Oh, Boy, Snow!

Mauna Loa snow

Well, isn't this festive? The nice thing is that it's up there and I'm down here. A choice is involved. Do I go up to the snow or not. Don't call me, I'll call you. Can you tell my choice is usually NOT to. There was a lot of snow on Mauna Kea, but the roads were closed, so grandpa took the nephew and grandkids to Mauna Loa instead. There, they had fun getting cold, wet and pumped throwing snowballs at each other and down their clothes. Uuueee!

Apparently, they weren't alone, there was a long line of cars and trucks going up and bringing snow back home, just for the heck of it. That's what we do in Hawaii.

Things Not Clear

It's not always clear

Some mornings, reading my scriptures for the day, I get a real revelation, sometimes an encouragement or correction and some days, like today, a great big WHY?? Usually, well, at least a good percent of the time, I'll hear a teaching that explains the question, or the Lord will show me in another bit of his word, on another day, the meaning. Of course, if I'm not lazy, and dig in and search other scriptures out, it helps. So, I'm probably going to get an answer, at some point in time to this one:

"I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart." Jeremiah 24:7

The prophet had just been railing at the people for not obeying God, most of the previous 23 chapters. Why are there evil people if they could just be given a heart to know God in the first place? I know it is by grace we are saved, and not by anything we do ... still, if they are "the objects of his wrath - prepared for destruction..." Romans 9:22 Why castigate them?

Some things won't ever be very clear until we meet the Lord in the end, even though there are plenty of people who think they have it all figured out.

"Now we see but a poor reflection as in a glass; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." 1 Corinthians 13:12

Our weather, here in Hawaii is pretty unpredictable as well. I used to tell people, "we've never had a rainy Christmas that I can remember. It's usually clear and sunny." Well, it must be all that global warming causing the strange cold weather patterns on the mainland and the rain here the past few days.

Kids don't care about a little rain. In fact it represents an opportunity. I, on the other hand, am wearing a sweatshirt today and having hot tea and cookies while I blog. It's that cold. I remember talking to my daughter on the phone, during the first winter she was at college on the East coast, and telling her how cold it was here at home. That I had a sweater on or something and she told me, "Mom, you don't know what cold is!" Maybe not. But, do I want to?

No News Is...

Poinsettias in the sun

This morning I was reflecting on the saying, "No news is good news" and how much of what we hear every day is so bad I don't want to read it, hear it, or watch it on TV or the internet anymore. And, the few media sources that actually report the truth about what's going on are, if anything, more depressing. Even for my own blog posts I seem to focus too often on negative stuff. I have heard that it's possible to make my home page show good news only. Maybe that will help? So, as you may have gathered, I was feeling a bit down and discouraged just thinking about this situation.

Then I read Psalm 145. Man, what an incredible change of focus, from the world as it is to the goodness and greatness of God. He is the real good news. I thought about posting the entire Psalm, but you should just go read it for yourselves. Wow, is all I can say. We have a choice as far as focus goes. Without God, how does anyone handle the bad stuff?

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8

Idol of the Day

Only a garden gnome

I think it adds a whimsical touch. An Ira Ono creation, without any sort of power. Basically a mask on a stick, it does illustrate the utter uselessness of appealing to anything other than God for help. We hear so many injunctions and rebukes, in the Old Testament particularly, regarding idol worship, that in our so very "scientific" age, are easy to disregard; by thinking "that was then" and doesn't apply now. More sermons are needed on the subject of what constitutes an idol in our time.

"Why have they provoked me to anger with their images, with their worthless foreign idols?"
Jeremiah 8:19b

Is the Lord still being provoked to anger by idols? There is a scripture which says greed is idolatry. In the old days, that idol would have been Mammon, or similar gods, worshiped to insure wealth. I remember visiting temples in Japan and noticing the emptiness of spirit; then strolling by pachinko parlors (in the US we have Las Vegas), filled with intent players and an overwhelming spirit of greed. The face of the false god and place of worship has changed. Today, as ever, adultery, fornication and pornography are the pursuit of sex before God - what the Israelites knew as Ashtoreth, goddess of the Sidonians (among others and by different names.)

There is so much focus in Scripture on the subject of idolatry that it must be just as important for us - that they all be uncovered in our time - recognized for what they are. Today our idols are more concealed, often shrouded with psychological double-talk and labels - Satan has a game plan for every culture and age. Actually it's also a form of self-deception, not grasping the degree to which God is put in a secondary position.

The god "science" can even claim temples on the high places. Not that scientific research or study is wrong. What is wrong is when it, or anything else, replaces God as final authority in our lives or where we turn for help.

God's Little Fruitcakes

I didn't make one this year.

There is a recipe for fruitcake here (if you click on it), but I'm not making one. I'm convinced we're all God's little fruitcakes - the world just chock full of fruits and nuts. And, aren't we all special? Each one of us an individual mix; which is why he gave us his recipe for success (we're really stretching the metaphor here, I know - my idea of a Holiday inspired post.) I think it's the contrasts of flavor and texture in fruitcake we enjoy - or don't. Some people just make jokes about it.

Did you ever wonder why he put so many contrasts in Scripture? Why all the light versus dark, good and evil, the wise and the foolish, life and death, truth versus the lies of the enemy, the righteous as against the wicked? Then, of course, the final contrast of heaven and hell. Isn't life supposed to be, like full of gray areas? But, since God says otherwise, guess what? It's not. He put all those contrasts in, over and over, so that it would sink in. So that we would wake up and get the picture.

"He who is not with me is against me." Matthew 12:30

We have an enemy and a Savior. There is right and wrong. Reality is not subjective.

"Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve" Joshua 24:15

The world would have us mush out and gray down all those contrasts, even though God's word is really clear about black and white - because life is not a balance scale, held by some goddess of mercy, weighing out good deeds as against bad - it is by grace alone we are saved; by clinging to a merciful Savior.

"With your right hand you save me." Psalm 138:7c

Meanwhile the fruitcake left from last year just got tossed from its neglected place at the back of the refrigerator - taking up valuable space; which is why I didn't get around to making any this year. I enjoy fruitcake, but not enough to eat it all myself.

Denominational Dismemberment?

Parade shots - kids supporting Operation Christmas Child

One of the things I appreciate about the Operation Christmas Child Project, aside from the wonderful work of compassion and evangelism, is the unity it promotes, between those churches participating. I love the feeling of the "Body of Christ" coming together. I believe it also makes Jesus happy.

On the other hand, I am definitely not "Foursquare". We saw a promotional video Sunday that emphasized a spirit of Christian denominational, self-serving, disunity. For some reason it makes me very uncomfortable to hear folks repeating over and over, between life testimonies, "I am Foursquare" or Nazarene or whatever, for that matter. It brought to mind what Paul had to say in an appeal for unity among the believers, and I think on this very subject:

"What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Peter"; still another, "I follow Christ."Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?"
1 Corinthians 1:12-13

Dismemberment seems to be happening more than ever in our own age, of Baptist, Missionary, Assembly of God, Lutheran, Episcopal, Foursquare, Nazarene, Calvinist, Reformed and etc.; we are this and you are that, nah, nah, nah. One can only wonder what Jesus thinks of all this grouping off; each sub-heading of Christianity thinking they have the best and most correct answer for the world.

As for me,

"... my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me
in a robe of righteousness." Isaiah 61:10

And, here's another good one along these lines:

"You will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow." Isaiah 62:2b

That name happens to be "Christian," correct me if I am wrong.

"The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch." Acts 11:26:b

"However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name." 1 Peter 4:16

What, we might ask, is in a name? And, are we now ashamed to be called Christians? We need to pray for more unity among our brothers and sisters in Christ, and be proud to bear his name.

Still Thankful

Meet Scott, a friend of ours from way back, now living too far away. He is still an inspiration to many for his fantastic attitude, in spite of immense challenges. He has been paraplegic since the age of 17. He loves the Lord and, I believe, would credit that faith for his ability to live so successfully.



Are you at all depressed? Just having a pity party? Going through some horrific times? I recommend watching this short video. Here's another guy who will lift your spirits.
We have lots to be thankful for. Especially if we know Jesus.