Somethin's Happenin'

"Somethin's happenin' here. What it is ain't exactly clear."

Boy, ain't THAT the truth.

"There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people - everyone whose name is found written in the book - will be delivered. ²Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. ³Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. ⁴But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge." - Daniel 12:1-4

Interesting.

I have written about this topic before, but something seems different as I consider today's story. Something's happening or is about to.

Jesus told us to look for signs, indicators of His soon return. He also said that "no one knows the day or the hour" (Matthew 24:36). Well, those "signs" are happening right now, and at an increasingly frequent rate. But I have noticed something else. Something new. What is it? Well, God has been blessing me lately. A lot.

It's hard to explain, but it's almost like God wants to bless me before I leave this place. And, if that's the case, how and when am I going? I have no idea. But I am ready. 🙂 The average age of death for men in this country was 76.5 men in 2024. I'm 73. I'm not worried about it, but I DO think about it from time to time.

I no longer watch the news with any interest. Nor do I care who gets voted into office in the upcoming election. I'll still vote, but more so out of duty than activism. God chooses those who come into office, all for His purpose and glory.

But then I came across this verse in one of those Facebook Reels, seemingly at random.

"And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time." - Daniel 7:25, KJV

At first I thought the video was incorrect. It stated that he (The Antichrist) would "wear out" the saints, but the NIV said "opress," but indeed the KJV, ESV, and NASB all say "wear down" or "wear out." Here's the NIV:

"He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time." - Daniel 7:25

Are you feeling worn down by everything that's been happening lately? I sure am. According to Daniel, it is something that happens to all believers before the Tribulation begins.

Is there someone on the world stage right now who is "wearing out" all of the Christians? I don't know. But, if the pre-tribulation rapture of the church is correct, we won't know who the Antichrist is. Why? Because we'll be gone.

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching." - Hebrews 10:23-25

For What It's Worth - Buffalo Springfield.

The Thing About Puzzles

We've had a lot of rain lately. SO much rain that many communities around us are experiencing flooding. I mean, dams are overflowing, and people are being evacuated from their homes. That's a lot of rain!

While we know that "April showers bring May flowers," what do we do when we're stuck INSIDE because everything OUTSIDE is so wet? My wife and I do puzzles! 🧩

Puzzles help pass the time in our house, along with reading and household chores. At least our minds are getting some exercise while our bodies turn to flab due to inactivity.

I've noticed something in our puzzling. It is an perfect representation of our future lives here on earth, and also of our relationship with God.

God knows everything, from beginning to end. We, on the other hand, know very little about what lies ahead. It's like opening a jigsaw puzzle box and dumping it's contants out onto the table.

Think about your life in high school. Did you ever think THEN where you'd end up 40 or 50 years later? No! But, piece by piece, you are there now. God knew where you'd end up. He even knew some of us "had a few pieces missing," like myself. But here we are!

Our children and grandchildren do puzzles. If they only knew . . .

"Hey, Grandpa. Why are you smiling me while I'm doing my puzzle?"

"You're a great puzzler and I like to watch how you figure things out. You are doing well." - proud Grandpa.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." - Psalm 139:13-14

The Former Things

“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” - Revelation 21:3-4

Last Sunday morning I woke up with a Vacation Bible School song playing on repeat in my head (link below). And what a wonderful message it has brought to my ears.

God has promised some amazing things in the Bible. Especially in Revelation 21. No more death, mourning, crying, or pain anymore. Forever! Oh, my. Imagine living in a world like that.

There will be no more presidential elections to concern ourselves with. No more wars or fighting. No more hostages. No more protests. No more 'agendas' to push. No more lies to spin.

The cool thing about these two verses from The Book of Revelation is this. Not only do they refer to a time coming in the future, but they also refer to the change that happens to each one of our hearts when we place our faith in jesus.

So many wonderful things have happened to me lately. It's almost like I am being given one last taste of this world before being taken out of it. These blessings are also a foretaste of things to come!

One thing I DO know for sure is that God has better things in store for us - for each and every child He has called to be with Him in His kingdom. And that is truly amazing because we are ALL sinners.

"For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin." - Ecclesiastes 7:20

God hates sin. Yet He loves and extends grace and mercy to all who believe in Him. Why?

"God is love." - 1 John 4:8

Now, as to "the former things." Everyone has done something that they regret. Wouldn't it be nice to erase all of those things. We can! Through our faith in Jesus. All we have to do is repent, believe, and then we can forever receive the blessing of a new heart.

When we allow Jesus to be our Lord, our 'head,' we become changed. The old has become new . . .

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!" - 2 Corinthians 5:17

So rejoice today!

Every Tear - AIG VBS Song

Foreshadowing

The exact timing of the rapture of the church seems to be in doubt. Is it a pre-tribulation rapture? Mid-tribulation? Or post-tribulation? God has already shown us the future. He and His prophets have already told us these things. It's called 'foreshadowing' to a writer. Here's some examples:

Noah and the Ark - wasn't this a foreshadowing of Christ and His church? In order to be saved from the flood you had to get in the ark, right? Well, in order to be saved from your sins you have to be IN Christ. The ark was a foreshadowing of Jesus.

Joseph - he suffered much at the hands of his brothers in the Book of Genesis. But later Joseph saved the entire nation of Israel through that suffering and sacrifice. It was through Joseph that an entire nation was saved. Speaking to his brothers, he said this:

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." - Genesis 37:20 

Moses - another Christ-like figure from the Book of Genesis. Wasn't the entire nation of Israel saved through Moses when he led them out of Egypt?

"Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, “Let my people go, that they may serve me." - Exodus 9:1

God's Wrath - Do you remember all the plagues that God sent down upon Egypt and pharaoh in order to make him let his people go? How many of those plagues affected the Israelites? None of them.

"There will be loud wailing throughout Egypt - worse than there has ever been or ever will be again. But among the Israelites not a dog will bark at any person or animal.’ Then you will know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel." - Exodus 11:6-7

"Egypt" are all of the unbelieving people who did not know God. "Israel" are God's chosen people.

God's Wrath did not touch his chosen ones back then and it will not touch his church today. "God did not appoint us to wrath," it says in the Bible. He protected his people in the Old Testament and He protected them in the New Testament.

"For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ." - 1 Thessalonians 5:9

God is consistent.  He never changes. He has told us from the beginning what it is that He will do in the future. Why don't we believe Him?

"The Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." - James 1:17

"I declare the end from the beginning, and ancient times from what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.'" - Isaiah 46:10

It will not be long before God removes His people from what He is about to do, and He will do it quickly - "In the twinkling of an eye."

"Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed - in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed." - 1 Corinthians 15:51-52

Oblivion

What will life be like in the future? We've already gone through a pandemic, edured two world wars, and a third one seems like a real possibility these days. What will this place look like in 10 years? In 5 years?

Have you ever seen the 2013 movie Oblivion? (There's a link at the bottom of this page. You can watch it for free).

Oblivion is a futuristic apocalyptic Sci-Fi movie. It's good vs evil. On one side are people who live above the earth in the clouds. They're all nice and clean. On the other side are people who live on the surface in a cave. They're dirty scavengers.

As I watched the movie I thought, "This is nothing like our planet's future." Although there will always be a good vs evil plot, at least until our Lord returns.

Hollywood likes to make movies about the future. They are always wrong.

Our actual future also contains an apocalyptic battle. But we who believe will not be here to see it. We have a loving God who watches over us and "has not appointed us to suffer wrath." (1 Thes 5:9).

God has other plans for us.

"Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” - Revelation 21:1-4

Now there's a futuristic movie worth watching!

The meaning of the word oblivion is the fact or condition of not remembering : a state marked by lack of awareness or consciousness. the condition or state of being forgotten or unknown.

We are becoming oblivious to what it's like to live godly lives, to worship God in spirit in truth, to love our neighbor and to love God. We are becoming oblivious to God. And that's not good.

“Now consider this, you who forget (or are oblivious to) God, Or I will tear you in pieces, and there will be no one to save you." - Psalm 50:22

Oblivion movie

Live In The Now

The world we live in today is a whole lot different than when I was a kid. Of course, that was 50+ years ago. A lot of things have changed since then, and not all of them for the better.

This generation of today lives by the mantra featured in my story title - live in the now. There's no thinking about the future or possible consequences. "Just do it," says Nike.

Back in the 60's the Boy Scouts had a motto - "Be Prepared." Everything we did was in preparation for some future event.

First aid, tying knots, foraging for food, exercising, camping, handling knives and axes, civil service, attending church. Everything was a training exercise for the furure.

And now? Most of today's kids don't even know what a checkbook is, much less how to balance one.

What do they do when the power goes out? "Well, my phone has a flashlight." And when the battery dies? "Umm . . . call mommy and daddy?"

I'm not a big prepper but I do believe in being prepared. The extent of each person's preparedness is up to the individual.

My preparation for the future has led me to Christ. Through Jesus, I know exactly what my future holds.

Yes, my wife and I buy things in bulk when they go on sale. Yes, we stock up our pantry and our freezer. We have a generator, we have a wood burning fireplace. But our faith and Hope for our future lies in Jesus.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

Live for the future.

Live In The Now - Wayne's World

The Parable of the Weatherman

Weathermen are notorious for predicting,  and with great confidence I might add, the weather events of the future. The truth is they just make their best guesses based on previous weather events, as modeled by today's computers programs. Even with all that they are never 100% right.

One of our Green Bay weathermen has what he calls 'The Three Degree Guarantee.' He predicts the high temp within 3° 95% of the time. That's nice. But why isn't it 100%? Because he knows he could never make predictions that are always right. He's a human.

God's prophets are pretty good at predicting. That's because they don't predict. They just repeat what God tells them. GOD is 100% right, 100% of the time.

When Jesus said that He would return one day, I believe Him. He is always 100% correct. He also said that we would be able to tell the season of His return. Surely we must be getting close.

Now I have a song stuck in my head. There is a link to it at the bottom. The song is based on the words of 2nd Timothy 1:12

"I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day." - 2 Timothy 1:12

Do you KNOW who you believe in? God is 100% right in what He says, and in what He does, 100% of the time. He knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10).

And He loves YOU!

I Know Whom I Have Believed - Fountainview Academy 

Look Up!

Before weather radar was a thing we relied on 'signs in the sky' for our weather forecasting. 'Red sky at night, sailor's delight.' Remember that one?

Our modern weather radar is pretty good, but it can still get things wrong. Yesterday, for example, my phone's weather app said it was snowing where we live yet, when we looked outside, there wasn't a snowflake to be seen.

A popular weatherman in our area once said that before he went on the air with his computer-generated weather projections, he always stuck his head out the back door and looked at the sky. Smart man.

“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption is drawing near.” - Luke 21:28

The Bible talks about things that will happen in the future. It's called 'prophesy.' Jesus said this:

"You fools! You know how to interpret the weather signs of the earth and sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the present times." - Luke 12:56

Weather forecasts can be useful for preparing us for the day. What we will wear and what we will do often depend on the weather. But to be properly prepared we have to heed the tornado warnings and blizzard warnings. Our beliefs about the weather forecast affects our actions.

The same if true for God's prophetic words. If we don't listen to them, what good are they doing us?

Does your church teach out of the Book of Revelation? Daniel? Matthew 24? If it doesn't, how will you be prepared for the storm that is coming? You might as well wear shorts and flip-flops to church this winter then. Acceptable in Florida perhaps, but not in Wisconsin!

Bible prophecy is there for a reason. The Book of Revelation is the only book where God says that He will bless its readers.

"Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near." - Revelation 1:3

Be blessed today! Read it and heed it.

Dreams

Do you have dreams? I'm not talking about the dreams we have while we're sleeping. I'm talking about the things we'd like to see happen in our lives.

The perfect marriage, a big, beautiful house, an RV, motor cycle or boat. All these things can be the focus of dreams.

As we age our dreams change. Circumstances sometimes don't allow us to fulfill our dreams. Our spouse might leave us and take the house or a job night come to an end and we will no longer be able to afford the things we dreamed of.

As we mature our dreams can change as well. We begin to think about others more -  less materialistic things. What are your dreams today? What dreams do you have for your children? Your grandchildren?

Perhaps it will be that they live in a virus-free work or where people aren't so opinionated. It might be that we dream of a time when we are more loving or that everyone has enough food to eat. We could also dream of a world with less violence and sin.

There is one dream that would accomplish many of these dreams all at once if it came true today. What if we dreamed of a world in which everyone knew Jesus? Think about it. Everyone loving each other and obeying His commands.

There would be no more hunger. If Jesus was real in our lives we would feed everyone. We would cloth everyone. There would be no more orphans wandering our streets. There would be no more sex trafficking, No more pornography. No more sin. God would bless His children.

That time is coming. But for now all we can do is dream. Dream of that day when we can all live together in peace and harmony. Perhaps today will be the day that dream comes true. We came dream, can't we?

"'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams." - Acts 2:17

Dreams - Van Halen (and the Blue Angels)

The Wilderness

If you have ever felt alone, you know what I'm about to say. You've been there. Maybe you ARE still there right now. No worries.

My wife and I were watching a show this week about a guy who spent 30 years living alone in the wilderness. Not a lifestyle that's for everybody, that's for sure, but he seemed to enjoy it.

I got thinking about what that would be like, living alone like that, and I have decided I never would have made it. Living alone for short periods of time is okay - even desirable sometimes. But 30 years?

God said, "It is not right for man to be alone" (Gen 2:18) and I think He's right. No, I KNOW He's right. God is NEVER wrong. Remember that.

So, why do we feel so alone sometimes? Sometimes it is a choice, subconscious maybe, but it is a choice. The guy in the picture didn't want to live with people anymore. He got tired of them. He made a choice.

Sometimes however aloneness is forced upon us, or so it seems. Why? Why am I alone when I don't want to be? Maybe the love of your life was ripped from you and you are feeling so very alone. Why? If God created me for a relationship, why did He take me best relationship from me? You have probably asked God that very question. What was His answer? Did you wait for it?

I wonder, when we are alone, is it actually OUR choice to be that way? Do we get tired of the dating scene, disappointing humans, and being hurt? Maybe. It's also possible that we simply get tired of waiting. We just give up looking. Hoping. Again, we have made a choice.

We were created for relationships - Adam . . .and Eve. God created them for each other. So, where is our Adam? Where is our Eve? Oh, they are out there. And if they ARE indeed out there, why have we stopped searching for them?

Hope is an amazing thing. Hope is why I get excited thinking about the life after this one. It is why we get up in the morning. It is why we seek God. There MUST be something out there. If not, why do we hope?

Whatever your situation is right now, if you have hope you HAVE a future. Maybe living in the wilderness is enjoyable to you. That's fine. But if you enjoy relationship and you are currently alone maybe this will give you what you need this morning:

Why do you complain, Jacob?
    Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord;

    my cause is disregarded by my God”?

28 Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,

    and his understanding no one can fathom.

29 He gives strength to the weary

    and increases the power of the weak.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary,

    and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:27-31

Trust in God. "He WILL give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4). That is a promise. Be one who trusts in the Lord, no matter how long it takes.

Trust, Hope, Praise.

Imagine, If You Will

"Imagine, if you will, a time when Christians no longer walk the earth. It is a dark and terrifying time, without hope, love or even a future. Welcome to The Post-Christian Zone.

If you  are as old as me you probably can remember watching The Twilight Zone with Rod Serling. Each week Mr. Serling would bring us a bizarre, "out there", black and white television offering about some random topic, trying to get his audience to think. And that, my friends, is the REAL Twilight Zone - right here and now - trying to get people to actually think. That's a problem in today's world. We aren't thinking about the consequences of our actions.

"According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words." - 1 Thessalonians 4:15:18

Did you ever wonder what the world will be like after the rapture? No humanitarian organizations like Samaritan's Purse, the Salvation Army. They all will all be gone or just an empty shell left behind. Most, but not all, of the churches will be gone too. There is only one true church - those who truly believe in Jesus.

In my opinion, this world will become a very dark place to live when the church is gone. Crime will increase. Violence. Abortion will be the law of the land. Oh, wait, it already is. Those in poverty and the elderly will simply be allowed to die. Many will perish due to lack of food. Why? Because few will care. Remember, the vast majority of the world's caring people will be gone.

Christianity, as Rod said in his weekly open, "is a dimension, not only of sight and sound, but of mind." Well, God said in the Book of Romans, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:2

The next logical question is, "How do we get our minds "renewed?" - The Holy Spirit is the answer. We receive Him when we receive Jesus as our Lord.

There are lots of politicians promising us free stuff lately but the truth is it's never really free. Somebody will pay for it. God, however, offers us lots of free stuff. The only problem is that many don't want it.

But think about it - free eternal life, immunity from pain and suffering, No darkness or shadow, only light. No more tears. There WAS a price to be paid, but Jesus already paid it on the cross and all we have left to do to collect God's riches is place our faith and trust in His Son.

When Jesus returns and collects His church, this world will not be a great place to live, no matter WHERE you are. But like the old 60's song says, "People get ready, there's a train a comin'. You don't need no baggage, you just get on board."

Twilight Zone Opening
Left Behind Trailer
People Get Ready - Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions

Dangerous Dreams

I had a weird dream last night. This morning I found myself trying to figure out what it meant. Based on clues from my dream I have come to the conclusion that I should not go swimming if the door to the pool leads to a skinny ledge hundreds of feet above the ground.

Joseph could interpret dreams. He did so quite easily - with God's help. He once interpreted a dream for pharaoh that featured healthy cows being devoured by ugly skinny ones. Here's what Joseph told Pharaoh.

“It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29 Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, 30 but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land." - Genesis 41:28-30

Of course! Why didn't the pharaoh think of that!!

In my dream, I was with a friend - a friend who is struggling in real life. In my dream we decided we would go for a swim. There were many people in the pool. Too many for my friend. All were having fun and enjoying themselves. Something we were hoping to do.

There was a door at the far end of the pool which led to an outdoor pool so we decided to go there. But as soon as we stepped out of the door we were on a narrow ledge that sloped downward. Someone was walking ahead of us and, when they reached the end of the ledge, they climbed down and out of sight.

I started climbing down that same ladder but my friend would have none of it and went back inside. That is where my dream ended.

Several people in my life are struggling right now. Some have a drug or alcohol problem, others have lost a loved one or lost a job. All are afraid of what lies ahead for them in one way or another. Many are afraid to take the steps required to make it to "the pool" - their desired destination. However, God did not give us a spirit of fear.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." - 2 Timothy 1:7

So, how do I get my friend to the pool? The answer is simple. I don't. Only God can do that. My job it two-fold - to walk along with them and to pray.

Who in your life needs a walking partner today? What are they afraid of? Are we as Christians willing to walk with them and encourage them and pray with them, and for them? If not, our dreams, and theirs, will become nightmares of what could have been.

Dreams - Van Halen

Don't Look Back

We all have something in our lives that we would be better off without. Alcohol, gambling, overeating, idolatry, lust, an abusive relationship, you name it. Why do we keep going back to the very things that are destroying us?

What is it in your life that you would be better off without? That one thing that, if you lost it, your life would be so much better.

Do you remember the Old Testament story of Sodom and Gomorrah? Things go so bad in those towns that God decided to destroy them. There was one man though - Lot was his name. When Lot was hesitating to leave the city one of the angels said to him . . .

“Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!” - Genesis 19:17

That is the place we have to get to with our addictions and desires. We have to arrive at the point where we give them up and do not look back. Lot's wife looked back and thought about what she was leaving behind. It cost her everything - her life. She is our example of what NOT to do.

"But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt." - Genesis 19:26

God wants us to leave our past behind us and follow Him. Never look back, never think about what might have been. Only look ahead and dream about what is yet to come.

Burn The Ships - For King and Country (the meaning)

But Jesus

We all have expectations in life. Things we hope for and strive for that we are just certain are going to come true. Then reality hits us right between the ideas. What do we do then? What do we do when the life we expected suddenly jumps the rails and crashes right in front of us?

Some people seem  to have all the luck. They have nice homes, drive nice cars, get invited to all the cool parties and then there's the rest of us.

What expectations SHOULD we have for our lives? Can we really expect anything for sure? Death and taxes are the only certain things they say. Everything else? Who knows?

Well, there is one more thing we can expect. Trouble. Jesus promised us that.

"In this world you will have trouble." - John 16:33

There it is. There's the promise. And it has surely come true for just about everyone I can think of. Wonderful. Well, here is another reminder. Another expectation of sorts. Its the expectation of hope after everything seems to have gone wrong.

"But take heart! I have overcome the world.”" - John 16:33

But Jesus.Two of the greatest words in the Bible.

A friend of mine lost his brother to suicide a year or so ago. He was devastated of course. The fact that the man who took his own life was a pastor made it all the more difficult to comprehend. In a Facebook post the following day my friend wrote this. "Devastated . . . but Jesus."

Jesus is the perfect answer to any struggle or hardship. His very name makes hope spring forth in our hearts. Jesus is our Shepherd, our Savior, our King, our Redeemer, our Lord and our God. He is our one and only hope.

If you are struggling today, place your hope and expectations in Jesus.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:4-7

My Hope Is In You - Aaron Shust

Time

The overarching theme from this past weekend seemed to be time. From days gone by to dreams and hope for the future. It all began Friday, experiencing tastes of past present and future. All at the same time.

My wife spent the day watching our granddaughter Emma. What better representation of hope for the future than a young child being held by her grandmother.

While my wife was doing that I was at a home show as part of a ministry group I'm in, offering "wholeness and hope for the future."

Saturday my wife and I traveled to Milwaukee to celebrate her dad's 91st birthday. All three of his daughters were there. Grandchildren were present as well. Then, while we were eating, an older grey-haired man kept walking by our table wearing a Pink Floyd tee shirt - probably a fan since his teens. Another representation of "time."

Then my wife and I met with a former pastor of mine to discuss future plans for a present ministry. Past, present and future all sitting at a table together.

Then, before we went to bed Saturday night, my wife and I set all of the clocks ahead an hour - a daylight savings time thing. It's more of a sleep deprivation thing if you ask me. Man thinking he can control time. Pfft.

Sunday morning my wife and I woke up, deprived of 60-minutes of our sleep. And why? Does it really matter? Then, as I dressed, I looked out the window. Our apple tree was shaking. Why? Because there was a partridge sitting in it, looking back at me.

My wife said, "I've never, ever seen that before and probably never will see it again. Yet another indicator of time.

We humans act like we are masters of time, yet we never seem to have enough of it. As I get ready to retire in three weeks the general perception is that I will have time to do whatever I want, but the vast majority of retirees say they are so busy they wonder how they ever got things done before they retired.

There is only one master of time and that is God. Time means nothing to Him.

"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day." - 2 Peter 3:8

As we watch the news tonight we might find ourselves thinking about the past and how much better things were back then. We might also wonder about the future. Is there any hope in the future if the news of today is a representation of the present? Scary. Yet there IS hope.

There is tremendous hope for those who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus. God has promised that by doing that one thing we may have eternal life. Time will no longer matter to us. And if that is the case, and God cannot lie, then sign me up. Oh, wait. I already made my reservations. Have you?

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16

The future begins right now! Grab hold of it.

"The tolling of the iron bell, calls the faithful to their knees." - Pink Floyd

Time - Pink Floyd

Promises

Sometimes the struggles and trials we find ourselves in can be pretty deep and dark. There are times when the storms seem almost unbearable. We'd give anything to make the pain and the hurting stop. So what do we do? Where can we find hope? The answer is as simple as opening a door.

Sometimes, when we have the windows open in our house and the wind is blowing, doors can open and close by themselves. It's weird to see but sometimes, without us doing anything, doors can slam shut. That's not a super bad deal but when the litter box is downstairs and our cats are upstairs it CAN be an issue.

Sometimes our life can be like that. We can get so busy with a particular struggle or event that our focus on God disappears. The "door" of communication that once was open becomes shut. That's not good.

One way I've found to keep the door between myself and God open is to remind myself of His promises. When I feel alone, I remind myself that He has promised to never leave me. When I screw up and commit a sin I remind myself that God has promised to remove my sins as far as the east is from the west.

Sadly, there are many people who don't know Jesus and refuse to open any doors that might lead to Him. They are choosing to remain alone. Choosing to live with their sin burden. That is a terrible way to live.

The love of Christ is an open door. Once opened He promises that He will come into our lives and live with us . . . IN us.

God transforms lives through His forgiveness. He loves His children. Won't you please consider loving Him in return? Open the door.

^"20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. " - Revelation 3:20

On my way to work yesterday I heard a song on the radio. I usually don't listen to the music on this particular station but I did that day for some reason. The lyrics reminded me of God's promises and sparked this story. Listen to it, then, let Him in. :)

The Promise - The Martins

Let 'Em In - Paul McCartney

Uphill Battle?

Every once in a while I take a picture that tells a story. It may not be the best photo but, if it speaks volumes to the heart, it's a good picture. This is one such photo for me.

Obviously, the photo is of a young lady and and an even younger man. A mother and her son perhaps? What are they doing?

They are walking uphill. More on that in a moment. The young boy is full of energy. His eyes are looking forward, looking toward some distant destination or goal. And he is running towards it!

The mother's eyes are focused on her son. She follows behind him closely, keeping him safe from danger, safe from harm. There is a little less enthusiasm in her eyes - almost a tiredness. But she is also determined . . . devoted to her son.

There is something missing in this photo though. It is something that would make this photo an even better story. There is no father is in this picture. It's just a mother and her son.

Sometimes life can throw a curve ball at us - something totally unexpected. Unforeseen circumstances can change our life's plans in an instant. So what do we do? How can we cope with the unexpected, life altering things that happen to us?

The first thing we can do is look at and appreciate the things we still have. Look at what God has given us. The mom in this picture has her son. She treasures and appreciates the gift that he is in her life.

Second, this mom has her entire future stretching out in front of her. That's what her son is looking at in this picture I think. She should be encouraged in that she gets to watch him grow into an amazing young man - strong and courageous and ready to face the world.

But the most important thing we should remember when things go bad in our lives is our faith in God. When we place our trust in Jesus we become HIs children. "I will not leave you as orphans." Those were the words Jesus spoke to His disciples. We are never alone.

We may feel lost sometimes in life. We may feel unworthy or worthless. We may even feel like a failure. But we are actually none of those things. That's just Satan pushing our buttons. We are far more valuable in the eyes of God.

^"11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." - Jeremiah 29:11-13

A mother's loving embrace helps grows a child

The young lady in that picture is a friend of mine. I know the things she has gone through in this life. She is a fighter, wanting what is best for her child - a loving caring mom to be sure. There are many more such women in this world - moms raising kids on their own.

There is much to be learned from these amazing ladies. Lessons in courage, determination, perseverance, and love. When life changes for the worse it can be like walking into an airplane propeller. It is what we do AFTER that happens that defines us.

A Mother's Prayer - Celine Dione
I Am Second - Lauren Scruggs 

The Parable of The Kreg Jig

Today's story is one of provision. God's provision - and how He sometimes gives us things we never even knew we needed. Or, as in the example for today, God provided something I never even knew existed.

Do you know what a Kreg Jig is? I didn't either, until about a month ago. I had gone nearly 63 years in my life without hearing the term "Kreg Jig", then, suddenly, I was hearing it at least once a week!

As you may or may not know, I am building a Tiny Home. I haven't gotten very far. I have a trailer. That's it. I have watched numerous videos of Tiny Home designs so, when I saw another one pop up on Facebook, I watched it. At the end of the video I was invited to the person's web page for more designs and DIY ideas. That link was the beginning of God's provision.

I began looking at all the furniture ideas, being interested in space-saving furniture ideas. At the bottom of each post was a list of materials and tools needed for the project. Nice. Hmm. Kreg Jig. What's that? So I clicked on the convenient link supplied. Ohhhh!!! So THAT'S a Kreg Jig! Cool!!

A week later a young friend at work came into my cube to show me a picture of some furniture she and her boyfriend had made. She handed me her phone with the picture of a very nice entertainment center on it.

"Cool!! How did you make the top?"

"We used a Kreg Jig."

"What!? That's the second time I've heard that term this week!"

Fast forward to last weekend. My wife and I were in Michigan visiting family when my sister, right out of the blue, asked, "Do you know what a Kreg Jig is?"

"What!?!"

I told her the story of my friend and the web page."

"Wow! That's amazing," she replied. Would you like one? I have two and I was hoping you might like one."

What do you think I said?

Do you think God plays a role in our daily lives? I sure do! Arranging, conducting and orchestrating things that happen in it, that will help us bring glory to His name. I have never used a Kreg Jig but I get the feeling God wants me to. And so He has provided.

What is the "Kreg Jig" in YOUR life? How has God provided for YOU? What gifts has He given YOU? Are you using them for HIS ultimate glory?

Father, I pray that our every thought, our every deed be done to bring glory to your name. When we rise in the morning, glory be to God. When we go to work, let us work in a way that reflects who YOU are. Let us love others in ways that remind people of you. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of The Lord!

^"28 When He had said this, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. ²⁹ And it came to pass, when He drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mountain called Olivet, that He sent two of His disciples, ³⁰ saying, “Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Loose it and bring it here. ³¹ And if anyone asks you, ‘Why are you loosing it?’ thus you shall say to him, ‘Because the Lord has need of it.’”

³² So those who were sent went their way and found it just as He had said to them. ³³ But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, “Why are you loosing the colt?”

³⁴ And they said, “The Lord has need of him.” ³⁵ Then they brought him to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him. ³⁶ And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road.

³⁷ Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, ³⁸ saying:

“ ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!’
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

Open Concept Tiny House - Ana White
How To Build A Wood Tabletop - Ana White

Bottled Water

As I prepare to begin construction of my Tiny Home this spring, one of the things I am trying to work out is a mobile, off-grid source of water. The solution for anyone who is thirsty has always been easy to figure out. All we need to do is look up!

Look at the picture to the left. Study it. Examine it. What do you see? A water bottle? Some water? Look closer. The water is pouring out of the container. What's behind the container? Blue sky? The sun? That's right. The water is pouring out "from above."

"7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”

13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” - John 4:7-15

The thing about bottled water is, although the bottle contains one of the basic elements of life, and can literally save someone's life, it is totally useless until it is opened. I'm one of those bottles of water. I should NOT be full. And, just like a bottle of water, we were created to be emptied.

Is there "living water" in you? Have we opened our little bottle and poured it into someone else? Would people say there is a spring of living water pouring out of us? If we call ourselves Christians we should have been filled up with God's Holy Spirit. We should have been filled to the point of overflowing. And that's the big question, isn't it? "ARE we overflowing?"

Water is a powerful thing. Just ask the Grand Canyon. Just ask the 180,000 people living beneath the Oroville Reservoir in California. Water can change the landscape around us. It can change us too.

The world we live in is in desperate need of "living" water. God provides all the water that the world needs - both to sustain us and to change us. However, we are in short supply of vessels . . . water bottles. That's us. WE are the bottles that contain the living water Jesus speaks of. Are we overflowing? Or do we still have our caps on?

Oroville Dam Video
The Well - Casting Crowns

Man Overboard!

Did you see the story about the woman who fell off the cruise ship into the middle of the Gulf of Mexico? How horrible! What a tremendous feeling of loneliness and hopelessness she must have been feeling . . . watching the ship she had just been standing on, sailing away and leaving her behind in the darkness.

I think about that situation and wonder, "What would I have done in her place?" How long could I have treaded water? Did anyone see me fall and are they runing for help? Why aren't they turning around?

Our days are numbered on this planet. God tells us in his world . . .

"5 A man’s days are numbered. You know the number of his months. He cannot live longer than the time You have set. 6 So now look away from him that he may rest, until he has lived the time set for him like a man paid to work. 7 “For there is hope for a tree, when it is cut down, that it will grow again, and that its branches will not stop growing." - Job 14:5-7

That's an interesting passage. "There is hope for a tree" it says. Makes me wonder . . . If our days are numbered . . . is there hope . . . for us?

The answer to THAT question is, of course, yes, there IS hope. But only for those who place their faith in Jesus. For the rest of humanity it is much like the fate of that woman who fell overboard. Lost and alone.

If you were lost in the middle of the ocean and suddenly saw a light in the distance, what would you do? I'd start to swim. Why? Because I now had hope! Without hope and direction we are eternally lost.

There is tremendous hope in Christ. The promise of a future, a hope FOR that future, and a purpose or direction for our lives.

If you fell overboard with a friend and you saw a light in the darkness, wouldn't you encourage your friend to swim with you? Sure! Is there a friend in YOUR life who is "drowning" Is there someone you know who doesn't know Jesus? Shouldn't we help them? If they died tomorrow, what excuse would you give Jesus for not talking to them about Him?

I heard someone make a statement this week that I think rings true with our witnessing for Jesus. And I am just as much at fault in this as anyone.

"We always have time for the things we WANT to do."

Witnessing to someone can be difficult but it can also be life-saving. When the situation is desperate, we often will take action. But if there is now immediate need we tend to find other things to do with our time. Until one day . . . one day too late.

One Day To Late - Skillet