This Single Apricot Chrysanthemum was taken at the park yesterday. This bunch is not quite there yet.
However, most of this bunch couldn’t wait to say hello and add cheer to the world.
My most favorite season is Fall, being born in October and all.
The Chrysanthemum in my backyard is not quite there yet. This was taken earlier today. In a week God-willing, they would be fully open. You can see last year’s blooms from here.
Causing to Stumble
“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 where
“‘the worms that eat them do not die,
and the fire is not quenched.’”
Mark 9:42-48
The entire passage is a stern warning on the literality of hell. There are people whom for whatever reason, get some sort of satisfaction in making believers stumble. While trials and temptations abound, verse 42 is a strong woe to any person who intentionally causes a believer to stumble in any shape or form, be it physical, emotional and/or mental. This is demonic in nature. Whether they are aware of it or not, they are being partners with the enemy (2 Timothy 2:26).
The rest of the verses (43-47) are Jesus’ prescription to those who profess to be His followers to do whatever needs to be done to keep oneself in a state of being blameless.
“Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal:
“The Lord knows those who are His,” and,
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.”
2 Timothy 2:19
Going back to verse 48, Jesus is obviously describing a literal, physical place, one so horrific that only His shed blood could prevent anyone from having to set foot in that place. This debunks the very notion of Annihilationism in hell and also that it is only a figurative place. Adhering to such notions hold the heavy implication of reducing Jesus’ atoning sacrifice on the cross. If hell is not literal, there would be no need for God incarnate to atone for the sins of all humanity. If Jesus says the fire in that place is not quenched, He means it.
The topic of hell is something that most don’t really want to hear about, hence the title of this post—It’s a play on words really.