We bring home the bacon, and fry it up in a pan. We spend much of our time taking care to furnish our daily bread. But, do we consider why we are living, breathing, food consuming beings? Ever wonder about eternity? Does the thought of the afterlife, or what's after life cross your mind? And we know that the Son of God is come, and has given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. 1 John 5:20
There are so many voices. Sound waves are directional and projectional. They have a velocity. They are aimed at us with a certain amplitude and volume. But, we listen to what we choose. We select our frequencies and "tune in or out" at will. What will we hear? What will we understand? The media, radio, the internet, television, print media, they all have agendas. I have an agenda, as well. So, how do you select your truth? Have you been truth-shopping lately? Just think about it.
With the clouds spread overhead, and the earth darkened, we can't really see what is around us. Clouds are usually visible because they darken the sun. An eclipse wouldn't be an eclipse if the sun were on the other side of the world from us. But, sometimes there is this other-worldly perspective when we look up at the sky at night, when it has been raining, and we can see clouds, night clouds. This phenomenon is a strange perspective which we are granted, an almost discernment which allows us to see, really see what it is that has made us blind.
Because of night clouds, I refuse to allow myself to be smothered by events. For, it is the gale winds that blow the clouds from overhead. And, when your storms begin to blow over, and when the clouds fly apart, then you will see what the elements are hiding from your eyes. In the same manner, we all too often fail to notice our blessings.
This is a backyard snow scene. The night out was dark, pitch black. The security light came on to reveal the shadows that wouldn't have been visible had it not been for the blanket of snow that had fallen freshly on the ground. This phenomenon is similar to the stark beauty of night clouds.
| A Night Thought
Lo! where the Moon along the sky
Sails with her happy destiny;
Oft is she hid from mortal eye
Or dimly seen,
But when the clouds asunder fly
How bright her mien!
Far different we--a froward race,
Thousands though rich in Fortune's grace
With cherished sullenness of pace
Their way pursue,
Ingrates who wear a smileless face
The whole year through.
If kindred humours e'er would make
My spirit droop for drooping's sake,
From Fancy following in thy wake,
Bright ship of heaven!
A counter impulse let me take
And be forgiven.
William Wordsworth | These night clouds, time lapsed by Sasha, are different from most others found in art. Most show clouds from the light of the moon, and are much like day clouds. These reveal the special type of night clouds with no light behind them. I think these kind of night clouds are special because I am delighted when I am walking outside at night, and can see them. It surprises me that they are even visible at all. That's special!
| Take my life, for an instance. I believe that Satan blew in these clouds of physical problems to cloud my view of all the blessings God was bringing into my life. There I was, being blessed by God. God had brought my son Travis to a point where he was about to graduate from high school, after years of struggling through autism and Asberger's Syndrome. God had brought my son Matt back into my life, after years of separation. And, God had brought Larry into my life just a month before, after two decades of raising my sons alone.
Satan looked up just a moment too late. It was a done deal. So, he let out a blood-curdling scream and clouds came billowing out before me, in an attempt to cloud all these blessings from my eyes. Hello evil doctors. Hello scars and more surgeries. Hello electrocuting implant. Hello Transverse Myelitis. Goodby career. Goodby fair weather friends. Goodby 40% of my income for life. Or so it seemed.
And, therein is my point. So it seemed! I see through those night clouds. I see them even in the dark. I know they are there, but I know what they are trying to hide. Even when the night seems dark, there is my husband and my son, reminding me that there is a God behind those clouds. And, He is active in my life, or else they wouldn't be here. Just this past week we paid the balance on Travis' tuition and fees for this Summer semester at West Georgia Tech. I am so proud he made it to this point. And, Larry has been teaching him how to drive this week, something that I have not been able to do. I had taken him to get his learners before the clouds covered my sky. Now, Larry is finishing the job. We still have to buy his textbooks, and classes start in four weeks.
And, yes I have had friends who couldn't understand my pride over my son's steps. They thought that because he wasn't "gifted" I had nothing to be proud of. That was their biggest mistake. I am not proud of my children because they are gifted. I am proud of them because I have been gifted. My firstborn's name means "Gift of God," Matthew. God gave me two children. I love these gifts. I am gifted.
Now, as I sit here beneath these night clouds, I can see the world as it really is, in the light of day. The darkness does not cloud my mind's eyes. It is the God that I know is there, despite my failings, regardless of my limitations, irrespective of my handicap; it is He who I am relying on to see me through the dark night clouds. And, I may need my sunglasses any moment now. For, who knows when the sun will rise on my tomorrow?!
Where are you looking child of God? It is in your moments of devastation that you can see God clearest, if you just look up! Tonight's Podcast about Ezekiel's parable of the Young Lions is available at: http://reason2believehim.libsyn.com/ or, you can listen on the player below.
| | Theme Music: "I Choose to Praise You" Used by permission from Mark Snyder Written by Mark Snyder of Tree Hill Collective http://www.weekendwarriorworship.com/www-artist-weekend-warrior-worship/ http://treehillcollective.com/ Vocals by Helene Immel https://www.facebook.com/Heleneimmelofficial Tree Hill Collective’s music may be purchased at: Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007ITCAB8/ref=dm_dp_adp?ie=UTF8&qid=1331706018&sr=8-3 ITunes- http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/one-redemption-ep/id509287455 |
What do you need from God? What is it that you seek from Him? Psalm 68 allows us to see God's blessings as they rain down on us. Tonight's Podcast is available at http://reason2believehim.libsyn.com/ or, you can listen on the player below.
For more about Psalm 68, see my related blog post:
"When God Stands Up" at http://www.reason2believehim.com/1/post/2011/06/when-god-stands-up.html
Oral reading from KJV Psalms 68:1-11
| | Theme Music: "I Choose to Praise You" Used by permission from Mark Snyder Written by Mark Snyder of Tree Hill Collective http://www.weekendwarriorworship.com/www-artist-weekend-warrior-worship/ http://treehillcollective.com/ Vocals by Helene Immel https://www.facebook.com/Heleneimmelofficial Tree Hill Collective’s music may be purchased at: Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007ITCAB8/ref=dm_dp_adp?ie=UTF8&qid=1331706018&sr=8-3 ITunes- http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/one-redemption-ep/id509287455 |
The question of whether to mine or not to mine could more aptly end with a dollar sign than a question mark. I think it's safe to say that no one really cares for ethics as it relates to money and something floating apparently uselessly in space miles away. Or do they? We know America layed-off the space shuttles, and will be relying on private companies such as Space X to take our astronauts into space by awarding contracts by bid. But, with a folding economy, private enterprise can certainly do it better, even when it comes to extending our reach into space.  The Dragon is a free-flying, reusable spacecraft, with a pressurized capsule for transporting people. That compartment on the back is a "trunk" and is for hauling cargo. I rate this vehicle a "Perfect Cool!" I wanna ride.
He who builds his lofty palace* in the heavens and sets its foundation* on the earth, who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out over the face of the land— the LORD is his name. Amos 9:6 (NIV) | NIV Footnotes:
* The meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.
* The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain. | *The Greek ma`alah (mah-al-aw') elevation, i.e. the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step or grade-mark, figuratively, a superiority of station); specifically a climactic progression (in certain Psalms):--things that come up, (high) degree, deal, go up, stair, step, story. | Other versions word this differently. I think the word palace is more poetic and figurative. The King James uses the term "stories," as in upper stories of a building. As you can see from the NIV notes above, the translators of the NIV couldn't decide on a meaning for the Hebrew word. But, the word stories does make it seem like we are talking about the layers of the upper atmosphere around our planet being the stairway to God's Palace.
Stories, or layers, or the Lord's Home, the upper reaches of space and beyond are soon to be exploited for man's natural resources.
 Small, water-rich near-Earth asteroids can be captured by spacecraft, allowing their resources to be extracted, officials with the new company Planetary Resources say.
CREDIT: Planetary Resources, Inc. http://www.space.com/15395-asteroid-mining-planetary-resources.html
This of course brings up the aforementioned ethics questions. I was under the assumption that this wouldn't happen, because of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, where all space-faring nations agreed that no one would own outer space, just like Antarctica. Supposedly, this would have kept both Russia and America from claiming ownership of the moon, and prevent the unfair advantage over less developed countries. I guess it's ok to use the resources up, just so long as we don't put our name on it.
But, it sounds too much like the online Game Eve to me. I chose to be an Explorer, not a miner :) So, it's obvious I don't see the point nor really how we can cost-effectively exploit these asteroids for water. But, then again that's why both Larry Page (co-founder of Google) and James Cameron (Avatar & Titanic producer) have more money than me. Larry Page was the one who thought up the idea of indexing and ranking pages on the internet with algorithms. So, if he thinks we can make money from space rocks, my bet is on him. And, they are the ones with the money backing this mission.
I just can't erase the video game images from my mind though, and I am sure we will see the day of space pirates very soon as well. Picture some intergalactic Johnny Depp, long-leggedly sauntering through space, tethered to a space craft, ordering all on board the Dragon to walk the plank...without a tether. 8} No matter who writes the checks or tags their name on it, when God owns it all, aye matey?!
Should I speak of power? I have none. I am so sleepy I could type with my eyes closed. :) No matter. It's not required for what I have to do. It's not my power I speak of, but the One called "Strength." What do we trust in? What do we hope to accumulate? What will we steal? What is trustworthy?
Psalm 62:10-12 Trust not in oppression, and hope not vainly in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them. God has spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongs unto God. Also unto you, O Lord, belongs mercy: for you render to every man according to his work.
We can't even trust in the bad to be bad. We can't hope to gain by stealing. If we get rich, no need to take it to heart, for here today gone tomorrow. David heard it said more than once that power is God's. And mercy is His as well. That's what counts. That is worthy of accumulation. If we must pursue, steal, rob...let us seize hold of mercy. There is something worthy of coveting. Forget the lottery tickets, and gamble on mercy. It's the only sure bet.
The deaf make a joke, where the sign for standing is displayed (2 fingers pointing down or standing on the other hand, which is palm up.) Then they flip the palm facing downward, and hold the two fingers upside down under the palm and call it understand. Of course, this is not the correct sign for understand, but it presents a funny picture of someone standing under, literally. We use the word supernatural to describe something beyond our understanding of the laws of the natural world. But, we have to keep in mind, our understanding is just that... our understanding. We stand under the omniscient God of the universe, the Master Creator and Designer of all that we see and more.
Wisdom has been defined as “the perception of the best end and the best means.” I would also define it as the ability to apply knowledge profitably and sensibly. 1 Corinthians 1:22-24 says, “For the Jews require a sign and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jew and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” This stands out to me because what the world seeks, they find the least of. Yet, what believers find, whether they knew it or not, they needed most. Even today, people still seek wisdom and the power of signs. God gives by revelation and by inspiration. Our knowledge of Him does not come from Scientifically searching for Him, but rather from God’s divine self-disclosure to us.
This passage is ironic, in that we see those looking for a sign, and they trip over the sign. Meanwhile, we see those looking for wisdom, and they are foolishly discounting the wisdom of the Almighty. That which is supernatural is beyond the natural; outside the natural. It really would be foolish to discount everything outside the natural world simply because you can't see it, much like discounting the existence of planets that contain water beyond our solar system. We can't see them. But, the fact that we stand below this knowledge does not make us ignorant. Only discounting that as impossible would make us truly ignorant. Knowing the limitations of your own mind is true wisdom.
In the way that one stumbles upon a hidden creek in the woods, by stepping out of the overgrowth, I came across the work of the Scripture to Music Collective. Having feasted in the past on the work of Michael Card, more specifically the album, "The Word," I knew what it was like to hear music that didn't just refer to the Bible account, but brought it to life. (Yes, she said "album" because she is from a different generation.) So, it was like a welcome surprise to find this effort to transmit the entire Bible story in song. I like it, simply put. It is a worthy goal.
| LYRICS: Had a dream I was alone
A vast expanse of complete unknown
Sea of glass so clear it shown,
Like gold
Then a voice like thunder clapped,
As a dead man I collapsed
I am the first, I am the last,
Now rise my son
| Then behold ten thousand kings,
And every creature worshiping
Every eye was on one thing,
One man
He’s like a lion like a lamb,
As though slain he holds the plan
To make war and peace with man,
And reign on earth
Holy, Holy, is the One,
Who was and is, and is to come
In a robe as red as blood,
He comes forth
Ride like lightning in the sky,
Upon the war horse he draws nigh,
The same one we crucified,
Will come again | No matter what generation you are from, you can appreciate the sound of Josh Garrels. He has a voice like no other I have heard. It has the ability to highlight the Spiritual element of the experience of the Revelator, and draws us into the realm of fantasy and reality that combine in a vision. Such a welcome transport, such a rapturous escape from Earth, and the chains of Patmos, to find yourself floating suspended between the ethereal and the corporeal, as the beloved Apostle John finds himself transported to the sea of glass. And, there we are with John, thanks to this delightful song. Josh's song is part of the Scripture to Music Collective. As a matter of fact, he has about five songs within the collective. The Collective is building a database of songs that transmits God’s Story as it’s laid out in Scripture. many of the songs are told from the first person perspective of individual Bible characters, like John above, or Cain, or Abraham. Others are almost word-for-word from a Scripture passage. The aim of the project is to emphasize Scripture, not rewrite it; to engage believers in the Biblical narrative, and to encourage Christians everywhere in God's Word. They hope to build a complete database of songs from every book of the Bible so that the entire Gospel could potentially be transmitted in song. An amazing goal, that is. Be sure to check out the work of the Scripture to Music Collective online. Also, if you are not familiar with Michael Card, I will leave you a taste of his best in a six minute sampler below. No wonder I have so many reasons to believe the Bible, growing up with faith inspiring music like this on the radio.Transmitting Faith in Grace- yesterday and today. Nothing has changed. Faith lives. | | Sampler Medley of Michael Card's Best: 6 min.
The Word CD-
The Valley of Dry Bones
The Prophet
Recapture Me
Songs From the Book CD-
El Shaddai
The Book
|
***Editing Note: I apologize for the errors in the recording. It has been edited now, and the altar call was removed as well. The cut portion only affected one minute of the message. Refresh your player and try again :)
Wrestling Superstar Lex Luger, "The Total Package" visited our church last month, and we have his sermon on the church podcast. Lex talks about the strength that comes only from God, how he got all he reached for, but never found the happiness that fame and fortune bring without the Rock. He gives his testimony of how he went through drug problems, the death of the "other woman," arrest, jail, divorce, and finally paralysis, to be remarkably healed by Jesus Christ. You can listen in on the player below, or check out Pastor Scott's Living on Purpose Ministries Podcast page for more of the details of the sermon. http://livingonpurpose.libsyn.com/webpage
| |  Lex spoke about the strength that comes from God. He also signed autographs and stood for photos with everybody. Adults & children alike were excited to meet him.
| The Self-proclaimed Narcissist Found God in the Mirror!
Theme Music: "I Choose to Praise You" Used by permission from Mark Snyder Written by Mark Snyder of Tree Hill Collective http://www.weekendwarriorworship.com/www-artist-weekend-warrior-worship/ http://treehillcollective.com/ Vocals by Helene Immel https://www.facebook.com/Heleneimmelofficial Tree Hill Collective’s music may be purchased at: Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007ITCAB8/ref=dm_dp_adp?ie=UTF8&qid=1331706018&sr=8-3 ITunes- http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/one-redemption-ep/id509287455
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