The Laws of Nature

All my life I have been a student of the physical universe.  Physics is the proper term for that field of study and I remember, even as a young kid, that it was an intimidating word requiring the understanding of difficult subjects.  I was wrong, Physics is very intuitive and is nothing more than the study of the forces in nature (God’s Laws) and the relationships between them.  scientists put a man on the moon by understanding the laws of momentum, acceleration, and the pull of gravity that were first developed by Sir Isaac Newton in the 1600’s, and physics is the tool that allowed them to do that!

Sir Isaac Newton

 The understanding and faith in the physical laws of nature was developed after many years of empirical studies and observations.  We needed to know that these laws worked every time and in all places and that they were actually “LAWS” and not just postulations.

I have recently discovered that there are a similar set of laws that govern the spiritual universe!  These are also “God’s Laws,” but since they are not subject to empirical studies and measurement, they are not as easily understood and we have more difficulty having faith in them.  Nevertheless, they are equally as reliable and, over time, the effects of them can be felt.  Most of us are familiar with these laws but they are not in the form of the laws of physics where we are usually confronted with things like A+B=C etc.

The laws that govern the spiritual realm take the form “Ask and ye shall receive,” and “Whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”  Notice that God’s spiritual laws are all activated by words!  God created us and the universe by simply uttering words and we wield the power of God with our words.  When we speak words out of our mouths they become a spiritual force backed by the power of God.  We should choose our words very carefully, they can help us but they can also do us great harm.  Words are the most powerful thing in the universe!  A great man once said, “those that say they can and those that say they can’t are both right”!  Remember, “In the beginning was the word, and the word was God.”

Words are the seeds we sow and if we sow good seeds we will reap a good harvest!

The Tabernacle on the Hill

When our faith is tested, how do we know we have enough?  If we pray hard for something and then look around to see if it arrived, is that a sign of weakness?  It’s easy to say “I believe in Jesus and that he died for the sins of the world,” but do we really know what that means and do we truly believe it?

My cousin LuAnn once said to me, “Pray and then accept the victory,” and I ran into that mindset a second time last weekend.  For me, the hard part is accepting the victory on faith alone, actually trusting God’s promise and believing that your prayer has been answered even though there are no outward signs.  Last Sunday, I actually got to meet some people who are able to do that!  Their faith, individually, is so strong that they couldn’t even perceive that their prayer request would not be answered.  Their acceptance of victory was without reservation.  It was, and is a faith building experience to be around these types of folks.  I met these people at the “Treehouse,” the home of Doreen and the “Betts Ministries.”

The Treehouse

At most churches I’ve attended, I often wondered why all those “believers” didn’t spend more time actively praying for the needy, spiritually and otherwise, instead of listening to the same old sermons week after week without taking affirmative action to make the world a better place.  I found that culture at the “Treehouse.”  While they still have sermons, they are more of a participatory experience, somewhat akin to what I think would better be described as a bible study.

While the “Treehouse” has been active since 2008, Doreen is now in the process of developing her “Tabernacle on the Hill.”  The tabernacle exists, at this time, as a very large tent but at the rate this ministry is growing, a permanent structure is imminent.

The Tabernacle on The Hill

I could go on and on about her ministry, but I think she can say it better herself if you will visit her website at: http://bettsministries.org/page/history_21856

It's All About Teeth

Only a few times in life do you get the opportunity to associate with a team of people who work together in perfect harmony like a well-oiled machine.  Hospitality Dental Group in Riverside, CA is just such a team.  Guided by their extraordinary leader, Dr. B., they are the epitome of industry and efficiency.  Dr. B. is a most interesting man and like the Dos Equis commercial on TV wherein you are introduced to the “most interesting man in the world,” you expect, at any moment, for him to turn to you and say, “stay thirsty my friend.”

You are greeted at the front door of Dr. B’s clinic by an obvious “pineapple motif.”  The pineapple has been a symbol of hospitality and “warm welcome” throughout the history of the Americas and was mentioned in the writings of Christopher Columbus.  Dr. B and his team continue that legacy in fine fashion.

Unlike most medical establishments that present a drab, sterile atmosphere, Dr. B’s office is a veritable museum!  His interests and expertise cover a wide range of subjects.  He is the consummate philatelist, dabbles in paleontology and has a collection of fossils from the Miocene epoch hanging on his walls.  As if that is not enough to keep him busy, he has been on several Safaris in Africa and has several artifacts from those adventures in his office!

This is a small selection of artifacts including; what else?, Teeth! from one of those Safaris.  Thank you Dr. B.

 To Dr. B, Gail, Darlene, and all you professional team members at Hospitality Dental Group, Thank you for your efforts on my behalf over the many years.