Hind’sFeet

      Psalm 18:31-33

For who is God, but the LORD?

            And who is a rock, except our God,

The God who girds me with strength

            And makes my way blameless?

He makes my feet like hinds’ feet,

            And sets me upon my high places.

As I was re-reading my post about the Knife’s Edge the other day, I was reminded of the the book titled “Hinds Feet in High Places.”  I looked up the verse and as I read the words of Psalm 18:31-33,  I was particularly stricken by the last few words.  “He makes my feet like hind’s feet and sets me upon my high places.”

It occurred to me that though I alone am responsible to make choices which will keep me on the straight and narrow path, in so doing, God Himself will elevate me to those places which are unattainable in my own strength. Because of free will, however, I must first put forth the effort. Just as it is with repentance whereby I turn away from sin and back toward the face of God before forgiveness is rendered,  I must decide to pursue righteousness. 

By definition a hind is a female deer under 3 years of age.  I find it interesting that Native American culture views the deer as an animal which represents kindness, gentleness and unconditional love.  The Bible says that the evidence of God’s existence can be found throughout creation, and I do believe the Native Americans have nailed this one.  We are to emulate Christ, therefore would we not want to be kind, gentle and filled with unconditional love? 

I can only conclude that the narrow path Yeshua speaks of is not one which leads to personal gain or self serving interests, rather one which helps us to achieve the perfect love for others that the Father has for us.  Among hikers, a trailhead is understood to be the point at which a trail begins.  I know in my heart that my journey begins with a decision and a first step, and am confident that He will lead me to those places which forbid me access in my own strength, impeded by my self-centered flesh. 

I want to love people the way that Christ loves me....all people....Lord, please help me get there.

Oil or Propane?

People are much  like lanterns. We are supposed to shine our lights out where everyone can see rather than underneath clay pots. When it comes to lanterns there are two choices of fuel that I can think of at the moment. One is oil the other is propane. An oil lantern provides a softer more incandescent light which is not nearly as effective at lighting a room as is one fueled by propane.  Additionally, the globe of an oil burning lantern tends to develop soot due to a higher level of incomplete combustion, thus hampering it’s ability to shed light.

People likewise, when operating in their own strength and not fueled by the fire of the Holy Spirit, lack the ability to properly shine. They also tend to have their lights dimmed by the soot  of life which accumulates over time.  Work done in a man’s own strength is not dissimilar to the result of incomplete combustion.....dim and ineffective.   We need the Holy Spirit to empower us with His own fuel and to clean our globes.  Only then will our lights shine with the brightness and intensity that is needed to lead the world out of darkness.  May the Light of the World, ignite your lantern and your spirit today and forever. 

I cannot expect God to open a new window of opportunity as long as the winds of resentment, anger or disappointment are howling about my spirit. No, God will wait patiently for calm to enter my mind before He whispers gently His plan for my life.  Perhaps it will be entirely new marching orders, perhaps only a bit of a course correction.  Only when my mind and spirit are quiet, will I hear His still small voice....and only then will He open the window and bring order to my life. 

By definition leaving someone to his own devices means to leave him unattended by one who knows more and should be in charge. This I believe is the case with social media and all of the devices we use to engage with it. It is far more likely that folks will consult with other people rather than first consulting with God. By nature people are easily swayed by the opinions of others often times choosing to believe without obtaining a satisfactory amount of evidence to support a view. Consequently, people often develop a view point that is flawed and not based in truth. Consulting with God first however gives us the necessary framework upon which to build a mindset which is righteous and truth loving. From such a mind can only come words of love and kindness. 

That I believe is what is happening in this country today and what is causing such divisiveness. Now it can also be argued that this post could in itself cause division. Perhaps that is true, but it is said in the Bible that God will separate the wheat from the chaff. Division is not always a bad thing. There is good and there is evil.

I leave you with this well intended pun to consider:

Our devices lead us to our own devices which lead us to divisiveness. 

We should read the Word and ask God before forming and expressing every opinion. Jesus certainly did.

God’s fingerprints are all over every aspect of life, both good and the bad. I  just need to be an expert in order to discern them within the crime scene of tragedy.  Like a good forensic scientist, I can study God’s Handbook and learn how to apply it in every situation I encounter.  Only then can the villains of bitterness and resentment be apprehended and imprisoned, unable to perpetrate their seemingly innocent yet destructive crimes against my heart and mind.  Yes, God’s fingerprints are at every scene because He is omnipresent, always overseeing and in charge.  My responsibility, is first to look for Him and then to Him.  Only then can I live free. 

The Three Legged Stool

God designed the human being to be like a three legged stool, to support and serve others. Like a three legged stool, man is comprised of three parts...mind, body and spirit. With one damaged leg, however, the stool cannot possibly function as intended for it can neither stand nor bear weight. Likewise a man with a broken spirit, mind or body can only wobble at best, muddle through if fortunate or at worst completely miss out on the opportunity to perform as intended.

Today I ask that the Lord attend to all my wounds and imperfections, spiritual, physical and emotional, that I might be free to support and serve others.

Life is rather like a game of monopoly. The little silver pieces represent people repeatedly circling the board seeking to amass wealth and property. In times of prosperity, which are really only determined by the randomness executed by the roll of the dice...they buy what they can, seeking solace in the acquisition of material things. But what about the times of drought? It can be painful to lose the things we have acquired especially if we have somehow made wealth the guardian of our sense of worth.

In a game of monopoly, the goal may be to acquire a large stack of fake money and to collect little colored plastic houses, but in real life the only thing of value is the “get out of jail free card”. God has offered us this card and Jesus has purchased it on our behalf. All we need to do is accept it. And we would be exceedingly wise to do so, for without it life amounts only to a stack of paper money and little plastic houses, subject to gain or loss by a random throw of the dice.

"Time treks on, seeking the future, but inevitably ending up in the past."

 What an odd concept to ponder, let alone understand. I suppose it is because my human mind is limited to a linear understanding of time.  The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, however this way of thinking would require a beginning and an end. God has no such constraints.  Yes, this is what I woke up thinking about at 3 am this morning. 

Some would say to me “get a life.”  I suppose on the surface it would seem to be good advice, however, I must say I rather enjoy my musings.  Even when they happen at 3 am and I need to ask God to repeat back to me my predawn thoughts  because I inevitably forget by the time I have fed the dog and made my morning coffee....not necessarily in that order. 

I also frequently digress, as evidenced by the seemingly out of place paragraph above. In any case....

In much the same way my mind is unable to properly understand the passage of time, it lacks the ability to fully understand the attributes of God.  I simply cannot fathom the fact that He is the alpha and the omega...the beginning and the end. Who made God? No one. He always is, always was and will always be here. But at what point does always begin?  There is no point and that’s the point.  As I try to wrap my mind around all this, it quickly overloads.  I feel just like one of those androids in a sci fi flick that tries to do too many calculations, overloads and begins to smoke. Indeed, my mind would seemingly risk implosion were I to spend too much time trying to understand all of the things of God.  

Some things just are and need to be accepted by faith.  What I need to understand is that just because I cannot see something does not mean it is not there. Similarly, if I do not understand a concept, it does not mean it is not truth.     That is where the atheists miss the boat.

Back to time....I guess the best and easiest way to think of it is as a sphere rather than a line.  The prophet Isaiah explained it thus:

“It is He who sits above the circle of the earth,

And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers,

Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain

And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.”  Isaiah 40:22

Science has in fact confirmed that the universe is expanding outward in all directions. I liken this to blowing up a balloon whereby the entire spherical surface expands equally and simultaneously.  But it had to start somewhere didn’t it? Did it start as a tiny point?   And space is a vacuum....how can it possibly expand with negative pressure?  Oh no here we go again!

Never mind. I smell smoke so I’m just going and get another cup of coffee!

The value of a painting is determined by the popularity of the Artist who created it. When an artist is revered, his work is cherished.  When such is the case, counterfeits abound, seeking to draw the eye in another direction.  In most cases of forgery, greed is the motivation. While a forged painting may to all but the very expert, appear real, there is always at least one slight detail which will reveal its true character. This, however can never remove the value of the original painting.  What is required to discern the genuine from the fraudulent is time and study... to become an expert.

Likewise, there are many counterfeit Christians, who have fallen victim to forged doctrines and religious falsehoods.  The prosperity gospel preaches that you can have anything you want, just name it and claim it in the name of Yeshua/Jesus. This is simply not the Gospel in the Bible. We are told to love God and people and to share the Good News of Salvation, not given a means by which to amass worldly possessions.  God is not opposed to wealth. He blessed many a faithful person in the Bible, Abraham for example. But this came AFTER Abraham had proven himself a faithful and worthy recipient.  To preach otherwise is to draw people to Christ for the wrong reason, which is why I believe so many folks are like seed that is cast onto rocky ground.  They buy the line that life will be prosperous and when the  message begins to disintegrate,  doused in the harsh reality of life, they dry up and abandon the “faith.”  

No, the true Prosperity Gospel has nothing at all to do with the things on this earth.  It is riches beyond all comprehension which are stored up in the heart and released to be used for God’s purposes. The fruit of the Spirit....joy, peace, love, kindness....but most of all a lifeline to the Father established by Christ Himself.   That is the Gospel that I will preach and I will subscribe to no other. 

Salvation is free, but it is NOT easy and nowhere does He imply that it includes worldly prosperity.  Yeshua/Jesus said:

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

The Lord also warns that end time persecution will come.  

“and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”  Matthew 10:22

When  end time persecution comes, my money will not save me....but the peace that passes all understanding will. 

Time treks on, seeking the future, but inevitably ending up in the past. What an odd concept to ponder, let alone understand. I suppose it is because my human mind is limited to a linear understanding of time.  The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, however this way of thinking would require a beginning and an end. God has no such constraints.  Yes, this is what I woke up thinking about at 3 am this morning. 

Some would say to me “get a life.”  I suppose on the surface it would seem to be good advice, however, I must say I rather enjoy my musings.  Even when they happen at 3 am and I need to ask God to repeat back to me my predawn thoughts  because I inevitably forget by the time I have fed the dog and made my morning coffee....not necessarily in that order. 

I also frequently digress, as evidenced by the seemingly out of place paragraph above. In any case....

In much the same way my mind is unable to properly understand the passage of time, it lacks the ability to fully understand the attributes of God.  I simply cannot fathom the fact that He is the alpha and the omega...the beginning and the end. Who made God? No one. He always is, always was and will always be here. But at what point does always 


begin?  There is no point and that’s the point.  As I try to wrap my mind around all this, it quickly overloads.  I feel just like one of those androids in a sci fi flick that tries to do too many calculations, overloads and begins to smoke. Indeed, my mind would seemingly risk implosion were I to spend too much time trying to understand all of the things of God.  

Some things just are and need to be accepted by faith.  What I need to understand is that just because I cannot see something does not mean it is not there. Similarly, if I do not understand a concept, it does not mean it is not truth.     That is where the atheists miss the boat.

Back to time....I guess the best and easiest way to think of it is as a sphere rather than a line.  The prophet Isaiah explained it thus:

“It is He who sits above the circle of the earth,

And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers,

Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain

And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.”  Isaiah 40:22

Science has in fact confirmed that the universe is expanding outward in all directions. I liken this to blowing up a balloon whereby the entire spherical surface expands equally and simultaneously.  But it had to start somewhere didn’t it? Did it start as a tiny point?  Oh no here we go again!

Nevermind. I’m just going and get another cup of coffee!

Knife’s Edge

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-24

I have been told, though have never seen for myself, that there is a section on Mt. Katahdin called Knife’s Edge.  It is reportedly so narrow and steep that a step too far to the right or left would plunge the hiker to most certain death.  It seems to me that the road to life that Yeshua/ Jesus is referencing in Matthew might be similar.  When I think about the many times in my life where I have exercised poor judgement, made bad decisions or have actively chosen to sin, the resulting consequences have not been unlike a misstep and a tumble off the Knife’s Edge.  

In this sense, the road is indeed narrow and not many are able to find it.  I suppose Yeshua was talking about spiritual death, but I also must wonder if He meant that the only way to really experience life to the fullest is to stay so focused on the path that God has chosen for me, my eyes fixed on Him as were those of the Israelites in the desert when they followed the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. 

The apostle Peter certainly experienced this when he walked on water with the Lord. As soon as his focus shifted from the Savior to the storm, he began to sink beneath the waves. 

As I reflect upon this, a vision of a recent documentary enters my mind where mountain goats were seeking  the refuge of the highest steepest ledges upon which to bear and raise their young.  The sight of mere infant goats, surefooted within hours of birth, deftly choosing their steps amidst sharp outcroppings loose shale, leaning hard into the side of the mountain.....makes me believe that this is how we are to pursue and experience God.

It was rather amusing to see the futile attempts of the foxes as they chased the little goats.....leaping, stumbling, falling.  One thing is clear to me from this illustration is that the enemy cannot possibly harm us as we seek safety with the Lord.  He may pursue us, even harass us  but he cannot have us.  Just as the devil thought he had won when our Savior was crucified....he lost because death lost.  

It seems to me that security comes from dwelling in the high places of God, always pressing into Him  From such a vantage point, my perspective is not only clear, but gravity and difficult footing cause me to rely totally on His protection and guidance. Perhaps the key to finding and following the narrow path that Yeshua was referencing is to choose my steps wisely, deftly stepping around sharp outcroppings, avoiding loose footing....all the while leaning hard into the mountainside which is Christ. 

Life without the Holy Spirit is like traveling in a little wooden row boat, flat bottomed, unstable at best and unable to remain upright when battered by storms. Being made of wood, it  is susceptible to the ravages of time, attacked by rot and wood boring creatures.... springing leaks and struggling to stay afloat.  My rowboat is exceedingly small, unable to accommodate more than myself, powered only by my strength and subject to the limits of my own endurance. My little rowboat lacks even rudimentary navigational equipment, thus I quickly lose my way.  Without a rudder to steer me,  I fall victim to tide and current as they sweep me away at their own whim.  My oars are simply not able to propel me forward and keep me going in the right direction with any consistency.  Hence, I often find myself run aground on rocks or run amuck in tidal flats, covered with mud as I try to dislodge myself from every mess I make. 

Life with Christ, however is a modern high tech battle ship, skillfully navigated by the Holy Spirit and powered by the Source that created the universe itself.  A powerful ship, sleek in design, able to withstand wind and wave, undeterred by tide and current. It’s course is steady and unwavering, slow when appropriate but swift and strong when necessary.  My life with Christ does not fear even the  thickest fog, as His sophisticated navigational equipment is always ready, always accurate.  I will never lose my way, run aground or amuck when He is at the helm.  Christ’s battle ship is armed for war, never seeking it, but ever ready to engage the enemy when he inevitably appears. I now possess spiritual weapons for which my enemy has no defense, fighting a war which has already been won. 

Looking back I ask myself how I could have been so content traveling in my little wooden rowboat for so many years?  There seems to be no answer. But of this the Lord assures me.....a few years serving as a crew member on His battle ship will more than make up for decades wasted drifting aimlessly in the weak vessel of my own design and making.  Life with Christ is truly a remarkable journey. 

I have long believed that people underestimate the power that comes from praising the Lord, especially during times of trial. I know I used to. I have discovered through my own trials, which as anyone who lives with chronic pain and disease can attest....have been many...that relief comes through the act of praising God, especially with song. I will admit that more often than not I don't feel up to the task. Sometimes I wake up feeling a bit resentful that I can no longer do the things I used to enjoy most in life. OK....sometimes a lot resentful....OK....sometimes a downright snarky attitude gets a grip on my spirit! Often my throat hurts, possibly from my enlarged thyroid. Breathing can be difficult because of my heart issues and it's painful to sit upright or take a deep breath because of the calcifications on my spine. Please understand, I am not complaining, merely pointing out that I, more than most, understand how difficult it can be to sing praises to God when pain or other trials seem to thwart every effort to express gratitude. But I also understand that praising Him is essential to my survival, both physically and spiritually.
I do not profess to understand how it works, only that it DOES work. Days that I am feeling the least able to praise Him seem to produce the most blessings. I supposed the bible doesn't refer to it as the "sacrifice of praise" for no reason. For me sometimes it does physically hurt to sing His praises. But boy howdy does He ever bless me for my efforts!
So today if you are experiencing health issues or trials and heartaches that seemingly will never end.....turn on some praise music and sing along, clap your hands, dance....whatever you are able to manage. Sometimes I find the effects immediate and long lasting, at others I need to repeat the process frequently. Just as a walk in the desert causes one to thirst, so too do trials increase the need to drink from the steam that flows from the well of Living Waters which is Jesus Christ our Lord.
Lasum le'avelei Tziyon, ma'ateh t'hilah tachat Ruach Keha in Hebrew means:
"To grant to those who mourn in Zion a garment of praise for a spirit of despair."
Pick up your garment today! See how quickly the Lord will replace your spirit of despair with one of thanksgiving. Believe me, you do not need to feel thankful before approaching Him. If done with a spirit of obedience and love for Him your feelings will soon follow!
FATHER, may all who read this today receive a word of encouragement and may You be blessed by the praises which rise up from Your people even amidst the trials and strife that are so prevalent in this fallen world. In Jesus' mighty name! Amen!!!

The Hebrew word for spirit is ruach, which also means wind or breath. The wind cannot be seen, but it can be felt and its effects on the environment are obvious. For instance, the turbulent winds of a tornado cannot be seen, but the debris suctioned up by it surely can be, along with the resulting destruction. I can feel a gentle wind on my cheek.....see and hear it as it rustles the leaves on a tree. I can smell the fragrance of flowers as their essence is carried along by the breeze. Though my senses can can perceive the wind, I cannot see it. 

Similarly, breath cannot be seen, but it can be felt and its presence signifies life. In the days before the invention of the stethoscope, a mirror was placed beneath an unconscious person's nose to determine if he was breathing. Condensation on the glass was proof that there was still life, for though the breath itself could not be seen, the warmth and moisture carried by it were revealed by the mirror. 

The Hebrew word for Holy Spirit is Ruach HaKodesh. Just as the wind or the breath of life cannot be seen, so the Holy Spirit is invisible. The effects of His presence, however, are unmistakable, at least to those who recognize Him. 

"Kan belibi HaMachiach shochen beheichalo" in Hebrew means "here in my heart the Messiah dwells in His tabernacle." In essence, when I accept Christ as personal Savior, my own heart and spirit serve as a temple to the Holy Spirit, a place which houses the Supreme Teacher, Helper, and Comforter.

None of this can be seen, but it surely can be felt, not only by myself, but by others around me. Just as the breath of life carries warmth and moisture which can be seen on a mirror, the changes in a person who carries within him the Holy Spirit, can be perceived by others. The degree to which the presence of the indwelling Spirit effects changes, is determined not by God, but by my own mind and spirit and by my willingness to cooperate with the Teacher. 

The free will given to Mankind by God is always a wild card. Therefore, the breath of life given by the Spirit as evidenced by my own behavior, will either be robust and easily sensed by others or will be weak and in need of a mirror to detect it. The choice is mine....and yours... to make. 

Lord, from this day forward, please help me listen to Your Holy Spirit that dwells within my heart and may He be free to produce the changes in me that You desire. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.

The Prayer Closet

'But you, when you pray, enter into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly”. Matthew 6:6

I believe the above verse is meant to include times of praise and worship. Something wonderful happens when you steal away and praise God...alone, undisturbed, without concern for how your voice sounds or with what people might think as you sob your way through the verses. King David was the most masterful worshipper of all times. Many of the Psalms were written by him and and as any musician, author or artist will attest, total privacy is necessary to produce the best results. I am more than certain that King David spent many an hour in his prayer closet with God. Since the book of Psalms is the longest in the Bible I believe it underscores the priority the Lord gives to praising Him with music and song. 

Stepping into your prayer closet to sing promotes intimacy. While corporate worship is important, there is a level of intimacy that can be established with the Lord in your prayer closet that simply cannot happen when others are present. Freed from the shackles of worry about the quality of your voice or missing the words, and the distractions that can come from being surrounded by others, your spirit is set free to reach heights simply not attainable in any other way. 

Failure to thrive refers to a condition that causes an unborn baby to fail to develop properly. Just as the child is nourished by the cord that connects him to his mother, so too do we receive the necessary spiritual nutrients through the cord that is established by times of intimacy with God. While every moment spent with God helps us to grow, without time in our prayer closets, our spirits suffer from “failure to thrive.” Time alone with God is critical, otherwise Jesus would not have said it. 

Just as the unborn child is oblivious to the world outside the womb, the prayer closet can be a time of comfort where the sounds of the troubled world outside become muffled and where spiritual growth can be accelerated. Most importantly.......God loves it!
.

“Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it. Deut 12:32

In the days of the Apostles, Jews were coming to Christ by the thousands, however, not so much these days. Jews often view Christians as traitors, perpetrators of the holocaust, idol worshippers. So what happened? A close examination of scripture reveals that Jews do not accept Jesus because God TOLD them not to. 

“If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes true, concerning which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods (whom you have not known) and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the Lord your God is testing you to find out if you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him”. Deuteronomy 13:1-4. 

Because the Jews believe the Old Testament is truth, when God tells them not to believe anyone who changes His laws (add to or take away) they take it seriously. One of the first things the church did after the time of the Apostles, was to CHANGE the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday. I submit to you that we lost our witness to the Jewish people at that very moment. Clearly, the early Jews had no problem with accepting Christ, otherwise the church would never have gotten off the ground. Peter was addressing Jewish men in Judea and Jerusalem, after which “the Lord added to their number.”

“But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words.” Acts 2:14

“Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Acts 2:47

Given the fact that Deuteronomy 12:32 admonishes the Jews not to add or take away from Gods Commands, any Torah observant Jew would understandably view the adding of Sunday as Sabbath and the taking away of Saturday to be proof that Christianity is idol worship. It would also appear to be a test “to find out if you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”

To properly understand the Jewish mindset in this matter, imagine you were about to be beheaded by an isis terrorist unless you were to deny Christ. Would you deny Him? Or would you pass the test? Jews rejecting Christianity because they believe they are being tested is no different. In fact, they are not really rejecting Christ as much as they are rejecting the way He has been presented or in other words, they reject Christianity itself. 

Often the justification citied for changing the Sabbath was that Jesus said the Sabbath was made for man. But He never said “go ahead, change the day if it suits your needs better. “ He simply acknowledges that there are some jobs that can and need to be done on the Sabbath, such as healing and getting your donkey out of a ditch. But change the day? I don’t believe it and neither do the Jews. If I had to venture a guess, I believe this may be the biggest stumbling block to their ever finding salvation by the grace of God through Jesus.

We also changed Messiah’s name from Yeshua which in Hebrew means to rescue or to save....to “Iēsous” which was the Latin form of the Greek name and transliterates to Jesus in English. Unlike the Hebrew meaning attached to Yeshua, the Latin/Greek name has NO meaning.  Jewish culture puts alot of importance on a person's name.  So did Yeshua, as He always forced a spirit to identify itself before He cast it out.  Christians believe that 'there is no other name by which we are saved"  I do as well, but with one caveat.  Which name?  I do not believe this is splitting hairs, but rather it may shine a light upon the real source of tension between Christians and Jews.

I believe the time has come for the Church to accept responsibility and repent for contributing to the hatred and horrific acts which have been perpetrated upon the Jews.  It is a proven fact that Hitler's speeches contained anti semitic language that was emanating from many a pulpit at the time, and that neither Catholic nor Protestant church did anything to stop the holocaust.  There were the efforts of some godly individuals, of course, but those efforts failed to prevent the massacre.

The bible says that someday Jews and Christians will worship together in Jerusalem under  Yeshua HaMaschach...but I find myself wondering if this will happen until these wrongs have been corrected?  Is it possible that Yeshua will not return until such a time?  After all, forgiveness only comes after repentance.

At the end of the day we are all responsible for what we believe. I for one have decided not to believe what I am told just because most folks believe it or because we have always done it that way. I now do as Yeshua said...to test all things against the Word of God to see if they are true. I have come to realize lately, that much of what I believe has been taught by people, and I have not taken the time or even thought about seeing if Scripture supports those beliefs....until now that is. I simply haven’t found ANY evidence in the Bible that says it’s OK to change the Sabbath nor that changing Yeshua's precious name was justified. 

Please believe that my intent is not to criticize, but rather to urge you to test all things. Thankfully in this day of the information highway, it has been made quite easy!

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-24

I have been told, though have never seen for myself, that there is a section on Mt. Katahdin called Knife’s Edge.  It is reportedly so narrow and steep that a step too far to the right or left would plunge the hiker to most certain death.  It seems to me that the road to life that Jesus is referencing in Matthew might be similar.  When I think about the many times in my life where I have exercised 

poor judgement, made bad decisions or actively chose to sin, the resulting consequences have not been unlike a misstep and a tumble off the Knife’s Edge.  

In this sense, the road is indeed narrow and not many are able to find it.  I supposed Jesus was talking about spiritual death, but I also must wonder if He meant that the only way to really experience life to the fullest is to stay so focused on the path that God has chosen for me, my eyes fixed on Him as were those of the Israelites in the desert when they followed the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. 

The apostle Peter Ansley demonstrated this when he walked on water with the Lord. As soon as his focus shifted from the Savior to the storm, he began to sink beneath the waves. 

As I reflect upon this, a vision of a recent documentary enters my mind where mountain goats were seeking  the refuge of the highest steepest ledges on which to bear and raise their young.  The sight of mere infant goats, surefooted within hours of birth, deftly choosing their steps amidst sharp outcroppings loose shale, leaning hard into the side of the mountain.....makes me believe that this is how we are to pursue God.  Perhaps the key to finding and following the narrow path is to choose our steps wisely, deftly stepping around sharp outcroppings and avoiding loose footing.  All the while leaning hard into the mountainside which is Christ. 

It was rather amusing to see the futile attempts of the foxes as they pursued the little goats.....leaping, stumbling, falling.  One thing is clear to me from this illustration is that the enemy cannot possibly harm us as we seek safety with the Lord.  He may pursue us, but he will fail.  Just as the devil thought he had won when our Savior was crucified....he lost because death lost.  

Choose The High Road

I wonder if all too often I pray for burdens to be lifted, rather than the strength to endure. After all, enduring and overcoming the challenges in life is what makes my faith grow stronger, which leads to life.   If I always take the easy, straight and level path, I will never gain the strength I need to climb the mountain. Of course, God will not punish me for taking the level path, however, in so doing I will miss out on the breathtaking view from the top....and the chance to live a life even closer to Him.

Years ago when I was a relatively new believer, I went to visit an old high school friend who lived in Northern Maine and whom I had not seen in years.  Inexplicably, I had a sudden urge to see her.  While I was there I saw a large bottle of antibiotics in the fridge and asked her who was taking them. She explained that her youngest son Wesley had been plagued with ear infections and the doctor had prescribed 6 weeks continuous dosing with Bactrim.  Interestingly enough I had just had a lengthy conversation with a pharmacist who had warned me that treating with Bactrim for 6 weeks continuously was no longer recommended as there was some evidence that it could cause an often fatal blood disorder called aplastic anemia.  I warned my friend, enjoyed my visit then returned home.

A few weeks later I received word from my friends sister that Wesley was in the hospital and was very ill. I said "he has aplastic anemia."  She said "how do you know?" And I replied "I just do." 

Soon the bloodwork  came back and confirmed that Wesley had aplastic anemia!  That was no co incidence....I had a conversation with a pharmacist, then had a sudden urge to visit an old friend....and warned her about the danger....I was seeing Gods fingerprints all over this!

Some time went by and Wesley grew seriously ill. He now would require a bone marrow transplant or he would die.  Unfortunately, no one in his family was a match, nor was there anyone in the registry.  His chances of survival were nearly zero if they went with a mismatch, so the transplant idea was tabled until the last possible moment.

Meanwhile, God was speaking to me, though I wasn't really sure of it until I took the steps that He asked me to and then each step made sense.  First, He told me to ask every one at my church to pray for Wesley.  That was easy.  Next....He said buy Wesley a card and have everyone at church sign it and then you pray over it.  OK! That was going to be a bit harder.  What if Wesley died?  What would people think?  

So I went to Walmart and as I recall, I had dismissed the card idea....I know...bad idea to ever dismiss anything that might have come from God, but He is so forgiving, especially when we are baby Christians!  In any case, I took a wrong turn and ended up....in the card section.  As I was walking down the aisle I heard  God speak to my heart..."Look left."  So I did and there it was....a beautiful  BIG get well card with plenty of room for multiple signatures.  So I bought it and dutifully took it to church.  During testimony time I obediently though sheepishly, asked everyone to sign and pray for Wesley.

Now this is the REALLY COOL PART....I can't remember what happened but for some reason I was delayed In getting the card in the mail.  Meanwhile Wesley took a turn for the worse and his parents were preparing to fly to Washington state with him for the mismatched transplant. They knew that they were probably spending their last days with their son....who by the way was only about 4 at the time I believe.  

Because of my delay in mailing the card, however, it arrived the very morning that Wes and his parents were departing for Washington state! NO possible way that was a coincidence!!!!   AND HERE IS THE BEST PART!!!! When they arrived at the hospital in Washington the doctors were amazed by Wesleys condition...his bloodwork showed no sign of infection and he looked as though he was showing some improvement.  The doctors could not explain it but I certainly could!  They went ahead with the transplant and Wesley surpassed anyone's expectations...except mine and my church friends, of course!  

Wesley is now 38 years old....my youngest son's age, who by the way, the Lord also spared because he was also plagued by ear infections and his doc wanted to put him on 6 weeks of Bactrim but I refused after speaking with the pharmacist.  What is it with doctors who don't keep up and prescribe dangerous drugs inappropriately?  I put my trust in GOD thank you very much!!

ISNT GOD WONDERFUL!?!?!

A Thorn in My side....Just One!?!

As I was reflecting over my life and the adversities I have faced, I pictured myself as one of those blow up clowns that you punch and it keeps popping back up. I have been called an airhead, so I suppose that image would explain a lot! But kidding aside, when faced with a crisis, we all have a choice to make. We can either face it with Jesus, clinging all the while to the hem of His robe....or turn away believing that God somehow does not care or doesn’t even exist.

I can testify to the fact that clinging desperately to the Lord is the only way to go. My most traumatic crisis was to be disowned by my daughter which has resulted in not seeing my two precious granddaughters for over two years now. I could never have faced such heartbreak without my precious Yeshua/Jesus, who weeps for me and for them. That said...I have I undergone a spiritual change from within, not unlike that experienced by a caterpillar while inside its cocoon.

Emotional trauma aside, somehow, I also manage to get out of bed in the morning, despite unrelenting pain in my spine. And yet....I am so happy with my life and experience, at least most of the time....the peace that passes all understanding.

The Apostle Paul wrote about the thorn in his side that made his weakness strong in Gods strength. Well, some mornings I feel as though I have done battle with a cactus, but you know, I have won the battle because my Lord has sustained me and for that I am truly grateful.

In the end end it does not matter who rejects me, who likes me, who criticizes or judges me, nor shall I be concerned about physical or emotional pain. Yeshua/Jesus always accepts me, corrects me without criticism, pleads my case rather than judge me, and never fails to bind my wounds, physical and otherwise.

I have come to recognize every crisis as an opportunity for growth. Now, rather than complain (OK after I complain a little bit......OK maybe a lot) I face the challenge head on and say”OK Lord, here we grow again.”

After all these years and the many things that God has shown me to prove that He wants to be  involvd in even the least significant details of my life, my propensity is still to forget!  Here it is winter and yet I have been finding at least one mosquito a day inside my house. Yesterday I found three!  To date the headcount has been in excess of a dozen.  They can’t possibly be coming in because I don’t hold my door open....and even the houseflies have ceased to invade my territory.  There is no standing water anywhere in my home, even in the unlikely event that a couple of late bloomers decided on a misguided attempt at procreation.

Once again, rather than ask the Lord for His help, I have been spending an inordinate amount of time  fretting over this.  Any veterinarian would tell me that I should continue to treat my dog with heartworm preventive because of the presence of mosquitoes....more than I had even seen all summer out doors!  But it’s a poison and with her history of cancer, this option isn’t the best.

So after losing a bit of sleep along with asking everyone at the Thanksgiving table where they all thought these pests could be coming from and receiving no satisfactory explanations, I FINALLY remembered to ask God.  Last night as I was terminating the life of the umteenth million flying menace, I finally said helplessly and perhaps a bit absentmindedly “God please help me with this mosquito problem.”  Before I finished my statement, however, the words “maybe they aren’t mosquitos.” Popped into mind.  Now I have come to realize that when an answer enters my mind in it’s entirety, before I have finished asking the question, the information has not been the result of my own thought processes....especially since it turns out to be correct!

So I promptly consulted the Internet with this query “bugs that look like mosquitos.”  Expecting to find images of some obvious knockoffs, I was surprised to discover that winter crane flies so closely resemble mosquitos that one nearly needs to be an entomologist to differentiate between them.  Most significant, however is the fact that they breed in rotting vegetation.  Well that explains a lot!  I don’t have standing water in my house but I do have a worm farm for composting vegetable scraps.  Mystery solved!  Ever the scientist in need of proof, the next unlucky specimen ended up on a sheet of white paper beneath the watchful glare of my camera. Sure enough, he lacked the long proboscis which his mosquito counterpart uses to impale the skin of it's victim.

Why the entomology lesson?  To remind myself that I need to be ever conscious of the fact that God wants to be involved in every aspect of my life and is delighted when I remember to seek divine consultation.  Nothing is too great or seemingly insignificant to escape His notice or concern.  I could have saved myself hours of consternation had I simply said from the onset “Hey Lord, where did that mosquito come from?” To which He would have quickly responded “It's not a mosquito.  Look it up.”

I can almost hear Him chuckling as He saw the relief that the assimilation of this new tidbit of information brought to me.   It’s not umlike the time I was 6 or so and presented my mother with  a glass jar filled with wriggling baby fish.

“Look mum, baby fish!”
“Those are not fish.”  She corrected.

Though I don’t remember if she chuckled. Probably not.

God or Google?

When faced with a difficult question, who do you ask?

Rabbi Schneider yesterday on  “Discovering the Jewish Jesus said  “God wants you to talk to Him more than you talk to your best friend.”   

Wow! How many of us can say we do that?  I do not really have a best friend, per se, however, I’m certain that I talk to my friends and family more than I talk to God.  Perhaps that is because people give us immediate feedback whereas God can be rather slow at rendering an opinion.  Maybe  it is a sign of the times.  Everything is so fast these days.  As  Mr. Rogers’postman used to say “speedy delivery” ...2 day shipping with Amazon, lightening fast food cooked and served, we no longer even need to wait for snail mail.  And a US traveler can reach Europe in just a few hours.  

Thinking about the pioneer days, when kids left home, they really left home.  Often times they would never see their parents again as they set off to parts unknown to begin their new lives.  People lived so far from neighbors and from church, that visits were limited to once a week or less.  And we think snail mail is slow? Try shipping lobsters across the country via Pony Express!  With the isolation that was geographically and technologically (or lack thereof) enforced, who WAS a person to talk to in times of trouble, or even in times of joy?  The One Who is always ready to listen. God.

Perhaps that is the reason modern people can have such a difficult time time connecting with Him these days.  I’m speculating, but it’s possible that  in days gone by, it was second nature to include Him in everything.  It just seems there are too many things competing for our collective attention now....things 

Iike  devices.  Next time you visit a restaurant, glance around and notice how many folks are looking down at a cell phone rather than the person across the table. We do it to each other, might we not also be doing it to God?  I for one know that I fire a message off without even thinking of consulting the Holy Spirit, whose job it is to be my helper.  

This morning after writing this post, my scheduled reading for the day opened with Isaiah 31:1

“Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help

And rely on horses,

And trust in chariots because they are many

And in horsemen because they are very strong,

But they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord!”

I think I will write this down and afix it to my iPad in an effort to remind myself to always talk to God before I hit send.