Crazy

You are so perfect in my eyes, while I am so flawed.
You possess such a quiet intellect, while I stand in awe.
You are so generous and sweet and kind,
I must be crazy to leave you behind.

You are so sound, stable and self-composed.
Your thinking so deep, to me those doors are closed.
So virtuous, have I lost my mind?
I must be crazy to leave you behind.

Your life is the normal one, while I must be ill-adjusted.
The truth finally comes out, I am busted.
I will probably be ridiculed and maligned,
I must be crazy to leave you behind.

Nearer, Still Nearer

https://youtu.be/dJhDcNKr1g4
Lyrics:
1. Nearer, still nearer, close to Thy heart,
Draw me, my Savior—so precious Thou art!
Fold me, oh, fold me close to Thy breast;
Shelter me safe in that “haven of rest”;
Shelter me safe in that “haven of rest.”
2. Nearer, still nearer, nothing I bring,
Naught as an off’ring to Jesus, my King;
Only my sinful, now contrite heart,
Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart;
Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart
3. Nearer, still nearer, while life shall last,
Till safe in glory my anchor is cast;
Through endless ages ever to be
Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee;
Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee!

We must draw nearer.

 James tells us, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (James 4:7-8). Step one is to submit to God and to His Word.

 “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit”(Psalm 43:18). We can’t get any nearer to God than when we are broken. Interestingly, we are nearer to God when we are at our lowest point in life. In an ironic way, the way up is the way down, with humility and brokenness and being crushed in spirit.

Minister to others.   When we are helping the least of the world, we are doing it for Christ Himself (Matthew 25:40). (And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.)   This might include visiting the sick, helping those who have little or nothing, and being hospitable to strangers (Matthew 25:35-36), for we are also strangers or sojourners on a pilgrimage to the Promised Land. Doing for others is really doing for Christ.

 “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). To draw nearer to God, you must be in more communication with Him, which begins and ends with prayer.

  “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing”(John 15:4-5). We can’t do anything apart from Christ.  Abide in His Word. Pray. Love one Another.  We do that and we will, each day, be nearer and nearer. 

The Miracle of Birth

The power to create is one of the most divine attributes which man possesses. A man and woman unite in an act of love. And then the work of an angel begins. Over a period of time, the angel creates a work of unmatched beauty, beauty beyond description, a new child, a child of God. This child of God emerges from the womb with a shining halo of glory, revealing his or her immortal loveliness. This little miracle is the full expression of beauty, love and tenderness. The child is surrounded by the glory of divinity. This is the closest you will ever come in this world to seeing the beauty and purity of God himself, a perfect purity.

I think George Strait said it best, when he sang “I saw God today.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q06AvQF5NOw

Mark of the Beast

A tattooed number, a computer chip under the skin, or something subtler? It’s one of the most misinterpreted prophecies in all of the Bible—yet it is vitally important to understand it.

The final battle between Satan and God is just ahead, and it is described in the book of Revelation.  This prophetic book points out that God has an emblem, a mark, that will identify His people. Satan also has an emblem, a mark, that will identify those who support him.

In the simplest of terms, those who decide to follow the false teachings of the Beast (Satan) will receive his mark. Those who follow Jesus and obey His truth receive His mark.  It is comparable to having your name recorded in the Book of Life. 

It is not literal.  Following Jesus is important and will be recognized. God will know those that are His. Belonging to Jesus or the Beast is not to be confused by having a number assigned to us by a government, whether a Social Security number which we all already have, or a DL number, or some other number assigned in the future.   Advancements in technologies, like bar codes periodically trigger "mark of the beast" concerns for those who take seriously the prophecy.    While I am not  worried by how the government chooses to identify me, I believe it certainly is a slippery slope.  I think we should be cautious about allowing that measure of control or surveillance into our lives. 

Each person must know God for themselves. If we don’t know God ourselves, we will not have the power to resist Satan’s temptations. It is only when we hide God’s Word in our heart that we will have the ability not to sin against God. We can not depend on others. No one else will be able to save us. Those who have chosen to obey God fully are those closely connected with God. When we do, we are His. He knows us.

“If anyone has an ear to hear, let him hear.” This is a clue from the Book of Revelation that what is to follow is very important. If we be led into captivity, we will go into captivity. It is important that we are to completely trust in the Lord. We must stand strong against Satan with patience and faith. How do we win the battle?   “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” We must not go against God and His instructions. That is how to overcome Satan.

Revelation is confusing and hard to understand. But, to me, it just tells us that the battle against Satan is real, and Satan seeks to steal you and to capture you. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” We must know the Bible so that we can tell truth from error. Keep God’s word in our heart.  Those with the mark of the Beast are those who have placed themselves in opposition to God.

How much does it cost?

This is probably the most common question we ask.  How much does it cost?  Can we afford it?  A free concert in the park, you say?  Oh yeah, I am in.  But $250 a ticket?  I don't know about that.

Steak or  hot dogs?  Sometimes we can't afford the steak. 

The bible says, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

I can tell what you really care about by what you spend your money on.  To some people, the car they drive is important.  Or the shoes they wear, that is real important. Where the money goes shows where your heart is.

When the money is short or scarce, you are forced into choices.I read often of the elderly having to choose between food or medicine? Toys or school supplies?  Sometimes you do without so your kids have what they need.  Who among us hasn't had to make tough choices like this?

I have been dead broke, with no job and no income.  I have had low paying jobs where I had to be so careful with every dollar.  And I have had successful times where I had all the bills paid and extra to spare.  And through the course of all my experiences I have learned where my heart is.

I can do without expensive meals.  I can eat pretty cheap, when I have to.I need a place to sleep.  I don't want to be homeless.  I need a roof and a bed.  And somewhere safe, I don't want to be in danger. I need to get to work, so I just need something reliable to drive.And I want my family to be provided for.  I need enough to meet their basic needs and wants.

So that is where my heart is.  My family is my treasure, and that is where my money goes, to provide for them.  If I ever have any extra, it is only spent to make them feel special.  I want them all to feel as special and loved as they are to me.   I have been guilty of spending money I don't have.  But when I do it is for them.  

Beyond that, my treasure is in Heaven, and I want to please the Lord.  I want to help the needy.  I want to give to the poor.  I do that all the time.

I see people all the time who never stopped to ask, "what does it cost?"  I see parents who never bothered to ask what was the cost to their kids, as they worked excessive hours at their career. I see famous people who never worried about the cost of fame.  

The Bible says, "What shall a man be profited if he gain the whole world, and lose his soul."
We make the bed we lie in.  We have to live with our choices.  Let's be smart and and consider the question, How much does it cost?