Get Together

Do you remember what you were doing in 1971? Perhaps you were protesting the Vietnam war. Or fighting in it. Maybe you weren't even born yet.

For me, I was 18 and in my senior year at New Berlin High School (a suburb of Milwaukee). I was aware of all the anti-war protests going on. They were happening right downtown!

The following was an introduction to a protest song by Jimi Hendrix back in 1970:

"I'd like to dedicate this to the draggin' scene that's goin' on. All the soldiers fighting in Chicago and Milwaukee and New York. Oh yes, and all the soldiers fighting in Vietnam. I'd like to do this little thing called Machine Gun." - Jimi Hendrix

Music was a big part of my life back then. I was in a small rock band (we played one gig). Although I played guitar I never really paid too much attention to the lyrics.

In 1971 there was a song that encouraged everyone to just love one another. It was called Get Together by The Youngbloods. The chorus goes like this:

"Come on people now, smile on your brother. Everybody get together, try to love one another right now."

I never made the connection - the connection to Jesus.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." - John 13:34

The song goes on to say this in the second verse:

"Some may come and some may go. He will surely pass. When the one that left us here, Returns for us at last. We are but a moment's sunlight, Fading in the grass."

I never made the Jesus connection back in 1971, even though I had sung the song many times. Only now do I see it.

The common need this generation of today has with the generation of my youth is this: LOVE. Perhaps we need to repeat the song lyrics over and over again until we get the concept stuck in our heads.

"Come on people now, smile on your brother. Everybody get together, try to love one another right now."

Get Together - The Youngbloods

Machine Gun - Jimi Hendrix

Kindling

A cool, crisp fall day in Central Wisconsin. Perfect for gathering kindling for winter fires to come. My wife loves toasty fires in the wintertime.

We have a pile of dead oak branches in our backyard, gathered throughout the spring and summer. Fall is the time I choose to break them up and stuff them into 5-gallon pails.

It's kind of mindless work really. There's not a lot of thought involved in snapping a twig. So my mind is free to wander. And wander it does.

Thoughts of friends and family members come to mind. People who are struggling and are in need of help. Kindling it seems is good for starting prayers as well as fires.

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

The sun is getting low in the sky this time of year. It won't be long before there's a blanket of snow on the ground . . . and a fire in the fireplace.

Prayers are kindled by our compassion for others. Who shall we pray for today?

The Morning Star

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” - Revelation 22:16

Jesus tells us right there that He is "the bright morning star." There is also another bright morning "star," astronomically speaking - the planet Venus. Right now (at 5AM) it is very bright and can be seen in the eastern sky.

It was so bright this morning that I figured it was the moon at first, but then I put on my glasses and saw it was really a star or one of the planets. So I downloaded and installed an astronomy app. The screenshot above was from that app this morning. I got chills when I saw it. Why?

Venus, the morning star, is shown IN a certain constellation - Virgo. Virgo, as you can tell, is a woman. Virgo/virgin. If you have studied the Book of Revelation then perhaps this passage will be familiar to you.

“And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth… She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron.” - Revelation 12:1-2,5

"Clothed in the sun" - could this be the morning sun to go along with the morning star? That's exactly what I was seeing!

We are certainly having "birth pains" right now in this world. The "woman," is Israel. The "12 stars" are the 12 tribes of Israel. The "male child" is Jesus. And He will come "to rule all the nations." Soon!

"And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years," - Genesis 1:14

This celestial event has greatly encouraged me. My prayer is that you would be blessed by this story as well.

Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus! Keep your eyes on the skies!

Through The Window

Have you ever heard the Bible verse, "When one door closes, another one opens?" Well, forget about it. It's not a Bible verse. Alexander Graham Bell said it in 1935. Here's the full quote:

"When one door shuts, another one opens, but we sometimes stare at the closed door for so long and with such sadness that we fail to see the one that has opened for us."

Still the concept of God opening and closing doors is VERY Biblical. Here are a few examples.

Rahab let the Israelite spies down through a window to keep them from harm.

"Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was built into the city wall, so that she lived in the wall." - Joshua 2:15

Michal, David's wife, let him down through a window to prevent Saul from killing him.

"So Michal let David down through the window, and he fled away and escaped." - 1 Samuel 19:12

Saul (Paul) was lowered down through a window by his disciples to keep the Jews from killing him.

"But his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket." - Acts 9:25

The point of all this is that God always provides a way out for us in our struggles. It might not be how we thought he'd do it but it happens, and for God's ultimate glory. Even in our sin He provides for us.

"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." - 1 Corinthians 10:14

No go look at that Alexander Graham Bell quote again.

"We sometimes stare at the closed door for so long and with such sadness that we fail to see the one that has opened for us."

Finally . . .

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6

Look Through Any Window - Hollies

Churchianity

There is a new church in town called the Frisbee-terian church. We will be meeting Sunday mornings at the local disc golf course and learning all about God's creation. This Sunday's sermon is entitled, "Why God put trees where He did."

Just kidding of course, but why are there so many different "brands" of churches? Is one any better that the other? Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Mormon, Scientology. I'm so confused. Well....

All these various "religions" are all man-made, of course. If we don't like our church we leave it. Maybe we even start a new one. These facts alone should be red flags for us all.

Back in the day, when The Church first started, there was just one church. As the disciples spread the Gospel, churches began to spring up in different towns. Ephesus, Philadelphia, Corinth, Laodicea, Rome.

But then the teaching morphed in different directions. Today it is estimated that there are over 45,000 different denominations globally. Why so many? Isn't thete just one God? Isn't there just one truth?

The answer is simple: humans. We're like Burger King. We "like it our way."

There is a term for churches who believe the religion that they practise is the only true church. Only churches that adhere 100% to the Bible are worthy churches. Churches that make up stuff as they go are not worthy.

"For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough." - 2 Corinthians 11:4

"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed." - Galatians 1:6-9

Churchianity - GotQuestions.org

Uni-versity

Are you looking for something positive to watch? Check out this video from a music school. You'll LOVE it.

Each of the students at this school has a unique story, I'm sure. And just by watching them we cannot tell what a student's political views are, their sexual orientation, or their religious beliefs. All we know is that they love to play beautiful music. Together.

And notice the respect they all have for their conductor. There is a lesson to be learned here.

I once heard someone describe a university as "unity from diversity." That's not necessarily true. At least not these days. In recent times, universities have encouraged just the opposite. They have become a breeding ground for dissent, protest and hatred.

Still, the 'unity from diversity' concept can be a good one, in the right context. Jesus taught it when He said this:

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." - John 15:7

"This is my command: Love each other." - John 15:12

Twice in six verses, Jesus commanded His disciples (a diverse group of fishermen, tax collectors, doctors) to love each other. It seems to me that Jesus was trying to stress something to them. Perhaps love?

If we obey that one command from Jesus, to love one another, won't we truly have 'unity from diversity?'

Example: If the Russians truly loved the Ukrainians, why would they be killing them? The answer is simple. They don't love them.

Love is the answer. And "God is love." - 1 John 4:8

The following is a link to a beautiful melody, performed by the kids pictured above. Enjoy.

Barber's Adagio - Stanislaw Moniuszko School of Music Symphony Orchestra

Pass It On

Memories of my childhood are getting farther away these days. Still, a few of them rise to the surface now and again, not unlike a trout rising to partake of an early-evening fly or two.

Our grandson came over for a visit this past weekend. He's 11 now so I thought it might be time to teach him a few things, like how to tie a fly.

My dad taught me how to tie flies. I guess it's one of those things that gets passed from generation to generation. Or watched on YouTube. Lol!

"Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6

I explained to my grandson that going to the bait shop and buying worms is okay, but there's something special when you can catch a fish using something you made yourself. A sense of accomplishment instilled in a young man's heart.

Then we dropped the fish hook on the floor. It took us five minutes to find it. None of us could get the bobbin threaded, then the ancient feather broke. It was a struggle.

But then, when his dad came to pick him up, he held up the finished fly to show him, with a big smile on his face.

Perhaps my grandson will never use the fly he tied with me, but who knows. Perhaps it will be the first of many. God knows.

"As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him." - Mark 1:16-18

Never pass up an opportunity to teach someone lessons from the heart. They just may become memories that will last a lifetime.

It's Alive!

No, this story isn't about Frankenstein. But it IS about someone who was raised from the dead.

"The bible was inscribed over a period of 2000 years. In times of war and in days of peace. By kings, physicians, tax collectors, farmers, fishermen, singers and shepherds. The marvel is that a library so perfectly cohesive could have been produced by such a diverse crowd, over a period of time which stagers the imagination. Jesus is it's grand subject, our good its design, and the Glory of God is its end."

Think about it. The Bible was written from 1900-1700 BC to 54-68 AD. Yet the first book speaks of the last book and last book, the first.

In Genesis 5 we read the story of Noah - a picture of Christ. And in Revelation 1 Jesus says, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end."

And the weird thing is, you and I can be changed just by reading its words. Some seemingly random verse finds a home in our hearts and it really sinks in. It changes us.

The more we read and study the Bible's contents, the more we become amazed by its construction, design, and beauty.

The song link at the bottom has a line in it that couldn't be more true.

"The Word is alive. And it cuts like a sword through the darkness, with a message of life for the hopeless, and the frail. Breathing life into all who believe."

The Bible, also known as God's Word, has another interesting twist when we read the first verse of John.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning." - John 1:1-2

What? Now I'm confused.

Maybe this will help. Jesus is the Word.

The Bible is just men writing down what they heard from God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. It's not so much the written text as it is the meaning of the text. Does than make sense?

When we place of faith in Jesus, we receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit takes God's very words and impresses them on our hearts. We begin to see as we begin to understand. And then WE begin to live! Born again, alive in Christ!

The Bible is truly a miracle, available to anyone. Pick one up today. The rest of your life is waiting to be changed.

The Word Is Alive - Casting Crowns

The War Inside

It's easy to figure out what war looks like by watching the evening news these days. We see horrifying images, from Ukraine and Israel, but most of us have no idea what a war is REALLY like.

Those who have experienced war know only too well what it is truly like. Unimaginable evil, excruciating pain and suffering. Both physical and mental.

However, there IS a battle that wages within each one of us. That is the personal war we wage within ourselves every single day. The war.... inside.

"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight." - James 4:1-2

A lot of people struggle just to break even in their fight against evil. People succumb to addictions and suicides every day. People need help. Guidance. And love.

There are counseling organizations and support groups that try to help. Some people try to struggle through on their own. But no one can help like Jesus can.

James goes on to tell us this in verse three of the text above.

"And when you do ask you do not receive because you ask with the wrong motives." - James 4:3

Our first prayer should be a prayer of submission, not a prayer for removal from a situation. We should acknowledge God for who He is in our lives, THEN make our requests.

Remember the Lord's prayer? First comes acknowledgement....

"Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be they name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

THEN comes the request....

"Give us this day our daily bread...."

Do you remember when Jesus healed people in the Bible? His healing was often accompanied by words similar to these:

"Your faith has made you well."

The most difficult of wars are often won with the help of the most powerful of allies. You can't do any better than to have God on your side.

The War Inside - Switchfoot

Sifting

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” - Luke 22:31-32

What an interesting couple of verses. Let's start with the first two words - "Simon, Simon." That's weird. Why did Jesus call Peter "Simon?" When they first met, Jesus Himself changed Simon's name to Peter.

"You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which is translated as Peter)." - John 1:42

And now Jesus is calling him Simon again? Why? Think about it. Jesus is just about to be crucified in that opening verse. And Peter was just about to deny Jesus three times, although Peter denied that he would.

But the interesting part of Jesus talking to His disciples that day was this:

"Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat."

What in the world is going on here? Jesus then goes on to say that He was praying specifically for Simon. That his "faith would not fail." Why didn't Jesus just tell Satan "No! You can't 'sift' any of my disciples?"

I think it's because Jesus WANTED Peter to be 'sifted.' Why? Perhaps to teach Peter something about what true faith is. It is not denying Jesus. It's not that Jesus didn't love Peter. He did. It's because Jesus loved Peter that He wanted to teach him to fully embrace his beliefs - no matter what the cost. 

In one of them most vivid and chilling passages in the Bible, Jesus doesn't say a single word.

"Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly." - Luke 22:60-62

Sifted.

I think that was the moment when Peter truly changed - from Simon into Peter.

I read that story and wondered about my own faith. Would I too deny Jesus if my life depended on it? Would you?

And how about the sifting we have already encountered in our own lives. Have we emerged stronger because of that sifting?

I hope so.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." - James 1:2-4

[The following song is from a little-known rock band from Sweden. The second verse speaks of Peter turning away when Jesus looked at him.] 

Pitiful - Blindside

Spiritual Inertia

"Hey, what's that test dummy doing in the front seat? I thought I told you to put him in the back seat."

"I DID put him in the back seat. I just forgot to fasten his seatbelt."

Inertia is defined as "the tendency of a body at rest to stay at rest, or a body in motion to stay in motion." Inertia is why we wear seatbelts and have airbags in our cars.

But enough about those dummies. Let's talk about a more dangerous type of inertia. One that can ALSO kill - SPIRITUAL inertia.

Spiritual inertia can occur in individuals or in churches. In both cases it is usually fatal unless it is cured. And the only cure is Jesus and God's Holy Spirit.

There are actually people in our churches who simply go to church and then keep on living whatever lifestyle they choose. There has been no change in them. They're no different than the unsaved "dummy" in the back of that car, only they are sitting in a church. 

Here's some good advice from the Apostle Paul that he gave to the church in Corinth.

"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you - unless, of course, you fail the test?" - 2

 Corinthians 13:5-5

Is Christ in us? There should have been some kind of change when we came to believe. We should be different. You know, 'set apart.' Holy.

We should hold our lives up next to God's Word. Do they look similar? Or are they different? When people look at us, do they see the Christ? Or do they see someone content and satisfied with the world they live in?

The moral of this story is . . . . don't be a dummy. Wear your seatbelt, which is the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.

Road Trip - Part 4

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” - Romans 5:1

On our Romans Road journey we have learned that we are ALL sinners and that none of us is worthy to go to heaven when we die. But those who do choose to follow Jesus will be given a gift - to spend their eternal lives with Him in heaven. 

It has been said that "the road to hell is paved with good intensions." One could also add that that same road has been paved with good deeds, if they have been done in order to gain entry into heaven. Here is a better saying:

"The road to heaven is paved with the blood of Jesus Christ Our Lord."

The best part of any journey is finally being at home and for the Christian, that home is heaven. Personally, I can't wait to arrive there.

Are you troubled with the things that are going on in the world right now? If you are, that's good. That's because you know that there has got to be something better. That's called hope.

And faith is believing that something yet to happen WILL happen.

Trust in the Lord today if you haven't done so already. Jesus loves you and actually died for you, all so that you could live. Choose life! Then, and only then, can you find peace in your life.

"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 4:6-7