Well, the time has come for us to start back to Washington and our little place on Phillips Lake near Shelton. Yesterday it was 102 degrees in Loma Linda and tomorrow night the forecast for Shelton is 29 degrees. We will not run, we will "cruise" on a northerly course and get home some time later in April or very early May.
I may be able to post if we stay where there is WiFi but I don't expect to be able to write regularly. God Bless. e.c.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Stuff You Can Take To Heaven
During my re-read of Fundamentals of Christian Education I came across these powerful and inspiring words from EW.
"The youth (and probably us old folks)
should be learners for the next world. Perseverance to the acquisition of knowledge, controlled by the fear and love of God, will give then (and us) an increased power for good in this life, and those who have made the most of their privileges to reach the highest attainments here, will take these valuable acquisitions with them into the future life. They (we) have sought and obtained that which is imperishable. The capability to appreciate the glories that "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard," will be proportionate to the attainments reached in the cultivation of the faculties in this life."
This is something to think about....a lot....I believe.
God Bless. e.c.
"The youth (and probably us old folks)
should be learners for the next world. Perseverance to the acquisition of knowledge, controlled by the fear and love of God, will give then (and us) an increased power for good in this life, and those who have made the most of their privileges to reach the highest attainments here, will take these valuable acquisitions with them into the future life. They (we) have sought and obtained that which is imperishable. The capability to appreciate the glories that "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard," will be proportionate to the attainments reached in the cultivation of the faculties in this life."This is something to think about....a lot....I believe.
God Bless. e.c.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
"Blab-Off"
We bought a new TV console from a store on McKinley Avenue in Tacoma, Washington. My father had only one leg so it was my job to get on the roof and rotate the antenna until the picture (I think it was KING-TV) came clear. It was (of course) black and white TV but we thought we were the Ritz of our street. The first TV I ever saw was a six inch screen. Perhaps that's where the "watch" originated in one's watching TV.
I remember the program we watched that first day; It was called Omnibus because it dealt with lots of different kinds of stuff. The show was hosted by Alistair Cooke who later became the longest running announcer of Masterpiece Theatre.
Then there came sponsors and advertising. A family friend gave us a device called a 'Blab-Off" which was a line switch that had to be wired into one of the TVs speaker wires. No "mute" button in the 50's.
And the point? You ask. For me the time has come to click the Blab-Off, hit the "mute" button, or just turn off the TV. I weary of commentators and their guests trying to talk over each other, ranting and opinion on empty air.
I do have one TV weakness: 3ABN. Probably some will sniff because they think it too folksy; the music too southern-gospel-like, the speakers overly represented from the Southern US, and yadda, yadda, yadda. So, I'm a simple guy who likes the simplicity of the Gospel and the likes of men who preach such as David Assherick, Jim Gilley, Kenneth Cox, Jac Colon, Dwight Nelson, James Rafferty and Ty Gibson.....need I go on.
The Holy Spirit has graciously cured me of trivial TV on to spiritual meat rather than milk; or something much worse.
Think about turning off the TV and letting the Lord build a fire in your belly for him. Blab-Off.
God Bless. e.c.
I remember the program we watched that first day; It was called Omnibus because it dealt with lots of different kinds of stuff. The show was hosted by Alistair Cooke who later became the longest running announcer of Masterpiece Theatre.
Then there came sponsors and advertising. A family friend gave us a device called a 'Blab-Off" which was a line switch that had to be wired into one of the TVs speaker wires. No "mute" button in the 50's.
And the point? You ask. For me the time has come to click the Blab-Off, hit the "mute" button, or just turn off the TV. I weary of commentators and their guests trying to talk over each other, ranting and opinion on empty air.
I do have one TV weakness: 3ABN. Probably some will sniff because they think it too folksy; the music too southern-gospel-like, the speakers overly represented from the Southern US, and yadda, yadda, yadda. So, I'm a simple guy who likes the simplicity of the Gospel and the likes of men who preach such as David Assherick, Jim Gilley, Kenneth Cox, Jac Colon, Dwight Nelson, James Rafferty and Ty Gibson.....need I go on.
The Holy Spirit has graciously cured me of trivial TV on to spiritual meat rather than milk; or something much worse.
Think about turning off the TV and letting the Lord build a fire in your belly for him. Blab-Off.
God Bless. e.c.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Jumping Jehoshaphat!
King Jehoshaphat was a contemporary of the dissolute King Ahab of the northern kingdom, Israel. Jehoshaphat, King of Judah ruled over Jerusalem.
Jehoshaphat rid Judah of the pagan groves and high places where some still offered incense to Baal. He also sent packing some who had claimed Sodom as their home and were evidently "not home" when God destroyed the city.
The king of Judah set up judges and even had a court of appeals in Jerusalem that was ruled over by men whom the king charged to judge faithfully as one would for God.
News came of a league of three enemies that were gathering and headed towards Jerusalem. The king called in a prophet of God who told the king to not fight but stand and watch what the Lord would do. Silly as it might seem to us, the king was told to put singers and musicians at the head of the army; proceeding the men with songs of praise to God.
Through the prophet God informed the king exactly where the enemy encampment could be found. As Jehoshaphat and his army marched, the enemy was confounded by the sound of singing and instruments praising God. In their confusion they began killing each other and soon the bodies of the men of all three armies were strewn about on the hills.
Jehoshaphat and his men marched back to Jerusalem loaded with treasures taken from men who were unable to resist; they were dead.
The "take-home" message here is that when we come into hard places and we seem surrounded, the best defense is to stand still, praise the Lord, and trust in His deliverance. I strongly believe that the low rumble of the approaching armies of evil are already heard by those who are listening, and those who are watchers can see the dust cloud of their approach.
Do you think Jehoshaphat was afraid after he heard the words of the prophet? No! Neither should we be afraid.
To His people God and His angels always begin a conversation with the words, "Fear not."
March on beloved! God Bless.e.c.
Jehoshaphat rid Judah of the pagan groves and high places where some still offered incense to Baal. He also sent packing some who had claimed Sodom as their home and were evidently "not home" when God destroyed the city.
The king of Judah set up judges and even had a court of appeals in Jerusalem that was ruled over by men whom the king charged to judge faithfully as one would for God.
News came of a league of three enemies that were gathering and headed towards Jerusalem. The king called in a prophet of God who told the king to not fight but stand and watch what the Lord would do. Silly as it might seem to us, the king was told to put singers and musicians at the head of the army; proceeding the men with songs of praise to God.
Through the prophet God informed the king exactly where the enemy encampment could be found. As Jehoshaphat and his army marched, the enemy was confounded by the sound of singing and instruments praising God. In their confusion they began killing each other and soon the bodies of the men of all three armies were strewn about on the hills.
Jehoshaphat and his men marched back to Jerusalem loaded with treasures taken from men who were unable to resist; they were dead.
The "take-home" message here is that when we come into hard places and we seem surrounded, the best defense is to stand still, praise the Lord, and trust in His deliverance. I strongly believe that the low rumble of the approaching armies of evil are already heard by those who are listening, and those who are watchers can see the dust cloud of their approach.
Do you think Jehoshaphat was afraid after he heard the words of the prophet? No! Neither should we be afraid.
To His people God and His angels always begin a conversation with the words, "Fear not."
March on beloved! God Bless.e.c.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Hope...
The Sabbath School Lesson this week centers on HOPE. I've been asked to teach and I am happy to be able to do it. I thought I'd share the idea I have for the lesson and perhaps the reader could try something a little different from reading the lesson....or not at all.
Whatever.
Using a white-board I will draw the trunk of a tree that lacks roots and branches. The task for the study is to write names or descriptions to the roots and branches ; each of which represents a different aspect of the HOPE each of us has in our walk with the Lord. I might help to think of each branch as a hoped-for outcome.
I checked online with Blue Letter Bible and the word (HOPE)occurs 130 times in 121 verses from cover to cover in the KJV.
So, think about trying this as a different (and perhaps more introspective) method and means of Bible study.
God Bless. e.c.
Whatever.
Using a white-board I will draw the trunk of a tree that lacks roots and branches. The task for the study is to write names or descriptions to the roots and branches ; each of which represents a different aspect of the HOPE each of us has in our walk with the Lord. I might help to think of each branch as a hoped-for outcome.
I checked online with Blue Letter Bible and the word (HOPE)occurs 130 times in 121 verses from cover to cover in the KJV.
So, think about trying this as a different (and perhaps more introspective) method and means of Bible study.
God Bless. e.c.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Sick Saints
"And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I [am] the LORD that healeth thee. " [Exodus 15:26][KJV].
What were these diseases? One internet site;
http://www.uic.edu/classes/osci/osci590/6_2Mummies%20Mummies%20and%20Disease%20in%20Egypt.htm
listed the following based upon paleopathologic [study of ancient diseases] evidence in mummies.
1. spina bifida
2. club foot
3. cleft palate
4. hydrocephalus
5. tuberculosis
6. leprosy
7. parasites
8. poliomyelitis
9. osteoarthritis
10.short life span
11.tumors (though little evidence exists)
12.vascular diseases
13.coronary diseases
14.arteriosclerosis
15.aortic diseases
16.dental diseases; gum diseases and tooth wear
Of course this is not a complete list obviously because only so much data can be derived from mummies thousands of years old. The point is that God promised Israel that they would not have these diseases if they "...gave ear to His commandments and kept all His statutes..." And what were the statutes? Those were the laws that dealt with health and hygiene. Some might call that "the boring stuff one reads in Leviticus.
Has God given His church statutes that deal with health and hygiene? You know the answer. If we do have inspired instruction on health, hygiene, diet, etc., the question has to be raised; why are so many among us sick with the "diseases of Egypt." Could it be that "Israel" is not obeying His statutes?
Health begins, and begins to end...at the table. We know what we should eat. If someone out there knows why we do not do as we ought and as we have been taught I would like to hear the answer. I think I know...I think.
God Bless. e.c.
What were these diseases? One internet site;
http://www.uic.edu/classes/osci/osci590/6_2Mummies%20Mummies%20and%20Disease%20in%20Egypt.htm
listed the following based upon paleopathologic [study of ancient diseases] evidence in mummies.
1. spina bifida
2. club foot
3. cleft palate
4. hydrocephalus
5. tuberculosis
6. leprosy
7. parasites
8. poliomyelitis
9. osteoarthritis
10.short life span
11.tumors (though little evidence exists)
12.vascular diseases
13.coronary diseases
14.arteriosclerosis
15.aortic diseases
16.dental diseases; gum diseases and tooth wear
Of course this is not a complete list obviously because only so much data can be derived from mummies thousands of years old. The point is that God promised Israel that they would not have these diseases if they "...gave ear to His commandments and kept all His statutes..." And what were the statutes? Those were the laws that dealt with health and hygiene. Some might call that "the boring stuff one reads in Leviticus.
Has God given His church statutes that deal with health and hygiene? You know the answer. If we do have inspired instruction on health, hygiene, diet, etc., the question has to be raised; why are so many among us sick with the "diseases of Egypt." Could it be that "Israel" is not obeying His statutes?
Health begins, and begins to end...at the table. We know what we should eat. If someone out there knows why we do not do as we ought and as we have been taught I would like to hear the answer. I think I know...I think.
God Bless. e.c.
Monday, April 13, 2009
DeWitt Satterfield Osgood
This man was pastor for many years of the Tacoma Central SDA Church. I remember, as a young boy, trying to wash the dead bugs off the front of his Chevrolet sedan after he and Margaret (his wife, obviously) returned from a trip to Chicago where he had married Jack Blanco and his bride (Blanco did the Clear Word).
I remember too that the Osgood's were the first to have a rigid contour chair; not at all like the ones today that fold and unfold; the Lazy-boy kind. This monster stretched into the living room and undulated its way nearly to the opposite wall. It was a gift from Colonel Spaulding so that the pastor could have a place to relax. So much for cleaning out that bank of the memory.
Elder Osgood was expert in the Holy Spirit; that is if mere man can be expert in the Spirit. We have his book and I have not read enough of it. But still, today, my burden is the church and the Holy Spirit. There is an order of things in the plan of God and as it regards the Holy Spirit, His Holy Spirit must fall as the Latter Rain before the coming of Christ.
There is need for us to pray daily for the Spirit to do the work of cleansing and righteousness in our hearts before our Lord returns. All ten virgins in the well-known parable [Matthew chapter 25] were members of the church. They had come out of the world and into the church. They believed in God and loved Him. They kept the Sabbath and did not rob God [Malachi 3:8, 9].
The question comes to the church; why then were five admitted to the wedding and five were not? Why did the Bridegroom say to the five, "...I do not know you..." [vs.12].The answer is as simple as it is tragic: Because they did not permit the Holy Spirit to work in their lives and transform their characters into a likeness of the character of Christ. For Him to know us we must be like Him and in order to be like him we must daily invite His Spirit into our life to work in us a work of righteousness. Nothing else we do in the church carries any weight with God and His Christ. Either He will know us and invite us into eternity to live with Him or He will say He does not know us. If we do not have the character of Christ the door to Heaven will be shut in our face. If we do not have the character of Christ it will be because we did not allow the Holy Spirit to work daily in our lives; transforming us into his likeness.
"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." [Phil. 2:5]. While it is still today invite the Holy Spirit to be an ever-abiding guest in your life and your home.
God Bless. e.c.
I remember too that the Osgood's were the first to have a rigid contour chair; not at all like the ones today that fold and unfold; the Lazy-boy kind. This monster stretched into the living room and undulated its way nearly to the opposite wall. It was a gift from Colonel Spaulding so that the pastor could have a place to relax. So much for cleaning out that bank of the memory.
Elder Osgood was expert in the Holy Spirit; that is if mere man can be expert in the Spirit. We have his book and I have not read enough of it. But still, today, my burden is the church and the Holy Spirit. There is an order of things in the plan of God and as it regards the Holy Spirit, His Holy Spirit must fall as the Latter Rain before the coming of Christ.
There is need for us to pray daily for the Spirit to do the work of cleansing and righteousness in our hearts before our Lord returns. All ten virgins in the well-known parable [Matthew chapter 25] were members of the church. They had come out of the world and into the church. They believed in God and loved Him. They kept the Sabbath and did not rob God [Malachi 3:8, 9].
The question comes to the church; why then were five admitted to the wedding and five were not? Why did the Bridegroom say to the five, "...I do not know you..." [vs.12].The answer is as simple as it is tragic: Because they did not permit the Holy Spirit to work in their lives and transform their characters into a likeness of the character of Christ. For Him to know us we must be like Him and in order to be like him we must daily invite His Spirit into our life to work in us a work of righteousness. Nothing else we do in the church carries any weight with God and His Christ. Either He will know us and invite us into eternity to live with Him or He will say He does not know us. If we do not have the character of Christ the door to Heaven will be shut in our face. If we do not have the character of Christ it will be because we did not allow the Holy Spirit to work daily in our lives; transforming us into his likeness.
"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." [Phil. 2:5]. While it is still today invite the Holy Spirit to be an ever-abiding guest in your life and your home.
God Bless. e.c.
Friday, April 10, 2009
All Addicts Please Stand Up...For Jesus
So what is an addiction? Mr. Webster says that an addiction is an "enthusiastic devotion", a "strong inclination", a "frequent indulgence."
Most people think of drugs and/or alcohol when someone uses the "addict" word. All of that is true, but what about our addictions to; food, work, reading, television, religion (more on that later), sex, pornography, shopping, collecting stuff, clothes, one's appearance, vehicles, boats, prescription drugs, illegal drugs, alcohol, gossip, talking on the phone...you finish the list if you think it can be finished.
I see myself in here; some from the past and some from the present. Just because you and I are not alcoholics or haven't been arrested for drug use doesn't mean we're not addicted...to something. Most of us are addicted but either we are unaware or we ignore it because it's acceptable both in the church and by society at large.
As of 2007 only one state had an obesity rate less than 20%. The rest had obesity rates ranging from 20-30% with the highest rates in the deep south. Talking about obesity is about as popular as asking someone how much money they have in their bank accounts. It doesn't work to walk up to someone and ask, "Excuse me sir/madam; how much do you weigh?
I need some data on Adventists and pornography so everyone who secretly views porno online please raise their hand. Nope; that won't work either. Our addictions are mostly secret except in the eyes of God.
I guess I need to take some steps; maybe twelve of them. For alcoholics and drug addicts there is the Twelve Step program and to read it is like listening to a sermon. Here they are:
1. We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction, that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the Care of God as we understood Him.
4. We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. We humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. We made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him. praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to addicts, and to practice these principles in all our efforts.
Try this experiment; substitute the word "sinner" for "addict" and think about it in terms of carrying the gospel to a sick and dying world.
All of us are sinners. Most of us are addicted...to something, and we could do a lot worse than to follow these twelve steps in Christ, just as His twelve disciples followed Him.
I have attended AA and NA meetings and a lot of them were more inspiring than many church services I've attended. One thing is certain: There is more palpable, perceivable love and caring in an NA or AA meeting than in many, many churches. Why else would Christ say what He does to the last church? the church of Laodicea; that they are neither hot nor cold but only lukewarm; enough so that it makes Him want to vomit them out of His mouth. [See Revelation 3:15, 16]
People who are addicted to religion are empty of spirituality and wear a thin cloak of religiosity. They look good but their hypocrisy makes them miserable. The essence of spirituality (which is greatly preferred to mere religion or religiosity) is actually very simple: 1. humility, 2. faith, 3. service to others.
Here is the challenge for the rest of our days: To be committed, enthusiastically devoted, and addicted to our Lord Jesus, the Christ.
Go share what you know.
God Bless. e.c.
Most people think of drugs and/or alcohol when someone uses the "addict" word. All of that is true, but what about our addictions to; food, work, reading, television, religion (more on that later), sex, pornography, shopping, collecting stuff, clothes, one's appearance, vehicles, boats, prescription drugs, illegal drugs, alcohol, gossip, talking on the phone...you finish the list if you think it can be finished.
I see myself in here; some from the past and some from the present. Just because you and I are not alcoholics or haven't been arrested for drug use doesn't mean we're not addicted...to something. Most of us are addicted but either we are unaware or we ignore it because it's acceptable both in the church and by society at large.
As of 2007 only one state had an obesity rate less than 20%. The rest had obesity rates ranging from 20-30% with the highest rates in the deep south. Talking about obesity is about as popular as asking someone how much money they have in their bank accounts. It doesn't work to walk up to someone and ask, "Excuse me sir/madam; how much do you weigh?
I need some data on Adventists and pornography so everyone who secretly views porno online please raise their hand. Nope; that won't work either. Our addictions are mostly secret except in the eyes of God.
I guess I need to take some steps; maybe twelve of them. For alcoholics and drug addicts there is the Twelve Step program and to read it is like listening to a sermon. Here they are:
1. We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction, that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the Care of God as we understood Him.
4. We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. We humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. We made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him. praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to addicts, and to practice these principles in all our efforts.
Try this experiment; substitute the word "sinner" for "addict" and think about it in terms of carrying the gospel to a sick and dying world.
All of us are sinners. Most of us are addicted...to something, and we could do a lot worse than to follow these twelve steps in Christ, just as His twelve disciples followed Him.
I have attended AA and NA meetings and a lot of them were more inspiring than many church services I've attended. One thing is certain: There is more palpable, perceivable love and caring in an NA or AA meeting than in many, many churches. Why else would Christ say what He does to the last church? the church of Laodicea; that they are neither hot nor cold but only lukewarm; enough so that it makes Him want to vomit them out of His mouth. [See Revelation 3:15, 16]
People who are addicted to religion are empty of spirituality and wear a thin cloak of religiosity. They look good but their hypocrisy makes them miserable. The essence of spirituality (which is greatly preferred to mere religion or religiosity) is actually very simple: 1. humility, 2. faith, 3. service to others.
Here is the challenge for the rest of our days: To be committed, enthusiastically devoted, and addicted to our Lord Jesus, the Christ.
Go share what you know.
God Bless. e.c.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Elijah And The Evolustionists
The story of Elijah, king Ahab, his harlot-wife Jezebel, and the prophets of Baal is one of my favorite stories in the Bible. I especially enjoy listening to him taunt the pagan prophets with lines like; "perhaps he is asleep", and "maybe he's on a journey." The 400 pagan prophets of Baal danced themselves into a frenzy, cut themselves and let the blood run, but to no avail.
Elijah worshiped the Creator God. Ahab, Jezebel, and the backslidden people worshipped nature. Elijah knew that it was God who watered the earth and brought the crops to fruition. Followers of Baal believed it was all done through natural forces without any of the blessings or power of God. Here's what they believed: "...the worshipers of Baal claimed that the treasures of heaven, the dew and the rain, came not from Jehovah, but from the ruling forces of nature, and that it was through the creative energy of the sun that the earth was enriched and made to bring forth abundantly. [Prophets and Kings, pg. 120].
Isn't it amazing; the children of Israel were essentially evolutionists and humanists. They denied the existence of the Omnipotent Creator God. Fast forward from Elijah to this allegedly modern world and what surfaces is ancient, pagan, humanistic belief.
President Obama said it, so it must be true, that we are no longer a nation of Christians but merely one of citizens empowered to pass laws declaring as true and correct whatever is convenient and expedient. (I leave it to the reader to fill in the blanks behind those words.)
I expect God's people to stand up and rebuke President Obama and reclaim (for Jesus Christ) the high moral and spiritual ground of Mount Carmel because we do not bow down either to Baal, Astoreth, Astarte, or the king of Saudi Arabia.
Think on these things.
God Bless. e.c.
Elijah worshiped the Creator God. Ahab, Jezebel, and the backslidden people worshipped nature. Elijah knew that it was God who watered the earth and brought the crops to fruition. Followers of Baal believed it was all done through natural forces without any of the blessings or power of God. Here's what they believed: "...the worshipers of Baal claimed that the treasures of heaven, the dew and the rain, came not from Jehovah, but from the ruling forces of nature, and that it was through the creative energy of the sun that the earth was enriched and made to bring forth abundantly. [Prophets and Kings, pg. 120].
Isn't it amazing; the children of Israel were essentially evolutionists and humanists. They denied the existence of the Omnipotent Creator God. Fast forward from Elijah to this allegedly modern world and what surfaces is ancient, pagan, humanistic belief.
President Obama said it, so it must be true, that we are no longer a nation of Christians but merely one of citizens empowered to pass laws declaring as true and correct whatever is convenient and expedient. (I leave it to the reader to fill in the blanks behind those words.)
I expect God's people to stand up and rebuke President Obama and reclaim (for Jesus Christ) the high moral and spiritual ground of Mount Carmel because we do not bow down either to Baal, Astoreth, Astarte, or the king of Saudi Arabia.
Think on these things.
God Bless. e.c.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Like A Bad Penny...
Well, I've thought things through and, like a bad penny, I'm returning to the scene of the crime...for a time...until we start back to Washington and will have no regular internet service. My next post will be titled; Elijah And The Evolutionists.
Gof Bless. e.c.
Gof Bless. e.c.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Time Out
I have decided to put this blog on hold. I believe my pencil has been too sharp, and as a result, I am very probably guilty of leaving hurt feelings because I used the blog as a flog. Therefore, I am taking a "time out" for however much time it takes for me to completely rethink the purpose of my writing and what words I have that may be worth saying to the saints.. Not all things are profitable. I will, like Moses (my last post) contend with the Lord and seek His will for me and my meager pen. Goodbye and God Bless. e.c.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Moses Contends With God
For some reason I can't seem to get out of the book of Exodus. Whoosh! What was that? That was the sound of a pun flying over someones head [sorry]. Frankly, I'm liking being stuck in Exodus; there's a richness I've only scratched in previous readings.
In chapter 33 Moses is doing what I call, "Contending With God." Here are the verses. You tell me what's going on: vs.11 "So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle [a tent Moses pitched outside the main camp]. vs.12 Then Moses said to the Lord, "See, You say to me, 'Bring up this people.' But you have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, 'I know you by name, and you have also found grace in My sight.' vs.13 Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people. vs.14And He said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. vs.15Then he [Moses] said to Him, "If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. vs.16"For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us? So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth." vs.17So the Lord said to Moses, "I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name." [Then Moses boldly asks;] vs.18"And he [Moses] said, "Please show me Your glory.......And I guess you know the rest of the story.
I find this exchange between God and Moses is incredibly fascinating. Here is Moses saying to God, "Look, you say You know my name; You say You want me to bring this people to the promised land; You say I have found grace in Your sight, and yet I don't know if You're going to lead us. Now I have to know; are You going to lead us or not. Because if not, why would we want to go? And remember, these are Your people." [Forgive the clumsy paraphrase].
The faith, the trust, the courage, the audacity of Moses...reading and understanding this dialogue should strengthen everyone who reads.
The point is obvious: We're coming out of spiritual Egypt into the Promised Land; and if God doesn't lead us, who will? And why would we want to walk under the banner of any other Leader? ...And we will see His glory; not his back [vs.23] but face to face [I Cor. 13:12]. Praise God!
God Bless. e.c.
In chapter 33 Moses is doing what I call, "Contending With God." Here are the verses. You tell me what's going on: vs.11 "So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle [a tent Moses pitched outside the main camp]. vs.12 Then Moses said to the Lord, "See, You say to me, 'Bring up this people.' But you have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, 'I know you by name, and you have also found grace in My sight.' vs.13 Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people. vs.14And He said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. vs.15Then he [Moses] said to Him, "If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. vs.16"For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us? So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth." vs.17So the Lord said to Moses, "I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name." [Then Moses boldly asks;] vs.18"And he [Moses] said, "Please show me Your glory.......And I guess you know the rest of the story.
I find this exchange between God and Moses is incredibly fascinating. Here is Moses saying to God, "Look, you say You know my name; You say You want me to bring this people to the promised land; You say I have found grace in Your sight, and yet I don't know if You're going to lead us. Now I have to know; are You going to lead us or not. Because if not, why would we want to go? And remember, these are Your people." [Forgive the clumsy paraphrase].
The faith, the trust, the courage, the audacity of Moses...reading and understanding this dialogue should strengthen everyone who reads.
The point is obvious: We're coming out of spiritual Egypt into the Promised Land; and if God doesn't lead us, who will? And why would we want to walk under the banner of any other Leader? ...And we will see His glory; not his back [vs.23] but face to face [I Cor. 13:12]. Praise God!
God Bless. e.c.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Spasiba!
Perhaps you've noticed the not-so-slow advance of the government in seeking greater powers. Just today the house passed legislation that would grant the Secretary of the Treasure (Mr. Geithner) authority to.....well, let CNN say it:WASHINGTON (CNN) -- "The House of Representatives voted Wednesday to give the Treasury Department the power to ban future "unreasonable and excessive" compensation at companies receiving federal bailout money."
Maybe there's a Martha-Stewart-side to this that makes it a "good thing." OR....if like me you study the angles of politics from an end-time perspective....you may think it not so good.
If the hand of government can pick the pocket of business (fiscal sickness aside) is it possible that it will pick the ecclesiological pockets of the church? Which church? I don' t think that particular point matters much. What say you?
The title of this post (perhaps wrongly spelled) is the Russian word (I hope) for "thank you." It's an tangential allusion to the illusion of our freedoms as we slide into a neo-quasi socialism.
Just think; Nikita Kruschchev would never have had to pound his shoe on the desk at the UN [12 October 1960] and declare, regarding capitalism "My vas pokhoronim!" "We will bury you!" Perhaps the US is busy burying itself far enough into socialism to evoke a post mortem smile on Nikita's death-leathery face. Whatever!
I wonder aloud to myself; "What will throw this country into the arms of a welcoming Europe and 'friends?' " I wonder that a lot. e.c.
Maybe there's a Martha-Stewart-side to this that makes it a "good thing." OR....if like me you study the angles of politics from an end-time perspective....you may think it not so good.
If the hand of government can pick the pocket of business (fiscal sickness aside) is it possible that it will pick the ecclesiological pockets of the church? Which church? I don' t think that particular point matters much. What say you?
The title of this post (perhaps wrongly spelled) is the Russian word (I hope) for "thank you." It's an tangential allusion to the illusion of our freedoms as we slide into a neo-quasi socialism.
Just think; Nikita Kruschchev would never have had to pound his shoe on the desk at the UN [12 October 1960] and declare, regarding capitalism "My vas pokhoronim!" "We will bury you!" Perhaps the US is busy burying itself far enough into socialism to evoke a post mortem smile on Nikita's death-leathery face. Whatever!
I wonder aloud to myself; "What will throw this country into the arms of a welcoming Europe and 'friends?' " I wonder that a lot. e.c.
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