Do I exist?

       Perhaps this post is enough to convince you that I exist, but perhaps not, since some of you have never met me.  Most people would not argue with me about my existence as they would be able to see, hear, possibly smell me if I’ve been running or eating wheat (always repercussions there), and touch me to know I exist.  But it is funny how people try to deny the things they can’t see as if not seeing it right now makes it untrue- even when there are witnesses they can question.

       My grandpa immigrated to Canada at a very young age with his rather large family.  Though I only remember grandpa, I know he had a dad that came with them and my grandpa verified it was the man in the photo with them- so I have no reason to doubt him.  Lately I’ve been doing a bit of a study on the kings of Israel/ Judah, their prophets and the kings of nations surrounding them.  What I didn’t expect is to find out how many people discount the Bible completely when it comes to history- like it can’t possibly be true just because it is written in THAT book.

       Still, archaeology is confirming Biblical history more and more.  There are 36 OT and 25 NT names of people recorded in the Bible that have been referred to in the writings of other cultures.  The Assyrians, Babylonians, Egyptians and Persians recorded much that has been found.  (There are another possible 25 names but there is uncertainty for a variety of reasons.)  King Rehoboam’s name was found on the Pharoah Shoshenq I relief and stelae, yet some question whether Solomon existed.  Well, if Rehoboam was Solomon’s son then it follows that Solomon existed- whether or not proof is ever found!  Likewise, my grandpa’s grandpa existed even though there is no proof.

King Hezekiah's bulla

       It all comes down to if you are willing to change your preconceived beliefs about something, because some people see the proof and still find ways to doubt.  They fight and argue over dating, debris fields, clay findings, ‘it could be someone else with that name’, and such.  Some people today deny such things as the lunar landing, the holocaust, various famines, genocides and oppression of their own countrymen.  In the end no amount of proof can change an unwilling mind.

       Do I exist?  Yes.  If you have no proof, that fact will not change.  One thousand years from now if no record of me is left anywhere, my DNA is not passed on in my children, none of my blog posts survive, and no oral mention of me carries on, I still existed in this time in this place.  It’s not logical to deny existence based on lack of proof, and I despise illogic.  I exist, proof or not.  No proof does NOT prove non-existence! 

      

For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because the thing which may be known of God is clearly revealed within them, for God revealed it to them. For the unseen things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being realized by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, for them to be without excuse. Rom. 1:18-20

…they did not glorify Him as God… (v.21)

Professing to be wise, they became fools (v.22)

For they changed the truth of God into a lie (v.25)

And even as they did not think fit to have God in their knowledge (v.28)

…The fool has said in his heart, There is no God!... 

(Ps. 14:1; 53:1)

Oh Lord, forgive our ignorance...

The Dunes of Pinery Provincial Park

       Late in the night while others were drifting off to sleep, I went for a short walk up a sandy dune to sit on the deserted peak.  The warm breeze caressed my skin, the quiet enveloped my soul and I gazed up into the crystal clear sky to see more stars than I’d seen in a very long time.  (Living close to a city will do that!)  It became my favorite nightly pastime as I felt so close to God.

       Time seemed to move unhurriedly and I looked up to count the stars: one, two… twenty… seventy eight… oops, lost track again…  It seems impossible to count them all, and that’s just the ones we can see but what about the ones we can’t see?  They are beyond human count-ability.  Rough estimates are about 30-70 billion trillion stars with just 200-400 billion in our own galaxy, the Milky Way.

       Genesis says about stars, “And let them be for signs*, and for seasons, and for days and years.” (v.14)  So, if you are into astronomy (study of stars, NOT astrology) you can know time frames using the stars, but they are also for signs.  There are many Biblical signs that come from them, but here’s one we don’t often consider: they are signs/ give evidence of His omniscience- all knowingness and omnipotence- all powerfulness. (*signal, flag, beacon, monument, evidence…)

 

For what can be known about God is plain to them*, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.  Rom. 1:19,20 ESV  *man

       How do they show God’s attributes?  The following Scriptures say He created all the host of the heavens and He calls them all by their names- all 30-70 billion trillion of them.  That’s a memory bigger than I can imagine!!!  He is able to count them all- and remember them.  All of nature praises Him for power and majesty, and so should we.  The Lord our God is beyond our complete comprehension…  Whereas we can’t even count the stars, He knows them each by their name.  How remarkable is that!

To whom then will you compare Me, or am I equaled? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold, who has created these, who brings out their host by number? He calls them all by names by the greatness of His might, for He is strong in power; not one is lacking.  Is. 40:25,26

He appoints the number of the stars; He calls them all by their names.  Ps. 147:4

Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all stars of light.

Let them praise the name of Jehovah; for He commanded, and they were created.  Ps. 148:3,5

Why I Like Thursdays

       I look forward to checking the newspapers Wed, Thurs and Friday.  It is not because I read the paper, although I do some of the puzzles to try and improve my brain (hasn’t helped yet lol), but because I enjoy looking through the flyers.  Not much interests me on Wed, and Fri has only a couple decent ones, but Thurs has the largest amount of flyers: grocery and other.  It also has one of my favorites- Canadian Tire.  On the front of all my flyers I write the stuff that I may want to get at that store, then copy them to my grocery list under the store name and do price matching when possible, all to conserve money.

       When we were laid off it was critical to go through the grocery flyers to find the sales- since I am usually around most of the stores sometime through the week.  But my favorite part was still the CT flyer, because I could imagine all the things I would get if I could afford it, plus, I really, really like tools- especially power tools!  Usually I read it last so I can thoroughly enjoy it; first with a quick ‘once over’ and then slower to make sure I didn’t miss anything.  I’m like a little kid excited to see all the cool stuff in it- potential for all kinds of adventures!  Only the Wish Book we get every winter thrills me more!

       At church last Wed the presence of the Lord was so strong that it actually felt good to be there worshiping Him.  He is so much more enjoyable to be with- dare I say, most of the time.  Yes, there are those times of chastisement that are not pleasant, and times He is working hard things out of my life, but overall, being in His presence tops all the other pleasures in life.  That same excitement when I get my flyer or Wish Book was there, only on a way bigger scale.  I wanted to shout.  I wanted to let go and praise the Lord loudly for being our victorious Redeemer!

You will make Me know the way of life; in Your presence is fullness of joys. At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.  Ps. 16:11 (joy= glee, exceeding gladness, joy, mirth, pleasure, rejoice)

But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  1Cor. 15:57

My soul longs, yea, even faints for the courts of Jehovah; my heart and my flesh shout for joy to the living God.  Ps. 84:2

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.  Ps. 98:4 KJV

…Clap your hand, all you peoples; shout to God with the voice of triumph.  Ps. 47:1

       Some might say it is strange for me to shout or want to shout, but that’s what I want to do when I’m really excited about something- and it builds up until I can express it.  What I find interesting is that many Christians try to follow what the Bible says in many ways, but shouting to God is not one of them.  We’ll shout during our favorite sports games, when our kids do something great, when we’re trying to get someone’s attention, when we’re proud of someone’s accomplishment etc., but not to the One who set aside His God attributes to come in human flesh, torturously die for our sins and redeem us from eternal damnation.

To me, that’s strange.

Lord, please help us all be more excited about You.

Maybe that excitement will draw others to find out what You’re all about!