To Everything There is a Season

To everything there is a season,

and a time for every purpose under heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

This morning, I opened the front door to check on the weather, and was surprised to see leaves liberally sprinkled over my front lawn.  A "blink and you've missed it" storm came through last evening with a rather strong wind, and my lawn decorations this morning were the unwelcome result.  

I love everything about the fall season except the leaves!  The temperatures at night have started falling into the 50's, and I have watched for signs of the foliage to begin dressing for its autumn showing, although there has been little evidence of that here in central Virginia.  The days are getting shorter, and my spring/summer flowers have given way to the oranges and russets of mums.  I contemplated purchasing a couple of large pumpkins for decorative purposes on Friday, but decided it was a bit too early.  I'm fairly certain that those pumpkins will be on my shopping list for this weekend.

Just as the changing colors of fall signal the coming days of winter, so our daily lives sometimes reflect harder times ahead.  I have so many friends that are facing serious health issues themselves, or have loved ones and friends battling cancer and other dread diseases.   It seems that each day my prayer list grows longer and longer.  What a comfort it is to know that the God who created the seasons understands the passages that mark our journey through life, and promises that He will walk the pathway with us.  

The Tale of Two Schools

...and love your neighbor as you love yourself.

Mark 12:31

This week the media covered a story about a 16-year-old girl at Ogemaw Heights High School in Michigan who contemplated committing suicide after she had been placed on the homecoming court as a hoax - a joke - a laugh.  The small town where the school is located rallied around this young lady, providing her with the means of experiencing a wonderful homecoming celebration in spite of those bullies who tried to wound her.

Contrast this with Freeburg Community High School in Illinois.  Shelby is an 18-year-old senior at Freeburg and an active member of the cheerleading squad.  What is so unusual about that?  Shelby has Down's Syndrome.  Mind you, she is not the cheer mascot, but an active member of the team, learning the routines and performing right along with the rest of the squad.  One of her fellow cheerleaders said, "She tries really hard and inspires us all."  Another said, "She is our rock in practice.  To know that if she can do it, we can all keep going and not give up."

This year when homecoming rolled around, the cheer squad went to the principal and told him they wanted to nominate Shelby to the homecoming court.  The principal checked with Shelby's parents to be sure they were supportive of the idea (and to reassure them this was not a hoax), then placed Shelby's name in nomination.  The night of Homecoming, each of the 500 students present voted for Homecoming Queen as they entered the building.  When the court was presented, Shelby entered the gym on the arm of her escort as cheers erupted from the stands.  When it came time for the big announcement, the M.C. said, "Our 2012 Homecoming Queen is... Shelby!"

Home video records Shelby wearing the queen's tiara being seated on the queen's throne with a smile that "...lit up everywhere and every one" while cheers flowed through the room.  Freeburg's principal said, "The teachers and parents get a lot of credit for this, because they teach them (the students) more than adding and subtracting; they teach them right and wrong."   Someone at some point taught these young people that we are all created equal and have the same value, regardless of race, color, creed or disability.  The citizens of Freeburg should be tremendously proud of their high school, their kids, and their new homecoming queen.

 

A New Life for Baby Pola

Children are a heritage from the Lord...

Psalm 127:3

Baby Pola, the tiny baby girl found by the side of a dusty road in Afghanistan by Polish soldiers, was given a new name today and began a new life with her adoptive mother and father.  The new parents, who were on a waiting list at the hospital for any unwanted babies, called and asked about Baby Pola.  Now, a few days later, they have taken the baby into their home and their hearts, naming her Arya (which means "happiness").

Arya's new father is a shopkeeper in the small town of Ghazni, where the baby was found.  He and his wife have been married for four years, but have been unsuccessful in their attempts to have children. The Director of Health for Ghazni said, "This couple promised to take care of her for the rest of their lives."   The baby's new father said, "She has completely changed our lives.  We are so happy."   It is always wonderful when a story that could have been a real tragedy turns into a blessing for everyone involved.

Baby Arya's new family

All facts taken from ABC News reports online.

The Core of Christianity

For God so loved the world that He gave...

John 3:16

Much of the statement I posted yesterday from the God is Imaginary website is actually true:

• God does love us deeply
• God does love us from the moment of conception--He "knew" us in the womb (Jeremiah 1:5)
• God will love us for eternity (Hebrews 13:8; Psalm 48:14)
• Jesus did die for us on the cross of Calvary, because He loved us (John 3:16)
• Jesus does want to have a close relationship with us (John 10:28)
• Jesus does answer every prayer.  That being said, He does not, however, always say "yes."  Like every good parent, God knows that there are things we ask for that we should not have (James 4:3), because they are not good for us or will harm us.  At that point - God says "no."  There are other times when it is not the right time in our lives for what we ask for, and the answer is "wait."

The last portion of the statement is the problematic portion.

•  Does Jesus demand that we fall down on our knees and worship?  The angels of Revelation come with an "Eternal Message" to the world.  They give three commands (subject understood):

(You)/fear God

(You)/give God glory

(You)/ worship the Creator - the Maker of heaven and earth

• Jesus' use of the imagery of "drinking my blood and eating by flesh" freaked out the people of His times as well (John 6).  Some of His followers were so grossed out that they turned away from Him and did not follow Christ any more (John 6:60-61; 66).  He was not speaking literally, but was likening Himself to the manna that fell in the wilderness and sustained the Israelites on their wandering journey.  Christ is (figuratively) our daily bread - our daily strength.
• The last part - about eternally burning in hell if you do not do what Jesus wants, is not a concern to me because I am not a believer in the torture of sinners for ever and ever into eternity.  I do believe that there will be a point where sin and sinners will be destroyed, but I do not subscribe to lingering eternal torture.  When the point comes that God puts aside those who do not believe in Him (nor want to have anything to do with Him), that will NOT happen because God wants it that way, but because He is honoring the choice of every individual who has the right to accept Christ or reject Him.  Do I want Christ in my life or do I want Him to go away and leave me alone.  Whatever we choose, God will honor that choice - with all the ensuing consequences.

What do I believe to be the core of the Gospel - the core of Jesus' teaching?  I think the apostle John says it best:

God loved the world - each and every person

God gave His son, Jesus Christ to die in our place

If I believe, I will not die for eternity

If I believe, I will live for eternity.

The Central Message of Christianity

For God so loved the world...

John 3:16

I have a question to ask my readers:  What is the core message of Jesus Christ?  Or, to put it a different way, what is the central message of Christianity?

I don't think I have ever tried to analyze the Gospel in quite that way.  However, when visiting the God is Imaginary website and trolling down through the author's 50 proofs that God is not real, I found Proof #21: Understand Jesus' Core Message.  When I clicked on the link, this is what I read:

Take a moment to think about this statement:  

 "Hello, my name is Jesus. I love you deeply. I have loved you since you were conceived in the womb and I will love you for all eternity. I died for you on the cross because I love you so much. I long to have a loving personal relationship with you. I will answer all of your prayers through my love. But if you do not get down on your knees and worship me, and if you do not EAT MY BODY and DRINK MY BLOOD, then I WILL INCINERATE YOU WITH UNIMAGINABLY TORTUOUS PAIN IN THE FIRES OF HELL FOR ALL ETERNITY BWAH HA HA HA HA HA!" 

Yes, this is the central message of Christianity [based upon John 6:53-54 and Mark 16:16].

I was appalled that the author of this website could possibly think that the paragraph above represents the vital core of Christ's message.  Most likely, he doesn't think that at all, but throws it out there because it is inflammatory (and insulting, come to think of it).  Now I challenge my readers:  what do you believe the core of Christ's message to be?  I look forward to reading your comments, and will post my synopsis of the Gospel tomorrow.

Baby Pola

National Botanical Gardens, Washington, D.C.  Copyright 2012:singeronthesand

 “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
    and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget, I will not forget you!"

Isaiah 49:15

A group of Polish soldiers in Afghanistan made an amazing discovery while they were on patrol near their military base in Waghez.  Checking for roadside bombs in the surrounding area, they came upon a suspicious bundle laying by the side of the road.  They approached the parcel cautiously, only to discover a newborn baby girl who had been abandoned in the dirt and dust, shortly after birth.  The soldiers immediately took the infant to their medical unit, then scrounged around for formula, a baby bottle and a bib.  The men named the tiny mite "Pola" after their home country.

A more detailed search of the surrounding area found no one within a mile radius of where the baby was located.  It is difficult to imagine a mother placing her precious child on the side of a road traversed by military vehicles.  One can only imagine the circumstances that would have driven a parent to such drastic measures.  There is happiness in this story, however.  The child was found unharmed, and tonight rests in a safe and warm environment, cared for by a military medical team, and doted on by a group of compassionate soldiers.  She is a blessed little girl.

  Baby Pola

The Offering Plate

 Give, and it shall be given to you.
Luke 6:38

A Christian might say, "God does answer the minister's prayers -- 
He sends people to give money to the church!" 
If this is the case, then the people are puppets, 
and God is stealing their money by 
forcing them to give it to the church. 
The absurdity of that situation is obvious.
If God were answering the prayers of the minister, 
there would be no need for the offering plate. 
God would provide the money that the church needs, not people. 
God is Imaginary - Proof #10  Watch the Offering Plate

The biggest problem with the logic of the writer of the 50 proofs on the God is Imaginary website is that he believes that God thinks like him - like a human being.  He speaks of God and His actions in very human terms, when God says plainly, "I don't think like you."

God does not force Christians to give their money to the church.  In fact, God does not force Christians or anyone else - believer or nonbeliever - to do anything.  He can and does ask us to do things as His representatives in a world that questions His existence, but He does not force us to acquiesce.  He respects our power of choice, and leaves the decision up to us as to whether we will or will not give, do, or act.  I am not God's puppet.  There are no strings attached.  If I love Him, serve Him, and act as His representative, it is because I choose to do so - because I want to.

Yes, I suppose that God could surreptitiously fill the offering plates - causing the money to just appear in the church bank accounts or in the little wall safe.  God could print His own money if He so desired, but He simply does not think nor act on that level.  He knows that we humans tend to be stingy hoarders of everything we can get our hands on, and that it is in our own best interests to stir within us our charitable side - to reach out to those who walk beside us on this journey through life.  So He calls on us to give - not just our money to the church, but a cup of cold water to the thirsty, food and care to the homeless, friendship to the prisoner, clothing to the poor, solace to the grieving,  compassion to the sick.  And we do so, not because He pulls a string, but because He touches our hearts.

Never Enough

Lotus Blossom, Monet Garden Display, New York Botanical Gardens 2012

Copyright: singeronthesand

Soldiers asked him [John the Baptist], "What should

we do?"  He told them, "no shakedowns, no blackmail - 

and be content with your wages."

Luke 3:14

Randy Adams has been a policeman for 40 years and a police chief in three cities. He was the Chief in Glendale, California, when he had a chance to go to Bell, California.  Bell was a smaller district, with a distinct perk:  it had one of the highest law enforcement paychecks in the nation.  When he landed the Chief job, he sent an email to the city administrator saying, "I am looking forward to seeing you and taking all of Bell's money."  Her return reply?  "LOL...well, you can take your share of the pie...just like us!!! We will all get fat together..."  His salary?  $457,000 a year - double what he was making in Glendale.  He was also spiking his pension.  From $240,000 a year, even a short time at Bell would put him closer to $510,000 per year.

One year after his hiring, Adams is out of a job and eight former Bell officials (including the glib city administrator and the chief administrative officer who hired Adams) are facing charges of looting the city treasury to the tune of $20 million.  Bell is countersuing their former Chief for return of his salary and any monies he might have garnered from the corruption scandal, and he is suing the city for severance pay!  He is also suing the California Public Employees Retirement System because it refuses to count his year of corruption in Bell toward his pension record.   At the hearing, Adams invoked his 5th Amendment right to not incriminate himself twenty times, including all questions regarding his Bell salary, those emails, and the corruption scandal that rocked the city.

Now obviously, I do not live in California, but somehow I think I could probably eke by on $240,000 a year in pension from the State of California.  Adding in Social Security, I would have over a quarter of a million dollars per annum.  John the Baptist's advice to the soldiers seems tailor-made for Mr. Adams:  "No corruption - and be satisfied with what you have."

Is God Imaginary?

He (God) causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, 

and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Matthew 5:45 

There is a website set up to prove that God is imaginary, giving 50 proofs that He doesn't exist.  For example:  

Proof #23:  Listen to the Doxology

For those of you who might not know this, the doxology is a song that is sung in many Christian churches every Sunday morning.  It says:

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below,

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host,

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Amen.

The website author's disagreement with this song is the "Praise God from whom all blessings flow."  He says, "If God existed and handed out blessings as described in the Doxology, then the blessings would be spread uniformly among his believers. And non-believers would get none."   This person has obviously never read Matthew 5 - that God sends blessings regardless of belief or unbelief.    

He then goes on to say:  "Let us suppose that God is real and that all blessings actually do flow from him. If that is the case, then the utter unfairness with which he disperses his blessings is proof positive that God is ridiculous. If all blessings flow from God, then the fact that Bill Gates is worth $70 billion while 10 million children will starve to death this year is specifically God's fault. That is ridiculous."  God certainly did not hand Bill Gates $70 billion.  He made his money through his own hard work and business acumen.  When I think of someone "blessed by God," Bill Gates is not a person that comes to mind.  God's blessings are rarely financial but always spiritual.  The ten million children who will starve to death?  They will do so mostly because of who man is and what he does - the constant wars and conflicts that rob the land and terrorize the people.  The governments who are unable or unwilling to provide medical care for their people.  The soldiers on both sides of a conflict that steal the emergency rations and supplies that are sent by other countries to save those starving children.

When things are going well, we acknowledge God's blessings.  When things are not going well, we rant and rave against God for not doing what He should, could, or would if He was really there.  The problem is, God is, well, God - not a human being.  "My thoughts are not your thoughts," He proclaims, and in my book, that's probably a very good thing.   

The North Platte Canteen

I'm telling the solemn truth:

Whenever you did one of these things to someone

overlooked or ignored, that was Me - 

you did it to Me.

Matthew 25:40

I don't very often feel so moved by a video that I want to share it on this blog, but I invite you to listen to a story out of World War II - a true tale of 6,000,000 men who rode trains across the United States on their way to the battlefields, and one of the stops was North Platte, Nebraska.  Up to 32 trains a day stopped at North Platte for 10 minutes, and what happened in that town and at that train station was one of the greatest acts of compassion that occurred during the war time.  Never heard of North Platte?  It's time you did! 

The North Platte Canteen

I Saw God Today

Be strong.  Take courage.  Don't be intimidated.

Don't give them a second thought because God,

your God, is striding ahead of you.  He's right there

with you.  He won't let you down; He won't leave you.

Deuteronomy 31:8

Sometimes a song says it best - especially a country song!

Just walked down the street to the coffee shop - 

had to take a break -
I've been by her side for 18 hours straight.
Saw a flower growing in the middle of a sidewalk -
Pushing up through the concrete
like it was planted right there for me to see.
The flashing lights, the honking horns
all seemed to fade away.
In the shadow of that hospital at 5:08,
I saw God today.

I've been to church, I've read the Book,
I know He's here, but I don't look near as often
 as I should .. yeah I know I should.
His fingerprints are everywhere
if I just slowed down to stop and stare -
Open my eyes and man, I swear
I saw God today.

Saw a couple walking by - they were holding hands
Man, she had that glow -
Yeah, I couldn't help but notice she was starting to show.
Stood there for a minute taking in the sky -
Lost in that sunset
A splash of amber melted into shades of red.

I've been to church, I've read the Book
I know He's here, but I don't look near as often 

as I should...yeah, I know I should.
His fingerprints are everywhere 

if I just slowed down to stop and stare
Open my eyes and man, I swear
I saw God today

Got my face pressed up against the nursery glass
She's sleeping like a rock
My name on her wrist wearing tiny pink socks.
Shes got my nose, shes got her mama's eyes -

my brand new baby girl - she's a miracle.
I saw God today.

Kittie Meets the Giant

A giant nearly ten feet tall stepped out from the 

Philistine line into the open - Goliath from Gath.

He had abronze helmet on his head and was dressed

in armor - 126 pounds of it!  He wore bronze shin 

guards and carried a bronze spear.  His spear was

like a fence rail - the spear tip alone weighed over

fifteen pounds.  His shield bearer walked ahead of him.

1 Samuel 17:4-6

 I love the photo above.  It reminds me of one of my favorite Bible stories - David vs. the giant Goliath.  The Cliff Notes version:  a young man named David went to the battlefield to visit his brothers and take them supplies.  When he arrived, a huge giant came out and challenged Israel to send out a champion - one individual - to fight him.  David went to King Saul and volunteered.  At first the king said, NO - TOO YOUNG!  Then he said, MAYBE - TOO GREEN!  Finally the king said, OK, but wear my armor.  Suffice it to say that the armor didn't fit the kid, so David shook it off, grabbed his slingshot and "five smooth stones" and went out to see what the giant was yelling about.  When Goliath mocked both David and God, and then came forward to kill him, David let fly with a stone that embedded itself in Goliath's forehead, and he tumbled to the ground.  David took the giant's massive sword and cut off his massive head, and that was the end of that.

I think the moose above is simply curious.  I have no idea what in the world the cat is thinking.  I'm fairly certain that the kittie had no intention of trying to bring down the moose, and I certainly hope that crazy little feline escaped unharmed from its encounter with the giant.  It is always scary business to face the giants of our fears, worries and problems.  If you have Goliaths to face today, turn to the One who is eager to help you cut those huge problems down to a manageable size. 

Money

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.

1 Timothy 6:10

What money can buy:

Things - lots and lots of things

People - if the price is right

Real Estate

An Election

Friends

Power

Position

Influence

Recognition

Fame

Notoriety

Status

What money can not buy:

Love

Peace

Happiness

Contentment

Respect

Character

At Last - A Rest

Heaven and earth were finished, down to the last detail.

By the seventh day, God had finished His work.

On the seventh day, He rested from all His work.

God blessed the seventh day.

He made it a Holy Day,

because on that day He rested from His work -

all the creating God had done.

Genesis 2:1-3

So - what is the skinny here?  God, the omnipotent Creator, is tired?  Considering that the psalmist says that God "never slumbers nor sleeps," I don't think God was exhausted by speaking the universe into existence, no matter how long it took.  He rested as an indication that He was finished with His work, and as an example to us, His created humans, who are never finished with our work.

God knew that the human body could not withstand the stress and strain of working every day, seven days a week, fifty-two weeks a year.  Particularly if you work in a high-stress environment, body and brain absolutely must have a break in order to continue to function efficiently.  God gave us one day in seven in which to do absolutely no work at all - just rest, relax, rejuvenate, worship, fellowship, and spend time with the family.  Jesus said that the Sabbath was made for man, NOT man for the Sabbath.  When He made it a "Holy Day," He set it aside for a special use - a resting day instead of a working day.

How many times do you hear the old phrase about stopping to smell the roses, yet how many of us actually do so.  When I get home from work, I tend to feel guilty if I decide to sit down and veg and do nothing.  After all, there is laundry to be done, watering in the garden, cleaning the house, mowing the lawn - the list goes on and on.  What a blessing it is for me to know that at the end of the week, I have one full day to cease from my never-ending labors and just rest.  Believe me, I look forward to the Sabbath.  Frankly, I don't know what I would do without it.

Let Us Make Human Beings!

God spoke:

Let us make human beings

in our image; make them reflect our nature 

so they can be responsible for the fish in the sea,

the birds in the air, the cattle, and yes, Earth itself,

and every animal that moves on the face of the earth.

God created human beings; He created them godlike,

Reflecting God's nature.   He created them male

and female.  God blessed them:

"Prosper!  Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take Charge!

Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air,

for every living thing that moves on the face of the Earth.

God looked over everything He had made;

it was good, so very good!

It was evening, it was morning - 

Day Six.

Genesis 1:26-28, 31

 

According to the creation myth of Abrahamic religions, 

he [Adam] is the first human.

~Wikipedia

I remember as though it were yesterday the birth of each of my three daughters.  To hold in my arms a precious little one that came from me, born of my love, like me in ways that just waited to be discovered was the highlight (times three!) of my life.  They were flesh of my flesh, and I could not have loved them more.

If we, as human beings, have such an emotional attachment to the children we create, imagine the depth of love of the God of the universe as He created a person - a man - in His image and likeness.  Some (actually, many) call this a myth.  For me, the myth is the thought that our amazing, intricate, intelligent race came from a primordial slime pool, or that my ancestor was a fish that walked on four legs.  I do understand the desire - the need - for an explanation other than a Creator God.  After all, that four-legged fish is long gone and has no strings on me, whereas a Creator God, who could still be around, just might desire to have an input into my life that I neither need nor want.  Better to align oneself with the evolutionary slime pool than to accept the possibility of divine direction.

Better for some, perhaps, but not for me.  I align myself with the Creator God - the One who threw light into darkness, who placed the stars in the heavens, who spoke every creature into existence - then formed the human race with His hands and with His heart.   

Earth, Generate Life!

God spoke:

Earth, generate life!

"Every sort and kind: cattle and reptiles and wild animals,

all kinds.  And there it was:

wild animals of every kind, cattle of all kinds,

every sort of reptile and bug.  

God saw that it was good.

Genesis 1:24-25

 

On Day Six of creation, God decided to fill the land that he created on Day Three with animals of every size, shape, color and description.  I wonder what God called out when He wanted a lion to appear?  Did He call out a description?  A unique name?  The whole idea of it is so mind-boggling that many people prefer to believe in no creation at all - it is so much easier to explain!  I choose to believe that my animal friends were God's doing - in the same way that I am His creation.

I love to visit zoos - although I must admit that I have not been to very many!  Our zoo here in Richmond is very small, but if I were to name a particularly outstanding feature, the Richmond Metro Zoo would be known for its giraffes.  The giraffe exhibit is very large, and there is a feeding station where you can get up close and personal with the animals, including feeding them.  My favorite portion of the Pittsburgh Zoo were the lions.  The Bronx Zoo has a wonderful tiger exhibit (Tiger Mountain), while Chicago has the massive Shedd Aquarium.  The Phoenix Zoo (one of the nation's top five zoos for kids) has the Monkey Village, and Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo has a Wildlife Safari Park.  So many animals fall into the category of "see but don't touch" that without a good zoo or the opportunity to travel and see these animals in their natural habitat, we would have no knowledge of the hundreds of animals that God brought into existence.  

 

When God finished with the creation of all these creatures - every animal, reptile, insect and bug - He wasn't quite finished with Day Six.  No, the very best of God's creative energy was yet to come.

Swarm, Ocean!

God spoke:
Swarm, Ocean
"with fish and all sea life!
Birds, fly through the sky over Earth.
God created the huge whales, 
all the swarm of life in the waters,
and every kind and species of flying birds.
God saw that it was good.
God blessed them:  Prosper!  Reproduce!
Fill Ocean!  Birds, reproduce on Earth."
It was evening.  It was morning -
Day Five.
Genesis 1:20-23

On the fifth day of creation, which parallels with Day Two, God speaks into existence sea creatures and fish to fill the waters that were separated from the sky.  He then creates birds of every shape and size to fill the heavens over the oceans.  The thought bears repeating that God could have made cookie-cutter birds that all looked and acted and flew alike.  Instead, the breadth and depth of His vast imagination produced an astonishing variety of birds and fish.

Growing up, my mother raised parakeets.  I can't remember a time in my childhood when there was not a budgie or two chirping in a cage or hanging onto the top of the living room drapes.  She delighted in talking to them as they perched on her finger, and spent hours teaching them how to talk.  The few times that a bird managed to escape the house and into a nearby tree, Mom would find it almost immediately, because it would be sitting on a branch just yakking away.   

Our local zoo has an aviary where I can sit with my camera and watch the birds flit and skitter within a foot or so of me - as long as I stay very still.  When I spend an hour there, or when I see a bluebird or cardinal flying through my backyard, I wish that I could hold out my finger and have one land on my hand.  That is not about to happen in today's world, but in the world to come, I really look forward to enjoying the company of a wealth of beautiful birds.

In Memoriam

There was a day when freedom’s light 

seemed very far away.
There was a day that looked like night - 

we dreamed of yesterday.
But even when the day is dark and rainbows hard to see,

heroes walk among us and people still live free.

We still live free.

We remember the day we all stood strong.
We remember when we were one in song.
We remember.
Remember

There was a day when Americans choose to take a stand.
There was a day when the best of friends 

offered us their hands.
The world can still be beautiful, and even if it’s gray,
The sun will shine upon us and warm our tears away - 

and so we say...

 We remember the day we all stood strong.
We remember when we were one in song.
We remember.
Remember

September 11, 2001

To the 2,979 people who lost their lives

 We remember ...

Lights! Come Out!

God spoke:

Lights! Come out!

"Shine in Heaven's sky!  

Separate Day from Night.

Mark seasons and days and years.

Lights in Heaven's sky to give light to Earth."

And there it was.

God made two big lights, the larger to take charge of Day,

the smaller to be in charge of Night;

and He made the stars.

God placed them in the heavenly sky to light up Earth

and oversee Day and Night, to separate light from dark.

God saw that it was good.

It was evening, it was morning - 

Day Four.

Genesis 1:14-19

Starting with Day Four, we begin to see the pattern of a unique parallelism that God employed in the days of creation.  Take a look:

Day One	Day Four
Creation of Light	Creation of that which holds light: sun, moon, stars
Day Two	Day Five
Separation of Sky and Water	Creation of sea creatures for the water; birds for the sky
Day Three	Day Six
Creation of dry land, prairies, gardens, forests, jungles	Creation of animals and humans to inhabit the land

This was no haphazard plan!  Instead, the entire process was conceived in the mind of the infinite God and spoken into existence by the words of His mouth.  On the fourth day, He created the moon and stars to break up the blackness of the nighttime sky, and a huge orb of fire to illuminate the day.  When it was finished, everything was in place, awaiting the formation of those who would inhabit this realm - living, breathing creatures to live and love on this earth.

Separate!

God spoke:

Separate!

"Water beneath Heaven, gather into one place;

Land, appear!"  And there it was.

God named the land Earth.  He named the pooled water Ocean.

God saw that it was good!

God spoke:

"Earth, green up!  Grow all varieties of see-bearing plants,

every sort of fruit-bearing tree."  And there it was.

Earth produced green seed-bearing plants, all varieties,

and fruit-bearing trees of all sorts.  God saw that it was good.

It was evening, it was morning - 

Day Three.

With only one basic step accomplished on each of Days One and Two, it was time to get down to business!  The Creator gathered the waters into seas, and caused dry land to appear. Upon that sandy brown canvas, God began to paint a living, breathing landscape such as we have never seen.  Tall trees and prickly bushes, formal gardens and thick hedges, green plants of every description for food and decoration, and a million flowers in every color imaginable.  

This summer there was a great commercial on television for Lowe's Home Improvement Centers.  A woman approaches her backyard, reaches down for what appears to be the side of a large rug, and starts to "shake it out."  What unfolds is her entire backyard landscape, fully grown, brilliant in the sunlight - glowing with flowers, beautifully trimmed grass and gorgeous foliage. Every time I saw that ad, it reminded me of creation.  No, God didn't flip out a fully-formed landscape.  He simply talked - and each thing He mentioned immediately appeared.  Hibiscus!  Peach trees!  Redwoods!  Syacamores!  Red roses!  Hydrangeas!  Lilies! Fig trees!  As His mind thought of them, His voice spoke them, and after all was said and done, God saw that it was good.

Sky!

God spoke:

Sky!

"In the middle of the waters; separate water from water!" 

He separated the water under the sky from the water

above the sky.  And there it was;

He named sky the Heavens;

It was evening - it was morning - 

Day Two.

Genesis 1:6-8

If I were to name my favorite part of this world in which I live, it would have to be the sky.  First of all, it is blue - most of the time!!  Some people believe that green is the most prominent color on earth.  I disagree.  Adding all the waters to the great expanse of the sky - I believe that blue is the predominant color!  The sky holds the clouds, the sun, the moon, the stars.  The sky is the aerodrome for the birds.  It is beautiful on a sunny day and can be terrifying during a storm.  I do not like to fly in the sky, but I do love to look at it.

On the second day of creation, God parted the waters from the sky, creating two landscapes on which to paint with His creative brush.  From the sky would emerge the suns, moons, planets and stars - the vast expanse of galaxies near and far.  From the water would emerge the land that would house the plants and animals to come.

God has to have something of the dramatic in Him, because He certainly did not tire from saying the word, "Sky!,"  just as He did not tire from saying the word "Light" the day before [He did, you know, speak everything into being (Psalm 33:9)].  No - being somewhat dramatic myself, I appreciate God taking His time - calling out one basic element, then standing back to admire His work and plan His next step. After all, when Day Three arrived, the pace would be duly accelerated.     

Light!

National Botanical Gardens, Washington, DC  Copyright 2012:  singeronthesand

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth - 

all you see, all you don't see.  Earth was a soup of nothingness,.

a bottomless emptiness, an inky blackness.  God spoke:

Light!

and light appeared!  God saw that the light was good

and separated light from darkness.

God named the light Day, He named the darkness Night.

It was evening, it was morning--

Day One.

Genesis 1:1-5

I have a dear friend who becomes very depressed, starting in the late autumn and carrying into the winter.  Why?  Her distress is brought on by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) - a form of depression that strikes during the winter months.  At least a portion of the blame for this condition rests with her inability to get enough light - or enough of the right kind of light.  Part of her therapy is a daily light treatment utilizing a special lamp with a very bright light (10,000 lux) that mimics light from the sun.  During the grey, cold months, she sits with her lamp for 30 minutes or so a day, and it makes a tremendous difference in her well-being.

When God faced the shapeless darkness that was the area of earth, He knew that the first thing needed was light - piercing, bright - able to cut through the darkness and illuminate our world.  So He said it, and it was so.  The light was everywhere!  Where did it come from?  Certainly not the sun, moon or stars!  Those were not created until the fourth day.  No, that all-encompassing light must have had its source in God Himself.  

When Jesus came to this earth, He called himself the Light of the World, intent on breaking up the darkness of sin and death, revealing beams of grace, beauty and truth.  Jesus came to shine the light of His truth into the deep shadows of our world - confronting evil head on and, eventually, giving His life in order to banish all darkness forever.  

In the beginning was the Word; 

the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  

In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.

John 1:1,4, 

Zero Tolerance

Love your neighbor as yourself.

Mark 12:31

Florida A & M University has finally adopted a zero-tolerance policy for hazing by any group on campus.  The latest group to try a hazing - an all-female Torque Dance Team, has been booted from campus amidst allegations of hazing involving alcohol.  This is the school that is still dealing with the aftermath of the death of a member of the school's famed marching band in November of 2011.  The young man felt that he had to subject himself to the hazing in order to keep the respect of the other band members.  After surviving one round of beatings, he was dragged back into the fray by force.  His death led to the arrest of 14 students - most of them facing felony hazing charges.

I have never understood the concept of hurting another human being in the name of "fun."  What is there in watching another person suffer that gives some people a rush?  What kind of person would get a kick out of beating a young man to death as he tries to walk down the aisle of a tour bus?  Where does such savagery come from?  What is its source in the human psyche? 

There are people on this earth that I do not like.  For whatever reason, they rub me the wrong way and I avoid them at all cost.  God does not require me to like them, but He does ask me to love them - and there is a big difference between the two.  Liking or not liking an individual is based on many different factors: their personality, actions, background and tastes, as well as my personality, actions, background and tastes. Loving an individual is based on one thing and one thing only: every person is a child of God and deserves my regard and respect on that basis alone.  Although I may not like you, I would not dream of raising a hand to harm you.  And certainly, I would never inflict pain on anyone for the sake of entertainment.

There Will Come a Day

Lotus Blossom, Monet Exhibit, New York Botanical Gardens, Bronx, NY

Copyright 2012:  singeronthesand

 

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. 

There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, 

for the old order of things has passed away.

Revelation 21:4

 

CNN Online reported a heart-rending story this morning.  A young girl, playing in her mother's lap inside her home, is suddenly struck by a bullet out of nowhere, bursting through the frosted glass window on the family balcony, piercing the child's cheek and knocking out one of her teeth.  She cries for her mother, and then is silent, blood pouring from her mouth.

 

A neighbor grabbed the child, flagged down a passing truck, and tried to race toward the hospital. The traffic was beyond terrible, and the neighbor transfered the child from the truck to a car carrying two reporters, the girl choking and gurgling blood in the back seat.  When they finally reached the hospital, the doctors wheeled her into the emergency room and began to work on her face.  The bullet had passed cleanly through one cheek, but ripped up the other one. The little girl was breathing more easily, but she could not receive the surgery she needed at that hospital, so the decision was made to take her across the front lines to a bigger government hospital.  She was piled into a truck and disappeared into the streets.

 

Back home the parents were calm.  They believed their child was getting the best care.  The reporters returned to their business, but curiosity about the girl's condition caused them to return the next morning.  They were met with news on the street:  the little girl had died.  She had been taken to two different government hospitals where doctors tried to help her but failed.  After her death, it was discovered that the bullet had lodged inside her throat. 

 

It is difficult to understand a world where a four-year-old's life can be swept away by a sniper's bullet.  So much of our planet is inundated in violence and war of every description and size.  The value of human life does not count for much on today's scale of importance.  A day is coming, however, when tears and pain and death will be swept away - when God will make a clean sweep of sin and darkness and create all things new.  It is a day I am looking forward to.