Sketch of My Blog

Our Journey in Life is more than we allow it to be.
We must all Be Ourselves to really enjoy what's all around us.
Take hold and learn from Life and Others.

I Follow the Way of Jesus.

Friday, December 4, 2015

What Do You Want Me To Do For You?

Matthew 10:46-52
46 And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”  48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” 50 And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” 52 And Jesus said to him,“Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed Jesus on the way.

Jesus asked such a simple question and He already knew the answer.  Everyone in the crowd knew the answer.  It was as plain as the nose on the man’s face.  If he could have seen his nose he would have agreed.  Here is where it diverts from the expected path, because Jesus wasn’t looking for the obvious answer He was looking for the conversation.  Jesus wanted a relational conversation.  He knew what was needed, but He wanted to hear the man ask for it and to trust.  When Jesus calls, trust is involved.  And not just any old trust, but a trust founded on a belief.  Proverbs 3:5-6 says; “5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”  There is a level of trust here that allows Bartimaeus to show his own needs, wants, desires and aspirations.  But, Jesus as always, wanted to get to the heart and soul of the moment and He wanted those around to see and believe.  Jesus wanted witnesses to the exchange between Him and this blind beggar and for those there to witness the man’s trust.  Jesus uses every moment to the fullest.

Now, Bartimaeus wore a beggar’s cloak, yet when Jesus called him he threw it off.  You would think he knew he wasn’t going to need it any more.  There is a level of trust shown there.  Beggars wore cloaks that signified their position in society as a beggar.  So everyone knew Bartimaeus as a beggar.  I’m sure it didn’t hurt that he was blind.  That was probably a dead give away.  But listen again to what it says, “throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus”.  He seriously knew what he was expecting from Jesus.  He put his trust right out there and that is something that Jesus wants from us.  Jesus wants us to trust Him and trust that he knows what is best for us.  Bartimaeus trusted that Jesus could and would heal him if he just asked.  It must have had something to do with his position along the road.  He had heard things about Jesus and wanted the opportunity to speak with Him.  Now here’s his opportunity and what does Jesus do, but ask him an obvious question.  It might have even been the question that Bartimaeus was hoping to hear.

Everyday Jesus asks us that same question… “What do you want me to do for you?”  You wake up in the morning and right there before you is a brand new fresh day.  Unopened, clean, untouched and ready to be used by you.  So Jesus asks you “What do you want me to do for you?”  He knows you so well, yet He wants you to tell Him.  To talk to Him.  To converse with Him.  To trust Him.  To have a relational conversation with Him.  You know the kind I’m talking about.  The kind you have with a friend, a spouse, a neighbor (without the gossip), a family member even.  He longs to hear from you.  Talk to Him in prayer, but not with the usual corporate prayer, but more conversational.  Not the “Lord take care of this”, “please help me with this”, “heal so and so of that”, “thank you for the other thing”.  But more like, “Lord today was hard, it really took me by surprise I really am thankful you were there with me”, or “you know Jesus I had a fun time today with my family.  Keep them safe on the road”.  Conversational like with a friend.  One of the most notable conversations was in John chapter 3.  Nicodemus and Jesus.  They talked and listened and Nicodemus learned.  Petitions are one thing, but relational conversations are another.  Relational conversations build, dare I say it, intimacy.  They build closeness. They build understanding.  They build relationships.  It’s not possible to have a petition only conversation with someone all the time.  That becomes an all take (the petition or request) and no give.  One sided.  One can’t very well keep or have any friends if that’s how you treat them.  No..., conversations are meant by sheer definition to be relational.  One definition of conversation is “association or social discussion; intimate acquaintance”.  That sounds to me like a relational conversation.  

For us to build a relationship the conversation has to be relational.  You need to relate to the other person to build a closeness and an intimacy.  That means we need to take our prayer time from petition time (wants, needs, etc) to a more relational time (how are you, I’m fine, here’s what happened in my day, what’s been going on with you?).  Still asking for needs and and requests for others, but in a more conversational way.  With more interaction with Jesus like you are talking to a friend.  This type of conversation will bring a closeness and intimacy like you’ve never known.   It builds TRUST and it builds CONNECTION and it builds a path of conversation that strengthens the bond between those speaking.  Being interested in Jesus and allowing Him to be interested in you will create a friendship and a relationship that will strengthen and grow.

Jesus wants relationships with each and everyone of us.  He wants us to trust that He knows what is good for us.  It’s important for growing and learning more about Him.  So What Do You Want Jesus To Do For You Today?  What can you tell Him about how things are going and how you are doing that will start the conversation off and get a trusting relationship started in a whole new way?  Open up to Him and share with Him your feelings and your fears.  Talk to Him like He is your friend and family member, because He is!  Take the time to build your relationship with Jesus in conversational prayer time!

This devotional was given on Easter Sunday April 5, 2015 at New Beginnings Community Church at the Easter Morning Breakfast.

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Strong Faith

Mark 10:46-52  Bartimaeus (a blind man) receives his sight by faith.

Jesus healed many people in his Ministry.  Many we know about from the accounts of the Bible, but there are so many more that we don't know.  Bartimaeus in this section heard Jesus was coming and called out more than once that Jesus the Son of David would have mercy on him.  Jesus used many different ways to heal people, but this one needed no more than a few words.  Do you know why?  Here is why.  Jesus says to Bartimaeus, "Go your way; your faith has made you well."  At that point Bartimaeus is healed immediately and follows Jesus.  Bartimaeus faith was all that was needed besides Jesus allowing him to be healed.  Bartimaeus knew that Jesus could and would heal him if he just asked.  He had heard the word going around about Jesus and he knew, without a shadow of a doubt that when he could get his attention he would ask for healing.  That is why he through off his cloak.  It was his beggars cloaks and he wouldn't need it any more after that.  Jesus healed Bartimaeus on the basis of Bartimaeus own faith.  Nothing else was needed.  So how strong is your faith?

I don't mean to say you can have anything and everything you want by your faith.  What I'm saying is that we need to have strong faith so that we can find the Will of God in our lives.  What we believe and have faith in has to be strong enough so that we can know that it will happen if it's in God's will.

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Writing Exercise Part 3 - First Person

I'm Tobias Kefer.  I'm the person these two guys are talking about.  Since they have no idea what's going on with me and are doing a terrible of job of narrating, I figure I better just take over and get things set straight for you the reader.  Hey! We resemble that remark.  How come you get to explain everything to everyone.  Isn't that the job of the narrator(s)?  Yes it is, but since you two don't know half of what's going on I thought I would step in before this becomes some strange mess that needs some cleaning up.  Serious cleaning up at this rate. We can do the job, it's just that it's our first time doing this and we aren't entirely sure how to begin and where to go with this.  That's okay, I understand, but sometimes the narrator needs to be quiet and at all times the narrator needs to know everything about everyone and know what's going on at all times.  What kind of narrator(s) would you be if you didn't know the ins and outs of everything going on in the story.  Seriously?  So why don't I self narrate for a little bit and you guys can fill in the gaps?  Does that sound like a plan or not?  Silence......Thinking........Grbgrbgrbgrbgrb.......Whispering.......Conversing........Discussing........I think you have a deal.....under one condition if you don't mind?  Let me hear it and we will see.  That we reserve the right to jump back in when appropriate and add to the story as needed.  We figure while you are telling your part we can take some time and do some research and get the other background information that you don't know about ready for the appropriate time.  How does that sound to you?  Acceptable.  I think we have a deal.  Great we'll get out of your hair and move along and allow you to tell what you need to tell.  We will be watching and keeping an eye on you.  No funny business now and keep it honest and don't slander us.  We're doing the best we can as first timers.  We just need a little more time to develop our background info.  Will do.  Enjoy the break and the time doing your research.  We will!

As I said before, I'm Tobias Kefer.  I live in the house they told you about and one thing you don't know as of yet is that I go out every morning before I eat to come to this tree and enjoy some quiet time watching the sunrise and enjoying the view.  I watch the boats come in and marvel at the wonder that God made all around us.  Usually I arrive well before sunrise and don't eat until I get back.  This morning is a bit unusual since this ship is trying to outrun the storm and if not it appears to be bringing it along with it.

Same Sex marriage

The title alone is enough to start people talking and thinking and wondering what do I have to say about something that the Supreme Court thinks they have the right to litigate over.  The laws of man don't amount to much when it comes to the laws of GOD, yet these elected officials are our law makers.

Where do I begin?  Well, my son and I always quote Lewis Carroll "Begin at the beginning, the King said, very gravely, and go on till you come to the end: then stop".  So I will do my best to start at the beginning and when I get to the end I will stop.

I read the Bible almost daily.  It is my devotional each day and I'm working through the book of Mark right now and I'm in chapter 10:1-12 right now.  Jesus talks about marriage and divorce.  Right there you probably know where I stand on Same Sex marriage.  It would be interesting to see your face right now as you read this, or if we were to talk face to face about this topic and you and I were to discuss this at length.  Would it take us minutes, hours or days of discussion?  Hmm...I wonder.  If you feel so inclined you can stop reading right after I state my position on this issue.  I leave that up to you and your curiosity or lack thereof.

My stance is that I'm Pro-Life on Abortion and I'm Pro-Marriage as a Man and Wife!  There you have it, that is my stance, but I'm not taking the time to write this just to state this position on this issue.  I want to offer some insight as to what GOD had in mind and what we as a world are putting aside.

First of all nowhere in the Bible does it advocate a Man and a Man being together.  It clearly states that this is against the normality of life and what GOD created.  No where in the Bible does it state that a Woman being with another Woman is acceptable either.  Neither is any type of sexual intimacy with Man and animal or Woman with animal.  All these are clearly stated in the Bible (GOD's Word) to be abominations against what GOD set forth for how people should live their lives.

Secondly, every mention of any of these acts is considered a Sin and is punishable by death.  In the Bible that death is immediate upon finding out that this is happening.  After Jesus came it meant that continuing in Sin will lead to eventual death since living in Sin, prevents one from going to heaven.

Seriously this is pretty straight forward.  Sin = Death.  The only real trouble we have these days is that people don't believe this anymore.  They think that everyone's way of thinking is right.  No one is wrong and we can all have a happily ever after.  That is the biggest lie that Satan has perpetrated on this generation.  Nothing that anyone says that contradicts the bible is acceptable.  The simplest truth is that what the Bible says is undisputed, accurate and correct and cannot be denied as being what we all should be following.  The Lie is that everyone is right and no one is wrong and the Bible is just an old out of date book that is too strict, too conservative, too restrictive and not liberal enough.

Jesus said that "What therefore GOD has joined together, let not man separate." Do you realize that only what GOD sanctions is going to last or stand the test of time.  It is GOD's foundation that shapes this world, shapes our lives and gives us the Freedom to be Free under his Will.  No Same Sex marriage will ever stand the test of time, because GOD does not stand for it or support it.  The Bible is very clear on this and no amount of Laws or decisions by people can change GOD.  The only thing that can stand the test of time is that which GOD supports.  All others will just fade away.  GOD does allow us to make our own mistakes.  This is one of many in our long line of mistakes, including the 1973 Abortion decision.

Someday the Judgement from GOD will be dealt on this people.  In the mean time we must live with our mistakes and this one will scar our generations for many years.


Monday, January 19, 2015

Writing Exercise Part 2

Well we are back again.  It's about time.  I was beginning to wonder if we would ever get back to writing since we had the breakthrough and found out the information about what's going on.  What too you so long?  Hmm?  Well I've been busy...now wait a minute.  What are you going on about?  You were there and you know how busy things have been.  Leave me be and I will explain what's going on.  Deal?  I guess so.  Deal.

As I was starting to say, we are back again and we have some new updates as to what was missing in the last post.  We found out that the person is Tobias Kefer.  He lives a little over a mile away from the edge of this cliff in a nice two story log cabin house.  The house is in a very deciduous forest full of pines, cedars, spruce and many other evergreens.  The forest of trees goes from the edge of the cliff several miles in all directions away from the coast and along the coast.  Due to the forest and it's location his house is well hidden and hardly ever visited.  He likes his isolation, but does go down to the nearest port for supplies occasionally.  The port is the only one on the south side of this land and it's called Kuraba.  In the bay of Sactickph on the southern side of the land.

That's a strange name.  So is the guys name.  Whoever heard of the name Tobias or Sactickph?  Where did you come up with these names? Hmm?  Well if you must know?  Yes I must know this is getting a little strange. I did the research while you were away so don't give me any lip!  Do you hear me?  Yes, but...But nothing.  You were out and I found out about the port, its name and his name and the rest of the information.  If you weren't out then you would know this too and not be questioning me about it.  Now would you?  No, I guess I wouldn't.  So let me tell what's going on and if you want you can do some more of the research next time.  Fine.

We are currently facing east and watching the sunrise over the ocean, which is one of his favorite things to do in the morning.  Get out to the cliff edge before the sun comes up and watch it rise from his view point on the top of the tree.  The rock/boulder will have to stay a mystery as we have yet to ascertain the reason, origin and how it got to be there.  But since there are storm clouds out there they are slowly swallowing up the sunrise and creating some very red skies right now.  The ship appears to be either trying to outrun the storm clouds, which are brandishing the occasional lightning or it's bring the storm right along with it.  Pulling it along you might say.  The storm clouds are definitely following the ship in to land fall.  From what I could make out the ship is a sloop/schooner with a 5 man crew.

Tobias is climbing down from the tree and taking his leave of the scene to head back the way he came.  Home.  It's time to break his fast and continue his day.  A ship and storm clouds are of no importance to him or have any bearing on his day.  He lives alone and likes it that way.  He is planning to head to the port in a few days for more supplies, but other than that he is going about his business as usual.

Well are you satisfied with the results of my research?  Yes it was satisfactory.  When will we know more and what else is there?  I 'm not sure right now, but I do believe there will be more to come soon.