Our Family

Family, important in our lives? YES!! Thanksgiving is coming up, and family is so nice to have around on holidays. This will be the 2nd Thanksgiving and Christmas since my Mom died. It's hard but at the same time, it seems family is that much more important to have around. Last year, on Thanksgiving we all went to Golden Corral, my dad's favorite restaurant. We ate, shared, laughed, cried, and leaned own each other, as we talked about missing our Mom, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother. But we were together, a family, loving each other and lifting each other up. Mark 3:31-35, tells us: " Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them. There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you.”
Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Then he looked at those
around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
Wow, in this passage Jesus "Disrespected" His own Mom and brothers, for his friends. "Anyone who does God's will is my brother, sister, and mother." Does this mean that His real mom and brothers did not do God's will? I have asked myself that before, after reading this passage, but no. Jesus was saying, I think, that we all are family, who serve the Lord.
Remember the song by "Sister Sledge" , I think, "We are family, I got all my sisters with me........" We, as Christians, do "have all our "Sisters" with us, and our Brothers, and our Mothers, and most importantly Jesus Christ, and His Dad God, Jehovah, the maker of, well EVERYTHING. Talk about a GREAT FAMILY!!
When my family got together over a Thanksgiving meal, we felt each others emotions, the loss of our Mom, the Joys, and remembrances of her life, the
FUN that was my Mom. This is what families do, they share in everything. I hate to tell you this, but I am your brother, I want to be there for all your times, your good ones, your bad ones, you GREAT ones. Why, because I care. You are my family, we have our FATHER in common.
I remember when my ex wife and I got divorced, I wondered how weird it was that you could divorce a wife, but you stuck with your family. Does this mean spouses are NOT FAMILY? No, I don't think so, My ex-wife is still the mother of our children, and I still care for her. But it is not the same as family. I think it should be, but that is best left for another day.
"Stuck with your family" you hear and see this phrase a lot, you can divorce your spouse, but your stuck with your family. Doesn't matter WHAT your family does, you love them, and support them. How does the mother of a serial killer feel when her son is in prison for life, or on death row? She hurts for her son, she wants him to have enough blankets, eat enough, be healthy. Yes he may have killed a lot of people, but he is still her son.
Family, the ties will never be broken. You see movies all the time about a broken relationship in the family. Two brothers haven't talked to each other in years and years because of some argument they more then likely, don't even remember. And by the end of the show, they are together again, loving on each other and going, say, fishing every Saturday. Usually not the way life works, that fast, but this is Hollywood , all the loose ends must come together in, at the most 2 and a half hours.

I am not sure all my family can make it this year to Golden Corral here in Austin, (The one on Parmer Lane and North Lamar, Just off I-35 In Beautiful Austin Texas) So if you don't have any family to spend Thanksgiving with, come on, your family too. It's "all you can eat buffet, so come hungry} Maybe we can talk Dad into watching the football games after we go home, stuffed and very full.
I don't always like things my family does, maybe disagree with them on something, but they are Family.
Remember the Godfather? Family was everything to these Mobsters. Without Family there lives were meaningless.
If you serve the Lord Jesus Christ with all your heart, then your my family, I would do anything I could for you. (sorry, Like "The Godfather", I would NOT "Rub anyone out" for you!} But short of that, just ask, your Family, after all.
If you ever wondered this is why a lot of churches call each other "Sister" and "Brother" so and so. Because we are all Sisters and Brothers, and we "Got all our Sisters (Family) with me"

Could You Be Blind, and Not know it?

Then Jesus told him, “I entered this world to render judgment—to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.”

40: Some Pharisees who were standing nearby heard him and asked, “Are you saying we’re blind?”

41: “If you were blind, you wouldn’t be guilty,” Jesus replied. “But you remain guilty because you claim you can see." John 9:39-41
Ever know a person who was blind? They, either had an accident, or were born that way. I have known several and they all had the best attitude. I know if I would or not. To be blind, to me, would be one of the hardest things to deal with, because we use our sight so much.
In the above verse, what in the world was Jesus talking about? He came here to judge, OK, got it so far, but then it gets confusing. He came to give sight to the blind, and show those that think they can see that they are are blind? What does all this mean? Thus the title of this article today, "Could you be blind and not know it?" If you couldn't see (physical blindness) I think you would know it. But there is a few other kinds of blindness. There is Mental Blindness, (Where you cannot see things like the rest of the world, I think I suffer from this :) There is Social Blindness,(You act like a fool, embarrassing everyone you with, but cannot see it). There is fashion blindness (Yeah wearing bright pink with lime green would qualify here). Then there is Spiritual blindness (you think you are a good person, thus you will go to heaven, but have NO idea what you believe or who). Many people in this world fall into this last category. Have you ever known someone like this, or maybe your like this. You think that because your a "good person" you got it all covered. Hollywood shows us how we can go to Heaven, just don't rob banks, kill people, or do otherwise "bad" things and were IN right> Wrong. This is one of the definitions of Blindness.
Jesus tells us that:
" I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6. The Father He is talking about here is God. God is in Heaven, and there is NO way anyone can enter into a relationship or Heaven if you will, without Jesus. So, being "good" does not cut it, we have to know Jesus, to get into Heaven, and know His Father. To not see this, is blindness.
Jesus told us that He came into the world to "heal the blind" and to "show those that think they can see, that they are really blind". So What we SAY we can see, and what we REALLY SEE, are not always the same thing. YOU SEE, Physically blind people, can most of the time see more then those who are blind in other areas.
You ever watch a sporting event, where the Ref, or Umpire or whatever calls a foul, or doesn't call a foul, and fans yell: "What are you blind?" Of course they are referring of physical blindness, BUT the fan is blinded by his prejudice for his team over the other one. You see, blindness comes in many forms. If you love someone and they have a problem with addiction of something, sometimes you can't see it, because your blinded by the love you have for them.
We all want to go to Heaven, so those of us that don't know, I mean KNOW, we are going because we have a relationship with God, are blinded into thinking that if we just be "GOOD" enough, then we'll make it. We may know what the Bible teaches about this, but because we say we don't believe in the Bible, then it doesn't effect us. Sorry, believe it or not, the Bible is true, every word.
Now, I want to ask the question: Have you ever been blind in any way? I have. Blind to what I was doing to my family through my own selfishness. Blind to the fact that I was a sinner, and God although still loved me, could not look upon me, because of the sin in my life. Blind that my addiction (selfishness,thorough Porn) was destroying my marriage and family, and only concern I had was for me, me, me.
Blind to the fact that if I just had one more item, I would be happy, regardless of how I got that item, I just needed it for my happiness.
Blindness comes in many forms, and Physical blindness is the least common, I believe. With Blindness other then physical comes arrogance. I need, I want, I deserve, I am good enough, I am worthy, I will do what ever I have to to.......... Look upon me, I am ............Notice all the "I's" (Arrogance)
Jesus came to heal the blind, He meant physical healing, but more, I believe He meant all the other kinds of blindness more. But he also came to show that there were those who talked about how they could see, "The Way to Heaven" But were actually more blind then the real blind. The arrogance of the church leaders in Jesus day, is still here today. Some do all the right "things" and still are blind to the "REAL" things of God.
God Blinded Paul on the Road to Damascus, and then healed more then just his eyes, He healed his heart, his soul, and his outlook on EVERYTHING.
Don't be blind, let God heal you, admit you have had problems "seeing". God will heal you, but you as always, must first admit you are having problems seeing.
Now look with your eyes, both physical and mental, and see that the Lord is Good. Acknowledge Him in ALL your ways. Guess what? He wants to heal us all of our blindness.

Humility

Mark 9:35 tell us: "He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.”
OK lets set the scene: Jesus overheard part of a conversation between some of his disciples, a conversation that was centered upon who was the most important among them, they realized Jesus was the MOST important,but who was His Assistant sorta. Wow, sounds like pride to me. I mean this is what got Satan kicked out of Heaven. How did Jesus respond? Read the above scripture again, go ahead, I'll wait. ..........There it is, to be first, we must be last.......to be great we must be small, to be powerful we must be powerless, what in the world does that mean? This is opposite of everything we have been told our whole lives. Reminds me of a "Seinfeld" episode where George decides to do everything opposite of what he normally would do, and it works out GREAT for him, he gets a job with the NY Yankees, he gets a girlfriend, everything is wonderful.
You see, to achieve anything in God's World,(the spiritual world) then there has to be a attitude of service, humility, kindness.
Jesus washed others feet in preparation of a meal, a service usually done by servants. He put himself in the position of a servant, just because He wanted to, to wash his friends feet.
Thank of the best boss you ever had. What made them so good of a leader? My best boss was a man who had no problems rolling up his sleeves when we got really busy and helping me do my job. He did not have a problem serving instead of ordering. He would get his hands dirty and help just as if he were someone, well like us, the workers. If it was slow, sure he would be in his office doing, well boss stuff. If someone was out one day, he would fill in wherever he was needed, he was not "above" any job there. This is the kind of boss you respect, you WANT to work for, you look up to, you know he has "your back". Then there is the "other" kind of boss, the kind who only sits at his desk, who doesn't help EVER, I mean He is the BOSS, why should HE, stoop as LOW as us the workers? He just yells at us from the sidelines and "cracks the whip". Do you want to work for someone like this? Of course not, you look for a different job before long, because this job "Stinks".
Humble: " not proud or haughty : not arrogant or assertive." The definition of a Good boss described above is this, "Humility"
Now let's look at Mark 9:33 again: ............"Whoever wants to be first, must be last, and the servant of everyone else." I believe this qualifies as "Humble" by the above definition. "Servant of everyone else". Does that mean we cannot be the leader? No, servants make the best leaders. Does that mean we are not worth anything, because we serve others, thereby showing how important they are? No, by humbling ourselves we take on power, through Caring, loving, concerning ourselves with their needs. What is the best way to stop an argument? By agreeing with the other party. If it something you totally disagree with, the statement : " I respect your opinion, but don't necessarily agree with it." This may stop the anger, and start the discussion, "Let's look at the facts, without the emotion involved" That calms everyone, almost , down.

Who should get the most credit at a fancy dinner party? The cooks, the waiters, the ones who clean up.....in other words the ones that do all the work without credit. Who usually gets the credit at a event like this? The Hosts, the ones who hired all the good workers.
Jesus is telling us to be worthy of anything, we must have the heart and mind of a servant. It is a matter of Pride. If your to proud to say, wash a toilet, then how can I trust you to do anything important? When I was in the Navy years ago, I asked my "CC" (company commander) upon completion of Boot Camp: " What was with all the folding clothes, and presentation of uniforms in the lockers, all about?" (We had a complete set of uniforms that was for nothing else but to be folded EXACTLY correct and presented in our lockers like they were a very expensive piece of art, or something, we would be inspected on these presentations almost every week.) You know what my CC told me? That the Navy wanted to know if you could follow directions for a 10 dollar pair of pants, before they let you work on a multi-million dollar piece of equipment. That made total sense to me.
How are you going to lead people that you will not serve? How are you going to tell those you lead how to do something you have never done yourself? Every enlisted person I ever knew in the Navy, was once a Seaman Recruit at a Boot Camp somewhere and washed toilets, folded uniforms, made their bed exactly per regulation, waxed floors, painted, marched, shot firearms, saluted and called officers "Sir".......So when a more experienced enlisted guy told me the proper way to wax a floor, I listened, because I knew he had done it. In the service there is a term for an officer who had spent time as an enlisted person. The term is "Mustang" My dad was a Mustang in the Marines. The respect shown to these "Mustangs" is much higher then a "normal" officer, because we understood that these officers had "been right were we are" and understood us.
How can you lead without serving? You can't. I think every President of the US should have to wash the bathrooms of their staff once a week while in office. I think every CEO of EVERY Large cooperation should as well. There is something humbling about getting on your knees and washing a toilet, that is humbling.
To be a "Servant to everyone" is to care for everyone. If you don't respect someone, your not going to clean their home, because you could care less. To truly understand someone, get down where they live and wash their dishes, clean their bathroom, BE a SERVANT to them. They will respect you for it, and you will come away with a deeper understanding and respect for them.
Now, go wash your toilet, it is filthy.

Are you Content?

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Philippians 4:11.
Paul had learned to be "Content" in whatever state he found himself, even Oklahoma!! :) Seriously, that is a big thing. Have you ever been selfish? Really, come on now I know more of you should have your hands up, WAY up. My hand is up, both of them, my feet, both of them and my toes all 10 of them. Yes, I have been VERY selfish most of my life. But Paul, it seems, had learned to be content, regardless of his situation. Paul was in a lot of situations, I never want to be in. He was in jail many times for who he was and who he represented. He was shipwrecked, he was beaten, he was ridiculed..........I believe these situations taught Paul how to be content. Not enough food to have 3 meals today, that's OK, at least I am not in jail being beaten. Don't have anything to eat today,, except bread, that is alright, at least I am not eating worms like when I was shipwrecked.
Those many hardships, helped make Paul who he was. He was happy when he had plenty to eat and the world was going ok for him, but he was "Content" when things were not. Why? Because God had brought him through SO MUCH, why would He not bring him through this?
What was Paul's secret, though. Let's look at the verses before this one: Philippians 4:8-9:Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

9:Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Was Paul being arrogant? I mean he said for us to do the things that we see him do, and the God of peace shall be with us. I mean who does he think he is?
Paul's trials and tribulations he got into BECAUSE of his stand for Christ, is what gave him the faith, trust, and Hope in God. He knew EXACTLY what he was talking about, because he had been there.
So he told us his secret to being contempt. It is : Think on these things: 1:Things that are True, 2: things that are noble, 3: Things that are Just, 4: Things that are lovely, 5: Things that are of Good report and then he sums these things up by saying: "If there is any virtue and anything is praise worthy, meditate on these things."
Truth, Nobility, (noble: morally good or generous in a way that should be admired.
Just (guided by reason, justice, and fairness.), Pure (: free from moral fault or guilt )Lovely (to be loveable, how can you love someone and not be lovable in return?) Of "Good Report" (Have a good reputation as a honest, dependable, sincere, of good morals person in the community) To have these things is to have wisdom virtue and you will be "Praise worthy" or receive praises from all those that know you.
Wow, Paul is telling us what to think about? Yes, if we want, virtue, honesty, wisdom, a good reputation, to stand out from the crowd as someone who is morally correct on everything he does, then this is the way to live.
Is it easy, no way, look at what Paul went through to learn this lesson. It takes trust, faith, belief in God that He will do , and is doing a "good thing in you".
I got to admit here, I am no where near to where Paul was when he made this statement. I am selfish, very selfish. My Dad and I were talking the other day how selfish we were and at times still are. Since my Mom died, my Dad has had so many regrets of selfish things he has done during their marriage. I can understand, because since my divorce I have those same regrets. But, I told my Dad and it is true for me and you, To concentrate on those selfish deeds of the past, is to give them way to much control in your present. There is nothing that can be done about the past, it is only the present we can change. We, with the Lords help, can change the present, thereby changing our future. How? Thinking on these things: Truth,Nobel,Just,Pure ,Lovely, of good report, want virtue, what people admiring you? MEDITATE on these things.
To me, Paul is the 2nd person I want to talk to in Heaven. Jesus is the first. I want to know what "thorn in the flesh" was, I want to know, what it felt like to look upon Jesus' face and be blinded by the light. I want to know how he wrote all those letters to the early churches. I want to get to know the man Paul and talk to him and listen to his wisdom. The man who stated:
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21
Yes, I am selfish, aren't you? But I want to turn from this and seek God like never before. I want to know Him like Paul did. Does that mean I will have to suffer like Paul did? Perhaps, but does that matter? NO, all that matters is our relationship with Him.
Does it really matter if you have that new car, or that you tell someone about Jesus so that they can Live and Love here on Earth like God intended, and then go to be in Heaven with Him? Not long ago I had to have a new TV, what was wrong with my old one, nothing, but it was not a flat panel with 3d. Is this selfish, you bet it is. God, forgive me.
Priorities, what are yours, really? To work, then get home and relax while watching TV? Maybe we all need to be shipwrecked thrown in jail or something to see what is really important.
I believe Selfishness is a sin, and there will not be any sin allowed into Heaven. Yes, we are all selfish at times, but God will forgive us if we just ask. Who is first in your life? Supposed to be God, then others, then and only then yourself. How many times has it been the complete opposite? I don't want to answer that, because it is embarrassing. How about you?
Can you say, like Paul: Where ever I find myself, I am content? Wow, what a statement. There is no family, no government, no insurance company, no retirement agency, no investment company, no medical company.......that can compare with that statement. Paul was saying that NO MATTER what happened to him, he was not worried, He KNEW that God would take care of him, so he did not have to think twice about it. That, my friends, is Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and the Father.
Let us all "be content, regardless" for there is NO ONE but God Jehovah we need to rely on. Go forward and Be Content.

My Fathers House

Come and go with me
to my Fathers house
Come and go with me
to my Fathers house

[CHORUS]
It's a big big house
with lots and lots a room
A big big table
with lots and lots of food
A big big yard
where we can play football
A big big house
Its my Fathers house

Ibidibidee bop bop bow whew! yeah!
Remember that song? It is by Audio Adrenaline, one of their first hits way back in the early '90's. I always loved that song because it told of a Father's House that was approachable, , comfortable, safe, where there was food, a big yard to "Play Football" and most important it had "Lots and Lots of Room."
There is a very old Hymn that they used to sing in church when I was little it was traditional to sing it during the "Alter Call" (The moment after the sermon, when the preacher would invite you to come forward to the "Alter" and give your life to Jesus}. The song was "There is Room at the Cross for YOU" Remember that song? If you from my generation, and have been in church long, I am sure you do. John 14 1-2": “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
What is God saying here? The same thing Audio Adrenaline is saying in their "Big House" song, the same thing that old hymn says in the second line: "Though MILLIONS have come, there is still room for one, There is room at the Cross for you." You see, God's House is BIG, HUGE, it will NEVER be full. God will never turn anyone away.
I remember going to Grandma's house on Thanksgiving. She lived in Oklahoma, and it was starting to get a little chilly, the leaves were all over the yard. I would play football either by myself, or with my Dad, as we smelled the "Magic Aroma" coming from inside Grandma's kitchen. I would throw the ball into the air, be the sports announcer as the "receiver runs under the ball, catches it, and the Dallas Cowboys have won the Super Bowl on that great catch by Chris Calvin", "Listen to the crowd roar" Then before I knew it, Dinner was ready, and we would all sit down (at the Kids table, of course) to a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner. These are wonderful memories, memories that I cherish from my child hood. What made it so special? Well it was Thanksgiving, the family was together, there was GREAT food, it was just special. But mainly it was "Grandma's" house. I always felt special at Grandma's. Why? Because she spoiled me, she loved me, she always had time for me, she was my Grandma. I felt safe at her house, safe and secure.
God is like this, only about a Zillion times more. I love the song : "Big House", because it paints a picture of safety, love, fun and food, where there is: "Lots of room".
I have heard this song, "Big House" sang in Children's Services, (with motions), I have heard it at Youth services (also at the motions) I have heard it during "Adult" services ( And I have wanted to do the motions). It crosses all age gaps, it crosses all the gaps we have as people. Why? Because it tells the same story as John 14:1-2, That God has a "House" for us, where we can go be safe, have fun, feel safe, and have plenty of room. I can imagine kids hearing that song and thinking they could have their own room, because there is "lots and lots of room".
In John 14:1-2 I love the last part as well. " .........If it were not so, I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you" To me, God is saying, "I would not lie, I only speak truth, if this wasn't so I would have told you so, AND I am going away to get things prepared.
My Mom died about a year and a half ago. My sister told me recently that she was asking God, why Mom was not healed, and He took her home. Candy, my sister, said God spoke to her and said: " She is preparing for the rapture of my children" If you knew my Mom, you would almost or would cry here, you see, my Mom loved to entertain. She took after her mom, (My Grandma) when it came to cooking, greeting, talking to visitors, she LOVED to host parties. She loved it so much, that when my Dad was in Vietnam, she took the opportunity to go back to college and get her degree in, guess what subject? "Home Economics" with a minor in the "Cooking Arts" Mom loved to have guests over. She took pride in the presentation of a meal as much as the meal itself. I don't know how many times, growing up, we took a picture of the table with the "Feast" ready to be devoured. ANY holiday, or birthday lunch.........we have pictures of the table spread, somewhere, I guarantee it.
So guess what my Mom is doing right now? Easy she is mixing up her famous " Strawberry Heaven" in Heaven, she is sitting the tables with the finest silverware, and plates and glasses. She is seeing that the roasts the chickens, the lamb, the vegetables, the mashed potatoes, the gravy, the salad...........are all being prepared the way she always has. Mom never sat long at the table when we all sat down to a meal, she would pop up and take care of something on the stove, or go get someone more whatever. She was a HOST, and she made you feel at home, regardless of if you were family or not. When God told this to my sister, she cried, and when Candy told it to me, I cried. Because this is so "MOM". God needed her talents in Heaven, and called my Mom to help.
I am starting to get hungry, now with all this talk of good food, but more I am getting homesick for that "Big House", with that big table, that big yard, and all that room. I am getting homesick for my Mom, but I know she won't be able to talk very long, she is "hosting", she will be making sure everyone has enough to eat, to drink, that they like everything...........
God wants you at His table, His House, His yard. He wants you to partake of my Moms Strawberry Heaven,(you won't be disappointed ).
What is the "Catch", you say? You got me there is one. You have to let Jesus Christ come into your heart, and take care of all your problems, issues, hatred, sins, doubt, depression, worries, mistakes, ..............before you can go into God's House. I know, I know, that is pretty hard, but just think of the food.
If you have that song somewhere, find it and listen to it again. Go on line and find it, watch the old (yeah it is pretty old) video that goes along with it. I feel that Audio Adrenaline were really listening to God when they wrote and performed that song. They were concentrating on how Safe, Secure, and comfortable God's house is for us.
You know what else is neat? We don't have to wait until we go to heaven before we can feel the security, love, hope, safety, of God's House. When we give it "ALL" to Him, we are part of the family, and we can partake NOW. We can share great food, fellowship, love, fun, and warmth with our fellow believers, right here in our world. Fellowship with other Christians is so much fun, we really love to eat, it seems, and talk, and share and serve together. Don't wait, join the family right now, like the song says, "Lots and Lots of room" is there, and the food, and the football, and my Mom is waiting to greet you at the door.
But more importantly, God, Jehovah, the maker of everything and His Son, who died for us all, will be there at the door too. He will know your name, everything about you, and He will welcome you to "HIS HOUSE" Himself. Come on "ALL" are welcome. There is plenty of food, fun, fellowship and the kids are starting a football game in the back yard after we eat, let's go watch.

Turning

2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
What is "turning"? If your driving and you turn you go a different direction. If your walking and you turn the corner, it is the same, you end up going a different direction. In the above verse God gives us a way to "Heal our Land", and also our bodies, our families, our work, our relationships, our WHOLE WORLD. We always seem to dwell on the "turning" part which is very important, BUT that is listed third in this verse. There are two,no three points that God seems to think are prerequisites to Turning. (Not less important, but there is a order here.) 1:The most important thing really, we have to believe we are "God's People, who are called by HIS name" in other words, Christians. 2: Humble ourselves. Wow, who among us is truly Humble 100% of the time? No hands, mine is not up, we are a "Proud People" in other words we think allot of ourselves most of the time. This is why God says to "Humble Ourselves" because He knows we have to come to a place in our minds and spirits and admit we are not the center of the universe, God is. To "Humble" oneself, I believe, is to calm down, rest and seriously admit you cannot do "it" alone, we all rely on God. Now, that we are at rest, calmed down, and feeling less Powerful, and more in awe of God, we can move on to step 3: Pray. I have never realized how important these steps are until recently, , Humble ourselves, get over ourselves, calm down, let the pressures of life roll off our back, realize that God is more then............you name it, He is more then it. Then when we are in the right place, we come to Him in prayer. I believe worship is a way of humbling ourselves. We raise our hands, or bow in reverence to Him, we sing or say words of Praise to the one who has made us and who knows EVERY detail of our lives, and still loves us. This has a real humbling effect. This gets us ready to do the next step of Praying. Really praying, talking to this God that is worthy of our praise, and admiration.
So far we have acknowledged we are His children, called by His name, we have gotten ourselves to a place of awe and inspiration at His glory, Now we are ready to 4: "Seek His face" What does that mean? To seek His face? How do you do that? You look deep into his face and you concentrate on HIM> If you really love someone and you look deep in their face, their eyes and tell them how much you love them, there is something there in their eyes that you cannot explain, it is just a KNOWING . So "Seeking His (Gods) face, is concentrating solely on Him, letting the noise of the world fall away, and being lost, if you will, in the moment. You know what happens in that "moment"? God, the maker of everything, has your complete attention, He loves this, you are listening to His every whisper, every word of love for you. He is telling you to trust Him, that He has everything under control. He is telling you nudging you, guiding you, loving you.
Now, here we are, we have 1: acknowledged Him as our Father, We have 2: Humbled our self 3: Started to realize WHO we are talking to, 4: Really get deep in communication with only Him, now and only now are we ready for the next step. 5: Turn from our wicked ways. NOW we have the God given power to turn. Now, we have the face of our GOD, our savior, in our life, we can and want to turn.
The Twelve steps have helped allot of people, me included. BUT this verse: 2 Chronicles 7:14
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land" This is the TRUE way to freedom. I believe when God says."...............He will heal their (OUR) land. I believe He means MUCH more then our "Land" (Physical). He will hear our Body He will hear our Marriage, He will hear our relationships, He will heal our finances, He will heal our jobs, He will heal our leaders, He will heal our churches, He will heal our............you name it, HE WILL HEAL IT.
1: Admit He is our Father, He loves us and we are called by His name.
2: Humble ourselves, (Admit we are helpless without Him)
3: Pray, (Open up communication with God, not a list of wants and desires, but really open our hearts to Him)
4: Seek My Face. (Get seriously in His face, and look into those "Wonderful Eyes" There are answers to our questions right in His eyes.
5: THEN, and ONLY THEN we have the power, the purpose, the desire to "turn from our wicked ways" and never go back.
Without these steps, and in the right order, we are setting ourselves up for failure.
I was in jail some years ago,(I share my testimony someday here) I got to know a young kid, Joker. We talked often about all kinds of things. I asked him one day what he was going to do when he was released. He responded, "I will be back here within a year or so, guaranteed" This shocked me, I ask him why he thought that, and he told me, basically, he had no intention of changing the things that got him locked up in the first place. He said that on the "Inside" is were he belonged, and these guys here were his family. I talked to him allot about the Lord, and how He wanted to set him free. Joker was not very receptive, but I hope some of it stuck. Joker was not even at the step where he could accept that God was his father, he just felt the things he had done could never be forgiven. He could not "turn from his wicked ways" because he could not see a way out.
There is a way out, Joker, and anyone reading this who feels like he did. BUT YOU must make that first Choice, yes we have the choice to trust in Him or not. The first choice is: "If my people, who are called by MY name,,,,,,,,,,,,are you called by His name? He wants you to be. Nothing else matters, the whole world is meaningless without that first step.
Nothing else in our lives means a thing, without that. To be "Called by His name". Once we choose to let that happen, then we move own to the next step. You don't have to "turn from your wicked ways" yet, that is not important yet. Just realizing that God is your father, and you can be called a "SON OF GOD". Wow,
Think about it, what have you got to lose, except everything bad in your life?
I got so excited I almost forgot. God tells us not only will He "Heal our Land" but that He will " Forgive our Sins!!!! No One else can forgive us, Only God, Jehovah. This is the only way we can enter the gates of Heaven and be with Him forever. Because we are born into sin, He must and will forgive us . This is only done, because of Jesus Christ sacrifice on the cross. He gave Himself, willingly, so that we have the choice to be with Him forever or not. Thank You Lord.

Passwords

I was just trying to get on line with the local newspaper's website to check and see how much longer my subscription was paid. They have updated there web site, and it looks pretty spiffy. But I have a complaint. My old password, which is easy for me to remember, won't work anymore. They have updated their security, and passwords must now be 8-15 letters or numbers, must start with a capital letter, must have a least 3 letters, and cannot have any two characters repeated more then twice. So to get into my account for a Newspaper Subscription I have to create a new alphabet, it seems. I tried 20 or 30 times and I guess I was not fulfilling the requirements correctly, because it locked me out of the system. "Wait at least 1 hour and try again" it told me. So here is my question: If I have to have a password that I could never remember there by I have to write it down in a tablet next to the computer, and I may add, write every password for all my important web sites, you know like my e-mail don't want just anyone reading my emails to my daughter, they might think I am crazy or a threat to the US or something, but to keep them on a tablet right next to the computer. Doesn't this nullify the reason for having passwords? What is next, we will have to use math symbols? My Austin American Statesman subscription web access will be:; (^&#Ee1008#>+24c, sure that's easy to remember.
I was praying this morning, and you know what? God did not ask for a password. He didn't tell me that my password was incorrect and I had been blocked for my own security and would have to call a 1-800 number of His customer service department more then likely in India, and request a new password after verifying my identity. He knew exactly who I was as soon as I said "Good morning Lord........" He did not ask me questions like: "What is your pass code, or What is the name of your first girlfriend, or the name of the city you were born, or my personal favorite, Who was your first grade teacher, who remembers things like that??!! I understand security, since 9/11 no one can be too careful, but all I wanted was to see when I need to budget to make my next newspaper payment. Sorry, back to God. God does not need to see our drivers license or our birth certificate to know who we are, I mean He made us, we are His children. I was renewing my drivers license a few years ago and one of the clerks knew a lady that had came in to renew her license also and he still ask her for her to verify who she was, through 2 forms of ID. She had her expired license with her picture on it, he knew her personally, and she was digging through her purse trying to find a second form of ID, she said something like: "John, you KNOW it's me, why do I need to prove it to you?" He responded that he could get in trouble if he did not follow procedure.
Procedure, that is one of those words I hate. It seems it has taken the personal out of personal service.
But God still and always will be very personal with us. He knows everything about us, He will not ask us to prove we are who we say we are. He doesn't need DNA evidence,to know where we have been, what we have been doing, or what we are doing next. He doesn't

need "2 forms of ID" to verify I am Christopher David Calvin and my account number is 334344554454322-2002003099929999999999999887e77377, in fact I do not have an account number with God, He just knows ME>
Well, I am going to call customer service at my newspapers office now, hopefully someone will be there who speaks English
well enough to understand, and I can verify who I am, so that I can pay them for all their trouble, and thank them for keeping me safe from all the people who want to find out how much I pay a month for a subscription to their newspaper.
Thank you Lord, for being so personal to each and every one of us. Thank you that you KNOW us so well, that you don't need us to remind or verify who we are each time we come to you. Help us realize You want us to approach you more because You really do care about us, that "We (REALLY) are important to you" and this is NOT just a line to keep us waiting on hold.
So the next time your hurrying to try to remember your first girlfriends fathers first car make and model, remember God doesn't care, He knows what kind of car it was, but right now only You care to Him.

John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Jesus said this in response to Thomas' question: "Lord, we do not know where you are going next, how can we know the way"? (John 14:5 (Chris Calvin's version).
Have you ever wanted to know "The WAY"? You feel lost, and there is no GPS in life? You took an exit somewhere off the interstate, and now you cannot find the highway, you needed gas and some munchies. You saw a sign that said "Gas and Groceries exit here, turn right, 4 miles" The next thing you know your in some tiny town in the middle of no where. You found the "Gas and Groceries", and thought the highway was just down the road 4 miles or so, like the sign said, but it's been about 10 miles and no highway.
Aren't GPS units amazing? I mean in the above situation all you would have to do is ask, "Where is Interstate 10"? And the GPS in a lovely voice, would tell you "Turn left in 100 feet, then proceed 21.9 miles to the Interstate."( "Wow" you ask, "How did I get that far from the Highway?") See? Problem solved.
Have you ever seen that commercial where someone is walking along a green path in the middle of the sidewalk? They have joined a Financial adviser type company and all they have to do to "keep on the correct path to financial freedom", is to follow the green line with the arrow at the end. Wouldn't life be easy if we had a green, or red, or whatever color is your favorite, to follow? You know, like at the hospital: "Emergency? Just follow the red line, Patient Check in? follow the green line, "Surgery waiting room? follow the yellow one" Can you imagine if EVERYONE of us had a line, talk about a mess. If we had a Life GPS then we could ask where we are? Feeling lost today? Just ask: "GPS, where am I, how do I get back home?" "Pray to God, and then proceed 6 blocks due west, turn right and attend that church at 8 am this Sunday".
These things would be great wouldn't they? Only problem is, they don't exist. How do we find our way through life?
Thomas was wondering that very question. He asked Jesus how do we know the way (where are we going NOW? That is what I think he was really saying) He saw a bunch of guys just following Jesus wherever He went, and he did not understand why. To Thomas, if felt like they were just wondering around aimlessly.
Ever felt like Thomas? Sure, we all have. Jesus tells us, in response to Thomas' question that "HE" is the "Way, the Truth and the Life". But that is more then Thomas asked, he only wanted to know, the way.(Maybe he was tired and hungry, how far Lord, till we can stop. "Are WE THERE Yet?" Like the kids we all really are.) What was Jesus saying? Well, He was telling the disciples that by following Him, they were going the WAY the were supposed to go, BUT then He added, that they were in the "Truth" (freedom) and that they had "Life" (Eternal). Do you think Thomas thought to himself: " I was just wondering, Jesus, where we were going"? Yes, he may have, but Jesus knew the REAL question being asked here.
I admire Thomas, he was a man that asked what everyone was thinking. He did not back down from asking. He saw Jesus after the Resurrection, but wanted Physical proof that it was really Him. Jesus scolded him a little for that, but showed him the nail scars in His hands. Who of us would not be thinking the same thing, but would be afraid to ask. Not Thomas, he wanted to know.
The next time you walk out of your front door, I can guarantee you there will not be a green line with a arrow showing you were to go. I can equally guarantee you if you talk to an invisible GPS and ask it for directions to "Starbucks" no one will answer, (And if you do it to much, you'll end up in a rubber room with a nice white jacket with your hands bound behind you!)
BUT, I CAN Guarentee you that if you talk to God, read His word, and obey His commandents He WILL show you what path to follow.
Since, HE "Is the Way" then all we have to do is follow Him. Since He is the "Truth" then all we have to do is believe HIM. Since He is the "Life" then to live all we have to do is live in Him.
Yes, GPS's are great, especially for men, we don't have to stop and ask directions anymore. The commerical about the green line leading us down life's path I guess worked, because I remembered it. BUT to really find THE WAY, THE TRUTH and THE LIFE, there is only Jesus.

Coffee Cup

I just dropped my favorite coffee cup, I am upset. This cup has been my morning delight filled with "wake me up caffeine" for years. It just slipped out of my hand and in slow motion fell to the kitchen floor. I loved that cup, it was farily large, I didn't have to fill it up but one time to have the average size cup times 4, but could always tell myself I only had two cups of coffee!

Isn't it funny how we get attached to certain things, not people or pets, but THINGS? The drivers seat in my old Mazda Pick up ( a 2003 model) is starting to rip, just a little, but a start is sometimes all it takes to turn into a mess. I got sad when I first noticed that, I love that truck, doesn't seem THAT old to start having a ripped seat, a seat belt return thing that doesn't work good, yeah it is that old, but not a ripped seat, I take care of it, well a little.
One of my favorite TV shows, "The Big Bang Theory" has a really strange character: Sheldon, who has to sit in the same place in his apartment every time. He says it is the perfect distance from the TV, the perfect cross wind from the heater/AC vent and the window, and only 5.89 seconds from both the kitchen and the bathroom. (Like I said, Sheldon is well strange, makes for good TV, though). We are people of habits (My spell check kept trying to make me spell HOBBITS, there:) me especially, I love a routine, I feel lost without one.
Now, I am going to have to start using this other coffee cup I have, (it's just NOT THE SAME) or go and buy a new one as close to the old one as I can find.
The point here is: Things Change. Some things change for the worst, and some for the best. As we get older, it seems, we are slower to accept change, and "Go with the flow".
How about new friends ? Maybe you greet a new person or family at church. You know: "Hi, I am Chris, and just wanted to welcome you to our church" You then shake their hand, ask them a few questions about themselves, and never talk to them or see them again. Why? Because they don't fit into your Routine. You have as Sheldon would put it: "4.8 Friends, and there is no more room for any, sorry" (Not sure who is .8 of a friend, but with Sheldon, you never know.) We get comfortable with what we know. We get comfortable with our furniture, our vehicles, our coffee cups, our jobs. Have you ever been "up" for a promotion and knew it would be a raise, but also more responsibility. You where actually relieved when you found out you didn't get it, because your comfortable in your present position? Maybe that is why you didn't get the promotion, your just so comfortable at what you do, no one can see you doing anything else.
Are we too comfortable in our relationship with God that we cannot grow? "Lord, I went to church, paid my tithes, read 3 chapters in the bible this week, what more do you want of me?" How about reading 5 chapters next week, how about inviting that guy you meet last week and basically forgot about, to breakfast next Saturday morning and get to know? How about calling the church office and seeing if their are any volunteer positions that you could help with? How about letting God change your world? How about being responsive to His still small voice, and not being stuck in your same old routine?
Yeah I broke my favorite coffee cup this morning, I do think I will go to Walmart or somewhere and see if I can fine one simular to it. Maybe while I am looking, I will run into someone who just needs to talk. I think I will go to the store after noon today, I never do that, I try to always get my running around done in the morning. Maybe this next Sunday I will sit on the far right side of the church instead of right in front of the sound booth, dead center. I have two chairs in my living room, and I ALWAYS sit in the left one, It is MY chair, but maybe I will sit in the right one tonight. (I'll have to kick my cat out of that one, you see that is HER chair, but she needs to get out of her rut as well)
My point is: "Be open, be loose, be flexible." Sometimes we don't hear God telling us to do something because it is out of our "comfort zone" or not our "routine" It is scarey, but it is a RUT. Be open to God's voice, listen to Him. He may be telling us He wants us to Africa on a upcoming short term missions trip, but we can't hear Him, because that is WAY out there, WAY out of our routine. Talk about "Comfort Zone", Africa? Your kidding, right God?
Just think about it, that rut is getting pretty deep in my life, and now that the coffee cup is broken, the sky's the limit.
OK, where did I put that other cup? It's time for coffee.

I was WRONG

Have you ever been wrong about something? Come on, raise your hands, I know we have all been wrong somewhere along life's road. Come on, you in the back, get your hands up
I just got a IPhone. I use a cell company that until recently, did not offer that particular phone. I, at one time, critized all the "hype" about Apple products, saying that they just had a "Cult" following. I still believe this, to a certain extent, but they make very good products.
I am terrible on my cell phones, I have had Motorola Razors, BlackBerry's,(Don't get me started on my problems with them), HTC EVO, and yes back in the day, Nokia's .
Not one of these phones lasted more then a year, when I started having problems, the phones,yes all of them, would "freeze up" especially the ones with "Touch Screens" I think if my I phone starts doing this I will go to a doctor and have my head examined, MANY people in my life, have suggested this anyway so it would make them happy, and see if I have a metal plate in there or something.
BUT I now, after having the IPhone for about 4 days have figured something out, it is a great phone. It is made much more solid then any phone I have ever had, it is very easy to use, (did not even come with a instruction booklet, you don't need one, I did though, ask my "Apple Expert" Daughter how to put numbers in my speed dial list, found out it is called "favorites" in Apple ease. Apple has it's own name for everything. I am surprised they did not call it "I Favorites":) So, the point is: I was wrong in my assessment of Apple products. I really don't I had anything but jealously looking back, because for me to get a I Phone in the past I would have to changed cell companies, something I did not really want to do, I have been with mine for about 15 or more years.
I just read an article in the local paper about a baseball player, Lance Berkmen, who plays for the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals, in case you did not know, are going to play the Texas Rangers in the upcoming World Series. (World Serious, according to my pal Bugs Bunny). Berkman grew up in Texas, and played for the Houston Astros forever it seems before being traded away two years ago. He said, after his team clinched to get into the Series against the Rangers, that after the Rangers got into the Series last year, he thought it was just a fluke, that they were not that great of team, just got "Hot at the right time" In this article, he admitted he was wrong, that they are a very good team and it will be a great series playing against them. I am sure these comments will get Berkman booed every time he is up to bat during Series games in Arlington Texas, but, I must admit, he maned up and admit he was wrong.
So, admitting when your wrong, is that a good thing? Our President likes to go around the world and apologize in behalf of our country for anything he feels we have done in the past is wrong. I heard recently the Japanese government asked him not to apologize for the Atomic Bombs dropped on their country while he was visiting their country recently. I don't know how you feel about this, but I believe it shows that the Japanese officials have much more "Class" then our President. Enough about our President.
I started this article asking the question: "Have you ever been wrong?" There have been TV shows in the past where a character could never admit when they were wrong, could not even say the word, The "Fonz" on Happy Days comes to mind, He couldn't even say the word, "Wrong" when talking about himself.
I hate to be the barrier of bad news, but before we can have a relationship with Jesus Christ, we MUST admit we are sinners, that we have done, here it comes get ready, WRONG. You can be the best person in the whole world, the most honest person in history, BUT your still wrong. How come? Because: Romans 3:23
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Notice it did not say "Some have sinned", or "Most have sinned" or "Everyone except you have sinned" "ALL have sinned, and come short of the Glory of God." You see we are born into sin, we cannot do anything about it when we are born, We cannot ask the Lord to become our savior while in the womb, when we are born, we are sinners. That is just the way it is, thanks to our forefathers sins.
Are you, like me, stubborn? I HATE to admit it when I am wrong. I am glad I don't bet much, because I would be the hardest person to collect on after my team lost. I would be denying I was wrong, I would try and "wezzle" out of it somehow. I mean ME, Wrong? wow. Before We can KNOW GOD, we must analyze our lives, pinpoint the "Wrongs" and admit them.
"ALL have sinned" I don't know what your definition of "ALL" is, but "ALL" does not leave any wiggle room, it means exactly what it says "ALL". There is no escape here, want to know God, 1) Admit your a sinner,(Yes you were wrong) 2) Ask Jesus Christ to forgive these Sins (He wants to, just ask) and 3) Receive His forgiveness. That one is the hardest one for me, 'cause I find it easier to forgive someone else then to forgive myself. When we ask Jesus Christ to forgive us, HE DOES, so if HE does, what are we saying when we don't forgive us? That we can believe He is all powerful and can forgive and forget our sins, BUT, that is not enough? How rude is that? Arrogance, that is what that is. God I know you can forgive anything I do wrong, BUT, I can't, so I am going to worry, fret, get counseling, dwell on, question, and more then likely do these things again, because, I don't think you really forgave me in the first place. So we are believing God is a liar.
Guess what: If we don't forgive our self then we are calling God a liar, and we are "WRONG" again. And as the old saying goes: "Two wrongs, don't make a right".
Why is it so easy to forgive, ask for forgiveness, say we accept the forgiveness, but don't forgive ourselves? Because Satan will not let us forget any wrong deed we have ever done. But Who forgave us, Satan or God, the maker of EVERYTHING, or the person who wanted power more then anything, and got kicked out of Heaven? Where is Satan headed? He will not go alone, He wants us to go with him.
So, admit your wrong, ask Jesus to forgive you and remove your sins, and CHANGE. Don't listen to Satan, He is such a little jerk with an agenda. Listen to God call you His Child, and grow in Him.
There is freedom in forgiveness. There is only destruction in unforgiveness. It's your choice. Choose carefully, your forever depends upon it.

If I were God.

Have you ever thought: " If I were God, I would do this or that?" I have. I was just thinking about that very thing. I realize how stupid this thought is. I mean I am not God, and I am very glad of that fact. I would really mess things up.
I remember when my kids were at that "Why" stage. "Why is the grass green, why is our car blue, why is the sky blue, why is a horse brown? Why, Why Why. It gets very tiring to hear. God made us, "WHY" did he put it within us to question everything? "God, why did this have to happen to me?" "Why aren't You listening to me?" "Why is there death and sin all around us, can't You do something?" We ask questions all the time of our Heavenly Father. "Why" did He put the desire for us to ask "Why" about everything? Doesn't He get tired of being asked "WHY"?
What does asking Why to things mean to us? Why didn't God just create us without that need to know. You see, asking Why is one of the most important things about being human. It makes us explore how things work, it makes the "Explorer" part of us want to know what is over those mountains. The answer to "Why" is what we as humans seek all our lives. What really is hard to grasp, though, is when the question cannot be answered. "Why does God love me?" Good question, I wouldn't love me if I were God. "Why does God forgive me?" Another good question, I am positive I could not do that. "Why does my spouse love me"? Great question, I am a very hard person to live with. It's those questions that make being human hard. Excepting the unexplained. We want to know how, why, who, when.....but with God and our loved ones it is only trust.
Trust: wow what a word. Some trust is easier then others. If you were a trapeze artist in the circus and you trusted your friend to catch you after doing a quadruple somersault that is a lot of trust. If you trusted your spouse would remember to pick up some milk on their way home from work, that is also trust, just a little not life threatening. Trusting God, that He does love us, that He is coming back for us that there is really a place He is preparing for us to go and be with Him forever, that is trust. Why? Because we cannot see any of this, we just KNOW because we trust.
Why do we trust? Good question. You trust someone more if they have a good track record. My ex-wife could not trust me anymore, because of my track record, thus my marriage ended. Trust is earned, WHY? Because the more you let someone down the more they think you'll do it again. Has God ever let you down? You may have blamed Him for something, but take a look now, was it really His fault? No, God has a perfect track record. Why, easy because He is incapable of letting us down. He is incapable of sinning, that is a human condition and He is not Human. He is GOD.
So, go ahead and ask the question: "Why.............' God is ready to answer, He has many many plans for all of us, and growth only comes by lessons learned. Why and Trust go hand in hand. There are some "Why" questions we will never know until we get to Heaven and ask God, "Hey God, remember that thing that happened to me when I was 7, Why did it happen?" God will smile and tell you the reason maybe like "My Son, that was for your growth, you see,if that had not happened then you would not have had the faith to do ............."
But don't let this stop you from asking the question: God Why.
God has HIS ways and they are higher then ours. People who have no faith, trust in God Jehovah, are the ones asking the question WHY, and are getting no answers. God is shouting the answers, but they aren't listening.
Go ahead, ask. Then trust.

Wounded Warriors

There is an organization called "Wounded Warriors". It is set up to help those soldiers that have come back from war, wounded. I met a man at a baseball game this summer who has 2 fake legs. He was a paratrooper and lost both of his legs in a jump. I talked to him for a few minutes about the Wounded Warrior program He told me it was to help, the soldiers and their families, things that the VA just doesn't do. Things like buying school supplies for their children, having a support group for the spouses, helping them find jobs if needed, talk about the war and what happened to them. They lost part of themselves protecting every one of us and deserve to be acknowledged and appreciated.
Did you know that there is an invisible war going on right now, and has been going on since time began? It is a spiritual war, and has more then likely more wounded warriors then all the wars ever in the physical. Have you ever known someone, or maybe you, that has "Lost their faith"? Something happened that you thought you could not take anymore of, and gave up? Why do we as Christians, shake our head, ask "why" and move on? These Spiritual Wounded Warriors, need us. They have been in hard battles, they have seen the odds against them, and they just couldn't do it anymore. They lost sight of the Commander waiting to rescue them. Have we ever been there? Of course we have, this is battle, and with battle comes wins and loses.
When my Mom died after MANY words from the Lord that she would be healed, I lost it. I questioned God, I was angry at God, I turned my back on Him, for a while. What brought me back? Knowing that if I turned my back on Him forever, I would not ever see Mom again. But I have the knowledge that when I go to Heaven, she will be there waiting for me.
There are many reasons we get so discouraged that we want to and sometimes do turn our back on God. He didn't answer our prayer the way we thought He would, He let our child go down the wrong path, even when we knew He would step in and rescue them, He did not let us get that job that would have been so perfect for us, or He allowed our marriage to fail and as a result, we got divorced, branded a failure for the rest of our lives (That one is my struggle). Only one problem with these scenarios: God did not do anyone of them, we did.
Now, we were the problem, does that mean we aren't still devastated? No, it does not.
We are all "Wounded Warriors" in some way or another. Anytime there is battles, there will be wounds, death, destruction...........This IS a battle, Satan is ramping things up, because he knows the war is almost over.
The fighting has intensified, there will be more deaths, wounds, destruction, coming. We need Physicians, nurses, counselors, field medics, ...............to treat the wounds. Wounds of discouragement, betrayal, bitterness, anger, pride, all the things the enemy throws our way.
How can you help, you ask? Easy be a friend to those that are down, support them encourage them, pray for them and lift them up. Let God, the only God that can put them back in the battle, work in them. We need them in these last few battles. BUT watch yourself, because we don't need more wounded warriors.

Steel Toed Boots

I once heard Sarah Palin say that to be in politics you had to wear steel toed boots all the time, and a suit of armor at other times.
When you are in the public eye, especially a politician, it seems, you can do no right. When you do one thing, some people are happy, and some are not, but then when you do something else it is the other way around. It seems the more Conservative and honest you are the more you get criticized. I believe Sarah knows exactly what she is talking about. She is talked about in a way I would really not like, in part because she confesses her faith in Jesus Christ.
Being a Christian in these days, is like being a target at the rifle range. Everyone WILL take a shot at you. If your not feeling the heat, your not letting your faith be known, and this is not faith.
We need to wear steel toed boots, like Sarah, and let these accusations, lies, rumors, hate speech etc, hit us, but not be wounded by them. They are just talk, and that can have no effect on us, IF we have ourselves grounded in God.
You see, God will forgive our sins, BUT satan uses them to try and depress us and stop us from going forward. He will use our past in any thing we try to do in the future. If we run for public office, the past will haunt us, regardless of how long ago, or how tiny the problem was, it will be found. But also in our daily walk with Him, satan will try and use our past to block our future. He will remind us sometimes daily, of what we did, back then and get us thinking we have failed. Only one problem, God has thrown that sin away as far as the East is from the West, He does not know what sin we are talking about. Who is more important here, satan, or the one true living God?
I have never had any desire to be a politician mainly for this reason, I don't want my trash gone through, to see if there is anything in my life that can be used against me.
I recently read that the press was trying to make a big deal out of the fact that Rick Perry's dad had a nazi slogan painted on a rock on some property he owned when Perry was a kid, like about 30 years ago, Wow, how relevant is that? Are the trying to say that Perry will not make a good president because of something his dad did 30 years ago? I guess so.
We Christians must be thick skinned, wearing steel toed boots, armor, helmets, whatever way you want to look at it, we are and will be hated. Why? because they hate Jesus Christ. Why? because He is perfect, and they are not, and they cannot understand, or do not want to understand, why.
Actually it is all about power. Like most things in this world. You see, by turning over your life to God, they see, you are giving Him all the power you may have. They think that letting God control your life as a weakness, that your using Him as a crutch. Have your ever been told this: "God will not be my crutch like he is yours." They are basically saying that they think they are stronger then God and can do it all by themselves. Pride, I am better then you, God, I got this one. And God says: "Fine, you continue to try, and when you fail, and you will, I will STILL be there for you to come running to."
So put on your Steel Toed Boots, your suit of armor your helmets, your shin guards, your breast plate, grab your sword...let's go, God is our leader, and where He goes there is no pride, there is no wrong, there is no destruction, there is only faith, trust hope and love. As Ephesians 6:13-17 tells us: Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
We cannot be wrong when we are on God's side. He will help us, He will guide us, but He never said we would not be hated, ridiculed, lied about, ...............
Remember Paul told us to "Count it all joy" when we suffer for Christ. (James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations)
So lets get ready for some JOY< because the temptations, the sin, the pain, the ridicule, the hatred is going to get worse before Jesus come back to rescue us and take us home. COUNT IT ALL JOY.

October

I love October, it is getting a little cooler, (I live in Texas, so I don't expect much:) football has started,(this weekend is Texas vs. Oklahoma!!). But mostly I love the Baseball playoffs. Every game matters, every pitch, every hit, every stolen base. It is so exciting,so nerve racking, I find myself biting my nails even on games where I really don't care who wins. It is just exciting.
I watch games throughout the year, but they are just regular season games, they matter, but nothing like the Playoffs. I am a Huge Texas Rangers fan, and they won the ALDS (American League Divisional Series) yesterday over the Tampa Bay Rays. Next they will play either the Detroit Tigers or the New York Yankees (which everyone in their right mind don't like:) in the ALCS (American League Championship Series) The winner here advances to the WS (World Series). The National League does the same thing on the other bracket.
I am reminded of one of my childhood heroes, Bugs Bunny. He had several "bits" where he would be playing baseball. He would pretend it was the bottom of the 9th 2 outs, his team down by 3 runs, bases loaded. Bugs, giving the commentary, would get a perfect pitch and hit a grand slam to win, as he called it "the World Serious". I always loved that crazy Wabbit.
What is my point, besides being a Sports freak? Have you looked at the world lately? Have you seen the problems that are going own in our World? there is wars, rumors of wars, famine, drought, fires, storms, killings.............Things do not look good for the human condition. Time , it seems is running out, it is the bottom of the 9th and the outs are coming. Jesus promised us He would return, where is He? Look, there He is in the dugout, grabbing a bat and walking to the plate. Are you ready for one of those dramatic endings where the Hero blasts a shot out of the park to win the game? It's coming, don't give up, don't turn your back on your team now, the game is not over. We still have one last pitch, it may look hopeless, two outs, two strikes, down by 3, only a grand slam will save us now, but look who is at the plate!!!
In the game of life, there is only one hero that will and can take us to the championship, Jesus Christ. He has never lost a game, there was one there about 2000 seasons ago, that sure looked like a loss, but look how that turned out, talk about a dramatic come back.
I am enjoying this playoff season, especially since my Rangers are still winning, but it has made me think. We all have a flair for the dramatic, especially in sports, and I think God does as well.
Jesus will be the hero, showing up at the very last minute, saving His children from this world, and taking us to Heaven with Him.
I know at times it can look bad, but real fans never give up and leave the game early. The comeback is right here, just a few more pitches, Look who is up to bat.

Jail+Christ= Freedom

OK I am going to share something I am not very proud of about my past. About 10 years ago, I was convicted of Theft of some computer equipment. I was sentenced to 6 months in State Jail.
The reason I stole, is another story for another time, I want to concentrate on what happened to me in jail, for today.
I spent several weeks in County Lock up in Williamson County, Texas. This is just north of Austin and is a very conservative county with very TOUGH standards on criminals. After my court appearance, which was not much, I just pleaded "Guilty, your Honor" and was sentenced to 6 months, I was returned to County, for about 4 days, and then transferred to State Jail in northern Williamson County at Bartlett Texas.
Bartlett State Jail, became my home.
I was scared to death, I had never been in anything but county jails. There were 3 of us being transferred here, and we were put into a small jail cell that reminded me of the ones that Barney and Andy had there in Mayberry, but without the rocking chair. After about 8 hours of processing, shaved head, uniforms, blanket, sheets medical screenings, doused for lice,,,,,,,,,,,,,I was told that there was no more room in "General Population" and I was going to be housed in disciplinary cells. General Population are housed in Dorm type buildings
with about 112 men in a single dorm. There are 2 TV's, metal, bolted down tables, and a locker under each mattress.
While in the cells, just like on TV, 5X7 metal door with a slot in it to pass a food tray, I had nothing to do but read the bible. I read about Paul being locked up for his profession of Jesus Christ, wishing I was here for such a noble cause instead of my own selfishness.
So, two days later I found myself in Dorm #4, bunk 96. This became my Identity, 4-96.
As soon as I walked into that dorm, a young Hispanic man, nicknamed "Joker" came to me and pressured me to join his gang. It was a almost all Hispanic gang. These guys were there for one reason and one reason alone, to make everything you had theirs. You see any money you have when you are arrested is put into your account, and any body that knows you can add to your account. This account is to buy things from the Commissary. things like, junk food, razors, "soups" (Ramon Noodles) even Ice Cream, you had to eat that fast, though, there was no where to keep it frozen. The reason for gangs here in this state jail, was two fold, one share all your money for everyone in the gang, and two stand up, (beat up) anyone who "dis' (disrespects) anyone in your gang, especially the head dude. One of my friends got beaten up pretty badly because he got sick and tired of watching "Walker Texas" on both TV's at the same time, so the head dude could see it from anywhere in the dorm. He voiced his opinion a little to loudly, and paid for it.
It wasn't long , though , that this gang realized I did not have much money on my account, and they let me out. I was considered an "Old School" anyway ( I was in my 40's at the time, and no one much bothered me.)
Being an "Old School" I woke up earlier then most, and would get my bible and read, take notes, pray, study, and breath in the word of God. Then I found out they had chapel services and monthly "Meetings" from the organization "Prison Fellowship" Our volunteer Chaplin was a pastor from the nearby town of Taylor, and I really began to love this man. He was wise, and really loved the Lord. He loved us as well, and you could tell he knew right away the ones of us that were sincere. You see in State Jail, the dorms are not air conditioned, but the Educational buildings were. So anytime you could get away and go to the Ed Buildings, then that was better then sweating you butt off in the dorms. Because of this, Everyone almost, went to anything offered in these buildings. Chapel services were always full, and the ones that sat in the back and cut up, were taken back to the dorms.
This routine went on for the next 4 months or so that I was there. About 2 weeks before I was to be released, I was transferred to the "Low Security" dorm, were older guys like me were pretty much the only ones there. It was a lot more "laid back" and easy, no one got in each others face, there were no fights, no gangs, and it was much more relaxing.
It is here in dorm 6-90 that I began to open up to others about my faith. My trust and faith had grown as a result of reading, studying, praying, going to chapel, and any service that was offered. Guys would see me rise early, these guys were older so many of them rose early as well,and read my bible and study. One man Ben, started getting up with me and brought his bible and we would read and talk about the things of God together. I later learned that Ben had been released and was working in our Chaplains Church in Taylor as a Sunday School teacher and helping young men who were getting in trouble with drugs.
About 2 weeks later I was released. I found out over the next few years, that living for God on the "Inside" was much easier then the "Outside" Inside there are very few temptations, outside they are everywhere. Inside there is not much to covet, outside, they are everywhere. Inside there are no women, outside you see beautiful women who wear next to nothing everywhere. Inside you have TIME, nothing but Time, time to read the word, study it, and talk to God. Outside it gets so busy complicated, and rushed.
What am I saying? I need that "inside" feeling, that freedom, if you will, to worship God, to read His word more, to share Him with others. You see I believe I had more freedom in Christ while in Jail then ever since being released..
No, it wasn't that God's presence was stronger there, it was how I perceived Him. On the "Outside" we have to put time aside to seek Him, but inside, we had nothing but time.
Lord, help me see the difference is within me, not you. Help me see that even though I was a captive, I was free, alive in You, Help me be as free "Outside" as I was "Inside"
Are you "outside", but living like your captive, in your soul? I don't think you have to go to jail, to experience true freedom, but I do think we need to rearrange our priorities. Who are we serving? What is our attention on? Let us take all those "things" that take our time, and narrow them down to the truly important. What is the truly important? God, Family, others. (Note I did not say ourselves, because we are not to be as important as those first three, especially God.)
My time in Jail, opened my eyes, both as a reminder of how selfish I was, and still am at times, but more importantly, who I am serving and why.
Here is hoping you don't have to go to jail to experience true freedom. It is a hard lesson.

What "Awareness" Month is it?

It seems it is always an "Awareness Month" or a "History" month or another, As I write this, I have a NFL football game on in the background, and the players are wearing pink, pink shoes, pink towels, pink hats, it is "Breast Cancer Awareness Month"
I am not saying anything is wrong with all these remembrances, it just seems that there are so many of them, no one pays attention to them anymore, which makes little sense. Make us aware of something that we should be made aware of, but with so much awareness we are unaware, or indifferent.
Aren't you glad, that you don't read in the bible that "Insert your name here" awareness is each year on Jan. 3rd from 1:02 AM to 1:06 AM, Pacific Standard Time. That time is the time God has set aside to be aware of you. Sounds pretty silly doesn't it? We all know God thinks about us, all the time. If He only thought about us are was aware of us, only during this designated time, what would happen if and when things happened to us outside this time?
You see God doesn't have a zillion colored ribbons that He wears for each of us, He doesn't have days, weeks, months dedicated to me and you. He cares all the time.
Pleas don't think I am saying there is anything wrong with all these causes, they do get redundant after a while, but they are all important.(well, maybe not "Paper cut Awareness month")
BUT I will be honest here: I tire of all them, it seems everyone wears a ribbon that stands for something. We have yellow ribbons, White ones, pink ones, blue ones, rainbow ones, purple ones, red ones, ............I have no idea what most of these are supposed to mean.
If God had a closet full of ribbons one for each of us, so that He could be reminded of who's time it was to be aware of, then He would be so busy changing ribbons and thinking let's see who's next, then He would never have time to be concerned with us.
God is so concerned about us, He not only knows our names, He knows our problems, our worries, our stress',our hopes, our dreams, our disappointments, our triumphs, He knows it all. God is not at all like us, He does not need things to help Him remember. He does not need a ribbon He does not need "Chris Awareness month" He does not need a special on television about how a certain events in history changed our nation. He was there. He will never forget.
I am glad we have special moments we remember as a nation or a people, there are some things we should never forget, but what is worth remembering and what is a huge commercial? The NFL has put "Breast Cancer Awareness" But is it a big publicity stunt, or do they really care? I don't know, but I do know God cares about Every aspect of my life.
The next time you see someone wearing a certain color ribbon, or you see or hear it is "Housefly awareness month" or something like that, remember, God cares for you , all the time.