Flowers in Green Fields and Ocean Waves

You know God is a pretty busy guy. Have you ever thought about that?

Very busy; he has an enormous amount of work to do every day. You might say he has a lot on his plate and his plate is quite large.

Stop and think about all he is doing; not done but what he faces in our generational era.

He has to be everywhere all the time. That in itself is exhausting to me.

God feeds the hungry, gives clothes to the poor, fights wars even though he hates war, saves marriages, rescues us from ourselves and fills the sky at night with stars.

God reforms his church, protects the missionaries, redeems the strayed, thwarts natural disasters, gives aid to those affected by natural disasters and composes ocean waves.

God sends foreign aid, guards our schools, beats crime, ransoms the lost, blocks violence, sends Angels to fight the enemy of the dark and lights the sky with a crescent moon.

God speaks for those who can’t speak for themselves, he cares for the widow and orphans, provides research for medicines, educates and trains his followers, scatters his flowers in green fields.

God heals through medicine (although I am sure he would prefer to heal the easy way) supports the homeless, provides needed earthly resources and wakes us up to a beautiful sunrise.

God topples evil nations, changes the guards of politics, ends the reign of dictators, confirms the constitution, weeds out corrupt politicians and ends the day with a sunset.

Shall I go on? The list is infinite. God is in control. God knows what he is doing.

God is busy, yet his first and foremost desire is to form a lasting personal relationship with every human being.

The concept that the Almighty God, Jehovah Yahweh even considers us as his most cherished creation is difficult to grasp.

The idea the King of Kings desires to teach, guide, protect, and provide our every need is nothing but overwhelming.

The realization the Chief Shepherd of the Universe chooses to speak to us, hear our prayers, listen to our gripes and complaints, forgive us, and deals with us at all is beyond my comprehension.

He must be God. Embracing his love for us is over the top, astounding, mind-blowing and bewildering. Thinking about it brings tears to my eyes.

If the Creator of the Universe takes time out of his busy life to speak to us, shouldn’t we do the same for him?

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

http://justmyfaithtalking.wordpress.com/2012/05/24/one-step-closer-to-home-casual-or-cause/

http://jesusmyjoy.wordpress.com/2012/05/24/look-at-the-beauty/

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/the-loveliness-of-christ/

http://butchdean.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/a-matter-of-perspective/

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

Cavalier Days and the Champion Advocate

So you want to do this or that. What is that or this?

We wouldn’t do it if it wasn’t important….or would we?

Repenting of my useless, wasted energies, God assured me he uses everything.

Lavish fun, destructive music and movies, and squandering God’s money on the junk food of life are a total distraction. And to think in our youthfulness we knew it all…..yeah right.

Our cavalier and reckless days add up to empty hearts, no satisfaction and debt. The order may be reversed depending on how much you spent on life’s ill-fated pleasures or the extent you went to in revenge for Don Juan who broke your precious heart.

As you whine, “I will never date again!”  Or “You just wait you little eaves dropping adulterer, your days are numbered!”

Oh, give me a break.

How often do we tangle our own webs? How often do we muddle our gluttony by jumping into the fire ourselves? If we aren’t careful the enlistment will backfire.

The enemy uses whatever is available to distract us. And we are so easily allured into his devilish antics we forget or lose our way. He is a cunning, deranged creature who needs to be thrown under a few buses, but it won’t happen if we don’t push him. Or yank his so-called wickedness with real authority.

Wrong people and activities waste our time.

Yes, you know the fun people, all-about-me people or the hedonistic, miserly gourmets of popularity. These are the lost souls of propriety. Run away.

Destructive circumstances aren’t always lost in our foolish captivity. God is the source of freedom but only if asked.

Once you run away, seek God before the excess baggage of your blissful pleasures drop on your head. He is the beneficiary of our expensive and often painful negligence.

Psalm 50:20 “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

No matter what we have done if we seek God he can take our egotistical, self-seeking greed and use it for his purposes.

How? By allowing us to reap what we sow until the veil is removed. Days of amusing revelry get old fast often resulting in dreadful circumstances.

Yep. All the misbehaving, rule breaking attitudes can be used as examples for the kingdom of God in the hopes others will wise up before gratifying their unholy aspirations.

The recommendation is to avoid at all costs the feasts of poisonous entertainment to start with. If you have joined in the foolery of many, turn it over to God and get out.

Allow God to turn the pampering of your sinful nature into a new creature in Christ. He uses evil for good showering us with a fresh start.

God wastes nothing. His clever techniques of deliverance far outweigh our mistakes.

He is a master vindicator working behind the scenes justifying the innocent.

The world is in enough disarray as it is without our own disregard for authority.

Use your God given common sense and guidance in how you spend your time.

After all, we are only passing through.

“Remind me that my days are numbered.” Psalm 39:4

http://birdmartin.wordpress.com/2012/05/19/birds-spiritual-learning-disability-god-grades-bird-on-a-curve/

http://longingsend.com/2012/05/19/saturday-psalm-psalm-18/

http://godspeaks-i-listen.com/2012/05/19/time-has-come-today/

http://jesuscarriesme.com/2012/05/19/my-struggle-with-the-story-of-the-canaanite-woman/

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

God Rescued me. He sent an Angel. He really did. No joke.

I dedicate this to a real woman of God; a blogger friend who wakes up my laptop with a perky good morning faith I wish I had. Her heart warms me with her joyful laughter as I read her posts. She has blessed me more than she knows and I am deeply honored to call her friend.  God speaks to us in various ways; especially through Godly people as he has used her to do so with me. Please give yourself a treat and visit her blog. If you are like me and a very bad morning person, get a cup of coffee first. SHE IS ON FIRE EARLY!  Here is her link: http://strader612.wordpress.com

This is a true story. I have no witnesses. No pictures; nothing to establish the credibility of it except the truth. For me this event was a major turning point in my life; you could call it “one of my Damascus Road trips.”  Yes, I said it was one of my Damascus Road trips.

The year was 1981 and I was not living the way I was raised. Church on Sunday, choir practice, girl scouts, Wednesday night dinner and Bible Study and then of course Bible School in the summer. These were just some of the reasons I darkened the church doors outside of the fact my parents made me go as a child.   On this hot summer night I was far from any church door.

Driving home alone about midnight there wasn’t a car in sight. This sleepy town was usually in bed much earlier. I however was young and invincible; able to handle anything or at least my pride led me to believe such a lie.

Flat Tire

Flat tire. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Growing up in a family car business you would think I would have been taught how to change a tire. Why bother when I always had someone else to do it for me. This particular night I wish I had learned.

The back right tire had blown out and the car was veering off to the side. It could not have been darker as there were no street lights except for a few in the mall down the road. I managed to steer to the right into this empty parking lot before the tire completely gave out near the one mall light I could get to.

This particular mall was out in nowhere and way down in a ravine. Vision would be difficult in daylight to see the parking lot from the road, but almost impossible at night.

As I turned the car off, a fear set in I had never felt before. It was as if the devil had opened the passenger side door and sat down. It was tangible.  Horrific thoughts saturated my fragile mind.  Fears and torment of whom might come knocking on my windows swept over me like a storm.

I was shaking all over; the sweat poured down my face and I began to cry.  I really didn’t know what I was going to do. At least it was summer and I wouldn’t freeze to death.

Cell phones did not exist back in 1981. Looking back having one would have changed this “earthly hell” completely. I was terrified to get out of the car to look for a pay phone; from where I sat there was none in sight.

 Prayer

The fear by now had completely taken over my senses. Was I going to sit here all night alone and fearful to even look out of the windows of my car? Would it be morning before someone found me? How could I possibly sleep? Some stranger may attempt to open my non-electronic doors and grab me taking me into the unknown to do whatever they wanted. I cried more and slid down into the seat so no one could see me; not that anyone was around. It was then that a still, small voice I somewhat recognized told me to pray.

” Weeping” I said, “God, I haven’t talked to you in a very long time, but if you are listening, please help me.”

Drenched in my tears, thoughts of what to do clouded my mind. Terror-stricken to make a run for anything because there was nowhere to run to but being stranded, locked in my car was also just as frightening.  I cried out to God for him to do something. Anything.

About 10 minutes after I first prayed I peered slightly over the top of my steering wheel. There were two lights on the highway in the distance heading my way. A transfer truck signals revealed he would be turning into this large, empty dark parking lot because there was nowhere else to turn. I remember thinking, “why is he coming here?”

He parked the truck about 50 feet in front of me but to the left. My heart was racing; I could feel it beating out of my chest I was so scared.

The Cross

A small black guy around the age of 30 jumped down out of the truck and waved to me. Realizing my fear he stayed about 20 feet from the front of my car and told me I had a flat tire. He said “I am here to help you. Do not be afraid. If you will open the latch to your left, I will get the spare tire in your trunk out and change it.”

He made it clear I did not have to get out and he would keep his distance. I motioned him to go ahead and pulled the trunk latch open.  As he walked around to the trunk I noticed a rather large silver cross around his neck.

There was something very different about this young man. He was dressed in nice, khaki pants, with a short sleeved shirt. He had a baseball cap on his head and a beautiful smile.

It wasn’t his clothes or his smile that caught my attention.  He possessed a natural countenance of joy and charisma. A purity and innocent strength surrounded this stranger as he passed by me.

All of a sudden I felt the evil leave the front seat as if it physically moved.  Peace filled the inside of my car and covered me with protection.

He went to work as I sat there, waiting but not moving. Once finished, he walked in front of the car and spoke,

“You are ready to go. I put the spare tire on; just drive slowly and make sure tomorrow you buy a new tire.”

Holding a 20 dollar bill up to pay him, he shook his head and said “no thanks, the best thing you can do for me is go home, get some sleep and make sure from now on you don’t stay out so late.”

As he jumped into his truck, he waved goodbye and drove off.

The Realization

Safe and secure in my apartment I changed into my pajamas and began washing my face. Looking at myself in the mirror it suddenly hit me.

How could this person I had never seen before know my tire was flat?

How did he know I had a spare in the trunk?  It was the right back tire. It was impossible for him to see it.  For all he knew no one was in the car because I was hiding under the steering wheel.

Retracing his words he informed me I had a flat tire and a spare in the trunk. He also told me he had come to help me.  It was as if he knew this information long before he arrived. Deep in my heart it felt like he knew me, as if he had been coached on my life story. The light went off in my head and I heard that voice again telling me,

“I sent you an Angel.”

Unsure of the true existence of angels at that age in my life, 23, I crawled into bed and pondered this thought. Did God care enough about me to actually do something like this and if so why? I didn’t deserve anything from God.

Years later….

The years have come and gone since that frightful night, but one thing I know for sure. In my adult walk with the Lord, I know for certain Angels do exist because God sent one to rescue me. I have no doubt in my heart or mind this man was a very real Angel.

I have never seen him again.  Don’t know what his name was.  He appeared out of nowhere as if he was sent specifically to rescue me.

He knew me. I could feel that he knew me. The timing of his arrival; the cross around his neck; his transcendent presence. The immediate removal of the fear in my car left as he walked by it leaving a supernatural peace that passed all my understanding.

I remember it like it was yesterday. The details have been reminders of God’s shelter of guardianship over my life.

I felt completely cared for; safely wrapped in a love so pure I knew I had experienced a divine visitation.

How do I know this? God told me. And I lived it.

http://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/2012/05/12/the-fantastic-voyage-of-our-lives/

http://lifeofafemalebiblewarrior.wordpress.com/2012/05/12/another-perfect-stranger/

http://thewayeverlasting.com/2012/05/09/quote-eyes/

http://href.li/?http://larrywho.wordpress.com

SHAW AFB AIR SHOW

US Air Force Thunderbirds flying the T-38 Talon (US Air Force Thunderbirds publicity photo). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I am going to post another post later but had to share this with you.

Every year about this time Shaw AFB has an air show. Living just a few miles from the base we get a free show without going anywhere.

I had returned from shopping and heard the jets. After almost 5 years I have a natural inclination for the jets that fly almost every day. Still intrigued by these magnificent pieces of weaponry I am like a child watching a new show. The jets that fly regularly have their own unique sound and patterns of flying.

The sound is almost deafening at times especially as they fly over our pool! One after the other they have coordinates I was told that are specific and must be met.  These jets are dark in color, but fly in sequence. Another unique quality of the jets is these rarely leave a jet stream.

Usually there are 6 in a row and often fly directly over our house. Sometimes they fly to the right of the house towards the bombing area. Rarely if ever do they fly in formation. If they do it is usually two at a time. Down the road at the Food Lionthey fly directly over the store to land. It is something to see if you aren’t use to it.

USAF Thunderbirds Demonstration Maneuver at Biggs Army Air Field, Amigo AirSho, El Paso TX (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today, when I arrived at home I noticed a different sound from the normal aircraft.  I then remembered the Thunderbirds would literally being flying into the base early to practice.

As I heard this unique, but different style of sound I knew they had arrived! I ran outside and sure enough the Thunderbirds were practicing.  6 magnificent pieces of machinery in their finest attire flying around the house! One after another they were getting use to a pattern until I saw 3 at a time flying in formation.

These beautiful aircraft are a representative of all America stands for. As if leading the way for those who fly here every day, the Thunderbirds are a sight to behold.

I am so proud to be an American.

Every day I look up to see our men and women covering our skies from the largest fighter jet base in the world. Every day I am blessed to see these uniforms living next door, at Wal-Mart and in church.

United States Air Force ThunderBirds (Photo credit: AdolfGalland)

America belongs to God.

http://afthunderbirds.com/site/

God Gave me a Glimpse of the Future: An “Open Vision of Flowers”

Last fall we went on a short beach trip. Living about 2 hours from the coast is a dream come true for me. The trip is made on one main highway which navigates through small towns and in need of new construction. The old highway is a straight shot but with a number of speed traps. Decorated along the way are simple shops, a post office or two and country restaurants. If you are looking for a metropolis, you won’t find it here.

The back country trip is one I have made numerous times so the ride is now more familiar.  Due to this particular trip being a business conference for my husband we had to go in separate vehicles.

Friday morning around the middle of October 2011 driving on this lonesome trail alone I began to reflect on God’s creation and how unpretentious the livelihood remains.
All of a sudden I felt like I was having a dream while awake.  I realized I was experiencing an “Open Vision.”

The landscape is open wide for farming or raising cattle and even horses.

It was as if God highlighted certain dilapidated buildings, worn out homes or pieces of what use to be houses. Torn down fences with wood lying around, abandoned stores or wood sheds, and the brick fireplace where families most likely built a fire to keep warm.

As I slowed down the color around this loss of life had a yellowish hue. In the vision it smelled of death.

Evidences of fields where crops grew were empty and dead. It was evil. It was what was left of Satan’s destruction.

Words resounded in my ears saying “What you see here use to be a home where families worked to make a living and children playing outside. The abandoned stores and empty fields provided necessities while they attended the little church that no longer exists.”

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

Caught up in this vision God’s spirit was speaking to me, I noticed flowers. Beautiful, colorful flowers right in the middle of all of this ruined wreckage. The pattern continued as I crept down the road; flowers growing in the strangest spots but all surrounded by an undoing and extermination of what was life.

The vision became alive. Fathers were farming and planting their crops. Mother’s were hanging laundered clothes out to dry. Children were running and playing without a care in the world. Their faces smiled with joy and happiness. The flowers gave off scents of lilacs and roses. God’s love shed brilliance over everything in sight. It felt like love.

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

Watching this movie play out until the life faded away in the distance was once again replaced by the carnage of what use to be.

The inner voice of the Holy Spirit spoke to me.  “Destruction is not my Creation and will not remain. What I have revealed to you is what will be again.”

As quickly as the vision appeared it was gone just as fast. What seemed to be a long time was a few seconds. My car had barely moved.

At the time of this vision God gave me an instruction and a promise.

Instruction: God wants us to be like the flowers. Color our faith with his word so it grows high in the dense hatred of oppression, havoc and doom so much so the lost will see life instead of death. Good instead of evil; right instead of wrong. He wants us to stand out in the crowd of all that is bad and blossom for the kingdom of God.

Promise: For those who follow this instruction will reap abundance in every area of your life. Your futures will lack for nothing. Deuteronomy 28 will be your lifeline of blessings.

Since that day I have asked God to give me more insight into this vision. This is what I believe he has revealed to me.

He is shaking things up from the church to the government.

We are beginning a season of change for his people for good.

He is using that which appears to be evil for good even if it looks the opposite.

He is working behind the scenes in Middle Eastern countries bringing women and children to Christ in record numbers although you would never see it on the News.

God is getting ready for a political shocker. And then some.

You ask why now? Why speak of this now? Because God told me to.

Galatians 6:7-8: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”

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

http://proph101.wordpress.com/

http://media4lifeministries.com/2012/04/12/of-one-spirit-and-one-mind/

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/04/12/our-glorious-god/

http://longingsend.com/2012/03/25/white-gloved-beauty/

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

Simple Seeds

Small actions can produce large results.

Sunflower and seeds (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Here are a few:

Key: Opens doors, cars, bank vaults

Punch a few buttons turns on a TV, the stove or oven, your pc, phone, elevator

Plant a seed: get a plant, vegetables a tree or even a baby

Nails hold houses and buildings together

Light switch turns lights on that can light a whole room

Faucet turns the water on

Small instruments can produce large amounts of productivity.

Small instructions can alter the course of history.

Small instructions can lead to public rewards.

Small instructions are what Jesus gave to get a big ending.

Think about it: Jesus told the men to pour water into the water pots at a wedding. It produced the wine they needed and evidently tasted pretty good!

Jesus took a few loaves of bread and some fish and fed 5000 people. I’ve always wondered if the bread and fish were automatically cooked when they passed it around.

Jesus told the paralyzed man by the pool to get up and walk. I would’ve kissed Jesus and run!

Remember the fishermen who fished and fished and couldn’t catch anything? Jesus just happened to be walking by and told them to cast the net on the other side. They went home happy and full.

What did Jesus really want? To show off? To bring attention to himself? To prove he could fish and cook?  Noooooo………

He was asking for obedience. Jesus wants obedience.

Why? To control us? To teach us how to fish and cook? To show everybody a good time at the wedding? I don’t think so.

Actually I don’t remember anywhere in the Bible that states Jesus actually cooked. He must have spent a lot of time at Mary and Martha’s house. Martha gives the impression she attended cooking school.

Cover of Mary and Martha

Now that I think about it when did Jesus have time to cook? I guess that’s another story.

Oh, the question again is why does Jesus want us to be obedient to him?

Could it be he knows what is best? He knew he could make better wine than anyone? He had his own fishing show?  Maybe he had lessons from Paula Deen on how to fry chicken.

Jesus wants a willing heart. Not a fancy cook or a world class fisherman.

Willingness to obey God brings about miracles.

The simple can produce the supernatural.

So what does this mean? It doesn’t take something great to produce a great miracle or harvest.

God doesn’t look through rose colored small glasses at us. HE SEES BIG.

If you think one person doesn’t make a difference, think again.

Have you ever heard of Mordecai Ham? As a Baptist Evangelist, in 1934 he went to Charlotte, NC to preach at a revival. At one of the meetings was a young man who was greatly influenced by his teachings. The young man became a Christian during this revival. Most people have never heard of Mordecai Ham and I am sure he had no idea of the harvest that would result from this one man’s conversion.

That man is Dr. Billy Graham.http://justmyfaithtalking.wordpress.com/2012/03/19/created-or-creative-in-christ/

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/03/16/faith-in-not-having-faith/

http://thewayeverlasting.com/2012/03/17/still-the-best/

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

If You Ask, He Will Come

Have you ever walked into a room or go somewhere only to find you have no idea why you are there?

Have you joined a group, found yourself in the midst of people and think, “I don’t belong here.”

Jesus didn’t go where he was needed. He went where he was wanted. In other words, Jesus went where he was celebrated. He didn’t hang around where he was tolerated.

Think about it. The Pharisees loathed him. (Mark 11: 27-33)

The Romans mocked him.( Matthew 27:27-31)

His own people didn’t believe he was the. Messiah. (John 19:7)

Judas Iscariot sold him out.(Matthew 10:40

The Roman soldier sent for him to heal his servant. His servant was healed within the hour Jesus spoke healing words. (Matthew 8:13)

The woman with the issue of blood touched the hem of his garment; he recognized power had left him. (Matthew 9:22)

The Canaanite woman cried out to him to heal her demon possessed daughter. Her insistence showed Jesus great faith. (Matthew 15:28)

Lazarus died. Mary and Martha sent for him. Even in the tomb Jesus answered their prayers and raised him from the dead.(John 11:43-44)

What is the significance to these contacts?

Those who mocked, betrayed or didn’t believe him were left to their own fate.

Those who searched for him, ran through crowds to touch him or called upon his name received blessings.

Matthew the Tax collector sat in a tree to get a glimpse of Jesus walking by. That night, Jesus ate dinner at Matthew’s house with his friends.

Jesus came to the rescue of a woman accused of committing adultery. Yet the men around her were ready to stone her.

The man with the demon possessed boy called upon Jesus to deliver him. Even with his lack of belief, the boy was healed.

So you ask, “was the woman in adultery seeking Jesus?” Who knows. Jesus knew it takes 2 to commit adultery.

We are often guarded, protected, loved or rescued by the prayers of others. Someone may be seeking God on your behalf.

I am thankful for the many prayers of family members and friends who have prayed for me through out the years. In their prayers for me, I found Jesus.

Matthew 7: 8 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

If you read the scriptures Jesus didn’t seek the approval of those who didn’t believe him or mocked him like the Pharisees. He didn’t purposely find hypocrites or those who wanted nothing to do with him. Instead he spent time with even ungodly people who desired his presence, those like the Roman Centurion who believed he was the Messiah.

What does this tell us? Jesus surrounded himself with those who had the passion, love and belief in him. His disciples, those closest to him to keep him strong, encourage him and set an example for us. Jesus gave of himself to those who asked. or prayed for his presence. or searched for him through crowds.

Looking at Jesus ministry often he walked away from those who mocked him or wrongfully accused him. Luke 9: 1-6 explains how Jesus taught and sent his disciples out to spread the gospel, but made it very clear not to stay where they were not welcomed.

Jesus wants his people saved. My heart is burdened for the souls who have rejected him, kicked him out or refused him. We are to pray for them to want to have the desire to seek God for their salvation.

As one who is a long sufferer, many I have had direct contact with showing the love of Christ only to have them endlessly reject him. There have been times where I have literally felt as if God simply opened a door for me to walk out of their lives because I did all I could do. Physical presence is not always the answer as we see with Jesus’ ministry and those of his disciples. It is the same as praying for those we have never met. God can do anything with or without our presence.

Favor is a gift from God. God can do more in one day of favor than we can do in a thousand days of labor. And so it is in praying for the lost….

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• “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” (jesusmyjoyscripturepeace.wordpress.com)
• http://www.larrywho.wordpress.com/testimony
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Is This Really All There Is?

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Odds are just when you think you know something, you find out you know nothing. Does this describe anyone I know? Of course not. None of you ever thought of yourselves as Albert Einsteins brother or sister…..or did you?

Between the ages of about 18-25 most young adults including “yours truly” thought our parents were dumber than rocks. Of course winding down from believing so much of ourselves we are hit by the same rock we  thought hit our parents. Suddenly! You wonder how your parents got so smart so fast.

Once you come to the conclusion you don’t know anything you can start from scratch learning something.

It was about that time in my life I began asking myself the question, “Is this all there is?”

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Reproducing an answer over and over in my mindless mind, I came up with, “There has to be more.”

YES. That was it. There has to be more. But where? How? Who? What? When?

Was I the only person in the universe questioning the reason for my subliminal existence? Who else was affirming this great inquisition? I felt alone in this dreary probe to find the meaning of life.

I can’t say where, how, what or when the truth began to surface, but I did know who. “Who” was the start to this interrogation of my heart of hearts. “Who” was the beginning of an exercise in seeking a reason or reasons to pursue living. Not that the alternative ever entered my mindless mind but “I WANTED TO KNOW WHY I WAS HERE!”

Why are you here? Why has anyone been here? What is the point?

My mindless mind was shrewd enough to go to the “Who” because I knew “Who” knew.

Sometimes the best place to start anything is at the beginning. John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

The answer to the million dollar question “Is this really all there is”  begins between the chapters and verses of those pages.  Years of study would never fill the infinite wisdom of God.

Little did I know the words between the words and “reading between the lines” would bring forth answers to questions I didn’t know existed.

Understanding the depths of God‘s world revealed to me the meaning of life was written in those words. Every page, word, number, sign has meaning. Extensive spiritual education fed the authors of the Bible led by the Holy Spirit. There is no other description humanly speaking to give it. I was enthralled how my mindless mind began weaving the truths into my soul and everything looked different.

Instead of viewing the few years on this planet earth as a trudge daily, God wove a vision of my future that left planet earth spinning on it’s own. I was hooked.

The more I yearned to flip through those pages, the more life got in the way. So you know what I did?

I started praying asking God to give me the time and ability to really place him first in my life. After 4 years that prayer was answered.

Diving in head first, the words began to come alive.  Hebrews 4:12″ For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. “

As you glide your eyes and heart over God’s words, he speaks to you. Conversations flow back and forth as you see beyond the words into the supernatural. The veil is lifted. God’s heart and desires become your heart and desires.

So if you are like I was asking the question “Is this really all there is?” The answer is no. There is so much more.

And if my mindless mind can find it, so can yours.

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• Reading God’s Promises (veritasmizzou.wordpress.com)
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• http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/02/23/the-bible-tests-experience-and-truth/
• http://freedomborn.wordpress.com/2012/02/24/the-vision/

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