I walked with assurance to the gate and range the bell. In a few moments, the Master Himself appeared. He opened it and motioned me inside. I found myself suddenly uncertain and said nothing as we walked through the path in the woods. I could see the forest gloom lighten and there burst upon my sight great light and the impression of the greatest expanse of space I had ever seen.
There were hills in every direction that teemed with life. Millions of cattle grazed there. All of the hills had them, both small and great. And, mixed in between were vast cities of people, rivers, oceans, and woods.
I was moved with awe, and there came to the forefront of my mind the memory of a saying of long ago: "For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills." I saw before me all the resources of the world, and beside me the Master and Owner.
The sight of the great wealth made me courageous, and I opened my mouth, but He spoke before me.
"What is it my child? You came to me for a reason."
I pointed at a nearby hill.
"Master," I said, "I have need to pay a small debt to a man, and I was wondering, well, since you have so much, might I borrow the cattle on that hill over there? It is a very little one, with only two or three head upon it and surely you could not miss it much?"
He answered not a word, but began walking more briskly. We wound our way along the edge of the hills, between them and the forest by which we had entered. Gradually, the hills dwindled to a small plain, or valley, and soon we entered a little wood.
When the trees parted once again, He stopped.
"Child, what do you see?"
"I see a hill, Master, of a strange shape."
"What shape, my child?"
"It seems to be that of a whitened skull, my Master."
"What do you see on this hill, child?"
"Master, I see a cross. It is empty."
As I said the words, I looked back the way we had come, and I saw again the greatness and the vastness of the resources that the Master owned. I looked also at the hill before us and at the empty cross. And I thought of the demand I had asked of my Master. I fell to my knees.
"Master, forgive me. I owe You my life, my soul, my all. I have no right to ask anything of You. I am no more than a beggar or a dog."
He only smiled, and led the way to the little hill I had requested.
"It is yours, my child. I give it you," He said.
I fell to my knees again, and said, "Master, I don't understand. I do not deserve it, nor anything else. Why do you do this?"
And He answered and said unto me, "Because I love you."
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Admit What?!
I cried at the end of a book. Yeah. Me. I've never done that. I've come close, but never actually done it. Until last night. And I wouldn't have admitted it except for the cool thought I got out of it.
So, to back up. This was the second time I've read this book. Pretty sure the first time, nearly a year ago, was one of those 'came-close-to-tears'.
For those who were wondering, the book is actually two books, but the second isn't really a sequel, it's more like a continuation. Yeah, the first one leaves you like, in the middle of a sentence. They're Black Out, and All Clear by Connie Willis. They're Sci-fi/Time Travel books that explore the power and purpose of a single variable in a situation. They're excellent, although I must warn that there is some language. Also, they're a little hard to follow if you haven't read any of her works before. That is because as with most time travel books, the author came up with her own system as to how time travel would work. And, it's never exactly explained precisely. You kind of have to pick up on it as you go. To Say Nothing of the Dog may possibly be better to start with. Her non-time travel book, Bellwether is also fascinating by the way...It's about fads...or influence...or variables...or all of the above.
Anyway...
I cried when I finished All Clear. It was just so, so...beautiful.
So, I was sitting there crying, and I thought..."Now wait a minute, I'm here crying over something beautiful in a Sci-fi book, but I've never cried over the beauty of the cross when I read it?"
Something seemed out of whack there, so, I followed that train of thought for a few minutes. And then it hit me...
It's OK not to have been super emotional about the cross. Maybe it'd be nice once in while, and maybe that time will come. It's OK to have been super emotional about a work of fiction that was beautiful.
Why?
Because the Sci-fi will never change my life, and the Bible has, and will, and does, and that is the most beautiful thing of all.
Which is not to say that no other book has changed my life. There have been a select few that have. (Works of fiction, so far, have not been among them)
God's Smuggler, by Brother Andrew, began a change in my outlook of mission, ministry, persecution, and suffering. There were several books I read right afterwards that solidified that change. If I Perish by Esther Kim, Of Whom the World was not Worthy, by Marie Chapian, Brother Andrew's sequels, or updates, The Calling, and The Light Force, also, Against the Tide, by Angus Kinnear.
Andrew Murray's School of Prayer, obviously the title indicates the area of change. I also read a biography of Hudson Taylor and John Hyde, or, Praying Hyde, which, again, reinforced the change. Also, I have in my possession a biography of George Mueller, which has influenced me greatly in regards to faith and prayer.
Radical, by David Platt, is a book I would include in the life-changer list, but not exactly because it began a change than that it reinforced and directed a change.
But, in spite of that, none of these books have the power to change every aspect of my life. Only God, through His Son, and His Word, the Bible, have that power.
So, obviously, the next thing for you to do would be to sit down, read the Bible, and then go read all the books I just listed, including the Black Out, and All Clear, which won't change your life, but might make you cry, and it might give you a break from all the hefty ones I just listed, (some of which aren't that hefty.)
Cheers!
So, to back up. This was the second time I've read this book. Pretty sure the first time, nearly a year ago, was one of those 'came-close-to-tears'.
For those who were wondering, the book is actually two books, but the second isn't really a sequel, it's more like a continuation. Yeah, the first one leaves you like, in the middle of a sentence. They're Black Out, and All Clear by Connie Willis. They're Sci-fi/Time Travel books that explore the power and purpose of a single variable in a situation. They're excellent, although I must warn that there is some language. Also, they're a little hard to follow if you haven't read any of her works before. That is because as with most time travel books, the author came up with her own system as to how time travel would work. And, it's never exactly explained precisely. You kind of have to pick up on it as you go. To Say Nothing of the Dog may possibly be better to start with. Her non-time travel book, Bellwether is also fascinating by the way...It's about fads...or influence...or variables...or all of the above.
Anyway...
I cried when I finished All Clear. It was just so, so...beautiful.
So, I was sitting there crying, and I thought..."Now wait a minute, I'm here crying over something beautiful in a Sci-fi book, but I've never cried over the beauty of the cross when I read it?"
Something seemed out of whack there, so, I followed that train of thought for a few minutes. And then it hit me...
It's OK not to have been super emotional about the cross. Maybe it'd be nice once in while, and maybe that time will come. It's OK to have been super emotional about a work of fiction that was beautiful.
Why?
Because the Sci-fi will never change my life, and the Bible has, and will, and does, and that is the most beautiful thing of all.
Which is not to say that no other book has changed my life. There have been a select few that have. (Works of fiction, so far, have not been among them)
God's Smuggler, by Brother Andrew, began a change in my outlook of mission, ministry, persecution, and suffering. There were several books I read right afterwards that solidified that change. If I Perish by Esther Kim, Of Whom the World was not Worthy, by Marie Chapian, Brother Andrew's sequels, or updates, The Calling, and The Light Force, also, Against the Tide, by Angus Kinnear.
Andrew Murray's School of Prayer, obviously the title indicates the area of change. I also read a biography of Hudson Taylor and John Hyde, or, Praying Hyde, which, again, reinforced the change. Also, I have in my possession a biography of George Mueller, which has influenced me greatly in regards to faith and prayer.
Radical, by David Platt, is a book I would include in the life-changer list, but not exactly because it began a change than that it reinforced and directed a change.
But, in spite of that, none of these books have the power to change every aspect of my life. Only God, through His Son, and His Word, the Bible, have that power.
So, obviously, the next thing for you to do would be to sit down, read the Bible, and then go read all the books I just listed, including the Black Out, and All Clear, which won't change your life, but might make you cry, and it might give you a break from all the hefty ones I just listed, (some of which aren't that hefty.)
Cheers!
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
San Antonio 2012
I had a Great time! Here are a few highlights
+Flying with Captain Diamond, Captain Gross, and Captain Hook on the way there. Captain Hook looked like Einstein which made it all the better!
-Not feeling to well at the change-over location
+I was able to give tracts out to my seat mates on the way over.
-I was too scared to go through the Gospel with any of them.
+One of them was a Kentuckian and worked with violence victims...so, that was interesting.
+/-Sitting in the Wrong Row! And having to move! At least everyone was nice about it.
++++ Seeing Paul and Sarah!
+Sarah's cooking
+Sarah's decorating
+Getting ideas for Christmas presents. *Grin* It's always hard when you haven't seen them in a long time...and I got some ideas for other people too.
-Texas water...I had terrible hair all week.
+Dominion. A game they had. It was fun
+Legos...I've always liked them, and it was nice that they were already built, because I've never been brilliant at making something out of them. Duplos on the other hand...those I can do.
+Church
+'Mexicans'
+Brownies
+The River Walk. We passed out tracts there too. It was interesting to do that in the "Bible Belt"
+/-Mission Concepcion. An old Spanish Mission. Also an active Catholic Parish. The grounds and masonry were beautiful. But it was sad to see a dead religion in action like that, and to know the great influence it has down there.
+Church. It's a good one. :)
+Sleep. And Relaxation. And pillows that I want and miss.
+Music
+/- Movies.
+Family
+Getting to know Sarah a bit better
+Skype
-Missing Dad's birthday
+Walks
+No trick or treaters
+Piano
+Jokes. Laughter. Tears. Forgiveness. Mercy. Grace. Love.
+Cracker Barrel
++Sarah's excitement over the sock monkey display
+The checker-outer person at Cracker Barrel. "That will be $1,825.00 please..."
+Warmth
+/-Dryness
++++/- All the other things I'm forgetting
-Flying with Captain Mumbo-Jumbo. Couldn't hear a word he said. (that's a nickname by the way. I don't think anyone has such an awesome name for a real name.)
---Feeling extremely sick. I frequently get that way when I fly. I guess I don't eat enough or something.
+They had a Ruby's Diner in L.A. They have good milkshakes
+/-Losing my boarding pass. They were able to print me a new one though.
++The reaction of everyone I gave a tract to there.
--Not having any tracts to give out on my last flight.
+/- Sitting in the wrong seat. Again. Something I never do...I was dissappointed because the lady I sat beside the first time seemed really really nice. But then, the couple I sat next to in my proper seat were also very sweet.
+The very sweet Chinese Presbyterian couple I sat next to.
+The man was reading a book on Christian Warfare
+There excitement that we were all Christians. (I think they were more than just professing...)
+Flying with the humorous Captain Shepherd. "We're about to begin our descent into Seattle. The temperature is 54 degrees. And...it's raining............of course.
+Cloud shadows from the air
++Flying into Seattle. I admit I was a little homesick
++Flying over the black hole which was in reality the extremely dark clouds over Washington...
++Dropping down from the sunlit lands above the clouds into the darkness of the clouds
++The cloud layers that looked like a new land. And the sun touching the tops of the Olympic? mountains in the far distance.
+/- The solid red and white ribbons of headlights on the freeways. Unfortunately, my ride was in that traffic.
+Home.
+Family
-Exhaustion
-A very busy next day
+Rest eventually
Yep. I had fun!
+Flying with Captain Diamond, Captain Gross, and Captain Hook on the way there. Captain Hook looked like Einstein which made it all the better!
-Not feeling to well at the change-over location
+I was able to give tracts out to my seat mates on the way over.
-I was too scared to go through the Gospel with any of them.
+One of them was a Kentuckian and worked with violence victims...so, that was interesting.
+/-Sitting in the Wrong Row! And having to move! At least everyone was nice about it.
++++ Seeing Paul and Sarah!
+Sarah's cooking
+Sarah's decorating
+Getting ideas for Christmas presents. *Grin* It's always hard when you haven't seen them in a long time...and I got some ideas for other people too.
-Texas water...I had terrible hair all week.
+Dominion. A game they had. It was fun
+Legos...I've always liked them, and it was nice that they were already built, because I've never been brilliant at making something out of them. Duplos on the other hand...those I can do.
+Church
+'Mexicans'
+Brownies
+The River Walk. We passed out tracts there too. It was interesting to do that in the "Bible Belt"
+/-Mission Concepcion. An old Spanish Mission. Also an active Catholic Parish. The grounds and masonry were beautiful. But it was sad to see a dead religion in action like that, and to know the great influence it has down there.
+Church. It's a good one. :)
+Sleep. And Relaxation. And pillows that I want and miss.
+Music
+/- Movies.
+Family
+Getting to know Sarah a bit better
+Skype
-Missing Dad's birthday
+Walks
+No trick or treaters
+Piano
+Jokes. Laughter. Tears. Forgiveness. Mercy. Grace. Love.
+Cracker Barrel
++Sarah's excitement over the sock monkey display
+The checker-outer person at Cracker Barrel. "That will be $1,825.00 please..."
+Warmth
+/-Dryness
++++/- All the other things I'm forgetting
-Flying with Captain Mumbo-Jumbo. Couldn't hear a word he said. (that's a nickname by the way. I don't think anyone has such an awesome name for a real name.)
---Feeling extremely sick. I frequently get that way when I fly. I guess I don't eat enough or something.
+They had a Ruby's Diner in L.A. They have good milkshakes
+/-Losing my boarding pass. They were able to print me a new one though.
++The reaction of everyone I gave a tract to there.
--Not having any tracts to give out on my last flight.
+/- Sitting in the wrong seat. Again. Something I never do...I was dissappointed because the lady I sat beside the first time seemed really really nice. But then, the couple I sat next to in my proper seat were also very sweet.
+The very sweet Chinese Presbyterian couple I sat next to.
+The man was reading a book on Christian Warfare
+There excitement that we were all Christians. (I think they were more than just professing...)
+Flying with the humorous Captain Shepherd. "We're about to begin our descent into Seattle. The temperature is 54 degrees. And...it's raining............of course.
+Cloud shadows from the air
++Flying into Seattle. I admit I was a little homesick
++Flying over the black hole which was in reality the extremely dark clouds over Washington...
++Dropping down from the sunlit lands above the clouds into the darkness of the clouds
++The cloud layers that looked like a new land. And the sun touching the tops of the Olympic? mountains in the far distance.
+/- The solid red and white ribbons of headlights on the freeways. Unfortunately, my ride was in that traffic.
+Home.
+Family
-Exhaustion
-A very busy next day
+Rest eventually
Yep. I had fun!
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
God's Amazing Second Mile
In our house, we have a saying. It goes something like. "Go the second mile, dude!" Well, this year, I've been realizing that God has been doing just that.
It started with me asking God for one mile. "Lord, please, help me not to be so stingy this year."
Deep down, I meant something more like, "Lord, I don't want to be so stingy with regards to my gift giving."
But, since that wasn't what I had actually said, He took it literally.
The first three months of the year I was slammed with unexpected expenses. Some were entirely unexpected one-time-only, and some were partly-expected-more-than-I-thought-long-term expenses. The latter ones took a hike mid-year; Kind of like a tax increase, but it wasn't taxes. By mid-summer, nearly 85% of my income was pre-allotted, leaving 15% for gifts, personal spending, and personal saving.
Then the Lord convicted me that at this time, I didn't need to be saving for a car. He also seemed to want me to spend the money I'd saved already on an airplane ticket to see my brother and sister-in-law. (That trip is coming up next week!! Yay!)
As September rolled to an end, I suddenly realized that:
a) I was about to enter October, which has about five important friends/family's birthday's. And,
b) It was almost Christmas.
c) I had a few important other items to purchase as well
All of which meant that I that 15% of my budget would be incredibly insufficient given my income, (which, by the way, took a significant decrease towards the beginning of the second quarter)
I only had one option, because cutting my pre-allotted expenditures was not an option. Getting smaller birthday presents wasn't an option this year either, because, in line with my lesson in non-stinginess/God's providence, I made a sort of un-spoken policy to give my best, regardless of cost, and let the Lord provide the rest.
So, I prayed, "Lord, I need some more money for these next few months, please."
Last week, the Lord provided me a second job. I was grateful. But since I charge an hourly wage not much over the minimum wage, and since I wouldn't be working more than a few additional hours, I wasn't sure it would be enough.
That is, until I discovered that my new employers randomly decided to pay me double what I was charging.
Isn't God good? He took my 'one-mile' request, tweaked my attitude about the whole thing, (quite a bit), and took it the second mile in more ways than one. This is only a short version!
It started with me asking God for one mile. "Lord, please, help me not to be so stingy this year."
Deep down, I meant something more like, "Lord, I don't want to be so stingy with regards to my gift giving."
But, since that wasn't what I had actually said, He took it literally.
The first three months of the year I was slammed with unexpected expenses. Some were entirely unexpected one-time-only, and some were partly-expected-more-than-I-thought-long-term expenses. The latter ones took a hike mid-year; Kind of like a tax increase, but it wasn't taxes. By mid-summer, nearly 85% of my income was pre-allotted, leaving 15% for gifts, personal spending, and personal saving.
Then the Lord convicted me that at this time, I didn't need to be saving for a car. He also seemed to want me to spend the money I'd saved already on an airplane ticket to see my brother and sister-in-law. (That trip is coming up next week!! Yay!)
As September rolled to an end, I suddenly realized that:
a) I was about to enter October, which has about five important friends/family's birthday's. And,
b) It was almost Christmas.
c) I had a few important other items to purchase as well
All of which meant that I that 15% of my budget would be incredibly insufficient given my income, (which, by the way, took a significant decrease towards the beginning of the second quarter)
I only had one option, because cutting my pre-allotted expenditures was not an option. Getting smaller birthday presents wasn't an option this year either, because, in line with my lesson in non-stinginess/God's providence, I made a sort of un-spoken policy to give my best, regardless of cost, and let the Lord provide the rest.
So, I prayed, "Lord, I need some more money for these next few months, please."
Last week, the Lord provided me a second job. I was grateful. But since I charge an hourly wage not much over the minimum wage, and since I wouldn't be working more than a few additional hours, I wasn't sure it would be enough.
That is, until I discovered that my new employers randomly decided to pay me double what I was charging.
Isn't God good? He took my 'one-mile' request, tweaked my attitude about the whole thing, (quite a bit), and took it the second mile in more ways than one. This is only a short version!
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Top Eleven Things I Said While Learning to Drive
1: I am slowing down!
2: Whoops, I guess I should slow down a bit. Don't want to get my permit suspended.
3: I am speeding up, your gas pedal just has a slow response time.
4: Where are you going, can I drive?
5: How'm I doing?
6: I'm such a good parker!
7: What should I have done?
8: *tears* I'm a terrible driver, I'll never get my license!
9: I am staying in my lane!
10: Night driving sure is different!
11: Let's do a road trip, I'll drive!
2: Whoops, I guess I should slow down a bit. Don't want to get my permit suspended.
3: I am speeding up, your gas pedal just has a slow response time.
4: Where are you going, can I drive?
5: How'm I doing?
6: I'm such a good parker!
7: What should I have done?
8: *tears* I'm a terrible driver, I'll never get my license!
9: I am staying in my lane!
10: Night driving sure is different!
11: Let's do a road trip, I'll drive!
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
The Top Ten Things I Heard While Learning to Drive
1: Slow Down!!
2: Speed Up.
3: Look over your shoulder when changing lanes!
4: It's not a staring contest, just glance!
5: Stay in your lane.
6: You have to be aware of everything around you.
7: A merge is like two people trying to get into the same place at the same time without hitting each other.
8: Slow down, no, BRAKE!
9: Stay in your lane.
10: Don't panic.
And now, I am a Licensed Driver. Congratulations, Self!
2: Speed Up.
3: Look over your shoulder when changing lanes!
4: It's not a staring contest, just glance!
5: Stay in your lane.
6: You have to be aware of everything around you.
7: A merge is like two people trying to get into the same place at the same time without hitting each other.
8: Slow down, no, BRAKE!
9: Stay in your lane.
10: Don't panic.
And now, I am a Licensed Driver. Congratulations, Self!
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Have I Mentioned...?
...That I love the book of Hebrews?
I saw another cool little thing in Chapter 9 this week.
"Whereupon, neither the first testament was dedicated without blood,
"For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
"Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you." ~(Hebrews 9:18-20)
The Old Testament verses for this is in Exodus 24:1-8.
What's cool about this, I thought, was the similarity of vs. 20 to Matthew 26: 26-28 which reads:
"While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is My body.
"And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them saying, Drink from it, all of you:
"For this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."
In the same way that the sacrifices of the Old Testament were a type of salvation from sins, the blood of Jesus is the way of salvation. And both covenants were dedicated with almost exactly the same wording. Cool? I think so.
I saw another cool little thing in Chapter 9 this week.
"Whereupon, neither the first testament was dedicated without blood,
"For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
"Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you." ~(Hebrews 9:18-20)
The Old Testament verses for this is in Exodus 24:1-8.
What's cool about this, I thought, was the similarity of vs. 20 to Matthew 26: 26-28 which reads:
"While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is My body.
"And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them saying, Drink from it, all of you:
"For this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."
In the same way that the sacrifices of the Old Testament were a type of salvation from sins, the blood of Jesus is the way of salvation. And both covenants were dedicated with almost exactly the same wording. Cool? I think so.
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