The LITTLE BEAR


The other night I got a clear view of the Little Bear—the Little Dipper as I used to call it. I remember picking it out as a child, but now I see it only rarely—partly because I live in the rainy northwest, and partly because of light pollution.The Little Bear (Ursa minor) is easy to find, if conditions allow, once you find the North Star (Polaris), because that star is at the tip of the little bear’s tail. Of course, bears do not have tails, which gives us one clue that there is a mix-up in the representation of this constellation.

If we look at the meanings of the ancient names of the Little Bear’s stars—Pherkad and Kochab, which are still in use, and Alcaid, Algedi and Arcas, which are no longer used—we find domestic animals, goats, kids, and calves. We find that they are assembled, and awaiting him who comes. Names with similar meanings are found in the Big Bear (Ursa major).

What the Bears represent is God’s people waiting for Him.Between the two Bears and partially surrounding the Little Bear is Draco, the Dragon. He is always present, isn’t he, to turn God’s people aside, to cause them to fear, or to stir up dissension.

But the Little Bear is held fast to Polaris.This star’s ancient name is Alruccaba, from the root meaning to ride. All through the night, the Little Bear rides around the pole, firmly attached to Alruccaba. God’s people are safely held by the One who is the center, the One who holds all things together by the word of his power (Hebrews 1:3).
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This devotional was written by
Jane S Poole
Writer of Adam's Astronomy: The Original Zodiac •

Are You Climbing Jacob’s Ladder?

Jacob was tired and dirty from his long walk. Sweat was running down his face as he trudged along. All day long he had been running –running away from home. That morning his mother had been crying when he kissed her and said his hurried “Goodbye”. “We’ll send word and let you know when it will be safe for you to come back home.” his father had told him soberly.

Jacob was in trouble. His twin brother Esau was threatening to kill him and you couldn’t blame Esau for being angry. Jacob had tricked Esau out of his blessing and his birthright. Jacob was an operator. Even the meaning of his name “Jacob” meant “Supplanter” or “Trickster”.

Esau had been in line for a great spiritual blessing from God, given first to his grandfather Abraham and then down the line to his father Isaac. Esau, the first born, was next in line to carry on this privilege from God. But Scripture tells us that Esau didn’t value his godly inheritance or God’s special blessing. He thought so little of God’s favor that he sold his portion for a bowl of beans. God saw Esau’s heart and the Bible tells us that God didn’t like what He saw! Even though Esau didn’t consider God’s gifts important, Jacob did! Jacob cared so much about God’s blessing that he was willing to scheme and trick his brother out of it, lying and deceiving as he went. And now Jacob was running away for what he had done.

It was dark when Jacob finally stopped to rest. Scripture tells us that he made his bed on the hard ground and used a stone for his pillow. He lay down there watching the stars twinkling overhead and thinking over the events of the last few days. How he had cheated his own twin brother.and lied to his elderly blind father.All for this special God given blessing! And now he was an outcast from his own family. Was he an outcast from God too? Feeling guilty and confused Jacob drifted off to sleep.

As he dreamed alone in this dark place, suddenly God came to Jacob in a vision of blazing light. A glorious ladder reaching from heaven down to earth appeared at Jacob’s feet. Angels were climbing up and down this marvelous ladder. And God spoke to Jacob, “Jacob, don’t be afraid. I am with you. I will bless you. Your descendants will be mine and through you I will bless all of the nations.” It was all too wonderful for a stunned Jacob to take in.

“God was with me in this place and I didn’t know it,” Jacob exclaimed the next morning. Even though he had made a mess of things in his life,, God had reached down and given him a ladder that was leading right up into heaven. Even though he had stolen the blessing, God was honoring him. Was that because Jacob valued God’s blessing and wanted God in his life?

We believe that Jacob’s ladder is a picture of Jesus our Savior. Like Jacob’s ladder which goes from earth up to heaven, Jesus is the Ladder - theWay –that takes us from earth to heaven. The only Way! Jesus meets us in our dark lonely place and becomes our Way, - our Ladder – If we want Him to, if we don’t sell Him for a bowl of beans. If we climb onto Him, He leads us to eternal life. John 1:51 says “You shall see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” Just as Jacob saw angels climbing up and down his ladder, we read that angels ascend and descend on our Ladder, Jesus, the Son of Man.

We can say with Jacob, “God is with me in this place and I didn’t know it.” God is with each of us in our dark night and in our troubles. And He has set Jesus before each of us and has given us the Ladder to heaven. Even though like Jacob our sin can separate us from loved ones, it can never separate us from God: If we are like Esau and don’t care about God then we will miss out.. But if we are like Jacob and desire God’s will., He will make a Way. His glorious Ladder of salvation will be right at our feet. Jesus is your Ladder and He will take you to heaven if you just get on board. Have you gotten on? Are you climbing Jacob’s Ladder?

©Jane Furnish, 9/2009

Open My Eyes Lord, I Want to See Jesus
The Road to Emmaus Luke 24:13-33


Three days had passed since their leader was crucified and Jesus’ shocked followers had run away in terror. How could this awful thing have happened? For three years now they had been with Him and they had watched Him heal the blind and raise the dead. They had seen His power and had believed that He was their Messiah. And now He was dead. And with Him, all of their hopes and dreams had died too. Traumatized and dejected they hid out, not knowing what to do next.

Scripture tells us that during this upsetting time, two of Jesus’ followers were traveling together on the dusty road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. It was a seven mile walk to Emmaus and the two unhappy men were discussing the events of the last three days as they plodded along. “We had hoped that Jesus was the One who would redeem Israel,” they grumbled.

As they walked along pouring out their disappointments to one another a Traveler caught up with them. He walks along with them listening as they despair. Luke 24:16 tells us that as they walked together the two men were “kept from recognizing” this Person walking with them.

“How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!” the Traveler chided these two. “Didn’t you know that the Christ has to suffer first and then enter glory?” Then the Traveler began to explain to these amazed men what the Scriptures said concerning Himself. The men’s’ hearts were strangely warmed as they walked and listened.

By the time the three of them reached the village of Emmaus Jesus acted as if He was going on further. “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over,” the two urged. Jesus accepts their invitation and they all sit together for the evening meal. And then in the breaking of the bread their eyes were opened and they recognized their risen Jesus!

We too receive Jesus in the breaking of the bread. Can it be that we too could be chided by Jesus, like these two were because we haven’t studied God’s Word enough to keep our faith shinning brightly in times of trouble?

Do you suppose that Jesus comes along side of us when we are talking together about Him? Does He walk along with us like He did with them when we are troubled and confused? Does the Lord encourage us and enlighten us with His Word like He enlightened those two? Indeed John 16:13 tells us that the Holy Spirit guides us into all truth.

Notice that these two men only recognized Jesus after they had offered Him hospitality. Their eyes were opened when they invited Him in .If these Emmaus travelers had let Him walk on by their eyes would have never been opened to their risen Savior! While walking with Him on the road to Emmaus – they had remained blind to the Light of the world. They only had a casual – intellectual – relationship with Him – and that wasn’t enough for them to see the Truth. But they passed the test when they offered Him something of themselves! And it was only then that He revealed Himself to them.

And isn’t it the same with us? John 1:12 says, “But to as many as receive Him, to them He gives the power to become the children of God, even to those who believe on His Name.” . Scripture says that our eyes are opened to Him and we become the children of God when we receive Him. What does this receiving mean? It sounds like just saying the right words won’t do. An intellectual belief won’t pass. The miracle of salvation happens when you give yourself to Him.

Are You Afraid To Die?



On the 4th of July we were on our way to Santa Barbara to ride bikes on the beach, have dinner, and watch the fireworks. During the drive I had a lot of time to think. I began to think of how my husband, Joe, is not afraid to die. How his only fear of death is leaving us behind. When he told me this I was awed by his faith. He knows he is going to heaven.

I know we can be assured of our salvation and I know for sure, -- but did I really know? Did I really believe? I had doubts. I had fear. I had always been afraid of death, since for me it was the big unknown – and something I didn’t like to think about.

But we shouldn’t live in fear. Fear is a lie, --the opposite of what God tells us.
God tells us to have hope, not fear. Hope lasts forever: - hope, faith and love. God tells us not to worry about anything! So while remembering to give my worries to God, I prayed silently in the car on the way to Santa Barbara. I asked God to take away my fear of death. And while I was still praying I saw a vision of Jesus bent down over my dead body. His hand was reaching out to me and He was saying, “Take my hand, I paid your price.”.

Wow, what comfort!! There was no fear in that vision, but extreme comfort!!. And at that moment I realized that when I die I will see a familiar face, - that of Jesus! I realized that death doesn’t have to be the big unknown. The more we spend time with Jesus now, the more we will get to know Him and develop a relationship with Him, and the more familiar and comforting the thought of dying will be. Jesus is here for us now and He will be there for us at the moment of our death as well. What do we have to be afraid of knowing that Jesus went ahead of us and has prepared our way?

To back up this incredible experience, I went to my regular church service one Sunday in August and the message was titled, --“Five Minutes After You Die”. The pastor spoke about how the apostle John had a vision of heaven and how Jesus was reaching down to John’s body. The most important thing about John’s vision, the pastor said, was that Jesus was there. The message was so familiar and so similar to my vision. God has answered my prayer! I am no longer afraid to die because I know that Jesus is there --- waiting for me!

This testimony is written by Nydia Furnish Mendez, who lives in Camarillo, California with her husband Joe and their three children, Camisha, Devon, and Kaily.

Have You answered the Call?

While watching various scenes in the life of Ted Kennedy on television. this week, one segment especially impressed me. Some years ago Ted Kennedy was being asked why he wasn’t making a bid for the presidency. He answered that he wasn’t interested in pursuing the presidency and then he explained that his life’s calling was about service.

The television announcer went on to tell some of his story. In his 47 years as senator, Ted Kennedy often let other senators put their names on his bills. Others got the credit and recognition for his work. Over the years and behind the scenes Ted wrote and worked with his fellow senators to pass over 300 bills, most of which have radically changed our society today. Many of his bills have changed the lives of those in need. His mission was to give opportunities to those who might lack opportunity. And along with his senate duties he always found time to volunteer – tutor children, intervene in desperate situations.

I couldn’t help but remember Jesus’ words in Luke 22:25-27 that “those who would be the greatest among us would be those who would be the servants.”

In the parable of the talents, Matthew 25:14-29, Scripture tells us that each of us is given something. Some of us are given five talents, some two and some only one. But our Father expects us all to invest what we have been given – or to give back. We aren’t supposed to go dig a hole and bury our talent just for ourselves. He makes a big point that we better not do that—that there will be an accounting of what we do with what He has given us. Our talents aren’t just for our own use, they are given to us to share with others.

Teddy Kennedy often remarked that the lessons he had learned from his Mother had shaped his whole life. Rose Kennedy taught her children that since they had been given privileges, it was their responsibility to give back to those who were in need.. The Kennedy family expected their children to serve in the political arena and to level the playing field for the less fortunate. This service became Ted Kennedy’s life work. He indeed answered the call

We have a heavenly Father who teaches us that since we belong to His family and have been blessed and given everything that we also have been given a large responsibility.
Because we have been given grace and love and forgiveness we are commanded to pass grace and love and forgiveness on to those around us. Jesus asks us to “Feed My sheep.” Because Jesus is a Servant He commands us to be servants. Because He has given us His life he asks us to give our lives for others.

Are we following Christ in this life of love and servitude? Have we answered the call?

Cain and Abel


According to the Bible, Cain was the very first baby to be born on this earth! And Abel was the second. Cain and Abel were Adam and Eve’s first two boys. Cain grew up to become a farmer and Abel tended sheep. In due time both young men bring their offerings to God.

Cain brings an offering of fruits and veggies from his plot of land and Abel sacrificed his first and best lamb. Genesis 4:1-10 tells the whole story. The Lord accepts Abel’s offering – the blood of the lamb. But He rejects Cain’s offering – the fruits of his labor.

Cain can’t believe it! He’s very upset. The Lord comes to him and tries to encourage him. “Cain, don’t be upset. I will accept you too – just do what’s right—“ It all seems so simple Cain, just follow directions and bring the offering that God has asked for. But alas, Cain refuses and wants to do it his way.

In a jealous rage Cain kills his brother Abel. And Gods’ punishment of Cain follows. Really a tragic story! Thousands of years later Jesus mentions Abel and calls him “righteous”. – Matthew 23:35. Abel is righteous and accepted by God because he offered the sacrifice that God required! - the blood of the best lamb. And what does God require of us? Do we sacrifice a lamb like Abel did?

In the Old Testament atonement (taking away of sin) through the shed blood of a lamb was an inescapable Scriptural teaching. – Leviticus 17:11. Exodus 12:5 and Exodus 24:5-8 speak of the “blood of the Covenant” and the “lamb without blemish.” Hebrews 9:22 tells us: “Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin.” The ancient Israelites sacrificed animals to God as a temporary sacrifice to cover their sin. They were given instructions as to what God would accept through the Mosaic Covenant. These temporary sacrifices were a type or a picture of the permanent Sacrifice that was to come.

In Hebrews 9:12 Scripture tells us that our salvation wasn’t obtained by the blood sacrifice of animals – but by Christ. Jesus Christ – the shedding of His blood provided our permanent sacrifice. Jesus is our sacrificial Lamb. John the Baptist referred to Jesus as: “the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.” John 1:29.

You and I are still trying to win God’s acceptance today. We are no different from Cain and Abel of old -- we’re still bringing the Lord our offerings. –and hoping for His salvation. And the rules haven’t changed. Jesus tells us in John 14:6 “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No person comes to the Father except through Me.” It’s all so simple. There’s just one way – just one offering that God will accept. And that Offering – that Way is Jesus.

It’s all done for you, if you will just take it. Accept God’s gift and don’t try to wing it on your own, like Cain did. We don’t need to sacrifice a lamb since the Mosaic Covenant has been fulfilled through Christ’s death and resurrection. God has provided us the only offering that He will receive – that offering is Jesus Just believe that Jesus Christ is the Lamb that was sacrificed for you – your Savior – and be like Abel –and receive God’s acceptance.

Have They Hi- Jacked My Jesus?

Sweat rolled down the man’s red face as he shook his fists.”You’re gonna kill our senior citizens with your socialist Death Squads!”, he shouted. “We have our Christian values and we won’t stand for this.” A woman stood nearby carrying a large cross and waving it. She seemed transformed by hate as she shrieked out that her hard work and her righteous living have paid for her health care. Now all those undeserving bums will get the same health care benefits while using her tax money. The leader of this discussion group was intimidated and the town hall meeting was literally shut down by this group of “Christian Conservatives” carrying Jesus signs.

Who is this Jesus these Christian conservatives refer to? The Jesus I know and try to follow is humble and full of love and grace. The Jesus of the Bible always stood up for the poor and the aliens, and instructed us to do the same. He stated that His kingdom is not of this world.

When Jesus was asked to straighten out an argument about an inheritance He refused and asked,” Who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you? Be careful, beware of covetousness, for ones’ life doesn’t consist of the things he possesses.”Luke 12:14 .Would Jesus say the same to us when we try to use His Name in our arguments for keeping our tax money?

Many of the Christian Evangelical churches whose witness for the Lord burned so brightly in the past seem to have added a new ingredient to their Gospel today. They have co-mingled the glorious truth of Christ’s death and resurrection, His love and salvation with their right wing politics and economics. Dare we change and water down God’s Word with our capitalism or add our political ideologies as part of the Christian message? Are they using our Lord as a tool for corporate gain and greed?

Why do “Christian Conservatives” side with the wealthy against the lowly disenfranchised? Where does it say that Jesus is a capitalist in the Bible? All the other developed countries (England, France, Japan, etc.) have some form of socialized medicine. Some of these countries aren’t primarily “Christian” and yet through their government they seem to care about the least among themselves.. All the other developed countries have put a health care safety net in place to protect their poor and powerless. We are the only developed nation that has 47,000,000 citizens who are left without health insurance coverage. And we argue for this in the name of our Christian values! What kind of witness is this to the ones who don’t know Christ and to the ones who are sick and left without? I’m angry and frightened. I think someone has hi-jacked my Jesus!

लीर्निंग तो हेअर गोद'स Voice

Learning to Hear God’s Voice

Prayer isn’t just about us talking to God. Prayer is also about us listening to hear God talking to us. And it’s about us feeling His Presence.

But how can we hear what God wants to say to us, if we don’t take time to listen? And how can we listen if we don’t turn off the phone and the t.v. and the other intrusions? Can we hear His Voice if we don’t try to make a place for God to enter in?

There are several ancient Christian traditions that have been practiced by Christian monks and lay persons since the 14th century. These disciplines are practiced to help us come into the presence of God and foster the attitudes of listening and receptivity to God. Centering prayer and Lectio Divina are two of these contemplative Christian disciplines.

For today let’s just discuss the practice of Lectio Divina। Lectio Divina is mainly a way of listening to Scripture। Today we are almost desensitized to sacred scripture reading because we are so used to reading magazines, books, and written material for information and for study. Lectio is just the opposite. It is the savoring of the text—a leisurely lingering in divine revelation.

The Bible- God’s Word- is not to be read only for information like any other book. Hebrews 4:12 tells us, “For the Word of God is living and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even the division of the soul and the spirit,---“ Scripture is alive and able to pierce your heart and change your life. And God speaks to you through Scripture.

Let’s give the practice of Lectio Divina a try. First find a quiet spot where you won’t be interrupted and make yourself comfortable.

God speaks to us through His living Word. Lectio is the taking of one or two passages of scripture and resting with those passages. We don’t study these verses or analyze them or speed read. We very slowly repeat a few words of scripture and let those words speak to us. Rest with a verse or two of scripture for ten or fifteen minutes. You can light a candle and ask our Father to speak to you through the verses if He wishes.

Try Lectio for yourself. Quieten yourself and pick a favorite passage or meditate on a passage in the Beatitudes. Matthew 5:6-7 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merfciful for they shall obtain mercy.” Rest and listen for God’s still small voice to speak to you through His Word.

The Christian Faith Is About Helping Others

Jesus said: “I was hungry and you gave Me food, thirsty and you gave Me drink, a stranger and you took Me in, Naked – you clothed Me, sick – you visited Me, in prison – you came to Me.” Matthew 25:35-36 And when He was asked when we had done those things for Him, He answered that whenever we help any troubled or needy person, we are helping Him. Isn’t that cool!

We joined a Methodist church because Methodists are so involved in ministries on behalf of the world’s hurting ones. United Methodists proclaim the gospel to be both personal and social. What the United Methodist Church says about social issues is written in their Social Principles- a long document that has been part of their doctrine for 100 years.

The UMC’s social principles always ensure the rights of the underdog. These principles condemn religious intolerance, racial prejudice, exploitive economic practices, domestic surveillance by governments, torture, and the death penalty – among other issues.

The UMC’s position on marriage is defined as a union of one man and one woman. But the church is open and welcoming to people with other lifestyles. The UMC is also reluctant to approve abortion. But their ministry to those who have experienced abortion is a given. Not being judgmental and keeping an open heart and an open mind is all important.

The UMC affirms that males and females are equal in God’s eyes and women can become ministers or church leaders through affirmative church policies.

The UMC goes on to state that they deplore war and reject national policies of enforced military service as incompatible with the gospel.

Their view on health care is that it is a basic human right. Their stand is that the right to health care is a public – and private responsibility.

These Social Principles include much more --- but basically they define the United Methodist Church – not as an exclusive club – but as a body of humble Christians out helping others.,

गोद'स Gifts

-God’s Gifts

My 100 year old father died this year and left me in his will. We paid off our credit card debt with the inheritance. But my Father left us much more than money

Down through the years my Dad was always there,-- a rock, hard working and never complaining. By nature I am an anxious and neurotic person. But my dependable Dad left me the memory of his long good faithful life.. Not bad, would you say?

We all receive some kind of an inheritance from our parents. Sometimes we don’t like what we get, reject what is passed down or develop reaction formation. But our earthly parents do leave their influence.

Our heavenly Father also has an inheritance to leave us. –all of us if we will receive it. And what a grand and rich inheritance –too much for us to comprehend. First God desires to give all of us the gift of everlasting life. 2 Peter 3:9 says “The Lord is---not willing that any should perish but that all should come to eternal life.” And Ephesians 2:8-9 says-“ For by grace are you saved through faith, and not of yourselves it is the gift of God, ---“

God’s gifts start right now while we are living our lives. He surrounds us with protections, angels, care packages and more gifts. –Gifts that we may take for granted. James 1:17 tells us “ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father---.”

Jesus promised more gifts - to leave us His Holy Spirit and to leave us His peace. He tells us in John 14:27-“My peace I leave with you, my peace I give you, not as the world gives do I give you--.” And in Hebrews 12:28 we read:”---we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken---“

All of this is very good news don’t you think? There’s just one simple thing we must do to receive this grand inheritance – this good life. Just believe.

थे गुड Life