Pictures

Pictures--they can be a good thing...and they can be otherwise.

"If that's the way I look--I'm never going back in to town!" my husband's great grandfather is credited with saying.

I know how he felt. For years I avoided cameras at all costs, and as I told my dear son--now that I'm older and I look as bad as I feel, why would I want a picture taken now?

Still pictures are good. We have so many pictures to remind us of 'yesterday', of people long gone, and times that were better...at least in memory.

Memories are pictures too. They are pictures the heart takes-- and keeps. We try to 'capture the moment' with the camera only in a few years to wonder, "What was I thinking when I took that picure? I don't even know what the picture was taken of!" But memories whether good or otherwise, we know what they were taken of.

I peer at a picture of my great-great grandmother, Henri Anna. She is quite old in the picture, and so are the other two women with her. You would never see the memories, the picture is really only the sketch, the memories are what makes the flesh of the picture. You wouldn't SEE the young woman and her five year old son setting out for America along with her sister, mother, and father. Her father, Henry Ewert, never made it to America--but the other four did.

What makes us who we are?

"Mom," my youngest son says as we are perusing 'family crests', "I would like to make my own crest." He is studying Medieval history, and we are doing some family tree research.

"Well, honey, it's kinda like this," I start to explain, "If you don't have one now...if you weren't born with one...one handed down in your family...you can't have one."

"You can't? Why's that?"

"Because a family crest is based on deeds done in the past. It's something that you have to earn, not just something you make up yourself. It's on the order of a medal for bravery or...like a purple heart, you know. And both sides of your family have one, you see."

"That's kinda..."
"Yes, it is impressive, but," I caution him as I've cautioned others, "it isn't necessarily what is in the past, not necessarily what others in your family have done that is the important thing. The important thing is--what are you going to do? You do have a good heritage, and originally at least, those people earned their 'medals' so to speak. However, we can't do nothing (or worse do evil) and rest on their good works. Other people can throw dirt at your honor, but in reality only you can tarnish it or lose it.

Ephesians 1:11 in whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his will; 12) to the end that we should be unto the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ:

E’en so I love thee, and will love,
And in thy praise will sing,
Because thou art my loving God,
And my redeeming King.” (taken from 'morning devotions' on E-Sword from Charles H. Spurgeon)

1Corinthians 6:20 for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body.

Problems?

reprint from May 27, 2008

A number of years ago we lived in a gorgeous turn-of-the century farm house. There is a bit of nostalgia involved in a big old house like that. There was also a lot of hard work. We had a large family (by today's standards) to care for and some days the work never seemed to end.

One day as I was battling 'to get everything done', I heard myself say something that I just couldn't believe had come out of my mouth. I said very emphatically, "I hate this house!"

Maybe it was good, because, although I had harbored feelings of frustration and turmoil, to actually hear those words forced me to take a long hard look and start analyzing what the real problem was. It wasn't the house. I loved the high ceilings with the rich woodworking. I loved the bay window--also trimmed lavishly in woodwork. There were some trade-off items such as the water was--odd, it had minerals that weren't exactly tasty. But we had lots of it, and there were other trade-off items, but the problem wasn't the house.

Once I acknowledged that, I could work on the real problem, and then analyze if I could change it. If I could then I could move into the next step and change the problem. If on the other hand I couldn't change it--I could at least pray over it; asking for the grace to bear up and bear the problem.

2Corinthians 12:8-9 'Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.'

Too often we are unhappy with one thing, so we kick the cat, or throw the plate, or what ever we take our frustrations out on. Some things we can fix, some we cannot. It takes wisdom to know the difference, and in some cases it takes courage (in either case) whether to change something or to leave it alone.

When I was much younger I remember times when things were going badly. As in, running dish water and ending up slopping water down the counter, or in another case dropping something else onto the floor. For some reason I have problems with gravity, things always seem to 'fall from me'. One time some such thing occurred, and I gritted my teeth muttering, "Thank you, Lord!" My husband was near at hand and he stopped and looked at me in disbelief, "You aren't really thankful for that!" He scolded.

"No," I said, "no, I'm not, but someday I hope I will be." 1Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always; 17) pray without ceasing; 18) in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward.

I'm still working on being thankful, but sometimes it helps to remember, "Someday I hope I will be." And then I can smile even in tribulation.

Hello?

"My opponent just doesn't get it, " the speaker says.
As you watch, you wonder if any one gets it.

James 4:14 whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. What is your life? For ye are a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

James addresses the dilemma that many agonize over. Surely, the Apostle Paul was not the first to express the thought-- let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die.-- (1Corinthians 15:32 If after the manner of men I fought with beasts at Ephesus, what doth it profit me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die.) Paul was admonishing those to whom he was writing, telling them that if they didn't believe in the resurrection of Christ--their faith was in nothing.

The resurrection of Christ. Some folks just don't get it.

"Well, he was a great teacher (or a good man), but the Son of God? No, I don't believe that," I've heard people say. They don't get it.
Either Jesus was the Son of God, or he wasn't a great teacher or a good man. He would be a liar, because he did claim to be the Son of God. The Jews of his time understood that, and on occasion they sought to stone him for that very reason. (John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was born, I am. 59) They took up stones therefore to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple.

John 20:27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and see my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and put it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28) Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29) Jesus saith unto him, Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

There were too many eye-witnesses, too many who were willing to not just lay down their lives, but whether by life or by death, they were willing to glorify their Lord and Master. They suffered poverty, persecution, and death...for Jesus. No one would be willing to suffer in such a manner for a lie.

Ecclesiastes 1:18 For in much wisdom is much grief; and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

Ecclesiastes 2:16 For of the wise man, even as of the fool, there is no remembrance for ever; seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. And how doth the wise man die even as the fool!
There are many who claim to be wise, there are even people who are wise, but as the wisest of the wise tells us "in the end what good does all the wisdom of the wise do? The wise and the fool--both die".

Ecclesiastes 3:1 For everything there is a season, and a time for very purpose under heaven: 2) a time to be born, and a time to die;

Yes, what is our life? No matter how talented, rich, or what ever adjective we use we will only pass this way for a short time. What legacy will we leave? What difference will we make? Well, I'm glad you asked because it really depends on which side you're on.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 He hath made everything beautiful in its time: also he hath set eternity in their heart, yet so that man cannot find out the work that God hath done from the beginning even to the end.

Labour and sorrow fill the world because as people search--they look in all the wrong places...they just don't get it. They know in their heart that there is a God, there is an eternity, and they search for their purpose...they still don't get it. The beauty that surrounds us, the good things we see, feel, and experience--those are gifts from a loving God.

Why don't we get it?

Ecclesiastes 3:12 I know that there is nothing better for them, than to rejoice, and to do good so long as they live.

Our time here on earth is a vapor. We need to understand-- that to expect unchanging happiness in a changing world, will end in disappointment. We need to get this concept and seize the favorable opportunity for every good purpose and work.

There is no real happiness in this world, in this life, apart from God. And why don't we get it?

What a Saviour!

Title

"Easy as pie..." my son says in reply.
"Pi--3.14. Pi are square...no pie are round. Pie are cherry, or apple," I say.
"Pie are peach," he answers.
"Grammar is bad," I warn him.
"No, gramma is fine," my husband has the last word.

"I bet your family has interesting get togethers," Katy says.
"Oh, yes, they are...different," we tell her.

And so it goes. When the kids were younger and were all at home our meal time would often contain a similar exchange with one person making an off hand statement, and we would carry it around our (round) dinner table until we had worn it out, or someone topped the others and we let it stand.

It is said that the English language is one of the hardest languages to learn. I don't know, but they all tax my patience at times, and English is not always a very exact language.

The word 'love' can mean a variety of things. I love apple pie, I love my children, and I love my husband, but I don't love them all the same...and that's all right.

John 21:14-17 This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. 15) So when they had broken their fast, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16) He saith to him again a second time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Tend my sheep. 17) He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

There are at least four words in the Greek language for love. Here in John Jesus asks Simon Peter three times 'lovest thou me more than these?' Jesus uses the word agapao--a form of the word agape, which is --love, affection, ardently, supremely, or perfectly--twice. Peter answers--Yea, Lord thou knowest I --phileo you. Phileo--that's the word we get brotherly affection (or our word Philadelphia) from. Jesus asks twice-- agapao me? The third time he uses phileo.

It had to be tough for 'impetuous Peter'. The one who just days before says, "Lord, if all else forsake thee--I will never forsake thee--yet he had denied his Lord three times. Now he is much more humble, now he has to face himself...and Jesus...and come to terms with himself...and Jesus.

Luke 22:31 Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat: 32) but I made supplication for thee, that thy faith fail not; and do thou, when once thou hast turned again, establish thy brethren. 33) And he said unto him, Lord, with thee I am ready to go both to prison and to death. 34) And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, until thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

The darkest trial can bring forth the brightest faith. No, it isn't always easy, matter of fact--it seldom is easy. The difference between Simon Peter and Judas Iscariot wasn't just that one sold his Lord for thirty pieces of silver. Judas took the money back and threw it at the feet of the chief priests and elders...then went out and hung himself. Yes, Peter is struggling here, but he picked up, went on, and as Jesus prayed, 'strengthened his brethren'.

We must always keep in mind that there is nothing that is worth more than our Lord. Prayer, we need to remember what Jesus said, "I made supplication for thee"--prayer. Or as the little saying says: More things are wrought through prayer than this world ever dreams of. Keep praying. Yea, Lord, thou knowest we love thee.

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Healing with Mustard

"Did you know," our youngest son is working on a Biology project, "that cabbage is a mustard?"

"No...that's funny, " I say in surprise. I thought I knew quite a bit about both mustard and cabbage, having grown them in my garden for years, but I have never put them in the same family. However, cabbage, turnip, and mustard are all in the Brassica family.

When I was young we ate mustard as a condiment. After I was married we grew mustard in the garden for 'greens' for steaming, or adding it to salads along with spinach as well as lettuce. Little did I know that it had many other uses.

"Ouch!" I said as the hot grease sprayed up onto my thumb.

"Que?" (What?) my Hispanic acquaintance asks.

I show her the burn and she immediately grabs the mustard bottle and gently covers the area with the mustard. I don't know how or why, but yes, it did work.

According to one of my herbal books (Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs) there is black mustard, white or yellow mustard, and brown or common mustard. As a medicine black mustard is preferred over the white-seeded (milder species). In small doses it is said to improve the digestion. In larger doses it will induce vomitting. The seeds can also be used for a laxative, but again it should be handled with special care, as it can be a stomach irritant.

Mustard can be made into a 'plaster' by mixing it with water, or to tone down the mustard--mix with rye flour before adding the water, or use egg white in the place of the water.

The powdered seeds and oil can be irritating if misused, therefore care should be taken. It has been used to relieve: arthritis, rheumatism, toothache, as well as other causes of soreness (and stiffness).

An excellent recipe for Mustard (Sauce) :
1/4 cup mustard seed
1/2 cup vinegar (I use apple cider vinegar, my recipe doesn't say which to use)
2 Tablespoons flour
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon celery seed
1/8 teaspoon each of ground nutmeg, and tumeric (personally not being able to tolerate nutmeg, I omit that, but that is personal) 1) grind the mustard seed in blender at medium speed (approximately 5 seconds) 2) Add the vinegar and water and blend at high speed until smooth. 3) Pour into a small saucepan; stir in the remaining ingrediants and cook and stir over medium -low heat just until mixture comes to a boil and thickens. 4) Pour the mustard into a container, cover and refrigerate.
I use powdered mustard seed most of the time, and mix the ingredients in the small saucepan skipping the blender, but I'm sure the original method would eliminate the threat of any lumps. It only takes a few minutes, and is very good.

Jesus speaks of mustard in two examples one in connection to 'the kingdom of heaven is like', and one in reference to faith.

Luke 13:19 It is like unto a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his own garden; and it grew, and became a tree; and the birds of the heaven lodged in the branches thereof.

That is some tree! And when we think about the beginning of the 'kingdom' on the day of Pentecost following the resurrection, we can see the similarities. It looked like a small insignificant group. And yet it has grown and filled the earth. How many people have attempted to stamp it out, how many unbelievers have persecuted it, and as Tertullian said: the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church--the kingdom of Christ is still viable.

Matthew 17:20 And he saith unto them, Because of your little faith: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Pondering on the 'if ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed', makes me realize that as the Apostle Paul states in Philipians 4:13--I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me.

No, I don't wish to move mountains, only myself at times. Most of us have things we need to do, as well as need and must overcome. Jesus is saying that if we have faith, we can do things that would look to be insurmountable.

People have done amazing things, invented amazing inventions, overcome incredible odds, however Jesus isn't speaking about the physical, but the spiritual.

One of the most chilling examples is Alexander the Great. He conquered vast amounts of territory, taking Greek culture to new bounds, but...in the end...he sat down and cried because there were no new countries to conquer. In the end...he died...he developed a fever from drinking himself sick. He could conquer and control the 'world', but he couldn't conquer or control--himself.

"And he saith unto them,... for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed,"

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Give Us This Day

Matthew 6:11 Give us this day...
"Each day I'll do a golden deed," the song begins. Each day I'll...what?

James 4:13-14 Come now, ye that say, To-day or to-morrow we will go into this city, and spend a year there, and trade, and get gain: 14) whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. What is your life? For ye are a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

What do we do with the golden days God has given us? Sometimes as I'm going down my daily road I run into the side of the bus. My children-- most of them I'm sure--have heard the story of the little boy who rode our school bus, but there have been several lessons that I've learned that remind me of this incident.

We lived in the 'country' (about 3+ country miles-- give somewhat) from the local school, and five days a week the school bus would come up our road and pick up about forty children on its route take us to school then drop us off in the evening. There was one little boy that lived in what is now known as 'Wiscotti' about a mile and a half from where we lived. I'll call him RT for short. RT was a 'little kid', and as all little kids are he was rather little kiddish. The bus would pull up in front of his house, and RT would be waiting at his door, like a runner in the 40 yard dash. The door would open, and in glorious fashion RT would blaze out and down his 30 foot drive way with a speed that...well in his mind it must have been dazzling. He did this every school day--except one day. One day as he is blazing down the drive, he is so wrapped up in his glorious task that he--clunk-- ran into the side of the bus. Reality check, RT. Of course everyone on the bus kidded him--good naturedly--and from then on RT was much more careful in his daily sprint.

You see, there were several factors that contributed to RT's problem. One, he always ran with his head down. I suppose for added speed, but it also made his sprint somewhat precarious...he couldn't see where he was going.
I sometimes get in the same position. I'm running down the path, head down, and going just as fast as I possibly can. Then I have a reality check--I'm not sure where I'm going, or even worse, clunk! I've run into the side of the bus.

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.

Ecclesiastes 7:14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yea, God hath made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything that shall be after him.

Each day Christians need to remember who they belong to, and for what they strive after.

Colosians 3:23-25 whatsoever ye do, work heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men; 24) knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance: ye serve the Lord Christ. 25) For he that doeth wrong shall receive again for the wrong that he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

Keep our eyes on the path--looking unto Jesus--and don't run into the side of the bus!

Perplexities

Ecclesiastes 1:3-6 What profit hath man of all his labor wherein he laboreth under the sun? 4) One generation goeth, and another generation cometh; but the earth abideth for ever. 5) The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to its place where it ariseth. 6) The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it turneth about continually in its course, and the wind returneth again to its circuits.

The book of Ecclesiastes speaks to the common person as well as to the philosopher. It begins by pointing out that in this whole world all is vanity--with out God. Yet there are so many jewels scattered through out this book that a person must read and reread to catch even a smattering of them. Take for instance Ecclesiastes 1:7;
"All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full;
unto the place whither the rivers go, thither they go again."

All the rivers run into the sea.... Ever think about it? And here is another one; Ecclesiastes 1:8 "All things are full of weariness; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing."

Ecclesiastes 7:5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
In our world today we can't hear the rebuke of the wise, because the song of fools seems to shout so loud that, the song is all we can hear.

Ecclesiastes 10:11 -"If the serpent bite before it is charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer." If you are going to take up snake charming--don't be careless!

Ecclesiastes 10:19 "A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh glad the life; and money answereth all things." --Literally, For merriment they make a feast (bread), and wine gladdens the living, and money supplies all things. --There really is nothing new under the sun!

Ecclesiastes 11:3 "If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth; and if a tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there shall it be." How clever...of course these statements...by themselves are...clever. Like the question, "if a tree falls in the forsest and no one is there to hear...does it make a sound?"

One of my favorites, not being the swiftest racer in the bunch: Ecclesiastes 9:11 "I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all."

Every time I read this book it brings to my mind an older king that has had his share of experience. In the end he admonishes the young to remember that they will answer for their deeds-- the ones done in their youth as well as the remainder of their lives. Sometimes the quality of their lives depends on the deeds done in their youth...so go carefully...and remember to love God and his words of instruction daily and forever...no matter whether young...or old.

Ecclesiastes 12:11) "The words of the wise are as goads; and as nails well fastened are the words of the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
12) And furthermore, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
13) This is the end of the matter; all hath been heard: fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.
14) For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Praise?

Reprint from May 28, 2008

Proverbs 25:19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. Did you ever have a friend? At least a friend you thought was a friend? Maybe you told them a confidence and later found out they had told your personal confidence to others? Or perhaps you had counted on them for something and they didn't come through as they should have/or you expected them to.

"Hello, Ethel, I've found the best hand cream/body lotion. I want to give you a sample and you tell me what you think. --Well, yes, it's a free sample. Then you give me your opinion...Yes, my cousin and I are selling it, but the sample is free, and there isn't any obligation... Okay, that'll be great I'll bring you a sample at the next meeting."

You wait, but your close friend, Ethel, never mentions the free sample until about a month later. "Oh," she says, "that really is good lotion. You're right I've never found anything I like better. You know that new neighbor that just moved in? She's selling the same stuff you are. I bought some lotion from her and a coupla other things...".

You could get upset, but you could just figure, "Well, that's the way it goes," and go on. Needless to say 'Ethel' doesn't get anymore of YOUR 'free' samples, because of course, they were only 'free' to her, and you can't afford to give her samples, so that she can buy them down the road. And you realize it could be kinda funny....

"You want me to do what? You want it by when? Well, I guess I could, but I'm really busy, and I don't have time...Oh, you'll pick it up...how thoughtful of you." You realize after you hang up the words shouldn't have been, "I guess I could," they should have been, "no, I'm not going to make a birthday cake for cousin Freda's neighbor boy's fifth birthday." Even if she will pick it up in a couple of hours.

Proverbs 18:24 He that maketh many friends doeth it to his own destruction; But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Romans 5:6-8 "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7) For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

The verse in Proverbs doesn't specifically refer to God or Christ. We probably could think of a person who could fit into 'the friend that sticketh closer' category. The problem with people is that it is too easy for us to misinterpret what is needed, or fall short of another's expectations in some way. With God and Jesus, however, we need to understand that they don't let us down. They are there when we call.

Encouragement comes in different ways. Proverbs 25:11 "A word fitly spoken Is like apples of gold in network of silver." Sometimes it comes when someone says out right, "Good job!" or an obvious compliment. Some days it comes when like Anne Sullivan and Helen Keller we have worked for something and there is a sudden break through.

"I heard the neatest song the other day, Mom." My daughter says to me. "Oh, you did?" I respond.

"Yeah, it reminded me of you." Hmm, I think. This could be good, or...it could be...something else.

"I don't remember the exact words, but it was something like...like, 'if you are noticed or not, do the right thing. Whether any one ever says thank you, whether it ever seems to make a difference...do the right thing. Help a friend, laugh with a child, dance in the rain..." Hold it a minute, I think no one would ever accuse me of dancing in the...well maybe once or twice...only when no one is noticing. And I smile. Thanks daughter--I needed that.

Funny...But Not Really

"I was watching an economist on the t.v. the other evening," my cousin says.

"You were?"

"Yes, he says, there are a lot of countries in trouble."

"Why is that," I know she's going to tell me anyway.

"Well, our societies-- population wise-- should consist in a pyramid fashion."

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"There should be basically three layers of population. The large number should be on the bottom. That's the foundation layer, and it's made of children. Lots of growing children. The next layer would be less and that would be the parents of the children. The last layer would be the old people of the society, and there would be considerably fewer of them than the parents of the children, or the children."

"Okay, I can see that...and the wisdom of the idea. So, why are countries today in trouble?"

"Because most societies are a flip pyramid. Our societies have large numbers of older people, and fewer (and fewer) young people taking their place."

"I see. That means that down the road we will have an old society with no new workers, or at least so few that there won't be enough..."

"Exactly. Women aren't wanting to have babies any more."

"With the price of having babies, it's no wonder!" I tell her.

"Yes, I think it was right at five thousand dollars for my son and his wife with their baby."

But is that the only reason, I wonder. I think back to when we were first married. The normal family size was two maybe three children. That was all we planned on having. We would wait two years, have our two children (a boy first, then a girl), and then we would be done, we could get on with our lives. Children would just be a minor bump in our road.

"With our first child," my daughter-in-law says, "everyone was so excited. 'Oh, you're gonna have a baby! How wonderful!' The second baby was expected, most people have two you know. The third baby? People began to raise their eyebrows and ask, 'Surely you are having your tubes tied with this one? By the fourth baby I was beginning to get very defensive, because so many people were down right hostile."

"We received a lot of snide remarks with our last children also. You know it really makes me wonder, why?" I puzzle. "My husband and I are married, we didn't get married to remain celibate, for one thing. For another thing, exactly why does it make any difference to any one else...and why is it their business any way, we paid for all of them?"

"I don't know, ..."

"I just tell people now, 'that's alright, my kids are paying for your social security', there isn't much answer for that."

Luke 23:28&29 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. 29) 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.

Cherish is the word...so the song goes. Cherish. What does it mean to cherish? To cherish is to treat with love or care; hold dear; take good care of, ie. to cherish one's family.

"I wouldn't trade my children for anything," I tell a young girl at church one Sunday. "As I get older (now remember I'm not quite decrepit yet) they are so much fun."

"You just had kids to take care of you when you get old? That's awful!" she says.

I'm baffled. They aren't taking care of me...yet, so? What's she talking about? We are still in the 'fun' mode.

"So, she wants strangers to take care of her when she's old? my cousin asks. "I wish we had had more kids, but Chuck didn't want any kids...back then. I wanted a big family, but we pushed my limit with the two we had."

Cherish--what I have learned from my children is so vast and so irreplaceable. I have learned to laugh, cry, love, hate, to stop and think, and pray...and pray some more.

Psalms 126:5&6 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6) He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

I have pondered and prayed over the fact that --is it only in the United States, or is it world wide?-- children are just 'bumps' in our lives? They are bumps that we shuffle off to child care. They are bumps that we can drop at the school house door. They are bumps that will eventually be off on their own and, (as some say) thank God they'll be on their own.

It is easier to call them 'bumps' than problems or inconveniences, but consider that most parents don't spend five minutes a day with their children. We are so busy...and we are a busy bunch of people. Our children are a busy bunch of people also. I'm reminded of the song "Cats in the Cradle" a 1974 popular song by Harry Chapin. Sadly children do often grow up to be just like their parents.

Scriptures call them blessings. Scriptures don't just tell us to maybe love them, pat them on the head occasionally--scripture commands us to raise them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Teach them, train them, love them.

"It's so interesting when your families comes to visit at church," a sister tells me. "The little kids sit... and their dads just have to look at them and they know they need to straighten up. It sure is funny."

Thirty years ago a program was begun for women, infants, and children. I was recommended at the time for the program, and went in to check it out. One of their signs in the office I went to had a picture of stockings on a fireplace for Christmas. The caption read: Will There Be Too Many Around Your Christmas Tree this year? I was shocked and dismayed, as the thought occurred to me, how could there be too many little people around your Christmas tree? Is your heart that small or is something wrong here?

1Samuel 1:27 For this child I prayed; and Jehovah hath given me my petition which I asked of him:

We didn't set out to have a large family. I wish we had, but God was gracious any way. Yes, cousin, many countries in the world are in trouble. Not just because their populations are in a 'flip pyramid', but the reason they are in that flip pyramid.

Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as God's elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering;

Matthew 18:10 See that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.

There seems to be a loss of compassion for the weak, for the infirm, for the smaller portions of our societies. A loss of compassion for those who can't speak for themselves.

Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

What a Saviour!

Seasons Pass

As we travel through this world we see and experience many things. Much of life revolves in cycles. A child is born, grows through the different stages of life, usually produces offspring, grows old and dies. In the same way-- trees, grain, insects, most everything in nature-- has a similar cycle. The sun appears to rise in the east spends its entire day in a journey across the heavens, and sets in the evening. The earth turns: day and night and the seasons pass.

Ecclesiastes 3:1&2 For everything there is a season, and a time for very purpose under heaven:
2) a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

We live on a small farm. The four hundred acres that my husband and his brother rent from their dad is not considered large when compared to farms of today. I laugh as I call it a small farm--in my Grandpa's day it would have been a 'comfortable' maybe even large farm.

Ecclesiastes 3:9&10 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboreth?
10) I have seen the travail which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith.

Solomon, the wise man, left very little--except in reputation--and his writings in the Bible. His search for life 'under the sun', or in other words 'with out God', show the futility of that kind of life. He asks the question what profit is there in....

Many have asked that question, but few understand the answer.

"I hate this school work!"

"So, you want to be ignorant? You want to not be able to read and write? You want to be at the mercy of people who take advantage of you...because they can and you don't know how to work math? You want to continually repeat history because you don't know the mistakes made in the past?"I don't know how many times I've heard children kick at the school work they have to do. I often ask them these questions.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 He hath made everything beautiful in its time: also he hath set eternity in their heart, yet so that man cannot find out the work that God hath done from the beginning even to the end.

Sometimes they grow to appreciate the things they learned, some never do--completely. But God does make everything beautiful in its time, and everything about His creation that I have learned, makes me wonder at His wisdom.

The great scientist, Sir Isaac Newton, is quoted as saying, "I do not know what I may appear to the world, but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the sea-shore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me."

And how many pebbles there have been, but the great ocean is still undiscovered!

Ecclesiastes 3:12&13 I know that there is nothing better for them, than to rejoice, and to do good so long as they live. 13) And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labor, is the gift of God.

Mark 7:21-23 For from within, out of the heart of men, evil thoughts proceed, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, 22) covetings, wickednesses, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, railing, pride, foolishness: 23) all these evil things proceed from within, and defile the man.

What causes us to be discontent? It's the lusts of this world, the striving after the wind. Solomon says there is nothing better than to rejoice and to do good. Nothing better than to eat, and drink and enjoy your labor--this is a gift, and it's from God.

What he is saying is when we go to bed in the evening, to be able to pray and say: "Thank you God for this day. For the work you have blessed me with, for my spouse, our children, and thy wonderful bounty, thank you and I praise you, Oh God." This is a true blessing.

1Timothy 6:6-8 But godliness with contentment is great gain: 7) for we brought nothing into the world, for neither can we carry anything out; 8) but having food and covering we shall be therewith content.

There are trade offs here as there are everywhere else. Our price of putting a crop in the ground has gone up. Seed, feed, fertilizer-- and we don't use 'horse or mule' power any more...we actually have to buy gasoline to run our farm machinery-- so our costs have sky rocketed. Yet, we have been blessed by the privilege of living where we live. To see, unhindered by much of the modern gobble-de-gook of our society, the seasons pass.

Ecclesiastes 3:14, 16,17 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it; and God hath done it, that men should fear before him.

16) And moreover I saw under the sun, in the place of justice, that wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, that wickedness was there.

17) I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Time! Time!

May 29 reprint from May 29, 2008

In the popular book "The Hobbit" by JRR Tolkien, Bilbo Baggins tells Gollum, Time, time! Meaning Bilbo needed more 'time' to think of the answer to the riddle. Time, however WAS the answer to the riddle, therefore Bilbo had inadvertently stumbled upon the correct answer.

We also call 'time, time' in our lives. Meaning often, "If I just had more time!" If I just had more time I could..., but wait...is time really the problem?

Deuteronomy 30:19 "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:"

This scripture is talking to Israel of old, yet some principles still apply to New Israel. God sets before us life and death, blessing and cursing. We also must choose.

Deadlines, deadlines, they always seem to come faster than expected. Did I really commit to making mints for my niece? Was it really almost a year and a half ago? How is it I need them done--now? Good intentions? Hmmm, who was it that said, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions?"

To look at the religious world and the manifold answers to Biblical questions leaves a seeking person scratching their head in confusion. Is there any way to know what is right--to know what is wrong?

John 18:38 "Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all."

Perhaps Pilate himself was weary--"What is truth". It sounds that way. One can see him turn and walk out to the waiting mob; "I find no fault in him". What is truth echoes through Pilate's hall. What is truth echoes down the ages.

Psalms 119:160 "Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth forever." God's Word is true, its precepts, its judgments, all of it is true. It has never been proven false, not even in one place.

We don't always understand it, for instance some people believed the earth to be flat, but God, through the prophet Isaiah, said it was round, (circle of the earth) in Isaiah 40:22 "It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:".

And of course there are the 'paths of the sea': Psalms 8:8 "The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas." That were found--after the sea captain, as he lay recuperating from sickness--when he had his son read to him from the Bible. The son read Psalms 8:8, and the captain thought about it awhile, then decided, "If God says there are paths in the sea then the paths are there". He set out to find them--and he did.
Psalm 8:9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

What is truth? God's Word is true. John 1:14 "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." John 18:37 "Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice."

John 8:32 "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

Time! Time! Too many ask the questions, but, like Pilate, they don't wait for the answer. Time is short, or they aren't as interested as they think they are.

2Corinthians 6:2 "For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

God still sets before us life and death, blessing and cursing. And still we must choose.

Acts 17:27 "That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:" Religious confusion is here from Satan. He plants it in order to confuse folks so they won't find the true door. So they won't find the way, the truth, and the life.

"...I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: Therefore choose life."

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Rules And...

"Well," my cousin phones, "how is our business doing today?"

"Just a minute, I have to move the pile of books I am working on, so that I can find my order stuff for..."I start to tell her--as I shuffle my books.

"Oh, I'm so glad I'm not the only one who has that problem!" she says.

"I've heard that the poet, Robert Frost, had a similar habit, so I don't feel lonely...and," I find the information I need, "here is my order book..."

Some things seem to be the same no matter what age or culture you visit...if you want something done--you ask a busy person to do it.

We have several 'rules' that are every day good old down home type of wisdom...and most have biblical roots. For instance: "Company, like fish, after three days begins to smell."

Proverbs 25:17 Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbor's house, Lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.

We-- for the most part-- find it a very good rule of thumb. Although our family, has at times had to bend this rule. At those times the rule of: "If there is room in the heart, there is room in the home", seems to apply-- "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."

We teach our youngsters: "Obey right away,"-- 1Samuel 15:22 "And Samuel said, Hath Jehovah as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of Jehovah? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams."

It works for both us, and them.

As I read through the Proverbs I find several things that have spoken and still speak today:

"Keep your words sweet, you never know which ones you may have to eat." Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Put mind in motion before you put mouth in gear. Proverbs 15:2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

"Don't be like a (dumb) ox--"Proverbs 7:22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;"

It is easier to tear things down than to build things up. Think things through before you begin. "Proverbs 14:1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands."

When I think I have ALL of the answers?
Proverbs 15:4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life; But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.
Proverbs 17:14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.
Proverbs 20:3 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; But every fool will be quarrelling.
Proverbs 21:9 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than with a contentious woman in a wide house.

When I think not only do I have ALL of the answers, but that I have ALL of the RIGHT answers?
Proverbs 21:19 It is better to dwell in a desert land, Than with a contentious and fretful woman.
Proverbs 25:24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than with a contentious woman in a wide house.

For my cousin Patty--he always had trouble with fellows wanting to fight with him. His answer showed a wisdom beyond his years: "Go on outside, if I'm not there in five minutes...start without me."
"Proverbs 25:8 Go not forth hastily to strive, Lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof,..."

For folks who think there is no truth in the Bible? "Proverbs 30:33 ...And the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood;...". Try it... I'm sure it would work.

Proverbs 15:15&16 All the days of the afflicted are evil; But he that is of a cheerful heart hath a continual feast. 16) Better is little, with the fear of Jehovah, Than great treasure and trouble therewith.

Sometimes it's all in the perspective, the eye of the beholder, the heart of the person.
Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is a good medicine; But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Liberty

"I'm so glad those two are married to each other."

"Why's that?"

"This way they only make each other miserable, otherwise they would make two other people miserable also."

"I guess that's one way to look at it..." I say thoughtfully.

How much of our lives are spent in the state of 'might have beens'? Ever talk to someone who says, If I had only married someone else...If I had waited to get married...If I had prepared for a better job...If I had looked before I leaped I wouldn't have gotten into this business/financial mess...If only....

We make too many decisions quickly and with out forethought. To be a true christian is to be called to a higher plane of living than that of the people around us, people of the world.

Galatians 5:1 For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage.

Paul is talking about being free from the Law of Moses, but there is a principle here also. We are bought by Christ, we belong to him, and need to not be brought into bondage to anything...only to follow Christ.

"Jesus changed our beer, liquor, and cigarettes into this," my friend says as we look around her living room. She and her husband have just bought a nice living room set to go into their comfortable living room.

I remember pictures of their living room back in the days when the people around town thought of them as 'not very nice' folks. When they still spent their evenings drinking and carousing, and their twelve year old daughter would have to drive them home because they couldn't drive home.

"I wouldn't even be alive today, if it hadn't been for Jesus," another friend tells me.

It is hard for me to say where I would be, but I know it wouldn't be a good place.

"If you preach the gospel, it will change people. If you convert people to Christ you don't have to tell them to put on clothes, they just know," one missionary says.

But is that what it is about? Hmm...well it used to be. What we seem to have nowadays is unconverted christians. How did that work? Well, it won't work real well, but it's one of Satan's ways of tricking folks into thinking they're all right. --'who are you to tell me I'm not okay? I like me just the way I am, thank you. And God ought to be pleased with me too...why, I'm doing HIM a favor by praising Him with my mouth.

Psalms 50:7-12 "Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify unto thee: I am God, even thy God. 8) I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices; And thy burnt-offerings are continually before me. 9) I will take no bullock out of thy house, Nor he-goats out of thy folds. 10) For every beast of the forest is mine, And the cattle upon a thousand hills. 11) I know all the birds of the mountains; And the wild beasts of the field are mine. 12) If I were hungry, I would not tell thee; For the world is mine, and the fulness thereof."

We should praise God in humility, in wonder, in awe; why do folks think they are doing God a favor?

Matthew 15:7&8 Ye hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, 8) This people honoreth me with their lips; But their heart is far from me.

Let's do a mental exercise. First let's take all of the christians out of the world (even though in our present state we are far from perfect we are still the 'light of the world'. (Matthew 5:14)
Second let's take all of the influence of Christianity out of the world (there is a lot of 'influence' that Christianity has had: Ye are the salt of the earth: Matthew 5:13) God has given us a beautiful world to live in. Everything God has made is pure and perfect. So, third, let's take out all of the pleasant beautiful things God has made/given to us. What's left?

I think they call that the beginning of hell.

People look around and they think, "Why...I don't need God, I'm doing fine by myself." And I say to that..."Really now? Exactly where do you think you'd be with out God? And just where do you think you will be...without God? And do you really think that's where you want to be...for eternity...without God?"

Acts 14:17 And yet He left not himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.

We look at the goodness, the blessings, the things that God gives us--for His witness--and we don't stop to realize--when Jesus comes again, and we are judged, the place where the wicked go...will not have God. So on that side of eternity:

Matthew 13:36-43 "Then he left the multitudes, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Explain unto us the parable of the tares of the field. 37) And he answered and said, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 38) and the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one; 39) and the enemy that sowed them is the devil: and the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are angels. 40) As therefore the tares are gathered up and burned with fire; so shall it be in the end of the world. 41) The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that cause stumbling, and them that do iniquity, 42) and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. 43) Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He that hath ears, let him hear."

1) tares=sons of the evil one; thrown into fire, 2) angels shall gather out of the kingdom (not out of the world) all things that cause stumbling, and them that do iniquity--and they shall be--What!? (cast them into the furnace of fire!) From where? (out of his kingdom?) 3) And the righteous shall shine forth....
What an interesting parable, but one that should cause us who call ourselves by the name of Christ to pray and examine ourselves, humbly and fearfully.

I want to go to heaven...yes, for the rewards, and yes, because I don't want to go to hell (because of the punishment). My momma didn't raise no stupid child. The reward is too great to miss, the punishment too awful to contemplate. And I want everyone else to go also. My friends, my family, people I do know, people I don't know. I don't even want my enemies to go to hell, but we must remember--no one will wander into heaven unaware. Heaven is a prepared place, and it is prepared for people who have prepared to be there.

1Peter 4:17 For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God?

James 1:25 But he that looketh into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and so continueth, being not a hearer that forgetteth but a doer that worketh, this man shall be blessed in his doing.

James 2:12 So speak ye, and so do, as men that are to be judged by a law of liberty.

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Book of Books and Teacher of Teachers

May 17

reprint from May- 2008

I cherish the parables of Jesus. The parable in Matthew 20: 1-16 has many interesting thoughts to it. Many times I have heard this used to teach that even ‘death bed’ repentance is accepted. I’m not going to say it isn’t, only to point out several things that get overlooked. People say, “Well, that is certainly cowardly. Living like sin then at the end when they have chosen unholy paths all of their live long days, they want to repent and go to heaven”. Perhaps that is cowardly as they say, but let’s look a wee bit deeper here.

Several things are implied, or could be assumed, either rightly or erroneously. Number one, that in ‘living like sin’ or in an ungodly manner at least—they had a ‘really good time, lots of fun, frolic, and really lived it up’. Now, quite honestly, there is an enticement with most sin. Like frosting on a cake it can be very exciting, beautiful, whatever adjective you wish to put here. The lure of sin is usually sweet; however, the fruit of sin is bitter. It becomes a heavy burden to carry.

The thing I find about the parable is this. Let’s use the workmen who went out at the early hour as a comparison. They are like those who begin to work for the Lord early in life. Yes, they have ‘born the heat of the day’ as they say, but what have they missed? The fruit of sin for one thing. And even when sorrow comes their way they have a friend, someone to help pick them up, just as it states in Ecclesiastes 4:10, ‘ For if one fall the other will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up.’.

Luke14:27&28 Whosoever doth not bear his own cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28) For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doth not first sit down and count the cost, whether he have wherewith to complete it?

Counting the cost. What is the cost? If it isn’t worth everything to you it’s worth nothing to you. Funny how that works.

Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. 30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

It is called a paradox: something that can’t be, but is. We may fail to realize that those who haven’t born the heat of the day haven’t had the joy of walking with the Master either. They haven’t had the friendship of the Lord of Lords. I would rather bear the ‘heat of the day’ and walk with Jesus, than to ‘enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season’.

Or as the psalmist says in Psalms 84:10 ‘For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, Than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.’

Mornings

I always think of mornings as 'new beginnings'. A new day with 'no mistakes in it'--yet. How we think of things...in odd abstract ideas.

Isaiah 55:1&2 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2) Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

John 4:14 but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up unto eternal life.

John 6:51 I am the living bread which came down out of heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: yea and the bread which I will give is my flesh, for the life of the world.

Isaiah 55:3&4 Incline your ear, and come unto me; hear, and your soul shall live: and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. 4) Behold, I have given him for a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander to the peoples.

Luke 1:31-33 And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32) He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33) and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Matthew 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He that hath ears, let him hear.


Isaiah 55:5-7 Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not; and a nation that knew not thee shall run unto thee, because of Jehovah thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee. 6) Seek ye Jehovah while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near: 7) let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto Jehovah, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Acts 13:48 And as the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord;

Isaiah 55:8-11 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. 10) For as the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, and giveth seed to the sower and bread to the eater; 11) so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Acts 14:15&17 and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good tidings, that ye should turn from these vain things unto a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is: ... 17) And yet He left not himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.

Isaiah 55:12&13 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing; and all the trees of the fields shall clap their hands.
13) Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir-tree; and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle-tree: and it shall be to Jehovah for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

Luke 19:38-40 saying, Blessed is the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. 39) And some of the Pharisees from the multitude said unto him, Teacher, rebuke thy disciples. 40) And he answered and said, I tell you that, if these shall hold their peace, the stones will cry out.

Revelation 5:9-12 And they sing a new song, saying, Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou was slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation, 10) and madest them to be unto our God a kingdom and priests; and they reign upon earth. 11) And I saw, and I heard a voice of many angels round about the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12) saying with a great voice, Worthy is the Lamb that hath been slain to receive the power, and riches, and wisdom, and might and honor, and glory, and blessing.

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain...hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Trade Offs Or

"Well, you can look at it this way," the Realtor tells the young couple looking for their first home. "You can buy a new home...you have a large payment up front, but what you see is what you get. No need to replace the roof, the water system-- heating-- all--everything is new. On the other hand, if you buy a cheaper older home...a fixer upper...you pay less for the house, but you will need to spend money fixing up things. If you don't want to spend the time--or money--fixing up an older home, the new house is the way to go. Of course the older home often has more character, but will require more--elbow grease. It's a trade off. It depends on what you are willing...or not willing...to do."

Trade offs, they come in all sizes, shapes, and forms. Not all of them are in houses.

Auctions. My husband likes to go to farm auctions. There is usually all sorts of items from big farm machinery, to the junk tables-- with tools some modern and some ancient-- sold individually or in cardboard boxes. Sometimes there is a real treasure in a box full of--junk.

"Mom, look at this!" one of the kids has found a real 'bargain' advertised in the paper. "Only $49.99, just look!"

"Whoa, Nellie! Just wait a minute. Let's talk about the 'just $49.99' for a minute," I begin my 'real life' training session on the spot. "First off, do you remember those hot days of summer, and how many hours in the truck garden you spent to earn 'just $49.99'? And remember that $49.99 is really $50.00, -- $49.99 is an advertising ploy to make people think it's less money than it really is. It's $50.00--more with tax...so what are you willing to trade your work, sweat, and time for?"

There are many things that promise to bring happiness. Many things that we hope will bring happiness. I quote C.S. Lewis when he said: "All that we call human history--money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery-- {is} the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy" end quote.

"I just feel snacky today," my son laments.

"Yes, I know the feeling. I'm not really hungry, and I don't really want any 'thing', I just want some 'thing'...I just don't know what," I empathize.

"The long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy"-- That often is our problem. We are looking for some thing that will make us happy, but we don't look in the right place...we look every where and in everything else.

Deuteronomy 8:11 Beware lest thou forget Jehovah thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his ordinances, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: 12) lest, when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; 13) and when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; 14) then thy heart be lifted up, and thou forget Jehovah thy God, who brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage;

"I think the kids from the United States would all benefit from a trip to Mexico, or a similar country," my daughter says.

"I agree, It would sure help them see things differently than they do," I say.

"What is different here?" I ask my husband as we are driving down the street in our capital city.

"What do you mean?" he's puzzled.

"Well...look...what do you see," and we're both quiet. We drive past an athletic field with its nice green turf, several yards away there are nice houses, and a little further along a clean, neat housing development.

"So? What's your question?" he asks.

"Look at the difference between here...and say Mexico, or Jamaica. You drive down the street--most of their streets aren't this wide--there are people walking, riding bicycles... or some kind of cycles...there are street vendors, or shops... and quite often there is junk...junk yards, trash scattered as well as...well, you know what I mean. " I try to explain.

But wait--

"We need to send those people some money," the man has just returned from some kind of mission trip. "You should see their homes--the way they live--it's just unbelievable!"

"Are they happy?" my husband asks.

"Well, yes they are," his acquaintance admits.

"Then leave them alone."

Why do we think that our way of life is the only way of life? Why do we think that money will solve people's problems? We are told to preach--and teach-- the gospel. Give them the opportunity for salvation of their souls. What a true treasure!

Matthew 13:22 And he that was sown among the thorns, this is he that heareth the word; and the care of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

"The people of the village plant their crops," we are watching as a friend is explaining his last preaching trip to Africa. "This picture shows them as they harvest."

"They do that all by hand?!" a visitor (who is also a modern day farmer in the states here) is incredulous. "We should send them a combine...or at least a tractor!"

Our friend tries to explain how ridiculous either one of those items would be for the people of the village. Our friend knows...

He knows that poverty of the spirit is far worse than poverty of the surroundings. He knows that people--all people-- can have an abundance of the physical things, yet if they have forgotten--or don't know God--they have nothing--nothing worth while.

Matthew 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

1Timothy 6:9 But they that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition. 10) For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.


No, it isn't money itself, it's the love of money, but so many times money and the love of money follow as the night does the day. How many people endure, and are happy, being poor. Then they hit the jack pot-- and are miserable-- and fall into sin-- and their lives fall apart.

Life is a series of decisions, of trade offs, if you will. Reaching after physical riches, people become spiritually poor--there is a price to pay. Reaching after spiritual riches we always become rich--spiritually--and sometimes even physically, but we need to keep our priorities in the right order.

1Timothy 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Don't trade your real treasure for a mouthful of gravel...or less.

Philippians 3:7 Howbeit what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ....
12) Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus.... 14) I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Grandma's House

"Let's go to Grandma's house," the little fellow pipes up.

"The cake's all gone here," I tell my daughter-in-law, and we both laugh.

Pot luck has been a little slim today, and the cake didn't last long enough. Not for a little guy that likes cake...and one who is sure 'Grandma's house' has more...cake.

"Oh! Now I remember Grandpa and Grandma's house!" My daughter and her family haven't been 'home' for about two years, and for an almost six year old grandson that is a long time. "I love my Grandma...and I love her fudge!"

"Well, at least he has it in the right order," another daughter-in-law says.

What made my Grandma's house so special? Grandma, of course! And Grandpa--of course! And the memories that were made at their house.

Matthew 20:8-15 And when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the laborers, and pay them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. 9) And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a shilling. 10) And when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received every man a shilling. 11) And when they received it, they murmured against the householder, 12) saying, These last have spent but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat. 13) But he answered and said to one of them, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a shilling? 14) Take up that which is thine, and go thy way; it is my will to give unto this last, even as unto thee. 15) Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? or is thine eye evil, because I am good?

I'm not a scholar--have never claimed to be, but what is fascinating about this parable? The workers hired in the early part of the day...complained! If there is a parallel between those of us who have borne the heat of the day...those who have labored from our 'youth' and onward...we need to be thankful--not complain. What a blessing, to have come to the knowledge early in life. To have walked with Jesus, and talked with him, and yes, worked with and for Jesus...all of these years. How much richer my life has been. I've made my mistakes, but how many I've not made...because I've walked with Jesus.

Mistakes? Yes, we have made them. But we continue to fight on. We continue to remember the admonition, 'we may lose a battle, but we'll not lose the war'! And the memories...

Matthew 19:29 And every one that hath left houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit eternal life.

Have we left homes, and family behind?

"I just don't know, them moving over to that country! We all see the news, and their folks aren't in very good health...I just think that's not good!" a sister in Christ offers her opinion.

"The news is scary. There are wars, and rumors of wars, but we know God is able to keep them safe. And if it were my own children who were wanting to go...no matter what my health, well, I won't be around for ever, and the important thing is that the work of the Lord be done. I would tell them, if they felt like that was where God wanted them to serve...May God go with you," I tell her.

We may have left all behind, we may have left only a little, but we have gained a much more valuable treasure by walking with the Lord...in the morning, in the heat of the day, and finally during the end of the day.

Matthew 12:35 "The good man out of his good treasure bringeth forth good things:"
Matthew 6:20 "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven...."

As we journey on we take some things with us, send some things on ahead, and leave other things behind. It is my prayer that we leave the dross, the refuse, the unworthy things behind.

It is my prayer that when we reach heaven we bring our treasures with us...and don't leave them behind.

Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for to such belongeth the kingdom of heaven.

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

Watashi No Musko,

"Anato no ichiban saiko musko"--My most handsome son--I am learning...no I am attempting to learn Japanese. Sianara, my son...I sign off my letter.

How can my children send me emails that-- even though they are 'emails'-- I can tell they are snickering and reprimanding me at the same time? "MOM," the reply comes, "Yes, sianara does mean 'good bye', but it is the kind of 'good bye' as in 'I'm dying, my dear, so--good bye...."

I'm trying, and if it does nothing else, it will give my son and his new (Japanese) wife a good laugh, and I can handle that.

Words. Hello, good bye. How are you doing? How have you been? Words, sometimes we use words and mean nothing.

"When first I come to the United States, I go to a party. At the party I meet some people. They say to me--stop by and see me some time--I think everyone so nice and friendly. I stop by to see these people--they are surprised. I no understand...they say to me 'stop by and see me'...."

"How's Jimmy doing?" I ask about my son's father-in-law.

"The doctors give him anywhere from two to maybe five years," he says.

Words. Some mean something...some mean nothing...and some mean everything. Ever wonder if the doctors said to you, 'Go home and put your house in order, you're going to die', how would you feel, what would you do? What would suddenly become THE MOST IMPORTANT THING in your life.

On 9-11 some people were given a brief opportunity to say good bye. Most said only, 'I love you --good bye'. There is something about the inevitable that changes things.

All of the past hurts and problems, would any matter? I think I would like to say, 'When you think of me, remember I loved you...not perfectly, because neither of us is perfect. Forget the bad times and remember the good, not because I'm perfect, but because those are the times that are important. And I loved you.

"We don't cry for the person that's died," my mother used to say, "we cry for ourselves."
Of course we cry for many different reasons, but yes, mostly we cry for ourselves.

"No matter what your relationship with your parents, you will miss them when they are gone."

Not always, but it is often the case.

"I don't know how many times over the last few months since my dad died, that something will happen, and I'll reach for the phone. I think I've just got to call Dad and tell him about...or ask his advice about...or laugh with him about..., but I can't," the speaker says sadly.

I think more about my mother since her death twenty-six years ago than I did the first twenty-nine years. I think of the things I should have done, that just might have made a differnce. Many of those things would have come with age, but we weren't given...time.

Hebrews 13:16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

"Time and tide wait for no man." That means that the sun will rise tomorrow, and the day after, and so forth, until the Lord comes. We don't know when our time--on earth--will end. Today we need to be right with God. Today we need to be right with each other. How sad to come to the end and say, 'if only', or 'what might have been'.

Philippians 4:8 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.

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.

Today. Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Signs

"What do you need, a big neon sign above your head saying, 'this is a sign from God'?"
"Well, no I guess, not..."

Personally, I'm still looking for the 'big neon sign'.

1Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things. 12) For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known.

Abraham was a nomad, wandering from Ur of the Chaldees, to wheresoever Jehovah would lead him.

"The story of Jesus is here in the Bible," I'm teaching my little people Sunday morning. "Grandma reads the stories, then I tell them to you here in class. The story of Abraham, and Adam and Eve, they're here in the Bible--" I hold up the little Bible we have been singing about. All of the lessons I tell you come from the Bible." I'm hoping to impress on their young minds where our lessons come from, since I 'tell them the Bible stories' not read them from any book.

"Why did you put all those stories in the Bible, Grandma?"
--Out of the mouth of babes, I think to myself with an inward laugh. "Oh, honey, God put those stories in the Bible, not Grandma. Those stories tell us that if we want to be happy we must obey God..."

That, you see, is the proverbial 'rub'. To be happy we must obey God. How do you know what God wants you to do? Of course we have the 'plan of salvation', but leading an honest Christian life here on earth honors God, and there are many honest Christian lives. The car sales man, the banker, the day laborer, the gas station attendant, and many other vocations can be done in such a way as to glorify God. How to know which one YOU are to do? Which door has God opened for you.
Revelation 3:8 I know thy works (behold, I have set before thee a door opened, which none can shut), that thou hast a little power, and didst keep my word, and didst not deny my name.

When God opens a door...go through it.

"To train a horse, you make it harder for them to do what you don't want them to do, than it is to do what you want them to do," our friend advises as we are beginning to work with our Morgan horse.

"One of Satan's effective strategies is to choke spiritual interests through the cares of this life," the 9th grade English book admonishes.

When our path gets rough, is it God trying to influence us to do something different, or just Satan's way of discouraging us? We must judge-- and judge correctly.

"As I get older, my arm isn't long enough," the fellow is holding out a card trying to read it with glasses that aren't quite the right prescription any longer.
We laugh, because most of us know exactly what he means. To see something correctly, we have to be the right distance to it.

Do you want to be closer to God? What will help you be closer? Do we lack wisdom to know what to do? James 1:5 "But if any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God" Do we lack faith? Mark 9:24 "Straightway the father of the child cried out, and said, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." Do we lack courage? Hebrews 13:5 "... for himself hath said, I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise forsake thee. &6) So that with good courage we say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear: ...?"

Usually what happens is that we get caught up doing the routine things, and one day we look around and wonder, 'Hey, how did I get here... and further more... how do I get out?' Or we realize that some how what we started out to do...it got lost in the shuffle, and again, 'how do we get out?'

1John 5:14 And this is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us:

Psalms 37:5&6 Commit thy way unto Jehovah; Trust also in him, and he will bring it to pass. 6) And he will make thy righteousness to go forth as the light, And thy justice as the noon-day.

Psalms 73:28 But it is good for me to draw near unto God: I have made the Lord Jehovah my refuge, That I may tell of all thy works.

Psalms 46:10&11 Be still, and know that I am God:
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.
11) Jehovah of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

And You Did Too

What did you want to be when you grew up?

The questionnaire asks. This is to help us as 'friends' get to know one another better. Originally I had answered. 'Divinely good.' or some such answer. However....

My son-- the scrappy one--sent back his questionnaire, and it read: Cowboy--and you did too, Mom!

How could I have forgotten! Yes, I did. When I was a little girl, that's exactly what I wanted to be, not a 'cow girl', mind you, but definitely a cowboy. Bless you, son! I wanted to ride the range on my horse, and enjoy the freedom of camping under the stars. No worries, no cares, only lions, tigers, and bears.

Dreams. They don't care about the impossibilities of reality. Some one once said, "say not that dreams are fragile things; what else of life endures". We grow up, shoulder responsibilities, and somewhere along the line our 'dreams' slip away. Maybe into the back of our mind, but definitely somewhere buried beneath...

"When I grow up and get big, I'm gonna..." my kids play a game. When I try to join in there is a hue and cry--"You can't play, you're already grown up!"

What party poopers! Growing up doesn't mean you can't have dreams--hopes. How about, 'when I retire, I'm gonna...'.

Somedays I'd gladly exchange the 'cares' of today if I only had to fight lions, tigers, and bears! There are more days than I want to count, when if I had any money (or when I get some money) everyone on the planet wants 'their share'-- and they wanted it yesterday.

"Once upon a time there was a tavern", the song begins, "where we used to raise a glass or two..." it ends with "Oh, my friends we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same.

I make the transition from the rough gravel to the smooth pavement. I flip the control from 'air conditioning' to the warm setting-- it's chilly this morning. How did that fly happen to hitch a ride to town this morning? A brief touch on the 'auto' button, and that fly's ride is ended, he can stop and visit the neighbor down the road. Just as neatly...the window slides back up.

"If you had to give up 'modern conveniences' what would you miss most?" My friend and I are talking.

"I think it would be electricity. I would miss my freezer." I'm thinking about how much I would have to 'can' without it.

How far our technology has brought us. Thinking about how long it would take to get town and back by horse and wagon...I can be to town, go to the bank, get groceries, be home in an hour...and it's a good ten miles one way to any town from the 'middle of nowhere', where we live. By horse and wagon? It would be a day's ordeal, leaving early, driving how many hours, shopping and driving home. Work? We aren't wildly excited about 'butchering' . We used to process all of our 100 chickens at home, as well as our pork, and it is a job. But we 'froze' all of the meat, canning it on top of the processing is unthinkable.

Yes, we have come a long way, but...ironically...human beings for all of their modern conveniences, for all of their technology...in our hearts we're still the same.

No matter how you change the styles, shapes, colors, sizes, no matter where on earth humans may live, or what culture they live in...in our hearts we're all the same. There is still love, hate, jealousy, good, bad, courage and fear. The whole gamut of humanity. We may think we have become better than 'our fathers', or our ancestors, but no matter how much more we may bathe the out side of the 'dish' the inside is still the same: in need of a saviour. No matter how nice our homes, our cars, or our clothes, the inside is still the same. We all need love, joy, hope...and forgiveness.
Matthew 5:14&15 Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. 15) Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house.

Gracious Spirit dwell with me;
I myself would gracious be,
And with words that help and heal
Would thy life in mine reveal,
And with actions bold and meek
Would for Christ my Saviour speak.
Charles H. Spurgeon

Philippians 2:15&16 "that ye may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world, 16) holding forth the word of life; that I may have whereof to glory in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain neither labor in vain."

That I did not run in vain....Neither labor ...in vain! Praise the Lord! Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Some Days a...What?

"What are you doing down there?" My husband and Brother Zerkle are standing in the church house door...

"Oh, nothing, I always sit in mud puddles for the fun of it!" To say that I'm not real happy would be an understatement, and a dopey question like that didn't help.

We have driven 900 miles to visit this congregation trying to determine if this is where my husband wants to go to preaching school, and what a start!

First, our almost two year old has a smelly 'accident' in the only pair of breeches we brought to church. Then after services, as I attempt to deal with this wiggling, non-co-operative child, I miss the one low step on the way out the door and we go rolling and end up in...that's right, we end up sitting in a small puddle of water. And along comes my dear husband and Brother Zerkle. The humor catches up with me, and I start to laugh, but not before Brother Z disappears-- rather quickly.

Some days it seems like the only way to go is up.

1Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

It is crisp out side, and I walk briskly on my morning walk. I like to use my trusty walking stick--an old hoe handle without the hoe--I move over the rough gravel in the drive way easier that way. Two days ago I didn't move so quickly. No, the weather was just as invigorating, but each piece of gravel seemed like a mountain I had to climb, either over, or around. The walking stick didn't just encourage me to keep up, it pulled me along--one step at a time.

Each day is different, some days you just have to be versatile. But it's hard. And it gets harder.

"When I turned fifty," my grandfather says, "the day I turned fifty--I could tell a difference. I just couldn't do things quite the same as before."

That was the same fellow that was still making and repairing fence at eighty-five. He was a farmer and a 'farrier' as long as I knew him, and didn't retire from shoeing horses until he was about eighty years old, but...he slowed down when he was fifty.

"I think when you are used to doing things at double time speed--slowing down is really hard on the psyche. I suddenly don't understand--why. Why I can't get everything done...why things are harder to do...why other folks don't understand that things are different...for me than things used to be. And if it's hard for me to understand, no wonder these folks don't understand--but they will--in a few years.

The way things are today doesn't allow people to be different from one day to the next. Not really. You are either young--or old; not young-- and old. You are either 'with it' or you are 'out of it'. If retirement begins at sixty-five, when you turn fifty you have fifteen years to cope with being young--and old, in a young-- or old world.

Psalms 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his seed begging bread.

As Christians in a non-christian world, we know that we don't fear growing older. We are learning to lean on, and trust the in Lord. Something that apparently comes only through trials and tribulations.

I think I'm listening as the speaker is speaking, then he says, "Don't pray for humility."
"Ha," I nudge my husband, "I'm so humble now I can hardly stand it. Why would I pray for more?"

Without a moment's pause he replies, "I don't think that's the kind of humility he's talking about."

Psalms 37:24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For Jehovah upholdeth him with his hand.

"I suppose you're right," I say with a sigh. I'm still of the opinion I'm not going to pray for humility...life seems to have a way of teaching me...humility...without praying for it.

Psalms 37:39 But the salvation of the righteous is of Jehovah; He is their stronghold in the time of trouble.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Parachute

Parachute reprint August 06, 2008

"Well," the man on his first parachute jump is told, "this is your cord for your parachute--right here. Now, if for some reason your first parachute doesn't open, pull this cord here. That's your emergency parachute. Now you're all set to go. The truck will be waiting to pick you up after you land." So the fellow gets up in the plane, and makes his jump. Pulls the first cord. Nothing happens. Pulls the second cord. Nothing happens. "Well," he says, "I betcha that stupid truck won't be there either!"

"John 10:28 and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. 29) My Father, who hath given them unto me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.

Many would be scholars use this text to explain the theory of 'once saved always saved'. Once you're 'in the Father's hand' you just can't get out of it. So they say. There are several 'rules' to Biblical interpretation that needs to be kept in mind. Scripture should not be taken out of context, and also needs to be put with other scriptures so one gets the whole picture, not just a piece.

Hebrews 6:4 For as touching those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit,

Sounds like salvation to me--once enlightened, tasted of the heavenly gift, made partakers of the Holy Spirit. Sure sounds like salvation.
Hebrews 6:5 and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come,

Yep...sure does, but what?
Hebrews 6:6 and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Matthew 7:15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. 16) By their fruits ye shall know them..."

Maybe these folks don't begin to deceive, but if we carry this out to its logical conclusion, it doesn't go anywhere good. Many of these same folks say you can lie, cheat, steal, commit fornication/adultery, murder...the list goes on. You can commit ANY sin, and your ticket to heaven is still valid...no repentance necessary.

1Corinthians 6:9 Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men, 10) nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

So how do we reconcile these two scriptures?

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to them that love him.

Yes, temptation to do wrong does come to each of us.
James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man: 14) but each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed.

God doesn't tempt us, but allows us to be tempted: He gives us the chance to do the right thing.
James 1:15 Then the lust, when it hath conceived, beareth sin: and the sin, when it is fullgrown, bringeth forth death.

We are tempted by our own desires, but:

1Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.

we need to pull our own parachute cord, sometimes both of them. Pray...ask God for strength...look for the way of escape. It is there and it will work.

2John 1:8 Look to yourselves, that ye lose not the things which we have wrought, but that ye receive a full reward.

1Corinthians 9:27 but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.

No, we can't be 'snatched' out of the Father's hand, but we can willfully leave it. And therein lies the danger. May we be ever aware that our enemy, Satan is seeking those whom he may devour. Don't let us be deceived, and don't let us ever 'slip' out of the Father's hand.

Remember to use your parachute!