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

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.

The WHITE weasel

 

Genesis 1:24-25

King James Version

24 And God said, 

Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, 

cattle, and creeping thing, 

and beast of the earth after his kind: 

and it was so.

25 And God made the beast of the earth after his kind,

 and cattle after their kind, 

and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: 

and God saw that it was good.

If there's one thing GOD designed me for, it's probably to laugh at anything downright funny.

I was praying before bedtime, thanking GOD for everything.

Then remembered the white weasel from a BBC Earth documentary I watched yesterday.

I started laughing.

Simply had to tell you about it today.

Sure, people use the word "weasel" to describe an untrustworthy person.

Someone who'll "weasel" their way through something.

After watching the video, I realized what they meant, merely because of this creature's way of rapidly moving about.

(Not to mention what other sites say about his destructive abilities.)

What caused me great laughter was at how he dragged a mouse he had preyed upon, put on reserve, from his underground snow den.

To keep himself warm, the weasel took out tufts of the rat's fur, covered himself swiftly and sporadically with it, then just as quickly, dozed off.

Just like that.

Nestled against his prey, too.

When you watch such documentaries, you'll be amazed at GOD's creation.

At how He designs everything perfectly.

And with great humor, and creativity.

Every creation, plant, human, animal, earth, has its own distinct character, and characteristic.

The earth is truly GOD's playground.

And to think He created everything in just SIX days.

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.

If you have the heart of a child, you will marvel at GOD's creation.

And laugh.

Uncontrollably.

Image by Unsplash.

What is DESIGN?

 

Psalm 19:1

King James Version

19 The heavens declare the glory of God; 

and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

How would you define "design"?

Strangely, in the five years I was in college, taking up Architecture, no one defined it.

Everyone presumed we'd know it.

Thus, everyone had ideas of what it would be.

But let me tell you how the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD defined it last night, just as I was preparing for bed.

Just as we had written six articles before closing in.

Here's how SPIRIT defined DESIGN:

"The creation of something with purpose."

What a MAGNIFICENT definition!

Of course, GOD's SPIRIT always has purpose.

Everything GOD created, had purpose.

Everything was for His purpose.

Nothing was random.

Nothing was by accident.

Everything was by purpose, perfection, and precision.

Everything reflected GOD's joy, creativity, and genius.

Even the way the Bible was designed was through "mathematical" precision.

No wonder no man could really define design.

No one knew.

Only GOD knew.

The farthest I got to understanding design during the early years, was through a revolutionary book.

Of how man copied nature in design.

But more on that in another post.

But who designed everything?

Who designed what man copied?

Aha!

You get it, right?

There is only ONE MASTER.

And He is CHRIST.

Everything was created by Him, for Him.

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:

More DESIGN articles here.

Related material:

GOD's GLORY

GOD's GENIUS

GOD's POWER

GOD's DELIGHT

GOD's MAGNIFICENCE

Image by Oleg Magni.

BEST book DESIGN

 

John 1:17

King James Version

17 For the law was given by Moses, 

but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

The best BOOK design I ever came across?

It's an old Bible I bought at a thrift shop.

Had HUGE letters.

Bound simply, in black cloth.

Huge, but lightweight.

Nothing slick.

Nothing shiny.

No images, nothing.

Just the WORD of GOD.

How refreshing in this over-designed society.

Just the WORD of GOD speaking to you.

In its simple, beautiful clarity.

You know the difference among crafty lawyers, slick businessmen, egotistic designers, and the LORD?

Many differences, actually.

The first three will make sure you can't read their words.

GOD makes sure you can read His.

The first three will hide stuff.

GOD reveals stuff.

The first three will twist truth.

GOD reveals truth.

The first three will over-design.

GOD is simple.

The first three is all self.

GOD is all JESUS.

The differences can be summed up in one verse.

GOD's Bible says it all:

Romans 3:23

King James Version

23 For all have sinned, 

and come short of the glory of God;

Of course, there are Bible versions written for ants.

What were the publishers thinking?

But I'm not an ant.

I like reading LARGE, readable letters.

And that to understand the Bible, we need the SPIRIT of GOD.

Only the HOLY SPIRIT can teach us the WORD of GOD.

Only then can we have precise understanding.

GOD led me to His Bible 32 months ago.

SPIRIT led me to the King James Version (KJV).

It has been my SOURCE for GOD's TRUTH since.

The BIBLE is the MOST beautiful book in the world.

Get a people-friendly copy.

Get the simplest, the lightest, with HUGE letters.

Consider it a GIFT from GOD.

He knows your heart.

He will give you a copy suited for you.

He also knows who will actually read.

There can be no more excuses.

The Bible is not a prop.

It is meant to be loved.

Read, and respected.

Live by it.

More DESIGN articles here.

Photo by author.

The GREEN shoe

 

Luke 9:3

King James Version

3 And he said unto them, 

Take nothing for your journey, 

neither staves, 

nor scrip, 

neither bread, 

neither money; 

neither have two coats apiece.

People can have their designer shoes.

But I'll have my green shoe anytime.

Not quite a slipper, for I can wear it to town.

Not quite a shoe, for it's basically open.

Not quite a sandal, for it doesn't have straps.

More like a Japanese-style slipper.

Thick-soled.

Possibly made in China.

Or maybe Thailand.

I don't really know.

Inexpensive.

And yet, very strong, sturdy, and simple.

Perfection in itself.

The humblest, hippest shoe I've ever had the joy of wearing.

It's lightweight, and yet you get firm footing.

It's of durable modern material, not quite plastic.

It has given me much mileage, for I do tend to walk a lot.

Perfect for the coming rainy season.

Why wear expensive shoes that will get soaked anyway?

All the elements this born again designer prefers.

Of course, they'll shun me at offices, wearing something like this.

But I don't go to offices.

I go where everyday people are.

I go where there is no strict dress code.

I go where I'm comfortable.

Whoever loves GOD, will accept a daughter of his.

Garbed in the simplest wear.

With nothing to prove to the world, but the WORD.

If anything, the world has to prove itself worthy of our LORD.

He's the only one I really care about.

That I do things right, by Him.

That I serve others well, because I love Him.

If others judge me by my green shoe, so be it.

I am a citizen of heaven anyway.

Aren't you?

For want of anything to call it better, I shall call it a green shoe.

For more DESIGN articles:

2022 articles

Photo by author.

The BORN AGAIN designer

 Romans 8:1

King James Version

8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them 

which are in Christ Jesus, 

who walk not after the flesh, 

but after the Spirit.

How would a born again design?

We design with love.

We design, with JESUS in mind.

We design with great thought, and simplicity.

We design for GOD, and people.

We design with respect.

We ask people what they really want, or need.

We look to their true needs.

If it's vanity they want, or excess, we're the wrong designer for them.

We must say no.

We love wide, open spaces, that call for little.

We love exploring possibilities a space may have.

We make do, with what a space offers.

We do not deface a basically good thing.

We like spaces that breathe.

We like people to be able to breathe.

We work with what GOD gave -- natural lighting, ventilation, and other healing and natural elements.

We do not cramp so much, in so little.

We help people focus on what matters most.

GOD.

Whether it is a room, a house, a building, furniture, clothes, work, communicatiaons, or systems, our main focus is GOD.

If we get possessed by pride, or possessions, then we're doing it all wrong.

We don't design to get noticed.

We don't design to harvest awards, or rewards.

We design for GOD.

That He be pleased with our heart.

We design with love.

We care that people are safe and comfortable.

We design with real purpose, not vanity.

We may not have many takers, but that doesn't matter.

The only important thing is that our creations please GOD.

That we abide by His laws.

That we don't sell out to the world.

For the world's laws are in total opposition to GOD's laws.

Luke 16:15

King James Version

15 And he said unto them, 

Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; 

but God knoweth your hearts: 

for that which is highly esteemed among men 

is abomination in the sight of God.

Related material:

2022 articles

Image by Unsplash.