I have been hearing this song on the Christian radio that I have always loved. It is by "Tenth Avenue North" and is titled " You Are More" I like the rhythm in the song, I love they way they sing, and I like the words, BUT I really did not give the words that much thought until today. I looked up the lyrics on the web, and read what they were saying.
The Chorus: "You are more then the choices that you made
You are more then the sum of your past mistakes
You are more then the problems you create
You've been remade."
What exactly are the guys who wrote this song saying? What do they mean we are more then the problems we create? What does this mean? I think it means all that other stuff doesn't matter, because: "You've been remade"
Have you ever had a car that had a rebuilt engine? Maybe your mechanically inclined enough to have done it yourself, not me, but maybe you had a friend who knew enough about engines to do it, or maybe you paid for a rebuilt engine or to have yours rebuilt. What does having a rebuilt engine mean? Well the problems you had with the engine before, are no longer there, it has been remade if you will.
They strip all the parts down to the bare block when they rebuild an engine, and start over, with new parts. Maybe you had leaky gaskets, before, they shouldn't leak now, their brand new. Say you were losing compression in some are all of your cylinders before, new rings, possibly cylinder heads, bearings, shafts, rod, ........... Basically you go through every part of the engine and either replace it or make it like new. Then when you start that engine for the first time after rebuilding it, if everything was done correctly, it will sound beautifully, and run smooth. Not quite as good as having a brand new engine, because it still may have some of those old parts, but it does sound great.
Let's look at that song again: "You are more then the choices that you made
You are more then the sum of your past mistakes
You are more then the problems you create
Have you ever made wrong choices, have you ever made mistakes, have you ever caused problems? You are more then these, because "You have been REMADE"
God will strip you down to your block, yes this is painful, He will take out every part that is not working and replace it with new parts, His parts, He will fix parts that are salvageable and put them back in, He will take His nail scared hands and very gently work on you, until you sound smooth, until you run so nice. The friction in the cylinders will be gone, the leaky oil pan will be stopped, the timing chain that was about to break will be renewed. If you allow Him, God will take you apart down to nothing, and put you back together so much better then you were before.
God needs to rebuild all of us at different times, but He doesn't do it unless we go to Him. How is your friend, mechanic.....know if you want your engine rebuilt unless you bring it to him and tell him of the problems your having?
God is a gentleman, He will not force Himself on anyone. You have to talk to Him, You have to make the appointment with His shop.
I won;t kid you, the work is not always easy, in fact sometime if not most of the time, it hurts, it is embarrassing some of the stuff He finds when he starts to disassemble you. "Wow, how did THAT get in there?" But in the long run, you will be SO MUCH better then before.
God is in the Remaking business, He has been doing it since time began. His guarantee is without doubt the best ever, it lasts forever. Got a problem 50 years later, just bring it in, even if it is your own fault, which it always is, and He will put you back on the rack and check you out, and never charge you a penny.
Remember, it is NOT about our Choices, Mistakes,Problems, but it IS about our creator. He made you, and all your systems, so who else better to rebuild you?
Friday, September 30, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Got Scars?
"Our Scars are there to remind us that our past did really happen"--Hannibal Lector.
Have you had accidents in your lifetime? You know, like me, cuts, bruises, scraps, concussions, broken bones...........? I imagine you have had some if not most of these. I have broken about 4 fingers in my life, I have scars from my childhood all over my hands and arms, pretty faded now, most of them happened a long time ago, when I was a "Wild Child"
Each one of those scars tells a story. There is a large scar pretty faded on my fingers of my left hand, where my Mom accidentally shut the car door on my hand. I have a scar on the back of my right hand were I was trying to catch a pop fly up against the brick wall in left field, I am left handed, thus the glove was on my right hand. I caught the ball, by the way, Yeah Me:) But scraped my hand up pretty bad. I have more but you get the deal.
Put this down as another reason we go through trials in our daily walk. Besides strengthening our faith, and trust that God can and will help us through these trials, we have scars on our hearts to remind us again, what happened and what He did.
My Mom died last year, this is a huge scar. When I think of my Mom suffering with cancer for the last 2 years of her life, I remember how the Lord was always there in her, she did not complain she did ask why, she smiled a lot, and she trusted Him. I now have a compassion for anyone who has a dying relative because I remember that time. Thus a scar.
About 7 years ago my ex-wife and I divorced, it is rough still today, it hurts, thinking that something in your life failed. It is easy to think your whole life is a failure, because you failed at such a important thing as a marriage. That is a scar. When I meet a man who is going through a divorce or has recently been divorced, I know how he feels, regardless of the "blame" the "fault" it is very hard, the end of a life, it seems. I can see the scar and remember.
I have a scar in the middle of my lower back where I had back surgery some years ago. I struggled with a "bad back" for years until one day, I could not stand the pain any longer. Turns out I had a ruptured disc and had to have surgery. I don't see that scar very often, because of where it is, but when I feel it or see it in the mirror, it all comes back. The pain, the people who cared enough for me to come to the hospital, the relief when the surgery was over. I remember it totally.
When we are hurt, physically or mentally or spiritually, it changes us. It is like when you eat something that makes you sick. Every time that same dish is served the feeling comes back. When I was a kid I got so sick on Pizza. I did not eat pizza again for about 20 years. I love it now, but still there are times.
When we are hurt when we go through trials, and pain we remember. Sometimes it makes us bitter, angry, vindictive hard. Pain has a purpose, it is that we learn from it, and remember it. In our bodies it is there to let us know something is wrong. I think in other ways it is there for the same reason.
Relationships can bring huge pain. If someone you love is verbally abusive to you or worse physically abusive, then there is something wrong with them. There is problems they need to change. If it gets so bad you can no longer take it, you need to leave, get help and seek safety. Talk to the authorities, and get the other party to a place they can get help.
I have been told several times in my life that "You need help". I would like to say I went right down to a licensed Professional and made an appointment. But that is not true. I continued down the same path until I crashed. That is when the pain really started. I had hit bottom,literately, and saw no way up.
But that is when God reached me. The Lord reached down picked me up and led me out. You see if it was not for the pain, I would never be honest with myself and admit there was a problem, the scars are there, still, yes. Galatians 6:17
From now on, don’t let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus.
In this scripture, Paul mentions his scars. He says he has scars on his body that show he belongs to Jesus. So to be a true christian and belong to Jesus, we must have scars? I think to be a christian for very long, yes you not must, but WILL have scars.
Scars make us stronger. I heard that when surgeons operate, they stay away from scars, they cannot cut into skin that is scarred as easily as "virgin skin". Why? because the skin is stronger under the scar. The body has built up layers and layers of skin to protect the old wound. Get it? Scars, or old wounds, make us stronger. Experiences in life, show us how to avoid or embrace them when we encounter them again.
To sum up what I am trying to say: Embrace your trials in this life, for they will make you stronger. Paul told us to :"Dear brothers and sisters,[a] when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
We are supposed to "Count it all Joy?" Be happy about problems? NO, that is pretty much impossible but look at the bright side, Paul is saying, If it were not for the trials and tribulations, we would continue to be little bitty babies. To grow up spiritually and physically, we need scars.
I am reminded of the movie Jaws. In one scene the three guys hunting the shark are on a boat and getting a little drunk. They start comparing scars from shark attacks in their lives. Then one pulls up his shirt and says something like:""1972 Summer fair in Chicago Ill, Sarah Lynn broke my heart" And they all roll with laughter, it is a funny scene. But you see we all have scars, either visible or on our hearts.
Don't let your scars determine who you are, let them remind you of who you used to be, before the Lord worked again in your life.
Have you had accidents in your lifetime? You know, like me, cuts, bruises, scraps, concussions, broken bones...........? I imagine you have had some if not most of these. I have broken about 4 fingers in my life, I have scars from my childhood all over my hands and arms, pretty faded now, most of them happened a long time ago, when I was a "Wild Child"
Each one of those scars tells a story. There is a large scar pretty faded on my fingers of my left hand, where my Mom accidentally shut the car door on my hand. I have a scar on the back of my right hand were I was trying to catch a pop fly up against the brick wall in left field, I am left handed, thus the glove was on my right hand. I caught the ball, by the way, Yeah Me:) But scraped my hand up pretty bad. I have more but you get the deal.
Put this down as another reason we go through trials in our daily walk. Besides strengthening our faith, and trust that God can and will help us through these trials, we have scars on our hearts to remind us again, what happened and what He did.
My Mom died last year, this is a huge scar. When I think of my Mom suffering with cancer for the last 2 years of her life, I remember how the Lord was always there in her, she did not complain she did ask why, she smiled a lot, and she trusted Him. I now have a compassion for anyone who has a dying relative because I remember that time. Thus a scar.
About 7 years ago my ex-wife and I divorced, it is rough still today, it hurts, thinking that something in your life failed. It is easy to think your whole life is a failure, because you failed at such a important thing as a marriage. That is a scar. When I meet a man who is going through a divorce or has recently been divorced, I know how he feels, regardless of the "blame" the "fault" it is very hard, the end of a life, it seems. I can see the scar and remember.
I have a scar in the middle of my lower back where I had back surgery some years ago. I struggled with a "bad back" for years until one day, I could not stand the pain any longer. Turns out I had a ruptured disc and had to have surgery. I don't see that scar very often, because of where it is, but when I feel it or see it in the mirror, it all comes back. The pain, the people who cared enough for me to come to the hospital, the relief when the surgery was over. I remember it totally.
When we are hurt, physically or mentally or spiritually, it changes us. It is like when you eat something that makes you sick. Every time that same dish is served the feeling comes back. When I was a kid I got so sick on Pizza. I did not eat pizza again for about 20 years. I love it now, but still there are times.
When we are hurt when we go through trials, and pain we remember. Sometimes it makes us bitter, angry, vindictive hard. Pain has a purpose, it is that we learn from it, and remember it. In our bodies it is there to let us know something is wrong. I think in other ways it is there for the same reason.
Relationships can bring huge pain. If someone you love is verbally abusive to you or worse physically abusive, then there is something wrong with them. There is problems they need to change. If it gets so bad you can no longer take it, you need to leave, get help and seek safety. Talk to the authorities, and get the other party to a place they can get help.
I have been told several times in my life that "You need help". I would like to say I went right down to a licensed Professional and made an appointment. But that is not true. I continued down the same path until I crashed. That is when the pain really started. I had hit bottom,literately, and saw no way up.
But that is when God reached me. The Lord reached down picked me up and led me out. You see if it was not for the pain, I would never be honest with myself and admit there was a problem, the scars are there, still, yes. Galatians 6:17
From now on, don’t let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus.
In this scripture, Paul mentions his scars. He says he has scars on his body that show he belongs to Jesus. So to be a true christian and belong to Jesus, we must have scars? I think to be a christian for very long, yes you not must, but WILL have scars.
Scars make us stronger. I heard that when surgeons operate, they stay away from scars, they cannot cut into skin that is scarred as easily as "virgin skin". Why? because the skin is stronger under the scar. The body has built up layers and layers of skin to protect the old wound. Get it? Scars, or old wounds, make us stronger. Experiences in life, show us how to avoid or embrace them when we encounter them again.
To sum up what I am trying to say: Embrace your trials in this life, for they will make you stronger. Paul told us to :"Dear brothers and sisters,[a] when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
We are supposed to "Count it all Joy?" Be happy about problems? NO, that is pretty much impossible but look at the bright side, Paul is saying, If it were not for the trials and tribulations, we would continue to be little bitty babies. To grow up spiritually and physically, we need scars.
I am reminded of the movie Jaws. In one scene the three guys hunting the shark are on a boat and getting a little drunk. They start comparing scars from shark attacks in their lives. Then one pulls up his shirt and says something like:""1972 Summer fair in Chicago Ill, Sarah Lynn broke my heart" And they all roll with laughter, it is a funny scene. But you see we all have scars, either visible or on our hearts.
Don't let your scars determine who you are, let them remind you of who you used to be, before the Lord worked again in your life.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
I am stupid.
Why do I do the things I do? I must be stupid, I am so selfish, most of the time. It is always about me, me, me. In relationships it matters most to me, how I feel, what I want, what I like, what I think. It is one thing to have a self worth, but quite another to put that worth above all else. We live in a world that is self absorbed, the "ME< ME< ME" generation. And I have performed well in it.
Look around us, see for yourself, there they are on every corner, places to make yourself feel better about yourself. Have a problem in your marriage? Don't worry about that, buy yourself a $150,000 sports car, I mean you deserve it. "Don't have an HD 3D wafer thin, 70" LCD TV? What is wrong with you, how in the world do you watch football on your so yesterday 60" NON 3D thing? Go ahead it only cost $2000 you deserve it. It's what we do, to make ourselves feel better about ourselves. It is the American Way,. Have you said some not nice things to your spouse? Apologize, then buy yourself something nice, because you feel bad about hurting them.
I saw a story on line yesterday about these new smart vending machines that are about to be seen everywhere. They have a "IPAD" type screen, a touch pad where you can make selections by not just brand, but ingredients, health statistics calories, .....You can even get cotton candy freshly put on the stick, freshly made pizza, breakfast tacos, Yes this fits in so well with our society of Me:Me:Me:.
I remember when I was a kid and my dad would pull into a gas station to fill er up. At least one person would come to the car, and ask "Can I help you sir?" He would put gas in the car, wash the windshields, check the air pressure in the tires, check the oil level, all while being very polite and nice, In those days it was very uncommon to go through a "Drive Through" if you wanted to eat you had to park and go inside, (except for Jack In The Box, I believe they were the first, that I remember that had a drive through, I thought this was SO COOl, But back then my dad would not allow eating in the car, wow has that changed in our Fast paced, Me>Me>Me> world>)
I seem to be rambling, but I really do have a reason for this. What happened to the society where OTHERS came first? The motto :"The Customer is Always Right".
Jesus cared for everyone else more then He cared for himself. He went out of His way to talk to people in their lives. Have you ever read a scripture in the Bible where Jesus is complaining about something? "And Jesus said: "why is this floor so hard"? I am sure He did complain every once in a while, I mean He was human, but it had to be so seldom that no one even noticed. Our Lord was all about others, not Himself. If anyone ever could have been about Himself, it was Jesus. He was the SON of GOD. (Actually God Himself).
I am SO selfish, I look at my life and what am I surrounded with? Stuff, that makes me feel good. A nice TV, that I just Had to have, nice furniture, .............the list goes on and on.
Matthew 22:37-39
New Living Translation (NLT)
37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself
The second most important commandment after loving God with all your heart, is to love your neighbor as YOURSELF. If your as conceded as I am, that is a LOT of love. Love, care, be concerned with, serve, get to know, help, do nice things, share, be apart of, consider yourself equal not above, your neighbor. And we are all neighbors.
I have been made aware how selfish I have been for most of my life this week. I have had to do some "soul searching" and I am not to happy with what I have found.
I have lifted myself up, being proud of some of the things I do, I love to talk to the homeless that are on the streets, giving them my spare change when I have some. I have thought of myself as generous. But, now I look at myself and see how PROUD, SELFISH, CONCEITED, and RIGHTEOUS I am.
Who would no this better then my family? I am so sorry, I don't deserve you, wow, how can you even care about me anymore?
I want to change, I believe God has let me see this about myself for a reason, so that I can do something about it. This world was not made with me in mind, not just me, but for us all. Jesus died for me, but not me alone. He died for us all. Heaven was not made for just me, but for all who know Him.
If your a person that I have hurt in someway with my attitude, I am sorry, please forgive me. I am nothing, I have nothing, I am worth nothing without Him.
Paul called himself the "Chief of Sinners", because that is how he felt. He had forgiveness issues, I am sure, I mean he had killed in God's name, killed Jesus followers, who he thought were sacrilegious and wrong. He learned how wrong he was in a dramatic way. But he saw his mistakes, turned around and became one of the greatest leaders of the new testament church.
I am sorry to break your bubble, but it is not "All About You". It is not All About me, either, it is all about Him. With His help, we need to get the "I" out of our lives and replace it with: "Him" Him first, everyone else second and "Me" last, not third, but LAST.
I needed to hear this, as God gave it to me today, if this is only for me, bare with me, but I don't think it is. It is so easy, in the "Me>ME>ME" world to fall into that trap, but it is a trap.
So let us quit thinking about our needs, our wants, our troubles, and let us focus on what is really important, our neighbors, our friends, our families, our church, our mission, HIS story.
I seem to be rambling, but I really do have a reason for this. What happened to the society where OTHERS came first? The motto :"The Customer is Always Right".
Jesus cared for everyone else more then He cared for himself. He went out of His way to talk to people in their lives. Have you ever read a scripture in the Bible where Jesus is complaining about something? "And Jesus said: "why is this floor so hard"? I am sure He did complain every once in a while, I mean He was human, but it had to be so seldom that no one even noticed. Our Lord was all about others, not Himself. If anyone ever could have been about Himself, it was Jesus. He was the SON of GOD. (Actually God Himself).
I am SO selfish, I look at my life and what am I surrounded with? Stuff, that makes me feel good. A nice TV, that I just Had to have, nice furniture, .............the list goes on and on.
Matthew 22:37-39
New Living Translation (NLT)
37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself
The second most important commandment after loving God with all your heart, is to love your neighbor as YOURSELF. If your as conceded as I am, that is a LOT of love. Love, care, be concerned with, serve, get to know, help, do nice things, share, be apart of, consider yourself equal not above, your neighbor. And we are all neighbors.
I have been made aware how selfish I have been for most of my life this week. I have had to do some "soul searching" and I am not to happy with what I have found.
I have lifted myself up, being proud of some of the things I do, I love to talk to the homeless that are on the streets, giving them my spare change when I have some. I have thought of myself as generous. But, now I look at myself and see how PROUD, SELFISH, CONCEITED, and RIGHTEOUS I am.
Who would no this better then my family? I am so sorry, I don't deserve you, wow, how can you even care about me anymore?
I want to change, I believe God has let me see this about myself for a reason, so that I can do something about it. This world was not made with me in mind, not just me, but for us all. Jesus died for me, but not me alone. He died for us all. Heaven was not made for just me, but for all who know Him.
If your a person that I have hurt in someway with my attitude, I am sorry, please forgive me. I am nothing, I have nothing, I am worth nothing without Him.
Paul called himself the "Chief of Sinners", because that is how he felt. He had forgiveness issues, I am sure, I mean he had killed in God's name, killed Jesus followers, who he thought were sacrilegious and wrong. He learned how wrong he was in a dramatic way. But he saw his mistakes, turned around and became one of the greatest leaders of the new testament church.
I am sorry to break your bubble, but it is not "All About You". It is not All About me, either, it is all about Him. With His help, we need to get the "I" out of our lives and replace it with: "Him" Him first, everyone else second and "Me" last, not third, but LAST.
I needed to hear this, as God gave it to me today, if this is only for me, bare with me, but I don't think it is. It is so easy, in the "Me>ME>ME" world to fall into that trap, but it is a trap.
So let us quit thinking about our needs, our wants, our troubles, and let us focus on what is really important, our neighbors, our friends, our families, our church, our mission, HIS story.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Blame
Have you ever blamed someone else for all your problems? I mean as a adult? It is easy when you have "Ex". They aren't in the picture anymore, so they can easily be blamed. If it wasn't for my Ex Wife/Husband, I wouldn't have all these bills, if it were not for them my life would be so good. If it were not for them my life would not be so confusing. I have realized that I have been doing this for a long time. What has come out of this? Anger, bitterness, denial, envy, hatred at times...........yes.
Being divorced is hard, you realize you aren't perfect, you realize there were problems in your marriage that you could ignore until this point. But then is makes it easy to blame the EX afterward. there are only two people to be blamed for the breakup of a marriage, you or them.
You see, in my marriage, it was always me doing the wrong thing. I am the one who was selfish, I am the one who was a jerk, I am the untruthful one, it was me, I admit that and see it clearly. But even now, almost 7 years later, I am still, in the back of my mind where the truth really is, I still blame my ex. I blame her for letting me slip into sin and not warning me, I blame her for not being around when I needed her, I blame her for my life now that she is gone. I have tried to blame God, but that just doesn't seem right. But why is blaming my ex, right? It's not.
Hosea 4:4
“Don’t point your finger at someone else and try to pass the blame! My complaint, you priests, is with you.
There are lots of people in the Bible who tried to blame everyone else for what they saw as sin. Jesus dealt with many of them, "Pointing their fingers" at everyone but themselves. And , as you can see from the above scripture it was not just Jesus that had this problem, the Priests, and Prophets did their share of finger pointing in the Old Testament as well.
At my church we are in the middle of a Sermon Series on "Walls". This problem I have had for many years, on blaming anyone but myself, has become a giant wall in my life. I have always felt there was something between God and me, something that blocked the true riches, happiness, and glory from reaching me. He has blessed me so much in my life, though, I have to tell you if that wall were knocked down I think I , no I know I , would be overwhelmed.
It is time for me to grow up, and place the blame where it belongs, on me. I am the problem, with me. I have done wrong things, I have not obeyed God, I have sinned, I have allowed things to come between Him and me. And because of this, my marriage fell apart. I must accept that, before God can heal me.
Do you, like me have some things in your life that are unreconciled? Things that your holding on to. Things that have created a wall between you and God? Dig Deep, look hard, if your like me they are WAY down there hidden really good.
Did you know God knows that they are there? Sure He could dig them out with a sword and pull them up for the whole world to see. But God is not like that, He wants you to realize they are there, then He will with a surgeons hand, very easily slice you open and remove them with little damage to you. He will give you some tools to tear down that wall, He will throw those things that were buried deep inside you as far as the east is from the west. But He will never do this unless you ask.
Lord, I come before you, with praise for all you have done in my life. I think you for my children, I think you for my EX wife, and the years you gave us together. I ask that you forgive me for continuing to have this wall between us. I thank you for helping me realize it was there, still. I ask that you give me the tools to start to tear it down so that I can live in your promises. I also ask that you take your surgical knife and remove the part of me that still has resentment for Mary, and blame her for MY deeds. Forgive me, Lord and help me . Thank you
There was a poem I memorized way back in about the 3rd of 4th grade. It is called "The Fog" I don't remember it all, but I remember the line..."The Fog comes in on little cats feet................." When we ask God to forgive us for something, or help us in a certain way and we really mean it, He will. BUT after we do and feel better and move on, it is Satan that will not let us forget this thing . God has forgiven, and forgotten the Sin, but Satan comes up from behind on :"Little Cats Feet," quietly, patiently and purposefully.
. We know God has forgiven us, but we sometimes fall into the guilt trip that Satan is trying to deal us.
The Blame Game is such an easy game to be in. It is so easy, but it destroys us, it is "Wrong Thinking"> Yes I struggled with it for many years, BUT, I had no idea how deep it went until recently.
I want to make a new start, look ahead to the future God has in store for me, and go forward.
When I was in the Navy our ships Motto was "Press On", at the time we would roll our eyes every time we heard it, but looking back it is a good motto for life. Paul talked about running the race, and moving forward, never looking back but Pressing on toward the mark. When you "Press On" your not looking behind, you are not dwelling on the past and it's mistakes, your looking ahead, and seeing new obstacles, problems and victories. It is well past time that I "Press On" and realize that God has plans for me, not to harm me but to lift me up into the glory of Him, Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Did you get that: "to give you a future and a HOPE" We cannot live in HOPE unless we trust , we cannot trust if we have denial, unconfused sins, anger, mistrust, disbelief, and hatred. in our lives.
Pastor K, and Mary, thank you for your words of teaching to me this weekend. I know you are talking to me through your word and people who know You. Help me realize that I am at fault for things that are going on in my life, and I can allow you to change those things, only if I admit they are there and make the choice to change them through YOU>
I hope you got something out of this, as it was for me, I typed this and brought up some feelings that I have been missing. If you , like me, struggle in the area, I hope these words have made you think. God does love us, and cares about every area in our lives. His plans are always the best.
Being divorced is hard, you realize you aren't perfect, you realize there were problems in your marriage that you could ignore until this point. But then is makes it easy to blame the EX afterward. there are only two people to be blamed for the breakup of a marriage, you or them.
You see, in my marriage, it was always me doing the wrong thing. I am the one who was selfish, I am the one who was a jerk, I am the untruthful one, it was me, I admit that and see it clearly. But even now, almost 7 years later, I am still, in the back of my mind where the truth really is, I still blame my ex. I blame her for letting me slip into sin and not warning me, I blame her for not being around when I needed her, I blame her for my life now that she is gone. I have tried to blame God, but that just doesn't seem right. But why is blaming my ex, right? It's not.
Hosea 4:4
“Don’t point your finger at someone else and try to pass the blame! My complaint, you priests, is with you.
There are lots of people in the Bible who tried to blame everyone else for what they saw as sin. Jesus dealt with many of them, "Pointing their fingers" at everyone but themselves. And , as you can see from the above scripture it was not just Jesus that had this problem, the Priests, and Prophets did their share of finger pointing in the Old Testament as well.
At my church we are in the middle of a Sermon Series on "Walls". This problem I have had for many years, on blaming anyone but myself, has become a giant wall in my life. I have always felt there was something between God and me, something that blocked the true riches, happiness, and glory from reaching me. He has blessed me so much in my life, though, I have to tell you if that wall were knocked down I think I , no I know I , would be overwhelmed.
It is time for me to grow up, and place the blame where it belongs, on me. I am the problem, with me. I have done wrong things, I have not obeyed God, I have sinned, I have allowed things to come between Him and me. And because of this, my marriage fell apart. I must accept that, before God can heal me.
Do you, like me have some things in your life that are unreconciled? Things that your holding on to. Things that have created a wall between you and God? Dig Deep, look hard, if your like me they are WAY down there hidden really good.
Did you know God knows that they are there? Sure He could dig them out with a sword and pull them up for the whole world to see. But God is not like that, He wants you to realize they are there, then He will with a surgeons hand, very easily slice you open and remove them with little damage to you. He will give you some tools to tear down that wall, He will throw those things that were buried deep inside you as far as the east is from the west. But He will never do this unless you ask.
Lord, I come before you, with praise for all you have done in my life. I think you for my children, I think you for my EX wife, and the years you gave us together. I ask that you forgive me for continuing to have this wall between us. I thank you for helping me realize it was there, still. I ask that you give me the tools to start to tear it down so that I can live in your promises. I also ask that you take your surgical knife and remove the part of me that still has resentment for Mary, and blame her for MY deeds. Forgive me, Lord and help me . Thank you
There was a poem I memorized way back in about the 3rd of 4th grade. It is called "The Fog" I don't remember it all, but I remember the line..."The Fog comes in on little cats feet................." When we ask God to forgive us for something, or help us in a certain way and we really mean it, He will. BUT after we do and feel better and move on, it is Satan that will not let us forget this thing . God has forgiven, and forgotten the Sin, but Satan comes up from behind on :"Little Cats Feet," quietly, patiently and purposefully.
. We know God has forgiven us, but we sometimes fall into the guilt trip that Satan is trying to deal us.
The Blame Game is such an easy game to be in. It is so easy, but it destroys us, it is "Wrong Thinking"> Yes I struggled with it for many years, BUT, I had no idea how deep it went until recently.
I want to make a new start, look ahead to the future God has in store for me, and go forward.
When I was in the Navy our ships Motto was "Press On", at the time we would roll our eyes every time we heard it, but looking back it is a good motto for life. Paul talked about running the race, and moving forward, never looking back but Pressing on toward the mark. When you "Press On" your not looking behind, you are not dwelling on the past and it's mistakes, your looking ahead, and seeing new obstacles, problems and victories. It is well past time that I "Press On" and realize that God has plans for me, not to harm me but to lift me up into the glory of Him, Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Did you get that: "to give you a future and a HOPE" We cannot live in HOPE unless we trust , we cannot trust if we have denial, unconfused sins, anger, mistrust, disbelief, and hatred. in our lives.
Pastor K, and Mary, thank you for your words of teaching to me this weekend. I know you are talking to me through your word and people who know You. Help me realize that I am at fault for things that are going on in my life, and I can allow you to change those things, only if I admit they are there and make the choice to change them through YOU>
I hope you got something out of this, as it was for me, I typed this and brought up some feelings that I have been missing. If you , like me, struggle in the area, I hope these words have made you think. God does love us, and cares about every area in our lives. His plans are always the best.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Paul
How many times was Paul shipwrecked? Wasn't it three? How many years did he spend in jail, chained to guards, walls, post? Many. How many times was he whipped, beat up, physically hurt over the years? I don't know, but I do know it was more then I would like.
Paul showed humility throughout his ministry. He had been through so much, I believe to make him aware of God's power, grace, and strength. If God had not delivered Paul out of these things, then he would not have been able to write all the letters he wrote, letters of encouragement, letters of wisdom, letters of correction.... to the early church, and to us today. How do we as Christians learn what is real and what is not? Easy, if we are in desperate need, and God delivered us, then THAT is REAL. If we never go through any needs, problems, emotions of "where are you God", then we will never learn of His great Power to save us from them. James 1:2:
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations"
How could anyone, especially Paul after all he had been through say this?
Count it all Joy, that Satan is tempting me almost beyond what I can take? Count it all joy when I almost fail before the One true Living God? Count it all Joy that troubles are at every hand, and I do not see a way of escape? Yes, Count it all Joy, because God is waiting to jump in at just exactly the right moment and save you , once again to show His Love, and compassion but mainly His Power to save us from ANYTHING. And when this happens, He comes to the rescue, our faith grows, and grows, to where we are not troubled anymore at what satan can throw at us, it is merely
an attempt to remove us from our walk with Him, and that is not going to happen, because we know the God we serve can do anything.
If Paul can say: "count it all joy when we fall into temptations............." then why can't we say it and mean it? Think about Paul's luck, if you will. He was ship wrecked on almost every sea journey he took. When they were shipwrecked one time only one person got snake bite, guess who? Right Paul. But there was a miracle waiting to happen there.
You see Paul, was an optimistic person. He knew that when something bad happened to him or those around him, it was a learning lesson. He never missed a lesson, either. He grew in wisdom and strength and faith, with every hard lesson. I don't think he ever said, "Oh, good, another lesson from God, what now?" But he may have. He made no secret of struggling, I imagine it was his faith that struggled from time to time. He could not understand why things were always happening to him. Ever felt like that? Why Lord, why, why me? And all God will say is :"Trust me, this is all going to work out for My glory." Is that easy to do? Of course not, it is possibly the hardest thing ever, BUT is it rewarded? Wow, is it ever. You see, the more we endure, the more our faith, trust, strength in Him, relationship with Him, become stronger.
Paul is one of my greatest heroes from the bible. He showed us, that bad things do happen to good people, but the are for OUR good. Why? How? Because through those bad things, comes good things.
If you were a commander of an army and you had the choice of who you wanted to serve under you,who would you choose? Green never been to battle recruits that just got out of boot camp, or battle tested solders who had been in many battles and knew the in's and out's of warfare? Of course you want experienced soldiers. God is looking for experienced soldiers to fight in this spiritual war. If you have never had any difficulty in your life, then what good are you? You do not know who and how to trust, or what weapons we have at our disposal or how to use them. Maybe you learned about them in Sunday School, but you have never used them in battle.
You are not going through this battle alone, you have brothers and sisters who will hold you up, if you ask them.
So sharpen your swords, get ready the rifles, put own the whole armor of God, because the battle for your soul has been going on since you were born, and it is time to start taking an offensive vs. defensive position.
The Battle is The Lords. We will defeat the enemy , with our Gods help.
Paul showed humility throughout his ministry. He had been through so much, I believe to make him aware of God's power, grace, and strength. If God had not delivered Paul out of these things, then he would not have been able to write all the letters he wrote, letters of encouragement, letters of wisdom, letters of correction.... to the early church, and to us today. How do we as Christians learn what is real and what is not? Easy, if we are in desperate need, and God delivered us, then THAT is REAL. If we never go through any needs, problems, emotions of "where are you God", then we will never learn of His great Power to save us from them. James 1:2:
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations"
How could anyone, especially Paul after all he had been through say this?
Count it all Joy, that Satan is tempting me almost beyond what I can take? Count it all joy when I almost fail before the One true Living God? Count it all Joy that troubles are at every hand, and I do not see a way of escape? Yes, Count it all Joy, because God is waiting to jump in at just exactly the right moment and save you , once again to show His Love, and compassion but mainly His Power to save us from ANYTHING. And when this happens, He comes to the rescue, our faith grows, and grows, to where we are not troubled anymore at what satan can throw at us, it is merely
an attempt to remove us from our walk with Him, and that is not going to happen, because we know the God we serve can do anything.
If Paul can say: "count it all joy when we fall into temptations............." then why can't we say it and mean it? Think about Paul's luck, if you will. He was ship wrecked on almost every sea journey he took. When they were shipwrecked one time only one person got snake bite, guess who? Right Paul. But there was a miracle waiting to happen there.
You see Paul, was an optimistic person. He knew that when something bad happened to him or those around him, it was a learning lesson. He never missed a lesson, either. He grew in wisdom and strength and faith, with every hard lesson. I don't think he ever said, "Oh, good, another lesson from God, what now?" But he may have. He made no secret of struggling, I imagine it was his faith that struggled from time to time. He could not understand why things were always happening to him. Ever felt like that? Why Lord, why, why me? And all God will say is :"Trust me, this is all going to work out for My glory." Is that easy to do? Of course not, it is possibly the hardest thing ever, BUT is it rewarded? Wow, is it ever. You see, the more we endure, the more our faith, trust, strength in Him, relationship with Him, become stronger.
Paul is one of my greatest heroes from the bible. He showed us, that bad things do happen to good people, but the are for OUR good. Why? How? Because through those bad things, comes good things.
If you were a commander of an army and you had the choice of who you wanted to serve under you,who would you choose? Green never been to battle recruits that just got out of boot camp, or battle tested solders who had been in many battles and knew the in's and out's of warfare? Of course you want experienced soldiers. God is looking for experienced soldiers to fight in this spiritual war. If you have never had any difficulty in your life, then what good are you? You do not know who and how to trust, or what weapons we have at our disposal or how to use them. Maybe you learned about them in Sunday School, but you have never used them in battle.
You are not going through this battle alone, you have brothers and sisters who will hold you up, if you ask them.
So sharpen your swords, get ready the rifles, put own the whole armor of God, because the battle for your soul has been going on since you were born, and it is time to start taking an offensive vs. defensive position.
The Battle is The Lords. We will defeat the enemy , with our Gods help.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Jesus Wept
John 11:35: "Jesus Wept"
when I was a teenager, and my Sunday school teacher or youth leader would challenge us to memorize scripture, this was the verse I could always quote, all the time, without any problem:) It is the shortest verse in the bible. It is simple, it does not need anymore words, it doesn't need anything. It is what it is.
Have you ever "Wept"? Of course you have, you, like all of us, are human. We cry when we are sad, or hurt, or broken. There are many emotions that make us cry, even happy emotions will make us cry. Let's explore why Jesus Wept. If you read whole chapter of John 11, not to worry, I am not expecting you to memorize the whole chapter, but there will be a test afterward!! What caused Jesus to cry? His friend Lazarus had died. Human Beings cry, I don't think Superior beings (God, Jehovah) cries, may get sad at our actions, may be disappointed in things He sees, but I don't think God cries, He knows the outcome of sadness.) If their ever was a verse that showed how human God, Jehovah, had become to save the world, this is it. Jesus' friend had died. My Mom died last year, and yes I cried, still do when thinking of her, which I do , quite often. She was my Mom, and now she is gone and I miss her terribly. Didn't Jesus know that He was going to raise Lazarus up from the grave? Didn't He know the miracle He would perform in just a few minutes? I believe He did, but right at this instant He only knew that His friend Lazarus was dead. Human emotions took over, and He missed his friend.
You see Jesus was Human, in every respect. He had to eat, sleep, walk, bathe, shave, (well maybe not shave:). He was like US. And like us He had emotions, worries, lack of faith, desires, ambition, He was HUMAN.
This is the shortest verse in the scriptures, but it is one of the most revealing. Jesus was in every way like us. He had to be, how else would His death, pave the way for me and you to enter the gates of Heaven and spend eternity with Him?
Yeah, quoting this scripture is always easy, I am sure there are kids out there that still use it as a "cop out" to memorizing scripture. John 11: 35 :"Jesus Wept" the shortest and possible most important scripture in the Bible, at showing us that yes Jesus was Human, and God. He Wept, then He acted. His Human side mourned for His friend, and then His God side, acted and performed the miracle of bring Lazarus back to life. "Lazarus, Come forth" And he did.
What does all this mean? It means that Jesus is our advocate to the Throne of God, because He knows exactly what we feel, He feels the same emotions we feel. He has been there, and knows exactly what we need.
I am so glad we have Him, to go to. Having someone who has been in your shoes to give you advice, hold you, just to listen when you had a bad day. You think Jesus had bad days? This was more then likely one of His worse. But look at the outcome, He more then likely spent the rest of the day being with His friend, and praising His Father for the miracle.
Now, what problems do you have? Jesus has been there, He knows exactly what you need. His words of encouragement are there, not shallow, or empty, but in His way, He knows just what to say and do for you.
So :"Jesus Wept" is more then an easy verse to memorize, it is so showing to God's nature, and Humanity.
I take back what I said about God not crying, I believe He cries every time He sees us make a wrong or bad decision, or when we disobey Him. We are His friends, like Lazarus was, and He does not want to see us in Hell. "Chris, come forth" is what He is saying to me, "come out of that death, unwrap those "death clothes" and come forth to MY Joy, Happiness, Love, Caring, because I love you and miss you".
Put your name there, is He saying that right now to you?
when I was a teenager, and my Sunday school teacher or youth leader would challenge us to memorize scripture, this was the verse I could always quote, all the time, without any problem:) It is the shortest verse in the bible. It is simple, it does not need anymore words, it doesn't need anything. It is what it is.
Have you ever "Wept"? Of course you have, you, like all of us, are human. We cry when we are sad, or hurt, or broken. There are many emotions that make us cry, even happy emotions will make us cry. Let's explore why Jesus Wept. If you read whole chapter of John 11, not to worry, I am not expecting you to memorize the whole chapter, but there will be a test afterward!! What caused Jesus to cry? His friend Lazarus had died. Human Beings cry, I don't think Superior beings (God, Jehovah) cries, may get sad at our actions, may be disappointed in things He sees, but I don't think God cries, He knows the outcome of sadness.) If their ever was a verse that showed how human God, Jehovah, had become to save the world, this is it. Jesus' friend had died. My Mom died last year, and yes I cried, still do when thinking of her, which I do , quite often. She was my Mom, and now she is gone and I miss her terribly. Didn't Jesus know that He was going to raise Lazarus up from the grave? Didn't He know the miracle He would perform in just a few minutes? I believe He did, but right at this instant He only knew that His friend Lazarus was dead. Human emotions took over, and He missed his friend.
You see Jesus was Human, in every respect. He had to eat, sleep, walk, bathe, shave, (well maybe not shave:). He was like US. And like us He had emotions, worries, lack of faith, desires, ambition, He was HUMAN.
This is the shortest verse in the scriptures, but it is one of the most revealing. Jesus was in every way like us. He had to be, how else would His death, pave the way for me and you to enter the gates of Heaven and spend eternity with Him?
Yeah, quoting this scripture is always easy, I am sure there are kids out there that still use it as a "cop out" to memorizing scripture. John 11: 35 :"Jesus Wept" the shortest and possible most important scripture in the Bible, at showing us that yes Jesus was Human, and God. He Wept, then He acted. His Human side mourned for His friend, and then His God side, acted and performed the miracle of bring Lazarus back to life. "Lazarus, Come forth" And he did.
What does all this mean? It means that Jesus is our advocate to the Throne of God, because He knows exactly what we feel, He feels the same emotions we feel. He has been there, and knows exactly what we need.
I am so glad we have Him, to go to. Having someone who has been in your shoes to give you advice, hold you, just to listen when you had a bad day. You think Jesus had bad days? This was more then likely one of His worse. But look at the outcome, He more then likely spent the rest of the day being with His friend, and praising His Father for the miracle.
Now, what problems do you have? Jesus has been there, He knows exactly what you need. His words of encouragement are there, not shallow, or empty, but in His way, He knows just what to say and do for you.
So :"Jesus Wept" is more then an easy verse to memorize, it is so showing to God's nature, and Humanity.
I take back what I said about God not crying, I believe He cries every time He sees us make a wrong or bad decision, or when we disobey Him. We are His friends, like Lazarus was, and He does not want to see us in Hell. "Chris, come forth" is what He is saying to me, "come out of that death, unwrap those "death clothes" and come forth to MY Joy, Happiness, Love, Caring, because I love you and miss you".
Put your name there, is He saying that right now to you?
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Fast Internet
A certain cable company in my city has just come out with a super fast internet connection called "Wide band". They say you can get speeds up to 50mbs. Wow that is fast compared to the 512K we used to get with "dial up". Remember dial up, the loud sounds as the computers talked to each other? You had to wait, and wait and wait, it seemed compared to today. This cable company, who I have had my internet through for awhile, is offering some of it's customers a free trial of this "wide band service" So I signed up yesterday for 3 months free. Wow, it is fast, the uploads and downloads just zip up and down, I must say I am impressed.
Have you ever been in a service at church when the Spirit of God is moving, I mean really moving? You can feel a wind or breeze go through the congregation as you are worshiping the one true God. Everyone around you has their hands raised, or are bowing in reverence to Him. The musicians are softly playing to facilitate a posture of praise. Each and every one of us are feeling His presence, all at the same time.
Now That is speed. God, through the Holy Spirit, is downloading His presence to us, his vessels or receivers if you will, all at the same time. Talk about Broadband or Wide Band. There is no delay, there is nothing else on the Line, only God's presence, word, blessings, answers to our questions, healing, and most of all His Holy Spirit.
Now, think about this, How many churches do you think are in your time zone having services all at the same time? Sunday morning at 11:))AM say, or Sunday Night at your church or in Cell Groups as my church offers. Maybe a few hundred thousand, or over a million? God can send His Holy Spirit down to everyone of them all at the same time. Not only that, but there may be individuals who are home sick in bed that are praying to Him, He doesn't ignore them, He lifts them up as well. What about those that don't have Sunday Morning services at their church? (I know that is sacrilegious. :):)) But maybe they have Sunday afternoon or evening service instead. So they are having a nice brunch and devotions with their family. God hears them and answers their prayers, and downloads His Holy Spirit as well, just as fast as everywhere else. Then you may have churches Christians in other time zones then yours, that have services a little earlier or later and He is there as well. God is Everywhere all at once. Talk about speed 1000,000,000,000.......mbs and more).
If I want to keep this Wide band service after my 3 month free trial period, it will cost me an extra $20 a month. I am one of their "Special super duper customers" or whatever, so this is actually pretty good considering if I got the fast internet alone it would cost $100) But guess what? Gods ISP (or GSP, Gods Service Provider, or just GOD, if you will:)) is so fast there is not an instrument that can measure it. Need help, right now, bow you head, or lift your head, knell down at your bed, or in your office, raise you hands, or fold them in respect, shout at the top of your lungs, or quietly speak to him in your inner voice, but just talk to Him, tell Him your struggles, your sins, your ambitions, your problems, your desires, your strengths...........He already knows all this, but He wants to talk, or commune with you. Guess what happens next? His presence, His Holy Spirit, His comfort......will be there before you are done.
Matthew 6:8
Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
Did you get that? He already knows what we need BEFORE we ask. So as soon as we ask, or before we get ready to ask, He has the answer coming down on the fastest Internet connection ever imaginable, or in my belief, not imaginable.
I digress here, but remember the beautiful song by Mercy Me, "I can Only Imagine"? I love that song, but I do have one problem with it: I, in my human mind, cannot imagine, the things of Heaven. I have a pretty vivid imagination and can think of some pretty wonderful things Heaven may be like, but I KNOW my imagination is so FAR SHORT of the real Heaven that it will blow me away. There is a scripture in the Bible, I think in Revelation, that talks about the "hush" or "quiet" there will be when we all first enter the gates of Heaven. That Hush will be us taking it all in and amazed at it's beauty, I believe.
So if you want some pretty good speed from your ISP, try out this new Wide Band service, it is fast, a bit pricey if you aren't a "Super Duper Customer" but it is fast. BUT if you want REAL speed, answers to your prayers, comfort from this world and all it's problems, peace, joy, hope, change from the life you have been living, truth, righteousness, Love, and especially trust, then Have I got a deal for you, for only Nothing, you get it all. Thank you Lord for you are The Only true God, the God of Abraham and Elijah, the God of the Hebrew Children, the God of Moses, and Noah of Peter and Paul, The One who talked to us before there were even telephones or telegraphs, or anything. Thank you God for caring for us all SO much you will never leave us or forsake us EVER. We can "call on you and you will be there, (not in an hour, not "Please hold and the next available customer service representative will assist you in the order of your call" But NOW. I did not say he will answer your prayer NOW, but He will hear it and answer it according to His timing and plan. But He will hear it and He will comfort us NOW.
Have you ever been in a service at church when the Spirit of God is moving, I mean really moving? You can feel a wind or breeze go through the congregation as you are worshiping the one true God. Everyone around you has their hands raised, or are bowing in reverence to Him. The musicians are softly playing to facilitate a posture of praise. Each and every one of us are feeling His presence, all at the same time.
Now That is speed. God, through the Holy Spirit, is downloading His presence to us, his vessels or receivers if you will, all at the same time. Talk about Broadband or Wide Band. There is no delay, there is nothing else on the Line, only God's presence, word, blessings, answers to our questions, healing, and most of all His Holy Spirit.
Now, think about this, How many churches do you think are in your time zone having services all at the same time? Sunday morning at 11:))AM say, or Sunday Night at your church or in Cell Groups as my church offers. Maybe a few hundred thousand, or over a million? God can send His Holy Spirit down to everyone of them all at the same time. Not only that, but there may be individuals who are home sick in bed that are praying to Him, He doesn't ignore them, He lifts them up as well. What about those that don't have Sunday Morning services at their church? (I know that is sacrilegious. :):)) But maybe they have Sunday afternoon or evening service instead. So they are having a nice brunch and devotions with their family. God hears them and answers their prayers, and downloads His Holy Spirit as well, just as fast as everywhere else. Then you may have churches Christians in other time zones then yours, that have services a little earlier or later and He is there as well. God is Everywhere all at once. Talk about speed 1000,000,000,000.......mbs and more).
If I want to keep this Wide band service after my 3 month free trial period, it will cost me an extra $20 a month. I am one of their "Special super duper customers" or whatever, so this is actually pretty good considering if I got the fast internet alone it would cost $100) But guess what? Gods ISP (or GSP, Gods Service Provider, or just GOD, if you will:)) is so fast there is not an instrument that can measure it. Need help, right now, bow you head, or lift your head, knell down at your bed, or in your office, raise you hands, or fold them in respect, shout at the top of your lungs, or quietly speak to him in your inner voice, but just talk to Him, tell Him your struggles, your sins, your ambitions, your problems, your desires, your strengths...........He already knows all this, but He wants to talk, or commune with you. Guess what happens next? His presence, His Holy Spirit, His comfort......will be there before you are done.
Matthew 6:8
Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
Did you get that? He already knows what we need BEFORE we ask. So as soon as we ask, or before we get ready to ask, He has the answer coming down on the fastest Internet connection ever imaginable, or in my belief, not imaginable.
I digress here, but remember the beautiful song by Mercy Me, "I can Only Imagine"? I love that song, but I do have one problem with it: I, in my human mind, cannot imagine, the things of Heaven. I have a pretty vivid imagination and can think of some pretty wonderful things Heaven may be like, but I KNOW my imagination is so FAR SHORT of the real Heaven that it will blow me away. There is a scripture in the Bible, I think in Revelation, that talks about the "hush" or "quiet" there will be when we all first enter the gates of Heaven. That Hush will be us taking it all in and amazed at it's beauty, I believe.
So if you want some pretty good speed from your ISP, try out this new Wide Band service, it is fast, a bit pricey if you aren't a "Super Duper Customer" but it is fast. BUT if you want REAL speed, answers to your prayers, comfort from this world and all it's problems, peace, joy, hope, change from the life you have been living, truth, righteousness, Love, and especially trust, then Have I got a deal for you, for only Nothing, you get it all. Thank you Lord for you are The Only true God, the God of Abraham and Elijah, the God of the Hebrew Children, the God of Moses, and Noah of Peter and Paul, The One who talked to us before there were even telephones or telegraphs, or anything. Thank you God for caring for us all SO much you will never leave us or forsake us EVER. We can "call on you and you will be there, (not in an hour, not "Please hold and the next available customer service representative will assist you in the order of your call" But NOW. I did not say he will answer your prayer NOW, but He will hear it and answer it according to His timing and plan. But He will hear it and He will comfort us NOW.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Comfort
2 Corinthians: 1 3-7 " All praise to God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all our Comfort.4 He comforts us in all our trouble so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5 The more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with the comfort, through Christ. 6 Even when we are weighed down with troubles. It is your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. 7 We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort, that God gives us."
So, basically , God comforts us. Why? He Loves us? Yes, We are His Children and He does not want us to suffer? Yes. So that we can have a easy life down here o Earth and then get into Heaven? No. It is not about an "Easy Life" it is about conquering "Self". But what happens when you are going through a hard trial, and God comes along and comforts you. Maybe a certain scripture shows up allot, Your Pastor preaches a sermon based on a scripture, then you hear the DJ on the Christian radio channel quote that same scripture, then you spouse tell you that they were reading the bible and this scripture just jumped out at them....Coincidence? I think not. God is trying to comfort you through His word.
Now get ready for this. God comforting us, is two fold: It helps us as we go through the trials and problems of this world, but it also strengthens us, so that when we run into someone who is dealing with similar problems, hey we have been down that road, we can comfort them. If your addicted to something, whither it be alcohol, drugs, porn, sex, TV, prescription drugs, whatever,who best to talk to then someone who has the same problem? By comforting someone, it comforts you, and gives you strength to go forward. But first we have to be comforted.
How are we comforted? The same way, someone sent of God comes along and helps us, usually someone who know exactly how we are feeling. How do they know how we feel? They have been there, exactly right were you are. They struggle also with this affliction, as Paul called it. I am so glad that Paul never told us what affliction he suffered, because we can in our minds, put our affliction in the blank. I have, and still do, suffer from "wrong Thinking, sexual pornography, and all that goes with that. Who else to talk to but someone who has suffered from the same things, and together we can lift each other up, and be "Accountability Partners" keeping each other in line.
The scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 has always been one of my favorites. But I never really thought about the "comforting one another, as we are comforted" part. I always just heard the "He will comfort me,." Part. God never does anything just for one reason. There is always multiple reasons. What happens after God has moved in our lives and comforted us? We go along in life closer to Him, and happier in our new found trust, faith, life. Then God sends someone along that we share with, and he/she is blessed and start trusting and sharing with others that are having the same problems. This has a domino effect, and soon we have a group, that can meet together and lift each other up and share our experiences together. Both good and bad, both success and when we fail. Because you see, by talking about our failures and successes we break down the walls of shame, guilt, and secrecy.
Paul told us (the Church) to build each other up, to forgive one another, and to Band together, because two cords were harder to break then one. Comfort one another, in love. Don't judge, because you seem to think someone is wrong, what about that "Log in your eye?"
Comfort, God has it, we need it, we share it, He is Praised. So go out and be comforted, and comfort those you see in your everyday walk. You'll never know how much that it will help, both you and others. In love, Chris
So, basically , God comforts us. Why? He Loves us? Yes, We are His Children and He does not want us to suffer? Yes. So that we can have a easy life down here o Earth and then get into Heaven? No. It is not about an "Easy Life" it is about conquering "Self". But what happens when you are going through a hard trial, and God comes along and comforts you. Maybe a certain scripture shows up allot, Your Pastor preaches a sermon based on a scripture, then you hear the DJ on the Christian radio channel quote that same scripture, then you spouse tell you that they were reading the bible and this scripture just jumped out at them....Coincidence? I think not. God is trying to comfort you through His word.
Now get ready for this. God comforting us, is two fold: It helps us as we go through the trials and problems of this world, but it also strengthens us, so that when we run into someone who is dealing with similar problems, hey we have been down that road, we can comfort them. If your addicted to something, whither it be alcohol, drugs, porn, sex, TV, prescription drugs, whatever,who best to talk to then someone who has the same problem? By comforting someone, it comforts you, and gives you strength to go forward. But first we have to be comforted.
How are we comforted? The same way, someone sent of God comes along and helps us, usually someone who know exactly how we are feeling. How do they know how we feel? They have been there, exactly right were you are. They struggle also with this affliction, as Paul called it. I am so glad that Paul never told us what affliction he suffered, because we can in our minds, put our affliction in the blank. I have, and still do, suffer from "wrong Thinking, sexual pornography, and all that goes with that. Who else to talk to but someone who has suffered from the same things, and together we can lift each other up, and be "Accountability Partners" keeping each other in line.
The scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 has always been one of my favorites. But I never really thought about the "comforting one another, as we are comforted" part. I always just heard the "He will comfort me,." Part. God never does anything just for one reason. There is always multiple reasons. What happens after God has moved in our lives and comforted us? We go along in life closer to Him, and happier in our new found trust, faith, life. Then God sends someone along that we share with, and he/she is blessed and start trusting and sharing with others that are having the same problems. This has a domino effect, and soon we have a group, that can meet together and lift each other up and share our experiences together. Both good and bad, both success and when we fail. Because you see, by talking about our failures and successes we break down the walls of shame, guilt, and secrecy.
Paul told us (the Church) to build each other up, to forgive one another, and to Band together, because two cords were harder to break then one. Comfort one another, in love. Don't judge, because you seem to think someone is wrong, what about that "Log in your eye?"
Comfort, God has it, we need it, we share it, He is Praised. So go out and be comforted, and comfort those you see in your everyday walk. You'll never know how much that it will help, both you and others. In love, Chris
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
In Awe.
Have you ever been in Awe with someone? I mean besides God? I recently read a blog on a website that my nephew Shawn, wrote. With the help of his sister Andrea, he is telling his story. He feels that God wants him to write a book about all his struggles. He has dealt with pornography, both sexes, and is telling everything on this blog. From the beginning of these feelings till now. You see he is in jail for "soliciting a child" he was a teacher at the time, so these are very serious charges.
But Shawn has thrown all doubt aside, and taken a step, that I don't know if I could take in the same position.
I am in awe of my nephew. Yes he has struggled, yes he has sinned, yes he is facing a long prison sentence (Before appeal he is looking at 20 years!)
You know the line (it's really not a LINE,,but we use it as such all the time, to be a "Cop Out" when things happen to people we know) "What the Devil meant for harm, God will turn to good". Yes that ole line. It is not a line to be used in helping anyone, it is TRUTH. My nephew is telling the world something that many would consider a death sentence. Some that read, hear of his struggles, and lack of help, support from the "Church" will not understand, may even ridicule. But : "What Satan meant for harm,God will use for His glory". You see, Shawn has a vision, he feels the Lord leading him to be a advocate for the people, like me, who have suffered with porn, sexual wickedness and perversion. Look where he is, in jail for possibly 20 years, there is nothing he has experienced emotionally any feeling you or I have. Embarrassment, shame, guilt, denial, you name it he, I and possibly you, have felt it.
I am going to share the link that he is being so transparent on, and I hope he understands this is for more exposure of his story. I do not want him, or his sister Andrea, to think I am trying to make more people see him in the negative.
Shawn has had a problem many of us face, he has allowed Satan to ruin his live. Or has he? God will use him, I know. Because of his honesty, bravery and dedication to the things God has told him to do, he will be rewarded.
The "Church" today need to wake up and minister to this growing problem in our society. I believe Shawn is starting a revival in this area. There is not a man or woman for that matter alive today, that has not suffered from some of these thoughts that Shawn faced. This is real, it is down to earth, it is gritty, it is dirty, it is life.
Please go to this link: www.breakingthehush.webs.com. I apologize in advance to my Nephew and Niece for doing this without their permission, but I do believe they want as many people as possible to see this, otherwise they would not have put it on the World Wide Web. Thank you Shawn for your transparency, and Andrea for all your work and the support you show your brother. There are many people that need to hear Shawn's story.
But Shawn has thrown all doubt aside, and taken a step, that I don't know if I could take in the same position.
I am in awe of my nephew. Yes he has struggled, yes he has sinned, yes he is facing a long prison sentence (Before appeal he is looking at 20 years!)
You know the line (it's really not a LINE,,but we use it as such all the time, to be a "Cop Out" when things happen to people we know) "What the Devil meant for harm, God will turn to good". Yes that ole line. It is not a line to be used in helping anyone, it is TRUTH. My nephew is telling the world something that many would consider a death sentence. Some that read, hear of his struggles, and lack of help, support from the "Church" will not understand, may even ridicule. But : "What Satan meant for harm,God will use for His glory". You see, Shawn has a vision, he feels the Lord leading him to be a advocate for the people, like me, who have suffered with porn, sexual wickedness and perversion. Look where he is, in jail for possibly 20 years, there is nothing he has experienced emotionally any feeling you or I have. Embarrassment, shame, guilt, denial, you name it he, I and possibly you, have felt it.
I am going to share the link that he is being so transparent on, and I hope he understands this is for more exposure of his story. I do not want him, or his sister Andrea, to think I am trying to make more people see him in the negative.
Shawn has had a problem many of us face, he has allowed Satan to ruin his live. Or has he? God will use him, I know. Because of his honesty, bravery and dedication to the things God has told him to do, he will be rewarded.
The "Church" today need to wake up and minister to this growing problem in our society. I believe Shawn is starting a revival in this area. There is not a man or woman for that matter alive today, that has not suffered from some of these thoughts that Shawn faced. This is real, it is down to earth, it is gritty, it is dirty, it is life.
Please go to this link: www.breakingthehush.webs.com. I apologize in advance to my Nephew and Niece for doing this without their permission, but I do believe they want as many people as possible to see this, otherwise they would not have put it on the World Wide Web. Thank you Shawn for your transparency, and Andrea for all your work and the support you show your brother. There are many people that need to hear Shawn's story.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Why, part 2
When I was at that age that all parents dread you know the "Why Stage". The time in your life when you want to know "why" or "how" everything works, acts, was made, is colored the way it is. I drove my folks, mainly my Mom, crazy with all the questions. My kids did too, but I really don't remember it bothering me as much as my Mom, maybe ask my kids mom, she might have a different story.
My Mom always had the best answer, I did not think so at the time, but looking back,it was. Her answer: "God made it that way for your pleasure". When I would ask: " Mom, why is the sky blue?" Her answer would always be the same: "God made it that way for your pleasure." When I asked her why humans had two arms and two legs when some animals had four legs, same answer.
God did all this for my and your pleasure. He made this world with us in mind.
Sometimes our pleasure is not known right away, it takes awhile. We fall in love with someone that we know we will spend the rest of our lives with, but something happens we break up, Why God, Why? Because the Right one for us is waiting just around the corner for us to meet, get to know, fall in love with, marry, have children grow old together, and serve Him together. But all we see is the hurt, the pain that won't go away. Why? He did it for our pleasure.
Yes, God loves us THAT much, that He would let us go through pain, because it is His will that we don't realize is perfect for us, and we want our will, and we want it NOW!!
It is hard to see what is ahead, especially since we are not God, you know your not God, right? God knows the future, He knows what roads we should go down and what roads we need to avoid. All we see is the "Right Now, Right Here".
Sometimes we cry out to God, scream to Him, Show our anger at Him, curse Him, yelling "Why, God, Why, Why did you let this happen?" And the answer is: "He did it for our pleasure?" Wow, Our Pleasure? How can we be having all this pain and anger and hurt, and it be "for our pleasure?"
The Bible tells us that "All things work together for him that love the Lord" Romans 8: 28 (Kinda My version, I guess) So if we are serving Him, to the best of our ability, and make a mistake, even a HUGE mistake, guess what? Yes, we will be made accountable for that mistake, and we more then likely won't like the punishment, but "All things work together to him that love the Lord"
So, say we get put in jail, for doing something wrong. We admit we have done wrong, God forgives us, but we still must be held accountable for our actions. So here we are in jail, how is that going to "work together" for Him? Our time spent in jail may be the best time in the Lord, we will have time to read His word, we will have a "captive audience" to talk to about the things of the Lord, about the things we did wrong, and how He forgave us. Instead of yelling at God: "Why, Lord, Why did you allow me to end up here!!!" We could make a difference in other lives, as well as ours. Believe it or not, Jail is a good place to grow spiritually. (Yes I have had experience in this area, I do know what I am talking about, ask me sometime, I will share it with you)
OK, so what about death? "God, why did you allow cancer to take my Mom last year, why didn't you heal her?" That is a question I have asked God lately. Why, what good will come from this? I don't have an answer for that one, other then to say "He did it for our pleasure" Our PLEASURE? My Mom is dead, she is gone from my life and I miss her terribly. How is this for my pleasure? My Mom suffered for about 2 years with Cancer, she was in pain, she took Chemo Therapy with all it's side effects, she suffered miserably. She is no longer in pain, she is in a perfect body dancing at the foot of the throne. Her pleasure is complete. She knows the meaning of true joy, hope and HIM> That does give me pleasure.
So the next time you start to ask God "WHY" just think: "How could this give me pleasure?" God knows, and you will too, eventually.
God never told us that this life would be easy, just that He would never leave us or forsake us.
My Mom always had the best answer, I did not think so at the time, but looking back,it was. Her answer: "God made it that way for your pleasure". When I would ask: " Mom, why is the sky blue?" Her answer would always be the same: "God made it that way for your pleasure." When I asked her why humans had two arms and two legs when some animals had four legs, same answer.
God did all this for my and your pleasure. He made this world with us in mind.
Sometimes our pleasure is not known right away, it takes awhile. We fall in love with someone that we know we will spend the rest of our lives with, but something happens we break up, Why God, Why? Because the Right one for us is waiting just around the corner for us to meet, get to know, fall in love with, marry, have children grow old together, and serve Him together. But all we see is the hurt, the pain that won't go away. Why? He did it for our pleasure.
Yes, God loves us THAT much, that He would let us go through pain, because it is His will that we don't realize is perfect for us, and we want our will, and we want it NOW!!
It is hard to see what is ahead, especially since we are not God, you know your not God, right? God knows the future, He knows what roads we should go down and what roads we need to avoid. All we see is the "Right Now, Right Here".
Sometimes we cry out to God, scream to Him, Show our anger at Him, curse Him, yelling "Why, God, Why, Why did you let this happen?" And the answer is: "He did it for our pleasure?" Wow, Our Pleasure? How can we be having all this pain and anger and hurt, and it be "for our pleasure?"
The Bible tells us that "All things work together for him that love the Lord" Romans 8: 28 (Kinda My version, I guess) So if we are serving Him, to the best of our ability, and make a mistake, even a HUGE mistake, guess what? Yes, we will be made accountable for that mistake, and we more then likely won't like the punishment, but "All things work together to him that love the Lord"
So, say we get put in jail, for doing something wrong. We admit we have done wrong, God forgives us, but we still must be held accountable for our actions. So here we are in jail, how is that going to "work together" for Him? Our time spent in jail may be the best time in the Lord, we will have time to read His word, we will have a "captive audience" to talk to about the things of the Lord, about the things we did wrong, and how He forgave us. Instead of yelling at God: "Why, Lord, Why did you allow me to end up here!!!" We could make a difference in other lives, as well as ours. Believe it or not, Jail is a good place to grow spiritually. (Yes I have had experience in this area, I do know what I am talking about, ask me sometime, I will share it with you)
OK, so what about death? "God, why did you allow cancer to take my Mom last year, why didn't you heal her?" That is a question I have asked God lately. Why, what good will come from this? I don't have an answer for that one, other then to say "He did it for our pleasure" Our PLEASURE? My Mom is dead, she is gone from my life and I miss her terribly. How is this for my pleasure? My Mom suffered for about 2 years with Cancer, she was in pain, she took Chemo Therapy with all it's side effects, she suffered miserably. She is no longer in pain, she is in a perfect body dancing at the foot of the throne. Her pleasure is complete. She knows the meaning of true joy, hope and HIM> That does give me pleasure.
So the next time you start to ask God "WHY" just think: "How could this give me pleasure?" God knows, and you will too, eventually.
God never told us that this life would be easy, just that He would never leave us or forsake us.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Leviticus 10:3
Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord meant when he said,‘I will display my holiness through those who come near me.I will display my glory before all the people.’”And Aaron was silent. New Living Translation.
What is "God's Holiness"? For that matter what is "Holiness"?
When I was a kid, I would go to Sunday School and Church and hear of God's Holiness, or Holy God, all kinds of stuff about this word "Holy" I would wonder what Holiness really was. In my mind I would just figure God was full of Holes and therefore "HOLY" I would picture God sitting there on his throne, and water would be pouring out all His holes, and fall down on to the Earth. This must be how it rains, (Don't remember thinking that part but I could have!!)
It is so amazing what can come from the mouths of babes. It is also so true.
No, I am not saying God is full of holes, but what I am saying is that through God's Holiness, we all can all be holy.
Looking through my childlike mind, I can see that picture there, it made perfect sense to me, God had physical holes all over Him, and through those holes came the goodness that poured on us down here on the Earth.
We see the word "Holy or Holiness" in the scripture allot. But what does it really mean? The dictionary defines Holy as:" exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness "
So, by that definition, there is NO one except God that can be Holy. So why does He want us to be holy? I don't think I or anyone here on Earth will ever achieve pure true Holiness. But God wants us to try anyway. Why try for something we will never achieve? Is God playing a game on us, putting out the cheese, but pulling it away if we ever get close enough to grab it? No that is not God's nature. You see I bet your parents, and maybe even your teachers told you when you were little that you could be whatever you wanted in life, even the President of the United States. Do you really think they expected you to become the President? More then likely no, it could happen but the odds were pretty against that happening.But did that stop them from telling you that? Of course not, they wanted you to try, to soar, to achieve greatness in you life. Why would it be any different with God?
God wants us to constantly strive for Holiness (Perfection, according to Webster) It doesn't matter if we achieve it here on this Earth or not, all that matters is that we look at the only true Holy God, and model our lives after Him.
Does this mean we won't make mistakes? Of course not, we are human at least for now, in Heaven there will be no mistakes. But by making mistakes, learning from them, asking for forgiveness from them, acknowledging you made them, we grow ever so slowly toward His "Holiness".
Please don't get me wrong, we will NEVER be little God's as some religions think, we will be humans always until we get to heaven with God. Even then we will worship the one and true God for ever. God is perfect , without sin (Holy) we are not, God is God and I am I. There is no changing that. He is Holy and I am not. But through His holiness I can become more complete.
Back to our Holey God, you see from Him we are whole, No God is not Holey, he is not full of holes, but He is Holy, so that through Him we can become whole.
Keep striving for Holiness, and when Jesus comes back and we all go to Heaven with Him, the practice will have paid off, we all will be.
Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord meant when he said,‘I will display my holiness through those who come near me.I will display my glory before all the people.’”And Aaron was silent. New Living Translation.
What is "God's Holiness"? For that matter what is "Holiness"?
When I was a kid, I would go to Sunday School and Church and hear of God's Holiness, or Holy God, all kinds of stuff about this word "Holy" I would wonder what Holiness really was. In my mind I would just figure God was full of Holes and therefore "HOLY" I would picture God sitting there on his throne, and water would be pouring out all His holes, and fall down on to the Earth. This must be how it rains, (Don't remember thinking that part but I could have!!)
It is so amazing what can come from the mouths of babes. It is also so true.
No, I am not saying God is full of holes, but what I am saying is that through God's Holiness, we all can all be holy.
Looking through my childlike mind, I can see that picture there, it made perfect sense to me, God had physical holes all over Him, and through those holes came the goodness that poured on us down here on the Earth.
We see the word "Holy or Holiness" in the scripture allot. But what does it really mean? The dictionary defines Holy as:" exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness "
So, by that definition, there is NO one except God that can be Holy. So why does He want us to be holy? I don't think I or anyone here on Earth will ever achieve pure true Holiness. But God wants us to try anyway. Why try for something we will never achieve? Is God playing a game on us, putting out the cheese, but pulling it away if we ever get close enough to grab it? No that is not God's nature. You see I bet your parents, and maybe even your teachers told you when you were little that you could be whatever you wanted in life, even the President of the United States. Do you really think they expected you to become the President? More then likely no, it could happen but the odds were pretty against that happening.But did that stop them from telling you that? Of course not, they wanted you to try, to soar, to achieve greatness in you life. Why would it be any different with God?
God wants us to constantly strive for Holiness (Perfection, according to Webster) It doesn't matter if we achieve it here on this Earth or not, all that matters is that we look at the only true Holy God, and model our lives after Him.
Does this mean we won't make mistakes? Of course not, we are human at least for now, in Heaven there will be no mistakes. But by making mistakes, learning from them, asking for forgiveness from them, acknowledging you made them, we grow ever so slowly toward His "Holiness".
Please don't get me wrong, we will NEVER be little God's as some religions think, we will be humans always until we get to heaven with God. Even then we will worship the one and true God for ever. God is perfect , without sin (Holy) we are not, God is God and I am I. There is no changing that. He is Holy and I am not. But through His holiness I can become more complete.
Back to our Holey God, you see from Him we are whole, No God is not Holey, he is not full of holes, but He is Holy, so that through Him we can become whole.
Keep striving for Holiness, and when Jesus comes back and we all go to Heaven with Him, the practice will have paid off, we all will be.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Got Walls?
My pastor started a new series today entitled : "Got Walls?". He had a couple of guys build a cinder block wall right on the stage as he shared. Walls, invisible walls. You know, things that hold us back from God's blessings. Things like Doubt, prejudices, greed, lust, disbelief, bitterness, anger............things that don't belong in our lives. Those walls we have built over the years,(the longer the bigger and stronger they become}.
I live in an apartment on the East side of my city. Many minorities live over here. My complex is mainly made up of Blacks, and Hispanics. I have never thought of myself as prejudice, but as I saw the word "Prejudices " upon that wall on the stage, God reminded me of my thoughts. I tire of the loud music of some of my neighbors, and other things they do just, I know to annoy me. Sometimes to myself I might say things like: "Man those so and so's are getting on my nerves" or "Why do "they" have to be like that?" Prejudice, yes I thank so.
Pastor reminded us that walls come in many varieties, and we ALL struggle with them. We say we have faith in the Lord, that He will work out every detail in our life, but do we act like it?
There is a scripture that Pastor used this morning, that really spoke to me: 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 We use God's mighty weapons not worldly weapons to knock down the STRONGHOLDS of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
.....God's mighty weapons to knock down the STRONGHOLDS,not worldly weapons.....
Stronghold, that is a wall.
Pastor brought up the Berlin Wall, and how it got stronger and stronger and harder and harder to cross, tunnel under or go through as they strengthened it over the years.
But,you see, the walls we struggle with are not physical they are spiritual, invisible if you will. How do you penetrate a wall that is not really there, physically? You cannot use a sledge hammer on that. God has the tools to break down those invisible , to us, walls. But first things first, we have to ID these walls, and admit they are there. Then we have to explore how they got there in the first place, you see, if we don't know their origin , then we may get rid of them but who is to say they won't just start again? If we find out how it started, we can prepare ourselves to not go down that road again, with God's help.
When I was in Boot Camp for the Navy, years ago, we had to run the dreaded "Obstacle course" I was young (21, I believe) and I could run like the wind. I swang from the ropes, jumped the holes full of water, balanced across the logs, ran through whatever, but then at the end was a log wall. That wall always stopped me cold, it was about 2000 feet high,and it seemed, I took forever getting over that thing. My CC (Company Commander, like a Drill Instructor in the Marines) would be yelling; "Come on Calvin, get your lazy (behind) over that wall!!!" I have been trying to get over, under, around, through walls ever sense. Walls of depression, walls of greed, walls of anger, walls of hate, walls of denial, walls of self, walls of pride, walls of prejudice.................
There is only one way to tear down these walls. (Remember Ronald Reagan saying that to the President of Russia: ............Tear down this wall!!!?)
You cannot go over,through, under or around these walls, you have to demolish them.
God has the tools to smash, obliterate, destroy, nuke, burn, smash, explode, disintegrate, disassemble these walls. There is, though, one catch, we must be willing to ask Him for them. To do that we have to admit they are there and that we don't want them there anymore. That's it, admit, obey and destroy, those walls, and live freer and stronger and in all the blessings of God.
Thank about the walls in your life, admit that you have them and ask God's help in removing them from you life, once and for all.
I live in an apartment on the East side of my city. Many minorities live over here. My complex is mainly made up of Blacks, and Hispanics. I have never thought of myself as prejudice, but as I saw the word "Prejudices " upon that wall on the stage, God reminded me of my thoughts. I tire of the loud music of some of my neighbors, and other things they do just, I know to annoy me. Sometimes to myself I might say things like: "Man those so and so's are getting on my nerves" or "Why do "they" have to be like that?" Prejudice, yes I thank so.
Pastor reminded us that walls come in many varieties, and we ALL struggle with them. We say we have faith in the Lord, that He will work out every detail in our life, but do we act like it?
There is a scripture that Pastor used this morning, that really spoke to me: 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 We use God's mighty weapons not worldly weapons to knock down the STRONGHOLDS of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
.....God's mighty weapons to knock down the STRONGHOLDS,not worldly weapons.....
Stronghold, that is a wall.
Pastor brought up the Berlin Wall, and how it got stronger and stronger and harder and harder to cross, tunnel under or go through as they strengthened it over the years.
But,you see, the walls we struggle with are not physical they are spiritual, invisible if you will. How do you penetrate a wall that is not really there, physically? You cannot use a sledge hammer on that. God has the tools to break down those invisible , to us, walls. But first things first, we have to ID these walls, and admit they are there. Then we have to explore how they got there in the first place, you see, if we don't know their origin , then we may get rid of them but who is to say they won't just start again? If we find out how it started, we can prepare ourselves to not go down that road again, with God's help.
When I was in Boot Camp for the Navy, years ago, we had to run the dreaded "Obstacle course" I was young (21, I believe) and I could run like the wind. I swang from the ropes, jumped the holes full of water, balanced across the logs, ran through whatever, but then at the end was a log wall. That wall always stopped me cold, it was about 2000 feet high,and it seemed, I took forever getting over that thing. My CC (Company Commander, like a Drill Instructor in the Marines) would be yelling; "Come on Calvin, get your lazy (behind) over that wall!!!" I have been trying to get over, under, around, through walls ever sense. Walls of depression, walls of greed, walls of anger, walls of hate, walls of denial, walls of self, walls of pride, walls of prejudice.................
There is only one way to tear down these walls. (Remember Ronald Reagan saying that to the President of Russia: ............Tear down this wall!!!?)
You cannot go over,through, under or around these walls, you have to demolish them.
God has the tools to smash, obliterate, destroy, nuke, burn, smash, explode, disintegrate, disassemble these walls. There is, though, one catch, we must be willing to ask Him for them. To do that we have to admit they are there and that we don't want them there anymore. That's it, admit, obey and destroy, those walls, and live freer and stronger and in all the blessings of God.
Thank about the walls in your life, admit that you have them and ask God's help in removing them from you life, once and for all.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Are you Lost?
There was a billboard near my dad's house that showed a picture of a missing young lady. It was there for quite a while. My Dad commented on it quite often, wondering out loud if they had ever found her. About a month ago I saw that same billboard in the local paper. There were two ladies in the foreground and the billboard with the young lady's picture in the background. I read the story. This young lady had been missing for almost a year. The article went on to explain when, where, and how the tragedy
took place. She went "bar-hopping" on sixth street (the party district here in Austin) and was never seen again. The article went on to tell a little of her background and the families background. The interesting thing, to me , was that the billboard company had not charged this family for the almost a year.
Now here we are a few weeks later, the picture is gone, and in it's place is a ad for a local Vodka. I am sure the billboard owner, thinks "Well, we did our part, we left that picture up with the words; "Have you seen me?" for a year and she was not found, I guess she is dead." You see they basically have given up. Got on with their life's and forgotten all about this young lady.
But her family has not forgotten her, they may have lost hope of ever seeing her again, but they remember her everyday. She was their daughter, sister, friend, cousin, aunt sister in law. You know FAMILY.
Do you have a friend, family member that is LOST, you know not a member of God's family? Have you given up, thinking that they will never give their hearts to the Lord? You used to pray for them, talk to them about the things of the Lord, but they never responded. So you have taken the billboard down, and moved on.
God doesn't give up on ANYONE. If He did, I would not be writing this today. God is the God of 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th,...........chances, He does NOT EVER forget anyone of us. Let me repeat that, God DOES NOT FORGET YOU. It doesn't matter what you have done, how badly you have acted, God does not forget you. He WILL, however take those things in your life that you feel guilty about (sins) and "Throw them as far as the East is from the West." If you ask Him to. I have always loved that, East and West will never met, North and South do, but not East and West.
So if you have a lost friend of family member, keep that billboard up, don't let anyone take it down, do whatever you have to, to let that person know you and especially God have not forgotten them.
If you are that person who is not living like you know you should be, and feel guilty about it, when you get right down to it. Ask God to forgive you , talk to your family or friends that have been praying for you, and thank them for keeping the billboard up and lit up.
took place. She went "bar-hopping" on sixth street (the party district here in Austin) and was never seen again. The article went on to tell a little of her background and the families background. The interesting thing, to me , was that the billboard company had not charged this family for the almost a year.
Now here we are a few weeks later, the picture is gone, and in it's place is a ad for a local Vodka. I am sure the billboard owner, thinks "Well, we did our part, we left that picture up with the words; "Have you seen me?" for a year and she was not found, I guess she is dead." You see they basically have given up. Got on with their life's and forgotten all about this young lady.
But her family has not forgotten her, they may have lost hope of ever seeing her again, but they remember her everyday. She was their daughter, sister, friend, cousin, aunt sister in law. You know FAMILY.
Do you have a friend, family member that is LOST, you know not a member of God's family? Have you given up, thinking that they will never give their hearts to the Lord? You used to pray for them, talk to them about the things of the Lord, but they never responded. So you have taken the billboard down, and moved on.
God doesn't give up on ANYONE. If He did, I would not be writing this today. God is the God of 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th,...........chances, He does NOT EVER forget anyone of us. Let me repeat that, God DOES NOT FORGET YOU. It doesn't matter what you have done, how badly you have acted, God does not forget you. He WILL, however take those things in your life that you feel guilty about (sins) and "Throw them as far as the East is from the West." If you ask Him to. I have always loved that, East and West will never met, North and South do, but not East and West.
So if you have a lost friend of family member, keep that billboard up, don't let anyone take it down, do whatever you have to, to let that person know you and especially God have not forgotten them.
If you are that person who is not living like you know you should be, and feel guilty about it, when you get right down to it. Ask God to forgive you , talk to your family or friends that have been praying for you, and thank them for keeping the billboard up and lit up.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
The Buffet
Raise your hand if you, like me, love "Buffets"? OK, you can put your hands down now, hey you in the back, put your hands down, what is up with both hands AND feet? Anyway I do love Buffets. My Dad and I go to Golden Corral once a week, usually on a Tuesday, been doing this for about a year and a half. My Dad loves the place,usually gets the same things, sit in the same booth, know the waitress' the cash register people, the cooks, the managers............
Don't get me wrong the food is good, but getting the same thing every week gets old to me, my Dad, on the other hand, doesn't seem to mind. I usually try and mix it up, you know get food primarily from the Right side of the the serving line, this time. Next time it is the middle and the week after maybe the left side. I have taken Dad to other places once in a while, Pizza Buffet, Jason's Deli for a good deli sandwich, He doesn't like Oriental food as much as I , so he won't even try a Chinese Buffet. ( I could eat at a Chinese Buffet 7 days a week and be very happy).
My point is: Things get old, even if they are really good, after awhile. I used to think that steak 7 days a week would be fantastic. Or as I said before a Chinese Buffet would be fantastic. I know I would get tired of anything, even Chinese food, before to long.
God knows us, I mean He made us, why wouldn't He? He knows we get tired of the same ole thing, which makes me ask, how did the "Children Of Isreal" make it on Manna everyday? Keith Green's song from years ago: "What, Manna again??!!" comes to mind here, (Mananna Bagels?). But God knows we are picky people.
Imagine going to a buffet and all they had was chicken. Every kind of chicken possible but only chicken. Fried chicken, baked chicken, grilled chicken, chicken and noodle soup, chicken casserole ("That is about all the ways you can make Chicken (shrimp) Forest" ) Any way, It would not take long to tire of only chicken, would it?
God loves variety, that is why we love it. We were made in the image of Him, so we love variety.
Can you imagine the Buffet we will have in heaven? Nothing will ever get old, there will be all of everyone's favorites. But here on earth we still have variety, God made us all different, some more so then others, IE: ME. There are so many varieties of us. I am a morning person, love the Pre-dawn time, it is so peaceful then I get allot of work done before the sun comes up. Some people are night owls, they cannot wake up in the morning, but they can stay up until all hours of the night. What about talents? My son is very creative, (He gets this from his mother, not me) He is great at music, computer graphics, audio recording, filming and the like, Me? I would have no idea how to do the things he can do. My daughter is a High School Algebra 2 teacher, in other words she has a ton of patience. Me? No way. My Ex-Wife is a organizer, she can get things done without hesitation. She tells people what needs to be done, she does her work, and she constantly has her mind going a hundred miles an hour. And everything comes together. Me? Are you kidding? I can work on my own, get things done, do my job, and do it well. Just tell me what you want done, leave me alone and expect it to be done, and I'll do it. I enjoy working independently.
Just a few examples of how God made us all different. My Pastor preached this morning on the "Gifts of the Spirit" and he made a statement that got my attention. He asked if the Gifts given by the Holy spirit, were for EVERYONE of US? Does each and every christian, that has been saved and are striving for more of God, have a "Gift" given to us to "Edify" the Body of Christ and His Church?
He did not answer this question, he left it up to us to think about. My answer is an loud "YES"
You see God loves a Buffet as well, He loves to see a group of people praising and worshiping Him in music, then the same group of people, being taught about His word and challenged by their Pastor, then being taught by teachers who have studied the word and share it amongst us. Each of us giving of our Gifts and using them to build up God. But you know what He loves even more? When we, having been led in worship, taught His word, Listened to His plan for our lives, go out and share these things with the people we run into everyday. That is the Buffet God loves most, the Buffet of People who hear the Word of God, the testimonies of believers, the trials we have gone through and the praise of deliverance. If Jesus had not had any trials when He was here on Earth, would he have the faith that His Father would have fulfilled His ministry. Jesus may have just given up.
Use your gift. Don't know what it is, easy ask. What do you enjoy the most? Climbing rocks, cliffs, riding Motorcycles? Playing music, listening to music, going to sporting events. Watching movies? It doesn't matter, there are people out there who, like you, enjoy these same things, and only you can relate to them on a certain level.
I love people, I love talking to strangers when I am standing in line at the bank, or waiting at a traffic light, and there is a person standing on the corner asking for help. I can talk to anyone just about anything. God has starting using me in this capacity more and more in recent months. Why, because I have seen the opportunities and taken advantage of them. Before where I may have talked about sports to a guy, I now, start with sports, and get a "Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal savior?" in there. If this makes them uncomfortable, or they tell me they attend such and such church, I let the Lord lead me. Sometimes I respond by saying :" Not what I asked,do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?" I get a lot of different responses, but it makes them think. If they don't want to go any further I bring the conversation back to sports. But sometimes it gets the conversation into things that are deep and important about what they believe.
What is your gift from the Holy Spirit? Whatever it is, it is part of a large, huge gigantic, Buffet that God uses to fill those that need Him. Like any Buffet we can go there but it doesn't mean we have to eat. That is our choice, God will never force Himself on anyone.
Let's all find our gifts, use them so that we will have a buffet with many options.
The Chicken looks good today.....................
Don't get me wrong the food is good, but getting the same thing every week gets old to me, my Dad, on the other hand, doesn't seem to mind. I usually try and mix it up, you know get food primarily from the Right side of the the serving line, this time. Next time it is the middle and the week after maybe the left side. I have taken Dad to other places once in a while, Pizza Buffet, Jason's Deli for a good deli sandwich, He doesn't like Oriental food as much as I , so he won't even try a Chinese Buffet. ( I could eat at a Chinese Buffet 7 days a week and be very happy).
My point is: Things get old, even if they are really good, after awhile. I used to think that steak 7 days a week would be fantastic. Or as I said before a Chinese Buffet would be fantastic. I know I would get tired of anything, even Chinese food, before to long.
God knows us, I mean He made us, why wouldn't He? He knows we get tired of the same ole thing, which makes me ask, how did the "Children Of Isreal" make it on Manna everyday? Keith Green's song from years ago: "What, Manna again??!!" comes to mind here, (Mananna Bagels?). But God knows we are picky people.
Imagine going to a buffet and all they had was chicken. Every kind of chicken possible but only chicken. Fried chicken, baked chicken, grilled chicken, chicken and noodle soup, chicken casserole ("That is about all the ways you can make Chicken (shrimp) Forest" ) Any way, It would not take long to tire of only chicken, would it?
God loves variety, that is why we love it. We were made in the image of Him, so we love variety.
Can you imagine the Buffet we will have in heaven? Nothing will ever get old, there will be all of everyone's favorites. But here on earth we still have variety, God made us all different, some more so then others, IE: ME. There are so many varieties of us. I am a morning person, love the Pre-dawn time, it is so peaceful then I get allot of work done before the sun comes up. Some people are night owls, they cannot wake up in the morning, but they can stay up until all hours of the night. What about talents? My son is very creative, (He gets this from his mother, not me) He is great at music, computer graphics, audio recording, filming and the like, Me? I would have no idea how to do the things he can do. My daughter is a High School Algebra 2 teacher, in other words she has a ton of patience. Me? No way. My Ex-Wife is a organizer, she can get things done without hesitation. She tells people what needs to be done, she does her work, and she constantly has her mind going a hundred miles an hour. And everything comes together. Me? Are you kidding? I can work on my own, get things done, do my job, and do it well. Just tell me what you want done, leave me alone and expect it to be done, and I'll do it. I enjoy working independently.
Just a few examples of how God made us all different. My Pastor preached this morning on the "Gifts of the Spirit" and he made a statement that got my attention. He asked if the Gifts given by the Holy spirit, were for EVERYONE of US? Does each and every christian, that has been saved and are striving for more of God, have a "Gift" given to us to "Edify" the Body of Christ and His Church?
He did not answer this question, he left it up to us to think about. My answer is an loud "YES"
You see God loves a Buffet as well, He loves to see a group of people praising and worshiping Him in music, then the same group of people, being taught about His word and challenged by their Pastor, then being taught by teachers who have studied the word and share it amongst us. Each of us giving of our Gifts and using them to build up God. But you know what He loves even more? When we, having been led in worship, taught His word, Listened to His plan for our lives, go out and share these things with the people we run into everyday. That is the Buffet God loves most, the Buffet of People who hear the Word of God, the testimonies of believers, the trials we have gone through and the praise of deliverance. If Jesus had not had any trials when He was here on Earth, would he have the faith that His Father would have fulfilled His ministry. Jesus may have just given up.
Use your gift. Don't know what it is, easy ask. What do you enjoy the most? Climbing rocks, cliffs, riding Motorcycles? Playing music, listening to music, going to sporting events. Watching movies? It doesn't matter, there are people out there who, like you, enjoy these same things, and only you can relate to them on a certain level.
I love people, I love talking to strangers when I am standing in line at the bank, or waiting at a traffic light, and there is a person standing on the corner asking for help. I can talk to anyone just about anything. God has starting using me in this capacity more and more in recent months. Why, because I have seen the opportunities and taken advantage of them. Before where I may have talked about sports to a guy, I now, start with sports, and get a "Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal savior?" in there. If this makes them uncomfortable, or they tell me they attend such and such church, I let the Lord lead me. Sometimes I respond by saying :" Not what I asked,do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?" I get a lot of different responses, but it makes them think. If they don't want to go any further I bring the conversation back to sports. But sometimes it gets the conversation into things that are deep and important about what they believe.
What is your gift from the Holy Spirit? Whatever it is, it is part of a large, huge gigantic, Buffet that God uses to fill those that need Him. Like any Buffet we can go there but it doesn't mean we have to eat. That is our choice, God will never force Himself on anyone.
Let's all find our gifts, use them so that we will have a buffet with many options.
The Chicken looks good today.....................
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