Yes, I know, I'm going to talk about Danny's performance tonight, singing Jesus Take The Wheel.
He did an awesome job on that song! It was absolutely BRILLIANT!
The judges, well, they didn't get the beginning, where he sang it softer, gentler, more tentatively.
I got it. Danny, I got it!
Just as in the song, she's driving, things aren't perfect, she's leading her own life. When we run our own lives, it's always going to be more tentative, just like a woman driving a car on a cold winter night, not knowing if she's going to make it home.
And then she loses control of the car on the ice and cries out to Jesus.
And when Danny was singing the song, when he cried out to Jesus, he BLEW!!
I'm telling you, when Jesus takes charge, there's nothing tentative about it, He brings us up and out and way past our comfort zone -- and it's all good, it's His Perfect Will.
He takes our poor little lives in His Hands and puts us on His Path, His road Home. We will make it Home.
American Idol - they didn't get it.
But Danny, I got it and it brought tears to my eyes.
Thank you, my brother in Christ.
Thank you.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
The Spirit Fills The Space
The building may be tiny, but the Spirit fills the space.
This is a great website about tiny churches. I am really amazed at the creativity of the builders, who realized that big and ostentatious isn't what He was about.
Jesus wasn't about big displays, He was all about the little man, the poor, the weak, the disenfranchised.
I believe that He appreciates the work put into such tiny space. So many people set up a little prayer corner, a little alter in their homes, but for the builders of these churches, a corner just wasn't enough. They needed more, just like God always expects more.
More faith, more love, more power.
There is a true Love for the Lord that's put into building a tiny church. It's about worshiping Him -- a personal statement of Faith.
I wish I had a tiny church where I could retreat from the world and just worship Him.
No matter how small, His Spirit fills the space.
This is a great website about tiny churches. I am really amazed at the creativity of the builders, who realized that big and ostentatious isn't what He was about.
Jesus wasn't about big displays, He was all about the little man, the poor, the weak, the disenfranchised.
I believe that He appreciates the work put into such tiny space. So many people set up a little prayer corner, a little alter in their homes, but for the builders of these churches, a corner just wasn't enough. They needed more, just like God always expects more.
More faith, more love, more power.
There is a true Love for the Lord that's put into building a tiny church. It's about worshiping Him -- a personal statement of Faith.
I wish I had a tiny church where I could retreat from the world and just worship Him.
No matter how small, His Spirit fills the space.
Monday, February 23, 2009
I Won't Be Going To His Bible Study...
Oh, I am so, so aggravated tonight.
I had really just got home and was starting dinner. The front door was open, so my little dogs could run in and out.
"Hello? Hello?"
I hear a voice and I think it's my neighbor, so I go outside. The little dogs are going wild, one is hanging on the gate (thank the Lord she didn't get over it) and there's two men outside my gate.
They want to talk about church.
Sigh, I really don't have time, I'm trying to fix dinner for my kids, but I'm polite.
Yes, I have a church. I tell him where it is. He acts surprised that I'll drive 45 miles to church. (Well, I drive that far for work, which is more important???)
Then he starts asking me about being Saved.
Yes, I was Saved in high school and yes, I've been baptized too.
He starts questioning me about how I got Saved!?!
I cut him short after a minute of this. I have no patience with someone who is trying to talk to me about going to his Bible Study, but then basically questions my Salvation.
No, I don't know if he was a member of a small evangelical church or if he was a Jehovah Witness. I didn't want to know.
I cut him short and went back inside, telling him (again) over my shoulder that I was in the middle of fixing dinner and I don't have time right now. I closed the door.
Grrrr..............
Yes, it's a good thing to go around and invite people to come to Bible Study. I probably should go to one.
But when someone starts questioning me about how I got Saved, as if my Salvation is something to be questioned, that's over the line. That's where all too many evangelicals actually drive people away from the church. (Yes, yes, I go to a charismatic evangelical church.)
My people, when you start pushing your version of theology onto a fellow Christian, questioning their very Salvation, you're not helping the church!
Jesus drew people in. He didn't throw a rope around their necks and drag them!! He let them decide their own fates and when the time was ripe, they were there for the Harvest.
Seed, time, harvest.
Dude could have seen I really didn't have time, told me about his Bible Study, given me a flyer and went on his way. Instead, he tried to involve me in a discussion about his theology and basically questioning my Salvation.
Sigh.
Yes, I'm insulted and I'm afraid I WON'T be going to his Bible Study...
I had really just got home and was starting dinner. The front door was open, so my little dogs could run in and out.
"Hello? Hello?"
I hear a voice and I think it's my neighbor, so I go outside. The little dogs are going wild, one is hanging on the gate (thank the Lord she didn't get over it) and there's two men outside my gate.
They want to talk about church.
Sigh, I really don't have time, I'm trying to fix dinner for my kids, but I'm polite.
Yes, I have a church. I tell him where it is. He acts surprised that I'll drive 45 miles to church. (Well, I drive that far for work, which is more important???)
Then he starts asking me about being Saved.
Yes, I was Saved in high school and yes, I've been baptized too.
He starts questioning me about how I got Saved!?!
I cut him short after a minute of this. I have no patience with someone who is trying to talk to me about going to his Bible Study, but then basically questions my Salvation.
No, I don't know if he was a member of a small evangelical church or if he was a Jehovah Witness. I didn't want to know.
I cut him short and went back inside, telling him (again) over my shoulder that I was in the middle of fixing dinner and I don't have time right now. I closed the door.
Grrrr..............
Yes, it's a good thing to go around and invite people to come to Bible Study. I probably should go to one.
But when someone starts questioning me about how I got Saved, as if my Salvation is something to be questioned, that's over the line. That's where all too many evangelicals actually drive people away from the church. (Yes, yes, I go to a charismatic evangelical church.)
My people, when you start pushing your version of theology onto a fellow Christian, questioning their very Salvation, you're not helping the church!
Jesus drew people in. He didn't throw a rope around their necks and drag them!! He let them decide their own fates and when the time was ripe, they were there for the Harvest.
Seed, time, harvest.
Dude could have seen I really didn't have time, told me about his Bible Study, given me a flyer and went on his way. Instead, he tried to involve me in a discussion about his theology and basically questioning my Salvation.
Sigh.
Yes, I'm insulted and I'm afraid I WON'T be going to his Bible Study...
Monday, February 16, 2009
The Word Appears Where We Least Expect It
I have been pondering a lot lately.
Only a couple of weeks ago, my daughter and I were jamming down the road, listening to the Best of Prince CD.
I was listening to the words of the song that I was jamming to in the 80s, back in the bad old days. And like a thunderbolt, right in the middle of the song I heard "I'm your messiah and you're the reason why".
WHAT?
PRINCE?!?
Oh my Lord, that was when Prince was deep into sex and drugs and funk! He was an egotistical, fantastically talented musician.
And he was singing a Jesus song.
Holy cr*p!!
The Word appears where we least expect it!
I've long known that God is subtle in His workings. He blessed us with free will, but He's always nudging us back toward the right Path.
God was working on Prince even then. And through Prince, He was working on the rest of us. We didn't even know what He was doing. So many of us weren't even thinking about God back then, we were just partying to the music, having a good time.
Prince was no exception. I have not a clue in the world what Prince thought he was writing when he wrote this song*, but I've started listening to the words of more Prince songs. This isn't the only God song that Prince wrote and performed.
God was working mightily in that man. And Prince listened and accepted the seed, time passed and now he is working toward the Harvest.
As most of us know, Prince has swung to the opposite end of the spectrum, he's now a Jehovah Witness.
(Yes, yes, I know my brothers and sisters, Jehovahs are pretty darn rigid in their beliefs. But don't you think that after the wanton lifestyle Prince led for many years, that God is requiring the straight and narrow Path now? Yes, I think so too.)
Here's the words of the song that caught me, forced me to think about our wandering Paths and how God leads us. Even when we're doing wrong, His mighty Hand is gathering us back into the Fold...
I'm not a woman
I'm not a man
I am something that you'll never understand
I'll never beat u
I'll never lie
And if you're evil I'll forgive u by and by
U - I would die 4 u, yeah
Darling if u want me 2
U - I would die 4 u
I'm not your lover
I'm not your friend
I am something that you'll never comprehend
No need 2 worry
No need 2 cry
I'm your messiah and you're the reason why
'Cuz U - I would die 4 u, yeah
Darling if u want me 2
U - I would die 4 u
You're just a sinner I am told
Be your fire when you're cold
Make u happy when you're sad
Make u good when u are bad
I'm not a human
I am a dove
I'm your conscious
I am love
All I really need is 2 know that
U believe
Yeah, I would die 4 u, yeah
Darling if u want me 2
U - I would die 4 u
Yeah, say one more time
U - I would die 4 u
Darling if u want me 2
U - I would die 4 u
2 3 4 U
I would die 4 u
I would die 4 u
U - I would die 4 u
*According to wiki: On the 12", and in Purple Rain Tour concerts, Prince changes the lyrics from "I'm your messiah" to "He's your messiah," pointing to the sky as he sings the line.
Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_(musician)
http://homepage.mac.com/brenhow/name_change.html
Thursday, January 1, 2009
A New Year, Another Step On My Path
It's a new year, and I take another step on my Path.
Every day is a step by step process.
Every new day is a Blessing.
May the New Year find you Blessed in all ways, in health, in finances, in body and mind and spirit and soul.
May the Spirit guide you in all things.
Another step on my Path. One by one by one, I make the journey Home.
Be Blessed in Jesus' name.
Amen, amen, and amen.
Every day is a step by step process.
Every new day is a Blessing.
May the New Year find you Blessed in all ways, in health, in finances, in body and mind and spirit and soul.
May the Spirit guide you in all things.
Another step on my Path. One by one by one, I make the journey Home.
Be Blessed in Jesus' name.
Amen, amen, and amen.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Today Is The Day
Today is the day we Christians celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.
Unfortunately, all too many of us buy into the materialistic secular stuff and forget the reason for the season.
Now, there is nothing wrong with a secular Christmas celebration -- if you're not a Christian. After all, a party is a party is a party.
But if you're a practicing Christian, whatever day you choose to celebrate the birth of Jesus should be just that, a celebration of Jesus.
Yes, a celebration of Jesus, of family, of love. Gifts are good, yes, but they should be gifts of love, not just the flavor of the week "stuff" that's broken, returned, or regifted within days.
Christmas, at the heart of Christianity, isn't about buying out the mall...
It's not about money...
It's not about me, me, me...
It's not about what the world thinks...
It's all about Jesus.
Today is the day that leads straight to our Salvation.
Happy Birthday Jesus!
(Technically, yes, December 25th was probably not His birthday. Jesus was actually probably born in the fall, after the harvest. But we celebrate it in Faith as a representation of His day. The most important day in the Christian calendar is the day of our Salvation, Easter Sunday...)
Unfortunately, all too many of us buy into the materialistic secular stuff and forget the reason for the season.
Now, there is nothing wrong with a secular Christmas celebration -- if you're not a Christian. After all, a party is a party is a party.
But if you're a practicing Christian, whatever day you choose to celebrate the birth of Jesus should be just that, a celebration of Jesus.
Yes, a celebration of Jesus, of family, of love. Gifts are good, yes, but they should be gifts of love, not just the flavor of the week "stuff" that's broken, returned, or regifted within days.
Christmas, at the heart of Christianity, isn't about buying out the mall...
It's not about money...
It's not about me, me, me...
It's not about what the world thinks...
It's all about Jesus.
Today is the day that leads straight to our Salvation.
Happy Birthday Jesus!
(Technically, yes, December 25th was probably not His birthday. Jesus was actually probably born in the fall, after the harvest. But we celebrate it in Faith as a representation of His day. The most important day in the Christian calendar is the day of our Salvation, Easter Sunday...)
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Through The Fog
I'm reading the most interesting book The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey.
Wow!
While I'm a voracious reader, I'm not one to read a bunch of books about "religion". It's just not my thing. In fact, the way "religious" books are written usually put me off. I start feeling like:
a) It's endless blathering about God instead of from God.
or
b) I'm subtly being put down because I don't subscribe to everything in that particular bit of doctrine.
However, something Yancey wrote caught my attention.
"I read scores of accounts of the etymology of Jesus' name, discussions of what languages he spoke, debates about how long he lived at Nazareth or Capernaum or Bethlehem. Any true-to-life image receded into a fuzzy, indistinct blur. I had a hunch that Jesus himself would be appalled by many of the many portrayals I was reading.
"At the same time, with great consistency I found that whenever I returned to the Gospels themselves, the fog began to lift."
Hmmmm, so I'm not the only one who starts feeling like the Word is being obscured by man?
I'm still working my way through this book, but another bit caught my attention this morning and I started thinking about some things that Yancey wrote about the life of Jesus.
First, Jesus didn't seek out the big men of the day. He didn't hang out with the rich, the rabbis, the politicians, the people with power. No, no, Jesus hung out with the little people, teaching them, encouraging them, giving that glimpse of Heaven and the Father that we long for.
Jesus' friends and followers were people with problems, self doubt, poverty, health, all the issues that bedevil us today, Christian and non-Christian alike.
Again, I'll quote from Yancey:
"Perhaps prostitutes, tax collectors, and other known sinners responded to Jesus so readily because at some level they knew they were wrong and to them God's forgiveness looked very appealing. As C. S. Lewis has said, "Prostitutes are in no danger of finding their present life so satisfactory that they cannot turn to God: the proud, the avaricious, the self-righteous, are in that danger.'"
Interesting. Those of us who are Blessed with more, face the danger of relying upon ourselves, not upon God?
Yes, I believe that is true.
We risk unbelief by being so secure in our prosperous little lives. And yes, despite the gloom and doom of the media, we who live in the United States are prosperous. The poorest among us have more than the "middle class" of other nations, other parts of the world.
In any case, with unbelief comes doubt, a lack of Faith.
How often are we getting our tightie-whities in a bunch over someone else's sin, and ignoring our own greater sins with our own legalisms and self-righteousness?
Let me ask you:
Would the sinners that Jesus hung out with be welcomed in your home, in your church?
Would you sit next to the man who's wearing a workman's clothing without even thinking about it?
Would you be willing to comfort and counsel the prostitute, the drug addict, the mentally ill?
And, here's the thing, would your church??
You know that each of us are representatives first of Jesus, second of our respective churches.
If your church is not encouraging you in being Christlike, in reaching out to your brothers and sisters in need, Saved or unsaved, then maybe you need to take it all back to the Word and see what Jesus Himself said and did during his short time as a man on this earth.
I too fail the test.
I too fall short of the task.
I too fall short of the standard Jesus set for us.
And God sets me back on the right Path. Jesus lights my way with the Sword of Truth. I fight against principalities, not just on the earth, but inside myself as well.
For there are many battles.
The battle within,
the battle without,
the battle in the Heavenlies.
There is no choice but to win. To fight, to fall, to rise up and battle again, and again, and again.
To fight our way through the fog again and again, each time receiving only a glimpse, at best, of the Kingdom of God lying before us.
But the Word prepares us, cuts through that fog, puts us on the right Path that will lead us to the final Glory in all things.
Despite our failings, despite our sins, despite all that we do to misunderstand, misrepresent, misuse the Word, the Word ALWAYS shows us the right way to go.
Through the fog I seek Jesus, like a blind woman, feeling my way along the long and rocky Path in the wilderness.
The fog burns away in the Light of the Son...
Wow!
While I'm a voracious reader, I'm not one to read a bunch of books about "religion". It's just not my thing. In fact, the way "religious" books are written usually put me off. I start feeling like:
a) It's endless blathering about God instead of from God.
or
b) I'm subtly being put down because I don't subscribe to everything in that particular bit of doctrine.
However, something Yancey wrote caught my attention.
"I read scores of accounts of the etymology of Jesus' name, discussions of what languages he spoke, debates about how long he lived at Nazareth or Capernaum or Bethlehem. Any true-to-life image receded into a fuzzy, indistinct blur. I had a hunch that Jesus himself would be appalled by many of the many portrayals I was reading.
"At the same time, with great consistency I found that whenever I returned to the Gospels themselves, the fog began to lift."
Hmmmm, so I'm not the only one who starts feeling like the Word is being obscured by man?
I'm still working my way through this book, but another bit caught my attention this morning and I started thinking about some things that Yancey wrote about the life of Jesus.
First, Jesus didn't seek out the big men of the day. He didn't hang out with the rich, the rabbis, the politicians, the people with power. No, no, Jesus hung out with the little people, teaching them, encouraging them, giving that glimpse of Heaven and the Father that we long for.
Jesus' friends and followers were people with problems, self doubt, poverty, health, all the issues that bedevil us today, Christian and non-Christian alike.
Again, I'll quote from Yancey:
"Perhaps prostitutes, tax collectors, and other known sinners responded to Jesus so readily because at some level they knew they were wrong and to them God's forgiveness looked very appealing. As C. S. Lewis has said, "Prostitutes are in no danger of finding their present life so satisfactory that they cannot turn to God: the proud, the avaricious, the self-righteous, are in that danger.'"
Interesting. Those of us who are Blessed with more, face the danger of relying upon ourselves, not upon God?
Yes, I believe that is true.
We risk unbelief by being so secure in our prosperous little lives. And yes, despite the gloom and doom of the media, we who live in the United States are prosperous. The poorest among us have more than the "middle class" of other nations, other parts of the world.
In any case, with unbelief comes doubt, a lack of Faith.
How often are we getting our tightie-whities in a bunch over someone else's sin, and ignoring our own greater sins with our own legalisms and self-righteousness?
Let me ask you:
Would the sinners that Jesus hung out with be welcomed in your home, in your church?
Would you sit next to the man who's wearing a workman's clothing without even thinking about it?
Would you be willing to comfort and counsel the prostitute, the drug addict, the mentally ill?
And, here's the thing, would your church??
You know that each of us are representatives first of Jesus, second of our respective churches.
If your church is not encouraging you in being Christlike, in reaching out to your brothers and sisters in need, Saved or unsaved, then maybe you need to take it all back to the Word and see what Jesus Himself said and did during his short time as a man on this earth.
I too fail the test.
I too fall short of the task.
I too fall short of the standard Jesus set for us.
And God sets me back on the right Path. Jesus lights my way with the Sword of Truth. I fight against principalities, not just on the earth, but inside myself as well.
For there are many battles.
The battle within,
the battle without,
the battle in the Heavenlies.
There is no choice but to win. To fight, to fall, to rise up and battle again, and again, and again.
To fight our way through the fog again and again, each time receiving only a glimpse, at best, of the Kingdom of God lying before us.
But the Word prepares us, cuts through that fog, puts us on the right Path that will lead us to the final Glory in all things.
Despite our failings, despite our sins, despite all that we do to misunderstand, misrepresent, misuse the Word, the Word ALWAYS shows us the right way to go.
Through the fog I seek Jesus, like a blind woman, feeling my way along the long and rocky Path in the wilderness.
The fog burns away in the Light of the Son...
Friday, October 31, 2008
Hey, It's Halloween
Hey, it's Halloween.
Yes, my brothers and sisters in Christ, it's Halloween.
Some of you took your kids trick or treating. Some went to a church harvest festival. Some went to private parties. And some of you stayed home.
Some are probably horrified that I was out giving candy to little trick or treaters (LOL, some weren't so little).
Look, my brothers and sisters, there are WAY more important things to worry about than a defunct "holiday" that's been transformed into a night of giving out candy. (Praise God that we are still fighting to keep Christ in Christmas -- a far more important issue if you ask me!)
Let's worry about the evil that walks in the daylight every day, setting out to fool you and yours.
Crooked contractors taking advantage of the elderly.
Dishonest lenders taking advantage of homeowners.
Lying politicians and their mud-slinging campaigns.
False prophets.
People who may be sitting right next to you in church on Sunday, and plotting to steal your money, your home, your job, maybe even your family on Monday.
The evil one is out there every day, bedeviling you.
That off the cuff comment that makes you wonder.
That snide little remark that cuts you to the heart.
That knowing look that makes you doubt.
When you begin to doubt, the evil one starts working on your fears.
No, Halloween is the least of our worries.
It's far more important to don the armour of the Lord and set out to battle against principalities, than to worry about the motives of the little princess at the door, asking for candy.
I think we need to stop being distracted.
Yes, distracted.
The evil one works with smoke and shadows, distractions and lies.
Don't be distracted. Don't be drawn off track by trickery.
There is work to be done, and it's up to us to do it.
There are seeds to be planted, watered, prepared for the Harvest.
There are people to be helped, children to be taught, poor to be sheltered and fed, elderly to be cared for with all respect, sick to be healed.
There are battles to be fought and won by the Faithful.
As for tonight, hey, it's Halloween.
Have a piece of candy and thank Him for it.
And get ready for the Work to be done tomorrow, and the next day, and the rest of your tomorrows.
Yes, my brothers and sisters in Christ, it's Halloween.
Some of you took your kids trick or treating. Some went to a church harvest festival. Some went to private parties. And some of you stayed home.
Some are probably horrified that I was out giving candy to little trick or treaters (LOL, some weren't so little).
Look, my brothers and sisters, there are WAY more important things to worry about than a defunct "holiday" that's been transformed into a night of giving out candy. (Praise God that we are still fighting to keep Christ in Christmas -- a far more important issue if you ask me!)
Let's worry about the evil that walks in the daylight every day, setting out to fool you and yours.
Crooked contractors taking advantage of the elderly.
Dishonest lenders taking advantage of homeowners.
Lying politicians and their mud-slinging campaigns.
False prophets.
People who may be sitting right next to you in church on Sunday, and plotting to steal your money, your home, your job, maybe even your family on Monday.
The evil one is out there every day, bedeviling you.
That off the cuff comment that makes you wonder.
That snide little remark that cuts you to the heart.
That knowing look that makes you doubt.
When you begin to doubt, the evil one starts working on your fears.
No, Halloween is the least of our worries.
It's far more important to don the armour of the Lord and set out to battle against principalities, than to worry about the motives of the little princess at the door, asking for candy.
I think we need to stop being distracted.
Yes, distracted.
The evil one works with smoke and shadows, distractions and lies.
Don't be distracted. Don't be drawn off track by trickery.
There is work to be done, and it's up to us to do it.
There are seeds to be planted, watered, prepared for the Harvest.
There are people to be helped, children to be taught, poor to be sheltered and fed, elderly to be cared for with all respect, sick to be healed.
There are battles to be fought and won by the Faithful.
As for tonight, hey, it's Halloween.
Have a piece of candy and thank Him for it.
And get ready for the Work to be done tomorrow, and the next day, and the rest of your tomorrows.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Life Doesn't Revolve Around Me
We are but a breath of air, a bit a dust in the wind.
Our lives are very short.
It came to me last week that I, like all too many, live for the weekends.
Life is too short to live for the weekends.
I need to make a change in my attitude and if I can't make that change at this job, I need to change my situation.
Life is too short to live for the weekends.
As the Chaplain told us at the Stand Down, living life outside of ourselves, that's what God wants for us. He wants us to not live for ourselves, but to pick up our own personal crosses and labor on His behalf.
Living for the weekend is "me" centered, not God centered.
I am wrong in how I've been living.
I repent of my selfishness.
It will take much prayer and work on my inner self to repair the damage I've already done to my Spirit. Yes, it damages me. It damages you. It hurts us all when we don't step outside of our selfish little lives and work for Him.
Living for the weekends, oh my, what have I done? Old habits are HARD to break, but I'm going to start working on that flaw in my thinking.
Life does not revolve around me.
Life is not fair.
It's up to me to get God centered and work on His projects, His Plan, follow His Word in all things.
Life doesn't revolve around me.
I have much work to do.
And life is short, I'd better hurry up and get those paintings painted, that Christian novel finished, that spiritual book I have in my head written, I have much to do. It can't wait until the weekends, I need to start working on it all today, tomorrow, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday...
As long as I think life revolves around me and my needs, health, financial, spiritual, things aren't going to go the way I think they should.
But my opinion doesn't matter anyway. Life doesn't revolve around me.
It's all about Him.
Not me.
Him.
Our lives are very short.
It came to me last week that I, like all too many, live for the weekends.
Life is too short to live for the weekends.
I need to make a change in my attitude and if I can't make that change at this job, I need to change my situation.
Life is too short to live for the weekends.
As the Chaplain told us at the Stand Down, living life outside of ourselves, that's what God wants for us. He wants us to not live for ourselves, but to pick up our own personal crosses and labor on His behalf.
Living for the weekend is "me" centered, not God centered.
I am wrong in how I've been living.
I repent of my selfishness.
It will take much prayer and work on my inner self to repair the damage I've already done to my Spirit. Yes, it damages me. It damages you. It hurts us all when we don't step outside of our selfish little lives and work for Him.
Living for the weekends, oh my, what have I done? Old habits are HARD to break, but I'm going to start working on that flaw in my thinking.
Life does not revolve around me.
Life is not fair.
It's up to me to get God centered and work on His projects, His Plan, follow His Word in all things.
Life doesn't revolve around me.
I have much work to do.
And life is short, I'd better hurry up and get those paintings painted, that Christian novel finished, that spiritual book I have in my head written, I have much to do. It can't wait until the weekends, I need to start working on it all today, tomorrow, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday...
As long as I think life revolves around me and my needs, health, financial, spiritual, things aren't going to go the way I think they should.
But my opinion doesn't matter anyway. Life doesn't revolve around me.
It's all about Him.
Not me.
Him.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Honor Your Mother And Father
Even Jesus honored His earthly parents.
He followed the commandment: "Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." (Exodus 20:12)
Sure, He had his moments, like when He was at the Temple and they had to go back for Him. He honestly didn't get it, He was about His Father's business. But you'll note, He went home with Mary and Joseph. (Luke 2:41-50)
A better example is John 2:1-8, when the wine at the wedding ran out. Mary told Jesus, "They have no wine."
His response, "Woman, what have I do do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come."
Yes, He then turned the water to wine.
So, He told Mary that it wasn't time yet for miracles, but for His mother, He did one anyway.
Jesus always honored His earthly parents, and even in His last moments on the Cross, He provided for His mother, seeing His disciple and telling them. "Woman, behold thy son! Behold thy mother." And the disciple took her to his own home. (John 19:26-27)
Jesus always honored His parents.
Now, He didn't always do what they wanted Him to do.
But He always honored them.
He followed the commandment: "Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." (Exodus 20:12)
Sure, He had his moments, like when He was at the Temple and they had to go back for Him. He honestly didn't get it, He was about His Father's business. But you'll note, He went home with Mary and Joseph. (Luke 2:41-50)
A better example is John 2:1-8, when the wine at the wedding ran out. Mary told Jesus, "They have no wine."
His response, "Woman, what have I do do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come."
Yes, He then turned the water to wine.
So, He told Mary that it wasn't time yet for miracles, but for His mother, He did one anyway.
Jesus always honored His earthly parents, and even in His last moments on the Cross, He provided for His mother, seeing His disciple and telling them. "Woman, behold thy son! Behold thy mother." And the disciple took her to his own home. (John 19:26-27)
Jesus always honored His parents.
Now, He didn't always do what they wanted Him to do.
But He always honored them.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Thank You For Another Day
Thank you Lord for another day.
Thank you for this wonderful place You've Blessed us with.
It's not the Garden, no, but it's beautiful anyway.
If this world is this beautiful, I can't imagine the Garden.
Being human, I can't help but imagine what it may be like.
However, being human, I also realize that my imaginings aren't enough. It will be more. More than I could ever think, dream, imagine in my puny little mind.
I dream of it anyway.
Thank you Lord for this day.
Thank you every day.
Thank you for this wonderful place You've Blessed us with.
It's not the Garden, no, but it's beautiful anyway.
If this world is this beautiful, I can't imagine the Garden.
Being human, I can't help but imagine what it may be like.
However, being human, I also realize that my imaginings aren't enough. It will be more. More than I could ever think, dream, imagine in my puny little mind.
I dream of it anyway.
Thank you Lord for this day.
Thank you every day.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
The Lord Be With You
"The Lord be with you."
"And also with you."
A little piece of Catholic mass.
Yet a sentiment that we Christians seem to lose track of.
A classic Catholic mass is a very formalized worship service.
The Church is the Bride of Christ. ALL the Church.
Catholicism may be very formal, but unlike some of my evangelistic charismatic Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I still see Catholics as Christians, just as Christian as you or I.
Yes, I know, I hear people say, "My husband was Methodist and I'm a Christian," or something on the order of "Catholics aren't real Christians."
Oh my Lord, what is up with that?
We are ALL Christians! Every single one that accepts Jesus, whether in a formalized ritual or a free form charismatic experience, every single one of us is a Christian.
This divisiveness is not good for the Bride.
We may have differences in experience, in doctrine, even in which Bible we read, but it's all Christianity, it's all the Word.
We're all Christians.
"May the Lord be with you."
"And also with you."
The Lord is with each and every one of us.
The larger Body, the Body of Christ, has many parts and each has a function. And honestly, some parts don't function at all. But that's a matter of individuals not choosing to serve.
"The Lord be with you."
That is not the question. The Lord is always with us.
The question is, "Are you with the Lord?"
Jesus might be your homie, but where are you taking Him in your day-to-day life?
Ummmm, oops.
Are you taking your Homie with you when you sin?
Ummmm, yes.
Are you taking your Homie with you when you act in an unChristian way?
Ummmm, yes.
The Lord is with you. Everywhere, every day, in every thing, the Lord is with you.
Do you REALLY want to take Jesus with you to the bar, to the movies, to work, to play?
Yes, of course you do. That's part of being a Christian. We don't turn Jesus off on and on like we turn on the shower.
He's already washed us, cleansed us of our sins, made us new inside.
But maybe you should take to heart those simple sentences in a Catholic mass:
"The Lord be with you."
"And also with you."
He is always with you, so maybe it's past time to consider where YOU are in your life, your worship, your service. You may be new on the inside, but if you don't start working on the outside, you're going to stay stuck in that old sinful rut.
"The Lord be with you."
Simple, yet effective.
"The Lord be with you."
Whole sermons are written around that simple phrase.
"The Lord be with you."
My prayer for you today is that you absorb that into your mind and spirit, that your soul be uplifted in knowing that the Lord is with you. And you reflect that Spirit to the world.
That you become a better and more effective part of the Body, of the Bride.
And you willingly and joyfully walk in the Path the Lord has set before you.
"The Lord be with you."
"And also with you."
"And also with you."
A little piece of Catholic mass.
Yet a sentiment that we Christians seem to lose track of.
A classic Catholic mass is a very formalized worship service.
The Church is the Bride of Christ. ALL the Church.
Catholicism may be very formal, but unlike some of my evangelistic charismatic Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I still see Catholics as Christians, just as Christian as you or I.
Yes, I know, I hear people say, "My husband was Methodist and I'm a Christian," or something on the order of "Catholics aren't real Christians."
Oh my Lord, what is up with that?
We are ALL Christians! Every single one that accepts Jesus, whether in a formalized ritual or a free form charismatic experience, every single one of us is a Christian.
This divisiveness is not good for the Bride.
We may have differences in experience, in doctrine, even in which Bible we read, but it's all Christianity, it's all the Word.
We're all Christians.
"May the Lord be with you."
"And also with you."
The Lord is with each and every one of us.
The larger Body, the Body of Christ, has many parts and each has a function. And honestly, some parts don't function at all. But that's a matter of individuals not choosing to serve.
"The Lord be with you."
That is not the question. The Lord is always with us.
The question is, "Are you with the Lord?"
Jesus might be your homie, but where are you taking Him in your day-to-day life?
Ummmm, oops.
Are you taking your Homie with you when you sin?
Ummmm, yes.
Are you taking your Homie with you when you act in an unChristian way?
Ummmm, yes.
The Lord is with you. Everywhere, every day, in every thing, the Lord is with you.
Do you REALLY want to take Jesus with you to the bar, to the movies, to work, to play?
Yes, of course you do. That's part of being a Christian. We don't turn Jesus off on and on like we turn on the shower.
He's already washed us, cleansed us of our sins, made us new inside.
But maybe you should take to heart those simple sentences in a Catholic mass:
"The Lord be with you."
"And also with you."
He is always with you, so maybe it's past time to consider where YOU are in your life, your worship, your service. You may be new on the inside, but if you don't start working on the outside, you're going to stay stuck in that old sinful rut.
"The Lord be with you."
Simple, yet effective.
"The Lord be with you."
Whole sermons are written around that simple phrase.
"The Lord be with you."
My prayer for you today is that you absorb that into your mind and spirit, that your soul be uplifted in knowing that the Lord is with you. And you reflect that Spirit to the world.
That you become a better and more effective part of the Body, of the Bride.
And you willingly and joyfully walk in the Path the Lord has set before you.
"The Lord be with you."
"And also with you."
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Our Days Are Numbered
Sometimes it's hard to accept that our days are numbered and only He knows how many we have.
I'm starting to get to an age where family members and some of my peers are passing over.
It's hard.
It's hard to accept that God takes people home long before I'm ready for them to go. (But I'd never be ready...)
Just in the last few of years, I lost an old friend from the party days. My friend lost his father. Not one but two of the people from the group I work with to help homeless Veterans passed. My grandma went Home.
I say that I lost them, but they really aren't lost at all. I fully expect to find them in Heaven.
Still, it's been wearing on me.
Life is short, we have just a brief moment. I am just a breath of wind, a puff of smoke, a brief flash in the universe.
But I belong to a greater Whole.
So when my days are done and my spirit and soul leave this body, I will pass from this limited plane of existence, and rejoin my Father, rejoin Jesus, rejoin my family and friends. Rejoin the greater consciousness that rules the Universe, the great I AM that we call God.
Despite my Faith in my God and in everlasting life with Him, I'm human. I'm not in a hurry to go.
I have more work to do here...
And there is SO much work to do.
I'm starting to get to an age where family members and some of my peers are passing over.
It's hard.
It's hard to accept that God takes people home long before I'm ready for them to go. (But I'd never be ready...)
Just in the last few of years, I lost an old friend from the party days. My friend lost his father. Not one but two of the people from the group I work with to help homeless Veterans passed. My grandma went Home.
I say that I lost them, but they really aren't lost at all. I fully expect to find them in Heaven.
Still, it's been wearing on me.
Life is short, we have just a brief moment. I am just a breath of wind, a puff of smoke, a brief flash in the universe.
But I belong to a greater Whole.
So when my days are done and my spirit and soul leave this body, I will pass from this limited plane of existence, and rejoin my Father, rejoin Jesus, rejoin my family and friends. Rejoin the greater consciousness that rules the Universe, the great I AM that we call God.
Despite my Faith in my God and in everlasting life with Him, I'm human. I'm not in a hurry to go.
I have more work to do here...
And there is SO much work to do.
Friday, September 5, 2008
RIP Matt
Matt Garcia went Home this week.
God took him Home and we ask, "Why Lord, oh why did You take him so young? Was his work done already?"
None of know why he was murdered. None of us know why he was shot -- yet.
All will be revealed, the Truth cannot be hidden.
But losing Matt Garcia, a young Fairfield Councilman, only 22 years old, is a blow to all of us.
As a Christian, I take comfort in knowing that I will see him again.
As a mother, I mourn for his parents and grandparents.
As a former Fairfield resident, I'm still in shock that this fine young man, a Christian, a rising politician in the local community, would be taken from us in this way.
"Why Lord? Why?"
I don't know. God knows in His infinite wisdom.
But let me quote from Matt's own MySpace page, posted on August 27th:
"I been thinking about my life and it is not complete but it is getting there. I thought about the things I have accomplished over the years it has truly been a blessing. It just shows people when you put your mind to something you can make it happen. I still haven't accomplished everything, but I am working towards it and I believe if it is God's Will, it will happen...
"I just see the potential in our generation to make things happen. Some other people in past generations, and sometimes in my case our generation, don't feel that way but let's prove them wrong. That is what drives me proving people wrong when they think I CAN'T but then, I keep making things happen."
RIP Matt.
We NEED more fine young men and women of Faith like you. I hope that many will follow in your footsteps, that you have inspired our youth to follow their Paths to the end of their days.
You will be sorely missed by those of us who only met you in passing and those who knew you intimately.
And I pray that when you met Jesus, you heard, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Welcome Home."
Rest In Peace my young Brother in Christ.
Rest In Peace.
God took him Home and we ask, "Why Lord, oh why did You take him so young? Was his work done already?"
None of know why he was murdered. None of us know why he was shot -- yet.
All will be revealed, the Truth cannot be hidden.
But losing Matt Garcia, a young Fairfield Councilman, only 22 years old, is a blow to all of us.
As a Christian, I take comfort in knowing that I will see him again.
As a mother, I mourn for his parents and grandparents.
As a former Fairfield resident, I'm still in shock that this fine young man, a Christian, a rising politician in the local community, would be taken from us in this way.
"Why Lord? Why?"
I don't know. God knows in His infinite wisdom.
But let me quote from Matt's own MySpace page, posted on August 27th:
"I been thinking about my life and it is not complete but it is getting there. I thought about the things I have accomplished over the years it has truly been a blessing. It just shows people when you put your mind to something you can make it happen. I still haven't accomplished everything, but I am working towards it and I believe if it is God's Will, it will happen...
"I just see the potential in our generation to make things happen. Some other people in past generations, and sometimes in my case our generation, don't feel that way but let's prove them wrong. That is what drives me proving people wrong when they think I CAN'T but then, I keep making things happen."
RIP Matt.
We NEED more fine young men and women of Faith like you. I hope that many will follow in your footsteps, that you have inspired our youth to follow their Paths to the end of their days.
You will be sorely missed by those of us who only met you in passing and those who knew you intimately.
And I pray that when you met Jesus, you heard, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Welcome Home."
Rest In Peace my young Brother in Christ.
Rest In Peace.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Twelve Extraordinary Women
That's the book I'm reading right now, Twelve Extraordinary Women: How God Shaped Women of the Bible, and What He Wants to Do with You by John MacArthur.
It's fascinating.
I've only read a couple of chapters, so I can't really give a review on the entire book.
But with only a couple of chapters read, I'm already ready to recommend you add this book to your reading list.
In addition, the author has written Twelve Ordinary Men: How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness, and What He Wants to Do with You. I've already decided that I need to buy that book too.
I definitely need these in my home library!
It's fascinating.
I've only read a couple of chapters, so I can't really give a review on the entire book.
But with only a couple of chapters read, I'm already ready to recommend you add this book to your reading list.
In addition, the author has written Twelve Ordinary Men: How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness, and What He Wants to Do with You. I've already decided that I need to buy that book too.
I definitely need these in my home library!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
The Very Last Line
A miracle happened in Brazil last week and, shamefully, the most important part of the story was the very last line.
It should've been the headline.
In Brazil, an 18-month-old boy fell out of a third story window, about thirty feet to the ground.
He should have been killed.
But...
Yes, when we're talking God, there is always a BUT!
BUT his disposable diaper caught on the security spike protruding from the building.
Yes, his diaper.
Yes, it tore and he dropped the rest of the way to the ground.
BUT, that diaper slowed his fall, supported him just long enough that he only had minor fractures. He survived the fall.
The media picked up the story, I first heard it on the radio. However, I didn't hear what his father said. The last line of the story:
"It wasn't the diaper that saved him, it was God."
The MOST important part of the entire event was the last line in the newspaper story.
"It was God."
Darn right it was God!!
And THANK YOU GOD for saving that child! May his life be Blessed in all ways, may he do much for You as he walks his Path through this life. In Jesus' holy name, AMEN!!
Link:
http://home.peoplepc.com/psp/newsstory.asp?cat=strange&id=20080828/48b622c0_3421_1334520080828684969154
It should've been the headline.
In Brazil, an 18-month-old boy fell out of a third story window, about thirty feet to the ground.
He should have been killed.
But...
Yes, when we're talking God, there is always a BUT!
BUT his disposable diaper caught on the security spike protruding from the building.
Yes, his diaper.
Yes, it tore and he dropped the rest of the way to the ground.
BUT, that diaper slowed his fall, supported him just long enough that he only had minor fractures. He survived the fall.
The media picked up the story, I first heard it on the radio. However, I didn't hear what his father said. The last line of the story:
"It wasn't the diaper that saved him, it was God."
The MOST important part of the entire event was the last line in the newspaper story.
"It was God."
Darn right it was God!!
And THANK YOU GOD for saving that child! May his life be Blessed in all ways, may he do much for You as he walks his Path through this life. In Jesus' holy name, AMEN!!
Link:
http://home.peoplepc.com/psp/newsstory.asp?cat=strange&id=20080828/48b622c0_3421_1334520080828684969154
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Pray For Them
I was working on something today and I started thinking about atheists.
Madelyn Murray O'Hair in particular. She suffered a terrible death.
I can't tell you if she would have been spared if she were a Believer. I can't tell the future and perhaps her murder was always looming at the end.
I do think that it was her unbelief that paved her path down that road, that put her and her family in harms way. Her unbelief coupled with her own troubled life and dishonest ways.
Ironically, William Murray, the very son that she fought the battle to remove prayer from schools for, all the way to the Supreme Court, became a Christian and a Pastor.
O'Hair's reaction was, "...I repudiate him entirely and completely for now and all times...he is beyond human forgiveness."
(Fortunately, Murray isn't depending on human forgiveness when he meets Jesus at the Throne.)
After O'Hair, her son and granddaughter's bodies were found, Murray said:
"My mother was an evil person... Not for removing prayer from America's schools... No, she was just evil. She stole huge amounts of money. She misused the trust of people. She cheated children out of their parents' inheritance. She cheated on her taxes and even stole from her own organizations. She once printed up phony stock certificates on her own printing press to try to take over another atheist publishing company....Regardless of how evil and lawless my mother was she did not deserve to die in the manner she did."
Murray was right. Despite all that she did, O'Hair did not deserve to be murdered.
No one deserves to die like she did.
But I can't help but think that if she had found her way to Christ, He could have turned her life around. God's Path was not her path, but if it was, couldn't she have been saved?
Maybe, maybe.
We, as Christians, need to pray for our brothers and sisters who embrace the religion of nothingness.
Religion?
Oh, yes, it most certainly is. And it's adherents follow it more rigidly and stridently than most Christians follow Christ.
If only Believers had as much Faith in Jesus as atheists do in nothingness.
I keep praying for the atheists I know. Yes, they'd probably be offended if they knew, but it's my right and duty to pray for them, just as it's their right to reject it. So I pray. And pray. And pray.
As I am quite sure that Murray prayed and prayed and prayed for his mother.
We have to accept that, while God does not want any to be lost, we are also Blessed with free will. Thus, people choose to die alone and comfortless in their unbelief.
We can't fix that.
We can only pray for them.
We can pray that seeds be planted, watered, and with time, the harvest is gathered, and our loved ones willing join us as members of the Body of Christ.
We can pray for them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madalyn_Murray_O
Madelyn Murray O'Hair in particular. She suffered a terrible death.
I can't tell you if she would have been spared if she were a Believer. I can't tell the future and perhaps her murder was always looming at the end.
I do think that it was her unbelief that paved her path down that road, that put her and her family in harms way. Her unbelief coupled with her own troubled life and dishonest ways.
Ironically, William Murray, the very son that she fought the battle to remove prayer from schools for, all the way to the Supreme Court, became a Christian and a Pastor.
O'Hair's reaction was, "...I repudiate him entirely and completely for now and all times...he is beyond human forgiveness."
(Fortunately, Murray isn't depending on human forgiveness when he meets Jesus at the Throne.)
After O'Hair, her son and granddaughter's bodies were found, Murray said:
"My mother was an evil person... Not for removing prayer from America's schools... No, she was just evil. She stole huge amounts of money. She misused the trust of people. She cheated children out of their parents' inheritance. She cheated on her taxes and even stole from her own organizations. She once printed up phony stock certificates on her own printing press to try to take over another atheist publishing company....Regardless of how evil and lawless my mother was she did not deserve to die in the manner she did."
Murray was right. Despite all that she did, O'Hair did not deserve to be murdered.
No one deserves to die like she did.
But I can't help but think that if she had found her way to Christ, He could have turned her life around. God's Path was not her path, but if it was, couldn't she have been saved?
Maybe, maybe.
We, as Christians, need to pray for our brothers and sisters who embrace the religion of nothingness.
Religion?
Oh, yes, it most certainly is. And it's adherents follow it more rigidly and stridently than most Christians follow Christ.
If only Believers had as much Faith in Jesus as atheists do in nothingness.
I keep praying for the atheists I know. Yes, they'd probably be offended if they knew, but it's my right and duty to pray for them, just as it's their right to reject it. So I pray. And pray. And pray.
As I am quite sure that Murray prayed and prayed and prayed for his mother.
We have to accept that, while God does not want any to be lost, we are also Blessed with free will. Thus, people choose to die alone and comfortless in their unbelief.
We can't fix that.
We can only pray for them.
We can pray that seeds be planted, watered, and with time, the harvest is gathered, and our loved ones willing join us as members of the Body of Christ.
We can pray for them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madalyn_Murray_O
Friday, August 22, 2008
How Do You Forgive The Unforgivable?
How do you forgive the unforgivable?
I don't know.
How do you forgive a person that betrayed your trust, abused you, hurt you emotionally, mentally, physically?
I don't know.
I have never suffered like some have. I never suffered from child abuse. (Spankings yes, beatings never. There IS a huge difference.)
I'm thinking again about Dolores Aguilar and the obituary her daughter wrote. I talked about it in my last post.
"There will be no service, no prayers and no closure for the family she spent a lifetime tearing apart..."
I'm incredibly sad for this family. Emotional, mental, physical abuse of the children and no one apparently knew, no one stepped in, no one called CPS. Although no one has said it, I strongly suspect that her husband also suffered from domestic violence. (Yes, men are abused by women too, domestic violence is a two way street.)
This should not have happened. And yet stories like this abound. Child abuse, domestic violence goes on behind closed doors every single day. We don't know what's in another person's heart, we only know them by their fruits.
My first reaction to the obituary was horror. My second was asking why this daughter would air the family's "dirty laundry" to the world.
However, upon reflection, I realized that sometimes it's good to air your laundry.
Perhaps this is the start of a new life, not just for this family, but for families suffering from the same issues, right now, today. Perhaps this is the end of a generational curse.
The dialogue that Dolores' obituary has started isn't going to end in a day or a week.
My friends, there are children out there who need our help. There are families that need our help.
As Christians, we CANNOT turn away. We are mandated to follow authority. And if the person abuses their authority, we are mandated to take it to a higher level. Not "just" laying it at the Throne.
No, we are mandated to step up and report domestic violence, report child abuse, report the bruises on that child, report that argument that's going on next door, wife screaming and children crying out. We are mandated to report it to earthly authorities as well as taking it to the Throne.
These are our brothers and sisters, we NEED to step up.
For you see, when a parent abuses their authority by abusing their children, a man (or woman) abuses the spouse/partner/significant other, he/she has stepped outside of the Will of God. Once a person has stepped outside of God's Authority (and abuse is most certainly that!) we must, as members of the Body, step up and say "STOP".
We, as the Body, need to let people know that staying in an abusive relationship is NOT the Will of God. Oh heck no!!
And staying in a relationship where the other parent abuses the children, OH HECK NO!!
All of our brothers and sisters are collectively ALL our responsibility. If our brother or sister in Christ steps outside the Will of God, it's our Duty to step up and do the right thing. Yes, that means calling the cops or CPS AND informing the Pastor and Elders AND praying for the victim AND praying for the abuser.
And if the abuser is the Pastor him/herself?
Do I really, really have to say it? If the Pastor has stepped outside the Will of God, then the Pastor needs to step down. Bottom line, that's it. If you can't shepherd yourself, you surely can't Shepherd the Body.
And the victims?
How do the victims of abuse forgive?
I don't know.
But God knows and that's what we lay at the Throne, prayers for Healing, prayers for Happiness, prayers for Forgiveness.
I have no answers on how to forgive the unforgivable.
I know the earthly side. Turn the abuser in, testify in court, let the earthly authorities punish him/her, get counseling and therapy.
But how do you forgive the unforgivable?
How do you forgive the abuser, the murderer, the evil that men and women do to the people they claim to love?
How can you heal the mind, soul, spirit of the victims?
I can only say that we are all Forgiven, that Jesus forgave us all in that moment,
"Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."
He has Forgiven me. He can Forgive you.
But how do you forgive the unforgivable?
"There will be no service, no prayers and no closure for the family she spent a lifetime tearing apart..."
Maybe you can't do it alone. I don't think I could.
But God can do it. All you have to do is ask Him. All you have to do is lay it at the Throne.
God will handle it all.
Even if there is no justice on this earth, there is still the Judgment at the Throne. I take comfort in knowing that there is still a final Authority on all things.
Even though Dolores passed from this earth unpunished for the abuse she laid on her family, she still has to face the final Judgement.
She will not be alone.
I don't know.
How do you forgive a person that betrayed your trust, abused you, hurt you emotionally, mentally, physically?
I don't know.
I have never suffered like some have. I never suffered from child abuse. (Spankings yes, beatings never. There IS a huge difference.)
I'm thinking again about Dolores Aguilar and the obituary her daughter wrote. I talked about it in my last post.
"There will be no service, no prayers and no closure for the family she spent a lifetime tearing apart..."
I'm incredibly sad for this family. Emotional, mental, physical abuse of the children and no one apparently knew, no one stepped in, no one called CPS. Although no one has said it, I strongly suspect that her husband also suffered from domestic violence. (Yes, men are abused by women too, domestic violence is a two way street.)
This should not have happened. And yet stories like this abound. Child abuse, domestic violence goes on behind closed doors every single day. We don't know what's in another person's heart, we only know them by their fruits.
My first reaction to the obituary was horror. My second was asking why this daughter would air the family's "dirty laundry" to the world.
However, upon reflection, I realized that sometimes it's good to air your laundry.
Perhaps this is the start of a new life, not just for this family, but for families suffering from the same issues, right now, today. Perhaps this is the end of a generational curse.
The dialogue that Dolores' obituary has started isn't going to end in a day or a week.
My friends, there are children out there who need our help. There are families that need our help.
As Christians, we CANNOT turn away. We are mandated to follow authority. And if the person abuses their authority, we are mandated to take it to a higher level. Not "just" laying it at the Throne.
No, we are mandated to step up and report domestic violence, report child abuse, report the bruises on that child, report that argument that's going on next door, wife screaming and children crying out. We are mandated to report it to earthly authorities as well as taking it to the Throne.
These are our brothers and sisters, we NEED to step up.
For you see, when a parent abuses their authority by abusing their children, a man (or woman) abuses the spouse/partner/significant other, he/she has stepped outside of the Will of God. Once a person has stepped outside of God's Authority (and abuse is most certainly that!) we must, as members of the Body, step up and say "STOP".
We, as the Body, need to let people know that staying in an abusive relationship is NOT the Will of God. Oh heck no!!
And staying in a relationship where the other parent abuses the children, OH HECK NO!!
All of our brothers and sisters are collectively ALL our responsibility. If our brother or sister in Christ steps outside the Will of God, it's our Duty to step up and do the right thing. Yes, that means calling the cops or CPS AND informing the Pastor and Elders AND praying for the victim AND praying for the abuser.
And if the abuser is the Pastor him/herself?
Do I really, really have to say it? If the Pastor has stepped outside the Will of God, then the Pastor needs to step down. Bottom line, that's it. If you can't shepherd yourself, you surely can't Shepherd the Body.
And the victims?
How do the victims of abuse forgive?
I don't know.
But God knows and that's what we lay at the Throne, prayers for Healing, prayers for Happiness, prayers for Forgiveness.
I have no answers on how to forgive the unforgivable.
I know the earthly side. Turn the abuser in, testify in court, let the earthly authorities punish him/her, get counseling and therapy.
But how do you forgive the unforgivable?
How do you forgive the abuser, the murderer, the evil that men and women do to the people they claim to love?
How can you heal the mind, soul, spirit of the victims?
I can only say that we are all Forgiven, that Jesus forgave us all in that moment,
"Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."
He has Forgiven me. He can Forgive you.
But how do you forgive the unforgivable?
"There will be no service, no prayers and no closure for the family she spent a lifetime tearing apart..."
Maybe you can't do it alone. I don't think I could.
But God can do it. All you have to do is ask Him. All you have to do is lay it at the Throne.
God will handle it all.
Even if there is no justice on this earth, there is still the Judgment at the Throne. I take comfort in knowing that there is still a final Authority on all things.
Even though Dolores passed from this earth unpunished for the abuse she laid on her family, she still has to face the final Judgement.
She will not be alone.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Lord, Let This Family Be Healed
Oh, Lord, sometimes I come across something so incredibly sad that I have trouble believing it's true.
I was going to take out the names, but this is all over the Internet, many blogs have posted the entire obituary so it's pointless to try to hide the names of the deceased woman and her family.
Before you read this, I want you to know that I looked further and found a news story about the author of this obituary. She said that her mother didn't take care of the children, didn't feed them, and beat them every day. She believed that her mother was mentally ill, but was able to fool people outside the family.
Oh, Lord, it's so, so sad. I just want to pray for healing on this entire family.
I know, you're wondering what it is that's bothering me so much. Yes, it is REALLY bothering me, I just don't comprehend the family dynamics that could cause so much pain and suffering. So much that when her mother died, this woman wrote this obituary:
Dolores Aguilar ---------------------1929-Aug. 7, 2008
Dolores Aguilar, born in 1929 in New Mexico, left us on August 7, 2008. She will be met in the afterlife by her husband, Raymond, her son, Paul Jr., and daughter, Ruby. She is survived by her daughters Marietta, Mitzi, Stella, Beatrice, Virginia and Ramona, and son Billy; grandchildren, Donnelle, Joe, Mitzie, Maria, Mario, Marty, Tynette, Tania, Leta, Alexandria, Tommy, Billy, Mathew, Raymond, Kenny, Javier, Lisa, Ashlie and Michael; great-grandchildren, Brendan, Joseph, Karissa, Jacob, Delaney, Shawn, Cienna, Bailey, Christian, Andre Jr., Andrea, Keith, Saeed, Nujaymah, Salma, Merissa, Emily, Jayci, Isabella, Samantha and Emily; I apologize if l missed anyone.
Dolores had no hobbies, made no contribution to society and rarely shared a kind word or deed in her life. I speak for the majority of her family when I say her presence will not be missed by many, very few tears will be shed and there will be no lamenting over her passing. Her family will remember Dolores and amongst ourselves we will remember her in our own way, which were mostly sad and troubling times throughout the years. We may have some fond memories of her and perhaps we will think of those times too. But I truly believe at the end of the day ALL of us will really only miss what we never had, a good and kind mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. I hope she is finally at peace with herself. As for the rest of us left behind, I hope this is the beginning of a time of healing and learning to be a family again. There will be no service, no prayers and no closure for the family she spent a lifetime tearing apart. We cannot come together in the end to see to it that her grandchildren and great-grandchildren can say their goodbyes. So I say here for all of us, GOOD BYE, MOM.
I am honestly at a loss for words.
I read this over and over again.
There is evil in this world, and this family has been horribly scarred by it. I can only pray that they will be healed of their pain and the generational curse will be broken.
Yes, I do think there's a generational curse. Dolores was a sick woman. And her family suffered for it. And they're still suffering, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren.
Lord, I pray that this family be healed. Let the cycle of child abuse end with Dolores and let the new generations be freed of the chains of mental illness. Let them be healed of the evils of this world so the children can move on and be all that You meant them to be.
And in their healing, Lord, I pray that somehow they can find forgiveness for their mother, and that she may rest in peace.
Lord, let this family be healed.
In Jesus' holy name, Amen.
I was going to take out the names, but this is all over the Internet, many blogs have posted the entire obituary so it's pointless to try to hide the names of the deceased woman and her family.
Before you read this, I want you to know that I looked further and found a news story about the author of this obituary. She said that her mother didn't take care of the children, didn't feed them, and beat them every day. She believed that her mother was mentally ill, but was able to fool people outside the family.
Oh, Lord, it's so, so sad. I just want to pray for healing on this entire family.
I know, you're wondering what it is that's bothering me so much. Yes, it is REALLY bothering me, I just don't comprehend the family dynamics that could cause so much pain and suffering. So much that when her mother died, this woman wrote this obituary:
Dolores Aguilar ---------------------1929-Aug. 7, 2008
Dolores Aguilar, born in 1929 in New Mexico, left us on August 7, 2008. She will be met in the afterlife by her husband, Raymond, her son, Paul Jr., and daughter, Ruby. She is survived by her daughters Marietta, Mitzi, Stella, Beatrice, Virginia and Ramona, and son Billy; grandchildren, Donnelle, Joe, Mitzie, Maria, Mario, Marty, Tynette, Tania, Leta, Alexandria, Tommy, Billy, Mathew, Raymond, Kenny, Javier, Lisa, Ashlie and Michael; great-grandchildren, Brendan, Joseph, Karissa, Jacob, Delaney, Shawn, Cienna, Bailey, Christian, Andre Jr., Andrea, Keith, Saeed, Nujaymah, Salma, Merissa, Emily, Jayci, Isabella, Samantha and Emily; I apologize if l missed anyone.
Dolores had no hobbies, made no contribution to society and rarely shared a kind word or deed in her life. I speak for the majority of her family when I say her presence will not be missed by many, very few tears will be shed and there will be no lamenting over her passing. Her family will remember Dolores and amongst ourselves we will remember her in our own way, which were mostly sad and troubling times throughout the years. We may have some fond memories of her and perhaps we will think of those times too. But I truly believe at the end of the day ALL of us will really only miss what we never had, a good and kind mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. I hope she is finally at peace with herself. As for the rest of us left behind, I hope this is the beginning of a time of healing and learning to be a family again. There will be no service, no prayers and no closure for the family she spent a lifetime tearing apart. We cannot come together in the end to see to it that her grandchildren and great-grandchildren can say their goodbyes. So I say here for all of us, GOOD BYE, MOM.
I am honestly at a loss for words.
I read this over and over again.
There is evil in this world, and this family has been horribly scarred by it. I can only pray that they will be healed of their pain and the generational curse will be broken.
Yes, I do think there's a generational curse. Dolores was a sick woman. And her family suffered for it. And they're still suffering, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren.
Lord, I pray that this family be healed. Let the cycle of child abuse end with Dolores and let the new generations be freed of the chains of mental illness. Let them be healed of the evils of this world so the children can move on and be all that You meant them to be.
And in their healing, Lord, I pray that somehow they can find forgiveness for their mother, and that she may rest in peace.
Lord, let this family be healed.
In Jesus' holy name, Amen.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
If You're Worrying, You're Not Praying
I don't have any answers for the world's troubles. I'm just a basic, practical Christian, trying to live right in the world.
I miss the target often. I have to pick myself up, dust myself off, and try, try again.
But like the paper I have stuck to my cube wall says:
If you're worrying, you're not praying. If you're praying, you don't have to worry.
Or, as my pastor once preached, negative thoughts and words bring negative results.
Worrying is negative energy.
Praying is positive energy.
Praying over the problem and turning it over to the Lord allows Him to work on it. You don't know what your end result will be, but it WILL be positive. Even if it doesn't look like it in that moment.
Sometimes, something has to happen to trigger a good end result.
Losing that house seems like a financial disaster. But you know, maybe it's freeing you up to make that move to a better location and a better job. Maybe it's setting you free from a financial burden that you don't need to bear right now. Maybe by letting go now and re-establishing your finances and credit, you're going to be able to buy again in three years, when the real estate market has hit bottom and you're again considered a first time buyer. (Next time, get a fixed rate FHA loan!)
And maybe it's one of those hard lessons that we all face in this life, to not overextend ourselves, not let the world convince us that we're better off than we are. Because GOD determines our worth, not the world.
Maybe that house was just more "stuff".
You don't have to impress anyone. There is only One that matters.
Pray on it.
I have personally found that when you lay it all at the foot of the Throne, you will be restored. It will take time.
Seed, time, harvest.
Restoration takes time.
Stop worrying, start praying.
If you're worrying, you're not praying. If you're praying, you don't have to worry.
He ALWAYS answers.
Start praying, then the answer will become clear.
I miss the target often. I have to pick myself up, dust myself off, and try, try again.
But like the paper I have stuck to my cube wall says:
If you're worrying, you're not praying. If you're praying, you don't have to worry.
Or, as my pastor once preached, negative thoughts and words bring negative results.
Worrying is negative energy.
Praying is positive energy.
Praying over the problem and turning it over to the Lord allows Him to work on it. You don't know what your end result will be, but it WILL be positive. Even if it doesn't look like it in that moment.
Sometimes, something has to happen to trigger a good end result.
Losing that house seems like a financial disaster. But you know, maybe it's freeing you up to make that move to a better location and a better job. Maybe it's setting you free from a financial burden that you don't need to bear right now. Maybe by letting go now and re-establishing your finances and credit, you're going to be able to buy again in three years, when the real estate market has hit bottom and you're again considered a first time buyer. (Next time, get a fixed rate FHA loan!)
And maybe it's one of those hard lessons that we all face in this life, to not overextend ourselves, not let the world convince us that we're better off than we are. Because GOD determines our worth, not the world.
Maybe that house was just more "stuff".
You don't have to impress anyone. There is only One that matters.
Pray on it.
I have personally found that when you lay it all at the foot of the Throne, you will be restored. It will take time.
Seed, time, harvest.
Restoration takes time.
Stop worrying, start praying.
If you're worrying, you're not praying. If you're praying, you don't have to worry.
He ALWAYS answers.
Start praying, then the answer will become clear.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Christians Are People Too
I'm always amazed at the double standard that people employ when criticizing Christians.
Somehow, because we're held to a higher standard by Jesus, we aren't allowed to make mistakes.
My friends, we Christians are human. We make mistakes, just like everyone else.
The difference is, when that mistake is discovered, when the Spirit speaks, when the Word leaps off the page and Speaks to our hearts, we're supposed to do our best to make it right.
And if you refuse to accept the correction, repair, reparation or apology or whatever else the right thing to do is, then we can leave it to the Lord from there.
So...
If I owe you an apology and because you're angry, you refuse to accept it, then I can pray over it, turn it over to the Lord, and resolve to do better in the future. I don't have to accept your hate, I don't have to keep your anger. That is your problem.
If I owe you money and because you're angry, you refuse to accept it, then I can pray over it and then apply it where the Spirit directs. Now, I don't get to keep it, I MUST pass it on. And if you get mad over that, well that's your problem. (And trust me, being a smart Christian, I'll send you a check first and if you send it back or shred it or otherwise refuse it, I'll document it all. Then I'll apply it to the Lord's work.)
And if I do something so horrible that I end up in jail over it, as a Christian, I must accept my punishment and try to make restitution to you. Accepting responsibility for my actions is the Christian thing to do. And if you don't like that, honestly, that's your problem.
We Christians do sin. And sin is wrong.
But we can be Christ-like in trying to repair the damage we have done. We can be Christ-like in accepting responsibility for our sins.
But for you to try to act like my sin is tarnish over all Christians, well, you know, that's pretty darn judgemental of you.
Not all people who profess Christianity are actually walking with the Lord on the Path.
Just because one "Christian" did you wrong doesn't mean that all of Christianity is tainted.
As a Christian, I walk in this world just like you do. And I make mistakes, just like you do. And I sin, just like you do.
And in the end I will answer, not to you, but to a Higher Authority that will judge all that I have done.
So the next time you start ranting and raving about Christians this and Christians that, think of this -- I forgive you.
Because in your ignorance, you have not a single clue of what being a Christian really is.
Christians are people too.
And most of us walked in the world's ways long before Jesus took charge of our lives.
Walking with Jesus is a process. I might be a new woman on the inside, but it takes time to redo the outside. Jesus is still working on me and trust me, He's still raking, watering and fertilizing this rocky soil. He's still planting seeds and pruning branches. He still has much work to do.
I'm a Christian, but I'm far from perfect. He'll be working on me until the day I go Home.
Somehow, because we're held to a higher standard by Jesus, we aren't allowed to make mistakes.
My friends, we Christians are human. We make mistakes, just like everyone else.
The difference is, when that mistake is discovered, when the Spirit speaks, when the Word leaps off the page and Speaks to our hearts, we're supposed to do our best to make it right.
And if you refuse to accept the correction, repair, reparation or apology or whatever else the right thing to do is, then we can leave it to the Lord from there.
So...
If I owe you an apology and because you're angry, you refuse to accept it, then I can pray over it, turn it over to the Lord, and resolve to do better in the future. I don't have to accept your hate, I don't have to keep your anger. That is your problem.
If I owe you money and because you're angry, you refuse to accept it, then I can pray over it and then apply it where the Spirit directs. Now, I don't get to keep it, I MUST pass it on. And if you get mad over that, well that's your problem. (And trust me, being a smart Christian, I'll send you a check first and if you send it back or shred it or otherwise refuse it, I'll document it all. Then I'll apply it to the Lord's work.)
And if I do something so horrible that I end up in jail over it, as a Christian, I must accept my punishment and try to make restitution to you. Accepting responsibility for my actions is the Christian thing to do. And if you don't like that, honestly, that's your problem.
We Christians do sin. And sin is wrong.
But we can be Christ-like in trying to repair the damage we have done. We can be Christ-like in accepting responsibility for our sins.
But for you to try to act like my sin is tarnish over all Christians, well, you know, that's pretty darn judgemental of you.
Not all people who profess Christianity are actually walking with the Lord on the Path.
Just because one "Christian" did you wrong doesn't mean that all of Christianity is tainted.
As a Christian, I walk in this world just like you do. And I make mistakes, just like you do. And I sin, just like you do.
And in the end I will answer, not to you, but to a Higher Authority that will judge all that I have done.
So the next time you start ranting and raving about Christians this and Christians that, think of this -- I forgive you.
Because in your ignorance, you have not a single clue of what being a Christian really is.
Christians are people too.
And most of us walked in the world's ways long before Jesus took charge of our lives.
Walking with Jesus is a process. I might be a new woman on the inside, but it takes time to redo the outside. Jesus is still working on me and trust me, He's still raking, watering and fertilizing this rocky soil. He's still planting seeds and pruning branches. He still has much work to do.
I'm a Christian, but I'm far from perfect. He'll be working on me until the day I go Home.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
If Only All Christians Followed His Teachings
"Bring the little children to Me."
In Pakistan, there is a couple who say just that. They take in the unwanted children, mostly girls, who would otherwise be killed or abandoned to die.
In a country of too many poor, they serve God in their own way. Since they began in 1951, the Edhi Foundation has rescued at least 20,000 babies and placed an estimated 16,700 children in homes. Despite threats by some Muslims, they take in children of any and every faith. They try to find homes and raise the children to adulthood with a trade, skills and a brighter future than they had before being found abandoned or dropped off in one of the cradles around Pakistan.
If only more Christians would follow this example of doing God's Work.
(And yes, my church supports several orphanages around the world.)
Links:
http://www.edhifoundation.com/
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/08/02/MN8N11PFOF.DTL
To make a donation:
http://www.edhifoundation.com/contact.asp
In Pakistan, there is a couple who say just that. They take in the unwanted children, mostly girls, who would otherwise be killed or abandoned to die.
In a country of too many poor, they serve God in their own way. Since they began in 1951, the Edhi Foundation has rescued at least 20,000 babies and placed an estimated 16,700 children in homes. Despite threats by some Muslims, they take in children of any and every faith. They try to find homes and raise the children to adulthood with a trade, skills and a brighter future than they had before being found abandoned or dropped off in one of the cradles around Pakistan.
If only more Christians would follow this example of doing God's Work.
(And yes, my church supports several orphanages around the world.)
Links:
http://www.edhifoundation.com/
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/08/02/MN8N11PFOF.DTL
To make a donation:
http://www.edhifoundation.com/contact.asp
A Quilt Of Holes
I don't know who wrote this, but when I got it in my e-mail, it brought tears to my eyes.
As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls. Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.
But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.
I glanced around me.
Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune.
I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened. My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.
Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been.
My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise.
My gaze dropped to the ground in shame.
I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it.
I had to start over many times.
I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again.
I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life.
I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.
And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.
I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light.
An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes. Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me.
Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes.
He said, "Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you."
"Welcome Home My Child"
I know that this may have arrived in your e-mail already. My google search brought up many postings, all saying "author unknown". But it doesn't matter how many times this is posted and reposted, the important part is the Word that comes with it.
"...let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you."
The mantra of the Christian, to be Christ-like in all we do.
May He shine through my life today. May He shine through your life today.
And when my days on this earth are done, I pray that I too hear Him say, "Welcome home My child."
As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls. Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.
But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.
I glanced around me.
Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune.
I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened. My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.
Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been.
My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise.
My gaze dropped to the ground in shame.
I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it.
I had to start over many times.
I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again.
I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life.
I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.
And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.
I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light.
An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes. Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me.
Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes.
He said, "Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you."
"Welcome Home My Child"
I know that this may have arrived in your e-mail already. My google search brought up many postings, all saying "author unknown". But it doesn't matter how many times this is posted and reposted, the important part is the Word that comes with it.
"...let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you."
The mantra of the Christian, to be Christ-like in all we do.
May He shine through my life today. May He shine through your life today.
And when my days on this earth are done, I pray that I too hear Him say, "Welcome home My child."
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Follow The Light
For all of you who doubt, let me reassure you, Satan KNOWS that God exists.
I believe that the evil one invades the Church every day.
For example, look at the tragedy of Dennis Rader, the BTK killer. Oh, my dear Lord, the man was a church-goer, if I remember right, a Deacon of his church.
Obviously, he attended church. But that doesn't mean that the evil one didn't have his heart.
He sold his soul to Satan long ago.
I know, you wonder how he could sit in church with the Believers and keep up the pretense of his life for all those years.
He made a choice.
God gives us free will. Rader could have repented of his choice, given his life over to the Lord, became the man the Lord intended him to be.
Instead, he used his free will to become a follower of evil.
Let him be an example, Christians, be warned. There are people right now, today, sitting next to you at church that do not have your best interests at heart.
Certainly most of them are not at the level of evil that Dennis Rader, the BTK killer is. But that doesn't mean that they don't have designs on your money, your wife or husband, your kids, your life.
Evil inhabits this world and it comes to church with you.
We have to live in this world, but we can CHOOSE to not buy into it.
Please remember, I'm not saying to be paranoid, or to lose your Faith. Not at all.
In fact, I'm telling you the exact opposite! Live YOUR life right. God gave each of us free will. That means it's our DUTY to be vigilant. Push the evil one out of our lives.
Don't be like Radar. Yes, he went to church, he went through the motions, but Radar chose the dark path.
Be aware.
Watch out.
Jesus himself turned over the tables in the Temple. He knew that the world comes to church with the Believers. He turned over the tables and drove the world out that day.
It's 2,000 years later. Follow His example, Believers, push the world back out of the Church. Pray, counsel, and watch. And listen to the Spirit. He tells you in a whisper that something is just not right. Listen to the quiet voice in your heart.
Not the voice of condemnation. Not the voice shouting at you. That's the evil one trying to distract you from what is Right.
No, the little voice that tells you that something is just not right with that person, situation, job, financial advice, pastor.
Satan KNOWS that God is here with us every single day. Don't give him that opening into your heart. Be careful what you do, lest he take advantage of you, mislead you and lead you down the dark path. Watch what you take in, be careful what you put out.
You don't have to choose the dark ways of this world, you can choose to follow the Light. It's a hard Path, but it's the Way of Truth.
Follow the Light.
I believe that the evil one invades the Church every day.
For example, look at the tragedy of Dennis Rader, the BTK killer. Oh, my dear Lord, the man was a church-goer, if I remember right, a Deacon of his church.
Obviously, he attended church. But that doesn't mean that the evil one didn't have his heart.
He sold his soul to Satan long ago.
I know, you wonder how he could sit in church with the Believers and keep up the pretense of his life for all those years.
He made a choice.
God gives us free will. Rader could have repented of his choice, given his life over to the Lord, became the man the Lord intended him to be.
Instead, he used his free will to become a follower of evil.
Let him be an example, Christians, be warned. There are people right now, today, sitting next to you at church that do not have your best interests at heart.
Certainly most of them are not at the level of evil that Dennis Rader, the BTK killer is. But that doesn't mean that they don't have designs on your money, your wife or husband, your kids, your life.
Evil inhabits this world and it comes to church with you.
We have to live in this world, but we can CHOOSE to not buy into it.
Please remember, I'm not saying to be paranoid, or to lose your Faith. Not at all.
In fact, I'm telling you the exact opposite! Live YOUR life right. God gave each of us free will. That means it's our DUTY to be vigilant. Push the evil one out of our lives.
Don't be like Radar. Yes, he went to church, he went through the motions, but Radar chose the dark path.
Be aware.
Watch out.
Jesus himself turned over the tables in the Temple. He knew that the world comes to church with the Believers. He turned over the tables and drove the world out that day.
It's 2,000 years later. Follow His example, Believers, push the world back out of the Church. Pray, counsel, and watch. And listen to the Spirit. He tells you in a whisper that something is just not right. Listen to the quiet voice in your heart.
Not the voice of condemnation. Not the voice shouting at you. That's the evil one trying to distract you from what is Right.
No, the little voice that tells you that something is just not right with that person, situation, job, financial advice, pastor.
Satan KNOWS that God is here with us every single day. Don't give him that opening into your heart. Be careful what you do, lest he take advantage of you, mislead you and lead you down the dark path. Watch what you take in, be careful what you put out.
You don't have to choose the dark ways of this world, you can choose to follow the Light. It's a hard Path, but it's the Way of Truth.
Follow the Light.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Someone Violated The Western Wall????
Oh my!!
I was listening to KGO radio and Karel was going off about someone grabbing Obama's prayer off the Western Wall.
What? Someone violated his private prayer? Written on a piece of paper and pushed into the cracks in the Wall, like many, many prayers every day. Yet someone thought it was OK to grab it and then Israel's newspaper and CNN PUBLISHED it?? (From Wikipedia: In July, 2008 United States Presidential candidate Barack Obama, on a visit to Europe and the Middle East, placed a written prayer in the wall, which was later taken by a seminary student and published in the newspaper Maariv.)
Please tell me, someone, why the man can't even PRAY without someone disrespecting him?
Oh my Lord, what have we come to?
I can tell you this, whoever grabbed that paper, whoever sold it to the newspaper and CNN, they will answer to the Lord Himself for this one. And you know, it really doesn't matter if he is an atheist or a Christian, or a Muslim or a Jew. Doesn't matter, the Lord will handle this business.
I'm going to do my best to NOT view that prayer. That was between Obama and God and, to be blunt, it's none of my business.
It's obvious that whoever violated Obama's prayer has forgotten this:
Matthew 6:5-24 TNIV
5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."
Obama prayed according to Jewish tradition, wrote his prayer in private and placed it on the Wall, trusting that it would stay private. He respected the traditions of Israel. He trusted the elder Brothers, the chosen people of God to respect his prayer.
Too bad he wasn't Blessed with that same respect by that student.
Hypocrite. And hypocrites. And more hypocrites.
If I had any doubt that the media is directly influenced by the evil one, it's gone now. I am becoming more and more aware that the world is a darkening place, where the bright light of Jesus stands as a beacon for the lost.
God is not willing that any should be lost.
But the world is sucking our peoples in like an evil pool of quicksand. A seminary student, of all people, to violate the privacy of prayer?
Oh my Lord, I pray that Obama is able to forgive him for this betrayal.
And I pray for the student, Lord, that he may be forgiven for desecrating the Western Wall. Or perhaps in Jesus' own words: "Forgive them Lord, for they know not what they do."
They know not what they do.
But they ought to.
Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Wall
http://english.thekotel.org/content.asp?id=212
I was listening to KGO radio and Karel was going off about someone grabbing Obama's prayer off the Western Wall.
What? Someone violated his private prayer? Written on a piece of paper and pushed into the cracks in the Wall, like many, many prayers every day. Yet someone thought it was OK to grab it and then Israel's newspaper and CNN PUBLISHED it?? (From Wikipedia: In July, 2008 United States Presidential candidate Barack Obama, on a visit to Europe and the Middle East, placed a written prayer in the wall, which was later taken by a seminary student and published in the newspaper Maariv.)
Please tell me, someone, why the man can't even PRAY without someone disrespecting him?
Oh my Lord, what have we come to?
I can tell you this, whoever grabbed that paper, whoever sold it to the newspaper and CNN, they will answer to the Lord Himself for this one. And you know, it really doesn't matter if he is an atheist or a Christian, or a Muslim or a Jew. Doesn't matter, the Lord will handle this business.
I'm going to do my best to NOT view that prayer. That was between Obama and God and, to be blunt, it's none of my business.
It's obvious that whoever violated Obama's prayer has forgotten this:
Matthew 6:5-24 TNIV
5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."
Obama prayed according to Jewish tradition, wrote his prayer in private and placed it on the Wall, trusting that it would stay private. He respected the traditions of Israel. He trusted the elder Brothers, the chosen people of God to respect his prayer.
Too bad he wasn't Blessed with that same respect by that student.
Hypocrite. And hypocrites. And more hypocrites.
If I had any doubt that the media is directly influenced by the evil one, it's gone now. I am becoming more and more aware that the world is a darkening place, where the bright light of Jesus stands as a beacon for the lost.
God is not willing that any should be lost.
But the world is sucking our peoples in like an evil pool of quicksand. A seminary student, of all people, to violate the privacy of prayer?
Oh my Lord, I pray that Obama is able to forgive him for this betrayal.
And I pray for the student, Lord, that he may be forgiven for desecrating the Western Wall. Or perhaps in Jesus' own words: "Forgive them Lord, for they know not what they do."
They know not what they do.
But they ought to.
Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Wall
http://english.thekotel.org/content.asp?id=212
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