The Day

If the Lord came today there are many people who would be surprised. Christians would be just as  surprised as unbelievers in this matter.

"Watch therefore: for ye know not on what day your Lord cometh. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken through. Therefore be ye also ready; for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh."  (Matthew 24:42-44 ASV)

A speaker related the account of how not long ago he had been forced into a doctor's visit. The doctor after the check up, informed the man that he was going to have an operation on the morrow. The speaker reacted with, "Oh, no, I've got things to do..." 

The audience laughed. We've most all had the same response for something unplanned we had to do. No matter what we think we have to do, there are some things that trump our plans. 

"And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning didst lay the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the works of thy hands: They shall perish; but thou continuest: And they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a mantle shalt thou roll them up, As a garment, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, And thy years shall not fail." (Hebrews 1:10-12 ASV)

Our life here is brief. Even if we live a hundred years, in the expanse of eternity that is brief. 

Two things we need to keep in mind are the brevity of life; and the surety of eternity... 

No matter what (most) believers confess with their lips, like the speaker in the third paragraph most of us don't believe we will ever die. Not yet at least. Normal quasi healthy people believe they will arise tomorrow to live another day. We have just one more thing, one more project, one more--well, some things we've got to do. 

I heard the story of a wealthy prominent man who had some health issues. His friend, a doctor by profession, tried to get him to slow down and take it a bit easier. The wealthy man told him, "I've got too much to do. When I get my work all done, I'll slow down." At last the doctor said to him,"Bill, come with me. I have something I want to show you." They got in the doctor's car and took a drive through town. The doctor pulled up and parked at the entrance to the local cemetery. "Bill," he said to his friend, "look here. How many of these folks in here do you think ever got all their work done?"

I would like to leave you with these thoughts: 

• As sure as there was a beginning of the world, there will be an end. The Lord will come, and it will be unexpected. All will see him, and all will receive judgement.

"And inasmuch as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh judgment;"(Hebrews 9:27 ASV)

• It is important to be prepared and/or remain faithful.God is a loving God, and a loving God must be just. 

 "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." (Hebrews 10:31 ASV)

• To come into judgement unprepared would be reprehensible. In this life it is our only duty to love and obey our God. If we fail this, we've failed everything. 

"Cast not away therefore your boldness, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, having done the will of God, ye may receive the promise."(Hebrews 10:35-36 ASV)

• Be patient in the Lord, and you will receive the recompense of your reward. 

Behold, he cometh with the clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they that pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth shall mourn over him. Even so, Amen. (Revelation 1:7 ASV)

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Misnomers?

Earlier this year I viewed a video on face book. It has a unique message for those unbelievers of the world. The host interviews random people about their beliefs, and in the end talks to them about the Gospel of Jesus. One woman in particular cannot accept the idea of God judging people, of hell--an eternal punishment. Many people have a similar view. How could a loving God send people to an everlasting punishment?

Several months ago I attended a meeting at the local library on "understanding" Islam. The speaker at one point stated that there are similarities between the Bible and Islam. I've heard this idea before, the idea that Christianity approves of and is similar to Islam. They are both on equal footing.

This shows that the speaker doesn't have a grasp on Biblical scripture, nor a clear understanding of God. It could be compared to me making the statement: "The other day our local newspaper reported a horrendous crime committed in the capitol city. I will never read  that newspaper again. Any paper that can condone such a wicked crime is just wrong."

The newspaper in reporting the crime does not condone the crime. Because the Bible tells us about things that have happened does not mean that it approved of those things. 

*"And he {God}said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be sojourners in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; and also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. But thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. And in the fourth generation they shall come hither again; for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet full.(Genesis 15:13-16)

In this scripture God is telling Abram that Abram's offspring would go into another country and live there for four hundred years, but that God would bring them out of that land and they would come back to the land of Canaan and posses it at that time. But it wasn't going to happen until after four hundred years because the iniquity of the present inhabitants was not 'full'. Those inhabitants would become exceeding sinful, but they were not yet. This is a prophesy of things to come.

*"And he said, Hagar, Sarai's handmaid, whence camest thou? and whither goest thou? And she said, I am fleeing from the face of my mistress Sarai. And the angel of Jehovah said unto her... And she called the name of Jehovah that spake unto her, Thou art a God that seeth: for she said, Have I even here looked after him that seeth me?"(Genesis 16:8-13)

In this example the Angel of Jehovah is speaking to Sarai's handmaid, Hagar, who has run away from her mistress. After a bit of conversation Hagar called Jehovah that spake unto her, Thou art a God that seeth: for she said, Have I even here looked after him that seeth me? Hagar calls him 'a God that seeth'.

*"That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked, that so the righteous should be as the wicked; that be far from thee: shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? And Jehovah said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sake." (Genesis 18:25-26)

In the last case Abraham is bargaining with God, attempting to save the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Cities which the text says, "the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;" (Genesis 18:20-21) And Abraham describes Jehovah God and calls Him, "the Judge of all the earth?"

In these instances we see several aspects of Jehovah God. He is all knowing even to seeing into the future. Second we see that he is all seeing even to the small detail of a serving maid and her child. And lastly, Jehovah God is the Judge of all the earth.

Link this back to the original paragraph, and the thoughts therein. When the woman who couldn't accept the idea of a loving God and an eternal place of punishment heard the story of a predatory person who committed a heinous crime against an innocent, her face showed horror. The next few words out of her mouth were about judgement and punishment of such a wicked crime. The next look on her face was one of understanding. She made the connection between the horrible nature of sin and how it is related to judgement and eternal punishment. 

We see ourselves as decent folks, as 'not all that bad'. Yet, how would a 'holy God' see us? If we haven't been washed in the blood of Jesus Christ we would look pretty bad. That's just the flat truth, and we would deserve punishment. God isn't part of a democracy. We can't vote and decide whether we like God's rules, or God's laws. Jehovah God sets the standards and in the end He will see and He will judge. The Christian life is the best life for while we are here in this world, in this body as well as in the hereafter. 

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Stages

Pictures. I have a number of aerial pictures of my in-laws house and surrounding area. The progression from those early pictures to the later photos are quite stark. There are several different buildings--old ones removed, new ones added, a smaller house and a progression of additions. The 'sun porch' at the back of the house was named that for a reason, but now it sits comfortably in the shade of a large maple tree.

When they purchased the farm there was a farm house here, which they tore down in order to build this present structure. As far as I know there are no pictures of the original house, nor how the original buildings lay at the time of purchase. Even without them we still see quite a progression of changes throughout the years. 

 This morning the boys are loading some cattle to go to the sale barn and I'm sitting on the deck watching.  I have my Bible and a cup of coffee to occupy the moments when things are quiet at the loading chute.It's a beautiful morning. The temperatures are pleasant, pleasant sunshine, maybe just a touch on the lively side of a breeze. I'm hindered in my scope of vision by the lush growth of tree leaves, and reminded of those early pictures and their lack of anything but the bare minimum of ground cover.

"All things are full of weariness; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. That which hath been is that which shall be; and that which hath been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there a thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been long ago, in the ages which were before us." (Ecclesiastes 1:8-10 ASV)

Our lives are like the pictures in the photograph album, starting small and progressing along. Yesterday, so it seems we were sitting in the high chair with our head leaning toward our lunch, next is our school days with friends, family, and accomplishments. No matter where you are on your path there are common links through the stages of life.

One of my favorite Bible class lesson stories is called, 'Madge Learns to Listen'. It must be upteen million years old, and I've used it on a number of classes . It begins with a little girl (named Madge, of course) who is upset because 'no one ever listens to me'. Her Bible class teacher uses this to teach all of her little people the lesson that listening is a two way experience. When we learn to listen to those around us, we find that others that we come in contact with on a daily basis are more responsive to listening to us. And blessing of blessings we learn to be more attentive in listening to God.

I am visiting with a parent. Her ten year old girl is working with yarn and a crochet hook. I suspect the youngster believes she's doing something, but being an old hand at crocheting, I also suspect she is just diddling. During a lull in the conversation I question the youngster. She passes the item to me to examine, and indeed, informs me, she is making a blanket. I know that my words will fall on deaf ears, however, I tell her she may some day have a collar, but will never have a blanket. I continue, 'if you would like I can show you how to do this, or if you are content with what you are doing I will just give it back'. She was content to just diddle, so I gave it back. I guess there is something to say for being content.

One of the frustrations between generations is the lack of listening. We do have a generation gap today, and the main reason is too many people are in too big of a hurry to get nowhere. We all have instances of diddling, but should not be content to diddle our time away. Of course one of the sad things in life is younger people thinking that they don't need to listen to old farts. If we teach our youngsters to listen when they are young they are more likely to listen as they mature. As the old adage goes: Those who will not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. And so it goes, "That which hath been is that which shall be...there is nothing new under the sun."

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

What Have You Gained?

Statistics tell us that most women are not happy about their image when they look in the mirror. When I was young and would sit watching my mother get ready for her day's work I would wonder. She fussed and fretted over something she didn't like about her hair. I could never see any difference between what she started with and what she settled with at the end, but she spent at least twenty minutes getting it done.  

"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. But many shall be last that are first; and first that are last."  (Matthew 19:29-30 ASV)

Quite a few years ago we had a visitor at church one Sunday morning. The man (and maybe his son, if memory serves me at all) had once been associated with the congregation, long before our time. He had several friends amongst the congregation. When services were over there was a good deal of talking and banter from the members of the congregation. My husband and I waited, thinking surely someone of the man's friends from the congregation would invite him home for the noon meal. 

We were surprised when at the last everyone made their goodbyes, and no one had stepped up for a blessing. We asked the man if he would like to come home with us for the noon meal, and he gladly accepted. He came home with us to our modest home, a rather large family, and modest meal. Through the years this scene has taken place in our home, and I'm quite often amazed at what happens. 

While growing up, my Grandfather wasn't big on new innovations. He wasn't a casserole person. He wanted his 'meat, potatoes, and gravy', no nonsense stuff like casseroles for him. So a normal Sunday lunch for me still consisted of a roast of some sort, potatoes, a couple of vegetables, gravy, and of course dessert. Nothing fancy, but adequate. Yet, when we sat down to a simple meal and shared it with company as well it felt like a feast. We talked and laughed, shared stories, and on this particular Sunday lunch the man gave us a copy of a book he had just published. I felt sorry for those poor people who had missed the opportunity of such an afternoon.  

We just finished up a wonderful gospel meeting. In the same manner as my mother styling her hair, I fuss and fret over preparation for our visitor. Will this look right, will it be right, and what to prepare for meals? 

As most often happens 'time and tide wait for no man', and the eventful occurrence takes place. We currently have a phrase that covers many things: 'It is what it is'. I wish I could have polished things more, maybe gotten some optical things in order, but the speaker did an excellent job, and what a blessing we gained.

"The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Jehovah hath made even both of them." (Proverbs 20:12 ASV)

I am reminded of this scripture and I realize I don't have to be the most beautiful person, or have the best possessions, greatest house, or what not. What I must have is seeing eyes, hearing ears, and an open heart. 

Somewhere along my path I came across a saying:  If there is room in the heart, there is room in the home. 

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Only Ones

During the last years of the elderly man's life the preacher would on occasion stop in for a visit. On one occasion the preacher brought pictures of horses and some old time farm equipment. They had a pleasant visit, and as was the preacher's usual habit he presented the Gospel to the older gentleman before leaving. The preacher had on every occasion of visiting presented the same Gospel, but on this visit something jogged the other man's mind.

With a shocked look at the preacher he said, "You think you're the only ones."

There have been a number of  'jokes' such as: Mr. Jones died and went to heaven. As Saint Peter was showing him around, he pointed to several groups of souls. "Over there is the Methodists, and over there are the Lutherans, and the Baptists are over there."
They passed another group, and Mr. Jones inquired, "Who's that over there?"
"Shhh," Saint Peter said, "That's the Church of Christ, and they think they're the only ones."

I used 'Church of Christ', in this instance, but in the past people have used Methodists, Baptists, and Lutherans as well as other religious titles to fill in the 'they think they're the only ones' blank. You see, in times past most religious entities believed that not everyone was going to heaven.Why was that so, and what has changed? Let us address the first why. Why did the different religions believe there was only one way?

"Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it." (Matthew 7:13-14)
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock:"
(Matthew 7:21-24 ASV)

They believed that because that's what the scriptures teach, and most of them believed their path was the right path. So, what happened? What changed?

Unbelievers searching for the Truth (and the path to heaven) were told by the various denominations various answers. For instance, some answers were: 'just believe', 'just recite the sinners prayer', or 'just follow our pattern/our creed'...there were as many answers as there were denominations. Many unbelievers became scoffers and remained unbelievers. And of course the obvious question became, 'how come there are so many answers, and where do the answers all come from' ?

Because of the conundrum the different answers made, and because most religions would point back to their own creeds, which created its own conundrum, they dropped the idea that their way was the only way. They were forced into the belief that 'we're all going to heaven, just taking different paths'.

But Jesus through the Bible still says:

"that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us: that the world may believe that thou didst send me." (John 17:21)

"Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment."  
(1 Corinthians 1:10)

So, the question comes, does it make a difference what we believe, and what we teach?

"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; But the end thereof are the ways of death." (Proverbs 14:12)

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

The first admonition comes from the Old Testament book of Proverbs. The second is from the Apostle Paul in the New Testament. These are warnings telling us 'watch what you're doing, because you can fall'. 

"These things have I written unto you, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, even unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God." (1 John 5:13)

How can we know what is right or wrong? By reading and following the teachings and commandments of the Son. If it doesn't say it in the Bible, it doesn't save. For instance, do the scriptures teach 'saying the sinners prayer'? No, so it doesn't save. We must believe, but the scriptures don't teach 'believe only'. Otherwise the demons would be saved:

 "Thou believest that God is one; thou doest well: the demons also believe, and shudder." (James 2:19)

Even the Apostle Paul buffeted his body daily so as not to be rejected:
"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." (1 Corinthians 9:27)

Why do so many, instead of looking to see if what they believe matches with what the scriptures teach, ignore the idea that they may be believing something that is false? The devil is the master of lies and deceit. It matters not how a person is deceived. If you believe and follow a lie you are still lost. I can believe falsely that I am safe, or that I am 'the only one'. Without proof and Truth my belief is still wrong. 

Do I believe that 'we're the only ones'? No. I believe those who follow the teachings of Christ and Him only are the only ones. Those following the straight and narrow way, as it speaks in Matthew, are the only ones. It isn't determined by me or you, but by the Word of God.

"Ye therefore, beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware lest, being carried away with the error of the wicked, ye fall from your own stedfastness." (2 Peter 3:17 ASV)

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Too Soon Gone

Merle Haggard passed away in April, and many mourn the passing of this famous country singer. Over the last number of years I've witnessed the passing of many famous people, quite a few that I grew up listening to, or watching on television. Through out my days, and under various reasons and circumstances, I am reminded of the scripture in Psalms: 

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

My thoughts tend to center on the phrase 'I have been young, and now am old'. Life has made that impression on me at sundry stages in my journey which had nothing to do with literal age. My husband and I married when we were eighteen. Marriage tends to mature a person, or as they say, we grew up together. There was ten years between our oldest child and the sixth child. Child number seven was born ten years later, approximately two weeks after our oldest grandchild joined the family. 

The first forty years of our life seemed to fly by. About the age forty-two, however, I felt as if I slammed into a brick wall. Life didn't slow down, but before that time I hit life at full throttle. Now my body began to hit slow motion mode in little things.  

"The wise man's eyes are in his head, and the fool walketh in darkness: and yet I perceived that one event happeneth to them all. Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then said I in my heart, that this also is vanity." (Ecclesiastes 2:14-15 ASV)

The term, 'he went the way of all the earth', is used to gently remind people that 'as it happeneth to the fool, so will it happen to me...'. Too many people live their lives as if they are guaranteed life forever on this earth. They live as if life on this tiny spec in the universe is forever, and never make preparation for the vast ocean of eternity. 

"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!"(Ecclesiastes 2:16 ASV)

 The book of Ecclesiastes deals with Solomon trying to make sense of life 'under the sun'; trying to make sense of life by taking God out of the equation. Earthly wisdom would cause a thinking person to ask the age old question, 'what's it all about?' What is the purpose of life? and as Solomon found, apart from a life with God there is no sense. We all die and are forgotten—even the famous of our times. 

"Therefore I turned about to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labor wherein I had labored under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 2:20 ASV)

"There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God." (Ecclesiastes 2:24 ASV)

I sit on my deck and watch my children and grandchildren. I am reminded that even though the last twenty-one years have forced me to slow down, as Ecclesiastes tells us there is nothing better than to gather with family and friends. To watch  life begin, the middle of life, and in the words of the Psalmist: "I have been young, and now am old", as a Christian, there is nothing better. 

But as a Christian, I have prepared for the next stage as well. Life on this spec isn't the end. I am incredulous that so many of my fellow journeymen are so clueless. I will leave you with this encouragement—prepare for your eternity:

"And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 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. ...and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, even the lake of fire. And if any was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire." 

(Revelation 20:11-15 ASV)

A World of Turmoil

"And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters that are here, lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. But he lingered; and the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters, Jehovah being merciful unto him; and they brought him forth, and set him without the city." (Genesis 19:15-16 ASV)

Abraham in the preceeding chapter had bargained with Jehovah God. Jehovah had 'heard' the great cry of the city of Sodom and Gomorrah for its wickedness, and in response sent two angels down to check it out. The story here picks up as the angels have found it to be very wicked indeed. They have not been able to find even ten righteous souls in the entire city. The city is set for destruction, but first the angels must deliver Lot and his family out of the city. Destruction is hovering over the city, Lot is 'lolly gagging-dragging his feet' about leaving. At last the angels take him, his wife, his two daughters by their hands and bring them out of the city. They literally drag them out of the city, tell them to run for the hills, and 'do not look back'. 

"And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth (the angels brought forth Lot and family) abroad, that he (the angel) said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the Plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed." (Genesis 19:17 ASV)

There could have been several reasons Lot's wife looked back. For whatever reason, she looked back with longing when she had been distinctly warned 'do not look back', and she failed the test. 

"But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt."(Genesis 19:26 ASV)

Strangers and Pilgrims: we live in, yet are not part of this world.
Or have we grown comfortable here?

Far too many of my fellow Christian travelers have Lot syndrome, and many more have the 'Lot's wife' syndrome. How many times do I hear people telling stories about 'before' I was a christian I did thus and so. It's a remembrance of 'the good times' they had 'before'. The good times they gave up in order to suffer the walk of a christian. Instead of realizing what a blessing it is to give those things up and put them away; to walk in soberness and Godliness, they remember them with fondness. Like Lot's wife, they look back with longing.

"that ye no longer should live the rest of your time in flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past may suffice to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, and to have walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries: wherein they think strange that ye run not with them into the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:" 
(1 Peter 4:2-4 ASV)

For my part, I want to finish my task here in this world, and to finish well. However, there are days when I feel I've seen too much. My heart loves my family and friends, but it loves even greater, and longs even more to return to that city and home of eternal rest and joy.  

"These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things make it manifest that they are seeking after a country of their own. And if indeed they had been mindful of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city." (Hebrews 11:13-16 ASV)

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

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Just A Moment

Some call them 'senior' moments, or  back when blond jokes were popular, 'blond moments'. Regardless, most people have those moments and neither age nor hair color matter. I have been born with a predisposition for moments. Most of these moments go with the words 'what was I thinking'? I often find myself sitting on the ground, or floor, or find myself in a situation which is not good.

But these aren't the only moments in life. Statistics tell us a car crash takes only seconds to occur. Odd as it seems, children grow up in only a moment. Parents grow old in only a moment. A new acquaintance can become a friend in a moment, and friends can become strangers—in only a moment. Overnight our bodies and minds change. 

In this world of change, a world of drifting shifting sand-based values where can we find a sense of stability?  

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and to-day, yea and for ever. Be not carried away by divers and strange teachings: for it is good that the heart be established by grace; not by meats, wherein they that occupied themselves were not profited."  (Hebrews 13:8-9 ASV)

So many people have turned away from the Bible in search of something different. Not even something 'new', just different. Jesus is the only one that promises salvation. Other religions may offer something novel, or unusual. They may make the person 'feel' tingley or special, however, they don't offer salvation.

Salvation. The teachings of Christ can be the best of both worlds, giving us a better life now, and an eternal home with God. As an acquaintance of mine said after she and her husband had been converted to Christ from a drunken existence. The previous life revolved around drinking, and all their money went for that. She sat in her comfortable carpeted living room with new furniture. Her walls were adorned with pretty items. Christ has changed our previous existence for this. Her face wore an honest thankful visage. 

"If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable. But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead." (1 Corinthians 15:19-21 ASV)

It is true that the fortunes of Christians can be erased in a moment's notice, but one thing a Christian has that they take with them is the presence of Christ. His assurance that He is with them no matter what, or no mater where they are.

"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you."  (1 Peter 5:6-7 ASV)

In this world of change that come sometimes moment by moment, Jesus still calls each individual back to him. He gives us an anchor for our soul, and a foundation to build our life upon. A future here, and a future for the hereafter:

"In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."  (1 Corinthians 15:52 ASV)

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Going Out In Joy

Most mornings I'm up at 6:00 A. M. but this morning I'm up later than my normal early hour. I've had a good/bad night. I slept well until early morning, then pain woke me and I had to get up for some pain relief.

Later, sitting at our dining room table, as I work at my morning routine I glance out the window. There is a nice breeze, and this morning is almost perfect. It's a comfortable cool, but vibrant sunshine washes the landscape. Near to my view lower leaves of the Ash tree on the east side of our house are dancing in the shadow, in the breeze.

Several years ago I was lent a book, "The Chinese Ginger Jars" by Myra Scovel. {The true, captivating, and intensely personal account of an extraordinary American woman who lived, with her medical missionary husband and son, through more than two decades of transition in China. ...}

This blurb says her husband and son, but in the book I believe she had three children--two boys and one girl. That said, there was a point during WWII, if memory serves me, they were in an internment camp in China for quite some time. After being held in the camp for a length of time the camp was exchanged. They start the long train journey to the ship that will bring them back to America. At one point they are allowed off the train to rest in the shade of some trees. Myra has a poignant moment as they are resting and scripture comes to her mind:

 "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."
Isaiah 55:12

Just as she observes the trees under which they are resting seem to 'clap their leaves as they go out with joy', in my world on this almost perfect morning the leaves on our Ash tree are clapping their leaves. What a beautiful thought, and brings to mind other scriptures. As in my case: 

"Sing praise unto Jehovah, O ye saints of his, And give thanks to his holy memorial name. For his anger is but for a moment; His favor is for a life-time: Weeping may tarry for the night, But joy cometh in the morning." 
(Psalms 30:4-5 ASV)

Also when I think I am something special (as my daughter used to say—all that and a bag of chips—) I remember that we are all on the journey perhaps as Myra and her companions to the ship that takes us home. It isn't the times we fall that count, it is the times we get up. And just because I'm up today, doesn't mean I didn't fall yesterday, nor that I won't fall sometime in the future. As the Apostle Paul says:

"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. Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." 
(2 Corinthians 12:8-10 ASV)

I don't 'rest' in my weakness (as in wallow in the mud), but I rest in the 'Power of Christ' to overcome and live in His power and grace.

And last of all, I meditate upon this scripture:

"Seek ye Jehovah while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near: 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. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith Jehovah. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." 
(Isaiah 55:6-9 ASV)

Hallelujah, what a Savior!

slowly

It started slow, like sand dripping one grain at a time through an ancient hourglass. Oh, we started out normal enough, but change came. Imperceptible, yet one day, one week, one year, bit by tiny bit. Now, like a rock mountain, who we are is set in stone, and unchanging.

The original Cinderella of long ago, not the Disney world new one, had a moral in her story. In the original story, Cinderella personified what a good kind person; a well brought up lady would look like. She embodied beauty on the outside and on the inside. A forgiving person who, through her goodness, brought evil to repentance and changed it to good.

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. The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you. 
(Philippians 4:8-9 ASV)

Life isn't built in a day. It is built day by day, one precept on another. Many people of the world live their lives listening to lies from Satan (who is the father of lies, as Jesus says). They eat the empty vanity cakes of the idols of this world, and never turn to the beauty of truth and salvation. They don't have anything worthwhile to look to that will help them turn to the good, true, honorable things of life eternal.

Just as the new Disney world version of Cinderella has put a different emphasis on the story, most lives miss the mark as well. We go along believing, 'if I only had more money,' or 'if I looked like that person', drove that car,' or what ever our current idol is, if I had that, things would be different. We miss the real beauty, because we're looking at the facade. 

Thus saith Jehovah, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way; and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls: but they said, We will not walk therein. And I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet; but they said, We will not hearken. 

(Jeremiah 6:16-17 ASV)

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Take care—

I look at my front yard from my deck, what do I see? Some days what I see is up to me. 
Literally I see grass that is crying out to be cut, or used for a small pasture. Flowers--I love flowers, and there are flower leaves waving at whoever will rescue them. Roses that need pruned and...
Well, there you go. Always some opportunity.

Opportunity?

Well, yes opportunity.

"To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master." 

(Matthew 25:15-23 ESV)

If you notice the scripture above, the lesson is of a person with a fortune that 'gives' his servants money (that's what talents are here) and leaves on a journey. Each servant does something with the money he received. Two are wise, and one is foolish. 

A number of people have taken offense to Donald Trump. They say he 'was a rich kid, and what he has he inherited'. He has said repeatedly, no, my dad gave me a 'million dollars' to make my fortune. I did not inherit what I have today. 

Something people don't understand is a millionaire, even Donald Trump, can go broke. If you are doing 'deals' in real estate and what not, you can lose it all. A million dollars can evaporate fast if you don't make the right choices, or if you make the wrong choices too many times. 

What Mr. Trump has and/or how he made his fortune is not what I'm concerned with here. Look around you at your fortune. That's what I'm talking about. 

We are the servants. Our treasure is our lives. If we don't take care of what we've been given, God won't give us more. As Dave Ramsey has said, more money doesn't make you rich, it just makes you more of what you already are.

What Dave Ramsey says is people that have to have the latest gadget hardly ever become 'rich'. No matter how much money that comes into their possession, it has soon flown out the window on something newer, and in their eyes at least, better.They aren't wise with their resources.They may 'have' more money, but to no avail.   

"He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed?" (Matthew 25:24-26 ESV)

What he's saying is, if person is a lousy person putting more money in their pocket, or fancier clothes on their outside is like putting lipstick on a pig. 

And what God tells us is take care of your internal character.

Build sturdy relationships 

• With God first
• Family (spouse, children, parents/siblings, friends, neighbors)
•  Take care of your home, car, possessions--it shows a personal, internal honor, a sense of self-worth

In one sense we are all born a millionaire. We are born with a vast treasure given to us by a loving God. Let's not hide our treasure in the ground, but let us take care, and be busy looking for opportunities to be about our Father's business. 

Hallelujah! What a Savior. 

Beggars in the Kingdom

I get it. Most Christians do as well. At least those that have been Christians for awhile. I see quite a few posts on different subjects as to Christian living. Some are on general topics such as can a Christian do such and so activities. For example, can a Christian smoke tobacco, drink 'adult beverages', curse, fight, attend x-rated movies, participate in—well there is quite a general list for male and female Christians. 

There are some do's and don'ts for men (that don't apply to women, ie. "Ye husbands, in like manner, dwell with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor unto the woman, as unto the weaker vessel, as being also joint-heirs of the grace of life; to the end that your prayers be not hindered." 
(1 Peter 3:7 ASV)). There are do's and don'ts for women (that don't apply to men). Herein lies the problem. 

"And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled: for these things must needs come to pass; but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines and earthquakes in divers places. But all these things are the beginning of travail. Then shall they deliver you up unto tribulation, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all the nations for my name's sake. And then shall many stumble, and shall deliver up one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall arise, and shall lead many astray. And because iniquity shall be multiplied, the love of the many shall wax cold." 
(Matthew 24:6-12 ASV)

Many talk and write of 'end times', and these things have happened for centuries, the famines, wars, earthquakes in many places, so that, to point to these things as occurring in these days doesn't mark end times, but the last phrase is chilling  And because iniquity shall be multiplied, the love of the many shall wax cold.

For the past—at least forty-five years—many that call themselves Christians have been infiltrated by those who know the will of Christ, but who really don't care. Those who can read the will of God in scriptures and will still deny and rebel against that will. 

"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this were unprofitable for you." 

(Hebrews 13:17 ASV)

If people don't like what the elders of the congregation tell them, all they need to do is find a congregation that will allow them to do what they choose to do. Who cares about the Word of God, or the Elders. We have too many folks who just don't care. The mission has been side-tricked, side-swiped, or sabotaged.    

When Jesus became relegated to a lilly-livered, wuss, most laugh and scorn, but they seem to have forgotten what John the Baptizer said of Jesus Christ: 

I indeed baptize you in water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire: whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing-floor; and he will gather his wheat into the garner, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire. 
(Matthew 3:11-12 ASV)

These people need to mark well that the unquenchable fire is not something they will want. This post originally came from the scripture in Luke that tells the lesson of the King and His feast. It had to do with the fact that Christ went first to His fellow Jews, but most of them rejected the new Kingdom, so He turned to a people not His own:

"and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them that were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God." 
(Hosea 2:23 ASV)

In this aspect the Church or Kingdom of today is a Kingdom of beggars from the highways and byways. It is the poor, maimed, and blind and lame, but also it is the people who bow before the great I AM, and confess "I was blind, but now I see":

"And the servant came, and told his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor and maimed and blind and lame. And the servant said, Lord, what thou didst command is done, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and constrain them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, that none of those men that were bidden shall taste of my supper." 
(Luke 14:21-24 ASV)
Hallelujah! What a savior! 

Rules That Cannot Be Broken

Write ye also to the Jews, as it pleaseth you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring; for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse. 
(Esther 8:8)

The book of Esther is an ancient type of Novella. The story of a young orphan girl, in a foreign land, chosen to be queen of the land by powerful King Ahasuerus. It chronicles her rise to the throne, and her necessity to hazard her life for her people. In the end she triumphs over the plot to commit genocide of her people. Her great enemy is slain, and her people are given the ability and right to defend themselves against others who would seek to take their lives.

  

The reason for her dilemma came about through a grudge a man named "Haman" had toward Esther's Uncle Mordecai. Haman, a confederate of the King, used that power to decree that all the Jews in the kingdom were to be killed on a certain day. 

With Esther's intervention King Ahasuerus strives to change it enough that the people affected (Esther and her nation) will be saved. He sends a second set of letters that give the Jews the ability to defend them self. The commentary makes these points: 

• why the king, Mordecai, and Esther are writing and sealing the present letters-
• why the earlier letters can't be reversed (it doesn't appear that Haman's letters were reversed, merely an addendum added)
• now the people could still rise up against their Jewish neighbors, but the Jews now had the right of self defense against said attempts upon their lives
• so, although the second letters did not reverse the first (the Persian law once made could not be broken) these letters rendered them moot and void--

We can view these forays into Biblical history and learn from them. Here are some things we can learn from this:

• we have laws over us written by mere humans, if those are important we need to recognize Jehovah's laws are much more important
• The laws of Jehovah God, unlike man made laws, are not something we can vote into, or out of vogue. 
• Jehovah's laws are not made on a whim. He knows what's best for us, He desires the best for us, and those laws are best for us.
• The Old Law was nailed to the cross; done away. The New Law, brought into existence and paid for by Jesus on the cross, gives us hope. He is our advocate against our enemy Satan. 

Under the Mosaic Law a person was born Jewish then they were taught how to live according to that law. To become a Christian we are taught first then choose to become a Christian. The Mosaic Law was written on tablets of stone; Christian Law is written on tablets of the heart. The Law of God is not like the law of men; 

Matthew 16:19  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 

The Law of God cannot be broken—Hallelujah, What a Savior!

Magic Bullet

I'm not sure why it is referred to as a magic bullet. Maybe because we want some one thing that will cure everything that is wrong in our lives. Do you ever look for the 'aha' moment in some area?

It might be we desire a cure for an illness, or a cure for a bad relationship. It might be a solution for financial woes, spiritual woes, or societal woes. Whatever we are seeking release from we often feel that the sooner we are released from the stress of the situation the better. And, if  with the wave of a hand, we could be free how much better that would be. Or so we believe.

Most have read the story of the person watching a butterfly trying to struggle out of the cocoon who 'lends a hand' only to realize the butterfly needed that time of struggle to finish their maturing process. And the poor creature, because of the person's help comes out deformed, never to fly, never to finish developing fully.

I have often heard and said many times, 'There aren't any free lunches.' When someone gives you something what do they want in return? It may be a friendly gesture, and all they want is a simple thank you. However, in our today and now, often giving someone something is like fly paper, the molasses catches the fly and they can't get loose.

That brings us back to the original thought of a 'magic bullet'. People get caught up in the frenzy of the moment looking for the cure all for the problem. They get sucked into more problems by looking for an easy answer.

Do you have a problem? There aren't any free lunches. Someone has to pay for it somehow and somewhere. There is no such thing as a magic bullet; an easy answer for all problems. All answers aren't hard per se, but there aren't any that are magic.

"But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!"
(Luke 12:28)

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Every Day

The sun is bright this morning, birds are singing, and the wind is blowing. There is a definite feel of spring and new life beginning to stir. 

Life--what do we think of when we think of the word life? What images does it conjure up in our minds? Just like the song 'As Time Goes By' states there are some fundamental things that apply no matter what age you are living in. Good and evil still show themselves in the passions of life. Jealousy, hate, lust, balanced against purity, righteousness, and justice--these things are still as much a part of human nature as they ever were.

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

"Even the best of us, have the worst in us; and the worst of us have some good." 

With some people it is a real search for either. I have more than once said that we are each born with a void, as it were, for good or evil, and it depends on what we fill it with. It is our choice--we can fill it with either good or evil, and that is what we become. 

Matthew 12:43  "But the unclean spirit, when he is gone out of the man, passeth through waterless places, seeking rest, and findeth it not. 44)  Then he saith, I will return into my house whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45)  Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this evil generation." 

How many times do people overcome destructive habits only to fall back into the same old problems, or even worse? In order to do better a person needs to replace evil with good. 

However, even there Jesus' admonition carries a comfort in that Jesus knows what's in man. He knows the good potential each person carries. What a blessing that Jesus is on the Christian's team. More than that, he wants everyone to succeed in doing what is right. He is the author and perfecter of our faith, and leader of the 'great cloud of witnesses' that are cheering for us.

"Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against himself, that ye wax not weary, fainting in your souls." 

(Hebrews 12:1-3 ASV)

Hallelujah! What a Savior! 

I

Traumatized

The book of Ecclesiastes is one of many conundrums.Wise sayings that cause me to shake my head and chuckle. Here for an example is the eleventh chapter of Ecclesiastes:

Ecclesiastes 11:1-10

1.  Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days.

• Show hospitality, even though the corresponding return of hospitality you may never see. Do good for 'whatsoever ye sow, so shall ye reap.

2.  Give a portion to seven, yea, even unto eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.

• Let your hospitality and your alms be extensive: for you know not what evil may befall either the person who by your liberality will be strengthened to meet them, or yourself who may come to need grateful friends.” 
• Luke 16:9  "And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends by means of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when it shall fail, they may receive you into the eternal tabernacles." 

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.

4.  He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.

5.  As thou knowest not what is the way of the wind, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child; even so thou knowest not the work of God who doeth all.

6.  In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand; for thou knowest not which shall prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.

• Verses 3-6 : "Unforeseen events come from God; --the man who is always gazing on the uncertain future will neither begin nor complete any useful work: but bear in mind that times and circumstances, the powers of nature and the results to which they minister, are in the hand of God; and be both diligent and trustful.” The writer uses images to serve as our example which are connected chiefly with the occupation of an agricultural laborer: the discharge of rain from the cloud, and the inclination of the falling tree, and the direction of the wind, are beyond his/our control, though the result of his/our work is affected by them."  

7.  Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun.

• Savor the good, beautiful, and lovely things of today; the pleasant things of our lives

 8.  Yea, if a man live many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.

• Those pleasant things of today will comfort us during our dark days, which all lives experience

9.  Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.

• Youth is a wonderful time of growing. A child's occupation of  'play' is for their learning.Likewise older children are encouraged as ones who posses certain gifts from God, to remember that they come from God and are to be used in accordance with His will. In the ways ... - These words are probably used in an innocent sense. Judgment - This includes a judgment beyond the grave; Even the sins of our youth is part of our record. Young people want to choose wisely--it will affect them in this life, and possibly beyond.

10.  Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh; for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.

• Remember that to live as God directs (in His scriptures) from youth to the end of one's days will bless us with a guilt free life, and keep us from lives containing remorse and pain. 

Hallelujah. What a Savior!

What Would You Give?

The doctor asks me what he can do for me. I respond, asking, "do you have a magic wand?" 
Of course he doesn't, and I don't believe in magic anyway. However, do you ever wish for something so easy? Most everything in this life that is worth having is bought with effort, with our toil and tears. 
We know this, but sometimes it is nice to dream.

On the other hand we can also be thankful we don't have to pay for some of the things we've earned. Romans 3:23 "for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;"
 
 No matter how good a person is, or has been they can never earn, or become good enough; we'll never be perfect. I've known some very good people, but those who are the best amongst us will be the first to tell us they are flawed human beings.

 Romans 3:24 "being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:"

"The only one who was perfect they crucified." My mother would share that bit of wisdom when someone would expect perfection fromher. She was right, of course. Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, a sacrifice for us. The sinless for the sinful.

Romans 3:25 "whom God set forth to be a propitiation, through faith, in his blood, to show his righteousness because of the passing over of the sins done aforetime, in the forbearance of God;" 

Only if we take advantage of the offer that was proferred in our place will it take affect. Even the demons believe that Jesus is the Son of God. The demons know, but it won't do them any good. We have a chance at everlasting life--now.

Romans 3:26 "for the showing, I say, of his righteousness at this present season: that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him that hath faith in Jesus."

What would you give to own the greatest treasure of all time?
That's why Jesus is the Savior, and hallelujah, what a Savior! 

Birds--lessons we can learn from them

The sun was touching the tops of the trees with golden fingers of light. There were varied species of birds flocking to the feeder this particular morning . At the end of May of this year we will have lived at this address for twelve years. For the first years we were treated by the appearance of an occasional Cardinal. Then we began to see the elusive bird every year. This year we have been graced to have at least four Cardinal couples.

Saucy Blue Jays are pushy and domineering. Although the feathers are pretty, during the cold snowy weather it's the red Cardinal males that stand out and their quiet russet colored females. The dark Juncos, with dark charcoal back and creamy white underfeathers are a stark contrast to the cold white snow. A solitary Flickenger makes his appearance--we only see one at the feeder at a time, so I believe there is only one. There are several species of finch including the Iowa state bird, the Goldfinch. This time of year they are a muted color, not the bright gold of summer. These are some of the more notable birds as well as the black capped Chickadees, a  Nuthatch, and a red bellied woodpecker.

What I found strange, and at first I was a bit disgruntled, was how the birds at the feeder--especially the Jays, would throw bird feed over their backs as they ate. When I saw this I felt like swatting them. I noticed however, that the small birds would pick up the seeds off the ground. It looked to work well since all the birds could not get on the feeder at the same time. The large birds were perched on the tray, and the small ones cleaned up off of the ground.

I enjoy watching this part of creation on a cold winter's day. The birds on the ground pop around like popcorn in a hot pan as they clean up. All of the different species come and perch in the bare-limbed crab apple tree, beside the feeder. They look like they could be posing for a picture.

What a beautiful world God created for us. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

 "Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value then they?  And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit unto the measure of his life? And why are ye anxious concerning raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."
                                                                                                   Matthew 6:26, 27, 28, 29

If Tomorrow Comes

 And I said, Hear, I pray you, ye heads of Jacob, and rulers of the house of Israel: is it not for you to know justice?
  Ye who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones;
  Who also eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them, and break their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and as flesh within the cauldron.
 Then shall they cry unto Jehovah, but he will not answer them; yea, he will hide his face from them at that time, according as they have wrought evil in their doings.
                                                                          Micah 3:1- 4

"Sing as if no one is listening; dance as if no one is watching."

There is all sorts of advice out there. Live as if today is your last day—and yes sing and dance as if there is no one else in the world. Have you ever wondered-- what does that advice really mean? If you aren't a believer in a hereafter, for example, an atheist, or an agnostic, it should mean something different than if you are a Christian.

If today were your last day of existence and tomorrow you were gone--poof--like a vapor. Then the phrase 'grab all the gusto you can, you only go around once' would apply. There would be no right/wrong answers because this is it. There would be no afterlife, and certainly no judgement for good or evil done in this life.

If you have a Christian belief, however, your perspective would be different. No matter how long or short a Christian's life is, there should be the knowledge of good and evil, and as it states in Hebrews 9:27 "And inasmuch as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh judgment;". As it is there will be justice for things done in this life.

Christians need to live honest honorable lives that point to God and His Son Jesus Christ. Christians need to live as if tomorrow will come, because it will always come. There will always be a hereafter, either here on this earth, or in the next world to come. 

Hebrews 10:26 "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins, 27)  but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries."

So, the question isn't "If Tomorrow Comes", but "When Tomorrow Comes". Live today as if tomorrow will come. Live as if you will find yourself responsible to know good and evil, to know right from wrong, and to know justice.  Hallelujah what a Savior!

In Your Darkest Night

4.) And I said, I am cast out from before thine eyes; 
    Yet I will look again toward thy holy temple. 
5.) The waters compassed me about, even to the soul; 
    The deep was round about me; The weeds were wrapped about my head. 
6.) I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; The earth with its bars closed upon me for ever: 
    Yet hast thou brought up my life from the pit, O Jehovah my God. 
7.) When my soul fainted within me, I remembered Jehovah; 
    And my prayer came in unto thee, into thy holy temple.                      Jonah 2:4-7


 There are times that try our souls. We feel as if  we are a rope stretched too far. The cooked pasta slung onto the wall. No matter the physical time of day, we are in the darkest of nights; the darkest of times. As we navigate through an ocean of air, it's as if life has sucker punched us and left gasping for air.

Holiday times are the worst times to lose a loved one. They are the worst times to lose our fortunes, our health, they are the worst times to lose things we love, or our necessities-- yet Satan takes no holiday. He uses anything and all things to bring us to our knees.

Knowing that we are emotional creatures, he takes all oportunities to tear human beings down. It works too. How many times do horrendous things happen, things that tear at a person's heart and a person's very fiber. We cry out in pain and despair, Why? Or why me? And most always God is attatched to the question. Why did God allow this to happen? Why did God do this to me?

Very seldom does anyone ever attach Satan to the deed. Death and calamities happen to all of us. Some people have them in greater numbers and more difficult burdens. In those times it is a necessity that people step up and support the bereaved.

Things we see on this side of the mountain:

• we see the stark difference between dark and light
• we see and feel pain and suffering
• we see, on the other side, the beauty of actions of compassion
• we see friends and neighbors, some who have passed along this same road, reaching out in ways maybe just small ways--words of encouragment, cards, food, just being available without words to help bear our burdens
• the deeper the sorrow and need, we see the greater the contrast and greater the meaning of small things; a touch, a smile, a word, a listening ear --all mean so much

These difficulties either draw us into a closer walk with our creator, God, or away from Him. It either tends to harden the heart like a brick, or melt the heart like butter. We choose. A brick will grow heavy and burdensome. If a person grows toward God, open to His love and teaching with a melted heart, it will be lighter and more bearable.

In Genesis 50:20  Joseph is approached by his brothers after the death of their father, Jacob. They fear that Joseph, now that their father has died, will retaliate for when they maliciously sold him into slavery. They make up a story to convince him not to treat them ill because of the sins of their youth. Joseph quiets their fears and tells them: "And as for you, ye meant evil against me; but God meant it for good...".

You see, Satan torments us here. He means it for evil, yet God can (and will) turn it around for us.  We need to but trust Him.

 Romans 12:15  "Rejoice with them that rejoice; weep with them that weep."