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THE SHADOW

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ABIDING UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY

By Ken Blue

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalms 91:1.

Last week an unusual event took place in the Seattle area; the sun came out and we had about 80° weather! In the late afternoon, I went to the east side of our house to soak in some of the precious rays. The shadows were long, so I had to go down the driveway a few feet to get in the sunshine.

I tilted my wheelchair to a recline position, with my back to the sun. My chair and image cast about a three foot shadow to the East in front of me. My dog, Chester followed me, circled the chair a couple of times, and then lay down in my shadow. Although there was much lawn grass and a cool cement slab nearby, he chose to lie in the gravel, about six inches from my foot pads.

As I looked down on Chester, I could not help but think of the above verse. What could I learn from what I saw? First, I learned that he wanted to be near me. Then, I realized that he chose the rough driveway instead of the cool slab, or comfortable lawn. Next, he found comfort from the heat of the day by placing himself where I was between him and the sun. Finally, a few times he raised his head and looked at me, and wagged his tail. Now, I don’t pretend to know what was on his mind, but I think I understood the signal I received.

Perhaps nothing was intended from that little event, but let me share what it meant to me. First, we should get as close to our Master as possible. Then, we should choose the rough ground to be close if necessary. Since God asks us to cast all our care on Him, let’s keep Him between the heat of the day and ourselves. Finally, we should lift our heads and say, “I love You; everything’s OK when You are near; and thank You for all You do for me.”

I looked at Chester and thought to myself, “You are one lucky dog.” Maybe that’s why they call it a dog’s life. But then, we too, have it made, don’t we?

WHAT KIND OF AGNOSTIC ARE YOU?

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There are two different kinds. Which kind are YOU?

agnosticBy Ken Blue

“ag•nos•tic n. 1. One who believes that there can be no proof of the existence of God but does not deny the possibility that God exists.” The American Heritage Dictionary.

You might be surprised to discover that there are two kinds of agnostics. So was I, until I read the following account by Dr. James Edwin Orr.

Dr. Orr was a chaplain in the United States Air force. He gives an account of witnessing to a pilot who claimed he was an agnostic. Dr. Orr asked him which kind he was. The pilot was surprised, and said he was unaware of more than one kind. Dr. Orr responded, “Oh yes, there are two kinds, and I am wondering which you are.” The pilot said, “Tell me what they are, and I will tell you which I am.” Dr. Orr said, “There is the honest agnostic and the dishonest agnostic. Which kind are you?”

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“There is the honest agnostic and the dishonest agnostic. Which kind are you?”[/pullquote]

The pilot asked Dr. Orr to explain. “Well,” said Dr. Orr “the honest agnostic says, “I don’t know if there is a God or not; but if He exist, I am willing to find out.” The dishonest agnostic says, “I don’t know if there is a God, you don’t know if there is a God, and no one knows if there is a God.” Dr. Orr said, “If you tell me no one knows, I am going to ask you, how do you know that no one knows? There could be a God somewhere you don’t know anything about.”

So, what kind are you? If God does exist would you be willing to know Him? If not, then there is another definition for your problem. It is not agnosticism.