Lyle's Blog

Renewable energy, that’s what everyone thinks they’re getting when they opt for an electric car.  Somehow it escapes them that to power their vehicle it must be plugged into an outlet use electricity.  The oil “saved” is actually sent to power companies for running their turbines.  The idea that we can get away from oil with electricity gobbling machines is naive at best.

Oil producing nations lie about their supplies.  In 1987, the Iranian government reported oil reserves of 36 bbl. and this jumped to 92 bbl.5 by 1990.  The Saudi government said it had 169 bbl. in 1987 and miracle of miracles by 1990 it had 255 bbl.  I could go through the rest of OPEC but you get the idea.  These countries must lie for three main reasons.  The amount of oil they’re allowed to pump is determined by how much they have.  Having lots of oil also gives others the impression that they are militarily strong.  And thirdly, if they need to borrow money, it looks good to the lenders.

I read a couple years ago that Saudi Arabia was converting its semi-trucks to natural gas.  That seems odd if you’re awash in oil.  No, I think OPEC is in trouble and the whole scam good fall apart and we could be looking at $300/barrel oil.  With the political uncertainty in that region, it’s just a matter of time.

There are people that have no secrets.  They yell, spew hatred, and are on the edge of violence all the time.  You may not know why they think something but they make it perfectly clear what they think.  Over and over again they repeat the same rant.  Our society today is filled with people who just have to throw their ignorant thoughts out imagining that by some magical way they’ll get others to listen.

Then there are those of us who don’t say much.  We think it; we just don’t say much.  I remember Jesus saying that if we think something it is no different than if we had done it.  Wrong thoughts are the seed of wrong actions (sin).  That’s why we’re supposed to take every thought captive to the leading of the Spirit.  It bothers me how many times I don’t do that.  I have sin that stays in my head.  I have to repent daily.

I think that’s why the apostle Paul said to dwell on good things, the good report.  I used to be a news junkie of sorts and I believe it’s important to keep up with what goes on in the world.  But we don’t need it every day.  My wife and I used to watch the television show “48 hours”.  Like the rest of the world, we were fascinated by murder mysteries.  Constantly viewing morbid things is depressing.  Doing so makes it seem that the whole world is unredeemable.  I understand there are some nasty things happening every day but I don’t need to know about them all.

I have to believe that thinking about the solution is better than dwelling on the problem.  Remember the song “Keep your eyes upon Jesus”?  When we do, the things of earth grow dim and we realize we have lives blessed with His glory and grace.

Intercessor by definition means a person who intervenes on behalf of another, especially by prayer.  We tend to reject the notion that someone needs to intervene to get God’s attention concerning another person.  After all, it is an individual decision to follow Christ is it not?  The Bible says that many are called, but few are chosen.  Why is it that few are chosen?

Several times Paul writes that he mentions individuals in his prayers.  Much of the time he is speaking about other believers.  But could it be that the reason God chooses to save or help people is simply for reason of our asking?  Many times in scripture we are told to ask God, to believe that He rewards those who seek Him.  Ask and then believe, that’s what we’re supposed to do.  We are to pray one for another; do we?

When we watch the news (much of it tragic), do we stop a moment and pray for those affected?  There is so much bad news I tend to ignore what happens.  I don’t take it as seriously as I should.  But if we don’t pray for them, who will?  Victims and perpetrators alike, we must pray for both.

We are surrounded by people, some close to us, some far, who need someone to pray for them.  The solution to their problems and their salvation are in our hands.  We are to intercede for the unbeliever.  We are to ask God to choose them, tell Him that we love them, and want to see them saved.

I must seek first the kingdom of God; everything else comes after that.  Many times its personal needs and desires that occupy my prayers.  I tend to forget that saving souls is wise.  Sure, God answers personal prayers.  The fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (emphasize fervent and righteous).  But many times I pray for little things and don’t bother with the mountain that needs to be moved.  I’ve got to remember to ask for things that I can’t do.

My mother interceded for me.  She asked God to draw me in, to save me.  She had the audacity to believe God for what He promised and that is to save all her household.  It’s not all accomplished yet.  But if He can save a wretch like me, the others should be a piece of cake.  The baton has been passed to me.  It is my turn to pray.