Well, it has been a while since I blogged! LOL
Well, doomsday has come and gone. But not the false prophet who predicted it. This man has drummed up a lot of conversation - some good and some bad. He has stirred up criticism, ridicule, fear, and indifference. However, he has, also, created a platform for the truth.
I have a lot to say to Mr. Harold Camping and his doomsday prophecy. However, I am not going to do it here. Instead, I am going to offer to anyone who wants to know the who, what, where, when, why, and how of Mr. Camping's "doomsday" an opportunity to come learn the TRUTH. For it is within the truth you will find freedom from all the Mr. Campings of this world.
And, for those who are not able to attend, I will be using this forum to post Bible Study notes, our discussions, and our findings. That way I can address my objections to Mr. Campings teachings without judgement or criticism. While I am not afraid of any confrontation or consequences of doing so, I am afraid for those who get lost in the argument.
So, on Saturday June 4th @ 10:00 am, I am starting a new Bible Study simply called, "End Times". At this first meeting we will be discussing the outline for the Bible Study, the direction, the times, and getting to know one another. This meeting will only be 30 minutes so be on time!
Contact me if you are interested with your name and email address. That way I can know who is attending and send you class information.
May God Bless all of you, and keep you under the shelter of His Wings.
Love to all,
Debby
Monday, May 30, 2011
Saturday, September 11, 2010
September 11, 2010 Remembers 9 years later.......
As I was watching the events of the day unfold on the morning news, I had to stop and think, "Yes, today is September 11th". And, there has been so much that has happened since that day 9 years ago, that I had to wonder what it all meant for us today. I wondered if the same ceremony was as effective today as it was 8 years ago or even last year. Do we still need to bring it all back as if it just happened? Don't get me wrong. I never want to forget the 2996 lives that were lost that day. Just like I don't want to ever forget all the lives that have been lost due to terrorists, war, cancer, drunk driving, etc. And, for some reason, today I have been thinking about the lives lost at Pearl Harbor and those who died at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City. When I think of the bombing in that city, I see the chairs. It may sound odd, but I believe those chairs brought healing. One hundred sixty-eight empty chairs crafted of stone, bronze, and glass sit peacefully at the Oklahoma City National Memorial representing the 168 lives lost and the 168 empty chairs at dinner tables, graduations, weddings, church services, and family gatherings. And, may we not forget the senseless attack on Pearl Harbor the morning of December 7th, 1941. A total of 2,403 lives were lost that day. And not all of them were military men who voluntarily signed up to put their lives at risk. Sixty-eight civilian lives were lost that day. Just for thought, 55 Japanese, also, lost their lives that day.
A week ago, my youngest daughter sat on my couch as we watched a documentary on the terrorist attack on the Israeli Olympic team at the Munich Olympics in 1972. I don't know how much she knew about that horrible week prior to that day, but I saw the look of sadness on her face as she listened to the events of that week. Senseless? Yes, absolutely. Actually, is there a word in our language that means more than senseless? Anyway, if you are unfamiliar with this event, to be brief, in the early morning of September 5th, 1972, eight members of the terrorist group known as Black September took 7 Israeli Olympic Athletes and 2 Israeli Coaches hostage after killing 2 Israeli Athletes when they tried to stop them. Their demands were for the release of 234 Palestinians and non-Arabs jailed in Israel along with 2 German radicals jailed in Germany. Thus, one of the reason's the Olympics in Germany were chosen for their dirty deed. However, it all went horribly wrong. Instead of the release of these criminals, 17 people involved in this travesty lost their lives that week - 11 Israeli athletes and coaches, 1 German police officer, and five of the eight terrorists. I was soon to be 12 years old that summer and I may not remember the events of that week but I do remember the feelings. People in the media and within our community expressed shock, fear, and anger. I remember wondering how scary it would be to be Jewish. I won't go into the Holocaust but, numbers wise, it has the largest number lost in ANY terrorist attack. And, yes, I call that a terrorist attack for certainly it was an attack on the Jewish nation and instilled terror in that community.
I could go into many more senseless attacks such as the airplane hijackings of the 70's, the bombing of Pan Am Fight 103 in Lockerbie, Scotland, the July 7th London Bombings (aka 7/7), and the many school and workplace shootings. Here is a quote from Wikipedia's Munich Massacre page, "A West German forensic psychologist, Dr. Georg Sieber, had been asked by Olympic security experts to come up with 26 "worst-case" scenarios to aid them in planning Olympic security. His Situation 21 predicted with almost eerie accuracy the events of 5 September, but it was dismissed by the security specialists as preposterous". Preposterous because it truly was unthinkable. All of these attacks I have mentioned are preposterous. And, there are many more. Wikipedia is keeping a list - see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_terrorist_incidents.
So, what is my point? I'm not really certain. I just know that the events of the past year, especially the last couple of months, has found me doing a lot of thinking/pondering. But, I am absolutely serious when I say I want these who lost their lives 9 years ago today as well as many, many others to be remembered today and everyday. I want to reach out and have everyone "think on these things". Let us never forget the evil men do and let us never give up the fight against this evil. Ephesians 6:12 says, "For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places". Paul goes on in the letter to explain spiritual warfare - our weapons and our uniform. In verse 18 he says, "Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere". Here you have it: the hope, the solution, and the power. I may not be able to fight the evil men do in the physical, but I can certainly fight against evil in the spiritual. And I have no problem doing that.
Paul says this in his letter to the Philippians (Philippians 4:8), "And, now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise". So while I am encouraging you to "think on these things" I have mentioned, I don't want you to dwell on them. Think on them in order to learn and to know the truth of our world. But, then turn it around to dwell on the things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Take time everyday to find these things and take note of them. Appreciate life, people, and God. Jesus said, "The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." (John 10:10) Allow the love and redemption of Jesus permeate your life. Interesting Note: Definition of Permeate - to pass into or through every part of, to penetrate through, diffuse through, and saturate. I like that word. I pray that Jesus will permeate my life and the lives of my family and friends. These sad events should be like a resounding alarm for the need of Jesus in our lives and in our Nation. In Chronicles the Lord told Solomon, "Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land". (2 Chronicles 7:14) I have a message for those who have taken up the cause to fight against, instead of with, Christians, "So you see, God is with us. He is our leader. His priests blow their trumpets and lead us into battle against you. O people of Israel, do not fight against the Lord, the God your your ancestors, for you will not succeed!" (2 Chronicles 13:12) As in the days of old, so it is with God today. People of the United States, do not fight against the Lord for you will not succeed!
And lastly, to Pastor Terry Jones: I am very pleased to hear you say that you have had a change of heart and will not ever plan an event to burn the Quran - even if the Mosque is built near "ground zero". I would like to say that I do not believe God told you to do this. Take Jesus' words I quoted earlier, the thief's purpose is to destroy. Jesus' purpose is to give life. That is what the Gospel is all about. I pray that you spend your time, money, and resources in spreading the Gospel. The Good News of Jesus Christ.
I know this was quite a collection of thoughts in this blog. If I was to sum it up I would say this: Love your neighbors, pray for your neighbors. Appreciate all that God has given to you. Fight evil as Paul taught in Ephesians. And, seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Doing this will reap many rewards.
Love you, Debby
**All scriptures are taken from the NLT.
A week ago, my youngest daughter sat on my couch as we watched a documentary on the terrorist attack on the Israeli Olympic team at the Munich Olympics in 1972. I don't know how much she knew about that horrible week prior to that day, but I saw the look of sadness on her face as she listened to the events of that week. Senseless? Yes, absolutely. Actually, is there a word in our language that means more than senseless? Anyway, if you are unfamiliar with this event, to be brief, in the early morning of September 5th, 1972, eight members of the terrorist group known as Black September took 7 Israeli Olympic Athletes and 2 Israeli Coaches hostage after killing 2 Israeli Athletes when they tried to stop them. Their demands were for the release of 234 Palestinians and non-Arabs jailed in Israel along with 2 German radicals jailed in Germany. Thus, one of the reason's the Olympics in Germany were chosen for their dirty deed. However, it all went horribly wrong. Instead of the release of these criminals, 17 people involved in this travesty lost their lives that week - 11 Israeli athletes and coaches, 1 German police officer, and five of the eight terrorists. I was soon to be 12 years old that summer and I may not remember the events of that week but I do remember the feelings. People in the media and within our community expressed shock, fear, and anger. I remember wondering how scary it would be to be Jewish. I won't go into the Holocaust but, numbers wise, it has the largest number lost in ANY terrorist attack. And, yes, I call that a terrorist attack for certainly it was an attack on the Jewish nation and instilled terror in that community.
I could go into many more senseless attacks such as the airplane hijackings of the 70's, the bombing of Pan Am Fight 103 in Lockerbie, Scotland, the July 7th London Bombings (aka 7/7), and the many school and workplace shootings. Here is a quote from Wikipedia's Munich Massacre page, "A West German forensic psychologist, Dr. Georg Sieber, had been asked by Olympic security experts to come up with 26 "worst-case" scenarios to aid them in planning Olympic security. His Situation 21 predicted with almost eerie accuracy the events of 5 September, but it was dismissed by the security specialists as preposterous". Preposterous because it truly was unthinkable. All of these attacks I have mentioned are preposterous. And, there are many more. Wikipedia is keeping a list - see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_terrorist_incidents.
So, what is my point? I'm not really certain. I just know that the events of the past year, especially the last couple of months, has found me doing a lot of thinking/pondering. But, I am absolutely serious when I say I want these who lost their lives 9 years ago today as well as many, many others to be remembered today and everyday. I want to reach out and have everyone "think on these things". Let us never forget the evil men do and let us never give up the fight against this evil. Ephesians 6:12 says, "For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places". Paul goes on in the letter to explain spiritual warfare - our weapons and our uniform. In verse 18 he says, "Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere". Here you have it: the hope, the solution, and the power. I may not be able to fight the evil men do in the physical, but I can certainly fight against evil in the spiritual. And I have no problem doing that.
Paul says this in his letter to the Philippians (Philippians 4:8), "And, now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise". So while I am encouraging you to "think on these things" I have mentioned, I don't want you to dwell on them. Think on them in order to learn and to know the truth of our world. But, then turn it around to dwell on the things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Take time everyday to find these things and take note of them. Appreciate life, people, and God. Jesus said, "The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." (John 10:10) Allow the love and redemption of Jesus permeate your life. Interesting Note: Definition of Permeate - to pass into or through every part of, to penetrate through, diffuse through, and saturate. I like that word. I pray that Jesus will permeate my life and the lives of my family and friends. These sad events should be like a resounding alarm for the need of Jesus in our lives and in our Nation. In Chronicles the Lord told Solomon, "Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land". (2 Chronicles 7:14) I have a message for those who have taken up the cause to fight against, instead of with, Christians, "So you see, God is with us. He is our leader. His priests blow their trumpets and lead us into battle against you. O people of Israel, do not fight against the Lord, the God your your ancestors, for you will not succeed!" (2 Chronicles 13:12) As in the days of old, so it is with God today. People of the United States, do not fight against the Lord for you will not succeed!
And lastly, to Pastor Terry Jones: I am very pleased to hear you say that you have had a change of heart and will not ever plan an event to burn the Quran - even if the Mosque is built near "ground zero". I would like to say that I do not believe God told you to do this. Take Jesus' words I quoted earlier, the thief's purpose is to destroy. Jesus' purpose is to give life. That is what the Gospel is all about. I pray that you spend your time, money, and resources in spreading the Gospel. The Good News of Jesus Christ.
I know this was quite a collection of thoughts in this blog. If I was to sum it up I would say this: Love your neighbors, pray for your neighbors. Appreciate all that God has given to you. Fight evil as Paul taught in Ephesians. And, seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Doing this will reap many rewards.
Love you, Debby
**All scriptures are taken from the NLT.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
CrossExamined Blog » Blog Archive » Is God Good? (A Short Film)
An excellent short film titled, "Is God Good". Within 2 minutes, this film opens up for discussion the reason why bad things happen on this earth. It gives an excellent answer. So many times I hear people blame God for all the bad stuff that happens to them. However, I never hear them blame God for any of the good stuff! Think about it.
Take a moment to view this wonderful film and then pass it on. We need to open these discussions and share the wonders of God's Love, Grace, Mercy, Joy, and Peace. There is no reason for anyone to live their lives apart from God. Except, that they were given Freedom. A gift from God that everyone lives - whether they know it or not.
Enjoy and feel free to comment. With Love, Pastor Debby.
CrossExamined Blog » Blog Archive » Is God Good? (A Short Film)
Take a moment to view this wonderful film and then pass it on. We need to open these discussions and share the wonders of God's Love, Grace, Mercy, Joy, and Peace. There is no reason for anyone to live their lives apart from God. Except, that they were given Freedom. A gift from God that everyone lives - whether they know it or not.
Enjoy and feel free to comment. With Love, Pastor Debby.
CrossExamined Blog » Blog Archive » Is God Good? (A Short Film)
Monday, June 7, 2010
THE ANTS GO MARCHING
I want to dedicate this blog to the Yada Yadah Prayer Group in Des Moines, Iowa. May you find that you are not Chicken Christians and may you learn how to battle “Ants”.
Today it is about ants. Forget the chickens (see previous blog), I’m tired of being a Chicken Christian and I ready to move forward. Today, I’m defeating ants!
Recently I’ve had a battle with ants. You’ve probably had the same battle. You look down and see an ant. You know where there’s one, there are many more. My approach to this one ant is to kill it and hope there are no more. Even though I know better, this is my first approach. Well, soon I am killing several daily. So I wash down the counters, make sure not to leave food out, and keep killing ants. Surely once they see there is nothing to be had they will go away. If it was only that easy. After a week of cleaning counters and killing ants, I really cannot say who is winning this war. The lines of battle are fuzzy and I’m tired of killing ants. So, I do what I’ve been avoiding, I hunt down the source of the ant invasion. Could it be that there is something in the kitchen that is drawing them in? Here is where God intervenes. No, He doesn’t take care of my ant problem; rather He takes this opportunity to teach me a lesson. This lesson had 5 excellent points. Point #1 – when you see ants, there is always something that is drawing them in. In other words, when Satan is at work in your life, you need to look for the source. What is it that keeps drawing him in?
This isn’t the first time God has used a specific moment in my life to teach me a lesson. I remember one particular moment when I was on an airplane. I was returning home from a business trip when the airplane started that familiar shaking, bumping, and jerking. TURBULANCE! It is the one thing about flying I never got use to. This time it was bad and I got nervous. Fear began creeping in. God tells us that He does not give us the spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT). He, also, tells us that our battle is not with flesh and blood, rather our battle is against the rulers of darkness and spiritual host of wickedness (Ephesians 6:12 NKJV). So, where does the fear come from? With approximately 365 “Fear Nots” in the Bible (depending on translation, at least one for every day of the year), why do I experience fear?
I’ll leave these questions for later blog and get back into the airplane. There I am sitting in my seat, gripped with fear, hoping no one notices, and praying. I’m so gripped by fear that the only prayer I can get out is the Lord’s Prayer. I’ve done this before. The Lord’s Prayer was what got me through. And, the Lord had always been faithful to still the plane. But that day was different. On that day I heard the Lord say, “Kind of like your life, isn’t it?” WOW! Was the Lord actually comparing my life to the turbulence? If He was (and He was), then I wasn’t doing so well with my one prayer, and my fear. Being jerked one way and then another, never knowing when, how hard, or how much was an accurate description of my life. Was He telling me that there is more to conquering the turbulence in my life than one prayer and fear? You bet! The Lord taught me to relax in the turbulence that day because on that day, He did not still the plane. In fact, it got worse. It wasn’t easy. I needed to learn to pray with confidence that God was going to keep me safe no matter what was happening around me. I had to learn that praying with confidence was not begging God or repeating a prayer over and over again. No, I needed to pray with the attitude that no matter what, God was in control. I sat on that turbulent plane all the way home and actually learned to relax while in the turbulence. I began to praise Him for who He is. I began to realize that my God was bigger than the turbulence. Too bad I didn’t learn how to apply it to my life after leaving that plane. Instead, I’m battling ants and once again God finds it necessary to use this situation to teach me another lesson. This time the lesson is about how to fight Satan without fear, and learning that he isn’t as big a foe as I thought he was.
So, now back to the ant battle. My search for the source leads me to the pantry. I know I need to take everything out and inspect each item. But, I am tired and I am tempted to just ignore it until morning. Here God makes point #2 – no matter how weary, I must continue to fight. For an ignored battle is only a larger battle later on. Had I waited until morning, there would have been more ants – more determined ants. So, I force myself to pull everything out of the cupboard regardless that it’s been a long day and I still need to make dinner. I ask for my husband’s help and dig in. Pause for point #3 – ask for help. We were never expected to battle alone. So, in the heart of the battle, find someone close to battle with you. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble”. We were NEVER meant to battle alone. And then it goes on to say in verse 12, “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken”. Just to clarify, the third person in this verse is God.
My husband and I find the source and proceed to declare war on these little ants that seem to be taking so much of our time and attention. We clean out the cupboard and spread ant killer outside along the foundation of the house. You think this would end this war. Think again. It was after this that we learned the biggest lesson about ants. After removing the source and cleaning the pantry, the ants kept coming back. “Sounds a lot like your enemy”, I heard Him say. Yes it does. These ants have discovered that while one path to destruction was cleaned and sprayed with pesticide, there is always another way in. So now, each time I find ants, I clean and spray. This would be point #4, that ants will not give up no matter how strong of an enemy you are. I’ve done a lot of cleaning and spaying. Now I have the most interesting thing happening. I don’t remember in all my years of ant killing that I have ever experienced this. A couple of times each week I discover dead ants on my counter. Like they crawled in, bowed down, and died right where I would find them. I love this illustration God has given to me. And this would be point #5 – the final word on the matter of ants. No matter how many times the enemy comes at you, you will ALWAYS have the victory. Sometimes, God takes care of the battle before you even have to lift a finger to fight! Sometimes, you just have to show up for the war. Read the Old Testament, there are many stories about how the Israelites just showed up and never lifted a shield or a sword. They just watched as the enemy was handed over to them.
Ants, what an illustration. Annoying, frustrating, irritating pests but not to be feared nor ignored. One day, my home will be ant free. One day, my life will be battle free. Until then, I will remain diligent, watchful, and prepared for battle.
“The ants go marching one by one hurrah, hurrah. The ants go marching one by one hurrah, hurrah. The ants go marching one by one. I’m not worried the battle is won. And we’ll all go marching toward Zion with our hands raised in praise. Hallelujah!”
Today it is about ants. Forget the chickens (see previous blog), I’m tired of being a Chicken Christian and I ready to move forward. Today, I’m defeating ants!
Recently I’ve had a battle with ants. You’ve probably had the same battle. You look down and see an ant. You know where there’s one, there are many more. My approach to this one ant is to kill it and hope there are no more. Even though I know better, this is my first approach. Well, soon I am killing several daily. So I wash down the counters, make sure not to leave food out, and keep killing ants. Surely once they see there is nothing to be had they will go away. If it was only that easy. After a week of cleaning counters and killing ants, I really cannot say who is winning this war. The lines of battle are fuzzy and I’m tired of killing ants. So, I do what I’ve been avoiding, I hunt down the source of the ant invasion. Could it be that there is something in the kitchen that is drawing them in? Here is where God intervenes. No, He doesn’t take care of my ant problem; rather He takes this opportunity to teach me a lesson. This lesson had 5 excellent points. Point #1 – when you see ants, there is always something that is drawing them in. In other words, when Satan is at work in your life, you need to look for the source. What is it that keeps drawing him in?
This isn’t the first time God has used a specific moment in my life to teach me a lesson. I remember one particular moment when I was on an airplane. I was returning home from a business trip when the airplane started that familiar shaking, bumping, and jerking. TURBULANCE! It is the one thing about flying I never got use to. This time it was bad and I got nervous. Fear began creeping in. God tells us that He does not give us the spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT). He, also, tells us that our battle is not with flesh and blood, rather our battle is against the rulers of darkness and spiritual host of wickedness (Ephesians 6:12 NKJV). So, where does the fear come from? With approximately 365 “Fear Nots” in the Bible (depending on translation, at least one for every day of the year), why do I experience fear?
I’ll leave these questions for later blog and get back into the airplane. There I am sitting in my seat, gripped with fear, hoping no one notices, and praying. I’m so gripped by fear that the only prayer I can get out is the Lord’s Prayer. I’ve done this before. The Lord’s Prayer was what got me through. And, the Lord had always been faithful to still the plane. But that day was different. On that day I heard the Lord say, “Kind of like your life, isn’t it?” WOW! Was the Lord actually comparing my life to the turbulence? If He was (and He was), then I wasn’t doing so well with my one prayer, and my fear. Being jerked one way and then another, never knowing when, how hard, or how much was an accurate description of my life. Was He telling me that there is more to conquering the turbulence in my life than one prayer and fear? You bet! The Lord taught me to relax in the turbulence that day because on that day, He did not still the plane. In fact, it got worse. It wasn’t easy. I needed to learn to pray with confidence that God was going to keep me safe no matter what was happening around me. I had to learn that praying with confidence was not begging God or repeating a prayer over and over again. No, I needed to pray with the attitude that no matter what, God was in control. I sat on that turbulent plane all the way home and actually learned to relax while in the turbulence. I began to praise Him for who He is. I began to realize that my God was bigger than the turbulence. Too bad I didn’t learn how to apply it to my life after leaving that plane. Instead, I’m battling ants and once again God finds it necessary to use this situation to teach me another lesson. This time the lesson is about how to fight Satan without fear, and learning that he isn’t as big a foe as I thought he was.
So, now back to the ant battle. My search for the source leads me to the pantry. I know I need to take everything out and inspect each item. But, I am tired and I am tempted to just ignore it until morning. Here God makes point #2 – no matter how weary, I must continue to fight. For an ignored battle is only a larger battle later on. Had I waited until morning, there would have been more ants – more determined ants. So, I force myself to pull everything out of the cupboard regardless that it’s been a long day and I still need to make dinner. I ask for my husband’s help and dig in. Pause for point #3 – ask for help. We were never expected to battle alone. So, in the heart of the battle, find someone close to battle with you. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble”. We were NEVER meant to battle alone. And then it goes on to say in verse 12, “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken”. Just to clarify, the third person in this verse is God.
My husband and I find the source and proceed to declare war on these little ants that seem to be taking so much of our time and attention. We clean out the cupboard and spread ant killer outside along the foundation of the house. You think this would end this war. Think again. It was after this that we learned the biggest lesson about ants. After removing the source and cleaning the pantry, the ants kept coming back. “Sounds a lot like your enemy”, I heard Him say. Yes it does. These ants have discovered that while one path to destruction was cleaned and sprayed with pesticide, there is always another way in. So now, each time I find ants, I clean and spray. This would be point #4, that ants will not give up no matter how strong of an enemy you are. I’ve done a lot of cleaning and spaying. Now I have the most interesting thing happening. I don’t remember in all my years of ant killing that I have ever experienced this. A couple of times each week I discover dead ants on my counter. Like they crawled in, bowed down, and died right where I would find them. I love this illustration God has given to me. And this would be point #5 – the final word on the matter of ants. No matter how many times the enemy comes at you, you will ALWAYS have the victory. Sometimes, God takes care of the battle before you even have to lift a finger to fight! Sometimes, you just have to show up for the war. Read the Old Testament, there are many stories about how the Israelites just showed up and never lifted a shield or a sword. They just watched as the enemy was handed over to them.
Ants, what an illustration. Annoying, frustrating, irritating pests but not to be feared nor ignored. One day, my home will be ant free. One day, my life will be battle free. Until then, I will remain diligent, watchful, and prepared for battle.
“The ants go marching one by one hurrah, hurrah. The ants go marching one by one hurrah, hurrah. The ants go marching one by one. I’m not worried the battle is won. And we’ll all go marching toward Zion with our hands raised in praise. Hallelujah!”
Friday, April 16, 2010
Peace Passing Understanding
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”, Philippians 4:7. (KJV)
This passage has come to mind several times this past week. I have witnessed this passage in action. Do you remember what I said about the purpose for my blogging? I said it in my very first blog and, at the time, I wondered why I wrote it. It was committing my blog to something I wasn’t sure whether or not that was my intent. With the writing of this blog, I now know that is exactly what I want to accomplish. In that first blog I stated, “This is a good starting point for my blog. Explaining why the best path is the hard path”. If you think you are on a hard path today, wait until I tell you about the bravest, strongest person I know. I’m going to tell you about my Aunt Marilyn who, at this point of writing, is in a hospice facility, suffering from the last stages of cancer, and not expected to live much longer.
My Aunt Marilyn is a wonderful person. I know this to be true by witness accounts. Throughout my life I have experienced people coming up to me and saying, “Do you know how wonderful your aunt is?” or “Your aunt is so awesome” and “We just love your aunt”. I confided to my best friend last night that I didn’t want to hear it anymore. Her and my mom are sisters and they are just alike. I’ve gotten these comments about both of them. Really, I do know how wonderful these women are. I get it. And, I’m afraid if I hear it one more time I’m going to scream, “I know! I know! Really I do know because I long to be just like them!” These two are better than Batman and Robin, Laurel and Hardy, Peanut Butter and Jelly, the Coyote and Roadrunner, and Mary and Martha. The last twosome best describes these two. However, I couldn’t tell you who is Mary or who is Martha. I see them in both roles. If I included all the brothers and sisters, I would have to describe them as the Five Musketeers. "All for one and one for all!" (I say this so no one feels left out! ;-)).
I never expected we would be where we are today. Waiting – just waiting. We wait to hear how she is doing today. My day revolves around getting reports and keeping other family members and friends updated. Every day I pray that God will perform a miracle and heal her. I want to see her walk out of that hospice facility – something that almost never happens. I want God to show up and do something so glorious that no witness to it would ever doubt that there is a God again. And, I am pleased to report, He has. Just not the way I wanted it. But, His way, as always, is the best way.
I think that is the point of everything. His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. And, I’ve always said, “Praise God for that because my ways are to make mistakes – BIG mistakes. And my thoughts are, well, sometimes just downright stinky”. When I hear daily reports about my aunt, I can see God’s way clearly and do admit that no matter what my way would have been, His way is perfect. The report yesterday stated that everyone who enters her room can feel the Presence of the Lord. He is there with her. It is something that cannot be denied. It is a Presence that those who don’t know the Lord can feel. They may not recognize what they are feeling but they do know that there is something different about her. It was reported that a nurse told a hospice administrator, “Come, you have to meet this woman”. And in that you find God’s perfect way. You see, almost two weeks ago Marilyn was unable to complete a clear, understandable conversation with you. Oh, I know, it may have been medication. However, the more her condition deteriorates, the more she is able to talk in a clear, understandable manner. Just as if the cancer was not winning this battle. And boy is she talking. She tells people that this cancer is not winning. It may be taking her body but it is not touching her soul or her spirit. She tells people about the Lord, her life with Him, and the importance of having a relationship with Him. Yes, she has been told she is dying but she chooses not to give this much attention. In fact, she told her brother that she is happy. Now don’t go off on the wrong track here. She is not happy about dying. That would be foolish. No, she is happy because she knows without a doubt that one day soon she is going to see Jesus. She knows without a doubt that soon all her hard work, troubles, sorrows, grief, joy, pain, illnesses, and struggles will be turned in to receive her reward. Note that in the middle of that list of hardships I listed joy. Yes, joy. I put that in there because a true believer knows that the joy of the Lord is their strength. And for those who have put those words into practice, it hasn’t been an easy thing. It means to worship the Lord when all you see is bad. It means to Praise God even when it seems like He isn’t hearing your prayers much less answering them. It means reading the Word and applying it to your life when all you want to do is give up. It means to run into the Arms of God instead of running away from. It means to hold on to your faith when there isn’t anything else to hold on to.
Yes, she will soon get to turn in that kind of joy for the reward that is awaiting her. The reward for taking the hard, crooked path instead of the easy smooth path the world offers. The world would say to divorce your spouse when the relationship wanes or gets tough instead of sticking it through. The world would say to go ahead and drink yourself drunk because you deserve it. The world would say you have every right to curse, hit, or abuse someone who has angered you. The world would say to sleep with whoever you like, steal whatever you like, go wherever you want, and to do whatever pleases you. The world tells you go ahead, do what you desire because you aren’t hurting anyone but yourself. I’m going to stop you right here. Why do you choose to hurt yourself? This is one whopper of a lie. You do hurt others (blog to follow: accountability and responsibility). But, that aside, why is it that people think so little of themselves that they choose paths that lead to self destruction, more pain, and loneliness?
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 (KJV). The NLT states it this way, “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus”. Notice the word “then” beginning this passage. This is what we call a conditional passage. It is an “if and then” statement. God is saying “if” you do this, “then” you will receive that. To understand the “then” in this passage, you must read the passages before and after it. This is where a lot of people handle the Word of God incorrectly. They set apart one Scripture from the others to live by without having the total picture. They want the promise without the work.
Let’s look at the preceding Scriptures:
“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again – rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.” Philippians 4:4-6 (NLT).
Now look at the Scriptures that immediately follow verse 7:
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me – everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9 (NLT).
The “if” is to choose joy, rejoice always, set a good example, refuse to worry, pray, have an attitude of thanksgiving, and talk to God. Choose truth, honor, righteousness, purity, love, and worth. Live according to the Word. If you do these things, then and only then will you receive the peace of God which passes (exceeds) our understanding of how we can be content when in a situation that doesn’t make sense, is difficult, and unwarranted. I say unwarranted because I know my aunt did nothing to deserve what she is going through. Like I always say, this is just life here on earth. But, this is the path I have watched her follow. It is this example I want to remember. Time and time again I told my children, “The proof is in the pudding”. Meaning you can put whatever you want in the ingredients, but whether or not they are the right ingredients will be seen in the end result. Choose the right ingredients! I want my path to end by looking up and finally seeing my Savior’s face. I want people to feel God’s Presence all around me and know that I lived my life for Him. A life of honor, truth, worth, and love. How about you?
Is this the hard road in life? You bet! Is this the most rewarding? Absolutely! For who can say that when it is their turn to die they don’t want peace, calm, and love surrounding them? No one! Think about it.
Love and Peace,
Debby
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Chicken Christians
Well, today I am suppose to be writing a sermon but, instead find myself writing in my blog. And I am going to write to you about chickens. Yes, I said chickens. You see, chickens are interesting creatures and probably the best at telling us how not to be. Yet, do we take any examples from the chicken? No! We just eat them. And yes, they can be soooo delicious! But, before you take another bite, think about that chicken for just one moment and see what you can learn from him.......
1. Chickens are followers. If a chicken sees a bunch of chickens running across the chicken yard, he will take off after them. It doesn't matter that he doesn't know where they are going or why they are going there. He follows because he doesn't want to miss out on anything the majority are doing. Does this sound like you? Follow what everyone else is doing just because you don't want to miss out or be left out? This can lead to some very dangerous situations especially when it comes to your soul - the truth about who you really are.
I did this at least one time in my life that I can remember. I had some friends who I really desired to be around, accepted by them, and have some fun. This group's favorite past time was spent drinking in a few favorite bars across town. So, I blindly went with them. After all, the talk was good, the laughing felt great, and I did enjoy a nice glass of wine every now and then. Well, before I knew it, I was drinking more than just wine and more than just one glass. Here is where I entered dangerous territory. Had I allowed that lifestyle to go on, how far would I have gone? I had already gone further and drank more than I ever had in my life. I was not being true to myself because I was turning into someone I didn't recognize. This was not fair to the friends I was with because I was not showing them my true spirit. I was denying myself in order to be accepted and liked. And, this was not fair to me as I was losing myself. The Bible even warns us of this, "And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process? Is anything worth more than your soul?". Matthew 16:26 (NLT). Yes, I was losing my own soul in the process of being "accepted". Don't get me wrong. I love those friends and enjoyed time spent with them. But true friendship is showing yourself and them liking you for who you really are. And, I discovered I am nothing without Jesus in my life. When I denied Him, I denied who I have been called to be. Enough about me (this would be best dealt with in aonther blog), back to the chickens....
2. Chickens just naturally "squabble and fight" over things in the chicken yard. If one finds a nice juicy bug to eat, suddenly they all want it. They will chase each other all over the chicken yard, trying to take it away from each other. They are funny that way. They can walk all around a bug or grasshopper and not pay any attention to it, but the moment one decides he wants it, at that moment, they all decide they want it and the chase is on. Wow, how many people and situations this describes. I could talk about this from the craze for Cabbage Patch Babies in the '80's to how drugs became popular in our culture starting in the 60's. I could even make it a more current relevance just by talking about the current mortgage meltdown. We run around fighting for everything except for those things that really matter. Such as our spouses, our families, our integrity, or our souls. When was the last time you had a sit down, spiritual fight with God? You can do this. I said fight with God, not against God. Get into God's Word and talk to Him. You can say anything and I promise He won't be offended. Unless you get down right rude and nasty towards Him. He doesn't take kindly to acts of meanness as I am sure you don't either.
You say you don't know God, have never talked to God, or don't even believe in God? Well, now is a good time to give it a try. After all, what have you got to lose? Even God encourages you to test Him. Psalms 34:8 (NLT) says, "Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who trust in Him!" Lamentations says, "Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn again in repentance to the Lord". (3:40 - NLT). Remember the chickens.....
3. Chickens have no interest in the Heavens. They are content to live in the chicken yard, walking around with their eyes on the ground, scratching in the dirt looking for something to eat. Most of them will never try to fly. They are earthbound birds. Are you an earthbound bird? Do you spend most of your time trying to build a career, work your fingers to the bone, worrying about bills, thinking about the next thing you need to "afford", or impressing the boss (manager, supervisor, team lead, etc)? Or maybe you are trying to impress someone else, live up to expectations, or busy trying to live a life that is "satisfying" (or I should say "gratifying")? So, how are you doing? Are you gaining all that you had hoped for? Has all your hard work amounted to anything?
Psalm 40:12 says, "For troubles surround me -- to many to count! They pile up so high I can't see my way out (unable to look up). They are more numerous than the hairs on my head. I have lost all my courage. (NLT)
Luke 21:28 says, "So when all these things begin to happen, stand straight and look up, for your salvation is near!" (NLT)
Psalm 5:3 says, "My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning I will direct it to you, and I will look up". (NKJV).
I quoted from the New King James Version in that last Scripture because it states it so clearly for me - Look Up! Look up into the Heavens, seek God, and listen to His voice. Look Up! Stop being a chicken looking down and scratching at the ground. Look up to find God's glory shining down on you!! So, if it is so easy, why aren't we doing that each and every day? Well, the answer is found in the...... chickens!
4. Did you know that you can literally hypnotize a chicken by holding it and drawing a line in the dirt over and over again? The chicken will stay there as long as you do this. When I think about this I think of those things in our lives that keep us focused on things that really don't matter and keep our focus off things that do matter. Mostly, what is in our lives that keep our focus away from God? What keeps us from spending time with Him? Is it our troubles, our friends, our family, our "entertainment", our jobs, our commitments? The list can go on and on. I'm not saying that is bad to be focused on all of this. Certainly we have to be focused on our jobs while at our jobs. No, what I am asking is what is keeping your focus off of God? What stops you from spending time with Him. What stops you from leaving the "chicken yard"? Isaiah 40:26 says, "Look up into the heavens. Who created the stars? He brings them out one after another, calling each by name. And He counts them to see that none are lost or have strayed away." Our focus each and every day should begin with God. In everything that we do, we need to focus on God. Think you are failing in your job? Focus it on God. Think your life is meaningless? Focus it on God. Having trouble meeting your commitments? Focus it on God. Are you bored? Focus on God. Are troubles piling up in your life? Focus on God. Get it? Well, one last time let's focus on the chicken......
5. The most interesting fact I came across about chickens was that they are thought to be the closest living relative of the Tyrannosaurus Rex. Wow, they have come a long, long way - in the wrong direction! How can something so terrifying, so large, so commanding become something so insignificant? Well, only significant when it comes to meal time. I mean, this is one evolutionary mystery! Well, if you believed in evolution but that is for another blog.
Look at yourself, at your friends, at your neighborhood, at your city, state, and then at your country. Where have we come from and where are we going? Is the difference compared to the difference between the T-Rex and the chicken? Would this be a good thing or a bad thing? Certainly, we would much rather come upon a chicken in the woods rather than a T-Rex. But, if the difference means I am diminished some how, well then that is something I have to think about. I want to increase, not decrease. How about you?
Proverbs 13:11 says, "Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase". (KJV)
Ecclesiastes 5:10, "Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless". (NIV)
"And the apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith'." Luke 17:5 (NKJV).
John the Baptist said about Jesus, "He must increase, but I must decease". I think that sums up the idea about the difference between the T-Rex and the chicken. The Lord within me must increase and I must decrease. In that way I will be more than I ever imagine to be!!
So to sum it up:
Don't be a follower. Discover who God is for yourself. You want to know who He is, what He is thinking, how He fits into your life? He wrote a book. Read it.
Don't squabble and fight. Instead, find out what God would say about the matter. Fight for the right things. Fight for things that will make a difference in your life and in others lives. Fight for the truth!
Become interested in the Heavens. Focus on God. Learn how to decrease your selfishness and how to increase in Christ Jesus!!
May you all find time to spend with the Lord this week. Increasing your faith, your knowledge, and your love for Him. I pray for everyone reading these words that the Lord will become very real for you and that your faith will become the size of a T-Rex.
Love to all,
Debby
1. Chickens are followers. If a chicken sees a bunch of chickens running across the chicken yard, he will take off after them. It doesn't matter that he doesn't know where they are going or why they are going there. He follows because he doesn't want to miss out on anything the majority are doing. Does this sound like you? Follow what everyone else is doing just because you don't want to miss out or be left out? This can lead to some very dangerous situations especially when it comes to your soul - the truth about who you really are.
I did this at least one time in my life that I can remember. I had some friends who I really desired to be around, accepted by them, and have some fun. This group's favorite past time was spent drinking in a few favorite bars across town. So, I blindly went with them. After all, the talk was good, the laughing felt great, and I did enjoy a nice glass of wine every now and then. Well, before I knew it, I was drinking more than just wine and more than just one glass. Here is where I entered dangerous territory. Had I allowed that lifestyle to go on, how far would I have gone? I had already gone further and drank more than I ever had in my life. I was not being true to myself because I was turning into someone I didn't recognize. This was not fair to the friends I was with because I was not showing them my true spirit. I was denying myself in order to be accepted and liked. And, this was not fair to me as I was losing myself. The Bible even warns us of this, "And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process? Is anything worth more than your soul?". Matthew 16:26 (NLT). Yes, I was losing my own soul in the process of being "accepted". Don't get me wrong. I love those friends and enjoyed time spent with them. But true friendship is showing yourself and them liking you for who you really are. And, I discovered I am nothing without Jesus in my life. When I denied Him, I denied who I have been called to be. Enough about me (this would be best dealt with in aonther blog), back to the chickens....
2. Chickens just naturally "squabble and fight" over things in the chicken yard. If one finds a nice juicy bug to eat, suddenly they all want it. They will chase each other all over the chicken yard, trying to take it away from each other. They are funny that way. They can walk all around a bug or grasshopper and not pay any attention to it, but the moment one decides he wants it, at that moment, they all decide they want it and the chase is on. Wow, how many people and situations this describes. I could talk about this from the craze for Cabbage Patch Babies in the '80's to how drugs became popular in our culture starting in the 60's. I could even make it a more current relevance just by talking about the current mortgage meltdown. We run around fighting for everything except for those things that really matter. Such as our spouses, our families, our integrity, or our souls. When was the last time you had a sit down, spiritual fight with God? You can do this. I said fight with God, not against God. Get into God's Word and talk to Him. You can say anything and I promise He won't be offended. Unless you get down right rude and nasty towards Him. He doesn't take kindly to acts of meanness as I am sure you don't either.
You say you don't know God, have never talked to God, or don't even believe in God? Well, now is a good time to give it a try. After all, what have you got to lose? Even God encourages you to test Him. Psalms 34:8 (NLT) says, "Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who trust in Him!" Lamentations says, "Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn again in repentance to the Lord". (3:40 - NLT). Remember the chickens.....
3. Chickens have no interest in the Heavens. They are content to live in the chicken yard, walking around with their eyes on the ground, scratching in the dirt looking for something to eat. Most of them will never try to fly. They are earthbound birds. Are you an earthbound bird? Do you spend most of your time trying to build a career, work your fingers to the bone, worrying about bills, thinking about the next thing you need to "afford", or impressing the boss (manager, supervisor, team lead, etc)? Or maybe you are trying to impress someone else, live up to expectations, or busy trying to live a life that is "satisfying" (or I should say "gratifying")? So, how are you doing? Are you gaining all that you had hoped for? Has all your hard work amounted to anything?
Psalm 40:12 says, "For troubles surround me -- to many to count! They pile up so high I can't see my way out (unable to look up). They are more numerous than the hairs on my head. I have lost all my courage. (NLT)
Luke 21:28 says, "So when all these things begin to happen, stand straight and look up, for your salvation is near!" (NLT)
Psalm 5:3 says, "My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning I will direct it to you, and I will look up". (NKJV).
I quoted from the New King James Version in that last Scripture because it states it so clearly for me - Look Up! Look up into the Heavens, seek God, and listen to His voice. Look Up! Stop being a chicken looking down and scratching at the ground. Look up to find God's glory shining down on you!! So, if it is so easy, why aren't we doing that each and every day? Well, the answer is found in the...... chickens!
4. Did you know that you can literally hypnotize a chicken by holding it and drawing a line in the dirt over and over again? The chicken will stay there as long as you do this. When I think about this I think of those things in our lives that keep us focused on things that really don't matter and keep our focus off things that do matter. Mostly, what is in our lives that keep our focus away from God? What keeps us from spending time with Him? Is it our troubles, our friends, our family, our "entertainment", our jobs, our commitments? The list can go on and on. I'm not saying that is bad to be focused on all of this. Certainly we have to be focused on our jobs while at our jobs. No, what I am asking is what is keeping your focus off of God? What stops you from spending time with Him. What stops you from leaving the "chicken yard"? Isaiah 40:26 says, "Look up into the heavens. Who created the stars? He brings them out one after another, calling each by name. And He counts them to see that none are lost or have strayed away." Our focus each and every day should begin with God. In everything that we do, we need to focus on God. Think you are failing in your job? Focus it on God. Think your life is meaningless? Focus it on God. Having trouble meeting your commitments? Focus it on God. Are you bored? Focus on God. Are troubles piling up in your life? Focus on God. Get it? Well, one last time let's focus on the chicken......
5. The most interesting fact I came across about chickens was that they are thought to be the closest living relative of the Tyrannosaurus Rex. Wow, they have come a long, long way - in the wrong direction! How can something so terrifying, so large, so commanding become something so insignificant? Well, only significant when it comes to meal time. I mean, this is one evolutionary mystery! Well, if you believed in evolution but that is for another blog.
Look at yourself, at your friends, at your neighborhood, at your city, state, and then at your country. Where have we come from and where are we going? Is the difference compared to the difference between the T-Rex and the chicken? Would this be a good thing or a bad thing? Certainly, we would much rather come upon a chicken in the woods rather than a T-Rex. But, if the difference means I am diminished some how, well then that is something I have to think about. I want to increase, not decrease. How about you?
Proverbs 13:11 says, "Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase". (KJV)
Ecclesiastes 5:10, "Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless". (NIV)
"And the apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith'." Luke 17:5 (NKJV).
John the Baptist said about Jesus, "He must increase, but I must decease". I think that sums up the idea about the difference between the T-Rex and the chicken. The Lord within me must increase and I must decrease. In that way I will be more than I ever imagine to be!!
So to sum it up:
Don't be a follower. Discover who God is for yourself. You want to know who He is, what He is thinking, how He fits into your life? He wrote a book. Read it.
Don't squabble and fight. Instead, find out what God would say about the matter. Fight for the right things. Fight for things that will make a difference in your life and in others lives. Fight for the truth!
Become interested in the Heavens. Focus on God. Learn how to decrease your selfishness and how to increase in Christ Jesus!!
May you all find time to spend with the Lord this week. Increasing your faith, your knowledge, and your love for Him. I pray for everyone reading these words that the Lord will become very real for you and that your faith will become the size of a T-Rex.
Love to all,
Debby
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Getting Started
Ever since I was a little girl, I have had something to say. Ask my parents, they will support this statement! I was known to get into trouble at school for talking when I should have been listening. Plenty of teacher conferences were focused on this very fact. I love to talk. I love to exchange ideas, share discoveries, and laugh at funny stories. Never mind the fact that I like it best when I am the one talking! LOL
However, there comes a time when you either have to change the behavior or accept it for what its worth. Well, changing the behavior was just not an option for me so I chose to accept it. It wasn't a hard decision! ;) But, little did I know, God was about to get involved in all my talking. So, now instead of my voice, I prefer the voice of my Father. He tells me what to say and when to say it. He, also, scolds me when I say what I shouldn't or when I don't say what I should. If this sounds like someone familiar, yes, I do relate to Paul in many ways. In Romans chapter 7 Paul says this about his desire to do right:
"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do......For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it." Romans 7:15, 19 & 20 (NIV).
One can say that Paul was very distressed when he wrote this. I know and understand his frustration for I have lived this very same thing. The idea out there that Christians are to live this perfect, free from struggle and mistakes, life is absolutely not the truth. In fact, it has been my experience that the complete opposite is true. The more a person seeks a closer relationship with Christ, the more conflict occurs. This is why people will stop seeking. They don't understand that this road to be like Christ is not a straight, evenly smooth, path. It is a hard, crooked road that has many bumps, pits, and cracks. Just like the roads in Des Moines, Iowa after a hard winter. (Sorry, couldn't avoid the comparison!). And if people say they have found a way to "spirituality" that is smooth, even, and blissful, well, I would have to question as to whether or not they are on the right path.
This is a good starting point for my blog. Explaining why the best path is the hard path. In my life group ministry - "On Eagles Wings" - I not only work to explain but my ultimate goal is to assist others in managing the bumps, pits, and cracks. For our very reward depends on how well we accomplish that task. Let this blog become an addition to the work I do. I pray that those I talk to on Facebook will read it to gain a better understanding of me, my relationship with God, and why I feel it so necessary to post Scriptures and warnings about sin. I pray that those who attend On Eagles Wings Life Groups will read this and that whatever God places in my heart to say will motivate them to continue on the right path. I pray that my Christianity 101 Class and Bible Discussion Group will find information here to add to their daily learning. (Yes, I said daily - have you done your homework?). I pray that my family and friends will read this and see what God is doing in my life.
I pray that through my words - God's words coming through me - you will find that most precious relationship a person could ever have in this life. A relationship with Jesus that surpasses all of our understanding and expectations of a perfect relationship. And that you will be able to learn how to deepen that relationship so when life gets hard, you will know how to lean on Him and just breathe.
Love to all,
Debby
However, there comes a time when you either have to change the behavior or accept it for what its worth. Well, changing the behavior was just not an option for me so I chose to accept it. It wasn't a hard decision! ;) But, little did I know, God was about to get involved in all my talking. So, now instead of my voice, I prefer the voice of my Father. He tells me what to say and when to say it. He, also, scolds me when I say what I shouldn't or when I don't say what I should. If this sounds like someone familiar, yes, I do relate to Paul in many ways. In Romans chapter 7 Paul says this about his desire to do right:
"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do......For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it." Romans 7:15, 19 & 20 (NIV).
One can say that Paul was very distressed when he wrote this. I know and understand his frustration for I have lived this very same thing. The idea out there that Christians are to live this perfect, free from struggle and mistakes, life is absolutely not the truth. In fact, it has been my experience that the complete opposite is true. The more a person seeks a closer relationship with Christ, the more conflict occurs. This is why people will stop seeking. They don't understand that this road to be like Christ is not a straight, evenly smooth, path. It is a hard, crooked road that has many bumps, pits, and cracks. Just like the roads in Des Moines, Iowa after a hard winter. (Sorry, couldn't avoid the comparison!). And if people say they have found a way to "spirituality" that is smooth, even, and blissful, well, I would have to question as to whether or not they are on the right path.
This is a good starting point for my blog. Explaining why the best path is the hard path. In my life group ministry - "On Eagles Wings" - I not only work to explain but my ultimate goal is to assist others in managing the bumps, pits, and cracks. For our very reward depends on how well we accomplish that task. Let this blog become an addition to the work I do. I pray that those I talk to on Facebook will read it to gain a better understanding of me, my relationship with God, and why I feel it so necessary to post Scriptures and warnings about sin. I pray that those who attend On Eagles Wings Life Groups will read this and that whatever God places in my heart to say will motivate them to continue on the right path. I pray that my Christianity 101 Class and Bible Discussion Group will find information here to add to their daily learning. (Yes, I said daily - have you done your homework?). I pray that my family and friends will read this and see what God is doing in my life.
I pray that through my words - God's words coming through me - you will find that most precious relationship a person could ever have in this life. A relationship with Jesus that surpasses all of our understanding and expectations of a perfect relationship. And that you will be able to learn how to deepen that relationship so when life gets hard, you will know how to lean on Him and just breathe.
Love to all,
Debby
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