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Tales from the Bus. A Gift.

A day or two ago I shared that I drive a school bus.  I also mentioned that it leads to some stories…  While many I cannot tell, for privacy reasons, there are some I can share.  Here is one…

My boys’ music teacher heard that I drive a school bus for elementary children.  He had two nice small coats and thought that there may numbersbe a student or two who could use them.  My wife accepted them and brought them home to be laundered before gifting them.

Two days ago, I took them with me for the afternoon run and was praying on the way to work asking Father who I should give them to.  I could not think of any child getting on the bus without a jacket, but then, I have been so busy learning other things as I adjust to the route that those details may have escaped me.  So, as I am praying a particular family comes to mind, but I really puzzled over how to give them the jackets without showing favoritism.  There are many needy families on my route.

Once on the bus, with the jackets, I headed to the school where I pick-up and, as is my usual habit, I arrive 20 minutes early so I can read and study.  While sitting in the lot, I ‘chickened out’ on giving the jackets to the family in mind and decided Continue reading “Tales from the Bus. A Gift.”

The Camera and the Torah

To make ends meet, I supplement our family income by driving a school bus for the local public school system.  I finished training late last year and have a CDL B license with most SB iSM Screen Shot of the ‘bells and whistles’ and all of the extra responsibility.  For the last couple months I have been a regular substitute, but have recently inherited a route.

Typically, I am out of bed at 4:30 a.m. and in the lot warming up my bus by 5:25.  Roll at 5:43 so I can hit my first stop at 6:08.  Have them at school at 7:25 and park the bus back at the main terminal by 7:45.  The afternoon begins around 1:50 and I get home by 5 o’clockish.

My route is very specific with particular procedures at every single stop, particular timing parameters and safety actions.  Add the constant attention to students in establishing and maintaining discipline and safety for 50+ grade schoolers, and it is a recipe for myriad problems.

Over my head as well as midway back on the bus are cameras that capture audio and video.  They are connected to an on-board GPS connected computer that tracks Continue reading “The Camera and the Torah”

Blindness Test

Good friend and fellow pilgrim, Travis Hughey, recently wrote and sent this to me.  So poignant considering I have been thinking of doing a series called ‘The (Not So) Quotable Church Fathers.’

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BLINDNESS TEST

Following quote from Martin Luther’s commentary on Galatians (page 108)

Can you see the contradiction (one of many)?

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VERSES 8, 9.

Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

This concludes Paul’s discourse on justification. From now to the end of the Epistle the Apostle writes mostly of Christian conduct. But before he follows up his doctrinal discourse with practical precepts he once more reproves the Galatians. He is deeply displeased with them for relinquishing their divine doctrine. He tells them: Continue reading “Blindness Test”

Grace and Intentional Sin

This week begins the annual cycle through Leviticus with the first Torah portion, Vayikra, Lev. 1:1-6:7.

As we were reading chapters 4 and 5 this morning, I was again reminded get_out_of_jail_freeof the gravity of intentional sin and and our propensity to justify with ‘cheap grace’ the lusts of our heart because we do not understand the Law.

First off, let me begin by saying that Scripture has very little to say about intentional sin.  In fact, willful sin or intentional sin is regarded as high treason against the covenant.  Leviticus opens with a number of explanations about proper sacrifice and peace offerings.  Interestingly, over and over the phrase, ‘sins unintentionally,’ or something very similar appears in many of these instructions.

Notice:

4:2 If a person sins unintentionally… Continue reading “Grace and Intentional Sin”

Potiphar’s wife and Yeshua…

Several months ago I wrote and posted a series of articles considering the prophetic significance of Joseph’s life as a picture of Messiah Yeshua.  They can be found here:  Jesus / Yeshua as Pictured in Joseph.  Part 1.  Part 2.  Part 3.

Occasionally, another connection will bubble to the surface and I’ll add it to my list, but joseph_resistrecently I had one interesting enough to make a quick post.

Joseph is sold to Potiphar and becomes the head servant.  Potiphar’s wife decides to use him for her pleasure and he escapes without his clothes/garments.  Reading something else recently, as I thought about this, led led me to wonder if this is a picture of the ‘woman who rides the beast’ stripping Yeshua of His identity when ‘He got to Rome.’

It is interesting to note that the very Hebrew/Jewish Yeshua was converted to a Gentile Jesus in Rome by the stripping of His identity and He was ‘held in prison’ for more than a thousand years.  Then, He began His ascension in the eyes of the nations at/near the time of the Reformation, but His true identity, the Jewish Messiah Yeshua is only now really becoming widely known! Continue reading “Potiphar’s wife and Yeshua…”

One Law = Erasing Jewish Distinctives? Baloney!

While skimming a friend’s Google+ page, a post caught my eye and I had an electric thought!!

This is what I saw:

Tia Tita

Shared publicly  –  Feb 7, 2014

“One hope to heal our land”
2Ch 7:14     “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

I Am America – Krista Branch

 

 

Before I even saw the video (which I liked, but is not really relevant) I had an awesome thought!!  ‘Melting pot!!’ Continue reading “One Law = Erasing Jewish Distinctives? Baloney!”

Moonrise, sunset… A few pics…

If there is one truly spectacular aspect to this piece of property our Father led us to rent, it is the views.  For being in the middle of rolling hills, we may have one of the highest and most panoramic views in the county.  We are surrounded by fields that fall away from the hill on which the house sits.  ss6308

I love moonrises and sunsets…  We get plenty of them.  I often say, ‘I need to take some pics…’  Well, recently, I started keeping a camera handy and want to share several pictures from the last week. Continue reading “Moonrise, sunset… A few pics…”