High Falls of Cheat

I admit it, I am a waterfall lover. Last week I got to visit a wonderful location. The picture above is of the High Falls of Cheat in a remote section of the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. (take a look at this video clip [Real Media] of the same falls). There is something majestic, mesmerizing and peaceful about them. I also like the roar of the water, I like how the water moves from a tranquil flow to a raging torrent at the lip of the falls. I have stood close to Niagra Falls on the deck of the Maid of the Mist, I have stood at the base of Staubbachfalle in Switzerland with a drop of more than 900 feet, and I have enjoyed many lesser ones. In a word, waterfalls are cool.

I don’t know that there will be any waterfalls in heaven, but there at least will be flowing water. Revelation 22:1-2 indicates that a river of the water of life will flow from God’s throne through the main thoroughfare of the celestial city. The river though real, seems to symbolize the continual flow of blessings, provision and joy from God Himself for the benefit of the redeemed. Let your mind meditate on that a while and you may blow a few circuit breakers in your brain. What a great and wonderful God we serve. To Him be all the praise.

So let my few thoughts on waterfalls – or better yet – go enjoy one yourself—cause you to reflect on God’s goodness.

“There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God.” (Psalm 46:4)

Banjos and Blessings

Forty-three adventurous souls have just completed the BCC Senior Saints Fall Foliage Tour. It was great time in the mountains and touring by bus and train. One stop was at the American Mountain Theater (www.americanmountaintheater.com) for an evening of fun and music. The picture is of Joe Gainer on the banjo; Joe is an accomplished banjo player as well as a comedian. While listening to Joe and the rest of the bluegrass group, “Hardly Ever.” I recalled a quote I heard sometime ago. Someone said that they could not imagine someone being sad and playing the banjo. I agree it is just generally seems like a happy instrument. As I reflected a little deeper I wonder what people think of me (or if you are brave…insert your name) do they see someone they just can’t imagine being sad, or is there some less positive emotion on display?

I do know that my emotional disposition is connected to my focus. If I focus on what I don’t have, can’t do, etc. I end up playing in a minor key. If I choose to focus on the ever-present blessings of God and trust in His care and plan then I am a lot more like the ol five-string! Keep on picking!

Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.”

Low expectations are the key to everything.

Often we are encouraged to raise our expectations or we are to have high expectations of ourselves, our team or others. It sounds so positive and forward leaning doesn't it. Ever heard some of these? "When you go on that field you need to expect the best from yourself and your team-mates." "This sales team is the best ever, but next year we have high expectations for you." and so it goes. In reading "The DNA of Relationships," by Gary Smalley, I ran into this definition. "The difference between what I expect and what I get is stress." Therefore all of you who are overstressed and over frustrated, you angry, ill-tempered over-expecters --listen up. The key to happiness is (drum roll please) LOWER YOUR EXPECTATIONS!

This is especially true when dealing with others, for all others are imperfect people who are riddled with flaws. When others don't provide the love and affirmation we crave - lower your expectations. They are coping with their own overwhelming issues. If others do not make decisions with which you agree, remember this they should not be expected to. Their logic and values are fouled up so we should not expect consistent wise choices. If we are living with the false hope that we will always receive what we want, when we want it and in the way we want it, we will be in a state of continual stress. Rather, expect less and when a little love and cooperation comes your way be thrilled with the surprise. A few concise statements from the Bible may help with in the expectation game.

Forbear one another Eph. 4:2

Forgive one another Col. 3:13

Love one another 1 Thess. 4:9

Build up one another 1 Thess 5:11

Don't judge one another Rom. 14:13

Have compassion for one another 1 Pet. 3:8

Listen as well as read

In addition to reading my random thoughts here, you can also listen to some of my random thoughts via my new podcast. Just click the link under JW's links on the right side of this page to try it out. I am currently doing a weekly episode from my teaching series entitled "How Life Works - Unlocking the Treasure of Proverbs." I am attempting an expository approach as opposed to a thematic approach, even though I have been told it can't be done, but I like a challenge. The ones being posted now were presented at Bible Center late 2005 and early 2006. New messages in this series will begin in November. I hope these episodes are a blessing. You can subscribe to my podcast via iTunes if you want new episodes brought to you as they are published. Any feedback would be appreciated!

Waggoner Men

The Saturday after labor day is Mound Festival, an open air arts and crafts festival centered around the most famous landmark here in South Charleston, which is an Indian Mound. Historians say it was build by the Adena Indians in the distant past. After a stop at the hotdog stand I followed my Mom and Julie through the maze of booths at the bottom of the mound while the other Waggoner Men, My Dad and sons, Brandon and Brian climbed to the top of said mound. Having my digital camera at the ready I captured the image above. (in the old days “taking a picture” was called making an exposure – now in the digital age it is “capturing an image”). Any way as I looked at this picture --I mean image-- I was struck that this was the generation before me and after me. I guess now that I am firmly in the clutches of middle age I think more of this kind of thing. I am reminded that so much of what I am has been shaped by my parents and so much of my children has been shaped by me. The former brings gratefulness for all that my folks have done for me. The latter thought is a rather sobering one. I am trusting that the Lord will make up for my deficiencies, as they are many. My prayer for my sons and my daughter is that they will walk with God. I have not always done so, but I have learned in the first half of life that waking with God is not only right it is also practical. In my line of work you encounter many who have been left as damaged goods due to the destructive path of disobeying our Heavenly Father. So to my kids and anyone’s kids –walk with the Lord!

“My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.” (Proverbs 1:8-9)

If you can't get enough...

In case you want to read some more of my musings over the years, there are a number of articles by me on the archive page, at the Bible Center Website, there you will find 34 articles from 1998-2006. Some are repeated here and on my previous journal, but if you can't get enough I wanted you to know that there is more! Blessings...

PS. The picture really has nothing to do with this blog posting but I thought it was cool, it was taken April 1, 2006 using my way-cool tabletop telescope and my Dimage Digital Camera, and in case you don't know - this is a picture of the moon, our earth's only natural satellite... If you would like a full-sized copy or like to know how you can get some wonderful computer desktops created by yours truly, drop an e-mail to desktops@waggonermedia.com

How to turn $31,000.00 into smoke!

Last Sunday night the city fathers of Charleston, West Virginia tuned a pile of money into a cloud of smoke over the waters of the Kanawha River. There is one important intermediate step, and that would be three flatbed tractor-trailer loads of fireworks. Julie, Brian, I and several dozen friends gathered at our regular fireworks-watching spot and waited for the gala fireworks at the conclusion of the Charleston Regatta. We managed to avoid all the other regatta attractions including Charlie Daniels and Randy Travis, but we went to see fireworks. We did enjoy the sights and sounds (If you want to watch a brief video of the grand finale use this link [Real Media] ) but as the clouds of gunpowder laced clouds floated across the capital city I began thinking about this…what do you have left after the last flash and last bang? Some memories, some good times with family and friends and few low-quality pictures, but is that really worth the money.

Before I get too judgmental – I must confess I have invested my time, talent and treasure in many endeavors that may have had some momentary attraction but no lasting return.
I don’t know much but I have learned this over the years of my journey. Only what is done for God’s glory has any lasting meaning or significance. My prayer, my goal is for my life to have less flash, less bang and more of His glory.

… whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
1Corinthians 10:31

Sparrows

“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31)

I had a few minutes recently to try out some of features of my digital camera. Just outside of our dining room is a thistle seed feeder, suet feeder and a humming bird feeder. I enjoy watching the comings and goings at the bird feeders while I am at mine. This seemed a likely spot to do some photography. One picture (above) was just a quick shot without much thought. As was reviewing my pictures later my mind wandered to the verses above. Even though Brian informs me that this is female purple finch and not a sparrow it still reminded me of the verse above. For those of us who tend toward worry or feelings of being devalued, then this is a comforting reality. God knows about and cares for this little feathery one, and also us who not only carry the creative design of God (how much engineering would it take to design and build something that can flies that only weighs 6 ounces?) but also carry the image of God, and hence the greater value placed on us. These verses also indicate that the omniscience of God (the numbering of the hairs on our heads) is proof positive of His ability to carry out His favorable care for us. He knows and He cares. We should know this as well. To the lovely lady perched in my picture – thanks for the reminder.

Foamhenge

While on my way to take Brandon to Lynchburg, VA to get all moved in to his dorm at Liberty Univeristy we all noticed a rather odd sign telling us what was just ahead on the road, we had just left I81 and had just passed the previous big attraction in this neck of the woods Virginia's Natural Bridge. But now just ahead was FOAMHENDGE, what, pray tell, was this, well sure enough, just past the entrance to Natural Bridge, and near the wax museum, the Natural Bridge Caverns, and the Virginia Drive-through safari and the Natural Bridge Road-side zoo.... was Foamhenge, a full sized Styrofoam replica of Stonehenge. We didn't stop but we did turn a wide-eye to this unnatural wonder. Upon returning home I turned to the authoritative source for tacky road-side attractions, RoadsideAmerica.com which revealed that Foamhenge is the creation of one Mark Cline (Washington Post article on Mark) who is best known for making full-sized dinosaur sculptures. I also discovered that there are several Stonehenge replicas scattered around North America including ones made out of junk cars and abandoned refrigerators. This little diversion got me to thinking about a couple of things, #1 the fascination with replicas, and #2 the fact that the replica never quite matches the impact of the original. Whether it is the 1/3 sized replica of the Eiffel Tower at Kings Island or reproduced Europe at Bush Gardens they still fall short.

On the spiritual plane there is an exception. Think about this from 1John 3:2: "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." Christians are being remade in the image of Christ, and He will get the process right! Next time you are frustrated with other believer or with yourself remember that when we are with Him, we all we be perfect, complete and remade.

Questions:
1. How does this reality help you have patience with other?
2. How does this reality affect your view of yourself?

The Tomb

"He is not here: for he is risen" (Matt. 28:6)
A tomb. Of all places for a miracle of eternal proportions to take place, a tomb would seem the least likely. But it was a tomb where the humility of Christ ended and the exaltation of Christ began. It was the place where the hope of the disciples died and where it was reborn three days later. It was the place where death met the power of God and death lost. It appeared to be a lasting testimony of the victory of Satan but became the ground of his eternal defeat. The tomb was closed by loving hands, sealed by hateful hands, but opened by angelic hands. It was guarded to keep robbers out of the grave; it was emptied to allow sinners into heaven. When Jesus was in the tomb it separated Him from the living, after Jesus arose, the empty tomb separated Him from every would-be savior the world has ever known.

As you reflect today on the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, let your mind pause by the empty tomb and thank God for all it represents to you. Thank Him for the assurance of salvation gained and eternity secured. Spend a few extra moments worshiping your Living Savior!

Brain Food

“Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Phil. 4:8

There is an old saying that says, “You are what you eat.” We should be purposeful with our diets. We should also be purposeful with what we allow into our minds. We should not feed on the things of the “flesh,” but rather the things of the “Spirit.” We are encouraged in Scripture to be spiritually minded and avoid the pain of living a life that does not have a Spirit focus.

Perhaps this would be a good opportunity for you to evaluate the quality of your thought life. Here are a few questions that may help: 1. If my every thought were made public, would I be pleased? 2. How often does my relationship to God make it into my thoughts? 3. Does the content of my private thoughts include private prayer to God? 4. How much spiritually-wholesome material do I put into my mind verses how much that may be neutral or harmful? 5. Do my entertainment choices enhance a spiritual mind or detract from it? 6. Is there anything currently in my thought life that I need to confess and forsake? 7. What is one thing I could read, listen to, or watch that would make my thoughts more God-focused?

God and Goldfish

(a reprint of an old favorite )

A few years ago, we had an underwater emergency at our house. One of my son's goldfish was discovered in extreme physical distress. He was swimming erratically and was continually opening and closing his mouth. Upon closer examination, we arrived at the correct diagnosis. The goldfish had nearly swallowed a piece of gravel. Apparently, this one stone was just the right shape to slide a little too far in, and it was lodged tightly in the fish's throat. If it was not removed, the fish would die.

What is one to do? You can't call 911, and and you can't take a 97-cent goldfish to the veterinarian. We could not, however, just abandon this fish. He was part of the family! He stayed in my son's room. My son saw him off to bed and greeted him every morning. There was too much emotional attachment just to let him die in agony. Once the decision was made to administer first aid, we sprung into action. The kitchen table was cleared, and our family gathered around the patient. Knowing that the Heimlich maneuver (using an abdominal thrust to force air from the lungs upward to clear the air passage) is successful with humans, we tried doing this on the fish. Only after several attempts did it dawn on me that fish don't have lungs! I will spare you the details of some more unsuccessful procedures.

Then we did what we should have done to start with, we prayed (I Thess. 5:17). After interceding for both the fish and the surgeon (my wife), she began trying to extract the embedded gravel with a pair of tweezers while holding the slippery fish in her hands. We all held our breath. At what seemed like the last moment before the goldfish would expire, the gravel came out. The goldfish was plopped back in the bowl of water and a cheer went up.

What may seem to you to be a minor coincidence was a great lesson to all of us on the power of prayer. Now you may be thinking the great spiritual lessons are only taught from the pulpit or in solemn moments. God, however, instructed us to both learn and teach His truth through the normal activities and experiences of life (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).

We should strive to use as much of our time as possible to learn of God and to teach His truth to others. We can do this by constantly asking the Lord to teach us through all of our experiences.

The goldfish quickly recovered from his ordeal, but for months afterward, whenever we saw the little goldfish we were reminded of the lessons learned from the God who made him and us. For those in our home, there was no doubt that God exists and He hears and answers prayer.

The Crown

“They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’” (Matt. 27:29)

What kind of perverse mind would have thought of it; yes the would-be ruler needed to be taught a lesson, but how to do it….let’s see…a king wears a crown….then a quick glance at nearby thorn-bush and the plan was hatched. The king would wear a crown of thorns, what a clever, ironic, cruel and spectacular stunt. Quickly murderous hands wove the branches in the wicked circle and it was rammed into Jesus scalp.

The mind behind the hands never realized that thorns were not always part of creation, they were a direct result of sin…(“Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee;” Gen. 3:18) and that portion of sin’s curse was wounding the single sinless one as he was dying for the sinners that was everyone else. It was not a warped sense of humor that conceived the crown of thorns it was a message delivered, that declared it was grace, love and mercy which drove our Savior to accept the curse of sin so that I could ever go free. What wonder, what a matchless gift.

Question: What fitting tribute can I offer today to express my awareness of the gift of Jesus?

Getting Ready

I am moving my online Journal here to Blogspot, the first random comments from me will be coming soon.


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