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This Psalm 19:1-2 in the ESV. It is very much the same in any translation. It states a very simple fact — the heaven’s tell us about the nature of God and the sky proclaims or shows to us His work. Each day and night reveal information (knowledge) about Him. In explaining that men are without excuse for their unbelief in Him, Paul in Romans 1:20 states:

For his invisible attributes, namely his eternal power and divine nature, have
been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

These simple verses tucked into His book, lets us know of His great love for all. He has granted us the privilege of displaying His nature in our flesh, and sharing with a lost world His saving message in love. However, He has not left it to anyone to display Himself! He has done that in the creation itself. The stars, the sky, the creation itself reveals much, much about Him. Everything that has been created shows us something about Him.

The creation/salvation story is written in the stars (see Bullinger’s book The Witness of the Stars, available on line at: http://www.philologos.org/), and the very creation (including ourselves) display Him.

I love His Book (Bible), and I am appointed to it, (Ezra 7:10), however, I also am aware I need to open my eyes and perceive. Read some of the scientific information (Creationists sites good here) available and allow the Lord to teach me through what He has created. There is much, much to be known. I guess we all have tendencies to be narrow in our approaches to “beholding” Him. Let’s open and let Him teach us much more — much more!

It is our US holiday — Memorial Day! I love this holiday. I love the waving of the flag and the overall sentiment of gratitude that rises as a result of remembering those who have fought so hard for our country and our present way of life. The US has many problems (as do all governments ordered by frail humanity), however, when we wave this flag, most hearts are filled with thanksgiving, and thanksgiving to our God.

Joe led the choir at a “Watch Fire” gathering last night. It is a gathering of the veterans and citizens in our area: a huge bonfire where all the worn and “used-up” flags are placed and burned as the bagpipes play and the choir sings our patriotic songs. He enjoys that very much.

Today we gather with my church family for a huge picnic at our park on the lake. My heart is thankful to our Lord for all who have gone before me. We do stand on the shoulders of many who have lived and died in and for this great land.

It is a grand ole’ Flag!

Have a blessed and thankful day in our Jesus!

Well, push has come to shove. I must complete the grading of my spring institute course. My dear students have been exceeding patient with me and my travel schedule, but now I must complete the stack of lessons, papers, and finals. Those of you who read here, rejoice, I have completed half of them — did that yesterday! So now I will try to finish today.

I always enjoy what the students write, and never know why I drag my feet in grading. I love to teach on the Institute level, and enjoy all who are my students. Their creative insight into the Scriptures always blesses and amazes me. Each one is so very different from the other.

In our Bible Institute we grade according to a students ability — not on a curve in reference to others. Our students’ background education has been from a high school diploma to a doctor’s degree and all in between. So it would be totally unfair to grade the one with the high school education with the same expectations of those with higher degrees. It works well for all — this watching of student progression. That is what I watch for, are they progressing in their knowledge of the subject, and in their relationship with their Lord. With out that second part, the Institute would not be doing its appointment in our Lord Jesus. I could hire someone to grade for me, but then I would not be able to see these two things easily.

We have completed 7 years of night school. I am so blessed by the Lord’s faithfulness. This summer we are offering one course — New Testament Survey — for those who have begun to study with us. This fall we will offer (if all goes as expected) a course in Acts (I will be teaching that one) and a course in the first 100 years of church history based on the New Testament (Fr. Bob Hackendorf will be teaching that one).

Our courses are presently accepted for transfer by several other Institutes. If any of you have a question about which ones, just ask. It is on an informal basis, so I do not advertise the specifics. Our students are reflecting excellent scholarship. The Institute is primarily designed for lay people. We are inter-denominational, and not affiliated with any denomination. Our purpose is to teach what the Bible says — not necessarily to insist on a specific interpretation of it. However, all teachers are charismatic, so there will, of course, be a slant that direction.

Our courses are available by extension, and you may read about all of them on our web site: www.psalm19ministries.org .

O.K. now I must stop talking about it and get to the work of grading these wonderful (truly) writings of my students.

Well, I have spent a very frustrating few hours discovering that “Free” really doesn’t mean “Free.” On the side-bar of this blog, there is an Intercessors Sign up place. I began using a “free” newsletter service (under 50 contacts) to develop a scheduled Weekly Update. It is a dandy little program and since we are not “big potatoes” with a small number to send, it has been free. However, shortly they will begin charging a monthly fee, for all. The fee is not large, but I really did not want to be plugged in to paying for 30-40 emails. Later, when our numbers climb, well of course, and that is the way it was set up. But now they are changing the rules.

It is Spring and the time for flowers! I took this picture this past week-end in the Nazareth, PA area. What a precious example of our Lord’s attention to detail. When we have forgotten where we planted them, (sometimes, we just threw them off to the side of the road), yet, come spring there they are, flags and then these precious delicate flowers. Nothing special really.

Most of us would consider ourselves to be nothing special, really. We have ordinary (or less than) beginnings, not nearly enough of whatever, whenever, and our tendency is to count ourselves of little worth when it comes to doing something special for our Lord Jesus.

Yet, here the daffoldil stands as an example for us. Nothing special really — just a daffodil, yet they bloom for all their worth, and add such value and beauty to the scene — where ever. . . in their hour and in their time. We are like that. Just because we are His, we have value and add beauty where ever we have been “thrown,” or were we instead planted? He never forgets where, and we bloom in season, always.

Lord, may we be ever so patient with time, and allow You Your season in us deep in the quiet dark before the time of sun blooming. It will come.

The picture is of a precious sister in the Lord, Lois. She is one of the people I have watched learn and use in her life the awesome Presence of the Lord. She has learned the secret. What you see in the picture is real.

We often love the “feeling” of the presence of the Lord, without realizing its deep and intrinsic value for our lives. As we gather to worship, His presence is felt, is known and is enjoyed. This is wonderful. However, the work that Presence wants to do can most generally not occur in a corporate worship service. We can “feel” Him there, and learn what that is like, but what our hearts must have in order to change and move into healing, forgiveness, hope and life above our circumstances will not be known in the few times a week we might be with others to “feel” that blessed Presence.

If we, however, are intent on Him, focused on Him, concentrated on Him and His word, we will find that same Presence meeting us daily in our time with Him, and it is there that over time wonders in our interior person occur.

Recently I was struggling with an emotional response that I needed deep release from. I needed to not respond as I was responding, and to move into peace with the circumstance that was creating the emotional reaction. I had prayed, I had worked, I had repented (we often need to repent of our emotional reactions to people and events — must be another post — not this one). But it all seemed to no avail. Then I just reached to my Lord, and trusted His Presence to descend in manifest form, for He was really all I needed. What happened then was absolutely awesome.

HE CAME! The Word says, “The one who has My commands and keeps them is the one who loves Me. And the one who loves Me will be loved by My Father. I also will love him and will reveal Myself to him.” John 14:21 (HCSB) It was marvelous. I have never in my life felt such peace and the situation in my heart was settled. The circumstance did not change, but I was changed. An impossible (in flesh) thing occurred inside me. I actually felt the movement inside and it was done and has stayed done. No new information was given to me, no new anything — just His awesome, marvelous Person in Presence form — a feel-able, knowable Presence.

I want to encourage you to learn (as I am learning) to allow His Presence in that manifest form as promised in Scripture, to be a part of your daily time. Just think how He could and will change us in His glory. He so loves us.

Violet over at “Promptings” (www.vnesdoly.blogspot.com) has given me the “Thinking blogger Award.” Thank you Violet. I am encouraged to keep writing. Your sweet responses to what I scratch out here are a deep, deep encouragement. Thank you. Now I am to give it to five more bloggers.

I send it to Better Bibles blog at www.englishbibles.blogspot.com, and although they may choose not to participate in the award, they really bless me with their daily insight into the language of the Scriptures.

Then to Rev Abi at www.vicarofwadley.blogspot.com for she always thinks through problems and issues with the heart of Jesus Christ and even though I might not always agree with her, she blesses me with her gentle spirit and her thinking.

To Candy at www.candyinsierra.blogspot.com, who like me is infrequent with her posts, but they are always worth reading and enjoying and then to Bonnie at www.macroments.blogspot.com. Her gentle musings and stunning photography are always soothing to me.

I know I could do 5, but most of the others I read already have been tagged with this at some point, so I will just do these four.

You all bless my life almost every day! You are from all over this continent, yet you reach into my life with goodness as you share your heart in Jesus with me. Bless you one and all.

To award winners:- Install the graphic somewhere on your own blog.- Now if you like you may pass the Thinking Blogger Award on to five more bloggers.

If you wish to listen to the sermon I preached April 22, 2007 at the Church of the Resurrection in East Syracuse, NY, go to www.churchoftherez.org and click on the link to This week’s sermon. It is the 5th one listed and has my name and Matthew 6 beside it.

Hope it works for you and thanks for listening!