"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4).
"One doesn't discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time" (Andre Gide).
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
THE TIME IS FULFILLED
Ruins at Qumran and some of the cliffs where caves were found that contained the Dead Sea Scrolls."Seventy 'sevens' are decreed for you people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy" (Daniel 9:24).
The Essenes lived at Qumran from, roughly, 200 B.C. until after the time of Christ. The Essenes were a strict, conservative sect of the Jews who understood one of their purposes was the preservation of Scripture and some other ancient writings. That is how the Dead-Sea Scrolls came into being. Scriptures were copied and then sealed in clay jars and hidden in caves. It is because of their work that the integrity of Old Testament Scripture has been immensely strengthened. The Dead-Sea Scrolls contain fragments of every Old Testament book but Esther. The most popular Old Testament book for the Essenes was the book of Daniel. More fragments of it were found than any other. It is because of the Dead-Sea Scrolls that we know that Daniel was written when the author said it was, early, and not when the liberals said it was, late.
Because of the work of the Essenes, we know that the reason for the huge amount of Messianic expectation during the time of Christ was not the result of the occupation of the Holy Land by Roman forces, but the result of many Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament, particularly those of the prophet Daniel. Daniel's "70 Weeks" prophecy was datable. The scholars of 2,000 years ago could count. They knew that their time fell within the time frame of Daniel's prophecy. They knew their time was the time to expect the Messiah. It is for this reason that there were quite a few people like Simeon and Anna who waited in the Temple night and day worshipping and watching for the Lord's Messiah (Luke 2:25-38). And, it was for this same reason that our Lord Jesus came saying, "The time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is at hand" (Mark 1:14-15).
God has not been so definite about the timing of the second coming of the Messiah as He was about the timing of the first coming. At any moment we could be called to stand before the Lord. Are you ready?
Grace&Peace,
Tom
p.s. I do believe that there are some very general signs of the Lord Jesus' second coming. I will talk about them, the Lord willing, in the future.
Monday, July 28, 2008
ENTROPY HAPPENS
"Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15-16).
Entropy is a scientific word. It defines the inevitable movement from order to disorder. It defines the movement of all matter and all energy as it moves toward a state of inert uniformity. It defines the loss of information in a transmitted message, and the inevitable and steady deterioration of a system or a society.
There is entropy in every human relationship. Every relationship will come apart unless something holds it together. It takes commitment. It takes love. It takes faith, and it takes energy! That means, husbands, that you need to give your marriage some extra attention--give your wife some flowers! And when she says, "Oh, flowers again," you might have to give her a new house. If all of that fails, you might try listening to her to find out what she is really saying. Listening is work. It takes effort, but it is the best gift we can give to our wives, or to anyone.
The good news about the entropy that is always present in a relationship is that it can be reversed, but it takes energy guided by Wisdom and Love to do it. That is what is meant by "redeeming the time." Redeeming has to do with buying. The Bible says we must invest our time and ourselves to renew relationships, and to make new ones, in these present evil and entropic days. As Christian people, we have a decision to make. Will we just let entropy happen? Or, will we embrace the One who can reverse entropy and walk with Him and be like Him? "He is before all things and in Him all things hold together" (Colossians 1:17).
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Entropy is a scientific word. It defines the inevitable movement from order to disorder. It defines the movement of all matter and all energy as it moves toward a state of inert uniformity. It defines the loss of information in a transmitted message, and the inevitable and steady deterioration of a system or a society.
There is entropy in every human relationship. Every relationship will come apart unless something holds it together. It takes commitment. It takes love. It takes faith, and it takes energy! That means, husbands, that you need to give your marriage some extra attention--give your wife some flowers! And when she says, "Oh, flowers again," you might have to give her a new house. If all of that fails, you might try listening to her to find out what she is really saying. Listening is work. It takes effort, but it is the best gift we can give to our wives, or to anyone.
The good news about the entropy that is always present in a relationship is that it can be reversed, but it takes energy guided by Wisdom and Love to do it. That is what is meant by "redeeming the time." Redeeming has to do with buying. The Bible says we must invest our time and ourselves to renew relationships, and to make new ones, in these present evil and entropic days. As Christian people, we have a decision to make. Will we just let entropy happen? Or, will we embrace the One who can reverse entropy and walk with Him and be like Him? "He is before all things and in Him all things hold together" (Colossians 1:17).
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Friday, July 25, 2008
SIMEON'S PRAYER
"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel" (Words of the aged Simeon who wanted to see the Messiah before he died. Luke 2:29-32).
For me, one of the most inspiring moments of my tour in the Holy Land was the visit to the wailing wall. A military swearing-in ceremony was about to begin. Some young soldiers were flirting with the college women in our group. The atmosphere was such that one couldn't help but think of the huge amount of history connected with this place and the dramatic history that will yet happen in this place.
I am not going to do an unbroken series on prophecy, but through the remainder of the year I do plan to write about Biblical prophecy. I will hit some of the high spots, but I do not plan to be sensational. There is a lot of sensationalism and pseudo scholarship in the popular writings about prophecy. In the ebb and flow of human events there have been an abundance of predictors and date-setters who have ignored the Lord's words, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by His own authority" (Acts 1:7) and have gone on to make identifications and set dates that the grinding-wheels of time have ground to dust. When Isaac Newton predicted that the Lord would not return before 2060 his purpose was not to set a date, but to discourage the date-setters of the 17th century--they were an embarrassment.
During the time of Simeon, because of the prophecies of the Old Testament, there was a great deal of Messianic expectation. His request was to see the Messiah. God granted that request.
At the wailing wall one immediately notices the fervency of prayer by those who are there (I wonder what Obama prayed for?) and the prayer papers jammed into the wall. Most of them are for the Messiah to come, not recognizing that the Messiah has already come. My prayer is that they will recognize Jesus the Messiah and find salvation in Him. My prayer is also like Simeon's prayer in that I would like be alive to witness Jesus' second-coming. I was born in the closing days of 1947, the year of discovery of the dead-sea scrolls, very near the birth year of the modern state of Israel, 1948, both of which I consider to be evidence of Divine providence. Perhaps the generation that was born during that time will not pass away before the return of the Messiah comes to pass. We will see.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Monday, July 21, 2008
SEEN ANY FAMILIAR HANDS LATELY?
"Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, 'We have seen the Lord.' But he said to them,'Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe'" (John 20:24-25).
As we were closing our family reunion and saying our "good-byes" my cousin shared with me a comment that her 30-something-year-old daughters made about me. She said, "hold out your hands." So I did. Then she said, "look at them," which I did with a puzzled look on my face. She said, "My daughters noticed the resemblance of your hands to my dad's hands. The way they are freckled is the same and your fingers are the same. Wow! My cousin's dad, my uncle, has been dead for about 10 years. It is so interesting to me that these adult women, even after 10 years, would recognize the similarity of my hands to their grampa's hands. I knew my uncle Harold well. The only way he would have used those hands would have been in a loving and helping way. To me it is an honor to have hands that look like my uncle's.
Noticing hands--is that a female thing? I think so. I think this little story says something about the importance of dad's and grampa's in the lives of their little girls.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
PS: I promise, I will write more about prophecy this week.
As we were closing our family reunion and saying our "good-byes" my cousin shared with me a comment that her 30-something-year-old daughters made about me. She said, "hold out your hands." So I did. Then she said, "look at them," which I did with a puzzled look on my face. She said, "My daughters noticed the resemblance of your hands to my dad's hands. The way they are freckled is the same and your fingers are the same. Wow! My cousin's dad, my uncle, has been dead for about 10 years. It is so interesting to me that these adult women, even after 10 years, would recognize the similarity of my hands to their grampa's hands. I knew my uncle Harold well. The only way he would have used those hands would have been in a loving and helping way. To me it is an honor to have hands that look like my uncle's.
Noticing hands--is that a female thing? I think so. I think this little story says something about the importance of dad's and grampa's in the lives of their little girls.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
PS: I promise, I will write more about prophecy this week.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
IN THE LIGHT OF PROPHECY
". . .no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive opinions" (2 Peter 1:21-2:1).
I am not doing too well with my writing. Even this little blurb will be short because it has been a looong day. Helen and I have had the blessing of spending a lot of time with our grandchildren during the last couple of weeks, and now during this week we have two of them, Alex and Samantha all to our selves. On top of that, we are watching our grand dog, Barkley, a six-month old rat terrier. I, of course, have a farm to run and people to pastor so I should try to do some actual work once in a while. The Fredenberg reunion, my mom's side of the family, is this weekend. Helen and I have a lot to do to host that too. So it is a very busy time. My mind has been tired and numb--I just haven't felt like writing. I do want to write a little now to get you faithful readers set up for next week.
How do we know a thing to be true? The scientific method has reigned supreme in finding and verifying truth in the physical universe. The historical method is used to find the truth about the happenings of human events. One of the legitimate ways of knowing is Biblical revelation. Revelation is information that we could not know unless God revealed it. There are times when it appears that the Bible is at odds with science or with history. When that is the case, I stand with the Bible because neither the scientific method or the historical method have been perfect in the quest for truth.
One of the hallmarks of Biblical revelation is predictive prophecy. About 29 per cent of the Old Testament and 22 per cent of the New Testament is predictive prophecy. That is the subject I would like to discuss over the next 2-3 posts starting next week.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
I am not doing too well with my writing. Even this little blurb will be short because it has been a looong day. Helen and I have had the blessing of spending a lot of time with our grandchildren during the last couple of weeks, and now during this week we have two of them, Alex and Samantha all to our selves. On top of that, we are watching our grand dog, Barkley, a six-month old rat terrier. I, of course, have a farm to run and people to pastor so I should try to do some actual work once in a while. The Fredenberg reunion, my mom's side of the family, is this weekend. Helen and I have a lot to do to host that too. So it is a very busy time. My mind has been tired and numb--I just haven't felt like writing. I do want to write a little now to get you faithful readers set up for next week.
How do we know a thing to be true? The scientific method has reigned supreme in finding and verifying truth in the physical universe. The historical method is used to find the truth about the happenings of human events. One of the legitimate ways of knowing is Biblical revelation. Revelation is information that we could not know unless God revealed it. There are times when it appears that the Bible is at odds with science or with history. When that is the case, I stand with the Bible because neither the scientific method or the historical method have been perfect in the quest for truth.
One of the hallmarks of Biblical revelation is predictive prophecy. About 29 per cent of the Old Testament and 22 per cent of the New Testament is predictive prophecy. That is the subject I would like to discuss over the next 2-3 posts starting next week.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Saturday, July 12, 2008
BACK FROM VACATION
"To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).
I'm back, but not quite ready to start writing. My family and I have been on vacation. My mind is still there and that is death for my writing, but it was great for our family. We were all together at Rebecca's house in California. The grandchildren are growing so fast! That is why it is important for us all to be together at once. The kids need to understand the family, its beliefs, values, priorities and traditions so that they will be better able to know who they are as they build relationships with those outside of the family.
Hopefully, next week I will be writing something prophetic.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
I'm back, but not quite ready to start writing. My family and I have been on vacation. My mind is still there and that is death for my writing, but it was great for our family. We were all together at Rebecca's house in California. The grandchildren are growing so fast! That is why it is important for us all to be together at once. The kids need to understand the family, its beliefs, values, priorities and traditions so that they will be better able to know who they are as they build relationships with those outside of the family.
Hopefully, next week I will be writing something prophetic.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Saturday, June 28, 2008
WHAT TECHNIQUE?
"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. . .'" (John 11:25,26).
"For the wise men of old, the cardinal problem of human life was how to conform the soul to objective reality, and the solution was wisdom, self-discipline, and virtue. For the modern mind, the cardinal problem is how to subdue reality to the wishes of man, and the solution is technique" (The Abolition of Man, C.S. Lewis).
The quote from Lewis reminded me of the years when I was teaching as an adjunct professor at Nebraska Christian College. For grading, I placed a high value on questions that the students asked and one of the most common questions asked by female students (I do not recall male students asking the question with very much frequency) was, "What technique works best when . . .?" I should have done more to help them understand their own need to be controlling! Counseling is more than bringing short-term changes of behavior, but it involves changing a life. Sometimes, life-changing can make things worse rather than better in the short term, but the long-term changes are the ones that matter. Short-term changes may result from manipulation, but long-term changes result from being introduced to Reality.
I am going to take a 2-week vacation from posting--I just wanted to warn you faithful readers so that you wouldn't worry about me.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
"For the wise men of old, the cardinal problem of human life was how to conform the soul to objective reality, and the solution was wisdom, self-discipline, and virtue. For the modern mind, the cardinal problem is how to subdue reality to the wishes of man, and the solution is technique" (The Abolition of Man, C.S. Lewis).
The quote from Lewis reminded me of the years when I was teaching as an adjunct professor at Nebraska Christian College. For grading, I placed a high value on questions that the students asked and one of the most common questions asked by female students (I do not recall male students asking the question with very much frequency) was, "What technique works best when . . .?" I should have done more to help them understand their own need to be controlling! Counseling is more than bringing short-term changes of behavior, but it involves changing a life. Sometimes, life-changing can make things worse rather than better in the short term, but the long-term changes are the ones that matter. Short-term changes may result from manipulation, but long-term changes result from being introduced to Reality.
I am going to take a 2-week vacation from posting--I just wanted to warn you faithful readers so that you wouldn't worry about me.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Thursday, June 26, 2008
DELIVER US FROM EVIL 2
"Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (I Peter 5:8).
Satan resides in many places, sabotaging much of the good that is being done. One of those places is our institutions of higher learning, where Satan is thought not to exist.
"Fifteen of the thirty most trusted advisers to Adolf Hitler held doctorate degrees. Some of them were medical doctors. These white collar criminals conducted a reign of terror exceeded only by those of Stalin and Mao. [I think I need to add that the murderous leaders of radical Islam are doctors and engineers. They are the masterminds. They recruit the poor and the ignorant to do their bidding.]
"The American psychologist appointed to examine accused Nazi war criminals at the Nuremberg trials said that the Nazi inmates had one thing in common -- 'all lacked empathy.' They did not feel the suffering of their victims. They were devoid of compassion. Such a state is the precursor of cruelty and is the essence of the satanic spirit. lucifer (I refuse to capitalize his name) is the destroyer precisely because he is incapable of love, devoid of compassion. Christ is the Savior precisely because He is love. The Holy Spirit is a counter presence to apollyon in the world because the Holy Spirit is love. He stirs us to the deepest empathy. He builds, nurtures, and protects, rather than destroys. Empathy may be the most powerful healing reality in any therapist."
Education is a good thing, but when the Spirit is not present the evil one turns the educated one into a clever devil. Love, joy peace, gentleness goodness, patience, faithfulness and self-control indicate the presence of the Holy Spirit. If these are not present then it is quite possible that satan is involved--beware!!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Satan resides in many places, sabotaging much of the good that is being done. One of those places is our institutions of higher learning, where Satan is thought not to exist.
"Fifteen of the thirty most trusted advisers to Adolf Hitler held doctorate degrees. Some of them were medical doctors. These white collar criminals conducted a reign of terror exceeded only by those of Stalin and Mao. [I think I need to add that the murderous leaders of radical Islam are doctors and engineers. They are the masterminds. They recruit the poor and the ignorant to do their bidding.]
"The American psychologist appointed to examine accused Nazi war criminals at the Nuremberg trials said that the Nazi inmates had one thing in common -- 'all lacked empathy.' They did not feel the suffering of their victims. They were devoid of compassion. Such a state is the precursor of cruelty and is the essence of the satanic spirit. lucifer (I refuse to capitalize his name) is the destroyer precisely because he is incapable of love, devoid of compassion. Christ is the Savior precisely because He is love. The Holy Spirit is a counter presence to apollyon in the world because the Holy Spirit is love. He stirs us to the deepest empathy. He builds, nurtures, and protects, rather than destroys. Empathy may be the most powerful healing reality in any therapist."
Education is a good thing, but when the Spirit is not present the evil one turns the educated one into a clever devil. Love, joy peace, gentleness goodness, patience, faithfulness and self-control indicate the presence of the Holy Spirit. If these are not present then it is quite possible that satan is involved--beware!!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
DELIVER US FROM EVIL
"And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil" (Matthew 6:13).
I have been reading a booklet by one of my seminary professors, who is also a friend and brother in Christ, Dr. Bruce Parmenter. The title of it is The Holy Spirit: Primary Change Agent in Pastoral Care and Counseling and in all Psychotherapy. This post, and the next one, will be quotes from his booklet on the subject of evil.
Evil is much more than the absence of good -- it is not explained by the absence of education, "enlightenment," good nutrition, clean air, and nurturing love for every child -- for evil is present when all of the above grace human culture. The most evil acts in history occurred in recent times in the twentieth century with humankind presumably in its most advanced stage, when technology, medicine, psychology and philosophy had reached never before dreamed of sophistication. But that same twentieth century was also the culmination of a period of severe secularization, beginning with the so-called "Enlightenment," about four hundred years ago. Darwinian evolutionism gave a strong boost to the notion that the origin and process of life could be explained in naturalistic terms. God was no longer required for the explanation of anything. The intellectual universe in the academy and therefore in general culture became naturalistic, reductionistic, and non-transcendent. Matter reigned over spirit. The only spirit admitted to discussion was the spirit of man. "Holy Spirit" became an anachronism.
Tom's comment: evil has its greatest opportunity when it is not believed to exist and when destructive, irresponsible and criminal behavior are only sicknesses and disorders.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
I have been reading a booklet by one of my seminary professors, who is also a friend and brother in Christ, Dr. Bruce Parmenter. The title of it is The Holy Spirit: Primary Change Agent in Pastoral Care and Counseling and in all Psychotherapy. This post, and the next one, will be quotes from his booklet on the subject of evil.
Evil is much more than the absence of good -- it is not explained by the absence of education, "enlightenment," good nutrition, clean air, and nurturing love for every child -- for evil is present when all of the above grace human culture. The most evil acts in history occurred in recent times in the twentieth century with humankind presumably in its most advanced stage, when technology, medicine, psychology and philosophy had reached never before dreamed of sophistication. But that same twentieth century was also the culmination of a period of severe secularization, beginning with the so-called "Enlightenment," about four hundred years ago. Darwinian evolutionism gave a strong boost to the notion that the origin and process of life could be explained in naturalistic terms. God was no longer required for the explanation of anything. The intellectual universe in the academy and therefore in general culture became naturalistic, reductionistic, and non-transcendent. Matter reigned over spirit. The only spirit admitted to discussion was the spirit of man. "Holy Spirit" became an anachronism.
Tom's comment: evil has its greatest opportunity when it is not believed to exist and when destructive, irresponsible and criminal behavior are only sicknesses and disorders.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
STEELE'S REPENTENCE INVENTORY (The top 10 indications that one might need to change)
"Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness. . ." (Acts 17:30-31).
10. If you never pass a mirror you do not like.
9. If you think the "see-food diet" is the best.
8. If you use Master Card to pay Visa, and vice versa.
7. If you, after looking at the family tree, see that you are the sap running through it.
6. If you discover that one of the songs your wife is planning to use at your funeral service is,
"I Guess He'd Rather be in Colorado."
5. If you have ever been stopped by a patrolman and he didn't have enough tickets in his
book to cover all the violations.
4. If you have ever been picked out of a police lineup.
3. If your mother has said to you, "May be you shouldn't come home for Christmas next year."
2. If you have ever been invited to join a small group of family and friends, and one of them said
to you, "We are having this intervention because. . ."
1. THIS ONE IS COMPLETELY SERIOUS--If you do not believe that you need to. God will not
work with the one who refuses to repent or change his way of thinking.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
10. If you never pass a mirror you do not like.
9. If you think the "see-food diet" is the best.
8. If you use Master Card to pay Visa, and vice versa.
7. If you, after looking at the family tree, see that you are the sap running through it.
6. If you discover that one of the songs your wife is planning to use at your funeral service is,
"I Guess He'd Rather be in Colorado."
5. If you have ever been stopped by a patrolman and he didn't have enough tickets in his
book to cover all the violations.
4. If you have ever been picked out of a police lineup.
3. If your mother has said to you, "May be you shouldn't come home for Christmas next year."
2. If you have ever been invited to join a small group of family and friends, and one of them said
to you, "We are having this intervention because. . ."
1. THIS ONE IS COMPLETELY SERIOUS--If you do not believe that you need to. God will not
work with the one who refuses to repent or change his way of thinking.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
STEELE'S DEPRESSION INVENTORY (for adults)
"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18).
In the first of my "Getting a Life" series I promised I would write later about the importance of measuring gratitude on my depression inventory. Typically, there are 21 symptom-attitude categories that are measured in a depression inventory: 1) mood; 2) pessimism; 3) sense of failure; 4) lack of satisfaction; 5) guilty feeling; 6) sense of punishment; 7) self-dislike; 8) self accusations; 9) suicidal wishes; 10) crying spells; 11) irritability; 12) social withdrawal; 13) indecisiveness; 14)distortion of body image; 15) work inhibition; 16) sleep disturbance; 17) fatigability; 18) loss of appetite; 19) weight loss; 20) somatic preoccupation; and 21) loss of libido (Beck/Beamesderfer Depression Inventory).
Though I do not have a great deal of research to back me up, I do believe that gratitude assessment should be included as a separate category in the depression inventory because gratitude is a characteristic of a psychologically healthy human adult. It is probably more important to measure gratitude as an independent category than loss of libido since there is a great amount of variation of libido among both men and women and the presence of gratitude is expected in every case of a psychologically healthy human adult. A lack of gratitude may indicate something other than depression, but it is certainly symptomatic of it.
I found a couple of interesting articles that tend to support my contention. One is an abstract found on the National Association of School Psychologists site, http://www.naspondine.org/publications/spf/issue2_1frohabstract.aspx The abstract of some research done on elementary students said that the daily counting of blessings for a two-week period of time resulted in improved school satisfaction as well as improved social and emotional functioning. This was true at retest 3 weeks later.
Another is found at http://gbr.pepperdine.edu/064/gratitude.html One of the gratitude factors discussed in this article is the impact gratitude has on physical health. The person with gratitude will live longer and be healthier in the process than those with low levels of gratitude. Gratitude is more important to one's health than the nutritional value of the food one eats! A prayer of thanksgiving for a crust of bread makes it more nutritious than a banquet eaten without prayer.
I believe it is essential to assess gratitude as an independent category by asking questions that deal with the frequency of the feelings of thanksgiving and the perception of the motive behind the good things that happen. The answers to these support the depression inventory in the indication of the presence of depression and the degree of depression.
In any case, gratitude is an essential component of a healthy life!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
In the first of my "Getting a Life" series I promised I would write later about the importance of measuring gratitude on my depression inventory. Typically, there are 21 symptom-attitude categories that are measured in a depression inventory: 1) mood; 2) pessimism; 3) sense of failure; 4) lack of satisfaction; 5) guilty feeling; 6) sense of punishment; 7) self-dislike; 8) self accusations; 9) suicidal wishes; 10) crying spells; 11) irritability; 12) social withdrawal; 13) indecisiveness; 14)distortion of body image; 15) work inhibition; 16) sleep disturbance; 17) fatigability; 18) loss of appetite; 19) weight loss; 20) somatic preoccupation; and 21) loss of libido (Beck/Beamesderfer Depression Inventory).
Though I do not have a great deal of research to back me up, I do believe that gratitude assessment should be included as a separate category in the depression inventory because gratitude is a characteristic of a psychologically healthy human adult. It is probably more important to measure gratitude as an independent category than loss of libido since there is a great amount of variation of libido among both men and women and the presence of gratitude is expected in every case of a psychologically healthy human adult. A lack of gratitude may indicate something other than depression, but it is certainly symptomatic of it.
I found a couple of interesting articles that tend to support my contention. One is an abstract found on the National Association of School Psychologists site, http://www.naspondine.org/publications/spf/issue2_1frohabstract.aspx The abstract of some research done on elementary students said that the daily counting of blessings for a two-week period of time resulted in improved school satisfaction as well as improved social and emotional functioning. This was true at retest 3 weeks later.
Another is found at http://gbr.pepperdine.edu/064/gratitude.html One of the gratitude factors discussed in this article is the impact gratitude has on physical health. The person with gratitude will live longer and be healthier in the process than those with low levels of gratitude. Gratitude is more important to one's health than the nutritional value of the food one eats! A prayer of thanksgiving for a crust of bread makes it more nutritious than a banquet eaten without prayer.
I believe it is essential to assess gratitude as an independent category by asking questions that deal with the frequency of the feelings of thanksgiving and the perception of the motive behind the good things that happen. The answers to these support the depression inventory in the indication of the presence of depression and the degree of depression.
In any case, gratitude is an essential component of a healthy life!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Friday, June 06, 2008
EVERYTHING IS AS IT SHOULD BE
"But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the LAKE that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death"(Revelation 21:8).
It's great! Celtics over the Lakers in game 1 of the NBA finals! Celtics/Lakers, a great traditional rivalry. Just when we were worried about global warming, high gas prices, Islamic jihad and high taxes, we are brought back to reality. God is still on the throne, the Celtics are still playing the Lakers for the championship and the warning of Revelation 21:8 is still true. Being that kind of "Laker" is rather painful, to say the least.
Go Celtics!!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
It's great! Celtics over the Lakers in game 1 of the NBA finals! Celtics/Lakers, a great traditional rivalry. Just when we were worried about global warming, high gas prices, Islamic jihad and high taxes, we are brought back to reality. God is still on the throne, the Celtics are still playing the Lakers for the championship and the warning of Revelation 21:8 is still true. Being that kind of "Laker" is rather painful, to say the least.
Go Celtics!!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Monday, June 02, 2008
GETTING A LIFE 6: THE GRACE FACTOR
"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8).
One can't "get a life" without grace. Literally, every breath one takes is a gift of grace because, ". . . He Himself gives to all peoples life and breath and all things" (Acts 17:25 b). The very fact that we are physically alive is a grace-gift from God. And because of His love for all people, God has offered a special gift to all who will receive it through faith, salvation in Jesus Christ.
Many things might come to mind when you think of salvation, one of them surely is heaven and being safe there. But that is the only part of salvation that is safe. One doesn't have to die to begin to experience salvation--it begins with the presence of The Holy Spirit in our lives (Acts 2:38). One of the universal doctrines of Christendom is the presence of The Holy Spirit in the life of the Christian. Being saved may make us think of safety, but God is not safe--He is dangerous. The Spirit in our lives will work little by little to make us whole (2 Corinthians 3:18).
The journey to "wholeness" can be adventurous, dangerous and painful, but it is also a joyful experience when it is understood with the mind of faith. One of the commands of Scripture is, "Do not quench the Spirit" (1 Thessalonians 5:19). It is dangerous to "pour cold water" on His work in our lives!!!
Being aware of the presence and work of The Holy Spirit in our lives as a grace-gift helps us to understand the significance of each day as we experience it--there are no days with out meaning. Each day is another day that God uses to make you a little more like Christ.
When you have God you have a life!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
One can't "get a life" without grace. Literally, every breath one takes is a gift of grace because, ". . . He Himself gives to all peoples life and breath and all things" (Acts 17:25 b). The very fact that we are physically alive is a grace-gift from God. And because of His love for all people, God has offered a special gift to all who will receive it through faith, salvation in Jesus Christ.
Many things might come to mind when you think of salvation, one of them surely is heaven and being safe there. But that is the only part of salvation that is safe. One doesn't have to die to begin to experience salvation--it begins with the presence of The Holy Spirit in our lives (Acts 2:38). One of the universal doctrines of Christendom is the presence of The Holy Spirit in the life of the Christian. Being saved may make us think of safety, but God is not safe--He is dangerous. The Spirit in our lives will work little by little to make us whole (2 Corinthians 3:18).
The journey to "wholeness" can be adventurous, dangerous and painful, but it is also a joyful experience when it is understood with the mind of faith. One of the commands of Scripture is, "Do not quench the Spirit" (1 Thessalonians 5:19). It is dangerous to "pour cold water" on His work in our lives!!!
Being aware of the presence and work of The Holy Spirit in our lives as a grace-gift helps us to understand the significance of each day as we experience it--there are no days with out meaning. Each day is another day that God uses to make you a little more like Christ.
When you have God you have a life!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Thursday, May 29, 2008
GETTING A LIFE 5: EXPECT, AND EMBRACE, PAIN
"Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness" (James 1:2-3).
Change doesn't come without challenge or pain. We would all like it to be painless, but the reality is that it is not. So, expect challenge and expect pain, but learn to view it as constructive. It is part of building a new and better life. It hurts, but it is good hurt. Early mornings, late nights, sore muscles, fatigued bodies, fatigued brains, rejection slips and rejection, diet restriction and loneliness are some of the good hurts that one has to endure on the way to getting a life, but in the long-run they are a blessing!!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Change doesn't come without challenge or pain. We would all like it to be painless, but the reality is that it is not. So, expect challenge and expect pain, but learn to view it as constructive. It is part of building a new and better life. It hurts, but it is good hurt. Early mornings, late nights, sore muscles, fatigued bodies, fatigued brains, rejection slips and rejection, diet restriction and loneliness are some of the good hurts that one has to endure on the way to getting a life, but in the long-run they are a blessing!!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Monday, May 26, 2008
GETTING A LIFE 4: A COMPELLING VISION
"For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God" (Hebrews 11:10).
There are two factors necessary for change: 1) A strong dissatisfaction with where you are now; 2) A compelling vision for the future. Without these you will always continue to be as you are. For Abraham, about whom the text was written, both of these factors came about because he believed God--because of his faith. On this earth, Abraham never found the city. Perhaps it might be that on this earth our vision for the future will never be realized, nevertheless, the sin is in not venturing, not trying. Our vision might have to be adjusted to reality--the city of God will never be seen on this fallen earth. That being said, it is also true that as a result of his vision, Abraham still had a wonderful and fulfilled life, becoming the father of those who have faith. In Heaven his vision is realized!
Living a rich life means that there is an old life that has to be walked away from! Even with a compelling vision, there will be misgivings about doing it! Do you suppose that Abraham had some misgivings about walking away from his life in Ur? I'm sure he did, but that is part of the territory--that is part of the price of leaving. It is a normal part of the human experience. One shouldn't view these misgivings as a sign of making a big mistake. Having misgivings is only a characteristic of the loss experience one has as a result of making a change.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
There are two factors necessary for change: 1) A strong dissatisfaction with where you are now; 2) A compelling vision for the future. Without these you will always continue to be as you are. For Abraham, about whom the text was written, both of these factors came about because he believed God--because of his faith. On this earth, Abraham never found the city. Perhaps it might be that on this earth our vision for the future will never be realized, nevertheless, the sin is in not venturing, not trying. Our vision might have to be adjusted to reality--the city of God will never be seen on this fallen earth. That being said, it is also true that as a result of his vision, Abraham still had a wonderful and fulfilled life, becoming the father of those who have faith. In Heaven his vision is realized!
Living a rich life means that there is an old life that has to be walked away from! Even with a compelling vision, there will be misgivings about doing it! Do you suppose that Abraham had some misgivings about walking away from his life in Ur? I'm sure he did, but that is part of the territory--that is part of the price of leaving. It is a normal part of the human experience. One shouldn't view these misgivings as a sign of making a big mistake. Having misgivings is only a characteristic of the loss experience one has as a result of making a change.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
GETTING A LIFE 3: BE WILLING TO TAKE A RISK
"Who (Jesus) gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar (emphasis mine) people, zealous of good works" (Titus 2:14 KJV).
Having a life means the willingness to take a risk--the risk to do good. Jesus strongly teaches that the unwillingness to take a risk is wickedness (See the parable of the talents in Matthew 25). Life is an adventure. As human beings, unless God specially gifts us, we cannot know the future--we cannot know the outcome. One of the characteristics of God's people that makes their lives different is that they are willing to embrace risk-taking, the risk-taking done for Him.
But of one outcome that they can be absolutely sure is that God will bless the risk taken for Him.
Risk-taking is not recklessness. Recklessness is thoughtlessness, as when one exposes himself to danger without thinking it through. The Godly risk-taker has thought it through and has come to the conclusion, "It is worth the risk." Former Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, once said, "In crises, the most daring course is often the safest." That was one of his guiding principles of foreign policy--it is a good principle for life too.
To be a "peculiar" person-- a different person--be willing to take the risk to do good things.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Having a life means the willingness to take a risk--the risk to do good. Jesus strongly teaches that the unwillingness to take a risk is wickedness (See the parable of the talents in Matthew 25). Life is an adventure. As human beings, unless God specially gifts us, we cannot know the future--we cannot know the outcome. One of the characteristics of God's people that makes their lives different is that they are willing to embrace risk-taking, the risk-taking done for Him.
But of one outcome that they can be absolutely sure is that God will bless the risk taken for Him.
Risk-taking is not recklessness. Recklessness is thoughtlessness, as when one exposes himself to danger without thinking it through. The Godly risk-taker has thought it through and has come to the conclusion, "It is worth the risk." Former Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, once said, "In crises, the most daring course is often the safest." That was one of his guiding principles of foreign policy--it is a good principle for life too.
To be a "peculiar" person-- a different person--be willing to take the risk to do good things.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Thursday, May 15, 2008
GETTING A LIFE 2: OVERCOMING FEAR
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline" (II Timothy 1:7).
"What will people think if I fail?" "What will people think if I change?" These are questions that haunt us all from time to time. The fear of public humiliation has great power to keep us inert, to keep us from moving toward making the changes we need to make. We need to remember that failure is an essential part of growth. I have great respect for those who are willing to take a risk and perhaps fail because that sets them apart as people of courage; as people who are willing to grow. When we do something we are afraid to do we grow stronger as a result.
It is an inescapable truth that there will always be those who will be critical of the positive changes. If there are people close to you who are critical of positive changes you have made in your life, you have to ask yourself the question, "is it good to have these people in my life?"
Grace&Peace,
Tom
"What will people think if I fail?" "What will people think if I change?" These are questions that haunt us all from time to time. The fear of public humiliation has great power to keep us inert, to keep us from moving toward making the changes we need to make. We need to remember that failure is an essential part of growth. I have great respect for those who are willing to take a risk and perhaps fail because that sets them apart as people of courage; as people who are willing to grow. When we do something we are afraid to do we grow stronger as a result.
It is an inescapable truth that there will always be those who will be critical of the positive changes. If there are people close to you who are critical of positive changes you have made in your life, you have to ask yourself the question, "is it good to have these people in my life?"
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Monday, May 12, 2008
GETTING A LIFE: GRATITUDE
". . .always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 5:20).
The first step to getting a life is to thank God for the one you already have. None of us asked to be born but here we are. We have been handed the gift of life. What will we do with it? Life is a great adventure. Each of us is born into different circumstances. We each have different capabilities. All of this diversity is a means to a rich and colorful culture if we acknowledge the One who gave us life, thanking Him by living lives of love, faith, joy and responsibility.
One of the hallmarks of a healthy life is gratitude, and one of the common characteristics of a troubled and unhealthy life is complaining and grumbling. On "Steele's Depression Inventory*," the lack of gratitude is given a significant value. On God's Judgement Inventory, complaining and grumbling have significant value too, being characteristics of wickedness (See Jude 15-16.).
Sometimes we find ourselves in difficult circumstances--painful circumstances. Complaining about them isn't going to solve them. Rather, acknowledging that our difficult circumstance might be just the spur we need to move us to making the changes we need to make. When our pain spurs us to take initiative we are taking the first step to getting a life. Therefore, we can be thankful.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*In a future article I will publish "Steele's Depression Inventory."
The first step to getting a life is to thank God for the one you already have. None of us asked to be born but here we are. We have been handed the gift of life. What will we do with it? Life is a great adventure. Each of us is born into different circumstances. We each have different capabilities. All of this diversity is a means to a rich and colorful culture if we acknowledge the One who gave us life, thanking Him by living lives of love, faith, joy and responsibility.
One of the hallmarks of a healthy life is gratitude, and one of the common characteristics of a troubled and unhealthy life is complaining and grumbling. On "Steele's Depression Inventory*," the lack of gratitude is given a significant value. On God's Judgement Inventory, complaining and grumbling have significant value too, being characteristics of wickedness (See Jude 15-16.).
Sometimes we find ourselves in difficult circumstances--painful circumstances. Complaining about them isn't going to solve them. Rather, acknowledging that our difficult circumstance might be just the spur we need to move us to making the changes we need to make. When our pain spurs us to take initiative we are taking the first step to getting a life. Therefore, we can be thankful.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*In a future article I will publish "Steele's Depression Inventory."
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
lOGOTHERAPY
"Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2).
One of my psychological heroes is Victor Frankl. Frankl was a Nazi concentration camp survivor. As a result of his experiences in the camps, he wrote a book called Man's Search For Meaning. It ought to be required reading for everyone in a leadership position. Here is a quote from it:
"As a professor in two fields, neurology and psychiatry, I am full aware of the extent to which man is subject to biological, psychological and sociological conditions. but in addition to being a professor in two fields I am a survivor of four camps--concentration camps, that is--and as such I also bear witness to the unexpected extent to which man is capable of defying and braving even the worst conditions conceivable . . . Man is not fully conditioned and determined but rather determines himself whether he gives in to conditions or stands up to them. In other words, man is ultimately self -determining."
Grace&Peace,
Tom
One of my psychological heroes is Victor Frankl. Frankl was a Nazi concentration camp survivor. As a result of his experiences in the camps, he wrote a book called Man's Search For Meaning. It ought to be required reading for everyone in a leadership position. Here is a quote from it:
"As a professor in two fields, neurology and psychiatry, I am full aware of the extent to which man is subject to biological, psychological and sociological conditions. but in addition to being a professor in two fields I am a survivor of four camps--concentration camps, that is--and as such I also bear witness to the unexpected extent to which man is capable of defying and braving even the worst conditions conceivable . . . Man is not fully conditioned and determined but rather determines himself whether he gives in to conditions or stands up to them. In other words, man is ultimately self -determining."
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Saturday, May 03, 2008
THE WAY TO ABUNDANCE
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy: I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10).
One of my resolutions for the year was to post more often in Silver Bullets. Some times that is challenging when life is busy as it is right now. Though rain has slowed us considerably, we are in the middle of planting season, and there is much spring work to be done. This last week I also spoke to the local Methodist women about Israeli/Palestinian relations. It is strange that one trip to the Holy Land confers on one "expert" status, which I am not, but they asked me to shed some light and balance on their study topic.
As a result of my busyness I have resorted to using some quotes as I am using today. It is much like another I have used recently, but it is worth repeating.
"When I have learned to love God more than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now. In so far as I learn to love my earthly dearest at the expense of God, and instead of God, I shall be moving towards that state in which I do not love my earthly dearest at all. When first things are put first, second things are not suppressed but increased." --C.S. Lewis
Grace&Peace,
Tom
One of my resolutions for the year was to post more often in Silver Bullets. Some times that is challenging when life is busy as it is right now. Though rain has slowed us considerably, we are in the middle of planting season, and there is much spring work to be done. This last week I also spoke to the local Methodist women about Israeli/Palestinian relations. It is strange that one trip to the Holy Land confers on one "expert" status, which I am not, but they asked me to shed some light and balance on their study topic.
As a result of my busyness I have resorted to using some quotes as I am using today. It is much like another I have used recently, but it is worth repeating.
"When I have learned to love God more than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now. In so far as I learn to love my earthly dearest at the expense of God, and instead of God, I shall be moving towards that state in which I do not love my earthly dearest at all. When first things are put first, second things are not suppressed but increased." --C.S. Lewis
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
GOT PAIN?
"God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world." --C.S. Lewis
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Monday, April 21, 2008
NEED A FRIEND?
"There are friends who pretend to be friends, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24).
"Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy" (Proverbs 27:6).
"Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).
I'm taking the word of PSYCHOLOGY TODAY for this statistic, "Since 1985 the number of Americans who say they have no one to talk to has doubled." It is hard to believe with all the folks one sees jabbering on their phones while driving!! That statistic may not be as ominous as it sounds because there are more people living in America now. Still it does show an increase. The freedom we have to indulge our own personal preferences also tends to isolate us. For example, if I do not like what Helen is watching on TV, I can go to a different TV and watch.
So how can one make a friend?
1. Smile!!! Be approachable.
2. Do not isolate!!! Be approachable.
3. Be involved in a Bible study with others, or take a class.
4. Sign up for a tour and have an adventure with others.
5. Try a new perspective on people you already know.
Friends do not pop out of the thin air. Making a friend does require some effort, but it is definitely worth the effort. As the Proverb writer said, 'A friend who is near is better than a brother who is far away.'
Always remember, too, that Jesus is your best friend!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
"Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy" (Proverbs 27:6).
"Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).
I'm taking the word of PSYCHOLOGY TODAY for this statistic, "Since 1985 the number of Americans who say they have no one to talk to has doubled." It is hard to believe with all the folks one sees jabbering on their phones while driving!! That statistic may not be as ominous as it sounds because there are more people living in America now. Still it does show an increase. The freedom we have to indulge our own personal preferences also tends to isolate us. For example, if I do not like what Helen is watching on TV, I can go to a different TV and watch.
So how can one make a friend?
1. Smile!!! Be approachable.
2. Do not isolate!!! Be approachable.
3. Be involved in a Bible study with others, or take a class.
4. Sign up for a tour and have an adventure with others.
5. Try a new perspective on people you already know.
Friends do not pop out of the thin air. Making a friend does require some effort, but it is definitely worth the effort. As the Proverb writer said, 'A friend who is near is better than a brother who is far away.'
Always remember, too, that Jesus is your best friend!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Thursday, April 17, 2008
FINDING YOURSELF (your identity and personality)
"He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it" (Matthew 10:39).
Jesus repeated this teaching several times in the gospels; it must be important. Becoming a real self is a requirement to being a psychologically and emotionally healthy person. The key to becoming a real self is not to be so self-absorbed so that every pleasure has to be experienced, or to become introspective to the point of being self-possessed, but rather, to surrender to Jesus. Jesus is the one who gives a new dignity to "other people." Jesus is the one who gives us a new definition of love. Jesus is the one who leads us to look outward rather than inward to become a real self.
The first requirement for becoming a real self is to have a relationship with the Creator. The second requirement is to have a relationship with other people. If these relationships are kept in their proper order, then becoming a real self is a forgone conclusion.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Jesus repeated this teaching several times in the gospels; it must be important. Becoming a real self is a requirement to being a psychologically and emotionally healthy person. The key to becoming a real self is not to be so self-absorbed so that every pleasure has to be experienced, or to become introspective to the point of being self-possessed, but rather, to surrender to Jesus. Jesus is the one who gives a new dignity to "other people." Jesus is the one who gives us a new definition of love. Jesus is the one who leads us to look outward rather than inward to become a real self.
The first requirement for becoming a real self is to have a relationship with the Creator. The second requirement is to have a relationship with other people. If these relationships are kept in their proper order, then becoming a real self is a forgone conclusion.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Monday, April 14, 2008
THE POWER OF NEGATIVE THINKING
"Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things" (Philippians 4:8).
We talk about the power of positive thinking. Making the decision to think positively about life, about the good things of life and even looking on the positive side of negative events can have a powerful effect on your moods. Indeed, any way we choose to think can have a powerful effect on our moods. In fact, some authorities believe that the negative thinking and pessimism that characterizes depression actually causes it.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
We talk about the power of positive thinking. Making the decision to think positively about life, about the good things of life and even looking on the positive side of negative events can have a powerful effect on your moods. Indeed, any way we choose to think can have a powerful effect on our moods. In fact, some authorities believe that the negative thinking and pessimism that characterizes depression actually causes it.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
INTIMACY
"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces" (Matthew 7:6).
What is intimate is what is inmost or private. An intimate relationship is when one can share what is most inmost or most private with another without fear. Safety is an essential requisite for intimacy. To become vulnerable and share one's inner most thoughts, feelings and dreams with another without them being trampled on and disrespected is essential to intimacy. The surrendering of one's self to a sexual relationship in love, only to have the other view it as a conquest or a business transaction is exactly one of the meanings of these words of Jesus.
Understanding is another requisite for intimacy. One of the killers of intimacy is criticism. Why should one of the spouses share his/her share inner most thoughts and feelings with the other who is constantly critical. As a result, the spouses grow apart, though they live in the same house and sleep in the same bed. Granted, one's inmost thoughts, feelings and dreams may be dysfunctional and unrealistic, but they must be understood. Doing this takes effort, making time to listen and understand. Most of the time, intimacy wanes in a marriage because there are too many things to do, making a living and living up to our responsibilities, we think we already understand. One of the biggest reasons for affairs is the search for intimacy.
Intimacy is a real need. It is the need to love and be loved for who we are. There are many who try to fill this need by throwing their inmost selves out there to be ravaged by "pigs" and "dogs" only to have their needs unmet and to become course and hard themselves. Be careful who you give yourself to.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
What is intimate is what is inmost or private. An intimate relationship is when one can share what is most inmost or most private with another without fear. Safety is an essential requisite for intimacy. To become vulnerable and share one's inner most thoughts, feelings and dreams with another without them being trampled on and disrespected is essential to intimacy. The surrendering of one's self to a sexual relationship in love, only to have the other view it as a conquest or a business transaction is exactly one of the meanings of these words of Jesus.
Understanding is another requisite for intimacy. One of the killers of intimacy is criticism. Why should one of the spouses share his/her share inner most thoughts and feelings with the other who is constantly critical. As a result, the spouses grow apart, though they live in the same house and sleep in the same bed. Granted, one's inmost thoughts, feelings and dreams may be dysfunctional and unrealistic, but they must be understood. Doing this takes effort, making time to listen and understand. Most of the time, intimacy wanes in a marriage because there are too many things to do, making a living and living up to our responsibilities, we think we already understand. One of the biggest reasons for affairs is the search for intimacy.
Intimacy is a real need. It is the need to love and be loved for who we are. There are many who try to fill this need by throwing their inmost selves out there to be ravaged by "pigs" and "dogs" only to have their needs unmet and to become course and hard themselves. Be careful who you give yourself to.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Saturday, April 05, 2008
FIRST THINGS FIRST FOR GREAT SEX
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be yours as well" (Matthew 6:33).
C.S. Lewis said that when 'first things are put first, second things will increase as well.' It is interesting that Sigmund Freud believed that the sex drive was the primary drive of humanity. He is the father of modern sexual promiscuity yet his own sex life was very impoverished. Really, that is the case with the majority of sexual libertines. Not only do they have to deal with the physical diseases that accompany promiscuity, but they come to the place where they are unable to be emotionally intimate. They become lonely, seeing others as sex objects rather than as people. But, when first things are first and God's boundaries are honored, then sex becomes something really good. Rather than having impoverished sex lives, the sex resulting from a truly intimate marriage is rich. Admittedly, the are married couples who lack intimacy and thus their sex lives are impoverished too, but the truth is that when a couple respects God's boundaries and makes emotional intimacy primary in their relationship then their sexual relationship will be rich too.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
C.S. Lewis said that when 'first things are put first, second things will increase as well.' It is interesting that Sigmund Freud believed that the sex drive was the primary drive of humanity. He is the father of modern sexual promiscuity yet his own sex life was very impoverished. Really, that is the case with the majority of sexual libertines. Not only do they have to deal with the physical diseases that accompany promiscuity, but they come to the place where they are unable to be emotionally intimate. They become lonely, seeing others as sex objects rather than as people. But, when first things are first and God's boundaries are honored, then sex becomes something really good. Rather than having impoverished sex lives, the sex resulting from a truly intimate marriage is rich. Admittedly, the are married couples who lack intimacy and thus their sex lives are impoverished too, but the truth is that when a couple respects God's boundaries and makes emotional intimacy primary in their relationship then their sexual relationship will be rich too.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
WORSHIPPING THE SEX GOD
"Put to death, therefore, what is earthly in you: sexual immorality. . .which is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5).
Watching an ad about a drug that treats genital herpes prompted me to write this. The drug inhibits the transmission of the herpes virus to a partner, but does not prohibit it. The same can be said of the use of condoms and vaccinations to deterr the HPV and the development of cirvical cancer. Those who are dealing with HIV gulp dozens of expensive pill to deter the advancement of a disease that will eventually claim their lives years before their otherwise normal life-expectancy. The ads imply, like the cigarette ads of old, that if you use these things life will be even more blissful because one "can have his cake and eat it too." One can engage in promiscuous sex and not suffer the consequences. Of course the reality is that it is no fun to have to deal with sexually transmitted disease. And condoms and vaccinations only deter, but do not prevent, the diseases a problems that accompany sexual promiscuity. The sex god is a demanding god! He will get his offerings!
The sex-drive is a powerful thing. It is a wonderful gift from God! However, when it is given a priority that is higher than the boundaries that God intended to contain it, sex becomes a god, an idol. It is a free country. I am proposing no new laws. You can choose the god whom you will worship, but you will not worship the sex god without giving him his offering--which will be your life. We only need to enforce the pornography laws we already have, the reason being that pornography predisposes boys to sex addiction. What a load our society imposes on our boys!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Watching an ad about a drug that treats genital herpes prompted me to write this. The drug inhibits the transmission of the herpes virus to a partner, but does not prohibit it. The same can be said of the use of condoms and vaccinations to deterr the HPV and the development of cirvical cancer. Those who are dealing with HIV gulp dozens of expensive pill to deter the advancement of a disease that will eventually claim their lives years before their otherwise normal life-expectancy. The ads imply, like the cigarette ads of old, that if you use these things life will be even more blissful because one "can have his cake and eat it too." One can engage in promiscuous sex and not suffer the consequences. Of course the reality is that it is no fun to have to deal with sexually transmitted disease. And condoms and vaccinations only deter, but do not prevent, the diseases a problems that accompany sexual promiscuity. The sex god is a demanding god! He will get his offerings!
The sex-drive is a powerful thing. It is a wonderful gift from God! However, when it is given a priority that is higher than the boundaries that God intended to contain it, sex becomes a god, an idol. It is a free country. I am proposing no new laws. You can choose the god whom you will worship, but you will not worship the sex god without giving him his offering--which will be your life. We only need to enforce the pornography laws we already have, the reason being that pornography predisposes boys to sex addiction. What a load our society imposes on our boys!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Saturday, March 29, 2008
BUT I WANTED TO START OUT BEING FAMOUS!!
Check out http://www.howmanyofme.com/ There are 62 Tom Steele's in the United States. One would think that just 1 of them would be famous. Oh well--we do the best with what we have and God will take care of the rest.
Grace&Peace,
The least famous Tom Steele
Grace&Peace,
The least famous Tom Steele
Thursday, March 27, 2008
TRUE RELIGION: A SIMPLE THING
"And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8).
Jesus said this to the Pharisees, "Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,'" (Matthew 9:13).
"And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. The second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets'" (Matthew 22: 37-40).
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith; these you ought to have done without neglecting the others" (Matthew 23:23).
"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world" (James 1:27).
I write these words because I heard news of an old Christian friend who has come to believe that the practice of observing traditional Christian holidays, Christmas and Easter, is wrong. Rather, he believes that Christians should be observing Jewish holidays and observing Sabbaths. It would seem like this kind of people would get a clue--God isn't a legalist. The same God who commanded animal sacrifice in the Old Testament was sickened by it because it was practiced by people with hard and unrepentant hearts. Likewise, I believe, in the New Testament the same God who commanded baptism and the observance of the Lord's Supper is sickened by it when it is observed by people with unrepentant hearts. It would be better that these ordinances not be observed than to be observed with unrepentant hearts!
Christ is not glorified by the legalistic practice of ordinances. Jesus is worshipped through honest submission to His will, acting kindly and rightly toward everyone, especially the helpless and the destitute, in His name.
Why is it that people will say their mantras, rosaries, keep horrendous hours of prayer, tithe even of their garden vegetables, but will not show the love of Christ in their lives? True worship is a simple thing. It consists in humble submission to Jesus Christ. It consists of showing His love to those around us in word and deed. It consists in encouraging and supporting brothers and sisters in Christ so that they remain true to Him.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Jesus said this to the Pharisees, "Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,'" (Matthew 9:13).
"And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. The second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets'" (Matthew 22: 37-40).
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith; these you ought to have done without neglecting the others" (Matthew 23:23).
"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world" (James 1:27).
I write these words because I heard news of an old Christian friend who has come to believe that the practice of observing traditional Christian holidays, Christmas and Easter, is wrong. Rather, he believes that Christians should be observing Jewish holidays and observing Sabbaths. It would seem like this kind of people would get a clue--God isn't a legalist. The same God who commanded animal sacrifice in the Old Testament was sickened by it because it was practiced by people with hard and unrepentant hearts. Likewise, I believe, in the New Testament the same God who commanded baptism and the observance of the Lord's Supper is sickened by it when it is observed by people with unrepentant hearts. It would be better that these ordinances not be observed than to be observed with unrepentant hearts!
Christ is not glorified by the legalistic practice of ordinances. Jesus is worshipped through honest submission to His will, acting kindly and rightly toward everyone, especially the helpless and the destitute, in His name.
Why is it that people will say their mantras, rosaries, keep horrendous hours of prayer, tithe even of their garden vegetables, but will not show the love of Christ in their lives? True worship is a simple thing. It consists in humble submission to Jesus Christ. It consists of showing His love to those around us in word and deed. It consists in encouraging and supporting brothers and sisters in Christ so that they remain true to Him.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Thursday, March 20, 2008
EASTER, THE SEASON OF HOPE
"But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep" (I Corinthians 15:20).
Anyone who has touched a dead body knows that "it is over!" The life is gone. To hope that it would live again is just nuts! To believe that one could ever meet that person again is crazy, yet even atheists cling to that hope that some how, in some way, the lost loved-one will be seen again.
Hope hangs in there long after optimism has given up and gone home. When life is at its darkest, hope is insane. It would be were it not for the fact that Jesus Christ has risen from the grave! His resurrection means that we will conquer life and death too! Easter is the season of hope! It is not crazy, it is audacious!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Anyone who has touched a dead body knows that "it is over!" The life is gone. To hope that it would live again is just nuts! To believe that one could ever meet that person again is crazy, yet even atheists cling to that hope that some how, in some way, the lost loved-one will be seen again.
Hope hangs in there long after optimism has given up and gone home. When life is at its darkest, hope is insane. It would be were it not for the fact that Jesus Christ has risen from the grave! His resurrection means that we will conquer life and death too! Easter is the season of hope! It is not crazy, it is audacious!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
OUR BROTHER'S KEEPER
"Then the Lord said to Cain, 'Where is your brother Abel?' 'I don't know,' he replied, 'am I my brothers keeper?'" (Genesis 4:9).
"What part of 'you are your brother's keeper' do you not understand?'" the liberal replied to a conservative who challenged his assertions. Being a conservative myself, I thought the conservative "bungled" his answer. So, here is my answer to the liberal who would bring the power of the state to bear on the problems of hunger, poverty and health care.
First, liberal politicians do not care any more than anybody else about social problems, or even global warming. Their personal checkbooks and tax returns tell the true story. They build huge energy consuming houses, drive those same kind of cars, while personally contributing very little to the "little people" to help them with their problems. Conservatives give far more than liberals to charitable work.
The hallmarks of conservatism are: Traditional Values, Limited Government (personal freedom) and market economy. Jesus taught in a parable that anyone in real need is our neighbor. And he said by means of another parable that the sin of simply ignoring one in desperate need is sufficient to send a person to Hell. So what really helps those in real need the most? [Money does not solve non-money problems. Not all apparent need is real need.]
Liberalism comes in two different styles, the extreme of each being Communism, the state owns everything, and Fascism, the state simply dictates every facet of business. What is common to both forms of liberalism is state control. In either of the extremes there is no freedom; innovation comes to a halt. Even in moderate forms of liberal government, shortages and rationing become reality. Back in my early years, President Nixon used price controls on gasoline. We had constant gas shortages. People waited in line to fuel up their cars. Some found that by the time it was their turn to fill up, the gas was gone. Without price controls we have plenty of gas, but at a price. Likewise, it will be the same with government-run health care. People will wait in line for their turn and many will die while waiting (except for the politicians, of course). Granted, the current health-care system isn't what it should be, but there is plenty of health care at a price. When there is plenty, even though it might be expensive, it is available to be given away. When there is scarcity, there is nothing to give away and everybody suffers. Liberalism spreads the misery, the help that it extends to those in need is only apparent because production of essentials falls to subsistence levels. How does that help any body? Freedom is a powerful dynamic of production. If one is allowed to produce for the market, without exploiting fellow humans, there will be plenty.
In the Bible, being our brother's keeper is addressed on the level of personal responsibility. Religion that is worth anything is freely held and is the true Christian position. As Joshua said in the Old Testament, "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve . . . But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15). The choice to help someone in need must be made freely. We can say we believe in God until the cows come home, but if we do nothing to help those in need we really do not believe. "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world" (James 1:27). This is when we are "our brother's keeper."
Grace&Peace
Tom
"What part of 'you are your brother's keeper' do you not understand?'" the liberal replied to a conservative who challenged his assertions. Being a conservative myself, I thought the conservative "bungled" his answer. So, here is my answer to the liberal who would bring the power of the state to bear on the problems of hunger, poverty and health care.
First, liberal politicians do not care any more than anybody else about social problems, or even global warming. Their personal checkbooks and tax returns tell the true story. They build huge energy consuming houses, drive those same kind of cars, while personally contributing very little to the "little people" to help them with their problems. Conservatives give far more than liberals to charitable work.
The hallmarks of conservatism are: Traditional Values, Limited Government (personal freedom) and market economy. Jesus taught in a parable that anyone in real need is our neighbor. And he said by means of another parable that the sin of simply ignoring one in desperate need is sufficient to send a person to Hell. So what really helps those in real need the most? [Money does not solve non-money problems. Not all apparent need is real need.]
Liberalism comes in two different styles, the extreme of each being Communism, the state owns everything, and Fascism, the state simply dictates every facet of business. What is common to both forms of liberalism is state control. In either of the extremes there is no freedom; innovation comes to a halt. Even in moderate forms of liberal government, shortages and rationing become reality. Back in my early years, President Nixon used price controls on gasoline. We had constant gas shortages. People waited in line to fuel up their cars. Some found that by the time it was their turn to fill up, the gas was gone. Without price controls we have plenty of gas, but at a price. Likewise, it will be the same with government-run health care. People will wait in line for their turn and many will die while waiting (except for the politicians, of course). Granted, the current health-care system isn't what it should be, but there is plenty of health care at a price. When there is plenty, even though it might be expensive, it is available to be given away. When there is scarcity, there is nothing to give away and everybody suffers. Liberalism spreads the misery, the help that it extends to those in need is only apparent because production of essentials falls to subsistence levels. How does that help any body? Freedom is a powerful dynamic of production. If one is allowed to produce for the market, without exploiting fellow humans, there will be plenty.
In the Bible, being our brother's keeper is addressed on the level of personal responsibility. Religion that is worth anything is freely held and is the true Christian position. As Joshua said in the Old Testament, "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve . . . But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15). The choice to help someone in need must be made freely. We can say we believe in God until the cows come home, but if we do nothing to help those in need we really do not believe. "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world" (James 1:27). This is when we are "our brother's keeper."
Grace&Peace
Tom
Monday, March 17, 2008
AFRAID? ALONE? FEELING BLUE? THIS IS FOR YOU
A good friend, and brother-in-Christ, sent me theses Scripture verses which I felt worthy to share with my "vast" reading audience.
You say, "It's impossible." God says, "All things are possible." Luke 18:27 & Philippians 4:13.
You say, "I'm too tired." God says, "I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28-30.
You say, "Nobody really loves me." God says, "I love you." John 3:16 & 3:34.
You say, "I can't go on." God says, "My grace is sufficient." II Corinthians 9:8, 12:9 & Psalms 91:15.
You say, "I can't figure things out." God says, "I will direct your steps." Proverbs 3:5-6.
You say, "It's not worth it." God says, "It will be worth it." Romans 8:28.
You say, "I can't forgive myself." God says, "I forgive you." Romans 8:1 & I John 1:9.
You say, I can't manage." God says, "I will supply all your needs." Philippians 4:19.
You say, "I'm afraid." God says, "I have not given you a spirit of fear." II Timothy 1:7.
You say, "I am worried and frustrated." God says, "Cast all your care on Me." I Peter 5:7.
You say, "I am not smart enough." God says, "I will give you wisdom." I Corinthians 1:30.
You say, "I feel all alone." God says, "I will never leave you or forsake you." Hebrews 13:5.
Make sure you read all these Scripture references. Make a copy of this and put it in your Bible.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
You say, "It's impossible." God says, "All things are possible." Luke 18:27 & Philippians 4:13.
You say, "I'm too tired." God says, "I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28-30.
You say, "Nobody really loves me." God says, "I love you." John 3:16 & 3:34.
You say, "I can't go on." God says, "My grace is sufficient." II Corinthians 9:8, 12:9 & Psalms 91:15.
You say, "I can't figure things out." God says, "I will direct your steps." Proverbs 3:5-6.
You say, "It's not worth it." God says, "It will be worth it." Romans 8:28.
You say, "I can't forgive myself." God says, "I forgive you." Romans 8:1 & I John 1:9.
You say, I can't manage." God says, "I will supply all your needs." Philippians 4:19.
You say, "I'm afraid." God says, "I have not given you a spirit of fear." II Timothy 1:7.
You say, "I am worried and frustrated." God says, "Cast all your care on Me." I Peter 5:7.
You say, "I am not smart enough." God says, "I will give you wisdom." I Corinthians 1:30.
You say, "I feel all alone." God says, "I will never leave you or forsake you." Hebrews 13:5.
Make sure you read all these Scripture references. Make a copy of this and put it in your Bible.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
MORE SILLYNESS
For your entertainment, I am sharing with you this letter to the editor that was rejected by a newspaper because its genre is not appropriate for the opinion page.
Recently, I was thinking about the benefits of daylight savings time: energy conservation and greater productivity. What a payoff for simple mind-game! So I was thinking, "Is there another mind-game that would have even more benefits?" Yes there is! It is the 10-day week. Think about it. The 10-day week would increase productivity by having at least one less weekend per month. We all know that with a half billion dollar shortfall of revenue for governor Culver's budget, more productivity would be greatly appreciated.
Education would benefit from the 10-day week. Those young "skulls-full-of-mush" would have at least one less weekend to be distracted by Big Entertainment, whose excesses suck the brains and finances out of our kids. The kids would then have more time in school. Teachers would become more productive too, actually earning their extravagant salaries. Iowa might again lead the nation in education.
Most important of all, the 10-day week would advance secularism in the state. There is nothing in nature that requires a 7-day week. A 7-day week is simply a matter of the Judaic-Christian Faith being forced on the masses. Isn't there supposed to be separation of church and state? With the 10-day week there would be at least one less weekend a month for people to be indoctrinated with faith.
Iowa State found that the use of a long-discredited religious institution can advance secularism even faster than the 10-day week. Those encrusted scholars utilized the Inquisition to make the university safe from spirituality. Now even an Isaac Newton cannot get tenure at Iowa State. Though the Inquisition goes a little too far, the 10-day week will do just fine!
The biggest problem I can see with the 10-day week is what do we name the next three days?
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Recently, I was thinking about the benefits of daylight savings time: energy conservation and greater productivity. What a payoff for simple mind-game! So I was thinking, "Is there another mind-game that would have even more benefits?" Yes there is! It is the 10-day week. Think about it. The 10-day week would increase productivity by having at least one less weekend per month. We all know that with a half billion dollar shortfall of revenue for governor Culver's budget, more productivity would be greatly appreciated.
Education would benefit from the 10-day week. Those young "skulls-full-of-mush" would have at least one less weekend to be distracted by Big Entertainment, whose excesses suck the brains and finances out of our kids. The kids would then have more time in school. Teachers would become more productive too, actually earning their extravagant salaries. Iowa might again lead the nation in education.
Most important of all, the 10-day week would advance secularism in the state. There is nothing in nature that requires a 7-day week. A 7-day week is simply a matter of the Judaic-Christian Faith being forced on the masses. Isn't there supposed to be separation of church and state? With the 10-day week there would be at least one less weekend a month for people to be indoctrinated with faith.
Iowa State found that the use of a long-discredited religious institution can advance secularism even faster than the 10-day week. Those encrusted scholars utilized the Inquisition to make the university safe from spirituality. Now even an Isaac Newton cannot get tenure at Iowa State. Though the Inquisition goes a little too far, the 10-day week will do just fine!
The biggest problem I can see with the 10-day week is what do we name the next three days?
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Saturday, March 08, 2008
GLOBAL WARMING WATCH ADDENDUM
At the risk of over-doing the global warming thing, early this week I talked to a farmer who had just returned from Hawaii. He said that it snowed there, and that while the weather was very pleasant by mid-western standards, the natives were wearing parkas. While in Israel and Jordan, the guides all told us that they were having unusually colder weather than normal.
Here in Sutherland, IA on March 8th it is +5F with a windchill of -11F. I hope those robins are okay. But the climatologists tell us that this is what happens when you have global warming. I hate to think what it will be like here when the planet really warms up. Okay, Okay, I won't write about it again.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Here in Sutherland, IA on March 8th it is +5F with a windchill of -11F. I hope those robins are okay. But the climatologists tell us that this is what happens when you have global warming. I hate to think what it will be like here when the planet really warms up. Okay, Okay, I won't write about it again.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Friday, March 07, 2008
GLOBAL WARMING WATCH
March 7, 2008: Temp. -9 F; Windchill, -27 F.
Global warming does this, the colder it is the worse global warming is. Those poor polar bears in the arctic are really, really suffering from a heat wave!!
Global warming does this, the colder it is the worse global warming is. Those poor polar bears in the arctic are really, really suffering from a heat wave!!
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
GOD PROVIDES FOR THE BIRDS
As is my daily custom, I stop at my mother's house to check on her well-being. We sit at the table at which I spent countless hours studying, as a boy and have coffee. The table sits next to the window. Through it I have a great view of the front yard, the lake and the hills behind it. It was while we were having coffee that about a dozen robins came flying in and landed on the lawn. It is time for the robins to come, but we still have snow on the ground and the windchill today is about 0 F and it is March 5th!
Usually the robins come during the very last days of February so they are late this year. But the winter has been colder and longer this year, which is what the climatologists say is the result of global warming. Of course, they are the same people who forecast a milder and shorter winter last fall. That is one of the reasons I am not concerned about global warming. The forecasters have a tough-time doing the 3-day weather forecast right, let alone, what the weather will be like in 3 months.
Take care of the robins, Lord, we could have a lot of winter yet!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Usually the robins come during the very last days of February so they are late this year. But the winter has been colder and longer this year, which is what the climatologists say is the result of global warming. Of course, they are the same people who forecast a milder and shorter winter last fall. That is one of the reasons I am not concerned about global warming. The forecasters have a tough-time doing the 3-day weather forecast right, let alone, what the weather will be like in 3 months.
Take care of the robins, Lord, we could have a lot of winter yet!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Monday, March 03, 2008
THINKING ABOUT YOU, HUSKER RED
The windchill this morning was -5F. I was taking my faithful wonderdog, Obediah, on his twice daily walk. As I was walking I was thinking random thoughts, one of them being that Isaac Newton's favorite color was crimson. "Crimson-Newton, Crimson-Newton--do you suppose that is what the 'N' on the Nebraska football helmets stands for is Newton?" I thought. Then I thought, "Husker Red would really enjoy knowing this." Crimson and creme are the Nebraska colors. In Isaac Newton's later years his room decor was predominately crimson.
It's funny what a -5 windchill does to one's mind, but at least HR, I was thinking about you. (For those of you who do not know, HR is a devoted reader of Silver Bullets.)
Grace&Peace,
Tom
It's funny what a -5 windchill does to one's mind, but at least HR, I was thinking about you. (For those of you who do not know, HR is a devoted reader of Silver Bullets.)
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Friday, February 29, 2008
WHAT ENDURES
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, he is Christ the Lord.'" (Luke 2:8-12).
The picture shows a tall hill/mountain in the background. That is the Herodian. It was a fortress that Herod the Great built for a quick escape, should that be necessary. It is located about seven miles from Jerusalem. The picture was taken from the shepherds fields near Bethlehem. What a study in contrasts! Herod was a great builder and built some marvelous things--the cost of which meant nothing to him. He just taxed everyone more. He built at least two great fortresses for his own proctection. But, you know what? He died anyway. He that seeks to save his life will loose it!
Jesus was born in the most humble circumstances, and those to whom the angel appeared with the good news of great joy were some of the most humble people. Yet is was Jesus who changed the world while Herods great buildings lie in ruins.
It is not wrong to have money and the things money can buy, but we need to check up once in a while and make sure we have what money cannot buy.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Friday, February 22, 2008
HANDSOME MAN
"Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buldings of the temple, but he answered them, 'You see all these, do you not? Truly I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another, that will not be thrown down. As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, 'Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?'" (Matthew 24:1-3).
I just wanted to do a short blurb with a picture to show you that I was actually in the Holy Land. My son, Paul, helped me this morning. We were able to get the pictures out of the camera and onto the computor. Of the pictures that have appeared in this blog, I didn't actually take any of them, but I found them else where on the net, but I have very similar pictures on my own camera. So I wanted you all to see that I was actually in the Holy Land with one of my very own pictures. The picture you see was taken from the top of the Mount of Olives looking across the Kidron Valley to the old temple site and the golden Dome of the Rock. What Jesus prophesied about the temple really did happen, which means the other prophecies of Scripture will come about too. Are you ready?
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
SIGNS OF THE TIMES PICTURE
These are just a few of the many, many thousands of prayer requests that have been wedged in the the cracks and crevices of the Western Wall of the temple.SIGNS OF THE TIMES
"He answered them, 'When it is evening, you say, "It will be fair weather; for the sky is red." And in the morning, "It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening." You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times'" (Matthew 16:2-3).
In Israel, like in every other country, there are extreme conservatives to extreme liberals. The extreme conservatives want to destroy the Dome of the Rock so that the literal Temple can be rebuilt there. The extreme liberals want to "give away the store." They do not believe that the nation of Israel is even necessary in the Middle East for the Jewish people to maintain their identity. But a theme that is common to all Jews, conservative, liberal or atheist alike is their sense to be a light to the world. Is that the Jew gene that God implanted in them?
If I were looking for a general sign of the times, the return of the Jewish people to their homeland, and becoming a viable nation, stands out to me to be one of them. It was against all odds that should have happened, and yet it was predicted by the Old Testament prophets. So, to me, it stands as a general sign of the times. Jesus wants us to be aware of what is happening around us and to evaluate what those happenings mean. Jesus was healing the sick, raising the dead and casting out demons, but the people of his day seemed unaware that the Kingdom of God had come upon them. The modern nation of Israel and I are the same age, 60. I take some pride in that. Against all odds, the nation came into existence again according to the prophets, doesn't that seem to indicate that God is on the move again? I just happen to think that the rebirth of Israel is one of those general signs, like the storm clouds, that we need to make sure we are ready to meet our Lord and Savior face to face.
Grace&Peace
Tom
In Israel, like in every other country, there are extreme conservatives to extreme liberals. The extreme conservatives want to destroy the Dome of the Rock so that the literal Temple can be rebuilt there. The extreme liberals want to "give away the store." They do not believe that the nation of Israel is even necessary in the Middle East for the Jewish people to maintain their identity. But a theme that is common to all Jews, conservative, liberal or atheist alike is their sense to be a light to the world. Is that the Jew gene that God implanted in them?
If I were looking for a general sign of the times, the return of the Jewish people to their homeland, and becoming a viable nation, stands out to me to be one of them. It was against all odds that should have happened, and yet it was predicted by the Old Testament prophets. So, to me, it stands as a general sign of the times. Jesus wants us to be aware of what is happening around us and to evaluate what those happenings mean. Jesus was healing the sick, raising the dead and casting out demons, but the people of his day seemed unaware that the Kingdom of God had come upon them. The modern nation of Israel and I are the same age, 60. I take some pride in that. Against all odds, the nation came into existence again according to the prophets, doesn't that seem to indicate that God is on the move again? I just happen to think that the rebirth of Israel is one of those general signs, like the storm clouds, that we need to make sure we are ready to meet our Lord and Savior face to face.
Grace&Peace
Tom
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
CAPERNAUM SYNAGOGUE & OLIVE MILL AND PRESS
"Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him..." (Matthew 3:13).
1-21-08 was our last full day in the Holy Land, and what a day it was! We left Tiberius by 8 a.m. driving north by the ruins of Magdala, Mary's home town (Mary Magdalene). We were driving to the valley of the winds and the doves. Jesus would have walked through this valley when he traveled from Nazareth to Galilee. The wind was blowing and it was very chilly!
We went to the Mount of the Beattitudes. Of course, a church has been built on the site where it is thought Jesus gave his Sermon on the Mount. Interestingly, the church was built in 1939 by Mussolini. It is octagon in shape and the window are long, narrow and horizontal conforming to "pill-box" specifications. Do you suppose Mussolini was planning something other than worship?
We stopped at Nof Ginnosar to visit a museum in which an ancient boat was displayed. This boat would have been floating on Galilee during the time of Christ. One of the things that is interesting about this boat is that it had 10 different kinds of wood in it. Mostly it was oak and pine, but repairs were made with any kind of wood that could be found. With so many vast armies marching through the land, and so many wars fought there, the "land flowing with milk and honey" was stripped bare of trees. There was a time in the 19th century when there wasn't a boat floating on Galilee because there was no wood.
We took about an hour for a boat excursion on Galilee. For those who have gone to the Holy Land and were disappointed that Galilee was so small--I don't understand you. It is plenty large enough to have the severe storms and large catches of fish that the New Testament describes.
We had a short visit to Capernaum and saw the synagogue where Jesus taught. A short distance away was Peter's mother-in-laws house where Jesus healed her.
Then on to where the Jordan River exits Galilee. It was there that some of our group were baptized. Sprinkling with Jordan water is no better than being immersed in any other water (I promise, I didn't cause a problem).
Our last stop for the day was another city of the Decapolis that Jesus could well have been in, and it was a prosperous, sophisticated city, Beit Shean. It ruins were just like Jerash and Caesarea.
It took 2 hours to recross the border to Jordan. It was 9 p.m. when we arrived back at the Regency Palace Hotel in Amman. Supper was late but it was good. We were all tired, but we had a 10 a.m. flight to catch so it would be a short night.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Monday, February 11, 2008
OUR JOURNEY NORTH FROM JERUSALEM
"At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms liberally to the people, and prayed constantly to God" (Acts 10:1-2).
Actually, Caesarea was the capital of palestine during the time of Christ. It was built by Herod the Great, and no expense was spared in making it a first-class city of luxury and administration. None of the Romans wanted to live in Jerusalem where it was hot and there was more tumult to deal with. Caesarea was a beautiful place to live on the Mediterranian coast, and the climate was much better too. The top picture is of the aquaduct which brought fresh water to Caesarea--the Romans were masters at moving water.
The ruins at Caesarea were similar to those at Jerash, though not as well preserved. Caesarea had all the amenities that were expected of any sophisticated Roman city. There was a theater, amphi-theater, a hippodrome, colliseum and baths. Herod built a harbor there using very modern construction techniques which included the use of hydraulic cement.
The lower picture includes some of Tiberius, on the shore of Galilee, and if you look carefully, the snow-capped Mount Herman can be seen. Tiberius is another beautiful city in Northern Israel. It was a beautiful view from my 7th floor room.
On 1-20-08 I was up at 5:00 packing my bags and setting them out so that we could all be gone by 7:00. Our first stop was at Caesarea on the Mediterranian coast. It would have been a beautiful place to live, and would still be a beautiful place to live.
From Caesarea it was on to Megiddo. Megiddo is an important place in Israel's history, and according to Revelation, the last battle in history will take place there. From Megiddo, Nazareth can be seen--it could have been that as a boy, Jesus might have played in its ruins. If you have ever read James Michener's The Source you need to know that the excavations at Megiddo were used as a model for his writing.
Next we went to Nazareth, which is now a city of more that 65,000. We saw the cliff over which the people of his home town were going to throw Jesus. Had they been successful, Jesus would have died there, but it was not his time.
In Cana, where Jesus performed his first miracle of turning water into non-alchoholic wine (don't argue) at the wedding celebration, the married couples in our group renewed their wedding vows. It was also in that rustic little town that we saw a tricked-out BMW coup with fancy wheels. It seemed out of place.
Finally we arrived, as usual, after dark in Tiberias, where we spent the night at the Royal Plaza Hotel.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Sunday, February 10, 2008
WONDERS IN THE DESERT WILDERNESS
"The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD'S anointed, to put forth my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD'S anointed" (I Samuel 24:6).
The top picture is of the fortress Herod the Great built on the desert mountain top called Masada. Herod spared no expense in the building of it. Its accomodations were luxurious in every respect. There were pools for swiming and for bathing. The bathing pools were heated. Just getting water to the pools required hot and cold running slaves.
During the Jewish rebellion beginning in AD 66, Masada became the last holdout of Jewish resistance. The Romans would not tolerate even the symbolic resistance that was the last hold out at Masada, so they brought their war-machines there. As can be seen in the picture, a huge ramp was constructed by the Romans to push their tower and battering ram up. The Jews ended up committing suicide rather that to be crucified or sold into slavery.
The second picture is a picture taken in the same desolate, desert wilderness. This is a picture of the engedi where David and his men hid out from King Saul. Saul went into the cave where David and his men were hiding to relieve himself. David could have killed Saul but he had great respect for Saul because he was the LORD'S anointed. It is a reminder to me as to how I am to treat every Christian because they are all the LORD'S annointed.
The picture of the engedi is a wonder because it is so dry and desolate--it is truely an oasis in the desert!
We were off early again on the morning of January 19 because we wanted to be the first to reach Masada before the other tourists arrived. We weren't quite the first ones to arrive, so the first gondola to the top would not haul all of us at once. Each one holds about 80 people. So about 20 of the younger folks in our group decided to hike the trail to the top. I would have done it too, but I had an ill-fitting shoe that eventually caused me to lose a toe nail--my foot was really hurting. Our college kids made it to the top okay, but they were really tired the rest of the day.
In the Holy Land 3 Christmases are celebrated, the last one being the Armenian Christmas on the 19th. What we did to celebrate was to go swim in the Dead Sea. It was cool that day, like swimming in Iowa's lake Okaboji on Memorial Day--but very enjoyable. The Dead Sea is loaded with bromide, a major tranquilizing ingredient, so after a half an hour swim one starts to feel really good. You cannot sink in the Dead Sea! It is like floating on an air matress, but do not get any water in your eye!
From the Dead Sea we went back to see Jericho in the day light--it did not improve my opinion of the place from seeing it at night. The Palestinians are in charge of this site--they do not do as good as the Israeli's at presenting an archeological site. If the Israeli's weren't there I believe that there would not be very much archeological work actually done. The Muslims do not appear to be very interested in archeological truth.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Saturday, February 09, 2008
THE GARDEN TOMB
The lower picture is an alternative site to the crucifiction of Jesus the Christ. It fits the requirements of being outside the city walls and being on a well-traveled road. It was also a place that the Jews would have used for executions. They would throw a person over a cliff and even if that killed him, they would throw rocks at him.About 300 feet from this site is a garden which contained a tomb that had only been used once, never to be used again (top picture). This site certainly looks more appropriate that the other site, but the evidence isn't as strong. In either case, Jesus Christ has risen, giving us a reasonable hope that our best days are yet ahead of us!
Our itinerary for 1-18-08 wasn't quite as demanding as the previous day, yet it took all day and it was dark by the time we returned to our hotel. We went to the location of king David's palace--it is just south of the location where Solomon would build the temple. I took a picture from the approximate place where David would have looked to see Bathsheba, but alas, there was no beautiful woman bathing on a roof top!
Next, we toured a part of king Hezekia's water-tunnel and went to where it emptied out into the upper pool of Siloam. It was on this part of the tour that we walked by the foundation of the tower spoken of in Luke 13 that fell and killed 18 people, "Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay; but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:4,5).
We also stopped at the house of Caiaphas, and walked the very steps that Jesus would have walked as he went to appear before Caiaphas.
The last place we visited that day was the garden tomb. Our group closed that day, Friday, by celebrating the Lord's Supper together in the tiny chapel in the garden. On each day of our tour there has been a time when our group worshipped and prayed together.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Friday, February 08, 2008
CHURCH OF THE EMPTY TOMB
"The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples. . .'" (Matthew 28: 5-7).
1-17-08
The top picture is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Tradition says that the tomb of Jesus is inside the church. I think the location is probably correct, but it certainly doesn't look like it. But the emperer, Hadrian, marked the spot in the second century by building a pagan temple over it, thus Christians would always know where it was. Then in the 4th century, Helena, the mother of Constantine directed that a church should be built there. Tomorrow I will have a picture of another site that actually looks like what the site should look like, but the evidence isn't as strong. All of the truth of Christian doctrine depends on the resurrection of Jesus (I Corinthians 15:17). I think a more appropriate name would be Church of the Empty Tomb.
The other picture is of the Western (Wailing) Wall. This is a place of worship and national ceremoney. The atmosphere was electric when our group was there. They were preparing for a military swearing in ceremoney. With the orthodox Jews crowded at the wall and the plaza filled with military personnel and their families, there was just an indescribable feeling in the air--like God was about to do something.
This was another long day for us that ended long after dark. We went to the Antonia Fortress, we saw the games the Roman soldiers carved in the pavement. We followed the Via Dolorosa, the way of sorrows. When we walked the Via Dolorosa it was very crowded with people. The streets are narrow and there are many corners to turn and street vendors to deal with, so it is easy to get lost and/or your pocket picked. So Dr. Harris, or group leader, asked me, and another man in our group, to bring up the rear and make sure we all stayed together. At one point in this walk, while I was trying to keep our group together, a Palastinian shop keeper thought I was moving too slowly. He yelled at me, "Move on American!" I didn't know if he was speaking to me so I looked at him. He said, "Yes, you! Move on American!" "We hate Americans here!" So, on the day we went to Bethlehem, one Palestinian shop keeper told our group, "God Bless America!" and we spent lots of money. On this day a Palestinians says, "We hate Americans here!" He didn't get any of our money and will make it more difficult for all Palestinians!
We spent the last part of our day at the southern wall excavations of the temple, Robinson's arch and the teaching steps where the apostles taught. It was lighted in the darkness. We could hear the military ceremoneys. It was inspiring to know that it was here that our Spiritual history was made.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Monday, February 04, 2008
ONE THING I KNOW
1-17-08"One thing I know, that though I was blind, now I see" (John 9:25). The blind man in John 9 was healed when Jesus made mud from some dirt and his spit and put it on the blind man's eyes. Then Jesus told him to go and wash in the pool of Siloam, the ruins of which you see in the picture. The scholars assured us the pool was only a metaphore that John used, then, lo and behold, it was actually discovered. One thing I know, the scholars and scientists are not always right! The steps are the north and east steps that gradually ease entrance into the pool.
We saw both the pool of Bethesda (John 5) and the pool of Siloam. These pools were important to these healing miracles of Jesus.
It is just a short entry today. I need to take my computer in for some work; it will be 2 or 3 days before I will be able to post again.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Saturday, February 02, 2008
GETHSEMANE
"Going a little farther, he fell on his face to the ground and prayed, 'My father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will'" (Matthew 26:39).
1-16-08
By this time in the tour I was beginning to suffer from information overload because it takes a little time for me to put all this in perspective--I'm still doing it. I think it will take another trip or two to do it.
On this day we would go to Bethlehem, the Church of the Nativity, the shepherd's field, the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane and the Chapel of Ascension, from where it is believed that Jesus spoke his last words before he ascended into heaven, promising that in like manner he would return. We look forward with joy to the time when that promise is kept.
One of the matters about which I have mixed emotions is the churches that have been built in each of these locations. They are, for the most part, beautiful, but they seem to be a corruption of the simple story of Jesus, even though they tell the story of church history in the area and of world political history (more on that at a later time).
All of the locations which we visited on that day were no further than 5 miles from the temple site. Of course, the terrain is rugged and covering those 5 miles would have been very difficult.
When we went to Bethlehem our Israeli tour guide, Lilian, had to get off the bus because Bethlehem is controlled by the Palestinian Authority. So a Christian Palestinian got on the bus when we crossed over--he became our guide to his place of business. It was there I bought a hand-carved olive wood nativity for Helen and a few other things for family back home. That Christian palestinian did very well that day; he had the market cornered!
I am not one to venerate places or things. I do like to know the history of a place or a thing, however. There were many pilgrims that day who were venerating the places and things we saw. I would be lying if I said that walking in the land where the Bible was lived out didn't make me feel like worshipping. Still, the most important part of walking where Jesus walked is not in going to the Holy Land. It is in yeilding ourselves to the Father's will, just as Jesus did in Gethsemane. It is trusting God. It is loving as Jesus did and obeying as Jesus did. That is really walking where Jesus walked.
In Gethsemane there is an old, old olive tree about which is said that it was alive in Jesus' time (it isn't the one in the picture). While our group was praying in Gethsemane together, I was thinking, oh that this tree could talk. What a story it could tell.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Friday, February 01, 2008
QUMRAN
Some caves in the area.
"John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. . ." (Matthew 3:4).
1-15-08 p.m.
After leaving Jerash our bus headed to Mount Nebo, "Pisgah's lofty height," from where Moses was allowed to view the promised land, but he was not allowed to enter in. In these modern days it is so hazey that it is difficult to see much of Israel from there (See Deuteronomy 34).
We only spent a short time at Nebo and then it was on to the border crossing into Israel. The border crossing took about 90 minutes. What was interesting to me was that on the Jordanian side of the border I had no phone service, but immediately on the Israeli side I had service. I had talked to Verizon about my trip to Israel, saying nothing about Jordan, so they only gave me service in Israel. Interesting that even radio signals obey the border.
After crossing the border Qumran was our destination. It was here that the Essenes lived 2,000 years ago. The Essenes were a very conservative group of Jewish men who were dedicated to preservation of the Scriptures. They were very concerned with the accuracy of the transmission as well as the preservation of them. The Holy Land was a land of dynamic tension. In its history vast armies of great civilizations past through it, destroying many things. The Essenes wanted to make sure Scripture was preserved so they made copies and sealed them in clay jars and hid them in the numerous caves of the area. These would become the Dead-Sea Scrolls that would reveal the accuracy of Old Testament Scripture. Thank God for the dedication of these men--though it has recently been discovered that there were a few women in their ranks.
It has been thought that John the baptizer was one of their number. It is possible that he was as he carried on his ministry in the same wilderness. Perhaps he did pop in for a visit, but the Scripture does not tell us that he was. Certainly, John was a conservative! Our guide tried to tell us that the honey that John ate was date honey. In ancient times any thick sweet liquid was called honey. I remain unconvinced. What John ate was wild honey. If it is processed it is not wild.
It was twilite. We drove to Jericho, arriving after dark--it was disappointing after dark, but it was not much better seeing it in the day-light a few days later. We saw the tell, but really there is nothing much of historical value there. I think the builders of ancient Jericho used inferior contruction materials (mud-brick) so it just sort of melted away.
From there we arrived at the Olive Tree Hotel in Jerusalem at about 8:00 p.m. It had been a long day.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
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