Hosanna and Alleluia

We call it Palm Sunday - the Sunday before Easter.

Each time I hear this story of the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, I learn more and more. It fulfilled so many prophecies all in one day. It showed humility and sovereignty all in one action. It demonstrated the authority of Jesus, the Son of God.

As Jesus approached Jerusalem, the crowds greeted him with shouts of "Hosanna! Hosanna!" (Save us! Save us!) thinking He would free them from the Romans. They waved palm branches and laid a carpet of coats before Him. Children danced and sang praises to Him. When the religious leaders demanded that He hush their voices, He said, "If these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out." This was the day proclaimed by the prophets that He would be presented as King of the Jews, and it would happen no matter what.

I've wondered much about the stones praising God, and it has led me to write a story about all of nature singing to God. (Song of the Sunbeams)

My friend, Jan Ackerson, wrote a beautiful poem about the child Jesus hearing the voices and songs of nature. Read this slowly, and let its beauty sink into your soul.

Allelu by  Jan Ackerson Creator, You dwell with us now,
And so we proclaim with one voice—
Each creature and each blade of grass,
Each rock and each river—Rejoice!

Allelu, bless Your name, allelu,
Creation is singing for You.

O hear now the animals’ choir:
Vicuna, raccoon, chimpanzee—
We offer our song to the King:
Great elephant, tiniest flea.

Allelu, bless Your name, allelu,
Creation is singing for You.

We sing, too. (You only can hear).
The cedars and lilies, the wheat,
Bamboo, passionflower, and palm:
Hosannas we lay at Your feet.

Allelu, bless Your name, allelu,
Creation is singing for You.

A wee grain of sand, and this stone,
This boulder, this mountain, this star—
Our melody will not be stilled,
We glory in all that You are.

Allelu, bless Your name, allelu,
Creation is singing for You.

Come, waters of earth, raise your song:
Murmuring book, rushing waterfalls, too,
Lake, river and pond, mighty sea,
All join in the great “Allelu!”

Allelu, bless Your name, allelu,
Creation is singing for You.
(For the complete story click here.)
If I could choose one day of Jesus' life, I might choose the Triumphant Entry. I can't wait for the day when I WILL be there when He enters the gates of Jerusalem again - this time as King of Eternity! (Isaiah 60)

Read this story of how I imagine it might be. ( Zion Rejoices )

Are You Ready?

A trumpet sounds for many reasons - to awaken, to warn, to call, to herald a king. There is one trumpet sound that means all of these. It's God's sign of judging the world of sin.

God judged the world once before with a great flood. In the days of Noah, men were doing evil continually. Only Noah and his family were saved. Even after being warned, the people of his time chose not to believe. The Lord says that He will judge the world again.

"But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." (Matthew 24:37-39, KJV)

There will be terrible time of death and destruction on the earth, called the Great Tribulation. (Revelation 6-9)  But to those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior, they will be raptured, taken up into heaven, to escape God's wrath on the world.

Jesus said,

"I will come again."

He has given us signs to know when this time is near.

Have you read the news? - increased crime and immorality, increased natural disasters, looming economic crash, plans for world government, etc. (CLICK HERE)

The Bible is not silent on this.

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God."(2 Timothy 3:1-4, KJV)

God is merciful and longsuffering, but He is also holy and will not let sin go unpunished. There is coming a day when He will judge the nations of the earth for their wickedness and unbelief. The Bible is filled with prophecies and signs of  His return. (CLICK HERE)  God has been telling us that He will come back for His people. He will come back to judge the earth.

" Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.   For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.   Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." ( 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, KJV )

Are you ready?

You can KNOW for sure that you are going to heaven. 

(CLICK HERE) to learn of

 GOD'S GIFT OF LIFE.

To receive God's gift of eternal life, 

A - Agree with Him

"God be merciful to me, a sinner."

(Luke 18:13)

B - Believe in Him

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,

and you shall be saved."

(Acts 16:31)

C - Call on Him

"For whosoever shall call upon

the name of the Lord, shall be saved."

(Romans 10:13)

After the church is taken away, there will be 7 years of earthquakes, famine, darkness, and much more. Many will die, but those that believe in God's Son, Jesus Christ, will be welcomed into heaven and honored for their faith.

Then the Lord will come to earth as the mighty King of Kings! He will destroy the armies of the world and establish His kingdom on earth for a thousand years. At which time, He will destroy Satan and his followers forever, and create a new heaven and new earth.

Are you ready to see, Jesus Christ your King? 

Tout est Accompli

Sometimes I wish I could understand other languages. For many times, I have heard of how God has given to a certain people some phrase that is not in our English language - a word that gives more depth to God's great love and mercy. The words of our English language often seem too shallow and trite to express the greatness of God.

The many lessons of love and sacrifice at Calvary have been studied by theological scholars for eons, especially the words spoken by the Lord on the cross. The last words of Christ at that time were "It is finished." We understand that to mean that His work was done. He had obeyed the Father's will and taken the penalty for our sins.

In French, the words read, "Tout est accompli."
All has been accomplished, completed.

Somehow, it seems to mean more. It seems to show that everything that God had planned, from before time began, had been fulfilled.

All of it. 

All the sins, from eternity to eternity were paid and forgiven.

All of them. 

All the sacrifices on all the altars were represented by the sacrifice of the Lamb of God.

All of them.

Will we ever know the complete meaning of the cross? I don't think so. For how can we know the great gulf between God's holiness and man's sin? How can we fathom the knowledge of God becoming a man to redeem us when we didn't deserve it? How can we understand such love?

We need not - we cannot do anything to save ourselves. He has done it - He has done it all.

TOUT EST ACCOMPLI

("O Sacred Head Now Wounded")

IN THEIR SANDALS

INTRODUCING -

In Their Sandals

a book of Biblical short stories and poems. 

March around Jericho, walk on the Sea of Galilee,

even listen to the angels. Read it in God's Word,

then put yourself in their sandals.

Here is an example of a short story in pages of In Their Sandals.

BUT NOT JESUS

“Don’t touch me!”  

Sarai pulled back as if she had been burned. Her eyes filled with tears when they met Ruben’s gaze. “I forgot.” She buried her face in her hands and sobbed.

Ruben wrapped a loaf of bread in a cloth and filled a skin with fresh water. Flinging it over his shoulder, he crouched near Sarai. “Dearest, I must leave because I love you. You know that.”

Fresh tears ran down her cheeks, and she nodded in acknowledgment. “Oh, Ruben! I’d rather go with you.”

“Sarai, I will never stop loving you. I will be watching for you…” His gaze dropped to her rounded belly. “…and the little one, when you come to the sheep gate.”

Sarai nodded. It would be the closest she would ever get to him again.

Ruben held his hand over her head—only he did not touch her. His arms and heart ached with the restraint. “Sarai!” he whispered, then disappeared into the night.

The air was warm and heavy. He hoisted his sack higher on his shoulder and clutched his walking stick with determination. As he neared the campfires, he saw the shadows of a dozen people—some squatting, some lying down, and one leaning against a tree. His foot knocked a pebble loose, and they all turned in his direction.

“Who is it? We are unclean!”

Unclean…the word stabbed Ruben’s heart. “I am Ruben ben Jacob. I am unclean, also.”

“Come! Show yourself.” 

When Ruben stepped into the light, the others melted away from him. Some crawled on festering limbs; others tugged rags around their faces. Their eyes shone in the firelight like wild animals around their prey. Ruben pulled down on his tunic to show the white spots on his chest. A sympathetic moan surrounded him.

“Come,” said the leader. “Sit down. I am Jedediah.” He put a hand on each of Ruben’s shoulder. One by one, the others approached, each touching him on the back or shoulder or head. Ruben sat on a stone and took a bowl of stew offered to him.

Jedediah leaned close. “Tell us of the city. What is new?” The others listened expectantly. “Have you seen this man called Jesus?”

Ruben looked up quickly. “Yes, I was there when he made bread for hundreds of people. He heals the lame and blind. I heard he walked on the sea. Some say he is a prophet, and others say he is the Messiah.”

“What do you think?”

Ruben shrugged. “I don’t know.  He is not a man like others.”       

Each evening, Ruben waited for Sarai. The first day was the hardest. He could not approach closer than fifty steps from the wall. Sarai sobbed. She could not even speak. Leaving her basket, she stumbled away.

As the months passed, Ruben saw that the time of her birthing was getting closer. He longed to touch her.

 “Are you well?” he hollered.

She nodded.

“I am praying to Jehovah for you!”

“Oh Ruben!” The tears began again. “I need you!”

Sarai did not come the next evening. Ruben waited until the stars appeared. Still she did not come. He could not sleep. I must see Sarai. I must go home! But Ruben knew the law. “The unclean must live outside the city.” If only he could be cured…if only…He sobbed, “Jehovah, be merciful to me!”

Jedediah roused him the next morning. “Ruben! Ruben! The man called Jesus is coming this way. Perhaps we will see him as he enters the city.”

Ruben jumped up. The Lord has heard my cry!

“Where are you going, Ruben? He’s not here, yet.”

Ruben ran. The stones cut his feet, but he didn’t feel them. People shied away from him when they saw his bandages. Crowds filled the road— people who were busy, people who didn’t care.

Then he saw Jesus. 

It had to be Jesus! Others turned away from his ugliness and rotten flesh—but not Jesus. Ruben fell down before Him, “Lord, if you will, I know you can heal me.” 

Jesus lifted him to his feet. He wrapped his arms around Ruben and held him close. “I will. Be clean!” 

Ruben felt his body fill with strength and healing. He pulled up his shirt and felt his chest and face. His skin was clean! He jumped and danced and shouted. 

Jesus smiled. “Go, Ruben. Go show the priests that you are healed. Go home to your wife, for she has born a son.”  

To purchase In Their Sandals, 

(click here)

or contact me for a signed copy. 

Daily Abiding with Granny - Coals of Kindness

Daily Abiding with Granny

"Coals of Kindness"

"If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink;
for in so doing, thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."
(Romans 12:20,21 KJV)

This lesson from Granny comes to us in the second book, Going Home with Phoebe. Phoebe is having trouble making friends with a new girl named Delly. In fact, Phoebe even suspects that Delly has stolen a special book that had been borrowed from the parson's wife. Phoebe tries her best to be forgiving, but it's not easy. Zeke gives her encouragement and a lesson he learned from Granny - to be so loving and kind to those hateful people in your life that they can't resist the power of love and forgiveness. It's not easy, but Phoebe tries again.

Delly

Phoebe tried to return to the history of Magellan, but she kept looking at Delly and Stafford and Ross huddled around the stove. What kind of father would make his children walk to school on a day like this? She caught the eye of Delly, who quickly looked away. Phoebe noticed that her sweater looked square, like there was something underneath it.

After the spelling lesson, Miss Edgecomb looked at her watch that hung on a chain around her neck. “Phoebe, would you please help the younger girls to the outhouse and then fetch their lunch pails so they can eat in here? We’ll have to have our recess inside today.”

Stella and Jemmy put on their coats and bonnets to face the blowing storm for the few feet to the outhouse. They each grabbed one of Phoebe’s hands and squealed with mock fright as she raced with them across the soggy yard. The wind whistled through the cracks and even up the hole. No one ever dilly-dallied in the outhouse, but especially not on a day like today.

Even though the storm meant being trapped indoors all day, there was an air of excitement and adventure. Children scurried up and down between the desks. Some of the boys began leap-frogging over them until Miss Edgecomb promised a sing time. She also decided to allow them to sit with their friends instead of in their normal assigned spots. Stella and Jemmy pulled Phoebe to sit with them, so Phoebe squeezed into the seat next to the little girls. She looked around the room and noticed Delly sitting alone.

“I’ll sit with you another time,” she told the little girls. “I promise.”

She stood near Delly’s desk. “Would you like me to sit with you?”

Delly looked up with squinted eyes, “Why would I want that? Maybe I like being alone.”

Phoebe stared at her. Her eyes stung and her throat tightened. Her breath came fast and hard. She turned on her heel and plopped in the bench at her desk. Grrrr . .  . That Delly can be so . . .  so . . .  difficult! Doesn’t she recognize when someone is trying to be nice?

Phoebe ate the bread and cheese and apple pie that Maseppa had packed for her, but it tasted bland and dry. She loved to sing, but today she just didn’t feel like it. She’d be glad when their lessons were done and Zeke came to pick them up. She lifted the lid of her desk and froze.

There was the book! The red coloring from the binding was spreading to her papers. One edge looked smeared, like mud had been wiped off. She glanced over at Delly, but she was bent over her desk with intense concentration. She glanced up at Phoebe and then looked back at her work.

Miss Edgecomb was collecting papers from the third class on the other side of the room. Phoebe took the book and walked quickly to the coat room. She wrapped it in her shawl and put it under her lunch pail. Just as she was slipping back into her desk, she heard Miss Edgecomb. “Phoebe Johanson, please sit down and resume your studies.”

“Yes, Miss Edgecomb.”

The schoolroom returned to the normal sound of rustling papers and books. Phoebe glanced at Delly, who was staring at her. Phoebe and Delly held each other’s gaze for a few seconds. Phoebe smiled and there was a little twitch at the corner of Delly’s lips.

Phoebe was glad that Zeke was there when school let out at three o’clock. She told Matthew to get ready while she went to ask Zeke something. She explained about the Kittles, and just like she knew would happen, he offered to take them home. She ran back through the stinging raindrops.

“Delly, Stafford, and Ross, you don’t have to walk home. Zeke said he’d take you home. We’ll have to squeeze together, but that’s alright. We’ll stay warmer that way.”

Matthew, Stafford, and Ross sat on the floor of the buggy, while Delly and Phoebe squeezed in the seat next to Zeke. There wasn’t much room for their feet.

Delly whispered, “How come you didn’t tell on me about the book?”

“I don’t know. I guess I felt sorry for you, being all wet and all. I want to be your friend.”

Delly’s face clouded. “I don’t need no charity friends,” she hissed and turned her face toward the passing, wet landscape.

Phoebe glanced to her left to see if Zeke was listening. He was whistling and didn’t seem to be paying attention to them. The boys were on their knees and talking about Ol’ Sam.

Zeke dropped off the Kittles, and Delly stomped through the puddles without so much as a glance backwards. Phoebe felt frustrated and ashamed, but mostly confused.

After Matthew got out, she and Zeke headed home. The rain pattered on the buggy roof, and Ol’ Sam slopped steadily through the mud.

“Zeke?”

“Yes?”

“Sometimes it’s hard being nice, isn’t it?”

Zeke lifted his hat and scratched his head. “I heard you and Delly talking. Let me tell you something. She’s hurting and embarrassed about her life. She’s pushing folks away ‘cause then they’ll see how things really are.”

“I know it’s not her fault that her pa is like that. I just want to be her friend.”

He smiled at her. “I know, Li’l  Angel. You’ve got a big heart.” He thought for a minute. “There’s a place in the Good Book that talks about ‘heaping coals o’ fire’ on folks’ heads to show you care.”

“Coals of fire?”

“Granny called it ‘coals of kindness.’ It’s showing so much love to them that their shame makes them uncomfortable and they can’t help but be sorry.”

Phoebe thought on that for a while. It isn’t easy to be kind to the Kittles. It’s like trying to hug a porcupine!  Phoebe cocked her head and faced Zeke. “Do you think you could take me over to the parsonage ‘fore we go home? I’ve got something that I need to tell Missus Thomas.”

Daily Abiding with Granny -Trusting God

Daily Abiding with Granny

"Trusting God"
"For I have learned, in whatever state I am,
therewith to be content."
(Philippians 4:11)

Granny hasn't had an easy life. She lost her son to illness when he was young. Her daughter moved out West to the Territories. Her husband died, leaving her with the farm. On top of all this, she has lost her sight in her old age.
But we find that Granny has accepted her life as it is. Granny has learned that God has a reason for everything in her life. She may not understand it, and it may be hard, but she trusts in God and looks for His blessings in whatever He brings her way. 

 Granny's Home

           Phoebe scurried upstairs and then stopped. In her hurry this morning, she hadn’t really looked around. At the top landing, the door stood slightly open. Phoebe gently pushed it and saw a large soft bed with its bedding pulled down over the footboard. The white lacy curtains swayed at the open window. There was also a chest of drawers with a round looking glass. Phoebe wrinkled up her nose and stuck out her tongue at her reflection. A painting of a man and woman with a little girl and boy hung on the wall.

            Granny hobbled and huffed up the last step. “Land sakes! Those stairs get harder to climb everyday. I can’t wait ‘til the Lord comes and gives me a new glorified body! Let’s plump up the feather mattresses and pillows now that the breeze has freshened the sheets.”

            “Who are those people in that picture?”

“Oh, I almost forgot it was there. It’s my husband, Henry; myself, when I was younger and a bit more slender; and our daughter, Emma, when she was about your age.” Granny sighed and brushed her fingers across it. “And my little boy, Charlie. I wish I could see it again. I miss them so.”

“Granny, why can’t you see?”

“Heavens t’Betsy! I guess the Good Lord took away my sight because He wanted me to understand things in a different way. Sometimes I see better by listening with my ears and feeling with my hands.”

            Granny shook and slapped the pillows and mattress until they were round and puffy. Then she pulled the sheets and blankets up, and topped it with a colorful quilt.

           “I made this quilt while I waited Henry Mackmin to finally get the courage to come courting. We were married forty-two years afore he died. I surely miss him.”

            She lowered the window sash, and they proceeded to where Phoebe and Maseppa had slept. Phoebe ran to open the window and pulled back the blankets, just as she had seen Granny’s bed.

         “Oh dear! You do learn quickly, Child, but next time, do it as soon as you awaken, so it will air out while you eat your breakfast." After they made up the bed, Granny closed the window against the cool autumn air.  “This was my Emma’s room.”

In the hallway, Phoebe pointed to the closed door. “What’s in there?”

            “I’ll show you." Granny led the way along the stair railing. She had to push the door with her shoulder.

          The air smelled musty, and a fly buzzed at the window. There was a low, small bed and big chest at its foot. The walls were bare except for a painting above the bed of a little boy and his black puppy.

            Granny was unusually quiet, “It’s been a long time since I’ve been in here.”

 “Who slept here?”

            Granny sighed. “Little Charlie was always sickly. He suffered so with coughs and fevers. One time, it grew into pneumonia, and … and now he’s in heaven with the Lord.”

            Phoebe wrapped her little arms as far as they could reach around Granny’s middle. She tipped her head up to look at Granny's face. “Maybe the Good Shepherd is taking care of your little boy.”

Join me here as we study Granny's ability to live her life, 

daily abiding in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Love and Prayers,

Yvonne                 

If you haven't read A Home for Phoebe yet, 

you can order it on Amazon, 

or you can contact me for a signed copy.

Also, the sequel Going Home with Phoebe is now available.

You can order it on (Amazon)    

or you can contact me for a signed copy.

Dressed in White

DRESSED IN WHITE

A tumult of majestic anthems

Swells and fills the air, 

Their sweet harmonic chorus rising

To the endless sky.

Trilling harps, angelic singing

Praises, adoration,

Glory, laud, and acclamations

To the King on high! 

A moment… a pause of expectation

A lonely trumpet sounds,

All faces turn with anticipation,

Ivory gates swing wide.

Whispered voices and breathless gasps

Of joy and delight

Greet the elegantly splendered bride

Adorned in white.

She lifts her modest, mist-veiled face

In wonder and in awe

To vaulted alabaster rafters,

Iridescent light.

Crowds of eager, reverent faces

Multitudes surround her,

Ten hundred thousand on each side,

Welcoming his bride.

She fingers her snowy garment,

Pure and spotless wool,

Its endless train like a crystal river,

Flowing deep and wide.

The cloud of exultant witnesses

Creates a path before her,

Revealing the gentle, tender compassion 

In her beloved’s eyes.

In humble shame she bows her head.

Unworthy and unwanted,

Yet he sought her and found her.

Her lowly heart cries.

She didn’t deserve such love and mercy.

How could he love her so?

Her wretched filth and sinfulness,

Blasphemy and lies.

He chose her, forgave her, and forgot her past.

Seeing only her soul,

He washed her and cleansed her,

And clothed her in white.

She humbly lifts her thankful face

To him who gave his all,

Past the hundred million guests, she glides

To his glorious light.

With compassion and with endless grace,

He stretches out his arm,

And offers her his nail-scarred hand,

And welcomes home his bride.

---

Mountains Crumble

The immensity and devastation of the earthquake in Nepal has shocked the world. My heart cries for the families of the thousands who have lost loved ones - those who have not the hope and comfort of the Lord.

When I heard of even Mt. Everest crumbling, I thought of the song,

"The Bible stands though the hills may tumble; 

It will firmly stand when the earth shall crumble.

I will plant my feet on its firm foundation;

For the Bible stands."

I also thought of the words in Isaiah, which not only prophecies about Christ's first coming, but His second coming too - 

“Prepare the way of the Lord;

Make His paths straight.

Every valley shall be filled

And every mountain and hill brought low;

The crooked places shall be made straight

And the rough ways smooth;

And all flesh shall see the salvation of God."

I pray that the people of the world will see that there is only One God. He has supreme power over the earth. He is holy, although He is merciful, He will not hold His anger forever. I pray that many will bow before Him in humble repentance.

Song of the Sunbeams

Palm Sunday is one of my favorite days. I love the thoughts surrounding the story of Jesus going going to Jerusalem as King and look forward to the day He will again ride into Jerusalem as King over the whole earth.

 I like the thought of "even the stones" crying out in praise to God. Here is a fictional story that I wrote that came from the idea of all nature praising the Lord -

Song of the Sunbeams

Mike wasn’t supposed to be there, but Uncle Ted said, “History is happening today. Science will never be the same. I want you to have a front row seat to the future.” 

Men and women with briefcases streamed into the auditorium. They set up their laptops and greeted old friends. Chairs clanged and microphones squeaked and voices echoed on the high ceiling. Uncle Ted stepped to the podium. 

“Ladies and gentlemen...” 

People scurried to their places.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Universal Code Project. We are honored to have many science and technical experts here. I am excited about what today will mean for the future. 

“As you can see, we will be projecting our reports to the screen behind me. So, would you each log-in to the Universal Code site with the password emailed to you earlier? If you wish to speak, use one of the microphones set up on each table, please. This session is being recorded. If everyone is ready, let us begin.”

Mike found a chair near the back wall. 

The screen lit up with the UCP logo, the earth with dotted lines across it. Uncle Ted smiled. “The Universal Code Project was established by Dr. Samuel Warden to decipher the newly discovered pattern in all of nature. With his technology, we have been able to digitalize the intricate design of the strange code. This code is imprinted on delicate snowflakes, viscous lava, and even the layers of rock at the Grand Canyon. Instead of listening to me spouting hot air, we’d like to hear from you. Tell us what you have discovered.” 

A man near the front began. “Good morning. My name is Maitland Richards, doctor of biology at Harvard. We have been amazed to find the universal code in everything we have tested. It is in the DNA of the smallest bacteria to the oldest dinosaur bones. It repeats itself, but yet varies slightly from species to species.” A chart flashed up on the screen. “As you can see, even colors have a code, as do the different elements. Especially interesting is the code found in homo sapiens. We seem to have a code of our very own, different from all others.” 

Mike leaned forward in his seat as professors and doctors each presented their data and discoveries.

“I’m Jack Reicher, a music professor from Berkley College. We are excited to discover that with Dr. Warden’s technology, we can digitalize sound. In the past, we have recorded sounds in the ocean and underground, but now we have found sound in unexpected places. There is sound in plants and rocks and even in electricity. This is what it looks like-”

002302040502050060020030100
100300110002000500400060003

“And this is what it sounds like-” 

A trill of chirps and beeps filled the room. 

Another man stood. “My name is Vince Tacker from NASA. For decades we have heard static sounds from space. It sounded like this-”

A loud buzz filled the room. 

“Now, with our new equipment, it sounds like this-”

The sound changed to cascading tones. 

Mike jumped to his feet. He lifted his arms. The music surrounded him. He turned. An old man with a broom stood in the doorway. “I know dis song! I hear it all da time. It is da song of sunbeams when I sweep. It is da song of raindrops. It is beautiful, yah?” 

Mike smiled, but the others in the room covered their ears and begged for it to be turned down. Uncle Ted tapped his microphone. “Ladies and gentlemen, please calm down. I want to progress to the next stage of our project. We now have a program that converts the digital information into language. In other words, we should be able read the patterns found in nature.” 

He signaled his assistant and the numbers on the screen changed. They became strings of letters. 

RDWORTHYNAMELAMBLORDMAJESTYHOL
PHAOMEGAGLORYFOREVERHONORKINGAL

The room was silent. Whispers drifted back and forth. Finally one man stood up. “What is this gibberish? It doesn’t make sense at all!” Chaos erupted. 

Mike could see the words. They were squished together, but he could see them. “Worthy, Lamb, Majesty—“

The old man nudged him. “You know da words? I only know da German. What da words say?” 

Mike began to sing. “Holy is the Lord. Worthy is the Lamb.” 

The voices fell silent. Mike closed his eyes and lifted his voice. He could hear the song in his head.

“Glory! Honor! Majesty to God…”

Purim Story

It's been a while since I've posted on my blog, but today being the Jewish feast of Purim, I thought it a good time to post my version of the story. There is so much in this story - treachery, loyalty, humor, irony, etc. It's one of my favorite Bible stories. 

The Man the King Delights to Honor

The king of Persia tossed this way and that. He kicked off his royal silk coverings and fluffed up his royal tasseled pillow. He lay on his back. He lay on his left side and his right. Nothing helped. 

“Servant! Close the window again! That pounding is driving me crazy. How can anyone sleep with all that noise?” 

The king closed his eyes. He could still hear the hammering in the middle of the night. 

“Servant! I must get my rest! Read to me.”

“What shall I read?”

“Read the daily chronicles to me, and don’t try to make them interesting. Hopefully you can bore me to sleep.”

The servant sat cross-legged on the carpet and unrolled a scroll. “On the third day of the tenth month, fifty shekels of wheat and thirty flagons of wine and a hundred measures of corn and sixty sheep and twelve oxen were bought for the palace for the price of three hundred two and forty pieces of silver. On the fourth day of the tenth month, the merchant, Teresh, paid seventy pieces of silver to the merchant, Bigthan, for false dealings. On the fifth day of the tenth month, the doorkeeper, Mordecai, reported suspicions of an assassination of the king. On the-“

“Wait! Read that part again…about the doorkeeper.” 

“The doorkeeper, Mordecai, reported suspicions of an assassination of the king.”

The king sat up and stared at the servant. “Has this man been rewarded for his bravery and faithfulness? He has saved my life. Why haven’t I been told of this before?”

The servant unrolled one parchment after another looking for a record of a reward given to the doorkeeper Mordecai, but there was none.

“I must do something to show my respect to this man. What would be the best way?” 

The king of Persia lay down upon his royal bed and finally fell asleep, thinking of the doorkeeper who saved his life.

Haman, the chief of the princes of Persia, was happy. Early in the morning, he strutted to the palace with a smug grin. Was he not promoted above all of the other counselors, a guest at the king’s table? Was he not the greatest man in all of Persia besides the king? 

As he passed the chamberlains, doorkeepers, and guards, they all bowed their faces to the ground—except one—Mordecai. Haman sneered at the brave man. Soon—soon he would have his revenge on this one Jew who refused to bow to him! The gallows were finished. The workers had labored all night. Soon his enemy would be gone. He only needed the king’s signature and it would be done!

Haman’s stomping footsteps echoed in the stone hallways. Mutters and growls rumbled from his lips. “Arrogantstiffneckedstubbornignorantfoolishrebelliouspigheaded…” As he lifted his hand to the door to the king’s chambers, it opened. A servant, leaving the room with a tray of silver bowls, turned to announce Haman’s arrival.

The king motioned the prince inside. “Haman! You’re just the person I need to help me with an important matter.”

Haman bowed, pleased by this obvious request of the king. “Anything for you, O king!”

“My most trusted advisor, what shall I do for the man I delight to honor?” 

Haman stood and smiled. He strutted around the room with his head high and shoulders thrown back. “For the man whom the king delights to honor, let the royal cloak be placed on his shoulders and the king’s crown on his head. Let this man be put on the king’s horse and be led up and down throughout the city by one of the most noble princes, proclaiming to everyone that the king delights in honoring this man.” 

“Yes! Yes! Wonderful!” The king clapped his hands and removed his crown and cloak. “Make haste! Take these and put them on Mordecai, the doorkeeper. Put him on my strongest horse and proclaim throughout the city that this is the man the king delights to honor.”