Category Insights on Scripture

Deep thoughts from the well spring of life

Information Overload!

Allen Frederick 2 Comments

Insight for your “Journey across the Sky”
A View from the Nest www.eagleviews.org
Random Ramblings from the Resident Raptor

These people have become close-minded and hard of hearing. They have shut their eyes so that their eyes never see. Their ears never hear. Their minds never understand. And they never turn to me for healing.”’Acts 28:27 (GW)
We have a lot to explain about this. But since you have become too lazy to pay attention, explaining it to you is hard. Heb 5:11 (GW)

I never realized how many emails I averaged on any given day until I got home after being away for only one night and found over 300 emails in my inbox. Checking my email periodically throughout the day gave me a false measure of the huge volume of time-wasting info sound bytes I was receiving on a daily basis. Granted many of those emails held inspirational value but when I sat there and compared the time it took to actually go through each one, or to put it better, delete the ones I was not going to read, my eyes were opened to the sheer volume of worthless data bytes that were sent to my inbox.

Not everything we hear or see or read is worthy of our time and attention and yet, if you are anything like me, you too will find yourself bombarded with tons of information on a daily basis. Over a lifetime these sound-bytes will add up to be a very huge number. Now I would not mind if each day I would find an additional 300 dollars placed in my bank account, at least at the end of the year there would be something of value accumulated.

Information too can be valuable if we are discerning. Knowing what to heed and what to discard can have a positive or a negative effect on our life. If we heed valuable information and fashion our life accordingly then we can live a successful life, if on the other hand we spend far too much time digesting worthless and foolish advice and information our lives could end in tragedy.

There is a far more sinister effect information overload can have upon a person, and that is to desensitize that individual so that they are no longer able to discern valuable information from worthless drivel. Loosing one’s ability to differentiate valuable content from mindless rubble is a dangerous position to be found in. If we treat all information as equal we place ourselves in a position to become dull of hearing and blinded to truth. Even when presented with SOLID evidence, because we have lost focus on what is valuable, we are unable to receive the truth as anything more than just another sound-byte. We end up approaching all information peddlers with cynicism and skepticism. Discarding whatever does not suit our particular situation or attitude, we toss aside anything that requires more than a second or two to process. We do not wish to be bothered with weighty issues that might require more thought and research. We want our information in easy to swallow sound-bytes and do not wish to be bothered with a lengthy discourse.

This was the state of the religious people of Christ’s day. Although they prided themselves on being a learned people they were unable to ascertain the clear truth of God manifested in the life of Jesus Christ. Their eyes were blinded to the truth of God’s love and God’s ways and their ears  stopped to the knowledge of God’s word. Although surrounded by overwhelming evidence they were unable to process the information. They had grown comfortable in their own thought processes and did not wish to have their ideas challenged. They had become lazy when it came to information gathering. They did not desire to find out what was true or what was not true, they just picked what sounded good to them at the time and disregarded anything that did not.

Should we be on guard against information overload as well? To answer that question all we really need do is turn on the radio or television and listen for about an hour and see what type of information is being broadcast. Is it uplifting, soul stirring, energizing or simply a waste of time and mindless blather?

As I sorted through my inbox with the intention of separating the worthless from the valuable, I too became aware of the millions of mind numbing bytes wasted on most of the emails sent to my inbox. I am now on a journey to eliminate waste from the bird cage. I am on a journey to block all correspondence from sources that do not provide valuable content. I do not wish to spend my day reading and responding to matters of insignificance. I do not wish to be found wasting my time having to delete these unimportant emails. So from this day forward I am instituting a new email policy. If the information contained in the email is not of eternal value then the sender will be added to my spam filter and their emails will be dead on arrival.

So like Jesus says, there are many things He would like to tell me, and in order to have the desire to hear those things I will have to de-clutter my inbox. Caution, the eagle is cleaning out the birdcage. Beware of flying debris.

But those who are waiting for the Lord will have new strength; they will get wings like eagles: running, they will not be tired, and walking, they will have no weariness. Isaiah 40:31 (BBE)

Along for the journey
Related articles by Zemanta

God is With Us

Allen Frederick 10 Comments

image Wherever I go, He is there. So goes the children’s song we sang all week at Vacation Bible School. The words are simple, the melody is catchy, but the message it carries is timeless. The Lord promised His disciples that he would be with them always even until the end of the age.

The promise was not only for that time and that place but even until the end of the age. What comforting words to have heard from the Lord. Jesus was asking His disciples to go into all the world and teach others about the love of God through Christ Jesus. It was a hostile environment in those days to be labeled a “Christian”. I believe much of the same circumstances exist today with the persecution of Christians increasing around the world. Even in America, where freedom of religion is protected in the Constitution, Christians are finding it much more difficult to practice their religion freely and openly. It would appear the spirit of Anti-Christ is alive and well in the world.

Can we rest upon this promise given to the early church in a hostile world today? Do the words of Jesus still hold forth the same comfort as when they were first spoken? Do we as the church in the world today believe that God is with us? I fear that many live their life as if God is a distant relative they visit once a week. Perhaps you place a call to God daily but then go about the rest of your day forgetting that you spoke with Him.

Do you ever pause to acknowledge His presence in your day? Or do you perhaps feel your privacy is being invaded by this constant companion? I would hate to think about being alone at this time in history without the comforting knowledge of God’s abiding presence. I dare not think about what my life would be like without His constant help and encouragement. I tremble at the thought of facing life’s challenges alone and self-reliant. I, like Gideon, do not see myself as a brave soul, but more of a reclusive introvert. Some might just call me a closet coward.

rowboat_2929c I must confess that left to my own strengths, my weaknesses are far too evident. It is only when I rely upon God’s abilities do my insecurities not seem so great. I take comfort in knowing that I have not been the first, nor shall I be the last Gideon to have walked this earthen sod feeling insignificant when faced with overwhelming odds. (Judges 6:15) Nor shall I be the last Israelite who stood terrified in the shadow of Goliath. (1 Samuel 7:23-24) Nor dare I say that I will be the last disciple who fears drowning when confronted by an unrelenting flood of despair. (Mark 4:38)

Some people seem to have an inert ability to face any obstacle stoically. Not I!

However, I have lived long enough to know that God is faithful, and He will never leave me comfortless. He is always there and all I need do is acknowledge His abiding presence and allow him to have control of my life’s circumstances. He will never leave me nor forsake me. He shall be with me even when the world comes to an end. Those are comforting words. But do we believe them?

Do we actually believe that wherever we are God is? That means God tags along with us throughout our days just looking for an opportunity to be there for us. How often do we neglect to acknowledge that abiding presence. Are we like the disciples caught in the violent storm at sea with Jesus asleep in the boat? They exhaust themselves attempting to bail out the boat while JESUS continues to sleep in the stern. Why was Jesus asleep while the disciples were fighting for their lives? (Mark 4:38) Because Jesus knew God was with him and he knew that God was in control of his life. He knew he was one with the Father. Can we say the same? Are we able to find rest in the midst of the storm?

him

31 What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?] Romans 8:31 (AMP)

What obstacle do you suppose is too big for God to handle? What in this created world can defeat God? That is right, NOTHING! If God is with you no matter where you are, could it be said then that you are the instrument through which God desires to impact the world around you? Do you suppose that the same God who was with Jesus also resides within you? And the same power that raised Jesus from the dead shall also quicken your mortal body. (Give life to, energize, make fully alive.)

LentFifthAepcl If the Spirit of the Lord is able to resurrect the dead do you suppose that same Spirit is able to work mightily through you to impact your circumstances? Do you suppose your life can be changed for the better because of God’s abiding presence? If God is with you and you acknowledge His presence.do you think  that you can feed 5000, move mountains, or speak in His name and bring salvation to a lost soul? What do you suppose we could accomplish in His name if we only believed he is actually alive and well and living within us?

Wherever I go, God is with me;
wherever I am, He is there.
I’m never alone;
He won’t forget me.
I’m never afraid; I know He’s near.
Wherever I go, God is with me;
wherever I am, He is there.
I’m never alone;
He won’t forget me.
God is near.

Global Warming- Some Random Thoughts by Stanley Hasegawa

Allen Frederick 4 Comments

I have been an global warming detractor for many years now. All this hype and false information being bantered about as truth needs to be dealt with with as much fervency as the  proponents of the “Global warming’ religion. Stanley Hasegawa has written an insightful article looking into some of the hype associated with the global warming alarmist’s propaganda.

Disappearing arctic ice threatens the existence of polar bears. I have two thoughts on this. First, polar bears have to deal with disappearing arctic ice every single year:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6j8SGs_gnFk

Second, contrary to expectations, arctic sea ice extent increased in 2008 over 2007. Now one year does not constitute a trend. However, 2009 is also shaping up to be another exception to the continuing rapid shrinking of arctic ice. So far in 2009, Canada had a record late spring and a cool summer:
http://www.ijis.iarc.uaf.edu/en/home/seaice_extent.htm

In addition, Antarctic sea ice extent has been increasing in recent years as well.

In any case, melting sea ice does not contribute to the threat of rising sea levels. What does contribute to rising sea levels is melting of ice that exists on land. Most land-based ice exists on Antarctica and to a lesser extent on Greenland. Global warming advocates claim that the ice on Antarctica is melting and contributing to rising ocean levels. This is not exactly true. There is melting of ice on western Antarctica, but the increase in ice on eastern Antarctica more than makes up for this: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25349683-601,00.html

Global warming advocates also claim that ice in Greenland is melting and contributing to rising ocean levels. They claim that glacial ice from Greenland is entering the sea in increasing amounts. Well maybe, but then again:
http://www.worldclimatereport.com/index.php/2008/11/14/slowdown-in-greenland/

Here are some scriptures to keep in mind.

God does want us to take care of the earth and not pollute it:

“The LORD God took the man and placed him in the orchard in Eden to care for it and to maintain it.” (Genesis 2:15)

Global warming predicts a catastrophic future for the earth as we know it. However, God promises that the normal rhythms of life will never stop until he causes the earth as we know it to cease to exist:

“And the LORD smelled the soothing aroma and said to himself, ‘I will never again curse the ground because of humankind, even though the inclination of their minds is evil from childhood on. I will never again destroy everything that lives, as I have just done.

‘While the earth continues to exist, planting time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night will not cease.'” (Genesis 8:21-22)

Here again we see that the normal rhythms of life will continue on until the end, when Jesus Christ returns:

“But as for that day and hour no one knows it not even the angels in heaven except the Father alone. For just like the days of Noah were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be. For in those days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark. And they knew nothing until the flood came and took them all away. It will be the same at the coming of the Son of Man.” (Genesis 24:36-39)

That mankind is physically abusing the earth is only part a larger picture; only one symptom of a more fundamental issue:

“For I consider that our present sufferings cannot even be compared to the glory that will be revealed to us. For the creation eagerly waits for the revelation of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility not willingly but because of God who subjected it in hope 8:21 that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage of decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children. 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers together until now.” (Romans 8:18-22)

I am richly blessed in my marriage. I have two grown children. I am semi-retired. I have been a computer programmer, systems analyst, househusband and homeschool teacher. I love to walk, talk and eat, and write short articles about devoting our lives to Jesus.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com–CHRISTIAN WRITERS–MAKE A WEBSITE

Remember the word of God tells us to TEST ALL SPIRITS and see if they are of God. DO not believe everything that comes along especially when there is a PRICE TAG attached to it. Those who are propagating Global warming are seeking to profit from the hysteria they are causing. IF we believe God’s word then we know all things will continue as they have been until GOD decides to pull the plug on humankind. So therefore the thing we should be most concerned about is not Global warming but GLOBAL SIN. If we confess our sins HE is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all our unrighteous acts. God is able to keep us against any opposition. Because God created the heavens and the earth I believe God is able to keep things together until He decides enough is enough. What say you?

Powered by ScribeFire.

Related articles by Zemanta

Crowning Glory

Allen Frederick 2 Comments

Random Ramblings from the Resident Raptor
Insight from the Journey across the Sky

Don’t you realize that everyone who runs in a race runs to win, but only one runner gets the prize? Run like them, so that you can win. Everyone who enters an athletic contest goes into strict training. They do it to win a temporary crown, but we do it to win one that will be permanent. 1 Cor 9:24-25 (GW)
The glory of the athlete is a winning trophy and
the glory of the Christian is an old rugged cross.

The original Penguins logo (1967-1968)
Image via Wikipedia

Once again Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has brought home  a championship. The Pittsburgh Penguins now possess the Stanley Cup after defeating the Detroit Redwings

in the best of seven championship hockey finals. With the Steelers‘ Super bowl win this past season, and the Penguins win this season, Western Pennsylvania is now home to two championship trophies. Now if we  could only get the Pirates on the winning side.

The Penguins came home to the sound of an appreciative crowd lining the streets of downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvaniawith the thrill of the victory fresh on their minds  while Detroit went home in defeat. Both teams fought valiantly but only one could come out the victor. This year it was the Penguins who came out on top. Relish the victory while you can boys because next year you have to repeat or give the cup to someone else. Each year’s victory is only a fleeting moment in time.

We Christians on the other hand have a CROWN of LIFE for life if we overcome our adversaries. There is a war going on. There is a race to be won. There is a battle to be waged. There is a contest for the ultimate prize. We must therefore guard ourselves and train ourselves to be able to overcome the obstacles on our path towards the goal.

A hockey player, or any sports athlete knows they must train and be in top condition in order to compete at their finest. They can not allow destructive behaviors and detractions interfere with their training and conditioning. Most serious athletes eat, drink and sleep their sport. They study all the greats and learn all the basic requirements to winning. They do not look for shortcuts but work hard to achieve peak conditioning.

Today, with the introduction of strength enhancing drugs, some athletes are tempted to cheat on their training regimes. In sport, where performance matters, some lesser athletes may be tempted to choose cheating over hard work and talent.

We however must hold to a much higher training regimen than even the most devoted athlete. Our training is a matter of life and death. It is not just a fleeting crown we are seeking but a lasting one. Therefore we must run the race honestly and wholeheartedly. We must be sure to abide by the rules of engagement and strive to run the race with integrity so that when we finally reach our destination we can hear the words come on in (Mat 25:34) and not depart from me.(Mat 25:41)

I fear sometimes that we take our responsibility to live the life Christ modeled for us too lightly. I feel that many have left off of their training regimens and replaced it with a quick easy workout. While reading the “Daily Bread” and praying over our meals are all good practices it must not take the place of sincere, rigorous training. We must exercise ourselves toward godliness and not look for a short cut. We must pick up the weight of our cross and carry it faithfully and daily. We need to exercise our spiritual bodies, perhaps more so than our physical bodies, because the stakes are much higher if we fail.


For physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but godliness (spiritual training) is useful and of value in everything and in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come. 1 Tim 4:8 (AMP)

The Stanley Cup, although impressive, will one day end up in a landfill. It’s shiny surface will tarnish and fade. The applause of the roaring crowds will die away. The adoration of the frenzied fans will disappear, and all that will remain are the memories of that winning season. Come next season you start off a losing team and have to do it all over again. You received your reward when you won the cup. Now you have to earn it all over again.

I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith. The prize that shows I have God’s approval is now waiting for me. The Lord, who is a fair judge, will give me that prize on that day. He will give it not only to me but also to everyone who is eagerly waiting for him to come again. 2 Tim 4:7-8 (GW)

How much greater is it to receive a reward that will never fade, can not be tarnished, will never grow dim, and it’s beauty will continue for all eternity? How much greater is a crown that can never be forfeited nor be taken away? Therefore do not cut corners on your training but instead fight the good fight of faith. You can then be sure, when all is said and done, that you will have waiting for you the crown of righteousness which is given to anyone who eagerly awaits the Lord’s coming again.

But those who are waiting for the Lord will have new strength; they will get wings like eagles: running, they will not be tired, and walking, they will have no weariness. Isaiah 40:31 (BBE)
Along for the journey
Related articles by Zemanta

Powered by ScribeFire.

Naysayers or Yes Men

Allen Frederick 1 Comment

In light of the recent death of Michael Jackson I thought it was appropriate to repost an early article on the problems associated with the RICH and the FAMOUS who surround themselves with people who are not truly seeking their best interests but actually are enabling their own demise. Initial reports seem to be circulating about Michael’s misuse of prescription drugs. There is growing controversy over the cardiac doctor who was present at the time of Michael’s cardiac arrest. The events that led up to the death of Michael could possibly have been prevented had Michael chosen a road of righteousness rather than stardom. There is a way that seems right unto man but the end thereof is death. Take a lesson and learn from the misfortunes of others and perhaps we can side step the events that led to their untimely deaths.

He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm“?—Proverbs 13:20

ShipwreckThe allure of the world’s riches have caused many to fall by the wayside. The deceitfulness of riches ability to heal us of all ills has bankrupted many a soul on this journey called life. Each week we are reminded of the failings of mankind when another person finds themselves shipwrecked on the rocks of disgrace and shame.

Paris Hilton, although used to being in the spotlight for her celebrity status as an heir to the great Hilton empire, recently found out her celebrity status could not keep her from a prison cell. In fact the media frenzy that surrounds her just might have added to her misfortunes. For a person who is so used to the richness of privilege to find herself in a less than advantageous position had to be very humiliating for her. What brought Paris to this place in her life? Could something had been done to prevent this from happening?

A resounding yes would be the reply of any thinking person. Had someone stepped in to persuade her to stop her partying ways and take her life a bit more seriously perhaps she could have avoided her prison sentence.

Newspapers are filled with stories of the haves who end up face down in life’s cesspool. In just our recent past we can name many celebrities who have fallen from the heights of respect to the depths of shame. Lindsey, Brittney, Anna Nicole, O.J., Michael Jackson, “The Huff” must we go on?

Many through their hardships found a better way.

Some still live in disgrace to this day.

Sins_141cChristiandom is not void of those who had fallen from great heights into public shame and disgrace. Who can forget PTL and James and Tammy Faye? Or Jimmy Swaggart’s moral failure? All of us need to take heed and listen to what proverbs has to say about this subject. To use a modern day proverb one could say if you lie down with the dogs you are likely to get up with fleas.

Continue reading “Naysayers or Yes Men” →