I've moved

Recently,
I have observed some rather odd and disturbing behavior by other bloggers.  Things like stealing identities and the like.  I have decided to move over to a new site, where more control is possible.

Here is my new address.  http://helmetslayer.wordpress.com/

All of the same content, just a different location.  After a while, this site will be private, but I will leave it up for a while so those of you who enjoy our conversations will know where to find me.

Craig

P.S.
Please excuse the mess in my new home, I haven't unpacked all of the widgets, whistles, and bells yet.  :)

A long hard road

I have been thinking of long hard roads that God's children have taken.

I think of Jacob who was on his way back home. Behind him are his in-laws who hate him so much they want to kill him. In front of him is his brother, who also wanted to kill him. "Does he still want to kill me?" Jacob wonders. He spends the night without sleep - in fear - trying to figure out what his next move is. He wrestles in the night with a man he does not know, and then at twilight realizes that it is God. He grabs a hold of God and refuses to let Him go unless God blesses him. And God does, but in so doing, merely touches his hip - dislocating it. Jacob walks with a limp from then on because his hip is never the same.

I think of Moses on his way back up Sinai after God had given him the tablets of stone. You know, the ones Moses had broken in a fit of rage because the people had built a golden calf. He must have expected to be destroyed. How long and lonely that walk back up the mountain must have been. "um God," he rehearses in his mind, "you know the tablets of stone you wrote with your own finger . . . no that doesn't sound right . . " He continues up the hill not knowing what to say.

But he tells God that if God won't go with them as they journey on from this place, not to send them. He also asks to see God's glory. This is when God showed Moses His glory and covered him with His hand. Moses' face shone with God's glory for the rest of his life.

I think of David on the run, no not from Saul, but that must have been lonely too. I am thinking of when he ran from his own son Absalom. How heartbreaking that his own sin had resulted in such turmoil in his own family. How humiliating to run in fear of his life from his own son. But in this time God gave him Psalm 3.

Psalms 3:1-8 MKJV
(1) A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom. O Lord, how my foes have increased! Many are the ones who rise up against me.
(2) Many are saying of my soul, There is no deliverance for him in God. Selah.
(3) But You, O Jehovah, are a shield for me; my glory, the One who lifts up my head.
(4) I cried to Jehovah with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy hill. Selah.
(5) I laid down and slept. I awoke, for Jehovah kept me.
(6) I am not afraid of ten thousands of people who have set against me all around.
(7) Arise, O Jehovah; save me, O my God; for You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone. You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.
(8) Salvation belongs to Jehovah. Your blessing is on Your people. Selah.

I am thinking of Peter who denied his Lord 3 times. A few weeks later (John 21) Peter and some of the other disciples were fishing, and someone calls to them from the shore. Probably from the same place where Jesus had promised to make them fishers of men. John is the first to recognize Jesus, and without a word Peter jumps in the water to swim to shore. He had let Jesus down (at least in his own mind - we can't "let Jesus down" as we aren't holding Him up) But in Peter's own words, "where else would we go? You have the words of life!" Jesus sort of backed Peter into a corner with questions about his devotion to Jesus, until Peter in exasperation exclaimed that Jesus knew everything, He knew how much Peter loved Jesus. Then Jesus seems to be satisfied that Peter understood. It was as if Jesus was pointing out to Peter that Jesus knew what He was saying when He promised to make Peter a fisher of men, and that this was still going to happen.

These four men were all at the end of themselves. They were in shame and defeat, yet they had to continue moving forward. Moses put one foot in front of the other going up the mountain to meet the Almighty God. Even if he was to be destroyed. He continued forward.

Think of Abraham going up the hill to sacrifice Isaac! What a difficult journey that must have been.

God revealed Himself to each of these men at the end of their long hard walk. Why?

Well. . . . .

There was someone else who walked up a hill alone. At the end of His walk, he was not accepted, but rejected. On the cross with His arms spread out wide, He exclaimed to His very own Father, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?" This is the one man in all of history who should not have been forsaken by God. He was perfect. That long, lonely, difficult walk was for me. It was in my place.

I have no words to thank Him. I can only attempt to show Him, but even that falls short. God has glorified Jesus in this display of love. Thank you my Savior!

1 quick question . . .

Does anyone know of anywhere in the Bible that states whether or not Adam was righteous before he fell?

I am trying to figure out which word would better describe Adam's condition before the fall.

Perfect?

or

Innocent?

Your thoughts?

Support what you say with scripture as much as you are able. After all, in the final analysis, His Word will be the determiner of what is true in this instance.

Craig

Random thoughts

I have been following a discussion that happened on Heather's blog the other day. In that discussion, I posted this comment. Thought I would post it here. The discussion was about God's glory. Is it something He receives, or something that emanates from Him, or both? This discussion was on my mind as I drove to work one morning this week and I posted this comment describing the progression of the thought.

If (probably should say since) everything is all about God's glory. . and if it is true that to glorify God is simply to show Him more clearly for who He is. . . then would it be true that everything God created displays a part of Him in a unique way? Now I realize that there are a couple of "ifs" here, and that these are my musings, not inspired text. But bear with me for a minute. For instance, we start to glimpse a vision of how big God is when we look at the universe, and then read that he calls it the "works of his fingers" or we get a glimpse if his attention to detail when we examine DNA - then realize that the DNA we are examining is derived from some that is derived from some, and so on, from something like 6 to 10 thousand years ago. Follow me here?

OK, let's ask another question. Why did he make us? What is it about God that is uniquely displayed by mankind? He knew we would fall. Jesus is described as crucified before the foundation of the world. So the plan for redemption was in place before "let there be light"

I think of when Moses asked God to show him His glory. We don't know if there was a sound. We don't know if it was deafening or absolutely silent. We don't know if God's glory had a color, or if there was a specific scent. What IS recorded for us . . the detail we do have about God's glory in relation to mankind. . God's glory covered Moses when Moses could not cover himself. Without this covering, Moses was a dead man!

I think the one aspect of God that is uniquely displayed in mankind is God's mercy and grace, we might call it his love. We are so pitiful, yet so arrogant. We are so privileged, yet so ungrateful. Yet in my arrogant, filthy, vile, existence - while I was His sworn enemy - He reached down and saved me! I had to pull over and weep for a bit. Oh the riches of his grace beyond measure! I can't define it, I don't understand it. I don't even know how much I don't deserve it. But PRAISE GOD I HAVE IT!

One final thought. When discussing God's glory, we should keep in mind that we are not discussing someone who is not present at the time. He is here, and listening.

What do you think?

Craig

A few more. . .

Here are some more Yellowstone pics.


This picture was taken just before Annika's "rest" I mentioned in my previous post. This was on a walkway that was about 3/4 of a mile. This leg of the walk was on a south slope in the direct sun. It was pretty hot there, with little shade. We went by a small tree, and she decided to rest in the shade. Her rest lasted all of 15 seconds, and then it was back to full speed ahead. Typical Annika. I loved it!


We kept trying to get a good close-up of a buffalo. This was the best one. (all from inside the vehicle of course) :)

A golden eagle. Hard to appreciate how big it is. There were some bald eagles not far away. This eagle was a head taller than they were. Pretty amazing!


Did I mention we got to see "the squirrel" on this trip? Actually, we saw lots of squirrels in Yellowstone. I think they actually run the place behind the scenes.



Anybody know what this critter is? Looked like a chipmunk, but was a bit larger than a squirrel.

This spike elk was still in velvet. Seemed strange, as it was the middle of Sept and the mature bulls were in rut.

This was by far the wildest and most dangerous creature we saw on the trip. Look at those teeth!

Maybe more later.

Craig

Better late than never!

Well, life has been pretty busy lately. Thought I better get around to posting some Yellowstone pictures.

Maybe I'll post more later. {Karina asked for some, so maybe this will hold her off for a while :)}

Craig

Perfect Peace

Recently, I have been convicted that I am not enough of a "man of the text." Much of what should be obvious to me in the teachings of Christ, is not obvious to me because I do not know the scriptures Jesus was quoting. So, I have committed to God that I will spend time in the Old Testament reading what is there. How will I understand what Jesus was saying if I don't know the context of the quotes? Even worse, often times I don't even recognize what He says as a quote! Such a humbling realization. God has been so patient with me.

So, I have begun reading where I am weakest. That would be the prophets. After all, who wants to read about death and destruction, sin and judgment? But, it is God's word, and a man of the text will know what is there. Furthermore, I must meet God on His terms, not pick and choose on my own terms. God said it. What more reason should I need for reading it?

I was reading a couple of chapters per night for a while. There were many things in there I had never noticed before, and have been very interesting to me. I might bring them up some time later. However, I got stuck in chapter 26. Let me set up the scene.

In chapter 1, God lays out His case against Israel, His chosen people. It doesn't look good. Look at these verses for example:

Isaiah 1:12-15 MKJV
(12) When you come to appear before Me, who has required this at your hand, to trample My courts?
(13) Bring no more vain sacrifice; incense is an abomination to Me; the new moon and sabbath, the going to meeting; I cannot endure evil and the assembly!
(14) Your new moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; they are a trouble to Me; I am weary to bear them.
(15) And when you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; yea, when you make many prayers, I will not hear; your hands are full of blood.

God tells Isaiah what his perspective is to be in these verses. His hope is not to be in this nation, or it's political power. His view is to be different.

Isaiah 8:11-17 MKJV
(11) For so Jehovah spoke to me with a strong hand, and warned me against walking in the way of this people, saying,
(12) Do not say, A conspiracy! to everything of which this people says, A conspiracy! And do not fear their fear, nor be afraid.
(13) Sanctify Jehovah of Hosts Himself, and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.
(14) And He shall be a sanctuary for you, but for a stone of stumbling, and for a rock of falling to both the houses of Israel, for a trap and for a snare to the people of Jerusalem.
(15) And many among them shall stumble and fall and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.
(16) Bind up the testimony, seal the Law among My disciples.
(17) And I will wait on Jehovah, who hides His face from the house of Jacob; and I will look for Him.

Of course, this is after Isaiah saw the Lord!

Isaiah 6:1-8 MKJV
(1) In the year that King Uzziah died I then saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple.
(2) Above it stood the seraphs; each one had six wings; with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
(3) And one cried to another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is Jehovah of Hosts; the whole earth full of His glory.
(4) And the doorposts moved at the voice of the one who cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
(5) Then I said, Woe is me! For I am undone; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, Jehovah of Hosts.
(6) Then one of the seraphs flew to me, having a live coal in his hand, snatched with tongs from the altar.
(7) And he laid it on my mouth and said, Lo, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged.
(8) And I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said, Here am I; send me!

Chapter after chapter of God's predicted (promised) judgment on this nation and that, this city and that. Many people and places I don't know. Very heavy reading - heart wrenching - why don't we listen to Him? Why don't we repent? Breaks my heart to read, these are real people and real places, these things have really happened, or will happen! Then I read this chapter.

Isaiah 26:1-21 MKJV
(1) In that day this song shall be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city; He sets up salvation as our walls and banks.
(2) Open the gates, and the righteous nation shall enter in, keeping faithfulness.
(3) You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You; because he trusts in You.
(4) Trust in Jehovah forever; for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.
(5) For He brings down those who dwell on high; He lays low the lofty city; He lays it low, even to the ground; He brings it to the dust.
(6) The foot shall trample it, the feet of the poor and the steps of the needy.
(7) The way of the just is uprightness; O Upright One, weigh the path of the just.
(8) Yea, in the way of Your judgments, O Jehovah, we awaited You; for Your name and for Your memory is the desire of our soul.
(9) With my soul I desired You in the night; yea, with my spirit within me I will seek You early; for when Your judgments are in the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness.
(10) Let favor be shown to the wicked, yet he will not learn righteousness; in the land of uprightness he will deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of Jehovah.
(11) Jehovah, Your hand is lifted up, they will not see; but they shall see and be ashamed for their envy toward Your people. Yes, the fire of Your enemies shall devour them.
(12) Jehovah, You will ordain peace for us; for You also have worked all our works in us.
(13) O Jehovah our God, lords besides You have had the rule over us; but by You only will we make mention of Your name.
(14) Dead ones do not live; departed spirits do not rise. Therefore You have visited and destroyed them, and made all memory of them to perish.
(15) You have increased the nation, O Jehovah, You have increased the nation; You are glorified; You have extended all the ends of the land.
(16) Jehovah, in trouble they have visited You; they poured out a prayer; Your chastening was on them.
(17) As a woman with child draws near to bear, she is in pain and cries out in her pangs; so have we been in Your sight, O Jehovah.
(18) We conceived; we have been in pain, we gave birth to wind. We have not brought about any salvation in the earth; nor have the people of the world fallen.
(19) Your dead ones shall live, together with my dead body they shall arise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust; for your dew is as the dew of lights, and the earth shall cast out the dead.
(20) Come, my people, enter into your rooms and shut your doors around you; hide for a little moment, until the fury has passed by.
(21) For behold, Jehovah comes out of His place to punish the people of the earth for their iniquity; the earth also shall reveal her blood, and shall no more cover her dead.

Let me point out a few things in this chapter that I have noticed. I welcome your input, as these thoughts are deeper than I can plumb. I am barely treading water here.

Those who see God the way He is will not be in despair at the judgment of the nations. Here is why:

He will keep them in perfect peace because they trust HIM (not the nations).
He is everlasting strength, and he make the path of the righteous straight.
The righteous waits on Him, and their hope is on Him. In the night, they hope for HIM. (not for better times, or better finances; not for the market to turn, or for the potholes to be filled - not for better home school laws, or better gun laws - but their hope is in HIM)

As such, they look forward to His judgment, because they recognize that when his judgment is on the earth, people will learn righteousness!

They also recognize that all of our efforts are vain, but God's effort is always effective. Is there any strain worse than childbirth? Yet we have given birth to wind (verse 18). However, God comes out of His place, and will quickly accomplish what He set out to do. By the way, I have been wondering about verse 21, "For behold, Jehovah comes out of His place" - does that mean what I think it means? (I am thinking of Phil 2 . . . )

Still pondering,

Craig