Love fall days, cooler weather and freshness in the air.  Sunlight is different, to me it is softer.

It hasn’t frozen the produce, yet, so we are still able to harvest fresh vegetables and use and/or can them.

Galatians 4:4-5 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

⁵ To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

How many times have we heard or read the statement ‘Jesus is coming soon?’

Several times a week if we have contacts with other Christians or their writings.

When I accepted Christ over 50 years ago that was the chant, ‘Jesus is coming soon.’  It has not changed much through the decades.

I have to admit, I am a very impatient person – I can see your heads nodding in agreement.  When I ask God for something I figure He should give it to me immediately, after all that is when I need it.

However, God doesn’t work on our time tables.  The Jewish people waited thousands of years for their Messiah, unfortunately for many of them, when He came they didn’t accept Him.

It has been said that the early Christians would greet each other with the question, ‘have you seen Him?’

There was an expectation that when Jesus said He would be coming back soon, that it would be in our time, not God’s.  And it is the same today.

It doesn’t matter if Jesus comes today or a thousand years from today, His expectation is that we live our life so that others can learn of His salvation AND that we are ready at any time for Him to come back.

Much of the training a Police Officer goes through is never used in actual service.  However, he must train and be ready to act when necessary, or his or others may lose their life. 

I can remember once when we had a car chase that ended up in the suspect’s car going off the road and down a steep grade for a couple hundred feet.

One of the other officers asked me to go down and check on the occupants because I had the Emergency Medical Technician training and it would appear the suspects would probably need it.

As I ran down the hill I kept thinking, I wish I had the book right now!  When I checked out the car all suspects had disappeared into the brush.  We did capture then later that morning.

I had to be ready to treat those suspects, if needed, until an ambulance arrived on the scene – having the book would not have helped me, I had to be READY.

It is much the same when we expect Jesus to come.  We never know when it will happen – and through the last 2000 years, many have passed away to become face to face with Him – if they were not ready when they faced Him, it was too late.

While it is good to feel the urgency of His coming so that we keep on track, to worry about it is counterproductive. 

He WILL come on HIS time, it is up to us to continue to serve Him until that time comes; whether in our death or seeing Him come down from the clouds.

For those of us that are impatient and once we pray we expect that prayer to be answered immediately – and become disappointed when it doesn’t happen on our time frame, we need to pray for patience.  It doesn’t do us any good to get anxious and over wrought He answers those prayers as He sees fit.

Doesn’t mean that we should stop asking, or that we should give up, it just means that HIS time for us is not yet.

Later, Art :-)

Having a round steak this evening, I fix them like I do pot roasts.  Beef comes from Rose’s steer.  Teresa processed some soup bones from the steer and produced some bone marrow gel some of which we will add to the can of golden mushroom soup and dried onion soup.

Those are the only two items not from home.  We have carrots and potatoes fresh from Carla’s garden that will be cooked along with the steak.

‘tis always nice to have homegrown food where you know it has been raised correctly.

Doing better, still muddling through but doing better.

Proverbs 6:5-8 Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

⁶ Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

⁷ Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,

⁸ Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

I was watching a car commercial that said the engineers and designers took their cue from the elephant’s skull.

They then showed a brief example of the interior under the outer ‘skin’ of the car which was honeycombed.  They said that in doing so the car was lighter but stronger than a solid piece of steel or whatever they are using now.

The elephant skull, from what I can discern (according to photos I was able to locate on the web) is indeed honeycombed, I would assume to make it strong and put less strain on the neck of the elephant since it is so large – the honeycomb affect would make the skull lighter.

I have read of other discoveries made by scientists and engineers in the world of nature that have been applied to modern day devices.

By studying the animals not only do they learn more about the animal but they learn how they were created and many of these studies have turned into man’s ability to adapt and have an easier and safer life.

Romans 1:19-20  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

²⁰ For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

It truly baffles me that those who make it their life work to study God’s Creation believe in the religion of evolution.  They believe that the universe was created from a small dot to what it is now – or at least what it has become right now in the process of billions of years.

They do not see the design of a creator – yet they use these dependable designs and information from God’s Creation to try and have a better understanding of what our universe is and in doing so are trying to also create, from God’s examples, a more efficient or safer or whatever lifestyle.

They study God’s Creation, not to worship God, but as an almost worship of the creation itself.  Focused on what has been created and not the God that created them, they deny God’s existence.

I do have concern for them.  God has made it very clear that these people are going to have to stand before Him in judgement and it will be a very bitter experience.

Verses 21-25 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

²² Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

²³ And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

²⁴ Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

²⁵ Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

What an incredible world we live in.  No matter where we reside or travel to, God has complex animals, plants or minerals that survive in that environment and provide energy, shelter and even food for those living there.

We don’t have to look very hard or long to see His Hand on everything around us.

Later, Art :-)

Interesting couple of years.  Last few weeks following in line, sort of, with everything else.

I had a deadly bacteria in my intestinal track that could have done grave damage.  There was a good reason for the haz-mat suits the nurses and aides used.

Got rid of it through antibiotics and the under the watchful eye of the people at MCMC I improved and was released.

Still trying to get some balance in my system so while I appear to be out of the woods, I just have to get back to a regular process – it is coming slowly but surely.

Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

⁹ For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

The last couple three years have been challenging times for me, physically. 

However, I never ask, why.  I will ask how and what can I do to treat or prevent the problem(s) from reoccurring – because there is usually a medical remedy.

But, I never ask, Why?

First of all, He knows why I am going through anything I go through.  If He has allowed this to happen to me, there is a reason for it that will, if I trust in Him, will be used for HIS glory.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

⁶ In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

I believe that, yes, there are times I struggle with it, especially when in pain and losing focus, but I know that He directs my path and will guide me through it all.

I know He is with me at all times.  There are times I may not ‘feel’ His presence, but that doesn’t mean He isn’t there.

It is like a small child lying in bed asleep with the parent looking over him from above and saying a prayer for his safe keeping, the child may not feel the presence of the parent, but he is there none the less.

Mathew 28:20 ....and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

What a wonderful promise we have from our God!

Later, Art :-)

Interesting how Summer is turning into Fall here in our neck of the woods so much earlier than in the past.

Not that it can’t change to much warmer, but temperatures are forecast to be in the 70’s this next week.  It makes it easier to get outside chores done; but also just might be confirming the Farmer’s Almanac’s forecast of a long cold winter.

We shall see.

2 Timothy 1:13-14 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

¹⁴ That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

We know what we are to be doing with our life in Christ.

We know what He expects of us.

His Word is very clear.

The teachers and Pastors we have served under have told us what God expects of us; and, while they are not always ‘right’ we can proof their teachings using God’s Word.

But it isn’t as if we are on our own, the Holy Spirit resides within us to teach, guide and help us live our life for Him.

Where we seem to falter is not applying those truths in every aspect of our lives.

We get lazy and let others tell us what the Word says, instead of reading, studying and learning directly from the Bible for ourselves.

We get too busy in our life to take time out to talk to God and listen to Him so we can do a more effective work for Him.

Applying the Word of God to our lives is not an easy task.  It takes determination, perseverance and a sincere desire to place Him first in our lives.

But, again, He doesn’t require us to do it all by ourselves, His Holy Spirit is always within us.

Faith in God and work for God starts with small steps, just like a new job – no one expects us to do the same work the first day we are there that others, who have been there much longer, can do.

But if we do not improve in our employment we run the risk of losing the job – and there is no do overs.

With God, while He fully expects us to grown in our ability to serve Him, if we falter He is there to pick us up and help us move forward.

I need time with Him, daily, or I find that slacking off one day and saying I will make up for it the next turns into two, three days and before I know it a week and even months pass by.

Hold fast the form of sound words

We can’t do that if we let go of our relationship with Him and don’t maintain that relationship, affirming it, every day.

Later, Art :-)

Pulled some chuck steaks from Ken’s farm out of the freezer yesterday, they are thawed out and ready to barbecue when Carla comes home from work.

Home grown beef and vegetables from Carla’s garden, can’t get much better than that.

We have the butcher package our meat for two people – there was a time that we would easily have consumed the meat at one setting; now, we have leftovers for at least one meal and often two.  Good stuff though, even as leftovers!

We have some homemade ketchup canned up.  The Bell recipe book says it will not be as thick as what come from the store, however, it is thick enough and I like it better than any we have purchased in the store.

A good rich tomato taste with a slight bite to it; and, NO we will not be putting it on Ken’s good beef!

“When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.”  Roy Disney

Isaiah 48:17 Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.

Read both of these this morning and thought they complemented each other quite well.

We sometimes get lost in what we are trying to accomplish by focusing on the details – forgetting that there is a ‘big’ picture, part of which is making sure we are basing our decisions on our values.

Not always are we remaining true to those values, and when we sway from them we become ineffective in the long run.

The values we have as Christians must always line up with God’s Word.  To do that we must study His Word and take time to find out and understand what a ‘good’ follower of Christ should do.

We are fortunate that we do not have to go it alone.  The Holy Spirit is our constant companion, helping us to understand how what we are doing is honoring God.

No matter our circumstances, no matter what others may think we must remain as true to those values as we possibly can.

We are also fortunate that when we falter or even fail at times, He is forgiving and will bring us back into His fold.  Even during those times of falling away from God, the Holy Spirit speaks to us – we just don’t listen or even worse, we hear, understand but choose to go our own way.

Through the years there are times I have not been malleable, times that, rather than seek God’s guidance in my decisions I just went ahead and made them.

Most decisions were okay, but others were borderline disasters and it was my own fault for not seeking and then following His guidance.

The reason for our remaining in the world after accepting God’s Son as our Savior is so we can lead others to Him.

In order to lead others to Christ, we must first be sure our lives are on the right path.

I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.

Sounds simple enough, but takes determination, courage and a willingness to bend our stiff neck, bow to Him and acknowledged He is the leader, we are but His follower and trust in Him to know the path He wants us to follow.

Later, Art :-)

Cool day yesterday, bit of rain but for us that was fine.

Warmer, not hotter, today.  Nice wind blowing through our open window, through the house and out the back door, cool.  Didn’t use the air conditioner yesterday and it looks like it will be off today.

Meanwhile the animals are much happier AND enjoying outside.

Psalm 141:3 Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

This is a verse that I have used far too infrequently, as most of you can attest.

All too frequently I just say what I think – and while it may be valid, it can also be hurtful.  

What I have found though, considering general conversations, is that the truth of this verse comes through.  I do not cuss, although I use euphemisms and I must be careful of doing even that.

What we say, apart from our statements on our relationship with Christ, can have a serious impact on others – non-believers, but believers as well.

I was watching a show the other day.  One of the characters is a Christian – however, he was using language that not only is unfit for a Christian to be using, but 20 years ago he would have been censored for saying some of the words in public.

By doing this, in my opinion, he hurt his testimony.  He was just one of the ‘guys’ not separated from the world, but actively participating in the decrepit language of the world.

We need to even be careful of what we hear – or how we react to the statements of others, including jokes.

A friend of mine was a good example to me.  He was in a profession where rough language was a way of life.  His fellow employees would tell ribald jokes and of course many WERE funny, however, not something that is appropriate for a Christian to be involved with.

But, like many of us, he couldn’t isolate himself from his fellow workers, he had to interact with them – it was part of the job.

What he chose to do was not to laugh at the joke, but in good time he would tell one of his own.  A clean joke.

His delivery was always good, as was his timing, and what I heard about his method was that his jokes were always funny and often much funnier than the dirty joke was.

As time went on, fewer jokes and off-color comments were made around him.  They respected his views.

We live in a world today where cursing is the freedom of speech, while preaching the Gospel is a hate crime.

But as Christians we DO know the differences.  God holds us to a standard far above and removed from the standards of the world.  It is our responsibility to watch what we say, to make sure that it does not discredit God.

I need that little angel that is a guard at my lips – and need to listen to him, more.

Later, Art :-)

First rain in a while, smells good as it hits the ground.

The garden is going to feel a bit better – although there isn’t much, it is enough to perk up the leaves, somewhat.

Making some ketchup tomorrow, not sure how much yet.  We don’t use a lot of it, a good piece of meat doesn’t need it.  But it does taste good on a hamburger or hotdog sandwich.

Revelations 6:15-20 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

¹⁶ And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

¹⁷ For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

I remember being a kid and thinking I was sneaking and getting away with something.  Engrossed I was pleased with myself and focused on the action.

When I turned and there stood Mom.

There was no denying what I had done, there was no excuse for not obeying.  She saw it all.

Now, how I felt is pretty well portrayed in these verses.  I wanted to run and hide from the penalties I was about to receive.

But it was too late, all I could do was take the punishment.

So many are going to find it is too late for them, that God’s wrath and judgement is going to crash down upon them like a hurricane and there will be nowhere to hide.

They will be like the child that has been told over and over again that they must not do something – and they must act in an appropriate manner.

There will be no excuses, there will be no blame laid upon others that God will accept. 

These people will be like those that felt they were above the law.  But when the judge strikes his hammer on the desk and tells them his verdict, the full consequences of their crime will shake them up and they finally realize they are being held accountable for their actions.

While there are appeals from some court systems (depending on the country) there are none from God.  He is the final authority and either we have accepted His Son, or we have not.

We hear how there is no black and white in the world today; everything is a shade of grey - it is just a matter of perspective or situational. 

Because the world feels that way they can justify anything they do.

But God is quite clear, there are no grey areas.  Without Jesus sitting there as our advocate we have no choices, we have nothing and no way to defend ourselves.

There is absolutely no way to try and weasel out of the verdict.

God is very clear:

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.

But the beauty and relief is that we do have an advocate with the Father; we do have someone we ‘know’ that can get us past God’s Judgement and into heaven.

In this case, it IS who you know that will get you past being judged.

All we have to do is accept Him.

Later, Art :-)