Your smile is like the sunrise.  Every time you smile, you pour your warmth all over me.  Every time you laugh, you set my blood on fire.  Every time I see you, I regret every day I have spent without you, and that’s a lot of days for a man to regret.”
              –Jesse Storm (Final Ride for Justice)

    “For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one husband—Christ.”
              –2 Corinthians 11:2 (NLT)
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              “I never went much on this lovin’;
               I allus was bashful from birth,
               But now to the front I am shovin’,
               An playin’ the game all it’s worth.”
                       –E.A. Brinistool

It’s that time of year again; it seems to roll around about this time every year.  The one day when people swoon, and they spoon by the light of the moon.  Ahhhh, ain’t it sweet.  Do you remember those giddy feelings?  I surely can.  Once I found the right gal, I went hard into the fight.  I shoved my way past other guys, pushed them out of the way, for I was gonna marry this gal I found.  It didn’t take me long to figure that out, by the third date, now it was up to me to convince her.  The persuading took me half a year.  I think she knew it before she acquiesced that night  in August.
    Maybe it was that downpour that we drove through around midnight on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, or maybe she just came to her senses, either way, I pulled over off the road and with the traffic and 18-wheelers flying by I asked that fateful question:  “Will you marry me.”  A year later the knot was tied.  My, my that was back in 1970, whooeee.
    I did have to shove some out of the way.  There was one guy in particular who was infatuated with Annie, so much so it seemed that he was stalking her.  One day I had enough, I pulled him aside in the hallway and told him to scram.   I didn’t want to see him pestering or following her again.  It worked.
    I am so thankful for her, not just on Valentines Day, but everyday.  I am a much better person because of her.  My rough edges she has been able to wear down, and I know how to behave as a gentleman in polite society.  She has always stood the test whenever we had to move or change careers.  It’s a comfort to know that she was standing with me through it all.
    That makes me think of those eyes of fire (Revelation 1:14).  We know He is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5).  He is looking down from heaven, watching the world try and taint His bride.  Those eyes of fire are burning for two reasons:  first, the desire He has for His bride.  He has gone to prepare a place for her, and is ready to come to carry her to His home.  I’m sure He is more anxious than I was.  Second, His eyes flash fire for He sees the world trying to sully her.  It is trying to dirty her, shame her, trick her, deceive her into not being faithful and true.  Jesus will not allow this to happen anymore than I would allow someone to stalk my girl.  His countenance is shining brightly and He is brandishing His sword.
    Just as it took a half year to persuade Annie to marry me, and then almost another year before the marriage took place so it has been with the Lord.  He has been gone preparing a place, now He is ready to come back and claim His bride.  The table is spread in heaven, the food is being prepared, all that is left is to sound the trumpet and take her to His house.

A man was what he did, how he shaped up at work, or against trouble.”
              –Louis L’Amour  (Tucker)

    “So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’”
              –Luke 19:13 (NIV)
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I can remember sermons being preached regarding the ascension of Jesus to Heaven.  At least every year, there was a message on Ascension Day, but in the last score of years I cannot recall a sermon.  Now, that doesn’t mean one wasn’t preached, it is just that there is nothing there to jog my memory concerning it.  However, it is one of the most important days in history.  The ascension prefaces the Book of Acts.

         “And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.'”
                   –Acts 1:10-11 (NKJV)

    Jesus, the Word from the beginning, who had departed His throne, leaving His glory there had come earth in humility as a man, a baby, helpless, vulnerable.  Now look at the scene; He ascends Christlike.  Angels heralded His birth, the universe was notified.  His ascension takes place with His disciples, and the two angels stand there and ask them a simple question.  There was no fanfare, no cheering–Jesus was going back to assume His duties as the King of kings and Lord of lords.  George H. Morrison wrote, “The event that ends the earthly ministry of Jesus begins the ministry upon the throne.”  Jesus is now sitting on the right hand of the Father making intercession for us.
    I have always thought that one of the issues that Jesus faced on earth was that His glory wanted to return to Him.  He laid it aside, but Satan tempted Him and I think the glory wanted to return.  On the Mount of Transfiguration there is a feature that Peter, James, and John saw when His face began to glow–His glory wanting to return.  He had to lay it aside for no man can live and look upon God in all His glory.  Now, with the ascension He was going back to clothe Himself once again, and forever, with it.
    “Jesus had to leave them [disciples] as the self-limited Jesus who had taken on our humanity.  As the glorified Christ He commanded all power in heaven and earth which He had promised would be released in prayer in His name” (Lloyd J. Ogilvie).  Notice that this takes place at the beginning of the Book of Acts; the rest of the book shows the power of the ascending Lord beginning with the sending of the Promise on Pentecost.
    Look at the angels’ words, “why do you stand gazing…”  Jesus is gone to Heaven, back to His throne, now it is time for them to get on with His work on earth.  They were to tarry for the Holy Spirit.  Remember back to the Transfiguration, there was talk of wanting to stay on the mount, but Jesus said that there was work to be done back in the valley.  Don’t gaze, but work until He comes.  That is the second part of their statement, “He will come back in like manner.”

         “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
                   –1 Thessalonians 4:17 (NKJV)

He ascended into the clouds to Heaven and in like manner He shall return to catch up His bride.  This is not the Second Coming, but the Rapture of the Church and it will be for His disciples.  The Second Coming will be heralded and every eye shall see Him.
    We are to occupy.  Jesus has come to an end of his earthly ministry, but is with us always.  One more thing to ponder, at the ascension there were unknown disciples.  Two will be named shortly afterward, and one will take the place of Judas–Matthias.  They had to fulfill the obligations and requirements of a disciple.  Before this time Matthias was not mentioned, now he is one of the chosen.
    One more thought:  there is purpose in God’s delay in returning.  Think about it, the disciples thought His return was imminent.  If it had been there would be no hope for us.  Throughout church history, the return of the Lord was thought to be close at hand.  If the rapture had occurred during one of those periods, we would not have had the opportunity to accept Jesus as Savior.  There is reason for His delay, until the last one has accepted Him.

You’re hating too hard…  Hate is a cruel master.
              –Elmer Kelton (Bitter Trail)

    “A wicked man hardens his face, But as for the upright, he establishes his way.”
              –Proverbs 21:29(NKJV)
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I came across some thoughts last week in my reading that need to be shared.  I have never pondered them before; I have never even seen anyone discuss them.  I’m glad for those who study the Word and share it for dull-minded ol’ fence posts like me.

         “Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brothers, what are we to do?'”
                   –Acts 2:37 (NASB)

         “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him.”
                   –Acts 7:54 (NASB)

If you read the New King James, they both render it “cut to the heart.”  I like the King James and the above New American Standard for they give a slightly different rendering for the words mean something slightly different.  
    In Acts 2:37, the response of the crowd to Peter’s message was they were “pricked in their hearts” (KJV), or “pierced.”  It means “to stab”; it depicts something sudden or unexpected.  The Holy Spirit used Peter’s words under the anointing to stab the people with the “sword of the Spirit.”  Conviction spread through the crowd, the words were received, and three thousand where added to the church.
    Turning to the words in Acts 7, there is a different scene.  Stephen spoke to the religious leaders and the Scripture says they were “cut to the heart” (KJV) or “cut to the quick.”  Conviction was still there, but there was a totally different response.  The Holy Spirit “cut through their hypocrisy and exposed them for who they were.” (Larry Turner)  There was no remorse, there was no repentance.  Instead they were filled with hatred and rage and rushed out to stone Stephen.
    Throughout my life I have often wondered at the different responses to the Holy Spirit.  Years ago I read or heard, that the Holy Spirit will either convict or enrage.  Actually He always convicts, the response is what is different.  In response, Pharaoh hardened his heart; in response, David repented.  People haven’t changed, the truth will either turn them toward God or it will cause rage, resentment, and hatred and hearts will be hardened.  There were many things that could be said here, the heart wasn’t prepared, the heart wasn’t ready plowed, etc., but whatever, the Holy Spirit knows what He is doing and where He is placing the Word.
    Peter and Stephen preached the truth, both men were full of the Holy Spirit–yet the listeners responded differently, some believed, some refused.  A.W. Tozer says, “It is the Holy Spirit or darkness.”  Adrian Rogers said, “The same sun that melts the ice will harden the clay.”  How do you see people responding to the truth?  How do you respond to the Truth?  It is either toward light or into darkness where there is the absence of light and you stumble along becoming more bitter and more angry.  It is either the stone, cold heart melting under the warmth of the Holy Spirit, or it is becoming harder, baked like a brick.
    I like the way J.B. Phillips translates these verses:  “When they heard this they were cut to the quick…” (2:37); “These words stung them to fury and they ground their teeth at him in rage.” (7:54).  The Word “cut,” “pierced,” “stung,” “pricked” whichever term you choose to render, but the response is what resonates:  repentance or rejection.

I went into the office that the marshal and sheriff shared.  There were two desks in the front, one for the town marshal and one for a deputy, the sheriff has a small office to himself.  I started to Charlie’s office and when I entered Queens was behind Charlie’s desk with feet propped up on it.
    “What do you want?” Queens snarled.
    “You mind movin’ from Charlie’s desk?  I need to look at his posters,” I said, not in a mood to argue.
    He made no movement to move, but sat there with a smirk on his face, daring me.  “You have no right to anything on this desk, or in this office either!”
    “Queens, you may have forgotten that I am a Deputy U.S. Marshal, that gives me the right.  Now do you want to move or are you goin’ to force me to thump you?” I challenged moving my fingers for a better grip on the Greener.
    He saw my hand moving, then looked up at me.  “You and the sheriff think you own this town.  That’s going to come to an end.”  He still hadn’t moved.
    “Where’s Mateo?
    That brought a chuckle from him.  “That Mex, ha, he don’t work here no more.”
    He was expecting something from the hand that held the shotgun, but I reached out grabbing the heel of his boot and flipped him over.  Sprawled out on the floor, he cursed, then went for his gun.  I poked him in the chest with the Greener.  “Wouldn’t be a smart move, Queens.  Now get up and get out!”
    He struggled to get up, but the only thing that was hurt was his pride, and I’m not sure what kind of pride he had.  So far, I hadn’t heard anything from any of the merchants in town.  I knew he was cozy with Frank Kingston, owner of the Ghost Diggings Saloon.  It was not as upscale as the Broken Drum, frequented mainly by out of work miners.  
    When he left I started going through Charlie’s file of wanted posters looking for someone that might fit the description of Nevada Bill.  Thompson was an honest rancher, but hard at times.  He normally was careful about whom he hired, but he wasn’t afraid to give a chance to a puncher riding the line.  However, since the shooting of Keim, there seemed to be at least one around him that carried the air of a gunman.
    There was nothing to be found.  AS I left the office I looked down the street toward the Mexican section of town.  I should go talk with Mateo.  Something had to have happened to make him quit for I knew he needed the job and the money and the council promised that he could remain deputy.
    I started walking in that direction and bumped into Rev. Chapman coming out of Foster’s Mercantile, which housed the post office, with packages in his hand.  “Sorry, Parson, I wasn’t payin’ attention.”
    He seemed to be a perpetual smile, “No problem.  Just received some books in the mail and while I was there thought I’d pick up something for Betty.”
    A surge of guilt passed through me.  It’s been a while since I got something for Molly.  I always do when I have to go out of town, but nothing since Christmas.  
    “Where are you heading, Miles?” he inquired tightening the collar of his jacket as a cool breeze had come up.  It had warmed up so everything was melting, that making a mess of the streets as they were filled with mud.
    “Goin’ to check on Mateo.  I just heard that he was no longer a deputy.”
    A puzzled look formed on the preacher’s face.  “Mind if I keep you company?”
    We were ready to cross the street when a shot was fired, followed quickly by another.  Both the parson and I turned around suddenly.  “That sounded like it may have come from the saloon!” he exclaimed.
    “You stay here, Parson,” I ordered as I ran toward the saloon.
    Upon entering my attention went to a cowboy lying on the floor, Mike Queens was standing over him.  I grabbed a man standing by the door, “Go get Doc Jones!”
    “No need, get the undertaker,” laughed Queens who had his hands clasping the edge of his frock coat.  He then targeted his words to a group of punchers, “Anyone else want to call me a liar?”
    “What happened here?” I asked.
    Queens sneered, “None of your business, Deputy U.S. Marshal, out of your jurisdiction.  This was town business…”