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

Wake Up!

“Wake up! We’re going to church!”

Kids, “aw, mom do we have to? It is so boring and I just want to sleep in.”

Mom, “Yes! We are all going to church now get up!”

Kids, “Please mom….I stayed up late last night; need some more sleep.”

I remember those days of my youth.

We have 3 services at our church on Sunday morning. My husband is traditional and I am contemporary. He goes at 8:30 and I well, 11 am is good for me.

It is nice to be able to go to church relaxed and not have to dress up. Burned out from years of working and appealing to the Professional crowd, I am happy in my blue jeans.

A few Sundays ago, I had already taken a seat. A family arrives and crowded into a row diagonally across the aisle from me. The end seat closest to me was filled by what appeared to be a high school girl who looked like “mom” had to drag her out of bed to get there.

Being the mother of a college aged daughter is a lesson in many areas and especially that of dress code for their age. This young girl looked as if she had forgotten to put any pants on. Not sure what she was wearing but considering she slept through the entire service, I was not surprised.

Observing her few moments of waking up, she would turn and look up at the back screen to see what time it was. She repeatedly frowned as if she wished the Pastor would get it over with so she could leave upon which she returned to bobbing her head up and down while snoozing.

Now let me insert here our Lead Pastor is an excellent Bible teacher, quite comical and loud. Her nodding off is no reflection on his sermon. However with his strong vocal chords it would be difficult to sleep through his Sunday morning cascade of stories, jokes and Congregational inquiries. But she did.

I tried my best to keep a listening ear all the while concerned if or when she was going to fall out of her chair knocking herself out.  Oh but the heroine I could have been running over to catch her before she hit the ground! Lol…

I have to wonder why she was so tired; was she forced to go to church and if so how would it affect her 2 years from now?

She could either be thankful to her parents for the grounded foundation in Christ she received growing up or forget God and church and go the opposite direction.

As adults we face many decisions on a regular basis.

Following Jesus is a choice, not to be forced or litigated.  He wants us to want to be with him; to accept him as the Savior he is and love him as unconditionally as we are capable of doing.

His example reveals his options for us. He offered salvation to the rich man who couldn’t part with his earthly riches. Matthew 19:24 “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

He offered salvation to the woman at the well who wanted to drink of the water he gives us.

John 4: 13-15 “Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life. The woman said to him, Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”

He offered himself to Paul as he blinded him on the road to Damascus. As God prompted his decision to follow Jesus, he still could have said no.

Acts 9:5 “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting, he replied.  Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Excuses are invalid here. Cover-ups are fallacious. Substitutes are baseless.

You either follow Jesus, or sleep through your road to Damascus.

http://goldenbible.wordpress.com/2012/04/23/the-need-of-conviction/

http://thewayeverlasting.com/2012/04/23/quote-unless/

http://mrkstevenson.wordpress.com/2012/04/22/come-unto-mephoto-of-jesus-in-the-clouds/

http://thewayeverlasting.com/2012/04/23/yall-need-him/

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

churchgraphics.wordpress.com

The Church Police

Door bell rings. “Hello. Please come in.”

Husband, “Honey, who is it?”

Wife, “Oh, it’s the Church Police. They are back again.”

Husband, “What have we done wrong this week?”

Wife, “Please sit down, my husband will be here shortly.”

Husband joins in. “Sorry. So we’re in trouble again?”

Church Police, “Yes, it appears you have been citing incorrect references about the law and it must be stopped.”

Wife, “But sir, the stance the church is taking is wrong. The law has been twisted so much the church won’t even discuss the truth about it. If we don’t speak out who will?

Church Police,” You’re involvement has been noted. You were told not to speak about this issue with other church members, yet you continue to do so against the will of the authority.”

Husband, “But sir, the church is the only way it will work. The two go together. They are not separate.”

Church Police walk to the door. “You have been warned.”

Ugh….who is the Church Police? I wonder. Do they really do this kind of stuff?

Unfortunately, yes. What if your position is correct and theirs is wrong?

The Pharisees never left.

No. They still exist. Only now they aren’t clothed in linen garments to the floor with caps shaped like a cone. Most dress in blue jeans and Polo shirts.

Firsthand experience here only I have changed the picture and dialogue to protect the accusers.

I love God’s church. The church is my foundation; but I feel it cracking.

To be honest, I am glad this happened to me and not some backsliding Christian or atheist/agnostic aspiring to rejoin the land of the living souls in God’s community.  The exit door would have been their next move.

Now don’t get me wrong here. I need correction as much as the next guy or girl.

However, when a “Church Policeman” uses their podium to announce their clamoring righteousness for a law they know very little about they would be better off remaining at the “Police Station.”

I wish I could say this was a once in a lifetime “Church Police offense.” But it wasn’t. It isn’t. The hierarchy may need a little review.

Years ago I started going to a new church after a brutal  divorce. I knew God wanted me there. After weeks of Membership classes those who wanted to join met with the Leaders of the Church. Three of us, me and two, single, never before married men stood before the “Church Police.”

In front of this group of all men and me, one leader began questioning me relentlessly about my divorce. He didn’t believe in divorce and made it clear to me he wanted no divorced women  in “his” church especially when he declared it had to be my fault. Never mind that my “ex” cheated on me.

The brow-beating continued until the Minister rushed to my defense. As a result of this particular leader’s actions against me, he was removed from his position as a leader; and rightly so.

I joined and was actively involved for many years.

My point in revealing these misdemeanors of church administration isn’t to highlight the churches’ failures or misled few,  but to acknowledge I remained in all of them after these hypocritical, pharisaical impeachments. Not to my own credit, but God’s.

Why? I am no different from them.  I am a sinner saved by grace just like they are.

The church is made of sinners who make mistakes. One leaders’ faultiness isn’t going to keep me from doing God’s work. Maybe God used me to expose him for his obvious discrimination against women to remove him from a leadership post. Maybe God used me in the first instance to show the leader the law was incorrect as he viewed it.

Maybe God wants other Christians to stand up for the truth when the Church has missed it. Maybe God knows the church is in need of review and is exposing the ills for correction. Maybe God wants the church to do more “praying” instead of one exhaustive project after another.

http://www.pbase.com/jrandyh

Maybe the Church is in trouble, but that is all the more reason to stay.

The church needs our help, not our self-righteous attitudes. The church needs our support, not an excuse to boycott for a few offenses.

The church has seats for the lost child, the backsliding Christian and the man or woman who lost their jobs.

The church has seats for the “Church Police” who may need a heartbroken, divorced woman who followed God’s heart, to remain standing for the church even when the church let her down.

Why? Because Jesus died on the cross for me. It’s the least I can do for him and that just about wraps it all up.

Hebrews 10: 25” Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

http://chiefofleast.com/2012/04/19/embracing-my-bapticalvimethocostalism/

http://highlyfavored74.wordpress.com/2012/04/19/see-with-your-heart-%e2%99%a5-thats-what-god-wants/

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/04/18/prayer-and-the-spirit-of-god/

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/04/18/the-tax-collector-and-the-pharisee/

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

 

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

“To Like or Dislike” (Brussel Sprouts)

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a dislike button? On facebook, WordPress, email, in your home?

Brussels Sprouts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Benefits of a dislike Button:

No comment required.

You dislike it whatever it is.

Your expression is a simple opinion to deter fights, bickering or assault. Or not.

For the most part you are safe from physical attacks unless they track you down.

You can dislike but not hate.

The result may change your life.

Examples for the use of a dislike button:

I don’t like brussel sprouts, licorice and deer meat. (yuck)  Instead of having to describe in detail my disgust for these non-edible, detestable so-called foods I can press the dislike button. The nasty deer meat aroma cooking on the stove makes me feel guilty my husband killed Bambi. So if pressing a button eliminates my emotional trauma so I don’t have to ponder the suffering of poor Bambi, I am released from one less debilitating distraction.

Or….facebook Timeline (I didn’t opt for it)

Or…Football. No comments please.

Or…..Horror movies, Harry Potter and his un-soulish goonies or I can’t even speak it.

Or ….Dr. Pepper (taste like cough medicine), camping or anything the government runs. Or tries to.

These buttons might make life in cyber space a little easier, less complicated or formidable foes depending on how you take it.

Who’s to say pressing the “dislike” button won’t end a friendship because you disagreed with their recipe for meat loaf?

Who’s to say disliking one’s political views won’t start WWIII?

If you dislike another culture, does that make you intolerant?

If you dislike one soft drink over another is that discriminating?

What if you dislike my blog should I be offended?

If you dislike your spouse, does that make you an ogre?

If you dislike Charter schools does that mean you like public schools?

If you dislike Baptists, does that mean you like Presbyterians?

“To like or dislike, that is the question.”

Either way, it doesn’t really matter. What counts is God’s truth.

We either like it or we don’t. Whether we like God’s truth or not doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.

Rationalizing God’s truth is as silly as believing God is counting how many brussel sprouts I’m not eating.

The atheist/agnostic can argue the non-existence of God all day long; it isn’t going to make God go away.

The worldly skeptic rationalizes the validity of God’s goodness by asking “If God is a good God, why does he allow bad things to happen?” I don’t know. Go ask him yourself. Ya think it may have to do with the fall of man? Duh…..

Then you have the eroded soul of Christ. The saved soul who believes the Bible condones living with someone outside of marriage. Sorry……you either like what the Bible says about marriage or you don’t.

You either like what the Bible says about stealing, lying or taking another life or you don’t.

God formally set his rules in place to be “liked” not “disliked.” The Bible is clear on how God determined for us to live from the Ten Commandments to gossip, to how we treat others. Believe me; he didn’t leave a single sin out.

God doesn’t give waivers. He isn’t going to make me eat brussel sprouts and let my husband off the hook.

God is no respecter of persons. No waivers. No Deal. No Bargains.

Got it?

Exodus 20 The Ten Commandments

¹ And God spoke all these words:

² “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

³ “You shall have no other gods before^[a] me.

⁴ “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. ⁵ You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, ⁶ but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

⁷ “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

⁸ “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. ⁹ Six days you shall labor and do all your work, ¹⁰ but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. ¹¹ For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

¹² “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

¹³ “You shall not murder.

¹⁴ “You shall not commit adultery.

¹⁵ “You shall not steal.

¹⁶ “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

¹⁷ “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

http://larrywho.wordpress.com/2012/04/16/are-we-pawns-or-knights/

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/04/16/the-mountain-of-god/

http://goldenbible.wordpress.com/2012/04/16/following-the-shepherd/

http://refusingtotiptoe.com/2012/04/16/sharing-sunday-taking-care-of-business-before-its-too-late/

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

The Grave of Love

I cannot sit through the “Passion of the Christ.”

God must have known not to bring me into this world when his death actually happened.  He knew I couldn’t even watch the movie without falling apart.

Cover via Amazonworld when Jesus really died.

Today, knowing so many years ago our Savior was crucified hits me hard. Imagining how much he suffered and the pain he experienced weighs heavily upon my fragile heart.

Reading testimonies of how Jesus has touched lives and they have been changed is why he was born in the first place. How unbelievable is that? You are born specifically to save everyone else. Grabbing hold of such conviction extends far beyond anything natural.

Years ago when I first realized why Jesus was born I was stricken with questions.

“Was it really true? Did God really do this?”

Not long after understanding the wonder of the most historical event in history, the shock set in. Waves of God’s love poured over me like a waterfall. Pursuing his story and life emerged into a rush to learn everything I could about him. I grew up in a Christian family and church but never experienced anything like this before.

The best term to describe it was I was “smitten.”

God is so much more than what we see.

God is supernatural; his ways are far more than we will ever know.

God is our Father who loves us more than ever. He sent Jesus to give us that love.

God is not just an experience or a moment in time that changes us forever.

God is the center. God is the purest form of life there is. God makes sense when nothing else does.

Allow yourselves to pursue Jesus; reach into the sea of love he gave you when he died.

Allow Jesus to rock your world. He has certainly rocked mine.

churchgraphics.wordpress.com

Related articles

• Putting on Christ: Jim Caviezel on The Passion of the Christ (biltrix.com)
• http://mrkstevenson.wordpress.com/2012/04/06/the-garden-of-gethsemane/
• http://thefaithbook.wordpress.com/2012/04/06/the-cross/
• http://diasolifeontheborder.org/2012/04/05/my-struggle-with-good-friday/

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

Monotonous Ramblings of Repetitive Requests

This morning God and I had a long conversation.

My trail of long winded questions, pleas for the unsaved and requests for healings, my constant chattering all of a sudden stopped.

“God, where are you?” “God, why haven’t you said anything?”

In a rare moment of silence came the words, “How could I speak, you are doing all the talking.”

Most days are not spent ranting and raving bending his ear with repeated lists of the same petitions, but for some reason I needed to vent. The burdens of many had developed into an emergency meeting of answers.

As I suppressed my soul I could hear God laughing as he spoke,

“Did you think I didn’t hear you the first time you asked all these questions?” don’t you know I have all this written down already?” do you think I don’t know how to use a laptop?”

“ugh….yea.”

Sinking in humility I sensed him wrapping me in my swivel chair with joy.

He wasn’t angry that I had inconsiderately forgotten he is a little busy these days.

He wasn’t upset that he needed to save children, find water for those without not to mention the significant task of salvaging America.

My underestimation of his memory didn’t sway him.

The monotonous ramblings of months of pleas did not rattle him.

He calmly lent his ear as I ranted on about my heart’s desire for the lost, sick and suffering.

He gently extended grace to me once again in the form of a Savior who enjoyed communion with one of his children even if it centered on a bunch of repetitive requests.

His humor about the whole conversation was a profound confirmation of his presence.

He wasn’t interested in my questions; he already knew them. He was happy I was seeking him. He rejoiced in my crusade to find him. He allowed me to unleash myself simply to be with me. He didn’t care the words I spoke or the tangent I may have wandered off on. He unconditionally accepted me no matter how I arrived.

The futility of my ceaseless inquiries had come to rest on the assurance of his faithfulness.

The faithfulness gave us a few moments of laughing together at the silliness of my approach.

Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,  but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Sounds like to me God wants us to laugh. I’m with him.   I don’t want your old dried up bones any more than he does.

http://goldenbible.wordpress.com/2012/03/28/relying-on-christ/

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/do-you-really-have-christ-in-your-heart/

http://churchgraphics.wordpress.com/2012/03/29/g-r-a-c-e/

http://rebecaurora.wordpress.com/2012/03/29/a-revelation-of-peace-wil/

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/

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Photo of Formosa Azalea by John Randolph Harrison

http://www.pbase.com/jrandyh

The Brainchild of Expectations

What does Jesus expect from us? Much less than we expect from each other.

Why is that? Jesus wants us to come to him willingly.

If Jesus wants us to come to him willingly isn’t he setting an example?

What kind of example? An example that we shouldn’t expect from other people what they can never give us. If it ain’t there, it ain’t there to give away.

What happens when we expect something from other people and they don’t have it to give? We become disappointed, hurt, angry and resentful.

What if we don’t know they can’t give us what we want? Do we continue expecting that which we are never going to receive?

Today’s society expects people to do the outrageous, unreasonable and to some extent that which is ridiculous. Overloaded, frustrated and stressed to the hilt people are burdened with trying to reach the unreachable.

God says we can do all things through him that strengthens us….Philippians 4:13. Did you get that? Emphasize the “through him” part and our brainchild of being super human takes on a whole new meaning.

How can we tell someone else what they need when most of us don’t know what we need ourselves? Why take advice from someone who is driving without the keys?

To be honest, I find it exhausting to try to expect almost anything from others. Now there are some areas that are to be fulfilled, but for the most part we make it up. Why? We want control. We have desires we need from someone else. We think we know what is best for them. We think we know more than they do which gives us the right to filter their lives with our expectations. We want them to do what we do. Ugh? What?

Isn’t that kind of selfish? Or assuming? Or unfair?  Life is unfair. Our job is to decide for ourselves how to deal with it.

Matthew 11:28 ““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

This scripture gives no reference to expectation. Reading these verses sound restful.

Jesus words are comforting, peaceful and calming. Again, there is the choice to choose him willingly.

Choosing Jesus aids in relieving the expectations of others. When expectations do not match up with the will of God for our personal lives, we should always follow God.

This is often a learned lesson through trial and error, but well worth it for our own sanity and peace of mind.

More than that is it shows God we value him first. Our loyalty to him will eliminate from our lives that which he doesn’t feel we need and add what he wants.

Works for me……

http://justmyfaithtalking.wordpress.com/2012/03/14/christians-use-god-as-a-crutch/

http://identitylovefaith.wordpress.com/2012/03/16/wheres-my-party/

http://doctortisms.wordpress.com/2012/02/20/ok-have-it-all/

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/03/05/john-stott-to-encounter-christ/

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