Forest Whispers
In an ancient, ancient valley,
beheld only by celestial eyes,
a virginal forest whispers.
The whispers speak of wishes:
solitude, solemnity, respect.
Will the soft forest whispers
filter outward with the wind?
Wednesday, June 10, 2020
Tuesday, June 9, 2020
Prayer Request
The forecast in my area is for some bad storms and high winds for the next two days. Please pray that these storms will not be bad. Thank you.
Monday, June 8, 2020
Verses For The Week
This is an important passage showing that racism should have no place in the heart of one who is trying to follow Jesus.
Revelation 7:9-10 -- "After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice, Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."
Revelation 7:9-10 -- "After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice, Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."
Friday, June 5, 2020
Weekend Sermon -- Daniel Part 2
Back before all of the stay at home orders started, we had just started a new series on the book of Daniel. We saw that Daniel and his companions had been taken into Babylonian captivity. Even in a hard place, Daniel and his friends were determined to follow the law handed down by the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob. God blessed them, and they found favor in the eyes of king Neduchadnezzar.
One day, the king had a dream that troubled him. He wanted his wise men, magicians and astrologers to tell him the meaning of the dream, but he also wanted them to tell him what he had dreamed. The king's counselors couldn't do it, so he order them to be put to death.
In the midst of this situation, Daniel prayed. God told Daniel what the dream was and the interpretation.
The dream was of a large statue. The top was made of gold, the next section silver, then bronze, then iron. The feet were clay and iron mixed together. A rock not cut with human hands hits the statue causing it to crumble.
Daniel provided the king with the interpretation. The gold represented the kingdom of Babylon. Eventually, another weaker kingdom would come. Other kingdoms would follow until the kingdoms of this world would be destroyed by God. He would then set up a kingdom that will have no end.
Nebuchadnezzar was pleased with what Daniel said. He and his friends were promoted within the kingdom.
This is all very interesting, but what does it mean for us. Some have speculated as to which kingdoms are represented by each type of metal and what the last kingdom of humanity will be like. I don't want to get into that. I think there is something deeper to see. This dream tells us that every human kingdom has and will pass away no matter how powerful. Every great power throughout history has collapsed including the mighty Roman Empire. All of its monuments and grandeur are but ruins.
One day, the kingdom of God will be established on this Earth. Jesus will rule and reign with justice and righteousness. All who believe and trust in the Lord will be part of that kingdom. That kingdom will have no end. Do not give your allegiance to an earthly kingdom. As Christians, we are pilgrims upon this Earth. We are looking for a better country and a better city whose builder and maker is God. Our devotion is to be to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our eternity is secure with Him.
Prayer Requests and other matters
We have a lot that we need to pray about. Continue to pray for an end to the coronavirus. Pray that those who are sick will recover.
Please pray in regard to the protests here in my country. Pray for an end to racism. Pray for justice. Pray that the protests will be nonviolent, and pray that the police will not use excessive force.
Let us pray for peace in the world. Pray especially for peace in Syria.
For our prayer focus countries, let's pray for Pakistan and Tunisia. Pray that many will come to know the Lord.
Today is a sad day for me. This is the date when my friend Toby passed away. I miss him so much even though I know that he is safe with Jesus. Please pray that I can make it through the day.
I believe that I have a car lined up, so thank you for your prayers. The storms were not too bad, and I am grateful to the Lord.
Next week, we will continue with our series in Daniel. On Monday, I will post the verses. I will try to post a review on Wednesday. May God bless you all. Amen
One day, the king had a dream that troubled him. He wanted his wise men, magicians and astrologers to tell him the meaning of the dream, but he also wanted them to tell him what he had dreamed. The king's counselors couldn't do it, so he order them to be put to death.
In the midst of this situation, Daniel prayed. God told Daniel what the dream was and the interpretation.
The dream was of a large statue. The top was made of gold, the next section silver, then bronze, then iron. The feet were clay and iron mixed together. A rock not cut with human hands hits the statue causing it to crumble.
Daniel provided the king with the interpretation. The gold represented the kingdom of Babylon. Eventually, another weaker kingdom would come. Other kingdoms would follow until the kingdoms of this world would be destroyed by God. He would then set up a kingdom that will have no end.
Nebuchadnezzar was pleased with what Daniel said. He and his friends were promoted within the kingdom.
This is all very interesting, but what does it mean for us. Some have speculated as to which kingdoms are represented by each type of metal and what the last kingdom of humanity will be like. I don't want to get into that. I think there is something deeper to see. This dream tells us that every human kingdom has and will pass away no matter how powerful. Every great power throughout history has collapsed including the mighty Roman Empire. All of its monuments and grandeur are but ruins.
One day, the kingdom of God will be established on this Earth. Jesus will rule and reign with justice and righteousness. All who believe and trust in the Lord will be part of that kingdom. That kingdom will have no end. Do not give your allegiance to an earthly kingdom. As Christians, we are pilgrims upon this Earth. We are looking for a better country and a better city whose builder and maker is God. Our devotion is to be to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our eternity is secure with Him.
Prayer Requests and other matters
We have a lot that we need to pray about. Continue to pray for an end to the coronavirus. Pray that those who are sick will recover.
Please pray in regard to the protests here in my country. Pray for an end to racism. Pray for justice. Pray that the protests will be nonviolent, and pray that the police will not use excessive force.
Let us pray for peace in the world. Pray especially for peace in Syria.
For our prayer focus countries, let's pray for Pakistan and Tunisia. Pray that many will come to know the Lord.
Today is a sad day for me. This is the date when my friend Toby passed away. I miss him so much even though I know that he is safe with Jesus. Please pray that I can make it through the day.
I believe that I have a car lined up, so thank you for your prayers. The storms were not too bad, and I am grateful to the Lord.
Next week, we will continue with our series in Daniel. On Monday, I will post the verses. I will try to post a review on Wednesday. May God bless you all. Amen
Wednesday, June 3, 2020
Prayer Request
There are several items that I would like you to pray about. First of all, my car went bad this week. I have to get a new car, but I have very little to spend. Please pray that I can find what I need. I am thankful to the Lord that my brother is letting me use his car for a little while. Also, please pray that the storms won't be bad tonight. I am also strongly considering selling my house. Please pray that I will have wisdom in this matter. Thank you
Poem
This is a poem I wrote that was published in the winter 2005 edition of Parnassus Literary Journal
Spirit Bear
Bear of white,
leaving imprints of spirit
prowling the forest.
Pacific bear,
a spectral presence
reminder of ancient ages
when cold slabs slithered north
unlocking entombed soil.
You remain to haunt the green,
rummaging in shimmering mists,
echoing back the ancestor's voices
wisdom from long ago.
Ghostly apparition,
standing at the edge of clear cut,
fading in the northwest haze.
Spirit Bear
Bear of white,
leaving imprints of spirit
prowling the forest.
Pacific bear,
a spectral presence
reminder of ancient ages
when cold slabs slithered north
unlocking entombed soil.
You remain to haunt the green,
rummaging in shimmering mists,
echoing back the ancestor's voices
wisdom from long ago.
Ghostly apparition,
standing at the edge of clear cut,
fading in the northwest haze.
Monday, June 1, 2020
Verses For The Week
Mark 9:35 -- "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be the last of all and servant of all."
Luke 9:23 -- "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me."
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