A to Z Theme Reveal: Elements of Existence

     One of the great imponderables of the ages is the question of why we exist.   Philosophers have long speculated on the question of our existence.  Scientists have come up with many theories as to where we as humans came from, why the world exists, and what is in the furthest reaches of the universe.   Theologians have come up with their own conclusions with many in disagreement.  Who is right?   What is the final answer that puts all arguments to rest?

      You won't necessarily find any answer here, but I plan to offer some of my thoughts on the subject during the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge of 2015 as I explore "The Elements of Existence".   My reflections on the topic might be way off base for some, but now and then I might touch upon some truth that is worth our consideration.

        My opinions will be my opinions based on what I believe.  As is my standard approach on A Few Words I'll be offering Bible verses along with a few words about the topic of the day.  Since I don't have any degrees in theology, philosophy, or science or anything like that, I won't pretend to be any expert on the subjects I will broach here.   I'm open to hearing your thoughts as well.   I am on a mission for the truth and will consider any credible theories readers may have to offer.

        If you'd like to join me on this journey in April, I'd be more than glad to have your company and hear your thoughts.  I seek answers to assuage doubts that vex me and resolve questions that I have.  Maybe we can figure this out together.

        If you haven't joined us on the Blogging from A to Z Challenge list there is still time.  To add your blog to the April Challenge click here.   To see what others plan to blog about in April visit the A to Z Theme Reveal list.  This list officially starts on Monday March 23--I'm a day early due to my usual blogging schedule.

         Do you know the meaning to existence?    Are you on a quest for truth?     Where do you go to seek the answers about life?

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The Gospel Truth

 Moses Pleading with Israel, as in Deuteronomy 6:1-15, illustration from a Bible card published 1907 by the Providence Lithograph Company
 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

All your words are true;
all your righteous laws are eternal.
Psalm 119:160

New International Version (NIV)

      Our current pastor keeps running people off with his sermons.  He must be doing something right. Nowadays people don't want to hear the Bible as it is meant to be, but how they would like it to be.


Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Matthew 7:13-14

New King James Version (NKJV)

From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.
John 1:16-17

New Living Translation (NLT)

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Opinions Are Not Always the Truth

Antonio Ciseri's depiction of Pontius Pilate presenting a scourged Christ to the people Ecce homo! (Behold the man!). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only in expressing personal opinion.
Proverbs 18:2

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

        How often does conflict stem from differences of opinion?   My initial reaction would be "Always".    That of course is my opinion and certainly open for discussion.  As I see it whether it be a matter of boundaries, theologies, or perceptions of the world around us, we all can have varying opinions about what we see as the truth and those matters of view can be and often should be discussed and debated in a civilized manner of offering evidence and argument.

         Often we think of argument as heated disagreement which leads to conflict and fighting, but this does not have to be the case when intelligent discussion and reasoning is involved.  Unfortunately when obstinance and resistance to listening to reason and coming to points of agreement takes hold then conflict enters the picture and that conflict can lead to serious consequences.  Wars have been started over differences of opinion.

         We should always seek the truth in any disagreement.  Sometimes that truth might lie somewhere between two disagreeing parties and successful resolution can bring them to a happy meeting point.   At other times both sides might cling tenaciously to what they see as the truth.  This is the point when the decision has to be made whether the disagreement is worth the conflict.

        The next time you have a sense that conflict is rearing its ugly head, stop and take into consideration who the disagreeing parties are, why are they disagreeing, and what is the gain of being right and how much is lost in admitting wrong.  Truth is not always what we want to hear, but it is what we should want to hear.

        If we cling to foolish ideas because it's a matter of us being right, then if we are shown to be wrong we will look all the more foolish in the eyes of others.    Truth can result in condemnation as well as salvation.   It's better to stand alone for truth than to accept the foolish opinions of the many. And if you're stubbornly hanging on to unfounded opinion then isn't it time to start thinking about what is true?


“What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him.
John 18:38

New International Version (NIV)

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Is Music the Language of the Angels?

The Ghent Altarpiece: Angels Playing Music (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Praise the Lord with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
 Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.
Psalm 33:2-3
New International Version (NIV)

      Music speaks to all of us in one way or another.  Where does music come from and why are we so attracted to music?   The rhythms of our heartbeats or our footsteps can become integrated into the natural music that occurs within us and all around us.  Our very lives are a part of a vast music of all the Earth and the universe.

        God gave birds, whales, and other animals the abilities to communicate with music-like tones, rhythms, and sound patterns.   Astronomers have even used a measurement technique called "stellar seismology" to reproduce the sounds emanating from the stars in the heavens.  In the book of Job we are told that "the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy" (Job 38:7).   Music was instilled in all of God creation from the outset.

        It seems possible that music could be the language of the angels.  Ears perk up and become attentive at the sound of music.  All music communicates something of some nature to us the hearers.  That music can be pleasing for some and for others not so pleasing.  Just as we have different spoken languages there are stylistic variations in musical sounds according to culture.  A person from Ireland will respond to one kind of music that may sound quite alien to the person in India and vice versa.

       When human language was disseminated at the Tower of Babel it's possible that the music languages were distributed in kind.   If we accept a premise that music was originally a language of heaven that was given to humans then we might also accept that the intent of music has been corrupted and given an earthly value.   This is not to say this man-centered music is bad, but we might want to be discriminating about the nature of the music to which we listen.

        Personally, I greatly enjoy music and appreciate many styles of music.  There are some musical works that speak to me in more heavenly ways than others, but I think that all music has some purpose.  Perhaps some music is better than others, but music should be given a chance before we dismiss it on initial listening.

         I know what I like.  I can appreciate the efforts and talents of those who perform music that might not appeal to me so much.  Most of us probably have an inherent judgement of what music is better than other kinds.   What we do with that judgement is another thing entirely  If the music elevates us to a higher level of positiveness and enlightenment then perhaps we are hearing the language of the heavens.

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.
James 5:13
New International Version (NIV)



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Faith Has Infinite Rewards

Psalm 23 is often referred to as the Shepherd's psalm. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Psalm 23:1
King James Version (KJV)

       There comes that certain point in life when we all need something--a helping hand, a meal, a kind encouraging word.  Even the strongest most confident among us can face those times when everything around us seems to be crumbling.  What do we do when it seems there is no one to whom to turn?   

         What about God?   He will give you what you need when you need it most.  What you truly need may not be what you think you need.   If you think you're being denied by God then perhaps it is you who is denying God.

         God is there waiting to act on your behalf, but he is waiting on you to come to Him.  You must believe and you must act.  These things require one simple thing--faith.  Faith as small as a mustard seed. Yes, that simple.   With simple faith you tap into the greatest power of the universe, the one who created the universe and the one who is the universe.  Through God all things can be done.

          Faith--it sounds simple enough because it is simple.  And yet so often we turn it into something so complex and difficult.   We struggle and agonize and ask how, why, and when.  It doesn't have to be that difficult.  

          Just believe, ask, and receive.  With faith everything becomes more clear and you will see possibility and hope all around you.  Faith.  Simple faith.


And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 11:6
New International Version (NIV)

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Watching Out for the Other Guy

 The Poor helping the poor (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,
and He will reward them for what they have done.
Proverbs 19:17

New International Version (NIV)
         
        We all know that helping the poor and those in less fortunate circumstances is a good thing to do.  We might not always follow through on this, but most of try at least now and then to give where help is needed.  Even a quarter to a sidewalk beggar can be an act of selflessness.  

         But poverty is not always synonymous with destitution.   We all have needs of some kind at one time or another.  And so does everyone else.  We rarely know the complete story of those we encounter in daily life.  A stranger in a bad mood might be merely reacting to some terrible situation that has occurred in his life.  The distracted waitress who isn't serving us as well as we think she should be might be dealing with immense problems in her life.

         We don't know the needs of others just by looking at them, but sometimes a smile or a kind word can do wonders for a burdened heart.  There's no need for payback when doing something out of the goodness within us.  We shouldn't ever expect that.  However good things will come from the good that we do for others.  That goodness might not always be recognizable to us yet our helping to make the world a little bit of a better place can help make us a whole lot of a better person.

        There's truth in that adage "What goes around, comes around."   Not that we have to see it in any big way, but sometimes good things come our way because of what we've done for someone else and we may not even make the connection.

         The good we do doesn't escape God's notice.  Take care of others and you'll be doing the right thing.


Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

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On Being Different

 Watching you watching me. With four eyes watching its back this Peacock Butterfly makes a colorful contribution to the landscape in early September. This one has had a close shave at sometime in the past. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

"...the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7

New King James Version (NKJV)

      Do you remember those kids in school that all the other kids made mean jokes about and perhaps even ridiculed to their faces?  Or maybe it was that strange elderly lady that lived in your neighborhood or some guy who dressed funny and acted peculiar. 

      Most of us can think of someone in our lives that we've seen or even known who seemed somewhat strange or different from everyone else.  Poking fun at others has long been a way we deal with those who are not like us.   There are even websites devoted to this pastime. 

      If we don't know anything about a person other than the way they look or behave outwardly, how can we have the right to say mean things about them or poke fun at their expense?   Their appearance might be a matter of upbringing, financial circumstance or health issues.   Some people may even appear strange because that's how they want to look.

       Maybe if we're thinking negative thoughts about another person of whom we know nothing, it might be a good reason to just say hello to that person instead.  Give them a smile or offer them a helping hand.

         Next time you're looking at another person in ridicule or contempt, remember that someone else might be looking at you in the same way.  None of us are exempt from the eyes of judgement.

Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Matthew 7:1-2

New International Version (NIV)

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