I’m confused:
the things I know
are greater by far
in number and weight
than the things I don’t
yet it is that
which I don’t know
that weighs on me
that makes me sigh
and steals my joy
they crowd together
they rush to the front
they demand attention
these questions
these problems
is there no answer?
is there no solution?
I need a sword!
I need a shield!
I need a helmet!
they buffet me -
I need an anchor!
I hear a Voice softly
singing a sweet song:
The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
the righteous runneth into it and is safe
O my soul, it’s time to run!
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Warning! Danger! You are living at ease!
I am reading John Chrysostom’s (349 – 407, Archbishop of Constantinople) Homilies On The Book Of Acts (that his, his sermons as he preached through Acts). I came across this in his sermon on Acts 11, Peter’s defense of his going to Cornelius (in ch 10). Such powerful words for Christians in America, who are truly living at ease!
“They that live godly are always undergoing persecution, if not from men, at any rate from evil spirits, which is a more grievous persecution. Yes, and it is in consequence, first and foremost, of ease and comfort, that those who are not vigilant undergo this. Or thinkest thou it is a trifling persecution to be living at ease? This is more grievous than all, this is worse than persecution. For, like a running flux, ease makes the soul languid. But to show you that this is the worse persecution, listen: it induces sleep in the soul, an excessive yawning and drowsiness, it stirs up the passions on every side, it arms pride, it arms pleasure, it arms anger, envy, vainglory, jealousy. But in time of persecution none of these is able to make a disturbance; but fear, entering in, will not let any of these passions so much as attempt to give tongue. Who shall be able in time of persecution to indulge in vain glory? Who to live in pleasure? Not one: but there is much trembling and fear, making a great calm, composing the harbor into stillness, filling the soul with awe. I have heard from our fathers, that in the persecution of old time one might see men that were indeed Christian. None of them cared for money, none for a wife, children, nor home, nor country: the one great concern with all was to save their souls. There were they hiding, some in tombs and sepulchres, some in deserts: yes tender and dainty women too, fighting all the while with constant hunger.
Then think whether any longing for sumptuous and dainty living at all came into the mind of a woman, while in hiding beside a coffin, and waiting for her maid-servant to bring her meal, and trembling lest she should be taken, and lying in her terror as in a furnace: was she even aware that there ever was such a thing as dainty living, that such things as dress and ornaments exist at all? Seest thou that now is the persecution, with our passions, like wild beasts, setting upon us on every side? Now is the trying persecution, both in this regard, and especially if it is not even thought to be persecution at all. For this persecution has also this evil in it, that being war, it is thought to be peace, so that we do not even arm ourselves against it, so that we do not even rise: no one fears, no one trembles. But if you do not believe me, ask the heathen, the persecutors, at what time was the conduct of the Christians more strict, at what time were they all more proved? Few indeed had they then become in number, but rich in virtue.”
“They that live godly are always undergoing persecution, if not from men, at any rate from evil spirits, which is a more grievous persecution. Yes, and it is in consequence, first and foremost, of ease and comfort, that those who are not vigilant undergo this. Or thinkest thou it is a trifling persecution to be living at ease? This is more grievous than all, this is worse than persecution. For, like a running flux, ease makes the soul languid. But to show you that this is the worse persecution, listen: it induces sleep in the soul, an excessive yawning and drowsiness, it stirs up the passions on every side, it arms pride, it arms pleasure, it arms anger, envy, vainglory, jealousy. But in time of persecution none of these is able to make a disturbance; but fear, entering in, will not let any of these passions so much as attempt to give tongue. Who shall be able in time of persecution to indulge in vain glory? Who to live in pleasure? Not one: but there is much trembling and fear, making a great calm, composing the harbor into stillness, filling the soul with awe. I have heard from our fathers, that in the persecution of old time one might see men that were indeed Christian. None of them cared for money, none for a wife, children, nor home, nor country: the one great concern with all was to save their souls. There were they hiding, some in tombs and sepulchres, some in deserts: yes tender and dainty women too, fighting all the while with constant hunger.
Then think whether any longing for sumptuous and dainty living at all came into the mind of a woman, while in hiding beside a coffin, and waiting for her maid-servant to bring her meal, and trembling lest she should be taken, and lying in her terror as in a furnace: was she even aware that there ever was such a thing as dainty living, that such things as dress and ornaments exist at all? Seest thou that now is the persecution, with our passions, like wild beasts, setting upon us on every side? Now is the trying persecution, both in this regard, and especially if it is not even thought to be persecution at all. For this persecution has also this evil in it, that being war, it is thought to be peace, so that we do not even arm ourselves against it, so that we do not even rise: no one fears, no one trembles. But if you do not believe me, ask the heathen, the persecutors, at what time was the conduct of the Christians more strict, at what time were they all more proved? Few indeed had they then become in number, but rich in virtue.”
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Granddaddy, why don’t you buy pre-blessed food?
“Granddaddy, why don’t you buy ‘pre-blessed food’? That way you wouldn’t have to pray before every meal.”
“Well, even if we bought this ‘pre-blessed food’ we would still give thanks before we ate it.”
“Why do we have to pray before every meal?”
I love grandchildren questions!
A couple of weeks ago this grandson had told me about pre-blessed food. I didn’t know anything about it so a couple of nights ago I Googled it. Turns out it is a comedy bit on YouTube. I didn’t watch it and I have no thoughts concerning it and this post is not about that video. I just wanted to share my answer to that great question: “Why do we have to pray before every meal?”
Why indeed? Why don’t we buy pre-blessed food. Or offer one big prayer at the beginning of every week or each day for every thing we will eat that week/day? My answer was simple,
If we don’t personally give thanks we tend to grow forgetful and presumptuous: I’m eating the food that I acquired through my hard work and my skill at cooking etc. Perhaps I should clarify that, maybe you wouldn’t but I know I would.
You may say, “OK, why not give thanks for every snack, too?” Why not? I read somewhere quite a long time ago that the ancient Jews had a blessing for every thing they did. Not a bad idea!
Anyway, that’s why we always pray before every meal.
“Well, even if we bought this ‘pre-blessed food’ we would still give thanks before we ate it.”
“Why do we have to pray before every meal?”
I love grandchildren questions!
A couple of weeks ago this grandson had told me about pre-blessed food. I didn’t know anything about it so a couple of nights ago I Googled it. Turns out it is a comedy bit on YouTube. I didn’t watch it and I have no thoughts concerning it and this post is not about that video. I just wanted to share my answer to that great question: “Why do we have to pray before every meal?”
Why indeed? Why don’t we buy pre-blessed food. Or offer one big prayer at the beginning of every week or each day for every thing we will eat that week/day? My answer was simple,
“We give thanks before each meal as a way of showing our dependence on God for all we eat and thanking Him for this food that He has blessed us with. This is very personal so we thank God for what we are about to eat.”
You may say, “OK, why not give thanks for every snack, too?” Why not? I read somewhere quite a long time ago that the ancient Jews had a blessing for every thing they did. Not a bad idea!
Anyway, that’s why we always pray before every meal.
For every creature of God is good,
and nothing to be refused,
if it be received with thanksgiving:
For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Them surfin' Hawaiians
As we crossed the head of the bay, we saw a number of young persons swimming in the surf, which rolled with some violence on the rocky beach. To a spectator nothing can appear more daring, and sometimes alarming, than to see a number of persons splashing about among the waves of the sea as they dash on the shore; yet this is the most popular and delightful of the native sports.
There are perhaps no people more accustomed to the water than the islanders of the Pacific; they seem almost a race of amphibious beings. Familiar with the sea from their birth, they lose all dread of it, and seem nearly as much at home in the water as on dry land. There are few children who are not taken into the sea by their mothers the second or third day after their birth, and many who can swim as soon as they can walk. The heat of the climate is, no doubt, one source of the gratification they find in this amusement, which is so universal, that it is scarcely possible to pass along the shore where there are many habitations near, and not see a number of children playing in the sea. Here they remain for hours together, and yet I never knew but one child being drowned during the number of years I have resided in the islands. They have a variety of games, and gambol as fearlessly in the water as the children of a school do in their playground. The most general and frequent game is swimming in the surf. The higher the sea and the larger the waves, in their opinion the better the sport. On these occasions they use a board, which they call papa he naru or wave sliding board, generally 5 or 6 feet long, and rather more than a foot wide, sometimes flat, but more frequently slightly convex on both sides. It is usually made of wood, stained quite black, and preserved with great care. After using, it is placed in the sun till perfectly dry, when it is rubbed over with cocoa-nut oil, frequently wrapped in cloth, and suspended in some part of their house. Sometimes they choose a place where the deep water reaches to the beach, but generally prefer a part where the rocks are 10 or 20 feet underwater, and extend to a distance from the shore, as the surf breaks more violently over these. When playing in these places, each individual takes his board, and, pushing it before him, swims perhaps a quarter of a mile or more out to sea. They do not attempt to go over the billows which roll towards the shore, but watch their approach, and dive underwater, allowing the billow to pass over their heads. When they reach the outside of the rocks, where the waves first break, they adjust themselves on one end of the board, lying flat on their faces, and watch the approach of the largest billow; they then poise themselves on its highest edge, and, paddling as it were with their hands and feet, ride on the crest of the wave, in the midst of the spray and foam, till within a yard or two of the rocks or the shore; and when the observers would expect to see them dashed to pieces, they steer with great address between the rocks, or slide off the board in a moment, grasp it by the middle, and dive under water, while the wave rolls on, and breaks among the rocks with a roaring noise, The effect of which is greatly heightened by the shouts and laughter of the natives in the water. Those who are expert frequently change their position on the board, sometimes sitting and sometimes standing erect in the midst of the foam. The greatest address is necessary in order to keep on the edge of the wave: for if they get too forward, they are sure to be overturned; and if they fall back, they are buried beneath the succeeding billow.
Sometimes the greater part of the inhabitants of a village go out to this sport and spend the greater part of the day in the water. All ranks and ages are equally fond of it. We have seen some of the highest chiefs in the island, between 50 and 60 years of age, and large corpulent men, balancing themselves on their narrow board, or splashing about in the foam, with as much satisfaction as youths of 16. They frequently played at the mouth of a large river, where the strong current running into the sea, and the rolling of the waves toward the shore, produce a degree of agitation between the water of the river and the sea, that would be fatal to a European. The only circumstance that ever mars their pleasure in this diversion is the approach of the shark. When this happens, though they sometimes fly in every direction, they frequently unite, set up a loud shout, and makes so much splashing in the water, as to frighten him away. The fear of them however, is very great; and after a party returns from this amusement, almost the first question they ask is, "Were there any sharks?"
Polynesian Researches: Hawaii; William Ellis (1794-1872)
(dictated from my NOOK to my phone; am I high tech or what!)
There are perhaps no people more accustomed to the water than the islanders of the Pacific; they seem almost a race of amphibious beings. Familiar with the sea from their birth, they lose all dread of it, and seem nearly as much at home in the water as on dry land. There are few children who are not taken into the sea by their mothers the second or third day after their birth, and many who can swim as soon as they can walk. The heat of the climate is, no doubt, one source of the gratification they find in this amusement, which is so universal, that it is scarcely possible to pass along the shore where there are many habitations near, and not see a number of children playing in the sea. Here they remain for hours together, and yet I never knew but one child being drowned during the number of years I have resided in the islands. They have a variety of games, and gambol as fearlessly in the water as the children of a school do in their playground. The most general and frequent game is swimming in the surf. The higher the sea and the larger the waves, in their opinion the better the sport. On these occasions they use a board, which they call papa he naru or wave sliding board, generally 5 or 6 feet long, and rather more than a foot wide, sometimes flat, but more frequently slightly convex on both sides. It is usually made of wood, stained quite black, and preserved with great care. After using, it is placed in the sun till perfectly dry, when it is rubbed over with cocoa-nut oil, frequently wrapped in cloth, and suspended in some part of their house. Sometimes they choose a place where the deep water reaches to the beach, but generally prefer a part where the rocks are 10 or 20 feet underwater, and extend to a distance from the shore, as the surf breaks more violently over these. When playing in these places, each individual takes his board, and, pushing it before him, swims perhaps a quarter of a mile or more out to sea. They do not attempt to go over the billows which roll towards the shore, but watch their approach, and dive underwater, allowing the billow to pass over their heads. When they reach the outside of the rocks, where the waves first break, they adjust themselves on one end of the board, lying flat on their faces, and watch the approach of the largest billow; they then poise themselves on its highest edge, and, paddling as it were with their hands and feet, ride on the crest of the wave, in the midst of the spray and foam, till within a yard or two of the rocks or the shore; and when the observers would expect to see them dashed to pieces, they steer with great address between the rocks, or slide off the board in a moment, grasp it by the middle, and dive under water, while the wave rolls on, and breaks among the rocks with a roaring noise, The effect of which is greatly heightened by the shouts and laughter of the natives in the water. Those who are expert frequently change their position on the board, sometimes sitting and sometimes standing erect in the midst of the foam. The greatest address is necessary in order to keep on the edge of the wave: for if they get too forward, they are sure to be overturned; and if they fall back, they are buried beneath the succeeding billow.
Sometimes the greater part of the inhabitants of a village go out to this sport and spend the greater part of the day in the water. All ranks and ages are equally fond of it. We have seen some of the highest chiefs in the island, between 50 and 60 years of age, and large corpulent men, balancing themselves on their narrow board, or splashing about in the foam, with as much satisfaction as youths of 16. They frequently played at the mouth of a large river, where the strong current running into the sea, and the rolling of the waves toward the shore, produce a degree of agitation between the water of the river and the sea, that would be fatal to a European. The only circumstance that ever mars their pleasure in this diversion is the approach of the shark. When this happens, though they sometimes fly in every direction, they frequently unite, set up a loud shout, and makes so much splashing in the water, as to frighten him away. The fear of them however, is very great; and after a party returns from this amusement, almost the first question they ask is, "Were there any sharks?"
Polynesian Researches: Hawaii; William Ellis (1794-1872)
(dictated from my NOOK to my phone; am I high tech or what!)
Friday, May 8, 2015
What did you do in Hawaii?
“You went to Hawaii? What did you do?” As I start to explain what we did and where we went they inevitably begin to get glassy eyed – they can’t relate at all to what I’m telling them. I suppose it’s as much my fault for giving details as it is theirs for asking such a question. We went to places that conjure such images for us as we recount them but are purely exotic to the hearers: “We kayaked in Kaneohe Bay, then had lunch at Keneke’s in Kahuku, after which we hung out at the beach on Kahana Bay.” What???
So I thought I would use maps to show where we went.
OAHU
We went to Oahu first and spent six days there.
The little yellow circle just below “Kaneohe” is where our studio apartment was located. The larger yellow circle shows where we spent almost all our time. This part of Oahu is known as “the windward side.” I grew up in Kaneohe and I find the windward side to be the most beautiful part of Oahu. This is where you find “the locals” and that was one of my goals – hang out with locals and avoid tourists as much as possible. What did we do here? Went to the beach (beautiful and empty beaches), hiked in the mountains, kayaked, ate great “Hawaiian style” food, went to a Luau, caught a traditional style Hawaiian concert. Kaneohe Bay. Waimanalo. Kahana Bay. Ka’a’awa. I love the windward side!
MOLOKA’I
After six days on Oahu we flew to Moloka’i. We had a hotel room here. The only hotel in all of Moloka’i. That is the purple circle, Kaunakakai. On Oahu we encountered several cloudy days and I felt pressure to provide a sunny beach for Mary. We chased the sun and found it. She also wanted to see a waterfall. All of my efforts on Oahu failed, so after we secured our room I suggested we go to Halawa, “There is a waterfall there.” Halawa Valley is the blue circle on the right end of the island. Amazing drive. I have to give Mary credit, she drove on Moloka’i and as the road got narrower and narrower and our car got bigger and bigger, she pressed on. And it was well worth it. Probably the best trip and most beautiful part of Hawai’i we saw! And we found waterfalls.
On Moloka’i we basically drove to the end of every road on the island. We went to the overlook of Kalaupapa (blue circle in the middle), the place where Damien cared for the lepers, and then we drove to the other end of the island (blue circle on the left end), Kepuhi Beach. When we arrived at Kepuhi Beach Mary said, Don’t look over there.
What?
Don’t look over there.
Why?
The girls over there are completely naked.
There weren’t even ten people on this large beach, including us, and three or four of them were naked!
We drove around, we ate great food, we went to church. That’s what we did on Moloka’i.
MAUI
We were at the Moloka’i airport at 6 am Monday morning! And on Maui shortly after 8 am. Too early to check into our condo in Kihei, the purple circle, so we drove to Kihei and then on south to the end of that road to Makena Beach. We were so tired we checked into our condo after lunch and took a nap. We were still worn out so we just hung around on the beach in front of the condo. Let me tell you, the wind blows really hard on Maui! Next day we had a late start and decided to go to a beach, so we headed toward Lahaina. After lunch, Mary asked where there was a “local” beach and armed with the answer we headed further north to Napili’i, the purple circle. Nice beach with waves. Mary also really wanted to see whales and on the way back to the condo we stopped at an overlook and she got to see whales!
Maui was our least favorite stop. Pretty beaches but basically California with Hawaiian place names. Very touristy. Food was good enough but not Hawaiian style anything. There were lots of things we didn’t see but I don’t care to go back to Maui. What's interesting is there were Japanese tourists all over Oahu, especially in Kailua, but none on Moloka’i or Maui.
So, that’s what we did in Hawai’i. Great trip. Wonderful. Amazing. Awesome!
So I thought I would use maps to show where we went.
OAHU
The little yellow circle just below “Kaneohe” is where our studio apartment was located. The larger yellow circle shows where we spent almost all our time. This part of Oahu is known as “the windward side.” I grew up in Kaneohe and I find the windward side to be the most beautiful part of Oahu. This is where you find “the locals” and that was one of my goals – hang out with locals and avoid tourists as much as possible. What did we do here? Went to the beach (beautiful and empty beaches), hiked in the mountains, kayaked, ate great “Hawaiian style” food, went to a Luau, caught a traditional style Hawaiian concert. Kaneohe Bay. Waimanalo. Kahana Bay. Ka’a’awa. I love the windward side!
MOLOKA’I
After six days on Oahu we flew to Moloka’i. We had a hotel room here. The only hotel in all of Moloka’i. That is the purple circle, Kaunakakai. On Oahu we encountered several cloudy days and I felt pressure to provide a sunny beach for Mary. We chased the sun and found it. She also wanted to see a waterfall. All of my efforts on Oahu failed, so after we secured our room I suggested we go to Halawa, “There is a waterfall there.” Halawa Valley is the blue circle on the right end of the island. Amazing drive. I have to give Mary credit, she drove on Moloka’i and as the road got narrower and narrower and our car got bigger and bigger, she pressed on. And it was well worth it. Probably the best trip and most beautiful part of Hawai’i we saw! And we found waterfalls.
On Moloka’i we basically drove to the end of every road on the island. We went to the overlook of Kalaupapa (blue circle in the middle), the place where Damien cared for the lepers, and then we drove to the other end of the island (blue circle on the left end), Kepuhi Beach. When we arrived at Kepuhi Beach Mary said, Don’t look over there.
What?
Don’t look over there.
Why?
The girls over there are completely naked.
There weren’t even ten people on this large beach, including us, and three or four of them were naked!
We drove around, we ate great food, we went to church. That’s what we did on Moloka’i.
MAUI
Maui was our least favorite stop. Pretty beaches but basically California with Hawaiian place names. Very touristy. Food was good enough but not Hawaiian style anything. There were lots of things we didn’t see but I don’t care to go back to Maui. What's interesting is there were Japanese tourists all over Oahu, especially in Kailua, but none on Moloka’i or Maui.
So, that’s what we did in Hawai’i. Great trip. Wonderful. Amazing. Awesome!
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Psalm 11 What can the righteous do?
If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
What an excellent question! As we look around us I think it is safe to say that the foundations are crumbling: our moral bearings, righteousness in the land, the family, the church. In times like these, “what can the righteous do?” I believe the answer to the question is in the Psalm.
Here is the entire Psalm:
1 In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?
2 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string,
that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.
3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
4 The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven:
his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.
5 The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.
6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest:
this shall be the portion of their cup.
7 For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.
The foundations are being thrown down and the wicked are emboldened to attack the righteous. The situation is disquieting, to say the least. And the righteous man is told to Flee as a bird to your mountain. What can the righteous do?
His answer actually opens the Psalm, in the Lord put I my trust. Amen! I put my trust in the Lord. Not in men, government, money, but in the Lord. What can the righteous do? Trust in the Lord! The world laughs at us for this and quite honestly, the flesh struggles with this. “The foundations are being destroyed and you want me to trust in the Lord?” Yes. This Psalm presents three levels of faith but it begins with this, Put your trust in the Lord.
Habakkuk is an example of this. The foundations were being destroyed in his day and he cried out to the Lord. He got an answer he didn’t like or understand (ch 1). In 2:1-5 we read his response,I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me . . . And the LORD answered me, and said . . . the just shall live by his faith. Put your trust in the Lord.
When the disciples began to realize that Jesus was going away, their foundation was being destroyed. What did Jesus tell them? Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. Put your trust in the Lord!
The Beatles sang, "When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be." But they got it wrong. In times of trouble, Put your trust in the Lord!
I said there are three levels of faith spoken of in Psalm 11. Put your trust in the Lord is the first. The second level is in v 4, The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven… God is on the throne. He is in control. So he becomes my confidence. When the times they are a-changing my confidence is in the unchanging God. There is a difference between I put my trust in the Lord and the Lord is my confidence. Consider money. So often I trust the Lord for an emergency but my confidence is in the economy or my job. Am I at the place where the Lord is my confidence, my hope?
My confidence and my faith is strengthened when I read, his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. This is judgment. God has the final word. He will make all things right. I trust in the Lord, he is my confidence, and I know he will prevail. He will reward the righteous.
So, is that it? When the foundations are being destroyed do we just put our trust in the Lord? No. That is our foundation, that is what will get us through, but this faith leads us on: the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright. What can the righteous do? Live righteously. When everything around us is falling apart, we live righteously. Living for Jesus has become a cultural thing, but it was never meant to be that. We go against the grain. This is a narrow way and as Jesus said, If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. When everything around us is lax and unrighteousness is the cool and acceptable thing, we live righteously.
What can the righteous do? Trust in the Lord and live righteously. This is easy when everyone else around you is living righteously, but when the foundations are being destroyed it's not that way. Sometimes we may be the only ones living righteously and suffering for it.
"I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth."
Tradition tells us that as they were about to put Antipas to death they gave him one more chance to deny Christ, when he refused they cried out, "Antipas, the whole world is against you!" He replied, "Then Antipas is against the whole world."
If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? Trust in the Lord and live righteously; even if you are the only one; even if you are persecuted for living righteously.
I have decided to follow Jesus (3x)
No turning back, no turning back
Tho none go with me, still I will follow (3x)
No turning back, no turning back
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