Creation in my world

Last night my thoughts focused on creation. Think about the things we create. Several ideas came to mind. Computers, games...particularly card games, robotics and a few others. When we as humans carry out tasks or play games we use logic, trial and error and intuition. Consider playIng solitaire say the Klondike game. Let's think About the one where you turn the pile one card at a time and can go through it as many times as you wish. When we suffle the deck, is the deck random? How many possible variations are there? Do you know the answer? Is it necessary to know the answer to play the game?...to build a computer program to play the game?

When we play this game we don't know the identity and location of any of the cards in the pile. When the computer plays the game it has to know. 

When we see a possible play we may make a decision based on logic or intuition of whether or not to make the play we see. We might even miss seeing some possible plays. The computer on the other hand has to know all the plays before the game starts. The computer cannot miss a play. And, the computer has already completed all the trial and error analysis before the game starts. Why is this true? Because of the program rules. Someone has to program the computer. Question is who if anyone programs us? How do we learn to play the game? 

Is life like a game? Can a computer live life completely? Who would program it? Can the computer learn new rules by trial and error? Do you see how the operating principles of a computer are different from the operating principles of a human? Do you think a computer can be designed to drive a car successfully. Have you ever been mis-led by a GPS? How did you correct the problem?

For more insight into this subject read "The Glass Cage" by Nicholas Carr.

YES! GOD IS ALIVE AND WELL. LEWIS AND CLARK (cont'd)

Good morning from Bismarck, South Dakota. A busy place on a Thursday morning. Yesterday we continued our adventure on the Lewis and Clark trails. The "Corps of Discovery" travelled this same country early October 1804. There is wind, the country side is beautiful and bountiful. There were no farms when the corps travelled. Now farms are abundant. We began this leg of the trip last Friday. Bill and I biked from Fort Thompson to Pierre, SD (61mi). Grace drove on the Pierre and picked up Bob at the airport. Stayed at a Comfort Inn. Bob had quite a time getting to Pierre. His flight out of Dallas was delayed and he was going to miss his flight in Denver. So, he got a flight to Rapid City and Mom picked him up there while Bill and I were riding. It all worked out. Any one want a $60 travel voucher on Great Lakes Aviation?

Saturday we rode to Gettysburg, SD (66.5mi). The winds were mostly against us but we left early and they were not more than 10 mph. Sunday the winds were stronger on our trip to Mobridge (55mi). Monday we intended to ride to a point about 13 miles west of Linton. The winds were howling out of the northeast and we only made it to Pollock (37.5mi). It was a hard ride. We used the car to shuttle into Linton and back the next morning. Then on Wednesday we rode 88.5 miles to Bismarck, ND.

Just as we got to the edge of Bismarck Bob ran over a stick that lodged in the derailleur of the bike he was riding. It stop the bike causing the chain to break and the derailleur to be twisted out of the rear fork. The twisting motion bent the  end of the frame where the wheel attaches. We called Grace to come and get us. And, we also called a nearby bike shop. They said bring the bike over. So when Grace arrived we loaded up the damaged bike so Bob and Grace could take it to the bike shop. Praise the Lord Bob did not fall and was not injured.

Bill and I continued on with the tandem to our motel. There we waited for Bob and Grace. By some great fortune the guy at the bike shop had the skill and ability to repair the damage in about two hours while they waited. Amazing! How likely is it that the first and only bike shop contacted be able to make such a repair?

Grace and Bob returned from the bike shop and we unloaded for the night. We planned to eat about eight. I took a shower and Grace made a small pot of coffee. As she was bringing me a cup, she trip and fell forward into the wall and door. I saw the fall from the bathroom. It was scary the way she slammed into the door with her head while it was at a crazy angle to her body. Coffee went everywhere and she was in considerable pain. After about thirty minutes evaluating the situation we decided to take her to the Emergency Room. She could walk but was in a lot of pain. The CT scan revealed not broken bones. After four hours of observation, testing and waiting they released her and we went back to the motel. Praise the Lord nothing is broken.

Today the boys are riding from Bismarck to Hazen (70mi). I took the day off to rest a knee and drive the car. We will see how Grace is doing in the morning. Riding bicycles is dangerous. Oh, by the way, the winds are much more favorable. Our original target for this leg was Bismarck. The revised target for this trip was Dickinson. Lots like we might make Glen Ullin.

I am finishing this blog post sitting in a motel in Hazen waiting for the boys to arrive. Grace is asleep napping. We will see what tomorrow brings. We all know we can trust the Lord. He is faithful and just. We know He is alive and well. Grace and I are amazed that we are physically able to be on this trip with the boys. We will continue to do this as long as we are able and The Lord is willing. The joy of being with our boys and living these experiences is far beyond anything we could have ever imagined.

Lewis and Clark cont'd

October 7, 2014; Linton, ND

The Butler boys are on their bikes again.  Yes, here we are again on the third leg of our Lewis and Clark adventure. Grace (Mom Butler) is our sag driver and savior. We left Fort Thompson, SD last Friday. We have stopped in Pierre, Gettysburg and Mobridge. We attempted riding to Linton, ND today. But, the wind stopped us short in Pollock, SD. We will start from there tomorrow. Hopefully the winds will be more favorably. Our target this week is Dickinson, ND. We will be happy to achieve Bismarck or just beyond.

The trip is just fantastic. The scenery is beautiful. Lewis and Clark had to have been amazed. Lake Oahe just north of Pierre is gigantic. Linton is 180 miles north of Pierre and we have not seen the end of the lake at this point. Lots of fishing and hunting up here. Come check it out.

Ebola-A plague of Catastrophic Dimensions

Mosy people are afraid to mention the most likely cause of sickness. There is only one who can heal us. And that same one can make sure we aren't healed. I believe it was Dr. Peck who said, "I am not surprised people get sick, what does surprise me is that some our well. ". Have you heard any news lately about the source of Ebola being our own disobedience to the one true living God? Check out the Web for such news. Yes, there is even an article in the New York Time. Ask CNN or Fox. I suspect they are reluctant to discuss the issue. Perhaps some prayer is a good idea.

PURPOSE IN LIFE????

If you don't need religion why do you have one?Don't kid yourself, we all have a religion. It might even be the religion of "I don't have a religion". Do you have goals, passions, hopes or any picture of your own future? Then you are religious. Is your religion based on truth? Can you prove or verify any of it on your own? Or, do you have to rely on opinions?

Consider if you please my belief. There is a God. He created everything. Nothing exists except for the work of his hand. I was created by this God and he planned my entire life. He even planned the uncertainties. Does that make them certain or not? How can I say? I didn't do the creating. Now with this thesis I can function. Everything around me and about me now have purpose and reason. I am unable able to understand it all. But, I do know that whatever someone tells me, my God caused it or allowed it. I learned this from my God. 

My God even wants me to know him. I like that. He caused a book to be written so I would have a better chance to get acquainted. He even forgives me for disobedience. Ask me how I know and I will tell you. But, he tells me " Itwould be better for you and I to spend time just being friends".

Biblical or World

There are basically two views of life or creation. Commonly called by people in both camps, The World View and The Biblical View. I have known about these two views for a long time now. But, unfortunately for me, I have not spent much time analyzing the differences. And, there are some significant implications. 

First, let’s think about the origin of the each view. How were these view formulated? What are the foundational principles of each view? Were they formulated objectively? That is formed by people who had no preconceived bias to either view. Do you think that is likely? Would any of us be able to approach this task in an unbiased manner? I wonder if Maslow consider the two views when he formulated his hierarchy. 

Do people who hold to the Biblical View, or say they do, really understand they cannot accept Maslow’s hierarchy because of the goal of achieving self-actualization? 

People who hold to the World View either knowingly or unknowingly have to believe there is no controlling force in the universe. They have to believe the universe just happened accidentally or was created by a force that didn’t care or know about what it was doing. 

How hard is it to formulate a purpose for your life using either of these two views? Have you tried it? Can you do it? Or maybe you don't need a purpose to live and keep on living?

Think about the definition of good and evil…right and wrong. How are these opposing factors handled under the umbrella of the views? Who decides what is right?

I can see how we might have accidentally gotten to hydrogen if all the subatomic particles were already present. But I can’t for the life of me figure out how subatomic particles appeared out of nothing. 

Some of my teachers tried to teach me things they could not logically support. Did they really believe them to be true? Why would we not at least raise the question or cast some level of doubt on theoretical principles like Maslow’s hierarchy?

Which view do you like better?

IF YOU BELIEVE.....

If you believe in the one true living God? You know that it His intention and your fate, the world will be redeemed. Can you imagine how this might happen? No one can know except by the learning the truth. Where do we find the Truth? Read through the gospel of Matthew. Matthew explains why God sent Jesus to live on the earth.

So, if God is busy redeeming the world, then what would be behind the battles and wars of the third world…especially in the middle east? Wars and battles fought by people who don’t believe in the one true living God does have a purpose and an expected outcome. I expect the evil one to lose because all the ones in bondage to the evil one will end up either converting or killing each other. There are no other options. If you have another option, I would like to hear it. 

Which option should we pursue? People suffer the fate of the nation where they live. Do they have a practical choice? Perhaps, there are thousand of missionaries all over the world loving and witnessing for God. Consider the fate of people and how it might be different depending on the option of choice. Do non-believers believe in free choice? Does what they believe really make a difference? Is freedom of choice a truth? I like to think about how our circumstances affect our beliefs. Believing a lie is our biggest problem. Passing along a lie as a truth may be the greatest hurt we can inflict on a friend. If we don’t know the truth or believe the truth, we should probably keep our thoughts to ourselves. It would not be fair to our friends to ask them to consider as truth anything we think might not be true. Sounds like gossip. No one can change you. But, they may be able to influence you to take the wrong road. I believe we should be responsible for ourselves. We should make our own decisions. I also believe I need a higher power to help me in that endeavor. 

You might guess that I don’t believe the universe started out using evolution to create its self. The first atom was most likely hydrogen. Where did the first sub-atomic particle come from?

Why Believe? Or, Find a Purpose for Life!

Things on my mind today.

Jim Howard’s surgery to correct the problem of having no valve in the top of his stomach. This missing part causes lots of problems. Is this a birth defect? What are the chances? How can we reconcile this with evolutions and/or creation? Is it my choice to believe which ever? Can I change my mind? Is it my choice to believe in God? If it is my choice, then does it follow that I can cause my own salvation? 

I should explain. Jim Howard is our senior pastor at Dillion Community Church. I was on the team that spent about nine months searching and finding Jim. We ended up after a huge internal struggle selecting him with an unanimous decision. Was this effort directed and finalized by God?Or, did we the members of the team make an independent decision? Anyway, he had this surgery for the fourth time this morning. Sounds like the procedure went well and he is recovering. Praise the Lord and thank you doctors. 

The Bible says we are all born as sinners because of the fall of Adam and Eve. Otherwise, we might have been created, born into a very blessed and sin free state or condition. If Adam and Even had not eaten the forbidden fruit (sought the knowledge of good and evil) would we still have been subject to free will and able to choose. Am I able choose eternal damnation or eternal salvation?

What is the purpose of life? How is it that I and many others are motivated to live out our lives in a vigorous and purposeful manner while not really knowing the purpose of life? 

If you are one who chooses not to believe in God, how do you come to that conclusion? I am truly curious. Is my decision to believe a free will choice? Or, is there a sovereign creator who sets my heart on the believing setting? Did He set your heart on the “Don’t Believe” setting? This would be the same creator I believe exists and you don’t believe exists. There is another option. I know some who claim to believe but choose not to follow. I am greatly puzzled by people who choose this option. Why not choose eternal life???

So, I can think of a couple of other options, However, they might be variations of the two primary options. Believing and not believing in the One True Living God. Do you think there might be some who simply pretend to believe?

Consider the presence of a being in the spiritual realm who works to make people not believe. Believing in the One True Living God would make one aware of the optional controlling spirits. One is the Holy Spirit. The other is the Sinful Nature. Control by the Sinful Nature can manifest  itself in several ways. Perhaps the individual might pretend to be a believer. Or, the person might join a cultic or mythical belief. The person might work to redefine God to be the god he desires to serve. Or, the person might claim to not believe in any god. (Does this person need a god in order to have something not to believe?)

I would enjoy hearing your take on this discussion. I believe we are people who were born to share our experiences with those we meet and share our lives. Our experiences turn out to be the only part of our lives we can share and be absolutely certain they are true. If the One True and Living God controls all our lives, then these experiences are true representations of Him and His creation. If not, then I don’t know why sharing is so important. 

Any one out there interested in my stories? Read my blogs. These are thoughts from my life experiences. 

Doing Whatever You Want..Is it always that easy?

Am I my own person. The American Way. Self-actualization. Do you search your heart every time you have a pressing decision? Are we able to know our own hearts? Or, are we driven by other forces? Government? Friends? Culture? Political Correctness? Right and Wrong? Good and Evil? If we leave the decision to our own thinking can we avoid all evil? Then, why go to school? Why send our children to school? Why read the newspaper? Or, books? Why read at all?

Who controls your life? Is control even a possibility? When you read something controversial, do you pick a side? Why? What is your favorite food, color, shape, book, movie, TV show, car, sports team, sport? Why do we have favorites? What is your pet peeve? We do have likes and dislikes. We have opinions. We know some things "For a Fact". Do you have beliefs? Do you believe things you can't prove? Have you ever believed a lie? Have you had friends who are no longer friends? Do have friends who used to be enemies? Do your have friends you do not like?

Today I re-read John 21:1-25 from the Bible. This story is told after the time Jesus rose from the grave. He has appeared to seven of his disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. The disciples had been fishing all night and had nothing to show for their efforts. Jesus told them to cast their net or the other side of the boat and they caught a boat load. Why did they cast their net on the other side? Did they do what they wanted? Were they influenced by and outside force? An amazing but highly reliable historic event.

Later Jesus was talking to John and ask him about love. This is another remarkable story. Jesus asked him three times if he love Jesus. John said, You know I do. Jesus said, Feed my sheep. Do you get it? Who are Jesus' sheep? Are you one? Can we avoid being one of his sheep?

Oh by the way, one of things I believe my heart wants me to do is ride on the back of a tandem with my son Bill this next Saturday. We are attempting to ride 100 miles in one day and raise $2,000 for Arkansas Valley Young Life. I am asking you to help. Not ride the bike, raise the money. Send money and ask others to support Bill and I in our endeavor. We have ridden 100 miles in one day before. In fact, we have done it several times. Bill has ridden this same ride two times before by himself. But, it is still an accomplishment. Bill has been training for 70 miles and I have been training for 30 miles. Of course, he is much younger. Thirty three years younger. I just read about a 91 year old lady who "ran" a marathon. WOW! That's remarkable. She wasn't raising money for a worthy cause. Just competing. We are promoting a worthy cause. It is a cause that attempts to get young people to focus on a valuable goal for their lives. Considerable success has been achieved by the efforts. I believe in and am passionate about Young Life. Please help us support it. You can give by going to www.ministrysync.com/event/website/?m=1885220 . Take a look. Give some support and pass it on.

Thanks

Please checkout this link to help me with this fund raiser.


http://www.ministrysync.com/event/website/?m=1885220&profile_settings=1

Our Hope is Found...

Why do we exist? And why do we put up with this world? Do you feel the frustrations? Fear and suffering abound. If you have not experienced it I’m sure you have several friends and acquaintances who have. Still, we live on in HOPE? Help Oppressed People Everywhere. 

In what(whom) do you place your hope? Wealth, health, children, community? Do you believe in God, a god, any god? Do you worship or idolize anything? Why? Do you not believe in God, a god, any god? Do you worship or idolize nothing? Why? Do you have a purpose in life? Do you not have a purpose in life? Why? Why not? Google “My hope is found…”.

 Do you work toward making yourself better? Do you work toward making your friends better? Do you have enemies...people you do not like or respect? If we have no purpose why would we like or dislike anything or anybody? If we have no purpose, why would any thing be important enough to like or not to like? Be honest...you do have a purpose right! Have you tried to analyze your purpose? Do you have any idea what you desire in and from your life? Is everything and everybody around you ok? If not, what’s wrong? What needs to be corrected? Is our government operating just the way you want. Are the schools good? Nothing that you want to change or have changed? All is just perfect! We live in a paradise! There is nothing to fix or make better?  Let’s just leave it alone. Let’s allow everyone to do their own thing. And, then whatever anyone does we just say great and live with the result. Sound good?

Or, are we on a journey somewhere? Is there a destination? Are we striving for some thing better? Do we desire better for our families and friends? Is there something we can do about that? Where do we start? Can we do anything about it? 

When having trouble at work what do you do to correct the problem? Talk to a friend, talk to a co-worker, talk to the boss.Get help, change jobs. When asked to do a job and don’t know how we must get further instructions and education. Maybe the job is difficult and no one has been able to do it well. Can we get someone to show us how? Life can be like that. If you pack your own lunch and then don’t like it, who’s fault is it?

Is it possible someday for all people on Earth to dwell together in unity? A day when each of us is more concerned about our neighbors than we are about ourselves…is it possible?

More on Coal andTrees

The situation we find ourselves in today you might call steady state. Some say that's not entirely true and that we are burning ourselves to death by consuming too much "fossil" fuel. I'm not disputing there opinion. Rather lets think about "In the beginning". Did trees come before Coal? How might that have worked? Imagine a time way back when and one tree appears. That tree needs Carbon Dioxide and Water to survive. It needs just the right amount. Its in an atmosphere that is mostly Oxygen and Nitrogen perhaps. I wonder what the ratios were? Most sources say the current atmosphere is 21% oxygen and 78% nitrogen. All the other gases make up the remaining 1%. It is estimated that the earth's atmosphere weighs 5.5 quadrillion tons. Less than .05% is carbon dioxide. About one third of the carbon dioxide is carbon. So maybe a bit less than .01% carbon. Rough numbers should work for this discussion. Or, .005 quadrillion tons of carbon. That's the amount we need to start in order to have one tree. Now consider the weight of the tree. How much carbon is consumed as the tree grows? The wood is largely carbon. Do you see where I am going with this? As the first tree and then other trees begin to consume the carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere the concentration in the atmosphere with drop unless there is some other source of carbon entering the atmosphere. Ah Ha! Animals breathe out carbon dioxide. They replace it. Where do they get the carbon? Oh yes, they eat trees. It is a cycle. So trees need animals to sprout and grow. And likewise, animals need trees to provide the oxygen . But wait, one tree and one cow... easy to explain. These two won't change the total amount of carbon required on earth. But, billions of people and even more trees represent lots of carbon. Where did the carbon come from? Two much in the air to start with might well upset the nature of the cycle. Maybe there was already enough carbon stored in the earth? Could it have been stored as coal in the beginning? If it came from the trees that died and decayed, where did the trees get the extra amount needed to grow and then die? The big bang is a mystery. The growth after that is an equally puzzling mystery. This one event might well be considered a miracle. Can you think of others? Other question are: Should  be be increasing, decreasing or holding steady the amount of carbon stored in the Earth? Is the overall process increasing, decreasing or holding steady the amount of carbon contained in the Earth and its atmosphere? We can ask the same questions about oxygen and hydrogen and their combined product water. These elements and there products are pretty important for sustaining life as we know it.

Are Your Stories True?

Luke 11:29-36 New English Translation (NET) The Sign of Jonah 29 As the crowds were increasing, Jesus began to say, “This generation is a wicked generation; it looks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. 30 For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be a sign to this generation. 31 The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon—and now, something greater than Solomon is here! 32 The people of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented when Jonah preached to them—and now, something greater than Jonah is here! Internal Light 33 “No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a hidden place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, so that those who come in can see the light. 34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is diseased, your body is full of darkness. 35 Therefore see to it that the light in you is not darkness. 36 If then your whole body is full of light, with no part in the dark, it will be as full of light as when the light of a lamp shines on you.” Just to let you know I am continuing to read through the Bible again this year. The Tyndale “One Year Bible” is my guide. However, this year I am reading the various sections continuously from another source. I really like the NET and the NIRV translations. The verses above are from the NET. Many times I have read these verses. My understanding seems to be growing but still incomplete. The Bible is like that. Read on read carefully. My God, the one true living God has said His truth is written on the hearts of the people. That means he knows us and is in us even before we realize it. Do you want to believe it is true? Here He says we are part of or descendants of a wicked generation. We are wicked. We are all wicked. That’s a hopeful thought? But, we want a sign. He says seeing a sign is up to us. The signs are present every where. “No sign will be given except the sign of Jonah”, What in the world does that mean? Have you read the story of Jonah…or are you just going from hearsay? I suggest reading it. Start out by believing the story is true. Jonah is real and the people of Nineveh did listen and repent. Do you think Jonah was/is a skeptic? Are we skeptics? Were the teachers of the law skeptics? What is the “Sign of Jonah”? Does the story that follows in verse 33 relate to the “Sign of Jonah”? If the lamp is not on the lamp stand, if it is hidden…my eye is my lamp stand???..if I am not watching my body is full of darkness…I am unable to see the…”Sign of Jonah”… Perhaps because of who we are, where we came from and the journey we have made, just perhaps, our stories tell about the “Sign of Jonah”!!! Do you like to hear peoples stories? Do you like to tell your stories? Are your stories important? What kind of stories do you share in letters and emails? What kind of stories do you post on your Facebook page? Please tell me your stories. Does this story bring to mind any of your stories? Oh.btw. listening to stories might be how we can get filled with the light…really!

Coal or Trees, which came first?

Thoughts for Friday March 28, 2014. In a discussion with my friend John Julian a curious thought came to me. Which do you think came first...Coal or Trees? It is much like the riddle about the chicken and the egg. Both of these question hold the same puzzle relating to our existence. Think on the cyclical relationship between respiration and photosynthesis. When we breathe our bodies take in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide and water. Both of these are necessary for plants to survive. So, how does the question about Coal and Trees come into the cycle? I ask you, how did the carbon, oxygen and hydrogen get in the cycle? Where did they come from? Who or what provided these basic elements? These questions lead us to the question about the origins of the universe. If the origin is accidental, unimportant and without purpose why all this concern about he environment, freedom, animal rights etc? Why would there be any concern about living or dying? How could such a complex and wonderful place like this be accidental or without purpose? I can't imagine. It is a magnificent gift to be here. Life is the greatest gift. How was I allowed to experience this great place? An accident? I received this gift and I have no possible means by which to reciprocate for the gift. Or, do I? I can say thank you, and look for ways to be responsible. What would being responsible look like? Who do I thank and where can I find a list of responsible actions? How did we get just enough carbon, water and oxygen in our environment to maintain respiration and photosynthesis? What keeps the cycle in balance? Is the cyclical process self sustaining? Should I worry about burning too much coal or growing too many trees? Am I smart enough to fully understand this? Is anyone? Does our planet use these elements for other purposes? Are some of these uses important to life? Who has these answers? Why do I find these discussion more stimulating than war, terrorism or politics? Don't know, just do! Forgive me and I'll forgive you. Maybe I'll forgive you anyway. Yes, yes, yes I'll forgive you. Be my friend.

Love me Love me Not!

The second commandment given by Jesus has been high on my radar the last few weeks. My heart cries out to all those who feel like misfits, who feel un-wanted or unaccepted in their current place in life. I have felt that way often in my life. Are we unaccepted? Yes, we are and have been. All of us have at some time or another felt that way. Jesus says, "Love God and love people". I think he meant the one true living God and all people. Many people say they don't believe in God. Others say the believe and then don't work on knowing what they believe or who they believe. If our friends and the people we know don't believe the same things we believe or don't act the way we think they should, how are we going to be able to accept and love them? Are we just to be tolerant? How will this ever work? Some will say, see I told you so, don't believe that stuff. Sorry, I can't seem to help myself anymore than you can help yourself. I know some of you don't believe or read he Bible. But, I think most of you know about the story of Cain and Able. This may be the first example of the problem that faces those who have faith and believe in God. Why did Cain kill Able? Why were Cain and Able unable to love and accept each other? What happened and why did God give us this story? What or who made Cain and Able the way they were? Did those brothers pick their positions? Or, was that just the way it was? How does this story affect you and I today? I can tell you I love you but, I can't make you love me. Likewise, you can love me but you cannot make me love you. And yet, God says we are to love each other. No matter what?! Examples of how this is or is not working abound. We all have them. Would you like this to be true? Would you like to live in a place where everyone loves you? Or, do you think I'm smoking something? I would like to be there. I would like to do my part. This is hard. I'm still reading through the Tyndale Bible every year. Today is March 23. The readings are from: Numbers 36:1-Dueteronomy 1:46 Luke:5:29-6:11 Psalm 66:1-20 Proverbs 11:24-26 When or if you read these sections, think about the question of loving people. Do we need to love God in order to love people? Who are you? Where did you come from? Why are you here? Where are you going? Are these question important or relevant? Thanks for reading and thinking about it with me!

What Motivates?

Today Sunday I’ve been reading these verses. Numbers 11:24-13:33 Mark 14:22-52 Psalm 52:1-9 Proverbs 11:1-3 Seems to be a common theme. But, then I believe the Bible describes a common theme. Who is this God who created the world and everything in it? Why did He do it and why am I here? And, most importantly, what am I to do? The people, all of us seem to be determine to have something bigger and better and to be better than we are today. Are we purposely pursuing these things? Protecting our territory and striving for more? We read about it here with the Israelites. We see it with Jesus disciples. Why are the people following? Are they following just anyone? Why pick Moses? Why Jesus? Why did the children of Jacob stay together in Egypt? What would all the animals do if the people didn’t nurture or hunt them? When we learn to keep a few sheep, it often become a big herd. Is a small rental house enough? Why not just a tent? Do we really need a car? TV, Smart Phone, Computer…even the ‘prayer’ in the Psalm and the Proverbs raise the same questions. Why are we here and what motivates us to do what we do? How can we all be so alike? We all seem to want more for ourselves. But, we have to work hard, go out of our way or join a cause to help others achieve the same things. And, not very often am I inclined to share more with someone than I keep for myself. But, God tells the story a bit differently. He says and demonstrates forgiveness to be the better way. God says to trust fully in Him and He will take care of us. Trust, don’t worry. Use the resources and gifts wisely and in a generous fashion. Take care of things, be a good steward or manager.

Living for ourselves or for others?

Reading from Numbers 10:1-11:23 These stories are about the trumpet signals Moses used to call the people of Israel to action. The departure from the Sinai area. Complaints about no meat to eat. Choosing seventy leaders to unburden Moses from all the responsibility. Mark 14:1-21 Jesus anointing at Bethany. The betrayal. The Last Supper. Psalm 51:1-19 David lamenting his sin with Bathsheba Proverbs 10:31,32 Words of the godly vs words of the wicked In these stories Moses was afraid God would leave him alone with the burden of leadership with the people God had asked him to lead out of slavery. The people seemed only to remember the good things they had left behind in Egypt. Why is it so hard to remember all we have are gifts from God? Is there enough for everyone? Do I have to worry about keeping a share that is sufficiently fair? If I were to think more about whether or not My fiends and neighbors have enough and less about myself, and if everyone did the same, would we all be happier? Would my friends and neighbors be happier? Would I be happier? Who’s words and actions do I have control over? Who’s words and actions do my friends and neighbors have control over? What is God trying to tell Moses and the Israelites in these scriptures? God does not just talk about ideas. God tells us the way it should be. These words are all valuable instructions and lessons about the one true and living God of the universe. In Mark, the leading priests and the teachers of religious law continue to look for a way to capture and kill Jesus. They are being careful not to incite the people to riot. When we make decisions in our organizations, businesses and yes even in our church do we think about the reaction of the customers, owners, members? Of course, we do. Was Jesus ever concerned about how the people would react to what he said or did? Never, what He said and did was correct and right. Acceptance is not the issue. Does He want us to be saved, redeemed? Yes! For sure. But only on the terms of truth. He said “I am the truth and the way no man can come to the Father except through me”. When we are within God’s will, we need not worry about what others think. There is no reason to be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We will make mistakes just like David? Will we be eager to repent and make it right with our God? Will we speak the words of a godly person or words of the wicked? Which words are ours and to which words do we listen? He is introducing and teaching. All of this is part of His redemptive process.

An Abundant Life

For some time now I have realized what it means to be given life and given it more abundantly. This world is marvelous and mysterious. Have you heard the expression, “How in the world…”?Do you ever wonder? Can we know all there is to know? That is really hard. Some people go to school most of their lives and still find there is more to know. When I listen to really intelligent people I begin to realize how really ignorant I am. When I visit an historic place I marvel at the things I seem to learn by looking and reading and thinking. If I find a guide who has studied the place I can learn even more. I think this is true of the world in general. Read Numbers 9:15-23. What if we could get an educated guide to lead us through our life in this world? Would we be likely to learn more, enjoy more…? The message in Numbers is from our God. The supreme commander of the universe is telling us that He is willing to be our guide. If we spend time getting to know Him…to have a personal relationship with Him, He will guide us and we will be given an abundant life. If you know and practice this advice, pass it on to your friends. If you don’t know about this, why not give it a try? What have you got to lose?

Post for March 3, 2014

Arrived back in Dillon yesterday from our trip to Virginia ( Va gin ya). Grace and I spent seven days in Williamsburg at the Powhatan Plantation Resort. Paul Johnston our friend from Cary, N.C. joined us for two and half of those days. Debbie was supposed to come but was suffering with a sinus infection. Grace had a cold when we came. She recovered and I carried on the tradition. Now I’m home recovering. We had a great time in Williamsburg. There is much for me to learn about our nations history. Some great folks tried to teach me when I was younger. Just didn’t pay much attention. The battles for this country and its freedoms were won by people who sacrificed much. It was their time and our future. And, I see it as God’s continuing redemptive work. We must not disappoint them or God. After Williamsburg we drove back to Reagan’s Washington National Airport checked in our rental car and met up with the MCYM folks at Marriott’s Residence Hotel in Pentagon City. Thursday night was our Fund Raising Banquet held at the Fort Meyer Officers’ Club in Arlington, VA. That’s the site of Arlington National Cemetery. Its a grand old building with lots of history. Some of our directors have served in the military at this post. Then on Friday and Saturday we held the Board meetings for MCYM at the hotel. One afternoon we toured the Pentagon. Dave Etling, Regional Development guy for YL in that Region, joined us as a guest. It was great to get caught up with him. We tried to get Eric Eklund there but he was not able to join us. It was a great evening of entertainment and information. The speakers enlightened and encouraged us to embrace the ministry to military teens and families around the world. The need is great! These courageous men and women are continuing the work of those pioneers I had learned more about in Williamsburg. People stayed and talked for over two hours after the Banquet wrapped up. The need is great! We met our goal but, it is a drop in the bucket. We could make this ministry three times bigger, God willing. I have been reading in Mark and I want to take you to Mark 8 today. In these passages Mark tells how Jesus encouraged the disciples to feed the 4,000 or so people who were following them and listening to Jesus’ teachings. This is the second time an event like this has been reported. There could have been others. Jesus asked the disciples how much food they had for the people. Each time there was little by comparison to the need. And, just like we do, they complained about there being no possible way to make this happen. In this case, Jesus reminded them of the earlier time when Jesus had taken the meager supply of bread and fish and broke them praising and thanking God. He proceeded to have them feed the crowd from the plenty provided and there was much left over. There was more than enough. And yet the second time this happened the disciples again failed to get it. Go for it and God will provide. Why do we have so little faith and trust? I will be talking about this much in coming days and weeks. There are many examples of our lack of trust. Not completely trusting the sovereign ruler and creator of the Universe is a serious problem in the world today. And, almost all of us are guilty. Maybe all! Not one is truly righteous. God is busy redeeming the world and we are not listening and helping. Now I think I know why God had me study to be a Chemical Engineer. It was to be part of the preparation for my vocation as well as for my main occupation. I encourage you to think about all the things you have done in the this way. Praise God for these gifts of experience. What was God teaching the disciples with the feeding stories? Figure that out and you will begin to learn more about the purpose of life, of your life. Once again, answer these four questions for yourself based on the experience you have had so far in life. 1. Where did you come from? 2. Who are you? 3. Why are you here? 4. Where are you going? This is all about vocation. Vocation we never ever retire from. Vocation makes life. Jesus said... “I did not come to minister to those who think they are righteous, I came to heal and give ’life' to the ones who know they are sick.”.That could be me. I think it is pretty important to stay close to the one who can do that.

The Parable of the Sower or Soils

The bible reading for today includes more in Leviticus. This I have talked about the last two days. But, Today my interest was piqued by the following parable from Mark. The Parable of the Sower 4 Again he began to teach by the lake. Such a large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat on the lake and sat there while the whole crowd was on the shore by the lake. 2 He taught them many things in parables, and in his teaching said to them: 3 “Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it.5 Other seed fell on rocky ground where it did not have much soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep. 6 When the sun came up it was scorched, and because it did not have sufficient root, it withered. 7 Other seed fell among the thorns, and they grew up and choked it, and it did not produce grain. 8 But other seed fell on good soil and produced grain, sprouting and growing; some yielded thirty times as much, some sixty, and some a hundred times.” 9 And he said, “Whoever has ears to hear had better listen!” The Purpose of Parables 10 When he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. 11 He said to them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those outside, everything is in parables, 12 so that although they look they may look but not see, and although they hear they may hear but not understand, so they may not repent and be forgiven.” 13 He said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? Then how will you understand any parable? 14 The sower sows the word. 15 These are the ones on the path where the word is sown: Whenever they hear, immediately Satan comes and snatches the word that was sown in them. 16 These are the ones sown on rocky ground: As soon as they hear the word, they receive it with joy. 17 But they have no root in themselves and do not endure. Then, when trouble or persecution comes because of the word, immediately they fall away. 18 Others are the ones sown among thorns: They are those who hear the word, 19 but worldly cares, the seductiveness of wealth, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it produces nothing.20 But these are the ones sown on good soil: They hear the word and receive it and bear fruit, one thirty times as much, one sixty, and one a hundred.” Reading through this I became curious about why? Why doesn’t everyone receive and act on the message the same way? Why are the soil and climate conditions affecting the result? Do you think the world is getting better? Do you think everything in the United States is like it should be or like you would want it to be? Do you think someone should do something about the problems? Do you think there is someone wise enough and powerful enough to make things right? Verse 12 above implies that I’m part of the problem. Jesus told the disciples “..so they may not repent and be forgiven.” Do you feel like you need to repent and be forgiven? Repent for what and be forgiven for what? If the word of God has come to you or does come to you, how will you receive it? First of all, what is the Word? In John’s gospel the very first chapter and verse says, “In the beginning there was the Word and the Word was with God”. I think all people are seeking the Word. It is not possible for humans to fully know the Word. God is working on all of us. He was working on me a long time before I realized it. I was willing to seek and try to understand more well before I became committed to the endeavor. Some people seem to be more skeptical. Others, more enthusiastic. Seems like Jesus knew this and is explaining it here to His disciples. Some are seemingly more prepared to receive the Word. I wonder, is there anyone who is not being pursued by God? Being pursued by God could be frightening to someone who doesn’t know Him at all. What I see in the world are many angry people. But, we seem to be angry about what is happening around us and blaming others. Verse 12 implies that I might be the problem. When trying to solve problems we have been told not to try and control people and things we have not control over. It is a futile effort. Who do we have control over? Maybe employees, children, slaves…maybe not! There are places in the Bible that tell us to correct or brothers and sisters. It does say to do it kindly and gently. There is more in the Bible about loving others. Could loving include correcting gently? Perhaps! Anyway, these verses somehow seemed important enough to think about and meditate about. Prayerful consideration might be good.

Comments for February 18, 2014

What is the opposite of selfish? Do you find, like I have, that it seems important for me to have certain things? Sometimes it is something I didn’t have just a short time before. And, it had not occurred to me that I had a particular need for it. That must be the reason for so much concern over things we lose. Some times I can’t find something like my car keys. My wife Grace might say, “Well just use mine”. That doesn’t correct the situation for me. My keys are still lost and I need to find them now. Being careful with our possessions is a good practice. But, why are we compelled to keep every thing where we know its location? In this world, every thing we possess comes from God. In fact it is pretty much on loan from God. Without God none of this would exist. Now, I know some of you don’t believe it. Some of you believe this earth was just an accident and whatever we have came to us by our own hard work. Even so, does it make a difference to take care of things for our own benefit vs taking care of things for the benefit of all mankind, Its like being a good neighbor. We all appreciate a good neighbor who is generous with his stuff and would do anything to help us when we are in difficulty. I think the opposite of selfish is generous. Both of these terms have to do with real stuff. Is it our stuff?

Thoughts for February 17, 2014

I have been reading the Bible most days and today I am up to date for 2/17/2014. But, journaling and documenting my thoughts has not been a priority. I seem to be busy with things such as a sore foot, the MCYM banquet, a trip to Williamsburg and the State of Kansas not liking my 2012 tax return. Also, we are trying to get ready for a Young Life Fund raiser 3/15/2014. It would be good to raise about $50,000 for the upcoming year. If any of you want to help, I would be very grateful. Still, what is most important in life. What is the purpose and reason for life, for your life and my life? It is very hard to believe this beautiful place just happened by accident. How could anything so majestic and magnificent be created out of nothing by nobody? There just has to be a very big and powerful God. I can find no other cause. Nothing else makes any sense. So, if there is a God, there must be a how and a why! How many things do you do that just seem to happen without any thought? Do plans make things work better? Can you get an expected result without having an expectation? Whenever I watch a sporting event, I pick a side or player to root for. There have been lots of events in Sochi this week. The Olympic games are so great. I marvel at the dedication of these athletes. When you get sick or have a sprain or broken bone or get a sunburn what kind of actions do you take? Do you try to get healing or relief or both? Or, do you just enjoy the misery and the pain? I’ve spent the last eight months trying find a reason and cure for my sore foot. It is relentless. I want desperately to be well. That must be why God spend so much time explaining to the Israelites how to take care of sin. He describes preventive cures, cures for intentional sin and cures for accidental sin. The processes are complex and elaborate. Perhaps human beings don’t function well if they don’t use the design parameters for operating in this world? And, it appears that taking no action and hiding the mistakes are a bad idea. God spends an inordinate amount of time and words presenting His position on these destructive activities. Under the old covenant there was no way to remove our sins. But, it does seem that in order to grow and be stronger better people it was necessary to admit sin and make atonement for the actions. If we try to hide it or hold it in, we will perish. Under the new covenant the sins are some how mysteriously removed by the sacrifice of the perfect lamb of God. Jesus paid our penalty so that we could return to being acceptable to God. God loved us but could not accept us because we were defiled. So God in His Word has explained how we are to act. We are to try to act justly, and love mercy and walk humbly with our God. To do this we need to admit and reveal who we are and not hide anything from God. So how do we do the first and most important command. Love the Lord your God with all of you. Don’t hold back anything. Jesus told us to do this to our neighbors. By loving and caring for our neighbors we show and declare our love for God. It is impossible to love our neighbors if we don’t know our neighbors. And, to do that we must have a deep and intimate relationship. We need to know all their faults and gifts and they need to know ours. Let go, let loose, be a complete friend. No show, all real. We must confess and be humble. We must accept our neighbor, faults and all. Thank you Lord for this wisdom and guidance.

Bible Reading Comments for February 4, 2014

What is common sense? Many books have been written on this subject. Everyone seems to have an opinion about their own common sense and most of us think we have common sense. Try to compare common sense to right and wrong or good and bad. Do we like to be right? Do we like to be good? If I read the Bible, will I learn how to be right and good? Will that improve my common sense? The teachings of Jesus often seem to be upside down. Poor is better than rich. Money is bad. Don’t hit back, turn the other cheek. Give the thief your other shirt or coat. Jesus associated more with the down and out than he did with the influential folks. What is involved in a healthy well balanced life? There are some factors we mention often with respect to being well. The first I think of is a healthy body. Having a healthy body is important to us. Everyone has some health defect. How many times have you heard, “He hadn’t been to a doctor once in his life time”? What are the life factors we want to have healthy? I can think of four. Physical, Mental, Emotional and Financial. How would health be defined for these factors? Christ said He did not come to save the righteous, He came to save the unrighteous. Then I have read in the book that no one is righteous, not one. When I write I often lecture or preach. When I hear people lecturing or preaching I compare what they say to what I believe to be true. In other words, I judge them. Jesus told us not to judge. We are to wait and let the Father be the judge. There I go preaching again. Ignore that. Are you ever uncomfortable about those forwarded emails describing some good act. At the end you are always encouraged to forward them to 10 or 25 friends. Do you do it? Most of the time I don’t forward them. I’m not sure why i don’t. So where do I find good and health? Seems to me I have found these things in the words and actions of people. People who Jesus said are not righteous. Maybe I should be more thankful for friends and family. Maybe I should pay more attention to what they say and do. Maybe I should not be so judgmental. Maybe I should try to discover what God (Our Father in Heaven) is trying to tell me through this great and valuable relationships. Maybe I should spend more time nurturing and cultivating the friends I have. These friends are a treasure. These are all gifts from a loving Father. If I have not treasured you enough, I’m sorry and I have suffered for my neglect. I pray that I have not hurt you. You are my most valuable treasure. I wanted to say, valuable possession. That would really be selfish. Speaking of selfish, leads us in another direction on this business of goodness and health. I’ve said before,”Try to write a 500 word essay on ‘How humble you are’”. Is it possible to construct such a document? One of my favorite preacher/teachers is Tim Keller, the pastor of Redeemer Church in Manhattan. He doesn’t even know me. We have never met. He says most people’s and most religion’s concept of good is based on doing what pleases us and makes us feel good. Only Christ sets a different standard or foundation for good ethics and actions. This standard is based on charity or generosity. In order to give we have to give up. Charity and forgiveness are not free. They are very costly. The greatest gift was from Christ who gave His life for me to pay the penalty for my sins while I was still a sinner. Sorry, this sounds like preaching again. Ignore me when I go there. I’m try to reflect on goodness and it is so easy to get off the track. Why do I not want to admit that I am a sinner. I am the example of unrighteousness. I need to spend more time and more effort with charity, generosity and forgiveness. I need to spend less time thinking about my welfare and more time thinking about the welfare of my treasures. My treasures are not for my possession but they are gifted in wonderful relationships by God. Friends and family are the closest treasures. My wife is my most precious treasure.

Bible Reading Comments from Sun Lakes, AZ 2/2/14

Ground Hog day. We will be headed home to Dillon this week. Probably Thursday. Lots to do when we get back. Readings are in Exodus 16, Mathew 22, Psalm 27 and Proverbs 6 We learned all about manna and its distribution. More about the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven. Living in the Temple of the Lord and the importance of leading an obedient life. It is interesting and ironic how we view gifts from God. The Manna was to be gathered everyday and just enough for that day. Except for the sixth day when the people were told to gather twice the amount, enough for the Sabbath day of rest. The main concern of the people was getting their fair share. Thankfulness did not seem to be the highest priority. Some even tried to gather more than their share. Guess what, the excess spoiled. It didn’t matter how much they gathered, it was always enough. Where are your priorities? Remember the questions. Who are you? Where did you come from? Why are you here? And, Where are you going? Sustaining yourself while you are here isn’t one of the questions. Is this the attitude that caused us to fall? Are we focused on the wrong thing? What is the main thing? Read these verses and think about the information. Who is this God? Why am I here? What is my relationship with God supposed to be? Is it important to know who sent you and why? Or, do you just pick yourself up and try to exist?

Comments for January 27,2014

It was a quiet week-end. Saturday exercise was literally a walk in the park (almost four miles…we picked up Kim and met Bob and his cousin Mike at Rudy’s for a late lunch or early dinner (5:00). After that we came back to Bud’s house and played cards. On Sunday, B and K picked us up for church. After church we all took a Bike ride from Tumbleweed Park to Gilbert and Warren. Round trip 11 miles. Later we met Rusty and Crystal for pizza and a beer. My reading is up to date but have not written for a couple of days. Now in Genesis I’m getting to the story of Moses and how God uses him to get the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses has been hiding out for about forty years. He is about eighty now and just getting prepared for the biggest adventure of his life. Think about the the things in the Bible that seem to be most unlikely. God an do anything. He especially can and will do things that we cannot do. Some believe the Universe just happened by accident.. It is much easier for me to believe that for every effect there is a cause. Stuff does not just happen. The evidence around us is very clear. Makes it difficult to believe that the more important things just happen by accident. How can one man possibly get the people out of Egypt? Try to imagine a series of events Moses could cause that would result in Pharaoh expelling the Israelites from Egypt. Or, try to imagine God selecting you for the job. Where would you begin? How is it that we do what we do and go where we go? Is it just by chance? Or, is there a cause? There are some important questions I think we need to answer. Who am I? Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? Was Moses thinking about these question? Do you think about these questions? Do your children think about these question? Do your friends think about these questions? Why not ask them? Can we ask God these question? Should we? Maybe He has been answering the questions without our asking? Maybe we haven’t been listening? How many burning bushes have you walked by without noticing?

More from January 5, 2014

Proverbs 1:17 If a bird see a trap it is wise enough to stay away from it.. Are we? This is question is  raise by part of my Bible Reading for the day. Am I wise enough to stay away from the trap of a den of sinners? Do I not know how dangerous it is to fall into that trap? Do you have a natural fear of going too close to a steep and high cliff? Do we naturally fear falling? Where does that safety feature come from. When we were first born, as an infant, did we posses these safety features? Or, were we taught them by parents, other family members, friends and the experiences of getting hurt? How do we learn these seemingly natural responses to danger?  I believe our Father in Heaven teaches us these things. Sometimes I get the point and pay attention. Other times I don't do so well. What is the best way to live life? How do we find out? Who can teach us? Should we just do it ourselves? Or, should we choose a guide? Perhaps we already have the best guide available to us, but refuse to follow? Think on these things. Is it better to drift along or, to have a plan? If you decide on a plan, how would you build it? Where would you get your information? I have found the readings in these scriptures loaded with good advice. The advice is helpful in worldly living. The advice is also helpful in planning life for eternity. In fact, it is probably mandatory. 

Comments January 25, 2014

Once again, I skipped a day. The readings from the Tyndale One Year Bible were completed. The writing yesterday was not. The story of God’s people moves on. Readings from OT and NT are to a degree parallel. Same continuing story, much different time frames and places. In the NT we are much closer to the final act of revelation. God is about to make a most mysterious announcement and will provide a tortuous solution to the plight of His people. They have disobeyed and He will provide a solution that will deliver us all from eternal damnation. The deliverance (forgiveness) is very costly. Here he points out the cost of forgiveness. It is impossible to forgive someone without given up much. When you forgive someone, truly forgive, you sacrifice much. It costs you. You are required to pay for their mistake. If you require them to pay, it is not forgiveness on your part. Just overlooking the the injury they have done to you is not good enough. The event and all its damage must be put behind us. It is not as if it never happened. No, we have to pay dearly for our friends mistake. It cost us, it hurt us. You can excuse them for nothing. But, forgiveness is expensive. Jesus not only died for our sins, He also lay separated from the Father for three days. It was agonizing. This is the good news of the Gospel. The Gospel is the story of our redemption. The entire Bible tells the story of God’s redeeming love. Every step of the way from the fall in Genesis 3 is a revelation about what God is doing to redeem His creation. In Genesis we are learning how God is preparing to bring His chosen people out to Egypt and eventually get them to the Promised Land. In Matthew we learn about the preparation for the ultimate sacrifice of the Lamb of God. Jesus tells how He will build His church on the Rock (Peter). The Church continues to grow around the world today. Not so much in Europe and the US now. But, more in China and South America. It will happen, it is happening. Satan and his army are still at work. Satan will lose. As for me and my house, We will serve the Lord!

Reading for January 22-23,2014

These thoughts are covering both the 22nd and 23rd of January. Seems I missed yesterday. Joseph is still working to get his father, brothers and their families to Egypt. This is another part of God’s plan for the Israelites and for all of us. How important is this story to you? How important do you think it should be? These writings from the hand of God’s servants are another aspect of His all consuming love. These writings are His story, our story, your story and my story. I proclaim to you that there is one and only one living God. He alone is responsible for all that you and I can see or do in this, His creation. Read His words. Those who embrace the words and believe will go on to live in eternity with the living God. Those who reject these words are doomed to eternal damnation. While God loves and cares for all His creation He will not change the outcome. He has provided a way to salvation and eternal life for all His creation. But, He will not force it on anyone. We must choose. In the same way, it is impossible for us to force a way of life on any of our friends, family or neighbors. We can boldly suggest and recommend. But, we cannot make them choose. We observe attempts at this all the time. People through governments, federal, state, local and even HOAs try to impose rules (a way of life) on their friends and neighbors. Mostly, I hope, they do this with good intentions. God has already given us the rules. He continues to explain no more are needed. Do we believe? These stories are the communication of the journey or trip God has given us. When we were created we were given a place in this journey. You have a part to play. You have an important role. You are proceeding down that path. Whether you like it or accept it is up to you. We can go willingly or kicking and screaming. It is our choice. The end result for us is up to us. God’s end result is assured. He has the power and the majesty to accomplish that which He set out to do. Because of God I love all you who do or don’t read these words. I urge you to listen to the supreme, one and only true God. You will be glad you did. So, the story goes on. We are given information about the future in the Bible. We do not however see it all clearly. We cannot. Did God create the Earth and the other heavenly bodies. We have no proof of that. Also, there is no proof He didn’t. Scientist continue to search and are unable to see how something has been made out of nothing by nobody. For me its much easier to believe in God than in nothing.

Comments for January 21,2014

This is the day The Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it.  We received an email from our friend Sally Holliday this morning. Her husband and our friend died last evening. His brother John died last week. I am saddened and I grieve this loss. Mostly I grieve for Sally. She will miss Ralph greatly.  This life here on earth in the world as we know it is temporary. Ralph has gone on to be in the loving arms of his Father in Heaven. I am blessed by having known and communed with Ralph. With his life, he has made my life richer and more meaningful. Thank you God for Ralph.  Today we read the first 36 verses of Psalm 18. This was written by David. David like many of us is confused regarding our own capabilities. Notice how David speaks of his action being what he David was able to do. And, he talks about the rewards God showers on him for his good behavior. We all know we should be good. And, we want to be rewarded for our good behavior. We even think others should be rewarded for good behavior. Even Pavlov's dog learned behavior that was rewarded. The problem is and thousands of years of experience teach it, we are not able to be good. The best behaved people who have ever lived have some nasty deeds hidden in their closets. With our friends, we have forgiven the bad deeds we know about. In a sense, we have forgiven all their bad deeds...even the ones we don't know about. When one is revealed we might say... Oh! I don't believe that.  Later in Psalm 18, David does give the credit for his good behavior to God. We can do that too. Or can we? Are we able to trust God enough to grant Him the power and wisdom to be responsible for all of creation. Many people seem to believe in a God or, not believe in a God, who is big enough to do it all and more. Can I trust God enough to let Him be God? Or, do I want to make God over into some smaller limited version? Of course, I can only do that in my mind. God is God and none of us individually or collectively can alter the situation. God knows we have tried. Satan at least does it openly and admits his intentions.  Shift gears with me and think more about, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like"... If we didn't have the evil present in the world, how would we be able to understand the contrasting characteristics of right and wrong? Should we be grateful for the sins of our friends, noting that they help us learn more about God and His identity. Perhaps we should just accept our condition. And, be grateful for a loving, merciful Father. We are loved by a God who knows us better than we know ourselves. He loves us more than we can ever know. And, He loves us in our worst condition. He loves us when we are down and out. He loves us when we we can't love ourselves. He wants to grant us mercy and shower us with grace. He sent Jesus to pay the penalty that fulfills the demands of God's justice. He has covered it all. When we decide to wholeheartedly follow Him, He grants us righteousnss. 

Bible Comments for 1/20/2014

Readings from Matthew. What is the Kingdom of heaven like? In chapter 13 beginning at verse 24, we read five parable stories beginning with “The Kingdom of Heaven is like…” Then at the end of the section, Jesus begins to decipher the parables for the his disciples. Notice how we are to live in the world amongst the wheat and the weeds. The world will contain good and bad people living side by side. And, we are not to try and remove the bad people. That will happen at harvest time. The angels will come and remove all the evil and it will be burned in the fiery furnace. So then, it is not our job to clean up the world? What is our job? Love God, love people and go make disciples. I notice by looking around how we get that mixed up. We have jails. We lock people up, we even execute the really bad ones. On a smaller scale, we classify and characterize people into the good and bad categories. Think about these statements more. This is one way of describing the a characteristic of “The Kingdom of Heaven.” The passage begins with, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like…”. Is the description as simple and clear as I read in verses 36-43? The angels will be able to pick out the righteous because they shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. If we are truly followers of Jesus, we will shine. The angels will be able to distinguish the righteous. Their light will shine. How do we make our light shine? I don’t think we can do it. Only God can make us shine with His brilliance. We don’t get there by trying to be good. We don’t get there by getting rid of the evil around us. We get there by being a follower of Jesus. Follow God, obey Him and he will make your light shine.

Comments from Bible Reading 1/19/2014

Bible Reading Comments from 1/19/2014 Its Sunday. We are still reading from Genesis, Matthew, Psalm and Proverbs. Joseph is in Egypt serving in Potiphar’s house. Why do we get tempted? And, why do we usually handle it wrong? Joseph tried to flee from Potiphar’s wife. But, even that didn’t work. Did God want him to be caught, trapped by this temptation? Did he need to get back into prison? He later became useful to God. Was Joseph supposed to learn something. Or, are we just supposed to be faithful? When we meet others, are we judgmental? Do we ask ourselves, God and others why some people are so ignorant? Is that really appropriate? Read the story again. Think on these questions. Look back on your own life and evaluate. What is your attitude and expectation when it comes to knowing and trying to follow God? The parable of the Farmer Scattering Seed. Or, is it the parable of the Soils? Or, is Jesus just explaining why He talks in parables? Do you understand? Are you supposed to understand? Or, are you just supposed to obey! Do I need to be convinced or just believe? What is this business about election and being chosen? Are you chosen? I think so, but, have you repented? What does it mean to repent? Did we do something wrong? Did I? Have I ever? How can I get out of that hole? Some times I like to pretend I did not dig the hole, its not my fault, its just who I am. Who are you? Who do you want to be? Is it okay to have expectations? Can expectations be avoided? Do you like your friends all the time? Do you have a friend who is always faithful? Are you a friend to someone you have never betrayed? Is it possible? Read the lament of the Psalmist. Does it sound like you feel? The same story is told again in Proverbs today. I am so grateful for the Word of God.

Notes to Wendy's Bible Study

Good morning Guys. I continue to read and pray from David Muyskens' book, Forty Days. Today I'm on day 26. You can see, I have not been faithful to do it everyday. This one was especially helpful.You may remember, he said to enter the time of prayer with no expectations. That has been a problem for me. I have had expectations. And, of course, they have not been fulfilled. You know that, I know that. Yet, I still have them. Pray for me will you. Help me to not follow my own expectations. I miss you guys. Even so we are having a great time in Arizona. Getting to know some friends from Kansas, swimming, biking a bit, eating a lot and enjoying the weather. Hope to come back refreshed and enthused.See you in February. My reading has included a book by Tim Keller, "Jesus the King". If you get a chance, take a look. We might want to study this one. Its a commentary on the gospel by Mark. I hope you are doing well with the Theology study. Remember to "Praise God in all things". I have talked to Paul Schmidt. He is recovering after having fallen. He did have repair surgery on some facial bones. Tricky and risky surgery. It went well according to the doctor. He will spend this Winter in Florida recuperating. Is not allowed to fly. Pray for him and Cathy. I hope you are all well.My best to you all.

Comments for January 18,2014

It's Saturday and a beautiful. Day. We slept late. I fixed breakfast and then watched the K-state! West Virginia game. There were a couple of errands including getting fuel for the Saab. Later we are going out for dinner with Bobby and Kim.  More side comments today. Do any of my readers understand the importance of the Judah, Tamar incident? Sons marry then die.  For some reason Jewish law required the other brothers to marry the widow. At least in Judah's family this was not a popular law. Something they tried to avoid. I suppose it would be beneficial for the widow. It is going to be hard for her to support herself without a husband. That's not so difficult these days. Since Judah didn't force the issue far enough to get a resolution, Tamar took matters into her own hand and devised a plan to protect heself. Clever woman. Do our minds work the same way? Are we more concerned about ourselves than our meighbors? What would the world be like if we all had the compassion, love and humbleness of Jesus? Very clever but evil schemes would not exist. We would not think suspicious thoughts about the actions of others. Judah would not have had sex with Tamar. The brothers would have taken care of Tamar. She would not have dreamed up her devious scheme.  Just think, we would not be suspicious of politicians. There would be no reason to be suspicious. Life would be much different. I would never wonder about the real meaning of anything people told me. I would never misunderstand or even pretend I misunderstood. I wonder how our desires and wants would change? What is the cause of my selfishness? If we all had the best interests of others as our foremost desire,...? Just thnk, everyone we know or meet would have our best interests as their highest priority.  How is God going to pull this off? I wonder if everyone agrees with this as the best policy for living our lives?. When humans try to make rules for living, the rules are good for some and bad for others. There doesn't seem to be a set of rules with which we all agree. Even in sports, the rules are changed sometimes in order to "Improve the game".  Lord , hear our prayers. And change them to remove all selfish words and actions. We are obviously not capable of composing unselfish prayers. Grace and I had a discussion about thiis today. I was selfish. Even when I tried not to be selfish. I forgive you all!

Comments on Bible Readings for 1/17/2014

http://www.sljinstitute.net/sermons/old_testament/pentateuch/pages/genesis52.html Good morning. Bill called this morning to tell me the boilers were not working properly and checking on who to call. Things you have do break. I wonder if God has that problem. Ours are under control if we know someone who can fix the problems. God is the ultimate and final voice in fixing and healing. One of our MCYM board members passed this week without my ever having met her. Her name is Claudia Paige. Please pray for her and her family.  In today's reading I got stuck in Genesis 36:1-43. The family record of Esau. As a side you might want to read the sermon you can find with the opening link. I don't know how this works, out of a Blog page. You should be able to copy and paste it in the address box of your browser to find the sermon.  These brothers, Jacob and Esau, are one of the sets of brothers found through out the Biblical stories. It is interesting to me to discern the differences. Why do so many of the stories encompass the lives of brothers? Remember the first ones?..Cain and Abel. Think, who are the others? Ishmael and Isaac, Shem, Ham and Japheth, Moses and Aaron, Saul and Paul (ask me about this one). There is much we can learn by comparing their differences. Don't forget the twelve brothers of Jacob and the twelve apostles. Yes, the apostles are brothers. Some of them are blood brothers.  Anyway, why is this information about Esau (Edom) included in the Bible? What can we learn about God and His story? What can we learn about ourselves? Who all we and why do some seem to be elected to God's saving Grace while others are not? What is the difference? Are we are treated differently by God? Do these stories help your belief or unbelief? Do you relate more with Jacob or with Esau? Which one appeals to you the most? Can you characterize most of your friends by putting them in one of these categories? Are some of us more like Jacob, while others are more like Esau? In God's redeemed world, who is most likely to be included? Who do you want to be like? Does God decide this question for us or are we supposed to choose? I battle that very question all the time. I take that question to God in prayer. I need help. Am I supposed to find the answer? Or, do I just let it alone and trust. Yes indeed there is a mighty struggle going on in the Spiritual realm. Who is going to win? Do you want to be on the winning side?

Bible Reading Comments from 1/14/2014

Comments from the Tyndale Bible for 1/16. Wouldn't it be womderful if the world and all it's people were living as God's family in the Garden of Eden? But we are not. The readings for today reveal two things. The sin and decay of the fallen people and God's redeeming work. He will redeem the world. We have a hard time capturing the process and the nature of the result. We like the final condition. It is is a place where all dwell together in unity and harmony. We conveniently forget about or ignore the part about following God. Notice in Genesis 34 the story about Shechem. There was an apparent solution to he "minor" problem of him raping Jacob's daughter. Why do you think God didn't allow the "friendly" solution? Was it because some of Jacob's sons wanted revenge? Eventually God will bring us all together. We will love each other. We will not love because we want something in return. We will love because we believe in and follow the One True and living God. Can any of us do this purely now? Not for me to judge. God is the judge. What can I do about this problem? Follow God! Gain wisdom! Hear the word! Do it live it, don't just know about it. Read these words for today again and think about these things. Go to church. Ask God to reveal the work He has for you. Ask for an open heart to hear and do. 

Bible Reading January 15,2014

Let's talk about living for God. What is living for God? What is the definition? Look at Proverbs 3:16-18. What does Wisdom have to do with living for God? What exactly is wisdom? Seems to be explained here. Long life and happiness. Sound good? Where do we find this wisdom? Where would you look? Who should we listen to, study? Are reading, writing and arithmetic important? What about philosophy and religion? How about right and wrong? Who determines right and wrong?  Does everyone want to be like Mike? Do each of us have and idol? What is idolatry? Some have said it is good to be loving. Is it? And what is the full definition of love. Is love a verb? What then are the acts of love? How are love and like similar? Is it possible to love a person you don't like?  If you were asked to mentor a person, would you accept the responsibility? There are people who look to you with reverence and as a mentor but never let it be known. Do our actions send these folks good messages?  Is it important? Do we care? Do we have any responsibility to family, friends, acquaintances? How about strangers?  Jacob lived 20 years with Laban. He worked to obtain two wives. One he didn't want and one he said he loved. He left Laban as a rich man and returned home to face Esau. Why would he do that? What could possibly drive him to face the brother he deceived and alienated? Have you ever done anything like that? Why?  Rachel, the wife he loved stole her father's gods. And then, lied about it. Leah on the other hand was eager to go with Jacob. She continually sought his love. Rachel was barren and at first, unable to bear children. So, how was Jacob going to get twelve sons? How did Jacob's sons gain wisdom and learn about right and wrong? Was their home life ideal for growing up into mature, responsible men?  I think we need a guide. Otherwise, we will get this living all wrong. What chance do we have on our own? I need a guide, mentor, teacher. I need a full time responsible father. I found one. Or, maybe He found me and I bought in! I suggest going for it. Don't rely on any even reasonable facsimile. Get the real thing. Jesus Christ is my Lord and Saviour!

Bible Reading Tuesday January 14,2014

I was wrong about Monday being the 14th. Today Tuesday is the 14th. It just goes to show the fallibility of man vs the infallibility if God. Take the readings in Genesis for example. Jacob is in his father's homeland working for his father-in -law Laban. The writer of Genesis, thought to be Moses, writes about why/how the sheep began to produce spotted lambs all from the stronger animals. Laban and Jacob had made an agreement. Jacob was to own the not so pure not white offsprings. How did this happen? Why was Jacob blessed and not Laban? How slowly we lean. Even Moses, the writer, searchs for a method. He looked for a human solution for the event reported. Later on in the same story God takes the credit for blessing Jacob. When reading the Bible or when seeing God's plan unfold, always remember, God can and will do anything He wants. We usually want to take credit for all the good things that happen. Likewise, we don't want to be associate with any of the bad. If we could get that turned around, life would be a lot easier. Truth is, we screw up and God fixes it. All these stories make more sense from that view point. The non- believer uses the other view point to justify his unbelief and to try and convince others with his own superior being. What should we do about that? Don't argue, look to The Lord. The Lord will provide. God can work through all issues because He is the Truth. 

Bible Reading January 14, 2014

It is Monday January 14. 2014. We are in Sun Lakes, AZ at Bud and Chris' house. We arrived here on Saturday. Met  up with Bob and Kim Satuday evening. Attended church at Chandler Christian Chuch on Sunday and ate breakfast at the Good Egg near the church. Rusty and Crystal stopped by last night for a short welcome to AZ.  Today's readings remind me how important and necessary it is to believe and follow the one true God. He rains havoc on those who don't and prepares the others for an eternal and blessed life. So, why would one choose the other way? See how many excuses you can list. Have you every tred this exercise? We are capable of finding many "seemingly better" things to do than worshipping God. I've done it, you've done it, we've all done it. We all believe we can be good on our own, by ourselves, with no help from others. In fact, sometimes we believe we are the only good person in the whole world. Do you sometimes have trouble talking with or being with another person because it seems to be a waste of your time? God has commanded us to love everyone we meet. What if, everyone you met went out of their way to love you? What would the world be like? In order for that to happen, I have to make the first move. If I don't do it, it can not happen. Just that one thing. Love everyone no matter who they are or what they do. That is God's plan. He is working His plan. And, His plan will work. In His time and in His way He is working His plan. The plan is described in detail in the Bible. We must believe and follow. Talk to God, He will direct your feet. Submit to Him.  Notice in the story of Jacob and Esau. Which son is most interested in doing what God commands. Who picked who here? Is Esau following God? Why or why not?  When we read these stories we should try to understand God's plan. The Bible is a book in which God is revealing to us who He is and what He is about. It is hard for me to imagine a ruler who wants His people to receive the benefit of His work. We see the same story in the NT and in the Psalms and Poverbs. It is a beautiful and simple story.  It is a set of simple and beautiful commands. Love God all out.  Love your neighbor the same way. And, move around as directed so more people will see and feel the love of God. Is their a reward? Yes! Eternal life with the one true and living God. He is preparing a room for you in His house. 

Comments from readings January 6-7, 2014

Grace and I are on our way to Dillon. We've been visiting Mark and Barbra Toivanen. Paul Schmidt fell from a ladder at their vacation cabin. Severely injured his face and shoulder. Looks like the shoulder will heal with therapy. A concussion will take some time for evaluation and healing the face and left eye socket need surgery. Tried to see him. Fatigue and doctor appointments prevented that from working out. Now we are waiting for our delayed flight. It's a cold day across the nation. Not as cold as our alarmist weather forecasters broadcast. I so wish we could be more optimistic about God's world. It is a blessing to have a God who defines the rules so that all are in the know. Too bad more don't listen. Bless and love those who do. Love those who seem to miss the point or are reluctant to believe. Pray for them.  Readings now are from Genesis and Matthew. These books are filled with wisdom and comforting news. I think about Abram who believed and because of that was declared righteous by God. Isn't that marvelous! We don't have to obey the law to be declared righteous. The law is good. But, it is impossible to bat 1.000. The very best players are about .300. Just look around. Do you see anyone who is perfect? I certainly am not. There are many I look up to who do better than me. But, none are perfect. Then who are the saints? The ones who are in a deep personal relationship with their God. Amen!  Look in Matthew 7. Very kindly but difficult teachings from Jesus. Teachings about adultery, marriage, love and more. Many people believe we need a more kind and compassionate world. But, they are helpless to make it better. Just being kind to a few doesn't seem to help much. It's not wrong. But, it is an overwhelming task. Who has the wisdom and power to make it work? Who in the world has that kind of power? Maybe Satan, but he is Hell bent to go the other way.  The world cannot and will not be fixed by someone or something of this world. The fix can and will come from someone outside the world. How about a trancendant God? The one who created  this world can change this world. He wants to do it. He wants to redeem you. Will you allow it to happen?  The only thing in the way is me. I can't fix it. But, I can assist it. I'm fact, God has already asked us to help by following Him.  Read the account of Hagaar and Ishmael. When she tried to run away, God ask her why and where are you going? These are questions we should ask ourselves. Who is chosen? Who is not elected? Do you know? Have you tried to find this information? Might be a worthwhile endeavor? Go for it!

Bible reading comments 1/5/2014

Bible readings from the Tyndale One Year Bible.  If you were God and you wanted to instruct the people of your creation, how would you proceed? Would you have built it into their program? Would you send them an instruction manual? Would you be continually updating their program? Look how quickly our own creations go from popular to obsolete. What is the latest fad program for raising children? In the United States about 40% of the children are raised in single family homes. When you left home were you adequately trained and prepared for the remainder of your life? Who took over at that point? If there is a foundational truth for living and you knew it, would you follow it? If there is no foundational truth, how should we function? 

Comments from Bible Reading 1/3/2014

Proverbs 1:17 If a bird see a trap it is wise enough to stay away from it.. Are we? This is question is  raise by part of my Bible Reading for the day. Am I wise enough to stay away from the trap of a den of sinners? Do I not know how dangerous it is to fall into that trap? Do you have a natural fear of going too close to a steep and high cliff? Do we naturally fear falling? Where does that safety feature come from. When we were first born, as an infant, did we posses these safety features? Or, were we taught them by parents, other family members, friends and the experiences of getting hurt? How do we learn these seemingly natural responses to danger?  I believe our Father in Heaven teaches us these things. Sometimes I get the point and pay attention. Other times I don't do so well. What is the best way to live life? How do we find out? Who can teach us? Should we just do it ourselves? Or, should we choose a guide? Perhaps we already have the best guide available to us, but refuse to follow? Think on these things. Is it better to drift along or, to have a plan? If you decide on a plan, how would you build it? Where would you get your information? I have found the readings in these scriptures loaded with good advice. The advice is helpful in worldly living. The advice is also helpful in planning life for eternity. In fact, it is probably mandatory. 

Bible Reading Comments January 2, 2014

The new year has come again. The new year is a marvelous time. Or, is it. How is the first day of the new year any different than the last day of he old year or even the second day od the new year. Well for me, the second day is special. It is the anniversary of my birthday. This year I count 78 birthdays. I have mentioned to some people how, I was confused on the 52 anniversary and credited myself with being 53. So I was 53 two consecutive yeas and completely missed the 52nd year. One of these years I plan to do that year again.  For the past six years, I have been reading through the Bible on day at a time. On January 1 I began again. Last year I pledged to my family I would write a comment everyday if they would join me in the read. I think I actually wrote maybe 300 times. It appears I failed in my part of the bargain. I am hoping they are did better than I. I did read everyday or at least manage to catch up when I fell behind. This year I will post the writings in my Blog. I was to begin yesterday. This is the 2nd and my first writing. It is important to endeavor to do better.  Here are the verses that attracted my attention today.  Genesis 6:1-8 New International Version (NIV) Wickedness in the World 6 When human beings began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of Godsaw that the daughters of humans were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. 3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not contend with[a] humans forever, for they are mortal[b]; their days will be a hundred and twenty years.” 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown. 5 The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. 6 TheLord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. 7 So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of theLord. Moses is reported to have written these words about 5,000 years after the events. So, the stories were conveyed by word of mouth down through the ages and with the inspiration of God written down by Moss.  The Book Genesis is reportedly the most widely read book ever written. Most everyone in the world has either read it or knows much about its story and content. Here we are only six chapters into the book and God is considering total destruction of his creation. But, because of the nature of on man (Noah), He decides  save a remnant. We will later that God has always saved a remnant of His chosen people. As He goes about His purposes for rthe creation He continues to rely on The faithful to do He work. The harvest is plentiful but, the workers are few. Are we continuing to learn? Will we finally understand His faithful and loving purposes? Will God's kingdom come and will we finally arrive home in the promised land? Read on through all the books with me and learn about the wonderful promise. I am using the Tyndale one year Bible. You can follow me and add your comments and, observations and experience.