Thursday, February 29, 2024

DOCUMENTING a life

 

Luke 12:42-43

King James Version

42 And the Lord said, 

Who then is that faithful and wise steward, 

whom his lord shall make ruler over his household,

to give them their portion of meat in due season?

43 Blessed is that servant, 

whom his lord when he cometh 

shall find so doing.


Acknowledgment.

Appreciation.

Awe.

Those are the things I feel.

When I see what GOD has created.

What GOD has done for us.

What GOD has promised us.


I don't look to the big things.

I look to the small things.

To the things people take for granted.

Such as this lone rose.


From the two dozen roses, only one was left standing.

Only GOD knows how it happened.

For only GOD has power over everything.

Whether it be the life, of one rose.

Or the life, of one person.


I suppose I've always been that way.

Appreciating the simple things.

The forgotten things.

I still see life, in the discarded things.

Would that be of use in my task as workman?

I suppose so.

For SPIRIT guided me to create "blooks".

What I call our blogs, and books.

Which aim to share Scripture.

Invigorating self, faith, and churches once more.

And yet, it's all for GOD's GLORY.

To acknowledge His love.

To appreciate JESUS, Who gave His life for us.

To thank SPIRIT, for teaching me Scripture.


My lone, standing rose may be gone.

Past its life.

Past its freshness.

But never past its beauty.

I still see life in it.

Dried, but not forgotten.

For one who is born again, everything GOD made, has life.

For our GOD is a LIVING GOD.

He breathes life into man.

His SPIRIT refreshes us.

We are subject to His laws.


The true born again doesn't worship nature.

We appreciate it, but we don't worship it.

We worship the One, TRUE GOD alone.

Whose face is in JESUS.

John 14:7

King James Version

7 If ye had known me, 

ye should have known my Father also: 

and from henceforth ye know him, 

and have seen him.


Related material:

The HOLY SPIRIT

GOD's GLORY blogs

BORN AGAIN classics


ROSE images by the author


Thursday, April 27, 2023

The FIRST designer

 

Genesis 2:4

King James Version

4 These are the generations 

of the heavens and of the earth 

when they were created, 

in the day that the Lord God 

made the earth and the heavens,


No doubt about it.

The first designer was GOD.

Is, was, and has always been.

His book tells us:

Genesis 1:1

King James Version

1 In the beginning 

God created the heaven and the earth.


Genesis 1:31

King James Version

31 And God saw every thing that he had made, 

and, behold, it was very good. 

And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.


GOD created through His WORD.

Genesis 1:3

King James Version

3 And God said, 

Let there be light: 

and there was light.


John 1:1-3

King James Version

1 In the beginning was the Word, 

and the Word was with God, 

and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by him; 

and without him was not any thing made that was made.


JESUS is the WORD.

John 1:14

King James Version

14 And the Word was made flesh, 

and dwelt among us, 

(and we beheld his glory, 

the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) 

full of grace and truth.


Everything was created for JESUS.

Colossians 1:16

King James Version

16 For by him were all things created, 

that are in heaven, and that are in earth, 

visible and invisible, 

whether they be thrones, or dominions, 

or principalities, or powers:

all things were created by him, 

and for him:


In the end, the WORD is all that will remain.

Isaiah 40:8

King James Version

8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: 

but the word of our God shall stand for ever.


Luke 21:33

King James Version

33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: 

but my words shall not pass away.


JESUS is the WORD of GOD.

The WORD created everything.

Everything then is for JESUS.

Everything is by His purpose, for His purpose, and from His purpose.

It's always full circle in GOD's purpose of creation.

Now, that we know GOD as first designer, we'll look at another discovery SPIRIT led me to today:

The FIRST industries on earth.


Related posts:

Genesis 1

Genesis 2

The FIRST industries

Bible DISCOVERY 26: When GOD speaks

God's VOICE

WORD of GOD


Image: Free Bible Images


Thursday, September 8, 2022

WIDE open SPACES

 

Ezekiel 36:26

King James Version

26 A new heart also will I give you, 

and a new spirit will I put within you: 

and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, 

and I will give you an heart of flesh.


Don't you love wide, open spaces?

Where you don't have to be hit by "low-flying" golf balls?

Where you can have a simple picnic, with no flies, mosquitoes, or insects bothering you?

Where children can play freely, even without the usual playground amenities?

Where they can fly a kite, play badminton, drink lemonade, run to their hearts' content?

Where all you can see is the vast sky, and grass, on a cool, agreeable day?

And some tree, for potential cover, should it start raining, or if it gets too hot?

Are there such places?

Where you don't have to worry if someone will mug you, rob you, run over you, or bother you?

Or start chatting, when all you want is peace, and quiet?

Or not be bothered by electronic noise from people using their phones all the time?

And you don't have to worry looking your best, for obligatory selfies, and such?

Is there such a place, a small piece of heaven, you can call your own?

Even if you don't own it, but know of such a place to go to?

And not have to worry about bills, or maintaining a so-called normal life?

What kind of life have we created for ourselves?

What kind of existence have we created for each other?

What kind of world have we created for our children, and future generations?

It is a life, of freedom?

Or a life, of slavery?

A gilded existence?

Or a true existence?

A world where we can truly breathe?

Where people can blossom, doing the work they're cut out for?

Where everyone is valued for their work, no matter how humble?

Where people treat each other with love, care, and respect?

Where you are not measured, by how much you own, or earn?

Where you can roam, dream, rest -- unimpeded -- for a change?

Where people seek GOD, above all?

Is such a thing possible?

It is.

If you love GOD.

You will do all you can, to live by the Bible.

And to seek GOD's TRUTH alone.

Learning to love, as JESUS taught us.

Looking upon each other, from the tenderness of your heart.

Not seeking the things of the world.

Because you know, those things don't matter.

You only care to be with JESUS.

So, look around you.

Do the buildings, institutions, monuments, businesses, and everything man-made really love you?

Do their designers love you?

Or, were they created to control you, enslave you, marginalize you?

I think you know the answer.

It's time to become born again now.

That you may really see.


Related material:

PRAISE village


Image: Public Domain Pictures


Sunday, June 12, 2022

MINIMALIST design

 

Romans 8:5-6

King James Version

5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; 

but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

6 For to be carnally minded is death; 

but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.


It was a lovely day outside.

I had set up the hangers in a closet.

They were Japanese-made wooden hangers.

Lovely to look at.

Easy to use.

I love hearing the clanging they made with the other.

The light was too good to ignore.

I took a photo.

That was the result above.

How the light played with the elements.

How the elements loved the light.

How the hangers fell in place.

Perfect composition.

Such is design, for me.


Simple.

Fun.

Functional.

Unpretentious.

Useful.


Everything seems to breathe.

You use available elements.

Such as natural light.

Natural ventilation.

You use less of the world's resources.

Really pretty simple.

You love the purity of line.

The simplicity of structure.

The perfect function of things.

Things are designed for people.

Not people, for things.

You possess things.

Bur are not possessed by things.

Always have heart, when you design.

Tantamount to saying, always have GOD, when you design.

Or whatever work you may do.


Having less doesn't necessarily means you're poor.

Having less can mean you've gone beyond materialism.

You know what matters most.

Not wishing to acquire more, than you already have.

But always making room for more important things.

Such as GOD, others, service.


Related material:

SPIRIT of GOD

C's from being BORN AGAIN

CLOSET wars


Photo by author


MAKE reading FUN

 


Matthew 18:1-4

King James Version

18 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, 

Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, 

and set him in the midst of them,

3 And said, 

Verily I say unto you, 

Except ye be converted, 

and become as little children, 

ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, 

the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.


How can reading be fun?

Simple.

DESIGN an EASY-to-READ book.

A childlike book, for one.

Never mind that it might be for you.

A grown up.

Important thing is you're learning.

Everyone's learning.

The fun way.

The easy way.

And the learning sticks.

There is no pretension.

No philosophy.

Only play.

I have such a book.

It has pull-out, fold-outs.

And a HUGE map of the U.S. on the last page.

The book was published by Publishers International, Ltd.

I've had it for quite sometime, at least 12-15 years.

It was part of my ongoing search for something cool.

Something educational.

Something simple.

Something true.

Inexpensive.

For it was bought at a thrift shop.

That's where you find "treasures".


I used to read TONS of books.

After becoming born again, I only needed the Bible.

Nevertheless, I kept this "States" book for fun.

As writer, designer, and communicator, I found it a model design for a book.

Keeps your brain cells young.

And happy.

I always feel like that when I find a "find".

Thus, I keep it forever.

Like a child who's found a really cool toy.

The bulk of my books have been given away, sold, or thrown.

When GOD makes you born again, you know the stuff you need to throw.

The rest are kept for the cool subject, the content, the large letters, the weightlessness of the book, the fun colors, and images.

And the kindness of the author and publisher -- for doing all that.

One would think you're buying the book for a child.

"Are you buying the book for your child?"

'Nah, it's for me!"

With matching, wide grin.

Unapologetic.

Well, I'll forever be childlike.

That's how I understand the Bible.

As you can expect, I bought a Bible with LARGE letters.

I only care to know GOD's TRUTH.

No pretensions.

No distractions.

Just the WORD.

And yes, no need for pictures.

GOD's WORD suffices.

It is LIFE itself.


Make reading fun.

Write simply.

Design simply.

Write, to be read.

Don't write, to impress.

People want to learn.

Make it easy for them.

Pray to be born again.

WATCH how things will change.

You will create superb material.

Only because the SPIRIT of GOD is guiding you.

Let your work stand on those merits.

Don't worry who may buy.

SPIRIT will take care of that.

Faith, dear writers, teachers, designers, and publishers.

It's all about FAITH.

Let GOD take over.


Related material:

Be NOT proud

The BOOKLOVER's TESTIMONY

WHAT does the BIBLE say about philosophy?

BEST Approach to UNDERSTANDING the BIBLE

GOD wanted me to WRITE

FREE writing pointers


Photo by author


Sunday, May 22, 2022

SAND shortage?

 

Matthew 7:26-27

King James Version

26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, 

and doeth them not, 

shall be likened unto a foolish man, 

which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended, 

and the floods came, 

and the winds blew, 

and beat upon that house; 

and it fell: 

and great was the fall of it.


There's a fictional character called "Sandman".

He's supposed to sprinkle sand in children's eyes, making them sleep.

Is there a Sandman sprinkling sand in our eyes?

Making us spiritually sleep?

Are we really having a sand shortage?

Are industries in a panic for they can't build, or chip?

After all, sand is used in concrete, in glass, in electronics.

And in whatever man has deemed it necessary for.

I do know what I see around.

An over-supply of buildings.

Lots of electronic, obsoleted junk.

An overturning of still-decent roads, and sidewalks.

Contractors building, right and left.

I also know what else I see.

Wastefulness.

If there's an over-supply of buildings, how come many are homeless?

Roads and sidewalks are overturned.

Each time administrations are overturned.

New mayors replace projects of previous mayors.

Construction never ends.

All is dust, soil, silica.

Who really benefits?

We are the Sandman ourselves.

We have put sand in our own eyes.

We don't see clearly anymore.

Our vision's grainy.

All of us have fallen asleep.

While many are still homeless, jobless, starving.

On the forgotten fringes of society.

That's not how GOD designed the world to be.

John 15:12

King James Version

12 This is my commandment, 

That ye love one another, 

as I have loved you.


You've also read Genesis.

In six days, GOD created.

Genesis 1:31

King James Version

31 And God saw every thing that he had made, 

and, behold, 

it was very good

And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.


ALL His designs are intelligent, and purposeful.

For, it's for GOD's pleasure.

Colossians 1:16

King James Version

16 For by him were all things created, 

that are in heaven, 

and that are in earth, 

visible and invisible,

 whether they be thrones, 

or dominions, 

or principalities, 

or powers: 

all things were created by him, 

and for him:


Why, then, do we waste GOD's resources?

Why do we build concrete structures, and blow them up anyway?

Why do we build structures for industries, and not for people?

Why do we produce movies that blow up everything?

Why do we make everything so expensive?

Why do we destroy decent roads and sidewalks?

Why do we build dead cities?

We do all that, because it reflects our soul.

We are all spiritually dead.

Romans 6:1-2

King James Version

6 What shall we say then? 

Shall we continue in sin, 

that grace may abound?

2 God forbid. 

How shall we, 

that are dead to sin, 

live any longer therein?


Let us make wise use of resources.

Let us not create artificial shortages.

Let us create something useful for each other.

Let us make everything affordable for each other.

Let us not be beholden to pride, greed, and vanity.

Let us not lust for things of this world.

Let us truly love one another.

Let us not play favorites.

For GOD favors no one.

Perhaps, it's true.

We're out of sand.

We're out of time.


Images sourced from Unsplash


Thursday, May 19, 2022

How a CHILD would DESIGN

 

Matthew 18:3

King James Version

3 And said, 

Verily I say unto you, 

Except ye be converted, 

and become as little children, 

ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.


Sure you want a child to design?

Or to create art?

Then, you must let him.

Brace yourself.

Prepare yourself.

To fall off your chair.

Or to be wowed.

To appreciate what you never thought of.

Or what you'd never even think of doing.

Such as drawing on your newly-painted walls.

Or leave a trail of stuff all over the place.

Expect lots of unfinished "projects".

Expect unusual combinations.

Expect a desire for privacy.

What is she drawing?

She won't show you.

Till she's ready.

Expect a giggle.

Lots of mirth.

And then she presents it.

She drew a dragon.

Breathing fire.

In a purple skirt.

"That's you!"

"Me?"

"Yup!"

Or depicting that crazy hairdo of yours.

Well, can't blame her.

That's how she sees you.

The thing about children -- which JESUS loved -- is this:

They're so first base.

They're so original.

They're so creative.

They're so imaginative.

And yes, their ideas are wild.

To the mercifully untrained, and unadulterated mind, a tree can be orange, and an orange -- the fruit -- can be green.

A dress can be a blouse.

A pair of pants must be a pair of shorts.

Different color socks are more exciting.

And please, don't put hats on them.

That'll be thrown away, or stomped on.

First chance they get.

I'm perpetually stumped at adults who are gender-crazy.

They put headbands and clips on their baby girls.

Just making sure they won't be mistaken for boys.

Child cries.

Child can't wait to take off.

How can you cramp and clamp that brain?

You must leave the child's brain alone.

It's a work in progress.

Let the scalp breathe.

Let the brain blossom.

What identity crisis?

You're the one with the identity crisis.

All babies are basically born bald.

Please don't pull the few dainty hair, putting clips and bands and ribbons.

And you wonder where these went after a while.

In a panic, you check if your child swallowed it.

No wonder parents are so stressed.

They project themselves too much on kids.

They want their kids to be geniuses.

I heard it's genetic?

Are we geniuses?

Did GOD make a mistake creating us?

Surely, we each have our own genius?

Leave the kid be.

Let the SPIRIT of GOD in that child be.

Let GOD and the child play.

And be amazed at what they can do.

You've seen how GOD creates.

Everything is for His pleasure, and purpose.

Well, the little ones pretty much think along the same line.

That's why JESUS loves having them around.

Matthew 19:13-15

King James Version

13 Then were there brought unto him little children, 

that he should put his hands on them, and pray

and the disciples rebuked them.

14 But Jesus said, 

Suffer little children, 

and forbid them not, 

to come unto me: 

for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

15 And he laid his hands on them

and departed thence.


Now, I spotted some kitchen cabinets a friend had.

He's waiting for his handyman to finish the job.

GOD and I thought up an idea.

Blank canvases.

Someone please tie my hands.


Related blog:

at ease with self


Top image by Wallpaper Safari.

Bottom image by Joseph.


DOCUMENTING a life

  Luke 12:42-43 King James Version 42 And the Lord said,  Who then is that faithful and wise steward,  whom his lord shall make ruler over h...