The thought that came to me this morning as I began my devotions.

 

The sum of who I am today is directly related to my past.  My past friends, decisions, ambitions, fears, losses, accomplishments, experiences, faith and most of all my salvation through Christ.

The sum of who I will be tomorrow is those things, plus what I do with today.

Psalm 118:24 This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

From the ColumbiaRiverGorgeous
May Our Good Lord Bless and Keep YOU....’til we meet again

Watching the small sparrows, through our front window, as they line up on the neighbor’s fence.  At least three sections are about full and those are 8 feet long each.  Not sure what they are looking for, but it is always fun watching the animals around here.

Blaze is enjoying his time in the yard and lying down in the yard.  As I mentioned earlier, that is real progress for him.  He seldom has that thousand yard stare anymore, he listens and looks around to see if there is something that is invading his territory – and lets them know if they are – he and the neighbor dog have regular conversations.

When one comes out he barks to let the other know he is there and if they are out there is a return I am too – type bark, not lengthy by either, unless they don’t get an immediate response.

Then of course, we have our pet deer coming and going which sparks a response by both.  Found out today that deer actually eat acorns – didn’t know that.  We have a couple of oak trees in the back and we note that when the acorns drop they don’t last very long, we don’t have but a squirrel or two thanks to the neighborhood cats, so we didn’t know why they were gone – now I do.

Carla also thinks that might explain why see sees acorns in her garden – not very many, the garden is nowhere near the trees.  She thinks maybe the deer bring them down with them to munch on until they get to her veggies – either that or they might be exchanging them for her veggies........kinda a barter?

Isaiah 26:4 Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:

Got back from the doctors’ offices a little while ago.  As we were reviewing the interesting episodes that we have encountered while having surgery, my primary doc just shook his head.

He said ‘at least you have a good humor about it.’

While we struggle with pain or frustrations we can also remember that we are not dealing with anything alone – God is with us through any and all things.

It gives us opportunities to share Christ with others and the hope that is within us. 

We may not always be upbeat, but we can strive to allow Him to operate in us and show others His great love.

I was fitted with another heart monitor that is attached for the next two weeks to see how the operation is doing.  I am still feeling the problems, but I also know that there are times that I go into A-fib without realizing it.  Hopefully, this will give them some information that will help.

I have some more tests coming up in a few weeks for another potential problem and we will see if indeed there is a problem and how we can address it if there is – getting older by the day!

Meanwhile, Carla caries on, little stiff and with some arthritis in her fingers, but showing the stoutness of her country upbringing.

Later, Art :-)

From the ColumbiaRiverGorgeous
May Our Good Lord Bless and Keep YOU....’til we meet again

A couple of deer from another herd, the first come from Mill Creek area below us - these came from the orchards up behind us, chose to visit and partake of Carla’s garden this morning.  They don’t even spook anymore they just look at us as if to say, leave me alone – who do you think you are disturbing my breakfast?  Then they will amble out and back to their resting areas.

About the only thing we have left in our harvesting are the tomatoes and since they in cages it is more difficult for them to take them all.  The peppers and cucumbers are about done and they don’t seem to care for them much.

The days are speeding by faster and faster.  Here it is October 2015 and if you ask me quickly without giving me much notice what was the year 20 years ago I would answer the 70’s.  I am still thinking like I was back in the 1990’s.  I think we all heard it growing up as we wanted to get ‘old or big enough’ to do something – someone, usually a parent would say, “don’t wish your life away.” 

Now, all of our kids are at least 30 years old (some of you will remember when we were in the 1960’s and we were told not to trust anyone above 30) and now Carla and I have grandchildren driving – one who graduates this year and one next year. 

Seems like only yesterday, right after my my first child was born, someone told me to get an extra set of keys for the car, she would be driving before I knew it.  How right he was.

No regrets, just part of enjoying life on this planet in anticipation of eternal life with Christ.

Philippians 1:3-5 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

⁴ Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,

⁵ For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;

KJV from Biblegateway.com

We have all heard the statement, “he thinks he is God’s gift to women – or she thinks she is God’s gift to men.”  Not a term we want to hear about us – it said in derision mocking the self-adoration of the person they are talking about.

But we also know that God does give mankind gifts.  We see it in the sun during the day and the moon and stars at night.  We see it in the beauty of the universe.

We see it in the food we eat and how our body parts works together that we live a coordinated existence.

We see it in the smallest growing things where even the simplest is very complex in its creation.  We see it in how one created thing benefits other created things.

But the greatest gift, of course, is the gift that God gave to us through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus, for our sins.

God gives us other gifts also, through the Spirit of God:

1 Corinthians 12:29-31 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

³⁰ Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

³¹ But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

And by His Spirit we have many fruits for our spiritual living:

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

²³ Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

But those gifts are not to be held and cradled in our hearts without sharing.  Paul says “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,”

As Christians we are a gift of God; a gift of support to our brethren.  We are gifts to each other from God.

Philippians 1:23-24 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

²⁴ Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

God wants us to share our gifts with everyone, not just those that have accepted Christ – if that is all it was why doesn’t He just take us all up to heaven when we accept Jesus?

He wants us to be a gift to man, not in a vain prideful way, but as an ambassador to man, as a witness of what He has done for us and a promise of what He can do for them.

He could have done anything, chosen any means to proclaim the Gospel, what He chose was to use us.  We are His gift to man – not as Christ was, but preaching His Gospel and means of salvation to those that do not know Him.

1 Corinthians 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

God has many gifts He has given to mankind, as Christians, we are one of those gifts.  We are given gifts to be given, let us act like it.

Later, Art :-)

From the ColumbiaRiverGorgeous
May Our Good Lord Bless and Keep YOU....’til we meet again

I had an interesting dream last night.  I was back working for the Police Department as a Sergeant.  We received a call of an injury accident on the west end of town.

I was on another call, so didn’t get there right away.  When finished I went to the scene. 

The driver had run into several parked cars – he was obviously intoxicated. 

He was ranting and raving that it wasn’t his fault.  It was the car’s fault.  It was the car that hit those cars, not him.

The investigating/arresting officer told him that he had been arrested for Driving under the influence and told him that the car is a machine; HE was the one driving and would be held responsible.

As he kept ranting and raving in the back seat of the patrol car, the officer, shaking his head, looked at me and said “First time I heard that excuse; it is the car’s fault, not his.  Drunks!”

Then I woke up to the tones of AllClassical.

As I lay there I was thinking, how can anyone blame a car for injury when it is obviously the driver’s fault?  “Drunks!”

Ephesians 6:18-20 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

¹⁹ And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

²⁰ For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Paul asks us to be in prayer for other Christians, to be diligent in helping them grow in Christ.  Helping them avoid temptations, and stand strong for Him.

Then he writes, And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Paul, who never stopped preaching Christ even when he was beaten and left for dead, even when he was whipped and incarcerated, Paul was asking for prayers that he might speak boldly as he ought to speak. 

He didn’t relish the thoughts of once again going through those ordeals and in the flesh he knew he was vulnerable – even though his heart was fixed on God.

I am convinced that satan seeks us out with special demons.  They know what our thoughts and weaknesses are, they know how to attack us and when to do it.  We are all different, what works for one person doesn’t for another, satan knows that and acts accordingly.

Those demons have complete access to our minds, but when we accepted Christ they no longer had access to our hearts.  And it is the heart that drives a Christian.

Paul’s desire, his heartfelt desire, was to preach the Gospel of Christ to everyone.  To stand boldly and without fear as he told others of his faith and as he admonished those that strayed from it.

Satan couldn’t work on his heart, he couldn’t change his heart so he attacked him mind, trying to make him think that he should tone down his remarks, or perhaps striking fear that he would once again be tortured and abused.

But, Paul told his fellow Christians of his struggle and asked for their prayers.

We suffer the same kind of fears that Paul suffered, we are not good enough, we might be held in derision and contempt.  We will be made fun of or looked at as a religious nut. 

We will be cast aside by our employers; we will be given the worse jobs and past up for any promotions.  Our families will suffer because we speak out and they too will be ridiculed for our testimony.  If we proclaim Christ, all this will happen to us and our families and it will be our fault – we should have remained quiet and never professed our love of Christ.  Or at the very least toned it down, it is okay to be ‘religious’ at church but it shouldn’t affect our daily lives.

All lies of satan’s special demons assigned to discourage us; to make us think we cannot be effective witnesses for Christ.

Does the physical happen, yes, I have been through it and so has my family.  It sometimes wreaked havoc with me as I went through some of those situations, and yes, there were times I backed off for fear of ridicule.  

And I have asked and received forgiveness from God for my inactions.

Paul’s request for prayers is a good example for us.  It shows us that even the Great Apostle Paul was not perfect and he needed the prayers and support of others to continue his work.

If Paul needed those prayers, then so do we; if Paul asked for those prayers then so can we. 

While satan works on the minds he cannot work on our heart.  While he can try to trouble our souls, our hearts and faith in Christ will win out.

Proverbs 23:26  My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

We have given God our hearts through the salvation of Jesus Christ.  We have a strength that satan cannot destroy.  It is our faith that knows that God is God and that His Word is true.

Mathew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Now let us do as Paul did, ask for prayers, and pray for others.

Later, Art :-)

From the ColumbiaRiverGorgeous
May Our Good Lord Bless and Keep YOU....’til we meet again

Deer were in the garden a bit later this morning as they headed down the driveway at about 0930.  They haven’t done too much damage, but I am going to try something different next year.

Carla and Teresa are working on Pizza Sauce and Green tomato relish – not nearly as much as we had last year, but it will be sufficient for our needs.

Me thinks that the canning of fruit is over, again not as much as last year, but enough, along with those left from last year, to satisfied our needs this winter.  We will need to ‘beef’ it up next year.

1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

⁴ To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

⁵ Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

In this world of chaos and violence we have a Father who wants the best for us.  Even when we see Christians undergoing incredible torture and torment, even when we see Christians targeted and murdered, we know that God is with them.

Because Christ’s sacrifice was honored by the Father, our lives are in His hands and more importantly, our very souls.

The world’s values change almost daily and lately it is changing to the point where virtually no one is safe.  We cannot depend on the world’s system to protect us from the violence of man.

The world’s values are transient and last but for a moment.  They are not guaranteed and even if they last our lifetime, they do nothing for us when we face the Judgement seat.

A few years ago, Deed, as an electrician, was working on a multi-million dollar home in the Portland area.  One of the things the owner had her do was change some light bulbs – can’t remember why.

The family had two young children; as they were sitting on a daveno watching her, one said to the other “I am glad we will never have to change light bulbs.”

Shortly thereafter it was discovered that the husband had stolen the proceeds of a retirement program for a union.  Eventually he was incarcerated and the family’s lifestyle had a dramatic change.

In the end, that beautiful home, worth several million dollars was taken from the family – it was foreclosed on and sold for less than a million.

It was not the children’s fault this happened and obviously they had not been taught to be self-sufficient thinking that they would never have to do anything for themselves.

They were following the example of their parents.  But I wonder where they are now, can they deal with the damage done by their parents and can they survive in this world?

We have seen this kind of thing throughout the centuries where governments change, or decide that anyone that has more money than the government thinks it should have they take it.

Christians and Jews are being driven from their homes in the middle east, they are losing jobs and their lives.  There are no guarantees that what we have today will still be ours tonight.

The value of money changes, our currency is constantly being evaluated in the world and it fluctuates, not by much – right now.  But, I am remembering the value of the German money became so low it was used as fire starters – it was worthless.

Our only assurance is that we have the salvation through Jesus and that, in the end, is all that is going to matter.

We need to focus more on God and His Righteousness, what He has done for us.  We need to praise and worship Him and thank Him for His love for us.

It is easy to do that often during the day.  We just need to practice having Him on our minds, ever ready to look to Him in thanksgiving.  For a Christian this should be automatic, but we too frequently allow the pressures of the day to overcome us and the business of the day distract us.

We need to take Peter’s advice.

Ephesians 5:19-20 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

²⁰ Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Later, Art :-)

From the ColumbiaRiverGorgeous
May Our Good Lord Bless and Keep YOU....’til we meet again

Windy and overcast today, not sure if we are going to have rain or not, but a slight chance of rain is in the forecast.

As the weather cooled down, Blaze started spending more time outside.  He has gotten to the point that instead of standing and looking out the fence for as much as an hour, he actually feels comfortable enough that he is laying down AND sleeping outside.

Now, I know that for almost every dog that is not much – but for Blaze that is a major development.  He can be vocal at times but calms down when told too – although, he sometimes quickly forgets.

Mathew 13:47-50  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:

⁴⁸ Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.

⁴⁹ So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,

⁵⁰ And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

As with many, this morning, my heart is heavy for the victims and their families that were killed and injured yesterday while attending a Community College in Roseburg, Or.

It is stated the man doing the shooting called out Christians and targeted them.  He appears to be an admirer of the radical Islamic sects that are killing Christians – and anyone else that disagrees with their interpretation of the Koran - in the Middle East.

There is always a hew and cry that we must remove guns from our society – were that it would make a difference, but we have strong gun laws and they haven’t stopped anything.

It is estimated upwards of 30% and probably closer to 50% of the American households have a at least one gun in their home.  That means of the millions of gun owners only a small percentage of a single percentage commit crimes with them.

As a former law enforcement officer I believe that any law abiding citizen of this country should be allowed to have a gun.  In the past few years gun sales have gone up and consequently gun violence – despite the medias’ and some government officials statements to the contrary – have gone down.

The response, by law enforcement officers, to the scene of this latest tragedy responded quickly and professionally.  Several officers arrived at the scene simultaneously – but it took several minutes.  During that time the killer tried to continue killing – it was a brave veteran who withstood the killer, taking several rounds himself - that kept the murderer from continuing his rampage to other parts of the campus before officers arrived.

Gun laws do not keep criminals from committing crimes.  However, an armed citizen, who knows how to handle a weapon and when to use it, is a deterrent.  Rarely does a criminal invade a home or attack a person who may be armed, they go to the next victim.

It isn’t the guns that are the problem.  It is the world’s denial of God and His Son.

What we need is an understanding that the world is turning farther and farther away from God’s Word. 

Satan is running amuck in the world and gathering minions who are willing to do his bidding.  This is nothing new, we look through history and see the same thing – yet because of our instant communications we hear and see it almost in real time AND it encourages others to join in with the violence.

The seemingly most popular of our movies and television programs glorify killing, maiming and revenge.  The highest selling video games do the same thing. 

Christians are mocked and tormented while the criminals are being excused and validated. 

Society has written its own rules and used its own judgments deciding to ignore God and going on its own.

What is happening in this world is a direct result of those decisions and we can thank those who have lead the way.

I don’t know if these are the last days or not, ‘twould appear we are growing close.  But there is still time to accept the fact that God exists, God does love His creation and He has provided a way for us to join Him in Heaven.

The world does not have the answer, as obvious by what is happening, not only in America, but around the globe.

Later, Art

From the ColumbiaRiverGorgeous
May Our Good Lord Bless and Keep YOU....’til we meet again

The produce from the garden is coming to an end.  Carla and Teresa will be harvesting and using green tomatoes as well as the ripened ones, in different recipes and canning them for the winter – you are welcome to join them.

Most of our hummingbirds have migrated out of the area, we have just those few that remain with us through the winter months.  Our feeding is going from a quart plus every day, to every couple or three days.

We will need to begin winterizing the property and prepare for winter – she will be here before long.

Ephesians 4:4-7   There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

⁵ One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

⁶ One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

⁷ But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

“All-American Jesus”

When you read that title, what came to your mind?

What was the first thing?

The title was given to a posting by Nate Pyle and he is talking about the American athletes’ testimony of their life in Christ; the high level we place them on, but ultimately the life of any Christian man and how our testimony is just as important.

The full article is here:  http://media.harpercollinschristian.com/page/all-american-jesus

What came to me, though, as I read that title had nothing to do with athletes, I got to thinking that I have a singular focus - a focus that somehow American Christians are better than other Christians around the world.

Then, again without yet reading the article – how arrogant I am and this author must be to think that America has a unique and ‘inspired’ view of who Jesus is – and ours is the most appropriate.

I was embarrassed that the first thing that came to mind was someone was saying just that, that the American view of Jesus is better than the rest of the world’s Christian view and life in Jesus.   

Partly because it shocked me to think anyone would label Jesus as American and then that I realized that I DO often thing we have that special relationship with Him that no other country’s Christians have; I have placed American Christians, somehow, above others; and that is so wrong.

That was my first thought – can’t help it, but by being honest to myself it is the only way I can allow the Holy Spirit to change and work within me.

It was much like the time I was teaching an adult Sunday School Class in the Sanctuary of our church.  I can’t remember why, but the Pastor decided to have me go to a classroom. 

I felt demoted, I felt like I had been relegated to a lower position, even though I had the largest class in the church I didn’t seem to be appreciated.  I was teaching in the sanctuary, a place of honor and recognition of my talents.

I admit that was arrogant of me and that it was foolish – but that is how I felt and until I dealt with that feeling and accepted the fact that God was in direct control of my life, no matter what class or where I was assigned to teach, that I was at peace. 

I remember some time later talking with the Pastor about something and told him about that feeling, he was surprised – he hadn’t intended to ‘demote’ me.  He started to explain – not apologize by the way, and he had no reason to do so – I told him I was fine, I had dealt with that and was not upset, it was just my first reaction and I realized it was a wrong reaction. 

God deals with us, He deals with our self-worth as well as our opinion of others.   

America IS special.  Many of the first settlers came to America for religious reasons.  Our constitution finds its inspiration from the Bible; it also guarantees that we have the freedom to worship God as we choose.  Most of the signers were Christians, indeed, many were Pastors.  The walls of the buildings build for government purposes, until just recently, had Bible verses engraved on them. 

God has been extremely important in our American culture.  We see it in the many things God has done for us.

We are blessed with an abundance of natural resources that allow us to feed our people, but also people in other parts of the world.  We are leaders in the world in many areas. 

We have been the defenders of the oppressed giving our sons’ blood in the defense of tyranny.  We have stood up to the despots and if not alone, we were major players in pulling them down, often to protect others, but also to keep them from attacking us on our soil.

We have been leaders in industry and science.  We have opened our colleges to other countries so their young people can learn and take back to their homes new techniques and make their countries better.

Our businesses have provided a higher standard of living as citizens work for companies and are well-paid; or they are free to create and build their own companies to take care of their families.

Our churches are opened to any who wish to worship with us.

It is easy to see the blessings of God on our country and equate that with a special insight on who Christ is; and thus define Him as an American – even if we don’t really think about it or realize that we are doing so.

But, when that happens we are no different than those Jews, who had accepted Christ, striving to dictate how Gentile Christians should live because they had that special relationship with God through Abraham as they grew up following the commandments of God.

They needed to be brought up short and reminded that, now and forever, we are all children of God, first to them, yes, but also to the rest of us.  God now treats us all the same, either we are believers in Christ or we are not.

Either we accept Him as Savior or we do not.  Either we follow and obey Him, or we do not.  Either we recognize and preach that the ONLY way to heaven goes through Christ and that works will never be enough.

We do have to be extremely careful of allowing false teachings, of allowing those that will twist scriptures to meet their agendas to have any influence on our relationship with God.

We have the Holy Spirit to guide us and the Word to tell us and trusted and proven advisors to tell us what the truth is and what it is not.

There are many things that one denomination might do that another will not, but the basics are there for both and in that understanding we are one body. 

But that truth is not limited to America, it is true of every Christian no matter where they live.

Is America blessed?  Yes.

Is America a country that others can look up to and emulate their successes?  Yes.

Is America special?  Yes.

But, when we go before the judgement seat of God, He is not going to consider our nationality, our race, our denomination, our age, our lineage, our opinion as to our value, the world’s opinion of our value – He is only going to consider how we presented Christ to others.

God is not limited by borders of countries or anything else.  No Christian is better than another because they reside in one area or another.

We are one family.  We have been adopted, by God the Father, through Jesus Christ the Son, into the family of Abraham; and while we may differ on some things, we are still His.

So many of our brethren, around the world, are going through horrendous trials – how dare I think that I, as an American, is a better Christian than any of them. 

In truth, because they are being tried by the fires of satan and proven worthy of Christ, they are far better Christians than I.

Later, Art :-)

From the ColumbiaRiverGorgeous
May Our Good Lord Bless and Keep YOU....’til we meet again