EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY DON’T IT

“Roll Away the Stone” Chapter 17 Palm Sunday

Zechariah 9:9

The Coming of Zion’s King  

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

“Who is this Jesus person?” “What’s all the fuss about?”

Asked a wealthy merchant of Jerusalem, as a cloud of people, and multitudes of “Hosanna” shouts burst through the eastern gate of the city.

“He’s a great prophet” A bystander told him.”A prophet who has done many great miracles in the name of Yaweh.”

“Ha!!! Prophet?”  Retorted the merchant. “Riding a donkey?”

On February 15, 519 B.C. a young Israelite was awakened from what he described a trance, by an Angel of God. His name was Zechariah, and was given eight revelations while yet under Babylonian captivity. These visions, and message the Angel delivered, were not just words of the coming remission of God’s judgement, and freedom for physical Israel’s 70 years of enslavement, but, also a heralding proclamation to the world. A message of hope, salvation, victory, and finalized deliverance from the universal law of sin and death.

Though the book of  Zechariah, including the vision Zechariah was given that night, entails  earthly kings of  power storming the land on colorful steeds, the spiritual message within the book was veiled. And, sadly, for some, without God-given spiritual discernment, still remains shielded today. The real hero in the prophetic vision wasn’t to show on the scene for another 500 years… Not riding a war-horse, or taking land, and spoil, by means of corporal shield and sword, but Instead, He came saving souls, with the sword of a Holy Spirit. An unshakeable passion of  faith, on the most humble beast of all.                                                                                                                                  On the back of a baby Burro.

                             

                                Matthew 21:2-5

                             The Royal Welcome

When they neared Jerusalem, having arrived at Bethphage on Mount Olives, Jesus sent two disciples with these instructions: “Go over to the village across from you. You’ll find a donkey tethered there, her colt with her. Untie her and bring them to me. If anyone asks what you’re doing, say, ‘The Master needs them!’ He will send them with you.”

This is the full story of what was sketched earlier by the prophet:

Tell Zion’s daughter,
“Look, your king’s on his way,       
poised and ready, mounted
On a donkey, on a colt,
foal of a pack animal.”

John 12:13  

 So they took palm branches and went to meet him. They were shouting,

“Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord,
the king of Israel!”  (The Message )

I saw a message on a Church marquee sign today that read: “Easter is not a Dead Issue.” And though we could argue about the word “Easter” and its origin. Or, the exact time, and date of the “Resurrection” of Jesus Christ, until the day of His return. I pray instead, if only for one day, if not, a complete Holy Week, we stand together, united in praise…

Because, one thing I believe anyone who knows the Lord Jesus will have to agree on, is, it must have been an awesome sight to behold; The Triumphal Entry. But, the most important Triumphal Entry of our personal lives…is the Day He Enters Our Hearts.

paulwillis-2013 ©

Image#1 Brainmwhite

Image#2bigman1793

Image#3  By Jeanie Belgrave

Image#4 @Waiting for the Word

“Roll Away the Stone” Chapter 13

We’ve all heard that undeniable “Inner Voice” as almost a shout in our spiritual ears; “Don’t Do it”, or maybe, ”Do This.” By undeniable I’m speaking of that voice we as children of God “Know” without any doubt at that moment it is the voice of God! ( And We Know We’d Better Heed His Voice ) Many times, though, most of us who know Jesus as our Lord, and Savior, have sought and awaited for what seemed an eternity to hear God’s voice in answer to a particular question, or prayer in our walk with Him. Nothing seems more frustrating to a believer than not hearing God’s voice while seeking an answer to a question, or guidance from Him for a certain direction in life. A big part of the problem is not taking time to listen, thereby giving place for the all too many other voices, or ..”thoughts”to fill our heads. When this happens we may actually be hearing the answer from God, yet can’t distinguish, or put our finger on which is His voice or answer. God’s Word tells us in many places that the answer is to “Trust” Him. By doing so, from my experience, dedicating time with God, and waiting in trust that He is always on time with His answers with our best interest at heart, doesn’t leave any room in my head for collective static, or interferences. Staying plugged into God clears the airways so that I hear no other messages but His.

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.                                                                                                                      Isaiah 40:31

                                

                 

               THIS CROSS SAYS GOD LOVES YOU

 But, can He forgive me for wrecking my life, and hurting my family for so long? Asked the young man holding a gun to his own head. Yes, said the cross, God loves you.

But, can He forgive me for hurting so many people for so long, and the things I stole from them? Asked the thief. Yes, said the cross, God loves you.

But, what about all the scars I’ve left on my body? Asked the young girl as she slashed another bloody lesion on her leg. Yes, said the cross, God knows the hidden scars you are trying to cut away from within your soul.

But, what about the times I cursed Him, and swore there was no God? Asked the broken-hearted atheist. How could He ever love, or forgive me? A broken leg heals easier than a broken heart, said the cross:  Matthew 11:28
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

But, surely, He can’t love me; said the lady with the aborted child running across her broken heart, spirit and mind for the past twenty years. Yes, said the cross, your child is with God now, only waiting and praying for you to come to Him as well.

But, none of this makes any sense at all;  Said the philosopher, there is no logic in it to be found. Man’s logic is not God’s logic said the cross: Isaiah 55:8
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. Oh this is all just a lot of foolishness. Said the philosopher. Yes, the cross replied;     1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto those which are saved it is the power of God.

But, I have studied in the most prestigious Universities, and learned from the greatest professors among man, the philosopher retorted. Of course, said the cross;  :1 Corinthians 1:21 Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used foolish preaching to save those who believe. In fact, the cross said:

1 Corinthians 1:27
Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.

As the philosopher sat back down, an IRA gunman stood in his place with gun in hand, and tears in his eyes and said; I have always thought I was doing God a great justice by fighting for my cause, but, standing here before you, I am suddenly overcome with the realization that I have taken the lives of countless innocent people, for a cause that never really made sense. Surely!!; The gunman said. You’re not going to tell me that God still loves me, and will forgive me for taking those people’s lives… Are you?

The cross leaned out, touched the man over his heart, and whispered into his ear: On this cross, the world killed the Son of God, and the Son said just before He died:                                        

 Luke 23:34“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do”.    

Roll Away the Stone Chapter 1

©              

God Sent Me A Valentine

Many Enlightening  Glimpses,

Sweet Life Oft Entails.

Mystery Complete, Even When Partially Veiled.

Waste Never A  Precious Moment.

Enjoy Love As It   Befell.

Fear Not Things Not Yet  Seen

Cherish    The    One    You    Hold.

I  Worship God With All Due Thanksgiving

Fulfilling Me With You, Who Completely Fits The Mold.

( Coming Soon) 19th century E. Ingraham Clock ( Time Sender Time Machine) steampunk art project

Blue Bird Hotel

After seeing a blue bird on a fence in the remaining day light hour before darkness,  I walked a few more steps, opened the door and felt the assuring warmth of home wrap her invisible, loving arms around my shivering soul.

I wasn’t thinking of how wonderfully blessed I was to have such unseen opulence embrace and welcome me as I stepped in from the cold, but, as soon as it did, I thanked God.

It’s amazing how we can come to the same home, open the same door day after day and not realize what a blessing it truly is to have.

One of the things this caused me to do was remember to praise, and thank God for abundance of things He has told us in His word not to worry about, or, to give thought to.

(Matthew6 : ^25″ Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body more than raiment”?

The ensuing verse  illustrates  how He takes care of all the needs of the birds of the air also.

^{(Matthew 6:26″} Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they”)?

Unlike male, and female, roles in our human condition, the male bluebird gets to pick out the home. Of course, the choosing of the dwelling couldn’t be a joint effort anyway, as he only chooses a suitable  “House“  or, “Covey hole”, to attract a female to come in and make it a home.

Along with his duty of choosing a potential residence, the male Bluebird is responsible to move all the building materials to the lot before beginning  his wing flapping, love-sick song and dance, in hopes of attracting an interested companion.

The female ( after the wedding of course ) moves in, does all the decorating, builds the nest, lays the eggs and sees the off-spring through the nurturing days.

How wonderfully well planned and provided for all God’s creatures are. 

When these realizations  nested in my heart and mind, I could not help but follow through the full gestation of both thoughts to fruition.

First of all,  I meditated on,  and quoted the verse in God’s Word that kept resonating it’s subliminal, chirping, Tweedledee, sing-song through the surround sound system of my soul:

^{(Matthew 6:33 “}But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you”.)

After cooing thankfulness to God, who cared enough about me as an individual to nestle me with such incomprehensible, immeasurable provision, and cue, I set out to prepare a small bit of real-estate for my neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Bluebird.     

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bluebird Picture#1 @ Peanutt_28′smedia Photobucket

Bluebirds#2 @ poker4848′smedia Photobucket

Bluebird house @ sons of thunder patron

“DickHead” and “Putz”..

Alternate Feature Post

Where’s the real entertainment these days? Where’s the TV, and Broadway flare when we need it the most? Were Walter Matthau, and Jack Lemmon living imitations of art, or,  as two Grumpy Old Farts, just emulating artful life?

In the late 1960′s I grew up hearing elder peers singing, and shouting quotes from TV shows they grew up on in the 1950′s  (Before Reruns Existed) … Then came shows I now remember, and love from the late 1960′s and early 70′s.

Obey Propaganda Fender Squier Telecaster

This is the latest addition to my art gallery of Telecasters. What possessed me to buy something with such  sadistic looking graphics? You’re probably asking yourself. Your guess is as good as mine. I actually wondered the same thing about the Artist ( Shepard Fairey) and his fixation on “Obey Propaganda” in his highly popular works of art. I went here OBEY, to his about page and read in his words EXACTLY what he means by the statement.   I STILL DON’T HAVE A CLUE.

Wait what was that noise?

 

IT’S ALIVE IT’S

 

ALIVE….hEL-P

You Saw it coming

You Saw it coming, I Saw it go…

I was younger then. Foreknew what I Saw, but in verity, still don’t know.

Only knew then…   I Saw it go. 

Before you Saw it coming,  I’d begun to See a light.

For the Sake of all concerned, you Sacrificed the happiness of one.

I never Saw it coming…barely even knew I was there.

A child, just learning what happiness might be,  gifted ponies taken by three, and painted carrousel figures never making their rounds.

You Saw them coming…long after I Saw them go.

Weekly Photo Challenge:contrast