Tag Kids and Teens

On Vacation

Allen Frederick 2 Comments

Random Ramblings from the Resident Raptor

Insight from the Journey across the Sky


There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. Heb 4:9 (NKJV)


Beach chairs Curacao
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Closed for vacation, not here, gone, will be back in two weeks. Oh yes vacation time is upon us once again. A time to get away and recharge our batteries, to rest and relax in the  great outdoors. A time to do what we want without the time pressures of an everyday work schedule. Whether it’s to the mountains, down to the shore, or to visit with family or friends in another part of the country, or even traveling abroad. Time away is a time many look forward to all year long.

Looking forward to getting away. Having a place to escape to, somewhere to go. All these terms describe that long awaited for vacation time. As much as I love a vacation, there is one thing I always find wanting in the end. The very fact that the vacation has to end and I must return to the normal everyday work world. I guess that is why some people look forward to retirement, the much sought after permanent vacation, where you have really nothing pressing to do and you have all day to do it. In fact take as much time as you like because there is always tomorrow.

I am not sure if I would like a permanent vacation or not. I really do enjoy working and being productive. Being forced to retire, or worse yet, forced into early retirement through a lay off or plant closure is even worse. It is good to know though that no matter where you go away to, you always have a place to come home to.

Some people even have one or two vacation homes. A winter home and a summer home. One place they go for the cold winter months and another they live in during the warmer months of the year. In our church we have many of these “snowbirds” who travel south for the winter only to come back in the spring.

1 For we are conscious that if this our tent of flesh is taken down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in heaven. 2 Cor 5:1 (BBE)


13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. Heb 11:13-16 (NKJV)


All of us who call on the name of the Lord have a home away from home as well. We have a mansion prepared especially for us. This vacation home resides where streets are paved with gold and in the midst of the city lies a crystal sea. The city has huge gates made of pearl and walls are like jasper. One could call it the emerald city.

Dorothy and her  gang wanted to go to the emerald city to find a way to get back home after being lifted from Kansas in a whirlwind. We on the other hand desire to get to the emerald city by a whirlwind and stay there. Those who enter into that city will not desire to return to their temporary homes for they will finally be at HOME.

There is nothing like home, Dorothy cried, There is no place like home the Christian echoes. We will finally be home when we walk through those gates of pearl and get to visit with all the Saints of old. Now that is a vacation home I am longing for. And when the time comes to finally put to rest all the work and labor here on earth, when that final trumpet calls the end of the work day for me. Look for the sign in my window saying, he’s not here for he has gone on a permanent vacation.

The Lord will come from heaven with a command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet {call} of God. First, the dead who believed in Christ will come back to life. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive will be taken in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. In this way we will always be with the Lord. 1 Thess 4:16-17 (GW)

Bon voyage!

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

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The Raven: A MODERN FABLE By Richard L. Provencher

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From the pen of a ready writer:

Today I thought I would offer an article from guest writer Richard L. Provencher. From time to time I like to feature an article from another writer from whose writing I gain personal inspiration or some spiritual insight. This fable tells the story of a rather unusual raven who never stopped trying to be all she could be. No matter how many times she tried and failed she did not give up on the hope of one day reaching her dream-to soar higher than any raven has ever soared  before. She wanted to reach the highest and tallest tree in the valley. She was an upwardly mobile raven.

What lessons will you glean from this modern day bird tale? What insight can you glean from the wings of this fable? What can you learn from the lesson learned from this young raven? Now let the fable begin

raven Halfway up the Spruce tree young Raven had a special view of the valley. Raising her beak, she could easily see a rushing creek fill several large ponds.

Even narrow trails, where deer zigzagged though the forest. If only her feathers could carry her to taller trees, she might reach higher than what looked like snow above.

Her wings were too weak to fly up and see.

Raven sensed something different existed beyond the high rise of land.

She was stubborn and tried over and over during practice flights. Falling onto the ground with a thump was often repeated as her beak poked into the grass.

Tired wings kept her airborne only so far, or high. Other ravens were content to live in this valley.

Why wasn’t their friend happy too? Was it really important to reach the tallest trees? Who cared what might be outside their valley?

Yes, they thought Raven was a bird with impossible dreams.

Families of ravens were busy spending much time looking for food. After hours of searching they rested on branches, waiting for the sun to set.

But young Raven wanted more. It wasn’t enough to shriek into the wind that often pushed her around in the sky. She hoped for much more.

Practicing long distance flying had its difficulties. Plopping onto the ground brought her into an area inhabited by foxes, coyotes and hawks. And wolves ate anything that looked tasty.

Young raven did indeed look yummy.

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Santa Faces New Challenges this year

Allen Frederick 1 Comment

You got to love this cartoon because it speaks volumes to what children learn from watching us adults each day. What are we teaching our children anyway?

It is no longer naughty or nice but who has the biggest sob story to tell to receive their Christmas gift. Corporate America has become like little children sitting on the knee of Congress giving Santa Barney their wish list.

I do not know about you but many things I asked Santa for in my young life I never received. Perhaps Santa Barney could learn to say no?

Living in the Land of Denial

Allen Frederick 1 Comment

 

Random Ramblings from the Resident Raptor

Insight from the Journey across the Sky

People are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves. They therefore remain bound. James Allen

“We simply assume that the way we see things is the way they really are or the way they should be. And our attitudes and behaviors grow out of these [often false] assumptions.” — Stephen Covey

 

 

You say, ‘I’m rich. I’m wealthy. I don’t need anything.’ Yet, you do not realize that you are miserable, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. Rev 3:17 (GW)


Russian icon of the Last Judgment (16th century).
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Many people live their lives in a state of denial. An altered state of reality you could say. A place where, in their opinion, everything is as it should be, but those around them hold to a different viewpoint. Those who insist that all is well yet do not realize their life is in need of a drastic make-over.

 

We live in an age of enablers who continually prop up and reinforce bad behavior by not insisting upon a change in that bad behavior. The government bail out is an excellent example of enabling bad behavior. If we are never left to FAIL we will never learn to succeed. If we continually think all is well, we will never seek to change. If our bad actions do no have equally bad consequences then there really is no incentive to alter our behaviors.

There are certain behaviors that are harmful to ourselves and others and should not be encouraged let alone propped up and supported so that it continues.

Many live lives of quiet desperation, never knowing the peace and joy they could have if they only surrendered their misguided attempts of leading their life to someone who is capable of leading them into paths of right living, peace and contentment. They tell themselves that all is well.

All of us will have to give an account of ourselves to God. Romans 14:12 (GW)

Judgment day is coming. A time is soon at hand where we all must face the judge and give an account of our manner of living. It is soon time to pay the piper, to face the music, to reap what we have sown. Are you absolutely certain all is well with your life?

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)

 

 

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A Message for Saint Patrick’s Day

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

You observe days and months and seasons and years! Gal 4:10 (ESV)

Saint PatrickThis year Saint Patrick’s day falls on the Monday of Holy week, the week leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus. It is ironic, in a sense, that this year the day that was set aside to honor the death of one man, Saint Patrick, sets off a week that ends in the death of one man, Jesus. The week starts on a celebration and ends on one as well. Granted the latter being more significant then the former but none-the-less two celebrations indeed bookend this week.

To the Christians, Resurrection Sunday is the grandest of all celebrations for it was on this day that Jesus arose from the dead, to release all those who where held captive by sin. To a true Irishman, Saint Patrick’s day is a day to celebrate being freed from paganism. The one celebrates a death while the other celebrates a life. Saint Patrick, although credited with Christianizing Ireland over his 30 year ministry, can not compare to Jesus who brought Christianity to the whole world during his 3 and a half year ministry.

Posthumously both received acclaim as being men of God, but only Jesus can rightfully claim the title King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Similarities and contrasts exist for both celebrations. On the one hand we have a nation, Ireland, celebrating the liberation from moral depravity through the influence of the Catholic church and it’s missionary Patrick. On the other hand we see the celebration of life from death, experienced in the life of a born again believer through the influence of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Both were persecuted by those who hated them. For Saint Patrick it was the imprisonment at the hands of Irish Marauders, and later hatred by Celtic Druids, who resented his effective work at converting their followers to Christianity. Jesus too was sought after by the Scribes and Pharisees of his day who plotted to arrest him.
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