Several years ago I blogged about a late night walk down Lawndale near Broadway.
As I walked I found the remains of a wallet included several hundred dollars in cash, lots of credit cards, a driver's license, etc.
The shade tree car repair place seemed to be open, this was probably close to 10 PM. So I went by to ask if someone lost a wallet. No maybe that is not what happened. I was going to say I went over to see but no I think someone came out while I was picking it all up and asked what I was doing. I was not on his property and he asked in a friendly fashion. He said the wallet belonged to someone who dropped it as he left and he was coming back to get it.
So I gave it to him. I was planning to call the guy anyway. I had been picking stuff up slowly and carefully all the while looking for evidence of the guy who dropped it. I told myself I was doing this to be helpful. Of course the temptation to think "Finders keepers!" was also there.
I want to say that I did see a car come back. I do think I saw the man who lost the wallet. But my memory is not clear on that.
Anyway the point of this is that I saw in the news that the same business was busted the other day for selling drugs. They were probably doing the same thing several years ago when I passed by.
I have walked late at night on several occasions because it is cooler. In the summer it is not nice to walk during the day. Mornings are better but if I do not get up in the mornings evenings are second best.
In the area when I live there are quite a few businesses open late at night for no obvious reason. I see what appear to be machine shops and what appear to auto repair shops. It could be some industrious soul is working late but I can imagine other less legal things. Obviously I just walk on by. I do not engage them or ask curious questions. This last new item confirmed that sometimes my fears could be right.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
So long for a while
Yesterday we said goodbye to DD3, who is making rounds of Texas saying goodbye then heading to CA for a proposed year. She has a roommate and a place to stay. What she will need is a job(s). She hopes to have time to think and seek God.
I keep thinking it will be longer. But it probably will not turn out just like she expects. A lot like DD1's move to NYC. She would have never predicted how that would turn out. Life is certainly unpredictable.
If we are wise we know God is trying to teach us. Nothing is really to chance. God loves us and is very much involved with our lives the blessings and the hard times.
It will be interesting to see how it turns out for her. I know what I am hoping and praying. But it will probably not turn out like that either. DW has an entirely different set of hopes for her. That is humorous to me.
We watched Pennies From Heaven last night, the Bing Crosby version. It is still good. I kind of half watched, perhaps tonight I should watch it over before sending it back to Netflix.
I keep thinking it will be longer. But it probably will not turn out just like she expects. A lot like DD1's move to NYC. She would have never predicted how that would turn out. Life is certainly unpredictable.
If we are wise we know God is trying to teach us. Nothing is really to chance. God loves us and is very much involved with our lives the blessings and the hard times.
It will be interesting to see how it turns out for her. I know what I am hoping and praying. But it will probably not turn out like that either. DW has an entirely different set of hopes for her. That is humorous to me.
We watched Pennies From Heaven last night, the Bing Crosby version. It is still good. I kind of half watched, perhaps tonight I should watch it over before sending it back to Netflix.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Genesis 27 - Esau is cheated of his blessing
I am taking this from Esau's point of view, this time.
The story of Esau giving away his birthright for a bowl of soup is taken as a slap at Esau. Perhaps it was an immature impulse. Esau certainly had no understanding of spiritual things. It seems he really does not see too far beyond what happens tomorrow.
But in chapter 27 when father Isaac promises Esau a blessing he is eager to please his dad and receive it. He seems to love his dad. Perhaps it is a reflection of his dad's love for him. Isaac loves Esau for who he is. Esau is doing what comes naturally to him. He loves the outdoors and hunting. Isaac admires that in him, So it is not hard to understand why Esau loves his dad back and want to please him.
Parents should not have favorites. But we are shown that Isaac loves Esau more than Jacob. Esau is the manly hunter while Jacob hangs around the house. Rebekah loves Jacob better. Perhaps she feels a motherly empathy for the one who is neglected.
When Esau learns he will get no blessing he weeps bitterly. He asks his father is there is no other blessing for him. This is a pathetic scene. He wishes to receive approval from his dad.
Often, even today, women cannot get their way by direct means. At the end of chapter 27 we see Rebekah inventing a reason, a good reason or it would not have worked. Rebekah is worried about Jacob's safety first of all. So Rebekah invents a reason for Jacob to be sent away. She thinks Esau truly means to kill Jacob.
Much later, 20 years later, when Jacob comes back, Esau seems to have forgotten, if not forgiven Jacob. Rebekah knew her son well. He did get over his rage at Jacob. Why?
I think it is because they both have grown in possessions. The lack of the blessing does not seem to have hurt Esau. God seems to have blessed them both equally.
Isaac's blessing seems to be for the future generations. Esau does not seem to have a personal relationship with God. Over the past 20 years God has established a relationship with Jacob. We do not know but it does not seem God has done the same for Esau. But it seems Esau is only concerned about this life and for possessions only. So he is not concerned about the lost blessing anymore.
Esau major flaw is that he has not sought after God. God gives the blessings and Esau in interested only in the blessings. He is not interested in God. Jacob has come to value God at least as much as the possessions that God gives him. Jacob comes to have a much better understanding of God and his world.
The story of Esau giving away his birthright for a bowl of soup is taken as a slap at Esau. Perhaps it was an immature impulse. Esau certainly had no understanding of spiritual things. It seems he really does not see too far beyond what happens tomorrow.
But in chapter 27 when father Isaac promises Esau a blessing he is eager to please his dad and receive it. He seems to love his dad. Perhaps it is a reflection of his dad's love for him. Isaac loves Esau for who he is. Esau is doing what comes naturally to him. He loves the outdoors and hunting. Isaac admires that in him, So it is not hard to understand why Esau loves his dad back and want to please him.
Parents should not have favorites. But we are shown that Isaac loves Esau more than Jacob. Esau is the manly hunter while Jacob hangs around the house. Rebekah loves Jacob better. Perhaps she feels a motherly empathy for the one who is neglected.
When Esau learns he will get no blessing he weeps bitterly. He asks his father is there is no other blessing for him. This is a pathetic scene. He wishes to receive approval from his dad.
Often, even today, women cannot get their way by direct means. At the end of chapter 27 we see Rebekah inventing a reason, a good reason or it would not have worked. Rebekah is worried about Jacob's safety first of all. So Rebekah invents a reason for Jacob to be sent away. She thinks Esau truly means to kill Jacob.
Much later, 20 years later, when Jacob comes back, Esau seems to have forgotten, if not forgiven Jacob. Rebekah knew her son well. He did get over his rage at Jacob. Why?
I think it is because they both have grown in possessions. The lack of the blessing does not seem to have hurt Esau. God seems to have blessed them both equally.
Isaac's blessing seems to be for the future generations. Esau does not seem to have a personal relationship with God. Over the past 20 years God has established a relationship with Jacob. We do not know but it does not seem God has done the same for Esau. But it seems Esau is only concerned about this life and for possessions only. So he is not concerned about the lost blessing anymore.
Esau major flaw is that he has not sought after God. God gives the blessings and Esau in interested only in the blessings. He is not interested in God. Jacob has come to value God at least as much as the possessions that God gives him. Jacob comes to have a much better understanding of God and his world.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
John 9
I read a real nice article on John 9. The author said Jesus proclamation in 7 and 8 that he was the light of the world and living water were allusions to the Feast of Tabernacles (Booths). Each day there was a ceremony of water. And the lighting of the Menorah was a ceremony of lights. So Jesus was proclaiming that he was the fulfillment of these ceremonies. Those hearing him would get the connection.
In 9 Jesus healed the blind man, an illustration of the fact that Jesus was the light of the world. He gave this man, who was blind from birth, sight. And in contrast the Pharisees, who felt that they could see, spiritually, were actually blind. Jesus wanted to give them sight, revelation, but they refused, so they remained blind.
The fact that the blind man could get himself to the pool and wash showed his faith in Jesus. That had to be a lot of trouble. Yet he did it. He believed for a miracle. He was rewarded for his faith by being healed. Now he could see and he could see that the Pharisees could not see. The Pharisees troubled him and his parents and threw him out of the synagogue. But he found salvation. The Pharisees were too blind to find salvation.
In 9 Jesus healed the blind man, an illustration of the fact that Jesus was the light of the world. He gave this man, who was blind from birth, sight. And in contrast the Pharisees, who felt that they could see, spiritually, were actually blind. Jesus wanted to give them sight, revelation, but they refused, so they remained blind.
The fact that the blind man could get himself to the pool and wash showed his faith in Jesus. That had to be a lot of trouble. Yet he did it. He believed for a miracle. He was rewarded for his faith by being healed. Now he could see and he could see that the Pharisees could not see. The Pharisees troubled him and his parents and threw him out of the synagogue. But he found salvation. The Pharisees were too blind to find salvation.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Risking - getting out of our comfort zone
MP spoke at the end of his sermon about risking in the name of God. I missed last week's sermon, I could go listen. Perhaps I will.
I was excited by what I heard, and it might not be exactly what he said, because it confirms to me where my life has been going for a while. I do a lot of things these days with the idea of risking. MP mentioned being thought stupid. I do not have people openly telling me I am stupid, but I feel stupid sometimes.
I love walking into areas deemed dangerous by others. I find them not particularly so. That used to feel more like risking than it does now.
A lot of what I do is not directly glorifying God. But I do wish to do that more and more.
We do tend to create a life that seems manageable by me, God is not necessary. I think there are ways that I do put myself in positions where God must come through. Preaching at Brighton is one such place. I really do not have too much to give unless God comes through. I have a fear of getting up in front of that wonderful, if fairly small group, and blanking out. I used to get up with a full sermon all printed out that I could simply read. I do not do that anymore, partially from laziness but also partially because I want to leave room for God to come.
I do not mean to make it sound like I am patting myself on the back. I'd think God is pleased with me but it is like this is something God is urging me into. I cannot take all the credit. I desire to risk for God. God gives me the desire and the opportunity.
MP spoke of things that you know you are called to do but you cannot, dare not do. I still have some things like that. I want to do them and may someday. I have a strong urge to do them. They end up being put off for now. For several reasons, many not very good, I feel I cannot do them.
I am glad to see I am not the only one feeling some of these urges, these nudges. The world would be a better place if we do some of them. I am assuming these urges are coming from our desiring to help God, love the world, do good. I do not mean steal a car, rob a bank. I mean something that God will bless you for and you will end up feeling closer to God as a result. You will get to see God come through.
DW and I are planning to spend some weeks in the Holy Land next summer working on an archaeological dig. That risking, yep it is. We will get a date and place in the early months of 2011.
I was excited by what I heard, and it might not be exactly what he said, because it confirms to me where my life has been going for a while. I do a lot of things these days with the idea of risking. MP mentioned being thought stupid. I do not have people openly telling me I am stupid, but I feel stupid sometimes.
I love walking into areas deemed dangerous by others. I find them not particularly so. That used to feel more like risking than it does now.
A lot of what I do is not directly glorifying God. But I do wish to do that more and more.
We do tend to create a life that seems manageable by me, God is not necessary. I think there are ways that I do put myself in positions where God must come through. Preaching at Brighton is one such place. I really do not have too much to give unless God comes through. I have a fear of getting up in front of that wonderful, if fairly small group, and blanking out. I used to get up with a full sermon all printed out that I could simply read. I do not do that anymore, partially from laziness but also partially because I want to leave room for God to come.
I do not mean to make it sound like I am patting myself on the back. I'd think God is pleased with me but it is like this is something God is urging me into. I cannot take all the credit. I desire to risk for God. God gives me the desire and the opportunity.
MP spoke of things that you know you are called to do but you cannot, dare not do. I still have some things like that. I want to do them and may someday. I have a strong urge to do them. They end up being put off for now. For several reasons, many not very good, I feel I cannot do them.
I am glad to see I am not the only one feeling some of these urges, these nudges. The world would be a better place if we do some of them. I am assuming these urges are coming from our desiring to help God, love the world, do good. I do not mean steal a car, rob a bank. I mean something that God will bless you for and you will end up feeling closer to God as a result. You will get to see God come through.
DW and I are planning to spend some weeks in the Holy Land next summer working on an archaeological dig. That risking, yep it is. We will get a date and place in the early months of 2011.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Vacation summary - Texas Independence Trail
We went slowly, Sunday driving in the country. I had to pull to the side for people wanting to get somewhere. We went enjoying the farming and ranching countryside. On some of the FM roads though we did not have to worry, we were the only ones on the road on a weekday in the heat of the day.
We left the hotels at 11 AM, check out deadline and several times checked into the next one soon after the earliest you could check in. So it was often the a/c and internet and quiet time reading that was the real holiday. We made something like 200 miles per day, counting side trips.
The hotels were very nice, all except one. All had microwaves and refrigerators. Most had little coffeepots.
We drove through countryside to little towns that bragged about their historical houses post offices and courthouses. Several had flamboyant courthouses. I do not think I can add pictures to Blogger.
There were a lot of historical markers speaking of Stephen F. Austin and the Old Three Hundred that came to the Brazos Valley to farm. We saw where William Travis lived, where he gambled, where he drank his whiskey. A lot of this trail is in the Brazos River valley.
We took the tour of Shiner Brewery, well recommended. A idea would be to pick one of these small towns and book a B & B near the town square for a few days. It would be for me to walk and DW to go antiquing, shop hopping. A municipal golf course would be a bonus.
The first two days we followed the Gulf Coast. We got to see all the fishing places the outdoor radio guys speak of every week. I have a better understanding of where all the bays are geographically. We saw fisherman, boaters, and birds.
Coming off the coast we saw a lot of failed crops. Houston has gotten a lot of rain. I had heard that the areas around Houston had been much drier. We saw evidence of that everywhere. A few irrigated fields did make a crop. Along with failing corn and sorghum we saw some green bushy plants that I assumed were soybeans. But the last day we stopped at looked. There were no fences. We checked and were amazed to find these were cotton! Is cotton making a comeback in Texas?
I feel more a burden for praying for rain for the farmers that surround Houston now.
We left the hotels at 11 AM, check out deadline and several times checked into the next one soon after the earliest you could check in. So it was often the a/c and internet and quiet time reading that was the real holiday. We made something like 200 miles per day, counting side trips.
The hotels were very nice, all except one. All had microwaves and refrigerators. Most had little coffeepots.
We drove through countryside to little towns that bragged about their historical houses post offices and courthouses. Several had flamboyant courthouses. I do not think I can add pictures to Blogger.
There were a lot of historical markers speaking of Stephen F. Austin and the Old Three Hundred that came to the Brazos Valley to farm. We saw where William Travis lived, where he gambled, where he drank his whiskey. A lot of this trail is in the Brazos River valley.
We took the tour of Shiner Brewery, well recommended. A idea would be to pick one of these small towns and book a B & B near the town square for a few days. It would be for me to walk and DW to go antiquing, shop hopping. A municipal golf course would be a bonus.
The first two days we followed the Gulf Coast. We got to see all the fishing places the outdoor radio guys speak of every week. I have a better understanding of where all the bays are geographically. We saw fisherman, boaters, and birds.
Coming off the coast we saw a lot of failed crops. Houston has gotten a lot of rain. I had heard that the areas around Houston had been much drier. We saw evidence of that everywhere. A few irrigated fields did make a crop. Along with failing corn and sorghum we saw some green bushy plants that I assumed were soybeans. But the last day we stopped at looked. There were no fences. We checked and were amazed to find these were cotton! Is cotton making a comeback in Texas?
I feel more a burden for praying for rain for the farmers that surround Houston now.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
vacation trip
I could talk about Genesis 25, there are a few things that come to mind. Abraham marries again after Sarah dies. If you have not read Genesis carefully you may not know that. Abraham lives a whole extra life, dying at 175. Both of his older sons come to grieve for him, Isaac and Ishmael come together in their shared sorrow. We know they live far apart, we do not really know if there was animosity between them or simply between their parents.
But anyway DW and I have been traveling around Texas between Houston and San Antonio. I could share pictures but mostly they are of the mundane, rural life and small town life. We have seen old buildings and old houses. The most spectacular sites are of the old county courthouses. It seems each new county vied to make the most showy even outlandish county courthouse, home of the county government. This was most one hundred years ago or more. If you don't know every county seat has a central square and the courthouse sits smack dab in the middle. Around it are eight square, the storefronts facing the courthouse are the oldest commercial buildings. Depending on how sleepy the county some of the storefronts still house old businesses. Actually is some places the old businesses are now empty, the old went out of business and new ones never replaced them.
In many places the old businesses are replaced by antique stores. But in Luling and LaGrange where we are this morning the courthouse square is still pretty busy. The people here are conducting county business. Things look much slower but people are checking out at five. Almost all the businesses also close up at five. There is free parking in the square, not all the spaces are filled.
We saw the coast the first and second days. The theme is Texas independence. So we have seen a lot of places where battles took place and lot of signs where people are buried.
We started out noticing all the gambling places. If anyone tells you gambling is illegal in Texas, don't you believe it. These near slot machines are everywhere. They have people using them. There are no garish casinos just gaming halls. The "games" are mostly look like video slot machines. How they do payoffs I don't want to know but I'll bet the return is much less than that which would be expected from regulated casinos. I am really not in favor of casinos. I am in favor of closing down these gaming houses. I'd call them gaming dens. DW and I have been praying against the spirit of these places. I guess it is greed and boredom.
We got a new battery for the car a couple of days ago. But the car almost did not start yesterday. So I think there may be other problems. Maybe it is simply the drain on the battery from a/c use and the radio I play waiting for DW to visit a shop that I do not want to visit.
We pray for rain. A lot of people tell us the rain has been better this year. But it seems the corn and sorghum has failed in the fields. There are lot of field with dead corn. Then there is soy beans next door. They are nice and green but I cannot tell if they are producing much. But the grass looks nice and green. The rain has been enough for grass but not enough for crops in seems. Up here near LaGrange the land is mostly used for ranching. Closer to the coast people are trying to farm. It is fun to see all the rain cells in the distance. We have run through a few showers. Mostly we have seen them or passed the results of wet ground. Despite the weather reports to the contrary we have seen less rain these past two days. I hear it's been raining a lot in Houston, not so out here about a 100 miles west.
But anyway DW and I have been traveling around Texas between Houston and San Antonio. I could share pictures but mostly they are of the mundane, rural life and small town life. We have seen old buildings and old houses. The most spectacular sites are of the old county courthouses. It seems each new county vied to make the most showy even outlandish county courthouse, home of the county government. This was most one hundred years ago or more. If you don't know every county seat has a central square and the courthouse sits smack dab in the middle. Around it are eight square, the storefronts facing the courthouse are the oldest commercial buildings. Depending on how sleepy the county some of the storefronts still house old businesses. Actually is some places the old businesses are now empty, the old went out of business and new ones never replaced them.
In many places the old businesses are replaced by antique stores. But in Luling and LaGrange where we are this morning the courthouse square is still pretty busy. The people here are conducting county business. Things look much slower but people are checking out at five. Almost all the businesses also close up at five. There is free parking in the square, not all the spaces are filled.
We saw the coast the first and second days. The theme is Texas independence. So we have seen a lot of places where battles took place and lot of signs where people are buried.
We started out noticing all the gambling places. If anyone tells you gambling is illegal in Texas, don't you believe it. These near slot machines are everywhere. They have people using them. There are no garish casinos just gaming halls. The "games" are mostly look like video slot machines. How they do payoffs I don't want to know but I'll bet the return is much less than that which would be expected from regulated casinos. I am really not in favor of casinos. I am in favor of closing down these gaming houses. I'd call them gaming dens. DW and I have been praying against the spirit of these places. I guess it is greed and boredom.
We got a new battery for the car a couple of days ago. But the car almost did not start yesterday. So I think there may be other problems. Maybe it is simply the drain on the battery from a/c use and the radio I play waiting for DW to visit a shop that I do not want to visit.
We pray for rain. A lot of people tell us the rain has been better this year. But it seems the corn and sorghum has failed in the fields. There are lot of field with dead corn. Then there is soy beans next door. They are nice and green but I cannot tell if they are producing much. But the grass looks nice and green. The rain has been enough for grass but not enough for crops in seems. Up here near LaGrange the land is mostly used for ranching. Closer to the coast people are trying to farm. It is fun to see all the rain cells in the distance. We have run through a few showers. Mostly we have seen them or passed the results of wet ground. Despite the weather reports to the contrary we have seen less rain these past two days. I hear it's been raining a lot in Houston, not so out here about a 100 miles west.
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