The Ewe Lamb

In 2 Samuel 12 God sends the prophet Nathan to King David after he has sinned grievously. Nathan begins by telling a little story. Verse 3 reads "but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb which he had bought. And he brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children. It used to eat of his morsel and drink from his cup and lie in his arms, and it was like a daughter to him." God has blessed me with one child, a married daughter who is still my little ewe lamb. She loves the Lord Jesus and me. She is a life giver. Our conversations are precious to us. "Blessed be God because He has not rejected my prayer or removed His steadfast love from me." Psalm 66:20

1 John 1:1 to 2:6

John assures his readers that he is an eye witness of Jesus, that he knew Him personally. He states that while all sin, that a wonderful promise exists encapsulated in verse 9. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." In chapter 2:1 we learn that Jesus is like a defense attorney. He paid for our sins and thus can be our advocate before the Father. Verse 5 gives this condition and assurance. "But whoever keeps His Word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we know we are in Him."

10 pm.

About 10pm last night another milestone was reached. I continue to be amazed at what God is doing with this blog. April 4,700 page views May about 13,000 June. about 25,000 July 41,920 August over 77,000 with several days remaining First 100,000 page views took about 15 years. Second 100,000 needed 1 year. Third 100,000 only 36 days. For many years US page views were only 3 or 4 percent. Very recently about one third are from this country. I thank God for the readers He has provided. I pray they are edified and encouraged in their faith and walk with Christ. The milestone was 300,000 lifetime page views reached last night about 10pm.

Ephesians 6:10-24

Wednesday evening studied the famous armor of God passage. Several themes stand out. In contrast to Old Covenant practice where God's people fought and were sometimes commanded to exterminate physical foes, the teaching in the New Testament is to love one's physical enemies and pray for them. Our true enemies now are spiritual and demonic. To protect us in this warfare God has given six specific protections. As is common in Biblical writing physical things are used to illustrate spiritual realities. The key is all six point to Jesus. The helmet of salvation comes through our Savior Jesus Christ. The breastplate of righteousness is His righteousness. The belt of truth represents the One who said He is the truth. The feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace is His gospel, the Prince of Peace. The shield of faith is faith in Him. The sword of the Spirit, the Word of God is Jesus, the Ond who is the Word. Finally Paul commends Tychicus to his readers whom I believe is the brother who brought this prison letter to Ephesus, after whom I have named this blog.

Ephesians 6:1-9

Wednesday evening our Bible study group studied the God ordained relationships between parents and children, and then slaves and masters While common in Roman times and much of humanity history the modern Western interpretation of the second passage regarding slavery is understood as employers and employees. The key to both passages and the preceding one about husband and wife's is obedience. Wife's are to submit to husband, children to parents, and employees to employers. Is this because husband, parents and employers are wonderful? They probably aren't and certainly not perfect. We obey for the Lord Jesus sabe. Here is where the greatest commandment comes into play to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind,soul and strength.How do we express that love? Through obedience. "If you love me, obey my commandments." John 14:15 cf John 14:21,26, 1 John 2:5 etc Note: the algorithm keeps changing what I write and I weary of correcting it.

Ephesians 5:22-33

Last night we tackled one of the most controvérsias passages in the Bible because of the many verses that apply to marriage these are probably the most important. The passage as a whole shows the parallel between Christ's relationship with the Church, His bride, and the relationship between husband and wife. The wife is to submit to her husband as to the Lord which means the depth and sincerity of her submission is,a reflection of the depth and sincerity of her relationship with Jesus. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church which seems an impossible goal when we contrast the holiness and perfection of Christ with our own relative lack. Yet this is the standard. Verse 32 refers to a profund mystery, the only time this word is used of any of the 12 different mysteries that the NT tells us. I believe the importance here is God's plan that a believing husband and wife are intended to be a divinely ordained illustration of the relationship between Christ and the Church. Verse 33 is the key to a healthy God honoring marriage. The primary need of the man is respect. The primary need of the woman is love. We tend to give what we are comfortable with rather than what the other person needs.

Seychelles!

I wonder how many north Americans know about the,Seychelles? They are a group of island between África and Índia a country with a population of just over one hundred thousand. They apeak English, French or Creole and have just done an amazing thing. After not appearing on the list of the top 19 countries for most blog page views ever, in the last week they set a record of over six thousand pages views more than the US or any other countries try has,atrained. In the process they helped to set a new monthly page views record with more than 42,000 in only 9 days. May God bless the people of the Seychelles with his grace and the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. In other news the kids camp season is over for the year although we wilm have weekend retreats into November. Now we try to get everything done that we couldn't do while the kids were here. ot to mention a little recuperation.

Ephesians 5:1-21

Last night the Bible study group began Ephesians chapter 5. Several of,Paul's themes appeared. The first was imitating God or godly people also mentioned in 1 Corinthians 11:1 and Philippians 3:17. The rest of verse 1 speaks of our identity in Christ as dearly loved children. Paul then shows the contrast in verses 3 and 4 of what we should put off. He explains covetousness as idolatry, a rarely explored topic in the Church in America. He goes on to write of the contrast between spiritual light and darkness. Verse 16 explicitly says the days are evitar. We live in a fallen world drenched in sin. We are to be filled (ongoing) with the Spirit, giving thanks "always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."!

55!

Today I celebrate my 55th spiritual birthday. I thank God through Jesus Christ for His ongoing grace and mercy, for sustaining me all these years. I remember that day hitchhiking south on highway 101 in the redwood country, the van that picked me up, and the young Jesus freaks who ministered the gospel to me. Today as I look back over five and a half decades, He has led me on quite a journey. May I receive His love and truth and share that with others. I also thank the readers of this little blog for their interest in what I have written. I hope it has edified and encouraged you in some way. "Our outer self is wasting away, but our inner self is being renewed day by day 2 Corinthians 4:16 "Once I was young and now I am old; I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their seed begging bread." Psalm 73:26 "One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts." Psalm 145:4

Ephesians 4:17-32

Paul begins this section with a indictment of the carnal lifestyle previously practiced by the Ephesian converts. In verse 20 he pivots with a sharp contrast using putting on and putting off language. The believers must put off their old way of life and put on the new way in Christ. This illustrates the partnership of God with the believers. He is the Senior partner and does what only He can do. We also have a responsibility to do our part, although we absolutely need His help and grace to do it. Beginning in verse 25 Paul gives practical examples of our part. We must speak the truth, do honest work, speak graciously and get rid of evils such as bitterness and slander. Finally we must forgive as God has forgiven us.

Flow or Go

The following is my opinion based on a lifetime of experience. I don't anticipate agreement. In the many situations in which we find ourselves whether work, school, church, interacting with government or other institutions we are faced with a basic choice. We either accept the situation as it is or we go elsewhere, voluntarily or involuntarily. Rarely can we effect any meaningful change as an individual. Things are the way they are because the leadership wants it that way and the people acquiesce to it. Leaders typically are not interested in ideas, suggestions or recommendations. They just want people who will fit into their own plan or agenda. I believe this results from the insecurity, sometimes desperate, of most leaders. This leads to any number of people who won't fit in anywhere. It is only very rare people who can initiate and sustain something new. Jesus was one of those people.

Musings on Mortality

Paul the apostle writes in Philippians 1:21 that to live is Christ abd to die is gain. In verse 23 he says it is far better to go and be with Christ. Earlier this morning I learned that a man I had known during the Jesus People Movement of the 1970s, several years older than I had passed into glory. In recent years I had fellowship with him several times when he visited. At the same time both another brother several years younget than I, and a woman my daughter's age are also critically ill. By God's grace I enjoy good health and am still able to do active physical work. As I look back upon my life, now in its eighth decade, I see God's hand. Had I been born a few hours earlier I would have been,drafted into the military and probably sent to Vietnam. Instead God saved me through Jesus Christ in my 18th year. He has allowed me to minister in various ways to His people over time including this blog. I was astonished yesterday by over 5,000 page views in a single day where the previous high was 2,772. I am thankful for those who have faithfully ministered to me, some for decades. May God be glorified through Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit in my life. And as Paul writes in 2 Timothy 4:18 may God bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom.

200,000 page views

Overnight life time recorded page views exceeded 200,000. Just under a year ago the 100,000 mark was reached. As I have mentioned several times the vast majority come from international readers in countries where I have never been and don't know anyone. As I am not famous and don't advertise, the only explanation is God leads people to the blog. Certainly Tychicus, who is mentioned 5 times in the New Testament, is not a well known figure. So today and every day I thank God that He uses my humble entries for His glory. Yesterday I took my first day off this year except for a week in late April to travel to Texas. In recent days I thank God for the opportunity to pray for the birth of a friend's son and for a very ill daughter of another friend. I also thank Him for my friend Gary who suggested I write this blog back in 2009.

KK

Today I had lunch with a young man whom I am getting to know whose initials are KK. Sometime ago we shared our personal testimonies with one another. He came from a difficult childhood but God had mercy upon him and saved him in his early teen years. He participated in youth camps where I live and work. More recently he has become a counselor for younger boys. This year he had the privilege of doing daily Bible teaching for high schoolers. KK has given back by helping the camp with plumbing related issues. He has several years of experience in that trade. During this year's camp I learned he is taking online courses from a seminary in upstate New York. This is the normal American church path for fervent young men who want to become pastors. We have spoken about memorizing Bible verses and,a little about discipleship. He is being discipled by a local pastor. He has a quirky sense of humor introducing me today to our waitress as his grandfather. I don't have that privilege. I made an appeal to him to remember our eternal brotherhood with Christ.

Summer Camp

In my advancing age God has given me what I refer to as a retirement job, a part time role at a Christian conference and retreat center primarily as a janitor. Normally our active season goes from mid May to mid November. Our slow season goes through the winter and early spring from mid November to mid May. Our very busiest time is five or six weeks of summer camp for kids where the campus is essentially invaded and overwhelmed by one hundred and fifty to two hundred children and counselors. The anarchy is everywhere and continual. I am thankful if they don't burn the place down. This summer we experienced an additional challenge with the appearance of a new town fire marshal who decided that numerous changes were required. We are coming to the end of the first 3 weeks of kids camp. By the grace of God we have a week off to put things in order before the next 3 weeks begin. May God help our aging, underpaid and under staffed work force.

Fire Watch etc.

The camp where I live and work is experiencing a brutal heat wave with high humidity which makes it difficult to do anything other than sweat. Yet as a conference and retreat center this is the busiest time of the year. We are in our 2nd week of kids camp which overwhelms our under staffed and aged facility. Thankfully our director thrives in crisis. At the same time as all this is going on we have a new fire marshal in town so we have been working to rectify the many issues that were unaddressed for many years. As a result our best dorm, with 58 beds, requires a fire watch during the night because its fire alarm system is defunct. Someone has to be awake all night, make the rounds every half hour and make appropriate notations in a log to insure that if there was a fire that everyone would leave safely. Several of our senior residents, all military veterans, volunteered to help. Unfortunately they have serious health issues so I filled in the gaps. Finally we were so sleep deprived that the camp hired a young man who volunteers with a local fire department to do the fire watches. At some point our electrical contractor will install a new system.

Mr. M

God has blessed me with a disciple, friend and brother in the Lord whom I will refer to as M. I met him about 5 years ago in a small country church. He is a salt of the earth man who drives a fuel truck for a living. In theory I am discipling him. In reality he is discipling me. A number of months ago he began intensive study on the nine fruit of the Spirit focusing a week on each one. Then he went to the six pieces of the armor of God taking additional weeks as needed. Last night he said he was led to begin study on the power of the cross. M is an incredibly encouraging brother, a modern day Barnabas. His testimonies about the presence of God in his life are both inspiring and convicting. It is a major blessing of God in my life to have time with him most Saturday nights.

Ephesians 4:11-16

Last night we entered into the controversy surrounding this passage. Verses 7 and 8 refer to gifts given by Christ in contrast to the other spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit. cf. 1 Corinthians 12 two places and Romans 12. After a segue in verses 9 and 10 Paul lists these gifts in verse 11. The first question is whether these are five or only four distinct gifts. Wayne Grudem maintains that pastors and teachers reflect one gift. The larger question is whether all of these gifts still function post New Testament. Those who deny present day apostles and prophets point to verses like Ephesians 2:20 saying that God used the OT prophets to give us the OT scripture and the apostles or very close associates like Mark or Luke for the NT. Thus because the Canon of Scripture is complete (note Revelation 22:18-19 in this regard) there cannot be any more apostles or prophets. While agreeing whole heartedly that the Scripture is complete the other side can point to the key, future tense word "until" starting verse 13. There follows four separate things which have not been fulfilled. This says that verse 11 can't be cut in half. In the end this is not a salvation issue. We also spoke of the need for a healthy balance between truth and love in verse 15, not veering too far in either direction. Finally in verse 16 the idea that the body builds itself up in love. Whether or not we have one of the Ephesian 4:11 gifts we all have a part to play.

Ephesians 4:1-10

Last night after reviewing Ephesians 3:14-21, we ventured into chapter 4. Paul begins by explaining the qualities like humility and patience that are indicative of God's calling us before launching into the oneness that brings forth unity in verse 3. In all he mentions seven different "ones." Then he explains that grace is given to every believer according to Christ's gift. v 7 The next 3 verses are a product of Paul's logic although the exact interpretation is not completely clear. I inferred that the host of captives Christ took when He ascended were OT saints. Verse 8 is a reference from Psalm 68:18 where it says that God receives gifts from men in contrast to Ephesians 4:8 which says Christ gives gifts to men.

World Cup

First, I confess that I am not a sports fan nor do I understand the rules of soccer. However, as the US is hosting the World Cup, which I assume has been done before although I don't recall it, and indeference to my international readers which comprise 97% of the whole, I thought I should offer a few reflections. Foremost it is encouraging to see players from different countries praying together. Today I saw a You Tube clip of Germans and men from the island country of Curacao praying after the game on the field. I believe I also read that Lionel Messi, the Argentinian superstar, whom even I have heard of, gave thanks to God for his hat trick of 3 goals in one game. It is also heart warming to see the reaction of fans, particularly Europeans whose own media have lied to them as ours does to us, as they experience America. In particular the Scots who have swarmed into Boston have made a wonderful impression. I'm a wee bit Scottish myself. ( one eighth) Hearing the bagpipes as they marched toward Fenway Park brought tears to this old man's eyes.