Valley of Jehoshophat

Joel 3:9  "Proclaim ye this among the nations; prepare war; stir up the mighty men; let all the men of war draw near, let them come up. 10)  Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong."

In lieu of recent happenings with the shootings, in terrorism, and such, with people joining some of these organizations a person is flabbergasted. How and why, I wonder would anyone choose to join such an organization? The second thought that flummoxes me is why, when you consider how repressive this religion is toward women, are women joining this group?

Christianity has lifted women out of the second class section and given them importance in our modern society, but...
One fact that is foundational in the support of a Supreme Being (Jehovah God) is that humans are worshipful creatures. In every culture throughout history, it is a fact that humans have worshiped some sort of a god, be it an idol, or the true deity. Fast forward to our day and age where people are told there is no God, we just evolved.

~In our hearts we still have a need for worship that will not be denied.

Our hearts and our souls know better. However, even Christians—men and women—live like there is no God, and we won't be held accountable to His standards. We live as if what God himself tells us doesn't matter. We live as if it's all about us. That we are what matters.

So, it comes as an oxymoron that some women from both Muslim, and non-Muslim cultures join such groups looking for something that challenges them to be different from our westernized society. I have read for quite a few years now of Elders from the church trying to warn our society of the way we are raising our girls. We raise them to be everything a man can be, but a woman wasn't created for that. And in their heart, women know that.

 Let the nations bestir themselves, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat; for there will I sit to judge all the nations round about.

 Put ye in the sickle; for the harvest is ripe: come, tread ye; for the winepress is full, the vats overflow; for their wickedness is great.

  Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! for the day of Jehovah is near in the valley of decision.

Joel 3:12, 13, 14

A High Calling

During a discussion many years ago a fellow student wife related how after she and her husband's recent conversion to Christianity, friends and family had questioned her about her husband's 'calling' in accordance with their new faith in the Lord. They had not been Christians long when her husband decided to head for Tennessee and a new endeavor—a school of preaching. In her family's experience a person had to recieve a call from God, and they were very interested in how that call had come about for him.

Over the years I pondered the question:   ACalling from God? Who, What, When and Where? Maybe even Why?

• Who? All people are called.

  "And Peter opened his mouth and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35)  but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him." Acts 10:34

21) "But now apart from the law a righteousness of God hath been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22)  even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction; 23)  for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; 24)  being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (Romans 3:21-24)
                           
 *We are all called since all have sinned, all need a saviour, and all can be saved.

• What is the calling?

  "And he that doth not take his cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me."
(Matthew 10:38 ASV)

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."
(Matthew 16:24 ASV)

"And he called unto him the multitude with his disciples, and said unto them, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."
(Mark 8:34 ASV)

"And he said unto all, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."
(Luke 9:23 ASV)
*To put to death ourselves (cross) and walk in the way of Jesus (follow Him).              

•  When is the calling?

   (for he saith, At an acceptable time I hearkened unto thee, And in a day of salvation did I succor thee: behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation): (2Corinthians 6:2)
*Now, right now, today.

• Where does the calling take place? 

"The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent:" (Acts 17:30)
 *All men (people/mankind), everywhere, repent (now).

Because:

  "inasmuch as he hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead." (Act 17:31) Jesus was resurrected from the dead after becoming a propitiation for our sins, that when we obey Jesus we will find a life worth living --while here on this earth, and later, eternal life with him.
*"He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."            (Matthew 10:39 ASV)                    

 "but like as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living:"1Peter 1:15

*When the Bible speaks of Christianity as a 'high calling', that is what it is. God has called us out of worldly ways, to be holy, and godly.


*A person doesn't have to come from living in a pig stye to appreciate living in a comfortable, nice home.

When People Don't

Ecclesiastes 10:7 "I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking like servants upon the earth."

Many things happen in this world, some make sense; some things don't. Of late I read an article about two people who had been married twenty years that were going their separate ways. It was poignant. It  gave the distinct impression that one of the people in the separation wasn't happy about it. Resigned would be the word I'd use.

Change: The More Things Change The More They Stay the Same~

The one writing the farewell began by stating: I know I'm not easy to live with...
Well, well in all truth and honesty--who is? I'm asserting that each one of us has faults, defects, frailties--you get the idea. Since no one is perfect, no one is 'easy to live with'. Granted, some are easier to live with than others, but there is more often than not, a period of adjustment.

The impression I got, was one person of the duo was resigned to becoming single, and the other person had things they wanted to do i.e. "I'm happy for you that you'll be going back to further your education". What? You mean that to go back to college requires you to leave your mate of twenty years behind? We understand how callous that is when men begin families then leave them behind for something and someone new. That's shallow and callous.

Do we ever outgrow the people we love? Should we ever outgrow the people we love?

 I have a feeling that in the case of the original couple the 'she' of the pair at least thought she wanted something different. Maybe it was the 'change of life' syndrome. Both men and women have those 'changes', by the way. In the case of this 'she', it sounded like a syndrome of the grass is greener somewhere else. The answer in that case is, the grass is always greener where you water it.

There were three comments. The one summed it up in a short comment--Quitters, you couldn't have tried a little harder? Of course we don't know all the circumstances, but after twenty years where was the disconnect--and couldn't they have looked for it? But it takes two in a relationship. If one half isn't interested it doesn't work.

We all grow and change. I've been a lot of places, seen a lot of things in my life, but I will always be me. The people I love will always be in my heart. I don't intend to trade them in for something more green. I loved my grandparents and my in-laws. We tried to do for them as much as we could. As my husband and I grew older our house often was the spot for the Thanksgiving meals, and Christmas meals, and birthdays. Wherever we went we took them along.With each of their passing a part of my life went with them. I've wrapped it up in a neat little place in my heart.

But I wish I had known several things when I was in my younger years that I've discovered with aging.

• I've discovered, there are things I can't do. And I won't ask someone else to do it. One of the side notes is--it isn't I wouldn't let someone do it for me, or at least help, but if people don't care enough to be in my life to find out what I need, I'm not going to ask them.
• I've discovered that the family I thought was the greatest family on earth--isn't.
• I've discovered that all of us, as we go through life never do the things we want. Sure, we try to do the right things, but trying isn't accomplishing, and life is not easy. Modern life is horrible on families--even the greatest family on earth. 
• I've discovered to be kind. Many people would do better--see last discovery. I've apologized profusely for not getting enough done, even though the Good Lord knows I really wanted to, because I love, and have loved my family so much. 
• I've discovered that, just as the ex-pro football player said, there is no amount of fame in your younger life that makes up for being forgotten when you're older.

 2Corinthians 1:3  "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; 4)  who comforteth us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort them that are in any affliction, through the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."
                              Hallelujah, what a Savior. 

Who Will Be Your Leader?

In life we have leaders and followers. Leaders in all walks of life. What makes a good leader?  Maybe even who makes a good leader? I would like to look at some of the leaders we find in the scriptures through a series of posts. 

Years ago, I read a book, One Straw Revolution, written by a Japanese man by the name of Manasobu Fukuoka. It has been so long ago I don't remember a lot of it, but one part resonated with me, and I will rephrase it since the wording seemed somewhat questionable, the gist was most people if given their choice of the type of ruler (leader) would choose the guy that wee's by the side of the road. Or, in my way of thinking an unassuming type of fellow that allows people to be free.


Moses as a young man sets out to save his fellow Israelites. He was raised as the son of Pharoh's daughter in the palace, but his own mother had been paid to nurse him after Pharoh's daughter found him in the little boat and drew him 'out of the water'. He probably was in his parents' care until he was five years old. During the important formative years.

However, at the age of forty he is out and about where he sees an Egyptian beating and Israelite. He comes to the aid of the Israelite, and the Egyptian dies. The next day he tries to separate two Israelites who are fighting. And this is what happens:

 Exodus 2:13  "And he went out the second day, and, behold, two men of the Hebrews were striving together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow? 14)  And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us?"

What a shock to poor Moses. Here he thought God had a purpose for him to be a helper for God's people. He was trying to help them to be 'free'. And what's more, Pharoh was after him now. So he fled to a land far away. A land called Midian. Moses liked Midian. It was peaceful and quiet. He liked the sheep, The sheep liked him. He was given a wife. He had food, lodging, a wife, and sheep. What more could he want? What more could he ask?

Then God appears to him in the burning bush with a mission. And Moses says to God:
Exods 4:13  And he said, Oh, Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.

Basically Moses says, thanks, but no thanks, God. Find someone else to lead your people. Moses had seen the heart of these people all he wanted to see, back when the two Hebrews were striving together.

Moses didn't desire money, power, or prestige. You couldn't give him anything that would make him desire the role of leading these people out of the land of Egypt.  But God still said, GO-- and he went. Not for money, nor for gain, but for God.
Hallelujah. What a Saviour.

When I Was a Child

The short video clip shows a woman in a grocery store pushing the cart. It's an advertisement for something, and after a short spiel the camera shot widens out to show a small child helping himself from the shelf. He has chips and some other child type item in his arms. Now, as he anticipates his mother's rejection of his choices, a tantrum look begins to appear on his face. However, as some of these clips are meant to do, the adult in the clip heads him off at the water fountain.

The woman throws herself down on the grocery store floor and begins to pitch the mother of all tantrums. The child, wide eyed and open mouthed stands aghast, plastered against the shelf, as his mother kicks and screams with abandon.  After a decent tantrum she picks herself up, walks back to her cart--the child puts his selections back on the shelf--and they walk on down the aisle together as if nothing had ever happened.

Funny--right?

It's like many things, funny on the stage or in the movies, but not always in real life.

For instance, a husband and wife that have been married, oh, say ten years give or take a few years. That's long enough to have made a decent start on a life together, perhaps they have begun to purchase a house, or a property, a car or two, maybe they have one or more children. Now one of them decides, you know what, I don't feel fulfilled. Or maybe they've fallen out of love. They decide to walk away from where they are--to just leave it all behind.

Well, now, let's just throw ourselves down on the grocery store floor and have a tantrum. It isn't just that when a couple goes through a divorce they both will lose everything, but what about the baggage?

As a couple unites in marriage they begin to bring their lives together, as it would seem, each person begins to put a little bit from themselves (and their previous single lives) into the pot. The scriptures tell us that a man and wife become one flesh, and studies show how literal that is. But it goes inside and out from bonding with each other, to buying things together, working for mutual good each for the other...So many things that can't be listed. That doesn't even cover the children that are brought into the picture. And now we're going to tear it all apart? Not real easy you aren't.

There are other ways adults can throw tantrums in relationships. It most often includes a healthy dose of self. At one time, back in the day when my daughter's daughter was a two-year old or prone to the throwing self on the floor stage, my daughter asked me, "Mom, do you think I ever look like that to God?"

I laughed. I'm sure not just my daughter, but everyone has those moments when we look like that. It causes me on occasion to take a deep breath and look at me.

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."

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

To Have

From this day forward, I take this person to be...
Nothing appears to be sacred any more. People run through life looking only for what makes them happy. If it doesn't make them happy it is thrown on the trash heap with how many items of broken dreams and broken promises?

Broken dreams and broken promises most often go together. True it is that sometimes things just don't work out consequently you end up with broken dreams, but often it comes about because of another person's failure.

When I was young even though my upbringing was not religious we were in some way belivers in the Golden rule.

 Mattew 7:12  "All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets."

Or as in our shortened view: Do unto others as ye would have them do unto you.

In the mid-80's it became: Do unto others before they do unto you. With the idea of getting the other guy before he gets you. The difference in the two philosophies is an upside down society, an upside down world.

Here are some ideas for changing our world back from the precipice that it is wavering on:

• Be real-- Don't put on a face. This means you are who you are. Romans12:9  "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good."
• Strive to not just do right, but to be right. 1Peter 1:22  "Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently:" (unfeigned=unpretended)
• Remember the principles taught by Paul here in Acts and try to follow them: Do not covet another persons' money, possesions or good fortune: Acts 20:33 "I coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel."  
• Do minister to your own needs, and in such a way as to help others: Acts 20:34 "Ye yourselves know that these hands ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me."  
• Follow good examples, again helping the weak, and less fortunate: Acts 20:35 "In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive."
• Try to do good unto others and live peaceable lives:  Romans 12:18 "If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men."
• Lastly, realize that the scripture says--"If it be possible...and as much as in you lieth". You should strive to never be the cause of a problem, but there are some people that will not live peaceable with you. 2Timothy 4:14 "Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord will render to him according to his works: 15) of whom do thou also beware; for he greatly withstood our words." 

Broken dreams and broken promises--it isn't always possible to avoid these happenings, but by living the way we need to live ourself we can minimize the chance of it happening. By encouraging others to live right and do right we make our society better one life at a time.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Praise God

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It works both ways. On days when we think we have all the answers, as well as the days when there seem to be no answers. Praise God who is in control in all situations.

De Nile

When I first came to this town I couldn't walk and I was bald--
You've really recovered...what did you have?
Have? I was born here...

Life: It comes when we are most unprepared for it.
It isn't the birth date, nor the day you die that matters--it's the dash in between. 
 How many cliches are there about life and the living thereof?
One that comes to mind, and has done so for quite a few years is Psalms 37:25
          "I have been young, and now am old;"
I began muttering this quote quite early in my later life--about forty years old, I believe. It often came at times when I was struggling with something. It Could have been tiredness, or something foolish my children did or said. It could have been something I observed in society around me.

When I go to Face Book many of my aquaintances will post sayings. Some are by famous people I do know, some are by famous people I don't know, and some are by virtual unknowns. Wisdom doesn't always come from the places we expect.

Matthew 21:16  "and said unto him, Hearest thou what these are saying? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea: did ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou has perfected praise?"

As in the  story of the semi-truck that got caught under a low bridge. There were police, and all sorts of people trying to figure out what to do. A child watching the goings on piped up--"Why don't they just let the air out of the tires?"

At times the solution may be just that simple, however, the farther away from morality we go the more we are like a top at the end of its rotation, the more we wobble.

I like to laugh. I like to be peaceful, and encouraging, yet like the phrase from Patrick Henry's speech that goes, "Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace– but there is no peace." My spirit within me is troubled. It can't rest because of issues buffeting my mind.

I was told quite a number of years ago that my children should do quite well on logical thinking tests. I questioned that opinion having witnessed some of their--happenings that they happened to do. Howbeit, on these type of tests they did score quite well, and perhaps some of the results from their happenings may have helped their quality of logical thinking.

Recently a problem was brought to the front of a discussion on the difference between a 'fact, and an opinion', and the teaching thereof to children. The crux of the matter under discussion is that in our schools children are being taught that there are no moral absolutes. I was surprised when I came across this article on a website, and there is a link to it:

http://mobile.nytimes.com/blogs/opinionator/2015/03/02/why-our-children-dont-think-there-are-moral-facts/

 ***
 This is just the beginning of a medium length article that shows how we as parents have been lulled into sleep. For years we have turned our children over to 'experts' to give them a good education, only to find that the good education we thought they were receiving--they didn't and aren't. Where did we go wrong? And further, what can we do to change this problem?

In perusing history there are many factors to the problem. It may be any one component, but most likely is several of them rolled together.

• parents gave up (either willingly or were forced to give up) part of their responsibility.
• became too busy and let the experts take over their primary job
• believed the lie that they should let someone else teach their children, because they weren't smart enough
• lost most of their local control through consolidations ie. one room school houses went to town schools, town schools went to several towns together, schools, and so forth (now we're looking at large districts)

• parents got lost in the shuffle, and don't know what to do next

History will tell us that at one time this nation was built upon individual strong families.  These families overwhelmingly exemplified strong moral character and convictions. Now our families are falling apart, our society is falling apart, and our nation is perched on the edge of sliding into the drain.  It began with the idea that the father wasn't a necessary component in a family. It has ended with the idea that all that is really necessary is for a woman to be impregnated, give birth, then drop the offspring off at a care center.

Here is an aside, I have the best family there ever could be. My boys married beautiful talented girls--who smile at their mother-in-law, and humor me. After repeating directions to one of my lovely girls, as how to prepare a certain meal she told me I had already passed that information along. She had tried and enjoyed it. Some people would have been embarrassed to have repeated them self, but not me. I told her most people don't listen the first time I tell them something--matter of fact most people don't listen the first ten times I tell them something.

Yes, for years I've been telling people--women mostly--you're going the wrong way. Turn around, and turn to the way God tells you to do things. It used to be a pet peeve when people would say things such as, well the Bible really doesn't say I can't do it my way/this way. Even amongst people who should be disciples of Jesus, they are so determined to do it their own way.

Why have I become so much more vocal? Because I see a great evil. Parents who want to rear their own families in their own Godly way, and a government that is determined to take and teach our children to be godless, immoral pawns of a godless antichrist organization.  If adults don't stop acting like spoiled children, spoiled adults who WILL do what they want instead of following Christ—it may already be to late. Of course we know God wins in the end, but we are not God. Individuals can still lose, and those who have inadvertently sold themselves to the devil will garner his wages.

Is there any encouragement here? Well, God does win, and it is always right to do the right thing.

Revelation 20:12  "And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13)  And the sea gave up the dead that were in it; and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works."
Hallelujah. What a Savior.

What Are You Looking For?

I enjoy Christmas holidays. It's the time of year when you have permission to be a child again. For quite a number of years now people have decried the commercialism of the holidays--Christmas especially, and rightly so. The response to Christmas runs the gamut from those who point out 'we don't know what time of year Jesus was born' to the other side of the spectrum, where little people are encouraged to 'tell Santa what you want'.

Quite a few years ago I was looking for a Christmas gift, and while I was perusing a table with items on it snow globes caught my eye, and I stopped to look. A snowglobe, is an encapsulated world. The object encased may be just about anything. A pretty house, a Santa, a snowman...encased in a world of water. When you shake the globe bits of 'snow' fly up and swirl around as if it's in a snow storm. Then they settle down and all is peaceful again.

In a way our world is like a snow globe on a large scale. However, unlike the snow globe, our world is not static. It doesn't stay the same. Time and tide wait for no man--just as the saying goes.

Several yeas ago someone in my family told me of a movie--Groundhog Day from 1993. It's story line is about a self-centered man that replays Groundhog day over and over, until eventually he gets it right--so to speak. Like the snow globe his world was somewhat static. The same things always happened, the people were always the same. Time was rewound daily like a cuckoo clock, and people were like cardboard cut outs in his days.

While our days do not replay day after day, many lives follow the same patterns day after day. Some astute people ask--'What am I here for? What is my purpose in this life?' They go about searching for their destiny, as it were looking for meaning for their existence.


Sometimes we can over analyze. We can get so wrapped up looking for the purpose in something --our life included--that we miss the chance to live.  In the movie 'It's A Wonderful Life', the main character, George Bailey, goes through his life doing the mundane duties that come before him. In the crucial moments when the chips are down, he feels like a failure. That's where Clarence the angel comes in to show him how wrong he is.

Jeremiah 1:5  "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee; I have appointed thee a prophet unto the nations."

This scripture tells us that God had a purpose for Jeremiah. He had that purpose before Jeremiah was even conceived. God has a purpose for each person conceived. Everyone doesn't have the same duty, but our intrinsic purpose is to glorify God and to do His will. What God calls us to do may not be --in the eyes of the world--awe inspiring. It may not be anything that will cause people to sing our name in amazement and praise. However, we aren't looking for our purpose for being famous, just our purpose, and the words famous and purpose do not have the same meaning.

We do God (and our self) a disservice by confusing the two words. I prefer working quietly, doing my own tasks away from the crowd, away from notoriety. That isn't how everyone else wants to do their own work. With some, the applause is their reward.

At one time, for instance, the task of a good wife was to take care of her home and family. The task of a good husband was to provide for his wife and family. The two were supposed to work as a team taking care of their family's needs, physically and spiritually. This was their duty. This was their purpose. In the long run society benefited because the results were that the next generation raised from this environment was for the most part, good adults.

No one stood up and applauded the men and women for doing the mundane duties of raising families and caring for each other. Then it became blase to do what any dull and uneducated person could do, and more spectacular for the younger women to find jobs outside of the home. They received more applause, more of a sense of purpose--but did this fill the purpose place in their lives?

There are a number of lies Satan tells us, and women are especially vulnerable to these lies.We want to feel wanted/needed, loved, and important. When we bring home a paycheck we can show others that we have value. Without that slip of paper, Satan whispers to us that we aren't valuable. Society and sometimes husbands think of stay at home wives as somehow less valuable. For example more than once I have heard women talking of a mutual friend in this light: "Yes, she's just a stay at home mother, raising their children. What a waste, she's so smart and talented..." --What a waste? Who's better to raise her own children, teaching them what God would have them learn? A daycare worker who doesn't love them, or care about them?

Here's another one. A talk show host --supposedly a Christian--is fielding a call from a woman who wants to know about how he raised his daughter, and her role as a wife and mother. The woman obviously had the impression that he had the same revelation that tells Christian wives to 'love their husbands, and children, and be keepers at home' from the type of questions she asked him. His response was classic. "I don't want her sitting at home all day watching Oprah."

Well, there you have it. Stay at home moms just sit around all day and watch Oprah, and other television shows. This could come as a shock to people, not just men who have no clue, but all sorts of clueless people, but for most of my adult life (and younger life as well) for long stretches of time I either haven't had a t.v., or I chose not to watch it at all, and I've been a homekeeper mom while doing so for over forty years.  I've taught my children many good things during their pre-school years. I read to them, baked kitchen things, played games, took walks, taught them gardening, husbandry, and loved them--and did I mention read to them?

The point is that our purpose is first to find out what the will of God is for us, then do it. I wasn't original with that, I believe it was Baroness Maria Von Trapp that I saw as being credited for that statement. The second point is our purpose is to glorify God. If on this mission he gives us glory be that as it may, if not--so what? Third point is that like a secret agent, our mission is often done quietly in such a manner so as not to draw undue attention to self. It isn't the flamboyant person that is the most successful, it's the person like George Bailey, who does what they find to do at hand. It isn't an earthly paycheck, or the earthly accolades that will fill the 'purpose place' in a person's character. 


**Titus 2:4  "That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5)  To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."

What's It Worth III

I began this treatise with the story of our yellow dog, Zeus. We've had numerous wonderful pets including dogs, and most of them grew old and eventually died.
Zeus was only one of them, but his indomitable spirit--the way he would look at me with that funny expression--and laugh. He'd laugh just as if he and I shared a private joke. And I guess we did. It made me sad, yet gave me wisdom. I knew he suffered greatly, yet enjoyment of life does not center around a pain free existence. Life is meant to be lived--like a full-flavored soup or stew--you need the bitter and the savory for a rich and delectable product.

In my writing course the instructor is teaching on the 'lie' in our characters' lives. Since we've just begun on this subject, I am not attempting to expound one way or other. I do however see that people--all of us at all ages have lies that we have incorporated into our lives.

The first woman, Eve, is told a lie: 
Genesis 3:1  "Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
2)  And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
3)  But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4)  And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:"

It could be funny, if it were not so idiotic--but most people still believe this lie. Perhaps they would agree with the premise that they will die--just not today. And that day never comes, in their minds.

It is understandable for young children who, in their inexperience with life they don't have the ability to reason from point A to point C or D, but when people move into teen years and pre-thirties, it is more of the mind set that they are invincible--I'm too young to die--mentality. After thirty, people move into denial--I know it will happen someday, but that will be when I'm OLD.

2Kings 20:1  "In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live."

This question is on occasion asked of audiences: How would you live if you knew exactly that you had only so many days/months before you were supposed to die?

Here is another lie that people believe, and it comes in different shades:

•  there is no God, 
• we are all going to the same place, 
• I'm not accountable to anyone but myself,
• I'm a christian because...

According to the instructor of the course after a certain age the 'lie' is no longer a valid reason. A person can reason through things for them self. I would say I've seen many people taught these things when they are older, and for some reason they never can reason out of it. Even when you reason with them, they appear set to believe what they choose to believe.

You can point out to them that evolution is not a fact, but a belief system. In past centuries scientists believed not only that there was a God, the God of the scriptures, but that he created everything just as it says in the scriptures. They weren't stupid people--for example Sir Isaac Newton, one of the most renowned scientist of all time. They all believed there was a God, and many set out to glorify Him in their work. Only since the group of godless, atheistic scientists became the aggressive know-it-alls has it become mandatory for teachers to teach evolution, and children to learn AND believe it as a fact.

• evolution has never been proven to be fact--
• it has no basis in reality--
• it is very destructive to people, and our society as a whole    

For the second fallacy, if people don't change their beliefs, yes they all will go to the same place--but it won't be a good place. Satan wants everyone to believe that lie--just like the lie that there is no God, and the lie that 'we shall not surely die'.

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6
Jesus did not say, find your own way, or there are many ways, or any such idea. He said I AM THE WAY. The only way-- no man cometh unto the Father but by me.

You can believe that or not, but if you don't believe it you had best be prepared for the worst. We will all be accountable to God for our actions whether it's based on truth or fallacy:

Romans 14:11  "For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12)  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God."

Another lie is that just breathing the air in this country makes one a christian. Or, just believing that there is a  God or believing something about Jesus makes them a christian.

No, what makes for a Christian is following in Jesus' footsteps. All the way from Jesus' baptism through his final days, His life was one of service, sacrifice, and obedience to God's will.


I'd like to leave you with this: Satan is the 'father of lies'. That's what Jesus tells us. These are some of the lies he wants us to believe:

• We will never die 
• we are all going to the same place 
• I'm not accountable to anyone 
• I can do it my way and still expect God to say 'well done'

  Don't believe Satan's lies.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
 

What's It Worth II

My Grandfather was a tall red-haired man that most often seemed to have a purpose. He was always going some place, always doing some thing. Even when he wasn't doing anything he was doing something. Some people are like that. His main occupation was with husbandry, or as we call it today--farming. The amount of changes he must have seen in his lifetime.

Born in March of 1898, he passed away in March of 1992, and as some have said it isn't the beginning nor the end that makes the difference, it's the dash in the middle. He was the second son of Samuel and Oda Mae Magill, born at home as was the custom in his day, he grew to manhood in a time of hard work, as well as many hardships. There wasn't much time to be idle in those days, not that they didn't have time for getting together, but their time was always occupied.

He met and married Margret Arena Coe, they had three children, one son and two girls. They lived through the depression raising their children in those perilous times.  Grandpa told of digging a basement for a quarter. Back in that day there wasn't any fancy equipment--only a team of horses, a wagon, and a shovel--for a quarter.

What's a day worth to this generation? What's a quarter worth today? Many things seem cheap in this day and age. When there are 3,288 abortions per day, or 137 per hour, 9 every four minutes, or 1 every twenty-six seconds. Life is cheap. That's just abortions. What about children? The ones that make it into this world? We need to stop rushing madly in all directions and step back...and take a look at what we're doing.

There was a time when parents both were home taking care of their ground, their homes, their families. Of course that was so long ago most have forgotten that time ever existed. With modernization people left that lifestyle behind. We now have more things, but what have we traded for it? We have more things, but less time, or as someone has put it: we are so busy trying to make make a living, we don't have time to live our life.

I remember as a child growing up we did work hard, but it was a work we enjoyed. We enjoyed working together, and when our work was done we would often take a time to play a game or two before commencing our evening chores. Sometimes on occasions we would play games in the evening as a family.

So, then, what's a day worth to you? What's your life worth to you? Are you living it? Some folks think that 'living it up' is really living, but in reality following God's plan makes time worth while. When you become serious about 'living the good life', that's where to invest. Instead of trying to 'do it your way', do it God's way. Heaven--that makes it all worth while. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

What's It Worth To You?

He was an old yellow --probably mixed breed--dog. Like many of our dogs he came into our family by chance and for only a short time--about ten years. Like most humans, we became attached to this animal. His silly foibles, and his whatnots. His name was Zeus, and like I said he was a yellow dog--and a couple of sons could tell me what main breed he was. He was a medium height, probably around fifty pounds, short hair, and a good all around chum.

Some of the whatnots that Zeus had were characterized by his good nature. He was good with children. He was good with people in general. He had a slight limp from being rolled by an automobile when he was young, but that didn't slow him down in his young life--only as he grew older. The story of the squirrel has several lessons in it.

We live in the country, in a cold and snowy winter wonderland. There is an abundance of feed all summer, but winters can be tough for the little feathered friends, so we feed the birds in the winter.  One winter day I glanced out the porch window, and sitting in the tray of the feeder was a plummy squirrelly tail, busily waving away. I thought, whoa, that's no bird! What's that goofy squirrel doing on the bird feeder? I reached over and tapped on the window, thinking of course the squirrel would get the message and disappear, but no such luck. I actually think he became more industrious in his feeding with the tail waving more vigorously. Well, I  thought, squirrelly is a bit bold--so I tapped again, just a bit more loud this time--still no change in the foolish beastie. The next time I tapped, and I said out loud, "Hey, Squirrel, get out of there!"

I couldn't believe the audacity of the creature. I had one last Ace in my hat. I cautiously went down the steps to the back door, opened it somewhat quiet, and hollered out, "Sic em, Zeus!"
Rocky the flying squirrel hit the ground about ten feet from the bird feeder, flying like a bird, and a streak of yellow was behind him nipping at his plummy tail. From that time on it was Zeus the squirrel dog. We never figured out if his limp slowed him down so he didn't ever catch the varmint, but we had the quiet little feeling in the back of our minds that he didn't really want to catch them.

That feeling was underscored by his Sunday habit. As he grew older he slept more, and was less active, which is only normal, of course. His Sunday habit gave him away somewhat. We would pull into our drive, and as we came up to the top of the drive, and stopped in front of the garage, he would jump up (usually he had had his foolish body laying in my flowers) and he would look all around like what? where's that rascally squirrel? I'll get him! His gaze would come to rest looking down at our grove of trees like he was searching for something, and off he would fly as if he was chasing that dumb squirrel. Sometimes there was actually a squirrel, but most often he was just on a goose chase for no reason. No reason except to make it look like he was a good watch dog taking care of things while we were away. We would snicker at his antics and praise his efforts at watch doggedness. 

Each year he was slower--except when we came home from church on Sunday. And he kept getting thinner. Every year I would think, there's no way the poor thing will make it through this winter, he's getting so thin! We fed him all he would eat, gave him worm medicine, but to no avail. You could see his hip bones, and his limp became more pronounced.  And he'd look at me with a laugh. It was a quiet laugh that said--yes, I know I'm dying, but we sure had fun, didn't we--and we'd do it all again, just the same--

The day we brought home two boarder collie pups he was miffed. He looked at me like : What's wrong, you think I need these two nincompoops?  He acted like he was real put out, but true to his nature, he was good to the two dumb-head pups. They in turn rolled over him, played with him--until he would tell them in a cross manner, enough already! They'd leave him alone about five minutes then start all over again. They slept with him, sometimes on top of him, or snuggled with him.  Either way they kept him warm, and I'm sure they were a comfort as well.

He developed a lump on one of his cheekbones--the vet said it was one thing or another. It was either an infection, or cancer. We gave him his medicine twice a day--dogs like peanut butter, so we would roll his medicine up in a ball of peanut butter, and play catch with him. We'd throw it, he'd catch it and swallow in one smooth move. He always was good at catch. We thought it helped him, and maybe it did some. Of course it wasn't enough. He just kept getting more thin.

Even after these past few years I can still see him. I knew he was suffering, and he was in pain, yet there was still that spark of something that said but we sure had fun didn't we.

There will never be another Zeus, but that's all right. Just like there are no two snowflakes that are alike, he was a good old yellow dog--and we sure had fun didn't we?

What's On Your Plate?!

It will come as no surprise for those who are acquainted with my family if I were to say there are a few of my friends, relatives, and acquaintances that have a different point of view than most of the rest of the world.  As a friend of the family said some time back, 'When it comes to Westphals the only thing normal is a town in Illinois'.

Be that as it may, the story is told of a friend/relative that went to town and bought a set of all white dishes. He told his wife he wanted to know when he was done eating. "There's nothing worse than spending five minutes trying to clean up my plate only to realize it was some doodad painted on the plate and not food at all."

I'm going to confess right off, there's a whole lot of wisdom in that thought. I won't tell anyone there aren't doodads painted on my dishes--some dishes have more doodads than there are doodads on others. However, as we begin the new year we should consider the need to begin with an all white plate.

Begin with less doodads. I sometimes (often) think most of us would be better off if in some way all of our electronic gadgetry would suddenly stop working. Or if we could eliminate one by one some of the gadgets we have acquired.

Having been born in the early 1950's I know that television, radios, and such whatnots are not necessities, but I also know that-- having started typing on a manual typewriter, and not having a printer until just a few years ago--there are some devices that make life easier. It doesn't make life faster--just easier.

I can work on an article, a manuscript, or a design quickly and efficiently. I can rearrange words, paragraphs, phrases, check spelling or use a thesauruses in the same manner. Ditto with dictionary and research items. It wasn't just that the manual typewriter required more finger strength, but does anyone remember the reason 'whiteout' was invented? Sometimes one mistake made a whole page unusable. Gasp here. Printers are true wonders as well. What used to take me forever to reproduce for my Bible classes I can zip right off ten or twenty copies in a few minutes.

I can keep-in-touch with friends and family that I wouldn't have access to in a matter of moments via the computer. It is not quite as personal as a face-to-face conversation, but it beats not hearing from each other at all for years.

A Bible illustrator friend mentioned a time back that with the new electronics it would make his original mode of work--the pen, paper, and ink--archaic. That is sad indeed. I do still enjoy the pen, paper, and ink--even the letter writing aspect. I enjoy the canvass, paint, and oils, or the feel of the pottery clay, or even just the sweat of an honest day's work.   

At times what seems to be the worst disaster that could happen in our lives turns out to be the one that leads us to where we need to be. For instance, my son-in-law almost lost his arm in a power tool accident. That was three years ago. During these three years he and my daughter have learned to live on workman's comp. They went from the comfortable salary he made as a landscape supervisor (extraordinaire, I might add) to a very small stipend.

The back-story is that several times throughout their marriage I have encouraged her that in scriptures we are taught for the wife to be a keeper at home. This was reinforced by her experience that when she did at times work away from the home, their money situation never improved, she missed her children, her husband missed her at home, and it really didn't work out as it was (in theory) supposed to work.  When she stayed in the home they were blessed in unimaginable ways.

Now they are faced with three years of surgeries, pain, and problems we can not begin to enumerate. There have been those who are incredulous that she didn't rush out and get a job in order to help, but even though that may be what appeared to be what was needed here are some things that happened in spite of not doing things in the worldly wisdom's way, but following God's way.

•  One thing: we have a lot of must haves, that we really don't need. Hint--They have cut down on t.v. time, cable, phones and doodads. 

• They do things as a family. Before the accident her husband worked very long hours and missed out on the time with their children. Now he is home and has more time with them as a family, and those times are valuable. 

• They have learned to trim down on their grocery bill in some very inventive ways. The children have some of their own chickens--they all work at raising a garden, some fruit trees, and such like that help in small ways. 

• They have become more prayerful, and more quietly dependent upon God, who is our true source of blessings. 

• It has also been our blessing to be able to find small ways to help and bless them in their time of need.

What a shame so many people rush out trying to do things their way, leaving God out of their thoughts and ways. Now as they are nearing the end of this trial and about to begin a new chapter, yes, things again will change. God does want each of us to be busy with the 'job' he has given them to do. My son-in-law will soon be released--and God willing be able--to find gainful employment. He has gained much through his struggle these last three years, and God is willing that he will benefit from those life lessons.

I would leave you with this thought--How big is your God?

~Psalms 50:10  "For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. 11)  I know all the fowls 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.
  ~Psalms 46:10  "Be still, and know that I am God..."
Hallelujah! What a Savoir!