Friends,
Since I did an astronomy blog concerning The "speed of light", it was probably inevitable that I would have a friend ask me, by borrowing a line from a popular movie, "what is the speed of dark"? Now we must transfer from the realm of space to the realm of spirituality, because the answer falls in this area. The answer comes both tongue-in-cheek and seriously at the same time -- "as fast as you allow it to be". Depending upon how seriously we consider James' words in chapter one concerning temptation; it can come rather quickly, or it can be denied altogether. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, "let your light shine". The Apostle John writes in his first letter that we will live either according to the light or according to the darkness, but it cannot be both. The choice is ours. Food for thought.
Don
Friday, April 27, 2007
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Fountain of Youth
Friends,
If you, being a person of the world, became acquainted with someone who told you that a secret island had recently been discovered in a remote part of the Pacific that held the secrets to long-lasting health and stifled aging, how much would you be willing to pay to get to this fountain of youth? Thousands? Millions? Some certainly wouldn't pursue, being content to live out the normal life-span. What if you were given the tickets in order to get there? You, being a person of certain pride would insist on paying for said tickets, only to be told that they are free. Would you accept it? An opportunity for everlasting youth? For free? No way! Amazing!
Folks, we have access to the fountain of youth. His name is Jesus Christ. We have the opportunity to live eternally. The ticket has been paid. There is no amount that you can pay for it, no matter how much you would like to do so. All you can do is accept and respond. The Bible explains this clearly. Some will not do so, and when life is over -- it is truly over for them. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, paid the the price for the sins of mankind by shedding His blood in dying on a cross, then to be raised from the dead so that all might have the opportunity to live forever. Discover the fountain.
Don
If you, being a person of the world, became acquainted with someone who told you that a secret island had recently been discovered in a remote part of the Pacific that held the secrets to long-lasting health and stifled aging, how much would you be willing to pay to get to this fountain of youth? Thousands? Millions? Some certainly wouldn't pursue, being content to live out the normal life-span. What if you were given the tickets in order to get there? You, being a person of certain pride would insist on paying for said tickets, only to be told that they are free. Would you accept it? An opportunity for everlasting youth? For free? No way! Amazing!
Folks, we have access to the fountain of youth. His name is Jesus Christ. We have the opportunity to live eternally. The ticket has been paid. There is no amount that you can pay for it, no matter how much you would like to do so. All you can do is accept and respond. The Bible explains this clearly. Some will not do so, and when life is over -- it is truly over for them. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, paid the the price for the sins of mankind by shedding His blood in dying on a cross, then to be raised from the dead so that all might have the opportunity to live forever. Discover the fountain.
Don
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
God's Timing
Friends,
We had a good friend come to the decision to put on her Lord in baptism this week. We have been praying concerning this and hoping that she would make this decision since we have known her, which is a span covering several years. I must say that we respect and marvel at the way that God works in His own time in the lives of His people. It is not about our way, for we would have had her make this decision the first time that we talked with her about it. Yet, it happened the way that it was supposed to happen according to God's time and His will -- praise God. His ways are not our ways, and it is so true, as Paul shares with the Corinthians, that the foolishness of God is far superior to the wisdom of men.
Don
We had a good friend come to the decision to put on her Lord in baptism this week. We have been praying concerning this and hoping that she would make this decision since we have known her, which is a span covering several years. I must say that we respect and marvel at the way that God works in His own time in the lives of His people. It is not about our way, for we would have had her make this decision the first time that we talked with her about it. Yet, it happened the way that it was supposed to happen according to God's time and His will -- praise God. His ways are not our ways, and it is so true, as Paul shares with the Corinthians, that the foolishness of God is far superior to the wisdom of men.
Don
Light-Years
Space....the final frontier. Sorry, I couldn't resist. I have been a big sci-fi fan -- particularly of Star Trek and Stargate SG-1 for years now. This all began when I was a youngster. It seems that most of the books I read were about the subject of astronomy. In fact, I have never outlived my love of astronomy. Most may not care about this subject, but there may be a few astronomy fans out there who will enjoy the "space" portion of the blog. I did say astronomy -- not astrology; I like to look at the stars, not try to read them :-). Besides, we know what the scriptures teach about astrology, divination, etc.
One of the most fascinating concepts about astronomy is the time frame called "the light-year", which is probably familiar to one degree or another. A light-year is the amount of time it takes for light to travel in a year's time, based on a 365.25 day per year calendar, at 186,000 miles per second or approximately 6 trillion miles. This is mind-boggling, but it gets worse. It would take a little over 4 light-years just to travel to the nearest star. This is impossible for us, but for those in the sci-fi universe it has already been conquered by such concepts as "warp drive" where "starships" are able to travel at "light speed" and therefore navigate around the galaxy with relative ease. It would take four years just to travel to the planet Mars at current earth space travelling speeds. (Although scientists are working on this concept. The biggest problem with travelling to Mars is keeping the human body healthy and intact for such a long period in a weightless environment :-).
What is amazing is when we consider the light-year against the vastness of space. The light that we recieve from the sun is 5 minutes old because it has had to travel 93 million miles. The light that we recieve from distant stars can be hundreds or even thousands of years old. We may still be receiving the light from some stars that burned out ages ago. It would take hundreds and even thousands of light-years just to travel across our own galaxy. Travelling to another galaxy? Millions and even billions of light-years. This all prompts me to wonder "just how big is the universe?" One of the questions I am going to ask the Lord someday.
We use "light years" in such expressions as -- "the two sides are light-years apart". Considering what we know about the concept of the light-year, this is a large gap, indeed.
Don
One of the most fascinating concepts about astronomy is the time frame called "the light-year", which is probably familiar to one degree or another. A light-year is the amount of time it takes for light to travel in a year's time, based on a 365.25 day per year calendar, at 186,000 miles per second or approximately 6 trillion miles. This is mind-boggling, but it gets worse. It would take a little over 4 light-years just to travel to the nearest star. This is impossible for us, but for those in the sci-fi universe it has already been conquered by such concepts as "warp drive" where "starships" are able to travel at "light speed" and therefore navigate around the galaxy with relative ease. It would take four years just to travel to the planet Mars at current earth space travelling speeds. (Although scientists are working on this concept. The biggest problem with travelling to Mars is keeping the human body healthy and intact for such a long period in a weightless environment :-).
What is amazing is when we consider the light-year against the vastness of space. The light that we recieve from the sun is 5 minutes old because it has had to travel 93 million miles. The light that we recieve from distant stars can be hundreds or even thousands of years old. We may still be receiving the light from some stars that burned out ages ago. It would take hundreds and even thousands of light-years just to travel across our own galaxy. Travelling to another galaxy? Millions and even billions of light-years. This all prompts me to wonder "just how big is the universe?" One of the questions I am going to ask the Lord someday.
We use "light years" in such expressions as -- "the two sides are light-years apart". Considering what we know about the concept of the light-year, this is a large gap, indeed.
Don
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Greatness
Friends,
I have known a number of people in my life whom I would consider -- great. I am not talking about Albert Einstein, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Edison, Ronald Reagan, or Ghandi. I am just talking about ordinary folks like you and me. What is it that makes them "great"? It is an unwillingness to be forced into a mold. It is an inability to accept "the status quo" or to be a "yes man". It is having the courage to lead when everyone else is wanting to or willing to follow. It is having amazing perseverance. It is to be that "voice crying out in the wilderness". It is a person who is willing to say, believe and practice the right things, even though he or she may be persecuted by the masses for doing such. For those of you who think I may be describing Jesus -- in a sense, I am. For the purpose of this writing, I am not intentionally seeking to describe Him personally -- in fact, one of the above references is in relationship to Jesus' cousin, John the Baptist, another great individual. I am seeking to describe individuals who, in their imperfection, are willing to and able to operate in the spirit of Jesus Christ, because He was, indeed, all of the things mentioned above and so much more! When we read the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), we see that He was willing to and able to lay down His life in order that we might live -- eternally. This was the greatest act ever fulfilled by any man. The more that we truly become like our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the more that we can genuinely understand what greatness is all about in the fullest sense of the word.
Don
I have known a number of people in my life whom I would consider -- great. I am not talking about Albert Einstein, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Edison, Ronald Reagan, or Ghandi. I am just talking about ordinary folks like you and me. What is it that makes them "great"? It is an unwillingness to be forced into a mold. It is an inability to accept "the status quo" or to be a "yes man". It is having the courage to lead when everyone else is wanting to or willing to follow. It is having amazing perseverance. It is to be that "voice crying out in the wilderness". It is a person who is willing to say, believe and practice the right things, even though he or she may be persecuted by the masses for doing such. For those of you who think I may be describing Jesus -- in a sense, I am. For the purpose of this writing, I am not intentionally seeking to describe Him personally -- in fact, one of the above references is in relationship to Jesus' cousin, John the Baptist, another great individual. I am seeking to describe individuals who, in their imperfection, are willing to and able to operate in the spirit of Jesus Christ, because He was, indeed, all of the things mentioned above and so much more! When we read the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), we see that He was willing to and able to lay down His life in order that we might live -- eternally. This was the greatest act ever fulfilled by any man. The more that we truly become like our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the more that we can genuinely understand what greatness is all about in the fullest sense of the word.
Don
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
The Handwriting for the Sonics
I could see the handwriting on the wall. Late last year, the owner of the NBA's Seattle SuperSonics, Howard Schultz (Starbucks' Big Boss Man) sold the team to a group of investors from Oklahoma City. Now, the Sonics are the oldest professional sports franchise in Seattle.
I have been a Sonics fan since the early 70's --listening to them of the radio -- before the Mariners and Seahawks even existed. So, last year when this news concerning new ownership came about, Sonics fans the world over felt betrayed. To give Schultz credit, he did try -- in good faith -- to bargain with the city of Seattle for a new arena. It is well-documented that the Sonics' Key Arena is the worst in the NBA. It is perceived that the city believes that it has shelled out enough money already for the Mariners' and the Seahawks' new stadiums over the past decade. Still, it is hard to believe that you would leave your longest-standing franchise hung out to dry. So, the latest news coming in yesterday is that the Washington State legislature is not going to grant an extension to consider the Sonics' plight, to which I have to wonder -- why did it even have to fall under an extension? They should have taken this up sooner. Now, the new owners have the out they need and Seattle's loss is OK City's gain -- which, by the way, is fine with me. Since I no longer live in the Northwest and now live in Texas, I will stand a much better chance of going to see my old team in person. So, all this to say -- I am okay with this, with apologies to my good friend Art who will be losing his beloved basketabll team. Still, he can come down and we'll go watch them in OKC.
Don
I have been a Sonics fan since the early 70's --listening to them of the radio -- before the Mariners and Seahawks even existed. So, last year when this news concerning new ownership came about, Sonics fans the world over felt betrayed. To give Schultz credit, he did try -- in good faith -- to bargain with the city of Seattle for a new arena. It is well-documented that the Sonics' Key Arena is the worst in the NBA. It is perceived that the city believes that it has shelled out enough money already for the Mariners' and the Seahawks' new stadiums over the past decade. Still, it is hard to believe that you would leave your longest-standing franchise hung out to dry. So, the latest news coming in yesterday is that the Washington State legislature is not going to grant an extension to consider the Sonics' plight, to which I have to wonder -- why did it even have to fall under an extension? They should have taken this up sooner. Now, the new owners have the out they need and Seattle's loss is OK City's gain -- which, by the way, is fine with me. Since I no longer live in the Northwest and now live in Texas, I will stand a much better chance of going to see my old team in person. So, all this to say -- I am okay with this, with apologies to my good friend Art who will be losing his beloved basketabll team. Still, he can come down and we'll go watch them in OKC.
Don
Funny Stuff
Dear Friends,
One of my good blog-critic :-) friends told me that my next blog needed to be shorter and funnier, so here goes. A preacher (Is it okay for preachers to tell preacher jokes?) gets up in front of the congregation and he says, " I could tell you a joke that would make your fall out -- but I see that some of you have already heard it." This will likely be the last preacher joke that you will ever read on this site -- it is just too incriminating. However, I am certain that there will be lawyer, religious and other types of jokes, so stay tuned.
In Christian love,
Don
One of my good blog-critic :-) friends told me that my next blog needed to be shorter and funnier, so here goes. A preacher (Is it okay for preachers to tell preacher jokes?) gets up in front of the congregation and he says, " I could tell you a joke that would make your fall out -- but I see that some of you have already heard it." This will likely be the last preacher joke that you will ever read on this site -- it is just too incriminating. However, I am certain that there will be lawyer, religious and other types of jokes, so stay tuned.
In Christian love,
Don
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
It's All Greek To Me
Howdy Folks!
This is my first foray into the blog network. My daughters have been doing this for several weeks, but I just have not taken the time to sit down and start a blog myself. Middle man describes who I am professionally, philosophically and it is also something of a cryptic description of my personal Savior, Jesus Christ.
Twenty-five or so years ago the rock group, the Little River Band (in my pre-Christian music era) produced a song called "The Middle Man" which, nonetheless, to my understanding, was a description of Jesus. Jesus is our middle man or advocate, according to 1 John 2:1ff. He is the means by which we have salvation -- He bridges the gap created by the sin.
Our family moved to Hamilton, Texas 7 months ago to minister for the Park Heights Church of Christ and it has been a good transition. We moved from Washington state where we had been in ministry for the past 16 years. I have a great wife and partner in ministry and three terrific children. I have personally been in ministry for 23 years and it has been a great journey. God has blessed our family. We have been able to see many lives changed for the cause of Christ and we are thankful. As a preacher, I am God's middle man to the local community for the cause of Christ. Finally, I believe that balance is one of the significant keys to life and godliness. I have tried to help people to have a philospohy of life which helps them to be balanced, or "down the middle". As one person has said, "the truth is generally found between the two extremes."
I love to talk sports, space (as in astronomy) and spirituality. I am looking forward to communicating with you. Have a blessed week!
In Christ,
Don
This is my first foray into the blog network. My daughters have been doing this for several weeks, but I just have not taken the time to sit down and start a blog myself. Middle man describes who I am professionally, philosophically and it is also something of a cryptic description of my personal Savior, Jesus Christ.
Twenty-five or so years ago the rock group, the Little River Band (in my pre-Christian music era) produced a song called "The Middle Man" which, nonetheless, to my understanding, was a description of Jesus. Jesus is our middle man or advocate, according to 1 John 2:1ff. He is the means by which we have salvation -- He bridges the gap created by the sin.
Our family moved to Hamilton, Texas 7 months ago to minister for the Park Heights Church of Christ and it has been a good transition. We moved from Washington state where we had been in ministry for the past 16 years. I have a great wife and partner in ministry and three terrific children. I have personally been in ministry for 23 years and it has been a great journey. God has blessed our family. We have been able to see many lives changed for the cause of Christ and we are thankful. As a preacher, I am God's middle man to the local community for the cause of Christ. Finally, I believe that balance is one of the significant keys to life and godliness. I have tried to help people to have a philospohy of life which helps them to be balanced, or "down the middle". As one person has said, "the truth is generally found between the two extremes."
I love to talk sports, space (as in astronomy) and spirituality. I am looking forward to communicating with you. Have a blessed week!
In Christ,
Don
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)