June | 2012 | Did Jesus have a Facebook Page?

June 30, 2012
by Naphtali 7 Comments

Deaf Ears or “Selective Hearing?”

As we age hearing can be limited especially since we have blown our eardrums for decades with loud music, roaring motorcycles and noisy neighbors.

Technology has provided hearing aids or options to improve hearing loss. I can only imagine the number of “baby boomers” like myself who will flood doctor’s offices for the latest products. Oh. We won’t be able to afford it now! Forget that! 21 new taxes.

Anyway, the thought does cross my mind how much hearing loss is actually hearing loss.

How often do people play the “selective hearing” game? Ughh……

You know. It is convenient to listen when it is what you want to hear. Otherwise, just turn a deaf ear and pretend you are deaf.

To be honest I do know a few people who utilize this scam, or privilege. I guess it depends on who is doing the talking as to how it should be labeled.
Let’s see:

The husband turns his wife’s chatter off….deaf or selective hearing?

Proverbs 27: 15-16 “A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping of a leaky roof in a rainstorm; restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand.”

Naaaaa……..no one would do that.

The teenage son turns a deaf ear while his mother is screaming at him to turn the music down.

Proverbs 22:6 “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”

Or we walk down the street and use “selective hearing” as the blind man sings for money.

Proverbs 21:13 “Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.”

Our society is full of deaf ears. Masters of screening the political pundits, the opposite side or aisle and many who simply turn the TV off. Doesn’t matter the words, we don’t care.

Lies are so prominent why listen?

Maybe another way of putting it is those who don’t want to hear what they don’t want to hear, simply ignore it. That’s right. Just ignore it. Maybe it will go away.

The more something goes away the more we don’t have to deal with it. Act as if it isn’t there. The more it goes away, the less it bothers us. The less it bothers us, the more we don’t believe it.

You can talk yourself into not believing what you don’t want to hear.

What you don’t want to hear becomes a way of life.

You way of life becomes a lie which starts a ripple effect of more lies to cover up the first lie.

The issue with lying over and over is the liar begins to forget which lie he told when. That is unless you have a staff, videos and an administrative effort to keep you up to date on your lies so you don’t repeat them or get confused.

My question then is “selective hearing” based on lies?

If you continually use this process you eliminate certain pieces of information you most likely don’t want but keep the ones you want.

So if you keep the information that makes you happy, giving you want you want even if it is a lie then “selective hearing” is a lie.

But if you are forced to keep the information you don’t want to hear and it isn’t a lie, many will make it a lie and throw it across the aisle changing the subject.

So much for the truth.

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/06/30/the-foundations/

http://larrywho.wordpress.com/2012/06/28/is-revival-the-answer-for-americas-problems-part-2/

http://identitylovefaith.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/what-does-it-mean/

http://butchdean.wordpress.com/2012/06/28/self/

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newsmax.com%2FUS%2FEd-Klein-The-Amateur-Obama%2F2012%2F06%2F13%2Fid%2F442249&h=MAQEXFK3U

June 28, 2012
by Naphtali 12 Comments

Fatal Flaws of Self Loathing

In the scope of argument, fatal flaws surface as expectations reach the point of ridiculous.
One party believes whole heartedly their lack should be picked up by someone else and then treated as a joke.

Not funny.

The fool is kept in a secret box of their own making. Rationalizing the point they have made in an all out effort of self-appointed narcissism.

“I will not admit I was wrong.” Fine, then live with the consequences.

Case in point:

“Where is the hot sauce?”

“In the refrigerator where it is supposed to be.”

“I don’t see it.”

“Of course you don’t. You never look.”

“No, I always put it in a place where I can find it.”

“And I am supposed to know where that is?”

“Yes.”

“Do you know how stupid that sounds?”

“OK. Sure. Whatever. Whatever you say.”

The jeering and ridicule of the low self esteemed. Open the refrigerator door and find the hot sauce yourself.

The pity party is overdone, used as a crutch, and beaten to a pulp. Low self-esteem is a copout of major proportions being used as a filter for excuses of all varieties.

Some of you may find this unbelievable but years ago I found out I was not crazy. Ending up on the couch of a Clinical Christian Psychiatrist for extensive Marriage Counseling was one of the best adventures I have ever taken. For 2.5 years I learned the art of argument, the battles to fight and not to fight and how to win.

Married to one who considered himself to be a Master of argumentation found out he wasn’t so good after all. His prideful, low self esteemed pity parties became daily rounds for all he lacked good in the world, all he deserved including a better wife and money from anyone he could pull a good con. Or so he thought. And these were some of his better qualities.

The first 5 minutes on the couch set the stage for an all out war of words from my ex with the Psychiatrist as he deliberately accused me of every possible wrongdoing a wife could do or not do and that he deserved to have an affair.

YEP! You heard that right. He actually told the Psychiatrist in front of me I was such a bad wife he deserved to have an affair. It was worth every penny spent to see the look on the good doctor’s face after that remark.

Needless to say the marriage failed (go figure) and I left with new ammunition and the satisfaction of learning some lifelong lessons.

The art of winning an argument with one who is determined to win at all costs is to simply walk away. Yep. That’s it. This simple prescription the good doctor gave me was Biblically based.

I think it is called “Turn the other cheek?”

He told me one who lives to argue is usually angry and nothing is ever settled in anger. Wrong decisions will be made, feelings will be hurt and words will be uttered that you wish you had never spoken.

Proverbs 17: 14 “Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.”

One who deliberately tears down others for the purpose of building themselves up is a self-centered bully. The “it’s all about me” syndrome takes effect as priority in every area of their life and wreaks havoc on those around them. It is insufferable, unacceptable and can sometimes become abusive to those closest to them.

An earmark of their territory becomes the host for one lie after another, picking fights over nothing and an aim for pity.

Sorry. Woe is not you.

Rejection, betrayal, and deep seeded pain that have never been dealt with are culprits to this unimaginable misery for those of us who have to put up with it. I am not being harsh here.

As Christians, we are not supposed to use such ends for a means to subjugate our preferences to cry over spilled milk. Or invite everyone else to our self-imposed clemency.

Besides being Christians, as adults how do you think God feels about this?

Does anyone have the right to live a lack of maturity on a sleeve of contempt or a “chip” on their shoulder because they claim low self-esteem? I don’t think these are qualities God dishes out.

If you don’t feel good about yourselves, do something about it. Understand the grace and mercy of God extends beyond whoever has rejected you or given you reason to continue such a dilemma. Go get help. When you accept the love of God completely, any accusations, feelings of low self- esteem or dismissal will work in your favor. God will vehemently give you his mercy and grace to give to those who are lashing out at you. God will allow you to view them as he sees them; with a heart of genuine cross filled redemption and forgiveness.

Once done, the door flies open to guide them out of this trick of the enemy leaving no excuse for anything.

Proving one is always right tends to reveal the relationship involved is less important than saving one’s pride. Is it worth it?

Many wear a seed of deceptive self loathing as a proud mark of behavior.

Maybe you should video yourself. You might think otherwise.

churchgraphics.wordpress.com

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/06/27/the-virtue-of-glorifying-christ/

http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/2012/06/27/do-we-bear-the-fruits-of-christ/

http://thewayeverlasting.com/2012/06/27/quote-lists/

http://butchdean.wordpress.com/2012/06/27/how-do-you-get-to-heaven/

June 27, 2012
by Naphtali 6 Comments

Run the Other Way

When it comes to the helpless, something shatters me. The little spider crawling across the floor or the bee I am allergic to enters the house.

The thought of killing either is 2^nd place. Open the door so the bee is given freedom and gently sit the little spider on the back steps. Don’t dare ask my daughter to do anything with spiders; she will run the other way.

In the midst of our country’s Armageddon right now it was nice to accidentally find a decent movie on TV last night.

“Dolphin Tale” is about a dolphin washed up on shore with her tail caught in a trap. Saved by the local underwater wildlife hospital she is restored to health but without her tail. The story is based on truth with a cast of wonderful people such as Harry Connick Jr., Morgan Freeman and Natalie Judd.

If you have the time and need a break please watch this movie. You will hurt, cry, laugh and be blessed as this story sends a message of hope and courage through one of God’s sea miracles. And yes, it is a family movie without all the garbage.

Isn’t hope what we need right now? A simple movie grieving the pains of a dolphin that changed the world around her without knowing it giving life saving hope for man and beast.

Stories of priceless loss throughout history have shed light on what appears to be hopeless.

Yet, all it takes is one voice, one act of kindness and a desire to pursue a miracle.

Romans 12: 1“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

How often do we “run the other way?”

How often do we see the ailing dolphin washed up on shore and leave it to die?

There is something to be said for “hanging in there.”

Naturally speaking sometimes a physical “hanging in there” isn’t possible, but never does that negate the prayer language of God.

Psalm 107:20 “He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.”

The endangered species of hope is not forgotten but lately may be hidden under the rocks of cruelty, fear, doubt and the unknown. We fail to see beyond when we are crouched underneath the cross instead of on our knees in front of it. In other words the price of hope is found above ground after the resurrection. We must be willing to crawl out from our sadness, sorrow and lamenting to see the hope and grab it.

Much was lost for hope to reappear.

Much was endured for hope to become a vision.

Much was spent for hope to remain a vision.

The vision of hope is seen in the darkness of life’s most miserable moments. Hope is that flash of light in a vile word, a bitter rejection or a back-stabbing betrayal.

Hope isn’t running the other way; running into the hurt or the pits of fueled hate imposed by others. It is release; it is running as a storm chaser into the storm but with the peace, rest and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Hope knows deep down is a glimmer of the lantern of Jesus standing in the dark saying,

“Come. Follow me. This is the way.”

http://larrywho.wordpress.com/2012/06/27/is-revival-the-answer-for-americas-problems/

http://thefaithbook.wordpress.com/2012/06/27/what-does-it-mean-to-surrender/

http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/2012/06/27/sihs-think-on-these-things-catching-a-fish-with-a-coin/

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/06/27/god-is-just/

June 26, 2012
by Naphtali 7 Comments

Children of a Lesser God

There is no lesser God when the Cross of Christ is present. He is the same, was the same and will be the same.

He is the same God for all. No one is lesser in his eyes. How could they be when he created them?

We live in a fallen world. God is incapable of creating evil.

1 Timothy 4: 4 “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.”

Alfred Lloyd Tennyson wrote:

“O me! for why is all around us here
As if some lesser god had made the world,
But had not force to shape it as he would,
Till the High God behold it from beyond,
And enter it, and make it beautiful?”

John 1: 1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.”

Aren’t you glad a lesser god didn’t make the world?

What would be the point in anything?

If a lesser god had created the world, we would see chaos, destruction, war, degradation, and evil so poisonous mankind would have ceased to exist long ago.

Life of any kind would have died out, never been born or had the survival skills to remain.

So…..if you grasp the significance of the perfect God, it defies all other theories that God creates anything lesser.
We are created in his perfect image. The image we receive as Christ our Savior which we will acquire when we join him.

A lesser god would only create imperfection which would send a ripple effect of more imperfections. The question then arises,

If the world were created by a lesser god, how could that god continue to exist?

For the skeptics, non-believers and such how can you justify the perfect God is the blame for the chaos,
disorder and rampant death in the world we live in?

To deny the existence of our perfect God is to deny your own existence.
The reason being is God took the evil and made good out of it over and over.

When Adam and Even sinned, God could have said,

“Ok. I’m done with you people. Forget my plans. You have messed up big time. Therefore I am ending it all now.”

Whoa! You should be glad that decision wasn’t left up to most people instead of God Almighty.
Ending the world at that moment most likely would have occurred.

But…..God didn’t. A lesser god would have. The ugly prince of this world would have allowed a destructive apocalypse promptly. The destroyer would have won. The evil he imploded would have set the galaxies in an instant demise.

The Alpha and Omega, the Chief Shepherd, the Anointed One, our Everlasting Father knew what had to be done.
He wasn’t about to allow evil to win. He planned it down to the last breath of his son on the Cross for the redemption of mankind.

A lesser god could never have produced it.

A lesser god would never have wanted it.

A lesser god would have lost it all for the sake of no one.

The true and only God of the universe is the only avenue the world exists today.
In the midst of horror, tragedies, wars, and disgrace, he sent his son to shed the only blood that would count.

The blood of Jesus, holy and pure set itself against non-existence of mankind.

The perfect blood of Christ covered the imperfect blood of the enemy.

So……the next time you question the existence of our awesome, magnificent perfect God, think about how fortunate you are not to be children of a lesser god.

Photo by Freddy Winter
http://media4lifeministries.com/

http://thewayeverlasting.com/2012/06/26/jesus-stills-the-storm/

http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/2012/06/26/its-only-a-matter-of-time/

http://goldenbible.wordpress.com/2012/06/25/the-end-times/

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/06/26/when-i-look-at-the-cross/

June 25, 2012
by Naphtali 7 Comments

“Give up” or “Let Go”?

Far too often the two above phrases cross each other. We are a forbidden creature if we ever believe we are giving up on anything. We are sent to the gallows of weakness and pits of futility by those who deem we are useless for the mention of quitting. Far be it from the minds of one who professes such a judgment until the day of their own redemption.

The thin line of giving up or letting go has been misconstrued, distorted and placed on a garbled shelf and left for dead. The truth is the two are separate when God is involved.

Understanding God is paramount to letting go verses giving up.

Isaiah 55: 8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.”

Road blocks, closed doors, stop signs, etc. can all be useful ways God is telling us to “let go.” Pushing the limits of human nature is just that; limits. God is not limited. If we are walking into a shut door we are most likely going to end up with a broken nose, cracked face or a badly bruised noggin.

The God of Heaven I know doesn’t promote such boxing matches unless I missed something.

I see those as signs that God has a better way; a wider yellow brick road of discovery or a great big surprise!

As we push and push and push in our own human qualities hoping for the conclusion we dreamed of only for it to fall apart at the seams is a sure sign something isn’t right. There is always another way in God’s world of wisdom. We have to get into the habit of checking our Spirit before we move or push or fall from exhaustion out of pride.

After years of not understanding those who qualify themselves and others on the level of “pushing to the limit” I began to question this admirable feat. Being taught to “never give up” on those terms was inbred in me, but when you are driving down the wrong road do you keep going even if you know it is the wrong road? Do you continue simply to say “I am not giving up.”
Maybe it isn’t the wrong road, but not God’s road.
Maybe God had a plan you didn’t ask him about before you started that trip.

The purpose in my deep thinking brain concluded some are more driven than others in certain areas, but it doesn’t matter if God was never consulted to start with. Therefore the idea of giving up is sabotaged on our part without many even knowing they are doing so. The idea of pushing to reach a goal isn’t worth the goal no matter what, how or much we add if God wasn’t the originator of that goal. In other words, not consulting God negates giving up. If God isn’t in it, it ain’t gonna work.

Why would anyone who has a “right” mind fuel themselves with exhaustive behaviors, financial cruelties and involvements of necessity continue that route to accomplish that which could have been done easier, quicker and less costly? I reiterate a person who is in their “right” mind or following God; not one who isn’t. One who isn’t following Christ is more likely to give up and misunderstand they could just give it to God and let him deal with it.

The problems I see are so many doing this claim to be Christians. And……if you remotely bring to their attention you are not “giving up” but “letting God have it” their inclination to impose otherwise begins a heated discussion of wills.

Isaiah 55: 9 “For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.“

Our human limitations have nothing to do with God’s infinite abilities. We are to do as the Spirit leads giving success no matter what our finite means are.

Letting go and giving to God is applying “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” which is not giving up.

He can do what we can’t even when we are trying our best; which is why he is God and we aren’t.

http://thefaithbook.wordpress.com/2012/06/25/gods-boxes/

http://theriverministries.net/2012/06/25/cast-your-care-upon-the-lord/

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/06/25/no-man-can-afford-to-be-ignorant-of-the-bible/

http://thewayeverlasting.com/2012/06/25/quote-every-word/

June 24, 2012
by Naphtali 6 Comments

My First “Love”

For the next two weeks beginning June 25, TV becomes important to me.

As one who rejects the Kardashians, Beverly Hills whoevers and corny sitcoms, live TV in reality show form will keep me glued.

For many, the art of Tennis is a null and void criteria. My husband can’t understand the excitement of watching the world’s best rallying across the grass Courts of Wimbledon.

Besides his boring outlook on my favorite sport, the art of “Love” across the net has never quite fit his logical brain.

The scoring sensation of tennis originated from France using the word “deuce” as two scored points over the last point depending on who won it.

The 15-30-40 points originated from a clock only they changed the 45 to 40 because it was easier to say. Somewhere along the process they added the “ad” point.

“Love” is considered nothing. That’s right nothing. A big fat “O.”

Maria Sharipova

Many have that one great first love in another person.

In my case, it was tennis.

Growing up tennis was my agenda. Work, family and school interfered with the “calling of the courts.” Playing with friends or tournaments became my sole existence.

My freshman year in college I tried out for the tennis team and made it. My dream had come true.

Besides the fun of the sport, tennis gave me balance, stability, discipline and great exercise. I was in the best shape of my life for over 20 years. Tennis also offered new friendships, camaraderie and competition.

The down side was the many injuries including very badly sprained ankles, sprained wrists and tennis elbow. Years later, the bad news came when I was given the red light to ever playing again due to the complete deterioration of my ankles ligaments and tendons.

Talk about having your heart broken. My first love became a memory.

Rodger Federer

Reminiscing of my love for tennis, who knew there was a better love for me? While spending my waking hours watching the ball rally between the lines, God was waiting, and watching.

He was there when I lost.

He picked me up off the hot pavement when I was screaming with pain.

He was my best and at times my only fan.

He cheered me on from the back row of the bleachers.

He sang for joy in my triumphs.

He sat in the shadows as I glued myself to the idols of tennis history.

He comforted me during seasonal bench warming due to injuries.

He carried me as I limped away from X-rays of beaten down ankles.

He showed up when life’s age set in and it was over.

He patiently waited in line even though he was 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, 6^th or 7^th in my life.

I sidelined God for many years and I was a Bible believing, tithing, church-going Christian.

The selfish training I imposed on myself by the love I had for tennis was a pre-cursor to understanding the awesome grace and mercy of God. As wrong and fracturing as my motives were in the end tennis could do no more for me than any of us can do for each other.

We were not created to fill the void that only God can fill. He did that on purpose so that once we are filled up with him; we can and should give it away.

And that my friends, is what the game of “Love” really is.

Luke 10: 27 “He answered: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”

http://highlyfavored74.wordpress.com/2012/06/24/perfectness-in-christ/

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/06/24/spiritual-blindness-removed/

http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/2012/06/24/it-should-be-a-love-hate-relationship/

http://kellylevatino.com/2012/06/23/should-we-love-with-all-our-hearts/

The 2 men who played the longest tennis match in recorded history.

June 20, 2012
by Naphtali 7 Comments

The Cat’s Claws

Chilean Mockingbird (Mimus thenca) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

She finally did it. This morning I woke up to two dead mockingbirds in the back yard. Not 1, but 2. Most likely the two that have “mocked” our cat for weeks and they must have gotten too close….

Swooping up and down over the cat for sleeping in her own yard, these birds had become annoying. She patiently waited for the moment of revenge and got it.

Whenever we walked outside, these birds let us know we were not welcomed. I kept yelling at them repeatedly informing them they were in my yard not theirs!

Maxi is 10 years old, but evidently quite spry for her age. These two birds should have known better than to continue their assault upon her. In the end she revealed who was boss.

The Killer Cat

Like some people I know, Mockingbirds mock. As I have written in past posts, in case you haven’t figured it out I don’t like them. Being the animal lover that I am, these fowl are just that; fowl……

My confession here lies I was not sorry she used her “hunting skills” on two such adversaries. Had it been another species of birds I would have scolded her. Not that she would have understood or retracted her proud authority of ageless accomplishments.

Another confession and I hope many of you would follow along here, I can think of people I would like to sick my cat on. The stage of “bullying” or society “caste system” is out of control. Unlike her, I can’t go around attacking the enemies of our jungle by swatting them with my claws, pulling out their feathers and leaving them for dead on the door step. Maybe I should let her do that.

Anyway, this is where I have to change my attitude about enemies. You know the Bible tells us to “love our enemies.” Those mockers, betrayers and backstabbing gossipers whose lives are so empty they get their “kicks” by fueling the fires of low self esteem in others they are threatened by.

Proverbs 11:13 “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.”

So, if you think about it, how can you consider them opponents, traitors or slanderers?

People who bully or “kick you when you are already down” are their own worst enemies. These insolent pests are fighting battles within they can’t win. Besides making fools of themselves, slanderers, etc. are slowly falling off a cliff they created on their own. Deep inside their plagued hearts is a willingness to hit the other cheek as often as possible unaware the ground beneath the cliff is their demise waiting to happen.

The outer covering of the tormentor is thin and unstable. Waiting for a fight, the words “turn the other cheek” and walk away disturbs that inner frustration and anger. It is not what they want. Fighting is their means of gaining strength and power or so they believe. The enemy of keeping our mouths shut triggers a force of willpower they long to possess.

Innocent?

Proverbs 10:8 “The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.”

Silence can be golden when used properly.

Silence can be the tool to reach a hardened heart waiting to be softened.

Silence represents that which is unleashed self control and love.

Silence gives God time and space to accomplish what humans can’t.

In other words, keep your mouth shut and allow the Holy Spirit to do the talking for you.

Proverbs 14: 3 “A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them.”

http://longingsend.com/2012/06/20/substance-over-appearance/

http://jennifershope.wordpress.com/2012/06/20/loving-______-as-yourself/

http://thewayeverlasting.com/2012/06/20/dont-believe-the-lie/

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/06/20/god-will-have-his-people-edified/

churchgraphics.wordpress.com

June 18, 2012
by Naphtali 3 Comments

When the Stove is on Fire…..

Are you a klutz?

English: Rubik’s Cube in scrambled state (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Do strange things happen to you?

Do you wonder why life is one big puzzle?

Are you always waiting for the next crisis?

If so you aren’t alone. Around the next corner lie broken dreams, sprained ankles and job loss.

The current misery is one step closer to the next misery. We live in a fallen world in case you haven’t noticed. If you haven’t noticed what is wrong with you?

If you haven’t noticed do you know something the rest of us don’t?

Some people seem to glide through this life’s complications on another planet if you know what I mean. You know, the friend who gets lost crossing the street yet they hold down a 6 figured income job? Ugh…..scatter brained?

Others keep a roster of the ups and downs written on the foreheads as if to keep count.

Many simply fall apart losing control and give up. Giving up is easy: getting up off the floor and starting over is hard.

Or…The one who gets hit from all sides never knowing what was coming.

Escaping the perils of human existence is not easy, but not impossible.

Is the frenzy of theatrics preventable? Is there any hope to deflect the confusion and trepidation of the enemy?

Do you believe for one minute God hasn’t already figured that out?

Instead of waiting for the crisis why not try to divert it from ever coming near you?

In fact we should be thanking God regularly for the ills, disasters and mess he prevents from coming our way.

Prevention is always the best method. Why do we put God on the back burner running to him only after the stove is on fire?

Mamas-Stove (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Why not run to him first?

After all he is the Creator of the Universe. The Almighty. The Great Physician, advocate, teacher, comforter,
leader, know-it-all of all things good to list a few. Etc. Etc. Etc.

God’s companionship is a cure all for many afflictions, pains and adversities. The ease of his character, love and awesome traits over time will transform even the most hardened criminal. Resting in his friendship, care and comfort can alter and purify the difficulties we face before they arise.

Philippians 4: 6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

The presence he offers can side swipe the storms; avert the disturbances and redirect the violent blows to our souls. His quiet but strong spirit is more than capable of conquering any enemy before it attacks.

A conscious decision to place God first, sit in his presence, praying and meditating on his words every day can change the course of history.

And your personal drama.

http://identitylovefaith.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/hurt/

http://terry1954.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/4655/

http://butchdean.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/learn-to-be-content/

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/06/17/he-took-our-sicknesses-upon-himself-2/

June 16, 2012
by Naphtali 16 Comments

No Dining Allowed

Forget ever going out to eat again. Surfing the net was an article about the worst restaurants for labor and working conditions for 2012. Where I live is a very limited dining experience to begin with and after reading this list, well I guess we will starve.

Cracker Barrel
Wendy’s
Sonic
Applebee’s ( and they have the best peach tea)
Outback Steakhouse
McDonalds (never get our orders correct anyway)
Dominoes Pizza
Golden Corral
Saxby’s
Denney’s
Starbucks (really?)
Dunkin Donuts
Olive Garden
Papa Johns
Panera Bread
Subway
TGIF Friday’s
IHOP
Taco Bell

This is a travesty. Aren’t we supposed to be living in the land of the free; the land of opportunity? Isn’t America a place to wallow in the French fries of grease and hamburgers made of what we called in school “mystery meat?”

Well, I can’t now. Besides the questionable ingredients in foods, the wages are poverty level and working conditions deplorable.

And they wonder why restaurant workers are being caught doing who knows what to your food? How disgusting. The thought I might be consuming food spilled on the floor, ravaged by rodents or even worse, spit on, makes me think more than twice about “the dining experience.” There went my appetite.

Times are hard but that is no excuse for employers to make employees grovel for less than minimum wage to perform a job unfit for “Gollum.” He is just plain creepy.

Reading this article makes me want to put on my “white gloves,” fake it as a food critic and invade their kitchens. The almighty dollar has ravaged our feast time with its greed.

No wonder the work force has a tempered attitude. Who would want to spend hours a day in despicable surroundings for a few pennies? Oh and by the way, the American public is no “walk in the park” when it comes to a congenial tone to one who is behind the counter at McDonalds.

So what is an employee to do? What if you have to work and the unemployment rate is 10.7 % as it is in our area? You settle for less to pay your bills. You take what you can find. You subject yourself to unruly bosses who have no compassion or heart to invest in their employees.

What does the Bible say about employers?

Colossians 4:1 “Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.”

Proverbs 22:16 “Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.”

God is clear employers are to treat those who labor for them well; with dignity and respect. God is also clear that we as Christians in any job should work for God first.

Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”

If you will work unto the Lord he will find favor for you with your employers.

God is many things including a great recruiter. Ask him to find you the job he wants you to have. He did it for us.

As far as the dining experience, maybe God is trying to tell me something I don’t want to hear which is “learn to cook.”

June 14, 2012
by Naphtali 17 Comments

The Soap Box of Love or Tolerance

Love: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

Tolerance: The capacity for or the practice of recognizing and respecting the beliefs or practices of others. A fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward opinions and practices that differ from one’s own.

Two words with different meanings but have been construed to mean the same. Or….one without the other is not possible depending on who is speaking.

Tolerance has been overused, a cop out, a selfish motive for erroneous behavior. If you are intolerant you are unwilling to support the opinions, practices or beliefs of others. Not only has tolerance become a misrepresentation, it has been taken to extremes.

Tolerance has become the powerhouse for offenses. If you negate the opinions or beliefs of others in any way, shape or form you may as well put yourself in the stocks.

Relationships are ruined or lost, friends are no longer friends, and divisiveness has become the norm. Don’t step over the line or you will fight a battle of wills.

The truth about tolerance is many sit on it as a “Soap Box” for their mode of conduct requiring others who disagree to accept it or be sent to the gallows. You are labeled as intolerant, hateful and in my case have been called, “blasphemous.”

Sadly tolerance is seen as a scapegoat for the “it’s all about me” syndrome making it appear to be good when it is simply justification for a selfish pity party.

Martin Luther King

James 3:16 “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”

There is no love in a pity party of self indulgence. If love was available, it left when we declare our “rights.” Rights become a promotion of our needs, our wants and fuel for the fire of our desires leaving no room for God.

The out-of-control offenses have surfaced due to the deep lack of a Godly relationship of love. As it were the enemy preached in the ears of many the enigma of selfish ambition over Godly living resulting in an all out war of words of intolerance to that lifestyle. Blindly, so many have fallen for his perjury and falsifications as if to adopt them as their civil liberties.

As Christians we do not have the right to withhold the truth from those who sit on the “Soap Box” of personal decadence.

We as Christians must not own up to such distortions or fabrications. Yet in perfect love there is no place for a door mat either.

Loving and tolerance fit when we do it in the name of the Christian walk Jesus exemplified. “Go and sin no more” is the perfect tone of love and tolerance.

Jesus forgives, but doesn’t condone the sin. Jesus gave mercy, grace and justification to many diverse groups of people with love as the foundation. Our efforts should follow his example.

And if you aren’t making the effort to follow his example, maybe you should check your tolerance level.