Here in Austin Memorial Day brings back memories. Just before I got out of the Navy in 1982, there was a terrible flood here in Austin. Memorial Day 1981 one of the "small" creeks here flooded, and 13 people were drowned. I remember after my wife and I moved moved back to Austin from Washington state when I was discharged, we looked at an apartment that still had the marks of were the flood waters had been above the first floor.
Memorial Day is about remembering those that died, serving our country, though. Yes we here in Austin remember that terrible flood, and those that died, but the National Holilday is set aside to remember the Military personal that died defending our country. I have been watching war movies all weekend on AMC and TCM, and seeing those of WW2 batteling the enemy. John Wayne was a great leader in war, it seems. I watched "Saving Private Ryan" Friday night, and the first scene of that movie always has me tearing up as the horrors of D-Day come to life on the screne. Many soliders died right there before they even set foot on Omaha beach or other beaches in France. These men are heros, they died defending our country and our freedom. They died so that we could live. This brings me to my point:
Jesus Christ died for ALL of us, everyone who has ever lived, or will live. He took the "sins of the World, both past present and future" on himself. The Romans did not kill Jesus, the Jews did not kill Jesus, YOU and I did. Our sins is why He suffered. Our sins are why He received those stripes on his back. The Movie "The Passion" shows how horrible He suffered. I have a friend who thinks that movie was to violent, but he loves "Saving Private Ryan". They both happened, and I think the movies more then likely portrayed them fairly well.
Jesus Christ Suffered like no person has ever or will ever suffered, why" Because He loves me, and you and everyone ever born or to be born. It was the only way, we as human beings had pretty much blown it, and a sacrifice had to be made, I am very thankful He made that sacrifice.
I am also thankful that Soliders, Sailors, Airman, Marines...........................were willing to go and fight In WW2, WW1, Korea, Vietnam, Afaganastain, Somilia, Iraq, Iran, .........................and all the wars in between. These men and women, did not know if they would return of not, but they went anyway. Thank you.
And Thank You Jesus Christ. without you these decisions to go and fight would not have been possible. God Bless America.
Thank you Lord for saving my soul, and Dying on a tree for my sins.
Hope you pause today and thank a Vet and a family of a slain Solider, Sailor, Airman, Marine................And more importantly, thank Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for without His sacrifice, the fires of Hell would burning us right now.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
The Butterfly Effect.
My Pastor preached this morning on "The Butterfly Effect". I remember watching a movie with that title, wasen't that impressed. But, our pasror explained what this effect really is. It was named after the wind created from a butterfly wings that was on one side of the world, could possibly create a hurricane on the other side. Impossible, you say? Well, as he went on, the action of one, could possibly have major consequences to others. His point was that "actions matter". If you talk to a neighbor, friend, co-worker, family member..............and they ask Jesus into their hearts, what will become of that life? Could they become the next Billy Graham and have millions saved because of their ministry? Will they have a son or daughter who becomes the next Gandi? Will millions be saved because of some discovery they made? Will the have a child, who creates a miracle drug and save millions of lives? We never know what one life can mean. Thus : "The Butterfly Effect."
Nothing we do is useless, our decisions matter. I used to think, "What does the things I choose to do , or not to do, have to do with anything?" Well I now realize they matter a lot.
There was a pretty bad movie I watched some time ago: Someone had invented a time "Portal" where you could go back in time and visit historic dates. They had made this into a "attraction" where people would pay quite a bit of money to visit historical dates in history. On one such trip, they were visiting the Dinosaurs. A "Pathway" would appear and the "visitors" were to stay on it. They were very careful not to change anything, because it could have drastic effects on their persent. Of course, you saw it coming as everyone did, something happened and the future they went to was vastly different then the one they left. Why? Because they changed something in the past.
So, our dicisions we make, everyday, matter. What if we did not go to work today, don't feel "that good"? And in our absence, we do not talk to our co-worker, who is having marital problems. We don't advise them to "stand up" to their spouse, and not take the abuse anymore. They continue to be abused, and end up being killed. Then what if their spouse who is now in jail for the rest of their life, was not witnessed to by someone, and did not became a christian. Now suppose this person had become a head of a Drug Rehap center who led people down the recovery path, by sharing Jesus with them. Then they don't lead that future missionary to the Lord, who talks to the future leader of a terrorist organazation and gives his heart to the Lord, and dosen't become a terrorist.
Pretty far fetched? You never know, this could happen, just because you wanted to take a day off.
I am not saying never take a day off, what I am saying is: Think about your decisions, and their consequences. God has plans for us, and those plans have to do with other plans, which have to do with other plans..........................it's a micacle anything gets done. But there are alternative plans, which, I am sure, God has to change on the fly, because we mess things up.
When the Holy Spirit prompts us to say something to someone, or just be nice to such and such, their is a reason, maybe just for that person, and for us, but ultimetley there may be much more.
Follow His direction, read His word, listen to that "still small voice" and remember our decisions matter.
Nothing we do is useless, our decisions matter. I used to think, "What does the things I choose to do , or not to do, have to do with anything?" Well I now realize they matter a lot.
There was a pretty bad movie I watched some time ago: Someone had invented a time "Portal" where you could go back in time and visit historic dates. They had made this into a "attraction" where people would pay quite a bit of money to visit historical dates in history. On one such trip, they were visiting the Dinosaurs. A "Pathway" would appear and the "visitors" were to stay on it. They were very careful not to change anything, because it could have drastic effects on their persent. Of course, you saw it coming as everyone did, something happened and the future they went to was vastly different then the one they left. Why? Because they changed something in the past.
So, our dicisions we make, everyday, matter. What if we did not go to work today, don't feel "that good"? And in our absence, we do not talk to our co-worker, who is having marital problems. We don't advise them to "stand up" to their spouse, and not take the abuse anymore. They continue to be abused, and end up being killed. Then what if their spouse who is now in jail for the rest of their life, was not witnessed to by someone, and did not became a christian. Now suppose this person had become a head of a Drug Rehap center who led people down the recovery path, by sharing Jesus with them. Then they don't lead that future missionary to the Lord, who talks to the future leader of a terrorist organazation and gives his heart to the Lord, and dosen't become a terrorist.
Pretty far fetched? You never know, this could happen, just because you wanted to take a day off.
I am not saying never take a day off, what I am saying is: Think about your decisions, and their consequences. God has plans for us, and those plans have to do with other plans, which have to do with other plans..........................it's a micacle anything gets done. But there are alternative plans, which, I am sure, God has to change on the fly, because we mess things up.
When the Holy Spirit prompts us to say something to someone, or just be nice to such and such, their is a reason, maybe just for that person, and for us, but ultimetley there may be much more.
Follow His direction, read His word, listen to that "still small voice" and remember our decisions matter.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Security
I was thinking the other day about my kids births. Both my children are grown, 27 and 24. My oldest a girl is a high school math teacher, and my son is a very good drummer in a band that tours, it seems, constantly.
When they were born, I remember how proud and in love I felt. As a new dad, I was holding a precious gift the God had lent me and my wife. The first time I held my daughter, is a feeling I will never forget.
She kinda smiled at me, and opened and shut her eyes. Before we took her and my wife home, after her birth, she had started grabbing my finger with her little hands.
Through the next couple of months she would hold on to my fingers everytime I held her.
I remember my son, did this also. I guess it was a bonding between parent and child, but more I believe it gave a sense of security and peace and love to my children
Over the next several years after my kids were born, they crawled, they started walking, they started running, they started riding bikes, but always within the sight of one of us, their parents.
When learning how to walk, I would let them hold my fingers, and lead them from between my legs and genlty pull them along. As long as they were holding onto my fingers, they were brave, no problem. But then I would let go of one little hand, and that usually got a wide eyed, look of fear.
I can only assume what they were thinking, "Daddy is letting me go, oh no". But I wasen't any less concerned for their saftey, I just was giving them a little push towards walking by themselves.
As my kids grew, I held their hand as we crossed streets, going into the Doctor's office, where there was no dobt that a shot was in order. the first day of school, when they were scared of the unknown. Many, Many times I or my wife would hold their hands, and show them that we were not going to let anything happen to them.
I remember when my son was about one year old, he had a habbit of reaching up for my hand, any time I was next to him. He knew I would grab it and thereby making him feel secure. I wonder how he would have felt if I just ignored his hand and walked on ahead of him? I don't know, because I did not do that, he was my son.
Did you know that God, Himself, is our Dad? He is reaching down from heavan right now, in hopes that we will grab onto his hand, if we need to feel secure. I can still picture my son right thumb in his mouth, left hand reaching up to take mine, and away we would go. I usually would pick him up and carry him before 2 or 3 steps, though, as his little legs couldn't keep up.
As a parant, I would do anything for my kids, I would run in front of a speeding bus if it was barreling down on them. I know if you have kids you feel the same. God is waiting to hold our hands, swing us up by one arm and carry us, stop a speeding bus to protect us, do whatever it takes to help us. But there is one catch, we have to grab hold of His hand when it is offered.
Grab ahold of God's hand, right now, let Him make you feel secure, loved, and at peace. He loves spending time with his children, and protecting us, making us feel secure.
When I was a kid, I remember getting into arguments and fights over who had the toughest dad, I thought my dad could do anything. My dad is 79 now, and dependent upon me to pretty much take him places, make sure the repairs aroung the house are taken care of......................But I still talk to him, reach out to him and share my intermost thoughts and dreams with him, I mean afterall, He is my Dad.
Is this how you feel about our God? Why not, I mean afterall He is our Dad.
When they were born, I remember how proud and in love I felt. As a new dad, I was holding a precious gift the God had lent me and my wife. The first time I held my daughter, is a feeling I will never forget.
She kinda smiled at me, and opened and shut her eyes. Before we took her and my wife home, after her birth, she had started grabbing my finger with her little hands.
Through the next couple of months she would hold on to my fingers everytime I held her.
I remember my son, did this also. I guess it was a bonding between parent and child, but more I believe it gave a sense of security and peace and love to my children
Over the next several years after my kids were born, they crawled, they started walking, they started running, they started riding bikes, but always within the sight of one of us, their parents.
When learning how to walk, I would let them hold my fingers, and lead them from between my legs and genlty pull them along. As long as they were holding onto my fingers, they were brave, no problem. But then I would let go of one little hand, and that usually got a wide eyed, look of fear.
I can only assume what they were thinking, "Daddy is letting me go, oh no". But I wasen't any less concerned for their saftey, I just was giving them a little push towards walking by themselves.
As my kids grew, I held their hand as we crossed streets, going into the Doctor's office, where there was no dobt that a shot was in order. the first day of school, when they were scared of the unknown. Many, Many times I or my wife would hold their hands, and show them that we were not going to let anything happen to them.
I remember when my son was about one year old, he had a habbit of reaching up for my hand, any time I was next to him. He knew I would grab it and thereby making him feel secure. I wonder how he would have felt if I just ignored his hand and walked on ahead of him? I don't know, because I did not do that, he was my son.
Did you know that God, Himself, is our Dad? He is reaching down from heavan right now, in hopes that we will grab onto his hand, if we need to feel secure. I can still picture my son right thumb in his mouth, left hand reaching up to take mine, and away we would go. I usually would pick him up and carry him before 2 or 3 steps, though, as his little legs couldn't keep up.
As a parant, I would do anything for my kids, I would run in front of a speeding bus if it was barreling down on them. I know if you have kids you feel the same. God is waiting to hold our hands, swing us up by one arm and carry us, stop a speeding bus to protect us, do whatever it takes to help us. But there is one catch, we have to grab hold of His hand when it is offered.
Grab ahold of God's hand, right now, let Him make you feel secure, loved, and at peace. He loves spending time with his children, and protecting us, making us feel secure.
When I was a kid, I remember getting into arguments and fights over who had the toughest dad, I thought my dad could do anything. My dad is 79 now, and dependent upon me to pretty much take him places, make sure the repairs aroung the house are taken care of......................But I still talk to him, reach out to him and share my intermost thoughts and dreams with him, I mean afterall, He is my Dad.
Is this how you feel about our God? Why not, I mean afterall He is our Dad.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Rescue
Our Pastor preached on "Rescue" today. He remembered the Phrase "May Day" because it was the first day of May. "MayDay" repeated 3 times is a request for "Rescue". Airplanes, ships at sea, ........say "MayDay, MayDay, MayDay and then tell who they are, what their situation is, and where they are. When you hear "May day repeated 3 times on a short wave radio, it' serions.
Our Pastor continued to tell some dramatic rescues that God had performed for himself, and members of his faimly over the years.
This got me thinking and I have one of those May Day moments also.
Some years ago I drove a garbage truck. On one of those days, my "helper" Kevin and I were finished for the day., it was a Friday and we were in a hurry to get home. The "Dump" sorry the Landfill, don't want to be non politically correct here. Our Trash truck was full of garbage, but as I said it was Friday and we didn't want to go dump it, we wanted to go home. We past up the dump and went down the long hill toward our yard, to fuel up and head home for a nice 3 day weekend. At the bottom of this long hill was a light, and the road that lead toward a lake, and Rodeo Grounds. I let the truck coast, so that if the Green light changed before we got there it would be easier to stop. As we coasted, the full heavy truck gained speed and I applied the breaks. Sure enough the light change to yellow and then red, I calmly applied pressure on the breaks, but the truck was still moving too fast. I looked ahead of me, 3 cars had come to a stop at the red light, I was moving way to fast to stop, I put both feet on the brake pedal and still wasen't stopping fast enough, I remember yelling "Kevin, hold on" as I steered toward the shoulder on the right and hoped we could just cruise up the hill leading to the lake, and avoid those cars.
The heavy filled garbage truck headed into the curve and up the hill, "Were going to make it" I yelled, and looking over Kevin was wide eyed and hanging on with all his might. Then the truck's right tires came off the ground, and we started to tilt to the drivers, side, At this point, I remember, saying: "Jesus, Lord help us". From that moment, everything went into slow motion,. The truck tilted ever so slowly to my side, I saw my lunch box flying through the air, I remember thinking; "Why didn't we put our seat belts on?" One of the bad habits as trash men, is that you get in and out so much on your route, that we would not put on the seat belts, this is a habit I broke that day.
The truck hit the ground hard, on the left side, the windows broke, still in slow motion, and that is the last thing I remember for several seconds, everything went quiet and when the sounds started again I was lying on my back on top of Kevin who was screaming like I never heard anyone scream before. We had flipped 3/4 the way over. Hit the left side, then the top then came to rest on the right side.
One of our mechanics was on his way back to our yard, when he saw us, He stopped his truck and ran over to see if we were OK. Kevin was screaming hurt obvisiously pretty seriously.
The ambulances arrived, the cops arrived the fire trucks arrived, and Kevin and I were rushed to the hospital
I was checked out, and given a drug test, part of the process anytime there is a wreck in a commerical vehicle. All the time hearing Kevin screaming from down the hall.
My wife came, my Mom and Dad came, I basically was fine. I had a small cut in my left eye brow, which took a couple of stitches. I had a bruise on my chin, left side also in the shape of a hand, obviously my hand had been caught there?
Nothing more wrong, no broken bones, no bad cuts, no bad bruises, nothing. My friend and coworker, didn't get it so easy, he broke a vertebra and henceforth never walked again.
I KNOW an angel came and padded me as the truck rolled, I know he kept me from getting seriously hurt. I know that just a sure as I am writing this experience down. I just wished I had prayed for the safety of Kevin also. He had just come to church with me a few Sundays before that, and was asking questions. I never say or talked to him again. I felt guility that he had been hurt so badly, and I had nothing wrong with me. My company insisted I take a week off from work. They paid me for that week, I know they were worried about a lawsuit. I don't think there was anything wrong with the truck, I think we just should have gone to the dump, I mean we passed right by it, but we wanted to start enjoying our weekend and thought we would go Tuesday morning. I am sure the truck was overloaded, happened all the time, we could stuff those trucks with so much garbage, you would be surprised. We had a competition at the yard to see who could stuff the most garbage on which truck. Your "Dump Receipt" would have the total weight and load weight printed on them. It was a pride thing if you could stuff more trash on a particular truck then anyone else.
I took off two weeks, which my employer paid for, I was really shaken up, I think more for Kevin then for myself.
God answered my prayers, even if they were pretty short, He "Rescued" me. I went back to work 2 weeks later and had a hard time driving a trash truck again. Especially "that" intersection.
I've looked back at that incident many times over the last few years, and asked myself, God, anyone who knows the story, why? Why did God save me from certain pain, or worse? What did He have in store for me? God has told me many times, that He did it because I called out to Him. My Mom prayed everyday for my safety while I drove those trucks. God honored our prayers. He loves me, and you and will do "Whatever we ask or think" I still think that bruise in the shape of a hand was the mark of a Angel's hand.
I think our " Seniors"Pastor, Vic Schober for his message this morning, because it made me once again go over the events of that day, and remember how much God loves me, that He answered "Because I called" He "Rescued " me and He will do the same for you.
Ask God to help you, anytime you feel you need help. It doesn't matter if it is just "JESUS" in the moment, He WILL be there.
Our Pastor continued to tell some dramatic rescues that God had performed for himself, and members of his faimly over the years.
This got me thinking and I have one of those May Day moments also.
Some years ago I drove a garbage truck. On one of those days, my "helper" Kevin and I were finished for the day., it was a Friday and we were in a hurry to get home. The "Dump" sorry the Landfill, don't want to be non politically correct here. Our Trash truck was full of garbage, but as I said it was Friday and we didn't want to go dump it, we wanted to go home. We past up the dump and went down the long hill toward our yard, to fuel up and head home for a nice 3 day weekend. At the bottom of this long hill was a light, and the road that lead toward a lake, and Rodeo Grounds. I let the truck coast, so that if the Green light changed before we got there it would be easier to stop. As we coasted, the full heavy truck gained speed and I applied the breaks. Sure enough the light change to yellow and then red, I calmly applied pressure on the breaks, but the truck was still moving too fast. I looked ahead of me, 3 cars had come to a stop at the red light, I was moving way to fast to stop, I put both feet on the brake pedal and still wasen't stopping fast enough, I remember yelling "Kevin, hold on" as I steered toward the shoulder on the right and hoped we could just cruise up the hill leading to the lake, and avoid those cars.
The heavy filled garbage truck headed into the curve and up the hill, "Were going to make it" I yelled, and looking over Kevin was wide eyed and hanging on with all his might. Then the truck's right tires came off the ground, and we started to tilt to the drivers, side, At this point, I remember, saying: "Jesus, Lord help us". From that moment, everything went into slow motion,. The truck tilted ever so slowly to my side, I saw my lunch box flying through the air, I remember thinking; "Why didn't we put our seat belts on?" One of the bad habits as trash men, is that you get in and out so much on your route, that we would not put on the seat belts, this is a habit I broke that day.
The truck hit the ground hard, on the left side, the windows broke, still in slow motion, and that is the last thing I remember for several seconds, everything went quiet and when the sounds started again I was lying on my back on top of Kevin who was screaming like I never heard anyone scream before. We had flipped 3/4 the way over. Hit the left side, then the top then came to rest on the right side.
One of our mechanics was on his way back to our yard, when he saw us, He stopped his truck and ran over to see if we were OK. Kevin was screaming hurt obvisiously pretty seriously.
The ambulances arrived, the cops arrived the fire trucks arrived, and Kevin and I were rushed to the hospital
I was checked out, and given a drug test, part of the process anytime there is a wreck in a commerical vehicle. All the time hearing Kevin screaming from down the hall.
My wife came, my Mom and Dad came, I basically was fine. I had a small cut in my left eye brow, which took a couple of stitches. I had a bruise on my chin, left side also in the shape of a hand, obviously my hand had been caught there?
Nothing more wrong, no broken bones, no bad cuts, no bad bruises, nothing. My friend and coworker, didn't get it so easy, he broke a vertebra and henceforth never walked again.
I KNOW an angel came and padded me as the truck rolled, I know he kept me from getting seriously hurt. I know that just a sure as I am writing this experience down. I just wished I had prayed for the safety of Kevin also. He had just come to church with me a few Sundays before that, and was asking questions. I never say or talked to him again. I felt guility that he had been hurt so badly, and I had nothing wrong with me. My company insisted I take a week off from work. They paid me for that week, I know they were worried about a lawsuit. I don't think there was anything wrong with the truck, I think we just should have gone to the dump, I mean we passed right by it, but we wanted to start enjoying our weekend and thought we would go Tuesday morning. I am sure the truck was overloaded, happened all the time, we could stuff those trucks with so much garbage, you would be surprised. We had a competition at the yard to see who could stuff the most garbage on which truck. Your "Dump Receipt" would have the total weight and load weight printed on them. It was a pride thing if you could stuff more trash on a particular truck then anyone else.
I took off two weeks, which my employer paid for, I was really shaken up, I think more for Kevin then for myself.
God answered my prayers, even if they were pretty short, He "Rescued" me. I went back to work 2 weeks later and had a hard time driving a trash truck again. Especially "that" intersection.
I've looked back at that incident many times over the last few years, and asked myself, God, anyone who knows the story, why? Why did God save me from certain pain, or worse? What did He have in store for me? God has told me many times, that He did it because I called out to Him. My Mom prayed everyday for my safety while I drove those trucks. God honored our prayers. He loves me, and you and will do "Whatever we ask or think" I still think that bruise in the shape of a hand was the mark of a Angel's hand.
I think our " Seniors"Pastor, Vic Schober for his message this morning, because it made me once again go over the events of that day, and remember how much God loves me, that He answered "Because I called" He "Rescued " me and He will do the same for you.
Ask God to help you, anytime you feel you need help. It doesn't matter if it is just "JESUS" in the moment, He WILL be there.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Birth Certificate
Today the news is that President Obama finally showed the world his birth Certificate. I am one of those people, who would like every presidential contender to have to prove his eligability to hold the office they seek.
But this got me thinking about citizenship. I have a birth Certificate, that says I was born in San Diego California Feb 17, 1957 To Pearl D, and Donald A Calvin. I don't remember how much I weiged, and I don't remember the actual time, but I know I was born.
It seem silly to have to prove you were born, I mean the fact that your alive should be enough, but I understand it's not about you being born, but about where you were born.
I have this Birth Certificite but I am not a citizen of the United States as more of a citizen of heavan. When I die, I will have a death certificite, which proves I died. I don't see the reason to prove that I died, just look at me, I won't be around. But I understand the Certificate is for insurance purposes.....
Whats my point? President Obama is either a citizen of the United States and there by eligable for the office he currently holds or he is not. Being a citizen is important, if your a citizen of the US, it comes with prilidges like you can run for president. But when I die, I don't think I am going to worry about that.
I have a new world that I will enter because I am a citizen of the Heavanly. When I asked Jesus Christ to come into my heart, I began my new citizenship. There is no certificiate, there is just a "knowing". when I get there, there will be no question as to the legality of my citizenship. I will be ushered into the pressence of Jesus Christ himself. There will be no questions in the papers as to the place of my birth. Jesus will say, yes I know him, let him in.
I will trade that any day over my citizenship here in the good ole US of A.
Make sure your citizenship is not in question, ask Jesus to enter your heart and forgive your sins. Then He will "know" you too. Heaven : it's a terrible place to miss.
But this got me thinking about citizenship. I have a birth Certificate, that says I was born in San Diego California Feb 17, 1957 To Pearl D, and Donald A Calvin. I don't remember how much I weiged, and I don't remember the actual time, but I know I was born.
It seem silly to have to prove you were born, I mean the fact that your alive should be enough, but I understand it's not about you being born, but about where you were born.
I have this Birth Certificite but I am not a citizen of the United States as more of a citizen of heavan. When I die, I will have a death certificite, which proves I died. I don't see the reason to prove that I died, just look at me, I won't be around. But I understand the Certificate is for insurance purposes.....
Whats my point? President Obama is either a citizen of the United States and there by eligable for the office he currently holds or he is not. Being a citizen is important, if your a citizen of the US, it comes with prilidges like you can run for president. But when I die, I don't think I am going to worry about that.
I have a new world that I will enter because I am a citizen of the Heavanly. When I asked Jesus Christ to come into my heart, I began my new citizenship. There is no certificiate, there is just a "knowing". when I get there, there will be no question as to the legality of my citizenship. I will be ushered into the pressence of Jesus Christ himself. There will be no questions in the papers as to the place of my birth. Jesus will say, yes I know him, let him in.
I will trade that any day over my citizenship here in the good ole US of A.
Make sure your citizenship is not in question, ask Jesus to enter your heart and forgive your sins. Then He will "know" you too. Heaven : it's a terrible place to miss.
Monday, April 25, 2011
What about the Law?
I recently had a interesting conversation with my daughter. She brought up a subject that she had been discussing with a friend. Remember when the Ark of the Covinient was being moved around by the children of Isreal? God had made a law, that no one was to touch the Ark in any way. This ark was were the very presence of God was . Along they way one of the guys carrying the Ark, slipped and fell ,and it was on it's way to hit the ground, possibly breaking it into a million peices. But a man, saw what was happening grabbed the Ark and made sure it did not touch the ground. The man who touched the Ark, was struck down from Heaven by God, and died.
This got me and my daughter talking about the Law, Grace, and things like that. Why did God not understand that this gentleman was trying to save the Ark from touching or breaking upon the ground? He was just trying to help. Erin, my daughter said this is one of those things that even though we do not understand, we must accept because God knows His ways and we do not, we cannot see "The Whole Picture". She is right.
Have you ever tried to "Help" God? You know, pray like this: " Dear God, Oh Wonderful Savior, I need a job, so bad, and I know you will help me find one, you know I would like to work at that place that Susie works, it seems like a good place to work, I know they aren't hiring right now, but if you could see your way to make someone get fired or quit, then I could work there" Amen.
That brings to mind the gentleman who tried to "help" God, by not allowing the Ark to touch the ground. I am sure is was instinct when he reached for the Ark. I mean you see something falling your instinct is to catch it before it hits the ground. BUT God had said to not touch the Ark. The guys who were carrying it used long poles that were fed through hole type things so as not to actually touch the Ark itself. What do you think might have hapened if this gentleman had not touched the Ark? Maybe God would have reached down from Heavan and stedied the Ark Himself? Maybe the ark would have just hoovered in mid air untill they got the poles back in place, and continued on their way? The bottom line is God does not need our help.
You may have heard this before, but I told this illustration to my daughter, "A man was looking out a window way above the traffic in a large city. He looked way down below and saw a rather large car attempting to squeeze into a tiny parking space . The driver of the car, was turning the wheel this way and then that, surley he could get his car into this space. But from above, the man saw there was no way that large car was going to fit into that small space. Then the man in the building looked down the street and saw 4 or 5 empty spaces just a block or less down the way. He began banging on the glass, yelling," go around the block, there are spaces down the way...."...........But of course the man in the car way down on the street could not hear him.
God sees us striving in our everyday lives, struggling with the littelist things, worried about the stupidist concerns, and He can see that tommorow those things will not matter a hill of beans. He sometimes is Yelling at us, banging on the window saying" Don't worry about that, just press on and look at this place that is just down the street where you can rest. You are trying to do MY job, I will fit you into the place you belong, you'll never do it on your own."
God's ways are higher then our ways, He has plans for us not to harm us, but to enrich us (That is my translation) When we think you can help God, we are putting ourselves to a level that is equal with Him, There is NO WAY We are equal with God. He can see the Big Picture, and we can only see the tiny parking space we are trying so hard to squeeze into.
There was a song years ago during the Jesus Days, of the '70's by "Love Song. It was called "Front Seat, Back Seat" It begins: "I was sitting in the front seat, trying really hard to be the driver,.".................and
through the rest of the song we learn that he has decided to "sit in the back seat and leave all the driving to Him"
Are you like me, sometimes tellilng God how to answer the prayers we pray? Do we disobey the Laws of God, because we are "Just trying to help". ? When is the last time God needed any Human Beings help? He made us, He can do anything by Himself. Remember, he is the Driver, He is the Captain, He is the Chief Engineer He is the Pilot, whatever conveyance you pick to go through this life, leave the "Driving" to Him. His Ways are ALWAYS the best ways.
This got me and my daughter talking about the Law, Grace, and things like that. Why did God not understand that this gentleman was trying to save the Ark from touching or breaking upon the ground? He was just trying to help. Erin, my daughter said this is one of those things that even though we do not understand, we must accept because God knows His ways and we do not, we cannot see "The Whole Picture". She is right.
Have you ever tried to "Help" God? You know, pray like this: " Dear God, Oh Wonderful Savior, I need a job, so bad, and I know you will help me find one, you know I would like to work at that place that Susie works, it seems like a good place to work, I know they aren't hiring right now, but if you could see your way to make someone get fired or quit, then I could work there" Amen.
That brings to mind the gentleman who tried to "help" God, by not allowing the Ark to touch the ground. I am sure is was instinct when he reached for the Ark. I mean you see something falling your instinct is to catch it before it hits the ground. BUT God had said to not touch the Ark. The guys who were carrying it used long poles that were fed through hole type things so as not to actually touch the Ark itself. What do you think might have hapened if this gentleman had not touched the Ark? Maybe God would have reached down from Heavan and stedied the Ark Himself? Maybe the ark would have just hoovered in mid air untill they got the poles back in place, and continued on their way? The bottom line is God does not need our help.
You may have heard this before, but I told this illustration to my daughter, "A man was looking out a window way above the traffic in a large city. He looked way down below and saw a rather large car attempting to squeeze into a tiny parking space . The driver of the car, was turning the wheel this way and then that, surley he could get his car into this space. But from above, the man saw there was no way that large car was going to fit into that small space. Then the man in the building looked down the street and saw 4 or 5 empty spaces just a block or less down the way. He began banging on the glass, yelling," go around the block, there are spaces down the way...."...........But of course the man in the car way down on the street could not hear him.
God sees us striving in our everyday lives, struggling with the littelist things, worried about the stupidist concerns, and He can see that tommorow those things will not matter a hill of beans. He sometimes is Yelling at us, banging on the window saying" Don't worry about that, just press on and look at this place that is just down the street where you can rest. You are trying to do MY job, I will fit you into the place you belong, you'll never do it on your own."
God's ways are higher then our ways, He has plans for us not to harm us, but to enrich us (That is my translation) When we think you can help God, we are putting ourselves to a level that is equal with Him, There is NO WAY We are equal with God. He can see the Big Picture, and we can only see the tiny parking space we are trying so hard to squeeze into.
There was a song years ago during the Jesus Days, of the '70's by "Love Song. It was called "Front Seat, Back Seat" It begins: "I was sitting in the front seat, trying really hard to be the driver,.".................and
through the rest of the song we learn that he has decided to "sit in the back seat and leave all the driving to Him"
Are you like me, sometimes tellilng God how to answer the prayers we pray? Do we disobey the Laws of God, because we are "Just trying to help". ? When is the last time God needed any Human Beings help? He made us, He can do anything by Himself. Remember, he is the Driver, He is the Captain, He is the Chief Engineer He is the Pilot, whatever conveyance you pick to go through this life, leave the "Driving" to Him. His Ways are ALWAYS the best ways.
The Day After
It's Monday morning AFTER the ressurection. How do you think the people of that day felt? Rumors were flying all over the country that Jesus was alive. Some, I am sure said things like: " I won't believe this untill I see it." Others were thinking: "Could it be true? Is Jesus really alive, if so do you know what this means??!!"
Then rumors of those who had seen Jesus starting flying through the countryside. He was seen by a few here and there, people who were trusted, ....."He wouldn't make that up, he never lies, Jesus must be alive".....
Now here we are over 2000 years removed from that monent. How do we respond, the Day After? Yeah, Easter Sunday was a very nice time, went to church, had an egg hunt with the kids, had a great dinner, spent time with my family, throughly enjoyed it.
What about the fact that Jesus Died, was burried for three days, and rose again for you and me? Yes, it happened 2000 years ago, but it is still the one sacrifice that will never be matched again, why, because it dosen't need to be matched. That one sacrifice was all that was needed for us to have access to the throne of God, Himself.
So, let's have a mini celebration EVERYDAY for our Resurected King, He died not so we could have a egg hunt, have a good meal, spend time with our families, go to church, and throughly enjoy our day. He died so we could have GRACE when we mess up, We don't have to be perfect, we don't have to make animial sacrifices to Him, HE way THE sacrifice.
It's NOT just the day after, it is the first day of freedom, joy, grace, passion, love, selfishness, .............but mostly it is HOPE, Hope in Him, that because of what He did yesterday, we can live with Him, forever. Celebrate "The Day After" and the day after that and the next day and the next day.....................
Then rumors of those who had seen Jesus starting flying through the countryside. He was seen by a few here and there, people who were trusted, ....."He wouldn't make that up, he never lies, Jesus must be alive".....
Now here we are over 2000 years removed from that monent. How do we respond, the Day After? Yeah, Easter Sunday was a very nice time, went to church, had an egg hunt with the kids, had a great dinner, spent time with my family, throughly enjoyed it.
What about the fact that Jesus Died, was burried for three days, and rose again for you and me? Yes, it happened 2000 years ago, but it is still the one sacrifice that will never be matched again, why, because it dosen't need to be matched. That one sacrifice was all that was needed for us to have access to the throne of God, Himself.
So, let's have a mini celebration EVERYDAY for our Resurected King, He died not so we could have a egg hunt, have a good meal, spend time with our families, go to church, and throughly enjoy our day. He died so we could have GRACE when we mess up, We don't have to be perfect, we don't have to make animial sacrifices to Him, HE way THE sacrifice.
It's NOT just the day after, it is the first day of freedom, joy, grace, passion, love, selfishness, .............but mostly it is HOPE, Hope in Him, that because of what He did yesterday, we can live with Him, forever. Celebrate "The Day After" and the day after that and the next day and the next day.....................
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Happy Easter
I hope you have had a wonderful Easter Day. I went to church this morning with my Dad and Daughter. Had a wonderful service. When I got home I went on Facebook and found a post from my niece. This post, made my day.
My niece remembered that Easter Sunday is the day my Mom gave her heart to the Lord Jesus Christ. My mom made sure we all remembered this day, every year she would tell us the story. Now that she is With Christ in heaven, this story is so Special.
58 years ago today, Easter Sunday 1953, My Mom went to Easter Sunday Services with her Mom and Dad. Her Dad had recently received Jesus Christ into his heart and wanted nothing more then to have his Daughter receive Him also. My Mom felt the Holy Spirit in that service and went forward to receive Jesus Christ into her heart when the minister gave the Alter Call. That night she went back to Evening Services and received the Holy Spirit, with evidence of speaking in tongues. She lived the next 57 years telling everyone she met that Jesus Christ had saved her, and He could save you also. She spread the message of Christ to all. The Mailman, the people at the grocery store, the post office, her hairdresser, the people at Sears, people she came across in her everyday life. The mechanics that worked on Mom and Dads cars for the last few years came to her funeral, because she was not just a customer to them, she was a friend. She shared her faith to them each time she was there for service on her car. Mom lived her life for Jesus like no one I have ever met. She "preached" at her family, manily me, right up to the day she died. She loved people, and wanted everyone to know what had happened to her on Easter Day 1953. You could not know my Mom and not know Who she served. She would shout it from the housetops.
You see Easter Sunday is special for more then one reason to me and my family, God Rose from the Dead, and my Mom started her long life in Christ. Thank you Lord, for Dying for me and taking my sins to the Cross, And thank you for saving my Mom and fillling her on the same day 58 years ago. When my Mom was saved, it paved the way for me to know Him. I celebrate this day for these reasons.
Thank you to my niece, Andrea, for reminding me how special this day really is.
My niece remembered that Easter Sunday is the day my Mom gave her heart to the Lord Jesus Christ. My mom made sure we all remembered this day, every year she would tell us the story. Now that she is With Christ in heaven, this story is so Special.
58 years ago today, Easter Sunday 1953, My Mom went to Easter Sunday Services with her Mom and Dad. Her Dad had recently received Jesus Christ into his heart and wanted nothing more then to have his Daughter receive Him also. My Mom felt the Holy Spirit in that service and went forward to receive Jesus Christ into her heart when the minister gave the Alter Call. That night she went back to Evening Services and received the Holy Spirit, with evidence of speaking in tongues. She lived the next 57 years telling everyone she met that Jesus Christ had saved her, and He could save you also. She spread the message of Christ to all. The Mailman, the people at the grocery store, the post office, her hairdresser, the people at Sears, people she came across in her everyday life. The mechanics that worked on Mom and Dads cars for the last few years came to her funeral, because she was not just a customer to them, she was a friend. She shared her faith to them each time she was there for service on her car. Mom lived her life for Jesus like no one I have ever met. She "preached" at her family, manily me, right up to the day she died. She loved people, and wanted everyone to know what had happened to her on Easter Day 1953. You could not know my Mom and not know Who she served. She would shout it from the housetops.
You see Easter Sunday is special for more then one reason to me and my family, God Rose from the Dead, and my Mom started her long life in Christ. Thank you Lord, for Dying for me and taking my sins to the Cross, And thank you for saving my Mom and fillling her on the same day 58 years ago. When my Mom was saved, it paved the way for me to know Him. I celebrate this day for these reasons.
Thank you to my niece, Andrea, for reminding me how special this day really is.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Ramblings
At the time I thought it was the worst day of my life. I opened the mailbox to find a legal envolope from a lawyer, I knew this day was coming, but was shocked. I could not open the envelope I threw it on the coffee table, and there it sat for a day, a night, another day. Finally Friday night arrived and I sat down in my easy chair and looked at the envolope some more. Ironic the lawyer's name was the same as my wifes: Mary Ellen something.
I tore open the envelope and read the cover letter: From offices of blah blah blah, we know how hard this is blah blah blah,,,,,,,,,,,As you know our client has filed blah blah blah, please sign the enclosed papers so this matter can be taken care of and you both can get on with your lives,,, blah blah blah...................
Then there was a legal document with little stick on arrows showing me were to sign. "My Divorce papers had arrived. My first insticnt was to just not sign the papers, I didn't file for a divorce, I did not want a divorce. I would just ignore these papers and continue being married. But as the weekend wore on, I realized, I had no marriage , my wife had filled for divorce and had made it clear she could no longer stay married to me.
So, by Monday I had signed these papers, and dropped them in the mail, before going to work.
So, that's it, right? Papers signed, process in motion, wait untill the divorce becoms final and move on? NO, that is not it. You see, I still love my now ex-wife, and I believe she loves me. But there was a "trust issue". You see, I had lied to her many times in our 24 years of marriage, I had used her, emotionally, I had turned the trust she had in me as her husband to my advantage and taken what I wanted. I will not go into any detail, but for the last 24 years, I had loved myself, more then my wife and kids.
She had had enough, and could no longer be my wife.
This all happened about 7 years ago, and it still haunts me today. Why, who do I blame, is it all my fault, what if I had done so and so , or not done so and so. WHY? Answers don't come easy, but when I am honest with myself, it is easy, I was selfish. I wanted what I wanted, more then I wanted what she wanted. I loved "ME" more the anyone, including my God.
I felt this was the lowest my life could go for about 4 years, untill my Mom was diagnosed with Cancer.
For the next 2 years, my Mom slowly died in front of my eyes. There had been words from the Lord through people, realiltives, that she would be healed, We all stood on those words, and believed. This distracted us from believing the truth that was staring us right in the face, Mom was dying. It was hard to accept, we did not make any arrangments until the final days. The weekend before she died, my ex wife came by for a visit with my daughter. She saw what we did not, that the house was a mess, Mom, needed constant care, and we were all uncapable to do anything because we were in shock, morning and refusing to see what was coming.
So, Mary, took a few days off from work, stayed with my Mom and Dad, waited on them hand and foot, cleaned up the place, and about 1 AM on Monday the 10th of April 2010 my ex wife Mary, was the one who had to call me at home sound asleep, and tell me my Mother had died. She also had to wake up my Dad and tell him the same thing.
So, that day I received the letter in the mail almost 6 years ago, now, wasent the worst day of my life anymore, this was it.
Why am I telling you all this? I don't really know, I just feel that there is someone out there that needs to hear it. You see, when I look back over my life I see 2 days that stand out in my mind , as the worst two days of my life. The loss of my marriage, and the loss of my Mom.
The first loss, was avoidable on my part, I made wrong choices, I made mistakes I wish I never had made, regrets, oh the regrets. The second loss, My Mom, was not my doing. She died of a awful disease that takes many many people in this world. If I could have done anything to keep her here, I would have, but there was nothing I could have done. I know she is in Heavan with Jesus, I know that more then anything else, but I don't think she would come back, given the chance.
I am pretty sure my ex-Wife , Mary, still cares about me and my family, just look at the things she did for my Mom, before her death. I have so many regrets.
Let's get to the point, shall we? REGRETS, what do they accomplish? Nothing but making us sad, depressed, lonely, down, ...............................
God has recently showed me that "living with regrets all our life, is living to die.
How do we stop these regrets, I don't think we actually do, but we do learn from them.
If the Lord sends someone my way, and we fall in love, and get married, I will never take them for granted, I will try my best to meet her needs more then my own. I will try Not to be so selfish, or sink back into my "same ole ways" This is what I have learned from this. I have trouble even thinking , sometimes of getting into a relationship with anyone else, but I am lonely. I have prayed for God's direction in this matter, and try and trust Him.
Do you have regrets? Are they holding you back from serving, worshipping God? Do you feel "Unworthy" God, how can I praise and worship you, when I have done this and this...................What part of "the East to the West", do you not understand? God promises to have thrown our sins (this includes those "Regrets") as far as the east is from the west. You know how far that is? Forever, the east will never met the west.
But we still remember "Those things I did" Well God dosen't He has thrown them into the "Sea of Forgetfullness" You see, He is God, He can remember everything from anytime ever, but He chooses to forget those things we have asked Him to. Did you get that, selective memory, He chooses to forget our repentent sins.
So, if you, like me, are having trouble with past choices, sins, deeds, and aren't worshiping, listening to God like you know you need to, then ask God for forgiveness of those things that you regret doing, and Move on. If God forgets them, surely you can.
I tore open the envelope and read the cover letter: From offices of blah blah blah, we know how hard this is blah blah blah,,,,,,,,,,,As you know our client has filed blah blah blah, please sign the enclosed papers so this matter can be taken care of and you both can get on with your lives,,, blah blah blah...................
Then there was a legal document with little stick on arrows showing me were to sign. "My Divorce papers had arrived. My first insticnt was to just not sign the papers, I didn't file for a divorce, I did not want a divorce. I would just ignore these papers and continue being married. But as the weekend wore on, I realized, I had no marriage , my wife had filled for divorce and had made it clear she could no longer stay married to me.
So, by Monday I had signed these papers, and dropped them in the mail, before going to work.
So, that's it, right? Papers signed, process in motion, wait untill the divorce becoms final and move on? NO, that is not it. You see, I still love my now ex-wife, and I believe she loves me. But there was a "trust issue". You see, I had lied to her many times in our 24 years of marriage, I had used her, emotionally, I had turned the trust she had in me as her husband to my advantage and taken what I wanted. I will not go into any detail, but for the last 24 years, I had loved myself, more then my wife and kids.
She had had enough, and could no longer be my wife.
This all happened about 7 years ago, and it still haunts me today. Why, who do I blame, is it all my fault, what if I had done so and so , or not done so and so. WHY? Answers don't come easy, but when I am honest with myself, it is easy, I was selfish. I wanted what I wanted, more then I wanted what she wanted. I loved "ME" more the anyone, including my God.
I felt this was the lowest my life could go for about 4 years, untill my Mom was diagnosed with Cancer.
For the next 2 years, my Mom slowly died in front of my eyes. There had been words from the Lord through people, realiltives, that she would be healed, We all stood on those words, and believed. This distracted us from believing the truth that was staring us right in the face, Mom was dying. It was hard to accept, we did not make any arrangments until the final days. The weekend before she died, my ex wife came by for a visit with my daughter. She saw what we did not, that the house was a mess, Mom, needed constant care, and we were all uncapable to do anything because we were in shock, morning and refusing to see what was coming.
So, Mary, took a few days off from work, stayed with my Mom and Dad, waited on them hand and foot, cleaned up the place, and about 1 AM on Monday the 10th of April 2010 my ex wife Mary, was the one who had to call me at home sound asleep, and tell me my Mother had died. She also had to wake up my Dad and tell him the same thing.
So, that day I received the letter in the mail almost 6 years ago, now, wasent the worst day of my life anymore, this was it.
Why am I telling you all this? I don't really know, I just feel that there is someone out there that needs to hear it. You see, when I look back over my life I see 2 days that stand out in my mind , as the worst two days of my life. The loss of my marriage, and the loss of my Mom.
The first loss, was avoidable on my part, I made wrong choices, I made mistakes I wish I never had made, regrets, oh the regrets. The second loss, My Mom, was not my doing. She died of a awful disease that takes many many people in this world. If I could have done anything to keep her here, I would have, but there was nothing I could have done. I know she is in Heavan with Jesus, I know that more then anything else, but I don't think she would come back, given the chance.
I am pretty sure my ex-Wife , Mary, still cares about me and my family, just look at the things she did for my Mom, before her death. I have so many regrets.
Let's get to the point, shall we? REGRETS, what do they accomplish? Nothing but making us sad, depressed, lonely, down, ...............................
God has recently showed me that "living with regrets all our life, is living to die.
How do we stop these regrets, I don't think we actually do, but we do learn from them.
If the Lord sends someone my way, and we fall in love, and get married, I will never take them for granted, I will try my best to meet her needs more then my own. I will try Not to be so selfish, or sink back into my "same ole ways" This is what I have learned from this. I have trouble even thinking , sometimes of getting into a relationship with anyone else, but I am lonely. I have prayed for God's direction in this matter, and try and trust Him.
Do you have regrets? Are they holding you back from serving, worshipping God? Do you feel "Unworthy" God, how can I praise and worship you, when I have done this and this...................What part of "the East to the West", do you not understand? God promises to have thrown our sins (this includes those "Regrets") as far as the east is from the west. You know how far that is? Forever, the east will never met the west.
But we still remember "Those things I did" Well God dosen't He has thrown them into the "Sea of Forgetfullness" You see, He is God, He can remember everything from anytime ever, but He chooses to forget those things we have asked Him to. Did you get that, selective memory, He chooses to forget our repentent sins.
So, if you, like me, are having trouble with past choices, sins, deeds, and aren't worshiping, listening to God like you know you need to, then ask God for forgiveness of those things that you regret doing, and Move on. If God forgets them, surely you can.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
What about the giant pink bunny?
Have you ever seen this commerical? Construction workers are preparing to tear down an old building, they keep the crowd back, machinery is making all kinds of noises. And then you see it a giant craine, is positioned into place, you realize they are going to use a wrecking ball to tear down the building. But, instead of a wrecking ball, there is a giant pink stuffed bunny. They take several swipes at the building, and cut to people saying things like: "That ain't going to work, or This may take awhile"
I don't even remember what they were trying to sell, something about having the Right Tool for the Job.
That got me thinking, (if you know me, then this is the part you start worrying) : God has given us certain "tools" for our walk here on this earth. My Pastor is going through a series of sermons on "Home Improvment Life Edition" We have been talking about the "Tools" we are given by God to do certain things. A few weeks ago he mentioned how we, as humans, sometimes try to use the wrong tool for the job at hand. That is when this commerical came to mind. How stupid to try and use a giant pink bunny rabbit to knock down a building. This really seems stupid, but it accomplishes a visual image I won't forget.
I have a sense of humor, I love talking to people, but I enjoy a good joke (clean only please). I take after my Mom, who took after her Dad..............Love people, love to laugh, love jokes, love to "Crack up" Then there is my Dad. Serious, dosen't get many jokes, unless you explain them to him, then maybe. Dosen't get out of his saftey zone very often. Really has to make himself talk to others, or socialize. My Dad, is an awsome preacher, though, he studies the scriptures like no one I have ever known. Anytime,(almost) one of us thinks of a scripture , maybe the "jest" of it, or the sorta version, all you have to so is ask Dad: "Where is that found, Dad" More the likely he will give you Book, Chapter, verse and quote it at about 500 miles an hour.
My Mom and Dad made a perfect Pastorial team. When they would visit with people in their home, or better yet, when they would invite others over, Mom was the "People Person" and also the fantastic cook, I might add. But she would get to know them, ask them about their children, their jobs their home, where they grew up,...................Mom loved people. Dad, dosen't hate people, but has a hard time doing those things. Making "Chit Chat', If you will. Mom had the right tools to get to know people, show her concern, pray for/with them, and love them like they have never been loved before. These were her best tools.
But Dad, he knew the word of God like nobody's business, he would pray the scriptures quote scriptures while, praying, He would know just what to say to people in situations that was from the Lord, His word and right for the occasion. Dad had great tools also, and knew how to use them. This is why people loved them so much, and they were effective. They each had their strengths (tools) that went so well with the other.
Now, let's get back to the Giant Pink Stuffed Rabbit. It was being used as a tool, but not the place it would be most effective. I'm thinking at the entrance to a Childrens hospital, or maybe at a Amusment park somewhere. But again this got me wondering, where was the wrecking ball that was supposed to be tearing the building down? Was it "serving" at the entrance to a Childrens Hospital? Was it at Six Flags in the Childrens rides part? I don't think any children facing a hospital stay would see a giant wrecking ball at the entrance, and feel better. Just as the Giant Pink Stuffed Bunny didn't do much good tearing down the old building.
We are all different, God gave us each different "tools" to use for Him. Some of us are very talanted artists, (There is a guy at our church who paints with colored chalks, while the praise and worship is going on, he just draws what he is feeling in the worship, this is his way of worshipping, it's awsome) Some of us are "People People" others are not. There are Morning people, and Night People, there are Coffee drinkers, and tea drinkers, people who love to exercise, and people like me who avoid it at all costs. But whatever you are, what ever you like, there is other people that don't know Jesus as a personal savior, who like the same things, and need someone like you to tell them. At the Coffee Shop, while running Early in the morning when they are awake, or late at night when they are awake, While driving motorcycles togather, while playing softball, watching football, playing board games................You see, we all have interests and we all have tools. It is so easy to talk to someone while you doing something you enjoy, and there is someone else there who is having a good time also.
I heard of a minister who loved roller coasters. He would travel as he had time and money to all the best, fastest, tallest, scariest, newest, weirdest, coasters just to be thrilled. One of these trips, led him to set next to a man, who like himself was a "coaster nut". They started up a conversation waiting in line, then went togather on the coaster, had lunch at the park, talked all afternoon, rode other rides togather..............exchanged email address' kept in touch and about 5 years later the minister led this other man to the Lord, and he is now serving as his assistant pastor. All because of loving Coasters. (Notice, this didn't happen overnight, it took time, investment, and love. The Pastor continued to keep in touch with his friend, they would meet at other Amusement parks and ride more coasters together, the Pastor did not pressure his friend to accept Jesus, he just lived Jesus, and loved his friend}
We, as humans, seem to drift to those who share the same intrest as us. These I consider our tools.
Figure out what your tools are, how you can enjoy them and talk to others with the same intrest. And remember somewhere there is a Giant Pink Stuffed Bunny Rabbit sitting where children can see and feel good about where they are and what they might be facing.
Until next time, Chris
I don't even remember what they were trying to sell, something about having the Right Tool for the Job.
That got me thinking, (if you know me, then this is the part you start worrying) : God has given us certain "tools" for our walk here on this earth. My Pastor is going through a series of sermons on "Home Improvment Life Edition" We have been talking about the "Tools" we are given by God to do certain things. A few weeks ago he mentioned how we, as humans, sometimes try to use the wrong tool for the job at hand. That is when this commerical came to mind. How stupid to try and use a giant pink bunny rabbit to knock down a building. This really seems stupid, but it accomplishes a visual image I won't forget.
I have a sense of humor, I love talking to people, but I enjoy a good joke (clean only please). I take after my Mom, who took after her Dad..............Love people, love to laugh, love jokes, love to "Crack up" Then there is my Dad. Serious, dosen't get many jokes, unless you explain them to him, then maybe. Dosen't get out of his saftey zone very often. Really has to make himself talk to others, or socialize. My Dad, is an awsome preacher, though, he studies the scriptures like no one I have ever known. Anytime,(almost) one of us thinks of a scripture , maybe the "jest" of it, or the sorta version, all you have to so is ask Dad: "Where is that found, Dad" More the likely he will give you Book, Chapter, verse and quote it at about 500 miles an hour.
My Mom and Dad made a perfect Pastorial team. When they would visit with people in their home, or better yet, when they would invite others over, Mom was the "People Person" and also the fantastic cook, I might add. But she would get to know them, ask them about their children, their jobs their home, where they grew up,...................Mom loved people. Dad, dosen't hate people, but has a hard time doing those things. Making "Chit Chat', If you will. Mom had the right tools to get to know people, show her concern, pray for/with them, and love them like they have never been loved before. These were her best tools.
But Dad, he knew the word of God like nobody's business, he would pray the scriptures quote scriptures while, praying, He would know just what to say to people in situations that was from the Lord, His word and right for the occasion. Dad had great tools also, and knew how to use them. This is why people loved them so much, and they were effective. They each had their strengths (tools) that went so well with the other.
Now, let's get back to the Giant Pink Stuffed Rabbit. It was being used as a tool, but not the place it would be most effective. I'm thinking at the entrance to a Childrens hospital, or maybe at a Amusment park somewhere. But again this got me wondering, where was the wrecking ball that was supposed to be tearing the building down? Was it "serving" at the entrance to a Childrens Hospital? Was it at Six Flags in the Childrens rides part? I don't think any children facing a hospital stay would see a giant wrecking ball at the entrance, and feel better. Just as the Giant Pink Stuffed Bunny didn't do much good tearing down the old building.
We are all different, God gave us each different "tools" to use for Him. Some of us are very talanted artists, (There is a guy at our church who paints with colored chalks, while the praise and worship is going on, he just draws what he is feeling in the worship, this is his way of worshipping, it's awsome) Some of us are "People People" others are not. There are Morning people, and Night People, there are Coffee drinkers, and tea drinkers, people who love to exercise, and people like me who avoid it at all costs. But whatever you are, what ever you like, there is other people that don't know Jesus as a personal savior, who like the same things, and need someone like you to tell them. At the Coffee Shop, while running Early in the morning when they are awake, or late at night when they are awake, While driving motorcycles togather, while playing softball, watching football, playing board games................You see, we all have interests and we all have tools. It is so easy to talk to someone while you doing something you enjoy, and there is someone else there who is having a good time also.
I heard of a minister who loved roller coasters. He would travel as he had time and money to all the best, fastest, tallest, scariest, newest, weirdest, coasters just to be thrilled. One of these trips, led him to set next to a man, who like himself was a "coaster nut". They started up a conversation waiting in line, then went togather on the coaster, had lunch at the park, talked all afternoon, rode other rides togather..............exchanged email address' kept in touch and about 5 years later the minister led this other man to the Lord, and he is now serving as his assistant pastor. All because of loving Coasters. (Notice, this didn't happen overnight, it took time, investment, and love. The Pastor continued to keep in touch with his friend, they would meet at other Amusement parks and ride more coasters together, the Pastor did not pressure his friend to accept Jesus, he just lived Jesus, and loved his friend}
We, as humans, seem to drift to those who share the same intrest as us. These I consider our tools.
Figure out what your tools are, how you can enjoy them and talk to others with the same intrest. And remember somewhere there is a Giant Pink Stuffed Bunny Rabbit sitting where children can see and feel good about where they are and what they might be facing.
Until next time, Chris
Friday, January 14, 2011
Opinions, everyone has one.
Next month I'll be 54. Not a milestone, but I am getting older. I remember my Dad about this age, he was so opinionated. Now I have been getting myself banned from certain blogs, and recently "befriended" from someone on Facebook, because of my opinions. I admit I can be a little "In your face" about my opinions, but , hey what is wrong with that?
I come from a time when peoples opinions counted for something, people listened, agreed or disagreed or didn't care. But they listened. Nowadays it seems, that if you have a different opinion then others, it is so easy to just click a button and not have to listen to them anymore....
This I believe is damaging. Maybe you don't agree with someone on some issue, is it rude to just ignore them and continue to think they are wrong? Say this person is a good friend that you respect, do you just "dis" them? Maybe they have some truths you have never thought about before. Maybe they have a passion about their beliefs, right or wrong, I believe, you need to listen and give them your honest opinion discuss it with them and just show them some respect.
Jesus was considered "in your face", He had some radical ideas, ideals, and wasen't afraid to tell everyone about it. Was this wrong? He made people so mad, they killed Him.
I do not in any way want to compare my opinions on certain things to Jesus'. Big differences, my opinions, on say the IPhone, has nothing to do with God's love for us and our love for Him.
Have you ever had a Jehovah's Witness come by your house? What did you do? I knew a guy once that invited them in, and compared their "Bible" to the true Bible, He would listen to them and there memorized speechs, with attention and respect. Then he would tell them about his God, and savior who died for all of us, and is alive in his life. He didn't change anyones mind, that I know of, but he did listen to them first, respect them for their opinions, then share his with them.
Like I said, I am VERY opinionated and not afraid to use it. I will tell anyone who listens, what I think about certain things, political, sports, current affairs, the Bible, you name it, I have a opinion about it, and as I said recently : If you don't know I am opinionated, and if that bothers you, that's your problem not mine."
One very good way to talk to people, is to listen to their opinions, and comment your feelings, thinking ect. If your respect others opinions, they will listen to you.
In the city I live, their are many homeless people who stand on the street corners with signs for money. I have learned, even if I don't have any money to give them, if I roll down the window and just say "Hey, how about this weather?" or something, they smile, and we carry on a conversation until the light changes. One guy told me that so many people just turn away and pretend we aren't there."For someone to acknowledge us" he said," makes our day."
Yes , I have opinions about everything, don't you? Yes, I get in your face, if your opinion differs from mine, but I like it when you get back into my face with yours. Discussion, viewpoints, respectful conversation about the things we see differently, is part of who we are. As Christians, and Americans, this is the only way we can change or alter our sometimes wrong ideas.
If you just ignore others who have different ideas then you, then how will you ever broaden your horizons? I read about a woman that married a Buddhist man, after they were married for several years, she gave her heart to the Lord Jesus Christ. She did not immediately start telling her Buddhist husband he needed to convert to Christianity, but she suddenly got interested in what he believed and how this differed from her own new found Christianity She asked him many questions about the customs and worship of the Buddhist community. He was very glad to tell her and show her. She would go to the temple with him, on occasion. But she never made fun, or tried to "push" her religion on him. Several years later, her husband begin taking an interest in her church. He attended services now and then. It wasn't long before he started going to her Home cell group meetings He met and got to know others in her church that treated him with respect and love. You guessed it, several years later, he was regularly attending her church, no longer attending the Buddhist temple. He didn't start attending because his wife ignored his religion,(difference of opinion), he started attending her church because she showed respect for His religion. . You see, he had a different opinion about God, then she did, WAY different. But what do you think would have happened if she constantly critizied him for his "choices". I really don't think they would still be together anymore.
You see, everyone has an opinion, be them wrong or not, and all they want is to be heard.
So, what does all this mean to us now? Listen to people, let them tell you their opinions, ideas. ideals
Think about what they are saying, agree to disagree, and live your life without shame or doubt. Show your friends that you have very strong opinions also, and share them, throughout your friendship. Don't push your religion , relationship with Jesus, on them. They will respect you for it.
And who knows, they may start to question their "opinions" and start taking interest in yours.
I come from a time when peoples opinions counted for something, people listened, agreed or disagreed or didn't care. But they listened. Nowadays it seems, that if you have a different opinion then others, it is so easy to just click a button and not have to listen to them anymore....
This I believe is damaging. Maybe you don't agree with someone on some issue, is it rude to just ignore them and continue to think they are wrong? Say this person is a good friend that you respect, do you just "dis" them? Maybe they have some truths you have never thought about before. Maybe they have a passion about their beliefs, right or wrong, I believe, you need to listen and give them your honest opinion discuss it with them and just show them some respect.
Jesus was considered "in your face", He had some radical ideas, ideals, and wasen't afraid to tell everyone about it. Was this wrong? He made people so mad, they killed Him.
I do not in any way want to compare my opinions on certain things to Jesus'. Big differences, my opinions, on say the IPhone, has nothing to do with God's love for us and our love for Him.
Have you ever had a Jehovah's Witness come by your house? What did you do? I knew a guy once that invited them in, and compared their "Bible" to the true Bible, He would listen to them and there memorized speechs, with attention and respect. Then he would tell them about his God, and savior who died for all of us, and is alive in his life. He didn't change anyones mind, that I know of, but he did listen to them first, respect them for their opinions, then share his with them.
Like I said, I am VERY opinionated and not afraid to use it. I will tell anyone who listens, what I think about certain things, political, sports, current affairs, the Bible, you name it, I have a opinion about it, and as I said recently : If you don't know I am opinionated, and if that bothers you, that's your problem not mine."
One very good way to talk to people, is to listen to their opinions, and comment your feelings, thinking ect. If your respect others opinions, they will listen to you.
In the city I live, their are many homeless people who stand on the street corners with signs for money. I have learned, even if I don't have any money to give them, if I roll down the window and just say "Hey, how about this weather?" or something, they smile, and we carry on a conversation until the light changes. One guy told me that so many people just turn away and pretend we aren't there."For someone to acknowledge us" he said," makes our day."
Yes , I have opinions about everything, don't you? Yes, I get in your face, if your opinion differs from mine, but I like it when you get back into my face with yours. Discussion, viewpoints, respectful conversation about the things we see differently, is part of who we are. As Christians, and Americans, this is the only way we can change or alter our sometimes wrong ideas.
If you just ignore others who have different ideas then you, then how will you ever broaden your horizons? I read about a woman that married a Buddhist man, after they were married for several years, she gave her heart to the Lord Jesus Christ. She did not immediately start telling her Buddhist husband he needed to convert to Christianity, but she suddenly got interested in what he believed and how this differed from her own new found Christianity She asked him many questions about the customs and worship of the Buddhist community. He was very glad to tell her and show her. She would go to the temple with him, on occasion. But she never made fun, or tried to "push" her religion on him. Several years later, her husband begin taking an interest in her church. He attended services now and then. It wasn't long before he started going to her Home cell group meetings He met and got to know others in her church that treated him with respect and love. You guessed it, several years later, he was regularly attending her church, no longer attending the Buddhist temple. He didn't start attending because his wife ignored his religion,(difference of opinion), he started attending her church because she showed respect for His religion. . You see, he had a different opinion about God, then she did, WAY different. But what do you think would have happened if she constantly critizied him for his "choices". I really don't think they would still be together anymore.
You see, everyone has an opinion, be them wrong or not, and all they want is to be heard.
So, what does all this mean to us now? Listen to people, let them tell you their opinions, ideas. ideals
Think about what they are saying, agree to disagree, and live your life without shame or doubt. Show your friends that you have very strong opinions also, and share them, throughout your friendship. Don't push your religion , relationship with Jesus, on them. They will respect you for it.
And who knows, they may start to question their "opinions" and start taking interest in yours.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
"You Can't Take the Truth"
With memories of a very good movie, and Jack Nicholson being Jack Nicholson, I am reminded of the above phrase. Here is another one: "The Truth Hurts". What do you think about this? Does the truth hurt? Are we opposed to "taking" the real truth?
There is a blog site,: "Mycultlife.com" that I have been blocked from . I, basically have disagreed with the author as to why she is so mad, and vindictive, and has such a "get even" attitude towards a certain orginization, church, denomination, and individuals because of the problems she encountered. Her newly crafted blog site is quite nice, she has a section on the history of this denomination, a timeline as to what happened to her, and a section basically telling the readers what would constitute being banned from commenting. I had wondered what it was that "got to her" in my many comments. Well there it was: "Calling her or anyone aggreing with her, angry,bitter, trying to get even wit...." I did call her bitter, and angry and vindictive, so there you go, I was blocked.
But, she was did come across as angry, bitter, and trying to get even. I never said she did not go through some things, or that certain things did not happen, although she thought I did.
You see, sometimes the truth hurts. I have gone to several counselors, Dr's .... for counseling in my life. I have been told that I was being Bitter, or angry or vindictive to those that hurt me. I was told that forgiving them would help me more then it would them (Your getting a spanking, but it's hurting me more then it is you, there is some truth to that). And not all these people were Christians, a few were just regular plain ole' counselors.
I believe when a person gets SO upset at someone or something that they take as drastic a measure as banning them from their website, for disagreeing with them and pointing out there may be somethings going on here, that won't agree with, then perhaps there is an element of truth.
I know several people at my church that have gone through the same things as this author, but they see things Much differently. One young lady told me,: "Yes , there were some things going on that I didn't agree with, but I am not going to let them control me. That was in the past, and I need to learn from those mistakes, and move on in the Lord." You see, when someone wrongs us, we can let it control us, for the rest of our lives, sometimes. Yes, there are people out there that will try and destroy you and your whole lives, But, don't let them, by trying to get even. What good does it do?
You see in the situation above, the principle leader has been fired, one of the churches involved has had it's group remove the name it was operating under. I see no more "justice" needs to be done here, only healing.
Remember the Lord says" "Vengeance is Mine", we try to "help" him all the time, but He is the one to "get even". We are to hold no grudges, but move on and do as He wants us to do.
I am reminded to the time of Christ's being taken away in the clouds, the Disciples were gazing up into the clouds, and an Angel of the Lord appeared and basically said: "What are you doing, looking into the heavens? There is work to be done, stop wasting time"
In my opinion, the author and the contributors of this blog (because only those that agree with the author are allowed to comment) are "Wasting time". You see "Vengeance it His", and He will take care of those that wronged them, and you, in the Lords name.
There is a blog site,: "Mycultlife.com" that I have been blocked from . I, basically have disagreed with the author as to why she is so mad, and vindictive, and has such a "get even" attitude towards a certain orginization, church, denomination, and individuals because of the problems she encountered. Her newly crafted blog site is quite nice, she has a section on the history of this denomination, a timeline as to what happened to her, and a section basically telling the readers what would constitute being banned from commenting. I had wondered what it was that "got to her" in my many comments. Well there it was: "Calling her or anyone aggreing with her, angry,bitter, trying to get even wit...." I did call her bitter, and angry and vindictive, so there you go, I was blocked.
But, she was did come across as angry, bitter, and trying to get even. I never said she did not go through some things, or that certain things did not happen, although she thought I did.
You see, sometimes the truth hurts. I have gone to several counselors, Dr's .... for counseling in my life. I have been told that I was being Bitter, or angry or vindictive to those that hurt me. I was told that forgiving them would help me more then it would them (Your getting a spanking, but it's hurting me more then it is you, there is some truth to that). And not all these people were Christians, a few were just regular plain ole' counselors.
I believe when a person gets SO upset at someone or something that they take as drastic a measure as banning them from their website, for disagreeing with them and pointing out there may be somethings going on here, that won't agree with, then perhaps there is an element of truth.
I know several people at my church that have gone through the same things as this author, but they see things Much differently. One young lady told me,: "Yes , there were some things going on that I didn't agree with, but I am not going to let them control me. That was in the past, and I need to learn from those mistakes, and move on in the Lord." You see, when someone wrongs us, we can let it control us, for the rest of our lives, sometimes. Yes, there are people out there that will try and destroy you and your whole lives, But, don't let them, by trying to get even. What good does it do?
You see in the situation above, the principle leader has been fired, one of the churches involved has had it's group remove the name it was operating under. I see no more "justice" needs to be done here, only healing.
Remember the Lord says" "Vengeance is Mine", we try to "help" him all the time, but He is the one to "get even". We are to hold no grudges, but move on and do as He wants us to do.
I am reminded to the time of Christ's being taken away in the clouds, the Disciples were gazing up into the clouds, and an Angel of the Lord appeared and basically said: "What are you doing, looking into the heavens? There is work to be done, stop wasting time"
In my opinion, the author and the contributors of this blog (because only those that agree with the author are allowed to comment) are "Wasting time". You see "Vengeance it His", and He will take care of those that wronged them, and you, in the Lords name.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Finding God: Heart of Head?
I recently got into a conversation about "Feelings" vs "Intelligence" This became quite a friendly disagreement, but it got me thinking. How do we approach God? Do we use our brains, or our heart? I have always felt it is the latter, our heart, but how does our mind come into play?
Matthew 25:26 tell us: We walk by (the eye of) faith and not by (natural) sight" (The Message ). Now that tells me to think to much about our faith is in the "Natural way of living", but to "walk by faith, (notice The Message interjects "the eye of" here), is the right way of living.
In talking to my friends about this, I used the illustration that my eyes see the rain/snow outside, and I hear the thunder , see the lighting, see others walking around with umbrellas, raincoats, hurrying so they won't get wet, But until I go outside and feel the rain for myself I am not absolutely definite it is raining, I am pretty positive, but not completely. Have you ever seen it snowing outside, your excited,(I live in Texas, THAT is pretty exciting), you bundle up, put on your gloves, coat, hat, warm socks and go out in to it. Wow, snow angels, wow it is so white and pretty, wow that snowball almost got you........You see you feel the snow, you feel the cold, you feel the snowball whiz past your ear. So the point I am trying to make? We saw the rain/snow, we saw all the things that tell our brains that it is raining/snowing/cold/warm/very hot/ outside, but until we open our door and feel these things ourselves we are not 100% satisfied.
My friends were not impressed or persuaded by this point, they still felt Thinking was the way to understand God.
OK, lets look at education: When I was in school, science was not my best subject, Math was. Math was easy for me, because I saw everything right in front of me. The equations, the formulas, the problems they were all right there for me to memorize, solve, or not. If I had problem with one, my teachers could use that dreaded red pen and show where I goofed.
Science, on the other hand was hard for me. Yes there was that dreaded table with all the elements symbols, abbreviations or whatever we were supposed to memorize (Why not use the first letter of the element for the symbol? And if there were two or more with the same letter, use a number after it. Like Gold would be G, and grass (you see why I did so bad in science, I actully think grass is an element!), would be G1, but you get my point, unless you were one of those science geeks, I was a Math geek, oh well we were all "geeks" of one sort or another, I digress.) When we did experiments in Science, then my understanding started peeking, Oh , I SEE how that works.......You see when we use one of our senses to visualize something it helps our understanding, and of the senses "Feelings" wither emotional or physical are the strongest.
How can we understand God, well the Bible says "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your HEART that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9 New Living Translation) Notice it doesn't say: Believe with your mind, or think about it for awhile,or mull it over in your head, or sleep on it, and think about all night. It Says "believe in YOUR HEART". That is where it is won or lost, isn't it. You can think a certain thing about whatever, but once that thing is in your HEART, it is not embedded in your soul. How are habits (good or bad) formed? Repetition. If you smoke, it is because somewhere in the past you started picking up a cigarette and lighting up, weather it be after a good meal, the first thing in the morning, before bed,,,,,it became a habit to smoke at certain times, then it just became a habit. Now a Habit is something you do without even realizing it. Your mind doesn't say :"Pick up that cigarette and light up, now inhale, now exhale, now shake off the ashes, now inhale......" You just do it.
When serving God, if our minds ruled then we would have to think about every single thing we do for Him, but since we serve God in our hearts, the things we do because we love Him are habits, we do them without even realizing it. We have no selfish thing to gain, just being obedient to Him,because we love Him.
Cults and Legalism start by getting into our head instead of our hearts. God becomes real to our hearts and then gets ahold of our heads. Don't try to think God into your life, there is NO WAY to do that. God is knocking at the door to our Hearts, not our heads. And I am glad about that.
Think about your Heads and your Hearts and let's talk more about this. I don't know if anyone is reading this stuff, have no comments, yet, but it is helping me get straight in my Heart what I do and do not believe. It is good to put down in words the things I have been feeling for along time. Later Chris
Matthew 25:26 tell us: We walk by (the eye of) faith and not by (natural) sight" (The Message ). Now that tells me to think to much about our faith is in the "Natural way of living", but to "walk by faith, (notice The Message interjects "the eye of" here), is the right way of living.
In talking to my friends about this, I used the illustration that my eyes see the rain/snow outside, and I hear the thunder , see the lighting, see others walking around with umbrellas, raincoats, hurrying so they won't get wet, But until I go outside and feel the rain for myself I am not absolutely definite it is raining, I am pretty positive, but not completely. Have you ever seen it snowing outside, your excited,(I live in Texas, THAT is pretty exciting), you bundle up, put on your gloves, coat, hat, warm socks and go out in to it. Wow, snow angels, wow it is so white and pretty, wow that snowball almost got you........You see you feel the snow, you feel the cold, you feel the snowball whiz past your ear. So the point I am trying to make? We saw the rain/snow, we saw all the things that tell our brains that it is raining/snowing/cold/warm/very hot/ outside, but until we open our door and feel these things ourselves we are not 100% satisfied.
My friends were not impressed or persuaded by this point, they still felt Thinking was the way to understand God.
OK, lets look at education: When I was in school, science was not my best subject, Math was. Math was easy for me, because I saw everything right in front of me. The equations, the formulas, the problems they were all right there for me to memorize, solve, or not. If I had problem with one, my teachers could use that dreaded red pen and show where I goofed.
Science, on the other hand was hard for me. Yes there was that dreaded table with all the elements symbols, abbreviations or whatever we were supposed to memorize (Why not use the first letter of the element for the symbol? And if there were two or more with the same letter, use a number after it. Like Gold would be G, and grass (you see why I did so bad in science, I actully think grass is an element!), would be G1, but you get my point, unless you were one of those science geeks, I was a Math geek, oh well we were all "geeks" of one sort or another, I digress.) When we did experiments in Science, then my understanding started peeking, Oh , I SEE how that works.......You see when we use one of our senses to visualize something it helps our understanding, and of the senses "Feelings" wither emotional or physical are the strongest.
How can we understand God, well the Bible says "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your HEART that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9 New Living Translation) Notice it doesn't say: Believe with your mind, or think about it for awhile,or mull it over in your head, or sleep on it, and think about all night. It Says "believe in YOUR HEART". That is where it is won or lost, isn't it. You can think a certain thing about whatever, but once that thing is in your HEART, it is not embedded in your soul. How are habits (good or bad) formed? Repetition. If you smoke, it is because somewhere in the past you started picking up a cigarette and lighting up, weather it be after a good meal, the first thing in the morning, before bed,,,,,it became a habit to smoke at certain times, then it just became a habit. Now a Habit is something you do without even realizing it. Your mind doesn't say :"Pick up that cigarette and light up, now inhale, now exhale, now shake off the ashes, now inhale......" You just do it.
When serving God, if our minds ruled then we would have to think about every single thing we do for Him, but since we serve God in our hearts, the things we do because we love Him are habits, we do them without even realizing it. We have no selfish thing to gain, just being obedient to Him,because we love Him.
Cults and Legalism start by getting into our head instead of our hearts. God becomes real to our hearts and then gets ahold of our heads. Don't try to think God into your life, there is NO WAY to do that. God is knocking at the door to our Hearts, not our heads. And I am glad about that.
Think about your Heads and your Hearts and let's talk more about this. I don't know if anyone is reading this stuff, have no comments, yet, but it is helping me get straight in my Heart what I do and do not believe. It is good to put down in words the things I have been feeling for along time. Later Chris
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