What are you counting?

Count your blessings instead of your crosses:
Count your gains instead of your losses.
Count your joys instead of your woes;
Count your friends instead of your foes.
Count your smiles instead of your tears;
Count your courage instead of your fears.
Count your full years instead of your lean;
Count your deeds instead of your mean.
Count your health instead of your wealth;
Love your neighbor as much as yourself.
-unknown-

The Nose of the Camel

The Nose of the Camel

Have you heard the story of the bedouin who found himself out in the middle of the desert on a very cold night? He unloaded his gear from his camel, pitched his tent, cooked a very meager dinner then curled up under some blankets and tried to go to sleep. It wasn't long before the camel stuck his nose between the tent flaps and pleaded, "Master, it's terribly cold out here and I worked so hard for you all day. Please let me warm up my nose for awhile." The bedouin thought to himself, "Yes, the poor thing has had a hard day. I should let him warm his nose, that's the least I could do to thank him for his labor." So he let the camel warm his nose and soon the bedouin was nodding off to sleep. After a short while he heard a noise and looked up to see the camel had pushed his entire head into the small tent. "Hey, what are you doing?" he shouted. "Please Master", said the camel, "My ears were freezing. Be so kind and let me warm up my ears for awhile." The bedouin thought, "I'll be nice to him. It is a very cold night." So he let the camel leave his head in the tent. It wasn't long before he was awakened again and found the camel had now pushed his front legs and shoulder into the tent. "Oh, please Master. Just let me warm my feet. It's freezing out there."

You get the drift. Before the night was over the bedouin was sharing his little tent with a big stinking camel and there was no way he could get him back out into the cold air.

This story is ancient. It has been told over and over to children, families, individuals, tribes, organizations and yes, even to churches to illustrate how important it is to be discerning with regard to what you are willing to accept.

2 John 10 "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house" (or tent)

On 7 January 1855 the minister of New Park Street Chapel, Southwark, opened his morning sermon as follows:

“It has been said by someone that 'the proper study of mankind is man'.  I will not oppose the idea, but I believe it is equally true that the proper study of God's elect is God;  the proper study of a Christian is the Godhead.  The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings , and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father.

There is something exceedingly improving to the mind in a contemplation of the Divinity.  It is a subject so vast, that all our thoughts are lost in its immensity; so deep, that our pride is drowned in its infinity.  Other subjects we can compass and grapple with; in them we feel a kind of self-content, and go our way with the thought, ' Behold I am wise'.  But when we come to this master-science, finding that our plumb-line cannot sound its depth, and that our eagle eye cannot see its height, we turn away with the thought that vain man would be wise, but he is like a wild ass's colt; and with solemn exclamation, 'I am but of yesterday, and know nothing'.  No subject of contemplation will tend more to humble the mind, than thoughts of God...

But while the subject humbles the mind, it also expands it.  He who often thinks of God, will have a larger mind than the man who simply plods around this narrow globe... The most excellent study for expanding the soul, is the science of Christ, and Him crucified, and the knowledge of the Godhead in the glorious Trinity.  Nothing will so enlarge the intellect, nothing so magnify the whole soul of man, as a devout, earnest continued investigation of the great subject of the Deity.

And, whilst humbling and expanding, this subject is eminently consolatory.  Oh, there is, in contemplating Christ, a balm for every wound; in musing on the Father, there is a quietus for every grief; and in the influence of the Holy Ghost, there is a balsam for every sore.  Would you lose your sorrow?  Would you drown your cares?  Then go plunge yourself in the God-head's deepest sea; be lost in his immensity; and you shall come forth as from a couch of rest, refreshed and invigorated.  I know nothing which can so comfort the soul; so calm the swelling billows of sorrow and grief; so speak peace to the winds of trial, as a devout musing upon the subject of the Godhead.  It is to that subject that I invite you this morning...”

These words, spoken over a century ago by C. H. Spurgeon (at that time, incredibly, only twenty years old) were true then, and they are true now.

Treasures in Heaven

Matthew 6:19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Banks were closed in Cyprus after the government announced that it was going to confiscate 10% of every savings account to pay for the EU bailout of the country's failing financial system. ATM's were emptied within minutes of the announcement. A run on the bank is expected when the doors open for business. The question on the minds of many is, "Can this happen in Spain, in Portugal, in the U. S. of A.?  The financial experts seem to agree that, yes, it could happen in another country but not likely in exactly the same manner. They say that nothing is safe from the government if it wants to take it. In the USA they say it would more than likely be the seizure of a percentage of a stockholder's portfolio since that is where the bulk of saving are found.

 The point I'm trying to make is that nothing is really secure this side of heaven. They say that when we die, we can't take anything with us. True, but we can send something ahead. The vermin and thieves, whether they be four legged, two legged or bureaucratic will not be able to touch it. Jesus said that even a cup of water given in His name will be rewarded.  "In His name" has something to do with our motives.  I question whether my motives have always been for the glory of God and not for the glory of me.  I really want to send something ahead.

After a hiatus of over two years I'd like to begin sharing again. Hopefully, a thought each day.

I am privileged to have a few Italian-American friends. In the past several months we have gathered together a number of times for great fellowship and tasty Italian style cooking. At some point the accordion comes out and we sing. There are always gospel songs and sometimes a few traditional songs in Italian.

The grandson of William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, William E. Booth-Clibborn wrote the gospel song, "Down From His Glory". It was set to the music of "O Solo Mio". The last few times that the "Italian bunch" has gotten together we have tried our best to sing with gusto, "Down From His Glory". It has touched my heart because it reflects so accurately what I believe and how Jesus stooped into my darkness to pick me up and save my soul over 50 years ago while I served in the US Army. Here are the lyrics:

Down from His glory, Ever living story, My God and Savior came, And Jesus was His name. Born in a manger, To His own a stranger, A man of sorrows, tears and agony.

Refrain:  O how I love Him! (O solo mio) How I adore Him!  My breath, my sunshine, my all in all. The great Creator became my Savior, And all God’s fullness dwelleth in Him. 

What condescension, Bringing us redemption; That in the dead of night, Not one faint hope in sight, God, gracious, tender, Laid aside His splendor, Stooping to woo, to win, to save my soul. 

Refrain: O how I love Him...........

Without reluctance, Flesh and blood His substance, He took the form of man, Revealed the hidden plan, O glorious mystery Sacrifice of Calv’ry, And now I know Thou art the great “I Am.”

Refrain:  O how I love Him.............

Traditions: Useful or Useless?

"Experience supplies painful proof that traditions once called into being are first called useful, then they become necessary. At last they are too often made idols, and all must bow down to them or be punished." J.C.Ryle

With the new year let's take a long, hard look and then courageously rid ourselves of those which are useless and a hindrance to an intimate relationship with God.

Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

Before the advent of aircraft and spy satellites it was a great strategic advantage for an army to have command over the high ground of the battlefield. From these heights the general could discern the movements of the enemy forces and position his own troops to the greatest advantage. Without this perspective a commanding general was nearly blind to what the enemy was doing.

As we enter a new year it is my hope that all of us will be found standing on higher ground spiritually. It is only from this "vantage point" that we will be able to "see" what is happening in our world and act or react in an appropriate manner. The spiritual "high ground" is our knowledge of and committment to abide in the doctrine of Christ and His Word. I quote a great Christian admired by millions.

"Every spiritual problem is at bottom theological. Its solution will depend upon the teaching of Holy Scriptures plus a correct understanding of that teaching. That correct understanding constitutes a spiritual philosophy, that is, a viewpoint, a high vantage ground from which the whole landscape may be seen at once, each detail appearing in its proper relation to everything else. Once such vantage ground is gained, we are in a position to evaluate any teaching or interpretaton that is offered us in the name of truth." A.W. Tozer

We have been warned that perilous times will come. We need that "high ground" perspective.

The Wonder of Christmas

The wonder of Christmas is often depicted by the sparkeling eyes and broad, expectant smile of a child getting ready to take off the beautiful paper and ribbons from the gifts left under the Christmas tree by Santa Claus.

The true wonder is that the Creator of the universe divested Himself of His glory (not His diety) and came into the world, born in a humble stable, by a virgin, Mary.

He came as the GIFT of God. "For God so loved the world that He GAVE His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16

Jesus GAVE His life as an atoning sacrifice for your sins and mine, and now offers the GIFT of forgiveness and reconciliation with God, the penalty for our transgressions having been fully paid for by His death on the cross.

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

How Can You Tell if It's True Love?

Months ago in a piece titled, "The Hormonal Choice" I wrote about the "love cocktail" of hormones which generate the feelings we so often associate with love. (Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at http://2knowthetruth.blogspot.com ). True love cannot be reduced to feelings alone. True love is a lot deeper than feelings and remains when feelings are absent. For example: During a crisis we become absorbed with the circumstances around us which, in turn, control our feelings. The death of a child often ruins a marriage because the feelings of grief overwhelm the feelings of love for the spouse.

True love exists even when there are no "feelings" of love present and actually it is during these times that the evidences of true love are on full display. What then are the evidences of true love?

"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." The New Testament 1 Corintians 13:4-8

If you think deeply about the above quote, you will notice that true love, rather than being a "feeling" is demonstrated by choices we make and actions we take. We can say that LOVE IS A CHOICE to act in a certain way whether or not loving feelings are present. It's easy to say, "I love you". A bit harder to prove it by what we choose to do and say.

Seven of the Most Dangerous Lies Your Spiritual Mentor May be Telling You

I just read an article about lies doctors tell their patients. The patient is trusting that he will be told the absolute truth about an illness, it's cause, it's treatment, and the probable course and chance of recovery. For various reasons doctors may not speak the truth about one or more of these. For example: He may not actually know for sure what is happening and makes a "diagnosis" which, in reality, is just a guess; he may not want to give false hope or depressing news; he may not be aware of a new treatment or doesn't believe in a certain treatment. etc.

Most of us, at some time in our lives, have had a "spiritual" question and have sought an answer from a spiritual leader. Here are seven of the most dangerous lies being told. Lies which could have eternal consequences.

The Lie: Don't be so hard on yourself, you're putting yourself on a guilt trip.
The Truth: There is such a thing as false guilt, but there is also real guilt that needs to be dealt with now, in this life, before it's too late.

The Lie: Religeon is just man's attempt to find answers to the unanswerable and to find some kind of meaning in life. It is man made. Someday soon we will no longer need it. Don't take it so seriously.
The Truth: There is an "Intelligence" reflected in all of creation and especially the highest creation, man. It is reasonable to assume that this Intelligence, God, would communicate with man, and He has in many ways. His inspired scripture, The Holy Bible, is His only guidebook to a relationship with Him and a for a meaningful life.

The Lie: It doesn't really matter what you believe. Just try to live a good life.
The Truth: It really does matter what you believe. You can't turn your back on the true God, make Him to be something He isn't, ignore His communications and not suffer the consequences.

The Lie: You're OK. I'm OK, we're all OK.
The Truth: We're not OK. We have all sinned against an infinitely Holy God.

The Lie: There are many roads to the top of the mountain. All of them are ok.
The Truth: Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me."

The Lie: The Bible is full of untruths and contradictions.
The Truth: There are some things difficult to understand, but no errors or contradictions.

The Lie: Jesus did not suffer the wrath of God on the cross to atone for your sins. We don't really know how God takes away our guilt.
The Truth: Jesus died on the Cross for your sins and mine in order to satisfy the infinite justice of God. If there was another way for man to be saved from his sins, Jesus would not have died the humiliating and terrible death by crucifiction.

Don't believe the lies and more important, don't tell them to others who may be seeking answers. The worst thing you could do to a person with a serious illness would be to tell them that they are ok and deny them the very thing that would cure them.

dot, dot, dot; dash, dash, dash; dot, dot, dot

Dot dot dot dash dash dash dot dot dot. ...---...

Does this have any meaning to you? Well, if you are over 50 years old it is full of meaning and just hearing this strange "code" conjurs visions of storm tossed ships on the high seas in danger of sinking. Morse telegraph code for the letters
"S", "O", "S" which mean "Save our ship".

Today with G4, Smart phones, satellite communication and the "world wide webb" there is a generation of young people who don't know what "telegraph" or "Morse code" are. If you ask them what dot dot dot dash dash dash dot dot dot means they may tell you they think it is something from Harry Potter.

There was a time when everyone knew the meaning of SOS. We were taught that someday, if we were in danger, this could save our lives.

There is another "life saving message" that is being forgotten in America and Europe. It is the message from our Creator who says, "Your sins have separated you from Me. My Infinite Justice and Holiness demands a penalty which you cannot pay so I came to earth and took the penalty upon myself in the Person of Jesus Christ. If you will receive Him as your Savior and Lord then you will be saved from the guilt and penalty of your sin because the penalty has been paid in full."

That the Son of God, Jesus, could take upon himself the penalty for your sins and mine is not an archaic message. It is the only pathway to eternal life.

Believe it, receive it. It will save your life.

Are you committing the sins of Sodom? Take the test - it might surprise you.

Q.1. Comparing yourself to the 1 billion half starved, poverty stricken Asians and Africans, do you think you might be considered a proud person?

Q.2. Do you have more than enough to eat every day? If you are 1 lb. overweight the answer is yes.

Q.3. Do you have a lot of spare time? There are 168 hours in a week. If you have a 40 hour work week there are 128 hours remaining. Sleep 8 hours a day? You have 72 hours left. That's almost half a week. What do you do with those 72 hours? Watch tv? Play video games? Shoot hoops? Hang out?

Q.4. What exactly are you doing for the poor and needy? A 5 dollar turkey once a year? Your generousity overwhelms me.

Now read the "other" reasons why God sent fire and brimstone down on Sodom.

MAYBE IT'S TIME FOR ALL OF US TO DO A SERIOUS SELF EXAMINIATION AND REARRANGE OUR PRIORITIES. WE MAY BE GIVING AN ACCOUNT BEFORE THE "BEMA" OF CHRIST SOONER THAN WE THINK.


Ezekiel 16:49
"Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy."

The Nose of the Camel

Have you heard the story of the bedouin who found himself out in the middle of the desert on a very cold night? He unloaded his gear from his camel, pitched his tent, cooked a very meager dinner then curled up under some blankets and tried to go to sleep. It wasn't long before the camel stuck his nose between the tent flaps and pleaded, "Master, it's terribly cold out here and I worked so hard for you all day. Please let me warm up my nose for awhile." The bedouin thought to himself, "Yes, the poor thing has had a hard day. I should let him warm his nose, that's the least I could do to thank him for his labor." So he let the camel warm his nose and soon the bedouin was nodding off to sleep. After a short while he heard a noise and looked up to see the camel had pushed his entire head into the small tent. "Hey, what are you doing?" he shouted. "Please Master", said the camel, "My ears were freezing. Be so kind and let me warm up my ears for awhile." The bedouin thought, "I'll be nice to him. It is a very cold night." So he let the camel leave his head in the tent. It wasn't long before he was awakened again and found the camel had now pushed his front legs and shoulder into the tent. "Oh, please Master. Just let me warm my feet. It's freezing out there."

You get the drift. Before the night was over the bedouin was sharing his little tent with a big stinking camel and there was no way he could get him back out into the cold air.

This story is ancient. It has been told over and over to childen, families, individuals, tribes, organizations and yes, even to churches to illustrate how important it is to be discerning with regard to what you are willing to accept.

2 John 10 "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house" (or tent)

Isaac Newton

The mathematical and scientific discoveries of Sir Isaac Newton (1642 - 1727) are astronomical. Some of the most notable of his achievements include the invention of calculus, the discovery of the laws of motion and the law of gravitation, and the construction of the first reflecting telescope. He also was a man known for his Christian faith. He spent a great portion of his time studying the Bible with a special interest in prophecy. Following are some of his quotations.
On the Bible:
"I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the Word of God, written by men who were inspired. I study the Bible daily."
On atheism:
"Atheism is so senseless. When I look at the solar system. I see the earth at the right distance from the sun to receive the proper amounts of heat and light. This did not happen by chance."
At the time of his death, he left more than a million words of notes on the Bible. Six years after his death, Observations Upon the Prophecies of Daniel and the Apocalypse of St. John was published. Not only was Isaac a great scientist but also a dedicated student of the Bible.

from BlueLetterBible

Despised and Rejected

"It is enough for the disciple that he be as His Master." Matthew 10:25

No one will dispute this statement, for it would be unseemly for the servant to be exalted above his Master. When our Lord was on earth, what was the treatment He received? Were His claims acknowledged, His instructions followed, His perfections worshipped, by those whom He came to bless? No; "He was despised and rejected of men." Outside the camp was His place: cross-bearing was His occupation. Did the world yield Him solace and rest? "Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head." This inhospitable country afforded Him no shelter: it cast Him out and crucified Him. Such—if you are a follower of Jesus, and maintain a consistent, Christ-like walk and conversation—you must expect to be the lot of that part of your spiritual life which, in its outward development, comes under the observation of men. They will treat it as they treated the Saviour—they will despise it. Dream not that worldlings will admire you, or that the more holy and the more Christ-like you are, the more peaceably people will act towards you. They prized not the polished gem, how should they value the jewel in the rough? "If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of His household?" If we were more like Christ, we should be more hated by His enemies. It were a sad dishonour to a child of God to be the world's favourite. It is a very ill omen to hear a wicked world clap its hands and shout "Well done" to the Christian man. He may begin to look to his character, and wonder whether he has not been doing wrong, when the unrighteous give him their approbation. Let us be true to our Master, and have no friendship with a blind and base world which scorns and rejects Him. Far be it from us to seek a crown of honour where our Lord found a coronet of thorn.

C.H.Spurgeon

What is your standard of truth?

Is it you yourself? Oh, thou all knowing one!!
Is it a text book? They change almost every year.
Is it a great philosopher? What do you do with the others who see it differently?
Is it history? They say that the victor writes the tale. Revisions are too common.
Is it the majority, or consensus? The majority is often wrong. (Germany 1937-1945)
Is it science? We don't know an awful lot more than we do know!

Mine is the Holy Bible and I have a lot of reasons for accepting it as THE standard of truth in all that it affirms. It is God's revelation to man. Heed it and be blessed!!

Foresight and Leadership

"Foresight is the ability to look into the future, to come up with solutions that are good for the short term and the long term. Foresight is the most precious quality a leader can have, and it is the rarest."

J.RufusFears

Sir Walter Scott's "Mystery of all Mysteries"

Within this wonderous volume lies
The mystery of all mysteries.
Happiest they of human race
to whom their God has given grace
to read, to fear, to hope, to pray;
to lift the latch, to find the way.
And better had they ne'er been born,
who read to doubt or read to scorn.

Sir Walter Scott wrote about the Holy Bible

The Greatest Book on Earth (Poem)

This is the greatest book on earth,
Unparalleled it stands;
Its author God, its truth Divine,
Inspired in every word and line,
Tho' writ by human hands.

This is the living rock of truth
Which all assaults defies
O'er every stormy blast of time
It towers with majesty sublime;
It lives, and never dies.

This is the volume of the Cross;
Its doctrine pure, its history true,
Its Gospel old, yet ever new,
Shall evermore endure.

by J. Sidlow Baxter

A New Definition does not make the CORRECT DEFINITION false.

I was with an old friend a few days ago and heard a "bible" teacher give a new definition of the "inspiration" of the Scriptures. It was all I could do to keep my mouth shut. The bottom line was that "inspiration" does not necessarily mean that the facts are correct, it has to do with what God is trying to teach us about how to live. No!!! The time honored meaning of "inspiration" as it refers to the Bible is that the Bible is without error in all that it affirms.

Dr. John Bechtle writes:
"Some theologians teach that the Bible is inspired and authoritative, and that it is an accurate revelation of what God wants us to know about salvation—but they leave room for minor errors in non-crucial areas. One theologian, for instance, says that the Holy Spirit's work in inspiring the Bible only guarnteed “selectivity of events and accuracy of reporting and interpretation sufficient to achieve God's purpose throughout the rest of man's existence” (Dewey Beegle, Inspiration of Scripture, p. 190).

However, classic Christianity rests on the assurance that the Bible is completely accurate. It may contain statements that are (1) figures of speech, (2) non-technical descriptions, or (3) difficult to understand. But actual errors would fall into a different kind of category. If there are any errors in Scripture, no matter how small, the book can no longer be our standard of truth. I become the standard of truth, as I determine which Bible statements are right and which are wrong. And if I can't trust God to get the facts straight on things like dates and measurements (where I can check on Him), why should I expect Him to be more accurate in areas like sin and salvation (where I can't check on Him)?

The Bible doesn't use the word “inerrant,” but the idea is obvious.

■Psalm 19:7-9—“The law of the Lord is perfect… the testimony of the Lord is sure… the commandment of the Lord is pure… the judgments of the Lord are true forever.”
■Psalm 119:43—“the word of truth.”
■Psalm 119:142—“Thy law is the truth.”
■Psalm 119:160—“Thy word is true from the beginning.”
■John 17:17—“Thy word is truth.”
An inaccurate Bible contradicts God's character quality of absolute truthfulness.

■Titus 1:2—“God who cannot lie.”
■Hebrews 6:18—“It is impossible for God to lie.”
Some consider this a minor issue, but the idea that the Bible contains errors opens the door to serious spiritual danger. When people decide they have the authority to label one verse as a mistake, they soon find others that they consign to the “error” category. I've watched it happen over the years. Each generation rejects more and more Scripture, as it gets in the way of their own opinion."