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/

Dethrone Yourself

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

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

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

Talk about a false, totally inaccurate, ludicrous statement.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By killing the flesh.

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

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

Dethrone yourself.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shady, Lifeline Idiosyncrasies

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

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

Do we define ourselves by these lifelines? I have.

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

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

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

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

Unfortunately the latter converted itself to the forefront of deliverance.

Well. Let me tell you something about God.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

His presence grows while life hits you.

His presence creates a supernatural atmosphere surrounding you.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As I move forward in his faithfulness, mine flourishes.

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

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

God can stop them with you.

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

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

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

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

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

Battle of Athens

This is a film production, but the incident really did happen. Athens is about 20 or 25 miles north Cleavland, Tenn.

Please watch this to the end. This is the real reason why we have the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

Someone had a conversation with an old man who had been a boy at the time of the Battle of Athens. His father had taken a part in it. The man remembered how his mother had been up all night worrying about her husband. In the morning the man said that his father came home, put his shotgun behind the kitchen door and sat down to his breakfast, and no one in the family ever said another word about that night.

Click the link below to watch.

http://youtu.be/U5ut6yPrObw

This video shows what “we” the people can do when put to the test of restricting our freedoms. As the Bible says,

Proverbs 16:7 “When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.”

God intervened with these men as a result of their willingness to stand up for the truth. God fights for us in our battles which is made clear in the Bible. God outlines specifics in some of the wars how they were to be fought.

Side note: I have a particular interest in this event. Some of my husband’s ancestors lived  in Athens at the time this Battle took place.

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/04/09/the-duty-of-man/

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/04/07/decentralizing-government-power/

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

Easy Tech Theology

Yesterday I had the honor of spending over 2 hours with the Easy Tech guys at Staples. Quite a group they are. This dear laptop has a slow, dying battery in need of a new one.

Waiting can produce opportunities for conversation. Tech guy was giving my laptop the needed PC tune-up while I overheard the nearest conversation between a 15 year Techer and a customer.

“In New Zealand the government has mandated prices for dairy products. In other words you can’t make a profit on milk now.”

“Oh really?” the customer replied.

“Yes and the people love it. The Socialist system requires 70% of your income for taxes and everybody has everything. Complete health care, education, and fixed prices for almost every product now.”

As you can imagine my tone deaf ears perked up to a level of “You have to be kidding?”

She looked at me with total disregard as if I had just burst her bubble.

“Sure, it’s working there.”

I replied, “But where is the freedom?”

Her dumbfounded facial expression left her mouth falling open to her chin.

My Techer  noticed the friction and whispered to me, “Nothing is free. She is speaking of a financial system not a political one.”

Before my sermon erupted the Easy Techers had a crisis with a rather angry customer who was in pursuit of throwing his desktop at them.

Again I waited as the mad rush to calm this gentleman appeared to be priority so the debate never surfaced.

I must give credit where credit is due. This Staples Easy Tech squad  qualifies as possessing  No. 1 tech skills for issues with any given brand of computers.  My admiration for their knowledge and ability to detect viruses, check for dead batteries and initiate a peacemaking solution for a disgruntled customer was commendable and everything they did for me was free!  However….

I have already prayed today for their souls. Knowing I have ordered a new battery maybe God is giving  me an open door to discuss him at another time. Obviously yesterday was not the appointed time of declaring his love.

I don’t want some human telling me what to do, how much to over pay in taxes, or force me into government run health care.  My theory is God knew the government would fail with the postal system; a defaulting welfare system and who is going to pay for all of us baby boomers to enjoy the rite of passage into retirement?

I do not want the equivalent of a postal worker to give me a heart transplant. The first person who so much as attempts to tell me I can’t make a profit off of my Property Management business is going to get a slap upside the head. If I have done the work I should get  paid…..Proverbs 14: 23 “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”

Repeat that? All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

Is it me or is God advocating a profit working system? In other words when we work God wants to bless us with abundance?

God is all for helping those who are really in need and he provides guidelines for the church to do so. Proverbs 22:9 “The generous will themselves be blessed,
for they share their food with the poor.

He uses words like sluggards, or lazy to convey his thoughts on those who choose to live off of others….Proverbs 15:19 “The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.”

Humans make mistakes. God doesn’t.

Since we are sinful and live in mistakes, how can we create or do anything without God’s intervention? Duh…

What is missing from the general public? The truth.

The truth speaks for itself. The truth is God’s word. The truth speaks to our lives in every area. The truth is like personal instructions from the Creator of the Universe.

Do you know what is wrong with the truth? Nothing. You have to believe in Jesus Christ before you will ever learn the truth. You have to desire to get to know him and choose to follow him to understand the truth.

Once you do, you will find freedom. And it won’t be by giving the government 70% of your income.

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/04/05/individual-freedom-and-dignity/

http://singularspectrum.wordpress.com/2012/04/04/what-is-god/

http://diaryofasuperchamp.wordpress.com/2012/04/01/a-tale-of-two-masters-one-succeeded-while-the-other-failed/

Related articles

• Are you Entitled? (craigmotor.wordpress.com)

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

Funny Photo Contest

Please go to the following link and vote for my photo entry! When you get into the site,  click on the “Cute” photos contest. Scroll down just a little to the left to my photo which is entry 3X. It is a picture I took of our cat Maxi on the white blanket

They only allow one vote per person so if you have already voted thank you because mine is in 2nd place! I need new votes please!

Please click on the 3X to vote. Votes get the win. If I win the 2 week contest I will be eligible for the 6 month contest to win $100.00 but I need the votes!

thanks!

http://www.funnyphotoscontest.com/

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

Kreativ Blogger Award

Kreativ Blogger award…

Posted on March 30, 2012 by

 

A heartfelt, humble thanks to http://longingsend.com for presenting me with a Kreativ Blogger award. LongingsEnd is an inspiration blog that has touched my heart. The blog is representative of love for God through words and photos. The evidence of the close relationship to God shows on each post. You will be blessed to read it and connect with them.

And the “rules” are:

• Thank the blogger who gave you the award and provide a link to their site.
• List 7 things about yourself that your readers might find interesting.
• Nominate 7 other bloggers, provide their links, and let them know.

Seven things about me you probably don’t know:

1. I do not like shellfish of any kind.
2. Finally being able to stay at home instead of working outside of the home is one of my greatest joys.
3. My favorite season is summer.
4. I am allergic to bees.
5. Yogurt and bananas are 2 of my favorite foods.
6. I am a Christian first but my Presbyterian heritage has been traced back to the 1700’s.
7. For 17 years I lived within a few miles of Dr. Billy Graham.  I am still a member of the church his family attends. I was privileged to hear Dr. Graham preach once in our little chapel in Montreat, NC before he became physically unable. I heard Franklin Graham preach twice and actually sat on the same pew as Ruth Graham twice.

Does Jesus have a Facebook Page nominates the following seven sites for the Kreativ Blogger award.  Please take a moment and check out their interesting and inspiring words and visuals…

        identitylovefaith.wordpress.com

        rebecaurora.wordpress.com

       justmyfaithtalking.wordpress.com

       churchgraphics.wordpress.com

       Christian Comfort & Conversation Cafe

       javaman56.wordpress.com

      jesusmyjoy.wordpress.com

Congrats to all of you!

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/

Related articles

• Peace Of Mind (jeremyrmro.wordpress.com)

Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved

Stones made of Sand

Have you ever really wondered what Jesus wrote in the sand?

I have. John 8 goes into detail about the woman who was caught in adultery.

The obvious intention of her “stoners” was to stone her for this sin. Where was the other half of this adulterous affair? Why wasn’t he accused? Talk about a double standard….

“Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. ⁵ In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” ⁶ They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. ⁷ When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” ⁸ Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

⁹ At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. ¹⁰ Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

¹¹ “No one, sir,” she said.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

The scripture is clear Jesus not only bent down once and wrote in the sand, but he did it twice. The following are some thoughts of what he may have written or been doing;

Doodling

Drawing a picture

Writing her name

Writing a code

Writing a note to himself

Writing the abc’s

Waiting on God to speak to him…..

The Bible isn’t clear about what he wrote which to me makes it even more interesting.

Maybe……it wasn’t what he wrote that was so important, but how he wrote it. Ah..Ha!

He bent down twice….taking his time. He was not intimidated at all by these fault-finding whistle blowers.

He was humbly confident of his intentions. He was not swayed by their commands or their incrimination of this woman. Nor was he the least bit moved by their hollow hearted threats.

Jesus spoke patience and forgiveness with his body language. His reserved distance to answer quickly sent a shudder of curiosity through the mob’s veins.

There is no doubt Jesus was in control of the situation and this merciless gang. His presence was duly noted. His wisdom shook their bitter hearts to the core leaving them wallowing in their own shame.

One by one her jury crept away. Jesus’ instruction to the woman ended this mock trial.

Jesus exhibits calmness. Anger never surfaced. His movements initiated peace.

The silence got their attention. His reactions were startling. His words were few but complete.

Their accusations became their own retribution.

Forgiveness poured out of his soul like ocean waves over this woman.

Love seeped deeply from his heart to hers.

She knew this was no ordinary man.

Luke 21: 14-15 “But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.”

Jesus’ power showed up in what he didn’t do as much as what he did do.

The key component was wisdom. Nothing fancy. Nothing elaborate. Only wisdom.

Jesus comfortably spoke the truth which rendered them speechless.

His reaction to their chastisement spoke volumes of his intellect, knowledge and insight.

His mercy and grace showered the surroundings adding to the depth of his character.

He was sincere in his determination of the outcome, but pure in his motives.

The peaceful anointing that covered him revealed the righteousness of God.

He was sure of who he was, and so was she.

Related articles

• If You Ask, He Will Come (craigmotor.wordpress.com)
• http://thefaithbook.wordpress.com/2012/03/09/not-so-worthless/
• http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2012/03/04/the-way-of-humility/
• http://apchronicles.wordpress.com/2012/02/17/line-in-the-sand/
• http://thewayeverlasting.com/2012/03/16/quote-hold/
• Copyright @ 2012 All Rights Reserved