Gratitude

Are you a grateful person? I think that most folks would answer,well I try to be. The question is then, How well do you succeed? I was thinking today of some folks to whom I owe a great deal of appreciation and thanksgiving. So, i wrote them an e-mail appreciation gram and sent some other material that I have written and sent it on its way. that made me feel better and be happy (joyful) and right that I had made an effort to let these could folks know how I appreciate them.

Well, I thought to myself, how many folks should you be writing too, to share the same thoughts with them? My list keeps getting longer, so I will try to do better everyday. Do you know that the idea of gratitude comes from God, in scripture? Not from Islam, nor Budda, not Ben Franklin but from God! I double dare you to research that! Most people left to ourselves, at least in history are very selfish, self-centered folks, but when God made man and women(Adam and Eve) He made us to be grateful human beings! (Please excuse me for a few moments, my wife just hollored down that the hot rolls were ready. I would certainly be ungrateful if I didn't go upstairs and participate.)

What is the best guard against self-centeredness or selfishness? I believe it Jesus and His teaching on gratefulness. I have may folks to thank for the good life I have lived. Take Good Ben, you know Benjamin Franklin. If he had not been involved in the revolutionary war,the Declaration of Independence and a great many other projects my life might have been as good as it has from the standpoint at of living in the United states of America. What about Mrs. Smith, my first grade teacher, I was a shy little boy? It is my guess that you can think of many people to put on a list of your own. I could not leave out my parents who taught me the idea and action of being thankful. Let me tell you, If you want to be happy in this human life, learn to thankful and first thankful to God for sending Jesus to save us! Dave Dowlen

Who's in Control?

Dave’s Deliberations;
I’m sure many of you have read the reports and heard the news about the oil spill and clean up in the Gulf of Mexico over the last several weeks. This last week the bit of news that really caught my eye was that scientists have discovered that there is a microbe that usually lives in the deeper part of the water that is coming to the upper areas and is eating the oil molecules and not cutting down on the oxygen in the water. I guess because of all the media coverage and scientist clamor over global warming I get really sick of hearing ‘men” say we have to do a better job of taking care of our planet, which is leading to some really ignorant laws coming out of Washington D.C. .

Don’t get me wrong, I believe should take care of our planet as best we can. We should,
Recycle when possible and police our garbage, do a better job on harmful gases, not try to be wasteful etc… But, I think some of those folks think that man is supreme and in charge of our destiny. I think they deny there is a God in heaven who is charge because they want to do what they want to do instead of being in subjection to the One God of the universe! You will notice in the story of creation in the Bible that God said to Adam and Eve to tend the garden or
work in it. He didn’t say that they were totally responsible for the garden or the rest of the planet, because they could not take care of it, nor we can totally manage our planet either. We after all are only part of the creation itself, not the creator.

In my cynicisms I believe that scientist have known about the microbe that eats the oil molecules for along time. They might not have known much about it and I sure that that would not have been as good in selling news reports and putting those who wanted the publicity for really caring about it. BUT, let me point a fact that was pointed out to me, that oil is a natural occurring substance that is part of our creation. Isn’t it great that God the creative force knew that one natural force (oil) might sometime overcome the natural mix of creation and need a natural answer to keep oil in balance with the rest of nature? This speaks of a creative force who is far more intelligent than man, creating the world and our universe instead of the ‘big –bang” theory. Perhaps the people who want to believe that our planet and universe just happened when some big rock blew up and then oil just developed, well I’m getting a little carried away, but perhaps that those who believe in that theory simply don’t want acknowledge there is a God because they don’t’ want God to tell them how to live?

Let me share two other proofs to me that the care of the world is not man’s to be in charge of. First there is the Bikini atoll that we blew up with several nuclear bombs that has come back to life and is beautiful instead of dead rock; the second is something that I have seen as I visited China several years ago. China when I was there didn’t much sewage services for its people so most of their rivers and waters were polluted and flowed down to the Sea of Japan. (Between Japan and China) When you were flying over it you could see the pollution stop about half way between Japan and China instead of completely polluting the Sea of Japan, I wonder why? Could it be that God provided for the hurt we as man would do to our world when He created it? What do you believe? Dave Dowlen

Who's got Control?

Dave’s Deliberations;
I’m sure many of you have read the reports and heard the news about the oil spill and clean up in the Gulf of Mexico over the last several weeks. This last week the bit of news that really caught my eye was that scientists have discovered that there is a microbe that usually lives in the deeper part of the water that is coming to the upper areas and is eating the oil molecules and not cutting down on the oxygen in the water. I guess because of all the media coverage and scientist clamor over global warming I get really sick of hearing ‘men” say we have to do a better job of taking care of our planet, which is leading to some really ignorant laws coming out of Washington D.C. .

Don’t get me wrong, I believe should take care of our planet as best we can. We should,
Recycle when possible and police our garbage, do a better job on harmful gases, not try to be wasteful etc… But, I think some of those folks think that man is supreme and in charge of our destiny. I think they deny there is a God in heaven who is charge because they want to do what they want to do instead of being in subjection to the One God of the universe! You will notice in the story of creation in the Bible that God said to Adam and Eve to tend the garden or
work in it. He didn’t say that they were totally responsible for the garden or the rest of the planet, because they could not take care of it, nor we can totally manage our planet either. We after all are only part of the creation itself, not the creator.

In my cynicisms I believe that scientist have known about the microbe that eats the oil molecules for along time. They might not have known much about it and I sure that that would not have been as good in selling news reports and putting those who wanted the publicity for really caring about it. BUT, let me point a fact that was pointed out to me, that oil is a natural occurring substance that is part of our creation. Isn’t it great that God the creative force knew that one natural force (oil) might sometime overcome the natural mix of creation and need a natural answer to keep oil in balance with the rest of nature? This speaks of a creative force who is far more intelligent than man, creating the world and our universe instead of the ‘big –bang” theory. Perhaps the people who want to believe that our planet and universe just happened when some big rock blew up and then oil just developed, well I’m getting a little carried away, but perhaps that those who believe in that theory simply don’t want acknowledge there is a God because they don’t’ want God to tell them how to live?

Let me share two other proofs to me that the care of the world is not man’s to be in charge of. First there is the Bikini atoll that we blew up with several nuclear bombs that has come back to life and is beautiful instead of dead rock; the second is something that I have seen as I visited China several years ago. China when I was there didn’t much sewage services for its people so most of their rivers and waters were polluted and flowed down to the Sea of Japan. (Between Japan and China) When you were flying over it you could see the pollution stop about half way between Japan and China instead of completely polluting the Sea of Japan, I wonder why? Could it be that God provided for the hurt we as man would do to our world when He created it? What do you believe? Dave Dowlen

It 's A Heart Issue

I am listening to a program I have on a CD called “Highlights from the Messiah.” You may recognize it better as the Christmas Messiah! It was written by Handel earlier in time than I remember. It is being sung in part in Italian. Whether it is sung in French or English the music is the same. It is a “classic “to say the least! It is a classic because it celebrates the gift of God who gives, his Son, Jesus, who is “our Lord, Savior, loving big Brother, our defense lawyer in judgment, the head of the church, which he gave His body physically for! It celebrates that Jesus over comes death and death is no longer a problem! It celebrates the gift of Jesus for mankind!
We celebrate that gift of Jesus in many ways! We first celebrate that gift by coming to Jesus and being Baptized into the blood shed by Jesus on the cross! We celebrate it as part of his church or kingdom in communion on the 1st day of the week! WE celebrate everyday as we try to live a Christian life in every action, word etc… Being a Christian and part of His church calls us to celebrate everyday that Jesus is Lord! Jim and his ministry of “Lifeline of Hope is celebrating everyday by caring for children. Others are in other ministries that are celebrating everyday that gift of God, Jesus our Savior! In being an honest business man or woman, in being an honest and good employee, not lying, not stealing, not being drunk with alcohol, not causing damage to some one or some ones property, not being a slander or gossip, being a servant to people …

IF

The heart is right? If you are good businessman because you don’t want to go to jail or a good employee so you will not get fired then you may be missing God’s point! It takes dedicated effort that comes from the heart to be celebrating “the gift”, the gift of Jesus! Do I think you have to consciously be thinking about Jesus while you are doing what you are doing for the gift of Jesus? No! In fact I hope that after doing good for a number of years because of Jesus that it does in fact become “”second or first nature”. I hope that in your heart it is so engrained in you that you are indeed living every part of your life for Jesus. But, every so often it is a good thing to do to look honestly at your heart! See what is still motivating you! Looking a fresh at your heart will also give you a spiritual energy boast for difficult or tiring times that we all go through. Looking at your heart also gives you a rest from your labor for Jesus!

DON’T FORGET

It is a heart issue, it is a heart measure! Since only you and God know your heart, how do you measure up? Dave

Groupies

Groupies, has and always had an unpleasant sound to me. I never wanted to be a “groupie” for anyone or anything. I was watching a show that had a singing group that I think is a joke and woke up this morning with this “groupie thing on my mind. I have to admit my thoughts that all of us are groupies for something or someone, because that is the way God made us! “Oh, come on Dave, surely you don’t think that? Yes I do, let give you an example”.

I will name some groupies, Seattle Mariners fans, Dallas Cowboy fans, Brewster, Bridgeport and Pateros school & school athletic supporters, Kansas basketball fans, Bass fisherman and fisherwomen, Pilots of any flavor, Fruit canning folks, Starbucks coffee drinkers (don’t you just love the new McDonald advertisements), People who work for the Federal government, people who are teachers, Tennis players, people who play baseball, people who have children in Marylou’s pre-school, people who grow fruit, rodeo clowns and stock people, people who owned farms and ranches, well did I get everyone?

You might have guessed my point that all of us are in groups and need to be part of a group. I always wanted to be an individual (must be the time I grew up in) and many in my generation thought we were and could be just individuals. Well we are certainly individuals, but we are also people who need a group! Still not convinced, take my little test; How many of you like steak, chicken, Coke, Pepsi, ice cream, fruit, pancakes, bacon, etc…? Well for all these foods there are people who like them also and like them the best. Which group are you in?

A couple of weeks ago 5000, people gathered in the evening as a group and in six weeks another 800 to 1000, folks will gather as a group in Portland. The group I am talking about is the part of The Church. The group I am referring to is the Pepperdine Lectureship in LA and the Renewal Workshop in Portland. They who attend are a group because The Church is a group worldwide. A group who follows just Jesus! It is interesting that the smallest group that God created is called The Family! Which by the way is a name that The Bible calls The Church!

No one makes their way alone in this world; we all need a group to help us get through this world. You can be an individual, who likes, pink, blue, fish, cars, sports, sewing or whatever, but you can’t get through life without being in and receiving help from a group! We are just not made that way. The good news is you can choose which groups you will be part of. You can choose to be part of a group that God created or man’s has created. The question is which group will be first on your list? Dave

Actions Speak Louder then Words

I grew up in that noted time when”everyone” my age and my age group was trying or encouraged to be individuals. We were the last of the “hippie” group, that group which is now

(the oldest of the group) hitting social security. We were all trying to be individuals so we all grew our hair a little or a lot longer! (Ha) Certainly today there are young adults trying to be individuals just like we were so they dress a like. What I have discovered is we are all individuals and we are all SHEEP as well! Maybe, instead this discovery being part of the deep meaning of galaxy, it simply tells us we were made that way by our creator, The only God of heaven and earth!

Let me give you a couple of examples, one person likes the East side of the mountains, the simple quiet shades of the brown that dots our mountains and hills. Another prefers the bright blues of the Puget Sound and the deep greens of the fir trees. One likes the East side of the state the best and other likes the West side the best. Some are hunters and outdoor people, others prefer indoors the best. Some prefer one kind of food, others wouldn’t even touch. Politics, shows us we are for most part one kind or another individuals and or group! Look at the sports teams and their supporters, whether we are Gonzaga or Seahawk fans! We dress up in their colors and chant their slogans (cheers). WE even do that as a society, look how many have become Starbucks followers even to speaking their (Starbucks) lingo? I don’t think this is bad or good in of itself! I think this is just human and the thing we need to watch about being human is not to be extremist!

Soooooo, Dave why write about this? It has to do with our lesson this Sunday morning out of 1 Corinthians 1-3! Two things I know, we’re always watching other people! And other people are always watching us! Remember you are being watch and what you do or say is being conveyed to others somehow; be sure as Christian you are communicating what Christ would want you to communicate. Second, as you watch people watch them to see their need for Jesus and if you can help them find Him do so! Dave

The Painter

The Painter of the Coulee

Sunday we were returning home and notice there seem to be a little more snow on the shoulders of the road from Bridgeport south to Leahy Jct., Then from there to Grand Coulee it was very evident that there had been light frosting of snow while we were at church services.

We live in such a beautiful place in this land; it is hard for me to understand when people cannot find beauty here. When it snowed in the Coulee last time and this time I was overcome by the beauty of The Painters strokes!

The Painter took the white of the snow and matched it with the dark gray of the slide plies of crumpled rock, some far up towards the rim and others some distance from the rim of the Coulee to make a soft gray that stands out in the Sun. With white of the snow in other places, He had the snow stand out white against the lighter big rocks that dot the roadway. If you look out my back door, the one out of our bedroom, he added the deep green of huge evergreen trees that line the mid part of the cleft. Down in the Coulee on the water in the bay by Electric City He lined a then layer of ice that even the ducks could not have walked on that shimmered in the sunlight. Have you ever noticed, when it snows that every road or path, paved or dirt shows up instantly? He then contrasted the snow covered south walls of the Coulee with the Southwest side of Steamboat rock where there is very little or no snow at all, and with the blue water, there is simply not a better masterpiece to be found except maybe in the next Coulee where Dry falls is located.

I am convinced God is willing to be “The Painter “in our lives. He still gives us the choice to let him paint in our lives’; never does He take that away! He would paint us using only the best or choicest paints. He would paint our faces with both the yellow, bright yellow of Joy and sky blue of peace, calm soft sky with no wind in it. He than is willing to paint us a patient green you know the green from evergreen trees that last hundreds of years. Next it is the pink if kindness and the orange of goodness. Pink is so soft and so is kindness! Orange is alive with color Orange just shouts good for you! Then there is the gold of Faithfulness, it shines in your eyes and almost blinds one to everything else that a goes on! Don’t forget the soft purple, that royalty that shouts gentle, gentle, gentle and then the Black and white of self-control! Don’t ever forget the God promises that we can run away from evil any time we choose too! It is pretty black or with the choice always being ours! The question is; Who is painting you? Will you be masterpiece or simply a water color? Dave