I heard a long time ago that “old age ain’t for sissy’s”. Well, the older I get the further away from “old age” I feel, yet I can remember a time when my grandfathers, at my now age, were old men in the eyes of a youngster. I know “old age”, for me, is out there somewhere, because the gap between my able body and the age of some of my older acquaintances, with all the normal maladies of “old age”, is narrowing. Yeh, I guess you could say I’m not really looking forward to being “old”, but then again it beats the alternative. Physical and mental health is important to me, because I plan on living a good long time, God willing. So, I’m marching in as a warrior, not a “big sissy”.
I know you’ve heard of the “Serenity Prayer”. God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can and Wisdom to know the difference. Recently I’ve come across the “Senility Prayer”. God grant me the senility to forget all the people I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into those I do and the eyesight to tell the difference. But what is unfamiliar to most is the rest of that famous prayer which says: Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardship as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him in the next. Amen.
In the 70’s I worked for an aircraft manufacturer in San Antonio, Texas as a flight technician and mechanic. Part of my job was climbing into a “green” airplane, one which had never been off the ground before, and documenting all the problems observed by the test pilot, to be corrected before the next test flight. Something more about aircraft while in their test phase, there’s nothing in the interior except for a lot of wires, minimum instrumentation, a squawk & talk radio and two parachutes, which I never knew how to use anyway. Well, if you know anything about South Texas weather you know that a summer thunderstorm can appear almost like magic. The airport tower called us one day to let us know about such a storm forming and to return ASAP. With only visual navigation I’m here to tell you it’s hard to find your way home when clouds are blooming up in front of you faster than you can go around them. The squawk part of the radio sends a signal to the airport tower letting the controller know where we are in the air in relationship to other aircraft. Our ziging and zaging about the clouds sure made the controller nervous, but with his help of guidance we made it home safe and sound.
[Proverbs 3: 5-6] (NIV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. We’re all on a journey, a test flight, to examine ourselves and correct those things which need correcting, but unfortunately thunderstorms erupt we don’t ever expect. In light of the Virginia Tech tragedy this past week, my heart and prayers go out to all those parents and friends of the victims taken that day, those snatched from life who will never grow old, and we don’t know why. For those who remain, they will navigate around this cloud, which has obscured their focus on life, and press on. In the storms of life we squawk out a signal to God, wondering if He knows what’s happening to us. YES, God knows. Listen to Him, for He is guiding you through the storms of life.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Not A Bitter Pill
Are you self-taught? I am. I’ve always had a tendency to watch others, read instructions carefully then roll up my sleeves and get to work. I learn by doing and frankly, that’s about the only way I can get things to sink into my thick skull where I won’t forget. So anyway, I’m having lots of fun laying down the new floors in the house. I’m always up to a new challenge and as always when the endeavor is new, planning ahead, as what to do next, can be difficult. Nothing spoils a good project like having to backtrack, you know, tearing up what you thought was finished, because something else should have been done first. Well, I’ve only had to back-up once so far because of my poor planning, and unlike some of the other many blunders in my past, this last bitter pill of “redo” wasn’t all that hard to swallow. Now, on to the next room.
I guess we’ve all had to back-up and been forced to swallow a bitter pill or two. While preparing the bulletin for a church, the editor called the preacher to get his sermon topics for the upcoming Sunday. The preacher replied that he had not yet selected the morning topic but the evening sermon would be on the text, “The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God.” Not waiting for a decision on the morning sermon title the editor pressed on toward publication. When the announcements appeared, here’s what they read. Morning: “Sermon By Minister”; Evening: “What The Fool Said”. (Oooops!)
[Hebrews 2] (v. 9) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. I sometimes wonder what children are being taught about the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Last week the world celebrated the resurrection of Christ, but I fear the day passed by most children, shrouded with bunny rabbits and eggs. I also wonder if adults are able to explain to their children the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. I honestly believe we have been so desensitized about death, we have lost our reverence for that which Christ did for our sins and souls. Have you ever smelled death? How do you think Christ must have smelled as he hung nearly naked on the cross? He had been up all night, now sweaty and dirty. He had been beaten to within an inch of his life, bloody from head to toe. He had been mocked, insulted and spat upon. Less than twenty-four hours earlier Jesus dined with the twelve and shared with them unleavened bread and fruit of the vine. He explained to the disciples that the bread was His body and the fruit of the vine was His blood and asked them to continue sharing this feast among the believers until His return. He said, “This do in remembrance of Me.” If the unleavened bread we eat tasted like his body, mingled with blood, sweat and spit, it would be disgusting – impossible to put into ones mouth. If the fruit of the vine tasted like real blood, thick, salty and warm, most of us wouldn’t be strong enough to stomach it. God has protected us from these tastes. The fruit of the vine is sweet and unleavened bread nearly tasteless. The emblems blend into a pleasant after-taste that lingers as we think about His death. And while we must physically die some day, God has protected us from spiritual death through Jesus, for He has tasted death for everyone and brought us back into a one on one relationship with God. Jesus is not a bitter pill to be taken, but rather the Sweet Savior of our lost souls.
I guess we’ve all had to back-up and been forced to swallow a bitter pill or two. While preparing the bulletin for a church, the editor called the preacher to get his sermon topics for the upcoming Sunday. The preacher replied that he had not yet selected the morning topic but the evening sermon would be on the text, “The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God.” Not waiting for a decision on the morning sermon title the editor pressed on toward publication. When the announcements appeared, here’s what they read. Morning: “Sermon By Minister”; Evening: “What The Fool Said”. (Oooops!)
[Hebrews 2] (v. 9) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. I sometimes wonder what children are being taught about the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Last week the world celebrated the resurrection of Christ, but I fear the day passed by most children, shrouded with bunny rabbits and eggs. I also wonder if adults are able to explain to their children the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. I honestly believe we have been so desensitized about death, we have lost our reverence for that which Christ did for our sins and souls. Have you ever smelled death? How do you think Christ must have smelled as he hung nearly naked on the cross? He had been up all night, now sweaty and dirty. He had been beaten to within an inch of his life, bloody from head to toe. He had been mocked, insulted and spat upon. Less than twenty-four hours earlier Jesus dined with the twelve and shared with them unleavened bread and fruit of the vine. He explained to the disciples that the bread was His body and the fruit of the vine was His blood and asked them to continue sharing this feast among the believers until His return. He said, “This do in remembrance of Me.” If the unleavened bread we eat tasted like his body, mingled with blood, sweat and spit, it would be disgusting – impossible to put into ones mouth. If the fruit of the vine tasted like real blood, thick, salty and warm, most of us wouldn’t be strong enough to stomach it. God has protected us from these tastes. The fruit of the vine is sweet and unleavened bread nearly tasteless. The emblems blend into a pleasant after-taste that lingers as we think about His death. And while we must physically die some day, God has protected us from spiritual death through Jesus, for He has tasted death for everyone and brought us back into a one on one relationship with God. Jesus is not a bitter pill to be taken, but rather the Sweet Savior of our lost souls.
Pure Unto Death
Yuck! I’ve been pulling up some carpeting and I’ve got to tell you, no matter how clean you think the top is, it’s what’s underneath that’s making you sneeze all the time. I’ve been reading about carpeting and indoor pollution with all the micro organisms we live with every day. It’s really creepy. I suppose if one were to dwell on it too long a real phobia for cleanliness could develop. But, I’ve discovered that no matter how much or often you clean carpeting, short of taking it up, washing it and hanging it on the line to dry, you can’t get what ails you out of it. Hence, the hardwood floor craze. Wall to wall carpeting is out and bare floors, with the occasional throw rug, are in. Well, the carpeting I’m taking up has plenty of years on it, so adios, it’s out of here!
An Ermine is a cute little animal, related to the weasel, with shiny black eyes and beautiful fur. It has short legs and a narrow body that’s some twenty inches long from the tip of its nose to the end of its tail. The agile animal is found in the northern regions of the northern hemisphere. In summer, its coat is a rich chocolate brown except for the undersides of the body and legs. In winter, the color changes to a clear white, broken only by the black tip on its tail. If you looked up a picture of the ermine in the library, you’d be shocked by the purity of its white fur. The ermine seems to realize the beauty of its coat and takes great pride in maintaining it. It’s most unusual characteristic is it’s hatred of anything that might soil its fur. Hunter’s that know this will fill an ermine’s burrow with filth and wait with their dogs for the prized furry animal to return. Once the ermine spots the dogs, the snow white creature will dart for the safety of its burrow. But the ermine will not enter the soiled safety of its home. Rather than flee into the burrow, the ermine will fight the dogs to the death. It would rather die with a bloodstained coat than live with a dirty one. That’s why the ermine’s coat is used on the robes of rulers and judges. It serves as a symbol of the purity of justice and law.
[Acts 8: 26-35] The eunuch in the story was reading from the book of Isaiah, and the scripture he was reading, we know as chapter 53. What I like best about this encounter is the fact that Phillip (verse 35) “…began with that very passage of scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” To me there’s so much good news to tell I’d be talking for hours, but here’s the best news. Jesus was sent by his Father to establish a new covenant between God and mankind. The new covenant would become a spiritual bonding in love and truth. Jesus walked among us, proclaiming God’s love and truth, teaching a new way of life and with signs of wonder and miracles, healing the physically sick. But how was Jesus going to show that He was the real deal? God had that all planned out. You see, even though Jesus did pray for a different resolution for the salvation of mankind, other than him giving His life, Jesus was not willing to accept the temptation of remaining in the world. To accept the world would mean entering into sin, which he absolutely was not going to compromise His deity. So, Jesus was obedient to the one who sent him. Rather than give in and enter into the dirty sinful world, Jesus gave himself as the perfect sacrifice to God the Father for the redemption of the sins of mankind. Jesus died for you and me, bloodstained, but pure, without sin. “…For Christ, our Passover lamb has been sacrificed” (1 Cor. 5:7) My hope is in God (1 Peter 1:17-21)
An Ermine is a cute little animal, related to the weasel, with shiny black eyes and beautiful fur. It has short legs and a narrow body that’s some twenty inches long from the tip of its nose to the end of its tail. The agile animal is found in the northern regions of the northern hemisphere. In summer, its coat is a rich chocolate brown except for the undersides of the body and legs. In winter, the color changes to a clear white, broken only by the black tip on its tail. If you looked up a picture of the ermine in the library, you’d be shocked by the purity of its white fur. The ermine seems to realize the beauty of its coat and takes great pride in maintaining it. It’s most unusual characteristic is it’s hatred of anything that might soil its fur. Hunter’s that know this will fill an ermine’s burrow with filth and wait with their dogs for the prized furry animal to return. Once the ermine spots the dogs, the snow white creature will dart for the safety of its burrow. But the ermine will not enter the soiled safety of its home. Rather than flee into the burrow, the ermine will fight the dogs to the death. It would rather die with a bloodstained coat than live with a dirty one. That’s why the ermine’s coat is used on the robes of rulers and judges. It serves as a symbol of the purity of justice and law.
[Acts 8: 26-35] The eunuch in the story was reading from the book of Isaiah, and the scripture he was reading, we know as chapter 53. What I like best about this encounter is the fact that Phillip (verse 35) “…began with that very passage of scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” To me there’s so much good news to tell I’d be talking for hours, but here’s the best news. Jesus was sent by his Father to establish a new covenant between God and mankind. The new covenant would become a spiritual bonding in love and truth. Jesus walked among us, proclaiming God’s love and truth, teaching a new way of life and with signs of wonder and miracles, healing the physically sick. But how was Jesus going to show that He was the real deal? God had that all planned out. You see, even though Jesus did pray for a different resolution for the salvation of mankind, other than him giving His life, Jesus was not willing to accept the temptation of remaining in the world. To accept the world would mean entering into sin, which he absolutely was not going to compromise His deity. So, Jesus was obedient to the one who sent him. Rather than give in and enter into the dirty sinful world, Jesus gave himself as the perfect sacrifice to God the Father for the redemption of the sins of mankind. Jesus died for you and me, bloodstained, but pure, without sin. “…For Christ, our Passover lamb has been sacrificed” (1 Cor. 5:7) My hope is in God (1 Peter 1:17-21)
Temptation, The Refinery
WOW, the past six months has simply flown by. Last Friday was time for my vocal cord check-up, as it is every six months, you know the scope up my nose and down my throat thing, and praise God everything looks great. I got to my appointment a little early and just sat quietly in the parking lot for a few minutes unwinding from the 45 mile drive. A pair of birds landed in the grass to my left, a species I don’t recall seeing before. The size of a wren, I could tell they were a couple, though I know little about birds. I do know the male is the colorful one of the two, this one red breasted, not to look good, but to attract the attention of predators, drawing them away from the female. In human life it’s the colorful female which draws men away from other females. Well, just watching the bird couple as they feasted on the tiny flowering “weeds” in the spring-time grass relaxed me so, that my normal apprehension about the appointment I was soon to enter into, had melted away, and it passed quickly. It’s good to “stop and smell the roses”.
A young lady was vacationing in Florida when a little boy approached her, looked up and asked, “Do you believe in God?” In surprise she nodded affirmatively. “And do you always go to church on Sunday?” “Yes, I do”, replied the woman with an inquisitive look. “And read the Bible?” “At every opportunity”, responded the lady. “Well then”, the boy said, “Will you hold my quarter while I go swimming?”
[1 Peter 1: 3-9] No one enjoys being tempted. It’s hard to deal with. Why would you want to be tempted? Why can’t a good Christian live life without temptations? The Bible says we need temptations in our life. Why? To some this may be hard to grasp, that we should enjoy it when we have the opportunity to defeat Satan’s snare, and that we should consider ourselves blessed when we suffer for Christ (James 1:2). Let’s look at it this way. The purest gold, is of course, the most expensive, isn’t it? And how is it made pure? Through fire! A goldsmith will put the gold into fire several times so that the fire will burn away the impurities. The more times the gold goes through the fire, a melting/cooling process, the more impurities are removed and the more pure the gold becomes. This is the same with Christianity. As I endure in my Christianity, with each trial, with each temptation, with each decision I make, I am being refined by God’s Word. As I apply the truths of God to my life, removing worldly thoughts and selfish wants, I become more pure and beautiful in the sight of God. (Read James 1: 12-15) God does not tempt! “…each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.” Dragged away from what? God’s truth! By whom? The evil one! “Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” Death is ruin; it is not pure. (Read Isaiah 53) Isaiah writes about the coming Christ. Isaiah tells the Christ will be nobody special, that He will grow-up right under the noses of those looking for Him, but Jesus will be overlooked. (Read John 20: 26-31) Jesus was the one of whom Isaiah wrote. He was not colorful or flamboyant, just a simple man, with all the power and truth of God. Jesus is God. But yet with all that is recorded for you and I, so we might believe Jesus is God, why don’t we use Him as a deterrent to draw Satan away from us? “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” STOP; and look to Jesus, for strength and purity in life.
A young lady was vacationing in Florida when a little boy approached her, looked up and asked, “Do you believe in God?” In surprise she nodded affirmatively. “And do you always go to church on Sunday?” “Yes, I do”, replied the woman with an inquisitive look. “And read the Bible?” “At every opportunity”, responded the lady. “Well then”, the boy said, “Will you hold my quarter while I go swimming?”
[1 Peter 1: 3-9] No one enjoys being tempted. It’s hard to deal with. Why would you want to be tempted? Why can’t a good Christian live life without temptations? The Bible says we need temptations in our life. Why? To some this may be hard to grasp, that we should enjoy it when we have the opportunity to defeat Satan’s snare, and that we should consider ourselves blessed when we suffer for Christ (James 1:2). Let’s look at it this way. The purest gold, is of course, the most expensive, isn’t it? And how is it made pure? Through fire! A goldsmith will put the gold into fire several times so that the fire will burn away the impurities. The more times the gold goes through the fire, a melting/cooling process, the more impurities are removed and the more pure the gold becomes. This is the same with Christianity. As I endure in my Christianity, with each trial, with each temptation, with each decision I make, I am being refined by God’s Word. As I apply the truths of God to my life, removing worldly thoughts and selfish wants, I become more pure and beautiful in the sight of God. (Read James 1: 12-15) God does not tempt! “…each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.” Dragged away from what? God’s truth! By whom? The evil one! “Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” Death is ruin; it is not pure. (Read Isaiah 53) Isaiah writes about the coming Christ. Isaiah tells the Christ will be nobody special, that He will grow-up right under the noses of those looking for Him, but Jesus will be overlooked. (Read John 20: 26-31) Jesus was the one of whom Isaiah wrote. He was not colorful or flamboyant, just a simple man, with all the power and truth of God. Jesus is God. But yet with all that is recorded for you and I, so we might believe Jesus is God, why don’t we use Him as a deterrent to draw Satan away from us? “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” STOP; and look to Jesus, for strength and purity in life.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
For Escape, Look Up!
My wife has been after me to remove the wall to wall carpeting from throughout the house for some time now, wanting new hardwood floors laid down. Well, I’ve done my research, watched as many DIY programs as it takes to get the nerve up to commit to the project, and bought the materials to get started. No backing out now. Knowing mistakes are going to be made, I chose the first room, a small one, which has been planned to be a little office and junk room for my spouse. I figure most of that floor will get covered. So far I haven’t gotten into too much trouble, learning as I go, and after the trim is applied I already think it’s going to look great. In fact, I’m looking forward and planning more of the same in other rooms. My biggest mistake so far is getting my finger between an immoveable mass and a hammer moving with swift velocity. The end result is great pain commonly described under restraint with words better not said out loud, and a purple fingernail. Not learning my lesson quickly, I immediately did it again. Tylenol please.
Here’s something I received the other day that might be of interest, about buzzards, bats, bumblebees and people. If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6´ x 8´, entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be your prisoner. The reason being that the buzzard begins flight from the ground by first running 10 – 12´. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but remain a prisoner for life in a jail with no top. The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkably nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and painfully until it reaches some slight elevation change from which it can throw itself into the air, then take off like a flash. A bumblebee, if dropped into a glass tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it’s taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists to find some way out through the sides near the bottom, where none exists, until it destroys itself.
[John 12] As we walk this earth struggling with our problems and frustrations, we seem to continually seek solutions through our own wisdom, and if no solution is immediately evident, many times, depression sets in, drug and alcohol abuse enters and anger begins to rule our life. Like the buzzard, we become our own prisoner. Like the bat, we just can’t seem to find a way back to happiness. Like the bumblebee, we look in all the wrong places for a way out. We must remove the faith we have in ourselves to solve our troubles and look up with faith to God, our only means of escape. Jesus was in his last days and upon entering Jerusalem he was triumphantly praised for his great works, “Hosanna! Hosanna!”, which in only days would turn to a murderous conspiracy, “Crucify Him!! Crucify Him!!” Jesus knew all this would happen. He knew he was about to suffer great pain and humiliation. He shared His love for his friends and their love comforted him. But His faith was in God and obedience to his Father in heaven. In distress and agony Jesus would look up to heaven in prayer, the night of His arrest, struggling with what He must do. Jesus looked for a way out, “Father if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me, not My will, but Your will be done.” God knew what was in His heart and sent angels to comfort Him. Sorrow looks back. Worry looks around. Faith looks up! I’m so glad Jesus looked up and has shown me the way of escape, from sin.
Here’s something I received the other day that might be of interest, about buzzards, bats, bumblebees and people. If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6´ x 8´, entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be your prisoner. The reason being that the buzzard begins flight from the ground by first running 10 – 12´. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but remain a prisoner for life in a jail with no top. The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkably nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and painfully until it reaches some slight elevation change from which it can throw itself into the air, then take off like a flash. A bumblebee, if dropped into a glass tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it’s taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists to find some way out through the sides near the bottom, where none exists, until it destroys itself.
[John 12] As we walk this earth struggling with our problems and frustrations, we seem to continually seek solutions through our own wisdom, and if no solution is immediately evident, many times, depression sets in, drug and alcohol abuse enters and anger begins to rule our life. Like the buzzard, we become our own prisoner. Like the bat, we just can’t seem to find a way back to happiness. Like the bumblebee, we look in all the wrong places for a way out. We must remove the faith we have in ourselves to solve our troubles and look up with faith to God, our only means of escape. Jesus was in his last days and upon entering Jerusalem he was triumphantly praised for his great works, “Hosanna! Hosanna!”, which in only days would turn to a murderous conspiracy, “Crucify Him!! Crucify Him!!” Jesus knew all this would happen. He knew he was about to suffer great pain and humiliation. He shared His love for his friends and their love comforted him. But His faith was in God and obedience to his Father in heaven. In distress and agony Jesus would look up to heaven in prayer, the night of His arrest, struggling with what He must do. Jesus looked for a way out, “Father if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me, not My will, but Your will be done.” God knew what was in His heart and sent angels to comfort Him. Sorrow looks back. Worry looks around. Faith looks up! I’m so glad Jesus looked up and has shown me the way of escape, from sin.
Pure Unto Death
Yuck! I’ve been pulling up some carpeting and I’ve got to tell you, no matter how clean you think the top is, it’s what’s underneath that’s making you sneeze all the time. I’ve been reading about carpeting and indoor pollution with all the micro organisms we live with every day. It’s really creepy. I suppose if one were to dwell on it too long a real phobia for cleanliness could develop. But, I’ve discovered that no matter how much or often you clean carpeting, short of taking it up, washing it and hanging it on the line to dry, you can’t get what ails you out of it. Hence, the hardwood floor craze. Wall to wall carpeting is out and bare floors, with the occasional throw rug, are in. Well, the carpeting I’m taking up has plenty of years on it, so adios, it’s out of here!
An Ermine is a cute little animal, related to the weasel, with shiny black eyes and beautiful fur. It has short legs and a narrow body that’s some twenty inches long from the tip of its nose to the end of its tail. The agile animal is found in the northern regions of the northern hemisphere. In summer, its coat is a rich chocolate brown except for the undersides of the body and legs. In winter, the color changes to a clear white, broken only by the black tip on its tail. If you looked up a picture of the ermine in the library, you’d be shocked by the purity of its white fur. The ermine seems to realize the beauty of its coat and takes great pride in maintaining it. It’s most unusual characteristic is it’s hatred of anything that might soil its fur. Hunter’s that know this will fill an ermine’s burrow with filth and wait with their dogs for the prized furry animal to return. Once the ermine spots the dogs, the snow white creature will dart for the safety of its burrow. But the ermine will not enter the soiled safety of its home. Rather than flee into the burrow, the ermine will fight the dogs to the death. It would rather die with a bloodstained coat than live with a dirty one. That’s why the ermine’s coat is used on the robes of rulers and judges. It serves as a symbol of the purity of justice and law.
[Acts 8: 26-35] The eunuch in the story was reading from the book of Isaiah, and the scripture he was reading, we know as chapter 53. What I like best about this encounter is the fact that Phillip (verse 35) “…began with that very passage of scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” To me there’s so much good news to tell I’d be talking for hours, but here’s the best news. Jesus was sent by his Father to establish a new covenant between God and mankind. The new covenant would become a spiritual bonding in love and truth. Jesus walked among us, proclaiming God’s love and truth, teaching a new way of life and with signs of wonder and miracles, healing the physically sick. But how was Jesus going to show that He was the real deal? God had that all planned out. You see, even though Jesus did pray for a different resolution for the salvation of mankind, other than him giving His life, Jesus was not willing to accept the temptation of remaining in the world. To accept the world would mean entering into sin, which he absolutely was not going to compromise His deity. So, Jesus was obedient to the one who sent him. Rather than give in and enter into the dirty sinful world, Jesus gave himself as the perfect sacrifice to God the Father for the redemption of the sins of mankind. Jesus died for you and me, bloodstained, but pure, without sin. “…For Christ, our Passover lamb has been sacrificed” (1 Cor. 5:7) My hope is in God (1 Peter 1:17-21)
An Ermine is a cute little animal, related to the weasel, with shiny black eyes and beautiful fur. It has short legs and a narrow body that’s some twenty inches long from the tip of its nose to the end of its tail. The agile animal is found in the northern regions of the northern hemisphere. In summer, its coat is a rich chocolate brown except for the undersides of the body and legs. In winter, the color changes to a clear white, broken only by the black tip on its tail. If you looked up a picture of the ermine in the library, you’d be shocked by the purity of its white fur. The ermine seems to realize the beauty of its coat and takes great pride in maintaining it. It’s most unusual characteristic is it’s hatred of anything that might soil its fur. Hunter’s that know this will fill an ermine’s burrow with filth and wait with their dogs for the prized furry animal to return. Once the ermine spots the dogs, the snow white creature will dart for the safety of its burrow. But the ermine will not enter the soiled safety of its home. Rather than flee into the burrow, the ermine will fight the dogs to the death. It would rather die with a bloodstained coat than live with a dirty one. That’s why the ermine’s coat is used on the robes of rulers and judges. It serves as a symbol of the purity of justice and law.
[Acts 8: 26-35] The eunuch in the story was reading from the book of Isaiah, and the scripture he was reading, we know as chapter 53. What I like best about this encounter is the fact that Phillip (verse 35) “…began with that very passage of scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” To me there’s so much good news to tell I’d be talking for hours, but here’s the best news. Jesus was sent by his Father to establish a new covenant between God and mankind. The new covenant would become a spiritual bonding in love and truth. Jesus walked among us, proclaiming God’s love and truth, teaching a new way of life and with signs of wonder and miracles, healing the physically sick. But how was Jesus going to show that He was the real deal? God had that all planned out. You see, even though Jesus did pray for a different resolution for the salvation of mankind, other than him giving His life, Jesus was not willing to accept the temptation of remaining in the world. To accept the world would mean entering into sin, which he absolutely was not going to compromise His deity. So, Jesus was obedient to the one who sent him. Rather than give in and enter into the dirty sinful world, Jesus gave himself as the perfect sacrifice to God the Father for the redemption of the sins of mankind. Jesus died for you and me, bloodstained, but pure, without sin. “…For Christ, our Passover lamb has been sacrificed” (1 Cor. 5:7) My hope is in God (1 Peter 1:17-21)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)