Feeding more than 5k people on a massive Outreach picnic July 2, 2019

Jesus certainly has a way with words, and at least 5k men, not counting women and children, were really into what he was saying, deciding in their own hearts whether to believe or not.

Meal time came and there was no way that all these people could’ve wandered into the towns around them and found something to eat. The fast food infrastructure simply wasn’t available out here in the hills.

The disciples recognize the problem and rightly bring it to Jesus. Jesus challenges them to do something about it, and they recognize their meager means and limitations: 5 loaves and 2 fish. This is also key for us to recognize.

Then the Lord steps in and makes up for our lack. IT’s not about what we can do, but how we can partner w/ the Lord in what He does. The disciples then got the chance to pass around the broken pieces of loaves and fish to all the crowds and after everyone had eaten, they took up 12 baskets! Perhaps so the disciples could carry some for the road ahead?

Unfortunately, sometimes the goodness of God gives us the wrong idea about Him. We read the parallel account in Matthew, (I just read the one in Luke), and we find that the crowd thinks something of Jesus that He does not intend to fulfill for them. They follow Him for the food/kingdom come. Then He gives them a hard teaching.

Lord help us understand the hard teachings you have for us, as well as the easygoing ones. It is easy to fill our bellies w/ your promises and comfort, as well we should, but also help us to stretch ourselves when to understand you better and do Your Will when you want us to.

God’s Not Dead 3 June 26, 2019

I saw it. I was inspired. Yet again, there are good reasons to believe that there is a God, and that He cares. The movie brought out the fact that even those who love the Lord sometimes doubt. But God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good.

God doesn’t automatically remove our fears and doubts. He respects us too much. He has given us freedom to think and choose. To act in faith or doubt.

You owe it to yourself to explore God and His Goodness.

Things like this and questions like this don’t always wrap themselves up in a nice neat bow. There can continue to be questions and doubts. But allow God the chance to prove Himself. Do not be Prejudice against Him before giving Him a chance.

Science isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. The narratives and wild theories out there rival that of some of the early passages of the Bible. They are all faith explorations.

Keep digging, and you will find that the ultimate truth is that God Is Love.

Resources to read: Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis and check out websites by the God’s Not Dead team, and also, check out The Bible itself. Many doubt before they even dig in…

Be blessed! Enjoy the journey!

Getting seed thrown at you June 24, 2019

This is kind of bsed on Luke 8:1-15, with some reflections thrown in.

Jesus made this parable easy to understand by giving us the explanation! There are some that take some deeper reflection and drawing upon other scriptures to understand, but this one sticks out as one of the only times we get to see the recorded answer of Jesus.

It turns out that Jesus meant this one to be simple, and yet profound. The Word of God is God’s teaching and how it is received in each of our hearts. People’s reaction to the “seed” or word of God is what the Sower is interested in. He wants “fruit” or rather, more seed, to be grown out of our experience with the word of God. There should be good works and good words flowing out of our lives to others, producing more seed. Perhaps as we mature, we can shed “seed” or the Word of God, in others lives around us.

It really has to be intentional after the initial contact. The Sower is intentionally Broadcasting. That’s where we get the term by the way. He wants all the “ground”, people of the world, to have the opportunity to bear fruit. At first glance, you might think that you might have a chance to change. That you might be stuck as one of those types of ground and not be able to produce fruit. That isn’t true at all! The ground can be prepared in your life. You, yes you, can be ready to receive the truth of God’s Word. The cares/pleasures of this life, the devil, and the hard times that come can make the ground unsuitable for the Word of God, but isn’t that all the more reason to prepare the ground. We have to turn those things over to God! Then the gardens of our hearts can be ready to receive the word and mature and produce fruit!

Hey thanks for stopping by and reading. I know it’s been a while, and I want to make this a regular thing again. I love God’s word and I want other’s to find that same love in it. I also like questions and comments! I will try to respond as quick as I can. God has blessed you today, just look for it!

Donate Blood! February 21, 2019

We should all donate blood! Because, reasons! No really, good reasons!

We all expect to receive blood if we are in an accident or have another medical issue, correct? “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!”

Also, it’s likely that you know someone who was/is sick and has received blood. Someone close to you, say a grandparent or perhaps another sick/injured family member. Blood donations have likely already impacted your family or yourself personally.

Science has come a long way, but blood is still a donated product, it can’t be synthesized. Each donation has the ability to bless up to 3 people. Please consider donating regularly!

How hard is it to be saved? February 9, 2019

Do you ever wonder that? Is it hard at all? Is there a need to be saved?

Of course there is, we can all look at the law of God and we can know what we have done….and what we haven’t done. Have we fully loved God and our neighbor as ourselves? No. No no no no. Not close. Each of us bear a record of sin, and rightly so.

But it’s easy to be saved. God offers pardon. John 3:16-17 makes God’s intention clear, and we must respond. If we respond with indifference/hatred, we get to keep our sin and its consequence of death. However, if we repent, that is to turn from our wickedness to Jesus, we are given peace and pardon from God. We must choose to live in that peace that He gives, and not turn to warring against Him in sin again.

It’s so simple. It’s the solution to everything. It doesn’t make things easier, but it will make them better.

Family Troubles January 21, 2019

A family member seems to be in some legal troubles. It looks like it could be quite bad and a painstaking process. I won’t say more about it now, but it is a shameful accusation, so much that I don’t want to mention it. It stains our name.

And yet, I have never known this family member to be this person he is accused of being. He has been kind and loving in all my interactions with him.

So for now, it is up in prayer to God. Either way, if he is guilty or not, one day God will make all things right. This world is not devoid of suffering, nor should we expect it to be. God doesn’t bubble wrap our lives. He refines us as we go through these sin-sick experiences.

Keep on going in faith, friends.

Out of my control… December 10, 2018

Someone I care about is perhaps going to suffer the consequences of their actions, and it’s out of my control. It’s very sad, but it may be just as well. Perhaps this just isn’t a time for mercy. Sometimes that happens in life.

I can’t say more about it now, but perhaps later…

God be with them.

Blog more? July 26, 2018

It’s been so long since I’ve written here. I do wish to write more, but it appears that I don’t make time for it. I would like to have more regularity in my schedule so that I do get time to reflect on things and release the thoughts that are taking up the cpu time of the mind.

One should be able to express one’s thoughts in a well thought out way, not just reactionary social media posts. I don’t think I need to comment on that further.

So perhaps I will blog more as time goes on. I should carve out the time to make it happen.

Hey ya’ll! It’s been a while.. October 12, 2017

God has been good to us and is good to us! I hope to get back into web logging, but I’ll keep this one short since I’m at work. Just wanted to say that I hope all of you out there are taking each day as it comes, which is what Jesus advised us to do in the sermon on the mount. He taught us that each day has enough evil to deal with, so not to worry about things that have already happened and things that haven’t happened yet. Plan? Sure, but no worries. Actually, planning should take some of the worry out of it!

 

I’ve been reading Romans. It is so full of richness! In Romans 13 and 14 we are admonished to avoid debt, except to love one another, and also to behave well under the government we see ourselves under. It’s quite the commandment! That really takes faith in these trying times. What shall we do if our government is oppressive? Civil disobedience is an option of course, and some forms of martyrdom, but certainly not violence. God give us patience to endure to the end! As much as it is possible, let us live in peace with our fellow man, even if they be of a different worldview.

Well, back to work! Let us work for others as working for the Lord!

Oh thou God of all, hear us when we call! July 31, 2017

My daughter has heart surgery a week from today. God be near! And help us to remain near to you!