Proverbs 28:5 Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.

Does life sometimes seem to be blurred? Without knowing which way to go? That happens. But God will give just enough light for the next step. Psalm 119:10 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Often life seems blurred, because of trying to look too far into the future. Of controlling what tomorrow will bring. God says not to do so, but to trust him with today, he will take care of tomorrow. Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. It is so easy to get caught up in the worries of life. Even Christmas can cause a lot of stress. Just because we care. Who will come? What gifts? What to cook? How to decorate? How to pay? The list is nearly as endless as the needs or wants are. Nobody can fill it all to perfection. It there time for prayer left? Time to talk? Want to talk? Gladness about togetherness? Fear to disappoint? Fear to be disappointed? Everybody is so fragile emotionally around this time of the year. And the lines get blurred. Please trust God to take care. Even if this sounds ludicrous right now, for of course he will not peel potatoes or bring a turkey home or write a letter and buy gifts. He has our hands to do it. Guided by his Spirit.So that all can enjoy this season and the light of God.

Psalm 51:7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Remembering winter vacation in very snowy mountains is always a joy. Loved the morning, when fresh snow had fallen and the world was blue and white. Freshly fallen snow has this whiteness that nearly blinds the eyes but refreshes the soul. It is something so pure and clean, that I never wanted to be the first to step onto it. As if I polluted something of immeasurable worth. Once such a field of snow has been stepped upon, there is no turning back. It is spoiled for ever. (Or until next snowfall, of course.) But its purity is lost for the moment. It always pained me to see others with much joy spoil the sight by running into it. It feels like a forgiven soul turning back to sin. Once the purity is lost, the same purity will never be regained. Every sin is like a big splash of dirt on the snow-white field of a pure soul. Psalm 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. The longing for purity is like the longing for clean water. It comes from deep within. Many know about this longing. This innocence, this purity has been sought after by many wise men and they could not find it. For it is God's to give. Jesus gave this purity a great reward. Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. This is what freshly fallen snow reminds me of. This is my prayer. For purity, once tasted, it like a well of fresh water on a hot and dry day. The longing for something pure and clean is part of humanity. Jesus is the purest being that ever lived. He can and will give to those who ask.

Prov. 13:20 Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.

The biggest attribute by which to choose a companion is wisdom. It is not beauty or coolness, cash or phone or car. God's wisdom is the best friend a person can ever have. Prov. 4:7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. May that companion look as disgusting as a mouse or a rat, it is the heart that counts. Wisdom can keep somebody safe and protect those who cling to her. Though Paul warns of worldly wisdom, he writes: 1 Cor. 1:24 ...Christ (is) the power of God and the wisdom of God. Whatever wisdom may look like, searching for her and meditating day and night brings greater happiness than much material possession. Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the one ...3 whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. Those who do so are truly blessed and they know it. They become springs of wisdom who have enough to share with others. Which in itself is a great joy, for the joy of giving outlasts the joy of receiving.

Ex. 32:26 “Whoever is for the Lord, come to me.”

Moses said that. The children of Israel had made a golden calf while Moses was on the mountain to talk to the Lord. In Israels most holy moment those who would have been blessed for all eternity got kind of bored. They didn't know where Moses was and Aaron didn't have the guts to keep people in line. He collected their gold and made them a golden calf. They wanted to be like everybody else, they wanted a god to be seen. They made a big fire and worshipped the god their hands had made. There was lots of dancing and probably quite a bit of immoral behavior going on, by the time Moses came back to the camp. People wanted a visible god, a god they would consider fun. Like everybody else had. Moses called everybody who had not participated in the "fun" to him. God sent a plague to the camp and most of the offenders died. And God didn't go with the children of Israel anymore. He kept at distance, lost in his anger he might destroy them. This is kind of my point. Entertainment is in every place. It is in many places, actually most places, including churches. How far does this need for entertainment go? Are there even people believing in God for entertainment? Are the disasters of this world becoming a new form of entertainment? God was very angry and destroyed most of his own people. The other nations laughed at God's children because they fell into such temptation. Is the need for entertainment a temptation? Are the believers of today still willing to go all the way, if needs be go to the cross, for the sake of faith? Will God one day say: "Whoever is for the Lord, come to me? will I be on the right side? Will you?

Isaiah 25:4 You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat.

God is a shelter in the storm of life. Jesus has promised this again and again. Sometimes live seems to be made of storms and riddles, heat and madness. Jesus will save out of these deep waters. He will rescue the soul. In him there is much room to say: It is well with my soul. That is a wonderful feeling, to know it is well with the soul and all storms of life will not be able to destroy. - For there are terrible storms. Like the one that hit the Phillipines this week. So much destruction. So many dead. God has let it happen. Psalm 83:15 ...so pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your storm. This verse even says that God sends storms. Some have come to doubt God in the midst of so much pain and sorrow. Many have asked why. These whirlwinds are nothing compared to the storms of the soul, to the raging hatred that fills man under his civilized appearance, under his fear of punishment. And man deserves much worse for this. Romans 7:7 Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” It is through knowing what is right that knowing how wrong a man can be awakens. Jesus taught that the greatest commandment is to love. To love God and the neighbor. But who truly loves a God who sends destruction? Who loves the raging storms, of the soul or of the winds? God may send a storm and he may allow destruction. But it is the heart of man that is destructive and only in God can it find peace and relief from its own evil. To doubt God in the midst of the storm is barking up the wrong tree. But to those who are able to repent, God will be shelter in the storm, in all storms. Proverbs 18:10 The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

Matthew 11:20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent.

As much as I know, half the population of this earth lives in town. The promise of an easier life, of material wealth, of ease has drawn countless people into towns. To some, these dreams have come true. To others, they have found ruin beyond their wildest nightmare. Towns are great places. Full of possibilities, yet full of dangers. Many towns have forsaken God, which is why many believers distrust the town and stay outside of it. There are many temptations in town, that is true. And sometimes it is wiser to avoid being tempted. Sometimes, in town, it is harder to stand up for God. Since there are so many who do not believe. But it is easier to find shelter in persecution. The mass of the town, the dense population is a protection too. Where the neighbor lives close enough to know all that is going on, less abusive things may be going on. Amos 4:8 People staggered from town to town for water but did not get enough to drink, yet you have not returned to me,” declares the Lord. In these days of little faith, many, believers and unbelievers, travel from town to town to find something to quench this thirst, that seems to burn the lungs and the heart. To find living water. Some don't know what they need but pain drives them on. Many, in other countries, end in poverty and shame. Too poor and too ashamed to dare go back. Some refugees here in Europe face similar trouble. At home, many may think they made it the moment they reach Europe. This, as everybody knows, is not so. They may have escaped danger, but as long as they cannot prove it, there is no room for them in already crowded places. They cannot go back and they cannot go on. They have seen a light from afar, but it was a treacherous light. They have no way into society here and no way back home. This dilemma is real for many believers as well. Caught between the promises of God, the desire for heaven and the misery of this life, they cannot live and they cannot die, living a life full of regrets and hidden bitterness. Thsi should not be. Jesus said: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Mt 5:14 He expected his friends to thrive in circumstances that would kill anybody else. To become like towns of refuge and shelter for those thirsting for righteousness. This is, where the thought loops. For will we be like the towns full of light or like the towns Jesus cursed, having seen God's grace and yet not repenting? It is a high calling and a great responsibility towards a suffocating world.

Isaiah 33:17 Your eyes will see the king in his beauty and view a land that stretches afar.

Sometimes, when I am down and feel like the whole world stands against me, this kind of verse helps me. Specially this most famous part helps a lot. It is also a reminder, that defines beauty differently from what man considers beautiful. To put those words into my life is relief and challenge at the same time. It shows the true beauty, the beauty "underneath". Often beauty in this world fades quickly away or fades when watched very closely. But the kind of beauty God prefers blossoms hidden and will only be discovered through a close up. Sometimes it is never seen. That hurts, it hurts when people say mean things, more so when they are not true. To trust, that God knows the heart and its reasons is sometimes so far away, when somebody longs for a kind word. But it is God who will give rewards, much more then any kind word can be, even though in a time of need this is easily forgotten. But take good heart. God does not forget us. may his ways be very different, he will not let his child carry more than it can bear, but with the challenge he will give tools to stand firm. Mt 5: Jesus said: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.