Surprise

Surprise!

“God has a wonderful surprise for you!”  the angel said to Mary.   

And Mary said, “OK!”

Mary Said to Joseph, “I have a surprise for you!”

        
Joseph thought about it. 

          
 And God told Joseph it was OK.

“Surprise!”  the angels said to the shepherds.  “Go. Find the stable.  

There is a surprise.  The Savior - the Messiah is born.”  

They went and were surprised.  So were Mary and Joseph.

The star was no surprise.  

Wise men were looking for it.  They packed up and followed.

God is full of surprises.  Some are fun and exciting.  Some are 

hard.  But in God’s hands, they turn into blessing.

May you have a glorious Christ - mas 

and a Surprising New Year

Surprise?!!

We are still Living (in LaConner)

Laughing (at the aging process) 

&  Loving Life (and each other).

Caught

Caught...

In John 8 the Pharisees interrupt a church meeting Jesus is holding in the temple courts.

They drag in a woman caught in the 'act'! What 'act'? Adultery! And following 'custom' they stripped her to the waist.

Moses' law says to stone her to death. Roman law says only Romans can execute. Don't see anything about stripping.

They (the Religious Right) are out for blood. The woman's and Jesus' blood. They now want to mix Him up on the law and probably stone them both.

Here is my view:

They, the (Religious Righteous or the Righteous Religious) 'caught' her. (I have always though adultery took two) Then they dragged her to the temple. Seems to me, she probably wasn't out on the street committing adultery. Certainly, she and her partner were in some secret or at least enclosed place. The 'RR' was probably out prowling around trying to catch someone in the act.

Perhaps, the partner in this adultery could outrun the 'RR' or was too big and heavy to drag through the streets. Or, maybe a Pharisee?

They drag her in. Interrupt Jesus and his teaching to expose the sinner.

Expose physically - stripping her to the waist. To show how shameful she was? And, so they could all get a good eyeful?

Expose her morally - caught in the act.

Look at us, they probably thought. We are such moral, law-abiding men of God. We would never do such a thing. And it is our job to help God stamp out sin. Adultery in particular.

She was caught. Dragged. Stripped. Exposed.

Jesus turned the whole thing around. Took the attention from the Caught and Exposed to the Catchers and Exposers. He said,"You, who are without sin, throw the first stone."

Now, this is where I get a little nervous. His words point to my heart. I suddenly become part of the 'RR'. Catching others. Judging others. Dragging - telling about others. Exposing - gossiping about others.

And then Jesus says to me "Go and sin no more."

Caught. Again. Exposed. Again. But, forgiven - once again.

  Penalty of Law...

Under penalty of law this tag cannot be removed, except by consumer.  Thus reads the tags on many things. In 'olden' days this tag left off (except by consumer).

I was especially irritated by those tags on 'my' mattress.  How dare 'they' tell me I had to leave that ugly tag attached.  Were 'they' going to come into my house and check tags?  Say, make a sweep through the neighborhood to check mattress tags?  And what was the penalty?  Jail time?

That ole rebel in me rose up.  I cut and tore off those tags.  And threw them away.  Nobody ever checked. I doubt if my kids ever realized what a lawbreaker their mother was.

Recently, I purchased a lap desk, so I could have a firm writing surface while sitting outside. There it was 'under penalty of law... However, except by consumer was there.  I don't know when that phrase was added.  It probably was one of those laws that worked it's way through various law making agencies. There is probably a good and useful reason. But, I fail to see what it could be. Just think of all the ink that could be saved.

Oh my, I just turned the tag over: Warnings and Cautions

#1 Don't use for sleeping.

#2 Not a toy.

#3 Choking hazard.

#4 Avoid inhaling filling.

Plus, four more warnings.

I was thinkin'.  How many people even read these warnings.  How many rip or cut them off? How many don't care or notice?

The other day one of Dan's Tshirts came through the wash inside out. I noticed a tag, got my scissors and grabbed the tag. Much to my surprise, there was a picture of scissors and cut lines.  Perhaps, others are bothered also.

How many pay attention to God's warnings.  Under penalty of law...Galatians 5:13-26 gives us examples, reasons, penalties and a wonderful escape clause...Live by the spirit!

And it is obvious who is doing so. Those living by the Spirit will show these signs: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law-- no penalty.

No warning tag to rip off, just a Bible to warn and direct and a Spirit to empower.

Prepared…

  Sunday night - Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers. TV is on. Recorders set. Snacks ready.

 

  KABOOM! Thunder. I mean loud, loud thunder. Lightning. The whole sky lighting up. Pouring rain. Oh, the wind decided to make an Oscar award appearance. Not only here in Yakima, but in Seattle also.

  The game was in Seattle. This was a really big game. The 12th man was trying to set a Guinness book world record noise level at this game. The stadium has no roof. There was lightning, thunder & rain to match ours. Game delay. More game delay. I was on our deck watching the weather show. Lights flickered.

Lights went out! TV off—then on. Takes 10-15 minutes to re-boot.

  I decided I’d better prepare for the power outage. Looked for my lanterns. I have two. One oil and one battery. The oil one was in a safe place, waiting for such an occurrence. I could not find it. The battery one was easy. An open shelf in the garage. However, it would not turn on. I had taken the batteries out and had not purchased replacements.

  I searched for candles. And one of those lighter sticks. All I could come up with was the lighter and a 3” candle. I left them on the counter awaiting another power outage. Lights were back on. TV had re-booted and the game had re-started.

  I went back out to watch the weather show. I got to thinking about the 12 bridesmaids (woops only 10) who were waiting for the Bridegroom. All had lanterns. Only half had oil. I was llike the foolish ones with one light source. If the power went out again a 3” candle would not last long.

  Back to thinkin’… I have many Bibles. I spend time with Jesus. But how prepared am I?   Who and what is my power source? Can I find my Bibles? Do I count on the Holy Spirit to light me up and show me the way to go? Or do I only have me? About as much help as a 3”candle. Best do some thinkin’ and plannin’?

P.S: Seahawks 29  49ers 3. Noise level record sent.

Cell Phones

Cell Phones...

Cell phones are everywhere.  Most folks don't leave home without them.  Or the room.  They even take their phone to the bathroom with them.

Clutching our iPhone close we drive and talk.  Even when it is against the law.  I wonder how many people have been killed while driving and texting?  I imagine it will soon be ranked up there with drinking and driving.

I see people walking along or eating out with someone while talking on their cell.  Often they sit side by side and text.  Sometimes others.  Other times each other.  Many watch TV and text.  My grandson can even text in his pocket.

A new phone is introduced and millions upgrade.  At enormous cost.  There are thousands of apps.

I heard on the news about an iDoctor.  There is a special attachment that attaches to your cell.  When placed on your heart it sends information to the doctor.  iDoctor claims that he now writes more apps than prescriptions.  

I think God would like the same relationship and constant connection we have with our cell phone.  Call often.  Tweet much.  Twitter constantly.

iGod (my God) is always available.  24/7.  No needed upgrades.  All calls are free.  Paid for in advance 2000 years ago.

Re...Really?

Re… Really?

I’m on my daughter and son-in-law’s deck in Cle Elum.  It’s 35 degrees, but I’m sitting by a fire, wrapped in a blanket and wearing a couple of sweatshirts.

It’s quiet and peaceful.  Right now, no one is around.  I’m wonderfully alone—just mountains, trees, hills and a lake.  The pine trees, normally green are various colors of black, grey and orange.  Green is missing from the trees and the ground is barren.

A fire rolled through here this fall.  Damaged the house and deck.  Eliminated the garage and all the stuff inside.  Mitch’s cabin is gone.  A tent trailer burned, melted and gone.  All replaceable — ‘stuff’.

The garage is already framed and sided.  Mitch’s cabin won’t be replaced.  The stone fireplace, still stands, a reminder of what once was —

This is the season of Re —  remove the debris.  The burned and twisted remains of a camper, trailer, golf cart and a four wheeler.  The two refrigerators are gone.  Repairing and rebuilding are under way.  Remembering what needs to be replaced is ongoing.

In the spring, trees will be replanted.  Some will be removed.  Will regrow.  Plants and grasses will reappear to cover the barren ground.

The fire I sit beside is warm and comforting.  A reminder of the good side of fire.  The landscape is a frightening reminder of what a wild fire can do.

The destruction of the fire will be removed, repaired and renewed,   Most of the blackened trees will remain.

We will all remember the fire of 2012.  We will remember also how wonderful it is to have this retreat available to rest, recover, renew, reconnect, rejoice, and review our life.

And we will remember how blessed we are to have each other.






12/2012

What were you thinkin' Ah, Jesus, what were you thinkin’  when as the Holy Spirit you came upon Mary? Was that the moment you left the Father’s presence?  Was it you who spent nine months inside of Mary? As you grew from boy to man, did you think about the path you were on?  Or, were you able to run and play like other little boys?  How was it sitting and listening to ‘the learned ones’ as they taught you, your word.  We read how at age twelve, you taught those in the temple.  You knew then that you were about your Father's business, yet you lived under your parents' roof and authority.  What were you thinkin’? You obeyed your mother at the wedding.  Then you had to separate yourself from your family when they could not understand your actions and mission.  Did you ever try to sit down, look them in the eye and say, “This is who I am.  This is what I must do."? What were you thinkin’ out there in the wilderness with only the angels and satan?  And then, those long, dusty walks all over Israel.  What were you thinkin’? The crowds.  All wanting something from you.  Food.  Miracles.  Healing.  Sight.  And some just wanted to prove you were wrong. And then, looking over Jerusalem, you wept and questioned and wanted…  Not the cheers.  Not the trial.  Not the beatings.  Not the confusion and unbelief.  Not being left alone.  Not the pain and horror of the cross. You wanted Me!  All along you were thinkin’ about me.

STOP & SAVOR

    I sit out on our deck each morning with my cup of Chai tea.
Last time I purchased tea, I bought Caramel flavored Chai, as well as Spiced Chai.  I liked the Caramel, but was growing tired of it.  I was looking forward to emptying my latest mix of Caramel and creamer and starting on the Spiced Chai.
    Yesterday, I used the last of the Caramel mix and went for my new bag of Spiced tea.  To my great surprise, it was half full and already mixed.  So, I had been drinking Spiced—thinking it was Caramel!  Yearning for the Spiced.
   Then that ‘still small voice’ uttered these words, “Stop and Savor!”
I had forgotten to Savor what I had, looking for something I already possessed.  What else am I missing?   STOP & SAVOR!

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD…  SAVOR THE MOMENTS