The Sabbith Rest

Here is a thought to lift you a bit.
One persons "storm damage" is another’s daily bread. He cares for mankind in both a global method and in personal at the same moment. Interpreting the ‘climate’ of our individual little world as a small bit of the structure and plan of the Almighty is a key component of entering into His Sabbath rest. (Heb. 4:9-11)

God Speed
Bill

He feeds the birds

Storm Irene, I hate to complement it by calling it a hurricane- no disrespect intended for those who actually dealt with hurricane conditions- was more of a inconvenience then an event. Winds here toped at 33.3. The “storm Surge” amounted to less than an average winter nor’easter (for us) . The worst of the storm we were at high tide and the storm added 3 maybe 4’ to the tide. Little to no serious damage in the few blocks around us. This may have been an economic stimulus action. It sure caused a lot of gas and provision purchasing.

All that being said the shore birds are having a feast. The storm cleaned and washed the meadows of acres of dead vegetation into the bay which are full of food sources for the birds. Brings to mind how the Lord cares for the need of the birds.

Too often when “storms” come along we look at them and cry “why God? “ not thinking that our misfortune, for the moment, is providing blessings to other of his creation. In this case we were troubled for a while by a storm that is feeding the birds.

How awesome is such a God that he cares even for the birds! Consider how he cares and loves each of us!

where your treasure is

Interesting,
If I bash the President some will cheer others will sneer
If I preach the Rapture many will repose, others will thumb their nose
If I promote conservation some will hug a tree – shout with glee
If I build a faster car the sales line will grow far
Another Gadget- most must have it
A new toy and we are filled with joy

Posta comment about hunger and the Sound of Silence echoes on
I have to wonder we kneel at our alters ignoring the answer in the wind.

hungry? thirsty?

The other morning I caught part of a TV show with James and Betty Robinson. I have a little history with James Robinson, he spent a week teaching at my alma-mater. Jim was much more full of vinegar back then. Apparently he and I have spent some time in the same rock-tumbler.

Coincidently I am currently reading a book by Brenan Manning “the Ragamuffin Gospel” (Brenan also shared residence in the tumbler. ) The night before I caught Jim and Barbra on TV and saw a vid clip from them about their water well projects I read from Brenan that 1 in 5 Americans go to bed hungry. What a sobering thought! While mainstream America stands in line to purchase the latest 4G gadget there are people, probably within walking distance, who don’t have enough food.

I did a very little research and found
http://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/hunger-facts/hunger-and-poverty-statistics.aspx

Apparently Brenan’s numbers may be slightly off, BUT not by much.

Here are some of the numbers
• In 2009, 43.6 million people (14.3 percent) were in poverty.
• In 2009, 50.2 million Americans lived in food insecure households, 33 million adults and 17.2 million children
Before your defense systems go into overdrive to explain why this isn’t “my” problem please another look above. “ 17.2 million children” Just to put that number into perspective that is 2 time the entire population of the state of NJ or almost equal to the entire population of the State of New York. Just think about that for a moment. Enough children to populate the entire state of New York are without enough food. AND THIS IS IN AMERICA!

Right now in the land of plenty, (where over 20% of the population is obese *) 40 MILLION Americans are hungry and may go to bed that way. Worse still is that tomorrow looks no better.

That begs the question, What “shall” we do about it?
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matt.25: 37-40
http://www.livestrong.com/article/348674-statistics-for-obesity-in-america/

Regarding Comas

My daughter Jenn came and Had dinner with Katherine and I last night to celebrate my “return from the dead” see blog posts dated 7/11. 1/17 & 8/15.

During the course of the evening our talk naturally returned to those strange days of the come. They talked about what was going on around me and to me from those who medically cared for me and those who love me (sometimes the same people). I spoke of what I recalled and dreamed.

My perceptions of those days/hours and weeks are at times somewhat strange and vastly different from reality (?) but there is cohesiveness between the two. Sometimes it is clear and obvious- sometimes veiled.

I have had the chance since I woke up to talk to others who have lived in that shadow world and all agree that they were aware of the time. The awareness varies but we were aware.

Here is my point. If you are caring for, praying for or holding the hand of someone trapped in “that darkness” be aware, they hear you. They are alone in a place that is very confusing, very lonely and at times-many times—most of the time terrifying. Speak softly to them, they need you now more than you can ever understand.

Re-Born

Today is my anniversary.
In a very “very” real sense it is the anniversary of my re-birth. At 8:35 AM- one year ago I took that 30’ fall and spent the next 6 weeks in a coma. Some of that time “mostly dead” When I awoke almost 6 weeks later I had a new understanding of His grace and love.
I hope you know and or discover the depth of Him in a less traumatic way.

Building a pillar of stone

Building a pillar of stone

Throughout the Old Testament we read how “heroes” of the faith built pillars of stones to mark events and commitments regarding God and their fellow man. Gen. 31:52 sheds an adequate light on the concept. “This heap is a witness, and this pillar is a witness,” The pile of stones stands as a physical reminder of a decision.

I feel drawn to write, always have. This posting it intended as a “pillar of stone” to say I will. Telling you about it is like building a pillar of stone. Now that it is built there is no denying it existence. It’s up to me now to live up to the testimony of the stone. Psalm 118:22