Noah

The Rainbow set as the symbol of the Covenant with Noah after the Great Flood of the Bible. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

He set the earth on its foundations;
    it can never be moved.
6 You covered it with the watery depths as with a garment;
    the waters stood above the mountains.
7 But at your rebuke the waters fled,
    at the sound of your thunder they took to flight;
8 they flowed over the mountains,
    they went down into the valleys,
    to the place you assigned for them.
9 You set a boundary they cannot cross;
    never again will they cover the earth.

Psalm 104:5-9

New International Version (NIV)

        The story of Noah is among my favorites in the Bible.   Like so many Bible stories, this account does not go into great detail about all that happened, but there is enough to not only have a clear picture of the event, but also to infer many other possibilities of the consequences of such a great flood.  A worldwide deluge would have catastrophic impact.

          Just thinking of the massive mudslide in the state of Washington recently, we can glean some idea of how forty days of rain would affect the world.   Waters high and deep enough to cover all of the mountains of Earth would cause significant erosion.  The shifting of land as waters receded would have a tumultuous effect upon the geological makeup of our planet.   We can only imagine, but we can probably also come to some pretty good conclusions.

         The epic Bible stories of the Old Testament can fuel some interesting speculation, but ultimately that is not the point of those stories.  For example, the story of Noah is about the faith of a man, the evil of the world, and obedience to God.  But the real story is what is still ultimately to come to this world.   Noah's story was amazing, but nothing like the story of Jesus.  

         We may be the modern version of Noah.   Or we may be like those lost in the flood.  Who do you want to be?

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.   As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.   For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man."

Matthew 24:36-39

New International Version (NIV)

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Do You Try to Win the Long Prayer Contest?

Prayer group (Photo credit: KRHamm)

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart,
be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord,
my strength, and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

        I almost feel embarrassed to admit this, but sometimes prayer puts me to sleep.  Please bear with me while I explain.

         Years ago I used to attend a prayer group on Wednesday nights.  Those in attendance would sit in chairs formed in a circle and for an hour or maybe more we would each pray as we were moved to do.  Personally I have never been able to sustain a prayer for very long.  However there were a few prayer warriors in those meetings who could pray in a low monotone voice with what seemed after a while to be repeated prayer phrases.

          These were good Godly people with the best intent who were faithful servants of the Lord.  I would not want to think poorly of them, but their prayers did sometimes put me to sleep.  They were hypnotic with their low tones and repetitive phrases.   I know God heard these prayers, but I wonder if these prayers were not sometimes droned on for too long.

         When the Bible tells us to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17) it's not telling us to literally vocalize prayers that go on and on.  Instead we should remain in a prayerful attitude, always armed to use prayer in our spiritual battles and give thanks on a regular basis.  

           That's my take on prayer.   I'm not saying that I'm absolutely right on this, but I'm saying that talking for a long time in a monotone voice can dull my mind and cause me to fall asleep.  I don't like to call anyone's prayer babbling or meaningless utterances.   Sometimes there are more words than are needed.

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.   Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Matthew 6:7-8

New International Version (NIV)

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#atozchallenge Theme Reveal

           This blog has participated in the two previous Blogging from A to Z April Challenges.  Once again I will be returning with a message that I feel is important.  I hope many of you will stop by to read some of my thoughts.

            My theme for the 2014 Challenge will be From the Beginnings...  Yes, the plural "Beginnings" is not an error.  In history as in our own lives we see multiple eras or phases that entail new beginnings.  The old passes and the new is born.  Hopefully with new birth there is a change for the better or a lesson to be learned.

            A Few Words is a Christian based blog, however I hope that will not deter those who do not consider themselves Christian or faith-based from reading the posts.  I will be expressing some of my ideas and theories about topics such as creation and early history that is discussed in the Bible.  Posts will be short and not filled with overly obscure data.  These posts will be designed to make you think and allow you to offer your own thoughts in turn.

           I look forward to April as a month of thought and reflection about ideas that you may or may not believe or for which you are just looking for the answers.

           For more information about the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge or to sign up please visit the A to Z Blog.

            To see the complete list of other participants who are revealing their themes visit The A to Z Theme Reveal Blogfest.


       

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Who Deserves God's Help?

Lost in the desert (Photo credit: Derek Keats)

God makes a home for the lonely;
He leads out the prisoners into prosperity,
Only the rebellious dwell in a parched land.

Psalm 68:6

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

        The message of the Gospel is submission to God.   We often do what we want to do without considering whether our choices are in God's perfect will.  The truth is we don't always have the absolute answers even if our confidence in ourselves is complete.   When people suffer it's often the result of making bad--even terrible--decisions.

         If I rebel against God there will be consequences that come about in accordance to the decisions I have made.  My suffering will be my fault.  I might be tempted to plead to God, "Why did You let this happen?"   The real question should be, "Why didn't I listen?  Why did I allow myself to go down the path to ruinous outcome?"

         It's not wise to try to rewrite the Bible to make it conform to what we want.  Nor should we follow those who have decided to create their own systems of belief that are in rebellion to the long established standards of God's Word.   We need to study and learn as much as we can.  But we also need to trust and obey.

         God's way should be our way.  It's the way that works.

 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 11:28-29

New King James Version (NKJV)

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Be a Friend, Call a Friend

Helping a friend (Photo credit: Daniel Veazey)

The heart is delighted by the fragrance of oil and sweet perfumes,
    and in just the same way, the soul is sweetened by the wise counsel of a friend.

Proverbs 27:9

The Voice (VOICE)

       This past week I received the sad news that an old friend of mine had taken his life.  He had suffered for the past several years with Parkinson's disease.   Apparently the effects of the disease had caused so much suffering and had gotten him so depressed that ending his own life seemed like the only solution for him.

       Since my friend lived far from where I now live I did not keep up with him.  I would usually call him when I would go back to visit my mother and we would have a breakfast together.  That might have been perhaps once or, at the most, twice a year.  I think I called him on the phone once a few years ago.  But honestly, I did not stay in touch with him very well.

        He had many friends nearby, but I don't know how often any of them stayed in touch either.  It seems for some of us as we get older and have jobs and more family obligations, keeping up with our friends of youth is something we neglect.  These are the days when friendships can be more important to us.  As we grow older, if we don't have much family around and don't keep active in social settings, it can be easy to become alienated and alone.

        Strangely, my friend had been on my mind a lot of late.  I had missed getting together with him on my last visit home.  I thought several times about calling him just to catch up with how he was doing in his life.  Just one of those get to it later things.  My intent was there, but my action was lacking.

         I don't know if I would have made much difference in his decision to end his life.   I'm not even sure if any of our mutual friends had been keeping up with him.  I don't know anything about what was going on in the lives of my friend and his wife.  Still, if I had called him to offer a few words of encouragement and support, maybe it could have made a difference.

          

Two are better than one,
    because they have a good return for their labor:
10 If either of them falls down,
    one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
    and has no one to help them up.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

New International Version (NIV)

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Where's My Messiah?

Name of Jesus 03 (Photo credit: Waiting For The Word)

Posterity will serve him;
    future generations will be told about the Lord.
31 They will proclaim his righteousness,
    declaring to a people yet unborn:
    He has done it!

Psalm 22:30-31

New International Version (NIV)

       From the beginning of creation the Messiah was part of God's plan.  The New Testament tells the story about the Messiah's time of teaching upon this Earth.  The Old Testament is the explanation by the examples of history of why a Messiah was needed and the prophecy of the coming of the Messiah.  Jesus appears on every page of the Old Testament if you look closely enough.  

       So what happened that so many people missed it when he came.  Even to this day people turn away from that Messiah who fulfilled the prophecies about him?   Is it our expectations?   From the beginning of creation people have rejected God's will.  They have willingly rebelled against the Creator and created their own laws and constructs for living.  They want what they want and don't understand when God says "No" to them.

       Call us stupid and you will be calling it as it is.  It's not that we lack intelligence, but we are rebellious.  We want a messiah, but we want him in the image that we create in our minds.   If our messiah says that he will give us what we want then we're sold.   When our messiah fails we look for the next one.   "Where's my messiah!" people cry in desperation.   The answer is clear in the pages of the Holy Bible, but sometimes the words of an old book just don't seem valid for the modern world.
  
         How wrong this assessment is!

          As we fret about the affairs of the world and blindly look for a savior, Satan wanders to and fro ready to take advantage of our insecure yearnings.  For two thousand years many have come in the guise of being The One and many have succumbed to their lies.   Leaders, prophets,and teachers of false doctrine look for their prey to lure them to hell.  Be careful!   Their words may sound like what you've been waiting to hear, but these are the words of people who will take your eyes off of the True Messiah--Jesus Christ.   Don't join the teachers of falsehood for they are on the road to eternal damnation.

For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.  And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.  It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15

New International Version (NIV)

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