I meant to add a picture to my previous post. This was from my bike (motorcycle) ride Sunday. On Tuesday the view I think was better , less humidity , and no clouds- too bad no camera.

been a while

Its interesting the topic of the writings. First of all I read in acts about Paul seeing that a man crippled from birth had the faith to be healed and told the man to be healed, and he was. In reviewing below the healings of Jesus (at least some of them) it was an action that demonstrated the faith to be healed. When we get sick we fall into rituals like the Pharisees, and rely on the ritual for help rather than the Healer. I think that was Jesus entire point when He was critical of the Pharisees.

The second passage gives us some more detail of a healing and I actually like what I wrote almost a year ago. Its all about faith. In the last of the passage I talk about the sabbath, and it has been quite a while since I had a blog entry. My initial reaction is that work has become hectic, I need to give tests, I've been involved in meetings, and we have had some issues that have just plain made me mad. Policies where I work seem to appear from nowhere and are documented in the same place, and yet compliance is expected. In discussing it I'm expected to just accept it. Two things come to mind - parents often don't document their policies, and I feel I am the victim of disrespect. Another policy came up during the discussion and what is supposed to be acceptable in one case, is not acceptable in another case (more work is required). Oh well the most important thing in my life is trying to live for God, I know I fail. Interestingly enough a radio program reminded me today that Christians tend to divest from life or interaction on a personal level with unbelievers. They want their own world, Christain schools for their kids, only involved in church activities. That was interesting and very true. If God is the most important thing in my life then this blog and my readings should supercede other things. I've got to make reading and writing thoughts a priority, and hopefully sharing them as well. I also need to focus on a vision of what God wants for my work as opposed to how it actually is today, and how it falls short. I can then see the milestones necessary to get where it needs to be and pray accordingly. That is how the Lord has shown me to be positive rather than cynical and negative. I finally listened.


Matthew 9 Jesus is in His own city. Some friends of a paralytic bring this person to Jesus to be healed. He first tells him his sins are forgiven. Then He tells him to take up his bed and walk. Does this mean we have to be right with God before He will heal us? Later in the same chapter the woman suffering a hemorrhage for twelve years realizes she only needs to touch Jesus to be healed and she makes her way through the crowd and touches Him. Jesus feeling the power go out from Him stops and points out the woman. He tells her that her faith has healed her. I've often wondered why Jesus didn't let this healing stay in private, just let her be healed and for her to know God did it. Its part of we have to acknowledge Him, God gets the glory for His work in our lives and furthermore He is the reason we get every good and perfect gift. Between the two acts of healing He is at Matthews house and the Pharisees ask Him why He is with sinners. He re-states an old testament verse where God says He doesn't want a persons sacrifice but rather to have that person show mercy and compassion. This is precisely what the Pharisees had forgotten about, its very easy to fall into ritual and a ritual can seemingly be a sacrifice because it is planned, but showing compassion results in true sacrifice because compassion makes us alter our plans.

Mark 2 In Marks account we get a little more detail of the paralytic's healing. First four men had agreed that Jesus could help this person. If they didn't agree would they have acted by helping carry him to Jesus? Once they got near Jesus they were faced with an obstacle, instead of turning around they sought a solution. Digging a hole in someone's roof in front of a multitude of witnesses is another demonstration that they were convinced Jesus could heal this person. Another passage is Mark 2:17 where Jesus said He did not come to call the righteous but sinners. Part of beginning a relationship with Jesus is to admit we are sinners and we are full of sin. A righteous person may have convinced himself he is not a sinner and doesn't need Jesus. Ben Franklin said the Lord helps those who help themselves, but too much self sufficiency may lead to a denial of our true condition as humans. A person like that may not seek Him like they should. To feel we are righteous is to in a way deny our need for Jesus, and Jesus said He isn't going after those who are righteous, but rather those that come to the recognition that they need Him. The last scripture that really speaks to me in this reading of the new testament is the one about sabbath being made for man. I often feel incredibly burdened by responsibility and duty and its very important to take some time out to spend with God and focus on His majesty. We often lose perspective and get caught up in our hustle and bustle lives. The sabbath is about reflecting getting back to proper perspective. For me it means not doing some things, although some tasks I still do on Sunday would be considered work. The Pharisees made rigid rules and forgot the intent. The disciples walking with Jesus realized that God provided the grain they were eating, the soldiers with David also knew that God was providing for their needs. Oh what good it would do for all of us to walk with the Lord - and we should be.

I'm learning and re-learning so much lately about myself, about my faith, about my life. Its mainly re-learning I'm afraid. Its wonderful. I feel a boldness to carry it over to work, but I have some habits (bad ones) to overcome. I just wrote my review of Acts 2 which I like and decided to go back to this entry which hadn't been posted yet. Its neat how it fits into what I currently am thinking and feeling.

Matthew 8 This chapter has so much in it. First is the leper coming to Christ asking to be healed. He tells Jesus He can heal him if He wants too to which Jesus replied He did want to and was then healed. Jesus told him not to tell anyone but rather to show the priest as commanded by the law and offer the appropriate sacrifice. In one version of the Bible I'm reading it implies that Jesus instructed the man to live as commanded rather than by telling people that Jesus healed him. I wondered why but after some self reflection I have to admit I believe miracles I see more so than those I hear about. I think sales people are the primary reason. As I get older I believe less the words I hear versus the actions I see. Any time you talk to sales people you hear how great the product is, and how crappy what you have is and that you need to "buy now". We're inundated with commercials to that effect. So Jesus instruction to obey the law and live the faith versus proclaiming it is understandable. We don't want to sell Christ to people, He ran people out of the temple saying it was a place to worship rather than a market place. He wants us to live for Him and show others His grace working in us rather than us saying the right things.
In chapter eight is also a recording of people bringing others to Christ who were demon possessed and sick. He healed them all. The interesting thing about that is that others brought the sick and possessed to Jesus. Certainly people who feel God's call on their lives need to confess their sins and accept Christ, but some alter calls maybe should be bringing a need of someone else to the alter. Whether you bring the person or not the need is important. Care must be taken not to bring the one with a speck in their eye while the bringer has a beam, but praying for others has always helped me keep proper perspective and helped to fight off any depression that could creep in due to focusing on the things in my life that aren't going the way I think they should.
The third story I want to mention is the scribe telling Jesus "I'll follow You wherever You go" Jesus gives him a warning that Jesus doesn't have a place to lay his head. That struck me most recently that Jesus was pointing out to the scribe that he should count the costs of following Jesus, or maybe had not counted those costs but rather said what he thought the Teacher wanted to hear. The next one is the man wanting to go bury his father prior to following Christ. Why didn't he ask Christ to heal his father, or resurrect him? It strikes me as someone who wants to follow Christ but also has his/her own agenda of how following Christ should go and someone not willing to put Him first. I personally struggle with that also in some areas, and I certainly see people who seemingly live that way.
Lastly is Jesus visit to the country of the Gadarenes. That story has spoken to me every time I read it. Jesus goes to this country and heals two men that others have ostracized from their community. He wasn't invited or asked, He just appeared and helped people. People that others had given up on, and arranged their lives around avoiding. Which of our neighbors do we avoid because their plight is too great a task (seemingly) for us? Jesus heals these men and the demons that possessed them are cast into pigs which then drown. The herd of pigs represented wealth people weren't willing to lose, wealth to give members of their community freedom or a better life. So much so they asked Jesus to leave and He did. So seemingly helping people which should be widely accepted as a good thing, often won't be- you'll be seen as a troublemaker. At a recent globalization conference one of the facts stated a couple times was that 70% of the world is still at or below poverty. If you think about that driving down the interstate and enough SUVs pass you clearly exceeding the speed limit (which wastes resources in favor of supposed time savings) then I wonder if this nation is the Gadarenes. Actually I think most nations fit in that category.

Its been a while , and I'm jumping ahead. But I've learned so much.

Acts 1 This is a very interesting chapter, not so much for what happens but my current circumstances. Last week at Wednesday Bible study our practice is for a person to share, and then rotate (have another volunteer). We had spoken of fear and how we should face it, but when the time came for someone to volunteer nobody really wanted it (it seemed there was fear over it). I suggested we draw straws and let God choose, it was related to me about Matthias the person chosen by the disciples to replace Judas Iscariot. That person "was never heard from again in scripture". Now drawing straws is both old testament and new and some decisions can seemingly go either way and be Godly, so I believe the Father honors it.

For instance switching jobs as an example- you might argue that you need to switch jobs because the folks at your current job aren't Christians, and their behavior is dragging you down. There may be a temptation to fall and changing jobs is a way out- as promised. On the other hand as a Christian we're supposed to be in the world, so God may want to use you to bring His word and His attitudes before your co-workers, they probably aren't going to church. So what do you do? God doesn't need you to bring His word to your co-workers, but He also wants you to mature spiritually, and we feel weaker than we probably are and therefore look for an easy out. In this case after much prayer and consultation lots may be the only way to determine how to proceed. Of course part of the lot process is abiding by His decision.

Now God is not in lots if you are trying to decide if its OK to sin. depending on what it is sin is clearly forbidden. Another use for lots is a sign, again you must be willing to abide and the choices must not be against scripture. That may be why this story is in Acts 1. Most people will tell you the disciples were disobedient- Jesus told them go to Jerusalem and "wait". Wait for the Holy Spirit was His directive, or wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Sprit. Drawing lots for a replacement disciple may not be waiting, and the apostle Paul is generally regarded as the "replacement" for Judas. I heard the "disobedient" piece, and about Paul today on the radio. Its interesting how God works.

Another thing I'm hearing is about the ten spies in Canaan. It was on the devotional I get from WMIT the radio station I listen to. The 10 spies reported factual information and opinions based on their experience. Trouble is this denied the power of God. The question is are we one of the 10 sometimes? Another little message was that we don't ask God big things. In the same way of the 10 spies, not asking for exceeding blessings, but rather "just what we feel we need" denies the power of God. So ask big was the thought- it pleases Him. There isn't anything He can't do: heal sick, fix relationships. He may say no, but He'll be pleased you asked.

One more thought and then I quit for today. In dealing with people isn't it far easier if both have a similar concept of God? Look at all issues the politicians bring up, and other social issues that people have different ideas on how to "fix". My thought was that at any point of friction between me and another individual, the topic of conversation (at least mine) needs to turn to how I view God, and how I came to that opinion, and maybe even the scriptures that support my belief. I know there will still be differences of opinion in some cases but it may be a witnessing prompt in others. My prayer is for me to be emboldened and ask people who have differing opinions, or who want things I disagree with "how (hopefully Biblically) they came to that position.

I'm having a hard time being positive, but yet the path to happiness doesn't go through negativity. Tomorrow is the traditional day of atonement, and I've been thinking of what I could "sacrifice". There are so many options, -money, food, etc. I see and hear people talk about what is wrong with this world, and at no point do they say we are following Christ to too great an extent. Mostly what they say treats a symptom. A symptom caused by a lack of following Christ. Truly and not what they may have seen accomplished by hypocrits. In some cases I'm sure I appear as a hypocrit, and hopefully a person will look past my failures and catch a glimpse of what I'm trying to follow. Of course focusing on hypocrisy is easier sometimes than admitting that we as individuals are imperfect and make mistakes. Well I thought additionally I might start typing my prayer or at least my prayer thoughts, if for no other reason than to vocalize them (or at least record them). We're supposed to pray solutions and not problems. In which case it is God's desire for a wonderful family life and work life, but mainly a close relationship with Him. Work has been tough- reactionary policy with its potential problems seem to leap off the page at me and I grieve over the blindness that has allowed this state to occur. Calling it to someone's attention will mean I may get labeled "troublemaker" but do I care more for a label given by men, or in doing the right thing? Its a choice that many have made. I also want to make God even more of a focus in my life, but work presents an obstacle if I choose to let it- great another choice. My prayer is to remain firm in my beliefs and quietly exhort people in the right direction when the opportunity arises.

Anyway the scripture from 10 months or so ago is John 4. Chapter 4 has the Samaritan woman at the well story. He reached across ethnic and gender lines to talk to her. She had been married multiple times in addition showing that God reaches out to all. In addition the worship of God verse 23 does not depend on physical earthly location. Rituals can be dangerous, its spirit and truth. Worship of God is an encounter with Him, and we as worshipers should expect Him to be a part of our worship. He is there whether we detect it sensually or not. We also need to confess and purify our hearts in the Lord's presence. In verse 48 Jesus says unless people see signs and wonders they will not believe. His Word says He is there when two or three are gathered in His name whether we sense it or not.

I've stayed up too late, but reading the Bible is always a blessing, and some things have been on my mind I wanted to write down. I typed them in my journal so to speak of New Testament thoughts and in about 30 blog entries it will show up. If I still find it relevant that is. In my yearly reading I have just finished the gospels, but noticed my log had 22 gospel chapter entries left. I hope to focus on those prior to continuing, but I will miss Paul and his letters, so we will see how that works out. My personal anti-negativity campaign is not without difficulty, but I think I'm becoming more aware of it and being more like I should be. I just need to listen and obey. I also feel terribly burdened at work, and someone said I seemed depressed (which maybe true), but it maybe more in the line of frustration. You see or hear or sense another's troubles and can very clearly see a solution a fix a permanent positive change, but since it is tied to Jesus they don't want to hear it. Jesus is associated with religion and depending on a person's religious experience there may be bad connotations. Oh that people would consider Him on His merits, and seek a relationship with Him just to see where it goes.

Well for the review it was John 3. Nicodemus recognized (as did other Pharisees) that God was with Jesus by His miracles. John 3:8 also sticks out in terms of showing the unpredictability of those folks led by God. We as people are always trying to define things, we make assessments of people and feel like we can predict them based on what we perceive. Verse 8 is God's reminder that He is not predictable, and neither are the people that follow Him. I think its an important point for example that what is right for one church may not be right for another, and over time the Spirit may (will) lead people and churches in different directions. John 3:27 is John the Baptist's confession that he can only do what God wants him too. He was generally well revered (at least a curiosity) but he confessed his place and that what he had accomplished was given to him by God and that all anyone could ever do is what God has ordained or given to them.

In study skills class we are keeping logs of how we spend time. Its a good exercise to "see" where all the time goes, and hopefully make the necessary choices for positive change. The chapter we are on is "planning". One of the points of the chapter is that we don't plan, but are rather carried away by life. When that happens we find ourselves "too busy", "don't have time", etc. Another point it makes is that the important things get done. As a parent if your child needs to go to the doctor it happens, regardless of how "busy" you are. So lately I've been thinking about these things along with some advice I was given years ago in a factory- "in a hundred years it won't matter". How many of the things we worry about, stress over, feel burdened by -won't matter in a hundred years? I think people relationships have the best chance of "mattering" in fact I would say they do, whereas watching that TV show, or getting in "one more load of laundry" probably won't.

Another thought I had today based on my logging of time spent is computer access. There are times I'm reading on the computer from the Internet. Years ago a person had to do their reading from a book. The thought struck me that while the Internet may exceed in quantity, the quality has a good chance of being diminished as compared to a book (that was reviewed and approved by some process).

I'm glad I read this again from last November, it was just as relevant today. John 2 The wedding in Cana. Its very interesting that I just read about old wine in old wine skins and new wine in new wine skins and how they shouldn't be mixed. I took that to mean the covenants God made with the people through following the Law (old wine) and the new covenant believing in His Son. Both amounted to the same thing in terms of truly following the law leads anyone to the place they realize they can't do it on their own but need divine help. So they accept the sacrifice of Jesus if living after the cross and look to God to forgive their sins if they lived before the cross. Jesus miracle at the wedding was turning water into wine which the headwaiter proclaimed that the new wine was much better than the old. I wonder if this is referring to covenants? it is also interesting that Jesus told His mother His time had not yet come, but still obeyed her as a child is commanded to do in the ten commandments. This chapter also involves the driving the moneychangers out of the temple, God's house should not be a place of business. Jesus had many people believe because of His signs and wonders, but did not trust Himself to man because He knew their hearts. People can seem Godly and seemingly accept Jesus but we don't know their hearts, only God does and in this instance He chose not to confide in them.

In my walk/run today I went alone. I cherish the reflection time. I can think of how far I have to go, how tired my body is, or I can think about God. Today (Nov 8, 2006) it came to me that we have basically two choices in life. We can do things in a way we reason suits us best, or we can do things God's way. I guess I thought of it because going out to run I almost did not. I didn't feel like it, I had other work to do that I needed to do, but I went because I know I need a certain amount of exercise. Toward the end of the run I was feeling the joy of the accomplishment, but I could plainly remember the doubt or reservation I had in leaving. Following God is like that. Looking into our future there are certain things we know we should do for God. They require sacrifice and discomfort on our part, there is usually an alternative that is more pleasing to our self. We may not realize the reward in following God in this life and we know it, whereas not following God seemingly has rewards and in a quicker more immediate time frame. Then I thought of times I had not followed God, I made a clear choice not to, the "reward" for doing so seems so inconsequential now. Actually there is regret, anguish. I contrasted that with times I followed God consciously in this life and realized His reward (or part of it) I can't think of any regrets in those cases I only have pleasant memories. How true is "there is a way that seems right unto man ... I don't know why that came to me on a run, but I'm glad it did and may I be constantly reminded of that truth as I live the rest of my life and face the choices that will inevitably come.