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
The Perfect Man
Throughout human history there has been only one perfect man. Many have made claims of greatness and some to divinity, like the Caesar, but they have all died. Herod whipped up his audience so much that they began to shout that he was divine, but scripture tells us that he relished the thought and immediately… Continue reading The Perfect Man
Sargent Alvin C. York
This simple man became an celebrated hero, awarded the Medal of Honor, for his action in WWI. He was born in 1887, in the mountains of Tennessee's Cumberland plateau. He was poor and lived a rough and tough life until he was dramatically saved in a revival meeting. He became a devout believer. When he… Continue reading Sargent Alvin C. York
Casting the First Stone
"So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, 'He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.' " John 8:7. Several years ago a commercial ran for a cruise line where the Father said to his family that for their vacation he had… Continue reading Casting the First Stone
Interview With a Believer
This is an interview with a believer who is typical, rather than ordinary, as no Believers life will be ordinary due to the supernatural influence of the Almighty God. I put brackets around my questions to distinguish them from the responses. [Your story is somewhat unique in that you never seemed to go through a… Continue reading Interview With a Believer
The Bookshop (2017)
This movie stars Emily Mortimer, Bill Nighy, and Patricia Clarkson. It is set in 1959, in a quaint seaside location near London and is a story about a persons dream and courage in the face of adversity. Bill Nighy is one of my favorite actors and doesn't disappoint in this film. It is rather slow… Continue reading The Bookshop (2017)
