RIVER TREE
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Contact

Streets of London

11/11/2022

0 Comments

 
The theme or message of this great song is found in the chorus: "How can you tell me that you're lonely and say that for you the sun don't shine. Let me take you by the hand and lead you thru the streets of London- I'll show you something to make you change your mind"
 
​Almost all religions and philosophies, in one way another teach this- that when we feel down or discouraged about our condition or position- let us remind ourselves that there are always some poor folk who have it much worst.

In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18


Let us be thankful!

​
0 Comments

July 07th, 2022

7/7/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
I just finished this painting and I had this quote from Isaiah in my head during the whole process
​Life is full of obstacles and difficulties, but when we focus on Jesus,  he gives us the courage and strength to overcome them and we can find peace, no matter what's going on. 
What a beautiful message
0 Comments

Lean on Me

6/3/2022

0 Comments

 
A popular Gospel themed song by Bill Withers about having others to lean on during difficult times and being there for others when they need you.
0 Comments

God cares- and He knows our needs, even before we ask.

8/28/2021

0 Comments

 
Every Grain of Sand" Bob Dylan-from his third Gospel album "Shot of Love" 
The song, in part is based on the saying of Jesus in  Mathew 10. 29-30​
0 Comments

Dahlias Dazzle

8/19/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Dahlias Dazzle-Flower of the Aztecs, whose tubers were widely used for food. The Spaniards tried introducing it and the Potato Tuber to Europe as food. The Potato became wildly popular and spread everywhere- the Dahlia didn't take, but it's flower still dazzles the eye- even if its root don't tickle the palate.

Picture
0 Comments

Small things and Little people

8/1/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture

In 538 B.C. the Jews or Israelites who had been deported from their homeland by their Babylonian Captors were allowed to return and rebuild their temple and their ancient homeland. The original temple, built by King Solomon which had stood for 500 years and was unsurpassed for its beauty and magnificence, had been completely levelled by Nebuchadnezzar-King of Babylon, a generation earlier. The returning exiles upon seeing the new temple -much smaller and unimpressive - wept in despair and disappointment. However, God, through his prophet, chided and encouraged them to  "Despise not the day of small things" Zachariah 4:10. and reminded them that " it is not by might, nor by power ,but by my spirit" Zechariah4:6.
Although ,the Bible is replete with stories of great people and events, demonstrating the omnipotence and grandeur of God and outstanding heroes of faith ,such as Moses, Elijah, Samson, David and others fire the imagination and inspire us to believe in the seemingly impossible - there are also an abundance of stories and teachings of little people and little things, which probably influence and impact our lives far more profoundly. Most of us after all, do not deal with great matters and events and so these teachings and stories, perhaps, have more relevance for us as we go about our ordinary, often uneventful lives.

Picture
It is worth noting that in the natural world of Flora and Fauna - almost everything begins with a tiny seed, from simple grasses to giant redwoods- from tiny shrimps to behemoth whales, from mini mice to massive Mammoths.
​Jesus himself referenced this idea in  many stories and parables. e.g the "Mustard seed"  The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed , which is the smallest seed, yet when it is planted, it grows and becomes the largest of plants ..so that the birds of the air can perch in its shade" Mark4;31,32 . 
That theme seems woven into many of the parables and stories that we find in the gospels.- The story of the little boy who gives his lunch of  bread and fish, which Jesus miraculously multiplies to feed @20,000. The poor widow who gives her last coin, whom Jesus commended saying " This poor widow  has given more than anyone else, because she out of her poverty, gave all that she had, while others gave out of their wealth and abundance." ' Whoever can be trusted with very little can be trusted with much" etc. My personal  favorite  is where Jesus to emphasize God's loving care and concern for all His Creation, declares that; "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny, and one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your father. And even the very hairs of your head are numbered" Matt .10;29,30
 Finally, this proverb ,which has come down to us from the middle ages might also be a good lesson on the importance of little things and little people.
​"For want of a nail ,the horseshoe was lost, for want of a horseshoe ,the horse was lost, for want of a horse, the king was lost, for want of a king , the kingdom was lost and all for want of a nail."
​

0 Comments

Spring Time

4/29/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Spring is that time of year when everything seems to be coming back to life again. That is especially true for those of us who live in cold, northern climes, where winters long, cold grip leaves us longing for the warm embrace- the buzz- the bloom- the brightness and blessedness of beautiful Spring. 

This popular traditional Scottish/ Irish tune "Wild mountain thyme/ Will ye go lassie go" has always been a sweet, spring love son. Recorded by many artists. Rod Stewart's version is great.
Mark Knoefler does a beautiful instrumental rendition,. I hope you enjoy my effort. TY!   
​, 
0 Comments

Happy Easter!

4/1/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Who was Jesus and why did He die such a terrible death?
He himself said: "I lay down my life that I might take it up again".
No mere man could seriously make this seemingly preposterous claim and many other similar declarations, if they were not true.
To His followers, the Jewish leaders, the Roman authorities and various common folk, Jesus identified with the great "I am" (the eternal God) first mentioned in the Old testament account of Moses' encounter with God on Mt. Sinai. He also claimed to be the "Messiah" the savior of Israel and the world, "the Light of the world" "the Way, the Truth and the Life" "the son of God" and other claims which could only be attributed to the Divine.
But lest any say " he talked a good talk" He said " If you dont believe what I say, believe the works that I do" pointing people to the supernatural miracles that He performed: Raising the dead, healing all manner of sickness and disease, walking on water, feeding thousands from a loaf of bread and two fish, demonstrating His power over wind and weather, just to name a few.

Picture
Why then, would a man of such power and might allow himself to suffer the cruelest, most ignominious of deaths at the hands of evil men?
The answers can be found in detail in the writings of Paul and the intimate disciples of Jesus in the New Testament or the proclamation of John the Baptist: "This is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world"

The most amazing explanation, however can be found in the writings of the Hebrew prophet Isaiah, who 750 years earlier foresaw and explained the suffering and death of Jesus the Messiah, in these words: "He was despised and rejected of men"- "He took our infirmities"- "He was pierced for our transgressions" - "by His wounds, we are healed" -"the Lord laid on Him the iniquity of us all"- "He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors" all quotes from Isaiah chapt.53.
Thank God though, that was not the finale as three days later in the greatest miracle of all, He arose body and soul from the dead and promised eternal life to all who believe in him.

0 Comments

Make me an instrument of your peace

2/25/2021

0 Comments

 
St Francis prayer- "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace" was composed by Saint Francis of Assisi in the twelfth century.  After the Lords Prayer, it is probably the best known and most beloved of all prayers throughout the Christian world.  It has been translated and converted  into song in many languages.
I like this  Spanish version, which is the language in which I first learned to sing it. I assume many people are familiar with the words in English and other languages.
"Where there is hatred- let me sow love, Doubt.......Faith, Injury .......Pardon, Despair ....Hope.etc./ It is in giving - that we receive,/In forgiving - that we are forgiven/ etc.
0 Comments

Saint Valentine's Day

2/14/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
 The type of love that is generally celebrated on St. Valentines day is what the Greeks called Eros or Romantic love.  Valentine, who lived in the 4th century ,over time has become identified with that type of love, though it was his devotion to Agape-Love of God-for which he became well known, suffered martyrdom and became a Saint..
​
Perhaps, though the best description of love ever written and a wonderful example of the same would be that of Saul of Tarsus, who before his conversion was consumed by murderous hatred. After his conversion, this Apostle of love,  Saint Paul- the prime example of Love's transforming power would give the the world these beautiful, enduring words  "Love suffers long and is kind, Love does not envy, Is not easily provoked and is not jealous, Does not exalt itself, Seeks not its own- Thinks no evil. Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails" 

​All loves- Agape(Gods love), Eros(romantic) Philo(friendship) are important and all have their place in a well lived , meaningful life, but as C.S. Lewis says; "Agape by definition is the highest and most unselfish of these loves"

0 Comments

December 18th, 2020

12/18/2020

0 Comments

 
0 Comments

Prophecies- Foretold and Fulfilled.

12/18/2020

0 Comments

 
​ Prophecy: 750 B.C.  Isaiah, the greatest of the Hebrew prophets writing about this time,
prophesied a supernatural event that would occur, far into the future: "Therefore ,the Lord himself will give you a sign; The virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."
Fullfilled; The Gospel writer and disciple of Jesus, Matthew, records the birth of Jesus to the Virgin Mary @ the year AD.1  Luke the Evangelist, and Author of the Gospel of Luke records the event and many other details of the birth and childhood of Jesus, which many historians agree, he must have gotten directly from Mary, herself. Luke lived and travelled in the same places, geographically as Mary and would have most likely conversed with her.

Prophecy; In Isaiah 9; 6,7  An astounding prophecy is recorded: "For unto us , a CHILD is born , unto us a SON is given, and he will be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Fulfilled; Jesus himself in response to the Jewish leaders questioning His authority said "Before Abraham was ( @2000 B.C.) I  AM." thus identifying himself with the God who responded to Moses's question on Mount Sinai ."Who shall I say sent me?"  " I AM that I AM" was the response. Again Jesus stated ;"I and my Father are one"
The doubting disciple Thomas on seeing the resurrected Jesus proclaimed " My Lord and my God"
All the new testament Writers, including those who lived intimately with him, believed that Jesus was God incarnate.
Prophecy;  Micah 5:2  "But you Bethlehem, though you are small, out of you will come forth the ruler whose origins are from old, from ancient times."
Fulfilled; The Gospels record that Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
0 Comments

Our Garden, our delight.

7/28/2020

0 Comments

 
God's Garden, our delight.

We do our part, we plant, we sow
but one thing's certain, this we know
only God can make it grow.
​Michael
0 Comments

Our little corner of Eden

6/12/2020

0 Comments

 
Rain, rain beating against the pane
From the blackened sky, I wonder why?
Flowers, flowers 
up-springing after showers
​Ah! God has explained why it has rained!
0 Comments

All life Matters

6/12/2020

1 Comment

 
Picture
No matter what's going on around us, we can be certain that to God, all life matters!
Jesus himself affirmed this when he said "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies and not one of them is forgotten before God, indeed the very hairs of your head are numbered" Luke 12:16. If we have any doubt about that, we need only to reflect on the life of the Bumblebee and it's vital importance to the existence and well-being of humankind.

1 Comment

"To Everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven"

5/23/2020

0 Comments

 
 "Turn,Turn,Turn" Cover. Composed by Pete Seeger, great Singer,Songwriter and Social reformer, during the 1960's. Words from the Bible .Eccleasstes Chapter 3.  A #1 hit for The Byrds,popular Folk Rock group from the same era. 

0 Comments

A Time for Everything

5/5/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
0 Comments

Protected By Angels

4/27/2020

0 Comments

 
Protected By Angels
Picture
​"'That's when Michael, the great angel-prince,
champion of your people, will step in.
It will be a time of trouble, the worst trouble the world has ever seen.
​But your people will be saved.
                                                                         Daniel 12:1
RiverTree.ca
0 Comments

We are never alone

4/22/2020

1 Comment

 
Picture
1 Comment

Easter and the Butterfly

4/12/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
 The metamorphosis of the Caterpillar into a Butterfly is a symbol of the Resurrection. 
​The Chrysalis breaks out of the darkness of the Cocoon and soars  into the bright light of day as a Butterfly, and Jesus rises forth from the darkness of the Tomb and breaks the shackles of Earth and ascends to the heavens.
With the promise of His return,
​when we shall rise to meet him.

Happy Easter
Michael
Picture
0 Comments

The Penitent Thief

4/5/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture

Although, he is not mentioned by name, in the Gospel account, Christian tradition identifies the penitent thief as Dismas. It is not clear why Dismas is condemned to such a cruel, painful death as Crucifixion, which the Romans normally reserved for more serious crimes- such as Rebellion and Murder,etc. not Thievery.
​Perhaps, Dismas was just unlucky and robbed the wrong person at the wrong time.

The other thief in the same ordeal, joined the crowd in insults and mockery of the dying "Saviour" their companion, in the terrible scene.
Dismas, however, responded differently.

He had probably lived a wasted, insignificant life and had little if anything to commend him  to God for any kind of eternal reward or redemption.
Broken, bleeding and naked and with no visible hope, he took responsibility for his wasted life and refused to blame God or anyone for his condition "We have received our just reward, but, this man(Jesus) has done nothing wrong." His dying plea- "Lord ,remember me"  was answered with the most comforting words, any dying person could possibly hear in their final moments;
​"Today, you will be with me in Paradise" 

​Michael
​​

0 Comments

Trees

1/24/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
A famous poet penned these unforgettable lines " I think that I shall never see, a poem lovely as a tree" A more recent poet, deploring the unsightly signs and billboards littering our modern landscape, countered with his own version" I think that I shall never see, a billboard lovely as a tree" They are both right. Trees are very beautiful and of enormous importance, in so many ways, to the well being of our planet and its inhabitants.
In the Bible, the oldest and most widely read book in the world, there are many allusions to trees, almost always spoken of, respectfully and reverentially and are symbolic of goodness and strength. From the "tree of life" and the "tree of good and evil" in Genesis, Gen.2:9, the first book of the Bible to the "tree of life, whose leaves are for the healing of the nations" in the last book, Revelation. Rev.22:2.

Jesus compared himself to a tree; " I am the vine( the trunk) you are the branches" John.15:1 and after a life of giving, under whose branches so many found safety, protection and peace - He was cut down and hanged on a wooden cross( a tree) but in his death, like the tree, he continued his noble service of giving and providing shelter and a home to the wandering and the weary.
​

Wisdom is compared to a tree: "She (Wisdom) is a tree of life, to those who embrace her "Proverbs 3:18
A Just man is compared to a tree; "He is like a tree, planted by the rivers of waters"

Those who love God and serve others are referred to as trees; "They will be called trees of righteousness" Isaiah 61:3

The poet referred to earlier finishes his poem with this beautiful thought; "Poems were made by fools like me, but only God could make a tree"

May God bless you and keep you like trees, fruitful and ever-growing
Michael

0 Comments

    Categories

    All
    Angels
    Carole
    Easter
    Fear Not
    Love
    Michael
    Protection
    Song

    Archives

    November 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    August 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    January 2020

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Contact