Every day, I jump into the truck and off I go to work.
Every day, I pray to the Lord, thanking Him for all He has blessed me with: a house, a job, a truck, a family, and all the good things in our lives.
I pray for protection over my family and friends.
I pray for blessings to fall on me and mine.
I say thank you.
Thank you.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
The Church Isn't Always Right
Honoring Copernicus is a good example.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100522/ap_on_re_eu/eu_poland_copernicus_reburied;_ylt=AuWInRllw2mlcBSkMiJMd8pH2ocA;_ylu=X3oDMTNpZXRqbWxwBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwNTIyL2V1X3BvbGFuZF9jb3Blcm5pY3VzX3JlYnVyaWVkBGNjb2RlA21vc3Rwb3B1bGFyBGNwb3MDNARwb3MDNARzZWMDeW5fdG9wX3N0b3JpZXMEc2xrA2FzdHJvbm9tZXJjbw--
Now, he was already dead when the Catholic Church declared him a heretic. So it was really not a big deal to him, he'd already went on to be with the Lord.
The significance, however, of the Church acknowledging that he was not a heretic (flawed, yes, heretic, no) is an important step toward the understanding that it all, science, faith, the world, the spiritual, came from God Almighty.
Oh yes, we can distort it. We can misinterpret it. We can even lie about it (with consequences).
But the reality is that God created it all and He gave us busy little minds and hands to dig and think and theorize and try to understand.
The mistake so many make is thinking that:
HERE is Science.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100522/ap_on_re_eu/eu_poland_copernicus_reburied;_ylt=AuWInRllw2mlcBSkMiJMd8pH2ocA;_ylu=X3oDMTNpZXRqbWxwBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwNTIyL2V1X3BvbGFuZF9jb3Blcm5pY3VzX3JlYnVyaWVkBGNjb2RlA21vc3Rwb3B1bGFyBGNwb3MDNARwb3MDNARzZWMDeW5fdG9wX3N0b3JpZXMEc2xrA2FzdHJvbm9tZXJjbw--
Now, he was already dead when the Catholic Church declared him a heretic. So it was really not a big deal to him, he'd already went on to be with the Lord.
The significance, however, of the Church acknowledging that he was not a heretic (flawed, yes, heretic, no) is an important step toward the understanding that it all, science, faith, the world, the spiritual, came from God Almighty.
Oh yes, we can distort it. We can misinterpret it. We can even lie about it (with consequences).
But the reality is that God created it all and He gave us busy little minds and hands to dig and think and theorize and try to understand.
The mistake so many make is thinking that:
HERE is Science.
And HERE is Faith.
And the truth
of the matter is
that it's all ONE.
We are like the blind men examining an elephant, each feeling and determining within his own range of touch, smell, thoughts of what an elephant is. But they were all touching, smelling, theorizing about the same thing -- the elephant.
That's what we do.
We see the world from many different points of view, never realizing that we are all, Science and Faith, seeing the very same thing. Just from different angles.
Just like Copernicus saw the solar system. It was still the solar system, just from a different angle...
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Saturday, April 10, 2010
How to Preview Movies for Content | eHow.com
Many people are very particular about the movies they want to see.
Parents are especially picky about the movies that their children see. The latest and greatest according to the local newspaper critic may not suit your particular standards when it comes to you and yours. Happily, there are ways to review a movie for content before you get to the theater.
Things You'll Need:
Computer
Internet connection
E-mail address
Search engine
Step 1
Go to the Internet and do a search for "Movie Reviews for Families". If you like, you can add "Christian" to your keywords to further reduce the results.
Step 2
Select a website and review it. Sometimes what the search engine finds isn't what you're looking for, so be sure to review the website itself before reviewing the movies. If you don't like what you see, hit the back arrow and choose a different website. Be aware that some sites are free and others may require that you sign up in order to view the reviews.
Step 3
Look for an e-mail subscription for the website you like. Such sites as Screenit.com often have weekly e-mails that go straight to your e-mail, with Screen It's critics reviews of the latest and greatest movies in the theaters and on video.
Step 4
Once you've found a website that appeals to you, save it to "Favorites" so you can find it again. With a few minutes of research, you can save hours of arguing or worse, having to walk out of a movie because it's not appropriate for your children. See Resources for a few family-friendly movie review websites.
----------------------------------------------------------
Parents need more resources so they can preview movies before exposing their children (and themselves) to the content that Hollywood thinks we want to see. I can tell you right now, over three fourths of the movies in the theaters are just plain garbage.
We have to be careful what we take in. We are in the world, but not of the world.
What goes in, eventually comes out. True in rabbits, true in the words and actions of people.
Take a minute and preview that movie before you take your family, you'll be glad you did.
More important, the Lord will be happy you did...
Parents are especially picky about the movies that their children see. The latest and greatest according to the local newspaper critic may not suit your particular standards when it comes to you and yours. Happily, there are ways to review a movie for content before you get to the theater.
Things You'll Need:
Computer
Internet connection
E-mail address
Search engine
Step 1
Go to the Internet and do a search for "Movie Reviews for Families". If you like, you can add "Christian" to your keywords to further reduce the results.
Step 2
Select a website and review it. Sometimes what the search engine finds isn't what you're looking for, so be sure to review the website itself before reviewing the movies. If you don't like what you see, hit the back arrow and choose a different website. Be aware that some sites are free and others may require that you sign up in order to view the reviews.
Step 3
Look for an e-mail subscription for the website you like. Such sites as Screenit.com often have weekly e-mails that go straight to your e-mail, with Screen It's critics reviews of the latest and greatest movies in the theaters and on video.
Step 4
Once you've found a website that appeals to you, save it to "Favorites" so you can find it again. With a few minutes of research, you can save hours of arguing or worse, having to walk out of a movie because it's not appropriate for your children. See Resources for a few family-friendly movie review websites.
Tips & Warnings
- Stick to your standards. If there's too many curse words or inappropriate scenes for your family, write to the movie companies and complain.
- Spend your money on quality movies and videos. Remember, it's all about the money and the production companies will follow the $$. As long as consumers are willing to pay for garbage, they're going to get garbage.
No website is perfect. As a consumer, you should still review movies and videos for content according to your own belief system and personal standards.
Resources/Links
Parent Previews
Kids In Mind
Movies Review Blog
Screen It
----------------------------------------------------------
Parents need more resources so they can preview movies before exposing their children (and themselves) to the content that Hollywood thinks we want to see. I can tell you right now, over three fourths of the movies in the theaters are just plain garbage.
We have to be careful what we take in. We are in the world, but not of the world.
What goes in, eventually comes out. True in rabbits, true in the words and actions of people.
Take a minute and preview that movie before you take your family, you'll be glad you did.
More important, the Lord will be happy you did...
Saturday, March 20, 2010
A Word For Me Today
Elder's Meditation of the Day March 20
"You have wandered away from your teachings. You must concentrate on your spiritual teachings... Don't be sidetracked."
--Henry Quick Bear, LAKOTA
This is so incredibly true.
All too often we wander from our spiritual base. It's so, so easy here on this earth, the world is always intruding into our spirit lives.
Take it back to the Word. Get back on track.
It's not too late.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Missing Snowshoer Found Alive - Sacramento News Story - KCRA Sacramento
Missing Snowshoer Found Alive - Sacramento News Story - KCRA Sacramento
Miracles do happen and this was truly a miracle of survival.
Having said that, later news reports revealed that Kevin Davis also did everything he could to make that miracle happen. He built a snow cave and sheltered in it through the storm, through the night. He was dressed for snow and cold, although probably not a white-out blizzard.
There is much to be said for building a shelter to get you through storms, whether physical, like the snowstorm, or spiritual.
We all face storms in life. I'm glad that he made it through his storm and all the prayers that went out for him were answered with a "Yes, yes, and yes again!"
Be blessed dude!!
Miracles do happen and this was truly a miracle of survival.
Having said that, later news reports revealed that Kevin Davis also did everything he could to make that miracle happen. He built a snow cave and sheltered in it through the storm, through the night. He was dressed for snow and cold, although probably not a white-out blizzard.
There is much to be said for building a shelter to get you through storms, whether physical, like the snowstorm, or spiritual.
We all face storms in life. I'm glad that he made it through his storm and all the prayers that went out for him were answered with a "Yes, yes, and yes again!"
Be blessed dude!!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Man May Go To Jail For Taking His Daughter To Church?
This is a TERRIBLE story. Personally, from what I read, I think that both parents are horrible people with major control issues.
Having said that, what the heck? A restraining order forbidding Dad to take the child to church? Are you kidding me?
Taking the child to church at age 3 isn't going to hurt her. Mom has serious issues if she thinks that it will.
And Dad, he's wrong for doing all this in a media frenzy and baptizing the child without at least notifying Mom ahead of time. Whether or not she objected is not material, lots of people are baptized as children and change religions, change denominations, or tragically choose nothingness when they grow up.
Now the child has been thrust into the parents' drama. That's just wrong.
This is so wrong on so many levels.
I think that the restraining order about church should be dropped and both parents be restrained from discussing any part of their divorce or custody issues with the media. THAT's the restraining that should have been made right from the beginning. No media. Period.
The current restraining order is a blatant violation of freedom of religion.
Dad has a right to take the child to the church of his choosing during his custody time and Mom has the exact same right. No matter what they had agreed upon during the marriage, the marriage is over and life moves on. At this point, the only important thing is the well-being of the child.
The only bright spot is that they both appear to believe in God.
Now if they could just follow His Word...
Link:
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Law/divorce-battle-joseph-reyes-faces-jail-baptizing-daughter-church/story?id=9845919
The law:
http://www.rainbowfamilylaw.com/areasoflegalservice-ChildCustody&Religion.htm
Having said that, what the heck? A restraining order forbidding Dad to take the child to church? Are you kidding me?
Taking the child to church at age 3 isn't going to hurt her. Mom has serious issues if she thinks that it will.
And Dad, he's wrong for doing all this in a media frenzy and baptizing the child without at least notifying Mom ahead of time. Whether or not she objected is not material, lots of people are baptized as children and change religions, change denominations, or tragically choose nothingness when they grow up.
Now the child has been thrust into the parents' drama. That's just wrong.
This is so wrong on so many levels.
I think that the restraining order about church should be dropped and both parents be restrained from discussing any part of their divorce or custody issues with the media. THAT's the restraining that should have been made right from the beginning. No media. Period.
The current restraining order is a blatant violation of freedom of religion.
Dad has a right to take the child to the church of his choosing during his custody time and Mom has the exact same right. No matter what they had agreed upon during the marriage, the marriage is over and life moves on. At this point, the only important thing is the well-being of the child.
The only bright spot is that they both appear to believe in God.
Now if they could just follow His Word...
Link:
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Law/divorce-battle-joseph-reyes-faces-jail-baptizing-daughter-church/story?id=9845919
The law:
http://www.rainbowfamilylaw.com/areasoflegalservice-ChildCustody&Religion.htm
Friday, February 19, 2010
BET's Sunday Best Season 3 Auditions
Oh my, the best of music -- Gospel!
It's not too late to get to the auditions (if you live on the East Coast or the South). Unfortunately, I didn't hear about the video auditions until it was too late, so next year, start looking right around the holidays!!
Sunday Best Season 3 Auditions:
DETROIT*
When: February 20, 8 a.m. - noon
Where: COBO Center, 1 Washington Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226
NEW ORLEANS
When: February 27, 8 a.m. - noon
Where: Ernest M. Morial Convention Center, 900 Convention Center Boulevard, New Orleans, LA 70130-1799
PHILADELPHIA*
When: March 6, 8 a.m. - noon
Where: Pennsylvania Convention Center, One Convention Center Place, 1101 Arch Street Philadelphia, PA 19107
For more information on auditions, call 1.800.710.4003.
*The New York and Atlanta auditions have been cancelled.
Link:
http://www.bet.com/OnTV/BETShows/sundaybest2/sundaybest3_auditions_unitedstates.htm?Referrer=%7B626141EB-9CF7-463E-92C7-6F31C8698895%7D
It's not too late to get to the auditions (if you live on the East Coast or the South). Unfortunately, I didn't hear about the video auditions until it was too late, so next year, start looking right around the holidays!!
Sunday Best Season 3 Auditions:
DETROIT*
When: February 20, 8 a.m. - noon
Where: COBO Center, 1 Washington Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226
NEW ORLEANS
When: February 27, 8 a.m. - noon
Where: Ernest M. Morial Convention Center, 900 Convention Center Boulevard, New Orleans, LA 70130-1799
PHILADELPHIA*
When: March 6, 8 a.m. - noon
Where: Pennsylvania Convention Center, One Convention Center Place, 1101 Arch Street Philadelphia, PA 19107
For more information on auditions, call 1.800.710.4003.
*The New York and Atlanta auditions have been cancelled.
Link:
http://www.bet.com/OnTV/BETShows/sundaybest2/sundaybest3_auditions_unitedstates.htm?Referrer=%7B626141EB-9CF7-463E-92C7-6F31C8698895%7D
Sunday, February 14, 2010
God For Sale
I just found this blog while researching my novel and this post in particular spoke to my heart.
"God For Sale" http://www.allthingsstone.jordanclary.com/?p=253
Being part Native American, I was so deeply offended by this idiot, James Arthur Ray, who thought it was OK to set up his little for-profit sweat lodge abomination that I couldn't even write about it. I was just too, too angry. People died because of this charlatan and his greed.
And on top of it all, who would believe that by sitting in a sweat lodge without the spiritual base to guide him/her, would lead them to greater knowledge of life, of the Great Spirit, of God? Like, duh, you can't buy God.
You can't buy transformation, or the Spirit, you can't buy God. Not gonna happen.
Anyway, Jordan Clary spoke so eloquently on the topic, she did it for me.
"Shamanism, and its connection to the earth is as old as the rocks, those deep bones that hold our planet together. God is even more ancient than that. Maybe that’s where we should be searching for our answers–in the rocks, in the sky, on our knees."
"...on our knees."
Thank you Jordan.
http://www.jordanclary.com/
http://www.allthingsstone.jordanclary.com
"God For Sale" http://www.allthingsstone.jordanclary.com/?p=253
Being part Native American, I was so deeply offended by this idiot, James Arthur Ray, who thought it was OK to set up his little for-profit sweat lodge abomination that I couldn't even write about it. I was just too, too angry. People died because of this charlatan and his greed.
And on top of it all, who would believe that by sitting in a sweat lodge without the spiritual base to guide him/her, would lead them to greater knowledge of life, of the Great Spirit, of God? Like, duh, you can't buy God.
You can't buy transformation, or the Spirit, you can't buy God. Not gonna happen.
Anyway, Jordan Clary spoke so eloquently on the topic, she did it for me.
"Shamanism, and its connection to the earth is as old as the rocks, those deep bones that hold our planet together. God is even more ancient than that. Maybe that’s where we should be searching for our answers–in the rocks, in the sky, on our knees."
"...on our knees."
Thank you Jordan.
http://www.jordanclary.com/
http://www.allthingsstone.jordanclary.com
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Daily Meditation From The Elders
Elder's Meditation of the Day, January 3
"We don't have to say or think what we don't wish to. We have a choice in those things, and we have to realize that and practice using that choice."
--Rolling Thunder, CHEROKEE
Yes, yes, yes!
The Lord blessed us with free will. That means we have choices in all that we do.
Sometimes we make poor choices. The Lord provides us with a U-Turn. No matter how bad a choice you've made, after the action, reaction, consequence, the Lord still reaches out with an all-knowing hand to help you make it through that storm.
Making a bad choice often has far reaching consequences. But God will see you through to the end. Put it all in His hands...
And make better choices in the future.
"We don't have to say or think what we don't wish to. We have a choice in those things, and we have to realize that and practice using that choice."
--Rolling Thunder, CHEROKEE
Yes, yes, yes!
The Lord blessed us with free will. That means we have choices in all that we do.
Sometimes we make poor choices. The Lord provides us with a U-Turn. No matter how bad a choice you've made, after the action, reaction, consequence, the Lord still reaches out with an all-knowing hand to help you make it through that storm.
Making a bad choice often has far reaching consequences. But God will see you through to the end. Put it all in His hands...
And make better choices in the future.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
What Evil Lurks In The Hearts Of Men?
Oh, dear Lord, protect us from the evils of this world and comfort us in our sorrows.
This past week, I was again reminded of the evil that lurks in the hearts of men -- and women.
An entire family, dad, mom, two kids was killed in a terrible car accident. And then two people ROBBED their home!
Unbelievable.
This is a prime example, not that God doesn't care (yes, He does, yes, He does!!) but how we humans can abuse the free will He blessed us with.
From the moment I heard about this, I thought "tweakers". It appears that I was right, both have many arrests, both are a mess.
Listen to me! Meth is evil, straight from the hands of the evil one into willing human hands. (You know that Hitler used a form of meth, right?) Free will allows this to happen. We can CHOOSE to do right in the world, or like this pair, we can choose to do wrong. Terrible wrongs. Evil lurks in the hearts of men and women because they allow it -- because they have a choice.
Yet despite it all, this terrible act may be the beginnings of redemption. We never know where the U-turn begins, we only see where it ends. God knows. God sees it all because He is outside of time, He is the Alpha and the Omega and sees it all from beginning to end.
I don't know where this will end, but right now my heart cries out for justice for this family and their relatives.
May the Lord bless them in their sorrow and comfort them in knowing that they will meet their loved ones again in a better place, free of the pain and suffering of the world.
Link:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/12/04/BAQH1AUDL4.DTL
This past week, I was again reminded of the evil that lurks in the hearts of men -- and women.
An entire family, dad, mom, two kids was killed in a terrible car accident. And then two people ROBBED their home!
Unbelievable.
This is a prime example, not that God doesn't care (yes, He does, yes, He does!!) but how we humans can abuse the free will He blessed us with.
From the moment I heard about this, I thought "tweakers". It appears that I was right, both have many arrests, both are a mess.
Listen to me! Meth is evil, straight from the hands of the evil one into willing human hands. (You know that Hitler used a form of meth, right?) Free will allows this to happen. We can CHOOSE to do right in the world, or like this pair, we can choose to do wrong. Terrible wrongs. Evil lurks in the hearts of men and women because they allow it -- because they have a choice.
Yet despite it all, this terrible act may be the beginnings of redemption. We never know where the U-turn begins, we only see where it ends. God knows. God sees it all because He is outside of time, He is the Alpha and the Omega and sees it all from beginning to end.
I don't know where this will end, but right now my heart cries out for justice for this family and their relatives.
May the Lord bless them in their sorrow and comfort them in knowing that they will meet their loved ones again in a better place, free of the pain and suffering of the world.
Link:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/12/04/BAQH1AUDL4.DTL
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Police Nab Paralyzed Mafia Boss
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...
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...
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
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