Greater than Myself

The Constitution of the United States will always be on of the world's most important documents. And yet today there are people who want to dismiss it. I shouldn't be surprised by it. There have always been people against it.I find it to be of the primary significance for the good of this country. The Constitution is greater, and ought to be greater, than the US itself and its people. It has to be.

The Constitution recognizes the fact that power is corrupting and the the general guide of mankind (and government) is toward corruption.There are checks to that power. When something "greater than" exists, then all must submit to that power. The power is in the document and the Law that it embodies. Government must submit to its authority. When it doesn't, then something else will take its place. That tends to be a branch of government or a party or perhaps the nature of the person his or herself. Someone may say "I know better." But when we elevate ourselves above the Law, then we become the power that is greater than and everyone must submit. The Constitution is not inflexible. It can be changed; but It, Itself, gives the directives on how that is to occur. No matter what, we need to submit to a greater authority or else, something will come and fill the void.

The same is true with each of us and our relationship to God. More than anything, we NEED a power that is greater than ourselves. God is and the world is set so that we work because we have a power greater than ourselves. When we deny the power that is God, something else will take God's rightful place. For each of us, it will become something: alcohol, work, pleasure, drugs, a relationship, children or something. Perhaps most importantly it may become ourselves. And that is most dangerous. We become God. An even with good motivations, we fail miserable because we do not have the tools needed to be God. And yet God we become. Or something else. We will then submit to that god and call others to submit to that god too.

And that is dangerous.

The more I know myself, the more I realize how no one ought to submit to me. But that is good because I know that *I* need to submit to God. That is how we are designed. If I need to act differently, or to have things I want, there are ways to change that. God works cooperatively with us as we grow up.  Every good parent changes the law as a child grows.

I am thankful today that there is a God who is loving and good and just. And He is greater than myself.

Fruits of the Vine

I like wine. It is a wonderful and sophisticated drink whose history treads across the many pages of the Bible. Jesus Himself referred to vines and wines and vineyards. One of the most important scriptural references was this: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 5:15)

I realized lately how much fruit God is bearing in me. Unfortunately, every time I rely on my own strength, I cut myself off from the vine and shrivel and die. Like a rose, I can be cut from a rose plant and be placed in a vase. For a while, I will drink water and stay beautiful. But my beauty will be short-lived. I have no roots and no way to grow. I can stay aline for a little more time only. I will soon fade and die.

And that is how I am with God when I stop "abiding" in Him. I need God to provide the roots I need to survive, to grow, to thrive, and to produce more fruit; more beauty. But here is a secret of the grape vine. When a branch is cut from the vine, it can be put back on through grafting. Soon, the living part will mesh with the branch and continue to provide for its nutrition and water. And that branch will continue to live as long as it remains in the vine.

Today, Lord, I want to remain in You and in turn, you will remain in me.

My new blog

Hi everyone. I had been mixing weather thoughts and personal philosophies on my web other blog, Weather on My Mind. I wanted to separate these two blogs so that people following our chases can do just that. I hope you choose to follow me on this, as I hope to write a little more often.