Stress of Distress

Stress is pressure, heavy concern, the weight of responsibility, duty or circumstances.  As it builds there can be a corresponding breakdown reflected in a weak area of ourselves, body, soul, and spirit.  When it hits our body we take specific notice. Scripture gives many illustrations, this one was appropriately met.  "David's two wives had been… Continue reading Stress of Distress

People Who Love Yeshua

Mary, His mother, had a faith that was deep, such that, she said very little.  Consider her at the wedding feast were she said to Yeshua, "They have no more wine."  To the servants she said, "Do whatever he tells you." (John 2: 3, 5). John, the Baptist, was Yeshua's relative, and His love is… Continue reading People Who Love Yeshua

Taking Thoughts Captive

"Do not copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Romans 12:2. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty… Continue reading Taking Thoughts Captive

Human Construction

We humans are made in the image of God, meaning we have an appearance of Him.  The similarity may be in our triune existence of spirit, soul, and body, as God is Father, Son, and Spirit.  I believe this is true and it separates us from the other creatures on the planet in so many… Continue reading Human Construction

Mind Your Own Business

I was an adolescent when I was listening to my Mother and Father commending a practice seen in our friend and pastor. They agreed that he never spoke about a third party and this way avoided gossip, inappropriate disclosure, and presumption.  Somehow, hearing that conversation impacted me deeply, so I decided to implement this practice.… Continue reading Mind Your Own Business

Disappointment

This is the most crushing weight of emotion, to be let down, frustrated from things that seem vital.  It could be an appointment or a promise or an event associated with much preparation or anticipation.  There is quite a lot of it about in life.  Regarding property, we take measures to avoid it with warranties… Continue reading Disappointment

Branding

This is a hot topic in the business world where companies spend millions developing or buying a brand.  Brand loyalty waxes and wains like the moon, but there still is a significant number of people who trust brands such that their loyalty generates sales.  Even the most skeptical people can name a product brand in… Continue reading Branding

Press On

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.  Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to… Continue reading Press On

The Story you Can’t Put Down

It starts with a hook that catches your attention and plants some interest.  It's a fast story that starts without any but the necessary elements, and the background is added along the way, unfolding like the scenery from a train window. Understanding of the characters is explained by their behavior and interactions more than directly,… Continue reading The Story you Can’t Put Down

The Beauty of the Lord

Songs are sung about the beauty of those we love.  It is natural and appropriate, but it is mysterious and not connected with the qualities of one's appearance, such as the symmetry of their features, the coloring or quality of their skin, hair or eyes.  Yes, these things do generally give a person appeal, particularly… Continue reading The Beauty of the Lord

Labor in the Lord

My daughter-in-laws father, who is now retired, was sharing about his work and the confrontations that were regularly a part of it.  He recalled a meeting with government officials on behalf of his client where the statutes governing property use, improvement, and modification were at issue.  In this instance the flood plane was involved, but… Continue reading Labor in the Lord

Holding God’s Hand

"This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” I John 1:5. “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you… Continue reading Holding God’s Hand

Names Have Meaning

In Heaven you get a new name and it is written on you.  Apparently some in heaven get a name tag to wear on their person.  Yeshua/Holy Spirit tells the Angel of the church in Philadelphia to write, "The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God.  Never… Continue reading Names Have Meaning

Victory vs Winning

I was in the grocery store, a small place in the inner city.  I noticed an old white man, well dressed and creeping along with the help of a walker.  I was in one of two very long lines that seemed to barely move.  I chatted briefly with the lady in front of me who… Continue reading Victory vs Winning

Prophecy of What is Coming

Secular thinkers laugh at and mock Biblical prophecy.  Yet, they make predictions and prognostications more than any. They only trust their scientists and see their knowledge and abilities as unlimited.  For more than forty years they have predicted global warming, over-population, pandemics and every conceivable disaster that could be caused by man.  They are false… Continue reading Prophecy of What is Coming

History of Distortion

We may be seeing a renewal of warped ideas promoting insanity.  I don't see any historical gender confusion as we have today.  Yes, Sodom was filled with perversion, but the forceful violence associated with it then is different than today's masquerade of normalcy.  The Roman empire was given over to debauchery at its end, but… Continue reading History of Distortion

The Wisdom Drawn from Above

“At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, 'Ask!  What shall I give you?' ” I Kings 3:5. Shortly after Solomon was made King God appeared to him and asked him what he desired.  Solomon, acknowledging his inexperience, asked for wisdom, "an understanding heart", to judge the people,… Continue reading The Wisdom Drawn from Above

Holy Spirit Leading

There is a Spiritual renewal in our day.  Beginning around the turn of this last century and most recently in the 1970's there has been an awakening to the Holy Spirit's leadership, presence, and power.  In Israel and America Messianic Jews have been gathering to exalt and proclaim Yeshua Messiah and Lord.  Traditional evangelical churches… Continue reading Holy Spirit Leading

Reward of the Harvest

Gardening and its various derivitves are still popular.  Beekeeping is on the rise, even in urban settings.  Our city recently permitted chickens to be raised within the city limits, but no roosters.  Many people landscape their yards with flowering plants.  All this comes from our natural desire to nurture growing things and gather a harvest.… Continue reading Reward of the Harvest

Reading the Bible

However, whenever, with whatever approach, or state of mind at that time, this is the way to read the Bible.  I have shared that I often just open the Bible (in book format) and start reading.  I might read the whole chapter, one verse, or skip again after some reading, but I most often hear… Continue reading Reading the Bible

A Better Person

The Steinway & Son's piano company makes a grand piano, model 1037, that is preeminent in the industry.  Construction begins with the outer side wall which consists of very long wide boards laminated and shaped in the classic grand piano curved shape.  Large blocks, clamps, molds, presses, and winches are used to conform and glue… Continue reading A Better Person

Love From a Pure Heart

Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.  But we know that the law is good… Continue reading Love From a Pure Heart

A Faithless Struggle

My daughter asked if I could make her a chicken coup.  "Of course", I said, so I got on the internet and found several basic plans.  I decided to make a nice one, but before I started her husband reminded her that they would not have time for chickens and she cancelled.  I went ahead… Continue reading A Faithless Struggle

God is Good

Optical illusions can be illustrated in art.  There are several drawings that have multiple perceptions, one is a old woman or a young lady depicted in one image depending on how your brain interprets the information captured by the eye.  Another is a stairway that seems to go up endlessly using illusion that is impossible.… Continue reading God is Good

To Be Remembered

“Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, ‘If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.’   But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?  And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this… Continue reading To Be Remembered