Mark 2:6-12

Talk can be cheap.
Mark 2: 6-12

In response to faith, Y'shua/Jesus forgave sin. The scribes (teachers) thought about this and rightly concluded that only God can forgive sin. Had they missed something?

But there were some of the scribes sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, said to them, "Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts? "Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven'; or to say, 'Arise, and take up your pallet and walk'? "But in order that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"-- He said to the paralytic--"I say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home." And he rose and immediately took up the pallet and went out in the sight of all; so that they were all amazed and were glorifying God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this.
"Mark 2:6-12 NAS

Y'shua was well known for his healing power. The first chapter of Mark has already given plenty of examples as evidence of his authentic power to heal. The result hindered his ministry of proclaiming the Word of the Gospel as crowds of people who longed for a healing touch pressed in on Him. Throughout the Torah, the Prophets and Psalms, there are examples and promises that Messiah will have the power to heal. It was to be a sign, an indicator of the authentic Messiah of God and the scribes were not wrong to examine Y'shua in light of Scripture. But had they missed something?

And He passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.
Exodus 34:6-7 (from the cleft of the rock)

Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits--who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases
Psalm 103:2-3

For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another.
Isaiah 48:11

Healing was taking place, healings that had NEVER happened before. Everyone was excited, some were commended for their faith. Why? Because faith believes. But seeing does not always result in believing.

Our God will not share his glory with another. (Isaiah 48:11). The Son of God drove demons out of the Assembly and healed affliction. Now He is also proclaiming forgiveness of sin. But the shock that He forgave sin wouldn't (or shouldn't) have been so shocking if those teachers had understood the Word. Only God forgives sin and heals the body. The two are tied together. The conclusion that the teachers came to should not have been that He was blaspheming, but that He is Immanuel, God with us.

Why would it be easier to say, "Your sins are forgiven," instead of saying, "Get up and walk,"? The most obvious answer is that the evidence that sin is forgiven is not easy to observe. It is not the same with a proclamation of physical healing, it either happens or it doesn't.

For the faith of the friends of the paralytic, sin was forgiven, an eternal gift. But for the teachers to understand the authority of Immanuel, the Son of Man, Y'shua healed the paralytic's body and commanded him to gather his stuff and walk out on his own power, a temporal gift. And they understood, and gave the Glory to God.

He who comes to God must believe that He is and that He rewards those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

Why have you come to God? Is there something you need or do you just need Him? He rewards those who look for him. When you find Him, then you will know He is all you need, but He gives so much more!

The Beach at Mukilteo

The Beach at Mukilteo

No scarf, hat or gloves needed, just sun glasses.

Not many birds, at least not once you got away from the Boat Launch. There was a garbage can by the boat launch where the seagulls and pigeons like to hang out. There were these barnacles on the rock wall below the train track. There were as big as Rudy's head, which, according to your perspective, isn't much or is really big for a barnacle.

Down the beach, beyond that place where Pigeon Creek dumps into the bay, I saw a lone Western Grebe and a few more Gulls but that was about all. There could have been more, but Bomber doesn't get "walking" on the beach. I forgot until today that Chris got him from a family on Whidbey Island. He wanted to swim, and he was certain that given the chance he could catch a bird. It was a lot of work not giving him a chance.
Rudy livened up too, but he was excited because Bomber was excited. Bomber wanted to see everything, he wanted to be a dog on the beach, but leash laws and not being absolutely sure we would ever see him again prevented us from granting his hearts desire!

I wanted to bring Ray's GPS to track distance, couldn't find it before we left, I'll try again later.

Blossoms?

In my neglected front garden, I noticed a little bit of crisp white. There are actual blossoms in my garden! Whoo-hoo! Never mind how nasty looking the lawn is, (really, it has come a long way from when we first moved here) I should check with my mom before I attempt to put a name on this plant, but I think it is a____________ . Humm, gotta find my book or my mom.

Does the bankrupt United States have an extra 900 million dollars? Apparently we do or Sectary of State Clinton would not have pledged $900,000,000.00 to the Palestinian Authority. The things we choose to do with our money when we do not have any! The money we do have is borrowed from China (so I am told). China now owns us until our children and their children, and who knows how many generations of their children after them, are able to pay China back. You do know that we have not finished paying for "The New Deal" and it was a whole lot less money. Will we even last long enough for pay back or will the new national language be Chinese? What have we done? What foolishness are we still doing?

March is roaring instead of barking today. Wild wind gusts, pounding rain, teasing sun breaks. I was going to go to Tulalip Bay Marina for my March in March today, but Ray would rather I did not go there alone, so as soon as I am done with my school work, Rudy and I will head back to Mukilteo. Looks like hat, scarf and gloves weather. The wind might be blowing too hard for an umbrella.

The phrase from Amy Carmichael for March is "fear not". She added to that this morning with Psalm 60:12

Through God we shall do valiantly,
And it is He who will tread down our adversaries.
NAS

Amy added, "...Each of us has something to do which is not easy... If things were easy, where would be the fight? How should we be trained for Heavenly service? But there is no need ever to be overcome. God makes provision for victory, never for defeat. "

Fear not

February Bird Count

The Great February Back Yard Bird Count of 2009

25. Golden Crowned Kinglets (2/23)
24. Anna's Hummingbird (2/23)
23. Un-ID Hawk or Falcon (fly-over) (2/20)
22. Pileated Woodpecker (2/20)
21. Mallards (2/10)
20. Downy Woodpecker (Pacific, 2/6)
19. Bushtit (2/6)
18. European Starling (2/6)
17. Pine Siskin (2/6)
16. Chipping Sparrow (2/6)
15. Blackcapped Chickadee (2/6)
14. Spotted Towhee (2/5)
13. Chestnut-backed Chickadee (2/5)
12. House Finch (2/5)
11. (possible) Hutton's Vireo (2/5)
10. Northern Flicker (2/5)
9. Stellar Jay (my ol' buddy! on 2/4)
8. Cow Birds (3 on 2/4)
7. Song Sparrows (4 on 2/4)
6. Red Wing Blackbird (5 on 2/3)
5. California Gulls
4. Canada Goose
3. Crows
2. Junco
1. Robin

For March... Places to walk, urban and wild. Marching in March from a pin I used to always where on Saint Patrick's Day that said, "March the 17th, sleep the 18th. (my birthday is the 18th)

Fear Not

March comes in like... well, like a wet dog. It is raining on this first day of March 2009.

Did you know; that on this first day of March in 1781, The Continental Congress of the young United States adopted The Articles of Confederation? Remember from your Jr. High days, when you had to learn about things like the Continental Congress? Maybe of greater interest on March 1st, Yellowstone National Park was established as the world's first (not just the nation's) National Park in 1872.

We also have some black eye's on the 1st of March. 1971, The Weather Underground takes credit for an explosion from a bomb hidden in the Men's room of the Capital. Just to balance the evil scales between the Left and the Right, in 1974 indictments for the Watergate Scandal were delivered.

On to current events. Way back in early February I discovered chives already coming up in the herb garden and I got a little excited. Here they are on the 1st of March. I am not convinced that they have made any real progress. But they are still there. One thing new since I last looked at the Chives is that the dogs have discovered the soft soil of the garden is fun to dig in.

Sadly, I did not get any peas planted in February. It isn't too late yet, Saint Patrick's Day is my personal traditional day for Pea Planting. Lettuce should go in today (spinach and radishes too).

Apparently March is not traditionally a month of Good Luck. Not being one for tradition (never mind the Pea post) or luck, good or bad, I truly appreciated Amy Carmichael's passage for March 1 in Edges of His Ways.

Fear not

I am more and more impressed as I read the Bible, by the reiterated "Fear not". There are so many promises, that it would not be strange if there were no "Fear not"; the promises are enough to rest upon. We should not need to be told not to be afraid, and yet there it is over and over again, in one form or another. This strong, loving encouraging "Fear not" of our God. Fear not, nor be afraid" (Deut 31:6-8 LXX) neither be cowardly (it is good sometimes to face the truth that yielding to fear is cowardice); "it is the Lord your God that advances with you in the midst of thee... And the Lord that goes with thee shall not forsake thee nor abandon thee."

It seems to be God's plan to allow all sorts of things to happen that would naturally cause fear, but to forestall them by the assurance of His presence. The Lord thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, so Fear not, neither be dismayed.

I do not know what tomorrow brings, but I know who goes before me, Fear not!

Happy Birthday Yellowstone National Park! Ray took this picture of me in front of the Paint Pots during our vacation to Wyoming in 2005.

By the way, congratulations to the winner of The Great February Bird Count, Pittswood Birds with a total of 46 birds seen from his yard in February. Mighty impressive!

February 27th

Twice this month! I go to make coffee and remember, I should have gone to the coffee shop yesterday. I might have made a bit more noise then usual, Ray "just happened" to wake up earlier then he normally would on a day off. My evil plan is working. Lets go out for coffee this morning, and oh, by the way, grab the cameras and binoculars. Hee hee...

Some things should never be wasted. When the stars all align (stars?) and the day is beautiful, the weather is balmy (at least for February) and you have some coin in your pocket, something must be done. Last time we were at Mukilteo public beach it had just been transferred from the state to the city. It was in the middle of construction and we thought the simple beauty of the park would be lost. Happily, we were very wrong. The city of Mukilteo has done a nice job of updating the park while keeping the feel of the beach that I spent many happy days at as a child having lunch with my mom, her sister and aunts, cousins and my gram'ma. I took my own sons there for picnics and play days. Today it was just Ray, Rudy and me, walking on the beach, looking for birds. Strangely, there were not many.

A short list

• California Seagulls
• Cormorants
• Pigeons
• 1 Common Loon
• 4 Western Grebes
• Flocks of Barrows Goldeneyes
  

With the exception of waking up to snow on the 26th, the weather has been spring-like. But not many birds are flirting, not many are out and about in the morning. While buds on trees are just beginning to swell, there is still no sign of green on the trees. I am sure creation know better then I when the time is right to wake up to spring but from my perspective, it seems as if someone keeps slapping at the snooze button.

To everything there is a season. It is still the season of rest, but I want summer to hurry.


We did not walk far. It is, after all, still a late winter morning. Ray and I brought everything but coats. Walking was not enough to keep us warm. Back to the truck we went to finish our coffee and to plan our day. Groceries, pick up Jason, plan a weekend dinner, pray for friends, for family, for the spring yet to come.

God is Good. And at least for today, life is sweet. And there is coffee in the jar.

What is it about Snow?

I love watching snow come down. Having the privilege of working from home adds to my joy. Having lived in a mountain valley for more then twenty years, I don't get freaked about driving in snow. Other drivers sometimes give me pause, but not the driving. Still, I have to admit, being able to stay home when my work day starts is quite relaxing.

Remember back on Ground Hogs Day, what a beautiful day it was? I tell myself that I am not one to believe that sun on a particular day foretells a longer winter, but it seems as good a reason as any other for a winter storm at this final week of February.

Yesterday I actually had to put on a uniform and go into school. Barb, the Primary Teacher, had an appointment and needed me to come in for the morning. I am always dragging my heels about going into school, but once I get there I feel energized by teachers who love the Lord and children who are just plain generous with love.

This is my dear friend Susan, the Kindergarten teacher, in the lunch room with the younger students. If there is a soul on earth who loves more and accepts people where they are at more then Susan does, then I would sure like to meet that person. When I worked full time at the school (now I work from home with the distance-learners/home school) we used to spend time together on the playground, shoulder to shoulder in prayer and wild laughter. Wait... there were also tears, both of joy and of pain. Tears tend to not be bitter when shed with a kindred spirit. I miss that. We were sharing a ride to Bible Study on Wednesday nights, but dang, she had her car back yesterday. Maybe it is time for my car to take a break?

This is the trail where I walk the dogs in the park you can see from my back yard. I love being planted in a place were the view does not get boring.

You know how you can read the same passage again and again, find it relevant, but not really be excited about it? That is how I felt about the passage we studied at Pastor Wold's last night. The passage was Luke 2:36-38 and the subject was the prophetess Anna. Following the excitement of Simeon it is easy for me to over look Anna, an old woman who, oddly enough, is a widow living at the temple, apparently making a fuss over a baby. Ya, right. Look closer. In three short verses there is much said about this woman of God.

Luke 2:36-38

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
(from New International Version)

She was a Prophetess. From what Luke has already said about prophets, I believe that she was a rare spirit filled woman in an era when religion for the sake of heritage rather then love and relationship with God ruled the day.

A widow, advanced in years. She had seen much, living in dependence on God as a husband to widows rather then dependent on a man. She had lived to see the Roman takeover of her country. She had watched as her religion and people conformed to foreign occupation in compliance and bloody revolt. She had lived to see the renewal movements of the Pharisees, the Essene's, the Sadducee's. She had watched as Zealots and their bloody way became popular with the hot-blooded young men of the day. In all her days as a widow, she did not go home to the north country of Asher, she remained at the temple in the busy city of Jerusalem, serving and worshipping her God.

So many people, so many different ways of attempting to live as the people of God's Covenant, yet there were apparently only a "remnant" who looked forward to the redemption of Jerusalem, the Messiah, instead of backwards toward the heritage of the people, which happened to include God.

At the very moment that Simeon was speaking to Mary and her husband, the pious Anna came near and (addressing God rather then the parents) began to give thanksgiving and went to others who were like minded in looking for the redemption of Jerusalem to speak of Him.

Her life made me wonder, what am I looking for? How am I serving while I wait? The next big event is the return of Messiah. Am I looking for it? How am I serving God while I wait? When I read the Word, am I encouraged to see the old prophecies coming to pass? Does it ignite me or am I unchanged as I observe history in the making? Anna gave her life to service of God and fellowship with like minded believers without loosing hope because of world events of the day. What will be said of me?