Opus 2025-275: Cornerstone Considerations: On Being Special

In two states mobs led by Democrat government officials have been obstructing the actions of law enforcement.  The events in New Jersey have been the main event focused on by the media.  It seems that certain politicians feel they are immune from prosecution because they are politicians.  Strangely enough they use this for support,

Article 1, Section 6, Clause 1

They shall in all cases, except treason, felony and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session of their respective houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any speech or debate in either house, they shall not be questioned in any other place.

This is a very plain and straightforward statement.  It is true that it makes them immune from arrest while in Congress or traveling to or from.  That is clear.  What is overlooked is the exceptions for “treason, felony and breach of the peace”.  That also seems clear.  

What is just as clear is that congressmen going to a prison and attacking the guards as they urge on a mob is a “breach of the peace.”  It might also be a felony.

The problem we run into is when the courts start telling us what the meaning of “is” is.  As in so many other areas of law they twist it to say what they want it to say.  The obvious purpose of this clause is to enable members of congress to speak out, do their job and not fear arrest for doing their job.  Last I heard, New Jersey prisons are not on the way to congress.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-274: Every Cog Counts

As I sit on my porch, worshiping, meditating, praying, and yes, writing, my mind goes in many different directions.  Today, one of the rabbit trails lead down to thinking about the many people who have been a part of my life and a blessing to me over the years.  Hopefully I’ve been somewhat of a blessing to them too.  It is good to remember.  It’s good to be grateful.

As I was wandering down this path, I found another branch to go off and it occurred to me that all the wonderful things in my life when compared to the tapestry of eternity were statistically insignificant.  I’m now 77.  I might make it to 80.  I might make it to 90.  Compared to eternity that is insignificant.  Then you have to factor in divinity, the mind of God, the power of God, and the plan of God.

Let’s face it, we really don’t know what God’s final plan is.  We can dream.  We can speculate.  We can make our finite imaginations run wild.  We can’t even come close.  What I can know is that even though I am just a cog in the wheel of the universe, God still is weaving it together and giving me my own little corner or possibly a little patch in the middle.  It doesn’t matter it’s a beautiful tapestry.

One of the great things about this final tapestry is that those who arrive there will have had their arrogance and self-centered pride purged to the point where all they can do is rejoice that they are there in a part of it.  I don’t see any squabbling over who has the bigger patch on the quilt, or in popular terminology who has the bigger mansion.  We will rejoice and just being a part of it.  If someone else gets the jelly doughnut and we get the cake, then we will celebrate, enjoy what they have and delight in what we have been given.

Someone once came up with the phrase, “All roads lead to Rome.”  In my life all rabbit trails lead to eternity.  I hope to see you there, not soon, but with the timing is right.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-273: A Time to Cut

As I write I am sitting in a chair at the skin surgeon.  I just had some skin cancer removed and I got to watch.  You might be one of those who pass out at the sight of blood but I have always found surgery interesting.  In high school a class had a chance to watch some open-heart surgery.  I enjoyed every slice of the blade.

I might as well enjoy it.  I seem to have a tendency toward skin cancer.  This is number 6 and I assume there will be more.

Now we wait.  The method this doctor uses is called Mohs and she explained that means I wait while they analyze the tissue removed to see if they got it all.  If the chair were more comfortable I would take a nap but such is not to be.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-272: On the Road: More Government Help

If you have driven on the interstate outside of major cities, you have seen the signs telling you what is available at the next off-ramp.  The foundation is gas, lodging and food.  Sometimes they add attractions.  It’s actually very helpful because often the off-ramp comes up before you can see what is there.

We are so used to this at this point that we forget the way in which local business used to show us what they had to offer.  It was called billboards or outdoor advertising.  There are still a few that do this.  If you are into the Buc-ee’s road side stops then you will know that they start telling you 50, 60, 70 miles ahead of time that they are coming up.  On my recent trip there was one sign telling us that the next Buc-ee’s was over 500 miles ahead.

With typical federal arrogance these were frequently removed by Lady Bird Johnson as she tried to beautify America.  Every first lady has a cause, her’s was removing advertising.  She probably improve the vision at certain places, but she certainly made it harder to drive across country.  Into the vacuum created by federal bureaucracy stepped another federal bureaucracy.  Keep in mind that these signs telling you what is available at the next offramp have to be paid for some how and put up by someone and maintained by someone else. What used to be up to local entrepreneurs has become a federal program.

As in most federal programs, they tend to be the most advantageous to the big companies.  I don’t know what it cost to have your name or logo put on the signs but it’s probably the same amount for McDonald’s at is it is for Uncle Joe’s Beanery.  Who gets the biggest advantage?

The nose of the federal camel knows no boundaries. It intrudes in places that you would never think about, including your lunch stop.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-271: On the Road: Betrayed and Lied To

As I crossed into the state of Arkansas there was a large sign that informed me the speed limit would be strictly enforced and the Arkansas had a no tolerance policy.

I was willing to accept that.  As I get older one of the benefits of retirement is that I have few deadlines.  I’m quite willing to drive the speed limit or close to it.  Two or 3 miles over I don’t think of as being a case of tolerance.  It’s just that no one could measure that close.  Generally out on the open road where people can pass me, I will drive a couple miles slower than the speed limit and put it on cruise control.

I found out that they lied.  I don’t believe I saw any tickets being written.  I was being passed on a regular basis by people obviously not concerned about the speed limit.

Where are we when we can’t trust the state of Arkansas?  I wasn’t in Washington DC.  I wasn’t in New York.  I wasn’t in California.  I was headed for Illinois, but that was a problem for a future day.  To say that I was shattered, would be a big exaggeration.  But I was certainly disappointed.

I would suggest that if you have out-of-state license plates, though, that you take their promises seriously.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-270: Conditional Throne

Most people are familiar with,

2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV) If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

The same people are not familiar with the context.  Immediately before this is the consecration of the temple and Solomon’s palace.  After that, we have a conditional statement about the throne of David.

2 Chronicles 7:16-20 (KJV) 16 For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually. 17 And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe my statutes and my judgments; 18 Then will I stablish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I have covenanted with David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel. 19 But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them; 20 Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations.

This makes the promise of the eternal throne totally dependent on obedience, and specifically rooted out if they follow other gods.  Noticed it extends back to David.

If you take the time to read about the end of Solomon’s life in I Kings 11 you will see that he turned totally away from the Lord.  He checked all the boxes of turning away.  For that reason I question the position of Israel as forever God’s chosen ones.

The Bible has many promises but keep in mind that God is not stupid.  He does not make blind promises that require nothing from us.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-269: On the Street: Ignorance

As I got out of the car at the grocery store I noticed that the pickup I was beside was covered with patriotic messages.  They were tasteful and well done as in silk screen rather that Sharpie.  

When I came back out I looked a little closer and noticed something.  A date emblazoned on the fender was 1776.  The statement beside it said,  “We the people...”.  Do you see a problem?

Fortunately I don’t think that anyone on the left would notice the problem.  So there is nothing to really worry about.  Their heart was in the right place.  They probably had the work done by a professional and didn’t think twice.

Don’t fall into that trap.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-268: The Switch

One of the problems that gets worse with age is the ability to remember names.

Spending time with my brothers family around his funeral was a great time in many ways.  One unexpected benefit was a bit of a surprise.  I found out the children couldn’t remember the names of the adults.  That is a switch.  And it will get worse with age.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-267: Temple Talk

Some of my fellow believers are big fans of the end times.  They have it mapped out and will show you the charts and graphs to prove it.  The reason I don’t take them too seriously is that each of their charts are unique to their own scenario.  

I am sure I will have more to say in the future but a certain verse set off my radar,

(Psa 18:6 KJV)  In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.

It you look at the beginning of the chapter you see that this is one of David’s Psalms.  There was no temple when David was king so how could God hear David’s voice out of the temple?  It is little difficulties like this that I find interesting.  Both the KJV and the NASB have this problem.

Some other translations offer the solution.

(Psa 18:6 CEV) I was in terrible trouble when I called out to you, but from your temple you heard me and answered my prayer.

There is no temple in Israel so it must refer to one in the heavens.  God is listening from heaven.  The only key point to take from this is that God hears us.  Return the favor.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-266: The Paradox of Providence

The grander and majesty of God are really impossible to express in human language.  The best we can come up with is pale in comparison to the reality.  He is someone that you must use your words as far as the go, and then take the leap into the feeling in the senses of who God is.  That is at one end of the spectrum.  God defines infinity plus one.

At the other end of the scale, you find “Abba, Father”.  This is the way Jesus taught us to address Him.  This is what allows us to approach Him and to relate to Him.  Of course, we are able to approach the throne with boldness, because of the sacrifice of Jesus but once we have gone through that born-again moment, once we are regenerated, once we have become a child of God, we are granted access.  And it is a glorious access.

God is the example for what Christian fatherhood should be like.  I’m trying to draw a picture of the two paragraphs above in our daily lives.  I wanted to go to an emperor with total power having his child run into the throne room during an important meeting.  I have to ask you to make an allowance for an awareness that pagan and heathen emperors might not respond the way a Christian emperor would respond.  That is because I have an inner belief that people who are untouched by the living God may love their children, but they can’t love them with the same intensity God places in our hearts.

That being said, how would this emperor respond when his child disrupts his business.  He might pick him up, ignore the frowns of others, put them on his lap and go on with his business.  He might pick him up and put them in the nanny’s hands and send him on his way.  He might put him on a chair and hope he learns something from listening.  He might speak to him sternly and point toward the door.  His response depends upon what he sees in the child’s attitude, and what he sees as the child’s ability to understand and grow.

I think God works with us in the same way.  There are times when He just kind of wraps his arms around us and picks us up and lets us babble on.  There are times when He puts this in the hands of someone else for instruction.  There are times when He gets us to watch.  There are many different ways in which God responds.  We need to understand that how He responds to us ultimately depends on first what he’s trying to accomplish and second what is best for us.

What an opportunity to grow.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-265: Editors Needed

I’m reading an old history book written around 1905.  Some of it is dated, some insightful, some very interesting.  It’s actually a high school textbook.  You can tell this by the fact that at the end of each chapter it has a summary and what we would call today, discussion questions.  I’m thinking that our modern media needs to have this addition to what they do.

It would have to be staffed by people who came from the right wing lunatic fringe, you know, people who can think and have integrity.

In reality, it would not be hard to write this follow up section of the news.  All you would need to do was read the paragraphs before it and expressed the opposite opinion.  If they quoted a conservative as saying something evil, then you could just assume that this was what was being said behind closed doors on the left.  The best example of this was Hillary Clinton’s vast right wing conspiracy, which did not exist.  However, there was a vast left wing conspiracy.

It might be fun to write such a thing if it weren’t for the possible death threats.  It would be a lot like giving an intellectual explanation to that old magazine called Mad.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-264: What a Difference a Day Makes

Yesterday I was driven inside by the mosquitoes and humidity.  I went inside, knowing that God would be with me when I went, and He did not disappoint.  I had a good morning at worship.

Today is the other end of the spectrum.  It is absolutely glorious.  The temperature is perfect.  There’s a gentle breeze blowing.  There are constantly changing clouds contrasting the blues of the sky.  God has outdone himself.

As my mind goes down rabbit trails, I wonder if the reason today is so glorious is because God did not like going inside with me yesterday.  There must be an aspect in which God on one side can do the creating, and in another way He can step back and look at what He has created and enjoy.

Today he decided to enjoy and I decided to enjoy with him.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-263: Dark Thoughts: Parallels

As I was being thankful this morning, I stop to think about how my old car made it from Central Texas, to Central Michigan and routed back through Western Illinois and into Kansas City without a hiccup, a burp or even a momentary bad attitude.  The car is 23 years old and it ran like an Olympic athlete.  I was impressed.  Although I am aware that it’s a machine I still at times personify things and I thanked it several times.  I gave it a few pats on the dash.  I had the oil changed to celebrate, and wonder of wonders, I drove through a car wash.  Now you know I was impressed.  I’ve had the car for about two years and hadn’t washed it yet.  I may make it a the regular event just to encourage its pistons.

Since I’m still in thankful mode, I began to thank God for my health.  I have a lot of similarities to that old car.  In the car the fan for the AC will only run on high.  That’s OK because that’s the only way I want to run it.  There are a few other things that are not quite up to factory original, but none of them affect the quality of the ride or the dependability.  I can say the same thing about me.  I am getting old.  I wonder how old I am in car years?  I have my aches and pains.  I have ears that are on a downward spiral.  There are times when even I am aware that my mind isn’t as sharp as it used to be.  Even then it seems to be sharper than most of the people I run into on the street.

I had a great trip.  I renewed connections with family.  I saw friends.  I had a lot of time for silent meditation driving through the farms and fields of America.  I found my way home.  I’m sure my wife had questions about the possibilities of that but my son has a tracking device on my phone so they could find me if I started wondering into New York City or some such nonsense.

Life is full of blessings.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-262: Sin Wins a Round

I have often sang the praises of early mornings on the porch.  I’ve sat through 40° mornings. Lately it’s been almost up to 80.  I continued with joy and enthusiasm.  This morning that enthusiasm came crashing down as the mosquitoes decided it was time to come and see what I was so excited about.

One of my convictions is that mosquitoes either did not exist before Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, or they were vegan.  Now, there is a glorious thought, vegan mosquitoes.  Maybe I should get a copyright on that idea.  But whatever, they came for me to make up for lost time.  They are a product of sin.  I blame them on Adam and Eve and either way they are still very real today

So I gave up and come back inside.  I have this conviction the God can meet me inside just as well as outside.  Being inside might limit my appreciation, but not His ability to reach out to me.

I will wait for stronger breezes and lower temperatures and see what happens.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-261: Invisible wisdom

The things that people say often can be understood and interpreted on a much deeper level than intended.  I just got back from a two-week jaunt across country.  It was a great two weeks.  I amaze myself sometimes.  I was able to pick up my socks.  Everywhere I went I managed to use the right fork.  Now that I’m back I realize some of the things that I failed on during my trip.

This was pointed out to me as I sat on the front porch, enjoying the sun rise and rejoicing in the blessings of God.  The front door opened, and the voice told me that I needed to take the trash out.  That is something else that I have not had to worry about for two weeks but that’s not the point.  I was also told that she had not had to worry about this for the whole time I was gone.

Interesting.

I could interpret that to mean that she went the entire two weeks without emptying the trash or filling it up to where it needed to be emptied.  Somehow I don’t think that was the case.  One other possible understanding is this:  When she didn’t have someone else around to assign menial tasks she went ahead and did it herself without grumbling.

Other possibilities present themselves to me.  It is possible that the men of my neighborhood have a secret organization, which goes in the houses when the husbands are gone and does all of the little things that they were told to do.  If it exists, I don’t know about it.  I could say that maybe the HOA has a fund for paying people to come in and empty trash and such but we don’t have an HOA.  Maybe it’s a leftover program from the Democratic control of the government.   Perhaps it was elves.

Regardless, the message is clear.  Empty the trash.  Isn’t it amazing how I can understand that subtle message.  In the midst of this I have a confession: There are times when my perspicacity amazes me.

What is it that I occasionally read on the Internet, “Stay tuned for more helpful hints.”

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-260: Dark thoughts: Sometimes Impossible

I am out on the front porch enjoying God’s creation in the Texas morning.  As I write, the first indications of orange and pink are spreading themselves across the horizon.  I am rejoicing in being able to be in the presence of God outside, staring at the sky, enjoying what He has provided.  At the same time I’m aware that all are not in my situation.

Yesterday I was talking to my son-in-law.  He has to be at work every morning at 6 o’clock.  He has two young children at home.  He’s about 30 minutes from his job.  I think it’s probably a little unrealistic to expect him to be getting up and spending quality time with the Lord in the morning.  He agrees with me.  It’s always good when people agree with you.  It’s good to know that they are also right.

So I accept that there are some cases where you just can’t do this early in the morning.  At the same time for those of you who have the flexibility I remind you that often it’s not a matter of can you, it’s a matter of will you.  I remember when I first made the commitment myself back when I was still working.  I started rising at 5 o’clock, which is still my rough target now in retirement.  But I did so in order to make it through rush-hour traffic.  I would get close to where I worked, go to Panera’s and order coffee, and sit down with my Bible for a time of personal worship.  It certainly didn’t match watching the sun come up over Texas hill country, but it met the need.  On Saturdays I would get up and spend the time in my big recliner as I did my laundry.

You may be locked in a situation that makes this very difficult.  God will see you through.  Grab what time you can.  For those who are simply not there yet I urge you to find a way to spend that time, focusing on the things of the Lord.  No guilt.  It really pays off.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-259: On the road: Home on the Range

It almost seemed like Texas followed me up to Michigan.  The sun was coming up somewhere.  With the cloud cover I can’t tell which direction is east.  It’s 72° and there’s a nice breeze blowing.  Seems like what I left behind.

There are differences.  Everything is wet here in Michigan.  The grass is everywhere and is very green.  I can look between two houses across the street and see a lake.  Driving here I passed a couple other lakes. Gas costs an arm and a leg.  Of course, if you were coming from California, you might think it was cheap.

Travel broadens.  It shows possibilities.  It shows success and failure.  It reminds of how blessed we are.

Get out and take a trip while you still can.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-258: Election 2028: Elimination Heats

I was reading some of the attacks being made on RFK, Jr. by the brainwiped press and congress.  What was refreshing was his sharp comebacks and strong statements.  He had facts and he was not afraid to use them.

I wonder if we should consider this the opening debate for the Presidential nomination of 2028.  I know that RFK is still a typical Democrat on things like abortion and homosexuality but at least in one area that is not popular he stands his ground.

I don’t think he is alone.  There are a number of strong people at the top levels of Trumps cabinet who are making waves and they are waves we have been waiting for.  At present they seem to be honest positions.  They are also positions that appeal to the MAGA base.  They are positions that may provide an anchor for something higher.

Right now J.D. Vance is the crown prince.  So far I am good with that.  I hope he sees the headlights in his rear view mirror and works to stay at the head of the pack.  

2028 will be interesting

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-257: Headlines: This time it’s different

One of the recent headlines tells us that President Trump is going to write an executive order to decrease the price of prescription drugs dramatically.  Everyone cheers.  Everyone claps each other on the back.  Everyone forgets what happens when the government tries to control prices.

I think of Nixon and the price of gas.  There was never a real shortage but his clumsy attempts to control the market caused long lines and stations with no gas.  It was horrible and is the standard response to elites who know more than the free market.  Extreme inflation, hoarding, black markets and shortages are the result.

Why do we think it will be any different this time?  Is it because we are special?  I don’t think the laws of economics care about how wonderful you are.  Remember that the price of eggs went down because the government got out of the way not because Trump is a better egg layer.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-256: On the Road: A Revelation

The jury is in.  I am not a coffee snob.  Of course I’m the only person on the jury, but I am the only one making the accusation.  I have been on the road for two weeks.  During that time I have had much of the spectrum of coffee brews.  At one end you have a coffee which my sister-in-law makes where she puts in about half of what would be needed and let it sit for hours.  On the other end was Starbucks imitation of burnt charcoal.  I have drunk it all in good humor.  I refuse none of it.  I have generally had more than one cup.

I am not a coffee snob.  I am a coffee drinker for the nations.

That being said, I have never been accused of having a discerning palate.  That might be part of the reason why I can drink just about anything.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-255: Election 2028: Democratic Hope

I can see that it is too early to make suggestions about who should run for president in 2028.  I’m going to do it anyway.  When I was young it seems I remember the existence of Democrats who loved America and had common sense at least in some areas.  Of course, that may just be the ignorance of youth or the forgetfulness of old age.  As I look at the current landscape, I see a real dearth of Democrats that have those characteristics.

What you need to look for are Democrats who are being rejected by their party or who have rejected the party.  It’s a longshot.  I don’t know if the leader ship is really there, but might I suggest that the hope of the Democratic Party would be a choosing a ticket to include Fetterman and Gabbard.

Now that he has his mind back, Fetterman is sounding more and more rational.  Of course, that makes him less and less acceptable to the Democrats but you never know.  Tulsi on the other hand, had some good qualities which drove her out of the party.  She is currently serving as a Republican cabinet member, but I don’t believe her heart has left the Democrats.  It might be good for the country if she were to actually have a chance at winning.

I’m not sure if I really hope that such a ticket would’ve emerge or not.  It might give the Democrats an actual hope.  If they win as opposed to a OAC/Shiff ticket it might be good for the country.

I can’t see anybody else on that side of the ticket offers any hope for America.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-254: Cosmic Hugs

Being a grandparent is like having your children all over again, but with more time, wisdom and understanding.  At times, it is simply a chance to enjoy the great moments again.  And of course, there are the lessons to be learned in terms of eternity.

This morning I was thinking about how God deals with some of my blunders.  I think He goes into grandpa mode.  I think of my grandson.  He’s still small enough for me to toss him around.  What happens when he does something really silly, if it goes wrong, it might even be dangerous.  He’s pushing the envelope but he’s doing it with a sense of glee and innocence that does nothing, but bring a smile to my face.  I love being there at just a moment when he starts to crash and burn and I can grab him and pick him up in my arms and give him that big hug, throw him around and make him squeal with delight.  It’s a great time for both of us.

I think God has those moments with us.  I’m not talking about the moments of rebellion or blatant stubbornness.  I’m talking about those moments when it’s really miscalculation or I’m insisting on being stupid.  We are ready to run into a wall.  And I wonder how many times God has just reached out pick me up, brushed me off, giving me one of those big celestial hugs and sent me on my way again.  I imagine it has happened more often than I think.

Rejoice, in the moments of cosmic hugs.

homo unius libris

Opus 2025-253: Election 2026: Always Important

We have an important moment in our political journey going on right now.  I am not referring to DOGE or any of the headlines.  I am focused on something that may well be sliding beneath your radar.  At least it is happening in Texas.  We have some voting going on but since it is all local candidates and offices people are not paying attention.

This could be the key to taking our country back.  In my area they had several city council seats and a school board position.  I don’t live in the city so I don’t qualify for those but I was able to vote on the school board.  My only regret is that I voted in almost total ignorance.

How do you make a decision when you have little information?

On the big stuff you should have a feel.  If you don’t now where your senators and representative stand then I would guess you are not paying attention.  In Texas we have two senators.  One most people know, Ted Cruz.  I generally feel like he takes the right stands.  The other is a piece of work.  His name is John Cornyn.  Why do I say he is a piece of work?  Recently there was a list of people who had received large “kickbacks” from Ukraine.  My senator was on the list.  Was the accusation true?  I don’t know but it fits with what I know about him.  He seems to be constantly on the wrong lists.  Come the next primary I already know I am not going to vote for the incumbent.

The biggest problem is judges.  You may have noticed that federal district judges are doing everything they can to advance the agenda of the Democrats.  We don’t vote on federal judges so all you can do is urge your senators and congressmen to get on the impeachment wagon.  In addition to that you can petition your elected officials to revise the laws governing the courts.  The Constitution gives Congress the power to set up the courts.  They can also change them.  Perhaps we could see legislation to reduce the supreme court to 5, 3 or even 1.  If the Democrats can pack the court we can certainly unpack it.

State judges are different.  In most states they stand for reelection.  In California I had to seek out on line resources to get insights on their character.  It was a task but could be done.  In Texas they run by party so at least in the general election you know there is a choice of the lesser evil.  The mid-terms are coming.  Find out how to be informed.  It isn’t always easy but it is important.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-252: On the Road: Off the Road

My two week odyssey has finally come to an end.  I always enjoy the open road with vistas and a variety of homes.  I try to avoid big towns.  There is something about them that stifles the spirit.  The last hour coming through Austin and into the San Antonio area were almost smothering.  

Due to my age I am not trying to make a lot of miles in a day.  When left to myself I will keep it to 250-300.  That translates into 5 to 6 hours of driving if I don’t do any side trips.  When I got word of my brother’s death I pushed on to a 12 hour day but I would not recommend it.

Now back to my regular grind and the joy of my own grandchildren.  Other people’s are nice but they don’t compare.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-251: Membership Dues

In the book of Galatians Paul takes a stand against the new believers being circumcised.  He goes so far as to say that if they get circumcised, it will come between them and their faith in Christ.  It seems to us that he’s over reacting.  Today in America I think I saw the statistics that 70% of the men were circumcised.  It’s not an addition to the faith or an act of belief, it’s simply a medical procedure.

Automatic rejection by God because of circumcision was ridiculous.  Paul was circumcised.  Every Jewish member of the early church was circumcised.  It was a part of their culture.  It was what marked them as part of the nation of Israel.  It was like membership dues or an initiation ceremony.  It’s something you did.  The eight day old baby was not making a statement of faith.  His parents were initiating him into the covenant.

The Judaizers are attempting to make Jews out of the Gentile Christians.  They probably believed in Jesus themselves.  They saw that they had been circumcised and the Jesus has been circumcised and felt like what was good enough for Jesus was good enough for these Galatian Christians since they were looking back to the old covenant, instead of trusting in the new one.

We have to make that decision in our own lives.  When we come to Jesus, we enter into a new life, we are made new creatures.  Jesus called it being born again.  There may be some rituals from our past which are totally harmless and which we continue without thought.  You may have pancakes on Sunday mornings.  There are others that make statements about who we were, and who we no longer are.

Without getting caught up in the law, or in your own personal works as atonement, we need to consciously adjust our behavior to the glory of God.  It won’t change Him.  It won’t save us.  But it will help us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-250: The Key Ingredient

As I am contemplating on what it’s like to worship a living God, I find that a lot of our formulas, checklists, and rituals have their place, but they are not the vitally important thing in knowing the assurance of eternal life and the presence of Jesus in our hearts.

A while back, I started a list of conversion experiences given as examples in the scripture.  The list is still open.  If I come across another, I will add it.  Looking at them, the one thing that I could find that was consistent through all of them was believing.  The only place where the word was not used was the thief on the cross, but even he showed a trust in Jesus.  The word is expressed in different ways, different formats, different tenses, different grammatical, declensions, but it is there.

Since we are looking through photographs of life instead of the motion, picture, we are caught in a moment of time.  Because of that, we are limited to taking this word in Greek, pistis, and asking ourselves what happened at that moment.  The key element in knowing the living God is believing.

Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Since this is just a moment in time and only captures that moment in time, it is enough to get us started.  It plants the seed.  It gives us that key ingredient that is necessary.  But keep in mind that this God whom we worship is a personal God.  He created us in His image.  He relates to us.  And He expects us to relate to Him as a living God.

Because of that formulas are helpful and lists can be useful but keep in mind without that key ingredient of believing, everything else is just noise.  Also, keep in mind there is enough evidence in the Greek grammar for the fact that this believing, or faith, might be better translated in some places as “faithfulness”.  That means that the believing is a beginning of a lifetime relationship with God, not the final moment.

Take that initial ingredient and begin the recipe for a glorious life.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-249: The Nazi Ho-Hums

The frantic left has a knee-jerk reaction about calling Trump a Nazi when he blows his nose.  
After all, everyone knows that Hitler blew his nose.  One of the problems with the left calling Trump a Nazi every time they exhale is that to the uninformed, National Socialism might start looking good.  If you went to public school and have no idea about the Holocaust and never heard of Dachau then you might think that the Nazis were a group of people who thought the laws were to be obeyed and politicians stealing from the public trough is a bad idea.  That might make you think that we need more Nazis.

Next time you hear someone throwing out this “N” word you might try to find time, sit down with them, buy them a cup of coffee and ask them just what they think a Nazi is.  Don’t confuse them with things like fascism, Gestapo or Auschwitz.  Spend some time listening.  If they are open to your thoughts explain how you misunderstood what the word means all this time and explain how you got your wild ideas.

The hard part will be not letting your sympathy for their condition show.  Do a search on the school of philosophy called Deconstruction.  To them Nazi means what you want it to mean.  They are in control of education and the media.

Pray for America.  Pray for Trump.  Pray that we are not judged by the same standards as Sodom.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-248: Look Again

God is so creative that I am constantly reawakened. I was busy writing a brilliant bit of essay work and when I finished I closed my iPad, looked up, and saw that God was busy redrawing the world, while I was distracted.

What a glorious sight.  How awesome it is to live in the presence of the living God, not static items.  Even as I watch the clouds rearrange themselves, the colors merge into new combinations, and God reminds me to pay attention.

Please take moments during your day to stop, to look around, to contemplate the glorious, creative artwork that God is still in the business of.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-247: A Label, Not a Description

One of the standing jokes in our family involves the daughter of some friends.  Her peers were giving her a hard time about something and accused her of being an intellectual.  Her response was, “I am not in an intellectual…. What’s an intellectual?”  In spite of being aware of that story I’m afraid I would have to agree with her, I am not an intellectual.  I might also have to echo the second part and ask what an intellectual is.

I have a general idea, but my definition would be pejorative instead of accurate although they might be the same thing.  So let me give you some of the qualities of an intellectual that I find repel me from that class of people.

Intellectuals are name droppers.  It is necessary to name your sources rather than rattle off crazy stuff.  A true teacher keeps the references to a minimum.  When I read a book I want to know what the author is trying to say.  I don’t need long passages from famous people that I have never heard of.

Intellectuals deliberately use big words to confuse.  This is close to name dropping.  If I called you a paragon of perspicacity you might know what I meant if you were paying attention to the vocabulary lessons in high school.  If I say you are very wise even an intellectual would know what I meant.  Big words have their place but the true teacher will make sure you know what they mean.

Intellectuals look down on people who are not a part of their specific in-group.  What is the point of knowing it all if it doesn’t make you better.

Intellectuals think of himself as entitled.  It comes with being superior.  Look back in history at the attitude of most nobles.  They looked on the common people as peasants.  They still do.

Intellectuals generally think they know what’s best for everyone else, but consider themselves above the rules.  This would apply to all of the ruling class.  Note that congress passes laws and usually exempts themselves from having to follow those laws.  Rules are for the little people.

Intellectuals make posturing a new lifestyle. They like to talk like they know what they’re talking about when they really don’t. They like to quote the books on the bookshelf, as if they’ve actually read them instead of just skim for talking points . They condemn you, sometimes, in a very condescending way, for not having read the books that they also have not read.

Keep in mind that if you want advice on how to raise your child, talk to a grandmother with well behaved grandchildren.  Do not bother the child psychologist.  He is probably busy writing another book.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-246: On the Road: Complaints

I mentioned the app that my son set up for making hotel reservations.  Part of the adventure on this app is exploring the comments left by previous travelers.  Generally, I find the comments totally useless.  He told me that the comments on the app were more accurate than the ones found on the search engine because the people on the app actually paid for a night at the motel.  I’m not so sure about that.

For instance, you have one who complains about how filthy and run down the place was.  The next talks about how clean and well appointed it was.  Occasionally you get somebody complaining about bedbugs and they are one out of 400 comments.  No one else seems to have seen those pests.  I especially liked the one who complained about the managers being racist because his credit card was refused.  What was his solution?  Give him a room based on his good looks?  Then you have one person who says the check-in was pleasant, quick and courteous.  The next has nothing but complaints.

It’s still comes down to a crap-shoot.  You can’t even tell from the outside of the motel what it’s going to be like inside.  One I stayed at look like a real dump from the outside but the room was spacious, well appointed, clean, and a pleasant place to stay.

The adventure continues.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-245: Is?

Have you noticed how often we have to fall into the Bill Clinton trap and ask, “What is the meaning of ‘is’?”

If God had wanted us to have a well outlined systematic theology, He would have included one of those in the Bible along with a subject and scripture index.

The book of Romans does not qualify.  It is not well outlined.  It is not well defined.  It may be Paul’s attempt but it falls short of what we would want and we are forced into the same paradox that we have in the rest of scripture:  interpretation.

For instance, Paul is constantly talking about the law.  He uses the term works, and the phrase “works of the law” as synonyms.  I find myself asking, “What does he mean by the law?”  It would seem obvious, and yet it isn’t.  In Galatians we see him putting everyone who seeks circumcision into a category of rejection by God.  Then later we see him having Timothy circumcised.  We see him rejecting the rituals of the law, then we see him shaving his head and taking an oath in order to avoid the criticism of the legalist party.  Somewhere in between that and salvation by works, has to be the actual truth.  We seek that truth at our peril if we think we have found it in a way better than anyone else.

I don’t claim to have the answers.  Sometimes I can’t figure out what I am talking about.  At the same time I am learning that my primary source for what I believe must be the actual words of the Bible taking into consideration what the words mean in context.  It must not be the bobbing and weaving done by scholars and theologians.  They, like us, come with their bags packed and too often, instead of going to the source, they go to their prepared outlines.

We can know the truth but we need to be careful it is truth and not an opinion based on tradition.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-244: One or Many

One of the questions that comes up in conversations with people who like to have conversations is the place of Israel in God’s agenda.  We accept the fact that Abraham was chosen and through him the nation of Israel was chosen to be special in God’s eyes.  He promised Abraham that his descendants would be a blessing to the world.  We see that blessing fulfilled in the coming of Jesus and His death on the cross.  We see a hope for the future by His resurrection.

But that doesn’t answer the question about the place of Israel in God’s final agenda.  What about the end times?  Personally, it’s not a big issue for me, because I am not a part of the nation of Israel, and I have trusted in Jesus for my salvation, so the future is secure for me.  It’s still a question that comes up.

In my reading one of the issues that emerged recently was the fact that in dealing with Israel as a whole God was looking at the nation.  He called them to be a blessing.  That blessing culminated in the cross.  Was He just using Israel to prepare the world for the coming of Jesus?  Was that all there was to be in called by God?  Not really.  The Jews were incredibly blessed by having the law, by knowing the standards God expected them to live by, and by leaders who personally talked to Him.  They had all the offerings of the blessings of God.  The problem is as a nation, they rejected those expectation.  They continually spat in the face of God.  He continually came back and offered chances of repentance.  In response they would spit again.

The point is they still had the offering of being blessed themselves if they would live in obedience and seek to live upright and righteous lives.  We know there were individuals who met that criteria.  We think of Enoch who was before the law and was taken by God because of his righteousness.  We think of Noah being singled out because he was trying to live in righteousness.  The list goes on.  But the nation as a whole rejected God, and when Jesus came the leadership ratified that rejection.

Ultimately salvation, in terms of eternal life, is a personal matter.  We see some references to that in the Old Testament.  We see Moses and Elijah meeting with Jesus on the mount of transfiguration.  Salvation that concerns us as Gentiles seems to be totally individual and personal.  God still works for the church.  Whether God still works through Israel is a question that I have.

That question about Israel is pretty much an intellectual one for me.  Ultimately, the question of each of us has to answer is how do we respond to Jesus.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-243: On the Road: Reservations

Since I was driving cross country I decided to add to the adventure.  I had my son set me up with an app to make reservations at motels.  At present I am still learning how it works.  I hope I don’t have a lot of surprises when I get home.

As you go down all the clicks and questions they give you the option to filter what they show you be certain priorities in your life.  One of the filters involves air conditioning.  Do they really have hotels that don’t have A/C any more?  

Then I got to the part where they wanted to know if it was important that they were LGBQT? friendly.  I wonder what that’s supposed to be about.  Are there hotels that ask you if you are straight before they give you a room?  I can see concern about pets and smoking.  I could even see questions about being a serial killer.  I am not sure why I would care if they have a warm spot for homosexuals and men who wear dresses.

I guess I am just old fashioned.  I can live with that.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-242: God So Loved

Think about what that means, and how is expressed.

Go back to creation.  God didn’t just make us and walk away. Think of that phrase that was repeated time and time again, “It was good”.  And then when you get down to the creation of man, He says “It was very good”.  And He tells us that He made man in His own image and put His stamp upon us.

And when He got mad at the world and destroyed in the flood, He looked down and His compassion got the better of Him.  He saw that there was at least one human being that wanted to be on His side, and that was Noah.  So he spared Noah.  He started over again . And then we have what is called the covenant of Noah, and as I was looking at it the other day, researching the idea of covenant, I noticed that it wasn’t just a covenant with Noah.

(Gen 9:9 KJV)  And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you;
(Gen 9:10 KJV)  And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth.

And as I read at different times the stories of creation, in other religions and other gods, it is fascinating where people came from.  Sometimes human beings are the sweat that falls off the face of the god.  Sometimes their god is killed and split in two and the two sides become man and woman.  There are all kinds of creative ways to explain where people came from.  But none of them have a God in love consciously creating us in His image.

For God, so loved the world.  His love has endured so much hostility, and rejection.

The world He destroyed
The tower of Babel
The constant rebellion of Israel
All of the problems that Paul had to deal with in his letters
The rage in Revelation

And yet God keeps coming back for us.  

Have a blessed day based on knowledge not clever sayings.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-241: One the Road: Off-Ramps

I am currently on the road.  It is a big, beautiful country.  The occasion is a serious illness in the family which resulted in the death of my brother.  It was not a shock that it happened but he went down hill faster than we expected.  

Traveling through Arkansas is full of double-takes.  One of the off-ramp’s had the name Gum Springs.  I assume it is the name of a town or at least a wide spot in the road.  I wonder about the history of that place.  Do you think they have a local brand of bottled water?

I was not curious enough to exit and find out.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-240: On the Road: Good Day

Some excuses are better than others.

I think I mentioned I was on the road.  I was traveling up to my brothers house and I was going to try and see him in the hospital.  He died when I was still about 400 miles away.

I don’t offer this as an excuse.  It is just a way to explain why I have not been real consistent over the last few days.  I changed plans and course at 3:00 in the afternoon and ended up driving12 hours to get here.  Even sleeping later than usual I am the first one up, and I have a front porch to sit on and see a lake between two houses.

I don’t know which way I’m facing.  The sun is not quite up, but the sky is light.  In spite of my ignorance, God is here.  The entire family up here is in love with Jesus and so while it’s hard to lose someone, we are all living in the Hope with a resurrection to come.

It really makes a difference.