Go Operation Christmas Child!

We had our stint at the fair, Kealani and I, manning the Operation Christmas Child booth. Helping anyway. They had quite a few volunteers so she got time off with Grandpa to go on some rides and eat cotton candy (yuck). But, maybe that's where she got all her energy, outdoing everyone with handing out balloons, tattoos and informative leaflets.

Yes, it's time once again to begin collecting items for these shoe boxes, which will be sent all over the globe to needy children. Click on the name above to find out good ideas for filling your box(es) and for a great video and information on the project. For the inspiring story of a young boy who gave up his Christmas to give one to others, click here.

Get Out of That Shell

This morning I was reading in Esther and noted how the relationship of King Xerxes and his friend, Haman, is illustrative of the danger in trusting men (or women) with your decision-making, or to do your thinking for you. Mental laziness can have disastrous consequences. Not that we can't delegate, but it should entail a pretty good understanding of the character of our delegate. Though, trust goes both ways, as today's Proverb reminds: "He who takes crooked paths will be found out." Proverbs 10:9b

I was talking to my friend, Linda, today about how we can be like turtles, hiding inside our shells, thinking we're safe from what's going on in the world around us. I'd mentioned that watching the presidential debates made me run into the other room. Just too nerve-racking. Didn't want to hear it, all that contradictory controversy. Especially all the stupid remarks I wouldn't agree with, but couldn't set them straight because they wouldn't hear me yelling. So, in that sense, I guess I was behaving in a turtle-like manner.

Esther could have hidden away in her posh palace, hoping to escape the coming planned genocide, but she stuck her neck out of that comfortable shell and confronted the enemy. Invited him to dinner right on her own turf, and defeated the wicked dude. Read the whole story here.

In case you were wondering about the photo - it's my attempt at mosaic art - and the turtle has her neck out too.

Building Spiritual Homes

These homes caught my eye on our way to the Sea View Farmer's Market. All very unique, interesting, you could say creative.


Now, the but... you were waiting for.
Are they at all practical for the region, for the weather - to maximize trade wind cooling, rain water collection (necessary here), to keep water away from the house, to enjoy outdoor living (decks) or to make the most of the ocean views available? Not at all.

Here's another one. It's been on the market for awhile, so likely the owner came to the same conclusion.

It's so cool. I love it. Also, this concrete, steel and glass house will most likely withstand storms and rust damage. However, aside from that, it has the same drawbacks as the homes above.

A nice parallel with our spiritual/lifestyle choices. A concept, philosophy, idea may sound good, new, reasonable even logical, and we accept it without any reference to the standard God has given us. His Word, the ultimate human life manual for achieving maximum benefit. This reminds me of the parable Jesus told. Are we building on a rock rather than on a nice sandy beach?? Hey, but that beach looks sooooo awesome.

Paul addressed this issue in 2 Timothy 4:2-4

Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

Actually, there are only two ways to live. So, what is this new gospel called? Emergency...emergent....resurgent...emerging church, what???

It Ain't Easy

Not all of God's little creatures are created equal in the beauty or even cuteness sphere. Hard to love a toad and these Buffos (apparently named for their deep voice) are particularly ugly. Will kill your dog if he's dingy enough to try eating one. See, he's thinking, if I'm real quiet she won't notice me and I'll be ok. Myself, I'd really like all the toads to migrate to someone else's pond.

People are that way, haven't you noticed? Not all easy to love. And yet, believers are told,

"love your neighbor as yourself."

Lev. 19:18 - the first of many injunctions to love. After all, we are to model ourselves after the One who is perfect in love, whose love is unfailing. Exodus 15:13

"And, over all these virtues put on love."

It's a choice and an action verb.

Much of Christianity is this call to do the uneasy. To forgive what feels unforgivable. We are told to give to the undeserving poor; pray for those wicked liars who malign, persecute or mistreat us; (Matthew 5:44 & Luke 6:28, etc.) and look after widows, even the scheming, greedy and manipulative ones, and their lazy, drug-addicted sons of almost 40 years, emasculated over-grown orphans? I draw the line there, over the age of 18. Does it sound as though I have someone in mind? God sure uses the folks we come in contact with to teach us valuable lessons.

We are not told to pray for or give only to those we deem worthy, but to pray for those who curse and mistreat you, and give to the poor. The Church "widow's roll" is a different matter. 1 Tim. 5:8-9 & 16. That is for those who don't have family, but the same principle applies - they're not always that appealing or deserving. Before salvation, so were many of us, wicked and undeserving. I am still unworthy. In Christ I now have the righteousness of God.

Trees With Good Fruit

This might be our last year to enjoy these sweet little gems, the now endangered (thanks to the misguided Dept. of Agriculture) waiwi guava. Hanging out in my garden, they make me think of smiling faces. And, they taste so delightful too. God has many wonderful ways of cheering us when things look dark.

The scripture that has been coming to me this past week is:

"Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead." Matthew 8:22

It can be difficult, but sometimes I think it's best to move on. Satan has small victories, though ultimately, even if not in our own lifetimes, the overwhelming victor is Jesus and those of us who follow him. We have the marvelous armor of God,

"and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God." And, we are to "pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests." Ephesians 6:17-18

Just a part of our Ephesians "to do" list.

It may seem a hard thing, saying "let the dead bury their dead," but hey I'm only quoting Jesus. In every family there are those who are spiritually dead, despite our praying for them endlessly. People make choices, even though God gives them opportunity after opportunity to re-route themselves, off that road that leads to death. Again, spiritual death, since we all face the physical end of things.

"Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus by their fruit you will recognize them." Matthew 7:19-20

After you take a stand and do what is right to do, there is a point where it may be best to step back and leave folks to the consequences of their choices, knowing that God will do whatever he is going to do. Our job is just to follow Jesus.

The Battle is the Lord's

The Israelites were told a number of times:

"For the battle is not yours, but Gods."

However they were always to do some things, on this occasion while Jehoshaphat was king:

"March down against them...Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you ... Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow and the Lord will be with you." 2 Chronicles 20:15-17

They did take it one step further here, in the Spirit, praising and thanking God on the way. (vs. 21) And, the Lord set ambushes against the invading armies - who destroyed one another! (vs. 22-23) It took them three days to collect all the plunder.

There are things we need to do in faith, trusting God for his outcome. It reminds me of the New Testament account of the ten lepers Jesus told to show themselves to the priests.

"And as they went, they were cleansed." Luke 17:14

They were doing what he had told them, in faith heading off to see the priests, and his healing power was released.

I need to keep remembering to set aside my flesh, listen to the Spirit, heed the Word of God, stand against the enemy and then wait on the Lord for the outcome. Waiting can be difficult. So can being sure you're hearing God correctly. I used to have a women's Bible Study group and we called ourselves "Ladies in Waiting". The idea being a reminder that most of what a servant or waiter does is WAIT for their orders. And then to follow through, not to do what they think might be a good or better idea. The battle is the Lord's, but it isn't always resolved right away, or when we think it should be.

By now you may be wondering what the picture has to do with anything. That's a pretty little okra flower and it is a reminder to me that the blooms don't last long and neither do the okra. You see the okra peeking up in back? Wait too long and they're useless. Pick at the right time - wait for just a few days and a tender little vegetable is yours. I need to keep my eye on them.

A Wonderful Father?

Note the halos on St. Joseph. Doesn't he look sweet? Was there really a halo? Was Jesus one of the few born into a non-disfunctional family? I don't think so. The little Archko Volume, containing translations of some very old records from the Jewish Talmuds and Sanhedrin reports, is an excellent resource. Apparently manuscripts that have been sitting in both the Vatican Library and the St. Sophia Library at Constantinople, now Istanbul, for two thousand years or so.

The book includes an interview with Gamaliel, whom you will recall had trained Paul (Acts 22:3) and who advised the Jews who had brought the apostles before the Sanhedrin to:

"Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." Acts 5:33-39

In the Archko Volume, Gamaliel concludes his report to the Sanhedrin:

"Now, Masters of Israel, after having investigated this matter; after tracing Jesus from his conception to the present time; after obtaining all the information that is to be had on this important subject, getting it from those who are more likely to tell the truth from the fact that they are disinterested persons; and then taking a prophetical as well as a historical view of the subject, I have come to the conclusion that this is the Messiah that we are looking for."

That conclusion was likely not well received. Gamaliel's interview with Mary and Joseph was undertaken when Jesus was about 26 years of age, before his public ministry and miracles. His (Gamaliel's) description of Joseph is especially interesting, considering the centuries of veneration in church.

"Joseph is a wood-workman. He is very tall and ugly. His hair looks as though it might have been dark auburn when young. His eyes are gray and vicious. He is anything but prepossessing in his appearance, and he is as gross and glum as he looks. He is but a poor talker, and it seems that yes and no are the depth of his mind. I am satisfied he is very disagreeable to his family...."

When speaking to Mary, she admits "that Joseph was a little hard to please, but this boy (Jesus) had answered him so often, and his answers were so mild and yet so suitable, that he had almost broken him of finding fault. She said he settled all the disputes of the family."

We know from Scripture that Jesus was "tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin." It stands to reason that he would have been challenged as well in his home life. He is our example in all areas of life. And, thank God, we have a heavenly Father who is able and perfect in all ways.