WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?

Next Sunday I have been asked to speak at both services at our church. Our pastor will be absent. He has been spending a few Sundays speaking about the fundamentals of marriage, gay marriage and homosexuality. In the process he has referred to Romans 12:1-2.

Verse 2 of Romans 12 has been going through my mind for a couple weeks. And especially the part of verse 2 that says, "be transformed by the renewing of your mind". So for a few blog entries, I will be mentioned some of these thoughts "for what its worth." I will also use this phrase from Romans 12:2 as the basis for the message next Sunday.

One question that has come up in my mind is, "Is there a difference between the brain and the mind." Or are they just different names for the same thing? My conclusion so far is that there is a definite difference. The brain is a tangible physical part of my body. My mind is who I am...or soul...or self-consciousness. Since I am a spiritual being having a physical experience on planet earth, what goes on in my mind is regulated, and maybe controlled, by the brain. In a sense, my mind (self) is limited by my brain. This is similar to all my physical body. Being a spiritual being in a physical body limits what I can do. I am thankful that some day, I will be conformed to the image of Christ. As the Bible says in I John 3:1-2..."we will be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is."

So in the same way that I am limited by my physical body in that I cannot instantly transport myself from one location to another, my mind is limited by the physical brain. The brain determines my actions. It orders my body to perform. It also determines my thoughts.

So when I am told I can be transformed (sanctified) by the renewing of my mind, I realize that my mind (my thinking) is greatly controlled by what goes on in my brain. I am bombarded by thoughts that originate in the brain that controls my actions. Is it possible to control what enters my brain so that my thoughts are what they should be, so that I can be "transformed by the renewing of my mind?"

I will explore this further in another blog time.

TIME FOR JESUS

We humans seem to be slaves of time. Time rules our lives. We have several clocks in the house: in the bed room on the night stand it shines in the night; on our microwave and kitchen stove timer; and on the wall in most every room. We even have it on our wrist, and often look at our cell phone where the time is displayed. How many times a day do we look to see what time it is. I have been asked by total strangers, even when I traveled to Siberia, "What time is it?" We are concerned about time!

Since Jesus is the eternal One, is He concerned about time? The Gospels give us details about His Life, His thinking, His concerns, and His purpose.This study deserves an in depth look at all 4 Gospels to see what Jesus relationship to time really was (is?). I am going to make a quick scan of the Gospel of John to get a glimpse of Jesus and time.

The first indication in John about this is in chapter 2:4. At the first miracle recorded in the Bible where Jesus turned water into wine at a marriage reception, He mentions time. When they ran out of wine, Jesus mother, Mary, came to tell Him, "They have no more wine." (I am puzzled about why she did this, but that's another subject) He told her that that was not His concern and then He said, "My time has not yet come."  What did He mean?

Then in John 7:1-6 we read the account of Jesus' brothers telling Him while they were yet in Galilee, that they should go to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles. He refused to go then and He said, "The right time for me has not yet come."  What did He mean?

In the same chapter, 7, it tells us He finally went to Jerusalem and began to teach in the temple. The religious leaders did not want Him to teach and it says they "tried to seize Him". Then verse 30 says, "no one laid a hand on Him because His time had not yet come."

In the next chapter, 8, a similar scene takes place. He again is explaining His relationship to the Father and it says, "yet no one seized Him because His time had not yet come." It seems much of what happened to Jesus was governed by time.

Then, later in His life when once again He had entered the temple to teach just before the Passover Feast. A remarkable statement is made in contrast to all statements before about Jesus and "His Time". Verse 1 says, "Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father." And this began the last few days of Jesus' life of this earth. The right time was apparently important

And then in Jesus remarkable prayer to the Father in chapter 17:1 He says, "Father, the hour has come."

And immediately after praying He is arrested, tried, and crucified.

Time was important to Jesus. He was ready for His time. While we do not know, as He did the time of His coming death, we need to be ready because one of these times our time will come.

TIME

DO YOU HAVE TIME?

Solomon says in the book of Ecclesiastes that there is a time for everything. (Eccl. 3:1-8) I don’t know 

 if you have ever meditated upon the word “time” and its meaning, but it is a fascinating subject.

 Time is a precious resource. 

We usually think of money as a resource…but time? We either formally or informally budget our money, but how about time?

There is much discussion about income equality, justice equality, and racial equality. Has anyone ever

 mentioned time equality?

  No, because that is a resource that everyone has an equal amount of…we each have 24 hours each day.

“Life is like a coin, you can spend it anyway you want, but you can only spend it once” someone has said. This is true with each 24 hour day we have been given.

I try never to say that I don’t have time to do this or that. I have 24 hours…the same as everyone: rich or poor, smart or not so smart, educated or uneducated…we all have the same! So, what I try to say when I do not do something is, “I chose not to take the time to do that”. That is an honest answer when asked, “Why didn’t you do that?”

What we do with our 24 hours allotted to us is determined by our priorities! We ALWAYS have time to do what we ­­want to do. This is convicting to me when I look back on a day and realize I have squandered part, or even most, of the 24 hours allotted to me for that day. 

Each day is a gift from God…that’s why it is called “the present”.

LOG TIME ... NO POST....

TIME

It has been a long TIME since I have written anything here.

It's not that I did not have TIME.

I had the TIME!

I didn't take the TIME!

I have had 24 hours for each day since I last wrote here.

How did I use the TIME?

I try never to say,"I don't have TIME to do this or that".

The TIME is there! 

24 hours!

I just did not take the TIME to do this or that.

I guess it just depends upon priorities.

How I spend my TIME reveals what my priorities were

or are!

I plan to spend more TIME writing in this blog even if

I am the only one reading it.

But

right now it is TIME for me to go to bed

almost 10 PM.

I plan to write more about TIME in TIME to come. If it is a priority I'll take the

TIME.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

ON A COOL AUTUMN DAY IN ALASKA

The leaves on the birch trees were green when we arrived in Alaska 

just  about a week and a half ago.

Much has happened...much of it planned....by someone.

like our grand daughter, Teressa's wedding.

What an answer to prayer....

she married a strong, committed believer in Christ!

Other things have happened also...like the green birch leaves

turning a bright gold in just a few days.

They are beautiful against the bright blue sky

with new snow capping the mountain tops in the background. 

Autumn lasts only a week or two in Alaska.

It's the joy of spending time with family and friends we see far too seldom 

and creates memories that last and last.

However,

there is a certain sadness I feel today...perhaps not sadness but maybe seriousness.

The wind has been blowing for the first time in a few days.

The golden birch leaves are falling like snowflakes...covering the ground.

Sad.

The trees are getting bare...preparing for a long cold winter.

As I watch each leaf fall, there is a certain sadness...its beautiful life on the tree is over.

News have come to me that three friends have died this week...

like fallen golden leaves.

And I have read that Chuck Smith, founder of Calvary Chapel has also died...

as has Tom Clancy, the novelist....and others.

And I am in the process of reading C.S. Lewis' book "A Grief Observed."

It has set a certain feeling in me that is hard to articulate, but real.

You might call it sadness, but it's not really that...

just a realization that the golden leaves of autumn that are so beautiful...even beautiful as they fall.

And they must fall before new life can be realized.

So, much is happening, actually all planned even though not by us, but by Someone.

Someone who has created it all, holds it all together, and has an eternal plan.

And we can trust Him in the spring, summer, autumn and winter of life.

And that brings peace.

 

 

 

THIS WAS SENT TO ME BY A FRIEND OF THE PERSON WHO HONORED THE MEN SERVING THEIR COUNTRY. IT IS A STORY THAT EXEMPLIFIES CHRIST-LIKE COMPASSION AND IS SO FITTING FOR VETERAN'S DAY!


I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap,' I thought.

Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation.

'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to me. 'Petawawa. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Afghanistan

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached the east, and I quickly decided a lunch
would help pass the time...

As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. 'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks.
I'll wait till we get to base.'

His friend agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. 'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.' She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a soldier in Iraq ; it's almost like you are doing it for him.'

Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, 'Which do you like best - beef or chicken?' 'Chicken,' I replied,
wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later
with a dinner plate from first class.

'This is your thanks.'

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room.
A man stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me
twenty-five dollars.

Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand and said, 'I want to shake your hand.' Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.' I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.

When we landed I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars!

Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. 'It will take you some time to reach the base.
It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You.' Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers.

As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little...

THE LITTLE THINGS

THE LITTLE THINGS

               Not many of us live a life that is full of thrilling, exciting events!  And even those who go from one adventure to another find that after a while, even that becomes commonplace and mundane. Just a few days ago I was reminded that very important, God sent, and even life changing events many times start with common, ordinary, and seemingly run-of-the-mill experiences.

               My regular Bible reading had brought me to I Samuel chapter 9.  It tells about a rather wealthy man by the name of Kish.  One day Kish’s donkeys broke out of their pen and wandered off.  Any of us raised on the farm know that when livestock get out of the fence, the first thing that needs to be done is to find them. They need to be brought back before something happens to them or they ruin some neighbor’s crops, fences or even worse. So Kish said to his son Saul, “Take a servant with you and go look for the donkeys.”

               After searching unsuccessfully Saul said, “Let’s go home.”  But the servant said, “Let’s find the prophet who lives around here.”  The day before they found him, the prophet Samuel got a message from the Lord.  He said, “About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from Benjamin.  Anoint him to be leader of my people Israel.”  Notice the Lord said, “I will send you a man.”  How did the Lord do that?  By allowing (causing?) the donkeys to get loose!  I am sure that Kish, his son Saul, or the servant had no idea that God had arranged for the donkeys to get out!  But God had an agenda!  He ALWAYS does!

               Saul obeyed. I thought to myself, “What if Saul had not obeyed?” Actually, since God was working this out in order for Samuel to meet Saul.  Saul had no choice!  God was at work and Saul’s obedience led to a startling event that he could never imagine in his wildest dreams…to be anointed King of Israel.

               Through a series of “coincidental” events such as: 1) the servant suggesting they find the prophet, 2) they “happened” to meet some girls who knew what road to take to find the prophet; 3) Samuel “happened” to be walking on that same road toward them; 4) Samuel knew Saul was the man as soon as he saw him.

               So, the mundane daily requirements of life many times lead us to untold blessings and opportunities.  As with Saul, it might begin with a disappointing inconvenience or an interruption of a schedule and regular routine. But God is working on the other end of the story!  Who knows what thrilling things He has for those who obey in the “little” things? 

               I am reminded of the Lord talking to Zerubbabel in Zechariah 4:10 as he was doing some small things to begin the temple. The Lord said, “Do not despise these small beginnings…”!

Note: This was written the first part of November, 2012. It is to be published in InterAct Ministries InterCom edited by Judy Richardson.

Christmas thoughts

I just saw this in a message I got from someone and it struck a note in my mind and I pass it on.


C. S. Lewis described the meaning of the incarnation of Christ on a radio address this way: “Lying at your feet is your dog. Imagine for the moment that your dog, and every dog, is in deep distress. Some of us love dogs very much. If it would help all the dogs in the world to become like men, would you be willing to become a dog? Would you put down your human nature, leave your loved ones, your job, hobbies, art and literature and music, and choose instead of the intimate communion with your beloved, the poor substitute of looking into your beloved’s face and wagging your tail unable to smile or speak. Christ, by becoming man, limited the thing which to Him was the most precious thing in the world, His unhampered, unhindered communion with the Father.”

The Display of His Splendor

"The display of His splendor" is a phrase tucked away in the Old Testament book of Isaiah.
(Chapter 61:3) This phrase has held my attention once again. Here are some thoughts "for what it's worth"

God wants to make Himself known. He does this through Israel, through what He has made, through His Church,and through those He has redeemed.

It is obvious in the context,that His chosen people, Israel, is what is referred to in Isaiah 61:3. He says He is going to "bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor."

God displayed His splendor through Israel throughout the Old Testament. He displayed His splendor through the incarnation of His Son, Jesus, the Christ. He displayed His splendor to modern day Israel by preserving this little nation when all were against her. (Google "Miracles in the 1967 Israeli war"). And this whole passage in Isaiah tells about the future display of His splendor through His chosen ones.

The 19th Psalm says "The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies declare the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech, night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard." Creation displays His splendor.

The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul when speaking of the Church says in Ephesians 3:10 " His intent was that now through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms." He displays His splendor through His Bride, the Church. His splendor is revealed to humans, angels, demons, and possibly other creatures.

He displays His splendor through His redeemed ones...all who have placed their trust in Him. Ephesians 2:10 tells us that "we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." The word "workmanship" is translated from the word "poiema" in the greek language...it has the idea of poem. Think of it this way, "We are God's masterpiece..." We are to display His splendor.

Not only do we display His splendor now , but will continue to do this through eternity. Ephesians 1:7 says that "in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus." He will point to us, sinners saved through His love and by His grace, and display His splendor in that way...forever.

HE MAKES HIMSELF KNOWN IN SO MANY WAYS BY MAKING A DISPLAY OF HIS SPLENDOR.

HOW CAN YOU SLEEP?

HOW CAN YOU SLEEP?

This morning I read the first chapter of the book of Jonah.
A question stood out as if were written in BOLD.

HOW CAN YOU SLEEP?

Jonah was sound asleep in the hold of a ship.
His traveling companions were struggling to survive in a troubled sea.
Jonah was running from God.
His companions did not know the true God.
Only Jonah knew God and he was asleep!

HOW CAN YOU SLEEP?

When there are people all around who do not know God
as He can be known through Jesus the Christ?

HOW CAN YOU SLEEP?

When there are people hopelessly trying to save themselves,
and you have the answer?

HOW CAN YOU SLEEP?

When you possess the “cure” for the fatal disease of man’s sin?

HOW CAN I SLEEP?

"Thrilled with Joy"

Last Sunday was Easter. I know Easter as a name, was taken from the name Ishtar, the goddess of fertility. Hence the bunnies, baby chicks, eggs, and the like. Regardless of all that, Easter is a time when, at least in the west, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is remembered by most everyone. Probably a better name for the day would be "Resurrection Sunday". But in our politically correct world, it'll not happen.

The early church celebrated the resurrection over a period of time...not just one day. They had what they called "Bright Monday. They also celebrated the following Sunday they called "White Sunday". These were times of laughter, joy, celebration, jokes, and parties. Jesus had risen! And they were ecstatic!!! Real joy!

We Christians should be the happiest people in the world! Sin is conquered! Jesus is alive!
Heaven is 0urs! God won!!!

Luke 15:10 tells about the rejoicing in heaven when one sinner repents. Think of the rejoicing in heaven in the presence of the angels when the stone rolled away and Jesus came out! Wow! The cheering of 100,000 people in the grandstands when the home team makes the winning touchdown in the last minute of the game is nothing compared to heaven rejoicing when Jesus Christ rose!!

When Jesus appeared to the apostles the evening of that Resurrection Sunday it says in John 20:20 that they were "overjoyed". Another translation says they were "thrilled with joy". The Amplified Bible says they were "ecstatic". And why not...Jesus was alive!!!!

In our world today with all the wars and rumors of wars, senseless killings, governmental intrusion into our lives, and economic turmoil, we Christians have JOY!!! Jesus is alive!!!! We are winners!!

"You ask me how I know He lives, He lives within my heart."

HOW OLD IS OLD?

IS "OLD" DETERMINED BY THE NUMBERS OF YEARS YOU'VE LIVED?
MAYBE.
OR IS IT DETERMINED BY HOW YOU FEEL?

I JUST CELEBRATED MY EIGHTIETH BIRTHDAY...QUITE A MILESTONE!
AT LEAST THAT'S WHAT THE FAMILY THOUGHT AS THEY MADE A BIG DEAL OF IT.
AND I ENJOYED IT!! IT'S NICE TO BE FUSSED OVER.

OUR THREE SONS CAME DOWN FROM ALASKA. OUR DAUGHTER, JOANNE HAD US ALL OVER FOR A BIG DINNER.
TWO GRANDCHILDREN WERE THERE..ANOTHER DROVE FROM SEATTLE PACIFIC JUST FOR THE EVENING.

AND THROUGH TECHNOLOGY (SKYPE) WE ALL WERE ABLE TO SEE AND TALK TO OUR DAUGHTER, JEANNETTE, FOR AN HOUR. SHE AND HER FAMILY LIVE IN SPAIN.
SO , IN A SENSE, WE HAD A MINI-FAMILY REUNION. FUN!!

WHEN ONE OF MY FRIENDS IN ALASKA HEARD HOW OLD I WAS HE SAID,
"BEING EIGHTY IS A FULL TIME JOB!" YOU'RE EITHER GOING TO THE DOCTOR,
TAKING SOMEONE ELSE TO THE DOCTOR, DENTIST, CHIROPRACTOR,OR TO PHYSICAL THERAPY.
THEN THERE'S THE PHONE CALLS TO ASK YOU TO PRAY FOR A SITUATION...(WE GOT TWO TODAY!)
ALL THAT ALONG WITH ENCOURAGING AND ADVISING NINETEEN GRANDCHILDREN.
AND I COULD GO ON....BUT WON'T.

MAYBE BEING EIGHTY IS A FULL TIME JOB!

OUR SON, MARTY, SAID THAT WHEN YOU ARE EIGHTY YOU CAN DO WHATEVER YOU WANT,
AND YOU ARE ALWAYS FORGIVEN. WELL, WE'LL SEE....

I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES I'VE BEEN ASKED, "WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO NOW?"
I HAVE TO ANSWER,"I DON'T KNOW." THE FUTURE IS AS UNKNOWN NOW AS IT WAS 30,40,50,60
YEARS AGO. THE BIBLE SAYS IN PROVERBS 23:18, "THERE IS A FUTURE HOPE FOR YOU AND YOUR HOPE WILL NOT BE CUT OFF."

SO WE KEEP GOING...NOT AS FAST AS BEFORE (UNLESS I AM DRIVING) BUT WITH ASSURANCE THAT
THE LORD WILL LEAD NOW AS HE HAS IN THE PAST. WE TRUST HIM!!!!

FEELING INVISIBLE

OUR GRAND DAUGHTER, TAMARA VAN DIEST, WHO IS ATTENDING ECOLA BIBLE SCHOOL IN OREGON, SENT THIS A COUPLE DAYS AGO AND HAS GIVEN ME PERMISSION TO SHARE IT HERE.

Feeling Invisible?

This topic has been on my mind for a couple days now. The other day I was walking down a sidewalk on campus and spotted one of my guy friends. I smiled, but he didn't acknowledge me or say anything. I continued walking and after I passed him, I heard him call out to a pretty girl walking behind me. Now I had three options, either feel angry at the guy for not acknowledging me, feel depressed about myself because I wasn't worth acknowledging...or just blow it off. I chose one of those options...and have been thinking about it ever since. So I had to write to get all of it out. And here is the full extent of my thought...


We've all seen them. They're the nerds who sit in the front of the class, or the quiet ones who sit in the very back. They are the guys who dress like dorks, or the fat girls who laugh nervously. They are the ones with names no one knows how to pronouce, or even knows. They are the ones who will stand behind us for at least 7 seconds, saying "excuse me!" so they can pass by. But we don't hear them. Because to us, they are invisible.

For most of my life I've felt pretty invisible. I've struggled with self esteem, basing my worth off what people said to me, whether the popular people knew my name, or how many times I was told "you have a beautiful voice". I hid behind my love of music, thinking that since I wasn't pretty, since I wasn't popular, and because I was just a nerdish 'fat chick', I had to be known for something. So I chose music to identify me. When I felt nervous, I would sing. When I wanted to impress someone, I'd sing. When I felt like crap, I would sing. My whole identity was based on my music skills. I felt that since they were the only things going for me, I'd use them like a shield to hide behind. That way, I could protect the parts of me that had been seen and rejected too many times. So, music, I thought, was the only thing I had left to use as a megaphone to the world, to scream out "I'm a person too! I have worth too. I'm someone worth talking to, worth hugging, worthy of friendship!"

I think the majority of the world's population bases their identity on something else, whether it's beauty, fame, talent, merit, people's opinions or soly on their significant other. We all scream out "look at me! I'm worth something!" But there are those who, no matter how hard they try, still feel invisible.

Our true identity is covered up by what we base our worth on. The world tells us that it is not enough to be a real human being, we must be more. But honestly, when we peel off all the layers that we've added to ourselves, we find one thing: we are either dead in sin, or alive in Christ. One of those two phrasesis the only thing in life that will ever truly identify us. It will effect our atitude, our personality, and all of our choices in life. Who I am in Christ is so much more valuable than anything I could ever do myself or become. Since I discovered, this my cloak of invisibility has disappeared. I struggle with self worth issues so much less, knowing that what I mean to God is of the utmost importance. Nothing else matters.

But there are so many more invisible people. Our task is to help peel off their 'layers of identity'. To show them that what this world thinks of them is nothing compared to what the Amazing Creator thinks of them. To tell them that He is the only thing we should use to identify us. And that without Him, we are more than invisible; we are nothing.

ALL GOD/ALL MAN

AT CHRISTMAS WE HEAR "AWAY IN A MANGER"
PART OF THE SONG SAYS
"THE CATTLE ARE LOWING, THE BABY AWAKES,
BUT LITTLE LORD JESUS, NO CRYING HE MAKES"

DID JESUS , AS A BABY, NOT CRY? HE WEPT WHEN HIS FRIEND LAZARUS DIED.
ISN'T CRYING SUPPOSED TO BE GOOD FOR A BABY?

OR IS CRYING ALWAYS BAD?

WHEN HE WAS WORKING IN HIS EARTHLY FATHER'S CARPENTRY SHOP,
DID HE EVER MISS A NAIL AND HIT HIS FINGER?
IF HE DID...DIDN'T HE KNOW IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN?
AND IF HE KNEW IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN, WHY DID HE CONTINUE TO SWING THE HAMMER?

DID HE EVER MAKE A MISTAKE IN THE SHOP AND NEED TO DO IT OVER?
ESPECIALLY WHEN JOSEPH WAS TEACHING HIM?
OR WAS ALL HIS CARPENTRY WORK PERFECT RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING?

SCRIPTURE TELLS US THAT "HE GREW IN FAVOR
WITH BOTH GOD AND MAN"

IN 4 PLACES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT IT SAYS HE KNEW NO SIN.

HE IS GOD.

SCRIPTURE TELLS US HE WAS "TEMPTED IN ALL POINTS AS WE ARE."

HE IS MAN.

WHEN HE FACED THE CROSS IN GETHSEMANE, HE SAID, "FATHER IF IT IS POSSIBLE, MAY THIS CUP BE TAKEN FROM ME. (a human reaction) YET NOT AS I WILL, BUT AS YOU WILL."

I WILL NEVER, AT LEAST ON THIS EARTH, UNDERSTAND HIM FULLY. HE IS THE GOD-MAN. HE IS MY SAVIOUR!! HE UNDERSTANDS ME AND HE SHOWED HIS LOVE FOR ME EVEN THOUGH I AM A SINNER "HE DIED FOR ME".

ONLY THE GOD-MAN COULD DO THAT!!

FEAR

YESTERDAY, OUR YOUNGEST SON, JAY, AND FAMILY CALLED FROM ALASKA ON SKYPE. WITH THEIR VIDEO CAM THEY SHOWED AN OWL STANDING ON THEIR WINDOW SILL OCCASIONALLY LOOKING INTO THEIR HOUSE BUT MOSTLY LOOKING DOWN OUTDOORS. IT WAS STILL DARK THERE. THE FAMILY FIGURED OUT WHY THE OWL KEPT LOOKING DOWN. A MOUSE WOULD POKE HIS HEAD OUT OF ITS HOLE UNDER THE DOG HOUSE AND SCURRY BACK BEFORE THE OWL COULD SWOOP DOWN AND CATCH IT. FEAR.
AT THE SAME TIME I WAS WATCHING THE BIRD FEEDER OUTSIDE MY WINDOW. IT WAS CROWDED WITH LITTLE BIRDS. THEY WERE HUNGRY AS WE HAVE ABOUT 9 INCHES OF SNOW COVERING EVERYTHING AND IT IS 20 DEGREES. SUDDENLY A LARGE STELLAR JAY SWOOPED IN TO EAT. ALL THE LITTLE BIRDS WERE FRIGHTENED AWAY. FEAR. I COULD NOT HELP BUT THINK, "ANIMALS LIVE IN CONSTANT FEAR."

WHAT ABOUT US?
DO WE LIVE IN FEAR? FEAR OF WHAT?

WE WONDER WHAT THE FUTURE WILL BRING.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER RETIREMENT?
WILL OUR HEALTH CONTINUE TO BE GOOD?
SOME HAVE FEARS ABOUT THEIR ETERNAL DESTINY.

THE BIBLE SAYS THAT "PERFECT LOVE CASTS OUT FEAR."
I CANNOT HELP BUT THINK OF THE BIBLE VERSE IN II TIMOTHY 1:12 THAT SAYS,"I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED, AND AM CONVINCED THAT HE IS ABLE TO GUARD WHAT I HAVE ENTRUSTED TO HIM FOR THAT DAY." WHATEVER THAT DAY MIGHT BE.

AGAIN, THE PASSAGE IN PHILIPPIANS 4:7 TELLS ME THAT AS I REJOICE AND TRUST IN THE LORD, "THE PEACE OF GOD WHICH TRANSCENDS ALL UNDERSTANDING, WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS IN CHRIST JESUS."

SO...FEAR IS REAL...EVEN FOR HUMANS.

BUT FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS OVERCOMES FEAR! WE CAN COMMIT OURSELVES TO HIM...AND HAVE PEACE.

REAL PEACE ON HEART!!!!

A TIME FOR EVERYTHING EVEN RETIREMENT

December 4, 2008

I came across and interesting phrase in Psalms 109:23
It says, “ I am fading away as an evening shadow”.
This is interesting to me because it articulates in some way what I feel.
I am about to send my letter of official retirement to the Mission.
Although I have not been as deeply involved as in the past,
I have been involved in the inner circle of leadership for years.
Evening has come for me and I will fade away as the evening shadow.
And this is not bad...it is necessary and inevitable.
Evening shadows are comforting.
Evening shadows are restful.
Evening shadows are a prelude of the night.
And work is finished when night comes.
And following night comes a New Day when there will be no evening shadows.
This brings comfort and satisfaction.



December 6, 2008

Well, today I took a major step in life.
Fifty-four years ago, in 1954, Jeanie and I began ministry in Alaska.
We arrived there May 12, 1954, our oldest son, Marty’s first birthday.
He just sent me a note saying, “Wow, that’s a big step to retire.”
I guess it is.
However, since there is no doubt in our minds that this is the thing to do...
There is peace and contentment.
Some people say there is no Biblical basis for retirement.
I can understand their thoughts
One never retires from:
Obedience to the Lord
Prayer
Serving our God
Trying to bring Him glory
Walking daily with Him
And a lot of other responsibilities to family, friends, and others.
There is a Biblical precedence for retirement, however.
It is found in Numbers 8:25, speaking of the Levites.
It says, “But at the age of fifty, they must retire from their regular service and work no longer.”
Verse 26 goes on to say, “They may assist their brothers in performing their duties at the tent of meeting, but
they themselves must not do the work.”
So,
That’s what we plan to do!