Makes me wanna pause and say HUH?
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Archive for March, 2007
Isaiah 43:19 (ASV) Behold, I will do a new thing; now shall it spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
Death Valley National Park is known as the lowest, hottest and driest portion of North America. A vast wasteland of bad water, lost mines and briny pools.
Death Valley was named by gold seekers who undertook to cross this desolate region in 1849 on their way to the California gold fields. The valley yielded gold and silver in the 1850s, and in the 1880s borax was discovered and taken out by mule-drawn wagons.
In spite of the harsh environment, a large variety of small animals and desert plants are found in Death Valley. Especially after the rains of 2005. Heavy rains had resulted in disaster for other parts of California through flooding and mud slides. But the rainwater brought the desert to life.
Death Valley may no longer deserve its name. Normally the hottest and driest place in North America, this desert area in California has experienced the wettest year in a century. As a result, colorful wild flowers are in bloom. “Vast fields of desert gold poppy, Eschscholzia glyptosperma, desert star, Monoptilon bellioides, evening primrose and phacelia have sprouted in the usually barren moonscape, which includes the lowest point in the Western hemisphere.”
Western Pennsylvania has just started into the Spring season, winter has loosened its grip on the area and sunshine and cool breezes have taken its place.
Birds can be heard singing each morning even before the sun rises. The days are getting longer and the nights are getting shorter. Soon the trees will begin to sprout forth new life.
It is truly amazing how the earth renews itself each and every year. No matter what may be going on around the world in the course of our human experience; the seasons remain. Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall the cycles continue year after year just like God planned.
While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. Gen 8:22 (KJV)
These words were uttered by God himself after having destroyed the world in a flood during the days of Noah. Afterward God looked upon Noah and promised to never flood the earth again because of man’s sin.
And Noah made an altar to the Lord, and from every clean beast and bird he made burned offerings on the altar. 21 And when the sweet smell came up to the Lord, he said in his heart, I will not again put a curse on the earth because of man, for the thoughts of man’s heart are evil from his earliest days; never again will I send destruction on all living things as I have done. Gen 8:20-21 (BBE)
God’s word is reliable and faithful, it can be depended upon to hold true through the test of all time. Regardless of what man may say or do God’s word will remain steadfast and true. It is because of this that we can place our trust in God’s word and character. When He says He will do something He means it. When He says He will not do something He means that as well.
When I was younger we had a dog named Spot. Spot loved to run and play. As a kid I could not wait to get home from school to play with Spot. I enjoyed throwing his toys and watching him chase them and run off with them trying to play keep away. Because he had four legs to our two he was usually successful at keeping the toy away until he wanted us to throw it again.
Not only did Spot like to run around our back yard he also liked to chase rabbits and birds and other small wild life. We lived next to a major road and we were concerned about Spot darting out into traffic so my dad built a nice pen for Spot. The pen, which was 20’ X 20’ X 8’ was well shaded on three sides by trees. A huge dog box was placed inside. We always made sure Spot had plenty of food and water and it appeared Spot enjoyed his home in our back yard.
One of Spots annoying habits was digging. Spot would dig anywhere and everywhere. Spot would dig around under his pen and no matter how many times we would fill in the hole Spot would just dig another one.
One night Spot dug himself a hole big enough to get out and ran off.
The next morning we were devastated to find Spot no longer in his cage. We searched all over the neighborhood trying to find Spot. We hung posters offering a reward for the safe return of our beloved dog. We knocked on doors and searched through the woods trying to find Spot
One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal.
One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room.
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey,
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what’s true.
One life can make the difference,
And may that one be you.
– Author Unknown
Mark 11:12-14 (GW) 12 The next day, when they left Bethany, Jesus became hungry. 13 In the distance he saw a fig tree with leaves. He went to see if he could find any figs on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves because it wasn’t the season for figs. 14 Then he said to the tree, “No one will ever eat fruit from you again!” His disciples heard this.
It is true that fig trees around Jerusalem normally begin to get leaves in March or April but do not produce figs until their leaves are all out in June. This tree however would seem to be an exception in that it was already, at the time of the Passover, full of leaves. Therefore Jesus thinking that there could be fruit on this tree headed over for to eat. This got me to ponder some interesting thoughts.
Initially we could say the tree had no fruit because it was not the season for fruit, but then wouldn’t Jesus have been unjust to curse the tree because it did not produce fruit before it was time? However; I think, upon deeper reflection and knowing Jesus is not unjust, we see things a little differently.
This passage starts by saying Jesus was hungry. Therefore he would have been looking for food. From a distance Jesus saw this fig tree in leaf. Now one could say a couple leaves could mean in leaf but I think from the context we could conclude it was in full leaf. Why else would Jesus, who is full of the wisdom of God, go toward the tree looking for food? Upon closer observation, Jesus found this full leafed, fig tree to be nothing more then all show and no go. Worthless for the purpose it was created, to produce figs.
Okay, it was out of season for fruit, but it was also out of season to be in full leaf. Why then would the tree be in full leaf if it were not full of figs? There is not much it is good for other then to deceive a hungry traveler into thinking there is food for him to eat.
Thoughts and views as seen from the resident raptor. Reflecting on life and the world as I see it.
