What's On My IPOD

 

Voices

I received an email from fellow blogger Lance, which is raising  the awareness of some of our fellow believers who are suffering, simply for sharing their belief in Christ. The email specifically speaks of two young women,  who have been imprisoned under the charges of anti-government  activists.  They're both unwell and suffering.  We know that believers are persecuted around the world but so many times it just a number or a statistic, much like when we hear on the news of the loss of life from a natural disaster.   We're horrified,  but the loss is hard to fathom, internalize, and understand.  The many faces such as   Marzieh & Maryam's  shown on the PrisonAlert web site, make it more personal. 

When I attended BSF, periodically a question would address being persecuted for our faith.  Our Lord warns us:

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. John 15:18 

  I knew that I was not persecuted for my faith and in fact I am very blessed that the country in which I live provides me the right to practice my faith. This made answering this question very difficult.  The best I could come up with is that believers in our country can be excluded from the group, labeled with various labels such as "Closed minded" or even discriminated against, because of their faith. But to be truly persecuted, is something that I cannot stake a claim.  Along with my freedom of religion comes the recognition that I often times take the right to worship our Lord for granted.  How many times in a day does my mind turn to solving work problems (while not at work) or to focus on something on TV (The History Channel).  When I compare how much time I spend in prayer, Bible study or worship to how much time I spend in other areas, there's no comparison.    I need to remember to continually refocus on Him.

Please remember the martyrs for Christ around the world with your prayers and support.

Susan Boyle

It's more than likely that by now you've heard Susan Boyle's stirring performance of "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Misérables.  Within a week the online videos of her performance totaled over 40 million having been plastered all over video sharing web sites such as YouTube & DailyMotion and on news sites with the likes of  CNN & MSNBC.  I've embedded a DailyMotion video version of her performance in case you've not run across her video or like me, love listening to her sing.  There's been some talk  of Susan's performance that we should learn to not judge a book but it's cover and the beauty within.

For me there's another inspirational story that Susan inspires. She began singing in her parish church at the age of 12 and sang throughout her life, with an eye toward becoming a performer in Musical Theater.    She put her dream aside while she looked after her ill mother, but never took her eye off of her goal.  Surely putting her mother's well being above her own ambitions demonstrated what our Lord has asked us to do, to love our neighbor.  With her mother now gone and at the age of 47, she once again strikes out to realize her dream.

I think it's her drive regardless of age that I find so inspiring.  At time when my co-workers, who are in my age group talk more about retirement than striking out on a new destiny, I often get caught up in the "Being put out to pasture" mentality.

I think in the next few years, the Lord may have a new chapter for me.  Susan's story inspires me to be open and looking for that opportunity when it presents itself.  We must remember:

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

But in order to take the path God has established for you, you must take the first step of your spiritual journey which is to believe in Christ as your savior.  Christ tells us:

"Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."

Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"

Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."  John 6:27-29

The Soldier

 

Happy Easter 2009

 

 

 

Easter a time of celebration and thanksgiving for our resurrected savior.    And yet that first Easter was one of confusion and fear for Jesus' early follower.  Three days earlier Jesus was handed over to soldiers who with sickening ruthlessness tortured Jesus.

Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!" they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.   Matthew 27:27-31

The same group of soldiers who had tortured Jesus were responsible to carryout his execution.  Nailing him to the cross, the soldiers settled back considering their job complete, waiting for Jesus to die.

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!" Matthew 27:50-54

These battle harden soldiers' realization that they had killed the Son of God struck terror in their hearts.  It is likely that these miraculous signs would have convinced many Jesus was the Son of God.  With all of this happening, we find that Jesus' disciples were in hiding, afraid that the Jewish leaders would be coming after then.

I've heard some speakers make disparaging remarks about the disciples and their lack of faith.  Quite frankly, I am willing to cut them some slack.  After all, Matthew 28:11-15 tells that  when the guards who were watching over Jesus' tomb witnessed the miraculous opening of Jesus tomb and his resurrection, the chief priest chose to offer them bribes for hushing the story up and telling lies, rather than having the response of the soldiers and with remorse saying, "Surely he was the Son of God."  With that type of drive to maintain power and their current lifestyle, I wouldn't find it too far fetched that the disciples might be in danger.  But their fear soon turns to joy.

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. John 20:19-20

Thomas too may get some grief at times  from modern day Bible teachers & it is true that Jesus told him to stop doubting.  However I am not sure that Jesus was saying this to him in a condemning manner. After all, Jesus had shown the other disciples his hands and his side and Thomas seems to be asking for the same  confirmation.

 

Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"
      But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"

Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:24-29 

I have many favorite Bible verses and John 20:29 is at the top. "... blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."   Those who have believe even though Jesus has not appeared before us and shown us his wounds are blessed.  We are blessed for believing.

It is through the prompting of the Holy Spirit that we are led to Jesus, his salvation and ultimately reconciliation with God the Father.  Have you put your faith in Jesus?  if not I would encourage you to research for yourself what the Bible has to say about him.  Pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal Jesus to you.

Jesus tells us, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."  Matthew 7:7-8

Easter would be a great time to begin that search.

It's A Girl

 

Once again, I am pleased to report that I have been made a Granddad.  Our son & daughter-in-law have a new baby girl.  The birth of a child is such a miracle and this one was no exception.  In this case our little girl wanted to join the world much earlier than her development would permit.  Just prior to Christmas, our daughter-in-law was confined to her bed in hopes she could hold out as long as possible regarding the birth, giving our little granddaughter as much chance as possible to survive in the outside world.  This wasn't the first time our family had experience the threat of a child being born to early.  Our grandson [post It's A Boy] joined this world two month's earlier than his due date and friends and family rallied around to pray for his health.  The Lord has blessed him with robust health.  Just as with our grandson, friends and family linked together to pray for a healthy and safe delivery.  Little did we know that our granddaughter would make it full term growing to 8 Lbs 5ozs and a length of 19 & 3/4 inches.

Our Lord takes an interest in children.  In Mark 10:14-16 we read of Jesus' love for the children.

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

We are thankful to the Lord for the blessing of life he has granted our granddaughter and we're very thankful for the prayer support of our friends and family.

Looking For a Good Building Site

 

"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."  Luke 6:46-49                                                               Stained Glass Cathedral of the Rockies

I came across the most recent American Religion Identification Survey (ARIS) conducted by Trinity College.  The survey outlines shifts in denominational numbers and highlights an increase in those Americans that identify themselves as "Born-Again" [Born Again defined] or "Evangelical".  Another category that increased was the listing of "None" in terms of religious identification.  I want to state that I do not believe church affiliation or membership is the key to reconciliation with God.  Jesus tells us:

...  "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. " John 14:6

Rather, church is place of learning and a place of worship.  Jesus set the example by teaching in the churches of his region. 

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. Luke 4:14-15

And Jesus said of himself:

I have spoken openly to the world," Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret."

With all of that said, I can't help but wonder if those who aligned themselves with the "None" category lack faith in Christ and a relationship with him.  It's a sad thought that his love, joy & salvation could be missing from their lives.  I had a friend that I lost to cancer.  During the time of chemotherapy and her fight with the disease, she would tell me, "I can't image trying to go through this without God in my life. I can't fathom how they can go it a lone."  She told me that she wasn't afraid to die, but that while she was here she would fight.

What box you would mark on the ARIS survey form is not important.  What is important is you're relationship with Christ.  Is he in your life?  Do you rely on him as your savior? Is he your way, your truth your life? Is he your connection to God? Are you one of those people who as my friend described, are going it alone?  It doesn't have to be that way, you can have that relationship with Christ, simply by asking him for it.

One Of Those Weeks

 

Man, it's been one of those weeks. We've all had them, a week where seemingly a thousand things pile on top of us apply the pressure.  This week was one of those weeks.   A couple of the projects at work that are a part of my program are coming in late.  This is definitely frowned upon.  Other things seem to have crept in as well to keep the stress level up.  So many times, I completely forget to bring these stressing things to the Lord and in fact this was one of those times. It wasn't until I was reading someone's personal web journal and he was talking about how he was relying on the Lord to help him with some of the circumstances in his life that I realized I'd left the Lord completely out of my stressful situations.

With that I mind I went to my favorite Bible web site and did a search on stress.   This verse came up and I must say it spoke volumes to me.

Your justice is eternal, 
and your instructions are perfectly true.
As pressure and stress bear down on me, 
I find joy in your commands.
Your laws are always right; 
help me to understand them so I may live.  Psalm 119:142-144 (NLT)

But what does the bit about "I find joy in your commands" mean?  Should I delight in the thou shalts and thou shalt nots or is there something more?  Certainly if we were able to live our lives by the Ten Commandments, we'd be a happier lot.    However the Lord shares with  us the Greatest Command:

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment.  A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:37-39 

Is this something we can do naturally? Can we love others as we love ourselves?  Our world is described as dog eat dog, buyer beware, look out for number one.  I would assert that this is not a natural tendency, but something we can strive towards through prayer and studying God's word.  Through the power of God, we can find joy and melt the stress away.

The Night Sky

 

 

Man has always been in awe of the stars of the night sky.  Glowing orbs of red blue and white drawing our eyes upward causing us to contemplate how did this all come to be? What great power put this all in place?

The Hubble Space Telescope has brought the universe much closer and when I see some of the photos, I can't help but wonder about the Almighty God, maker of the heavens and the earth.  The great being, who created these magnificent stars knows my name, cares about me, & wants to have a relationship with me.  This is not due to any thing I am or have done but quite the opposite, which adds even more to the great mystery of why he cares for me. The Psalmist writes:

 

When I consider your heavens,
       the work of your fingers,
       the moon and the stars,
       which you have set in place,

what is man that you are mindful of him,
       the son of man that you care for him?

You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings 
       and crowned him with glory and honor. Psalm 8:3-5

I have to ask, "Who am I that the Lord of all the earth would care to know my name."

God's desire to commune with mankind is not limited to me but to all people of the earth.  He gave his only Son so that we could be reconciled to him and have that relationship he desires so much.  All we need to do is take that first step towards God by accepting his Son's gift of salvation, to begin our lifelong relationship with him.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 6:23

Sanctuary

 

 

	Christ Chapel, formerly known as Saint Michael's built September 1,1866

St. John's Cathedral dedicated in 1921 designed in the Romanesque style, using the German cathedral of Mainz as a model	St. Michael's Cathedral dedicated May 25, 1902 built in the English Gothic style
Cathedral of The Rockies dedicated December 18, 1960, built in the Gothic style.	First Baptist Church
Central Christian Church	The Swedish Lutheran Church of the Augustana Synod built in the Gothic style and dedicated September 22, 1915

Boise was incorporated as a city in 1864.  Two years later the little pioneering community had dedicated their first church.   Most of the older churches shown in the above photos are located in the historic district know as the North End where I spent my early childhood years.  There's something about just the sight of a church that brings a sense of peace to me.  Even the little church ornaments we've purchased for our Christmas tree bring about a peaceful feeling.  I've wondered why that would be since really churches are buildings made of brick, stone, or wood and really have not means of providing comfort on their own. 

After giving this some thought, I think this might be the possible answer.  I think that it's not the church but the God to which the church is dedicated that brings peace to me.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:7

For to us a child is born,
       to us a son is given,
       and the government will be on his shoulders.
       And he will be called
       Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
       Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 

The scriptures tell us that it is Christ that provides this peace for us and I am extremely thankful for Christ's provisioning  peace.  It has been at some of the most devastating times of my life that I fled to one of these  churches and called out to God for his comfort.  Of course we can call to God from anywhere and anytime. It's doesn't have to be just from a church.  But for me during those times of crisis, the silence of the church & the crosses, windows and other items help me to focus and remind me of the greatness of God who can restore that peace to me when I cannot focus on God completely on my own.

But the scriptures don't only describe the peace and comfort Christ provides us here on earth during our times of trouble.  The scriptures speak of the peace of reconciliation Christ has provided us through the great sacrifice he made for us.  The peace that knowing regardless of all my short comings both in my past and the falls that will likely plague my future, I have that unshakeable promise from Christ that he will never leave me and that I am sealed with the Holy Spirit until the time when I will be with him in Heaven.

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.  Ephesians 1:13-14

The Star

                                     

My family and I  watched a DVD named The Bethlehem of Star.  The DVD gave me a lot to think about, but one thing that jumped out at me was Herod's reaction to the Magi's announcement which was written in Matthews 2:1-12:

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:
" 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
      are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
   for out of you will come a ruler
      who will be the shepherd of my people Israel."

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."

I had first noticed "When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him." when I was putting together my Christmas 2008 post and then it was highlighted again in the Star of Bethlehem DVD.   Why would King Herod & all of Jerusalem be disturbed?

First I wanted to look at, "Who was King Herod?"  I did some research and although by no means exhaustive, I built this thumbnail sketch. I'd remembered watching a program about him on the History Channel and I went to their web site to get some information as well as reading some of  Flavius Josephus' works.

Herod was born of Arab parents in Palestine around 74 B.C. and made king over Judea in 39 B.C.  Herod made efforts to ingratiate himself with the Jewish people and further promote his rule by marrying Mariamne, a princess from the former Jewish Royal Family and rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem.  Herod undoes any goodwill he may have fostered when kills Mariamne, her brother and her sons after Herod suspects them of plotting against him.  Another action that put him at odds with the Jewish people is when Herod placed an golden eagle over the main gate to the Temple.  While Herod professed to being a follower of the Jewish religion, his actions and lack of knowledge demonstrated that he was likely a follower of that faith in name only.  He does have enough belief in the religion to call the religious leaders together to ask where the Christ, or Messiah, is to be born and to send the Magi to the location of Bethlehem and his future actions would denote that he took the birth of Christ seriously.

Herod would seem to do anything to protect his position as ruler and the status quo.  Was Herod and the Jewish people disturbed by the birth of Jesus a fear of losing position, power and wealth?

It would certainly seem so since Herod sent his armies into Bethlehem to kill all of the male children who were in Jesus' age bracket, to ensure a new king would not threaten his position and life style. (see Matthew 2:16-18)

What a contrast between Herod's response to Christ and the  Magi's response to Christ.  The Magi make the statement "We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."  They desired to worship Christ.  There's some speculation that the Magi were from the area of Babylon and if that is true, they would have traveled over 536 miles or 862 kilometers to reach Bethlehem. A camel caravan travels approximately 25 miles a day.  It would have taken the Magi around 21 days to travel from Babylon to Bethlehem.  The gifts they brought would have come at a great cost. Neither cost, discomfort, or fear from Herod's retaliation dissuaded them from reaching Jesus. 

When each of us is face with Christ and the sacrificial gift he has given us, do we push it away in fear of change to our lifestyle, family connections or position? Or as the Magi, do we seek to know more about him with a desire to worship him and accept his gift of salvation?

Merry Christmas 2008

 

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."    Luke 2: 8-12

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 
"Glory to God in the highest,
      and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."   Luke 2:13-15

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,  and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.  But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.   The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.   Luke 2:16 - 20

 

 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi  from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: 
" 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
      are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
   for out of you will come a ruler
      who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'"

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

 Matthew 2:1-12

 

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and if you haven't done so already, my prayer is  that during this season you will find the great gift of all, the love and salvation Christ has given us.

Our Walk

My son and his wife bought our little grandson a toy for his birthday which is a car that converts from a car that he can ride to a little walker that he can use to practice his walking.  My son is so patient, encouraging our little guy to stand up and move about the house.  But the car moves a little faster than our grandson can handle so he pushes it around on his knees.  I think that as our grandson moves around the house on his knees while he learns to get his center of balance and then he will be up on his feet before we know it.

We have another walk to share with our grandson as well.  This walk is a walk of faith in Christ Jesus & following Christ's commands.  In a letter to one of the elders of the church, John writes 2 John 1:

The elder,
      To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth - because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever:

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, will be with us in truth and love.

 

He goes on to write:

It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

In his writing John states, "I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning."  Christ himself was the original speaker of these words of love.  We read in
Matthew 22:36-40:

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

And John records in John 15:12-13

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

May all of you be able to experience Christ's sacrificial love this Christmas season and in turn may you be able to share that love with someone else.

Wishing You All A Very Happy Thanksgiving

Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;
       make known among the nations what he has done.

Sing to him, sing praise to him;
       tell of all his wonderful acts. 1 Chronicles 16:8-9

Thank you Lord for the many blessings you have given our family. Thank you for providing for us beyond our needs, thank you for the love you have given our family, thank you Lord for keeping us all healthy and safe, and for the blessing of friend.  Lord thank you so much for our little grandson, who was born prematurely over a year ago the blessing of great health and growth you have given him.  Thank you Lord for your salvation you offer to everyone. Ahem.

We're In His Arms

We had our little grandson with us this weekend. Our little guy is at that stage where he is trying to pull himself up on things in order to learn how to walk.  He will crawl through the house at speeds that are surprisingly fast.  His footing is a little precarious on the hardwood floors, so I follow him on his little route as he weaves through the chair rungs, under the table and out the other side. Of course I don't follow his exact route, I'm waiting for him on the other side of the table.  From there he'll make his way to the kitchen drawers or to the sliding window that leads to the back garden and will try to use them to pull himself up and brace him so he can stand. As I mentioned, it's very easy for him to lose his footing on the slick wood floors so I surround him with my arms so that I can quickly grab him if he starts to fall.  I can't help him, because he wants to do it himself.  I can only be prepared to catch him when he falls.

That is similar to what our heavenly father does for us when we lose our footing on life's path? We think we're going it alone, forging a path through unknown territory, making our way in life.   But we're not alone, our heavenly father is there, trying to lead us if we will follow him and prepared to catch us when we loose our footing and need to be picked up and put back on the path.

My favorite Psalm has these verses in it.

My help comes from the LORD,
       the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—
       he who watches over you will not slumber; Psalm 121:2-3

Early Thanksgiving

Turning the calendar from October to November immediately turns my thoughts to the Thanksgiving Holiday and the great time I anticipate with my family.  It also is a time that we set aside to offer a special thanks to our heavenly father for the many blessings he has provided for us throughout the year.  The Lord has blessed is greatly this year and in particular has kept his hand on our little grandson.  As you may remember from one of my previous posts, It was just little of a year that we got the call that our daughter-in-law had been taken to the hospital in early labor and within a few weeks our grandson was born, weighing just over 2 lbs.  Looking at him now, it's hard to believe that he was born prematurely.   He turned one year old recently and he's the picture of perfect health.  Many of the issues that plague premature children have not come to fruition for our little guy.  in fact people are amazed when we tell them that he was born prematurely.

Lord we thank you for this little boy, the joy he brings into our lives and the health he have given him.

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Luke 17:15-18

Dedication Day

Our little grandson was dedicated at church last Sunday.  My son and his wife prayed for guidance and direction from the Lord for raising their son.  The Scriptures tells us:

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”   Matthew 19:14 

We as a family will ask for the Lord's help and guidance in communicating Jesus' love and his gift of salvation to our little guy. We will pray that the Lord will continually show his love and provide protection over him. 

I am so thankful for this little miracle in our lives.

Don't Forget Our Indian Christian Brothers And Sisters

If you're like me, my focus has been  set on the political scene.  I was speaking with a friend in Ireland who says they're following our election with great interest.  All eyes seem to be on the two political candidates and the race for the USA office of president.  It's easy to forget that we have Christian brothers and sisters who are caught in life and death situations.  I came across an article written on Oct 17th that described the continued Christian persecutions in India.  A Catholic priest was drug out into the street to be lit on fire.  God caused confusion in attackers and they didn't complete the job.  A nun was repeatedly attacked by a group of four men.  Homes and churches have been destroyed.  The local authorities have given the choice of denouncing their faith and being given the means to start again, or to continue being persecuted to the point of potential loss of life.   Quite frankly, I sometimes feel quite guilty of the easy life I lead and the way I take for granted my ability to freely worship Jesus in public.  And yet:

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
   "For your sake we face death all day long;
      we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."   No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.   For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:35-39

The Big Drop

The picture at right is not a picture of the Continental Shelf, but is in fact the performance of the Dow Jones Average over the past 12 months.

Financial panic seems to be spreading across the globe. As I speak with friends and colleagues, true fear  can be heard in the voices, unclear as to what they should do and calling for  someone to be held accountable.  For those who are depending on their investments, 401k  plans and other accumulated wealth,  this has been a heavy bow. 

The scriptures teach about finances. 

You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me."  But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. Deuteronomy 8:17-18

In Deuteronomy, we are reminded that it is the Lord who enables and blesses us with our abilities to make a living.   We read in 1 Timothy:

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment  1 Timothy 6:17

Timothy calls out the fact we should not put our hope in wealth which is uncertain, as evidenced in the continued fall of the DOW.  We have a greater hope than wealth, politicians, or knowledge.  Peter points to our faith in Christ as the best place for our perfect hope.

Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 1 Peter 1:17-19

Many friends, family members and colleagues  have lost their job, homes or both in this economic downturn.  Our hearts and prayers are with them as they struggle with this trial.

Canoeing The Meanders

 One of our favorite places to canoe is the Meanders.  The North Fork of the Payette River, known as the Meanders, is a calm stretch of water that connects the upper Payette Lake with Payette Lake.  God's glory shines from the sky and the crystal clear water while his nature comes to the water's edge to be refresh.  For some reason the animals don't expect humans to be on the water and don't seem to be afraid of us.  The Meanders gives me a view of what David might have seen and felt when he wrote the 23rd Psalm. 

     

                             Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,
       he leads me beside quiet waters,

        he restores my soul.
       He guides me in paths of righteousness
       for his name's sake.

  Even though I walk
       through the valley of the shadow of death, 
       I will fear no evil,
       for you are with me;
       your rod and your staff,
       they comfort me.

  You prepare a table before me
       in the presence of my enemies.
       You anoint my head with oil;
       my cup overflows.

  Surely goodness and love will follow me
       all the days of my life,
       and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
       forever.

A Prayer For Our Christian Brothers In India

We learned of some sad news this morning.   Our Indian Christian brothers and sisters are being persecuted and  being used as a scapegoat by other religious groups for the civil unrest in many regions.   One of the Christian villages, which our church helps through sponsorship.  Their village was burned to the ground and some of the inhabitants were beaten.  Those villagers who escaped are living in the jungle, fearful of their attackers.  In other reports Christian churches were ransacked and burned.

Persecution is not new to Christian believers.  Paul, a devoted follower of Christ gave up a good position as a religious leader to be  ostracized from his family and his friends.   Paul writes of his persecution in this way. He has:

... been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.  Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.  Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea,  I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers.   I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.  Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.  2 Corinthians 11:23-28

And in Romans 15:30-31 Paul writes these words to other believers:

I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.  Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there...

Fellow believers, let's follow Paul's urging and pray for our Christian bothers and sisters in India asking God to help them in  their struggles and persecutions.