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

Racism Eliminated

It seems there is more talk today regarding ethnic division than ever, principally between Blacks and other ethnicities. Considering that slavery was abolished in 1865, Affirmative Action was started by an executive order in 1961, the civil rights act was enacted in 1964 eliminating segregation, what remains and how long will it take?  Why is… Continue reading Racism Eliminated

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

A Matter of Faith

This 2014 movie is about evolution versus creationism, a topic which few in the secular mainstream would find interesting, but Christians might.  As a "Christian" film it does not have the flash, pomp, and professionalism that fifty million dollars can buy.  Harry Anderson plays a biology professor at a state University who religiously promotes evolution… Continue reading A Matter of Faith

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

The Death Sentence

There are two people in the Bible who did not die.  Do you know their names?  Enoch and Elijah, both were taken by God. Enoch was simply taken, "When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah.  After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and… Continue reading The Death Sentence

Paul the Apostle

This week our preacher summarized a very interesting characteristic about Paul, his view of himself and true humility.  His epistles are so bold, insightful and emphatic, along with his life full of travels, struggles, and adventure, that it is hard to see much humility.  Three separate scriptures lay out the scope of his humble attitude.… Continue reading Paul the Apostle

Transcendence

We were standing in the shade by the creek taking a short break from our work.  Joel pointed and said, "I saw a small snake just there".  That started an inevitable discussion as I replied, "Everyone has a snake story."  To my surprise Joel recounted how he had been bitten by a poisonous snake and… Continue reading Transcendence

The Lord of the Rings

When I was 16 years old a friend encouraged me to read a book he had just finished "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien.  He described it as being about Hobbits, Wizards, Elves, Dwarves, Dragons and Fiery Mountains and the like.  I had always loved to read but had no use for fiction… Continue reading The Lord of the Rings

Treasured Relationships

One gift from God, seen more clearly as we age, regards the connections we make with other believers.  These connections are based in the Kingdom of God and accordingly have spiritual and eternal significance.  It could be true in a broader sphere, but in my experience connections between believers can go far deeper than social… Continue reading Treasured Relationships

The Inevitable Future

God is interested in His people, those who believe, because He opened their eyes and redeemed them through the blood of His only Son.  The prince angel Michael is assigned to protect God's people. (Dan. 12: 1).  The Hebrew prophets recount God's messages regarding the future.  Numerous prophets foretell great trouble, natural disasters, and times… Continue reading The Inevitable Future

Fossil Fuel Fraud

How many trillions of barrels, each containing fifty-five gallons of crude oil, have been pumped out of the earth?  This is the problem that the Democrat, Socialist, Liberal and Humanist are now complaining about and basing their predictions of future destruction upon.  Who put these trillions of gallons of oil in the earth?  Why was… Continue reading Fossil Fuel Fraud

Birth Order

There is a theory that common personality preferences exist among people based on whether they were first born, last born, only child, or middle child.  The general public believes this theory is true.  My wife is a great advocate of this theory and uses it to explain conflicts and preferences she observes in our children… Continue reading Birth Order

Walking in the Spirit

“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.  But if you are led by the… Continue reading Walking in the Spirit

Music and Religion

We were chatting on the sailboat, I mentioned that I liked R.E.M., particularly, their big hit, "Losing my Religion".  Later, in our conversation a remark was made that listening to a song about losing ones religion was bad.  I never forgot that comment, although I didn't believe it had any merit, at least as I… Continue reading Music and Religion

Suffering Our Leaders

Every Believer is being conformed into the image of the Lord Yeshua. (Rom. 8: 29).  This means the congregation of believers will experience what Yeshua did, though not necessarily every believer in every aspect.  For example, only a few may be martyred, beaten to the point of death, or perform miracles, but many will speak… Continue reading Suffering Our Leaders