Flight Paths

Let's consider a basic tenet of breaking a bad habit or becoming a better person.  What does it take for me to finally wake up and repent, or just examine myself for faults that need correcting, and then get to work fixing them? Facing the consequences.  No consequences equals no motivation and therefore, no change.  

            Raising children and now, interacting with our grandchildren, reminds us of the same thing.  A child’s attention span is short, and the younger he is, the more important the timing.  Even a child younger than one can quickly learn what “No-no” means when it is accompanied by consistent motivation—by consequences for his action. 

            But are we any better?  Peter tells us that when God delays judgment for sin out of longsuffering and patience but we don’t respond, that we “willfully forget” (2 Pet 3:5-10).  Paul says that when God forbears yet we do not repent, we are “despising his goodness” (Rom 2:4).  It isn’t that we have the attention span of a toddler—we’re just plain stubborn.

            Is that any more mature than a toddler?  We have all seen children who understand the consequences and take them anyway.  We cluck at their lack of common sense, their apparent unwillingness to learn any way but the hard way.  We wonder what sort of adults they will become.

            But you really don’t have to wonder.  You are surrounded by them.  Or, are you one of them, too?

Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Ecclesiastes 8:11.

Dene Ward

     No one had ever seen it, even using a telescope.  And as always in cases like that, everyone was curious, especially once they finally had the opportunity to see.  The USSR launched Luna 3, and on October 7, 1959, we saw in photographs what no one had ever seen before—the dark side of the moon.

   And this is what they found:  the dark side is completely different from the light side.  The near side has dark smooth plains and is covered with the remains of ancient lava flow.  The far side is rugged and rocky, full of craters, and has far fewer volcanic deposits.  The far side has a thicker crust as well.  This leads to all sorts of theories about the moon's history, all of which are treated as facts, just as those kinds of things so often are.

     We learned all of this because wondering about the side we had never seen before made us curious.  We wanted to know all the secrets.  The darkness lured us in.  The same thing can happen with spiritual darkness.  Perhaps that is why God's Word warns us about it so often.

     Those who reject Jesus love the darkness rather than the light, John 3:19.  On the other hand, if you follow Jesus, you are no longer in darkness, John 8:12.  If you believe on him, you are not in the darkness, John 12:46.  He has called us out of darkness into his marvelous light, 1 Pet 2:9.  But if we hate our brother, we walk in darkness, 1 John 2:11.  We are to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, Eph 5:11.  And what is all this darkness?  The lamp of the body is the eye: if therefore your eye is single, your whole body shall be full of light. But if your eye is evil, your whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness Matt 6:22,23.  Darkness is evil.  If you focus [your eye] on evil things—anything that is not good and right—then you are living in darkness.

     I know some young people who were raised to know right from wrong, going to church since they were babes in arms, sitting in Bible classes, and even having been taught at home by good, God-fearing parents and grandparents, yet who had a fascination with what they were "missing."  They wanted to see the dark side.  A few of them managed to come back "home" to the light.  But many were taken prisoner by the world rulers of the darkness, Eph 6:12.  The ones who came back will tell you it isn't worth the risk.  They all have regrets that you never want to feel.  The far side of the moon may not be so, but spiritual darkness is invariably ugly, scary, dangerous, and evil.  You don't need to know what it's like.  You aren't missing a thing.

And this is the message which we have heard from him and announce unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin 1 John 1:5-7.

Dene Ward

We have recently discovered phoebes on our property, seven inch gray birds with light olive bellies and a slightly darker head.  Even though we have been birding for several years now, this is the first we have seen of these.  Being insect eaters, seed-filled feeders hold no interest for them, so I have never seen one from my chair by the window.  They are strictly carnivores.

            Their behavior is what gives them away—their “hawking.”  They sit on a bare tree branch and watch the ground below.  When a bug catches their eye, they swoop down for the kill, then fly right back to the same branch, and wait for another.  Sort of bloodthirsty for such a cute little bird.

            They have been using the trees on the edge of the garden, a place where insects abound, and we are happy to have their help ridding the plants of them.  Now we have a much smaller fall garden, a few peppers and tomatoes, and the cooler temperatures mean fewer bugs.  Maybe that is why they have moved in closer, sitting atop tomato posts, waiting for their prey to creep by.

            And last week we saw yet another new bug eater.  Keith planted about 70% of the garden in sorghum.  The huge seed heads on these plants attract both wildlife and birds.  That was his intention—to help feed the seed-eating birds and perhaps attract even more to the feeders closer to the house.  That sorghum patch is where we saw the new bird, a five inch olive green bird, with a yellow throat, a black mask, and a long thin beak.  My bird books tell us he is a yellowthroat, one of the many varieties of warbler.  He, too, practices hawking and being smaller and lighter he can perch on the head of those thin-stemmed sorghum plants without bending them over.  He is not there for the seeds but, like the phoebes, to watch for any bugs that crawl by.  Sometimes he is lucky and one will be deeply embedded in the seed head itself.  All he has to do is lean over and probe with that long thin beak deep between those seeds.  Lunch, without even having to dive for it.

            That is not why we planted sorghum.  It is not why we put posts by the tomatoes.  Yet right now, the phoebes and the yellowthroats are getting more out of the garden than we are.

            Sometimes Satan gets more use out of the good things we try to do than God does.  How many times has a healthy pastime become more important to us than our spiritual health?  I’ve seen women so concerned about their figures that they would no longer offer or accept meal invitations from other Christians, nor cook and take a meal to the needy.  I’ve seen Christian men spend more time toning up their physical muscles than studying to tone up their spiritual ones.  They won’t miss a work-out, but personal Bible study is a sometime thing.

            How many times has the job which was meant to support the family become an all-consuming career that robbed a home of involved parents or a spouse of a supposedly committed and devoted mate?  How many times has the money earned led to greed instead of generosity, and a dependence upon self rather than God?

            Just because something is not inherently sinful, doesn’t mean evil cannot come from it.  Just because you intend good from it, doesn’t mean the Devil can’t find a way to produce the opposite.

            One thing about those phoebes and yellowthroats—they make an excellent example of careful watching; their lives depend upon it.  Take a moment today to sit still and quiet and really look at the things in your life and what they are producing.  Your spiritual life depends upon it.

His beautiful ornament they used for pride, and they made their abominable images and their detestable things of it. Therefore I make it an unclean thing to them Ezekiel 7:20.

Dene Ward

Today's post is by Guest Writer Joanne Beckley

We have all read our Old and New Testament condemnation of idolatry in all its forms. But

right now I would ask you to read of man’s worship of idols in today’s time throughout the

world. Idolatry is not dead! It is next door and yes, in our politics, often disguised or blatant in

our face. Is America, her people of all races and creeds, really “One Nation Under (one) God”?

1Sa 15:23 "For rebellion is as the sin of divination, And insubordination is as iniquity and

idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has also rejected you from

[being] king."

The following paragraphs are internet AI overviews.

Idolatry, in a religious context, refers to the act of worshiping or giving undue reverence to

an object, person, or idea as a god or something divine, rather than to the true God or divine

being. Examples include the worship of celestial bodies like the sun and moon, statues, or even

inanimate objects, physical items to represent who or what they worship. In modern times,

idolatry can also manifest as excessive focus on material possessions, fame, or pleasure, where

these things become the primary source of value and happiness.

Polytheism is the belief in many gods and is characteristic of most religions except for

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, which are monotheistic. In polytheistic religions, gods can

have various roles and attributes, and sometimes a supreme creator or a dominant god exists,

such as Zeus in Greek religion. Polytheism can coexist with other beliefs and often includes

belief in demonic and ghostly forces, and gods may represent natural forces, social functions,

or abstract concepts.

Southwestern tribal religions are generally characterized by animism (the attribution of a

soul to plants, inanimate objects, and natural phenomena) and shamanism (a person regarded

as having access to, and influence in, the world of good and evil spirits). Many tribes believe in

spirits inhabiting natural elements and relying on shamans as intermediaries between the human

and spiritual realms. Ceremonies played a vital role, with some tribes like the Pueblo

performing them to ensure the continuation of the world and appeal to powerful being. Kachina

figures represent the spiritual beings who help the Pueblo cultures survive.

Satanism, as a religion, encompasses a range of beliefs and practices, primarily revolving

around the figure of Satan, a figure linked to rebellion and enlightenment emphasizing

self-indulgence, individual freedom, and a rejection of traditional religious morality. It's important to note that Satanism isn't a monolithic religion, and different groups hold diverse

views on Satan's nature and the purpose of their faith.

Hinduism is a multifaceted religion with origins in the Indian subcontinent, characterized by a

diverse array of philosophies, practices, and beliefs. It is often described as a "way of life"

rather than a rigid set of doctrines, encompassing a vast range of traditions and rituals that

revolve around specific idols. Key concepts include Brahman, the ultimate reality or universal

soul; karma, the principle of cause and effect; and samsara, the cycle of reincarnation. Hindus

also strive for moksha, liberation from this cycle, often through practices like yoga and

meditation. Hindus believe in the doctrines of samsara (the continuous cycle of life, death, and

reincarnation) and karma (the universal law of cause and effect). One of the key thoughts of

Hinduism is “atman,” or the belief in soul. This philosophy holds that living creatures have a

soul, and they're all part of the supreme soul.

Polynesian religions were diverse and involved beliefs in pantheons of gods represented in

various forms, local and family spirits, and the concept of "mana," a sacred supernatural

power. Christianity, particularly Protestantism and Catholicism, was adopted by many

Polynesian cultures following missionary efforts, often blending with pre-existing traditions.

Taoism holds that humans and animals should live in balance with the Tao, or the universe.

Taoists believe in spiritual immortality, where the spirit of the body joins the universe after

death. For example, trees are to be worshiped as equal as god within man.

African traditional religions are diverse belief systems with roots in indigenous African

cultures, characterized by animism, ancestor worship, and the belief in both a supreme creator

and lesser deities. These religions often emphasize the interconnectedness of the natural and

spiritual realms, with practitioners seeking to maintain harmony with the spirit world through

rituals, offerings, and spirits in nature.

There is evidence of idolatry within the Catholic faith, whether seen in the need to replace the

toe of Saint Peter’s statue, or a picture on the wall.

-----------

Each of these religions are practiced here in America and are evidence of man’s need for

someone to be viewed higher than self. Each one seeks for something better than what is

experienced here on earth. Sadly, unknowingly, many Americans have been swallowing parts

of others’ religion! And yes, be aware of what we hear in the news on TV for religion may

explain why the increase in evil.

How thankful you and I can be for our faith in Almighty Eternal God. He has provided direct

communication with us and we have direct access to Him through prayer. He is our creator and

rules with righteous justice, requiring responsibilities toward Him in our worship to Him. He

has provided a way of peace while we live in this world. How sad it is that the world does not

know Him despite the fact that all mankind now has access to the Bible.

Ro 16:25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of

Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long

ages past, 26 but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the

commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, [leading] to

obedience of faith; 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.

            I could hardly believe it when Silas reached kindergarten age.  How in the world had that happened so quickly?  When he found out he had to go back the second week, he said, “You mean I have to go again?!”

            “Yes,” his mother told him, “there is a lot to learn.”

            “But I already learned,” he said, sure that now he would get to stay home with her and his little brother.  Of course, he found out otherwise quickly.

            I know that no one would say it out loud, but sometimes I get the feeling some of my brothers and sisters have the same attitude.  “I already learned!” which is supposed to justify their never studying for a Bible class, never attending an extra Bible study, never darkening the meetinghouse doors for anything but the Lord’s Supper, as if it were a magic potion that would save them that week regardless of anything else they did.  What they have “learned” are usually the pet scriptures, the catchphrases, the simplistic theories that try to explain away the profound depth of the Scriptures—all those things that smack so much of a denominational mindset.

            I have amazing women in my Bible classes, and let me tell you, most of them are neither young nor new Christians.  These are women of a certain age, as we often say, who have sat on pews for longer than many others have been alive, yet they see the value in learning still more. 

            And that does not necessarily mean learning something new.  Sometimes the learning has more to do with a deeper comprehension, uncovering another level of wisdom, or an additional way of applying a fact to one’s life, leading to a changed behavior or attitude.  When I see someone in their later years actually change their lives because of a discovery made in Bible class, I am reminded yet again of the power of the Word.  The most amazing thing about this living and active Word, is that if you are not blinded by self-satisfaction, every time you study it you can see something new.  It’s like peeling an onion—you keep finding another layer underneath.

            You may have “already learned” a great many things, but if that is your attitude, you will never grow beyond the boundaries you have placed upon yourself with that notion.  Like a kindergartner who has learned his letters and numbers, you will be stuck in the basics, the “first principles,” and never come to a fuller comprehension of the magnitude of God’s wisdom and His plan for you.  If you are still deciding how long to keep a preacher based upon how much you “enjoy” his preaching and how many times he visited you in the hospital, if you are mouthing things like “I never heard of such a thing” or “I am (or am not) comfortable with that,” with not a scripture reference in sight, you still have a long way to go. 

            God wants meat-eaters at His banquet.  That means you need to chew a little harder and longer.  Yes, it takes time away from recess to sit in class and learn some more.  Yes, you have to process some new information which may not be as comfortable as you are used to.  Your brain may even ache a little, but that is how you learn, by stretching those mental muscles instead of vegetating on the pew.

            You may think you have “already learned,” but I bet you even my kindergartner grandson figured out very shortly that there was a whole lot more he needed to know.  He’s a pretty smart kid.  How about you?

Whom will he teach knowledge? and whom will he make to understand the message? them that are weaned from the milk…Isa 28:9.

Wherefore leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on unto perfection…Heb 6:1.

" . . . true worship is essentially a vertical exercise, the human response to the divine Creator and Redeemer. For this reason the goal of authentic worship is the glory of God rather than the pleasure of human beings, which means that forms of worship should conform to the will of God rather than to the whims of fallen humanity."

Psalms 74 and 79, along with the books of Lamentations and Habakkuk, which are also national psalms of lament over the destruction of Jerusalem, will make you cringe in their horrific detail of destruction.  Women and young girls raped, leaders hung up for all to see, the Temple in ruins, dead bodies lying everywhere, far too many for the few left alive to bury. 

              Psalm 74 lists sacrilege after sacrilege:  God’s enemies standing in the meeting place; the intricate and artistic carvings of the Temple chopped to pieces by heathen axes, the sanctuary on fire, the dwelling place of God razed to the ground.  Psalm 79 uses opposites to the same effect:  the holy defiled; Jerusalem in rubble; God’s servants as carrion; and blood flowing like water in the streets.  Imagine seeing all this one horrible morning and then speaking to God in these words:  Help us, O God of our salvation, 79:9.

              God of our salvation?  How could the psalmist possibly use that description?  Where in all this nightmare does he see salvation?

              The poet understood this basic truth:  even in this dreadful event, God is still seeking the salvation of His people.  He could still see a Father’s love behind the most severe discipline.

              Again in Psalm 74, the psalmist says, Yet God is my King of Old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.  Not just in the midst of the earth, but in the middle of all this horror, he can still see the true nature of God.

              Habakkuk in his lament ends with the same thoughts:  For though the fig-tree shall not flourish, Neither shall fruit be in the vines; The labor of the olive shall fail, And the fields shall yield no food; The flock shall be cut off from the fold, And there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in Jehovah, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Hab 3:17-18.

              What do we see when evil befalls us?  If all we feel is the pain, if all we see is the sorrow, Satan already has a foothold.  We must learn to use what happens in our lives as a steppingstone to Heaven, a lift to a higher plane of spirituality. 

              Surely it isn’t always punishment from God as it was for those people, but then it becomes even more important to see events in the correct way.  We are in a world that is temporary, that is tainted with sin.  Of course we will have problems.  Are we so naïve as to think that something Satan has poisoned will ever be good?  Jeremiah tells us in his lament, that if it weren’t for God there wouldn’t be anything good left in this world at all, Lam 3:22, and we have no right to expect it to be any different. 

              If I cannot see the salvation of God even in the midst of trials as Jeremiah did, I am blind to who He is.  He is there, helping us prepare for a world where those things will be no more.  If I rail against Him when the trials come, I do not know Him.  Illness and death are the tools of Satan to lure us away, but with faith and the proper perspective--seeing the God of our salvation instead of the God of our pain--we can use Satan’s own tools against him as a road to triumph. 

              It is better to depart and be with the Lord, Paul said, Phil 1:23.  To die is gain for a Christian, v 21.  “O death where is thy victory, O death where is thy sting?  The sting of death is sin and the power of sin is the Law, but thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” 1 Cor 15:55-57)  If I see death as the victor, I am giving myself away—showing that my perspective is indeed unspiritual, immature, and faithless.  

              Is it easy to have this perspective, especially in the middle of a traumatic life event?  No, because we are still in this flesh.  But while in this flesh the Lord Himself conquered all these things and expects us to follow His example, as difficult as it may be.  And He gives us the means to do it. 

              He is and always will be the God of our salvation.
 
But as for me, I will look unto Jehovah; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me, Mic 7:7.
 
Dene Ward

Today's post is by guest writer Keith Ward

Sometimes children are afraid for no discernable reason.  It can be difficult to reassure them since the parents often have no idea what the problem may be.  I cannot recall the exact steps in its evolution, but at such times, we would tell our sons the “I love you story”. It did not even matter if their request, “Tell me the 'I love you story,'” was merely a bedtime delaying tactic, as it is short and powerful and comforting.  All children should hear it often:

                        “God loves you and Jesus loves you and the Holy Spirit loves you and

Grandma loves you and Papa loves you and Aunt Donna loves you and Uncle Dennis loves you and Aunt Linda loves you and Uncle Mike loves you…[and down the list of every relative they know]….and Mama loves you and I love you too.”

We told it in both directions as we often started with “I love you and Mama loves you” and ended with “and best of all, God loves you too.”

            It never failed to calm their worries and leave a smile on their faces and made, “Now, go on to sleep” a comfortable ending.

            In his first epistle, the apostle John addresses Christians as, “My little children.” Are we not often surrounded by undefined fears, worried by things we cannot control, concerned about the great darkness and questions no one can answer?  Our problems may not have a solution; we may not even know ourselves what it is that disturbs us so.  At such times, we need to hear the “I love you story.”  We are never too grown-up to be told that God loves us.  I am afraid of the dark (death). There ARE monsters under the bed (Satan), and uncontrollable events plague our lives.  I tell the story to others so I can hear it too.

Don’t ever be too bashful, too reserved to comfort someone, “God loves you and Jesus loves you and the Holy Spirit loves you…..and I love you too.”

“For God so loved the world…”  John 3:16.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him, Psa 103:11.

Keith Ward

I learned as a child in the Florida school system that Juan Ponce de Leon was the first Spanish explorer to land here.  He had heard stories about a magical spring that could cure diseases and make you young again, so he began the search.  The land he finally set foot on somewhere near St. Augustine was so beautiful he called it Florida, "full of flowers".  Spring in Florida is beautiful.  I understand why he was impressed.  If he had landed in July, we would have had a much different name.  (What’s the Spanish word for “steam bath?”)
            We do have a lot of natural springs in Florida—probably more than half a dozen within 30 miles of where I sit—but none with the magical powers he looked for.  I can find a Fountain of Youth quite easily, though.  I have it laid out right next to me as I type.  The eternal life promised to the faithful may be the most obvious application of that concept, but I can think of yet another.
            As I watch my grandsons play I find myself remembering my own childhood, realizing as an adult how unfettered it was by worry, pain, and sorrow.  I never for a moment wondered where my next meal was coming from.  I never worried about storms, not even hurricanes.  I never worried about bad people doing bad things to me.  I had a Daddy I trusted implicitly.  He would take care of me.  That’s what Daddies do.
            Once when I was still in early grade school, I had a bad dream.  My Daddy came in and sat on the bed next to me, asking me about the dream and then carefully undoing every worry it had evoked in me.  When he finished I could go back to sleep because of his reassurances.  That’s what Daddies do.
            One morning in first grade I was upset about something—I don’t even remember what now.  But my Daddy noticed that I had tears in my eyes when I got out of the car at school.  As I stood in front of my classroom, waiting for the bell to ring, I looked up and there he was, striding down the sidewalk.  He had parked the car and come looking for me to make sure I was all right.  That’s what Daddies do.
            Daddies provide.  They protect.  They comfort.  Do you want a Fountain of Youth?  Stop worrying about things you cannot fix.  Stop being afraid of things you cannot handle alone.  Stop wondering how you will manage.  Cast your cares on a Father who loves you.  Once again become a little child who has a Daddy who will always be there, always watching out for your needs and taking care of your problems.  If you don’t have that, it’s only because you insist on ignoring His outstretched hand.  You insist on trying to control everything yourself—as if you were the Daddy. 
            Do you begin your prayers, “Father in Heaven?”  Then act like He is your Father.  Trust Him.  Begin this day with a new exuberance, one born because you have surrendered your cares to Him and finally found the Fountain of Youth.
 
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, Romans 8:14-16.
 
Dene Ward

When my studio was still open I enrolled in several professional organizations.  The one dearest to my heart was the small group here in the county.  We met seven times a year, had our business meeting, followed by a lively program one of us, or sometimes all of us, participated in, then a country potluck lunch that had us all trying to keep our eyes open as we taught that afternoon.

            Keeping the membership up was a constant battle.  We talked to our friends, invited neighbors, even advertised in the weekly paper.  The results barely kept up with the attrition of old age, relocation, and moms going back to work.  Oh, everyone got a kick out of the programs.  No one turned down a free lunch.  But when they found out they would have to work on fundraisers and projects, suddenly everyone was too busy. 

            Some of them paid dues, but never showed up, thinking that was at least a monetary help.  Eventually we decided that if that was all they would do, we would not approach them the next year to renew their membership.  Our state and national affiliation dues were charged per capita, and our minuscule local dues barely covered them.  What we were about wasn’t fun and games and good food.  Our stated aim was to help keep music programs in the poor rural schools and provide scholarships for worthy students to help with the costs of private lessons.  If a member did not have the same interests, he really didn’t belong anyway.

            Isn’t it that way with the Lord’s body?  Too many are on the rolls in name only.  Oh, they may come, but not for the reason the scriptures give.  Assembling with the saints is not about entertainment; it’s about provoking one another to love and good works, Heb 10: 24, 25.  It isn’t about showing off our talents and receiving praise; it’s about edification and giving God praise, 1 Cor 14:26.  It isn’t about whether I approve of what went on or who is there, it’s about communing with the Lord, Matt 26:29.  It certainly isn’t about judging others, their clothing, their words, their actions; it’s about realizing that the Judge of all is watching my worship and deciding whether or not it is acceptable.

            If all I do is sit there waiting to be catered to, or even uplifted for that matter, I have not fulfilled the real duty of meeting with my brethren no matter how many times I sit on that pew, or how long.  Walking in those doors places an obligation on me to act, not react.  Claiming membership means I need to get busy, not be served.  Putting my name on a roll means I do more than put my check in the plate. 

            Eventually my little organization no longer invited members in name only to re-up.  What would happen if the elders did that in the church?  But here is a more sobering thought—the Lord is already doing it.  Is your name still on His list?

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done… And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:12,15.

Dene Ward