Constitution

The Founding Fathers were sitting around a table sometime in 1776, working on the constitution.  It had been a long day when Thomas Jefferson said, "Whew!  It's getting rather warm in here, isn't it?"

Ben Franklin replied, "Shall I open the window?"

"No, that's alright.  I'll just take off my jacket, and roll up my sleeves."

"Hey, that's a good idea.  Why don't we include that in the constitution?"

"What?  That we're allowed to take our jackets off and roll up our sleeves while at work?"

"Yeah, but that doesn't sound very smooth.  How about 'Everyone shall have the right to bare arms?'"

What Hell could be like

I won't be able to acturately tell you what Hell will be like but I can give you what I felt one stormy night. One night when it was late and the sea waves were at least 40 foot high, I went to go outside to watch the storm, I always enjoy watching a storm. What I wasn't prepared for is when you are out to sea, there are no city lights to light up the night sky. The ships lights were all off so there was no light. As I stepped outside and closed the door I felt the emptiness and ackward erie feeling crept over me. It didn't help knowing the ship was being tossed about. I have not been alone in total darkness. Despair and feelings of hopelessness quickly overcame me. I was alone and it was my decision that put me there. My decision alone. I didn't like the feeling, the feeling of helplessness overcame me and I opened the door and went back inside, and was relieved that I had a way out. Today, we still have a way out, we can decide not to go to hell and experience the agony, emptiness, helplessness and hopelessness, Christ died for our sins, we need his foriveness and we need to live for him, daily.

Sick of Halloween

Noah in 2005

In the year 2005, the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in the United States, and said, "Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me.

Build another Ark and save 2 of every living thing along with a few good humans."

He gave Noah the blueprints, saying, "You have 6 months to build the Ark before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights."

Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard - but no Ark.

"Noah!" He roared, "I'm about to start the rain! Where is the Ark?"

"Forgive me, Lord," begged Noah, "but things have changed. I needed a building permit. I've been arguing with the inspector about the need for a sprinkler system. My neighbors claim that I've violated the neighborhood zoning laws by building the Ark in my yard and exceeding the height limitations. We had to go to the Development Appeal Board for a decision.

Then the Department of Transportation demanded a bond be posted for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear the passage for the Ark's move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it.

Getting the wood was another problem. There's a ban on cutting local trees in order to save the spotted owl. I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls - but no go!

When I started gathering the animals, an animal rights group sued me.

They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued the accommodation was too restrictive, and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space.

Then the EPA ruled that I couldn't build the Ark until they'd conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood.

I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many minorities I'm supposed to hire for my building crew.

Immigration and Naturalization is checking the green-card status of most of the people who want to work.

The trades unions say I can't use my sons. They insist I have to hire only Union workers with Ark-building experience.

To make matters worse, the IRS seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species.

So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least 10 years for me to finish this Ark."

Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky. Noah looked up in wonder and asked, "You mean you're not going to destroy the world?"

"No," said the Lord. "The government beat me to it."

Biblical Proportions

 

In the last 12 months, our television, radios, and newspapers have blazed, beamed and borne story after story of natural disaster.  The South Eastern Asia earthquake and tsunami, hurricane Katrina, hurricane Rita, and a massive earthquake in Pakistan and India (to name only four) literally moved land sea and air in what even the most affirmed atheist would describe as Biblical proportions. 

The results were no less striking in size - islands moved, mountains crumbled, cities flooded, governments floundered.  Yet, nothing was more gripping and numbing than the mosaic of human suffering that followed as survivors fought for their very survival.  The most basic of needs, when multiplied by the masses, became more than anyone could provide for.  Good wishes, the logistics of delivery, and government itself were swamped by the reality of what it takes to sustain human life at even the most basic survival level.

It is all the more wonderful, therefore, when we look back and remember the God kept the nation of Israel alive in the wilderness for 40 years.  Think of it!  An entire nation wandered in the middle of nowhere for 4 decades and they never lacked for food or water.  In fact, Deuteronomy 29:5 records that during that time neither their sandals nor their clothes wore out.  God met every need they had and sustained them every day.  He had no logistics to overcome because His almighty power overcame all.  Neither did bureaucracy pose a challenge because there is no one He must go to for permission or help to do His will.

Are you facing some disaster in your life right now?  Has the world you built up collapsed in a pile of rubble with you trapped in the middle of it?  Has sickness, grief or anxiety flooded your very existence, leaving you surrounded with now where to go?  Look to God, the great sustainer and provider of our souls.  No shaking, drought, flood, or abandonment will ever keep Him from caring for you in Biblical proportions.