Further Along My Passage

April 2015
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White Dogwood (Spring flowers trees ). Photo by WeatherWise

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Once more the miracles of spring invade my conscience.  The lingering snow that marked the winds of March this year have given way to green meadows here in our valley and the lilting chorus of birdsong to those with a listening ear.  As I write this, from the north I can hear a mockingbird singing her heart out, and from the south the plaintiff cooing of a dove, evidence of life rejoicing with me that winter is merging into spring.  Crocus, narcissus, and daffodil blossoms outside my window once more repeat the Resurrection message.  And once again this season of Lent bids me ponder the brevity of life, the swift passing of the seasons and the realization that I have been granted an extension of time to continue running the race. The Easter message reminds me that whatever goals I have not obtained before my terminus here shall await me in the kingdom to come when deadlines and urgencies will be no longer...blessed everlasting life!

Stupid Eagle (astronomy birds trees ). Photo by Nikongranny    

 


 


On my bedside table these days is Oh Jerusalem, by Larry Collins and Dominick Lapierre, a book that was a best seller back in the 1980s.  It chronicles the spellbinding events of the birth of modern Israel in 1948 when war broke out between the Arabs and Jews. A United Nations’ tribunal proclaimed a partition to the real estate which was then Palestine, acknowledging the embryonic state of modern Israel. The book chronicles the intense hatred of the Arabs and Jews persisting to this day when Israel finds itself a pon on the chessboard of world affairs.  It is exhibit number one of why the existence of Israel is the focus in most of the world’s capitols of midnight diplomatic deliberations for peace.  In these days of Lent, both Christians and Jews observe the Passover and all that it means for eternal salvation.


Jan Willem van der Hoeven wrote: “Just as there is no need to change or rewrite the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) in those places where it is not exactly complimentary to the Jewish people because of their constant failure to respond to their God lest people would take these negative verses about the Jews as an excuse for antisemitism – in the same way there is no need for the New Testament to be changed or expunged of its negative, seemingly antisemitic passages.  The overall message of both the Old Testament and the New Testament is clear. God never has and never will forsake the people He has called. No! Rather, He plans to bring them through all their negative experiences to a glorious end.   Those who oppose Israel’s fight for existence are simply unaware of Scripture’s truths. Condemning Israel is wrong because the writers of Scripture were themselves Jews.  All mankind is condemned because all are sinners, and Jesus, Himself a Jew, died for the salvation of all.   Paul to the Corinthians:  But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

A quiet place to sit (Spring flowers ). Photo by GeorgiaPeach    



 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2


  Happy Easter (clouds Spring architecture sky trees ). Photo by schmrkiewich