PLANTING I remember as a young child, every Spring, helping, with my other siblings, and my grandfather, preparing the ground on our 2-3 acres for planting. To a small child that large plot of ground seemed massive, and the corn; potatoes; and rows of peas and carrots, seemed unending, both in the planting and in the weeding. Every year we always gave away much more than we seemed to keep. I guess that was my grandfather's ultimate intention, since he was continuously giving

COMMUNICATION Years ago, I remember listening to an effective communicator, speaking on the subject of healthy marriage relationships. He talked about coming home from the office, and his wife was all dressed up to go out somewhere nice, for fine dining. When he asked where she was going, she replied, that he had told her, that they were going out to a fancy restaurant, once he got home from work. In bewilderment, he assured her that he had said no such thing, and in fact, ha

EPHESIANS 1:10 says, "...that in the dispensation of the fullness of times, He might gather together in one, all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, (even) in him..." CHARITY Many words, in the English translation of the scriptures, are taken from the Latin, rather than the Greek translation of the text. For example, the ever popular, and often misinterpreted, word "grace", is from the Latin word (gratia), where we get the English word "gratuit

ROBIN WILLIAMS I believe one of the first times I heard the expression, "seize the day", at least to my recollection, came from a movie I once saw of Robin Williams, as a college professor, in a boys boarding school, trying to get his students to think outside the box, and make the most of their lives. I honestly don't remember much of the movie, and perhaps if I did, I would find that it may not be a good example of the concept, but the expression, from the Latin "Carpe Diem

EPHESIANS 1:11 speaks of "...the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel of His own will" "PURPOSE" is the Greek word (prothesis), [4286, Strong's], a combination of (pro), "before", and (tithemi), "to place". It has it's origins in the placing of the shewbread before the presence of God, in the holy place, and from there, came to mean anything that is set out in plain view, for all to see. ACTS 11:23 talks about Barnabas seeing the gift of God in the new Believ

Ephesians 1:13 speaks of "...the gospel of your salvation..." GOSPEL The word translated "gospel" is used 72 times in the NT and 54 of those times (75%), the word is used in Paul's writings; which means that 3/4 of the emphasis of the gospel, is in the epistles. PROCLAIM GOOD (euaggelion), [2098, Strong's], is the Greek word translated as "gospel". It is a compound word from (eu), [2095], "good", and (aggello), [n.f.], "to proclaim". FIELD OF BLOOD The whole concept of this w

EPHESIANS 1:13 says, "...in whom you also, after you heard the word of truth, the announcement of the good news of the victory, of your salvation..." IGNORANCE The traditional saying is that "people are always down on, what they're not up on". In other words, if people don't understand something, they generally have a negative perspective about it, not based on knowledge, but more so based on actual ignorance of the subject under discussion. SPACE The English word "salvation"

SCIENTIFICALLY Contrary to evolutionary theory; scientifically, everything goes from order to disorder. Case in point, the average neglected cleanliness of a teenage boy's bedroom. It doesn't get better, it gets worse. Anything neglected, whether house maintenance; changing oil in a vehicle; or the regular training and discipline of children; if there is not constant input and energy exerted, everything breaks down. POWER: HEBREWS 2:1-4, using a couple of nautical terms, spea

EPHESIANS 1:13 says we were "...sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise..." SEAL The English word "seal" is from the Greek word (sphragizo),[4972, Strong's] which is from the Greek word (phrasso), [5420,Strong's ], meaning, "to fence" in or "inclose"; to "block (something) up", or figuratively, "to silence". AUTHORIZATION Once something was "sealed", it was closed up; kept safe; so that no one could open it without the authorization of the person or persons, who had sealed it

EPHESIANS 1:14, "...you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise..." GOOD AS GOLD It used to be that a person's word was "as good as gold", and a handshake would seal a deal, to the point, that almost no one would even consider going back on their word. In other words, If somebody said they were going to do something, no one would question the fact. It was a done deal. Everyone knew that whatever was agreed upon, would most certainly be carried through. In fact, to not kee

EPHESIANS 1:14 says that the Holy Spirit is the "earnest" of our inheritance. DEPOSIT Whenever someone purchases a house, or property, generally, there is a deposit; a certain amount of security, indicating the seriousness of intention from the Buyer, to follow through with the commitment. However, in this example, if the purchase does not complete, due to lack of finance, on the Buyers part, or the property not passing inspection, the deposit is returned, and the purchaser s

EPHESIANS 1:11, "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance..." INHERITANCE When a person thinks of an inheritance, there may be visual images of sacks of money; property; estates; business endowments, or a myriad of other possible pictures that leap to mind. The Greek word is (kleronomia) [2817, Strong's], and contains all of these possible interpretations. PAST - PRESENT - FUTURE One thing about an inheritance, is that it is generally speaking of something from the past,

FIELD of DREAMS Several years ago there was the Kevin Costner movie "Field of Dreams", an artfully crafted story about a farmer who heard a voice telling him, "If you build it...he will come". He plowed under his corn fields and built a baseball diamond, and all the baseball greats of the past, showed up to play on the field, including his father, to play catch with him; which is the climax of the story. GATES of HELL Jesus said, "...I will build my church, and the gates of

RARE At the time of this writing, the most expensive coin in the world, is a 1794-1795 silver dollar coin made of 90% silver and 10% copper. It is named "Flowing Hair", because of the stamped image of the head of "Liberty", with her hair flowing down the back of her neck, and valued at $10 million. What makes it valuable, is that it was the first U.S. silver dollar ever minted, and it is very rare. VALUABLE The most valuable comic book in the world is the original Action Comi

TRANSACTION When a transaction is finalized, or a business deal is made, in the area of acquisition of property, there is generally a legal contract, spelling out these terms, and the obligations of each party to fulfill, to complete the sale, or purchase. The buyer, once he has fulfilled his part of the deal, gains possession of the property, and the seller gains the funds that the buyer has relinquished, to obtain his purchased possession. WORD GROUP  The word group that de

1 PETER 2:9 says that we are, "...a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a people of His own, that we should show forth the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light" We are a chosen people, "...that the excellence ye may tell forth..." (Rotherham) "...that you may proclaim the wondrous deeds..." (Moffatt) "...that you may make known the perfections..." (Weymouth) "...a congregation redeemed to proclaim the glories of Him..."

1 PETER 2:9  "...we are a chosen people, ....that we should publish; proclaim; show forth; make known; tell; display; demonstrate the goodness; the power; the wondrous deeds of the One who called us..." [This combination of numerous translations, is an attempt to convey the full impact and meaning of the scripture; because there is more being communicated then the KJV, or any one translation fully appreciates]. 1 PETER 2:9 is fascinating, because it challenges us to practice

EPHESIANS 1:16 In Ephesians 1:16, Paul, the Apostle, by the Spirit of God, says, "...I cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers" COLLABORATIONS Being a musician, and listening to a variety of songs and music over the years, it has always being very striking to me, that a number of very successful songs, in secular media, and praise and worship, have been collaborations. It is true that many artists have written their own material, but even the sou

PROVERBS 10:22 says, "The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and He adds no sorrow to it" POWERFUL WORDS This is one of my favorite verses in the scriptures, not because there aren't thousands of other just as powerful words, but I still remember, years ago; I was working for a courier service, driving around a winding road, by some United Grain Growers elevators, and God spoke to me, almost audibly, it exploded so forcefully on the inside of me. He said, "I have made you rich"

In Ephesians 1:16, Paul, by the Spirit of God, said, ".. I constantly, and continually, will not stop, to give thanks for you, for what the Father has already done and completed, in your life, making mention of, and naming you by name, in my prayers..." THANKSGIVING One of the dominant characteristics about "thanksgiving", is that it is an expression of something, or because of something, that has already happened. This is the expression of faith; living in, and declaring the