Monday, February 27, 2012
Why hide what you are doing?
Do all good work in the open light of day and do not fear what your enemies will use against you fore truth needs no shelter and lies need no foundation.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
God sends you Love this Valentine's Day
This is a time many are seeking Love. I know more than a few in my life that pray for it and maybe do so without understanding. I have come to know that God does not wish us to be in the dark about anything especially something so dear and valuable as Love. There are so many places in the Bible to learn about what Love but my favorite today is 2. Peter, chapter one begins speaking about what the knowledge of God brings us, including the ability to live more by "divine nature," that image of God were were made in, rather than the corrupt nature of this world, that clay of the earth of which we were made. The path is spelled out to help us better know God and lead us exactly to where we all want to be.
5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.
2.Peter 1:5-7
Saturday, February 11, 2012
George Washington, the Christian - William Jackson Johnstone - Google Books
This is interesting to me because is was one of those things where several messages from several sources seem to be in sync about the many names of God.
'via Blog this'
Thursday, June 2, 2011
The Judas Connection
If you were to ask Christians which Apostle are you most like, I would guess that most would pause long enough to appear to give reflection and then answer, "Peter, because like Peter, everyone knows I am a follower of Christ but I may be caught in a moment of denial every now and then." This is the comfortable answer sprinkled with just a dash of humility. However, if we are to be honest with ourselves, can we really say that we are like Peter, fully intending to live and even die for Jesus only to be surprised and deeply disheartened when we fail? Or are we in fact most like Judas and can admit to at least one other authority in our lives that we refuse to let go of? We know the story of Judas, right? Why do you think that is? Do you think "Almost all of the Bible applies to me but not that part. No. That part is for someone else." This is one truth that we all like to ignore but that makes it all the more true.
Like Judas we try to follow Christ. We know we are chosen and are loved by Him. We have committed almost all of our lives to being His follower. ALMOST. But despite all we have learned and all we have grown with Christ, there is still at least one part of our old life we hold on to. Maybe it's one "reality" that we can't just ignore. Maybe it's one little vise that nobody knows about so it's hurting no one. Perhaps it's just "the way of the world" or the things that "everyone has to do to survive." We ask forgiveness every Sunday knowing full well that we can return to our old ways as soon as the regular work week resumes.
It is our connection and obedience to something else (sin) that will be used to betray Christ! Judas too could rationalize that it was reasonable to still listen to the Chief Priests of his old life, just as we continue to allow something else to lord over part of our own life. We too rationalize a need for it. "Everyone does it," "I need the release," "It's part of real life," "It's how I earn a few extra pieces of silver."
Like Judas we try to follow Christ. We know we are chosen and are loved by Him. We have committed almost all of our lives to being His follower. ALMOST. But despite all we have learned and all we have grown with Christ, there is still at least one part of our old life we hold on to. Maybe it's one "reality" that we can't just ignore. Maybe it's one little vise that nobody knows about so it's hurting no one. Perhaps it's just "the way of the world" or the things that "everyone has to do to survive." We ask forgiveness every Sunday knowing full well that we can return to our old ways as soon as the regular work week resumes.
It is our connection and obedience to something else (sin) that will be used to betray Christ! Judas too could rationalize that it was reasonable to still listen to the Chief Priests of his old life, just as we continue to allow something else to lord over part of our own life. We too rationalize a need for it. "Everyone does it," "I need the release," "It's part of real life," "It's how I earn a few extra pieces of silver."
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
God knows who He is talking to.
If you don't know that God speaks to you than none of the rest of what I'm going to say will make much sense so sorry if it doesn't help but here it goes anyway:
When you are getting a message from God that He wants you to take some steps or action that will benefit someone or help to transform lives He chooses you to receive the message for a reason. You may have thought that it was because only you can accomplish it or that you are in the right place and time for the task. These may be true but what is always true is that the life most in need of transformation is yours.
"Therefore shall you lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul,..." (Deuteronomy 11:18)
Another way to put it:
Listen, and God will tell you what to do, but if what you hear is "Make your neighbor do..." then that ain't God speaking.
When you are getting a message from God that He wants you to take some steps or action that will benefit someone or help to transform lives He chooses you to receive the message for a reason. You may have thought that it was because only you can accomplish it or that you are in the right place and time for the task. These may be true but what is always true is that the life most in need of transformation is yours.
"Therefore shall you lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul,..." (Deuteronomy 11:18)
Another way to put it:
Listen, and God will tell you what to do, but if what you hear is "Make your neighbor do..." then that ain't God speaking.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Sorrow can bring you closer to God
We each take our own path to enlightenment. For each our path becomes part of us. Our journey builds the person we become. Some follow directions, make full use of the road signs, and use only tested well establish roads. They may live out life perfectly fine within the limits of what has already been paved.
Some more ambitious seek a better path wanting more than what the well traveled road has to offer. This person will look for trails that lead off into new directions that reason suggests may lead further than those conventional roads can take them. Paths are selected with purpose in mind for new discoveries and greater understanding. But should a path seem too impassible it will be avoided for safety's sake. Besides, there are many more paths that should still get us to our destination, what ever that may be. Still these trails may lead far into the wilderness and their uneven terrain will bring more pain to any traveler that tread them.
There is still a third type of traveler whom to other seems mad for this third traveler does not look down for even a moment to see any road trail or path. This one will focus on a direction and go toward it. Other will look on with bewilderment as the traveler, with determination and direction, runs head long into the thicket. This type of journey is filled with much more pain than any other. It will seem no one understands, for who could? No one has traveled this same path. This sort of journey is often coupled with self doubt, isolation, and increased yearning for companionship. A stronger desire to connect with another in a meaningful way.
Each person with-in them is that Image of God we were all made in. But in each of us also is the clay of the earth, that imperfect mud to fill the perfect mold. Often the clay leaves gaps as it tries to fill that mold. We use the instincts of the earth to deal with the pain of our journey. We get angry, we cast blame, we bog ourselves down in that dirt forgetting that it's the mold that is perfect. The direction of our journey, the pain of loneliness, the longing to Love and be Loved, these come from the mold in which we are all cast. It is this same Love that led to our creation! Your pain and sorrow however great it belongs to GOD. You are feeling only a small part of His great longing, His great loneliness, His great desire for Love.
As you travel always struggle to fill His image, and whatever your journey, continue it knowing that the greatest Love of all awaits you at it's end.
Some more ambitious seek a better path wanting more than what the well traveled road has to offer. This person will look for trails that lead off into new directions that reason suggests may lead further than those conventional roads can take them. Paths are selected with purpose in mind for new discoveries and greater understanding. But should a path seem too impassible it will be avoided for safety's sake. Besides, there are many more paths that should still get us to our destination, what ever that may be. Still these trails may lead far into the wilderness and their uneven terrain will bring more pain to any traveler that tread them.
There is still a third type of traveler whom to other seems mad for this third traveler does not look down for even a moment to see any road trail or path. This one will focus on a direction and go toward it. Other will look on with bewilderment as the traveler, with determination and direction, runs head long into the thicket. This type of journey is filled with much more pain than any other. It will seem no one understands, for who could? No one has traveled this same path. This sort of journey is often coupled with self doubt, isolation, and increased yearning for companionship. A stronger desire to connect with another in a meaningful way.
Each person with-in them is that Image of God we were all made in. But in each of us also is the clay of the earth, that imperfect mud to fill the perfect mold. Often the clay leaves gaps as it tries to fill that mold. We use the instincts of the earth to deal with the pain of our journey. We get angry, we cast blame, we bog ourselves down in that dirt forgetting that it's the mold that is perfect. The direction of our journey, the pain of loneliness, the longing to Love and be Loved, these come from the mold in which we are all cast. It is this same Love that led to our creation! Your pain and sorrow however great it belongs to GOD. You are feeling only a small part of His great longing, His great loneliness, His great desire for Love.
As you travel always struggle to fill His image, and whatever your journey, continue it knowing that the greatest Love of all awaits you at it's end.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
How to Understand Anyone and Everyone
Have you ever heard the phrase, have faith in what you cannot understand?
That's bunk!
I grew up being told, "No one understands God. That is what faith is for." I thought life was a never ending quest for understanding; of people, of experiences, of what life means. It was only after I was saved that through The Holy Spirit not only is understanding possible, it's what God wants for us all.
It's not that we are to have faith in what we do not understand, it's to have faith in what can not be proven and gain understanding!
Now you know I'm not an empathetic person. That is why God brought my wife into my life. She has all that I lack. But through The Holy Spirit, I have understanding. I know the meaning of life. And I can understand people. Anyone can be understood. You don't have to like a person in order to understand that person. You don't have to like every bit of a person in order to find parts of that person you really love.
Wait, you say? Never mind liking or loving anyone, how in the heck to you understand anyone? That all comes down to the image of God that we were all made in. You've heard the expression "we are all the same" well why do you think that is? Get to know things about yourself that are universal. Things like the yearning to be loved and accepted, the desire share that love with others, the desire to create and make things better. These are things built into all of us by God. Get to know these beautiful things about yourself and not only do have better insight into everyone you meet, but you better know God as well.
That's bunk!
I grew up being told, "No one understands God. That is what faith is for." I thought life was a never ending quest for understanding; of people, of experiences, of what life means. It was only after I was saved that through The Holy Spirit not only is understanding possible, it's what God wants for us all.
It's not that we are to have faith in what we do not understand, it's to have faith in what can not be proven and gain understanding!
Now you know I'm not an empathetic person. That is why God brought my wife into my life. She has all that I lack. But through The Holy Spirit, I have understanding. I know the meaning of life. And I can understand people. Anyone can be understood. You don't have to like a person in order to understand that person. You don't have to like every bit of a person in order to find parts of that person you really love.
Wait, you say? Never mind liking or loving anyone, how in the heck to you understand anyone? That all comes down to the image of God that we were all made in. You've heard the expression "we are all the same" well why do you think that is? Get to know things about yourself that are universal. Things like the yearning to be loved and accepted, the desire share that love with others, the desire to create and make things better. These are things built into all of us by God. Get to know these beautiful things about yourself and not only do have better insight into everyone you meet, but you better know God as well.
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