himself. Why? Because he trusted in his father and knew what the outcome would be. Life may seem dangerous and to a certain extent it is, but put things in perspective, what are a few years on Earth compared with an eternity in heaven. When you think about it in those terms, the long way down pales in comparison to the longer stay in heaven. The first sermon I heard in Chapel was by Ed Healy: JOY, Jesus first, Others second and yourself last. Nice prioritization; God's will first, then that of others and finally your own. By the way, if I was this boy's parent; the second thing I would do after taking the picture would be to stop this little immanent joy ride before it went any further. Have you seen the cost of hospitalization lately?

Trust (video link)

He walked with a heavy limp and relied upon his cane all the time. A motorcycle accident in his youth had left him like this. But he taught me me something I will never forget; the following verse from the Bible.

Ps 20:77 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, But we trust the name of Yahweh our God. WEB

I was down and discouraged and he quoted this passage from the Psalms to me. I was like a thunderbolt and in that instant I knew that I had been trusting in myself instead of God. When I saw this video, I was reminded of my friend and it was a source of no small comfort. Yet, at the same time sorrow filled my heart; why, because this video is banned in some states. It is sad when God is left out of the picture, and dangerous too. Pass this link along to everyone you know, in order that we all might remember where to place our trust.

Success; God with you!!!

Remind you of anything??? As a World War II buff, I am reminded of the Third Reich. They were quite an outfit, very disciplined, very determined, but very, very wrong. How? Their oath of allegiance was to Adolf Hitler himself. He and he alone was to be their leader; God was to be out of the picture; they were bound to fail! Here is the formula for success.

Josh 1:6-9
6 Be strong and of good courage; for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.
7 Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded you: don't turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate thereon day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.
9 Haven't I commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; don't be afraid, neither be dismayed: for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.WEB

How many kingdoms have risen only to fall since these words were spoken? Yet, the followers of the God of Creation are still following HIS WORD. Tell you anything? Success isn't in blind obedience to any man, but rather to GOD ALONE! Adolf Hitler came to power because of economic hard times and a sense of failure; don't let that sort of thing happen in this country. We need to let our leaders know that they do NOT HAVE ABSOLUTE CONTROL OVER US; because GOD holds that position. America, are you listening?