If a tree falls…

       The saying goes: if a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?  Does anyone else find it absurd that a question like this could even come up in the 21^st century?  Seriously, science proves everything, right?  Creation, evolution, physical laws, age of fossils, etc, it can ALL be proven by science…  At least that’s what we’ve been taught to believe.

       So, proven by science, a tree has mass and density, there are other objects of mass and density in the forest, so if one tree falls it will make sounds as it hits other objects as well as the ground which has its own mass and density.  The sounds that are made will vary with many factors but it would be extremely impossible for the tree to not make any sound.  Whether or not anyone ever hears it, it still made a sound.  Whether or not anyone ever knows the tree existed, it still made a sound when it fell.

       I just clapped my hands- like eight times.  I saw it happen, heard it happen, and felt it happen.  I guarantee it happened, so why didn’t you hear it?  Does your lack of hearing the sound invalidate the clapping?  No, it only brings out the truth that you were not in auditory range.  If a deaf person clapped their hands alone in a cave on a mountain, since no one heard the sound does that mean the sound never happened?  If none of us ever believe the event happened, does that make it a non event?

 

       Fact is fact, whether or not we see it, hear it, feel it, can touch it, or prove it.  It certainly doesn’t change whether or not we believe it.  Fact:  I love my children.  They don’t have to believe it.  If they are around the world from me and can’t see, hear or feel my love for them, it doesn’t make my love for them untrue.  So why is it so easy for us to believe lies (such as below) when we are down or under stress?

-God doesn’t love me. (or) No one loves me.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son… Jh. 3:16

-God never hears me.

I love Jehovah because He hears my voice and my prayers. Ps. 116:1

-I am all alone.

…For Jehovah your God is He who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you. Dt. 31:6

-I can’t do anything (right).

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Php. 4:13

-I’m stupid.

…I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are marvelous and my soul knows it very well. Ps. 139:14

-God must hate me.

For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rm. 8:38,39

-God doesn’t exist.

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God himself has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible attributes—his eternal power and divine nature—have been understood and observed by what he made, so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him… Rm. 1:19-21 ISV

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 1Tm. 1:17

I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending, says the Lord, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. Rv. 1:8

Spreading Infection

       Been sick since Saturday evening.  I was blessed to get in to my own doctor on Tuesday and he confirmed a bronchial infection which was causing the fevers and other issues.  Out came the script for antibiotics and I left knowing soon all would be well.  But everyone knows you are still contagious for a few days.

       At home, the standard procedure once someone is deemed sick is to put out fresh towels for everyone to use but the sick person.  Then there is a combination of isolation, careful usage of items, decontaminating things and lots of soap and hot water.  So far I’m the only one sick.  Still, I wanted to go to church tonight and Bible study tomorrow, but I don’t want to spread the infection even more than that.

       Some people might say, “Just trust God to protect them, after all you’re doing godly things.”  My Bible says to trust God but also to be wise, to think of others and treat them with loving actions.  There is nothing loving about spreading sickness.

My son, hear and be wise, and guide your heart in the way. Pr. 23:19

…let each esteem others better than themselves. Do not let each man look upon his own things, but each man also on the things of others. Php. 2:3,4

…You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Mt. 22:39

spreading infection...

       Jesus spoke about being wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Mt. 10:16) and even though it was for a specific occasion, the reality is- it is good advice at all times.  Serpents can be easy prey.  They’ve got to know when to blend in (hide), when to run and when to fight back.  They need to know what’s going on in their environment.  As for the doves, they seem pretty harmless to me (I’m not so sure about in reality though!)  So we should pay attention to the environment around us and seek to do no harm (like spreading infection) to others.

Oh wait… there’s more that can spread like an infection besides sickness…

          -Gossip or critical speaking of others.

          -Constant negativity.

          -Arrogance and pride.

          -Worldliness.

          -Sin.

          -Rebelliousness.

          -Judgmental attitudes.

          -Divisive spirits.

          -Indifference to others.

          -Just about anything else.

As a courtesy to others...

       If we allow ourselves to practice walking in any of these, we take a chance in spreading infection in the body of Christ.  Lives have been destroyed over infections like these; churches split, families divided.  We should never want to be the start of such horrible things.  Instead, we should be looking in the mirror constantly to see what we need to work on, be on our knees begging for God’s mercy and help, and asking God to show us what needs to be pruned or ripped out of our own lives.  Remember, we have a choice whether or not to walk in these things or expose them for the evil infections they can be.  Only Jesus can redeem us from ourselves.

Yes Lord, help us all!

Who Killed Jesus?

Pilot and Rome through him

And deciding to do the easiest to the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them, and having scourged Him, delivered up Jesus to be crucified. Mr. 15:15

-Pilot indicated he had the power to crucify or release Jesus. Jh. 19:10

The Sanhedrin & Religious Leaders

And the chief priests and the elders and all the sanhedrin sought false witness against Jesus, in order to put Him to death. Mt. 26:59

The Jews

From fellow Jew, Peter:

Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God made this same Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. Ac. 2:36

The Soldiers

Mt. 27:27 The soldiers ...they crucified Him, dividing His garments, casting a lot; so that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, "They parted My garments among them, and they cast a lot for My clothing." v.35

Judas and Satan

And Satan entered into Judas, surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the Twelve.  And going, he talked with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them. Lk. 22:3,4

Us

...He has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; ... He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was on Him; and with His stripes we ourselves are healed. Is. 53:4,5

- If we were not sinners, He would not have had to die...

God

in order to do whatever Your hand and Your counsel determined before to be done. Ac. 4:28

...of the Lamb slain, from the foundation of the world. Rv. 13:8

-God already knew from the beginning and made plans for salvation through the slain Lamb Jesus.

No One

-Jesus willingly gave His life for us...

No one has greater love than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends... Jh. 15:13,14

Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I might take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down from Myself. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it again. I have received this commandment from My Father. Jh. 10:17,18

Do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He shall presently give Me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so? Mt. 26:53,54

...who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross... Hb. 12:2

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Here comes a whine:

I'm sick.
I'm tired.
I'm tired of being sick and tired.  

My throat hurts.
My nose won't stop running.
How can it be plugged too?

I want to wake up and be in Your presence looking at Your face.

Not here anymore.

I want to wake up here remembering Your plan for me and what is about to transpire on this earth as You restore Your people to the place they should be.  As only You are able.

But no matter what tomorrow brings, I will yet praise You: 

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health (salvation, victory) of my countenance, and my God. Ps. 43:5 KJV

For You, Lord, are good and ready to forgive, and rich in mercy to all those who call on You. Ps. 86:5

For His merciful kindness is great toward us; and the truth of Jehovah endures forever. Praise Jehovah! Ps. 117:2

When Crackers Taste Wonderful

       Most of the time I try to live gluten free, especially since I realized my gluten intolerance and how my body (unfavourably) responds to it.  When I first found a tasty gluten free cracker (thanks sis), I was thrilled, finally able to eat crackers and cheese or peanut butter again.  Tonight I was reliving that first time enjoyment again.

       After our Easter family gathering yesterday I came home feeling sick.  I thought it was because I coughed up some acid and my throat burned a little but I had to down three ultra Tums to calm my stomach (I did eat lots of snacks) and then fell asleep for a couple hours.  My head hurt and I felt hot when I woke up so I went to lay down on the couch to avoid contaminating my hubby.

       Sleep did not come as I dwelt on disturbing thoughts.  My temperature was upper 101's and I still felt queasy.  Kept falling asleep most of the day running a low grade fever ( taking asprin only for pain) and able to eat only bits of certain foods.  Then tonight I felt like my body needed starch again, and those crackers called out to me.  Yum, it was just like the first time I tried them!

       Fevers are not wonderful to go through.  They make you uncomfortable- going between too hot and sweaty cool downs.  It is difficult to sleep, hard to eat, and pain often comes with the fever.  Still, fevers are actually good for us.  Their purpose is to kill off bad things (infections- viral, bacterial) in our bodies.  We often prefer to never go through uncomfortable, difficult things, but that doesn't mean those things aren't serving a good purpose.

       Many of the trials I've been through have built strength in me that I've never had before.  They've also caused my faith to increase- this only as I've accepted that which the Lord ordained for me to go through and as I've surrendered more to Him.  I guess one of the biggest changes in me from the trials is when another one hits I no longer moan and groan, whining to God but rather hang on to His robe, look around and see what He wants me to do in the midst of the storm.

Therefore I am pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am powerful. 1Cr. 12:10

Not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, endurance produces (strength of) character, and character produces hope. Rm. 5:3,4 ISV

       It's all in the perspective.  Fever, good or bad?  Trials, good or bad?  And the Lord is still there to make those crackers taste great!  Thank You Lord for being so good!

Jehovah is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped... Ps. 28:7

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Php. 4:13

But the God of all grace, He calling us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little, He will perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 1Pt 5:10