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. 

Duck Dynasty

Have you been following the Duck Dynasty drama? Seem to be three or four very interested parties involved. If you haven’t watched a session or two of the show and haven’t read the Bible lately it might be wise to be silent. Seems like the main character is pretty outspoken. Of course, you might expect the participants of a reality show to be outspoken. I wonder about the circumstances leading to the show being aired on A&E in the first place. How many of us have an opinion about homosexuality? Probably a large portion of the population in the United States are interested to some level? How long has homosexuality been around? I understand that maybe 4% of the population has a same sex attraction. Sorry, I’m getting off the subject. So, the show is on A&E. Phil Robertson is quoted as saying homosexuality is a sin but, he loves all the gay folks in the world. Well maybe just the ones he knows. Very hard to love someone you don’t know. And, somebody or somebodies have complained about what he has been reported to say. I’m not sure if his statements were made on the air or in an interview? Probably doesn’t matter. The first set of somebodies says they don’t like the statements and Phil should be banned from the show. As a result, A&E decided not to air the show if Phil was part of it. He and the others refused the ultimatum and so, A&E announced the dropping of the show. Well, some other somebodies who apparently agree with Phil and his statements or, just like the show, objected loudly to A&E. Now A&E has reversed their position. Now, none of us really know what Phil, his family, A&E, or the two somebodies are thinking. We don’t even understand their motives in this. Nor, can we. Supposedly, the actions of all the parties are based on their view or belief in right and wrong. My first question to any of the parties is where did you get your sense of right and wrong? And, what part of that are you using to govern your statements and actions? And, I really don’t like the answer telling me “everybody knows”. Are your opinions handed down within your family? Are your opinions based on consensus? Are you opinions based on the law of the land or what you believe the law of the land should be? (Vigilante?) Or, are your opinions based on a higher power… like your own personal god? Where do you get you basis of right and wrong? I wonder if money has anything to do with the actions of A&E? I wonder if money or prestige has anything to do with the actions of the Robertson family? If we really love our neighbors why not just withdraw the causes of the conflict? Wouldn’t that be better than fanning flames? And, for one set of somebodies, I recall Jesus saying we should love our neighbors and let God do the judging. Or, did I read that incorrectly? I think it’s in the book. Take a look at Galatians 6.

Unity

Seems to me a big problem in the world today is our inability to operate in unity. Think about achieving peace in the world. Where do you think that should start? Most of us try to get the other guy to see it our way. Not often do we try to see the other point or points of view. I learned today that peace is not some thing that happens inside of me. Peace is not a situation I create or cause. Where do we get peace? Is peace gained by agreement? Probably not, or else we would never achieve peace. It is a fact, we will never agree about every thing. What is it that makes me angry with others? Is it the way they treat me? Is it because they get in the way of me having my way? Is it because they infringe on my territory or property?  Let’s face it, every time some one is born or moves into the neighborhood, the rest of us will have to move over some. Are we willing to move over? Did you ever notice how when some one dies we miss them for a while and then we don’t? What if, every one became a vital part of our lives? What if, we needed every one? Would that change things? Would that change things in the world? Is it possible to make every one important? Are some people not important? Does any one think that about you? When do we feel best? Is it when many of our friends speak highly and kindly about us? Is it when some one does some thing nice for us? Does every one feel the same way? What do you think? Am I important? Are you important? How might we get to be important? Could it be, if we worked to make every one around us feel important, we might become more important? Do we need to be important? How about we change the condition to one of being loved, truly loved? Loving might lead to Peace which in turn might lead to Unity? Meditate on these things.

I’m not saying we are wrong when we judge others. I’m just saying, it might not be very productive. People are often right about me when they make critical statements. What should I do with those statements? How should I respond to those people? Going there and doing this will be hard work. It will not be easy. Would it be worth the effort? Our methods so far have not been very productive. Maybe it is time to take a different approach?

United We Stand!

You've heard it before and the old adage holds true today. United we stand divided we fall. Have you ever seen a winning sports team or any organization succeed when a group of "super stars" try to hog the action. Winning groups like the Oracle who have a strong leader and a strong team tend to finish first in the race. I believe God expects us all to approach our time here the same way. Be the best you can be working together in unity to achieve our collective purposes. The leaders in our country seem to be "Hell" bent on doing it their own way. We need a call for unity. Perhaps we should consider abandoning both parties and starting fresh? What do you think?