Who is Jesus?

Answer: 1 John 4:14,15

And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.1 John 4:14,15

What stronger evidence could God have given us that Jesus is the Son of God? What greater evidence could be given of the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ than that which has been given by those who were eyewitnesses of his Majesty? Will those who claim to believe in Christ as a personal Saviour, dishonor God by doubting that he to whose guardianship they have committed their souls will keep that which has been committed to his trust against that day? Jesus is a risen Saviour. He came forth from the grave to vindicate his previous claims, to confirm the faith of his followers, to establish the truth of his Godhead before men, to make doubly sure the assurance that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

A glimpse into the future with the rich getting richer and the middle class getting poorer? The failure of Greece to balance its financial account has led to severe austerity measures that are being rejected by Greek citizens. The Greek participation in the Euro is about to end and with it the looming failure of Greek banks. Some have already begun withdrawing their money.

Anarchy is in the streets as one of Greece's leading banks loses one of it branches after being torched by anarchists.

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This is old footage (February 2012)

It had been a long, hot hike in our desert hills. Cresting another small rise revealed a few trees near a now dry creek bed. Resting with eyes closed under the largest tree was a welcome relief. Leaves rustling quietly in the gentle breeze created the only sound in our stillness. The silence did not last long. The beating of large wings sounded above me. On owl? A goose? Couldn't be. I tried to guess what was in the tree just above me before looking. Opening my eyes, to my amazement I saw a little hummingbird hovering in front of me underneath the large shade limb, no more than four feet from my face. The loud beating of his wings belied his small stature.

What was a hummingbird doing in the middle of the desert? What attracted him to where I reclined? I wore no bright colors, there weren't flowers anywhere for miles that I was aware of. Yet there he was, apparently observing me as curiously as I was observing him. Our encounter didn't last long, but was memorable.

Another bird, quite different from the tiny hummingbird also lives in this area. Our young son spotted three of them in a tall, dead tree at the back of our neighborhood. He excitedly got the binoculars and went outside for a better look. Shortly, the entire family was walking around the block to get a closer look at the birds, stopping and using the binoculars as our view improved. Several cars even slowed to gaze at the sight, but no one was as curious as we.

Creeping ever closer to the tree, but now with the sun in our faces, they were difficult to see except for their massive size. Their shape was definitely that of a vulture. It wasn't long before they thought we were too close and took wing. Their cumbersome, unsteady flight confirmed our suspicions - Turkey Vultures.

Within a few weeks we came upon another Turkey Vulture. Driving in hills, rounding a turn, we were met by a Turkey Vulture claiming a small dead animal in the road. Fortunately the live bird was on the side of the road so we were able to miss him. The experience has often brought to mind the old saying “You are what you eat.” The bird was eating road kill and almost became the same. That would have been a bad day for all of us.

Two very different types of birds, one region. One looks for bright colors and sweet fragrances, another looks for the smell of death. As we travel through our days, what are we inclined to notice? The good or the bad? What are we more likely to repeat? The good or the bad?

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

We should also consider that what we look for in life affects who we are and what we show to others. Are we giving off a sweet fragrance to all around us? The sweet life that Jesus offers? Or are we dwelling on doom and gloom – the fragrance of death? Others are watching our words and actions.

1 Corinthians 4:9 . . . for we are made a spectacle unto the world . . .

Who are we attracting by our actions and words? Who are our friends? Do we want to attract those who are looking for life or those who are happy to dwell in death? No man is an island. Our influence is either for good or for evil.

2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

It may come as a surprise to most, that dung (manure), blood, and fat from animals is rendered and fed back to the animals. And we wonder why we have so much disease in animals. Vegetarian cows, sheep, deer, and elk are fed animal products including dung.

The fourth Mad Cow to be found in the United States was a dairy cow. When the cow began her life, it was more than likely not on her mother's milk. Most dairy calves are fed a milk replacer made of protein from cows. Yes, from cows. But, it may be from pigs, sheep, or who knows what. Blood is often an ingredient in a milk replacer.

Another major animal protein–based feed ingredient is animal waste, including dried ruminant waste, dried poultry litter, and dried swine waste (AAFCO 2004; Haapapuro et al. 1997). As with rendered animal products, there are no national data on the total amounts of animal waste included in animal feeds, although some states have collected limited data concerning this practice. In 2003, it was estimated that approximately 1 million tons of poultry litter were produced annually in Florida, and an estimated 350,000 tons of this litter were available for use in feed (Dubberly 2003). Yet, information concerning the precise amount of this “available” poultry litter that was actually incorporated into Florida animal feed was unavailable.

Recycling animal waste into animal feed has been practiced for > 40 years as a means of cutting feed costs. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not officially endorse the use of animal waste in feed and has issued statements voicing the agency’s concern about the presence of pathogens and drug residues in animal waste, particularly poultry litter (FDA 1998). In line with these concerns, the AAFCO, an organization that develops guidelines for the safe use of animal feeds, advises that processed animal waste should not contain pathogenic microorganisms, pesticide residues, or drug residues that could harm animals or eventually be detected in animal-based food products intended for human consumption (AAFCO 2004). Nonetheless, these guidelines are not adequately enforced at the federal or state level.     source

And if fresh pig manure is not recycled, how about pig feces ash? The "ash contains the minerals that were in the manure" and should "have value as either a fertilizer or an animal-feed supplement. The ash might end up going back to the hog farms from which it came, where it would become part of the pigs’ diet."  source

Some think that the government is better at protecting human health than it is with guiding the economy. What we see here is on par with everything else government is involved in. We cannot rely on the government to protect our health any more than we can rely upon industry and our universities.

I will say "yes" to Jesus,
Oft it was "no" before,
As He knocked at my heart's proud entrance
And I firmly barred the door.
But I've made a complete surrender
And given Him right of way,
And henceforth it is always "yes"
Whatever He may say.

I will say "yes" to Jesus
To all that He commands;
I will hasten to do His bidding
With willing heart and hands,
I will listen to hear His whispers
And learn His will each day,
And always gladly answer "yes"
Whatever He may say.

-- A. B. Simpson

One of the most important answers we can give about our faith is about God's character.  God is indeed all powerful, omnipotent.  And, God is love. Some see these two attributes as contradictory. How so? Well...if God is all powerful, then why do bad things happen to good people? If God is in control, and He is, then how can we say He is a loving God when bad things happen to good people?

Today, I read an article by a pastor who teaches that the tornadoes that ripped through the United States last year were caused by God and were a judgment from Him.  In Japan just after the quake and tsunami that devastated their country, the mayor of Tokyo said that it was a judgment from God. A lot of little children perished in the flooding. How do we see God? Is He omnipotent? Is He a God of love? We answer "yes" to both. Then we must now explain how it is that God "allows" bad things to happen to good people.

In this series on the character of God, this will be our primary objective. God is the Creator God and He is indeed a God of love far surpassing our greatest imagination. When we better understand His character, then our faith in Him will be made stronger. It by knowing Him that we can trust Him with all that we have and all that we are. This is God's will for us.

Daily Living

While exalting the "sure word of prophecy" as a safe guide in times of peril, the apostle solemnly warned the church against the torch of false prophecy, which would be uplifted by "false teachers," who would privily bring in "damnable heresies, even denying the Lord." These false teachers arising in the church are accounted true by many of their brethren in the faith, but the apostle compared them to "wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved forever." "The latter end is worse with them," he declared, "than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them."

Looking down through the ages to the close of time, Peter was inspired to outline conditions that would exist in the world just prior to the second coming of Christ. "There shall come in the last days scoffers," he wrote, "walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." But "when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them." Not all, however, would be ensnared by the enemy's devices. As the end of all things earthly approached, there would be faithful ones able to discern the signs of the times. While a larger number of professing believers would deny their faith by their works, there would be a remnant who would endure to the end.

Peter kept alive in his heart the hope of Christ's return, and he assured the church of the certain fulfilment of the Saviour's promise, "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself." To the tried and faithful ones the coming might seem long delayed, but the apostle assured them: "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

"Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

"Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found to him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you. . . . Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."