We Give Thanks

Today did not go so great. Frustrations piled up one by one and I believe I just “lost” it.  I said things I wish I had not. I did things that I should not, my mood totally bad and messed up the way it should never happen. Did you ever have a day like that?

To combat that mood, I started thinking of all the things I am thankful to God for and all the blessings he has given us.  I am glad that God forgives us when we turn back to him and repent.

We need to give thanks for the earth God created and gave to us. Thank you for the mountain’s majesty, the sea’s vastness, the exquisite beauty we find all around.

He took infinite care to create the earth, the oceans, the fish in them, and the animals that we love so much.

 

We thank him for the people he made for us.  Thank you for our families even when they exasperate us, betray us, or hurt us the same way we often do to God.

Thank you for the newborn baby’s cry and the hope for tomorrow.


Thank you for loving us when we don’t deserve it. Thank you for the sacrifice you made on the cross.  Though you never sinned, you died for sinners. Thank you for making Heaven and promising your followers a place there.

Superman and Jesus

They just made another Superman movie, “Man of Steel.” It started me thinking about Superman and Jesus.

We know a lot about Superman’s origins.  In the Superman comics and movies, we learn that he was the sole survivor who escaped from the doomed planet Krypton. His parents put him on a rocket ship just before the planet exploded. He lands on planet earth where a family named Kent finds and adopts him.

We know little about his growing up years. His stories of heroism start when he was in his early 30s.  He is a reporter for the Daily Planet and his love interest, Lois Lane, also works there.

Whenever there is a crime, he ducks into a telephone booth (remember those?), changes into his superman cape and springs into action. He can leap tall buildings and do other impossible stuff. The biggest mystery is why Lois cannot figure out Clark’s real identity.

In the movies He battles evil gods and entities that try to control the planet and destroy him.

Jesus

His origins are well documented. His story starts in the Old Testament when prophets tell of his future arrival on earth. It details his genealogy. We learn that his father was the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary his mother. 

It continues in the New Testament with the familiar Christmas story. His earthly parents, Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem to pay taxes. Mary is great with child and labor starts when they reach the city.  All the inns are filled but one innkeeper lets them use the stable. Mary gives birth there.

King Herod finds out about the new baby king and orders his soldiers to kill him. In the process they kill all the boy babies of the Jews.  His father in heaven protects him by telling Joseph to use a different route to return home.

We know very little of Jesus childhood except for the story of him preaching in the temple at age 12. He confounded the wise men with his knowledge and wisdom.

Both Superman and Jesus began with parents beyond the earth.  Both came to earth and humble families raised them. Both came into power at age 33, the ideal age. Both performed good deeds on earth.  Superman fought crime and defended the weak. Jesus made the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the lame to walk, and made the leper clean.

Both wanted anonymity. Superman hid behind his shy countenance and glasses. Jesus told people to go and to tell no one of the miracles they received.

The Real Superman

 We need to remember that Superman is a fictional character.  He never lived and is not real. He is never going to save you from evil and will never be there when you need him.

You can depend on Jesus.  He is real, the living God.  He is there to comfort, heal, and save you for eternity. Which Superman do you want?

Image "Seeking Jesus" from Public-Domain-Images.com

Dads Matter

In today’s world, fathers are more important than ever. We need godly dads to love, guide, and be examples for children.  Both boys and girls need a father’s guidance as they grow. Girls learn whether men are good, or bad by watching and listening to their dads.

Today, as in the days of Noah, people commit all sorts of sin and schools reinforce the idea that anything is okay. There is a “if it feels good, do it” philosophy in the world today.

Noah, a Godly Father

Noah is an example for all fathers to follow and emulate.

Noah obeyed God in all things.  He and his wife raised children who obeyed him and honored God by putting Him first in all aspects of life.

Wickedness abounded around them, just as it does in modern times.

 People committed all manner of sins and degradations. They drowned out the voice of God. Their wickedness was so great that God decided to destroy the world, but spared Noah and his family.

He ordered Noah to build a great ark and to fill it with some of every animal that lived on earth. Up until that time, it never rained. God caused water to come from the inside of the earth to keep it green.

Noah ignored the taunts and laughter of people who mocked him for building a big boat where there was no water.  It was important to him to do what God told him to do.

Can you imagine yourself building a great floating palace in your backyard? What would your neighbors do and say?

Noah, his wife, his three sons, and the animals they cared for survived the great flood that swept away all others because they trusted and obeyed..

Same Today

Today, we find a very similar situation. Many have turned away from God and laugh at believers. 

We need you fathers to lead and raise godly children.  We need you to fill in for children who don’t know their father.  Your family needs you and the world needs you. 

Happy Father's Day!

 Image from personal album

Be Kind to one Another

Recently, my car started spewing oil out over the engine. Smoke and stink of burned oil filled every ride.  I knew that something needed fixing fast but garages charge much more than the budget allowed at the time.

One of the men in our church looked at it.  He said he thought he could fix it, and he did. He bought a gasket and installed it.  It took him three hours and he charged me nothing. That was an incredible act of love and charity and I will always be thankful.

The Bible has a lot to say about kindness, compassion, and love (charity). We find examples of it everywhere.

Romans 13:10 says to love our neighbor to fulfill the law. Romans 15:5   says that we should be like the God of patience and consolation. Acts 20:35 reminds us that we should support the weak and that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

Romans 15:5 - Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

Of course, Jesus performed the ultimate act of love.

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Charity

Charity is hard for many of us.  We think of people with their hands stretched out and a “gimme” attitude or bums on the street hitting you up for money.  1 Peter 4:8 says charity will cover a multitude of sins. Matthew 5:42 admonishes us to give to those who ask and not to turn them away. 

Romans 15:2 - Let every one of us please [his] neighbour for [his] good to edification.

Compassion

Compassion is a lot of things. It is love for one another, and doing the right thing. It is being courteous and speaking only good as it edifies and brings grace upon us.

1 Peter 3:8 - Finally, [be ye] all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, [be] pitiful, [be] courteous:

Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Kindness Lasts 

The kindness of my friend at church will outlive the car.  Any act of kindness, no matter how great or small will stay with the one who gives and the one who receives the love behind it. 

Be kind to someone today.It does not need to cost anything.  A smile, greeting, or friendly word could make all the difference to a hurting person.

And be sure to pass on any love, caring, or compassion  you receive along the way. If we each perform random acts of kindness, we make the world a happier place and fulfill God's law.

 
Images: Public Domain Pictures

Verybestquotes.com

Bible quotes from King James Version  


 


 

Animals in Heaven

What does your pet mean to you? Some people consider them family members.  Others believe they are angels sent from heaven as companions and comforters. Many wonder whether they will see their beloved dog, cat, or other animals in heaven with them

someday.

I asked the Christian Professional Worldwide group on LinkedIn whether there will be animals in heaven and found that many wanted to know the same thing.  Many shared amazing stories of devotion to and from their favorite pets. All had an opinion.

The Bible gives clues to the answer.

In Genesis 2 God brought the animals to Adam and asked him what he wanted to call them. Many people believe that since people love animals so much, he will provide them in Heaven because He wants people to be happy there.

Some think that their pets become new creations and not the same as Fluffy or Max they loved on earth.

Horses in Heaven

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.” Revelation 19:11, 14 KJV

 Isaiah 11 provides more clues:

⁶ The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.

⁷ And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

⁸ And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.

⁹ They shall not hurt nor destroy in my entire holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.

I think there will be animals in heaven.  God made them and people love them. He wants us to be happy and I believe animals that give us joy and companionship will be part of the reward.

I remember our dog Hiccups and my dear Annie, among others. Remembering Hiccups baying through the countryside as she chased rabbits and Annie who always wanted to be with us set me to wondering if I would see them again someday. That prompted me to ask what others think.

What do you Think?

Do you have stories to share about your favorite animal friend? Will you see them in Heaven? I would love it if you would share with the rest of us.  

Images:

Horses-public-domain-images.com

Annie- (C) J Schlicker 2004 

BibleGateway.com KJV