Police Nab Paralyzed Mafia Boss
Oh, my gosh!
The Lord is way not cool with this kind of behavior. Giving God all the credit is good, but to claim a miracle when you're faking it?
Nope, the Lord isn't having it.
And in this case, neither are the cops...
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
God Never Says "Oops"
I read this a while back, but it came to mind today when I was online.
I truly believe that God NEVER says "oops".
I also believe that there is much, much more to this world than we realize. Our conflicts are all too often caused by our own misunderstandings, not comprehending that the Lord blessed us with a huge, complex place that suits our busy little minds.
So having said that, here's an interesting article about the structure of the brain and the similarities of the structures of hetro women and gay men. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7456588.stm
Since God knit us together in the womb, I can only think that He's not saying "oops," that He has a reason for a gay person to exist, just like He has a reason and a purpose for you and I.
Yes, I know what the Word says. But I also know that God created it all, including science. So maybe the conflict is not within the Word, but within our own comprehension of the Word.
I don't know the answer to this question, so I think I'll just accept that I don't know and let God sort it all out at the Throne...
I truly believe that God NEVER says "oops".
I also believe that there is much, much more to this world than we realize. Our conflicts are all too often caused by our own misunderstandings, not comprehending that the Lord blessed us with a huge, complex place that suits our busy little minds.
So having said that, here's an interesting article about the structure of the brain and the similarities of the structures of hetro women and gay men. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7456588.stm
Since God knit us together in the womb, I can only think that He's not saying "oops," that He has a reason for a gay person to exist, just like He has a reason and a purpose for you and I.
Yes, I know what the Word says. But I also know that God created it all, including science. So maybe the conflict is not within the Word, but within our own comprehension of the Word.
I don't know the answer to this question, so I think I'll just accept that I don't know and let God sort it all out at the Throne...
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Daily Meditations from Native America
I highly recommend that you sign up for daily meditations. It's great to have a quote or Bible verse pop up on your Blackberry or in your e-mail every day, reminding you that God is near. Reminding your to count your Blessings and be thankful. Reminding you that all is well (or will be) in your world, because God is with you.
Personally, I like White Bison. A quote from a Native American and a short lesson and prayer.
It sets my day in place, reminding me who and what I am, where I came from, and Who is waiting for me to come Home when I reach the end of my Path.
It's a good feeling.
http://www.whitebison.org/
Personally, I like White Bison. A quote from a Native American and a short lesson and prayer.
It sets my day in place, reminding me who and what I am, where I came from, and Who is waiting for me to come Home when I reach the end of my Path.
It's a good feeling.
http://www.whitebison.org/
God Always Answers
God always answers.
Sometimes it's "Yes."
Sometimes it's "No."
Sometimes it's "Wait."
And sometimes, like a long suffering parent, God says "You have GOT to be kidding!" (Yes, that's definitely a NO answer.)
But I think the worst one, and probably one that we get more often than we realize, is "Yes, but you'll be sorry. You have a lesson to learn and you're choosing to learn it."
Ouch, ouch, ouch. That's a rough answer. I didn't learn my lesson, so God is going to let me learn it again? Ouch.
The good news is that God is still there, still letting us learn our lessons. He ALWAYS answers our prayers.
But sometimes we really don't want to hear the answer...
Sometimes it's "Yes."
Sometimes it's "No."
Sometimes it's "Wait."
And sometimes, like a long suffering parent, God says "You have GOT to be kidding!" (Yes, that's definitely a NO answer.)
But I think the worst one, and probably one that we get more often than we realize, is "Yes, but you'll be sorry. You have a lesson to learn and you're choosing to learn it."
Ouch, ouch, ouch. That's a rough answer. I didn't learn my lesson, so God is going to let me learn it again? Ouch.
The good news is that God is still there, still letting us learn our lessons. He ALWAYS answers our prayers.
But sometimes we really don't want to hear the answer...
Friday, October 16, 2009
How Long To Pray?
"What does it matter how long I pray, so long as my prayers are answered?"
--Sitting Bull, HUNKPAPA LAKOTA
We should spend our lives praying. Praying, praising, thanking God for all the good things He's blessed us with.
However, we're so impatient and selfish, sometimes we pray and pray and then get mad at God for not hurrying up and answering our prayers.
Sitting Bull was right. It's all in God's time, not ours. As long as God answers our prayers, who are we to whine about having to wait a little while? Maybe there's a good reason for it. Maybe by being forced to wait, we avoided some terrible circumstance, accident, even death.
We don't know what God's plan is, so we need to just keep praying.
And praying.
And praying.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
"An Eye For An Eye Makes The Whole World Blind"
Wow, what a beautiful and truthful quote:
An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. -Mahatma Gandhi
As Christians, sometimes we get so caught up in our religion that we forget that some Truths are universal.
Truth is Truth is Truth.
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, the Old Testament was the blueprint for another age, another mindset. One that too many in this world are stuck in.
When Jesus fulfilled the prophesies, He did not set aside the law, but He did lead us into a different path of love and forgiveness. Instead of an eye for an eye, He said to turn the other cheek. To give unselfishly. To love one another.
I think Jesus was telling us all to grow up, set aside childish things in order to reach out for His Glory.
We can't afford for the whole world to become blind.
Some of us have to open our eyes so we can see, our ears so we can hear. We have to follow the Truth that's embedded in this world, for all who are willing to follow the long and winding Path.
Some of us have to be willing to see -- and become the People of the Book in the way that God intended.
An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. -Mahatma Gandhi
As Christians, sometimes we get so caught up in our religion that we forget that some Truths are universal.
Truth is Truth is Truth.
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, the Old Testament was the blueprint for another age, another mindset. One that too many in this world are stuck in.
When Jesus fulfilled the prophesies, He did not set aside the law, but He did lead us into a different path of love and forgiveness. Instead of an eye for an eye, He said to turn the other cheek. To give unselfishly. To love one another.
I think Jesus was telling us all to grow up, set aside childish things in order to reach out for His Glory.
We can't afford for the whole world to become blind.
Some of us have to open our eyes so we can see, our ears so we can hear. We have to follow the Truth that's embedded in this world, for all who are willing to follow the long and winding Path.
Some of us have to be willing to see -- and become the People of the Book in the way that God intended.
Pitiful Attempts By Unbelievers
Sometimes the attempts of unbelievers to rock your faith are utterly ludicrous.
Have you ever had someone mock you, say that the Spirit didn't move, that you didn't get that healing, didn't have God working on you?
You know what I'm talking about. Those who are so darn secure (they think) in their belief in nothingness that they stoop to any level to try to pry you lose from the Rock?
Don't let them get to you. Their house is built on shifting sands and will eventually fall into the abyss. They CHOOSE their ignorance.
Don't bite.
Don't fuss with them.
Do the worst thing you can do to a fool -- ignore him. Watch him jump up and down, trying to attract your attention like a two-year-old when you're on the phone.
Pity him.
Pity those who choose ignorance. They will learn, some too late, that their choice has kept them from Glory. It is not for you or I to judge, they will be dealt with by the Lord.
Have pity upon them in this life, even if they don't deserve it. Perhaps especially if they don't deserve it.
They will die the eternal death -- alone.
Have you ever had someone mock you, say that the Spirit didn't move, that you didn't get that healing, didn't have God working on you?
You know what I'm talking about. Those who are so darn secure (they think) in their belief in nothingness that they stoop to any level to try to pry you lose from the Rock?
Don't let them get to you. Their house is built on shifting sands and will eventually fall into the abyss. They CHOOSE their ignorance.
Don't bite.
Don't fuss with them.
Do the worst thing you can do to a fool -- ignore him. Watch him jump up and down, trying to attract your attention like a two-year-old when you're on the phone.
Pity him.
Pity those who choose ignorance. They will learn, some too late, that their choice has kept them from Glory. It is not for you or I to judge, they will be dealt with by the Lord.
Have pity upon them in this life, even if they don't deserve it. Perhaps especially if they don't deserve it.
They will die the eternal death -- alone.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
I'm Working On A Book
But my computer crashed and I lost everything on it.
Yet all three of the books I'm working on are safe.
About a week before, I got this urgent, urgent need to save my three big projects to my thumb drive. So I literally got out of bed super early, before work, and fired up the computer and saved them.
A week later, my computer crashed.
Thank you Lord, for the urging of the Spirit that woke me up from a dead sleep and told me to save that file!
When you have that sense of "do it now", get yourself up and do it! That's the Spirit telling you to get it taken care of right now!
I can testify, if you don't listen to the Spirit, it's never a good thing for you.
So whatever it is that the Spirit is urging you to do today, get it done! Today! Don't wait another day, don't wait until after church, make time and do it right now!
And may you be Blessed for listening and obeying the Spirit.
Yet all three of the books I'm working on are safe.
About a week before, I got this urgent, urgent need to save my three big projects to my thumb drive. So I literally got out of bed super early, before work, and fired up the computer and saved them.
A week later, my computer crashed.
Thank you Lord, for the urging of the Spirit that woke me up from a dead sleep and told me to save that file!
When you have that sense of "do it now", get yourself up and do it! That's the Spirit telling you to get it taken care of right now!
I can testify, if you don't listen to the Spirit, it's never a good thing for you.
So whatever it is that the Spirit is urging you to do today, get it done! Today! Don't wait another day, don't wait until after church, make time and do it right now!
And may you be Blessed for listening and obeying the Spirit.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
The Word Of The Day Is "HANG ON"
Yes, that's the Word of the day, of every day.
Hang on!
Have Faith, hang on.
As my Pastor told us:
If things are tough, hard times are here, hang on, change is coming!
And if things are great, all is going well, hang on, change is coming!
His point is that life brings change whether we want it or not. God expects us to hang in there, keep the Faith, keep working and serving.
We don't get to give up, we have a higher calling!
So HANG ON!
Hang on!
Have Faith, hang on.
As my Pastor told us:
If things are tough, hard times are here, hang on, change is coming!
And if things are great, all is going well, hang on, change is coming!
His point is that life brings change whether we want it or not. God expects us to hang in there, keep the Faith, keep working and serving.
We don't get to give up, we have a higher calling!
So HANG ON!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
He Is Risen!
Yes, today is the culmination of our Christian faith -- He is Risen!!
Jesus lives!!
I just think of it and I'm filled with joy. Today is a GOOD day!
Despite the troubles of the world.
Despite the evil that men and women do.
Despite the insidious work of the evil one.
All is well, He is Risen!
The evil one failed miserably when Jesus went to the Cross. He thought he won the battle and in doing so, he fulfilled Destiny and Prophesy. He was too dumb to know that he had LOST the war -- AMEN!
Today is the day that the Lord has given us. God gave us the physical proof of His Holy Word, of the Son, of Jesus, who rose from death, with the dawn, on the third day.
The sun rises and shines on the Son, embodied in each of us. Unlike Jesus, we are flawed, but we endeavour to be like Him, we try in our human frailness to be Christ-like in all we do.
And thanks to His sacrifice, when we fail, we're allowed to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and try, try again to be like Him.
Let your thanks rise like mine to the Heavenlies, let us rejoice in this day.
Today is the day that God Blessed us all.
Resurrection Day!
He is Risen!!
Jesus lives!!
I just think of it and I'm filled with joy. Today is a GOOD day!
Despite the troubles of the world.
Despite the evil that men and women do.
Despite the insidious work of the evil one.
All is well, He is Risen!
The evil one failed miserably when Jesus went to the Cross. He thought he won the battle and in doing so, he fulfilled Destiny and Prophesy. He was too dumb to know that he had LOST the war -- AMEN!
Today is the day that the Lord has given us. God gave us the physical proof of His Holy Word, of the Son, of Jesus, who rose from death, with the dawn, on the third day.
The sun rises and shines on the Son, embodied in each of us. Unlike Jesus, we are flawed, but we endeavour to be like Him, we try in our human frailness to be Christ-like in all we do.
And thanks to His sacrifice, when we fail, we're allowed to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and try, try again to be like Him.
Let your thanks rise like mine to the Heavenlies, let us rejoice in this day.
Today is the day that God Blessed us all.
Resurrection Day!
He is Risen!!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
American Idol - They Didn't Get It!
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.
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 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!
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