God values everybody...Part 2

a Ok...we are back with Noah....

Although it rained for 40 days and 40 nights (by the way YOU may not believe the story, but archeologists and geologists have confirmed the fact that all around the world there was a cataclysmic event that took place, based on the rock formations, and fossils found in the rocks), the Ark floated for many more days, until ALL the water receded and it came to stop on top of a mountain. The mountain is believed to be Mount Ararat, in Eastern Turkey (again archeologists have found evidence that a "boat" resembling the description and dimensions in the Old Testament  has been located there). It took 5 months, 150 days, before the Ark landed on dry land. Imagine that! 150 days on a cruise, with a bunch of animals (who had to eat and go to the bathroom too) and a few family members. I have been on a 15 day Panama Cruise and I was ready to come home. The days "at sea", were too much for me. One week is plenty. Noah's "cruise" must have been pretty challenging. Imagine cabin fever, sea sickness, rough waters, personality conflicts with the people in the Ark (three sons, with their wives and Noah's wife.  Right there I see a big problem...four women in the kitchen...and in-laws at that....hahaha ...poor Noah!).  Then, try to be a "zoo keeper" to all these animals on board. One dog and one cat can be a challenge sometimes, let alone over 6,000  animals.

I wonder if the family experienced loneliness (haven't we experienced that with the COVID 19 lockdowns?). How about grief over those who lost their lives outside the Ark (didn't many people grieve over the loss of family members to COVID 19?). And how about concerns over their own future after the flood (we can certainly relate to that as well, with the uncertainty of  jobs, lost businesses, closed schools, fear of getting the virus, and everything else going on in  the world). 

I am glad I am not Noah, or part of his family. However, on the flip side, we see that, because Noah obeyed God, he and his family got spared from the wrath of God. The unbelievers and people who mocked him had a chance, actually 100 years, to change their minds, but chose not to. The door was finally shut. They cried out to Noah to open the door, but it was too late. Was what Noah did easy? No. Did he enjoy being ridiculed? I don't think so. Was it hard work? I would say so. However, looking back of all that he had to endure, was it worth it? Absolutely, Yes. What is important here is that Noah did not waver or lose focus of what his mission was. He did not listen to the negative and nasty people around him. He listened to God, and did what God asked him to do. He is a good example for all of us to follow. 

The Bible says that after the flood, God promised Noah that he would never again punish mankind with a flood. He sent a rainbow in the clouds, as a reminder of his promise to Noah and all generations that were to follow. (Genesis 9:13). Last summer after a day of rain, we saw a double rainbow in the sky overlooking our beautiful lake. What an amazing sight to behold!  Well, Noah lived another 350 years after the flood, and died at the ripe age of 950. WOW! After the flood, the longest a man can live is only 120 years. That's not bad, long enough, don't you think? 

There is a town in Kentucky, called Williamstown. In 2016 they opened an attraction called The ARK. It is a replica of  Noah's ARK, complete with a three story museum, live animals, camel rides, petting zoo, children's educational and interactive exhibits as well as archeological and scientific information.  It is the largest timber frame structure in the world. Sounds like a fun place to spend the day. When the weather gets warm, and many of the COVID restrictions are lifted, we plan to go see it. 

God is invisible, but He is NOT unseen. He reveals himself in all of creation, if we pay attention. We see it all around us in the beautiful flowers, birds and weather. He demonstrates kindness in a smile or a hug, caresses our face with the wind and the sun. He makes his presence felt when we get a note or a call from a friend, when we need it the most! What he promises, he delivers. God is not like some of our politicians who promise things they don't deliver! Who are we to trust? The government, friends or God? Many times it seems like the government fails man, and sometimes friends can let you down. God on the other hand promised to be with us and he keeps his promises. God doesn't leave us, WE  leave God.

So, how is it that we stray away from God and expect his protection? Are we living the way we are supposed to live or are we living as it was "on the days of Noah"? I don't know...but our actions and lifestyles sometimes point to the latter. Maybe it is time to wake up and evaluate our ways, and start living the way God wants us to live. Maybe it is time to return to God, and teach our children traditional values from our founding fathers.  Hopefully, it is not too late! Hopefully we can get in before the door is shut!

Have a blessed day!

God values everybody...

 God values everybody. God is NOT far from people. People are far from God and are getting further and further away everyday.

A couple of weeks ago, when we were all on a lockdown because of the icy weather and snow storm of the century, at least for us who come from California, we watched the play  "Noah's Ark". It was performed by the Sights and Sounds Theatre, in Branson, Missouri. In 2019, just before Covid19  hit, we went to Branson, Missouri, to see "Samson", at the Sights and Sounds Theatre. It was awesome. They make things come alive on stage, with live animals and special effects. Branson, is the "Las Vegas" of the Midwest. Between March and October, the town is full of tourists and there is all kinds of entertainment everywhere. It is about two hours away from Bella Vista, AR.

So WHO was Noah? Noah was a "righteous" man, in the eyes of God. He was without blame among the people of his time and he walked with God, meaning that he was close to God and followed God's rules. People in his generation had turned away from God and were pursuing evil and corrupt life styles. The world was full of violence, criminal acts, sexual immorality, corruption and wickedness. WOW! Does that sound familiar? Are we living as it was "in the days of Noah"?, or has the earth been wicked all along? I don't know. One day he "heard" God asking him to build an ARK, because a flood was coming. God was disappointed with his creation and wanted to start over. Noah did not question God, instead he started building the Ark and telling people about it. Noah was not hiding. He was busy telling others that a judgement day was coming (2Peter 2:5),  He kept telling them to "return" to God. Even his own brother mocked him (his brother was the governor of the province where Noah lived). Everybody made fun of Noah, BUT he kept telling them about the upcoming FLOOD! Nobody believed him, and with good reason. You see, up until that time it had never rained. They called him crazy. Not only that, but everyone had left him because they had been bullied by the governor (his own brother) AND the King. So, he built the Ark with the help of his 3 sons. It took him 100 years to build the Ark and he was 600 years old when the flood came. (People in the beginning of creation lived long lives). 

When they finished the Ark, the animals started appearing on their own. They came in pairs; male and female. Then, on the "appointed" day (which even Noah did not know), the door of the Ark got shut by itself. After a little while, they started to hear raindrops, something they had never seen or heard before.  All water was underground. As a matter of fact, after it started to rain all the underground water springs and wells burst as well, and started to flood the earth. The people outside, who had been mocking Noah, realized that Noah was right. They started begging him to open the door. Noah heard their cries and tried to open the door, but couldn't. Unfortunately, it was too late.  ALL the nay sayers and mockers parished. The Old Testament says, it rained for 40 days and 40 nights, NON STOP.  

We know how devastating it is when we get non-stop rain for a few days, let alone, 40 days!

We left California and now live on a beautiful lake, in Bella Vista, NWA. The snow storm we experienced a week ago, was unreal. The residents who have lived here for a while, said they had not seen this kind of cold weather and snow for at least 14 years! We were very lucky. We stayed homeand had enough food and water to last for a while, and best of all we did not lose power. First, we had ice for 3 days, black ice they call it, then came the snow . Nature makes you realized how helpless and insignificant you are and how God is in control, and NOT humans. Two years ago we experienced a big rain and wind storm. Many trees fell and blocked the roads for several days. We had no power for 4 days. Thank God, these things don't happen all the time. That storm was much scarier than the snow storm. There again, we were at the mercy of God. California had its own challenges. In 1994 we went through the 7.2 Northridge earthquake. The epicenter was 4 miles from our house. THAT was scary! We survived....I feel for the people in Texas and other areas, where they were hit the worst, this past week. No heat, no water, no electricity and no food and shelter, in many areas. ..

Anyway, back to Noah........or maybe not....this is getting too long...stay tuned....I will have to continue tomorrow...

"Talent on Loan from God"

 That is what Rush Limbaugh, Radio commentator used to say...That he had talent on loan from God...and Mark Steyn, said "talent was returned to God", after Rush passed away, a couple of days ago. He will be missed by many who listened to him daily. He knew how to connect with his audience. He was born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, not too far from where we are in Bella Vista, Arkansas.

 

I was first introduced to him in the 80's when he was on TV. Then he moved to Radio, and his show became the number one program very quickly and stayed at the top until now. He was very entertaining and had a way of explaining the news of the day, breaking it down, so we could understand it. I didn't always listen to him, because at times I found him a little too loud for me. However, most of the time he was right on...and that is why many on the left did not like him (actually, they hated him, you can see that from the nasty tweets, even after his death...shameful). He made it possible for many other conservative radio and TV personalities.

He had a good sense of humor and a very optimistic view of life up until the end, as he struggled with his cancer treatments. He still did his radio show as much as he could, because he was passionate about his job! Not too many people can say that! He loved what he did and stayed on the air as long as he could, and with such an upbeat attitude. You would have never known that he was ill. What an example for all of us.

I am sorry for his untimely death. May he rest in Peace.