My confession by Ben Stein

Remarks from CBS Sunday Morning (everyone should read!)
I thought this message was definitely worth a post.

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees.. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we k new went to.

My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,

Ben Stein

Little Houses of Horrors

... into the depths of the sea

Thanksgiving, being a time to remember things we appreciate, I am so grateful for God's word - for the encouragement, correction, direction, glimpse of the future, but always the comfort that it is.

"Do not fear the reproach of men
or be terrified by their insults.
For the moth will eat them up like a garment;
the worm will devour them like wool.
...I, even I, am he who comforts you." Isaiah 51:7-8a & 12a

Family, on the other hand, can be a real house of horrors. I know I've had it easy, compared to some, still after the 7 page rant I got the other day from my sister, Barbara, who has managed to totally turn my parents against the rest of their family, feeding them an ongoing pack of lies and negative, fossilized, venomous reptile poop, day in and day out, it's difficult to know exactly how to handle the situation. What can you do? I just ask God for direction, one day at a time. The letter has been consigned to the burnable rubbish (some of us still do that out in the country) where it belongs. What a lot of anger, jealousy and resentment, hoarded up over the years, has been revealed. Whew! Sigh .... a part of me wants to answer every stupid remark and set her properly straight, but am restraining myself. Yes, I've done things in the past, not always the best or right even. But, let's all move on. Get over it.

All of this brought to mind the verse in Micah,

"You will again have compassion on us;
you will tread our sins underfoot
and hurl all our iniquities into the
depths of the sea." Micah 7:19

I just had to drive down to the cliffs and take a few shots of the ocean.

We're born into an earthly family and have no choice in the matter - that's one birth, the physical. Being born again gives us the pleasure and opportunity of an entirely new spiritual family, though again, no choice on who makes up membership (we do have a choice regarding who we hang out with). Spouse and children should, hopefully, be a part of this new family.

"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and they will become one flesh." Genesis 2:24

This leaving has also the sense of growing up and getting past poor upbringing and any bad training or habits. As Christians we are supposedly maturing, renewed and reborn, putting aside the past as new creations in Christ.

Jesus had a few surprising things to say regarding family, and I am definitely going to take those words to heart:

"Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." Matthew 12:48-50

"Another disciple said to him, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead." Matthew 8:21-22

"And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven." Matthew 23:9

On the other hand, those who lie and refuse the truth were told:

"You belong to your father, the devil..." John 8:44

We shouldn't be too surprised about this division along spiritual lines, as he warned us of it.
And, this morning I was reading in Isaiah, something that directs me to keep my mouth (and pen) shut, with regard to answering her lies and accusations:

"He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth." Isaiah 53:7

Jesus is always a good example. On a positive note, I am thankful for the true family I have, both blood and spirit relations, those who are following Jesus, being understanding and forgiving; not always perfect, but working on it and growing.

A Two-Edged Sword

Christmas cactus

No parable here really, it's just a pretty bloom in the garden. Those thorns are pretty sharp though.

I'm still on Psalm 119, such a fantastic meditation, and it keeps bringing me back to David's wonderful attitude toward God's Word, which has a lot to do with how he regards God himself, how big his God is, and how vital to his very life. If God is all powerful, loving, righteous and willing to intervene as we intercede with him in prayer - involved with his creation as a compassionate Creator - then he is more than able to ensure that we are still in full possession of his awesome word to us, just as David was, but with the added advantage of a finished written communication. It is just as accurate as he wants it to be, just as understandable as truth. He is not a God of confusion and gave us the Scriptures so that we might know the truth about him, his awesome promises, important warnings for our good, and the lessons of an accurate history.

"All your words are true; all your
righteous laws are eternal." Psalm 119:160

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" 2 Timothy 3:16

"The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
turning a man from the snares of death." Proverbs 13:14

It is a matter of life and death - so ultimately important; how we regard God and his word are intertwined with our salvation, which is eternal life. God's word is powerful.

This is not to say that all of the compilers, translators or even the inspired writers were perfect, or even always righteous men; but God was able to use them to accomplish his own ends, and his purposes cannot be thwarted. Yes, God was in control of assembling the "canon" of Scripture - not men.

"So is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:11

How big is your God?

Where is that Blue Bird?

How elusive happiness is - so fleeting and ephemeral that it has been compared to a rare blue bird, The Blue Bird of happiness. When I was involved with Hilo Community Players, I wrote an adaptation of the old play for a Christmas production; but that is a digression we won't take at the moment. I'll just say that the main characters spent their whole time chasing after it.

We know it's not found in wealth. Jesus said, "how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom," which gives us a clue that they're not all that happy here either. Nor, in power as Solomon, a powerful man in his day, and noted for being wise, had this to say:

"To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness... " Ecclesiastes 2:26 And:

"I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil - this is the gift of God." Ecclesiastes 3:13

It looks as though pleasing God, doing good (not out of duty, but love) and working profitably might bring happiness. We also know from Scripture that "children are a reward from him." They can certainly be a joy. At least until they're teenagers. Love is a joy and source of happiness, that may not last either, since it is a choice, that often doesn't get made. So, we can go our whole lives chasing after happiness, looking everywhere - as in the play - but it might still elude us in the end, no matter what we do. The seeking factor was built in, what's been called a God-sized hole in our psyches. We were designed to seek after him. Searching for happiness is putting the cart before the horse.

"When you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you." Jeremiah 29:13

"In your presence is fullness of joy." Psalm 16:11

There we have it; I think we've located the Blue Bird.

beauty for ashes

Wake up and smell the orchids!

It is so easy to get discouraged at the prevalence and strength of untruth and evil in our world. It takes my mind away from the real power and almighty omnipresence of God - who is more than able to overcome, and whose will and purpose will be accomplished on earth. He has given us his word. And, when we need reminding, all we need do is look around at the beauty of his creation, like this bloom erupting out of my jungle garden. When you bend down to admire her, you can also inhale the perfume.

A Beautiful Promise

"The song of the ruthless is stilled.
On this mountain the Lord Almighty
will prepare a feast of rich food
for all peoples,
a banquet of aged wine -
the best of meats and the finest of wines.
On this mountain he will destroy
the shroud that enfolds all peoples,
the sheet that covers all nations;
he will swallow up death forever.
The Sovereign Lord will wipe away
the tears from all faces." Isaiah 25:5c-8a

And, all those aborted babies and people murdered in secret will be revealed as,

"The earth will disclose the blood shed
upon her;
she will conceal her slain no longer." Isaiah 26:21b

Some day everyone will know the truth, whether or not they accept, agree with, or fall in line with it.

"for the earth will be full of the knowledge
of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." Isaiah 11:9b

I very recently did a post I called The Book of Miracles, discussing a current tendency to question, rather than really teach the Word of God. This can't be emphasized enough.
All those irreverent, so-called "Christian" teachers and professors at our "Christian" colleges and universities, who confuse and mislead their students will be judged more severely. They don't seem to comprehend the serious responsibility they have, and are in danger of the millstone hanging. Our God is as able to preserve and protect the whole of his Word to us, down through the years, as he is to communicate it to us in the first place. But, if you have difficulty believing in the power of God to create this universe as he said he did, without some millions of years' worth of trial and error, then you are worshiping a false and weak god, who would leave it to mankind to compile a "canon" of scripture; that by religious power-plays and politics, we ended up with what we call the Bible. This link is an example of the sort of teaching going on, in case you don't believe me.

Praise God, his Word is usually able to get me out of a funk, and all creation is a constant reminder to us of his beauty, power and majesty - good to remember with Thanksgiving coming up soon.

Gnarly Only Skin Deep

Not as ugly as some years.

My lemon tree is pretty and the lemon flowers smell sweet. Plus which, the fruit is very juicy and good. However these little lemons get regularly discriminated against. They're just not your lovely and unblemished, perfect yellow specimens of lemonitude. If you can believe it, in past years the fruit was even gnarlier. We've been using a mineral boost for the soil, which is poor in Hawaii. Still they're not going to look good in any store; but, mighty fine anyway.




This tree is amazing, cranking out fruit pretty much year round, and lots of it.
On the other hand, the lemon tree across the road produces picture-perfect, very large lemons - with thick skins and less juice than mine. And, not anywhere near the quantity either.

Something to do with all those nice lemons - salt them.

Salted Lemons

• Slice your lemons almost to the stem end in quarters.
• Stuff each with about 1 tablespoon of rock salt and put in jar(s). Add enough salt to surround the lemons.
  
• Minced chili peppers may be tossed in, perhaps some raw, sliced ginger.
• 4 lemons, juiced & the juice poured over all
  
• Then put your jar in a sunny place for 3-4 weeks. (After a few days the level will come down and you may add a few more lemons.)
  
• Let age for 6 months.

This is a nice condiment with curries, roasts, duck, etc. etc. and keeps indefinitely.

And, the parable is - of course - we shouldn't judge by the outward appearance alone, as many did in our recent election. Often the "news" isn't all that objective or fair either. In fact, I would say, most of the time; since "they" have their own agendas.

A Prayer for Obama

Flowers represent hope.

In our office yesterday I was grumbling, Bob was playing the blues on his guitar along with various blues CDs, and Byron said something about it's so sad. Then my daughter received an email from a friend, asking everyone to pray for the Obama family. She replied with a wonderful prayer and I'm posting it here today:

My Prayer for Obama

Heavenly Father,
I love you and know that you are in control. I thank you for my family, and friends, a warm bed to sleep in and good food to eat.

I pray that Your will be done in our government. I pray that even though people are racist and vote based on looks, charm, and the color of a man's skin, that you would work a miracle in our country.

I pray that even though Obama has the reputation of being the most fascist, communist senator in 2007, that you would do what some might call impossible, and CHANGE Obama's heart.

I pray that even though Obama has a history of voting against the rights of the unborn, that You would prick Obama's heart every time he looks into the eyes of his dear children. I pray that in spite of the way Obama has voted in the past, You would work a miracle in his heart, and the cries of pain from the children who are being aborted would be heard.
Then we will know that the CHANGE came from YOU God, because YOU can change
even Obama's heart. Our HOPE is in you, Lord.

I pray for a miracle of protection over our children and our country that now has a President who is supported by Ahmadinejad, Chavez, Castro, Hamas.
Have mercy on us Heavenly Father for the sake of our children.

Most of all, Heavenly Father, I pray that WE will humble ourselves and pray. In your Word you say,

"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

Father please forgive us, and heal our land.

Lincoln's post at Habitation of Justice had a good perspective. We, as Christians, need to look to our churches and our own lives and see what needs to be changed. Paul was not as concerned with which Caesar was ruling as with warning Christians about all the false teaching going on and about the way they were living.