Well, while I was wasting time working this morning, searching for inspiration and motivation, I stumbled into these words:

The most often repeated command in the Bible: “Do not fear!” Our God is in control! Hallelujah!

Wow, that’s pretty interesting, so I decided to do some quick research. I am not sure that for sure its the more often repeated command, but I did find out that there are 84 occurrences of the command “Do not fear!” or “Stop being afraid!” starting with

1 After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision:
“Do not be afraid, Abram.
I am your shield,
your very great reward.” Gen 15:1 NIV

I am not sure about you, but I find this pretty invigorating and comforting. The creator of the world tell us via his communication with others on many occurrences that we should not be afraid as we go through life. That’s a cool thought, especially since we use that as a reason to not do so many times. And it appears it is something that I am writing about quite frequently. Or at least it seems that I have been writing a lot about lately.

I wonder what I seem to fear, and even more I wonder why I would – when I have a pretty good dude on my side. ( or I guess I am on his side!)

How about you?

This is a sad thing for me as I have grown up with the Space Shuttle.  This was the topic of my seventh grade science fair project.  I had aspirations for a short time that I would fly on one of those things one day.   Everytime I see the amount of engineering and the amout of design that is in those ships, I just stand and marvel at the amount of creative design and thoughts and the mind power that was used to build those things and to make them fly around the earth! 

So today seems like the end of an era of exploration. But it seems that  exploration is something that has been created inside of us. The abilty to dream and to explore and to create.

And it does seem that it all comes back to one creator who gave us the ability to create such incredible devices to explore his marvelous universe.

27 So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 New International Version (NIV)

Remember who created you today, and reach for the stars, or maybe the space station! I wonder what we will explore next!

Anyway, last week my favorite IBM employee and account rep, forwarded me the information that this week on Jeopardy the Watson supercomputer is going to take on 2 of the greatest Jeopardy champions of all time in a man vs Artificial Intelligence duel to the death ( or maybe to $1 Million !) And if there are three people I guess that is not technically a duel!  This is really a pretty big deal in the AI industry, as its a real time test of over 4 years of development efforts on this super computer.  It seems last night, Watson got off to an incredible start, but was slowly reeled in my one of the human contestants before the wheel starting spinning at half past the hour.   I have set up my DVR to catch the heart racing action for the next two nights.

It is really amazing that men can build and program a machine to be able to process and answer to quickly.  To be able to replicate in certain ways the workings of our brain is really really amazing.  But I wonder if we will ever be able to really capture all the true intricacies that make us human.  For instance our ability to create and organize and plan and build – those abilities are truly unique among the inhabitants of this world.  Truly unique because they are given from God.

²⁷ So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.  Genesis 1:27

and then here is an obscure instance of in Exodus

30 Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 31 and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— 32 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 33 to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts. 34 And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. 35 He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers. Exodus 35:30-35 (New International Version, ©2010)

So, as we watch things like the Watson supercomputer and marvel at its complexity and let us celebrate the way men are using the gifts God has given them and then lets us use our gifts as well.

No, I am not exactly sure what you do on Monkey Day, except consider monkeys, or maybe pick insects and bugs out of your friends hair, or maybe we could be like King Solomon, and have some shipped our way:

²² The king had a fleet of trading ships at sea along with the ships of Hiram. Once every three years it returned, carrying gold, silver and ivory, and apes and baboons.1 Kings 10:22 (New International Version, ©2010)

My guess however, is that Monkey Day is just to help remind us of monkeys, those animals who share many things with us humans, and to remember that we have been given dominion or rule over them.

²⁶ Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” Gen 1:26

And of course, any good ruler, is then, in turn a servant.  Since this world is God’s and we are his followers, we should always remember to take great care and concern around his creation.

So have fun on Monkey Day, the monkey’s will!

Go throw some poo!

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Yes, its Earth day, so my database server decided to save energy and not run! Its finally back up, and I am able to post away!

 That’s one way to celebrate this sort of crazy holiday, a holiday I think we should all get behind, however, I may have a little different take then some people on how to approach it.  No chaining my self to a tree, however, I do think we should consider the trees we have.  For me this is a day to honor the Creator and to be in awe of the wonders he gave  us to manage

  26-28 God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them
      reflecting our nature
   So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea,
      the birds in the air, the cattle,
   And, yes, Earth itself,
      and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.”
   God created human beings;
      he created them godlike,
   Reflecting God’s nature.
      He created them male and female.
   God blessed them:
      ”Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!
   Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air,
      for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.”

 29-30 Then God said, “I’ve given you
      every sort of seed-bearing plant on Earth
   And every kind of fruit-bearing tree,
      given them to you for food.
   To all animals and all birds,
      everything that moves and breathes,
   I give whatever grows out of the ground for food.”
      And there it was.

 31 God looked over everything he had made;
      it was so good, so very good!
   It was evening, it was morning—
   Day Six.  Gen 1:26-31 The Message (MSG)

What is so great is that today, like every day creation screams out praising to the creator.  Last night, I was considering my finger nails, and what a marvelous thing they are. (No I did not get a manicure!)  In the simplicity and in the grandeur, it all declares the glory of the Master.

  1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
       the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

 2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
       night after night they display knowledge.

 3 There is no speech or language
       where their voice is not heard.  

 4 Their voice goes out into all the earth,
       their words to the ends of the world.
       In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, Psalm 19:1-4 New International Version (NIV)

So today, remember the Creator as you consider the trees, and the resources we have been pleased to have and to use.  Go over to this site (http://www.crazylovebook.com/videos_awe.html) and check out this video from Francis Chan.  I think that will give you an appreciation for the greatness of this creation we live in and the greatness of the Creator as well.

 1 The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it,
       the world, and all who live in it; Psalm 24

 Happy Earth Day, now go play in the yard!

“Oh No, I can’t believe this!”, I said out loud as I slowed my vehicle waiting anxiously for the light to change to green so I could zoom past without a care.  However, that was not my destiny for this day.  As I came to a stop, I was ear to ear with this man.  He was not four feet from me.  I am sure I could have reached out and touched his shoulder from my driving position.

So, there I sat, for what seemed like minutes, but what was really only 20-30 seconds.  I stared awkwardly straight ahead while he stood holding his sign, staring nervously the other direction.   What was his situation?  What where his needs?  I don’t know.  I looked at the empty bags on the floorboard that contained the remnants of my dinner, and thought about the items I had just purchased in my truck bed, but I took no action. I will add here, not to excuse myself but to set up the situation, this corner seems to be a professional corner.  Its one that is usually occupied by the sign holders.  However, this guy was not in the worn patch that is there, he was almost of the road.  But either way, this man has stuck with me all night.  Could I have helped him?  I don’t know.  Would a few loose coins, or a few dollars helped him?  I don’t know.  However, the part that has stuck with me is that whether I could have met his needs or not, he still is a person – made in God’s image, and I ignored him.  Its bothered me more that I judged him and didn’t even acknowledge that a person was standing right outside my car.  Had this been the Chick-fil-a cow and those idiotic Liberty Tax Dancers, or a dude holding a furniture store going out of business sign, I would have waved and watched their antics.  But since I felt this guy needed something from me, or was an inconvenience to me or something like that, I screened him and acted like he was not there.  EPIC FAIL!

⁴²And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” Matthew 10:42 NIV

So, my encouragement to you today, is to remember that all of us are made in God’s image and all of us are important and just people with problems.   I am not suggesting that I would have unloaded my wallet on this guy if I was back there again, but I may have at least made eye contact and treated him with respect.  The only way I could imagine that I might be better then him is the blood of Jesus and I did nothing to earn that gift.

²⁷ So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.  Genesis 1:27 (New International Version)

Think about how you are looking at the people around you today!

Anyway, I am not a big fan of some of these more traditional “Christian” observances, as to me it can complicate the true simplicity of the message.  However, this day has to do with repentance, and repentance leads to transformation and change – which I am a BIG fan of.

So, today as you “buffet your spiritual body”, maybe its time to repent, or to be broken by some of your deeds or thoughts, and then use today as a marker day to move forward, a new.  All of this things can be forgiven and you can be made new – the power of the sacrifice of Christ.

I love the song Forgiven by Sanctus Real,  in it says

I don’t have to carry the weight of who I’ve been, ’cause I’m forgiven.

Maybe today is that day for you.  The day to let go of the weight that holds you back, that holds you down, repent and move forward.  Its amazing how much better it is.

Remember, O man, that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return.

—Genesis 3:19

Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.

—Mark 1:15

Repent, and hear the good news.

—Mark 1:15

But consider for a moment the POTU ( thats the President of the Universe).  The POTU, or God, has made everything.  His glory is completely his.

 ¹¹“You are worthy, our Lord and God,
   to receive glory and honor and power,
   for you created all things,
      and by your will they were created
      and have their being.”  – Revelation 4:11

And the best part is that he made you, and passed that glory on to you

 ²⁶ Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth,  and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

 ²⁷ So God created man in his own image,
       in the image of God he created him;
       male and female he created them. – Gen 1:26-27

Stop and think about that.  God is so glorious, and he made us.  So today remember you favorite past president for their accomplishments – whether it be Reagan and the Wall, Carter and inflation, Lincoln and slavery, FDR and The NewDeal,  Wilson, Washington, Kennedy, Clinton, Taft, Cleveland, Adams(squared), Bush(squared), McKinley, Jefferson, and so on.  Give them their due!  Thank God for them, Praise them, but also remember God put them in power and he made you! 

“You make everthing glorious, and I am yours. So what does that make me?” – David Crowder Band

Last week, the man we refer to as Pope Benedict XVI gave his usual and customary New Years Mass speech.  During this talk, the head of the Catholic Church stated:

“Nevertheless, in this moment, I would like to underline the importance of the choices of individuals, families and local administrations in preserving the environment,”

and

“An objective shared by all, an indispensable condition for peace, is that of overseeing the earth’s natural resources with justice and wisdom.”

Well, this has troubled me a little bit over the past few days because the headlines and the new bits say “Pope Urges Lifestyle Changes to Save Planet”.  Hm.  I have always been a conservationist.  I agree with the Pope.  I have thought for years that Christians should be leading the charge to take care of the planet.  You see, its our charge and responsibility.  God created the Earth and gave “dominion” to man -

²⁶ Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image and likeness. And let them rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the tame animals, over all the earth, and over all the small crawling animals on the earth.” (Genesis 1:26, New Century Version)

God has asked us, no charged us with taking care of the world he has created.  So we should be going green for God.  Taking care of the planet, wisely using its resources, recycling, watching our consumption – these are Godly principles – all in the same vein as the message we are given to take care of our bodies, the temple of God.

¹⁸Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. ¹⁹Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. – 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 (New International Version)

The beef I have here, however, is the apparent lack of trust or faith in God, when we as men think we can change our behavior and “save the planet”.  Its God’s planet.  The whole notion that we can destroy it or save it seems a little off base for me.  ( Now, I think we can make it a terrible place to live, or we can make it a great place to live, by our actions)  It sort of reminds me of the Tower of Babel.

So consider this.  I think we should jump in the bandwagon and Go Green for God, because He (not via the Pope) asked us to, not in a last ditch effort to save the planet.

Go Green!  Thoughts?