The Wonderful World of Wiggles: One Month!

Hey guys! This is Wiggles, and I'm wigglier than ever!

You may have wondered about the title of this article, since earlier this month I wrote a column entitled, "A Kitten's Mewsings". Well, I liked that title too, but then I realized that I'm not going to be a kitten forever! I'm growing up to be a big cat! So now I'm calling my column, "The Wonderful World of Wiggles"!

Today means that I've been with my new family one whole month. This month has been awesome, folks! First of all, my family let me out of isolation!! Now I can run free and play with the Big Cat! I'm just so happy that I'm let out now. I chase my tail. I run around. I run some more and chase my tail some more, I'm so happy!

The only problem is Big Cat. I'm so happy that I can play with him, that I leap on him! I pounce on his tail! I bite his neck! All he does is just run away from me, hissing. He'll even bite or bat at me sometimes! What a grouch. I don't see how he has any fun.

A couple days ago Mommy took me to the vet. I was pretty scared, but Mommy seemed pretty excited that I had gained two pounds in one month. "Two pounds! Two pounds! Two pounds!" she kept saying. For some reason or other she wants me to grow. I don't know for sure, but she says that when I get to four pounds and four months old she'll have me declawed. Declawed? Whaddya talkin' about?? I just don't get it. Why would somebody try to declaw me? Besides, I won't let them do it. I'll just scratch them till they go away!

Speaking of claws, I use them a lot! Like, I bite or claw anything and everything. I don't know why, it's just so much fun! I'm a cat and that's a fact! Rrrrrr...I'll bite ya and show you how tough I am! And then when I bite or chew some things or people, my family squirts me with Mr. Squirt. Mr. Squirt is a squirt bottle and sure sends some nasty stuff my way. First my family will tell me "no" before they spray, then they spray me. I still don't obey them much. Why don't they want me to bite and claw?? I'm a cat and that's a fact!

One of my favorite things to play with is my balls and my cat tree. My cat tree is just one post, but it sure is fun! I'll climb up there quick with my ears back like I'm a tough cat, and then bat my balls around. Sometimes I'll just play with the balls, tree, and myself for twenty minutes! Then I'm so tired I have to sleep and take a cat nap.

Well, that's 'bout it for what's happening to me right now. I'll tell ya more when it happens!

More wigglier than ever,

Wiggles

Thoughts from a Teenager's Heart

One of my favorite Bible passages is 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22. I learned it from a Bible scripture song, and while I was working at our church this week I was singing the song. Singing this passage of Scripture got me to thinking. I have a few thoughts to share on this passage, but first let's read the passage in its entirety:


^"16Rejoice evermore. ¹⁷Pray without ceasing.¹⁸In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.¹⁹Quench not the Spirit. ²⁰Despise not prophesyings. ²¹Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. ²²Abstain from all appearance of evil."


There are eight things that Paul (the author of 1 Thessalonians) tells us to do. Let's take a closer look at each of them. 


1. Rejoice evermore 


"Always" would be another, more modern word for "evermore". So do we "Rejoice always"?? I don't think so. More often or not I am worrying about certain things that must get done or else blahblahblah will happen, which could be very serious. Or I could be thinking about a number of different things, but certainly not rejoicing. 


Recently I have started keeping a "thankful" journal. Once a day I'll write in it, recording all the happy things that happened to me that day. It doesn't seem to matter whether I am sick with a cold, or crazy busy, I have always found many things to be thankful for. For some sad reason it seems that our brains are wired to focus more on the negative things in our day, instead of the positive. Going to bed looking at a list of happy things that happened to me that day helps me a lot...I feel a lot better about life. "Rejoice always" may be something that we consciously have to do, but is nonetheless important.


2. Pray without ceasing 


Pray without ceasing. Do we really pray more then just at meals?? At times I wonder! Think of your very best friend for a moment. How often do you communicate with them? Once a year at Christmas?? I doubt it! You probably talk on the phone, e-mail, Facebook, text, chat, etc. etc. etc. Anyway you can communicate you will--and you love it when you can be with that person in real life. 


Now think of God. Taking on the name of "Christian" means that you acknowledge Christ as your leader, and you have a personal relationship with him. That means he should be your best friend. So if God is your best friend, how often do you communicate with him?? If you could, would you be talking with him on the phone? Would he be your friend on Facebook?? Would you text him constantly?? At times I wonder. As Christians, do we claim God as our best friend yet only send him yearly Christmas cards?? 

Blogging Through The Gospels: Matthew 26, Part 1

Today's Bible reading is Matthew 26:1-35. The plot certainly thickens in these verses as the chief priests and their cohorts deviously devise ways to kill Jesus, Judas agrees to betray Jesus, and the Lord's supper.

There are so many good things in today's reading--for example, I really liked the story of the woman pouring perfume over Jesus' head. (see verses 6-13). I also really liked verse 30:

"When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives."

This verse records what Jesus and his disciples did just before they left the upper room. I just think that it is so cool that the fact that Jesus sung a hymn got in the Bible! This verse makes you think of Jesus more as a real person I think.

But for today I think that I'm just going to skip to the SOAP. Ready for your shower??


Scripture:

"Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" Jesus answered, "Yes, it is you.""~Matthew 26:25

Observation:

Do you remember this story?? The disciples are all gathered in the upper room as Jesus is introducing his new service of communion--eating bread and juice in remembrance of what he did for us. Jesus has just announced that one of his disciples would betray him. This created an uproar, all of the disciples asking each other and Jesus, "Surely not I!" When Judas asks Jesus this question, Jesus sadly gives his answer.

Application:

Do we betray Jesus by the things we do? For example, would you feel fine with Jesus reading the magazines you read? The music you listen to? The TV shows you watch?? The list could go on and on, but the point is...would Jesus feel comfortable doing what you are doing? I'm sure you know the answer. If you don't think Jesus would be fine with it, you are really betraying him.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, please come into my life and take control. Be the leader. Please help me to not betray you. Help me to only do things that would please you. Amen.

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P.S.--To learn more about this blogging-through-the-gospels program, or if YOU would like to join yourself (you're more than welcome-jump right in!!) click here.

Endeavour Endeavors to Launch Today...But Fails

We knew it was going to happen, didn't we?? The Space Shuttle Endeavour and the STS-134 launch has been delayed till at least Monday, May 2, 2011, at 2:33pm EDT.  This time the reason for delay was some failed circuits in an Auxiliary Power Unit. According to NASA's policy of we-don't-fly-if-everything-isn't-perfect, the launch has been delayed. See below videos for more explanation.

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STS-134 Launch Scrub Announcement


STS-134 Launch Scrub Explanation

Endeavour's Last Voyage to the Cosmos

Above is a very nice video NASA put out just yesterday about STS-134 and Endeavour's significant role in space exploration.

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P.S.--Remember to come to my actual blog to view this video.

Blogging Through The Gospels: Matthew 25

Well as you all have probably figured out by now, I have had a very busy day. I was able to read Matthew 25 this morning, but haven't had time to blog about it till now.

Matthew 25 continues Jesus' discussion on the times of the end. In the chapter, he tells three parables: one about ten virgins, one about talents, and one about sheep and goats. For each parable I'll recap the story here and then add my comments.

First, the parable of the ten virgins. In this parable, ten virgins are invited to participate in a wedding ceremony. All of them bring oil, but only five bring extra oil. As it turns out, the bridegroom was late in coming and all the virgins fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out that the bridegroom was coming! All of the virgins awoke and tried to light their lamps. The five virgins who had brought extra oil were happy, and lit their lamps. But the other five didn't have enough oil. They begged the other virgins to let them have some oil. But the wise virgins didn't have enough oil to share, and advised that the other foolish virgins go buy some oil at a store. While the five foolish virgins were off searching for oil, the bridegroom came. The five wise virgins with extra oil joined the procession and party, but the five foolish virgins couldn't.

I know that there are many points that could be brought out of this story, but the thing that really hit me was this: The virgins needed to have the oil ahead of time. They couldn't just buy some as they needed it. In the same way, you can't get what you need when you need it. You need to have it before you need it.

Blogging Through The Gospels: Matthew 24

In case you're wondering, I took the picture that is accompanying this article while I was lying down in bed...and a thunderstorm raged on outside! The light you see in the window area is from the lightning.

Today's chapter is Matthew 24. In it, the disciples come and ask Jesus what will be the signs of his second coming.

"You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things much happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and  kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places." ~Matthew 24:6-7

Some of the signs, like those listed above, are already happening. Nations have been going to war for quite some time, and speaking of earthquakes....is it just me, or are they increasing? Japan, China, Chile, Haiti...

Blogging Through The Gospels: Matthew 23

Today's chapter is Matthew 23. When I first read this chapter, I almost felt like it didn't belong in the Bible. I mean, happy, loving Jesus screaming denunciations at the Pharisees??? That doesn't seem to make sense.

Yet Matthew 23 is in the Bible...and the chapter is filled with Jesus calling the Pharisees all sorts of names:

• Hypocrites
• Blind guides
• White-washed tombs
• Snakes
• Vipers
• And many more...

I got a little insight into this chapter as I read its' concluding verses:

"O Jerusalem, O Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'"~Matthew 23:37-39

Did you notice how Jesus called the Temple "your house"?? Wasn't it God's house? Because back in Matthew 21:13 Jesus calls the Temple "My house". 

I've realized something. This chapter covers Jesus' last time teaching in the Temple before his death. This is his last time, and he's gotta give the people and leaders everything he's got to say. And while Jesus is saying some pretty negative things, I think he is doing it out of love. He is trying to show the religious leaders their mistakes.  And before the Temple has been "His house". Now, the Jewish nation as a whole has rejected Jesus and Jesus shows in his words that the Temple is not his house anymore. Wow. 

Three Days

In approximately three days, the Space Shuttle Endeavour will launch on its 25th and final space mission.

Slated for launch at 3:47pm EDT  this Friday (April 29, 2011), Endeavour will ferry the STS-134 astronauts Mark Kelly, Greg Johnson, Greg Chamitoff, Mike Fincke, Drew Feustel, and Roberto Vittori to the International Space Station on their two-week mission. Learn the latest about the mission here.

I can't wait to watch the launch live! You may be able, too....click here to go to NASA TV, where the launch will be broadcasted.

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Blogging Through The Gospels: Matthew 22

Matthew 22 is filled with various religious leaders asking "hard" questions of Jesus, trying to trap him in his own words...but the leaders never succeed! Jesus always has the right answer, and the leaders are often the ones who are humiliated. So goes the entirety of Matthew 22.

I want to talk a little about most of the parables/questions found in this chapter. The first parable is about a king who is hosting a wedding banquet. The king sends his servants to bring the invited guests to the banquet, but the guests refuse to come. So the king tells the servants to invite and bring anyone they can find...even off the streets. These people come, but one guy doesn't put on his wedding clothes...even though they were provided. The king asks the guy why he wasn't wearing wedding clothes, and this guy was speechless. So the king tells his servants to throw this guy out into the night, away from the party because the guy didn't do what the king requested him to do.

Jesus' point?

"For many are invited, but few are chosen." ~Matthew 22:14

Now remember, this parable came right after the last two parables in Matthew 21, when the chief priests asked Jesus by whose authority he was doing things. The last two parables in Matthew 21 and the first one in Matthew 22 have a striking similarity....

Six Guys In Orange Suits: Nope, they're not astronauts!

Are you FIT to inspect the Space Shuttle for the final time, before it launches into space? You might not be, but the Final Inspection Team is! Dressed in bright orange suits just like the astronauts, they use every method available to carefully check every part of the Shuttle, external tank, and solid rocket boosters. This team is essential to shuttle and astronaut safety, as they may find a problem others might not have seen. And--on a more grave note--with the Final Inspection Team, NASA hopes to eliminate any other Challenger-type disasters.

Six orange guys, but they're not astronauts. Watch this video to find out more!

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P.S.--Remember to come to my actual blog to view this video. :)

Blogging Through The Gospels: Matthew 21, Part 2

Today we cover the last half of Matthew 21, which talks about the Pharisees questioning Jesus. As usual, it's the Pharisees who are humiliated, not Jesus!

In short, the Pharisees ask Jesus by what authority he was doing all the things that he was doing. Jesus replied that he would tell them, if they answered his question: John's baptism--where did it come from?

This sent the Pharisees into a frenzied huddle, as if they replied that John's baptism was from heaven, Jesus would ask why they hadn't believed. If they replied that John's baptism was from men, they would get the people angry at them, as everyone held that John was a prophet!

So in humiliation the Pharisees replied, "We don't know." Neither did Jesus tell them by what authority he was doing things!

As if that wasn't enough, Jesus started telling parables that weren't to hard to decipher and figure out that Jesus was talking about the Pharisees. The first parable talked about a guy with two sons. He asked both of his sons to go work in his field. The first one said, "No way! I'm not gonna do that!" but later changed his mind and worked in his father's field. The second son told his father that he would work in his field, but didn't.

Jesus asked the Pharisees which son did what his father wanted. They naturally answered, "the first". Well, Jesus said, tax collectors and sinners are entering heaven ahead of you Pharisees! Then Jesus launched into a second parable, which I'll talk about in my SOAP.

Scripture:

"But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, 'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him and take his inheritance.'" ~Matthew 21:38

Observation:

Here's the gist of the parable. There was a landowner who built a vineyard. When he went away on a long trip, he rented the vineyard to some farmers, and expected at harvest time that he would get some of the harvest. Harvest time came. The landowner sent some servants to collect the harvest. But the farmers--or tenants--were mean. They beat, killed, or stoned the servants. The landowner was very unhappy with this. He sent more servants, more then the time before. These servants met the same fate. Finally the landowner decided to send his son. They'll respect my son, he thought. Oops. The tenants saw the son, realized that he was the heir, and killed him too.

Then Jesus dropped the bombshell on the Pharisees: what will the farmer do? They answered correctly that the landowner will oust the current tenants and rent the vineyard to tenants who don't kill his servants and that do give him a share of the harvest.

Application:

I don't think you have to be a theologian to figure out the meaning of this parable. God the Father is the landowner that built the vineyard. The vineyard is God's people, church, whatever you want to call it. The tenants are the Pharisees, and the servants are the prophets of old. The Pharisees, or current leaders, always tried to kill and shush these voices. Finally, the son in the story represents Jesus. I think that the meaning is very clear, and both the common people and Pharisees understood it.

Now I have a question for you: do you kill Jesus? Not physically, of course. But do you disown, dishonor, or kill him by the books you read? The websites you surf? The movies you watch? The music you listen to? Could you read, surf, watch, and listen to the same things with Jesus by your side? I kind of wonder that at times.

Prayer:

Dear God, help me to honor you wherever I go and in whatever I do. Amen.

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P.S.--To learn more about this blogging-through-the-gospels program, or if YOU would like to join yourself (you're more than welcome-jump right in!!) click here.

A Mountain-Top Birthday, Part 3

 "All aboard!" One of the main tourist attractions around Lookout Mtn. is the Incline Railway. It climbs--almost vertically it seems--from the bottom to the top. I never, ever thought my parents would take me on the Incline because it costs so much money. But they did! :D And it was a lot of fun.

To tell the truth, I was really really scared because of how steep it appeared--and is. But it turned out to be quite a fun experience as we descended and then ascened the mountain. Quite a unique and fun ride--18% grade in some parts. Here's some of the pictures I took!

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 Next few pictures: What can I say? I told ya it's steep! ;)

A Mountain-Top Birthday, Part 2

 After my parents took me to wonderful Point Park high atop Lookout Mountain, we ate a picnic near the park! It was really really fun, and Mom made some classic, delicious picnic foods! (see what I ate in above picture). After we ate, my parents surprised me again and brought out my presents! I thought it was really cool opening my presents at Point Park.

Here's some pictures of our picnic and present-opening. Thanks everyone for all the presents you gave me! Alison made me many very nice hand-drawn cards, and I got several checks and many awesome books! :D

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 Next few photos of my family picnicking.

A Mountain-Top Birthday, Part 1

 Today is my birthday, and I turned 18. For such a monumental, mountain-top experience birthday, my parents really decided to surprise me. They took me to Lookout Mtn. for the day! :D So I really did have a mountain-top birthday.

I have so much to say and share that I will be splitting my birthday adventures into three posts over the next few days. This post is about Point Park--it's an installment of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, and of course it is right at the northern tip of Lookout Mtn. Especially nice was the fact that today was the last day of National Park Week, meaning we got to go to Point Park for free! I was really glad there weren't too many people there.

Fierce and decisive battles took place around and in Chattanooga in 1863, in the Civil War. In fact, President Lincoln is quoted saying that taking Chattanooga was as important as taking Richmond! Loving history, I find it fascinating to live in a place with such awesome history.  So without more talking from me, here's the photos I took....

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 ^^Me and my wonderful mother. :)

SonRise Resurrection Scene 2011

Hi All--this morning I was looking around on YouTube and found this fabulous video of the SonRise Resurrection scene...from this year!! It's TOTALLY AWESOME--and the camera was up close to the stage so you get some very nice views. PLEASE WATCH IT!!

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P.S.--Remember to come to my actual blog to view this video.

Blogging Through The Gospels: Matthew 21, Part 1

Matthew 21: what does it cover? Well, the first part anyway covers Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. I thought that it was really cool that just yesterday I attended SonRise and got a picture of "Jesus" in the triumphal entry. (see left).

Matthew 21 is so long that Amy over at Mom's Toolbox has divided the chapter into two days' worth of study. Today we get to study the first half, or verses 1-27. This first half of the chapter covers (of course) Jesus' triumphal entry, Jesus at the temple, a withering fig tree, and the authority of Jesus questioned.

Before we get onto our SOAP, there is one point that I'd like to share. Verses 12-17 tell of Jesus driving out all the buyers and sellers (once again!). After he does this, He roars:

""It is written," he said to them, "'My house will be called a house of prayer', but you are making it a 'den of robbers.'" ~Matthew 21:13

After Jesus drove the marketplace out of the temple, the children, the blind, and the lame came to Jesus. He blessed the children and healed the blind and the lame. The children were so happy they continued to sing "Hosanna to the Son of David", overflowing from Jesus' triumphal entry just a short while ago. When when the chief priests and leaders came back (they too had been scared away!) they were indignant with what the kids were doing. My paraphrase:

"Do you hear what these kids are saying?" they roar.

"Yes. Don't you remember the Scriptures saying that little kids will praise my name??" replies Jesus.

I just really like that story. I also really like how Jesus uses Scripture to back up his reasons. If you really look, he uses Scripture a lot in his answers to the Pharisees and other leaders.

OK. Onto the SOAP of the day. I just really liked that story!

Scripture:

"The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

"Hosanna to the Son of David!"

"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"

"Hosanna in the highest!"" ~Matthew 21:9

Observation:

This is a wonderful verse from a wonderful story. Jesus is entering Jerusalem like a king, and everyone is really excited and welcoming him! But remember, in a few days, some of the same voices will be shouting, "Crucify him!".

Application:

One day some people were pro-Jesus, a week later that were actively campaigning to rid the earth of Him. Do you think that they really had a firm opinion of who they thought Jesus was? I don't think so. They just went along with the crowd, and the general consensus of the crowd determined their position and opinion. Application? Don't go along with the crowd. Stand up for what you believe in.

Prayer:

Dear God, help me to not go along with the crowd. Help me to stand up for you, and not let anyone else change that opinion. Amen. 

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P.S.--To learn more about this blogging-through-the-gospels program, or if YOU would like to join yourself (you're more than welcome-jump right in!!) click here.

SonRise 2011

Today our local university and church held their annual Easter pageant, called SonRise. You go through the Jerusalem marketplace, the Last Supper, Gethsemane, Pilate, the Crucifixion, and finally the Resurrection. This is our fourth year going, and it just keeps getting better and better! It's really hard to explain how awesome it is.

So...without further adieu, here's some of my better shots from today. Now I must confess a little: last night I charged my camera batteries all the way, and still my batteries wore out the second Jesus came triumphant from the tomb! :( Oh well. I do have some pictures of Jesus coming out of the tomb from last year. To attempt to show you how awesome the Resurrection scene is, I located a YouTube video of the Resurrection from a few years ago. So enjoy the pictures....but please come to my blog and watch the video!! It's below all the pictures.  If you'd like to see my pictures of last year's SonRise, click here.

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^^Roman soldiers, right before opening the Jerusalem gates.

(above and below): I really liked the pottery shop!

Who Am I? Clue: I Carried One of Jesus' Burdens

Try to guess the Bible character's identity before the end of this article!

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Greetings! I am a man who resides in Libya, in the area of Cyrene. Today I will tell you of the most amazing experience I ever had! [Acts 2:10, Matthew 27:32]

This experience happened several years ago, when I traveled to Jerusalem in Israel with my sons Alexander and Rufus. As we came in from the country, we neared Jerusalem, and what looked to be like a huge throng of people.  As my two sons and I got closer, we realized the center of attention was Jesus. My two sons were believers in this Jesus, but I wasn't. Still, when I saw what those Roman soldiers were doing, I felt compassion and moved to the front of the crowd. What was happening to Jesus? He was being crucified. He was all bloody and tired and worn out. He almost couldn't walk another step, he was so weak. And then they made him carry his cross! [Mark 15:21]

Evidently the Romans realized Jesus was weak too. They knew that Jesus couldn't carry his cross any further, but who would carry it? If any Jew did it, he would be grossly defiled by their law. When the Romans saw me, a foreigner, show compassion, they seized me and told me to carry Jesus' cross. I carried the cross right behind Jesus. [Luke 23:26]

I continued in this deathly, woeful march until we reached a spot just outside of Jerusalem. It was called Golgotha, which also means "The Place of the Skull". [Mark 15:22] There, I was relieved of my borrowed burden, and the Romans continued their terrible work. 

I couldn't do anything more for Jesus, but I could do something about myself. I became a believer. A believer in Jesus, that He was, and still is, the Lamb of God and Saviour of mankind. Ever after I considered it a blessing that I was chosen to carry Jesus' cross, and since then I have cheerfully been a disciple of Christ.  After seeing what Jesus do for me, I can never do too much for Him.  

Do you know my name now? My name is

Simon of Cyrene

Blogging Through The Gospels: Matthew 20

Matthew 20: New parable, new setting, right? Ehhh....wrong!

I know that often when I read one chapter and then later read the next one somehow in my mind I think the two chapters are two different stories that happened at two separate, distinct times. But I'm realizing that this is not always the case.

For example, Matthew 20 starts out with the parable of the workers in the vineyard. Jesus told this parable right after the rich young ruler of Matthew 19! Making the connection between the two stories helped me a lot.

As I've already mentioned, today's chapter is Matthew 20. It covers, as I mentioned previously, the parable of the workers in the vineyard, Jesus again predicting his death, a mother's request, and how two blind men received their sight. There are a lot of things that I liked about Matthew 20...so I guess I'll just start at the top!

Let me paraphrase and tell you the parable of the workers in the vineyard. If you want to read it for yourself, the parable's found in Matthew 20:1-16.

Basically, there was this guy who went to the marketplace to hire workmen to work in his vineyard. He went to the marketplace just as the sun was coming up, and made a deal with some men that they would receive a denarius for their work. Later in the day this guy did the same thing--at the third, sixth, nineth, and even the eleventh hour--and hired more men to work in his vineyard. Every time, he agreed to pay them a denarius at the end of the day.

The end of the day came, and with it pay time. The vineyard owner told his foreman to pay the men starting with the ones who were hired last. When the foreman came to the men who had worked all day, he payed them one denarius, just liked they had agreed with the vineyard owner. And--catch this--everyone, including the guys who had worked all day got the same amount of money.

Now the guys who had been hired first got a bit angry. Why didn't they get more then the guys who had worked for just one hour? Shouldn't they get more because they had done most of the work, in the heat of the day? The vineyard owner came up to them and said, "Didn't we agree that I'd pay you a denarius for your work? Can't I do with my money what I want? I decided to give everyone the same pay."

Jesus' point? The first shall be last, and the last first.

OK. Onto the next story! I know that this is just another of Jesus' truly awesome miracles, but I was still very touched with the story of two blind men receiving their sight. Let the Bible tell you this story:

"As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!" ~Matthew 20:29-30

From what I've learned throughout the years, blind people in Bible times didn't have much if any transportation. I'm sure that these blind men had heard of Jesus, even believed that He could heal them! But how could they get to the Great Healer?? So you can understand these blind men's excitement when they heard that Jesus was passing right by. And what happens?

"The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"~Matthew 20:31

What happens? The crowd tells them to stop, to shut up and be quiet. But these blind guys know that this may be their only chance to see Jesus, and they were sure that he could heal them!! I admire these two men that they didn't shut up when the crowd told them to do so. Don't give up pursuing Jesus, even if the world tells you to give up pursuing him!

The blind mens' faith was rewarded in verses 32-34:

"Jesus stopped and called them. "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked. "Lord," they answered, "we want our sight." Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him."

There are so many good lessons that I could pull from this story. Jesus stopped. It doesn't matter how much he has going on, or how big the crowd, Jesus stops for you. Yes, you! Little, not "important" you...he makes time for you, helps you, cares for you. Jesus stops for you. I just love that.

"Immediately they received their sight and followed him." ~Matthew 20:34

Jesus had done a radical, life-changing thing to these two men. Immediately, RIGHT AWAY they followed him. When Jesus does a radical, life-changing thing to me and you, we need to follow him RIGHT AWAY. It's not just the transformation, the receiving of sight. It's the continual relationship and connection that you have with Jesus. And having, keeping that connection is extremely important.

As I said earlier, I just love this story.

OK! Ready for your shower with SOAP? I still think I like the story of the blind men better than the one that follows, but this one has some good points as well.

Scripture:

"Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave" ~Matthew 20:26,27

Observation:

Have we seen this before? Sounds like Jesus is still uttering his "the first shall be last and the last first" lesson that he's been teaching for quite some time. Still, this verse comes after an interesting little story. See, the mother of James and John (spurred on by her sons, I'm sure) petitioned Jesus and asked that when he would set up his kingdom, that one of her sons could sit on his left and the other on his right. Jesus told her that it was not his place to decide such matters. Plus, he said, those spots are reserved for those who my Father has chosen to sit there. Naturally, when the other ten disciples heard about this request, they were pretty mad. That's when Jesus said this verse, going on to say that "the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." ~verse 28.

Application:

First shall be last, and last first. Whoever wants to be come great must serve first. It's human nature to want to be first, the best, the one in control. But we need to remember that "the first shall be last". We need to pray to God for humbleness, and that we will do whatever God asks us to do....even if that means mopping the floor.

Prayer:

Dear God, help me not to get all proud and stuck-up like some people have. Please give me humbleness, and a willingness to do whatever you ask of me. Amen.

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P.S.--To learn more about this blogging-through-the-gospels program, or if YOU would like to join yourself (you're more than welcome-jump right in!!) click here.

I Guess I'll Have To Settle For An Up-Close View

Last night I had read on the Internet that the International Space Station was going to be really bright, and possibly could be seen with the naked eye. So my parents and I went out to look at the appointed time...but clouds and trees got in the way! So I think I will have to settle for an up-close tour/view of the station, a video that NASA astronaut Cady Coleman took recently. Here 'tis, and enjoy! :)

~Photobug

P.S.- Remember to come to my actual blog to view this video.

Blogging Through The Gospels: Matthew 19

Today's chapter is Matthew 19. It talks about divorce, little children and Jesus, and the rich young ruler.

There were many good points in the chapter; however, I think I shall just skip to my SOAP....

Scripture:


"Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell you possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth." ~Matthew 19:21-22

Observation:

We all know the story--the rich young ruler comes up to Jesus, and asks him what he should do to be saved. Jesus tells him to obey and keep the commandments. When the young man replies in the affirmative, Jesus gives the advice in the verses above.

Application:

I've heard this story many times before--but as I read it again Jesus' advice struck me again. If Jesus asked me to give up all that I had, would I do it? Or as a 21st century American do I have so much stuff that I would feel like I couldn't possibly get rid of? Jesus doesn't always tell us to get rid of everything, sometimes it may just be a still small voice urging you to get rid of those bad movies or books or music or whatever. Do I love God enough, do I have enough "treasure in heaven" (Matthew 6:19-20) that I'd gladly do whatever God asked?

Prayer:

Dear God, help me to not love my stuff so much that I can't do whatever you ask. Amen.

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P.S.--To learn more about this blogging-through-the-gospels program, or if YOU would like to join yourself (you're more than welcome-jump right in!!) click here.

Blogging Through The Gospels: Matthew 18

There are so many good points in Matthew 18 that I don't know where to start! Matthew 18 covers a lot of awesome stuff--who's the greatest in God's kingdom, the parable of the lost sheep, what to do if someone sins against you, and additionally the parable of the unmerciful servant.

Before our daily cleansing with SOAP, here's a little "pre-shower" for you....

"At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me." ~Matthew 18:1-5

Wow. The disciples have once again been bickering about which of them is going to be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. When the disciples finally muster up the courage to ask Jesus, he effectually says, "None of you the way you are now. You need to become like little kids!"

What did Jesus mean by that? He certainly knew that responsible adults can't become irresponsible kids again. But I feel that Jesus wasn't talking about that. I think he was referring to the way little children trust their parents. In the same way that a little kid totally depends on and trusts his parents, so should we depend on and trust our Heavenly Father. Hmmmmmm........

To finish up this discussion on kids, I must share this verse. It comes at the end of Jesus' discussion on kids, when he's just finished telling about a shepherd who is so happy that he found his one lost sheep. Here goes:

"In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost." ~Matthew 18:14

Moving along, I found these verses really cool:

"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." ~Matthew 18:19-20

Wow. That's a powerful promise. Why don't we see results more? Do we not even have mustard-seed size faith?? (see Matthew 17:20-21) Just some thoughts to think about.

OK. Now onto our SOAP for the day!

Scripture:

"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."~Matthew 18:35

Observation:

This verse comes at the end of one of Jesus' parables. Peter had asked Jesus how many times should he forgive his brother. Then Jesus told a parable, which I'll quickly paraphrase here.

Basically, there was a servant who owed hundreds of dollars to his master. Since the servant could not pay the debt, the master ordered that his wife and kids be taken away. The servant begged his master not to do this, and in the end the master very kindly canceled this servant's debt.

The servant went out from his master's presence, but while he was still on the way he met up with another man, who had borrowed just a few cents from him. This guy hadn't paid, but was actively working on repaying the debt. When the servant saw this guy, he grabbed him by the neck and demanded that he pay here and now. This guy begged the servant for mercy, promising to repay as soon as possible. But the servant had no mercy, and threw this guy in prison until the money was repaid.

Some other servants saw this interaction, and went to tell the master of the servant who had owed a lot of money. When the master heard about it, he was furious and called in his servant who had owed him a lot. "Why didn't you have mercy on that guy who owed you a little, just like I had a lot of mercy for you?" the master roared, sending his servant off to prison until the complete original debt was paid.

Application:

So I'm happily reading this story...and then Jesus drops the bombshell:

"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."

WOW. Did you really catch that? Go read it again! This is how my Father will treat you unless you truly forgive people. Wow. I don't know about you, but I know that it is hard for me sometimes to forgive people. I may say "I forgive you" or whatever, but I still hold a grudge against them for whatever wrong thing they did to me. It's hard to truly say "I forgive you" and forgive and forget. But at the same time that's what Jesus is saying we must do, or God will treat us in a way we don't like. Hmmmmm.......

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for letting me read this chapter today. Please help me to truly "forgive and forget" more often. Amen.

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P.S.--To learn more about this blogging-through-the-gospels program, or if YOU would like to join yourself (you're more than welcome-jump right in!!) click here.

Blogging Through The Gospels: Matthew 17

Today was a hard chapter for me. Don't get me wrong; I love the stories of the Transfiguration and Jesus telling Peter to "go fish" for tax money, but after I had read the entirety of Matthew 17, nothing struck me.

So I read it again. And I found one point. So I think I'm just going to skip the "pre-shower", and delve right in to our shower with SOAP.

Scripture:

"While he [Peter] was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" ~Matthew 17:5

Observation:

Peter, James and John had just been treated to a most remarkable event--the transfiguration of Jesus. Jesus is in the hight of his majesty and glory when loud-mouth Peter opens his mouth. Red flags should already be going up, right? I think that its very interesting that this verse says that while Peter was still speaking, that God spoke.

Application:

Do we talk more, or listen more? God certainly wants to hear our requests and prayers, but we also need to listen to God, and to his Word. Perhaps God was trying to give a lesson to Peter that he should listen, not talk.

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this passage. Thank you for reminding me of the importance of listening. Help me listen to you more. Amen.

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P.S.--To learn more about this blogging-through-the-gospels program, or if YOU would like to join yourself (you're more than welcome-jump right in!!) click here.

Blogging Through The Gospels: Matthew 16

Welcome to Tuesday, everyone! :) Today's Bible chapter is Matthew 16, which covers another confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees, Jesus giving instruction to his disciples, Peter's confession of Christ, and Jesus predicting his death.

Two things impressed me today, so I'll talk about one right now and the other for my SOAP.

Jesus is telling his disciples that he must go down to Jerusalem and be killed, but would rise on the third day.
Now if "I" was one of the disciples, "I" would have waited till Jesus talked about his resurrection, right? Well, I don't know. Perhaps the disciples were so overwhelmed by the "death" part that they didn't hear the "risen" part. My point is that perhaps the disciples could have saved themselves a lot of grief if they had finished listening to Jesus. Anyway, as Jesus is talking about all this....

"Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!"
Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." ~Matthew 16:22,23

Wow. Now that's harsh! Jesus was still human, and he had fears about what was going to happen. But he couldn't let his fears get the upper hand. That's why I think Jesus was so harsh here. Anyway, as I was reading this passage, I couldn't help but think of a lesson....

Could the things we do sometimes hinder God? Of course, we can't physically grapple him like Peter did, but are there ways that we hinder God? Perhaps when we exhibit a non-Christian behavior in front of someone who knows we are a Christian, their idea of Jesus goes down. As Christians, we are to represent Christ....do we really do that all the time? Or do we hinder God's work going forward?? That was just a thought I had, something to chew on for a while....

OK. Now onto our SOAP for the day!

Scripture:

""Be careful," Jesus said to them. "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the Sadducees."" ~Matthew 16:6

Observation:

Jesus and his disciples had just set out to go to the other side of the lake, and the disciples had forgotten to buy bread. Then Jesus says this! Naturally, they thought that Jesus was rebuking them for not bringing the bread. Jesus saw what the disciples were mumbling about, and then clarified that he was talking about the teachings of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. Just a little of their teachings--good, mixed with bad tradition--would go a long way, in the case in the wrong direction. Just like a little yeast spreads throughout the whole dough glob, a little of the Pharisees and Saducees' teachings would spread a long ways through a lot.

Application:

Hmmmm. A little in a lot. In my life, your life, what does this mean? For me, this passage is a reminder and a warning that a little can do a lot of damage. It may just be one impure thought, but that one will lead to others. It may just be going to a certain place once, but that experience will have a sequel. Fill in the blank with what have you, but doing a certain cherished sin "just once" doesn't make it less sinful. And from personal experience I've found that "just once" is a total lie. Unless you work with God and ask him to help you get away from a sin, you'll go back again and again. Even just the first time, one impure thought, has its effects throughout your whole entire life. That impure thought will make it easier for you to think another impure thought, and then another, and then another.....

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read this Bible passage today. Thank you for warning me on how a little can do a lot of damage. Please come into my life, take it over, and help me to not only refrain from the "big sins", but also from the "little" ones too. Amen.

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P.S.--To learn more about this blogging-through-the-gospels program, or if YOU would like to join yourself (you're more than welcome-jump right in!!) click here.

Good Heroes Promote Good Ideas

Finally! Finally we hear some good people promoting some good ideas. NASA just put out these four half-minute videos of various astronauts (either currently in space or going to be very shortly) talking about how the knowledge and skills that they learned in high school has made a big difference in where their careers have led. They may all say the same thing, but it surely is refreshing to hear good heroes promoting good ideas....like staying in school!! One of my favorite astronauts (Ron Garan) speaks in the video above.

On another note....just yesterday Ron Garan posted again on Fragile Oasis about living in space. He highlighted how he sleeps, how he exercises (clue: he's flying over Australia!) and the celebration aboard the ISS of Yuri Gagarin's flight 50 years ago. I highly recommend it! Read the article here.

~Photobug

P.S.--Remember to come to my actual blog to view these videos. :)


^^Mark Kelly, STS-134 Commander 


^^Cady Coleman, Expedition 27 Flight Engineer


^^Drew Feustel, STS-134 Mission Specialist

Blogging Through The Gospels: Matthew 15

Today's gospel chapter is Matthew 15, which cover a debate between Jesus and the Pharisees, the faith of a Canaanite woman, and Jesus feeding the four thousand.

While I admired the faith of the Canaanite woman, and I thought the feeding of the four thousand was awesome, what really hit me today was the debate between Jesus and the Pharisees.

As usual, the Pharisees are trying to trap Jesus so they can have some proof that Jesus "disobeys" the law. So they come to Jesus with this question:

""Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don't wash their hands before they eat!"" ~Matthew 15:2

Now notice what one would be breaking if one didn't wash one's hands. Scripture? A command from God? No. Tradition. Some traditions can be good and fun. For example, our family always raises our Christmas tree the Sunday after Thanksgiving. But other traditions can be bad if they take the place of Scripture. And this is exactly what the Pharisees had done: elevated tradition above Scripture. Elevated man above God.

I can just imagine the Pharisees' facial expressions as they waited for Jesus' reply. Proud, smug, and waiting for Jesus to fall into their trap. Except for one thing. The Pharisees were challenging the wrong man! If in their challenge the Pharisees would give Jesus options A and B, Jesus would opt for option C! And usually in the end, it was the Pharisees who were humiliated. So it was this time. Let's see what Jesus said in verse 3:

"Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?"

Jesus keeps going on, illustrating to the Pharisees how they make their traditions higher than the commands of God. Jesus wasn't happy. The Pharisees still fuming, Jesus calls the crowd to him and says,

"What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean', but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean.'" ~Matthew 15:11

The Jews had a long list of "no-no foods" that if they ate them, they would be "ceremonially unclean". And according to the laws of Moses, it was very wise to stay "ceremonially clean". I don't think Jesus is saying right here to eat whatever you want (or to not wash your hands), but more is emphasizing another, perhaps more important way, that you may become 'unclean'. Later Jesus explained this (above) parable to his disciples, and that explanation is the passage I've chosen for my daily SOAP.

Scripture:

"But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man 'unclean'; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him 'unclean.'" ~Matthew 15:18-20

Observation:

More than if I wash my hands, what comes out of my mouth makes me 'unclean'. My words and actions reveal the condition of my heart.

Application:

I can pray to God to take these bad thoughts and actions away, and fill me instead with good thoughts, ideas, and actions. So I can be eager to do good. This won't be easy--in fact, I've found it a huge challenge personally--but God will help us to have pure thoughts. This is what he wants.

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." ~Psalm 19:14

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this Bible chapter today. Thank you for reminding me that it is important to you what I think and do. Please take over my thoughts and my actions, so they will be pleasing to you. Amen.

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P.S.--To learn more about this blogging-through-the-gospels program, or if YOU would like to join yourself (you're more than welcome-jump right in!!) click here.