Beneath the Frozen Falls

Last Sabbath, I had the pleasure of hiking with friends up to Hungarian Falls. It's exciting to see the end of a long, harsh winter!  Thank God my friends were there to pull me out whenever I sank into a soft spot on the trail! I also am thankful for harsh winters because they make me appreciate Spring all the more!

This image of the frozen falls makes me think of The Bible which happens to be the most printed book worldwide. Many people own one or more copies. Most people, including myself, have not read the entire book.

God's Word is just like these frozen falls. Both are so vibrant that any time spent there makes one feel so full of life. Anyone can see the beauty on the surface but, it takes contemplation to be able to see and hear the vibrancy beneath.

I have called myself a Christian for most of my life. I believe in the one true, Triune God. I believe that Jesus incarnate came down from heaven in order to sacrifice Himself for all people.

But I distinctly remember a life changing moment when I realized that what I thought I knew about God and life was not true. This moment came while reading the bible with a friend while we talked together over the phone. I was astonished to discover the truth I found in the bible was not what I had believed for so many years!

I contemplated, What else do I think I know that is actually contrary to the truth found in the bible? 

So, I started to read and study my bible. And just as promised, God revealed truth to me. The more time I spent contemplating God's Word, the more I could hear the life giving water. The more I could experience the peace of His love.

One of the truths about His peace and love that He revealed to me is the reason why I observe the seventh day Sabbath. After creating the heavens, the earth, and everything on it, God rested on the seventh day and made it holy. Later, when He gave the ten commandments to His people, He said Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy.  I don't know about you, but the first thing that caught my attention was the word REMEMBER. Funny how God knew that we would someday forget.
 
So, I am looking forward to next Sabbath. God willing I will return to my favorite place to contemplate God's goodness. I look forward to resting in God's love and peace. 

I pray that you will find peace in God's love as well. If you want to know more about the Sabbath rest, here is a link about God's day of rest.

Pushing Up Daisies

Today's chronological reading plan found on esword, gives brief accounts of some kings of Judah and Israel. The thing that really strikes me is the violence and sinfulness found especially in verses 13-16 of 2 Kings 15. Menahem, assassinates Israel's king and succeeds his throne. From there, he ruthlessly attacks a city and the surrounding area. Since the people resist him, he rips open all of their pregnant women.

Pretty horrifying stuff! Not too much unlike the violence of society today.

In 2 Chronicles 26, King Uzziah of Judah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and in the defense of his kingdom "he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal." The philosophy of technology undoubtedly offers up explanations for the development of weaponry but it overlooks the inherent sinful nature of mankind.

So many people are abhorred by the crimes in our present society. Yet, no one really talks about how it has been human nature to be sinful ever since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve's son Cain committed the first murder against his brother Abel and the bloodshed and misery continues.

The good news is that God loves us so much that Jesus died for our sins. Since the beginning of time, He has shown us His love through His created things like this lively field of daisies. But this patch of flowers is more then just pleasing to the eye. It is one of the many things in nature that attest not only the existence of God but also of the fact that there will be no excuse for mankind's sinfulness. Eventually, God will hold each and every person accountable.

I don't know the origin of the old idiom pushing up daisies. But what can be so bad about being underneath a beautiful site like this while resting in peace IF the next thing you know is that Jesus has returned for you !!