tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76357009023722274722024-03-12T15:59:03.713-07:00God ThoughtsRANDOM THOUGHTS OF GOD
It has been granted to (us) on behalf of Christ... to believe on Him... Philippians 1:29
My goal is to share the Love of Christ with all who will come and read of how He is at work in my life and can be in yours. May God bless you here.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17607942434907150824noreply@blogger.comBlogger150125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635700902372227472.post-73423639750899586752017-03-09T10:54:00.000-08:002017-03-09T10:54:59.025-08:00ENOUGH WILL BE ENOUGH
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This
journal entry will get loud; be prepared.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Reading
Psalm 46 this morning I suddenly realized that a favorite verse (10)
which calms many believers in times of stress, is not actually a very
gentle verse.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
love the seeming gentleness of “Be still and know that I am God.”
But I have always wondered why this gentle reminder is in this
slightly turbulent Psalm. Why does the subject turn from talking
<b>about</b> God's ability to control in a harsh and Godly manner,
and suddenly become a gentle “prompting” to us to trust Him.
Well. It apparently doesn't.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Not
all versions use these words. Several use the Word, “CEASE! or
DESIST!” And some notes indicate that the phrase “Be still...”
could be translated: ENOUGH! And that would indicate that the words
are <b>actually directed to those causing the CHAOS</b> in the world
of sin. ENOUGH will be spoken and the sin and sinfulness will STOP!
It will happen in God's time, but it WILL happen.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ENOUGH
with the wars!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ENOUGH
with the murders and other crime!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ENOUGH
with the chaotic uprisings and hate mongering!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ENOUGH
with brutality and stubbornness against God and His people.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ENOUGH
with the lack of commonsense replaced by stupidity and cruelty.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ENOUGH
of not listening to God Almighty!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ENOUGH!
ENOUGH! ENOUGH!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-CJB-15808"></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">CJB
- “DESIST and learn that I am God,<br />supreme over the
nations,<br />supreme over the earth.” (caps mine)</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">NAS
- CEASE </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><i>striving</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
and know that I am God; (caps mine)</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">BE
STILL and know that I am God.” (caps mine)</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">ENOUGH!
I AM GOD!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This
is a reminder that God will not be eternally rejected. He will not
let sin go on forever. He will put an end to it. Anyone not covered
by the blood of Christ will be REJECTED by Him and will come to a
very bad ending. He will conquer; and He will be the last word on the
subject! Hallelu Yah! Amen.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-NASB-14623"></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">8
Come, behold the works of the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Lord</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">,<br />Who
has wrought desolations in the earth.</span></span><br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-NASB-14624"></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">9
He makes wars to </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>cease</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
to the end of the earth;<br />He </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>breaks</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
the bow and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>cuts</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
the spear in two;<br />He </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>burns</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
the chariots with fire.</span></span><br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-NASB-14625"></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">10
“</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Cease</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><i>striving</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>know</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
that I am God;<br />I will be exalted among the nations, I will be
exalted in the earth.”</span></span><br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-NASB-14626"></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">11
The </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Lord</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
of hosts is with us;<br />The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.
NAS</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17607942434907150824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635700902372227472.post-13988425812486708622017-01-05T12:52:00.000-08:002017-01-05T12:52:31.646-08:00REMEMBERING AN INFLUENCE
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">BUT
I AM PRAYING...</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In
this first week of the 2017, I find myself tearing up over the
influence of someone who has moved away from my life; but who had
immeasurable influence on it.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When
I came into this new phase of my life back in 2005, God literally
pushed me into a program called Celebrate Recovery and broke my heart
over what I had been and what I needed to be instead. CR, as we call
it, was just the tool He wanted to use it to turn me from hating into
loving; from twisting everything to God's failures in my life to
seeing God's Great Power and Love and Mercy at work in my life. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
walk before me was extremely painful and exhausting. But due to this
influential woman in my life, I learned to cling to God through, not
just my own personal prayers and pleading<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">,</span> but <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">by </span>reaching out for Joy
in the music that was the epitome of all that I needed to pray.
Because of her, I became a “hand raiser,” unable to stop reaching
up to God as I prayed along with these songs. To this day, I find
pure Joy in singing my prayers. A morning of musical prayer is always
a very high note in my life!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Since
not many people in my church “arm raise,” the question sometimes
came up as to whether it was really alright to do that.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At
one evening prayer meeting, a small discussion came up and our
precious guiding light Shepherd leader was put on the spot by
everyone looking to him for an answer:</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In
his sweet way, he said that it surely is not wrong and, in itself
does, not interrupt a calm and orderly worship service. But it is
true that the Bible only mentions it in regard to prayer. What I did
not say, but thought, was, <b>“But I AM praying!”</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
will never forget how this woman influenced my growth in Christ by
showing me how to reach up to God in prayer, as well as look up to
Him as the owner, Savior and Lord of my life.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">May
we all “reach up” to God with our prayers, even if our arms do
not rise!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And
may we see the power of God in our lives day after day in this new
year and beyond!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17607942434907150824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635700902372227472.post-2033444049308911712016-12-24T09:49:00.000-08:002016-12-24T09:55:37.123-08:00DID MARY KNOW?<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Of
late I have seen arguments that say, “Of course she did. The Angel
of God told her.” (Most of these comments were of male origin.
Ladies, what do you think?)</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well,
I do not have actual experience with being pregnant, but I am a woman
and I have paid very close attention to the process over the years;
vicariously, through many friends and relatives who have been
pregnant. So I am going to jump in here and say, “No, she didn't”.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So
what did Mary know?</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She
knew she was a virgin.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-NIV-24928"></a>“<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">How
will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She
also knew that she was betrothed to Joseph.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">...a
virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of
David.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She
did not know why Gabriel greeted her the way he did. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Greetings,
you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you</i>.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Mary
was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting
this might be.</i>”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She
was told to not be afraid because this was a message of blessing from
God that he was bringing.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-NIV-24924"></a>“<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Do
not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So
what did he actually tell her?</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>You
will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The
Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will
reign over Jacob’s descendants </i></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>forever;
his kingdom will never end.</i>” and</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-NIV-24929"></a>“<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The
Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will
overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of
God.</i></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“
</span></span>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mary, in turn, said
“good-bye” with these words:</span></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-NIV-24932"></a>“<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I
am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be
fulfilled.</i>” </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then
the angel left her. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">MARY DID YOU KNOW - Mark Lowry </span></span>
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">[Verse 1]<br />Mary did
you know that your baby boy will some day walk on water?<br />Mary did
you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?<br />Did
you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?<br />This child
that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.<br /><br />[Verse 2]<br />Mary
did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?<br />Mary
did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?<br />Did
you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?<br />And when
you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.<br /><br />Oh
Mary did you know<br /><br />The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the
dead will live again.<br />The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the
praises of the lamb<br /><br />[Verse 3]<br />Mary did you know that your
baby boy is Lord of all creation?<br />Mary did you know that your baby
boy would one day rule the nations?<br />Did you know that your baby
boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?<br />This sleeping child you're holding
is the great I AM </span></span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She
may be declared to have known, and <i>maybe</i> understood, the facts
of verse three; but the truth is that she didn't know exactly what
that entailed. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So
the rest: probably not. She pondered the praises and blessings and
certain other happenings, in her heart... but, no. she didn't know
what would happen or when.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And
the first thing she did not know was that they would have to flea
from the murderous Herod to save the baby's life.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Nor
did she know that He would grow up in a fairly normal way after that.
Nor did she know when He would depart to His ministry. Nor did she
know exactly what His ministry would be. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Remember
that those expecting the Messiah, were expecting a warrior who would
grab a sword and take over the whole world. And she was raising the
gentlest, wisest child ever born.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">No,
she did not know or realize exactly what His life would really mean.
But she stepped right up and said yes to God, and promised to keep
this difficult calling which came from Him:</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">MARY'S
SONG...</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-KJV-24940"></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">46
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-KJV-24941"></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">47
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-KJV-24942"></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">48
For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold,
from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-KJV-24943"></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">49
For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his
name.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-KJV-24944"></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">50
And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-KJV-24945"></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">51
He hath sh<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">o</span>wed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in
the imagination of their hearts.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-KJV-24946"></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">52
He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low
degree.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-KJV-24947"></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">53
He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent
empty away.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-KJV-24948"></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">54
He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-KJV-24949"></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">55
As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Have
you ever noticed that most of the truly beautiful praises recorded in
God's Word come from a heart that remembers all the things that He
has already accomplished? May we also have such a heart.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">MERRY
CHRISTMAS</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17607942434907150824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635700902372227472.post-7783826777220774882016-09-29T12:25:00.001-07:002016-09-29T12:25:34.986-07:00DECLARED LOVE
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As
I was journaling this Sunday's sermon and went back to hear the end
portion again, I was taken by the summary of the very last subject on
the outline:</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-NIV-28829"></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> 2
Cor 2:4 - For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart
and with many tears, not to grieve you </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>but
to let you know the depth of my love for you. </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">How
often do we actually </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>declare
</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">our love for other people?
Or do we assume that they know that we love them and avoid telling
them directly that we do? This is an age old problem that runs in
families, and cultures down through time.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I
am tempted to assume that in the Pharisaical culture that Paul was
raised in, telling of love was a hard thing to do. Whether or not
this is true, what is true is that when Paul met Christ, Christ
filled him with love that ever overflowed from him to the people he
was teaching.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In
this case, the people had forgotten his love for them and became
wrapped up in </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>gossip</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
about him; very </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>negative</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>hurtful</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
to him and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>harmful</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
to them. As he is writing this letter he has just been through what
he describes as a “life and death” situation which held him in
some despair and now he is hearing about the gossip and harm that is
a part of the church at this point. His heart is broken and the words
he writes come from deep inside him. He must make corrections in
their thinking and it weighs heavily on him to have to do that. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">But
he moves forward and writes an urgent letter to them from his heart;
his Holy Spirit, love-filled heart! The overflow of the love that God
has for Him is loudly stated in verse 2:4: I love you! I did love
you, I do love you , and I will always love you; because God,
Himself, gave me this love for you!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-NIV-306231"></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">1
John 4:19 “We love because he first loved us.” We truly love only
through God.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Wow.
How often do we feel like that, let alone </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>say</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
that to the people we love?</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We
do not have the capacity to love a deep and abiding love without God's
love in us. Love, without God's love, is always selfish. It happens
when someone else makes an effort to love us and that makes us <b>feel
</b>good. We respond to our own needs and not the needs of others. What
can this love relationship do for ME; rather than how can this
relationship help me do things to show love for that person.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">May
we grow in the ability to let God flow His great love out of us and
onto others; coworkers, friends, extended family and especially to
our children and our spouses. May we be quick to say “I love you,”
or at least “Love ya” (and maybe a hug) to those God has given us
to love.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I
think that right now would be a good time for me to write down the names of
as many extended relatives as I can think of and ask myself if I love
them at all, let alone God's way. Will you join me?</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17607942434907150824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635700902372227472.post-16848633466549817242016-09-07T13:34:00.000-07:002016-09-07T13:35:02.714-07:00DEVELOPING LOVE IN THE BODY<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<br /><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Colossians
3:14 - And </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><b>over all these
virtues</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> put on </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><b>love</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">,
which </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><b>binds them</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">
all together in perfect </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><b>unity.</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-NIV-29530"></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">12
- Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe
yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and
patience. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When
we were saved we became a part of the Body of Christ and were given
the Holy Spirit to guide us, comfort us and give us the desire and
the strength to be different—different from who we were and
different from who non-Christians are. In many places in Scripture,
we are told to be different; to cloth ourselves in various ways that
protect us and help us shine in a world of darkness.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But
He does not expect us to do this change alone. He gives us others ,
as brothers and sisters and members of the same body to reach out and
achieve this change in ourselves and to help the others to also reach
out in change.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Clothe
yourselves with: </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">compassion—recognizing
need and responding to it</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">kindness—keeping
anger out of the situation</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">humility—taking
blame wherever necessary</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">gentleness—speaking
and acting with thoughtfulness</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">patience—repeating
these things as often as necessary</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-NIV-29531"></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">13
- Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a
grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Most
of our the simple hurts we experience in life are unintended: slights
that may not have been meant as heard; injuries to our hearts or
pride that may not even have been intended to hurt us, but were
chosen as a hurt; some are actually intended, but may not be worth
the time and effort to respond with being hurt. Checking these things
off as inconsequential should be our chosen reaction. Getting angry
and holding a grudge is not good for any body; yours or ours (the
Body of Christ.)</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">This
makes me think of the old adage about “If your head hurts, slam a
hammer onto your finger and you will forget about your head hurting.”
A pretty ridiculous thing to do, but probably true enough. Not giving
others room to irritate us without creating a chasm in the body is
the proper thing to do. Keeping the body healthy with forgiveness
keeps the body working for Christ in the best way.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">14
- And </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><b>over all these virtues</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">
put on </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><b>love,</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">
which </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><b>binds them</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">
all together in perfect </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><b>unity.</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Love
the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with
all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself. This summation of
God's commandments for us is the key to being different; God is Love;
we love because He first loved us. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He
also told us that o<b>thers would know us by our love for one
another</b>:</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-MSG-12512"></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Colossians
1:7... From the very first day you heard and recognized the truth of
what God is doing, you’ve been hungry for more. <b>It’s as
vigorous in you now</b> as when you learned it from our friend and
close associate Epaphras. He is one reliable worker for Christ! I
could always depend on him. He’s the one who <b>told us how
thoroughly love had been worked into your lives by the Spirit. </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-NIV-28679"></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
Corinthians13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love. </span></span>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-NIV-29533"></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">15
- Let the <b>peace</b> of Christ rule in your hearts, since as
members of one body you were called to peace. And be <b>thankful.</b>
</span></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Peace develops in our
lives as we turn away from fear and grumbling and turn more and more
to Praise and Thanksgiving: </span></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-NIV-29534"></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">16
- Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and
admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs
from the Spirit, <b>singing to God with gratitude in your hearts</b>.
</span></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of my favorite
preoccupations is to watch the sky. A clear sky is nice, but one with
at least a few clouds is even better; the sky becomes a drawing board
for God with wonderful patterns and shapes scattered about. Last
night was an excellent example as an array of “mountainous”
billowy cumulus clouds appeared in the sky reflecting the last lights
of the day on bright white surfaces which appeared to be mountains in
the distance. There are no mountains north of me, but it is always
fun to look up and see the mountain-like clouds shining in God's
Glory.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another special time
for me is catching bird pictures and videos from a site online Bird)
that allows me to be a “bird watcher” from my home. It is
wonderful to see the variety and colorfulness of birds around the
world. There is no end to the numbers and colors and mating rituals!
God's creatures are extremely beautiful (with the exception of
spiders) and something to be enjoyed—from a distance—and to
Praise the Lord about mountains, lakes, rivers, oceans, forests,
meadows and even farmlands which are all beautiful to behold and rich
and colorful enough to send us praising the Lord, the Creator of it
all, even in it's sin tarnished state.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">17 - And whatever you
do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And, thus we are
instructed to pray IN Jesus Name... “In Jesus name, and for His
sake, Amen.” The world seems to despise that phrase more than even
the call to Allah for destruction of all who are not themselves. But
that is God's fight. Ours is to tame ourselves with praises to
Almighty God, through Bible truths and wonder. Ours is to love, even
as God Almighty has loved us. His love endures forever; and it is
never failing! Praise Him, Praise Him, Praise Him!</span></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">May
we love one another enough to be noticed!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17607942434907150824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635700902372227472.post-44386146619712745932016-09-02T12:42:00.001-07:002016-09-02T12:42:14.336-07:00THE 24/7 WORK WEEK
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">MARK
2:27</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-NASB-24288"></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesus
said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the
Sabbath.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Here,
Jesus was answering the Priests inquiry as to why He let His
followers gather grain to eat on the Sabbath. He quite simply
declared that the Sabbath was not a chain, but a blessing for all. It
gave people the right to <b>rest</b>, for at least one day every
week. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
people He included in this statement where not just the upper crust,
but it did include the upper crust. And it went all the way down to
the lowliest of slaves. God's commandment to keep the Sabbath was to
insure that all people and animals would get a day of rest each week.
For the Israelites the day was set—Saturday, the seventh day.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
the faith grew around the world and as Christ came and lived and died
and rose again for us, believers began to celebrate Sunday, the first
day of the week, as a day of rest in honor of His resurrection. There
is a lot of debate a this, but the thing that really matters is that
we take a day of rest every week.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There
was a time in this country when businesses were closed and farmers
did only the absolute necessities to care for their animals and then
they also rested.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now,
of course, nearly all service businesses are open seven days a week,
but most give their workers at least one day a week off, and most
have been forced to give two days a week off; plus Holidays, and
these holidays have been adjusted to be on Monday, creating a three
day weekend almost every month.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">All
of that is to say, that we have been given more time off than seems
right. But it does not stop there; especially if you count sick days,
personal days, and vacation days. WOW. Talk about overkill!!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And
yet, there are workers who do not get all of these privileged days
off: It is those who work hard so that they can work even more; and
they are primarily those who wish to move up the ladder, higher and
higher. It also includes those who work for themselves and want to
push themselves into what is considered successful in our society.
And it includes those who are working for commissions, and pay taxes
as an individual contractor. There are millions of these in this
country. It also includes those who work two jobs that overlap and
keep them working 7 days a week.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This
is a sickness that invades our society so badly that homes are
wrecked, stresses rise, and bodies fail; all because people are not
taking a day of rest—at <b>least</b> one day of rest—each week.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We
call this the “rat race” trying to be cute about it ; but mice
can die of “body failure,” too, if they get too stressed out. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">God
gave us a clue and Jesus reiterated that clue: TAKE A DAY OF REST
FROM YOUR WORK EVERY WEEK. Spend time with your family or friends and
relax. Shut off your work computer; shut down your work phone; take
time to breathe. The world will not end because you do that; but you
might end because you did not.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnjeMwxFuBA">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnjeMwxFuBA</a></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17607942434907150824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635700902372227472.post-90987349097642340682016-08-25T11:42:00.000-07:002016-08-25T11:42:02.061-07:00PUSHING TIMETABLES
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When
I was young, time past too slowly. I pushed to be on with life. I am
sure I am not alone in that. I pushed for school to start, I pushed
for Christmas to come, I pushed for school to be out and summer to
come. I pushed to be in the next level of classes.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Moving on in life was the dominate pressure. Time kept it's own
schedule and I had to wait, wait, and wait. It was agony.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When
I finally got out of school and I started working, time seemed to
settle in: Things happened in good time and there was no need to
rush. I was an adult and that was all I had been seeking as a child.
Time was my friend now.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now
that I am more than officially old--declared by the letter I received
from AARP, welcoming me to old age—I am frantic to slow things
down. Time whizzes past me at lightening speed! Putting on the brakes
does not help at all; but I keep trying.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Was
it really ten years ago that I met and fell in love with several
Middle School and High School teens? Are they really out there now
ministering and working hard, even raising babies and trying live as
good examples and good teachers of the faith. Some are actually
teaching Middle Schoolers and High Schoolers. Wow. How did that all
happen in such a short time?</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Was
it really five years ago that I helped with leading a group of five
year olds learning to be cheerleaders? Now they are ten and quickly
advancing through elementary school! The shoes I bought that matched
the uniform shirts we wore are now officially five years old. Whoa!
Too fast!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-NIV-24231"></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">As
I read in Mark this morning, I was loudly reminded that God has a
timetable. He knows the beginning, the end and the circumstance of
all the goes on in our lives. Mark 1:14<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>After
John </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">was put in prison,
Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The
time has come,” he said...”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">What
struck me the loudest was that Jesus did not preach openly in Galilee
until </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>John was no longer
preaching there!</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> He did not
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>push </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">His
Father's timetable! Neither did He try to stop what needed to happen
in the meantime.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">One
of my greatest delights is that I know that God knew me before I was
born and chose me to be my mother's baby. He did not place me until
it was my time to be born. He did not withhold me just because I
would be born in sin. It was my time and my place to be born. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">He
does not make mistakes and He does not waver. He sets the time. He
created time. He uses time. And He knows the end of time and all
things, including me. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">He
knows when and where and under what circumstances I will die. There
is great comfort in that. Whatever happens to me, God will be in
charge of whether I live or He takes me home. There is great in that
truth.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I
have nearly died three times: The first and second times I was
completely unaware of how dangerous my problem was. The third time, I
knew exactly how much danger I was in: I just smiled and let the Lord
take care of everything. Obviously, He let me continue my life each
time. God is Good!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Trusting
God's timetable</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> is one of
the hardest things we are asked to do. We live in time and we want
time! We want time to do all the things we want to do. We do not like
to be interrupted. We do not like to be delayed. Nor do we like to be
hurried. We have our own timetable entrenched in our heads (not
necessarily a bad thing), and changes to the table are very hard for
us. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">But
our beloved Jesus always knew when the time was right. He knew when
to begin and He knew when to end. He asked the Father to override His
desire for the time to die to be put off. He went willingly to the
Cross to Die for our sins. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The
least we can do is trust His timetable for our lives; even when it
makes no sense at all to us. And that is much of the time.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Father,
may we realize everyday that you are in charge of our time. And may
we dedicate that time to you and to your timetable for us. May you
bring us humbly to your side and walk us through this life with
patience and trust. In Jesus Name, Amen.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17607942434907150824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635700902372227472.post-9286876569608592722016-07-25T12:09:00.000-07:002016-07-25T12:17:49.659-07:00CAN WE PRAY FOR SOMEONE WE HATE?<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">FROM MY HEART</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">According
to Galatians, apparently we better.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When
I was 17, God set me straight about one very important thing: Love
and hate cannot live in the same heart.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
had been hating my Dad for all of my teen years. It was a very deep
hatred which bound me tightly and made me determined that I would
never forgive him for his mouth and his behaviors and his complete
lack of being there for me when I needed him most. The very sight of
him made me want to scream and run.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">However,
God gently told me that we (God and I) would never be able to work
out my life together if I continued to hate him. “Love and hate
cannot live in the same heart.” The hate had to go, no matter how
much he deserved to be hated.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
was not easy to do, but is was easy to want to do and God helped me
do it.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
prayed for him as hard as I prayed for my mother and my brother. I
began to do kind things for him. He interpreted it wrong, of course.
But I was not responsible for his interpretations. I was responsible
for not hating him and for treating him kindly for Jesus sake. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">GALATIANS
5</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1.“It
is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do
not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Hatred)</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-MSG-12405"></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">13-15.
It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just
make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do
whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><b>use
your freedom to serve one another in love</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">;
that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know a bout God’s
Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love
yourself. That’s an act of true freedom. I</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><b>f
you bite and ravage each other, watch out—in no time at all you
will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom
be then? </b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The Message</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">NIV</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-NIV-29179"></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">16
So I say, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><b>walk by the
Spirit,</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-NIV-29182"></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">19
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and
debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><b>HATRED</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">,
</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><b>discord</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">,
jealousy, fits of rage, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><b>selfish
ambition</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, dissensions,
factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as
I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the
kingdom of God. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-NIV-29186"></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">20-23.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Against such things there is no law. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Our
course of action is set for us. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><b>We
are forbidden to hate</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">.
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” This commandment is found
throughout the Bible and is as solid as a rock. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">My
Mercies are new every morning and My Love endures forever! Solid rock
promises from God to us.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Lord,
may we examine ourselves and find any hate that is in our hearts, and
turn away from it back to you. In Jesus name, and for His sake, Amen.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">P.S.
I happen to be terrible about praying for people who's behavior and
ideology appear evil to me. Only prayer can make any difference in
our lives or theirs.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17607942434907150824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635700902372227472.post-66899047211356513042016-03-05T12:35:00.000-08:002016-03-05T12:35:18.358-08:00SOME DO, SOME DON'T CELEBRATE
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Today
I bumped into a quote I had written perhaps more than a month ago and
it stopped me short as the truth of it hit me again. <span style="color: #009900;"><b>“All
Israel rejoices today, except for those who don't.”</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This
quote is from a fictional character caught up in the rejoicing over
the celebration of the expected Savior. She was a wise Jewish mother
in the town of Bethlehem at the time when Jesus was due to be born.
But her excited exclamation can refer to anytime that we celebrate
our God and our Lord: “Some do, and some don't.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At
this time of Easter, which used to be a country wide celebration,
there are a multitude of people objecting to the day even being on
the calendar, let alone being celebrated. Some Christians celebrate
Palm Sunday; some Christians don't. Some Christians celebrate Good
Friday; some don't. Some Christians get up early and go to Sunrise
Services; some don't. Some Christians go to church on Easter Sunday,
even though they never go there at any other time; some don't go even
then.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And,
then, there are those Christians and non-Christians who celebrate the
day with the hiding and hunting of eggs and toys; a totally unrelated
social experience that helps explain why it is a holiday to those who
do not believe in the Resurrection of Christ.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
point is that “<span style="color: #009900;"><b>All Christendom rejoices on
this day, except for those who don't.”</b></span><span style="color: black;"><b>
</b></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We
are not alone in our rejoicing and it goes on for 24 hours as the
world turns and Sunday morning comes in places around the world.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">We
cannot force the world to rejoice with us. We cannot even force other
Christians to rejoice with us. And we need to stop letting this
truism frustrate, irritate, or anger us. We need to settle into
celebrating to the max and letting those who “don't,” don't. In
God's way of handling things, the “don'ts” have a purpose. It is
He who will bring about His Own Glory, in His own way.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">Meanwhile,
we need to let our celebrating be known and to stand up for what we
believe by doing, not by complaining. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">This
is a great time to start taking back our religious freedoms by simply
doing what they say we cannot do: that is to casually bow our heads
in prayer wherever we are and whatever we are doing. That alone will
begin to bring about change in our lives and in the lives of others
for whom we are praying.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">Perhaps
Good Friday at 3:00 would be a good time to start? Stop and thank God
for the blood that was shed for your salvation and the pain th<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">at</span> Jesus
was willing to bare for our sake. Think about it.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">Then
we can move on to bigger issues that arise all around us; perhaps one
at a time, as need be.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">May
God and His Wisdom be with us as we seek to live for Him.</span></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17607942434907150824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635700902372227472.post-68755717018580306962016-01-21T11:01:00.002-08:002016-01-21T11:01:28.747-08:00THERE IS A TIME TO HATE<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Tenth</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Y</span>ear <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">T</span>estimony</span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My thinking this morning jumped the fence and ran across a field before I could catch up with it. I was reading in I John 4 about recognizing the Holy Spirit in life around us and the admonition to LOVE, especially one another, because that is the way we know that the Spirit is alive in us. The chapter is all about LOVE.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then my thinking jumped to an upcoming opportunity to share my recovery testimony and it ran off to a whole different subject: HATE</span></span></div>
<br /><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We see a lot of hate all around us, and many of us hate, or are tempted to hate, the people we see doing all these evil things. Then, perhaps, we mantra the phrase, “Hate the sin, but love the people!” This is an important proposition for Christians, but one we have trouble grasping at times.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But my mind, being set on recovery, did not hang around in that neighborhood at all. It ran right into the first words I spoke in my breakthrough to recovery: I HATE BEING ANGRY! </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This was the<b> key</b> that turned the lock on my slavery to anger. And I was not the one who initiated that phrase. In fact, I was not sure who said that; and it stopped me in my tracks to think that I had said that. Why? Because I had always LOVED my anger. It was my go to, feel good about myself addiction.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now, ten years later, I can say HATE is what brought me back to sanity. Hating being angry gave me reason to hope for a life not controlled by the anger. Hating being angry, and HATING the person I became every time I became angry, were tools God used to bring me out of the darkness of anger and into the light of LOVE.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So, as I mulled over these thoughts I developed a sermon on that subject:</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If you want to recover from any Hurt, Hang Up or Habit (Recovery speak), then you need to let yourself HATE IT. <b>You cannot play with it</b>. You cannot continue to love it. More than that, you <b>cannot</b> continue <b>to love</b> the person you are—or become--when you submit to it. You must HATE that person. <b>You must hate the ugly person you become and you must hate the addiction that brings that person out</b>.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The ugly truth is that most addictions are loved. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That is why they are so hard to give up. They are like little teddy bears to the addicted. We reach for them, grab them to us, and hug them tightly. If recovery is going to work—it is TIME TO HATE.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We all know that “God so loved the World that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but shall have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) We also know that God <b>is</b> LOVE and that because God loves us, we can love others. But God does HATE something: He HATES sin. And we need to HATE our sin and the <b>person we become</b> when we sin.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">God loves; God IS love; God sees us through loving eyes and aches to have us see ourselves as He sees us. But all we seem able to see is the helplessness and hopelessness of our lives. God has plans for all of us. But we are fully capable of thwarting those plans with our choices to continue loving and participating in our addictions.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It is time to start HATING. Not the people around us. Not even their sinful behavior and contemptible actions; but our own contemptible actions and behaviors. It is time to hate our addictions with a passion and to give them up to the power of Christ to heal us and to love us through it all.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ten years later, I still have to be aware of the possibility of falling into anger again. I still have to watch out for all the little ways anger calls me back into its fold. I still struggle to keep myself clean from thoughts and habits which bring strength to the anger that wants to control me.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">God loves me and He sees me through the blood of Christ, a veil I cannot see. The blood of Christ had paid for my sins and God has chosen to forget them. Thus, the need for us to dump our garbage and not carry it around with us. Confess it. Dump it by talking about it as a past thing, and never look back except to share your pain with others in pain.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He knows who I really am and He guides me into becoming stronger in the faith that keeps me at His side in all that I do. My weakness is His strength. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">His plan is to make it all count for His Glory and for my Joy. He doesn't remember the screwed up me; He remembers the child He placed in my mothers womb and the child He has been guiding all along. He sees me as His child and loves me more than I can imagine. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At least a part of His plan is for my screw ups to help others with their screw ups. I hope my screw ups and healing have helped you<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">.</span> Praise the <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Lord<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">!</span> God is good.</span></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17607942434907150824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635700902372227472.post-41772525905228604862015-08-22T13:00:00.000-07:002015-08-22T13:01:11.569-07:00 I WAS SKEPTICAL ABOUT JOHN DUGGAR<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
world has crashed mightily around the Duggar Family. For many years
they had lived their lives in front of millions of strangers, proudly
displaying their life of faith. They truly are people of faith, I
believe; and even in this horrible time for them, Christ will guide
them through all of this, teaching them and bringing ultimate Glory
to Himself. God is bigger than this crisis. They, and we, have been
humbled by the simple truth of sin.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
was not a “fan” of the Duggars, but I tried it out one year and
enjoyed following the courtship, engagement and wedding of the first
daughter. I was not convinced that their way of life was the only way
for life to be lived; but they did make some great points about
temptations and how to avoid them. I was not drawn back to watch it
the next year. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rest
assured, I did not see a problem with having as many kids as you
could support and enjoy raising. That argument is baffling to me. And
I certainly support home schooling and family closeness in large
doses. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My
brother and I had none of that kind of support. We did not even have
cousins our age to consider family and enjoy from time to time. It
was just Bill and I, and we were close as very young children. Then
we realized we did not like each other all that much and got over
that. We were too different to quite make that connection.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
believe that the last thing Mom and Dad Duggar ever expected to have
in their home was a sexual pervert, or murderer or any blatant sinful
person. When they discovered his sins, they basically did everything
wrong in their attempt to do right by him. I suspect that they had
never been aware of the perversion of child molestation and did not
have a clue how ingrained the temptation is. Nor were they aware of
the broader implications that that sexual desire, kept at bay ,would
explode somewhere, somehow over the years no matter how much
counseling and retraining might be involved. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Regardless
of what was done, I never believe that John had come to the
conclusion that what he had done was really wrong. This is because of
my own experience; and the known consistent failed results of trying
to remove perversion from a heart determined to do it.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My
Father came into my room when I was only 12 (or 13) and attempted to
molest me. At first, I had the normal victim reaction of not
understanding what was going on and not knowing what to do about it.
But in his attempt to win me over to his side he told me that he was
not really my father... I jumped up, threw the door open and yelled
at him to get out and never come back. The victim spell was broken.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He
never came back into my room, but he never quit molesting me with his
eyes and gestures for the next years of my teens. I felt at risk if
we were the only ones home, so I stayed in my bedroom a lot. He
continued wanting to molest me and I knew it. I hated him.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Then
after my seven year drought of not being able to worship the God I
had come to love at 8 years of age, I was finally introduced to a
church and a place where I could worship and praise and learn. In
that learning, God was very close to me and He made it clear that He
was Love (my Father who love me and did not want to harm me in
anyway); but He also made it clear that Love and Hate could not live
in the same heart. I had to forgive my Dad and at least try to be
friendly to him. So, I did.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
sadist part of the story is that over the years, Dad continued to
secretly reference the occasion and quip that he knew that I had
enjoyed what “we” did: even to the day he died. He truly believe
dthat he had done something that pleased me. He never repented or
changed his mind in anyway. Perversion is a liar and those lies live
loudly in the pervert.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now
that the most drastic news has been uncovered, I am not only not
surprised, I am not yet finished asking questions: Did he molest his
own children? </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
personally knew a molester and his wife. He finally went to jail
because what he was doing was finally told by a granddaughter. This
was followed by confessions of his own children that he had molested
them.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
kick myself about this because I should have recognized the signs. I
simply laughed him off as he made passes at me and others right in
front of his wife. I called him a dirty old man, the phrase of the
day, and left it at that. Shame on me. My Dad was also a dirty old
man who had had sex with every woman he possibly could, even on the
day he married my Mom. It was a very tawdry story. And so was the one
I had been watching.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sin
has a hold on all of us and we can fall into any of it in seconds. We
can also be forgiven any of it in seconds.<b> <u>But we cannot be cured
of it's effects quite that miraculously quickly.</u></b> John Dugger had
the unfortunate experience of being declared healed way too soon.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Any
person who commits such sin must be watched; closely and forever<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">.</span>
Even with God's help they need a kind of support that will seem an
invasion of privacy, but which must be carried out; prayerfully. Only
God can get into and grab hold of the sinful desires and cast them
out<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">;</span> or help the person to lean on Him for self control of those
desires</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So,
again I ask, Has he molested his own children? If so, he needs to own
up to that as well. They will need a lot of help, and they must get
it soon.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">God,
we know that you know this family only too well, and that there is a
great deal of healing needed in every heart right now. We asked that
you intervene in your powerful manner and help these children of
yours to come clean and place their hurting hearts in your hands. The
world is not finished punishing them. All they have is You, but You
are enough, even for all of this. In Jesus Name and for His sake,
Amen.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17607942434907150824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635700902372227472.post-83090751487595984042015-04-03T15:03:00.001-07:002015-04-03T15:03:38.958-07:00 DO NOT LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">While
reading through </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><u>Daktar</u></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">,
a book about the establishment of a Medical Mission work in East
PakIstan (late 60s and early 70s), I find myself in the middle of
something that reeks of today's political climate of </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>cooperation
with the enemy</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. As I was
reading I also felt the heaviness of the deceit of the Japanese as
they plotted our demise even while they were “</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>cooperating</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">”
with peace negotiations in Washington D.C. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
makes my heart ache to realize once again that there is “<b>nothing
new under the sun.</b>” It has long been said that if we do not
learn from our history, our history will repeat itself over and over
again. This is happening on so many sides right now that even
thinking about it can make for a very heavy heart; even a sense of
despondence and depression.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">BUT
GOD* - As we approach this Easter Sunday, we have every reason to
rejoice that we live. One song on my heart these days is, Because He
Lives, by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBvU7arNhQs">Matt
Maher</a>
This song reminds us that our very lives are completely in His hands
because He rose from that grave and gives us new life as we surrender
to Him in faith and worship.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So
many passages in His Word remind us that He is in charge of the
nations and, though we must be watchful (including refusal to
cooperate with the enemy), we must Trust in Him and pray heartily
that His Will be done with us and with our temporary home on this
earth.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Even
as the Missionaries involved with the enormous task of bringing life
and love to these needy people of East Pakistan -- now Bangladesh –
we must also go about our business as He guides us, while being bent
on our knees with the realization that the only thing that can change
what is happening around us is the Will of God,. And our job is to
<b>pray earnestly </b>for just that in every move we make and every
conversation we have.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">At
the height of the turmoil in East Pakistan, there was a <b>free</b>
election nation wide that brought a new President elect. This
election was the first to be directly <b>from the ballot to the
result </b>with no middle men being elected to cast votes for the
president or anyone else. (Sound familiar? The electoral voting
system?) This President Elect, as we would call it, had no authority
until sworn into office, an event the West Pakistan government was
determined to stop at all cost. And the fighting raged into a cyclone
of national destruction in East Pakistan in order to destroy him and
his followers - who numbered more than any other group of people in
this split Nation – from taking office and power over entire
Pakistan.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Meanwhile
“peace talks” went on, with the President elect attempting to
make a deal with <b>the enemy</b>, who <b>posed</b> as ready to make
peace, while actually building up an army of West Pakistan soldiers
and an arsenal of weapons <b>within the boarders</b> of the East.
When the “papers” were agreed to and the signatures were
expected, the hidden army burst out of their hiding and slaughtered
millions of Bengali's and Hindus.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">While
our President Roosevelt sat in conference with the Japanese
officials, Japan slaughtered thousands of people in Honolulu.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">While
our current President sits at conferences to make peace with our
enemies, our enemies are getting stronger and stronger. And he looks
the other way. Meanwhile, our only reliable supporter in the midst of
all this mess, is rejected by him as an unruly intruder in the Middle
East.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Again
I say, *“BUT GOD.” This is a book written by our Associate
Pastor, Casey Lute, which explains how often things looked and were
dismal, BUT GOD intervened and He still is in charge and can and will
intervene as He sees fit. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So
how do we stop those <b>sleeping dogs</b> from taking over the world?
We PRAY, and we pray and we pray: together and singly, we pray. And
we PRAISE: together and singly, we praise! </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our
Hope is in Him. And, at this season of rejoicing, we have many
reasons to give ourselves to Him completely. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
HE LIVES; HE LIVES INDEED.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">AMEN!
AMEN! I'M ALIVE! I'M ALIVE, BECAUSE HE LIVES...</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17607942434907150824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635700902372227472.post-60903425029472502822014-11-13T11:48:00.000-08:002014-11-13T11:48:41.477-08:00AN EVER PRESENT HELP IN TROUBLE
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yesterday
I shared this photo on facebook asking, “What does trusting God
look like?”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5WDTmZbQPvU/VGUId47T5sI/AAAAAAAAAII/LSBvGJhqXqk/s1600/TRUSTING%2BGOD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5WDTmZbQPvU/VGUId47T5sI/AAAAAAAAAII/LSBvGJhqXqk/s320/TRUSTING%2BGOD.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As
a former cat lady, I came to see a truth unfold about cats: They only
sleep like this when are are completely at peace with where they are.
Wild cats do not sleep like this. Neither do feral cats nor strays. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My
lady, Polo, was transported away from us on her 1st Birthday. We
lived where people came and went frequently. It could have been an
accident. But she was gone for a whole year, arriving back home in
the same month that she had disappeared. She knew she was home, but
she was still on alert, looking over her shoulder constantly and
sleeping only briefly with her senses on full alert. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Eventually,
she calmed down and began to sleep comfortably with her brothers and
mother around her. But she never, ever trusted strangers again. She
could take off faster than a rocket ship when any stranger came
around her. She gained quite a reputation as a sprinter. She never quite got this comfortable again.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As
I live among loved ones who are in many different types of troubling
and suffering, I find it difficult to speak in sincere words rather
than cliches and well worn Bible verses. My greatest desire is that
God will hug them tightly as they travel through these troubles and
will make His presence known to them.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Psalm
45 starts with just such a promise: <i>God is (my) refuge and
strength, a very present help in trouble.</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
</span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
choose to quote the King James here because “a very present help”
means something deeper to me than just “a help.”</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">To
me it says that God is in the midst of it. God is deeply present in
whatever is going on. He saw it coming, He was and is prepared for it
and He will help us to it, through it, or out the other end of it, as
He sees fit. But He will never, ever, leave us alone in it. He
suffers along side us as we walk the path He sets before us.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">This
verse touched my heart today on behalf of those many whom I know who
are suffering through serious trials:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">A
tiny daughter with something unknown taking her down. Some tests have
revealed that the worst case is not the reason. But more tests must
be done and a diagnosis must be made. This is frightening. They need
to know and trust God's part in this.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Another
family with a second diagnosis of Juvenile diabetes.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Cancer
patients in various stages of healing; a great grandfather sep<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">a</span>rated
from his family due to insurance issues and his need to be diagnosed
through test after test on his veins; families who have just adopted
and those who are seeking adoption against the wall of bills that
will need to be paid overall, and the heartbreak of anticipation; but
they are determined to give a baby a loving home; and then. there are friends with
issues too personal to mention. They all need the strength that God
has for them if they rest in Him and<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span>and
a heart that knows<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span>that He is present
with them every hour of everyday.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
can only pray that God will strongly make His presence known to them
all and be with them as He has promised in many places in His word.
And I pray that they will feel His presence and find their strength
in Him, as He walks with them, never leaving their side.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">There
are approximately 104 Bible references to God's UNFAILING LOVE. This
is just one:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Psalm
27:3 – For I am constantly aware of your unfailing love, and I have
lived according to (</span><i>that</i><span style="font-style: normal;">)
truth.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">May
we all live with this truth at the front of our minds and imbedded
deep in our hearts </span><i>so that</i><span style="font-style: normal;">
we may bring peace to our hearts and glory to God as a result. Amen.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17607942434907150824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635700902372227472.post-11947052229525305682014-10-31T14:16:00.000-07:002014-10-31T14:16:05.424-07:00INFECTUOUS DISEASES STRIKE FEAR IN THE WORLD
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Currently
we are in a world of panic over a particular infectiuous disease
called Ebola, or Ebola Virus, the hemorrhagic fever caused by the
Ebola virus – AKA: </span></span><em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ebola
Fever.</span></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
media (and certain governers) are intent on causing panic over this
whole situation, even though our learning curve is high and in force,
changing as needed for each situation, and containment has been close
to miraculous.</span></span></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">But
Ebola is definitely a very dangerous virus. And there is no doubt
that it must be contained. </span></span></span></em>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">However,
all reason has left the reporting and <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">panicking</span> over this disease. It
has clearly been shown that people who do not attend to someone in
end stage Ebola have very miniscual chance of getting the virus. At
the very least they have to have touched the person in some way and
would have to have been direct in contact with some form of that
person's bodily fluids in order to even be watched for symptoms.</span></span></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
fact that American doctors and hospitals are getting ahead quickly in
this invasion of a virus has not really come through in the reporting
and speculations about the coming catastrophe. Right now, everyone
who comes down with a fever seems to be a cause for fear.</span></span></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Panic
is a strong</span></span></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">I
was having a conversation with a stranger over a year ago, maybe two,
and as we discussed our aches and pains in our aging years, she
suddenly said this mouthful:</span></span></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> You
know our bodies are not made to fail like this. They are supposed to
be perfect, but they have flaws. Someday </span></span></span></em><em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>science</i></span></span></em><em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
will figure out what to do about that.</span></span></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">As
my jaw dropped and my mind was grasping what she had said, the person
we were there to talk with came up to us. I was blown away that she
had given me a perfect opportunity to explain that situation in
testimony for Christ and that the opportunity flashed away as quickly
as it had come! I was dumb founded, to say the least.</span></span></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">She
was so right: Our bodies were not meant to be weak and vulnerable.
But Science is not the answer. God, and God alone is the answer.</span></span></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">As
for the Ebola “epidemic,” the truth is that even with the few
patients brought into this country, and even with those in this
country coming down with this, we are nowhere near the need for
panic. But that is the big buzz for now: Epidemic sure to follow! We
will all be killed.</span></span></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Actually
we like to panic about a lot of things - check this list I borrowed
from facebook: </span></span></span></em>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-592uUSW5ODc/VFP65yafmlI/AAAAAAAAAH4/JUb37t4EkPY/s1600/KILL%2BUS%2BALL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-592uUSW5ODc/VFP65yafmlI/AAAAAAAAAH4/JUb37t4EkPY/s1600/KILL%2BUS%2BALL.jpg" height="320" width="318" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">But,
truly, there </span></span></span></em><em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>is</i></span></span></em><em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
one infection that </span></span></span></em><em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>will</i></span></span></em><em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
kill us all and which we cannot avoid. No one can.</span></span></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">It
is the most destructive infection of all infections. Way too many
people refuse to recognize that it even exists, let alone panic about
it; rather, they keep trying to obliterate any thought of it from
their lives.</span></span></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">This
is an infection that all of us are born with and it came
“genetically” down the line through our <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">ancestors</span>, destroying
lives left and right for centuries; bringing all that were born to a
time of dying: no exceptions. Well, okay, there were a couple of
people whom God reached down and brought up from the earth before
they had a chance to die; But even they were destined to die from
this disease if God had not taken them home to be with Him, out of
his deep love for them.</span></span></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">This
disease is </span></span></span></em><em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>SIN.</i></span></span></em><em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">
Even before we are born we have begun to die, because sin has
permeated this world and no one can escape it. Even before we are
born distress effects our lives; dead cells collect as hair and
nails; and some things begin to go wrong with our development: some
of those being life threatening, while some are actual impairments or
simply distressful annoyances once we are born.</span></span></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">In
this day and age the word sin is laughed at. Even the word evil is
frowned upon, though we see it at work every single day of our lives
and it enriches the imaginations of those who love horror.</span></span></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">But
sin and evil do exist. It is a topic of much discussion ,not only in
Christianity, but in religions world wide. There are many remedies
suggested, and many ways to express it are shown constantly in movies
and TV shows, even in innocent comics, movies and TV shows. </span></span></span></em>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Why
are <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">S</span>uper Heroes needed? Because there are evil forces at work all
around us. Someone has to save us from them. If there is no good and
no evil there cannot be such comics and movies and shows. But they do
exist, so... on some level we all pretty much acknowledge the struggle
between<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"> </span>good and evil.</span></span></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Christians
did not make this up. It is “Good Guy vs Bad Guy” all over the
place, all over the world. Christians are simply trying to tell you
the truth about good and evil: that evil is led by Satan, who is Evil
itself; and good is led by God, who IS GOOD. </span></span></span></em>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Satan
came into the lives of Adam and Eve and established his reign on
earth by infecting them with his Evil. God, knowing this test would
come, had already planned the only way out of this predicament
through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. And God kept His word that
Christ's Blood would be shed for the sins of all mankind. And that
all who asked would be forgiven their sins through that shed blood.</span></span></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">This
is a very short summary of this truth of sacrific which can be found
in Christianity, but also in many other religions who developed their
own sacrificial lambs to artificial gods.</span></span></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The
point is that knowing Christ is a life changing thing. Following a
religion is slavery to rules and regulations, none of which help
change or cure the conditon of sin.</span></span></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">There
are many ways to begin seeking this truth, but the important one is
to choose Christ with your heart and voice: let yourself hear Him
call you, and answer Him with a ”Yes, Lord, I am here.”</span></span></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Christ
is wooing you even now, let Him into your heart and your life and
change your direction from sinning and doing evil, to following Him
through this sin-filled world, with a goal of seeing Him one day in
the true home of God, where Love lives. </span></span></span></em>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">What
are the benefits of accepting this truth: Eternal life with God in
Heaven and expert assistance for getting through this life as the
Holy Spirit of God enters your life and brings you Love, Joy, Peace,
Long-suffering, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness (a God who is
faithful to you and helps you to want to be faithful to Him),
Gentleness and Self-Control. As you follow Him, you will grow and
grow away from the sinfulness of your earthly life to the eternal
faithfulness and peace of the next.</span></span></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">If
you are sick of sin and greatly disturbed about the evil going on
around you, take the time to seek God now:</span></span></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> God
so loved the world that He gave (to death) His only Son (Jesus
Christ) that whoever believes in Him shall not perish (to eternal
death) but (shall instead) have everlasting life (with God in
Heaven.)</span></span></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> For
God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that
the world, through Him, might be saved (healed from sin.)</span></span></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> (Whoever)
believes on Him is not condemned: but he that does not believe (on
Christ) is condemned already (to eternal death) because he has not
believed on the Name of the only Son of God (Jesus Christ.)</span></span></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Check
out John 3:16 online at Bible Gateway and you will see many
translations of this truth.</span></span></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Seek
Him while he may be found. And, if you are reading this, He may be
found right now. Just ask Him for His help for you to believe this.
He is listening for your prayer.</span></span></span></em></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">May
those who hear (by reading this) also respond to it and find the Lord
Jesus Christ as Savior today.</span></span></span></em></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17607942434907150824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635700902372227472.post-31947272810816059392014-10-31T11:02:00.000-07:002014-10-31T11:02:37.013-07:00THE ENEMY WANTS MY FAITH
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This
morning I am trying to get my faith back. Pretty silly on one hand
but really important on the other. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">THE
ENEMY WANTS MY FAITH. That is his number one goal for my life: He
wants me to doubt God's work in and through my life. He wants me to
fear making moves because they may be the wrong moves. He wants me to
think that what I say or what I write is wasted time and effort. He
wants me to believe that I am useless on this earth.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
also wants me to fear my immediate future: Will I ever be able to
walk comfortably again and get some exercise? Will my heart and lungs
ever be strong enough again to support me through a serious health
crisis, since I have not been walking and they are getting weaker and
weaker? Is my car finally falling apart? Will I have a car to drive
at all in the near future because I cannot afford to get my car
fixed? Can I rely on my current income to ever fill my cupboards
again with the staples I need to fix meals for myself that I will be
willing to eat? (As if I am anywhere near starving, or even hungry,
compared to “those little children in foreign countries.”) Okay,
I am a little sarcastic about that, but one can easily see that I am
not starving or even close to it – Just frustrated that my idea of
how to sustain me is apparently different from “Someone” else.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Apparently
I have been building up a lot of faithless<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"> </span>i</span>deas lately and it has
come to my attention that one of the things I feel called to do has
been blocked by this lack of faith. I am currently convinced that
what I write is senseless and not a blessing to anyone. I have
written many things that I then drop and leave in file rather than
post. I am sure that those things are stupid and a waste of time for
whoever reads them. I have been convinced that no one is actually
interested in reading them, even though my goal is not to have
readers, plural, but to reach out to someone who may just need to
consider the points I am making.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
write and then I do not post because I have lost my faith that this
simple thing is what I should do. Talking and writing and loving on
people are about all I think I can do, so if I drop any of these
things, I truly become useless.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What
I need is prayer, but...</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well,
maybe this is the way to reach out for that prayer. Will you pray for
me? </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sometimes
I hesitate to ask for prayer because my requests seem so wrong. But
asking for your help is not wrong. In my Bible study, I have asked
for prayer for gaining some clarity because of my confusion. This
morning I looked up to God and said, “My brain has gone nuts: I
cannot keep it focused on one subject long enough to grasp it or form
ideas from that subject. Help me pull things together and be more
focused and less confused.” </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Perhaps
you can help me with this? I am currently working on a post that I
think is relevant and purposeful but I am being discouraged from
posting it. Perhaps I should not, but maybe I should.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pray
for me to regain my focus and ability to step up to the plate and do
what God wants me to do.You do not need to answer this request. Just
pray, please. And, thank you.</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17607942434907150824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635700902372227472.post-5698491104035935112014-10-10T11:23:00.000-07:002014-10-10T11:23:18.035-07:00BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO HAS REGARD FOR THE WEAK
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This
blessing is found in Psalm 42:1, NIV version. My first thought when
reading this was of Techno-man. He is my hero when it comes to
technology. One of the weaknesses I experience as an “elderly”
lady, is that I am a Tech-not! </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Though
I have managed to learn to use a computer, self-taught over the
years, I nevertheless have no real technical knowledge of PC's. I once
took a class in programing (before PC) and found that my logic was
very rusty and may never be any good again, even with a good dose of
Naval Jelly. (Look it up.) I may never understand the “how did it
get this way,” but I do know some things about “how do I use this
thing?”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Techno-man
is a young man, with a young family, who works from home developing
all kinds of techno-things that I do not understand. He also helps with
training and serving in technology areas in our church. But, if I
have a question, he will stop for a minute and try to answer it. He
always has a really good answer, calms me down from my worries, and
even has invaded my computer to put a few things to rest. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
point is that he - a very busy, very knowledgeable young man - has
“consideration for the weak.” And a huge smile as well. He has
won my heart, and He makes God glad.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
the King James, the word “poor” is used; but as in many cases,
this is probably not specifying just the unrich. For me “the
weak” seems a better understanding than “the poor.” I am weak.
Many of my friends are weak. Not all of my friends are poor. <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">Yet </span>they
all have a weakness somewhere. And many join me in my modern weakness
as a Tech-Not.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Meanwhile,
there are other weaknesses all around us that are even more serious
than a failure to understand technology:</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There
are those who are weak physically and have a hard time getting
around. I have dear friends in that situation. One accompanies me to
church on Sunday. Church is greatly important to her and she needs
the help of those “stronger” than her to get her there and into
the church. When we <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">drive</span> up, the men who are greeting move right out
to help her; they get her out of the car and up on the sidewalk, so
that she can go in and enjoy the time of worship. These men “have
regard for the weak” and they are blessed.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
also have people in our church who come in weak of spirit and weak in
self-control. We welcome them and nourish them and help them grow
into stronger people through the comfort and teaching of the Lord
Jesus Christ. Those who pray for them, those who do what they can to
guide them, and those who befriend them in the Love of Christ are
showing “regard for the weak” and they are blessed.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And,
not the least of them, are those who show regard for the children
(the weak) will be blessed: This includes actively, and prayerfully,
supporting the lives of the unborn children; speaking out for
abolition of “sex-trafficking;” and caring about food and shelter
for the homeless children here and around the world. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
also means loving the children around you and sharing your children
with others for loving attention. Teaching, nursery care, youth group
leading and simply befriending; all of these come under the umbrella
of loving in Christ in a way that reaches out to the weak. Those who
do will also be blessed.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Basically,
a little compassion goes a long way with the Lord. Those who show it
– compassion, not pity – have “regard for the weak” and are
blessed.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">May
we step up to the plate and put ourselves out there, with a smile on
our faces, to encourage and build up the weak, no matter what the
weakness. Then, we too will be blessed.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">God
help us to see and recognize the weak and help us to reach out in
your love, with regard for them. In Jesus name, Amen.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17607942434907150824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635700902372227472.post-17341574921178521462014-09-29T12:48:00.000-07:002014-09-29T12:48:56.584-07:00 PAUL'S "BAD HAIR DAYS" IN JERUSALEM<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Have
you ever been frustrated? Pretty silly question, right? We all find
ourselves frustrated from time to time, if not all the time.
Frustration can come from a multitude of <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">occurrences</span> in our everyday
life: Spilled coffee, slow traffic, misbehaving children, plans
thwarted, loss of control in situations where control was all we
could count on.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Frustration
has many side effects: Anger is one; confusion about where, what,
why... is another; fear of what's next; hope for good results
crushed; despair, depression, despondency, even deep self-deprecation
and desire to just quit everything.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When
Paul finally returned to Jerusalem, after many years of travel into
Asia Minor and Greece, his biggest hope was to be able to preach and
teach the Gospel of Christ to all who would listen; especially since
he had such great news to tell them about the work of Christ in the
hearts of the Gentiles. We might say he was “pumped” to get on
with spreading the Gospel of Love and Grace back in Jerusalem where
it all was completed many years before.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">However,
it seemed that he just ran into one brick wall after another:</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">First,
he ran headlong into church leaders who had heard that “some”
were spreading bad reports of what he was doing “out there” in
Gentile land.These same men had collaborated with him on how to
handle the subject of <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">circumcision</span> and had come to an agreement which
was written down and signed for Paul to carry with him. Now they were
alarmed that these false rumors were spreading <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">throughout</span> Jerusalem
when they knew that Paul, himself, was true to the Jewish laws and
traditions. They were not going to accuse him of anything – BUT –
some appeasement was needed to dissuade these rumors. They suggested
that he join a group of local men who were going to participate in a
purification ceremony. That turned out really well for him. NOT.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When
he was at the temple, toward the end of the time of purification,
some of the complaining Jews from the province of Asia saw him. They
accused him openly of defiling the temple by shouting lies about
him and his teachings. “The whole city was <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">aroused</span>, and the people
came running from all directions.” There was a riot, during which
Paul was dragged out of the temple and beaten, and nearly killed. The
riot was only stopped by the appearance of the Roman Guard.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Not
knowing what was going on, they came and arrested Paul, binding him
in chains, as prophecied <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">earlier in Act</span>. As they were
removing him, he spoke up in Greek and startled the guards who
thought he was an Egyptian rebel. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> I
am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cylicia, a citizen of no ordinary city.
Please let me speak to the people. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Then
he changed to Aramaic, which hushed the crowd<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">.</span> <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">Then </span>he gave his Jewish
resume and continued with his testimony in Jesus Christ, ending with
this statement:</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Then
the Lord said to me, “Go: I will send you far away to the
gentiles.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">With
that, the riot started all over again. And, once more, the Roman
Guard stepped in to get Paul out of there.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Being
<i>frustrated</i> themselves, they removed Paul from the situation,
but tried to further the inquiry of him by ordering a flogging and
questioning. Paul spoke up again and asked if it was legal to flog a
Roman citizen without a trial and a verdict. It was not. They were,
shall we say, astounded about what they had almost done, but the
commander wanted to be sure and asked more questions. As these
questions were answered, the ones who were about to flog him quietly
backed out of the room.. “The commander himself was alarmed when he
realized that he had put Paul, a Roman citizen, in chains.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
think we can be sure that this was not a good day for Paul. And, his
night was surely a rough one as well.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
very next day, the Romans decided to find out the truth of all this
by turning him over to the court of the Sanhedrins, the Jewish Court
made up of Pharisees and Sadducees who were not even able to agree
with each other about what the truth was in the laws of God. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Things
went from bad to worse when they took him into custody and those near
him where told to “strike him on the mouth.” - That was an
illegal action according to the law to which these leaders hel<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">d</span>
themselves.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paul
spoke up saying, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall...”
He accused them, just as Christ had, of being clean appearing on the
outside but filthy dirty on the inside; and willing to break their
own laws. This did not set well with anyone and Paul was called out
on failing to respect the High Priest.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paul,
being a faithful keeper of Jewish law, immediately confessed what he
had done and what law he had broken. Then he challenged the Sanhedrin
with the fact that he was being persecuted for believing in the
resurrection, which the Pharisee half also held as a belief, but the
Sadducees did not.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">That
did not help. The Pharisees and Sadducees began their own shouting
match at each other and the whole thing became another riot from
which Paul needed to be rescued. The Roman Guard once again had to
step in:</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> “There
was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law stood up and
argued... became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would
be torn to pieces by them.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">They
took him away by force and brought him into the barracks, like a
prisoner. At this point, it can be said that Paul was beside himself
with frustration over the whole situation. Even though he knew this
was coming and that he would be sent to Rome, his plans to preach the
Gospel in Jerusalem were shattered. H<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">i</span>s heart was breaking over the
people of Jerusalem and what they were missing out on. He needed some
encouragement.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Acts
25:11 – THE FOLLOWING NIGHT THE LORD STOOD NEAR PAUL and said,
<span style="color: red;">“Take courage. As you have testified about me
in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">If
that doesn't grab your heart, break it and heal it at the same time
leaving you with a conviction that you are not alone, then you are
not paying attention. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Paul
had just experienced the worst three days of his life and he was
ready for some new ener<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">g</span>y and eagerness to go on with what was to
come.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Is
there anything more exciting in our lives as Christians, than the
realization that Christ is at our side during every single trial that
we go through; the realization that He is not off somewhere in Heaven
tending to kingly duties while we struggle through life on this
earth; the fact that Jesus is truly with us every step of the way as
we remain bound by the forces against us on this earth? He is always
at our side. ALWAYS.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">THE
FOLLOWING NIGHT THE LORD STOOD NEAR PAUL. He came in body form and
stood right next to Paul. He is present with us ALWAYS, standing at
our side, encouraging us to continue on the path He has set before
us.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">The
riots and persecutions were not over; BUT Christ had already won this
war.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UONh0Kd_ao0/VCm3HVmEiII/AAAAAAAAAHo/XYyCH8DjgDo/s1600/HALLELUJAH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UONh0Kd_ao0/VCm3HVmEiII/AAAAAAAAAHo/XYyCH8DjgDo/s1600/HALLELUJAH.jpg" height="320" width="248" /> </a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Hallelujah!
AMEN.</span></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17607942434907150824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635700902372227472.post-37285116087012767162014-09-08T15:38:00.000-07:002014-09-08T15:43:55.187-07:00THE COURTSHIP OF CHRIST<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
have many things on my mind this morning, but one thing is blossoming
above the rest: Children being frightened into Salvation.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some
years ago, a four year old child told me that he had accepted Jesus
as his Savior because he did not want to go to hell. I was disturbed
by this, although I told him how happy I was for him that he accepted
Christ as His Savior. </span></span></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">His
parents were and are friends that I love dearly. They serve Christ
unquestionably as He leads them down a road of wonderful and
inspiring ministry in His name. But something about this profession
of faith disturbed me and I could not put my finger on it.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Since
then, I have heard other such testimonies and I have heard many
mothers speaking in dismay because they fear their <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">little</span> one will go
to hell if the do not realize Christ as Savior as soon as possible.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJ5eSlkcu2c/VA4t2t169ZI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/7dcbZfI8C3k/s1600/JESUS%2BWITH%2BCHILDREN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJ5eSlkcu2c/VA4t2t169ZI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/7dcbZfI8C3k/s1600/JESUS%2BWITH%2BCHILDREN.jpg" height="160" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When
you see this picture, what comes to mind? We know that Jesus called
out for the Apostles to let the children come to him, and we see many
images of what that may have looked like. But what do we think He is
talking to them about? Do you hear Him saying to them, “Little
Children, you are sinners and will go to hell if you do not follow
me?” I doubt that anyone thinks that. So what DO you see and hear
as you gaze at images such as that or this...</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C0XIzoSDOh0/VA4uMo9ScyI/AAAAAAAAAHY/_xWUmAp0aWk/s1600/JESUS%2BWITH%2BCHILDREN%2B4.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C0XIzoSDOh0/VA4uMo9ScyI/AAAAAAAAAHY/_xWUmAp0aWk/s1600/JESUS%2BWITH%2BCHILDREN%2B4.gif" height="264" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Can't
you just see and hear Jesus telling them how much He loves them and
how much His Father loves them and how beautiful they are in his
eyes. Can't you just hear Him showing them the beauty around them
rather than the ugly? Can't you feel the love and the children's
excitement as they feel that Love? </span></span></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
remember one mother telling me about her very young daughter and
saying, “She just was born loving Jesus, and she is just bursting
to live His love out in her life.” What a beautiful realization
that the LOVE of Christ is enough to bring a child into a
relationship with Him. He alone can make their little hearts long for
Him and turn to Him just because they love Him and He loves them.
That is definitely enough for the little ones.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">They
do not have to come laying out their sins before Him. They just have
to answer the longing in their hearts for Him. Sins will be known and
confessed later; right now it is all about love.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
know that it must be difficult for parents to take the burden of
leading their children into a relationship with Christ. That has
always been a huge responsibility. But I have a deep conviction that
there needs to be an emphasis on <b>Love </b>over sin with young children.
Knowing about sin will come. What they need at their tender age is a
courtship with Christ.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Recently
I was watching “19 Kids and Counting” and watching the attitude
about dating and courting and even engagement and all the steps it
takes to arrive at Marriage. I guess that is where I got this idea of
the courtship of Christ in a young child's life. That, and my own
testimony of His Courtship with me.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
had no actual concept of sin. I grew up in a family situation that
was full of it, but I did not know it by definition.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">God
had known me even before my parents came into being, let alone into a
sinful intimate relationship that was the beginning of me, the human
named Cheryl.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
celebrated Christmas as Xmas with Santa Claus. We pretty much
ignored Easter, except for the Easter Egg Hunt theme, and the big
dinner. But because the Word of God says that God the Father desired
me to be one with Jesus; and because Jesus, Himself was seeking after
me, I am assured that Jesus was courting me even in my earliest days.
I was chosen and I was intended to be His from before the beginning
of my life. I had no idea of this and I just spent my time growing up
a little; driving my mother insane with my constant howling; but
otherwise pretty obedient to and respectful of her.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Finally,
when I was eight years old, I had a chance to go to church. I had no
idea that I wanted to do that, but I was very pleased with the doing.
Mom sent us off to the corner church every Sunday Morning (I'm
thinking... so that she could have a nice quiet Sunday morning all
alone.). I loved going and I started learning about Jesus and His
love for me. I was definitely interested in knowing more; so I kept
going.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When
summer came, Mom enrolled us in two DVBS sessions. That was her
vacation, for sure. At the end of the second one, the Pastor asked
those of us interested in joining with Jesus to come forward. I was
ecstatic. I grabbed my brother and our friends and made them come
with me. I do not know how they handled the <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">situation</span>, but I spent
the time thanking Jesus for loving me and promising Him that I would
love Him back.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
am sure they went through the required preparation prayer, but all I
was concerned with was that Jesus asked me to be His friend forever
and I accepted that invitation. I was in love and it was all about
Jesus! </span></span></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"></span><span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And
for the next 9 years I lived on that and that alone. My connection to
any church at all came to a halt when we moved away and I found that
choosing a church to go to was impossible because they all had names;
the churches I went to before were community churches without
specific names. Mom and Dad were too busy to help me out, so I spent
the next 8 years longing to go to Sunday school, but hindered by not
being able to convince anyone to take me with them.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But
the longing to know more about Jesus never went away. He was always
there reminding me that He loves me and that He will be near whenever
I need Him. I was still a little vague about sin, but I had a pretty
clear view of right and wrong and God used that to keep me from many
things that could have trapped me for life. He watched over me
carefully.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But
the point I am trying to make is that sometimes we allow fear to
guide us in what we do; then we use it to try to accomplish what God
can accomplish completely on His own. God is not the Author of Fear –
Nowhere in His word does He tell us to fear; nor does He teach us to
teach our children to fear. <b>He tells us to give our children to Him
and let Him court them into a full relationship with Him</b>.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sometimes
we disregard the truth that Jesus knew these children LONG before the
parents came to know them, and that He planted in them the longing
for Him that He would use to bring them to Him. He did not plant a
fear of hell in any of our <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">children</span>; and I think maybe we should not
do that either.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">All
in all, it comes down to the idea presented to us this week in the
sermon: God plants in us the way we should go and how we will be used
for His Glory in this place. </span></span></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There
are many prophets and servants in Scripture who fill that bill in our
minds: Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Daniel, Samuel, David and several
Kings and prophets through the years. </span></span></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And
I always default to King Cyress, who was pre-instructed that he was
to let the Israelites go from their bondage and to rebuild their
lives back in <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">Jerusalem</span>; this even before his parents were aware of
the blessing of a child to be born. And <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">King </span>Cyress admired the One True
God, but may have never submitted to that God to worship Him alone.
Still, God wanted to use him at that critical point and he was
pre-instructed to do exactly what God had planned.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>But
the need is this:</b> that we see ourselves and our children filling that
bill as well. We, and they, are in God's <b>hands a</b>nd God's
<b>plans</b>. </span></span></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">May
we step back just a little from instilling fear, and get on with
instilling LOVE and plenty of it. Children need love; Children
respond to love; Jesus LOVES us into coming with Him and doing as He
wills with our lives. We can never say enough about how much and how
well God Loves us. </span></span></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
</div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">May
we allow Jesus do His courting in the lives of those we love, and in
our own lives as well. He will succeed where we may fail.</span></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17607942434907150824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635700902372227472.post-53389822849021380932014-08-22T15:12:00.000-07:002014-08-22T15:22:23.116-07:00Is this the day I die? Am I ready?<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Is
this the day I die</i>? </span></span>
</h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> He'd
asked himself the question every day since he was (his son's) age.
Every day the answer had been no. But his father had taught him, “One
day the answer will be yes, and on that day you must be ready<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">." </span></span></span></h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yesterday
I went to the library at church and sought books that might give me
new insights to write about.<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"> God handed me <u>Safely Home</u><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">, b<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">y</span> Randy Alcorn.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
am excited about God handing me this book to read - it was on the
shelf displayed as “new” to the library – and it was authored
by a man I admire for his intelligent discussions of difficult
issues, so I was immediately drawn to it. I also picked up a second
book, but this one seemed to call me to read it first. Then on page
seven I found out why: <i>Is this the day I die<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">? </span></i><i></i><span style="font-style: normal;">Powerful
question. </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
know where Alcorn is going with this question, but, before I read the
rest, I need to dwell on this question awhile. I know the answer for
me, but what about for you? Are you ready if this is the day you will
die? This time I will not be including myself in the <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">scenarios</span> where
I usually use the third person “we.” I do know that if today is
the day, I am ready.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When
I had my heart attack, I did ask God to consider those who where
“under my care” at that moment before he let me die. I felt there
was still a need for me here. But I was quite happy to go if that was
His plan. It wa<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">s</span>n't.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Most
of my readers are mothers; and mothers, perhaps, will never be ready
to die, so long as their children are alive. That is a God built-in
response that mothers will have, always. It is an excellent response.
But we all know that even mothers sometimes die before their
children; in fact it is, <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">to </span>a point, the accepted way that as the
parents get older they are destined to die before their children. <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">N</span>o mother can ever quietly accept the loss of any of her
children. She never quite gets over it, and carries an emptiness
within her that just does not go away.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">There <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">in lies</span>
an intricate and difficult problem<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">;</span> children also carry an
empty place in their hearts that will not go away if they loose their
mother, no matter how old they are at the time. </span><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Let's
face it</span></span><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><b>
– no one is truly ready to die when it appears that their time has
not yet come</b></span><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">.
No one. And no one is ever prepared to loose a loved one to death, no
matter if it is sudden or long expected. Death is the curse of sin in
this world, and we are all born to eventually die<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">;</span> but we have never
found delight in this fact. Nor should we.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Is
today the day I will die?” </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This
was a cultural thing in the book. Not everyone grows up thinking that
thought everyday of their lives. But it is a thought we all should
have now and then. Am I ready to die today, if that is what will
happen? Am I prepared to die, <b>knowing</b> that <b>I</b> will be
okay if I do? How about you?</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There
is only one way to be sure about the answer to that question<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"> and</span> that
is to ask another que<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">s</span>tion: Have I secured my future after death
through believing on the Lord Jesus Christ?</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
the world view of today (and yesterday) <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">-</span> “to live, live,
live until I die,” because that is all there is<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"> -</span> we might as well
make the most of it<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"> an<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">d </span>"live it up." But </span>one thing confuses me<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">:</span> most people think they are making the most of it, but they are really
making the least of it by spending their lives drugged or drunk or
chasing the fountain of youth or the almighty dollar, while finding
101 ways to sin, and always angry about every little thing; they never
actually liv<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">e</span> life in any full or joyful way.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
seems to me that - if you are going to live, live, live until you die
- you should do it with some abandon and glee; not angry and empty
and half<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"> psychotic</span>. So why don't people do that instead of rioting and
rousting and doing damage to each other as much as possible? It
certainly seems that not being ready to die is not helpful in
actually living joyfully, and in fullness of life, such as it can be
known here on earth.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
writer of the Book of Ecclesiastes came to realize this and wrote his
findings down for us to enjoy and meditate on. In his time frame
verses it is clearly stated that there is “a time' for many things,
but all things add up to just one: Life is short and the only way to
live happily or joyfully on this earth <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">is: F</span>ear God and keep his
commandments for this is the whole duty of man.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">The
only way to actually have something to live for is to know that Jesus
Christ died on the cross to give us all a reason to live and a way to
live:</span></span></div>
<h1 class="western">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">John
10:10 The thief come<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">s</span> to steal, and to kill, and to
destroy: I am come that (you) might have life, and that (you) might
have it more abundantly. </span></span>
</h1>
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So
who is this thief? It is drugs, strong drink, addiction to looking
and feeling young, living for <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">sensuality</span> and chasing after the
mighty dollar. The thief is Satan with all his tools of distraction
which bind us to him instead of to Jesus Christ. He totally robs us
of the ability to live life joyfully or abundantly, appearances not
withstanding. We are born sinners and as sinners we do not have any
chance of living life well until we receive the offer of Jesus Christ
to be our <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">Savior</span> and Lord:</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">John
3:16 </span></b><span style="font-size: small;">“</span><i><span style="font-size: small;">For God
so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes
in him should not perish but have eternal life.</span></i></span></span><br />
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<b><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">John
3:36 </span></span></b><i><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Whoever
believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son
shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.</span></span></i></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<b><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">John
14:6</span></span></b><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><i><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jesus
said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one
comes to the Father except through me.</span></span></i></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<b><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">John
17:3 </span></span></b><i><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And
this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and
Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.</span></span></i></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<b><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Acts
4:12 </span></span></b><i><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And
there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under
heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”</span></span></i></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY">
<i><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
to find fullness of joy with abundance in this life as well as the
next, we must have within us the source of all Joy and Fullness in
life: The Holy Spirit who can guide us and teach us and give us the
Joy, Peace, and Love that we cannot find for ourselves in this place
or the next.</span></span></span></i></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Romans
8:11 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div dir="LTR" id="stcpDiv">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But
if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you,
He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your
mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="stcpDiv"></a>
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>John
16:13 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div dir="LTR" id="Section1">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"But
when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the
truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He
hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="stcpDiv1"></a>
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Galatians
5:22 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div dir="LTR" id="Section2">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness...</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="stcpDiv2"></a>
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Romans
8:9</b></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">..if
anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him
(Christ).</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">So...
if you desire to live, live, live until you die and not be afraid of
dying, you need to take a look at Jesus Christ and his Question of
the Day: </span><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><b>Who
do you say that I am?</b></span><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">
(Matthew 16:15)</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="background: #ffffff;"><br />13 Now
when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his
disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” </span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-ESV-23686"></a>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">14 And
they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and
others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” </span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-ESV-23687"></a>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">15 He
said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” </span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-ESV-23688"></a>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">16 Simon
Peter replied, </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background: #ffffff;">“You
are the Christ, the Son of the living God.</span></b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">”
</span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="en-ESV-23689"></a>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="background: #ffffff;">17 And
Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh
and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in
heaven. </span></span></span></span></span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">May
you find the peace, joy and the fullness of life that you desire by
listening to Christ's question for you; and answering that <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">persuasive</span>,
beautiful voice which is calling you to be one with Christ, now and
forever. And may your answer be – Yes, Lord, I believe that Jesus
Christ died for my sins and that He alone can change my life
completely. I confess that I am a sinner who needs to be washed in
the blood of Christ, forgiven for my sins and forever changed into a
person who leans on Him for everything in my life. Amen.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now
go and read His Word,<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"> </span>starting in the Gospel of John.
If you are not already connected to a Bible teaching/preaching
church, find one and get involved with learning more and more about
God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, who loves you
more than you can ever imagine and who will be there for you always<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">; </span>as you journey on this earth in life and move on to heaven in death.
So be it. God bless you.</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17607942434907150824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635700902372227472.post-46637800395133725002014-08-07T12:03:00.001-07:002014-08-07T12:05:15.647-07:00IT HAS BEEN GRANTED UNTO ME AND YOU<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I
have been thinking of updating my profile on facebook and I grabbed a
verse from my reading this morning that just might be my testimony:
<i>For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to
believe on Him, but to suffer for His sake</i>. Philippians 1:29</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The
suffering is questionable, but the part that fits is that <b>“I was
granted the opportunity to believe on Him.” </b>I might say it this
way: <b>It has been granted to me on behalf of Christ... to believe on
Him!</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My
conversion experience was not about my sins. I was not raised in fear
of death and hell. I was not told anything about my “<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">naughtiness</span>”
being sin. What I was told was that Jesus Christ loved me very much
and that He lived as a human, died on the Cross, rose the third day
and was back in Heaven waiting for me to realize that He wanted me to
love Him back and to have Him as my best friend for the rest of my
life. That is what I knew, and that is what I accepted. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I
was changed that day into a child of God and a friend of Jesus
Christ. The Holy Spirit confirmed that fact with me through my own
spirit, and continues to confirm that fact to this day, and will
continue to confirm it until I am taken from this earth to be with my
Savior in Heaven.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The
picture I see in my mind it that of Jesus <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">Christ</span> spreading out His
arms and smiling at me (and you) saying please come and be my friend
so that I can be your Savior and friend for eternity. Talk about a
true BFF. Jesus Christ is the only one who really is that.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My
life has been up and down; my faith has been tried; my walk has
stumbled big time; but Jesus Christ is a Rock who never leaves my
reach; who is never not on my “six”; who has stayed with me
through thick and thin. He can be quite the nagger, and quite the
super hero. His love never fails - not for one moment. <b>His
Mercies are new every morning</b>, and He will nag and push and
encourage and comfort and guide us through each day, <b>if</b> we
will keep the line open to Him by talking and listening all day long.
He is there and His arms are wide open seeking each one of us to come
to Him and believe in Him and walk with Him, in Love and Joy.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif; font-size: small;">On
Christ's behalf, God the Father is granting us the privilege of
knowing and lovng the One who loves us more than any human ever will
or can.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DrnrC2TQELc/U-PM1l8bnEI/AAAAAAAAAHA/nnU0GxdQ3Fk/s1600/AHH+ISN%27T+GOD+WONDERFUL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DrnrC2TQELc/U-PM1l8bnEI/AAAAAAAAAHA/nnU0GxdQ3Fk/s1600/AHH+ISN'T+GOD+WONDERFUL.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Father,
may all who read this today be assured that You are seeking them out
to be your child through the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus
Christ. And may we all share this love and knowledge with our
neighbors whom we have been instructed to love even as we love
ourselves. In Jesus Name, Amen.</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17607942434907150824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635700902372227472.post-77830318618632189592014-07-28T11:14:00.000-07:002014-08-07T11:50:26.011-07:00GENTLEMEN: YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As
I was reading in Psalm 38 & 39, I found myself wandering onto a
strange road, and asking myself, “What do men think that God sees
in them<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">?</span>”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">David
is pretty punked out. He is the King, and yet he sees himself as a
great offender of God. He has sinned and he is suffering the
consequences. He needs to talk to someone, but who? He is the King <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">after all</span>; to whom can he trust his personal thoughts? So he keeps
quiet. He holds his thoughts close. But, eventually he realizes that
he will break apart, spiritually as well as physically, if he does
not talk to someone. So he finally opens up to God; spilling out the
truths of what is bothering him.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">While
speaking about the sins in his life, he asks God to not bring down
the punishment these sins deserve; but to give him Grace and to allow
him to move among men again, showing that Grace to the people, once
more before he dies. It is a prayer of contrition and submission to
the righteous judgement of God. It is what God needed to hear.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
could speak all day about the implications of this in our lives, but
what it really brought to my mind was all the verses in the Bible
that declare a man blessed. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">David was a man “after God's own heart”
and there was a reason for that: In all his troubles and successes,
he never once thought of giving up on his God, the God of his
Fathers and his personal guide and Lord.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One
impression which may be just my own interpretation, but bothers me,
is that men have very little to hang there hats on when it comes to
“How does God see me?” I know that there are verses and I know
that there are lessons taught that intend to give men a good
perception of themselves, but I feel that sometimes the only people
that guys have to measure against is heroes in the Bible and leaders
in the church. I am sure that many <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">ha</span>ve the feeling that when God
looks at them, they don't look good at all.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As
a woman, I have dealt with the issue of <b>beauty</b> over and over
again. Women do that. And women go out of their way to help each
other see the beauty in themselves because of Jesus Christ in their
lives. There are all kinds of Bible studies on this subject and there
are unending conversations going on in support of each other about
this subject.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But
what about men. Do men ever think of themselves as beautiful? Do men
have any realization of being beautiful in God's sight. Would a man
even consider thinking of himself that way? Men are supposed to be
handsome, not beautiful. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
searched the word “handsome” in the Bible and I came up almost
dry. The Revised Standard Version uses the word in Psalm 45:2, but
other versions more commonly used, such a King James and NIV, do not
use that word.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One
verse – Song of Songs, verse 1:16 – is consistently translated
handsome, but it is speaking of how a woman sees a man, not how God
sees that man.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
my mind, I thought Saul was called handsome; it is not coming up;
though he was definitely described in ways that add up to handsome.
But it really doesn't matter, because most men do not consider
themselves handsome anyway... most men.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Women
are taught that they are no longer caterpillars, but are now
butterflys – if they have accepted Christ as Savior and Lord.
Doesn't that apply to men as well? Doesn't it?</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">How
many times does the phrase, “Blessed is the man who...” come up
in scripture? More than I can count, that's for sure. But these
verses come with a catch: being blessed <span style="font-weight: normal;">requires</span>
<b>living</b> blessed. And everyone of these verses declares <b>a
life style of seeking God</b>. This is not that we must live
correctly if God is to see us as beautiful; it is about us being
beautiful in Jesus Christ, and then showing our beauty and growing in
our beauty by making God our focus as we live out our lives.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Note:
If we find salvation and then sit on our backsides watching the world
go by, or refuse to listen to and learn from God – we will <b>not</b>
be blessed <b>or</b> beautiful in our lives.)</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So
God sees us as butterflys because of the shed blood of Christ and the
veil of Christ's blood between Him and us. We have been given a <b>new</b>
existence, a <b>new</b> us. He sees us as beautiful when He looks at
us. And he sees it <b>now</b>, not waiting for the day we arrive in
Heaven, changed into our heavenly bodies. He sees us that way <b>right
now</b>.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So
how can manly men come around and begin to see themselves as
beautiful, even though they may not think they are handsome in their
own eyes? I'm thinking that they can make a point of remembering the
verses that declare them blessed and <b>substitute beautiful</b>:</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Beautiful”
is the man who... And that is not beyond probability. After all, the
blessed men of Matthew are in a list called the “Beaut-itudes.”
Okay... there is no “u”; but close, right? These verses, and
others<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"> </span>that use b<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">lessed,</span> are telling us that the man <b>who follows after Christ with
his whole heart </b>is <b>a beautiful man</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
</span>That man is a butterfly and that man will be seen as a
butterfly by God for the rest of his life, here and in Heaven.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If
you want to get the “feeling” of what I am saying, consider
reading <b>Psalm 119</b>; substituting the word <b>beautiful</b> for
<b>blessed</b>. David is telling us why he is blessed (beautif<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">u<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">l) </span></span>and how you can be t<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">oo. </span>Basically, i<b>f you seek after God</b> with your
whole heart, mind and soul you will be beautiful; to others around
you, as well as to God. And don't forget my favorite, <b>Psalm 1:1</b>.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So
what is the basic requirement for ach<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">ie</span>ving beauty; Knowing Jesus
Christ as Savior and Lord and <b>aiming</b>, every day, to keep his
presence alive in your lives. Beautiful is the man who...</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gentlemen,
allow yourselves to <b>be</b> beautiful. Seek after God throughout everyday;
pray to live in the power and beauty of the Fruit of the Spirit; and
<b>enjoy</b> being beautiful.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">May
we all, men and women, seek to be beautiful in God's eyes, and not
worry so much how we rate among others. May we strive to be beautiful
God's way, rather than man's way. And may we keep watch over the one <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">wh</span>om we <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">know</span> really matters in our day. Amen</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-joVq-ZFkedY/U9aRZI0caYI/AAAAAAAAAGw/r9zrYonpz68/s1600/HIDDNE+EYES.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-joVq-ZFkedY/U9aRZI0caYI/AAAAAAAAAGw/r9zrYonpz68/s1600/HIDDNE+EYES.jpg" height="303" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Consider this view:</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Matthew
West Hello, My Name Is</span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZuJWQzjfU3o&index=5&list=RDFtPmX7e_Rpw"><span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">youtube.com/watch?v=ZuJWQzjfU3o&index=5&list=RDFtPmX7e_Rpw</span></span></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17607942434907150824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635700902372227472.post-3291731598542382762014-07-16T11:26:00.000-07:002014-07-16T11:28:29.662-07:00HEAVEN: YOU CAN'T GET THERE FROM HERE<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Today,
in this world, we cannot imagine not being able to get wherever we
want to go by one means or another. While studying or just reading
about the past we easily learn that transportation has taken many
forms and many unbelievable strides. Centenarians who passed away in
the 20th Century had lived to see unbelievable change in modes of
transport from horse and buggy to spaceships.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
the beginning, transportation was by foot. And that continues to be a
popular mode, even today. Then came the domestication of animals and
a whole new <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">animal</span> dependent transport system came into being; from
oxen to horses to camels and even mules and donkeys, not to mention
ostriches and elephants. Much of this type of transport was
encouraged by the invention of the wheel and the development of the
harness<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"> and</span> yoke. It was a surprisingly long time before we moved
beyond that type of transport. But when we did, we really did! </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Today,
we are “Trains, Planes and Automobiles” travelers; not to mention
boats and ships of so many sizes and purposes they cannot all be
named. And, beyond that there are rockets and spaceships and a
“travel home” that circles the earth over and over again.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
have sent humans to the moon and we have sent equipment and
sight-seer mechanical objects into space to see things closer up so
that we can experience with our eyes what we cannot be present to see for
ourselves, just yet. It would seem we can go just about anywhere now
and even more places later on. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But
there is one place we will never reach by man made means. We cannot
get there from here on our own: That place is Heaven, God's Home,
which is outside this universe; unseen and unreachable through the
works of man. Not the works of our hands, but only by the Grace of
God, through the blood of Jesus <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">Christ</span>, the Lord. <b>The Way</b> –
the only way – “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” “No man
comes to the Father but by me!”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If
you doubt what I say, “Google It.” Go out there and search for
what the Bible actually says about how to get to heaven. But while
you are looking, do not be led astray by your assumptions about the
Law. <b>The Law did not ever save anyone!</b> It <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">condemned</span> them, and
it <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">condemns</span> all of us. We are sinners and the Law was used to try to
keep some order in the lives of those stiff necked people who kept
wandering off from God and His Love: <b>looking for love in all the
wrong places.</b> The Law was a reminder of the purity and Holiness
of God; a standard to guide the people back <b>to Him</b> when they
wandered away. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
Law never saved anyone, nor did good works teleport anyone into the
home of God. Only God can bring someone into His Home, by invitation
and acceptance. And His invitation has always been – Look to my
Son!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But
“keeping” the Law is not the only behavior that will <b>not</b>
get you into God's family and into His home. Being a good person will
not work either. Yes, Jesus wants us to love our neighbors as
ourselves and to comfort and support the poor. But He does not ask
anyone to do this <b>in order</b> to be saved. He is talking to
people who are already following Christ about good ways to behave as
a <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">representative</span> of Him. Being nice, being good, doing good deeds
without knowing Christ as Savior will add up to zilch.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There
is nothing <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">a woman</span> can do or say or design or build that will get <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">that woman</span>
into God's Heavenly realm. The only thing that <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">a woman </span>can do that will
get <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">her</span>self into heaven is to a<b>nswer God's loving invitation</b>
to look to Him and to trust Him to forgive <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">her </span>sins and to make <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">her </span>a
new person in, and through the shed blood of Jesus Christ His son; by
the power of the Holy Spirit. If you do that you will know that
something happened in your heart and spirit that is stunning and
powerful and life changing.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">From
there you will start traveling down a road you never knew existed and
you will do that in partnership with the Holy Spirit. </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sz5h_yeORoY/U8bC6AGFZtI/AAAAAAAAAGc/aem9rRUP_xc/s1600/FROG+DANCE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sz5h_yeORoY/U8bC6AGFZtI/AAAAAAAAAGc/aem9rRUP_xc/s1600/FROG+DANCE.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You
will still be bound, temporarily, to this earth and man made <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">transportation</span>; but you will have a hope in your heart for the
transport of a lifetime, into the arms of Jesus Christ, and into the
Heavenly realm that is His family home. Now, that is a trip to look
forward to. And that is a trip that can only be taken by those who
have surrendered to the Saving Grace of the One True God and th<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">e </span>Lordship
of Jesus Christ, His Son. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">May
we all be aware of this “limited time” offer and turn to God for
all that we need. And may we all love our neighbors enough to share
this message with them before it is too late. God bless you all. Amen</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17607942434907150824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635700902372227472.post-43078312235464206262014-07-07T10:57:00.001-07:002014-07-07T10:57:35.614-07:00
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">TOUGH LOVE FOR CHANGE</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">GOSSIP
– information about the behavior and personal lives of other
people. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But
not all information about people is gossip. Nor is all gossip about
people.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Take
Paul for example: When he wrote his letters, it was generally because
he had “heard” something about the church to which he was
writing; good or bad. That is how news traveled in those days and
that was an acceptable way to pass information on.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
we follow the life of Paul as told in Acts, beginning at Chapter 14,
we find this in action. And when we read his letters we discover how
“personal” these messages could be. Yet, they are not considered
gossip, just reporting the news and responding to it. [As far as I am
concerned, "gossip" is any information passed on to anyone who does not
need to know it by someone who wants to gain by it.] Gossip is almost
always mean. <b>Information shared in love</b> is almost never mean.
But <b>it can alert others to a problem that needs attention</b>.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As
I read the sinful practices going on in Corinth, particularly as
found in 1 Corinthians, I take a moment to realize that, even with
the horrors we deal with today, there is nothing new under the sun. I
seems that all the things we are trying to strike out against right
now were hugely present in Corinth at that time.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It
can be clearly seen today that the issues that bring people away from
God's Word now, are not any different than those which confused and
tore at the churches in the early days of the Church. The prevailing
pressures and sins are very much the same.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Yes,
we have glaring sin going on all around us until we can hardly stand
to read or listen to the news. Yes, we have <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">abhorrent</span> ideas being
administered into our system of life. Yes, we have things happening
around us that make us want to throw up when we hear or see the next
ugly thing.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But,
so did they. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />They
were “young” Christians, very young. Even though the Apostles, who
were grown men of various ages, they were nevertheless also young in the<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">ir</span>
faith. They had three years of walking with Jesus, but it was still
an eye and heart opening event when they actually became the Sons of
God that knew wholly and completely the salvation of Jesus Christ,
revealed to them through the Holy Spirit. They were just babies when
they first preached. Yet the power of God was in and with them and
they spoke out like old souls in Christ. They also took on the <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">responsibilities</span> of old souls: <b>seeing to</b> the salvation and
growth of new souls, babes in Christ.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Paul's
opportunity came a little later, but i<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">t</span> was no less miraculous and
soul changing. He was put into immediate service and immediate
training. He had to “grow up” fast. He was not on “milk”
ever, I think. It was immediate steak.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A
week ago the sermon was about Paul's travels and companionship with
disciples traveling with him. In chapter 17, we were shown that for
all his travel's and all his changes of companions, Paul never once
veered from the <b>central core</b> of the Gospel: <u>The death,
burial and resurrection of Christ</u>. And t<b>he result never
changed:</b> Some, even many, and many more, were saved. <b>The
Apostles preached and God handled the results.</b> But it was
necessary for the Apostles to preach the Gospel, and that alone, for
the result to happen. Getting the church started was an enormous task
that only God could ultimately accomplish.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">However,
<b>raising these babes</b> fell into the hands of those whom God
allowed to bring them into the family of Christ through the preaching
of the Gospel. The Apostles and their companions stayed with the new
Christians whenever time allowed and with the help of the Spirit,
proclaimed as much of Christ's teaching as they possibly could; using
the minds and knowledge that God gave them, </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">with power from
God</span></span>. There were more disciples in the crowd of believers that
followed Jesus and stayed with the apostles than we actually usually
think about. Many of those assisted in teaching and training as it
went on.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thus,
Paul's letters. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And,
by the way, the verbal “grapevine” of Gossip is obvious to me, as
a reader of these letters; there definitely was a “grapevine”
that served as a news network. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But,
back to the point, without gossip in those days, nothing would be
known, whether good or bad. And Paul was hearing a lot of it, by
letter and by word of mouth. <b>This was a good thing</b>. Even
though some of the reports were bad news about bad behavior, it was
what Paul needed to hear if he was to be prayerfully, or otherwise, <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">influential</span> in the growth of his children. Paul needed to know and
Paul responded to what he was told: Good news or bad. And Paul's
responses were sent in love, but not the wimpy kind. It was <b>tough
love</b> all the way.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And
when Paul knew, he wrote. He wrote to the Church at large (including
us) by writing to individual churches and seeking to have them share
the letter with other churches. It was <b>never his intention to be
secretive</b> about these letters. He praised and admonished with the
entire church in mind; so as to teach all of them the lessons that he
taught to any single church. The truth had nothing in it to be
secretive about. Perhaps sometimes the truth of a <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">situation</span> needs to be told publicly to inform and to stop gossip.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anyway
– I find the topics that Paul gets into to be quite relevant today.
And I find that the things that break our hearts today, broke his in
his day. Things like the list of sins that can be found over and over
again throughout the Bible, Things like the rise of homosexual
influence and power. Things like hate <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">mongering</span>. Things like human
trafficking; the killing of innocent babies; the laziness of
relationships that leads to many kinds of immorality; the crush of
society by those who rise in wealth and power. It all goes on today
just as it did then and before then.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But
the example that Paul sets for us is that he <b>paid attention</b>
and that he <b>responded</b>, good or bad. He never let anything
ride. He never varied from aiming people's lives back to the Gospel,
and to everything it means to us in our lives and in our deaths. He
dealt with it all and he prescribed the remedy and sent it with much
prayer and thanksgiving for the people he was addressing.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
think that in this day we must pay attention to the threats going on
around us and around our loved ones, in and out of the church. And,
in this day, we must speak up. We must take a stand: Paul told the
Corinthians to “stand firm” against the evil invading the church
and their personal lives. <b>We must do the same</b>. If we are to
love one another and follow any of the “one another” commands
that God gave us, then <b>we must speak up</b> for one another as if
our lives depend on it – because they do. God is in control and
could stop it all if He wanted to. But Paul knew that, too, and <b>he
did not sit back and let it all happen just because he knew what God
could do</b>.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
knew that it was his responsibility to speak up and to send out all
the help he could possibly send to each and every crisis. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We
are in crisis. We are in <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">jeopardy</span>. We need to speak up. We need to
stop some of these things that are happening. We need to wise up and
<b>stop letting the Government and the world around us creep up on
everything that can be good, but is being changed to bad</b>. We need
to take some lessons from Paul and the other Apostles and disciples
and get the word out that <b>we are not going to sit still for this</b>;
and then we need to keep moving, and moving hard to rid ourselves of
these influences on us and on our neighbors and on our collective
children. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">WHY
get involved? Perhaps because <b>God told us to love our neighbors as
ourselves and our neighbors need some serious protecting right now.</b>
Paul lived every single day knowing that his life would end early. He
also lived every day knowing that Christ could come any minute, and
praying for that to happen. But he <b>never, ever,</b> sat back and
said, “Well, one way or another things are in God's hands, so I am
going to stop what I need to be doing and sit and watch for His
adjustments to these things.<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span>He is in charge. He will take care
of it somehow.” Never, never, never, ever<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> d</span>id he say or do that.
And neither should we.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">continuous</span> theme in Paul's letter is that we are to not only protect
ourselves from this world, but we are to set out to <b>protect this
world from this world</b>. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YZuNH3kJbAM/U7rfZw7DUgI/AAAAAAAAAGM/RuV5tGcgsyI/s1600/My+backyard+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YZuNH3kJbAM/U7rfZw7DUgI/AAAAAAAAAGM/RuV5tGcgsyI/s1600/My+backyard+2.jpg" height="215" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We
have a responsibility to have a voice and a vote in what is going on
around us. And to have a voice in declaring the same Gospel that Paul
never veered away from. Love your neighbor as yourself means more
than being nice. It means doing <b>all that we can to protect them</b>
from themselves and from others who would take them down. Why?
Because that is what we do for ourselves, if we love ourselves.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">May
we reach out and <b>love our neighbors</b> enough to try to help
bring this country back to some <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">semblance</span> of itself: The country that
was established on Judeo/Christian <b>values and common sense; </b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">t</span>he
statements of</span> which were <b>established in writing </b>In the
Declaration, the <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Preamble</span>, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
So long as we are still here on this earth we must be <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">actively</span>
seeking change to the good in this country – <b>our neighbors</b>.
If we love them we need to protect them in every way we can.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">May God bless us today and everyday as we struggle
together to make a difference in Christ's name.</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17607942434907150824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635700902372227472.post-56702534951096433862014-06-19T13:10:00.000-07:002014-06-19T13:10:54.601-07:00BUSY BRAIN DAY – Paul, Psalm 34 and C.S LEWIS
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Reading CS Lewis and his encounter with
his mentor<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">/teacher</span> William T. Kirkpatrick (a stiff and tough instructor
in how to think) Lewis is said to mention that “I hear you,” was
the closest thing to praise ever uttered by Kirk (William).</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
“<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
hear that” because I have often, but not easily or too frequently,
offered these same words to others who speak from their heart –
whether pain or joy or just an opinion – and put themselves out
there for all to see; giving <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">others</span> the possibility of criticizing
or laughing. Perhaps that would be all I need now and then when
someone reads my blog and would do me the honor to say so, in some
way.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So,
if you find this page interesting; or if the words hit your life in
some way; or if you have shared this with someone else because you
think it might help them; perhaps you could let me know that this
page was not lost in cyberspace some where, but was actully read and
understood by someone. A simple comment of “I hear that” would be
great encouragement to me, even if you do it only once. Sometimes I
feel a little lonely out here in “real” space.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Meanwhile,
as I was reading our passages from Paul's writings, which we are <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">reading</span> to complement our sermon series on Act 13 and following, I
came across this admonition: Paul is writing to the Corinthians,
scolding them for their self<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"> </span>righteous attitudes, self serving
bragging about “who” they are ”following” and how that makes
them special; he declares that he is sending his “son” Timothy to
be with them and help them find their way back to reason by reminding
them of what Paul actually taught them. But he also declares a desire
and a determination to get back to them himself. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In
closing he says, “What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a
whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit.” And here I remembered
that old fashion way of discipline... “Come out to the woodshed
with me.” </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ID5pHWvPLgk/U6M_MtPSN1I/AAAAAAAAAF0/lj9TaLXtmho/s1600/ARE+U+REALLY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ID5pHWvPLgk/U6M_MtPSN1I/AAAAAAAAAF0/lj9TaLXtmho/s1600/ARE+U+REALLY.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Paul
was not afraid to declare that the Corinthians needed some
discipline. They were his children in Christ and He was their Father,
sent by Christ. In other words, he was responsible for them and he
intended to take care of business, one way or another. He was well
aware of the respons<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">i</span>bility leaders in the faith held, and would be
judged for in the end.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He
did not put them in “time out” nor did he send them to their
rooms to think about what the had done and were doing<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">;</span> neither did he
say, “Shame on you. Now go and continue as you were.”</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">No.
He told them there would be consequences if they did not shape up and
humble themselves before God; stopping the “bragging” nonsense
and the sinful behavior. Then he moved on to tell them other things
that needed changing because they were sinning in those things as
well. And, if we go on to the next letter we will find that they were
a pretty stiff-necked people about all of this.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So
how do we shape up in the stiff-necked category? Are we hearing what
God said? And, even better, are we doing what God said? Do we even
want to know what He said?</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
sincerely hope that we do want to know and that we are making an
effort <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">to</span> hear from Him everyday in many ways; not just reading one
verse <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">with</span> an effort f<b>rom someone else </b>to bring us light though
what <b>they </b>are thinking about that verse; Or are we reading
through the books of the Bible (not necessarily in order) but with
consist<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">e</span>nt effort to see the “Big Picture” laid out at our feet
by the hand of God himself. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
suppose you can guess by now that I am <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">adamant</span> about reading and
studying God's word, line by line, in the Books He has given us as
the underlying premise of our faith and beliefs – even if we only
read one verse at a time, or one <span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">ch<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">apter or even one "section<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;">" title at a time</span></span></span>. We must just keep reading, and reading,
while also making note of and studying the Word in many various ways.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ask
anyone who gardens: Digging in the soil yourself is a blessing beyond
words and an uplifting joy, even though one may not be able to grow
everything they want to, they can find Joy in what they do grow and
eat.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then
there was Psalm 34, verse 17: The righteous cry out, and the Lord
hears them...” Here my thoughts turned to the fact that I seriously
try to keep myself busy in doing righteous things in order to BE
righteous. Do you see anything wrong with that? </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Wow.
How many times have I frustrated over someone who will not let their
Lord be their righteousness, but go on sinning by pushing their own
agenda for the life they are willing to live. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When
will I learn not to do that? When will I learn that my righteousness
before God is in Christ and Christ alone!!! When will I learn that I
must stop making myself busy with righteous busyness in order to “Be
still and know that (He) is God!! When will I humble myself to stop
making my own plans for how my perfect life should be “worked”
out, and let Him have His way, however strange it may feel.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well,
once again it has been a busy day; But this time I hope some headway
has been made for the glorification of God, in myself and in others.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">May
the God of our fathers and the Lord Jesus Christ, be with us all as
we daily struggle to be what He wants us to be; and may we be
listening and hearing Him speak to us through out our days on this
earth, until we can be with Him one day.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: MS Reference Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Can
you hear that? :) </span></span>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17607942434907150824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7635700902372227472.post-20425477506123092562014-06-13T12:15:00.001-07:002014-06-13T12:17:43.662-07:00IS THERE INTENT IN LIFE? THE WHY QUESTION, questioned. <div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Microsoft Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Recently,
I was blessed to read an article by Dr. J. C. Sproul about the
subject of intent, dealing with the question of whether or not there
is “intentional” interference in our lives on this earth. Or, in
other words, is there a reason things happen or is there not? In my
words – Some call it fate, some call it Karma, some call it luck;
and some call it “destiny,” what ever that means. But many call
it God's intentional interference; or, at least <b>A</b> god's
intentional interference. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
”<span style="font-family: Microsoft Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In
it's complexity...” he says, “We distinguish between proximate
and remote purposes.” :) Sorry, I love that sentence. But...
“What?” “The proximate being what is close at hand and the
remote referring to the distant and ultimate purpose.” My thoughts
are, “Does what happens today take us to the tomorrow that we are
“supposed” to have and on to the end that which we are “destined”
to achieve.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Microsoft Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In
our common knowledge of God's Word, we basically agree that bad
things do happen to good people and good things happen to bad people.
And we commonly believe that “... in all things God works for the
good of those who love him, who have been called according to his
purpose.” (Rom 8:28) But, when bad things happen, we tend to go
into overdrive asking “Why?” Why me, why them, why now?</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Microsoft Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When
the shooting happened at the Colorado theater, I wrote a little bit
about survivor mentality and the question that caught my attention
was not “why me, or why them, or why now ” for the survivors, as
much as “Why didn't it happen to me?” “Why did I survive while
others did not?” Why were my children saved, but my neighbors
children died?” This was especially true in the testimonies of 9/11
survivors who spoke up during the 10 year remembrance of that horror.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Microsoft Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This
type of thinking is not rare at all. It comes with realization of
having survived what could have been a death sentence: 9/11 and the
Boston Bombing and several school shootings come to mind, but any
loss of life can seem to be completely unfair, whether by senseless
gunfire or by “natural disaster;” one's own survival comes into
question - even in war.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Microsoft Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I
have never been in any type of group danger, so I cannot rightly
speak to matters of that confusion except to say there IS a purpose,
and it is purposed by God, with intent to bring about His will in our
daily lives and in how His plan for justice will work out in the end.
</span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Microsoft Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That
<b>does not mean He planned these events</b>, it means He will use
these events to show His power and control by saving those who must
still go on with the work or toward the work they are “intended”
to accomplish overall. A recent look at the division that developed
between Paul and Banabas, his preaching partner (Acts 15:36ff,) shows
us that God has a plan and that plan is sometimes worked out in the
“wrong” way, but <b>His intentions </b>win out in the end: Sproul
points to the actions of Joseph's brothers and the conclusion that
Joseph came to and shared with them that they intended (whay they
did) for harm, but God intended it good. God took a horrific action
and used it to complete the good that He had intended all along.
(Genesis 50:19)</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Microsoft Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My
own experience is one of “Why <b>didn't</b> it happen?” And the
two times that this question came to mind were quite startling for
me: Both include the possibility of driving off a cliff or cliff like
structure. Let me explain:</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Microsoft Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Steve
and I used to spend hours and hours and days and days driving around
in the mountains following old logging roads or fire access roads
deep into the forests of the Cascades west of Yakima, up toward Mt.
Rainier National Park and Chinook Pass. One day we were coming back
down the cliff-side road from a very high viewpoint and my attention
was grabbed by a question Steve asked about the map. Without thinking
I looked over at the map but kept rolling slowly along. Suddenly my
steering wheel jerked hard to the right, and I realized that we had
come within a hairbreadth of driving right off the cliff. But we did
not. I realized immediately that God had interfered with that ending.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Microsoft Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Two
questions came of this episode: Why did God interfere since I was not
living for Him at the time? And why didn't I jump out, shout
Hallelujah, and kiss the ground that I was still on? Well the latter
is understandable in that I was still too angry to handle any kind of
message from Him. So I breathed a thank you and did not even mention
to Steve what had happened. I just tucked it away.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Microsoft Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
second incident happened a few years later when I was driving us to
the Tri-cities and we were returning to the highway down a steep on
ramp. I was distracted by the radio and once again the steering wheel
jerked just in time to stop me from going straight over the side.
Again – Why did He save us from that? And, again, I didn't have any
idea what to say, so I said nothing. Steve did not notice this time
either.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Microsoft Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Apparently,
God had plans for me. He had to be very disappointed that I did not
get the message or share the message. But He has forgiven me all and
has pulled me into His safe harbor for healing and learning and
growing. For that I am finally eternally grateful. It takes a 2x4 to
the head to get a mule's attention sometimes, but God did what He
needed to do and, hopefully, He has my attention now.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Microsoft Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My
personal answer to this question of why is “because God said so.”
Even if we “misstep” in our journey, God never forgets where He
wants us to be and He never lets go of <b>His intent.</b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Microsoft Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One
testimony that was given on the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 came from 2
families who were involved in one tiny turn of events that got one
killed in the event; while the other was unscathed. This involved the
pilot situation on one of the aircraft involved.. Which one escapes
me right now, but the situation has made a permanent mark in my own
mind about the total and complete Sovereignty of God:</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Microsoft Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One
of the pilots was scheduled to fly that day, but a <b>senior</b>
pilot decided that he wanted that flight and he was able, within the
system, to secure his place in the cockpit for that flight. He died,
the other lived. But both families are content in knowing that this
was part of God's overall plan and intent: that one would go Home to
Him and the other would remain to serve awhile longer in his mission
here on earth. As Christians, they are of one mind on that detail.
They believe completely in the intent of God.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Microsoft Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And
the truth is that most people who escape death when others around
them die, are driven to wonder, “Why?” Many, even unbelievers,
will utter some phrase or other that indicates that they feel a
sudden burden to be someone honorable and do something honorable
because they lived. Many of the “first responders” and all
responders to this tragedy who were actually in the middle of it,
spoke the same things, even to the length that one said, What was I
<b>not </b>doing that I should have been doing when my friends and
loved ones died, but I lived?” Does that break your heart or what? </span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Microsoft Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Many
may say that apparently there is still something they should be
doing, but they are at a loss to know what, but many just survive in
a state of confusion and PTSD even to this day. And, surprisingly,
even those who would answer, “Why not?” are as in “Why not me?
Why shouldn't I be the survivor? - I am …. a good person, aren't I?
- are showing an interest in an underlying belief <b>that there is
intent</b> in the happenings on this earth.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Microsoft Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We
who know Christ always have hope in Gods promise of justice in this
world and we can always hope in Christ's return to take us out of
here or to bring us home through death. He will have His way and He
will work out His justice in His way and in His time for all to see.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Microsoft Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So,
even as we cringe at the news ,and horrors of evil going on around us
and decisions being made we can lift these things up to Him, ask Him
to handle them, possibly even clamp down on them; but we do not need
to fret ourselves into sickness over these things. We just need to
keep on keeping on, while living and speaking as Jesus did in the
crazy time that He was living on this earth.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Microsoft Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">May
we “<b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rK6O0YtBRY" target="_blank">Speak</a> Life</b>” as we journey here, and may we be daily
aware that God has our back in all things happening around us whether
from “evil people doing evil things” or from natural disaster...</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W3l4-Ft6hbo/U5tNtNaBWCI/AAAAAAAAAFg/q822VRQF-48/s1600/ST+HELENS+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W3l4-Ft6hbo/U5tNtNaBWCI/AAAAAAAAAFg/q822VRQF-48/s1600/ST+HELENS+5.jpg" height="226" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Microsoft Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">May
we pay attention and jump in where we can, while finding our Peace in
You, Lord. Amen.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rK6O0YtBRY"><span style="font-family: Microsoft Sans Serif, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rK6O0YtBRY</span></span></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17607942434907150824noreply@blogger.com0