In this world of doubt and fear, we have to live. As we go along, sometimes we wish that our time on earth would be over, because what is before us is overwhelming. Then there are times that we want our lives to last forever, because everything is great in our lives. It seems that our lives are a combination of both good and bad. What is that old saying, I take one step forward and two backwards. The time that we have on earth is limited. We aren’t going to live forever on this earth. Today our lives are about eighty years, give or take our lifestyles. It seems today the biggest industries we have in America are sports and medicine, sports to keep us entertained and medicine to prolong our lives. Yet if we look at America, it is in sad shape. The homeless population is over a half of a million people. Uneployment stats reached 15% of the general population this year. In the great depression of the 1930’s, the unemployment was at 14.9%. People have lost hope that we can do anything. Without hope there is no future. But getting back to time. How much time do we have on this earth? This is no definitive answer to that question. I have known people who have lived for 3 months and some that have lived for a 100 years. Their lives were according to who they are, whether they were good, bad and indifferent. So, what can we do to make a difference? All we can do is to live our lives to the fullest. And I am not talking about wine, women and song. I am talking about hope in our lives to make a difference where we live. The only thing in this world that makes us truly happy is giving or sacrificing our time for others. There is a chemical release in our body that happens when we give of ourselves to others. That chemical release is proven to prolong our lives. And it is free for the taking. So, how much time do we have? It all depends on us and how we live our lives.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Another Day in Paradise.

Years ago, I was the Music Director for a Christian radio station. I didn’t listen to secular music. We were always told in the church community that it would affect your walk with God. Because everything that enters into your ears and eyes goes directly to your spirit. This is a true statement. This is why we are warned in the bible about it. Then I heard a song from a rock star and things changed. When I heard this song, I began to cry. What I heard in this song was the heart of God. It moved me so much that I wanted to put it on the Christian radio. The song is Another Day in Paradise by Phil Collins. It about the homeless, the lost and dying people of our generation. When Jesus looked upon the people gathered to hear Him and to be healed, He was moved by compassion for the people. I thought how can this rock star write this song about the compassion of God. The word paradise is Persian for garden. Then God showed me Nebuchadnezzar, the heathen king of Babylon, was called the servant of God. Then I knew that God had ordained this music. The homeless is a passion of Phil Collins. He remade the song in 2016. The song first came out in 1989. This kind of compassion only comes from God. I have a friend who’s first born in homeless in Los Angeles. Earlier this year, he risked catching Covid-19 to try and save his son. He spend seven days on the streets of Los Angeles. Today on the streets of Los Angeles, there are 60,000 homeless people. So as we live our lives in our paradise, garden, what becomes to the lost and dying on the streets? I can still see Jesus weeping.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@Juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Gauche and Droit

It is French for left and right. The word droit not only means right, but correct, straight, careful, skillful, nimble, able and expect. The word gauche not only means left, but clumsy, awkward, ungainly, left-handed and sinister. That is an unusual meaning of a word. It really isn’t if you knew where the word came from. We use the words gauche and adroit in English as well as French. There are many words that are in both languages at the same time. America is called the melting pot of the world. There is many words from all over the world that are used in American English. But getting back to the two words, gauche and droit. Left and right are used everywhere. Our hands are left and right. Does that mean that our left hand is sinister? Or that our right hand is an expert? Or could we say that our left hand is ungainly or awkward? Or maybe is the right hand that is handsome? How can you tell which is which? Do they look different from the other? The words don’t mean that our hands have any ability one way or the other. They are just hands. But it does speak to which way our heart is going in. You have to go back to the original meaning of the words to understand what they mean. The words come from the bible and are referring to the two thieves that hung on the cross next to Jesus. The thief on the right asked Jesus to be with him when He entered His kingdom. Jesus said today you will be with Me in paradise. The thief on the left just cursed he way into eternity. The thief on the right became righteous and the thief on the left became sinister. Which are you? Will you ask God today and become righteous or will you curse your way into hell?

Crain Blanchard.

www.joseph1637.com

joseoh1637@juno.com

I always thought that the sign of Jonah was Jesus in the belly of the world for 3 days and nights. But as I was reading in John 20, where Mary Magdalene and others went to the tomb wrap Jesus’ body properly. They found that the tomb was empty. They didn’’t know what to do. The angels in the tomb told them the Jesus had risen and go tell His disciples. Peter and John ran to the tomb. They both entered in and saw just the grave clothes. John believed but Peter didn’t. The angels told them to go to Galilee and Jesus would met them there. Jesus did appear to them later that day and told them to go to Galilee. I believe Jesus wanted the core of the church to be out of harm’s way. The disciples went home to Galilee. It took 3 day and nights to get home. When they arrived, they still didn’t believe or understand what God was doing. After 3 years of following Jesus and hearing Him teach. Peter and the rest of the disciples did what they knew. They went fishing.

They had to make a choice. They heard what Jesus and now had to put everything into practice. They were still reeling from Jesus crucifixion. They were caught between this world and the next. They didn’t know what to do. As they were fishing, Jesus appeared on the beach and asked if they had caught anything. Peter, not knowing that it was Jesus, said they hadn’t caught any fish. Jesus said put your net on the other side. When they did, it filled with fish. Peter’s eyes were opened and said it is the Master. Peter jumped into the water and swam ashore. The others brought the boat in. It says that they abandon the ship to follow Jesus into the world.

The sign of Jonah is our journey from unbelief to faith. And yes we have to go into the belly of the whale for 3 days and nights. But once we believe, we will come out on the side. Then we are ready to do the will of God. Jonah repented of his sins and listen to God. God gave him the largest revival in the old testament. Jesus went on the same journey, but not in unbelief. But He is our example to follow.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com