Category Archives: Day to Day

Continuing in John 8, Jesus has been confronting the Pharisees in their unbelief. They, the Pharisees, had just asked Jesus, “Where is your Father?” (v. 19) These guys, who had been taught in the ways of their people, in the temple and knew the scripture, were always asking something of Jesus, as to proof of He was who He said He was. And the proof was all around them in the supernatural acts of healings, casting out demons and raising the dead that Christ performed. They saw these things, yet they did not believe. Their idea of a messiah was everything that they desired in a leader. Basically a military leader that would kick the Romans out of their lives and see the Pharisees and the righteous ones that they truly believed themselves to be. Christ came to save the lost, and they were lost but unrepentant in lostness. Comfortable in how they saw themselves. Cold and unforgiving to all who were less than themselves. 

Jesus answered them “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” This they refuted and it angered them just to hear it. Blasphemy is what they heard. This should also cause us the wonder what filters we employ when we hear the word of God. If you have been reading the bible, praying and repenting to God, going to a church that preaches from the full counsel of the Holy Word, those blocks or filters on your ears should have fallen away. For some, their eyes and ears are open immediately and it stuns them to see and hear so clearly. For others, the change is gradual but the day will come when you realize that you are not the same. Have faith and trust in He who created you.

Jesus was speaking to these lost men in the temple treasury and while His words were objectionable to them, no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come. (v. 20) He continued teaching, with the stark message that He is going away, they would seek him, but would die in their sin. Where He is going, they cannot come. (v. 21) Which of course, they started to ask if He was going to kill Himself. (v. 22) Ears to hear, but do not. (Isaiah 6:10, Jeremiah 5:21, Ezekiel 12:2, Matthew 13:15, Acts 28:27, Romans 11:8)

He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am He you will die in your sins.” (vv. 23-24) Hard words to hear for people who thought they were blameless. At this, they ask Him, “Who are you?” Their hearts were dead, their God and Creator was before them, and they asked “Who are you?”

And again, Christ tells them that which they would not hear: “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning. I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.” (vv. 25-26) The scripture helpfully tells us what is obvious to all but them: They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father. (v. 27) 

So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” As he was saying these things, many believed in him. A couple of things here, “When you have lifted me up” From Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers: Both the Crucifixion and Ascension are implied here. Now, for the first time, they are marked out as the instruments of the Crucifixion (comp. Acts 3:15), and therefore the means by which He will return to His Father’s throne.

Then from Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: 8:21-29 Those that live in unbelief, are forever undone, if they die in unbelief. The Jews belonged to this present evil world, but Jesus was of a heavenly and Divine nature, so that His doctrine, kingdom, and blessings, would not suit their taste. But the curse of the law is done away to all that submit to the grace of the gospel. Nothing but the doctrine of Christ’s grace will be an argument powerful enough, and none but the Spirit of Christ’s grace will be an agent powerful enough, to turn us from sin to God; and that Spirit is given, and that doctrine is given, to work upon those only who believe in Christ. Some say, Who is this Jesus? They allow him to have been a Prophet, an excellent Teacher, and even more than a creature; but cannot acknowledge Him as over all, God blessed for evermore. Will not this suffice? Jesus here answers the question. Is this to honour him as the Father? Does this admit his being the Light of the world, and the Life of men, one with the Father? All shall know by their conversion, or in their condemnation, that he always spake and did what pleased the Father, even when he claimed the highest honours to himself.

They both do an excellent job of explaining what is going on. Christ has told these Jews that He is I AM as seen so far in this book, John 4:26, John 6:35, John 8:23. They, the Jews, were too lost in their religion of works and rituals, too busy looking down their noses at all who were not born of Abraham, to believe what was plainly before their eyes. Christ tells them they will die in their sins. They are wondering what sin? Are we not sacrificing, are we not following the rituals of purification, are we not righteous in all that we do? (1 Peter 3:12)

Then we find out that as He was saying these things, many believed in him. So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” (vv. 31-33) Conveniently forgetting the golden calf, (Exodus 32-34) idol worship (2 Kings 17:41) and Babylon (Jeremiah 32:28) and kind of missing the point.

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.” (vv. 34-38)

This obsession with belonging to the line of Abraham (v. 39) and thinking because of that, they were set up as a people and primed for entry into heaven and then being told, no, you are slaves to sin. The wages of sin is death. They are experiencing what Nicodemus did when rocked by Christ by being told that all he knew was wrong. Are you, who are content to sit in a pew and merely listen to the Word, or maybe have even decided that you are so good with God, you can forgo going to church, with the exception of maybe Christmas and Easter, are you thinking that you are going to heaven? In light of what Christ said, just before He ascended to heaven: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19–20) This was an action statement. He did not say “Go forth and sit quietly in a pew, only listening, and it’s OK fine to not attend church most of the time. You are good to go.” 

We are told to believe and obey and repentance is the first order of business. All of which is in the Bible. Know God by reading the scripture, and find out how we are supposed to honor and give glory to Him. The bible was never meant to entertain you. That is a major issue with just about everybody these days, they have to be constantly entertained or they won’t do it. I was like that too. God said be Holy for I am Holy. (1 Peter 1:16) How you even understand what Holy is, is to pick up that book, or go online or on your phone and see what it says. It will change your life. The Truth will set you Free!

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

Last Sunday we sang our tradition Christmas Hymns. I love these old songs and thought I would share them with you. As you listen to these hymns, please remember the reason for them. To give praise, honor and glory to Christ Jesus, our Savior, Lord and King. Merry Christmas!

Joy To The World

Hark The Herald Angels Sing

Angels We Have Heard On High

Good Christian Men Rejoice

We have much to be thankful for this year. Many might disagree with all that is going on, however, in James 1 vv. 2 and 3, we find advice from this Apostle to consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Do you find it hard when trouble finds you, to be joyful? Consider this story from Bestie ten Boom, sister to Corrie.
https://deeprootsathome.com/betsie-and-the-fleas/

I believe that faith is the issue here. As mentioned in my last Bible Study post, everything you have comes from above. This pearl of truth comes from John the Baptist in John 3:27. The ruling class of that day rejected that truth, just as our own ruling class has rejected it today. Solomon absolutely nailed it when he said there is nothing new under the sun. (Ecc 1:9) So, 2000 years later, or in the case of Solomon, almost 3000 years later, we as God’s creatures have not changed one bit. Still not wanting to believe or even be thankful to the One who has given us our daily bread. (Matthew 6:11) Our local Caesar has outright banned Thanksgiving this year, for anyone outside your home.

Saturday, Nov. 21 through Friday, Dec. 18, Executive Order 20-99 requires all Minnesotans to:

* Limit social gatherings to one household.
* Not gather outside of your household.
* Postpone all celebrations, events, receptions, and parties, including any social gatherings for weddings and funerals.

He doesn’t seem very thankful to me. As I said, faith is the issue. Do you have faith in Man or God? Much of this beleaguered land seems to have chosen poorly.

My daily reading of the scripture has brought me to Psalm 139. David, the author of this Psalm and a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14) says something that I think most of us have forgotten or have just plain rejected. I think it is the absolute key Psalm for what ails the nation. Everything that is wrong with this country could be fixed with understanding and belief in this Psalm. Read it and bolster your faith and trust in God and truly be thankful. His arms are indeed not too short. (Isaiah 59:1)

Psalm 139
1 Lord, You have searched me and known me.
2 You know when I sit down and when I get up;
You understand my thought from far away.
3 You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, Lord, You know it all.
5 You have encircled me behind and in front,
And placed Your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is too high, I cannot comprehend it.

7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.
9 If I take up the wings of the dawn,
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,
10 Even there Your hand will lead me,
And Your right hand will take hold of me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me,
And the light around me will be night,”
12 Even darkness is not dark to You,
And the night is as bright as the day.
Darkness and light are alike to You.

13 For You created my innermost parts;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will give thanks to You, because I am awesomely and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully formed in the depths of the earth;
16 Your eyes have seen my formless substance;
And in Your book were written
All the days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them.

17 How precious also are Your thoughts for me, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the sand.
When I awake, I am still with You.

19 If only You would put the wicked to death, God;
Leave me, you men of bloodshed.
20 For they speak against You wickedly,
And Your enemies take Your name in vain.
21 Do I not hate those who hate You, Lord?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?
22 I hate them with the utmost hatred;
They have become my enemies.

23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
Put me to the test and know my anxious thoughts;
24 And see if there is any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.

I received an email from my Sister in Law a few days ago. It was a rather poor quality audio recording of her granddaughter Rachel schooling her 3 sisters in the Trinity. I worked 2 days on cleaning up the audio and finally got it to the point of being able to understand what’s being said. In typical Rachel fashion, she’s got a pretty firm understanding of theology, for a 5 year old, and brooks no dissension from her siblings. Hyperbole and irony are used with reckless abandon. There are many adults with weaker understanding of the subject at hand.

And because it’s so darn cute, here’s Rachel a bit younger, singing the Doxology.

It was a beautiful day yesterday. 70 degrees and light wind, so I decided to take a stroll around town. The only fly in the punch bowl is my strolling capability has become less than desirable of late, so I used the drone to see the town. Took a whole 5 minutes from 300 feet up. Enjoy!

I was up early as is my usual habit. What is early you ask? Around 4:30am although of late 2:30am has been calling my name more often than not. When that happens, I come downstairs, fire up Grace Stream and let Johnny Mac lull me back to sleep with one of his 50 years of sermons. My wife thinks I am crazy because MacArthur gets a bit shouty at times, but I drift off anyway. 

Getting back to my story, I checked the weather forecast while sipping coffee and it looked good, real good. Along about 6:30am, after a rousing bowl of oatmeal, I glanced out the still dark window and went back to my computer, checking again at what time the sun rises. I started to get antsy and pace around; my pacing game has suffered a bit with the onset of ALS. I tend to shamble about instead of prancing smartly, from window to window, but it’s all good.

At 7am, I took the drone out of its travel pouch and got it set up. I am banned from the porch roof so the back step is now my launch pad. I sent the drone up and gave it orders to snap a photo every 15 seconds. Once it was at altitude, I went back in the house and sipped some more coffee. The drone can stay up there for about 30 minutes and that was good for one coffee and a chocolate bar my Mother in Law made. I stepped back outside and the sky was lit up and red.   

My Pi Camera was also doing its job. It gets everything from 0’dark thirty to sun up. Also got a shot of my drone coming back to earth. Looks like I missed a nice flush of color early, but that’s Ok, my ground team took care of that.

And since we are at peak color, I put a new battery in the drone and sent it up for a look at the town. Lots of nice color, but with all the wind we have been having, I don’t think it will last long. We’ve been blessed with a nice fall and remember to give thanks to the Father for all that you have.

The wind finally died down and I had seen the Harvest Moon rise last night through the trees to the East. My plan was to send the drone up 10 minutes or so before sunup and get images of them both by swinging the drone from East to West. Ah, the best laid plans of men quite often run awry of our Creator’s Will. Namely clouds in the West.But all was not lost. This is my favorite time of the year, the colors, the soft light, the absolute lack of mosquitoes buzzing in your face. A glorious time of year. I did get a few curious looks from High Schoolers who walk past our place on the way to school. They saw some old dude staring up into the sky and then periodically looking down at something he was holding, all the while waving around like some dandelion being buffeted by the wind, which there was none. Probably thought, “just another day in the neighborhood, this being 2020 and all.” From some of the teenagers I have encountered, I’m pretty sure I did not register on their internal radar at all. I pointed my drone to the East and waited for the sun to rise. And it did so with a beep, from my drone controller saying it was going to land the drone right now, cause the battery was doing it’s storage discharging thing, which it is not supposed to do when 200 feet in the sky. Smart machines being not so smart. I got some nice photos anyway. Enjoy

It’s been windy of late, noticeably windy according to the weather forecasters. Too windy to fly the drone for the most part. This morning was a beautiful sunrise, as captured by my Pi camera and that got me thinking about flying. I had to reposition the Pi camera several times last week due to it being moved around by the wind. And that got me thinking about not flying.

This afternoon, the sun peaked out for a bit and my caution over flying in the wind abated to the point that I dragged my drone from its resting place, blew the dust off it as it had been sitting around for several weeks and sent it up.

I went up to 141 feet in altitude and called it good enough. Did my traditional picture taking, and got caught in a shower that I knew was coming but had not paid any attention to while flying. Found out that my drone will come down like a somewhat buoyant rock when asked. These things are not waterproof but won’t melt when wet either. The leaves are coloring up nicely. That is something I like about living in Minnesota. Kansas leaves sort of yellow up and then turn brown. But then Kansas generally doesn’t get below zero and 100 inches of snow that lasts until late April.

Many things have changed in my life since being converted to a believer. My life as a dry branch was what I think most people experience. Frustrations of daily life, petty hate of people you disagree with. You do things, and wonder what compelled you to do such a thing. Short answer, satan.

John 15:6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.

The bible is pretty clear on what happens with dry branches. Cast into the fire. This includes people that think they are “good.”

The bible is also crystal clear on who is good.

Luke 18:19 And Jesus said to him, Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.

But God wants none to be lost, and dry branches can be brought back to life. 

John 15:1 I am a true sprouting vine, and the farmer who tends the vine is my Father.

Really, you should read all of John. You’ll be better for it.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

And remember, if you are interested in God, God is interested in you.

My love of history and my new found willingness to obey God has led me to study early Christianity. 1st century Christians, those from 100AD to 200AD chose to follow and express their faith in something I see similar to our small Baptist church. Those early Christians would sing hymns and praises to start out their service and move on to fellowship and the breaking of bread. This is pretty much what we do, with the exception of not breaking bread every service. Yes, I have made mention of that, but tradition is strong, even outside the Catholic church, and they’re not willing to entertain communion every Sunday, yet.

And because of the mandate from our local Cesar, we cannot shake hands or greet each other, at all. And this is a very big change for us. It used to be all of 10 minutes of fellowship, hugs and smiles. New people coming to the church always were amazed at this. Sadly, we can’t now, but I am sure if we called it a protest of some current idiocy, we would be granted full access to each other. Crazy times.

Here is one of our favorite hymns that was used to close the service. Even if we are restricted in our lives, God is still good and it truly is well with our souls. Remember to read John, all of it.