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.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
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.....................
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Men and Women
A wife was very busy preparing dinner, she asked her husband to go to the store for her: "Please honey, go get a gallon of milk and if they have fresh eggs, get 6, thank you so much" A short time later the husband returned with 6 gallons of milk. "Why did you get so much milk"' asked the wife. The husband said,: "Because they had fresh eggs".
Men and women are different. One is from Mars and the other is from Venus, I think. No actually we do think, process information, and react differently.
Men categorize, we put things into different compartments. Ladies, the next time you ask your husband what he is thinking and he responses: "Nothing",that is more then likely the truth, we have a category reserved for nothing. I know every time there was something wrong with my wife and she would call me upset about something, the first thing I would do is try to solve the problem. One time she got her purse snatched and she felt really scared, violated, and angry. The first thing I wanted to do was to hunt the guy down and pound his head. My wife, though, just needed me to listen, hold her and reassure her that everything was going to be OK> My grown daughter is the same way. She is a school teacher (high school algebra 2) and calls me almost everyday as she leaves school. She tells me how the day went, who was her problem classes, and basically how the day went. She doesn't want me to do anything, just listen. But when my son calls me we talk about sports, our jobs, if he can borrow my truck to help a friend move you know "Guy stuff."
I have always been very organized. At work, I take things in, and decide what is most important, what needs to be done, and what can wait. This is one of my strongest strengths, I believe. I enjoy working independently of others. Just give me a job to do, leave me alone and I will do it. My ex-wife is also very good at these things, she is very organized and is
very good at regulating her staff at work, and gets the job done. But at home, she always wanted to "talk" about her day, what went wrong, and what went right, and her "feelings" about everything. We men, don't care so much about our feelings. We have a "feelings compartment" but don't go there very much. When the day is over, we shift into "drive home' mode and then, "time at home, watching the game or whatever" mode.
Can you imagine if Men and Women were alike in this regard? If we were all like women , then we would talk about our feelings, way to much and never get anything else done, and if we were all like men, then nothing would get done after work, because we would all be in the "we are at home mode".
God made us to compliment each other. To a man, everything is about "Logic". If there is a problem the Logic says take care of it. To a woman, you talk about it, about how it made you feel, about how your life is going to change because of it..............OK, which way is better? To me, because I am a man, Logic wins everytime. . But to women, we make no sense, I mean if you can't share your feelings, then what good are you?
What does all this mean? It means that God knew what He was doing when He made us. He knew how important looking at things Logically (yes, Mr. Spock and Data were right) was, AND that we needed to understand "WHY" we felt like we did, acted like we did, and did what we did.
When I was in college I took a course in "Sociology". Best course I ever took in my 3 semesters. Studying people, and how they react in different social circumstances, is amazing. We went to the airport in Dallas, just to observe people. I still do that once in a while. My favorite is going to the Mall, and just watching people (if you can still find a mall!). What have I found? Easy, the women will be inside the store, and the men will be sitting somewhere waiting for them. The women are much more social, they love normally, to talk to each other and show that they care about each other. Men, have to have a topic, sports, beer, cars, something.
So ladies, give your husband a break, the next time he says he is doing "nothing" he usually is. And husbands take a little time to listen, talk, and just care for what your wife is talking about. You wouldn't believe what good this will do for each other. Take it from a man who was married for 24 years, and now been divorced for 6 (I forgot how to listen).
Thank you Lord for making us like we are, and thank you for complementing each other. It makes life much more interesting, but that is good,.
Men and women are different. One is from Mars and the other is from Venus, I think. No actually we do think, process information, and react differently.
Men categorize, we put things into different compartments. Ladies, the next time you ask your husband what he is thinking and he responses: "Nothing",that is more then likely the truth, we have a category reserved for nothing. I know every time there was something wrong with my wife and she would call me upset about something, the first thing I would do is try to solve the problem. One time she got her purse snatched and she felt really scared, violated, and angry. The first thing I wanted to do was to hunt the guy down and pound his head. My wife, though, just needed me to listen, hold her and reassure her that everything was going to be OK> My grown daughter is the same way. She is a school teacher (high school algebra 2) and calls me almost everyday as she leaves school. She tells me how the day went, who was her problem classes, and basically how the day went. She doesn't want me to do anything, just listen. But when my son calls me we talk about sports, our jobs, if he can borrow my truck to help a friend move you know "Guy stuff."
I have always been very organized. At work, I take things in, and decide what is most important, what needs to be done, and what can wait. This is one of my strongest strengths, I believe. I enjoy working independently of others. Just give me a job to do, leave me alone and I will do it. My ex-wife is also very good at these things, she is very organized and is
very good at regulating her staff at work, and gets the job done. But at home, she always wanted to "talk" about her day, what went wrong, and what went right, and her "feelings" about everything. We men, don't care so much about our feelings. We have a "feelings compartment" but don't go there very much. When the day is over, we shift into "drive home' mode and then, "time at home, watching the game or whatever" mode.
Can you imagine if Men and Women were alike in this regard? If we were all like women , then we would talk about our feelings, way to much and never get anything else done, and if we were all like men, then nothing would get done after work, because we would all be in the "we are at home mode".
God made us to compliment each other. To a man, everything is about "Logic". If there is a problem the Logic says take care of it. To a woman, you talk about it, about how it made you feel, about how your life is going to change because of it..............OK, which way is better? To me, because I am a man, Logic wins everytime. . But to women, we make no sense, I mean if you can't share your feelings, then what good are you?
What does all this mean? It means that God knew what He was doing when He made us. He knew how important looking at things Logically (yes, Mr. Spock and Data were right) was, AND that we needed to understand "WHY" we felt like we did, acted like we did, and did what we did.
When I was in college I took a course in "Sociology". Best course I ever took in my 3 semesters. Studying people, and how they react in different social circumstances, is amazing. We went to the airport in Dallas, just to observe people. I still do that once in a while. My favorite is going to the Mall, and just watching people (if you can still find a mall!). What have I found? Easy, the women will be inside the store, and the men will be sitting somewhere waiting for them. The women are much more social, they love normally, to talk to each other and show that they care about each other. Men, have to have a topic, sports, beer, cars, something.
So ladies, give your husband a break, the next time he says he is doing "nothing" he usually is. And husbands take a little time to listen, talk, and just care for what your wife is talking about. You wouldn't believe what good this will do for each other. Take it from a man who was married for 24 years, and now been divorced for 6 (I forgot how to listen).
Thank you Lord for making us like we are, and thank you for complementing each other. It makes life much more interesting, but that is good,.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Sauce Will Thicken as it Stands
AS a old bachelor, I cook allot of dinner mixes. You know like helpers. One of the most frustrating things to me is the phrase: "Remove from heat, uncover, sauce will thicken as it stands" I am a guy, I am impatient, when the stuff is done, I want to eat, not when" "The sauce thickens", NOW!!! I mean these boxed dinners are supposed to be fast, right? Where is the convenience, where is the quick meal?
I don't like that phrase, it makes me mad, at times. Have you ever read the ten commandments? The whole thing, you know: "Thou shalt, and thou shalt not's"?
I heard an ad on the History Chanel or one of those channels, that they say there were actually over 300 commandments that Moses brought down from the mountain talk with God, but only 10 made it to the bible. I don't believe that for one minute, but it doesn't matter, those 10 cover everything. But do we live by them all the time, are like me, do you skip the "Sauce will Thicken as it Stands part?'
For you review here are the 10: 1: You shall have no other gods before me. (those gods can be anything, as long as you put them over God.)2:You shall not make for yourself a carved image or any likeness of anything that is not in Heaven above, or in the Earth beneath, or is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. 3:You shall not take the name of the Lord your
god in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. 4:Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. (Basically rest on Sunday, praise Him that we serve)5:Honor your Mother and Father , because if you do, your days may be long. 6: Do not commit murder 7:Don't commit adultery. 8 Don't Steal 9 Don't bear false witness to your neighbor, (Don't lie)And 10: Don't covet your neighbors house, wife, female or male servant, or his ox or his donkey or anything he has. (you know like: " The one with the most toys wins". Here are the ten again in easy to understand language.: One: Make God Number one Two: Don't serve anything that is not of God Three: Don't get mad and use God's name as in cussing Four: Go to church on Sunday Five: Honor your Mom and Dad (Respect them) Six: Don't Kill Seven: Don't "Sleep Around" with someone Else's wife. Eight: Don't steal Nine:Don't lie and Ten: Don't look at your neighbors stuff or wife or children and wish you could have them.
OK that is all for today, I have to go see if the sauce has thickened on my lunch yet.
I don't like that phrase, it makes me mad, at times. Have you ever read the ten commandments? The whole thing, you know: "Thou shalt, and thou shalt not's"?
I heard an ad on the History Chanel or one of those channels, that they say there were actually over 300 commandments that Moses brought down from the mountain talk with God, but only 10 made it to the bible. I don't believe that for one minute, but it doesn't matter, those 10 cover everything. But do we live by them all the time, are like me, do you skip the "Sauce will Thicken as it Stands part?'
For you review here are the 10: 1: You shall have no other gods before me. (those gods can be anything, as long as you put them over God.)2:You shall not make for yourself a carved image or any likeness of anything that is not in Heaven above, or in the Earth beneath, or is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. 3:You shall not take the name of the Lord your
god in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. 4:Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. (Basically rest on Sunday, praise Him that we serve)5:Honor your Mother and Father , because if you do, your days may be long. 6: Do not commit murder 7:Don't commit adultery. 8 Don't Steal 9 Don't bear false witness to your neighbor, (Don't lie)And 10: Don't covet your neighbors house, wife, female or male servant, or his ox or his donkey or anything he has. (you know like: " The one with the most toys wins". Here are the ten again in easy to understand language.: One: Make God Number one Two: Don't serve anything that is not of God Three: Don't get mad and use God's name as in cussing Four: Go to church on Sunday Five: Honor your Mom and Dad (Respect them) Six: Don't Kill Seven: Don't "Sleep Around" with someone Else's wife. Eight: Don't steal Nine:Don't lie and Ten: Don't look at your neighbors stuff or wife or children and wish you could have them.
OK that is all for today, I have to go see if the sauce has thickened on my lunch yet.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
GOD: WHY?
In Psalms 22:1 The Psalmist says: My God My God, why have you abandoned me?
Why are you so far away when I groan for help?
Ever felt like that? Things did not go the way you thought they would. God, why are you doing this? I can;t stand this God, why are you allowing it to happen?
Think about how much Jesus suffered on the cross? He had the sins of the world both past and present yours and mine, all on his shoulders. Not to mention the physical pain He was suffering. Soldiers had poked Him into His side, they had put a crown of thorns on His head, and they had whipped and whipped him until He was almost dead. Then they NAILED Him to a cross where He suffered miserably. Think you problems are bad, still? Jesus asked God why this was being done to Him, He had doubt, He asked God where He was when He suffered most. Had His Father, God, Jehovah, abandoned Him? Had He turned His back on Jesus, His only Son? Yes, He had, because of the greater good.
Sometimes things don't work out the way we think they should. Sometimes things work out WAY BAD. Has God abandoned us? Yes it can feel like it, and sometimes He may have to turn His head when we call to Him, why? Because He knows the greater good. God, our Father loves us, so much He cannot watch us when we are hurting, He turns His head, like He had to with Jesus, He wants so bad to rescue us from the disaster we are in. But He cannot. He knows what is lying down the road. He knows what this action will accomplish. Can you imagine what would have happen if God rescued His Son, Jesus from the cross? No sacrifice , would have been made, no access to the throne through Jesus Name. Jesus name would have no power, the Law of the Old Testament would still be in effect. We would still be making animal sacrifices
Kinda puts things in perspective doesn't it?. Our problems are nothing to Him after what He went through.
Lord , I thank you for what you went through for me. I praise you because without that sacrifice, I would surely go to hell. I know you have my best interest in mind, and I know no matter what this world of sin has in store for me, You are the one who is in charge. Praise your name Father for suffering for me. There is NO WAY I could ever thank you enough.
I don't understand why certain happens, but I do know that you have it in your hands. I sometimes get mad at you for circumstances, but You are God, and you were man, and you understand my feelings. I will trust you, regardless of my circumstances.
There is NO ONE above you, there is NO ONE who does for me what you do. Thank you Lord.
I don't think we actually understand how much He loves us, and how much He suffered for us, so that we can be with Him.
Why are you so far away when I groan for help?
Ever felt like that? Things did not go the way you thought they would. God, why are you doing this? I can;t stand this God, why are you allowing it to happen?
Think about how much Jesus suffered on the cross? He had the sins of the world both past and present yours and mine, all on his shoulders. Not to mention the physical pain He was suffering. Soldiers had poked Him into His side, they had put a crown of thorns on His head, and they had whipped and whipped him until He was almost dead. Then they NAILED Him to a cross where He suffered miserably. Think you problems are bad, still? Jesus asked God why this was being done to Him, He had doubt, He asked God where He was when He suffered most. Had His Father, God, Jehovah, abandoned Him? Had He turned His back on Jesus, His only Son? Yes, He had, because of the greater good.
Sometimes things don't work out the way we think they should. Sometimes things work out WAY BAD. Has God abandoned us? Yes it can feel like it, and sometimes He may have to turn His head when we call to Him, why? Because He knows the greater good. God, our Father loves us, so much He cannot watch us when we are hurting, He turns His head, like He had to with Jesus, He wants so bad to rescue us from the disaster we are in. But He cannot. He knows what is lying down the road. He knows what this action will accomplish. Can you imagine what would have happen if God rescued His Son, Jesus from the cross? No sacrifice , would have been made, no access to the throne through Jesus Name. Jesus name would have no power, the Law of the Old Testament would still be in effect. We would still be making animal sacrifices
Kinda puts things in perspective doesn't it?. Our problems are nothing to Him after what He went through.
Lord , I thank you for what you went through for me. I praise you because without that sacrifice, I would surely go to hell. I know you have my best interest in mind, and I know no matter what this world of sin has in store for me, You are the one who is in charge. Praise your name Father for suffering for me. There is NO WAY I could ever thank you enough.
I don't understand why certain happens, but I do know that you have it in your hands. I sometimes get mad at you for circumstances, but You are God, and you were man, and you understand my feelings. I will trust you, regardless of my circumstances.
There is NO ONE above you, there is NO ONE who does for me what you do. Thank you Lord.
I don't think we actually understand how much He loves us, and how much He suffered for us, so that we can be with Him.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
The Big Picture
Ever been to one of those boring meeting at work? You know the one with all the cliques : " We all need to be on the same page", "We need to stop putting all our eggs in one basket", and my personal favorite: "We need to all look at the "Big Picture."
What, exactly it, the Big Picture? I was talking to the lady who delivers my paper this morning, I looked down at her car and there were hundreds of papers there. Funny I never thought about how many papers she delivered each morning, just mine. I am quick to call in, if mine is late, but her "Big Picture" is that she has literately hundreds of customers that she tries to deliver the paper on time to each and every day. Maybe I won't be quite so hard on her the next time my paper is a little late.
We seldom see the Big Picture of anything unless we are involved in it. At work I just worry about my job, what do I need to do to get things done, get home and get paid Friday? But my boss, sees that there are 10 of ME's (I know that is not a word), that have to do the same. While I am doing my job over here, there are say 9 more people like me doing their job over there. Maybe someone is sick that day, maybe someone got mad and left early without permission. Maybe someone wanted a raise and didn't get it so they are mad and slacking off on their job. This is my boss' Big Picture. Then there is the Company Mgr, his job is to not only see that things get done, but that customers are happy, he has 3 supervisors like my boss, that he has to look over. He has things like inventory control, damage assessment , coverage, ......to attend to. This is his "Big Picture" Then you got the president of the whole company, who looks at each branch as a whole unit, he has to look at numbers, see which branch is falling behind, which is leading the charge, how the managers of each branch are doing their job, so he sees the REAL Big Picture, as far as the company goes.
How many people are there on the Earth? Billions? This is God's Big Picture. He hears every prayer, every thought, every complaint. He hears when we call out to Him in earnest and He answers. Maybe not in the way we think He should, but He answers. Why doesn't He answer our prayers in the way we think He should? Because He sees, yes, The Big Picture. He sees every life, every problem every victory. He sees that people are getting close to asking Jesus into their hearts over in Africa, and He sees that there is a Minister in Europe that needs to go their and talk to them. So what does He do? He arranges a series of events so that the minister ends up in Africa at the perfect time to share with these people. But He does this billions of times a day.
We have all prayed for something to happen, or not to happen and feel God doesn't answer. But we only see our lives, our difficulties, our friends and family hurting, our stress, our pride, our personal agendas. God sees it all, and cares for US ALL.
How does He keep up with all this? Here is the answer that answers nothing, yet it answer everything, because IT Is THE Answer: Because He is God. I used to hate it when I would ask something like How does God know such and such? My Mom would always say: Because He is God. That felt like a cop-out to me, what kind of answer is that? But it is the only answer. It takes trust to be satisfied with that answer, faith and
trust, and that is what he asks us for.
. You know those pictures taken in space of the Earth? We see a blue beautiful sphere with the clouds, the continents, the blue oceans. It is really beautiful seeing our planet like that. I used to thing that is how God sees us. WRONG, God sees each and everyone of us individually. Sure He can look at the Earth as a whole if He wants to, but He doesn't want to. He wants to look at each and everyone of us. We are his children, as a parent, do you look at your children as a group, or there goes my son, or daughter. Maybe you have two kids that both play soccer, do you look out on the field and think there are my kids? No you look at each of them individually and think, Johnny needs a haircut, or Billy is getting so tall, wow good shot Johnny.................They as we, are individuals and we as parents, as God as our heavenly father ,see each of them, our problems, our strengths, our insecurities, our triumphs, our battles, our worries, our pride, our temptations, our sins, our Heart.
So the next time you in one of THOSE meetings and the saying "We have to see the Big Picture" comes up, smile, think about God and thank Him for seeing the Big Picture but mainly the little one, you.
But not for to long, it may get you in trouble at work.
What, exactly it, the Big Picture? I was talking to the lady who delivers my paper this morning, I looked down at her car and there were hundreds of papers there. Funny I never thought about how many papers she delivered each morning, just mine. I am quick to call in, if mine is late, but her "Big Picture" is that she has literately hundreds of customers that she tries to deliver the paper on time to each and every day. Maybe I won't be quite so hard on her the next time my paper is a little late.
We seldom see the Big Picture of anything unless we are involved in it. At work I just worry about my job, what do I need to do to get things done, get home and get paid Friday? But my boss, sees that there are 10 of ME's (I know that is not a word), that have to do the same. While I am doing my job over here, there are say 9 more people like me doing their job over there. Maybe someone is sick that day, maybe someone got mad and left early without permission. Maybe someone wanted a raise and didn't get it so they are mad and slacking off on their job. This is my boss' Big Picture. Then there is the Company Mgr, his job is to not only see that things get done, but that customers are happy, he has 3 supervisors like my boss, that he has to look over. He has things like inventory control, damage assessment , coverage, ......to attend to. This is his "Big Picture" Then you got the president of the whole company, who looks at each branch as a whole unit, he has to look at numbers, see which branch is falling behind, which is leading the charge, how the managers of each branch are doing their job, so he sees the REAL Big Picture, as far as the company goes.
How many people are there on the Earth? Billions? This is God's Big Picture. He hears every prayer, every thought, every complaint. He hears when we call out to Him in earnest and He answers. Maybe not in the way we think He should, but He answers. Why doesn't He answer our prayers in the way we think He should? Because He sees, yes, The Big Picture. He sees every life, every problem every victory. He sees that people are getting close to asking Jesus into their hearts over in Africa, and He sees that there is a Minister in Europe that needs to go their and talk to them. So what does He do? He arranges a series of events so that the minister ends up in Africa at the perfect time to share with these people. But He does this billions of times a day.
We have all prayed for something to happen, or not to happen and feel God doesn't answer. But we only see our lives, our difficulties, our friends and family hurting, our stress, our pride, our personal agendas. God sees it all, and cares for US ALL.
How does He keep up with all this? Here is the answer that answers nothing, yet it answer everything, because IT Is THE Answer: Because He is God. I used to hate it when I would ask something like How does God know such and such? My Mom would always say: Because He is God. That felt like a cop-out to me, what kind of answer is that? But it is the only answer. It takes trust to be satisfied with that answer, faith and
trust, and that is what he asks us for.
. You know those pictures taken in space of the Earth? We see a blue beautiful sphere with the clouds, the continents, the blue oceans. It is really beautiful seeing our planet like that. I used to thing that is how God sees us. WRONG, God sees each and everyone of us individually. Sure He can look at the Earth as a whole if He wants to, but He doesn't want to. He wants to look at each and everyone of us. We are his children, as a parent, do you look at your children as a group, or there goes my son, or daughter. Maybe you have two kids that both play soccer, do you look out on the field and think there are my kids? No you look at each of them individually and think, Johnny needs a haircut, or Billy is getting so tall, wow good shot Johnny.................They as we, are individuals and we as parents, as God as our heavenly father ,see each of them, our problems, our strengths, our insecurities, our triumphs, our battles, our worries, our pride, our temptations, our sins, our Heart.
So the next time you in one of THOSE meetings and the saying "We have to see the Big Picture" comes up, smile, think about God and thank Him for seeing the Big Picture but mainly the little one, you.
But not for to long, it may get you in trouble at work.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
I won!!!!
I got a email today that said I had won the "Microsoft On-Line Lottery" of 25 Million Dollars. All I needed to do was to send them my name, address, email address, phone numbers, date of birth, drivers license number, social security number, all credit/debit card numbers, and I would then receive a check from them. Of course it may take a few weeks as they are sending it from Kenya.
I know, I know, you have all received something similar to this, we usually don;'t even open these anymore because we know the game. My question though: They must work on someone or they would stop sending this scams.
So here is the deal, they, supposedly, know your email address, but not anything else about you, and they need all that information so they can send you a check. My favorite is the guy who tells you you have an inheritance, but all he has is your email address. The will read: All I have I leave to: ccalvin100@toenails.com.?
Wow how dumb do they think we are? I used to answer these emails with stuff like: Hey dummy, I am not stupid, stop sending me these scams. But they would then just send me more.
Did you know God knows everything about you? Not just your email address, but EVERYTHING. Now that could be scarey to some of us, you know like: "Wait, He doesn't know THAT, does He?" Yes He does. And the cool part about it? He doesn't care to much about THAT. And if you have asked forgiveness for THAT, then He doesn't know about it anymore, because he sent IT flying "as far as the East is from the West". But if your like me, those things that WE remember, and HE has forgotten,(on purpose, I might add) satan uses for his good. He will bring those things up to keep us down, to try and make us give up; You see satan has a long memory, and wants to take us into the fiery pit that was made for him.
My point this morning is, God knows all, every little detail about us, every little hurt, every insecurity every doubt, every sin, every selfish thought, act or deed. He has access to every closet in our mind that we thought was locked and we had thrown the key away, far away. No, God can get in there, He made our minds, so has full access.
There is a reward that God promises us, also. He doesn't need any more information from us for us to receive it. He knows all that, the most important thing He needs from us so that we can be with Him, is Trust. That's it Trust. Trust that He is who He says He is, Trust that He will do what He says He will do, Trust that He is concerned for us, Trust that He loves us, Trust that He made everything that IS (that is allot of stuff:) But mainly Trust that He died for us, so that we can be with Him.
So the next time you get one of "those" emails, ignore it, trash it, and think about the true reward that is waiting for us in Heaven with Him.
If you do actually win one of those "Lottery's" from Kenya" My email address is: ccalvin100@toenails.com:)
I know, I know, you have all received something similar to this, we usually don;'t even open these anymore because we know the game. My question though: They must work on someone or they would stop sending this scams.
So here is the deal, they, supposedly, know your email address, but not anything else about you, and they need all that information so they can send you a check. My favorite is the guy who tells you you have an inheritance, but all he has is your email address. The will read: All I have I leave to: ccalvin100@toenails.com.?
Wow how dumb do they think we are? I used to answer these emails with stuff like: Hey dummy, I am not stupid, stop sending me these scams. But they would then just send me more.
Did you know God knows everything about you? Not just your email address, but EVERYTHING. Now that could be scarey to some of us, you know like: "Wait, He doesn't know THAT, does He?" Yes He does. And the cool part about it? He doesn't care to much about THAT. And if you have asked forgiveness for THAT, then He doesn't know about it anymore, because he sent IT flying "as far as the East is from the West". But if your like me, those things that WE remember, and HE has forgotten,(on purpose, I might add) satan uses for his good. He will bring those things up to keep us down, to try and make us give up; You see satan has a long memory, and wants to take us into the fiery pit that was made for him.
My point this morning is, God knows all, every little detail about us, every little hurt, every insecurity every doubt, every sin, every selfish thought, act or deed. He has access to every closet in our mind that we thought was locked and we had thrown the key away, far away. No, God can get in there, He made our minds, so has full access.
There is a reward that God promises us, also. He doesn't need any more information from us for us to receive it. He knows all that, the most important thing He needs from us so that we can be with Him, is Trust. That's it Trust. Trust that He is who He says He is, Trust that He will do what He says He will do, Trust that He is concerned for us, Trust that He loves us, Trust that He made everything that IS (that is allot of stuff:) But mainly Trust that He died for us, so that we can be with Him.
So the next time you get one of "those" emails, ignore it, trash it, and think about the true reward that is waiting for us in Heaven with Him.
If you do actually win one of those "Lottery's" from Kenya" My email address is: ccalvin100@toenails.com:)
Monday, August 15, 2011
What's Up?
I fell I need to explain a few things. This blog started out as a venting against a site I did not agree with at all, and I got Unfriended by it. I was being very vengeful and said some not very nice things. That was a while ago.
When I was a teenager I felt God was calling me to write. I never did anything about it, until recently. I don't know how many of you are reading my blogs, but I have been renewed with ideas, given to me by God, in the last few weeks. I feel God wants to use me in this was more. As you can more then likely tell, my grammar, spelling and such are pretty bad, but I think I have a different perspective on things then a lot of people. You might refer to my perspective as weird, or enlightening your choice
Yesterday in church, the Lord was really dealing with me and my witness. I made a commitment to witness more, especially to the homeless in our city, and to write a new blog everyday. To do this I need ideas, and would like good ones. As you know, I get material from just about everywhere. I see something and this crazy idea comes to mind, (I believe God puts them there, you may not ) I have been told that I have a different way of looking at things, I agree with that, but sometimes they are good views, sometimes to much me in there. I wrote a blog recently about the "Tilt of the Earth" I have been thinking about this, and thought I would use this, as my Logo if you will. A tilted Earth. and "Tilted" Publications as my copy write thing..
I need feedback, comments, thumbs up, thumbs down, grammar lessons, spelling lessons (it is pretty bad when you try to use spelling helps on the computer and you spelled the word so wrong it gives you examples that are no where near what you were trying for:)
I don't know where this may go, but I cannot shake it. I am very insecure and need praise or criticism often. If God really does want to use me in this capacity, then I will do my best, with His help. If you read my "stuff" I thank you, as I call this "Ramblings" cause that is what I feel I am doing.
So, I have a name "Tilted Publications" I have a logo a tilted earth; and I have you, my friends and family. Mainly I have a weird view of the world, thus "tilted". Thank you for your comments, and inspiration, but mainly your prayers.
PS, If you or something that happened to you, end up in one of these blogs, I apologize in advance, I would never share details, don't worry.
Stay Tilted, Love Chris/
When I was a teenager I felt God was calling me to write. I never did anything about it, until recently. I don't know how many of you are reading my blogs, but I have been renewed with ideas, given to me by God, in the last few weeks. I feel God wants to use me in this was more. As you can more then likely tell, my grammar, spelling and such are pretty bad, but I think I have a different perspective on things then a lot of people. You might refer to my perspective as weird, or enlightening your choice
Yesterday in church, the Lord was really dealing with me and my witness. I made a commitment to witness more, especially to the homeless in our city, and to write a new blog everyday. To do this I need ideas, and would like good ones. As you know, I get material from just about everywhere. I see something and this crazy idea comes to mind, (I believe God puts them there, you may not ) I have been told that I have a different way of looking at things, I agree with that, but sometimes they are good views, sometimes to much me in there. I wrote a blog recently about the "Tilt of the Earth" I have been thinking about this, and thought I would use this, as my Logo if you will. A tilted Earth. and "Tilted" Publications as my copy write thing..
I need feedback, comments, thumbs up, thumbs down, grammar lessons, spelling lessons (it is pretty bad when you try to use spelling helps on the computer and you spelled the word so wrong it gives you examples that are no where near what you were trying for:)
I don't know where this may go, but I cannot shake it. I am very insecure and need praise or criticism often. If God really does want to use me in this capacity, then I will do my best, with His help. If you read my "stuff" I thank you, as I call this "Ramblings" cause that is what I feel I am doing.
So, I have a name "Tilted Publications" I have a logo a tilted earth; and I have you, my friends and family. Mainly I have a weird view of the world, thus "tilted". Thank you for your comments, and inspiration, but mainly your prayers.
PS, If you or something that happened to you, end up in one of these blogs, I apologize in advance, I would never share details, don't worry.
Stay Tilted, Love Chris/
"Shields Up"
Ok, I'll admit it, I love Star Trek. Sorry if your not a fan, but I have seen every episode of every Star Trek show at least 5 times. The original was not my favorite, "The Next Generation" is. (To "Trekies" it is TNG") Anyway I have always thought that Capt Jon-Luc Picard was the best Captain. I mean he had just to say a few words and everyone knew what he wanted. My favorites were: "Make it so, Number One" or "Engage" (as he pointed forward, this was said after he told the helmsman to come to course so and so)
Remember when a enemy ship approached and their "Peaceful Ta-tics" had failed (they were on a mission of Peace and Exploration as we all know), but the other ship would show hostile intents and you heard the order (Sometimes Picard, sometimes Rikker) "Shields UP" And then there they were protected by a invisible "shield" that would let their warp cannons, and phasers go through them on the way to their target, but not let anyone "transport" into their ship, (That always bothered me, why could you shoot out with shields up but not transport things in through them, I need an expert on Star Trek to explain that to me), anyway those shields were pretty cool. Of course they didn't last forever, that would be to easy, and boring for the people watching the show. With every hit on the shields they would weaken, "Worf" would say, "Shields down to 33% Captain" followed by: "Re Route all available power to the forward shields" "Aye Captain".............(Another thing that bothered me, if they had available power why wasn't it already applied to the shields, I mean shields were pretty important.)
Anyway what am I getting at other then I am a nerd? Wouldn't it be really neat if we had such a thing as a "Shield"? A shield around our cars would stop accidents. Shields around our homes would keep thieves out. Don't want anyone using your computer why your on vacation,shield. It would be especially useful in the same application used in Star Trek, as protection in battle. Individual soldiers would have their shields, ships at sea, planes, tanks, the whole battle area could be shielded one for the good guys and one for the bad guys. (I think they did this in one of the Star Wars movies.)
Do you ever feel like there are enemy darts coming at you from all sides? I have felt this. It is not a very good feeling, you feel like God has forgotten you, you feel alone, no one cares, you feel useless, hurt, broken, you cry :"What's next God?" Cry out to God at these moments, yell if you have to, scream at Him, tell Him your mad at Him, but then start to praise Him, Why? Because in our praises to God the shields will begin to come around us. The more we praise Him, the stronger these shields will become. Praise to our Heavenly Father, has a fantastic effect on our circumstances, maybe not lesson the attacks, but change Our perception of them. All of a sudden, the darts aren't having the same effect on us, a few still might get through, but we don't care because we are praising our Father, and He will protect us. I believe God sometimes allows a few of those darts to penetrate our shields, just to show us what it would be like without His covering (Shields). Sometimes we need to be reminded of that.
So the next time it seems like the whole world is raining down on you, and you cannot take it anymore, Yell "Shields Up" and begin praising the Lord, with everything you got. When we begin praising Him even when we don't feel like it, that effort will be rewarded with His praise to help us Praise Him more. Does that make sense? He wants us to praise Him, yet He gives us the praise and strength to do it. How awesome is our God?
Keep those Shields powered up, and continue to praise Our Heavenly Father often.
"Engage"...................
Remember when a enemy ship approached and their "Peaceful Ta-tics" had failed (they were on a mission of Peace and Exploration as we all know), but the other ship would show hostile intents and you heard the order (Sometimes Picard, sometimes Rikker) "Shields UP" And then there they were protected by a invisible "shield" that would let their warp cannons, and phasers go through them on the way to their target, but not let anyone "transport" into their ship, (That always bothered me, why could you shoot out with shields up but not transport things in through them, I need an expert on Star Trek to explain that to me), anyway those shields were pretty cool. Of course they didn't last forever, that would be to easy, and boring for the people watching the show. With every hit on the shields they would weaken, "Worf" would say, "Shields down to 33% Captain" followed by: "Re Route all available power to the forward shields" "Aye Captain".............(Another thing that bothered me, if they had available power why wasn't it already applied to the shields, I mean shields were pretty important.)
Anyway what am I getting at other then I am a nerd? Wouldn't it be really neat if we had such a thing as a "Shield"? A shield around our cars would stop accidents. Shields around our homes would keep thieves out. Don't want anyone using your computer why your on vacation,shield. It would be especially useful in the same application used in Star Trek, as protection in battle. Individual soldiers would have their shields, ships at sea, planes, tanks, the whole battle area could be shielded one for the good guys and one for the bad guys. (I think they did this in one of the Star Wars movies.)
Do you ever feel like there are enemy darts coming at you from all sides? I have felt this. It is not a very good feeling, you feel like God has forgotten you, you feel alone, no one cares, you feel useless, hurt, broken, you cry :"What's next God?" Cry out to God at these moments, yell if you have to, scream at Him, tell Him your mad at Him, but then start to praise Him, Why? Because in our praises to God the shields will begin to come around us. The more we praise Him, the stronger these shields will become. Praise to our Heavenly Father, has a fantastic effect on our circumstances, maybe not lesson the attacks, but change Our perception of them. All of a sudden, the darts aren't having the same effect on us, a few still might get through, but we don't care because we are praising our Father, and He will protect us. I believe God sometimes allows a few of those darts to penetrate our shields, just to show us what it would be like without His covering (Shields). Sometimes we need to be reminded of that.
So the next time it seems like the whole world is raining down on you, and you cannot take it anymore, Yell "Shields Up" and begin praising the Lord, with everything you got. When we begin praising Him even when we don't feel like it, that effort will be rewarded with His praise to help us Praise Him more. Does that make sense? He wants us to praise Him, yet He gives us the praise and strength to do it. How awesome is our God?
Keep those Shields powered up, and continue to praise Our Heavenly Father often.
"Engage"...................
Saturday, August 13, 2011
...And God Said.................
According to Biblegateway.com there are 615 times in the King James Version of the Bible that the term."And God Said' I haven't looked it up but I imagine almost all of them are followed by the term: "And It was so" Remember the old commercial that had a setting say in a restaurant and two people were talking one mentioned some Wall Street investment company and the whole restaurant paused, and everyone listened to whatever was to be said next, because: "When (forgot the company name) speaks, everyone listens".
It is like that with God, maybe not we human beings, but all of nature, the angels, the heavenly all stop what they are doing and listen. Why? Because God is speaking. ...And God Said.............." for the Earth to be formed, and it was so, And God said .........for water to cover the Earth, and it was so,,,,,,,,,,And God said.........., And God Said, And God Said..............God Just spoke the world into existence God made Adam and Eve, God made everything that is by just His voice, except for one thing. After God formed Adam out of clay, He breathed life into him He did not command for life to come into Adam, He physically did CPR on him and breathed life into him.
OK what is my point? ANYTHING God says WILL happen, But He breathed life into humans. He formed us in His image, and then took a direct step to make sure we had His breath inside us. Ok so That is how much He loves us. The trees, the clouds, the waters of the earth, the mountains, the animals that run around our planet.................were all made by His voice, just Him saying so. You see mankind was lifeless, dead, just as another rock on the face of the earth, until God physically touched us and gave us His breath.
Have you ever taken a CPR class? You know breath 123, compression 123 (Almost sounds like the CHA CHA doesn't it.) I have heard they have changed that now so you can save someone just by compressions only) Have you ever really used CPR to save someone? If you have, your breath (your life) was shared with someone else to keep them from dying. God gave us life by that same way. He breathed into us life, HIS life.
Not only did God make us out of dirt, really, He put Himself into us. Have you ever heard of the "Breath of God"? Songs talk about it, people will ask God to Breath down on us, We seek the breath of fire....things like that? I had never really thought about what these things meant, until recently. God's breath is life, it started this whole human existence. When we invite Him to breath down on us, we are giving Him permission to renew us with His breath. You see, the Holy Spirit is God and when God breathes upon us the Holy Spirit comes into our souls, bodies and mind. Why? To make us feel better, to give us energy so we can dance around with our hands raised.? To make us talk funny? No to give us His power, refreshing, energy, strength............so that we can share Him with others.
When God first breathed the life into Adam, His plan was for us to worship Him as our creator. To live with Him in the Garden. He wanted to share everything with us and commune or talk with Him, to eat, play, work, enjoy all that He had to offer, which by the way is everything, more then we can imagine.
I want God to breath new life into me again. I want that refreshing breath to consume the old me, and bring forth a new, wonderfully changed me. God brought us from death to life once in our life, it is time we allow Him to do it again.
Join me in asking God to Breath down on this World, and help us witness to the dying people around us that need Him and His refreshing breath before it is to late.
Thanks for reading. Chris
It is like that with God, maybe not we human beings, but all of nature, the angels, the heavenly all stop what they are doing and listen. Why? Because God is speaking. ...And God Said.............." for the Earth to be formed, and it was so, And God said .........for water to cover the Earth, and it was so,,,,,,,,,,And God said.........., And God Said, And God Said..............God Just spoke the world into existence God made Adam and Eve, God made everything that is by just His voice, except for one thing. After God formed Adam out of clay, He breathed life into him He did not command for life to come into Adam, He physically did CPR on him and breathed life into him.
OK what is my point? ANYTHING God says WILL happen, But He breathed life into humans. He formed us in His image, and then took a direct step to make sure we had His breath inside us. Ok so That is how much He loves us. The trees, the clouds, the waters of the earth, the mountains, the animals that run around our planet.................were all made by His voice, just Him saying so. You see mankind was lifeless, dead, just as another rock on the face of the earth, until God physically touched us and gave us His breath.
Have you ever taken a CPR class? You know breath 123, compression 123 (Almost sounds like the CHA CHA doesn't it.) I have heard they have changed that now so you can save someone just by compressions only) Have you ever really used CPR to save someone? If you have, your breath (your life) was shared with someone else to keep them from dying. God gave us life by that same way. He breathed into us life, HIS life.
Not only did God make us out of dirt, really, He put Himself into us. Have you ever heard of the "Breath of God"? Songs talk about it, people will ask God to Breath down on us, We seek the breath of fire....things like that? I had never really thought about what these things meant, until recently. God's breath is life, it started this whole human existence. When we invite Him to breath down on us, we are giving Him permission to renew us with His breath. You see, the Holy Spirit is God and when God breathes upon us the Holy Spirit comes into our souls, bodies and mind. Why? To make us feel better, to give us energy so we can dance around with our hands raised.? To make us talk funny? No to give us His power, refreshing, energy, strength............so that we can share Him with others.
When God first breathed the life into Adam, His plan was for us to worship Him as our creator. To live with Him in the Garden. He wanted to share everything with us and commune or talk with Him, to eat, play, work, enjoy all that He had to offer, which by the way is everything, more then we can imagine.
I want God to breath new life into me again. I want that refreshing breath to consume the old me, and bring forth a new, wonderfully changed me. God brought us from death to life once in our life, it is time we allow Him to do it again.
Join me in asking God to Breath down on this World, and help us witness to the dying people around us that need Him and His refreshing breath before it is to late.
Thanks for reading. Chris
Monday, August 8, 2011
Are we all Tilted?
It has been one of the hottest summers on record here in Texas. I just read that here in Austin we are in for our 22 straight days of triple digit heat. This broke the old record of, of course, 21 days.
I see the football season is coming up soon. This always excites me, as a football fan, but more importantly it promises that the heat will end before to long, by January anyway, I mean this is Texas after all.
This got me thinking about how seasons happen,and why. So I did a little "Googling" about the Earths rotation around the sun, our rotation on our axis and stuff like that. I learned all this stuff in school, science, I guess. But a refresher was very interesting. I have always known that the earth is "Titled on it's Axis" and knew this had something to do with the four seasons.
Now, God made all that is, and when He was making the Earth, all the planets, the Sun and all the other stars, solar systems, galaxies, and everything, He had a plan.
I am sure He thought that Seasons would be nice for us here on Earth. Well without Seasons, plants would not have Cycles of growth , there would be no ice forming in the mountains, thus no water melting in the spring and then no fresh water to fill the streams, rivers, oceans. There are many other reasons for Seasons, but you get the jest. So God, who knows all, said to Himself: "I will put the Earth on a slight tilt, this will cause seasons, I will also make the Earth's trip around the Sun not a perfect circle, making it closer to the sun on one trip, and farther away on the other. This will also help with seasons.
I've heard that when we, here in the Northern Hemisphere are in the Summer months, we are actually farther away from the sun then in the Winter season. Why, because we are tilted toward the sun, there by getting more direct sun light then if we were tilted away, as in the Southern Hemisphere. (This is also why they have the opposite season then we, when it is Summer here it is Winter there, and vice versa.
So what am I giving you, besides a refresher course on the planets, and the sun? Our God, who loves us, had the knowledge that just by tilting the Earth on it's axis just a little, would cause the seasons, and all they provide.
Think about it, if God had just put the Earth on a perfectly round circle around the Sun, like our equator matched up perfectly with the suns, the Earth sitting straight up and down, and our trip around the Sun was a perfect circle, exactly the same distance on one side as the other. What would that mean? Well for one thing it would be very boring on this earth. I don't see how we could have any seasons, I mean 85 degrees everyday for our entire life would, believe it or not, get old. There would be no need for a weatherman, there would be no weather that was any different then any other day. Maybe we would still have rain, but that is the only way we would have any degree changes from rain.................
God is so concerned, and has so much love for us, that He knew just this little tilt would be SO good for us. I don't think plants could exist without the seasons, so we might have any in this "perfect weather scenario"
One little "tilt" was all it took to, basically, mean life for our planet. One little "tilt".......Now what problems do you have? What doubts do you still carry? What struggles do you continue to suffer from? There is NOTHING we have problems with, that God cannot solve, with "One little tilt" He solved the problem of life on Earth, so I am sure He would have no problem with our little problem we think is so big, that we cannot continue. Puts it in perspective, doesn't it?
Think about that "Tilt" and think about your problems, which one is bigger? I can see God nudge the earth a little with his hand, just a little push, there perfect.
His hand "nudged" the whole Earth, how can He not solve any problem we have?
One little "tilt"
God will use that same hand he "tilted" the Earth with to help us, ya think that hand is big enough? You bet it is.
I see the football season is coming up soon. This always excites me, as a football fan, but more importantly it promises that the heat will end before to long, by January anyway, I mean this is Texas after all.
This got me thinking about how seasons happen,and why. So I did a little "Googling" about the Earths rotation around the sun, our rotation on our axis and stuff like that. I learned all this stuff in school, science, I guess. But a refresher was very interesting. I have always known that the earth is "Titled on it's Axis" and knew this had something to do with the four seasons.
Now, God made all that is, and when He was making the Earth, all the planets, the Sun and all the other stars, solar systems, galaxies, and everything, He had a plan.
I am sure He thought that Seasons would be nice for us here on Earth. Well without Seasons, plants would not have Cycles of growth , there would be no ice forming in the mountains, thus no water melting in the spring and then no fresh water to fill the streams, rivers, oceans. There are many other reasons for Seasons, but you get the jest. So God, who knows all, said to Himself: "I will put the Earth on a slight tilt, this will cause seasons, I will also make the Earth's trip around the Sun not a perfect circle, making it closer to the sun on one trip, and farther away on the other. This will also help with seasons.
I've heard that when we, here in the Northern Hemisphere are in the Summer months, we are actually farther away from the sun then in the Winter season. Why, because we are tilted toward the sun, there by getting more direct sun light then if we were tilted away, as in the Southern Hemisphere. (This is also why they have the opposite season then we, when it is Summer here it is Winter there, and vice versa.
So what am I giving you, besides a refresher course on the planets, and the sun? Our God, who loves us, had the knowledge that just by tilting the Earth on it's axis just a little, would cause the seasons, and all they provide.
Think about it, if God had just put the Earth on a perfectly round circle around the Sun, like our equator matched up perfectly with the suns, the Earth sitting straight up and down, and our trip around the Sun was a perfect circle, exactly the same distance on one side as the other. What would that mean? Well for one thing it would be very boring on this earth. I don't see how we could have any seasons, I mean 85 degrees everyday for our entire life would, believe it or not, get old. There would be no need for a weatherman, there would be no weather that was any different then any other day. Maybe we would still have rain, but that is the only way we would have any degree changes from rain.................
God is so concerned, and has so much love for us, that He knew just this little tilt would be SO good for us. I don't think plants could exist without the seasons, so we might have any in this "perfect weather scenario"
One little "tilt" was all it took to, basically, mean life for our planet. One little "tilt".......Now what problems do you have? What doubts do you still carry? What struggles do you continue to suffer from? There is NOTHING we have problems with, that God cannot solve, with "One little tilt" He solved the problem of life on Earth, so I am sure He would have no problem with our little problem we think is so big, that we cannot continue. Puts it in perspective, doesn't it?
Think about that "Tilt" and think about your problems, which one is bigger? I can see God nudge the earth a little with his hand, just a little push, there perfect.
His hand "nudged" the whole Earth, how can He not solve any problem we have?
One little "tilt"
God will use that same hand he "tilted" the Earth with to help us, ya think that hand is big enough? You bet it is.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Doubt?
Have you ever been at a place where you have doubt, I mean REAL doubt? You know,:"Why Lord, when I prayed so hard, why?" I mean you knew exactly what was supposed to happen. You had it all figured out, Lord, here is what is supposed to happen and how it will happen......And then something happens that leaves you with doubt. Lord, that was not supposed to happen like that, don't you see?
Well this happened to me today. I doubted the Lord, for about 15 seconds. why only 15 seconds? Because after that, actually before that but I wasn't listening, He held me up. He reached down, took a hold of my arms and held them up in praise to Him.
Sometimes God not only ask that we have faith, trust and praise in Him, but He gives us a little help in getting there. Have you ever bought a car from someone who gave you the money to buy it? God is like that, He asks us for trust, faith, and to praise Him, and then when we are so broken we can;t seem to do that, He reaches down and helps us along. This is how He did it today. After some terrible news about a family matter we had been praying for for a long time, I got a scripture in my inbox on my email. 2 Corinthians 4:18 : For we do not stare at the things that are seen, but the things that are not seen. For the things that are seen are for now, but the things that are not seen are everlasting" Basically the Lord was telling me, don;t worry about what you see with your human eyes, for they are but temporary, but look at the things that you cannot see, in other words the Things of God, and remember they last forever. Wow, it was not only what God was telling me, but the timing of it. I subscribe to a "verse of the day" type email service that sends me scriptures everyday. I don't know how they decide which scripture to use on a daily basis, maybe just totally random. But how did THIS scripture just end up being the one for today? How did it appear at the exact time I needed it? (I had checked before I got this bad news, and it was not there!!) Only God.
You see I doubted God, only for about 15 seconds, but I doubted God. For a few seconds, I actually thought God had blown it. I still don't understand Why God did what He did, but I do not think He blew it. I am still confused, hurt a little, confused, yes a little angry, but I have told God this, He understands my feelings, He is big enough to take anything I can throw at Him. You see God sees the "Big Picture", He sees what we cannot.
God knows we will have doubts, He knows when things come along in life, and blow us away. He knows how we feel. Remember his close friend Lazarus? Jesus was human just like us, don't you think He was hurt when He heard Lazarus had died? Then when He came to where Lazarus was, everyone ask Him where he had been, :"If you had been here, JESUS, this would not have happen" (Like it was Jesus' fault that Lazarus had died) We all know how that story ended, Lazarus was raised from the dead and all saw.
Did God tell us that everything would be easy, once we gave our hearts to Him? No.. Did He tell us that our life would be like "Strawberry Fields Forever" (Little Beatles reference never hurts) No He did not. What He promised us is that He would never leave us or forsake us. Can we not do the same ..... I want to "never leave or forsake Him" and if that means trusting Him more, the so be it.
Well this happened to me today. I doubted the Lord, for about 15 seconds. why only 15 seconds? Because after that, actually before that but I wasn't listening, He held me up. He reached down, took a hold of my arms and held them up in praise to Him.
Sometimes God not only ask that we have faith, trust and praise in Him, but He gives us a little help in getting there. Have you ever bought a car from someone who gave you the money to buy it? God is like that, He asks us for trust, faith, and to praise Him, and then when we are so broken we can;t seem to do that, He reaches down and helps us along. This is how He did it today. After some terrible news about a family matter we had been praying for for a long time, I got a scripture in my inbox on my email. 2 Corinthians 4:18 : For we do not stare at the things that are seen, but the things that are not seen. For the things that are seen are for now, but the things that are not seen are everlasting" Basically the Lord was telling me, don;t worry about what you see with your human eyes, for they are but temporary, but look at the things that you cannot see, in other words the Things of God, and remember they last forever. Wow, it was not only what God was telling me, but the timing of it. I subscribe to a "verse of the day" type email service that sends me scriptures everyday. I don't know how they decide which scripture to use on a daily basis, maybe just totally random. But how did THIS scripture just end up being the one for today? How did it appear at the exact time I needed it? (I had checked before I got this bad news, and it was not there!!) Only God.
You see I doubted God, only for about 15 seconds, but I doubted God. For a few seconds, I actually thought God had blown it. I still don't understand Why God did what He did, but I do not think He blew it. I am still confused, hurt a little, confused, yes a little angry, but I have told God this, He understands my feelings, He is big enough to take anything I can throw at Him. You see God sees the "Big Picture", He sees what we cannot.
God knows we will have doubts, He knows when things come along in life, and blow us away. He knows how we feel. Remember his close friend Lazarus? Jesus was human just like us, don't you think He was hurt when He heard Lazarus had died? Then when He came to where Lazarus was, everyone ask Him where he had been, :"If you had been here, JESUS, this would not have happen" (Like it was Jesus' fault that Lazarus had died) We all know how that story ended, Lazarus was raised from the dead and all saw.
Did God tell us that everything would be easy, once we gave our hearts to Him? No.. Did He tell us that our life would be like "Strawberry Fields Forever" (Little Beatles reference never hurts) No He did not. What He promised us is that He would never leave us or forsake us. Can we not do the same ..... I want to "never leave or forsake Him" and if that means trusting Him more, the so be it.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Good Vs. Evil, again.
"Luke, I am your father", "Mister Anderson", "That's CAPTAIN Jack Sparrow","Gee, Mr. Frodo if we don't destroy the ring, Middle Earth will be destroyed"
I am sure you know where these quotes come from, you more the likely can even remember where you were the first time you heard each one.
But the question I am asking is: "What do these 4 movies have in common? Their theme, Good vs. Evil. This is a theme that has been done and done and done, it is in just about every movie, book, play, short story, .............that has ever been written.
What is it about Good vs. Evil, that intrigues us so, that we would pay millions and millions of dollars every year to watch, read, .....the same theme in different ways?
This concept is not new, it is what the Bible's main theme is all about. It comes down to one thing: WE decide what, and who we are going to do or serve. The ultimate question, the only one that really matters, in our life.
What would have happened if Frodo and Sam had not made it to the Mountain of Doom and destroyed the Ring, (with Gollum's help, of course)? Middle Earth would have been destroyed, and the Evil would have won. How about Neo? If he had not made the right decisions, the Machines (evil Machines) would have killed all the humans. You see, all the heroes , yes even CAPTAIN Jack Sparrow,made the right decision that ultimately led to saving the planet, as it were.
Our decisions are a little less stressful, you see, the whole world as we know it, is not hanging in the balance, for we already know which side is going to win, our decision is just which side do we want to be on?
It is easy to quit, just look how many times CAPTAIN Jack started to leave with the prize and abandon his friends, but came back just in time to save everyone.
We could take our reward here in this life, and just go away, or live here for now, knowing our reward is coming, and our eternal life is just over the horizon.
I loved "Spy vs Spy" from Mad Magazine growing up. Those guys always had the coolest ideas to get the other one. Remember in the old days it was easy to tell the good guys from the bad ones, the color of their hats gave them away. Later the color of hats wasn't quite as important (In "The Big Valley" Nick wore all black but he was a good guy?) But you could tell by their actions.
What are your actions telling others? That your a good guy, serving our Lord and traveling this Earth toward your real home? Or just enjoying life so much that no one but you is important?
Life is not a movie, book, or anything for our pleasure. It is for REAL and it matters. Movies are great, don't get me wrong, and sometimes the bad guy is the hero. But in real life, it is easy to tell the difference. (The "Oceans" movies made us root for thief's, but they were set up to be the good guys, because they were trying to rob the Real bad guy. ) That is NOT how it works in real life, though, You must be the good guy to enter the gates of heaven.
But don't worry, it is pretty easy to tell the Good guys from the bad ones, and it has nothing to do with the color of your hat.
Let's all be good guys and spread the word how easy it really is to be one. Tell next time Chris
I am sure you know where these quotes come from, you more the likely can even remember where you were the first time you heard each one.
But the question I am asking is: "What do these 4 movies have in common? Their theme, Good vs. Evil. This is a theme that has been done and done and done, it is in just about every movie, book, play, short story, .............that has ever been written.
What is it about Good vs. Evil, that intrigues us so, that we would pay millions and millions of dollars every year to watch, read, .....the same theme in different ways?
This concept is not new, it is what the Bible's main theme is all about. It comes down to one thing: WE decide what, and who we are going to do or serve. The ultimate question, the only one that really matters, in our life.
What would have happened if Frodo and Sam had not made it to the Mountain of Doom and destroyed the Ring, (with Gollum's help, of course)? Middle Earth would have been destroyed, and the Evil would have won. How about Neo? If he had not made the right decisions, the Machines (evil Machines) would have killed all the humans. You see, all the heroes , yes even CAPTAIN Jack Sparrow,made the right decision that ultimately led to saving the planet, as it were.
Our decisions are a little less stressful, you see, the whole world as we know it, is not hanging in the balance, for we already know which side is going to win, our decision is just which side do we want to be on?
It is easy to quit, just look how many times CAPTAIN Jack started to leave with the prize and abandon his friends, but came back just in time to save everyone.
We could take our reward here in this life, and just go away, or live here for now, knowing our reward is coming, and our eternal life is just over the horizon.
I loved "Spy vs Spy" from Mad Magazine growing up. Those guys always had the coolest ideas to get the other one. Remember in the old days it was easy to tell the good guys from the bad ones, the color of their hats gave them away. Later the color of hats wasn't quite as important (In "The Big Valley" Nick wore all black but he was a good guy?) But you could tell by their actions.
What are your actions telling others? That your a good guy, serving our Lord and traveling this Earth toward your real home? Or just enjoying life so much that no one but you is important?
Life is not a movie, book, or anything for our pleasure. It is for REAL and it matters. Movies are great, don't get me wrong, and sometimes the bad guy is the hero. But in real life, it is easy to tell the difference. (The "Oceans" movies made us root for thief's, but they were set up to be the good guys, because they were trying to rob the Real bad guy. ) That is NOT how it works in real life, though, You must be the good guy to enter the gates of heaven.
But don't worry, it is pretty easy to tell the Good guys from the bad ones, and it has nothing to do with the color of your hat.
Let's all be good guys and spread the word how easy it really is to be one. Tell next time Chris
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Common themes
I am sure you remember these: "MISTER ANDERSON",, or "THAT'S "CAPTAIN" JACK SPARROW", How about :"MR. FRODO, THERE WILL BE NO MIDDLE EARTH UNLESS WE DESTROY THAT RING". ONE LAST ONE: "LUKE I AM YOUR FATHER"
What do all these great movies have in common? The same theme that has made movies, books, comic books, cartoons, even songs famous throughout history: The theme is "Good vs Evil".
Why does this theme continue to draw us to the movies, buy the books .............? easy because it is engraved deeply into our DNA. It is THE question, it is what makes us different then the animals. There is always a choice for us, either you choose the path of "The Good side of the Force," Or the "Dark Side". Your either are a little Hobbit or one of their friends set on destroying the ring of power, or you are a ORK set on world destruction and ultimate power.
But in real life, it isn't that easy. The choice may be as easy as: "Should I help the lady who is trying to carry to many groceries across the street, and to her home?"
Or "Should I give this wallet I found back to the guy I saw drop it, even though it has $200 in it?" You see life as we all know is full of choices. Some small some large, some enormous. Deciding what to have for breakfast may be hard for you on a daily basis, but there is not a bunch riding on it, unless your on a diet, then may I suggest a bagel no cream cheese? But saying yes or no to that marriage proposal , well that is kinda BIG.
What would have happened if Jack Sparrow, (sorry, CAPTAIN Jack Sparrow) had decided to let all his friends down, and just left during one of those sword fight scenes way up on the mast of the ship? All his friends would have been captured, and they could not have made any more movies, leaving Johnny Depp with millions less then he has now.
Decisions matter. If you decide to roll down your window and talk to the guy on the street corner with a sign that he needs money, just to let him know you recognize he is a person and you respect that, that is a decision. You could have pretended like your cell phone rang so you would not have to look at him in the face, like I used to do. You could have just starred straight ahead singing along with the radio and ignored him, you could have rolled down your window and told him how he needs to get a job and stop living off those that he makes feel guilty. But you didn't you treated him with respect. Decisions have consequences. Heard that one before?
When I was in high school I was awful in English Grammar. I knew I was awful so I stopped trying I did not understand what a dangling participle had to do with anything, I did not understand why the same word could be a adverb in one sentence and a verb in another and some even a noun in another. So I made the decision to quit trying, fail and take the class again. I ended up taking 2 English courses my senior year, one regularly and the other through the mail. I did pass both courses and graduate, but with lots of work, studying and late nights with my Mom helping me (She was very good at Grammar, thankfully)
The decision I had made as a Sophomore had a consequence that I did not feel until two years later, my Senior year, I was under pressure then, because I wanted to graduate.
Good and Evil, in all the best movies, but more importantly, it is real life.
Where did this theme come from, who started this "Spy vs Spy" fun we love to watch and read? Of course, it started with God and His second in command Lucifer, who was kicked out of Heaven because of his pride. This makes the best story line, doesn't it? The best friend of the hero turns against him and gets greedy wanting ALL the money that was stolen and tries to kill everyone. Then the rest of the movie is how the good guys get back at the now bad guy. (Like "The Italian Job") The only problem is God does not get even, He does not steal the loot back, He could care less about possessions, He cares for you. You see, Satan, has blown it, he wanted what God had, Power. He turned his back on Jehovah the all knowing, all seeing, all powerful God of the universe. Now he knows that his future is set, he will burn in a hell made just for him for all time. His goal now? To not be lonely in his suffering, he wants as many humans as possible to burn right along side of him. He knows God loves us so much He died to save us, so Satan will have his revenge by persuading as many of us as he can to join him and turn their backs on God.
Isaiah 5:20
What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.
This is what Satan tries to do, call evil good, and the good things of God, evil. Can you see this in our society today? Abortion is good, and Christianity is bad. Any religion except Christianity is tolerated, but "Tebowing" is to be made fun of, and is not good for us. Satan is trying to turn the whole world upside down, make us think that the Bible is "just a book written by man".
Good vs Evil, it sells books, movies, music, plays, ................but it is for real. There is a reason this theme is so interesting to us, because it is set into our DNA, it is a part of us. God, when He created us, put within us a sense of right and wrong. We call it a "Conscience". In this world we live, it is rare to see people who have one anymore. They have become so "far from what God made them" that they either don't acknowledge their conscience anymore, or have had it surgically removed.
I love watching those movies with that great theme. I am excited because I heard that the movie "The Hobbit" is being made and is coming sometime down the road. "The Lord of The Rings" trilogy was one of my all time favorites, (Yes, I am a nerd, so what?) This classic of JRR Tolkin is one of the best examples of Good vs Evil ever made.
But don't get these great stories confused with real life. In these stories, if we don't like them, we can walk out of the theater. But in life we must choose:
Joshua 24:15
"But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve......" The choice is ours, to serve the one true living God, or the one who is headed for the lake of fire. The choice should be easy, but , it seems, many choose wrong. Your choice. Good, or Evil?
What do all these great movies have in common? The same theme that has made movies, books, comic books, cartoons, even songs famous throughout history: The theme is "Good vs Evil".
Why does this theme continue to draw us to the movies, buy the books .............? easy because it is engraved deeply into our DNA. It is THE question, it is what makes us different then the animals. There is always a choice for us, either you choose the path of "The Good side of the Force," Or the "Dark Side". Your either are a little Hobbit or one of their friends set on destroying the ring of power, or you are a ORK set on world destruction and ultimate power.
But in real life, it isn't that easy. The choice may be as easy as: "Should I help the lady who is trying to carry to many groceries across the street, and to her home?"
Or "Should I give this wallet I found back to the guy I saw drop it, even though it has $200 in it?" You see life as we all know is full of choices. Some small some large, some enormous. Deciding what to have for breakfast may be hard for you on a daily basis, but there is not a bunch riding on it, unless your on a diet, then may I suggest a bagel no cream cheese? But saying yes or no to that marriage proposal , well that is kinda BIG.
What would have happened if Jack Sparrow, (sorry, CAPTAIN Jack Sparrow) had decided to let all his friends down, and just left during one of those sword fight scenes way up on the mast of the ship? All his friends would have been captured, and they could not have made any more movies, leaving Johnny Depp with millions less then he has now.
Decisions matter. If you decide to roll down your window and talk to the guy on the street corner with a sign that he needs money, just to let him know you recognize he is a person and you respect that, that is a decision. You could have pretended like your cell phone rang so you would not have to look at him in the face, like I used to do. You could have just starred straight ahead singing along with the radio and ignored him, you could have rolled down your window and told him how he needs to get a job and stop living off those that he makes feel guilty. But you didn't you treated him with respect. Decisions have consequences. Heard that one before?
When I was in high school I was awful in English Grammar. I knew I was awful so I stopped trying I did not understand what a dangling participle had to do with anything, I did not understand why the same word could be a adverb in one sentence and a verb in another and some even a noun in another. So I made the decision to quit trying, fail and take the class again. I ended up taking 2 English courses my senior year, one regularly and the other through the mail. I did pass both courses and graduate, but with lots of work, studying and late nights with my Mom helping me (She was very good at Grammar, thankfully)
The decision I had made as a Sophomore had a consequence that I did not feel until two years later, my Senior year, I was under pressure then, because I wanted to graduate.
Good and Evil, in all the best movies, but more importantly, it is real life.
Where did this theme come from, who started this "Spy vs Spy" fun we love to watch and read? Of course, it started with God and His second in command Lucifer, who was kicked out of Heaven because of his pride. This makes the best story line, doesn't it? The best friend of the hero turns against him and gets greedy wanting ALL the money that was stolen and tries to kill everyone. Then the rest of the movie is how the good guys get back at the now bad guy. (Like "The Italian Job") The only problem is God does not get even, He does not steal the loot back, He could care less about possessions, He cares for you. You see, Satan, has blown it, he wanted what God had, Power. He turned his back on Jehovah the all knowing, all seeing, all powerful God of the universe. Now he knows that his future is set, he will burn in a hell made just for him for all time. His goal now? To not be lonely in his suffering, he wants as many humans as possible to burn right along side of him. He knows God loves us so much He died to save us, so Satan will have his revenge by persuading as many of us as he can to join him and turn their backs on God.
Isaiah 5:20
What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.
This is what Satan tries to do, call evil good, and the good things of God, evil. Can you see this in our society today? Abortion is good, and Christianity is bad. Any religion except Christianity is tolerated, but "Tebowing" is to be made fun of, and is not good for us. Satan is trying to turn the whole world upside down, make us think that the Bible is "just a book written by man".
Good vs Evil, it sells books, movies, music, plays, ................but it is for real. There is a reason this theme is so interesting to us, because it is set into our DNA, it is a part of us. God, when He created us, put within us a sense of right and wrong. We call it a "Conscience". In this world we live, it is rare to see people who have one anymore. They have become so "far from what God made them" that they either don't acknowledge their conscience anymore, or have had it surgically removed.
I love watching those movies with that great theme. I am excited because I heard that the movie "The Hobbit" is being made and is coming sometime down the road. "The Lord of The Rings" trilogy was one of my all time favorites, (Yes, I am a nerd, so what?) This classic of JRR Tolkin is one of the best examples of Good vs Evil ever made.
But don't get these great stories confused with real life. In these stories, if we don't like them, we can walk out of the theater. But in life we must choose:
Joshua 24:15
"But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve......" The choice is ours, to serve the one true living God, or the one who is headed for the lake of fire. The choice should be easy, but , it seems, many choose wrong. Your choice. Good, or Evil?
Sunday, July 24, 2011
The Hole
Ever been in a hole? I remember as a kid, digging a hole in the sand, wither at the beach, or in a sandbox or just in your back yard (I lived in West Texas, most back yards had sand, weeds, dirt, and Spiders, lots of spiders.) It was fun, especially if you could make that hole big enough to climb into. Digging a hole in the clay and climbing in , that felt good, the clay was cool the further down you dug, the cooler it got.
How about now? Now that we are "all grown up"? Are you in a hole? Maybe your "upside down" in your car payment, or owe more on credit cards then you make. These are all financial holes. But what about YOU, what about depression, addiction, feeling low all the time................You actually feel like your in a hole all by yourself and there is no way out. You look up the air is way up there, I mean WAY UP THERE> The sides of the hole are slick, no rocks, no roots nothing to grab onto and try and climb out. Believe me YOU have tried to climb out of that hole many MANY times, but just couldn't do it. Just have slipped, fallen right back down, each time it seemed the hole got deeper and deeper. Maybe you saw someone up there now and then, you yelled at them and the few that heard tried to help, they ran, got a rope and lowered it down, but couldn't lift you up, or the rope was to short, or they would shout encouraging things to you to try and help like" "You'll be alright, I am sure the Lord will help you get out of there, don't worry" and then they went on their way. But you were still in the hole.
Guess what? There is someone who will not only lower a rope to you, but He will climb down in that hole with you to help you up. He has been down in all kinds of holes and knows how to climb out of them and help you. He will carry you up if He needs to, one hand on you , one grabbing the rope. He of course is Jesus, and He want even ask you that embarrassing question you have been dreading "How did you get down there? Why can't you just stay out of that hole ?", or "I leave you alone for 5 minutes and look were you end up" No, He will dust you off, care for you , give you a drink of water, take you to get something to eat, ask you about your self, get to know you, love you, and do whatever you need. In a few days or so He may ask you something like: "You know, if you stopped going down that street, then it would be allot easier to avoid that hole" you know some good advice like that.
You see God doesn't just throw us a rope, He climbs down there with us and helps us. He has been where we are, and doesn't mind being there again to help us get out.
Have you ever seen how a Coast Guard rescue swimmer helps people who are drowning in a storm ? The Helo hoovers over the people needing rescuing, and the rescue swimmer jumps into the ragging waters with the people. He lowers a rope, but he jumps into these dangerous waters with those he is rescuing. He doesn't lower a rope and yell: "OK, hang onto that rope and we will pull you up." He puts his life in jeopardy to help you. I have never been in that situation, but can only imagine how much safer you would feel with someone in the water with me, and telling me what to do, instead of someone in the helo over my head shouting orders down to me from 40 or so feet.
Get it? God does not let us go through ANYTHING that He is not standing right next to us. My Nephew is going through some real issues right now. My Sister my family and I have really been praying for this situation and my nephew. My sister asked the Lord to send More Angels to help her son, and God told her he had. I can see God, saying to Himself, "I had it covered, but if you want more angels, then so be it," You see God cares so much for us He answeres our prayers regardless of the need.
If you find yourself in that same ole' hole, that you have been in over and over, there is only one thing to do, call on Jesus, It doesn't matter if it is the 2000 time or the 1st time you have been trapped in that hole, He will not leave you or forsake you. BUT if you don't call, He cannot show up, that is His nature, He don't go where He is not welcomed.
How about now? Now that we are "all grown up"? Are you in a hole? Maybe your "upside down" in your car payment, or owe more on credit cards then you make. These are all financial holes. But what about YOU, what about depression, addiction, feeling low all the time................You actually feel like your in a hole all by yourself and there is no way out. You look up the air is way up there, I mean WAY UP THERE> The sides of the hole are slick, no rocks, no roots nothing to grab onto and try and climb out. Believe me YOU have tried to climb out of that hole many MANY times, but just couldn't do it. Just have slipped, fallen right back down, each time it seemed the hole got deeper and deeper. Maybe you saw someone up there now and then, you yelled at them and the few that heard tried to help, they ran, got a rope and lowered it down, but couldn't lift you up, or the rope was to short, or they would shout encouraging things to you to try and help like" "You'll be alright, I am sure the Lord will help you get out of there, don't worry" and then they went on their way. But you were still in the hole.
Guess what? There is someone who will not only lower a rope to you, but He will climb down in that hole with you to help you up. He has been down in all kinds of holes and knows how to climb out of them and help you. He will carry you up if He needs to, one hand on you , one grabbing the rope. He of course is Jesus, and He want even ask you that embarrassing question you have been dreading "How did you get down there? Why can't you just stay out of that hole ?", or "I leave you alone for 5 minutes and look were you end up" No, He will dust you off, care for you , give you a drink of water, take you to get something to eat, ask you about your self, get to know you, love you, and do whatever you need. In a few days or so He may ask you something like: "You know, if you stopped going down that street, then it would be allot easier to avoid that hole" you know some good advice like that.
You see God doesn't just throw us a rope, He climbs down there with us and helps us. He has been where we are, and doesn't mind being there again to help us get out.
Have you ever seen how a Coast Guard rescue swimmer helps people who are drowning in a storm ? The Helo hoovers over the people needing rescuing, and the rescue swimmer jumps into the ragging waters with the people. He lowers a rope, but he jumps into these dangerous waters with those he is rescuing. He doesn't lower a rope and yell: "OK, hang onto that rope and we will pull you up." He puts his life in jeopardy to help you. I have never been in that situation, but can only imagine how much safer you would feel with someone in the water with me, and telling me what to do, instead of someone in the helo over my head shouting orders down to me from 40 or so feet.
Get it? God does not let us go through ANYTHING that He is not standing right next to us. My Nephew is going through some real issues right now. My Sister my family and I have really been praying for this situation and my nephew. My sister asked the Lord to send More Angels to help her son, and God told her he had. I can see God, saying to Himself, "I had it covered, but if you want more angels, then so be it," You see God cares so much for us He answeres our prayers regardless of the need.
If you find yourself in that same ole' hole, that you have been in over and over, there is only one thing to do, call on Jesus, It doesn't matter if it is the 2000 time or the 1st time you have been trapped in that hole, He will not leave you or forsake you. BUT if you don't call, He cannot show up, that is His nature, He don't go where He is not welcomed.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Is it Really Magic?
I have just taken a "break" from cleaning my kitchen,. Because I thought of something pretty neat, I think. You see as I was sweeping the kitchen floor, I moved the trash can over to sweep behind it, guess what I found? Filth, dirt, stains, drips of who knows what, yucky yuck (I am patenting that phrase , so don't even try and use it, or I will find you :) I know how this happened, you know you do it too, "He shoots, with 1 second left on the clock, the ball has a high arch it goes in slow motion it seems, and there is the buzzer IT"S GOOD!!!!!!! The San Antonio Spurs are the champions of the world. (Please put your favorite team in place of San Antonio if you dare) And I don't miss to often, (OK< confession time part 1, I miss more then I make, ) and guess what that means? That's right, drips, stains, yucky yuck on the wall behind the trash can.
I saw this mess, and figured it was time to try and do something about it, I mean if I was going to clean my apartment, then I wanted it clean. I looked under the sink, I know, not a good place to be, all those cleaning materials that I haven't used since buying them, were getting pretty yucky especially since the sink over flowed last month. But I found something I had forgotten all about. There it was a little box of "Magic Erasers" I had bought at Sam's a few months ago. Why not? So I followed the direction (this is important) wetted down one of these magic little sponges and got to cleaning. WOW, you should see my wall now, a few easy swipes and you could see such a big difference. I did not have to put much pressure on the sponge, it just did, well, "Magic".
Did you know that God has a Magic Eraser, too? It is HUGE It can clean ANYTHING. But you got to follow the instructions. But don't worry, they aren't hard. You see when we mess up, you know sin? It stains our hearts with grease, grime, drips, and yes yucky yuck. God really wants to clean it up for us, but He can't until we follow the directions, which are: "Confess" that is it: Confess to God, and who we hurt or sinned against, tell Him and them we are sorry for what we did (be specific, as a kid I used to tell God every night before going to bed: "Forgive All the sins I have done since birth and bless you lord", I figured I had IT covered with that one. But God knows our heart, and he rewards those that really are sincere. So what happens next? God gets that HUGE Magic Eraser out of the box, reaches down into our heart and starts scrubbing the walls of our heart with it. It doesn't take much pressure, just a little "elbow grease" and WHAMO everything is white again, just like brand new.
How can God do this, I mean it was OUR wrong, OUR SIN, OUR mistake, OUR mistrust, OUR defiance, OUR turning our back on Him, not HIS bad, but OURS?
Let's go back to the Cross, shall we? Jesus died with the weight of ALL sin on him/ EVERY sin I have committed or will commit, every sin You have committed or will commit, and EVERY sin ANYONE who has ever lived or will live on his shoulders. Guess what this means? That ALL those sins are paid for, He now owns them, and can do whatever He wants to with them. But there is one catch, He can do nothing with them, if we don't "follow the directions" and simply ASK Him to.
If your like me that wall I cleaned this morning will be dirty again in a few weeks (OK confession time #2, Tomorrow night) and I will have to get the "Magic Eraser" out again and do a little rubbing, before it gets like it was today again. This leads me to what "Hit" me as I was cleaning, We are human, we are going to mess up, again and again, BUT just as I now know how to keep my wall behind the trash can clean, I also know how to keep my heart clean. It takes humility to get down on your knees and scrub the yucky yuck from the wall and floor behind the trash can, or the toilet, or other places, but if you want a clean house, sometimes this has to be done. It also takes humility to say to God" "God, I goofed again, I am sorry, with Your help I will try and not do this again. " And then (This is VERY important for christian growth} IF you have hurt another person, done harm to them done something to lesson their trust for you................talk to them, apologize to them, tell them you blew it, and are very sorry. This will help you, but also them. Because as I said before, we are Human and will goof.
I am not saying "Do whatever you want, then just confess, God has to forgive you, if you ask. It doesn't work like that, God knows our hearts and He know our sincerity. He will forgive us, IF we come to Him with sincerity, humility, and love. So, basically, don't try to play games with God, it ain't worth it, (I know, I have tried.)
Thanks for listening to my Ramblings, till next time Chris
I saw this mess, and figured it was time to try and do something about it, I mean if I was going to clean my apartment, then I wanted it clean. I looked under the sink, I know, not a good place to be, all those cleaning materials that I haven't used since buying them, were getting pretty yucky especially since the sink over flowed last month. But I found something I had forgotten all about. There it was a little box of "Magic Erasers" I had bought at Sam's a few months ago. Why not? So I followed the direction (this is important) wetted down one of these magic little sponges and got to cleaning. WOW, you should see my wall now, a few easy swipes and you could see such a big difference. I did not have to put much pressure on the sponge, it just did, well, "Magic".
Did you know that God has a Magic Eraser, too? It is HUGE It can clean ANYTHING. But you got to follow the instructions. But don't worry, they aren't hard. You see when we mess up, you know sin? It stains our hearts with grease, grime, drips, and yes yucky yuck. God really wants to clean it up for us, but He can't until we follow the directions, which are: "Confess" that is it: Confess to God, and who we hurt or sinned against, tell Him and them we are sorry for what we did (be specific, as a kid I used to tell God every night before going to bed: "Forgive All the sins I have done since birth and bless you lord", I figured I had IT covered with that one. But God knows our heart, and he rewards those that really are sincere. So what happens next? God gets that HUGE Magic Eraser out of the box, reaches down into our heart and starts scrubbing the walls of our heart with it. It doesn't take much pressure, just a little "elbow grease" and WHAMO everything is white again, just like brand new.
How can God do this, I mean it was OUR wrong, OUR SIN, OUR mistake, OUR mistrust, OUR defiance, OUR turning our back on Him, not HIS bad, but OURS?
Let's go back to the Cross, shall we? Jesus died with the weight of ALL sin on him/ EVERY sin I have committed or will commit, every sin You have committed or will commit, and EVERY sin ANYONE who has ever lived or will live on his shoulders. Guess what this means? That ALL those sins are paid for, He now owns them, and can do whatever He wants to with them. But there is one catch, He can do nothing with them, if we don't "follow the directions" and simply ASK Him to.
If your like me that wall I cleaned this morning will be dirty again in a few weeks (OK confession time #2, Tomorrow night) and I will have to get the "Magic Eraser" out again and do a little rubbing, before it gets like it was today again. This leads me to what "Hit" me as I was cleaning, We are human, we are going to mess up, again and again, BUT just as I now know how to keep my wall behind the trash can clean, I also know how to keep my heart clean. It takes humility to get down on your knees and scrub the yucky yuck from the wall and floor behind the trash can, or the toilet, or other places, but if you want a clean house, sometimes this has to be done. It also takes humility to say to God" "God, I goofed again, I am sorry, with Your help I will try and not do this again. " And then (This is VERY important for christian growth} IF you have hurt another person, done harm to them done something to lesson their trust for you................talk to them, apologize to them, tell them you blew it, and are very sorry. This will help you, but also them. Because as I said before, we are Human and will goof.
I am not saying "Do whatever you want, then just confess, God has to forgive you, if you ask. It doesn't work like that, God knows our hearts and He know our sincerity. He will forgive us, IF we come to Him with sincerity, humility, and love. So, basically, don't try to play games with God, it ain't worth it, (I know, I have tried.)
Thanks for listening to my Ramblings, till next time Chris
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Relationships
How many relationships do you have? The neighbor you greet about 2-3 times a week. The mailman you greet once in a while, the UPS man that delivers a package occasionally. The man that always sits behind you at church? You say "Hi, nice to see you" or something like that every time you see them.. But what about real relationships? How about the guy in the next cubicle at work? Maybe you go out to lunch on Fridays with him and a few other guys, what do you talk about? Sports, politics, the weather,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,? Did you know if you have told your acquaintances that your a christian they are watching you, feeling you out? They are waiting to see you "in action", they are wondering if your really a christian, or just pretending to be. They wonder if you just go to church, to make yourself feel better or are you the "real deal"?
We had a visiting preacher at my church this last Sunday, and he challenged us among other things about our relationships. So here we go. Did you know that to be a real witness for someone, it's easiest to already have a relationship formed.? When you declare yourself as a Christian, it is like announcing your a candidate for president. The background checks will start, the checking the scripture to see if your right about what you say, or what your religion, church says or believes.
So what do you need to do? Easy, live like you normally do. Do what is normal, if you always live for God then there will be no problem. If your standards are high, then those around you will see that. If your more about relationships then religion, then those around you will see this. If those in your office come to you with "problems they want you to pray for", or they ask about your church and what they believe, then they see you as someone who they would like and respect.
BUT it first starts with a relationship, if the first time you meet them you tell them they are going to hell if they don't...............whatever, then they are more then likely going to never listen to you again. BUT if you treat them as friends, respect them, ask them about their family, there passions get to know them BECAUSE your really interested in them. It is amazing how people can spot a "fake" right away. If your "real" they will know as well.
If you "mess up" and confess to them that you did, guess what? Most people will see you as human and respect that you confessed. They may be having the same trouble with the same things, and that might get the ball rolling.
The more you know them, the more time you have invested in them, the more they will respect you. The last thing most people need is judgmental attitudes analyzing them. I know I know, what they are doing is really bad, but "Who among us, is not?" "He that has no sin, cast the first stone"
People are people, there is nothing we can do about it. Be a friend, yes to "those sinners" you might be surprised how much you like them. Maybe not how they are living, but just who they are.
You don't have to be perfect, just human. They might start asking questions, and they may not, but you'll more then likely form a relationship, make a new friend.
I knew a guy years ago in the Navy, he was very vocal about his opinions, he was a drunk every time we were in port, he partied constantly, except when we were out to sea. I always thought he would make a great christian, because he spoke his opinion regardless of who was listening or who was around. He made his opinion known when the Admiral was around once, and got the "look" from our Captain, didn't bother him, they asked for opinions, and he gave one. I told him one time that I thought he would make a great "street preacher", he just looked at me and called me crazy. I hope he found the Lord, because he had the passion, the love for life, the "who cares what happens to me" attitude. Those "Gruff and Tough" guys make great Christians, I think. If you remember Barry McGuire, then you know what I am talking about.
There is room in Gods family for every type of personality , so don't judge, just live like God wants you to live. You never know who is watching. And who knows? Remember, you don't have to be perfect, I mean who among us is? Just be human, real, and show love for everyone. Mainly, don't judge other, just love them. Till next time Chris
We had a visiting preacher at my church this last Sunday, and he challenged us among other things about our relationships. So here we go. Did you know that to be a real witness for someone, it's easiest to already have a relationship formed.? When you declare yourself as a Christian, it is like announcing your a candidate for president. The background checks will start, the checking the scripture to see if your right about what you say, or what your religion, church says or believes.
So what do you need to do? Easy, live like you normally do. Do what is normal, if you always live for God then there will be no problem. If your standards are high, then those around you will see that. If your more about relationships then religion, then those around you will see this. If those in your office come to you with "problems they want you to pray for", or they ask about your church and what they believe, then they see you as someone who they would like and respect.
BUT it first starts with a relationship, if the first time you meet them you tell them they are going to hell if they don't...............whatever, then they are more then likely going to never listen to you again. BUT if you treat them as friends, respect them, ask them about their family, there passions get to know them BECAUSE your really interested in them. It is amazing how people can spot a "fake" right away. If your "real" they will know as well.
If you "mess up" and confess to them that you did, guess what? Most people will see you as human and respect that you confessed. They may be having the same trouble with the same things, and that might get the ball rolling.
The more you know them, the more time you have invested in them, the more they will respect you. The last thing most people need is judgmental attitudes analyzing them. I know I know, what they are doing is really bad, but "Who among us, is not?" "He that has no sin, cast the first stone"
People are people, there is nothing we can do about it. Be a friend, yes to "those sinners" you might be surprised how much you like them. Maybe not how they are living, but just who they are.
You don't have to be perfect, just human. They might start asking questions, and they may not, but you'll more then likely form a relationship, make a new friend.
I knew a guy years ago in the Navy, he was very vocal about his opinions, he was a drunk every time we were in port, he partied constantly, except when we were out to sea. I always thought he would make a great christian, because he spoke his opinion regardless of who was listening or who was around. He made his opinion known when the Admiral was around once, and got the "look" from our Captain, didn't bother him, they asked for opinions, and he gave one. I told him one time that I thought he would make a great "street preacher", he just looked at me and called me crazy. I hope he found the Lord, because he had the passion, the love for life, the "who cares what happens to me" attitude. Those "Gruff and Tough" guys make great Christians, I think. If you remember Barry McGuire, then you know what I am talking about.
There is room in Gods family for every type of personality , so don't judge, just live like God wants you to live. You never know who is watching. And who knows? Remember, you don't have to be perfect, I mean who among us is? Just be human, real, and show love for everyone. Mainly, don't judge other, just love them. Till next time Chris
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Happy Independence Day
Wow here we are another birthday for the good ol' US of A. Time for us all to take the day off, cook on the outdoor grill, hamburgers, hot dogs (nothing says America like grilled hotdogs) potatoe salad, some good ole 'nanna puddin'. Talking and being with friends and family. Then going and watching the night sky light up with fire works. Yes this is how we celebrate America.
But what are we celebrating? Freedom? Our way of life? The fact that here in America anyone can be someone? The freedoms that our forefathers fought and died for?
There is a move in this country that is trying to tell us that our forefathers were not Christians, they were something else, anything else. They try and leave out God, Jesus and anything from Him from our history. But that is a hard thing to do, without just plain ole lying. That , it seems, is not below them.
I recently had a conversation with someone on line about how this country was founded. He told me that George Washington was not a man of faith. He said that because he owned slaves, then he could not protest Christ in those days, then he went on to tell me about the weird religions that Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin and others were into. I went on line and found some quotes from these men that talked about there faith in God, Jesus, Our Father.............and asked this gentleman who then they were reffering to.
My Pastor spoke this morning about our countries rich history , and how God had his hand in this country from the beginning. He had many quotes of former Presidents that had attributed the USA's blessings, victories and sucess dierctly from God. Abraham Lincoln called for a day of fasting and prayer for God to help us realign as a single country after the war between the states. A sitting president called for a day of fasting and prayer!!!!! He did not say, pray to whoever you want, they are all just different pathways to the same deity. He said he wanted to set aside a day to fast and pray that GOD would help our country put aside our differences and rejoin us as a country. He did not say, Buddah, he did not say to get into any religious position to be alightened, He said to fast and pray to GOD.
This leads me to one question: What has happened to our country? What has been done to us? Who is at fault for the vast difference in our country today? Easy, We the church have failed. You can blame Democrats, you can blame the taking prayer out of schools, you can blame liberalism, feminism, the seeking of fortune, sex, adultry, violence, drugs, rock and roll, country music, dancing, those that assume they are born gay, the way your parents raised you, alchocal, drugs, freedom, you can blame ANYTHING, but the truth is: The Church (you and me) has failed.
It's time to stop this. It is time to call black black, and sin sin. It is time to tell others that we are sorry for allowing these things to control us and take our focus off God. It is time to shout from the rooftops that Jesus saves.
I am so proud of our Govenor here in Texas. Think what you want of him, but Gov, Rick Perry has called for a day to fast and pray for our nation. Saturday Aug, 6th in Houston in Reliant Stadium (were the Texans play) there will be a prayer meeting for our nation. There are over 60,000 expected, and I want to be there. This would be the largest meeting of christians coming togather for prayer and repentence and fasting that I have ever seen and many if not all of you, too. This is not about politics, there will be no speeches, there will be no "register as a republician to vote" Oppertunities, no Sarah Palin or Bachman, (as far as I know) will not be there trying to get votes. I don't know if the Gov, will be there or not, but have been told there will be no politics at all. It will be about crying to God and praying for our country, because if you are like me, you know this country is in the worst shape in my life. Not just politically, economicly, or socially, but spiritually. Where have morals gone in this country? Why is God not in the picture? Easy, because the church has failed. It is time we start to turn the tide, to show the world that yes we have failed, but our God is full of grace, and He told us that : "If the church turn from our wicked ways, acknowledge Him and seek His face, He will save our land." I want to seek His face, I want Him to save MY land, I want Him to work through me, to save my country, I want HIS will, not a politicans will on where this country is headed.
I love this country, I served 4 years in the US Navy to defend it from all enemies forgein and domestic...........this is my home, and I see it being destroyed by sin. Sin I sat and watched take ahold and shook my head in disgust complaining and doing nothing to help. I, and you of the church have failed this country, stand up and be counted, and start to reverse the direction the USA is headed. I will not sit anymore and watch, I will do something. Are you as tired of the "same ole thing" as I?
Then do something about it, if you cannot attend this event in Houston, then pray at home, meet at someones home at your church and pray for this country like you have never prayed before. God wants to do something for our land, but needs prayers to go out. Did you know if no one prayes then God's hands are tied? He wants us to pray to Him to answer our problems and concerns, for that is how we grow in our walk and faith in Him. One answered prayer, is worth so much to us, it is so easy to trust when God answered last time, why would He not this time? Put God to the test, He won't let us down. Really have had enough with politicians, then let them go and start putting your trust in Him. He is not asking for your vote, your dollars, your support, He is asking you to trust Him. All He wants is everything you got. Then He'll give it back to you, pressed down, shaken togather and running over.
Please, we cannot wait another minute. It is SO late, we must be about our Fathers business, and tell those that are blind that He is the only answer. There are so many looking seeking we have what they are looking for, we just have to show them
But what are we celebrating? Freedom? Our way of life? The fact that here in America anyone can be someone? The freedoms that our forefathers fought and died for?
There is a move in this country that is trying to tell us that our forefathers were not Christians, they were something else, anything else. They try and leave out God, Jesus and anything from Him from our history. But that is a hard thing to do, without just plain ole lying. That , it seems, is not below them.
I recently had a conversation with someone on line about how this country was founded. He told me that George Washington was not a man of faith. He said that because he owned slaves, then he could not protest Christ in those days, then he went on to tell me about the weird religions that Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin and others were into. I went on line and found some quotes from these men that talked about there faith in God, Jesus, Our Father.............and asked this gentleman who then they were reffering to.
My Pastor spoke this morning about our countries rich history , and how God had his hand in this country from the beginning. He had many quotes of former Presidents that had attributed the USA's blessings, victories and sucess dierctly from God. Abraham Lincoln called for a day of fasting and prayer for God to help us realign as a single country after the war between the states. A sitting president called for a day of fasting and prayer!!!!! He did not say, pray to whoever you want, they are all just different pathways to the same deity. He said he wanted to set aside a day to fast and pray that GOD would help our country put aside our differences and rejoin us as a country. He did not say, Buddah, he did not say to get into any religious position to be alightened, He said to fast and pray to GOD.
This leads me to one question: What has happened to our country? What has been done to us? Who is at fault for the vast difference in our country today? Easy, We the church have failed. You can blame Democrats, you can blame the taking prayer out of schools, you can blame liberalism, feminism, the seeking of fortune, sex, adultry, violence, drugs, rock and roll, country music, dancing, those that assume they are born gay, the way your parents raised you, alchocal, drugs, freedom, you can blame ANYTHING, but the truth is: The Church (you and me) has failed.
It's time to stop this. It is time to call black black, and sin sin. It is time to tell others that we are sorry for allowing these things to control us and take our focus off God. It is time to shout from the rooftops that Jesus saves.
I am so proud of our Govenor here in Texas. Think what you want of him, but Gov, Rick Perry has called for a day to fast and pray for our nation. Saturday Aug, 6th in Houston in Reliant Stadium (were the Texans play) there will be a prayer meeting for our nation. There are over 60,000 expected, and I want to be there. This would be the largest meeting of christians coming togather for prayer and repentence and fasting that I have ever seen and many if not all of you, too. This is not about politics, there will be no speeches, there will be no "register as a republician to vote" Oppertunities, no Sarah Palin or Bachman, (as far as I know) will not be there trying to get votes. I don't know if the Gov, will be there or not, but have been told there will be no politics at all. It will be about crying to God and praying for our country, because if you are like me, you know this country is in the worst shape in my life. Not just politically, economicly, or socially, but spiritually. Where have morals gone in this country? Why is God not in the picture? Easy, because the church has failed. It is time we start to turn the tide, to show the world that yes we have failed, but our God is full of grace, and He told us that : "If the church turn from our wicked ways, acknowledge Him and seek His face, He will save our land." I want to seek His face, I want Him to save MY land, I want Him to work through me, to save my country, I want HIS will, not a politicans will on where this country is headed.
I love this country, I served 4 years in the US Navy to defend it from all enemies forgein and domestic...........this is my home, and I see it being destroyed by sin. Sin I sat and watched take ahold and shook my head in disgust complaining and doing nothing to help. I, and you of the church have failed this country, stand up and be counted, and start to reverse the direction the USA is headed. I will not sit anymore and watch, I will do something. Are you as tired of the "same ole thing" as I?
Then do something about it, if you cannot attend this event in Houston, then pray at home, meet at someones home at your church and pray for this country like you have never prayed before. God wants to do something for our land, but needs prayers to go out. Did you know if no one prayes then God's hands are tied? He wants us to pray to Him to answer our problems and concerns, for that is how we grow in our walk and faith in Him. One answered prayer, is worth so much to us, it is so easy to trust when God answered last time, why would He not this time? Put God to the test, He won't let us down. Really have had enough with politicians, then let them go and start putting your trust in Him. He is not asking for your vote, your dollars, your support, He is asking you to trust Him. All He wants is everything you got. Then He'll give it back to you, pressed down, shaken togather and running over.
Please, we cannot wait another minute. It is SO late, we must be about our Fathers business, and tell those that are blind that He is the only answer. There are so many looking seeking we have what they are looking for, we just have to show them
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