SUNSHINE

Came Softly through my window today!



Happy Happy

Rain Rain

Go Away!






Come again another day!

Did I mention it is balloon season?

Ahhh a little blue sky-
but will it stay?

Thinking of Japan

The news has given us pictures of the earthquake and the devastation by the tsunami in Japan.
Then we hear of the nuclear power plants, damaged and releasing radiation contaminating food and water sources. How very sad!

As Jehovah's people our hearts go out to all in Japan, enduring this disaster. We especially want to know how our spiritual brothers and sisters are doing. Kindly, our brothers have posted an early report at www.jw-media.org this report brings out that approx. 2,300 witnesses of Jehovah are in the areas affected by the tsunami. On March 15th early reports confirm two of Jehovah's witnesses dead and 115 missing, five Kingdom Halls were destroyed.

I think of our friends in Japan everyday and I know many prayers are being said in their behalf. May they be strengthened to endure the days and weeks ahead.

A Very Nice Visit

Yep, from our cousin, Paul. Appreciated his time.

I fed him a little beans and rice and Tortilla Soup. But best of all we enjoyed his company.

Balloon Season

Yes, there is a Balloon Season in Temecula

We get balloons floating by nearly every morning this week

Divine Love Defined

Love has been described as the greatest need humans have. From the cradle to the grave, people strive for love. Yes, humans thrive in the warmth of love. They may even die from lack of love. People talk a lot about love. There are books and songs and poems about love, but they do not always clarify the meaning of love. In the English language the word "love" has been so overused that it's true meaning seems to be lost.

"Love can be known only by the actions it prompts." The Bible record of God's actions teaches us a great deal about love. The highest example of God's quality of love is His supreme act of love described at John 3:16. In the scriptures, we can find many examples of Jehovah's love in action. And we can gain insight from the ancient Greek words for love used in the Bible.* The one most often used in the Christian Greek Scriptures is a-ga'pe, a love that is guided by principle. This love is more than the emotional response to another person. It is much broader in scope, more thoughtful and deliberate.. Above all, a-ga'pe is totally unselfish. For example, look again at John 3:16. What is "the world" that God loved so much that he gave his only-begotten Son? It is the world of redeemable mankind. That includes many people who are pursuing a sinful course in life. Does Jehovah love each person as a friend, the way he loved faithful Abraham? (James 2:23) No, but Jehovah lovingly extends goodness toward all, even at great cost to himself. He wants all to repent and change their ways. (2 Peter 3:9) Many do change, these He happily receives as his friends. Jehovah's love often includes tender affection. However, his love is never swayed by mere sentiment. It is always guided by his wise and just principles. As we have seen, Jehovah's qualities of Power, Wisdom and Justice are sterling, perfect, and appealing. However, LOVE is the most appealing and nothing draws us to powerfully to Jehovah. Why?

"God is Love"
The scriptures do not say that God is power or that God is justice, or even that God is wisdom. He possesses those qualities, is the ultimate source of them, and beyond comparison in regard to these three. Something very profound is said about the fourth quality, "God is love"-1 John 4:8. What does that mean?

"God is love" is not a simple equation, as if to say "God equals love". The statement cannot be reversed and say, "love is God". Jehovah is much more than an abstract quality. He is a person with a wide array of feelings and characteristics in addition to love. "God's essence or nature is love". Jehovah's power enables him to act. His justice and his wisdom guide the way he acts. But Jehovah's love motivates him to act. And his love is always present in the way he uses his other qualities.

Jehovah is the personification of love. If we want to learn about principled love, we must learn about Jehovah. When we love in an unselfish, principled way, we are reflecting Jehovah's dominant quality. It is just as the apostle John wrote: "As for us, we love, because he first loved us". -1 John 4:19.



*The verb, phi-le'o, meaning "to have affection for, to be fond of, or to like (as one might feel for a close friend or brother)," is often used in the Christian Greek Scriptures (New Testament). The word stor-ge' or close familial love, is used at 2 Timothy 3:3 to show that such love would be lacking during the last days. E'ros, or romantic love between the sexes, is not used in the Christian Greek Scriptures, although it is discussed in the Bible at Proverbs 5:15-20.

An Interesting and Tasty Treat!

Rice-Pudding Mango Parfait

I very much enjoyed this Indian Dessert!
It has a spicy taste with cardamon
and the Mango was so refreshing! MMmmmm
I will make this again!

For the recipe visit: www.indiansimmer.com/2011/02/celebrating-you-blogiversary-with-rice.html

Look Who Stopped By.

We seem to always have something land in our yard.
I believe this is an eget.

He's actually pretty tall.
If you click on the picture you may get a better view

These birds like to be near cattle.
Looks like he may have found a lizard.
This one stayed all morning.

"O the Depth of God's ...Wisdom"

-Romans 11:33

What is Divine Wisdom?

Wisdom is not the same as knowledge. However, they are related. Wisdom brings knowledge, discernment, and understanding together and puts them to work. Some Bible words translated "wisdom" literally mean, "practical wisdom".

Jehovah's wisdom is not theoretical. It is practical, and it works. Jehovah always makes the best decisions possible, carrying them out the best way possible. ..."wisdom is proved righteous by its works" -Matt 11:19. Jehovah's works throughout the universe give powerful testimony to his wisdom

Evidences of Divine Wisdom

"I shall laud you because in a fear-inspiring way I am wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, as my soul is very well aware."-Ps. 139:14.

The more we learn about our human bodies the more we are aware of Jehovah's wisdom.

For instance: We each started as a single cell- an egg cell from mother, fertilized by sperm cell from father. The cell started to divide, as the cells of the embryo continue to divide, they assume very different functions. Some become nerve cells, others bone, muscle, blood, or eye cells. All the differentiation is programmed into the cell's "library" of genetic blueprints, the DNA. Interestingly, David was inspired to say to Jehovah:

"Your eyes saw even the embryo of me, and in your book all its parts were down in writing."
-Ps 139:16.

"How many your works are, O Jehovah! All af them in wisdom you have made. The earth is full of your productions." -Ps 104:24.

Yes, there are many examples of Jehovah's creative wisdom. Consider the ant. Ant colonies are superbly organized. Some ants tend, shelter, and draw nourishment from insects called, aphids, as if they were livestock. Other ants act as farmers, raising and cultivating "crops" of fungus. They are "instinctively wise", programmed the do remarkable things by instinct. (Proverbs 30:24, 25.) Scientists have learned much from Jehovah's creative wisdom. There is even a field of engineering, called biomimetrics, that seeks to mimic designs found in nature.

Wisdom beyond the Earth

Thanks to the wisdom of Jehovah's "celestial laws" the heavens are beautifully organized into structured galaxies that, in turn are grouped into clusters, that in turn are grouped into superclusters. (Job 38:33, -New Jerusalem Bible)

Jehovah has organized the physical heavens in his wisdom, that is one of the reasons for his title: "Jehovah of armies." Another reason "Jehovah of armies" is appropriate is because of his position as Supreme Commander of a huge army of hundreds of millions of spirit creatures. These angelic ministers of the the Most High are higher than man, superintelligent and superpowerful. Each endowed with free will. (Heb. 1:7; 2:7). Yet, by his wisdom, Jehovah keeps these angels busy, happily engaged in fulfilling work- "carrying out his word" and "doing his will" -for billions of years. (Psalms 103:20, 21). How awesome the wisdom of this Administrator must be!

Jehovah is "Wise Alone"

Jehovah alone possesses wisdom in the absolute sense. He is the source of all true wisdom. (Pr 2:6) That is why Jesus, though the wisest of Jehovah's creatures, did not rely on his own wisdom but spoke as his Father directed him. -John 12:48-50. When we contemplate Jehovah's wisdom, it is as if we were looking into a bottomless chasm, a realm so deep, so limitless and huge we could never grasp its immensity. Psalms 92:5 states: "How great your works are, O Jehovah! Very deep your thoughts are." What a humbling thought!

Jehovah is "wise alone" in another sense: Only he is able to peer into the future. Yes, Jehovah can look, "far into the distance" of time- the future. The Bible is full of evidence that this is true. It contains hundreds of prophecies, or history written in advance. The outcome of wars, the rise and fall of world powers, and even the specific battle strategies of military commanders were all foretold in the Bible- in some cases, hundreds of years in advance. (Please compare: Isaiah 44:25-45:4; Daniel 8:2-8, 20-22).

God's quality of foreseeing the future does not mean that God has already foreseen the choices you will make in life. Some who preach predestination say that God already knows what each of us will choose. However, that teaching actually undermines Jehovah's wisdom, it implies that he cannot control his ability to look into the future. Example: A singer with a beautiful voice, does not sing constantly all the time! That could even become irritating to those around the singer. The singer chooses to sing at specific times. Jehovah has the ability to foreknow the future, but he does not use it all the time. To do so might infringe upon our own free will, a precious gift that Jehovah will never take away.-Deut 30:19, 20. The teaching of predestination paints our Heavenly Father's wisdom as cold, with no heart, no feeling, no compassion. That is totally opposite of our Loving Creator who is "wise in heart" -Job 9:4. So Jehovah's wisdom, like his other qualities, is governed by love.
-1 John 4:8


Jehovah's wisdom is perfectly trustworthy.

"Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding. In all your ways take notice of him, and he himself will make your paths straight"
-Pr 3:5, 6.

Jehovah wisely chose to have his words put down in writing. He instructed Moses: "Write down for yourself these words, because it is in accordance with these words that I do conclude a covenant with you and Israel." (Ex 34:27) Jehovah has truly blessed us by communicating with us in writing. The Holy Scriptures are like a letter to us from a loving Father. A letter we can read over and over again meditating on God's thoughts and directions. We can be like the psalmist who wrote: "But his delight is in the law of Jehovah, and in his law he reads in an undertone day and night."-Ps 1:2

Some may claim that the Bible's message has been changed over the years through the imperfections of man's copying it over and over, that it is unreliable. However, when we think of how God has the power to keep galaxies in place, is it reasonable to conclude that He cannot keep his "word" pure? Jesus showed full confidence in the written word when in prayer to Jehovah he said, "...your word is truth" (John 17:17) We too can have the same confidence in this precious letter from our wise Heavenly Father. As we continue to read and study God's word, we can recieve much "comfort from the Scriptures" whenever we need it. -Romans 15:4


Of all the qualities that Jehovah possesses, love is the dominate one. Next we can examine why the Bible says, "God is love" -1 John 4:8

What's going on in the Garage?

Iris in Full Bloom!

And next, The Citrus blooms!

God's Quality of Justice

What is Justice?

Today, many view justice as the fair application of the rules of law. From the human standpoint justice is the cold application of regulations out of sense of duty or obligation.

God's justice, is much more. The Biblical justice means, " what is right, righteousness, the quality of being right or just. There is no difference between righteousness and justice. (Amos 5:24) God always does what is right or fair, with out prejudice (Romans 2:11) It is impossible for God to act unjustly. Why? Because He is holy. Jehovah is pure and upright, incapable of acting unrighteously. Also, God is love, this quality moves him to be righteous or just when dealing with others. Injustice in many forms, -racism, discrimination, and partiality- are manifested from greed and selfishness, the opposite of love.
"Jehovah is righteous; he does love righteous acts."-Psalm 11:7 (Compare: Isa 61:8; Jeremiah 9:24)

Mercy and Jehovah's perfect Justice.

"The Rock, perfect is his activity, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness, with whom there is no injustice; righteous and upright is he."-Deut. 32:3, 4. His justice is never too lenient, never too harsh.

"Jehovah is gracious and righteous; and our God is One showing mercy."- Psalms 116:5. He is just and merciful. His mercy is not a watering down of his justice, as if his justice was too severe. These two qualities may be expressed by him at the same time, even in the same act. Example:

All humans are by inheritance sinful and therefore deserving of sin's penalty-death. -Romans 5:12. Jehovah finds no delight in the death of sinners, being "a God of acts of forgiveness, gracious and merciful." -Nehemiah 9:17. However, because he is holy, he cannot condone unrighteousness. Then, how can he show mercy to sinners? By Jehovah's most precious provision of a ransom for mankind's salvation. This loving arrangement is both just and merciful. By means of it, Jehovah can express tender mercy toward repentant sinners while maintaining his standards of perfect justice. Please read: Romans 3:21-26.

Jehovah's justice is Heartwarming
1. Jehovah's perfect justice moves him to show faithfulness and loyalty toward his servants. Psalms 37:28 says: "For Jehovah is a lover of justice, And he will not leave his loyal ones. To time indefinite they will certainly be guarded..." (See also: Pr. 2:7, 8)

2. Divine justice is sensitive to the needs of the afflicted. Notice the special provisions made for the orphans and widows in the Law at Deuteronomy 24:17-21. (Deut.10:18; Ps.68:5) Jehovah can be provoked to righteous indignation by deliberate acts of injustice. (Ps. 103:6)

3.Jehovah is completely free from bias or favoritism. Yes, the opportunity of becoming his true worshipers, with endless life in view, is not restricted to an elite few. Rather, "in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him." -Acts 10:34, 35. This prospect is open to all regardless of their social standing, color of skin, or the country in which they live.

No Exemption From Punishment:

If Jehovah does not condone unrighteousness, how can we account for the unjust suffering and the corrupt practices we see in the world today? Many injustices in this wicked world are a consequence of the sin that humans have inherited from Adam. We live in a world where imperfect people have chosen their own sinful ways, this causes injustice to grow, but not for long. (Deut 32:5)

Jehovah shows great mercy to those who in all sincerity want to draw close to him by following his direction. Today, many like the Psalmist of old ask:
"How long, O God, will the adversary keep reproaching? Will the enemy keep treating your name with disrespect forever?" -Ps. 74:10.
Jehovah will not forever tolerate a situation that brings reproach upon his holy name. (Ps. 74:22, 23.) He will not shield willful sinners from the adverse judgment their own action deserves.
Exodus 34:6, 7 clearly states: "...Jehovah, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness and truth, preserving loving-kindness for thousands, pardoning error and transgression and sin, but by no means will he give exemption from punishment, bringing punishment for the error..."

Example: The ancient Israelites repeatedly fell into unfaithfulness. Their corrupt ways made Jehovah "feel hurt" however, he did not immediately cast them off. (Ps 78:38-41) He mercifully extended opportunities for them to change their course. Listen to his words at Eze 33:11:
"Say to them, '"As I am alive," is the utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah, "I take delight, not in the death of the wicked one, but in that someone wicked turns back from his way and actually keeps living. Turn back, turn back from your bad ways, for why is it that you should die, O house of Israel?"
Because Jehovah views life as precious he kept on sending prophets to the people so that the Israelites would turn back from their bad ways. The majority of them refused to listen and repent. Finally , for the sake of his holy name and all that it stands for, Jehovah gave them into the hands of their enemies. (Nehemiah 9:26-30) Yes, Jehovah is deeply affected by the unrighteousness he sees in the world. (Pr 15:3) He seeks to show mercy if there is a basis for doing so. His justice is never hasty. Jehovah exercises patience. However, divine patience has limits. Why? Because Jehovah is firm for righteousness. He never lacks the courage to stand up for what is right. We can be sure that he will fulfill his promise to rid this earth of all injustice. His way of judging is: firmness where necessary, mercy wherever possible. (2 Peter 3:9)

Jehovah hates Injustice
Why then does he allow injustice and suffering to continue?

The satisfying answer has to do with the issue of sovereignty. As our Creator, Jehovah has the right to rule over the earth and all those who dwell in it.(Ps 24:1; Rev. 4:11)
God's sovereignty was challenged in the garden of Eden. How? Jehovah commanded the first man, Adam, not to eat from a certain tree in the garden. If he disobeyed, "you will positively die," God said. (Gen 2:17) This was not a hard command to obey, as they were free to eat from a wide variety of trees, made just for them. Satan convinced, yes seduced Eve with the idea that God was being unduly restrictive. Satan went as far as telling Eve: "You positively will not die." -Gen 3:1-5.

Satan's words implied that Jehovah with held very important information from Eve. He said that God had lied to her. Yes, Satan challenged the rightfulness, deservedness, and righteousness of God's sovereignty. He was actually saying that Jehovah was not exercising His sovereignty in a righteous way and for the best interests of His subjects.

Both Adam and Eve disobeyed Jehovah. According to God's word, their disobedience put them in line for the punishment of death. Yes, Satan's lie raised vital questions.

1.Does Jehovah truly have the right to rule mankind, or should man rule himself?

2.Does Jehovah exercise his sovereignty in the best possible way?

Jehovah could have used his power to destroy the rebels right then. But eliminating Adam, Eve and Satan would not have proved the righteousness of God's rule. Instead, it might have called his rulership into question even more. The only way to find out whether humans could successfully rule themselves, independent of God, was to let time pass.

What do we see, as we contemplate the history of man's rule? People have experimented with many kinds of government: autocracy, democracy, socialism, and communism. But all of them have verified the words at Ecclesiastes 8:9, "Man has dominated man to his injury." Do you agree with the prophet Jeremiah who wrote, "I well know, O Jehovah, that to earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step." -Jer 10:23.

Jehovah knew that mankind's independence, or self-rule would cause much suffering. Does his allowing this outcome make him unjust? Think about this example: A child of yours needs surgery to cure a life-threatening illness. The operation will cause your child a degree of suffering, and this makes you very, very sad. At the same time, you know that this procedure will allow your child to enjoy better health later in life. In the same way, God knew, in fact he foretold that by allowing mankind to rule would bring a measure of pain and suffering. (Gen 3:16-19) He also knew that lasting relief would be possible only if he allowed all mankind to see the bad fruitage of rebellion. In this way the issue could be settled permanently, for all eternity.

In challenging God's rulership, Satan slandered Jehovah in regards to his sovereignty, and he has slandered God's servants concerning their integrity. How? When speaking about God's servant Job, Satan said to Jehovah, " Have not you yourself put up a hedge about him and about his house and about everything that he has all around? The work of his hands you have blessed, and his livestock itself has spread abroad in the earth. But, for a change, thrust out your hand , please, and touch everything he has and see whether he will not curse you to your very face." -Job 1:10, 11.

Satan said that using his protective power Jehovah was buying Job's devotion, that Job only worshipped Jehovah for what he would get in return. Satan's challenge was that if Job did not have God's blessing, even that man, described as, "blameless and upright, fearing God and turning aside from bad." would curse his Creator. If Satan could break this faithful man's integrity then what about the rest of mankind? Yes, Satan has called into question the loyalty of all those who want to serve God saying, "Everything that a man has he will give in behalf of his soul." -Job 1:8; 2:4.

History has shown that many, like Job, have remained loyal to Jehovah in the face of trial- contrary to Satan's claim. They have made Jehovah's heart glad by their faithfulness, and have given a reply to Satan's taunt that humans will stop serving God when they are subjected to hardship. Heb 11:4-38

God's exercise of justice involves more than the issues of sovereignty and man's integrity. The Bible has recorded many instances of Jehovah's judgments in relation to individuals and even nations. It also, contains prophecies of future judgments. We can be confident in Jehovah's judgments,
"All his ways are justice"-Deut 32:4

In these last days, we are experiencing "critical times hard to deal with".
-2 Tim 3:1. Jehovah has not changed. He still hates injustice, and he cares deeply for victims of injustice. If we are loyal to Jehovah and his sovereignty he will give us the strength to endure until his appointed time when he will correct all injustices under his Kingdom rule. -1 Peter 5:6, 7.

God's justice reminds us of His Wisdom. Genuine wisdom is a most precious quality. Jehovah alone is it's source. Next, we will take a close look at Jehovah's limitless wisdom.