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Wednesday, 21 January 2009
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One God
"My family is Buddhist, and my parents didn't want me to look into other beliefs," she commented.I sat facing a beautiful young lady whose huge, dark eyes stared back at me. "Really, I think, the gods of different religions are basically the same one," she added slowly.She described a few of her family's beliefs and traditions. She explained the after-life, as they know it. But her eyes questioned, and her tone was doubtful. "It doesn't exactly make sense ... I haven't really claimed it as my own."The moment before I responded was quiet--on the outside. Inside, my thoughts and feelings tumbled over each other. I felt the bursting thrill of a 4-year-old girl holding her surprise in both hands behind her back. Her whole face is lit up with anticipation of revealing and sharing her precious treasure. Truth is indeed a treasure worth sharing, and Truth is a Person.I felt utter gratefulness for God's work in my parents, grandparents, great-grandparents.
But it's not only my family who holds these beliefs: God has redeemed my heart and changed my life. "I'm a believer in Jesus Christ," I began simply. "I believe in the God of the Bible because I know how He's changed me. He's answered my prayers. I've seen His power..."She listened to my spontaneous testimony, intrigued. She wanted to know more. She wanted a Bible. "The Bible says that there is only one God," I commented, as I gave her a Bible and showed her its division of books.One God. My mind returned to the story I read only this morning in 1 Samuel 5; I marvel at the Holy Spirit's preparation in both her heart and mine. The Philistines defeated the Israelites in battle, and captured the ark of the covenant. They moved the ark to Ashdod, and gave it an honored position, beside their god Dagon. It appeared reasonable and appropriate--the Israelites' God and their own god (one of many), Dagon. Although they recognized this God as mighty (the One who brought plagues to the Egyptians, they noted), they didn't realize something: this God doesn't share.I serve a holy God who accepts nothing less than everything. He demands preeminence, and does not share His glory with another.The Philistines slept well that night, no doubt, in sweet victory. The next morning, however, a troubling sight greets them. Dagon was on its face before the ark of the Lord. They quickly make amends, and set it in it's place, somewhat mystified by the scene. The next day's sun rose upon a more startling picture. Not only was Dagon on the ground, but its head and hands, broken off the revered god, also lay scattered. At last the Philistines recognize the power of the Israelite's God, but instead of worshiping Him, they seek to escape Him.One God. My new friend said she wanted to know more about Christianity. I suggested that she begin reading in John. And I told her that God promises in the Bible that if you seek Him with your whole heart, you will find Him. Her fascination renewed my own joy and gratefulness for my God and Savior. He's been the one God since before our time began. He is a living God! And He's all-powerful.
Friday, 09 January 2009
Sunday, 28 December 2008
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Only a few more days of 2008 ...
Friday, 26 December 2008
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Christmas at home ... the wonderful time with my family makes me think back over this year and the constant reminders I see of God's goodness.
May our homes be filled with dancing, may our streets be filled with joy...
May injustice bow to Jesus, as the people turn to pray...
From the mountains to the valleys, hear our praises rise to You...
From the heavens to the nations, hear our singing fill the air...
May Your light shine in the darkness as we walk before the cross...
May Your glory fill the whole earth as the water o'er seas...
Hallelujah, Hallelujah...
- Hillsong
Saturday, 29 November 2008
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If you drive through a cattle feedyard, you might think that all looks about the same. Little calves, fat cattle, yearlings. "Red, brown, yellow, black and white..."But don't be deceived. The feedlot is alive with fascinating features. Although subtle, fashion statements are made. While humans shop for coordinating clothes and accessories, a whole new level of style can be observed in a group of bovines who feature ear tags. Earrings are generally worn for jewelry; these, however, state an identifying lot number. (If you think you have an identity crisis, how would you like to be one of several hundred with identical lot numbers?) For general cheer around the farm, these ear tags are colored--sometimes to represent owner, but usually coincidental colors.Take, for example, one of my favorites: the sixty-five calves in Pen 25 are mostly red. Their ear tags are either burnt orange or yellow. Yes, these are the autumn classics.Haven't you heard that turquoise transcends color classifications? Almost anybody, regardless of hair color and skin tones, looks great in turquoise. Don't be flattered: it's not just humans.Pen 14, home to 178 heifers, is quite striking. While most pens have mixed-color cattle, these are all light. The impression I always get is a bunch of blondes. And they're all wearing turquoise ear tags. Stunning. The next time you try to dress like your friends, please remember the dozens of blonde-with-turquoise heifers. You're not original.But returning to the original point, turquoise doesn't only enhance blondes. The steers in Pen 46 are all black (read: I am no longer objective, being quite partial to black cattle). They've been here on feed for about 123 days, so they're fairly big. But when you see those uniform guys with turquoise tags ... wow. Don't stare too long.It's normal to see just one ear tag, and maybe a brand on the hip. But some groups are into multiple piercings. Incidentally, it's for a good purpose. If you pass a pen of cattle featuring double, identical tags, they're most likely in the age-verified program. The extra paperwork is worth the bonus received after slaughter. These cattle come with verifying information of birth date (earliest birth date of any calf in the lot), individual owner information, and they are sold slightly younger than normal. The double tagging is precautionary, because without a tag, they are dropped from the program. They might toss their head to show off those double tags, but they just don't know that their fate is an early death, and travel to Japan. Due to Japan's restrictions on U.S. beef, slaughter-houses offer cattle feeders a bonus to prove that the lot of cattle is within the required age, at time of slaughter.Speaking of ... this morning, four pens of fat cattle watched in bewilderment as the feed truck poured thousands of pounds of goodness into the bunks all around them. When would breakfast arrive? Their troubles hadn't even begun. Instead of finding feed in the bunk, they were escorted by two cowboys, in the foggy, morning dimness, into the alley. Several minutes later, the alley curved into a chute. They were urged up the muddy chute into compartments on a semi. You think your life changes fast? For months and months, their life consisted of eating, sleeping and socializing. Unlike most females I know, these girls were encouraged to eat more and exercise less. And now, away from the only life they know, within ten minutes, the semi pulls onto the scales (wow, those girls did good on feed). Within a couple hours, they will be unloaded two states away. And they climb on the long assembly line that leads to ... your grocery store.Returning to style and fashion, now. Pens 16 and 18 have black cattle and orange tags. No, that is not even a remotely creative color combination. The contrast stands out ... but I'm not impressed.But don't stop reading. Coming up, we have the greatest ever fashion phenomenon. In Pen 24, those girls have avocado green tags. It's basically amazing. And you might not believe this, but a few of them even have a second one: baby pink.Beef: It's what's for dinner.
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I want to know what the hope of His calling is, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward me, a believer, according to the working of His mighty power.
Ephesians 1:18-19
