Things I wonder about

"Daddy, can you help me?"

"What is it son?"

"I want to wear my tie and my belt...so I can be a little man."

Some things make me wonder. Some are funny and make me laugh. What goes through a little person's mind? How is it that they think and see things. Can you imagine seeing things from a child's perspective? You could crawl around on the floor to see things from the way they see things. But the physical things little folks see isn't the only things they see that we don't.

"We were driving down the street," the speaker is relating an incident with his two children, "as we passed an 'adult' movie theater my daughter asked what it was. I told her it was a movie theater that had 'dirty movies'. A few minutes later I overheard as she explained to her younger brother. 'Yes, she said, it's a movie theater that shows 'dirty movies'. That's where people sit around and spit at each other."

I've never understood why they call those things 'adult'. None of the things they call adult really are adult. They could call it self-centered, selfish, warped, twisted...there are several things it could be called but adult isn't one of them.

Romans 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

Women have a deep influence on society for either good or evil. When even the women leave their God-given sphere then society suffers. In the above instance it is speaking of God's disapproval of the homosexual life style, and it being against nature. However, as repugnant as that life style may be to some, have we missed something...have we overlooked an aspect of the things that God gives people up to do?

Not many honest people would deny that we have a plethora of problems today caused by our 'casual' view on divorce and remarriage and divorce and remarriage, and.... Some people change family partners every few years. They jump from one relationship to another, leaving behind them families and children and beginning new families and new children. Some times they divorce and remarry, sometimes they just move in together. They call it 'living together', some people call it 'shacking up', but God calls it 'sin'.

1Corinthians 5:12&13 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13) But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

People that are not Christians (them that are 'without') God will judge. They that don't obey the gospel of Christ are already judged, because they haven't obeyed. (Those that are obedient, those that are Christians, are to be 'judged' in this life by Christians, and in the next life-- by God). Sadly, these sins have seeped into even those who profess Christ.

There was a time when 'good' people just didn't do certain things. There was a time when 'Christians' set the standard. They helped society SEE what was right and how society should live.

1Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Why are we a society of 'children' masquerading under the guise of 'adults'. If we began judging 'adults' by behavior instead of by an age, how different things could be. For instance: Adults are responsible people, therefore, they will not 'use' another person as if they are 'things', or-- adults will weigh their actions thinking of how those actions will affect others not only now but in the future, another? --adults will act in a responsible manner, because they know that their actions have consequences--and our society, and our future (s) depend on responsible consequences. I'm sure other people can think of things true adults would do.

It's not easy being an adult, and adults don't always do the 'right' thing, no matter how hard they try, but so very few even try any more!

"I just thought," the young preteen girl stammers, "Dad never calls, or comes to see us anymore, and I just..."

The talk show host tries to be gentle, but how do you tell a young child--"Your dad doesn't love you any more. He's moved on to his new 'honey'. He has a 'new' family, and it's just too bad for you, cause...he just doesn't love you any more?

How do you tell this young girl...or any young girl or any young boy for that matter the ugly, awful, and especially excruciating truth. The people in your life that God intended to love, nurture, and protect you...they could really care less...about you or anyone else except themselves?

We can pass laws to 'make' dead beat parents pay child support, but what we need is to transform dead beat parents into Godly, loving, caring, parents. Parents who start putting first things first.

We need to have a true heart for God. We need to seek God and His paths--through Jesus Christ. That would begin a change in our society that would reach into more aspects than that of how we treat children. People would see that murdering babies under a flag of 'freedom of choice' gives rise to treating with disdain, not just children, but the old, the infirm, undesirable. Anything we don't want--it's just a 'freedom to choose'.

I Corinthians 13:4-8 Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5) doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil; 6) rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth; 7) beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8) Love never faileth:

It's time for men...and women...to grow up.

Acts 17:30 The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent:

What a Saviour!

Healing in its Wings

August 07

Reprint from 8-07-2008

Human beings are a worshipful creation. In every ancient culture they worshiped something. Many objects worshiped were false gods, or idols, but none-the-less people seek to worship something. It isn't until we have found the true God that we find the inner peace necessary for...well for peace...for healing.

Many people ask the same questions; why am I here? and what is my purpose?

Job 7:6 "My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, And are spent without hope." Without God we are without hope. Today, in the last age, we have a view of eternity that Job didn't have. We can see much of the pattern that God has laid out. We don't always understand why certain things happen. We sometimes have a spirit of frustration, but when we have a spirit of humility--which in the sight of God is of great gain--we will accept the things that happen looking for the good that will come. "No great loss, without some great gain." The old wives' saying goes.

Acts 4:13 "Now when they beheld the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus."

Unlearned and ignorant. The Apostles were not polished eloquent speakers. What set them apart? They had been with Jesus. When they spoke of Jesus they spoke from conviction...and with conviction. They had nothing to gain, and everything to lose. Most all lost their life for preaching Jesus--and gained their life. They had found something greater than themselves.

Matthew 13:44 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in the field; which a man found, and hid; and in his joy he goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 45) Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a merchant seeking goodly pearls: 46) and having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

"Look at this--it says, 'Win ten thousand dollars!' Mom, wouldn't that be nice?" the kids look at the flier that came in the mail.

"Sure would," I agree. "What would you do with that much money?" I try to encourage the children to think beyond instant gratification.

They have heard me say so often, "Well, first we'd pay off our bills, then we'd set some aside for missionary work, and...that their first words were usually, "First I'd pay off all of my bills". I found that amusing. Just how many 'bills' a ten year old had (or whatever age) I couldn't think, but still.... The 'experts tell us that most people who 'win it big', are usually broke--or worse--in just a few years after they hit the jack pot.

"Well, if you take care of your pennies, your dollars will take care of them self," my grandmother used to wisely tell us.

My son pulls out a twenty dollar bill, "This is what I have to buy groceries with," he explains. He has just had a financial set back, and has to make some tough choices, but...

Luke 16:10 He that is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much: and he that is unrighteous in a very little is unrighteous also in much. 11) If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

The tough times help us to appreciate the true blessings. They help us determine what we really need, as opposed to just buying things to be spending money. As the old timers used to say, 'it helps us shuck right down to the cob', to get to the heart of the matter. What is it that humans really need?

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in Jehovah with all thy heart, And lean not upon thine own understanding: 6) In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he will direct thy paths. 7) Be not wise in thine own eyes; Fear Jehovah, and depart from evil:

Malachi 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings; and ye shall go forth, and gambol as calves of the stall.

Proverbs 23:23 "Buy the truth, and sell it not;...."

Till Jesus Comes

"So, how you doing? I thought you weren't feeling so well. Sister, so and so, said you wouldn't be here--your knees were bothering you?"

The old woman paused as she hobbled painfully down the sidewalk toward the front of the church building. "Well, it isn't my fault. You see, my heart goes first, and the rest of me just has to follow."

Matthew 6:21 "for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also."

Psalms 122:1 "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go unto the house of Jehovah."

"Mom, do we have to go to church?" Ever been asked that by your children? Going to worship on Sunday, and Bible Study on Wednesday night was what we did. We were probably asked that question, because I remember the answer. The answer is, 'No, we don't have to go to church, we get to go to church. It is a privilege and a blessing. Christ died in order that we can have a church to go to."

Matthew 12:35 "The good man out of his good treasure bringeth forth good things: and the evil man out of his evil treasure bringeth forth evil things."

As we go through life we need to check our treasures. If the good man out of his good treasure brings forth good things...what are you bringing forth? If it isn't good things...does your treasure need to change?

In the church there seems to be the 'worker bees' and the 'drones'. The drones, of course, drone on and on about what isn't getting done, and what should be done, and what so and so needs to do. The worker bees are the ones who---work.

However: Matthew 7:22&23 "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? 23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

Does anyone think that walking all over town, handing out Bible study lessons will get them to heaven? What about flying all over the world to do mission work? Will that get us into heaven?

Ephesians 2:8,9,10 "for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9) not of works, that no man should glory. 10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them.

We are not saved by the works that we perform. Matthew 7, tells us that there are many who will do wonderful works, yet won't be allowed to enter into the 'joy of the Lord'. Why?

Matthew 7:24 "Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock:"

There appears to be a hearing and doing in this verse. Is there a difference between works...and works? Could it be the ones are done because Jesus commands it to be done...the others are done...to be seen of others?

Jesus says in John 14:15-- If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments. --That isn't a matter of 'If I feel like it.' That isn't a matter of 'I don't want to work FOR my salvation. When the commander says do it, you just...do it.

Do we work to be saved? No, we don't work to be saved. We work because we are saved:

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them.

Luke 17:10 Even so ye also, when ye shall have done all the things that are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which it was our duty to do.

Remember, Jesus paid the price. Christians should be the grateful servants.

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Things From My Garden

Things From My Garden-- reprint fr0m August 8, 2008

The beans are growing well, and they need a fence--or a trellis--for support and somewhere to climb. Rule number one: don't try to tell your fifteen year old son how to twist the wire to attach the fence to the posts. Even if you have more experience than he does. (He will question that point, probably loudly and vehemently). Sub-point a) if he knows how to twist the wire--he will get excited, (example--"Mom! I already know how to do this! Do you think I fell off the apple cart yesterday?") sub-point b) if he doesn't know how to twist wire--he will get excited,(example #two "Mom, I already know how to do this! Do you think I fell off the apple cart yesterday?")

Next rule, when laying out the rows, have your fifteen year old son measure the space between the rows, at least two feet between each row--maybe even three. Because when he is helping weed later on in the year, he will have at least two feet in the garden, and with the size of your fifteen year old son's feet it will seem like he has four feet.

Side point: volunteers in the garden can be a good thing. Since I use non-hybrid tomato, and bean varieties, I have a fondness for 'volunteer' tomatoes and beans. However, volunteers don't always grow where my fifteen year old son puts the rows, but usually do grow where he puts his feet, his hoe, or our cultivator. He denies being at war with my volunteers.

Growing things in a garden takes time and patience. Sometimes there is never enough time, and patience doesn't get rid of the worms (or pests), and my fifteen year old son with a tennis racket doesn't get enough of the cabbage moths either. (But he is learning style, grace, and form).

Life goes in cycles. You reap what you sow, and be careful of volunteers. (Sometimes you get what you don't want, where you don't want it). Learn to evaluate. If you are a fifteen year old son, WATCH YOUR FEET.

You plant, you water, and God gives the increase. You watch and carefully tend, and before you know it your fifteen year old son will be going on thirty. You pray that the lessons he learns from the garden will do him good all the days of his life.

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

Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord.

Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord. 21) Fathers, provoke not your children, that they be not discouraged.

Psalms 104:33 "I will sing unto Jehovah as long as I live:

I will sing praise to my God while I have any being."

Mustard, but...

"My friends and I were at a restaurant. We had a lot of fun, laughing and telling jokes. We had a great time. I got home and when I looked in the mirror...I was so embarrassed! I had mustard on my nose! I couldn't believe it. We had been in the restaurant for quite some time, and I had mustard on my nose. Not one of my friends had told me!" she was incredulous, even after all of the years in between that, of her good friends, not one had even told her that she had....

Proverbs 25:11&12 A word fitly spoken Is like apples of gold in network of silver. 12) As an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, So is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

"That preacher was preaching right at me!"

Have we forgotten, that is what the preacher is supposed to do?

"Well, I told her, if the shoe fits...put it on," our acquaintance smiles.

Matthew 23:3 all things therefore whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe: but do not ye after their works; for they say, and do not.

"When you read Matthew 23: 3," the speaker explains, "Jesus does not say--since these guys are hypocritical, you don't have to do what they tell you--. Jesus admonishes us if they are telling you the truth, if they are preaching it like it ought to be, then you need to follow the teaching. If they don't follow the correct path...well, that's their problem."

If the shoe fits put it on.

Galatians 4:16 So then am I become your enemy, by telling you the truth?

Philippians 3:18 For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

The apostle Paul had a heart for people, and he was dedicated to the cause of his Lord Jesus. It hurt him deeply that there were those folks who were subverting the cause of Christ, causing other innocent people to fall. And we still have those same type of people today. Some people, like Paul, love God and Jesus. Others, like Hymenaeus and Alexander, "...which some having thrust from them made shipwreck concerning the faith:" (1Timothy 1:19) didn't love anyone... except themselves.

Matthew 7:4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me cast out the mote out of thine eye; and lo, the beam is in thine own eye?

There is a fine line as we walk the pilgrim's path. I am more prone to say nothing. Oh, I may mutter under my breath talking to the Lord, but not wanting to say the wrong thing...or judge harshly...I say nothing.

Yet there are the days when I feel like I'm the 'speck' and the 'beam' is trying to help me get it out of my eye. "Wait a minute, wait a minute! The Lord and I are working on this." I feel like saying.

"Are you really?" my conscience asks me.

"Well, kinda," I reply.

Mark 9:22-24 And oft-times it hath cast him both into the fire and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us. 23) And Jesus said unto him, If thou canst! All things are possible to him that believeth. 24) Straightway the father of the child cried out, and said, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

Does our faith seem small? Luke 17:5 "And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith."

Do we need more wisdom? James 1:5 "But if any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God,..."

Do trials seem to press on us from all sides? Philippians 4:13 I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:8&9 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9) The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

May Your Soul Prosper...

Several years ago I set the goal to read through the entire Bible within the year. I have continued to do that every year since, and find it fascinating that as I read and reread each time there are scriptures that 'jump out' at me. I know I have read them before, but there they are suddenly highlighted.

Psalms 106:10-11 And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, And redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. 11) And the waters covered their adversaries; There was not one of them left.

How many times had God saved his people, Israel, after they left Egypt? They crossed the Red Sea 'as on dry land', and as Pharaoh's army chased after them, the army was 'covered by the waters'. Standing on the shore watching the waters roll back together...even in the classic movie 'The Ten Commandments' it is awesome. When I try to picture physically standing on the shore after the fearful hurrying, the fleeing of the Jewish nation as the Egyptian army is almost on their heels. Of course we know that the 'Pillar of Fire, (or of Cloud)' stood between the two camps, but it would feel like they were stepping at their heels. The hopeless feeling that, "even when we reach the other side, what will we do then, continue to run?" would have to hover in the back of their thoughts.

Psalms 106:12-13 Then believed they his words; They sang his praise. 13) They soon forgat his works; They waited not for his counsel,

Suddenly the waters closed on their enemies! They were saved! How glorious, how wonderful, how absolutely marvelous!

Exodus 15:1-2-21 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto Jehovah, and spake, saying, I will sing unto Jehovah, for he hath triumphed gloriously: The horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. 2) Jehovah is my strength and song, And he is become my salvation: This is my God, and I will praise him; My father's God, and I will exalt him..... 21) And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to Jehovah, for he hath triumphed gloriously; The horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

From verse one through verse twenty-one the people sing the praises of Jehovah. Then verses twenty-two through twenty four of the same chapter:

Exodus 15:22 And Moses led Israel onward from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.... 24) And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?

That must have been a long forty years. How many times during the wilderness wanderings did God take care of their needs? How many times did he bless them over, and over, and over.

---Psalms 106:14 But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, And tempted God in the desert.

Yet the verse that really stood out to me? Psalm 106:15-- "And he gave them their request, But sent leanness into their soul."

How many days do I see the testament of God's glory, His power, and majesty...all about me. Everywhere I look. Beautiful memories. Of course not all are beautiful, but I only cherish the ones that are--beautiful.

"Come over, the trees are golden today!" my friend call me up.
"How did you know?"
"How did I know what?" she asks.
"How utterly tired I am of...everything that 'wants' done," I say.
"You need a break. Come on over for tea!" she says
"Does two-ish sound all right?"
"I'll put the kettle on. See you about two-ish."

"You know, Mom," my daughter says, "it's scary. It's scary when Susie and I begin to sit and talk about things...just like you and Donna. Susie said to me the other day, 'Yeah, pretty soon we'll be sitting and I'll say to you, --So, how're your chickens doing today--, just like our moms do'."

"It sure is, honey," I say. While I'm thinking, darlin' if you only knew...chickens aren't the only things we talk about! My friend and I have solved all of the problems of the world, and all of our children's problems, and all of the problems that have been or ever could be. Over our cup of tea. Sometimes while the golden leaves shimmer in the sunlight above our heads, sometimes in the warm sunlight of summer, in the fresh springtime, or sitting by the wood stove.

So many of God's blessings, friends, family, sight, sound. Too many things taken for granted.

Psalms 89:5 And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O Jehovah; Thy faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones.

Psalms 89:6 For who in the skies can be compared unto Jehovah? Who among the sons of the mighty is like unto Jehovah,

3John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

Against All Odds

We like stories that end well. We like stories that encourage us. We like stories that show us that there is hope for ourselves, because...

Luke 23:27-28 And there followed him a great multitude of the people, and of women who bewailed and lamented him. 28) But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.

Some people say it was the Jews that crucified Jesus. Physically that is partly true. The multitude was a mixed lot. Some were there to witness the death of this radical man, to get their revenge, but... not all.

Luke 23:48 "And all the multitudes that came together to this sight, when they beheld the things that were done, returned smiting their breasts."
Not all, and it looked like the darkest day there ever could be. The darkest hour, to those who loved the Lord.

Luke 1:46-53 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47) And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 48) For he hath looked upon the low estate of his handmaid: For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 49) For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; And holy is his name. 50) And his mercy is unto generations and generations On them that fear him. 51) He hath showed strength with his arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their heart. 52) He hath put down princes from their thrones, And hath exalted them of low degree. 53 ) The hungry he hath filled with good things; And the rich he hath sent empty away.

"I've never really wanted one of those fancy cars. Something that gets me from here to there--reliably--that's all right for me. But some days, I would like to have a flashy, expensive vehicle--just to see the shade of green on the faces of those folks who have treated me mean, all these years," I tell my daughter-in-law. We both laugh.

Jesus was born into a poor family, even if he was from the tribe of Judah, and a descendant of King David. He learned to work, to laugh, to love, the way we humans do. When we think of the temptations of Christ do we ever think how it would have been. He could have had money, power, prestige...without the pain, suffering, and humiliation...without the sacrifice and the cross.

John 2:24-25 But Jesus did not trust himself unto them, for that he knew all men, 25) and because he needed not that any one should bear witness concerning man; for he himself knew what was in man.

Money and prestige can change the outside of the person, but that doesn't change the inside of a person. Jesus knew the inside. He didn't base his opinion of a person on what he saw on the outside, or upon their possessions...or lack there of.

Luke 23:21-22 but they shouted, saying, Crucify, crucify him. 22) And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath this man done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him and release him.

Why? (Pilot asks) What evil hath he done? That was the answer in a nut shell. None, no evil had he done. He was innocent. Ironic how innocence and purity make evil people so angry.

Luke 23:29-31 For behold, the days are coming, in which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the breasts that never gave suck. 30) Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. 31) For if they do these things in the green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

The commentators say that Jesus is the good tree, the innocent pure green tree--and he didn't deserve the punishment that he got; what would be done to the wicked sinful people that deserved punishment--the dry tree--as it were. Without going into the original language I've thought the essence of the passage was: if these things are done in the good (times) what will be done when things become hard (or difficult).

Mark 15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?... Mark 15:39 And when the centurion, who stood by over against him, saw that he so gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

Many were distressed when they saw the Saviour crucified, but it wasn't just the Jews that put him on that cross, it was our sins as well that put him there. Even knowing why he had to do what he had to do, why do we think it was easy for Jesus?

He knew what he had to do...and he did it...against all odds.

John 20:28 Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

How Do You Think?

"You and your husband are both strong willed people. Why wouldn't your children be strong willed?" my acquaintance asks.
"Well, I just wish they were strong willed in the right way," I say with a sigh.

Psalms 109:1-2 Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise; 2) For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of deceit have they opened against me: They have spoken unto me with a lying tongue.

The experts say that in this last year information has increased by 150 percent.

What is your first reaction to that statement? My first reaction was, 'Whoa! That's, a lot of information'. My second reaction was, 'What kind of information and how do you measure information, and whose information, and...'

If we see it in print do we tend to just accept it as truth? Or if we hear it often enough does it become 'truth' to us?

"All kids are going to rebel."

I've heard that often enough, but we all know it isn't true. Just because my daughter may choose to wash her bathroom floor first in her order of cleaning, and I put dishes in the washer first...that's not rebellion.

Jeremiah 35:6 But they said, We will drink no wine; for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us, saying, Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons, for ever:

It's when there is a principal involved that it becomes difficult. I assume that Jonadab the son of Rechab was not still alive, yet they kept his commandment. I would, if I were a wagering person, wager that their were no practicing alcoholics in their lot. They avoided the problem.

Psalm 106:1 Praise ye Jehovah. Oh give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness endureth forever.

Isaiah 13:13 Therefore I will make the heavens to tremble, and the earth shall be shaken out of its place, in the wrath of Jehovah of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.

"I just don't know, Mom. One person says one thing and then another person tells me something exactly opposite. I just don't know where the truth lies."

"Well, my son, the truth usually lies somewhere in between," I tell him.

There are folks that say "God is a God of love, and therefore He won't send any one to hell." Then we have folks that tell us "God is a vengeful God and we must 'toe the line'."

1John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Isaiah 59:1-2 Behold, Jehovah's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2) but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, so that he will not hear.

Honest people know that they aren't perfect. They know that they do fall short. If we have fulfilled the scriptural commands and are 'walking in the light', then we are covered. 1John 1:7 but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Reality check. We need daily reality checks. When I move my page down with the cursor, I am sometimes irritated to find I reach a certain point and --boing!--the entire page zips back to the beginning...because when I was moving the page with the cursor (along the side) I wasn't paying enough attention and (with my mouse) I strayed off of the doodad button. Spang! It goes to the top--when I'm trying to get down the page.

It is annoying in the computer sense, but many of the parables tell us 'those who think they are all right...need to be humble enough to continue to check'.

The parable of the ten virgins: Matthew 25:1-2 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2) And five of them were foolish, and five were wise.

Or the parable of the fishing net: Matthew 13:47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:

Exodus 15:26 and he said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of Jehovah thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his eyes, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon thee, which I have put upon the Egyptians: for I am Jehovah that healeth thee.

The principals of Godly living will keep us healthy in the physical as well as spiritual sense. Am I saying that a child of God will never get sick? Never? No, I am saying that you will be healthier in body and mind physically than if you were not keeping the principals. We also know that only through Jesus can we be healed spiritually.

It is interesting to note, I read of a study a few years ago, that stated when they compared the religion of ? Christian Scientist? (the people who don't use doctors--at all) to 'normal' people in society--the religious folks were actually healthier. This of course, occurred after someone of that faith had died (of appendicitis, I believe). Although, I'm not espousing their religious beliefs--maybe it's the physicians?

God doesn't 'send' any one to hell, it is a choice. If one (any one) of my sons had paid the price for the sins of the world, I think it would give me the right to set the standards. If he had paid the price would I think it was okay for that sacrifice to be treated lightly and with disdain?

Hebrews 2:1-3 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2) For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; 3) How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

Hallelujah! What a savior!

Stereotype

"There is nothing wrong with you," the older doctor states emphatically.

"What about..."

"Nothing wrong. Just go on home and..."

He's wrong of course. There are at least two things wrong with me as I sit in the consultation room. One I'm a woman, two on my chart it says, 'Works at home'. That translates into: a woman that sits at home all day, does nothing but fabricate illness/symptoms, feels bad about self, and eats too much.

"Just go on home, eat less, and exercise more. You have no problems, stress is just a lack of faith, and..." He has all the answers, but has never listened to the questions.

He's not a bad person, he's not even a bad doctor. Maybe he's seen too much and forgotten just as much.

Ever been stereotyped? Probably all of us have. And we probably, at least to a certain extent, do the same.

"These kids today! They're all going to ..." the older woman is sitting at the table talking to an acquaintance. She was on a rant for whatever reason.

"Never trust a person over 30," some one said way back when I was much younger. I wonder, did that change when the speaker got to the dreadful age of--THIRTY-- FORTY--or beyond?

I remember. I remember being fifteen. It was the year after I had learned and obeyed the gospel. Thankfully when I came up out of the 'watery grave of baptism', I was suddenly perfect. Well--I wish, anyway. No, of course not. I had a lot of struggles, a lot of 'history' to overcome.

Not having been held to much of a code of responsibility by any one, the first challenge was to understand the idea of 'authority'. Yes, God was my authority, but how do you deal with 'authority', when you have had an 'absentee' father. Someone I never knew...and have never known. Mother? If my mother said the moon was blue, you just said, 'Yes, ma'am,' whether you agreed or not. She surely was an authority, but she came and went in my life on a whim. I didn't have to deal with her often. So, someone (or thing) that was a steady, constant (omnipotent) authority was a new concept. A being that would be there always, whenever I needed them? I'm still, even after all of these years, working on that aspect of faith.

Fifteen! What a long time ago! I see too many children now who are going through the same things I went through at that age... and it isn't good.

Genesis 2:23-24 And the man said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 24) Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

By all indications I should have been in the forefront of the women's rights movement. What had 'men' ever done to improve my life? Surely I would have been better off with 'more freedoms' and 'more rights'. But wait...

My mother was already a 'freed' woman. She married, and divorced, four times. Better child care wouldn't have changed her life. Better health benefits wouldn't have changed our lives. Better pay wouldn't have been the answer either. What was missing was the very thing that the women's movement wanted to remove for (and from) everyone's lives.

I don't remember when we stopped honoring men. In today's society you can tell a man to stand up, sit down, turn around, and even to shut up, but you can't tell a woman anything.

Retribution, some may cry. Look at all those years (no, centuries) that men 'ruled the roost', so to speak. No, they aren't perfect, but what makes us think women are perfect either?

"Well," the woman says, "I'm tired of all of these men in politics. Look at the mess they've made! I say we ought to try a woman for a change."

"Well, that may be so, Martha, but one thing I've learned is this, a corrupt politician is still a corrupt politician, whether it be a man or a woman."

One thing we need to remember is that God is the supreme authority in all matters. When I have a problem or a question. I take it to the Lord. I examine the scriptures, the intents, even the history and context of what is said. It helps me to understand and follow what God wants. Yes, there still are difficult question, and sometimes even harder answers.

I don't know what my life would have been like if I had been reared in a 'normal' home/family. I believe God has allowed (not necessarily wished) me to endure some of these things, so that I may be able to reach out and help others. If in some way that is possible, and God is glorified through it, then the struggle will not have all been in vain.

2Timothy 2:11-12 "Faithful is the saying: For if we died with him, we shall also live with him: 12) if we endure, we shall also reign with him:..."

Hebrews 10:23 "let us hold fast the confession of our hope that it waver not; for he is faithful that promised:"

It is hard to believe, but at my age I find myself less patient with people who want to put me (and yes, I tend to be a 'round' peg) into a square hole. I don't know what it is about the phrase, I work AT home, that is so hard to understand. I don't believe all children are going down to a very bad end. I don't believe that all old people are dumb and senile. I don't believe that all men are stupid pigs, nor all women incompetent nincompoops. There are some in all of these categories that fit the peg, but I have found quite a number who renew my faith in the gooodness of God, and His creation.

Romans 13:7 Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it;

Titus 2:4 that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,

John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; even as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

Revelation 3:11 I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no one take thy crown.

Watchman

The night time holds terrors for many. We can walk the same paths during the day without fear, without anxiety, but the sun goes down and...

Isaiah 21:11-12 "...Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? 12) The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will inquire, inquire ye: turn ye, come."

"Watchman, what of the night?" The night watchman stands on guard on the top of the city wall. The gates and doors are shut. What is the watchman guarding against?

Ephesians 6:16 withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.

1Peter 5:8 Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour,

There are many things we must be on guard against. We all know that to steal, lie, or cheat is wrong. Other things to guard against are; idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties, (21) envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; (Galatians 5:20-21)

You might say, "Now wait a minute! I don't practice idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, or...well, any of those things!"

So, what are 'those things'? Well, idolatry is anything that we place before God. It could be a football game, (yes, I know those can be very important, but...) or any sport game that we miss Church service for. It could be a school function that we attend instead of Bible study. It could be any number of things we do instead of doing what God wants us to do. Sorcery? We think of it as 'witchcraft', and we don't do 'witchcraft' do we. But... have you checked your astrology 'sign' lately? Tarot cards? Ouija boards? Those would come under 'sorcery'. And enmities, strife, jealousy wraths, factions, divisions, parties, (21) envyings,--these things are shown in a backbiting spirit. Enmities or hatreds show themselves in arguing fault finding and quarreling. The parties here aren't the birthday parties, but the-- they and them, we and us--partitions that divide congregations. These are all 'works of the flesh, caused by Satan, and (he) uses them to 'divide (the Lord's church) and to attempt to conquer (the Lord's church).

Isaiah 21:12 The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will inquire, inquire ye: turn ye, come.

Yes, the morning comes. And for those who don't watch, also the night (will come). But watch.

Luke 21:36 But watch ye at every season, making supplication, that ye may prevail to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Luke12:35-36 Let your loins be girded about, and your lamps burning; 36) and be ye yourselves like unto men looking for their lord, when he shall return from the marriage feast; that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may straightway open unto him.

Be ready.

Ephesians 6:13-14 Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. 14) Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

And stand. This is so important it's stated at the end of verse thirteen and repeated at the beginning of fourteen. It is a soldier's term. As a soldier standing, ready to do battle, ready to hold the fort...or die in the attempt.

Luke 12:37-38 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and shall come and serve them. 38) And if he shall come in the second watch, and if in the third, and find them so blessed are those servants.

We might ask, 'when comes the morn'? If Jesus comes in the physical, what joy for his servants, but if we see him in either our physical bodies or in our spiritual bodies, he will lift our heavy burdens, and make our weary hearts sing.

Revelation 22:20 He who testifieth these things saith, Yea: I come quickly. Amen: come, Lord Jesus.
Rev 22:21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with the saints. Amen.

Works

The picture shows a long haired, pale faced Jesus. He looks like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth. The term 'lily-livered' and 'weak' come to mind. In another post we dealt with the thought that, those who drew, or in some way illustrated Jesus, didn't have a 'Kodak picture' to go by.

In Matthew 11:29 (Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.) Jesus calls himself meek-- not by the way-- weak.
In like manner Isaiah 42:3 (A bruised reed will he not break, and a dimly burning wick will he not quench: he will bring forth justice in truth.) shows him as kind and gentle --to those who were in need of encouragement, to those who were in despair.

Matthew 11:18-19 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a demon. 19) The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold, a gluttonous man and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! And wisdom is justified by her works.

Some say Jesus was a wine drinker, therefore it is alright for them to do so. "Matthew 22:29 But Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures,...". These folks show a basic lack of--at least-- scriptural knowledge, and the possibility of dishonesty. Let me explain here.

First, John the baptizer was a Nazarite, (Luke 1:15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and he shall drink no wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.) This is one who has a special vow, and could not partake of anything from the fruit of the vine, no grapes, no grape juice, not even raisins, along with several other restrictions. Samson was also a Nazarite in this fashion. That is what Jesus meant by 'he came neither eating nor drinking'. Not that John didn't eat or drink, but that he observed the 'law of the Nazarite'.

Jesus was special. Yes, he was very special, but he was not a Nazarite. He didn't have the restrictions of the Nazarite vow. This is what he meant by the 'Son of Man came eating and drinking'. He ate what the common folks ate. But neither John nor himself pleased the fault finders, (usually the Scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees). As for the charge that he was a gluttonous man and a winebibber--he did not say, 'I am a ...' he said THEY say....

The common people did not drink fermented wine. They would boil the grape juice down to a thick syrup to preserve it, and often they would reconstitute it to use it. (I used the little booklet titled, "Bible wines, Laws of Fermentation and Wines of The Ancients)

As to the charge that he was a friend to publicans and sinners, his reply? Matthew 9:12 But when he heard it, he said, They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick.

Now, let's consider. If I walk into the store and buy grape juice, will any one see that as questionable? What if I walk into the store and buy wine? Another thing, what about our influence? If someone sees me walk into the store and purchase wine, beer, or any alcoholic beverage, they could be encouraged to do likewise-- to the ruination of themselves. Children who see their parents drinking these beverages grow up believing it is acceptable. Alcoholic beverages take money that should go to the support of families, and they take the lives of those who participate in them (in several different ways--know of anyone who wanted to be an alcoholic when they grew up?).

Galatians 5:19&21 "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these:... 21) envyings, drunkenness, revelings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did..."
We need to know that Jesus was not a 'winebibber'... nor a gluttonous man.

When we weigh the outcomes, when we weigh what we want against what is good and right, what wins out in the end? What should win out in the end? What is most important?

Philippians 3:8 Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ,

What a Savior!

Do You Mind?

"I love peaches! These are really good," I admire the fruit that I am eating. The tree is fully loaded and the branches are weighed down, some are touching the ground from the burden.

"And look there at the apple trees, mom!" my son exclaims (in delight, I might add).

It appears to be a 'fruit' year, sure enough. It has been our experience that our apple trees only produce a good crop every other year. This year every thing seems loaded beyond what we usually consider 'good year'.

Galatians 5:19-21 "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20) idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties, 21) envyings, drunkenness, revelings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

As a Bible class teacher I often teach 'the fruits of the spirit', and we don't talk as much about the 'fruits of...' well, they aren't listed as 'fruits' they are listed under 'works of the flesh'.

Romans 8:6 "For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace:"

But we need to be quite sure that when we do the works of the flesh, there will be fruits to follow.

"Yeah," the twenty-five year old fellow says, "if I want companionship I just call up some gal I know, and she comes over. If I feel like going out to a restaurant, we go out, she pays the bill and we come back to my place. If there are consequences, she has the baby or does whatever, and goes on her..."

No, I can't imagine a woman that un-intelligent, but obviously it happens.

Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

So, what is wrong with this style of life? "Well," my friend says, "when the guy gets older, he will find it harder and harder to find a 'companion'. And that will be the least of his problems."

Yes, that will be the least of his problems. Usually those kind of fellows find some 'gal' that will eventually move in and be a more 'permanent' companion. Someone who will take care of him and put up with him. But that fellow has a problem and if he doesn't change will have a bigger problem.

"I want candy!" the little boy says as his mom wheels him past the candy aisle in the store. "I want toys!" you can hear him in the toy aisle. "I want candy, I want toys, I want to go back to the...!" Ever seen that in a store?

What makes something 'wrong'? I thought on this question for quite some time before finding the answer. It was in an article written about C.S. Lewis. It was very simple--some things are just wrong.

Yes, God tells us (Gal 5:19& 21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest,... of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.) that these things are sin and the consequences are damnable to our souls, but...some things are just wrong. Not because God tells us they are wrong, but because they are. God sets the standard.

Genesis 18:25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked, that so the righteous should be as the wicked; that be far from thee: shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

In this passage Abraham is bargaining with God about Sodom and Gomorrah, and Abraham states an eternal truth. "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?"

Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:...27) And God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Some folks affirm that mankind is so sinful that we can't choose to do right, but if we are made in the image of God then we were not created that way... nor to be that way. God sets the standard.

Matthew 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but the corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

The works of the flesh bare evil fruit, and we often don't have to wait a long time to reap their benefits.

Ephesians 5:8 For ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: walk as children of light

"And after all of that," my cousin has just listed all of the 'blessings' of her day, "Chuck brought me one of those ice cream treats I've been drooling over."

"You don't say!" I am slightly envious. One, because I didn't get the ice cream, and two, because even if someone HAD brought it to me...I couldn't eat it.

"I sure do say! Well, let me tell you, I couldn't believe all of those things happening in one day, and I just went into my bedroom, I got down on my knees, and I began to pray. I prayed over around, and about everything, and everyone I could think to pray about. If God was blessing me that day, I figured that was my day to pray for everything on my heart."

Well, I haven't had a day--that I can remember--when everyone I knew showered me with the things I wanted in an elaborate fashion, but...

Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than the food, and the body than the raiment?

Consider how many blessings God gives everyone! Not just good folks, nor his favorite, but everyone! Consider how rich we are. Every day we are blessed to view the world around us. The mountains, sky, trees, the pallet of our world is huge and contains so many things that we don't have time or space to list everything.

"Try a little bite," my son tells his child, "try just a little taste and see if you don't like it."

We are told in Psalms 34:8 "Oh taste and see that Jehovah is good: Blessed is the man that taketh refuge in him."

Yes, you can have just enough of Christianity to be miserable, but when we compare....

"Just what do you do for fun?" the young man of the world asks the young Christian girl after she repeatedly refuses to go on a date with him to several 'hot spots'.
"I wake up in the morning--without regrets," she tells him.

Without regrets. I don't know many people who can say that. To carefully weigh the options from a Christian perspective. How much sorrow it would save, and how much more happiness there would be.

Matthew 6:34 Be not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Taking one day at a time...with its golden blessings. Be thankful for each day with its golden blessings. Some one gave me 'bath oil beads' once. When held under the hot water faucet as the bath water was running, they would dissolve and perfume the water. That is what our daily blessings are like. Kind words, good deeds, the fruits of the spirit--like bath oil beads that make our lives pleasant and perfume the space in which we live.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

The Prudent

"Well, I didn't know I shouldn't poke at that black buzzy thing," the boy says, nursing a bee sting.

"I didn't know if I pulled the kitty's tail she would scratch!" the little girl exclaims, showing mom a nasty scratch.

Did you ever know something, only to come to really KNOW something? Many times I have told my children not to do something then...after they do it anyway...they say, "Well, but --I didn't know...!

I look out my window and what do I see? The little children's song begins. We look out the window and see God's creation (ie. birds flying, clouds floating, trees growing, etc.) and recognize that God made these things for me.

Proverbs 22:3 A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
Proverbs 27:12 A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the simple pass on, and suffer for it.

How many times does something have to be said in the scriptures for it to be a truth? This must be important. See evil and what?...hideth himself? The simple pass on and suffer?

What is evil? What kind of evil can we see? What ever it is-- we need to pay attention and stay away from it!

"Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice shame on me." Ever been tricked by some dishonest person? Did you fall for the same trick twice? Sometimes we do. The first time, any one can fall victim, but if the person does the same thing again....?

Genesis 3:4 "And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:" Oh, how many times people fall for that lie!
And just like Eve in Genesis 3:13 (And Jehovah God said unto the woman, What is this thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.) We have to confess, 'the serpent beguiled me'. Beguiled-- that means deceived or tricked.

We are tricked when we aren't content. When we begin to look for something 'more', or something 'different'. Genesis 3:6 "And when the woman SAW that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the EYES, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat;" Perhaps she wasn't looking before, but Satan planted the seed in her heart-- and there you go...and there she went.

Why is it that children of God seem to have so much trouble identifying 'evil'? There are things that a few years ago shocked everyone, not just the children of God, but society in general. Now, all people just take such things to be normal. "Well, we just don't know...we don't have the right to judge others." But wait...are we left to wander through this wilderness of woe...without direction?

Psalms 91:1-2 "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2) I will say of Jehovah, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in whom I trust."

As baptized believers we know that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. 1Corinthians 6:19-20 "Or know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God? and ye are not your own; 20) for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body." Anything that destroys the 'temple', which was 'bought with a price', or doesn't glorify God, is wrong (sin).

Keeping with the principles taught in Psalms 91:3 --For he will deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, And from the deadly pestilence.-- would deliver us from many problems we face today.

Well--- I think as I look around. I'm standing in the middle of a thistle patch. Not on the edge of a thistle patch, mind you, in the middle of a thistle patch, and I'm barefoot. How--- I continue the thought--- did I get here? and (more importantly) how will I get out?

Ever since I can remember the principle ' the shortest distance between two points is a straight line', has been my rule of life. And that is how I've found myself in this predicament.

Well, here we are amid the thistles of life. Yes, we can judge our lives, and the lives of those around us. By applying the Godly principles of: 'Does this glorify God? Will this help improve my life...for God? Does this bring me closer or further to God and His will for my life?' These questions will help us 'be delivered from the snares of Satan (the fowler) and from his deadly pestilence (sin).

Maybe the thing we should do is stand back, take a deep breath, and say, "Lord, this is your life. Help me to live for you. From now on you take the lead. It's your life, Lord."

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

A Time to Dance

I peruse down through the list of questions. These are supposed to help you 'get to know' your friends better. Some of the answers are funny; "What's under your bed?" answer--What isn't (and I don't want to know); question--Diamonds or Pearls? (my answer--Yes, I like both--my question--why do I have to choose? is there a shortage?)

Well, my friend is counting on me to answer these and send it back, sooo, here it goes. But-- question number 46 throws me. "When was the last time you cried?"

A little personal don't you think? Now if the question had been, "When was the last time you laughed?" that would have been alright, but...cried?

Emotions. We used to have little icons that could be used while we were 'insta-messaging'. I loved them. They were cute...even the boohoo one. When I was growing up we were not allowed to cry. Not that we were ever disciplined for crying, but adults didn't cry (that we saw) and that was what we absorbed.

Ecclesiastes 3:1&4 "For everything there is a season, and a time for very purpose under heaven: 4) a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;".

Well, I ponder question number forty-six.

John 11:35 Jesus wept.

2 Samuel 12:16 David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.

Matthew 26:75 And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

Jesus wept because of his friends. King David wept before Jehovah (in behalf of his child). Peter wept because of his sin (in despair for failing Jesus in his time of trial).

We weep for these same reasons. When my friends hurt--I hurt with them. (1Corinthians 12:26 And whether one member suffereth, all the members suffer with it;...)

We weep for our fleshly children and family. (Romans 9:2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing pain in my heart. 3) For I could wish that I myself were anathema from Christ for my brethren's sake, my kinsmen according to the flesh:)

We weep for ourselves. (Romans 7:24 Wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me out of the body of this death?)

We should weep for our nation, the lost, and even our enemies. (Philippians 3:18 For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:)

Discretion--"a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;" Jeremiah was known as the 'weeping prophet', but--we don't want to walk around weeping constantly. Why do we see tears as a sign of weakness? It shows our vulnerability, and we see that as a sign of weakness.

...a time to laugh; a time to mourn...and a time to dance. Yes, there is a time to weep, not in self-pity: Job 2:10 "But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?..."

Knowing that life happens to all of us both the good times and the bad, we can submit ourselves and draw nearer to God.

When was the last time you cried?

Psalms 89:1 "I will sing of the lovingkindness of Jehovah for ever: With my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. 2) For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever; Thy faithfulness wilt thou establish in the very heavens."

Promises Sure and Steadfast

The sun sends its silvery darts through the leaves of the large ash tree that sets east and slightly north of the house. It has begun to warm the lazy fog as it sleeps in the dips and hollows of the fields that sit across the dusty chalk colored gravel road on the other side of our front lawn. It was cool early this morning. Not cool enough for a jacket, but a comfortable cool. Just the right temperature to put 'roses' in the cheeks as rounds are made doing the chores.

Now, as I pick up my walking stick and begin my morning walk, I breathe deeply of the fresh air. My path takes me out under the huge hard maple tree that sits right outside of our 'sun porch' window, where the night's condensation falling from the leaves makes it look like it's raining. I continue under the large linden tree and on around the circle of the driveway.

"Walking in circles again?" my brother-in-law asked yesterday as he was on his way to the 'shop'.

"I guess it's just my lot in life," I answered with a smile.

"Well, at least your consistent."

We both laughed and went on our ways.

Have you ever wondered what life would be like if when you put your book on the table...it wouldn't stay down? What if it floated off up into the air? Or anything else. Your coffee, or glass of water? Consistency, we like it in many things...and we too often take it for granted.
"Well, if you don't like the weather right now, just wait an hour...it will change."

I thought that statement only applied in our part of the world, but no, I was listening to a reporter interview an 'innocent bystander' when an ice storm hit a neighboring state. It was February in the Midwest.

Genesis 8:22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

Genesis 9:13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. 14) And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud, 15) and I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.

There are different theories as to what the earth looked like/was like before the flood, but we don't know. It isn't necessary to know. It was different, we can know that, because the flood of Noah's day was a catastrophic event that saved Noah and his family from the ungodly, (2Peter 2:5 "and spared not the ancient world, but preserved Noah with seven others, a preacher of righteousness, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;").

We don't have the same covenant that Noah and the Patriarchs had, (God spoke to the fathers). We don't have the same covenant that Moses and the Israelites had (God delivered the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai), but we do have a better covenant, (God gave us salvation through His Son).

Hebrews 1:1 "God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets by divers portions and in divers manners, 2) hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds;"

Hebrews 2:1 "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard, lest haply we drift away from them. 2) For if the word spoken through angels proved stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; 3) how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? which having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard;"

How comforting to know that we who have come to Jesus, have obeyed his commandments (and are still striving to walk in His light) have a hope, both sure and steadfast.

Hebrews 6:18 "that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us: 19) which we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and stedfast and entering into that which is within the veil;"

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Exchange...Diets

We began an 'exchange' diet a few months ago. The different items of food are classified according to their composition. Things such as breads are-- starches; oils are-- fats; fruits of course are (surprise) fruits; and vegetables are what they are also. You are allowed so many of the different food groups per meal, per day. It has been a decent diet to follow, and is effective to the extent that the dieter is committed to the diet.

Some people have good diets, some people don't. A good diet helps us to be healthier, but losing weight doesn't always make us healthy, or make us live longer.

The last point seems to fly in the face of what we think we know. Losing weight can help bring down blood pressure, control cholesterol, take pressure off of knees, joints, and organs. But when researchers followed the formerly over-weight people who kept their weight off, there were certain other 'factors' that trumped the weight loss. Those people didn't always live longer, and the --moderately over-weight person-- doesn't necessarily die younger.

Diets...1Peter 2:2 "as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation;"

"I'm not a picky eater," the man says.
"No, he just doesn't like most vegetables, and he doesn't like..."

We all laugh.

"I know what the Bible says," we are having a Bible study, "but I don't think..."
Of course that is often a lot of the problem. That person isn't the only one that doesn't think.

"When I want your opinion I'll ask for it," I tell my children when they complain about garden work. Of course, when I want their opinion I do ask for it, but do we really think the Almighty God and Creator of the Universe needs our opinion?

"Do you know why God didn't make woman first?"
"No, why?"
"He didn't want an opinion."

That could be funny, but in my case it is often true. How often do we think we can 'pick and choose' what we want to follow from God's Word. Like a smorgasbord, we will fill our lives with keeping the commandments that we like.

3John 1:2 "Beloved, I pray that in all things thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."
What would we look like if our outside prospered the way our soul was fed and prospered? Would we like the way we looked?

We should DESIRE the Word just as a newborn baby does, but in order to grow as we ought we have to move beyond eating ONLY spiritual milk.

Hebrews 5:12 "For when by reason of the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that some one teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God;... 13) For every one that partaketh of milk is without experience of the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. 14) But solid food is for fullgrown men, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil."

"With the health problems that I have, will you be able to help me?" I questioned as we considered taking on the diet challenge.

"In a year you will be a new person," I was promised.
"Yes? -- will I like that new person?" I asked.

Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 12:1 "Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2) "looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross...,"

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

More Words

"Grandpa, I didn't know you played football," the little boy said.
"I don't," Grandpa answered puzzled.
"Oh, yes you do. Dad said when you kick off, we're gonna..."

So the joke goes. Have you ever had moments like that? Perhaps you said something that was taken completely out of context--misunderstood-- or when repeated didn't sound at all like what you had said in the first place.

We used to play a game called 'telephone', or sometimes it was called 'gossip', but the game was the same. The children would set in a circle (or a line). The first person would whisper to the next person something simple, then that person would repeat it to the next person, and so forth until the last person would stand up and repeat the message that he had received. It was usually quite funny. Sally might start with 'Jimmy wears black shoes', and the message would end up something like 'Fred has a rotten rose'.

"Grandpa, when you die can I have that tractor?" our young son asked his grandpa.
It brought to mind the 'joke' above. We didn't have any idea why he asked such a question. Only because he wanted his grandpa's tractor--someday--we assumed, but how embarrassing. We as God' s children need to have children to understand our own relationship to the Creator fully.

Being children to our earthly parents helps us understand the parent/child relationship, but when we have our own children our 'horizons' seem to expand. And sometimes for the better.

There is the wonder of 'we're going to have a baby', the miracle as it grows and develops before, as well as after it is born. Watching the little person develop, hoping and praying for them...and yourself.

"Mom, I wonder," my daughter says after watching her little daughter 'pitch a fit', "do I ever look like that to God?"
"You know," I answer with a controlled snicker, "I would say we probably ALL look like that to God at times."

When we stop and consider Isaiah 55:8, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith Jehovah. 9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." We know that God is God, and his ways are higher than our ways.

Now that I'm older, I feel blessed to have my children...although most are grown up now, they have added a dimension to my life that has enriched my daily walk with my Creator. It's somewhat like adding spices and seasonings to a stew. It begins rather bland with just the water, and original meat and vegetables, but as it cooks and simmers with a little salt, pepper, and herbs it takes on a rich pungent flavor.

"No, we aren't going to have any kids," the bride-to-be insists.
"Well, of course it's your life, but the older I get the more I enjoy my children."
"You just had kids to take care of you when you get old? That's awful!" she exclaims.

Of course I'm puzzled. I don't know how she got THAT out of 'I enjoy my children'. You see, time has begun to bridge the gap...we look on things more the same than we used to. We watch their children grow, and we laugh... at some of the same things...for the same reasons. They come to visit, we might play a game, or just talk, but...my husband and I enjoy those times.

Genesis 5:24 "and Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him."

To never see physical death. I can't imagine ever 'walking with God' the way Enoch did, but since I have children of my own, I sometimes talk to God in a similar fashion that my children and I talk. More confidential, more friendly, in a 'person to person' sort of way...except of course it is person to God. I understand things that I never could have before.

Proverbs 12:28 In the way of righteousness is life; And in the pathway thereof there is no death.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Finding the Right Words

Having the right words at the right time is a precious commodity. I often have the right words--at the wrong time. Or no words when I should say something. Or worse still having the wrong words at the right time.

"Well," the man told his daughter-in-law, "I found a very good book at the book sale. It was on men's health, and foods that were good for men to help them be healthy. Did you know that peanut butter is very good for men..."

"Yes,it helps keep their mouth shut," I confided to his wife who was standing beside me.

As the look of disbelief was replaced by one of amusement, I realized she had not read the same book I had.

"I read a book one time where a veterinarian said she gave her dogs peanut butter to keep.... You know, I think I'm going to get myself a jar of peanut butter to keep in my purse," I muttered more to myself than anyone else.

"It is better to remain silent and have everyone believe you are a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt." is attributed to Abraham Lincoln.

Proverbs 17:28 tells us that "Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is esteemed as prudent."

Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken Is like apples of gold in network of silver.

Psalms 34:11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of Jehovah. 12) What man is he that desireth life, And loveth many days, that he may see good? 13) Keep thy tongue from evil, And thy lips from speaking guile.

Psalms 141:3 Set a watch, O Jehovah, before my mouth; Keep the door of my lips.

Hello and Welcome to the Healing Thoughts

Hello.
I would like to thank you for visiting my new blog. You see, I had this blog over on Windows Live Spaces but the advertisements at the top of the page were not appropriate for viewing as well as the content of the page. So we have picked up and moved here. Welcome.

All comments are welcome in so much as they deal with the topic of discussion, are in good taste language-wise, and are respectful of all other posters. My intent is to provide and provoke thoughts on a variety of spiritual subjects in the hope that your soul might find rest and healing.

Deboraw