On Japanese Swords and Christianity

I’ve always had a fascination with other cultures.  I find people interesting, and to know me is to know I’m a curious guy, and I love meeting new people.  I will often times do research on things that I learn from others, because, well….. you just never know where something good can be found.

One of the cultures I have always been interested in is the Japanese.  Although there are many wonderful things to be found in their culture, it is their pursuit of mastery that has drawn my attention the most.

The Japanese like to make an art form out of many things.  Be it serving tea, making clothes, dancing, weapons, fighting, and even writing.

It is their total dedication to their art that just makes me go wow.

The Japanese believe that we are born knowing who we are and quickly forget it, and then spend the rest of our lives trying to define ourselves.  This is the pursuit of “The Way”.  There are many different paths to “The Way”.  Some spend it in practicing calligraphy.  Some in making weapons, some in the form of swords, archery, serving tea, and a whole host of other things.  There seems to be as many paths to “The Way” as their are people.

But each person who is dedicated to “The Way”, follow their path, with the intention of gaining mastery of it, with a dedication that is quite simply put, admirable.

We, as Christians, could learn a thing or two from this.  Seriously.

The way to salvation is much like “The Way” of the Japanese.  Both follow a path, both seek an end goal, both are fraught with perils and hardships along the way.

I’m said to admit that I think at times the Japanese are much better at staying on their paths that Christians.

Again, I think we could learn from this.

When a Japanese master takes on a student, he does things that the student often does  not understand, thinks are harsh, and there is often pain.  The master does this because he is seeking to break a lifetime of bad habits.  When you think the master is getting you to do something against your natural instincts, the master will simply say he is teaching you the correct way to do something.  The big difference is that a Japanese student will not question their master, where Christians seem to either ignore, or question everything that they wish in their pursuit of holy lives.

The biggest difference between the two, the Japanese way and the Christian, is that for the Japanese it is more a solitary journey with a guide, where in Christianity is is a total surrender to God.

The problems I see today facing the Christian world is the fact that so many denominations believe different things and are so judgmental towards each other on a personal level.

The Catholics believe it’s acceptable to drink some, while Pentecostals believe no drinking is acceptable.  Many denominations believe smoking is evil, while others don’t.  Some believe dancing if of the devil, while others dance in the spirit.  I could go on with this, but I won’t.

The simple fact is this.  There is only one way to heaven, just as the bible says, which is through Jesus Christ.  The greatest commandment is to Love God with all your heart, mind, and soul, and the second as like unto the first, treat your neighbor as yourself.

I believe that today’s Pastors should still seek to preach on what a Christian should and shouldn’t do.  But the judgments must stop.  It confuses people and it interferes with their walk with God.  Only God can change a person, their actions, and their heart.  Looking down on someone because of what your denomination believes is not the way to help guide them.  Not unless it is clearly in the bible.

To win souls to Christ, we must change our thinking as leaders.  We must remember that we are there for people, to help them, and to guide them.  Not to beat on them and judge them unmercifully.  We must lead a holy life as an example, and concentrate on what the bible SAYS to break a lifetime of bad habits.  Then we must let go and let God.  He knows more about that person than we ever will.

We must change our way of thinking.  We must plant the seeds of determination in the pursuit of salvation and holy living similar to they way the Japanese masters do it.  Just a thought……

~ Kev

The Old Timers – How did they do it?

A mystery was solved, a rather intriguing one if you ask me.  These type of mysteries always make me wonder.  How did the people of that time accomplish some of the things they were able to do?

The Country:  Canada.

The Place: Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

The Building: St. John’s Anglican Church

The church was built in 1754.  As you can imagine, the architecture of the church was absolutely beautiful. With the type of wood working that is usually found in very old buildings.  The church is the oldest Anglican church in Canada.  A lot of love went into this building.  Unfortunately, an arson decided to burn down the church on halloween 2001.  No one has been caught.  A lot of history was destroyed.

But the members of St. John’s decided to do something pretty remarkable.  They decided to rebuild the church.  Not just rebuild a new church.  No, they decided to rebuild the church, as it was before the fire, using what was left of the building after the fire, and existing wood that was salvageable. A costly task, estimated at 7 million Canadian dollars.  They managed it of course.

Using photographs, and excellent carpenters, they managed it.  But one task, given to a woman, brought out a mystery.

It had to do with stars that were painted on the ceiling over the alter.  The problem was that there were not a complete set of photographs for the woman to recreate the pattern of stars.  As she debated the problem, she followed a hunch.  She had a feeling that the star groupings were not something just randomly painted.  So, she contacted an astronomer.  He examined the photos that were available and found the constellation Perseus.  The problem was, the location of the constellation was wrong for the night sky in Lunenburg.

Acting on his own hunch, he used a computer program to show what the sky would have looked like on Christmas Eve, year 0, the celebrated birth of Jesus.  You guessed it, the stars matched.  The painted stars recreated the night sky of December 24th, year 0, in Lunenburg.

So how did someone in the 1800’s, when the stars were painted on the ceiling, recreate the night sky from that date?  What a feat!  I find it amazing.

Here are pictures of the church before the fire:

Here is a picture of the church after it burned, which gives you an idea of what they had to work with to reconstruct the church:

Here is a video of the star mystery:

Some of the information in the video is incorrect.  Such as the fact that the bible does not indicate that Jesus was born on December 25th, but it’s still interesting.

If you want more interesting facts on this historical landmark, go here.

Enjoy!

~ Kev

A sorrowful soul

I am tired.  I really am.  I’m more than just physically tired, I’m mentally tired as well.  My life over the past few months has been exceedingly busy and stressful.  At the moment, I am so mentally and physically tired that I am not even sure how I am managing to form coherent thought to transfer to writing.  I’m so overly tired, that I know that without some help, I won’t sleep.  My mind is full of racing thoughts and my body hurts to the point I find it hard to get comfortable.

Stressful and busy.  It’s a heavy combination and one that all of us are familiar with.  I have sick friends.  A friend’s godson has swine flu.  My daughter is dealing with issues and school.  I’m dealing with marriage issues.  I’m dealing with parent issues.  Family issues.  Work issues.  I’m working a lot of long hours and although I have vacation time available, I don’t feel like I can take the time off right now.  I have money issues and worries, as I’m sure a lot of us do.

Stressed, tried, hurting, emotionally exhausted?  Yeah.

I’m sure I’m not the only one.  In fact I know I’m not.  But when you are dealing with these type of issues all at once, there are days when you feel like you are hanging at the end of your rope.  How do you handle it?  How do you keep going?

Somehow or other, we all do what we must.

When I’m feeling like this, if always brings to mind Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.  He to was tired.  Stressed.  The time was at hand, and he knew it.  His soul was filled with sorrow.  He knew a type of stress that was so great that it is one I hope never to experience.  He knew that all His hard work was coming to a close here on earth.  He had tried to prepare His disciples.  Were they ready?  Had He done enough?  Could they go on without Him?  He was also about to be betrayed by one of His own.  Handed over to the authorities and He knew, beyond a shadow of doubt, what was about to happen.  He was going to die.

That kind of stress would probably break me to the point where I would be sitting in a corner drooling on myself, mentally gone.  But not Jesus.

I refer you to the scriptures found in Mark 14.

Mar 14:34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.

Mar 14:35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.

Mar 14:36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

Mar 14:37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?

Mar 14:38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

Mar 14:39 And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.

Mar 14:40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.

Mar 14:41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest; it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Mar 14:42 Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.

Yes, Jesus was stressed.  There are stories that He was so stressed that while He was praying, He sweated blood.  That has been scientifically proven to be possible.  I can’t even imagine the level of stress Jesus was experiencing.

He asked His Father, the Almighty, to let this cup pass from Him.  In other words, if possible, let this not happen.  But He also added in, not my will, but yours.  Meaning, I am asking, but whatever YOU decide is the right course.

In the end, the choice of Jesus’ Father was clear.  He had to face what He knew was coming, and endure.  That is exactly what He did.

I am convinced that He was only able to do it because even as stressed as He was, even though He was asking for a change in the plan, that He ultimately found the courage to stand up to His future because in that Garden, He was in the presence of God.  He might have been asking for a different outcome, but He was still in His presence.  He was praying, communing with God.

Now that I’m stressed, I to need to seek the presence of God.  I need to commune with Him.  Of course, I will ask for things, but in the end, He knows best.  But I know that even asking for different outcomes, just being in His presence will ease me in ways that nothing else can.

You to should seek to commune with God is such situations.  It’s hard to remember to pray, to seek for God when things are so hard, busy, and stressful.  But what better time is there?  He is our Father, and He loves us.  He might not always give us what we want, but He will always give us what we need.

Seek him.  At all times.  Pray without ceasing.  Don’t fall into the trap that Simon and the other disciple did, and fall asleep when they should have been praying.  Seek his presence, so you to can face what is coming next.

~ Kev

What about my needs?

I’m 42 years old now. I’ve survived my childhood as a hyperactive kid, my moody and broody teenage years, my ridiculous notion that I was grown up and ready to conquer the world in my twenties, the infamous “Christ Complex” at age 33, a small child who has grown into a beautiful teenage daughter, twenty years of marriage and I’m now looking at the quickly approaching middle aged mark.

At times, I think I’ve done pretty well for myself.  Other times.. not so much.  Still, I’m still married, I have a wonderful daughter and most days I feel pretty blessed.

I have grown over the years, no doubt about it.  Not just up and out, but emotionally and mentally as well.  Despite the fact, there are still moments of insecurity and other issues that plague me.  I know I’m not alone in this, because people have talked to me, I’ve read articles, and etc.

When I was a baby, where I’m sure various people dropped me on my head on a number of occasions, my needs were fairly simple.  I needed touch, food, sleep, care, love.  I needed help in learning some basic things.  Like how to walk, how to talk, what to do and what not to do.

As I became self aware, as a child, not much changed there.  Oh I might have been able to walk and run, but now I needed to know how to walk and run in the right direction.  I still needed touch, food, sleep, care, love, how to talk, and what to do and not what to do.

As I became a teenager, despite my actions to the contrary, I still needed… the exact same things.  But I also needed to learn to love, not the simple innocent love a child has, but a more grown-up love.  Instead of getting all of those things, it had come time for me to learn to give some of those things as well.

As a young man, in my twenties… well, I still needed the same things.  I still needed to give those things.

In my thirties and now in my forties, well, nothing much has changed.  Except I have learned more about love and the things I really need, and how better to give those things that others require of me.  Perfectly?  No.  I’m far from perfect, being only a man, but I try and I continue to learn.

I still need to be touched.  I still need to feel wanted and needed, I still need care, I still need love, I still need food and sleep, and I still struggle in learning what to do and what not to do.  Add that to the fact I still need to learn to walk and talk, just not like I did as a child.  Now, that walking and talking involves relationships, friendships, my marriage, my daughter, and my relationship with God.

There are days when I still feel like I have so much to learn.  In truth, I do.  I have come to realize that in these things, I will never stop learning and never be perfect.  It just isn’t possible.

I’ve also come to realize something very important though.  The things I need, the things i still need, well I can’t always depend on people for those things.  The reasons are legion.  But it’s true none the less.  Sometimes I’m needy, and other times I’m not.  I would like to think that I’m one of those people who the non-needy days out weight the needy ones, but if I’m honest with myself, I know that isn’t true.  My wife is one those people.  Most days it looks like she really doesn’t need anyone or anything.  Strong and independent.  I wish I could be more like that.  I can also see that my daughter is taking after her mother.  She to is strong and independent.  When I sit and think about it for to long, well, it shames me that I can’t be more like them.  This is no reflection on them, my parents, or my friends, but being a kinda needy person, coupled with people who aren’t, well, often times the things I need they can’t give me.  It just doesn’t occur to them, because they are strong and independent.  Don’t get me wrong, they DO try.  More often than not, and I’m not complaining.

But, back to what I realized though.  There is only one that truly knows me, so deeply, so intimately, that this one can give me everything I need.  This one understands me in ways that no one else does, and no one else ever can.  Every fault, every desire, every need, every thought process, this one knows.  Even the dark deep secret things that I never let out to see the light of day, this one knows… and understands.

Care?  This one gives it.

Love?  This one not only gave it, but continues to give it.

Food?  This one promised to provide, and has never let me down.

Sleep?  That is more of a natural thing, but often when I can’t sleep, this one helps.

Needed? This one makes me feel needed and wanted.

Touch?  This one touches me in ways that go beyond the physical, beyond anything I could have imagined.

Someone to talk to?  Check.  Teaching and helping me with my walks?  Check.  Helping me with the direction I am supposed to take?  Check.

In short, this one gives me everything I need, day after day, week after week, month after month and all that is required is for me to ask for it.

I’m talking about Jesus of course.  The one who truly knows me.  The one who promised never to leave or forsake me.  The one who loves me beyond measure, beyond comprehension.  The one who gave his life, willingly, for me to have the opportunity for eternal life.  The one who knows all my faults and mistakes, and loves me anyway.  The one who is proud of me, when I accomplish something, and rejoices with me.

That’s powerful.  That’s awesome.  That’s sobering.  That’s inspiring.

How can I not love him?  How can I not want him?  How can I not need him?

How can you not?

~Kev

Salvation in all it’s glory

I imagine the day was pretty warm.  The region is known for it after all.  Which means that there were a lot of people who were hot, tired, scared, and cranky.  Just days ago, they were celebrating.  They had their freedom, a miraculous freedom, of their entire people.  But days later, that feeling of victory and celebration turned sour, leaving shouts of anger and ridicule.

God had given Moses a monumental task.  In the form of a burning bush no less.  Can you even imagine it?  You’re investigating a strange light you suspect is a fire up on a mountain, and what you find is a bush that is burning, but not being consumed.  Then there was a voice.  Coming from the bush.  Would you think you had lost your mind?  Maybe that is exactly how Moses felt at first, and I imagine he did.  For a moment, he must have thought that he had had to much to drink the night before.  If that was how he felt, those feelings were quickly dashed, as he felt the Presence of the One who Created and Ruled over all.  Once he felt that presence, he was quick to answer that voice, and take off his sandals.  I would love to feel the presence that Moses felt that day.  To make you go from thinking you’re imagining things, to following His orders so fast, it must have been something else.

Shortly afterwards, I imagine Moses wished he was imagining things.  For what God commanded he do had the once proud prince of Egypt trembling in fright.  Well, how would you feel if God told you to go head to head with a powerful leader?  By yourself?  Scary thought?  Oh yeah.

Moses tried to weasel his way out of it, coming up with excuses, but God was having none of that.  He had made His decision.  He had heard His people crying out, and now the time had come to act.  Moses was chosen as His representative.  Running from God’s commands is not something you can do, as Jonah certainly found out.  When God points His finger and says you’re it, He means it.  Reluctantly, Moses agreed, but then again, what choice did he really have?

But as he traveled back to Egypt, the one time prince turned shepherd, a change overcame him.  I only imagine it was because he could feel God’s presence traveling with him.  The one time prince turned shepherd became a force to be reckoned with.  I imagine that once Moses realized it, it was a very heady feeling.  Yet it didn’t make him enter Egypt and beg for an audience with Pharaoh with a swelled head.  That to, I believe was due to the presence of God.  I  mean don’t you think that if you suddenly realized you were capable of showing a powerful leader reasons why he should let a large group of slaves free, you might be thinking you were “The Man”?  Maybe, but not Moses.  Instead, he took that new found purpose and along with his “public relations officer”, he confronted Pharaoh and miracles happened.  In the end, Pharaoh did what God wanted, after all, who can stand against God?

But days later, after getting out of town, loaded down with wealth and supplies, Pharaoh had a change of heart, that God allowed.  Why?  Because God had a point He wanted to prove.  Not to just the Egyptians, not to just the Israelites, but to modern day us.

Pharaoh and his arm pursued, with the idea of getting the slaves back.  He chased down Moses and the newly freed rich slaves and backed them into a corner.  They were between a rock and hard place, literally.  There, by a large rock, they gathered, facing the Red Sea.  Behind them was the army.  This is when the jubilant free people turned scared, mean, and cranky.  Would you blame them if you had been there?

But this is when God moves again.  He had already supplied a number of miracles for all to witness, yet still, the people cried out to Moses.  Since he was their leader, at least the one they could see, the blame fell on him.  To them, the one who had freed them was God, but somehow, now that they were in danger, it was all Moses’ fault.  How terrible Moses must have felt!  But wait a minute… did he feel terrible?  No, no he didn’t.  The shepherd did what shepherd’s do, he let his flock.

God but a barrier between the army and the flock, and for the moment, everyone was safe.  But was that enough?  Strangely enough, no.  But God wasn’t finished quite yet.  As Moses raised his arms, and called out to God, God answered, and He parted the Red Sea.  What a sight that must have been!  I can imagine it, but yet I can’t really IMAGINE it.  Not only was the sea now parted, but the ground that was once covered in water was dry.  So the once proud prince turned shepherd, lead his flock to the other side to safety.  Of course, once they all were there, and God removed the barrier, they all started to fret again as the army started to cross.  But God still wasn’t done.  He wanted His people safe.  So as the army crossed, God closed the sea, giving the Israelites complete freedom.  He saved them, in a very miraculous fashion.  Salvation came to them that day, despite their bickering and whining.  Because that is how God works.  God is in the Salvation business.

And don’t you forget it.

Adoption

There are so many of us in this world who are lucky to have parents.  The love of our parents are so instrumental in our upbringing that we don’t always understand what it means until we have children of our own.  Unfortunately, there are so many children out there who don’t have parents and are eager to be adopted.  These kids, at lest those who are old enough to realize their situation, want parents, a family, a place to belong and people they can rely on.

In some parts of the world, adoption is pretty easy.  Especially if you have money.  Here in the US, it’s a bit more difficult, with strict guidelines and rules and background checks.  A couple who are seeking to adopt have just about every aspect of their lives investigates to ensure the adoption is best for the child’s needs.

But can you imagine a couple who, when seeking to adopt, told the agency that before they could sign on the dotted line, they had to have information on the child?  That they wanted to know if the child had money of it’s own, a savings plan for college, transportation for school?  Does the child have sufficient clothes for everyday use, including nice clothes?  Can the child prepare their own meals and mend their own clothes?

There isn’t an agency in the US who would stand for that.  I would imagine that the outraged agent would lift a hand to silence such silly questions and say, “Wait a minute, you aren’t adopting this child because of what they have.  You adopt because of what the child needs, a home and a family”.  The seeking couple would then probably be shown the way out.

This is how God sees his children.  He adopts us, not because of what we have.  He doesn’t give us His name because of our wit, our intelligence, or bank account, or our good attitude.  Adoption by God is what we receive, it’s not something we can earn.  Because of God’s majesty, there isn’t a single person on earth who can earn their way into his house.

Instead, we are all welcome in God’s house because we have been adopted by the Owner.  As a child of God, He has adopted you as His own  He had given you His name  He sought you, He found you, He signed the papers, and then He took you home.

It would have been enough that He had cleansed your name, granting you the biggest pardon ever for all the mistakes and sins in your life.  But God does more.  He give you His name.  It would be enough that He just sets you free, but he does more.  He takes you home.

God adopted you, not because He had to or needed to, but simply because He wanted to.  You were in His good will and pleasure.  He fell in love, with you.  He knew full well the trouble you would be.  The messes you would make, the mistakes you would make.  He knew very well the price He would pay.  But it didn’t matter, not to Him.  He signed his name next to yours and changed your name to his and then took you home.  Your Abba adopted you and became your father.

How awesome is that?

~Kev

The true nature of a second chance

Some journeys are harder than others.  One of the hardest is when you have to go back to revisit the place where you failed.  Failing at something effects us in so many ways.  Sometimes it’s depression, sometimes it’s physical.  The thoughts and feelings that you go through when you fail at something that is important to you can be devastating.

Peter was back in his boat, fishing.  The last few days had been awful and he certainly felt the ill effects of failure.  To make matters worse, the fish weren’t there, so he felt like a failed fisherman as well.  He was with John and each time they tossed their massive net, they pulled it back in to find nothing inside them.  To Peter, it must have felt like the whole world was punishing him for failing at such an important thing a few days prior.

Then they both heard a voice from the shore, calling out to them.  “Catching any fish?”  I’m sure that Peter and John both thought that it was just a casual villager, trying to be polite.  The same way fisherman today ask the very same question.  “Are the fish biting?  Did you catch anything?”

But today, the only answer they could give was the one they shouted back at the shore, “No!”

Like many people, the person on the shore offered advice.  “Try the other side of the boat!”.  I’ve done the same thing, by telling someone to try the other side of the lake.  I can almost imagine Peter sighing and thinking to himself, “well why not, nothing else is working”.  I’m sure he thought that once again, he would be met with an empty net.  Despite those feelings however, Peter and John tossed their net on the other side of the boat.  They waited, as usual, before they could pull it in.  But something quite odd happened.  Immediately, the line to the net grew taught.  With what I’m sure was surprise, they pulled in their net and it was full!

Now, at this point, I have to try and understand what Peter was feeling.  For days now, he had been feeling like a failure.  Suddenly, good fortune had struck and I’m sure he was standing their with his mouth hanging open in shock.  I’m certain that Peter, the one who always spoke quickly, was stuck dumb.  But John on the other hand…..

No, John was feeling something a little different.  Oh, I’m sure he was amazed, but John knew that this was no ordinary run of good fortune.  Not when they had been fishing all morning with nothing to show for their efforts.  John looked back to the shore, and it hit him.  “Peter!  It’s the Lord!”

At this point, Peter whipped his head back to the person on the shore and saw the same thing John did.  It was Jesus on the shore!

Despite what he had done, despite what he was feeling, Peter did the only thing he knew to do.  He jumped out of the boat and swam as fast as he could to the shore… to Jesus.  Finally reaching the shore, he hauls himself out, wet, dripping and chilled, and sees Jesus.  Instead of speaking immediately, and making excuses, he saw what Jesus was doing.  Jesus had prepared a bed of coals to cook fish on.

Just days ago, Peter had betrayed his friend, his best friend, and the man who he said was the true Son of God.  Betrayed him!  There he stood, not knowing what to say, or even what to do.  I’m sure that he was expecting something along the lines of “I told you so”, but whatever he was expecting, was not what he got.  For once, Peter is silent.  What words could he say to his Master?  This moment sends shivers up and down my spine.  It is so Holy, that words can not explain it.  Peter, facing the one he had betrayed, watched as the Savior is offering him breakfast.  Once more, Peter is finding Grace in the presence of Jesus.

Now, think about your own failure.  Are you to scared to admit it?  To scared to talk to God, like Peter?  You shouldn’t be.  Just like Jesus offered no condemnation to the woman who was about to be stoned, he offered none to Peter, who had betrayed him.  How can you expect less from him yourself?  Jesus knows us, knows us better than we know ourselves.  He knows that there will be times when we fail.  But he won’t hold it against us, no, instead, he will do what he did for Peter.

You might think about doing the same thing Peter did.  Just stand in his presence, and be silent.  Stand still and wait.  After all, sometimes that is all a soul can do.  To repentant to speak, too hopeful to leave.

You stand there, and you will be amazed.

He has come back.  With love.

Keep trying, keep going, leave your failures in the past, and move forward and try again.  This time, with Him.  That’s the true nature of a second chance.

~ Kev

Supreme Jealousy

One day, God stood upon the earth that he had created.  It was the day.  It was the next part of his plan in creation.  The last and greatest part, which he had saved for last.  It was the sixth day.

I can imagine Him standing on the earth that he had brought forth from the void.  I can imagine Him looking around, smiling at everything He had created.  Surely this day, of all days, He was in the best mood ever.  For this was THE day.  It is easy for me to imagine that it was a perfectly beautiful day.  A blue sky, everything green, animals calling out, waves crashing on the beaches.  He stood in a special place, a place He had created for His last act of creation.  It was a garden.

Then, God leaned down, took earth in his hand and began to make a form.  If we could see back in time, that form would have seemed familiar, as it would have looked like the figure of a man.  With the type of love only God can completely comprehend, He formed His clay man.  I can imagine Him using His will and fingers to shape the finest details, from hair to fingernails to eyelashes.  It was a labor of love, and we know He worked on it for a large part, if not the whole part, of the day.

Then, He was satisfied.  The form was shaped just so.  Perfect.  But not yet finished.  I can imagine that curious angels, servants of God, gathered around.  They knew what He was doing.  They had heard His Voice echo out across the universe.

“Let us make man in our image”

Curious angels?  Is that so hard to believe?  Not to me.  For what God was making was human, totally different from them and without doubt, His greatest creation of all.  I can see them in my minds eye, standing off, giving God room, whispering among themselves.

“Just look at the face, it’s…. it’s beautiful!”

“And the hair!  Will it be soft when He is done?”

“Look at the detail!”

“Didn’t He say He was going to make man is His image though?  Something seems to be missing.”

I’m sure God heard every whisper and probably smiled at each one, especially the last.  But He wasn’t finished quite yet.  The finishing touch still had to be applied.

Then God reached out, and he gave.

I’m sure the angels watching gasped in astonishment.  I’m sure some of them exclaimed in surprise.

“He made it eternal!  It truly is like God!”

Once God put life into the first human man, I’m sure the angels tried to crowd around, to touch, to get a better look, and I can almost hear God saying, “no, no, give him some room.  Soon he will awaken, and then you can look”.

God had done it.  His final creation of six days of labor, He had created man, in His image, with free will and a soul.  An object of flesh, mortal flesh, with an eternal soul.  With free will.  A will to choose to love God or not.  I’m certain it was the talk of the angels around the water cooler for weeks.

But one wasn’t so amazed.  One was jealous.  How could God have done this?  How could He have created a creature with free will and a soul?  Something even he didn’t have.  No, the one known as Lucifer, the fallen one, the angel who defied God’s ultimate supremacy, had a case of supreme jealousy.

Already he was set against God, wanting to be more than he was.  In one single day, God had created a creature that would forever, no matter what, be greater than him.  He was angry, jealous, confused.  But one thing Lucifer wasn’t, was stupid.  So he hatched a plan.  He would bide his time.

Shortly after, God created a companion for the first man, Adam, and her name was Eve.  The first woman.  No doubt she was as beautiful as Adam was.

And Lucifer bided his time.  When he saw his opportunity, he took it, and started a conflict that has existed through the ages.  He talked Eve into eating the forbidden fruit, then Adam did the same.  Lucifer had gotten God’s creation to defy him.  Lucifer’s punishment was to be cast out, and no doubt he hoped the same would happen to them.  Or better yet, God would destroy them.

But Lucifer doesn’t, and can’t, understand God’s love.  Although he cast them from the garden, and gave them hardships to deal with, His love never waivered.  No, man was His greatest creation and nothing Lucifer could, or would, ever do would alter that fact.

We know that the conflict between man and the father of lies has already been won.  It’s a war that God fought for us.  The ultimate victory came when Jesus died on the cross for all mankind.

But it’s wonderful to go back, and revisit the very first conflict, and know that the victory started then and there.

~ Kev

Bitterness

Bitterness is, unfortunately, a part of everyone’s life.  Perhaps your bitterness stems from the loss of a parent, or a horrible and unexpected divorce.  Perhaps, worse yet, yours stems from the loss of a child. An unexpected layoff with no hope for employment in sight.  A lingering and debilitating illness.  An incurable disease.  Bitterness comes in many forms.

Bitterness is like a dark and very cold room.  Once inside, with the door closed, it’s impossible to see the way out.  You could search for it, and eventually find it, but there are other things that lurk in the dark, cold room that scare you.  If you were able to provide light, there you will see others who suffer from bitterness.  Each one has been chained to the wall.  Chained because they too couldn’t find the way out.  Eventually, the same will happen to you.  Your own bitterness from loss and deception and hurts will chain you as surely as the others you would see in that dark, cold room.  The chains are heavy, and being metal, they crown you with the cold of the room.  Stealing you warmth faster as more and more chains bind you.

Once there, with the others, you will find yourself crying out in despair.  You will grumble, complain, wail.  All against eh unfairness that is life.  Soon, like the others, you will think the whole world is out to get you.  Bitterness breeds and spreads like a virus.

But there is an option.  You could choose.  You could choose to put away your hurts before you get chained.  You could go to a party.  There is a place there for you.  In fact, your name is beside a plate, a place reserved just for you.  If you are a child of God, no one can take your place, no one can take away your sonship, your birthright.

The father said this to the oldest son.  “Son,  you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.”

And that is exactly what your heavenly Father says to you.  How does God deal with your bitter heart?  By reminding you of the things you have and how much more important they are than the things you don’t have.

The most important thing you have is your relationship with God.  No one can take that away from you.  No one can even touch it.  No one can take your place at the table at the party.  You name is there, the place is reserved, just for you.  How can this be?  Because you are His child, and His love is perfect.

My Abba, My Father

There always comes that time. You may have thought that after the last time that everything would be ok now… forever. But it doesn’t work out that way. It will happen again and once more you will pay for it in some dreadful manner. It’s like the tides. It’s coming and nothing you do will stop it. It’s as inexorable as time itself.

Abba, I’m so alone. No, my child I AM always here.

But Abba, I can’t seem to get back on my feet. Then My child, I will lift you up and give you a rock to stand on.

But Abba, I can see the storm coming and I can’t stand in the face of it. It is but a storm, and you, My child. My voice will calm it.

But Abba, I just don’t think they care about me anymore. I don’t think they love me and I am lost. I always have, and always will love you, and My love is a perfect love that never changes. Reach out to Me, and I will guide you back.

How can I believe them Abba? Their actions don’t match their words. Put your faith in Me My child, for My words are as law. I AM the Alpha and the Omega. The Beginning and the End. I am unchanging and I have always been and always will be. My words gave birth to the universe and in them, you will find no fault.

But Abba, it hurts so much, I just don’t think I can take it anymore. Then, My Child, I will ease your pain, and My grace will be enough to see you through.

But Abba, it’s not fair. I don’t deserve this. Then do not be as the world, My child, be separate, IAM, and therefore keep yourself to me and your reward will be in heaven.

But Abba, why does it have to be like this? Because My child, as hard as it is to understand, I created the possibility for it out of love.

But Abba….. I mean… are you sure? Are you sure you really love me? Of course I am sure, you are My child, whom I created like none other. My child who I have given every important thing to. My child, for whom I gave up my life for, and rose again, so you would know that one day, when it’s all done, your pain will be but a memory, your despair will be gone and your suffering will turn to joy, for you will be here by My side, where you always belonged.

My Abba, my father, I will never understand how I once went through life without you. Where everyone has failed me, has hurt me, has rebuffed me, you never have. The joys of this life can not compare to the joy you give, by knowing that no matter what, you are there for me when I have no one else. It is a comfort to me Abba, that only you truly understand me. That I don’t have to pretend, that I don’t have to hide what I am feeling or thinking. I do not have to be ashamed in what, and who, I really am. No one else can see the whole me like you Abba, yet still, you do nothing but love me in such a perfect way. I know Abba that you, and only you, would never do anything to hurt me. That you really only have wonderful things for me. That you desire only wonderful things for me. You never hide from me Abba, you never pretend with me, instead giving me your love for no reason that I can possibly understand. Oh Lord, how can I not give you me.. my all.. my everything? Words are not enough. Praise is not enough. Nothing is enough to show you what you are to me, but even still, you know. How can one as insignificant as me, the lowest of the low, deserve your love? You never make me feel less than a man, less than a person, less than nothing. I may not understand it Lord, but oh how I welcome it. Love it. Need it. Want it. And now, now at this time, at this place, the only reason I have left to go on. To keep trying, to try and persevere, to run the race before me. I want to make you proud my Lord, because I can not make anyone else proud of me. Not for prides sake, but for love’s sake. You truly are my fortress, the one thing that keeps me sane against the insanity and pain of the storms that rage around me. I love you Abba, and one day hope that in some small measure I can love as you do.

With all my love and devotion,

Kevin