The Badgered Hounds of Society

The Bible is the spirit filled word of God. Some of the stories would make Hollywood blush.

A key ingredient is the characters; many of whom were a lot like you and me.

The following are a few movie titles to go with some of the most notorious.

Adam and Eve: Hello Mother, Hello Father…

Cain and Abel: A Tale of two Brothers

Noah: How to Build a Ship

Moses: Fire Starter

Joseph: The Ultimate Betrayal

Solomon: A Man for all Seasons

David: The King’s Dilemma

Esther: The Favored Queen

John the Baptist: The Itinerant Preacher

Paul: The Menaced Missionary

Mother Mary: Ordinary Life: Extraordinary Woman

The sins range from betrayal to deception, murder and polygamy. Yet, this crowd of chosen ones of God had some important connections.

The inspiration of God was their livelihood, their driving force for good, the reason they were born. In the midst of a burning bush, pre-meditated death and the beheading of the forerunner to Christ, God was there. God showed up. God was in control.

Life for these elect was the fulfillment of Biblical history; preserving the lineage of Christ.

It just doesn’t get any better than that. No Hollywood movie could write a script comparable to the flood of all centuries or the richest and wisest man who ever lived.

My perception of these Biblical Kings, Queens and ship builder were set as examples for us.

Photo by Randy Harrison
http://www.pbase.com/jrandyh

Hard as that is to grasp, I find myself in many of their travels, dreams or a lover of all 2 and  4 legged creatures.

I can see myself on the ark with all those animals. Wonder if Noah had any Lysol?

Moses has always intrigued me. I relate to him as he told God he would not be a good deliverer. No desire here to deliver anything or anyone, but understand his position of
“Not me Lord, pick someone else.”

Esther was wise. Handpicked by God to become Queen to save the Jewish people, she still felt uneasy about her purpose. Who wouldn’t? Women were not respected. Sound familiar?

God instructed Joseph as a young man in a dream that one day his brothers would bow down to him. That went over well. Joseph knew God’s plan but did he know the suffering he would endure before it came to pass?

Joseph suffered heartbreaking betrayal at the hands of many who simply misunderstood him. He was sold, became a slave prisoner, was accused of adultery and subjected to vile and wicked treatment.

He never gave up. He stood with God and his promise for him. Ultimately his loyalty paid off placing him in the position of the 2^nd most powerful man in Egypt.

God saw the whole picture. Joseph was the key to saving the lineage of Abraham.

Deuteronomy 28:9, 10 “The Lord will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the Lord your God and walk in obedience to him. ¹⁰ Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they will fear you.”

The lesson learned here is to wait on God to teach us how to conquer.

The force of intimidation is widespread today. These men and women of God learned over time demoralizing a bully requires only a slingshot.

God’s plan doesn’t change. As we walk with him, the coercion of those who desire to thwart our journey is stopped dead in their tracks. The appeal we display is a mighty contending warrior for Christ even in silence.

The badgered hounds of society are no match for the Holy Spirit. The Bible says,

Luke 21:15 “For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.”

In other words, your Philistines won’t know what really hit them.

http://theriverministries.net/2012/05/22/the-apostle-paul-part-1/

http://highlyfavored74.wordpress.com/2012/05/21/who-is-the-holy-spirit/

http://goldenbible.wordpress.com/2012/05/19/looking-to-christ/

http://highlyfavored74.wordpress.com/2012/05/22/serve-notice-to-satan-%e2%99%a5/

http://goldenbible.wordpress.com/2012/05/21/discipline/

Copyright at 2012 All Rights Reserved

The Stuff Between Your Ears

Switch if off. Turn it off. Shut it down. And listen to God.

Our brains are overloaded. Our minds are being infiltrated with every possible thought imaginable. It is impossible in a society so technologically advanced to absorb the daily news, Wisteria Lane and government politics without losing some very important brain cells. And if that isn’t enough to enlist you to the local institution nothing will.

The enemy loves our busy minds. He uses them to his advantage. Unfortunately he knows more than we would like him to know. He knows what we like or dislike, our weaknesses and our fears. Worst of all is he is patient….his strategy is to take his time filling our loaded brains with lines like,

“You can’t do that. You aren’t skilled enough,” or “Go ahead. Jump in the fire. It won’t burn you.”

Hopefully jumping into a fire is an activity most of us would rather not do…but how often has he used other language to persuade us to believe him?

About 12 years ago I was a single parent, working and sick. The enemy is a coward. He used some of my sickest moments to fill my mind with deception, lies and vile falsehoods.

One night, lying in bed I heard the words, “You are going to die. Just give up. You will die and you ex-husband will get custody of your daughter.”

The devil was stupid. He should have known the one area that would keep me alive was my daughter.

At that moment I made up my mind I was going to get well and stay well because there was no way on God’s green earth I would let my ex-husband get custody of her. The devil’s words backfired on him reminding me of the one incentive to change my thinking.

God’s words are the opposite of the devil filled with love, hope and positive overtones. Positive thoughts give life, success and health.

The devil feeds us fabrications of fear, doubt, hate, and evil; anything to bring us down in despair, depression and even suicidal thoughts.

The key to determining the difference is God’s word. Learning his word expels evil. Using it, speaking it out loud will chase the enemy away. Avoid his negative, blurry, misrepresentations by not giving him a moment’s notice. Ignore him. Instead focus on God.

Have you noticed your thought patterns when you are tired? Have you sensed a shift from the positive to the negative? Have you thought certain thoughts and wondered, “Where did that come from?”

Be aware of what drops in your head. If it is distracting, dishonest or negative, don’t stay there. Renew your mind with God’s word; practice his positive outlook and believe it.

Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

This process takes time, effort and study, but well worth it. It is crucial to keep your focus on God allowing him to change your thinking.

Why? Our thinking affects everything we say, do, and how we act. Understand this is not learned over night. Don’t allow self-condemnation to set in which gives the enemy a foothold. Keep trying and trust God to teach you.

God reveals his character as we filter the evil out of our thinking leaving our minds free and clear to hear him. The importance of simplifying our lives increases the time we have to spend alone with God.

The devil hates it.

And God loves it.

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/05/17/does-nature-reveal-god/

http://highlyfavored74.wordpress.com/2012/05/17/2430/

http://refusingtotiptoe.com/2012/05/17/the-four-minutes-that-renovated-my-walk-last-year/

http://thewayeverlasting.com/2012/05/17/question-why-shouldnt-i-worry/

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

A Stroke of Genius or a Revelation?

This is Revelation day. Yes. I keep having them. Not sure what that means. Oh. It’s only by the grace of God I know anything!

As Joyce Meyer says, “I may not be where I want to be, but at least I am not where I was.”

So be it with me. I maybe haven’t arrived, but I left. Left what? Who I was. And many of you should be thankful.

I am not one who picks out favorite verses; usually. As a result of wishy- washiness, my inability to choose interferes. Basically, it has never been on my radar. What radar?

Lately God has impressed upon me a verse I never paid much attention to, so I know this is from God. Ignoring this verse never entered my beleaguered mind. Avoiding it was of no consequence as I had no real use for it; or so I thought.

Now I have a favorite. The epitome of life in totality. The reason for everything.

Matthew 28: 20 “Teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

God gives us an instruction in the first line. Now, obedience is not always so easy…..if you know what I mean. It certainly helps in following God!

The second sentence, “and surely I am with you always…..to the very end of the age.”

Yes that is it!

My brokenness pales in comparison to his presence.

My weak insecurities are strengthened knowing he is in the room with me.

My perception of his companionship 24/7 gives me a “Leap of Faith” to trust him for solutions no matter what the issue may be.

As I write this I feel his presence. Visions, prophecies, speaking in tongues, the gifts are so deeply wonderful;  but to live, each moment aware of him beside you is the Resurrected Cross of Jesus.

God will have to help me describe this.

You know it. Without a doubt you know he is always with you.

The awareness of his presence only shows up as you spend time alone with him. The Supernatural enlightenment breeds an inexplicable change.

Years ago, in my days of slight rebellion God showed up by sending me an angel which is a miraculous story in itself. At the time, my delayed comprehension of the angel never registered until I got home. Once it hit me, I had no doubt in my mind or heart, God had sent me an angel to rescue me.

God’s grace and mercy overshadowed my lack of desire for his presence. I admit I was awestruck that God would provide for me as he did when I deserved nothing but hell. To this day, I know the man who appeared before me was an angel sent by God.

What bothers me beyond my apostasy was I didn’t recognize the angel to begin with. I knew something was different; unique or unconventional about this guy and his arrival. The event predisposed what I now experience daily.

As for my newfound revelation of this verse, simplicity again takes precedence. The words have always been in the same place; the end of the book of Matthew. How many times have I uttered or heard “and I will always be with you.”

Like an “ah-ha” moment, or “rhema” the words jump off the page. Only these expressive words are a stroke of genius.

Walking or I like to use “sauntering” or “strolling” in the presence of God is the mercy-seat of Heaven on earth. You dwell. Abide. Perch. Crash. Park. Remain. Inhabit. Sojourn. Settle. Roost. Oh just go pitch a big tent.

You rest in a supernatural assurance of God’s consummate, unlimited, perfect favor.

And to think my stubborn, pig-headed heart has finally moved out-of-the-way enough for God to reveal his key to life for me in one sentence. A sentence written centuries before my grand entrance into this world was ever thought of!

God! You Rock!

http://goldenbible.wordpress.com/2012/05/09/living-sacrifices-2/

http://identitylovefaith.wordpress.com/2012/05/09/christianity-is-crazy/

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/05/09/are-you-growing-in-holiness/

http://jennifershope.wordpress.com/2012/05/09/i-hope-youre-not-tired-of-james-yet-friends/

“Intellectuals solve problems. Geniuses prevent them. “  Albert Einstein

Photo by Randy Harrison
http://www.pbase.com/jrandyh

Dethrone Yourself

Words .Everyday language or not. Depends on if you are the giver or the receiver of the words.

Hurts and pains from others dive deep into our heart making waves of emotions soar.

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

Talk about a false, totally inaccurate, ludicrous statement.

A harsh word here, a crude word there spoken intentionally or unintentionally may last a lifetime.

Words created the world. Words start wars. Words end wars. Words are everywhere in this day and time. I thank God for glasses so I can read and write so many words. I happen to like words.

I wonder when God created words to speak the world into creation if his vocabulary included words like, hate, dislike, mean, ugly, filthy, prejudiced, kill, evil, etc., etc., etc.

If the Garden of Eden was perfect and good those words would not need to be in existence. This is all Adam’s fault. If he hadn’t sinned, our glossary options might be full of Galatians 5: 22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, etc., etc., etc.

 Words are powerful. Words fulfill or betray. Words teach or abandon. Words are wise or stupid. Words are knowledgeable or ignorant. Depending on our use of words, reflects the true nature of our hearts.

Luke 6: 45 “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”

A self-loathing attitude escapes their own anguish by belittling others with a list of coarse adjectives leaving them with a self-proclaimed prophecy. You are the words you speak. Good breeds good. Hate breeds hate.

Sticks and stones may not break bones, but words can break a heart into pieces through selfish ambition, discord, hatred, dissension, etc., etc., etc..

I like to play a game with God where I ask a question and he gives me the answer. Now I may not hear it for a while, but that isn’t his fault. I may have “selective hearing” or I’m a little slow on the uptake.  In fact I get excited when an answer shows up on my radar screen I asked 10 years ago!

We can’t make people do things or stop them from their cowardly treachery.

We can be responsible for our responses or actions to the spears of torment thrown our way. How?

By killing the flesh.

Rid yourself of the flesh; rid yourself of self. Then there is nothing left to be injured.

Forgiveness can only be brought about through God. The flesh in and of itself cannot forgive. Once flesh is gone, there is no injury to be remembered.

Dethrone yourself.

As you crawl or sliver off your seat of selfish impurities; before you hit the floor embrace God.

For every hit you take or slap in the face, embrace the love of God.

For every betrayal or gutless traitor who embarks on a journey to slander your integrity, embrace the forgiveness of God and forgive them.

For every ill fated blow sent your way, reach for God and live a new life with him.

As for the sticks and stones, just throw them away.

Photo by Randy Harrison
http://www.pbase.com/jrandyh

http://goldenbible.wordpress.com/2012/05/04/following-the-law/

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/05/03/the-folly-of-ignorance/

http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/2012/05/03/sihs-think-on-these-things-heb-1128/

http://thewayeverlasting.com/2012/05/02/quote-toward/

Mixed Messages of Impending Contradictions

Yesterday we received a letter from Verizon Wireless dated April 19, 2012.

We ended our less than desirable, dissatisfied relationship with Verizon the end of
January 2012 or 3 months ago.

The following is the letter:

RE: Verizon Wireless Account Number Ending with 1800

Dear Customer:

Your Verizon Wireless statement is now available for viewing online.

Our records indicate all your wireless lines on your account have been disconnected. You can still view and pay your disconnected account online using My Verizon with your user name rather than your Verizon Wireless phone number.

Please note any future bills will be sent to you in the mail.

eServices and Support

Verizon Wireless

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/04/24/the-need-of-a-disciplined-people/

Ummm…..what a waste of money; what a waste of paper. As if I had no idea I had disconnected service with them. Who do they think I am? Letters of this nature is why I left in the first place!

Verizon must have misplaced my memo. Good communication and customer service is a plus. A necessity. A lifeline.

Tossed around from one department to another results in harebrained letters such as this one. And to think our hard-earned money paid Mr. eServices to produce an obvious contradiction and actually mail it. He should be so proud.

Communication is a key in business. After the above misconstrued, indecisive, notice of my impending whatever, Verizon won’t be hearing from me any time soon.

Anyone with a brain or two would know the above letter makes no sense to a baboon. If this is the message the largest mobile phone company in the nation sends out, then we are in a “heap of trouble.”

Why would any bright, capable human being yearn to be subjected to such jargon? To be honest, the example truly represents some of the conversations I had with them.

http://lifeofafemalebiblewarrior.wordpress.com/2012/04/21/god-school/

Credibility requires examination, integrity and honesty and maybe a few sentences worth reading.

If God wasn’t a true, credible source of life, why bother with him?

If his message, words and son’s death and resurrection were not real, where would we be now?

Thank God the Bible wasn’t written like the letter. No one would know how to use a cell phone or decipher the Bible’s context.

If God sends a clear message of salvation, shouldn’t we?

Should we “tip-toe” around the issues of importance so we don’t offend?

Should we hide our faith to evade ridicule?

Do we send mixed messages that only confuse rather than deliver?

http://thewayeverlasting.com/2012/04/24/getting-rebuked-in-the-face/
It took years of preparing, class and field work before God sent his anointed one, Moses as the Deliverer.

Joseph spent long, hard years in the prison of God’s workshop. You could say he even graduated with honors only to become the 2^nd most powerful man in Egypt.

Paul was your typical, radical Pharisee who by all educational standards today became a PhD in accidents, beatings, shipwrecks, and hunger pains. An overnight conversion led him to prison for 3 years where he used his time to expand his doctorate into Biblical history.

Our messages don’t happen in 24 hours. God prepares us.

He sends us to classes unknown.

Internships are granted for discipline, and on the job training.

The anointing is rewarded at God’s graduation of his servants.

The process is cultivated by pruning, shaping and molding our hearts along the way. God slowly blends us into the likeness of Christ giving us new attitudes, patience and humility.

As Moses, Joseph and Paul spent a lifetime in God’s classroom, so we should too.

We should always be listening, learning and preparing for the message of the Holy Spirit.

The message may not always be easy.

The message may include persecution, hardships and shipwrecks.

The message may not be what you had in mind to do with your life.

James 3:17-18

The message is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, and full of mercy and good fruit.

The message is wise, impartial, sincere and full of knowledge.

The message is from Heaven who raises a harvest of righteousness.

Matthew 11:28-30

The message is gentle and humble in heart giving us rest for our souls.

The message is clear. The message is Jesus Christ.

http://goodchristianfiction.wordpress.com/2012/04/23/by-the-water/

Photo by Randy Harrison
http://www.pbase.com/jrandyh

 

Coffee and A Brood of Vipers

Sitting in my swivel chair this morning with a cup of coffee with Amaretto creamer I opened my Bible to Proverbs. Specifically Proverbs 2: 12, Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse.”

Ok,  God. Then he told me to look over at Proverbs 4:24 Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.”

God spoke again, “ Blog for today; tell people to stop cussing.”

Did you get that? Stop cussing. Stop swearing. There, I told you.

Like God, I am troubled at the filthy, nasty words that flow out of people’s mouths.

The vulgarities used today are mindless and in need of a new vocabulary.

For me, I cannot listen to it. The words are disturbing. Cussing is a non-use, an expletive of expletives.

Years ago, being subjected to so many vile, profanities 24/7, broke me of ever spewing such contamination.

Besides the fact God views swearing as corrupt, the sound is demeaning, belittling and intrusive.

Exodus 20:7“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.”

If God views cussing as perverse, I think he wants us to recuse ourselves.

What is the point? Why throw such meaningless obscenities around?

Do you feel tough or smarter than those of us who don’t?

Are you creating a stance of “don’t mess with me” attitude?

Are you following the crowd slowly into the lake of fire with your words?

Your English grammar teacher taught you? Sorry. I asked that, not God.  Thought you might want to blame it on some teacher you had years ago who can’t defend themselves.

Swearing/Cussing promotes evil from within. Like the verse,

Matthew 12: 34-35 “You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.”

If swearing/cussing flies  from your storage, what else is in there? Ugh..I don’t really want to know.

I have found in conversations with a brood of vipers that eject their unconscionable view of what is in their hearts, as soon as they find out I am a Christian it stops.

Ummmm….wonder what that means?

Maybe they respect my views?

They are embarrassed all of a sudden for their lack of vocabulary?

They spoke out of turn or had an unusual lapse in judgment?

They didn’t realize I was a Christian before the excessive use of 4 letter words escaped them?

So….if any of the above are the case, why do it at all?

OH. I get it. Swearing/Cussing is ok when accompanied by others who apply these non-words themselves but are uncomfortable around those who pursue words of wisdom, knowledge and understanding…..and leave out such filthy language?

Does this mean it is a choice to cuss or not to cuss?

SURE! But you are condemning yourself when you do.

You are choosing to go against God’s word if you do.

You deepen the hole in your heart of delusion if you do.

So God says don’t do it. or stop taking his name in vain.

http://goldenbible.wordpress.com/2012/04/18/true-christianity/

http://theriverministries.net/2012/04/18/freedom-from-curses/

http://thewayeverlasting.com/2012/04/18/the-worst-illustration-ever-the-christian-horror-story/

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

Shady, Lifeline Idiosyncrasies

Lifelines are necessary. Lifelines can be categorized through our parents, families, friends; maybe our pets? Ok….

We have to hold on to something. By nature some of us hold onto a lot more than others, (like my husband’s collections of collectibles) but I won’t expose those culprits.

Do we define ourselves by these lifelines? I have.

Heritage/ family history often shapes our existence. God created families so that must be a good thing? Well, yes and no.

A good family history is a blessing. Not so good may leave scarred, torn and pained descendants who wish they had another lifeline.

We don’t have to accept that which has crept into our blood that is rotten, soiled or needs fumigating. In fact, we should dispose of traits we find going against God’s word.

I wasn’t so sure I interpreted that to mean my family  imperfections may need tweaking? Or addressing? Or a complete overhaul!

Unfortunately the latter converted itself to the forefront of deliverance.

Well. Let me tell you something about God.

IF YOU DON’T WANT TO CHANGE, DON’T ASK GOD TO SHOW YOU HOW.

DON’T ASK GOD TO POINT OUT YOUR PROBLEMATIC FAMILY ISSUES.

Isaiah 40: 31 “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Why? He will. He is faithful in all areas even the ones you don’t want him to be.

In fact God is so faithful, he gives overhauls for free!

I can vouch for this as his daily classrooms have been tedious, heart wrenching, oh so painful and embarrassing.

And to think I thought I had it all together. Ha! What a joke!

So, you ask, “how’d he teach you to unload evils, flaws, faults and shady, lifeline  idiosyncrasies?”

Well. He isn’t finished. We are still in class. The work seems infinite.

Categorically the grandest lesson I have learned had nothing to do with any negative, ancestral curses.

What started out, as a revolutionary, deep-rooted investigation of my war-wearied soul has turned into a long-lasting, thirst for his presence.

What I began as a marathon of ridding myself of  unsightly traits became an awakening of who I could be through him.

His presence grows while life hits you.

His presence creates a supernatural atmosphere surrounding you.

His presence is an all-encompassing, 24/7 offering of all he represents.

His presence flows like water through your veins like rain in a desert.

Isaiah 58:11 “The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land  and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,  like a spring whose waters never fail.”

His presence frames you with his character, personality and joy.

What I viewed as a boring, long-winded professor opting to drag me out of my lingering delirium has been the proverbial walk in the park; the light at the end of the tunnel.

What I presumed to be a dredge on my day is presently my highlight, food and lifeline.

As I learn who he is, I change. As I read his word, I gain knowledge and wisdom.

As I sit quietly before him, I just want more.

As I move forward in his faithfulness, mine flourishes.

Are you afraid of allowing God to have all of you?  Get over it.

It doesn’t matter who your family is or the generous doses of generational strongholds they may hand down.

God can stop them with you.

http://kellylevatino.com/2012/04/17/telling-god-no/

http://justmyfaithtalking.wordpress.com/2012/04/16/am-i-any-less-blessed/

http://mrkstevenson.wordpress.com/2012/04/16/brokenness-the-missing-link-to-holiness/

http://godlywomengettheblues.com/2012/04/15/hanging-on-the-edge/

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

Sugar Coated Fences

Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) perching on white fence in South America. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Fences are built for a reason. Fences block your view of the neighbor’s fights. Keep out intruders who want to swim in your backyard pool. Keep the dog safe from neighboring cats.

Fences are meant to keep something in or out. There is no middle ground with a fence. Anyone who can’t see the reason for a fence is either ignoring its purpose or has no respect for the fence builder.

Why do we think we can live on the fence of Jesus? Duh, we can’t. Sorry. It doesn’t work like that. You are either with Jesus or you’re not.

Truth is many Christians have decided to form their own opinions of the interpretation of the Bible. There is only one interpretation and that is God’s. Non-Christians make up their own rules or no rules at all to announce they have no accountability. Excuses. Excuses. Are there any exceptions to God’s rules? Are excuses Bible based?

Did you inspire the writings of the Bible? No. Were you around for God to ask your opinion of what he wanted to hand down to generations of lost souls? No. Do you really believe you can twist the word of God to fit into your little world of desires? No.

Americans need to get off the fence. Jesus may have forgiven the woman who was caught in adultery, but he didn’t let her off the hook. What did he say? “Woman go and sin no more.” John 11:11.

Jesus didn’t let his disciples go undisciplined. Remember when he spoke to them, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” (Matthew 8:26). Only after His rebuke did He calm the wind and waves.

If you don’t want to hear Jesus’ words of no fencing, then don’t read Matthew 23. If you have any questions or doubts about what God wants from us, the 7 woes in this chapter will answer it for you. Woe to you Pharisees or what was it he called them? Snakes and vipers? Who Jesus? Did Jesus use those words?

Fences are not meant to crawl over or dig under. Dogs dig. Intruders climb.

We can’t make up our own rules along the way. But we do and we are. Then we wonder why our lives are falling apart at both ends.

Let’s imagine for a moment Jesus riding the fence for us.

That would mean he would heal us of only part of our ills?

Only forgive certain sins and certain people?

Or grant mercy to the chosen few?

What about Jesus only providing half of what we need?

Sorry, but I don’t like those percentages. I don’t want to be one of the chosen few. Ummmm….that sounds like…….

So, let me get this straight. If we think we can give God parts of our lives, but we expect him to give us everything……I am not a mathematician but I can add and subtract some of the time and this is not adding up. I also have a calculator.

Talk about chaos.

If God gave us a guidebook do you think he meant for all of us to abide by the rules? Or just a FEW CHOSEN ONES?

If we are all making up our own rules along the pedestrian highway of our pathetic lives, who is in charge? That’s scary.

Moses didn’t write the Ten Commandments for decoration. What part of “you can do this” or “you can’t do that” didn’t you get? Rocket Science just went out the window.

The fairness and justice lies with Jesus. No excuses. No make up my own rules. No riding the fence because it feels good. And no you can’t do it because everyone else is.

Unless you want to follow them into the fire.

http://thewayeverlasting.com/2012/03/28/the-obvious-truth-scripture-our-first-and-final-challenge/

http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/2012/03/27/sihs-think-on-these-things-1-cor-1533-34/

http://elsiephoebe.wordpress.com/2012/03/28/wizzy-wig/

http://elsiephoebe.wordpress.com/2012/03/28/wizzy-wig/

Beach photo by John Randolph Harrison

http://www.pbase.com/jrandyh

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

Swivel Chair Theology

This morning, after my exciting trip to Wal-Mart, I drove out of the parking lot to get to the main road. In front of me was a Jeep with a bumper sticker that read:

“IF YOU DON’T STAND BEHIND OUR TROOPS, FEEL FREE TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM.”

A B-2 Spirit soars after a refueling mission over the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday, May 30, 2006. The B-2, from the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., is part of a continuous bomber presence in the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Bumper Sticker wisdom meets the road. Does this only apply to the military?

Living in a military “based” city you are hard pressed to speak a negative or doubtful comment about the military without being hung out to dry. You’re better off keeping your mouth shut if you don’t agree we need them or that wars have to be fought.

As I pondered the practicality of these words, the question arose in my intellect (lol) how often we would stand behind the teachings of Jesus in support of him or crawl away hoping a stray arrow would miss us. You know the kind who slivers away hoping no one would notice.

The boldness I speak now about Jesus is of no consequence to me anymore. Use to be I was hesitant, not because I didn’t want to, but because I didn’t know how.

The difference? Knowledge. The more I learn the bolder I become. More time I spend with God, the louder I get. Studying his word gives me an edge I have not had otherwise.

The edge gives me discernment and perception or an awareness of all that is around me from a Godly standpoint. Proficiency can be measured but the doctrine of Jesus lends your ear to the insight of God.

This is not something I planned; it comes with the territory. It just fits. Unaware of the intensity of his teachings, the authenticity of his presence manifests as you immerse yourself in the pages of his written word.

All the classroom education in the world could not have taught me what I have learned sitting in a swivel chair studying and praying over God’s word. It is supernatural. It is a pursuit of wisdom and understanding in the purest form.

We pursue whatever or whoever can solve our problems. Today’s world is a mess and I can’t think of a better problem solver than Jesus.

I stand behind him. Where are you standing?

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/03/27/the-necessity-of-religious-principle/

http://kellylevatino.com/2012/03/27/the-truth-about-gods-promsies/

http://javaman56.wordpress.com/2012/03/27/bless-the-lord/

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

Photo of Formosa Azalea by John Randolph Harrison

http://www.pbase.com/jrandyh

Conscientious Objectors

The good news is for those of us who understand and embrace the hereafter there are those who don’t. Why? Don’t they know what is at stake?

God plants his people. They are everywhere. You can’t go anywhere God isn’t. He has his messengers. He has his spies. He has his life giving efforts on the banks of the Nile, or the inner cities of Iran. He is clever that way. God hasn’t missed a moment or a person who needs to hear the truth.

So what is the problem? Oh, they are blinded. No, more likely stubborn. The usual suspects fight the instruments of God because they can. Or they think they can.

The strength of a “Goliath” doesn’t need God. The do-it-all super healthy, pharisaical intellect doesn’t need God. The atheist/agnostic doesn’t need God because they are spending all their time explaining why God isn’t needed.

Explosions occur in an unexpected place or time.  All of a sudden your life is rocked to the core in a moment you can’t take back. You’d think a rock bottom hit would absorb your thinking about your future. Nope! Not for the determined, self-sufficient, hard hearted, modern day Pharaoh’s.

Bring on the plagues! The braggarts of society sit on their plat formed pedestals splattering their distinctive rhetoric for all to hear. Sad. Maybe they are descendents of Pharaoh. Hope they are aware of how his story ended.

Processing the dilemma of those who continue their adverse reaction to the truth is one I find difficult to do. We can’t force people to do things. We can’t shake them and pour the truth into their thick skulls. There are those I would like to slap upside the head and ask, “Don’t you get it?” “Don’t you see what you are doing to yourself?”

I will admit using the “slap upside your head kind of witness” on a few unsuspecting victims. Hard hearts are hard to penetrate with the “let me tell you about Jesus” act.

Moses held nothing back. Paul was sincere but firm. King David fought to win. The idea that following Jesus produces featherweights is complete foolery. Our culture has it backwards. Following the crowd is easy. Following Jesus takes courage, faith and wisdom.

Every bone in my body aches for the lost even the “Conscientious Objectors of Christianity.” However, my ache and prayers for them do not restrain me from leveling them with the truth. Whatever it takes and that may include a dose of harsh reality as the spirit moves.

We need to discern what people are dealing with, or how they hurt. For those who have no excuse except to disagree, the door is open for an all out onslaught of a modern day Jesus. I grew up in a Christian atmosphere but the slap upside my head is what it took to shovel me out of my prideful pothole of arrogance before I fell at the feet of Jesus.

The Bible says in Luke 9:5 “If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them.”

Scorners of Christ may be left in the dust, but once the dust clears, they may be ripe for the harvest.

You know when you get beaten, bruised and stuck in a foxhole, God starts looking really good.

http://ofdustandkings.com/2012/03/26/4-ways-atheists-have-made-me-a-better-christian/

http://goodchristianfiction.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/keeping-your-eye-on-the-prize/

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/03/24/the-christian-example/

http://justmyfaithtalking.wordpress.com/2012/03/23/i-come-in-peace-or-do-i/

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

Related articles

• Sorry Moses. Starbucks is closed. (craigmotor.wordpress.com)