Luke 5:16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Have you lately felt lonely? Abandoned? Crying to God for answers? Psalm 25:16 Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. As David did in this verse of Psalms? Loneliness can be both, a blessing or a curse. Luke writes that: Jesus withdrew to find peace and to pray. Mark 6:46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. So Jesus withdrew from the demands put on him to find time for contact with God. Often demands pressure modern man. Though he supposedly has more "free" time than his forefathers, quiet time is rare. Maybe because the opposite effect is it a little feared. For in quiet all unsolved problems seem to raise their ugly heads claiming to be solved immediately. But many things cannot be solved, at least not in this world. Man lives with that tension . Between the utter despair, the cries of loneliness and the blessed silence of withdrawal and the quiet time of reflection. Some think solitude is boring, to some it is frightening, to others a blessing. Some of that new "solitude of big towns" that has been claimed, may be a blessing with nobody looking to ease that loneliness, while others even in smaller towns nearly die out of lack of companionship. Whatever your stand towards a time alone, at some time or other it seems to come to everybody and it is a great good, if man is able to enjoy his own company. It will very probably be required of all. Sooner or later. And even Jesus felt lonely when he cried at the cross: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Mt. 27:46

Today I will comment on something that happened a couple of days ago, maybe even yesterday. A lady died while biking. She was a very rich and quite famous lady, working with amazon.com in its start-up days. I love amazon, I have published my books and my music there and I think it is great they are there. But here is the hick. They don't seem to be paying their workers a lot. This lady happens to have been responsible for finances. How come she dies dirt rich where the workers are scraping? She made a difference to many lives, did she make a difference to those who worked for her? - When I was a kid I admired the genius, the rebellious. I thought - wow - these guys know that things should be different in life. And then these famous, different, rebellious people go home, beating their wives, scolding their children, cheating, not paying fair wages, watching and producing porn and much more. This is not written to condemn. It is written to say they are a lot like anybody else. - I found out, little by little, that they are neither different, nor wiser. They numb the pain through drugs and alcohol and pills and haven't found any answer to what bugs all people. - But life should be different. Even after knowing about quants and quarks, light-years and dimensions, after reading Schrödinger or look at Picassos paintings, we should know that something isn't right. That life should reflect it. There are too many, who, after wonderfully challenging speeches go home and beat their children. Or mistreat their aging parents. - There is a difference. But it is hard to find. It is in Jesus. Sometimes it seems, all that this could be for humanity has been forgotten. If it was ever known. Would a God, who chose the well known and too often clicheed crib, a dirty place full of bugs and fleas and bad smells as birth place for a special child by a single, virgin mother. That should tell mankind something. That there has to be a difference. Life has to be different, where God is the center of it. Have you found the difference? I please myself in thinking I have grasped its hem..... still a long way to go..... to heaven, which will be a very different place. Are you ready?

Psalm 9:18 But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish.

This verse is part of the psalms, thought to have been written by the great king David in his need. Looking at Davids live some of his great flaws jump to the eye. Yet he is God's greatest hero in the old testament. He is God's most faithful servant throughout the Old Testament. He died in peace in Jerusalem, a revered king. - The old Testament has often given promises of protection and hope after hard times. But many prophets have died horrible deaths, with no fault of their own. And we, often eager for comfort, look up to those who have gone before to believe all will be well. - In the New Testament we are taught otherwise: Luke 11:49‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and others they will persecute.’ With a God who suffered a terrible fate considering earthly conditions, we have no right to believe that in this world all shall end well. But Luke even writes more: Luke 6:23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets. Man is told to rejoice if this world is cruel to him. The true reward will not follow in this world but God's kingdom. Some of his riches are already with those who are faithful. If being an obedient servant this service brings a rich harvest. Isaiah 32:17 The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever. So, the reward will be in peace and joy and assurance. We, as emotionally involved people, pray so often for health, wealth, work, lack of sorrow or pain. Some have promised those as a sign of God's favor. But Jesus example says not so. John 12:24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Jesus died for us to be saved. We are to be like him as the ultimate goal of life. - I am writing this to keep many from being disappointed with God or with Christianity. They think, if they lead godly lives all problems will disappear. That is not what scripture teaches. The true reward cannot be found in this world, though having work and a nice family are nice things, of course. But this expectancy, the pressure to perform perfectly does at all not conform to scripture. One of the biggest difficulties of the christian life is the pressure from both, believers and non-believers to conform to a certain pattern. Take comfort. God, the completely other, does not expect us to perform. He expects his children to trust. To hope in a new dawn. To love him. This is our hope and the light that shines in the darkness. As David was not without fault and yet the greatest king of all, so we are measured by the faith we have and follow, not by performing according to the pressure of others. Man, even in his best, will never be sinless and never deserve God's grace. Mark 11:22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered.

John 16:33 “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Having made a couple of pictures of my three friends, this one came to my mind. How quickly togetherness seems to be overshadowed. Some rain, dark clouds, lots of cold wind and many humors turn sour. Virtue often isn't so much a quality of character, but of a well filled belly and a sunny sky. (Quoting C. S. Lewis very freely.) Trouble will show what someone is made of. In trouble true character, true virtue will shine through. Everybody is kind of a nice person as long as nothing stands in his way or is clouding his mind. It is in contrariety that the true colors shine through. But be of good cheer. Those, who are truly God's children, they will stand even in the midst of torrents of rain and twisted storms, ripping life apart like a tornado rips a house apart. As much as the house doesn't need it, the character does. Thus proven it can continue to grow closer to God. So, God's word says there will be trouble. However it will be spelt. It is how someone stands the storm that will show his firm beliefs. Those truly walking with God will not fall. They will be able to find shelter in God's shadow. Then, and only then, many will find, what David found so many years ago: Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Ps 23:4)

Amos 3:3 Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?

Amos 3:3 Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so? If someone is lonely, walking all alone, which isn't the same, and has been used to do so for many years. Even if the water gets high, will that person be able to accept the presence of anyone else? Togetherness is a difficult thing. Deuteronomy 22:10 Do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together. The fear of being yoked up with someone unfitting to whatever standard a person goes by is big. And very justified. Scripture says, that it is no good to yoke together an unfit pair. Many have interpreted this a meaning a believer should not joke his life to somebody who doesn't believe. And what about all the factions of the church, that so often seem insurmountable? Is it easier to be drowned alone than to be saved by another? What if that other is Jesus, who wants to save all. Can he be accepted? Can another be accepted as Savior? As the one one owns his life too? Many, even in church, struggle with having to do it all. To be perfect before allowing a perfect Savior to come to the rescue so much needed and craved for. There are things in life, chains, spiritual chains of the mind, that cannot be broken unless a stronger one comes to the rescue. Let that one be Jesus. And swallow the fear and the pride. It will not be easy, though. A bird that has been caged for most of his life will have to struggle to live in freedom and may sometimes come to regret his cage, the safety of food. So are the children of God. Like the Israelites, they may regret the meat pots of Egypt. If you do, pls go to God and pray. he will show you the glory of this freedom and the beauty of this scary freedom, the freedom of togetherness.Psalm 98:8 Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; Psalm 98:7-9

Exodus 34:29 ..., he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord.

Exodus 34:29 "..., he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord." Moses spoke to the Lord and his face shone. It was so radiant, that he had to put a veil on for it scared people away. Clearly, talking to God was a rewarding and fulfilling action for Moses. Has it ever been for you? Has your face ever been shining so much, that people around wondered? Or were scared? Have you ever felt God so close, that his presence imprints on the form and the face of the human? Moses did. Jesus did. Though with him people were rather attracted to God. They didn't understand. Were first they cried "Hail the king!" only a couple of days later they cried: "Crucify!". Maybe people would have stoned Moses, had they not been so afraid of the presence of the Lord. For those, who do not know God, this presence is fearsome. No knowing, what they'll do, maybe even in jealousy. For their face will not shine. As easter approaches, please search the face of the Lord. Maybe until your face shines too and all worries are drowned in God's presence. Think, your grief is so great, not even God can handle it? He can. And even in the midst of horrifying sorrow God's light can shine through.

Matthew 9:36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Crowds are not really a sum of many persons. A crowd is more and less at the same time. Jesus often talked to "the crowd". He realized, that a crowd reacts to different things than a person does. A person, cpnfronted him, might shy away, but the crowd cried both, crown him king and crucify within a very short time span. It is very difficult or even maybe impossible to stand on what I know to be right the moment there is a crowd. for the crowd will follow its "bed" and stamp over everything that stands in its way. That is how huge rock-concerts generate enthusiasm or football or baseball games get cheering crowds.
A crowd is a dangerous place to be, if I don't agree with it. But if I secretely agree, it is the safest place to do, what I might long to do but dare not otherwise. Even following Jesus was a phenomenon of the crowd. Everybody went. So many may have gone without conviction. But it was, what everybody does. And that is hard to resist, be it for better or for worse.
Jesus didn't judge the crowd. he pitied them for he knew, they had no real chance to take a stand. Which is my point here. If you'd like to take a stand, get away from the crowd, the "chicken", who hack everybody into place, and find out what is right. Jesus went into the desert, he told his disciples to pray in a room, hidden from eyes, to be able to concentrate on the father. No matter how big or how good the crowd - many megachurches are crowds too, don't loose youself in it but take a stand for God. Alone. Whether the crowd is on your side or not.

Matthew 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.

When I live, I live always watched by someone immensly greater than I am. I have tried to picture it here. Compared to God I am such a small entity. It is a miracle that he cares. That he is watching. Have you read: "Big brother is watching you?" There is someone watching us all. And weighting every word, every geste, every thought. Not to speak of bold actions or shameful dealings. He knows. Always.
Sometimes it seems like I expect him to understand, like the dog still wags his tail even when I come home too late. To always be on my side. He is. But in his own way. That includes sometimes not liking what he sees.
If what I do would be seen by the one person I love most or fear most, would I still be o.k with it? If everybody knew, as everybody will know, what my life is made of, will I still be proud and think it a good thing?
I often try to stay in that thought when I need to make a decision. If I looked into the eyes of the world, of God, of all those I love, would I still want to be known for having done this? For having lived my life the way I do?
Do you? Can all you do stand in front of the one, who can stand firm in front of you? The one who knows it all? Sometimes this thought scares me. Like a sparrow am I? Just a little more? Do you know how many sparrows die each moment? Could I die knowing it is God's will by still giving him praise? KNowing he is watching me fall and die?

Can you?

Luke 7:48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

Often we blame our leaders for doing the wrong thing. It is so easy to always blame somebody else if things don't go well. Too often refusing to tale responsability makes things worse and drops a person into deep depression on plus of a bad situation. Looking up to Jesus and taking responsabily can truly change things. Every thing else is just make-belief. Jesus can truly forgive where I fail. Where you fail. Even if it was initially not my or your fault. To stand up and ask Jesus for help and forgiveness for me or any other involved will free the mind. Will make able to go God's way. Finding peace inside. For it is all well with a soul that is truly forgiven. And I need that, never met anybody who doesn't at least have a small itsy bit to be forgiven for. That's as good as a shower after a sweaty day of work. Just - like somebody not used to showers will hesitate, so the one not used to grace may hesitate. Please, all you, take courage. This is the best news ever. It is not that Jesus doesn't care. he cares a lot. But he still forgives. All those that come to him. Have you? Will you? It is such a comfort.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son....

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son....

Most of us know that verse. If we know only one verse it may well be this. Pondering it in my mind while I listen to some christmas tune, this thought was coming up. Christmas, as happy as we celebrate it, wasn't a happy day. It wasn't happy for God, even though he did what he had decided to do to give us a chance. Yet. knowing all as he did, it cannot have been a happy decision to give his precious son for our salvation. Salvation of a band of disturbed children that wouldn't even value the gift given and not comprehend its immense beauty and intent.

It probably wasn't all too comfotable for Jesus either, being born into a hostile world, into poverty, into certain death. To leave a so much better place behind, even if only for a moment counted short in front of eternity. 

I wouldn't enjoy leaving even my warm and comfortable little place for a stable, much less heaven. Just think! No, it is unthinkable.

(Jesus said) Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. John 14:1

These are comforting words. I love being comforted. And they talk abput being troubled. There may be reasons for that too. Sp many that Jesus found it worth a special mention.
Do I believe enough to put up with whatever is on my way? To I trust God enough to go through whatever is the way he lays out in front of me? Be it happy, soft paths in grassy slopes or muddy lane in damp nights.

Even the mad dog must have thought so and enjoyed.... God is amazing...

Don't be troubled, whatever appears before you, but put all worries on Jesus. And enjoy the walk in crisp wood admiring the bright flowers on your way as on mine. It is moment like such that make me think: If this is earth, heaven must be a wonderful place beyond all words or pictures.

Peter said to Jesus, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no share with me." John 13:8