Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Old and New


Rose petals are scattered, battered by the rain. That which gives life anew must first cycle the old.

1Th 4:13  But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that fall asleep; that ye sorrow not, even as the rest, who have no hope. 
1Th 4:14  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also that are fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 
1Th 4:15  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we that are alive, that are left unto the coming of the Lord, shall in no wise precede them that are fallen asleep. 
1Th 4:16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first; 
1Th 4:17  then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 
1Th 4:18  Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 


An old toad of an oak leaf  makes way for new life. The old nourishes the young. Don't we all want to make the next generation healthy and strong and perhaps better than our own?  It is our job to shelter them and to train them in the way of life.

Exo 33:18  And he said, Show me, I pray thee, thy glory. 
Exo 33:19  And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and will proclaim the name of Jehovah before thee; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 
Exo 33:20  And he said, Thou canst not see my face; for man shall not see me and live. 
Exo 33:21  And Jehovah said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon the rock: 
Exo 33:22  and it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand until I have passed by: 
Exo 33:23  and I will take away my hand, and thou shalt see my back; but my face shall not be seen. 


A walk with my daughter at the park after sundown was illuminated by a full moon. It was hidden beneath the clouds for a while. We waited to see it rise and to light the way.

Isa 66:22  For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith Jehovah, so shall your seed and your name remain. 
Isa 66:23  And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith Jehovah. 


A burned out tree reminds me of the shape of the statue of liberty. What is the shape of freedom in our country? Prayer is greater than politicians. Let us pray and repent for our nation. Also we should pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Psa 122:6  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: They shall prosper that love thee. 
Psa 122:7  Peace be within thy walls, And prosperity within thy palaces. 
Psa 122:8  For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. 
Psa 122:9  For the sake of the house of Jehovah our God I will seek thy good. 


Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Great was the fall


While walking at the park, I noticed one of the tallest trees had fallen down. It was dead, an oak tree that was a favorite landing place for birds and even vultures who enjoyed the high viewpoint. The Lord Jesus takes us out of bondage and spiritual death  he gives us joy and we become as his living trees of righteousness.

Isa 61:3  to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Jehovah, that he may be glorified. 


A close look at a section of the tree that looked like an old  face with sorrowful expressions. It is a matter of perspective, it was a majestic oak tree or a miserable dead thing?

In Christ we are joyful, living forever.


I noticed that someone had already carved his initials in the fallen trunk. How brave we are to whittle our fame on something once majestic. Like someone gloating. I am thinking again of our nation once strong, but now the leaders mar its substance with wicked laws?

Isa 5:20  Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 
Isa 5:21  Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! 



An earlier picture reminds me of this stately tree with arms stretched up to the LORD. Another image comes in view of a once great Christian Cathedral, that opened it's doors to Muslim prayers. Would Islam open their doors to us? No way, what were the church leaders thinking? Liberal thinking is not following the Spirit of the Living God.

Mat 7:24  Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock: 
Mat 7:25  and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and if fell not: for it was founded upon the rock. 
Mat 7:26  And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand: 
Mat 7:27  and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and smote upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall thereof. 


The birds loved to land in the upper limbs of the tree. Birds hang out in churches too, they are symbols of devils eating up the word of truth. The church is the visible kingdom of heaven on earth.

Mat 13:31  Another parable set he before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: 
Mat 13:32  which indeed is less than all seeds; but when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the heaven come and lodge in the branches thereof. 



The tree has fallen. How long will it be before the nation falls under judgement? Cathedrals may fall, but the living church resides in each believer. If Jesus Christ is both your master and your savior, you are part of the living church of God.

1Jn 4:1  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 
1Jn 4:2  Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 
1Jn 4:3  and every spirit that confesseth not Jesus is not of God: and this is the spirit of the antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it cometh; and now it is in the world already. 
1Jn 4:4  Ye are of God, my little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. 

Monday, December 1, 2014

Dim but lovely


It was too late for photos, but not too late to walk tonight in the last of the light. I saw things, but could I record them as I saw them? Yes! It is  exciting to show things as I saw them. This leaf was barely visible, but the light quality is special in this time of low light.

John 9:4  I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 
John 9:5  As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. 



It must have been moonglow, way up in the sky, it must have been moonglow, that led me straight to you. (moonglow by Rod Stewart) A lovely deep blue sky and a moon to draw our attention, framed by majestic leafless Valley Oaks. It was God's creation that led me to give him glory. It was Jesus who saved my life from death and darkness.

Isa 60:1  Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. 
Isa 60:2  For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. 
Isa 60:3  And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. 



I wanted to see again the trail as I experienced it this night. There is something special about low light. Too much light changes the mood entirely. This is a wonderful light.

Mat 10:27  What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. 
Mat 10:28  And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 



There is a tiny light on the shore and a trail of light upon the river. It is a tiny light, but it offers hope and encouragement that I am on the right trail. As the world grows darker in sin. We must let our little light shine, to bring hope to others.

Mat 5:14  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 
Mat 5:15  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 
Mat 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.