The Little Books--Jude--Part 1

     We return today to our study of the little books. 
     Jude was written by the brother of James.  It is very similar to II Peter.  I think that there is more packed into this book than any of the others we've looked at so far. 
     Jude begins his epistle by stating who he is and who his audience is.  He is writing to those set apart by God and preserved by Jesus.  Jesus said that he'd been given many by the Father.  Jesus keeps us, and nothing can separate us from His love. 

Favorite Classical Composers

Rachmaninoff
Bach
Stravinsky
Bernstein
Resphigi
Barber
Haydn

Toby

     I've been thinking a lot about my friend Toby the last few days.  I've decided to write about him and get an e-book published.  He was such a great friend I just want everyone to know about him.
     I was watching Jeopardy the other afternoon when someone hit the daily double.  Toby hated that daily double buzzer.  He'd run barking through the house when that sound went off.  Thank God for my friend.

Easter

     Easter was a great day of celebration at my church.  Many people were baptized, and the first service was as full as I've ever seen it.  It was great to hear the message of resurrection.

Good Friday

     This is a solemn day.  Jesus died for us.  He who knew no sin became sin for us.  The Lord has made a way of redemption for us.  Thank be to God.

Maundy Thursday

     On the night He was betrayed, Jesus instituted the sacrament of Holy Communion. This is a lasting memorial whereby we remember the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ not only for our sins, but for the sins of the world. By His redeeming blood, we are set free.  Let us remember the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 15

     In this chapter of John's Gospel, Jesus talks about abiding in Him.  What does it mean to abide in Christ?
     First, we read His Word.  I urge you to read the Gospels and find out what Jesus has to say. 
     Second, pray.  Be in communication with the Lord.  He loves you and wants to hear from you.  When we spend time with Jesus in prayer, especially when we are silent in His presence, We hear from Jesus as He speaks to our heart. 
     Finally, I believe that abiding in Christ means obeying Him.  Jesus said if you love me you will keep my commandments.  Let us love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.

John 14

     In these verses, Jesus tells His disciples that he going to prepare a place.  This is our heavenly home.  Those who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ are assured of a place in the Father's house.  This thought is a great comfort.  To know that after life's long journey Jesus awaits, provides strength for the spirit in life's dark days. 
     While Jesus prepares us a place, He hasn't left us alone.  We have the indwelling presence and power of the Holy Spirit.  The Spirit comes along side of us.  He weeps with those who weep, and He rejoices with those who rejoice.   The Spirit is our power and strength until we stand before Jesus on that great day.

Holy Week

     This week, the blog will focus on the events of Holy Week.  This is a time of reflection on the sacrifice of Christ.  He came for us.  He died for us.  He rose for us.  He lives for us.  He will come for us. 
     Let this Holy Week season be a time of fasting and prayer.  Let us confess our sins and make a renewed commitment to serve the Lord who has given so much to us.

A Good Thought

     Someone on a blog I read made a great statement.  He said, "The Lord God made me and loves me just as I am. The Lord raised up friends to help me make it through until the day I return to be with the Lord who loves me." This gives me comfort in the midst of hard days.

Haggai--Part 3

     Chapter 2, verse 4 contains a powerful statement.  The Lord tells the people to do the work for I am with you. 
     If God places a call on our life to perform a task or ministry, He well always be with us as we attempt to do His will.
     Jesus said that He would be with us until the end of the age.  No matter the struggle, Jesus is beside us helping us to keep going until we see Him face to face. ---We will continue with Jude after Holy Week.

A Verse For the Day

John 10:15--"As the Father knoweth me, even so I know the Father:  and I lay down my life for the sheep."

Pugs

     When I was a small boy, we had a bunch of pugs.  My Mom took them to dog shows on the weekends.  The whole family had a blast.  I remember that they'd come lay on your feet as soon as you'd sit down.  They all craved human companionship.  Ti, April, Tom, Josie, and Coco were their names.  Thinking about the pugs brings back good memories.

Haggai--Part 2

    After the people returned to Jerusalem from the captivity, the rebuilding of the city commenced.  The people started to reestablish their lives. However, the temple of the Lord, destroyed in 586 BC, still lay in ruins.  The Lord was displeased because while the people were rebuilding their houses they neglected their duty to God. 
     So often, we get caught up in our own cares and we neglect to do God's work in the world.  Many need to hear about Jesus and feel His compassion through those of us who are His servants.

A Verse

     James 1:17--"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of Lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow to turning."

The Little Books--Haggai--part 1

     The book of Haggai was written by a prophet of the same name.  This is a post exile work meaning that it was composed after the people of Israel returned from captivity.
     Haggai lived and prophesied during the time Zerubabal was rebuilding the Temple.  Haggai, Ezra, and Nehemiah all lived in roughly the same period. During this time, the people were trying to rebuild their lives physically and spiritually.  More on Haggai later.

Favorite Poets

As a published poet, I give you a list of my favorite fellow poets.

Juan Ramon Jimenez
Mary Oliver
Edgar Allan Poe
William Carlos Williams
Robert Herrick
Edwin Arlington Robinson
William Blake

A Dog Named Abraham

     Most people think Rottweiler's are mean, and the breed does have a reputation that is less than stellar.  However, I had a Rottweiler named Abraham who was a peaceful and gentle soul.
     I bought Abraham from a Jewish man who had three male puppies in a litter.  He named them Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
     Abraham won best of breed at a dog show and was a beautiful dog.  He was the easiest dog I ever trained never giving me a bit of difficulty.
     Abe passed away in his sleep at the ripe old age of 13.  We'd all be so lucky to pass this way.

III John--Part 2

     One thing that always strikes me in this epistle is that John mentions two men, Diotrophes and Demetrius.  There names are recorded and have passed down through 2,000 years to today.  Diotrophes has a permanent record of doing wrong. Demetrius has a record of good.  This inevitably leads me to consider how I will be remembered. I want to leave a lasting legacy of good.
     How do we do this?  John gives the answer in verse 11, "Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good.  He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil has not seen God."---Next up, Haggai

Favorite Jazz Musicians

The Dave Brubeck Quartet
Miles Davis
Stan Getz
Dave Frishberg
Freddie Hubbard
Chet Baker
Chick Correa
Herbie Hancock

Just Thinking

     I miss going to church with my parents.  When all of us were together, we never missed church.  I miss the great Sunday dinners my Mom fixed.  She made the best chicken and noodles.  I can't wait until we're all together again.

The Little Books--III John

     III John by most accounts was written by the apostle John.  This book was a letter written to a man named Gaius.  John greets this man with a customary greeting wishing him good things for his life. Unfortunately, this greeting has been used by many as a proof text that all Christians should be wealthy and prosperous.  We know from just a cursory glance at Christians living around the world that this simply isn't the case.  This is just a greeting such as we might use to begin a letter when we hope to find someone and their family well and wish them the best.  More on III John later.