A Frog Hopping Conversion

This morning my husband woke up to a frog in the kitchen. Yes, a frog. Evidently he hopped in the house all by himself.  During the summer months we are in and out the back door often leaving it cracked or open depending on who is outside.

Apparently he wanted out so badly he was hopping up and down hitting the door to the garage. Mark opened it and he hopped out. Activities such as these happen frequently which is why we need to prevent it in the future. At times I have noticed birds flying too close for comfort!

Commercials on TV have become raunchy, silly, stupid and frivolous. A number of commercials are so bad; I wouldn’t buy the products simply for that reason!

The Progressive Insurance Commercials have overdone Flo.

You couldn’t pay me to buy a Magic Bullett or the Yoshi Blue Pans.

And who could forget the Sham Wow! What a guy! He takes acting to a whole new level!

The reason I brought up these commercials is we actually bought the Magic Mesh for the door. I never thought we would try such a thing. It will be interesting once we install it if it really prevents flying bugs and hopping frogs from entering in. The real test will be the cat. She doesn’t miss a trick; if it is new she will find it. Her nature strikes a chord of curiosity whenever anything is out of place or moved. In other words she isn’t a fan of change.

Are we any different than our cat? Do we like change? For the most part the answer is no.

Thank God he doesn’t change. We can count on him being the same today, yesterday and forever.

However, the evil in our souls must be purged which requires a “Jesus Reconstruction.”
Refusing to do so leaves us a few short steps from the abyss.

Years ago after God had given me my Damascus Road trip, I was mocked for my conversion. The words,

“You’ve really changed and I don’t like it. I haven’t changed at all; I am still the same.”

My response was,

“Yes, I can see you haven’t changed at all. What a shame.”

The Apostle Paul’s conversion must have sent vibrations through the earth. He was so sure of Jesus he most likely left many waiting in the wings of their unbelief.

Choosing a man of Paul’s education, status and outspoken behavior was true to God’s character. It would be just like God to appoint a Jew who hated Jesus and lived to kill Christians to be transformed into a man of God with a legacy unmatched by anyone.

As Paul’s Damascus road conversion made history, our metamorphosis should be obvious. If people don’t notice the remodeling of our lives, then the core value of God’s love is missing.

Paul is an example of what our transformation to Christ should look like; a major overhaul.

Hopefully others will catch a glimpse of something new we have that they don’t, but desire to find out what has happened to us!

Please read the following blog posts from The River Ministries.   Pastor David Chapman has outlined  Paul’s life in 4 very insightful sections.  He also has a testimony worth taking the time to read. God bless.

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

http://theriverministries.net/2012/05/23/the-apostle-paul-part-2/

http://theriverministries.net/2012/05/24/the-apostle-paul-part-3/

http://theriverministries.net/2012/05/25/the-apostle-paul-part-4/

Copyright @2012 All Rights Reserved

churchgraphics.wordpress.com

Dire Straits

Reading the news makes me want to throw up. Watching the mass lies, mudslinging and vile hate spewed at Christians brings me to my knees.

Folks, we are in dire straits in America.

The blame game, false advertising and accusations run rampant.

Slander is prominent and people disappearing. When will it stop?

Strong gay marriage support now exceeds strong opposition

Author says GOP broke Washington

State may vote on licenses for illegal immigrants

SC Gov Haley using piñata video to raise money

Dad says son beaten at bus stop as others watched

Secret Service boss: ‘I apologize’

$100 Billion Tax Question

Polls show US presidential battle tightening

Witnesses change stories in Trayvon case

I was hard pressed to find any good news. At least this one is;

Pro-Choice’ Americans At Record Low, Poll Finds

This is just America, not the world. The evidence is clear the media is more interested in promoting civil unrest, murder and anything disgusting.

The tone is negative rhetoric. Big talkers acting. Feuds are fought with demeaning gabfest. It is embarrassing.

What is worse is people fall for the lies….because they don’t know the truth. If they did the news would be opposite.

In the last 30 years I have witnessed this country decline in roller coaster fashion.

Issues we never discussed have become mainstream. Issues we never heard of are FrontPage news. Issues once thought to be ill-advised, hush-hush or deviant are accepted as normal by those who wish to promote such shameful aversions.

Explaining that to a 23-year-old is deafening. They can’t relate. Sadly, the younger generation has no idea what Ozzie and Harriet represented.

God is speaking and speaking loudly. Actually he is yelling. If you are blinded or don’t know the word, you won’t hear him. But this is what he is saying.

2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Who does this sound like? Weren’t the Israelites a difficult bunch?

Unfortunately the Israelites don’t have anything on America. We are the most grumbling, complaining, and selfish, backbiting people on earth.

But God put us here for a reason. America was founded on Godly principles. America is God’s alternative to freedom for others. He has used our people to give generously, back Israel and seek peace in other areas of the world. He built this nation on Capitalism; free market and enterprise and a constitution based on his word.

America is a blessed nation or was.

We have to get back on our knees. Now.

http://singularspectrum.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/spectrum-perspectives-social-media/

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/elective-despotism/

http://thewayeverlasting.com/2012/05/23/quote-shudder/

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

http://justmyfaithtalking.wordpress.com/2012/05/19/a-simple-request-go-and-sin-no-more/

churchgraphics.wordpress.com

Praise Report!

My dad is home and doing fine! Thanks be to God his surgery went very well. He is bruised with some soreness, but that is to be expected. Doctor told him only Tylenol for pain and a cool compress which he is using to reduce any swelling.

Once home he sat down at the dinner table and gobbled down a delicious hamburger my daughter had made! He was starving and there is nothing wrong with his appetite!  Remarkably, with all he has endured the last 2 years his appetite has been excellent.

I am overwhelmed with my blogger friends and how you have risen to the occasion to pray for my dad. God truly answered your prayers and I am so grateful to each one of you for your blessings upon him and my family.

God knew when he created this technology the benefits it would bring.  The support for each other is needed and such a great blessing.

Thank you all for your friendship, and your prayers. My dad is a result of how important prayer is and that it really works!

God bless you all!

Prayer Request

I am asking for prayer for my father. He is 86 having eyelid surgery tomorrow, Monday,  May 21. Some of his eyelashes will have to be removed also. He is a real trooper having had major surgery in 2010 and 2 other surgeries after that. He is a walking miracle.  He has already been through so much physically but God has been good to him.

Please pray the surgery will go well, that God will be the surgeon’s hands and the recovery will be quick and the pain manageable.

Thank you.

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

Mockingbird Motives

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

Our yard no longer belongs to us. It has been stolen. The beastly creatures of the air believe we are enemies. Humans are not welcome, but the cat is considered an assassin.

The tree near the front porch is their new home. A nest for more of those noisy, annoying, provoking Mockingbirds built within feet of the steps. We did not offer that tree to them. No invitations were sent out to families of Mockingbirds to bring more of them into our world.
I love animals. I love most birds except these.

This pair of criminals will take on any foe that makes a move near their nest.  Beware of the torturous bickering, constant chirping, and whistling not to mention the physical attacks.

The cat and I enjoy sitting together on the steps. Not today. The Mockingbirds will have none of that harmonious affection.

We hadn’t been there 2 minutes and both of them appear announcing their displeasure with our presence.

One flew to the top of the mailbox post. Screaming at the top of his lungs he rattled on about how we were invading his territory. Never mind that we lived here first. The other flew to another tree near the nest obviously guarding it from the danger of bird trafficking.

The sun had finally appeared after a day of storms, it felt good to enjoy the warmth. Only these two loudmouths wouldn’t shut up.

Sitting quietly, minding our business the birds begin their assault on our peace. Flying back and forth and letting loose verbal aggression while airborne, it became quite clear the attack had reached full force. One step closer and the cat’s head would become a pecking post. Not sure which one of us these intrusive, pestering fowl hated more, I grabbed Maxi and left.

These unruly, feathered creatures remind me of some people I know. Stubborn. Aggressive. Bossy. Argumentative. Demanding. Obnoxious. Arrogant. Shall I continue?

Surely you know no one with these attributes? I admit my desire to choke these birds was not far from my thinking. Or better yet let one of them get too close to the cat. They just might think twice about being so arrogant.

When we allow ourselves to get to “big for our britches” we indulge in a waiting game for humility. You know the one where your britches fall off and you are standing alone stripped of any self respect.

God will allow us to sink deep; dig our own graves, or put our proverbial foot in our mouths to teach us the meaning of meekness, modesty and submissive obedience. A heart of conceit, yielding to tyrannical motives will ultimately overestimate their platform.

Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

God will not allow his plans to be thwarted to divide and conquer.

God will not allow factions to override his laws no matter their stately position.

God will not allow leaders to continue to berate and belittle that which is sacred.

Whether you believe the Word of God or not, it still stands. God is not changing his mind or his promises to fit the idea our culture is evolving into anything other than his purposes.

There lies no argument. We are held accountable. And the cradle will fall….

Psalm 109:8 “May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership.”

http://jesusmyjoy.wordpress.com/2012/05/12/gay-marriage-debate/

http://larrywho.wordpress.com/2012/05/11/remember-the-prisoners-part-8/

http://lifeofafemalebiblewarrior.wordpress.com/2012/05/09/president-obama-out-of-the-closet/

http://media4lifeministries.com/2012/05/14/the-signs-of-the-time-and-the-word-of-god/

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

When did everything get so COMPLICATED?

Ok. I am beginning to dislike banks intensely. Protesting on the streets is not my idea of getting my way so I will pray. God can certainly do more than a loud mouth bunch of young people who have no idea what they are protesting.

Banking has become a farce. I would rather do like my ancestors and bury money in the yard. At least I would know where it was, what it was doing and who was not touching it.

A fee here, a fee there; they don’t care. Use to be if you needed to stop payment on a lost check it wouldn’t cost you your arm and now legs! Oh, and the paperwork. A pile of red tape cluttering someone’s desk they can’t find.

How do we survive the measure of expectations? What use to be simple is now an act of Congress: and we all know how that doesn’t work.

In other words, the world travels on money.
Simple is cheap. Complicated is expensive.

The air of complications is leaving many a soul weary.

Buying a house or a car these days reveals when you last relieved yourself.

Signing a legal document requires information from your long lost Aunt.

The Privacy Act forces us parents of college students to speak to at least 6 people in the school’s administration to find out if they got my check for the tuition!

Ordering a Credit card through your own bank requires both parties fill out an application longer than the SAT.

Itemizing your taxes requires an Organizer from your accountant. That excludes the accountant’s labor.

Forget insurance. They don’t pay for anything anyway. Why again do I have insurance? Oh, my husband says we need it. If they don’t pay for anything what am I paying them for? OH! Their trip to Hawaii. They must be meeting with the GSA.

I remember the days of old, easy and slow. Yes, I didn’t know how good I had it.

You know what people? God is still on the throne and his movements are the same. He is not making adjustments to his schedule according to ours.

He hasn’t changed his address, phone number or email. He’s always listening for our call or text. He wants it simple. We have muddled the disorder we already had.

American’s for sure don’t know the meaning of rest. We are supposed to work, but God says his rest in between each duty, praying to him will give us simplicity, peace, health and joy.

My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. (Exodus 33:14)

Our entertainment overload is not only costly financially, but adds to time spent away from God.

Maybe that explains why there is so much depression, anxiety, fear and ill-will.

Maybe that explains why the lethargic view of life is running rampant.

Maybe that explains the hopelessness, anger and defeated attitudes.

The decision to keep or get your sanity back may depend on your simplicity or the lack there of. My sanity is rather important to me…..and those around me.

His realm of peace is another atmosphere away from man’s activities. That realm is found in his presence through our day. The self-assured, self –efficient perfectionist knows no such place. Don’t allow yourself to get caught up in a circus of clogged up animation.

Productive, Godly work occurs during times of rest with him. The secret place of his presence is a miracle waiting to happen.

I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. (Psalm 16:8)

“My life is a simple thing that would interest no one. It is a known fact that I was born and that is all that is necessary.” Albert Einstein

Maybe old Albert knew a little more than just Physics.

http://highlyfavored74.wordpress.com/2012/05/08/romans1013-call-on-jesus-he-is-awake%e2%99%a5/

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/05/08/the-entitlements/

http://chasingtheperfectmoment.com/2012/05/06/gods-many-talents/

http://chasingtheperfectmoment.com/2012/05/06/gods-many-talents/

Castles of Dirt

Spending time at the pool this afternoon with my daughter the first thing she notices are the spiders and fire ants. Now you have to understand my 5’10” baby is a daunting coward when it comes to spiders. Screaming at the top of her lungs “oohhh there is a spider!” the size of a dot, you would think she was being attacked.

For some reason her phobia of spiders has grown to a distressing point. She and her best friend are unreasonably afraid of these small creatures. And then she pointed out the Fire Ant farm on the sidewalk; the home built over night.

These miniscule workers show up in droves undertaking an assignment humans wish for. Their toil and labor reveal a majestic, dark hill on the side of the pool.

This particular ant hill was about a foot long and maybe 4 inches wide. The torturous “fierce ant” as they call them in Spain may be small, but penetrate a deadly bite. Misery sets in as soon as they crawl up your legs. I know. About 50 of them made a meal off of my skin years ago. I have the utmost respect for the little pain makers now.

I proceeded to pour the “fire ant killer granules” on top and around their brand new home of dirt. Running out of the bedrooms, baths and kitchen, the ants scrambled to find a safe haven from their impending death. The funerals of the 100’s of dead ants should be within the next 24 hours.

Oh what can we learn from these tiny, invading pests? What good are they? Why did God make them in the first place? Don’t get me started on that trail of thought; like why did God make roaches? Mosquitoes? Or grimy, slimy snails.

After my brutal assault on their compound I researched “google” to find out if fire ants are up to any good. And they are. Unfortunately.

This plague to humans consumes large amounts of fleas, ticks, cockroaches (yea!) mosquito eggs, chinch bugs and even scorpions!

If you want aerated soil, invite the fire ants for a party. They are very effective in the control of plant eating insects and arthropods such as boll weevils and stink bugs! Whew…….

The downside of these pesky little critters is the damage to cattle and wildlife such as quail, ground nesting birds, reptile and deer. Farm equipment can also be damaged by large castles fire ants create.

So why am I discussing this annoying, disturbing army of dirt movers?

They are experts in their field. Accomplishing in a short amount of time a mound of dirt larger than a shoebox is to be recognized especially for such tiny, obnoxious varmints.

Achieving such proficiency only occurs with unity. Fire ants know how to work together unlike us humans.

there is communication gap in humans but its always pefect in such insects- without wires fire ants communicating with each other (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Proverbs 30:25 “The ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer.”

In other words, ants have a rare work ethic. They work. No, they argue against “Occupy Wall Street.”  You won’t see them lined up with miniature signs refusing to labor or protesting the cost of dirt.

These hungry, impetuous, pawns of the ground get it done in record time by working with their fellow ants. A system spread over the lawns and landscapes of America expressing an ability to “love thy neighbor” even at work.

A fire ant’s instinct to work is inbred in their lifestyle.

We, Americans could learn from these displeasing, nasty flesh eating soldiers.

Besides the intentions to conquer certain invading pests from our yards, ants give us the incentive to be proud of our jobs understanding we can do none of it alone. Ants function in groups of hundreds or thousands in a side by side fellowship.

Fellowship. A Godly act of love the ants have perfected more than we have.

P.S. Oh, one more incentive Fire ants give us. Always wear shoes in your yard.

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/05/05/nation-building/

http://apchronicles.wordpress.com/2012/05/07/culture-shocked/

http://justmyfaithtalking.wordpress.com/2012/05/07/how-can-i-serve-the-lord-today/

http://butchdean.wordpress.com/2012/05/07/what-religion-are-you/

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

Just Look Up

I wish it was as easy as Daniel had it. He knew God’s message to the King and no one else could decipher the message of all messages.

Can you imagine getting an invitation to one of the most aristocratic blowouts in the kingdom? As for this festive occasion I’d come as a nosey fly.

The King throws a bash; an elaborate celebration with his Noble friends. His elite alliance of wives, concubines and others of superior breeding were carousing around the castle dining hall drinking wine out of goblets of gold. As they drank they praised the gods of silver, wood, iron, stone and gold. Daniel 5: 1-4.

All of a sudden a finger appears out of now where and begins writing on the wall. The fingers were real; a human hand showing up scaring the wits out of those attending and especially King Belshazzar. The Bible says he grew pale and weak in the knees….as if he knew the memo implicated doom and gloom.

“Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin”

What did it mean? King Belshazzar in his despair called on all of the wise men in his kingdom to read it and tell him what the words meant. Lot of good that did.

Leave it to a woman to get help. The Queen informed her distraught King there was a man who had the spirit of the gods in him. What? Not gods, the God.

As Daniel interpreted the writing, he was given the 3^rd highest honor of the kingdom. Now that would make anyone’s day.

If you note in the Bible how often God used ordinary, everyday people to fulfill his work on earth. Ummm…..like you and me?

The moral of this story shows how God used Daniel, but also the effects and consequences of those who party? Play? Goof off? Or create their own self-righteous pedestals?

King Belshazzar’s fun in the sun led to a quick and miserable death that night. A life wasted on that which is greedy, self serving and propped up.

Oh, what a wicked web we do weave; only to leave the web empty.

The proverbial use of the term, “the writing on the wall” has been used over and over. You would think more people would get it. I wonder how many know where it originated.

I wonder what Daniel thought. How many times had God written on his wall? Was he shocked when he saw it or use to it? Had God revealed to Daniel his creative side….

As I wrote in previous posts the Thunderbirds have been here all week for an air show at the base. For 4 days I have had free seats here at home observing all kinds of aircraft flying over our house. And yesterday 4 of the Thunderbirds literally flew right in front of our house in sequence and perfect order.

One of the most intriguing stunts of the show was while they were practicing on Thursday as 5 planes flew side by side writing in the sky. As you can see from the photos I took, the planes let off steam leaving words like clouds in the sky.

The precision and amount of dedication to pull this off is incomprehensible.
For me I was glad they didn’t hit each other.

After witnessing such an event I had to ask God “why can’t you write in the sky for me?”

The answer:

Life would be easier if we just looked up. Yes. Just look up.

http://justmyfaithtalking.wordpress.com/2012/05/05/870/

http://singularspectrum.wordpress.com/2012/05/05/gospel/

http://freedomborn.wordpress.com/2012/05/06/when-the-good-shepherd-speaks-to-us/

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/05/06/the-throne-of-grace/