Tag Archives: jesus

The Beauty in Everything.

Posted on by under Uncategorized

It seems that beauty is an obsession with humanity. The beautiful people are believed to be the smartest or richest of all. People seem to flock to them to be seen. So why aren’t the ordinary people seen the same way. Everyone has a heart, both physical and spiritual. That heart craves one thing to be accepted, not to be lonely. We are social beings and don’t want live along. There is an old saying, beauty is skin deep, but ugly is to the bone. There are people who are ordinary looking. They don’t have the standard of beauty that people are judged by. But there beauty is overwhelming if you look for it. There is a line from and old song by Ray Stevens that says, everything is beautiful in it’s own way. I believe this is true. It is what I look for in each person I meet.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Beauty is as individual as we are. It has always been up to our perception of things. Yet there are things that are universally beautiful. For instances, a rose is a rose, is a rose, by any other name. The shape, the fragrance is unmistakable, a perfect symbol of love and beauty. And then who would call an aardvark beautiful, except for a few naturalists. Yet it is beautiful. Or what would you say to a jackass or a hairless Chihuahua? They are perfect in their own way. When God made people and things on the earth, He made them individual and beautiful. Even a wild rose in the middle of a trash pile is beautiful. So why can’t we see the beauty in people who are different? People or things that are different are usually shunned. If it is terribly different, we turn our backs to it and don’t even recognize it exists. I have said before that I like to open doors or smile at people. I look for the heart of a person, not the outward exterior. You would be surprised at the tenderness of people’s heart when you express yourself. I have had very few people not respond to my acts of kindness. God said we are like a fountain of water. As it pours out of us, how can sweet and sour water flow out of our hearts? Bitter water spoils the sweet water. Yet if you listen to people you can hear the bitter. That is why an act of kindness is always appreciated by most people. And even the hardest of hearts will crack with a kind word. So look for the beauty in this world and you will be surprised at what you will find. I wish for all of you a good day, especially if it is storming outside. For this is the day the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

The Human Condition Today.

Posted on by under Uncategorized

What kind of shape or condition is humanity in? Most people have a romanticized version of the human condition. We want to see the sanitized version of humanity. There are people who live in abject poverty and slavery today. Years ago, I went to visit my wife’s relatives in Mexico. They were middle class Mexicans, but not all were so blessed. They lived in the mountains around Monterey. As we traveled up the mountain, there were cardboard houses on the hill side. Yes, cardboard houses that people lived in. and Mexico isn’t a 3rd world country. Then there are the homeless, people on the streets of the world. There are estimated about 150 million people homeless. That is half of the population of the United States. The statistics are overwhelming. What can I do with such overwhelming odds?

This is where the real lack of power shows up. It is not for us give up. It is for us to find a solution. The world population is 8 billion people. What if one person takes care of one person. God knows that you have the resources to care for one extra person. There is a story about this very subject in the bible. It is the story of Lazarus the beggar. He was sitting just outside the walls of a rich man’s house. The rich man was just concerned with his money and goods. Lazarus would have been happy with scraps from the rich man’s table. Lazarus and the rich man die on the same day. The rich man wakes up in hell and Lazarus in the arms of Abraham. The rich man calls out to Abraham, send Lazarus with water to quench my thirst. Abraham says I can’t. You had everything in your life, now Lazarus has everything he needs. And now you will suffer for your greed.

We are made out of the dust of the earth and the breath of God. God gave us our mind, will and intellect. That is who we are. Then we are born and live on this earth to learn. We learn different things accordingly to our parents, locations and other people. Man has a capacity for doing good and evil. We are born knowing how to lie, steal and cheat. Then we are taught to be kind and gentle to our fellow-man. Although we were given the power of gods, we were not given to power to control ourselves. Look around and see the inhumanity to man that we are capable of. God shows us how we can walk on this earth and live like him. It takes courage to live righteously. It takes nothing to live in sin, but it costs us our own souls. The same problems we have today are the same problems people had in the beginning. The message from the beginning has never changed. We are sinners and are separated from God. If we confess our sins and ask for forgiveness, God will forgives us and accept us into the kingdom of God.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Violence in Our world.

Posted on by under Uncategorized

Violence is the destructive nature of man. It comes in all forms. Bullying is a form of violence. But I am old school about the solution. A bully is a coward and a swift blow to the nose would resolve a lot of things. I don’t advocate violence as a solution. I advocate that you stand up and facing it head on with courage. There are more insidious forms of violence. It is how this blog got started. I was watching a commercial about abused animals. It said how people should be involved to stop it. Then I thought how people should be involved in stopping the killing of innocent children. I was talking to a person who worked in the US Justice Department about violence in this country. I said that after the US Supreme Court decision about abortion, that the murder and violence rate has climbed exponentially in the country. He kept saying no, but the statistics bear it out. If life isn’t protected, it is open season on man. I know that it is a touchy subject. Man wants what he wants. And everything is right in his own eyes. What will happen in the end? What will man do? Will man destroy everything that is good? Hitler tried to conquer the world. He marched his army in every country he could. He was successful in killing 50 million people, but Germany suffered more than any country. God didn’t leave one brick on top of the other in Germany. Over 80 million Germans were killed in WWII. Their country was destroyed. God says if you live by the sword, you will die by the sword. God also says you have a free will and need to choose what you will do about your life. Just a thought about living free from violence.

Crain Blanchard.
http://www.joseph1637.com

Joseph1637.com

Life and Death.

Posted on by under Uncategorized

I have heard that from the moment you are born, we begin to die. I can understand that somewhat. Our skin continually is shedding the outer layer everyday. Our body rejects anything that doesn’t belong inside of us. But time and age always catches up to us no matter what we do. We look at people from around the world that have lived over a 100 years. But they are an anomaly. With medicines and better living, we have increased the average age lived to from 32 in the 1800s to 73 in the 2000s. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t going to die.

Life and death are two subjects that people seemed to be obsessed with. If it isn’t trying to live longer, it’s glorifying death so that we seem more important. The bible has different views on life and death. It says in Proverbs, life and death are in the power of the tongue. It also says that if you don’t bridle your tongue, you can’t control your life. It’s interesting that our tongue has a direct influence upon our life or death. And if you don’t think that is true, just look at people that you know that don’t control their tongues. In Ephesians, it says to obey you parents that you may live long on this earth. That is a direct correlation to the length of our lives.

It’s funny, interesting, how God seems to be interested in how long we live on the earth. And He delineates what will cut off our lives prematurely. And all of this decision making comes right back to what we do and say. So, we are in charge of our lives and have to make the right decisions to, 1, stay alive and 2, live a long life. Life and death are not only in the tongue, but also in what we do with our lives.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

The Value of Age.

Posted on by under Uncategorized

As a person gets older, it is expected that wisdom follows. Wisdom is a combination of experience and knowledge. There is a famous saying, that has been written on many walls, knowledge is power. But the sad part of that saying is that knowledge is not power. It is knowledge (understanding) + experience = wisdom, then it is wisdom applied that equals power. As a young man so many things were handed to me. First, my parents paid for my college tuition and books. All I had to do is work for spending money. I worked at a burger place on campus. All the social things got in the way of my college education and I failed. If that was not enough, it was the height of the Vietnam war. And I was #41 in the draft. I did not learn what I was supposed to. It was not the college work, it was the living skills.

I fumbled around for a few years, until I decided that I was going to get my life on tract for success. Once I became focused on living up to my potential, I began working toward that goal. It took hard work and many hours to get wisdom in my life. I did not succeed in all my endeavors. But the ones that I did succeed in were great. I truly believe that the failures keep a person balanced in life. If all you have is success, where is the growing part of your life? It is true that we grow in all our failures or completely fail.

It took a lot of wisdom to keep me from becoming bitter about life. I had to apply the wisdom I had learned to keep my on track. All of my paths were lonely. I alone had to figure out what was the best way for me. I had to struggle against myself to accomplish my goals. This is how we succeed.

I worked retail for 35 years. Then I began to write. I have always wanted to write, even when I was young. I have written 5 books so far. Only published one and had one on Kindle. I have been blogging for 9 years, Joseph1637.com. It has been very interesting. I even had one blog go viral. It was Disconnect 1.0. It went around the world. I had comments from most every country, starting in Europe, to the Middle East, then Asia, then Australia and back to America. There were over 15,000 comments in one month. I have followers in China, Europe, South America and North America. Success is relative. But I have enjoyed the success that I have received. I understand, just like the roman generals after their victories that paraded in Rome, Glory is Fleeting.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

The Will of God.

Posted on by under Uncategorized

The bible says that Jesus made everything including earth. After God set everything up and gave it to man, man rejected God. It was by God’s will that the earth and mankind be made to share with Him all that God has. God has continually tried to bring man back into the fold. God has not given up on mankind. But mankind has given up on God. Ever since Adam and Eve received the knowledge of good and evil, man has declared his godhood. He can do what ever he wants. The only problem with that is that absolute power corrupts absolutely. Then mankind does not have the power to correct his mistakes. In which they lead to death and destruction. That is why there is so much devastation in this world.

God has from the beginning intervened in the affairs of man. He has tried and with some success, helped man to create a stable world to live in. It is funny, interesting, that man knows and proclaims who the devil is. But is unwilling to confess the same for God. In 1982, a US Congressman, who was dying of cancer, tacked a bill on the wall of Congress for anyone to sign. This bill would proclaim that 1983 was the Year of the Bible in the US. It didn’t go through any committee or any debate. It was just up to the Congressmen and Senators to sign if they wanted it to become law. Well it passed and the President Reagan signed into law. It was the first time in 2000 years that any government had acknowledged God. The GNP for the US increased by 100% over the passed 20 years. People became wealthy by the will of God.

The bible is a written history of what God has said and done for mankind. In every case, those people who did the will of God have prospered. And those who did not, fail in their efforts. We ,with free will, have to decide if we are going to do the will of God. God did not make His will complicated. He made it simple for man to follow. But we have to decide what we are going to do. I would ask you and implore you to follow God. This is the only way that we will succeed in this life and in the world to come. Yes there is another world. It only has two place to go to. There are heaven, God’s home, and hell, the devil’s home. God does not send anyone to hell. Anyone who goes to hell has to choose to go there. Although God is sovereign with all power to do anything, we have to choose where we are going after death on this earth. God’s will is there for anyone to choose. And I highly recommend to follow God home to heaven.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

What do You see?

Posted on by under Uncategorized

In high school, my professor teased us saying that we had myopia, near sightedness, for not seeing or understanding what he was talking about. It’s Christmas time again and we are singing Christmas carols. Just like the angels sang to the shepherds watching the sheep in the fields around Jerusalem over 2000 years ago. I want to ask you a question, what did they see? Then when Gabriel announced Jesus and told the shepherds to go to Bethlehem, what did they see? When Mary, Joseph and Jesus stayed in Bethlehem and the Magi (Wise Men) came and found Jesus, what did they see? When John and Andrew heard John the Baptist point at Jesus and say, behold the Lamb of God that takes the sins of the world away, what did they see? When Jesus called Peter to ask if they had fish. Peter said that they didn’t have anything. Jesus said to throw their net over the side and it filled with fish. Then Peter jump over the side and swam to Jesus. When he did, what did he see?

When the Roman Centurion who had crucified Jesus and watch Him die, said truly this is the Son of God. What did he see? After Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared to the Apostles and spoke to Thomas, saying place your hand in My side and in My hand. What did he see?

Now it’s over 2000 years later and the world is rolling along. We look at this world and wonder how long before it all blows up in our face. You look and look, then I ask you, what do you see? The bible says that you must first believe, then you will see. And if you see the truth of God, what are you going to do about it?

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Pearl Harbor Day – What does it take to go to war?

Posted on by under Uncategorized

I served in the US Air Force during the Vietnam war. I went to basic training like everyone else. I went on to advanced training school. Then I was assigned to my post. I left home not knowing what to expect. Even when I was at my post, I still did not understand what it took to go to war. The basic training I received was just that. It was the basic knowledge of being in the military. Training for war was more of advanced than that. Also the knowledge of war or the understanding of that knowledge had to be experienced. I was stationed state-side for my tour in the Air Force. Three of my sons served in the Iraqi and Afghanistan war. Two came back with PTSD. They all understood what it took to go to war. They had experienced the trauma of war. It’s been 15 years since they served and are coping with the understanding of war.

War is not natural to man. It goes against everything that we are. It takes a little bit by bit of our heart each time anyone serves in the front lines. But it is a conscious decision on our part to go to war. It is not surprising that many people choose not to go to war. There are cost to war. The bible says that before a king goes to war, he sits down and counts the cost. To see if he is able to wage the war and win. If not he sues for peace. This comes from an understanding of war.

Jesus calls us to be good soldiers to put on the armor of God to fight the enemy. Many people when they first start with God are on fire and press against the enemy. I have watched them falter and stop their fight with the enemy. The cost became to high for them. They saw and understood the cost of war. Jesus fought the fight everyday. He did not stop just because the devil was pressing in on Him. People say He is God and can do that. Jesus proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that man can live righteously on this earth. He was a man was all the frailties. The bible says that Jesus learned obedience by things which He suffered. God’s call to man comes with many promises. These promises can be had if we stand up and press into God. It all depends on what you decide to do. Whether to go to war and follow Jesus or not. Yes it does cost us everything we have, our life. But once you have given your life, what else can the enemy take from you? He can’t take anything from you because God has promised.

I saluted all the men and women who have served their country with honor. Some paid the ultimate price. But all gave their lives to serve with duty and honor. God bless you all.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

It’s Christmas Season again.

Posted on by under Uncategorized

Black Friday is today and Cyber Monday is to come. In my many years in retail, my favorite time of year has always been Thanksgiving. People would come into the store with a smile. It is because Thanksgiving as apposed to Christmas, is a time about friends, family and food. There is always too much food and discussions about anything and everything. Unfortunately, Christmas has become commercial. Tis the season to spend all the money you have to try and stay up with your family or neighbors expectations. The real reason for Christmas seems to be shoved aside. Usually for unnecessary things that don’t last more than a few months. I know that businesses have been trying to recover from the Covid pandemic. It seems that the thought of the gift is not as important as the price. Which makes it very hard to give to people. As I have gotten older, I see the value in the thought of the gift, than the price.

My maternal grandmother, after granddaddy died, lived on Social Security. She lived on $125/month. My mom and her two sister’s helped her with the bills. When it came to Christmas, my grandmother had this inner sense of what to get her grandchildren. Her gifts were never expensive, but she knew what to get for us. She would give gifts that were tailor made for us. She was always amazing. She could make cookies faster than anyone I knew. Yes, I loved my grandmother. She was a real blessing in my life. And I miss her very much. I miss my whole family.

Christmas started as a point in time to celebrate the birth of Jesus. He really was born in the springtime, right before Passover. In Israel, winter is the rainy season and no one can travel around the countryside with any ease. Caesar called for the taxation in the springtime allowing everyone to travel to the cities of their birth. When Jesus was born, there was much celebration. Western culture chose December 25th as the date of Jesus’ birth. Saint Nicholas lived in the 3rd and 4th century. His was a bishop of Patara in Asia Minor. He would give food and gifts to the children. This is where the custom of Christmas began. In Holland, Saint Nicholas day in celebrated. He is called Sinterklaas. Translated into English, it is Santa Claus.

Christmas has never been about gift giving. It has always been about giving of yourself to others, your time, your attention and yes your money. Saint Nicholas never sought gifts in return. He did it out of the love in his heart for Jesus. This is what Christmas is about. Find someone that you know that can’t return a gift and give yourself instead. And be blessed in this season of giving love to one another.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

I msut be about My Father’s business.

Posted on by under Uncategorized

For thousands of years, before colleges were commonplace, people would apprentice with their fathers or mothers. If a father had a business, the son and sometimes the daughter would join their father to learn the business. The child would apprentice for years. It would depend on how intricate the works was. Jesus apprenticed with His father, Joseph, as a carpenter. Jesus was called a carpenter. And so it was for many sons and daughters. Usually the daughters were taught home economics by their mothers. This is why so many wives and mothers were in charge of the money for the business.

When Jesus was 12 years old, Joseph and Mary decided to take Him to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover. When the caravan was ready to leave Jerusalem after Passover, Joseph and Mary joined their family and left Jerusalem. They thought that Jesus was with the other children playing. The caravan traveled a day journey and Joseph and Mary began looking for Jesus. When they didn’t find Jesus, they immediately returned to Jerusalem. On the third day, they found Jesus in the Temple listening and asking questions to the doctors of the Law. This is what Mary said to Jesus and His reply.

“And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” Luke 2:48-49.

The question wasn’t only to Joseph and Mary, it is directed at us. The bible says that Jesus submitted to His parents and return home. Where He grew in wisdom and statue and in favor with God and Man. What Jesus was asking, if we understood that the Father’s business in our business. And the we must be about that business. You see we are God’s apprentices. Therefore we must be about our Father’s business.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com