I love spending quality time in God’s creation, the Great Outdoors. I also love capturing those moments with pictures and words. Stated another way, I love “framing time” with a camera and stories. I would like to inspire others to seek their own outside adventures and live an active life with no regrets, Above all else, my main goal is to see God’s hand in everything and share it. Welcome !
Reap the Whirlwind
Reap the Whirlwind
I knew it wouldn’t last long. I needed to act quickly so I grasped a handful of dirt and sand, and threw it into the air. The heavier debris immediately fell to the canyon floor, but the lighter dust particles were captured by the invisible air currents swirling through the passage way of the tight slot canyon. Propelled by the moving air, the dust floated into the singular shaft of light, and suddenly, the light waves scattered. The reflecting dust intensified the pillar of light and, in turn, the light magnified the swirling vortex pattern of dust. A miniature whirlwind appeared right before my eyes. I quickly captured the image with a button press, and then a smile wiggled across my lips. “All of nature declares His handiwork,” I mused. “For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In His hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are His also.” Psalms 95:3-4 ESV
I lingered in the canyon admiring the surrounding beauty and listened to the wind as it flowed through and eddied in and around the eroded and sculptured sandstone. I inhaled deeply to stimulate all of my senses and to soak up every molecule of the place. I didn’t want to leave. I was mesmerized by both the stealthy silence and the cacophony of nature’s architecture. Yet, the shaft of light had long since marched up the opposing wall and disappeared, not to be seen again until tomorrow. It’s secretive departure signaled the end of my visit. With a sigh, I turned and gathered my backpack and supplies. It was time to head home.
As I zigzagged my way back to the hustle and bustle of everyday life, I thought a lot about the picture. I really liked it, but a title eluded me. It continued to evade me until I thought more about the action of throwing dirt into the air. I had literally sowed the wind, and then the whirlwind appeared. Suddenly, it came to me. With a refresher on the Book of Hosea to reaffirm my fleeting thoughts, I excitedly penned the picture’s title!
In 1940, Nazi Germany unleashed a bombing campaign against Britain called the “Blitz”. Using the German word for “lightning”, the Nazis believed the Blitz would quickly sever Britain’s strategic arm and thereby cripple Britain’s ability to fight. Unfortunately, the foolish act of widespread bombing resulted in the deaths of over 40,000 civilians. The Blitz eventually ushered in the critically important Battle of Britain. The struggle between the Luftwaffe and the Royal Air Force for air superiority over Britain was a major turning point during the Second World War. It was the first real defeat for Germany, and with it came a wave of momentum that pushed the air war to the skies over Germany. It was then that the Nazis suffered the storm of consequences for sowing the Blitz bombardment. In retaliation, the Allies implemented area bombing against cities like Dresden that brought about complete devastation.
In a classic and famous speech during the conflict, the Marshal of the Royal Air Force, Arthur “Bomber” Harris, stated, “The Nazis entered this war under the rather childish delusion that they were going to bomb everybody else, and nobody was going to bomb them. At Rotterdam, London, Warsaw, and half a hundred other places, they put that rather naïve theory into operation. They sowed the wind, and now, they are going to reap the whirlwind.”
In that last sentence, “Bomber” Harris was referencing a phrase found in the Book of Hosea of the Old Testament. In Chapter 8, the prophet Hosea delivers a message to the people of Israel that sounds the alarm of impending judgement. In Verse 7, he decries, “For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind.”
That phrase is an enigmatic statement made by a minor prophet that highlights a major idiomatic lesson for us all -- Every action results in consequences.
In Hosea, the phrase is directed at the people of Israel who had, sadly, turned their backs on God in pursuit of idolatry. Those actions, along with their dependence upon their own knowledge and wealth were likened to planting the wind. Many times in the Bible, the wind is referenced as foolishness, nothingness, and worthlessness. So, in effect, the people of Israel were planting worthless and foolish seeds that would eventually produce a storm or whirlwind of consequences. That whirlwind of consequences came in 722 B.C. when, ironically, the nation of Assyria whom Israel had unwisely formed an ill-advised treaty with for protection, swept through and plundered the land.
Indeed, there are consequences to actions. Sometimes the consequences are good. Sometimes they are bad. It all depends on the seeds that are sown.
I’ve never been a farmer, but there are a couple of principles involved with agriculture that are obvious. Principle number one is that we reap what we sow. It’s basically the principle of duplication. If we plant a thistle, we will not get a rose. We will get a thistle. If we want a rose, we better plant a rose. Principle number two is that whatever we plant usually grows and becomes larger. It’s the principle of magnification. Therefore we sow a small seed, and it grows into a large plant or even a tree. Whatever gets sown has a tendency to return larger and magnified.
Those two principles at work can produce amazing results or they can bring about heart wrenching consequences. That is why it is so very important that we give careful attention and thought to our actions and the seeds we sow. If we foolishly sow the wind with worthless seeds, the principles of duplication and magnification will goto work and amplify our actions into a whirlwind that will consume us and, possibly, even our children and their children. Many times the whirlwind of consequences is generational (Jeremiah 32:18). Just a quick study of King David and the lives of his children will solidify the concept that bad decisions and sin can swirl past us and onto our children. We may think our seeds and actions are too small to have an affect, but that would be very short sighted. If we are not careful, we will reap a future whirlwind of disappointment for ourselves and for those around us.
When I threw dirt into the air, I certainly wasn’t thinking about reaping a whirlwind. I was simply looking to magnify the shaft of light for photography. The miniature vortex of dust reminded me of a whirlwind and then one thing led to another for this article. Sometimes, I think that is exactly how some people find themselves amidst a storm of consequences. They don’t intentionally go out sowing worthless seeds. They do it for some other reason that seems worthwhile, but then when the whirlwind shows up they realize too late the futility of all their actions. We have all been there, and that is why I find great comfort in the Book of Hosea. Definitely, Hosea describes a God that will serve up judgement if needed, but Hosea also describes a God that is merciful, forgiving, loving, and kind. There is a peace that surpasses understanding that comes from knowing that the storm of consequences can be silenced with humbled repentance. Just like the personal illustration of Hosea who bought his wife back from harlotry, God forgives and has bought us back from sin with the price Jesus paid on the cross. All we have to do is believe, repent, and accept Jesus as our personal savior, and then we don’t have to reap the consequences of sin which is, quite literally, the whirlwind from Hell.
Fearfully Fearless
Fearfully Fearless
I looked one foot to the right, and peered over a sheer cliff edge at the canyon floor one thousand feet below. Then I looked one foot to the left, and peered over another precipitous edge offering it’s own jaw-dropping one thousand foot drop. My legs started to tremble as fear wiggled into the sinews and fibrous tissue of my muscles. It seemed, the daunting narrow trail climbed forever with little relief from the intimidating exposure. The safety chains zigzagged steeply towards perilous nothingness leaving one to imagine the worse and anguish in rash self-assessment questions like “What was I thinking?”, “Should I turn back?”, “Could what lies ahead actually be scarier than what lies behind?” Yet, the massive island of rock jutting out into the river canyon far below cared little about my petty fears. Like a lone gladiator silently challenging any newcomers who dared make the ascent, the summit stood unflinchingly proud. It dominated the lofty arena and offered no words of encouragement, just quiet unrelenting judgement. Only the cool canyon breeze presented any perceivable sound, but it was of no help either. As it frolicked in and around shrubs, trees, and rocks, it tugged on my body and whispered in my ear; “Fear seizes you. Nothing awaits you up there. You are beaten. Why even try?” Of course, my inner voice was responsible for the unmotivated and negative barrage of words. Obviously, I was having a grand mental and internal struggle. Fear was wrapping it’s coils tightly around me and suffocating me with each exhale of breath.
As always, there is much more to be found than nothingness at the end of the trail. Many times it is along the trail that I learn more about myself, and it is at the end of the trail that I have had many personal breakthroughs. There is much that can be learned and produced on and at the end of the trail. This particular trail is no different. The last one-half mile of narrow path epitomizes epic hikes and unparalleled beauty. It is a trail basking in popularity due to it’s ability to spike adrenaline and fear. The feint-of-heart linger behind, as well as those with a fear of heights. They want to experience the sublimeness found at the end of the trail. They want to experience the obvious satisfaction that comes from overcoming the breathtaking summit. They hear the gladiator’s challenging call. It’s a guttural cry that stimulates every nerve and sends chills rippling along the skin. They know the trail’s end beckons them like a light at the end of a long dark tunnel. The surreal 360 degree views tug at their hearts and desires, but, unfortunately, fear cements their feet and paralyzes their bodies. Sadly, the journey for many is cut short. Like a draw bridge to a castle surrounded by a mote, this narrow path is the only way to reach the natural fortress. It is a fortress aptly described early on in it’s discovery as being accessible only by angels. I can attest, angel wings would benefit a person greatly. Without wings though, only the ones who have beaten mental anxiety and conquered fear move forward and upwards along the chains. Only those that stubbornly strangle fear will stand eye to eye with the gladiator that rules the platform and arena called Angels Landing.
I swallowed hard as I mustered the courage to proceed up the trail. I should not have looked over the edge. I gripped the safety chain a little tighter as I scraped my boots against the rock. The traction was good, but my bravery was slipping. “Do not be afraid,” I whispered to myself. Without regard, the swirling wind stole my words from my lips. I said it again but this time louder and with determination. “Do not be afraid!”
I took a step and started thinking about angels. Then I took another step and started thinking about Scripture. Then another step had me thinking about Chris Tomlin’s song “Whom Shall I Fear”. Then I started humming and singing my own rendition with each rhythmic step. By the time I finished my own new song, the trail had come to an end. I was at the top, standing in the arena with one foot on the chest of the imaginary gladiator himself. I had conquered Angels Landing.
These are a few pictures during the climb and on the top of Angels Landing. I took many. The view is awe inspiring and breathtaking no matter what direction you turn your head. It truly is a special place. But even as I stood there soaking in the stunning beauty, I was more overwhelmed by the greatness, grandness, and awesomeness of God. My fear of the trail was long gone. It had vanished like a wisp of smoke into the Zion Canyon breeze. My only fear, at that moment, was found in God Himself, and that, my friends, is a VERY VERY good thing.
Scripture is full of “Do not be afraid” or “Do not fear” commands. Many times angels said those words when presenting a message to unexpecting individuals. Other times Jesus uttered those words. In Mark, He said, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Mark 5:36 NIV. And multiple Scriptures command us, “Do not fear”.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
If you are needing to choke out some fear in your life, I highly recommend and encourage you to memorize a few “Do not fear” and/or “Do not be afraid” Scriptures that you can recall when you need them. One of my favorites that has helped me multiple times is, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”” Joshua 1:9 NIV
(In fact, as a slight digression, I was driving down an Interstate the other day and the traffic was backing up due to an accident. I was worried about catching a flight, and then I looked up and was suddenly reminded that God is in control no matter where I am. Written in bold black letters on the back of a semi trailer in front of me, I saw and read Joshua 1:9. God works in amazing ways.)
I am sure there are several articles and books regarding the “Do not fear” topic. I haven’t taken the time to research it, but it is a very common problem so I’m positive many resources can be found. However, I doubt many of them will instruct us to be fearful to become fearless. Say what? Yes, I am proposing that we should become fearfully fearless. Let me explain.
As I was standing upon Angels Landing, I found myself very fearful of God. What does that mean? The fear of God encapsulates many thoughts and feelings. It is knowing that God created everything. It is knowing that God is all powerful. It is knowing that God controls everything. There is nothing that He does not know. There is no detail that He is not aware of. He is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. The fear of God is knowing that without Jesus, I am found unworthy. It is knowing that there is no work that I can perform that will earn me enough credit to be found worthy. It is only through Christ that I can be saved. It is through God’s grace and mercy that I am set free. It is knowing that I can do nothing without Him. It is complete reverent respect to Him and for Him. He alone is God, and He, alone, will we serve and worship. He is worthy of our praise and our admiration. He is awesome and frightening all at the same time. We will obey His commands because we honor Him. That is the amalgamation of the fear of God. Why is it so important? Let’s take a stroll through God’s Holy Word to find out.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10 NIV
“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” Proverbs 3:7-8 NIV
“Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.” Proverbs 14:26-27 NIV
“But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.” Psalm 33:18-19 NIV
“Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” Psalm 34:9-10 NIV
As these passages of Scripture describe, the fear of God is foundational for wisdom, security, and health. Obviously, there are many benefits to walking a life with a true fear of the Lord. Another significant one, called protection, is outlined in the Book of Psalm.
“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.” Psalm 34:7 NIV
There is no better or apropos place to reflect on that passage of Scripture than atop Angels Landing. In fact, that is exactly where this article was birthed. Like I said, the end of the trail can produce many things.
If we fear the Lord, His angel armies encircle us. If we fear the Lord, then we do not need to be afraid. In the Book of Second Kings, the angel of the Lord killed 185,000 Assyrians in one night. Without question, the angel of the Lord is extremely powerful, and if we fear God, that power encircles and delivers us. Whom shall I fear? Nobody or nothing as long as I fear the Lord. But it is extremely important to understand the caveat. We must fear the Lord before we can receive that level of protection. Therefore we must become fearful to become fearless.
Throughout the Bible, there are many examples. Daniel, being a God fearing man, refused to obey a silly decree issued by the king that forbid worship to any other except the king, himself. In complete defiance, Daniel continued to openly worship and pray to God. Those actions earned Daniel a trip to the lions’ den where God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths. The angel of the Lord encamped around Daniel because Daniel feared God and honored Him above all else.
Upon the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon, King Nebuchadnezzar set up a golden image and declared that with the sound of music, everyone must fall down and worship the golden idol. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused and stated to King Nebuchadnezzar, “We do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Even with burning death frighteningly charging towards them, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego feared God more. They stood firm in faith knowing that God could save them if He so chose. They defiantly disobeyed the king and followed God’s commands. They were not testing God. (It is important to understand that point. It’s not okay to put God to the test. In other words, just because God can prevent poisonous serpents from harming us, that doesn’t mean we can play with them. God gave us a brain and common sense, He wants us to use them).
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were truly fearful of God. They refused to bow down to any other God. They were following God’s command, not testing Him. As a result of their impudence to the king, they were thrown into the blazing fire. With the furnace seven times hotter, even the soldiers nearest the flames were killed. Yet, miraculously, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were unharmed. In complete baffled amazement, King Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Who has sent His angel and rescued His servants! They trusted in Him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.”
It is through the fear of the Lord, that we find our strength. It is when we say the Lord is my shield, my stronghold, and my light that we can then say, whom shall I fear?
If God is for us, who can be against us? Nobody. No weapon formed against us shall prevail. If I truly fear the Lord then I know His rod and staff will strengthen me, and I will fear no evil because God’s angel armies have landed all around me.
Whether atop Angels Landing or on the other side of the world, no matter where we find ourselves, the God of angel armies is with us as long as we wholeheartedly fear Him. With that fear instilled in us, we can confidently and boldly go forth fearfully fearless.
Jacob’s Ladder
Jacob’s Ladder
The aroma was a hint of sage, nutmeg, and mothball. It wasn’t a horrible smell, nor was it one that I needed to inhale deeply. One whiff curtailed my desire for more olfactory stimulation. I replaced the lid to the quart size jar and handed it back to the guide with a wrinkled nose. He chuckled. “Don’t like it, uh?”
I shook my head.
He smiled and nodded. “Snakes no like either.” He put the jar down under a ledge on top of a swirling pattern of sand where the most recent flowing water had eddied.
“Does it really work?” I questioned.
“You seen any rattlesnakes?” He grunted.
His logic stymied me. Of course, we hadn’t seen any so in his mind the mixture of herbs offered up a very good snake repellent. I was skeptical, but there was no practical way to prove him wrong. And seriously, way down deep, I was hoping it really worked. I had no desire to see another rattlesnake in the tight confines of a slot canyon. The last time I had run into one in a slot canyon, it had proven to be a daunting encounter. Neither one of us was happy about the sudden meeting and neither one of us could go anywhere. Not a good thing.
Amidst the swirling patterns of rock and colorful reflections of light, we descended deeper into the canyon. It wasn’t a technical canyon by any means, but it was ripe with beauty. All of the technical requirements had been nullified by well fashioned stairs and ladders, allowing most everyone access to the hidden beauty cut deeply into the Navajo sandstone.
As I descended a set of stairs, I was still thinking about the snake repellent, and then suddenly that game called “Snakes and Ladders” popped into my head. When I turned around and took this picture, all kinds of thoughts were darting through my head. The beautiful glow above the stairway had me mesmerized and sent a fleeting thought of heaven through my mind. Then I thought more about snakes which quickly sent me tiptoeing through the Garden of Eden and the Fall of Man. The image of the stairway launched me to Jacob’s dream and that eventually led me to write this article about Jacob’s Ladder and the fast-approaching Resurrection Sunday. “Wow, Tad, that’s a lot of big jumps,” you say. “Your train is going to derail!” you cry. “Are you feeling okay?”, you ask. Yeah, I’m good. Just hang with me, and I’ll try to put it all together. Let’s begin with “Snakes and Ladders”.
Firstly, “Snakes and Ladders” is a classic board dice game that originated in India. It initially didn’t carry that title, but when it migrated to England in the late 1800’s, it gained popularity and was sold under that name. Much later, another version sailed over to the United States called “Chutes and Ladders”. Throughout the years, the symbolism, philosophical aspects, and religious connotations of the game have nearly disappeared, but under the title of “Snakes and Ladders”, the game still offered a morality lesson. Snakes were vices. Ladders were virtues. With a basic premise that good deeds took a player up, and bad deeds took a player down, the game had ladders of thrift, penitence, and industry and snakes of indulgence, disobedience, and indolence. Earlier versions had ladders of generosity, faith, and humility and snakes of lust, anger, and theft. To win was a combination of luck and a successful navigation of ladders and careful avoidance of snakes. In the original Indian version, the main lesson taught in the game was that the attainment of salvation could be earned by performing good deeds. Interesting, indeed!
Secondly, in the Garden of Eden and the resulting Fall of Man, the connection between God and Man was lost. Sin created a disconnect in the relationship that needed desperately to be restored. Unfortunately, Man was and is not able to restore it. It is only through Gods’ provisions that we can reconnect with Him. The Tower of Babel lends itself as a classic symbolic story of Man trying to reach heaven under his own terms, arrogance, and abilities. It doesn’t work, and God doesn't accept it. Make note that God scattered Man and his efforts across the face of the earth for trying to build the tower.
Thirdly, in Genesis Chapter 28, the story of Jacob’s ladder or stairway to heaven is outlined. Briefly, in that Chapter, Jacob laid his head upon a rock and fell asleep. While asleep, he dreamt that there was a ladder that reached from the earth up to heaven. Upon that ladder or stairway, he saw the angels of God going up and down and, at the top, stood the Lord. Within those passages of Scripture, God reaffirms to Jacob, a promise made to his grandfather, Abraham. Then Jacob awakens and with fear exclaims, “What an awesome place this is! It is none other than the house of God, the very gateway to heaven!” Genesis 28:17 NLT
In the story of Jacob’s Ladder, the ladder foreshadows and is highly symbolic. In Jacob’s dream, God has already established a ladder or connection to earth. That connection reestablishes the relationship between God and Man. Notice that the connection is not built by Man. It is NOT a set of virtues, good deeds, or good works that lead to salvation like in “Snakes and Ladders”. On the contrary, salvation cannot be earned. The connection is a provision supplied by God. The ladder is a bridge. The ladder is the key to all of the Gospel. That ladder is a representation of Jesus Christ. Christ is the connection between God and Man and He, alone, is the gateway to heaven. For it is only upon the Ladder of Jesus Christ that we can be saved.
“Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6 NLT
Lastly, Resurrection Sunday is nearly upon us. As Christians, it should be one of the most celebrated days of the year. It is a very special time. In fact, it should be thought about, if not celebrated, every day of the year. The fact that Christ conquered the grave and was resurrected from the dead is the reason we have hope of an eternal home in heaven. Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith.
“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.”
Romans 5:1-2 NLT
In conclusion, the final rung of the ladder and the gateway to heaven was completed when that tomb stone was rolled away and the angel proclaimed, “Don’t be afraid! I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead.”
The Green Flash
The Green Flash
My expectations were climbing higher and higher. As if on a huge thermal of lift, my hopes soared. The horizon was fairly clear except for a lone ornery cloud. That cloud had teased me unmercifully early on, threatening to block my view of the retreating sun. I grumbled a typical phrase, “That just figures!”, as I continued taking pictures of the pounding surf and silently wished for better luck. As sunset approached, the cloud reluctantly drifted away from the horizon like a puppy pulled from a chew toy. Despite the stubbornness displayed, the wispy vapor soon became my ally. Offering a subtle reflection of reddish-orange color from the escaping sun, the cloud added variety and depth to an already beautiful scene. As the sun bowed to the encroaching darkness, my hopes and expectations took flight. I actually started to get nervous as I observed a very distant and clear horizon for the setting sun. Was this going to be my chance to see a green flash?
Rewind four days earlier. I had really thought I was going to glimpse a green flash while enroute for a night snorkeling trip. But, regarding green flashes, it seems the world is against me and fate likes to see me cry. Boo hoo! On a gorgeous cloudless evening with perfect mirage-type atmospheric conditions, exactly when the sun waved good night, another boat magically blocked my view. Really? Are you kidding me? Considering the vastness of the Pacific Ocean, and the unobstructed 360 degree views available the majority of the time, it seemed rather ironic that another boat would be in the wrong place at the right time. Sometimes, irony is my only partner in life. Grrrrr! Yet again, my observation of a green flash was not to be.
Over the years, whether standing on top of a mountain, kicking sand on a beach, or pushing air aside at 40,000 feet, I have watched each sunset with a real hope, desire, and expectation to see a green flash. I would never say that any of that time was waisted. On the contrary, watching the sun slip beneath the horizon is always a magical and superb way to end the day. I have seen some stunning sunsets and captured some wonderful memories during those vigils, but I have never seen an elusive green flash. It has evaded me almost to the point of certain denial of it’s existence. Based on my past experiences, it would seem that green flashes are not real and do not exist. However, that assumption would be dead wrong. A person must be careful about making assumptions based on their own limited experiences.
The green flash is a very real optical phenomena that occurs just as the last portion of the sun’s disk slips out of sight. The refraction of light through the Earth’s atmosphere bends the light into the spectrum of colors. The most refracted colors are blue and green. The blue gets scattered, and then green becomes the dominant and observable color. Therefore, under the right atmospheric conditions with a long unobstructed view of the horizon, a momentary glimpse of green appears. Under super rare conditions, the green will “shoot” upwards like a laser. Usually with a duration of less than a second, it happens fast. It is advisable not to blink. The phenomenon can also happen at sunrise, but it is much harder to see because an observer must know exactly where and when the sun is going to appear on the horizon. Every green flash is different. Atmospheric layering, particulate contamination, and mirage affects dictate the display. Some green flashes are much more spectacular and vivid than others. With magnification, it would be much easier to readily see the green, but magnification of the sun is not safe. Don’t do it! With the naked eye, green flashes are a rarity. They are so rare that an individual should consider himself/herself very fortunate to have seen one in their lifetime. They do happen, but everything has to be just right to observe it. Hence the reason I haven’t seen one. At least not until just now!
This sunset picture was taken with high hopes and expectations. The following green flash picture, although not the sharpest, was taken with great jubilation. Even though I had never seen a green flash, I knew it was a real phenomena to behold. So I kept watching. I remained patient and persistent. I continued to eagerly wait. I stayed faithfully expectant. And finally, after many years, I was rewarded.
Leading a Christian life can be a lot like waiting for a green flash. We’ve never seen Jesus, but we wait for His return. Through God’s inspired Word, we know and believe that Jesus came to Earth as the perfect sacrifice to save us from our sins, that He conquered death through the Resurrection, that He ascended to the right hand of the Father, and “in the twinkling of an eye” He will return. But we don’t know when. Some people try to offer dates and times even though the Bible specifically states that “...concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” (Matthew 24:36 ESV). Therefore, we must always be ready because the Son of Man is coming at an hour we do not expect. (Matthew 24:44 ESV). So in faith, we stay the course and diligently watch, wait, and, hopefully, pray.
I have always found eschatology (the study of end times) fascinating. If any time is spent studying “end times” in the Bible, a very controversial topic quickly pokes it’s head up. Specifically, the topic involves the timing of the rapture relative to the tribulation. There are a lot of Christians that get “spun up” over the details of the subject. It can be confusing, and therefore the ongoing debate thrives. Does the rapture occur pre, mid, or post tribulation?
For the sake of argument and brevity, I will not express my opinion. It makes little difference what I think amidst the flurry of “very educated” commentaries available on the Net. The most important point, and the one that should not be missed whether or not the rapture occurs pre, mid, or post tribulation, is that the rapture does take place. No matter what, there WILL be a rapture or a “taking away” of the believers.
As described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 ESV, “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.”
Further description of the rapture occurs in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 ESV.
“Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.”
Much like the green flash, the rapture is real, and it will happen fast without warning. If we are watching and ready, we will be rewarded. If not, yikes..... We may not completely understand how or when the rapture takes place. We may spend a life time looking for and expecting it. We might even become doubtful of the truth because our patience dwindles or our limited experience breeds discontent, but that is when faith must take root and grow. The mantras then become; “I believe whether I see or not”, “I will always keep watching”, “I eagerly await His return”, “I will keep an eye on the horizon in faithful expectancy”. Jesus, Himself, stated, “The servants who are ready and waiting for His return will be rewarded.....He (the Lord) may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever He comes, He will reward the servants who are ready.” (Luke 12:37-38 NLT)
The Scriptures are quite clear regarding the rapture or the “snatching away” of the believers. If we choose to disregard the truth, and step into the realm of “denial of existence”, we take a very very big risk with our eternal future. Incontestably, the rapture is only for those believers found in Christ. If we do not have our lamps burning and full of oil, the bridegroom will shut the door and say, “I do not know you.”
The Bible has several examples of the righteous being removed from the scene before judgement falls including the stories of Noah, Lot, and Rahab. The final outcome for those “left behind” did not go well. I would take that “set” precedence to heart. Missing the rapture of the church is not a wise choice.
Albeit, on a much more positive note, for those faithful watchers that believe and have accepted Jesus Christ into their hearts, the reward will be beyond comprehension. Stunning, beautiful, and breathtaking do not even begin to describe it. Faster than a “green flash”, into the clouds we will go.....
The Hope of Man
The Hope of Man
Looking out over Waimea Canyon at sunrise is an awe inspiring spectacle. Also known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”, Waimea Canyon is almost ten miles long and nearly 3000 feet deep. Although extremely beautiful with multiple shades of reds and greens sweeping down it’s canyon walls, it was created through a tumultuous past. A history of volcanic eruptions with distinct lava flows, followed by earthquakes, fault rifting, and a partial collapse of the main volcano’s western section preluded additional eruptions that set the foundational strata for the Waimea River incision. Brittle lava rock subjected to the rushing flow of water and almost continuous seismic activity brought about significant erosion. With Mount Wai’ale’ale being one of the wettest places on earth, the Waimea River was supplied with enough water to quickly carve through the lava rock and red soil. Through the passage of time, ravaging floods and major tremors have exaggerated the erosional process leaving Waimea Canyon steep, rugged, exposed, and breathtakingly beautiful.
“"But the mountain falls and crumbles away, and the rock is removed from its place; the waters wear away the stones; the torrents wash away the soil of the earth; so you destroy the hope of man.”
Job 14:18-19 ESV
Those words uttered by Job in one of the earliest written Books of the Bible, fittingly describe the creation of Waimea Canyon. And much like the collapse of the main Kauai volcano, Jobs’ words fall hard and reverberate loudly as he issues a complaint against God. Job descriptively reflects that just like the sureness of erosion as time marches forward, so it is that God destroys the hope of Man.
At first glance through the poetic writings of the book, it appears that poor Job is justified in his complaint against God especially considering his blameless and upright life. Yet, despite his integrity and good works, his life becomes center stage for an epic confrontation between God and Satan. God, Himself, offers Job’s life as the "litmus test" from which Satan could sample. Then, through numerous monumental hardships conjured up by Satan, Job is subjected to and experiences tragedy after tragedy. The massive personal losses pile up and topple upon him like boulders from a rock slide. One stunning blow after another pummels him. He loses everything of value including his children, possessions, and health. Nearly everything he holds dear is destroyed except for his own life. And just to add more sting to his plight, Job’s friends intently accuse him of past sin and wrongdoings to explain the horrible chain of events. His wife even tells him to curse God and die (Ouch! Now that’s a wonderfully committed life-long partner —- Not!). Eventually, the stunning pain overwhelms Job so much that he curses the day he was born.
So far, it would seem, Job’s complaint that God destroys the hope of Man is justified. Admittedly, from our worldly perspective, it seems rather harsh to repay steadfastness with agony. Job was devout, and even God, Himself, described Job as blameless and upright, and, still, God allowed Satan to attack him. “That’s not fair,” we cry. “That’s not a true and just God,” we lament. Blessings should follow good behavior, not suffering. It seems so unfair. Why punish the good? If that is the case, why even try? In agreement, Job despairingly cries, “It is all the same; that is why I say, ‘He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.........Since I am already found guilty, why should I struggle in vain?” (Job 9:22, 29 NIV)
Consumed with physical and emotional pain beyond compare, Job’s words are laced wIth distraught bewilderment. He wants to explain his case to God because he feels he has been unfairly treated. It is the same desperate feeling that many have expressed throughout the ages; “Why would a loving God allow bad things to happen to good people?” Job continues echoing his “unjust” sentiment as he asks, “Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?” (Job 21:7 NIV)
There are many lessons that can be learned from the book / life of Job. So many, in fact, the plethora of life lessons would fill multiple Sunday mornings. But for the sake of this article, I want to limit the topic to Job’s complaint against God. Does God really destroy the hope of Man?
What is the hope of Man? Is the hope of Man wealth? Is the hope of Man an elevated status? Is the hope of Man health and longevity of life? Or is the hope of Man self-righteousness? Quite possibly, everyone of those parameters define a little bit of hope for all of us. We are all human. We all would like health, wealth, respect, and the opportunity to “feel good” about our decisions and ourselves. Unfortunately, those parameters also describe a worldly view of hope, and if those humanistic variables define and encompass ALL of our hopes, aspirations, and desires, it is very possible that God will allow our hopes to be destroyed.
When Job complains to God about destroying the hope of Man, Job is offering a worldly view of hope. It is a hope built upon the “life is short” and “you only live once” foundations. It is a hope of financial security, fulfilled dreams, realized goals, success, outside beauty, vibrant health, and lots of fun. It is a worldly perspective fueled by greed, ambition, and a self-righteous profile. It is a hope that never looks beyond this life. It is a perspective that lives for the “here and now” moment. The problem with that view is that eventually that hope does get stripped away. No matter how successful, educated, ambitious, hardworking, or “liked” we are, the great equalizer called “death” remains. We all face it. We all grow old. We all die. Therefore, Job is accurate in his complaint. God does allow our “worldly” hope to erode away.
An additional point of contention with “the hope of Man” is that we view God as being the Captain of the Justice League. Firstly, we expect blessings for good, punishment for bad. Right now! It’s not fair to be good and work hard, and then have bad people excel. Right? But what really defines “good”? What degree of “good” do we feel deserves reward? Per the Bible, nobody is “good”. We have all sinned. We have all fallen short of the glory of God. Secondly, God does not just declare judgement because we think He should nor does He offer repeated blessings for good works. Anybody who puts God in a box and declares that He will offer multiple blessings just because we are “good” or live “upright” is not offering the truth.
The fact of the matter is that down deep we humans have a couple of fiendish “stumbling blocks” that trip us up in our relationship with God. They are devilish problems that linger in mankind’s heart, and they are extremely difficult to detect because they camouflage themselves as “good”. As a result, they are insidious on how they plant seeds. They could easily be categorized as proverbial “slippery slopes”. They are called self-righteousness and self-sufficiency.
The self-righteous slope goes like this: I’ve done multiple kind things for the needy. I never curse. I never drink. I always goto church. I pay tithes and volunteer at the local food bank. People respect me for my steadfastness, prayer, and missions emphasis. I deserve something special for all the “good works” I’ve performed. I sure do like how all these things make me feel.
The self-sufficiency slope goes like this: I’m doing alright. I’ve got a good job. I’m a respected and responsible individual. I work hard. I’m disciplined. If I work a little harder, I can probably pay off all my debt next year. I exercise and eat right. I study and am continuing my education. I am reliable and people need me. I’m well liked. I’ve got this. I don’t need help.
Ironically, most people would say both slopes are full of good things. We ask, how can they be problematic obstacles? The answer lies in how they both nurture and elevate self-pride. They have a tendency to emphasize self-importance, self-interest, self-centeredness, and “good” works which specifically contradicts Scripture.
“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT
The epitome of self-righteousness were the Pharisees of Jesus’ day. A person doesn’t have to spend much time reading the Bible to get an understanding of how Jesus felt about the Pharisees. He did not have very nice things to say about them.
Self-reliance, too, is a very “slippery slope”. Personally, I have struggled up this hill countless times. It seems like I always slip and have to start climbing again. It helps me to get further up the hill if I repeat a little Scripture along the way: “.....apart from Him, I can do nothing.”
““I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5 NIV
One of the main reasons God allowed Job to be tested was to teach him that self-righteousness and self-sufficiency were hidden deep in his heart. Job also needed to learn that God is far beyond what Man can comprehend or understand. Man is in no position to make a case against nor challenge God. God is beyond contestation. God is God.
There is no doubt that Job was a good man. Even God, Himself, said Job was blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. But God wanted to teach Job that “good” doesn’t make the grade. Job needed to learn that nothing he did in his own strength was acceptable before God. It was only through God’s grace and the acceptance of God’s gift, that he could be found righteous. In order to teach the lesson, God allowed Job to fall into trials. In order for Job to see those hidden diabolical degrees in his own heart, God let Satan cut Job deeply.
Job was not tested because of some great sin, much to the chagrin of his friends. We don’t have to be wicked for God to want to teach us more. Job was tested so that he could learn more about himself and God. He was tested to learn about the sovereignty of God. He was tested to find a deeper relationship with God. He was tested so that others might see, observe, and learn valuable lessons as well. That point gets glossed over quite often, but it shouldn’t so I’m going to quickly expound.
At the beginning of Job, Satan makes an accusation against mankind. His proclamation before the Heavenly Court is that Man serves God only because God blesses and protects them. Satan’s argument is that Man will curse God if those blessings and protections are stripped away. In other words, Satan is stating that Man only serves God to remain prosperous and be rewarded. Man finds little value in a relationship with God aside from self-interest. Without blessings, Man will curse God. As a result, Job is given a great honor by God. God believes in Job enough to place him on the front lines as an example to prove Satan wrong. Before the entire Heavenly Court, all of the universe, God chooses Job as his warrior. That, my friend, is a high privilege.
For those who have experienced many Job-like trials in their lifetime and still carry the shield of faith and uphold the Standard, I personally believe that God has given you a great privilege and great honor. God has chosen you as a warrior and a representative for Man to squelch the accusations of Satan. Your actions prove Satan wrong and uphold the glory of God. Your steadfast example through tribulations has proven that Satan’s proclamation is not valid. At the same time, your example has allowed the rest of us to learn and gain needed strength, fortitude, and character. We all carry our shields a little higher simply because you never dropped yours, despite all the hardships. Yours is a burdensome warrior’s path paved with endurance and constitution that few can comprehend, but many admire. God chose you for the front lines for a reason and, believe me, it has not gone unnoticed. We that follow have watched and learned. God is still God and worthy of praise and honor no matter what. Fight on warrior!
Yes, Job complained through his trials. Who wouldn’t? But he never cursed God. He came close, but he never did. That’s crucial because that is what Satan wanted all along. If Job had failed that test, he would have lost everything. Despite Satan’s best attempt, Job passed. The trials were incomprehensible, but God knew Job had the strength to endure. And through it, Job learned about the condition of his own heart, and then he immediately repented to God. Valuable lessons learned!
Like the Waimea River carving and eroding through the Waimea Canyon, there are many strata levels that get exposed the deeper the river incision carves. In order to expose those long concealed levels, the incision has to cut fairly deep. Yet, the beauty that is reflected afterwards is truly amazing. It is the same with us. Many times the trials can become difficult and slice deeply, but it is when those hidden levels in our hearts are exposed that we learn that the “hope of Man” is not found in us or what we’ve done. The true “hope of Man” is found in God and His One and only Son, Jesus. There is a beautiful image that resides in that hope. There is a beautiful relationship that resides in that lesson.
After Job’s trials and repentance, God multiplied his blessings far beyond what he had possessed before. The Bible says that God blessed Job with three daughters that were the most beautiful women in the land. I find that passage interesting and significant. After enduring much hardship, Job was blessed with incomparable beauty in his life.
It is as Apostle Paul wrote in Romans Chapter 5. “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment.” That hope Paul writes about is full of peace and beauty encapsulated by the love of God. That hope will never dissolve. That hope will never erode nor be destroyed.
Like Waimea Canyon, a tumultuous past with many trials can bring about great beauty. We might struggle to understand our lives while the trials carve through us and into our hearts, but if our hope is in God and His love, there is indescribable and incomparable beauty ahead. Oh, what a sight to behold. It will be awe inspiring!